A39682:265
A Saint Indeed
A saint indeed: or The great work of a Christian, opened and pressed; from Prov. 4. 23 Being a seasonable and proper expedient for the recovery of the much decayed power of godliness, among the professors of these times. By John Flavell M. of the Gospel.
London: printed by W.R., 1668
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
8. Season. The next season in which we are in danger of losing our hearts is, when we meet with great crosses and provocations: then sinful passion is apt to transport the heart, 'tis the ⟨p. 130⟩fault of many good men to be of hasty and quick spirits when provoked; though they dare not concoct anger into malice, for that would be a note of wickedness, yet are they very incident to sudden anger which is a sign of weakness. Beza 1in the life of Calvin 2observes, that he was of a keen and hasty spirit: and he that writes the life of great Cameron, 3saith, that his anger was soon stirred towards his near and familiar friends, but then he would easily depose it, and acknowledge his weakness: alas, when provocations, and trials of our patience come, we know not what Spirits we are of. The eighth Case therefore is this.
8. Season. The next season in which we are in danger of losing our hearts is, when we meet with great crosses and provocations: then sinful passion is apt to transport the heart, 'tis the ⟨p. 130⟩fault of many good men to be of hasty and quick spirits when provoked; though they dare not concoct anger into malice, for that would be a note of wickedness, yet are they very incident to sudden anger which is a sign of weakness. Beza 1in the life of Calvin 2observes, that he was of a keen and hasty spirit: and he that writes the life of great Cameron, 3saith, that his anger was soon stirred towards his near and familiar friends, but then he would easily depose it, and acknowledg his weakness: alas, when provocations, and tryals of our patience come, we know not what Spirits we are of. The eighth Case therefore is this.