A39682:308
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.
10. Season. The tenth special season to keep the heart with all diligence, is the time of spiritual darkness and ⟨p. 146⟩doubting when it is with the Soul, as it was with Paul in his dangerous voyage, neither sun, nor moon, nor star appears for many days: when by reason of the hidings of Gods face, the prevalency of corruption, and the inevidence of grace; the Soul is even ready to give up all its hopes and comforts for lost; to draw sad and desperate conclusions upon it self; to call its former comforts vain delusions; its grace hypocrisy. When the serene and clear Heavens are overcast with dark clouds, yea filled with thunders; and horrible tempests; when the poor pensive Soul sits down and weeps forth this sad lamentation, my hope is perished from the Lord! now to keep the heart from sinking in such a day as this, to enable it to maintain its own sincerity, is a matter of great difficulty. The tenth Case then will be this.
10. Season. The tenth special season to keep the heart with all diligence, is the time of spiritual darkness and ⟨p. 146⟩doubting when it is with the Soul, as it was with Paul in his dangerous voyage, neither sun, nor moon, nor star appears for many days: when by reason of the hidings of Gods face, the prevalency of corruption, and the inevidence of grace; the Soul is even ready to give up all its hopes and comforts for lost; to draw sad and desperate conclusions upon it self; to call its former comforts vain delusions; its grace hypocrisie. When the serene and clear Heavens are overcast with dark clouds, yea filled with thunders; and horrible tempests; when the poor pensive Soul sits down and weeps forth this sad lamentation, my hope is perished from the Lord! now to keep the heart from sinking in such a day as this, to enable it to maintain its own sincerity, is a matter of great difficulty. The tenth Case then will be this.
Case 10. How the people of God in dark and doubting seasons, may keep their hearts from entertaining such sad conclusions about their estates, as destroy their peace, and unfit them for their Duty.