A39682:313
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.
2. That you be rightly instructed about ⟨p. 148⟩the forementioned Particulars, which are the grounds of your doubting.
The general truths requisite for poor doubting souls to be acquainted with, are these:
1. That every working and appearance of hypocrisy doth not presently prove the person in whom it is to be an hypocrite. You must carefully distinguish between the presence and predominancy of hypocrisy: there are remains of deceitfulness in the best hearts. David and Peter had sad experience of it, yet the standing frame and general bent of the heart being upright; it did not denominate them hypocrites.
1. That every working and appearance of hypocrisie doth not presently prove the person in whom it is to be an hypocrite. You must carefully distinguish between the presence and predominancy of hypocrisie: there are remains of deceitfulness in the best hearts. David and Peter had sad experience of it, yet the standing frame and general bent of the heart being upright; it did not denominate them hypocrites.
2. That we ought as well to hear what can be said for us, as against us: It is the sin of upright hearts sometimes to use an over rigid, and merciless severity against themselves: they do not indifferently consider the case of their own souls: it is in this case, as Solomon speaks in another,