A39682:316
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 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, Prov. 13. 7. There is that maketh himself rich, and yet hath nothing; and there is that maketh himself poor, and yet hath great riches. 'Tis the damning sin of the self flattering hypocrite, to make his condition better then 'tis: and it is the sin and folly of some upright ⟨p. 149⟩ones to make their condition worse then indeed it is. Why should you be such enemies to your own peace? to read over the evidences of Gods love to your Souls, as a man doth a book which he intends to confute? why do you study to find evasions, to turn off those comforts which are due to you? 'tis said of Joseph that he was minded to put away his espoused Mary, not knowing that that holy thing which was conceived in her, was by the holy ghost: and this may be your case. A third truth is this.
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, Prov. 13. 7. There is that maketh himself rich, and yet hath nothing; and there is that maketh himself poor, and yet hath great riches. 'Tis the damning sin of the self flattering hypocrite, to make his condition better then 'tis: and it is the sin and folly of some upright ⟨p. 149⟩ones to make their condition worse then indeed it is. Why should you be such enemies to your own peace? to read over the evidences of Gods love to your Souls, as a man doth a book which he intends to confute? why doe you study to find evasions, to turn off those comforts which are due to you? 'tis said of Ioseph that he was minded to put away his espoused Mary, not knowing that that holy thing which was conceived in her, was by the holy ghost: and this may be your case. A third truth is this.