A39682:317
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.
3. That many a Saint hath charged and condemned himself for that, which God will never charge him with, nor condemn him for. Why hast thou hardened our heart from thy fear (saith the Church, Isai. 63. 17. and yet the verse before manifests, that their hearts were not so hardened: godly Bradford wrote himself an hypocrite, a painted sepulchre; yet doubtless God acquitted him of that charge.
3. That many a Saint hath charged and condemned himself for that, which God will never charge him with, nor condemn him for. Why hast thou hardned our heart from thy fear (saith the Church, Isai. 63. 17. and yet the verse before manifests, that their hearts were not so hardned: godly Bradford wrote himself an hypocrite, a painted sepulchre; yet doubtless God acquitted him of that charge.
4. Every thing which is a ground of grief to the people of God, is not a sufficient ground of questioning their sincerity. There are many more things to trouble you then there are to stumble you: if upon every slip and failing through infirmity, you should question all that ever was ⟨p. 150⟩wrought upon you your life must be made up of doubtings and fears: you can never attain a settled peace, nor live that life of praise and thankfulness, the gospel calls for.
4. Every thing which is a ground of grief to the people of God, is not a sufficient ground of questioning their sincerity. There are many more things to trouble you then there are to stumble you: if upon every slip and failing through infirmity, you should question all that ever was ⟨p. 150⟩wrought upon you your life must be made up of doubtings and fears: you can never attain a setled peace, nor live that life of praise and thankfulness, the gospel calls for.