A39682:339
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. Quer.) But grant it be so indeed as you affirm, must it needs follow, that the root of the matter is not in you? Davids last ways are distinguished from his first, 2 Chr. 17. 3. and yet both first and last, a holy man. The Church of Ephesus is charged by Christ for leaving her first love; and yet a golden Candlestick, ⟨p. 158⟩many precious Saints in that Church, Rev. 2. 2, 3, 4.
(2. Quer.) But grant it be so indeed as you affirm, must it needs follow, that the root of the matter is not in you? Davids last waies are distinguished from his first, 2 Chr. 17. 3. and yet both first and last, a holy man. The Church of Ephesus is charged by Christ for leaving her first love; and yet a golden Candlestick, ⟨p. 158⟩many precious Saints in that Church, Rev. 2. 2, 3, 4.
3. A third ground of these sad conclusions is, the excess of our affections to some creature enjoyments. I fear I love the creature more than God, and if so, my love is but hypocritical. I sometimes feel stronger, and more sensible motions of my heart to some earthly comforts, then I do to heavenly objects: therefore my Soul is not upright in me. But stay Soul,
3. A third ground of these sad conclusions is, the excess of our affections to some creature injoyments. I fear I love the creature more than God, and if so, my love is but hypocritical. I sometimes feel stronger, and more sensible motions of my heart to some earthly comforts, then I do to heavenly objects: therefore my Soul is not upright in me. But stay Soul,