A39682:342
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.) If you indeed love the creature for its self, if you make it your end▪ and ⟨p. 159⟩religion but a means, then the conclusion is rightly drawn upon you. But if you love the creature in reference to God, and see nothing in it separated from him, though sometimes your affections offend in the excess: this is consistent with sincere love to God. To love the creature inordinately (i. e.) to put it in Gods room, and make it a mans end; this is the love of a carnal heart: to love it immoderately, that is, to let out more affection to it then we ought, is sometimes the sin of the best hearts.
(2. Quer.) If you indeed love the creature for its self, if you make it your end▪ and ⟨p. 159⟩religion but a means, then the conclusion is rightly drawn upon you. But if you love the creature in reference to God, and see nothing in it seperated from him, though sometimes your affections offend in the excess: this is consistent with sincere love to God. To love the creature inordinately (i. e.) to put it in Gods room, and make it a mans end; this is the love of a carnal heart: to love it immoderately, that is, to let out more affection to it then we ought, is sometimes the sin of the best hearts.
(3. Quer.) Have not many Souls feared as you do, that when Christ and creatures should stand as competitors in some eminent trial they should forsake Christ rather then the creature, and yet when brought to that Dilemma have been able to cast all the world at their heels for Christ? Many of the Martyrs had such fears, and thus they were satisfied: the prevalency of love is best seen at parting: there may be more love to Christ in thy Soul then thou art now aware of; and if God bring thee to such a pinch thou mayest see it.
(3. Quer.) Have not many Souls feared as you do, that when Christ and creatures should stand as competitors in some eminent tryal they should forsake Christ rather then the creature, and yet when brought to that Dilemma have been able to cast all the world at their heels for Christ? Many of the Martyrs had such fears, and thus they were satisfied: the prevalency of love is best seen at parting: there may be more love to Christ in thy Soul then thou art now aware of; and if God bring thee to such a pinch thou mayest see it.