A39682:358
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. Quest. Dare I violate my conscience to save my flesh? who shall comfort me when conscience wounds me? What comfort is there in life, liberty, or friends, when peace is taken away from the inner man? when Constantius threatened to cut off Samosatenus his right hand if he would not subscribe somewhat that was against ⟨p. 166⟩his conscience, he held up both his hands to the messenger that was sent, saying, he shall cut off both rather then I will do it: farewell all peace, joy and comfort, from that day forward; •ad Zimri peace that slew his master? said Jezebel, so say I here, had Judas peace? had Spira peace? and shall you have peace if you tread in their steps? O consider what you do!
2. Quest. Dare I violate my conscience to save my flesh? who shall comfort me when conscience wounds me? What comfort is there in life, liberty, or friends, when peace is taken away from the inner man? when Constantius threatned to cut off Samosatenus his right hand if he would not subscribe somewhat that was against ⟨p. 166⟩his conscience, he held up both his hands to the messenger that was sent, saying, he shall cut off both rather then I will do it: farewel all peace, joy and comfort, from that day forward; •ad Zimri peace that slew his master? said Iezebel, so say I here, had Iudas peace? had Spira peace? and shall you have peace if you tread in their steps? O consider what you do!
3. Quest. Is not the public interest of Christ and religion infinitely more, then any private interest of my own? Tis a famous passage that of Terentius Captain to Adrian the Emperor, he presented a petition to Adrian that the Christians might have a temple by themselves to worship God apart from the Arians: the Emperor tore his petition and threw it away, bidding him to ask somewhat for himself, and it should be granted: but he modestly gathered up the pieces of his petition again and told him, if he could not be heard in Gods case, he would never ask any thing for himself: Yea even Tully, though an Heathen could say, ne immortalitatem quidem contra rem publicam: he would not accept even of immortality it self against the Common-wealth. O if we had more public, we should not