A39682:399
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.
O Christians! I fear your zeal and strength hath run in the wrong channel: I fear most of us may take up the Churches complaint, Cant. 1. 6. They have made me the keeper of the Vineyards, but mine own Vineyard have I not kept. Two things have eaten up the time and strength of the Professors of this Generation, and sadly diverted them from heart work. (1) Fruitless controversies started by Satan, I doubt not to this very purpose, to take us off from practical godliness, to make us puzzle our heads, when we should be searching our hearts. O how little have we minded that of the Apostle, Heb. 13. 9. Tis a good thing that the heart be established with Grace, and not with meats: (i. e.) with disputes and controversies about meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
O Christians! I fear your zeal and strength hath run in the wrong cha•nel: I fear most of us may take up the Churches complaint, Cant. 1. 6. They have made me the keeper of the Vineyards, but mine own Vineyard have I not kept. Two things have eaten up the time and strength of the Professors of this Generation, and sadly diverted them from heart work. (1) Fruitless controversies started by Sathan, I doubt not to this very purpose, to take us off from practical godliness, to make us puzzle our heads, when we should be searching our hearts. O how little have we minded that of the Apostle, Heb. 13. 9. Tis a good thing that the heart be established with Grace, and not with meats: (i. e.) with disputes and controversies about meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
O how much better is it to see men live exactly, then to hear them dispute subtly! these unfruitful questions, how have they rendered the Churches? wasted time and spirits, and called Christians off from their main business, from looking to their own vineyard? what think you Sirs? had it not been better if the questions