A39682:413
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.
If professors did but give diligence to study, search, and watch their own hearts, they would have that [Greek or Hebrew] that steadfastness of their own that Peter speaks of 2 Pet. 3. 17. and this would ballast and settle them, Heb. 13. 9. Suppose a subtle Papist should talk to such of the dignity, and merit of good works, could he ever work the persuasion of it into that heart that is conscious to it self of so much darkness, deadness, distraction, and unbelief attending it• best duties? tis a good rule, non est disputandum de gustu: there is no disputing against taste: what a man hath felt and tasted, one cannot beat him off from that by argument.
If professors did but give diligence to study, search, and watch their own hearts, they would have that 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 that stedfastness of their own that Peter speaks of 2 Pet. 3. 17. and this would ballast and settle them, Heb. 13. 9. Suppose a subtil Papist should talke to such of the dignity, and me•it of good works, could he ever work the perswasion of it into that heart that is conscious to it self of so much darkness, deadness, distraction, and unbelief attending it• best duties? tis a good rule, non est disputandum de gustu: there is no disputing against taste: what a man hath felt and tasted, one cannot beat him off from that by argument.
3. Mot. Your care and diligence in keeping your hearts, will prove one of the best evidences of your sincerity.