A39682:420
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.
5. Mot. Acquaintance with your own hearts would be a Fountain of matter to you in Prayer.
A man that is diligent in heart work, and knows the state of his own Soul; will have a fountain fullness of matter to supply him richly in all his addresses to God: his tongue shall not falter, and make pauses for want of matter, Psal. 45. 1. my heart is inditing a good matter: or as Montanus renders the original, my heart is boiling up good matter, like a living spring that is still bubbling up fresh water; and then my tongue is as the pen of a ready writer▪ others must pump their memories, rack their inventions, and are often at a loss when they have done all: but if thou have kept and faithfully studied thine own heart, twill be ⟨p. 198⟩with thee (as Job speaks in another case) like bottles full of new wine, that want vent, which are ready to burst: as holy matter flows plentifully, so more feelingly and sweetly from such a heart: when a heart experienced Christian is mourning before God over some special heart corruption, wrestling with God for the supply of some special inward want, he speaks not as other men do, that have learned to pray by rote, their confessions and petitions are squeezed out, his drop freely like pure honey from the comb, tis a happiness then to be with or near such a Christian. I remember Bernard having given rules to prepare the heart for prayer concludes them thus, Et cum talis fueris memento mei: and (saith he) when thy heart is in this frame then remember me.
A man that is diligent in heart work, and knows the state of his own Soul; will have a fountain fulness of matter to supply him richly in all his addresses to God: his tongue shall not faulter, and make pauses for want of matter, Psal. 45. 1. my heart is enditing a good matter: or as Montanus renders the original, my heart is boyling up good matter, like a living spring that is still bubling up fresh water; and then my tongue is as the pen of a ready writer others must pump their memories, rack their inventions, and are often at a loss when they have done all: but if thou have kept and faithfully studied thine own heart, twill be