A39682:449
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.
It cannot be imagined he should keep his heart with God, that hath lost himself in a wood of earthly business: take heed you do not pinch your Souls by gratifying the immoderate desires of your flesh. I wish many Christians could truly say what a Heathen once did, I do not give, but only lend my self to my business. Tis said Germanicus reigned in the Romans hearts: 1Tiberius only in their Provinces: though the world be in your hands, let it not jostle Christ out of your hearts.
It cannot be imagined he should keep his heart with God, that hath lost himself in a wood of earthly business: take heed you doe not pinch your Souls by grati•ying the immoderate desires of your flesh. I wish many Christians could truly say what a Heathen once did, I doe not give, but only lend my self to my business. Tis said Germanicus reigned in the Romans hearts: 1Tyberius only in their Provinces: though the world be in your hands, let it not justle Christ out of your hearts.
- 1Seneca.
Take heed Christian, least thy shop steal away thy heart from thy closet. God never intended earthly employments for a stop, but rather for a step to heavenly ones. O let not Aristippus the Heathen arise in judgement against thee, who said, he would rather neglect his means then his mind, his farm then his Soul. […] thy ship be overladen thou must cast some overboard: ⟨p. 212⟩more business then thou canst well manage, is like more meat then thou canst well digest, which will quickly make a sickly Soul.
Take heed Christian, least thy shop steal away thy heart from thy closet. God never intended earthly imployments for a stop, but rather for a step to heavenly ones. O let not Aristippus the Heathen arise in judgement against thee, who said, he would rather neglect his means then his mind, his farm then his Soul. thy ship be overladen thou must cast some overbord: