A39682:462
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.
Tis uprightness of heart will comfort thee upon a death-bed, 2 Kings 20. 2, 3. ⟨p. 217⟩Then he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, saying, remember now O Lord, how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart, &c.
I am really of his mind who said, si mihi daretur optio eligerim christiani rustici sordidissimum & maxim agreste opus prae omnibus victoriis & triumphis Alexandri au• Caesaris: might I have my wish, I would prefer the most despicable and sordid work of a rustic Christian, before all the victories and triumphs of Alexander or Cesar. Yea, let me add, before all the elaborated duties and excellent gifts of vain professors: before the tongues of men and Angels: it will signify more to my comfort to spend one solitary hour in mourning before the Lord over heart corruption, then many hours in▪ a seeming zealous, but really dead performance of common duties with the greatest enlargements and richest embellishments of parts and gifts.
I am really of his mind who said, si mihi daretur optio eligerim christiani rustici sordidissimum & maxime agreste opus prae omnibus victoriis & triumphis Alexandri au• Caesaris: might I have my wish, I would prefer the most despicable and sordid work of a rustick Christian, before all the victories and triumphs of Alexander or Cesar. Yea, let me adde, before all the elaborated duties and excellent gifts of vain professors: before the tongues of men and Angels: it will signifie more to my comfort to spend one solitary hour in mourning before the Lord over heart corruption, then many hours in▪ a seeming zealous, but really dead performance of common duties with the greatest inlargements and richest embellishments of parts and gifts.