A39682:53
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.
1. First I shall inquire what the keeping of the heart supposes and imports.
2. Secondly, Assign divers Reasons, why Christians must make this the great work and business of their lives.
3. Thirdly, Point at those special seasons ⟨p. 7⟩which especially call for this diligence in keeping the heart.
4. Fourthly and fastly, apply the whole in several uses.
1. What the keeping of the Heart supposes and imports.
To keep the heart necessarily supposes a previous work of Sanctification; which hath set the heart right by giving it a new Spiritual bent and inclination, for as long as the heart is not set right by Grace, as to its habitual frame, no Duties or Means can keep it right with God. Self is the Poise of the unsanctified heart, which By asses and moves it in all its designs and actions; and as long as it is so, it is impossible that any external means should keep it with God.