A39682:62
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.
This being presupposed, it will not be difficult to apprehend, what it is to keep ⟨p. 9⟩the heart, which is nothing else but the constant care and diligence of such a renewed man, to preserve his soul in that holy frame to which Grace hath reduced it, and daily strives to hold it.
For though grace hath in great measure rectified the Soul, and given it an habitual and heavenly temper; yet Sin often actually discomposes it again; so that even a gracious heart is like a musical Instrument, which though it be never so exactly tuned, a small matter brings it out of tune again; yea hang it aside but a little and it will need setting again, before you can play another Lesson on it: even so stands the case with gracious hearts; if they are in frame in one duty, yet how dull, dead and disordered, when they come to another: and therefore every duty needs a particular preparation of the heart, Job 11. 13. If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thy hands towards him: Well then, to keep the hear, is carefully to preserve it from sin which disorders it; and maintain that spiritual and gracious frame which fits it for a life of communion with God: and this includes these fix acts in it.
For though grace hath in great measure rectified the Soul, and given it an habitual and heavenly temper; yet Sin often actually discomposes it again; so that even a gracious heart is like a musical Instrument, which though it be never so exactly tuned, a small matter brings it out of tune again; yea hang it aside but a little and it will need setting again, before you can play another Lesson on it: even so stands the case with gracious hearts; if they are in frame in one duty, yet how dull, dead and disordered, when they come to another: and therefore every duty needs a particular preparation of the heart, Iob 11. 13. If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thy hands towards him: Well then, to keep the hear, is carefully to preserve it from sin which disorders it; and maintain that spiritual and gracious frame which fits it for a life of communion with God: and this includes these fix acts in it.