A39682:94
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.
2. God doth not usually indulge lazy and negligent Souls with the Comforts of Assurance, he will not so much as seem to patronize sloth and carelessness, he will give it, but it shall be in his own way: his Command hath united our care and comfort together; they are mistaken that think the beautiful Child of Assurance may be born without pangs: Ah, how many solitary hours have the people of God spent in heart-examination? How many times have they looked into the Word, and then into their hearts? Sometime they thought they discovered sincerity, and ⟨p. 32⟩were even ready to draw forth the triumphant conclusion of Assurance, then comes a doubt they cannot resolve, and dashes all again; many hopes and fears, doubtings and reasonings they have had in their own breasts, before they arrived at a comfortable settlement.
2. God doth not usually indulge lazy and negligent Souls with the Comforts of Assurance, he will not so much as seem to patronize sloth and carelesness, he will give it, but it shall be in his own way: his Command hath united our care and comfort together; they are mistaken that think the beautiful Child of Assurance may be born without pangs: Ah, how many solitary hours have the people of God spent in heartexamination? How many times have they looked into the Word, and then into their hearts? Sometime they thought they discovered sinceri•y, and ⟨p. 32⟩were even ready to draw forth the triumphant conclusion of Assurance, then comes a doubt they cannot resolve, and dashes all again; many hopes and fears, doubtings and reasonings they have had in their own breasts, before they arrived at a comfortable settlement.
To conclude, Suppose it possible for a careless Christian to attain Assurance, yet it's impossible he should long retain it; for it is with those whose hearts are big with the joys of Assurance, as with a pregnant woman subject to miscarriages; if extraordinary care be not used, it is a thousand to one if ever she embrace a living Child: So 'tis here, a little pride, vanity, carelessness, dashes all that for which thou hast been labouring a long time in many a weary duty. Since then the joy of our life, the comfort of our souls, rises and falls with our diligence in this work; keep your hearts with all diligence.