A39696:569
Two treatises the first of fear, from Isa. 8, v. 12, 13, and part…
Two treatises the first of fear, from Isa. 8, v. 12, 13, and part of the 14 : the second, The righteous man's refuge in the evil day, from Isaiah 26, verse 20 / by John Flavell.
London: printed by H.H. for Robert Boulter, 1682
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. Enter into this Chamber of Divine power, all ye that fear the Lord, and hide your selves there in these dangerous and distressful days; let me say to you as the Prophet did to the poor distressed Jews, Zech. 9. 12. Turn ye to your strong hold, ye prisoners of hope. Strong holds might they say; Why, where are they? The walls of Jerusalem are in the dust, the Temple burnt with fire, Zion an heap, what meanest ⟨p. 185⟩thou then in telling us of our strong holds? Why, admit all this, yet there is Satis praesidii in uno Deo, Refuge enough for you in God alone, as Calvin excellently notes upon that place. Christian, art not thou able to fetch a good subsistence for thy Soul by Faith, out of the Almighty power of God? The renowned Saints of old did so, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob met with as many difficulties and plunges of trouble in their time, as ever you did or shall meet with; yet by the exercise of their faith upon this Attribute, they lived comfortably, and why cannot you? Exod. 6. 3. I appeared (saith God) unto Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, by the name of God Almighty. They kept house and feasted by Faith upon this name of mine; O that we could do as Abraham did, Rom▪ 4. 21. We have the same Attribute, but alas, we have not such a Faith as his was to improve it. It is easy to believe the Almighty power of God in a calm, but not so easy to resign our selves to it, and securely rest upon it in a Storm of adversity: But oh what peace and rest would our Faith procure us by the free use and exercise of it this way, to assist your faith in this difficulty wherein we find the faith of a Moses sometimes staggered. Let me briefly offer you these four following encouragements.
1. Enter into this Chamber of Divine power, all ye that fear the Lord, and hide your selves there in these dangerous and distressful days; let me say to you as the Prophet did to the poor distressed Iews, Zech. 9. 12. Turn ye to your strong hold, ye prisoners of hope. Strong holds might they say; Why, where are they? The walls of Ierusalem are in the dust, the Temple burnt with fire, Sion an heap, what meanest ⟨p. 185⟩