A39696:825
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.
Well then, if God have opened to your Souls such a Chamber of love, where your Souls may be ravished with daily delights, as well as secured from danger and ruin: O that you would enter into it by Faith, and dwell for ever in the love of God! I mean, clear up your interest in it, and then solace your Souls in the delights of it. Need I to use an Argument, or spend one Motive to press you to enter into such an Heaven upon Earth? If the deadness of thy heart doth need it, take into consideration, Reader, these few that follow.
WEll then, if God have opened to your Souls such a Chamber of love, where your Souls may be ravished with daily delights, as well as secured from danger and ruine: O that you would enter into it by Faith, and dwell for ever in the love of God! I mean, clear up your interest in it, and then solace your Souls in the delights of it. Need I to use an Argument, or spend one Motive to press you to enter into such an Heaven upon Earth? If the deadness of thy heart doth need it, take into consideration, Reader, these few that follow.
1. Motive. Ponder with thy self how sad and miserable the case will be with thee in the days of calamity and distress, if the love of God shall then be clouded to thy Soul; in those days such as love thee will either be absent from thee, or impotent to help thee, all thy friends and familiars may be removed far off, and whither then wilt thou turn should God be far off too? This was that evil which Jeremiah so vehemently deprecated, Chap. 17. v. 17. Be not a terror unto me, thou art my hope in the day of evil. q. d. O Lord my Soul depends upon refreshment, and comfort from thee, when all the springs of earthly comfort are dried up. Shouldest thou be a terror to me in the day of evil, it will be the most terrible ⟨p. 256⟩disappointment that ever befell my Soul; if thou be kind, I care not who be cruel if I have the love of God, I value not the hatred of men; but if God be a terror, who or what can be a comforter? The love of God is the alone refuge to which the gracious Soul retreats upon all creature disappointments, and failings. This therefore is the main thing to be feared against the evil day.