A64979:463
Christ's certain and sudden appearance to judgment
Christ's certain and sudden appearance to judgment by Thomas Vincent ...
London: printed for George Calvert, 1667
Christ's certain and sudden Appearance to Judgment. › Chapter 13
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.
3. Consider, the worth and excellency of this Grace; though it be difficult, yet it is excellent, Pulchra sunt difficilia, the best things are not obtained without difficulty; had you this grace, you would not be without it for a world, you would not change your tears and sorrow for sin, for all the sweetness and pleasure that others find in the commission of it; if you did but truly repent, you would not think it so grievous a thing to be bourn, but the more you had of it, the more you would desire, and be best pleased, when you could act this grace most strongly.
3. Consider, the worth and excellency of this Grace; though it be difficult, yet it is excellent, Pulchra sunt difficilia, the best things are not obtained without difficultie; had you this grace, you would not be without it for a world, you would not change your tears and sorrow for sin, for all the sweetnesse and pleasure that others finde in the commission of it; if you did but truly repent, you would not think it so grievous a thing to be bourn, but the more you had of it, the more you would desire, and be best pleased, when you could act this grace most stronglie.
4. Consider, that the greatest difficulty is at first: ⟨p. 254⟩Flesh may contradict and violently oppose the beginnings of Repentance, which doth so manifestly seek its ruin and destruction; but after you are accustomed to the yoke, you will find it more easy; after you have got mastery over your flesh, and have attained some degrees of mortification, you will find it suitable to the new man to live in the exercise of Repentance, and reap much sweetness from it.
4. Consider, that the greatest dissiculty is at first: ⟨p. 254⟩Flesh may contradict and violently oppose the beginnings of Repentance, which doth so manifestly seek its ruine and destruction; but after you are accustomed to the yoke, you will finde it more easie; after you have got mastery over your flesh, and have attained some degrees of mortification, you will finde it suitable to the new man to live in the exercise of Repentance, and reap much sweetnesse from it.