A68954:156
A three-fold treatise
A three-fold treatise containing the saints sure and perpetual guide. Self-enriching examination. Soul-fating fasting. Or, meditations, concerning the word, the sacrament of the Lords Supper, and fasting. By the labours of that late Reverend, and learned divine, Master Robert Bolton ...A three-fold treatise containing the saints sure and perpetuall guide. Selfe-enriching examination. Soule-fatting fasting. Or, meditations, concerning the word, the sacrament of the Lords Supper, and fasting. By the labours of that late Reverend, and learned divine, Master Robert Bolton ...
London: printed by E. Purslow for Ralph Harford, 1634London: printed by E. Purslow for Raphe Harford, 1634
Title page typeset from the transcription.
THE SAINTS SURE AND PERPETUAL GUIDE.THE SAINTS SVRE AND PERPETVALL GVIDE.
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.
No marvel,1 though there be much struggling and striving,2 great noise and stir, before the strong man in the Gospel can be dis-armed and dispossessed of his Holds; that is, before Satan, having long reigned in the hearts,3 and sat in the Consciences of ignorant and profane men, will be cast out, by the Preaching and Power of the Word. This conquest costs full dear; it will not be had, without the loss of our dearest delights; without shedding the very hearts-blood of our beloved and bosom-sin; which flesh and blood will not yield unto, without blows and bloodshed. You may assure your self, where the Light of Gods Truth begins once to peep out, and the power of grace to work, for the driving away darkness, and subduing profaneness; you shall be sure ever there to have three fierce and implacable enemies, and opposites, to start up; Satan, wicked men, and a mans own corruptions. While men lye in sin, ignorance, and under the shadow of death, Satan lets them alone, meddles not much with them, never troubles or disquiets them, but procures them all temporal happiness, and carnal contentments, that can be; (for he knows full well, if they so continue, they are sure his own, and children of endless perdition:) But if once, by the power of the Word, they be enlarged out of the slavery of sin and death, and lay hold upon salvation, and the glorious liberty of the Saints; why then he begins to bestir himself like a madded & enraged Lion, and labours with all his malice and policy to hinder and dash such proceedings. ⟨p. 70⟩And in this Conspiracy,4 he joins unto himself wicked and reprobate men, to rail, revile, and rage against sincerity:5 I, and besides, a mans own corruption, and sinful flesh, doth fret and fume, when it feels it self curbed and snaffled by the Law of the Spirit.
No marvell,1