B36604:102
Preparation for sufferings. Or The best work in the worst times Wherein the necessity,…
Preparation for sufferings. Or The best work in the worst times Wherein the necessity, excellency, and means of our readiness for sufferings are evinced and prescribed; our call to suffering cleared, and the great unreadiness of many professors bewailed. By John Flavel minister of Christ in Devon.Preparation for sufferings. Or The best work in the worst times Wherein the necessity, excellency, and means of our readiness for sufferings are evinced and prescribed; our call to suffering cleared, and the great unreadiness of many profesours bewailed. By John Flavel minister of Christ in Devon.
London: printed for Robert Boulter, 1681
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.
It is true, that our ability to stand, is not from our own inherent grace; for by his strength shall no man prevail, 1 Sam. 2.9. and yet it is as true, that without grace, both inherent in us, and excited and prepared for action, we cannot expect to stand: For these two, Grace inherent in us, and Grace exciting and assisting without, are not opposed, but co-ordinated. Grace in us, is the Weapon by which our Enemy falls; but then that Weapon must be managed by the Hand of the Spirit.—Well then, look upon this as a choice mercy, which tends so much to your stability.
7. A seventh Excellency of a prepared Heart, is, that it is a very high testification of our love to Jesus Christ, when we thus show our willingness to take our Lot with him, and follow him where ever he goes. What an high expression of love was that of Ruth to her Mother Naomi? I will not go back, but where thou lodgest I will lodge, and where thou goest I will go. 'Tis excellent, when a Soul can say to Christ, as Ittai to David, 2 Sam. 15.21. Surely, in what place my Lord the ⟨p. 35⟩King shall be, whether in Death, or in Life, even there also will thy Servant be. This is love indeed, to cleave to him in a time of such distresses and dangers. This is love which the Waters cannot quench, nor the Flood drown, Cant. 8.6. Probatio amoris, est exhibitio operis: If you love Christ indeed, show your love by some fruits of it; and surely, this is a very choice fruit and proof of it. There be many that profess a great deal of love to Christ; but when it comes to this Touchstone, it appears false and counterfeit, but a mere flourish, when no danger is near: But that Soul which buckles on the Shoo of Preparation, to follow him through Thorns and Briars, and over the Rocks and Mountains of Difficulties and Troubles, loves him indeed,