B36604:105
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.
9. This Preparation of Heart to Sufferings, is an excellent thing, because God is so abundantly pleased with it, that he often excuses them from sufferings in whom he finds it, and accepts it, as if the service had been actually done. So Abraham, Gen. 22.12. he was ready to offer up his Isaac's life to God; but God seeing his Servants heart really prepared, and ready for that difficult service, and high point of Self-denial, provided himself another Sacrifice instead of Isaac. Abraham shall have his Isaac back again, and that with advantage; for he hath with him not only a choice Experiment of his love to God, but Gods high approbation of him, and acceptation of his Offering. It was all one, in respect of Divine acceptance, as if he had been slain; and so the Scripture represents it, Jam. 2.21. And in this sense, that Promise is often made ⟨p. 37⟩good to Gods People, who stand ready to give up their Isaacs, their lives, liberties, and dearest enjoyments, to the Lord; He that will lose his life for my Names sake, shall save it, Luk. 9.24.
9. This Preparation of Heart to Sufferings, is an excellent thing, because God is so abundantly pleased with it, that he often excuses them from sufferings in whom he finds it, and accepts it, as if the service had been actually done. So Abraham, Gen. 22.12. he was ready to offer up his Isaac's life to God; but God seeing his Servants heart really prepared, and ready for that difficult service, and high point of Self-denial, provided himself another Sacrifice instead of Isaac. Abraham shall have his Isaac back again, and that with advantage; for he hath with him not only a choice Experiment of his love to God, but Gods high approbation of him, and acceptation of his Offering. It was all one, in respect of Divine acceptance, as if he had been slain; and so the Scripture represents it, Jam. 2.21. And in this sence, that Promise is often made ⟨p. 37⟩