B36604:122
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.
3. A man can never suffer as a Christian, till his will be subjected to the Will of God. He that suffers involuntarily, and out of necessity, not out of choice, shall neither have acceptance nor reward from God. Of necessity the will must be subjected; a man can never say, Thy will be done, till he can first say, Not my will.
But it is Grace only that thus conquers and subjects the will of man to Gods, Psal. 110.3. This is it that which exalts Gods Authority in the Soul, and makes the heart to stoop and tremble at his Commands. 'Tis this which makes our will to write its fiat at the foot of every Command, and its placet under every Order it receives from God. No sooner was Grace entered into the Soul of Paul, but presently he cries out, Lord what wilt thou have me to do? Acts 9.6. The Will is to the Soul what the Wheels are to the Chariot; and Grace is ⟨p. 45⟩to the Will what Oil is to those Wheels. When we receive the Spirit of Grace, we are said to receive an Unction from the Holy One, 1 Joh. 2.20. and then the Soul is made as the Chariots of Aminadab, Cant. 6.12. Non tardat uncta rota, it runs freely after the Lord, and cheerfully addresseth it self to every Service.
But it is Grace only that thus conquers and subjects the will of man to Gods, Psal. 110.3. This is it that which exalts Gods Authority in the Soul, and makes the heart to stoop and tremble at his Commands. 'Tis this which makes our will to write its fiat at the foot of every Command, and its placet under every Order it receives from God. No sooner was Grace entred into the Soul of Paul, but presently he crys out, Lord what wilt thou have me to do?