B36604:138
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.
which hath so captivated the Soul, and strongly attracted this Affection, that its now become very remiss in all its actings towards them; and often (especially at first) it is so weaned from all things on Earth, that the Temptation seems to lye on the other Extreme, even in too great neglect of our lawful Employments and Comforts. Now Jesus Christ, Cant. 1.3. his Ordinances Psal. 119.97. and his Saints, 1 Joh. 3.14. are the only Delights, and sweetest Companions; he could sit from Morning to Night, to hear Discourses of Christ his Beloved, and could live and die in the company of his people, whose company is now most delightful and sweet, Psal. 119.63. (4) The Desires are altered, they pant no more after the Dust of the Earth, Psal. 4.6. but pant for God, as the Hart for the Brooks of water, Psal. 42.1. Yea, so big is the Soul with them, that it's sometimes ready to faint, yea to break with the longing it hath after him, Psal. 119.20. (5) The Thoughts are changed, Psal. 119.113. and the Thoughts of God are now most precious, Psal. 139.47. musing, when alone, of him; and in its Solitudes, the Soul entertains it self with a delightful Feast, which its Thoughts of God bring in to refresh it, Psal. 63.5, 6. (6) The Designs and Projects of the Soul are changed; all are now swallowed up in one grand Design, ⟨p. 55⟩even to approve himself to God, and be accepted of him, 2 Cor. 5.9. and if he fail not there, it will not much trouble him, if all his other Designs should be dashed.