B36604:155
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.
2. Though it be attainable by Believers, yet it is a thing separable from true Grace, and many precious Souls have gone mourning for the want of it, Isa. 50.10. This was sometimes the case of Heman, David, Job, and multitudes more.
3. During its continuance, it is the sweetest thing in the world. It swallows up all Troubles, and doubles all other Comforts: It puts more gladness into the heart, than the increase of Corn and Wine, Psal. 4.6. Suavis hora, sed brevis mora; sapit quidem suavissime, sed gustatur rarissime, Bern.
4. Both in the continuation and removal of it the Spirit acts arbitrarily. No man can say how long he shall walk in this pleasant Light, Psal. 30.7. By thy favour thou hast made my Mountain stand strong: thou hiddest thy face, and I was troubled. And when in darkness, none can say how long it will be ere that sweet Light break forth again. God can scatter the Cloud unexpectedly in a moment, Cant. 3.4. It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my Soul loveth. There is such an observable difference in David's Spirit in some Psalms, as if one man had written the beginning, and another the end of them.
4. Both in the continuation and removal of it the Spirit acts arbitrarily. No man can say how long he shall walk in this pleasant Light,