B36604:169
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 a Fountain of joy and comfort in the darkest and saddest hour. Dem. 3 Hence the glorious triumphs of Saints in their afflictions, Rom. 5.5. and in the Christians joy in the Lord, lies much of his strength for sufferings, Noh. 8.10. If once the Spirit droop and sink, the man is in a bad case to suffer: holy joy, it is the Oil that makes the Chariot-wheels of the Soul free to follow the Lord; Non tardat uncta rota. To suffer with joyfulness for Christ is a qualification that Gods Eye is much upon in his suffering Servants, Col. 1.11. How did the famous Worthies that went before us magnify Christ, and glorify Religion by the holy triumphs of their faith and joy under tribulation! One kissed the Apparator that brought him news of his Condemnation, and was like a man transported with an excess of joy. Another upon the pronouncing of the Sentence, kneels down, and with hands and eyes lifted up, solemnly blesses God for such a day as that. Oh how is Christ magnified by this! And this cannot be until interest be cleared. It's true, the faith of recumbency gives the Soul a secret support, and enables the Christian to live; but the faith of Evidence keeps him lively, and prevents all those uncomfortable and uncomely sinkings and despondencies of spirit, 2 Cor. 4.16, 17. and therefore ⟨p. 65⟩cannot but be of singular use to a Soul at such a time.
It is a Fountain of joy and comfort in the darkest and saddest hour. Dem. 3 Hence the glorious triumphs of Saints in their afflictions, Rom. 5.5. and in the Christians joy in the Lord, lies much of his strength for sufferings, Noh. 8.10. If once the Spirit droop and sink, the man is in a bad case to suffer: holy joy, it is the Oyl that makes the Chariot-wheels of the Soul free to follow the Lord; Non tardat uncta rota. To suffer with joyfulness for Christ is a qualification that Gods Eye is much upon in his suffering Servants, Col. 1.11. How did the famous Worthies that went before us magnifie Christ, and glorifie Religion by the holy triumphs of their faith and joy under tribulation! One kiss'd the Apparator that brought him news of his Condemnation, and was like a man transported with an excess of joy. Another upon the pronouncing of the Sentence, kneels down, and with hands and eyes lifted up, solemnly blesses God for such a day as that. Oh how is Christ magnified by this! And this cannot be until interest be cleared. It's true, the faith of recumbency gives the Soul a secret support, and enables the Christian to live; but the faith of Evidence keeps him lively, and prevents all those uncomfortable and uncomely sinkings and despondencies of spirit,