B36604:211
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. Because this is the Grace that honours Jesus Christ abundantly, when you are brought upon the Stage for him.
There is a great Solemnity at the suffering and trial of a Saint: Heaven, Earth, and Hell are Spectators, observing the issue, and how the Saints will acquit themselves in that hour. We are made a spectacle, saith the Apostle. The word is [Greek or Hebrew], we are set as upon a Theatre in public view, 1 Cor. 4.9. God, Angels, and Saints, wait to see the glorious triumphs of their Faith and Courage, reflecting honour upon the Name and Cause of Christ. Devils and wicked men gape for an advantage by their cowardice. Certainly very much lies now upon the Christians hands. Should he faint and give ground, how will it furnish the triumphs of Hell, and make Christs Enemies vaunt over him, as if his love ran so low in the hearts of his people, that they durst not adventure ⟨p. 81⟩any thing for him: or if notwithstanding their brave words and glorious profession, they durst not trust their own principles when it comes to the trial! But if now they play the men, and discover an holy gallantry of Spirit and resolution for Christ, how will it daunt the enemies, and make them say as Marcus Bishop of Arethusa made one of Julian's Nobles, present at his torments, to say concerning him, We are ashamed, O Emperor; the Christians laugh at your cruelty! And how will God himself rejoice and glory over them, as he once did over Job when he fetched him with honour off that first Field! Job 2.3. Still he holdeth fast his integrity.
There is a great Solemnity at the suffering and tryal of a Saint: Heaven, Earth, and Hell are Spectators, observing the issue, and how the Saints will acquit themselves in that hour. We are made a spectacle, saith the Apostle. The word is 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, we are set as upon a Theatre in publick view,