B36604:226
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.
Suffer not guilt to lie upon your Consciences: Rule. 2 It is a fountain of fears, and you can never attain boldness for God, till it be removed, Rom. 5.1, 2, 3. The Spirit of a sound mind is opposed to the Spirit of fear, 2 Tim. 1.7. Now that found mind is a mind or spirit that is not wounded, and made sick and infirm by guilt. Oh what black Fogs and Mists arise out of Guilt, which becloud our Evidences, and fill us with fears and discouragements! Gen. 42.21, 22.
Clear your Call to difficult services; Rule. 3 be well satisfied that you are in that way and posture God expects to find you in. O what courage this will give! Josh. 1.9. Then a man may promise himself Gods presence and protection, 2 Chron. 15.2. But whilst a man is dubious here, and cannot tell whether it be his duty or not, that he is engaging in; how can he have courage to hazard any thing for it? For thinks he, I may suffer much from men, and yet have no thanks of God for it, ⟨p. 84⟩1 Pet. 2.9. And further till a man be clear in thi• he cannot commit his Cause to God. And it is a sad thing to be cut off from so choice a relief as that is, 1 Pet 4.19.
Clear your Call to difficult services; Rule. 3 be well satisfied that you are in that way and posture God expects to find you in. O what courage this will give! Josh. 1.9. Then a man may promise himself Gods presence and protection,