B36604:23
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.
CHAP. I.
Wherein the Text is opened, and the Doctrine propounded.
The Divine Providence is not more signally discovered in governing the Motions of the Clouds, than it is in disposing and ordering the Spirits and Motions of the Ministers of the Gospel, who in a mystical sense are fruitful Clouds to dispense the showers of Gospel-Blessings to the World. The Motion of the Clouds is not spontaneous, but they move as they are moved by the winds; neither can Gospel-Ministers ⟨p. 2⟩choose their own Stations, and govern their own Motions, but must go when and where the Spirit and Providence of God directs and guides them; as will evidently appear in that dangerous Voyage to Jerusalem in which the Apostle was at this time engaged; Acts 20.22. And now behold I go bound in the Spirit to Jerusalem: [bound in the Spirit] alluding to the watery vapours which are bound up in Clouds, and conveyed according to the motion of the Winds: This Journey was full of danger; Paul foresaw his business was not only to plant the Gospel at Jerusalem with his Doctrine, but to water it also with his blood; but so effectually was his Will determined by the Will of God, that he cheerfully complies with his duty therein, whatsoever difficulties and dangers did attend it.
THe Divine Providence is not more signally discovered in governing the Motions of the Clouds, than it is in disposing and ordering the Spirits and Motions of the Ministers of the Gospel, who in a mystical sense are fruitful Clouds to dispence the showers of Gospel-Blessings to the World. The Motion of the Clouds is not spontaneous, but they move as they are moved by the winds; neither can Gospel-Ministers