B36604:240
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. Mortification of Corruptions is that which recovers an healthful state of Soul: Sin is to the Soul, what a Disease is to the Body; and Mortification is to sin, what Physic is to a Disease. Hence those that are but a little mortified, are in a comparative sense called Carnal, 1 Cor. 3.3. and Babes, vers. 2. in respect of weakness. Now, suffering Work, being some of the Christians hardest Labour and Exercise, he cannot be fitted for it, until his Soul be in an healthful state: A sickly man cannot carry heavy Burdens, or endure hard Labours and Exercises: The sick Soldier is left behind in his Quarters, or put into the Hospital, whilst his Fellows are dividing the spoils, and obtaining glorious Victories in the Field. To this sense some expound Rom. 8.13. If ye live after the Flesh, ye shall die; but if ye, through the Spirit, mortify the Deeds of the Body, ye shall live. Where, as Death is put to note a languishing state of Soul, whilst Mortification is neglected: So Life is put to express an healthful and comfortable state; vivere pro valere; so that upon this account also the necessity of it appears.
2. Mortification of Corruptions is that which recovers an healthful state of Soul: Sin is to the Soul, what a Disease is to the Body; and Mortification is to sin, what Physick is to a Disease. Hence those that are but a little mortified, are in a comparative sense called Carnal, 1 Cor. 3.3. and Babes, vers. 2. in respect of weakness. Now, suffering Work, being some of the Christians hardest Labour and Exercise, he cannot be fitted for it, until his Soul be in an healthful state: A sickly man cannot carry heavy Burdens, or endure hard Labours and Exercises: The sick Souldier is left behind in his Quarters, or put into the Hospital, whilest his Fellows are dividing the spoils, and obtaining glorious Victories in the Field. To this sense some expound Rom. 8.13. If ye live after the Flesh, ye shall die; but if ye, through the Spirit, mortifie the Deeds of the Body, ye shall live. Where, as Death is put to note a languishing state of Soul, whilest Mortification is neglected: So Life is put to express an healthful and comfortable state; vivere pro valere; so that upon this account also the necessity of it appears.