B36604:244
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 remains therefore, that I open to you some of the principal Corruptions, about which it mostly concerns you, to bestow pains ere sufferings come. Now look as there are four principal Enjoyments, in which you are like to be tried, viz. Estate, Name, Liberty, Life; so the Christians Work in suffering times, lies in mortifying these four special Corruptions, viz. First, The Love of the World. Secondly, Ambition. Thirdly, Inordinate affectation of freedom and pleasure. Fourthly, Excessive love of life.
It remains therefore, that I open to you some of the principal Corruptions, about which it mostly concerns you, to bestow pains e're sufferings come. Now look as there are four principal Enjoyments, in which you are like to be tried, viz. Estate, Name, Liberty, Life; so the Christians Work in suffering times, lies in mortifying these four special Corruptions, viz. First, The Love of the World. Secondly, Ambition. Thirdly, Inordinate affectation of freedom and pleasure. Fourthly, Excessive love of life.
1. For the love of this World, away with it, crucify it, crucify it: Down with this Idol, and ⟨p. 92⟩let it be dethroned in all that intend to abide with Christ in the hour of Temptation: How else will you take the spoiling of your goods? How will you be able to part with all for Christ, as these blessed Souls did? It grieves my heart to see how many Professors of Religion are carried captive at the Chariot Wheels of a bewitching world. Oh! good had it been for many Professors, if they had never tasted so much of the sweetness of it. Sirs, I beg you, for the Lords sake, down with it in your Estimations, down with it in your Affections, else Temptations will down with you ere long. I shall offer five or six Helps for the crucifying of it.
1. For the love of this World, away with it, crucifie it, crucifie it: Down with this Idol, and ⟨p. 92⟩