B36604:249
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.
Fourthly, Study and contemplate Christ, and the things above more: This would veil all its Glory, and kill it at the Root, Phil. 3.18, 19. Just as a man that hath been gazing upon the Sun, when he takes off his Eye from that bright and glorious Creature, and looks to the Earth, there is a Veil of Darkness overspreading the Face of it, that he can see nothing. I wonder how such as pretend to live above, and enjoy communion with God, can ever relish such sweetness in the World, or have their hearts enticed and captivated by it?
Fourthly, Study and contemplate Christ, and the things above more: This would vail all its Glory, and kill it at the Root, Phil. 3.18, 19. Just as a man that hath been gazing upon the Sun, when he takes off his Eye from that bright and glorious Creature, and looks to the Earth, there is a Vail of Darkness overspreading the Face of it, that he can see nothing. I wonder how such as pretend to live above, and enjoy communion with God, can ever relish such sweetness in the World, or have their hearts enticed and captivated by it?
Fifthly, Remember always, that by your love and delight in worldly things, you furnish the Devil with the chiefest Bait he hath to catch, and destroy your Souls. Alas! 'were your Hearts but dead to these things, he would want an Handle to catch hold on. What hath he more to offer you, and tempt you off from Christ with, but a little Money? or some such poor Temporal Rewards: And how little would that Soul be moved by such a Temptation, that looks on it all but as Dirt.
Fifthly, Remember always, that by your love and delight in worldly things, you furnish the Devil with the cheifest Bait he hath to catch, and destroy your Souls. Alas! 'were your Hearts but dead to these things, he would want an Handle to catch hold on. What hath he more to offer you, and tempt you off from Christ with, but a little Money? or some such poor Temporal Rewards: And how little would that Soul be moved by such a Temptation, thot looks on it all but as Dirt.