B36604:283
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.
1. He that is well acquainted with the Methods of Temptation, will be the better able to descry the first approaches and beginnings of it; and a Temptation discovered, is more then half conquered. It is a special Artifice of Satan, to shuffle in his Temptations as undiscernibly as may be into the Soul; for he knows, that in vain is the Net spread in the sight of any Bird, Prov. 1.17. And therefore, he ordinarily makes a suffering season, to be a tempting season; because sufferings, like Fire to Iron, make ⟨p. 101⟩it impressive and operable, they do ordinarily put the Soul into an hurry and distraction, and so gives him an advantage, to tempt the Soul with less suspicion, and greater success. But now, a skilful Christian, that is acquainted with his Wiles, will discern when he begins to enter into temptation; as Christs expression is, Luke 22.46. and so check the Temptation in its first Rife, when it's weakest; and most easily broken. Doubtless, one Reason why so many fall by Temptation, is, because it's got within them, and hath prevailed far, before it be discovered to be a Temptation.
1. He that is well acquainted with the Methods of Temptation, will be the better able to descry the first approaches and beginnings of it; and a Temptation discovered, is more then half conquered. It is a special Artifice of Satan, to shuffle in his Temptations as undiscernibly as may be into the Soul; for he knows, that in vain is the Net spread in the sight of any Bird, Prov. 1.17. And therefore, he ordinarily makes a suffering season, to be a tempting season; because sufferings, like Fire to Iron, make ⟨p. 101⟩it impressive and operable, they do ordinarily put the Soul into an hurry and distraction, and so gives him an advantage, to tempt the Soul with less suspition, and greater success. But now, a skilful Christian, that is acquainted with his Wiles, will discern when he begins to enter into temptation; as Christs expression is,