B36604:333
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.
3. He stirreth up suitable Affections in Prayer, Rom. 8.26. and hence those groans and tears, those gaspings and vehement anhelations. But notwithstanding all our Abilities, both habitual and actual, be from the Spirit, and not from our selves, yet are they capable of improvement by us: For though in respect of acquirement, there be a great difference betwixt natural and supernatural Habits, yet their improvement is in the same way and manner; and this improvement may be made divers ways. For,
3. He stirreth up suitable Affections in Prayer, Rom. 8.26. and hence those groans and tears, those gaspings and vehement anhelations. But notwithstanding all our Abilities, both habitual and actual, be from the Spirit, and not from our selves, yet are they capable of improvement by us: For though in respect of acquirement, there be a great difference betwixt natural and supernatural Habits, yet their improvement is in the same way and manner; and this improvement may be made divers wayes. For,
First, Though you have the Spirit, and can pray, yet you may learn to pray more humbly then before: Though you rise no higher as to words, yet you may learn to lay your selves lower before the Lord, as Abraham and Ezra did, Gen. 18.27. Ezra 9.6.
Secondly, You may learn to pray with more sincerity then formerly: Ah! there is much Hypocrisy and Formality in our Prayers, much of Custom, &c. Now, you may learn to pour out more Cordial Prayers. See