B36604:350
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. Consi. 3 A Christ an is constantly to depend upon Christ, notwithstanding all his own preparations, and inherent qualifications; because the activity even of inherent Grace depends upon him: Inherent Grace is beholding to exciting and assisting Grace for all it is enabled to do. You cannot act a Grace without his Spirit, *John 15.5. It may be said of Grace in us, as it was of the Land of Canaan, Deut. 11.10. 11, 12. It is not as the Land of Egypt whence ye come out, where thou sowedst thy seed, and wateredst it with thy foot, as a Garden of Herbs: But a Land of Hills and Valleys, drinking water of the ⟨p. 118⟩Rain of Heaven, a Land which the Lord thy God careth for: his Eyes are always upon it, from the beginning of the year, even to the end of the year. As the life and fragrancy of Vegetables, depends on the Influences of Heaven so do our Graces upon Christ. And hence, he is called, (1) a Root, Isa. 11.10. (2) An Head, Col. 1.18. (3) A Sun, Mal. 4 2. (4) A Fountain, Zech. 13.1. all which Comparisons do fully carry this Truth in them.
3. Consi. 3 A Christ an is constantly to depend upon Christ, notwithstanding all his own preparations, and inherent qualifications; because the activity even of inherent Grace depends upon him: Inherent Grace is beholding to exciting and assisting Grace for all it is enabled to do. You cannot act a Grace without his Spirit, *John 15.5. It may be said of Grace in us, as it was of the Land of Canaan,