B36604:369
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.
CHAP. XIV.
Containing the first use of the point by way of conviction, discovering the unreadiness of multitudes of Professors for suffering-work.
You have seen by all that hath been spoken, what the necessary prerequisites unto a suffering condition are, and what manner of persons you must be (both for habitual and actual readiness) if ever you honour Christ by bonds or death for him. And I doubt not but your judgments and consciences yield to the evident necessity of these things, wherein I have placed the Christians readiness. But alas! where shall we find among the throngs and crowds of Professors, any considerable numbers thus qualified and prepared? To suffer for Christ, is a gift that few have received, We are fallen into the dregs of time. Oh how little of the Primitive zeal and simplicity remains among the Professors of this Age! Later times have produced a four of Professors of another stamp and Spirit. These have the light, but they had the love: these see more, but they did and suffered more. How many that are no ornament to Religion, do adorn themselves with the name of it!
YOu have seen by all that hath been spoken, what the necessary prerequisites unto a suffering condition are, and what manner of persons you must be (both for habitual and actual readiness) if ever you honour Christ by bonds or death for him. And I doubt not but your judgments and consciences yield to the evident necessity of these things, wherein I have placed the Christians readiness. But alas! where shall we find among the throngs and crowds of Professours, any considerable numbers thus qualified and prepared? To suffer for Christ, is a gift that few have received, We are fallen into the dregs of time. Oh how little of the Primitive zeal and simplicity remains among the Professours of this Age! Later times have produced a four of Professours of another stamp and Spirit. These have the light, but they had the love: these see more, but they did and suffered more. How many that are no ornament to Religion, do adorn themselves with the name of it!