B36604:380
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.
2. How many are seized by a private and worldly spirit, every man turning to his own house, and eagerly pursuing the world? Hag. 1.9. Jer. 45.4, 5. Oh! how are we entangled in the Wilderness? how doth the World eat up our time, and eat out our Zeal, cowardice and soften our spirits, and render us utterly unfit for the Yoke and Burden of Christ? You that see so much Beauty, and taste so much sweetness in the Creature, will you have an hard Tug when called to deny it: you are not yet prepared to drink of the Cup, or take up the Cross of Christ.
2. How many are seized by a private and worldly spirit, every man turning to his own house, and eagerly pursuing the world? Hag. 1.9. Jer. 45.4, 5. Oh! how are we intangled in the Wilderness? how doth the World eat up our time, and eat out our Zeal, cowardize and soften our spirits, and render us utterly unfit for the Yoak and Burden of Christ? You that see so much Beauty, and taste so much sweetness in the Creature, will you have an hard Tugg when call'd to deny it: you are not yet prepared to drink of the Cup, or take up the Cross of Christ.
3. How many poor Christians are of a low and timorous spirit, ready to tremble at the shaking of a Leaf: Ah poor hearts! how unfit are you for Bonds or Death? This passion of fear that so predominates in you, is the very passion which Satan assaults, and lays siege to in the hour of Temptation, as was before noted: and commonly it's occasioned (where it flows not from the Natural Constitution ⟨p. 128⟩from an excessive love to the world, or from some guilt upon the spirit. It's true, the Lord can so assist weak Faith, and so subdue strong Fear, as that you may be enabled to stand the shock when it comes: (for, as I noted formerly, our strength lies not in any thing inherent in us, but we are strong or weak, according to the divine presence and assistances that we enjoy) but yet if you labour not to mortify this Evil, and stir not up your selves in the use of all appointed means, to rouse your Zeal and Courage for God, I know no Warrant you have to expect such assistances.