B36604:45
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.
The Mercies and Compassions of God over his people are exceeding great and tender, Psal. 103.14. Like as a Father pitieth his Children, ⟨p. 6⟩so the Lord pitieth them that fear him; he delights not in afflicting and grieving them, Lam. 3.33. He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the Children of men. The Scripture intimates to us a seeming Conflict betwixt the Justice and Mercy of God, when he is about to deliver up his people into their Enemies hands, Hosea 11.8, 9. How shall I give thee up Ephraim? How shall I deliver thee Israel? How shall I make thee as Adma? How shall I set thee as Zeboim? Mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together: Which shows us with what reluctance and great unwillingness the Lord goes about such work as this: the work of Judgment is his strange work; it pleases him better to exercise the milder Attribute of Mercy towards his Children. Hence we find when he is preparing to execute his Judgments, that he delays the execution as long as the honour of his Name and safety of his people will permit, Jer. 44.22. He bears till he can bear no longer; he often turns away his wrath from them, Psal. 78.38, 39. He tries them by lesser Judgments, and gentler Corrections, to prevent greater, Amos 4.6. When his people are humbled under the threatenings of his wrath, his heart is melted into compassion to them, Jer. 31.17, 20. And when ever his Mercy prevails against Judgment, it is with joy and triumph, Jam. 2.13. Mercy rejoiceth against Judgment.
THe Mercies and Compassions of God over his people are exceeding great and tender,