B36604:89
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.
It is for want of this that so many Professors faint and fall away in times of temptation, furnishing the Devil with so many Triumphs over Religion, and the more upright Professors of it; it was for want of depth of Earth (i.e.) a deep consideration, and well-rooted resolution at first, that the stony-ground hypocrite so quickly withered away, when the Sun of Persecution began to shine fervently upon him, Mat. 13.5, 6. And doubtless it is to prevent this fatal Issue of our Profession, that God makes such deep wounds by Conviction upon his peoples hearts at first; it is for our establishment in future trials and sufferings that he so distresses and humbles them, that he makes sin so bitter and burdensome to them, as well knowing that all this is no more, than needs to prevent their returning again to sin in the times of their temptation.
It is for want of this that so many Professors faint and fall away in times of temptation, furnishing the Devil with so many Triumphs over Religion, and the more upright Professors of it; it was for want of depth of Earth (i.e.) a deep consideration, and well-rooted resolution at first, that the stony-ground hypocrite so quickly withered away, when the Sun of Persecution began to shine fervently upon him, Mat. 13.5, 6. And doubtless it is to prevent this fatal Issue of our Profession, that God makes such deep wounds by Conviction upon his peoples hearts at first; it is for our establishment in future tryals and sufferings that he so distresses and humbles them, that he makes sin so bitter and burthensome to them, as well knowing that all this is no more, than needs to prevent their returning again to sin in the times of their temptation.
O Professor, if thou be one that art come to Christ in this way, and hast thus deliberately closed with him; if thou hast as well bethought thy self of bearing his Cross, as of wearing his Crown, thou hast then a fair Evidence of the uprightness of thy heart, than which the World affords not a sweeter comfort.