B36604:92
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.
First, It prevents our own offence at sufferings; and by Christs own testimony, that Soul is blessed that is not offended in him, Mat. 11.6. Among the multitudes of Professors, few are found that are no way offended at the suffering of Christ; they expected much peace, honour and prosperity in the ways of Religion, but finding their expectations frustrated, and their Carnal Interest rather exposed than secured by their Profession of Christ, they go back like those, Joh. 6.66. and walk no more with him. And it is very remarkable, that Christ dates the offence that men shall take at him, from the first appearance of sufferings, Mat. 24.8, 9. All these are the beginnings of sorrows, and then shall many be offended. Sorrows and Apostasies commence together.
First, It prevents our own offence at sufferings; and by Christs own testimony, that Soul is blessed that is not offended in him, Mat. 11.6. Among the multitudes of Professors, few are found that are no way offended at the suffering of Christ; they expected much peace, honour and prosperity in the ways of Religion, but finding their expectations frustrated, and their Carnal Interest rather exposed than secured by their Profession of Christ, they go back like those, Joh. 6.66. and walk no more with him. And it is very remarkable, that Christ dates the offence that men shall take at him, from the first appearance of sufferings, Mat. 24.8, 9. All these are the beginnings of sorrows, and then shall many be offended. Sorrows and Apostacies commence together.
But Reader, if thou be one that makest it thy business to foresee and prepare for an evil day, thou wilt have as good thoughts of Christ and his ways at the lowest Ebb, as ever thou hadst in the greatest flourish and time of prosperity: Great peace (saith the Psalmist) have they that love thy Law, and nothing shall offend them. Oh happy Soul, whom no troubles, reproaches, or sufferings are able to offend! thou mayst meet with Prisons, Death, Banishments; yea, but none of these things shall offend or stumble thee, but thou shalt peaceably and safely pass over them, because they are no more than thou expectedst and providest for.