The devovt soul, or, Rules of heavenly devotion : also, The free prisoner, or, The comfort of restraint by Jos. H. B.N.

About this Item

Title
The devovt soul, or, Rules of heavenly devotion : also, The free prisoner, or, The comfort of restraint by Jos. H. B.N.
Author
Hall, Joseph, 1574-1656.
Publication
London :: Printed by W.H., and are to be sold by George Latham, Junior ...,
1650.
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Subject terms
Devotional literature.
Cite this Item
"The devovt soul, or, Rules of heavenly devotion : also, The free prisoner, or, The comfort of restraint by Jos. H. B.N." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A45226.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 5, 2024.

Pages

SECT. XIII.

IT shall not now need, or boot to bid the soul which is truely apprehensive of all these, to sue importunately

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to the Lord of life for a free∣dome, and rescue from these infinite paines of eternall death, to which our sinnes have forfeited it; and for a present happy recovery of that favour, which is better than life. Have we heard, or can wee imagine some hai∣nous Malefactor, that hath received the sentence of death, and is now bound hand, and foot, ready to be cast into a Den of Lions, or a burning furnace, with what strong cries, and pas∣sionate obsecrations he plies the Judge for mercy? wee may then conceive some little image of the vehement sute, and strong cries of a soul truly sensible of the danger of Gods wrath de∣served by his sin, and the

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dreadful consequents of de∣served imminent damnati∣on; Although what propor∣tion is there betwixt a weak creature, and the Almighty; betwixt a moment, and eter∣nity?

Hereupon therefore fol∣lowes a vehement longing (uncapable of a denial) after Christ; and fervent aspirati∣ons to that Saviour, by whom only we receive a ful and gracious deliverance from death and hell; and a full pardon and remission of all our sins; and if this come not the sooner, strong knockings at the gates of heaven, even so loud that the Father of mercies can∣not but hear & open: Never did any contrite soul beg of God, that was not preven∣ted

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by his mercy; much more doth he condescend when he is strongly intrea∣ted; our very intreaties are from him, hee puts into us those desires which he gra∣ciously answers: Now ther∣fore doth the devout soul see the God of all comfort to bow the heavens, and come down with healing in his wings; and heare him speak peace unto the heart thus throughly humbled; Fear not, thou shalt not die but live. Be of good cheare, thy sins are forgiven thee: Here therefore comes in that divine grace of Faith, effectually apprehending Christ the Saviour, and his infinite satisfaction and me∣rits; comfortably applying all the sweet promises of

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the Gospel; clinging close to that all-sufficient Redee∣mer; and in his most per∣fect obedience emboldning it selfe, to challenge a free∣dome of accesse to God, and confidence of appearance before the Tribunal of hea∣ven; and now the soule clad with Christs righteousnesse, dares look God in the face, and can both challenge and triumph over all the pow∣ers of darknesse: For, being justified by faith, we have peach with God through Jesu Christ our Lord.

Notes

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