Preparations for Sufferings

Genres: Christentum - Sonstiges Sachbücher Religion

That sufferings, both bodily and mental, are the lot of humanity, the testimony of scripture and reason abundantly confirm. But whatever may be their nature or their intensity, the mind well-grounded in the hope of a glorious immortality through faith in the merits of the Redeemer, and looking at the glory that shall follow, will “hold out stedfast unto the end,” and say with joy, “it was good for me that I was afflicted.” To illustrate this position by a variety of sound, convincing, and scriptural arguments, and examples, is the aim of this well-timed publication. - Summary by The Imperial Magazine August 1833

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1/17Epistle to the Reader

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1. Epistle to the Reader
2. Wherein the text is opened and the doctrine propounded.
3. Shews, that although God takes no delight in afflicting his people, yet he sometimes exposeth them to great and grievous sufferings; with a brief about why, and how he calls them thereunto.
4. Shews that it is usual with God to premonish his people of approaching trials and sufferings; with some account of the manner how, and the reason why he so forewarns them.
5. Demonstrating the excellency of a prepared heart for the worst of sufferings’ and what a blessed thing it is to be ready to be bound, or to die for Christ, as Paul here was.
6. Evincing the necessity of a sound and real work of grace upon the heart, to fit a man for suffering for Christ.
7. Wherein the nature of this work of grace, in which our habitual fitness for suffering lies, is briefly opened, and an account given of the great advantage the gracious person hath for any, even the hardest work thereby.
8. In which the necessity of getting clear evidences of this work of grace in us, in order to our readiness for sufferings, is held forth, the nature of that evidence opened; and divers things that cloud and obscure it removed out of the way.
9. Discovering the necessity of an improved faith for the right management of sufferings, and directing to some special means for the improvement thereof.
10. Wherein the necessity and usefulness of Christian fortitude in order to sufferings is evinced, with a brief account of its nature and the means of attaining it.
11. Discovering the necessity of an heart mortified to all earthly and temporal enjoyments, in order to the right managing of a suffering condition; with several directions for the attaining thereof.
12. Wherein is opened the singular advantage that suffering saints have by their skill and insights into the rewards and mysteries of Satan’s temptations: some of those wiles of Satan opened, and rules for the avoiding of the danger briefly prescribed.
13. Sheweth that a choice part of our preparation and readiness for suffering consists in the improvement of our praying abilities, and keeping close with God in that heavenly and excellent duty in days of suffering; wherein also is opened the nature and means of its improvement.
14. Wherein is shewed the necessity of going out of ourselves, even when our habitual and actual preparations are at the greatest height; and depending as constantly and entirely upon the Spirit, who is Lord of all gracious influences, as if we had done nothing: together with the means of working the heart to such a frame.
15. Containing the first use of the point by way of conviction, discovering the unreadiness of multitudes of professors for suffering-work.
16. Containing another use of the point, by way of exhortation, persuading all the people of God, whilst the Lord respites, and graciously delays their trials, to answer the end of God therein, and prepare themselves for greater trials; where several motives are propounded to excite to the duty.
17. Containing the last use of the point, by way of support and comfort to poor trembling souls, who do take pains to make themselves ready for sufferings; but yet finding such strength in Satan’s temptations, and their own corruptions, fear that all their labour is in vain, and that they shall fain, and utterly apostatize when their troubles and trials come to an height.

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