Monday, March 05, 2007

The Hard Work of Heart Work

"In the worst of times, there is still more cause to complain of an evil heart than of an evil world." Robert Fleming (1630-1694)

"The keeping and right managing of the heart in every condition, is one great business of a Christian's life. . . . [The care they have of their hearts] is the hardest work. Heart-work is hard work indeed to shuffle over religious duties with a loose and heedless spirit, will cost no great pains; but to set thyself before the Lord, and tie up thy loose and vain thoughts to a constant and serious attendance upon Him; this will cost thee something." (John Flavel, Keeping the Heart: A Puritan's View of How to Maintain Your Love for God pp. 11, 18)

(HT: Jeff Brewer)