A39660:1003
Englands duty under the present gospel liberty from Revel. III, vers. 20
Englands duty under the present gospel liberty from Revel. III, vers. 20 : wherein is opened the admirable condescension and patience of Christ in waiting upon trifling and obstinate sinners, the wretched state of the unconverted, the nature of evangelical faith ..., the riches of free grace in the offers of Christ ..., the invaluable privileges of union and communion granted to all who receive him ... / by John Flavell ...Englands duty under the present gospel liberty from Revel. III, vers. 20 : wherein is opened the admirable condescension and patience of Christ in waiting upon trifling and obstinate sinners, the wretched state of the unconverted, the nature of evangelical faith ..., the riches of free grace in the offers of Christ ..., the invaluable priviledges of union and communion granted to all who receive him ... / by John Flavell ...
London: printed for Matthew Wotton, 1689
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.
Fifthly, There are manifestations of the anger and displeasure of God, by the hiding of his face from them, and the frowns of his providence, when these produce repentance, and deep humiliation for sin; an unquietness, a restlessness of Spirit till he restore his favour, and manifest, his reconciliation to the Soul; even here also is real communion betwixt God and the Soul, Psal. 30. 7. Thou hidest thy face, and I was troubled. Nor will a gracious Soul rest there, but will take pains to sue out a fresh pardon, Psal. 51. 8. Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which thou hast broken, may rejoice; restore unto me the joys of thy salvation, vers. 12.
Fifthly, There are manifestations of the anger and displeasure of God, by the hiding of his face from them, and the frowns of his providence, when these produce repentance, and deep humiliation for sin; an unquietness, a restlesness of Spirit till he restore his favour, and manifest, his reconciliation to the Soul; even here also is real communion betwixt God and the Soul, Psal. 30. 7. Thou hidest thy face, and I was troubled. Nor will a gracious Soul rest there, but will take pains to sue out a fresh pardon, Psal. 51. 8. Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which thou hast broken, may rejoyce; restore unto me the joys of thy salvation, vers. 12.
I cannot here omit to detect a great mistake here, even amongst Gods own people; many of them understand not what communion there should be with God, under the manifestations of his displeasure for sin; they know that the affectionate meltings of their Souls into love, praise, &c. to be communion with God; but that the shame, grief and sorrow, produced in them by the manifestations of Gods displeasure; I say, that even in these things there may be communion with God they understand not. But let me tell thee, that even such things as these are the choice fruits of the Spirit of Adoption, and that in them thy Soul hath as real and beneficial communion with God, as in the greatest transports of Spiritual joy and comfort. O 'tis a blessed frame to be before the Lord, as Ezra was, after conviction of thy looseness, carelessness, and Spiritual defilements, the consequents of those sins; saying with him, O my God I am ashamed, and even blush to lift up my face unto thee,