A39660:1011
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.
Thirdly, Beside communion with God in the contemplation of his attributes, and graces exercised in the course of duties; there is another method of communion with God in the way of his Providences; for therein also his people walk with him: To give a taste of this, let us consider Providence in a fourfold aspect upon the people of God.
1. There are afflictive providences, rods and rebukes, wherewith the Lord chastens his children; this is the discipline of his house, in answer whereunto gracious Souls return meek and childlike submission; a fruit of the Spirit of Adoption; they are brought to accept the punishment of their iniquities. And herein lies communion with God under the rod; this return to the rod may not be presently made; for there is much stubbornness unmortified in the best hearts, Heb. I2. 7. but this is the fruit it shall yield, and when it doth, there is real communion between God and the afflicted Soul. Let not Christians mistake themselves, if when God is smiting they are humbling, searching, and blessing God for the discoveries of sin made by their afflictions; admiring his wisdom, in timing, moderating, and choosing the rod; kissing it with a childlike submission, and saying it is good for me that I have been afflicted; that Soul hath real communion with God, though it may be for a time without joy.
1. There are afflictive providences, rods and rebukes, wherewith the Lord chastens his children; this is the discipline of his house, in answer whereunto gracious Souls return meek and childlike submission; a fruit of the Spirit of Adoption; they are brought to accept the punishment of their iniquities. And herein lies communion with God under the rod; this return to the rod may not be presently made; for there is much stubborness unmortified in the best hearts, Heb. I2. 7. but this is the fruit it shall yield, and when it doth, there is real communion between God and the afflicted Soul. Let not Christians mistake themselves, if when God is smiting they are humbling, searching, and blessing God for the discoveries of sin made by their afflictions; admiring his wisdom, in timing, moderating, and chusing the rod; kissing it with a childlike submission, and saying it is good for me that I have been afflicted; that Soul hath real communion with God, though it may be for a time without joy.