A39660:1019
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.
Fourthly, The reality of communion with God evidently appears from the institution,1 and appointment of so many Ordinances, and duties of Religion, on purpose to maintain daily communion betwixt Christ and his People. As to instance but in that one institution of Prayer, a duty appointed on purpose for the Souls meeting with God, and communion with him, James 4. 8. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Now to what purpose can it be conceived such an Ordinance is appointed for the Souls drawing nigh to God, and God to it; if there be no such thing as communion to be enjoyed with him? If communion with God were a mere Phantom, as the carnal World thinks it to be, what encouragement have the Saints to bow their knees to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ? But surely there is an access to God in prayer, Ephes. 3. 12. In whom we have boldness and access with confidence. Access to what? If God be not there, and that there can be no communion with him, what means that access? I will meet you, saith the Lord, and I will commune with you in every place where I record my name, Exod. 25. 22. Certainly duties had never been appointed, but for the sake of Gods communing with us, and ours with him.
Fourthly, The reality of communion with God evidently appears from the institution,1 and appointment of so many Ordinances, and duties of Religion, on purpose to maintain dayly communion betwixt Christ and his People. As to instance but in that one institution of Prayer, a duty appointed on purpose for the Souls meeting with God, and communion with him, Iames 4. 8. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Now to what purpose can it be conceived such an Ordinance is appointed for the Souls drawing nigh to God, and God to it; if there be no such thing as communion to be enjoyed with him? If communion with God were a meer Phantome, as the carnal World thinks it to be, what encouragement have the Saints to bow their knees to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ? But surely there is an access to God in prayer,