A39660:1051
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.
XIV. Excellency.
'Tis the Kernel of all Duties and Ordinances: Words, gestures, &c. are but the integuments, husks, and shells of Duties. Communion with ⟨p. 432⟩God is the sweet Kernel, the pleasant and nourishing food which lies within them; you see the fruits of the Earth are covered and defended by husks, shells, and such like integuments; within which lye the pleasant kernels and grains, and that's the food. The Hypocrite who goes no farther than the externals of Religion, is therefore said to feed of Ashes, Isa. 44. 20. to spend his money for that which is not bread, and his labour for that which satisfieth not, Isa. 55. 2. He feeds but upon husks, in which there is little pleasure or nourishment; what a poor house doth a Hypocrite keep? Words, Gestures, Ceremonies of Religion will never fill the Soul; but communion with God is substantial nourishment. My Soul, saith David, shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, whilst I think and meditate on thee, Psal. 63. 5, 6. It would grieve ones heart to think what airy things many Souls satisfy themselves with; feeding like Ephraim upon the wind, well contented if they can but shuffle over a few heartless empty duties; whilst the Saints feed upon this hidden Manna, are feasted as it were with Angels food.
'Tis the Kernel of all Duties and Ordinances: Words, gestures, &c. are but the integuments, husks, and shells of Duties. Communion with