A39660:1155
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.
Lord, how sad a case is here? How can men possibly live in the daily neglect of so great, so necessary a Duty? Certainly 'tis not for want of Light or Conviction, the very light of Nature, if we had no Bibles, discovers these Duties. But three things hold this Truth of God dictated by Mens Consciences in Unrighteousness, viz. 1. The Love of the World. 2. Consciousness of Inability. 3. A Disinclined Heart.
First, The Love of the World chokes this Conviction in the Souls of some; and they think it enough to plead for their Excuse, the want of opportunities, and many encumbrances they have, which will not allow them time for these Duties. The World is a severe Taskmaster, and fills their heads and hands all the day with Cares and Toils.
First, The Love of the World choaks this Conviction in the Souls of some; and they think it enough to plead for their Excuse, the want of opportunities, and many encumberances they have, which will not allow them time for these Duties. The World is a severe Taskmaster, and fills their heads and hands all the day with Cares and Toyles.
And must the mouth of Conscience then be stopped with such a plea as this? No, no, God and Conscience will not be answered and put off so. The greatest number of Persons in the World from whom God hath the most Spiritual and excellent Worship; are of the lower and poorer rank, Psal. 74. 20. Jam. 2. 5. And its highly probable your Necessities had been less, if your Prayers had been more▪ And what sweeter outlet and vent to all these troubles can you find, than Prayer? This would sweeten all your Labours and Sorrows in the World.