A39660:1163
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.
A second Instance of Ungodliness continued in under the Convictions of Conscience, is Formality in all the external duties of Religion, and Ordinances of God. Have not some of your Consciences often and plainly told you that though you be often engaged in the public duties of Hearing, Prayer, &c. yet your hearts are not with God in those duties. They do not work after communion and fellowship with him therein. 'Tis nothing but the force of Education, Custom, and care of Reputation brings you there.
A second Instance of Vngodliness continued in under the Convictions of Conscience, is Formali•y in all the external duties of Religion, and Ordinances of God. Have not some of your Consciences often and plainly told you that though you be often ingaged in the publick duties of Hearing, Prayer, &c. yet your hearts are not with God in those duties. They do not work after communion and fellowship with him therein. 'Tis nothing but the force of Education, Custom, and care of Reputation brings you there.
Such a conviction as this could it work home, and do its work throughly, would be the salvation of thy Soul. Were power added to the form, as Conscience would have it, thou wert then a real Christian, and out of the danger of Hell. The want of this thy Conscience sees will be thy ruin, and accordingly gives thee plain warning of it. O what pity is it such a conviction as this should be held in Unrighteousness! but so it is in very many souls, and that on several accounts.
First, Because Hypocrisy is so odious and abominable a sin that men are loath to own and acknowledge it how guilty so ever they be of it. What, dissemble with God, and play the Hypocrite with him; 'tis so black and foul a Crime that men cannot ⟨p. 24⟩