A39660:1196
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
Appendix › DOCTRINE. › Instance 3 › Instance 4: IV. Instance.
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.
(1.) A Spirit of Cowardice, which makes us afraid to displease men; and chooses rather the wrath ⟨p. 33⟩of God should fall on them, than that their wrath should fall on us. We dare not take as much liberty to reprove sin, as others do to commit it. They glory in their shame, and we are ashamed of what is both our glory, and our duty.
(1.) A Spirit of Cowardice, which makes us afraid to displease men; and chuses rather the wrath ⟨p. 33⟩of God should fall on them, than that their wrath should fall on us. We dare not take as much liberty to reprove sin, as others do to commit it. They glory in their shame, and we are ashamed of what is both our glory, and our duty.
(2.) Dependence on, or near relation to the Person sinning. 'Tis a Father, an Husband, a Superior on whose favour I depend; and should I displease him, I may ruin my self: this is the voice of the Flesh. Hence duty is neglected, and the Soul of a Friend basely betrayed. Our Interest preferred to Gods, and thereby frequently lost: for there is no way to secure our own interest in any mans heart, as to settle it by our Faithfulness in his Conscience, and by being willing to hazard it for Gods interest and glory. The Lord blesseth Mens Faithfulness above all their sinful Carnal Policies, Prov. 28. 23. He that rebuketh a man, afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with his lips.
(2.) Dependance on, or near relation to the Person sinning. 'Tis a Father, an Husband, a Superior on whose favour I depend; and should I displease him, I may ruine my self: this is the voice of the Flesh. Hence duty is neglected, and the Soul of a Friend basely betrayed. Our Interest preferr'd to Gods, and thereby frequently lost: for there is no way to secure our own interest in any mans heart, as to settle it by our Faithfulness in his Conscience, and by being willing to hazzard it for Gods interest and glory. The Lord blesseth Mens Faithfulness above all their sinful Carnal Policies,