A39660:131
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.
1. Of the obedience and faith of some, which Record will be produced to their joy and comfort in the day of the Lord, when he shall come to be glorified in his Saints, and to be admired in all them that believe, because our testimony among you was believed in that day. Ministers are Instruments of espousing Souls to Christ, and Witnesses to those espousals and contracts made betwixt him and ⟨p. 9⟩them, 2 Cor. 11. 2. Both these offices are exceeding grateful, and pleasant to every faithful Minister.
2. A Record is made, and Witness taken of all the refusals, disobedience, and slightings of Christ by others. Thus Moses will be the accuser of the Jews, John 5. 45. Do not think I will accuse you to the Father, there is one that accuseth you, even Moses in whom you trust. This is the saddest part of a Ministers-work; the fore-thoughts of it are more afflictive than all our Labours and Sufferings. There is a three-fold Record made in this case, (1st.) Of the time men have enjoyed under the means of Salvation; how many years they have sat barren and dead hearted, under the labours of Gods faithful Ministers, Luke 13. 7. Behold these three years I come seeking fruit on this Fig-tree and find none. Behold the same term of Notification with that in the Text, applied to the time of Gods patience towards them: And again, Jer. 25. 3. From the thirteenth year of Josiah even unto this day (that is, the three and twentieth year) the word of the Lord hath come unto me, and I have spoken unto you rising early, and speaking, but ye have not hearkened. Oh consider all the years and days you have spent under the Gospel, are upon your Dooms-day-book. (2dly,) Records are also made of all the instruments that ever God employed for the Conversion and Salvation of your Souls. So many Ministers, whether fixed or transient, as have spent their labours upon you, are upon the Book of your account.