A39660:323
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.
IV. Consolation.
In this work the opening of the Heart by Faith, the great design and main intention of the Gospel is also answered and accomplished. You behold in the Church a glorious frame of Ordinances set up by Divine Institution, Ministers appointed to preach Sermons, Sacraments, Prayers, Singing, variety of Ordinances set up, excellent gifts given to Men as the fruit of Christs ascension into Heaven. Now what was the design of God in the institution of all these things, but that by them as instruments in his Hand, our ignorant, dead, unbelieving Hearts might be opened unto Christ, in acts of Repentance and Faith, and built up to a perfect Man? Ministers are sent to open your Eyes, turn you from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, ⟨p. 80⟩Acts 26. 18. They are not sent by Christ into this World to get a living, to drive so poor a Trade as that for themselves, but to bring you to Faith, 1 Cor. 3. 5. When Gods elect are thus brought in and built up in Christ, you shall see this glorious frame of Ordinances taken down; there will be no more Preaching nor Hearing, the end of all these things being accomplished, 1 Cor. 15. 24. Then cometh the end when he shall have delivered up the Kingdom to God, even the Father, &c. Now the consideration of the accomplishment of the great and principal design of the Gospel, thus far upon thy Heart, is matter of transporting joy; Ministers may and must dye, Ordinances may be removed, but this blessed effect of them upon thy Soul shall never dye. God will perfect what he hath begun; that's the Fourth Consolation.