A39660:350
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.
First, Of the nature of Divine Patience, it is an ability in God not only to delay the execution of his wrath for a time, towards some, but to delay it in order to the eternal Salvation of others. Let me speak to the parts of this description of Divine Patience.
1. It is an ability or power in God, not the effect of Impotence, or want of opportunity: All sinners are continually within the reach of the Arm of his Justice, and he can strike when and where he will. Esau had a revengeful mind against Jacob, but wanted opportunity, and therefore was forced to delay the execution of his conceived wrath, until the days for mourning for his Father were come; and then faith he, I will slay my Brother Jacob, Gen. 27. 41. But in God it is a glorious effect of power, Nahum 1. 3. The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power.
1. It is an ability or power in God, not the effect of Impotence, or want of opportunity: All sinners are continually within the reach of the Arm of his Justice, and he can strike when and where he will. Esan had a revengeful mind against Iacob, but wanted opportunity, and therefore was forc't to delay the execution of his conceived wrath, until the days for mourning for his Father were come; and then faith he, I will slay my Brother Jacob, Gen. 27. 41. But in God it is a glorious effect of power, Nahum 1. 3. The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power.
The greatness of his patience flows from the greatness of his power: so the Apostle speaks,