A39660:353
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.
2. This Patience is exercised towards such as perish, in a temporary delay of their damnation; and though this be but a mere suspension of his wrath for a time, yet it is a glorious act of Patience in him; as that forecited Text, Rom. 9. 22. shows; is it nothing for a sinner condemned, as soon as born, to be reprieved so many years out of Hell? Thou hast been provoking him daily and hourly, to cut thee off and send thee to thy own place; and yet to be on this side the ever lasting burnings, this is wholly owing to the riches of his forbearance. Ah, how is God to be admired in this his glorious power over his own wrath! When we look abroad into the World, and see every where sinners ripe for destruction, daring the God of Heaven to his face, yet forborne, how admirable is this Power of God!
2. This Patience is exercised towards such as perish, in a temporary delay of their damnation; and though this be but a meer suspension of his wrath for a time, yet it is a glorious act of Patience in him; as that forecited Text, Rom. 9. 22. shews; is it nothing for a sinner condemned, as soon as born, to be reprieved so many years out of Hell? Thou hast been provoking him dayly and hourly, to cut thee off and send thee to thy own place; and yet to be on this side the ever lasting burnings, this is wholly owing to the riches of his forbearance. Ah, how is God to be admired in this his glorious power over his own wrath! When we look abroad into the World, and see every where sinners ripe for destruction, daring the God of Heaven to his face, yet forborn, how admirable is this Power of God!
3. God doth not only exercise this Power in a temporary suspension of his wrath against some, who alas, must feel it at last;1 but he delays the execution of his wrath in a design of mercy towards others, that they may never feel it. Thus he bears with his own Elect, all the years of their lives wherein they lay in the state of Nature, and