A39660:372
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.
Thus I have given you seven Evidences of the wonderful Patience of Christ, who hath stood, and still doth stand at the door and knock. Next we will enquire into the grounds and reasons of this marvellous Patience of Christ, this astonishing long-suffering of God towards sinners; and there are divers obvious reasons of the long-suffering of God towards Men.
Thus I have given you seven Evidences of the wonderful Patience of Christ, who hath stood, and still doth stand at the door and knock. Next we will enquire into the grounds and reasons of this marvelous Patience of Christ, this astonishing long-suffering of God towards sinners; and there are divers obvious reasons of the long-suffering of God towards Men.
First,1 The exercise of his Patience is a standing testimony of his reconcilable and merciful nature towards sinful Man. This he showed forth in his Patience toward Paul; a great example of his merciful Nature for a pattern to ⟨p. 96⟩them that should hereafter believe on him, 1 Tim. 1. 16. The long-suffering of God is a special part of his manifestative glory; and therefore when Moses desired a sight of his glory, Exod. 34. 6. he proclaims his Name, The Lord, the Lord God merciful and gracious, long-suffering and abundant in goodness and truth. He would have poor sinners look towards him as an atoneable Deity, a God willing to be reconciled, a God that retaineth not his anger for ever; but if poor sinners will take hold of his strength,2 and make peace with him, they may have peace. This long-suffering is an attribute very expressive of the Divine Nature; he is willing sinners should know whatever their provocations have been, there is room for pardon and peace, if they will yet come in to accept the terms. This patience is a Diadem belonging to the Imperial Crown of Heaven; the Lord glories in it as what is peculiar to himself,