A39660:455
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.
2ly. Within this is the Royal-gate of the Soul, viz. The will of Man, that noble and imperial Power; many things may pass into the Mind or Understanding of a Man, and yet be able to get no further, the door of the Will may be shut against them. There were many precious Truths of God let into the Understandings of the Heathens by the light of Nature, but could never get further, their Hearts and Wills were locked and shut up against them; as you may see, Rom. 1. 18. They held the Truths of God in Unrighteousness; that is, they bound and imprisoned those common notices the Law of Nature imprest upon their Minds concerning the Being and Nature of God, and the duties of both Tables. These Truths could get no further into their Souls, and which is of sad and dreadful consideration, Christ himself stands betwixt these two doors in the Souls of many persons; he is got into their Understandings and Consciences, they are convinced of the possibility and necessity of obtaining Jesus Christ, but still the door of their Will is barred against him, which drew from him that sad complaint, John 5. 40. You will not come unto me that you might have life. When this door of the Will is once effectually opened, then all the inner doors of the affections are quickly set open to receive and welcome him. Desires, joy, delight, and all the rest stand open to him. These are the doors at which the Redeemer knocks.
2ly. Within this is the Royal-gate of the Soul, viz. The will of Man, that noble and imperial Power; many things may pass into the Mind or Understanding of a Man, and yet be able to get no further, the door of the Will may be shut against them. There were many precious Truths of God let into the Understandings of the Heathens by the light of Nature, but could never get further, their Hearts and Wills were lockt and shut up against them; as you may see, Rom. 1. 18. They held the Truths of God in Vnrighteousness; that is, they bound and imprisoned those common notices the Law of Nature imprest upon their Minds concerning the Being and Nature of God, and the duties of both Tables. These Truths could get no further into their Souls, and which is of sad and dreadful consideration, Christ himself stands betwixt these two doors in the Souls of many persons; he is got into their Understandings and Consciences, they are convinced of the possibility and necessity of obtaining Jesus Christ, but still the door of their Will is barr'd against him, which drew from him that sad complaint,