A39660:471
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.
Secondly, We next come to the Second Hammer by which the Spirit knocks at the sinners Heart, and that is the providential Works of God. These in subserviency to the Word, are of excellent use to awaken sinners, and make them open their Hearts to Christ. God hath magnified his Word above all his Name; yet there are some of the providential Works of God greatly serviceable in this case; the Word sanctifies Providences, and Providences assist the Word, and make it work. Now there are two sorts of Providential Dispensations which the Lord Jesus makes use of to gain entrance for him into the Hearts of Men.
Viz. 1. Judgments. 2. Mercies.
1. Judgments and Afflictions, the Word of God many times works not till some stroke of God come to quicken and assist it; thus did the Lord open the Heart of that Monster of wickedness Manasseh, the Word would not work alone, but a smart rod quickened its operation, 2 Chron. 33. 10, 11, 12. And the Lord spake to Manasseh, and to his people; but they would not hearken. Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the Captains of the host of the King of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and ⟨p. 146⟩carried him to Babylon. And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his Fathers.
1. Judgments and Afflictions, the Word of God many times works not till some stroak of God come to quicken and assist it; thus did the Lord open the Heart of that Monster of wickedness Manasseh, the Word would not work alone, but a smart rod quickned its operation,