A39660:473
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.
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, 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.
Thus the Heart of this Man relented under the Word assisted by the Rod. Ah, 'tis good that God take such a course with some sinners, else the Word would do them no good; and to this purpose is that in Job 36. 8, 9, 10. And if they be bound in fetters, and holden in cords of affliction; then he showeth them their work and their transgression, that they have exceeded; and openeth their Ears to discipline. This is that rough course, the obstinacy of Men's Hearts makes necessary for their recovery; and therefore it is very observable that some words of God have lain dead in some sinners Hearts for years together, and at last have begun to work under some smart and close Rod. Alas, while all things are pleasant and prosperous about us, the Word hath but little operation and effect,