A39660:479
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.
3ly, Some knocks of Christ are successful, and obtain the desired effect. He knocks and the Soul opens; but others are insuccessful, he knocks once, and again by Convictions, which may cause the Conscience for the present to startle a little, but there is no opening to Christ by Faith. O ⟨p. 151⟩friends this is of dreadful consideration, Prov. 1. 24. I called, and you refused; I stretched out my Hand, and no Man regarded. There's a call without an answer, a knock, and no opening; and these things are very common, especially among the unconverted, that live under a lively Gospel rousing Ministry; of this Christ complains, Matth. 11. 16, 17. Whereunto shall I liken this generation? They are like unto Children sitting in the market-place, and calling to their fellows, saying, We have piped unto you, and you have not danced: We have mourned unto you, but you have not lamented. q. d. Neither the delicious airs and melody of Gospel grace, nor the mournful and dreadful threats of damnation to unbelievers avail any thing to open your Hearts to embrace me; no voices from mount Gerezim, or mount Ebal will prevail with you. Ah, how many sad witnesses unto this truth have I now before mine Eyes! But God forbid it should be thus all round. No, no, there be some Souls who hear, and open; even every one that hath heard and learned of the Father, John 6. 45. When the Spirit of God puts forth his Power with the Word, then, and not till then it becomes successful.
3ly, Some knocks of Christ are succesful, and obtain the desired effect. He knocks and the Soul opens; but others are insuccessful, he knocks once, and again by Convictions, which may cause the Conscience for the present to startle a little, but there is no opening to Christ by Faith. O ⟨p. 151⟩friends this is of dreadful consideration, Prov. 1. 24. I called, and you refused; I stretched out my Hand, and no Man regarded. There's a call without an answer, a knock, and no opening; and these things are very common, especially among the unconverted, that live under a lively Gospel rouzing Ministry; of this Christ complains,