A39660:560
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.
Reader, Christ could not always abide here, he must dye, or we could not live; he must rise again, or we could not be justified; our business called him to another Place and State: Now when Christ was to ascend to Heaven what doth he do? Why, he chooseth and calleth Men, Men made of the same clay with our selves, whose presence and appearance should not affright or discourage us; who should treat with us in a familiar way about the great concerns of our Salvation in his Name and stead, 2 Cor. 5. 20. We then are Ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you; we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. He did not commissionate Angels to be his Legates; their presence would confound and terrify us; but Men cast into the same mould with your selves, who may say to you as Elihu said to Job, Job 33. 6, 7. Behold, I am according to thy wish in Gods stead: I also am formed out of the clay. Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my Hand be heavy upon thee. Upon these Commission Officers of Christ he poured forth excellent gifts in great diversity, and useful variety, to fit the capacities and various dispositions of Mens Souls; When he ascended up on high, he gave gifts unto Men; this Ministerial Office is by him established in the Church, Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect Man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, Ephes. 4. 11, 12, 13. Unto these his Ministers he gives the highest encouragements to quicken them to their labour; if one do but one part of the work, and another the other; ⟨p. 188⟩one soweth, and another reapeth; he tells them both, He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth, and he that reapeth may rejoice together, John 4. 36. He tells them, that every Soul they win to him shall be as a Jewel in their Crown of glory, Dan. 12. 3. And they that be wise, shall shine as the brightness of the Firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness, as the Stars for ever and ever. What is Christs intention in all these encouragements to his Ministers? Surely it is as if he should say to his Servants, Study hard, Pray earnestly, Plead with sinners affectionately; every Soul you win to me shall make an addition to your glory in Heaven.