A39660:567
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.
My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Never was there such a cry heard since the Heavens were spread over the Earth; never had Christ seen one frown in his Fathers Face from Eternity before this time; but now the smiling Face of God was hid, and a strong impression of his Wrath made upon him. And now, Brethren, you see what Christ hath endured both in his Body and in his Soul, and all for the sake of Sinners: What think you now, is not Christ an earnest Suitor? Doth not all this fully and plainly speak the ardours of his Love, the fervencies of his desires after union and communion with us? If this do not, then nothing can demonstrate Love and Desire. That's the first thing the greatness of the Sufferings which he endured.
My God, my God, why hast thou for saken me? Never was there such a cry heard since the Heavens were spread over the Earth; never had Christ seen one frown in his Fathers Face from Eternity before this time; but now the smiling Face of God was hid, and a strong impression of his Wrath made upon him. And now, Brethren, you see what Christ hath endured both in his Body and in his Soul, and all for the sake of Sinners: What think you now, is not Christ an earnest Suiter? Doth not all this fully and plainly speak the ardours of his Love, the fervencies of his desires after union and communion with us? If this do not, then nothing can demonstrate Love and Desire. That's the first thing the greatness of the Sufferings which he endured.
Secondly, Let us next consider the Use and Intention of these Sufferings of Christ, and how this also demonstrates the earnestness of his desires after Conjugal union with us. Now there was a double Use and End of the Sufferings of Christ. 1. To make us free, that we might be capable of Espousals. 2. To win our Affections by the argument of his Sufferings.
I. One End of Christs death was to purchase our Freedom, that we might be capable of being Espoused to him; for you must know that we were not in a capacity whilst under the curse of the Law, to be married unto Christ; the Apostle,