A39660:719
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
Sermon 7 › Application 2: II. Use for Exhortation.Sermon 7 › Application 2: II. Vse for Exhortation.
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) The sparing goodness of God till now, gives some encouragement that God may have a reserve of mercy for so great and vile a sinner as thou art. O what a mercy is it that thy life hath been spared hitherto! Many of thy Companions in sin are beyond hope and mercy, whilst thou art left. I confess this is no sure sign of Gods gracious intention to thee, unless the goodness and forbearance of God did lead thee to Repentance; then the gracious intention of God in prolonging thy life would evidently appear. But however, it is in it self a very great mercy, because without it no spiritual mercy could be expected.
(2ly,) 'Tis matter of encouragement and hope, That though your Disease be dreadful, yet it is not desperate and incurable. The Text takes it within the compass of mercy: O bless God for that, If any man, &c.
(3ly,) As great sinners as you have been have found mercy, 1 Tim. 1. 16. and God would have it to be recorded for your encouragement. If now the Lord shall make thy heart to break, and thy Will to bow, whatever thy sins have been, they shall not bar thee from mercy and forgiveness. But if thou resolve to go on in sin, or sit down desponding or discouraged, and wilt not come in at the Invitation and Call of Christ, then thy wound is incurable indeed; and there is but one way with thee, thy Mittimus is already made for Hell; and that Scripture in 1 Cor. 6. 9. will tell thee whither thou art going. But God forbid that this should be the Issue of Christs gracious invitations to thee, and forbearance of thee. Seeing mercy is tendered to any man that will ⟨p. 272⟩accept it upon Christ's terms, exclude not thy self when he hath not excluded thee.