A39660:752
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.
IV. Character.
This spiritual internal voice of Christ is a surprising ⟨p. 288⟩voice, altogether unexpected by the Soul that hears it; I am found of them that sought me not, Isai. 65. 1. Little do we foresee the designs God hath upon us in bringing us to such a place, and under such a Sermon, at such, or such a time; even as little as Saul thought of a Kingdom when he was seeking his Fathers Asses. 'Tis much with us as it was with the Apostles when Christ called them; little did Matthew think when he sate at the Receipt of Customs, or Saul think when posting unto Damascus upon the Devils errand, that Christ and Salvation had then been so near them. Some have come to scoff and deride the Messengers and Truths of God; others to gratify their curiosity, and many in a customary course, not knowing where else with peace to themselves, or reputation with others, to spend that hour: But God's thoughts were not theirs; the time of mercy was now come, and whatever sinful or low ends brought them thither, the Lord's design was then and there to manifest himself to them. It is with such Souls, in some respect, as it was with the Spouse, Cant. 6. 12. to whose expression I may here allude, Or ever I was aware my Soul made me as the Chariots of Aminadab. I went to the Congregation for Company, I was fitting under the Word with a careless wandering heart, as at other times; when lo, above all the thoughts of my heart, an Arrow of Conviction was suddenly shot into my Conscience, which so startled, wounded, and disquieted it, as it is now beyond the power of any but Christ himself to settle and satisfy it.
This spiritual internal voice of Christ is a surprizing