A39660:775
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. Effect.
A fourth Effect of the voice of Christ, is encouragement and hope, putting the Soul upon the use of means in order to the attainment of Christ and Salvation; for it is an inviting as well as a convicting voice; and this is a remarkable difference betwixt the voice of Christ and the voice of Satan; with respect to sin. Satan labours to cut off all hope, and strike the Soul dead under despair of mercy; as well knowing that if he can cut off hope, all emotions and endeavours of the Soul after Christ are effectually stopped, and at a dead stand; but how much convincing terrors soever there are in the voice of Christ, there is always something left behind it upon the Heart to breed and support hope. And truly the Soul amidst these sad circumstances hath great need of some encouragement; accordingly, the Lord usually after sharp convictions, sets on upon the Soul such a word as that, John 6. 37. Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out; for I came down from Heaven not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. Wherein Christ offers the most rational satisfaction, and greatest encouragement imaginable; that a poor convinced sinner, if he be made willing, shall certainly find an hearty welcome and acceptation with Christ. For mark how he argues it on purpose for the satisfaction of such Souls; I came not down from Heaven to do mine own Will, but the Will of him that sent me. The force of the encouragement lies here, I and my Father are one; one in Will, and one in Design; our Wills ⟨p. 203⟩never did, nor possibly can jar and clash one with another; that would be utterly repugnant to the perfect unity that is betwixt us. Now, saith he, I came down from Heaven not only to do my own Will (which must necessarily be supposed to be intently set, and strongly inclined to receive and save all convinced and willing sinners, this being the very end of my Incarnation and Death) but also to do the Will of my Father; who hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted, and anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek,