A39660:848
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.
III. Inference.
Is it the great design of the Gospel to open the hearts of men to Christ, then wonder not that it meets with such strong and fierce opposition from Satan wherever it is sincerely and powerfully preached. As for general and formal preaching, which comes not to the quick, the Devil is not so much concerned about it; he knows it will do him no great damage; nay, it fastens and secures his interest in the Souls of men. But wherever the Gospel comes with spirit and power, laying the Axe to the Root, showing men the vanity of their ungrounded hopes, pressing the necessity of Regeneration and Faith, this preaching quickly gives an alarm to Hell, and raises all manner of opposition against it. What is it to preach the Gospel, said Luther, but to derive the rage and fury of the whole world upon us? Satan is the God of this world, all men by Nature are his born Subjects: No Prince on earth is more jealous of the revolt of his Subjects than he; and its time for him to bestir himself when the Gospel comes to dethrone him, as it doth in the faithful preaching of it, John 12. 31. Now is the Judgment of this world, now shall the Prince of this world be cast out. Now he falls as Lightning from Heaven, Luke 10. 18. Now Sinners are made sensible of the cruel tyranny and bondage of Satan's Government, and of the glorious ⟨p. 340⟩liberty offered to them by Jesus Christ. Satan suspecting the Issue of these things, bestirs himself to purpose. O what showers of Calumnies, and storms of Persecution doth he pour upon the Names and Persons of Christ's faithful Ambassadors! certainly he owes Christ's Ministers a spite, and they shall know and feel it, if ever he get them within the compass of his Chain. But let this discourage none employed in this glorious design; the Lord is with them to protect their persons, and reward their diligence.