A39660:902
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.
Whom having not seen ye love, in whom though now ye see him not, yet believing ye rejoice, with joy unspeakable and full of glory. (2) Is there not something of that glorified love to be felt in an inferior degree by the Saints in this world? What else can we make of that transport of the Spouse, Cant. 2. 5. Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples, for I am sick of love? 'Tis true, our love to God in Heaven is much more fervent, pure, and constant; yet these high-raised acts of spiritual love have a taste and relish of it. (3) Is there not something here of ⟨p. 371⟩that heavenly delight wherewith the glorified delight in God? As the visions of God are begun on earth, so the heavenly delights are begun here also. Some drops of that delight are let fall here, Psal. 94. 19. In the multitude of the thoughts I had within me, thy comforts delight my Soul. David's heart, 'tis like, had been full of sorrow and trouble; a sea of gall and wormwood had overflowed his Soul: God lets fall but a drop or two of heavenly delight, and all is turned into sweetness and comfort. (4) Is there not something here of that transformation of the Soul into the image of God, which is complete in Heaven, and a special part of the glory thereof? 'Tis said in 1 John 3. 2. We shall be like him, for me shall see him as he is. This is Heaven, this is glory, to have the Soul moulded into full conformity with God; something thereof is experienced in this world: O that we had more! 2 Cor. 3. 18. But we all with open face, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory as by the Spirit of the Lord. (5) Is there not something felt here of the ravishing sweetness of God's presence in Ordinances and Duties, which is a faint shadow at least, of the joys of his glorious presence in Heaven? there is certainly a felt presence of God, a sensible nearness unto God at some times, and in some duties of Religion, wherein his name is as an ointment poured forth, Cant. 1. 3. something that is felt beyond and above all the comforts of this world. (6) In a word, the joys of Heaven are unspeakable Joys; no words can make known to others what they are. When Paul was caught up into Paradise, he heard unspeakable words,