A39660:926
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.
First, They differ in quantity; Here we know but in part, but when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away, 1 Cor. 13. 9, 10. When the Scripture speaks of the comforts communicated to Saints on Earth it usually expresses them in some diminutive terms or other, calling them first-fruits, earnests, and the like; and indeed it is necessary we should receive them here with such alloys, and in remiss degrees, because the imperfection and weakness of our present state will not bear them in their plenitude and perfection. Here the joy of the Lord enters into us, but there we are said, to enter into that joy, Matth. 25. 21. 'Tis too great to enter into ⟨p. 382⟩us, therefore we enter into, and are swallowed up in it.
Secondly, They differ in Constancy; the best comforts upon Earth are found to be intermitting comforts; a Sun-blast and a Cloud; a good day and a bad; you know housekeepers feed upon two sorts of meat, daily-bread, and dainties; rarities come not every day to the Table. The daily-bread upon which believers live, is the recumbence, and affiance of faith; as for assurance and joy, those come but now and then.
Secondly, They differ in Constancy; the best comforts upon Earth are found to be intermitting comforts; a Sun-blast and a Cloud; a good day and a bad; you know houskeepers feed upon two sorts of meat, dayly-bread, and dainties; rarities come not every day to the Table. The dayly-bread upon which believers live, is the recumbence, and affiance of faith; as for assurance and joy, those come but now and then.