A39660:948
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.
II. Advice.
Secondly, Cleave fast to Christ, and those sweet and comfortable duties of Religion wherein you have found and tasted the best comforts that ever your Souls were acquainted with.
This is one thing God aims at in the communication of these spiritual refreshments, to glue your Souls fast by them to the ways of holiness. The Lord knows temptations will befall you, discouragements enough you shall be sure to meet with; but these enjoyments of God, which you have met with in Prayer and Hearing, in Meditations, Sacraments, &c. should engage your Hearts for ever to the ways of obedience. You never found that sweetness in the ways of sin, which you have found in repentance and faith. When a temptation comes baited with sinful pleasures, say as the Olive-tree and the Vine in Jotham's parable, Judges 9. 9, 10, 11. Shall I leave such Soul refreshing comforts as these for the insipid pleasures of sin? God forbid.
This is one thing God aims at in the communication of these spiritual refreshments, to glue your Souls fast by them to the ways of holiness. The Lord knows temptations will befal you, discouragements enough you shall be sure to meet with; but these enjoyments of God, which you have met with in Prayer and Hearing, in Meditations, Sacraments, &c. should engage your Hearts for ever to the ways of obedience. You never found that sweetness in the ways of sin, which you have found in repentance and faith. When a temptation comes baited with sinful pleasures, say as the Olive-tree and the Vine in Iothams parable,