A39660:995
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. Communion with God presupposes the habits of grace implanted in the Soul by sanctification; a found and sincere change of Heart. No sanctification, no communion, 1 John 1. 6. If we say we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness we lye, and do not the truth. The Apostle gives the lye to such bold pretenders: The Lord is nigh to all that call upon him, unto all that call upon him in truth: That latter clause restrains all spiritual communion unto upright Souls. For an Hypocrite shall not come before him, Job 13. 16.
II. Communion with God presupposes the habits of grace implanted in the Soul by sanctification; a found and sincere change of Heart. No sanctification, no communion, 1 Iohn 1. 6. If we say we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness we lye, and do not the truth. The Apostle gives the lye to such bold pretenders: The Lord is nigh to all that call upon him, unto all that call upon him in truth: That latter clause restrains all spiritual communion unto upright Souls. For an Hypocrite shall not come before him, Job 13. 16.
III. Communion with God doth not only suppose grace implanted, but also implanted grace excited; grace in act: For a man may have the habits of faith, love and delight in him, and yet be without actual communion with God; for by this grace is awakened and put into act. A believer when he is asleep, and acts no grace, is in a state of communion with God; but if he will have actual communion, his faith, love, and delight must be awakened; they must not lye asleep in the habit. Thou saidst, seek my face, my heart said unto thee, thy face Lord will I seek, Psal. 27. 8. It was in order to actual communion with Christ that the Church so earnestly begs fresh influences of the Spirit to excite her graces into act,