A39663:1029
The Fountain of Life Opened
The fountain of life opened, or, A display of Christ in his essential and mediatorial glory wherein the impetration of our redemption by Jesus Christ is orderly unfolded as it was begun, carried on, and finished by his covenant-transaction, mysterious incarnation, solemn call and dedication ... / by John Flavell ...The fountain of life opened, or, A display of Christ in his essential and mediatorial glory wherein the impetration of our redemption by Jesus Christ is orderly unfolded as it was begun, carryed on, and finished by his covenant-transaction, mysterious incarnation, solemn call and dedication ... / by John Flavell ...
London: printed for Rob. White, 1673
Sermon 21 › DOCT. That the Sacramental memorial Christ left with his people, is… › Inference 1.
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.
Inference 1.
Did Christ leave this Ordinance with his Church,1 to preserve his remembrance among his people? then surely Christ foresaw, that notwithstanding what he is, hath done, suffered and promised, yet to do for his people, they will for all this be still apt to forget him.
- 1Infer. 1.
A man would think that such a Christ should never be one whole hour together out of his peoples thoughts, and affections. that where ever they go, they should carry him up and down with them, in their thoughts, desires, and delights. That they should let their thoughts work towards Christ, as the longing thoughts of her that is with Child, do work after that she longs for. That they should lie down with Christ in their thoughts at night, and when they awake, be still with him. That their very dreams in the night should be sweet visions of Christ, and all their words savour of Christ.
But O the baseness of these hearts! Here we live and converse in a world of sensible objects, which like a company of thieves, rob us of our Christ; and lay the dead Child in his room. Woe is me, that it should be so with me, who am so obliged to Love him! though he be in the highest glory in Heaven, he doth not forget us; he hath graven us upon the palms of his hands, we are continually before him. He thinks on us, when we forget him. The whole honour and glory paid him in Heaven by the Angels, cannot divert his thoughts one moment from us, but every trifle that meets us in the way, is enough to divert our thoughts from him. Why do we not abhor and loath our selves for this? What is it a pain, a burden, to carry Christ in our thoughts about the world? as much a burden if thy heart be spiritual, as a Bird is burdened by carrying his own wings.