A39663:1062
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
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.
As Christ had two distinct natures, so two distinct wills. And (as one well observes) in the life of Christ there was an intermixture of power, and weakness: of the divine glory, and humane frailty. At his birth a star shone, but he was laid in a manger. The Devil tempted him in the wilderness, but there Angels ministered to him. As man he was deceived in the figtree, but as God he blasted it. He was caught by the Soldiers in the Garden, but first made them fall back. So here, as man he feared, and shunned death; but as God-man he willingly submitted to it.
As Christ had two distinct natures, so two dictinct wills. And (as one well observes) in the life of Christ there was an intermixture of power, and weakness: of the divine glory, and humane frailty. At his birth a star shone, but he was laid in a manger. The Devil tempted him in the wilderness, but there Angels ministred to him. As man he was deceived in the figtree, but as God he blasted it. He was caught by the Souldiers in the Garden, but first made them fall back. So here, as man he feared, and shunned death; but as God-man he willingly submitted to it.
It was (as Deodati well expresses it) A purely natural desire, mere man,1 by which for a short moment he apprehended and shunned death and torments; but quickly recalled himself to obedience, by a deliberate will, to submit himself to God. And besides that, this desire was but conditional, under the will of God, accepted by Christ: but from the contemplation of which, he was a while diverted, by the extremity of horrors: therefore there was no sin in it, but only a short conflict of nature, presently overcome by reason, and a firm will. Or a small suspension, quickly overcome by a most strong resolution. Finally this sacred deliberation in Jesus was not made simply, or in an instant, but with a short time, and with a counterpoise, which is the natural property of the soul, in its motions and voluntary actions.
It was (as Deodati well expresses it) A purely natural desire, meer man,