A39663:1231
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.
Natural and common meltings, are nothing else but the effects of a better temper; the fruit of a more ingenious spirit, and easier constitution, which shows it self on any other, as well as upon spiritual occasions.
Natural and common meltings, are nothing else but the effects of a better temper; the fruit of a more ingenious spirit, and easier constitution, which shews it self on any other, as well as upon spiritual occasions.
As Austin said, he could weep plentifully, when he read the story of Dido. The history of Christ is a very tragical and pathetical history, and may melt an ingenious nature, where there is no renewed principle at all. So that,
Secondly, Our affections may be melted, even upon the score and account of Christ; and yet that is no infallible evidence of a gracious heart. And the reasons for it are, The first Reason, because we find all sorts of affections acted and vented, by such as have been no better than temporary believers. The stony ground hearers in Matth. 13.20. received the word with joy: and so did John's hearers also, who for a season rejoiced in his light, Joh. 3.35. Now if the affection of joy under the word may be exercised, why not of sorrow also? If the comfortable things revealed in the Gospel may stir up the one, by a parity of reason, the sad things it reveals, may answerably work upon the other. Even those Israelites whom Moses told that they should fall by the sword, and not prosper, for the Lord would not be with them; because they were turned away from the Lord; yet when Moses rehearsed the message of the Lord in their ears, they mourned greatly.