A39663:1244
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.
For all thou canst mourn at the relations of Christs Sufferings, thou art not so affected with sin, that was the meritorious cause of the sufferings of Christ; as to crucify one corruption, or deny the next temptation, or part with any way of sin that is gainful, or pleasurable to thee for his sake.
For all thou canst mourn at the relations of Christs Sufferings, thou art not so affected with sin, that was the meritorious cause of the sufferings of Christ; as to crucifie one corruption, or deny the next temptation, or part with any way of sin that is gainful, or pleasurable to thee for his sake.
Why now, Reader, if it be so with thee, what art thou the better f•r the fluency of thy affections? Dost think in earnest, that Christ hath the better thoughts of thee; because thou canst shed tears for him; when notwithstanding thou every day piercest and woundest him? O be not deceived. Nay for ought I know, thou mayest find upon a narrow search; that thou puttest thy tears in the room of Christs blood, and givest the confidence, and dependence of thy soul to them; and if so, they shall never do thee any good.
Why now, Reader, if it be so with thee, what art thou the better f•r the fluency of thy affections? Dost think in earnest, that Christ hath the better thoughts of thee; because thou canst shed tears for him; when notwithstanding thou every day piercest and woundest him? O be not deceived. Nay for ought I know, thou maist find upon a narrow search; that thou puttest thy tears in the room of Christs blood, and givest the confidence, and dependance of thy soul to them; and if so, they shall never do thee any good.
Oh therefore search thy heart, Reader, be not too confident; take not up too easily, upon such poor weak grounds as these, a soul undoing confidence. Always remember, the Wheat and Tares resemble each other in their first springing up. That an Egg is not liker to an Egg, than Hypocrisy, in some shapes and forms into which it can cast it self, is like a genuine work of grace. O remember that among the Ten Virgins, that is, the reformed professors of Religion; that have cast off and separated themselves from the worship and defilements of Anti-christ: five of them were foolish.