A39663:1397
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.
Against Christ his fellow his next neighbour the delight of his Soul the sword here receives its Commission.
Thirdly, You have here the dismal consequent of this deadly §3stroke upon the Shepherd. And that is the scattering of the Sheep. By the Sheep understand here that little flock the Disciples which followed this Shepherd till he was smitten (i. e.) apprehended by his enemies, and then they were scattered, (i. e.) dispersed, they all forsook him and fled. And so Christ was left alone amidst his enemies. Not one durst make a stand for him, or own him in that hour of his danger.
Thirdly, You have here the dismal consequent of this deadly §3stroke upon the Shepherd. And that is the scattering of the Sheep. By the Sheep understand here that little flock the Disciples which followed this Shepherd till he was smitten (i. e.) apprehended by his enemies, and then they were scattered, (i. e.) dispersed, they all forsook him and fled. And so Christ was left alone amidst his enemies. Not one durst make a stand for him, or owne him in that hour of his danger.
Fourthly, And lastly, here is a gracious mitigation of this sad §4dispersion, I will turn my hand upon the little ones. By little ones he means the same that before he called Sheep; but the expression is designedly varied to show their feebleness and weakness which appeared in their relapse from Christ. And by turning his hand upon them, understand Gods gracious reduction and gathering of them again after their sad dispersion, so that they shall not be lost though scattered for the present. For after the Lord was risen, he went before them into Galilee, as he promised,