A39663:1403
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.
First, Who were these Sheep, that were dispersed and scattered from their Shepherd when he was smitten. It's evident they were those precious Elect Souls that he had gathered to himself, who had long followed him, and dearly Loved him, and were dearly beloved of him. They were persons that had left all and followed him, and till that time faithfully continued with him in his Temptations, Luk. 22.28. And were all resolved so to do, though they should die with him, Matth. 26.35. These were the persons.
First, Who were these Sheep, that were dispersed and scattered from their Shepherd when he was smitten. It's evident they were those pretious Elect Souls that he had gathered to himself, who had long followed him, and dearly Loved him, and were dearly beloved of him. They were persons that had left all and followed him, and till that time faithfully continued with him in his Temptations, Luk. 22.28. And were all resolved so to do, though they should die with him, Matth. 26.35. These were the persons.
Secondly, But were they as good as their word, did they indeed stick faithfully to him? No, they all forsook him and fled. These Sheep were scattered. This was not indeed a Total and final Apostasy, that's the fall proper to the Hypocrite the Temporary believer, who like a Comet expires when that earthly matter is spent that maintained the blaze for a time.
Secondly, But were they as good as their word, did they indeed stick faithfully to him? No, they all forsook him and fled. These Sheep were scattered. This was not indeed a Total and final Apostacy, that's the fall proper to the Hypocrite the Temporary believer, who like a Comet expires when that earthly matter is spent that maintain'd the blaze for a time.