A39663:1475
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, When it is as extensive as God would have it. So was Christs patience. It was a patience that stretched, and extended it self to all and every trouble and affliction, that came upon him. Troubles came upon him in troops, in multitudes. It's said, Psal. 40.12. Innumerable evils have compassed me about. Yet he found patience enough to receive them all. It is not so with us. Our patience is often worn out. And like fickle people we fancy if we were in another Chamber, or Bed it would be better. If it were any other trouble than this, we could bear it. Christ had no exceptions at any burden his Father would lay on. His patience was as large as his trouble, and that was large indeed.
First, When it is as extensive as God would have it. So was Christs patience. It was a patience that stretched, and extended it self to all and every trouble and affliction, that came upon him. Troubles came upon him in troops, in multitudes. It's said, Psal. 40.12. Innumerable evils have compassed me about. Yet he found patience enough to receive them all. It is not so with us. Our patience is often worn out. And like fick people we fancy if we were in another Chamber, or Bed it would be better. If it were any other trouble than this, we could bear it. Christ had no exceptions at any burden his Father would lay on. His patience was as large as his trouble, and that was large indeed.
Secondly, It's then according to the will of God when it is as intensive as God requires it to be, (i. e.) in the Apostles phrase, Jam. 1.4. When it hath it's perfect work, or exercise, when it's not only extended to all kinds of troubles; but when it works in the highest and most perfect degree. And then may patience be said to be perfect (as it was in Christ) when it is plenum sui, & prohibens alieni, full of it self, and exclusive of its opposites. Christs patience was full of its self, (i. e.) it included all that belonged to it. It was full of submission, peace, and serenity, full of obedience and complacency in his Fathers Will. He was in a perfect calm.