A39663:1569
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.
Thirdly, Nor is it that moral virtue, for which we are beholding to an easier and better nature, and the help of moral rules and documents. There are certain virtues attainable without the change of nature, which they call Homiletical virtues, because they greatly adorn and beautify nature; such as temperance, patience, justice, &c. these are of singular use to conserve peace and order in the world. And without them (as one aptly speaks) the world would soon break up, and its civil societies disband. But yet though these are the ornaments of nature, they do not argue the change of nature. All graces in the exercise of them, involve a respect to God. And for the being of them, they are not by natural acquisition, but supernatural infusion.
Thirdly, Nor is it that moral vertue, for which we are beholding to an easier and better nature, and the help of moral rules and documents. There are certain vertues attainable without the change of nature, which they call Homilitical vertues, because they greatly adorn and beautifie nature; such as temperance, patience, justice, &c. these are of singular use to conserve peace and order in the world. And without them (as one aptly speaks) the world would soon break up, and its civil scocieties disband. But yet though these are the ornaments of nature, they do not argue the change of nature. All graces in the exercise of them, involve a respect to God. And for the being of them, they are not by natural acquisition, but supernatural infusion.
Fourthly, and Lastly, Christian forgiveness is not an •injurious giving up of our rights and properties, to the Lusts of every one that hath a mind to invade them. No: these we may lawfully defend and preserve, and are bound so to do; though if we cannot defend them legally, we must not avenge our wrongs unchristianly. This is not Christian forgiveness. But then positively;