A39663:1573
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.
This gracious lenity inclines the Christian to pass by injuries: so to pass them by, as neither to retain them revengefully in the mind, or requite them when we have opportunity with the hand. Yea, and that freely, not by constraint, because we cannot avenge our selves but willingly. We abhor to do it when we can. So that as a carnal heart thinks revenge its glory, the gracious heart is content that forgiveness should be his glory. I will be even with him saith nature. I will be above him, saith grace. It is ⟨p. 413⟩his glory to pass over transgression. Prov. 19.11.
This gratious lenity inclines the Christian to pass by injuries: so to pass them by, as neither to retain them revengefully in the mind, or requite them when we have opportunity with the hand. Yea, and that freely, not by constraint, because we cannot avenge our selves but willingly. We abhor to do it when we can. So that as a carnal heart thinks revenge its glory, the gratious heart is content that forgiveness should be his glory. I will be even with him saith nature. I will be above him, saith grace. It is ⟨p. 413⟩his glory to pass over transgression. Prov. 19.11.
And this it doth in obedience to the command of God: their own nature inclines them another way. The spirit that is in us lusteth to envy, but he giveth more grace, James 4.5. It lusteth to revenge, but the fear of God represses those motions. Such considerations as these, God hath forbidden me. Yea, and God hath forgiven me, as well as forbidden me, prevail upon him, when nature urges to revenge the wrong. Be kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christs sake, hath forgiven you,