A39663:1574
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.
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, Eph. 4.32. This is forgiveness in a Christian sense.
Secondly, And that this is excellent, and singularly becoming §2the profession of Christ, is evident. In as much as,
This speaks your Religion excellent, that can mould your hearts into that heavenly frame to which they are so averse, yea contrarily disposed by nature. It is the glory of Pagan morality that it can abscondere vitia, hide and cover mens lusts, and passions. But the glory of Christianity lies in this, that it can abscind•re vitia, not hide, but destroy, and really mortify the Lusts of nature. Would Christians but live up to the excellent principles of their Religion, Christianity shall be no more out-vied by heathenish morality. The greatest Christian shall be no more challenged to imitate Socrates, 1if he can. We shall utterly Spoil that proud boast, that the faith of Christians is out-done by the infidelity of Heathens. O Christians, yield not the day to Heathens. Let all the world see the true greatness, heavenliness, and excellency of your represented pattern; and by true mortification of your corrupt natures, enforce an acknowledgement from the world, that a greater than Socrates is here.