A39663:2259
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.
Secondly, You are under great engagements to keep your §2lives pure, even from your selves, as well as from your God. As God hath bound you to purity of conversation, so you have bound your selves. And there are several things in you, and done by you, which wonderfully increase, and strengthen your Obligations to practical holiness.
First, Your clearer illumination is a strong bond upon your §1souls, Eph. 5.8. Ye were sometimes darkness, but now ye are light in the Lord; walk as Children of the light. You cannot pretend, or plead ignorance of your Duty. You stand convinced in your own consciences before God, that this is your unquestionable Duty. Christians, will you not all yield to this? I know you readily yield it. We live indeed in a contentious disputing Age. In other things our opinions are different. One Christian is of this Judgement, another of that; but doth he deserve the name of a Christian, that dare once question this truth? In this we all meet and close in oneness of mind and Judgement, that it is our indisputable Duty, to live pure, strict, and clean lives. The grace of God which hath appeared to you, hath taught you this truth clearly and convincingly, 2 Tit. 11.12. You have received how you ought to walk, and to please God, 1 Thes. 4.1. Well then, this being yielded, the inference is plain, and undeniable; that ⟨p. 612⟩you cannot walk as others, in the vanity of their minds; but you must offer violence to your own light. You cannot suffer the corruptions of your hearts to break forth into practice, but you must slight, and put by the notices and rebukes of your own consciences, Jam. 4.17. He that knoweth to do good, and doth it not; to him it is sin. Yea sin with a witness. Aggravated sin. Sin of a deeper tincture than that of the ignorant Heathens. Sin that sadly wastes and violates conscience. Certainly who ever hath, you have no cloak for your sin. Light and Lust struggling together, great light and strong lusts: these make the soul a troubled Sea that cannot rest. Oh but when masterless Lusts over-bears Conscience, this impresses horror upon the soul. This brake Davids heart,