A39663:226
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.
I would not here be mistaken, as though I were now to treat of the Covenant of Grace; made in Christ betwixt God and us; it is not the Covenant of Grace, but of Redemption I am now to speak to; which differs from the Covenant of grace both in regard of the federates, in this 'tis God the Father, and Jesus Christ that mutually Covenant; in that it's God and man; they differ also in the preceptive part, in this it is required of Christ that he should shed his blood, in that it is required of us, that we believe; they also differ in their promises, in this God promises to Christ a name above every name, ample Dominion from Sea to Sea; in that to us grace and glory: so that these are two distinct Covenants.
I would not here be mistaken, as though I were now to treat of the Covenant of Grace; made in Christ betwixt God and us; it is not the Covenant of Grace, but of Redemption I am now to speak to; which differs from the Covenant of grace both in regard of the foederates, in this 'tis God the Father, and Jesus Christ that mutually Covenant; in that it's God and man; they differ also in the preceptive part, in this it is required of Christ that he should shed his blood, in that it is required of us, that we believe; they also differ in their promises, in this God promises to Christ a name above every name, ample Dominion from Sea to Sea; in that to us grace and glory: so that these are two distinct Covenants.
The substance of this Covenant of Redemption is Dialogue-wise expressed to us in Esa. 49. where (as Divines have well observed) Christ begins at the first and second verse,1 and shows his Commission, telling his Father, how he had both called and prepared him for the work of Redemption: the Lord hath called me from the womb — he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword, and made me a polished shaft, &c. q. d. by reason of that super-abundant measure of the spirit of wisdom and power wherewith I am anointed and filled; my Doctrine shall as a sword, pierce the hearts of sinners; yea, like an arrow drawn to the head, strike point blank into souls, standing at a great distance from God and Godliness.