A39663:2268
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.
Oh say they, what ever these men talk; we see they are no better than we. They can do as we do. They can Cozen and Cheat for advantage. They can comply with any thing for their own ends; 'tis not conscience, as we once thought, but mere stomach and humour that made them so precise. And oh what a sad thing is this! Hereby you shed Soul-blood. You fasten the bonds of death upon their souls. You kill those convictions, which for any thing you know might have made way to their conversion. When you fall, you may rise again; but they may fall at your example, and never rise more. Never have a good opinion of the ways of God, or of his people any more. Upon this consideration David begs of God, Psal. 5.8. Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness, because of my enemies; (or as the Hebrew) my observers, make thy way straight before my face. And thus you see how your very enemies oblige you to this holy and pure conversation also.
Oh say they, what ever these men talk; we see they are no better than we. They can do as we do. They can Cozen and Cheat for advantage. They can comply with any thing for their own ends; 'tis not conscience, as we once thought, but meer stomach and humor that made them so precise. And oh what a sad thing is this! Hereby you shed Soul-blood. You fasten the bonds of death upon their souls. You kill those convictions, which for any thing you know might have made way to their conversion. When you fall, you may rise again; but they may fall at your example, and never rise more. Never have a good opinion of the waies of God, or of his people any more. Upon this consideration David begs of God, Psal. 5.8. Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness, because of my enemies; (or as the Hebrew) my observers, make thy way straight before my face. And thus you see how your very enemies oblige you to this holy and pure conversation also.
Now put all this together, and see to what these particulars will amount. You have heard how God the Father hath engaged you to this conversation purity, by his designment of your Salvation. Rewarding your obedience. His pleasure in it. His Promises to it. And his great confidence in you, that you will thus walk before him. The Lord Jesus hath also engaged you thereunto, by his death and sufferings, whereby you were Redeemed from your vain conversations. The Spirit hath engaged you by telling you plainly how much you will grieve, and wrong him, resist and quench him, if you do not keep your selves pure. Yea, you are