A39663:38
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.
The Synopsis prefixed to this Treatise, will show you, that the method is wholly new, and the Treatise it self will satisfy you, that I have not boasted in another mans line; of things made ready to my hand: which I speak not in the least to win any praise to my self, from the undertakement; but to remove prejudices from it: for I see more defects in it, than most of my Readers will see; and can forethink more faults to be found in it, than I shall now stand to tell thee of, or make answer for. It was written in a time of great distractions, and didst thou but know how oft this work hath dyed, and revived under my hand, thou wouldst wonder, that ever it came to thine.
The Synopsis praefixed to this Treatise, will shew you, that the method is wholly new, and the Treatise it self will satisfie you, that I have not boasted in another mans line; of things made ready to my hand: which I speak not in the least to win any praise to my self, from the undertakement; but to remove prejudices from it: for I see more defects in it, than most of my Readers will see; and can forethink more faults to be found in it, than I shall now stand to tell thee of, or make answer for. It was written in a time of great distractions, and didst thou but know how oft this work hath dyed, and revived under my hand, thou wouldst wonder, that ever it came to thine.
I am sensible it may fall under some censorious, (it may be envious) eyes; and that far different judgements will pass upon it, for pro captu lectoris habent sua fata libelli: and no wonder if a Treatise of Christ be, when Christ ⟨image 8⟩himself was to some, a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence. I expect not to please every Reader, especially the envious,1 magna debet esse eloquentia, quae invitis placet. It is as hard for some to look upon other mens gifts without envy, as it is to look upon their own without pride: nor will I be any farther concerned with such Readers, than to pity them; well knowing that every proud contempt, and envious censure is a Grenade that breaks in the hand of him that casts it.