A39663:546
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 there are two principal ways by which Christ opens the understandings and hearts of men. viz. By His word And spirit.
First by his word to this end was Paul commissionated and §1sent to preach the Gospel, Act. 26.18. To open their eyes, and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. The Lord can if he pleases, accomplish this immediately; but though he can do it, he will not do it ordinarily without means: because he will honour his own institutions. Therefore you shall observe, that when Lydia's heart was to be opened, there appeared unto Paul a man of Macedonia, who prayed him, saying, come over into Macedonia and help us. Act. 19.9. God will keep up the reputation of his ordinances among men. And though he hath not tied himself, yet he hath tied us to them. Cornelius must send for Peter; God can make the earth produce corn, as it did at first, without cultivation and labour; but he that shall now expect it in the neglect of means, may perish for want of bread.
First by his word to this end was Paul commissionated and §1sent to preach the Gospel, Act. 26.18. To open their eyes, and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. The Lord can if he pleases, accomplish this immediately; but though he can do it, he will not do it ordinarily without means: because he will honour his own institutions. Therefore you shall observe, that when Lydia's heart was to be opened, there appeared unto Paul a man of Macedonia, who prayed him, saying, come over into Macedonia and help us. Act. 19.9. God will keep up the reputation of his ordinances among men. And though he hath not tyed himself, yet he hath tyed us to them. Cornelius must send for Peter; God can make the earth produce corn, as it did at first, without cultivation and labour; but he that shall now expect it in the neglect of means, may perish for want of bread.