A39663:766
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 Formal happiness is the fullness of satisfaction resulting from the blessed sight and enjoyment of God, by a soul so attempered to him. Psal. 17.15. When I awake, I shall be satisfied with thy likeness. This sight of God in glory called the beatifical vision, must needs yield ineffable satisfaction to the beholding soul, in as much as it will be an intuitive vision. The intellectual or mental eye shall see God: 1 Joh. 3.2. The corporeal glorified eye shall see Christ. Job 19.26, 27. What a ravishing vision will this be? And how much will it exceed all reports, and apprehensions we had here of it! Surely the one half was not told us. It will be a transformative vision, it will change the beholder into its own image and likeness. We shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 1 Joh. 3.2. As Iron put into the fire, becomes all fiery: so the soul by conversing with God, is changed into his very similitude. It will be, an Appropriative vision, whom I shall see for my self. Job. 19.26, 27. In Heaven interest is clear, and undoubted; fear is cast out. No need of marks and signs there; for what a man sees and enjoys, how can he doubt of? It will be a ravishing vision, these we have by faith are so, how much more those in glory; How was Paul transported, when he was in a visional way wrapped up into the third Heaven, and heard the unutterable things, though he was not admitted into the blessed society, but was with them as the Angels are in our assemblies; a stander by, a looker on. If a spark do so inflame; what is it to lie down like a Phoenix in her bed of ⟨p. 187⟩Spices? Like a Salamander to live, and move in the fire of love! It will also be an eternal vision, vacabimus, & videbimus: (as Augustin said) we shall then be at leisure for this employment, and have no diversions from it for ever. No evening is mentioned to the seventh days sabbath; no night in the new Jerusalem. And therefore,
The Formal happiness is the fulness of satisfaction resulting from the blessed sight and enjoyment of God, by a soul so attemper'd to him.