A66100:319
The fountain opened, or, The great gospel privilege of having Christ exhibited to sinful…The fountain opened, or, The great gospel priviledge of having Christ exhibited to sinfull…
The fountain opened, or, The great gospel privilege of having Christ exhibited to sinful men wherein also is proved that there shall be a national calling of the Jews from Zech. XIII. I. / by Samuel Willard ...The fountain opened, or, The great gospel priviledge of having Christ exhibited to sinfull men wherein also is proved that there shall be a national calling of the Jews from Zech. XIII. I. / by Samuel Willard ...
printed by B. Green for Samuel Sewall Junior, 1700
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.
2. Let this stir up mourners to pray. Are there any, whose sins are made their burden, and they are in bitterness by reason of them? instead of nourishing despondent and despairing thoughts in you, and making you to hide away from God, let it drive you to him, to seek his face and favour, his pity and pardon: let it draw forth that request from you in Psa. 41. 4. Heal my Soul for I have sinned against thee. ⟨p. 164⟩This is the fittest posture to pray in, and God is ready to hear such in their Souls distress, that cry unto him for his help; David puts both together, Psal. 6. 8, 9. The Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping: the Lord hath heard my supplication. It is good to come unto God in such a case, and make an argument of it, as he did, Isa. 38. 14. Oh Lord, I am oppressed, undertake for me.
3. Let the Children of God nourish this spirit in them. A Spirit of mourning and of supplication is the proper Evangelical Spirit; it is therefore one of the properties that belong to them whom Christ hath pronounced blessed, Mat. 5. 4. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Nor is it only proper in our first returning to God, but you will have occasion to use it as long as you live: while you carry about with you a body of death, you will never be without occasion for bitter mourning and lamentation; you will see reason to go softly all your days; and as long as Sin stirs in you, and leads you into Captivity, you will need the pity and help of God, the virtue and efficacy of the fountain to derive fresh supplies of pardon and healing to you; and therefore prayer is a duty that you cannot do without; and no prayer is acceptable to God, but what proceeds from such a spirit.
3. Let the Children of God nourish this spirit in them. A Spirit of mourning and of supplication is the proper Evangelical Spirit; it is therefore one of the properties that belong to them whom Christ hath pronounced blessed,