A66100:356
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. That sincere Christians are commanded to grow in Grace. This is a Gospel precept enjoined us by the Spirit of God, 2 Pet. 3. •8. But grow in Grace. Now this command presumes that there is truth and uprightness ⟨p. 195⟩in us; that there is a new principle of Holiness infused into us; for we must have Grace in us, before we can grow in it. Where there is not life, there cannot be growth: there must be a beginning in order to a progress; and as this is a duty of all new Converts, in whom the Seeds of all the Graces of the Spirit are sown, as, 1 Pet. 2. 2. As new born babes desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. It is no less expected of all Gods people in this life, to whatsoever degree they have already attained; and the reason is, because they are not yet arrived at perfection, so the Apostle argueth, Phil. 3. 12. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect; but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that which I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. So that though sincerity be accepted in Christ, yet we are not to rest in it, but to labour after more strength, more victory over corruption, more holiness; and when we have reached to any further degree in this than we had before, we are not now to sit still, but to aspire after more and more, and not to cease till it comes to be perfect. This use we are directed to make of the promises, 2 Cor. 7. 1. Having these promises, let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. And if it be enquired how long we are to pursue this business, we are told, Eph. 4. 13. Till we ⟨p. 196⟩all come un•o a perfect man, unto the measure of the Stature of the fullness of Christ. Now the reason of the imperfection of Grace is the remains of sin in us, and it is by the decrease of that in us, that our Grace grows.