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Christ the fountain of lifeChrist the fountaine of life
Christ the fountain of life: or, Sundry choice sermons on part of the fifth chapter of the first Epistle of St. John. Preached by that learned judicious divine, and faithful minister of Jesus Christ, Mr. John Cotton B.D. now preacher at Boston in New-England. Published according to Order.Christ the fountaine of life: or, Sundry choyce sermons on part of the fift chapter of the first Epistle of St. John. Preached by that learned judicious divine, and faithfull minister of Jesus Christ, Mr. John Cotton B.D. now preacher at Boston in New-England. Published according to Order.
London: printed by Robert Ibbitson, 1651
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.
He desires not there the enjoyment of the presence of God, or the subduing of his lusts, that he might live at more ease, and have more comfort (though that be a lawful end) but he would see the power of Christ more magnified in him; he would see a mighty increase of the grace ⟨p. 50⟩of God in him, not that he might be more excellent then his neighbours, more eminent in gifts, and so be better then others, or so esteemed; but he desires that all his lusts may be swallowed up, and that the life of Christ might more mightily over-rule, and over-sway him, and dwell mightily in him, that he might not live after his own will, nor to himself, nor would he live by the graces of the Spirit in him, but the life that he would live, is by the faith of the Son of God, Gal. 2.20. that Christ and his life in him might work all his works in him and for him; and in that at any time he desires death, it is not that he might be freed from evil and misery, but that he might be dissolved, and be with Christ, Phil. 1.23. Though the other be a lawful desire, but chiefly his desire is, that he might see Christ, whom from his first conversion he hath most loved, and in whom he hath lived all his life, and now to be wholly possessed of him, and wholly acted and swayed by him, not that he might have his heart filled with joy, but that he might be with Christ, not only as chiefest of ten thousand persons, but as the chiefest of ten thousands benefits of God, that should God give us pardon of sin, his Word and Sacrament, and victory over all our lusts, strength of every grace of God, and everlasting life, and therewith fellowship with all the blessed Saints and Angels, yet to us Christ is the chiefest of them all, none greater then the gift of Christ; and this is the sincerity of a Christians soul, he desires more any benefit for Christs sake, then Christ for any of his benefits sake; for he whose heart is set upon Christ, more then upon the pardon of sin, or salvation, that soul hath Christ, and life in him; he that hath Christ in his eye and heart above all blessings, he indeed is a true Christian, and hath Christ.
He desires not there the injoyment of the presence of God, or the subduing of his lusts, that he might live at more ease, and have more comfort (though that be a lawfull end) but he would see the power of Christ more magnified in him; he would see a mighty increase of the grace