A80611:160
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.
And besides, such a natural man, though he be of a magnanimous spirit in respect of fear of danger, yet such a man is often captivated of many base lusts, and sinful courses, and is not able to resist ill counsel, nor ill company; whereas a godly man is free from all these; free from the bondage, and dominion of sin, and all the law of sin he looks at it as a cobweb-law, which he may easily break through, and accordingly doth so, and overcomes all his former sinful lusts.
And besides, such a naturall man, though he be of a magnanimous spirit in respect of fear of danger, yet such a man is often captivated of many base lusts, and sinfull courses, and is not able to resist ill counsell, nor ill company; whereas a godly man is free from all these; free from the bondage, and dominion of sinne, and all the law of sinne he looks at it as a cobweb-law, which hee may easily breake through, and accordingly doth so, and overcomes all his former sinfull lusts.
1Thirdly, There is another frame of this spirit of liberty, as it is the Spirit of the Son, it frees us from the service of men, 1 Cor. 7.23. Not that it forbids civill subjection: not so to make men free, but if God have called you a servant, live as a servant, 1 Cor. 7.12. to 20. but use your liberty the rather if you can, but if you must needs be a servant, then know, that he that is a servant, is the Lords free man, but be not ye the servants of men, that is, though you owe and do your bodily service to men, yet towards God walk at liberty; and if thy labour be great, and thy reward little, yet do thy service, and look for more wages at the hand of Christ (Col. 3.23.) then from men; in serving men serve Christ; and therefore go about your Masters service, not with eye service, but in singleness of heart serving the Lord, and not men; in serving of men, they do faithful and diligent service to the Lord, and therefore they do it willingly and not grudgingly, but in much quietness of spirit, and are more free for Christian duties, and have more quiet time for seeking God then ever after,