A80611:163
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.
But this shows you that there is a marvellous liberty, even in those that are servants, they are free from the service of men in their hearts and consciences; and then most at liberty to serve God, when they are most bound to serve men: yet in their hearts and consciences they are free from their service; they are not bound in conscience to do any thing but what is the will of God, and this is a marvellous great freedom, that a man is not bound to become a slave to other mens will, and to do as other men do, he is not bound to do any thing that is unlawful, and this is a spirit of liberty, that makes even a servant to have a spirit of freedom; he is a Free-man, his heart is free to Gods Service, and this is from nothing else but from this spirit of a son, a spirit of liberty.
But this shewes you that there is a marvellous liberty, even in those that are servants, they are free from the service of men in their hearts and consciences; and then most at liberty to serve God, when they are most bound to serve men: yet in their hearts and consciences they are free from their service; they are not bound in conscience to doe any thing but what is the will of God, and this is a marvellous great freedom, that a man is not bound to become a slave to other mens wil, and to do as other men do, he is not bound to do any thing that is unlawfull, and this is a spirit of liberty, that makes even a servant to have a spirit of freedome; he is a Free-man, his heart is free to Gods Service, and this is from nothing else but from this spirit of a sonne, a spirit of liberty.
Now on the contrary side, as by this spirit of liberty, a Child of God is free from the fear of sin, so he hath a certain kind of privilege of peace in his soul, and of freeness and readiness to every Christian duty; and also ⟨p. 70⟩he hath a certain privilege of dominion over all the Creatures. It is the nature, and proper definition of liberty, Freedom from evil, and liberty unto the enjoyment of some good things; it sets me free from sin, and gives me liberty and peace of conscience from the same Spirit of the Lord Jesus; it sets me at liberty to run the way of Gods Commandments,