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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.
And you may apply what I say of thoughts, to words and actions, and so make use of it to all.
There be many men, that never think good thought, but lets wicked thoughts rest in them, can be wanton and unclean, &c. what ever it be that makes a thorough-fare in the heart, let it there lodge, let it come and go as it will, and that is part of the meaning of the high-way-side ground, it keeps, and is, a thorough-fare to all beasts, to all sorts of Travellers, to Thieves and Robbers, takes no notice of them, lets them come and go and stay as they list, then we have not Christ for our Governor, we do not put the Government of our thoughts, and actions upon his shoulders, and are not in subjection to him, but casts his cords from us, Psalm. 2.3. and say we will not have this man to reign over us, Lu. 19.22. what, is not our thoughts free? and are not our tongues our own? Psalm. 12.4. David takes them for Atheists that say, their tongues are their own; He prays that God would keep ⟨p. 86⟩his lips, Psalm. 119. only Gods people would have all that is in them bowed to the obedience of Gods will: Some men there be that will not have God to rule over them, so marvellous is the profaneness of our hearts while we are carnal, that we that should be servants to God, we are not ashamed to make him a Servant to us, we were never subject to any man, nor do we mean so to be Pharaoh-like. Who is the Lord? I know not who he is. Notable is that you read, Esa. 43.34 besides that, I had no service from you, thou hast made me to serve, with, or under thy sins; see the desperate spirits of the hearts of the sinful sons of men, they draw in God to serve them, and he complains, that he is pressed under their sins, as a Cart is pressed under sheaves: men load the patience of God, and lay upon him, one bundle of wickedness after another; they lay so much wickedness upon him, till the patience of God will bear no longer, as long as ever he will bear, and suffer us to live in this world, we will load him with sheaves upon sheaves, load the very majesty of God, and his long sufferance, and make use of his Providence many times to serve our own lusts, we will do that which is wicked in God's sight, because we can do it, and because God hath given us means to do it; we can maintain our pride and covetousness, and God gives us these gifts, and these liberties, and we will make God to serve with them, and here is a double service put upon God.