A80611:202
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.
First we load his patience, and forbearance, by our continuance in sin; but besides that, we abuse the very gifts of God, as our wealth, and good parts of nature, and our common graces: And (by your leave) the very saving graces of Gods spirit, we will not stick to abuse them against God; And is not this much rebellion, that we should make God to serve such a wearisome service, he is provoked every day, and weary to suffer us in a sinful course one day to an end; but when day after day, and year after year we lay load upon Gods patience: and if he will suffer us long so he may; and if we do set God at liberty from his drudgery, it must be at the last gasp, and he shall be our Ruler then, if he will. Wonder not therefore if ⟨p. 87⟩sometime God say, Rebellion is as the sin of witch-craft, 1 Sam. 15.23. And that is in a double respect.
First we load his patience, and forbearance, by our continuance in sin; but besides that, we abuse the very gifts of God, as our wealth, and good parts of nature, and our common graces: And (by your leave) the very saving graces of Gods spirit, wee will not stick to abuse them against God; And is not this much rebellion, that we should make God to serve such a wearisome service, he is provoked every day, and weary to suffer us in a sinfull course one day to an end; but when day after day, and year after yeare we lay load upon Gods patience: and if he will suffer us long so he may; and if we do set God at liberty from his drudgery, it must be at the last gaspe, and he shall be our Ruler then, if hee will. Wonder not therefore if ⟨p. 87⟩sometime God say, Rebellion is as the sinne of witch-craft, 1 Sam. 15.23. And that is in a double respect.
First, As you see a Witch gives her soul to the Devil, that she may have her mind fulfilled for her life time; so a Rebel deals with the devil, to have his own lusts fulfilled, he makes a Covenant with Hell and with the Devil, he is at an agreement, he knows he doth wickedly, but to serve his own turn, he is content to do it.