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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 therefore observe this as of necessary use for any man; that as he would be loath to be deceived in a counterfeit piece of money; so much more let him be careful in the main points of his everlasting estate: on this depends our having or not having of life. And therefore it behooves us to be sure that we be not disappointed in this great mystery of godliness, and consider seriously upon what your hopes and confidence was bred, and whence it was grounded.
And therefore observe this as of necessary use for any man; that as he would be loath to be deceived in a counterfeit peece of money; so much more let him be carefull in the main points of his everlasting estate: on this depends our having or not having of life. And therefore it behooves us to bee sure that we be not disappointed in this great mystery of godlinesse, and consider seriously upon what your hopes and confidence was bred, and whence it was grounded.
Quest. You will say; But is it not ordinary that the Word of the Law doth humble and cast down the heart and spirit before God, and cut them off from all confidence in the flesh, before they come to lay hold of the promise of grace in Christ?
Quest. You will say; But is it not ordinary that the Word of the Law doth humble and cast downe the heart and spirit before God, and cut them off from all confidence in the flesh, before they come to lay hold of the promise of grace in Christ?
Answ. True, it is so indeed, That ordinarily, some word of the Law, some word of conviction prevails with the heart, and makes him in sense of sin, say to his Christian friends, what shall I do to be saved? this is true, but yet this is not it, that makes him a new man in Gods sight, it may reach to the reformation of his outward man, and to the alteration of sundry of his former courses, which no means else could have reclaimed; but yet this makes him not live a spiritual life, until he be not only humbled by the Law, but in some measure brought on, to look after the promise of grace in Christ, and to long after them, and to say, and desire, oh that I had but my part in this or that promise, what a mercy of God would that be to me, could I but lay hold upon them, but thereupon the soul of a Christian, doth stand poring and plodding, and wistly gazing upon them, till in the end the very sight of a promise, hath