A80611:241
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.
That is the nature of Spiritual life,1 it desires to maintain it self, and to expel all that is contrary to it, if the body have taken any noisome and hurtful thing; it will vomit and cast it out, and will not let it rest there in quiet, if it be an enemy to our life it will strive against it, if there be any spiritual life in us, it cannot let sin rest in us; it will strive against it, and never rest till it be shut of it, any way, some way or other, out it must, though he shame himself for it by an open confession; and though it many ways trouble him, yet out it must, it is an enemy to his life, and out he must cast it; and therefore if God give us hearts to be fearful of sin, and careful to maintain our peace, it is an evident sign of the truth of our Spiritual life; and this is a sign of life, for he feels not his peace because it is clouded in him; he discerns no life in him, and he fears what he had was but a delusion. Why, how stands thy care to preserve thy peace, and to avoid the danger of the loss of it? If God give thee an heart desirous and careful to maintain thy peace, though it be not so lively as sometimes it was, yet it is certainly true and good.
That is the nature of Spirituall life,1 it desires to maintaine it selfe, and to expell all that is contrary to it, if the body have taken any noysome and hurtfull thing; it wil vomit and cast it out, and will not let it rest there in quiet, if it be an enemy to our life it will strive against it, if there be any spirituall life in us, it cannot let sin rest in us; it will strive against it, and never rest till it be shut of it, any way, some way or other, out it must, though he shame himselfe for it by an open confession; and though it many wayes trouble him, yet out it must, it is an enemy to his life, and out he must cast it; and therefore if God give us hearts to be fearfull of sinne, and carefull to maintaine our peace, it is an evident signe of the truth of our Spirituall life; and this is a signe of life, for he feels not his peace because it is clouded in him; he discernes no life in him, and he feares what he had was but a delusion. Why, how stands thy care to preserve thy peace, and to avoyd the danger of the losse of it? If God give thee an heart desirous and carefull to maintaine thy peace, though it be not so lively as sometimes it was, yet it is certainly true and good.