A80611:298
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.
Answ. It is true, there may fall such a deadness upon the heart of Christian men, that they are both unable and unwilling to any spiritual duty. Which commonly God leaves his servants unto, when he hath found them acting and moving in their own strength, and upon their detaining of the graces of God in unrighteousness,1 and diverting them rather to their own praise in the world, then the edifying of the people of God, or the glorifying of his own name, when God sees we are much of our selves, and think we can do much by the strength of grace we have received, then God is wont to leave us cold and dead, so as we know not in ⟨p. 133⟩the world what to do, nor are we willing to do any thing; The very presence of a duty, and the thoughts of it, is an horror to such souls in such cases; we have been too busy in our own strength, and too mighty in the grace we have received, and rather aimed at our selves then at him, and then no marvel if God leave us to a world of deadness.
Answ. It is true, there may fall such a deadnesse upon the heart of Christian men, that they are both unable and unwilling to any spiritual duty. Which commonly God leaves his servants unto, when he hath found them acting and moving in their own strength, and upon their detaining of the graces of God in unrighteousnesse,1 and diverting them rather to their own praise in the world, then the edifying of the people of God, or the glorifying of his own name, when God sees we are much of our selves, and thinke we can doe much by the strength of grace we have received, then God is wont to leave us cold and dead, so as we know not in ⟨p. 133⟩the world what to doe, nor are we willing to do any thing; The very presence of a duty, and the thoughts of it, is an horror to such soules in such cases; we have been too busie in our own strength, and too mighty in the grace we have received, and rather aimed at our selves then at him, and then no marvaile if God leave us to a world of deadnesse.
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