A80611:421
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.
Use last. It is an use to all those that do indeed believe on the name of the Lord Jesus, to be not only careful to read, but to read these Scriptures, in hope of finding those very blessings for which these Scriptures were written, and sent us: Were they written that you might be taught? truly you make an il use of reading, if you know no more at last then at the first, you may well say, you are unprofitable if you do not observe something from your reading, and if they were written to stir us up to be doing good, you make an il use of reading if it bring not forth some profitable fruits; yea if by reading these Epistles you might believe, and be humbled & comforted, and your joy might be full in reading, then truly you should not rest, till by reading you find some measure of faith strengthened in you, to an holy fear of God, in whose presence you stand, and whose word you take in ⟨p. 189⟩hand, and find your hearts take comfort from what you do read, since they were written for your sakes that believe, and for your sakes only if you shall be negligent to read them, shall you not take this blessed Ordinance of God in vain? and therefore read them, and read them diligently, and profitably, for the blessed ends for which God hath written them, that you may find the blessed fruits of them.
Vse last. It is an use to all those that do indeed beleeve on the name of the Lord Jesus, to be not only carefull to read, but to read these Scriptures, in hope of finding those very blessings for which these Scriptures were written, and sent us: Were they written that you might be taught? truly you make an il use of reading, if you know no more at last then at the first, you may wel say, you are unprofitable if you doe not observe something from your reading, and if they were written to stir us up to be doing good, you make an il use of reading if it bring not forth some profitable fruits; yea if by reading these Epistles you might beleeve, and be humbled & comforted, and your joy might be full in reading, then truly you should not rest, till by reading you finde some measure of faith strengthened in you, to an holy feare of God, in whose presence you stand, and whose word you take in ⟨p. 189⟩hand, and finde your hearts take comfort from what you doe read, since they were writen for your sakes that beleeve, and for your sakes onely if you shall be negligent to read them, shall you not take this blessed Ordinance of God in vaine? and therefore read them, and read them diligently, and profitably, for the blessed ends for which God hath written them, that you may finde the blessed fruites of them.