A80611:436
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.
John, when he writes the Gospel, he speaks as well to believers, as to others, but chiefly to believers, John 20.31. These things are written that you may believe. Say not what is this, but to make the work that is already wrought, for though faith and believing, be wrought in the hearts of Gods people, yet such as do believe, had need to be helped to believe more and better, Rom. 1.17. It is not only the power of God to work faith in such as believe, but to lead them on from faith to faith, from one measure of faith to another, and the Gospel is revealed from heaven for that end, that such as believe not might be brought on to believe. And such as do believe, may be carried an end in believing, such as are faithful, had need be yet more faithful; you read also, Phil. 1.25. I shall abide with you, for your furtherance and joy of faith, such a furtherance as is for the increasing and augmentation of your faith, so that there is not only faith but increase and growth of faith too: as furthered by the Gospel, 1 Thess. 3.10, That I might supply the defects of your faith, to supply what is wanting in your faith, there is not any ⟨p. 194⟩of the servants of God, no not those that receive the word with much joy in the holy ghost, in much affliction and tribulation, no not those that give good pledges and evidences of their grace, as 1 Thess. 1.4, 5, 6, 7. yet there is something wanting or lacking in your faith, not any, no not the most exemplary Christians, v. 7. but there is something wanting in their faith, and therefore to this end he desires to come to them,1 as vers. 10. he is pressed exceedingly night and day, stirred up unto that duty, with much vehemency and in earnestness of spirit desires exceedingly to see your faith, and to perfect what is wanting in it. A marvellous thing, that the best Christians should yet have something wanting in their faith, so that this is not a needless work he undertakes, in writing to them that believe on Christ, that yet they may believe better.