A80611:437
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.
Quest. Now what is that which they had need grow unto?
Answ. First, they had need to grow unto the belief of some further principles of Gods truth, some further Articles of faith, which yet they know not: Some have need to grow in the object of their faith, to believe more then they yet do believe. Some of the Apostles did not believe the resurrection of Christ, Thomas said, he would not believe, unless he might see and feel, John 20.25. he was wanting in the belief of one Article of faith, the resurrection of the dead, and 1. Cor. 15. the whole Church was wanting in this and in many other Articles of their Christian faith; they doubted not but that their bodies should rise, but they wanted that before. And the Thessalonians, they wanted this in their faith, they could not tell what to make of the long delay of the second coming of Christ; they did expect a sudden coming, and therefore many of them were troubled in their minds, so as that they neglected their callings, and minded not their outward business in the world, expecting a sudden dissolution of all: And therefore the Apostle supplies what was wanting in their faith, by acquainting them further of the counsel of God. That Christ must not come to Judgement, till Antichrist have first come, with all deceivableness, and lying wonders, and ⟨p. 195⟩till the Church have made an Apostasy, and the Galatians, they were ignorant of the Doctrine of Justification, for supply of which, and satisfying them therein, that whole Epistle is spent; so in all other Churches the Apostles labours to supply what was wanting in the object of their faith.
Answ. First, they had need to grow unto the beleife of some further principles of Gods truth, some further Articles of faith, which yet they know not: Some have need to grow in the object of their faith, to beleeve more then they yet doe beleeve. Some of the Apostles did not beleeve the resurrection of Christ, Thomas said, he would not beleeve, unlesse he might see and feele,