A80611:442
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.
Fifthly, Faith had need to grow, even that faith which accompanies salvation, by which we believe on the name of Christ, not only thus far as hath been said, but had need to grow in the fruits of it, for many times though faith may have some strength and comfort, and put forth it self in some acts, yet notwithstanding it may sometimes fall out, and often doth, that even the faith of Gods people is much intercepted from putting forth it self, in those lively fruits of faith which redound to the praise and glory of God, Gal. 5.6. Faith works by love; now you know what you ⟨p. 198⟩have heard of the love of Gods people, that they may depart from their first Love, yea so far depart from it, as that he may fall short of the performance of his first works of his faith and love together, Revel. 2.4, 5. Faith at the first was more abundantly fruitful then now it is, and so their first love was more abundantly fruitful unto good works, then now they are able to reach unto, but Chap. 2.19. it is said of the Thyatirans, their works was more at the last then they were at the first. It is a sign their faith was as much growing in fruitfulness as the other was decayed, so that something may be supplied to the faith of Gods people, their faith and love, and the fruits thereof had need to be increased; so that this is not a vain end of Johns writing to them that believe on his name, that they may believe, though they now believe, yet they had need to believe yet more, though it may seem to be a Tautology, yet it is an evident truth.
Fifthly, Faith had need to grow, even that faith which accompanies salvation, by which we beleeve on the name of Christ, not only thus farre as hath been said, but had need to grow in the fruits of it, for many times though faith may have some strength and comfort, and put forth it selfe in some acts, yet notwithstanding it may sometimes fall out, and often doth, that even the faith of Gods people is much intercepted from putting forth it selfe, in those lively fruits of faith which redound to the praise and glory of God, Gal. 5.6. Faith workes by love; now you know what you ⟨p. 198⟩