A80611:454
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.
And therefore, doubtless this is that which every true believer hath respect unto, every faithful Christian prays for himself, Lord increase my faith, Lord help my unbelief, this is the prayer of every soul that comes to Christ, that though we have some measure of faith already, yet mixed with so much unfruitfulness, and unsettledness, and so many defects, that every Christian hath cause to pray, Lord help my unbelief; sometimes a man is hindered with offences, and they are to be avoided, in which a man will not be able to put forth ⟨p. 204⟩love unless he have a strong faith, and that was the reason why the Apostles prayed so earnestly Lord increase our faith, Luk. 17.5. for it was upon this occasion our Saviour had been exhorting them, how to carry themselves in respect of offences, if thy brother trespass against thee rebuke him, and if he repent forgive him, &c. Now they apprehended, it was a great work, they saw it was a great work to rebuke him, he had need have much faith before he can do that, but suppose upon that a man do humble himself, and repent, then for a man to forgive him, 1it requires a great faith to forgive a wrong, or an injury offered to us; but what if he come and offend me again, and again, seventy times seven times? why if he do, and say it repents me, thou shalt forgive him: Now when they hear this, that a man must be so free-hearted in forgiving wrongs and injuries done to themselves, they had need have a strong love, and strong love stands in need of a strong faith, to show you, that a man that shall have occasion to trade with his faith, and to live and walk by his faith, he shall have much need of the growth and increase of it, if it be but for the healing of offences, many occasions and temptations may meet with us in the world, temptations from Satan, as well as from the world, 1 John 2.14. And if a man have strong enemies, he will stand in need of a strong faith, to cut asunder all the fiery darts of the Devil, Ephes. 6.16. Above all take the shield of faith. There is no man willing to go to the field with weak armour, he would if he could have armour of proof, such as might repulse a weapon or a dart cast against him, so a Christian he hath to fight against many enemies;