A80611:504
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.
Reas. 1 First, because in praying according to Gods will, God doth but fulfil his own will in fulfilling yours; as this is the will of God, that all those things that are lawful for us to ask, and expedient for us, it is his will that we should pray for them; it is Gods will, that we should pray with submission to Gods will, that we should pray humbly and feelingly, and constantly; now if we have prayed according to the will of God, then his will must needs be done; and his will is, that now our wills should be fulfilled. This reason is taken from the faithfulness of God in the promise, and from the suitableness of Gods will to ours, when we so pray.
Reas. 1 First, because in praying according to Gods will, God doth but fulfill his owne will in fulfilling yours; as this is the will of God, that all those things that are lawfull for us to aske, and expedient for us, it is his will that wee should pray for them; it is Gods will, that we should pray with submission to Gods will, that we should pray humbly and feelingly, and constantly; now if we have prayed according to the will of God, then his will must needs be done; and his will is, that now our wills should be fulfilled. This reason is taken from the faithfulnesse of God in the promise, and from the suitablenesse of Gods will to ours, when we so pray.
Reas. 2 Secondly, It is taken from the mighty power of the name of Christ, whensoever we use his name in prayer, not in lip labour; but when we pray in sense of our own unworthiness, and in some measure of Child-like confidence, the prayers that we now make is the prayer of Christ, and him the Father heareth always, Jo. 11.42. Now if Christ give us to use his name, look whatever petition we put up, and use his name in it, it is now the prayer of Christ; for look as if any of you should send your child or servant to any of ⟨p. 222⟩your neighbours to desire such or such a favour from them, you send them, but the petition is yours; they desire it in your name, and if you send him, and bid him use your name, and then you are sure it will be granted; and if he should deny your child or servant of such a petition that he asks in your name, in denying him he denies you, so that God cannot deny the petition you ask in Christs name; for him he heareth always, and all such petitions he hath promised to hear. The word of promise you heard before, and it is full to this purpose,