A80611:65
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.
3 It is in case that by Gods providence you be cast to live in such Congregations, where you cannot have the Ordinances of God but at a great charge, as it is the case of many places, that unless they be at charge for the Ministry of the Gospel it cannot be had; then we must communicate freely that way, then be not deceived, God is not mocked, for what a man sows that shall he also reap, Gal. 6.6, 7, 8 Where the Apostle doth encourage men at such a time as this, when the Gospel, cannot be had but at great charge, then lay out liberally for the Gospel of Christ, and he calls it, A sowing to the Spirit; as a man that lays out his money for an earthly commodity, for a good bargain, he reaps corruption; so he that sows of the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. When a man lays out his money unto Spiritual ends, to obtain the free passage ⟨p. 18⟩of the Ordinances of Christ, to enjoy the liberty of the Gospel, he thereby sows to the Spirit, and shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting; for this is the blessing promised unto it, such as so sow, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting; so that when a man out of a good and honest heart, and an hungering desire after Gods Ordinances, shall be willing to be at charge for them, he hath this promise made to him, and it shall be fulfilled, He shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. But yet, when a man hath laid out his money for this end, if he then think his money is worthy of Christ, he gets him not; but this is the first way of having Christ by way of Purchase, a seasonable laying out our money for him as God requires it.
3 It is in case that by Gods providence you be cast to live in such Congregations, where you cannot have the Ordinances of God but at a great charge, as it is the case of many places, that unlesse they be at charge for the Ministery of the Gospel it cannot be had; then we must communicate freely that way, then be not deceived, God is not mocked, for what a man sowes that shall he also reap, Gal. 6.6, 7, 8 Where the Apostle doth encourage men at such a time as this, when the Gospel, cannot be had but at great charge, then lay out liberally for the Gospel of Christ, and he calls it, A sowing to the Spirit; as a man that layes out his money for an earthly commodity, for a good bargaine, he reapes corruption; so he that sowes of the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reape life everlasting. When a man layes out his money unto Spirituall ends, to obtaine the free passage