The fountain of life opened, or, A display of Christ in his essential and mediatorial glory wherein the impetration of our redemption by Jesus Christ is orderly unfolded as it was begun, carryed on, and finished by his covenant-transaction, mysterious incarnation, solemn call and dedication ... / by John Flavell ...

Inference 1.

Hence we infer the Vnreasonableness of Infidelity,* 1.1 and how little the rejecters of Christ can have to pretend for their so do∣ing. You see he hath opened his Commission in the Gospel, shewn the world his Fathers Hand and Seal to it, given as am∣ple satisfaction as reason it self could desire or expect: yet even his own received him not, Ioh. 1.11. And he knew it before hand, and therefore complain'd by the Prophet Isa. 53.1. Who hath believed our Report? &c. Yea, and that he is believed on in the world, is by the Apostle put among the great mysteries of godliness, 1 Tim. 3.16. A man that well considers with what convincing evidence Christ comes, would rather think it a mysterie that any should not believe. But O the bruitish obstinacy and Devilish enmity that is in nature, to Jesus Christ! Devilish did I say, you must give me that word again, for he compell'd their assent. We know thee whom thou art. And it is equally as wonderful to see the facility that is in nature to comply (mean while) with any, even the most foolish im∣posture.

Let a false Christ arise, and he shall deceive many. As it is Matth. 24.24. Of this Christ complains, and not with∣out great reason, Ioh. 5.43. I am come in my Fathers name, and ye receive me not. If another come in his own name, him will ye receive. q. d. You are incredulous to none but me. Every deceiver, every pitiful cheat that hath but wit, or rather wickedness, enough to tell you the Lord hath sent him; though you must take his own single word for it: He shall ob∣tain and get Disciples: but though I come in my Fathers name, (i. e.) sh••wing you a Commission Sign'd and Seal'd by him; doing those Works that none but a God can do, yet ye receive me not. But in all this we must adore the Justice of God, in permitting it to be so; giving men up to such unreasonable obstinacy, and hardness. It is a sore plague that lies upon the world, and a wonder that we all are not ingulphed in the same Infidelity.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Infer. 1.