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.

If this be the work and office of Jesus Christ to open the un∣derstandings of men,* 1.1 Hence we infer, the misery that lyes upon those men, whose understandings, to this day, Iesus Christ hath not open∣ed. Of whom we may say as it is, Deut. 29.4. To this day Christ hath not given them eyes to see. Natural blindness where∣by we are deprived of the light of this world, is sad; but spi∣ritual blindness is much more sad. See how dolefully their case is represented, 2 Cor. 4.3, 4. But if our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost; whose eyes the God of this world hath blinded; lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. He means a total and final concealment of the saving power of the word from them. Why, what if Jesus Christ withhold it, and will not be a Prophet to them; what is their condition? truly no better than lost men. It is hid 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to them that are to perish, or be destroyed. This blindness like the covering of the face, or ty∣ing the handkerchief over the eyes; is in order to their turning off into Hell. More particularly, because the point is of deep concernment let us consider,

• First, the Iudgement inflicted, and that's spiritual blindness. A sore misery indeed. Not anuniversal ignorance of all truths; O, no, in natural, and moral truths they are often times acute, and sharpe sighted men; but in that part of knowledge which wrape up eternal life, Iohn 17.2. there they are utterly blinded. As it's said of the Iews upon whom this misery lies, that blind∣ness in part is happened to Israel. They are learned and know∣ing persons in other matters, but they know not Jesus Christ, there is the grand and sad defect.
• Secondly, the subject of this Judgement, the mind; which is the eye of the soul. If it were but upon the body, it would not be so considerable, this falls immediately upon the soul the noblest part of man, and upon the mind, the highest and noblest faculty of the soul; whereby we understand, think and reason. This in Scripture is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the spirit. The intellectual rational faculty; which Philosophers call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the lead∣ing, directive faculty: which is to the soul, what the natural eye 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the body. Now the soul being the most active and restless

• thing in the world, always working; and its leading directive power blind; Judge what a sad and dangerous state such a soul is in. Just like a fiery high metled Horse, whose eyes are out, furiously carrying his rider among rocks, pits, and dangerous precipices. I remember Chrysostom speaking of the loss of a soul saith, that a loss of a member of the body, is nothing to it; for saith he, if a man lose an eye, Ear, Hand, or Foot, there is another to supply its want. Omnia Deus dedit duplicia. God hath given us those members double animam verò unam, but he hath not given us two souls; that if one be lost, yet the other may be saved. Surely it were better for thee, Reader, to have every member of thy body made the seat and subject of the most exqu••site racking torments, than for spiritual blindness to befall thy soul. Moreover,
• Thirdly, Consider the indiscernableness of this Iudgement, to the soul on whom it lies. They know it not; no more than a man knows that he is asleep. Indeed, it's the spirit of a deep sleep, poured out upon them from the Lord. Isa. 29.10. Like that which befel Adam when God opened his side; and took out a Rib. This renders their misery the more remediless. Because ye say you see, therefore your sin remaineth, Joh. 9.41. Once more,
• Fourthly, Consider the tendency and effects of it. What doth this tend to, but eternal ruine? For hereby we are cut off from the only remedy. The soul that's so blinded, can neither see sin, nor a Saviour; but like the Aegyptians during the palpable dark∣ness, sits still; and moves not after its own recovery. And as ruine is that to which it tends, so in order thereto, it renders all the ordinances and duties under which that soul comes alto∣gether useless, and ineffectual to its salvation. He comes to the word, and sees others melted by it, but to him it signifies no∣thing. O what a heavy stroke of God is this! most wretched is their case, to whom Jesus Christ will not apply this eye salve; that they may see. Did you but understand the misery of such a state, if Christ should say to you as he did to the blind man, Matth. 20.33. What wilt thou that I shall do for thee? you would return, as he did; Lord that my eyes may be opened.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Infer. 1.