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 3.

* 1.1Hath Christ offered up himself a Sacrifice to God for us, then let us improve in every condition this Sacrifice, and labour to get hearts duly affected with such a sight as faith can give us of it. Whatever the condition or complaint of any Christian is, the beholding the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world, may give him strong support, and sweet relief. Do you complain of the hardness of your hearts, and want of love to Christ; behold him as offered up to God for you; and such a sight (if any in the world will do it) will melt your hard hearts. Zech. 12.10. They shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and shall mourn. It is reported of Iohannes Milius that he was never observed to speak of Christ, and his sufferings, but his eyes would drop. Art thou too little touched, and unaffected with the evil of sin? is it thy complaint Christian, that thou canst not make sin bear so heard upon thy heart as thou would? consi∣der but what thou hast now read; realize this Sacrifice by faith, and try what efficacy there is in it to make sin for ever bitter as death to thy soul. Suppose thy own Father had been stab'd to the heart with such a knife, and his blood were upon it; wouldst thou delight to see, or endure to use that knife any more? Sin is the knife that stab'd Christ to the heart: this shed his blood▪ Surely you can never make light of that, which lay so heavy up∣on the soul and body of Jesus Christ.

Or is your heart prest down even to despondency, under guilt of sin? So that you cry how can such a sinner as I be pardoned: My sin is greater than can be forgiven. Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world. Remember that no sin can stand before the Efficacy of his blood. 1 Joh. 1.7. the blood of Iesus cleanseth from all sin. This Sacrifice makes unto God full satisfaction.

Are you at any time staggering through unbelief? Filled with unbelieving suspicions of the promises? Look hither and you shall see them all ratified, and established in the blood of the cross. So that hills and mountains shall sooner start from their own bases and centers, than one tittle of the promise fail. Heb. 9.17, 18, 19.

Do you at any time find your hearts fretting, disquieted, and impatient under every petty cross and trial: See how quietly Christ your Sacrifice came to the Altar. How meekly and patiently he stood under all the wrath of God and men together. This will silence, convince, and shame you.

In a word, Here you will see so much of the grace of God, and love of Christ, in providing and becoming a Sacrifice for you; you will see God taking vengeance upon sin, but sparing the sinner. You will see Christ standing as the body of sin alone, for he was made sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. That whatever corruption burdens, this in the believing application will support. Whatever grace be defective, this will revive it.

Blessed be God for Iesus Christ.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Infer. 3.