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 2.

* 1.1With what weaned affections should the people of God walk up and down this world, content to live, and willing to die. For things present are theirs if they live, and things to come are theirs if they die. Paul expresses himself in a frame of holy indiffe∣rencie. Phil. 1.23. Which to choose I know not. Many of them that are now in fruition of their inheritance above, had vitam in patientia, mortem in desiderio, life in patience, and death in desire, while they tabernacled with us.

Oh (cried one) what would I give to have a bed made to my wearied soul in Christs bo∣som. — I cannot tell you what sweet pain, and delight∣ful torments are in his love. I often challenge time for holding us assunder; I profess to you, I have no rest till I be over head and ears in Loves Ocean. If Christs Love (that foun∣tain of delights) were laid open to me as I would wish; O how drunken would this my soul be! I half call his absence cruel; and the mask and vail on his face a cruel covering, that hideth such a fair, fair face from a ••ick soul. I dare not challenge him∣self, but his absence is a mountain of Iron upon my heavy heart. O when shall we meet! How long is it to the dawning of the

marriage day! O sweet Lord Jesus, take wide steps. O my Lord come over mountains at one stride! O my beloved flee like a Roe, or young Hart upon the mountains of seperation! O if he would fold the Heavens together like an old cloak; and shovel time, and days out of the way; and make ready in hast the Lambs wife for her husband! Since he looked upon me, my heart is not mine own.

Who can be blamed for desiring to see that fair inheritance which is purchased for him? But truly should God hold up the soul by the power of faith, from day to day to such sights as these; who would be content to live a day more on earth? How should we be ready to pull down the Prison walls, and not having pati∣ence to wait till God open the door! As the Heathen said.

Victurosque dii celant, ut vivere durant.

And truly the wisdom of God is in this specially remarkable, in giving the new creature such an admirable crasis and even tem∣per: as that Scripture, 2 Thes. 3.5. expresses: The Lord direct your hearts into the Love of God, and patient waiting for of Christ. Love inflames with desire, patience allays that fervor. So that fervent desires (as one happily expresses it) are allaied with meek submission. Mighty love, with strong patience. And had not God twisted together these two principles in the Christi∣ans constitution; he had framed a creature to be a torment to it self, to live upon a very rack.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Infer. 2.