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 ...

DOCT. 3. That God may,* 1.1 though he seldom doth prepare men for glory, imme∣diately before their dissolution by death.

There is one parable, and no more, that speaks of some that were called at the last hour. Matth. 20.9, 10. And there is this one instance in the text, and no more; that gives us an account of a person so called. We acknowledge God may do it, his grace is his own. He may dispense it how, and where he pleaseth. We must always salve divine prerogative. Who shall fix bonds, or put li∣mits to free grace, but God himself, whose it is? If he do not or∣dinarily shew such mercies to dying sinners, (as indeed it doth not) yet it is not because he cannot, but because he will not. Not because their hearts are so hardned by long custom in sin, that his grace cannot break them; but because he most justly withholds that grace from them. When blessed Mr. Bilney the martyr, heard a Minister preaching thus. O thou old sinner, that hast lain these fif∣ty years rotting in thy sin, dost thou think now to be saved? That the blood of Christ shall save thee? O said Mr. Bilney, what preaching of Christ is this! If I had heard no other preaching than this, what had become of me? No, no old sinners, or young sin∣ners, great, or small sinners are not to be beaten off from Christ, but encouraged to repentance, and faith. For who knows but the bowels of mercy may yearn at last upon one that hath all along re∣jected it. This thief was as unlikely ever to have received mercy but a few hours before he died, as any person in the world could be.

But surely this is no encouragement to neglect the present seasons of mercy, because God may shew mercy hereafter. To neglect the ordinary, because God sometimes manifests his grace in ways extraordinary. Many I know have hardened themselves in ways of sin by this example of mercy. But what God did at this time, for this man, cannot be expected to be done ordinarily for us. And the reasons thereof are,

• Reason 1. First, Because God hath vouchsafed us the ordinary and standing means of grace, which he had not; and therefore we cannot expect such extraordinary and unusual conversions as he had. This poor creature never heard in all likelihood one Sermon preached by Christ, or any of the Apostles. He lived the life of a Highway man, and concerned not himself about Religion; but we have Christ preached freely and constantly in our Assemblies. We have line upon line, and precept upon precept. And when God affords the ordinary preaching of the Gospel, he doth not use to work wonders. When Israel was in the Wilderness, then God baked their bread in Heaven, and clave the Rocks to give them drink; but when they came to Canaan, where they had the ordinary means of subsistance, the manna ceased.
• ...

  Reason 2. Secondly, Such a conversion as this may not be ordi∣narily expected by any man, because such a time as that will never come again. It's possible if Christ were to die again, and thou to be crucified with him, thou mightest receive thy conversion in such a miraculous and extraordinary way: but Christ dies no more. Such a day as that will never come again.

  Mr. Fenner in his excellent discourse upon this point, tells us that as this was an extraordinary time, Christ being now to be installed in his Kingdom, and Crowned with glory and honour: so extraordinary things were now done; as when Kings are Crowned; the Streets are richly hanged; the Conduits run with wine; great Malefactors are then pardoned; for then they shew their munificence and bounty; it is the day of the gladness of their hearts. But let a man come at another time to the Conduits, he shall find no wine, but ordinary water there. Let a man be in the Goal at another time, and he may be hanged; yea, and hath no reason but to expect and prepare for it. What Christ did now for this man, was at an extraordinary time.

• Reason 3. Thirdly, Such a conversion as this may not ordinari∣ly be expected, for as such a time will never come again, so there will never be the like reason for such a conversion any more. Christ converted him upon the Cross, to give an instance of his di∣vine power at that time when it was almost wholy clouded. Look as in that day the divinity of Christ brake forth in several miracles,

• as the preternatural eclipse of the Sun. The great earthquake, the rending of the Rocks, and vail of the Temple. So in the con∣version of this man in such an extraordinary way; and all to give evidence of the divinity of Christ, and prove him to be the Son of God whom they crucified. But that is now sufficiently confirmed, and there will be no more occasion for miracles to evidence it.
• Reason 4. Fourthly, None hath reason to expect the like con∣version, that enjoys the ordinary means; because though in this convert we have a pattern of what free grace can do, yet as Di∣vines pertinently observe, it's a pattern without a promise. God hath not added any promise to it, that ever he will do so for any other. And where we have not a promise to encourage our hope, our hope can signifie but little to us.

Inference 1.

* 1.2Let those that have found mercy in the evening of their life, admire the extraordinary grace that therein hath appeared to them. O that ever God accept the Bran, when Satan hath had the Flour of thy days! The forementioned reverend Author tells us of one Marcus Cajus Victorius a very aged man in the primitive times, who was converted from Heathenism to Christianity in his old age. This man came to Simplicianus a Minister, and told him he hearti∣ly owned and embraced the Christian faith. But neither he nor the Church would trust him for a long time. And the reason was the unusualness and strangeness of a conversion at such an age. But after he had given them good evidence of the reallity thereof, there were acclamations and singing of Psalms, the people every where crying Marcus Ca••us Victorius is become a Christian. This was written for a wonder. Oh if God have wrought such wondrous salvations for any of you, what cause have you to do more for him than others! What, to pluck you out of Hell when one foot was in! To appear to you at last when so hardned by long custom in sin, that one might say, can the Ethiopian change his hue, or the Leo∣pard his spots? O what riches of mercy have appeared to you!

Inference 2.

Let this convince and startle such as even to their gray hairs remain in an unconverted state,* 1.3 who are where they were when they first came into the world, yea, rather farther off by much.

Bethink your selves, ye that are full of days, and full of sin; whose time is almost done, and your great work not yet begun. Who have but a few sands more in the upper part of the glass to run down, and then your conversion will be impossible. Your sun is setting, your night is coming; the shadows of the evening are stretched out upon you; you have one foot in the grave, and the other in Hell. O think if all sense and tenderness be not withered up, as well as natural verdure; think with your selves, how sad a case you are in. God may do wonders, but they are not seen eve∣ry day; then they would cease to be wondred at. O strive, strive while you have a little time, and a few helps and means more. Strive to get that work accomplished now that was never done yet. Defer it no longer, you have done so too much already.

It may be (to use Seneca's expression) you have been these six∣ty,* 1.4 seventy, or eighty years beginning to live, about to change your practice; but hitherto you still continue the same. Do not you see how Satan hath gulled and cheated you with vain purposes till he hath brought you to the very brinks of the grave and Hell. O 'tis time now to make a stand, and pause a little where you are, and to what he hath brought you. The Lord at last give you an eye to see, and an heart to consider.

Inference 3.

Lastly,* 1.5 Let this be a call and caution to all young ones to begin with God betime, and take heed of delays till the last, as so many thousands have done before them to their eternal ruine. Now is your time, if you desire to be in Christ; if you have any sense of the weight and worth of eternal things upon your hearts. I know your age is voluptuous, and delights not in the serious thoughts of death and eternity. You are more inclined to mind your pleasures, and leave these grave and serious matters to old age. But let me perswade you against that, by these considerations.

First, Oh set to the business of Religion now, because this is the moulding age. Now your hearts are tender, and your affections flowing. Now is the time when you are most likely to be wrought upon.

Secondly, Now, because this is the freest part of your time. It is in the morning of your life, as in the morning of the day. If a man have any business to be done, let him take the morning for it. For in the after part of the day a hurry of business comes on, so that you either forget it, or want opportunity for it.

Thirdly, Now, because your life is immediately uncertain. You are not certain that ever you shall attain the years of your Fathers. There are graves in the Church yard just of your length. And skulls of all sorts and sizes in Golgotha as the Jews proverb is.

Fourthly, Now, because God will not spare you because you are but young sinners, little sinners, if you die Christless. If you are not as you think old enough to mind Christ, surely if you die Christless, you are old enough to be damned. There's the small spray, as well as great logs in the fire of Hell.

Fifthly, Now, because your life will be the more eminently use∣ful, and serviceable to God, when you know him betime, and begin with him early. Austin repented, and so have many thousands since him, that he began so late, and knew God no sooner.

Sixthly, Now, because your life will be the sweeter to you, when the morning of it is dedicated to the Lord. The first fruits sanctifie the whole harvest. This will have a sweet influence into all your days. Whatever changes, straights, or troubles you may after∣wards meet with.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Doct. 3.
• * 1.2

  Infer. 1.
• * 1.3

  Infer. 2.
• * 1.4

  Semper victuri.
• * 1.5

  Infer. 3.