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 5.

* 1.1If Christ sate not down to rest in Heaven, till he had finished his work on earth; then 'tis in vain for us to think of rest, till we have finished our work, as Christ also did his.

How willing are we to find rest here! To dream of that which Christ never found in this world, nor any ever found before us. O think not of resting, till you have done working, and done sinning. Your life and your labours must end together. Write (saith the Spirit) blessed are the dead, that die in the Lord, for they rest from their labours, Rev. 14.13. Here you must have the Sweat, and there the Sweet. 'Tis too much to have two Heavens. Here you must be content to dwell in the Tents of Keder, hereafter you shall be within the curtains of Solomon. Heaven is the place of which it may be truly said, That there the weary be at rest. O think not of sitting down on this side Heaven. There are four things will keep the Saints from sitting down on earth, to rest. viz. Grace, Corruptions, Devils, and wicked men.

First, Grace will not suffer you to rest here. Its tendencies are beyond this world. It will be looking and longing for the blessed hope. A gratious person takes himself for a Pilgrim, seeking a better Country and is alwaies suspicious of danger in every place and state. It's still beating up the sluggish heart with such language as that, Mica. 2.10. Arise, depart, this is not thy rest, for it is polluted. Its farther tendencies and continual Jealousies will keep you from sitting long still in this world.

Secondly, Your Corruptions will keep you from rest here. They will continually exercise your Spirits, and keep you upon your watch. Saints have their hands filled with work by their own hearts every day. Sometimes to prevent sin, and some∣times to lament it. And allwaies to watch and fear, to mortifie and kill it. Sin will not long suffer you to be quiet, Rom. 7.21, 22, 23, 24. And if a bad heart will not break your rest here, then

Thirdly, There is a busie Devil will do it. He will find you work enough with his Temptations, and suggestions, and except you can sleep quietly in his arms, as the wicked do, there's no rest to be expected. Your adversary the Devil goeth about as a roar∣ing Lyon, seeking whom he may devour; whom resist, 1 Pet. 5.8.

Fourthly, Nor will his Servants, and instruments let you be quiet on this side Heaven. Their very name speaks their turbu∣lent disposition.* 1.2 My Soul (saith the holy man) is among Lyons, and I lye even among them that are set on fire, even the Sons of men, whose teeth are Spears and Arrows, Psal. 57.4. Well then, be content to enter into your rest, as Christ did into his. He sweat, then sate, and so must you.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Infer. 5.
• * 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 I••qui••tum esse. Turbulentus.