The Fountain Opened, Title page – To the reader
THE Fountain Opened: OR, The Great Goſpel Priviledge of having CHRIST exhibited to Sinfull Men. WHEREIN Alſo is proved that there ſhall be a National Calling of the JEVVS From Zech. XIII. 1.
By Samuel Willard, Teacher of a Church in Boſton.
1 Cor. 2. 2.
I determined not to know any thing among you, ſave Jeſus Christ, & him Crucifyed.
Si Christum diſcis, ſatis eſt ſi caetera neſcis.
Boſton in New-England, Printed by B. Green, and I. Allen, for Samuel Sewall Junior 1700.
To the READER.
SƲCH is the fulneſs of Sufficiency in Chriſt, that no words can enough expreſs it: for which reaſon the Holy Scriptures ſet him forth under the ſhadow of many Metaphors, which require a Spiritual improvement; all of which put together make up but a dark & deficient deſcription of him: and yet every one of them Commends him to us as an Object worthy of our Love & Truſt, inaſmuch as they repreſent him one every way furniſhed to anſwer all our wants, which can no where elſe be ſupplied; and, but for whom we muſt needs have periſhed in them. The following Sermons ſet him forth as a Fountain, and ſuch an one as is Opened to miſerable men, together with thoſe Vertues which do more eminently flow from him as ſuch, for the abundant ſupply of all thoſe that partake in him: and withall it gives us the comfortable notice of a more peculiar & glorious Revelation and Application of it, to be made in theſe laſt days. If thou hast known, what it is to be in a dry and thirsty land, where no Water is, this will be good News to thee. If thou hungreſt and thirſtest after Righteouſneſs, this will give thee direction. If thou haſt ever tasted that he is gracious, thou wilt here find Refreſhment. If thou art at a loſs about the dark Providences which are upon the Chriſtian World, thou wilt here find matter of encouragment, in proſpect of the better Times wherein this Fountain will be wonderfully exhibited.
Touching the Sermon that is ſubjoyned to this ſhort Treatiſe, I need not to apologize for the Seaſonableneſs of Publiſhing it, unto ſuch as underſtand the Genius of the Age we live in. If any thing in theſe Papers may ſerve to win Souls to CHRIST, and confirm his Redeemed in their Love of Him, and promove Evangelical Holineſs, I have my deſire. To his Bleſſing then I Commend them and thee, Who am
Thy Servant for Chriſt's ſake, Samuel Willard.