A39669:1412
The Method of Grace
The method of grace, in bringing home the eternal redemption contrived by the Father, and accomplished by the Son through the effectual application of the spirit unto God's elect, being the second part of Gospel redemption : wherein the great mystery of our union and communion with Christ is opened and applied, unbelievers invited, false pretenders convicted, every mans claim to Christ examined, and the misery of Christless persons discovered and bewailed / by John Flavell ...The method of grace, in bringing home the eternal redemption contrived by the Father, and accomplished by the Son through the effectual application of the spirit unto God's elect, being the second part of Gospel redemption : wherein the great mysterie of our union and communion with Christ is opened and applied, unbelievers invited, false pretenders convicted, every mans claim to Christ examined, and the misery of Christless persons discovered and bewailed / by John Flavell ...
London: printed by M. White for Francis Tyton, 1681
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
First, Are they vehement and ardent? hath Christ the supreme place in your desires? do you esteem all things to be but dross and dung in comparison of the excellencies of Jesus Christ your Lord? Phil. 3. 8. Is he to you as the refuge City to the manslayer, Heb. 6. 18, 19. as a spring of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great Rock in a weary land, Isai. 32. 2. Such vehement desires are true desires.
Secondly, Are your desires after Christ universal? (i. e.) is every thing in Christ desirable in your eyes? the Hypocrite like the Harlot is for a divided Christ: they would be called by his name, but live upon their own stock, Isai. 4. 1. if his holiness, and government, his cross, and sufferings be desirable for his sake, such universal desires are right desires.
Thirdly, Are your desires after Christ industrious desires, using all the means of accomplishing what you desire? You say you desire Christ, but what will you do to obtain your desires? If you seek him carefully and incessantly in all the ways of duty, if you will strive in prayer, labour to believe, cut off right hands, and pluck out right eyes, (i. e.) be content to part with the most profitable and pleasant ways of sin, that you may enjoy Christ the desire of your souls, then are your desires right desires.