A39669:1482
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.
Inference 5.
How hath the Devil blindfolded, and deluded them, that are scared off from Christ by the fears of being dishonoured by him? 1Many persons have half a mind to Religion, but when they consider the generality of its professors to be persons of the lowest and meanest rank in the world, and that reproaches and sufferings attend that way; they shrink back as men ashamed, and as Salvian saith, mali esse coguntur, ne viles habeantur, they choose rather to remain wicked, than to become vile: but to them that believe, Christ is an honour: as the word which we translate precious might be rendered, 1 Pet. 2. 7. Till God open mens eyes thus, they will put evil for good, and good for evil. But O dear bought honours for which men stake their souls, and everlasting happiness! Paul was not of your mind, yet for birth he was an Hebrew of the Hebrews, for dignity and esteem, a Pharisee for moral accomplishments, touching the Law blameless: yet all this he trampled under his feet, counting it all but dross and dung in comparison of Jesus Christ. Moses had more honour to lay down for Christ than you, yet it was no temptation to him to conceal or deny the faith of Christ. Noble Galeacius would not be withheld from Christ by the splendour and glory of Italy. But Oh how doth the glory of this world dazzle and blind the eyes of many! How can ye believe (saith Christ) who receive honour one of another, John 5. 44. Saints and sinners upon this account are wonders to one the other. 'Tis the wonder of the world to see Christians glorying in reproaches, they wonder that the Saints run not with them into the same excess of riot. And it is a wonder to Believers how such poor toys and empty titles (rather than titles of honour) should keep the world as it doth from Jesus Christ, and their everlasting happiness in him.