A39669:2027
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.
Rule 7.
There is a great difference found betwixt the sanctifying, and the comforting influences of the spirit upon believers in respect of constancy, and permanency: his sanctifying influences abide for ever in the soul: they never depart; but his comforting influences come and go, and abide not long upon the hearts of believers. Sanctification belongs to the being of a Christian, Consolation only to his well being: the first therefore is fixed and abiding, the later various and inconstant. Sanctification brings us to Heaven hereafter, consolation brings Heaven into us here: our safety lies in the former, our cheerfulness only in the latter. There are times and seasons in the lives of believers wherein the spirit of God doth more signally and eminently seal their spirits, and ravish their hearts with Joy 1unspeakable: but what Bernard speaketh, is certainly true in the experience of Christians: It is a sweet hour, and it is but an hour: a thing of short continuance: the relish of it is exceeding sweet, but it is not often that Christians taste it. And ⟨p. 414⟩so much may suffice for the general rules about the in-being, and workings of the spirit in believers, for the better information of our understandings, and prevention of mistakes in this matter. I shall next according to promise lay down the particular marks and trials by which we may discern whether God hath given us his spirit or no: by which grown Christians when they are in a due composed frame, may by the assistance of the spirit of God (for which therefore they are bound to pray) discern his indwelling, and working in themselves.
There is a great difference found betwixt the sanctifying, and the comforting influences of the spirit upon believers in respect of constancy, and permanency: his sanctifying influences abide for ever in the soul: they never depart; but his comforting influences come and go, and abide not long upon the hearts of believers. Sanctification belongs to the being of a Christian, Consolation only to his well being: the first therefore is fixed and abiding, the later various and inconstant. Sanctification brings us to Heaven hereafter, consolation brings Heaven into us here: our safety lyes in the former, our cheerfulness only in the latter. There are times and seasons in the lives of believers wherein the spirit of God doth more signally and eminently seal their spirits, and ravish their hearts with Joy