A39669:2160
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.
Secondly, The new Creature continually opposes, and conflicts with the motions of sin in the heart, Gal. 5. 17. The spirit lusteth against the flesh: grace can no more incorporate with sin, than oil with water: contraries cannot consist in the same subject longer than they are fighting with each other; if there be no conflict with sin in thy soul, or if that ⟨p. 453⟩conflict be only betwixt the conscience and affections, light in the one struggling with lust in the other; thou wantest that fruit which should evidence thee to be a new creature.
Secondly, The new Creature continually opposes, and conflicts with the motions of sin in the heart, Gal. 5. 17. The spirit lusteth against the flesh: grace can no more incorporate with sin, than oyle with water: contraries cannot consist in the same subject longer than they are fighting with each other; if there be no conflict with sin in thy soul, or if that ⟨p. 453⟩conflict be only betwixt the conscience and affections, light in the one strugling with lust in the other; thou wantest that fruit which should evidence thee to be a new creature.
Thirdly, The mind and affections of the new Creature are set upon heavenly and spiritual things: Col. 3. 1, 2. Ephes. 4. 23. Rom. 8. 5. if therefore thy heart and affections be habitually earthly, and wholly intent upon things below, driving eagerly after the world, as the great business and end of thy life: deceive not thy self, this is not the fruit of the New Creature, nor consistent with it.