A39669:2196
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.
Fourthly, The crucifying of the flesh implies a gradual weakening of the power of sin in the soul. The death of the Cross was a slow and lingering death, and the crucified person grew weaker and weaker every hour; so it is in the mortification of sin: the soul is still cleansing it self from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and perfecting holiness in the fear of God, 2 Cor. 7. 1. And as the body of sin is weakened more and more; so the inward man, or the new creature is renewed day by day, 2 Cor. 4. 16. for sanctification is a progressive work of the spirit: and as holiness increases, and roots it self deeper and deeper in the soul; so the power and interest of sin proportionably abates, and sinks lower and lower, until at length it be swallowed up in victory.
Fourthly, The crucifying of the flesh implies a gradual weakning of the power of sin in the soul. The death of the Cross was a slow and lingering death, and the crucified person grew weaker and weaker every hour; so it is in the mortification of sin: the soul is still cleansing it self from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and perfecting holiness in the fear of God, 2 Cor. 7. 1. And as the body of sin is weakned more and more; so the inward man, or the new creature is renewed day by day, 2 Cor. 4. 16. for sanctification is a progressive work of the spirit: and as holiness increases, and roots it self deeper and deeper in the soul; so the power and interest of sin proportionably abates, and sinks lower and lower, until at length it be swallowed up in victory.
Fifthly, The crucifying of the flesh notes to us the Believers designed application of all spiritual means and sanctified instruments for the destruction of it: there is nothing in this world which a gracious heart more vehemently desires and longs for, than the death of sin, and perfect deliverance from it,