A39669:2209
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.
Fifthly, Mortification is the very scope and aim of our regeneration and the infusion of the principles of grace: if we live in the Spirit, let us walk in the Spirit, Gal. 5. 25. in vain were the habits of grace planted, if the fruits of holiness ⟨p. 467⟩and mortification be not produced: yea, mortification is not only the design and aim, but it is a special part even the one half of our sanctification.
Sixthly, If mortification be not the daily practice and endeavour of Believers, then the way to Heaven no way answers to Christs description of it in the Gospel: he tells us, Mat. 7. 13, 14. Wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction; and many there be that go in thereat, because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it: well then, either Christ must be mistaken in the account he gave of the way to glory, or else all unmortified persons are out of the way: for what makes the way of salvation narrow, but the difficulties and severities of mortification?
Seventhly, In a word, he that denies the necessity of mortification, confounds all discriminating marks betwixt Saints and Sinners; pulls down the Pale of distinction, and lets the world into the Church, and the Church into the World: 'tis a great design of the Gospel to preserve the boundaries betwixt the one and the other, Rom. 2. 7, 8. Rom. 8. 1, 4, 5, 6, 13