A39669:2239
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 4.
If they that be Christs have crucified the flesh, then the 1number of real Christians is very small: 'tis true, if all that seem to be meek, humble and heavenly might pass for Christians, the number would be great: but if no more must be accounted Christians than those who crucify the flesh with its affections and lusts, O how small is the number! For O how many be there under the Christian name, that pamper and indulge their lusts, that secretly hate all that faithfully reprove them, and really affect none but such as feed their lusts by praising and admiring them? How many that make provision for the flesh, to fulfil its lusts? who cannot endure to have their corruptions crossed: how many are there that seem very meek and humble until an occasion be given to stir their passion, and then you shall see in what degree they are mortified: the flint is a cold stone, till it be struck, and then 'tis all fiery. I know the best of Christians are mortified but in part: and strong corruptions are oft-times found in very eminent Christians; but they love them not ⟨p. 476⟩so well as to purvey for them, to protect, defend and countenance them: nor dare they secretly hate such as faithfully reprove them; as many thousands that go under the name of Christians do. Upon the account of mortification it is said, Matth. 7. 13. Narrow is the way, and strait is the gate that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
If they that be Christs have crucified the flesh, then the 1number of real Christians is very small: 'tis true, if all that seem to be meek, humble and heavenly might pass for Christians, the number would be great: but if no more must be accounted Christians than those who crucifie the flesh with its affections and lusts, O how small is the number! For O how many be there under the Christian name, that pamper and indulge their lusts, that secretly hate all that faithfully reprove them, and really affect none but such as feed their lusts by praising and admiring them? How many that make provision for the flesh, to fulfil its lusts? who cannot endure to have their corruptions crost: how many are there that seem very meek and humble until an occasion be given to stir their passion, and then you shall see in what degree they are mortified: the flint is a cold stone, till it be struck, and then 'tis all fiery. I know the best of Christians are mortified but in part: and strong corruptions are oft-times found in very eminent Christians; but they love them not