A39669:2253
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.
1. Motive.
And first, methinks the comfort and sweetness resulting from Mortification should effectually persuade every believer 1to more diligence about it. There is a double sweetness in ⟨p. 480⟩Mortification, one in the nature of the work, as it is a duty, a sweet Christian duty, another as it hath respect to Christ, and is evidential of our Union with him. In the first consideration there is a wonderful sweetness in Mortification, for dost thou not feel a blessed calmness, cheeriness and tranquillity in thy conscience, when thou hast faithfully repelled temptations, successfully resisted and overcome thy corruptions? Doth not God smile upon thee; conscience encourage, and approve thee? Hast thou not an heaven within thee? whilst others feel a kind of hell in the deadly gripes, and bitter accusations of their own consciences, are covered with shame, and filled with horrors. But then, consider it also as an evidence of the souls interest in Christ, as my Text considers it; and what an heaven upon earth must then be found in mortification! These endeavours of mine to subdue and mortify my corruptions, plainly speak the Spirit of God in me, and my being in Christ, and O what is this! What heart hath largeness and strength enough to receive and contain the joy and comfort which flows from a cleared interest in Jesus Christ! Certainly Christians, the tranquillity and comfort of your whole life depends upon it: and what is life without the comfort of life, Rom. 8. 13. If ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live, (i. e.) you shall live a serene, placid, comfortable life, for it is corruption unmortified which clouds the face of God, and breaks the peace of his people, and consequently embitters the life of a Christian.