A39669:2346
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.
Thirdly, The imitation of Christ implies the necessity of sanctification in all his followers: for as much as it is impossible there should be a practical conformity in point of obedience, where there is not a conformity in spirit and principle; all external conformity to Christs practice, depends upon an internal conformity to Christ in the principle and spirit of holiness. 'Tis very plain from Ezek. 11. 19, 20. that a new heart must be given us, and a new spirit put into us, before we can walk in Gods statutes: we must first live in the spirit, before we can walk in the spirit, Gal. 5. 25.
Fourthly, The imitation of Christ plainly holds forth this, that Christian religion is a very precise and strict religion; no way countenancing licentiousness, or indulging men in their lusts: it allows no man to walk loosely and inordinately; but rejects every mans claim to Christ who studies and labours not to tread exactly in the footsteps of his holy and heavenly example. Profaneness and licentiousness therefore can find no shelter or protection under the wing of the Gospel: this is the universal rule laid upon all the professors of the Christian Religion: Let every one that nameth the name of Christ, depart from iniquity, 2 Tim. 2. 19. (i. e.) let him either put on the life of Christ, or put off the name of Christ: let him show the hand of a Christian in works of holiness and obedience, or else the tongue and language of a Christian must gain no belief or credit.
Fourthly, The imitation of Christ plainly holds forth this, that Christian religion is a very precise and strict religion; no way countenancing licentiousness, or indulging men in their lusts: it allows no man to walk loosely and inordinately; but rejects every mans claim to Christ who studies and labours not to tread exactly in the footsteps of his holy and heavenly example. Prophaneness and licentiousness therefore can find no shelter or protection under the wing of the Gospel: this is the universal rule laid upon all the professors of the Christian Religion: Let every one that nameth the name of Christ, depart from iniquity,