A39669:2347
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 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, 2 Tim. 2. 19. (i. e.) let him either put on the life of Christ, or put off the name of Christ: let him shew 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.
Fifthly, The imitation of Christ necessarily implies the defectiveness and imperfection of the best men in this life: for if the life of Christ be our pattern; the best and holiest of men must confess they come short in every thing of the rule of their duty. Our pattern is still above us; the best of men are ashamed when they compare their lives with the life of Christ. 'Tis true, a vain heart may swell with pride when a man compares himself with other men: thus measuring our selves by our selves, and comparing our selves among our selves we show our folly, and nourish our pride: but if any man will compare his own life with Christs, he will find abundant cause at every time, and in every thing to be humbled. Paul was a great proficient in holiness and obedience;