A39669:2349
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.
Sixthly, The imitation of Christ as our general rule and pattern, necessarily implies the transcending holiness of 1the Lord Jesus. His holiness is greater than the holiness of all creatures: for only that which is first and best in every kind, is the rule and measure of all the rest. 'Tis the height of Saints ambition to be made conformable to Christ, Phil. 3. 10. Christ hath a double perfection, a perfection of being, and a perfection of working: his life was a perfect rule, no blot or error could be found therein; for he was holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners: and such an High-Priest became us as the Apostle speaks, Heb. 7. 26. The conformity of professors to Christs example is the test and measure of all their graces: the nearer any man comes to this pattern, the nearer he approaches towards perfection.
- 1Primum & optimum in unoquoque genere est regula & mensura caeterorum.
Seventhly, The Christians imitation of Christ, under penalty of losing his claim to Christ, necessarily implies sanctification and obedience to be the evidences of our justification and interest in Christ: assurance is unattainable without obedience, we can never be comfortable Christians except we be strict and regular Christians, Gal. 6. 16. As many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy; and upon the Israel of God. A loose and careless conversation can never be productive of true peace and consolation, 2 Cor. 1. 12. This is our rejoicing, the testimony of our Conscience; that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God; we have had our conversation in the world. Let men talk what they will of the immediate sealings and comforts of the spirit without any regard to holiness, or respect to obedience; Sure I am, whatever delusion they meet with in that way; true peace and consolation is