A39669:506
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.
And which is yet much more difficult in coming to Christ, the soul forsakes not only its sinful self, but its righteous self: (i. e.) not only its worst sins, but its best performances, accomplishments, and excellencies. Now this is one of the greatest straits that Nature can be put to: righteousness by works was the first liquor that ever was put into the vessel, and it still retains the tang and savour of it, and will to the end of the world. Rom. 10. 3. For they being ignorant of Gods righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. [Greek or Hebrew], they have not submitted: to come naked and empty to Christ and receive all from him as a free gift, is to proud corrupt nature, the greatest abasement and submission in the world.
And which is yet much more difficult in coming to Christ, the soul forsakes not only its sinful self, but its righteous self: (i. e.) not only its worst sins, but its best performances, accomplishments, and excellencies. Now this is one of the greatest straits that Nature can be put to: righteousness by works was the first liquor that ever was put into the vessel, and it still retains the tang and savour of it, and will to the end of the world. Rom. 10. 3. For they being ignorant os Gods righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, they have not submitted: to come naked and empty to Christ and receive all from him as a free gift, is to proud corrupt nature, the greatest abasement and submission in the world.
Let the gospel furnish its Table with the richest and costliest dainties that ever the blood of Christ purchased, such is the pride of nature, that it disdains to taste them; except it may also pay the reckoning. If the old Hive be removed from the place where it was wont to stand, the Bees will come home to the old place, yea, and many of them you shall find will dye there, rather than go to the Hive though it stand in a far better place than it did before. Just so stands the case with men. The Hive is removed, (i. e.) we are no more to expect righteousness as Adam did, by obeying and working, but by believing, and coming to Christ; but nature had as lief be damned as do this: it still goes about to establish its own righteousness.