PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Whole Works of John Flavel — Volume 2
Flavel, John, 1630?-1691 · 304,299 words · 252 reading sections
Section 1
jffr tfceologicaj 8etn/*Z LATE MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL AT DARTMOUTH, DEVON. AN ALPHABETICAL TABLE OF THE PRINCIPAL MATTERS CONTAINED IN THE WHOLE. PRINTED FOR W. BAYNES AND SON, 23 & 54, PATERNOSTER- ROW; WAUGH AND INNES, EDINBURGH, AND M. KEENE, DUBLIN. THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY. 27o the Worshipful John Upton, o/" L…
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Sir, It was a special happiness, which Chrysostom earnestly re- commended to persons of quality, that they would so order their conversations, that their parents might rather glory in them, than they in their parents ; " Otherwise (saith || he) it is better to rise * God grant that the end proposed may be obtained, th…
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(2.) That you be humble under all that dignity and honour, which God hath put upon you ; be ye clothed with humility. It was the glory of the primitive Christians, that they § did not speak but live great things : humility will be the lustre of your other ex- cellencies : estates and honours are but appendants and fine…
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We of this nation have long enjoyed the light of the glorious gospel among us ; it hath shone in much clearness upon this sinful island, for more than a whole century of happy years : but the longest day hath an end, and we have cause to fear our bright sun is going down upon us ; for the shadows in England are grown g…
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thy heart in the sense of thy mercies, and to engage and quicken thee in the way of thy duties. Here thou wilt see what great things the Lord hath done for thy soul, and how these dignities, as thou art his son or daughter, by the double title of regeneration and adoption, do oblige thee to yield up thyself to God enti…
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spoken in ver. 27, 28. telling them, though the world contemned them as vile, foolish, and weak, yet " of God Christ is made " unto them wisdom and righteousness, sanctification and redemp- " tion." In which words we have an enumeration of the chief privileges of believers, and an account of the method whereby they co…
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There is a twofold application of our redemption, one primary, the other Secondary : The former is the act of God the Father, ap- plying it to Christ our surety, and virtually to us in him : the lat- ter is the act of the Holy Spirit, personally and actually applying it to us in the work of conversion : The former hath…
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these alone, nor both together can save us : there must be added the sanctification of the Spirit, by which God's decree is executed ; and the sprinkling (i. e. the personal application of Christ's blood) as well as the shedding of it, before we can have the saving benefit of either of the former causes. Prop. 4. The …
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Propriety is the sweetest part of any excellency; therefore Luther was wont to say, that the sweetness of the gospel lay mostly in pronouns, as me, my, thy, &c. who loved [me] and gave himself for me, Gal ii. 20. Christ Jesus [my] Lord, Phil. hi. 18. So Matt, ix. 2. Son, be of good cheer, [thy] sins are forgiven. Take …
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For redemption, that is to say, absolute and plenary deliverance from all the sad remains, effects, and consequences of sin, both upon soul and body ; this is made ours, (or, to keep to the terms) Christ is made redemption to us by glorification ; then, and not be- fore, are these miserable effects removed ; we put off…
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He is by nature blind and ignorant, and yet refuses Christ, who conies to him with heavenly light and wisdom ; he is condemned by the terrible sentence of the law to eternal wrath, and yet rejects Christ, who renders to him complete and perfect righteousness : he is wholly polluted and plunged into original and actual …
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Now, if the day of our espousals to Christ be the day of the gladness of his heart, and he reckons himself thus honoured and glorified by us, what a day of joy and gladness should it be to our hearts, and how should we be transported with joy, to see a King from heaven, with all his treasures of grace and glory, bestow…
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After such a mercy as this, let them never open their mouths any more to repine and grudge at the outward inconveniencies of their condition in this world. What are the things you want, compared with the things you enjoy ? What is a little money, health, or liherty, to wisdom, righteousness, sanctifi cation, and redemp…
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Nor, lastlv, that of the head and members united by one vital spirit, and so making one physical body, mentioned Eph. iv. 15, 16. for though one soul actuates every member, yet it doth not knit every member alike near to the head, but some are nearer, and others removed farther from it ; but here every member is alike …
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All divine and spiritual life is originally in the Father, and cometh not to us, but by and through the Son, John v. 26. to him hath the Father given to have an avro^cr/j, a quickening, enlivening power in himself; but the Son communicates this life which is in him to none but by and through the Spirit, Rom. viii. 2.…
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Fourthly, The saints mystical union with Christ is a fundamental union ; it is fundamental by way of sustentation ; all our fruits of obedience depend upon it, John xv. 4. " As the branch cannot " bear fruit except it abide in the vine, no more can ye, except " ye abide in me." It is fundamental to all our privileges a…
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It is true, there is an avaxz<pa}.aic,rfic, or gathering together of all in heaven and earth under Christ as a common head, Eph. i. 10. He is the Head of angels as well as saints, but in different respects. To angels he is an head of dominion and government, but to saints he is both an head of dominion, and of vital in…
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Inf. 4. Do Christ and believers male but one mystical person ? How unnatural and absurd then are all those acts of unkindness, whereby believers wound and grieve Jesus Christ! This is as if the hand should wound its own head, from which it receives life, sense, motion, and strength. When satan smites Christ by a wicke…
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O it were better thine hand should wither, and thine arm fall from thy shoulder, than ever it should be lifted up against Christ, in the poorest of his members. Believe it, sirs, not only your vio- lent actions, but your hard speeches are all set down upon your doomVday book ; and you shall be brought to an account for…
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First, Christ's ambassadors commissioned. " Now then, we " are ambassadors for Christ" The Lord Jesus thought it not suf- ficient to print the law of grace and the blessed terms of our union with him in the scriptures, where men may read his willingness to receive them, and see the just and gracious terms and condition…
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Yea, necessity is not only laid upon them to preach, but to keep close to their commission in preaching the gospel, 1 Thess. ii. 3, 4, 5. " Our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor " in guile, but as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with " the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, bu…
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* To reconcile is nothing else than to make up that friendship which was broke by some grievous offence, and thus to bring enemies back into their former state oi concord. Dav. on Col, i. 20. SERM. III. THE METHOD OF GRACE. 55 high degree of the malignity of their sin, who sinned in the light of heaven ; partly becau…
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First, This efficacy and wonderful power is not from the word itself; take it in an abstract notion, separated from the Spirit, it can do nothing : it is called " the foolishness of preaching,"" 1 Cor. i. 21. Foolishness, not only because the world so accounts it, but because in itself it is a weak and unsuitable, and …
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We read, indeed, of some poor and ineffectual pleas that will be made by some at the last day ; so Matt. vii. 22. " We have " prophesied in thy name," fyc. These pleas will not avail ; but as for you, what will you plead ? Possibly many thousand ideots, or poor weak-headed persons, may perish ; many young ones that had…
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% Evidence. Many of us never treated seriously with the Lord about peace, and how then are we reconciled to him ? What, a peace without a treaty ? Reconciliation without any consideration about it ? It can never be. When was the time, and where was the place, that you were found in secret upon your knees, mourning over…
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Thirdly, Be filled with tender affections toward the souls of men, with whom you treat for reconciliation : you had need be men of bowels, as well as men of brains*: you see a multitude of poor souls upon the brink of eternal misery, and they know it not, but promise themselves peace, and fill themselves with vain hope…
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But yet, all the preaching in the world can never effect this union with Christ in itself, and in its own virtue, except a supernatural and mighty power go forth with it for that end and purpose. Let Boanerges and Barnabas try their strength, let the angels of heaven be the preachers ; till God draw, the soul cannot co…
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xi. 14. i. e. in a way of rational conviction of the mind and con- science, and effectual persuasion of the will. But yet by moral persuasion, we must not understand a simple and bare proposal or tender of Christ and grace, leaving it still at the sinner's choice, whether he will comply with it or no. * For though God…
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Such an invaluable pearl is Jesus Christ; infinitely more worth than all that a poor sinner hath to part with for him ; and is a more real good than the creature. These are but vain shadows ; Prov. xxiii. 5. Christ is a solid, substantial good : yea, he is, and by conviction appears to be a more suitable good than the …
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f Ita duce voluntates mece, una vetus, alia nova, ilia camalis, ilia spiritualis confiigebant inter s*, ataue discordando dissipabant animam meam—ibi enim magisjam non ego, quia, ex magna parte id pntiebar iuvitus, quodfacibam volens. Aug. confes. lib. 8. cap. 5. i Suasion is the act of one using endeavours : persuasi…
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First, It is against the stream and current of our corrupt nature to come to Christ. For let us but consider the term from which the soul departs, when it comes to Christ. In that day it leaves all its lusts, and ways of sin, how pleasant, sweet, and profitable soever they have been unto it, Isa. lv. 7. " Let the wicke…
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Wilt thou forsake all thy pleasures, merry company, and sensible comforts, to live a sad, retired, pensive life ? Wilt thou beggar and undo thyself, let go all thy comforts in hand, for an hope of that which thine eyes never saw, nor hast thou any certainty that it is any more than a fancy ! Wilt thou that hast lived i…
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It is said, 1 Pet. iv. 4. " They think it strange, that you run " not with them into the same excess of riot." The word is tv to ^vjiZrjvrai, they stand at a gaze, as the hen that hath hatched partridge eggs doth, when she sees them take the wing and fly away from her. Beloved, it is the world's wonder to see their co…
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is good therefore to be found in the way of the Spirit. Had that poor man, that lay so long at the pool of Bethesda, reasoned thus with himself, So long have I lain here in vain expecting a cure, it is to no purpose to wait longer, and so had been absent at that very time when the angel came down, he had, in all likeli…
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Zanchy Bodius, and many others, will have this quickening to comprize both our justification and regeneration, and to stand op- posed both to eternal and spiritual death, and it may well be al- lowed ; but it most properly imports our regeneration, wherein the Spirit, in an .ineffable and mysterious way, makes the soul…
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still carnal ; but by the infusion of a supernatural permanent prin- ciple into the soul, John iv. 14. " It shall be in him a well ol' water:'" principles are to a course of actions, as fountains or springs are to the streams and rivers that flow from them, and are maintained by them : and hence is the evenness and con…
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It is not in our sanctification, as it is in our justification ; our justification is complete and perfect, no defect is found there; but the new creature labours under many defects : all believers are equally justified, but not equally sanctified. Therefore you read, 2 Cor. iv. 16. that " the inward man is renewed day…
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It is true, a soul may be a long time under the preparatory works of the Spirit, he may be under convictions and humiliations, purposes and resolutions a long time ; he may be waiting at the pool of Bethesda, attending the means and ordinances, but when the Spirit comes once to quicken the soul, it is done in a moment …
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Fourthly, In the next place, according to the method proposed, I am obliged to shew you, that this quickening- work is wholly super- natural ; it is the sole and proper work of the Spirit of God. So Christ himself expressly asserts it, in John iii. 6, 8. " That which " is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is b…
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Secondly, The opening the heart fully to Jesus Christ, without which Christ can never be received, Rev. iii. 20. but this also is the effect of the quickening Spirit, the Spirit of life which is in Christ Jesus. Sooner may we expect to see the flowers and blossoms open without the influence of the sun, than the heart a…
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Inf. 4. How honourable are Christians by their new birth ! " They are born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the " will of man, but of God," John i. 13. i e. not in an impure, or mere natural way, but in a most spiritual and supernatural man- ner : they are the offspring of God, the children of the Mos…
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First, The privilege conferred is a very high and glorious one, than which no created being is capable of greater ; " power to be- " come the sons of God :" this word efyfftav is of large extent and signification, and is, by some, rendered " this * right, by others " this dignity, by others this prerogative, this privi…
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* Forma vel aliquid formce analogum ponitur differentia loco. f There are divers other expressions by which the nature of saving faith is expres- sed in scripture, viz. Eating Christ's flesh, and drinking his blood, John vi. 40. Coming to Christ, Matt. xi. 28. Having the Son, 1 John v. 12. Trusting or de- pending upon …
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souls in Jesus Christ, as the most excellent, suitable, and complete remedy for all our wants, sins, and dangers, that ever could be prepared by the wisdom and love of God for us : We must receive him with such a frame of heart, as rests upon, and trusts in him, if ever we receive him aright ; " To them that believe he…
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receiving of Christ, is the respect that this act of acceptance hath unto the terms upon which Christ is tendered to us in the gospel J, to which it is most agreeable, 1 Cor. xv. 11. " So we preach, and " so ye believed :" Faith answers the gospel-offer, as the impress upon the wax doth the engraving in the seal ; and …
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Fifthly, The gospel offers Christ orderly to sinners, first his per- son, then his privileges. God first gives his Son, and then with him, or as a consequent of that gift, he gives us all things, Rom. viii. 32. In the same order must our faith receive him. The be- liever doth not marry the portion first, and then the p…
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A true believer may " walk in darkness, and see no light," Isa. 1. 10. Nay a man must be a believer before he know himself to be so ; the direct act ofjaith is before the reflex act : so that the justi- fying act of faith lies neither in assent nor in assurance. Assent saith, I believe that Christ is, and that he is th…
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What respect, reader, wouldst thou have to that hand that should bring thee a pardon when on the ladder or block ? Why, such a pardon, which thou canst not read without tears of joy, is brought thee by the hand of faith. O inestimable grace ! This clothes the pure righteousness of Jesus upon our defiled souls, and so c…
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Secondly, And it is as evident, it doth not justify us in the Armi- nian sense, viz. as the to credere, the act of believing is imputed or accepted by God, as our evangelical righteousness, instead of per- fect legal righteousness. In the former opinion you have the dregs of Popery, and here you have refined Popery. Le…
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Inf. 2. If such a receiving of Christ, as hath been described, be saving and justifying faith, then faith is a work of greater difficulty than most men understand it to be, and there are but few sound be- lievers in the world. Before Christ can be received, the heart must be emptied and opened : but most men's hearts …
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And there is a spiritual knowledge of spiritual things, the teach- ing of the anointing, as it is called, 1 Johnii. 27. i. e. the effect and fruit of the Spirit's sanctifying work upon our souls, when the ex- perience of a man's own heart informs and teach eth his under- standing, when by feeling the workings of grace …
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If you have received never so little of his bounty by the hand of providence, in the good things of this life, yet if he have given you any measure of true saving faith, he hath dealt bountifully in- deed with you : this mercy alone is enough to balance all other wants and inconveniences of this life, " poor in the wor…
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game have these hawks of hell among such numerous flocks of people ! O, bless God while you live for your deliverance from popery ; and see that you prize the gospel, and means of grace you enjoy at an higher rate, lest God bring you once more under that yoke, which neither you nor your fathers could bear. Second use …
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O when a man shall see his misery and danger, and no way to escape but Christ, and that he hath no ability himself to come to Christ, to open his heart thus to receive him, but that this work of faith is wholly supernatural, the operation of God ; how will the soul return again, and again upon God, with such cries as i…
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Fifthly, The soul in the time of its closing with, or receiving Christ, is in a state of conflict : It hangs between hopes and fears, encouragements and discouragements, which occasions many a sad stand and pause in the way of Christ ; sometimes the number and nature of its sins discourage it, then the riches and freen…
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Fifthly, The righteousness of God is in Christ, by which only a poor guilty sinner can be justified before God, 2 Cor. v. 21. we are "made the righteousness of God in him t11 he is lapis mn* " the Lord our righteousness," Jer. xxiii. 6. i. e. " * the author " of our righteousness," or the Lord who justifies us ; by tha…
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And why may not you that have received Christ, receive the comfort of your* union with him ? There be all the grounds and helps of assurance furnished to your hand ; there is a real union betwixt Christ and your souls, which is the very ground-work of assurance. * You have the scriptures before you which contain the si…
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" The words read, are a part of that excellent song of love *, that " heavenly Epithalamium, wherein the spiritual espousals of Christ " and the church are figuratively and very elegantly celebrated " and shadowed. The subject matter of this psalm is the very " same with the whole book of the Canticles ;" and in this p…
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EXcciov ayaXX/atfewg dlciturid quod causam dai summi ^uadii. Grot, in Ileb. i. 9. Auro; v/uv curio; rrt; ouDiag ra mvjpctrcc, xai sz^sc-rracafmog xaiio ssiv •tvSrg&MTOS, ro vrveu/JM '/ma U/x/v fLirabag. i. e. Ke is the cause of the gift of the Spirit to you, and being anointed with the Spirit as he is man, he communica…
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Secondly, They have communion with him in his righteousness. i. e. the righteousness of Christ is made theirs, 2 Cor. v. 21. and he is " the Lord our righteousness,'1 Jer. xxiii. 6. It is true, the righteousness of Christ is not inherent in us, as it is in him ; but it is ours by imputation, Rev. iv. 5, 11. and our uni…
1,334 wordsSource & rights
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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.