Selected quad for the lemma: saint_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
saint_n	call_v	church_n	corinth_n	2,165	5	11.4080	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A39669	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 ...	Flavel, John, 1630?-1691.	1681 (1681)	Wing F1169; ESTC R20432	474,959	654

when he doth so then we are enabled to exert that vital act of faith whereby we receive Christ all this lyes plain in that one Scripture Joh. 6. 57. As the living Father hath sent me and I live by the Father so he that cateth me that is by faith applys me even he shall live by me So that these two namely the Spirit on Christs part and Faith his work on our part are the two ligaments by which we are knit to Christ. So that the Spirits work in uniting or engrassing a soul into Christ is like the cutting off the graff from its native stock which he doth by his illuminations and convictions and closing it with the living stock when it is thus prepared and so enabling it by the infusion of faith to suck and draw the vital sap and thus it becomes one with it Or as the many members in the natural body being all quickened and animated by the same vital Spirit become one body with the head which is the principal member Eph. 4. 4. there is one body and one Spirit More particularly we shall consider the properties of this 2. Union that so we may the better understand the nature of it And here I shall open the nature of it both negatively and affirmatively First Negatively by removing all false notions and misapprehensions 1. Negatively of it And we say First The Saints Union with Christ is not a meer mental 1. Union only in conceit and notion but really exists extra mentem whether we conceit it or not I know the atheistical world censures all these things as fancies and idle imaginations but believers know the reality of them Joh. 14. 20. At that day you shall know that I am in my father and you in me and I in you This doctrine is not phantastical but scientifical Secondly The Saints Union with Christ is not a Physical Union such as is betwixt the members of a natural body and 2. the head our Nature indeed is assumed into Union with the person of Christ but it is the singular honour of that blessed and holy flesh of Christ to be so united as to make one person with him that Union is hypostatical this only Mystical Thirdly Nor is it an Essential Union or Union with the divine nature so as our beings are thereby swallowed up and 3. lost in the divine being Some there be indeed that talk at that wild rate of being Godded into God and Christed into Christ and those unwary expressions of Greg. Naz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 do but too much countenance those daring Spirits but oh there is an infinite distance betwixt us and Christ in respect of nature and excellency notwithstanding this Union Fourthly The Union I here speak of is not a foederal Union or an Union by Covenant only such a Union indeed 4. there is betwixt Christ and believers but that is consequential to and wholly dependent upon this Fifthly and Lastly It is not a meer Moral Union by love and affection thus we say one soul is in two bodies a friend 5. is another self the lover is in the person beloved such a Union of hearts and affections there is also betwixt Christ and the Saints but this is of another nature that we call a Moral this a Mystical Union that only knits our affections but this knits our persons to Christ. Secondly Positively and First though this Union neither 2. Positively makes us one person or essence with Christ yet it knits our persons most intimately and nearly to the person of Christ 1. the Church is Christs body Coloss. 1. 24. not his Natural but his Mystical body that is to say his body in a Mystery because it is to him as his natural body the Saints stand to Christ in the same relation that the natural members of the body stand to the head and he stands in the same relation to them that the head stands in to the natural members and consequently they stand related to one another as the members of a natural body do to each other Christ and the Saints are not one as the Oak and the Ivy that clasps it are one but as the graff and stock are one it is not a Union by adhesion but incorporation Husband and Wife are not so near soul and body are not so near as Christ and the believing soul are near to each other Secondly The Mystical Union is wholly supernatural wrought by the alone power of God So it 's said 1 Cor. 1. 30. 2. but of him are ye in Christ Jesus we can no more unite our selves to Christ than a branch can incorporate it self into another stock it is of him i. e. of God his proper and alone work There are only two ligaments or bands of Union betwixt Christ and the Soul viz. the Spirit on his part and Faith on ours but when we say faith is the band of Union on our part the meaning is not that it 's so our own act as that it springs naturally from us or is educed from the power of our own wills no for the Apostle expressly contradicts it Eph. 2. 8. it is not of your selves it is the gift of God but we are the subjects of it and though the act on that account be ours yet the power enabling us to believe is God's Eph. 1. 19 20. Thirdly the Mystical Union is an immediate Union Immediate I say not as excluding means and instruments for 3. several means and many instruments are employ'd for the effecting of it but immediate as excluding degrees of nearness among the members of Christs mystical body Every member in the Natural body stands not as near to the head as another but so do all the mystical members of Christs body to him every member the smallest as well as the greatest hath an immediate coalition with Christ. 1 Cor. 1. 2. To the Church of God which is at Corinth to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus called to be Saints with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord both theirs and ours Among the factious in this Church at Corinth those that said I am of Christ as arrogating Christ to themselves were as much a faction as those that said I am of Paul 1 Cor. 1. 30. to cure this he tells them he is both theirs and ours Such inclosures are against law Fourthly The Saints Mystical Union with Christ is a 4. fundamental Union it 's fundamental by way of Sustentation all our fruits of obedience depend upon it John 15. 4. As the branch cannot bear fruit except it abide in the Vine no more can ye●… except ye abide in me It 's fundamental to all our priviledges and comfortable claims 1 Cor. 3. ult all is yours for ye are Christs And it is fundamental to all our hopes and expectations of glory for it is Christ in you the hope

God The heart of God is so propense and ready to grant the desires of Believers that it is but ask and have Mat. 7. 7. the dore of grace is opened at the knock of prayer that is a favourite indeed to whom the King gives a blank to insert what request he will If ye abide in me and my words abide in you ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you John 15. 7. Oh blessed liberty of the sons of God! David did but say Lord turn the Counsel of Ahitophel into foolishness and it was done as soon as asked 2 Sam. 15. 31. Joshua did but say Thou Sun stand still in Gibeon and a miraculous stop was presently put to its swift motion in the Heavens nay which is wonderful to consider a prayer in the womb yet unborn I mean conceived in the heart and not yet uttered by the lips of Believers is often anticipated by the propenseness of free grace Isai. 65. 24. And it shall come to pass that before they call I will answer and whilst they are yet speaking I will hear The prayers of others are rejected as an abomination Prov. 15. 8. God casts them back into their-faces Mal. 2. 3. But free grace signs the petitions of the Saints more readily than they are presented we have not that freedom to ask that God hath to give 't is true the answer of a Believers prayers may be a long time suspended from his sense and knowledge but every prayer according to the will of God is presently granted in Heaven though for wise and holy ends they may be held in a doubtful suspense about them upon earth Fourthly The free discoveries of the secrets of Gods heart to Believers speaks them to be his special favourites men open not the counsels and secrets of their own hearts to enemies or strangers but to their most inward and intimate friends The secret of the Lord is-with them that fear him and he will shew them his Covenant Psal. 25. 14. When God was about to destroy Sodom he will do nothing in that work of judgement till he had acquainted Abraham his friend with his purpose therein Gen. 18. 17. And the Lord said Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do for I know him c. So when a King was to be elected for Israel and the person whom God had chosen was yet unknown to the people God as it were whispered that secret unto Samuel the day before 1 Sam. 9. 15. Now the Lord had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came according to the manner of Princes with some special favourite Fifthly The Lords receiving every small thing that comes from them with grace and favour when mean while he rejects the greatest things offered by others doth certainly bespeak Believers the special favourites of God There was but one good word in a whole sentence from Sarah and that very word is noted and commended by God 1 Pet. 3. 6. She called him Lord. There were but some small beginnings or buddings of grace in young Abijah and the Lord took special notice of it 1 Kings 14. 12. Because in him there is found some good thing toward the Lord God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam Let this be an encouragement to young ones in whom there are found any breathing desires after Christ God will not reject them if any sincerity be found in them a secret groan uttered to God in sincerity shall not be despised Rom. 8. 26. The very bent of a Believers will when he hath no more to offer unto God is an acceptable present 2 Cor. 8. 11. The very intent and purpose that lies secretly in the heart of a Believer not yet executed is accepted with him 1 Kings 8. 18. Where as it was in thine heart to build an house to my name thou didst well that it was in thine heart Thus small things offered to God by Believers find acceptance with him whilst the greatest presents even solemn assemblies Sabbaths and prayers from others are rejected They are a trouble unto me saith God I am weary to bear them Isai. 1. 14 15. Incense from Sheba the sweet Cane from a far Country are not acceptable nor sacrifices sweet unto God from other hands Jer. 6. 20. From all which it appears beyond doubt that the persons and duties of Believers are accepted into the special favour of God by Jesus Christ which was the second thing to be spoken to and brings us to the third general viz. Thirdly How Christ the Beloved procures this benefit for 3. Believers And this he doth four ways First By the satisfaction of his blood Rom. 5. 10. When we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son No friendship without reconciliation no reconciliation but by the blood of Christ therefore the new and living way by which Believers come unto God with acceptance is said to be consecrated for us through the veil of Christs flesh and hence believers have boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus Heb. 10. 19 20. Secondly The favour of God is procured for Believers by their mystical union with Christ whereby they are made members of his body of his flesh and of his bones Eph. 5. 30. So that look as Adams posterity stood upon the same terms that he their natural head did so Believers Christs mystical members stand in the favour of God by the favour which Christ their spiritual head hath John 17. 33. I in them and thou in me that they may be made perfect in one and that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them as thou hast loved me Thirdly Believers are brought into favour with God by Christs becoming their Altar upon which their persons and duties are all offered up to God the Altar sanctifies the gift Heb. 13. 10. And this was typified by that legal rite mentioned Luke 1. 9 10. Christ is that golden Altar from whence all the prayers of the Saints ascend to the throne of God perfumed with the odours and incense of his merits Rev. 8. 34. And another Angel came and stood at the Altar having a golden Censer and there was given unto him much incense that he should offer it with the prayers of all Saints upon the golden Altar which was before the Throne and the smoak of the incense which came with the prayers of the Saints ascended up before God out of the Angels hand And thus you see how the persons and duties of Believers are brought into favour and acceptance with God by Jesus Christ. The Uses follow Inference 1. If all Believers be in favour with God how great a mercy is Inference 1. it to have the prayers of such ingaged on our behalf Would we have our business speed in Heaven let us get into favour with God our selves and engage the prayers of his people the favourites of Heaven for us vis unita

never be abused to this purpose by hypocrites as it is Thirdly According to this reasoning there can be no Religion in the world for name me that Religion which is not scandalized by the practices of some that profess it So that this practice hath a natural tendency to Atheism and is no doubt incouraged by the Devil for that end Inference 2. If all mem forfeit their claim to Christ who endeavour not to imitate Inference 2. him in the holiness of his life then how small a number of real Christians are there in the world Indeed if liberal talking without accurate walking if common profession without holy practices were enough to constitute a Christian then this quarter of the world would abound with Christians But if Christ owns none for such but those that tread in the steps of his example then the number of real Christians is very small The generality of men that live under the Christian name are such as walk after the flesh Rom. 8. 2. according to the course of this world they yield their members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin Rom. 6. 13. strict godliness is a meer bondage to them narrow is the way and few there be that walk therein Inference 3. What blessed times should we all see if true Religion did once generally obtain and prevail in the world How would it humble Inference 3. the proud weaken the passionate and spiritualize those that are carnal The perverse world charges Religion with all the tumults and disturbances that are in it whenas nothing in the world but Religion advanced in the power of it can heal and cure these Epidemical evils O if men were once brought under the power of Religion indeed to walk after Christ in holiness obedience meekness and self-denial no such miseries as these would be heard of among us Isa. 11. 8 9. The sucking child shall play upon the hole of the Asp and a weaned child shall put his hand on the Cockatrice den they shall not burt nor destroy in all my holy mountain for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea Inference 4. Hence it also follows That real Christians are the sweetest companions 'T is a comfortable thing to walk with them that walk Inference 4. after the example of Christ. The holiness heavenliness humility self-denial and diligence in obedience which was in Christ is in some measure to be found in all sincere Christians They shew forth the vertues of him that calleth them The graces of the spirit do more or less shine forth in them And Oh how endearing sweet and engaging are these things upon this very account the Apostle invited others into the fellowship of the saints 1 John 1. 3. That ye may have fellowship with us and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Christ Jesus And is it not sweet to have fellowship with them who have fellowship with Christ O let all your delights be in the Saints and in the excellent of the earth who excel in vertue Psal. 16. 3. Yet mistake not there is a great deal of difference betwixt one Christian and another and even the best of Christians are sanctified but in part If there be something sweet and engaging there is also something bitter and distastful in the best of men If there be something to draw forth your delight and love there is also something to exercise your pity and patience Yet this is most certain that notwithstanding all their infirmities and corruptions they are the best and sweetest company this world affords Inference 5. In a word if no mans claim to Christ be warranted but theirs that walk as he walked How vain and groundless then are the hopes Inference 5. and expectations of all unsanctified men who walk after their own lusts None are more forward to claim the priviledges of Religion than those that reject the duties of it multitudes hope to be saved by Christ who yet refuse to be governed by him But such hopes have no scripture warrant to support them Yea they have many scripture testimonies against them 1 Cor. 6. 9. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the king dom of God Be not deceived neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor effeminate nor abusers of themselves with mankind Nor thieves nor covetous nor drunkards nor revilers nor extortioners shall inherit the king dom of God O how many thousand vain hopes are laid in the dust and how many thousand souls are sentenced to hell by this one scripture 2d Use for Exhortation If this be so it naturally presses all the professors of Christianity Use 2. to strict Godliness in their conversations as ever they expect benefit by Christ. O professors be ye not conformed unto this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds Set the example of Christ before you and labour to tread in his steps This is the great business of Religion the main scope of the Gospel give me leave therefore closely to press it upon your hearts by the following Motives 1. Motive Christ hath conformed himself to you by his abasing incarnation Motive 1. how reasonable therefore is it that you conform your selves to him in the way of obedience and sanctification He came as near to you as it was possible for him to do strive you therefore to come as near to Christ as it is possible for you to do He hath taken your nature upon him Heb. 2. 14. yea and with your nature he hath taken your weaknesses and infirmities Rom. 8. 3. and not only your natures and your infirmities but your condition also For he came under the law for your sakes Gal. 4. 4. He conformed himself to you though he was infinitely above you that was his abasement do you conform your selves to him who are infinitely beneath him that will be your advancement his conformity to you emptied him of his glory your conformity to him will fill you with glory He conformed himself to you though you had no obligation upon him will not you conform your selves to him who lie under infinite obligations so to do 2. Motive You shall be Conformed to Christ in glory how reasonable therefore is it you should now conform your selves to him in Motive 2. holiness The Apostle saith 1 John 3. 2. We shall be like him for we shall see him as he is Yea not only your souls shall be like him but your very bodies even those vile bodies of yours shall be changed that they may be fashioned like unto his glorious body How ●…cible a Motive is this to bring men into conformity with Christ here especially seeing our conformity to him in holiness is the evidence of our conformity to him in glory Rom. 6. 5. 2 Pet. 3. 11. O professors as ever you look to be with Christ in glory hereafter see that ye walk after Christs example in holiness