John Flavel

An unsanctified person may relish and taste some sweetness in the delicious promises and discoveries of the gospel, by a misapplication of them to himself. But this is like the joy of a beggar, dreaming he is a king; but he awakes and finds himself a beggar still.

—John Flavel

For the Holy Spirit comes in the Father’s and in the Son’s name and authority, to put the last hand to the work of our salvation, by bringing all the fruits of election and redemption home to our souls in this work.

—John Flavel

The application of Christ to the soul effectually, though it be so far wrought in the first saving work of the Spirit, as truly to unite the soul to Christ: yet it is a work gradually advancing in the believer’s soul, whilst it abides on this side heaven and glory.

—John Flavel

The work of the Spirit does not only evidence and manifest that difference which God’s election has made between man and man, but it also makes a twofold difference itself; namely in state and temper? whereby they visibly differ, not only from other men, but also from themselves.

—John Flavel

It is confessedly true, that God’s good pleasure appointing us from eternity to salvation, is, in its kind, a most full and sufficient impulsive cause of our salvation, and every way able (for so much as it is concerned) to produce its effect.

—John Flavel

The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father do. And the Spirit can do nothing of himself; but what he hears from the Father and Son; and it is impossible it should be otherwise, considering not only the unity of their nature, but also of their will and design.

—John Flavel

The application of Christ, by the work of regeneration, is that which yield unto men all the sensible sweetness and refreshing comforts that they have in Christ, and in all that he has done, suffered, or purchased for sinners.

—John Flavel

The great aim and scope at all Christ’s ordinances and officers, are to bring men into union with Christ, and so build them up to perfection in him; or to unite them to, and confirm them in Christ.

—John Flavel

Christ’s humiliation and sufferings are a most complete and sufficient meritorious cause of our salvation, to which nothing can be added to make it more apt, and able to procure our salvation, than it already is.

—John Flavel

Christ pleads the cause of believers by his blood. Unlike other advocates, it is not enough for him to lay out only words, which is a cheaper way of pleading; but he pleads for us by the voice of his own blood (Heb.12:24).

—John Flavel

The application of Christ to us, for wisdom and sanctification, is not perfected in one single act, but rises by many, and slow degrees to its just perfection.

—John Flavel

Christ is perfectly and completely applied to the soul in the first act for righteousness.

—John Flavel

The application of Christ to the soul effectually, though it be so far wrought in the first saving work of the Spirit, as truly to unite the soul to Christ: yet it is a work gradually advancing in the believer’s soul, whilst it abides on this side heaven and glory.

—John Flavel

An unsanctified person may relish and taste some sweetness in the delicious promises and discoveries of the gospel, by a misapplication of them to himself. But this is like the joy of a beggar, dreaming he is a king; but he awakes and finds himself a beggar still.

—John Flavel

The application of Christ, by the work of regeneration, is that which yield unto men all the sensible sweetness and refreshing comforts that they have in Christ, and in all that he has done, suffered, or purchased for sinners.

—John Flavel

The work of the Spirit does not only evidence and manifest that difference which God’s election has made between man and man, but it also makes a twofold difference itself; namely in state and temper? whereby they visibly differ, not only from other men, but also from themselves.

—John Flavel

With respect to the death of Christ, there is a great difference betwixt one man and another; he laid down his life for the sheep, he prayed for them, and not for the world.

—John Flavel

The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father do. And the Spirit can do nothing of himself; but what he hears from the Father and Son; and it is impossible it should be otherwise, considering not only the unity of their nature, but also of their will and design.

—John Flavel

For the Holy Spirit comes in the Father’s and in the Son’s name and authority, to put the last hand to the work of our salvation, by bringing all the fruits of election and redemption home to our souls in this work.

—John Flavel

The Father has elected, and the Son has redeemed; but until the Spirit (who is the last cause) has wrought his part also, we cannot be saved.

—John Flavel

Christ’s humiliation and sufferings are a most complete and sufficient meritorious cause of our salvation, to which nothing can be added to make it more apt, and able to procure our salvation, than it already is.

—John Flavel

It is confessedly true, that God’s good pleasure appointing us from eternity to salvation, is, in its kind, a most full and sufficient impulsive cause of our salvation, and every way able (for so much as it is concerned) to produce its effect.

—John Flavel

Christ pleads the cause of believers by his blood. Unlike other advocates, it is not enough for him to lay out only words, which is a cheaper way of pleading; but he pleads for us by the voice of his own blood (Heb.12:24).

—John Flavel

When all the elect are brought home in a reconciled state in Christ, when the marriage of the Lamb is come, our work and office expire together.

—John Flavel

The great aim and scope at all Christ’s ordinances and officers, are to bring men into union with Christ, and so build them up to perfection in him; or to unite them to, and confirm them in Christ.

—John Flavel

Sanctification notes an holy dedication of heart and life to God: our becoming the temples of the living, God, separate from all profane sinful practices, to the Lord’s only use and service.

—John Flavel

Regeneration expresses those supernatural, divine, new qualities, infused by the Spirit into the soul, which are the principles of all holy actions.

—John Flavel

The Lord Jesus Christ, with all his precious benefits, becomes ours, by God’s special and effectual application.

—John Flavel

When Christ died, the ransom was prepared, the sum laid down; but yet the elect continue still in sin and misery, until, by effectual calling it be actually applied to their persons, and then they are made free, reconciled by Christ’s death, by whom we have now rec’d atonement.

—John Flavel

We must accept his (Jesus) person first, and then his benefits: as it is in the marriage covenant.

—John Flavel