“Reader, the work I would now engage thy soul in, is the same that Jesus Christ will thoroughly and effectually do in the great day. Then will he gather out of his kingdom everything that offends, separate the tares and the wheat, divide the whole world into two ranks or grand divisions, how many divisions and subdivisions soever there be in it now. It nearly concerns thee to know who is Lord and King in thy soul. To help thee in this great work, make use of the following hints:”
1. “To whom do you yield your obedience? His subjects and servants ye are to whom you obey,” Romans 6:16. It is but a mockery to give Christ the empty titles of Lord and King, whilst ye give your real service to sin and Satan. “Then are ye his disciples, if you do whatsoever he commands you,” John 15:14. Let it be sincere and universal obedience; this will evidence your unfeigned subjection to Christ.”“Doth Christ exercise such a kingly power over the souls of all them that are subdued by the gospel to him? O then let all that are under Christ’s government walk as the subjects of such a king. Your king hath commanded you not only to take his yoke upon you, but also to learn of him, Matthew 11:29. Yea, and “if a man say that he is Christ’s, let him walk even as Christ walked,” 1 John 2:6.” ~ John Flavel
2. “Have you the power of godliness, or a form of it only? There be many that do but trifle in religion, and play about the skirts and borders of it; spending their time about jejune and barren controversies: but as to the power of religion, and the life of godliness, which consists in communion with God in duties and ordinances, which promote holiness, and mortify their lusts, they concern not themselves about these things. But surely, “the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power,” 1 Corinthians 4:20.”
3. “Have ye the special saving knowledge of Christ? All his subjects are translated out of the kingdom of darkness, Colossians 1:13. Doth this knowledge run into practice, and put you upon lamenting heartily your misery by sin? Thirsting vehemently after Christ and his righteousness? Striving continually for a heart to believe and close with Christ? This will evidence you indeed to be translated out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of Christ.”
4. “With whom do you delightfully associate yourselves? Who are your chosen companions? You may see to whom you belong by the company you join yourselves to. I know the subjects of both kingdoms are here mingled, and we cannot avoid the company of sinners except we go out of the world, 1 Corinthians 5:10, but yet all your delights should be in the saints and the excellent of the earth, Psalms 16:3.”
5. “Do you live holy and righteous lives? If not, you may claim interest in Christ as your King, but he will never allow your claim. “The scepter of his kingdom is a scepter of righteousness,” Psalms 45:6. If ye oppress, go beyond, and cheat your brethren, and yet call yourselves Christ’s subjects, what greater reproach can ye study to cast upon him? What is Christ the king of cheats? Doth he patronize such things as these? No, no, pull off you vizards, and fall into your own places, you belong to another prince, and not to Christ.”
*Works of John Flavel, volume 1 pages 208-211
