A39669:1508
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.
Natural Comfort is the refreshment of our natural Spirits by the good Creatures of God, Acts. 14. 17. Filling their hearts with food and gladness. Sinful Comfort is the satisfaction ⟨p. 289⟩and pleasure men take in the fulfilling▪ of their lusts, by the abuse of the creatures of God, James 5. 5. Ye have lived in pleasure upon earth, (i. e.) your life hath been a life of sensuality and sin.
Spiritual Comfort is the refreshment, peace and joy gracious souls have in Christ, by the exercise of faith, hope, and other graces, Rom. 5. 2. and this only deserves the name of true solid Consolation: to which four things are required.
First, That the matter thereof be some spiritual, eminent and durable good: else our consolation in it, will be but as the crackling of Thorns under a Pot; a sudden blaze, quickly extinct with the failing matter: Christ only gives the matter of solid, durable Consolation: The righteousness of Christ, the pardon of sin, the favour of God, the hopes of glory, are the substantial materials of a Believers Consolation, Rom. 5. 2. Mat. 9. 2. Psal. 4. 6, 7.