A39669:1591
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.
Secondly, Consider what a terrible thing it is to lye under the condemnation of God, the most terrible things in nature cannot shadow forth the misery of such a state. Put all sicknesses, all poverty, all reproaches, the torments invented by all Tyrants into one Scale, and the condemnation of God into the other; and they will be all found lighter than a Feather. Condemnation is the sentence of God, the great and terrible God: 'Tis a sentence shutting you up to everlasting wrath; 'tis a sentence never to be reversed, but by the application of Christ in the season thereof. O souls, you cannot bear the wrath of God, you do not understand it if you think it tolerable: one drop of it upon your Consciences now, is enough to distract you in the midst of all the pleasures and comforts of this world: yet all that are out of Christ are sentenced to the fullness of Gods wrath for ever.
Secondly, Consider what a terrible thing it is to lye under the condemnation of God, the most terrible things in nature cannot shadow forth the misery of such a state. Put all sicknesses, all poverty, all reproaches, the torments invented by all Tyrants into one Scale, and the condemnation of God into the other; and they will be all found lighter than a Feather. Condemnation is the sentence of God, the great and terrible God: 'Tis a sentence shutting you up to everlasting wrath; 'tis a sentence never to be reversed, but by the application of Christ in the season thereof. O souls, you cannot bear the wrath of God, you do not understand it if you think it tolerable: one drop of it upon your Consciences now, is enough to distract you in the midst of all the pleasures and comforts of this world: yet all that are out of Christ are sentenced to the fulness of Gods wrath for ever.
Thirdly, There is yet a possibility of escaping the wrath to come: a door of hope opened to the worst of sinners: a day of grace is afforded to the Children of men, Heb. 3. 15. God declares himself unwilling that any should perish, 2 Pet. 3. 9. O what a mercy is this! Who that is on this side Heaven or Hell fully understands the worth of it?