A39669:1619
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.
Thirdly, Gods readiness to grant, as well as their liberty to ask speaks them the special favourites of 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 door 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 ⟨p. 314⟩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: 'tis 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.
Thirdly, Gods readiness to grant, as well as their liberty to ask speaks them the special favourites of God. The heart of God is so propense, and ready to grant the desires of Believers, that it is but ask and have,