A39669:1789
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, The marvellous quietness and stillness that is in the thoughts and consciences of men about their everlasting concernments plainly shows this to be the life of the unregenerate: how few scruples, doubts or fears shall you hear from them? how many years may a man live in carnal families before he shall hear such a question as this seriously propounded, What shall I do to be saved? There are no questions in their lips, because no fear or sense of danger in their hearts.
Secondly, The marvellous quietness and stillness that is in the thoughts and consciences of men about their everlasting concernments plainly shews this to be the life of the unregenerate: how few scruples, doubts or fears shall you hear from them? how many years may a man live in carnal families before he shall hear such a question as this seriously propounded, What shall I do to be saved? There are no questions in their lips, because no fear or sense of danger in their hearts.
Thirdly, The general contentedness and profest willingness of carnal men to dye, gives clear evidence that such a life of security and vain hope is the life they live; Like sheep they are laid in the grave, Psal. 49. 14. O how quiet and still are their Consciences, when there are but a few breaths more between them and everlasting burnings! Had God opened their eyes to apprehend the consequences of death, and what follows the pale Horse, Rev. 6. 8. it were impossible but that every unregenerate man should make that bed on which he dies shake and tremble under him.
Fourthly and Lastly, The low esteem men have for Christ, and the total neglect of, at least the mere trifling with those duties in which he is to be found, plainly discovers this stupid secure life to be the life that the generality of the world do live: for were men sensible of the disease of sin, there could be no quieting them without Christ the Physician,