A39669:1822
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.
First, It hath an awakening efficacy upon secure and sleepy sinners: it rouses the Conscience, and brings a man to a sense and feeling apprehension, Eph. 5. 13, 14. the first effectual jog or touch of the word startles the drowsy Conscience. A poor sinner lies in his sins as Peter did in his Chains fast asleep, though a Warrant were signed for his Execution the next day: but the Spirit in the word awakens him, as the Angel did Peter: and this awakening power of the word is in order both of time and nature antecedent to all its other operations and effects.
First, It hath an awakening efficacy upon secure and sleepy sinners: it rouzes the Conscience, and brings a man to a sense and feeling apprehension, Eph. 5. 13, 14. the first effectual jog or touch of the word startles the drousie Conscience. A poor sinner lies in his sins as Peter did in his Chains fast asleep, though a Warrant were signed for his Execution the next day: but the Spirit in the word awakens him, as the Angel did Peter: and this awakening power of the word is in order both of time and nature antecedent to all its other operations and effects.
Secondly, The Law of God hath an enlightening efficacy upon the minds of men: 'tis eye-salve to the blinded eye, Rev. 3. 18. a light shining in a dark place, 2 Pet. 1. 19. a light shining into the very heart of man, 2 Cor. 4. 6. When the word comes in power, all things appear with another face: the sins that were hid from our eyes, and the danger which was concealed by the policy of Satan from our souls, now lie clear and open before us, Eph. 5. 8.