A39669:1827
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, In the last place, it will concern us to enquire whence the word of God hath all this power; and it is 1most certain that it is not a power inherent in it self, nor ⟨p. 362⟩derived from the instrument by which it is managed; but from the Spirit of the Lord who communicates to it all that power and efficacy which it hath upon our souls.
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First, Its power is not in or from it self: it works not in a Physical way as natural agents do; for then the effect would always follow, except it were miraculously hindered: but this spiritual efficacy is in the word, as the healing virtue was in the waters of Bethesda, John 5. 4. An Angel went down at a certain season into the Pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in, was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. It is not a power naturally inherent in it at all times, but communicated to it at some special seasons: how often is the word Preached, and no man awaked or convinced by it!
First, Its power is not in or from it self: it works not in a Physical way as natural agents do; for then the effect would alwayes follow, except it were miraculously hindred: but this spiritual efficacy is in the word, as the healing vertue was in the waters of Bethesda, John 5. 4. An Angel went down at a certain season into the Pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in, was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. It is not a power naturally inherent in it at all times, but communicated to it at some special seasons: how often is the word Preached, and no man awaked or convinced by it!