A39669:1913
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.
Lesson 10.
Tenthly, All that come unto Christ are taught of God that there is such a beauty and excellency in the ways and people of God as is not to be matched in the whole world, Psal. 16. 3. When the eyes of strangers to Christ begin to be opened and enlightened in his knowledge, you may see what a change of judgement is wrought in them with respect to the people of God, and towards them especially, whom God hath any way made instrumental for the good of their souls, Cant. 5. 9. they then called the spouse of Christ, the fairest among women: the convincing holiness of the Bride then began to enamour and affect them with a desire of nearer conjunction and communion: we will seek him with thee; with thee, that hast so charged us; that hast taken so much pains for the good of our souls: now, and never before, the righteous appeareth more excellent than his Neighbour. Change of heart is always accompanied with change of judgement, with respect to the people of God: thus the Jailer, Act. 16. 33. washed the Apostles stripes, to whom he had been so cruel before. The godly now seem to be the glory of the places where they live: and the glory of any place seems to be darkened by their removal. As one said of holy Mr. Barrington, Methinks the Town is not at home, when Mr. Barrington is out of Town: they esteem it a choice mercy to be in their company, and acquaintance, Zech. 8. 23. we will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you: no people like the people of God now: as one said when he heard of two faithful friends, utinam tertius essem, O that I might make the third! Whatever vile or low thoughts they had of the people of God before, to be sure now they are the excellent of the earth, in