A39669:1937
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, God teacheth powerfully: he speaketh to the soul with a strong hand; when the word comes accompanied with the Spirit, 'tis mighty through God, to cast down all imaginations, 2 Cor. 10. 4. Now the Gospel comes not in word only (as it was wont to do) but in power, 1 Thess. 1. 4, 5. a power that makes the soul fall flat before it, and acknowledge that God is in that word, 1 Cor. 14. 25.
Secondly, the teachings of God are sweet teachings. Men never relish the sweetness of a truth, till they learn it from God, Cant. 1. 3. His name is as an Ointment poured forth, Cant. 5. 16. his mouth is most sweet. O how powerfully, and how sweetly doth the voice of God slide into the heart of a poor melting sinner! how jejune, dry, and tasteless are all the discourses of men, compared with the teachings of the Father!
Secondly, the teachings of God are sweet teachings. Men never relish the sweetness of a truth, till they learn it from God, Cant. 1. 3. His name is as an Oyntment poured forth, Cant. 5. 16. his mouth is most sweet. O how powerfully, and how sweetly doth the voyce of God slide into the heart of a poor melting sinner! how jejune, dry, and tastless are all the discourses of men, compared with the teachings of the Father!