A39669:1963
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.
Infer. 3.
This also informs us of the true reason of the strange and various successes of the Gospel upon the souls of men: here we see why 1the ministry of one man becomes fruitful, and another's barren: Yea, why the labours of the same man prosper exceedingly at one time, and not at another: these things are according as the teachings of God do accompany our teachings: we often see a weaker and plainer discourse blessed with success, whilst that which is more artificial, neat, and laboured comes to nothing. St. Austin hath a pretty similitude to illustrate this, Suppose (saith he) two Conduits, the one very plain, the other curiously carved and adorned with images of Lyons, Eagles, &c. the water doth not refresh and nourish ⟨p. 397⟩as it cometh from such a curious Conduit; but as it is water. Where we find most of man, we frequently find least of God. I speak not this to encourage carelessness and laziness, but to provoke the dispensers of the Gospel to more earnestness; and fervent prayer for the assistance and blessing of the Spirit upon their labours; and to make men less fond of their own gifts and abilities: blear-eyed Leah may bear Children, when beautiful Rachel proves barren.
This also informs us of the true reason of the strange and various successes of the Gospel upon the souls of men: here we see why 1the ministry of one man becomes fruitful, and anothers barren: Yea, why the labours of the same man prosper exceedingly at one time, and not at another: these things are according as the teachings of God do accompany our teachings: we often see a weaker and plainer discourse blessed with success, whilst that which is more artificial, neat, and laboured comes to nothing. St. Austin hath a pretty similitude to illustrate this, Suppose (saith he) two Conduits, the one very plain, the other curiously carved and adorned with images of Lyons, Eagles, &c. the water doth not refresh and nourish