A39669:1967
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.
2d Use for Examination.
If there be no coming to Christ without the teachings of 1the Father: then it greatly concerns us to examine our own hearts, whether ever we have been under the saving teachings of God, during the many years we have sate under the preaching of the Gospel. Let not the question be mistaken, I do not ask what Books you have read, what Ministers you have heard, what stock of natural or speculative knowledge you have acquired: but the question is, whether ever God spake to your hearts, and hath effectually taught you such ⟨p. 398⟩lessons as were mentioned in our last discourse. O there is a vast difference betwixt that notional, speculative and traditional knowledge which man learneth from man; and that spiritual, operative and transforming knowledge which a man learneth from God. If you ask how the teachings of God may be discerned from all other mere humane teachings, I answer, it may be discerned and distinguished by these six signs.
If there be no coming to Christ without the teachings of 1the Father: then it greatly concerns us to examine our own hearts, whether ever we have been under the saving teachings of God, during the many years we have sate under the preaching of the Gospel. Let not the question be mistaken, I do not ask what Books you have read, what Ministers you have heard, what stock of natural or speculative knowledge you have acquired: but the question is, whether ever God spake to your hearts, and hath effectually taught you such ⟨p. 398⟩lessons as were mentioned in our last discourse. O there is a vast difference betwixt that notional, speculative and traditional knowledge which man learneth from man; and that spiritual, operative and transforming knowledge which a man learneth from God. If you ask how the teachings of God may be discerned from all other meer humane teachings, I answer, it may be discerned and distinguished by these six signs.