A39669:1969
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.
Sign 1.
The teachings of God are very humbling to the soul that is taught. Humane knowledge puffeth up, 1 Cor. 8. 1. but the teachings of God do greatly abase the soul, Job 42. 5. I have heard of thee by the bearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth thee; wherefore I abhor my self and repent in dust and ashes: the same light which discovers to us the holiness, justice, greatness and goodness of God, discovereth also the vileness, baseness, emptiness and total unworthiness of man: yea, of the best and holiest of men, Isa. 6. 5.
Sign 2.
The teachings of God are deeply affecting, and impressive teachings: they fully reach the heart of man, Hos. 2. 14. I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness and speak comfortably unto her: or as it is in the Hebrew, I will speak to her heart. When God showeth unto man the evil of sin, he so convinceth the soul that no creature comforts have any pleasure or sweetness in them: and when he showeth unto man his righteousness, pardon and peace in Christ, he so comforteth and refresheth the heart, that no outward afflictions have any weight or bitterness in them: one drop of consolation from Heaven, sweetens a Sea of trouble upon Earth,