A39669:201
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.
The whole world is distinguishable into three classes or sorts of persons, such as are far from Christ, such as are not far from Christ, and such as are in Christ: they that are in Christ have heartily received him: such as are far from Christ will not open to him; their hearts are fast barred by ignorance, prejudice and unbelief against him; but those that are come under the preparatory workings of the spirit nigh to Christ, who see their own indispensable necessity of him, and his suitableness to their necessities, in whom also encouraging hopes begin to dawn, and their souls are waiting at the foot of God for power to receive him, for an heart to close sincerely and universally with him; oh what vehement desires! what strong pleas! what moving arguments should such persons urge and plead to win Christ, and get possession of him! they are in sight of their only remedy: Christ and Salvation are come to their very doors: there wants but a few things to make them blessed for ever: this is the day in which their souls are exercised greatly betwixt hopes and fears: now they are much alone, and deep in thoughtfulness, they weep and make supplication for an heart to believe, and that against the great discouragements with which they encounter.
The whole world is distinguishable into three classes or sorts of persons, such as are far from Christ, such as are not far from Christ, and such as are in Christ: they that are in Christ have heartily received him: such as are far from Christ will not open to him; their hearts are fast barred by ignorance, prejudice and unbelief against him; but those that arecome under the preparatory workings of the spirit nigh to Christ, who see their own indispensable necessity of him, and his suitableness to their necessities, in whom also encouraging hopes begin to dawn, and their souls are waiting at the foot of God for power to receive him, for an heart to close sincerely and universally with him; oh what vehement desires! what strong pleas! what moving arguments should such persons urge and plead to win Christ, and get possession of him! they are in sight of their only remedy: Christ and Salvation are come to their very doors: there wants but a few things to make them blessed for ever: this is the day in which their souls are exercised greatly betwixt hopes and fears: now they are much alone, and deep in thoughtfulness, they weep andmake supplication for an heart to believe, and that against the great discouragements with which they encounter.