A39669:2040
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.
Evidence 5.
Where ever the spirit of God dwelleth in the way of sanctification, in all such he is the spirit of prayer and supplication: Rom. 8. 26. Likewise the spirit also helpeth our infirmities, for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the spirit it self maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered: where ever he is poured out as the spirit of grace, he is also poured out as the spirit of supplication: Zech. 12. 10. his praying, and his sanctifying influences are undivided. There is a threefold assistance that the spirit gives unto sanctified persons in prayer: he helps them before they pray, by setting an edge upon their desires, and affections: he helps them in prayer by supplying matters of request to them, teaching them what they should ask of God: he assisteth ⟨p. 418⟩them in the manner of prayer, supplying to them suitable affections, and helping them to be sincere in all their desires to God: 'tis he that humbles the pride of their hearts, dissolves and breaks the hardness of their hearts: out of deadness makes them lively: out of weakness makes them strong: he assisteth the spirits of believers after prayer: helping them to faith and patience: to believe and wait for the returns, and answers of their prayers. O Reader, reflect upon thy duties, consider what spirituality, sincerity, humility, broken-heartedness, and melting affections after God are to be found in thy duties: is it so with thee? or dost thou shuffle over thy duties as an interruption to thy business and pleasures? are they an ungrateful task imposed upon thee by God, and thy own conscience? are there no hungerings and thirstings after God in thy soul? or if there be any pleasure arising to thee out of prayer, is it not from the ostentation of thy gifts? if it be so, reflect sadly upon the carnal state of thy heart, these things do not speak the spirit of grace, and supplication to be given thee.