A39669:2085
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.
Fifthly, The word of God was the instrument of the first creation, Psal. 33. 6, 9. By the word of the Lord were the Heavens made, and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth: for he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast: the word of God is also the instrument of the new Creation or work of Grace in man, 1 Pet. 1. 23. Being born again not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible; by the word of God which liveth, and abideth for ever. So James 1. 18. Of his own will beg at he us, with the word of truth: of his own will, that was the impulsive cause; with the word of truth, that is the instrumental cause: great respect and honour, love and delight is due to the word upon this account, that it is the instrument of our regeneration, or new Creation.
Sixthly, The same power which created the world, still under-props and supports it in its being: the world owes its conservation, as well as its existence to the power of God, without which it could not subsist one moment. Just so it is with the new Creation, which entirely depends upon the preserving power which first formed it, Jude ver. 1. Preserved in Christ Jesus; and 1 Pet. 1. 5. Who were kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation: as in a natural way we live, move, and have our being in God, Acts 17. 28. so in a spiritual way, we continue believing, repenting, loving, and delighting in God; without whose continued influence upon our souls we could do neither.