A39669:2102
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.
Ninthly, The new creature is a thriving creature, growing from strength to strength, 1 Pet. 2. 2. and changing the soul in which it is subjected from glory unto glory, 2 Cor. 3. 18. The vigorous tendencies and constant strivings of this new creature is to attain its just perfection and maturity; Phil. 3. 11. it can endure no stints and limits to its desires short of perfection: every degree of strength it attains, doth but whet and sharpen his desires after higher degrees: upon this account it greatly delights in the Ordinances of God, Duties of Religion and Society of the Saints; as they are helps and improvements to it in order to its great design.
Tenthly, The new creature is a creature of wonderful preservations: there are many wonders of divine providences in 1the preservation of our natural lives, but none like those whereby the life of the new creature is preserved in our souls: there are critical times of temptation and desertion in which it is ready to dye, Rev. 3. 2. the degrees of its strength and liveliness are sometimes sadly abated, and […] sweet and comfortable workings intermitted, Rev. 2. 4. the evidences by ⟨p. 439⟩which its being in us was wont to be discovered, may be, and often are darkened, 2 Pet. 1. 9. and the soul in which it is may draw very sad conclusions about the issue and event; concluding its life not only to be hazarded but quite extinguished,