A39669:2401
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.
But my business here is not so much to open its nature, as press you to the practice thereof in conformity to your great pattern, whose life was a life of delight in God, and whose work was performed with the greatest delight for God. I delight to do thy will O my God. O Christians strive to imitate your pattern in this; and to encourage you, I will briefly hint a few things.
First, Scarce any thing can be more evidential of sincerity than a heart delighting in God, and the will of God. Hypocrites go as far as others in the material part of duties, but here they are defective, they have no delight in God and things spiritual; but do whatsoever they do in Religion from the compulsions of conscience, or accommodations of self ends.
Secondly, An heart delighting in God will be a choice help and means to perseverance. The reason why many so easily part with Religion is, because their souls never tasted the sweetness of it: they never delighted in it, but the Christian who delights in the Law of God, will be meditating day and night, and shall be like a tree planted by a river of water whose leaf fadeth not, Psal. 1. 2, 3.