A39669:2602
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 meaning is, that if the Gospel-light had not shined among them, their sin had not been of that deep guilt that now it is: for now it is so foul and heinous by reason of the light under, and against which it is committed, that they have no pretence or excuse to extenuate or mitigate it.
Fourthly, Evangelical light is a very rich favour and mercy of God to men: one of the choicest gifts bestowed upon the Nations of the world; and therefore it's said, Psal. 147. 19, 20. He showeth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgements unto Israel: he hath not dealt so with any nation, and as for his judgements they have not known them Other Nations have Corn and Wine, Gold and Silver, abundance of earthly delights and pleasures: but they have not a beam of heavenly light shining upon them. We may account this mercy small, but God who is best able to value the worth of it, accounts it great, Hos. 8. 12. I have written unto them the great things of my Law. Christ reckoned Capernaum to be exalted ⟨p. 556⟩unto Heaven by the Ministry of the Gospel in that place. Now the greater the mercy is which the light of truth brings with it, by so much the more horrid and heinous must the abusing and despising of it be.
Fourthly, Evangelical light is a very rich favour and mercy of God to men: one of the choicest gifts bestowed upon the Nations of the world; and therefore it's said, Psal. 147. 19, 20. He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgements unto Israel: he hath not dealt so with any nation, and as for his judgements they have not known them Other Nations have Corn and Wine, Gold and Silver, abundance of earthly delights and pleasures: but they have not a beam of heavenly light shining upon them. We may account this mercy small, but God who is best able to value the worth of it, accounts it great,