A39669:2662
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.
I acknowledge a proper, grave and comely stile befits the lips of Christs Ambassadors, they should not be rude and careless in their language or method. But this affectation of great swelling words of vanity is but too like the proud Gnostics, whom the Apostle is supposed to tax for this evil, Jude v. 16. This is to darken counsel, by words without knowledge, Job 31. 2. To amuse and bemist poor ignorant souls; and nullify the design of preaching: for every thing is accounted so far good, as it is good to the end it is ordained for. A sword that hath an hilt of Gold, set thick with Diamonds, is no good sword if it have no edge to cut, or want a good back to follow home the stroke. O that the Ministers of Christ would choose rather sound than great words, such as are apt to pierce the heart, 1rather than such as tickle the fancy, and let people beware of furthering the design of Satan against their own souls, in putting a temptation upon their Ministers, by despising plain preaching. The more popular, plain, and intelligible our discourses are, so much the more probable they are to be successful; that is the most excellent Oratory that persuades men to Christ.
I acknowledge a proper, grave and comely stile befits the lips of Christs Ambassadours, they should not be rude and careless in their language or method. But this affectation of great swelling words of vanity is but too like the proud Gnosticks, whom the Apostle is supposed to tax for this evil, Jude v. 16. This is to darken counsel, by words without knowledge, Job 31. 2. To amuse and bemist poor ignorant souls; and nullifie the design of preaching: for every thing is accounted so far good, as it is good to the end it is ordained for. A sword that hath an hilt of Gold, set thick with Diamonds, is no good sword if it have no edge to cut, or want a good back to follow home the stroke. O that the Ministers of Christ would choose rather sound than great words, such as are apt to pierce the heart, 1rather than such as tickle the fancy, and let people beware of furthering the design of Satan against their own souls, in putting a temptation upon their Ministers, by despising plain preaching. The more popular, plain, and intelligible our discourses are, so much the more probable they are to be successful; that is the most excellent Oratory that perswades men to Christ.