A39669:32
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 man being a prudent and prospecting creature, hath the advantage of all other Creatures in his foreseeing faculty; For God hath taught him more than the beasts of the earth, and made him wiser than the fowls of Heaven, Job 35. 11. And a wise mans heart discerneth both time and judgement, Eccles. 8. 5. For as there are natural signs of the change of weather, Mat. 16. 3. so there are moral signs of the changes of time and providences: yet such is the supineness and inexcusable regardlessness of most men, that they will not fear till they feel; nor think any danger very considerable, till it become inevitable.
But man being a prudent and prospecting creature, hath the advantage of all other Creatures in his foreseeing faculty; For God hath taught him more than the beasts of the earth, and made him wiser than the fowls of Heaven, Job 35. 11. And a wise mans heart discerneth both time and judgement, Eccles. 8. 5. For as there are natural signs of the change of weather, Mat. 16. 3. so there are moral signs of the changes of time and providences: yet such is the supineness and inexcusable regardlesness of most men, that they will not fear till they feel; nor think any danger very considerable, till it become inevitable.
We of this Nation have long enjoyed the light of the glorious Gospel among us: it hath shone in much clearness upon this sinful Island for more than a whole Century of happy years: but the longest day hath an end, and we have cause to fear our bright Sun is going down upon us; for the shadows in England are grown greater than the substance ⟨image 9⟩