A39669:33
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.
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⟩which is one sign of approaching night, Jer. 6. 4. The beasts of prey creep out of their dens and coverts, which is another sign of night at hand, Psal. 104. 20. and the workmen come home apace from their labours, and go to rest; which is as sad a sign as any of the rest, Job 7. 1, 2. Isa. 57. 1, 2. Happy were it if in such a juncture as this, every man would make it his work and business to secure himself in Christ, from the storm of Gods indignation which is ready to fall upon these sinful Nations. It is said of the Egyptians when the storm of hail was coming upon the land, Exod. 9. 20. He that feared the word of the Lord, made his servants and cattle flee into the houses. 'Tis but an odd sight to see the prudence of an Egyptian out-vying the wisdom and circumspection of a Christian.
God who provides natural shelter and refuge for all creatures, hath not left his people unprovided and destitute of defence and security in the most tempestuous times of national judgements. It is said, Mic. 5. 5. This man (meaning the man Christ Jesus) shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land, and when he shall tread in our Palaces: and Isai. 26. 20