A39669:349
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.
Secondly, It implies the singular grace and admirable condescension of God to sinful man. That God will admit any treaty with him at all is wonderful mercy, it's more than he would do for the Angles that fell, Jude 6. they are reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgement of the great day. Christ took not on him their nature, but suffered Myriads of them to perish, and fills up their vacant places in glory with a number of sinful men and women to whom the Law a warded the same punishment.
But that God will not only treat but entreat and beseech sinful men to be reconciled is yet more wonderful. Barely to propound the terms of peace had been an astonishing mercy, but to woo and beseech stubborn enemies to be at peace and accept their pardon, Oh how unparalleled as this condescension!
But that God will not only treat but entreat and beseech sinful men to be reconciled is yet more wonderful. Barely to propound the terms of peace had been an astonishing mercy, but to wooe and beseech stubborn enemies to be at peace and accept their pardon, Oh how unparallell'd as this condescension!
Thirdly, It implies the great dignity and honour of the 1Gospel ministry. We are Ambassadors for Christ, Ambassadors represent and personate the Prince that sends them: and the honours or contempts done to them reflect upon, and are reckoned to the person of their Master, Luke 10. 16. he that heareth you, heareth me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth me.