A39669:353
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 are fallen into the dregs of time, wherein a vile contempt is poured not only upon the persons but the very Office of the Ministry: and I could heartily wish that Scripture, Mal. 2. 7, 8, 9. were throughly considered by us, possibly it might inform us of the true cause and reason of this sore judgement: but surely Christs faithful Ministers deserve a better entertainment than they ordinarily find in the world: and if we did but seriously bethink our selves, in whose name they come, and in whose stead they stand, we should receive them as the Galatians did Paul, Gal. 4. 14. as Angels of God, even as Christ Jesus.
We are fallen into the dreggs of time, wherein a vile contempt is poured not only upon the persons but the very Office of the Ministry: and I could heartily wish that Scripture, Mal. 2. 7, 8, 9. were throughly considered by us, possibly it might inform us of the true cause and reason of this sore judgement: but surely Christs faithful Ministers deserve a better entertainment than they ordinarily find in the world: and if we did but seriously bethink our selves, in whose name they come, and in whose stead they stand, we should receive them as the Galatians did Paul, Gal. 4. 14. as Angels of God, even as Christ Jesus.
Fourthly, Christs treating with sinners by his Ministers, who are his Ambassadors, implies the strict obligation they are under to be faithful in their Ministerial employment. Christ counts upon their faithfulness whom he puts into the Ministry, 1 Tim. 1. 12. They are accountable to him for all acts of their office, Heb. 13. 17. If they be silent, they cannot be innocent: necessity is laid upon them, and woe to them if they preach not the Gospel,