A39669:355
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.
Yea, necessity is not only laid upon them to preach, but to keep close to their Commission in preaching the Gospel, 1 Thes. 2. 3, 4, 5. Our Exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile, but as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the Gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts: the word is not to be corrupted to please men, 2 Cor. 2. 17. their business is not to make them their disciples, but Christs, not to seek theirs but them, 2 Cor. 12. 14. to keep close to their instructions, both in the matter, manner, & end of their Ministry. So did Christ himself the treasure of wisdom and knowledge, yet being sent by God, he saith, Job. 7. 16. my doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. And so he expects and requires that his Ambassadors keep close to the Commission he hath given them; and be (according to their measure) faithful to their trust, as he was to his. Paul is to deliver to the people, that which he also received from the Lord, 1 Cor. 11. And Timothy must keep that which was committed to him, 2 Tim. 1. 14.
Fifthly, It implies the removal of the Gospel ministry to be a very great judgment to the people. The remanding of Ambassadors, presages an ensuing War. If the reconciling of souls to God be the greatest work, then the removal of ⟨p. 50⟩the means and instruments thereof must be the forest Judgement. Some account the falling of the Salt upon the Table ominous, but surely the falling of them whom Christ calls the Salt of the earth is so indeed.