A39669:37
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.
It is therefore the great and present concernment of all to provide themselves of a refuge before the storm overtake them: for as Augustin well observes, non facile inveniuntur praesidia in adversitate, quae non fuerint in pace quaesita, O take up your lodgings in the Attributes and Promises of God, before the night overtake you: view them often by faith, and clear up your interest in them, that you may be able to go to them in the dark, when the Ministers and Ordinances of Christ have taken their leave of you, and bid you good night.
Whilst many are hasting on the wrath of God by profaneness, and many by smiting their fellow Servants; and multitudes resolve if trouble come, to fish in the troubled waters for safety and preferment; not doubting whensoever the overflowing flood comes, but they shall stand dry: O that you would be mourning for their sins, and providing better for your own safety.
Whilst many are hasting on the wrath of God by prophaneness, and many by smiting their fellow Servants; and multitudes resolve if trouble come, to fish in the troubled waters for safety and preferment; not doubting whensoever the overflowing flood comes, but they shall stand dry: O that you would be mourning for their sins, and providing better for your own safety.
Reader, it is thy one thing necessary to get a cleared interest in Jesus Christ: which being once obtained, thou mayest face the storm with boldness, and say Come troubles and distresses, losses and trials, prisons and death; I am provided for you; do your worst, you can do me no harm: let the winds roar, the lightnings flesh, the rains and hail fall never so furiously, I have a good roof over my head, a comfortable lodging provided for me: my place of defence is the munition of rocks, where bread shall be given me, and my waters shall be sure,