A39669:433
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.
First, for Judgment and prudence, how necessary is it in so weighty and difficult a business as this! He had need be a man of wisdom that is to inform the ignorant of the nature and necessity of this great work, and win over their hearts to ⟨p. 64⟩consent to the Articles of peace propounded in the Gospel: that hath so many subtle temptations to answer, and so many intricate cases of conscience to resolve: There are many strong holds of Satan to be battered, and many stout and obstinate resistances made by the hearts of sinners which must be overcome; and he had need be no Novice in religion to whom so difficult a province is committed.
First, for Judgment and prudence, how necessary is it in so weighty and difficult a business as this! He had need be a man of wisdom that is to inform the ignorant of the nature and necessity of this great work, and win over their hearts to ⟨p. 64⟩consent to the Articles of peace propounded in the Gospel: that hath so many subtil temptations to answer, and so many intricate cases of conscience to resolve: There are many strong holds of Satan to be battered, and many stout and obstinate resistances made by the hearts of sinners which must be overcome; and he had need be no Novice in religion to whom so difficult a province is committed.
Secondly, Let us be Serious in our work as well as judicious. Remember O ye Ambassadors of Christ, you bring a message from the God of heaven of everlasting consequence to the souls of men. The eternal decrees are executed upon them in your Ministry: to some you are the savour of life unto life, and to some the savour of death unto death, 2 Cor. 2. 16. Heaven and hell are matters of most awful and solemn Consideration. O what an account have we also shortly to give unto him that sent us!