A39669:436
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.
Thirdly, Be filled with tender affections toward the souls 1of men with whom you treat for reconciliation: you had need be men of bowels as well as men of brains: you see a multitude of poor souls upon the brink of eternal misery, and they know it not, but promise themselves peace, and fill themselves with vain hopes of heaven: and is there a more moving, melting spectacle in the world than this! O think with what bowels of Commiseration Moses and Paul were filled, when the one desired rather to be blotted out of Gods Book, and the other to be accursed from Christ, than that Israel should not be saved, Exod. 32. 33. and Rom. 9. 3. Think how the Bowels of Christ yearned over Jerusalem, Matth. 23. 37. and over the multitude, Matth. 9. 36. Let the same mind be in you which also was in Christ Jesus.
- 1Vide Bowls pastor Evang. p. 136.Vide Bowles pastor Evang. p. 136.
Fourthly, Be patient and long-suffering towards sinners: such is the value of one soul, that it's worth waiting all our days to save it at last: the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing them that oppose themselves, if God peradventure will give them repentance, 2 Tim. 2. 24, 25. The Lord waits with ⟨p. 65⟩patience upon sinners, and well may you. Consider your selves, how long was God treating with you, ere you were won to him? Be not discouraged if success presently answer not expectation.