A39669:437
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.
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.
Fifthly, and Lastly, be sure to back your Exhortations with drawing examples, else you may preach out your last breath before you gain one soul to God. The Devil and the Carnal hearts of your hearers will put hinderances enough in the way of your labours, don't you put the greatest of all your selves. O study not only to preach exactly, but to live exactly, let the misplacing of one action in your lives trouble you more, than the misplacing of words in your discourses: this is the way to succeed in your Embassy, and give up your account with joy.
Secondly, The exhortation speaks to all those that are 1yet in a state of enmity and unreconciled to God unto this day. O that may words might prevail, and that you would now be entreated to be reconciled to God! The Ambassadors of peace are yet with you, the treaty is not yet ended, the Master of the house is not yet risen up, nor the door of mercy and hope finally shut: hitherto God hath waited to be gracious, O that the long-suffering of God might be your salvation: a day is hasting when God will treat with you no more, when a gulf shall be fixed betwixt him and you for ever,