A39669:443
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, Admire and stand amazed at this mercy. I will praise thee O Lord, (saith the Church Isai. 12. 1.) though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortest me. O how overwhelming a mercy is here before you! God is at peace, at peace with you that were enemies in your minds by wicked works, Colos. 1. 21. at peace with you, and at enmity with Millions as good by nature as you: at peace with you that sought it not: at peace for ever, no dissolving this friendship for evermore. O let this Consideration thaw your hearts before the Lord and make you cry, What am I Lord that mercy should take in me, and shut out fallen Angels, and millions of men and women as capable of mercy as my self! O the riches! O the depths of the mercy and goodness of God!
First, Admire and stand amaz'd at this mercy. I will praise thee O Lord, (saith the Church Isai. 12. 1.) though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortest me. O how overwhelming a mercy is here before you! God is at peace, at peace with you that were enemies in your minds by wicked works, Colos. 1. 21. at peace with you, and at enmity with Millions as good by nature as you: at peace with you that sought it not: at peace for ever, no dissolving this friendship for evermore. O let this Consideration thaw your hearts before the Lord and make you cry, What am I Lord that mercy should take in me, and shut out fallen Angels, and millions of men and women as capable of mercy as my self! O the riches! O the depths of the mercy and goodness of God!
Secondly, Beware of New breaches with God: God will speak peace to his people and to his Saints, but let not them return any more to folly, Psal. 85. 8. What if this state of friendship can never be dissolved, yet it is a dreadful thing to have it clouded: you may lose the sense of peace, and with it all the joy of your hearts and comforts of your lives in this world.