A39669:820
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.
O Reader, reflect upon the days and nights that are past, the places where thou hast been conversant: where are the bed-sides, or the secret corners where thou hast besieged heaven with such cries? if God have thus enlightened, convinced, distressed thy soul, and thus set thee a mourning after Christ, it will be one good sign that faith is come into thy soul; for here are certainly the Harbingers and fore runners of it, that ordinarily make way for faith into the souls of men.
O Reader, reflect upon the days and nights that are past, the places where thou hast been conversant: where are the bed-sides, or the secret corners where thou hast besieged heaven with such crys? if God have thus inlightned, convinced, distressed thy soul, and thus set thee a mourning after Christ, it will be one good sign that faith is come into thy soul; for here are certainly the Harbingers and fore runners of it, that ordinarily make way for faith into the souls of men.
Secondly, If you would be satisfied of the sincerity and truth 1of your faith, then examine what Concomitants it is attended with in your souls. I mean what frames and tempers your souls were in at that time when you think you received Christ. For certainly in those that receive Christ (excepting those into whose hearts God hath in a more still and insensible way infused faith betime, by his blessing upon pious education) such concomitant frames of Spirit may be remarked, as these following.
Secondly, If you would be satisfied of the sincerity and truth 1of your faith, then examine what Concomitants it is attended with in your souls. I mean what frames and tempers your souls were in at that time when you think you received Christ. For certainly in those that receive Christ (excepting those into whose hearts God hath in a more still and insensible way infused faith betime, by his blessing upon pious education) such concomitant frames of Spirit may be remarkt, as these following.