A39669:1062
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, Coming to Christ, notes a supernatural and almighty power acting the soul quite above its own natural abilities in this motion, John 6. 44. No man can come to me except my father which hath sent me draw him. It is as possible for the ponderous mountains to start from their Bases and Centres, mount themselves aloft into the air, and there fly like wandering Atoms hither and thither; as it is for any man of himself, (i. e.) by a pure natural power of his own, to come to Christ: it was not a stranger thing for Peter to come to Christ walking upon the Waves of the Sea, than for his or any mans soul to come to Christ in the way of faith.
Thirdly, Coming to Christ, notes a supernatural and almighty power acting the soul quite above its own natural abilities in this motion, John 6. 44. No man can come to me except my father which hath sent me draw him. It is as possible for the ponderous mountains to start from their Bases and Centres, mount themselves aloft into the air, and there flye like wandring Atoms hither and thither; as it is for any man of himself, (i. e.) by a pure natural power of his own, to come to Christ: it was not a stranger thing for Peter to come to Christ walking upon the Waves of the Sea, than for his or any mans soul to come to Christ in the way of faith.
Fourthly, Coming to Christ, notes the voluntariness of the soul in its motion to Christ. 'Tis true, there's no coming without the Fathers drawing; but that drawing hath nothing of co-action in it; it doth not destroy, but powerfully, and with an overcoming sweetness persuade the will. 'Tis not forced or driven, but it comes: being made willing in the day of Gods power, Psal. 110. 3. Ask a poor distressed sinner in that season, Are you willing to come to Christ? O rather than live. Life is not so necessary as Christ is. O with all my heart, ⟨p. 195⟩