A39669:1522
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.
Secondly, Do the temptations of Satan burden Believers? O yes, by reason of temptations, they go in trouble, and heaviness of spirit. Temptation is an enemy under the walls, temptation greatly endangers, and therefore cannot but greatly afflict the souls of Believers; but Christ brings the only matter of relief against temptations. The intercession of Christ is a singular relief at present, Luke 22. 32. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and the promises of Christ are a full relief for the future: The God of peace shall shortly tread Satan under your feet, Rom. 16. 20.
Secondly, Do the temptations of Satan burthen Believers? O yes, by reason of temptations, they go in trouble, and heaviness of spirit. Temptation is an enemy under the walls, temptation greatly endangers, and therefore cannot but greatly afflict the souls of Believers; but Christ brings the only matter of relief against temptations. The intercession of Christ is a singular relief at present, Luke 22. 32. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and the promises of Christ are a full relief for the future: The God of peace shall shortly tread Satan under your feet, Rom. 16. 20.
Thirdly, Is spiritual desertion, and the hiding of Gods face, matter of affliction, and casting down to Believers? Yes, yes, it quails their hearts, nothing can comfort them; Thou hidest thy face, and I was troubled, Psal. 30. 7. Outward afflictions do but break the skin, this touches the quick: they like rain fall only upon the Tiles, this soaks into the House; but Christ brings to Believers substantial matter of Consolation against the troubles of desertion: he himself was deserted of God for a time, that they might not be deserted for ever: in him also the relieving promises are made to Believers, that notwithstanding God may desert them for a time, yet the union betwixt him and them shall never be dissolved,