A39669:1781
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.
2. Secondly, Natural ignorance, this keeps all in peace; they that see not, fear not. There are but two ways to quiet the hearts of men about their spiritual and eternal concernments, viz. the way of assurance and faith, or the way of ignorance and self-deceit: by the one we are put beyond danger, by the other beyond fear, though the danger be greater. Satan could never quiet men if he did not first blind them.
3. Thirdly, False evidence of the love of God is another spring feeding this security, vain hope, and false joy in the ⟨p. 352⟩hearts of men: see the power of it to hush and still the Conscience, Mat. 7. 22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, &c. The things upon which they build their evidence and confidence were external things in Religion, yet they had a quieting power upon them as if they had been the best evidences in the world.
4. Fourthly, Slight workings of the Gospel, such are transient motions of the affections under the word, Heb. 6. 8. the working of their desires about spiritual objects, Joh. 6. 34. Mat. 25. 8. the external change and reformation of their ways, Mat. 12. 43. all which serve to nourish the vain hopes of the unregenerate.