A39669:1919
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.
Lesson 12.
Twelfthly, They that come to Christ are taught of God, that whatever guilt and unworthiness they discover in themselves, and whatever fears and doubts hang upon their hearts as to pardon and ⟨p. 387⟩acceptance; yet as the case stands it is their wisdom and great interest to venture themselves in the way of faith upon Jesus Christ, whatever the issue thereof be.
Three great discouragements are usually found upon the hearts of those that come to Christ in the way of faith.
First, The sensible greatness of guilt and sin, how can I go to Christ that am in such a case, that have been so vile a wretch? and here measuring the grace and mercy of Chris by what it finds in it self, or in other creatures, 1 Sam. 24. 19. the soul is ready to sink under the weight of its own discouraging and misgiving thoughts.