A39669:1924
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, The sense they have of their own weakness, and inability to do what God requires, and must of necessity be done, if ever they be saved: my heart is harder than an Adamant, how can I break it? My will is stubborn and exceeding obstinate, I am no way able to bow it; the frame and temper of my spirit is altogether carnal and earthly; and it is not in the power of my hand to alter and change it: alas I cannot subdue any one corruption, nor perform one spiritual duty, nor bear one of those sufferings and burdens which religion lays upon all that follow Christ: this also proves a great discouragement in the way of faith.
Secondly, The sense they have of their own weakness, and inability to do what God requires, and must of necessity be done, if ever they be saved: my heart is harder than an Adamant, how can I break it? My will is stubborn and exceeding obstinate, I am no way able to bow it; the frame and temper of my spirit is altogether carnal and earthly; and it is not in the power of my hand to alter and change it: alas I cannot subdue any one corruption, nor perform one spiritual duty, nor bear one of those sufferings and burthens which religion lays upon all that follow Christ: this also proves a great discouragement in the way of faith.
Thirdly, And which is more than all, the soul that is coming to Jesus Christ, hath no assurance of acceptance with him, if it should adventure himself upon him: 'tis a great hazard, a great adventure; 'tis much more probable (if I look to my self) that Christ will shut the door of mercy against me.
But under all these discouragements the soul learns this Lesson from God, that as ungodly as it is, as weak and impotent as it is, as full of fears and doubts as it is: nevertheless it is every way its great duty and concernment to go on in the way of faith, and make that great adventure of it self upon Jesus Christ: and of this the Lord convinceth the soul by two things.