A39669:1952
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.
By all which the Last point designed to be spoken to from this Scripture will be fully cleared, and the whole prepared for application.
First, The impossibility of coming to Christ without the teachings of the Father will appear from the power of sin, which hath so strong an holdfast upon the hearts and affections of all unregenerate men, that no humane arguments or persuasions whatsoever can divorce or separate them; for
First, The impossibility of coming to Christ without the teachings of the Father will appear from the power of sin, which hath so strong an holdfast upon the hearts and affections of all unregenerate men, that no humane arguments or perswasions whatsoever can divorce or separate them; for
First, sin is connatural with the soul, 'tis born and bred with a man: Psal. 51. 5. Isa. 48. 8. It is as natural for fallen man to sin as it is to breath.
Secondly, The power of sin hath been strengthening it self from the beginning, by a long continued Custom, which gives it the force of a second nature; and makes regeneration and mortification naturally impossible. Jer. 15. 23. Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the Leopard his spots? Then may he also do good that is accustomed to do evil.