A39669:1955
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 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.
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 Aethiopian change his skin, or the Leopard his spots? Then may he also do good that is accustomed to do evil.
Thirdly, Sin is the delight of the sinner: it is a sport to a fool to do mischief, Prov. 10. 23. Carnal men have no other pleasure in this world, but what arises from their Lusts: to cut off their corruptions by mortification, were at once to deprive them of all the pleasure of their lives.
Fourthly, sin being connatural, customary, and delightful, doth therefore bewitch their affections and enchant their hearts to that degree of madness and fascination; that they rather choose damnation by God, than separation from sin: their hearts are fully set in them to do evil, Eccles. 8. 11. they rush into sin, as the horse rusheth into the battle, Jer. 8. 6. And now what think you can separate a man from his beloved Lust, except the powerful and effectual teachings of God? Nothing but a light from heaven can rectify and reduce the enchanted mind, no power but that of God can change and alter the sinful bent and inclination of the will, 'tis a task above all Creature power.