A39669:2048
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.
But before I leave this point, I reckon my self a debtor unto weak Christians, and shall endeavour to give satisfaction to some special doubts and fears with which their minds are ordinarily entangled in this matter: for it is a very plain case, that many souls have the presence and sanctification of the spirit without the evidence and comfort thereof. Divers things are found in believers which are as so many fountains of fears, and doubts to them. And
First, I greatly doubt the spirit of God is not in me 1(saith a poor Christian) because of the great darkness, and ignorance which clouds my soul: for I read 1 Joh. 2. 27. that he enlighteneth the soul which he inhabiteth: the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you, but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, &c. but alas, my understanding is weak and cloudy, I have need to learn of the meanest of Gods people: this only I know, that I know nothing as I ought to know.
First, I greatly doubt the spirit of God is not in me 1(saith a poor Christian) because of the great darkness, and ignorance which clouds my soul: for I read 1 Joh. 2. 27. that he enlightneth the soul which he inhabiteth: the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you, but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, &c. but alas, my understanding is weak and cloudy, I have need to learn of the meanest of Gods people: this only I know, that I know nothing as I ought to know.
- 1Obj. 1.