A39669:2049
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.
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.
Two things are to be respected in spiritual knowledge; 1viz. the quantity and the efficacy thereof: your condition doth not so much depend upon the measures of knowledge, for haply, you are under many natural disadvantages, and want those helps and means of increasing knowledge, which others plentifully enjoy: it may be you have wanted the helps of education, or have been encumbered by the necessities and cares of the world; which have allowed you but little leisure for the improvement of your minds: but if that which you do know be turned into practice and obedience,