A39669:2215
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, Grace gives the mind and heart of man a contrary bent and inclination; by reason whereof spiritual and heavenly things become connatural to the regenerate soul, Rom. 7. 22. For I delight in the Law of God, after the inner man: sanctification is in the soul as a living spring running with a kind of central force Heaven-ward, John 4. 14.
Secondly, Holy principles destroy the interest that sin once had in the love and delight of the soul: the sanctified soul cannot take pleasure in sin, or find delight in that which grieves God, as it was wont to do: but that which was the object of delight, hereby becomes the object of grief and hatred, Rom. 7. 15. What I hate, that I do.
Thirdly, From both these follow a third advantage for the mortification of sin, in as much as sin being contrary to the new nature, and the object of grief and hatred, cannot ⟨p. 469⟩possibly be committed without reluctancy, and very sensible regret of mind: and actions done with regret, are neither done frequently nor easily. The case of a regenerate soul under the surprisals, and particular victories of temptation, 1being like that of a captive in war, who marches not with delight, but by constraint among his enemies. So the Apostle expresseth himself, Rom. 7. 23. But I see another law in my members, warring against the Law of my mind; and bringing me into captivity unto the law of sin which is in my members: thus the spirit of God promotes the design of mortification by the implantation of contrary habits.