A39669:2647
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, That it is not opposed unto natural wisdom, a man may be of an acute and clear understanding; Eagle-eyed to discern the mysteries of nature, and yet the Gospel may be hidden from him. Who were more sagacious and quick-sighted in natural things, than the heathen Philosophers, renowned for wisdom in their generation: Yet unto them the Gospel was but foolishness, 1 Cor. 1. 20, 21. S. Augustine confesseth that before his conversion, he was filled with offence and contempt of the simplicity of the Gospel. Dedignabar esse parvulus, saith he: I scorned to become a child again. And that great Bradwardine, the profound Doctor, who was learned usque ad stuporem, even to a wonder; professed that when he first read Pauls Epistles, he despised them, because he found not in them Metaphysicum ingenium, those Metaphysical Notions which he expected. Upon this account it was that Christ brake forth into that Pathetical gratulation of his fathers love to the elect, Mat. 11. 25. At that time Jesus answered, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth; because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
Secondly, It is not opposed to all light and knowledge in Spiritual truths. A man may have a true understanding of the Scriptures, give an Orthodox exposition of them, and enlighten the minds of others by them: and yet the Gospel may be hidden from himself, Mat. 7. 22. Many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy Name? So Rom. 2. 19. Aid art confident that thou thy self art a guide of the blind, a light to them that sit in darkness, &c. A man may show others ⟨p. 571⟩the way to Christ and Salvation, whilst both are hid from himself.