A39669:2658
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.
Thirdly, In the third place, we are to consider what policies Satan useth to blind the minds of them that believe not, 1and we shall find there are three sorts of policies practised by the God of this world upon the minds and understandings of men, which he darkens,
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By 1. Hindering the reception of Gospel-light. 2. Obstructing the efficacy of it when received. 3. Making mis-applications of it to other purposes.
First, It is a great policy of Satan to blind the understandings of men by hindering and preventing the reception of Gospel light, which he doth especially these five ways.
First, By tempting the dispensers of the Gospel to darken the truths thereof in their delivering of them, to shoot over the heads of their hearers, in lofty language and terms of art, so that common understandings can give no account when the Sermon is done, what the preacher would have, but however commend him for a good Scholar, and an excellent Orator. I make no doubt but the Devil is very busy with Ministers in