A39669:2663
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.
Secondly, Satan hinders the access of light to the understandings of men, by employing their minds about impertinent things; while they are attending upon the Ordinances of God. Thus he tempted them in Ezek. 33. 31, 32. And they come unto thee as thy people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people; and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And lo thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice. The modulation of the Prophets voice was very pleasing to their ears, but mean while their fancies and thoughts were wandering after their lusts, their hearts were full of earthly projects.
Secondly, Satan hinders the access of light to the understandings of men, by imploying their minds about impertinent things; while they are attending upon the Ordinances of God. Thus he tempted them in Ezek. 33. 31, 32. And they come unto thee as thy people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people; and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And lo thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice. The modulation of the Prophets voice was very pleasing to their ears, but mean while their fancies and thoughts were wandring after their lusts, their hearts were full of earthly projects.
Thirdly, Satan hinders the access of light to the understandings of men by raising Objections, and picking quarrels with the word on purpose to shake its authority, and hinder the assent of the understanding to it, and so the word makes ⟨p. 576⟩no more impression, than a fable or Romance would do. And never did this design of Satan obtain more than in this Atheistical age, wherein the main pillars and foundation of Religion are shaken in the minds of multitudes. The Devil hath persuaded many that the Gospel is but a cunningly devised fable. Fabula Christi, as that blaspheming Pope called it: That Ministers must say somewhat to get a living. That heaven and hell are but fancies, or at most things of great uncertainty and doubtful credit. This being once obtained, the door of the soul is shut against truth. And this design of Satan hath prospered the more in this generation, by the corrupt doctrines of seducing spirits, which have overthrown the faith of some,