A39669:2665
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.
Fourthly, Satan hinders the access of light by helping erroneous minds to draw false conclusions, and perverse inferences from the great and precious truths of the Gospel; and thereby bringing them under prejudice and contempt: thus he assists the errors of mens minds about the doctrine of Election; when he either persuades them that it is an unreasonable doctrine, and not worthy of credit, that God should choose some, and refuse others every way as good as those he hath chosen: or if there be any certainty in that doctrine, then men may throw the reins upon the neck of their lusts, and live at what rate they list. For if God have chosen them to salvation, their wickedness shall not hinder it; and if he have appointed them unto wrath, their diligence and self-denial cannot prevent it.
Fourthly, Satan hinders the access of light by helping erroneous minds to draw false conclusions, and perverse inferences from the great and precious truths of the Gospel; and thereby bringing them under prejudice and contempt: thus he assists the errors of mens minds about the doctrine of Election; when he either perswades them that it is an unreasonable doctrine, and not worthy of credit, that God should choose some, and refuse others every way as good as those he hath chosen: or if there be any certainty in that doctrine, then men may throw the reins upon the neck of their lusts, and live at what rate they list. For if God have chosen them to salvation, their wickedness shall not hinder it; and if he have appointed them unto wrath, their diligence and self-denial cannot prevent it.
Thus the Doctrine of free grace is by the like Sophistry of Satan turned into lasciviousness. If grace abound, men may sin the more freely; and the shortness of our time upon earth which in its own nature awakens all men to diligence, is by the subtlety of Satan turned to a quite contrary purpose, L•t us eat and drink, for to morrow we shall die.
Thus the Doctrine of free grace is by the like Sophistry of Satan turned into lasciviousness. If grace abound, men may sin the more freely; and the shortness of our time upon earth which in its own nature awakens all men to diligence, is by the subtilty of Satan turned to a quite contrary purpose, Lt us eat and drink, for to morrow we shall die.