A39669:2666
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.
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, L•t us eat and drink, for to morrow we shall die.
Fifthly, Satan darkens the minds of men, and shuts them ⟨p. 577⟩against the light; by blowing them up with pride and self-conceitedness, persuading them that they know all these things already: and causing them to contemn the most weighty and precious truths of God, as trite and vulgar notions. The word cannot be received without meekness, and humility of mind, Jam. 1. 21. Psal. 25. 8, 9. and pride is the nurse of ignorance, 1 Tim. 6. 4. 1 Cor. 8. 7. The Devil is aware of this, and therefore blows up the pride and conceitedness of mens hearts all that he can: and this temptation of his generally prevails wherever it meets with a knowing head, matched with a graceless and unsanctified heart. And thus we see by what wiles and policies Satan keeps out the light, and prevents the access of it to the minds of men.