A39669:2672
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, If all this will not do, but convictions still continue and get ground in the conscience, then he endeavours to scare, and fright them out of their convictions, by representing to them the inward terrors, troubles and despairs into which they are about to plunge themselves, and that henceforth they must never expect a pleasant day or comfortable hour. Thus doth the God of this world blind the minds of them that believe not, both by hindering the access of light to the mind, and the influence of it upon the heart.
Thirdly, If all this will not do, but convictions still continue and get ground in the conscience, then he endeavours to scare, and fright them out of their convictions, by representing to them the inward terrours, troubles and despairs into which they are about to plunge themselves, and that henceforth they must never expect a pleasant day or comfortable hour. Thus doth the God of this world blind the minds of them that believe not, both by hindering the access of light to the mind, and the influence of it upon the heart.
Thirdly, There is yet one policy of Satan to keep souls in 1darkness, and that is by the mis-application of truth; persuading them that whatsoever they read or hear of the misery and danger of Christless and unregenerate persons, doth not in the least touch or concern them, but the more notorious and profane part of the world; and by this policy he blinds the minds of all civil and moral persons. Thus the Pharisees trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others. And so the Laodiceans thought themselves rich, and increased with 2goods; that is, in a very safe and good condition. Now there ⟨p. 579⟩are diverse things notably improved by Satan's policy, in order to these misapplications of truth: as