A39669:2678
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.
Fifthly, The policy of Satan improves diligence in some ⟨p. 580⟩duties, against the convictions of other duties. The external duties of Religion, as hearing, praying, fasting, against the great duties of repenting and believing. This was their case, Isa 58. 2, 3. Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness; and forsook not the Ordinances of their God. They ask of me the Ordinances of Justice, they take delight in approaching to God. Wherefore have we fasted say they, and thou seest not, wherefore have we afflicted our souls, and thou takest no knowledge? Thus duty is improved against duty, the externals against the internals of Religion, and multitudes are blinded this way.
Fifthly, The policy of Satan improves diligence in some ⟨p. 580⟩duties, against the convictions of other duties. The external duties of Religion, as hearing, praying, fasting, against the great duties of repenting and believing. This was their case, Isa 58. 2, 3. Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness; and forsook not the Ordinances of their God. They ask of me the Ordinances of Justice, they take delight in approching to God. Wherefore have we fasted say they, and thou seest not, wherefore have we afflicted our souls, and thou takest no knowledge? Thus duty is improved against duty, the externals against the internals of Religion, and multitudes are blinded this way.
Sixthly, The policy of Satan improves zeal against zeal; and thereby blinds a great part of the world: he allows men to be zealous against a false religion, if thereby he may prevent them from being zealous in the true Religion. He diverts their zeal against their own sins, by spending it against other mens. Thus Paul was once blinded by his own zeal for the law, Act. 22. 3. And many men at this day satisfy themselves in their own zeal against the corruptions of Gods worship, and the superstitions of others; who never felt the power of true Religion upon their own hearts: a dangerous blind of Satan.