A39669:451
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.
No saving benefit is to be had by Christ without Union with his person, no Union with his person without faith, no faith ordinarily wrought without the preaching of the Gospel by Christs Ambassadors, their preaching hath no saving efficacy without Gods drawings; as will evidently appear ⟨p. 69⟩by considering these words and the occasion of them.
The occasion of these words is found (as Learned Cameron well observes) in the 42. verse. And they said, Is not this Jesus 1the son of Joseph, whose Father and Mother we know? Christ had been pressing upon them in his ministry the great and necessary duty of faith, but notwithstanding the Authority of the preacher, the holiness of his life, the miracles by which he confirmed his doctrine, they still objected against him, is not this the Carpenters. Son? from whence Christ takes the occasion of these words: No man can come unto me except my Father which hath sent me draw him: q. d. In vain is the Authority of my person urged, in vain are all the miracles wrought in your sight to confirm the doctrine preached to you, till that secret almighty power of the Spirit be put forth upon your hearts, you will not, you cannot come unto me.
- 1Cameronis Myrothes. p. 139.
The words are a Negative proposition.