A39669:474
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.
These several steps are more distinctly discerned in some Christians than in others; they are more clearly to be seen in the Adult Convert, than those that were drawn to Christ in their youth; in such as were drawn to him out of a state of profaneness, than those that had the advantage of a pious education; but in this order the work is carried on ordinarily in all, however it differ in point of clearness in the one, and in the other.
These several steps are more distinctly discerned in some Christians than in others; they are more clearly to be seen in the Adult Convert, than those that were drawn to Christ in their youth; in such as were drawn to him out of a state of prophaneness, than those that had the advantage of a pious education; but in this order the work is carried on ordinarily in all, however it differ in point of clearness in the one, and in the other.
Secondly, He draws sinners to Christ Congruously, and very agreeably to the nature and way of man. So he speaks, ⟨p. 74⟩Hosea 11. 4. I drew them with the cords of a man, with bands 1of love: not as beasts are drawn, but as men are inclined and wrought to compliance by rational Conviction of their Judgements, and powerful persuasion of their wills; the minds of sinners are naturally blinded by ignorance, 2 Cor. 4. 3, 4. and their affections bewitched to their Lusts, Gal. 3. 4. and whilst it is thus, no arguments of entreaties can possibly prevail to bring them off from the ways of sin to Christ.
Secondly, He draws sinners to Christ Congruously, and very agreeably to the nature and way of man. So he speaks, ⟨p. 74⟩