A39669:493
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.
It is confessed, that in the drawing home of the very elect to Christ, there may be and frequently are many pauses, stands, and demurs, they have convictions, affections and resolutions stirring in them, which like early blossoms seem to be nipped and dye away again. There is frequently (in young ones especially) an hopeful appearance of grace, they make conscience of sins, and duties: they have sometimes notable rouzings and awakenings under the word, they are observed ⟨p. 78⟩to affect retirements for meditation and prayer, and delight to be in the company of Christians, and after all this, youthful lusts and vanities are found to stifle and choke these hopeful beginnings, and the work seems to stand (it may be some years) at a pause, however at last the Lord makes it victorious over all opposition, and sets it home with power upon their hearts.
It is confessed, that in the drawing home of the very elect to Christ, there may be and frequently are many pauses, stands, and demurrs, they have convictions, affections and resolutions stirring in them, which like early blossoms seem to be nipt and dye away again. There is frequently (in young ones especially) an hopeful appearance of grace, they make conscience of sins, and duties: they have sometimes notable rouzings and awakenings under the word, they are observed ⟨p. 78⟩to affect retirements for meditation and prayer, and delight to be in the company of Christians, and after all this, youthful lusts and vanities are found to stifle and choak these hopeful beginnings, and the work seems to stand (it may be some years) at a pause, however at last the Lord makes it victorious over all opposition, and sets it home with power upon their hearts.
Fifthly, To conclude, Those whom the Father draws to Christ he draws to him finally and for ever. The gifts and calling of God are without repentance, Rom. 11. 29. They are so as to God the giver, he never repents that he hath called his people into the fellowship of his Son Christ Jesus: and they are so on the believers part, he is never sorry, whatever he afterwards meets with, that he is come to Christ.