A39669:501
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.
Nor will it avail any thing to say, though man be born in darkness and ignorance, yet afterwards he may acquire knowledge in the use of means, as we see many natural men do in a very high degree: for this is not that light that brings the soul to Christ, yea, this natural unsanctified light blinds the soul and prejudices it more against Christ than ever it was before, 1 Cor. 1. 21, 26.
As it is a blind and ignorant heart, so it's a selfish heart by nature: all its designs and aims terminate in Self: this is the Centre and weight of the soul, no righteousness but its own is sought after, that, or none, Rom. 10. 3. now for a soul to renounce and deny Self in all its forms, modes, and interests, as every one doth that cometh to Christ; To disclaim and deny natural, moral, and religious Self and come to Christ, as a poor, miserable, wretched, empty creature; to live upon ⟨p. 80⟩his righteousness for ever, is as supernatural and wonderful, as to see the hills and mountains start from their bases and Centres, and fly like wandering Atoms in the Air.
As it is a blind and ignorant heart, so it's a selfish heart by nature: all its designs and aims terminate in Self: this is the Centre and weight of the soul, no righteousness but its own is sought after, that, or none, Rom. 10. 3. now for a soul to renounce and deny Self in all its forms, modes, and interests, as every one doth that cometh to Christ; To disclaim and deny natural, moral, and religious Self and come to Christ, as a poor, miserable, wretched, empty creature; to live upon ⟨p. 80⟩his righteousness for ever, is as supernatural and wonderful, as to see the hills and mountains start from their bases and Centres, and flye like wandering Atomes in the Air.