A39669:718
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.
Secondly, By faith we are justified, Rom. 5. 1. but neither assent nor assurance for the reasons above, do justify; ⟨p. 128⟩therefore it must be by the receiving act and no other.
Secondly, By faith we are justified, Rom. 5. 1. but neither assent nor assurance for the reasons above, do justifie; ⟨p. 128⟩therefore it must be by the receiving act and no other.
Thirdly, The Scripture ascribes great difficulties to that faith by which we are saved: as being most cross and opposite to the corrupt nature of man; but of all the acts of faith none is clogged with like difficulties, or conflicts with greater oppositions than the receiving act doth: about this act hang the greatest difficulties, fears, and deepest self-denial. In assent a mans reason is convinced, and yields to the evidence of truth, so that he can do no other but assent to the truth. In assurance there is nothing against a mans will or comfort, but much for it; every one desires it: but it is not so in acceptance of Christ upon the self-denying terms of the Gospel, as will hereafter be evinced. We conclude therefore, that in this consists the nature and essence of saving faith.
Thirdly, The Scripture ascribes great difficulties to that faith by which we are saved: as being most cross and opposite to the corrupt nature of man; but of all the acts of faith none is clog'd with like difficulties, or conflicts with greater oppositions than the receiving act doth: about this act hang the greatest difficulties, fears, and deepest self-denyal. In assent a mans reason is convinced, and yields to the evidence of truth, so that he can do no other but assent to the truth. In assurance there is nothing against a mans will or comfort, but much for it; every one desires it: but it is not so in acceptance of Christ upon the self-denying terms of the Gospel, as will hereafter be evinced. We conclude therefore, that in this consists the nature and essence of saving faith.