A39669:780
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.
There may be and often is a true and sincere assent found in the soul that is assaulted with violent atheistical suggestions 1from Satan; and thereupon questions the truth of it: and this is a very clear evidence of the reality of our assent, that whatever doubts or contrary suggestions there be, yet we dare not in our practice contradict or slight those truths or duties which we are tempted to disbelieve. Ex. gr. ⟨p. 141⟩we are assaulted with atheistical thoughts, and tempted to slight and cast off all fears of sin, and practice of religious duties, yet when it comes to the point of practice, we dare not commit a known sin, the awe of God is upon us: we dare not omit a known duty, the tie of conscience is found strong enough to hold us close to it: in this case, 'tis plain, we do really assent, when we think we do not. A man thinks he doth not love his child, yet carefully provides for him in health, and is full of grief and fears about him in sickness: why now, so long as I see all faith rly duties performed, and affections to his child's welfare manifested; let him say what he will as to the want of love to him, whilst I see this, he must excuse me if I do not believe him, when he saith he hath no love for him: Just so is it in this case, A man saith I do not assent to the being, necessity, or excellency of Jesus Christ: yet in the mean time his soul is filled with cares and fears about securing his interest in him, he is found panting and thirsting for him with vehement desires, there's nothing in all the world would give him such joy, as to be well assured of an interest in him; while it is thus with any man, let him say or think what he will of his assent, it's manifest by this he doth truly and heartily assent, and there can be no better proof of it than these real effects produced by it.
There may be and often is a true and sincere assent found in the soul that is assaulted with violent atheistical suggestions 1from Satan; and thereupon questions the truth of it: and this is a very clear evidence of the reality of our assent, that whatever doubts or contrary suggestions there be, yet we dare not in our practice contradict or slight those truths or duties which we are tempted to disbelieve. Ex. gr. ⟨p. 141⟩