A39669:987
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.
Thirdly, The sentence and condemnation of Conscience: and truly this is an insupportable burden: the condemnation 1of conscience is nothing else but its application of the condemning sentence of the Law to a mans person: the Law curseth every one that transgresseth it, Gal. 3. 10. conscience applies this curse to the guilty sinner. So that it sentences the sinner in Gods name and authority, from which there is no appeal: the voice of conscience is the voice of God, and what it pronounces in Gods name and authority, he will confirm and ratify, 1 Joh. 3. 20. if our hearts (i. e.) our consciences, condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and knoweth all things: this is that torment which no man can endure. See the effects of it in Cain, in Judas, and in Spira, 'tis a real foretaste of hell torments: this is that worm that never dyes, Mark 9. 44. For look as a worm in the body is bred of the corruption that is there, so the accusations and condemnations ⟨p. 187⟩of conscience are bred in the soul by the corruption and guilt that is there: as the worm in the body preys and bites upon the tender sensible inward parts, so doth conscience touch the very quick. This is its third effect or work to sentence and condemn, and this also makes way for a fourth, namely,
Thirdly, The sentence and condemnation of Conscience: and truly this is an insupportable burthen: the condemnation 1of conscience is nothing else but its application of the condemning sentence of the Law to a mans person: the Law curseth every one that transgresseth it, Gal. 3. 10. conscience applys this curse to the guilty sinner. So that it sentences the sinner in Gods name and authority, from which there is no appeal: the voice of conscience is the voice of God, and what it pronounces in Gods name and authority, he will confirm and ratifie,