A39669:1148
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.
The occasion of these words of Christ, was the call of Matthew the Publican: who having first opened his Heart, next opened his House to Christ, and entertains him there: this strange and unexpected change wrought upon Matthew, quickly rings in all the Neighbourhood, and many Publicans and Sinners resorted thither; at which the stomachs of the proud Pharisees began to swell: from this occasion they took offence at Christ, and in this verse Christ takes off the offence by such an answer as was fitted both for their conviction and his own vindication. But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them; The whole have no need of a Physician, but they that be sick.
He gives it (saith one) as a reason why he conversed so much with Publicans and Sinners, and so little among the Pharisees, because there was more work for him: men set up where they think Trade will be quickest: Christ came to be a Physician to sick souls. Pharisees were so well in their own conceit, that Christ saw he should have little to do among them; and so he applied himself to those who were more sensible of their sickness.
In the words we have an account of the temper and state both Of | 1. The secure and unconvinced | Sinner. 2. The humbled and convinced And 3. Of the Carriage of Christ, and his different respect to either. |