A39669:1263
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.
Tenthly, Jesus Christ is an incomparable and matchless mercy; as the Apple-tree among the Trees of the Wood, so is my Beloved among the Sons (saith the enamoured Spouse) Cant. 2. 3. Draw the comparison how you will betwixt Christ and all other enjoyments, you will find none in Heaven or earth to match him: he is more than all externals, as the light of the Sun is more than that of a Candle: nay the worst of Christ is better than the best of the world: his reproaches are better than the worlds pleasures, Heb. 11. 25. he is more than all Spirituals, as the Fountain is more than the Streams: he is more than justification, as the cause is more than the effect: more than sanctification, as the person himself is more than his image or picture: he is more than all peace, all comfort, all joys, as the Tree is more than the Fruit. Nay draw the comparison betwixt Christ and things eternal, and you will find him better than they: for what is Heaven without Christ? Psal. 73. 25. Whom have I in Heaven but thee? If Christ should say to the Saints, Take Heaven among you, but as for me, I will withdraw my self from you: the Saints would fall a weeping, even in Heaven it self, and say, Lord, Heaven will be no more Heaven to us, except thou be there; thou art the better half of Heaven.
Eleventhly, Christ is an unsearchable mercy: who can spell his wonderful name, Prov. 30. 4. who can tell over his unsearchable riches, Eph. 3. 8. Hence it is that souls never tire in the study or love of Christ, because new wonders are eternally rising out of him: he is a deep which no line of any created understanding, angelical or humane can fathom.