A39669:1336
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.
Fourthly, Altogether lovely, (i. e.) nothing is lovely in opposition to him, or in separation from him; if he be altogether lovely, then whatsoever is opposite to, or separate from him, can have no loveliness in it: take away Christ, and where is the loveliness of any enjoyment? The best creature comfort out of Christ is but a broken Cistern, or a Vessel whose bottom is fallen out, it cannot hold one drop of true comfort, Psal. 73. 25. It is with the creature, the sweetest and loveliest creature, as with a beautiful image in the Glass; turn away the Face, and where is the Image? Riches, Honours, and comfortable Relations are sweet when the face of Christ smiles upon us through them, but without him what empty trifles are they all?
Fifthly, Altogether lovely, (i. e.) transcending all created excellencies in beauty and loveliness, so much it speaks: if you compare Christ and other things, be they never so lovely, never so excellent and desirable; Christ carries away all loveliness from them, he is (saith the Apostle) before all things, Col. 1. 17. not only before all things in time, nature, and order; but before all things in dignity, glory and true excellency: in all things he must have the preeminence: for let us but compare Christs excellency with the creatures, in a few particulars, and how evidently will the transcendent loveliness of Jesus Christ appear! For,
Fifthly, Altogether lovely, (i. e.) transcending all created excellencies in beauty and loveliness, so much it speaks: if you compare Christ and other things, be they never so lovely, never so excellent and desireable; Christ carries away all loveliness from them, he is (saith the Apostle) before all things, Col. 1. 17. not only before all things in time, nature, and order; but before all things in dignity, glory and true excellency: in all things he must have the preeminence: for let us but compare Christs excellency with the creatures, in a few particulars, and how evidently will the transcendent loveliness of Jesus Christ appear! For,