A39669:1357
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.
Fifthly, No Husband is so immortal and everlasting a Husband as Christ is. Death separates all other relations, but the souls union with Christ is not dissolved in the Grave: yea, the day of a Believers death is his marriage-day, the day of his fullest enjoyment of Christ: no Husband can say to his Wife what Christ saith to the Believer, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee, Heb. 13. 5.
Sixthly, No Bridegroom advanceth his Bride to such honours by Marriage as Christ doth: he relates them to God as their Father; and from that day the mighty and glorious ⟨p. 256⟩Angels think it no dishonour to be their servants, Heb. 1. 14. They are brought in admiring the beauty and glory of the Spouse of Christ, Rev. 21. 9.
Seventhly, and Lastly, No marriage was ever consummated with that triumphal solemnity, as the marriage of Christ and Believers shall be in Heaven, Psal. 45. 14, 15. She shall be brought to the King in raiment of needle work, the virgins, her companions, that follow her, shall be brought unto thee, with gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought, they shall enter into the Kings Palace. Among the Jews the marriage house was called Bethillula, the house of praise: there was joy upon all hands; but not like the joy that will be in Heaven, when Believers, the Spouse of Christ, shall be brought thither; God the Father will rejoice to behold the blessed accomplishment and consummation of that glorious design and project of his love. Jesus Christ the Bridegroom will rejoice to see the travail of his soul, the blessed birth and issue of all his bitter pangs and agonies,