A39669:1529
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.
Secondly, I told you that propriety, and interest in Christ, and the promises is required to all Spiritual Consolation: but no unbeliever hath any title or interest in Christ, and the promises, and so they can signify nothing to him in point of Comfort. 'Tis not another mans money, but my own, that must feed, clothe and comfort me; nor is it another mans Christ, but my own Christ, that must justify, save and comfort my soul.
Secondly, I told you that propriety, and interest in Christ, and the promises is required to all Spiritual Consolation: but no unbeliever hath any title or interest in Christ, and the promises, and so they can signifie nothing to him in point of Comfort. 'Tis not another mans mony, but my own, that must feed, cloath and comfort me; nor is it another mans Christ, but my own Christ, that must justifie, save and comfort my soul.
Thirdly, You were told that evidence of a mans peace, and reconciliation with God, is necessary to his actual consolation, which no unbeliever can possibly have; he hath neither grace within him, to make him a qualified subject of any special promise; nor any witness, or seal of the spirit to confirm and clear his propriety in Christ: for he never seals, but where he first sanctifies. So that it is beyond all contradiction, that Believers, and none but Believers are partakers of the Consolations that are in Christ Jesus.
Fourthly, and Lastly, There is one inquiry remains to be satisfied, namely, seeing Jesus Christ is consolation to Believers, how it comes to pass that so many Believers in the world should walk so dejectedly as they do without any Spiritual Consolation.