A39669:1570
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, The very riches of grace must needs be in the pardon of sin, if we consider the method in which pardons are dispensed, which is (as the Text speaks) through his blood. Herein God commends his love to us, Rom. 5. 8. he commends it more, than if he had pardoned sin without such a sacrifice, for then he had only displayed his mercy; but not caused Mercy and Justice to meet and triumph together.
Thirdly, The riches of his grace shines forth in the peculiarity of the mercy. Remission is no common favour, it was never extended to the fallen Angels, nor to the far greater part of the children of men, but only to a little flock, a small remnant of mankind, Luke 12. 32. Joh. 17. 9.
Fourthly, The riches of grace are manifested in remission, if we consider the subjects of this privilege, who are not only equally plunged into sin and misery with others by nature, Eph. 2. 3. but many of the Lords pardoned ones are actually guilty of deeper-died abominations, than many unpardoned ones in the civilized world are defiled with. To me (saith Paul) the greatest of sinners, one that was before a blasphemer, a persecutor, &c. yet to me is this grace given. I obtained mercy, 1 Tim. 1. 15. and such were some of you, but ye are justified, 1 Cor. 6. 11. Yea, God singles out the most base, despised, poor, and contemptible ones among men, to be the subjects of this glorious privilege,