A39669:1687
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.
Inference 1.
How rational is the joy of Christians, above the joy of all 1others in the world? shall not the captive rejoice in his recovered liberty? The very Birds of the air (as one observes) had rather be at liberty in the woods, though lean and hungry, than in a golden Cage with the richest fare: every creature naturally prises it, none more than Believers, who have felt the burden and bondage of corruption: who in the days of their first illumination and conviction have poured out many groans and tears for this mercy. What was said of the captive people of God in Babylon, excellently shadows forth the state of Gods people under spiritual bondage, with the way and manner of their deliverance from it, Zech. 9. 11. By the blood of thy Covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit, wherein is no water. Believers are delivered by the blood of Christ out of a worse pit than that of Babylon: and look as the Tribes in their return from thence were overwhelmed with joy and astonishment, Psal. 126. 1, 2. When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion; we were like them that dream, then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: they were overwhelmed with the sense of the mercy: so should it be with the people of God. 'Tis said, Luke 15. 24. when the Prodigal Son (there made the emblem of a returning converting sinner) was returned again to his Fathers house; that there was heard music and dancing, mirth and feasting in that house. The Angels in Heaven rejoice when a soul is recovered out of the power of Satan: and shall not the recovered soul, immediately concerned in the mercy, greatly rejoice? Yea, let them rejoice in the Lord, and let no earthly trouble or affliction ever have power to interrupt their joy for a moment after such a deliverance as this.