A39669:232
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.
First, From the Communion which is betwixt Christ and believers: in this the Apostle is express, 1 Joh. 1. 3. truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his son Jesus Christ: [Greek or Hebrew]. It signifies such fellowship or Copartnership as persons have by a joint interest in one and the same enjoyment, which is in common betwixt them. So Heb. 3. 14. we are [Greek or Hebrew], 1partakers of Christ, and Psal. 45. 7. [Greek or Hebrew] here the Saints are called the companions, consorts, or fellows of Christ: and that not only in respect of his assumption of our mortality, and investing us with his immortality; but it hath a special reference and respect to the Unction of the Holy Ghost, or graces of the Spirit of which believers are partakers with him and through him. Now this Communion of the Saints with Christ is entirely and necessarily dependant upon their Union with him, even as much as the branches participation of the sap and juice, depends upon its Union and coalition with the stock: take away Union, and there can be no communion, or communications, which is clear from 1 Cor. 3. 22, 23. All is yours, and ye are Christs, and Christ is Gods: where you see how all our participation of Christs benefits, is built upon our Union with Christs person.
First, From the Communion which is betwixt Christ and believers: in this the Apostle is express, 1 Joh. 1. 3. truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his son Jesus Christ: 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. It signifies such fellowship or Copartnership as persons have by a joynt interest in one and the same enjoyment, which is in common betwixt them. So Heb. 3. 14. we are 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, 1