A39669:329
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.
IF God be upon a design of marrying poor sinners to his Son, there must be a treaty in order to it: that treaty requires interlocution betwixt both the parties concerned in it: but such is our frailty, that should God speak immediately to us himself, it would confound and overwhelm us: God therefore graciously condescends and accommodates himself to our infirmity, in treating with us in order to our Union with Christ by his Ambassadors, and these not Angels whose converses we cannot bear, but men like our selves who are commissionated for the effecting of this great business betwixt Christ and us. Now then we are Ambassadors for God, &c. In which words you have
First, Christs Ambassadors commissionated.
Secondly, Their Commission opened.
First, Christs Ambassadors commissionated. Now then we are Ambassadors for Christ. The Lord Jesus thought it not sufficient to print the law of grace, and blessed terms of our Union with him in the scriptures, where men may read his willingness to receive them, and see the just and gracious terms and conditions upon which he offers to become theirs; but hath also set up and established a standing office in the Church to expound that Law, inculcate the precepts, and urge the promises thereof: to woo and espouse souls to Christ, I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ,