A39669:366
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.
That the milder attribute should be exercised to the inferior, and the severer attribute to the more excellent Creature, is just matter for eternal admiration: who would cast away vessels of gold, and save earthen potsherds! Some indeed undertake to show us the reasons why the wisdom of God made no provision for the recovery of Angels by a Mediator of reconciliation: partly from the high degree of the malignity of their sin, who sinned in the light of heaven, partly because it was decent that the first breach of the Divine Law should be punished, to secure obedience for the future. And besides, the Angelical nature was not entirely lost, Myriads of Angels still continuing in their innocency and glory: whenas all mankind was lost in Adam.
That the milder attribute should be exercised to the inferiour, and the severer attribute to the more excellent Creature, is just matter for eternal admiration: who would cast away vessels of gold, and save earthen potsherds! Some indeed undertake to shew us the reasons why the wisdom of God made no provision for the recovery of Angels by a Mediator of reconciliation: partly from the high degree of the malignity of their sin, who sinned in the light of heaven, partly because it was decent that the first breach of the Divine Law should be punished, to secure obedience for the future. And besides, the Angelical nature was not entirely lost, Myriads of Angels still continuing in their innocency and glory: whenas all mankind was lost in Adam.
But we must remember still the Law made no distinction, but awarded the same punishment, and therefore it was mercy alone that made the difference, and mercy for ever to be admired by men: how astonishing is the grace of God, that moves in a way of reconciliation to us, out of design to fill up the vacant places in heaven from which Angels fell, with such poor worms as we are! Angels excluded, and men received. O stupendous mercy!
But we must remember still the Law made no distinction, but awarded the same punishment, and therefore it was mercy alone that made the difference, and mercy for ever to be admired by men: how astonishing is the grace of God, that moves in a way of reconciliation to us, out of design to fill up the vacant places in heaven from which Angels fell, with such poor worms as we are! Angels excluded, and men received. O stupendious mercy!