A39669:681
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, That it can find nothing in Christ that is distasteful or unsuitable to it, as it doth experimentally find in the best creatures. In him is no weakness but a fullness of all saving abilities; able to save to the uttermost: no Pride causing him to scorn and contemn the most wretched soul that comes to him: no inconstancy or levity, to cause him to cast off the soul whom he hath once received: no passion, but a Lamb for meekness and patience: there is not a spot to be found in him, but he is altogether lovely, Cant. 5. 16.
First, That it can find nothing in Christ that is distastful or unsuitable to it, as it doth experimentally find in the best creatures. In him is no weakness but a fulness of all saving abilities; able to save to the uttermost: no Pride causing him to scorn and contemn the most wretched soul that comes to him: no inconstancy or levity, to cause him to cast off the soul whom he hath once received: no passion, but a Lamb for meekness and patience: there is not a spot to be found in him, but he is altogether lovely, Cant. 5. 16.
Secondly, As the believer can find nothing in Christ that is distasteful, so it finds nothing wanting in Christ that is necessary ⟨p. 120⟩or desirable: such is the fullness of wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption that is in Christ, that nothing is left to desire, but the full enjoyment of him. O saith the soul, how completely happy shall I be, if I can but win Christ! I would not envy the Nobles of the earth, were I but in Christ. I am an hungry and a thirst, and Christ is meat indeed, and drink indeed; this is the best thing in all the world for me, because so necessary, and so suitable to the needs of a soul ready to perish. I am a law-condemned, and a self-condemned sinner; trembling for fear of the execution of the curse upon me every moment; in Christ is complete righteousness to justify my soul; O there is nothing better for me than Christ. I see my self plunged both in nature and practice into the odious pollutions of sin, and in Christ is a fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness: his blood is a fountain of merit, his spirit a fountain of holiness and purity: none but Christ, none but Christ. O the manifold wisdom and unsearchable love of God to prepare, and furnish such a Christ, so fully answering all the needs, all the distresses, all the fears and burdens of a poor sinner! Thus the believing soul approves of Christ as best for it. And thus in believing it gives glory to God,