A39669:690
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.
The Gospel offer of Christ includes all his offices, and Gospel faith just so receives him, to submit to him, as well as to be redeemed by him: to imitate him in the holiness of his life, as well as to reap the purchases and fruits of his death. It must be an entire receiving of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thirdly, Christ is offered to us in the Gospel exclusively, 1as the alone and only saviour of sinners; with whose blood 2and intercession nothing is to be mixed: but the foul of a sinner is singly to rely and depend on him and no other. Acts 4. 2. 1 Cor. 3. 11. and so faith receives him, Psal. 71. 16. I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only. Phil. 3. 9. And be found in him not having my own righteousness which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Christ: to depend partly upon Christs righteousness, and partly upon our own, is to set one foot upon a rock, and the other in a quick-sand: either Christ will be to us all in all, or nothing at all in point of righteousness and salvation: he affects not social honour: as he did the whole work, so he expects the sole praise: if he be not able to save to the uttermost, why do we depend upon him at all? and if he be, why do we lean upon any beside him?
- 13.
- 2A man may as lawfully join Saints or Angels in his mediation with Christ, as graces. It is gross idolatry to make the works of God a God: and it is but a more subtle Idolatry to make the works of Christ a Christ. Burges de Lege.