Happiness of Enjoying & Making a True & Speedy Use of Christ

Alexander Grosse (1596-1654) was an able Puritan minister of presbyterian persuasion who wrote eight influential books from 1632 to 1656, none of which have been reprinted until now. This book, with its intriguing title about making a speedy use of Christ in every situation, is based on Colossians 2:9-10, For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.

Grosse first sets forth Christ’s fullness as above all created fullness and shows us the emptiness of everything compared to Christ. He contrasts the folly of not cleaving to and contenting ourselves with Christ to the wisdom of valuing Christ above all else. He then expounds how sinners come to Christ and obtain a saving interest in Him.

Next, Grosse stresses how to make use of Christ and how to constantly submit to Him. He stresses the joy of those who are partakers of Christ and shows how believers mature spiritually by communion with Him. Their fullness flows out of apprehending the fullness of Christ. Finally, he expounds four marks that evidence the fullness of believers and provides four motives to labor for more mature fullness in personal spiritual life in and through Christ. Two appendices are added to this excellent, experiential Christ-exalting book–the first on the danger of neglecting Christ and the opportunity of grace and the second on the Lord Jesus as the soul’s sure and last refuge.