To this I answer, that it is not simply, and absolutely 1necessary, for it is not a simple grace, and therefore not necessary on Gods part. But it is a condition required on our parts, because we will not receive Christ till we be humble. I say, it is not a simple grace, or simply necessary. For that which a man may exceed in, is not simply necessary: but a man or woman may have too much of it, that is, he may exceed in the measure, he may be over humble: and therefore Paul writes unto the Corinthians, 2 Cor. 2. 7. That they should comfort the incestuous person, least he should be swallowed up of 2grief: now that which is a simple grace, a man cannot have too much of: he cannot exceed in it; as for example, a man cannot have too much faith, or repentance, or love, sanctification, &c. but the more he hath of these, the better: now, howsoever it is not simply necessary on Gods part, because he can save men without it, yet it is a necessary condition, on our parts: and in regard of us, because we will not receive Christ till we be humbled. And therefore it is, that we Preach the ⟨p. 192⟩Gospel generally sometimes, sometimes with the condition, as in Matth. 11. 28. Come unto me all that are weary and heavy laden, and I will ease you: 3till men do feel sin as a heavy burden, they will not come unto Christ to be cased of it. Again, in Revel, 22. 17. whosoever is athirst, let him come and take of the water of Life freely: except 4they first be athirst, and find they stand in need of Christ, they will not come unto him to be refreshed. Again, sometimes it is put without any condition, except faith: Revel. 22. and whosoever will, let him take of the water of Life freely, that is, whosoever hath a desire to come unto Christ, let him come and he shall have him without any exception of persons or condition, He that believeth shall be saved, and he that believeth not shall be damned: bring true, saving, purging, working Justifying faith, and thou shalt have Christ and salvation: where there is no mention of humiliation. For there may we know, be seedings, without ploughing, and there may be ploughing and yet no sowing, and sowing and no reaping, so I say, there may be saving and sanctifying grace wrought in the heart without humiliation; and again, there may be humiliation and no true grace at all, or general graces, but not special and saving graces:
To this I answer, that it is not simply, and absolutely 1necessary, for it is not a simple grace, and therefore not necessary on Gods part. But it is a condition required on our parts, because we will not receive Christ till we be humble. I say, it is not a simple grace, or simply necessary. For that which a man may exceede in, is not simply necessary: but a man or woman may have too much of it, that is, he may exceed in the measure, he may be over humble: and therefore Paul writes unto the Corinthians, 2 Cor. 2. 7. That they should comfort the incestious person, least hee should bee swallowed up of 2griefe: now that which is a simple grace, a man cannot have too much of: hee cannot exceed in it; as for example, a man cannot have too much faith, or repentance, or love, sanctification, &c. but the more hee hath of these, the better: now, howsoever it is not simply necessary on Gods part, because hee can save men without it, yet it is a necessary condition, on our parts: and in regard of us, because we will not receive Christ till we be humbled. And therefore it is, that we Preach the ⟨p. 192⟩Gospell generally sometimes, sometimes with the condition, as in Matth. 11. 28. Come unto mee all that are weary and heavy laden, and I will ease you: 3till men doe feele sinne as a heavy burthen, they will not come unto Christ to bee cased of it. Againe, in Revel, 22. 17. whosoever is athirst, let him come and take of the water of Life freely: except 4they first be athirst, and finde they stand in need of Christ, they will not come unto him to be refreshed. Againe, sometimes it is put without any condition, except faith: Revel. 22. and whosoever will, let him take of the water of Life freely, that is, whosoever hath a desire to come unto Christ, let him come and he shall have him without any exception of persons or condition, Hee that beleeveth shall bee saved, and hee that beleeveth not shall bee damned: bring true, saving, purging, working Iustifying faith, and thou shalt have Christ and salvation: where there is no mention of humiliation. For there may wee know, be seedings, without plowing, and there may be plowing and yet no sowing, and sowing and no reaping, so I say, there may bee saving and sanctifying grace wrought in the heart without humiliation; and againe, there may be humiliation and no true grace at all, or generall graces, but not speciall and saving graces:
- 1Quest. 2.
- 22 Cor. 2. 7.
- 3Matth. 11. 28.
- 4Revel. 22. 17.
