4 We should especially be moved to seek this grace of God to our selves, as the sufficient and the only happiness in the world. Col. 1.6. Now that this point may the more effectually be understood, I will show you how this grace of God ⟨p. 167⟩comes to men; and then what we should strive to be, that we may be sure to receive the comfort of it, that God is gracious to us. For the first, we must know, that all grace from God is given to Jesus Christ, and comes by him, John 1.17. and therefore called the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the blessing at the end of the Epistles. Without Christ, no grace can come to sinful men. Further we must again know, that the grace of God is extended unto us from Christ, by the Gospel, that brings the doctrine of it to us: therefore is the word called the word of his grace, and the Gospel the Gospel of the grace of God. And yet further we must know, that there must be wrought in us that supernatural gift of faith, by which only we can be capable to receive this grace of God: we have our access only by faith, Rom. 5.2. Now for the second point, there are many things God stands upon to find in the persons, that should receive the comfort of his grace; not for the merit of them, but for the honour of his own grace, that it be not abused: As first, we see by that which went before, we must have faith to believe and apply to our selves the doctrine of Gods grace. Secondly, we must be good men: not such as are men of wicked devises, or such as make a mock of sin; but such as are careful in all their ways to avoid what may displease so gracious a God, Prov. 12.2. & 14.9. Tit. 2.11, 12. Thirdly, we must be lowly and humble persons, that attribute nothing to our selves, but all to Gods goodness, Prov. 3.34. Jam. 4.6. 1. Pet. 5. And therefore it concerns all Christians to take heed, that they rest not in the hearing of the doctrine of Gods grace, but must labour truly and effectually to know Gods grace to themselves, Col. 1.6.
4 We should especially be moved to seeke this grace of God to our selves, as the sufficient and the onely happinesse in the world. Col. 1.6. Now that this point may the more effectually be understood, I will shew you how this grace of God ⟨p. 167⟩comes to men; and then what we should strive to be, that we may be sure to receive the comfort of it, that God is gracious to us. For the first, we must know, that all grace from God is given to Iesus Christ, and comes by him, Iohn 1.17. and therefore called the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ, in the blessing at the end of the Epistles. Without Christ, no grace can come to sinfull men. Further we must againe know, that the grace of God is extended unto us from Christ, by the Gospel, that brings the doctrine of it to us: therefore is the word called the word of his grace, and the Gospel the Gospel of the grace of God. And yet further wee must know, that there must bee wrought in us that supernaturall gift of faith, by which onely we can be capable to receive this grace of God: we have our accesse onely by faith, Rom. 5.2. Now for the second point, there are many things God stands upon to finde in the persons, that should receive the comfort of his grace; not for the merit of them, but for the honour of his owne grace, that it be not abused: As first, wee see by that which went before, wee must have faith to believe and apply to our selves the doctrine of Gods grace. Secondly, wee must bee good men: not such as are men of wicked devises, or such as make a mocke of sinne; but such as are carefull in all their waies to avoid what may displease so gracious a God, Prov. 12.2. & 14.9. Tit. 2.11, 12. Thirdly, wee must be lowly and humble persons, that attribute nothing to our selves, but all to Gods goodnesse, Prov. 3.34. Iam. 4.6. 1. Pet. 5. And therefore it concernes all Christians to take heed, that they rest not in the hearing of the doctrine of Gods grace, but must labour truly and effectually to know Gods grace to themselves,
