2. The gospel is called grace, because the subject matter of the gospel is grace. Whatever it is the gospel promiseth, whatever privilege or saving benefit is contained in the gospel, is all from grace, we are justified freely by his grace, Rom. 3.24. Forgiveness of sin, it is said to be from his rich grace, Eph. 1.7. Eternal life, it is the free gift of God. Effectual vocation, saving conversion is merely from grace. We are called according to his purpose, and grace; not according to our works, 2 Tim. 1.9. To you it is given to believe, Phil. 1.29. God giveth repentance, 2 Tim. 2.25. he called me by his grace, Gal. 3.15. 1 Pet. 3.7. the Saints are heirs of grace. Christ himself, that obtained all the privileges of the gospel for us, was sent as a token of free grace, free favour, through the tender mercy of God, 1whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us. So God loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son. Christ's whole work was to love, and his whole love was free. We purchase nothing without leaving of our money behind us. All his saved ones have nothing of their own but impotency and antipathy, nothing of their own to move God to save them. The Law discovers God's will, and the gospel discovers his good will.
2. The gospel is called grace, because the subject matter of the gospel is grace. Whatever it is the gospel promiseth, whatever priviledge or saving benefit is contained in the gospel, is all from grace, we are justified freely by his grace, Rom. 3.24. Forgiveness of sin, it is said to be from his rich grace, Eph. 1.7. Eternal life, it is the free gift of God. Effectual vocation, saving conversion is meerly from grace. We are called according to his purpose, and grace; not according to our works, 2 Tim. 1.9. To you it is given to believe, Phil. 1.29. God giveth repentance, 2 Tim. 2.25. he called me by his grace, Gal. 3.15. 1 Pet. 3.7. the Saints are heirs of grace. Christ himself, that obtained all the priviledges of the gospel for us, was sent as a token of free grace, free favour, through the tender mercy of God, 1whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us. So God loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son. Christ's whole work was to love, and his whole love was free. We purchase nothing without leaving of our money behind us. All his saved ones have nothing of their own but impotency and antipathy, nothing of their own to move God to save them. The Law discovers God's will, and the gospel discovers his good will.
- 1Luk 1.7.8. Joh 3.16.
