A25478:349
A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…
A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically resolved by sundry ministers
London: printed for Thomas Cockerill, 1676
Sermon 4: Now is the time. OR, Instructions for the present improving the season of Grace. Serm. IV.
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.
First, what is meant by the Grace of God.
You are here to understand by grace the Doctrine of the Gospel, frequently Sect. 2 and fitly in the Scripture called grace, as in Eph. 3.2, Col. 1.6. Act. 20.32. Tit. 2.11. and in sundry other Scriptures the doctrine of the Gospel is called grace. And it is called by that name, for these three reasons.
1. Because it is graciously and out of the free favour of God bestowed. Why it is bestowed at all, 'tis from grace: why it is bestowed upon one age or place rather than other, 'tis only from God's free grace and favour, Rom. 16.25, 26. It is there said to be a mystery kept secret since the world began, but now made manifest. And that in Isa. 65.1. I said, Behold me, to a nation that was not called by my name. To these God was pleased by the gospel to say, Behold me. He was found of those that sought him not. God's argument to bestow the gospel of life upon a person, or a family, or a place, is merely from his own free good will.