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.
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.
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,
. 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,
. 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,
whereby 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.
3. The gospel is called grace; because it is the instrument under the Spirit of God of bestowing the benefits of free grace upon us. It is an invitation to the benefits of free grace: and it is our warrant of receiving those benefits, ⟨p. 88⟩and of applying them. The Gospel is not only a story to tell us what is done, and what is obtained for believers; but it is a Testament to cause and to show unto us our interest in them by Faith. We shall lay hold upon it, when he who Ordained the Gospel doth accompany it. The Gospel brings Salvation, Tit. 2.11. Therefore the Gospel is called the Ministration of Righteousness, and the Ministration of the Spirit. 2 Cor. 3.8, 9. The Instrument made use of by the Spirit of God for enabling us to apply the Righteousness of Christ, and all the benefits of Free Grace contained in it. And so I have opened the first thing in the Exhortation, and shown what we are to understand by the Grace of God, even the Doctrine of the Gospel.
3. The gospel is called grace; because it is the instrument under the Spirit of God of bestowing the benefits of free grace upon us. It is an invitation to the benefits of free grace: and it is our warrant of receiving those benefits, ⟨p. 88⟩and of applying them. The Gospel is not only a story to tell us what is done, and what is obtained for believers; but it is a Testament to cause and to shew unto us our interest in them by Faith. We shall lay hold upon it, when he who Ordained the Gospel doth accompany it. The Gospel brings Salvation, Tit. 2.11. Therefore the Gospel is called the Ministration of Righteousness, and the Ministration of the Spirit. 2 Cor. 3.8, 9. The Instrument made use of by the Spirit of God for enabling us to apply the Righteousness of Christ, and all the benefits of Free Grace contained in it. And so I have opened the first thing in the Exhortation, and shewn vvhat vve are to understand by the Grace of God, even the Doctrine of the Gospel.
How is the Doctrine of the Gospel said to be received in vain? In the Greek it is [[Greek or Hebrew].] The word signifies to receive it emptily, unfruitfully, unprofitably; and indeed so it is too often received. It is true the Gospel is to be received, and it cannot save us unless it be received; and therefore you read several times in the Scripture of receiving it, Mat. 13.23. The receiving of the seed into good ground: Act. 22.41. They received the word of God gladly: And in Act. 11.1. The Gentiles received the word: And in Act. 17.11. They received the word with all cheerfulness. So in 1 Thes. 1.6. They received the word in much affliction.
How is the Doctrine of the Gospel said to be received in vain? In the Greek it is [〈non-Latin alphabet〉.] The word signifies to receive it emptily, unfruitfully, unprofitably; and indeed so it is too often received. It is true the Gospel is to be received, and it cannot save us unless it be received; and therefore you read several times in the Scripture of receiving it, Mat. 13.23. The receiving of the seed into good ground: Act. 22.41. They received the word of God gladly: And in Act. 11.1. The Gentiles received the word: And in Act. 17.11. They received the word with all chearfulness. So in 1 Thes. 1.6. They received the word in much affliction.
But as the Gospel must be received, so it may be received unprofitably, ineffectually, and in vain. And for the opening of this, the Gospel may be said to be received in vain in two respects,
And that is, When we receive the Gospel; but not with an Empty hand. When the grace of the Gospel is not so received, as to be empty of the the opinion of our own works and righteousness: This is a vain empty reception; for the Rich are sent Empty away.
2. It is received in vain when it is not received with the highest Estimation and Valuation; 1When it is not looked upon to be worthy of all acceptation as the Apostle expresseth it; When it is not received as a Pearl, as a Jewel of greatest price; If all be not sold for it, soon will it be left for any thing.
2. It is received in vain when it is not received with the highest Estimation and Valuation; 1When it is not looked upon to be worthy of all acceptation as the Apostle expresseth it; When it is not received as a Pearl, as a Jewel of greatest price; If all be not sold for it, soon will it be left fot any thing.
3. When it is not received with the greatest ardency of desire, with hungering and thirsting after the benefits contained in it. All the inclinations of our souls towards all Earthly objects we owe to the benefits of the Gospel; which if we pursue not ardently, we shall never procure successfully.
3. When it is not received vvith the greatest ardency of desire, with hungring and thirsting after the benefits contained in it. All the inclinations of our souls towards all Earthly objects we owe to the benefits of the Gospel; which if vve pursue not ardently, we shall never procure succesfully.
4. When we do not receive it with a particular fiducial application of Jesus Christ upon the warrant of the Infallible Gospel; but only by a general assent. When we receive in into our Heads by Light; but do not receive it into our Hearts by Faith. When we do not believe with the Heart; but only assent with the head. When we receive it only into our Ears, and into our lips, and into our Professions; but dot receive it as the good seed, which is to be laid up in the furrows and the soil of the soul. Thus the Gospel is received in vain in regard of the manner of receiving it.
4. When we do not receive it with a particular fiducial application of Jesus Christ upon the warrant of the Infallible Gospel; but only by a general assent. When vve receive in into our Heads by Light; but do not receive it into our Hearts by Faith. When vve do not believe with the Heart; but only assent vvith the head. When we receive it only into our Ears, and into our lips, and into our Professions; but dot receive it as the good seed, vvhich is to be laid up in the furrows and the soil of the soul. Thus the Gospel is received in vain in regard of the manner of receiving it.
1. When it is not received so as to purify the heart, as to kill corruption: when this grace of God doth not teach us effectually to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts: when men will have an Angelical Gospel, but will live Diabolical lives: when they are not thrown into the mould of the Gospel, and have not Hearts and practices suitable to it.
1. When it is not received so as to purifie the heart, as to kill corruption: when this grace of God doth not teach us effectually to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts: when men will have an Angelical Gospel, but will live Diabolical lives: when they are not thrown into the mould of the Gospel, and have not Hearts and practices sutable to it.
