A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…

Thus I have shown what is meant by the Grace of God, and what by the receiving of it in vain. And this shall serve for explaining the Exhortation (the first part) Receive not the Grace of God in vain.

Thus I have shewn what is meant by the Grace of God, and whar by the receiving of it in vain. And this shall serve for explaining the Exhortation (the first part) Receive not the Grace of God in vain.

The second part to be opened, is that which contains the reasons of this Exhortation: Sect. 4 and they are these two,

1. The First is the reason of the Apostles giving this Exhortation or caution against the receiving of the Grace of God in vain: namely, because we are (saith he) workers together. We read it workers together with him: but in the greek 'tis only workers together, not with him. And there are several expositions given of this expression (workers together) Calvin ⟨p. 90⟩thinks that this (working together) doth intend the working together with the doctrine delivered by the Apostle: As if the Apostle intended, that it was his duty, not only to deliver the Truths and the Doctrines of the gospel; but to work together with those Truths and Doctrines, by way of urging, and exhorting, or by urging those Doctrines with Exhortations to make them effectual, and therefore, saith he, Non satis est docere nisi urgeas: It is not enough Doctrinally to inform people what is the Truth; but we must Urge it upon them with motives, inducements, and persuasions, that may make the Doctrine embraced. And the Syriac seems to favour this Exposition, which renders the word [Greek or Hebrew] (working together) promoventes hoc negotium; as if the work of Doctrinal information were to be promoted by arguments and incitements to the embracing of the Truth. Others conceive that this (working together) is to be referred to the common mutual endeavours of Ministers, who are to be fellow-helpers one with another; as if the Apostle had said, All we Ministers, working together to further our Master's work in the conversion and Salvation of your Souls, beseech you, &c. Chrysostom refers this (working together) to the mutual endeavours of Ministers and People, as if Paul had said, We Apostles work together with you, to whom we preach, in this work of your receiving the grace of God, by our exhortations to incite you to comply with the duties propounded in the gospel. Our English interpreters by putting in these words (with him) understand the Apostle to intend a working together with God; and indeed Ministers are called Labourers with God.