1. Upon the account of ingenuous gratitude. The terms upon which reconciliation is bestowed are all free; 'tis free not only in respect of the persons upon whom 'tis bestowed, who are weak and unworthy and polluted and opposite to God; but in respect of the terms on which it is bestowed. The terms are free terms. The old friendship between God and man was kept up by Doing; but restoring to friendship, or reconciliation, is bestowed in the way of believing. We do not buy the favour of God. 'Tis not afforded Secundum pretium, but Secundum pactum. It is not by laying down any valuable consideration for the meriting and purchasing of it; but it is in the way of doing that which God appoints, and by his free grace is pleased to condescend unto, and that is humble and thankful acceptation. If we buy it, it is with another's purse. Jesus Christ only bought it. We part with nothing for the favour of God, but what is our bane, if we keep it. We may keep all, but what will kill and damn us. Nor doth our obedience to God, when we accept of reconciliation with him through Christ, make our reconciliation less free; For the pardon of a Traitor may be free, though it be under the condition of future Loyalty. Now then what is more suitable to ingenuous gratitude, than to embrace the season of God's bestowing so free a favour? Surely, the least we can do is, to accept of that God that accepteth of us, to accept of him that is so full of loveliness and rewards, we having nothing to bring him but deformity and beggary. ⟨p. 104⟩Not to accept his favour presently argues the height of proud ingratitude; concerning which God may say, have I this for my good will? for my free grace? what not so much as accept of my favour that shall cost thee nothing? surely the least spark of holy ingenuity would prompt us to say with him in a case of infinitely lower concernment, Lord, we accept it always, with all thankfulness; what thou offerest freely I accept it readily. What beggar doth not accept of a free alms without delay, or disputation?
1. Upon the account of ingenuous gratitude. The terms upon which reconciliation is bestowed are all free; 'tis free not only in respect of the persons upon whom 'tis bestowed, who are weak and unworthy and polluted and opposite to God; but in respect of the terms on which it is bestowed. The terms are free terms. The old friendship between God and man was kept up by Doing; but restoring to friendship, or reconciliation, is bestowed in the way of believing. We do not buy the favour of God. 'Tis not afforded Secundum pretium, but Secundum pactum. It is not by laying down any valuable consideration for the meriting and purchasing of it; but it is in the way of doing that which God appoints, and by his free grace is pleased to condescend unto, and that is humble and thankful acceptation. If we buy it, it is with another's purse. Jesus Christ only bought it. We part with nothing for the favour of God, but what is our bane, if we keep it. We may keep all, but what will kill and damn us. Nor doth our obedience to God, when we accept of reconciliation with him through Christ, make our reconciliation less free; For the pardon of a Traytor may be free, though it be under the condition of future Loyalty. Now then what is more suitable to ingenuous gratitude, than to embrace the season of God's bestowing so free a favour? Surely, the least we can do is, to accept of that God that accepteth of us, to accept of him that is so full of loveliness and rewards, we having nothing to bring him but deformity and beggery. ⟨p. 104⟩Not to accept his favour presently argues the height of proud ingratitude; concerning which God may say, have I this for my good will? for my free grace? what not so much as accept of my favour that shall cost thee nothing? surely the least spark of holy ingenuity would prompt us to say with him in a case of infinitely lower concernment, Lord, we accept it always, with all thankfulness; what thou offerest freely I accept it readily. What beggar doth not accept of a free alms without delay, or disputation?
