Fourthly, The Gospel must be preached to Sinners as they are Sinners, without distinction of Elector Reprobate; because neither the one not yet the other (as considered under these simple Acts) are fit subjects to embrace the Gospel: for neither the one Act, nor yet the other, doth make either of them Sinners; but the Gospel is to be tendered to men as they are Sinners, and personally under the curse of God for sin: Wherefore to proffer Grace to the Elect because they are Elect, it is to proffer Grace and Mercy to them, as not considering them as Sinners. And, I say, to deny it to the Reprobate, because he is not Elected, it is not only a denial of Grace to them that have no need thereof, but also before occasion is given on their part, for such a Dispensation. And I say again, therefore, to offer Christ and Grace to man Elect, as simply so considered, this administers to him no comfort at all, he being here no Sinner; and so engageth not the heart at all to Jesus Christ; for that comes in, and is effected on them as they are Sinners. Yea, to deny the Gospel also to the Reprobate, because he is not Elect, it will not trouble him at all; for saith he, So I am not a Sinner, and so do not need a Saviour. But now, because the Elect have no need of Grace in Christ by the Gospel, but as they are Sinners, nor the Reprobates cause to refuse it as they are Sinners; therefore Christ by the Word of the Gospel, is to be proffered to both, without considering Elect or Reprobate, even as they are Sinners. The whole have no need of the Physician, but those that are sick. I came not to call the Righteous, but Sinners to Repentance. 2 Cor. 5.14, 15. Luk. 7.46, 47. Mark 2.17.
Fourthly, The Gospel must be preached to Sinners as they are Sinners, without distinction of Elector Reprobate; because neither the one not yet the other (as considered under these simple Acts) are fit subjects to embrace the Gospel: for neither the one Act, nor yet the other, doth make either of them Sinners; but the Gospel is to be tender'd to men as they are Sinners, and personally under the curse of God for sin: Wherefore to profer Grace to the Elect because they are Elect, it is to profer Grace and Mercy to them, as not considering them as Sinners. And, I say, to deny it to the Reprobate, because he is not Elected, it is not only a denyal of Grace to them that have no need thereof, but also before occasion is given on their part, for such a Dispensation. And I say again, therefore, to offer Christ and Grace to man Elect, as simply so considered, this administers to him no comfort at all, he being here no Sinner; and so engageth not the heart at all to Jesus Christ; for that comes in, and is effected on them as they are Sinners. Yea, to deny the Gospel also to the Reprobate, because he is not Elect, it will not trouble him at all; for saith he, So I am not a Sinner, and so do not need a Saviour. But now, because the Elect have no need of Grace in Christ by the Gospel, but as they are Sinners, nor the Reprobates cause to refuse it as they are Sinners; therefore Christ by the Word of the Gospel, is to be profered to both, without considering Elect or Reprobate, even as they are Sinners. The whole have no need of the Physitian, but those that are sick. I came not to call the Righteous, but Sinners to Repentance. 2 Cor. 5.14, 15. Luk. 7.46, 47. Mark 2.17.
