An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

I have spoken to this truth in Paul's case, and therefore shall be brief. Only the reason why God may build his house of such crooked timber, and make his Temple of such rough stones, may be to show the freeness of his grace, and the efficacy of it. Both which are opposed by Arminians and Papists, but gladly acknowledged by the godly man, who hath had experience of it. For the freeness of Gods grace, that is seen two ways, Absolutely and Comparatively. Absolutely; For when God shall call such to himself, who are so utter unworthy, that deserve all the vengeance and wrath God can inflict upon them, this must discover grace to be exceeding free, and gracious. In stead therefore of the curses of the Law, thou meetest with the promises of the Gospel. In stead of hell and damnation, God vouchsafeth Heaven and salvation. What can be freer then Gods love, and his gift herein? Thou art so far from being in a state of congruity or fitness that thou art in direct opposition and contrariety.

I have spoken to this truth in Paul's case, and therefore shall be brief. Only the reason why God may build his house of such crooked timber, and make his Temple of such rough stones, may be to shew the freeness of his grace, and the efficacy of it. Both which are opposed by Arminians and Papists, but gladly acknowledged by the godly man, who hath had experience of it. For the freenesse of Gods grace, that is seen two wayes, Absolutely and Comparatively. Absolutely; For when God shall call such to himself, who are so utter unworthy, that deserve all the vengeance and wrath God can inflict upon them, this must discover grace to be exceeding free, and gracious. In stead therefore of the curses of the Law, thou meetes• with the promises of the Gospel. In stead of hell and damnation, God vouchsafeth Heaven and salvation. What can be freer then Gods love, and his gift herein? Thou art so farre from being in a state of congruity or fitness that thou art in direct opposition and contrariety.

Again, The grace of God is manifested to be free comparatively. For who can give a reason, why God calleth these Corinthians, and not Athenians? Were the Corinthians the only deserving men in the world? Yea, there were more civil and moral people than they; yet to these, and not to many others is the grace of God communicated. Is not that admirable which our Saviour speaks of Chorazin and Bethsaida. That if such things had been done in Tyre and Zidon (