A discourse of the saving grace of God

So it is likewise in the Promises and the Covenant of Grace, styled Everlasting; everlasting Truth and Faithfulness being engaged for the Performance of it, Jer. 32. 39, 40. Ezek. 36. 26, 27. Every Clause of this may prove false, and not be fulfilled to any one Person in the World: For, with them, the Lord does nothing which will certainly change the Hearts of Men, but only offers Arguments to move them to renew their own Hearts; and so leaves it to the arbitrement of their own Wills, whether ever the Promise shall take effect or not. Now, if it were possible, that it should prove true, that Man should make himself a New Heart; yet it is more likely that it should prove false, because Mans corrupt Will, to which it is left, is more inclined to make ⟨p. 104⟩it false than true. Take it at the best, to make the Truth of God in the everlasting Covenant to depend on Mans Will, supposing it indifferent, is bad enough: For if it be indifferent whether God shall be True or no, it must be indifferent whether he be God or no.

So it is likewise in the Promises and the Covenant of Grace, styled Everlasting; everlasting Truth and Faithfulness being ingaged for the Performance of it, Jer. 32. 39, 40. Ezek. 36. 26, 27. Every Clause of this may prove false, and not be fulfilled to any one Person in the World: For, with them, the Lord does nothing which will certainly change the Hearts of Men, but only offers Arguments to move them to renew their own Hearts; and so leaves it to the arbitrement of their own Wills, whether ever the Promise shall take effect or not. Now, if it were possible, that it should prove true, that Man should make himself a New Heart; yet it is more likely that it should prove false, because Mans corrupt Will, to which it is left, is more inclined to make ⟨p. 104⟩it false than true. Take it at the best, to make the Truth of God in the everlasting Covenant to depend on Mans Will, supposing it indifferent, is bad enough: For if it be indifferent whether God shall be True or no, it must be indifferent whether he be God or no.