A discourse of the saving grace of God

Obj. If Salvation be of Grace, it must be a free Gift, offered and given freely: But we see in Scripture (and the Promises of saving Mercy make it plain) that it is offered, and so given upon Terms and Conditions required of those that will be Saved. The Promises are many of of them expressly Conditional; and so will the Covenant of Grace be, of which the Promises are but several Articles. Now that which is not Given or Promised, ⟨p. 121⟩but upon Terms and Conditions, seems not to be given or offered freely; the more Conditional, the less Free and Gracious.

Obj. If Salvation be of Grace, it must be a free Gift, offered and given freely: But we see in Scripture (and the Promises of saving Mercy make it plain) that it is offered, and so given upon Terms and Conditions required of those that will be Saved. The Promises are many of of them expresly Conditional; and so will the Covenant of Grace be, of which the Promises are but several Articles. Now that which is not Given or Promised, ⟨p. 121⟩but upon Terms and Conditions, seems not to be given or offered freely; the more Conditional, the less Free and Gracious.

Answ. The Offers of Salvation, the Promises of saving Mercies, notwithstanding any Conditionalness in them, any Terms annexed, are free and gracious, upon a manifold account: for in many cases, Conditions or Terms do not hinder a Grant or Promise from being free.

1. If the Condition be so only in respect of outward Form and Manner of Proposal, not properly and really: For then it seems to be a Condition, but is not strictly. So here: Gospel Promises are Conditional [Greek or Hebrew], not [Greek or Hebrew], quoad externam formam & modum proponendi, not propriè & quoad rigorem: as to manner of proposal they seem Conditional; but examine them by the Laws of Conditions, and they will be found rather Absolute. If the denomination must be taken à majori, or à potiori, if the Number or Weight will carry it, bring them to the Test, examine why they should be counted Conditional or Absolute; and it will be found, that in more respects, and for more weighty Considerations they ought