A discourse of the saving grace of God

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 ⟨p. 122⟩to pass for Absolute, rather than Conditional, in the Pelagian sense; so no reason to question their Freeness.

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 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, not 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, quoad externam formam & modum proponendi, not propriè & quoad rigorem: as to manner of proposal they seem Conditional; but examin 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, examin why they should be counted Conditional or Absolute; and it will be found, that in more respects, and for more weighty Considerations they ought ⟨p. 122⟩to pass for Absolute, rather than Conditional, in the Pelagian sense; so no reason to question their Freeness.

2. If the Condition be our Duty. If such, as when we perform it we do nothing but what we owe, and the Promiser owes nothing to us for doing it; then, if he promise any thing, he promises freely. It is promissio indebita pro opere debito, that is gratuita. That which is not ex debito is gratuito. These are opposed,