A practical commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and uses upon the first…A practicall commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and vses upon the first…

Use 1. To reprove the Papists and Pelagians, that have attributed the efficacy of grace to other causes. If you should ask the Pelagians of old, & their followers at this day, what is the reason why Peter accepts Gods love. Simon Magus refuseth it? They would say, the one was willing to accept the offer, the other not: Well then, the efficacy of grace consists in our wills, then we begin first. Many of the Papists say the same, but the more moderate amongst them ask them why Peter accepts grace, Simon Magus refuseth it? they say the grace offered was sufficient for them both; but God offered it to Peter in a fit time and place, when his heart was free from temptation; but it was offered to Simon Magus at such a time, when his heart was carried away with the love of money: But the true cause was, Gods first love to Peter, that made him love God again; should God wait for times and opportunities? why, at the best time, mens hearts will find some evasions; if God should stay for a fit time, he should never find it, for Christians can tell, God took hold on them, when their hearts were most undisposed to it. How long is it before they can be convinced of their dangerous estate, or will be brought on to seek for help, till God awaken their hearts and open their eyes, so that they would be glad to see one glimpse of favour? why, tell them of never so fair promises, they cannot be brought to embrace them; so that unless God mightily draws us to it, we should never come on to accept of the offer of grace; but we therefore love God, because by his preventing love he brought us to that, which of our selves we could never have been brought to.

Ʋse 1. To reprove the Papists and Pelagians, that have attributed the efficacy of grace to other causes. If you should ask the Pelagians of old, & their followers at this day, what is the reason why Peter accepts Gods love. Simon Magus refuseth it? They would say, the one was willing to accept the offer, the other not: Well then, the efficacy of grace consists in our wils, then we begin first. Many of the Papists say the same, but the more moderate amongst them ask them why Peter accepts grace, Simon Magus refuseth it? they say the grace offered was sufficient for them both; but God offered it to Peter in a fit time and place, when his heart was free from temptation; but it was offered to Simon Magus at such a time, when his heart was carried away with the love of money: But the true cause was, Gods first love to Peter, that made him love God again; should God wait for times and opportunities? why, at the best time, mens hearts will finde some evasions; if God should stay for a fit time, he should never find it, for Christians can tell, God took hold on them, when their hearts were most undisposed to it. How long is it before they can be convinced of their dangerous estate, or will be brought on to seek for help, till God awaken their hearts and open their eyes, so that they would be glad to see one glimpse of favour? why, tell them of never so fair promises, they cannot be brought to embrace them; so that unlesse God mightily draws us to it, we should never come on to accept of the offer of grace; but we therefore love God, because by his preventing love he brought us to that, which of our selves we could never have been brought to.