From this observation of the way of preaching, which the Prophets, Christ, and all his Apostles took, I have wondered what our Ministers of late did mean, that they could not be content to preach as the Prophets, Christ, and his Apostles did, but must thus puzzle, perplex and grieve the spirits of Christians, who truly close with, and love Christ, with their strains and notions, which neither Prophets, Christ, nor his Apostles, ever delivered. God from eternity did intend the manifestation of the glory of his Mercy (mixed with Justice in our for ever blessed Surety) in some persons: This is the end he propounds, and this end this efficient, who propounds it will take care that it be brought about; it lieth upon the Efficient who propounds it to himself, to effect it; in order to this end, he creates man (though creation serves for a means as well for the manifestation of Justice as Mercy) in a pure estate, makes a Covenant with ⟨p. 222⟩him, leaves him to his own will, permits the fall (I purposely avoid disputes about the fall, but permission I think will not be quarrelled with, though I know what disputes there are here also) being fallen, 1he sends a Redeemer, gives faith in him, justification, pardon, holiness, renewing of nature, rewarding faith and obedience (continued in to the last) with salvation and glory. All these being means to bring about this end, the manifestation of the glory of his Grace, mixed with Justice. All these means lye in the Efficients hand, one way or other (for he did not concur to the fall, as he doth in other means) so to order them, that be sure he fails not of the end he propounded: God cannot send a Redeemer, give faith in him, justification, peace, pardon, holiness, perseverance in all, with salvation to crown all, but his end must of necessity appear; so that he cannot fail of his end. The believer, pardoned, redeemed, sanctified, saved, doth give him the glory of this Grace, and serves his end; the Efficient hath his end: In the work of faith, and obedience, walking with God, there I set God above my self, above my own will and lusts; so in parting with any thing that is lawful to enjoy, any creature comfort, when it comes to be opposite to God, here the glory of God is above me; here lieth my duty: this serves as means to that end; this is his gift, he is the principal Efficient as the first cause, though formally:
From this observation of the way of preaching, which the Prophets, Christ, and all his Apostles took, I have wondered what our Ministers of late did mean, that they could not be content to preach as the Prophets, Christ, and his Apostles did, but must thus puzzle, perplex and grieve the spirits of Christians, who truly close with, and love Christ, with their strains and notions, which neither Prophets, Christ, nor his Apostles, ever delivered. God from eternity did intend the manifestation of the glory of his Mercy (mixed with Justice in our for ever blessed Surety) in some persons: This is the end he propounds, and this end this efficient, who propounds it will take care that it be brought about; it lyeth upon the Efficient who propounds it to himself, to effect it; in order to this end, he creates man (though creation serves for a means as well for the manifestation of Justice as Mercy) in a pure estate, makes a Covenant with ⟨p. 222⟩him, leaves him to his own will, permits the fall (I purposely avoid disputes about the fall, but permission I think will not be quarrell'd with, though I know what disputes there are here also) being fallen, 1he sends a Redeemer, gives faith in him, justification, pardon, holiness, renewing of nature, rewarding faith and obedience (continued in to the last) with salvation and glory. All these being means to bring about this end, the manifestation of the glory of his Grace, mixed with Justice. All these means lye in the Efficients hand, one way or other (for he did not concur to the fall, as he doth in other means) so to order them, that be sure he fails not of the end he propounded: God cannot send a Redeemer, give faith in him, justification, peace, pardon, holiness, perseverance in all, with salvation to crown all, but his end must of necessity appear; so that he cannot fail of his end. The believer, pardoned, redeemed, sanctified, saved, doth give him the glory of this Grace, and serves his end; the Efficient hath his end: In the work of faith, and obedience, walking with God, there I set God above my self, above my own will and lusts; so in parting with any thing that is lawful to enjoy, any creature comfort, when it comes to be opposite to God, here the glory of God is above me; here lieth my duty: this serves as means to that end; this is his gift, he is the principal Efficient as the first cause, though formally:
- 1See Bradward. de causa Dei l. 1. cap. 33.
