A second volume of discourses or sermons on several scriptures

The Second Question is, Whether the Grace of God be so free as to require no Conditions on our part. Of gifts, some ⟨p. 18⟩are bestowed absolutely without any terms of Agreement. And some are Conditional upon the performance of such Stipulations and Conditions, without which they shall not be bestowed; of which sort is this Grace of God.

¹I Answer, First, The Sanctifying and Regenerating Grace of God, whereby the great Change is wrought upon our Hearts, in our first Conversion and turning unto God, is given absolutely, and depends not upon the performance of any Conditions. Indeed we are commanded to make use of means for the getting true and saving Grace wrought in us; but these means are not Conditions for the obtaining of that Grace: For the Nature of Conditions are such, that the benefits which depend upon them are never bestowed, but where the Conditions are first performed. And therefore we call Faith and Repentance Conditions of Eternal Life, because eternal Life is never conferred upon any who did not first believe and repent. But now certain it is, God hath converted some without the use of ordinary means, as St. Paul, and the Thief on the Cross. ⟨p. 19⟩Therefore though we are commanded to use the means; yet the use of Means and Ordinances, cannot be called Conditions of our Regeneration. And indeed, if any thing could be supposed a Condition of obtaining Grace, it must either be a work of Nature, or a work of Grace. Now a work of Grace it cannot be till Grace be wrought; and to go about to make a work of Nature a Condition of Grace, it is to go about to revive that old Error of the Pelagians, for which they stand Anathematized in Count Palestine many Years since. Sanctifying Grace is given freely, excepted from any Conditions, though not excepted from the use of means.

¹I Answer, First, The Sanctifying and Regenerating Grace of God, whereby the great Change is wrought upon our Hearts, in our first Conversion and turning unto God, is given absolutely, and depends not upon the performance of any Conditions. Indeed we are commanded to make use of means for the getting true and saving Grace wrought in us; but these means are not Conditions for the obtaining of that Grace: For the Nature of Conditions are such, that the benefits which depend upon them are never bestowed, but where the Conditions are first performed. And therefore we call Faith and Repentance Conditions of Eternal Life, because eternal Life is never confer'd upon any who did not first believe and repent. But now certain it is, God hath converted some without the use of ordinary means, as St. Paul, and the Thief on the Cross.