The display of glorious grace, or, The covenant of peace opened in fourteen sermons…

V. But to proceed, 'Tis the Covenant of Grace in opposition to the Law, the Inheritance is not of the Law.¹ (1.) For if they which are of the Law be Heirs, Faith is made void, and the Promise made of none effect. Again, saith Paul, For if the Inheritance be of the Law, ²it is no more of Promise, but God gave it to Abraham by Promise. What is the Inheritance but God himself, in the Covenant, &c. and this is not by our Obedience to the Law, but by Christ's Obedience thereto: 'Tis not, my Brethren, by our Obedience to any Law, not to the Gospel as a Law, for that would tend as much to make the Promise of God void, as the other:³ For had there been a Law given that could have given Life, verily Righteousness should have been by the Law; —And then also Christ is dead in vain, Gal. 2.21. ⟨p. 176⟩(2.) In opposition to any after-Service which we could do, in order to make God, or Christ, any Compensation, or Return, by way of Gratitude for making our Peace, sometimes Men show great Favour to the Poor in Distress, and pay their Debts upon the Condition that they shall Work it out, or make a Compensation that way; but so it is not here, for when we have done all we can do, we are but unprofitable Servants: Can Man profit God? Whoever gave any thing unto him?

V. But to proceed, 'Tis the Covenant of Grace in opposition to the Law, the Inheritance is not of the Law.¹ (1.) For if they which are of the Law be Heirs, Faith is made void, and the Promise made of none effect. Again, saith Paul, For if the Inheritance be of the Law, ²it is no more of Promise, but God gave it to Abraham by Promise. What is the Inheritance but God himself, in the Covenant, &c. and this is not by our Obedience to the Law, but by Christ's Obedience thereto: 'Tis not, my Brethren, by our Obedience to any Law, not to the Gospel as a Law, for that would tend as much to make the Promise of God void, as the other: