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

II If we consider the Covenant (saith he) in respect to its Application, or its being actually applied to the Elect in time; this is done absolutely in God's bestowing Grace, and the Gifts of the Promise to dead Creatures (or to Sinners, as Sinners.) In whom (as saith our Worthy Author) there is an absolute Impossibility of performing the least entitling Act to the Promise.¹ There can be nothing freer than Life to a dead Creature; neither doth Life give a Title to Action, but it is the Principle of Action.

1. 1Dr. C.

III. All the Promises of the Covenant in the Promulgation of it, in its Original Nature, and as respecting us, expresses the Tenor of it as most Free and Absolute: Thus it was to Adam, to Abraham, to David; and to us; I will be your God, and you shall be my People: It is not you shall have Peace upon the Condition that you do this or that, ye shall be Pardoned, or then be Justified; No, but quite otherwise; But he that worketh not, ¹but believeth on him that Justifieth the Ungodly: 'Tis not by our Obedience, or Duties, but by the Promises that we partake ⟨p. 184⟩of the Divine Nature. 2 Pet. 1.4. &c. All is given absolutely of Free Grace. True, there are in the Covenant, Conditions of Connection; if a Man believes, he shall be saved; But who gives that Faith? Is it not God? Pray observe that Jesus Christ hath made our Peace, and Faith to receive the Atonement is given as an absolute Promise: Is not the Spirit so given? And pray, doth not God give the Spirit, before Faith can be exerted by us? Is not Faith the Fruit of the Spirit? And doth not the Fruit proceed from the Seed,