2. In regard of Efficacy. Christ is a quickening Head, or a life-making Spirit, 1 Cor. 15. 45. Whatever Grace we have, comes from God, through Christ, as Mediator; and from him we have it by virtue of our Union with him: 2 Cor. 5. 17. If any Man be in Christ, he is a new Creature. As soon as joined to him as our Head, this Grace is applied to us by ⟨p. 380⟩his Spirit. It is first applied by converting Grace, and then continually supplied by the confirming Grace of the Spirit, and so we are fitted to every good Work. Christ first applieth it in Conversion, when he giveth us Repentance and a new Nature, Acts 5. 31. And supplieth it by continual Influence, John 15. 5. We live on him as the Branch doth on the Root. Now from hence we learn what a great Benefit renewing Grace is, it is a Fruit of reconciling Grace, 2 Cor. 5. 18. All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Christ. God giveth Grace only as the God of Peace, that is, as pacified by Christ's Death. The holy Spirit is the Gift of his Love, and the Fruit of this Peace and Reconciliation, which Christ made for us. First, our Lord Jesus Christ merited this Grace by the value of his Sacrifice and bloody Sufferings, and then doth apply it by the Almighty Power of his Spirit; and Christ is first our Ransom, and then the Fountain of Life unto our Souls; and so the Honour of our whole and entire Recovery is to be ascribed to our Redeemer. When he satisfied God's Justice for our Sins, he purchased a Power to change the Heart of Man, and he purchased this Power into his own Hands, not into another's, and therefore doth accomplish it by his Spirit, 2 Cor. 3. 18. We should often think what a Foundation God hath laid for the Dispensation of his Grace, and how he would demonstrate his infinite Love in giving his Son to be a Propitiation for us. When he would show forth his infinite Power in determining and changing the Heart of Man, all the Persons concurred; the Father purposing, the Son by way of Redemption and Purchase, the Holy Ghost by effective Power; and all to bring back our Souls to God, and to make us capable of serving and pleasing him; it is surely a Workmanship of much cost.
2. In regard of Efficacy. Christ is a quickening Head, or a life-making Spirit, 1 Cor. 15. 45. Whatever Grace we have, comes from God, through Christ, as Mediator; and from him we have it by virtue of our Union with him: 2 Cor. 5. 17. If any Man be in Christ, he is a new Creature. As soon as joyned to him as our Head, this Grace is applied to us by ⟨p. 380⟩his Spirit. It is first applied by converting Grace, and then continually supplied by the confirming Grace of the Spirit, and so we are fitted to every good Work. Christ first applieth it in Conversion, when he giveth us Repentance and a new Nature, Acts 5. 31. And supplieth it by continual Influence, Iohn 15. 5. We live on him as the Branch doth on the Root. Now from hence we learn what a great Benefit renewing Grace is, it is a Fruit of reconciling Grace, 2 Cor. 5. 18. All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Christ. God giveth Grace only as the God of Peace, that is, as pacified by Christ's Death. The holy Spirit is the Gift of his Love, and the Fruit of this Peace and Reconciliation, which Christ made for us. First, our Lord Jesus Christ merited this Grace by the value of his Sacrifice and bloody Sufferings, and then doth apply it by the Almighty Power of his Spirit; and Christ is first our Ransom, and then the Fountain of Life unto our Souls; and so the Honour of our whole and entire Recovery is to be ascribed to our Redeemer. When he satisfied God's Justice for our Sins, he purchased a Power to change the Heart of Man, and he purchased this Power into his own Hands, not into anothers, and therefore doth accomplish it by his Spirit, 2 Cor. 3. 18. We should often think what a Foundation God hath laid for the Dispensation of his Grace, and how he would demonstrate his infinite Love in giving his Son to be a Propitiation for us. When he would shew forth his infinite Power in determining and changing the Heart of Man, all the Persons concurred; the Father purposing, the Son by way of Redemption and Purchase, the Holy Ghost by effective Power; and all to bring back our Souls to God, and to make us capable of serving and pleasing him; it is surely a Workmanship of much cost.
