A55308:314
Speculum theologiæ in Christo, or, A view of some divine truths which are either…
Speculum theologiæ in Christo, or, A view of some divine truths which are either practically exemplified in Jesus Christ, set forth in the Gospel, or may be reasonably deduced from thence / by Edward Polhill ..., Esq.
London: printed by A.M. and R.R. for Tho. Cockerill, 1678
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
HAVING spoken of Original Sin, I shall next consider of Grace, which heals that deadly wound. Grace, in the primary notion of it, is the Love and Good-will of God towards sinners; and in a secondary sense, it is those saving-gifts which are derived from that Love. These are called Graces, because they lye in mans heart, as beams of that eternal Grace which is in Gods; and tend to that Glory in Heaven which is Grace consummate. Gods will goes foremost, and works those Graces in mans, which make him meet for eternal happiness. The fountain of Grace is the free-love of God; the streams of it are supernatural gifts in men; the centre of it is the glory of Heaven. These things show us the true notion of Grace.
HAVING spoken of Original Sin, I shall next consider of Grace, which heals that deadly wound. Grace, in the primary notion of it, is the Love and Good-will of God towards sinners; and in a secondary sense, it is those saving-gifts which are derived from that Love. These are called Graces, because they lye in mans heart, as beams of that eternal Grace which is in Gods; and tend to that Glory in Heaven which is Grace consummate. Gods will goes foremost, and works those Graces in mans, which make him meet for eternal happiness. The fountain of Grace is the free-love of God; the streams of it are supernatural gifts in men; the center of it is the glory of Heaven. These things shew us the true notion of Grace.
1. The Fountain of Grace is Gods free Love, which moves it self, and gratuitously flows out in spiritual blessings; these issue out of love, and that is a motive to it self. Emphatical is that of the Apostle, If by grace, then it is no more of works; otherwise grace is no more grace: but if it be of works, then it is no more grace; otherwise work is no more work, Rom. 11.6. It is essential to Grace to be gratuitous; unless it be so, it loses its nature. Upon this account Pelagius, that Enemy of Grace, but for his counterfeit Recantation, had had in the Palestine Council a just Anathema for that saying, Gratiam dari secundum merita, That Grace was given according to merits or works.