Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity…

But then I add, that it is a supernatural quality, that is, it is such a quality as elevates and raiseth a man, that ¹enableth a man to do more then he is able to do by the strength of nature. As for example, to illustrate it; If you take water of it self, you know it is able to make your hands cold, or any thing that is put into it; but if you will have water do any thing above the nature of it, you must put in a higher quality; if you will have it heat, you must put it to the fire. So it is here, we are able to do the things agreeable to nature, without any special help; but when we are to do the duties of new obedience, to please God, to do things that nature cannot reach unto, we must have a higher quality infused into our hearts: therefore I say, grace is a supernatural quality that raiseth nature, that elevates it, that helps it to do more then otherwise it is able to do.

1. 1•2 Supernatural

Again, I add, that it is a supernatural peculiar quality, ¹because there are some common supernatural gifts, as those gifts of temperance, knowledge, patience, meekness, and the like; these are the gifts of the Holy Ghost, and these are many times wrought in the hearts of those that are not truly sanctified; and these are supernatural gifts too: but yet they are but common gifts; they are such gifts as the Holy Ghost bestows upon those that are not elected to life. But now saving grace is a gift peculiar to the Elect, peculiar to those that are within the Covenant; therefore to make a distinction, we put them together in the description, and say it is a supernatural peculiar quality.

1. 13. Peculiar.