Various also, have the Conceptions, and Expressions, of very worthy Men, been, concerning absolute, and conditional Promises. Some who affirm the Covenant to be dabsolute, yet acknowledge that Faith is necessary in order to Justification, and that sincere Obedience, and perseverance therein is necessary, necessitate Praecepti, et Medij, in order to the enjoyment of Salvation; only, they are not free to use the word Conditions, lest they should make those things to be Causae regnandi, which are but Via ad Regnum. On the other hand, they that assert Conditions to be in the Covenant of Grace, do nevertheless, own, that there are some Promises therein mwhich as to the subjects of them, are free and Absolute; viz. The Promises which respect first grace, the pouring down of the Spirit, the giving a new Heart, &c. And that the Conditions or Qualifications required of men under the Gospel in ⟨image 4⟩order unto Life and Salvation, viz. Faith, Repentance, Holiness, Perseverance, shall most infallibly be performed as to the Elect of God, by reason of the Covenant of Redemption, which is the foundation of that Covenant, which some Judicious and Learned, call the Covenant of Reconciliation: So that they are far from asserting an Uncertainty in the efficacy of the death of Christ, or a Conditional Will in God, depending upon, and determined by the Wills of Men; which Arminian Heterodoxy hath been elaborately confuted, by sundry great oAuthors. Thus far then, the Controversy about absolute & conditional Promises, is not of such moment, but that we may, salvâ Fide & Charitate, allow men to express their Notions, and peculiar sentiments therein: Only there are, who under pretence of Absolute Promises destroy both saving Faith, & Obedience. Antinomians do no better; and some there are, that under that pretence would establish ⟨image 4⟩an Assurance of Salvation, before and without those gracious Qualifications which the Scripture declares all men that are destitute thereof, to be Christless, under the wrath of God, and the Heirs of eternal Death. It will be found that such Doctrine is not the way to comfort true Believers, but to harden presuming Hypocrites, who are willing to be sure of Heaven, and yet to retain some secret sin; but what good will such a man's assurance do him, in the day, when God shall take away his soul?
Various also, have the Conceptions, and Expressions, of very worthy Men, been, concerning absolute, and conditional Promises. Some who affirm the Covenant to be dabsolute, yet acknowledge that Faith is necessary in order to Justification, and that sincere Obedience, and perseverance therein is necessary, necessitate Praecepti, et Medij, in order to the enjoyment of Salvation; onely, they are not free to use the word Conditions, lest they should make those things to be Causae regnandi, which are but Via ad Regnum. On the other hand, they that assert Conditions to be in the Covenant of Grace, do nevertheless, own, that there are some Promises therein mwhich as to the subjects of them, are free and Absolute; viz. The Promises which respect first grace, the powring down of the Spirit, the giving a new Heart, &c. And that the Conditions or Qualifications required of men under the Gospel in ⟨image 4⟩order unto Life and Salvation, viz. Faith, Repentance, Holiness, Perseverance, shall most infallibly be performed as to the Elect of God, by reason of the Covenant of Redemption, which is the foundation of that Covenant, which some Judicious and Learned, call the Covenant of Reconciliation: So that they are far from asserting an Uncertainty in the efficacy of the death of Christ, or a Conditional Will in God, depending upon, and determined by the Wills of Men; which Arminian Heterodoxy hath been elaborately confuted, by sundry great oAuthors. Thus far then, the Controversy about absolute & conditional Promises, is not of such moment, but that wee may, salvâ Fide & Charitate, allow men to express their Notions, and peculiar sentiments therein: Onely there are, who under pretence of Absolute Promises destroy both saving Faith, & Obedience. Antinomians do no better; and some there are, that under that pretence would establish ⟨image 4⟩an Assurance of Salvation, before and without those gracious Qualifications which the Scripture declares all men that are destitute thereof, to be Christless, under the wrath of God, and the Heirs of eternal Death. It will be found that such Doctrine is not the way to comfort true Believers, but to harden presuming Hypocrites, who are willing to be sure of Heaven, and yet to retain some secret sin; but what good will such a man's assurance do him, in the day, when God shall take away his soul?
- dMr. Cotton Mr. Bridge, Mr. Petto. &c.
- mSee Mr. Bulkley of the Covenant.
- oTwiss de scientia media. Voetius disp. de conditionata, seu media in Deo scientia.
