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| Chapter 20 - Of the Gospel
and the Extent of Grace Thereof |
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1. The covenant of works being
broken by sin, and made unprofitable unto life, God was pleased to give
forth the promise of Christ, the seed of the woman, as the means of calling
the elect, and begetting in them faith and repentance; in this promise
the gospel, as to the substance of it, was revealed, and [is] therein effectual
for the conversion and salvation of sinners.
Genesis 3:15; Revelation 13:8
2. This promise of Christ,
and salvation by him, is revealed only by the Word of God; neither do the
works of creation or providence, with the light of nature, make discovery
of Christ, or of grace by him, so much as in a general or obscure way;
much less that men destitute of the revelation of Him by the promise or
gospel, should be enabled thereby to attain saving faith or repentance.
Romans 1:17; Romans 10:14,15,17;
Proverbs 29:18; Isaiah 25:7; Isaiah 60:2, 3
3.The revelation of the gospel unto
sinners, made in divers times and by sundry parts, with the addition of
promises and precepts for the obedience required therein, as to the nations
and persons to whom it is granted, is merely of the sovereign will and
good pleasure of God; not being annexed by virtue of any promise to the
due improvement of men's natural abilities, by virtue of common light received
without it, which none ever did make, or can do so; and therefore in all
ages, the preaching of the gospel has been granted unto persons and nations,
as to the extent or straitening of it, in great variety, according to the
counsel of the will of God.
Psalms 147:20; Acts 16:7; Romans
1:18-32
4. Although the gospel be the
only outward means of revealing Christ and saving grace, and is, as such,
abundantly sufficient thereunto; yet that men who are dead in trespasses
may be born again, quickened or regenerated, there is moreover necessary
an effectual insuperable work of the Holy Spirit upon the whole soul, for
the producing in them a new spiritual life; without which no other means
will effect their conversion unto God.
Psalms 110:3; 1 Corinthians 2:14;
Ephesians 1:19, 20; John 6:44; 2 Corinthians 4:4, 6 |