Chapter 20: Of the Gospel, and of the Extent of the Grace Thereof
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
)
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