JOHNBUNYAN

SAVEDBYGRACE;or

ADiscourseoftheGraceofGod:

Showing—

SavedbyGraceI.Whatitistobesaved.

II.Whatitistobesavedbygrace.III.Whotheyarethataresavedbygrace.

IV.Howitappearsthattheyaresavedbygrace.V.Whatshouldbethereasonthatgodshouldchoosetosavesinnersbygrace

ratherthanbyanyothermeans.Postscript.

©eBook—LanceGeorgeMarshall,2011.

ADVERTISEMENTBYTHEEDITOR.Thisadmirabletreatiseuponthemostimportantofallsubjects,thatofthesoul'ssalvation, was first published in a pocket volume, in the year 1675. This hasbecome very rare, but it is inserted in every edition of the author's collectedworks.Ourcopy is reprinted from the first editionpublishedafter the author'sdecease, in a small foliovolumeofhisworks, 1691.Although it is somewhatencumbered with subdivisions, it is plain, practical, and written in Bunyan'sstrongandenergeticstyle;calculated toexcite thedeepestattention,and to fixtheminduponthosesolemnrealitieswhichalonecanuniteearthandheaven.

How extensive is the meaning of that little sentence. 'Saved by Grace!' Itincludesinitredemptionfromthecurseofsin,whichoppressesthepoorsinnerwiththefearsofeverlastingburnings;whileitelevatesthebody,soul,andspirit,to an exceeding weight of glory—to the possession of infinite treasures,inconceivable,andthatneverfadeaway.

Bunyan,inopeninganddeeplyinvestigatingthissubject,showshismasterhandin every page. It was a subject which, from his first conviction of sin, whileplayingagameofcatonaSunday,hadexcitedhisfeelingstoanintensedegree,absorbing all the powers of his soul. It was eminently to him the one thingneedful—thesumandsubstanceofhumanhappiness.Hefeltthatitincludedthepreservationandre-structureofthebody—raisedfromfilthandvileness—fromsickness, pain, and disease—from death and the grave—to be perfected inimmortalityliketheSavior'sgloriousbody.Thatincludedinthissalvation,isthedeathofdeath,andtheswallowingupofthegrave,tobeseennomoreforever.The soulwill be perfect, and, reunitedwith the body, be filled 'with bliss andglory,asmuchasever itcanhold;'all jarsanddiscordbetweensoulandbodywillbefinished,andtheperfectmanbeclothedwithrighteousness;inaword,belikeChristandwithhim.All this is theworkofgrace,performedby theever-blessedTrinity.

Indisplaying the feelingsandexperienceof theenquiring,alarmed,quickenedsinner,weare instructedbyacontinual illustrationof theGraceAbounding totheChiefofSinners.HemanifestsprofoundknowledgeofthedevicesofSatan—theworkings of unbelief—the difficulties thrown by the wicked one in thewayofthesinner,topreventhisapproachtoChrist.Hefastensconvictionuponconviction—gives blow upon blow to human pride; proving that there can be

found nothing in our fallen nature to recommend the sinner toGod—all is ofgrace—fromthefoundationtothetrop-stoneofasinner'ssalvation.Andaboveall,heclearlyshowsthatsalvationbygraceisthemostsin-killingdoctrineintheworld, aswell as themost consoling tidings that can be brought to a sin-sicksoul.'O,whenaGodofgraceisuponathroneofgrace,andapoorsinnerstandsbyandbegsforgrace,andthatinthenameofagraciousChrist, inandbythehelpoftheSpiritofgrace,canitbeotherwisebutthatsuchasinnermustobtainmercyandgracetohelpintimeofneed?O,then,COMEBOLDLY!'p.33.

ButImustnotdetainthereaderfromenteringuponthissolemnsubject;onlyforamoment,whenIquoteanotherpassageconceivedinalltheardourofBunyan'sfeelings:—'OSonofGod!Gracewasinallthytears—gracecameoutwherethewhip smote thee, where the thorns pricked thee, where the nails and spearpiercedthee!OblessedSonofGod!Hereisgraceindeed!Unsearchablerichesofgrace!Grace tomakeangelswonder,grace tomakesinnershappy,grace toastonishdevils!AndwhatwillbecomeofthemthattrampleunderfootthisSonofGod?'

Reader,maythissearching,comforting,revivingsubjectbeblessedtoourwell-groundedconsolation.

GEO.OFFOR.

TOTHEREADER,COURTEOUSREADER,

InthislittlebookthouartpresentedwithadiscourseoftheGRACEofGod,andofsalvationbythatgrace.Inwhichdiscourse,thoushaltfindhoweachPersonintheGodhead doth his part in the salvation of the sinner. I. TheFather puttethforthhisgrace,thus.II.TheSonputtethforthhisgrace,thus.III.AndtheSpiritputteth forth his grace, thus. Which things thou shalt find here particularlyhandled. Thou shalt also find, in this small treatise, theway ofGodwith thesinner,astohisCONVERSATION,[1]andthewayofthesinnerwithGodinthesame;where[in]thegraceofGod,andthewickednessofthesinner,dogreatlyshowthemselves.Ifthoufindestmeshortinthings,imputethat[to]mylovetobrevity. If thou findest me besides the truth in aught, impute that to mineinfirmity.Butifthoufindestanythingherethatservethtothyfurtheranceandjoyof faith, impute that to themercy ofGod bestowed on thee andme.Thine toservetheewiththatlittleIhave,J.B.

SAVEDBYGRACE."BYGRACEYEARESAVED."—EPHESIANS2:5.

Inthefirstchapter,fromthefourthtothetwelfthverse,theapostleistreatingofthedoctrineofelection,bothwith respect to theact itself, theend,andmeansconducing thereto.The act, he tells us,wasGod's free choice of some (verse4,5,11). The end was God's glory in their salvation (verse 6,14). The meansconducingtothatendwasJesusChristhimself—"Inwhomwehaveredemptionthroughhisblood,theforgivenessofsins,accordingtotherichesofhisgrace"(verse7).Thisdone,hetreatethofthesubjectionoftheEphesianstothefaith,asitwasheldforthtothemintheWordofthetruthofthegospel,asalsooftheirbeingsealedbytheHolySpiritofGoduntothedayofredemption(verse12-14).Moreover,hetelleththemhowhegavethankstoGodforthem,makingmentionoftheminhisprayers,eventhathewouldmakethemsee"whatisthehopeofhiscalling,andwhattherichesofthegloryofhisinheritanceinthesaints,andwhatistheexceedinggreatnessofhispowertouswardwhobelieve,accordingtotheworkingofhismightypower,whichhewroughtinChrist,whenheraisedhimfromthedead,"&c.(verse15-20).

AndlesttheEphesians,atthehearingofthesetheirsomanyprivileges,shouldforgethow little theydeserved them,he tells them that in timepast theyweredeadintrespassesandsins,andthatthentheywalkedinthem"accordingtothecourseof thisworld,according to theprinceof thepowerof theair, the spiritthatnowworkethinthechildrenofdisobedience"(Eph2:2,3).

Havingthuscalledthembacktotheremembranceofthemselves—towit,whattheywereintheirstateofunregeneracy,heproceedethtoshowthemthat theirfirst quickening was by the resurrection of Christ their Head, in whom theybeforewere chosen, and that by him theywere already set down in heavenlyplaces,(verse5,6); inserting,bytheway,thetruecauseofall thisblessedness,withwhatelseshouldbebyusenjoyed inanotherworld;and that is, the loveandgraceofGod:"ButGod,whoisrichinmercy,forhisgreatlovewherewithhelovedus,evenwhenweweredeadinsins,hathquickenedustogetherwithChrist [by grace ye are saved]." These last words seen to be the apostle'sconclusionrightlydrawnfromthepremises;aswhoshouldsay,IfyouEphesianswere indeed dead in trespasses and sins; if indeed you were by nature thechildrenofwrath,evenasothers,thenyoudeservenomorethanothers.[2]

Again,ifGodhathchosenyou,ifGodhathjustifiedandsavedyoubyhisChrist,andleftothersasgoodasyoubynaturetoperishintheirsins,thenthetruecauseof this your blessed condition is, the free grace of God. But just thus it is,therefore by grace ye are saved; therefore all the goodwhich you enjoymorethanothers,itisofmeregoodwill.

"BYGRACEYEARESAVED."

Themethod that I shall choose todiscourseupon thesewords shallbe this—Iwillpropoundcertainquestionsuponthewords,anddirectparticularanswerstothem; in which answers I hope I shall answer also, somewhat at least, theexpectationof thegodlyandconscientiousreader,andsoshalldrawtowardsaconclusion.

THEQUESTIONSARE—I.Whatisittobesaved?II.Whatisittobesavedbygrace?III.Whoaretheythataresavedbygrace?IV.Howitappearsthattheythataresaved,aresavedbygrace?V.Whatmight be the reasonswhich prevailedwithGod to save us by grace,ratherthanbyanyothermeans?

Now the reason why I propound these five questions upon the words, it is,becausethewordsthemselvesadmitthem;thefirstthreearegroundedupontheseveralphrasesinthetext,andthetwolastaretomakewayfordemonstrationofthewhole.

QUEST.I.—WHATISITTOBESAVED?Thisquestionsupposeththatthereissuchathingasdamnationduetomanforsin; for to save supposeth the person to be saved to be at present in a sadcondition;saving,tohimthatisnotlost,signifiesnothing,neitherisitanythinginitself."Tosave,toredeem,todeliver,"areinthegeneraltermsequivalent,andtheydoallofthemsupposeustobeinastateofthraldomandmisery;thereforethisword"saved,"inthesensethattheapostleheredothuseit,isawordofgreatworth,forasmuchas themiseriesfromwhichwearesavedis themiseryofallmostdreadful.

The miseries from which they that shall be saved shall by their salvation bedelivered,aredreadful;theyarenolessthansin,thecurseofGod,andflamesofhellforever.Whatmoreabominablethansin?WhatmoreinsupportablethanthedreadfulwrathofanangryGod?Andwhatmorefearfulthanthebottomlesspitof hell? I say,whatmore fearful than to be tormented there for everwith thedevil and his angels? Now, to "save," according to my text, is to deliver thesinner from these,with all things else that attend them.And although sinnersmay think that it isnohardmatter toanswer thisquestion,yet Imust tellyouthereisnoman,thatcanfeelinglyknowwhatitistobesaved,thatknowethnotexperimentally something of the dread of these three things, as is evident,becauseallothersdoevenbytheirpracticecountitathingofnogreatconcern,whenyetitisofallotherofthehighestconcernamongmen;"Forwhatisamanprofitedifheshallgainthewholeworld,andlosehisownsoul?"(Matt16:26).

But,Isay,ifthisword"saved"concludethourdeliverancefromsin,howcanhetell what it is to be saved that hath not in his conscience groaned under theburdenofsin?yea,itisimpossibleelsethatheshouldevercryoutwithallhisheart, "Menand brethren, what shall we do?"—that is, do to be saved (Acts2:37).Themanthathathnosoresorachescannotknowthevirtueofthesalve;Imean,notknowitfromhisownexperience,andthereforecannotprize,norhavethatesteemofit,ashethathathreceivedcurethereby.Clapaplastertoawellplace,andthatmakethnotitsvirtuetoappear;neithercanhetowhosefleshitissoapplied,by thatapplicationunderstand itsworth.Sinners,you, Imean, thatarenotwoundedwithguilt,andoppressedwiththeburdenofsin,youcannot—Iwillsayitagain—youcannotknow,inthissenselessconditionofyours,whatitistobesaved.

Again; thisword "saved," as I said, concludeth deliverance from thewrath ofGod.How,then,canhetellwhatitistobesavedthathathnotfelttheburdenofthe wrath of God? He—he that is astonished with, and that trembleth at, thewrathofGod—heknowsbestwhatitistobesaved(Acts16:29).

Further,thisword"saved,"itconcludethdeliverancefromdeathandhell.How,then,canhetellwhatitistobesavedthatneverwassensibleofthesorrowsofthe one, nor distressed with the pains of the other? The Psalmist says, "Thesorrowsofdeathcompassedme,andthepainsofhellgatholduponme:Ifoundtrouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the name of the Lord"—(mark, then),"then called I upon thenameof theLord;OLord, I beseech thee, delivermysoul,"—then, inmy distress.When he knewwhat itwas to be saved, then hecalled, because, I say, then he knew what it was to be saved (Psa 18:4,5;116:3,4).Isay,thisistheman,andthisonly,thatknowswhatitistobesaved.Andthisisevident,asismanifestbythelittleregardthattheresthavetosaving,orthelittledreadtheyhaveofdamnation.Whereishethatseeksandgroansforsalvation?Isay,where ishe thathathtakenhisflightforsalvation,becauseofthedreadofthewrathtocome?"Ogenerationofvipers,whohathwarnedyoutoflee from thewrath to come?" (Matt 3:7). Alas! do not themost set light bysalvation?—asforsin,howdotheyloveit,embraceit,pleasethemselveswithit,hideitstillwithintheirmouth,andkeepitcloseundertheirtongue.Besides,forthewrathofGod,theyfeelitnot,theyflynotfromit;andforhell,itisbecomeadoubttomanyiftherebeany,andamocktothosewhosedoubtisresolvedbyatheism.

But to come to thequestion—What is it tobe saved? To be savedmay eitherrespectsalvationinthewholeofit,orsalvationinthepartsofit,orboth.Ithinkthistextrespectethboth—towit,salvationcompleting,andsalvationcompleted;for"tosave"isaworkofmanysteps;or,tobeasplainaspossible,"tosave"isaworkthathathitsbeginningbeforetheworldbegan,andshallnotbecompletedbeforeitisended.

First,then,wemaybesaidtobesavedinthepurposeofGodbeforetheworldbegan.Theapostlesaiththat"hesavedus,andcalleduswithanholycalling,notaccordingtoourworks,butaccordingtohisownpurposeandgrace,whichwasgiven us in Christ Jesus before the world began" (2 Tim 1:9). This is thebeginningofsalvation,andaccordingtothisbeginningallthingsconcurandfalloutinconclusion—"Hehathsavedusaccordingtohiseternalpurpose,whichhepurposed in Christ Jesus." God in thus saving may be said to save us by

determining tomake thosemeans effectual for the blessed completing of oursalvation;andhencewearesaid"tobechoseninChristtosalvation."Andagain,thathehathinthatchoicegivenusthatgracethatshallcompleteoursalvation.Yea, the text is very full, "He hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings inheavenly places in Christ, according as he hath chosen us in him before thefoundationoftheworld"(Eph1:3,4).

Second. As we may be said to be saved in the purpose of God before thefoundationoftheworld,sowemaybesaidtobesavedbeforeweareconverted,orcalledtoChrist.Andhence"saved"isputbefore"called";"hehathsavedus,andcalledus";hesaithnot,hehathcalledus,andsavedus;butheputssavingbeforecalling(2Tim1:9).Soagain,wearesaidtobe"preservedinChristandcalled"; he saith not, called and preserved (Jude 1). And therefore God saithagain,"IwillpardonthemwhomIreserve"—thatis,asPaulexpoundsit,thosewhom I have "elected and kept," and this part of salvation is accomplishedthrough theforbearanceofGod(Jer50:20;Rom11:4,5).Godbearethwithhisown elect, for Christ's sake, all the time of their unregeneracy, until the timecomes which he hath appointed for their conversion. The sins that we stoodguiltyofbeforeconversion,hadthejudgmentduetothembeenexecuteduponus,wehadnotnowbeenintheworldtopartakeofaheavenlycalling.ButthejudgmentduetothemhathbeenbythepatienceofGodprevented,andwesavedall the time of our ungodly and unconverted state, from that death, and thosemanyhells,thatforoursinswedeservedatthehandsofGod.

Andhereliesthereasonthatlonglifeisgrantedtotheelectbeforeconversion,and that all the sins they commit and all the judgments they deserve, cannotdrivethemoutoftheworldbeforeconversion.Manasseh,youknow,wasagreatsinner, and for the trespass which he committed hewas driven from his ownland, and carried toBabylon; but kill him they couldnot, thoughhis sins haddeserveddeathtenthousandtimes.Butwhatwasthereason?Why,hewasnotyetcalled;GodhadchosenhiminChrist,and laidup inhimastockofgrace,whichmustbegiven toManassehbeforehedies; thereforeManassehmustbeconvinced,converted,andsaved.Thatlegionofdevilsthatwasinthepossessed,withallthesinswhichhehadcommittedinthetimeofhisunregeneracy,couldnottakeawayhislifebeforehisconversion(Mark5).Howmanytimeswasthatpoor creature, aswemayeasily conjecture, assaulted forhis lifeby thedevilsthatwereinhim,yetcouldtheynotkillhim,yea,thoughhisdwellingwasnearthesea-side,andthedevilshadpowertodrivehimtoo,yetcouldtheynotdrivehimfurther than themountains thatwereby thesea-side;yea, theycouldhelp

himoftentobreakhischainsandfetters,andcouldalsomakehimasmadasabedlam, [3] they could also prevail with him to separate from men, and cuthimselfwithstones,butkillhimtheycouldnot,drownhimtheycouldnot;hewassavedtobecalled;hewas,notwithstandingallthis,preservedinChrist,andcalled.Asitissaidoftheyoungladinthegospel,hewasbythedevilcastoftintothefire,andoftintothewater,todestroyhim,butitcouldnotbe;evensohathheservedothers,buttheymustbe"savedtobecalled"(Mark9:22).Howmanydeathshavesomebeendeliveredfromandsavedoutofbeforeconversion!Somehavefallenintorivers,someintowells,someintothesea,someintothehandsofmen;yea,theyhavebeenjustlyarraignedandcondemned,asthethiefupon the cross, butmust not die before they have been converted.TheywerepreservedinChrist,andcalled.

CalledChristian,howmanytimeshavethysinslaidtheeuponasick-bed,and,to thine and others' thinking, at the very mouth of the grave? yet God saidconcerningthee,Lethimlive,forheisnotyetconverted.Behold,therefore,thattheelectaresavedbeforetheyarecalled.[4]God,whoisrichinmercy,forhisgreat love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins," hathpreservedusinChrist,andcalledus(Eph2:4,5).

Now this "saving" of us arises from six causes. 1. God hath chosen us untosalvation,andthereforewillnotfrustratehisownpurposes(1Thess5:9).2.GodhathgivenustoChrist;andhisgift,aswellashiscalling,iswithoutrepentance(Rom11:29;John6:37).3.Christhathpurchaseduswithhisblood(Rom5:8,9).4.Theyare,byGod,countedinChristbeforetheyareconverted(Eph1:3,4).5.They are ordained before conversion to eternal life; yea, to be called, to bejustified, to be glorified, and therefore all this must come upon them (Rom8:29,30).6.Forallthis,hehathalsoappointedthemtheirportionandmeasureofgrace, and thatbefore theworldbegan; therefore, that theymaypartakeof alltheseprivileges,theyaresavedandcalled,preservedinChrist,andcalled.

Third.Tobesavedistobebroughtto,andhelpedtolayholdon,JesusChristbyfaith.Andthisiscalledsavingbygracethroughfaith."Forbygraceareyesavedthroughfaith;andthatnotofyourselves,itisthegiftofGod"(Eph2:8).

1.TheymustbebroughtuntoChrist,yea,drawnuntohim;for"noman,"saithChrist,"cancometome,excepttheFatherwhichhathsentmedrawhim"(John6:44).Men,eventheelect,havetoomanyinfirmitiestocometoChristwithouthelpfromheaven;invitingwillnotdo."Astheycalledthem,sotheywentfrom

them,"thereforehe"drewthemwithcords"(Hosea11:2,4).

2.Astheymustbebroughtto,sotheymustbehelpedtolayholdonChristbyfaith;forascomingtoChrist,sofaith,isnotinourownpower;thereforewearesaidtoberaisedupwithhim"throughthefaithof theoperationofGod."Andagain,we are said to believe, "according to theworking of hismighty power,whichhewroughtinChrist,whenheraisedhimfromthedead"(Col2:12;Eph1:19,20).Nowwearesaidtobesavedbyfaith,becausebyfaithwelayholdof,ventureupon,andputonJesusChristforlife.Forlife,Isay,becauseGodhavingmadehim theSaviour,hathgivenhim life tocommunicate to sinners, and thelife that he communicates to them is themerit of his flesh and blood, whichwhosoeatethanddrinkethbyfaith,hatheternallife,becausethatfleshandbloodhathmeritinitsufficienttoobtainthefavourofGod.Yea,ithathdoneso[since]thatdayitwasofferedthroughtheeternalSpiritasacrificeofasweet-smellingsavour tohim;whereforeGodimputeththerighteousnessofChrist tohimthatbelieveth in him, bywhich righteousness he is personally justified, and savedfromthat just judgmentof the lawthatwasdueuntohim(John5:26,6:53-58;Eph4:32;5:2;Rom4:23-25).

"Savedbyfaith."ForalthoughsalvationbeginnethinGod'spurpose,andcomesto us through Christ's righteousness, yet is not faith exempted from having ahand in savingof us.Not that itmeriteth aught, but is givenbyGod to thosewhichhesaveth,thattherebytheymayembraceandputonthatChristbywhoserighteousness they must be saved. Wherefore this faith is that which heredistinguisheththemthatshallbesavedfromthemthatshallbedamned.Henceitissaid,"Hethatbelievethnot,shallbedamned";andhenceagainit is that thebelievers are called "the children, the heirs, and the blessed with faithfulAbraham;"thatthepromisebyfaithinJesusChristmightbegiventothemthatbelieve(Gal3:6-9,26;Rom4:13,14).

And here let Christians warily distinguish betwixt the meritorious and theinstrumental cause of their justification. Christ, with what he hath done andsuffered, is themeritoriouscauseofour justification; thereforehe issaid tobemadetousofGod,"wisdomandrighteousness;"andwearesaidtobe"justifiedbyhisblood,andsavedfromwraththroughhim,"foritwashislifeandbloodthatwere thepriceofour redemption (1Cor1:30;Rom5:9,10). "Redeemed,"says Peter, "not with corruptible things, as silver and gold," alluding to theredemption ofmoney under the law, "but with the precious blood of Christ."Thouart,therefore,asIhavesaid,tomakeChristJesustheobjectofthyfaithfor

justification;forbyhisrighteousnessthysinsmustbecoveredfromthesightofthe justice of the law. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt besaved.""Forheshallsavehispeoplefromtheirsins"(Acts16:31;Matt1:21).

Fourth. To be saved is to be preserved in the faith to the end. "He that shallendure unto the end, the same shall be saved" (Matt 24:13). Not thatperseverance is an accident in Christianity, or a thing performed by humanindustry;theythataresaved"arekeptbythepowerofGod,throughfaithuntosalvation"(1Peter1:3-6).

But perseverance is absolutely necessary to the complete saving of the soul,becausehethatfallethshortofthestatethattheythataresavedarepossessedof,assaved,cannotarrivetothatsavedstate.Hethatgoethtoseawithapurposetoarrive at Spain, cannot arrive there if he be drowned by the way; whereforeperseveranceisabsolutelynecessarytothesavingofthesoul,andthereforeitisincludedinthecompletesavingofus—"IsraelshallbesavedintheLordwithaneverlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world withoutend"(Isa45:17).Perseveranceisheremadeabsolutelynecessarytothecompletesavingofthesoul.

But,asIsaid,thispartofsalvationdependethnotuponhumanpower,butuponhim that hath begun a goodwork in us (Phil 1:6).This part, therefore, of oursalvationisgreat,andcallethfornolessthanthepowerofGodforourhelptoperformit,aswillbeeasilygrantedbyallthosethatconsider—

1.Thatallthepowerandpolicy,maliceandrage,ofthedevilsandhellitselfareagainstus.Anymanthatunderstandeththiswillconcludethattobesavedisnosmall thing.Thedevil iscalledagod,aprince,a lion,aroaringlion; it issaidthathehathdeathandthepowerofit,&c.Butwhatcanapoorcreature,whosehabitationisinflesh,doagainstagod,aprince,aroaringlion,andthepowerofdeathitself?Ourperseverance,therefore,liethinthepowerofGod;"thegatesofhellshallnotprevailagainstit."

2.Alltheworldisagainsthimthatshallbesaved.Butwhatisonepoorcreatureto all theworld, especially if you consider that with theworld is terror, fear,power, majesty, laws, jails, gibbets, hangings, burnings, drownings, starvings,banishments,andathousandkindsofdeaths?(1John5:4,5;John16:33).

3.Addtothis,thatallthecorruptionsthatdwellinourfleshareagainstus,and

thatnotonlyintheirnatureandbeing,buttheylustagainstus,andwaragainstus,to"bringusintocaptivitytothelawofsinanddeath"(Gal5:17;1Peter2:11;Rom7:23).

4.All thedelusions in theworldareagainst themthatshallbesaved,manyofwhicharesocunninglywoven,soplausiblyhandled,sorarely[5]polishedwithScripture and reason, that it is ten thousand wonders that the elect are notswallowedupwiththem;andswalloweduptheywouldbe,weretheynotelect,andwasnotGodhimselfengaged,eitherbypowertokeepthemfromfalling,orbygracetopardoniftheyfall,andtoliftthemupagain(Matt24:24;Eph4:14;Rom3:12).

5.Everyfallofthesavedisagainstthesalvationofhissoul;butaChristianoncefallenrisethnotbutashelpedbyOmnipotentpower—"OIsrael,thouhastfallenby thine iniquity," "but in me is thy help," says God (Hosea 13:9; 14:1; Psa37:23).

Christians,were you awake, herewould bematter ofwonder to you, to see amanassaultedwithallthepowerofhell,andyettocomeoffaconqueror!Isitnotawondertoseeapoorcreature,whoinhimselfisweakerthanthemoth,tostandagainstandovercomealldevils,alltheworld,allhislustsandcorruptions?(Job4:19).Orifhefall,isitnotawondertoseehim,whendevilsandguiltareupon him, to rise again, stand upon his feet again,walkwithGod again, andpersevere after all this in the faith and holiness of the gospel?He that knowshimself,wonders;hethatknowstemptation,wonders;hethatknowswhatfallsand guilt mean, wonders; indeed, perseverance is a wonderful thing, and ismanagedbythepowerofGod;forheonly"isabletokeepyoufromfalling,andto present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy"(Jude24).ThoseofthechildrenofIsraelthatwentfromEgypt,andenteredtheland ofCanaan, how came they thither?Why, the text says, that "as an eaglespreadethabroadherwings, so theLordalonedid lead them."Andagain, "heborethem,andcarriedthemallthedaysofold"(Deu32:11,12;Isa63:9).Davidalsotellsusthatmercyandgoodnessshouldfollowhimallthedaysofhislife,andsoheshoulddwellinthehouseoftheLordforever(Psa23:6).

Fifth.Tobesavedcallsformorethanallthis;hethatissaved,must,whenthisworld can hold him no longer, have a safe-conduct to heaven, for that is theplace where they that are saved must to the full enjoy their salvation. Thisheaveniscalled"theendofourfaith,"becauseitisthatwhichfaithlooksat;as

Petersays,"Receiving theendofyour faith,even thesalvationofyour souls."Andagain,"Butwearenotofthemwhodrawbackuntoperdition;butofthemthatbelieve to the savingof the soul" (1Peter1:9;Heb10:39).For,as I said,heaven is the place for the saved to enjoy their salvation in,with that perfectgladness that is not attainable here. Here we are saved by faith and hope ofglory;butthere,wethataresavedshallenjoytheendofourfaithandhope,eventhe salvation of our souls. There is "MountZion, the heavenly Jerusalem, thegeneral assembly and church of the firstborn;" there is the "innumerablecompanyofangels,andthespiritsofjustmenmadeperfect;"thereis"Godthejudgeofall,andJesus theMediatorof thenewcovenant;" thereshalloursoulhave as much of heaven as it is capable of enjoying, and that withoutintermission;wherefore,whenwecomethereweshallbesavedindeed!Butnowforapoorcreaturetobebroughthither,thisisthelifeofthepoint.ButhowshallIcomehither?thereareheightsanddepthstohinder(Rom8:38,39).

SupposethepoorChristianisnowuponasick-bed,besetwithathousandfears,and ten thousand at the end of that; sick-bed fears! and they are sometimesdreadfulones;fearsthatarebegottenbythereviewofthesin,perhaps,offortyyears'profession;fearsthatarebegottenbydreadfulandfearfulsuggestionsofthedevil,thesightofdeath,andthegrave,anditmaybeofhellitself;fearsthatarebegottenbythewithdrawingandsilenceofGodandChrist,andby,itmaybe,theappearanceofthedevilhimself;someofthesemadeDavidcry,"Ospareme"alittle,"thatImayrecoverstrengthbeforeIgohence,andbenomore"(Psa39:13).

"Thesorrowsofdeath,"saidhe,"compassedme,andthepainsofhellgatholdupon me; I found trouble and sorrow" (Psa 116:3). These things, in anotherplace,hecallsthebandsthatthegodlyhaveintheirdeath,andtheplaguesthatothersarenotawareof."Theyarenotintroubleasothermen;neitheraretheyplaguedlikeothermen"(Psa73:9).Butnow,outofallthese,theLordwillsavehispeople;notone sin,nor fear,nordevil shallhinder;nor thegravenorhelldisappoint thee.Buthowmust thisbe?Why,thoumusthaveasafe-conducttoheaven?[6]Whatconduct?Aconductofangels: "Are theynotallministeringspirits, sent forth tominister for themwho shall be heirs of salvation?" (Heb1:14).

These angels, therefore, are not to fail them that are the saved; but must, ascommissionedofGod,comedownfromheaventodothisofficeforthem;theymustcome,Isay,andtakethecareandchargeofoursoul,toconductitsafely

intoAbraham'sbosom.Itisnotourmeannessintheworld,norourweaknessoffaith, that shall hinder this; nor shall the loathsomeness of our diseasesmakethese delicate spirits shy of taking this charge upon them.Lazarus the beggarfound this a truth; a beggar so despised of the rich glutton that he was notsufferedtocomewithinhisgate;abeggarfullofsoresandnoisomeputrefaction;yet, behold,when he dies, the angels come from heaven to fetch him thither:"And it came to pass that the beggar died, andwas carriedby the angels intoAbraham'sbosom"(Luke16:22).[7]True,sick-bedtemptationsareofttimesthemostviolent,becausethenthedevilplayshislastgamewithus,heisnevertoassault usmore;besides, perhapsGod suffereth it thus tobe, that the enteringintoheavenmaybethesweeter,andringof thissalvation the louder!Oit isablessedthingforGodtobeourGodandourguideevenuntodeath,andthenforhisangelstoconductussafelytoglory;thisissavingindeed.AndheshallsaveIsrael "out of all his troubles;" out of sick-bed troubles aswell as others (Psa25:22;34:6;48:14).

Sixth.Tobesaved,tobeperfectlysaved,callsformorethanallthis;thegodlyarenotperfectlysavedwhentheirsoulispossessedofheaven.True,theirspiritismadeperfect,andhathasmuchofheavenasatpresentitcanhold,butman,consistingofbodyandsoul,cannotbesaidtobeperfectlysavedsolongasbutpartofhimisintheheavens;hisbodyisthepriceofthebloodofChristaswellashisspirit;hisbodyisthetempleofGod,andamemberofthebody,andoftheflesh,andofthebonesofChrist;hecannot,then,becompletelysaveduntilthetimeoftheresurrectionofthedead(1Cor6:13-19;Eph5:30).Wherefore,whenChrist shall come the second time, thenwill he save the body from all thosethingsthatatpresentmakeitincapableoftheheavens."Forourconversationisinheaven;fromwhencealsowelookfortheSaviour,theLordJesusChrist;whoshallchange"this"ourvilebody,thatitmaybefashionedlikeuntohisgloriousbody" (Phil3:20,21).OwhatagreatdealofgoodGodhathput into this littleword "saved"!We shall not see all the good thatGod hath put into thisword"saved"untiltheLordJesuscomestoraisethedead."Itdothnotyetappearwhatweshallbe"(1John3:2).Buttillitappearswhatweshallbe,wecannotseethebottomofthisword"saved."True,wehavetheearnestofwhatweshallbe,wehave the Spirit of God, "which is the earnest of our inheritance until theredemptionofthepurchasedpossession"(Eph1:14).Thepossessionisourbody—itiscalled"apurchasedpossession,"becauseitisthepriceofblood;nowtheredemption of this purchased possession is the raising of it out of the grave,whichraisingiscalledtheredemptionofourbody(Rom8:23).Andwhenthisvilebody ismade likeuntohisgloriousbody,and thisbodyandsoul together

possessedoftheheavens,thenshallwebeeverywaysaved.

There are three things fromwhich this bodymust be saved—1. There is thatsinfulfilthandvilenessthatyetdwellsinit,underwhichwegroanearnestlyallourdays(2Cor5:1-3).2.Thereismortality,thatsubjectethustoage,sickness,aches,pains,diseases,anddeath.3.Andthereisthegraveanddeathitself,fordeath is the lastenemy that is tobedestroyed."Sowhen thiscorruptible shallhave put on incorruption, and thismortal shall have put on immortality, thenshall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up invictory"(1Cor15:54).Sothen,whenthiscomestopass,thenweshallbesaved;thenwillsalvation,inallthepartsofit,meettogetherinourglory;thenweshallbe every way saved—saved in God's decree, saved in Christ's undertakings,saved by faith, saved in perseverance, saved in soul, and in body and soultogetherintheheavens,savedperfectly,everlastingly,gloriously.

[Ofthestateofourbodyandsoulinheaven.]

BeforeIconcludemyanswertothefirstquestion,Iwoulddiscoursealittleofthestateofourbodyandsoulinheaven,whenweshallenjoythisblessedstateofsalvation.

First.Ofthesoul;itwillthenbefilledinallthefacultiesofitwithasmuchblissandgloryaseveritcanhold.

1.Theunderstandingshallthenbeperfectinknowledge—"Nowweknowbutinpart;"weknowGod,Christ,heaven,andglory,butinpart;"butwhenthatwhichisperfectiscome,thenthatwhichisinpartshallbedoneaway"(1Cor13:10).ThenshallwehaveperfectandeverlastingvisionsofGod,andthatblessedonehisSonJesusChrist,agoodthoughtofwhomdothsometimessofilluswhileinthisworld,thatitcauseth"joyunspeakableandfullofglory."2.ThenshallourwillandaffectionsbeeverinaburningflameoflovetoGodandhisSonJesusChrist; our love here hath ups and downs, but there it shall be always perfectwith thatperfectionwhich isnotpossible in thisworld tobeenjoyed.3.Thenwillourconsciencehavethatpeaceandjoythatneithertonguenorpenofmenor angels can express. 4. Then will our memory be so enlarged to retain allthings that happened to us in thisworld, so thatwith unspeakable aptnessweshall call to mind all God's providences, all Satan's malice, all our ownweaknesses, all the rageofmen, andhowGodmadeallwork together forhisgloryandourgood,totheeverlastingravishingofourhearts.

Second. For our body; it shall be raised in power, in incorruption, a spiritualbody and glorious (1 Cor 15:44). The glory of which is set forth by severalthings—1.Itiscomparedto"thebrightnessofthefirmament,"andtotheshiningofthestars"foreverandever"(Dan12:3;1Cor15:41,42).2.Itiscomparedtothe shiningof the sun—"Thenshall the righteous shine forthas the sun in thekingdomof theirFather.Whohathears tohear, lethimhear" (Matt13:43).3.Theirstateisthentobeequallygloriouswithangels;"Buttheywhichshallbecountedworthytoobtainthatworld,andtheresurrectionfromthedead,neithermarry, nor are given inmarriage; neither can they die anymore, for they areequaluntotheangels"(Luke20:35,36).4.Itissaidthatthenthisourvilebodyshall be like thegloriousbodyof JesusChrist (Phil 3:20,21; 1 John3:2,3). 5.Andnow,whenbodyandsoularethusunited,whocanimaginewhatglorytheybothpossess?Theywill nowbeboth in capacity,without jarring, to serve theLordwithshoutingthanksgivings,andwithacrownofeverlastingjoyupontheirhead.[8]

Inthisworldtherecannotbethatharmonyandonenessofbodyandsoulastherewillbe inheaven.Here thebodysometimessinsagainst thesoul,and thesoulagain vexes and perplexes the bodywith dreadful apprehensions of thewrathandjudgmentofGod.Whilewebe in thisworld, thebodyofthangsthisway,andthesoulthequitecontrary;butthere,inheaven,theyshallhavethatperfectunionasnevertojarmore;butnowthegloryofthebodyshallsosuitwiththeglory of the soul, and both so perfectly suit with the heavenly state, that itpassethwordsandthoughts.

Third.ShallInowspeakoftheplace that thissavedbodyandsoulshalldwellin?

Why,1.Itisacity(Heb11:16;Eph2:19,22).2.Itiscalledheaven(Heb10:34).3.ItiscalledGod'shouse(John14:1-3).4.Itiscalledakingdom(Luke12:32).5.Itiscalledglory(Col3:4;Heb2:10).6.Itiscalledparadise(Rev2:7).7.Itiscalledeverlastinghabitations(Luke16:9).

Fourth.ShallIspeakoftheircompany?

Why,1.TheyshallstandandliveinthepresenceofthegloriousGod,theJudgeofall(Heb12:23).2.TheyshallbewiththeLamb,theLordJesus.3.Theyshallbewithan innumerablecompanyofholyangels(Heb12:22).4.TheyshallbewithAbraham,Isaac,andJacob,andalltheprophets,inthekingdomofheaven

(Luke13:28).

Fifth.ShallIspeakoftheirheavenlyraiment?

1.Itissalvation;theyshallbeclothedwiththegarmentofsalvation(Psa132:16;149:4;Isa61:10).2.Thisraimentiscalledwhiteraiment,signifyingtheircleanand innocent state in heaven. "And they," saysChrist, "shallwalkwithme inwhite, for they are worthy" (Rev 3:4; 19:8; Isa 57:2). 3. It is called glory—"Whenheshallappear,weshallappearwithhiminglory"(Col3:4).4.Theyshallalsohavecrownsofrighteousness,everlastingjoyandglory(Isa35:10;2Tim4:8;1Peter5:4).

Sixth.ShallIspeakoftheircontinuanceinthiscondition?

1.Itisforeverandever."Andtheyshallseehisface,andhisnameshallbeintheir foreheads; and they shall reign for ever and ever" (Rev 22:4,5). 2. It iseverlasting."Andthisisthewillofhimthatsentme,thateveryonewhichseeththeSon,andbelievethonhim,mayhaveeverlastinglife"(John6:40,47).3.Itislifeeternal."Mysheephearmyvoice,andIknowthem,andtheyfollowme;andIgiveunto themeternal life" (John10:27,28).4. It isworldwithoutend."ButIsrael shall be saved in theLordwith aneverlasting salvation;ye shall notbeashamednorconfoundedworldwithoutend"(Isa45:17;Eph3:20,21).

O sinner! what sayest thou? How dost thou like being saved? Doth not thymouthwater?Dothnotthyhearttwitteratbeingsaved?Why,comethen:"TheSpiritandthebridesay,Come.Andlethimthathearethsay,Come.Andlethimthat isathirstcome.Andwhosoeverwill, lethim take thewaterof life freely"(Rev22:17).

QUEST.II.—WHATISITTOBESAVEDBYGRACE?

NowIcometothesecondquestion—towit,Whatisittobesavedbygrace?Forsoarethewordsofthetext,"Bygraceyearesaved."But,

First.ImusttouchalittleuponthewordGRACE,andshowyouhowdiverselyitistaken.Sometimesitistakenforthegoodwillandfavourofmen(Esth2:17:Ruth 2:2: 1 Sam 1:18: 2 Sam 16:4). Sometimes it is taken for those sweetornaments that a life according to theWordofGodputtethabout theneck [9](Prov 1:9; 3:22). Sometimes it is taken for the charity of the saints, as 2Corinthians9:6-8.

But "grace" in the text is taken forGod's goodwill, "the goodwill of him thatdweltinthebush;"andisexpressedvariously.Sometimesitiscalled"hisgoodpleasure."Sometimes,"thegoodpleasureofhiswill,"whichisallonewith"therichesofhisgrace"(Eph1:7).Sometimesitisexpressedbygoodness,pity,love,mercy, kindness, and the like (Rom 2:4; Isa 63:9; Titus 3:4,5).Yea, he styleshimself, "The Lord, the LordGod,merciful and gracious, long-suffering, andabundantingoodnessandtruth,keepingmercyforthousands,forgivinginiquityand transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty" (Exo34:6,7).

Second. As theword "grace" signifieth all these, so it intimates to us that allthesearefreeactsofGod,free love,freemercy,freekindness;hencewehaveotherhintsintheWordaboutthenatureofgrace,as,1.ItisanactofGod'swill,whichmust needsbe free; an act of his ownwill, of thegoodpleasureof hiswill;byeachof theseexpressions is intimated thatgrace isafreeactofGod'sgoodness towards the sons of men. 2. Therefore it is expressly said—"Beingjustifiedfreelybyhisgrace"(Rom3:24).3."Andwhentheyhadnothingtopay,hefranklyforgavethemboth"(Luke7:42).4.Andagain,"NotforyoursakesdoIthis,saiththeLordGod,beitknownuntoyou"(Eze36:32;Deu9:5).5.Andtherefore "grace," and thedeservingsof the creature, are set in flat oppositiononetoanother—"Andifbygrace,thenisitnomoreofworks;otherwisegraceisnomoregrace.Butifitbeofworks,thenisitnomoregrace;otherwiseworkisnomorework"(Rom11:6).

Theword"grace,"therefore,beingunderstood,dothmostproperlysetforththe

true cause ofman's happinesswithGod, not but that those expressions, love,mercy,goodness,pity,kindness,&c.,andthelike,havetheirproperplaceinourhappiness also. Had not God loved us, grace had not acted freely in oursalvation;hadnotGodbeenmerciful,good,pitiful,kind,hewouldhaveturnedawayfromuswhenhesawusinourblood(Eze16).

Sothen,whenhesaith,"Bygraceyearesaved,"itisalloneasifhehadsaid,Bythegoodwill,freemercy,andloving-kindnessofGodyearesaved;asthewordsconjoinedwiththetextdoalsofurthermanifest:"ButGod,"saithPaul,"whoisrichinmercy,forhisgreatlovewherewithhelovedus,evenwhenweweredeadinsins,hathquickenedustogetherwithChrist[bygraceyearesaved]."

[Third.] The words thus understood admit us these few conclusions—1. ThatGod,insavingofthesinner,hathnorespecttothesinner'sgoodness;henceitissaidheisfranklyforgiven,andfreelyjustified(Luke7:42;Rom3:24).2.ThatGoddoththistowhomandwhenhepleases,becauseitisanactofhisowngoodpleasure(Gal1:15,16).3.Thisisthecausewhygreatsinnersaresaved,forGodpardoneth "according to the riches of his grace" (Eph 1:7). 4. This is the truecause that some sinners are soamazedandconfoundedat theapprehensionoftheirownsalvation;hisgrace isunsearchable; andbyunsearchablegraceGodoft puzzles and confounds our reason (Eze 16:62,63;Acts 9:6). 5. This is thecausethatsinnersaresooftenrecoveredfromtheirbackslidings,healedoftheirwoundsthattheygetbytheirfalls,andhelpedagaintorejoiceinGod'smercy.Why, he will be gracious to whom he will be gracious, and he will havecompassiononwhomhewillhavecompassion(Rom9:15).

[Fourth.]ButImustnothereconcludethispoint.WeareherediscoursingofthegraceofGod,andthatbyitwearesaved;saved,Isay,bythegraceofGod.

Now,GodissetforthintheWorduntousunderadoubleconsideration—1.HeissetforthinhisowneternalpowerandGodhead;andasthussetforth,weareto conceive of him by his attributes of power, justice, goodness, holiness,everlastingness,&c.2.Butthen,wehavehimsetforthintheWordoftruthasconsisting of Father, Son, and Spirit; and although this second considerationcontainethinitthenatureoftheGodhead,yetthefirstdothnotdemonstratethepersonsintheGodhead.WearesavedbythegraceofGod—thatis,bythegraceoftheFather,whoisGod;bythegraceoftheSon,whoisGod;andbythegraceoftheSpirit,whoisGod.

Now,sincewearesaidtobe"savedbygrace,"andthat thegraceofGod;andsincealsowe find in theWord that in theGodhead there areFather,Son, andHolyGhost,wemust conclude that it is by the grace of the Father, Son, andSpirit thatwe are saved;wherefore grace is attributed to the Father, Son, andHoly Ghost distinctly. 1. Grace is attributed to the Father, as these scripturestestify; Romans 7:25, 1 Corinthians 1:3, 2 Corinthians 1:2, Galatians 1:3,Ephesians 1:2, Philippians 1:2, Colossians 1:2, 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 2Thessalonians 1:2, 1 Timothy 1:2, 2 Timothy 1:2, Titus 1:4, Philemon 3. 2.GraceisalsoattributedtotheSon,andIfirstmanifestitbyallthosetextsabove-mentioned,asalsobythesethatfollow:2Corinthians8:9,13:14,Galatians6:18,Philippians 4:23, 1 Thessalonians 5:28, 2 Thessalonians 3:18, Philemon 25,Revelation 22:21. 3. It is also attributed to the Holy Ghost. Now, he is herecalledtheSpiritofgrace,becauseheistheauthorofgraceastheFather,andtheSon(Zech12:10;Heb10:29).

Sothen,itremaineththatIshowyou,FIRST,HowwearesavedbythegraceoftheFather.SECOND,HowwearesavedbythegraceoftheSon.And,THIRD,HowwearesavedbythegraceoftheSpirit.

OftheFather'sgrace.

FIRST.HowwearesavedbythegraceoftheFather.NowthiswillIopenuntoyouthus—

1. The Father by his grace hath bound up them that shall go to heaven in aneternal decree of election; and here, indeed, as was showed at first, is thebeginningofoursalvation(2Tim1:9).Andelection is reckonednot theSon'sact,buttheFather's—"BlessedbetheGodandFatherofourLordJesusChrist,who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ,accordingashehathchosenusinhimbeforethefoundationoftheworld"(Eph1:3,4).Now this election is counted an act of grace—"So then, at this presenttimealso,thereisaremnantaccordingtotheelectionofgrace"(Rom11:5).

2. The Father's grace ordaineth and giveth the Son to undertake for us ourredemption.TheFathersenttheSontobetheSaviouroftheworld—"Inwhomwehaveredemptionthroughhisblood,theforgivenessofsins,accordingtotherichesofhisgrace;thatintheagestocomehemightshewtheexceedingrichesof his grace, inhis kindness toward us throughChrist Jesus" (Eph 1:7; 2:7; 1John4:14;John3:16;6:32,33;12:49).

3. The Father's grace giveth us to Christ to be justified by his righteousness,washedinhisblood,andsavedbyhislife.ThisChristmentioneth,andtellsusitishisFather'swill that theyshouldbesafe-comingat the lastday,and thathehadkeptthemallthedaysofhislife,andtheyshallneverperish(John6:37-39;17:2,12).

4.TheFather'sgracegiveththekingdomofheaventothosethathehathgiventoJesusChrist—"Fearnot,littleflock,foritisyourFather'sgoodpleasuretogiveyouthekingdom"(Luke12:32).

5.TheFather's graceprovideth and layethup inChrist, for those that hehathchosen, a sufficiencyof all spiritual blessings, tobe communicated to themattheirneed,for theirpreservation in thefaith,andfaithfulperseverance throughthis life; "not according to our works, but according to his own purpose andgrace,whichwasgivenusinChristJesusbeforetheworldbegan"(2Tim1:9;Eph1:3,4).

6.TheFather'sgracesavethusbytheblessedandeffectualcallthathegivethustothefellowshipofhisSonJesusChrist(1Col1:9;Gal1:15).

7.TheFather'sgracesavethusbymultiplyingpardons tous, forChrist'ssake,daybyday—"Inwhomwehaveredemptionthroughhisblood,theforgivenessofsins,accordingtotherichesofhisgrace"(Eph1:7).

8.TheFather'sgracesavesusbyexercisingpatienceandforbearancetowardsusallthetimeofourunregeneracy(Rom3:24).

9.TheFather'sgracesavethusbyholdingofusfastinhishand,andbykeepingof us from all the power of the enemy—"My Father," said Christ, "that gavethemme,isgreaterthanall,andnomanisabletopluckthemoutofmyFather'shand"(John10:29).

10.WhatshallIsay?TheFather'sgracesavethusbyacceptingofourpersonsandservices,byliftingupthelightofhiscountenanceuponus,bymanifestingofhisloveuntous,andbysendingofhisangelstofetchustohimself,whenwehavefinishedourpilgrimageinthisworld.

OfthegraceoftheSon.

SECOND.IcomenowtospeakofthegraceoftheSon;forastheFatherputteth

forthhisgraceinthesavingofthesinner,sodoththeSonputforthhis—"ForyeknowthegraceofourLordJesusChrist,that,thoughhewasrich,yetforyoursakeshebecamepoor,thatyethroughhispovertymightberich"(2Cor8:9).

Here you see also that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is brought in as apartnerwiththegraceofhisFatherinthesalvationofoursouls.NowthisisthegraceofourLordJesusChrist;hewasrich,butforoursakeshebecamepoor,thatwethroughhispovertymightbemaderich.

Toinquire,then,intothisgrace,thiscondescendinggraceofChrist,andthatbysearchingouthowrichJesusChristwas, and thenhowpoorhemadehimself,thatwethroughhispovertymighthavetherichesofsalvation.

First. How rich was Jesus Christ? To which I answer—1. Generally; 2.Particularly.

1.Generally.HewasrichastheFather—"AllthingsthattheFatherhath,"saithhe,"aremine."JesusChrististheLordofall,Godoverall,blessedforever."HethoughtitnotrobberytobeequalwithGod,"beingnaturallyandeternallyGod,astheFather,butofhisGodheadhecouldnotstriphimself(John10:30;16:15;Acts10:36;Phil2:6;Rom9:4,5).

2.Particularly. Jesus Christ had glorywith the Father; yea, amanifold glorywithhim,whichhestrippedhimselfof.

(1.)Hehadthegloryofdominion,hewasLordofall thecreatures; theywereunderhimuponadoubleaccount—(a)ashewastheirCreator(Col1:16);(b)ashewasmadetheheirofGod(Heb1:2).

(2.)Thereforethegloryofworship,reverence,andfearfromallcreatures,wasdueuntohim;theworship,obedience,subjection,andserviceofangelsweredueunto him; the fear, honour, and glory of kings, and princes, and judges of theearthweredueuntohim;theobedienceofthesun,moon,stars,clouds,andallvapours,weredueuntohim;alldragons,deeps,fire,hail,snow,mountainsandhills,beasts,cattle,creepingthings,andflyingfowls,theserviceofthemall,andtheirworship,weredueuntohim(Psa148).

(3.)Thegloryoftheheavensthemselveswasdueuntohim;inaword,heavenandearthwerehis.

(4.)Butaboveall, thegloryofcommunionwithhisFatherwashis; I say, theglory of that unspeakable communion that he had with the Father before hisincarnation,whichalonewasworthtenthousandworlds,thatwaseverhis.

(5.)Butagain;asJesusChristwaspossessedwiththis,so,besides,hewasLordoflife;thisgloryalsowasJesusChrist's:"Inhimwaslife,"thereforeheiscalledthePrinceofit;becauseitwasinhimoriginallyasintheFather(Acts3:15).Hegavetoalllifeandbreath,andallthings;angels,men,beasts,theyhadalltheirlifefromhim.

(6.)Again,ashewasLordofglory,andPrinceoflife,sohewasalsoPrinceofpeace, (Isa 9:6); and by him was maintained that harmony and goodly orderwhichwereamongthingsinheavenandthingsonearth.

Takethingsbrieflyinthesefewparticulars—(a.)Theheavenswerehis,andhemadethem.(b.)Angelswerehis,andhemadethem.(c.)Theearthwashis,andhemadeit.(d.)Manwashis,andhemadehim.

[Second.Howpoorhemadehimself.]Nowthisheavenheforsookforoursakes—"Hecameintotheworldtosavesinners"(1Tim1:15).

[1.]Hewasmade lower than the angels, for the suffering of death (Heb2:9).When he was born, he made himself, as he saith, a worm, or one of noreputation;hebecamethereproachandbywordofthepeople;hewasborninastable, laid in a manger, earned his bread with his labour, being by trade acarpenter(Psa22:6;Phil2:7;Luke2:7;Mark6:3).Whenhebetookhimselftohisministry, he livedupon the charityof thepeople;whenothermenwent totheirownhouses,JesuswenttotheMountofOlives.Harkwhathimselfsaithfortheclearingofthis—"Foxeshaveholes,andbirdsoftheairhavenests,buttheSonofmanhathnotwhere to layhishead."Hedeniedhimselfof thisworld'sgood(Luke8:2,3;9:58;John7:35;8:1).

[2.]Again,ashewasPrinceoflife,soheforoursakeslaiddownthatalso;forsostood thematter, thatheorwemustdie;but thegrace thatwas inhisheartwroughtwithhimtolaydownhislife:"Hegavehislifearansomformany."Helaiddownhislifethatwemighthavelife;hegavehisfleshandbloodforthelifeoftheworld;helaiddownhislifeforhissheep.

[3.]Again;hewasPrinceofpeace,butheforsookhispeacealso. (1.)He laidasidepeacewiththeworld,andchoseuponthataccounttobeamanofsorrows

andacquaintedwithgrief, and thereforewaspersecuted fromhis cradle tohiscross,bykings,rulers,&c.(2.)HelaidasidehispeacewithhisFather,andmadehimself theobject ofhisFather's curse, insomuch that theLord smote, struck,and afflicted him; and, in conclusion, hid his face fromhim (as he expressed,withgreatcrying)atthehourofhisdeath.

[Object.] But perhaps some may say, What need was there that Jesus Christshould do all this? Could not the grace of the Father save us without thiscondescensionoftheSon?

Answ.Asthereisgrace,sothereisjusticeinGod;andmanhavingsinned,Godconcluded to save him in a way of righteousness; therefore it was absolutelynecessarythatJesusChristshouldputhimselfintoourverycondition,sinonlyexcepted.1.NowbysinwehadlostthegloryofGod,thereforeJesusChristlaysasidetheglorythathehadwiththeFather(Rom3:23;John17:5).2.Manbysinhad shut himself out of an earthly paradise, and Jesus Christ will leave hisheavenlyparadisetosavehim(Gen3:24;1Tim1:15;John6:38,39).3.Manbysinhadmadehimselflighterthanvanity,andthisLordGod,JesusChrist,madehimselflowerthantheangelstoredeemhim(Isa40:17;Heb2:7).4.Manbysinlost his right to the creatures, and Jesus Christ will deny himself of a wholeworldtosavehim(Luke9:58).5.Manbysinhadmadehimselfsubjecttodeath;but JesusChristwill lose his life to save him (Rom6:23). 6.Manby sin hadprocuredtohimselfthecurseofGod;butJesusChristwillbearthatcurseinhisownbodytosavehim(Gal3:13).7.Manbysinhad lostpeacewithGod;butthiswouldJesusChristlosealso,totheendmanmightbesaved.8.ManshouldhavebeenmockedofGod,thereforeChristwasmockedofmen.9.Manshouldhavebeenscourgedinhell;but,tohinderthat,Jesuswasscourgedonearth.10.Manshouldhavebeencrownedwithignominyandshame;but,topreventthat,Jesuswascrownedwiththorns.11.ManshouldhavebeenpiercedwiththespearofGod'swrath;but,topreventthat,JesuswaspiercedbothbyGodandmen.12.ManshouldhavebeenrejectedofGodandangels;but,topreventthat,JesuswasforsakenofGod,anddenied,hated,andrejectedofmen(Isa48:22;Prov1:24-26; Matt 27:26,39,46; Psa 9:17; 11:6; 22:7; Dan 12:2; John 19:2-5,37; Num24:8;Zech12:10;Luke9:22).

Imightthusenlarge,andthatbyauthorityfromthistext—"Hebecamepoor,thatye throughhispovertymightbe rich."All the richeshe strippedhimselfof, itwasforoursakes;allthesorrowsheunderwent,itwasforoursakes;totheleastcircumstanceofthesufferingsofChristtherewasnecessitythatsoitshouldbe,

allwasforoursakes:"Foroursakeshebecamepoor,thatyethroughhispovertymightberich."

AndyouseetheargumentthatprevailedwithChristtodothisgreatserviceforman,thegracethatwasinhisheart;asalsotheprophetsaith,"Inhisloveandinhispityheredeemedthem."AccordingtothisintheCorinthians,"YeknowthegraceofourLordJesusChrist";bothwhichagreewiththetext,"Bygraceyearesaved."

I say, this was the grace of the Son, and the exercise thereof. The Fatherthereforeshowshisgraceoneway,andtheSonhisanother.ItwasnottheFather,buttheSon,that lefthisheavenforsinners; itwasnottheFather,buttheSon,thatspilthisbloodforsinners.TheFatherindeedgavetheSon,andblessedbetheFatherforthat;andtheSongavehislifeandbloodforus,andblessedbetheSonforthat.

ButmethinksweshouldnotyethavedonewiththisgraceoftheSon.ThouSonof theBlessed,what gracewasmanifest in thy condescension!Grace broughttheedownfromheaven,gracestrippedtheeofthyglory,gracemadetheepoorand despicable, grace made thee bear such burdens of sin, such burdens ofsorrow, suchburdensofGod'scurseasareunspeakable.OSonofGod!gracewasinall thytears,gracecamebubblingoutof thysidewith thyblood,gracecame forthwith everywordof thy sweetmouth (Psa45:2;Luke4:22).Gracecameoutwherethewhipsmotethee,wherethethornsprickedthee,wherethenails and spear pierced thee. O blessed Son of God! Here is grace indeed!Unsearchable riches of grace! Unthought-of riches of grace! Grace to makeangelswonder,gracetomakesinnershappy,gracetoastonishdevils.AndwhatwillbecomeofthemthattrampleunderfootthisSonofGod?

Of the grace of the Spirit. THIRD. I come now to speak of the grace of theSpirit; forhealsosavethusbyhisgrace.TheSpirit, I toldyou, isGod,as theFather and the Son, and is therefore also the author of grace; yea, and it isabsolutely necessary that he put forth his grace also, or else no flesh can besaved.TheSpiritofGodhathhishandinsavingofusmanyways;fortheythatgotoheaven,astheymustbebeholdingtotheFatherandtheSon,soalsototheSpiritofGod.TheFatherchoosethus,givethustoChrist,andheaventous,andthelike.TheSonfulfillsthelawforus,takesthecurseofthelawfromus,bearsin his own body our sorrows, and sets us justified in the sight of God. TheFather'sgraceisshowedinheavenandearth;theSon'sgraceisshowedonthe

earth,andonthecross;andtheSpirit'sgracemustbeshowedinoursoulsandbodies,beforewecometoheaven.

Quest.Butsomemaysay,WhereindoththesavinggraceoftheSpiritappear?

Answ.Inmanythings.

In taking possession of us for his own, in his making of us his house andhabitation,sothatthoughtheFatherandtheSonhavebothgloriouslyputforthgracious acts in order to our salvation, yet the Spirit is the first that makesseizureofus (1Cor3:16;6:19;Eph2:21,22).Christ, therefore,whenhewentaway,saidnotthathewouldsendtheFather,buttheSpirit,andthatheshouldbeinusforever—"IfIdepart,"saidChrist,"Iwillsendhim,theSpiritoftruth,theComforter"(John14:16;16:7,13).

TheHolySpiritcomingintous,anddwellinginus,workethoutmanysalvationsforusnow,andeachoftheminorderalsotoourbeingsavedforever.

1.Hesavethusfromourdarknessbyilluminatingofus;henceheiscalled"theSpirit of revelation," because he openeth the blind eyes, and so consequentlydeliverethusfromthatdarknesswhichelsewoulddrownusinthedeepsofhell(Eph1:17,19).

2.Heit is thatconvincethusoftheevilofourunbelief,andthatshowsusthenecessity of our believing in Christ; without the conviction of thiswe shouldperish(John16:9).

3.ThisisthatfingerofGodbywhichthedevilismadetogiveplaceuntograce,bywhosepowerelseweshouldbecarriedheadlongtohell(Luke11:20-22).

4.Thisishethatworkethfaithinourhearts,withoutwhichneitherthegraceoftheFathernorthegraceoftheSoncansaveus,"Forhethatbelievethnot,shallbedamned"(Mark16:16;Rom15:13).

5.Thisishebywhomwearebornagain;andhethatisnotsoborncanneitherseenorinheritthekingdomofheaven(John3:3-7).

6.Thisishethatsettethuphiskingdomintheheart,andbythatmeanskeepethoutthedevilafterheiscastout,whichkingdomoftheSpirit,whoeverwanteth,theylieliabletoaworsepossessionofthedevilthanever(Matt12:43-45;Luke

11:24,25).

7.BythisSpiritwecometoseethebeautyofChrist,withoutasightofwhichweshouldneverdesirehim,butshouldcertainlyliveintheneglectofhim,andperish(John16:14;1Cor2:9-13;Isa53:1,2).

8. By this Spirit we are helped to praise God acceptably, but without it, it isimpossibletobehearduntosalvation(Rom8:26;Eph6:18;1Cor14:15).

9.By thisblessedSpirit the loveofGod is shedabroad inourhearts,andourheartsaredirectedintotheloveofGod(Rom5:5;2Thess2:13).

10.BythisblessedSpiritweareledfromthewaysofthefleshintothewaysoflife,andbyitourmortalbody,aswellasourimmortalsoul,isquickenedintheserviceofGod(Gal5:18,25;Rom8:11).

11.BythisgoodSpiritwekeepthatgoodthing,eventheseedofGod,thatatthefirstbytheWordofGodwasinfusedintous,andwithoutwhichweareliabletotheworstdamnation(1John3:9;1Peter1:23;2Tim1:14).

12. By this good Spirit we have help and light against all the wisdom andcunningoftheworld,whichputtethforthitselfinitsmostcursedsophisticationstooverthrowthesimplicity that is inChrist (Matt10:19,20;Mark13:11;Luke12:11,12).

13. By this good Spirit our graces aremaintained in life and vigour, as faith,hope, love,a spiritofprayer,andeverygrace (2Cor4:13;Rom15:13;2Tim1:7;Eph6:18;Titus3:5).

14.BythisgoodSpiritwearesealedtothedayofredemption(Eph1:14).

15. And by this good Spirit we are made to wait with patience until theredemptionofthepurchasedpossessioncomes(Gal5:5).

Nowallthesethingsaresonecessarytooursalvation,thatIknownotwhichofthemcanbewanting;neithercananyofthembebyanymeansattainedbutbythisblessedSpirit.And thushave I in fewwordsshowedyou thegraceof theSpirit,andhowitputtethforthitselftowardsthesavingofthesoul.Andverily,Sirs, it isnecessary thatyouknowthese thingsdistinctly—towit, thegraceoftheFather,thegraceoftheSon,andthegraceoftheHolyGhost;foritisnotthe

graceofone,butofallthesethree,thatsavethhimthatshallbesavedindeed.

TheFather'sgracesavethnomanwithoutthegraceoftheSon;neitherdoththeFather and theSon save anywithout the grace of theSpirit; for as theFatherloves,theSonmustdie,andtheSpiritmustsanctify,ornosoulmustbesaved.Somethinkthat the loveof theFather,without thebloodof theSon,willsavethem, but they are deceived; for "without shedding of blood is no remission"(Heb9:22).

SomethinkthattheloveoftheFatherandbloodoftheSonwilldo,withouttheholinessof theSpiritofGod;but theyaredeceivedalso; for"ifanymanhavenottheSpiritofChrist,heisnoneofhis";andagain,"withoutholinessnomanshallseetheLord"(Rom8:9;Heb12:14).

Thereisathirdsort,thatthinktheholinessoftheSpiritissufficientofitself;butthey(iftheyhadit)aredeceivedalso;foritmustbethegraceoftheFather,thegraceoftheSon,andthegraceoftheSpirit,jointly,thatmustsavethem.

Butyet,as thesethreedoputforthgracejointlyandtrulyinthesalvationofasinner, so they put it forth, as I also have showed you before, after a diversemanner.TheFatherdesignsusforheaven,theSonredeemsfromsinanddeath,andtheSpiritmakesusmeetforheaven;notbyelecting,thatistheworkoftheFather;notbydying,thatistheworkoftheSon;butbyhisrevealingChrist,andapplyingChristtooursouls,bysheddingtheloveofGodabroadinourhearts,by sanctifying of our souls, and taking possession of us as an earnest of ourpossessionofheaven.

QUEST.III.—WHOARETHEYTHATARETOBESAVEDBYGRACE?

Icomenowtothethirdparticular—namely,toshowyouwhotheyarethataretobesavedbygrace.

[Whoarenotsaved.]

First.Not theself-righteous,not theythathavenoneedof thephysician."Thewhole have no need of the physician," saith Christ. "I came not to call therighteous,butsinnerstorepentance"(Mark2:17).Andagain,"Hehathfilledthehungrywith good things, and the rich he hath sent empty away" (Luke1:53).Nowwhen I say not the self-righteous nor the rich, I mean not that they areutterlyexcluded; forPaulwas suchanone;buthe savethnot suchwithouthefirstawakenthemtoseetheyhaveneedtobesavedbygrace.

Second.ThegraceofGodsavethnothimthathathsinnedtheunpardonablesin.There is nothing left for him "but a certain fearful looking for of judgment, -whichshalldevourtheadversaries"(Heb10:26,27).

Third. That sinner that persevereth in final impenitency and unbelief shall bedamned(Luke13:3,5;Rom2:2-5;Mark16:15,16).

Fourth. That sinner whose mind the god of this world hath blinded, that thegloriouslightofthegospelofChrist,whoistheimageofGod,cannevershineintohim,islost,andmustbedamned(2Cor4:3,4).

Fifth.Thesinnerthatmakethreligionhiscloakforwickedness,heisahypocrite,and, continuing so, must certainly be damned (Psa 125:5; Isa 33:14; Matt24:50,51).

Sixth.Inaword,everysinnerthatperseverethinhiswickedness,shallnotinheritthekingdomofheaven—"Knowyenotthattheunrighteousshallnotinheritthekingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, noradulterers,noreffeminate,norabusersofthemselveswithmankind,northieves,nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit thekingdom of God." "Let noman deceive youwith vainwords; for because ofthesethingscomeththewrathofGoduponthechildrenofdisobedience"(1Cor

6:9-12;Eph5:5,6).

[Whoaresaved.]Question.Butwhatkindofsinnersshallthenbesaved?

Answ.ThoseofallthesekindsthattheSpiritofGodshallbring[to]theFatherbyJesusChrist;these,Isay,andnonebutthese,canbesaved,becauseelsethesinnersmight be savedwithout the Father, orwithout the Son, orwithout theSpirit.

Now,inallthatIhavesaid,Ihavenotintheleastsuggestedthatanysinnerisrejectedbecausehissins,inthenatureofthem,aregreat;ChristJesuscameintotheworldtosavethechiefofsinners.Itisnot,therefore,thegreatnessof,butthecontinuance in, sins that indeeddamneth the sinner.But I alwaysexcludehimthathathsinnedagainst theHolyGhost.That it isnot thegreatnessofsin thatexcludeththesinnerisevident—

1.Fromthewordsbeforethetext,whichdothgiveanaccountofwhatkindofsinnerswereheresavedbygrace,asnamely, they thatweredead in trespassesandsins,thosethatwalkedinthesesins,"accordingtothecourseofthisworld,accordingtotheprinceofthepoweroftheair,thespiritthatnowworkethinthechildrenofdisobedience:amongwhomalsoweallhadourconversationintimespastinthelustsofourflesh,fulfillingthedesiresofthefleshandofthemind;andwerebynaturethechildrenofwrath,evenasothers"(Eph2:2,3).

2. It is evident also from the many sinners that we find to be saved, by therevealedwillofGod.ForintheWordwehavementionmadeofthesalvationofgreat sinners, where their names and their sins stand recorded for ourencouragement;as,(1.)YoureadofManasseh,whowasanidolater,awitch,apersecutor,yea,arebelagainstthewordofGod,sentuntohimbytheprophets;andyetthismanwassaved(2Chron33:2-13;2Kings21:16).(2.)YoureadofMaryMagdalene, inwhomwere sevendevils; her conditionwasdreadful, yetshewassaved(Luke8:2;John20).(3.)Youreadofthemanthathadalegionofdevilsinhim.Ohowdreadfulwashiscondition!andyetbygracehewassaved(Mark 5:1-10). (4.)You read of them thatmurdered the Lord Jesus, and howtheywereconvertedandsaved(Acts2:23).(5.)Youreadoftheexorcists,howtheyclosedwithChrist,andweresavedbygrace(Acts19:13).(6.)YoureadofSaulthepersecutor,andhowhewassavedbygrace(Acts9:15).

Object.But,thousayest,Iamabackslider.

Answ. So was Noah, and yet he found grace in the eyes of the Lord (Gen9:21,22).SowasLot,andyetGodsavedhimbygrace(Gen19:35;2Peter2:7-9).SowasDavid,yetbygracehewasforgivenhisiniquities(2Sam12:7-13).So was Solomon, and a great one too; yet by grace his soul was saved (Psa89:28-34). So was Peter, and that a dreadful one; yet by grace he was saved(Matt26:69-74;Mark16:7;Acts15:7-11).Besides,forfurtherencouragement,readJeremiah3,33:25,26,51:5,Ezekiel36:25,Hosea14:1-4;andstaythyself,andwonderattherichesofthegraceofGod.

Quest.Buthowshouldwefindoutwhatsinnersshallbesaved?All, it seems,shallnot.Besides,foraughtcanbegatheredbywhatyouhavesaid,thereisasbadsavedasdamned,sethimthathathsinnedtheunpardonablesinaside.

Answ.True,thereareasbadsavedasdamned;buttothisquestion:Theythatareeffectuallycalled,aresaved.TheythatbelieveontheSonofGodshallbesaved.TheythataresanctifiedandpreservedinChristshallbesaved.Theythattakeuptheircrossdaily,andfollowChrist,shallbesaved.

Takeacatalogueofthemthus:"BelieveontheLordJesusChrist,andthoushaltbesaved"(Mark16:16;Acts16:31)."If thoushaltconfesswith thymouth theLord Jesus, and shalt believe in thineheart thatGodhath raisedhim from thedeadthoushaltbesaved"(Rom10:9).BejustifiedbythebloodofChrist,andthoushaltbesaved(Rom5:9).BereconciledtoGodbythedeathofhisSon,andthou shalt be saved by his life (Rom 5:10). "And it shall come to pass, thatwhosoevershallcallonthenameoftheLordshallbesaved"(Acts2:21).

Seesomeotherscriptures."Heshallsavethehumbleperson"(Job22:29)."Thouwilt save the afflicted people" (Psa 18:27). "He shall save the children of theneedy"(Psa72:4)."Heshallsavethesoulsoftheneedy"(Psa72:13)."Othou,myGod, save thy servant that trusteth in thee" (Psa86:2). "Hewill fulfill thedesireofthemthatfearhim,healsowillheartheircry,andwillsavethem"(Psa145:19).

[Caution.] But, sinner, if thouwouldst indeed be saved, beware of these fourthings—

1.Bewareofdelayingrepentance;delaysaredangerousanddamnable;theyaredangerous, because they harden the heart; they are damnable, because theirtendencyistomaketheeoutstandthetimeofgrace(Psa95:7;Heb3-12).

2.Bewareofrestinginthewordofthekingdom,withoutthespiritandpowerofthekingdomofthegospel;forthegospelcominginwordonlysavesnobody,forthekingdomofGodorthegospel,whereitcomestosalvation,isnotinwordbutinpower(1Thess1:4-6;1Cor4:19).

3.Takeheedoflivinginaprofession,alifethatisprovokingtoGod;forthatisthewaytomakehimcasttheeawayinhisanger.

4.Takeheedthat thyinsideandoutsidebealike;,andbothconformabletotheWordofhisgrace;labourtobelikethelivingcreatureswhichthoumayestreadof in thebookof theprophetEzekiel,whoseappearanceand themselveswereone[10](Eze10:22).

Inallthis,IhaveadvertisedyounottobecontentwithoutthepowerandSpiritofGodinyourhearts,forwithouthimyoupartakeofnoneofthegraceoftheFatherorSon,butwillcertainlymissofthesalvationofthesoul.

QUEST.IV.—HOWITAPPEARSTHATTHEYTHATARESAVED,ARESAVEDBYGRACE?

Thisfourthquestionrequireththatsomedemonstrationbegivenofthetruthofthisdoctrine—towit,thattheythataresavedaresavedbygrace.

What hath been said before hath given some demonstration of the truth;wherefore,firstrepeatinginfewwordsthesumofwhathathbeensaidalready,Ishall come to further proof. 1.That this is true, theScriptures testify, becauseGodchose them tosalvationbefore theyhaddonegood (Rom9:11).2.ChristwasordainedtobetheirSaviourbeforethefoundationoftheworld(Eph1:4;1Peter1:19-21).3.AllthingsthatconcurandgotooursalvationwerealsointhesamelaidupinChrist,tobecommunicatedinthedispensationofthefullnessoftimes,tothemthatshallbesaved(Eph1:3,4;2Tim1:9;Eph1:10;3:8-11;Rom8:30).

[Thatsalvationisbygraceappearsinitscontrivance.]Again,astheirsalvationwascontrivedbyGod,so,aswassaid,thissalvationwasundertakenbyoneofthethree;towit,theSonoftheFather(John1:29;Isa48:16).

Hadtherebeenacontrivanceinheavenaboutthesalvationofsinnersonearth,yetiftheresultofthatcontrivancehadbeenthatweshouldbesavedbyourowngooddeeds,itwouldnothavebeenproperforanapostle,oranangel,tosay,"Bygrace ye are saved." But now, when a council is held in eternity about thesalvationofsinnersintime,andwhentheresultofthatcouncilshallbe,thattheFather,theSon,andtheHolyGhostwillthemselvesaccomplishtheworkofthissalvation,thisisgrace,thisisnaturallygrace,gracethatisrichandfree;yea,thisis unthought-of grace. I will say it again, this is unthought-of grace; for whocouldhavethought thataSaviourhadbeeninthebosomoftheFather,or thattheFatherwouldhavegivenhimtobetheSaviourofmen,sinceherefusedtogivehimtobetheSaviourofangels?(Heb2:16,17).

[Graceappears in theSon'sundertaking thiswork.]Again;could ithavebeenthoughtthattheFatherwouldhavesenthisSontobetheSaviour,weshould,inreason,havethoughtalsothathewouldneverhavetakentheworkwhollyuponhimself, especially that fearful, dreadful, soul-astonishing, and amazing partthereof!Whocouldoncehave imagined that theLord Jesuswouldhavemadehimself so poor as to stand beforeGod in the nauseous rags of our sins, and

subjecthimselftothecurseanddeaththatwereduetooursin?butthushedidtosaveusbygrace.

"Blessedbe theGodandFatherofourLordJesusChrist,whohathblesseduswith all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as he hathchosenusinhimbeforethefoundationoftheworld,thatweshouldbeholyandwithoutblamebeforehiminlove:havingpredestinatedusuntotheadoptionofchildrenbyJesusChristtohimself,accordingtothegoodpleasureofhiswill,tothe praise of the glory of his grace,wherein he hathmade us accepted in theBeloved; in whomwe have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness ofsins,accordingtotherichesofhisgrace"(Eph1:3-7).

[Graceappears in the termsandconditionsonwhich salvation ismadeover.]Again; if we consider the terms and conditions upon which this salvation ismadeovertothemthataresaved,itwillfurtherappearwearesavedbygrace.

1.Thethingsthatimmediatelyconcernourjustificationandsalvation,theyareoffered,yea,giventousfreely,andwearecommandedtoreceivethembyfaith.Sinner,holdupthylap.Godsolovedtheworld,thathegivethhisSon,thathegiveth his righteousness, that he giveth his Spirit, and the kingdomof heaven(John3:16;Rom5:17;2Cor1:21,22;Luke12:32).

2.Healsogivethrepentance,hegivethfaith,andgivetheverlastingconsolation,andgoodhopethroughgrace(Acts5:30,31;Phil1:29;2Thess2:16).

3.Hegivethpardon,andgivethmoregrace, tokeepus fromsinking intohell,thanwehavesin tosinkus in thither (Acts5:31;Prov3:34;John4:6;1Peter5:5).

4.Hehathmadeallthesethingsovertousinacovenantofgrace.Wecallitacovenantofgrace,becauseitissetinoppositiontothecovenantofworks,andbecause it is established to us in the doings of Christ, founded in his blood,establisheduponthebestpromisesmadetohim,andtousbyhim."ForallthepromisesofGodinhimareyea,andinhimamen,tothegloryofGodbyus"(2Cor1:20).

Buttopassthese,andtocometosomeotherdemonstrationsfortheclearingofthis—

Letusalittleconsider,

Whatmanis,uponwhomtheFather,theSon,andtheSpiritbestowsthisgrace.

1.[AnenemytoGod.]BynatureheisanenemytoGod,anenemyinhismind."ThecarnalmindisenmityagainstGod,foritisnotsubjecttothelawofGod,neitherindeedcanbe"(Rom8:7;Col1:21).

2. [A slave to sin.] So that the state of man was this—he was not only overpersuadedonasuddentosinagainstGod,buthedrankthissin,likewater,intohis very nature, mingled it with every faculty of his soul andmember of hisbody;bythemeansofwhichhebecamealienatedfromGod,andanenemytohiminhisveryheart;andwiltthou,OLord,astheScripturehathit,"Anddostthouopen thine eyesupon suchanone?" (Job14:3).Yea,open thyheart, andtakethisman,notintojudgment,butintomercywiththee?

3.[Incovenantwithdeathandhell.]Further,manbyhissinhadnotonlygivenhimself to be a captive slave to the devil, but, continuing in his sin, hemadeheadagainsthisGod,struckupacovenantwithdeath,andmadeanagreementwithhell;butforGodtoopenhiseyesuponsuchanone,andtotakeholdofhimbyrichesofgrace,thisisamazing(Isa28:16-18).

SeewhereGodfoundtheJewwhenhecametolookuponhimtosavehim—"Asfor thynativity," saysGod, "in the day thouwast born thynavelwas not cut,neitherwastthouwashedinwatertosupplethee;thouwastnotsaltedatall,norswaddled at all. None eye pitied thee, to do any of these unto thee, to havecompassionuponthee;butthouwastcastoutintheopenfield,totheloathingofthyperson,inthedaythatthouwastborn.AndwhenIpassedbythee,andsawtheepollutedinthineownblood,Isaiduntothee,whenthouwastinthyblood,Live;yea, I saidunto thee,when thouwast in thyblood,Live. -Nowwhen Ipassedbythee,andlookeduponthee,behold,thytimewasthetimeoflove;andIspreadmyskirtoverthee,andcoveredthynakedness;yea,Iswareuntothee,and entered into a covenantwith thee, saith theLordGod, and thoubecamestmine."Sinner, see further into the chapter,Ezekiel 16.All this is thegraceofGod;everywordinthistextsmellsofgrace.

ButbeforeIpassthis,letusalittletakenoticeof

ThecarriageofGodtoman,andagainofmantoGod,inhisconversion.

FIRST.OFGOD'SCARRIAGETOMAN.Hecomestohimwhileheisinhissins,inhisblood;hecomestohimnow,notintheheatandfireofhisjealousy,

but"inthecooloftheday,"inunspeakablegentleness,mercy,pity,andbowelsof love; not in clothinghimselfwithvengeance, but in awayof entreaty, andmeeklybeseecheththesinnertobereconcileduntohim(2Cor5:19,20).

Itisexpectedamongmenthathewhichgiveththeoffenceshouldbethefirstinseekingpeace;but,sinner,betwixtGodandmanitisnotso;notthatwelovedGod,notthatwechoseGod;but"GodwasinChrist,reconcilingtheworlduntohimself,not imputing their trespassesunto them."God is the first that seekethpeace; and, as I said, in a way of entreaty he bids his ministers pray you inChrist'sstead;"as thoughGoddidbeseechyoubyus,weprayyou, inChrist'sstead,beyereconciledtoGod."Osinner,wiltthounotopen?Behold,GodtheFatherandhisSonJesusChriststandbothat thedoorof thyheart,beseechingthereforfavourfromthee,thatthouwiltbereconciledtothem,withpromise,ifthouwiltcomply,toforgivetheeallthysins.Ograce!Oamazinggrace!Toseeaprinceentreatabeggartoreceiveanalmswouldbeastrangesight;toseeakingentreatthetraitortoacceptofmercywouldbeastrangersightthanthat;buttoseeGodentreatasinner,tohearChristsay,"Istandatthedoorandknock,"withaheartfullandaheavenfullofgracetobestowuponhimthatopens,thisissuchasightasdazzlestheeyesofangels.Whatsayest thounow,sinner?IsnotthisGodrichinmercy?HathnotthisGodgreatloveforsinners?Nay,further,thatthoumayest not have any ground to doubt that all this is but complementing,thouhastalsoheredeclaredthatGodhathmadehisChrist"tobesinforus,whoknewnosin, thatwemightbemade therighteousnessofGodinhim."IfGodwouldhavestuckatanything,hewouldhavestuckatthedeathofhisSon;buthe"deliveredhimupforus"freely;"howshallhenotwithhimalsofreelygiveusallthings?"(Rom8:32).[11]

Butthisisnotall.Goddothnotonlybeseechtheetobereconciledtohim,butfurther, for thy encouragement, hehathpronounced, in thyhearing, exceedinggreat and precious promises; "and hath confirmed it by an oath, that by twoimmutable things, inwhich itwas impossible forGod to lie,wemighthaveastrongconsolation,whohavefledforrefugetolayholduponthehopesetbeforeus"(Heb6:18,19;Isa1:18;55:6,7;Jer51:5).

SECOND.OFMAN'SCARRIAGETOGOD.Letuscomenowtothecarriageof these sinners toGod, and that from the first day he beginneth to dealwiththeirsouls,eventothetimethattheyaretobetakenupintoheaven.And,

First. To begin with God's ordinary dealing with sinners, when at first he

ministereth conviction to them by his Word, how strangely do they behavethemselves!They love not to have their consciences touched; they like not toponderuponwhat theyhavebeen,what theyare,orwhat is like tobecomeofthem hereafter; such thoughts they count unmanly, hurtful, disadvantageous;therefore "they refused to hearken, andpulled away the shoulder, and stoppedtheirears,thattheyshouldnothear"(Zech7,11).AndnowtheyareforanythingratherthantheWord;analehouse,awhorehouse,aplayhouse,sports,pleasures,sleep,theworld,andwhatnotsotheymaystave[12]offthepowerofthewordofGod.

Second. IfGodnowcomesupcloser to them, andbegins to fasten convictionupon the conscience, though such conviction be the first step to faith andrepentance,yea,andtolifeeternal,yetwhatshiftswilltheyhavetoforgetthem,andwear themoff!Yea, although theynowbegin to see that theymust eitherturn or burn, [13] yet oftentimes even then theywill study towave a presentconversion:theyobject,theyaretooyoungtoturnyet;sevenyearshencetimeenough,whentheyareold,orcomeuponasick-bed.Owhatanenemyismantohisownsalvation!IampersuadedthatGodhathvisitedsomeofyouoftenwithhisWord,eventwiceandthrice,andyouhavethrownwaterasfastashehathbytheWordcastfireuponyourconscience.[14]

Christian,whathadbecomeoftheeifGodhadtakenthydenialforananswer,andsaid,ThenwillIcarrythewordofsalvationtoanother,andhewillhearit?Sinner,turn,saysGod.Lord,Icannottend[15]it,saysthesinner.Turnorburn,saysGod. Iwillventure that, says the sinner.Turn, andbe saved, saysGod. Icannot leavemypleasures, says the sinner: sweet sins, sweet pleasures, sweetdelights, says the sinner. But what grace is it in God thus to parley with thesinner!O the patienceofGod to a poor sinner!What ifGod shouldnow say,Thengettheetothysins,gettheetothydelights,gettheetothypleasures,takethemforthyportion,theyshallbeallthyheaven,allthyhappiness,andallthyportion?

Third.ButGodcomesagain,andshowsthesinnerthenecessityofturningnow;nowornotatall;yea,andgiveththesinnerthisconvictionsostrongly,thathecannotputitoff.Butbehold,thesinnerhasonesparkofenmitystill.Ifhemustneeds turnnow,hewilleither turnfromonesin toanother, fromgreatones tolittle ones, frommany to few, or from all to one, and there stop.But perhapsconvictionswillnotthusleavehim.Why,then,hewillturnfromprofanenesstothe law ofMoses, and will dwell as long as God will let him upon his own

seeming goodness. And now observe him, he is a great stickler for legalperformance;nowhewillbeagoodneighbour,hewillpayeverymanhisown,willleaveoffhisswearing,thealehouse,hissports,andcarnaldelights;hewillread,pray,talkofScripture,andbeaverybusyoneinreligion,suchasitis;nowhewillpleaseGod,andmakehimamendsforallthewronghehathdonehim,andwill feed himwith chapters, and prayers, and promises, and vows, and agreatmanymore such dainty dishes as these, persuading himself that now hemustneedsbefairforheaven,andthinksbesidesthatheservethGodaswellasanymaninEnglandcan.[16]

ButallthiswhileheisasignorantofChristasthestoolhesitson,andnonearerheaventhanwastheblindPharisee;onlyhehasgotinacleanerwaytohellthanthe rest of hisneighbours are in—"There is ageneration that arepure in theirowneyes,andyetisnotwashedfromtheirfilthiness"(Prov30:12).

MightnotGodnowcutoffthissinner,andcasthimoutofhissight;mighthenotleave him here to his own choice, to be deluded by, and to fall in his ownrighteousness, because he "trusteth to it, and commits iniquity"? (Eze 33:13).Butgrace,preventinggrace,preserveshim.Itistrue,thisturnofthesinner,asIsaid,isaturningshortofChrist;but,

Fourth.Godinthiswayofthesinnerwillmercifullyfollowhim,andshowhimthe shortness of his performances, the emptiness of his duties, and theuncleannessofhisrighteousness(Isa28:20;64:6).ThusIspeakofthesinner,thesalvationofwhosesoulisgraciouslyintendedandcontrivedofGod;forheshallbygospel lightbeweariedoutofall;heshallbemadetoseethevanityofall,andthatthepersonalrighteousnessofJesusChrist,andthatonly,isitwhichofGodisordainedtosavethesinnerfromtheduerewardofhissins.Butbehold,thesinnernow,atthesightandsenseofhisownnothingness,fallethintoakindofdespair; for althoughhehath it inhim topresumeof salvation, through thedelusivenessofhisowngoodopinionofhimself,yethehathitnotinhimselftohave a good opinion of the grace of God in the righteousness of Christ;whereforeheconcludeth,thatifsalvationbealoneofthegraceofGod,throughtherighteousnessofChrist,andthatallofaman'sownisutterlyrejected,astothejustificationofhispersonwithGod,thenheiscastaway.Nowthereasonofthis sinking of heart is the sight that God hath given him, a sight of theuncleanness of his best performance; the former sight of his immoralities didsomewhatdistresshim,andmakehimbetakehimselftohisowngooddeedstoeasehisconscience,whereforethiswashisprop,hisstay;butbehold,nowGod

hathtakenthisfromunderhim,andnowhefalls;whereforehisbestdothalsonowforsakehim,andfliesawaylikethemorningdew,orabird,orasthechaffthatisdrivenwiththewhirlwind,andthesmokeoutofachimney(Hosea9:11;13:3).Besides,thisrevelationoftheemptinessofhisownrighteousness,bringsalsowithitafurtherdiscoveryofthenaughtinessofhisheart,initshypocrisies,pride,unbelief,hardnessofheart,deadness,andbackwardnesstoallgospelandnew-covenant obedience, which sight of himself lies like millstones upon hisshoulders,andsinkshimyetfurtherintodoubtsandfearsofdamnation.For,bidhimnow receiveChrist, he answershe cannot, hedaresnot.Askhimwhyhecannot,hewillanswerhehasnofaith,norhopeinhisheart.Tellhimthatgraceisofferedhimfreely,hesays,butIhavenohearttoreceiveit;besides,hefindsnot,ashethinks,anygraciousdispositioninhissoul,andthereforeconcludeshedothnotbelongtoGod'smercy,norhathaninterestinthebloodofChrist,andthereforedaresnotpresumetobelieve;wherefore,asIsaid,hesinksinhisheart,hediesinhisthoughts,hedoubts,hedespairs,andconcludesheshallneverbesaved.

Fifth.Butbehold,theGodofallgraceleavethhimnotinthisdistress,butcomesup now to him closer than ever; he sends the Spirit of adoption, the blessedComforter,tohim,totellhim,"Godislove,"andthereforenotwillingtorejectthebrokeninheart;bidshimcryandprayforanevidenceofmercytohissoul,andsays,"PeradventureyoumaybehidinthedayoftheLord'sanger."Atthisthe sinner takes someencouragement, yethe cangetnomore than thatwhichwillhanguponamereprobability,whichby thenextdoubt that ariseth in theheart is blownquite away, and the soul left again inhis first plight, orworse,where he lamentably bewails his miserable state, and is tormented with athousand fears of perishing, for hehearsnot aword fromheaven, perhaps forseveralweekstogether.Whereforeunbeliefbeginstogetthemasteryofhim,andtakesofftheveryedgeandspiritofprayer,andinclinationtoheartheWordanylonger; yea, the devil also claps in with these thoughts, saying that all yourprayers,andhearing,andreading,andgodlycompanywhichyoufrequent,willrise up in judgment against you at last; therefore better it is, if you must bedamned,tochooseaseasyaplaceinhellasyoucan.Thesoulatthis,beingquitediscouraged, thinks to do as it hath been taught, and with dying thoughts itbeginstofaintwhenitgoethtoprayerortoheartheword;butbehold,whenallhopeseemstobequitegone,andthesoulconcludes,IDIE,IPERISH,incomes,onasudden, theSpiritofGodagain,withsomegoodwordofGod,whichthesoulneverthoughtofbefore,whichwordofGodcommandsacalminthesoul,makes unbelief give place, encourageth to hope and wait upon God again;

perhaps it gives some little sight of Christ to the soul, and of his blessedundertakingforsinners.Butbehold,sosoonas thepowerof thingsdoesagainbegin towearoff theheart, thesinnergivesplace tounbelief,questionsGod'smercy, and fears damning again; he also entertains hard thoughts ofGod andChrist, and thinks former encouragements were fancies, delusions, or merethink-so's.AndwhydothnotGodnowcastthesinnertohellforhisthusabusinghismercyandgrace.Ono!"Hewillhavemercyonwhomhewillhavemercy,and he will have compassion on whom he will have compassion"; wherefore"goodnessandmercyshallfollowhimallthedaysofhislife,thathemaydwellinthehouseoftheLordforever"(Psa23:6).

Sixth.God,therefore,afteralltheseprovocations,comesbyhisSpirittothesoulagain,andbringssealinggraceandpardontotheconscience,testifyingtoitthatitssinsareforgiven,andthatfreely,forthesakeofthebloodofChrist;andnowhas the sinner such a sight of the grace ofGod inChrist as kindly breaks hisheartwithjoyandcomfort;nowthesoulknowswhatitistoeatpromises;italsoknowswhat it is toeat anddrink the fleshandbloodof JesusChristby faith;now it is driven by the power of his grace to its knees, to thank God forforgiveness of sins and for hopes of an inheritance amongst them that aresanctifiedbyfaithwhichisinChrist;nowithathacalmandsunshine;now"hewasheth his steps with butter, and the rock pours him out rivers of oil" (Job29:6).

Seventh. But after this, perhaps the soul grows cold again, it also forgets thisgracereceived,andwaxethcarnal,beginsagaintoitchaftertheworld,loseththelife and savour of heavenly things, grieves the Spirit of God, woefullybackslides, casteth off closet duties quite, or else retains only the formality ofthem, is a reproach to religion, grieves thehearts of them that are awake, andtender of God's name, &c. But what will God do now? Will he take thisadvantagetodestroythesinner?No.Willhelethimaloneinhisapostasy?No.Will he leave him to recover himself by the strength of his now languishinggraces?No.What then?Why,hewill seek thismanout till he findshim, andbringhimhometohimselfagain:"ForthussaiththeLordGod,Behold,I,evenI,will both searchmy sheep, and seek them out.As a shepherd seeketh out hisflockinthedaythatheisamongthesheepthatarescattered;sowillIseekoutmysheep,andwilldeliverthemoutofallplaceswheretheyhavebeenscattered.- Iwillseek thatwhichwas lost,andbringagain thatwhichwasdrivenaway,andwillbindupthatwhichwasbroken,andwillstrengthenthatwhichwassick"(Eze34:11,16).

ThushedealtwiththemanthatwentdownfromJerusalemtoJericho,andfellamongthieves;andthushedealtwiththeprodigalyoureadofalso(Luke10:30-35;15:20).

OfGod'sordinarywayoffetchingthebacksliderhomeIwillnotnowdiscourse—namely, whether he always breaketh his bones for his sins, as he brokeDavid's;orwhetherhewillall thedaysof their life,for this, leavethemunderguilt and darkness; or whether he will kill them now, that they may not bedamnedinthedayofjudgment,ashedealtwiththematCorinth(1Cor11:30-32).Heiswise,andcantellhowtoembitterbackslidingtothemheloveth.Hecan break their bones, and save them; he can lay them in the lowest pit, indarkness,inthedeep,andsavethem;hecanslaythemastothislife,andsavethem.Andhereinagainappearswonderfulgrace,that"Israelisnotforsaken,norJudahofhisGod,thoughtheirlandwasfilledwithsinagainsttheHolyOneofIsrael"(Jer51:5).

Eighth.ButsupposeGoddealsnoteitherofthesewayswiththebackslider,butshinesuponhimagain,andsealsup tohim the remissionofhis sinsa secondtime,saying,"Iwillhealtheirbackslidings,andlovethemfreely,"whatwillthesoul do now? Surely it will walk humbly now, and holily all its days. It willneverbackslideagain,willit?Itmayhappenitwillnot,itmayhappenitwill;itisjustashisGodkeepshim;foralthoughhissinsareofhimself,hisstandingisofGod;Isay,hisstanding,whilehestands,andhisrecovery,ifhefalls,arebothofGod;wherefore,ifGodleaveshimalittle,thenextgaphefinds,awayheisgone again. "My people," saysGod, "are bent to backsliding fromme."Howmany timesdidDavidbackslide;yea, JehoshaphatandPeter! (2Sam11,24;2Chron 19:1-3; 20:1-5; Matt 26:69-71; Gal 2:11-13). As also in the third ofJeremiahitissaid,"Butthouhastplayedtheharlotwithmanylovers,yetreturnunto me, saith the Lord" (verse 1). Here is grace! So many time as the soulbackslides,somanytimesGodbringshimagain—Imean,thesoulthatmustbesaved by grace—he renews his pardons, and multiplies them. "Lo, all thesethingsworkethGodoftentimeswithman"(Job33:29).

Ninth. But see yet more grace. I will speak here of heart-wanderings, and ofdailymiscarriages—Imean,ofthesecommoninfirmitiesthatareincidenttothebestofsaints,andthatattendthemintheirbestperformances;notthatIintend,forIcannot,mentionthemparticularly,thatwouldbeataskimpossible;butsuchthere are, worldly thoughts, unclean thoughts, too low thoughts of God, ofChrist,oftheSpirit,words,ways,andordinancesofGod,bywhichaChristian

transgressesmanytimes;mayInotsay,sometimesmanyhundredtimesaday;yea,foraughtIknow,therearesomesaints,andthemnotlong-livedeither,thatmustreceive,beforetheyenterintolife,millionsofpardonsfromGodforthese;and everypardon is an act of grace, through the redemption that is inChrist'sblood.[17]

Seventytimesseventimesadaywesometimessinagainstourbrother;buthowmanytimes,inthatday,dowesinagainstGod?Lord,"whocanunderstandhiserrors? cleanse thoume from secret faults" [sins], said David. And again, "Ifthou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there isforgiveness with thee that thoumayest be feared" (Matt 18:21,22; Psa 19:12;130:3,4).

Buttomentionsomeofthem.SometimestheyquestiontheverybeingofGod,orfoolishlyaskhowhecametobeatfirst;sometimestheyquestionthetruthofhisWord,andsuspect theharmony thereof,because theirblindheartsanddullheadscannotreconcileit;yea,allfundamentaltruthslieopensometimestothecensureoftheirunbeliefandatheism;as,namely,whethertherebesuchanoneasChrist,suchathingasthedayofjudgment,orwhethertherewillbeaheavenor hell hereafter, and God pardons all these by his grace.When they believethese things, even then they sin, by not having such reverent, high, and holythoughtsofthemastheyought;theysinalsobyhavingtoo,toogoodthoughtsofthemselves,of sin, and theworld; sometimes, letmesay,often, theywink toomuchatknownsin,theybewailnot,astheyshould,theinfirmitiesoftheflesh;theitchinginclinationswhichtheyfindintheirheartsaftervanitygotoooftenfromthemunrepentedof.Idonotsaybuttheyrepenttheminthegeneral.Butallthesethings,OhowoftendothGodforgive,throughtherichesofhisgrace!

Theysinbynotwalkinganswerablytomerciesreceived;yea,theycomeshortintheir thanks toGod for them,even thenwhen theymostheartilyacknowledgehowunworthytheyareofthem;also,howlittleofthestrengthofthemisspenttohispraise,whofreelypoureththemintotheirbosoms;butfromallthesesinsaretheysavedbygrace.Theysinintheirmostexactandspiritualperformanceofduties; theypraynot, theyhearnot, they readnot, theygivenot alms, theycomenottotheLord'stable,orotherholyappointmentsofGod,butinandwithmuch coldness, deadness, wanderings of heart, ignorance, misapprehensions,&c.TheyforgetGodwhiletheyprayuntohim;theyforgetChristwhiletheyareathistable;theyforgethisWordevenwhiletheyarereadingofit.

HowoftendotheymakepromisestoGod,andafterwardsbreakthem!Yea,orifthey keep promise in show, how much doth their heart even grudge theperformingofthem;howdotheyshuck[18]atthecross;andhowunwillingaretheytolosethatlittletheyhaveforGod,thoughalltheyhavewasgiventhemtoglorifyhimwithal![19]

Allthesethings,andathousandtimesasmanymore,dwellinthefleshofman;andtheymayassoongoawayfromthemselvesasfromthesecorruptions;yea,theymaysoonercut the flesh fromtheirbones than thesemotionsofsin fromtheir flesh; these will be with them in every duty—Imean, some or other ofthem;yea,asoftenastheylook,orthink,orhear,orspeak.Thesearewiththem,especiallywhen theman intends good in so doing: "When Iwould do good,"says Paul, "evil is present withme." AndGod himself complains that "everyimagination of the thoughts of the heart of man is only evil," and that"continually"(Rom7:21;Gen6:5).

Bythesethings,therefore,wecontinuallydefileourselves,andeveryoneofourperformances—Imean, inthejudgmentof thelaw—evenmixinginiquitywiththosethingswhichwehallowuntotheLord."Forfromwithin,outoftheheartof men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts,covetousness,wickedness,deceit,lasciviousness,anevileye,blasphemy,pride,foolishness;all theseevil thingscomefromwithin,anddefile theman" (Mark7:21-23).Nowwhatcandeliverthesoulfromthesebutgrace?"Bygraceyearesaved."

QUEST.V.—WHATMIGHTBETHEREASONMOVEDGODTOORDAINANDCHOOSETO

SAVETHOSETHATHESAVETHBYHISGRACE,RATHERTHANBYANYOTHERMEANS?

Icomenowtoanswerthefifthquestion;namely,toshowwhyGodsaveththosethathesavethbygrace,ratherthanbyanyothermeans.

First.Godsavethusbygrace,becausesincesinisintheworld,hecansaveusnootherway;sinandtransgressioncannotberemovedbutbythegraceofGodthroughChrist;sinisthetransgressionofthelawofGod,whoisperfectlyjust.Infinitejusticecannotbesatisfiedwiththerecompencethatmancanmake;forifit could, Christ Jesus himself needed not to have died; besides, man havingsinned,anddefiledhimselfthereby,allhisactsaretheactsofadefiledman;nay,further, the best of his performances are also defiled by his hands; theseperformances,therefore,cannotbearecompenceforsin.Besides,toaffirmthatGodsavethdefiledmanforthesakeofhisdefiledduties—forso,Isay,iseverywork of his hand—what is it but to say,God accepteth of one sinful act as arecompenceandsatisfactionforanother?(Hag2:14).ButGod,evenofold,hathdeclaredhowheabominatesimperfectsacrifices,thereforewecanbynomeansbesavedfromsinbutbygrace(Rom3:24).

Second.ToassertthatwemaybesavedanyotherwaythanbythegraceofGod,what is it but to object against thewisdom and prudence ofGod,wherein heaboundeth towards them whom he hath saved by grace? (Eph 1:5-8). Hiswisdomandprudencefoundoutnootherway,thereforehechoosethtosaveusbygrace.

Third.Wemustbesavedbygrace,becauseelseitfollowsthatGodismutableinhis decrees, for so hath he determined before the foundation of the world;thereforehe savethusnot, nor chooseth to saveusby anyotherway, thanbygrace(Eph1:3,4;3:8-11;Rom9:23).

Fourth. Ifman should be saved any other way than by grace, Godwould bedisappointedinhisdesigntocutoffboastingfromhiscreature;butGod'sdesignto cut off boasting from his creature cannot be frustrated or disappointed;therefore he will save man by no other means than by grace; he, I say, hath

designed that no flesh should glory in his presence, and therefore he refuseththeir works; "Not of works, lest any man should boast." "Where is boastingthen?Itisexcluded.Bywhatlaw?ofworks?Nay;butbythelawoffaith"(Eph2:8,9;Rom3:24-28).

Fifth.Godhathordainedthatweshouldbesavedbygrace,thathemighthavethepraiseandgloryofoursalvation;thatweshouldbe"tothepraiseofthegloryofhisgrace,whereinhehathmadeusacceptedintheBeloved"(Eph1:6).NowGodwillnotlosehispraise,andhisgloryhewillnotgivetoanother;thereforeGoddothchoosetosavesinnersbutbyhisgrace.

Sixth.Godhathordained, anddoth choose to saveusbygrace, because,werethereanotherwayapparent,yet this is thewaythat issafest,andbestsecureththesoul."Thereforeitisoffaith,thatitmightbebygrace;totheendthepromise[thepromiseofeternalinheritance,(Heb9:14-16)]mightbesuretoalltheseed"(Rom4:16).Nootherwaycouldhavebeensure.This isevident inAdam, theJews,and, Iwilladd, the fallenangels,whobeing turnedover toanotherwaythangrace,youseeinshorttimewhatbecameofthem.

Tobesavedbygracesupposeth thatGodhath taken thesalvationofoursoulsintohisownhand;andtobesureitissaferinGod'shandthanours.HenceitiscalledthesalvationoftheLord,thesalvationofGod,andsalvation,andthatofGod.

WhenoursalvationisinGod'shand,himselfisengagedtoaccomplishitforus.1.HereisthemercyofGodengagedforus(Rom9:15).2.HereisthewisdomofGodengagedforus(Eph1:7,8).3.HereisthepowerofGodengagedforus(1Peter1:3-5).4.HereisthejusticeofGodengagedforus(Rom3:24,25).5.HereistheholinessofGodengagedforus(Psa89:30-35).6.HereisthecareofGodengagedforus,andhiswatchfuleyeisalwaysoverusforourgood(1Peter5:7;Isa27:1-3).

WhatshallIsay?GracecantakeusintofavourwithGod,andthatwhenweareinourblood(Eze16:7,8).Gracecanmakechildrenofus,thoughbynaturewehavebeenenemies toGod(Rom9:25,26).GracecanmakethemGod'speoplewhich were not God's people (1 Peter 2:9,10). Grace will not trust our ownsalvation in our own hands—"He putteth no trust in his saints" (Job 15:15).Gracecanpardonourungodliness,justifyuswithChrist'srighteousness;itcanputthespiritofJesusChristwithinus, itcanhelpusupwhenwearedown,it

can heal us when we are wounded, it can multiply pardons, as we, throughfrailty,multiplytransgressions.

Whatshall I say?Graceandmercyareeverlasting.Theyarebuiltup forever.TheyarethedelightofGod.Theyrejoiceagainstjudgment.Andthereforeitisthemostsafeandsecurewayofsalvation,andthereforehathGodchosentosaveusbyhisgraceandmercyrather thananyotherway(Isa43:25;Rom3:24,25;Isa44:2,4;Psa37:23;Luke10:33,34;Isa55:7,8;Psa136;89:2;Mal3:18;James2:13).

Seventh.WemustbesavedbythegraceofGod,orelseGodwillnothavehiswill. They that are saved are "predestinated unto the adoption of children byJesusChristtohimself,accordingtothegoodpleasureofhiswill,tothepraiseofthegloryofhisgrace"(Eph1:5,6).

1.Butifitbehiswillthatmenshouldbesavedbygrace,thentothinkofanotherway is against the will of God. Hence they that seek to establish their ownrighteousnessaresuchasareaccountedtostandoutindefianceagainst,andthatdonotsubmitto,therighteousnessofGod—thatis,totherighteousnessthathehathwilledtobethatthroughwhichalonewearesavedbygrace(Rom10:3).

2.Ifitbehiswillthatmenshouldbesavedthroughgrace,thenitishiswillthatmen should be saved by faith in that Christ who is the contrivance of grace;thereforetheythathavesoughttobejustifiedanotherwayhavecomeshortof,andperishednotwithstanding,thatsalvationthatisprovidedofGodformenbygrace(Rom9:31-33).

3.God isnotwilling that faith shouldbemadevoid, and thepromiseofnoneeffect; therefore they of the righteousness of the law are excluded: "for if theinheritancebeofthelaw,itisnomoreofpromise,butGodgaveittoAbrahambypromise"(Rom4:14Gal3:18).

4.Godisnotwillingthatmenshouldbesavedbytheirownnaturalabilities;butall theworks of the lawwhichmen do to be saved by, they are theworks ofmen'snaturalabilities,andarethereforecalledtheworkoftheflesh,butGodisnotwillingthatmenshouldbesavedbythese,thereforenowaybutbyhisgrace(Rom4:1;Gal3:1-3;Phil3:3).

Eighth.Wemustbesavedbygrace,orelsethemainpillarsandfoundationsofsalvation are not only shaken, but overthrown—to wit, election, the new

covenant, Christ, and the glory of God; but these must not be overthrown;thereforewemustbesavedbygrace.

1.Election,whichlayethholdofmenbythegraceofGod,Godhathpurposedthat thatshallstand—theelectionofGodstandethsure; thereforemenmustbesavedbyvirtueoftheelectionofgrace(Rom9:11;2Tim2:19).

2.Thecovenantofgrace,thatmuststand—"Brethren,Ispeakafterthemannerofmen.Thoughitbebutaman'scovenant,yetifitbeconfirmed[asthisis,bythedeathofthetestator,(Heb9:16,17)]nomandisannulleth,oraddeththereto";thereforemanmustbesavedbyvirtueofacovenantofgrace(Gal3:15).

3.Christ,whoisthegiftofthegraceofGodtotheworld,hemuststand,becauseheisasurefoundation,"thesameyesterday,to-day,andforever";thereforemenmustbesavedbygrace,throughtheredemptionthatisinChrist(Isa28:16;Heb13:8).

4.God'sglory,thatalsomuststand;towit,thegloryofhisgrace;forthathewillnotgivetoanother;thereforemenmustsobesavedfromthewrathtocome,thatintheirsalvationpraisemayredoundtothegloryofhisgrace.

Ninth.Therecanbebutonewillthemasterinoursalvation;butthatshallneverbe thewill ofman, but ofGod; thereforemanmust be saved by grace (John1:13;Rom9:16).

Tenth.Therecanbebutonerighteousnessthatshallsaveasinner;butthatshallneverbetherighteousnessofmen,butofChrist(thereforemenmustbesavedbygrace),thatimputeththisrighteousnesstowhomhewill.

Eleventh.Therecanbebutonecovenantbywhichmenmustbesaved;butthatshall never be the covenant of the law, for theweakness and unprofitablenessthereof; thereforemenmustbesavedby thecovenantofgrace,bywhichGodwill be merciful to our unrighteousnesses, and our sins and iniquities willremembernomore(Heb8:6-13).

POSTSCRIPT.Afewwordsbywayofuse,andsoIshallconclude.

THEFIRSTUSE.

First.IsthesalvationofthesinnerbythegraceofGod?ThenhereyouseethereasonwhyGodhathnotrespecttothepersonalvirtuesofmeninthebringingofthemtoglory.DidIsay,personalvirtues?HowcantheyhaveanytoGodwardthat are enemies to him in theirminds bywickedworks? Indeed,men one toanotherseemtobe,somebetter,someworse,bynature,buttoGodtheyareallalike,deadintrespassesandsins.[20]

Wewill,therefore,stateitagain—Aremensavedbygrace?Thenhereyoumayseethereasonwhyconversionrunsatthatrateamongthesonsofmen,thatnoneareconvertedfortheirgooddeeds,norrejectedfortheirbad,butevensomanyofboth,andonlysomany,arebroughthometoGodasgraceispleasedtobringhometohim.

1.Nonearereceivedfortheirgooddeeds;forthentheywouldnotbesavedbygrace, but by works. Works and grace, as I have showed, are in this matteroppositeeachtoother;ifhebesavedbyworks,thennotbygrace;ifbygrace,thennotbyworks(Rom11).ThatnonearereceivedofGodfortheirgooddeedsisevident,notonlybecausehedeclareshisabhorrenceofthesuppositionofsucha thing, but hath also rejected the persons that have at any time attempted topresentthemselvestoGodintheirowngooddeedsforjustification.ThisIhaveshowedyoubefore.

2.Menarenotrejectedfortheirbaddeeds.ThisisevidentbyManasseh,bythemurderersofourLordJesusChrist,bythementhatyoureadofinthenineteenthoftheActs,withmanyothers,whosesinswereofasdeepadyeasthesinsoftheworstofmen(2Chron33:2,13;Acts2:23,41;19:19).

Grace respecteth, in the salvation of a sinner, chiefly the purpose of God;wherefore those that it findeth under that purpose, those it justifies freely,throughtheredemptionthatisinJesusChrist.AtSaul'sconversion,AnaniasofDamascus brought in a most dreadful charge against him to the Lord JesusChrist,saying,"Lord,Ihaveheardbymanyofthisman,howmuchevilhehath

donetothysaintsatJerusalem;andherehehathauthorityfromthechiefprieststo bind all that call on thy name."Butwhat said theLord unto him? "Go thyway,forheisachosenvesseluntome"(Acts9:13-15).Thisman'scrueltyandoutragemustnothinderhisconversion,becausehewasachosenvessel.Men'sgooddeedsarenoargumentwithGodtoconvertthem;men'sbaddeedsarenoargument with him to reject them. I mean, those that come to Christ, by thedrawingsof theFather;besides,Christalsosaith,"Iwill innowisecast"such"out."(John6:37-44).

Second.IsthesalvationofthesinnerbythegraceofGod?Thenhereyouseethereasonwhysomesinners,thatwerewonderfullyaversetoconversionbynature,are yet made to stoop to the God of their salvation. Grace takes them to do,becausegracehathdesignedthemtothisverything.HencesomeoftheGentilesweretakenfromamongtherest;Godgrantedthemrepentanceuntolife,becausehe had taken them from among the rest, both by election and calling, for hisname(Acts11:18;15:14).Thesemen thatwerenotapeople,are thusbecomethepeople ofGod; thesemen thatwerenot beloved for theirworks,wereyetbelovedby thegraceofGod. "Iwill call themmypeoplewhichwerenotmypeople;andherbelovedwhichwasnotbeloved."Buttheirmindsareaverse.Butare they thepeopleonwhomGoddothmagnify the richesofhisgrace?Why,then,theyshallbe,inthedayofhispower,madewilling,andbeabletobelievethroughgrace(Psa110:3;Rom9:25;Acts18:27).Butdoththeguiltandburdenofsinsokeepthemdownthat theycanbynomeansliftupthemselves?Why,Godwill, by the exceedinggreatness of that power bywhichhe raisedChristfromthedead,workintheirsoulsalsobytheSpiritofgrace, tocausethemtobelieveandtowalkinhisways(Eph1:18-20).

Paultellsus,inthatepistleofhistotheCorinthians,thatitwasbygracehewaswhathewas—"By thegraceofGodIamwhat Iam,"sayshe, "andhisgracewhichwasbestowed uponmewas not in vain" (1Cor 15:10). Thisman keptalwaysinhismindawarmremembranceofwhathewasformerlybynature,andalso how he had added to his vileness by practice; yea, moreover, he trulyconcludedinhisownsoul,thathadnotGod,byunspeakablegrace,putastoptohiswickedproceedings,hehadperishedinhiswickedness;hencehelayshiscallandconversionat thedoorof thegraceofGod—"When itpleasedGod," sayshe,"whoseparatedmefrommymother'swomb,andcalledmebyhisgrace,toreveal his Son inme" (Gal 1:15,16). and hence it is, again, that he saith, "Heobtained grace and apostleship"; grace to convert his soul, and the gifts andauthorityofanapostle,topreachthegospelofthegraceofGod.

ThisblessedmanascribesalltothegraceofGod.1.HiscallheascribestothegraceofGod.2.HisapostleshipheascribestothegraceofGod.3.AndallhislabourinthatchargehealsoascribestothegraceofGod.

ThisgraceofGod itwas thatwhichsaved from thebeginning.1.Noah foundgracein theeyesof theLord,andwasthereforeconvertedandpreservedfromthe flood (Gen 6:8). 2. Abraham found grace in the sight of the Lord, andthereforehewascalledoutofhiscountry(Gen12:1,2).3.Mosesfoundgraceinthe eyes of the Lord, and therefore hemust not be blotted out ofGod's book(Exo33:12,17).

Neithermayitbeimaginedthatthesemenwere,beforegracelaidholdonthem,betterthanothermen;forthentheywouldnothavebeensavedbygrace;graceshouldnothavehadthedominionandgloryoftheirsalvation.But,asPaulsaysofhimself,andofthosethatweresavedbygraceinhisday,"Whatthen?arewebetter than they? No, in no wise; for we have before proved both Jews andGentilesthattheyareallundersin"(Rom3:9).Soitmaybesaidoftheseblessedones;forindeedthisconclusionisgeneral,andreachethallthechildrenofmen,ChristJesusaloneonlyexcepted.But,

Third.IsthesalvationofthesinnerbythegraceofGod?Thenhereyoumayseethe reason why one backslider is recovered, and another left to perish in hisbacksliding.

There was grace for Lot, but none for his wife; therefore she was left in hertransgression,butLotwassavednotwithstanding.TherewasgraceforJacob,butnoneforEsau;thereforeEsauwasleftinhisbacksliding,butJacobfoundmercynotwithstanding.TherewasgraceforDavid,butnoneforSaul;thereforeDavidobtainedmercy,andSaulperishedinhisbacksliding.TherewasgraceforPeter,butnoneforJudas;thereforeJudasislefttoperishinhisbacksliding,andPeterissavedfromhissin.That textstandsgoodtononebut thosethatareelectbygrace—"Sinshallnothavedominionoveryou;foryearenotunderthelaw,butundergrace"(Rom6:14).

Itwillbesaid,repentancewasfoundinone,butnotintheother.Well,butwhograntedandgavetheonerepentance;TheLordturned,andlookeduponPeter;hedidnotturnandlookuponJudas;yea,theLordtoldPeterbeforehefellthatheshouldfollowhimtothekingdomofheaven,buttoldhimthatheshoulddenyhimfirst;butwithaltoldhimalsoheshouldnotlethisheartbetroubled,thatis,

utterlydejected, forhewouldgoandprepareaplace forhim,andcomeagainand receivehim tohimself (John13:36-38;14:1-3).That is ablessedwordofGod,"ThestepsofagoodmanareorderedbytheLord,andhedelightethinhisway.Thoughhe fall,heshallnotbeutterlycastdown; for theLordupholdethhimwithhishand"(Psa37:23,24).

THESECONDUSE.

Myseconduseshallbetothemthataredejectedintheirsoulsatthesightandsenseoftheirsins.

First.Aretheythataresaved,savedbygrace?Thentheythatwouldhavetheirguiltyconsciencesquieted,theymuststudythedoctrineofgrace.

ItisSatan'sgreatdesigneithertokeepthesinnersenselessofhissins,orifGodmakeshimsensibleofthem,thentohideandkeepfromhisthoughtsthesweetdoctrineofthegraceofGod,bywhichalonetheconsciencegettethhealthandcure; "for everlastingconsolation, andgoodhope" isgiven "throughgrace" (1Thess 2:16).How then shall the conscience of the burdened sinner by rightlyquieted,ifheperceivethnotthegraceofGod?

Study,therefore,thisdoctrineofthegraceofGod.Supposethouhastadiseaseupontheewhichisnottobecuredbutbysuchorsuchmedicines,thefirststeptothycureistoknowthemedicines.Iamsurethisistrueastothecaseinhand;thefirststeptothecureofawoundedconscienceisfortheetoknowthegraceofGod,especiallythegraceofGodastojustificationfromthecurseinhissight.

Amanunder awoundedconsciencenaturally leaneth to theworksof the law,and thinksGodmustbepacifiedby something thathe shoulddo,whereas theWordsays,"Iwillhavemercyandnotsacrifice: for Iamnotcome tocall therighteous,butsinnerstorepentance"(Matt9:13).

Wherefore thou must study the grace of God. "It is a good thing," saith theapostle,"thattheheartbeestablishedwithgrace";therebyinsinuatingthatthereisnoestablishmentinthesoulthatisrightbutbytheknowledgeofthegraceofGod(Heb13:9).

Isaid,thatwhenamaniswoundedinhisconscience,henaturallyleanethtotheworksofthelaw;whereforethoumustthereforebesomuchthemoreheedfultostudythegraceofGod;yea,sotostudyitasrightly,notonlyinnotion,butin

thypractices,todistinguishitfromthelaw."ThelawwasgivenbyMoses,butgrace and truth came by Jesus Christ" (John 1:17). Study it, I say, so as todistinguishit,andthat,notonlyfromthelaw,butfromallthosethingsthatmenblasphemouslycallthisgraceofGod.

TherearemanythingswhichmencallthegraceofGod,thatarenot.

1.The light andknowledge that are in everyman. 2.That naturalwillingnessthat is in man to be saved. 3. That power that is in man by nature to dosomething,ashethinketh,towardshisownsalvation.

Inamethesethree;therearealsomanyotherwhichsomewillhaveentitledthegraceofGod.ButdothourememberthatthegraceofGodishisgoodwillandgreatlovetosinnersinhisSonJesusChrist;"bythewhich"good"willwearesanctified, through theofferingof thebodyof JesusChrist once forall" (Heb10:10).

Again;whenthouhastsmeltoutthisgraceofGod,andcanstdistinguishitfromthatwhichisnot,thenlabourtostrengthenthysoulwiththeblessedknowledgeofit."Thoutherefore,myson,"saidPaul,"bestronginthegracethatisinChristJesus" (2 Tim 2:1). Fortify thy judgment and understanding; but especiallylabourtogetdownallintothyconscience,thatthatmaybe"purgedfromdeadworks,toservethelivingGod."

[Second.]Andtoenforcethisuseupontheeyetfurther,consider,amangetsyetmore advantage by the knowledge of, and by growing strong in, this grace ofGod.

1. Itministereth to himmatter of joy; for he that knows this grace aright, heknowsGodisatpeacewithhim,becausehebelieveth inJesusChrist,whobygrace tasteddeathforeveryman;"bywhomalsowehaveaccessbyfaith intothisgracewhereinwestand,andrejoiceinhopeofthegloryofGod"(Rom5:2).Andindeedwhatjoyorwhatrejoicingislikerejoicinghere?Torejoiceinhopeof the glory of God, it is to rejoice in hope to enjoy him for ever, with thateternalglorythatisinhim.

2.Asitmanifestethmatterofjoyandrejoicing,soitcausethmuchfruitfulnessinall holiness and godliness. "For the grace ofGod that bringeth salvation hathappearedtoallmen,teachingusthat,denyingungodlinessandworldlylusts,weshouldlivesoberly,righteously,andgodlyinthispresentworld"(Titus2:11,12).

Yea,itsonaturallytendeththisway,thatitcannosoonerappeartothesoul,butit causeth this blessed fruit in the heart and life. "We ourselves also weresometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures,living in malice and envy, hateful, andhating one another. But after that thekindnessandloveofGodourSaviourappeared"—whatthen?Whythen,hethatbelieveth,beingjustifiedbyhisgrace,andexpectingtobeanheiraccordingtothehopeofeternal life, is "careful tomaintaingoodworks" (Titus3:3-8).SeealsothatinPaul'sepistletotheColossians—"Wegivethanks,"sayshe,"toGodandtheFatherofourLordJesusChrist,prayingalwaysforyou,sinceweheardofyourfaithinChristJesus,andofthelovewhichyehave toallthesaints,forthehopewhichislaidupforyouinheaven,whereofyeheardbeforeinthewordofthetruthofthegospel;whichiscomeuntoyou,asitisinalltheworld;andbringethforthfruit,asitdothalsoinyou,sincethedayyeheardofit,andknewthegraceofGodintruth"(Col1:3-6).

3.Theknowledgeof,andstrengththatcomesby,thegraceofGodisasovereignantidoteagainstall,andallmannerofdelusions thatareormaycomeinto theworld.WhereforePeter,exhortingthebelieverstotakeheedthattheywerenotcarried away with the errors of the wicked, and so fall from their ownsteadfastness,adds,astheironlyhelp,thisexhortation—"Butgrowingrace,andintheknowledgeofourLordandSaviourJesusChrist"(2Peter3:18).

(1.)Supposeitshouldbeurged,thatman'sownrighteousnesssaveththesinner;why, then, we have this at hand—God "hath saved us, and called us, notaccordingtoourworks,butaccordingtohisownpurposeandgrace,whichwasgivenusinChrist"&c.(2Tim1:9).

(2.)Supposeitshouldbeurged,thatbythedoctrineoffreegracewemustnotunderstand God's extending free forgiveness as far as we have or do sin; theansweris—"Butwheresinabounded,gracedidmuchmoreabound:thatassinhath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness,"through the justiceofGodbeingsatisfiedbyhisSon,"untoeternal life" (Rom5:20,21).

(3.)Supposeitshouldbeurged,thatthisisadoctrinetendingtoloosenessandlasciviousness;theanswerisready—"Whatshallwesaythen?Shallwecontinueinsin, thatgracemayabound?Godforbid.Howshallwe,thataredeadtosin,liveanylongertherein?"forthedoctrineoffreegracebelievedisthemostsin-killingdoctrineintheworld(Rom6:1,2).

(4.)SupposemenshouldattempttoburdenthechurchofGodwithunnecessaryceremonies,andimposethem,evenasthefalseapostles[21]urgedcircumcisionofold,saying,Unlessyoudothesethings,yecannotbesaved;why,theansweris ready—"Why tempt yeGod, to put a yoke upon the necks of the disciples,whichneitherourfathersnorwewereabletobear?Butwebelievethatthroughthe grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they" (Acts15:1,10,11).Butnottoenlarge,[22]

[Third.] This doctrine, "By grace ye are saved," it is the only remedy againstdespairingthoughtsattheapprehensionofourownunworthiness;as,

1.Thoucriestout,OcursedmanthatIam!mysinswillsinkmeintohell.

Answ.Hold,man;thereisaGodinheaventhatis"theGodofallgrace"(1Peter5:10).Yetthouartnotthemanofallsin.IfGodbetheGodofallgrace,thenifallthesinsintheworldwerethine,yettheGodofallgracecanpardon,orelseitshould seem that sin is stronger in amanpenitent, todamn, than thegraceofGodcanbetosave.

2. But my sins are of the worst sort— blasphemy, adultery, covetousness,murder,&c.

Answ. "All manner of sins and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men,wherewithsoever they shall blaspheme.—Let thewicked forsake his way, andtheunrighteousmanhisthoughts;andlethimreturnuntotheLord,andhewillhavemercy upon him; and to ourGod, for hewill abundantly pardon" (Matt12:31;Mark3:28;Isa55:7,8).

3.ButIhaveastoutandrebelliousheart,aheartthatisfarfromgood.

Answ. "Hearken unto me," saith God, "ye stout-hearted, that are far fromrighteousness: I bring near my righteousness"; that is, the righteousness ofChrist, by which stout-hearted sinners are justified, though ungodly (Isa46:12,13;Phil3:7,8;Rev4:5).

4.ButIhaveaheartashardasanystone.

Answ."AnewheartalsowillIgiveyou,"saysGod,"andanewspiritwillIputwithinyou:andIwilltakeawaythestonyheartoutofyourflesh,andIwillgiveyouaheartofflesh"(Eze36:26).

5.ButIamasblindasabeetle;Icannotunderstandanythingofthegospel.

Answ."Iwillbringtheblindbyaway that theyknownot; Iwill lead theminpaths that they have not known: I willmake darkness light before them, andcrookedthingsstraight.ThesethingswillIdountothem,andnotforsakethem"(Isa42:16).

6.ButmyheartwillnotbeaffectedwiththesufferingsandbloodofChrist.

Answ. "I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants ofJerusalem,theSpiritofgraceandofsupplications:andtheyshalllookuponmewhomtheyhavepierced,andtheyshallmournforhim,asonemournethforhisonlyson, and shallbe inbitterness forhim,asone that is inbitterness forhisfirstborn"(Zech12:10).

7.But though I seewhat is like to becomeofme if I find notChrist, yetmyspirit, while I am thus, will be running after vanity, foolishness, uncleanness,wickedness.

Answ."ThenwillIsprinklecleanwateruponyou,andyeshallbeclean:fromallyourfilthiness,andfromallyouridolswillIcleanseyou"(Eze36:25).

8.ButIcannotbelieveinChrist.

Answ. But God hath promised tomake thee believe. "I will also leave in themidstoftheeanafflictedandpoorpeople,andtheyshalltrustinthenameoftheLord."Andagain,"ThereshallbearootofJesse,andhethatshallrisetoreignovertheGentiles,inhimshalltheGentilestrust"(Zeph3:12;Rom15:12).

9.ButIcannotpraytoGodformercy.

Answ.ButGodhathgraciouslypromisedaspiritofprayer—"Yea,manypeopleandstrongnationsshallcometoseektheLordofhostsinJerusalem,andtopraybeforetheLord.—Theyshallcallonmyname,andIwillhearthem:Iwillsay,Itismypeople;andtheyshallsay,TheLordismyGod"(Zech8:22;12:10;13:9).

10.ButIcannotrepent.

Answ."TheGodofourfathersraisedupJesus,whomyeslewandhangedonatree.HimhathGodexaltedwithhisrighthandtobeaPrinceandaSaviour,for

togiverepentancetoIsrael,andforgivenessofsins"(Acts5:30,31).

ThusmightIenlarge,fortheholyBibleisfullofthisexceedinggraceofGod.Othesewords,"Iwill"and"youshall"!theyarethelanguageofagraciousGod;they are promises bywhich ourGod has engaged himself to do that for poorsinnerswhichwouldelsebeleftundoneforever.

THETHIRDUSE.

Aretheythataresaved,savedbygrace?ThenletChristianslabourtoadvanceGod'sgrace.FIRST.Inheart.SECOND.Inlife.

FIRST.Inheart;andthatinthismanner—

First.BelieveinGod'smercythroughJesusChrist,andsoadvancethegraceofGod; Imean,ventureheartily,ventureconfidently, for there isa sufficiency inthegraceofGod.AbrahammagnifiedthegraceofGodwhen"heconsiderednothis own body now dead, - neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: hestaggerednot at thepromiseofGod throughunbelief; butwas strong in faith,givingglorytoGod"(Rom4:19,20).

Second.Advanceitbyheighteningofitinthythoughts.HavealwaysgoodandgreatthoughtsofthegraceofGod;narrowandslenderthoughtsofitareagreatdisparagementtoit.

And to help thee in thismatter, consider—1.This grace is compared to a sea—"Andthouwillcastalltheirsinsintothedepthsofthesea"(Micah7:19).Nowaseacanneverbefilledbycastingintoit.[23]

2.Thisgraceiscomparedtoafountain,toanopenfountain—"Inthatdaythereshall be a fountain opened to the house of David, and to the inhabitants ofJerusalem,forsinandforuncleanness."Nowafountaincanneverbedrawndry(Zech12:1).3.ThePsalmistcriesoutconcerningthegraceandmercyofGod,"Itendurethforever";hesayssotwenty-sixtimesinonepsalm.Surelyhesawagreatdealinit,surelyhewastakenagreatdealwithit(Psa136).4.PaulsaystheGodofallgracecandomorethan"weaskorthink"(Eph3:20).5.ThereforeasGod'sWordsays,sothoushouldstconcludeofthegraceofGod.

Third.Comeboldlytothethroneofgracebyheartyprayer;forthisis thewayalso to magnify the grace of God. This is the apostle's exhortation, "Let us

thereforecomeboldlyuntothethroneofgrace,thatwemayobtainmercy,andfindgracetohelpintimeofneed"(Heb4:16).Seeherealittle,andwonder.

Wehavebeenall thiswhilediscoursingof thegraceofGod; andnowwearecometohisthrone,asJobsays,"eventohisseat";andbehold,"thatisathroneofgrace."O,whenaGodofgraceisuponathroneofgrace,andapoorsinnerstandsbyandbegsforgrace,andthatinthenameofagraciousChrist,inandbythehelpoftheSpiritofgrace,canitbeotherwisebutsuchasinnermustobtainmercy and grace to help in time of need? But not to forget the exhortation,"Comeboldly."Indeed,weareapttoforgetthisexhortation;wethink,seeingweare such abominable sinners, we should not presume to come boldly to thethroneofgrace;butyetsowearebidden todo;and tobreakacommandmenthereisasbadastobreakitinanotherplace.

Youmayaskme,Whatisittocomeboldly?[I]answer—

1. It is to come confidently—"Let us draw near with a true heart, in fullassuranceoffaith,havingourheartssprinkledfromanevilconscience,andourbodieswashedwithpurewater"(Heb10:22).

2.Tocomeboldly,itistocomefrequently—"Atmorning,atnoon,andatnight,willIpray."Weusetocountthemboldbeggarsthatcomeoftentoourdoor.

3.Tocomeboldly,itistoaskforgreatthingswhenwecome.Thatistheboldbeggarthatwillnotonlyask,butalsochoosethethingthatheasketh.

4.Tocomeboldly,itistoaskforothersaswellasourselves,tobegmercyandgraceforallthesaintsofGodunderheavenaswellasforourselves—"PrayingalwayswithallprayerandsupplicationintheSpirit-forallsaints"(Eph6:18).

5.Tocomeboldly,itistocomeandtakenonay;thusJacobcametothethroneofgrace—"Iwillnotlettheegoexceptthoublessme"(Gen32:26).

6.Tocomeboldly,itistopleadGod'spromiseswithhimbothinawayofjusticeandmercy,andtotakeitforgrantedGodwillgiveus—becausehehathsaidit—whateverweaskinthenameofhisSon.

Fourth.LabourtoadvanceGod'sgraceinthyheart,byoftenadmiring,praising,and blessing God in secret for it; God expects it—"Whoso offereth praiseglorifiethme," says he. "By JesusChrist therefore let us offer the sacrifice of

praisetoGodcontinually;thatis,thefruitofourlips,givingthankstohisname"(Psa50:23;Heb13:15).

SECOND.[Inlife.]Butagain;asweshouldadvancethisgraceinourhearts,soweshoulddoitinourlife.WeshouldinourconversationadornthedoctrineofGodourSaviour inall things. It isagreatwordof theapostle, "Only letyourconversationbeasitbecomeththegospelofChrist,"whichisthegospelofthegraceofGod(Phil1:27).Godexpecteththatthereshouldinourwholelifebeablessed tang[24]of thegospel,or that inour lifeamongmen there shouldbepreachedtothemthegraceofthegospelofGod.ThegospelshowsusthatGoddidwonderfullystoopandcondescendforourgood;andtodoaccordingly,itistostoopandcondescendtoothers.

The gospel shows us that there was abundance of pity, love, bowels, andcompassion inGod towards us; and accordinglywe should be full of bowels,pity,love,andcompassiontoothers.

ThegospelshowsusthatinGodthereisagreatdealofwillingnesstodogoodtoothers.

The gospel shows us that God acteth towards us according to his truth andfaithfulness,andsoshouldwebeinallouractionsonetoanother.

By the gospel,Goddeclares that he forgiveth us ten thousand talents, andweoughtlikewisetoforgiveourbrotherthehundredpence.

And now, before I conclude this use, letme give you a few heart- endearingconsiderationstothissogoodandsohappyawork.

[Heart-endearingConsiderations.]

First. Consider, God hath saved thee by his grace. Christian, God hath savedthee,thouhastescapedthelion'smouth,thouartdeliveredfromwrathtocome;advancethegracethatsavesthee,inthyheartandlife.

Second.Consider,God leftmillions in their sins thatdayhe saved theebyhisgrace;heleftmillionsout,andpitcheduponthee;itmaybehundredsalso,yea,thousands, were in the day of thy conversion lying before him under thepreachingofthewordasthouwert,yethetookthee.[25]Considerationsofthisnature affected David much; and God would have them affect thee, to the

advancingofhisgraceinthylifeandconversation(Psa78:67-72;Deu7:7).

Third.Consider,perhapsthemostpartofthosethatGodrefusedthatdaythathecalledtheebyhisgracewere,astoconversation,farbetterthaneverthouwert—Iwasablasphemer,Iwasapersecutor,Iwasaninjuriousperson,butIobtainedmercy!O this shouldaffect thyheart, this shouldengage thyheart to study toadvancethisgraceofGod(1Tim1:14,15).

Fourth.Perhapsinthedayofthyconversionthouwastmoreunrulythanmany.Likeabullockunaccustomedtotheyoke,hardlytamed,thouwastbroughthomebystronghands; thouwouldstnotdrive, theLordJesusmust taketheeup, laytheeuponhisshoulder,andcarry theehometohisFather'shouse.ThisshouldengagethyhearttostudytoadvancethegraceofGod(Luke15:1-6).

Fifth.ItmaybemanydidtakeevenoffenceatGodinhisconvertingandsavingof thee by his grace, even as the elder son was offended with his father forkillingthefattedcalfforhisbrother,andyetthatdidnothinderthegraceofGod,normakeGodabatehislovetothysoul.ThisshouldmaketheestudytoadvancethegraceofGodinthyheartandlife(Luke15:21-32).

Sixth.Consideragain,thatGodhathallowedtheebutalittletimeforthisgoodwork,eventhefewdaysthatthouhastnowtolive—Imean,forthisgoodworkamongsinfulmen,andthenthoushaltgotoreceivethatwagesthatgracealsowillgivetheeforthyworktothyeternaljoy.

Seventh. Let this also have some place upon thy heart—every man showssubjectiontothegodthatheserveth;yea,thoughthatgodbenoneotherbutthedevilandhislusts;andwiltnotthou,Oman!savedoftheLord,bemuchmoresubject"totheFatherofspirits,andlive"?[26]

Alas!theyarepursuingtheirowndamnation,yettheysportit,anddanceallthewaytheygo.Theyservethat"god"(Satan)withcheerfulnessanddelight,whoatlastwillplungethemintotheeverlastinggulfofdeath,andtormenttheminthefieryflamesofhell;but thyGod is theGodofsalvation,and toGod thyLordbelong the issues from death.Wilt not thou serve him with joyfulness in theenjoymentofallgoodthings,evenhimbywhomthouarttobemadeblessedforever?

Object. This is that which kills me—honour God I cannot; my heart is sowretched,sospiritless,anddesperatelywicked,Icannot.

Answ.Whatdostthoumeanbycannot?1.Ifthoumeanestthouhastnostrengthtodoit,thouhastsaidanuntruth,for"greaterishethatisinyou,thanhethatisintheworld"(1John4:4).2.Ifthoumeanestthouhastnowill,thenthouartoutalso;foreveryChristian,inhisrightmind,isawillingman,andthedayofGod'spower hath made him so (Psa 110:3). 3. If thou meanest that thou wantestwisdom,thatisthineownfault—"Ifanymanlackwisdom,lethimaskofGod,thatgivethtoallmenliberally,andupbraidethnot"(James1:5).

Object.IcannotdothingsasIwould.

Answ.Nomorecouldthebestofthesaintsofold—"Towillispresentwithme,"saidPaul;"buthowtoperformthatwhichisgoodIfindnot."Andagain,"Theflesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these arecontrary the one to the other, so that ye cannot do the things that ye would"(Rom7:18;Gal5:17).

Andhereindeedliesagreatdiscoveryofthistruth,"yearesavedbygrace";forthe childrenofGodwhilst here, notwithstanding their conversion toGod, andsalvationbyChristthroughgrace,aresoinfirmandweakbyreasonofabodyofdeath thatyetremaineth in them, thatshouldeventhesin that is in thebestoftheirperformancesbelaidtotheircharge,accordingtothetenorofacovenantofworks, theywould find it impossible ever toget intoglory.Butwhydo I talkthus? It is impossible that those that are saved by grace should have theirinfirmitieslaidtotheirchargeasafore,"fortheyarenotunderthelaw";theyareincludedbythegraceofGodinthedeathandbloodoftheSonofGod,whoeverlivethtomakeintercessionforthemattherighthandofGod;whoseintercessionis soprevalentwith theFather as to take away the iniquityofourholy thingsfromhissight,andtopresentusholy,andunreprovable,andunblamableinhissight.Tohim,byChristJesus,throughthehelpoftheblessedSpiritofgrace,begivenpraise,andthanks,andglory,anddominion,byallhissaints,nowandforever.Amen.

ENDNOTES1. General course of manners, behaviour, deportment, especially as it regardsmorals(seePhil1:27,1Peter1:15).[back]

2. Their conduct proved to the living that they were dead, they themselveshavingnofeelingorsenseofspirituallife;but,whenquickened,theirpenitenceandgoodworkswerebroughtintoexistencebyDivinepower;theyfeelthejoysof salvation, but feel also their total unworthiness of this new creating power,andsing,"Otogracehowgreatadebtor!"—Ed.[back]

3. The hospital of St.Mary Bethlem, vulgarly called "Bedlam," bestowed, in1545, upon the citizens of London, who appropriated it to the reception oflunatics. It being the only public hospital for that class of the afflicted inEngland, it gave the name of "bedlam" to all whose conduct could only beaccountedforonthescoreofmadness.—Ed.[back]

4.Thepersonwhowritesthis,wasasingularinstanceofthetruthofourauthor'sremark; having been twice providentially preserved from drowning, and oncefrom the fatal effects of a violent fever, before effectual saving grace hadreached his soul. The same rich and abundant mercy follows all the elect,quickensthemwhendead,savesthemwhenlost,andrestoresthemwhenruined.God hath chosen us unto salvation, and enables us to live holily on earth, inordertoalifeofhappinessinheaven.TheFather'sgoodwillandpleasureistheonly fountain from whence the salvation of believers flows; and such as aregiventoChristbytheFatherheconsidersashischarge,andstandsengagedfortheir preservation; and the death of Christ for sinners, is an evidentdemonstrationoftheloveofGodtheFather,andtheLordJesusChrist,towardsthem;thislovemanifestedintimewasinandupontheheartofGodbeforetheworldbegan.—Mason.Whatamultitudeofunseen dangers, both spiritual andtemporal,theChristianescapesbeforeheiscalled!—Ed.[back]

5."Rarely,"finely,nicely.[back]

6.Asafe-conductisamilitaryterm,eitheraconvoyorguardforprotectioninanenemy'sland,orapassport,bythesovereignofacountry,toenableasubjecttotravelwithsafety.—ImperialDict.—Ed.[back]

7.Whatamazinglove!Christvisitedthispoorbeggar,yea,wasformedinhimthehopeofglory;hisbody,somiserableinthesightofman,wasatempleoftheHolyGhost,andtheangelscarryhissoultoheaven.Otherichesofgrace!—Ed.[back]

8.Whatheartcanconceivethegloriousworshipofheaven?Thenewsongshallbe as the voice ofmanywaters, and a great thunder, when the "ten thousandtimestenthousandandthousandofthousands"shallsing,"WorthyistheLambthat was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, andhonour,andblessing."Othatmypoorvoicemayjointhatcelestialchoir!—Ed.[back]

9.ThefearoftheLord—anornamentofgraceuntothyhead,andchainsaboutthyneck,andlifeuntothysoul.—Solomon.[back]

10. "Theirappearanceand themselves"; thisbeautiful illustrationmightescapethe reader's notice, unless specially directed to it. The living creatures werealways the same, although seen under different circumstances, and in diverseplaces. Inside and out theywere the same; without deviation or turning, theywent straight forward. It is well said that Bunyan has here snatched a gracebeyondthereachofart,andhasappliedit toexaltandbeautifyconsistencyofChristiancharacter.—Ed.[back]

11. This is one of Bunyan's peculiarly affecting representations, which inpreachingwent to the heart, producing intense interest, and tears of contritionover the stubbornness of human nature. Reader, Bunyan, being dead, yetspeaketh;canyoufeelunaffectedundersuchanappeal?—Ed.[back]

12."Tostave,"tothrust,topush,todelay.—Ed.[back]

13.ThesetermsaretakenfromFoxe'sMartyrology.ItwasfrequentlythebrutalremarkoftheJudges,Youmustturnorburn.Bunyanhereappliesittoturningfromsinorburninginhell.—Ed.[back]

14. This treatise having beenwritten some years after thePilgrim's Progress,Bunyanverynaturallyreferstothewell-knownsceneintheInterpreter'sHouse,where the fire is kept burning by oil frombehind thewall, in spite of all thewaterthrownuponitsflames.—Ed.[back]

15."Totend,"towatch,toguard,toattend.—Ed.[back]

16.Howpointedly,howadmirably,doesthis illustrate thefondabsurdities, theextremefolliesofthehumanheart!"ToserveGodwithsuchdaintydishes,"thecleanestbeingbefouledwithsin."Acleanerwaytohellthanourneighbours!"—Ed.[back]

17.Ohowhumblingaconsideration!Oursinsarenumberless,ofomission,ofcommission, openly and secretly; nay, in a thousand cases they escape thesinner'sobservation."Cleansethoumefromsecretfaults."—Ed.[back]

18."Shuck,"toshakeorstartback.—Ed.[back]

19. In Bunyan's time, the saints of God were sorely tormented by penalties,fines, and imprisonments. It required great faith in amother,who saw all hergoodsseized,fornotgoingtochurch,theincarnatedevilsthrowingthemilkthatwas warming for her infant on the dunghill, and the skillet in which it wascontainedintothecart,answeringherprayersformercyonherbabe.Letthebratofahereticstarve.—Ed.[back]

20.How abasing and humbling to human pride is it thus to conceive, that allhave sinned, and, in the sight of God, are hell- deserving. What! says thehonourableman,mustItakemercyuponnohigherconsiderationthanthethiefonthecross?Orthehighlyvirtuousdame,MustIsueformercyuponthesameterms as the Magdalene? The faithful answer to both is, YES, or you mustperish.—Ed.[back]

21. "False apostles," mentioned in Acts 15, who would have blended Jewishobservances with Christianity, and have brought the converts intomisery andthraldom.Theyarespeciallyreferredtoin2Corinthians11:13,"falseapostles,"deceitful workers, that devour you and take from you (verse 20). Incontradistinction to Paul, who was "chargeable to no man" (verse 9).—Ed.[back]

22. We must not for a moment imagine that Bunyan was afraid of temporalconsequences, which prevents his enlarging upon this part of his subject. Hiscontemptuous answer to Fowler for attacking the doctrine of justification,although a greatmanwith the state, and soon afterwardsmade a bishop, is aproof that he was a stranger to the fear of man. He had said enough, andthereforetherewasnoneedtoenlarge.—Ed.[back]

23.HowdoesBunyanhereexhibittheperfectionaswellasthefreenessofthe

pardonthatMicahcelebrates!Thatwhichissunkinthedepthsoftheseaislostforever.—Ed.[back]

24."Tang,"taste,touch,savour,flavour,relish,tone,sound.Awordofextensivemeaning,butnownearlyobsolete."NotangofprepossessionorfancyappearsinthemoralityofourSaviourorhisapostles."—Locke.—Ed.[back]

25.WhatcanIrenderuntothee,myGod,forsuchunspeakableblessedness?Thecattleuponathousandhills,yea,allcreation,allthatIhaveandam,isthine:allthatIcandois"totakethecupofsalvationandcalluponthenameoftheLord."Notuntous,butuntothyname,beallthepraiseandhonourofsalvation!—Ed.[back]

26. In theeditionof1692, thissentence is"subject to theFatherofspiritsandlove."ItisaverysingularmodeofexpressiontocallGod"theFatheroflove."Godislove,andthatauthorandsourceofallholylove.BunyanwasatalltimesgovernedbyScripturephrases,withwhichhismindwassorichlyimbuedastocause him, if we may so speak, to live in a scriptural atmosphere; and thissentencebearsagreataffinitytoHebrews12:9,"Shallwenotmuchratherbeinsubjection to the Father of spirits, and live." I have been, for these reasons,inducedtoconsidertheletteroin"love"atypographicalerror,andhavealteredthewordto"live,"butcouldnottakesuchalibertywithoutapublicnotice.—Ed.[back]

TableofContentsADVERTISEMENTBYTHEEDITOR.TOTHEREADER,SAVEDBYGRACE.QUEST.I.—WHATISITTOBESAVED?QUEST.II.—WHATISITTOBESAVEDBYGRACE?QUEST.III.—WHOARETHEYTHATARETOBESAVEDBYGRACE?QUEST. IV.—HOW IT APPEARS THAT THEY THAT ARE SAVED, ARE

SAVEDBYGRACE?QUEST.V.—WHATMIGHTBETHEREASONMOVEDGODTOORDAIN

ANDCHOOSETOSAVETHOSETHATHESAVETHBYHISGRACE,RATHERTHANBYANYOTHERMEANS?

POSTSCRIPT.ENDNOTES