another. The Pelagians hold that the be- ginning of grace is from God ; but the pro- gress of grace is from ourselves ; so God shall be the author of our faith, and we the finishers. God shall lay the first stone, and we the superstructure ; but alas, there needs the continual influence of the Spirit to the carrying on the work of grace in our hearts. Should God withdraw his Spirit from the most holy men, their grace might fail and annihilate : if the sun withdraw its light, though ever so little, there follows darkness in the air ; we need not only habitual grace, but assisting, exciting, subsequent grace. The ship needs not only the sails, but the winds to carry it ; there needs not only the sails of our abilities and endeavours, but the wind of the Spirit to blow us to the heavenly port. 3. Why is the work of holiness in the heart
called
grace
Ans. 1. Because it hath a supereminency above nature ; it is a flower which doth not grow in nature's garden ; it is of a divine ex- traction, James iii. 17. By reason we live the life of men, by grace we live the life of God.
2. It is called grace, because it is a work of free grace ; every link in the golden chain of our salvation is wrought and enamelled with free-grace ; that one should be sanctifi- ed, and not another, this is of grace ; that God should pass by many of the noble, rich, learned, and graft his heavenly endowments upon a more wild and luxuriant stock, a crab- bed nature, weaker parts, well may it be call- ed grace.
Quest. But why is not grace bestowed upon all ?
Ans. We must hold with Zanchy, there is always a just reason of God's will ; but in particular, I answer,
1. God gives grace to one, and denies it to another, to show his prerogative ; God is not bound to give grace to all, Rom. ix. 15. " I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy." Suppose two malefactors brought before the king, one he will pardon, but not the other ; if any demand the reason, he will answer, it is my prerogative : so God will give grace to one, not to another ; he will make one a vessel of mercy, the other a ves- sel of wrath, this is his prerogative. The apostle hath silenced all disputes of this kind,
THE BEAUTY OF GRACE.
/ Ol
Rom. ix. 20, 21. « Wlio art thou that repli- est against God ? hath not the potter power over the chiy ?" If we could suppose a phuit to speak, why was not I made a bird, or a beast ? why should not I have reason ? ■jUst so it is when vain man enters into con- test with Ciod ; why should not I have grace as well as another ? dispute not against pre- rogative ; let not the clay syllogize with the potter.
2. I answer, God may justly deny his grace to any wicked man, for two reasons.
1. Because once he had grace, and lost it; if a father gave his son a stock to trade with, and the son breaks, the father is not bound to set him up again. God gave Adam a stock of grace to begin the world with ; Adam did break, and make all his children bankrupts ; God is not tied to give him grace again.
2. God may justly deny his grace to every wicked man, because he is a despiser of grace, he tramples this pearl under foot, Prov. i. 7. Is God bound to give grace to them that de- spise it ? if a king's pardon be rejected once, he is not bound to tender it any more ; but I shall not launch forth any further into this.
4. The cogency and necessity of grace ; it is most needful, because it fits us for com- munion with God, 2 Cor. vi. 14. " What communion hath li"^ht with darkness ?" God can no more converse with an ungracious soul, than a king can converse with a sow; it is by grace that we keep a constant inter- course with heaven.
Use 1. Exhort. Let me with the greatest zeal and earnestness persuade all who have soiiis to save, to endeavour after grace ; grace will be desirable at death ; it is as useful now, and more seasonable to look after, Prov. iv. 7. " With all thy getting get understand- ing." Alexander being presented with a rich cabinet of king Darius, he reserved it to put Homer's works in, as being of great value. The heart is a spiritual cabinet into which the jewel of grace should be put; we .should desire grace above other things ; above the gifts of the Spirit ; nay, above the com- forts of the Spirit. Comfort is sweet, but grace is better than comfort ; bread is better than lioney : we may go to heaven without comfort, not without grace ; it is grace makes us blessed in life and death. I shall
show you twelve rare excellencies in grace : I shall set this fair virgin of grace before yon, hoping that you will be tempted to fall in love with it.