Let the reader take notice, that I propose no gi'ace in Christ unto or for such sinners, but only that which may invite all sorts of them, though under the most discouraging qualifications, to come unto him for grace and mercy by faith and repentance. And on supposition that this was my sense, as he cannot deny it to be, I add only, in answer, that this his profane scoffing at it, is that which reflects on Christ and his gospel, and God himself and his word; whicli must be accounted for. See Isa. Iv. 7. Secondly, For the opposition which
THE PKECEDING DISCOURSE, 341
he childishly frames between God's vindictive justice and his mercy and grace, it is answered already. Thirdly, It is false that God hath not told us that his grace is boundless and bottomless, in the sense wherein I use those words, sufficient to pardon the gi'eatest, the oldest, the stubbomest of sinners, — namely, that turn unto him by faith and repentance ; and he who knows not how this consists with severity and anger against impenitent sinners, is yet to learn his catechism. But yet he adds farther, pp. 208, 209, " Supposing the divine nature were such a bottomless fountain of grace, how comes this to be a per- sonal grace of the Mediator? For a mediator, as mediator, ought not to be considered as the fountain, but as the minister of grace. God the Father certainly ought to come in for a share, at least, in being the fountain of grace, though the doctor is pleased to take no notice of him. But how excellent is the grace of Christ's person above the grace of the gospel ; for that is a bounded and limited thing, a strait gate and narrow way, that leadeth unto life. There is no such bound- less mercy as all the sins in the world cannot equal its dimensions, as will save the greatest, the oldest, and the stubbomest transgres- sors."
1 beg the reader to believe that I am now so utterly weary with the repetition of these impertinencies, that I can hardly prevail Avith myself to fill my pen once more with ink about them ; and I see no reason now to go on, but only that I have begun; and, on all accounts, I shall be as brief' as possible. I say, then, first, I did not consi- der this boundless grace in Christ as mediator, but considered it as in him who is mediator; and so the divine nature, with all its pro- perties, are greatly to be considered in him, if the gospel be true. But, secondly. It is untrue that Christ, as mediator, is only the minis- ter of grace, and not the fountain of it; for he is mediator as God and man in one person. Thirdly, To suppose an exemption of the person of the Father from being the fountain of grace absolutely, in the order of the divine subsistence of the persons in the Trinity, and of their operations suited thereunto, upon the ascription of it unto the Son, is a fond imagination, which could befall no man who understands any thing of things of this nature. It doth as well follow, that if the Son created the world, the Father did not; if the Son uphold all things by the word of his power, the Father doth not ; — that is, that the Son is not in the Father, nor the Father in the Son. The acts, indeed, of Christ's mediation respect the ministration of grace, being the procuring and communicating causes thereof; but the person of Christ the mediator is the fountain of grace. So they thought who beheld his glory, — " The glory as of the only begotten of the I ather, full of grace and truth." But the especial relation of gi'ace unto the Father, as sending the Son ; unto the Son, as sent by him and incar-
342 A VINDICATION OF
nate ; and unto the Holy Spirit, as proceeding from and sent by them both, I have elsewhere fully declared, and shall not in this place (which, indeed, will scarce give admittance unto any thing of so serious a nature) again insist thereon. Fourthly, The opposition which he woidd again set between Christ and the gospel is impious in itself; and, if he thinks to charge it on me, openly false. I chal- lenge him and all his accomplices to produce any one word out of any writing of mine that, from a plea or pretence of grace in Christ, should give countenance unto any in the neglect of the least precept given or duty required in the gospel. And notwithstanding all that I have said or taught concerning the boundless, bottomless gi-ace and mercy of Christ towai'ds believing, humble, penitent sinners, I do believe the way of gospel obedience, indispensably required to be walked in by all that will come to the enjoyment of God, to be so naiTow, that no revilers, nor false accusers, nor scoffers, nor despisers of gospel mysteries, continuing so to be, can v/alk therein ; — but that there is not gi'ace and mercy declared and tendered in the gospel also unto all sorts of sinners, under any qualifications whatever, who, upon its invitation, will come to God through Jesus Christ by faith and repentance, is an impious imagination.