13 GILL on the Grace of God
This attribute may be considered, both as it is in God himself, and as displayed in acts towards his creatures; as in himself, it is himself; it is his nature and essence; he is Grace itself, most amiable and lovely; hence so often called gracious in Scripture: it is a character expressive of the amiableness and loveliness of his nature: and thus he was before he had, and would have been for ever the same if he never had displayed his grace towards any of his creatures.
And this appears from the loveliness of Christ, the image of the Father, the express image of his person; who, to them that believe, is exceeding precious, and altogether lovely; when they behold his glory, as the only begotten of the Father; the fulness of grace in him, as Mediator; the purity, perfection, and beauty of his human nature, as in union with his divine person, in which he was in high favour with God and men.
Now if Christ, under these several considerations, is so graceful and amiable, he must needs be infinitely so, whose image he is, and who has all virtues, all excellencies, all perfections in him; he is said to be glorious in holiness, Exo. 15:11.
Exo. 15:11 Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
And if he is so glorious and graceful, viewed in one perfection of his, what must he be when all put together, and he is viewed in them all, his goodness, wisdom, power, justice, truth, etc.? and therefore is to be loved above all, and with all the heart, soul, and strength; and hence it is that good men, as Moses, David, and others, desired to see the face of God, so far as could be admitted, and they were capable of, Exo. 33:14,15; Psa. 27:7,8; 105:4
Exo. 33:14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
15 And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.
Psa. 27:7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
105:4 Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.
and what a lovely sight had Moses of him in the clift of the rock, when he caused his goodness to pass, and proclaimed his name, a God gracious before him, Exo. 33:19; 34:6
Exo. 33:19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.
34:6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
and to see the lovely face of God, so far as creatures are capable of, is the happiness of angels, will be the happiness of saints to all eternity, Matt. 18:10; 1 Cor. 13:12; 1 John 3:2; Rev. 22:4.
Matt. 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
1 Cor. 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Rev. 22:4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
The grace of God may be considered as displayed in acts of goodness towards his creatures, especially men; and is no other than his free favour and good will to men; it is no other than love unmerited and undeserved, exercising and communicating itself to them in a free and generous manner; which they are altogether unworthy of.
There are many things called grace, and the grace of God, because they flow from his grace, and are the effects of it; as the gospel, 2 Cor. 6:1; Gal. 5:4; Tit. 2:11;
2 Cor. 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
Gal. 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
Tit. 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
gifts for preaching the gospel, Rom. 12:6; Eph. 3:7,8
Rom. 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
Eph. 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
the blessings of grace, as justification, adoption, etc. Psa. 84:11; 2 Tim. 1:9
Psa. 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
2 Tim. 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
in each of the graces of the Spirit in regeneration, as faith, hope, love, etc. 2 Cor. 9:8; Gal. 2:9
2 Cor. 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
Gal. 2:9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
but then these are to be distinguished from grace in God; as the Giver and the gift, the Fountain and the streams, the Cause and the effect. The grace of God arises from the goodness of his nature, and not from anything in the creature; and is exercised according to his sovereign will and pleasure; I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, Exo. 33:19.
Exo. 33:19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.
It is independent of all merit and worth in creatures, and of all works done by them, and is always opposed to them in scripture, Rom. 11:6; 2 Tim. 1:9; Eph. 2:8,9
Rom. 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
2 Tim. 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
Eph. 2:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
it is quite entirely free, as Austin said long ago, grace is not grace, unless it is altogether free. As an attribute, it wholly and only resides in God; and is only in men, as to the sense and perception of it, and the effects of it upon them and in them, Rom. 5:5; 8:37
Rom. 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
and it is only exhibited and displayed through Christ, in and through whom men are elected, adopted, redeemed, justified, pardoned, regenerated, and sanctified, Eph. 1:4-7; Rom. 3:24; Tit. 3:5,6.
Eph. 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Rom. 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Tit. 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
And though there are various gifts and blessings, and effects of it, it is but one in God: there is but one Fountain, from whence they all flow. With respect to creatures, the objects of it, some distinctions are made concerning it, as of natural and supernatural grace.
Natural grace seems to sound oddly, and unless guarded against, may tend to confound nature and grace together; but rightly applied and understood, may be admitted. What Adam enjoyed, in a state of integrity, above the rest of creatures, was all owing to the unmerited kindness and goodness of God, and so may be called grace; as the image of God, in which he was created; his holiness and righteousness; knowledge and understanding; the communion he had with God, and his dominion over the creatures; and yet it was all natural: so many things which his posterity in their fallen state enjoy, being altogether owing to the free favour and undeserved goodness of God, may be called grace: to have a being, and life, and the preservation of it, and the mercies of life, as food and raiment, which men are altogether unworthy of, are gifts and favours; and so may bear the name of grace, though only natural blessings.
Supernatural grace includes all the blessings of grace bestowed upon any of the sons of fallen Adam; and all the graces of the Spirit wrought in them; and which will easily be allowed to be supernatural. But that Adam had any such, in a state of innocence, for my own part, I cannot see; though some are of this opinion. Again, grace is, by some, distinguished into common or general, and special or particular.
Common or general grace, if it may be so called, is what all men have; as the light of nature and reason, which every man that comes into the world is enlightened with; the temporal blessings of life, the bounties of providence, called the riches of God’s goodness, or grace, Rom. 2:4
Rom. 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
which all partake of, more or less; and the continuance and preservation of life; for “God is the Saviour of all men”, 1 Tim. 4:10.
1 Tim. 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
Special or particular grace, is that which is peculiar to some persons only such as electing, redeeming, justifying, pardoning, adopting, and sanctifying grace, Rom. 8:30
Rom. 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
and this special grace is, by some, distinguished into imputed and inherent grace: imputed grace is the holiness, obedience, and righteousness of Christ imputed to justification: inherent grace is what is wrought in the heart, by the Spirit of God, in regeneration. But these distinctions, with others, only concern the effects of the grace of God; that itself is but one in God; and is sure, firm, and immutable, as his nature is; and is the efficient cause, source, and spring, of all good things enjoyed by men; and should be acknowledged, as it was by the apostle, By the grace of God I am what I am, 1 Cor. 15:10
1 Cor. 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
whether as a man, or as a minister, or as a Christian; and this is the final cause, or ultimate end of all, that God does towards, upon, or in his elect, through Christ; all is to the glory of his grace, Eph. 1:6
Eph. 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
and is what appears, shines forth, and is illustrious in every part and branch of their salvation; and therefore they are said to be saved by grace, Eph. 2:5,8
Eph. 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
as will be evident by an enumeration of them.
1. The grace of God appears in the election of men to everlasting life; and is therefore called the election of grace; and is denied to be of works, Rom. 11:5,6
Rom. 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
and, indeed, this act of the grace of God, passed in his eternal mind, before any works were done, good or evil, and without any consideration of them, Rom. 9:11
Rom. 9:11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
nor can any works truly good be done, until men become the workmanship of God in regeneration; and then they are the fruits and effects of divine preordination, Eph. 2:10
Eph. 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
nor were men chosen in Christ because they were holy, but that they might be holy, Eph. 1:4.
Eph. 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
And sanctification, both internal and external, is a means fixed in the decree of election; and is as absolute, unconditional, and certain, as the end, salvation, 2 Thess. 2:13
2 Thess. 2:13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
and all the true holiness that is, has been, or will be in the world, flows from electing grace; had it not been for this, the world had been as Sodom and Gomorrah, Rom. 9:29.
Rom. 9:29 And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.
Election is also irrespective of faith; that is likewise a means fixed in the decree, and most certainly follows upon it, and is therefore called the faith of God’s elect, 2 Thess. 2:13; Acts 13:18; Tit. 1:1.
2 Thess. 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
Acts 13:18 And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.
Tit. 1:1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
It remains, therefore, that election must be ascribed to the free favour, good will, and pleasure of God, to his unmerited grace and goodness, the true spring and cause of it; and to show forth which is the design of it, Rom. 9:18,23; Eph. 1:4-6.
Rom. 9:18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
Eph. 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
2. The grace of God is displayed in the covenant he has made with his elect in Christ; this, with great propriety, is commonly called by us, the covenant of grace; though the phrase is not in so many words to be met with in scripture; it is founded in the unmerited grace and mercy of God; and is made to establish and secure the glory of it, Psa. 89:2,3.
Psa. 89:2 For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.
3 I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant,
It was free grace that moved God to make one, to which he was not otherwise obliged: it was free grace that called, and that moved Christ to engage with his Father in it, and which gave him to be the covenant of the people, Psa. 40:6,7; Isa. 42:6
Psa. 40:6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
Isa. 42:6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
it was free grace that stored it with all spiritual blessings; by which it appears to be ordered in all things for the glory of God, and the good of his covenant people; and these are grants of grace, made in it to them in Christ, 2 Tim. 1:9
2 Tim. 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
and it was free grace that filled it with exceeding great and precious promises; promises of grace and glory, made before the world began; and which made them sure by an oath to the heirs of them; and who become heirs of them, not through any merit of theirs, but through the undeserved favour of God towards them.
3. The grace of God is very manifest in the adoption of the chosen ones; the cause of which is, the good pleasure of the will of God; and the end of it, the glory of his grace, Eph. 1:5,6.
Eph. 1:5,6 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
God, the adopter, stood not in any need of sons; he had a Son, an only begotten Son, a beloved Son, the dear Son of his love, who always pleased him, his Son and Heir; the adopted are altogether unworthy of such a favour, being “by nature children of wrath, as others”; and these men, and not angels, who are only servants in the family, to wait upon the children, the heirs of salvation, and minister unto them: and not all the race of men, only some, and these no better in themselves than others; and therefore their adoption cannot be ascribed to anything else but the free and distinguishing grace of God; and into which relation they were taken before time, in the everlasting covenant; and Christ was sent to open the way, that they might receive this blessing of grace, and which they do by faith, the gift of God; for faith does not make them, only manifests them to be the sons of God; which relation is the ground of their having the Spirit, faith, and every other grace, Gal. 4:4-6.
Gal. 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
4. The grace of God shines very illustrious in redemption by Jesus Christ; free grace set infinite wisdom to work, to find out a proper person to be the redeemer and saviour; and it found out Christ to be the ransom, and provided him to be the sacrifice, Job 33:24
Job 33:24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.
his incarnation was owing to God’s good will to men, Luke 2:14
Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
and his mission to his unmerited love, 1 John 4:10
1 John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
and it was by the grace of God he tasted death for men, Heb. 2:9
Heb. 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
and this for sinners, the chief of sinners, ungodly men, enemies in their minds by wicked works. In short, all that are redeemed and saved, whether Old or New Testament saints, are saved by the grace of God and Christ, Acts 15:11.
Acts 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
5. The grace of God is very conspicuous in the justification of men before God, and acceptance with him; which, in the strongest terms, is said to be of grace, to be by his grace, the grace of God, and freely by his grace, and that through the redemption that is in Christ, Tit. 3:7; Rom. 3:24.
Tit. 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Rom. 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Free grace, by infinite wisdom, found out the way whereby sinful men might be just with God; which otherwise never could have been; namely, by not imputing their trespasses to them, but to Christ, the Surety free grace provided, whereby God is just, and yet the justifier of him that believes in Jesus” 2 Cor. 5:19; Rom. 3:25,26
2 Cor. 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Rom. 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
free grace appears in appointing Christ to work out, and bring in everlasting righteousness; and in sending him in the likeness of sinful flesh to do it, Dan. 9:24; Rom. 8:3,4
Dan. 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
Rom. 8:3,4 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
and it was free grace moved Christ to come to do this will of God, and “become the end of the law for righteousness”; and it was free grace in God the Father to accept of this righteousness, in the room and stead of sinners, and to impute it, without works, unto them, as their justifying righteousness; and in appointing faith to be the recipient of it, that so it might clearly appear to be of grace; as the persons who are justified by it, being in themselves ungodly, more clearly shows it, Rom. 4:5,6,16.
Rom. 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of thelaw, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
Justification is always denied to be of works; and the righteousness by which men are justified, is represented as a gift, a free gift, a gift by grace, as faith that receives it also is, Rom. 3:20,28; 5:15-17; Eph 2:8.
Rom. 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
6. Pardon of sin is according to the riches, fulness, and freeness of the grace of God, Eph. 1:7
Eph. 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
the promise of it in the covenant is free, absolute, and unconditional, Heb. 8:12
Heb. 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
the proclamation of it in the gospel, bore witness to by all the prophets, is the same, Exo. 34:6; Acts 10:43; 13:38
Exo. 34:6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
13:38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
the blood of Christ was shed freely for it; and though it cost him dear, it is all of free grace to sinners, without money and without price. Christ is exalted as a prince to give it; and God, for Christ’s sake, frankly forgives all trespasses, Acts 5:31; Luke 7:41,42; Col. 2:13
Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
Luke 7:41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
Col. 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
and it is vouchsafed to the worst and chief of sinners, 1 Tim. 1:13
1 Tim. 1:13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
and to great backsliders, ungrateful persons, guilty of sins of omission and commission, Hos. 14:4; Isa. 43:22-25.
Hos. 14:4 I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.
Isa. 43:22 But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel.
23 Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings; neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense.
24 Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.
25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.
7. The grace of God is abundantly evident in regeneration, vocation, and sanctification; God regenerates men by his grace, and of his own good will and pleasure, James 1:18
James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
and he calls them by his grace, and according to it, Gal. 1:15; 2 Tim. 1:9
Gal. 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,
2 Tim. 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
and which always becomes effectual. There are some things which bear the name of grace, which fall short of true sanctifying grace, at least what men call so, as restraining grace; whereby some of God’s people, before conversion, and some others, are kept from the commission of gross sins others fall into; and external gifts of grace, as a rational knowledge of the gospel, historical faith, and even gifts for the public ministry; which persons may have, and yet be unknown by Christ, and be castaways. And also what some call sufficient grace, though wrongly; rather it should be called, insufficient; for that can never be sufficient which is ineffectual; as the means of grace often are.
There are other distinctions of grace, which are not very material, yet, if rightly explained and understood, may be allowed, as grace preparing, anticipating, operating, and co-operating, and subsequent. Preparing grace must be understood not of preparations, and previous dispositions in men, and of them, to the grace of God; but what is of God himself, who prepares the heart, and makes it, by his grace, good ground, fit to receive the seed of the word cast into it, where it becomes the ingrafted word, Pro. 16:1; Matt. 13:23.
Pro. 16:1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
Matt. 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Anticipating grace is that in which God goes beforehand with men, and enlightens their minds, teaches and instructs them in the knowledge of themselves, and of Christ, and guides, directs, and draws them to him, John 6:44,45
John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
Operating grace is that by which God works in men, both to will and to do, of his good pleasure, Phil. 2:13.
Phil. 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Co-operating grace is that by which men act, being acted or wrought upon, and by which they run, being drawn, Songs 1:4.
Songs 1:4 Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.
And subsequent grace is that by which the work of grace is carried on, and performed until the day of Christ, Phil. 1:6.
Phil. 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Though there seems to be no great need of these distinctions; the most proper epithet of the grace of God, as displayed in regeneration, calling, and conversion, is, that it is efficacious; it never fails of its effects: and it is always persevering grace, and is never lost or comes to nothing; but issues in everlasting salvation; and all is owing to unmerited goodness. Every grace implanted in regeneration, flows from the free favour and good will of God.
Faith is a gift, a free grace gift, a distinguishing gift; not given to all men, only to whom the Lord pleases, Eph. 2:8; 2 Thess. 3:2.
Eph. 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
2 Thess. 3:2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
Repentance is a grant of God’s grace, a gift of Christ, and a blessing of the covenant, Acts 5:31; 11:18; Ezek. 36:26.
Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
Ezek. 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
Hope is a good hope through grace; what men, in a state of nature, are without; and which God, of his free grace, gives, 2 Thess. 2:16.
2 Thess. 2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
The same may be said of every other grace, love, humility, patience, etc.
8. Lastly, Eternal life is the free gift of God, through Christ, a free grace gift through him, Rom. 6:23.
Rom. 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The introduction of all the Lord’s people into the enjoyment of it, will be attended with shouts and acclamations, crying grace, grace, unto it! Zech 4:7
Zech 4:7 Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.
and which will be the employment of saints to all eternity; and so the great and ultimate end of God in their salvation, will be answered, namely, the glory of his grace, Eph 1:6.
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
THE END