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The Gospel and its gracious extent 1.
AS the covenant of works was broken by man's sin and was unable to
confer life, God in His mercy promised to send Christ, who would be
woman-born; and by means of the promise the elect would be called, and
faith and repentance wrought in their hearts. In this promise the very
substance of the gospel was revealed as the effectual means for the
conversion and salvation of sinners. 2.
This promise of Christ and of salvation by Him is revealed to men
by the Word of God alone. Neither the works of creation and providence,
nor the light of nature, reveal Christ and His grace to men, not even in a
general or obscure way; much less is it possible by their means for men
who lack the revelation of Christ by the promise of the gospel to attain
to saving faith or repentance. 3.
The revelation of the gospel to sinners, both to nations and to
certain persons, together with the promises and precepts which belong to
gospel obedience, has been made at various times and in a variety of
places, according to the sovereign will and good pleasure of God. The
promise of the making known of the gospel has not been made contingent
upon any good use made by men of their native abilities developed by means
of light common to all, for such a development has never taken place, nor
can it do so. Hence in all ages the extent to which the gospel has been
proclaimed, whether to wider or more confined areas, has been granted to
persons and nations in greatly varying measures according to the all-wise
will of God. 4.
The gospel is the only external means of making Christ and saving
grace known to men, and it is completely adequate for this purpose. But
that men who are dead in their sins may be born again-that is to say, made
alive, or regenerated-something further is essential, namely, an
effectual, invincible work of the Holy Spirit upon every part of the soul
of man, whereby a new spiritual life is produced. Nothing less than such a
work will bring about conversion to God. [Previous Chapter] [Next Chapter]
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