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1 The covenant of works being broken by sin, and made unprofitable unto life, God was
pleased to give forth the promise of Christ, the seed of the woman, as the means of calling the elect, and
begetting in them faith and repentance;1 in this promise the gospel, as to the substance of it, was revealed, and [is]
therein effectual for the conversion and salvation of sinners.2
1Genesis 3:15 2Revelation 13:8
2 This promise of Christ, and salvation by him, is revealed only by the Word of
God;3 neither do the works of
creation or providence, with the light of nature, make discovery of Christ, or of grace by him, so much as in
a general or obscure way;4
much less that men destitute of the revelation of Him by the promise or gospel, should be enabled thereby to
attain saving faith or repentance.5
3Romans 1:17 4Romans 10:14, 15, 17 5Proverbs 29:18; Isaiah 25:7; Isaiah 60:2, 3
3 The revelation of the gospel unto sinners, made in divers times and by sundry parts,
with the addition of promises and precepts for the obedience required therein, as to the nations and persons
to whom it is granted, is merely of the sovereign will and good pleasure of God;6 not being annexed by virtue of any promise
to the due improvement of men's natural abilities, by virtue of common light received without it, which none
ever did make, or can do so;7
and therefore in all ages, the preaching of the gospel has been granted unto persons and nations, as to the
extent or straitening of it, in great variety, according to the counsel of the will of God.
6Psalms 147:20; Acts 16:7 7Romans 1:18–32
4 Although the gospel be the only outward means of revealing Christ and saving grace,
and is, as such, abundantly sufficient thereunto; yet that men who are dead in trespasses may be born again,
quickened or regenerated, there is moreover necessary an effectual insuperable work of the Holy Spirit upon
the whole soul, for the producing in them a new spiritual life;8 without which no other means will effect their conversion unto
God.9
8Psalms 110:3; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 1:19, 20 9John 6:44; 2 Corinthians 4:4, 6
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