Imatges de pàgina
PDF
EPUB

fense of it, to include and con note the effects of that favour, whereof thofe Affiftencies are fome of the chief, and as fuch therefore fit to be comprehended, as often as the Scope and Exigence of the place will comport with that Senfe. Which seems very reasonable even upon the Suppofition of the very Learned Perfon refer'd to P. 164 of this Book.' For if the Grace of God, notwithstanding that in the more strict and primary sense it imports only Favour, be yet allowed not only to fignifie Favour abstractly and at large, but also to fignifie concretely, so as to take in fome of the principal Effects of that Favour, or certain special Fa

vours as we usually speak, fuch as the Mercy of God in the Pardon of Sin, and alfo the Charifmata, or Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit, why it may not alfo be allowed to fignifie thofe inward Operations of the fame Spirit which help our Infirmities in the practice of our Chriflian Duty, (which in the popular ufe of the word, is also what we call Grace) I should be glad to fee a good Reason, thofe inward Affiftencies being though not fo extraordinary, yet really the greater Favours of the two. Even as much greater as Charity is more excellent than thofe Charifmata, or Spiritual Gifts, as the Apostle pofitively affures us that

it is. And fince he does fo, it would,in my Opinion,feem fomewhat strange, if that Operation of the Holy Ghost which works this Charity in us, or as the Apostle expreffes it, that sheds the Love of God abroad in our Hearts, fhould not be allowed to be comprehended among the other fignifications of Grace, at leaft in the New Testament. But this with Submission to better Judg

ments.

THE

« AnteriorContinua »