Chapter 20
Of the Gospel, and of the Extent of the Grace
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)
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)
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.
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)