OF THE GOSPEL, AND OF THE EXTENT OF THE GRACE THEREOF

1.  The covenant of works being broken by sin, and made unprofitable for life, God was pleased to promise Christ, the seed of the woman, as the means of calling the elect, and bringing to life within them faith and repentance; in this promise the Gospel, as to the substance of it, was revealed and shown to be effectual for the conversion and salvation of sinners.[1]

2.  This promise of Christ, and salvation by Him, is revealed only by the Word of God; neither do the works of creation or providence, with the light of nature, reveal Christ or His grace even in a general or obscure way; much less that men destitute of the revelation of Him by the promise or the Gospel, should be enabled by the light of nature to attain saving faith or repentance.[2]

3.  The revelation of the Gospel unto sinners, made in diverse 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; 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; 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.[3]

4.  Although the Gospel be the only outward means of revealing Christ and saving grace, and as such, totally sufficient to accomplish this; yet that men who are dead in trespasses may be born again, quickened or regenerated, it is moreover necessary for there to be an effectual insuperable work of the Holy Spirit upon the whole soul to produce in them a new spiritual life; without which no other means will bring about their conversion unto God.[4]