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1. Man’s communion with God being broken by sin, God was pleased to give forth the promise of Christ, 1the seed of the woman, as the means of calling the elect and begetting in them faith and repentance; in this promise, the 2gospel, as to the substance of it, was revealed and therein effectual for the conversion and salvation of sinners.
2. This promise of Christ and salvation by him is revealed only by 3the word of God; neither do the works of creation or providence, with the light of nature, 4make discovery of Christ or of grace by him so much as in a general or obscure way, much less that men destitute of the revelation of him by the promise or gospel 5should be enabled thereby to attain saving faith or repentance.
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 6sovereign 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 7make, or can so do. And therefore in all ages the preaching of the gospel hath been granted unto persons and nations, as to the extent or straightening of it, in great variety according to the counsel of the will of God.
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 8work of the Holy Spirit upon the whole soul for the producing in them a new spiritual life; without which no other means will effect 9their conversion unto God.