The redeemed have all from the grace of God. It was of mere grace that
God gave us His only-begotten Son. The gift was infinitely precious,
because it was of a person infinitely worthy, a person of infinite
glory; and also because it was of a person infinitely near and dear to
God.
The grace is great in proportion to the benefit he has given us in him.
The benefit is doubly infinite, in that in him we have deliverance from
an infinite misery and receive eternal glory.
The grace in bestowing this gift is great in proportion to our
unworthiness. Instead of deserving such a gift, we merited infinite ill
of God’s hands.
The grace is great according to the means by which a way is made for
our having the gift. He gave him to dwell among us. He gave him to us in
a low and afflicted state; and not only so, but as slain, that he might
be a feast for our souls.
The grace of God in bestowing this gift is most free. God was under no
obligation to bestow this gift. He might have rejected fallen man, as he
did the fallen angels. We never did any thing to merit it; it was
given while we were yet enemies, and before we had so much as repented.
It was from the love of God who saw no excellency in us to attract it;
and it was without expectation of ever being repaid for it. It is from
mere grace that the benefits of Christ are applied to us. Those that are
called and sanctified are to attribute it alone to the good pleasure of
God’s goodness, by which they are distinguished.
He is sovereign, and hath mercy on whom he will have mercy.
~ Jonathan Edwards
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