John_ iii. 36.
2. "That accordingly, Jesus Christ the Saviour of the world, died
for all and every man; and by his death on the cross has merited
for all, reconciliation with God, and remission of sin; in such
manner nevertheless, that no one can partake of them but believers,
according to the words of Jesus, _St. John_ iii. 16., 1 _John_ ii.
2.
3. "That man hath not saving faith of himself, and by the strength
of his own free will; since, while in a state of sin and apostasy,
he cannot of himself think, desire, or do, that which is truly
good, which is what is chiefly meant by saving faith; but it is
necessary that God in Jesus Christ, and by the Holy Spirit,
regenerate and renew him in his understanding and affections, or in
his will and all his powers; that he may know the true good,
meditate on it, desire, and do it. _St. John_ xv. 5.
[Sidenote: CHAP. V. 1610-1617.]
4. "That to this grace of God is owing the beginning, the
progression, and accomplishment of all good; in such manner, that
even the regenerate, without this antecedent, or preventing,
exciting, concomitant, and cooperating grace, cannot think that,
which is good, desire or practise it; nor resist any temptation to
evil; so that all the good works or actions he can conceive, spring
from the grace of God; that as to what regards the manner of
operation of this grace, it is not irresistible, since it is said
of several, they resisted the Holy Spirit.
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