the works of john gill vol2 SAMPLE

The Cause of God and Truth
I answer, that the covenant of works, which, I suppose, is referred
to in the former part of this question, by what follows in the latter part
of it, being made with man in his state of innocence, did not promise
life, and threaten with death, upon an impossible condition, but upon
one that was possible, and which man was then capable of performing;
and therefore no ways incompatible with the wisdom of providence.
And though man, by breaking this covenant, has lost his power of
fulfilling the condition of it, perfect obedience; yet it entirely comports
with the wisdom of providence, that he should be subject to the
penalty of it, from which he can have no relief, but by the provision
made in the covenant of grace; which covenant of grace is not a
conditional one, as is suggested; nor is it tendered to any, much less to
all mankind, to whom the gospel is vouchsafed, or to any left by God’s
decree of preterition, under the disability of the fall; but is a covenant
made with Christ on the behalf of God’s elect; is established in him,
on better promises than conditional ones, depending on the power and
will of man, being absolute and sure to all the seed.
(7.) “On the other hand 44 , can it accord with the same wisdom of
providence, to threaten the severest judgments to them, if they
repented not, or if they turned away from their righteousness, or fell
away from their own steadfastness, or endured not to the end; whom
he had absolutely decreed to give repentance to; and, by continuance
in well-doing, to preserve them to a blessed immortality; or to caution
them not to do so, or to inquire whether temptations had not prevailed
upon them so to do, or bid them fear lest they should do so.”
I answer; that the threatenings, cautions, and exhortations referred
to, will appear to accord perfectly with the wisdom of Providence,
when it is considered, that they are made to societies and bodies of
men under a profession of religion, some of which were real, others
nominal professors; some true believers, others hypocrites, men
destitute of the grace of God; and, perhaps, with a particular view to
44 Ibid. p. 511; ed. 2. 489.
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