Section 976
I. I shall explain what is necessary in the proposition, "That the doctrine of grace is according to godliness"
By the doctrine of grace, I mean that system of evangelical truths which is commonly called Calvinistical; as, that God has from all eternity loved some of the human race, and has chosen them unto everlasting salvation, by Jesus Christ; that he has made a covenant of grace with his Son on the behalf of the chosen ones, which is absolute and unconditional; that Christ in the fulness of time assumed human nature, suffered and died, to redeem a special and peculiar people to himself; that by bearing their sins, and all punishment due unto them, he has made full satisfaction to the justice of God; that a sinner's justification before God is only by the righteousness of Christ imputed to him, without any consideration of works done by him; that pardon of sin is only through the blood of Christ, and for his sake, according to the. riches of his grace; that God sees no sin in his justified and pardoned ones, so as to condemn them for it; that regeneration and conversion, are by the powerful and efficacious grace of God; and that those who are effectually called by grace, shall persevere to the end, and be eternally saved, This is the doctrine of the Bible, of the scriptures given by inspiration of God, and which are profitable for doctrine, (2 Timothy 3:16) for explaining, stating, and defending this doctrine. This is the doctrine of Christ, which if a man brings not with him, who pretends to be a preacher of the gospel, he is not to be received, nor bid God speed. (2 John 9:10) This is the doctrine of the apostles (Acts 2:42) we are steadfastly to continue in and abide by; and is summarily comprised in that excellent chain of truths, Whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate, to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (Romans 8:29, 30)
By godliness I understand not any particular grace, or the exercise of it; which seems to be the sense of the apostle, when he says, Add to patience godliness, and to godliness brotherly kindness; (2 Peter 1:6, 7) nor the whole of internal religion only; though that is the main and principal part of godliness, and is what an inspired writer means, when he observes, that bodily exercise profiteth little, but godliness is profitable unto all things; (1 Timothy 4:8) but by it I understand the whole of practical religion, both external and internal, the exercise of every grace, and the discharge of every duty: which is what the apostle designs, when he thus concludes; Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be, in all holy conversation and godliness? (2 Peter 3:11)
By the doctrine of grace being a godly doctrine, or a doctrine according to godliness, I mean, that godliness is the very life and soul of it; that it runs through every part of it, and is breathed by it; that it is the truth which is after godliness; (Titus 1:1) that there is a perfect harmony and agreement between them; the mystery of Christ, of his person, and grace, being the great mystery of godliness; and that nothing more powerfully and effectually teaches and engages men to deny ungodliness, and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously and godly, in this present evil world, (Titus 2:11, 12) than the doctrine of the grace of God, which bringeth the news of free and unconditional salvation by Jesus Christ.