"Sæpius ergo repetenda hæc doctrina, atque inculcanda fuit: ut Deum facturum intelligamus quod semel loquutus est. Quum igitur promissiones Dei audimus, in iis perspiciendum ejus consilium est: ut quum promittit gratuitam peccatorum remissionem, nos per Christum reconciliari non dubitemus."-CALVINUS in Isaiam Lv. 11. Rich Act-14 18,73: PREFACE. THE Gospel is glad tidings or good news that salvation from sin and wretchedness is to be found in Christ; the invitation or general call of the Gospel is to be made to Jews and Gentiles, to every creature of the human race under heaven; the promises held out in that Gospel are offers of pardon and reconciliation, grace and glory, to every one that, forsaking his own ways, will put his confidence in Christ as his Saviour; and the exhortations with which the Gospel plies all to whom it is presented are importunate entreaties and requests that, in the strength of God's offered mercy, renouncing sin, and cultivating holiness, they would not receive the grace of God in vain. In one word, the Gospel is emphatically free, that is, its outward invitation is gratuitously given to mankind sinners, not because of any |