A humble endeavour of some plain and brief explication of the decrees and operations of God, about the free actions of men, more especially of the operations of divine grace written by Mr. John Corbet ...

1. What is signified by Divine Grace.

FOr the clearer understanding of all Points to be discus∣sed touching Divine Grace, it is requisite that the mea∣ning of Grace in general, and of all the kinds thereof, be explained.

By Divine Grace in general is understood, whatsoever is graciously vouchsafed on Gods part, in order to mans Duty and Felicity, whether it be the Divine Operation or the Ef∣fect hereof in man. Sometimes men call the first saving O∣peration of God to the renewing of the Soul, by the name of the First Grace; but it is not so indeed. For abundant and manifold Grace is vouchsafed before that. Whatsoever is from God over and above Humane Nature, and Facul∣ties, and his general concurse, in themselves considered, is to be comprehended under this Term.

Nature, and Gods upholding thereof, in it self considered, is not to be called Grace; but Gods reprieving of Nature, in order to its recovery, is his Grace through-Christ; and so the continuing of our Reason and Free Will, and all our Faculties in this state of Tryal, is of Grace. And Nature, in it self considered, is the Subject that Grace works upon▪ For Grace doth not put into us any such thing as we call a

Natural Faculty, but the Rectitude of the Faculty, or that which tends thereunto. And all the degrees of the healing and restoring of our depraved lapsed Nature, are so many degrees of Grace obtained for us by Christ. In sum, under Divine Grace, in general, may be comprehended Gods Or∣dinances, Providences, secret Influences, and Eternal Purposes, or the gracious Effects and Consequents▪ thereof in man.