[ 1331] How it is, that the Preaching of the Gospel is of a double and contrary operation upon different persons.
EVen as it is with the Proclamation of a Prince, which he sendeth out to his Rebellious Subjects, wherein he maketh offer not onely of pardon, but of Grace and favour to those that will lay down their Arms, and come in, shewing themselves loyall and obedient; but on the other hand threatneth extremity of punishment to those that shall yet stand out: Now this Proclamation, with the same breath,* 1.1 breatheth out both life and death; Life to those which will hear∣ken to it (which is the main end and intent of proclaiming it) but death to those that oppose themselves against it. Even so it is with the Evangelical Proclama∣tion, the preaching of the Gospel, it reacheth out life and death after the same manner; life to penitent Believers, who readily accept the offers of Grace and Mercy there tendered; but death to obstinate and Rebellious Sinners, who reject them;* 1.2 To the one it is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to the other 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to the one, a savour of life un∣to life,* 1.3 to the other a savour of death unto death; to Believers the Morning Star, bringing light of Grace here,* 1.4 and of Glory hereafter; to others the Evening Star, leading to everlasting darknesse; Not that it is so in it self, being in its own Nature, the Word of Life; but accidentally it becometh so to them through their unbelief and rejection of it.