Golden Sands, Chapter 1
CHAP. I.
Of the various acceptions of the word Grace in Scripture, and in what ſenſe 'tis underſtood in this Diſcourſe.
IT ſometimes ſignifi's the comlyneſſe, gracefulneſſe, or beauty of a perſon or thing, ſuch as the excellency of ſpeech, Prov. 22.11. For the grave of his lips, the King ſhall be his friend. Pſal. 45.2. Grace is powred into thy lips: or the glory of an ornament, Pro. 1.9 and 4.9. An ornament of grace unto thy head: or the gallantry of a garden, in its verdure, Jam. 1.11. ſpeaking of the withering flower, the grace of the faſhion of it periſheth.
It ſometimes ſignifies a condeſcending ſweetnes, or gracious affability eſpecially towards one much inferiour, Judg. 6.17. If now I have found grace in thy ſight, ſaith Gideon to the Angel of the Lord: and Moſes often, that I may find grace in thy ſight, Exod. 33.12, 13, 16, 17. Gen. 39.4. And Joſeph found grace in the ſight (of his Maſter) and he ſerved him.
It ſometimes ſignifi's a placability, or gentle appeaſeablenes of ſpirit, an aptnes to be reconciled, and return againe to thoughts of former amity and friendſhip, forgetting and paſsing by of injuries, if any ſuch have been. Thus Jacob to his brother Eſau, when he brought his Preſent, Gen. 38.8. theſe are to find grace in the eyes of my Lord.foreign Invenire vel conciliare gratiam.
It ſometime ſignifie's an honourable eſteeme, grounded upon an apprehenſion of ſomething excellent in a perſon: 'tis ſaid of the Apoſtles whoſe preaching was grown famous to a multitude that believed, Acts 5.32. Great grace was upon them all. Luke 2.42. And Jeſus grew in wiſdome, and ſtature, & in favour (foreign, grace) with God and man.
It ſometime ſignifies a teſtimony of ſpeciall good will, conferred upon a perſon in ſome eminent marke of favour, Rom. 1.5. By whom we have received grace and Apoſtleſhip. Eſter 2.17. And the King loved Eſther above al the women, and ſhe obtained grace and favour in his ſight, more then all the Virgins: ſo that he ſet the Royall Crown upon her head. Thus when Kings make Earles and Dukes by Charter or Patent, the Royall ſtile is, Wee of our ſpeciall good will, or of our meer grace and favour, &c.
It ſometime ſignifi's a gift freely given: thus of the contributions from the Churches of Macedonia. 2 Cor. 8.1. after whoſe example, the Apoſtle exhort's the Corrinthians, therefore as ye abound in every thing, fee that ye abound in this grace alſo, v. 7. In this ſenſe after an eſpecial manner, the gifts and divine qualifications of the Saints are called Graces, foreign Gratia gratis data.as the grace of Faith, the grace of Love, the grace of meeknes, &c. which live as ſo many heavenly principles, habits, or Rootes of holineſſe in the hearts where they are planted.
Laſtly, to mention but this one more, moſt properly, moſt emphatically, and foreign, it is ſpoken of God, and ſignifi's the moſt abundant freenes, foreign. Gratia grati… dans.and bountifulnes of his heart, in the bleſſed communications of himſelfe, unto his Elect, as ſuch, I ſay as ſuch, for none elſe are the proper objects of this grace but they, it is their peculiar attribute, God is good to others, but gracious to them only: to them he Ray's forth and Beam's out himſelfe. He diffuſeth and ſhed's among them, the pure and bright emanations of his glory: ſo that 'tis their priviledge, to fit as it were encircled with irradiations, with eternall ſmiles from his face: ſo powerfully are his affections ever working towards them, through this his grace, that to them he is alwayes moſt eaſy to be intreated, moſt placable, moſt ſweet. Them he embraceth, and emboſometh with a kind of in-bred & naturall Love, a Love ſo exceeding active in the declarations of it ſelfe, that it never ceaſeth diſpenſing to the Saints, the moſt rich things they are capable of, either here or hereafter. Of this grace it is, and the riches of it, we ſhall now ſpeak.