The true grace of God as revealed openly in the word of the gospel is both absolute and immediate.
It is absolute, requiring nothing for the helpless sinner to their endeavor towards obtaining an interest in the divine favour for Paul says, if it be by grace, it is no more of works, otherwise grace is no more grace, Romans 11:6. And it is immediate, affording relief previous to the exertion of any act of ours for the apostle directly saying but if it be of works it is no more of grace, otherwise work is no more work. Nay, unless the grace manifested in the gospel by Jesus Christ has both these properties, it cannot be free indeed. For how should that be quite free, which leaves the poor sinner any thing to do to obtain it; or does not hold forth to him such information as is sufficient to afford him immediate hope of salvation by Christ. Upon the whole then, I cannot but apprehend that revealed grace has these properties so that a person no sooner understand and believes it, but he is enlightened and relieved thereby, and it becomes a principal of all holiness and consolation to him, being taught of God, by the Spirit of truth and grace. - Samuel Pike, Free Grace Indeed!, pg.2
It is absolute, requiring nothing for the helpless sinner to their endeavor towards obtaining an interest in the divine favour for Paul says, if it be by grace, it is no more of works, otherwise grace is no more grace, Romans 11:6. And it is immediate, affording relief previous to the exertion of any act of ours for the apostle directly saying but if it be of works it is no more of grace, otherwise work is no more work. Nay, unless the grace manifested in the gospel by Jesus Christ has both these properties, it cannot be free indeed. For how should that be quite free, which leaves the poor sinner any thing to do to obtain it; or does not hold forth to him such information as is sufficient to afford him immediate hope of salvation by Christ. Upon the whole then, I cannot but apprehend that revealed grace has these properties so that a person no sooner understand and believes it, but he is enlightened and relieved thereby, and it becomes a principal of all holiness and consolation to him, being taught of God, by the Spirit of truth and grace. - Samuel Pike, Free Grace Indeed!, pg.2
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