What the means of grace are
By means of grace I understand outward signs, words, or actions, ordained by God, and appointed for this end, to be the ordinary channels by which he might convey to men preventing, justifying, or sanctifying grace.
I use this expression, means of grace, because I know none better, and because it has been generally used in the Christian church for many ages. In particular, it has been used by our own church, which directs us to bless God both for the means of grace and for the hopes of glory, and teaches us that a sacrament is an outward sign of inward grace, and a means by which we receive the same.
The chief of these means are prayer, whether in secret or with the great congregation; searching the scriptures, which implies reading, hearing, and meditating on them; and receiving the Lord's Supper, eating bread and drinking wine in remembrance of him. These we believe to be ordained by God as the ordinary channels of conveying his grace to the souls of men.
1771 text
By means of grace I understand, outward signs, words or actions, ordained of God, and appointed for this end, to be the ordinary channels whereby he might convey to men, preventing, justifying or sanctifying grace.
I use this expression, “means of grace,” because I know none better, and because it has been generally used in the Christian church for many ages: in particular, by our own church, which directs us to bless God, both for the “means of grace and hopes of glory;” and teaches us that a sacrament is “an outward sign of inward grace, and a means whereby we receive the same.”
The chief of these means are prayer, whether in secret, or with the great congregation; searching the scriptures (which implies reading, hearing and meditating thereon) and receiving the Lord’s supper, eating bread and drinking wine in remembrance of him; and these we believe to be ordained of God, as the ordinary channels of conveying his grace to the souls of men.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 16 in the 1771 Works. Malachi 3:7.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.