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the Gentiles who do by nature the things of the law, “in that they show the word of the law
written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness therewith, and their thoughts one with
another accusing or else excusing them.” Rom. 2:14,15. Calvin in commenting on this passage
says that such Gentiles “prove that there is imprinted on their hearts a discrimination and
judgment by which they distinguish between what is just and unjust, between what is honest
and dishonest.”[Comm. on Romans in loco.] In addition to this, however, it may be said that
common grace in a more restricted sense also operates in the light of God’s special revelation,
which is not itself the fruit of common, but of special, grace.
2. GOVERNMENTS.
Of these too it may be said that they are at once the fruit and the means of
common grace. According to Rom. 13 governments are ordained of God, to maintain good
order in society. To resist them is to resist the ordinance of God. The ruler, says Paul, “is a
minister of God to thee for good.” Rom. 13:4. He finds support in the conscience of man (verse
5) and for the rest “beareth not the sword in vain.” On this point the Belgic Confession says:
“We believe that our gracious God, because of the depravity of mankind, hath appointed kings,
princes, and magistrates, willing that the world should be governed by certain laws and policies;
to the end that the dissoluteness of men might be restrained, and all things carried on among
them with good order and decency.”[Art. XXXVI.]
3. PUBLIC OPINION.
The natural light that shines in the hearts of men, especially when re-
enforced by the influence of God’s special revelation, results in the forming of a public opinion
that is in external conformity with the law of God; and this has a tremendous influence on the
conduct of men who are very sensitive to the judgment of public opinion. Naturally public
opinion will be a means of common grace only when it is formed under the influence of God’s
revelation. If it is not controlled by conscience, acting in harmony with the light of nature, or by
the Word of God, it becomes a mighty influence for evil.
4. DIVINE PUNISHMENTS AND REWARDS.
The providential arrangements of God, whereby He
visits the iniquity of men upon them in this life, and rewards deeds that are in outward
conformity with the divine law, serve an important purpose in curbing the evil that is in the
world. punishments have a deterring effect, and the rewards serve as incentives. By these
means, whatever there is of moral goodness in the world is greatly encouraged. Many shun evil
and seek that which is good, not because they fear the Lord, but because they feel that good
brings its own reward and best serves their interests.
F. THE FRUITS OF COMMON GRACE.
In the preceding it was already intimated that what is left to us of the light of nature, is still
operative only in virtue of the common grace of God. It is one of the most important fruits of