The Method of Grace, Sermon 25
The Twenty fifth SERMON.Sermon 25.
2 COR. 5. 17.Text.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a New Creature: Of the nature and necessity of the New Creature.old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new.
YOU have seen one tryal of an interest in Christ in our last discourse, namely by the donation of the Spirit: we have here another Tryal of the same matter, from one of the greatest, and most noble effects of the Spirit upon our souls; namely, his work of renovation, or new creation: if any man be in Christ, he is a new Creature. The Apostles scope in the immediate context is to disswade Christians from a carnal, sinful partiality, in their respects to men: not to dispense them after the manner of the world, according to the external differences, but the real internal worth and excellency that is in men. This the Apostle presses by two arguments; one drawn from the end of Christs death, verse 15. which was to take us off from those selfish designs, and carnal ends by which the world is swayed. Secondly, from the new spirit by which believers are acted: they that are in Christ, are to judge and measure all things by a new rule: if any man be in Christ, he is a new Creature: old things are passed away: q. d. we have done with that low selfish spirit of the world which was wholly governed by Carnal interest; we are now to judge by a new rule, to be acted from a new principle, aim at a new, and more noble end: behold all things are become new. In these words we have three general parts to be distinctly considered.
viz.
1. The great question to be determined, if any man be in Christ.
2. The Rule by which it may be determined, viz. he is a new Creature.
3. This general rule more particularly explained, old things are passed away, behold all things are become new.
First, We have here the great question to be determined, Whether a man be in Christ? a question upon the determination 1.whereof we must stand or fall for ever: by [being in Christ] the Apostle doth not here mean the general profession of Christianity which gives a man the reputation of an interest in him: but by being in Christ he means an interest in him by vital union with his person, and real participation of his benefits: now this is the question to be determined, the matter to be tryed, than which nothing can be more solemn, and important in the whole world.
Secondly, The rule by which this great question may be 2.determined, viz. The new Creation: if any man be in Christ he is a new Creature: by this rule all the titles and claims made to Christ in the professing world are to be examined [if any man] be he what he will, high, or low; great, or small; learned, or illiterate; young, or old; if he pretend interest in Christ: this is the standard by which he must be tryed: if he be in Christ, he is a new Creature; and if he be not a new Creature, he is not in Christ: let his endowments, gifts, confidence, and reputation be what it will be: [a new Creature] not new Physically, he is the same person he was, but a new Creature, that is, a creature renewed by gracious principles newly infused into him from above, which sway him and guide him in another manner, and to another end than ever he acted before: and these gracious principles not being educed out of any thing which was preexistent in man, but infused de novo, from above, are therefore called in this place, a new Creature: this is the rule by which our claim to Christ must be determined.
Thirdly, This general rule is here more particularly explained, 3.old things are passed away, behold all things are become new: he satisfies not himself to lay down this rule concisely, or express it in general terms by telling us the man in Christ must be a new Creature, but more particularly, he shews us what this new creature is, and what the parts thereof are, viz.
Both the
1. Privative part, old things are passed away.
2. Positive part thereof, all things are become new.
By old things he means all those carnal principles, self ends, fleshly lusts belonging to the carnal state, or the old man: all these are passed away; not simply, and perfectly, but only in Non simpliciter, & perfectè, sed partim re, partim spe. Estius in loc.part at present, and wholly in hope, and expectation hereafter. So much briefly of the privative part of the new Creature: old things are passed away: a word or two must be spoken of the positive part, all things are become new. He means not that the old faculties of the soul are abolished, and new ones created in their room: but as our bodies may be said to be new bodies by reason of their new endowments, and qualities super-induced and bestowed upon them in their resurrection; so our souls are now renewed by the infusion of new gracious principles into them in the work of regeneration. These two parts, viz. the privative part, the passing away of old things; and the positive part, the renewing of all things, do betwixt them comprize the whole nature of sanctification, which in other Scriptures is expressed by equivalent phrases: sometimes by putting off the old, and putting on the new man, Eph. 4. 24. sometimes by dying unto sin, and living unto righteousness, Rom. 6. 11. which is the self-same thing the Apostle here intends by the passing away of old things, and making all things new: and because this is the most excellent, glorious, and admirable work of the spirit which is or can be wrought upon man in this world; therefore the Apostle asserts it with an Ecce, a note of special remarque and observation, behold all things are become new, q. d. behold and admire this surprizing marvellous change which God hath made upon men: they are come out of darkness into his marvellous light, 1 Pet. 2. 9. out of the old, as it were, into a new world, behold all things are become new.
Hence Note,
DOCT.
That Gods creating of a new supernatural work of grace in the Doct.soul of any man, is that mans sure and infallible evidence of a saving interest in Jesus Christ.
Suitable hereunto are those words of the Apostle, Eph. 4. 20, 21, 22, 23, 24. But ye have not so learned Christ, if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him as the truth is in Jesus: that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man which is corrupt according to deceitful lusts: and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness: where we have in other words of the same importance, the very self-same description of the man that is in Christ, which the Aposte gives us in this Text. Now for the opening and stating of this point, it will be necessary that I shew you,
1. Why the regenerating work of the Spirit is called a new Creation.
2. In what respects every soul that is in Christ is renewed or made a new Creature.
3. What are the remarkable properties, and qualities of this new Creature.
4. The necessity of this new Creation to all that are in Christ.
5. How this new Creation evidences our interest in Christ.
6. And then Apply the whole in the proper uses of it.
First, Why the regenerating work of the spirit is called a 1.new Creation: this must be our first enquiry: and doubtless the reason of this appellation is the Analogy, proportion, and similitude which is found betwixt the work of regeneration, and Gods work in the first Creation: and their agreement, and proportion will be found in the following particulars.
First, The same Almighty Author who created the world, createth also this work of grace in the soul of man, 2 Cor. 4. 6. God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined into our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ: the same powerful word which created the natural, createth also the spiritual light: it is equally absurd for any man to say, I make my self Minus el, te fecisse hominem, quam sanctum.to repent, or to believe, as it is to say, I made my self to exist and be.
Secondly, The first thing that God created in the natural world was light, Gen. 1. 3. and the first thing which God createth in the new Creation is the light of spiritual knowledge, Col. 3. 10. And have put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that Created him.
Thirdly, Creation is out of nothing: it requires no preexistent matter: it doth not bring one thing out of another, but something out of nothing: it gives a being to that which before had no being. So it is also in the new Creation; 1 Pet. 2. 9, 10. who hath called you out of darkness, into his marvellous light; which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy: the work of grace is not educed out of the power, and principles of nature; but is a pure work of creation. The heathen Philosophers could neither understand, nor acknowledge the creation of the world, because that notion was repugnant to this maxime of reason, ex nihilo nihil fit, out of nothing, nothing can be made: thus did they insanire cum ratione, befool themselves with their own reasonings: and after the same manner some great pretenders to reason among us, voting it an absurdity to affirm, that the work of grace is not virtually, and potentially contained in nature; the new Creation in the old.
Fourthly, It was the vertue, and efficacy of the spirit of God which gave the natural world its being by Creation, Gen. 1. 2. the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters; it hovered over the chaos; as the wings of a bird do over her eggs, as the same word is rendred, Deut. 32. 11. cherishing as it were by incubation, that rude mass by a secret quickening influence, by which it drew all the Creatures into their several forms, and particular natures. So it is in the new Creation: a quickning influence must come from the spirit of God, or else the new creature can never be formed in us, Joh. 3. 8. So is every one that is born of the Spirit: and ver. 6. that which is born of the spirit is spirit.
Fifthly, The word of God was the instrument of the first creation, Psal. 33. 6, 9. By the word of the Lord were the Heavens made, and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth: for he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast: the word of God is also the instrument of the new Creation or work of Grace in man, 1 Pet. 1. 23. Being born again not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible; by the word of God which liveth, and abideth for ever. So James 1. 18. Of his own will beg at he us, with the word of truth: of his own will, that was the impulsive cause; with the word of truth, that is the instrumental cause: great respect and honour, love and delight is due to the word upon this account, that it is the instrument of our regeneration, or new Creation.
Sixthly, The same power which created the world, still under-props and supports it in its being: the world owes its conservation, as well as its existence to the power of God, without which it could not subsist one moment. Just so it is with the new Creation, which entirely depends upon the preserving power which first formed it, Jude ver. 1. Preserved in Christ Jesus; and 1 Pet. 1. 5. Who were kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation: as in a natural way we live, move, and have our being in God, Acts 17. 28. so in a spiritual way, we continue believing, repenting, loving, and delighting in God; without whose continued influence upon our souls we could do neither.
Seventhly, In a word, God surveyed the first Creation with complacence and great delight: he beheld the work of his hands and approved them as very good, Gen. 1. 31. so is it also in the second creation; nothing pleaseth, and delights God more than the works of grace in the souls of his people: it is not any outward priviledge of nature, or gift of Providence which commends any man to God: circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but a new creature, Gal. 6. 15. And thus you see, upon what grounds the work of regeneration in man is stiled a new Creature, which was the first thing to be opened.
Secondly, Next we must enquire in what respects every soul that is in Christ is renewed, or made a new Creature: 2.and here we shall find a threefold renovation of every man that is in Christ, viz.
He is renewed
1. In his state and Condition.
2. In his frame and Constitution.
3. In his practice and Conversation.
First, He is renewed in his state and condition, for he passeth from death to life, in his Justification, 1 Joh. 3. 14. he was condemned by the Law, he is now Justified freely by grace through the redemption which is in Christ: he was under the curse of the first Covenant; he is under the blessing of the new Covenant: he was afar off, but is now made nigh unto God: an alien, a stranger once, now of the houshold of God, Eph. 2. 12, 13. O blessed change from a sad, to a sweet and comfortable condition! There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, Rom. 8. 1.
Secondly, Every man in Christ is renewed in his frame, and constitution: all the faculties and affections of his soul are renewed by regeneration: his understanding was dark, but now is light in the Lord, Eph. 5. 8. his conscience was dead and secure, or full of guilt and horrour; but is now become tender, watchful, and full of peace, Heb. 9. 14. his will was rebellious, stubborn, and inflexible; but is now made obedient, and complying with the will of God, Psal. 110. 2. his desires did once pant, and spend themselves in the pursuit of vanities, now they are set upon God, Isa. 26. 8. his Love did fondly dote upon ensnaring earthly objects, now it is swallowed up in the infinite excellencies of God, and Christ, Psal. 119. 97. his joy was once in trifles, and things of nought; now his rejoycing is in Christ Jesus, Phil. 3. 3. his fears once were versant about noxious creatures, now God is the object of the fear of reverence, Act. 9. 31. and sin the object of the fear of caution, 2 Cor. 7. 11. his hopes and expectations were only from the world present, but now, from that to come, Heb. 6. 19. Thus the soul in its faculties, and affections is renewed; which being done, the members and senses of the body must needs be destinated, and imployed by it in new services: no more to be the weapons of unrighteousness, but instruments of service to Jesus Christ, Rom. 6. 19. and thus all that are in Christ are renewed in their frame and constitution.
Thirdly, The man in Christ is renewed in his practice and Conversation: the manner of operation alwayes follows the nature of beings: now the regenerate not being what they were, cannot walk and act, as once they did: Eph. 2. 1, 2, 3. And you hath he quickned, who were once dead in trespasses and sins; wherein ye walked according to the course of this world, &c. they were carryed away like water by the strength of the tyde, by the influence of their own corrupt natures, and the customes and examples of the world: but the case is now altered. So in 1 Cor. 6. 11. the Apostle shews believers their old companions in sin, and tells them such were some of you, but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, &c. q. d. the world is now well altered with you, thanks be to the grace of God for it. This wonderful change of practice which is so universal, and remarkable in all the regenerate, and immediately consequent to their conversion, sets the world a wondring at them: 1 Pet. 4. 4. Wherein they think it strange that foreign Obstupescent ut ad rei inusitatae spectaculum. Beza. Ils se trouvent tous nouveaux & comme en … autre monde.you run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: they think it strange, the word signifies to stand at gaze, as the hen doth which hath brooded, and hatched Partridge Eggs, when she seeth the Chickens which she hath brought forth, take the wing and fly away from her: thus do the men of the world stand amazed to see their old companions in sin, whose language once was vain, and earthly; it may be prophane, and filthy; now to be praying, speaking of God, Heaven, and things spiritual; having no more to do with them as to sin, except by way of reprehension and admonition: this amazes the world, and makes them look with a strange admiring eye upon the people of God.
Thirdly, In the next place let us enquire into the properties, 3.and qualities of this new creature, and shew you as we are able what they are: yet Reader, expect not here an exact and accurate account of that which is so great a mystery: for if questions may be moved about a silly fly, which may puzzle the greatest Philosopher to resolve them: how much more may we conceive this great and marvellous work of God, the most mysterious, and admirable of all his works, to surmount the understandings of the most illuminated Christians? O how little do we know of the nature, properties, and operations of this new Creature! so far as God hath revealed it to our weak understandings, we may speak of it. And
First, The Scripture speaks of it as a thing of great difficulty to be conceived by man: Joh. 3. 8. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the spirit. The original of winds is a question of great difficulty in Philosophy: we hear the voice of the wind, feel its mighty force, and behold its strange effects; but neither know whence it comes, or whither it goes: ask a man, Do you hear the wind blow? yes: do you feel it blow? yes, very sensibly: do you see the effects of it rending and overturning the trees? yes, very plainly: but can you describe its nature, or declare its original? no, that is a mystery which I do not understand: why fo; Just so it is with him that is born of the spirit: the holy spirit of God, whose nature and operations we understand but little of, comes from heaven, quickens, and influences our souls, beats down and mortifies our lusts by his almighty power: these effects of the spirit in us we experimentally feel, and sensibly discern; but how the spirit of God first entred into, and quickned our souls, and produced this new creature in them, we understand little more of it, than how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with Child, Eccles. 11. 5. Therefore is the life of the new creature called a hidden life, Col. 3. 3. the nature of that life is not only hidden totally from all carnal men, but in a very great measure it is an hidden and unknown life unto spiritual men, though themselves be the subjects of it.
Secondly, But though this life of the new Creature be a great mystery, and secret in some respects, yet so far as it is … …ppears unto us, the new creature is the most … lovely creature that ever God made: for the … himself is upon it: the new man is created … 24. as the picture is drawn after the man: … God himself, delineated by the spirit, that admirable Artist, upon the soul of man: holiness is the beauty and glory of God: and in holiness the new creature is created after Gods own image, Col. 3. 10. the regenerate soul hereby becomes holy, 1 Joh. 3. 3. not essentially holy as God is, nor yet efficiently holy: for the regenerate soul can neither make it self, nor others holy: but the life of the new creature may be said to resemble the life of God in this, that as God lives to himself, so the new creature wholly lives to God: as God loves holiness, and hates the contrary, so doth the new creature: 'tis in these things formed after the image of him that created it: when God creates this creature in the soul of man, we are said then to be partakers of the divine nature, 2 Pet. 1. 4. so that there can be nothing communicated unto men, which beautifies and adorns their souls as this new creation doth: men do not resemble God as they are noble, and as they are rich, but as they are holy: no gift, no endowment of nature imbelishes the soul, as this new creature doth: an awful Majesty sits upon the brow of the new creature, commanding the greatest, and worst of men to do homage to it, Mark 6. 20. yea such is the beauty of the new creature that Christ its Author is also its admirer: Cant. 4. 9. Thou hast ravished mine heart with one of thine eyes.
Thirdly, This New Creature is created in man upon the highest design that ever any work of God was wrought: the end of its creation and infusion is high and noble: Salvation to the soul in which it is wrought: this is both the finis operis, and the finis operantis: it is the design both of the work, and of the workman that wrought it: when we receive the end of our faith, we receive the salvation of our souls. Salvation is the end faith: as death is the end of sin, so life eternal is the end of grace. The new creature doth by the instinct and steady direction of its own nature, take its course as directly to God, and to heaven the place of his full enjoyment, as the Rivers do to the Ocean: it declares it self to be made for God, by its restless workings after him: and as salvation is the end of the new creature, so it is the express design and end of him that created it: 2 Cor. 5. 5. Now he that hath wrought us for the self same thing is God: by this workmanship of his upon our souls he is now polishing, preparing, and making them meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light, Col. 1. 12.
Fourthly, The new Creation is the most necessary work that ever God wrought upon the soul of man: the eternal well-being of his soul depends upon it; and without it no man shall see God: Heb. 12. 14. and Joh. 1. 3, 5. Except ye be regenerate, and born again, ye cannot see the Kingdom of God: can you be saved without Christ? you know you cannot: can you have interest in Christ without the new creature? my Text expressly tells you it can never be: for if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. O Reader, what ever slight thoughts of this matter, and with what a careless and unconcerned eye soever thou readest these lines; yet know thou must either be a new creature, or a miserable and damned creature for ever. If civility without the new creature could save thee, why are not the moral Heathens saved also? if strictness of life without the new creature could save thee, why did it not save the Scribes and Pharisees also? if an high profession of Religion without the new creature can save thee, why did it not save Judas, Hymeneus, and Philetus also? Nothing is more evident than this, that no repentance, obedience, self-denyal, prayers, tears, reformations, or ordinances without the new creation avail any thing to the salvation of thy soul: the very blood of Christ himself without the new creature never did, and never will save any man. Oh how necessary a work is the new creation! circumcision avails nothing, and uncircumcision nothing, but a new creature.
Fifthly, The new Creature is a marvellous and wonderful creature: there are many wonders in the first creation: the works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein, Psal. 111. 2. but there are no wonders in nature, like those in grace: is it not the greatest wonder that ever was seen in the world (except the incarnation of the Son of God) to see the nature, and temper of man, so altered and changed as it is by grace: to see Lascivious Corinthians, and Idolatrous Ephesians become mortified and Heavenly Christians: to see a fierce and cruel persecutor, become a glorious confessor and sufferer for Christ, Gal. 1. 23. to see the carnal-mind of man which was lately fully set in a strong bent to the world, to be wholly taken off from its lusts, and set upon things that are spiritual and heavenly: certainly it was not a greater miracle to see dead Lazarus come out of his Sepulchre, than it is to see the dead and carnal mind coming out of its Lusts, to embrace Jesus Christ. It was not a greater wonder to see the dead dry bones in the vally to move, and come together, than it is to see a dead soul moving after God, and moving to Christ in the way of faith.
Sixthly, The new creature is an immortal creature, a creature that shall never see death, Joh. 4. 14. it is in the soul of man a well of water, springing up into eternal life. I will not adventure to say it is immortal in its own nature, for it is but a creature, as my Text calls it, and we know that essential interminability is the incommunicable property of God: the new creature hath both a beginning, and succession, and therefore might also have an end, as to any thing in it self, or its own nature: experience also shews us that it is capable both of increasing and decreasing; and may be brought nigh unto death: Rev. 3. 2. the works of the spirit in believers may be ready to dye: but though its perpetuity flow not out of its own nature, it flows out of Gods Covenant, and promises; which make it an immortal Creature: when all other excellencies in man go away, as at death they will, Job 4. 21. this excellency only remains: our gifts may leave us, our friends leave us, our estates leave us, but our graces will never leave us: they ascend with the soul (in which they inhere) into glory, when the stroke of death separates it from the body.
Seventhly, The new Creature is an heavenly creature: 'tis not born of flesh, nor of blood, or of the will of man, but of God, Joh. 1. 13. its descent and original is heavenly, it is spirit born of spirit, Joh. 3. 6. its center is heaven, and thither are all its tendencies, Psal. 63. 8. its proper food on which it lives are heavenly things, Psal. 4. 6, 7. it cannot feed as other creatures do upon earthly things: the object of all its delights and loves is in heaven, Psal. 73. 26. Whom have I in heaven but thee? the hopes and expectations of the new creature are all from heaven: it looks for little in this world, but waits for the coming of the Lord: the life of the new creature upon earth is a life of patient waiting for Christ: his desires and longings are after Heaven, Phil. 1. 23. The flesh indeed lingers and would delay, but the new creature hastens and would fain be gone: 2 Cor. 5. 2. it is not at home while it is here; it came from Heaven and cannot be quiet nor suffer the soul in which it dwells to be so until it comes thither again.
Eighthly, The new creature is an active and laborious creature: no sooner it is born, but it is acting in the soul, Acts 9. 6. behold he prayeth; activity is its very nature, Gal. 5. 25. If we live in the spirit, let us walk in the spirit. Nor is it to be admired that it should be always active and stirring in the soul, seeing activity in obedience was the very end for which it was created, for we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, Eph. 2. 10. and he that is acted in the duties of Religion by this principle of the new creature or nature, will (so far as that principle acts him) delight to do the will of God; rejoice in the way of his Commandments; and find the sweetest pleasure in the paths of duty.
Ninthly, The new creature is a thriving creature, growing from strength to strength, 1 Pet. 2. 2. and changing the soul in which it is subjected from glory unto glory, 2 Cor. 3. 18. The vigorous tendencies and constant strivings of this new creature is to attain its just perfection and maturity; Phil. 3. 11. it can endure no stints and limits to its desires short of perfection: every degree of strength it attains, doth but whet and sharpen his desires after higher degrees: upon this account it greatly delights in the Ordinances of God, Duties of Religion and Society of the Saints; as they are helps and improvements to it in order to its great design.
Tenthly, The new creature is a creature of wonderful preservations: there are many wonders of divine providences in Gratia nec totaliter intermittitur, nec finaliter amittitur: actus omittitur, habitus non amittitur: actio pervertitur, fides no… s…bvertitur: concutitur, non excutitur; defl…it fructus, lat… succus: effectus justificationis suspenditur, at …tus justificati non dissolvitur. Suffrag. Brit.the preservation of our natural lives, but none like those whereby the life of the new creature is preserved in our souls: there are critical times of temptation and desertion in which it is ready to dye, Rev. 3. 2. the degrees of its strength and liveliness are sometimes sadly abated, and … sweet and comfortable workings intermitted, Rev. 2. 4. the evidences by which its being in us was wont to be discovered, may be, and often are darkned, 2 Pet. 1. 9. and the soul in which it is may draw very sad conclusions about the issue and event; concluding its life not only to be hazarded but quite extinguished, Psal. 51. 10, 11, 12. but though it be ready to dye, God wonderfully preserves it from death: it hath as well its reviving as its fainting seasons: and thus you see what are the lovely and eximious properties of the new creature: In the next place,
Fourthly, We will demonstrate the necessity of this new creation to all that are in Christ, and by him expect to attain 4.salvation: and the necessity of the new creature will appear divers ways.
First, From the positive and express will of God revealed in Scripture touching this matter: search the Scriptures and you shall find God hath laid the whole stress and weight of your eternal happiness by Jesus Christ upon this work of the spirit in your souls. So our Saviour tells Nicodemus, John 3. 5. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water, and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God: agreeable whereunto are those words of the Apostle, Heb. 12. 14. Without holiness no man shall see the Lord. And whereas some may think that their birth right priviledges, injoyment of Ordinances and profession of Religion may commend them to Gods acceptance without this new creation; he shews them how fond and ungrounded all such hopes are, Gal. 6. 15. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature: Christ and Heaven are the gifts of God, and he is at liberty to bestow them upon what terms and conditions he pleaseth: and this is the way, the only way and stated method in which he will bring men by Christ unto glory: men may raze out the impressions of these things from their own hearts, but they can never alter the setled course and method of Salvation: either we must be new creatures, as the precepts of the word command us, or lost and damned creatures as the threatnings of the word plainly tell us.
Secondly, This new Creation is the inchoative part of that great Salvation which we expect through Christ, and therefore without this all hopes and expectations of Salvation must vanish: Salvation and renovation are inseparably connected. Our glory in Heaven, if we rightly understand its nature, consisteth in two things; namely our assimilation to God, and our fruition of God: and both these take their beginning and rise from our renovation in this world: here we begin to be changed into his Image in some degree, 2 Cor. 3. 18. for the new man is created after God, as was opened above. In the work of grace God is said to begin that good work which is to be finished or consummated in the day of Christ, Phil. 1. 6. Now nothing can be more irrational than to imagine that ever that design or work should be finished and perfected which never had a beginning.
Thirdly, So necessary is the new creation to all that expect salvation by Christ, that without this Heaven would be no Heaven, and the glory thereof no glory to us, by reason of the unsuitableness and aversation of our carnal minds thereunto: the carnal mind is enmity against God, Rom. 8. 7. and enmity is exclusive of all complacency and delight: there is a necessity of a suitable and agreeable frame of heart to God in order to that complacential rest of our souls in him: and this agreeable temper is wrought by our new creation, 2 Cor. 5. 5. He that hath wrought us for the self-same thing is God: renovation you see is the working or moulding of a mans spirit into an agreeable temper: or as it is in Col. 1. 12. the making of us meet for the inheritance of the Saints in light.
From all which it follows, that seeing there can be no complacence or delight in God without suitableness and conformity to him, as is plain from 1 Joh. 3. 2. as well as from the reason and nature of the thing it self: either God must become like us suitable to our sinful, corrupt and vain hearts, which were but a rude blasphemy once to imagine; or else we must be made agreeable and suitable to God, which is the very thing I am now proving the necessity of.
Fourthly, There is an absolute necessity of the new creature to all that expect interest in Christ and the glory to come: since all the characters, marks and signs of such an interest are constantly taken from the new creature wrought in us. Look over all the marks and signs of interest in Christ or salvation by him which are dispersed through the Scriptures, and you shall still find purity of heart, Matth. 5. 8. holiness both in principle and practice, Heb. 12. 14. mortification of sin, Rom. 8. 13. longing for Christs appearance, 2 Tim. 4. 8. with multitudes more of the same nature, to be constantly made the marks and signs of our salvation by Christ. So that either we must have a new Bible or a new Heart: for if these Scriptures be the true and faithful words of God, no unrenewed creature can see his face; which was the fourth thing to be opened.
Fifthly, The last thing to be opened is how the new creation is an infallible proof and evidence of the souls interest 5.in Christ: and this will appear divers ways.
First, Where all the saving graces of the spirit are, there interest in Christ must needs be certain; and where the new creature is, there all the saving graces of the spirit are: for what is the new creature but the frame or Systeme of all special saving graces: it is not this or that particular grace, as faith, or hope, or love to God, which constitutes the new creature, for these are but as so many particular limbs or branches of it: but the new creature is comprehensive of all the graces of the Spirit, Gal. 5. 22, 23. The fruit of the Spirit is love, peace, joy, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, &c. any one of the saving special graces of the Spirit gives proof of our interest in Christ: how much more then the new creature which is the complex frame or Systeme of all the graces together?
Secondly, To conclude, where all the causes of an interest in Christ are found, and all the effects and fruits of an interest in Christ do appear; there undoubtedly a real interest in Christ is found: but where-ever you find a new creature, you find all the causes and all the effects of an interest in Christ: for there you shall find,
First, The impulsive cause, viz. the electing love of God from which the new creature is inseparable, 1 Pet. 1. 2. with the new creature also the meritorious, efficient and final causes of interest in Christ, and union with him are ever found, Eph. 2. 10. Eph. 1. 4, 5, 6.
Secondly, All the effects and fruits of interest in Christ are found with the new creature: there are all the fruits of obedience, for we are created in Christ Jesus unto good works, Eph. 2. 10. Rom. 7. 4. there is true spiritual opposition to sin, 1 Joh. 5. 18. He that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not: there is love to the people of God, 1 Joh. 4. 7. every one that loveth is born of God: there is a conscientious respect to the duties of both Tables; for the new creature is created after God in righteousness and true holiness, Eph. 4. 24. there is perseverance in the ways of God to the very end, and victory over all temptations: for whosoever is born of God overcometh the world, 1 Joh. 5. 4. It were easie to run over all other particular fruits of our union with Christ, and shew you every one of them in the new creature. And thus much of the Doctrinal part of this point.