A New Creature, Discourse · Chapter 1
CHAP. I. The Text opened, a Doctrine raiſed, and handled.
SOme Interpreters think that this Text comes not in, ſo much as a proof of the Aſſertion immediately preceding of the Apoſtle's glorying in Chriſt's Croſs, and his being crucified to the world, ver. 14. As it is a concluſion of the main Doctrine delivered in this Epiſtle, viz. That a Sinner is not juſtified by the Law, but by Faith in Jeſus Chriſt, q. d. [hoc eſt quod dico et repeto, et extremis verbis contendo] I urge this firſt and laſt with the greateſt ardour and importunity, let Jews and Judaizing Chriſtians ſay what they will or can, this I reſolutely affirm, that now in the Goſpel-ſtate, as ſettled by Chriſt, it is of no great moment, whether a Man be a Jew or a Gentile: It's true, under, the Law there was ſomething of privilege in Circumciſion, as it was a badge of God's Covenant with Abraham's Seed, and the Uncircumciſed were Strangers to the Covenants of Promiſe, and had no right to Church-Memberſhip, but now in the Goſpel, God is the God of the believing Gentiles, as well as of the Jews; for there is not one God in the Old Teſtament, and another in the New, as the Manichees dream'd, but it is one God, that ſhall juſtifie the Circumciſion by Faith, and Uncircumciſion through Faith, Rom. 3.29, 30. i. e. both one way, ſo they be ſincere Saints, for God regards not any for being Circumciſed, nor rejects any for the want of it, but looks at real Sanctification of Heart and Life.
This is a ſound and appoſite dependance of the words; but Calvin adjoyns them to the foregoing Verſe. The Reaſon why the bleſſed Apoſtle is crucified to the World, and the World to him, is becauſe in Chriſt (in whom he is planted) the chief thing available, is a New Creature; other things are inſignificant: the truth of this the Apoſtle had before demonſtrated [quia Scilicet, veritas Evangelij omnes legis figuras abſorbeat, & exinaniat] becauſe the Goſpel-Truth makes void legal Figures: ſo both Interpretations come to one.
It's obſervable that this Phraſe is three times uſed, with different Concluſions, 1 Cor. 7.19. Circumciſion is nothing, and Uncircumciſion is nothing, but the keeping of the Commandments of God. Again, Gal. 5.6. For in Jeſus Chriſt neither Circumciſion availeth any thing, nor Uncircumciſion, but Faith which worketh by Love. And in this Text, But a New Creature: They all conſpire in this one Sence, That in this New Teſtament-Diſpenſation by Chriſt, no Privileges are efficacious to the Salvation of a Soul, without a working Faith accompanied with a Principle of Grace in the Heart, and an Holy Life, agreeable to the Rule of God's holy Word: thus there's a due conſiſtency in theſe neceſſary Qualifications: for in Spiritual Means, Marks, Methods of Salvation, there is a bleſſed Combination, Confederacy and Concatenation: not a Link of this Golden Chain can be wanting: the true Religion is of one piece, there's no looſe Joynt, but all the parts make up one entire Body and compleat Syſtem of Chriſtianity.
But to come to the Words, in which we have the negative and poſitive parts of our Religion: wherein it doth not conſiſt, and wherein it doth: Suppoſe Men had excellent Privileges, and choice Advantages, theſe would not of themſelves attain the Ends, viz. God's glory and Man's happineſs.
By this Word, [in Chriſt Jeſus] ſome underſtand in the Chriſtian Religion, others in the Church or Kingdom of Chriſt, others in the Goſpel-Diſpenſation, [in negotio ſalutis obtinendae per Chriſtum] in the buſineſs of obtaining Salvation by the Lord Jeſus Chriſt: The Doctrine of the Goſpel is called the Faith of Jeſus Chriſt, Rom. 3.22. wherein, and whereby the Glorious deſign of ſaving Sinners by Jeſus Chriſt, doth eminently and evidently appear, called the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jeſus Chriſt, 2 Cor. 4.6. And he hath brought life and immortality to light by the Goſpel; or through the Goſpel, 2 Tim. 1.10.
Circumciſion was to the Jews a Seal of the Righteouſneſs of Faith, Rom. 4.11. a Badge and Cognizance, whereby an Iſraelite was diſtinguiſhed from other People, to be God's peculiar Heritage: it both ingaged to Duty, and entailed many Privileges: ſee Rom. 9.4.
By its not availing any thing, is ſignified its ineffectualneſs to attain theſe two great Ends: 1. The juſtifying of a Sinner before God: 2. The Salvation of a Soul with God: not that I think the New Creature juſtifies, as I ſhall ſhew hereafter, but it is in a juſtified Perſon, and theſe external Privileges avail not to our Juſtification, and the want of them hinders not; but in this caſe, there is neither Greek, nor Jew, Circumciſion nor Uncircumciſion, Barbarian, Scythian, Bond nor Free, but Chriſt is all, and in all, Col. 3.11. Hence obſerve.
Doctrine 1. That the richest Privileges and moſt glorious Profeſſions, avail no Man without a New Creature.
The Jews boaſted of their Privileges, and by conſequence Goſpel-Profeſſours, are apt to bear themſelves big with what they think to be of great worth, but they all ſignifie nothing in the ſight of God, if they be not New Creatures: Men may pleaſe themſelves with external Shews, Profeſſions, Privileges, as to be born of Godly Parents, to be baptized, living under pure and powerful Ordinances, aſſociating with the beſt Saints in the pureſt Churches, ſitting down at the Lord's Supper, making credible Profeſſion, performing Religious Duties; yea, ſuffering much for the Religion of God; all theſe together will not avail a Soul, in order to his Eternal Happineſs, without being a New Creature: miſtake me not, I do not ſay, but theſe are good in their places, and great Mercies and Duties.
Obſerve 1. Things that hinder or oppoſe the New Creature, are hurtful in their own Nature, and to be laid aſide, as Sin and the Old Man, Eph. 4.22.
2. Things that further not this New Creature in our Hearts, are comparatively uſeleſs, though lawful, as the Profits, Pleaſures, Honours of this world.
3. Things that do further the Work of the New Creature by God's appointment, are not of themſelves ſufficient to attain their End, without the concurrence of divine Grace; as Preaching, Prayer, Seals, they are but means.
4. Things good in themſelves may, by man's abuſe, prove rather Snares and Hindrances, then Helps and Furtherances in Heaven's Road; Circumciſion was once good and God's Ordinance, but when ſome Judaizers affirmed, that except Chriſtians were Circumciſed after the manner of Moſes, they could not be ſaved, Acts 15.1, 9, 10. The Apoſtles determine the point, ſaying, that God put no difference between Jews and Gentiles; and this was a Yoke that neither they nor their Fathers were able to bear: and ſo it was not only laid aſide as other legal Ceremonies, which became not only [mortuae, but mortiferae] dead, but deadly; ſo the Apoſtle affirms, that if ye be circumciſed, Chriſt ſhall profit you nothing, Gal. 5.2. Nay, the beſt Duties, Ordinances, Privileges, reſted in ſhort of Chriſt, will rather ruin, then raiſe us; undo us, than endow us with Grace here, or glory hereafter: ſee Rom. 9.31, 32.10.3.
But this is a great Truth, that all the Privileges in the world without this New Creature, can never of themſelves render a Soul acceptable to God, or bring it to eternal happineſs in the Enjoyment of God.
1. Becauſe ſuch a Perſon may be, and is in the Old Adam, and is yet under the Old Covenant, which brings a Curſe, and being out of Chriſt, (the Second Adam) Gal. 3.10-13. All that he hath, doth, enjoyeth, is accurſed to him; for every man muſt either keep the Law, and ſatisfie for the breach of it in his own Perſon; or another, that is able, muſt do it for him, and that's none but Chriſt our Surety; and Chrſt doth it not for any but ſuch as by Faith have intereſt in him; now he that is not a New Creature, hath no intereſt in Chriſt, for if any man be in Chriſt, (i. e. related to Chriſt, intitled to him) he is a New Creature, 2 Cor. 5.17. And he that is not graffed in this true Vine, and doth not partake of the root and fatneſs of this Olive-tree, can bear no Fruit, John 15.1, 5. Rom. 11.17. Do nothing to any purpoſe, nor improve any Privilege to his Spiritual profit, for he is a dead Branch caſt forth and withered, and caſt into the Fire, John 15.6. Though he was in Chriſt by Profeſſion, yet becauſe he was not planted in Chriſt, by poſſeſſion of him, he is a woful caſt-away: he is graffed in a wrong Stock, to be fruitful here, or to ſhoot up as high as Heaven at laſt: now we cannot be accepted but in the beloved, Eph. 1.6. And without Faith in Chriſt it's impoſſible to pleaſe God, Heb. 11.6. for the first man Adam was made a living Soul, [and by his Fall, himſelf and his Poſterity are become dead, condemned Sinners] but the last Adam is made a quickning Spirit. [i. e. Chriſt becomes a Principle of Life to all his Spiritual Offspring] and he will own none but ſuch: ſee 1 Cor. 15.45, 49.
2. Becauſe ſuch Souls want the ſanctifying operations of the Holy Ghoſt: and we find that the offering up of the Gentiles, is only acceptable, by being ſanctified by the Holy Ghoſt, Rom. 15.16. God will own nothing from Men, but what hath the Breathings of the Spirit in it: For God knoweth the Mind of the Spirit, Rom. 8.26, 27. The leaſt interpellations thereof in his Children, though but a groaning that cannot be uttered, is accepted by God; but the moſt eloquent Rhapſodies, and loudeſt Vociferations of graceleſs Souls, are rejected by the Lord; For if any man have not the Spirit of Chriſt, he is none of his, Rom. 8.9, 11, 14. Here we read of the Spirit of God dwelling in Believers: and As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they (and indeed none elſe) are the Sons of God. God will own none for his, but them that have this ſtamp, this ſeal upon them; ſo 2 Cor. 1.22. VVho hath alſo ſealed us, and given the earneſt of the Spirit in our Hearts: and this is the Earneſt of our Inheritance, Epheſ. 1.13, 14. Now all external Ordinances, Privileges and Performances, amount not to this: and the Scripture tells us, that He is not a Jew (i. e. a ſincere Chriſtian; for its an Old-Teſtament Title, given to a New-Teſtament Saint) that is one outwardly; neither is that Circumciſion which is outward in the Fleſh, but he is a Jew which is one inwardly, and Circumciſion is that of the Heart, in the Spirit, and not in the Letter, whoſe praiſe is not of men, but of God, Rom. 2.28, 29. There lies the Life and Vitals of our Religion; the Tree muſt firſt be good, or it can never bring forth good Fruit: [Operari ſequitur Eſſe]; working attends the being of a thing. If men be not good, they can never do good: now it is not any thing External, that can make Perſons good, it muſt be the hidden man of the Heart, 1 Pet. 3.4. that conſtitutes a Perſon good. So Reaſon makes a Man, not Jewels, or outward Ornaments; thus Grace conſtitutes a Chriſtian, not outward Privileges. As nothing that is without a man, can defile a man, Mark 15. So nothing without can cleanſe him.
I ſhall briefly apply this point, and ſo paſs to the next
Is this ſo, That the Richeſt Privileges, and moſt Glorious Profeſſions, avail not any Man, except he be a New Creature? Then,
It follows, that Religion conſiſts not in Negatives, but Poſitives: Its falſe arguing to ſay, I am not a Jew, not a Turk, no Heathen, and therefore a good Chriſtian; nay, its not enough to ſay I am no Swearer, Drunkard, Whoremogner, therefore a Saint good enough; this was the Fallacy of the Phariſees, Luke 18.11. God I thank thee, that I am not as other men, Extortioners, Unjust, Adulterers, or even as this Publican. Alas this would not do; God diſowned him: Chriſtianity conſiſts in ſomething poſitive, Little Children, ſaith the Apoſtle, let no man deceive you, he that doth righteouſneſs is righteous, even as he is righteous, 1 John 3.7. Chriſt became the Author of Eternal Salvation unto all them (and only them) that obey him, Heb 5.9. Alas! Perſons may gull and beguil themſelves with airy Notions and Speculations of free Grace, Chriſt's merits, and truſting God, and ſo build Caſtles in the Air, which will drop with them into Hell; for without practical Godlineſs, they will be deceived, and die with a Lye in their Right Hand. Miſtake not, I ſay not that free Grace, or Chriſt's Blood, is but a fanſie, or that a Soul can be ſaved without them, or that he that believeth (with a Goſpel ſincere Faith) ſhall miſs of Heaven, but many ſnatch at theſe, and eſpouſe a meer Chimaera, a Fancy or Notion of theſe, while they have not a Principle in their Hearts, or the Power of Godlineſs in their Lives. I may ſay with the Apoſtle, Can Faith ſave thee? No, no, ſuch a Faith without Works is dead, James 2.4, 20. And being lifeleſs, 'tis loſt, thou muſt have ſomething that hath exiſtence.
2. That Chriſtianity doth not lie in meer Externals: If men have no more Religion then is viſible to others, they have not that which will ſerve their turn: true Godlineſs is a hidden myſtical thing, Our Life is hid with Chriſt in God, Col. 3.3. Its a Pearl in the Shell, its an hidden Spring that moves the viſible Hand: God's Children are hidden Ones, Pſal. 83. King's in a diſguiſe, It appears not yet what they ſhall be, 1 John 3.2. The beſt and worſt of a real Saint is not obvious to mens view: The King's Daughter is all glorious within, Pſal. 45.13. If Privileges and Profeſſion did denominate a Saint, we might infallibly tell who ſhould be ſaved; but a Child of God hath two ſides, one God-wards, another Men-wards. A Merchant's Wares are in back Shops: the beſt Goods are often under Deck. In the hidden parts, ſaith David, thou ſhalt make me to know VViſdom, Pſal 51.6. Hypocrites are painted Sepulchres, that outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead mens Bones, and of all uncleanneſs, Mat. 23.27. You muſt look at Internal Principles, not at external Profeſſions or Privileges.
3. There is ſuch a thing as Nominal, without Real Chriſtianity: ſome have a Name to live, but are dead, Rev. 3.1. Have high Titles, but bad Hearts, vicious Lives; profeſs they know God, but in Works they deny him, Tit. 1.16. That have Heaven in their Mouths, and Hell in their Minds; that ſoar high, but deſign low: there may be a real Heathen under a Chriſtian Name: [Ad Eccleſiam non pertinent omnes qui ſunt intus:] All Church-Members, are not Members of Chriſt; they are not all Iſrael that are of Iſrael, Rom. 9.6. A fine Title may be on ſome Boxes, that have nothing within to Anſwer it: Judah that was uncircumciſed in heart, may be ranked with Aegypt, Edom, Moab, Ammon; ſome may cry out, The Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord, Jer. 9.26. The Church, the Church, they are right Church-Members, that yet do wickedly, and think their Privileges will excuſe them, as though thereby they were delivered to do all manner of abominations, Jer. 7.4.16. They ſhall know one day, that an empty Name without the Thing, is but a great crime, that it will rather aggravate their Condemnation, then tend to their Salvation. Alas! how many are providential, not principled Chriſtians, that have nothing more to plead for their Chriſtianity then that they were born in a Chriſtian Country, and in their Infancy were baptized, and ſince do as other Folks do, go to Church, and carry civilly, and paſs amongſt men for down-right honeſt men: But God judgeth not as man judgeth; when Perſons ſtand before the awful Tribunal of the righteous Judge, Names, and Titles, and Privileges, will ſignifie nothing; ſuch Varniſh will melt off before the Fire of God's wrath; nothing then will ſignifie, but the inner Garment of Sanctification, and the upper Garment of Chriſt's Righteouſneſs for our Juſtification, to cover all defects of the former: this is fine Linnen, clean and white, Rev. 19.8. This is the Righteouſneſs of Saints.
4. Yet Privileges are not to be ſlighted, nor Ordinances to be deſpis'd: As you are not to reſt in Circumciſion or Baptiſm, as tho' this were enough, ſo you are not to caſt off God's Inſtitutions, as if they were of no worth, there's a medium betwixt an abuſe, and total neglect: Men may abuſe Meat and Drink, yet muſt not lay them aſide: Ordinances can do us no good without the concurrence of Divine Grace; man lives not by Bread only, but by God's bleſſing therewith, Deut. 8.3. Muſt Bread be caſt out upon this Pretence? Surely no, it becomes us to obey God in Hearing, Praying, Reading, Meditating and Attending on God in his own ways; the Seals of the Covenant are not inſignificant Ceremonies: Ordinances are [canales gratiae] Channels and Conduit-Pipes, through which God conveys his Grace to Souls: Theſe are Golden Pipes through which the Olive Branches empty the golden Oyl out of themſelves, Zech. 4.13. Souls, ſhall the Bucket be thrown away becauſe it hath not Water in it ſelf, without letting it down into the Well, by the Chain of Faith? Shall the Bridge or Boat be ſlighted, becauſe of it ſelf it cannot carry us over the River? Nay, rather let us get upon it and walk, get into it and Row, and wait for the Gale of the Spirit to waft us over: Privileges are good, the Fruits of Chriſt's purchace, the Pledges of God's Love, they muſt be made uſe of, tho' not truſted to or boaſted of: you muſt be very thankful for, fruitful under pure and powerful Ordinances; let God have the glory, look you after the advantage of Privileges; ſet them in their places, not in God's room; let none ſay, thè Table of the Lord is contemptible, Mal. 1.7. Nor on the other hand, let not preſuming Souls ſay, Let us fetch the Ark of the Covenant, that it may ſave us, 1 Sam. 4.3. Alas, what can the Ark of God avail us, if the God of the Ark leave us? Let our dependance be on God in the way of his appointments: Affect not to be above, but go beyond all Ordinances, God is preſent in all, that we may deſpiſe none; he withdraws in ſome, (ſometimes in all) that we may idolize none: when you enter upon a Duty, look up to the bleſſed Jeſus, make Conſcience of, yea, make it your buſineſs to get communion with God therein: If you miſs of God in Ordinances, you loſe your end; yea, you loſe your Souls: If you find God, glory in the Lord boaſt not of the Duty or Ordinances; ſit not down in the Porch, but make forward to the Holy of Holies; preſs to the City of Refuge, lay your Sacrifices at the Door of the Tabernacle, put your Offering into the High-Prieſt's hand; thank God for inlargements, but depend not on them; If you make your Services your Saviours, you will periſh with them; when you have done all, ſay, I am ſtill an unprofitable Servant, Luke 17.10. I have but done my Duty; nay, I have not done my Duty, my beſt Righteouſneſſes are not only too ſcant a Covering, but alſo filthy Rags, Iſa. 64.6. My very Duties as well as Sins may undoe me: yea, I find Hell-Torment the upſhot of Privileges; and further Advancement by Privileges, through a non-improvement of them ſinks deeper in Hell, as Corazin, Capernaum, Mat. 11.21, 24 For Privileges to graceleſs Souls, do take away the Cloak that might cover the foulneſs of Sin; and ſo do rather aggravate than extenuate it, John 15.22, 24. I muſt therefore look for ſomething elſe than Privileges, that is, a New Creature.