The Plain Doctrine of the Justification of a Sinner in the Sight of God, Sermon 14
Juſtification by Faith.
THE FOURTEENTH SERMON
ON
Romans 3.25.
Through Faith in his blood.
HAving ſpoken concerning the ſatisfaction of Chriſt, and the excellent fruit and effect thereof, i. e. a propitiation: I ſhall now proceed to that which is called the Inſtrumental cauſe of Juſtification; Laid down in thoſe words (faith in his blood) whence I ſhall note two obſervations.
1 That the ſatisfaction of Chriſt is effectual to our juſtification through faith.
2 That Faith as it juſtifieth doth especially apprehend the blood and ſufferings of Jeſus Chriſt.
Doct. 1. That the Satisfaction of Chriſt is effectual to the Justification of a Sinner through Faith. Chriſts blood juſtifieth through faith.Or, That it is through the grace of Faith, that the bleſſing of Juſtification is attained and conveyed. This the Text holds forth plainly to us, viz. That although wee are juſtified freely through Chriſts purchaſe and redemption, yet Gods conſtituted way of applying this free grace of God, and Merit of Chriſt to Sinners, is through Faith, and this is that which Paul makes his ſolemn concluſion, verſ. 28. and a mighty ground of Chriſtian Religion, viz. Our juſtification by Faith without the works of the Law. Which hee proves by the impoſſibility of juſtification by works, by the Teſtimony of Habakkuk, and by the Example of Abraham, Rom. 4.9, 11. Gal. 2.16. &c. in diverſe places plentifully inſiſted on.
Now for the better underſtanding of this truth, it will bee needful to Anſwer a few queſtions.
1 In what ſenſe it is that through Faith a Sinner is juſtified?
2 How Paul and James are reconciled?
3 Why is it rather through faith than any other graces.
Queſt. In what ſenſe is it that through Faith a Sinner is juſtified?
Anſw. For Anſwer, In what ſenſe faith juſtifieth.I ſhall ſhew firſt in what ſenſe it doth not juſtify, then how it doth.
1 A Sinner is not juſtified by Faith, as it is a vertue or work in us: becauſe the Apoſtle doth exclude all works as ſuch, from Juſtification, and Faith and works are oppoſed: Rom. 3.28. Beſides, if it hath its place in juſtification as a work; it cannot ſtand with the free grace of God, Rom. 4.16. for grace and works are ſtill oppoſed. Rom. 11.5, 6. Further, that righteouſneſs by which a ſinner is juſtified muſt be exact and perfect; but our faith is imperfect, 1 Theſſ. 3.10.
2 Faith doth not juſtify as if the very act of beleeving were the matter of righteouſneſſe, or any part thereof by which wee ſtand righteous before God. This appears, in that the righteouſneſs by which wee are juſtified is not our own: Phil. 3.9. but our faith is our own (though wrought in us by the Spirit of God) Hab. 2.4. and by theſe two Anſwers wee oppoſe two errours, viz. of the Papiſts and Arminians, who wickedly rob Jeſus Chriſt of his honour, and make an Idol of faith: whereas wee are juſtified by the blood of Chriſt, Rom. 5.9. verſ. 19. by the obedience of one, &c.
3 Faith doth onelyonly juſtify us relatively, or as it hath reference to its object Jeſus Chriſt, and his righteouſneſs. As the hand of a beggar receiving a bag of Gold beſtowed upon him, inriches him. Now its not the hand properly, but it is the bag of gold freely beſtowed that makes a beggar rich: So the hand of the woman that touched our Saviour Chriſt healed her: not as it was a hand, but as it conveyed the vertue that came out of Jeſus Chriſt; So a mans faith is ſaid to juſtify him; becauſe it receiveth Chriſt, or the righteouſneſs of Chriſt, and indeed whatſoever is done by faith is done by Chriſt, and therefore our being ſaid to bee juſtified by faith, Rom. 3.28. Eph. 2.8. is our being juſtified by Chriſt.
But here is a great Queſtion, How can it bee ſaid, that Faith can juſtify, ſo much as instrumentally; ſeeing that an Inſtrument is a cauſe; how then can wee have any hand as cauſes in our Juſtification?
Anſw. Juſtification taken actively and paſſively.Wee are to know that Juſtification is taken two waies. 1 Actively. 2 Paſſively. The active Juſtification is, that whereby God the Father juſtifies a ſinner, and pronounceth him juſt for the ſake of the imputed righteouſneſs of Chriſt. In this ſenſe faith is no cauſe; nor hath any influence at all into a ſinners juſtification; but Juſtification taken paſſively, is that whereby beleevers by faith (as by an hand) do receive, apprehend, and apply to themſelves the merits of Chriſts death: and in this ſenſe faith is an inſtrumental cauſe, viz. A paſſive Inſtrument; and cannot bee denyed its place in, and influence into a ſinners juſtification. And this diſtinction you may ſee clearly grounded both in the places mentioned, and Rom. 8. and in this chapter, and in Rom. 5.1. the word is uſed in a paſſive ſenſe.
Queſt. 2 How are Paul and James reconciled? for James, Ch. 2.21. ſaith, that Abraham and Rahab were juſtified by works, and ver. 22. hee ſets down this general concluſion, that a man is juſtified by works, and not by faith alone.
Anſw. Paul and James reconciled.The concluſion of the Apoſtle is not (as the Papiſts ſay) that good works are a part of our righteouſneſs: and the cauſe of our juſtification before God: neither as many of our Divines ſay; That good works do juſtify, as they declare us to bee juſt before men (though that be a truth alſo) but he ſhews that juſtifying faith is ſuch as is effectual by good works; or that it is a working faith that doth juſtify us; which he proves both by comparing the faith of men and devils together, as alſo by the example of Abraham and Rahab; thence hee hath a diſtinction of faith, which is lively and fruitful in good works, and of a falſe and dead faith, which is a bare profeſſion of faith, and formal acknowledgement of the Articles of Religion, deſtitute of all good fruites; ſo that James his diſcourſe comes to this upſhot, That wee are not juſtified by a falſe or a dead faith; and though James ſaith wee are juſtified by works, he means by a common Metonymy, a working faith.Infants juſtifi cation.
Queſt. How are Infants juſtified by Faith?
Anſw. 1 Juſtification by faith belongs to perſons grown, and of underſtanding. Rom. 10.17.
2 Without doubt God hath his ſecret waies of applying the righteouſneſs of Chriſt to infants, by his Spirit which hee gives to them. Iſa. 44.3.
Queſt. Why is it rather through Faith than any other grace?Why faith juſtifies.
Anſw. 1 Becauſe by Faith is our union with Chriſt, and our ingrafting into him: and juſtification is a ſpecial priviledge and benefit, properly ariſing from our union with Chriſt; And then is the imputation of Chriſt's righteouſneſs to us, (according to the Goſpel dialect) when it is apprehended by faith; and hence juſtification is ſet after vocation, Rom. 8.30. and therefore after faith; becauſe faith is wrought in vocation.
2 The proper nature and office of faith is to rely and reſt on Chriſt, or the grace of God in Chriſt, for Righteouſneſs and Salvation; hence the phraſes of reſting, beleeving, leaning on him, as on the Rock, the Corner ſtone, &c. 1 Pet. 2.6. Iſa. 26.3, 4. and other places. Faith makes it, its proper diſtinguiſhing action, to look out for a righteouſneſs, for juſtification; and finding it in Chriſt, wholly reſts and relies on it; as the Rock and Foundation, the poor Sinner muſt be ſtayed by and built upon.
3 Faith makes a ſpecial uſe of all the Promiſes: draws water out of thoſe wells: receives and imbraces all the good things held forth in them: but eſpecially imbraceth remiſſion of ſins, as one of the higheſt and chiefeſt Goſpel concernments, which hee hath to appropriate and improve to his greateſt comfort; and the foundation for to build on and exerciſe all other graces and duties, and thence the juſt is ſaid to live by faith, Hab. 2.4.
4 Becauſe faith is conſtituted, and ordained of God in the Covenant of grace, as a neceſſary and indiſpenſible means for attainment of this end in adult perſons. He did from eternity pitch on the grace of faith above all other; for the applying the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt unto the ſoul of a Sinner.
5 Becauſe faith gives more glory to God and Chriſt, than any other grace: having free grace for its ſupport, and in a ſpecial manner free grace in Juſtification; and going out of, and denying it ſelf more than any other grace; receiving all from, and attributing all to Chriſt and his fulneſſe, Joh. 1.16. and moſt eſpecially whatever it hath, or expecteth for juſtification. Which makes the Apoſtle ſpeak as hee doth, Eph. 2.8. and every true beleever with him, by grace we are ſaved through faith.
Uſe 1. This Doctrin doth clearly diſcover the dangerous eſtate of unbeleevers, The danger of unbeleevers.above all others: there being no other way to receive that grace that is offered unto us in Chriſt; or to attain unto the comfort of it. Heb. 11.6. Without faith it is impoſſible to pleaſe God; and what comfort or ſupport can that man have who is not pleaſing unto God? There is but one Ark in all the World to ſave a poor ſinner from the deluge of deſtruction, that is, Chriſt Jeſus; and no getting into this Ark but by faith. There is death all the World over but in Chriſt. As it was in the daies of Noah, &c. So ſhall the comming of the Son of man bee, Matth. 24.38, 39. how many on the face of the earth, ſhall the ſecond deluge, or overwhelming deſtruction finde, out of Chriſt, the only Ark for poor ſinners to bee ſaved by? When the flood came, the world knew nothing, i. e. beleeved nothing, and therefore rejected and deſpiſed the Ark that was preparing: Oh! unbeleef is a ſouldamning ſin, 2 Theſſ. 1.8, 9. eſpecially in thoſe that live under the clear diſpenſation of the Goſpel. Matth. 16.15, 16. It was for this ſin the Jews were broken off, Rom. 11.20. even the whole body of the Nation; and have been ever ſince the moſt accurſed people in all the world. Mark it all yee unbeleevers, your curſe is doubled, and your Condemnation is, The Condemnation, Joh. 3.19. The Law pronounceth a curſe for the breaking of it: but the Goſpel a far greater, for not receiving Chriſt, and your Life, and Salvation, which is offered unto you through him. A Malefactor dies by the Law, juſtly, becauſe by his wickedneſs hee hath deſerved it: but if hee hath an offer of a pardon, and refuſeth it, hee is doubly guilty of his own deſtruction. And this is the miſery of poor unbeleevers, in the daies of the Goſpel. Joh. 3.18.36.
Obj. Why do you tell us of the danger of unbeleef, which are not Infidels but (hriſtians? Anſ. Innumerable multitudes of ſouls do periſh, like the herd of Swine in the Sea, that are driven headlong to deſtruction by Saran, upon this conceipt, that they are in the faith, when they are not. Therefore,
Uſe 2. Let this teach us to examine and try our ſelves, whether wee are in the faith, 2 Cor. 13.5. ſeeing we are juſtified by Faith. Say thus, have I gotten this precious grace? viz. faith in Chriſts blood, yea or not? and bee not haſty in concluding that thou haſt it. And for the diſcovery of this, whether thou art in the faith, conſider theſe trials, 1 more general. 2 more particular.
1 More general, Conſider, Firſt, Tryals of faithwhether thou haſt a lower work of faith, which although it doth not juſtify, yet it is a ſtep unto the other, viz. to beleeve the truth of all the things that are written in the Law and the Prophets, Act. 24.14. It thou haſt not a dogmatical faith of theſe, thou art worſe than the Devils: and if thou beleeveſt them, but as the Devils, thou ſhalt have no more benefit by thy ſaith, than the Devils have. But if this faith have a tendency to juſtifying Faith, it is of pretious uſe to thee, and cauſeth thee, as it did Paul, to exerciſe thy ſelf, to have a Conſcience void of offence, toward God and man, ver. 16. This is known very much by your beleeving the Commandements, as well as the Promiſes: but ſee, do you beleeve the Commandements? hee that beleeves them will ſet upon the obeying of them, Heb. 11.8. yea, he will have reſpect to every Commandement: do you beleeve the threatnings? Sure then you will tremble at them. So David did, Pſal. 119.120. Iſa. 66.2, 5. As when wee ſee a Childe ſhooting at us; wee fear not his arrows, not will ſtir for him, becauſe we beleeve not that hee can, or will hurt us. But if we ſee a skilful archer to level at us, wee will not dare to ſtand within bow-ſhot, becauſe wee beleeve hee will hit us. So 'tis in apprehending Gods threatnings againſt our ſins. When he ſhoots his arrows at us, Pſ. 45.5. certainly, if a man beleeves not Commands and Threatnings, hee beleeves not with juſtifying faith. Yea, ſee how thou likeſt the faithful application of the word to thy conſcience: eſpecially when it is impartial. A naughty unbeleeving heart will turn from it; 2 Tim. 4.3. at the leaſt hee doth not love to apply it to himſelf for his profit, Heb. 4.2. and ſuch a hearer may ſit under the means all his life time, and never bee the better.
2 See whether thy faith bee a working faith. By this thou ſhalt know whether it bee the work of God; if it act vigorouſly againſt the allowance of any ſin: that Faith which lyeth dead and idle, is like a dead and unſavory carcaſs in Gods accompt, Jam. 2.22, 24. that Faith that works not by repentance, Mark 1.15. that works not by love, Gal. 5.6. that brings not forth good fruits, that bauks any duty, and imboldens to any Sin, Col. 1.10. Pſal. 119.1, 2. it is not hard for him that ſhall deſcend into his own conſcience, to diſcern what manner of faith hee hath attained unto.
3 See whether your faith bee any other than what you have by natural power and abilities attained unto: hee that hath no other, hath not this ſaving faith wrought in him: for this is wrought by a divine ſupernatural power, Matth. 16.17. fleſh and blood hath not revealed it, Col. 2.12. Faith of the operation of God, Eph. 1.19. It is true, a carnal man may do many duties required of him in the moral Law (for the outward performance) becauſe hee hath the ſeeds of the Law left in him; but ſaving faith muſt bee created and wrought onelyonly by the power of God; which ſhews that the faith of ſome is but a meer fancy: ſeeing they have no more than meer nature in them, there was never any difficulty in the attainment of it.
4 It is a grace that is not wrought in the heart, unleſs ſoundly humbled: Neither will ever abide in a proud heart: how can you beleeve? &c. Joh. 5.44. Heb. 2.4. See how the Lord brought down Paul and the Jaylor, and thoſe Act. 2. So that until Pride, and Self conceitedneſs, and Vain-glory, and Contempt of others bee removed: yea, all glorying in, and boaſting of our own righteouſneſſe; And unleſſe the heart bee brought to ſome conſtant frame of humility, it neither will or can beleeve. And the want of this is the cauſe why ſo many Profeſſors turn to errours and prophaneneſs, and a looſe kinde of life: it comes from the unbrokenneſs and untamedneſs of their hearts. Now Faith of all other graces is a heart-breaking and ſoul-humbling grace.
More particularly, There are divers degrees and meaſures of faith. And wee muſt take heed that wee do not lay ſtumbling blocks before the eies of weak beleevers, by ſetting down ſuch trials of faith as belong onelyonly to ſtrong beleevers: Such as Abraham, Moſes, Job, &c. When as weak ones cannot finde them in themſelves, they diſquiet themſelves without juſt cauſe. For clearing of which, conſider ſome ſigns of the weakeſt faith, out of Mark. 9.24. where you ſhall find an example in the poor man that brought his Son to our Saviour Chriſt to bee healed, and made profeſſion of his Faith, in which wee may obſerve theſe particulars.Signs of the weakeſt faith.
1 There is a ſound Conviction of his unbeleef: hee perceives what an unbeleeving heart hee had; and this is the firſt work of the Spirit of God, Joh. 16.8. and a work perceiveable by the weakeſt beleever: now none can convince the ſoul of its unbeleef, but the Spirit of God; and this is ſuch a conviction as cauſeth the ſinner not onelyonly to ſee but to mourn for his unbeleef before the Lord, to pray and ſtrive earneſtly againſt it. He ſaid with Tears—Lord help my unbeleef; hee therefore that is not ſenſible of this ſin on the like manner, hath not ſo much as a weak faith wrought in his heart.
2 There is a ſtrong deſire after faith, and grace, and Chriſt. So there was in this poor beleever. It is ordinary in the Scripture to expreſſe the nature of the weakeſt faith by hunger and thirſt, as Joh. 7.37, 38. now that ſignifies a reſtleſs deſire after Chriſt and Grace, accompanied alwaies with ſtrong indeavours in the uſe of the means to attain unto the things deſired. It is not a lazy and liſtleſs deſire, ſuch as the Sluggard hath which kills him: but ſuch as ſets the heart and outward man on work to attend diligently on the means of grace to attain unto faith in Chriſt, and that in a greater meaſure. Wherefore let lubberly and lazy Profeſſors take notice of this, that they have no true faith in their hearts.
3 In this beleever, there was a holy jealouſy that hee might not bee deceived about his grace, that made him ſo to complain. A weak beleever deals like a wiſe man, that is but a young beginner, and newly ſet up in his trade, hee fears exceedingly leſt hee ſhould bee deceived with counterfeit wares, or copper mony: ſo it is with a provident Chriſtian: hee is very circumſpect and wary leſt hee ſhould bee deceived with Copper and Alchymy faith. Therefore hee loves a faithful and ſearching Miniſtry, that will gage his heart, and diſcover the unſoundneſs of it, Joh. 3.21. Hee comes to the light that his deeds may bee made manifest, &c. whereas a falſe heart is ever joyned with a great deal of Carnal confidence, will not bee beaten off but that all is well and ſound with him; hee will not indure the weight of a faithful Miniſtry, nor abide the light of it, it dazles his eyes. It breeds much peace to him, to ſay, That Preaching is for mony, and Gods Miniſters are deceivers, and ſo deſpiſeth the Miniſtry and Word too.
4 The poor beleever offers himſelf to the good will and pleaſure of Chriſt, inquiring into it, with reſolution to do whatſoever the Lord requires of him. So it was wont to bee in young converts, as in Paul, Act. 9.6. who ſaid, Lord what wouldest thou have mee to do? He means, that he would do any thing that the Lord ſhould appoint him: So it was Act. 12.37. and Act. 16.30. where there are the like Examples; as they are not afraid to ſhame themſelves for ſins paſt; ſo their hearts are fixed for the future, to imbrace in judgement and practice every duty commanded. Let the falſe heart come to this touchſtone, and hee will appear counterfeit. Oh! how will hee cavil againſt any ſtrickt truth? hee will never be perſwaded that men are bound to ſuch preciſeneſſe; to ſanctify the Sabbath, to dayly family-duties, and ſecret prayer, or to reſtitution in caſe of theft or couzenage, and doth wittingly, and willingly reject all the word that agrees not with his own judgement and fancies.
5 The weakeſt faith purgeth the heart from the love and allowance of every known ſin, Act. 15.9. and works inward ſanctification in the beginnings of it, Act. 26.18. Indeed there are ſome common gifts of ſanctification in Temporaries and ſuch as after become Apoſtates, Heb. 5.7. but their hearts were never truely broken off from Sin.Comfort.
Uſe 3. It is comfort to every true beleever, that juſtification is by faith, and unſpeakeable ground of rejoycing to him, that there is ſo great a bleſſedneſſe beſtowed upon a poor ſinner. Such an one as comes abſolutely from Election, and tendes undoubtedly to Salvation. Rom. 4.6. 2 Theſſ. 2.13. Rom. 18.1, 2, 3. yea, what a removal is there of the great fears and terrours of the Almighties wrath and diſpleaſure; Know therefore, all you poor beleevers, that your perſons are juſtified, and your ſervices accepted in Chriſt Jeſus; and nothing for condemnation can be ever charged upon you. So that I may ſay with the Pſalmiſt, Bee glad in the Lord, and rejoyce ye juſt, and ſhout for joy all ye that are upright in heart. Pſal. 32.11.
Object. What need we to comfort beleevers, cannot they take their comforts eaſily enough home to themſelves?
Anſw. Preſumption wants no comfort, it will ſoon catch at that which doth not belong to it: but beleevers indeed (eſpecially weakones) have great need of comfort. Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, &c. Iſa. 4.01. he means that his people have great need of conſolation in this point. Remember how it was with Job himſelf, Job 9.16. though hee had called, and God had anſwered him, yet he would not beleeve that God had hearkened to his voice. And David too, though Nathan had told him, that the Lord had put away his ſin, that hee ſhould not dye, yet how earneſt was he (Pſ. 51.) for pardon? which ſtate befals beleevers, not only upon their relapſes, but even upon their upright walking before God, and God will make them to know, that not onelyonly Faith and Juſtification, but alſo the comfort of a juſtified eſtate, is the free gift of God, 2 Cor. 1.3. and they ſhall finde it true, that although it bee eaſy for nature to conſent to juſtification by works; yet it is hard to cloſe with mercy in a way of free grace. The conſolation therefore will be very great to them in theſe two particulars.
1 It is a Comfort in the poor ſervices they do, Comforts.and the weakneſs of their duties. And this is one of Satans ſtrong Temptations, whereby hee ſeeks to trouble their peace; hee firſt tempts to ſet light by Chriſt, and his righteouſneſſe; and to ſeek juſtification by our own works; and then hee will trouble us with the many fallings of our duties and performances. Thou heareſt ſo unprofitably, and prayeſt ſo deadly and poorly, and art ſo pinching in good works, that thou canſt not be juſtified. But beloved, Beware that you hang not your comforts upon your duties, but on Chriſt reneived by faith; as the Publican, Luke 18.14. Rom. 9.3. yea the Gentiles that followed not after righteouſneſs (viz. of their own) have attained unto righteouſneſs, even that which is of Faith. This therefore is a beleevers comfort, in all his imperfect and weak performances, that theſe are not his righteouſneſſe wherby he expects to be juſtified: but the righteouſneſs of Chriſt moſt spotleſs and perfect is that which hee builds upon.
Object. But are not good works required of juſtified perſons?
Anſw. Yes, as the fruits of faith and juſtification: but not as the merit of it, Gal. 3.6. & Tit. 3.7, 8. when hee ſaith wee are juſtified by Grace, hee moreover addes: That it is a faithful ſaying, and theſe things I will that ye affirm conſtantly, that they who have beleeved in God, might bee careful to maintain good works. Neither is that obedience that is required of Beleevers, a ſtrict and exact conformity to the Law, as it doth in it ſelf require and demand: as Legal obedience, but Evangelical obedience, which ſtands in the deſire, reſolution, and indeavour, to obey Gods revealed will.
2 If wee were juſtified by Faith, then it is not the ſtrength of faith that juſtifieth the Beleever, or aſſurance: but it is ſimply his faith, if it bee true, though it bee weak; that which troubles many a beleever, is that hee wants aſſurance, and ſome evident feeling of Gods mercy, or ſight of it, now faith is oppoſed to ſo a clear a ſight, 2 Cor. 5.7. and is the evidence of things not ſeen, Heb. 11.1. Excellent is that, Joh. 3.14, 15. As Moſes lifted up the Serpent, &c. where faith is compared to the Iſraelites eye, now it was not the ſtrong ſight of the Braſs that healed them; but the weakeſt would do it. So it is with Faith, and therfore though Chriſtians ſhould labour for ſtrong Faith. yet let them not bee diſcouraged at the weakneſs of their faith.
Vſe 4. Exhortation and Direction to all ſorts of perſons to attain unto, and maintain this grace of faith.
1 To unjuſtifyed perſons: thoſe that have not faith to make it their main-task, and daily buſineſs, and to imploy the ſtrength of all their indeavours to obtain Faith and Juſtification thereby. Reconciliation is of wonderful worth. It is true, wee ought to incourage poor ſinners when they begin to reform their lives, and leave their baſe courſes, Drunkenneſſe, Scorning, &c. when theſe become like hot Iron, and ſcalding Lead in their fingers, it is ſome beginning of mercy, to ſuch a ſoul, and it is a farther degree when they come to do juſtly, and to love mercy, and live peaceably; for God requires theſe, Mic. 6.8. but it is a grievous deluſion to think that by any ſuch things, wee can finde acceptation, or bee juſtified before God. No, no, let a man accompt all the daies of his life that hee hath ſpent, and all the duties that hee hath performed, ſpilt and loſt without Faith. Chriſt will tell you, this is the work of God, that yee beleeve, &c. Joh. 6.28, 29. it is called a work, becauſe a work of Gods power and working, and a work that hee delights in, wee ſhould bee exerciſed in, to take our farewel of the World, renounce our ſelves, and to fly to Chriſt for refuge from the ſtorm of Gods wrath and indignation; and to prefer him before all, this is the work of faith, that takes us off from all our reſting on our works; and brings us naked unto Chriſt. All other duties are very good in their ſeaſon and kinde, but like Joſephs brethren, none welcome without a Benjamin. No works welcome, and pleaſing to God, without faith which brings Chriſt. God ſaith, without Chriſt ſee not my face; he would have us put on all Chriſtian graces: the whole Armour of God. Eph. 6.16. But above all take the ſhield of Faith. Becauſe this plece of armour hath a ſingular excellency in it above all other, becauſe it defends all the reſt: the breaſtplate of Righteouſneſs is excellent to keep the heart, and the helmet of hope to keep the head: but faith muſt keep both. As a broad Shield that quencheth Satans fiery darts at whatever part they bee ſhot; and the truth is, there is no grace, Satan ſo much ſhoots at, Luke 22.32. for hereby hee knows wee ſtill prevail againſt him; therefore this is a weapon not only by which wee are ſaid to overcome, but the victory it ſelf, 1 Joh. 5.4, 5. it cannot bee ſaid ſo of any other weapon; therefore above all put on this.
Now for the attaining of this grace we muſt know, and be convinced,
1 That wee have it not by nature. In the fleſh there dwelleth no good thing, Rom. 7.18. and this is a work of the Spirit, to convince the World of ſin, becauſe it beleeves not, Joh. 16.8. 8. and till the heart bee convinced thus, a farther work cannot be expected, Luk. 1.53.
2 Bee fully convinced that it is the Lord onelyonly that muſt work it, he muſt draw us, or elſe we will not, or can not come to Chriſt, Joh. 6.44.
3 Bee convinced of our great unworthineſſe that he ſhould beſtow it upon us, becauſe of our frequent ſleighting of Chriſt, and Gadaren-like refuſal of him, preferring our Swiniſh luſts before him; God gives faith where it may be to the glory of his grace, Eph. 1.3, 6.
4 Know, that beleeving, is receiving of Chriſt in all his Offices, and giving up our ſelves unto his diſpoſal, Joh. 1.12.
5 Know what a dangerous thing it is to bee mistaken in this Faith, there bee many things which the Devil and the World call faith, which are not ſo, Act. 8.13. Joh. 2.22.
6 That there is no Chriſt to be received by faith, but only in and by the Promiſes of the Gospel, Act. 15.7. he ſaith, the Gentiles ſhould hear the Word of Gods Goſpel and beleeve. So Eph. 1.13. Oh make much of Promiſes, ſearch them, hide them in your hearts, look for Chriſt in them, think much on them, and turn them into Prayers, this it may bee will bee meant by the hiding the treaſure, Mat. 13.44, 45.
7 Bee perſwaded that the Promiſe carrieth Chriſt when the Spirit of God ſpreads it, and applies it, and works with it in the publick Miniſtry. Rom. 10.17. 2 Cor. 3.18. Otherwiſe it may bee ſaid, why may I not bee contented with reading at home? but know that the Miniſtry is the Miniſtry of the Spirit, and the Spirit works in it. Hence Miniſters are ſaid to juſtify their hearers, Dan. 12.3.
Queſt. But will any conviction ſerve to work faith?
Anſw. The Spirits conviction goeth farther than any humane, Joh. 16.8, 10. that will reach to the heart, for it is unreſiſtible, 1 Theſſ. 1.5. Our Gospel came not unto you in word only, &c. this Spirit of Illumination is ſtrong, for it ſubdues all, and transforms all, 2 Cor. 3.18. Oh then bee inſtant, conſtant, and fervent in prayer for this good Spirit of his: for it is promiſed to them that ask it, Luk. 11.13.
Now to ſhut up this uſe, for the attaining this pretious grace, I ſhall commend to you the conſideration of one place; it is of Act. 17.11, 12. where it is ſaid, The Bereans were more noble (or better diſpoſed) than they of. Theſſalonica, in that they received the word with all readineſs of mind, and ſearched the Scriptures daily whether thoſe things were ſo, therefore many of them beleeved. Where obſerve how the Bereans attained unto faith.
1 They attended carefully on the publick Miniſtry.
2 They did this with all readineſs of mind, though (they being Jews) Pauls Doctrin was contrary to them, yet they laid aſide all prejudice againſt it, and heard with readineſs. It is a great matter to have a minde to the Goſpel, this was their better diſpoſition.
3 They were not contented with the publike Miniſtry alone, but in private they ſearched the Scriptures daily, they did not onelyonly now and then repeat Sermons, but made it their work daily to ſearch the Scriptures; and that judiciouſly and with conſideration. Neither was it any diſparagement to Pauls Miniſtry to bee tryed by them, but an honour to it, and credit to bee found to bee exact according to the Scriptures. And it is not the leaſt part of Chriſtian Wiſdome to be often trying of, and ſetting home upon his heart a profitable truth, till hee hath fixed it there, and driven the nail to the head.
4 It follows [many of them beleeved] not a few, but many, and therefore they beleeved; God gave this great bleſſing to their diligent attention and frequent ſearch of the Scripture, ſo that many beleeved both of men and women. And ſure if any of us do the like, wee ſhall ſpeed as they did.
It is to perſwade and exhort beleevers ſtill to keep on the exerciſe of faith to maintain this good eſtate of Juſtification.Exhort. 2. To beleevers.
Faith is of conſtant uſe, for their continued Juſtification, and the comfort of that eſtate, Gal. 2.16. Even wee have beleeved in Chriſt Jeſus, that wee might bee (ſtill) juſtified by the faith of Jeſus Chriſt. It is obſervable that is ſpoken of Abraham, Gen. 15.6. that hee beleeved God, and it was accounted to him for righteouſneſs, though doubtleſs hee beleeved before upon the calling out of his own Country, but at this time hee is ſaid to be juſtified by faith: becauſe the Holy Ghoſt would give a ſingular Teſtimony to his faith at this time, for his own, and our comfort; When God made him a Promiſe of ſeed, when Abraham and Sarah were both very aged: and ſo an unlikely thing, had he not beleeved God who promiſed. Faith therfore juſtifies at all times, it is not only a boat or bridge to carry us into a ſtate of Juſtification: but it is as our leggs to walk with God in a juſtified ſtate at all times, and hence it is put as the condition of the Covenant with Abraham, Gen. 17.1. for faith is that whereby wee walk before God, and are perfect in Chriſt continually.
Object. But what need wee trouble our ſelves any more about our Juſtification▪ ſeeing that once juſtified, wee are for ever juſtified?
Anſw. It is neceſſary for divers weighty reaſons.
1 Though a juſtified eſtate bee a ſure eſtate; yet the ſureneſs of it depends (under God) upon faith, 1 Pet. 1.5. Wee are kept by the power of God through Faith— it is true, God can keep us by his abſolute power without faith; but his ordinate and orderly power, is through a lively and active faith.
2 It is a duty that God requires of us to bee careful to continue in a juſtified eſtate. Rev. 22.11. Hee that is righteous, let him bee ſo ſtill. The word ſignifies let him bee juſtified ſtill: or let him go on, and continue in a juſtified eſtate, and Heb. 3.6, 14. whoſe houſe wee are, if wee hold faſt the confidence and the rejoycing of our hope, verſ. 14. Wee are partakers of Chriſt, if wee hold the beginning of our confidence, the word tranſlated confidence foreign, ſignifies ſubſiſtence, or ſtanding faſt to the end, againſt all aſſaults: wee cannot plead ſubſiſtence for our outward man without faith; but this is of a higher nature: we cannot ſubſist to God-ward without holding faſt the grace of faith, and uſe it, and that ſtedfaſtly to the end.
3 It is requiſite for the increaſe and farther growth of our faith. Rom. 1.16, 17. in the Goſpel is revealed the righteouſneſſe of God from faith to faith, i. e. our righteouſneſſe for Juſtification, is revealed that wee ſhould proceed from one degree of faith to another; and this is the way to a full aſſurance. Heb. 6.11, 12. wee deſire that every one of you give the ſame diligence to the full aſſurance of hope. It is much to bee lamented, that ancient beleevers after a long profeſſion are much to ſeek in this; and are ſtill queſtioning their title to Chriſt: there are two ſpecial reaſons of it, 1 Their neglect of their watch, and their frequent back-ſlidings into their ſins. See 1 Joh. 3.3.2 Cor. 7.….… The neglect of the improving their faith upon all occaſions; they cannot get aſſurance without this.
4 It is requiſite for Chriſtians ſafety and comfort in life and death: if wee improve our faith in our Juſtification, wee ſhall improve our ioy and comfort alſo; and keep an even current, without ſo much ebbing and flowing, clouds and ecclipſes, and in ſtorms and dangers, it will keep a Chriſtian on the main, where he ſhall have See-room enough; and as they did in their ſtorms, Act. 27.28. once they ſounded, and found it twenty fathoms, again they ſounded and found it fifteen, and lest they ſhould fall on the Rocks, they caſt out four Anchors. So ſhould Chriſtians do, I mean not content themſelves that they are lanched forth into the ſtream of Gods Mercy; but ſhould bee often ſpunding in the ſurvey of their ſpiritual comforts. And when they finde them to grow ſhallow, and to leſſen, it is dangerous to go ſecurely on: there bee rocks or ſands neer, it is good to have your Anchors of faith and hope in a readineſs; yea, to caſt them within the veil, to prevent ſuch dangers and deſperate evils as are approaching.