A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 217 (Question 85)
SERMON CCXVII.
QUESTION LXXXV.
WHAT doth God require of us, that we way eſcape his Wrath and Curſe due unto us for Sin?
ANSWER.
To eſcape the Wrath & Curſe of God …e to us for Sin, God requireth of us Faith in Jeſus Chriſt, Repentance unto Life, with the diligent uſe of all Outward Means whereby Chriſt communicateth to us the benefits of Redemption.
We have taken a brief account of the right & proper uſe of the Law, conſidered as a Covenant of Works, with regard to fallen Man; and wherein it is made ſerviceable to the Goſpel Deſign, which is to advance the Rich and free Grace of God in the Salvation of Sinners; and ſo to make the Moral Law with it's Sanctions, become a proper School-master to lead us to CHRIST; which is, 1. To ſhew to Man his utter Incapacity of being made Hap… by it; and that by reaſon of his Impotence … Obey it, through the Depravation of his Mo…l Powers. And for this reaſon the Law is to be Preached in it's full Latitude, and the ſtrictneſs of it's Demands; thereby to heat the Man off from all his fond Conceits of a remaining Power in him, and make him utterly deſpair of being Saved in this way; and bring him to ſubſcribe that in Rom. 3.20. Therefore by the …eds of the law there ſhall no fleſh be justified in his ſight. For till he is brought to this, he will never go out of himſef, to ſeek his Relief any where elſe, by reaſon of the remaining Pride that is in him. 2. Toſhew him the Aggravations of his Sins, in the Kinds and Circumſtances of them, thereby to convince him of his …n Vileneſs by reaſon of it; and this to make … to appear exceeding ſinful, to fill him with Hatred of it, and ſelf-loathing by reaſon of it: This therefore is noted to be one uſe of the Law. Rom. 7.13. But ſin that it might appear …, working death in me by that which is good; that ſin by the commandment might become exceeding ſinful. 3. To ſet before him his dangerous & miſerable E…ate, by reaſon of the De…rit of his Sin, which renders him Obnoxious to God's Wrath & Curſe, which is out againſt him in the Threatning; which hath the Holineſs, Juſtice and Veracity of God engaged to the Execution of it upon him, except there be ſome way diſcovered to him, by which he may eſcape it; which may make his preſent State too hot for him, and make him reſtleſs in his carneſt enquiry, What he ſhall do to be ſ…ve…? And to Preach CHRIST to Sinners before they are acquainted with this, is to offer a Remedy to one who knows not his Malady or Neceſſity, who will thereupon entertain the Offer with Scorn and Contempt: Hence that of our Saviour, Marth. 9.12, 13. They that be whole need not a phyſician, but they that are ſick. I am not come to call the righteous, but ſinners to repentance. But we are to remember, that in the Diſpenſation of God to Man in the New Covenant, the Law is given in the hand of a Mediator; and tho' it be revived to drive Men utterly to Deſpair in themſelves and their own Rigteouſneſs, and ſo bring them to an utter Loſs in that regard; yet the deſign of it is to humble them out of ſelf-ſufficiency, that they may look to the fullneſs of ſufficiency in Chriſt, and not to precipitate them into utter Deſperation, but to ſet an Hope before them that ſhall not deceive or make them aſhamed: And herein mainly conſiſts the difference between a Legal and Evangelical Preaching of the Law.
HAVING therefore ſhewn Man what he is in his Natural State, our Carechiſm proceeds to ſhew him that there is Hope in Iſrael concerning this thing; and diſcover where Salvation is to he had, and in what way it is to be obtained, and that by the diſplay of another and better Convenant, in which there is made known a ſuitable and ſufficient Remedy againſt all this Miſery.
IN this Anſwer there are theſe things to be obſerved,
I. THAT there is a Way found out by God, and diſcovered to Man, by which the Sinner may eſcape the ſuffering of this Wrath & Curſe. And this is ſuppoſed in the Queſtion propounded; for it would be in vain to enquire how a thing may be done, till we are firſt ſatisfied that the thing it ſelf is fiezable: And this is further evident by the Anſwer that acquaints us how that may be done; which preſumes a poſſiblity of it: And it is very neceſſary that this be revealed and believed, inaſmuch as a legal Conviction of sin and Miſery, doth of its own Nature lead the Sinner to reſolve that his Caſe is deſperate; in that the Law Covenant determines him a Man of Death, and affords not one glimmering beam of Hope; and there muſt be a diſcovery of this made to him, by God; it being a thing Arbitrary with Him, and could never have been known but by Revelation: Hence that, 2 Tim. 1.10. But is now made maniſeſt by the appearing of our Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, who hath aboliſhed death, and hath brought life and immortality to light thro' the goſpel. It is a great Queſtion, How the Juſtice of the Firſt Covenant may conſiſt with the Grace of the New-Covenant? Which Queſtion all the Angels of Light could never have reſolved, if it had been offered them; and the fallen Angels doubtleſs concluded, that they had made Man's Ruin irr…perable; elſe they would never have adventured their own Deſtruction for the comparing of it. Now that God hath …viſed and made know ſuch a way, i… evident if we Conſider,
1. THERE are Multitudes that have eſcaped this Miſery, and …ave obtained true Bleſſedneſs. This the Word of God is full for; and it is certain that all Adam's Natural Progeny were involved in this Guilt and Curſe: We are aſſured of this, Rom. 5.12. Wherefore as by one man ſin entred into the world, and death by ſin; and ſo death paſſed upon all men, for that all have ſinned. And the Apoſtle puts himſelf with the reſt, in that general Aſſertion, Eph. 3.2, 3. And yet he had a good Aſſurance of his own ſafe Eſtate, 2 Cor. 5.1. For we know, that if our earthly houſe of this tabernacle were diſſolved, we have a building of God, an houſe not made with bands, eternal in the heavens. And we are told of a general Aſſembly of theſe, Heb. 12.23. And an innumerable Company Rev. 7.9. And it is certain, that if there had not been a way made for their Eſcape, they had all likewiſe Periſhed.
2. HEREBY God's ſuffering Man to Fall, was ſubordinated to His great Deſign of the Manifeſtation of His ſpecial Grace. That Man's Apoſtacy was by God's purpoſed Permiſſion, is manifeſt, inaſmuch as He both foreſaw it, and could have prevented it; He muſt therefore have ſome worthy Reaſon of His ſo doing, which could be no other than the gaining of Glory to Himſelf hereby. And one thing that He reſolved in this, was the manifeſtation of His Grace to ſome, as were are told in, Eph. 1.6. To the praiſe of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. And He made choice of Mankind to be the Monuments in which this Grace ſhould be rend…ed Illuſtrious, whilſt He paſſed by the fallen Angels; Heb. 2.16. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the ſeed of Abraham. And this was by ſubſtituting His own Son to be a Mediating Surety, that by ſatisfying the Juſtice of the Law, He might open a way for the Salvation of Sinners, and ſo became a Second Adam for the Reparation of the Ruin brought in by the Firſt, 1 Cor. 15.22. For as in Adam all die, even ſo in Chriſt ſhall all be made alive. And what was this for, but to reſcue Sinners from Miſery, and bring them to Glory, which was the Province laid upon Him, and He was to go thro'; Heb. 2.10. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many ſons unto glory, to make the captain of their ſalvation perfect thro' ſufferings. If therefore none of this unhappy Race ſhould be eventually Delivered, this while Purpoſe of Grace muſt have fallen to the ground.
3. THIS is the Foundation on which the Goſpel Religion is built, and the great Encouragement of ſinful Men to embrace it. The Goſpel is called, the Goſpel of Salvation, Eph. 1.13. Doubtleſs the opening of the Goſpel to Sinners was to ſet a good Hope before them, by giving them Aſſurance that they might obtain Salvation by Jeſus Chriſt, whom it reveals to us for that end: Hence that, 1 Thef. 7.9. For God Hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain ſalvation by our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. And tho' God's Glory be the laſt …nd of it, vet the Reſta…ration of Man from Miſery to Felicity, was the Medium of it: God would never have done this, only to render Mans Infelicity the greater, tho' it eventually proves ſo to many, not without God's fore-ſight and Purpoſe, (1 Cor. 2.15, 16) but the direct End of it was, that His Choſen might be brought back to Him, and be made meet to partake of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light. And hence this is the great Foundation that is uſed in the Evangelical Diſpenſation, to perſwade Men to cloſe in with the New Covenant, viz. That they may be Saved. And were it not for this, Sinners would Deſpond, as looking upon all to be Unprofitable to them, if after all they muſt unavoidably Periſh.
4. ALL the Invitations, Promiſes, Threatnings uſed in the Goſpel, give a clear Demonſtration of this. That the Goſpel Diſpenſation is propoſed in the Treaty of a Covenant, is very evident to all thoſe that Read it with Underſtanding: Tho' in it is alſo declared the holy Purpoſe of God to confer this Grace upon thoſe whom He hath Choſen in Chriſt: Nevertheleſs, He treats with Men after their own Nature & Manner, by exhibiting theſe things to them in a rational Way: Hence, in it there is an Offer made to Sinners; and they are with great earneſtneſs invited to Accept of it; and what is this but that they would be reconciled; as in 2. Cor. 5.20. Now then we are ambaſſadors for Chriſt, as th… God did beſeech you by us: we pray you in Chriſt's ſtead, be ye reconciled to God. And to what other purpoſes are the Promiſes annexed to the Invitations, but to give us Aſſurance that if we do cordially embrace theſe O…ers, we ſhall partake in theſe Advantages thereby? And tho' the Promiſes, as generally propoſed, do not declare God's ſpecial Purpoſe concerning theſe or thoſe Individuals, yet they give us to be aſſured that God hath a purpoſe to Save ſome, and accordingly that there is a way in which they may obtain it, elſe the Promiſes would be in Vain. The Threatnings alſo in the Goſpel confirm this: Why are thoſe that receive not the Offers but refuſe them, menaced with Damnation and aggaravated Miſery for that very reaſon, but that there was a Salvation which they put away from them? Why elſe doth our Saviour denounce, as, Marth. 11.10. &c. & Math 16.16. He that believeth and is baptized ſhall be ſaved; but he that believeth not, ſhall be damnend. And the Apoſtle, 2. Thef. 1.8, 9. In ſta…ing ſire taking vengcance on them that know not God, and that obey not the goſpel of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt: Who ſhall be puniſhed with everlaſting deſtruction from the preſence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.
5. THE great Deſign of Chriſt's coming into the World, and going thro' His great Work, had otherwiſe been loſt. We are told in, 1. Tim. 1.15. This is a faithful ſaying, and worthy …f all acceptation, That Chriſt Jeſus came into the … ſinners. For this was the … of God Incarnate; for this He was made a Ma…, & under the… …; for this He ſupplied all Righteouſneſs, and underwent all the Penalties that were due to ſinners by the firſt Covenant; for this He ariſe, and aſcended to Heaven, and ſet down in the right hand of the Majeſty on High; …ll of which the word of God fully confirms. Surely then, He hath opened a New and Living way, by which Men may be brought up from the pit of Miſery, and made to poſſeſs a Throne of endleſs Glory. If therefore there were not ſuch a way, muſt we not ſay, That CHRIST died in vain? So that herein it appears that there is ſuch a thing. Here then let miſerable Sinners take encouragement, conſidering, that tho' …our condition be dreadful, yet it is not hopeleſs: But alas, why do no more ſeek after this way, and ſet themſelves to get a title to this Salvation, whilſt they are under the Merciful Treaty, that is opened with them about it?
II. THE next thing intimated, is, That there is ſomething to be done by us in order to our obtaining of this Deliverance. The Inquiry therefore is, What God requires of us that we may thus eſcape? And this preſumes that there is ſomething, elſe the Queſtion were frivolous, as we obſerved concerning the former: but it is neceſſary that this be rightly ſtated, elſe we ſhall be miſled into pernicious error, which will hazard our miſſing of the great Salvation: and truly the miſtakes in this are great and many, and are the occaſions of the greateſt part of the Controverſies among profeſſed Chriſtians at this day. I ſhall therefore tender a brief account of this matter in a few Concluſions.
1. THAT in the ſaving of Sinners there are Two things to be conſidered, viz. A Redemption to be wrought, and this Redemption to be app…ed. Of the Nature & Neceſſity of both theſe, we have formerly taken a diſtinct account, which need not here to be again inſiſted on: The purchaſe was to be made by another, even the Son of God, in our Nature, ſtanding in the place of our Surety & Surrogate; and tho' this purchaſe was made by Him for us, whom He repreſented in that Affair, yet there muſt be a way of Conveyance, by which it may become ours; and we be able to plead it, as fully as if we our ſelves had paid the price: for the Righteouſneſs by which we are delivered from the Curſe of the law, is not ours Perſonally, being performed by another, even CHRIST, but muſt be ours Relatively; and therefore there muſt be a way in which we come to be thus related to it: we are Strangers to it in our own Natural State, it muſt therefore be made over to us by Him who hath power & authority to make ſuch an exchange. Hence that, 2 Cor. 5.21. For he hath made him to be ſin for us, who knew no ſin; that we might be made the righteouſneſs of God in him. Gal. 3.13. Chriſt hath redeemed us from the curſe of the late, being made a curſe for us.
2. THAT in the application of this Redemption, the Spirit, who is the author of it, treats with us as Reaſonable Creatures. That the work of Application is a Divine work, and is aſcribed peculiarly … the … Spirit in the … of the …, is …, and that it is a wor… … to do for our ſelves, as well as the ſatisfaction to the Juſtice of the Law, we are aſſured, Eph. 2.8. For by grace are ye ſaved, through ſ…; and that not of your ſelves: It is the gift of God. We are therefore told, Joh. 1.13. Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the firſt, nor of the will of man, but of God. But it is certain, that in order to this work, He treats us as Cauſes by Counſel; He doth not deal with us as … Machines, which have no conception of things, but as ſuch who can conſider and deliberate and chuſe or refuſe. For, tho' in the firſt infuſion of Converting Grace into us, we are meerly Paſſive, which work is for that reaſon called a New-Creation, 2. Cor. 5.17. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are paſt away behold, all things are become new. And quickned, Eph. 2 1. And you hath he quickned who were dead in treſpaſſes and ſins. Yet in Active Converſion, we are not meerly Paſſive but Active, and are drawn with the Cords of a Man. Hence that, Joh. 6.44. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath ſent me, draw him: and I will raiſe him up at the laſt day. And that of the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 119.59. I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy teſtimonies. And on this account it is that the Goſpel Miniſters are ſent to Men to open or purſue this treaty with them.
3. THAT hence the Spirit in the Goſpel, propoſeth the Benefits of Redemption, to be made ours on gracious Terms. They who would make this one difference between the Covenant of works, & that of Grace, that the former was Conditionate, or upon terms, but this is Inconditionate, or without terms, labour of a great miſtake; and do indeed make the opening of the Goſpel needleſs, in which the way is laid open to us, to perſwade and direct us in it, that ſo we may be won to a compliance: but they differ in the terms themſelves; the former required Works of us as the condition on which we were to be made happy; whereas this latter only offers to us the terms on which the already purchaſed Salvation may be made ours, upon our accepting of them. In the former we were to do & live, Rom. 10.5. but in this we are to receive at God's hand, that which He hath graciouſly provided for us; in which there is no derogation to the free Grace of God, but on the contrary, a practical acknowledgement of it; and a putting away of theſe Impediments in us, which would otherwiſe unavoidably hinder our ſo receiving of it. Hence that, Joh. 1.12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the ſons of God; even to them that believe on his name. And that it is ſo propoſed to us in the Goſpel, is therein evident, becauſe the Promiſes of it are exhibited to us Hypothetically, as is every where evident.
4. THAT theſe terms are ſo Stated in the offer, that our Happineſs or Miſery turns upon their being or not being wrought in us. This is not only included in the Hypothetical propoſing of them, intimating that we can in no other way claim a Perſonal right in them; but alſo in that there is not only a Promiſe made to us, in Caſe theſe Conditions be found in us; but a Threatning of Loſs and Suffering in caſe of the failure of theſe: Hence we find ſuch Expreſſions as thoſe recorded in the Goſpel, Joh. 3.16. For God ſo loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoſoever believeth in him, ſhould not periſh, but have everlasting life. 1 Joh. 5.12. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God, hath not life. And many more of a like Import: And hence it follows, that whatſoever Intereſt we may have in theſe things by vertue of God's Purpoſe, and Chriſt's Purchaſe, yet we are actual Strangers to theſe Promiſes, and in a State of Wrath and Condemnation, till ſuch time as this Renovation paſſeth upon us: Hence that, Eph. 2.3. And were by nature children of wrath. And, Ver. 12. At that time ye were without Chriſt, being aliens from the common-wealth of Iſrael, & ſtrangers from the covenants of promiſe, having no hope, and without God in the world. And we are aſſured, Rom. 8.29, 30. For whom he did foreknow, he alſo did predeſtinate to be conformed to the Image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren. Moreover, whom he did predeſtinate, them he alſo called; and whom he called, them he alſo juſtified; and whom he juſtified, them he alſo glorified.
5. THAT tho' help & ſtrength to perform them, muſt come from the Spirit of God, yet the things themſelves muſt be performed by us. It is true, that we know not the Manner of the Divine Operation in Infants & Naturals, who is able to put the ſeeds and habits of ſaving Grace into them; and ſo we have grounds of a good Hope concerning them; yet in the Ordinary way of Diſpenſation towards Men under the Goſpel Treaty, we are aſſured, that as the Spirit is wont to come in together with the Treaty offered, and produce the great inward Change, by which we paſs from Death to Life; and therefore we are told in, Rom. 10.17. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. So in the actual Turning of us, and the drawing out of the Graces required into Exerciſe, there is ſuch an Impreſſion made upon the Soul, as cauſeth us to turn, and put forth the Acts of Faith and Repentance, and New-Obedience; & theſe are done by us, or our renewed Powers, tho' He be the ſupream Efficient of them. Hence that, Cant. 1.4. Draw me, we will run after thee. And for this reaſon it is that the Goſpel Command requires theſe things of us, tho' we cannot do them without this Co-operation: Hence that in, 1 Joh. 3.23. And this is his commandment, that we ſhould believe on the name of his Son Jeſus Chriſt. And this tells us that they do in vain expect Salvation from God, who neglect to comply with the Duties required of them in order thereunto.
III. WE have an Account given us of the things that are to be done by us, if we would eſcape this Curſe, and obtain the contrary Bleſſing. And theſe are, Faith in Jeſus Chriſt, &c. There are Three things mentioned, but they may be reduced to Two Heads; of which we have a diſtinct Account given us in the remaining part of the Catechiſm: We therefore here only take a brief and ſummary Account of them.
(1.) We have account given us, of the Terms or Conditions themſelves, that are required of all thoſe that would obtain this great Benefit, and theſe are Two, Faith in Jeſus Chriſt, & Repentance to Life. There are ſome who altogether deny all Conditions in the Goſpel Covenant, but it ariſeth from a miſtaken Conception of the meaning of the word Condition; and thoſe that are Sober among theſe, acknowledge the thing it ſelf, that God, according to His Purpoſe, doth work Faith and Repentance in all thoſe whom He brings to Salvation; and ſo we only differ in Terms; for we alſo Confeſs, that God alone is the Author of this great Work in us; only we conſider the Manner of God's treating with us in order to this, or the manner of His propoſing the Covenant to us in the Goſpel. Others there be, who will yield only Faith to be the Condition of the Goſpel Covenant, and bring Repentance within the Graſp of the Promiſe made to Believers; but here alſo is only a Logomachy, and the want of diſtinct forming their Conceptions of things, whilſt they yield the Neceſſity of Repentance: And becauſe Faith alone is the Condition of Juſtification, they ſuppoſe that the whole Covenant is reduced to it; whereas it is evident, as will afterwards be made to appear, that Faith and Repentance are inſeparably connected; and that tho' Faith alone embraceth a Title to Juſtification, yet Repentance and New Obedience are indiſpenſibly requiſite to Salvation; ſo that it hath ſuch a Title put upon it, Acts 11.18. Repentance unto Life. Now the Neceſſity of both of theſe, may be a little glanced at:
1. FAITH in Jeſus Chriſt. The Neceſſity of this is evident from the Conſideration of the State of fallen Man; and may be inferred from what hath been already diſcourſed under the foregoing Heads; and it amounts to thus much, viz. That Sin hath brought all Mankind under a Curſe of Death, which hath taken faſt hold of them, and ſhuts them up in Guilt, as in a Priſon: The Juſtice of God revealed in the Firſt Covenant, ſtands bound to execute this Sentence, and ſo to purſue the Sinner to Death, except there be an acceptable Satisfaction offered, by which the Sanction of the Law may be lawfully anſwered; ſo that it hence neceſſarily follows, that till ſuch a Compenſation be made for the Sinner, it is impoſſible that God ſhould be Juſt, and yet Juſtify the Sinner, for there is nothing upon which ſuch a Sentence can Righteouſly proceed. Now there is ſuch a Satisfaction made by Jeſus Chriſt on this account, and for this very end, that He might bring in ſuch a Righteouſneſs as may ſalve this Difficulty, and God hath accepted i… of Him for this very purpoſe; which Righteouſneſs muſt become Ours, if ever we have the Benefit of it to our Juſtification: And the only conſtituted way for us to have this Title, is by Believing on Him; for this Faith is the neceſſary Preceptive Medium of our being Juſtified: ſo that the matter ſtands on this foot. That except we be Juſtified, we cannot be Saved; That it is only by the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt imputed to us, that we can be Juſtified; and that it is impoſſible that we ſhould have any Claim to His Righteouſneſs, but by Faith: Hence we have that in Heb. 11.6. Without faith it is impoſſible to pleaſe him.
2. REPENTANCE unto Life. It is not any ſlighty, formal Legal Repentance will do, but it muſt be Evangelical; the Nature whereof will be conſidered in it's Place. And by Life we are here principally to underſtand, the Life of Sanctification here, and the Life of Glory hereafter; including alſo the Inchoations of it here. Now we can have no Communion with God here without it; for tho' God can, thro' Chriſt have Fellowſhip with ſinful Men, yet none with Sin; Hab. 1.13 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canſt not look on iniquity. And we are aſſured that Chriſt did not only came to ſave us from Hell, but alſo from Sin, from which we are turned by Repentance; Matth. 1.21. He ſhall ſave his people from their ſins. The way of Sin is the way of Death, Rom. 3.16. Deſtruction & Miſery are in their ways. And it is by Repentance that we turn away from Sin to Holineſs; it is that by which we forſake our Evil ways, loath Sin and our ſelves for it, devote our ſelves to Newneſs of Life: it is comprized in that, 2 Cor. 7.1. Repentance therefore is the foundation that is laid in us, to render us capable of enjoying Eternal Bleſſedneſs; for we are told, Heb. 12 14. Without holineſs no man ſhall ſee the Lord. The Heavenly Inheritance cannot admit of a polluted Creature; we are on this account aſſured in Rev. 21.27. There ſhall in no wiſe enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatſoever worketh abomination or maketh a lie. Yea, It is impoſſible for us to be actually Happy without it; the State of Bleſſedneſs requires it; and all the things wherein the Gloryfied State of God's Children is deſcribed, ſuppoſe a Subject that is delivered from Sin: The Glories of that Bleſſed Place will never gratify an Impenitent Sinner; they would be irkſome to him, and he would reckon them to be his Miſery, and not his Felicity, becauſe he would be out of his Element. Finally, without Repentance, there can be no Faith, and conſequently no Remiſſion. Faith is a going out of our ſelves to Chriſt for Life; and it is ſinful Self that muſt be ſo forſaken; for no Man can chuſe his Sins and Chriſt too; nor is there any Pardon to be expected without this: There is therefore a Connexion made between theſe, Acts 5.31. To give repentance unto Iſrael, and forgiveneſs of ſins. Surely then, It is not a thing indifferent, whether we Repent or no; for our Saviour Chriſt hath laid it down as an unexceptionable Rule in Luk. 13 3. Except ye Repent, ye ſhall all likewiſe periſh. And this diſcovers the fooliſh Preſumption of Impenitent Sinners, who boaſt themſelves of a ſtrong Faith on which they rely, whilſt in the mean time, they hold on their old Courſe, and are therefore certainly going in the way to Deſtruction.
(2.) THE Courſe that we are to take in order to our getting of theſe, viz. A diligent Uſe of all the outward Means, &c. The Neceſſity of this Attendance will appear, from that they are Means appointed by God for this end.
HERE particularly obſerve,
1. THAT Man in his Natural Eſtate is altogether a Stranger to Faith and ſaving Repentance. It is ſaid, Rom. 3.11, 12. There is none that underſtandeth, there is none that ſeeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable, there is none that doeth good, no not one. Faith in Chriſt, and Repentance to Life, were not diſcovered in the Firſt Covenant; nor was there any room for them during Man's Integrity; nor could fallen Man ever have known it, but by Revelation; for the Light of Nature had no ſuch Principles in it, from whence it could be educed.
2. THAT the Revelation of theſe things belonged to God alone. As it was He who opened the Terms of the Firſt Covenant, ſo it is His Prerogative to make and appoint the Terms of the New Covenant: He was the Offended Party; it was at His Pleaſure whether He would be reconciled, and muſt therefore be Abitrary in ſignifying how, or in what way He would ſo be.
3. THAT the ſaving Application of theſe to Men, depends on Him alſo. There muſt be an Illumination of the Mind, and a ſubduing of the Heart to theſe Terms, which requires a Divine Operation: Hence we are told of the mighty Power that appears in this, Eph. 1.19. The opening of the Underſtanding, and changing of the Heart, are above the Power of all Means and Inſtruments, 1 Cor. 3.6. I have planted, Apollos watered: but God gave the increaſe.
4. THESE are the Means which He hath appointed to be waited on, for the Communication of His Grace to Sinners in and by. If all Means depend on His Bleſſing of them, then certainly we have no reaſon to expect it in any other way, but what is of His Appointment. Now His Word & Ordinances are the Conſtituted way; and to a Diligent and right Attendance upon theſe, He hath annexed a Promiſe of the Bleſſing: He hath not only deſigned to work His Grace in Men, in the Concomitancy of theſe, but He hath encouraged Men to Attend upon them, by engaging His Preſence with them, Exod. 20.24. In all places where I record my name, I will come unto thee, and I will bleſs thee. Prov 8.34 Bleſſed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the poſts of my doors. And hath told us, that there is no Faith to be expected without them, Rom. 10.14. How then ſhall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how ſhall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how ſhall they hear without a preacher? Yea, the Miſery of the Gentiles is declared on account of their being without them, Eph. 2.12. And it is declared to be the diſtinguiſhing Favour ſhewn to Iſrael, in that they were favoured with them, Pſal. 147.1…, 2…. He ſheweth his word unto Jacob, his ſtatutes and his judgments unto Iſrael. He hath not dealt ſo with any nation.
USE. WE may here learn, That all ſuch as put a …ght on the Means of Grace, are Enemies to their own Salvation. Without Faith and Repentance there is nothing but Miſery to be expected by fallen Man; and without the outward Means appointed by God, they are not to be hoped for; Prov. 20.18. Where there is …, the people periſh. Nor is the …are Enjoyment of theſe ſufficient for the obtaining the End, but it is by a diligent Improvement of them. Surely then, As they that have them not, are very Miſerable; ſo thoſe who have, or may have them, and deſpiſe them, and neglect the great Salvation offered in them, do ſurely hate their own Souls.
LET us then be Thankful for them, and apply our ſelves to them as Means with Care, & apply our ſelves to God the Author of them, for the Bleſſing of His Spirit to make them powerful to Salvation in us.
[JANUARY 7. 1706]