The Holy Spirit Convincing the World of Sin of Righteousness of Judgment, Sermon 3

The Holy Spirit Convincing the World of Sin of Righteousness of Judgment · Sermon 3

p. 69SERMON III.

Preached at the Opening of a Friday EVENING-LECTURE in the Old-South Meeting-Houſe, BOSTON, April 17. 1741.

JOHN xvi. 8.

AND when he is come, he will reprove the World of Sin, and of Righteouſneſs, and of Judgment.

DOCTRINE, I.

It is the Work of the Holy Spirit to convince and reprove Men of Sin.

THIS Doctrine hath been ſpoken to at the Tueſday Evening Lecture in Brattle-Street, where I am perſuaded God has bleſſed the Labours of his Servants for p. 70ſpiritual Good to many. May it pleaſe our glorious Lord to grant his gracious Preſence with us alſo at this Lecture, and to command his Bleſſing on the Miniſtry of the Word and Prayer, that Sinners may be convinced and converted, and the children of God grow in Grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt! Lord we wait upon thee for the more abundant Effuſions of thy Spirit, humbly acknowledging that neither is be that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth, but God that giveth the Increaſe.

Having conſidered the work of the Holy Spirit in convincing and reproving Men of Sin, by which they are bro't to deſpair in themſelves, and made ſenſible of their need of a Saviour to deliver them from Sin and Wrath: We now proceed to ſhew that by the ſame Spirit the humbled Sinner is convinced that JESUS is the juſt One, who hath bro't in an everlaſting Righteouſneſs for the Juſtification of Sinners before God. Now the Medium or Argument which the Spirit is ſaid to uſe for this End, we have in the 10th v. Of righteouſneſs, becauſe I go to my Father, and ye ſee me no more. An undeniable Evidence that he came forth from God, and had finiſhed the Work which the Father gave him to do upon Earth. Behold our Saviour appearing in Heaven for his People as a Lamb that had been ſlain, and ever living to make Interceſſion for them; and p. 71let awakened Sinners be encouraged to look off from themſelves and all meer Creatures, and to look up unto JESUS as able to ſave even to the uttermoſt. Hear his Voice from the excellent Glory. Look unto me, and be ye ſaved all the ends of the earth. Iſaiah 45.22. May the God or Salvation look down in his tender Mercy upon us, and cauſe his Word to come into our Hearts in demonſtration of the Spirit, and of Power!

DOCTRINE II.

It is the Work of the Holy Spirit, to convince Men of Righteouſneſs.

Under this Doctrine and for the confirmation of it, we may conſider the following particulars.

1. What is here intended by Righteouſneſs.

2. Shew that it is the Spirit who convinceth of Righteouſneſs.

3. Conſider the Means which the Spirit uſeth to convince Men of Righteouſneſs.

4. Offer ſome Deſcription of this Work of the Spirit.

1. What is here intended by Righteouſneſs.

I anſwer, the Righteouſneſs of Jeſus Chriſt. In this I think Expoſitours are generally agreed, and the 10th v. applieth it to Chriſt.

p. 72More particularly,

1. The Spirit of God convinceth Men that Jeſus of Nazareth is Chriſt the Righteous; the true Meſſiah, and no Impoſtor.

Thus the Words are underſtood by fome as eſpecially intending Chriſt's own perſonal Righteouſneſs. Jeſus is the Son of God, and one with the Father in the eſſential Perfections and Rectitude of the divine Nature. I and my Father are one. John 10.30. And to him thoſe Words, Pſal, 45.6, 7. are applied, Heb. 1.8, 9. But unto the Son he ſaith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever; a ſceptre of righteouſneſs is the ſceptre of thy kingdom: Thou haſt loved righteouſneſs, and hated iniquity. And in his humane Nature taken into perſonal Union with his divine, he was perfectly free from all even the leaſt Sin from his Conception and Birth, and thro'out his whole Life. Thus it was ſaid to the bleſſed Virgin. The holy Ghoſt ſhall come upon thee, and the power of the Higheſt ſhall overſhadow thee: therefore alſo that holy thing which ſhall be born of thee, ſhall be called the Son of God Luk. 1.35. And as to his Life, none could ever convince him of Evil; for he did none, nor was Guile found in his Mouth. Yea, his holy Father who ſeeth in ſecret, ſaw no Defect or Blemiſh in him. This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleaſed Matth. 3.17. Such an high prieſt became us, who is holy, harmleſs, undefiled, ſeparate from ſinners, Heb, 7.26. Indeed p. 73He was accuſed as a Deceiver a Blaſphemer, a Friend of Publicans and Sinners. But even then, Wiſdom was juſtified of her Children, and there were ſome who beheld his Glory, the Glory as of the only begotten of the Father. The Characters given of the Meſſiah unite in him, and the Apoſtle Peter declareth concerning Him, Ye Men of Iſrael, hear theſe Words; Jeſus of Nazareth, a Man approved of God among you, by Miracles, and Wonders and Signs, which God did by him in the midſt of you, Act 2.2 2. And tho' he was numbred with the Tranſgreſſors, yet we muſt remember that he ſuffered the Juſt for the Unjuſt. The Meſſiah was cut off, but not for himſelf. Accordingly we find in the ſacred Hiſtory that Pilate his Judge pronounc'd him innocent; and Judas who had the greateſt Advantages to know his Maſter's Life and Converſation, in great Horror confeſs'd that he had betrayed the innocent Blood. And when Peter charged the Jews with this horrible Crime, of denying the holy One and the Juſt, and deſiring a Murderer to be granted unto them, great Numbers were convinced of their hanious Sin in crucifying the Lord of Glory, and brought to truſt in him as the true Meſſiah and only Saviour, Acts 2, 3.

2. That there is in Chriſt a mediatorial Righteouſneſs to be imputed to his People for their Juſtification before God.

p. 74And this is ſuppos'd by worthy Expoſitors to be principally intended in the Words. One of the glorious Titles given to our Lord Jeſus is that, The Lord our Righteouſneſs, Jer. 23.6. It was propheſied of the Meſſiah, that he ſhould finiſh the Tranſgreſſion, make an end of Sins, make Reconciliation for Iniquity, and bring in everlaſting Righteouſneſs, Dan. 9.24. And it is no ſmall Part of the Glory of the Goſpel, that in it the Righteouſneſs of God is revealed from Faith to Faith, Rom. 1.16, 17. Here it is declared that the Son of God in our Nature was made Sin for his People, the Iniquities of God's People being laid upon him; that they might he made the Righteouſneſs of God in him, having his perfect Righteouſneſs imputed to them for their Juſtification, when they receive him by Faith. Indeed this great Doctrine was to the carnal Jews a ſtumbling-Block. For they being ignorant of God's Righteouſneſs and going about to eſtabliſh their own Righteouſneſs, have not ſubmitted themſelves unto the Righteouſneſs of God, Rom. 10.3. And it was to the Greeks Fooliſhneſs. They imagin'd it was an abſurd Thing to truſt in Chriſt for Righteouſneſs, who was crucified as if he had been the vileſt Malefactor. But now, when the Spirit of God has convinced his People of their Sin, and made them ſenſible that they muſt go out of themſelves for Righteouſneſs, he revealeth the Son to them, in whom God p. 75is reconciling the World to himſelf, not imputing their Iniquities; and maketh manifeſt the Righteouſneſs of God, which is by Faith of Jeſus Chriſt unto all, and upon all them that believe, Rom. 3.21, 22. This divine Spirit ſheweth them the Fulneſs, the Sufficiency of this Righteouſneſs for their Juſtification; and enableth them, even when they have the deepeſt Senſe of the greatneſs of their Sins, to rely upon Chriſt, that they may be accepted as Righteous with God. Thus it was with the Apoſtle Paul after Chriſt was revealed unto him. Tho' he had ſome of the ſtrongeſt Temptations to indulge Confidence in the Fleſh, yet he counted all loſs for Chriſt. But what Things were gain to me, thoſe I counted loſs for Chriſt. Yea doubtleſs, and I count all Things but loſs, for the excellency of the knowledge of Chriſt Jeſus my Lord: for whom I have ſuffered the loſs of all things, and do count them but dung that I may win Chriſt, and be found in him, not having mine own righteouſneſs, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Chriſt, the righteouſneſs which is of God by faith. Phil. 3.7,— 9.

3. This Righteouſneſs may intend the Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt communicated to his People for their Sanctification; and to make them meet for the Inheritance of the Saints in Light

p. 76Chriſt is of God made unto his People Righteouſneſs, alſo Sanctification. 1 Cor. 1.30. As they have His perfect Righteouſneſs imputed to them for their Juſtification before God; ſo they derive inherent Righteouſneſs from him when they are renewed after the Image of God. Our Lord Jeſus is the Head of all gracious Influences, and with him is the Spring of our ſpiritual Life. It pleaſed the Father, that in him ſhould all fulneſs dwell. Col. 1.19. And of his fulneſs we receive, & Grace for Grace, Joh. 1.16. Now when the Spirit of God hath convinced Men that they are by Nature empty of Grace, and utterly impotent to ſpiritual Good, he ſheweth them alſo that Chriſt has purchaſed abundance of Grace and of the Gift of Righteouſneſs to communicate to his People; and that there is a Fountain open'd in him to cleanſe not only from the Guilt; but alſo from the Defilements of Sin, till Believers ſhall be preſented Faultleſs before him. The holy Spirit convinceth Men that Chriſt muſt be the Author and Finiſher of Faith, and other Graces in them; and that tho' of themſelves they can do nothing, yet that thro' Chriſt ſtrengthning them, they may do all Things neceſſary to Salvation.

II. We proceed to ſhew, That it is the Work of the Spirit to convince Men of this Righteouſneſs.

p. 77Here I may ſay, that it is the holy Spirit who maketh the effectual Application of the Redemption purchas'd by Chriſt to the Souls of Men. We are ſaved by the waſhing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghoſt, ſhed on us abundantly thro' Jeſus Chriſt our Saviour, Tit. 3.5, 6. The Grace of our Lord Jeſus, and the Love of God are brought home to his choſen People, by the Communion of the Holy Ghoſt. And in particular, the ſaving Evidence and Conviction of the great Doctrines of the Goſpel reſpecting Chriſt's Perſon as God-Man, and reſpecting his Mediation, are from the ſame Spirit. Agreably, our Saviour declared to his Diſciples, ver. 1.3. Cont. When He the Spirit of Truth come, he will guide you into all Truth. The Word is emphatical, and ſignifieth not only that the Spirit would diſcover theſe Truths in the Notion of them; but alſo that he would lead his Diſciples into an experimental Acquaintance with them, ſo that they ſhould live and act under the governing Influence of them. It follows, 14. v. He ſhall glorify me: for he ſhall receive of mine, and ſhall ſhew it unto you. And therefore the Apoſtle Paul prayeth to the God of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the Father of Glory, to give to the chriſtian Epheſians, the Spirit of Wiſdom and Revelation, in the Knowledge of him, the Eyes of their Underſtanding being enlightned; that they might know what is the exceeding greatneſs of his p. 78Power to them that believe, according to the working of his mighty Power, which he wrought in Chriſt, when he raiſed him from the dead, Eph. 1.16,— 20. And the ſame Apoſtle ſpeaking of Chriſt and him crucified, declareth that theſe Things are revealed by the Spirit: for the Spirit ſearcheth all Things, yea, the deep Things of God, 1 Cor. 2.10. As the Spirit moved on the Face of the Waters, when Darkneſs was on the Face of the Deep, and created the Light; ſo in the new Creation, he moveth on the Hearts of his People, and gives them the Light of the Knowledge of Chriſt and his Righteouſneſs. The Spirit of God then is the Author of this Conviction. It is he that reneweth his People in Knowledge, when he forms the new Man in them. Agreably we read of the Demonſtration of the Spirit, 1 Cor. 2.4. And when the Apoſtle John had ſaid that Chriſt came by Water and Blood, that he might ſave us both from the Guilt and Defilement of Sin; he further obſerveth in the ſame Verſe; It is the Spirit that beareth Witneſs, becauſe the Spirit is Truth, 1 Joh. 5.6. It is the divine Spirit then who declareth to Men that we have Redemption thro' the Blood of Jeſus, the Forgiveneſs of Sins.

III. We may conſider the Means which the Spirit of God uſeth to convince Men of Chriſt's Righteouſneſs.

p. 791. The Spirit of God maketh uſe of his Word to convince Men of the Righteouſneſs of Jeſus Chriſt.

Our Saviour declareth that the Scriptures teſtify of him, John 5.39. And if we diligently conſult the Prophecies, Types and Promiſes of the Old Teſtament relating to the Meſſiah, and then compare them with the Revelation and Hiſtory of the New Teſtament, we ſhall find a wonderful Harmony and Agreement between them, and be obliged to acknowledge that in ſending Jeſus to ſave his People from their Sins, God has perform'd the Mercy promis'd to the Fathers, and remembred his holy Covenant. Now Propheſy came not in old Time by the Will of Man: but holy Men of God ſpake as they were moved by the holy Ghoſt, 2 Pet. 1.21. Accordingly it is ſaid of them who prophecied of the Grace which ſhould come unto us; that they ſearched diligently what manner of Time the Spirit of Chriſt, which was in them did ſignify, when it teſtifyed beforehand the Sufferings of Chriſt, and the Glory that ſhould follow, 1 Pet. 1.10, 11. If we read, Pſal, 22. Iſa, 7.14.53. Dan. 9. and many other Prophecies and Promiſes of the Old Teſtament, we ſhall ſee that the Spirit of God in and by his inſpired Word did teſtify of Chriſt, and particularly of the perfect Righteouſneſs which he was to bring in for the Juſtification of Sinners. By his Knowledge, by the Knowledge p. 80of himſelf ſhall my righteous Servant juſtify many: for he ſhall bear their Iniquities. Iſa … 11. Dan. 9.24. Our Saviour while in the Exerciſe of his Miniſtry upon Earth, applied to himſelf the famous Prophecy we have recorded, Iſa. 61.1, — 3. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, becauſe he hath anointed me to preach the Goſpel to the Poor, he hath ſent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach Deliverance to the Captives, and recovering of ſight to the Blind, to ſet at liberty them that are bruiſed, to preach the acceptable Year of the Lord, Luk. 4 18, 19. ver 21, 2. This Day is this Scripture fulfilled in your Ears. And ail bare him witneſs, and wondered at the gracious Words which proceeded out of his Mouth. And after his Reſurrection, when he had rebuk'd two of his Diſciples for being ſo ſlow of Heart to believe all that the Prophets had ſpoken, it is ſaid, Beginning at Moſes and all the Prophets, he expounded to them in all the Scriptures, the Things concerning himſelf, Luke 24.27. And it is plain our Lord accompanied his Word with the Light and Heat of his divine Spirit; for they ſaid one to another, Did not our Heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the Way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures? Ver. 32. And after Chriſt's Aſcenſion into Heaven, when the Spirit of God was poured out from on High, the Apoſtles and other Miniſters of Chriſt did p. 81evidently prove from the Scriptures that Jeſus was the Chriſt, to the ſaving Conviction of great Numbers, and the Confuſion of his implacable Enemies. Thus it was when the preaching of the Word was attended with the Power of the Holy Ghoſt. Many believed, and turned to the Lord. The full Evidence of Scripture, when thus impreſs'd on the Mind, can't be gainſayed. We read of Apollos who was mighty in the Scriptures, and fervent in the Spirit, that he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, ſhewing by the Scriptures, that Jeſus was Chriſt. Acts 18 28. The Apoſtle Paul tells us that there was a Vail over the Hearts of the Jews in reading of the Old Teſtament; which is done away in Chriſt, 2 Cor. 3.14. He then adds, ver. 18. We all with open Face, beholding as in a Glaſs the Glory of the Lord, are changed into the ſame Image from Glory to Glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. So clear and powerful is the Reflection of the Glory of Chriſt from the Word of God, when the Spirit removeth the Vail of ſpiritual Blindneſs. Now the Light of the glorious Goſpel of Chriſt ſhineth into the Heart, to give the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jeſus Chriſt.

2. The Spirit of God convinceth Men of the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt, by his Reſurrection from the dead.

p. 82We read of Chriſt, that he was delivered for our Offences, and was raiſed again for our Juſtification, Rom. 4.25. "By the Merit of his Death, he paid our Debt, in his Reſurrection he took out our Acquittance" When he ſuffered on the Croſs, the Sins of his People were laid upon him as their Surety, and had he not given full Satisfaction to divine Juſtice for them, he muſt have been held in the Priſon of the Grave, he could never have riſen from the dead. But Jeſus is riſen according to his Word and Promiſe, Deſtroy this Temple, and in three Days I will raiſe it up. Joh. 2.19. We have inconteſtible Proof of this important Fact in the holy Scriptures, particularly from many faithful Witneſſes who ſealed their Teſtimony with their Blood. Now this great Work of Chriſt's Reſurrection is aſcrib'd to the Father, to the Son himſelf; and he is alſo ſaid to be quickened by the Spirit, 1 Pet. 3.18. And he is ſaid to be declared to be the Son of God with Power, according to the Spirit of Holineſs, by the Reſurrection from the dead, Rom. 1.4. And indeed this is a ſtrong Proof that our Saviour was the Perſon he profeſſed himſelf to be, the Son of God by eternal Generation. Thus an Expoſitour obſerveth on the Place, "The Sign of the Prophet Jonas, … Chriſt's Reſurrection, was intended for the laſt Conviction, Matth. 12.39, 40. Thoſe that would not be convinced by that, would be convinced p. 83by nothing".**Cont. Mr. Henry. Accordingly when the Apoſtle Peter would convince the Jews that Jeſus whom they crucified, was the Chriſt, he declareth his Reſurrection from the dead. He ſeeing this before, ſpake of the Reſurrection of Chriſt, that his ſoul was not left in hell, neither his fleſh did ſee corruption. This Jeſus hath God raiſed up, whereof we all are witneſſes, Acts 2.31, 32. And the Spirit of God being then given to ſet home the Word on their Hearts, many were convinced, and bro't to repent and believe in Chriſt unto Salvation, 37 to 41. Ver. Yea, of ſuch great Moment is the Doctrine of the Reſurrection of Chriſt, that the Evidence of the Truth of the Chriſtian Religion very much depends upon it. If Chriſt be not riſen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is alſo vain. 1 Cor. 15.14. And he repeateth it, Ver. 17. If Chriſt be not raiſed, then is your faith vain; ye are yet in your ſins. And therefore the Apoſtle ſets himſelf to prove this Doctrine in this Chapter. And in the 8th to the Romans he lays the greateſt Streſs upon it. Who is he that condemneth? It is, Chriſt that died, yea rather, that is riſen again? ver. 34. Here we ſee then that the Spirit of God in his inſpired Word, maketh great uſe of Chriſt's Reſurrection as an Evidence of his being the true Meſſiah, p. 84and the only Name given under Heaven among Men, whereby we muſt be ſaved; and when he pleaſeth to ſet home this Argument on the Hearts of Men, they conclude that in Chriſt, and him only there's a perfect Righteouſneſs for their Juſtification before God.

3. The Spirit convinceth Men of the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt, by his Aſcenſion into Heaven, and Seſſion at the Right Hand of God.

— Of Righteouſneſs, becauſe I go to my Father, and ye ſee me no more.

When our Lord had thro' the Holy Ghoſt given Commandments unto the Apoſtles, and ſhewed himſelf alive unto them after his …aſſion, by many infallible Proofs, being ſeen of them Forty Days; He was taken up, and a Cloud received him out of their ſight, Acts 1.9. And the Word of God declareth that he is ſet down at the Right Hand of the Majeſty on high, and muſt reign till all Enemies are put under his Feet. Thus we ſee Jeſus for the ſuffering of Death crown'd with Glory and Honour, and exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour. Now he could never have been receiv'd to the glorious Reſt of Heaven, had He not finiſh'd his Work on Earth Accordingly we re…, By his own Blood he entred in once into the holy Place, having obtained eternal Redemption for us, Heb. 9.12. Had not his precious Blood been of Value to make Atonement for Sin, and purchaſe the p. 85Juſtification of Life for his People, the Man Chriſt Jeſus could never have gone to Heaven, powerfully to interceed for his People, and prepare a Place for them. He asks for nothing in the behalf of his People but what he has purchaſed, and bought by a valuable Price. Agreably, we have thoſe two Parts of his Prieſtly-Office, his Obedience to Death, and the prevailing Power of his Interceſſion put together, as indeed they are dependent on each other. If any man ſin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jeſus Chriſt the Righteous: And he is the Propitiation for our Sins: and not for ours only, but alſo for the Sins of the whole World, 1 Joh. 2.1, 2. And thus while the Father heareth the Son, and diſtributeth Pardon and Grace to his People; Righteouſneſs and Peace kiſs each other. This is then an undeniable Evidence that Chriſt is approved and accepted of God in the great Work of our Redemption. Our Lord addeth, And ye ſee me no more; upon which a learned Divine obſerveth, If He had aſcended without fulfilling all Righteouſneſs for the Church, he ſhould have been ſent down, and ſeen again; but now, ſaith he, you ſee me no more, for by once dying, and by once appearing in the End of the World, I have put away Sin by the Sacrifice of myſelf. **Dr. Edward Reynolds 110 Pſal.And this is farther p. 86evident, in that the great Promiſe of the Holy Ghoſt was received by him, and the Spirit came down after his Departure, as ſent from the Father in his Name, Job 14.26. Yea as ſent by our aſcended Saviour. If I depart, I will ſend him unto you, 7th Ver. Cont. And this brings me to the laſt Particular under this Head,

4. The Spirit of God convinceth Men of the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt by his Deſcent on the Apoſtles; by the miraculous Gifts he beſtowed on them, and the wonderful Works he wrought by them.

God giveth not the Spirit by meaſure to his Son, Job. 3.34. After his Baptiſm the Heavens were opened unto him, and he ſaw the Spirit of God deſcending like a Dove, and lighting upon him. By the Spirit of God he caſt out Devils, Matth. 12.28. and did other wonderful Works. However there was an extraordinary Diſpenſation of the Holy Ghoſt which was not given till Jeſus was glorified: And it is this which ſeems to be here eſpecially intended as that which ſhould give the higheſt Evidence and ſtrongeſt Conviction concerning our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and his Righteouſneſs. And here it may be obſerved that tho' the Holy Spirit, being God, is in his Nature inviſible; yet there were given ſenſible Tokens of his Preſence in this wonderful Deſcent. And ſuddenly there … p. 87a ſound from Heaven, as of a ruſhing mighty Wind, and it filled all the Houſe where they were ſitting. And there appeared unto them cloven Tongues, like as of Fire, and it ſat upon each of them: And they were all filled with the holy Ghoſt, and began to ſpeak with other Tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2.2.—4. And while many of different Languages were amazed to hear the Apoſtles ſpeak the wonderful Works of God in their own Tongues, and others mocked. The Apoſtle Peter declared that this was the Work of the Holy Ghoſt given by our aſcended Saviour. Therefore being by the right Hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the Promiſe of the Holy Ghoſt, he hath ſhed forth this, which ye now ſee and hear. 33. Ver. Thus they received Power from on high to publiſh the Goſpel to to Nations whoſe Languages they knew not, till they were thus miraculouſly taught of God by his Spirit. And no doubt, with extraordinary Gifts, there was alſo given to the Apoſtles by the ſame Spirit, a great Increaſe of ſpiritual Knowledge and Faith, Zeal and Courage, Humility and Patience, Love to God and Man, and other Graces, to carry them well thro' their Services and Sufferings for the Name of Jeſus. Our Saviour promiſed his Diſciples, that he would give them a Mouth and Wiſdom which all their Adverſaries ſhould not be able to gainſay, orreſiſt, Luk. 21.15. p. 88And required them not to be anxiouſly concern'd how or what they ſhould ſpeak when brought before Governours and Kings for his ſake; for ſays our Lord, It is not ye that ſpeak, but the Spirit of your Father which is in you, Matth. 10.20. Accordingly when Peter and John had wrought a wonderful Miracle in reſtoring a Man lame from his Mother's Womb, and Peter fill'd with the Holy Ghoſt, had declared that it was by the Name of Jeſus, that the Man ſtood before them whole, and then that there was no other Name under Heaven given among Men, whereby we muſt be ſaved: It is obſerved, Acts 4.13. Now when they ſaw the boldneſs of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant Men, they marvelled, and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jeſus. Yea, theſe Enemies of Chriſt were convicted by their own Conſciences that a notable Miracle had been done, ver. 16. And no leſs wonderful was the Succeſs of their Miniſtry, while the A poſtles went about thus miraculouſly furniſhed, and preached a crucified Saviour. Behold a Number of poor Fiſhermen ſubduing the People of every Tongue and Language where they came; I ſay, ſubduing them to the Obedience of Faith! What Prejudices of Education were overcome! What violent Luſts and Paſſions conquered! How did great Numbers forſake all, yea Life it ſelf, that they might p. 89win Chriſt, and enjoy the Bleſſedneſs of the inviſible World where He is! Such was the wonderful Succeſs of the Goſpel when preached with the Holy Ghoſt ſent down from Heaven. Accordingly, the Apoſtle Paul obſerveth, That God hath choſen the fooliſh Things of this World, to confound the wiſe; and God hath choſen the weak Things of the World to confound the mighty; And baſe Things of the World, and Things which are deſpiſed, hath God choſen, yea, and Things which are not, to bring to nought Things which are. 1 Cor. 1.27, 28 Here thoſe Words may be well applied, Not by Mighty, nor by Power, but by my Spirit, ſaith the Lord of hoſts, Zoch. 4.6 Now ſurely the Spirit of Truth and Holineſs would never have wrought ſuch Works of Grace by the preaching of the Name of Jeſus, had not He been Chriſt the Righteous. 1 Tim. 3.16. Without controverſy, great is the myſtery of godlineſs: God was manifeſt in the Fleſh, juſtifyed in the Spirit.

IV. I would offer ſome brief Deſcription of this Work of the Spirit, in convincing Men of Righteouſneſs.

Now in this Work the Spirit of God doth not only give external Evidence in the Revelation of God's Word; but alſo applieth himſelf inwardly to the Heart, and opens the Underſtanding to diſcern theſe ſpiritual Things concerning Chriſt and his Righteteouſneſs, p. 90after a ſpiritual manner. So that ſuch as are thus favoured, ſee the Son, and believe on him as the true Meſſiah and only Saviour, with that Faith which is the Evidence of Things not ſeen, Heb. 11.1. The Spirit of God enlightens the Minds of his People with the ſaving Knowledge of Chriſt and his Righteouſneſs. Agreeably the Apoſtle John declareth, 1 Joh. 2.30. Ye have an Unction from the holy One, and ye know all Things, i.e. All Things concerning Chriſt and the chriſtiain Religion neceſſary to Salvation. The Spirit of God may be compared to Oyl, as this was uſed for Light, and in Medicine. The Spirit heals the viſive Faculty of the Soul, and removeth ſpiritual Blindneſs. He reneweth his People in Knowledge, Col. 3.10. Therefore when our Lord had declared to the Laodiceans that they were blind, he counſels them to anoint their Eyes with Eye-ſalve, that they might ſee, Rev. 3.18. And when this Work is wrought by the Illumination of the Spirit, the Goſpel-Revelation concerning Chriſt and his Righteouſneſs, appeareth in a new Light. The Sun of Righteouſneſs ariſeth upon the convinced Sinner, with healing in his Wings "or in his Beams". The Doctrine of God our Saviour appeareth in it's Reality, Importance and Excellency.

And accordingly,

p. 911. The Work of the Spirit in this Conviction, is a ſaving Work.

Indeed there may be ſome Perſwaſion of theſe Things from Education, there may be a notional Knowledge and hiſtorical Faith; yea we may have the common Illumination of the Spirit, and receive the Revelations of the Goſpel with a tranſient Joy; and yet not ſee the glorious Beauty and divine Glory of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, ſo as to count all Things but loſs for the Excellency of the Knowledge of him. But when the Spirit convinceth Men of Righteouſneſs in the Senſe in which I now conſider the Words, there is a Renovation of the Soul in all it's Powers by vital Principles and Habits of Grace infuſed; ſo that Men are called out of Darkneſs, into God's marvellous Light. However, I do not ſuppoſe by this, that in paſſive Converſion the Spirit of God firſt giveth the Light of this ſaving Conviction of Chriſt, and then this Light worketh an habitual Change in the Will and Affections. No, I humbly conceive that in paſſive Converſion there is the habitual Change of all the Faculties of the Soul wrought at once, by the divine Operation of the Holy Spirit: And then the Underſtanding, now ſavingly enlightned, beholds Jeſus Chriſt, in order of Nature before the Will & Affections are drawn to cloſe with him and cleave unto him; yea ſo as to incline them to act agreable to the Diſcovery made of this glorious Object. p. 92This is then a ſaving Work of the Spirit of God. When Peter therefore had made that Confeſſion of his Faith, Thou art Chriſt the Son of the living God. Our Lord pronounc'd him Happy, Bleſſed art thou Simon Bar-jona: for Fleſh and Blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in Heaven, Matth. 16.16, 17. Thus;to know Chriſt is the beginning of eternal Life, Joh. 17.3.

2. In this Work the Spirit of God giveth the convinced Sinner ſatisfying Evidence of Chriſt's Ability and readineſs to juſtify and ſave all that come to God by him.

He convinceth them that how many & great ſoever their Sins have been, yet in Chriſt they may have a Righteouſneſs every way ſufficient for their Juſtification before God, and to give them a ſure Title to eternal Life, according to the new and everlaſting Covenant. While Men entertain ſlighty Tho'ts of the Evil of Sin, and of the Puniſhment due to them for it; they may alſo entertain law unworthy Apprehenſions of Chriſt, and yet nouriſh a carnal Confidence that He is both able and ready to ſave them: But when Men are convinced of the heinous Evil of Sin as it is an Offence againſt the infinitely glorious God, and ſo deſerveth eternal Puniſhment; now they may be ready to ſay, Can this Man ſave us? Who is able to deliver us? Surely none but the Almighry God can redeem p. 93us. Unleſs the Arm of the Lord be revealed, all our Hope of Deliverance is periſhed. But now, in this Article of Extremity, the Spirit of God revealeth Chriſt as Jehovah our Righteouſneſs, as the God of Salvation, to whom belong the Iſſues from Death; and then the convinced Sinner is able to ſay, In the Lord have I Righteouſneſs, and Strength. Now He ſeeth that He who is God hath purchas'd the Church with his own Blood, and given his Life a Ranſom for many. And this maketh it manifeſt that God may be juſt and yet juſtify the Sinner that believeth in Jeſus; yea, that thro' Faith in his Blood God declareth his Righteouſneſs for the Remiſſion of Sins, Rom. 3 25. And we have the Virtue of the Blood of Chriſt further declared by a Compariſon from the legal Sacrifices. For if the Blood of Bulls, and of Goats, and the Aſhes of an Heifer ſprinkling the Unclean, ſanctifieth to the purifying of the Fleſh; How much more ſhall the Blood of Chriſt, who through the eternal Spirit, offered himſelf without Spot to God, purge your Conſcience from dead Works to ſerve the living God, Heb. 9.13, 14. If we understand the eternal Spirit here, of the God-head of our Lord, this gave the higheſt Virtue and Value to his Offering. And then the Holy Ghoſt ſanctified the Man Chriſt Jeſus in an extraordinary manner to this great Work, & ſtrengthned him to the moſt perfect Exerciſe of Grace in the diſcharge of it. Accordingly p. 94ſuch as are convinced of Righteouſneſs, behold a Fountain of Merit and Grace open'd in Chriſt to waſh away their Sins: They ſee that this divine Perſon is worthy to receive the Gift of the Ho… Ghoſt, in virtue of his Obedience unto Death, that all the glorious Ends of His Mediation may be accompliſhed. Yea, the Spirit of God ſheweth theſe Things in ſuch an agreable as well as convincing Light, that the enlightned Mind is ſatisfied in this Way of obtaining the Juſtification of Life. This Light is ſweet to the Soul, and the Believer determineth with the Apoſtle to know nothing ſave Jeſus Chriſt, and him crucified See 1 Cor. 2.2. And then the Spirit of God convinceth Men of Chriſt's readineſs to ſave all that go to God by him. And now, they receive the Calls of the Goſpel, not as the Word of Men, but of God, tho' Men may be the Inſtruments. Now they know Chriſt's Voice when He ſays, Come unto me all ye that labour, & are heavy laden & I will give you reſt. All that the Father giveth me, ſhall come to me; and him that cometh unto me, I will in no wiſe caſt out, Joh. 6.37. They are convinced that they have a divine Warrant to bear them out in this important Act of truſting in Chriſt for Righteouſneſs, and a divine Promiſe of eternal Life, upon their obeying the Goſpel Call.

Which leads me to ſay,

p. 953. Thus the Spirit of God maketh Men freely willing to receive and ſuhmit to Chriſt upon the Call and Offer of the Goſpel.

Now the Call is effectual. God's People are willing in the Day of His Power. They have the great Truths of the Goſpel concerning Chriſt and his Righteouſneſs demonſtrated, and their Objections drawn from their own great Sinfulneſs, anſwered. And thus our Saviour taketh Poſſeſſion of the Hearts of Men, not by Violence; but by a ſweet, and yet powerful divine Influence whereby they are perſwaded to embrace Him as the Lord their Righteouſneſs. Being thus drawn by the Spirit, they freely go out to Chriſt renouncing their own Righteouſneſs as filthy Rags, and putting on this beſt Robe of Chriſt's Righteouſneſs as every Way ſufficient to cover their Nakedneſs. It is written in the Prophets, And they ſhall be all taught of God. Every Man therefore that hath heard and learned of the Father cometh unto me, Joh. 6.45. The enlightned Mind beholds our Lord Jeſus as a moſt ſuitable and ſufficient Saviour, the renewed Will makes choice of him, and the uniting Affections cleave to him.

APPLICATION.

USE 1. From what hath been ſaid We may learn the Divinity of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt.

p. 96The Old and New-Teſtament agree in bearing Witneſs to Jeſus Chriſt as the Son of God, the great God our Saviour. And when our Lord aſcended on high, he received of the Father the Gift of the Holy Ghoſt, and ſent him to convince Men of their great Sin in rejecting him by Unbelief, and then to ſhew them the perfect Righteouſneſs which He had wro't out for the Juſtification of Sinners before God, which muſt be the Righteouſneſs of One who is God-Man; for had he been a meer Creature tho' the moſt excellent, his Obedience had been due to God by the Law of Creation, and it would have been impoſſible for him to purchaſe eternal Salvation for us. But the Word of God declareth, that being in the Form of God, he thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himſelf of no Reputation, and took upon him the Form of a Servant, and was made in the likeneſs of Men: And being found in Faſhion as a Man, he humbled himſelf, and became obedient unto Death, even the Death of the Croſs, Phil. 2.6,—8. And this being the Caſe, his Obedience is ſtrictly and properly meretorious; yea there is infinite Merit in it to purchaſe eternal Redemption for us. And this is one of the deep Things of God revealed in the Goſpel, and by the Holy Spirit. Our Lord was put to Death in the Fleſh, but quickned by the Spirit, p. 97and declar'd to be the Son of God, the Lord our Righteouſneſs, by wonderful Operations of this divine Spirit ſent in his Name after his Aſcenſion into Heaven. Let us then obey that Command of God, He is thy Lord, and worſhip thou him, Pſal. 45.11 And let us join the heavenly Hoſt, ſaying, Worthy is the Lamb that was ſlain, to receive Power, and Riches, and Wiſdom, and Strength, and Honour, and Glory and Bleſſing, Rev. 5.12.

USE 2. Learn the heinous Sin and moſt dangerous Evil of rejecting Jeſus Chriſt, and neglecting His great Salvation under the Goſpel Revelation.

We have the ſtrongeſt Evidence that Jeſus is the Chriſt the only Saviour, in the Word of God. The Doctrines therein delivered concerning Chriſt, the Hiſtory of wonderful Miracles and Works of Grace wrought by the Spirit in the Name of Jeſus, put this beyond all reaſonable Doubt. How great then is the Evil of rejecting Chriſt! Surely ſuch as put the Goſpel from them, judge themſelves unworthy of everlaſting Life. How ſhall we eſcape if we neglect ſo great Salvation, which at the firſt began to be ſpoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God alſo bearing them witneſs, both with Signs and Wonders, and with divers Miracles, and Gifts of the holy Ghoſt, according to his own Will, Heb. 2.3, 4. p. 98And ſtill the Sin and Danger of this is greater, when we have had the Spirit of God ſtriving with us. When this is done againſt the Light and Conviction of our Conſciences, it is highly provoking unto God; and when there is added over and above a malicious Oppoſition to the Holy Ghoſt in his divine Operations; this ſeems to contain in it the Malignity of that Sin which is unto Death, and ſhall not be forgiven. When our Lord therefore had caſt out a Devil by the Spirit of God, and the Phariſees blaſphemed, ſaying, This Fellow doth not caſt out Devils, but by Beelzebuh the Prince of the Devils; he declareth to them, that the Blaſphemy againſt the Holy Ghoſt ſhall not be forgiven unto Men, Matth. 12.31. And we have that awful Word for our Warning; It is impoſſible for them who were once enlightned, and have taſted of the heavenly Gift, and were made Partakers of the holy Ghoſt, and have taſted the good Word of God, and the Powers of the World to come; If they ſhall fall away, to renew them again unto Repentance: ſeeing they crucify to themſelves the Son of God afreſh, and put him to an open ſhame. Heb. 6.4,—6. This falling away ſeems to refer to a total and wilful Apoſtacy join'd with a malicious Oppoſition to the Chriſtian Religion after we have been convinced that it is of God, and have made a Profeſſion of it. And therefore, Peter's Fall in denying his Lord, and p. 99other heinous Tranſgreſſions of God's Children, do not come under this Head. How dreadful then muſt be the Condition of ſuch Apoſtates! How aggravated their Sin and Puniſhment! Of how much ſorer Puniſhment, ſuppoſe ye, ſhall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under Foot the Son of God, and hath counted the Blood of the Covenant, wherewith he was ſanctified, an unholy Thing, and hath done deſpite to the Spirit of Grace, Heb. 10.29. O let us then take heed and beware of all Approaches towards this great Sin! Let us not indulge an Evil Heart of Unbelief, nor reſiſt the Spirit of God ſtriving with us. But let not any that are ſeeking the Lord with trembling, imagine that this is their Caſe, and ſo diſcourage themſelves, as if there was no Hope for them: But rather,

USE 3. Let ſuch as are ſenſible of their Sin and Guilt, cry to God for his Spirit to give them the ſaving Knowledge of Chriſt, and his Righteouſneſs; and to enable them to receive. Him as their only Saviour.

Hath the Spirit of God convinced you of your loſt and periſhing Condition? Pray to the Father then to open your Eyes to behold his Son, who is come to ſeek & ſave that which was loſt: He who is mighty to ſave inviteth you to come unto him, and promiſeth he will in no wiſe caſt out them that p. 100come unto him. Do not ſay then, that your Hope is loſt, and that you are utterly cut off; but rather reſolve that you will look and wait for God's Salvation. Do not Attempt to patch up a Righteouſneſs of your own; but caſt away your filthy Rags, and go out unto Chriſt for white Raiment, that you may be clothed, and that the Shame of your Nakedneſs may not appear. Seek of God that fine Linnen, clean & white, which is the Righteouſneſs of Saints, whereby they ſtand and are accepted as Righteous before God, even the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt imputed, and received by Faith. Put on Chriſt, and the holy God, looking on you as united to Him by a true and living Faith, will behold no Iniquiquity in you ſo as to enter into Judgment, and condemn you for it. There is no condemnation to them that are in Chriſt Jeſus; who walk not after the Fleſh, but after the Spirit. Rom. 8.1. Go to Chriſt then and ſay, Lord, I am guilty, I can't conceal it. My own Heart condemneth me, and thou art greater than my Heart, and knoweſt all Things. But now I humbly and thankfully accept thine offer to be my Surety and Advocate with the Father. I put my Cauſe into thine Hand, O plead it, and anſwer for me! Let the Hand-writing which is againſt me be found cancel'd in virtue of thy precious Blood, and let me be found juſtified thro' the Redemption which is Chriſt Jeſus. Lord I believe p. 101that there's Virtue enough in thy precious Blood to waſh away all my Sins, tho' they have been as Scarlet, and Red like Crimſon: Help thou mine Unbelief! Thus do by God's Grace, and you may have Confidence towards God now, and ſhall not be aſhamed before him at his Coming. No, If you appear cloathed with the Righteouſneſs of Jeſus Chriſt, you ſhall be openly acquitted in the Day of Judgment. But then remember that to whom Chriſt is made of God Righteouſneſs, he is alſo made Sanctification; and look to it that your Faith be that living Faith which purifieth the Heart, and worketh by Love. For that Faith which hath not Works is dead, being alone, James 2.17. And will leave you in a State of Death, and Damnation. That Faith by which God's Children depend entirely upon the meritorious Righteouſneſs of Chriſt for Juſtification before God, is alſo a vital Principle of new Obedience. Look unto Jeſuus then, not only as to the Lord your Righteouſneſs; but alſo as to your Head of Influence, of whoſe Fulneſs his People receive and Grace for Grace. When you go forth to meet the Bridegroom, look to it that you have the Oyl of ſaving Grace in your Hearts. Thus ſtand with your Lights burning, like unto Men that wait for their Lord; ſo ſhall you be found of your Judge in Peace, without Spot, and Blameleſs.