Salvation by Grace Through Faith, Sermon 2
SERMON II. SALVATION by GRACE.
EPHESIANS II. 8.
For by GRACE are ye ſaved.
PRIDE introduced the Apoſtacy of our firſt Parents, and in all Ages proves the Deſtruction of Multitudes.—This animates Princes to unſheath the Sword of War, and Millions are ſacrificed to their aſpiring Views.—This ſows the Seeds of Contention in Churches and Commonwealths, the public Safety is endangered to gratify the Pride and Reſentment of a few Individuals.—This deſtroys the Peace and good Order of private Families, and renders thoſe that were united in the tendereſt Bonds, Enemies to each other.
BUT the melancholy Conſequences of an arrogant and ambitious Mind are not confined to the preſent Life, they extend to a future State, and exclude Mankind from the only Way of Salvation that is provided for a guilty World. Vain Man would be wiſer than God and attempts to regain his forfeited Felicity by his own Strength. Inſtead of acknowledging his Dependance on ſovereign Grace, he ſeeks for Something in Himſelf, that ſhall placate his offended Maker. Unwilling to aſcribe the entire Glory of his Salvation to God, he aſpires to be, in ſome Degree, the Author of his own Recovery and Happineſs.
THIS was the fatal Miſtake of the Jewiſh Zealots and the Pagan Philoſophers. This influenced them to oppoſe the Progreſs of the Goſpel from it's firſt Appearance, and perſecute it's Profeſſors with inflexible Severity.
THE Jews intoxicated with an Opinion of their own Righteouſneſs, expected to be ſaved by their Obedience to the Law. The Pagan Moraliſts, puffed up with a vain Conceit of their ſuperior Wiſdom, imagined their Happineſs was in their own Hands, independent of any foreign Aſſiſtance.—Happy would it be for the Chriſtian Church, if this Preſumption had not entered it's ſacred Incloſure, and infected the Minds of thoſe who call themſelves the Diſciples of a crucified Savior.
BUT every imagination of this Nature is fully overthrown by the inſpired St. Paul in the Words of my Text.—If there were no other Paſſage in Scripture but this, it would be ſufficient to deſtroy the Pretentions of human Vanity, and direct Mankind from whence they muſt expect all their Happineſs and Safety.— By Grace are ye Saved.
EVERY impartial Obſerver, muſt be immediately ſenſible, that theſe Words plainly declare that the Salvation of Mankind is not the Effect of their own Policy or Power, but an undeſerved Favor: That it cannot be obtained by the Improvement of our natural Abilities, but deſcends from the Father of Lights, the Giver of every good Gift.
IN diſcourſing on this Point, I ſhall enquire what is intended by Grace—How it appears that the Salvation of Sinners is entirely of Grace.
FIRST. WHAT is intended by GRACE.
GRACE ſignifies a free Favor, not granted to Merit—not founded on ſuperior Excellence —but flowing from unpurchaſed Benevolence. That Angels are adorned with the noble Perfections of their Nature, placed in the heavenly Sanctuary, preſerved in their primitive Integrity, and made the favorite Miniſters of Divine Providence, muſt be aſcribed to unmerited Grace. No Creature can challenge any Thing of the Creator: All their Excellencies flow from his diſintereſted Goodneſs.
ADAM was made an Inhabitant of Paradiſe, advanced to the Government of this lower World, by the ſame free Favor. All the Privileges of his Nature, and the Advantages of his Situation, were the Effects of pure Goodneſs. —But when Man loſt the Glory of his Innocence and became a guilty Criminal—then the Triumphs of Grace appeared in the moſt illuſtrious Point of Light.—Innocent Man had nothing to claim from his Maker, but what flow'd from his gracious Promiſe—and ſinful Man had every Thing to fea… from his offended Sovereign, whoſe Favors he had abuſed.— When, therefore, God delivers us from the Puniſhment we had deſerved, and reſtores us to the Privileges we had forfeited, it is not only Grace, but the Riches of Grace. He beſtows his Favors on thoſe who are ſo far from having any Excellency to recommend them, that their Guilt juſtly expoſes them to his ſevereſt Diſpleaſure.
THIS is that GRACE, which the Apoſtle celebrates in the Words of my Text—This reſcues us from the Tyranny of Satan—the Dominion of Sin—the Puniſhment of Death.— This reſtores guilty Criminals to the Favor of Heaven, and gives them a Title to the Happineſs of Life eternal. I am now to enquire,
SECONDLY, How it appears that the Salvation of Sinners is entirely of Grace.
IF we examine the various Parts of this Salvation—if we ſurvey it's different Degrees —if we purſue it's Progreſs in all the Periods of the preſent Life, and through the unceaſing Ages of Eternity, we ſhall be immediately convinced—That it cannot be challenged as a Claim of Juſtice—it cannot be acquired by the Powers of unregenerate Nature—nor are we introduced into this happy State as the Reward of our good Works.
I. IT cannot be challenged as a Claim of Juſtice.
IF the revolted Poſterity of Adam were to appear at the Tribunal of Juſtice, they muſt be covered with the greateſt Confuſion, and inevitably receive the Sentence of eternal Death. If God ſhould enter into Judgment with Sinners, all muſt be condemned to remedileſs Deſtruction. The Honor of the divine Government requires that the Tranſgreſſion of the Law be puniſhed with impartial Severity. The infinite Perfection of the Deity renders Sin the Object of his immutable Averſion: This He will …or…rv… diſcover to the View of the whole intelligent Creation. If therefore Almighty Grace had not contrived a Way to anſwer the Demands of Juſtice, every Sinner of the human Race muſt have fallen a Sacrifice to it's righteous Claims.—That Juſtice which expelled the apoſtate Angels from the Happineſs of Heaven, would have condemned rebellious Man to the Torments of Hell—Angels and Men united to reject the Authority of the Great God, and deſerved the ſame Puniſhment.—That Men are Priſoners of Hope, and fallen Angels delivered over to final Deſpair, is not the Claim of Juſtice, but the Work of diſtinguiſhing Grace.—This pities Criminals condemned to Death, freely forgives their Offences, and reſtores them to Favor.
II. As Salvation is not a Claim of Juſtice; neither can it be acquired by the Powers of unregenerate Nature.
FOR Human Nature in it's preſent degenerate State is deeply and univerſally corrupted: Not only averſe to that which is ſpiritually good, but fatally inclined to that which is evil —When God deſcended from Heaven to ſurvey the State of the moral World—This is the melancholy Report—The Thoughts and Imaginations of Mens Hearts are evil, only evil, and that continually.—In conformity to this divine Teſtimony St. Paul, who learnt his Divinity in the School of Heaven, declares that of ourſelves we are inſufficient for ſo much as a good Thought— If inſufficient to think a good Thought, then certainly incapable to perform a good Action. Our BLESSED SAVIOR aſſures us, that a bad Tree cannot bring forth good Fruit; nor a corrupt Fountain ſend forth ſalutary Streams.
UPON this Plan the moſt inlightned Teachers of the Chriſtian Church have always maintained, that the Performances of unregenerate Sinners don't recommend them to the eſpecial Favor of God, nor give them a Claim to the ſaving Gifts of his Holy Spirit. A diligent Cultivation of our rational Powers—a Life conducted by the Precepts of moral Virtue, adorn the Characters of Men and render them Bleſſings to Civil Society: But they cannot be acceptable to God, when they flow from a carnal Mind, which an inſpired Apoſtle declares is Enmity to God.
MEN who are favored with divine Revelation certainly enjoy Advantages ſuperior to thoſe who have no other Inſtructor than the Light of Nature;—but theſe will be ineffectual to our Salvation, if not accompanied with the internal Operations of the Spirit. The Word of God may ſound in our Ears, and not penetrate our Hearts.—Let the Law proclaim it's formidable Curſes, we ſhall be deaf to it's alarming Voice —Let the Goſpel publiſh it's gracious Invitations, we ſhall be unaffected with it's delightful Sound—Let the Miniſters of CHRIST lift up their Voices like Trumpets, and addreſs their Hearers with all the Charms of Coeleſtial Eloquence, they labor in vain, and ſpend their Strength for nought, if theſe Means are not attended with a divine Influence. It is the Prerogative of Omnipotent Grace to open the Eyes of the Blind, unſtop the Ears of the Deaf —communicate a Principle of Life to thoſe who are dead in Treſpaſſes and Sins, and incline them to walk in the Way that leads to eternal Salvation.
WITHOUT this, the Light of Nature with all it's Improvements; the Law with all it's Precepts; the Goſpel with all it's tranſporting Diſcoveries; will be a Savor of Death unto Death: We ſhall remain under the Dominion of Sin: The Advantages we enjoy will only ſerve to increaſe our Guilt and render us inexcuſable at the Tribunal of Juſtice.
IF the Improvement of our natural Powers, or the Advantages of external Revelation were ſufficient for our Salvation—why was the Spirit ſent down to inlighten the Minds of Men, and ſanctify their Souls?—We muſt then certainly conclude, the Powers of human Nature are too weak, and all external Advantages inſufficient, to produce any ſaving Effect. The Grace of God muſt triumph over the Weakneſs of Men, or Sinners would periſh in their Corruption and Miſery. I add,
III. WE are not made Partakers of this Salvation as the Reward of our good Works.
MANY profeſs an high Eſteem for the inſpired Scriptures, and acknowledge that Grace is a neceſſary Aſſiſtant to frail and fallible Man: But they depend on the Sincerity of their Hearts, the Purity of their Intentions, the Regularity of their Lives, to recommend them to this important Bleſſing. They compliment God as the Author of their Salvation; but think their own virtuous Diſpoſitions are eſſential Qualifications to prepare them for the Reception of ſo great a Good.—Thus they form a Scheme plauſible to human Reaſon— ſoothing to the natural Vanity of our Minds— but ſubverſive of the eſtabliſhed Order of Salvation.
IT is univerſally allowed, that all who are ſaved, are created anew in CHRIST JESUS unto good Works, and diligently endeavor to walk in the Practice of them.—But then this is a certain Conſequence, not a previous Condition, of an Intereſt in the Salvation of the Goſpel. We muſt be delivered from the Dominion of Sin, before we can perform the Duties of acceptable Obedience. Jeſus ſaves us from the Hands of Sin and Satan, our ſpiritual Enemies, that we may be qualified to ſerve God in Holineſs and Righteouſneſs. The Giver of all Good will not alter his Plan, to gratify the Pride of unhumbled Nature, and accommodate Himſelf to the Schemes of human Invention.—The only Queſtion to be decided is this—Is an Intereſt in Chriſt and his Salvation freely given— or conferred as the Reward of ſome antecedent Goodneſs?—Our Maſter has determined the Poin…, and methinks his Authority ſhould ſilence all Diſputes—Let us hear the unerring Teacher of the Chriſtian Church and ſubmit to his ſacred Dictates. As the Branch cannot bear Fruit of itſelf except it abide in the Vine, no more can ye, except ye abide in me. To abide in Chriſt muſt certainly imply that we are united to him, and that this Union remains undiſſolved. This we are aſſured is a requiſite Preparation to our bringing forth Fruit, or performing any good Work. If it were needful to add any thing further, I might adduce the expreſs Teſtimony of St. Paul, Not by Works of Righteouſneſs which we have done, but according to his Mercy he ſaved us, by the Waſhing of Regeneration and the Renewing of the Holy Ghoſt.
I SHALL conclude my Diſcourſe with a few Reflections.
WHAT we have heard affords us a Teſt, by which we may examine the Truth of the Doctrines we receive—It alſo gives us a Rule, by which we may determine the Value of the Duties we practice—It points out to us the only Way to ſecure our future Welfare.
I. WE have a Teſt by which we may examine the Truth of the Doctrines we receive.
THE great Deſign of God, in the Salvation of Sinners, is to diſplay the Glory of his Grace. He hath made us to ſit down together in heavenly Places in Chriſt Jeſus, that He might ſhew the exceeding Riches of his Grace in his Kindneſs towards us through Chriſt Jeſus. To diminiſh this Grace, is to darken the Glory of the Goſpel, and deprive the bleſſed God of that Tribute of Praiſe He expects from all his redeemed People.
EVERY Opinion which exalts the Powers of human Nature in it's preſent degenerate State, undermines the Foundation of the Chriſtian Faith, and prevents us from that Reſignation to divine Sovereignty, which becomes the Character of apoſtate Creatures. That Doctrine which aſcribes the entire Glory of our Salvation to God bears the Stamp of Divinity, and will ever recommend itſelf to thoſe who have been taught in the School of a crucified Savior.
IT has always been the Stratagem of Satan, to employ the Powers of Wit and Learning, to ſupport the Fabrick of human Pride and render Men vain in their own Imaginations: But it is the conſtant Work of the Spirit to humble the Sinner in the Duſt; convince him that he is abſolutely loſt; that there is no Poſſibility of his Recovery, but by a Grace to which he has no Claim, which he has forfeited a thouſand Ways.—Unilluminated Minds may approach the Throne of God with a long Catalogue of their good Works: But thoſe who are acquainted with their own true Character, will come before the Divine Majeſty with no other Plea than that of the penitent Publican—God be merciful to me a Sinner.—This is the only Method to glorify God, and conſult our own Safety.
IF this Doctrine which teaches us to renounce all Dependance upon our ſelves, in every Form—to place our entire Truſt on ſovereign and unmerited Grace, is a Miſtake, it is a perfectly innocent one.—It can't be attended with any dangerous Conſequences— it will not be diſpleaſing to that Being who aſſures us He giveth Grace to the Humble.— What is my Crime?—It can only be this— I entertain too mean an Opinion of myſelf; I degrade apoſtate Nature too low; I form too favorable Sentiments of the Riches of divine Grace, when I ſuppoſe God beſtows Salvation as a free Gift, and that He confers his choiceſt Favors without Money and without Price.— Is this my Error?—Is this the Fault I am charged with?—I am perſwaded I ſhall not be aſhamed of it at the Supreme Tribunal, however I may be reproached by the polite Reaſoners of the Day: I ſhall not repent of it in Heaven, whatever Inconveniencies I may ſuffer upon Earth: Men may ridicule my Weakneſs, but God will approve of every Attempt to advance the Honor of his Grace.
THIS is the only Revenue He receives from all the ſtupendous Deſigns of his Love; all Endeavors to deprive Him of this will be condemned as the higheſt Sacrilege and puniſhed with the ſevereſt Vengeance.—I run no Riſk, when I acknowledge my extreme Indigence and Miſery: But I incur the greateſt Danger, when I do not adore God as the Author of all Good. This is the Language of the inſpired Oracles—O Iſrael, thou haſt deſtroyed thyſelf, but in Me is thy Help.—Upon every amiable Diſpoſition we poſſeſs—upon every virtuous Action we perform, we ſhould engrave this humble Inſcription—This is not of ourſelves, it is the Gift of God. If there is any real Good in us, it is planted by the Hand of our heavenly Father, watered by his Grace, and flouriſhes by the Influences of his Holy Spirit. —Were I, like St. Paul, advanced to the Dignity of an Apoſtle, tranſported to Paradiſe, and favored with the Viſions of Glory; with him I deſire to be ſenſible I am the Chief of Sinners, and acknowledge that all tiie Privileges which diſtinguiſh me from the vileſt of Men, are the Gifts of God.
II. WE have a Rule by which we may determine the Value of the Duties we practice.
A great Part of Mankind caſt off all Reverence of the Deity, are inſenſible of their immortal intereſts, and neglect the Service they owe to the ſupreme Lord and Lawgiver.— Among many who make a more plauſible Profeſſion of Religion, a Fear of the divine Diſpleaſure, a Dread of future Puniſhment, is the only Motive of Obedience.—But if by Grace we are ſaved, then it is a Diſcovery of this Grace that encourages us to engage in the Service of God; a Dependance on it's conſtant Aſſiſtance, that animates us in all the Duties of the Chriſtian Life.
To ſerve God only from a Principle of Fear, is not the Diſpoſition of his Children, but the Character of a Slave. In this Frame of Mind all our Performances are conſtrained; we abſtain from Sin with Reluctance: We ſhould indulge every vicious Appetite with Pleaſure if we were not afraid of eternal Miſery. Theſe Services therefore, tho' performed to the greateſt exactneſs, can't be acceptable to God: For He demands the Obedience of the Heart, and receives none but a willing People: All his Servants are convinced of the Excellency and Glory of his Character, they are captivated with the Diſcoveries of his free Grace which is tendered to the greateſt of Sinners: They admire that Wiſdom and Love which hath provided Salvation for thoſe who have no recommending Qualities to eſtabliſh a Claim to this Bleſſing▪ They therefore bow down the Head and adore this diſintereſted Goodneſs—with Tranſports of Joy, they accept of the Gift of a SAVIOR. —Looking up to Him for Wiſdom, Righteouſneſs, Sanctification, and eternal Redemption.
THIS aſtoniſhing Grace inclines them to renounce with Deteſtation the Practice of Vice, and with Pleaſure to engage in the Service of ſo amiable a Maſter. His Commandments are not a diſagreeable Taſk, but their daily Buſineſs and Delight.—He loved them when they were nothing but Guilt and Miſery, and ſhall they not love Him, who is worthy of their undivided Affection!—He hath delivered them from the Terrors of Death, and ſhall they not devote their future Lives to the Glory of their great Benefactor!
III. The Doctrine of my Text points out unto us the only Way to ſecure our future Welfare.
IT is the moſt intereſting Inquiry of all Mankind, wherewith ſhall I come before God, or bow myſelf before the MOST HIGH?—How ſhall I appear with Safety at the Tribunal of infinite Purity, and obtain that Salvation which is provided for the People of God?—If by Grace we are ſaved, then we muſt apply to this Grace as our only Reſource—If it is the Gift of God, then we can only obtain it by an humble and grateful Reception.
THIS Way, though appointed by infinite Wiſdom, is often eſteemed Fooliſhneſs by Men—though revealed in almoſt every Page of the Goſpel, is ridiculed by the Diſputers of this World—But all that are taught of God are made to renounce every Claim, and receive Salvation in it's Beginning, Progreſs, and Completion, as the free Gift of God through Jeſus Chriſt. If we reject this there is no ſure Foundation, on which we can build our Hopes of eternal Happineſs. We muſt live in perpetual Doubt, and if our Conſciences are not ſtupified, die in diſtreſſing Agonies.
WHATEVER vain Men may pretend, the Teſtimony of their own Hearts convinces them that they have ſinned againſt that God with whom is terrible Majeſty; that they have no Righteouſneſs which can ſtand the critical Examination of the ſupreme Tribunal:—They may put on a gay Appearance in the Days of their Health, and ſilence the Reproaches of their own Minds, when ſurrounded with the Smiles and Flatteries of the World—But when the King of Terrors approaches, and a mortal Diſtemper ſummons them to appear before their Almighty Judge—When the Skill of Phyſicians fails, and their Friends ſtand round their dying Beds, with an unavailing Pity— When the immortal Spirit is juſt ready to take it's Flight into the inviſible World—When a few Moments muſt determine their eternal Deſtiny—If now they have no Hope, but what ariſes from the Purity of their Hearts, and the Righteouſneſs of their Lives—What Viſions of Wrath will preſent themſelves to their guilty Minds!—What Fears of future Vengeance diſturb and diſtract the departing Hour!
BUT if in the happy Days of Health we humbly accept the Propoſals of divine Grace, and fly to that Refuge which aſtoniſhing Goodneſs has prepared for the Security of Sinners— We have a ſure Foundation for Comfort in Life and Hope in Death—We may now poſſeſs that Peace of God, which paſſes all Underſtanding; and rejoice in the certain Proſpect of future Felicity and Glory—We may look down on the Splendors of this World with a calm Diſdain; knowing we have a nobler Portion reſerved for us in Heaven. We may ſtand upon the utmoſt Verge of the preſent Life, with untrembling Hearts, and welcome the happy Day which lands us on the immortal Shore.
AND now, my Brethren, who of us does not think this Happineſs worthy to be deſired with Ardor, to be embraced with Raptures of Gratitude.
BEHOLD. I bring you glad Tidings of great Joy.—This Happineſs will be the Portion of ALL who receive it as the free Gift of God, through the Merits and Righteouſneſs of JESUS CHRIST.
I am ſenſible, this is a Doctine hard to be believed; and when believed is perpetually oppoſed by the Pride and Prejudices of human Nature.—Though it forms the brighteſt Glory of the Goſpel and gives the greateſt Encouragement to indigent and periſhing Sinners.— Though it contains a Truth, ſufficient to make every Heart leap for Joy, and every Tongue celebrate the Praiſes of God—Yet Nothing is more contrary to the prevailing Sentiments of Mankind—Nothing has occaſioned warmer Diſputes in the Church of God.—Our natural Diſpoſitions are as averſe to receive Salvation by free Grace, as to ſubmit to the Laws of the divine Government.—We ſeek for ſome recommending Qualities which ſhall render us proper Objects of the divine Favor, and give us ſome Kind of Title to the Bleſſings of his Grace. We cannot think we have a Right to truſt in Chriſt for Privileges ſo incomparably excellent; which will make us happy in Time and Eternity, till we are poſſeſſed of ſome previous Righteouſneſs to ſecure us a welcome Reception.
THUS, by a proud Pretence of Humility, we refuſe to give to God the Glory of the Riches of his Grace—By an evil Heart of Unbelief, we keep at a Diſtance from the Fountain of all Good—We ſeek to obtain that in ourſelves, which can only be obtained from the Fulneſs that is in Chriſt.
TURN a deaf Ear, O my Brethren, to the Dictates of corrupt Reaſon—Hearken to the SON OF GOD, who deſcended from the Boſom of the FATHER, to inſtruct a miſguided World in the Way to Happineſs.—To whom did He diſpatch his commiſſioned Meſſengers?—To thoſe whoſe Dignity commanded Reſpect— whoſe Wealth recommended them to Favor —whoſe good Qualities required they ſhould be treated with Diſtinction?—No—They were ſent to thoſe who were in the moſt forlorn, deſtitute and miſerable Circumſtances—who had Nothing to invite the Eſteem, but every Thing which might provoke the Averſion of their generous Benefactor.
WHAT is the Meſſage theſe Miniſters of Heaven are commanded to deliver?—That all Things are ready. Every Thing that is neceſſary to free them from the Guilt—cleanſe them from the Pollution of Sin—to juſtify them at the Tribunal of infinite Purity, and prepare them for the Enjoyment of heavenly Happineſs.
THE Demands of Juſtice are ſatisfied—the Price of your Salvation is paid—You are freely invited to receive the Juſtification of your Perſons—the Sanctification of your Nature and complete Happineſs.
IS this the Language of our adorable Redeemer?—Then ſurely it becomes us not to queſtion his Fidelity, or diminiſh the Riches of his Grace.—Does he call us?—It is not Preſumption but a Duty to obey his Voice, and accept his kind Invitation. The ineſtimable Privileges purchaſed by his Blood are not the Sale but the Gift of God. They who receive them in the appointed Way—freely—give Glory to God and ſecure their immortal Welfare.