Salvation by Grace Through Faith, Sermon 6
SERMON VI. The Salvation we receive by Faith, UNSPEAKABLY GREAT.
HEBREWS II. 3.
How ſhall we eſcape, if we neglect ſo GREAT Salvation?
IT is a juſt Reproach to Human Nature, that Men are ſo ſollicitous to ſecure the Intereſts of the preſent Life, and ſo unconcerned for their Happineſs in a future World. With what Art and Addreſs do they purſue their temporal Affairs! What Zeal and Diligence do they employ to accompliſh their Deſigns! New Plans are continually formed, to encreaſe their Eſtates and aggrandize their Families. If they fail of Succeſs, it is not for Want of Inclination but Power.
WOULD to God, my Brethren, we were equally zealous in the Things which concern our immortal Welfare. But alas! to the eternal Infamy of a great Part of Mankind, the Body engroſſes all their Thoughts, their nobler Spirits are treated with aſtoniſhing Indifference; tranſitory Vanities confine their Views, eternal Realities are comparatively deſpiſed. This unhappy Conduct degrades the Dignity of a reaſonable Creature, and makes us reſemble the Inferior Animals, who are under the entire Dominion of Senſe.—We wonder not, that thoſe Beings, who are only governed by Inſtinct; have no Views beyond the preſent Moment: But that Men, to whom the Almighty hath given Underſtanding, and deſigned for a future Exiſtence, ſhould be wiſe only for this periſhing World, and diſregard the ſupreme Happineſs of their Nature—this is truly ſurpriſing, and could not be believed, did not conſtant Experience evidence it to be a melancholy Truth.
THIS Conduct of Mankind is highly criminal, becauſe it is voluntary and choſen; and it is as fooliſh as criminal, becauſe it is attended with the moſt fatal Conſequences: If not altered, it inevitably involves us in extreme and eternal Miſery. A Fool is generally eſteemed one of the moſt contemptible Characters; but when it is involuntary it does not merit any Puniſhment.—But fooliſhly to neglect the ultimate End of our Being, that we may gratify our inferior Paſſions; of Choice to ſacrifice our immortal Happineſs to a few tranſitory Advantages, involves us in aggravated Guilt, and expoſes us to the ſevereſt Puniſhment.
THIS is that awful Truth, which is taught by St. Paul, in the Words of my Text— How ſhall we eſcape, if we neglect ſo great Salvation?
THE Words contain two Propoſitions, which demand our ſolemn Attention—The Salvation provided for Sinners in the Goſpel is unſpeakably Great—They who neglect this great Salvation muſt inevitably periſh.— I ſhall confine myſelf to the firſt of theſe in my preſent Diſcourſe.
THE Propoſition at preſent to be confirmed is this—
THE Salvation provided for Sinners in the Goſpel is unſpeakably Great.—To evidence this let us conſider—
THE Plan of this Salvation was formed in the eternal Counſels of Heaven.
IT was purchaſed with the Blood of the Son of God.
THE Miſſion of the Holy Ghoſt is peculiarly deſigned to make us Partakers of this Salvation.
WHEN this happy Event takes place with reſpect to any of the Children of Men, it gives Joy to the Angels of Light.
WHEN others are excluded from it, the Spirits of Darkneſs triumph in their Ruin.
THUS God and his elect Angels—the Devil and his malicious Aſſociates—conſpire to evidence the Greatneſs of that Salvation which is revealed in the Goſpel.
FIRST, The Plan of this Salvation was formed in the eternal Counſels of Heaven.
MAN was originally the Favorite of his Almighty Creator: He gave him the firſt Place of Dignity in this viſible World: He united Heaven and Earth, Matter and Spirit, in the Compoſition of human Nature: He introduced our firſt Parents into Being, in the moſt agreeable Circumſtances, and bountifully provided for their Happineſs in a State of Innocence.—But the All-ſeeing Eye of God, which penetrates into the moſt diſtant Futurities, beheld the ungrateful Apoſtacy of Man, and formed the Deſign of his Recovery.—He determined that Satan ſhould not triumph in his Succeſs, nor the human Race be irrecoverably ruined.— Though perfectly happy in the Enjoyment of Himſelf, He did not behold with Indifference the Miſery of Man. Though Millions of Worlds muſt have ſtarted into Being at his authoritative Command, yet He looked with Compaſſion on this revolted Earth, and determined to diſappoint the Devices of the Devil.
BUT the ſublimeſt Spirits in Heaven would have been eternally at a Loſs to find a Way, in which this benevolent Deſign could be accompliſhed, and the Honor of the Deity preſerved. —The Demands of Juſtice muſt be anſwered, that Mercy may triumph in the Salvation of the Guilty—The Threatning of the Law muſt be fulfilled, that the Tranſgreſſor of it's righteous Precepts may be pardoned.—The Dignity of the divine Government muſt be maintained, that condemned Rebels may be reſtored to Favor.—The righteous Governor of the Univerſe will evidence his Abhorrence of the Crime, while He receives the Criminal to the Embraces of his Love.
INFINITE Wiſdom hath reconciled theſe Difficulties, and formed a Plan, which gives the brighteſt Diſcovery of all the Perfections of the Deity, ſacredly maintains the Majeſty of his Government, and diſplays the Riches of his Grace to his apoſtate Creatures.—In Conformity to this Plan, the Son of God deſcends upon Earth in a human Form, fulfils the Law which we had violated, ſubmits to bear the Puniſhment of our Crimes; and thus prepares the Way for our Approach unto God, as a compaſſionate and reconciled Father.—Here we have the moſt admirable Diſplay of divine Love, and the cleareſt Evidence of his Hatred to Sin: The Tranſgreſſion of the Law is puniſhed with awful Severity, and the Tranſgreſſor graciouſly forgiven. This is that mighty Projection, which is the Aſtoniſhment of Angels, and the Joy of the Redeemed. This gives us an affecting View of the ineſtimable Value of Salvation—Eſpecially if we conſider,
SECONDLY, It was purchaſed by the Blood of the Son of God.
IN all Ages, God has done great Things in Favor of his choſen People: For their Sakes, He exerciſes his Patience to a revolted World, and delays that important Period, when this viſible Creation ſhall be conſumed by Fire: For their Sakes, He hath counteracted the eſtabliſhed Laws of Nature, and performed ſtupendous Miracles, in the Sight of Angels and Men: For their Sakes He will ſhortly deſcend from Heaven with a Shout, with the Voice of the Arch-Angel and the Trump of God: From his radiant Throne He will publickly pronounce them his Friends and Favorites, and receive them to a Kingdom prepared for them from before the Foundation of the World. But that which raiſes the Value of all theſe ſignal Favors, is the ineſtimable Price, with which they are purchaſed. I know Nothing ſo incomprehenſible to human Reaſon, as the Sacrifice of the Son of God for a guilty World. If this Myſtery of divine Love had not been predicted by a Succeſſion of inſpired Prophets, confirmed by numerous and unqueſtionable Miracles, atteſted by Heaven and Earth, by Angels and Men—it could never be received as a Truth by any impartial Enquirer. It is difficult to conceive, that God would do ſo much for miſerable Man. But ſince He has given us this ſurpriſing Diſcovery of his Love, we may juſtly infer the Greatneſs of that Happineſs which He deſigns for his redeemed People.
ELEVATE your Thoughts, my Brethren, above theſe Regions of Senſe, aſcend in your devout Contemplations to the Throne of the Eternal Deity; behold THE SON OF GOD ſhining in the Brightneſs of his Father's Glory, ſurrounded with Myriads of adoring Angels.— Then view Him, deſcending upon Earth, covered with Wounds, bathed in Blood, nailed to the Croſs, expiring in Death:—From the Dignity of his Perſon, learn the Value of his Sacrifice:—From the Severity of his Sufferings, learn the Greatneſs of his Purchaſe.—For us Men, and our Salvation, He appeared upon Earth in the Form of a Servant, paſſed through the Miſeries of Life, and ſubmitted to the Pains of Death. That Salvation, then, muſt be pronounced Great, which was procured at ſo great a Price. Our bleſſed Lord would not have forſaken the Pleaſures of his Father's Boſom, parted with his heavenly Glory, and paſſed through this dark and diſtreſſing Scene of Sufferings, were it not to anſwer the moſt important Deſigns. He knew the juſt Value of Things, and eſteemed the Happineſs of his People an Equivalent for all the Sorrows of his Life and the Agonies of his Death.— Therefore we are aſſured that He ſhall ſee the Travail of his Soul and be ſatisfied. But further to confirm this Point, we may conſider,
THIRDLY, The Miſſion of the Holy Ghoſt is deſigned to make us Partakers of this Salvation.
WHEN our bleſſed Lord finiſhed his Work upon Earth and aſcended to the Court of Heaven, according to his Promiſe, He ſent down his Holy Spirit, to convince the World of Sin, to deliver them from it's fatal Dominion, and form them to a Meetneſs for the Kingdom of Glory. Every faithful Subject of our adorable Redeemer is juſtified in the Name of Jeſus and ſanctified by the Spirit of our God. This divine Agent not only favors the Church with an external Revelation, but ſecretly influences the Minds of Men to attend to the Truths delivered in the inſpired Scriptures. He awakens them to a Senſe of their Danger while they continue in a State of Sin, animates them with a ſalutary Concern to fly from the Wrath to come —Though inconſiderate Sinners often reſiſt his ſacred Operations, and though a fond Attachment to their Luſts, reject the indulgent Methods of divine Grace, he does not immediately abandon his Work, but waits upon them with admirable Patience, repeats his faithful Warnings, continues his friendly Offices, and ſtrives with them, from Day to Day, from Year to Year.
THIS is his general Conduct to Mankind, under the Diſpenſation of the Goſpel. Multitudes, for their ungrateful Oppoſition to the Agency of the divine Spirit, are at laſt rejected of God, and left to conſume away in their Iniquities. But with reſpect to the Elect, He continues his Influences, ceaſes not to ſtrive with them, till their rebellious Hearts are conquered in the Day of his Power, and they are made the Triumphs of divine Love, the Heirs of immortal Glory—Having produced this happy Change, He watches over them with affectionate Care, enlightens them in Darkneſs, ſupports them in Weakneſs, recovers them from their Relapſes, defends them in Dangers, and finally makes them victorious over all their ſpiritual Enemies. The Work which He has begun He will never forſake:—The Seed of Grace which He has implanted in their Hearts, He will cheriſh and encreaſe, till it produces the Fruits of Immortality and Glory. —Who can imagine the Holy Spirit would be ſo ſedulouſly employed to ſecure the Salvation of Mankind, were it not an Affair of the greateſt Importance. That muſt be of ineſtimable Value, which is accompliſhed at ſuch an infinite Expence. It is diſhonourable to ſuppoſe, that God ſhould ſend his Son from the Regions of Glory; that the Son ſhould humble himſelf to the Duſt of Death, that the Spirit ſhould employ his Almighty Energy, and not have in view the nobleſt Deſigns.
I add,
FOURTHLY, When any of the Children of Men are made Partakers of this Salvation, it gives Joy to the Angels of Light.
THESE benevolent Spirits, with a diſintereſted Joy, congratulated the firſt Appearance of a Savior in this lower World; they attended Him through all the Sorrows of Life; they comforted Him at the Approaches of Death; they appeared in Robes of celeſtial Glory to adorn the Triumphs of his Reſurrection; they accompanied Him with joyful Acclamations in his Aſcent to the Kingdom of his Father.— Though they are illuſtrious Courtiers of Heaven, they do not think the Inhabitants of this Earth beneath their Notice: Though they are the moſt exalted Part of the Creation, they diſdain not to maintain an Intercourſe with Worms of the Duſt:—When a Sinner is converted from the Error of his Ways, the glad Tidings are propagated through the heavenly Manſions: There is Joy in the Preſence of the Angels of God, that an Addition is made to the happy Society above: They chearfully forſake their Thrones of Glory, to become miniſtring Spirits to thoſe who are appointed Heirs of Salvation: They encamp about the Dwellings of the Saints, deliver them from numberleſs Dangers, and by a Thouſand Offices of Kindneſs, ſupport and encourage them in their Paſſage through the Wilderneſs of this World. When the People of God have finiſhed their Work upon Earth, they ſurround their dying Beds, receive their departing Spirits, guard them from the malignant Powers of Darkneſs, conduct them through the Regions of the Air, and ſafely introduce them into the Paradiſe of God.—Thus the Soul of the deſpiſed Lazarus was carried by Angels into Abraham's Boſom. —Thus the Soul of every faithful Servant of Chriſt, when delivered from the Body, becomes the Charge of theſe heavenly Miniſters.—Nor do they deſiſt from their Care, till they have fixed it in theſe happy Abodes, where it is ſecure from every Danger.—Surely that Salvation muſt be great, which theſe exalted Beings ſo affectionately deſire to promote: They would not willingly leave the rapturous Employments of Heaven, to ſecure a trifling Advantage. Inconſiderate Mortals may deſpiſe this Salvation, but it is highly eſteemed by thoſe wiſe and holy Beings, who live in the Light of the Divine Countenance, and cannot be miſtaken in the true Value of Things.
FIFTHLY. While the Angels rejoice, when any are made Partakers of this Salvation, the Devils triumph, when any by their Fault and Folly are excluded from it.
THE Devil is always repreſented as the Enemy of God and Goodneſs. Having deſerted his exalted Station, he envies the Happineſs of Mankind. Condemned to the Puniſhment of eternal Death, he ſeeks with inceſſant Malice to involve others in the ſame irremediable Ruin.—To accompliſh this accurſed Deſign, he employs every Art, and exerciſes indefatigable Diligence.—While Men go on ſecurely in the Ways of Sin, he flatters them with Hopes of Impunity, rocks them aſleep by a thouſand deceitful Suggeſtions, that they may be inſenſible of their Miſery and Danger. —If at any Time their guilty Fears are alarmed, he hurries them into the Buſineſs and Amuſements of Life; that they may divert their uneaſy Thoughts. He employs their gay Companions, by Banter and Ridicule, to eraſe all ſerious Impreſſions from their Minds.—If a Senſe of Guilt abide upon their Conſciences, he terrifies them with unreaſonable Fears, that the Day of Grace is ended, or that if they give way to their preſent Impreſſions, they muſt bid Adieu to every pleaſant Enjoyment, and condemn themſelves to perpetual Melancholy.— If all theſe Attempts are in vain, and we are effectually perſwaded to give up ourſelves to our compaſſionate Savior, even then he does not abandon his malicious Deſigns. When he cannot prevent our Happineſs, he endeavours to diſturb our Peace: When he cannot regain the Empire of our Hearts, he induſtriouſly ſtrives to pollute our Perſons and Performances: He follows us to the Altar of God, and by a Variety of Temptations, interrupts our Communion with Heaven: He purſues us to the Gates of Paradiſe, and never ceaſes to diſtreſs us, till we enter that bleſſed World from which he is forever excluded.—Now, what is it that animates Satan and his confederate Hoſts to employ all their Power and Policy to deſtroy Mankind?—They envy us the Enjoyment of that Heaven from which they are righteouſly baniſhed: Their Malice is ſo great, that it increaſes their Torment to behold others rejoicing in the Favor of God, when they are condemned to an eternal Departure from Him.
THUS I have endeavoured to give you ſome View of the Greatneſs of that Salvation which is revealed in the Goſpel.—It is great in the Judgment of Heaven and Hell.—The Goodneſs of God and the Malice of Satan—the Angels of Light and the Miniſters of Darkneſs —all conſpire to proclaim it's Excellency and Value.
IMPROVEMENT.
I. IS it not then aſtoniſhing Madneſs, to forfeit this Salvation for the meaneſt Trifles? And yet, O my Brethren, to the Diſgrace of the Chriſtian Name, this is a common Practice. We daily behold Souls capable of the extatic Joys of Heaven, confining their Purſuits to the defiling Pleaſures of this degenerate Earth. We daily behold Souls formed for the Society of Angels deſerting the Throne of Reaſon, and transformed into the Likeneſs of ſavage Brutes. They renounce the Happineſs for which they were originally deſigned, and think and act, as if they were made for no higher an End—than to delight their Eyes with ſplendid Proſpects—to gratify their Ears with the Harmony of Sounds—To pleaſe their Taſte with the Flavor of Meats and Drinks— and after having ſpent a few Years in theſe ſenſual Pleaſures, to retire off the Stage and be inſenſible forever.
IS this to act agreeable to the Character of Man, whom God appointed Lord of this lower Creation; who was formed after the Image of the Deity; who was placed upon Earth to glorify his Maker, and be eternally happy in the Enjoyment of his Love?—Are we capable of the Joys of Angels, and ſhall we aſſociate with the Beaſts that periſh?—Were we deſigned to imitate the moral Perfections God, the beſt of BEINGS, and ſhall we degrade ourſelves to a Reſemblance of the Devil, the moſt hateful of Creatures?—Awake, O Man I from this State of Infatuation. Ariſe, conſider the Greatneſs of your Folly. You are indeed fallen from your primitive Excellency; your Nature is corrupted in all it's Powers. But God has formed a Plan for the Recovery of the apoſtate Race of Adam: Chriſt has died for their Salvation: The Spirit is ſent down to operate on the Minds of Men, and transform them into New-Creatures: Shall the Love of God be deſpiſed—the Merits of Chriſt undervalued—the Influences of the Holy Ghoſt be reſiſted—and you periſh at laſt, notwithſtanding the Miracles of divine Grace for your Recovery?—Had you rather Devils ſhould triumph in your Ruin, than Saints and Angels rejoice in your Salvation?
YOU will doubtleſs ſay—God forbid this ſhould be my Caſe.—But allow me to aſſure you, this muſt be your inevitable Deſtiny—if you neglect your immortal Concerns—ſpend your Time in the Vanities and Diverſions of Life—diſregard the Service of your Maker and Sovereign—live in thoſe Sins againſt which the Wrath of Heaven is denounced —There is no Medium—Every one of you muſt be perſwaded to give up yourſelves to the compaſſionate Jeſus; experience his ſaving Power reſcuing you from the Dominion of Sin; and be made Partakers of the ſanctifying Influences of the Holy Ghoſt; or remain under the Wrath of God, and ſuffer the Damnation of Hell through immortal Ages.
FOR what do Mankind neglect their eternal Intereſt? A Stranger to human Nature muſt ſuppoſe it muſt be for ſomething of ineſtimable Value.—No—It is for the Pleaſures of an intemperate Hour, for the Joys of a laſcivious Moment, for the fordid Gains of Avarice, for the childiſh Amuſements which take place on this Theatre of Vanity.—For theſe Heaven is renounced, Hell is choſen.
SUFFER not, O my Brethren, the God of this World to blind your Eyes; attend to the one Thing needful.
WERE we condemned to periſh without Remedy, it would be cruel to attempt to diſturb your preſent Repoſe—Were the great Salvation unattainable by the Children of Men, all Exhortations to ſecure it would be impertinent and abſurd. But this World is the Region of Hope: While we reſide upon Earth we are Candidates for an heavenly Inheritance: Propoſals of Grace are made to Sinners of every Order and Character: They are both invited and commanded to accept the Great Salvation. —Thoſe who are involved in the deepeſt Guilt, and pining away in Indigence and Miſery, are to be compelled, by all the perſwaſive Charms of divine Grace, by every Argument that can gain the Attention and Influence the Choice of a rational Creature, to accept of Life and Happineſs.—It was our Wants, and not our Worthineſs, that engaged our heavenly Father to form the Plan of our Redemption — It is to extricate us out of Miſery, and not to reward our Virtues, that a Savior is provided for us. The only Qualification a Sinner can have antecedent to an Union to Chriſt, is a deep Senſe of his Miſery, a Deſpair of all Relief in himſelf, a Willingneſs to receive a Supply of all his Wants from the Fountain of all Good.—Therefore, Whoſoever will—is the Language of eternal Love. It is an undoubted Truth, that none periſh under the Advantages of the Goſpel, but in conſequence of their own voluntary Choice: By a poſitive Act of their Wills they reject Chriſt and the important Bleſſings He offers to their Acceptance: He refuſes None that rely on his Power and Grace; but affectionately calls all weary and heavy laden Sinners to come to Him, and kindly promiſes, I will give you Reſt.—The whole Number of Believers on Earth, and the radiant Aſſembly of glorified Saints in Heaven, bear their united Teſtimony to this conſolatory Truth.—In the Character of guilty Creatures they caſt themſelves down at the Feet of an Almighty Savior: encouraged by the unlimited Calls of his Word, they committed their future Welfare to his Care: He extended the Sceptre of his Mercy, and ſaid unto them LIVE. Their Example ſhould revive the Spirit of every trembling Sinner, and encourage them, from the Depths of Diſtreſs and Miſery to confide in that Savior who is the ſame Yeſterday, To-day, and forever.
II. WITH what Gratitude ſhould we embrace this Great Salvation?
IF the King of Kings hath publiſhed a royal Proclamation, inviting his rebellious Subjects to return to their Allegiance and receive, not only a free Pardon, but the Dignity and Privilege of Favorites—We may be aſſured, without Danger of Deception, that thoſe who obey the Call, ſhall obtain the promiſed Mercy. —It is beneath the Character of the Deity, to amuſe his Creatures with imaginary Hopes, or diſappoint the Expectations of thoſe who rely on his faithful Word. The Strength of Iſrael will not lie: The immutable Jehovah will not repent of the Purpoſes of his Love.
To confirm our Faith, we may take a View of the Conduct of our divine Maſter, when he condeſcended to be an Inhabitant of this inferior Earth: None were rejected, that applied to Him in their Diſtreſs:—All were relieved that came to Him in the Language of humble Faith. The moſt deſpicable Objects were received with condeſcending Goodneſs, and reſtored to Health and Vigor by the Greatneſs of his Power. The vileſt Sinners were delivered from the Dominion of their infamous Luſts, and aſſured of the Forgiveneſs of their aggravated Crimes.—He is now the ſame mighty and compaſſionate Savior He ever was: The Dignity to which He is advanced, has neither diminiſhed his Power, or abated his generous Concern for the Welfare of Mankind: —He is equally willing to hearken to the ſupplicating Voice of his diſtreſſed Creatures— equally willing to deliver them from their Guilt and Danger.
WHO can diſpute his Power, when all Nature obeys his Laws, and the moſt perfect Orders of Creatures are governed by the Direction of his Will!—Who can queſtion his Readineſs to apply his Power to relieve thoſe who confide in Him!—Behold! the Sufferings He endured —the Blood He ſhed—the Death He underwent for the Salvation of a guilty World:— Every Wound diſcovers the Compaſſions of his Heart; His expiring Agonies purchaſed eternal Redemption for all who place their Truſt in Him.
HE was once lifted up on an infamous Croſs, and is now exalted to a Throne of Glory, to evidence that He is able to ſave to the uttermoſt all that come to God by Him.—Thoſe therefore who look unto Him, and receive Salvation as his Gift, are ſure of a welcome Reception. —Their Safety is depoſited in Almighty Hands:—Neither human Weakneſs or Folly, or the Oppoſition of the Powers of Darkneſs, ſhall be able to effect their Ruin.—Here is the great Security of every true Believer: The Power and Fidelity of Chriſt is engaged for their Protection:—They may bid Adieu to all uneaſy Fears, and baniſh all diſquieting Suſpicions from their Minds:—Their Hopes are built on the Rock of Ages.—The Sun ſhall grow dim with Age, the bright Luminaries of Heaven be extinguiſhed—the Earth we inhabit evaporate in Smoke:—But the Savior lives, inthron'd in Majeſty and Might, to ſupport the Hopes, and perpetuate the Happineſs of thoſe who are committed to his Care.— To Him be Glory forever and ever.
AMEN.