Salvation by Grace Through Faith, Sermon 8
SERMON VIII. The JOY of FAITH.
1 PETER, I. 8.
Whom having not ſeen ye love, in whom though now ye ſee Him not, YET BELIEVING YE REJOICE with Joy unſpeakable and full of Glory.
TO rejoice is agreeable to all Mankind; though there are but few, who have a juſt Foundation for it. None have a Claim to this Privilege, but thoſe who are in Friendſhip with that adorable Being, who is the Fountain of Felicity to all his Creatures. All the human Race are become Enemies to God, through the Depravity of their Natures and the voluntary Tranſgreſſions of their Lives: A Reconciliation muſt take place, otherwiſe the Enmity will be perpetual, and the Miſery of Man irrecoverable.
IN Chriſt God is reconciling the World unto Himſelf: None can rejoice in God, but thoſe who are intereſted in His Dear Son: He has made Satisfaction for the Sins of a guilty World; but thoſe who do not receive Him as their Savior are deprived of the Advantages which flow from his Merits and Mediation: He hath purchaſed every Bleſſing for his People, but thoſe who are not united to Him by Faith, are Aliens and Strangers from the Commonwealth of Iſrael and the Covenants of Promiſe.
ST. PETER, in the Words of my Text, deſcribes the Character of true Chriſtians, and declares their Privilege. That Savior who was once an Inhabitant of this inferior Earth, but now ſeated at the Right Hand of the Majeſty on High, is the Object of their undiſſembled Affection: They view Him by Faith, in all the Glories of his Perſon and Character; and believing they rejoice.—The Words of my Text teach us this Truth, which ſhall be the Subject of our preſent Meditation— ALL true Believers have a juſt Foundation for Rejoicing.—
TO illuſtrate this, let us take a View of ſome of their important Privileges.—Their Sins are forgiven—Their Perſons and Performances are accepted—Their Natures are ſanctified—They are the Care of a diſtinguiſhed Providence—Nothing can do them any eſſential Hurt—All Things will conſpire to promote their real Good—They have the aſſured Proſpect of immortal Glory.
FIRST, THEY may rejoice that their Sins are forgiven.
THIS is the Covenant which God eſtabliſhes with them through Chriſt their exalted Head: I will be merciful to your Unrighteouſneſs, your Iniquities will I remember no more. To learn the Value of this Privilege, let us conſider the Number and Aggravation of our Sins. —But who can underſtand his Errors! Who can recount his continual Deviations from the Law of God, the unerring Standard of our Duty! In many Things we all offend, in every Thing we fall ſhort: The Defects which attend our beſt Performances are highly criminal: The Defilements which accompany our pureſt Services are juſtly offenſive to the unſpotted Majeſty of Heaven.—What ſhall we ſay of our preſumptuous Violations of the Divine Commands!—Theſe are committed againſt Light and Love; not through involuntary Surprize, but deliberate Rebellion: They are peculiarly diſpleaſing to God, and call aloud for Vengeance.
HOW aſtoniſhing is that Grace! which pardons all theſe Sins of every Order and Degree, with all the heinous Circumſtances which attend them.—With what admiring Gratitude muſt we rejoice in that God, who declares, He is merciful and gracious, abundant in Goodneſs and Truth, forgiving Iniquity, Tranſgreſſion and Sin!
TO increaſe our Gratitude we may conſider, the pardoning Mercy of God is not barely a preſent Benefit, but attended with the moſt laſting and ſalutary Effects. It aſſures us of immediate Safety, and preſerves us from future Condemnation. The Sentence of Abſolution is paſt in Favor of every true Believer in the Court of Heaven, and will never be revoked, through the varying Scenes of the preſent Life, or the unchanging Ages of Eternity. Well might the Pſalmiſt triumph in his Happineſs, and pronounce a Bleſſedneſs on the Man whoſe Iniquities are forgiven.
LET us ſuppoſe a Malefactor condemned to ſuffer an infamous Death; the Day is come; the appointed Hour approaches, in which he muſt deliver himſelf into the Hands of the Executioner; he beholds with weeping Eyes and a trembling Heart, the ſolemn Preparation made for his Puniſhment.—If in the critical Moment a Pardon arrive, which delivers him from all his Diſtreſſes and Fears; will not his Heart leap for Joy, and Nature ſink under the exceſſive Tranſport?—But God beſtows a more ineſtimable Favor on the true Believer.— He delivers him not from the Pains of a Moment, but from unceaſing Torments. He reſtores him, not to a temporal, but an eternal Life.—To increaſe the Kindneſs,
SECONDLY, HE admits them to Friendſhip; their Perſons and Performances are accepted.
A PRINCE may pardon a Criminal and not enroll him among the Number of his Acquaintance: He may open the Doors of his Priſon, and not advance him to the Dignity of a Favorite. But God manifeſts his Love to thoſe, who receive Forgiveneſs through the Blood of Jeſus: He not only obliterates the Remembrance of their Guilt, but embraces them in the Arms of Favor: He not only admits them among the Train of his menial Servants, but exalts them to the Honors and Privileges of his Children: His Anger is removed; He beholds them with Complacency and Delight, and through his dear Son, graciouſly accepts their poor imperfect Services.
WHO can comprehend their Dignity and Bleſſedneſs! They have free Acceſs to the Throne of Grace, and may approach his Preſence with filial Confidence: They may implore his Aid in every Exigence; and take Shelter under the Shadow of his Wings in every Danger: He gives them a ſacred Aſſurance, that He is their GOD, and that all his awful and amiable Attributes ſhall be exerted for their Advantage.
THIS is a perpetual Source of the moſt refined and tranſporting Joy.—This God is my God, may the Believer ſay;—not barely by an external Title, but by a firm and indiſſoluble Covenant: He not only honors me with the Name, but affords me the Happineſs of his Children: Surely this is an allſufficient Portion; we may rejoice in it, though deſtitute of all other Comfort. Although the Fig-Tree ſhall not bloſſom, neither ſhall Fruit be in the Vines, the Labor of the Olives ſhall fail, and the Fields ſhall yield no Meat, the Flock ſhall be cut off from the Fold, and there ſhall be no Herd in the Stalls: Yet will I rejoice in the Lord, and joy in the God of my Salvation.
THIRDLY, THIS Reſtoration to the Divine Favor is always accompanied with the Sanctification of our Nature.
NO Change in our Nature can make us happy, while we remain the Servants of Sin: Our diſcordant Appetites and Paſſions muſt keep us in pepetual Diſquietude: The Breaſts of the Wicked are like the tempeſtuous Ocean, in conſtant Agitation.—But the Divine Spirit, which reſides in the Heart of the true Believer, rectifies the Diſorders of our corrupted Nature, and introduces Peace and Harmony, inſtead of lawleſs Riot and Confuſion. —He implants an heavenly Principle, which inclines us to revere the Authority of the Great God, to obey the unerring Dictates of his Word, and regulate our various Appetites and Paſſions by the Laws of Reaſon and Religion. —By the benign Influences of this bleſſed Agent—I ight ſucceeds to Darkneſs—Order to Confuſion—Beauty to Deformity. The Storms of Paſſion ſubſide, the ſavage Diſpoſition is ſoftned and ſubdued.—The Proud become meek—the Moroſe, benevolent—and Monſters of Vice, Examples of the moſt amiable Virtues. The tyrannical Empire of Sin is conquered, and that Kingdom ſet up in the Souls of Men, which conſiſts in Righteouſneſs, Peace, and Joy in the Holy Ghoſt.
BELIEVERS being thus reſtored to the Favor of God and brought to ſubmit to his equitable Government,
FOURTHLY, THEY become the diſtinguiſhing Care of Divine Providence.
THAT all comprehending Eye, which with a ſingle Glance, ſurveys the whole Creation, is fixed upon them as the Objects of his complacential Regards:—That unerring Wiſdom, that directs the ſtupendous Revolutions of Nature, is their unfailing Companion and Guide:—That omnipotent Arm, whith Nothing can reſiſt, is their Guard and Defence: He who maketh his Angels Spirits, and his Miniſters Flames of Fire, gives theſe benevolent Beings Charge concerning them, to keep them in all their Ways.
WELL then, may they rejoice, though ſurrounded with Darkneſs, Difficulty and Danger. God is their Sun, to direct their Way; their Shield to defend them from their numberleſs Enemies. They are conducted through the Wilderneſs of this World, by his Word and Spirit: They are preſerved in Safety by his guardian Care. The Faithful may therefore triumph in their Almighty Protector and Friend, and ſay with the Pſalmiſt, Becauſe He is at my Right-Hand I ſhall not be moved.—Though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death I will fear no Evil.—In Conſequence of this diſtinguiſhed Care of Divine Providence, I proceed to ſay,
FIFTHLY, NOTHING can do them any eſſential Hurt.
THEIR Security is founded on their Union to the Son of God, and confirmed by an unalterable Promiſe, that Nothing ſhall ſeperate them from his Love. In this Situation they may poſſeſs their Souls in Peace, amidſt the Tempeſts which diſturb the Repoſe of the Reſt of Mankind. The Baſis of their Happineſs remains unſhaken, in all the Revolutions which take Place in this lower World. Attached to their exalted Head, who holds the Reins of univerſal Empire, they ſhall finally overcome the Power and Policy of their Enemies. They may be ſerene in the greateſt Dangers; ſecure in the ſevereſt Trials; happy in the moſt afflicted Condition.
THE Edicts of Princes may baniſh them to uncultivated Deſarts, and the Fires of Perſecution conſume all their earthly Enjoyments: But if we belong to Chriſt, our Happineſs is out of the Reach of Accidents and Diſappointments. Secure of an invincible Friend, we need not fear—the Lightnings of Heaven— the Shakings of the Earth—nor the Flames that ſhall conſume this habitable Globe.— Let the Sun be covered with Darkneſs, the Moon withdraw her Light, and this material Univerſe ſink into Ruin:—Let theſe Tabernacles of Clay be deſtroyed by the Stroke of Death, and this beautiful Arrangement of Fleſh and Blood return to it's original Duſt:—Let the illuſtrious Day appear, when the SON OF GOD ſhall deſcend from Heaven in radiant Majeſty, and ſummon the trembling Nations to ſtand at his impartial Bar:—The true Believer will lift up his Head with Joy amidſt theſe aſtoniſhing Scenes, and with a Voice of Triumph congratulate the Appearance of his GOD and SAVIOR: Clothed with his Righteouſneſs, he fears no Condemnation; animated by his Spirit, he is ſure to be found among the Number of his Friends.—If the Judge is his Friend, what can prejudice his Happineſs? I may add,
SIXTLY, ALL theſe great Revolutions ſhall conſpire to promote his real Good.
THE Deſtruction of the Univerſe prepares the Way for the Deſcent of his adorable Redeemer: The Diſſolution of the Body introduces him into the Joys of the divine Preſence: Death is a Meſſenger ſent from Heaven to convey him into a State of immortal Exiſtence. When the Heavens vaniſh away, the Vail is removed that conceals the ineffable Glories of the Kingdom of God.
WHILE we reſide upon Earth, we neceſſarily partake of thoſe Miſeries which are inſeperable from a State of Mortality; but when removed from this Valley of Tears, we enter on the true Felicity and Glory of our Natures. As the Children of the firſt Adam, we are ſubject to the Empire of Sin and Death; by our Relation to the ſecond Adam, we are Heirs of an heavenly Kingdom, where all His People ſhall live and reign with Him forever. —This leads me to ſay,
SEVENTHLY and finally, THEY rejoice in the Proſpect of immortal Glory.
THEIR Joy is not confined to the narrow Boundaries of Time, but extends through eternal Ages.—This makes it full without any Defect, complete without any Alloy.
THE happieſt Condition on Earth is not equal to the magnificent Promiſes of divine Grace, nor anſwerable to the ſublime Hopes which God has implanted in the Breaſts of his People. Though their Joys are ſuperior to thoſe of the moſt fortunate Worlding, yet they do not ſatisfy the Immenſity of our Deſires: We only perceive the Dawn of an heavenly Day. The Fruits of Grace are but Foretaſtes of the Harveſt of Glory. We are refreſhed with a few Drops which flow from the unbounded Ocean of Bleſſedneſs. We have a tranſient Glimpſe of that amiable Countenance which diffuſes Life and Joy through the Celeſtial Regions.—Even theſe imperfect Enjoyments, put Gladneſs into our Hearts, and enable us to rejoice more than when Corn and Wine are increaſed. In the Deſtitution of all Things, we may adopt the Language of the Pſalmiſt, Thou O Lord! art my Portion in the Land of the Living: Whom have I in Heaven but Thee? and there is none upon Earth that I deſire beſides Thee.
IN ſome favorite Moments, the faithful Servants of God experience thoſe divine Conſolations, which change this Earth into a Paradiſe of Delights: Filled with the tranſporting Views of a Savior's Excellency and Beauty, the World vaniſhes from their Sight: Inſpired with Love of the ſupreme Good, all Creatures appear as comparative Nothings. To forſake the Pleaſures of Senſe for the Enjoyment of God, gives them greater Satisfaction than to poſſeſs them in their higheſt Perfection.
IF, O my God! to behold thy Face in this Land of Exile, through a Glaſs darkly, be ſo inexpreſſibly delightful—How extatic will be my Joy! when I ſhall enter thy heavenly Habitation, and ſee Thee as Thou art in all thy unveiled Glory.—If the Refreſhments I receive in the Place of my Pilgrimage, be ſo agreeable—How vaſt will be my Felicity, when I ſhall eat of the Tree of Life, and drink of thoſe Rivers of Pleaſures that ſlow at thy Right-Hand!—If the Viſits of thy Love make me happy in theſe Regions of Sorrow, what may I not hope for in the Manſions of Bliſs!
WELL may the Voice of Rejoicing be heard in the Tabernacles of the Righteous.—Have I received Jeſus as my Savior?—Has a View of his Glory inſpired me with unfeigned Love to his Perſon and Character?—Is his Salvation more precious in my Eſteem than the deareſt earthly Enjoyments?—Do I value his Favor as Life, and his Loving-kindneſs as better than Life?—Then let me rejoice that God has opened my Eyes, to diſcern the true Value of Things, and directed me to chooſe that good Part that can never be taken away. After a few Struggles more with a corrupted Heart, a few more Selfdenials in an enſnaring World, I ſhall enter upon a State of Exiſtence, in which my Nature will be perfected, my Joys ſincere, my Happineſs complete, without Interruption, and without End.
IMPROVEMENT.
I. THIS diſcovers the Excellency of true Religion, and evidences that it is not an Enemy to human Happineſs.
DELUDED Mortals are prejudiced againſt the Ways of Chriſt; they imagine they are beſet with Thorns, and that thoſe who walk in them muſt bid Adieu to every agreeable Enjoyment.
BUT, this is a fatal Miſtake: Our amiable Maſter conſults the preſent Comfort as well as future Welfare of thoſe who enroll themſelves under his Banners. He indeed prohibits thoſe ſenſual Exceſſes, which pollute the Body, degrade the Mind, and ever prove Bitterneſs in the End: All his Laws are admirably adapted to make us happy in ourſelves, and Bleſſings to all around us.
THE Pleaſures of Sin are indeed inconſiſtent with the Character of a Diſciple of Chriſt. All who follow Him, are ſtrictly enjoined to keep themſelves unſpotted from the World, it's dangerous and polluting Manners: But they are introduced into a new Scene of Delights, ſuperior in their Kind and more laſting in their Duration. We renounce that falſe and deluſive Joy, which, like a blazing Meteor makes a gaudy Appearance, but ſoon vaniſhes into empty Air: In the room of theſe diſguiſed Trifles we receive Joys ſpiritual and divine, which are continually refining, and will encreaſe more and more till they leave not one unaccompliſh'd Wiſh—not one unſatisfied Deſire. The Pleaſures of Religion, may be compared to the Path of the Juſt, which ſhineth more and more to the perfect Day.
THESE Joys, are diſcovered in the Goſpel to thoſe, who without its irradiating Beams, muſt have remained in the Regions of the Shadow of Death: They are offered to thoſe, who without theſe glad Tidings, muſt live in perpetual Fear, die in unutterable diſtreſs, and after Death be involved in Blackneſs of Darkneſs forever.
HOW conſolatory are the Diſcoveries of the Goſpel! They preſent to our View a God reconciled through the atoning Blood of Jeſus: —A Savior ſufficient to to ſupply all our Wants, and ready to relieve us in all our Neceſſities: —To thoſe who thankfully receive theſe Revelations of divine Grace, it makes the moſt precious Promiſes—and aſſures them the Poſſeſſion of every deſirable Bleſſing through every Period of their Exiſtence.
WHEN we rejoice in any created Good, our Joy may be innocent, but it cannot be enduring: Earthly Joys may delight for a Moment, but are like the Crackling of Thorns under a Pot; they form a ſudden Blaze which ſoon expires.—But to rejoice in the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, is to build the Fabric of human Happineſs on an immoveable Baſis, which neither the Tempeſts of Life, nor the Depredations of Death can diminiſh or deſtroy. This is to poſſeſs a Joy which will not decay with Age, but ſurvive the Funeral of univerſal Nature, and flouriſh through all Eternity. Well may the Believer rejoice with Joy unſpeakable and full of Glory.
II. THIS ſhould be improved as a mighty Argument to perſwade us to accept the Great Salvation.
THIS is the Deſign I have been carrying on in ſeveral Diſcourſes; and certainly Nothing can be more worthy the Attention of a Being in a State of Trial, and deſigned for an eternal Exiſtence. If this is deſpiſed and neglected, the Wrath of God attends you in all your Ways—It lies down with you at Night—it riſes with you in the Morning—It accompanies you through all the Buſineſs and Diverſions of the Day: A ſecret Curſe is mingled with all your Enjoyments: You are every Moment expoſed to the Arreſts of Death: This delivers you over to unceaſing Torments.
TO rejoice in theſe Circumſtances is the moſt thoughtleſs Stupidity. The Joys of the Sinner may be compared to the Revels of a condemned Malefactor, who in the height of his Folly goes dancing to an infamous Execution.
THINK, O my Brethren, how full—how free—how unlimitted are the Calls of Sovereign Mercy? With what Authority does God Command! With what Compaſſion does He invite! With what Earneſtneſs does He beſeech you, not to refuſe the Offers of his Love!
REVIEW the unſpeakable Bleſſings which will be the immediate Portion of thoſe, who receive this great Salvation with Humility and Gratitude, and labour to obtain it with indefatigable Zeal and Diligence.—Being juſtified by Faith in Jeſus, they become Members of his ſacred Family, they enjoy the Privileges of the Children of God, and in the Relation of Children are Heirs of His heavenly Kingdom. Compared to this, what are Crowns and Sceptres! What are all the Glories of created Nature!—glittering Phantoms—diſguiſed Nothings.
BUT if Men bar their Hearts againſt the Impreſſions of incarnate Love, and give the Bleſſed Savior a final refuſal; God—His elect Angels—and the Aſſembly of perfected Spirits will rejoice in their Damnation—May infinite Mercy prevent this terrible Event!—Perhaps you have lived long under a Diſpenſation of Grace, but have entertained no Thoughts of preparing for Eternity:—Perhaps you are full of gay Expectations of Pleaſure in the Ways of Sin:—In the Pride of Life, captivated with the Enjoyment of your Luſts, immerſed in Earthly Cares—you pour Contempt on the Solemnities of Religion.
BUT make a Pauſe—Bethink yourſelves before it be too late: You have no Time to trifle—Your Life is as a Vapor, and may expire before the Dawn of another Day: Or, if your Time upon Earth is lengthned out, a provoked God may ſwear in his Wrath that you ſhall never enter into his Reſt.—Conſider this, ye that forget God—Kiſs ye the Son leſt He be angry, when his Wrath is but kindled: Bleſſed are they that truſt in Him.—
TO whom be Glory forever and ever.
AMEN.
End of the text · Ebenezer Pemberton, Salvation by Grace Through Faith (1774)