Salvation by Grace Through Faith, Sermon 1
SALVATION BY GRACE through FAITH, Illuſtrated and Confirmed, IN EIGHT SERMONS Preached at BOSTON in NEW-ENGLAND.
By E. PEMBERTON, D. D.
For we preach, not ourſelves, but Chriſt Jeſus the Lord.— For the Preaching of the Croſs is to them that periſh, Fooliſhneſs; but to us that are ſaved, it is the Power of God. ST. PAUL.
BOSTON, NEW-ENGLAND: PRINTED BY THOMAS AND JOHN FLEET, 1774.
THE CONTENTS.
SERMON I. The SALVATION revealed in the GOSPEL deſcribed. Epheſians II. 8. For by Grace are ye SAVED, thro' Faith. Page 1.
SERMON II. SALVATION by GRACE. From the ſame Text. P. 16.
SERMON III. Of the Nature of FAITH. From the ſame Text. P. 35.
SERMON IV. FAITH the appointed Way of SALVATION. From the ſame Text. P. 54.
SERMON V. Faith the GIFT of GOD. Epheſians II. 8. —And that not of yourſelves: IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD. P. 73.
SERMON VI. The Salvation we receive by Faith, UNSPEAKABLY GREAT. Hebrews II. 3. How ſhall we eſcape, if we neglect ſo GREAT Salvation? P. 91.
SERMON VII. Thoſe who neglect this Great Salvation muſt inevitably periſh. From the ſame Text. P. 111.
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. P. 127.
SERMON I. The SALVATION revealed in the GOSPEL deſcribed.
EPHESIANS II. 8.
For by Grace are ye SAVED.
IT was the Privilege of Adam, immediately on his firſt Creation, to be placed in the delightful Garden of Eden. No ſooner did he receive his Exiſtence, but he became an Inhabitant of Paradiſe. He entered into a World finiſh'd with the moſt exquiſite Art, and furniſh'd with every Thing that could contribute to his Happineſs.—But the Children of the ſecond Adam, enter into Being in very different Circumſtances: Our Natures are deeply corrupted, we inhabit a dark and diſordered World, we are born to Trouble as the Sparks fly upward.—Even after we are in ſome Meaſure recovered from the Ruins of the Apoſtacy, and re-admitted into the Family of Heaven, it is by ſlow Degrees that we attain to a State of Felicity and Glory. We muſt paſs through a tedious Pilgrimage, before we arrive at our deſtin'd Home: We muſt endure many ſufferings upon Earth, before we enter into celeſtial Joy.
THIS is the Appointment of God, and founded in the Nature of Men, for the beſt of Saints upon Earth, are ſanctified but in part: Upon this Account their Happineſs is far from complete: Theſe Tabernacles of Clay muſt ſuffer a Diſſolution, before we ſhall be prepared for the Viſion and Enjoyment of an holy God. When we take Farewel of Sin, we ſhall bid an eternal Adieu to Sorrow.
IN the mean Time, the moſt extenſive Propoſals of Salvation are made to Mankind: Thoſe who cordially accept of this Salvation, are made partakers of its important Bleſſings: Theſe are the intereſting Truths contain'd in that Paſſage of Scripture, which has now been read unto you, and which by Divine Permiſſion, will be the Subject of ſeveral Diſcourſes.— The Deſign of my preſent Diſcourſe, is to explain the Nature of that Salvation which is revealed in the Goſpel—and the whole will be comprehended under the following Heads.—
THE Salvation revealed in the Goſpel implies, that thoſe who are made Partakers of it were in a State of Guilt and Miſery.—
THEIR Recovery is begun in this Life.—
THEIR Happineſs ſhall be compleated, in a future World.
FIRST, It implies, that thoſe who are made Partakers of this Salvation, were in a State of Guilt and Miſery.
TO ſave, in ſtrict Propriety of Speech, is to reſcue a Perſon from a Danger to which he is expoſed; or deliver him from a Calamity in which he is involved —Upon this Account the Eternal SON OF GOD, when He appeared upon Earth in the Faſhion of a Man, aſſumed the Character of a SAVIOUR—His Name was called JESUS, becauſe He come to ſave His People from their Sins —He aſſures us the Deſign of his Miſſion, was, ſo ſeek and ſave them that were loſt.
ANGELS are perfectly happy, but never mentioned among the Number of the ſaved; becauſe they never violated the Purity of their Nature, but always maintained their primitive Innocence. Adorned with the Robes of unſtained Righteouſneſs, they feel no Guilt, fear no Danger; but taſte unmingled Felicity and Joy. —But Man is fallen from his original Excellence, and plunged into an Abyſs of Miſery. Having departed from God, he is deprived of the amiable Image of the Deity; and become a Prey to the moſt infamous Appetites. A deluded Underſtanding leads him into endleſs Mazes of Error and Folly: He purſues a vaniſhing Shadow, and deſpiſes the true Felicity of his Nature: Captivated with the Charms of Senſe, he neglects the Purity and Perfection of his immortal Spirit: Dazzled with a gav Appearance, he follows every glittering Phantom: Corrupted in his moral Taſte, he ruſhes into the Embraces of the moſt polluting Pleaſures: Unmindful of his heavenly Birth, his Affections are chained down to the Enjoyments of this inferior Earth: Seduced by flattering Dreams, he ſleeps on ſecurely, till the Light of Eternity diſcovers the fatal Miſtake—So ſtrong is the Deception while Men remain under the Power of depraved Nature, that we imagine ourſelves free, even when we are the moſt paſſive Slaves. We hug our Chains, as if they were the nobleſt Ornaments. With thoughtleſs Gaiety, we tread the beaten Road that leads to Death and Hell. —To finiſh our Unhappineſs, our Maker is offended; his Wrath is revealed from Heaven againſt us; the Sentence of his righteous Law condemns us to eternal Death.—To what Sanctuary ſhall we fly in this loſt and deſperate State?—Can we bribe inexorable Juſtice—Can we reſiſt an omnipotent Arm?—Can we be concealed from that Being whoſe all-penetrating Eyes ſurvey all Nature with a ſingle Glance? —Can we eſcape beyond the Bounds of his univerſal Empire?—Or can we ſupport the Terrors of his avenging Wrath?—Who can thunder with an Arm like God?—Who can abide the Day of his Indignation?—Our Conſciences accuſe us of innumerable Crimes; the Law pronounces it's awful Curſes againſt every Tranſgreſſor: We live only to encreaſe the Number of our Offences, and die to become the Victims of divine Juſtice.
IN this melancholy Situation, a Reprieve muſt be acknowledged a Favor; a Mitigation of our Puniſhment an unmerited Mercy; but the glad Tidings of Deliverance, one would think, muſt be received with Tranſports of Gratitude.—To publiſh this Good News is the Deſign of the Goſpel; and the whole Number of the ſaved attend to the conſolatory Meſſage with an humble Faith.—As a neceſſary Conſequence of this—
SECONDLY, Their Recovery is begun in this Life.
YE are ſaved, ſays St. Paul to the believing Epheſians. He ſpeaks of their Salvation, not as a future Event, but as a preſent Privilege. He does not ſay, Ye ſhall be ſaved in the Hour of Death—in the Morning of the Reſurrection —at the illuſtrious Day of the Reſtitution of all Things; but deſcribes it as an Happineſs, which in ſome good Degree, they then enjoyed.
BUT how can this be?—Do not true Believers inhabit a World of Sorrow? Are they not defiled with innumerable Corruptions? Is not Satan continually diſturbing their Peace? Does not the World with it's treacherous Smiles, frequently betray Men into Sin? Do they not groan under the Burden of various Afflictions? Muſt they not ſubmit to the Empire of Death? Are not their Bodies, the Workmanſhip of the Almighty, by an irrevocable Decree, condemned to become the Food of Worms?—Are theſe the Advantages which the Son of God hath purchaſed for his favorite People?—Is this the Salvation deſcribed with ſuch Pomp and Magnificence in the Goſpel?—
I GRANT, my Brethren, upon Earth we do not receive our perfect Conſummation in Bliſs. This Event will not take Place till the Day of Chriſt's ſecond Appearance, in the Glory and Grandeur of an incarnate God; in the Character of Univerſal Judge of Angels and Men. —Then our adorable Redeemer will manifeſt the Fulneſs of his ſaving Power, compleat the Deſigns of his almighty Love, and eſtabliſh his People in a State of immutable Felicity and Glory.—But, upon Earth, we receive the firſt Fruits of this joyful Harveſt: We are favored with delightful Foretaſtes of thoſe Rivers of tranſporting Pleaſure, which flow in the Paradiſe above: We view at a Diſtance the immortal Glories of that Kingdom, where the Saints ſhall live and reign with God forever and ever.
THE faithful Diſciples of Chriſt, were appointed to this Salvation, in the eternal Counſels of God. In the Fulneſs of Time. JESUS the Saviour paid the Price of their Redemption to the uttermoſt Farthing. By his all ſufficient Merits, he purchaſed for them the Honor and Happineſs of the Sons of God. As an Evidence of this—He hath ſent his Spirit into their Hearts; to turn them from Darkneſs to Light; from the Follies of Vice, to the Wiſdom of the Juſt; from the Labyrinths of Error and Deluſion, to the Paths of Holineſs and Happineſs, —By this we know, that we are paſſed from Death unto Life—are united to the Son of God, and intereſted in his immaculate Righteouſneſs:—In conſequence of this, we have now the Forgiveneſs of our Sins, and ſhall ſhortly receive an Inheritance among thoſe that are ſanctified. We are no more conſidered as Aliens and Strangers, but Fellow-Citizens with the Saints and of the Houſehold of God.
HOW divine a Change have theſe happy Souls experienced! Well may they rejoice in their ineſtimable Privileges. If we are of this happy Number, Salvation is ours by an unfailing Title; ſhortly we ſhall poſſeſs all it's extenſive Bleſſings. We need not tremble at the condemning Sentence of the Law, but may rejoice in the Hope of immortal Glory. Chriſt hath endured the Puniſhment due to our Crimes; and wrought out a perfect Righteouſneſs in the Character of our Surety. By this we are juſtified at the Tribunal of God, and declared Heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven.— We ſhall be preſerved from the World and it's deceitful Temptations. For the great Captain of our Salvation hath overcome this dangerous Enemy. He will preſerve us from being fatally ſeduced by its Terrors or Allurements: Every Chriſtian hath his Converſation in Heaven, while here upon Earth; and is every Day aſpiring after a more exact Conformity to the Maxims and Manners of that bleſſed World. —We ſhall not be deſtroyed by the prevalency of corrupted Nature: For an immortal Principle of Life hath quickned us who were dead in Treſpaſſes and Sins: We have a divine Aſſurance that Sin, the worſt of Evils, ſhall no more have the Dominion over us. Under the Conduct of almighty Grace, it's Influence is continually diminiſhing; the Path of the Juſt, like the Morning Light, ſhineth more and more unto the perfect Day.—We ſhall be delivered from the Policy and Power of Satan, though deſcribed as a roaring Lion ſeeking whom he may devour. Our BLESSED LORD hath triumphed over this inveterate Oppoſer of God and Goodneſs, and will not ſuffer him finally to prevail againſt thoſe who are committed to his Care: He may diſturb their Peace, by his malignant Suggeſtions, but not deſtroy their Safety: He may tempt them by the moſt artful Methods, but ſhall not be able to reduce them to a Subjection to his deteſted Empire. They are under the Protection of One, who is able to ſave unto the uttermoſt, and may depend on his faithful Promiſe, that none ſhall pluck them out of his Hands.—We are indeed expoſed to the Arreſts of the King of Terrors, and muſt, at the appointed Time, enter the dark Dominions of the Grave. But fear not, O Chriſtian! the divine Preſence will irradiate your Paſſage through the gloomy Vale of Death: Guards of Angels will ſafely eſcort you through the Territories of the Prince of Darkneſs: The Lord of Life bears the Keys of the inviſible World; and Death can't remove us beyond the Limits of his extenſive Juriſdiction. It indeed cloſes our Eyes upon the Beauties of this material Syſtem, but introduces us to the unutterable Glories of Heaven. It tranſlates us from this obſcure Corner of the Creation, to the Place of the Divine Reſidence, the Seat of his eternal Empire.—But the Illuſtration of this Point naturally falls under
THE THIRD Part of my Diſcourſe, which is to ſhew that the Recovery of the People of God, which is begun in this Life, ſhall be completed in a future World.
THE Argument of St. Paul is ſtrictly juſt and muſt give full Conviction to every attentive Mind: He that ſpared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, ſhall he not with Him freely give us all Things. The Love of God, in delivering up his Son to Sufferings and Death, for miſerable Mortals is one of the moſt aſtoniſhing Myſteries of Faith, and will be the perpetual Admiration of the ſublime Intelligences of Heaven. But when we are convinced of this fundamental Truth by the divine Teſtimony, we may eaſily conceive that the moſt excellent Favors will be beſtowed upon thoſe, for whom he made ſo coſtly a Sacrifice.—Accordingly Chriſtians are adorned with the moſt honorable Titles, inveſted with the moſt extenſive Privileges, and aſſured of complete and eternal Happineſs.
BUT what is their Condition while they reſide upon Earth?—Do they appear in the proper Dignity of the Sons of God?—in the genuine Character of thoſe who are appointed to inherit all Things?—No—They are often defiled with Sin, diſturbed with Fears, disfigured with Reproach, oppreſſed with a Variety of Temptations and Trials.—But the Hour of Darkneſs is ſhort, very ſoon the heavenly Light will ariſe: The Night of Affliction will quickly come to an End and be ſucceeded with perpetual and unclouded Day. Then they ſhall be freed from every Sorrow, purified from every Blemiſh, and be made KINGS and PRIESTS unto God.
IN the preſent Diſpenſation; the Ways of Providence are myſterious; the Equity and Goodneſs of the divine Government is, in a great Meaſure, concealed from the moſt diligent Enquirers: Vice often receives the Rewards of Virtue; and Virtue is condemned to the Puniſhment of Vice: JESUS CHRIST is confined to a Manger, an impious Herod is advanced to the Throne of Iſrael: St. Paul is a Priſoner in Chains, a bloody Nero ſways the Scepter of the Roman Empire: The beſt of Men are trampled under Foot as the Off-ſcouring of all Things; and the vileſt Monſters of human Nature are attended with Applauſe, and ride upon the High Places of the Earth. —But in the Day of the Reſtitution of all Things, Vice ſhall appear in it's naked Deformity, and be puniſhed with righteous Severity: Virtue ſhall be publickly applauded at the ſupreme Tribunal. and receive a Crown of incorruptible Glory: The laves of Satan ſhall be confined in Chains of everlaſting Darkneſs— while the Servants of Chriſt ſhine as the Brightneſs of the Firmament forever.
HOW poor and imperfect is the Happineſs, which the Saints enjoy upon Earth, in compariſon of the magnificent Promiſes which are made unto them in the Word of God!—In their beſt Eſtate—their happieſt Hours—they are far from that Purity and Perfection, to which they ardently aſpire. But the Day of their Redemption is ſwiftly approaching, when they ſhall awake, arrayed in the Redeemer's Righteouſneſs, adorned with the Beauties of the divine Image, and receive the full Satisfaction of all their Deſires. The everlaſting Love of God to his People, will appear in its richeſt Glory; and the Deſigns of redeeming Grace receive their final Accompliſhment —Then we ſhall no longer proſtrate ourſelves before an inviſible God, but approach the Throne of his Glory, behold His unveiled face, and triumph in the Joys of His immediate Preſence.—We ſhall no longer worſhip Him in Temples made with Hands, in Company with ſinful and miſerable Mortals; but enter the undefiled Sanctuary above, and unite our Voices with Angels and Arch-Angels, in the triumphant Hallelujahs of Heaven.—We ſhall no longer be confined to a few refreſhing Taſtes of the divine Benignity, but have free Acceſs to the Tree of Life, which ſtands in the Midſt of the Paradiſe of God; and quench our Thirſt after Happineſs, at the original Fountain of all Good.
I CONCLUDE, with one or two Reflections.
I. WHAT Obligations are we under to the Son of God, who hath purchaſed this Salvation for the Heirs of Guilt and Miſery.
No ſooner had the Great Creator, introduced Man into a State of Exiſtence, but the Prince of Darkneſs aſſaulted his Innocence, and contrived his ruin. He filled the Minds of our firſt Parents, with falſe Apprehenſions of the bleſſed God; and by this Means betrayed them into a voluntary Diſobedience to the divine Law —Immediately the human Nature was degraded and defiled; the Favorites of Heaven became confederates with the Spirits of Hell —As we were Partakers of their Crimes, we were condemned to ſuffer their Puniſhment.
BUT the Son of God deſcended from Heaven, that He might deſtroy the Works of the Devil. He aſſumed our Nature, with its Innocent Infirmities; fulfilled the Law which we had violated; ſubmitted to the Puniſhment which was the juſt Demerit of our Crimes— In conſequence of this, Salvation is preached to all Nations; the greateſt Sinners are invited to return to their offended Maker: Free Acceſs is opened to the Throne of Grace, and the humble Penitent is aſſured of Audience and Acceptance.
THEY who improve theſe happy Advantages, and confide in this all-ſufficient Saviour, immediately experience the Compaſſions of his Heart, and the Power of his Hands. He aboliſhes their Guilt, and conſtitutes them Heirs of the Kingdom of God. He inſpires them with his bleſſed Spirit, which conquers their native Corruption, and forms them to a divine and heavenly Life. He gives them the Peace of God which paſſes all Underſtanding; refreſhes them under their various Afflictions, with the Viſits of his Love; and ſometimes gives them tranſporting Earneſts of the Happineſs reſerved for them in a future World —…hortly He will deſcend in all his Mediatorial Glory—and aſcend the Throne of Judgment. This Fleſh and Blood, which is haſtning to the ſilent Grave, ſhall hear his animating Voice, ſhake off the Sleep of Death, and ariſe Glorious and immortal: Our whole Man ſhall partake of his Triumphs, and rejoice forever in his Love.
AND now, my Brethren, who of us does not ſay—May I be of the happy Number— May my Portion be with the Nations of the Redeemed—May I, O adorable SAVIOUR, ſee the Good of thy choſen, and rejoice with the Gladneſs of thine Inheritance.
IS this our Language—then,
II. To obtain this Happineſs, ought to be our principal Care.
TO be happy, is the univerſal Deſire of all Mankind. There are two Kinds of Happineſs that preſent themſelves to our View and court our Affections: The one conſiſts in the Enjoyment of the Pomps and Pleaſures of this Life, the other in the Dignity and Privileges of the Children of God. The Men who have their Portion in this Life, chooſe their Happineſs in a World that groans under the Wrath of indignant Heaven: The Men who embrace the Salvation of the Goſpel, place their Felicity in a World that is filled with the Loving-kindneſs of God. This world is the melancholy Abode of Darkneſs and Diſorder; the future is perpetually illuminated with the Rays of the divine Glory. Every Thing here below is ſubject to continual Change, but the Felicity of the Saints above is free from all Viciſſitudes. The Earth with all its Splendors, muſt periſh in the Flames, but Heaven, the Throne of God, endures for ever.
DETACH, therefore, O Profeſſors of the Goſpel, your Affections from this Scene of Vanity, fix your Deſires on a better Country, which is reſerved in Heaven: Why ſhould we amuſe ourſelves with Dreams of Happineſs, in theſe Regions of Darkneſs, when Chriſt hath purchaſed for us a World of Light and Joy?— Encompaſſed with ſo great a Cloud of Witneſſes, who have finiſhed their Courſe with Joy, we ſhould run with Patience the Race which is ſet before us, looking unto Jeſus the Author and Finiſher of our Faith. AMEN.