so believing on him for it is said to wait through the spirit for all the hope of righteousnesse by faith Gall. 5. 5. He believes on him that justifyeth the ungodly His faith is counted for righteousnesse Rom. 4. 5. And in the latter end of that Chapter he thus expresseth it It shall be imputed to us for righteousnesse if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead who was delivered for our and was raised again for our Justification In both compared it appears not only that Gods justifying the ungodly in every sence in which he doth it is in and through the Resurrection of Christ from the dead for our Justification who was delivered for our offences which is signified in that one is put for another his raising Christ from the dead in the close of the Chapter supplyes the Room of his justification the ungodly in the fifth verse As shewing the ground of it and how he doth it righteously as Rom. 3. 24 25 26. I say not only this appeares but also in both this further is signified that Gods justifying the ungodly in and through the Resurrection of Christ from the dead who was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification This is the Root the ground and foundation of this faith of the opperation of God which is counted to men for righteousnesse This is that from whence the heart is begotten moved and strengthened to its satisfaction and rest in him dependance and waiting on him for righteousnesse and so seeking righteousnesse and strength in the Lord even this known and believed in the light and strength of Gods testimony That he justifyeth the ungodly having raised Christ from the dead So then there must needs be in this faith which is counted to men for righteousnesse 1 A believing God as Rom. 4. 3. A believing the testimony or record he hath given of his Son 1 Joh. 5. 9 12. viz. That God hath raised him from the dead Rom. 4. 24 25. 10. 9. And so the revelation he hath given of himselfe in his Son that he justifyeth the ungodly 2 A resting in him believing or depending on him from that perswasion and in the light and power of it for righteousnesse And so much is distinctly expressed in the explication of the doing good spoken of in this Text vers 24. He that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation c. with reference to which he saith in this Text. They that have done good shall come forth to the resurrection of Life For our better and more usefull understanding of this saith or believing which is unto righteousnesse we shall first and chiefly apply our selves to some consideration of the word or Doctrine of faith in which the ground and foundation of faith is declared and which being with the heart believed is unto righteousnesse and then more briefly speak to the saith or believing in both the branches The hearing his word or believing God in his Word or Testimony And the believing on him through and according to it 1 The Word or Doctrine of faith which being with the heart believed according to the manifestations of it given us is unto righteousnesse is expressed in the verses before the Text to be the word or voyce of the Son of Man even of the only begotten Son of God in Mans nature The word record or testimony of or concerning him and of the Father in him As that is already given forth in these last dayes by him and is true to be heard and believed by every man The preaching of peace by Jesus Christ he is Lord of all It is first and directly a record or testimony concerning Christ and yet it is also and in the same a testimony or revelation of the Father in and through Christ And so sometimes the record or testimony as it is more directly of Christ or concerning him is delivered as the sum of that whole word or Doctrine to be heard and believed with the heart as Rom. 10. 9. That God hath raised up Christ from the dead and so Rom. 4. 24 25. where he addes who was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification The revelation of the Fathers name being in this testimony And sometimes also that revelation of the Fathers name and glory that is given forth in Christ according to this Testimony of him is given as a summary Declaration of the whole Testimony to be so heard and believed it being the sum and result of the whole as 1 Joh. 1. 5. This then is the message even the sum of that ministration of the word of Life which they had received to declare unto others mentioned in the former verses That God is light and in him is no darknesse at all So in that Rom. 4. 5. That God justifyeth the ungodly is given us as an abridgment of the whole word of faith It being the summing up conclusion or result of the whole testimony of God concerning Christ And in the verses before the Text both are wonderfully compact together The testimony of God concerning Christ and the manifestation or revelation of God in Christ as it should after more explicatively be brought forth And that both First in the fundamentall part of it The Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment to the Son that all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father c. And secondly In the superstructure or consequentiall part of it He that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation like that in both parts 1 Joh. 5. 10 11 12 13. We shall speak to it in our explication first and chiefly as it is the Testimony or record of God concerning Christ Jesus the Lord comprized in this that God hath raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead who was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our justification This being given us as the sum and abridgment of the whole word or voyce of Christ or Testimony of God concerning him whence who so in hearing heareth shall live Rom. 4. 24 25. with ch 1. 1 4. 2 Tim. 2. 8. 1 Cor. 15. 11-15 Rom. 10. 9. This abridgment of it being also most suitable to the Text and occasion in this testimony of Christ delivered as the sum of the word of faith and doctrinall ground of it Is 1 An acknowledgment and profession of Jesus to be the Lord carryed in the face of it And 2. A testification that God hath raised him up from the dead as expressed both in Rom. 4. 24 25. and in ch 10. 9. 1 An acknowledgment and profession of Jesus to be the Lord even that Jesus of Nazareth of the seed of David after the flesh That he is the only begotten Son of God that was in the beginning with the Father and of the Father the same
of Gods truth on such demonstrations as is suited to the wisedome of this World They receive it not as the word of God but as the word of men And so deprive themselves of the excellent sweetnesse and efficacy of it their faith resting on the wisedome and strength of man and not in the power of God as is signified 1 Cor. 2. 1 5. 1 Thess 2. 13. whence Believers are admonished to beware of Philosophy and vain deceite c. Coll. 2. 8. Likewise some by working in their own will and purpose to hide serve and get satisfaction to the lusts and affections of the flesh against the light and power of the reproofes of instruction keep out themselves from listening to or from understanding and receiving the word of truth yea many see and hate because it reproves their deeds Joh. 3. 19. 7. 7. 8. 43 44. 6. 27-36 5. 44. Ezek. 33. 30-33 Others in listening to and receiving the truth yet retaining such divers lusts the heart still inclined to covetousnesse the praise of men or the like And now thinking to get or keep these things together with the truth or also to get them by and in the receiving and profession of it still retaining and pursuing the lust seeking to render themselves wise strong and honourable in Christ or in the receiving and acknowledgment of him as those 1 Cor. 4. 10. contrary to 1 Thess 2. 3 4 5 6. They herein disable themselves from so coming to the knowledge and acknowledgment of the truth as that they might be saved by it And so make their very believing in vain Joh. 12. 42 43. 2 Tim. 3. 6 7. 1 Tim. 6. 9 10 11. For no man can serve two Masters Math. 6. 24. No following after righteousnesse to purpose without an equall fleeing from these things in the pursuite 2 Tim. 2. 19-22 But he that doth truth cometh to the light ceasing from his own wisedome thoughts and works that he may see all his works wrought in God receives his word as his word in its own evidence and power and not as mans to be measured or comprehended by mans wisedome And as a good and faithfull saying in which is contained enough to satisfy and make willing to let goe all other advantages and suffer the breaking of other purposes and desires for And worthy to be submitted to in what ever it saith though discovering and reproving evill in himselfe And so there is in this hearty believing the word of truth the true confession of sins and judging a mans selfe believing and acknowledging himselfe such a sinner and worthlesse helplesse one his sins so vile his works so vain and unclean as this word discovers them And because so discovered in the light of that Gospell of their salvation that sets open before them the Fountain for their washing and healing 1 Ioh. 5. 7. 9. And this word where-ever so believed and received with the heart unfeinedly According to the Discoveries and Demonstrations of it brought nigh in those preachings of it vouchsafed for he requires not any other or farther receiving then according to what he gives yea he is very mercifull in not upbraiding with what dullnesse and shortness he findes in that and to him that hath shall more be given I say where so believed with the heart it works effectually 2. A believing on him that sent Christ Ioh. 5. 24. And hath raised him from the dead and through him as raised from the dead for our justification justifieth the ungodly Rom 4. 5. 24. 25. Which believing on him is such as in which I. The heart and mind from the hearty perswasion of the truth and goodnesse of his word and in the light and power thereof is stayed on the Lord Jesus Christ and so on that name of the Father in him resting satisfied with this and trusting in and to it as a sure full and sufficient ground and foundation for all faith and hope in God and bottome matter of feeding and rejoyceing at all times a sure Refuge and strong Tower of defence to run into for saving to the utmost and in all his needs And so rejoyceing in the Lord Jesus even in his flesh that he gave for the life of the World And so in that Redemption Righteousnesse and life in Him as the fruit thereof as one that needs or desires no other thing to be added to or with it for object of saustaction or feeding ground of faith or hope for whatever is yet needfull or wanting to him And therefore renouncing all other objects of satisfaction and grounds of rest trust or rejoycing to his soul as losse and dung for the excellency of the knowledge of him that he may only know him and him crucified and be found in him cloathed with his righteousnesse and not that of his own either alone or together with it Isa 26. 3. 50. 10. Ioh. 6. 32 33 35 45-50-58 Phil. 3. 7-10 Gal. 2. 20. He worketh not but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly Some labouring to establish a righteousnesse of their own in the wisedome and strength of the flesh according to the Law thereby keep out themselves from knowing and proving the fullnesse and excellency and from submitting to the righteousnesse of God in Christ Rom. 10 3. Others in their coming to him yet reasoning with flesh and bloud and looking upon the things to be let goe or parted with for him and the sweetnesse and gain they have apprehended in them labouring to retain and hold fast the rejoyceing and confidence they have had in such works or things of the flesh And yet to have their rejoyceing in Christ and enjoy that consolation that is in him And the comfort of Gods love through him also and together with the former or looking back again upon those things believed when they have begun to let them goe for Christ and seeking to be perfected by the flesh in the wisedome or strength of it or things of its commending to that purpose when they have begun in the spirit These by their working and labouring make Christ of none effect to themselves For they cannot know him prove and tast his preciousnesse And he found in him without a hearty and daily letting goe and suffering the losse of their own things yea whatever hath been gainfull to them as discovered and reproved in the light of the knowledge of him Phill. 3. Others also when they have suffered the losse of many things for Christ and tasted of his excellency and preciousnesse and been much filled with the consolations that are in him the comfort of Gods love by and through him the fellowship of the spirit and thence with bowels and mercies even to the bringing forth the fruites of righteousnesse by Jesus Christ Yet they falling to work according to the wisedome and inclination of the flesh to make these fruites and efficacies of the knowledge of him the matter of their feeding and rejoyceing or seeking to to joyne
them together with or add them unto Christ as a better ground of assurance and hope of the promise of eternall life then they had in him before or yet have simply in what he is hath done and is become in himselfe for us Though these efficacies of the graciousnesse of the Lord tasted by them were his works yet their thus putting them out of their place and in the place of Christ and seeking to deck their Idols with his Ornaments as Ezek. 16. 19-20 These are their works For the Law of faith excludes boasting every where or rejoycing in any thing even in what we have received through grace otherwise then so as the rejoycing be only in the Lord. Rom. 3. 27. 1 Cor. ult 4. 7. And instructs alwayes when we have done all these things to acknowledge our selves therein unprofitable Servants that have done no more then our duty from the grace already bestowed Luk. 17. 10. Yea to be sensible of and acknowledge our short coming of that so much found with us in all things That still we may take shame to our selves and seek to have all our rejoyceing in and feeding on him and not in any of those things And truly this work of our own in this abuseing and misplaceing the works of God cannot stand with our abideing in him as we have received him But doth weaken and draw away the heart from him and also occasion the decay and withering of the good things so rejoyced in and fed upon But he that doth good or that doth truth alwayes comes to the light that he may alwayes see all his works wrought in God in emmanuell That so he may have his rejoyceing in him evermore And as one that hath enough there he comes to that Fountain that he may be filled with the knowledge enjoyment and fruites of that in and with Christ And he that so eatest me saith our Saviour shall live by me They trusting in resting satisfied with and staying upon that perfect righteousnesse perfected in his resurrection And the glorious name of God in him as a full and sufficient ground of rejoyceing and hopeing and matter of feeding for justification sanctification and all things pertaining to life and godlinesse they are therein II. From the fullnesse and riches of grace perceived and tasted in him instructed and strengthened to seek righteousnesse and strength in the Lord so as by an exercise of faith in Jesus to depend on him for and expect from him and with him the hope of his righteousnesse in the perfecting what concerns them According to the promise of eternall life given us in Christ which containes in it both the promise of this life and that to come They believe in Christ that they may be justified by the faith of Christ Gall. 2. 16. Acknowledging themselves as discovered in the light of his testimony as of themselves and from Adam to be sinners and altogether filthy and under curse by the Law and without strength They expect not nor seek that way to help themselves as to the attaining righteousnesse but seek and follow one to know what he hath done and is become for sinners to understand and perceive the perfection of his work and sacrifice its fullnesse and answe ablenesse to all their needs And the infinite riches of the grace of God in him to such sinners seeking and expecting through the knowledge of him to have their hearts and mindes stayed on him preserved in him yea more brought into him And in him to finde acceptance with God and to receive the remission of their sins and so the cleansing of their mind and conscience through his name and in the further and continuall openings of it They likewise believe on him stay upon and trust in his name for all righteousnesse even for sactifying washing and saving them to the utmost Knowing his rich furniture and abillity to save to the utmost all that come to God by him which also they know in knowing what he hath done and is become for us while we were yet sinners and enemies as Rom. 8. 32. Hebr. 7. 25. 9. 15. with Rom. 5. tot In which likewise they are assured that the Gospell of Christ is the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth For therein is the righteousnesse of God revealed from faith to faith as it is written The just shall live by faith being also therein made sensible of their own weaknesse insufficiency and deadnesse they are perswaded and strengthened in the light and strength of those instructions to disowne and goe out of themselves cease from their own thoughts reasonings and works and exercise themselves in the light and power of his grace to a diligent beholding and mindfullnesse of him in what he hath done and is become for them and the end and fruit of it and the grace and glory appearing in and through it They run to that and stay in and upon it seeking and expecting in it the light and power of God to conforme them to him and so to strengthen them to purge themselves from all filthinesse of flesh and spirit They through the spirit do waite for the hope of his righteousnesse by faith for giving them victory through the bloud of the Lamb and the word of their testimony and for perfecting what concerns them to the perfect Day They seek not righteousnesse by works but seek the works and fruit of his righteousnesse to be wrought and found in them through faith in him who was made sin for them that they might be made the righteousnesse of God in him We have here occasion to mention a double or twofold difference between him that worketh for righteousnesse And him that worketh not but believeth for it on him that justifies the ungodly 1. The one works for a ground of faith that he may believe the other believeth and resteth on a certain ground of faith that he may work the works of God The first seeks for frames and quallifications as the ground of his faith namely that from thence he may gather conclusions of Gods love and good will to him in Christ and of his good condition before God The other believing Gods love and good will to Manward and so to himselfe in Christ while an enemy that through Christ and by his name he might be saved His readinesse to accept any sinner coming in his drawings by Christ and to wash them from their sins in his bloud from hence is encouraged and provoked to seek and expect the framing and quallifying his heart to love and good works in the believing mindfullnesse of this grace And as the end and fruit of his faith 2. The one seekes to work up and frame his heart to love God and men by observing such and such Rules which the wisedome of man teacheth or the precepts of the Law in the wisedome and strength of man And in the same strength of the flesh on which he depends for it may do many