they come in at the Ministry of the Word It is not the will of the Father that one of these little ones should perish Mat. 18.14 All these do mightily help to confirm our faith 2 It should teach us highly to prize this propitiation of Jesus Christ It was pretious to God the Father and so ought it to bee to us 1 Pet. 2.6 7. God the Father gave Christ the preheminence in all and above all Hee preached him with his own voice and bade all men to hear him He set him forth with mighty signes and wonders and gifts of the Holy Ghost and the ministration of his Angels and acclamations of his Saints c. How highly then should he be prized by us 3 It should teach men to set a high price upon their own fouls You see that when they are in Captivity and slavery to Satan and in a lost estate there is nothing in the World no not all the World with all its worth can redeem them but only the propitiation of Jesus Christ Mat. 16.26 When God gave Egypt for his peoples ransome and Aethiopia and Seba for them hee shewed that hee prized them at a high rate Isa 42.3 4. But all the Kingdomes of the world are base and vile if compared with the foul of man God set that at the price of his Sons blood and Christ did so esteem it that hee gave his life for it Should it not then bee highly valued of us 4 As God the father set forth this Christ to us so let us set forth this Christ as a propitiation to God the father When wee apprehend God to bee displeased and angry with us wee may humbly go to him and say Lord thou hast before all time set a part and ever since time began set forth thy Son Jesus Christ to bee a propitiation for sinners Now thus thou hast imboldened us to set forth the same Jesus Christ to be our Propitiation to thee Thou hast sealed him to bee such and now thou canst not deny thy own hand and seal Joh. 6.27 Wee are fure that Christ is an offering and sacrifice of sweet smelling savour unto God Eph. 5.2 How unsavory so ere that wee are or have been And if wee pay God in his own coin that will bee current with him Lastly Set forth Christs propitiation to others every one to your respective relations As the Spouse Cant. 5. last He is altogether lovely Loe this is my beloved and this my Friend c. Inform the ignorant convince the erroneous ashame the voluptuous and contemners of Christ out of that foolish choice which they have made of other lovers instead of him Draw all that you may that they may forsake all other besides that they may go and seek him with you as chap. 6.1 Justification by Faith THE FOURTEENTH SERMON ON Romans 3.25 Through Faith in his blood HAving spoken concerning the satisfaction of Christ and the excellent fruit and effect thereof i. e. a propitiation I shall now proceed to that which is called the Instrumental cause of Justification Laid down in those words faith in his blood whence I shall note two observations 1 That the satisfaction of Christ is effectual to our justification through faith 2 That Faith as it justifieth doth especially apprehend the blood and sufferings of Jesus Christ Doct. 1. That the Satisfaction of Christ is effectual to the Justification of a Sinner through Faith Christs blood justifieth through faith Or That it is through the grace of Faith that the blessing of Justification is attained and conveyed This the Text holds forth plainly to us viz. That although wee are justified freely through Christs purchase and redemption yet Gods constituted way of applying this free grace of God and Merit of Christ to Sinners is through Faith and this is that which Paul makes his solemn conclusion vers 28. and a mighty ground of Christian Religion viz. Our justification by Faith without the works of the Law Which hee proves by the impossibility of justification by works by the Testimony of Habakkuk and by the Example of Abraham Rom. 4.9 11. Gal. 2.16 c. in diverse places plentifully insisted on Now for the better understanding of this truth it will bee needful to Answer a few questions 1 In what sense it is that through Faith a Sinner is justified 2 How Paul and James are reconciled 3 Why is it rather through faith than any other graces Quest In what sense is it that through Faith a Sinner is justified Answ For Answer In what sense faith justifieth I shall shew first in what sense it doth not justify then how it doth 1 A Sinner is not justified by Faith as it is a vertue or work in us because the Apostle doth exclude all works as such from Justification and Faith and works are opposed Rom. 3.28 Besides if it hath its place in justification as a work it cannot stand with the free grace of God Rom. 4.16 for grace and works are still opposed Rom. 11.5 6. Further that righteousness by which a sinner is justified must be exact and perfect but our faith is imperfect 1 Thess 3.10 2 Faith doth not justify as if the very act of beleeving were the matter of righteousnesse or any part thereof by which wee stand righteous before God This appears in that the righteousness by which wee are justified is not our own Phil. 3.9 but our faith is our own though wrought in us by the Spirit of God Hab. 2.4 and by these two Answers wee oppose two errours viz. of the Papists and Arminians who wickedly rob Jesus Christ of his honour and make an Idol of faith whereas wee are justified by the blood of Christ Rom. 5.9 vers 19. by the obedience of one c. 3 Faith doth onely justify us relatively or as it hath reference to its object Jesus Christ and his righteousness As the hand of a beggar receiving a bag of Gold bestowed upon him inriches him Now it s not the hand properly but it is the bag of gold freely bestowed that makes a beggar rich So the hand of the woman that touched our Saviour Christ healed her not as it was a hand but as it conveyed the vertue that came out of Jesus Christ So a mans faith is said to justify him because it receiveth Christ or the righteousness of Christ and indeed whatsoever is done by faith is done by Christ and therefore our being said to bee justified by faith Rom. 3.28 Eph. 2.8 is our being justified by Christ But here is a great Question How can it bee said that Faith can justify so much as instrumentally seeing that an Instrument is a cause how then can wee have any hand as causes in our Justification Answ Justification taken actively and passively Wee are to know that Justification is taken two waies 1 Actively 2 Passively The active Justification is that whereby God the Father justifies a sinner and pronounceth him just for the
sake of the imputed righteousness of Christ In this sense faith is no cause nor hath any influence at all into a sinners justification but Justification taken passively is that whereby beleevers by faith as by an hand do receive apprehend and apply to themselves the merits of Christs death and in this sense faith is an instrumental cause viz. A passive Instrument and cannot bee denyed its place in and influence into a sinners justification And this distinction you may see clearly grounded both in the places mentioned and Rom. 8. and in this chapter and in Rom. 5.1 the word is used in a passive sense Quest 2 How are Paul and James reconciled for James Ch. 2.21 saith that Abraham and Rahab were justified by works and ver 22. hee sets down this general conclusion that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone Answ Paul and James reconciled The conclusion of the Apostle is not as the Papists say that good works are a part of our righteousness and the cause of our justification before God neither as many of our Divines say That good works do justify as they declare us to bee just before men though that be a truth also but he shews that justifying faith is such as is effectual by good works or that it is a working faith that doth justify us which he proves both by comparing the faith of men and devils together as also by the example of Abraham and Rahab thence hee hath a distinction of faith which is lively and fruitful in good works and of a false and dead faith which is a bare profession of faith and formal acknowledgement of the Articles of Religion destitute of all good fruites so that James his discourse comes to this upshot That wee are not justified by a false or a dead faith and though James saith wee are justified by works he means by a common Metonymy a working faith Infants justifi cation Quest How are Infants justified by Faith Answ 1 Justification by faith belongs to persons grown and of understanding Rom. 10.17 2 Without doubt God hath his secret waies of applying the righteousness of Christ to infants by his Spirit which hee gives to them Isa 44.3 Quest Why is it rather through Faith than any other grace Why faith justifies Answ 1 Because by Faith is our union with Christ and our ingrafting into him and justification is a special priviledge and benefit properly arising from our union with Christ And then is the imputation of Christ's righteousness to us according to the Gospel dialect when it is apprehended by faith and hence justification is set after vocation Rom. 8.30 and therefore after faith because faith is wrought in vocation 2 The proper nature and office of faith is to rely and rest on Christ or the grace of God in Christ for Righteousness and Salvation hence the phrases of resting beleeving leaning on him as on the Rock the Corner stone c. 1 Pet. 2.6 Isa 26.3 4. and other places Faith makes it its proper distinguishing action to look out for a righteousness for justification and finding it in Christ wholly rests and relies on it as the Rock and Foundation the poor Sinner must be stayed by and built upon 3 Faith makes a special use of all the Promises draws water out of those wells receives and imbraces all the good things held forth in them but especially imbraceth remission of sins as one of the highest and chiefest Gospel concernments which hee hath to appropriate and improve to his greatest comfort and the foundation for to build on and exercise all other graces and duties and thence the just is said to live by faith Hab. 2.4 4 Because faith is constituted and ordained of God in the Covenant of grace as a necessary and indispensible means for attainment of this end in adult persons He did from eternity pitch on the grace of faith above all other for the applying the righteousnesse of Christ unto the soul of a Sinner 5 Because faith gives more glory to God and Christ than any other grace having free grace for its support and in a special manner free grace in Justification and going out of and denying it self more than any other grace receiving all from and attributing all to Christ and his fulnesse Joh. 1.16 and most especially whatever it hath or expecteth for justification Which makes the Apostle speak as hee doth Eph. 2.8 and every true beleever with him by grace we are saved through faith Use 1. This Doctrin doth clearly discover the dangerous estate of unbeleevers The danger of unbeleevers above all others there being no other way to receive that grace that is offered unto us in Christ or to attain unto the comfort of it Heb. 11.6 Without faith it is impossible to please God and what comfort or support can that man have who is not pleasing unto God There is but one Ark in all the World to save a poor sinner from the deluge of destruction that is Christ Jesus and no getting into this Ark but by faith There is death all the World over but in Christ As it was in the daies of Noah c. So shall the comming of the Son of man bee Matth. 24.38 39. how many on the face of the earth shall the second deluge or overwhelming destruction finde out of Christ the only Ark for poor sinners to bee saved by When the flood came the world knew nothing i. e. beleeved nothing and therefore rejected and despised the Ark that was preparing Oh! unbeleef is a soul-damning sin 2 Thess 1.8 9. especially in those that live under the clear dispensation of the Gospel Matth. 16.15 16. It was for this sin the Jews were broken off Rom. 11.20 even the whole body of the Nation and have been ever since the most accursed people in all the world Mark it all yee unbeleevers your curse is doubled and your Condemnation is The Condemnation Joh. 3.19 The Law pronounceth a curse for the breaking of it but the Gospel a far greater for not receiving Christ and your Life and Salvation which is offered unto you through him A Malefactor dies by the Law justly because by his wickedness hee hath deserved it but if hee hath an offer of a pardon and refuseth it hee is doubly guilty of his own destruction And this is the misery of poor unbeleevers in the daies of the Gospel Joh. 3.18.36 Obj. Why do you tell us of the danger of unbeleef which are not Infidels but hristians Ans Innumerable multitudes of souls do perish like the herd of Swine in the Sea that are driven headlong to destruction by Saran upon this conceipt that they are in the faith when they are not Therefore Use 2. Let this teach us to examine and try our selves whether wee are in the faith 2 Cor. 13.5 seeing we are justified by Faith Say thus have I gotten this precious grace viz. faith in Christs blood yea or not and bee
not hasty in concluding that thou hast it And for the discovery of this whether thou art in the faith consider these trials 1 more general 2 more particular 1 More general Consider First Tryals of faith whether thou hast a lower work of faith which although it doth not justify yet it is a step unto the other viz. to beleeve the truth of all the things that are written in the Law and the Prophets Act. 24.14 It thou hast not a dogmatical faith of these thou art worse than the Devils and if thou beleevest them but as the Devils thou shalt have no more benefit by thy saith than the Devils have But if this faith have a tendency to justifying Faith it is of pretious use to thee and causeth thee as it did Paul to exercise thy self to have a Conscience void of offence toward God and man ver 16. This is known very much by your beleeving the Commandements as well as the Promises but see do you beleeve the Commandements hee that beleeves them will set upon the obeying of them Heb. 11.8 yea he will have respect to every Commandement do you beleeve the threatnings Sure then you will tremble at them So David did Psal 119.120 Isa 66.2 5. As when wee see a Childe shooting at us wee fear not his arrows not will stir for him because we beleeve not that hee can or will hurt us But if we see a skilful archer to level at us wee will not dare to stand within bow-shot because wee beleeve hee will hit us So 't is in apprehending Gods threatnings against our sins When he shoots his arrows at us Ps 45.5 certainly if a man beleeves not Commands and Threatnings hee beleeves not with justifying faith Yea see how thou likest the faithful application of the word to thy conscience especially when it is impartial A naughty unbeleeving heart will turn from it 2 Tim. 4.3 at the least hee doth not love to apply it to himself for his profit Heb. 4.2 and such a hearer may sit under the means all his life time and never bee the better 2 See whether thy faith bee a working faith By this thou shalt know whether it bee the work of God if it act vigorously against the allowance of any sin that Faith which lyeth dead and idle is like a dead and unsavory carcass in Gods accompt Jam. 2.22 24. that Faith that works not by repentance Mark 1.15 that works not by love Gal. 5.6 that brings not forth good fruits that bauks any duty and imboldens to any Sin Col. 1.10 Psal 119.1 2. it is not hard for him that shall descend into his own conscience to discern what manner of faith hee hath attained unto 3 See whether your faith bee any other than what you have by natural power and abilities attained unto hee that hath no other hath not this saving faith wrought in him for this is wrought by a divine supernatural power Matth. 16.17 flesh and blood hath not revealed it Col. 2.12 Faith of the operation of God Eph. 1.19 It is true a carnal man may do many duties required of him in the moral Law for the outward performance because hee hath the seeds of the Law left in him but saving faith must bee created and wrought onely by the power of God which shews that the faith of some is but a meer fancy seeing they have no more than meer nature in them there was never any difficulty in the attainment of it 4 It is a grace that is not wrought in the heart unless soundly humbled Neither will ever abide in a proud heart how can you beleeve c. Joh. 5.44 Heb. 2.4 See how the Lord brought down Paul and the Jaylor and those Act. 2. So that until Pride and Self conceitedness and Vain-glory and Contempt of others bee removed yea all glorying in and boasting of our own righteousnesse And unlesse the heart bee brought to some constant frame of humility it neither will or can beleeve And the want of this is the cause why so many Professors turn to errours and prophaneness and a loose kinde of life it comes from the unbrokenness and untamedness of their hearts Now Faith of all other graces is a heart-breaking and soul-humbling grace More particularly There are divers degrees and measures of faith And wee must take heed that wee do not lay stumbling blocks before the eies of weak beleevers by setting down such trials of faith as belong onely to strong beleevers Such as Abraham Moses Job c. When as weak ones cannot finde them in themselves they disquiet themselves without just cause For clearing of which consider some signs of the weakest faith out of Mark. 9.24 where you shall find an example in the poor man that brought his Son to our Saviour Christ to bee healed and made profession of his Faith in which wee may observe these particulars Signs of the weakest faith 1 There is a sound Conviction of his unbeleef hee perceives what an unbeleeving heart hee had and this is the first work of the Spirit of God Joh. 16.8 and a work perceiveable by the weakest beleever now none can convince the soul of its unbeleef but the Spirit of God and this is such a conviction as causeth the sinner not onely to see but to mourn for his unbeleef before the Lord to pray and strive earnestly against it He said with Tears Lord help my unbeleef hee therefore that is not sensible of this sin on the like manner hath not so much as a weak faith wrought in his heart 2 There is a strong desire after faith and grace and Christ So there was in this poor beleever It is ordinary in the Scripture to expresse the nature of the weakest faith by hunger and thirst as Joh. 7.37 38. now that signifies a restless desire after Christ and Grace accompanied alwaies with strong indeavours in the use of the means to attain unto the things desired It is not a lazy and listless desire such as the Sluggard hath which kills him but such as sets the heart and outward man on work to attend diligently on the means of grace to attain unto faith in Christ and that in a greater measure Wherefore let lubberly and lazy Professors take notice of this that they have no true faith in their hearts 3 In this beleever there was a holy jealousy that hee might not bee deceived about his grace that made him so to complain A weak beleever deals like a wise man that is but a young beginner and newly set up in his trade hee fears exceedingly lest hee should bee deceived with counterfeit wares or copper mony so it is with a provident Christian hee is very circumspect and wary lest hee should bee deceived with Copper and Alchymy faith Therefore hee loves a faithful and searching Ministry that will gage his heart and discover the unsoundness of it Joh. 3.21 Hee comes to the light that his deeds may bee made manifest
c. whereas a false heart is ever joyned with a great deal of Carnal confidence will not bee beaten off but that all is well and sound with him hee will not indure the weight of a faithful Ministry nor abide the light of it it dazles his eyes It breeds much peace to him to say That Preaching is for mony and Gods Ministers are deceivers and so despiseth the Ministry and Word too 4 The poor beleever offers himself to the good will and pleasure of Christ inquiring into it with resolution to do whatsoever the Lord requires of him So it was wont to bee in young converts as in Paul Act. 9.6 who said Lord what wouldest thou have mee to do He means that he would do any thing that the Lord should appoint him So it was Act. 12.37 and Act. 16.30 where there are the like Examples as they are not afraid to shame themselves for sins past so their hearts are fixed for the future to imbrace in judgement and practice every duty commanded Let the false heart come to this touchstone and hee will appear counterfeit Oh! how will hee cavil against any strickt truth hee will never be perswaded that men are bound to such precisenesse to sanctify the Sabbath to dayly family-duties and secret prayer or to restitution in case of theft or couzenage and doth wittingly and willingly reject all the word that agrees not with his own judgement and fancies 5 The weakest faith purgeth the heart from the love and allowance of every known sin Act. 15.9 and works inward sanctification in the beginnings of it Act. 26.18 Indeed there are some common gifts of sanctification in Temporaries and such as after become Apostates Heb. 5.7 but their hearts were never truely broken off from Sin Comfort Use 3. It is comfort to every true beleever that justification is by faith and unspeakeable ground of rejoycing to him that there is so great a blessednesse bestowed upon a poor sinner Such an one as comes absolutely from Election and tendes undoubtedly to Salvation Rom. 4.6 2 Thess 2.13 Rom. 18.1 2 3. yea what a removal is there of the great fears and terrours of the Almighties wrath and displeasure Know therefore all you poor beleevers that your persons are justified and your services accepted in Christ Jesus and nothing for condemnation can be ever charged upon you So that I may say with the Psalmist Bee glad in the Lord and rejoyce ye just and shout for joy all ye that are upright in heart Psal 32.11 Object What need we to comfort beleevers cannot they take their comforts easily enough home to themselves Answ Presumption wants no comfort it will soon catch at that which doth not belong to it but beleevers indeed especially weakones have great need of comfort Comfort ye comfort ye my people c. Isa 4.01 he means that his people have great need of consolation in this point Remember how it was with Job himself Job 9.16 though hee had called and God had answered him yet he would not beleeve that God had hearkened to his voice And David too though Nathan had told him that the Lord had put away his sin that hee should not dye yet how earnest was he Ps 51. for pardon which state befals beleevers not only upon their relapses but even upon their upright walking before God and God will make them to know that not onely Faith and Justification but also the comfort of a justified estate is the free gift of God 2 Cor. 1.3 and they shall finde it true that although it bee easy for nature to consent to justification by works yet it is hard to close with mercy in a way of free grace The consolation therefore will be very great to them in these two particulars 1 It is a Comfort in the poor services they do Comforts and the weakness of their duties And this is one of Satans strong Temptations whereby hee seeks to trouble their peace hee first tempts to set light by Christ and his righteousnesse and to seek justification by our own works and then hee will trouble us with the many fallings of our duties and performances Thou hearest so unprofitably and prayest so deadly and poorly and art so pinching in good works that thou canst not be justified But beloved Beware that you hang not your comforts upon your duties but on Christ reneived by faith as the Publican Luke 18.14 Rom. 9.3 yea the Gentiles that followed not after righteousness viz. of their own have attained unto righteousness even that which is of Faith This therefore is a beleevers comfort in all his imperfect and weak performances that these are not his righteousnesse wherby he expects to be justified but the righteousness of Christ most spotless and perfect is that which hee builds upon Object But are not good works required of justified persons Answ Yes as the fruits of faith and justification but not as the merit of it Gal. 3.6 Tit. 3.7 8. when hee saith wee are justified by Grace hee moreover addes That it is a faithful saying and these things I will that ye affirm constantly that they who have beleeved in God might bee careful to maintain good works Neither is that obedience that is required of Beleevers a strict and exact conformity to the Law as it doth in it self require and demand as Legal obedience but Evangelical obedience which stands in the desire resolution and indeavour to obey Gods revealed will 2 If wee were justified by Faith then it is not the strength of faith that justifieth the Beleever or assurance but it is simply his faith if it bee true though it bee weak that which troubles many a beleever is that hee wants assurance and some evident feeling of Gods mercy or sight of it now faith is opposed to so a clear a sight 2 Cor. 5.7 and is the evidence of things not seen Heb. 11.1 Excellent is that Joh. 3.14 15. As Moses lifted up the Serpent c. where faith is compared to the Israelites eye now it was not the strong sight of the Brass that healed them but the weakest would do it So it is with Faith and therfore though Christians should labour for strong Faith yet let them not bee discouraged at the weakness of their faith Vse 4. Exhortation and Direction to all sorts of persons to attain unto and maintain this grace of faith 1 To unjustifyed persons those that have not faith to make it their main-task and daily business and to imploy the strength of all their indeavours to obtain Faith and Justification thereby Reconciliation is of wonderful worth It is true wee ought to incourage poor sinners when they begin to reform their lives and leave their base courses Drunkennesse Scorning c. when these become like hot Iron and scalding Lead in their fingers it is some beginning of mercy to such a soul and it is a farther degree when they come to do justly and to love mercy and live peaceably
for God requires these Mic. 6.8 but it is a grievous delusion to think that by any such things wee can finde acceptation or bee justified before God No no let a man accompt all the daies of his life that hee hath spent and all the duties that hee hath performed spilt and lost without Faith Christ will tell you this is the work of God that yee beleeve c. Joh. 6.28 29. it is called a work because a work of Gods power and working and a work that hee delights in wee should bee exercised in to take our farewel of the World renounce our selves and to fly to Christ for refuge from the storm of Gods wrath and indignation and to prefer him before all this is the work of faith that takes us off from all our resting on our works and brings us naked unto Christ All other duties are very good in their season and kinde but like Josephs brethren none welcome without a Benjamin No works welcome and pleasing to God without faith which brings Christ God saith without Christ see not my face he would have us put on all Christian graces the whole Armour of God Eph. 6.16 But above all take the shield of Faith Because this plece of armour hath a singular excellency in it above all other because it defends all the rest the breastplate of Righteousness is excellent to keep the heart and the helmet of hope to keep the head but faith must keep both As a broad Shield that quencheth Satans fiery darts at whatever part they bee shot and the truth is there is no grace Satan so much shoots at Luke 22.32 for hereby hee knows wee still prevail against him therefore this is a weapon not only by which wee are said to overcome but the victory it self 1 Joh. 5.4 5. it cannot bee said so of any other weapon therefore above all put on this Now for the attaining of this grace we must know and be convinced 1 That wee have it not by nature In the flesh there dwelleth no good thing Rom. 7.18 and this is a work of the Spirit to convince the World of sin because it beleeves not Joh. 16.8 8. and till the heart bee convinced thus a farther work cannot be expected Luk. 1.53 2 Bee fully convinced that it is the Lord onely that must work it he must draw us or else we will not or can not come to Christ Joh. 6.44 3 Bee convinced of our great unworthinesse that he should bestow it upon us because of our frequent sleighting of Christ and Gadaren-like refusal of him preferring our Swinish lusts before him God gives faith where it may be to the glory of his grace Eph. 1.3 6. 4 Know that beleeving is receiving of Christ in all his Offices and giving up our selves unto his disposal Joh. 1.12 5 Know what a dangerous thing it is to bee mistaken in this Faith there bee many things which the Devil and the World call faith which are not so Act. 8.13 Joh. 2.22 6 That there is no Christ to be received by faith but only in and by the Promises of the Gospel Act. 15.7 he saith the Gentiles should hear the Word of Gods Gospel and beleeve So Eph. 1.13 Oh make much of Promises search them hide them in your hearts look for Christ in them think much on them and turn them into Prayers this it may bee will bee meant by the hiding the treasure Mat. 13.44 45. 7 Bee perswaded that the Promise carrieth Christ when the Spirit of God spreads it and applies it and works with it in the publick Ministry Rom. 10.17 2 Cor. 3.18 Otherwise it may bee said why may I not bee contented with reading at home but know that the Ministry is the Ministry of the Spirit and the Spirit works in it Hence Ministers are said to justify their hearers Dan. 12.3 Quest But will any conviction serve to work faith Answ The Spirits conviction goeth farther than any humane Joh. 16.8 10. that will reach to the heart for it is unresistible 1 Thess 1.5 Our Gospel came not unto you in word only c. this Spirit of Illumination is strong for it subdues all and transforms all 2 Cor. 3.18 Oh then bee instant constant and fervent in prayer for this good Spirit of his for it is promised to them that ask it Luk. 11.13 Now to shut up this use for the attaining this pretious grace I shall commend to you the consideration of one place it is of Act. 17.11 12. where it is said The Bereans were more noble or better disposed than they of Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so therefore many of them beleeved Where observe how the Bereans attained unto faith 1 They attended carefully on the publick Ministry 2 They did this with all readiness of mind though they being Jews Pauls Doctrin was contrary to them yet they laid aside all prejudice against it and heard with readiness It is a great matter to have a minde to the Gospel this was their better disposition 3 They were not contented with the publike Ministry alone but in private they searched the Scriptures daily they did not onely now and then repeat Sermons but made it their work daily to search the Scriptures and that judiciously and with consideration Neither was it any disparagement to Pauls Ministry to bee tryed by them but an honour to it and credit to bee found to bee exact according to the Scriptures And it is not the least part of Christian Wisdome to be often trying of and setting home upon his heart a profitable truth till hee hath fixed it there and driven the nail to the head 4 It follows many of them beleeved not a few but many and therefore they beleeved God gave this great blessing to their diligent attention and frequent search of the Scripture so that many beleeved both of men and women And sure if any of us do the like wee shall speed as they did It is to perswade and exhort beleevers still to keep on the exercise of faith to maintain this good estate of Justification Exhort 2. To beleevers Faith is of constant use for their continued Justification and the comfort of that estate Gal. 2.16 Even wee have beleeved in Christ Jesus that wee might bee still justified by the faith of Jesus Christ It is observable that is spoken of Abraham Gen. 15.6 that hee beleeved God and it was accounted to him for righteousness though doubtless hee beleeved before upon the calling out of his own Country but at this time hee is said to be justified by faith because the Holy Ghost would give a singular Testimony to his faith at this time for his own and our comfort When God made him a Promise of seed when Abraham and Sarah were both very aged and so an unlikely thing had he not beleeved God who promised Faith therfore justifies at all times it
Christ who is the end of the lam for righteousnesse in his boing made a curse for us 3 Unlesse faith justifieth as it hath a respect and relation unto Christ as its object it can have no more to doe with satisfaction than any other grace as Charity Temperance c. but we know that they being works of the Law avail nothing to our justification Rom. 3.20 but the great property of faith above other graces is to draw vertue from Christ for justification and to exercise it self on the free grace and mercy of God exhibited in him Obj. But was not Abraham's faith justifying as it beleeved the power of God Rom. 4.21 22. He beleeved in God who quickneth the dead and God that had promised was able to perform therefore it was imputed unto him for righteousnesse Ans It is true he beleeved the power of God but that did not justifie him but his beleeving on the promised seed Gen. 22.18 He saw Christ's day by faith Joh. 8.56 It is true the faith of Gods power was a stay to him in great temptations he was exposed unto so it may be to us but wee cannot be justified by that faith which only beleeves the power of God to save us Vse 1. It serves to refute those that deny faith to have such a relation unto Christ in justification as hath been spoken of Such as say faith doth justifie without reference to Christ whereby the form and life of justifyng faith is taken away Christ is robbed of his glory and the Consciences of Christians of their comfort and peace Vse 2. It discovers the unjustified estate of those persons that doe not cast anchor here i. e. in Christ A man may have great knowledge and many gifts and beleeve too to admiration as they who had the faith of Miracles in the Primitive times Matth. 7.22 23. and yet be unjustified yea he may beleeve the Articles of Christian religion study the Promises and think he doth apply them to himself and yet be unjustified It is the very case of the seed in the stony ground that received the word with joy Math. 13.20 Why consider what is the word that even a carnal heart may rejoyce in it is the word of promise and this word a stony heart may receive and apply to himself and abide stony stil though Israel had transgressed the Law and cast off the thing that was good yet he would cry My God we know thee Hos 8.1 2 3. So the Jewes Joh. 8.39 41. and thus many catch at Gods mercy and seem to build upon the Promise and yet perish everlastingly Obj. But alas should I not build my salvation and justification on the promises of God what else should I repose my considence in Ans Promises vvill not justifie The Promises alone are not sufficient to bear the weight of a sinners justification and salvation neither doe they doe any thing further than they doe direct unto exhibit and bestow upon us a sufficient righteousnesse to save us and this must be had in a person not in a promise or proposition As for example the Israelites bit with the fiery Serpents were not healed with the promise or the light but the vertue drawn from the Brazen Serpent by looking on him So the promise alone will not justifie but only as it discovers and exhibits such a person i. e. Christ who puts forth or is cloathed with such a righteousnesse which being seen with the eye of faith puts the sinner into a state of justification Neither doe all the Promises discover or exhibit Christ though they are all exhibited in Christ 1 Tim. 4.8.2 Cor. 1.20 In Christ yea and amen but without Christ neither yea nor amen Rom. 8.32 God gives his Son first then other things Eph. 1.3 He blesseth us with all spiritual blessings in Christ but we can have none nor lay claim to any promise in the Book of God without him Quest What comfort is there then for such a man by the promises in Jesus Christ Ans The comfort truly is that there is an exhibition and holding forth of Christ in them to the vilest sinners and whilst there is life there is hope to get into Christ and get interest in the Promises 1 Joh. 5.11 This is the record that God hath given us life eternal and it is in his Son Hence Christ is called the Covenant Isa 49.8 because not only his person was and is the main thing in the Covenant but also because all the promises in the Covenant are his and made to him and in him and through him only conveyed to beleevers Thus we see what a dangerous thing it is to pitch our faith first on any thing but Christ and thence to expect a justified estate Quest How is faith in Jesus Christ known Ans 1. By the entrance of it which is such that it separates the sinner unto Christ as Psal 45.11 Forget thy fathers house c. As it is in persons marrried who forget and leave their fathers house and old friends and sequester themselves to marriage communion so it is with those that are married to the Lord Jesus though they have been intangled in their affections to their old ways yet by hearkning to the word of Christ they renounce and forget all for Christs sake then the King takes pleasure in them 2 By the progresse of it as they have received Jesus Christ the Lord so they walk in him Col. 2.6 7. and are subject to him in every thing Ephes 5.24 yea they live by the faith of the Son of God Gal. 2.20 Vse 3. Instruction and exhortation to shew and exhort us whither to goe for justification It is unto Christ and the mercy of God in him Let the main care and desire of our souls be after the person natures works and merits of the Lord Jesus and thereby shall wee bee possessed of this great benefit of justification through him Neither is my meaning that we should seek to come unto him any other way than by the Word and Promises for if we doe we can never come to him but meet with Satan as an Angel of light in some Enthusiasm But wee must bee acquainted with the Promises yea such as doe carry and exhibit Christ unto us and therein close with Christ before wee can claim the promises of pardon or of the Spirit or of any grace or glory Mot. 1. Consider Christ as he stands in relation to the Father he is 1 No other than the Son of his love Col. 1.13 the Fathers love is infinite to him and therefore he hath given all things into his hands for our justification and salvation Joh. 3.35 whatever fruit or testimony of the love of God the soul stands in need of he may be sure to have it from Christ 2 The Father hath sealed him Joh. 6.27 hee hath not only designed him but signed and sealed him a Commission to be a Mediator hath set his stamp upon him his express
Christ c. 2 Have I no reservation within my self where I would bee dispensed withall in any courses of life or any secret lusts or corruptions at lest known or allowed in judgement or practice Hath my faith such a commanding power that it will not let mee alone in commission of sin or Omission of duty then I may conclude that the faith of Christ is wrought in mee and thence undoubtedly conclude that I am a justified person Because that hee that beleeveth on Christ is already justified Now when this is soundly concluded the soul may upon daily occasions put forth and exercise his faith in Christ for his spiritual and everlasting comfort Direct 5. When thou wouldest exercise thy faith at any time thou must not go about it in thine own strength either of nature or grace received but look up for a fresh influence of the Spirit and his assistance For as it is sure that no creature can of himself look upon natural things nor act without a renewed and fresh concourse of Gods common providence So Grace though it bee above nature and stronger than it yet its motion is from the Holy Ghost And this assistance of the Spirit comes from Christ as the light from the Sun by an efflux Joh. 8.12 the power is in Christ though it work on us Therefore all things are said to be done through Christ strengthening of us Phil. 4.13 Every act of Faith requires a power of Christ in a fresh administration wher in he fulfils the good pleasure of his will and the work of faith with power 2 Thess 1.11 And this is the meaning of Pauls prayer for the Ephesians Chap. 3.16 17. that they might bee strengthened with might by the Spirit and that Christ might dwell in their hearts by faith And as the Holy Ghost must assist the grace of faith before it can act so hee must clear up the objects of faith before faith can work upon them as the light must shine upon the brasen Serpent before the Israelite can see it Wherefore the Apostle praies earnestly that God would give the spirit of wisdome and revelation to know the things they beleeved and hoped for Eph. 1.17 18. Wherefore as in all other graces so in faith God worketh in us the deed as well as the will Phil. 2.13 and Jud. 20. building us up in faith is by praying in the Holy Ghost and wee must look up to the Holy Ghost by earnest prayer to help us in the whole progress of our faith and every act of faith till wee receive the end of our faith the Salvation of our souls Christ Crucified the special Object of Justifying Faith THE SIXTEENTH SERMON ON Romans 3.25 Faith in his blood HItherto of Faith in General as the Instrument of our Justification and Christ the more special Object of it as justifying Now follows the third thing premised concerning the most special Object or the most special consideration of that object in those words Faith in his blood for the understanding whereof let mee put you in minde of the former Explication of the word blood which hath been expounded to bee meant Synecdochically a part being put for the whole So that it signifies all the sufferings of Christ in the whole state of his abasement but most especially his sufferings both in body and soul at his death even all the pains of the first and second death which our Saviour did undergo upon the Cross So that by faith in his blood wee are to understand Faith apprehending Christ crucified or undergoing the shameful and accursed death of the cross Therefore we observe Doct. It is the duty of sinners for their Justification distinctly to apprehend and rely upon Christ crucified Or thus That it is the Duty and should bee the care of sinners to place their confidence on Christ crucified for Justification For that is the meaning of the phrase Faith in his blood that is faith relying on Christ crucified This notes the subject matter of redemption whereon our Faith is principally grounded in the article of our Justification Our faith indeed in the point of Justification doth imbrace whole Christ but most properly and in a peculiar manner it is terminated in the Sacrifice and Propitiation or Death of Christ and this the Scriptures attest Joh. 6.53 54 55. Jesus said unto them Verily Verily I say unto you except you eat the body of the Son of God and drink his blood you have no life in you and this is by beleeving on Christ crucified for Christ doth not speak there immediately of the Lords Supper though Sacramental eating may bee comprehended under it and hee saith peremptorily that there is no life and therefore no justification or Salvation without the eating there mentioned but hee addes on the contrary vers 54. Who so eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood by faith hath eternal life and I will raise him up at the last day There is a direct promise of Life Justification and Salvation to them that do beleeve on Christ crucified and vers 56. Hee that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood dwelleth in mee and I in him i.e. hath union and communion with Christ Jesus in all his benefits and therefore must needs bee justified and this is the same which John preached Behold the Lamb of God c. Joh. 1.29 i.e. the Lamb of God for Sacrifice that wee should behold for justification with the eye of faith Yea so Joh. 3.14 16. As Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness c. that lifting up was especially when Christ was Crucified and lifted up upon the Cross and looking on the brazen Serpent signifyed beleeving on Christ crucified that such as did so should not perish but have everlasting life And this is the very condition of the Covenant of grace Reas 1. Taken from the Old Testament wherein the mystery of Christ and Justification was more veiled and dark yet even then this truth was received that their reconciliation was by faith in the Messiah to come and made a sacrifice for sin and hence the Covenant was confirmed with blood shed Heb. 9.20 neither was the Old Testament dedicated without it Exod. 24.8 For when Moses had spoken every precept hee took the blood of Calves and Goats and sprinkled both the book and all the people saying This is the blood of the Testament that God enjoyned unto you and vers 23. it was necessary that the heavenly things themselves should bee purified with better sacrifices than these and it is necessary still that there should bee the same way of cleansing of sin away by way of Sacrifice and Blood of the New Testament Matth. 26.28 For this is the meaning of the sacrifices they were oppointed for attonement yea almost all things by the Law were purged with blood Heb. 9.22 and without shedding of blood there is no remission and so it was then and thereby the people are taught to look for justification by Christ Hence
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 OR THE PLAIN DOCTRIN OF THE JUSTIFICATION OF A Sinner in the sight of God Justified by the God of Truth in his Holy Word and the cloud of Witnesses in all Ages WHEREIN Are handled the Causes of the Sinners Justification Explained and Applied in six and twenty Sermons in a plain Doctrinal and Familiar way for the Capacity and Understanding of the Weak and Ignorant By Charles Chauncy President of Harvard Colledge in Cambridge in New-England 1 Cor. 3.10 11. According to the Grace of God given unto mee I have laid the foundation Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ. London Printed by R. I. for Adoniram Byfield at the sign of the Three Bibles in Corn-hill 1659. HONORATISSIMO ET NOBILISSIMO HEROI Amplissimo utique et Piissimo Domino GVLIELMO Vicecomiti SEY SEALE Nec non Illustrissimo et Dignissimo Viro Domino NATHANIELI FIENNES Unie Dominis Custodibus Magni Sigilli Angliae Hoc grati animi et debitae observantiae 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 D. D. D. C. C. The Preface to the Christian Reader Christian Reader IT may perhaps seem strange that any thing should bee further adventured to the Presse about such a common Theme or Argument as the Doctrin of Justification is concerning which so many Large Volumes have been published in this last Age of the World for the clearing of it with such exactnesse of Scripture Truth with such evidence and demonstration of the Spirit that it can hardly bee conceived what can bee added thereunto Therefore to remove such a scruple in the entrance I shall suggest unto thee a few Considerations First That although much hath been published concerning this point yet generally thou shalt finde that either it hath been handled Polemically or in a Controversal way for the Confutation of many Errours and Heresies that do contradict it and blaspheme it as especially the Doctrin of the Papists and of the Socinians doth or else if Doctrinally by laying down the positive Truths concerning it Yet very briefly and summarily so that many weak understandings conceive it only in a confused but not in a distinct way which had need most plainly and clearly to be conceived This therefore I have endeavoured according to opportunity and such help as the Lord hath given mee more distinctly and largely to hold-forth desiring to condescend as God hath inabled mee to the meanest capacity It was piously and prudently spoken by Reverend Mr. Dod That too many Ministers deal like unskilful Archers that they do shoot over the heads much more the hearts of their hearers and miss their mark whilst they soar so high either by handling deep points or by using of obscure and dark expressions or phrases in their writing or Preaching of these things 2 Because this Doctrin is fundamental 1 Cor. 3.11 and that wherby we build upon the only foundation of eternal salvation that is Jesus Christ Now it is most dangerous to be mistaken here Yea this is the very center of all Christian Religion wherein all the lines do meet all other Doctrins do either lead to it or flow from it and are preserved by it Hence it is that Paul in all his writings especially in the Epistles to the Romans and Galatians treats so largely of this point In Praefatione in Epis ad Gal. and so Luther professes that this Article reigned in his heart this about faith in the merit of Christ from whom and through whom and into whom al my cogitations do flow and return Yet I do not find that I have found out or comprehended of the wisdom of such height and breadth and depth but some weak and poor first fruits and fragments and a little after he saith That wee had great need most diligently to bee acquainted with this Article whether wee bee young or old whether wee bee learned or unlearned for this rock must needs be cryed up that is Christ held forth in the Justification of a sinner which if that men should hold their peace the stones would speak of and extol And again This Doctrin can never be sufficiently handled and inculcated for that it being thrown-down or sinking the whole knowledge of the truth together is cast-down and perished But when as this Doctrin flourisheth all good things flourish as the true worship and glory of God the certain knowledge of all states things Accordingly Chemnitius saith that Justification is as if it were the Castle and chief bulwark of the whole Doctrin of Christian Religion which being either darkned or adulterated or over-thrown it is impossible to continue the putiry of the doctrin in other points But this doctrin being kept and preserved intire all Idolatries and Superstitions and whatsoever corruptions are found in other points do fall to ruine 3 Because my place and particular imployment wherein I hope that my desire is to serve the Lord in truth and to seek the great benefit of youth Eph. 6. and Students who are to be trained up 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is in the doctrin of the Lord that may put a right understanding into them I say that my particular imployment hath moved mee to represent this doctrin of Justification as a Standard of truth and salvation to them which they should hold fast and as the Lord shall call them thereunto hold forth in their generations for the benefit of the Churches of Christ as they shall find it consonant to the analogy of faith in the Scripture of Truth 4 In regard of long experience in ministerial work I have found not only prophane or civilized persons but even many ancient Professors extreamly ignorant in this point and having only some confused notions and general implicite understanding and faith which is much to bee lamented especially in these daies of light and knowledge and places of pretious liberties and opportunities and which is worse it is extreamly dangerous to such persons in regard of their everlasting estate This being life eternal to know the onely true God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent Joh. 17.3 For the removing and avoiding of which disconvenience if my poor indeavours in these Sermons shall be available in any measure to work in thy heart any sound and grounded consolation and good hope through grace Let the grace of God in Christ Jesus have all the glory of it To whose instruction and soul-saving and soul-satisfying and infinite goodness thou art commended by Thy Friend in Christ Jesus C. C. Courteous Reader These Books following are Printed or sold by Adoniram Byfield at the Three Bibles in Cornhill next door to Popes-Head-Alley THE History of the Evangelical Churches of the Vallies of Piemont containing a most exact Geographical Description of the place and a faithful account of the Doctrin Life and Persecutions of the Ancient Inhabitants together with a most naked and punctual relation of the late bloody Massacre 1655. and a Narrative of all
determination of the work to Christ our head to dye and rise again from the dead Rom. 4. ult So it was free grace 3 In the effectual application of Christs merits and in our actual vocation when true faith is wrought in the heart Eph. 2.7 8. so free grace is apparent 4 In the sealing of it up to the heart when as the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost Rom. 5.5 all which are implyed or expressed in the Text. Proofs for the Confirmation of this point abound as Tit. 3.4 5. After that the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared c. kindness and love of God are asserted as the moving or impulsive Cause of our Salvation but not a tittle of the works of righteousness in our selves taken notice of and vers 7. Justified by his Grace wee should bee made Heirs Eph. 1.6 7. To the praise of the Glory of his Grace wherein hee hath made us accepted in his Beloved in whom wee have Redemption c. Which grace farther appears 1 That God prosecutes not his Cause against us according to the rigour of the Law and his vindictive justice but leaves any place space and probability for Reconciliation 2 That being the Party offended hee should yet appoint the manner and means of our Reconciliation 3 That hee spared not his beloved Son nor any care to effect this Reconciliation 4 That hee without any dignity of ours ingrafts us into his Son and makes us partakers of his righteousness Quest Why is a sinner so freely justified Reas 1 Because it was impossible for the Law or any legal Righteousness to justify sinners Rom. 8.3 That which was impossible for the Law in that it was weak through the flesh the Lord sending his Son c. Exact righteousness free from Spot the Law required or it could not justify But sinful man through the flesh that is corruption of his heart and inclination to evil could not so observe the Law as to attain to such perfect righteousness because Eccl. 7.20 There is not a just man upon Earth that doth good and sinneth not much less can any natural man do it Reas 2 To remove two inconveniences 1 To exclude boasting 2 Those terrors of Conscience which otherwise sinners must needs bee subject to whilst they live in the world 1 Boasting is excluded Rom. 3.27 Where is boasting then it is excluded By what Law by the Law of Works No but by the Law of Faith Justification by works puffs up the proud heart of man with a Conceit of ability to justify himself as the Doctrin of the Pelagians Papists Arminians doth They can answer that question 1 Cor. 4.7 Who hath made thee to differ I have made my self to differ this breeds pride but justification through free grace laies low having nothing of our own but all of free gift 2 Terrors of Conscience are excluded which Legal righteousnesse exposeth to 2 Thess 2.16 God hath loved us and given us everlasting Consolation through Grace but without grace our Case is desperate Rom. 4.15 The Law worketh wrath Hence intelligent Papists are driven to horrid extremities even to desperation it self oftentimes Hence those large allowances which in their Cases of Conscience their Casuists use to give men about the breach of the Law Hence their Doctrin of venial sin And they use to renounce their Principles at their death and fly to free Grace living in one Religion dying in another Reas 3 Because those things that are conferred in justification cannot bee deserved but must bee granted by free favour as Remissions of sins and imputation of divine righteousness for so it is call'd Rom. 3.22 The Righteousnesse of GOD without the Law Now nothing in a finite Creature can deserve or procure that which is of infinite worth and eternal duration Use 1. Of refutation of that Popish Doctrin of Merit Popish merit of Congruity and condignity refuted and first of their merit of Congruity as a necessary and acceptable Preparative to justification which is a meer Dream 1 Because without faith 't is impossible to please God Heb. 11.6 but this merit is before faith is infused 2 The tree must needs bee good before the fruit can bee good Matth. 7.18 but yet the man is not sanctified 3 God accepts not the offerer for the gift but the gift for the offerer Gen. 4.4 4 When the Conscience is defiled all things are defiled Tit. 4.15 Now for their merit of Condignity wherein their righteous works done by a righteous man make God a Debtor to them and he in Justice is bound to justify them consider only Rom. 11.6 If by grace it is no more of works otherwise grace is no grace but if it bee of works it is no more of grace otherwise work is no more work Papists are Martyres Diaboli i. e. grace and works are flatly opposite to each other Gal. 5.4 Yee are faln from grace that is saith Luther as hee that falls out of a ship is drowned c. and hee calls such Martyrs Diaboli that undergo much and perish at last as your Popish Justiciaries Use 2. To shew the inexcusable condition of all the World before God that slight this admirable free grace of God If Christ holds forth this free grace daily to prophane wretches what will become of them what will they say for themselves at the day of judgement that despise it or turn it into wantonness what Paul pressed upon the Jews at Antioch Act. 13.38 is at this day commended to unbeleevers and prophane ones of this age The Embassadors cry Be it known unto you Men and Brethren that through this man is preached unto you forgivenesse of sins And by him all that beleeve are justified from all things from which you could not bee justified by the Law of Moses Hearken unto this all you that remain unjustified you that have followed lewd courses uncleanness pride wantonness company keeping despising of the word bee it known unto you that through Christ is preached unto you the free remission of your sins If any that lived civilly could be justified by the works of the Law yet your hearts can tell you you cannot but behold here is free Justification tendred you by Gods rich Grace How long will you stand out and despise this Grace As you love your own souls accept of the mercy offered Say yee wee like our sins and our profits better then hear what follows vers 40. Beware least that come upon you which was spoken of by the Prophets Behold yee despisers and wonder and perish c. that is as your rebellion and contempt is intollerable so the Lord shall bring his dreadful and unsupportable destruction upon you and this shall bee your misery that you shall not beleeve it until it seizes upon you more than ordinary judgements both here and hereafter follow the neglect of such great salvation Beware then in the fear of God least this
the eye of man So is God to the Sinner But now as transcendently evil as Sin is Christ hath satisfied for it and put an end to all troubles to thy Conscience about it By one offering hee hath perfected for ever such as are sanctified Heb. 10.15 God saith I will bring forth my Servant the branch and I will remove the iniquities of the Land in one day Zech. 3.8 9. Yee shall call therefore every man his Neighbour under his Vine and under his Fig-tree For Psal 85.10 Mercy and Truth have met together Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other that is all Gods excellencies gloriously shine forth in Christs satisfaction Comfort yee one another with these words 2 Consider for your Comfort Weak beleever justified as much as stronger That the weakest true beleever is justified as much as the strongest What was imputed to Abraham for his Justification was and is imputed to the weakest Saint Rom. 4.22 23 24 To Us it shall bee imputed if wee beleeve on Christ as Abraham did 'T is true all apprehend not this satisfaction alike but the matter and form of our justification is all one Therefore rejoyce O weak Christian thy cloathing notwithstanding all thine infirmities is as bright shining in the eyes of God as that of Abraham or the greatest Saint in the world Quest How can wee come to comfort through the satisfaction of Christ Answ 1 Gain your Acquittance a writing drawn with Gods own hand with your name in it 1 Joh. 5.13 These things have I writ unto you that beleeve on the Name of the Son of God that yee may know yee have eternal life So that if you beleeve there is the writing grounded on a Record vers 11. and there is your Name in it You see your way to finde your Names there get it sealed to your hearts by the Spirit 2 Let there bee an humble active embracing of Christ in the Word of Promise God requires besides his own good pleasure and the Councill of his will the work of faith Rom. 3.25 2 Thess 1.11 Thou must exercise thy humble obediential Faith as thy day-labour even a conflicting faith Rev. 2.17 and a praying Faith Ezek. 36.32 and a confessing faith As they did their sins laying their hands on the head of the Scape-Goat Lev. 16.21 So the hand the type of faith was put on the head of the burnt offering Lev. 14. And an humbling Faith which indeed is the most humble grace of all Rom. 11.20 Thou standest by Faith bee not high-minded From which grace Christ is never far Isa 57.15 yea they when pricked at heart saw Christ presently Act. 2.38 and Peter applies the Promise to them and reveals mercy to such bleeding souls Christ and a lamenting soul are never far asunder 3 Bee comforted That this way of yours by Christs satisfaction is the true way to Justification Men cry up many new waies 'T is a great mercy in such varieties of errors not to err The truth of this way of Justification is not onely true upon the truth of the word but upon the truth of God himself If God bee God this justification must needs bee true For here justice is satisfied and so God pardons which hee could as well un God himself as do where his justice is not satisfied So that wee may testify to you 1 Pet. 5.12 That this is the true grace of God in which you stand Men have a conceited grace different from this but here you may safely set up your resting place for ever Use 5. Remember to maintain perpetual homage and observance of Jesus Christ Never forget so great a mercy David cries Psal 116.6 O Lord I am thy servant and the Son of thy hand-maid thou hast broken my bonds The way of Servants and Slaves ingaging themselves to their Lords was they yeelded their submission with promise and oath to be Loyal to them as their Lords and holding their hands between the hands of their Lords they said I become your Servant from this day forth for life for limbs for worldly honors and shall owe you my fidelity as long as I live Well might this holy man say I am thy Servant since God had not brought him into but broken his bonds Paul argues much this way 2 Cor. 5.14 15. And hee dyed for all that they that live should not live unto themselves Which falls foul upon that ignoble conceit That if Christ gives satisfaction wee are freed from all obedience to the Commandements By which this doctrin of Christs satisfaction is made the occasion of prophaneness and Christ is become the Minister of sin which Paul abhorred Gal. 2.17 'T is true that since Christ hath paid the price of our redemption there is nothing for us to do by way of satisfaction but as much as in us lies in obedience to the will of Christ both from the nature of righteousness and holiness which are worth our exercising and from the Moral consideration of Christs yeelding obedience to every Commandement and out of a study for conformity to the state of glory hereafter Yea there is a Causal connexion such as is between the cause and effect between Christs satisfaction applyed to us and our holiness For Union with Christ by Faith produceth this fruit necessarily 1 Joh. 3.6 Hee that abides in him sins not The Spirit of Christ works it Ezek. 36.27 and true faith purifies the heart Act. 13.9 Act. 26.18 So then let every man do the works of God without him or suspect the work of God within him Lest fancy that works folly rather than faith that works purification bee found within him For hee that is bought with a price will glorify God in soul and body which are Christs by Redemption The Exactness of Christs sufferings THE SIXTH SERMON ON Rom. 3.24 25. A propitiation through Faith in his blood WEE have spoken in General of Redemption Come we now more particularly to consider first the manner and secondly the efficacy of this satisfaction The Manner of our redemption is by the blood of Christ and therefore 't is phrased here by Faith in his blood of which let us inquire Quest What is meant by blood here Answ The manner of Christs satisfaction is by blood Blood is put by a Synecdoche of the part for All the sufferings of Christ which hee underwent for the sins of the Elect especially his bloody death with all its concomitants So called First because death especially when it is violent it joyned with effusion of blood as Matth. 23.30 If wee had lived in the daies of our fathers wee would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the Prophets and Matth. 27.24 Pilate said I am innocent of the blood of this just person that is of his Death Secondly Herein respect is had to all the sacrifices of the Law whose blood was poured out when they were offered up Heb. 9.22 Almost all things are by the Law purged with blood and
their sin But the same are beloved as touching Election even before their Calling As Absolon was beloved of David as a Son but hated as a Rebel and Traytor 2 Two things must bee considered in the love of God his benevolence and his beneficence Or his affection to the Elect and his manifestation thereof That is eternall in Election This is not until they are brought home to Christ 1 Joh. 4 9. Before the Elect do beleeve the wrath of God and all the effects of that wrath are removed from their persons by the satisfaction of Christ and they have interest in the special love of God But not in knowledge sense and injoyment thereof until faith bee wrought 1 Joh 4.16 1 Reas From the Office of Christ as being made Mediatour betwixt God and man Now the Mediatours work is to bring both the parties at oddes unto peace and attonement Thus Christ Isa 9.7 Col. 1.20 Hee makes peace by the blood of his Cross i.e. the bloody death upon the Cross And all those that are in Christ do partake in their measure and as they are capable of all the benefits of Christ and are free from the wrath of God 2 Reas From their union with Christ Rom. 8.1 There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ 3 Reas Because this is all that God requires that there should bee a full satisfaction made to him for the injuries done to him by sinful creatures whether the satisfaction be made by themselves or by their surety Heb. 7.22 Now the surety being of Gods own appointment the satisfaction such every way as cannot be excepted against it must needs follow that God can have no further controversy with them that are in Christ 4 Reas This was one end of Christs sending into the world to pacify his Fathers wrath 1 Joh. 4.10 Now then if this should not bee accomplished fully his incarnation his grievous sufferings and his fathers love to the Elect should all be in vain Use 1. The dreadful condition of those that are not in Christ This shews their misery that are not in Christ in that they are objects of the displeasure and wrath of God What comfort can any poor creature have when God is angry with him Rom. 1.18 The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all c. God hath power enough to punish sin and justice that hee will do it and this hee hath revealed from heaven in those unknown and unknowable sufferings of his Son Jesus Christ Let mee say to you as Paul to Agrippa Do yee beleeve the Prophets or Apostles either Oh why should I propound such a question in this place and in these professing daies Alas if wee did all beleeve them why are there so many half Christians amongst us Do they know the power of thine anger O Lord as Moses Psal 90.11 Thou that diddest not spare the Angels that sinned but castedst them down to Hell and deliveredst them unto chains of darkness to bee reserved to the judgement of the great day 2 Pet. 2.4 what will thy justice and wrath bee to other sinners Consider the Angels what glorious creatures they were what an innumerable company there was of them and what chains of darknesse are cast upon them already and what further terror of eternal judgement is expected by them and reserved for them and that for one sin How comes this to pass why because they have no Christ no propitiation no Mediatour to suffer and satisfy for them Deut. 29.24 What then meaneth the heat of this great anger Even to shew thee that whilst thou art without Christ thou art in the state of the very Devils thy glory or excellency shall not deliver thee from wrath any one of thy sins may make thee eternally miserable O remember this and shew your selves men bring it again to mind O ye Transgressors Isa 46.8 shew your selves to have the understanding of reasonable creatures and that in the knowledge of this Not so much the motions of the Heavens or any such curious Arts had need to bee known by you but the motions of Hell what rivers of brimstone are running there kindled by the wrath of this angry God Quest Who are those that know not the power of Gods anger Who they are that know not Gods anger Answ 1 They that fear it not but are bold in committing of sin Jer. 8.6 that do rush into sin as the horse in the battel Jerem. 8.6 Like the horse of war Job 39.22 29. he knows not what hurt the sword or the spear may do him therefore he fears them not So it is with them that are bold to commit any though the smallest sin that they know to be a sin 2 They that are hardened in sin Eph 5.6 those unperswadable persons As Covetous persons gather gold so these do adde sin to sin and fuel to fire and wrath to wrath against the revelation of the righteous judgement of God Rom. 2.3 hence Rom. 9.22 they are called vessels of wrath and they shall bee filled brimful with it Zach. 7.11 12. They refused to hearken and pulled away the shoulder and stopped their ears that they should not hear This is the very description of a hard heart Oh yee generation of vipers can yee escape the damation of hell said our Saviour Mat. 23.33 3 There bee Lingerers that as Lot do delay to depart out of Sodome after they are warned of eminent judgements These know not the dread of Gods anger The children of God are sometimes too slack in preventing particular judgements But the case is far worse with them who lye in a state of sin untepented of and are every moment exposed to eternal vengeance And the best that they will bee brought unto is but promises and purposes of amendment hereafter Ah how quickly is Gods anger kindled Josh 22.18 yee have sinned to day and to morrow hee will bee wroth How immediately and dreadfully did hee destroy Corah Nadab and Sapphira c. And though hee bee patient yet hee hath not limitted any set time for his patience to bee protracted to Sometimes hee cuts off men in the very act of sin and then all their good purpose sdo perish 4 Those who when Gods anger hath seized on them in part they take a wrong course and fall to shifting off the hand of God e.gr. They are sick and they run to the Physitian they are poor and they fall to filching and over-reaching c. and so in like cases But Christ is forgotten all this while yea and sin too and thus they regard not the removal of that These are they whom Elihu speaks of Job 36.21 that choose sin rather than affliction and hope to escape affliction by sin forgetting the true cause that is Gods displeasure and the certain remedy that is the grace of Christ 5 Stiff unbeleevers the wrath of God abideth on them that shall never be removed John 3. last verse Object But wee see wicked
and pliably and plead all this word and work of propitiation before the Lord continually Ezek. 16. ult 2 Cor. 5.19 Job 22.21 22. Isa 12.1 2. Exhor 2 To the members of Christ 2. Seeing Gods anger is pacified towards you see that yee walk answerable to so great a priviledge 1 Blesse God for this propitiation Luk. 1.64 what had our condition been without this Psal 44.3 2 Take heed of kindling it again by relapses into your former courses Psal 85.8 He will speak peace unto his people but let them not return again to folly It is the first use the Spirit makes of this grace of Christ 1 Joh. 2.1 These things I write that you sin not So 2 Cor. 7.1.5.11 But if you shall bee bold to sin know that though God doth love your persons yet hee will bee displeased with your actions as 2 Sam. 11. ult and take vengeance on your inventions 3 Learn to make use of this propitation of Christ continually as 1 Joh. 2.1 2. Not onely before conversion but after the same it s ever to bee used more necessary than fire and water meat and drink Quest When should wee more especially make use of Christs Propitiation Answ 1 In our daily relapses into sin which make new defilements and therefore wee must have fresh recourse to the fountain Heb. 13.8 thus the daily Sacrifice prefigured the daily use of Christs sacrifice for attonement That 22 Psalm setting forth his passion was daily sung each morning with the offering up of the Sacrifice as is judged from its title 2 In all our duties and services whereof the most holy have iniquity in them and therefore stand in need of Christ that they may finde acceptance as was typified Exod. 28.38 and their sacrifices were given into the hand of the Priest and offered by him so our spiritual services by Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2.5 3 In daies of humiliation and attonement as Levit. 16 29. Heb. 10.22 It is not fasting or weeping God looks to but a sacrifice c. 4 At each Sacrament there should bee a solemn remembrance of this propitiatory sacrifice Rom. 6.3 Wee are baptized into his death 1 Cor. 11.26 It s done in remembrance of Christ 5 In our ordinary Callings and the discharge of them Whatsoever ye do do it to the glory of God Col. 3.17 6 In afflictions desertions and temptations In desertions Christs blood brings us near in temptations hee gives us victory Col. 2.15 Dan. 9.17 Isa 53.5 6. 1 Sam 26.19 How shall wee make use of it Quest How shall wee make use of Christs Sacrifice in these times and cases Answ 1 Wee are to remember our daily back-slidings with humble acknowledgement and brokennesse of heart and to see the necessity of Christs propitiation Jer. 3.12 13. Return thou back-sliding Israel saith the Lord I will not cause mine anger to pass upon thee nor keep it for ever onely acknowledge thine iniquity c. 2 Wee are to observe as wee are able the imperfections and defaults in our duties that wee may bee humbled thereat and see what great need wee have of Christs propitiation as Nehemiah chap. 13.22 when hee had done his best then hee praies Remember me O God concerning this and spare mee according to the greatness of thy Mercy 3 In regard of the remainder of corruptions that are too strong in us Wee are to look upon the Lord of glory crucified and meditate upon the Sacrifice of Christ Heb. 9.14 How much more shall the blood of Christ purge our Consciences c. 4 Wee are to apprehend and plead by faith and prayer the Promises of God as confirmed to us by the blood of Christ They are all made and performed by him They are branches of the Covenant of Grace and the blood of Christ is called the blood of the everlasting Covenant Heb. 13.20 As the Priest sprinkled the people the book c. Heb. 9.19 20 23. So now ought Christians set faith on work to sprinkle all Ordinances and the word it self and our selves and all our works 5 When as Gods anger doth lye heavy upon the soul by desertion or temptation c. then wee are to cast our burden upon Christ in the free Covenant of grace and peace Psal 55.22 Isa 54.8 9. This shall bee to me as the waters of Noah c. Christ set forth to be a Propitiation THE TWELFTH SERMON ON Rom. 3.24 25. Whom God hath set forth to be a Propitiation WEE have seen before of the efficient cause of a sinners justification 1 God the Father 2 The inward impulsive that 's the free grace and favour of God 3 The meritorious cause 4 The instrument apprehending the object that is faith in Christs blood 5 The end in respect of us that is our remission of sins and eternal salvation In respect of God the manifestation of his Justice and Mercy Now the Meritorious Cause is amplyfied 1 By the degree and measure and manner of it it was by blood 2 By the efficacy of it it was a propitiation 3 By the ground or manner of it in the word set forth of which next is this Quere Quest What is the meaning of setting forth Christ to bee a Propitiation Answ Christ was formerly set forth for a Propitiation in times of the Old Testament But very darkly under Types and shadows and very restrainedly in that 't was onely to the Jews or the Proselytes that were joyned to them But now in the New Testament Christ is clearly and openly set forth in the Ministry of the Gospel and without all restraint both to Jews and Gentiles 1 Joh. 2.2 a propitiation for the sinnes of the whole world Heb. 9.7 The Mercy Seat was shut up in the times of the Old Testament though the benefit was extended to the whole Church of the Jews yet to them onely and such as joyned to them and besides none but the High Priest might go into it and that not commonly but onely once a year But now in the times of the New Testament Christ our Mercy Seat is set forth in the Promises and Preaching of the Gospel to all sorts of sinners that they have free recourse to him for themselves and that at any time This I conceive was intended by the Translators in this place and it is pious and precious The word here used doth often signify the purpose and decree of God from all eternity Rom. 8.28 And of mens purposes to do any thing Rom. 1.13 But it s especially applyed unto the mystery of Christ Gods eternal purpose in gathering of sinners unto him in one head Eph. 1.9 And this signification doth marvellously suit here to shew unto us how it comes to pass that Christ is the Propitiatory or placatory sacrifice for sin Even because God the Father purposed and fore-appointed this way of reconciliation from all eternity In regard of the composition of the word it may signify hee proposed before or held forth in former times viz.
In former times by the sacrifice of the Law the Mercy Seat and other types thus was Christ then set forth Act. 10.36 All these interpretations are usefull and precious which I comprehend therefore in this Doct. Christ was purposed and proposed our Propitiation That God the Father purposed from eternity and proposed in fulness of time his Son Jesus Christ to bee the propitiation for sinners 1 It s much insisted on in Scripture that the eternal decree and purpose of God is mentioned as the ground mark of our redemption 1 Pet. 1.2 Elect according to the fore-knowledge of God and the sanctification of the Spirit and obedience and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Here wee have three works of the divine persons in the salvation of souls The Fathers election the Sons redemption and the Spirits application And these two latter are grounded in the former As also 1 Thess 5.9 1 Joh. 4.10 Act. 4.28 2 Christ was proposed formerly in the Old Testament I mean in the promises prophecies and types Act. 10.36 Luke 1.70 1 Pet. 1.10 11. The Prophets prophecyed of the grace of God in Christ and testified before hand of the sufferings of Christ c. Heb. 9.22 3 Most clearly in the Gospel-times 1 Pet. 1.20 The Lamb fore-ordained was manifested and offered in our times 2 Tim. 1.9 10. Gods purpose and grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the World began but is now made manifest by Christ c. when he came in flesh then was the fountain set open Zach. 13.1 Quest How was the decree of God the Father about the propitiation of Christ Answ There was from all eternity a gracious Covenant betwixt the persons of the Holy Trinity as it is expressed Isa 53.10 c. with Heb. 10.8 The Father saith If hee will make his soul an offering for sin c. And the Son saith Loe I cometo do thy will my God Quest Why did God the Father purpose from eternity Christ to be our propitiation Answ No reason can bee given but the good pleasure of the Lord Isa 53.10 It pleased the Lord to bruise him c. It s called the love of God and the free love of God 1 Joh. 4.10 that hee sent his Son to bee our propitiation Nothing without God whether faith or works or perseverance foreseen could move God to purpose any mans salvation For I may speak it with reverence God could not foresee any mans faith and good works except hee had decreed to give faith and obedience too himself Quest Why did God propose in the times of the Old Testament Christs propitiation Answ 1. It was necessary for the salvation of all the Elect before the comming of Christ there being no salvation to be had in any other but him Act. 4.12 and no salvation by Christ but by his sacrifice Heb. 9.22 but this is certain that God appointed their salvation and therefore appointed the means thereof that is the proposal of the Sacrifice and propitiation of Christ 1 Thess 5.19 2 It was necessary for after times for hence it is that Christ and his Apostles did Preach still out of the Old Testament Besides If they had one way of salvation and wee another then there would have been more waies to heaven than one and that would have endangered our salvation for wee should have been left in doubt and suspicion which way to take But the Scripture shews us that wee must bee saved as the fathers were Act. 15.11 Quest Why was Christs sacrifice proposed so openly since the comming of Christ Answ 1. In respect of the Elect both Jews and Gentiles that both might see their free admittance to him and acceptation in him Act. 2. cap. 3. 2 In respect of the reprobates that they might be left without excuse and Gods justice cleared in their destruction Eph. 2.13 Use 1. The hainousness of their sin who do neglect Christ This may serve to discover the hainousnesse of their sin that do either neglect or despise Christs Sacrifice or propitiation For 1 Consider that that revelation of Christ in the Old Testament though but dark and imperfect yet was sufficient and effectual unto the salvation of all the Elect then the Patriarks and Prophets c. John 1.29 Act. 10.43 Could the Ceremonies and the shadows save how much more Jesus Christ the body it self as hee is now revealed Could they see the Promises afar off and embrace them then And wee when they are near at hand put them away from us Had they but the predictions of Christs death and were saved by it and wee are not who have the full accomplished thereof God reserved for us these better things sad and very sinful is it if wee become never the better but the worse Act. 13.32 33. The Promise which God made unto the Fathers hee hath fulfilled unto us their children the neglect of these must needs be a more hainous sin for which the Patriarks and Prophets of old shall stand up in the judgement and condemn us 2 Because Christ is so generally and freely offered to all that will receive him Rev. 22.17 Whosoever will let him come and take of the waters of life freely What can men say but that their destruction is now of themselves wholly and that they are self-murtherers This will make the fire of Hell furnace seven times hotter than ordinary and worse than Sodomes Hell to think how ready and open the way to the Mercy Seat was and nothing hindered thee from it but thine own vile heart To see persons worse sinners than thy self saved in Heaven and thou thrust out Mat. 8.11 12. Many shall come from the East and West c. 3 It s aggravated by this that Jesus Christ was the onely propitiation determined of God for sinners from everlasting both his person and the manner of his redemption Psal 33.11 And hence unless wee could null the Counsel of God its impossible to finde any other propitiation No equivalent price for mans redemption besides this No Mercy Seat but meerly this By Gods decree the matter is eternally limitted that there is not any other way than by Christs death How shall wee escape if wee neglect so great Salvation Heb. 2.2 3. what recompence of vengeance can bee sufficient for this sin not onely if wee despise or scorn but if wee neglect or care not for this salvation Now hee that doth take care about this salvation will use all means rowl every stone take any pains about it will as Darius Dan. 6.14 18. Set his heart to the matter cared for it laboured about it passed the night without his accustomed meal his musick or his sleep and early and in haste arose and went unto Daniel whom he cared for thus 2 Cor. 7.11 Now if this bee the true care then those who have no fixed settled serious thoughts about their salvation That will not abate one jot of their sinful delights nor carnal contentments for it but
let the word they have heard heedlesly to slip from them again How is it possible they should escape weigh seriously but that one Scripture Prov. 1.24 to the end Comfort to those that have interest in Christ thus proposed and purposed for their propitiation Use 2. Of comfort unto the Children of God who have part in Christ their comfort lies in these branches 1 The proposal of Christ in the Promises and Prophecies of the old Testament This wee are sure is that good old way in which the Saints were saved then as Now. Jer. 18.14 Will a man leave the Snow of Lebanon that commeth from the rock of the field Or shall the cold flowing waters bee forsaken That is Will a man leave the pure fountain water to come to dig puddles as Jerem. 2.13 as many now-adaies do Our path is the path of all the Saints of former ages Wee follow the cloud of Witnesses Heb. 12.1 And may hope to bee in Abrahams bosome that Father of the faithful while that we insist in the faith of Abraham 2 In the proposal of Christ so clearly and largely in the times of the New Testament confirmed by the voice of God and so many signs and wonders wrought Heb. 2.3.4 here is great comfort that our souls are in the right way to bliss Rom. 16.25 26. 3 In the eternal purpose of God to make Christ our Propitiation When wee consider the sleights of Satan and our own weaknesses wee have cause to say that we shall one day fall But then Rom. 9.11 2 Tim. 2.19 The purpose of God according to Election will stand when heaven and earth shall fall The Foundation of God stands sure If it were a Foundation of mans laying it would not bee sure but it s the Lords that never was nor will bee shaken Our Salvation is not built upon our Faith our Works or any sufficiency in our selves or in the Creatures But on Gods Eternal Wisdome and Counsel and unchangeable Decree and on his Son Jesus as our Foundation 1 Cor. 3.11 1 Pet. 2.6 Behold I lay in Sion a chief Corner stone Elect and pretious and hee that beleeves on him shall not bee confounded Let him therefore be exceedingly comforted and take up Pauls triumphing Challenge and say Rom. 8.33 34. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect its God that justifieth its Christ that dyed This is a sure breast-work against all Satans batteries and Accusations So Tit. 1.2 Wee have hope of eternal life promised us by an unalterable purpose and that from eternity Object How can that bee seeing before the World began there was no Creature to make the Promise to Answ I will not trouble you with other Interpretations but this is the truth That God the Father promised to the second Person of the sacred Trinity his own Son To give eternal life to all those that should beleeve upon him in the fulness of time And its suitable to that 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with a holy calling according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ before the world began Shall wee now say that wee are unworthy of any promise or Mercy It s very true we in our selves are altogether unworthy But Jesus Christ our Redeemer is worthy to have it made to him and performed to him The Lamb that was stain is worthy And immediately only to the Lord Jesus Christ were the promises made not to us and that before the World began so that they are in a good way and a sure hand there 's nothing succeeding can disanul Gal. 3.17 nor should discourage us from taking hold thereon Christ set forth to be a Propitiation THE THIRTEENTH SERMON ON Rom. 3.24 25. Whom God hath set forth to be a Propitiation Doct. THat God the Father purposed from eternity and proposed in the fulnesse of time his Son Jesus Christ to be the Propitiation to appease his wrath Vse 3. Of conviction of errors c. It may serve to discover unto us the danger of diverse erroneous Tenents about the satisfaction of Christ Some denying some lessening of it some adding thereto humane satisfactions and propitiations Which wicked errours as they do overthrow many other Principles of Christian Religion so especially this foundation of foundations So that unless God should reverse his eternal Decree verified in all ages hitherto and should give forth another Scripture and lay open another way to heaven It s impossible these men should be saved for they hold not the head Col. 2.19 nor are at all built upon the only foundation 1 Cor. 3.11 having missed of Jesus Christ and his Propitiation Use 4. This shews the gratious and wonderful concurrence The concurrence of the persons in Trinity to our salvation of all the persons of the Trinity in the salvation of a sinner Here is the Fathers purpose and eternal decree the Sons propitiation the holy Spirits application of it implyed in the work of Faith in the blood of Christ A great mistake therefore it is for any to think that we do owe much more to Christ for our salvation than wee do to God the Father as if hee did carry it but justly nay somewhat severely towards us in Christ onely was mercy Why Consider 1. That the justice of God is an an essential attribute common to all the three persons that just will to punish sin or that wrath of God against it is alike in them all Therefore there is no greater enemy to sinners than the Son and the Holy Ghost Psal 45.7 2 Though Christ only did take flesh upon him and suffer yet this was now brought about by the Fathers Councel and decree Joh. 3.16 Hee gave his Son Rom. 8.32 Hee spared not his Son 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself God the Father is the fountain of the God-head in order of subsisting And so hee is in all the works of grace that are wrought for sinners It was his love that moved him to appoint this way of salvation 1 Joh. 4.10 3 Christs satisfaction and sacrifice was no cause of the fathers love but an effect thereof and a chief means of our salvation 1 Thess 5.9 The cause of a sinners salvation but not the cause why hee is elected and chosen of God unto salvation 4 It was the wonderful free love of God the Father to give any of us in particular to Jesus Christ and to determine us to bee of that small number that were to be reconciled to him by Jesus Christ Joh. 17.6 Thine they were and thou gavest them mee Therefore it s said Joh. 5.23 That all men should honour the Son as they do honour the Father that is with like love but not with greater love Let us therefore learn to glorify God in Christ 1 Pet. 4.11 for though wee may direct our worship unto one person yet wee must take heed of excluding the other in our
out of the sparks and embers almost extinct Therefore they are no small difficulties that they are brought unto who let their peace and comforts decline and be almost extinguished before they renew them 3 Wee must bee much in the exercise of our faith on Christ for justification Faith is not onely the breeder and bringer forth of our joy and comfort but it is the nurse and foster-mother of them cherishing and feeding of them till wee come to a full and perfect age in Christ Jud. 20. Col. 2.1 2. Phil. 1.25 All fruits the neerer they come to ripeness the sweeter they bee and so is the fruit of faith sweeter in the ear than in the blade If a justified estate bee sweet at the first it must needs bee much sweeter as the strength of faith and spiritual acquaintance with God increaseth Faith thus exercised doth these things 1 It conveies the thing that is desired or sought Hence in the Scripture it is so often made the instrument of Gods conveyance of all his blessings to us Heb. 11.11 and Gal. 3.14 the promise of the Spirit is received through faith Remarkable is Christs saying to the Centurion Go thy way and as thou hast beleeved so be it done unto thee Mat. 8.13 whatever faith laies hold on it make it its own 2 Though the comfort of things beleeved and of a justified estate in particular bee sometimes delayed yet it supports the heart with patience to wait for it which made Hanna quiet that shee looked no more sad 1 Sam. 1.10 18. and this made Abraham rejoyce in the assured expectation of the promised seed 3 Faith exercised makes the soul quick-sighted in apprehending the fulnesse and satisfaction in the grace desired and expected It sets the soul as Moses upon mount Nâ—bo to see the glory of the promised land It shews the many mansions the Crown of glory the immortal inheritance the kingdome that shall not bee shaken a far off before wee come into possession So Abraham and Sarah saw the things promised Heb. 11.13 and was perswaded of them imbraced and injoyed them in a great measure as things present 4 Exercise of faith in Christ and apprehending Justification thereby is the fundamental work of faith and all other works of faith do depend upon it It is very observable in the Old Testament that when the Lord would strengthen the faith of his people to beleeve any particular blessings hee gave them a promise of the Messiah So when hee made promises of deliverance of Ahaz and his people hee granted this sign Behold a Virgin shall conceive Isa 7.14 So when hee promised the restauration of his people out of Captivity hee promises Christ and Justification by him Behold I raise up to the seed of Jacob a righteous branch and in his daies Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely and this is the Name whereby hee shall bee called Jehovah our righteousness and this is laid for a ground for the peoples faith to work upon to cause them to beleeve their return out of Captivity So would wee have our faith set on work to act lively in any particular duty or occasion would wee exercise it in word Prayer Sacraments the way is to go to the fountain Mal. 3.1 5. Zach. 6.12 13. Behold the man whose name is the branch hee shall grow up out of his place and hee shall build the Temple of the Lord. Would wee set any graces on work as love to God or Man Faith must work with or rather exercise it self in it and set it on work Gal. 5.6 Would we resist temptation Faith quencheth all the fiery darts of Satan Eph. 6.16 and makes us strong in the Lord and the power of his might In a word whatever our estate occasion or businesse is Faith in Christ and in Justification by him must bee set on work and it is like the powring waters on the roots that will make all grow and bee fruitful Quest How may we improve our faith in Christ for the continuance of our Justification Answ Beware of those things that hinder the exercise of faith in Christ such as these 1 Unbrokenness of heart Mark 8.17 Act. 19.9 hardnesse of heart hinders faith often altogether alwaies in part as far as it doth prevail It is with ones faith in this case as with a benummed hand or foot that cannot work or walk for the present Thence then if you will have your faith to work get your heart into a tender and lowly frame Psal 77.2 2 Immoderate Aggravation of sin is another let and contrary to the former Thus it is some-times with broken-hearted Sinners they see their sins and their multitude and hainousnesse and then they plead their great unworthiness and pore continually upon their corruptions so much as to put away Christ and the promise and the grace of God from them and then it is impossible to beleeve on Christ or to get peace or comfort of a justified estate Hee that rakes in a kennel doth in vain complain of the vile savour So it is with those beleevers who are too much contemplating on and aggravating their corruptions It is true there must bee Humiliation to make us hunger after Christ and receive him on his own terms but to labour so for Humiliation as to knock off our hands from Christ is a great evil Isa 45.22 you must look on your sins but withall look on Christ Look on your wounds but also on the brasen Serpent Complain with Jonah that yee are in the belly of Hell yet look towards the Holy Temple i.e. Christ Jon. 2.4 Look unto him who came to seek and to save that which was lost Matth. 18.6 That came to bind up the broken hearted Isa 61.1 2. that inviteth the heavy laden Matth. 11.28 3 The least allowance or hankering after any known sin this makes it impossible to beleeve How can yee beleeve c Joh. 5.44 One is Proud and another Covetous another malicious another hath an unruly tongue c. yet they will complain at fits that they cannot beleeve truely no marvail Gal. 2.17 if while wee hope to bee justified by faith wee our selves are found sinners is Christ therefore the Minister of sin far bee it why but such kind of sinners do make Christ the Minister of Sin Beloved wee come to the Sacraments to get our faith strengthened but what kinde of faith it is a holy faith Jude 20. such as purifies the heart Act. 15.9 and dare wee bring a dirty or impure faith to bee strengthened or would wee have that confirmed or sealed that will not take the impression of salvation beware of the impression of condemnation 4 Another let is immoderate or disorderly seeking our Peace in our Sanctification I say immoderate 1 When wee seek our comfort altogether in our Mortification or Sanctification or make it our main stay and staff One builds upon his Love another in his good works or duties and this is the basis of
it may be cleared from the Spiritual businesse it ever puts the soul upon it is active like the vestuous woman which puts her hand to every â—â—rk â—rov 31. â—4 17. 2 Thess 1.11 Hence it is that the 〈…〉 by his faith Heb â— â— believers doe all i. e saith 〈…〉 the faithful of old were inabled to do so great works old were inabled to do so great works Heb. 11.33 Subdued kingdoms wrought righteousnesse c. but it is most especially busie in the use of Ordinances as the Word Prayer Seals though it will not bee 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 callings it works by love and is our victory over the 〈◊〉 1 Joâ— 5.4 So that a true faith is imploying it self on all hands for a beleevers good Now alas when 〈◊〉 faith is but a dead drugge in us or is but an underling in the heart and is at the command of every lust profit or pleasure truly it is not lively much lesse shall you live eternally by it 4 Clear up the way and fruits of forgivenesse of sins the way of bringing it home unto the soul is the Word Acts 26.18 the Word was preached to open mens eyes If ever wee come to the right knowledge of the pardon of our sins it must be by the Word preached working these particulars 1. Illumination discovering effectual your sin and misery to us with a through sense and feeling of it 2 The conversion of the soul and turning of it from darknesse to light Now when the league with Hell is disaâ—ulled then wee come to receive forgivenesse of sin Besides 〈◊〉 the fruit of forgivenesse there bee many 〈…〉 of this sappy root let mee name some First the 〈…〉 heart to love Christ with fervency Luke 7.47 〈…〉 were many were forgiven her for she loved much her love was the effect not the cause of her pardon So Psal 116.1 3 4 c. Quest What kind of love is this to God Ans Such a love as inlargeth the heart in duties to God as it did that poor woman and David and Peter Hence is in them a love to the Word and Ordinances and the Children of God it is not possible for a man to have great debts forgiven him and that out of pitty and bounty when hee hath nothing to pay but that his love should bee kindled and his heart in a light fire in zeal for God 2 A forgiving disposition in case of personal wrongs Ephes 4.32 Bee yee kind one to another tender-hearted forgiving one another even as God for Christs sake hath forgiven us and this note is given by our blessed Saviour with great earnestnesse and asseveration affirmatively and negatively If yee forgive men their trespasses then your heavenly Father will forgive you Matth. 6.12.14 15. and if yee from the heart forgive not every one his brother their trespasses neither will your heavenly Father forgive you Hee speaks indefinitely every one not excepting any it is a sad sentence for a malicious heart But a merciful heart that can forgive private wrongs and strive against motions of malice and revenge and be humbled for them and that from the heart how great soever the injuries are it is a sure fruit of Gods pardoning him and his freedom from guile and reigning Hypocrisie Psal 32.1 2. 1 Joh. 3.19 6 Maintain and improve the forgivenesse of sin cleared up unto thee and this will be by daily and diligent observation of our wayes by often reckonings with God and getting the Book still crossed by suing out a pardon of course and therefore Christ teacheth us to pray daily Forgive us our debts This was Davids practice as appears by Psal 119.58 59. and other places and this must bee joyned with a resolution and care to shun future sins and failings and hereby wee shall know we are of the truth i. e. sincere and shall assure our hearts before him 1 Joh. 3.19 Now this improvement is First by holy humble and thankful abasement of our selves before God continually Hos 3.5 Ezek. 16. ult so Ezek. 36.29 I will save you from all your uncleannesses then shall yee remember your own evil wayes c. Beware of pride covetousnesse carnal rejoycing shaking off sorrow for sin it is a bad symptom when a man doth so 2 Bee careful to improve your interest in the favour of God for others not only near relations but even for strangers especially for the publick as Noah Daniel Job Moses Samuel c. they were still standing in the gap 3 Bee ready to comfort other with the same comfort wherewith God hath comforted us 2 Cor. 1.4 4 Know and bear in mind your ingagement to the Lord. The Princes pardon is the condemned Malefactors life as Mephibosheth said 2 Sam. 19.28 All my fathers house were dead men before thee Pardon of sinne is the eternal life of the sinner and hee is passed from Death to Life by it Yea as the offending God by Sin is an infinite evil so the forgivenesse of the offence is an infinite good and wee may say What shall wee render to the Lord for all his benefits towards us Surely as Psalm 116.8 9. Hee hath delivered our souls from death our eyes from tears and our feet from falling that we should walk before the Lord in the land of the living Of the Righteousnesse of Christ THE NINETEENTH SERMON ON Romans 3.21 But now the righteousness of Christ c. IN the handling of the point of Justification I have spoken of the several causes thereof and the end thereof in regard of men viz. Remission of sins and thereupon immediately followes the accounting of the beleeving Sinner righteous unto Salvation that is by the imputation of the righteousnesse of Jesus Christ unto the Sinner and that being described in the context and same portion of Scripture I shall proceed unto it now where the handling of it may come in at the due place for our better understanding thereof In the two verses 19 20. the Apostle shewed before Negatively that Justification is not by the works of the Law now he shewes Affirmatively how we are justified and that is expressed 1 By the matter of it The righteousnesse of God amplified by way of opposition to the Law without the Law i. e. without the works of the Law any way Co-working or meriting our justification 2 This is set forth by the Adjunct of the approbation and testimony of the Law and the Prophets 3 By the instrument that is faith of Jesus Christ understand it not actively for the faith whereby Christ beleeved but passively the faith whereby Christ is beleeved on 4 The subject beleevers and those universally and emphatically set down unto all and upon all that beleeve Quest What is meant by the righteousnesse of God Ans It is not to be understood of that whereby God himself is righteous as Osiander said for that is essential to God and cannot be communicated to the Creature but this righteousnesse is elsewhere called the righteousnesse of Christ
yet neither will these make you perfect 3 This will be your security in the day of wrath Prov. 11.4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath but righteousness delivereth from death Quest How may a sinful man or woman get he righteousness of God There being a wide distance betwixtt God and man yea that which is infinite Answ To let pass the things before pressed and insisted on there be these things in this place and context observable 1 Let us bee settled in the certainty not onely that there is such a righteousness of God but also that the same is attainable by poor sinners This is here witnessed by the Law and the Prophets such as God hath sent whose Testimony hee hath approved of and sealed to yea such who many of them have sealed this and the like truths with their bloods and such as Christ himself hath appointed witnesses to him Act. 1.8 and all concurring in this Testimony So that the witnesses are beyond exception 2 See the evidence thereof in the Gospel where it is revealed Rom. 1.17 See it there shining with its own light it was more implicite and veiled heretofore it was but darkly proposed in the Law and the Prophets formerly but in the Gospel it appears as the Sun in the firmament in all its lustre and brightness 3 Labour for a deep apprehension and sense of this righteousness of God it is a proved truth that both Jews and Gentiles are under sin Rom. 3.9 21. and hee addes that it is written there is none righteous no not one and vers 19. all the world is guilty before God and nothing but the righteousness of God will remove this guilt 4 Consider the nearnesse of Gods righteousness Isa 46.13 I will bring neer my righteousness it shall not bee far off and my salvation shall not tarry Isa 50.8 Hee is near that justifieth mee c. 1 In that this righteousness is the righteousnesse of God-man Rom. 5.15 17. By the obedience of one man c. 2 It is the righteousness of Faith Rom. 9.30 it is made ours by faith 3 This is wrought and applyed in the Ministry of the Gospel 2 Cor. 3.10 Of the Imputation of Christs Righteousness THE TWENTIETH SERMON ON Rom. 3.21 22. But now the righteousness of God without the Law is manifested being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets Even the righteousness of God which is by the faith of Jesus Christ REmission of sins and Imputation of righteousnesse go alwaies together Rom. 4.6 7. There are not two parts of Justification but distinguished by the terms from which and to which as all by one act darkness is expelled and light brought in Doct. 2. That the righteousnesse of God is Imputed to beleevers or is conveyed to beleevers by way of Imputation 1 Imputation is not expressed in the Text but it s necessarily implyed and understood for the righteousnesse of God cannot bee conceived any way to bee mans but only by way of Imputation Because it is not righteousnesse that is or can bee wrought by a meer man 2 Though inherent righteousness in Beleevers may be called Gods righteousness as some take Matth. 6.33 yet the Apostle cannot mean that here because hee speaks of righteousness without the Law and the works of the Law besides the Apostle treats here of Justification as it is plain but inherent righteousness belongs to sanctification 3 It is said that the righteousnesse of God is to all and upon all that beleeve that is it is appointed unto them upon them i.e. accounted theirs or put upon them by way of Imputation 4 It is the righteousnesse of God by faith i.e. apprehended by faith Other Scriptures do consent to this truth Rom. 4.6 11. as David describes the righteousness of the man to whom the Lord imputes righteousness without works viz. of his own vers 11. righteousness imputed to all beleevers vers 24. It was not written for Abraham onely but for us to whom it shall bee imputed if wee beleeve in him who raised up Jesus from the dead So 2 Cor. 5 21. wee are made the righteousness of God in him not in our selves 1 Cor. 1.30 Christ is made to us of God righteousnesse and that is no other way than by Imputation The same is proved by those places where it is said Faith is imputed for righteousness Rom. 4.5 for faith considered as a quality inherent in us can bee no more imputed for righteousness than other graces that are infused by the same Spirit of God therefore this must needs bee understood in regard of the object of faith which is Christ and his saving righteousness which faith doth apprehend hence Rom 4.5 To him that worketh not but beleeveth c. For the opening of this something had need bee said concerning Imputation of the righteousness of Christ because it is a term that the Papists do Cavil at taking the Scripture word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to signify Thinking or doubtful opinion for how can that bee ascribed to God as this is Rom. 4.6 but the word signifies to Reckon or Account taken by a borrowed speech from Merchants reckonings and accompts who have their debt-books wherein they set down how their reckonings stand in the particulars they deal upon Now in such debt-books Merchants use to set down whatever payments are only made either by the debtors themselves or by others in the behalf of them an example whereof wee have in the Epistle to Philemon vers 18. where Paul undertakes to Philemon for Onesimus If hee hath wronged thee or oweth thee any thing put that on my account i.e. Account Onesimus his debt to Paul and Pauls satisfaction or payment to Onesimus Which Answers the double Imputation in Point of justification i.e. of our sin to Christ and of Christs satisfaction to us both which are implyed 2 Cor. 5.21 Hee made him to bee sin for us i.e. our sin was imputed to him that wee might bee the righteousness of God in him i.e. his righteousness might bee imputed to us Now the Imputing Christs righteousness unto us is A Gratious act of God the Father Definition of Imputation according to his good will and pleasure whereby as a judge hee accounts the Beleevers sins unto the surety as if hee had committed the same and the righteousness of Christ unto the beleeever as if hee had performed the same obedience that Christ did in his own person So that Christs imputed righteousness is as effectual to the full for the acceptance of the beleeving sinner as if hee had yeelded such obedience to the Lord himself hence his righteousness is called our righteousness Jer. 23.6 It is true there is mention of a double imputation Rom. 4.4 5. now to him that worketh is the reward reckoned not of grace but of debt but to him that worketh not c. Here bee two Imputations the one hath the ground in him to whom the Imputation is made the other is founded on the will of him
may plead it now and it will plead for you and stand by you in the evil day when you cannot bee without such a perfect righteousnesse and though then all others that are not righteous in this righteousnesse shall bee deserted of their righteousnesse and Gods too yet you shall have this righteousness about you and Christ deeming himself so highly concerned in your case that hee will bee known to poor beleevers by that Name of Jehovah our Righteousness Yea they themselves shall bee called by that Name and is there any fear that Jehovah our Righteousnesse should bee condemned 1 Because this Righteousnesse is of infinite value and worth 2 It cannot bee lost Dan. 9.24 3 It is unchangeable the Sun of Righteousness hath no shadow of change in him though the Moon bee subject to it 4 It is unspotted and without blemish therefore God cannot mislike it 5 It is in a sure hand and cannot be lost 2. All our inherent righteousnesse accepted Comf This imputed righteousnesse hath procured acceptance for our inherent righteousnesse The faithful do many times complain of their inability to do good duties the weaknesses of their Prayers and the imperfections of them and the many infirmities in all other services and performances but this imputed righteousnesse shall bring forth these infirm weak sinful performances perfect spotless and sinless and approved according to the Tenour of the Gospel so that they become spiritual Sacrifices 1 Pet. 2.5 For as there is an imputation of righteousnesse to the persons of beleevers so there is also an imputation to their services and actions As the fact of Phineas was imputed to him for righteousness Psal 106.31 So the imperfect good works that are done by the faithful are accounted righteousnesse Or as Mr. Calvin saith are accounted for righteousnesse they being dipped in the blood of Christ tincta sanguine Christi i.e. they are accounted righteous actions and so the faithful shall bee judged according to their good works though not saved for them and in that famous process of the last judgement Matth. 25.34 35. the supream Judge makes mention of the bounty and liberality of the faithful and so bestows the eternal inheritance upon them so that though we have great cause to bee troubled for the weaknesses of our best duties as they are in themselves yet wee have wonderful cause of comfort that they are made perfect through Jesus Christ Heb. 13.20 21. and that the Lord looks at them through the righteousnesse of Christ as fruits of his own Spirit 1 Cor. 6.11 The Son of Righteousnesse hath healing enough in his wings for all our spiritual maladies Mal. 4.2 And shall bring forth all our righteousness as the light and here beleevers have exceeding strong consolation and good hope through grace that both persons and services do find acceptation with the Lord as having no spot nor blemish at all in them So that This is our blessednesse to have righteousnesse Imputed Rom. 4.5 6. Use 4. Let it bee the care of every soul to labour for and seek earnestly after this imputed righteousnesse Oh bee convinced of this that wee must have a perfect righteousnesse to stand before Gods judgement Seat with Therefore the ungodly shall not stand but bee cast in Judgement nor Sinners in the general assembly of the righteous Psal 1.5 6. The ungodly shall stand to bee judged but they shall not stand accepted and approved It will bee our happinesse one day as Paul to bee found in Christ Oh! woe bee to that soul that the Lord finds or death finds or sicknesse findes or judgement findes without imputed righteousnesse To move you Mativ 1. This is the first righteousnesse and there cannot bee inherent righteousnesse before imputed Rom. 5.19 And without faith it is impossible to please God Heb. 11.6 It is a great mistake to help our selves on our own reformations and good duties Till Faith wee cannot please God with any performance Motiv 2. This is the end of all the book of God to bring a poor sinner to this imputed righteousnesse Rom. 10.4 Christ is the end of the Law for righteousnesse c. that is the end of the Law was not that a sinner should seek to be justified thereby seeing that when it is broken 〈◊〉 can onely condemn a man But this is the main end of the Law that it is directed unto Christ where the sinner may finde imputed righteousnesse But now this end doth not pertain to the Law as such as it contains the Covenant of Works for so it consists in man onely and exacts perfect obedience at his hands upon pain of the curse and eternal condemnation neither hath any reference unto Christ but as the law is turned into another way into the Channel of the Gospel to bee a promoter and help to the Covenant of Grace and as an handmaid to the Grace of Jesus Christ Therefore Christs righteousnesse is so imputed to beleevers that in it they have the end of the Law and the law it self doth acknowledge that in Christs righteousnesse it hath attained its end Hence well might the Apostle say the Jews followed after righteousnesse yet attained not to the Law of Righteousnesse Rom. 9.31 because they missed Christ and therefore the Law must thus needs misse its end But by imputed righteousnesse we do fully attain to the end of the law and the end is more excellent still than the means It gives perfection measure and amiableness to the means Now this end should make us love and highly esteem the Law it self But how much more the Gospel seeing it is not only the end of it but the main drift subject and scope of it properly as such Rom. 1 16 17. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of God for therein is the righteousnesse of God revealed from faith to faith c. This then is the main end and proper work and scope of the Gospel to reveal effectually the righteousness of God to a sinner So that wee are aiming here at the right mark and very intent and scope of the whole book of God Where wee have an eye to this righteness and press after it But if wee miss it and sleight it we sleight and miss all the benefit of the Scripture and whole book of God and all the work of the ministry is in vain our praying hearing reforming and all in vain Oh then beloved as wee love either Law or Gospel or both yea as wee love our own souls let this righteousness bee in our eye and in our hearts by all means and indeavours Mot. 3. Herein lies all the strength of a Christian Psal 7.16 I will go forth in the strength of the Lord God and make mention of thy righteousness even thine only Quest By what means may wee attain to this imputed righteousness Answ There be many helps and diverse directions given or hinted in the Scripture to this purpose 1 That a man must close with the righteousnesse of Christ
hee must renounce his own righteousnesse Quest How should a man come to renounce his own righteousness Answ There are two sorts of Actions required to this end 1 In the Understanding 2 In the Will 1 Something must bee wrought in the understanding as appears Rev. 3.17 18. Laodicea knew not that shee was wretched and miserable and blinde c. I Counsel thee to annoint thine eies with eye-salve that thou mayest see i.e. her self to bee blind and miserable c. The soul must bee convinced of the inconceivable misery of its natural estate that every Childe of Adam hath lost all righteousnesse being dead in sin a Childe of wrath and under the power of the Devil Rom. 7.18 I know that in me that is in my flesh there dwelleth no good thing Mat. 7.18 A corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit Rom. 8.8 They that are in the flesh cannot please God This eye-salve to bring this discovery by opening our eies must bee had of and derived from the Lord Jesus and it is called the Spirits conviction Joh. 16.8 The Spirit 's convincing the world of sin 2 The second thing is Conviction of the righteousness of God Joh. 16.9 For it is the ignorance of Gods righteousness that makes us trust in our own It is exceeding requisite to have a discovery of the righteousness of Christ made unto us this white raiment that we may buy it to cover our nakedness and that wee may see this raiment wee have need of Christ's eye-salve and this is not a general discovery only that Christs righteousness is provided for sinners and that it is to bee attained but it is particular and respecting our selves It is for a man to bee wise for himself and to bee convinced of the nature worth and excellency of the righteousness of Christ in relation to the naked and needy condition that hee himself is in And this will make a man desire as Paul that hee may be found in him It also breeds deliberate thoughts and serious projects for the supplying our wants Besides it is so strong and effectual that it will not suffer the soul to rest without it and concludes thus I must go unto Christ for his righteousness or else I perish This being backed with infallible and undeniable arguments taking such impressure in the knowledge and judgement must needs set the will and affections on work to go to choosing this so great bonum apparens or rather real good now appearing presented unto them 2 The next main duty concerns the will and its subjection to this righteousnesse and it is spoken of by Paul Rom. 10.3 That the Jews would not submit to it Now this submission is especially of the heart and will and stands 1 In a serious renouncing of all confidence in the flesh Phil. 3.3 it is the resolving to say no more to the works of our hands that they are our Gods Hos 14.3 It is a kinde of habitual despair of all help by any thing in us or done by us and that not only in our first conversion but afterwards when the soul is more acquainted with God and with its own self 2 In the subjecting our selves to Gods righteousnesse the bowing and abasing the soul before the Lord in a thorow sight of our misery and unworthinesse and this is called the receiving the sentence of death in our selves 2 Cor. 1.10 to become an afflicted and poor people that will trust in the name of the Lord for it is nothing but pride that keeps up the heart above God and his righteousness 3 In the hastening of the soul unto Christ and his righteousness a labouring constantly to go beyond the means though a man shall use the means never so diligently As it is with the Mariner though his hand bee upon the Oar and Helm yet his heart is ever towards the Haven So it is with the Sinner that longs after the satisfaction of Christ though his hand bee on the means yet his heart is on the righteousness of Christ 1 To make the means powerful on the soul to bring it to Christ to bee as winde to his Sails For if a ship have never so good tackling and have no winde and be becalmed it makes no speed towards its haven 2 Hee sees the need of Christ to cover the weaknesses of his services and for this his heart is on Christs righteousnesse seeing that no sacrifice will bee accepted but what comes thorow the hands of this High Priest who is also the only Altar Heb. 13.10 3 As the substantial injoyment in all means and ordinances These hee looks at but as dishes to bring to him the bread of life in and dishes are onely for the meats sake Hee looks at them but as boats to bring him to Christ and therefore intends to dwell in them no longer than he is on his journey and therefore he often stirreth up himself to lay hold on Christ 4 In a considerate serious deliberate choice of Christ or the passing over the spiritual and everlasting estate to the Lord Jesus and this is the frequent casting the soul upon the righteousnesse of Christ Psal 91.16 and it is a work of faith and prayer Psal 62.8 Trust in the Lord at all times yee people c. Pour out your hearts before him or roule your hearts upon him and all this is the Lords working and he must be mightily intreated to do this great work for us Vse 5. It is a ground of everlasting Thank fulness unto God for all beleeving sinners That the God of all grace hath thus provided for their eternal peace What an Incomparable mercy is it that the Lord when hee findes his poor Church and People in their blood polluted and cast forth That hee should love them and spread his skirt over them Ezek. 16.8 c. That hee should cover their nakednesse annoint them with oyle cloath them with broidered work fine linnen c. the very description of the justification of a sinner What a wonderful love is it that makes a Great Monarch take a beggar in raggs and nastinesse and marry her to himself yet it is the King of Glory doth so with us Oh let us magnify the Lord for this great mercy and think often upon his love and take heed of the Sin of the Church of the Jews vers 15. They trusted in their own beauty and so went a whoring away from Christ But take heed of so much as speaking in thy heart for my righteousnesse the Lord hath done this Deut. 9.4 5. understand that it is not for thy righteousnesse for thou art a stiffe-necked people It is spoken of bringing of the people into the land of Canaan but apply it to the present point Ezek. 36.32 when the Lord had spoken of Justification c. hee addes not for your sakes do I do this saith the Lord God bee it known unto you bee ashamed and confounded c. still the Lord beats upon this in all the mercies
Court because his sentence must stand Thus would David do Psal 85.8 I will hear what God the Lord will speak c. Care not what Sense and Feeling say but attend diligently what God shall say for if hee speak peace Hee will certainly make it good Appeal from any other that intrudes as Paul did to Caesar and as David doth Psal 43.1 Judge mee O Lord and plead my cause c. so Psal 35.23 24. Stir up thy self and awake to my judgement even to my cause my God and my Lord and listen to his sentence Quest How shall I know whether God doth justify me or not Answ 1 Consider what the Word saith if that acquit thee thou art sure How we may know whether God justifieth us but if that condemn thee thine estate is dreadful for Rom. 1.17 therein is Gods righteousness revealed Joh. 12.48 The Word that I have spoken to you that shall judge you There mayest thou read the last doom That 's one of the books Rev. 20.12 shall be opened 2 See whether thou dost condemn thy self and judge thy self unfeignedly 1 Cor. 11.31 If wee judge our selves wee shall not bee judged of the Lord. Quest How should I make my appeal to the Lord Ans In secret and humble Prayer as Job said ch 9.15 I will make my Supplication to my Judge yea though the word should cast thee lying in impenitency yet it shall acquit and absolve thee if thou meet the Lord in a treaty of peace with suitable importunity and constancy as the poor widdow did Luk. 18.7 shall not God avenge his own Elect that cry day and night before him c. I tell you that he will avenge them speedily Justification is of free Grace THE SECOND SERMON ON Rom. 3.24 25. Being justified freely by his Grace HAving spoken of the efficient cause of a sinners Justification come we now to the inward impulsive Cause which Logicians call the Proegumenical Cause which is the grace of God and for the forme or manner freely Let us open the words Quest 1 What is it to be justified freely Answ 1 The Word translated freely in Scripture signification is opposed to the hoped for and intended end and signifies in vain or to no purpose Gal. 2. ult If righteousness is by the law then Christ is dead in vain there the same word is used 2 It is opposed to an unjust cause and so it signifies without a cause Joh. 15.25 they hated me without a Cause 3 It is opposed to the payment of a Sum of money or a full price as Laban said unto Jacob Gen. 29.15 Because thou art my brother shouldest thou therefore serve mee for nought tell mee what thy wages shall be 4 It is opposed to desert either good or evil So 1 Sam. 19.5 Jonathan said to Saul wherefore wilt thou sin against innocent bloud to slay David without a Cause or without desert The word is here taken in the last acceptation for the meaning is That wee are justified without any merit on our part So that the word freely is added by way of explication of grace and justification by it When therefore it is said wee are justified freely understand 1 That there was no desert of justification in us Psal 49.8 Isai 43.25 2 That wee deserved the contrary as being enemies Rom. 6.23 3 That we could not desire it Isa 65.1 4 That wee could do nothing to procure it Job 25.4 5 That wee resist it as the Jews did the righteousness of God Rom. 10.3 4. Thus to the first Question the second follows Quest 2. What is meant by Gods grace by which wee are justified Answ Gods Grace is taken two waies in Scripture 1 actively for the favour and mercy of God Or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 grati 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 osum esse misereri Eph. 2.8 By grace yee are saved not of your selves and indeed the Hebrew word for Grace comes of a Root that signifieth to shew mercy or bee merciful And 2 Passively so it signifies the gift by grace as Rom. 5.15 where is mention of the grace of God and the gift by Grace that is inherent gifts and graces that the Lord bestoweth upon us as Eph. 4.7 To every one is given grace c. 1 Pet. 4.10 as every one hath received the gift Now that grace is here meant in the former sense and not in the latter as the Papists would have it for the habits of grace infused into Us It may appear 1 Because otherwise there should be some contradiction in the Text to say that we are justified freely and yet to be justified by inherent grace 2 In the next foregoing verse it is said that all have sinned how then is justification possible by inherent grace where there is none so that by grace here is meant the favour of God Quest 3. How can we be said to bee freely justified when the precious blood of Christ is paid to redeem us Answ 1 It is altogether free on mans behalf because no price for our justification is exacted at our hands but on Christs part it was not free because hee paid a full price 1 Pet. 1.18 2 It was free on Gods part 1 Because nothing but his free grace could move him to ordain such a propitiation for sinners ver 25. 2 Nor to make revelation of it to sinners for there are multitudes in the world to whom this Redemption never was revealed but are suffered of God to dye in their sins and to walk in their own waies 3 Nor to impute it to particular persons and infuse Faith for though Christ paid the ransome yet it is free grace that it is imputed to Us And that without our help he works faith in Us to apprehend the merits of Christ Thus it appears by the Explication That all the world being guilty before God though Christ paid a great price to the Father by way of satisfaction to his Justice in redeeming the Elect Yet in respect of Us it is altogether free and undeserved and that his meer free grace moved him to send his Son to take our nature upon him and to lay down his life to redeem Us. From which Explication wee gather this Doctrin Doct. 2 That the Justification of a sinner before God Justification is of free grace is to bee ascribed meerly to the free grace of God Which the Apostle hints twice in the Text telling us wee are justified freely without deserts and by Gods grace and favour to us likewise which truth wee shall further see in the several Acts of God about it revealed in the Scripture as 1 In the Decree of it in the Council of Gods election which I conceive is meant in ver 25. whom God fore-appointed There is the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or eternal purpose of God which was of his meer grace Gal. 3.8 Justification of the heathen through faith is attributed to the love of God 2 In the