And both these (thanks be to GOD for this unspeakable gift) are secured
to believers by the obedience and death of JESUS CHRIST. For what says
the scripture?
1. As to the _first_, it informs us, that “as by the disobedience
of one man, (or by one transgression, namely, that of _Adam_) many
were made sinners; so by the obedience of one, JESUS CHRIST (therein
including his passive as well as active obedience) many were made
righteous.” And again, “As by the disobedience of one man, judgment
came upon all men unto condemnation;” or all men were condemned on
having _Adam_’s sin imputed to them; “so by the obedience of one, that
is, JESUS CHRIST, the free gift of pardon and peace came upon all men,
(all sorts of men) unto justification of life.” I say all sorts of
men; for the apostle in this chapter is only drawing a parallel between
the first and second _Adam_ in this respect, that they acted both as
representatives; and as the posterity of _Adam_ had his sin imputed to
them, so those for whom CHRIST died, and whose representative he is,
shall have his merits imputed to them also. Whoever run the parallel
farther, in order to prove universal redemption (whatever arguments
they may draw for the proof of it from other passages of scripture,)
if they would draw one from this for that purpose, I think they stretch
their line of interpretation beyond the limits of scripture.
2. Pardon for the sin of our lives was another thing, which we wanted
to have secured to us, before we could be at peace with GOD.
And this the holy scriptures inform us, is abundantly done by the death
of JESUS CHRIST. The evangelical prophet foretold that the promised
Redeemer should be “wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our
iniquities; that the chastisement of our peace should be upon him; and
that by his stripes we should be healed,” _Isaiah_ liii. 6. The angels
at his birth said, that he should “save his people from their sins.”
And St. _Paul_ declares, that “this is a faithful saying, and worthy of
all acceptation, that JESUS CHRIST came into the world to save sinners.”
And here in the words of the text, “Such (or, as I observed before,
these things) were some of you; but ye are washed, &c.” and again,
“JESUS CHRIST is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that
believeth.” And, to shew us that none but JESUS CHRIST can do all this,
the apostle St. _Peter_ says, “Neither is their salvation in any other;
for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we
must be saved,” but the name of JESUS CHRIST.
How GOD will be pleased to deal with the _Gentiles_, who yet sit
in darkness and under the shadow of death, and upon whom the sun of
righteousness never yet arose, is not for us to enquire. “What have we
to do to judge those that are without?” To GOD’s mercy let us recommend
them, and wait for a solution of this and every other difficult point,
till the great day of accounts, when all GOD’s dispensations, both of
providence and grace, will be fully cleared up by methods to us, as yet
unknown, because unrevealed. However, this we know, that the judge of
all the earth will, most assuredly, do right.
But it is time for me to draw towards a conclusion.
I have now, brethren, by the blessing of GOD, discoursed on the words
of the text in the method I proposed. Many useful inferences might be
drawn from what has been delivered; but as I have detained you, I fear,
too long already, permit me only to make a reflection or two on what
has been said, and I have done.
If then we are freely justified by the death and obedience of JESUS
CHRIST, let us here pause a while; and as before we have reflected on
the misery of a fallen, let us now turn aside and see the happiness
of the believing, soul. But alas! how am I lost to think that GOD the
Father, when we were in a state of enmity and rebellion against Him,
should notwithstanding yearn in his bowels towards us his fallen, his
apostate creatures: And because nothing but an infinite ransom could
satisfy an infinitely offended justice, that should send his only
and dear Son JESUS CHRIST (who is GOD, blessed for ever, and who had
lain in his bosom from all eternity) to fulfil the covenant of works,
and die a cursed, painful, ignominious death, for us and for our
salvation! who can avoid crying out, at the consideration of this
mystery of godliness. “Oh the depth of the riches of GOD’s love” to us
his wretched, miserable and undone creatures! “How unsearchable is his
mercy, and his ways past finding out!” Now know we of a truth, O GOD,
that thou hast loved us, “since thou hast not with-held thy Son, thine
only Son JESUS CHRIST,” from thus doing and dying for us.
But as we admire the Father sending, let us likewise humbly and
thankfully adore the Son coming, when sent to die for man. But O! what
thoughts can conceive, what words express the infinite greatness of
that unparalleled love, which engaged the Son of GOD to come down from
the mansions of his Father’s glory to obey and die for sinful man! The
_Jews_, when he only shed a tear at poor _Lazarus_’s funeral, said,
“Behold how he loved him.” How much more justly then may we cry out,
Behold how he loved us! When he not only fulfilled the whole moral law,
but did not spare to shed his own most precious blood for us.
And can any poor truly-convicted sinner, after this, despair of
mercy? What, can they see their Saviour hanging on a tree, with arms
stretched out ready to embrace them, and yet, on their truly believing
on him, doubt of finding acceptance with him? No, away with all such
dishonourable, desponding thoughts. Look on his hands, bored with pins
of iron; look on his side, pierced with a cruel spear, to let loose
the sluices of his blood, and open a fountain for sin, and for all
uncleanness; and then despair of mercy if you can! No, only believe
in Him, and then, though you have crucified him afresh, yet will he
abundantly pardon you; “though your sins be as scarlet, yet shall they
be as wool; though deeper than crimson, yet shall they be whiter than
snow.”
Which GOD of his infinite mercy grant, &c.