What think ye of CHRIST?
MATTHEW xxii. 42.
_What think ye of CHRIST?_
WHEN it pleased the eternal Son of GOD to tabernacle among us, and
preach the glad tidings of salvation to a fallen world, different
opinions were entertained by different parties concerning him. As
to his person, some said he was _Moses_; others that he was _Elias_,
_Jeremias_, or one of the ancient prophets; few acknowledged him to be
what he really was, GOD blessed for evermore. And as to his doctrine;
though the common people, being free from prejudice, were persuaded
of the heavenly tendency of his going about to do good, and for the
generality, heard him gladly, and said he was a good man; yet the
envious, worldly-minded, self-righteous governors and teachers of the
_Jewish_ church, being grieved at his success on the one hand, and
unable (having never been taught of GOD) to understand the purity of
his doctrine, on the other; notwithstanding our LORD spake as never
man spake, and did such miracles which no man could possibly do, unless
GOD was with him; yet they not only were so infatuated, as to say,
that he deceived the people, but also were so blasphemous as to affirm,
that he was in league with the devil himself, and cast out devils
by _Beelzebub_ the prince of devils. Nay, our LORD’s own brethren
and kinsmen, according to the flesh, were so blinded by prejudice
and unbelief, that on a certain day, when he went out to teach the
multitudes in the fields, they sent to take hold on him, urging this
as a reason for their conduct, “That he was besides himself.”
Thus was the King and the LORD of glory judged by man’s judgment, when
manifest in flesh: far be it from any of his ministers to expect better
treatment. No, if we come in the spirit and power of our Master, in
this, as in every other part of his sufferings, we must follow his
steps. The like reproaches which were cast on him, will be thrown on us
also. Those that received our LORD and his doctrine, will receive and
hear us for his name’s sake. The poor, blessed be GOD, as our present
meeting abundantly testifies, receive the gospel, and the common people
hear us gladly; whilst those who are sitting in _Moses_’ chair, and
love to wear long robes, being ignorant of the righteousness which is
of GOD by faith in CHRIST JESUS, and having never felt the power of GOD
upon their hearts, will be continually crying out against us, as madmen,
deceivers of the people, and as acting under the influence of evil
spirits.
But he is unworthy the name of a minister of the gospel of peace,
who is unwilling, not only to have his name cast out as evil, but
also to die for the truths of the LORD JESUS. It is the character of
_hirelings_ and _false prophets_, who care not for the sheep, to have
all men speak well of them. “Blessed are you, (says our LORD to his
first apostles, and in them to all succeeding ministers) when men speak
all manner of evil against you falsely for my name’s sake.” And indeed
it is impossible but such offences must come: for men will always judge
of others, according to the principles from which they act themselves.
And if they care not to yield obedience to the doctrines which we
deliver, they must necessarily, in self-defence, speak against the
preachers, lest they should be asked that question, which the Pharisees
of old feared to have retorted on them, if they confessed that _John_
was a prophet, “Why then did you not believe on him?” In all such cases,
we have nothing to do but to search our own hearts, and if we can
assure our consciences, before GOD, that we act with a single eye to
his glory, we are chearfully to go on in our work, and not in the least
to regard what men or devils can say against, or do unto us.
But to return. You have heard what various thoughts there were
concerning JESUS CHRIST, whilst here on earth: nor is he otherwise
treated, even now he is exalted to sit down at the right hand of his
Father in heaven. A stranger to christianity, was he to hear, that
we all profess to hold one LORD, would naturally infer, that we all
thought and spoke one and the same thing about him. But alas! to our
shame be it mentioned, though CHRIST be not divided in himself, yet
professors are sadly divided in their thoughts about him; and that
not only as to the circumstances of his religion, but also of those
essential truths which must necessarily be believed and received by us,
if ever we hope to be heirs of eternal salvation.
Some, and I fear a multitude which no man can easily number, there
are amongst us, who call themselves christians, and yet seldom or
never seriously think of JESUS CHRIST at all. They can think of their
shops and their farms, their plays, their balls, their assemblies, and
horse-races (entertainments which directly tend to exclude religion out
of the world); but as for CHRIST, the author and finisher of faith, the
LORD who has bought poor sinners with his precious blood, and who is
the only thing worth thinking of, alas! he is not in all, or at most
in very few of their thoughts. But believe me, O ye earthly, sensual,
carnally-minded professors, however little you may think of CHRIST
now, or however industriously you may strive to keep him out of your
thoughts, by pursuing the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and
the pride of life, yet there is a time coming, when you will wish you
had thought of CHRIST more, and of your profits and pleasures less.
For the gay, the polite, the rich also must die as well as others, and
leave their pomps and vanities, and all their wealth behind them. And
O! what thoughts will you entertain concerning JESUS CHRIST, in that
hour?
But I must not pursue these reflections: they would carry me too far
from the main design of this discourse, which is to shew, what those
who are truly desirous to know how to worship GOD in spirit and in
truth, ought to think concerning JESUS CHRIST, whom GOD hath sent to
be the end of the law for righteousness to all them that shall believe.
I trust, _my brethren_, you are more noble than to think me too strict
or scrupulous, in thus attempting to regulate your thoughts about JESUS
CHRIST: for by our thoughts, as well as our words and actions, are we
to be judged at the great day. And in vain do we hope to believe in,
or worship CHRIST aright, unless our principles, on which our faith
and practice are founded, are agreeable to the form of sound words
delivered to us in the scriptures of truth.
Besides, many deceivers are gone abroad into the world. Mere heathen
morality, and not JESUS CHRIST, is preached in most of our churches.
And how should people think rightly of CHRIST, of whom they have
scarcely heard? Bear with me a little then, whilst, to inform your
consciences, I ask you a few questions concerning JESUS CHRIST: for
there is no other name given under heaven, whereby we can be saved, but
his.
_First_, What think you about the person of CHRIST? “Whose Son is
he?” This is the question our LORD put to the Pharisees in the words
following the text; and never was it more necessary to repeat this
question than in these last days. For numbers that are called after
the name of CHRIST, and I fear, many that pretend to preach him, are
so far advanced in the blasphemous chair, as openly to deny his being
really, truly, and properly GOD. But no one that ever was partaker of
his Spirit, will speak thus lightly of him. No; if they are asked, as
_Peter_ and his brethren were, “But whom say ye that I am?” they will
reply without hesitation, “Thou art CHRIST the Son of the ever-living
GOD.” For the confession of our LORD’s divinity, is the rock upon which
he builds his church. Was it possible to take this away, the gates of
hell would quickly prevail against it. My brethren, if JESUS CHRIST
be not very GOD of very GOD, I would never preach the gospel of CHRIST
again. For it would not be gospel; it would be only a system of moral
ethics: _Seneca_, _Cicero_, or any of the _Gentile_ philosophers,
would be as good a Saviour as JESUS of _Nazareth_. It is the divinity
of our LORD that gives a sanction to his death, and makes him
such a high-priest as became us, one who by the infinite merits
of his suffering could make a full, perfect, sufficient sacrifice,
satisfaction and oblation to infinitely offended justice. And
whatsoever minister of the church of _England_, makes use of her forms,
and eats of her bread, and yet holds not this doctrine (as I fear
too many such are crept in amongst us) such a one belongs only to the
synagogue of Satan. He is not a child or minister of GOD: no; he is a
wolf in sheep’s cloathing; he is a child and minister of that wicked
one the devil.
Many will think these hard sayings: But I think it no breach of charity
to affirm, that an _Arian_ or _Socinian_ cannot be a christian. The one
would make us believe JESUS CHRIST is only a _created_ God, which is
a self-contradiction: and the other would have us look on him only as
a good man; and instead of owning his death to be an atonement for the
sins of the world, would persuade us, that CHRIST died only to seal the
truth of his doctrine with his blood. But if JESUS CHRIST be no more
than a mere man, if he be not truly GOD, he was the vilest sinner that
ever appeared in the world. For he accepted of divine adoration from
the man who had been born blind, as we read _John_ ix. 38. “And he
said, LORD I believe, and worshipped him.” Besides, if CHRIST be not
properly GOD, our faith is vain, we are yet in our sins: for no created
being, though of the highest order, could possibly merit any thing
at GOD’s hands: it was our LORD’s divinity, that alone qualified him
to take away the sins of the world; and therefore we hear St. _John_
pronouncing so positively, that “the Word (JESUS CHRIST) was not only
with GOD, but was GOD.” For the like reason, St. _Paul_ says, “that
he was in the form of GOD: That in him dwelt all the fulness of the
godhead bodily.” Nay, JESUS CHRIST assumed ♦the title which GOD gave to
himself, when he sent _Moses_ to deliver his people _Israel_. “Before
_Abraham_ was, I AM.” And again, “I and my father are one.” Which last
words, though our modern infidels would evade and wrest, as they do
other scriptures, to their own damnation, yet it is evident that the
_Jews_ understood our LORD, when he spake thus, as making himself equal
with GOD; otherwise, why did they stone him as a blasphemer? And now,
why should it be thought a breach of charity, to affirm, that those
who deny the divinity of JESUS CHRIST, in the strictest sense of the
word, cannot be christians? For they are greater infidels than the
devils themselves, who confessed that they knew who he was, “even the
holy one of GOD.” They not only believe, but, which is more than the
unbelievers of this generation do, they tremble. And was it possible
for arch-hereticks, to be released from their chains of darkness, under
which (unless they altered their principles before they died) they
are now reserved to the judgment of the great day, I am persuaded they
would inform us, how hell had convinced them of the divinity of JESUS
CHRIST, and that they would advise their followers to abhor their
principles, lest they should come into the same place, and thereby
increase each others torments.
♦ duplicate word “the” removed
But, _Secondly_, What think you of the manhood or incarnation of
JESUS CHRIST? For CHRIST was not only GOD, but he was GOD and man in
one person. Thus runs the text and context, “When the Pharisees were
gathered together, JESUS asked them, saying, What think ye of CHRIST?
Whose Son is he? They say unto him, The Son of _David_. How then, says
our divine master, does _David_ in spirit call him LORD?” From which
passage it is evident, that we do not think rightly of the person of
JESUS CHRIST, unless we believe him to be perfect GOD and perfect man,
of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting.
For it is on this account that he is called CHRIST, or the _anointed
one_, who through his own voluntary offer was set apart by the father,
and strengthened and qualified by the anointing or communication of the
Holy Ghost, to be a mediator between Him and offending man.
The reason why the Son of GOD took upon him our nature, was, the fall
of our first parents. I hope there is no one present so atheistical,
as to think, that man made himself: no, it was GOD that made us,
and not we ourselves. And I would willingly think, that no one is so
blasphemous as to suppose, that if GOD did make us, he made us such
creatures as we now find ourselves to be. For this would be giving
GOD’s word the lie, which tells us, that “in the image of GOD (not in
the image which we now bear on our souls) made he man.” As GOD made man,
so GOD made him perfect. He placed him in the garden of _Eden_, and
condescended to enter into a covenant with him, promising him eternal
life, upon condition of unsinning obedience; and threatening eternal
death, if he broke his law, and did eat the forbidden fruit.
Man did eat; and herein acting as our representative, thereby involved
both himself and us in that curse, which GOD, the righteous judge, had
said should be the consequence of his disobedience. But here begins
that mystery of godliness, GOD manifested in the flesh. For (sing,
O heavens, and rejoice, O earth!) the eternal Father, foreseeing how
Satan would bruise the heel of man, had in his eternal counsel provided
a means whereby he might bruise that accursed Serpent’s head. Man is
permitted to fall, and become subject to death; but JESUS, the only
begotten Son of GOD, begotten of the Father before all worlds, Light
of light, very GOD of very GOD, offers to die to make an atonement
for his transgression, and to fulfil all righteousness in his stead.
And because it was impossible for him to do this as he was GOD, and
yet since man had offended, it was necessary it should be done in the
person of man; rather than we should perish, this everlasting GOD,
this Prince of Peace, this Antient of Days, in the fulness of time,
had a body prepared for him by the Holy Ghost, and became an infant. In
this body he performed a compleat obedience to the law of GOD; whereby
he, in our stead, fulfilled the covenant of works, and at last became
subject to death, even death upon the cross; that as GOD he might
satisfy, as man he might obey and suffer; and being GOD and man in one
person, might once more procure a union between GOD and our souls.
And now, What think you of this love of CHRIST? Do not you think it
was wondrous great? Especially when you consider, that we were CHRIST’s
bitter enemies, and that he would have been infinitely happy in himself,
notwithstanding we had perished for ever. Whatever you may think of
it, I know the blessed angels, who are not so much concerned in this
mystery of godliness as we, think most highly of it. They do, they will
desire to look into, and admire it, through all eternity. Why, why O ye
sinners, will you not think of this love of CHRIST? Surely it must melt
down the most hardened heart. Whilst I am speaking, the thought of this
infinite and condescending love fires and warms my soul. I could dwell
on it for ever. But it is expedient for you, that I should ask you
another question concerning JESUS CHRIST.
_Thirdly_, What think you about being justified by CHRIST? I believe
I can answer for some of you: for many, I fear, think to be justified
or looked upon as righteous in GOD’s sight, without JESUS CHRIST.
But such will find themselves dreadfully mistaken: for out of CHRIST,
“GOD is a consuming fire.” Others satisfy themselves, with believing
that CHRIST was GOD and man, and that he came into the world to save
sinners in general; whereas, their chief concern ought to be, how they
may be assured that JESUS CHRIST came into the world to save them in
particular. “The life that I now live in the flesh, (says the Apostle)
is by faith of the Son of GOD, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
Observe, _for me_: it is this immediate application of JESUS CHRIST
to our own hearts, that renders his merits effectual to our eternal
salvation. An unapplied CHRIST will do us no service at all. Others
there are who go still farther: for they think that JESUS CHRIST is
God-man; that he is to be applied to their hearts; and that they can
be justified in GOD’s sight, only in or through him: but then they make
him only in part a saviour: They are for doing what they can themselves,
and then JESUS CHRIST is to make up the deficiencies of their
righteousness. This is the sum and substance of our modern divinity.
And was it possible for me to know the thoughts of most that hear
me this day, I believe they would tell me, this was the scheme they
had laid, and perhaps depended on for some years, for their eternal
salvation. Is it not then high time, my brethren, for you to entertain
quite different thoughts concerning justification by JESUS CHRIST? For
if you think thus, you are in the case of those unhappy _Jews_, who
went about to establish their own righteousness, and would not submit
to, and consequently missed of that righteousness which is of GOD by
faith in CHRIST JESUS our LORD. What think you then, if I tell you,
that you are to be justified freely through faith in JESUS CHRIST,
without any regard to any work or fitness foreseen in us at all? For
salvation is the free gift of GOD. I know no fitness in man, but a
fitness to be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone for ever. Our
righteousnesses, in GOD’s sight, are but as filthy rags: he cannot
away with them. Our holiness, if we have any, is not the cause, but
the effect of our justification in GOD’s sight. “We love GOD, because
he first loved us.” We must not come to GOD as the proud Pharisee did,
bringing in as it were a reckoning of our services; we must come in the
temper and language of the poor Publican, smiting upon our breasts, and
saying, “GOD be merciful to me a sinner:” for JESUS CHRIST justifies us
whilst we are ungodly. He came not to call the righteous, but sinners
to repentance. The poor in spirit only, they who are willing to go out
of themselves, and rely wholly on the righteousness of another, are so
blessed as to be members of his kingdom. The righteousness, the whole
righteousness of JESUS CHRIST, is to be imputed to us, instead of our
own: “For we are not under the law, but under grace: and to as many
as walk after this rule, peace be on them:” for they, and they only
are the true _Israel_ of GOD. In the great work of man’s redemption,
boasting is entirely excluded: which could not be, if only one of our
works was to be joined with the merits of CHRIST. Our salvation is all
of GOD, from the beginning to the end: it is not of works, lest any
man should boast: man has no hand in it: it is CHRIST who is to be made
to us of GOD the Father, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and
eternal redemption. His active as well as his passive obedience, is to
be applied to poor sinners. He has fulfilled all righteousness in our
stead, that we might become the righteousness of GOD in him. All we
have to do, is to lay hold on this righteousness by faith: and the very
moment we do apprehend it by a lively faith, that very moment we may be
assured, that the blood of JESUS CHRIST has cleansed us from all sin:
“For the promise is to us and to our children, and to as many as the
LORD our GOD shall call.” If we and our whole houses believe, we shall
be saved as well as the Jaylor and his house: for the righteousness
of JESUS CHRIST is an everlasting, as well as a perfect righteousness.
It is as effectual to all who believe in him now, as formerly; and
so it will be, till time shall be no more. Search the scriptures, as
the _Bereans_ did, and see whether these things are not so. Search St.
_Paul_’s epistles to the _Romans_ and _Galatians_, and there you will
find this doctrine so plainly taught you, that, unless you have eyes
and see not, he that runs may read. Search the _Eleventh Article_ of
our Church: “We are accounted righteous before GOD, only for the merits
of our Lord and Saviour JESUS CHRIST by faith, and not for our own
works or deservings.”
This doctrine of our free justification by faith in CHRIST JESUS,
however censured and evil spoken of by our present Masters of _Israel_,
was highly esteemed by our wise fore-fathers: for in the subsequent
words of the forementioned article, it is called a most _wholesome
doctrine_, and very full of comfort: and so it is to all that are weary
and heavy laden, and are truly willing to find rest in JESUS CHRIST.
This is gospel, this is glad tidings of great joy to all that feel
themselves poor, lost, undone, damned sinners. “Ho, every one that
thirsteth, come unto the waters of life, and drink freely; come and
buy without money and without price.” Behold a fountain opened in your
Saviour’s side, for sin and for all uncleanness. “Look unto him whom
you have pierced:” look unto him by faith, and verily you shall be
saved, though you came here only to ridicule and blaspheme, and never
thought of GOD or of CHRIST before.
Not that you must think GOD will save you because, or on account of
your faith; for faith is a work, and then you would be justified for
your works: but when I tell you, we are to be justified by faith, I
mean that faith is the instrument whereby the sinner applies or brings
home the redemption of JESUS CHRIST to his heart. And to whomsoever
GOD gives such a faith, (for it is the free gift of GOD) he may lift up
his head with boldness, he need not fear; he is a spiritual son of our
spiritual _David_; he is passed from death to life, he shall never come
into condemnation. This is the gospel which we preach. If any man or
angel preach any other gospel, than this of our being freely justified
through faith in CHRIST JESUS, we have the authority of the greatest
Apostle, to pronounce him accursed.
And now, my brethren, what think you of this foolishness of preaching?
To you that have tasted the good word of life, who have been
enlightened to see the riches of GOD’s free grace in CHRIST JESUS, I
am persuaded it is precious, and has distilled like the dew into your
souls. And O that all were like-minded! But I am afraid, numbers are
ready to go away contradicting and blaspheming. Tell me, are there not
many of you saying within yourselves, “This is a licentious doctrine;
this preacher is opening a door for encouragement in sin.” But this
does not surprize me at all, it is a stale, antiquated objection,
as old as the doctrine of justification itself; and (which by the
way is not much to the credit of those who urge it now) it was made
by an infidel. St. _Paul_, in his epistle to the _Romans_, after he
had, in the first five chapters, demonstrably proved the doctrine of
justification by faith alone; in the sixth, brings in an unbeliever
saying, “Shall we continue in sin then, that grace may abound?” But as
he rejected such an inference with a “GOD forbid!” so do I: for the
faith which we preach, is not a dead speculative faith, an assenting
to things credible, as credible, as it is commonly defined: it is not
a faith of the head only, but a faith of the heart. It is a living
principle wrought in the soul, by the Spirit of the ever-living GOD,
convincing the sinner of his lost, undone condition by nature; enabling
him to apply and lay hold on the perfect righteousness of JESUS CHRIST,
freely offered him in the gospel, and continually exciting him, out
of a principle of love and gratitude, to shew forth that faith, by
abounding in every good word and work. This is the sum and substance
of the doctrine that has been delivered. And if this be a licentious
doctrine, judge ye. No, my brethren, this is not destroying, but
teaching you how to do good works, from a proper principle. For to
use the words of our Church in another of her Articles, “Works done
before the grace of CHRIST, and the inspiration of the Spirit, are not
pleasant to GOD, forasmuch as they spring not of faith in JESUS CHRIST;
rather, for that they are not done as GOD has willed and commanded
them to be done, we doubt not but they have the nature of sin.” So that
they who bid you do, and then live, are just as wise as those who would
persuade you to build a beautiful magnificent house, without laying a
foundation.
It is true, the doctrine of our free justification by faith in CHRIST
JESUS, like other gospel truths, may and will be abused by men of
corrupt minds, reprobates concerning the faith; but they who receive
the truth of GOD in the love of it, will always be shewing their
faith by their works. For this reason, St. _Paul_, after he had told
the _Ephesians_, “By grace they were saved through faith, not of
works, lest any man should boast,” immediately adds, “For we are his
workmanship, created in CHRIST JESUS unto good works.” And in his
epistle to _Titus_, having given him directions to tell the people they
were justified by grace, directly subjoins, chapter iii. verse 8. “I
will that you affirm constantly, that they who have believed in GOD
might be careful to maintain good works.” Agreeable to this, we are
told in our Twelfth Article, “That albeit good works, which are the
fruits of faith, and follow after justification, cannot put away our
sins, and endure the severity of GOD’s judgment; yet are they pleasing
and acceptable to GOD in CHRIST; and do spring necessarily out of
a true and lively faith, insomuch, that a lively faith may be as
evidently known by them, as a tree discerned by the fruit.”
What would I give, that this Article was duly understood and preached
by all that have subscribed to it! The ark of the LORD would not then
be driven into the wilderness, nor would so many persons dissent from
the Church of _England_. For I am fully persuaded, that it is not so
much on account of rites and ceremonies, as our not preaching the truth
as it is in JESUS, that so many have been obliged to go and seek for
food elsewhere. Did not we fall from our established doctrines, few,
comparatively speaking, would fall from the Established Church. Where
CHRIST is preached, though it be in a church or on a common, dissenters
of all denominations have, and do most freely come. But if our clergy
will preach only the law, and not shew the way of salvation by faith in
CHRIST JESUS, the charge of schism at the day of judgment, I fear, will
chiefly lye at their door. The true sheep of CHRIST know the voice of
CHRIST’s true shepherds, and strangers they will not hear.
Observe, my dear brethren, the words of the Article, “Good works are
the fruits of faith, and follow after justification.” How then can they
precede, or be any way the cause of it? Our persons must be justified,
before our performances can be accepted. GOD had respect to _Abel_
before he had respect to his offering: and therefore the righteousness
of JESUS CHRIST must be freely imputed to, and apprehended by us
through faith, before we can offer an acceptable sacrifice to GOD:
for out of CHRIST, as I hinted before, GOD is a consuming fire: and
whatsoever is not of faith in CHRIST, is sin.
That people mistake the doctrine of free justification, I believe, is
partly owing to their not rightly considering the different persons
to whom St. _Paul_ and St. _James_ wrote in their epistles; as also
the different kind of justification each of them writes about. The
former asserts in line upon line, argument upon argument, “That we
are justified by faith alone:” The latter put this question, “Was
not _Abraham_ justified by works?” From whence many, not considering
the different views of these holy men, and the different persons they
wrote to, have blended and joined faith and works, in order to justify
us in the sight of GOD. But this is a capital mistake; for St. _Paul_
was writing to the _Jewish_ proselytes, who sought righteousness
by the works, not of the ceremonial only, but of the moral law.
In contradistinction to that, he tells them, they were to look for
justification in GOD’s sight, only by the perfect righteousness
of JESUS CHRIST apprehended by faith. St. _James_ had a different
set of people to deal with; such who abused the doctrines of free
justification, and thought they should be saved (as numbers among us
do now) upon their barely professing to believe on JESUS CHRIST. These
the holy Apostle endeavours wisely to convince, that such a faith was
only a dead and false faith; and therefore, it behoved all who would
be blessed with faithful _Abraham_, to shew forth their faith by their
works, as he did: “For was not _Abraham_ justified by works?” Did he
not prove that his faith was a true justifying faith, by its being
productive of good works? From whence it is plain, that St. _James_ is
talking of a declarative justification before men; shew me, demonstrate,
evidence to me, that thou hast a true faith, by thy works: Whereas,
St. _Paul_ is talking only of our being justified in the sight of GOD;
and thus he proves, that _Abraham_, as we also are to be, was justified
before ever the moral or ceremonial law was given to the _Jews_: for
it is written, “_Abraham_ believed in the LORD, and it was accounted to
him for righteousness.”
Take the substance of what has been said on this head, in the few
following words. Every man that is saved, is justified three ways:
_First_, _meritoriously_, by the death of JESUS CHRIST: “It is the
blood of JESUS CHRIST alone that cleanses us from all sin.” _Secondly_,
_instrumentally_, by faith: faith is the means or instrument whereby
the merits of JESUS CHRIST are applied to the sinner’s heart: “Ye are
all the children of GOD by faith in CHRIST JESUS.” _Thirdly_, we are
justified _declaratively_; namely, by good works: good works declare
and prove to the world, that our faith is a true saving faith. “Was not
_Abraham_ justified by works?” And again, “Shew me thy faith by thy
works.”
It may not be improper to illustrate this doctrine by an example or
two. I suppose no one will pretend to say, that there was any fitness
for salvation in _Zaccheus_ the publican, when he came to see JESUS
out of no better principle, than that whereby perhaps thousands are led
to hear me preach; I mean, curiosity: but JESUS CHRIST prevented and
called him by his free grace, and sweetly, but irresistibly inclined
him to obey that call; as, I pray GOD, he may influence all you that
come only to see who the preacher is. _Zaccheus_ received our LORD
joyfully into his house, and at the same time by faith received him
into his heart: _Zaccheus_ was then freely justified in the sight of
GOD. But behold the immediate fruits of that justification! He stands
forth in the midst, and as before he had believed in his heart, he now
makes confession with his mouth to salvation: “Behold, LORD, the half
of my goods I give unto the poor; and if I have taken any thing from
any man by false accusation, I restore him four-fold.” And thus it will
be with thee, O believer, as soon as ever GOD’s dear Son is revealed in
thee by a living faith; thou wilt have no rest in thy spirit, till out
of love and gratitude for what GOD has done for thy soul, thou shewest
forth thy faith by thy works.
Again, I suppose every body will grant there was no fitness for
salvation in the persecutor _Saul_; no more than there is in those
persecuting zealots of these last days, who are already breathing out
threatenings, and, if in their power, would breathe out slaughter also,
against the disciples of the LORD.
Now our LORD, we know, freely prevented him by his grace, (and O that
he would thus effectually call the persecutors of this generation)
and by a light from heaven struck him to the ground. At the same time,
by his Spirit, he pricked him to the heart, convinced him of sin, and
caused him to cry out, “Who art thou, LORD?” CHRIST replies, “I am
JESUS whom thou persecutest.” Faith then was instantaneously given
to him, and behold, immediately _Saul_ cries out, “LORD, what wouldst
thou have me to do?” And so will every poor soul that believes on the
LORD JESUS with his whole heart. He will be always asking, LORD, what
shall I do for thee? LORD, what wouldst thou have me to do? Not to
justify himself, but only to evidence the sincerity of his love and
thankfulness to his all-merciful High-priest, for plucking him as a
firebrand out of the fire.
Perhaps many self-righteous persons amongst you, may flatter yourselves,
that you are not so wicked as either _Zaccheus_ or _Saul_ was, and
consequently there is a greater fitness for salvation in you than in
them. But if you think thus, indeed you think more highly of yourselves
than you ought to think: for by nature we are all alike, all equally
fallen short of the glory of GOD, all equally dead in trespasses
and sins, and there needs the same almighty power to be exerted in
converting any one of the most sober, good-natured, moral persons here
present, as there was in converting the publican _Zaccheus_, or that
notorious persecutor _Saul_. And was it possible for you to ascend
into the highest heaven, and to enquire of the spirits of just men made
perfect, I am persuaded they would tell you this doctrine is from GOD.
But we have a more sure word of prophecy, to which we do well to give
heed, as unto a light shining in a dark place. My brethren, the word is
nigh you; search the scriptures; beg of GOD to make you willing to be
saved in this day of his power: for it is not flesh and blood, but the
Spirit of JESUS CHRIST, that alone can reveal these things unto you.
_Fourthly_ and _Lastly_, What think you of JESUS CHRIST being formed
within you? For whom CHRIST justifies, them he also sanctifies.
Although he finds, yet he does not leave us unholy. A true christian
may not so properly be said to live, as JESUS CHRIST to live in him.
For they only that are led by the Spirit of CHRIST, are the true sons
of GOD.
As I observed before, so I tell you again, the faith which we preach
is not a dead, but a lively active faith wrought in the soul, working a
thorough change, by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the whole man: and
unless CHRIST be thus in you, notwithstanding you may be orthodox as
to the foregoing principles, notwithstanding you may have good desires,
and attend constantly on the means of grace; yet, in St. _Paul_’s
opinion, you are out of a state of salvation. “Know you not, (says that
Apostle to the _Corinthians_, a church famous for its gifts above any
church under heaven) that CHRIST is in you, (by his Spirit) unless you
are reprobates?”
For CHRIST came not only to save us from the guilt, but from the power
of our sins: till he has done this, however he may be a Saviour to
others, we can have no assurance or well-grounded hope, that he has
saved us: for it is by receiving his blessed Spirit into our hearts,
and feeling him witnessing with our spirits, that we are the sons
of GOD, that we can be certified of our being sealed to the day of
redemption.
This is a great mystery; but I speak of CHRIST and the new-birth.
Marvel not at my asking you, what you think about CHRIST being formed
within you? For either GOD must change his nature, or we ours. For as
in _Adam_ we all have spiritually died, so all that are effectually
saved by CHRIST, must in CHRIST be spiritually made alive. His only end
in dying and rising again, and interceding for us now in heaven, is to
redeem us from the misery of our fallen nature, and, by the operation
of his blessed Spirit, to make us meet to be partakers of the heavenly
inheritance with the saints in light. None but those that thus are
changed by his grace here, shall appear with him in glory hereafter.
Examine yourselves, therefore, my brethren, whether you are in the
faith; prove yourselves; and think it not sufficient to say in your
creed, I believe in JESUS CHRIST: many say so, who do not believe, who
are reprobates, and yet in a state of death. You take GOD’s name in
vain, when you call him Father, and your prayers are turned into sin,
unless you believe in CHRIST, so as to have your life hid with him in
GOD, and to receive life and nourishment from him, as branches do from
the vine.
I know, indeed, the men of this generation deny there is any such thing
as feeling CHRIST within them; but alas! to what a dreadful condition
would such reduce us, even to the state of the abandoned heathen, who,
St. _Paul_ tells us, “were past feeling.” The Apostle prays, that the
_Ephesians_ may abound in all knowledge and spiritual understanding,
or as it might be rendered, spiritual sensation. And in the office
for the visitation of the sick, the minister prays, that the LORD may
make the sick person know and feel, that there is no other name under
heaven given unto men, in whom and through whom they may receive health
and salvation, but only the name of our LORD JESUS. For there is a
spiritual, as well as a corporeal feeling; and though this is not
communicated to us in a sensible manner, as outward objects affect our
senses, yet it is as real as any sensible or visible sensation, and
may be as truly felt and discerned by the soul, as any impression from
without can be felt by the body. All who are born again of GOD, know
that I lie not.
What think you, Sirs, did _Naaman_ feel, when he was cured of his
leprosy? Did the woman feel virtue coming out of JESUS CHRIST, when she
touched the hem of his garment, and was cured of her bloody issue? So
surely mayst thou feel, O believer, when JESUS CHRIST dwelleth in thy
heart. I pray GOD to make you all know and feel this, ere you depart
hence.
O my brethren, my heart is enlarged towards you. I trust I feel
something of that hidden, but powerful presence of CHRIST, whilst I am
preaching to you. Indeed it is sweet, it is exceedingly comfortable.
All the harm I wish you, who without cause are my enemies, is, that
you felt the like. Believe me, though it would be hell to my soul, to
return to a natural state again, yet I would willingly change states
with you for a little while, that you might know what it is to have
CHRIST dwelling in your hearts by faith. Do not turn your backs; do
not let the devil hurry you away: be not afraid of convictions; do not
think worse of the doctrine, because preached without the church walls.
Our LORD, in the days of his flesh, preached on a mount, in a ship, and
a field; and I am persuaded, many have felt his gracious presence here.
Indeed we speak what we know. Do not reject the kingdom of GOD against
yourselves: be so wise as to receive our witness. I cannot, I will not
let you go; stay a little, let us reason together. However lightly you
may esteem your souls, I know our LORD has set an unspeakable value
on them. He thought them worthy of his most precious blood. I beseech
you, therefore, O sinners, be ye reconciled to GOD. I hope you do not
fear being accepted in the beloved. Behold, he calleth you; behold,
he prevents and follows you with his mercy, and hath sent forth his
servants into the highways and hedges, to compel you to come in.
Remember then, that at such an hour of such a day, in such a year, in
this place, you were all told what you ought to think concerning JESUS
CHRIST. If you now perish, it will not be for lack of knowledge: I am
free from the blood of you all. You cannot say I have been preaching
damnation to you; you cannot say I have, like legal preachers, been
requiring you to make brick without straw. I have not bidden you to
make yourselves saints, and then come to GOD; but I have offered you
salvation on as cheap terms as you can desire. I have offered you
CHRIST’s whole wisdom, CHRIST’s whole righteousness, CHRIST’s whole
sanctification and eternal redemption, if you will but believe on him.
If you say, you cannot believe, you say right; for faith, as well as
every other blessing, is the gift of GOD: but then wait upon GOD, and
who knows but he may have mercy on thee? Why do we not entertain more
loving thoughts of CHRIST? Or do you think he will have mercy on others,
and not on you? But are you not sinners? And did not JESUS CHRIST come
into the world to save sinners? If you say you are the chief of sinners;
I answer, that will be no hindrance to your salvation, indeed it will
not, if you lay hold on him by faith. Read the Evangelists, and see how
kindly he behaved to his disciples who fled from and denied him: “Go
tell my brethren,” says he. He did not say, Go tell those traitors; but,
“Go tell my brethren, and _Peter_:” as though he had said, Go tell my
brethren in general, and poor _Peter_ in particular, “that I am risen;”
O comfort his poor drooping heart, tell him I am reconciled to him;
bid him weep no more so bitterly: for though with oaths and curses he
thrice denied me, yet I have died for his sins, I am risen again for
his justification: I freely forgive him all. Thus slow to anger, and
of great kindness, was our all-merciful High-priest. And do you think
he has changed his nature, and forgets poor sinners, now he is exalted
to the right-hand of GOD? No, he is the same yesterday, to-day, and for
ever, and sitteth there only to make intercession for us. Come then,
ye harlots, Come ye publicans, come ye most abandoned of sinners, come
and believe on JESUS CHRIST. Though the whole world despise you and
cast you out, yet he will not disdain to take you up. O amazing, O
infinitely condescending love! even you, he will not be ashamed to call
his brethren. How will you escape if you neglect such a glorious offer
of salvation? What would the damned spirits, now in the prison of hell,
give, if CHRIST was so freely offered to their souls? And why are not
we lifting up our eyes in torments? Does any one out of this great
multitude dare say, he does not deserve damnation? If not, why are we
left, and others taken away by death? What is this but an instance of
GOD’s free grace, and a sign of his good will towards us? Let GOD’s
goodness lead us to repentance! O let there be joy in heaven over some
of you repenting! Though we are in a field, I am persuaded the blessed
angels are hovering now around us, and do long, “as the hart panteth
after the water-brooks,” to sing an anthem at your conversion. Blessed
be GOD, I hope their joy will be fulfilled. An awful silence appears
amongst us. I have good hope that the words which the LORD has enabled
me to speak in your ears this day, have not altogether fallen to
the ground. Your tears and deep attention, are an evidence, that the
LORD GOD is amongst us of a truth. Come, ye Pharisees, come and see,
in spite of your satanical rage and fury, the LORD JESUS is getting
himself the victory. And brethren, I speak the truth in CHRIST, I
lie not, if one soul of you, by the blessing of GOD, be brought to
think savingly of JESUS CHRIST this day, I care not if my enemies were
permitted to carry me to prison, and put my feet fast in the stocks,
as soon as I have delivered this sermon. Brethren, my heart’s desire
and prayer to GOD is, that you may be saved. For this cause I follow
my Master without the camp. I care not how much of his sacred reproach
I bear, so that some of you be converted from the errors of your ways.
I rejoice, yea and I will rejoice. Ye men, ye devils, do your worst:
the LORD who sent, will support me. And when CHRIST, who is our life,
and whom I have now been preaching, shall appear, I also, together with
his despised little ones, shall appear with him in glory. And then,
what will you think of CHRIST? I know what you will think of him. You
will then think him to be the fairest among ten thousand: You will
then think and feel him to be a just and sin-avenging judge. Be ye
then persuaded to kiss him lest he be angry, and so you be banished for
ever from the presence of the LORD. Behold, I come to you as the angel
did to _Lot_. Flee, flee, for your lives; haste, linger no longer in
your spiritual _Sodom_, for otherwise you will be eternally destroyed.
Numbers, no doubt, there are amongst you, that may regard me no more
than _Lot_’s sons-in-law regarded him. I am persuaded I seem to some of
you as one that mocketh: but I speak the truth in CHRIST, I lie not; as
sure as fire and brimstone was rained from the LORD out of heaven, to
destroy _Sodom_ and _Gomorrah_, so surely, at the great day, shall the
vials of GOD’s wrath be poured on you, if you do not think seriously of,
and act agreeable to the gospel of the LORD’s CHRIST. Behold, I have
told you before; and I pray GOD, all you that forget him may seriously
think of what has been said, before he pluck you away, and there be
none to deliver you.
Now to GOD the Father, &c.