The Way of Life

I % the which will."i-*'^

by the accomjdiNliinir '• 1' are sanctified" (or a!'>r<*^ i'ririir of tin* bculv of J'-"** and hv that " one offer*:

cviT tlu'iM tijal ATI' w: '

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lb: of the living God, the punishia ({!} moved hy the substitution and <: ^of God. As no ancient Israelite {Agression he had forfeited his lib« ijjithe earthly sanctuary, was ignoi". ffi of atonement and reconciliation ; f I science-stricken sinner, virho kn ^iun worthy to draw near to God, x isjiof that new and living way wl ijjconsecrated for us, through his i gg|Ehave boldness to enter into the ■^^blood of Jesus.

hi In all the forms of expressia fjltioned, — Christ was made a curse ]j^ade sin for us ; he bore our sit i^t& sin offering, — there is the idea j^d Christ took our place, he suffered, looted as our representative. But ^isubstitute is in effect the act of t

• Heb. X. 5—15.

jclarcd to have d-.-f ; when he rose, t!' j II live also, lit re-

I

are declared ey died

they shall ...^ „.^ .

lievers are said to have dW ncroiis. •' If one died for i ' then all died" (not, " »'j died (with Christ) is jus::* freed from its condt'inrjr . if we died with Christ, » 'i.all live with him.' A' '

death from her husband. • *om the law by the body ' ?cause his death is in f'"'

in the following verse. - in Christ), we are freed fr- t'liever, therefore, mty ■ cified with Christ.' In ^ tion of Christ secures ^" future resurrection of**' '

' (U. u. 20.

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the dead ; not merely the firs* earnest and security of the x- people. " For as in Adam s Christ shall all be made alive. * with Adam secures our death, secures our resurrection. Ad£ft.i that was to come, that is, Chri relation in which Adam stood is analogous to that in which own people. As Adam was oi:*. poison of sin flows in all our - is our spiritual Head, eternal li descends to all his members, live, but Christ that liveth in t.~] jfi trine of the representative a

i Rom. Ti. 5. 8.

» 1 Cor. XV. 20. 22. * There is no aeparate word in tl^ the word together^ which is not t of belieTen with one another in th» blestingB. It is their union with

P

but in Christ and him cm-

e of the vicarious sufferinp Christ, is further taught a sages which refer our sain* death, or his cross. \ie%(i the passages already dkd' erred to not only teach iIk Clirist secures the pardtc es it. To this class belong he following. *• The blood ?th us from all sin."' "^t ugh his blood."" He ba» 1 the blood of his cross."' by his blood. "•> Ye"«« 3d of Christ."' " Ve vt ' sprinkling."' " Elect- prinkling of the blood u'

i. 7. a 13.

9 Col. i. 20.

• jicb. *«.«.:<.

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^ithoi

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U.. ^' by

.;. " his

i

mission ; and, therefore, when often ascribed to the blood o: declared that he died as a p sins.

The same remark may be m

those passages which ascribe

the death, the cross, the flesh <

terms are interchanged as bein

port. We are ** reconciled tc

of his Son."* We are recon<

We are ** j-econciled in tbe

through death."* We are c

law " by the body of Christ ;

law in his flesh ;'* he took awa

which was against us, nailii

The more general expressions

* 1 Pet. i. 2. ' Rev. i. 5.

^ Matt. xxvi. 28, and Luke xxii. 2

7 Eph. ii. 16. » Col. i. 21,

^ Eph. ii. 15. c

pared not his own Son, be! - us all ;"f that he " was(^^ ces;"'' that he " gave himsc-

we owe every thing to the ,

of the blessed Sariuur

the cross is rendert'd 50 pw* tion of the plan of salvati'»5 d at Paul's anxietv lest tb' I be made of none cfft'ct : ■ ' he preach in »f of the jjosj*

cross ; or that he shi>u!- I, both to Jews and Gnti*^

and the power of God. * ne to {jlorv in nothin? «'•

I til more nccivssan* to ^

■ * * p more variously or pww ?

I of escaping thv wrath**

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I Ir. -J. I.

r I Pft. iii '« I (.-al. L I

t

It be

order of Melchizedek," vas the Holy Spirit by the mouth c ^ riah predicted that he should sil . . his throne."'' The apostle del y ^.[ a man " ordained for men in tl God, that he may offer both for sins." ' Jesus Christ is the •

^^ . the universe. All others were

0t

' or the shadow of the great H: profession. For this office he ha "' qualification. He was a man. * I"*' \ the children were partakers of f also took part of the same, in or

fsio^'"'

^^^. be a merciful and faithful high pi jBOtw? |jg touched with a sense of our i he was tempted in all points lil ce^ without sin.'* He was sinless. ttsly*' priest became us who was holy, (^ parate from sinners." He was

'"*. JP8a.fx.4. i' Zcch. vi. 13.

p 2

Gili*

,t all the an?e.» ••' . . • th'it his throne »V

at in the beginning «^^ I

* I * wis from e^ ,

earth ; that he IS ,

•ars fail not \^^ ;. ^^ ^ the etlicac)

rpctuity of his vn ^,

* thp uttermo>t ai^ . to tnc , .....

..„ P He wasdni) ,

"="''" n.ru St. »•••>*'"■, only n '^^ * . • an I

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has *' put away sin by the s which was accomplished when fered to bear the sins of many into the heavens. As the higli to enter into the most holy p] of atonement, so Christ has ' holy place made with hands, itself, now to appear in the us,"* and where "he ever liv< sion for us." "

Seeing then we have a gres is passed into the heavens, Je: (let the reader remember wha is set down on the right hanc high, having by himself purge reconciliation for the sins ol humble believer who commil hands of this High Priest, m

1 Heb. vii. 12. 18, 19. ' Heb. ix, 15

» Heb, ix. 24.

THE PRACTICAL CrFECTS Of

lave seen, teaches, first, that vhich demands perfect ob^ threatens death in case of I]y, that all men hare CiiM edience, and therefore ait ^ned penalty ; thirdly, tiut us from the law bv beinr n our place satisfying in ?mains to be shovni that less of Christ is presentdi istification before God. fe, condemnation is a sen- ed upon sin ; justification nounced upon righteuW' mess is not our own, as *e ithout works, it must be thcr, even o( Him who i* ice we find so consianu

I

iirown righteousness anJ The Jews, the apostrf

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every one that believes. The sented in Rom. ix. 30 — 32, wh ^ the case of the rejection of the if ceptance of believers. The Gen I* righteousness, even the rightec ^' faith. But Israel hath not att rf* fore ? Because they sought il ^ as it were by the works of th

1^' would not receive and confide i

»

^ which God had provided, bui

m works, to prepare a righteous

f This was the cause of their rui

^ trast to the course pursued by

tv kinsmen, we find Paul renoun<

upon his own righteousness, :

\ip ceiving that which God had

nf he had every advantage and c

■^ trust in himself, that any man

1^ was one of the favoured peoj

^ ^ Rom. X. 3.

'n, consisting in obedience ti ejects as inadequate, and lu- i. The other is of God, td lis Paul accepts and gloritf d as alone suflicient. Tbi vhich the apostle aayt M thout works. Hence it ii ft, a gift by grace, and be* s those who receive tlii-tpB mce we are never said to b» done by us or wrought ii : h;i8 done for us. We as? ademption that is in bio'

blood.' We are justifi*^ J are justified by him {roa

ri<(hteousne8s.' We a* of God in him.'' We i««

■

There is no condemnatJ*

V. ir.

r. 1.9.

V. 'J\.

7 Rtun. iii''*

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.J demands perfect obedience, and d death as the penalty of transg I feels the absolute impossibility ^ these just demands by its own o ^ ferings, it is then that the re f Christ as our righteousness, is i I dom and power of God unto sal^ ,ji of all righteousness in ourselves, I eousness in him. What we coi done for us. The righteousness, f ground of which the sentence passed upon the believing sinnei but that of Jesus Christ. { It is one of the strongest evi { vine origin oft he Scriptures, th { to the nature and circumstances doctrines were believed and thei] men would stand in their true rel

^

t

V

^ ' Rom. Tiii. I.

13 perfection, so when appli^ iiie of justification by faith :2 vs that doctrine to bf wjrtt;

Oil this ^'Diind it in cir.- c?(I writiTs. Tiny dirhif: ^ ^^ree honourable to (iod, ^-• rhey assert that it is so i-'- the wisdom, justice, holi!:^^* hile it secures the pani ".

men. If it failed in eith^j

were not suited to the I^- f uir nature and nemrsMtir^ '

vml for which it was d-

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(Imittcd that i\w ^jlorj' * L)r ri'Vt'Iation »f i\w W'*-' ' flu'st conceii'ablf fna •* m ; aiul consequently t» suited to make such t i(cf>uut, worthy of te' id ;fh>riid in. ^'*• ***'^ ///.'i/ h is pccidiarly in '»

height of which pass knowledge, conspicuously displayed. Som. imagine that the death of Chris the love of God ; whereas it we not the cause of that love. CI that God might love us : but he loved us. ** God commendeth h in that, while ^e were yet sinner us/' fir He ** 80 loved the worlds only begotten Son, that whosoe him should not perish, but have < " In this was manifested the lov us, because that God sent his oi . into the world, that we might 1: 1 Herein is love, not that we loved

. unworthy, it is called grace, anc

u

'. * Rom.v. 8. ^ Johniii. 16.

loved us, and sent his Son to be for our sins." '

As this love of God is manife

•

» securin!; the exercise n! : of grace, lest any man >1j • Lified by grace ; weariv*' grace, it is no more uf^^'^

10 more grace.J Thraj)^'- :hat the j)lan of salvatir)n ! iierited kindness of (i"(l. - ►^ ith him is in no >vav ^r )wn wortliiness, hutiiKTi* listration of the en)ni':i:} I as to in.'i'Miifv this attr"'- [ r. Ood ch()f)Sfs the f'H- | 'a those who ari' iiothin.'. lould irhiry in his pn***' " hing to lis, that lh««i'»* Iv in the Lonl.^ iir to every reader ihif •" ci's in tliis feature i' "

11 less he is "jhwl that '*' ation heIon''s to Ood. •-'

"ifi-r , '' tl,

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neci^" for them. It is most obviou

stany"' writers are abundant in the conf

ace;** worthiness in the sight of Goc

jioDK"* lodged that they were unwortl

ace.' ^[ unworthy comparatively. It ^

jiof"'''' any man was saved ; and it was

^essi* were saved rather than others.

s in DO*^ of grace, that God may be exalt

jess,'"'" all them that believe. q/ tli«^ The doctrine of the gratuitc

^if^tlBS* sinners by faith in Jesus Christ

jjooses*' the infinite love of God, but it

jjoar*** peculiarly honourable to him,

y in his? sistent with his attributes, bee

^g tlu"^ to all men. ** Is he the God

r gfd/ Is he not also of the Gentiles ?

jeai*' tiles also : seeing it is one

|5 feat"' justify the circumcision by fai

• ,rl>i' cision through faith."' " For t

.^r all is rich unto all that call upc

. «J » Rom. iii. 29, 3(

w»

ions and ages. In revn!':

for nil and suited (or il. s true character, as tlif (' [

owevcr, represent t!ii^ :'' ^ suited to meet the ncas^i' > promote the j^lorv of (^ lumbles man. If it wi^' r

a IJeiuij <^f infinite holir. ' ikvs us fet'J that we ari' li ••

)av are most ill-di'siTv:-: ■ /

I trciij^'th ; that our salvj:; ' ■

our. As nothing' is r "

id hel])lessne.ss of ri f". •

fch (U)vs not recouMiM* t-^'

haniionv with ourin»i'

-' : I

a ihf full ac(]UiVsa'n.*r j .* ascri])tion of inrrit ».■'". not clfscrvf, product* • ml if this false t:siiouU ouiitl of ihi' i'xhibi">'B •'

• - 1

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^'.\u or its sense of right. The opj

"*^ volves a falsehood and a moi

^ ' which neither the reason nor c

I quiesce. The scriptural doctrii

jprese" ^ijat we know to be true, nam

oec'"" helplessness, places us in our

the H God ; that relation which acco:

l^ ft*

an- , with our sense of right, with oi ,f UP ence, and with every proper dej el lbs' This is one of the reasons w lost lu represent peace as the conseque that""^, by faith. There can be no pe noW is not in harmony with God, ai isnessf such harmony until it willingly lOtrecOr position in relation to God. S 7 wi'J' '^ not acknowledge its true chara( I i&{^ acts on the assumption of its i ,n oi^ to earn the Divine favour, it is ?rve) P Its feelings towards God are w Isfn^ , no manifestation of approbatioi

r before God. It is coiiti'""f n worthy, and to n'cmv i* • ! which can bear tlu' scnr ' refore, is not the result "i" irdon, but of panlon fouri which illustrates thecham ' ni/ies the law and niak:» satisfies the justice of '» infinite riches of Divine '..' n' soul can find no ohy- i.

or^nveuess. It is not fui- ' nerit to itself, whii'h is ■ ts utter unworthiness i> • )|)enly dechired. Sori* us doubt whether (»"<1 »•* justice, for;,'ive sin. J'. t-alt'd in the cross of (V-*- 1 )ul, therefore, howevi'.'!' j sensitive, acquiesce* »"' I a |)Ian of mercy »r 1 which, while it stfW

_ » / •

tion and ground of their acce they do and must feel that h that his perfections are array Their whole ohject is to propiti; which they know to he inadeqi. is servile, their religion a bonda hard Master. To men in such, true obedience and real peace ar But when they are brought through his infinite love, has Christ as a propitiation for our & be just, and yet justify those th is not by works of rigl>teousne done, but according to his mer« they are emancipated from the

, and made the sons of God. ( hard Master, but a kind Father, longer a task to be done for a

'^ joyful expression of filial love.

"^ tion of the soul to God is chai

* feelings and conduct change wit

i

TiJI then we are slavi> i

[

I-

-- •

■ I

• 1

^ •

I e feeling's of slaves, ^K . e terms of reconciliation. » iiid have the feeling's of ^ - cr, he su])p()se(I that tin r . r the children of (ml i- • raJ influence arising' t: ' fioiicrli perhaps ihestnr;

externaJ considerati(»ri - 'ing the source of ihf h lows faith. 1'he vit\ ^ tercsted in tlie rcdiniK: " rnidenination of tlu* I.» lis Spirit. It is noi ii' iscdatcd hlessin*:, iJu: « ^ I'J, hut conjiiletc rcdcn:;- vii and rrstt^ration I" •' hosv, tliirrforf, who '«• Ljivf/j, but arc so \u''' ■ I' i'nuu and throu^'h i-"

worthy of all acceptation. It r perfections in the clearest and m * and it is in every way suited to necessities of men. It places us tion as undeserving sinners ; an. don, peace of conscience and It is the wisdom and the power vation. It cannot be a matter the Scriptures represent the method of redemption, as the | of the condemnation of those \i the sound of the gospel. That be so clearly revealed and yet n upon adopting some other bettc inclinations, is the height of 1 dience. That the Son of God the world ; die the just for the us eternal life, and yet we shou fered mercy, proves such an it

o John XV. 4, 5.

If

'SECTION I.

FAITH 18 THE CONDITION OF S

NATURE OF SAVING

However abundant and suit provision which God has mad< of men, there are many who fai nal life. There are those w profit nothing. Nay, there are demnation will be greatly aggra^ have known and rejected the Saviour of the world. It is, 1 necessary that we should know in order to secure an interest in Christ, than that we should ui has done for our salvation.

If God has revealed a plan sinners, they must, in order to I in its provisions. By whateve called, the thing to be done, i accept of the terms of salvatioi]

ce in it involves the rcn'ir..-

cc upon our own rij^'htiDii?' •

>ur acceptance with G'd.

,, ■ "

, it must be received as vn merit, in anv form or i •

it ; because grace and « cd ; ill trusting^ to the or.i-. «

f

«

! pardon and acccj)tanit ■

lid of the riifhteoiisms*

1 ill ihv plan of salvatii'r. :'-^

1 and ac(rj)tancc ol'thr ■ **!

ground oi justification I*' '[

fi the child of Ciod nia) ^

us (h)ubts, and vain eiMi^"

it last to sec and adnilA' -^

he plan of mercy ; hv i^^

li'ff un his part hut tl.f *'

ly oflered ; the aeapU-'* iti'd. Jt is under till- P*"

and heljjlessness that t* •v.v/ as he is pn.HTtift! *

i^""^' plain by the account which tlm uro^lf those who are condemned. The those who reject Christ, who go

ancefii'

)e recfl'* their own righteousness, and rej iW ' the righteousness of God ; as t iS^P^, the law or their own works, i sting'"* on the work of Christ. They an the counsel of God against them nd ^ rant of their character and of tl: ' tf God, refuse to be saved by grac ID <''*^ demption that is in Christ Jesus. jtaDCf" The word by which this accej iusttf'^ commonly expressed in the Bible 1 of ^ 80 loved the world, that he gave an'' ^ Son, that whosoever believeth i: iQiS^^ perish, but have everlasting life, mercy! ' eth on him is not condemned part^"'' lievetli not is condemned alrea . the**' lieveth on the Son hath everlas s iiii(i«f '" that believeth not the Son sha"

jrod is "just, and the j.>:~* rth in Jesus.'" The (-V;. rliteousnc'ss, even the :::" faith. But Israrl ha::. hey souf,'ht it not l»y ;V:

is not justi/ictl bv thf- • L* fjiith of Jesus Chri.st. • ^'sus Christ, that Mt> :: . th of Christ, antl iu>t \} ■ '

" By «,'raee are ye si »at not o/'vourselvii. .: ■ This is his coniiiiaiui':'" c on thv iiaiiie ol' his > that hchVvrth un lht'>' in himscir/'* nd so varitd as this, cii-

It teaches every

*

. •

•.

!i \i. 47.

* Maik m 1^- '

. in. -X

' Kom. u '•^''•

ii. /!.

• J Jwhn u ••

* •

^ often greatly perplexed and at a "what that faith is which is conn , tion. This is a difficulty -whic ,^ from the use of language. The . wonderful in its operations ; its : tions, and affections are so vario ^ cated, that it is impossible there , rent word for every distinct exerc fore absolutely necessary that ; should be used to express differe

which have certain prominent

; common. The definite, in disi

' general or comprehensive mean

is determined by the context ; h

. equivalent expressions ; by the r

^ spoken of, and by the effects asci

^ is found sufficient for all the purpc

and instruction. We can spea

■A misunderstood, of loving our ft

^> infant, of loving a parent, of lovii

£ach of these cases the word love

'fj. r

* . '

N ■

'• *

/

i n Scripture to cxproM ••' I

or states of iniiid. 1- | 3 an assent to truth u\>»'. '- j ;c. It does not set'iur.i"-| ice should be of the min'- • are commonly and pr^'' . ;ver we retrard as true. • ?nce and attributes oi (' ^ not founded upon uh.*: ^ iiy. But if faith raea:.> - j ious that its nature ar.ii - ith the nature of the :.'- y with the nalurcofth- 1 j assent is founded, •^'j )siti(>iiy that the earth :: | :ufis good, that sin »- i s a believer, Cud pn- * j i;

cases there is assci;:. * Jfateof mindixpft'*'*^'

till- .saujo. Aiical '-

ttth is a s|)ecuLitiu ^

t «,

no consequence, because the t^

' .■ separable, and because the Scrig:

" ,, the distinction. In the langu

^* . faith in the promises of God is a.

' " , , and no blessing is connected wi

* ., distinguished and separated froi

""y ^ It is, however, of more conse

lit'

*" that the nature of the act by w

^ truth, is modified by the kind

^ ^ which our assent is founded. 1

^ ^ lieve, on the testimony of others

I** J, of colours, and the deaf in the he

i^ ^' but their faith is very different

^ those who enjoy the exercise of

'^^^. or hearing. The universal re

ittl'' jnen as Bacon and Newton, and

i, "■* influence of their writings, may

ef) ^' of a very rational conviction of

le " superiority. But a conviction,

^vf perusal and appreciation of thei

e. ^ an essentially different charact

f^ R 2

8

,„,,, is cxpn-- ntiallv with Iho "-"• I

, Bible to both aoctrincs tbm^n c .•• ;

t^H' testimony ''» ' ;

1 -ind taiiu'bt by '■ ; Scripture^; as a

,;.u- wuh any r;-" ;, 1

use 1... has invc-*> :^^ . ^ , w no rati"""*-

'" ""T he ncc-"-; -

Tims.-. «'"•- .,„rf. 1 „f„.n r.-.vivf >"' , .

1 1, ,v<' """ I

C 'Ar/.-f iaiis ; "'>

■ • •%

% '

»'

* doubts and sophistries flee afi[j majesty of this new revealed, truth. To disbelieve is now i ^ . there is a God, that he is holy i V there is a hell, they would g ^'' doubt, but cannot. Here is a f ' in its origin, nature, and effect rests upon the authority of a f ternal evidence and argument. ^ just described, is generally mc ^ hibited at the approach of death ^ that men who are habitually * ^ denly arrested in their career. '"' is aroused and enlightened. '•'' things to be true, which befor *' nied or disregarded. The tru ^ great power over them. It dej 1^ peace. It forces them to self»d " forinance of religious duties. ^ influence soon wears off, as cc 1^ into its accustomed slumber.

I

j

:;>iitwar{IIy as the chili!: * iiidor the dominion i>t' a >| ' oving, confidinif, /ilial u- '/'

(liiTvrcnt from anv I'f '^ *

m

1 have vet been nun:: "^ sts u]M)n till' manifi'stati' ' ' the extrllencr, bi*;iui}. ^ ith. This is what IVt«'.'- Ciod's elect, it anVif:' !)ii of the truth, or fp'rr. " it with and hv the trut' " "th tlie Scriptures niak: "• St said, " J thank thf'. n and earth, that th«m •^' the wise and |iru(Itni. i* t> hal»es."r The vxh-r- iiallv to the wise divi

m

er, however, »'.'».h iT-* vhieh enalded them I ' *•

I

»

,»■• •

^Lr

I •

«,

» -

1j

I -

«.

/.

a. 'Jl.

JP*" a persecutor of the church; bia oiDP^' God to reveal his Son in him, he fidii?!* the faith which he before destroy external knowledge of Christ be; ioffl"? ternal revelation he experience \0 ^ Damascus, and it eifected an ins gBUOP whole character. There was nc encfi '' or peculiar in the conversion of t] isfl''' in the mere incidental circumsta

I

t. ^' He speaks of all believers as rfltl)* Divine illumination. " God," 1 byl^' commanded the light to shine out '!^^ shined in our hearts, to give I m* knowledge of the glory of God in l^tlu'* Christ." »> On the other hand, t ji^f^ whose minds ** the god of this w« f IV^ — lest the light of the glorious jje^i* who is the image of God, should j er,*!*: In the second chapter of his £

' Luke X. 22. • Matt ivi. 17.

iiiallv discenicd." Ili-ru. : readers, that thQ eves-:':, ■ts) nii«(ht be opened, tbt'

of their calliii",', tlie nVi; >

1 tlie ^catiiess o( i\v I' were the siihjects/ A: :I»ey might he fiilid «:'-^ " , in all wisdom and S-'"-

sj)iritual understam!::;: ' Jto the nature of ih^ *•'■

the influenee of tln'> c*e faith is founded <>n-" ', Paul savs, he jm'af-- ords of man's wisdom. "' ulted from sueh prraot- la! con vietion ; hut m " mi and of ])ower, thaJ*" t stand, not in the «i»<i' •ofd'cd.' Ileiurfiifi fs of the Spirit, lhi-t<

f

1 '

. >

/. tK ' I Cof.u.i^

■xw» ' spiritual apprehension of the tru thattl" its origin, must also differ in ibeop^ every other kind of helief. C calli"?' "who believe the Scriptures upoi itnessi''' the ground of external evidence, subjct^ tion disregard their precepts ai lit be fl'' say that such persons do not be] •isdou"' in one sense, is not true in ai [ uD^ believe ; and to assert the cont latDi*"' diet their consciousness. The st tencf "'^ they exhibit, is in the Bible caJ ii,W' it is dead. This rational con afs, '"f cases, combined with other cans lan's*"*^ decorous attention to the dutie pj sfldf that general propriety of condi tctioD! often exhibited by the hearers o: ijf poif' faith which is founded on the pc noti"^' produces still more marked effet I • ^^' rary obedience and joy, or the

' Eph. ii. 8 ; CoL U. 1

"> " .T , « rV 1-5 '■■ , th is the "Y' ,, i„ -1

, the heart. •■* i

t «od tbundi'l u,'

" must prodo'' ■

glory. ''«'''/i,jr>. >

;e. "'•"<-•*'', s •.«"-■ lace, iH-hoW. >: ;, ,„. ..

.,,„•■„ j.i»ti<-' • (,-,,,. •

1 the ill-d'*"" , .. ru.l.li>'i!- " ■, ,,„l,lo •

■ 1

I' Cur. "'• ' ^

ijjdj mouths of lions, quenched the xj^ escaped the edge of the sword, ^ pi were made strong, waxed valian. iljjto flight the armies of the aliens. Lj( which leads all the people of Gc ^ they are strangers and pilgrims Ljthat they look for a city which h , ^whose huilder and maker is Gc . «i faith which overcomes the world, , . ujbeliever to set his affections o .,jwhere Christ sitteth at the righ- 1 which enables him to glory evei l^^while he looks not at the things '' jjbut at the things which are no ' ^things that are seen are tempora ' "^lithat are not seen are eternal. . u And what shall we say of a fait

'"^jGod, as it shines in him; whi P glory as the glory of the only Father full of grace and truth ;

8

''^^ jjfounded upon the apprehension

?9 ye rejoice with joy uiisi •1 ory . "** I'he soul ^'ladJy reof: in all the charactiTs and : ■ vvliich he is rcvealtd ; ana :x| ye con formed to his wili, ic unsearchable riches o( h:i :■

«if*

«»ri

ibvious that no one can ^-i IS ^iven in the Scriptu.iJ ctcT of man and the ill-«if<' •undcd upon rii^ht appni^

Cfod and the evil i»l -j periencing self-condt ." *-' 1(1 a constant huii^iT- liteoiisncss. Thus of x. ii' Cf od, it may be said ^ I'vcd in virtue of this *r

wiii I'xcrt their app''! hoart, and consi-quent^J

a faitJi should not f

I

^M

A !

Of J. ""»:

Sf ^ f ■ • ••

k«

• A

/'•*.

•a* .

V

' IVt. i. fl.

OlCe ''"'■.BELIEVERS.

Section II

is v^^"

abk^' »'AITH AS CONNECTED WITH J1

jjj on' What has beeii said hitherto i

. A^ §ii|ustrate the nature of saving fail

^jtln^nted in the Scriptures. It diifFc

jjit^cts of the mind to which the ten

'^P jij efi'iainly on account of the natur<

'^ jj(fia which it is founded. The Bi

faiit ^^^^ definite in its instructions

^ i]<|i]i! besides teaching us that there is

*f ' ^j|t»ive8 as true all the declarations

^ jdif an evidence exhibited and app

* ^^inif it tells us what those parti

^^ jji^, which secure our justificatioi

^^ ij^nly teaches that we are justil

^ ^ f fcuth which have a special rei

i.8.

we might be juslifi"' '

^ " Not haviiiij mi: ch is of the Jaw, but that - I orChristr^ Inallihe< ' others of a similar kin at Christ is the object c:' anie doctrine is taii::ht i' • !, in which justifica:: • ^0(1 with belicvin:,' in (" I in him shall not jn-nV ' " Ifc that hi'Iifvefh " ' <^ liA'."" " Wh.)s...i • j

ri'tvivf ri'nii«<si()n ••» *•" )r(l Josiis Christ, ar.'- ' iic sanii' truth is i/iv"'' " ; of thi' method of jv^'

ofdml. We an- N^iJ'i • T of* Christ, hv thi- '•'• } ])ti()n that is in him. •"

•rii. in. '21 * <;»'• "^ '

.hij Hi. ]fi. ■ J«»lin"- '

»• .\.t> \TI. 31.

• • • m ' '

\\

I »

9 .

^ hfls!'' '^^^ ®^' justification, is belief ^^ u; the Saviour from sin. And m ^ ,„ [^; manded to believe in Jesus Ch ^ . jj; meaning of the expression is, th ^^ . .lid or confide in him. It does nol

^ * which angels and devils exercise

; . J sent to the proposition that Je

I'fitf' ^'^^^ which involves knowledge ^ . .^ believe in Christ as a propitis ^ jiv Jreceive and confide in him as si

tt^ From this representation it

.jijimust do to be saved. When

-^^^.iplexed and anxious from a sei

^* .-jif accusations of conscience, whei

* ^Ui':^^ looks round for some way o

^^ -) just displeasure of God, the vc

Aji the lips of the Son of God is, (

s^ /. ^lieve upon me, submit to be s<

"^' this is done, nothing is done.

►2 jjf cordial act of faith in Christ is

ft . rt accepted for his sake, and he i

•c»^ s 2

net «»-" , , ,. „,!»; - \

i tract

E"*'*"" V s re* ''^: •

without u" ^: .,^ „,„s-. ••

il \^is

.dV.vt'

cv

I.

Any "I'V"*;; ,„„.K-.. ,

,.■.• ; »>"' *; ar»« »'■ -,

',,..i»«»."". ^„.llV>-'■■■ '\^^ . I*.. Ill '^^ I

m^ showing at once the uature, otr

t,d^] justifying faith.

tyis#r Qjig Qf tijg most comprehensi

unto*' of these equivalent terms is that \\0^* as many as received him, to th< Go^i'' to become the sons af God." is^ therefore received Christ Jesus jgdiatoi* ye in him."' Believers are -tl 00^ as those vjrho receive the gift of prosii'' those who gladly receive the iv jce (rf "^ Jesus Christ is to accept and rec idedif '' character in which he presents t jSjbecJ"* of God, the Saviour of sinners. je t^ ^ for our sins, as a ransom for our J is the *^ our Righteousness. He came tc , di»* own received him not. The J^ (j^ tin''' cognize him as the Messiah, t3 peaceC^ between God and man, as the

le.tM'' "»JohnL12.

gf^ • Rom. V. 17.

, receive t"""^ J,,,.,, tb.

pie ffl»»«»*"*"l ui ^b^* " ^in those pa»»<f' :. t^V .^^

red. all *« »J , ^g.^. v.^^J , litwd up the »<rp jy^^^.,

-"''tint-*-^*n?^'

l.ttumW.fceWe;r,„...^

... 11 IS.

A.*^

..• li IS*

V '. ■ ' '

- * I 4 t

ijjij simple ? Must not every attemj I intelligible the Saviour's beaix' . Ajj. serve only to darken counsel t . i,{ wisdom?

UUK* ...

.|^^ Another striking illustration

J; may be found in Heb. vi. 18, w

described as those who have fled

,s^. hold of the hope set before them.

isag«s

•f manslayer, when pursued by the i(j|fled to the city of refuge, whose .^; night and day, and whose high'^ .^-lUnincumbered ; so the soul, und ■^j^ guilt, and convinced that it mu: ^uj mains where it is, flees to Jesus f ' |,^ pointed refuge, and finds peace an \ J jThcre the avenger cannot touch . law, which before denounced ve ^ '(its ample shield around him, and ^^[ jsurancc of safety.

A still more common method

••I

Uli

"If any man thirst, K't Li': drink. He that bi'liovctli re hath said, out of his b-.'. living waters."* Hence t" imands of the gospel are or.' ^ord. " Come unto me, all j i heavy-laden, and I wil! p n the closing: invitation of !." rhe S])irit and the bride sr lim that heareth sav, C r.

m

athirst come. Aiulwli'^- :c tlu' water of life fnrly/ ' la^'e is so j)lain that noit': I o[ the Spirit can rcrui^' >Ie(I soul perplexes itself »•■ t to come to Christ ? Th- c* t far from any one of us, • :ry out, ** Oh that I k: ' ml that I nn'^'ht conic f^-

* John vii. .'{7, 3ft.

is merely looking, merely rec2€ ing as the prodigal came to 1 Israelite came to the high pointed to make atonement people. Yet is it even thu to the High Priest of our pr sion of sin, and submit to tt^t blood as the appointed m& rejoice in the assurance of th still more impressively as t came to the altar, laid his Upon the head of the victim, stead, so does the trembling as its propitiatory sacrifice, efficacy of his death, looks My Father ! Coming to Ch confiding reception of him the purposes for which he word of God, as our Mediates ^

* Job xxiii. 3.

red is submission to the reveaJed

; it is the giving up all exnua lepcndence upon our own rigk- Libinitting to the rigbteousoni

provided for our justificadoa. Jews refused to do, and perisW is is what we must do, in oriff iiif when sensible of their gnii

perplexed and anxious ab^tf

ut there is only one thin^K

y must submit to be saved »

lers, iis entirelv undest'nriitt

sake. Th'^y must consenr »

his righteousness to bt* of Iness and blood, that they cij :)t having: their own rijrhtttH^*- eousness which is by faif?> *

»

en will they be prepami '■* Ititude which stand "i'<"' tore the Lamb, clothed » -

7

f

I':

a. X. o; xi. 20.

*' t-o believe on tne Liord Jesvs. p*' forth the nature, the objeci faith, the Scriptures employ terms and illustrations, in learn to renounce ourselves m to be found in Christ dep - tJo.' what He has done and suffer^ l^ our acceptance with God. 1 jjji* lieve have passed from death. ^^ no longer under condemnatio ilif^ with God, and rejoice in hope jjj* this faith unites them with CI [jttf* not only partakers of his de; ^ ^ The Holy Spirit, given with* is through him given unto - ^i them the fruits of holiness, jjlif» praise and glory of God.

jjjiJ * Rev, vii. 10 ; t»

Scriptures teach that whosoetef avcd, they teach us no less clearir epent, we shall all perish. Kaitfc e graces not only alike indispeo*- hnot exist separately. Repeal' g from sin unto God, throoff faith is the acceptance of Chn< urn to God. Repentance is tW ; and faith is the act of a pew* hoever believes repents; ■■■ elieves.

d simple meaning of the won the New Testament to expr* nee, is a change of mind, tf ^ In this sense, it is said. tb«» ith God. He is not a roan ^ In the same sense it i» **^ ' place for rp|K'ntance, whf" * t a change in the determinate' the ordinary religious sW' tiing from sin unto God. ^

mercy upon him; and to

Jt"^ abundantly pardon." ' And S

Bol* at the dedication of the tem

peii* (the people) " shall bethin

w^ land whither they were carriL^

ely- ' pent, and make supplication.

Gfli* We have sinned, and have 4

\0i*' have committed wickedness ;

^ thee with all their heart, and.

jjet"^ — then hear thou their pray^

lepo"' cation in heaven thy dwelling^' their cause."* To repent, t

jff o(^ sin unto God* But as there la

j,eot ^^ has no connexion with salvatl

,,^# search the Scriptures that we

'p^ racteristics of that repentanc« ,jjQt»^ As conviction of sin is an < ^^i^ pentance, and as that point li. j

uli^ * Pia. cxix. 69. • Ela

4

taugW >» * {„„« r; ,

,„u\ oft'"' V •„>*.;«•>•..;

a"*'^ n^.lV'^•»«•'•'^• • «^'" '^-"'^ „v-.«»*"^'"

..,lt »>'■ o»-

> /'<!. h- ''•

J V»*-

VnJ^^'^"

. -> •

: Jv;

V

\

•" (, intolerable anguish of despaJ

« sp \ viction of the judgment that to the displeasure of God.

4^^

**' s there is nothing discrimina. V' ^^ rors of conscience. They are ^* u righteous and the unrighteous i^ in the repentance of David, t; eof"* of Judas. Sinners in Zion ai pioflia^ fearfulness often surprises the m \ fearful apprehensions, therefor bk ^ sired for ieir own sake ; sin* ^ good in fear. It is reasonab' rs tc^ fear who refuse to repent and t ^]^. of mercy. But there is nothin; p le^"'' fears which arise from unbeli trem^ promises of God. It so ofte (ley in the experience of the peop iiflferD'r are made sensible of their gui jhgo^, they have any clear apprehei

P»*. xxxvui

iscuvery lu 1119 iiiiiiuu: piu»/« ••

latter what may be the state oilit awe. This, however, may he ve, and express itself in adoration, st with hatred, and express ibrf Very often the effect is simplj this is the prominent cmotioB. ;d to prostrate itself in the dus. :ter of this emotion can only ^ ^serving whether it is atti-ndf- r in the contemplation of iiilin^ I desire of larirer and nion* cvt- f it ; or whether it prodiici =» «• ire that the vision luav '»t' **^" il lowed to rcm;un at lasc i« -'

* •

n't this discovery ofthfli "!•' " to produce a svuse of on: * s in his li^ht that wf mc <- Mision of his excdiena' W»* ' wss. And as no man i"- irs viii- in the si^rlit «'t "• Vi/iiiic, wv find iVvAi ihi> ^

itmay^"*''. day.""* And God, when d

jhis, b«*^*^ tion of his people, even whei

pressitself" don, says, " Thou shalt kno

jtred.*""' ^ that thou may est remembei

gn the ^ ' and never open thy mouth ai

je pioD""^ ^ shame, when I am pacifiec

jtrate l^^ , that thou hast done, saith tl

^ eiBoO"" As the consciousness of u

^hetlief' think of others, produces s

jiiUin^^ think of ourselves, it prod

'W , ^^i^ latter feeling, therefori

yhetter'^''''''! nature of true repentance.

.g visio""'*^ gwJige of the suffering pati

femain*' the sinner abhors liimself, ai

, ashes. In another passage, 1

goveryo^ servant of God says, " Bet

gjsen*^* shall I answer thee? I wi

.u0^* my mouth*'" And the p

. JO I"" ' E-Aia ix. 6.

3^ .^i •» Exck. xvi, G2, G-d.

1 the '^'rV

case. In all, however, the sen*? W 1 1 hat self-complacency with whick I it.

emselves, thanking God they an? f K.

. It humbles them before Gai I j u

in the position which he wou!i f h I

r. " To this man will I Wk." f ar;

even to him that is poor and c«' [ ?;..

and trembleth at my word."'

God condescends to take up !'-> [ ^ ; ..

IS saith the high and lofty On

emity, whose name is Holy : ' J • r ;

and holy place, with him -'•*^

tc and humble spirit, to k^ '■

lumble, and to revi^'c the h-^'

i,**'

ense of our unworthincss, w^' ition and self-abasement, u*^ ce. Most men arewiilir:*" elves to be sinners; but '^' c disposed to extenuate ti •

•> Isa. hvl. 2. ' I«».l»ii.lJ-

*.i;

• '• k

i

r.

icyP he is righteous in all hii 9W judgments. Such wen ajp when he said, ** I ackno' 0^ and my sin is ever b' jtl' thee only, have I sinned ijpi' sight: that thou mights jtuj' speakest, and be clear V .(olil> same feeling is expresse ^i of Israel, thou art rig Mfjii before thee in our trespj ^^^ before thee because o\ uses language to the just in all that is broug done right, but we have can, therefore, be no this contrite spirit of sel: jjie^ mcnt. ^jK The confession of sii

• Psa. li. 3, 4. * Ezr

1*1*

3 every thing ; to take shame tf ustify God. We accordingly 6si t of the penitential portions of t^ :en up in recording the coofessiss

God. " When I kept silenor,' t, " my bones waxed old thrwai he day long. For day and n^ eavy upon me; my moistuit* Jrought of summer. I ackau»- to thee, and mine inlquitj ha"

I will confess my transfrrwsit* nd thou forgavest the iniquitj ng as he attempted to conca d no relief; the hand of G< I heavily upon him ; but ^^ his transgressions, he obtaia* wise man therefore savs, " »

sins shall not prosper: ^ nd forsaketh them shall ^^ V Testament is equally eipjc*

I

^ 4.<

• ProT. xxTiii. 11

Ji ^^^» ^^^ confession must be

jteBPr Old Testament, in commancj

^M of injury done to our neigj-j

Hieo^^ manded acknowledgment to

les^* jured party* And in the N"<

r. F<if"' required to confess our fau]

me: "J As, however, the great maj(

siUDflK^' committed against God, it is

J minf "^ fessions are to be principally ]

fess^y'^ those cases in which we sin a

•p^f^^ still higher sense, sin against

ttemr guilt in his sight, therefore,

f; w^. sense of our ii\justice to th

iponlii'''' offended. Thus David, tho

^m^ most grievous manner, sinnc

tl,e#^ hour, was so affected with tb..

I not r as committed against God, th.

gfli th^ thee, thee only, have I sinne*

» 1 John i. 8, 9.

a'

ifJ«T

y

^vo sinned.

■t thcc, a"" ,„.

nor t^^' ** ,

" I ) t i\\v - '

the tireattr i ^

of Oanu'l, 1'^-^ .,,

he nu)st auu .^

,umo rip<-' ,,, v.'^^- sin; ^^'"'^ ^,i;^ ..■.

, (ioil. «" ''■" ■ he truly rcM»'-'*: , .

s -f '>"-• "'■;■;,, :.- ■■. ■

«

J0JIV.'- /ct sucn 18 tue poverty of hux

sinnei ^'^ these very terms may be, nay,

fj^W' to express the exercises of thofi

u st# repent. It is said of Judas

^0ll^^ and we cannot doubt that his i

^gf f'' a conviction of guilt, sorrow, t

•p\P>^ confession. Yet all this was :

^0V' the operation of that impenit

I3iice,ii' often drives men to despair, ai

V h sho**^ ^^^ ^^® ^'® ^^^* never shall 1

, fjperi^ though we are forced to desc

^]0:^ which attend the sorrow of the

* .'jjjililjti' which accompany the sorrow have "J' ^y the same terms, they are

jj^ tially diflferent in their nature. . 10^ ^^ hope and a glow of love p ^^^ v^}^ ciscs of the true penitent, whi<

* j-jj, S' exercises a peculiarity of en ^^ lices ■'' t^®°^ to produce effects specific

1 ^'^^ " Matt. xxviL i

«,#

it-

itest 01 ^'l^^^ .„ tv 0?^ I "'"'''.t^:

lUr of the optr*

.factor ; t"*^ . .-^ c:

e other to hope

Both ">»?''»*" ,,.vi.i ' i„theonec»« ,,„^-!

In the one east.

; .e Is. that the fon^l ^ , - "' ""' TS of '•^"^

"• ^""■' T mla ••i* "•'":

,.y may .e Wl'l ,a

■r. of "•^■•"' " a VK«

. „f Oort ana of

.•■• I:

I . •

• >

i

\^^ turning unto God, there is e

^ * apprehension of his mercy.

re. '". feehle as only to enable the so

le""'^' he slay me, yet will I trust in

jje^ knoweth if he will return am

hf'', a blessing behind him;"*^ oa

■ii'' guage of David, " If 1 shall

cjjf' eyes of the Lord, he will bri

le 0^ if he thus say, I have no delig

neiitiO^' here am I, let him do to m

^' unto him."* This, however,

]^ fear into hope, and rebellion i: 1^0 It may be that the hope w

^^.^ from sinking into despair an

^tiii'^' from turning from God in ag;

iM^^ is at times nothing more th.

gjjiSD^ he is merciful, without any c5

gj ^^ of the way in which his mer<

igi^ « Job xiii, 15. * Joel ii. 14.

„g In all w^ •".

• . ^ in the Scnptni^' contained in ti^e

f ^ha Divine gooa»^ on of tbe y » ^ ^

• «;nle in turning *» principle m ^^ ^^^ ^ ^

lebemiah says, ^^^ |

„,graciousandmercif^J^.,

great kindness. ^

and not yo.r ^^nU^

your God : f«' ^^ ** ^^"^

'^^^'^'it'no confidence ^1

^'^'^ no founded OB*^

^^'^ '" f God • and .s H purpose of l^oa , ^^^|

'^^^?;"uscK.-^,

ation of Jtsus ^

*y^;^?rvat^Sn,tbe.- :he plan ofj"^;- . ^ ^'\ ce to the Savioui m i

6. 7.

ijuelii.*''

*" 't as '■•"ism

^ ■ h.

f • ■ -

v

• I

V, rv

u

• 4

• .%

* ^

«

I- :

^"j. Christ. It is in him that Go cl 'f . self as reconciled unto the "^«r<

^ unto men their trespasses. It

"Ik* 1 • <. 1

. made sm for us, that we carft.

^ eousness of God in him. i^] • rests on the assurance that tho 1:1 1* we have an Advocate with. to ^ Christ the righteous, who is t f^ our sins. This is the hope !**• winning the soul back to

covery of the love of God in

10'!'''^ that whosoever believeth o

fjm^' perish but have eternal life, tl

l^*^ heart, revealing to it the ex

ipJP"' its sins, and at the same

Cliii* readiness of God freely to

^^ come to him through Christ •

jljflii," so much the threatenings o€

,111 J" prehension of the love of G-

sinncr from his rebellion, an<X

wjfi^ submission and obedience.

^0^ u 2

f any more than it can embrace a A sense of the favour of Goi is mercy, is essential to our m mth confidence and love, jed, a belief in the mercy of G« f leading men to repentance, to continue in sin. This 'm is out of ignorance. It is to msion of the character o( lose who know nothing' of md justice, and who l(K>k le or a trifle, to belie%e thai (» •e to mark iniquity. T'» -y of God seems a matitf ? its offers to no class of z^ t its mantle the sini cf »e reprobate. As thevKr hould not foipve, thiyc* . But when their ew

■

laculate purity which fi'.*^ M'ith allowance ; to his j to bpare the guilty; i(

I P

f

if

»t.

> ^i

i-'t

^.?'

" i

ji""'' is plenteous in mercy and rea tht'"^ so numerous and earnest i ^ Hence the way in which mere; iW^ consistently with those attrit>x \^^' to enter into the essential eaK:< jto'*!'^ 80 clearly set forth. Hence in SJ- promises, yea, even the oath o) ranct-^ beget hope in the mind of jcbJflf humbled sinner. It is not -^ lOif ^' sick, who need the Physician. jiij*'''' the careless, who feel no n^. \!i\l^.ior the anxious, who fear th^ j])jq# room for mercy, that these asis jjeDis* It is not, therefore, that he: jqDO^ springs from ignorance and k^ operative in the work of

As '^ which is founded upon the fj^te.* braced by faith. It is an enli.| . g0 th** soul, in entertaining it, know- 5 jm id^ difficulties in the way of pard^ jejto'the method in which mercy

ca sinner fee« ^-^^

,„ trttc as 1 1 ^ ,,,

Incss ot ^„„,..

the Divine ><". .

p.-reeU-lm""" tv:-

'^ ''>■ rC -* ^ ■

e ,U\' than *"" . jivinc niewy- ^ , ,.

r Krntitude. and \«^

^ „.l fill W'" "

""^ f. a Iris Rea«*'

aurn lr»»' * ,

.„y of (.0.1 j_,^. ,„ ,

t <U-i|?» "f ' • ,„ l,ri..: •

to repen..''^;;^ .,„,,;,„..>■_

V.

•■■t .

'f '

;i

•t\

<

J

« *»

\

. jjjf J" be merciful, and yet just. Th .itiK^ are made to all who hear the e

. ggi {^ whose sins are as scarlet, or . . jpie^and none lose the benefit of ' J ^^ voluntarily and wickedly re^ "^ p^ii carelessly supposing that the ^1 .AiS^ness, or unbelievingly refusing d»y^ llidon on the only terms on whic 1^ ^ A^^- That repentance, therefore, ^^^ l^^iB a turning; not a being dri Aliis^y fear and stress of consciem to ^ .., uitiit as evil and hateful, with sir i ^'^^ , jjifislity, and confession ; and a r fr"^ because he is good and willi yjllia determination to live in obe ' ^Uj^toandments. td 01 ^1^ There are but two ways in

^^W^'.jfiffects, As every man is co

s,^ jpf the genuineness of this ch *"^ j^^G comparison of our inward iis '^fjffOTd of God ; the other, the

at

1

tell v^^««^''

'- --»^'>'^^r£

^aVOUT.

to iWe ^:>^.);:\>an.:

^v\ucll cons-_^_^^^ ^^^^^.

on ''" - ^„tituW^^V^*

be '• '•

ous

Ithuuto Vifc

iV.«'

true

^'' ' . batii to

,A V stron?» »^ t,,t of ^^^^ . ,. ature, tne (^^ean^*\ .a

I* r '

!'• • • \

\: r • •

t"'

r , ■

ri

•luro,

^ or SOI

^'^ ;«.r VoriU trail'' ^^^^^^,,,.

<s to be rovent-^

t

and r u more obvious in itselt, or mor< ill idle''''' 'J. Jn the word of God, than 1 jjerev if .Nature itself teaches us that \ ,j0 to 1* wrong, we should be sorry for jjgibiifr" from the evil. Every man ;

jjye to 1'''^ reasonable expectation in rega: 1 consti''''' offended him. Every parent € ^ijjgmDuy'^ anxiety for the repentance of s , jife. and he considers nothing wort: self-ki"'^'^i»incere sorrow and a return to

^n-td'^ ;ence. No man need wonder,

„ are b*""" "who requires nothing but wh f'^^ can require nothing less, comr oflieJ''' where to repent. The salvi

ii5ytb«'f\gospel, though it be a sal vatic

m'^^^'^ salvation from sin. The h ^P,jrs«l^^ mises is a heaven of holin« liave ^ pleasure, which flow from the ot SOT"'* V^^ ^\^ed with the pure water h frtti** ^ therefore, can be saved who d ^iti^ttncef forsake his sins. This i

ejje

ijted

jx tauvauuu lui siuucis.

la

* I •

pentance, is a contradiction. I ^^

:hat repentance is the bunki | .^

ching. Our Saviour himself, «M .,

tchy said, '' Repent : for the iz.-] ^^ .

J at hand." ^ And when he cw ching the gospel, he said, ** T^ j ^

and the kingdom of (iixi j^ ^., , and believe the gospel/- U ^ .^ . 1 he gave his apostles was, " i^ , ^ . . nission of sins shuuld be prc^-f f,, . g all nations.'"" In thifx i •• 7 . * *• nission his disciples Hcn::'1 f . ^^

Dpcnt ye, and he convrrtiti. ^ (.-

blotted out, when the u::^ ) l )me from the prescmf • ri the account which be J- aching, said that he '' >i^ '(

Damascus, and at Jcru^^l

r

^ Matt. iv. 1 7. ' >'*•'» • ;

1 7. ■ Acts tii. I 'J.

jTufioJ"^ pressing duty of all who hear , •^i^.nte called upon to forsake theix* g^ 8'' unto God through Jesus Chris j^^w^tlas duty, is the rejection of s I «(g^'''we have seen, unless we repei .lit iivl'lt is because repentance is thix: ,UOJpdi''*cessary, that God reveals so c]

^jJii)ii*,2vil of sin, and the terms of Ixj ..ygd^^iite compassion and love; ths

Ljj^ x> turn unto him and live, ass ^\^^^* The Lord, The Lord God, rx

rioiiS''" ***"» long-suffering, and abimda , . ^ ruth." « This call to repentai ows men from the cradle to th.<

♦ irk* 'f the first sounds which wak.< ^ f^» is one bf the last which falls c

' jjt^.f the dying sinner. Every tlx: •j tin* '* ocal with the voice of mercy ,

' ,. jiid^ orrow are calls to return uni

.. 'II • Acts xxn. 20. p AcU xx. 20, «:

- \r^ 'the Scrip.«- ' '* tU^seUe on such .r^

and rouse v^,pe\esi:

estness woiV ou ^

cording «> '"*

: •»

•i*.

f •.

»i'

p .

?F

i: •

- ( I

r

N • -

'^ THE NATURE AND NXCBSSITY O

itV FS8SION or RSL.XO

1(0' Religion consists, in a great xxic

H^f intercourse of the soul with Gr o*

^t lidoration, gratitude, confidenc

J<' which the eye of man cannot se

iii'the stranger cannot intermedd

^exercises hy controlling the

^})ifand hy supplying the motives 1

.^^imeanour and henevolent action

^ksannot indeed fail to manifest -t:.!

^jhUi unnecessary parading theirx

others horders on the offence -

condemned in the ancient

to his directions, our alms

secret : when we pray, we sh

Mid when we fast, we shoulc

men to fast, hut unto our i^^

»ecret. In these words, Chi-ij

^{,0 seem to — J

is thus retmn ^

:f consists, in a g^

i«'^''"C social ami V- IS has Its soc ^ ..

.dor it inn>o^«^ J f,,, ..:

^'^"^ r/rnis^^^^^^^''"' ssioiiofreUSy' ' . I,,.

1 1 The te^r'* , . .. ,t well i>e ' i I .. y^..,

■ived in the bosom 0^ ,^, ^

"'''•' "7 St" «''''■•■

,11 cxiK-r""'"'-",.,.,,^.^^ f,,,;,,^ xv.ll. th^ a,r

To » !!«»*'' 1

» «

» • •

I

. •

I

^^ .,j heaven* But whosoever shalX

will I confess also hefore

^ .l; him will I also deny before *^Jj* heaven."' Again: "Whosocs ; '^ -^{) of me and of my words in thi: t '"^^iJi ful generation, of him also s' to ^^ ^ be ashamed, when he cometti. io"' ^i Father with the holy ange] d,^*.^ writing to Timothy says, ** "£. ^. A of the testimony of our Lord, '1^ jA soner: but be thou partakes Tb«'^rj; the gospel according to the pc be W^k. we suffer, we shall also reign '^ the^ 1^ him, he also will deny us."" jsioD 0' J plicitly, when teaching the cc .oufide""* ^ he says, " If thou shalt con;

i^t^ ^^ the Lord Jesus, and shalt l>4

rim'

jjj the "^i t -2 Tim. i. 8.

bo ^]^ ' Matt. X. 32, 33.

^ it that God hath raised him froTXt

eater^^^ x2

^y "* nfe to V.Vn>. ^ :

^^ lint WlUWb . :... .

. f we are no^ ^ ^^^^u ol *•• i

re "' CV'-''

Vatber. .tand ^^ '^ . »

• :\»- ^

1

• i\

M.»W N^i- ^"-

*»•

«

w i;. .»■

f • I

• •

(,

• •

«•

I

<

<

st, ^ knowledge her to be his mot ^{^^^ her in the street without re< lould^ , steal, under cover of the nig jged*^ table and to be protected by h rf "I ft** one feels that no child, with j \Si^'^^ could hesitate to acknowledge ^ ^ , may be assured that we are vjjje to lii* ' God, if we are afraid or ashac fdiscip'^ . him as our Father, and our ol

•t'^t^^ It is still further to be consid

i

\jf0^ of the Lord Jesus ; and from

jjjiotad^are the worshippers of Christ. .tflHin?", the Corinthians as those who

ffM* Jerusalem and at Damascus, i .signated as those who calle<

^ sW" Christ/ But what kind of a v .acknoi^is ashamed or afraid to acknow

the J^ ^^ relations, therefore, in whic

y Actsix. 14.2

.t must conv>»<- -

We extei»al deport^- .

ythatrebgf- »

Icworldallo^^' ;;-. , e world forbids- .. |

,1, obedience dta» one of the rt ^^^ ^^

, cease to be i«>.-

them, they eeo^ i,, .

"^ I t issetott*^- i not viMDi) I

I .

;i'

^^ fession of his religion. The < ^\ church as a visible society, s !>* ation of a people recognizing 1^. professing to act in obedience r ^ commission which he gave tc ii^*f that they should go into all t e ^^ his gospel, making disciples, bs tfi'* name, gathering them into dij ^ appointing officers over them I , ™ lie worship and for the exercise y this supposes that his followers |us*^body publicly acknowledging i^" and confessing him as their L( iflii^fore the world. How can a n •f^. his being a Christian a secret jet**! is, by its Author, made to ass" tki* ganized form ? It is speci jftF every believer, to associate hiir J jet f to assemble with his fellow-' jtlif' worship, and to unite with the

0^

we are required to forsake ain 5 s the brethren, to live for o:h-' res, to be instant in pnver. " ; and social worship of Gjc- n which the renewed hert - s. The external comrr. )ns the performance ; bur - 3 is not mere rcirard to zl:: ■ icr, whiIethepubIiVc.»nft>s:^J

d in Scripture as a vxc-.'isi''' ine time, the spontanfi:*^' tinn heart. If no s\ihy.\': ^

to acknowledge a v v r..' ' no child needs l> he I parent whom he nr.*^ c'liever need to be M.^r:- honi he refjards as the !-J- !?Iory, to whom Iwdt^ ' ►n, and whom he h'';-^ '

saints and angels in hi-i'^ asscrtixi, that no behVi^ •; noT that under cin-

•i

t

f

%

^'''. pie of God, than to enjoy the iretl"* ,, a season.

) be n*^ , 1 1 is not difficult to understa ^j cluty now under consideration.. i tb« ^^, is to recognize his character a: rhe ^ acknowledge that Jesus is th le perf"^, admit the truth of the doctrin otu^'^ It is to profess our allegiance ]jilftli«r . and Saviour. This confession ggiiptnif * must be made before men ; it 5)e,tier\ the mouth, and not left to b part J'" conduct. It should be remen j^oifl^ ; eludes more than the mere assu D*"* , Christian, in distinction from P ,jjt ^ '-dan. If men misconceive c jf DC^ 1 character of Christ, a professio jjpi^" views is not the confession wh: . ^1^ . acknowledge Christ merely as \ ,fhoJ>V inspired teacher, is in fact to <3 ts W^'^j cl^cter as the Son of God, as

of vrofcssm-r-r f WK and confi^\ ;ason can

^^'?" \s already rcjv^^ vad<-"- ;^ . the oVv- includcd "^^^ ^^^^.^.. ,

vands of C W^' • . ,;in • »

llstingui^huv ^ .^^ ^.,^ .,f CUirisl. ; •: :. \

u*. to act- :;;.; ,, ,

- M

f

lifcSlGN, AND EFFICACY OF TIIli

; That baptism and the Lord's

; other important ends they may "t><

, were appointed as a mode of ;

\, our faith in the gospel, is clearly The public participation of the i , is, in its nature, a profession ol

. . on this ground the apostle charg ' Corinthians who, within the prec: .temples, partook of the sacrific:

' ,." I speak as to wise men, judge y 'participation of a Christian ordj

•^ act of Christian worship ? TK. Jewish sacrifice, is it not an act

lit)'

1' -^ * In the following remarks, the au jiv'^ who have not yet received these ordix jieMuty of making a public peraonal prof) Jjhll who receive the gospel, and especiall fusing up into life, for whose use this v ^ . American Sunday School Union. — Edx*

V*'—-

orsl^iP' ^^'\ ate one f ^vc ^"^"^ ^ Wyicc'^^^' ■

Christ ^^^^\x^^' , ,rc,itistlicp ,,i;,a^ »

. same "«>' „,. M ■;; , , sacrifices of -^^^.^ .,„ otu..;. ,

„ etc. ,!•«";; 4i,.V'*f. . I

. f"^'"r:" t c.a. •» '^'- 1. I

Tins. "" . . ji,e n.>- ,

f ,U his .v.scn>i ; ,, ,v ^ 1

ip,#"^' long been customary in the cl

(i^^^*' .institutions sacraments. Littl

are ^?^ can be derived from the use of

e#^ ':.it is not a scriptural word, an 4

jj the ""['.ployed by ancient writers in a '^

the l"^ , sense. As it comes from the

[t is ^i consecrate, any thing sacred v\

and S''''''^.,,ment. The Romans applied tl

*j,egr95S^ -.money deposited in the hands c

'0<^ "(abide the decision of a suit. II

,«of^* . joath by which soldiers consec

«f fki'^thQ military service a sacramen

jjtiaB ^church (whence we have borr

5tlest<''"f^,was used as synonymous with

jj^otts^yj^ applied to things which had

of ^'^!>ut in its wider sense as signif

,|,ottl<l^ discoverable by human reason.

pjeed)"* k^spel itself, the calling of the i

I

^iided^'j^ »lCor.i.l3.

.here uti- «l'>' a,,„l ions. Norit-

10 •:«>.

U l.uVc *v. ■

( '

tr . I • •

C

V

i

\

■ a

"y jjlj^ttierits and Spirit, by which we '" njic^^ondemnation and pollution of ^^^i'he blessing which baptism anc ' * ^aer are designed to represent. *^ ^* As many of you as have "b< ''* jfijUhrist, have put on Christ ; ' 1 ^, t^mon with him. Believers are li^f jj'ized into one body ;"* that is ■ •M^'^^ constituted one body ; but

^ ., Jj-nly in virtue of their union -v^ i« ^]^ uj^Iead. " Know ye not," asks itray^ . ^ many of us as were baptize<5 1^ iljrere baptized into his death,"' ^^ vrflic united with him in his deatlx

'^nd as pardon and sanctiiicatii, afl^ * ^^uences of that union, this iices» ''» !j«presented as symbolizing the j [o^^' igs of the covenant of grao

^il^hrist is the great blessing sigi

* Gal. iii. 27. * 1 Cor. xii. I 5

T 2

ar is its iiitcnderl signincai:.7 / This is plainly taught in tht :^ epistles to the Galntians .:..: * ' bove, in which baptism is c-.x^^f

• union with Christ, and ou:.:^';

• living unto God. Arul in :: i, it is called "the M.ii!::a.' {

and in the epistle to the L , iid to sanctiiy his churdi " • , water by the word."' U . ed that the ordinaiui* h - ;

i

t of these ^'reat truths. '" cans of j)urifieation. Be.: on of sin are npri'st-nt.'- lilenient, and luniv l^-J away by the blDod ant! >*- lis two-fold purification ii> ;)resented by the ordi:u>'

♦*f hr,.

C.7,:

" • • •

• ■ «

/

» AiU xtii. I?- ' Kj.h. V. A'.

^of the blood of Christ? Th< *" break, is it not the communi i^ Christ? For we being many ; S^one body : for we are all pa: i'bread." J Here, as in the pass: i 'reference to baptism, believers

I ■

iJ'one body, because by partal •ii'^ supi)er their communion with ii'^expressed. These ordinances ^ in different ways, set forth the ^They are both Divinely appoir itf^mion with Christ, and of o i^he benefits which flow from isrieath.

!;e^' "We should greatly err, how< yiiii'*ihey were merely signs. We s ^\re seals ; that they were app

■

tlie'f'jertify to believers their inter )f the covenant of grace. /

.j{^ i I Cor. z. I

,>

promised belk-vcn.

thertfore, "^

accepted af for hU taki

eternal lUb I ft how( part of G«

lootar^enj •o devote

•Mil : it J

HI

W tWir

Arf*fit

. » ■

^ i

■ ^ • ■

; I ' ••

..... 1--

>•'"

t ,•

• 1 ^.:.

}-.\

■»:.

I" .

{.■■■'•

s^ *

... .1.

1

>

aught ill all tlic j)asv;i.'r- .: ▼' | ^

of Christian or(lin«in(r^ i^ ^1:1 ^

ision of the gospel ; f'^: th / -^^ /*

Fis well as promises blt-^v': ..••. !

V in this view of tliosr • : . :.-: ^

r r;

sacraments, was so ircnrri

For as the oath bv wv.^ -

V

ed himself to the niih't.irv - - ament, so the onh'iiancv- ' s himself to the serviiv i** y (lesiifiiated hv the sr. 'amenta/ host is, thi-Ti: ' ► the people of (irKJ, • '• iide, who haw solemn;, ramcnts to live to his :'■ ' hL- Lord's supjHT lui -• j)poJntnient and jxTiK'tui- o di.stin«'uish the fullo**. >rh\ ; to fxhibit the :.".■' ' to Jnlicvcrs \\w I>:»^'^ j s thoni into covenant »i' J . •stidri nrisivs, What k"*"- ,

^^^ powerful influence to confirm l ' "j^fchis gratitude and love, and to o B"'f i^both of penitence and joy. B i^^God has not only its own in< i^* tftruth, in the sanctification of tl: ,«»j-when attended by the dcmonstra bf "jja Divine and effectual power ; to^^liave not only the influence due tlif''''^hibition of truth, but as means tol^.^ent, and attended by his S^i ted "; ^fficacious signs of grace, cona )i^ ^1 ihey signify. Nothing less tha.i ^e <^ ^he strong language of the Script liii'* ^ect, or the experience of God's tflli**" >he Christian, in the exercise of" [s wN2i\&x of baptism the lively eml>l jjt^r^g influence of the blood aucL (#11 jnd in the bread and wine the , ex)'"'^ Saviour's death, and knows ^jvei* pointed to be a pledge of

**-nl • to ^'' tU ^ *•

" . s->W to see""- ! „{ tos '•' • ^' ' "• of t\»e v"^"'; u- ^^ Cr ;--^^ r « *' • '■

,r-(li>"''" .1 in t^"- »

I Vet. «'• -

«

« ■

, jiijF application to be often repei uftlit^ received the Holy Spirit nee {j ^ again ; he who has received C !iji)#* ceive him day by day that 1

julli^ him. That the Scriptures teac ^V in question are to be understo<

liis

iijsi^ cation just stated is clear, bee a '. r|ujjt: 1' would teach that every one

secure

w

jii' child of God, renewed by the

be

g,(iits«' to Christ and made a partakeir • tiia. ^'because the Bible abundantly

Jt^'ne^ts of his death. But this C£

jji)t'i'''who are renewed and receive

^ .jSfli^ave the fruits of the Spirit,

v ^ytJi^'^joodness, and faith. Where t]

' . gjljj^the Spirit is not. But these

• kf^^^^^y* ^^^ even generally atte

^ . Ae?^^^ outward ordinance. We I5

^ 9imon Magus was baptized, V^

»l^l of bitterness and in the bcv

i 21'

cotvn*"'^*" .

favour «' „l,.->.' ' ., of A<^ ^^ i. rt.. ^■•'

"•''• » Great '«

ll"-- ■■'' , ,„ofi» «*"'""•, r .

^f^\ Jews kept the law, their circu l^ys ^. them all the hlessings of the cc ItV"^! they lived. But if they brol the^* , cumcision was of no avail. I ant) '^ A external circumcision that ma< [•ard^^u the circumcision of the heart, gimitt^ nal rite was the sign. In lik , external baptism that makes this '"^^ ^^t t^^ baptism of the Spirit, tuP ^ ^^^^ water is the appointed s j fhe'ifr^ not necessarily connected, an '^jyffiJ'' wanting, the former can be of ^tt^-it should be supposed that , the 1'^ ; *PPly what is said of the ss ^g^t^*^ dispensation to those of the - iiDicis^ f doctrine is taught in referenc jies'^ment sacraments themselves, , jgge. * says, We are saved by water jjsiired'''J:but by baptism ; not mere ex

.the^^' k •* Rom. ii. 25-

:sioD'

Toni the spiritual chiiijr y^ ed to represent. In liki- nu: the Lord's supper, thr ,i;

fur from the mere ixtr. .

connected with the rir : :

m

irist's death, those wh/ r. . ', ate and drank ju'li;:' hinfjf, indeed, can he n: :

le spirit of the rthi: '''• octriiie that external ri: • ted with spiritual h\- -< -

^od h to he ohtainecJ !'V

■

sion to reliifious ctrc: ptized, or cireiimciM li ^ y belonif to the \)\\u< - ch : he mav he hlam«-..'' • rnal prescriptions of tl:e:-^ ititiite of the L^nice <»/"'' '

jis ])resence. It is f. " ss, much less hy cen" are to he saved, hut b; -

i

\

\

t

■

'If

if.

w

t

Vt. \\\. '2\.

pie*"'' are admitted to these ordinance; fj's siff^'sion of their faith and repent jj the ^ apostles began to preach, we ar< ,j^fitk"''that gladly received the word ,ji,d^^hen the eunuch desired to "b J junl^Said to him, ** If thou believ

• deei'*'^®^^*' *^^°^ mayest." * Comeli

. i^^)ci'b Holy Spirit, in the first ins

y eJ^i>ut when Peter had evidence t:

\ spiiiti^ 'eceived the Spirit, he asked,

^^^Li

lirtHis '^lave received the Holy Ghost

u olit'''^)id water, that these should not

Jitcii'^aul was a penitent believer b

' ^^^Xi^ thus in all other cases wK.

Lf b^'^ized, they professed to be Chri

jpOi)»5''iot made Christians by their ai

P . ^ fH* raments ; but their Christian \

^ ef. ^''"8 ^^® thereby acknowledgec ?^ . i-sstj'ngly been the custom in all

to "^ • Acto ii. 41. » AcU tiH. 37.

z 2

iil 21'

' J^ ™ Ae mere ei"''-:' "

Ttti-t ■■■■■'

■ted «''" 1^ • ,.\ ••» r A is to iH- »''»'""' ■ •

'"^'"Ttr« to .V V'-- .iircli; I'l- .- • -,„l!:'- aestitutc ot t" -j^ j, ,

^e lire to »>»

1 ret

... .Il

. III. -*'

\

m

aT;-

.r.d^-'-'

t V. -. *

^1,3!!;. ^-"^V:

l>

»«'

".],:; i^-' Hit ;«..

i:

to

*a\il V.;: md th'i-. ,, izcd, t:

J.- :' U)t l!:' ^

(I ' ^

.■»^.:.-

pri'^^"' .

..;•■,; nil I :.•:.*

re '" ■■•

' . i 111:" V.

^.\>

n

nic!! i^^' ;

to ^"

iiuiv

A

-; -Jl' ill' '

nances »

"' " r„f God, »«* '.\4. •. .

.St, ^e«»'! '^^ ^s ad«»'^;7 ;

rc\ *■>!'"

*» ""\ "vat >"»"> r ■

c «f.o »«'^: "S '*^"' ' •;■ '

^ Cf.i».. »»'^ '" '

. . fit

»- • .11

"^S^ pointed means of professing Fa

Apse^ the making such declaration

'. ^^ service is said to secure the 1

■J- ^ promised to the faith thereby p

,|0 jji' that whosoever " confesseth t:

^Hj'come in the flesh is of God ;" ^

^ .^^t]\e mouth confession is made

kjUnf^This is said because confession.

'^ 0lh^o one supposes that an insinci

^ -tjlij'^ess confession will secure the

^' ijtit^Qian. Thus also we are said t^

^ jj(^\«^ug on the Lord, because invoc

' '"'] ^^-^ lil^e manner we are said to

"'^ jiecfi'^ism, because baptism implies f

J^^ jjll^W wanting, baptism can do us :

^^ ^M^ heartless confession. There

e* . - l^'^ulty in understanding why the

^^ ^^nncQi salvation vnth the use

3^^ '1 John iv. 2.

tlios*

f

9 because it was the $\sn of tk !t called the cup the new«»^^ e called his blood and thf k& e who partake of the wine »

receive his blood, and of ccc« 1 it purchased, ncmbered. also, that the id that it is common to at:^^er

bv which an en«jaffen:r: ' icy which belongs not t;

the engagement itself, uguration is said to vn>.l- S the right to which it r^' and confinns. Even is

the law, a dwil, with i> is said to con\*e\* a riT'

it is simply the c\idr'' original ptissessor. U-*' ' vXH the right, and if • ^ nan who holds tht- (!''- ' ltd b) the graat<»r, ti»* •

jtahey do in fact convey and secure yto others they confer no such lpm\ unbeliever receives these oi ^'9^nore obtains a title to the bles: ,j,*<^^PT^'^i'i^t, than a man obtains a '.>y falsely assuming the name c

j^M'hom it is intended. ^} There is nothing, therefore, i]

^he Scripture's on this subject ^ .^)^'tlv consistent witli tlie coii ^t^.octrino, that the s;icraments li '•j;fficacy of their own, but be

gleans of grace to those who b^ (cpirit thcr\'by communicating . ;4«>ssings of which those ordim\: ^ .ificant reproseu tut ions.

• . ■. •-.

P

f9t

ses

,„^ and de*™^M Cr

is CO

oV^'"

t. r

m, \

. yfUi which we are to acknowledge I j(j^;ountry , it is not competent f< J^hat mode ; nor have we a righ .liferent method of acknowledgm.< ^imr allegiance to be inferred fr< " lifjif' ^ we wish to be recognized as < f . j|Jn the prescribed form acknowled 'P^ JljUid if Christ has prescribed a '^ ^bich he will be acknowledged ''* tjdtttelligently and wilfully to refi.

^r ^!im, and to forfeit the benefits ol '* , ^ Again, as the sacraments are ^ ^pvenant of grace, to reject these >' fjjjj^e covenant itself. It is not 81* " . u^re in such a sense indispensal jeii^y u;erform the conditions of the i M^ijB excluded from its benefits, fc lives ^fals. Among men, indeed, v \ii^'^^-& want of the prescribed nur tb»* ^ a signature, the want of a

Itisadn«««'; ,4,:.

■ .. the un'.'"^ „,„ cit r his f"f"^'" hi' V '

. coven-'"'' . ,,.. -isi- ' ' « a-'-l *■•■ , c ch»'^' ■ ■

« •

4 «

ti

:••

. Cell. x'»»- ^**

ujul' now requires that the method oi

^> be publicly acknowledged and.

1 his 9!'^ ordinances of baptism and tli

^ We do, therefore, as really re;

ijjifiof God by neglecting these o

'^ ' «tj(^ the Israelites who rejected cir It offering of sacrifices. (> Another illustration of this si; ^^rowed from the marriage contrj

*"' yi • ®^ ^^® covenant is the mutual c ^ j^But in all civilized countries sc ' *^vLii!'festation of that consent is essen ^ .. ^(«of the engagement. Thus, als '""'. jpVLX covenant with God is repei ^^Jswt baptism and the Lord's sup; s*^ jjnnely appointed means of sig o^^jj (tying the engagement, they car jt- ^g;lected than the public recognitic itellifj^ovenant

e ^ ^ It was a fatal perversion whe ick ^ pned that circumcision and sacrif

ii.'^

A A

ordinance^;; torn.. ^^'^-^ . ate etnpt> ^ ^ •,,..

^eiit arc obUn

needs t«^^. ,

...''^•-^'U from --;:•.

s of !='»^" ,Ct tl»'>- ^"."■■

• " • •

I

\

I

flgiicPi'^ lor the acceptable discharge of t 5 euf'! In considering this subject, ^obl^ found the qualifications which

right to demand of those who p

,- neeis" as candidates for Christian comi

ildol*^ which such candidates are boun

jijB^F selves. The church cannot ju<

jljietiii^* can only require a credible pro

.xliibit^ duty to explain the nature of tl

' ^i^\ promises and commands, and t<

,, sDpf* , is the nature of the service in w

^jjiiSP^who profess to embrace the c

ujiiu'^ Those who, when thus instru

, lly olK?' they accept the offers of Divin

yj^i«'pose to live in obedience to the

A^Fshe receives into communion, u

^^\tdin^h\Q, evidence of the insiiic

.jjellf^fessions. This she does, not \

. jicti' them to be true Christians, bul

xJif'. sess the qualifications which al

'* ^Kjli^'to demand. No priest under t]

•, 1,. cviiW""' "' :

to 1'^" '■" 1. •. f ••■■ ■ ,,, ea...."t yf- VI , ^

ib"t tvy ■ ' ,„ 0..-. '

.vil I*" .>••••■ ■■ •

I i

^. Did the Scriptures teach thai

feqiiis''rhad an inherent efficacy of thei:

efli"*' water of baptism had power to w;

I

jtevei'^the bread and wine a virtue to

^5iiiiiii»'''life, then indeed they might be

^'^'the ignorant, the insensible, or t]

jijiis** we are taught that the efficacy 1

y ^ ^and ordinances depends not on tl

((,tie''''who administer them, but on tin

jjjiiiii^irealing and applying the truth t

A-J^-''hen it is plain that they must;

,. d Srder to be beneficial. It is on

■J(n»e>'*'>ortant doctrines of the Bible ttx

jj^^'iis people through the truth.

(jfliieC'ruth to him who d9es not undex

are «l'^'*cp6at to an ignorant man a matl

' , g, to^'dthough it may contain a propo«

.,^jjfi^8t value, to him it is nothing.

.jfjo^'^io idea to his mind, and can |

, jji^pon it. Or if you tell him t

Ui * * ^

• Ca and cao"'" : [

,e who tcce>'' ... '"■" 2v e%ci« '^

11,. It IS-'" „u;y , •■ the »»<;'■•" -•

'*"■>■'" ,«!«''"•'* '.' »«* P"'"'11.\ "• '^- * '

y Jo»>»

,v. •:*•

$J idea; unless he know them

^^ the persons of the Godhead,

tjp' he does in submitting to be

f(jf not acknowledge Jehovah ;

jjijif him as his covenant God, "

^f tifier. As baptism is desigi:

^ our union with Christ, and 01

^ him from the guilt and domi

u^ know ourselves to be sinner

.A- necessary for us to be unite(

Jf blood and Spirit to be pa

'^ the ordinance for us loses

. jr Thus a knowledge of the t

.M concerning sin, atonement,

^J essential to a proper particip*

ui And as the Lord's supper is

,|^i mo rial of the death of Chrisi

,^\ he was, why he died, and \n

^t secures, we are incapable of

^ this service. All the affecti

propriate object. If we lov

\'

\

^ ;usl w I" »

riiv a«* ;• , o^vlcdg^'' «^''

'"'^«"' Vcrv fci^ ^' , fed >" •''' ( ,„cli •^' ■

;Atlittii''revealed in the Scriptures, as :

•pji^>Svith the existence of right religi

Uj,ibther words with religion itself, j

jnt with the proper participatic

^jhances by which those truths a

„t4tJonfirmed.

M' The other qualifications for ai (fl^cipation of the sacraments, ai

' ij**'^'®^*^^ ^y ^^® ^^^^ given of t" • td^'^^y ^^ ^^® appointed means foi ujli6rofcssion of religion, it. is of cov 'f 1^ j^^Are should be and believe what ^^ . ^j^^e substance of this professic '^^, jjiZlhristians ; that we believe in ijjjileemer of sinners ; that we acce

jiJ'^a^vation proposed in the gospe "^ J^ive in obedience to its commar ^^ . j^^iot this faith ; if we do not t\\ ^^ jj^Hounce our sins and live unto

^ •]f^^^^^ ^ ^^^^^ profession, and ou ^ ^^,.Jji!*'**cceptable to God.

• •

'•* "" -.u s-\'>«" :

. - sin »»* '"

» «

tvo

;v

^y ^^'-'^ "". :,, in c^'^ ■ . ^^* ''' ^ not o^^^>- •' •■'•

ft

I

\

^gsiiii'':lieir nature, without faith in yf'S^^^^y represent and confirm, or \ \,f^^encej gratitude, and love whi .^rvhen really believed, necessarilj gjjsjrhis knowledge, faith, and love . jg^^ixe the requisite qualification! ^ attendance on the sacraments ; iijsjfj"^ wanting, such attendance must .^rsssions and insincere promises. jjijit** We must not, however, supp . j()t#!f these qualifications frees us fi ' uclr) obey the command of Chris * , jli^'nd to commemorate his death. ''' jiel^ound to worship God though

^ ju l^jverence, faith, and love which f ,^iil*iiires; and the plea of unfitn* ^^ Jut^nnot justify us in absenting c "* , jjjl^rdinances which Christ has a '"^ jj^^Bx to assume the responsibilit ^l^jje^^'sion of religion, we should n ^ itJK^ake such profession every tim

^"'T they may -^ '' ''

;t another; tie .^,,. ond believing 1>> J , Tnd declare tU--;

eving by a vaov ••

TheV do noi I

'• Id by such •.»«••*•■■

ground oj j „ t:

f I they be .cc;tu , ,

i„ nf God wiih •* *' , , , ,

d seek MS , • ,„u-.- ■ \ ' mind obey »1 ,, , |

come. '^^

.jew of lH»* ^" r ci.:.^' '

„fession o\

t

•1 . .

.uW>e ''7,i^i„\esb.r = •■ ....Ution of d«^ V 4i^ .

t l.e made b>

1.

"^

HUi^^P J* ^^"9 «*11U 1

^5((^non, to receive the

ycaniKH^ ' -^'-wrc tue sacr ^ .uJ^his will.

by*^ B B

'

fiCTlOS I-

"* le »W'^ "'"' '

with God. < ^j^^. ,

e Victor »"»• " ■„,„ :. , This i>n»?'"7 . .

«^"'" ^Jtrv•''■^■ ..this"'"'' .iiudW'- i

ineii-w 'f ^i;; : .w. - 1

T

m

I

T

•

M.

/

^Qji they are satisfied with the A period of collapse. No form ^^ mittent. Neither plants no yjifMen do not, when in healtl ^^ JDsions to fainting, and from fai ^ jj^'nor does religion, when genu

f P^ Ijij^form. It has, indeed, its i itl''^ jjiiare periods of health and sic

olfi " ,ui< It is a still more common

^0 VIIJM

j"^'^. Jillassitude in the animal frame . ^ , j(^'deserves the name of religioi ot^' Iji^md progressive ; and not a j

Mi

Idc^* >(^ligion is rather an external ities" jj^rice. There are multitudes sb* . j^elves to be religious, becau #^* jlj^ligious services; who sup ^ j|t<^ttendance upon public won ;gl^^ . Jjtorms of religion is enough t

^^' \^^^^^^^ ^^ Christians. no'^^..jS The Scriptures teach us tl } of ^ ^iritual life. Its commen

rCblX WIICIC Jl> JJSlClIlf OMU Mwa

id thereof, but canst not ui I, and whither it goeth: so ■i

horn of the Spirit."' Aut' lanifests itself in the soul tiu! > t whence tliat activity sprirr^ ntained, are anioti^^ tlu- icc-' Ve cannot doubt, however, '^ anent cause of those nrw iJ-'' that the life of tlu- hodyt" cts of seein«(, hwirin^'. t;*''*^ soul consist of thoiiirh: ai;:: » • 5 spiritual life consist :." '■* t its existence. Tht-'i •• fe effected in the sta:« 'J

for its jierceptions J"-'.'*" j lifFerent from what thi;- ♦ " r so continuini;. Thi *'

r

ometinies called a nt» •'• , or the new man. "•' • m. All these terras ■»''5^ •'

/

rv

/

Foiiii iii. 8.

such cases, there is no prin' religion is genuine, it has its and is, therefore, permanent. It is, moreover, characteris

'; tient and rational creatures,

»

. its exercises. There are cei prompts, and in which it de

, constraint that animals eat, ' the consciousness of strengi "^ compulsion that men exerci "^ reception and communicatic '^^ reciprocation of feeling. Tc • their fellow-beings as to be p ^ vent to the force of intellect i^^ the severest of all condemns <''lner, reverence, gratitude, Ic ]»{' the spontaneous exercises c HeJ* They are the free, unbidden I ^ sions of the soul. That rel ^l^tant, or forced, whether by J science, is spurious. Filial <

B B 2

ftVw chi-^^-'-'^'^- here IS of spmi ^^.„is« ; ,«,lf in spontaneous

i„ all the fonns » ^^ ,

>■*•'' '"TX. "»"»*• '

Ivanccs graduaii) ^^^^ ^^^^^ , ts, in animals, ana ^j

.s tims also .n th . , .^. .!

, which attends "'\ y I

which ^er\ /.Lnsmn "> -', ,1 even the true Chn ^^

,elf is declinnv.- - ^.,,„ ^, , i, a very «»"•«=".;, V;V. ^

those tlv.i II i.nror'.i-rt *♦

> ,Ju.se plajf-l '^'^•'""'"

AUi ciiiuuuiis sctticu iiitu ei

^ jjjitei* understanding.

is^^"" Hiiil*^ gress in the divine life, i epy .Up nature to be progressive,

!re^*'' ntJi"^'^ ^^® body to increase in If u^ * from childhood to niaturi

.^i^ mind to gather strength ii all ^ Jfe;*" fancy to manhood. A mai t, is P^^ ij^tii*' infant is an idiot ; he is de nces?* Jii^ to a rational being. And a in^^^'^^ '• ijc^ no progress in holiness, r thus ^^ , ^i fective. The surest evidei liich *^'^ . jj^ increase of strength, strei licb^^'^^ d^of purpose, strength of pi fen tl^ , ijil^^"g^*t> to resist evil, and to jgdecli'^''^'' -jdilfpeople of God pro from str very'^"'^ jjitii fectinff holiness in the fear of ^"^ /,^jli' True religion, then, is in nor is it a mere cxcitcme

that ^"^ jKj^succecdcd by peace and j

se

play'

3 old man with his deeds and paM -w man, "which is renewed in knoi he image of Him that created him ;*" renewed in the spirit of our mind, tl ' put on the new man, which after G d in righteousness and true hoIiM two passages express the same truth. 1 wed in knowledge," or rather, " unto fa '» means to be renewed so as to know; edge includes the perception, reccgH (probation of what is true and good. 1 >hensive sense of the word is not naa Scriptures ; and hence it is said^ tkl jod and Jesus Christ is eternal life. Si ,j<re is the life of the soul ; it ii d

to God in the perception and approfaM I, No higher conception of moral tai an be fonned than that which laolwi 5 harmony of the soul with God n f0t nd will. This is what in the ftt^

the apostle calls righteousness and

^. * Col iii. l». * ¥:,^tel^>^

jgje«el'' It is obvious from this r

it

^'O^ ings. The mind b'ecome's

a.me*' whole man is the subiect oi ** 'tflfoiii' are new perceptions, new p^

^^^ ^B* lightened, the will more si 3"^"^ ^sjiH^ of right, and the afFectic exp^ j^,'< puiified. The apostle in h

' rtlsfl*'''' salonians says, " The very e^^^ Jj^'you. wholly; and I pray ( !S t"^/ j)J^and soul and body be pres tfb*^ jjHhe coming of our Lord ieo^ jjij'body is the subject of sa: an^ •.^'^^y^' It is the temple of asCli^^jSoi.'is, therefore, holy as consi life ^ tioiiJi'^^and hallowed by the pre JieF'' Vjj^of^odies are also members =t co"^ Lt^''''^'^'^ virtue of this union, thej d t^^ jiiritl'^^ts of redemption, and are if tb^ tjtij Honed like unto his glori<

calls IP 1 1 ThM«. T. 23.

«1. » "•

others, I myself should bf d he declares it to be one of tb life, that believers should, thnwfk ortify the deeds of the body.' TV •e, is sanctified not onlv bv he service of sin and consecnar

m

ce of God, but also bv restraiair ' the soul, making it temperate i ind submissive to the will of 9

of sanctification extends to iS J image of God which it is dess? I the soul, includes all monl

different graces, such as h^\ 9 kindness, etc., iu-e but dil i one and the same princrpV that justice and henevoltcw-t lent or disposition, d'TihtJ

same principle whirh nuij^ ike him benevolent. R'^t^ 'divine life, prompts to a*.

I

'.

t Rod. TJii. 1^

ers, ' ' pi fantile proportions, while t he ^ *^rtrji> advanced to maturity, defor 3, that ^^0 ^ould be the result. Or if ;fy the °^ .^y gained their full force, whi isssD'^^. J! science remained as in infj service ^^ be completely deranged. T of Cf""' ..^jJ metrical developement is iir le sott^f f «i^' of the soul. If it exists at [ swW^ in all the forms of goodness ji kinds of excellence, where o ^ saDC''^ jyii^ then such excellence has n( ipageof^\u^:vine life, or in a new heart he so^' ^^ nature, includes all moral e jj^-greiit P* n to be a contradiction to say .jjj0esS)*"'"^lwho though just, is unkir one a'^'^ ,j^ includes both justice and be

at j^^'^'^* •«*' ^° ^^'^^ * contradiction to s t or ^f I ^ gious who is not honest, bei

g prifl'^P u honesty as well as piety.

jjjm bei'^Vj tended that the word relig

livu"

r ^1

one without justice. The man, tl ; renewed in the spirit of his mindaA f God, is one who has that mora -^hich expresses itself, according to biects and occasions, in all the vaiioi

le Spirit.

The Scriptures ^ve especial promin >ve of God as the most comprehen&iv irtant of all the manifestations of ti dritual lif^' ^^^ ^rc so constituted i 'liffht in objects suited to our nature rception of qualities adapted toourcoi external objects, produces complao • g^ Tl>e soul rests in them as a go d for its own sake ; and the higher tl • s the Ttiore pure and elevated are t ns' which they excite. It is the effect ration to enable us to jHraive aod i inite and absolute perfection of God, J ►bending *»^' kinds of t'xcellince, andii the highest j)owers and niostenIaiged« 3ur nature. As soon, therefore, as ikf I

^- '{^i^^ *®^*^ ^^» supplies all our "^

1. til'''' ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^» manifesting ] ^"'^ ^i does not unto the world.

' t^^ pendancc, obligation and rel: onSj'" into that comprehensive afll

.\J of God. This affection is p^^^Jfi by the apprehension of the ;#s' ^<'. power of its object These . J^^\jd per objects of admiration ; > are ^ ^ decree and united with ii ^ jyjjJ excite that wonder, admi ties a^^r ^ complacency, which consi 3, P^"^ d which find in prostration a jests i" .u^ adequate expression. The gj^e ; ^ Jf religion more essential to re *^^ • k^ reverence for God. When jgjte. ^^ j<>op®"®^ *o the view of men us ^ P*. J been seen with their face te perf'^'^^^fore the throne of God. I of eX"^' jJworsliip upon earth, proceed

nfld ^^ jcontritc, who tremble at hit

ssing. The spirit of devotkni i ntly distinguished the Rede his people. They are all dfl with God ; they all feel him I ice in his presence; and tbq on with him in acts of private >. There is no religion withoit the soul with God, as there ii rmth and motion in the body. J apidly decays when dead, io 1 hen not in conmmnioa widi Cd God will manifest itself in ti sdience. The former is a h the will of God, including tke|f iiowledgment that the cono^ ing all things are right, ud s are all wise, nurcifui aad / ds and darkness an' round ces upon us tlic cDnvKtwi nient are the hahiiatittB « newed soul, tilkd with tfce isdoni, j)ower and fjoo**^ r into his Iiands, sayiqg*

^i festation of this conformity <^t is the evidence of a contrai ? and the will of God. Wh ^} ciliation to God, or the rest(

• ^i image, there must be confon to the will of God. It is s

,rj^i- that a man is like God, or is

, jj' ture, who does not love wha

ui what he hates. Obedience

• Jft It is but the voice, and loo] ■u^ affection, of necessity, assixr

''^^ God is not, as already said J -^ lence ; it is the love of a li

ij^i therefore, it secures obedie ^ J, it supposes a congeniality o ^ ^ speak, between the people c ^'' jjE? self, but also because it is K: ^^^be obedient; it is what is ^ |jjflove is no longer love if ii

jjflJ^' purpose and endeavour to g ^ jf ject. " He that hath my

in CO

oW"

s'ltv* '■

led IS we i„.^'V«'- , ..r

W cvnotions a>^ y,a vl n^

e social a^^^*- ...^ eu^^'^^'" i.^-o*

\loO»

titt-

ifl *•

21.

not ID "^ . ^ pours over the renewed s

3 ujit #'''''> exercises, to brighten its v

\}\eo^^ active in the service and pn

jjg obedkii* ,, As the image of God, a

^ . rtf aiiali'?! ,, renewed, consists in mon

,, uvWv.moral excellence means tha

.o not ^ causes a man to feel and ac

• soi"*^ cumstances, it is impossibJ

^ 1, t the T ;,,corrcct views and feelings in

'' • Ui^^J^^^ ^^^^ ^"^ ^^^ correctly in ^^'^.jjjgdiiirmen. Those whom the Bil

*^ . ^jiiJi^ lien are benevolent and jusi 1^^''' jjeiSirPhe comprehensive stateme: '^' (jielf )ur fellow-men, is found in J»^^'^^o,f.^;halt love thy neighbour a: •cise *^J^. tli*^ere intended is that dispc 'f ffecti<"^''l'° regard our neighbour w: ' oral^/®®^» ^"d to seek to do hire n ^^ 'f|,el>''j5ng-suffering and kind ; i ',ctio^^' . jijUH appiness of others, but rejc

'^^ -f'M^ is not proud, nor does ■e satiny 3emly. It seeketh not i

r c c 2

9

^0

t/AX^^

inff US to the pursuit of our own hap to our nature as men, so benevolei us to seek the happiness of others, ] nature of the new man. A new crood man, one wlio is hke God, hoi volent, and merciful.

This meek, kind, trustful tempei

crion never fails to ])roduce, is, of

ously modified by the various ehara(

viduaJs, and by tlie relations of lii

art of the teaching' of the Bible tl

effard all men with the same feehngs

• culcates benevolence towards all mc

ovision for the ])eculiar and closer

I ich men stand to each other, as met

f mily» ^^ '^"^ society. And the san

f reli^io" which produces this gene

1 ncCf secures the excrci^jc of all Uii

whieh belong to the various relations (

auses us to render obedience to whom

is due, fear to whom /car, honour towk

[t makes men, in their intcrcoune

^ Sec J Cor. xiii.

iM' vengeful, or deceitful, are r

if not bear the heavenly imag

/jj^; renewed in the spirit of the

^ deceive himself with the hi

parent, child, or neighboi

Christian. A Christian is

^ ^ Another form in which

^ , jj* fail to manifest itself is ii f***^,5 man will come after me," ' ^ him deny himself, and tal i6 ^|j low me." *■ The necessi '^^u partly from the fact, that ^ J own wishes is often incon i^^ others ; and partly from t . " ^^JJ! our desires and passions idtt*** i^t The rule prescribed by tl

^ J^ ^^^ ^^ please ourselves, b" ario"^ ^his neighbour, for good )edi<^ -^Christ pleased not liims

W '^ ^ Matt.

lC«f.

(^

t

• •

<1

I

• °^ ti"KT.-^- ■

.eat ca»»^. ""^e «orW V.^.- ,

cotnes as a ^o„,e. • the «<* tte iocs «->' 1-

his Son. •,;«« froHA ^^'' '

^^ .reinduV^''^- ' tVV- 1 toy^^^f ^.f oUtn'^^^^''^,,A-•

I

ndeveii^' V*'^® stronger, ''^ore enduring,

gjtcJ^ <j^®ceit. As 'these dispositio

^[0 \t\n. our nature, the putting oi

gjjss' is corrupt, or tJie destniction

, ijeJ^ -fCiplcs, is the most diflicult o

'• tk ^^^ If^*^^ renders tlie believer's lif

^^ jjteie5'*''^7rhe flesh lustcth against the

^ jjsiiit^;(4gainst the flesh, so that he c

gjniaeii^^ '^^ihat he would. In this confl

^ tfris^' ^ "^^ principle is habitually, t.

oH tbf^ ^ victorious ; for the children

ti^^ „,he flesh, but after the spirit

' ^^^' 'i^^4 ^* appears, then, even fr* ^■^^ A\r<0'^'' kk&t true Christians are ren ■e, *' , ^ ^^ , f God so as to be holy ;

, souJ' '^^* ^^^^ complacency on 0^^^ ^^^''.jsquicsce in his will, and re

» '^'! J l(rtA ^''-^ ^^"^ *** ^^^ creatures and re ^'^ ^jvf *" *b>tually devout, and liav( iel^ " .jj^jjil'^'ather of their spirits and ip^^^ ^i&^Kon, They are obedient cli

l,ou»^ ^

e image oi vjou cannot oe u*.-^

ict and self-denial, they kt-ep vz jsition to the more subtK- evils l.- -

be ready to say that if this U n- ) man is religious. It is cir:~-i r

my are called, and kw ,i n j gate, and narrow is the m ay, n i fj.

fe, and few there be that t::.l q^^

our idea of religion from ti;. i , r^j.

the lives of professors. 1: .: ! \\ ,

the Bible makes reli'Tion t . a..

and man ; nor can it be ij ::. •• f.^ ^

' God will manifest itsilf : and obedience, and the '. r:

?nce and justice. And i •„• tt

IS that no extenial fonns. • e^

, no assiduity in religious >: - /,

the character of Christi.ii>. * / out and obedient towani' ....

levolent towards our kllo^- • t}.

u

' .Vatt. rii. U.

xi^

w

iflict ^^ ' jji^ay dill'cr in the strength .positioJ^'" Uhristian {graces, are all led ^i^roduee tlie fruits of the Sp:

,y be ^^''^' vi* ' Having given this brief o _Q DjaD '^ : 1 f-rue religion, it is proper

nia") ^ ip^ to its neeessily. It &h (,3te,8B''''|'^;nind that the necessity of

Xit^^ ,::^'^^^ regard to other thin; .^m'idf*''^^irable, are not essential,

' tbeJ^^^ 1 1^**^"^^^^ under ordinary c AgBil'^^ ^universally and absolutely

, pjjDaDi" :ijj».ess is necessary in such a

f Grod fi^ jsi/ithout it, is impossible, b

and ^^^i yiP'dly consists in this very

1 t^i ^^ * yJ''^^'^' Jesus IS a baviour, (liat D" ^ . ^ eople from their sins. 'J

«n ^^^' S'^^ n<>t sanctified, are not thecb^ jrf^^^^ a man may live in sin, ^ v!i>^^ ii^ sahation, is as much i

: Divine ino^^'^^ice. unto yo«;, _f ^,,i, is ibe ^•,

carnally ^abV, »>•-*• . ^ :

the idea that » »^^..^j^„„, hoU^ Vife of siti* eccle*^

ee gS-- ^?r« - V-^f i

* if we aic »o» "'a \.y » «f

>^ ^11 and dcsite ^u ^,

^^^r not led by ;:;j,,scj.

^"^ .oodness. ^^^, ,rod«c^

li

l7.

U'V.r- ^*

^;; spirit, meek, pure in heart,

H^i ger and thirst after right

fijj they have already apprehe:

jjjj? perfeet ; but they follow af

jiy apprehend that for which

i' hended of Christ Jesus : j 'til' ^^tliat are behind, and reacl

^j; things which are before, tl

*-^ mark for the prize of the h

' ^'Christ Jesus. Their convei ^from whence also they look

'^jyLord Jesus Christ, "who ;

*j»body, that it may be fas]

Id I*

j^lorious body, according to

, ^c is able even to subdue " 1< Again, as God is holy, it

• r^pcople should be holy. T

^f

i^

" Phil. iii. 12—1 .5 I> D

ween »* , ,^d «»» *•.

80 lO«e •• . . lis I

»»» ^ tS or ^ ^ 3d »*<"^ .„ of l"*'*^

solute and J? ;, 0* «*

IS.

Jaibn

••I

6J

*•

'" "^**' if/Redeemer is his bringing gjjsoW ^piformity to his own image,

ship ^1^1^ be frustrated if his people *^^^ . «l^^ takers of his holiness; for boiB^'.j^J promoted in them and by sh I ^ JP^^y are made holy, and tl

t ^^ ^;first-bom among many br< only 3^^]f^^ God feels that the charm ifld feU" .ui^on is deliverance from si jieaven ^^ , uOod, This is the crown )d, i* ^^ ^^J'lf^"^® o^ ^^® ^^g^ calling oi nflfl* ^ ^' i^^^ blessedness for which ] em^lof^.^^^^ prays. To tell him tV od ^^^. j/iMthout being made holy, r|,e nec«^ ' .j'Jieas of salvation, and to f thfi ^^^ " li^i'''^® nature of salvation, tl: oluft'^'^^'^® declarations of his wor

jliat h", j(i('.emx)tion, all concur to pr j^ J gave ''\.j|ibsolutely and indispensabl

,;d.»*'

i MEANS OF SAXCTIFICATIOX

Ti en t of holiness is often treated.fi vriters^ as a mere question of mad natural religion. Men are dzmt Y the force of reason, their ridm to set in arrav before the mio^ 9

m

tuous living, and to strengths * self-restraint. Conscience is ion the dictates of reason, or to the consequences of transi: 3f the presence and providca iture retribution, are more i>r :)revent the indulirenee ii( sia. the practice oi virtuf. Spi«ci* 'n how to cultivate virtuous >se which are evil, onal beiii«js, and wt-ri- nu 12: » son in opposition Xo .ir'^teut? niich that is true and ::yj*<i s on the practice ofvi-ta^. 3(1 bcin«;s, destitute «r

jjfljoliiif^'' iheckcd in one part, it i

. js»iii^' Though you amputate ac

jiel^ naining portion may soor

IJjp;j(ili'';'.nortification. So long as 1

' ijalUr uch means are mere pallia

];vjiifi^'*®J^^"t5 the evil, but Icavir

"^^^ frtiiit ^ )uched. It is no less true tl

, tPK, unrenewed, all that reasi

^^ ^^ufll^■'^is of little avail. They m fhe cons"*!" ,vf ,. , .^ . , ^ "V

res^^ .* divert it into secret char

f^ljotJA ach the fountain. As w<

ire rf

^^^ jI^ of «i^ Tections, a sense of justi

» the io''^ IKon, the power of choice,

^^ ^ cii"'^ ***^^ "'^^y ^® done, by a s

jhoff'^

eti' ese principles of action, tc

'^ *■ 'n'«.^''*^*®*y *^^ conduct and even •0^ IsiOJ"' >rth of character. But it i

,n in < -i'

ucbtt^^':

ttiK^ sans, to call into existence

I*

i

1^ „d2

ktS (1^ * Power to recover ourw

"f i powers a«= \, Cod. *>■ "■ '^^ 'is for *«= '•"'" ,V...' ^-•■■■^ 'r-

i» ''^^ the vigUaM '«^

"Vjtm''' themselves to produce holii

-. ^' sumed to have, in virtue of ijjjijji^ God, an inherent efficacy for

^^'^ ^^f^ are not only the ablutions, ' iJcii^'' J^^^ces of the heathen, but t

..mint D» . .

, . Jt corrupt Christian churches.

cannot

'^ •ji.ti^^'^^^ consecrated water, the

' y$^'' P^^y^'^» attendance upon relic

' ''^ W ^^ derstood, anointing with oil, tl )ts^ j^» 5^ receiving, though without £

iflt'*' '^xjii? ments — are supposed to con^ ''^ mjf^* Great reliance is placed on

'' Ml* -world; on praying at partic

in """^ ^jci'^o' "1 a particular posture, an sD^^TjijiJ^ tine of ascetic discipline. ers^ ./JC:and unavailing diligence thes< d 1"^^ -ofS^sin have been employed, the t^ , tjj^ives melancholy evidence. id H'*''' ijuj^^he apostles, the disposition t ) dou"^ ^or attaining holiness had beg jjiflth j^ere were even then men

'-•' — lite 80 uw'*^

^ «ense of duty ^ j ;.vvr>. -

f*^ -.. of l>o^i»'"'" , f«i» ''■>« '•••■

AoV **»''' no l"»'-^'' , vi. iOl * They »"• rhti»' * t^

jy , bv t^« ^'^

Sir*- -^i\>nrist so as to become reconc not oD^r^takers of the Holy Ghost. iiso<^'^')j^ sanctification as well as jn incipl" <» a^i^nly frees from the penalty gon/onn'v ufnakes holy. There is, there , thei" '"'j^ gospel, no such thing as sane oWD ^'''''^J^^before justification. Those v jjens^"" A(^re under the power, as wel j^jdeiB*'* Jiemnation of sin. And thos Qoi^^< MfG not only free from condor seDse"^ ^ilelivered from the dominion < in ^'^ ^^^' ^^ nature of the union 'eeW U^^^ people, on which so much ^f holiD***' j^ idly mysterious. Paul ha\ M ^ ^li^^^^^^s of his body, of his fle jted, tbeif *\,itamediately adds, " This is a

V ^ ""rtrtt^"* *" ^^^"' therefore, to attena jjjted t" vTiiiJect down to the level of our < £ |jis lift' gj^ node in which God is pi

leSpi^'

wlpi'

^ Rom. viii. 11.

^2J

ntly stated, and its nature is set «««> tn l^e made known by the most stribs IS. In his intercessory prayer, ou:^»■ ^ ** I pray — that they all may be one: » ler, art in me, and I in thee, that c< >e one in us. — I in them, and th«i - hey may be made perfect in ooe.'; keepeth his commandments," say$ ^ dwelleth in him, and he in him. is know that he abideth in us. bv -j h he hath given us."^ "If any = e Spirit of Christ, he is none of iul ' t be in you, the body, adds the a:y>c J ' t the soul shall live.* " Know vt - » J "^ '* that your body is the temple :' f ^'^ which is in you, which ye hj; f *^ are not your own.*** And to the *-' j *'-• ow ye not that ye are the ten::. J •'i lat the Spirit of God dwellt:^ ^ **

I

-2.1. r 1 John iii. 24. • Rota m . vi. J9. MGar.Utl<.

n beU'J^^^'L^^ic'^ ^^ t^^*^'^ communica InHsi"'''; iifiruits of holiness which n Kiprap"* ',^>?resence. jitio"'^' ,jUi The effects ascribed to one "^ " ^tated, are an interest in tl ina/ ''^ "^^wder to our justification,

- neth ^^ ^jt'^^^ Spirit in order to our s ljg()j in hii"' \. ,ure is variously illustrate! {I,atli8'% bat union which subsists , ^ffiTei'^Jve and those for whom h

dam is said to be like Ch

• \;oii^ i^ ^® ^^^^ second Adam ; " oiil 0^^iJ^^^ so in Christ shall all b vouT bo^-^^jji^ea is also presented wher

^ ji' is in y""*^ w*^^® ^^^^ ^"^ ^^s sheep, < ^^ ^Qiir off"' j'hen they are said to ha\

(cath being virtually theii Spirit » ' leir behalf the demands of.

y^^'^ \itii^'

' OaL iii. 13, 14.

•y where animated by one soul. »i

e and communicates a commuaU

, so the Holy Ghost, who d^.l-

' him communicated to all his ?f ' >.

i them, in a peculiar st'n>c\ »»r:e t.:

among themselves, and irnp:irb : .;

h has its seat and source in him. v

me, and hath many menibrrs id- -

of that one bodv, bciri:: rnar.^ 4

) also is Christ. For bv c;.- * 1 j

_

aptized into one body;- .i::j if i

to drink into one Spirit. * " Ar. t ^

mt of the St'une import, is tr\: . I /^

en he says, ** I am the v:::.\ . i s*]

he that abideth in me. . . : I i} e bringeth forth nuuh :* : f j,. can do nothinJ,^"^ As th - ;o the vine as to partak' olutely dep.'udant up^m *. t united to Christ as lo j .;•. I

ii. 12, 13. ' Johnx^.

-j^ind shall be in you/'K is t ijj((^ source of spiritual life, bul so '^ l^Jitions. They are baptized i^^J^^ire bom of the Spirit;' the; eDi) ^ >{i,(^ecause the Spirit of God dwe mo"? jji^lie unregenerate are called basit«%;^ having not ti^^ Spirit." ^ e. '""^ lu^.'^ed by the Spirit ;» they arc f that ""' fjhey live in the Spirit ; » tl also is '^:y the Spirit ; « they are fi] ti^ed i^*" ^j^;y the Spirit they mortif }driii'^''' jj^pirit they wait for the hoj ;ofth* jj^jiey have access to God besaJ^.aiifray and sing in the Spiri

i.^n(retll '* „ It', ' Jol»n xiv. 1 7. •• Luke iii.

1 jiO\^' ' 1 Cor. iii. J 6. k Jude 19.

e as »r " Rom. Tiii. 14. » Gal. ▼. 2

tbe^ ^i^^P Eph.v. 18. 1 Rom. vii

uteiy^^P^^tiiS •Eph.ii. 18. »'jol

ijtetl^ E E

iP

)

]% ^^'

^nnsc, IS ever preseui. wiua

ir inward exercises and outwai

•ringing them at last, witboi

to the purity and bletsedi

1(1 « •

; of holy living lies in this di ' the believer with Christ. T ground of his hope of paidm ^ the strength nhcrcby hediei: unto righteousness. It is bj b mnded in Christ that he is $tm^ l^ht by his Spirit in theiniMri i to comprehend tlic breadth' jpth, and height of the m] d to know the love of Christ Ige, and is filled with all tht It is this doctrine \rhidi

his trials, and enables bra 1 his enemies; for it is nolk it that lives in him, gin^fr for his day, and purifjri^

' I Thcss. i. '».

Gd&Sl

eir iD**^ . ^'i^mly gives us the right to pie triUp^o > justification, but it makes us j^ to ^^ ^' Ipirit. Christ has promised .^^5'im shall receive the water .gtofh'''y, .(iJ^postlc tells us is meant th( of the .liiifi'y faith, and in the persuasii legroui*"'' .j^nion with Christ, that we of the ^ ^^ 'raw near to God and to oi s 0^^ ^ L jjt^''^DCtifying influence of his ^Q^did '^^ g!j(tf^ at we receive of his fulness

iffht ^^^^ vJ^' ^* ^y ^^^^^ ^l^^t we look U Ja to coi^P .j.|ji'ercome temptations and to

1 tok""^. ^y*'*** and precious promise lire ^"^ '^ Jiii**^*^*^ partakers of the Divin< Xt is ^^ ni^*^^ Christians know from his ^^' ftrJ'' Christ is the source of the;

I bi««"f^>^ -Act.xy.9.

► t tlia' Ii;^^ ^f ' Gal. ii. 20.

remember that they are one with li for them, leaving them an exaoyH n their tribulations, knowing tkci ey shall also reign with him. as in virtue of union with Chni oly Spirit as the source of spii ain that life we must avoid lay provoke the Spirit to wil e Bible teaches us that the Sr ed; that his inilucncess mir ^t God, in judifinfiit, often oni those who thus atlvnd. ^ly tempers, acts of transjf d not mereJ V as sins, but as oSt y Spirit. We must niiu'niber il with sin, or the body by ii irity, is sacrilege, bicau-'^e w Christ, and our bodio t'lo f< ost. On the otlur lund, uirposcs, holy desires, iif u ly as right in theniselvi^ b<u*

j^w^' iney are not his dependance

, lejfij^jome holy, nor is his relianc

' . MklH** iources. The life which he their t""^ i ,| jjjii^'^esus Christ ; and it is by c

f .^ji)[B«^Tie Holy Spirit, and dependai

^ ..f^fli!*^ie is maintained. For it is

life ** ^^® religion of the gospel, to j

1 u^^^ake ourselves holy by our o^

P^ (te'^ c ean be justified by our ow]

Bil'''' ^j^ p It is principally through tl

' . ;.i(kJi'*iat we receive the communic

ui^Sirit. Prayer is not a mer

1 '^^ j£jj^*jndant nature, seeking help

tei"?^. ^^\ being ; nor is it to be view

ioti"^^i ijiiitW expression of faith and (

^i^^'. iW' communion with the Fathej ^\^^\^]& also to be regarded as tl ty,i^'\ jj/obtaining the Holy Ghost. irist'f igoi^'ow how to give good gifts i

5t. ^!^\. ^ much more shall your h<

q<, f V t E 2

• as^*

aii»'r V- .; .,

'^"'==':J!.>*"

arecoi"-' , (ot^^'^•

. \:r M- *'*'

P ^» love, faith, or gratitude into : of" J sient as the exercises them ^'"3 ,jj One hour's communion wi d. *'"' A j! impression never to be eff is '^^ J^ soul for ever less susceptib teacti''r'\[^ susceptible of good. And lose*^ ,^- ever exciting the soul to the d^^ u; and bringing it into comm le 0^ ]f^ ^^us renders it more and m H^ jjjj; fitted for the unchanging an , coin^ j^^ heaven.

5 sai^ ' ;(j. It is principally by the leOp^'^fV'^^^* the worship of God is ^'^ %*^°^ ^^*'y ^^*^ these holy exei pjjess, ^''fi 'being. All thought and j

jQfth^^^jobject on which they terrain. p^ed ofl ''• ^presented, tends to call then

^uei"'^ '" w*^*^*' ^^*^> unless his holiness

^1^ the mind ; we cannot lov<

iflcre** of his excellence and good]

n rs

■\i.

neir tendency, resulting irom taor remains, and as that deprantj a noved by the Holy Spirit, tlit« the soul their appropriate mih- therefore, said to be sanctititti r> ^ >e made clean through the w..-: . i

be bom again by the w-ni ..' . v

mged into the image of GKid ':j j «

ry.' ^

easonable to expect to be . • ; nage of God, unless the ::.: :. ^

be made to operate oftin the mind. How can a k. ' the thoughts and cart's oi ' j >-, ^

ly one which is often mou: •- Its or sight of sin, expect i- '■*

•i answer to the hoh'ncss, ■: • •- 'f God, should gather ittvr..' an the love of Christ incr-

* JwBb xr. i

' 2 tW. iii. i9

1 •

', Ml iDg It to our own case, a •"^Hij ciples, appreciating its mo

, A promises, trembling at its t *; K^ its influence from what is '^ ^ what is unseen and eterna of ^ expect to be transformed b ^. y mind so as to approve and to"* just and good. Men distin , have ever been men of me( le tn ^; of prayer ; men accustomed ' Gw I from the influence of the w e to T joys and sorrows, and to br ini " .. ence of the doctrines, precej ^ u word of God. ^^ , J Besides the contemplatio !S'^\u ship of God is an importar jjto^ Ajgrace. It not only include

^'^'^ pression of all pious feeling

.lov*"* strengthened by the exercis

means of holding commu

well as revelation. The peopki 31 found in the private, sodalid > of the Father of their spiriti* lft» renewing their spiritual strei^ is the temple of God on esil • are preparatory to those of tk je with hands eternal in the ki> ere, too, that the sacramentS) m Cf have their appropriate piiet ivhat the sacrifices and rites of t* ! were to the Israelites. TV* the truth and proiiiiscs of GtU hose who worthiJv receive t^ ich they represent. The Cha^ ho is desirous of iniTca^iiii^ * d love of God, will be a laiuit e appointed fonns and «>iv; He will be much in his il»' in the sanctuary and :it tfct ate

k Pm. Iixxi«". ^

. I

til 3S ^"T j(#' it is expressive of thought io^ , jjjl is no religion in outward s ^ Ak^ informed and guided by a p; mei^ W0' hy maintaining such a spiri s th^ ^ l' ^^^ hdLve any significance oi ue P^P'T j^' ^^^ 0^ the evil tendencies o wii ikJ'^ S^o"^ ^^* of doors ; to alio to") . ^ street or public assembly ; ijave "'^'^5^^! all food except the excitem<

gtrli'^^^^ visitor from heaven, into tl , jjieyi^r^i^inhabitant of the earth. It

jgdesi^lJ^ii religious outwardly than ii I W ^^ ^^^ church duties, than to k

*^g^illl'^"'^form of religion to its powei ^Qi^^ excitement and desire to be 1 ^active in worldly pursuits n:

-t the 5*^'' J' and external manifestation; trttlh ^ g(^her strength, and to transfo

^gje to , J her power. It is to cut her

.fi^

I

r

iroduce obedience to lii^ o»iniivi:vi^ J r's love can fail to prochui- u:irti..- for her infant. That m;i:i'- n l!j vain which expends h>i\: i". .\' te exclusively to his uun ^. ./•..! - 5 many Christians go hahii-j a.. : * i

J they confine their attr:;:: r: " - ^ .

selves. It is only by ilw ] .:: *- fall the graces, of lluth a:; : -» j^

:1 of justice and benevcmr.. : •- .,

icalth of the soul can Ik- i:. . It is not iiierclv btraun : lencc strengthens t\w ]r:: .

•A"f

HI ,

%

at doing good tends to 2:..a .

has ordained that hr th:;! w 1 also himself. Ilecii^tii^ : , ihour forthetiinporalMii \'

fellow men, ami who !• .. -

blessed Kedeenur, wili: : go about doing gtKKJ.

* I Ji 1.11 Hi 17- / ■

1

<■

\

\

r^rwwaiQB man, and m the p:

^^^ gti^ourselves. This divine life

^^^^ , t |k(*tained nor continued by any :

.jierii"'''

ji excl'^'^^Ltas Holy Spirit to dwell in aJ

^^or conscience, or by any eupei: '^ . i<ii)^^ut flows from our union wit

0r , ^brder to promote this divine 1 they ^ , ^(-jo avoid every thing which haj ves* ^gi(he Spirit of all grace, and t( Jl the r\ijj|iJVhich his sacred influence c jfjttsti'^ Mhherished. It is by this in ^tla^ l^^anctified, for it leads us to c is n"^"" ^l^iiositions in the contemplatioi

t

#:

stt^V^ l^Vorsbip of God, and in the

nce

• tloii'o pTut'K^lative duties.

als"^^ #' This unpretending volume

^yrfo^ j^f educated youth, was writt Pgllo* J'^^'l^^tapressing on its readers th ijlesse^ ^"^^ijvelation which are immedia ^ abow^'*'' racdcal religion. It is desigUi

F F

Vft VALftVi inJUIV tkJ9»WA%^\

lory of God is so rerealed AtfLi

to recognize him as their Gotf

Lse, to Infinite Excellence, their

^edience. In order that evtij

pped, the Bible, thus icpte 4

its Divine origin, is coDfinMl^

adequate proofs from minelM(|i

listoiy, that it is, indeed, the

le authority of the Scriptnifi he great question to be deakii whom they are knonn, is, to the plan of salvation and titi las been our design to aid the this question for himself; )ible teaches that wc are all ig sinners, we haw lost the e unable to eifect uur own ; feel that this is true nith re convinced of sin, and area ivhat we must do to be sawir lestion, the Scriptures «(

* " ' %f ^^"^* "^ go^^g aoout to esi of ^ .. |il eousness, but submitting t

fecog"^ ii# ^**^* Those who thus bel ^Iiifii'*'^^tiine, repent; that is, the; gjjce. '", ^iGod, through Jesus Christ

i ^ jrii.t^"^^^^^'^* ^^^ declare then pivifl^ "iJLjconfessing him before the w

,-uate P'f jjjjilttttending upon those ordi

.ftf W""^ ippointed to be means of ac

.fiance to him, and of con

^TyJi The Scnptures further they ^ ^li but begun when we hav .plan"' .j^orld, and joined ourselves

J, oflf i^iritual life commenced in

. flues^"' J^ ^y t^c Holy Spirit, who ^^ieacbesyle of God, by teaching tl ' . gis/ Jhrist, as their living Head

ittb'^''. ^cumstances require. T

jigtfl^.^ grace, and all that pr

1 \!!fi^^^'^- ^cumstances require. T ^^^^^cei'^ynctificd and justified in tl

JH

t^^

r.*-