Page images
PDF
EPUB

fion of his Power, as faving Faith in him, and as the Means of your Acceptance with GOD. We fay, faith Saint Paul, that Faith was reckoned to Abraham for Righteousness (z). What Faith? His ftedfaft Dependence upon the Promises of GOD: He was fully perfuaded, that what God had 1rmifed, he was able to perform (a): He had the Word of Promife, fo fhall thy Seed be; and he could truft GoD for the fulfilling it. It was to no Purpose, that all human Appearances were against him; be confidered not (did not make any Account of) his own Body now dead, neither yet the Deadness of Sarah's Womb (b). Thefe were no Difficulties with Gop, and in Defpite of them all, against Hope he believed in Hope, that (nevertheless) be might become the Father of many Nations, according to that which was spoken (c). Do you walk in the Steps of this Faith of your Father Abraham? Are you fully perfuaded, that what Christ hath undertaken (the complete Salvation of Sinners) he is able alfo to perform? Whatever Difficulties lie in the Way, in Life and Death, are you fully perfuaded that he is able and faithful? And are you determined to depend and reft your Soul upon him? Yours is that very Faith, which was reckoned to Abraham for Righteousness. By this Faith

(x) Rom. iv. 9. (b) Rom. iv. 19.

(a) Rom. iv. 21.
(c) Rom. iv. 18.

Abraham

Abraham gave Glory to God (d), afcribing to him what is his real Due, Power, Faithfulnefs and Mercy. Nor can you any other Way bonor the Son, but by an intire Depen-" dence upon him; wherein you give him that of which he is jealous, and which is his juft and proper Right, the Glory of being the alone, all-fufficient and Faithful Redeemer. But,

Fourthly, THAT you may not be mistaken, let us be more particular.

1. WITH an evident Senfe of your Guilt, Mifery, and being without Help in yourself, do you come to Chrift that he may reconcile the Father to you; refolvedly determined to leave yourself with him for this Purpofe? Seeing an all-fufficient Merit in his Death and Righteoufnefs, would you that he should apply it to you, for God's forgiving you your Sin, and taking you into his Favor? And do you difclaim all other Hope and Confidence of obtaining Pardon and Peace with God, besides what the Merit of Christ's Atonement and Righteoufnefs gives you; being affured that if you fail of obtaining a Part in this, you perish? Do you thus flee to Chrift for Refuge from the Stings of a guilty Confcience, the Sight of your own Vileness, and the Apprehenfion of deferved Wrath? So far it is well. No Flesh muft (d) Rom, iv. 20.

E

glory

glory in God's Sight. He that glorieth, muft glory in the Lord (e), whofe Blood cleanfeth from all Sin (f), and who will be known by this Name, The Lord our Righteousness (g). But,

2. Is this your Application to the Lord Jefus for Reconciliation with Gop, accompanied with an equally urgent Defire, and which you cannot endure you fhould not fee fulfilled to you, that he will refcue you from the Slavery of Sin and Satan, that he will put a new Heart into you, and restore the Image of the bleffed GoD to your Soul? In other Words, do you approve of Christ as a Master and Husband, as well as a Savior, defiring to be his with all the Faithfulness of a Servant, with all the affectionate Loyalty of a Spouse? Hath the Majefty, the Lovelinefs, the Condefcenfion of this Redeemer engaged your Heart to Him, fo as you find yourself ready and defirous to leave your Father's House, to be fubject to his Directions, to be under his Protection, to cleave ftedfastly to him, and every way to own and honor him, whatever you may lofe, whatever you may fuffer? Can you appeal to your own Breaft; and doth that declare, that in this Manner, without any Referve, you defire to be the Follower of Chrift; (e) 1 Cor. i. 29, 31. (ƒ) John i. 7. (g) Jer. xxiii. 6.

valuing

1

valuing him becaufe of that Freedom he offers you from Sin, because of that Power he would give you of becoming the Servant, as well as the Child of God? If having found this Pearl of great Price, you are thus willing to fell all that you have to buy it; if you are content and defirous to take Chrift's Toke on you; I afk,

3. ARE your Prejudices against Christ and his Word removed, fo that you come to him as the Light of the World, willing that he may teach you all Things that pertain unto Life and Godliness? Are you refolved, that in all Things his Word fhall be your Rule; that you will not hearken to any Reafonings of your unbelieving Heart, to the Pleadings of your own Flesh, to the Customs of a wicked World, against it? And are you defirous that the Holy Spirit may lead you into all the Truths which are therein? Are you ready to acknowledge Jefus to be the great Prophet that should come into the World, by meekly fubmitting yourself to the Teaching of his Word and Spirit? Like the convicted Saul, is your Heart prepared for Action, and waiting for Direction; Lord, what wilt thou bave me to do (b)?

JUDGE you, that in this Way you come to Chrift, to be juftified, governed and taught by him? But are you fincere in all this? (b) Acts ix. 6.

[blocks in formation]

Shew me thy Faith by thy Works (i), faith St James: Therefore,

4. To prove your Sincerity, to try the Truth of your Faith; what Effect hath it upon you? If it be true Faith, you are become a living Member of Christ's Body; if you come to Chrift, with a real Sincerity in the Things defcribed, he is faithful; and it will appear, that he dwelleth in you by the Spirit which he gives you (k), producing fuch immediate Fruits in your Heart and Life, as you must own (if you believe the Scriptures, or are acquainted with your own Inability) are altogether above your Power.

Ir is my Purpose to give you a large Account of this Matter hereafter! Wherefore for the Prefent I fhall be content only to fay fo much in a general Way, as may serve to prevent your imagining you come to Chrift, if you do not. do not. And this will be fufficiently done, if you confider more attentively, what it is you come to him for: You know that he is able to fave and help you and you hear him fay, if you come to him, he will in no wife caft you out, or reject your Suir. So that if you do really come to him for the Things which pertain unto Life and Godlinefs, it cannot be that you fhould be without them. See then,

First, You are come to Chrift, that he may reconcile the Father to you. But you will (*) John iii. 24.

(i) James ii. 18.

not

« PreviousContinue »