Page images
PDF
EPUB

them &, and his obedience and fatisfaction accepted in their ftead h, and both freely, not for any thing in them; their juftification is only of free grace i: that both the exact justice and rich grace of God might be glorified in the juftification of finners k.

IV. God did, from all eternity, decree to juftify all the eleft; and Chrift did, in the fulness of time, die for their fins, and rife again for their juftification m: nevertheless they are not juftified, until the holy Spirit doth in due time actually apply Chrift unto them n. V. God

:

fhall fee his feed, he fhall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord fhall profper in his hand. v. 11. He fhall fee of the travel of his foul, and fhall be fatisfied by his knowledge fhall my righteous fervant juftify many: for he fhall bear their iniquities. v. 12. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, aud he fhall divide the fpoil with the ftrong: because he hath poured out his foul unto death: and he was numbred with the tranfgreffors, and he bare the fins, of many, and made interceffion for the tranfgreffors.

g Rom. viii. 32. He that fpared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how fhall he not with him alfo freely give us all things?

b 2 Cor. V. 21. For he hath made him to be fin for us, who knew no fin: that we might be made the righteoufnefs of God in him. Mat. iii. 17. And lo, a voice from heaven, faying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleafed. Eph. v. 2. And walk in love, as Chrift alfo hath loved us, and hath given himfelf for us, an offering and facrifice to God, for a fweet fmelling favour.

i Rom. iii. 24. Being juftified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Jefus Chrift. Eph. i. 7. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of fins, according to the riches of his grace.

k Rom. iii. 26. To declare, I fay, at this time, his righteoufnefs: that

he might be juft, and the juftifier of him who believeth in Jefus. Eph. ii. 7. That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace, in his kindness towards us, through Chrift Jefus.

IV. 7 Gal. iii. 8. And the fcripture, forefeeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached be. fore the gofpel unto Abraham, faying, In thee fhall all nations be bleffed. 1 Pet. i. 2. Elect, according to the fore: knowledge of God the Father, through fanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience, and fprinkling of the blood of Jefus Chrift. v. 19. But with the precious blood of Chrift, as of a lamb without blemish and without fpot. v. 20. Who verily was fore-ordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifeft in thefe laft times for you. Rom. viii. 30. Moreover, whom he did predeftinate, them he alfo called and whom he called, them he alfo juftified: and whom he justified, them he alfo glorified.

:

m Gal. iv. 4. But when the fulness of the time was come, God fent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law. 1 Tim. ii. 6. Who gave himfelf a ranfom for all, to be teftified in due time. Rom. iv. 25. Wha was delivered for our offences, and was raifed again for our juftification.

# Col. i. 21 21. And you that were fometime alienated, and enemies in

your

0:

V. God doth continue to forgive the fins of thofe that are juftified o: And although they can never fall from the state of juftification p, yet they may by their fins fall under God's fatherly difpleasure, and not have the light of his countenance restored unto them until they humble themselves, confefs their fins, beg pardon, and renew their faith and repentance q.

C

your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled, v. 22. In the body of his flesh through death, to prefent you holy and unblameable, and unreproveable in his fight. Gal. ii. 16. (See letter e immediately foregoing.) Tit. iii. 4. But after that the kindnefs and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, v. 5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he faved us by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the holy Ghoft; v. 6. Which he fhed on us abundantly, through Jefus Chrift our Saviour; v.7. That being juftified by his grace, we fhould be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

V. o Mat. vi. 12. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 1 John i. 7. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowfhip one with another, and the blood of Jefus Chrift his Son cleanfeth us from all fin. v. 9. If we confefs our fins, he is faithful, and juft to forgive us our fins, and to cleanfe us from all unrighteoufnefs. 1 John ii. 1. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye fin not. And if any man fin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jefus Chrift the righteous. v. 2. And he is the propitiation for our fins: and not for ours only, but alfo for the fins of the whole world.

I

p Luke xxii. 32. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not; and when thou art converted, ftrengthen thy brethren. John x, 28. And I give unto them eternal life, and they fhall never perish, neither fhall any pluck

VI. The

[blocks in formation]
[ocr errors]

Pfal. lxxxix. 31. If they break my ftatutes, and keep not my commandments: v. 32. Then will I vifit their tranfgreffion with the rod, and their iniquity with ftripes. v. 33. Neverthelefs, my loving kindnefs will I not utterly take from him, nor fuffer my faithfulness to fail. Pfal. li. 7. Purge me with hyffop, and I fhall be clean: wafh me, and I fhall be whiter than the fnow. v. 8. Make me to hear joy and gladnefs: that the bones which thou haft broken may rejoice. v. 9. Hide thy face from my fins; and blot out all mine iniquities. v. 1o. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. v. II. Caft me not away from thy prefence; and take not thy holy Spirit from me. v. 12. Reftore unto me the joy of thy falvation and uphold me with thy free Spirit. Pfal. xxxii. 5. I acknowledged my fin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid: I faid, I will confefs my tranfgreffions unto the Lord; and thou forgaveft the iniquity of my fin. Mat. xxvi. 75. And Peter remembred the words of Jefus, which faid unto him, Before the cock crow thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. I Cor. xi. 30. For this caufe many are weak and fickly among you, and many fleep. v. 32. But when we are judged, we are chaftened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. Luke i. 20. And behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not

able

VI. The juftification of believers under the Old Teftament was, in all these refpects, one and the fame with the juftification of believers under the New Testament r.

A1

CHAP. XII. Of Adoption.

LL thofe that are juftified, God vouchfafeth, in and for his only Son Jefus Chrift, to make partakers of the grace of adoption a: By which they are taken into the number, and enjoy the liberties and privileges, of the Children of God b; have his name put upon them c, receive the spirit of adoption d, have access to the throne of grace with boldnefs e, are enabled

able to fpeak, until the day that thefe things fhall be performed, becaufe thou believeft not my words which fhall be fulfilled in their feafon.

VI. r Gal. iii. 9. So then they who be of faith, are bleffed with faithful Abraham. v. 13. Chrift hath redeemed us from the curfe of the law, being made a curfe for us: for it is written, Curfed is every one that hangeth on a tree. v. 14. That the bleffing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles, through Jefus Chrift: that we might receive the promife of the Spirit, through faith. Rom. iv. 22. And therefore it was imputed to him for rightcoufnefs. v. 23. Now it was not written for his fake alone, that it was imputed to him; v. 24. But for us alfo, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raifed up Jefus our Lord from the dead. Heb. 13. 8. Je fus Chrift the fame yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

1. a Eph. i. 5. Having predeftinated us unto the adoption of children by Jefus Chrift to himfelf, according to the good pleasure of his will. Gal. iv. 4. But when the fulness of time was come, God fent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, v. 5. To redeem them that were un

to

der the law, that we might receive the adoption of fons.

b Rom. viii. 17. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Chrift: if fo be that we fuffer with him, that we may be alfo glorified together. John i. 12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the fons of God, even to them that believe on his name.

c Jer. xiv. 9. Yet thou, O Lord, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name, leave us not. 2 Cor. vi. 18. And will be a Father unto you, and ye fhall be my fons and daughters, faith the Lord Almighty. Rev. iii. 12. Him that overcometh, will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he fhall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new jerufalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

dRom. viii.15. For ye have not received the fpirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

e Eph. iii. 12. In whom we have boldnefs and accefs with confidence by the faith of him. Rom. v. 2. By whom alfo we have accefs by faith into this

grace,

to cry, Abba, Father f; are pitied g, protected h, provided for i, and chaftned by him as by a Father k; yet never caft off, but fealed to the day of redemption m, and inherit the promi fes n, as heirs of everlasting falvation o.

TH

CHAP. XIII. Of Sanctification.

HEY who are effectually called and regenerated, having a new heart and a new fpirit created in them, are farther fanctified really and perfonally, through the vertue of Christ's death and refurrection a, by his word and Spirit dwelling in them b: the dominion of the whole body of fin is deftroy

grace, wherein we ftand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

f Gal. iv. 6. And because ye are fons, God hath fent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

g Pfal. ciii. 13. Like as a Father pitieth his children: fo the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

h Prov. xiv. 26. In the fear of the Lord is ftrong confidence: and his children fhall have a place of refuge.

i Mat vi. 30. Wherefore if God fo clothe the grafs of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is caft into the Oven, fhall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? v. 32. For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all thefe things. 1 Pet. v. 7. Cafting all your care upon him, for he careth for you.

k Heb. xii. 6. For whom the Lord loveth, he chafteneth, and fcourgeth every fon whom he receiveth.

/ Lam. iii. 31. For the Lord will not caft off for ever.

Eph. iv. 30. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are fealed unto the day of redemption.

n Heb. vi. 12. That ye bé not. flothful, but followers of them, who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

1 Pct. i. 3. Bleffed be the God,

ed,

and Father of our Lord Jefus Chrift, who according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the refurrection of Jefus Chrift from the dead, v. 4. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, referved in heaven for you. Heb. i. 14. Are they not all miniftring fpirits, fent forth to minifter for them who fhall be heirs of falvation?

I. a 1 Cor. vi. II. And fuch were fome of you: but ye are washed, but ye are fanctified, but ye are juftified in the name of the Lord Jefus, and by the Spirit of our God. Acts xx. 32. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them who are fanctified. Phil. iii. 10. That I may know him, and the power of his refurrection, and the fellowship of his fufferings, being made conformable unto his death. Rom. vi. 5. For if we have been planted together in the likenefs of his death: we fhall be alfo in the likeness of his refurrection. v. 6, Knowing this, that our old man is cru cified with him, that the body of fin might be deftroyed, that henceforth we should not ferve fin.

b John xvii. 17. Sanctify them through

ed c, and the feveral lufts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified d, and they more and more quickened and ftrengthened in all faving graces e, to the practice of true holinefs, without which no man fhall fee the Lord f.

II. This fanctification is throughout in the whole mang; yet imperfect in this life, there abideth ftill fome remnant of corruption in every part b: whence arifeth a continual and irreconcileable war; the flesh lufting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh i. III. In

through thy truth, thy word is truth. Eph. v. 26. That he might fanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. 2 Theff. ii. 13. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, becaufe God hath from the beginning chofen you to falvation, through fanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth.

c Rom. vi. 6. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of fin might be deftroyed, that henceforth we fhould not ferve fin. v. 14. For fin fhall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace.

d Gal. v. 24. And they that are Chrifts, have crucified the fleih, with the affections and lufts. Rom. viii. 13. For if ye live after the flesh, ye fhall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye live. e Col. i. 11. Strengthened with all might according to his glorious power unto all patience, and long-fuffering with joyfulness. Eph. iii. 16. That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory, to be ftrengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner

[blocks in formation]

knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

f 2 Cor. vii. 1. Having therefore thefe promifes, dearly beloved, let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Heb. xii. 14. Fol low peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man fhall fee the Lord.

II. g 1 Theff. v. 23. And the very God of peace fanctify you wholly: and I pray God your whole fpirit, and foul, and body be preferved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jefus Chrift.

h1 John i. 10. If we fay that we have not finned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. Rom. vii. 18. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is prefent with me, but how to perform that which is good, I find not. v. 23. But I fee another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into capti vity to the law of fin, which is in my members. Phil. iii. 12. Not as though I had already attained, either were al ready perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which alfo I am apprehended of Chrift Jefus.

the

i Gal. v. 17. For the flesh lufteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the fiefh: and thefe are contrary one to the other; fo that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 1 Pet, ii. 11. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as ftran gers

« PreviousContinue »