Page images
PDF
EPUB

tells us what we should believe, and commands us to believe. Let us put this case, (and it is pity the case is so rare, when the sin is so common), that a poor soul is troubled about the greatness of the sin of unbelief, in calling God a liar, 1 John v. 10. in distrusting his faithful promise, in doubting Christ's ability and good will to save, in standing aloof so long from Jesus Christ; as many of the elect are long in a state of unbelief till called; and the best of believers have unbelief in some measure in them, Mark ix. 24. Abraham's faith staggered sometimes, Gen. xii. and xx. What shall we say to a conscience thus troubled? Will any man dare to tell him, that Christ's righteousness is his legal righteousness against the charge of sins against the law; but for gospel-charges, he must answer them in his own name? I know our hottest opposers would abhor such an answer; and would freely tell such a man, that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin; and that his justification from his unbelief must be only in that righteousness which he so sinfully had rejected while in unbelief, and now lays hold on by faith.

3. But some extend this argument yet more dangerously: for they say, That not only men must have their faith for their righteousness against the charge of unbelief, but repentance against the charge of impenitence, sincerity against that of hypocrisy, holiness against that of unholiness, and perseverence as their gospel-righteousness, against the charge of apostacy. If they mean only, that these things are justifications and fruits of true faith, and of the sincerity of the grace of God in us; we do agree to the meaning; but highly dislike the expressions, as unscriptural and dangerous, tending to the dishonouring of the righteousness of Christ, and to run men on the rocks of pride and self-righteousness, that natural corruption drives all men upon. But if they mean, that, either jointly or separately, they are our righteousness before God; or that, either separate from, or mixed with Christ's righteousness, they may be made our claim and plea for salvation; I must say, that it is dangerous doctrine'; and its native tendency is, to turn Christ's imputed righteousness out of the church, to destroy all the solid peace of believers, and to exclude gospel-justification out of this world, and reserve it

to another, and that with a horrible uncertainty of any particular man's partaking of it. But these blessed truths of God, and blessings of believers, stand on firmer foundations than heaven or earth, and will continue fixed against all the attempts of the gates of hell. Blessed be the rock, Christ, on which all is built; blessed be the new covenant, ordered in all things and sure; and blessed is he that believeth; for there shall be a performance of those things which are told him from the Lord, Luke i. 45. Amen.

LONDON,

Sept. 1, 1692.}

G CAW, Printer.

END OF VOLUME FIRST.

THE

WORK S

OF THE LATE REVEREND

ROBERT TRAILL, A. M.

MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL IN LONDON.

IN FOUR VOLUMES.

VOL. II.

CUI VERITAS COMPERTA, SINE DEO? CUÌ DEUS COGNITUS, SINE CHRISTO? CUI CHRISTUS EXPLORATUS, SINE SPIRITU SANCTO? TERTULLIAN.

A NEW EDITION.

EDINBURGH:

PRINTED FOR J. OGLE, PARLIAMENT-SQUARE;

M. OGLE, AND

J. STEVEN & CO. GLASGOW; R. OGLE, AND T. HAMILTON,

LONDON; AND T. JOHNSTON, DUBLIN.

GEO. CAW, PRINTER.

TRAILL'S

ORKS.

VOL. II.

CONTAINING

Sixteen SERMONS on the LORD'S PRAYER, in John xvii. 24.

[blocks in formation]
« PreviousContinue »