-3 
 
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 OF THK 
 
 PRINCETON, N. J. 
 SAMUEL AGNEW, 
 
 OF P H I I. A I) E L P H I A , V i 
 
 Theo 
 
 1 Case, _^ 
 
 Shelf. 
 1 Book, 
 
 OP TOE 
 
 logi(3al Sem 
 
 PRINCETON, N.J 
 Diviaon., 
 
 1 
 
 i nary , 
 
 1 
 
 Section 
 
 No 
 
 .../.J 
 
FIFTY THREE 
 
 DISCOURSES 
 
 CONTAIN INO 
 
 A CONNECTED SYSTEM 
 
 vr 
 
 OF 
 
 DOCTRINAL AND PRACTICAL 
 
 CHRISTIANITY, 
 
 AS PROFESSED AXD MAINTAINED BY TIIS 
 
 CHURCH OF ENGLAND ; 
 
 PABTICULAnLT ADAPTED TO TH8 USE OF FAMILIES, ANO 
 COWNTRY CONOREGATIONa, 
 
 VOL. 
 
 That theu mightefi hnov) the certainty of those things wherein thou hujl 
 been injlru6ied. Luke i. 4. 
 
 REV. EDWARD BRJCKENBURY, A.B. 
 
 ▼ ICAR OF SKl-.NDLEBY, IN THE COUKTY OF UNCOLX, 
 ANB FORMEHLY OF LINCOLN-COLLEGE, OXFORD. 
 
 LONDON: « 
 
 FEINTED rOK F. C. AND J, RIVINGTOy, 
 MO. 6z, ST. Paul's chvrch-yaru. 
 
 1806. 
 
I'rJRted by Bye and La^v, St. John's-Squarc, Ck:rkenwfll. 
 

 PREFACE. 
 
 The followins: DifcouiTes were drawn 
 up by the Author Avith a particular de- 
 iign of imprinting upon the minds and 
 hearts of his appropriate Congregation, 
 a connected fyltem of do6trinai and 
 practical Chriftianity. He had long 
 been in the habit of preaching to them 
 (as is the ufual mode) from detached 
 texts of Scripture, fometimes infifting 
 upon the pecuHar doctrines of the Gof- 
 pel, efpecially at particidar feafons, and 
 on high fcftivals ; at other times " laying 
 **the foundation of repentance from dead 
 *' works, and of faith towards God*," and 
 not unfrequently inculcatmg moral du- 
 
 * Heb. vi. 1., 
 
 A 2 ties 
 
IV PREFACE. 
 
 ties upon Chriftian principles. But this 
 manner of preaching always appeared 
 to him fomewhat deficient in its nature 
 and execution before a ftated audience, 
 though accompanied with the utmofl 
 energy, and moll impreffive ferioufnefs. 
 The great and leading doclrines of 
 Chriftianity requiring deliberate confi- 
 deration, and minute difcuffion, it is 
 almoll impoffible to give them a right 
 underftanding of them, fo as to make 
 them " wife unto falvation*," without a 
 particular detail of their nature and 
 importance. The plan here adopted 
 feems to afford fufficient amplitude for 
 that purpofe. To inculcate " Vine upon 
 " line, and precept upon prccept-f" in 
 a defultory and unconnected mode of 
 inftruClion, during a continued feries of 
 years, fcarcely feems to give the preacher 
 that advantage in *' declaring the whole 
 " counfel of God |.," of which he might 
 avail himfelf, by a judicious arrange- 
 
 • 2 Tim. iii. 15. f ^^'^i^h xxviii. 13. t Ads xx. 27. 
 
 ment 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 ment of his matter. And it may alfo 
 be fairly prefumed, that the human 
 underllanding is more likely to imbibe 
 a right conception of religious truths, 
 when its faculties of perception and 
 memory are dire6led by method, and 
 llrengthened by arrangement. 
 
 Under this perfuafion, the author, 
 upon refledlion on tlie fruits of his 
 miniftry, was defirous, if poffible, of 
 rendering it more ufeful and edifying 
 to his people, and therefore undertook 
 the following plan. 
 
 Fearful of omitting any part effential 
 to the execution of his defign, he deem- 
 ed it neceffary to begin with the very 
 firft principles of religious knowledo-e, 
 and thus, by degrees, unfold the great 
 truths, as well of natural as revealed 
 religion, knowing that no rational accefs 
 can be procured to the heart, but 
 through the convi6lion of the under- 
 ^ 3 Handing. 
 
VI PREFACE. 
 
 ftahding. When that is accompiiflied, 
 fome hopes may then be entertained, 
 that the heart will be interefted, and 
 Avon over to the love of " the truth as it 
 
 " is in Jefus*." 
 
 Guided by thefe motives, and weigh- 
 ing the great importance of the charge 
 committed to his trull, he refolved upon 
 the attempt (without claiming any pre- 
 tenfions to originality, and acknowledg- 
 ing himfelf in many refpe6ls indebted 
 to the works of fome of our beft Divines) 
 and is free to own it abounds not with 
 tlie perfuafive words of man s wifdom, 
 or the grace and elegance of harmo- 
 nious periods : he humbly hopes, how- 
 ever, it will be found to contain, in a 
 reo-ular and f^'ftematic order, the necef- 
 fary and fundamental dodrines of the 
 Gofpel, as profeffed by the Church of 
 England. His fmgle defign in making 
 them public, is to promote, in fome 
 
 * Eph. iv, 21. 
 
 5 deojree, 
 
PREFACE. VU 
 
 dciiiee, the glory of the eternal God, 
 and the edification of his fellow-chrif- 
 tians. And if fome perfons of piety 
 and judgment, to whom he commu- 
 nicated it, had not judged it conducive 
 to that end, he fliould not have ven- 
 tured to offer it to the world. His only 
 ambition is to acquit his confcience in 
 the fio-ht of that God to whom he makes 
 his appeal ; and if he can be in any 
 degree inllrumental by thefe imperfe61; 
 efforts to enlighten the ignorant, to 
 comfort the feeble-minded, to ftrengthen 
 the weak, to convince the ungodly, and 
 to fet thofe free who are bound with 
 the chain of their fms, he fliall think 
 his labour and time amply recompenfed; 
 and with joy and gratitude afcribe the 
 honour and glory to God, who alone 
 fupplieth ability for the work of the 
 Miniltry, and from whom " our fuffi- 
 " ciency*" is derived through the alone 
 Mediator, Jefus Chrift the Righteous. 
 
 * 2 Cor. iii. 5. 
 
 A 4. CON- 
 
CONTENTS TO VOL. I. 
 
 INTRODUCTORY DISCOURSE - - l 
 
 DISCOURSE I. 
 
 On the Exiftence and Attributes of the 
 
 Deity. 
 Exodus iii. 14. I am that I am - - - 10 
 
 DISCOURSE II. 
 
 The Trinity in Unity. 
 
 Ephefians ii. 18. Through Him ae both have 
 Accej's by one Spirit unto the Father - - 37 
 
 DISCOURSE III. 
 
 Of Creation in general. 
 Hebrews xi. 3. Through Faith we underjland 
 that the Worlds were framed by the Word of 
 God, Jo that Things zijhich are feen zee e not 
 made of Things zchich do appear - - 51 
 
 DIS- 
 
CO:N'tE-NTS. 
 
 discolrsl: IV. 
 
 On the Creation of AJan in. particular, 
 and his Original Innocence. 
 
 Pag« 
 
 Genefis i. '27. God created Man in his ozm 
 
 DISCOURSE V. 
 The Fall of Man. 
 
 Geneils iii. G. And when the Woman faw thaf 
 the Tree ims good for Food, and that it was 
 pleafant to the Ei/es, and a Tree to be defired 
 to make one wife, flie took of the Fruit thereof, 
 and did eat, and gave alfo unto her Hujhand 
 with her, and he did eat - - - 85 
 
 DISCOURSE VI. 
 
 Providence. 
 
 Hebrews i. 3. Upholdiiig all Things by the Word 
 of his Pozcer - - - - 101 
 
 DISCOURSE VII. 
 Oricfinal and aQ;ual Sin. 
 
 o 
 Romans iii. 23. All Imve finned, and come JJiort 
 of the G lory of God - - -119 
 
 DISCOURSE VIII. 
 
 The New Covenant, and Abrogation of 
 
 the Old. 
 Hebrews viii. 13. In thai He faith, a new Covc- 
 
 tumi, lie hath made the Jirji old - - 1 35 
 
 DIS- 
 
CONTENTS. XI 
 
 DISCOURSE IX. 
 
 The PeiTon and Titles of the JMediator. 
 
 Page 
 
 Hebrews i. 3. Who being the Brightnefs of his 
 Glory, and the exprefa Image of his Perfoji, - 149 
 
 DISCOURSE X. 
 
 The Teftimony of Prophecy, that Jefus is 
 Chrift. 
 
 Rev. xix. 10. The TejUmony of Jefus is the Spirit 
 of Prophecy - - - - 1 63 
 
 DISCOURSE XI. 
 
 The IMediatorial Office of Chrift. 
 1 Tim. ii. 5. There is one Mediator between 
 God and Man, the Man Chriji Jefus - - 183 
 
 DISCOURSE XII. 
 
 Univerfal Redemption. 
 
 1 John ii. 2. He is the Propitiation for our Si?is, 
 and not for ours only, but alfo for the Sins of 
 the whole World 199 
 
 DISCOURSE XIII. 
 
 Tlie Incarnation of Chrift. 
 
 Galatians iv. 4. When the Fulnefs of the Time 
 was come, God fent forth his Son, made of a 
 Woman ...--, 2J5 
 
 DIS- 
 
xii CONTENTS. 
 
 DISCOURSE XIV. 
 
 The Sufferings of Chrift. 
 
 1 Pet. iii. 18. For Chriji aJfo once fuffered for 
 Sim, the Jitjt for the Vnjiijl, that He might 
 bring us to God - - - - 23 1 
 
 DISCOURSE XV. 
 
 Chrifts Burial and Defcent into HelL 
 
 John xix. 41, 42. Now in the Place where he 
 
 zcas crucified, there was a Garden, and in the 
 
 Garden a new Sepulchre, wherein was never 
 
 Man yet laid, there lay they Jefus therefore - 247 
 
 DISCOURSE XVI. 
 
 Chrift's Exaltation. 
 Philipplans ii. 9. Wherefore God alfo hath highly 
 exalted Him, and given Him a Name which is 
 above every Name _ _ _ _ ggl 
 
 DISCOURSE XVII. 
 
 Chrift's Afcenfion and Seffion at the 
 
 Right-hand of God. 
 1 Peter iii. 22. Who is gone into Heaven, and is 
 on the Right-hand of God - - -273 
 
 DISCOURSE XVIII. 
 
 Chrift's coming to Judgment. 
 Rev. XX. 13. And the Sea gave up the Dead 
 which were in it; and Death and Hell delivered 
 up the Dead zchich were in them, and they zvere 
 judged every one according to their Works - 285 
 
 DIS- 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 DISCOURSE XIX. 
 
 The Operation and Influence of the Holy 
 Spirit. 
 
 Page 
 1 John ill. 24. Hereby know zve that Tie abideth 
 in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us 301 
 
 DISCOURSE XX. 
 
 The Holy Catholic Church, and Com- 
 munion of Saints. 
 
 Romans xii. 4, 5. For as we have many Mem- 
 bers in one Body, and all Memoers have not 
 the fame Office; jo zee, being many, arr one 
 Body in Chriji, and every one Members one 
 of another - - - - - 315 
 
 DISCOURSE XXI. 
 
 Forgivenefs of Sin. 
 
 Pfalni xxxii. 1. Ble()ed is He whofe Tranf- 
 grejjion is forgiven, whofe Sin is covered 333 
 
 DISCOURSE XXII. 
 
 Refurreftion of the Body. 
 
 Philjpplans iii. 21. Who Jliall change our vile 
 Body, that it may be fajhioned like unto his 
 glorious Body, according to the Working 
 whereby He is able to fubdue all Things unto 
 Himfelf . - - . . 347 
 
 DIS- 
 
XIV CONTENTS. 
 
 DISCOURSE XXIII. 
 
 Life Everlafting. 
 
 Daniel xii. 2. And many of them that Jleep in 
 the Duji of the Earth Jhall awake, fome to 
 everlafting Life, and fome to Shame and exer- 
 lajiing Contempt - - - - - 36l 
 
 DISCOURSE XXIV. 
 
 The Chriftian Vocation. 
 
 Ephefians iv. 1. / therefore befeech you, that 
 ye r£alk worthy of the Vocation wherewith ye 
 are called - - - - - 377 
 
 DISCOURSE XXV. 
 
 Regeneration. 
 
 fi Cor. V. 17. If any Man be in Chrift, he is a 
 new Creature - - _ _ - 39s 
 
 DISCOURSE XXVI. 
 
 Juftification. 
 
 Galatians ii. l5. Knowing that a Man is not 
 jnflified by the Works of the Law, but by the 
 Faith o/jefus Chriji ^ - - -" -411 
 
 DISCOURSE XXVII. 
 
 Sanftification. 
 
 I Theff. iv. 3. This is the Will of God, even your 
 San^iifcation ----- 425 
 
 DIS- 
 
CONTf-NTS. XT 
 
 DISCOLRSP. XXVHL 
 
 Adojnion. 
 
 Page 
 John i. 12. ^.v mnnif as received Ihiriy to them 
 gave lie l*<ncer to become the Sons of God, 
 even lu l/i^iu I /tat ielitvc on his Same - - 439 
 
ERRATA TO VOL. I. 
 
 p. 239, line 24, for in hight r(ad in his right 
 
 274^ 23j inftrt a comma after could be, 
 
 310, 25, after obedience infert a comma 
 
 33Pj 15j for obe- read obedience 
 
 354^ ^Ai^from the words, yet a little while, fo 
 
 the end of the Difcourfe, fhould be 
 epojrophizfd (thus "^ in reference to 
 Dr. Home's 5th Sermon, Vol. II. 
 404,— — 19, /or affeft read effc6l 
 4SPj 8j for in nad to 
 
IMTRODUCTOEY 
 DISCOURSE. 
 
 DISC. 
 
 1 O facilitate the reader's anticipation of inttiod. 
 the Defign of the following Plan, it may not 
 be deemed inexpedient to endeavour to give 
 a Sketch of it in the Introduction ; hoping 
 that the great importance of the different 
 Subje6ts refpe6tively treated of, will, of 
 itfelf, pre-engage a ferious attention. It 
 will be no lefs the conttant prayer, than it 
 is the earnelt wifli of the author, that his 
 readers of every del'cription may learn to 
 know the certainty of thofe things wherein 
 they have been inftructed; and may God 
 grant, for the fake of his beloved Son, by 
 whom " grace and truth came,'' an hearing 
 ear, and an underftanding heart. 
 
 First then, however generally acknow- 
 ledged and believed the do6tiine may be 
 VOL. I. B of 
 
2 Introduciory Difcourfe. 
 
 iNTBOD. of the exiltence of a God, of his divine 
 DISC. , ., . ... - 
 
 nature and attributes, it will be neceliary, 
 
 in fuch an expofition of the grounds of 
 Rehgion as will be delivered in the enfuing 
 Difcourfes, to begin at the fountain-head, 
 that the ftreams which flow from it may be 
 pure and unpolluted ; pure, I mean, in 
 themfelves, as proceeding from the un- 
 adulterated word of God, and unpolluted 
 with any human opinions and traditions, 
 or principles of fcience falfely fo called ; 
 that the feveral topics fucceffively difcufled, 
 may, when colle6tively taken, fet forth and 
 illuitrate the fubftance of the Chriftian 
 Religion. If however they ibould contain 
 nothing new, but ferve only as a foundation 
 upon which ferious and inquifitive Chrif- 
 tians may build their faith, and form a 
 well-grounded hope of falvation, it will be 
 his duty to afcribe the leali bleffing derived 
 from them to God, and to elteem it a 
 more than adequate recompence, to have 
 been inftrumental in dire6ting them how to 
 reap that " joy and peace in believing," 
 which are infeparable from a true and 
 found faith. 
 
 Such 
 
Introductory T)ifcourfe. 3 
 
 Such a fyftem of reli2:ious inftruftion, il introd. 
 
 / ° ' DISC. 
 
 may be prelbnied, may be not only profitable, '^^\'^j. 
 but necessary in tbel'e days, in which even 
 tliofe who profeis and call themlelves 
 Chriftians, are apt not only to forget the 
 fundamental principles of Religion, but to 
 negle6l its ordinary duties, and flight its 
 facred truths ; and if at any time they 
 vouchfafe to give it a ferious thought, their 
 minds are leis occupied in the eflentials of 
 Chriflianity, than in its difcipline and cere- 
 monies. Not content with the revealed 
 prefcript of faith and praftice, and to be 
 guided by that clear hght which fliineth in 
 the word, they are led on by their own 
 fancy, daily forming to themlelves a diver- 
 fity of new opinions, and by not " afking 
 *' for the old paths," and " not hearkening 
 *' to my words nor to my law *," faith the 
 Lord, they form different fefts, and caufe 
 divisions in the church ; they recede from 
 the communion of faints, as if it were no 
 article of their creed ; and, bigotted to 
 their own new tenets, (often nothing more 
 than the abortion of their own brain) they 
 contend for tliem with all the ardour of 
 
 * Jer. vi. 16, 19. 
 
 B 2 enthu- 
 
4< IniroduBory Difcoiirfe. 
 
 INTROD. enthuficiftic zeal, and but too often bitterly 
 
 DISC. 
 
 v,^^/^/ calumniate and uncharitably cenfure thole 
 who differ from them in religious opinions : 
 as if they did not profefs the fame faith, 
 ferve the fame God, and believe in the 
 fame Saviour. The author's heart's defire, 
 however, and prayer to God for all who 
 may fee caufe, in the perulal of thele Dif- 
 courfes, to differ from him is, that, all igno- 
 rance, prejudice, and contempt of God's 
 word being removed, they may be faved 
 among the remnant of the true Ifraelites, 
 and be made one fold under one Shepherd, 
 Jefus Chrift our Loud. 
 
 In public difcourfes of this nature, a 
 plain fniiplicity of ftyle and uniform per- 
 fpicuity which are level to the meaneft ca- 
 pacity, feem befl adapted to the ends of 
 religious edification ; he fliall therefore 
 make no apology for the want of elaborate 
 embeUifliments, but humbly ftrive, with 
 the bleffmg of divine aliiftance, to fet forth 
 God's true and lively word, that by means 
 of found doctrine, and approved know- 
 ledge, others may be dire6ted to the at- 
 tainment of divine truth, and taught to 
 walk in the path which leadethto eternal life. 
 
 From 
 
Iniroduciorij Difcowfe. 5 
 
 From the confideration of the exillcnce, l^'TROD. 
 nature, and attributes of the Deity, it will ^^.^«^ 
 be an eafy tranfition to contemplate the 
 awful, important, and myfterious Do6lrine 
 of the Trinity, as revealed in the Scriptures 
 of the Old and New Teftamcnt. Next 
 the Difplay of the Divine Power in the 
 AVorks of Creation in general, and of Man 
 in particular, his original ftate of innocence, 
 and his fubiequent fall. The adminiftra- 
 tion and fuperintendance of God's Provi- 
 dence over all his works ; the introdu6lioii 
 of original, and the permiffion of atSlual 
 Sin in the world, too'ether with its o'uilt 
 and punifhment. 
 
 This will naturally lead us to take a view 
 of the old Covenant which God was plcafed 
 to make with Abraham ; its temporary 
 defign and duration, and the final abroga- 
 tion of it, when a new and better Covenant 
 was introduced upon better promifes. Here 
 a door will be opened for us to look into 
 the wonderful myfteries of divine Grace, 
 and the tranfcendent glories of the Gofpel. 
 
 The firft objed which prefents itfelf to 
 
 our view will be the perfon of the great 
 
 and only Mediator between God and man, 
 
 B 3 the 
 
6 Introducicrij Difcourfc. 
 
 INTROD. the man Chrift Jefus. ]^eforc we lake 
 another ftep in the oeconomy of divine 
 Grace, we mult paule awhile to contem- 
 plate the nature and dignity of his divine 
 Perfon ; the etymology and import of his 
 titles ; the teftimony of Prophecy in behalf 
 of his divine preteniions ; the nature of his 
 mediatorial offices, as a Prophet, Prieit, 
 and King ; and the nature and univerfality 
 of that Redemption which he has pur- 
 chafed ; the preparatory (tages of his humi- 
 hation, incarnation, fufferings, death, burial 
 and defcent into hades ; the confequent 
 circumftances of his exaltation, viz. his re- 
 iurre8ion, afcenfion, and feffion at the right 
 hand of God, before he had finally accom- 
 plifhed the work of man's redemption. 
 
 The next fabjeft of inquiry will be the 
 awful truth of his fecond advent to judge 
 the world, and in the mean time the ope- 
 ration and iniluence of the Holy Spirit on 
 the hearts of believers; the nature and 
 conftitution of the holy catholic Church, 
 and the communion of faints; the im- 
 portant dodrine of forgivenefs of fin ; the 
 new and appropriate truth of the refurrec- 
 tion of the body, and the life everlafting. 
 
 Prow 
 
IntroduBovu Difcourfe. 7 
 
 From the conrideratioii of thefe general ^^^^• 
 truths, ^ve iliall pals on to Ibme of the more ^-^^r^ 
 pecuhar do6lrines of the Gofpel, which 
 conftitute the prefent happy privileges of a 
 Chriftian. Such as the Nature of theChrif- 
 tian Vocation ; of Adoption ; of Regene- 
 ration ; of Juftification by Faith ; of Sanc- 
 tification ; Chriftian Liberty, in oppofition 
 to Legal Bondage ; the IMeflednefs of 
 Final Perfeverance, and the Genuine Fruit 
 of true Chriftianity in a comfortable Ex- 
 perience of Divine Affurance. 
 
 In the exphcation of thefe diftinguiflied 
 and important doctrines of the Chriltian 
 Revelation, it will unavoidably follow, that 
 the efficacy of the Word of God will be 
 proved to be the power of God unto fal- 
 vation to every believer ; and that the next 
 ordinary means by which the benefits of 
 redemption are conveyed to us is Prayer, 
 without which no divine bleffmg is either to 
 be obtained or expe6ted. And as our bleiied 
 Lord has fo fiir condefcended to take 
 compafiion on our infirmities as to teach us 
 how to pray ; the author will endeavour 
 to (liew, not only that all our prayers Ihould 
 be grounded upon that pattern, but that it 
 B 4 is 
 
18 Introdu^oiij Difccurfe. 
 
 ^i)isc^' ^^ ^" itfelf the moft comprehenfive, the 
 .^•^^--^ moft perfe8, and the moft godhke. 
 
 After fliewing the necefiity of Prayer, 
 the next confideration will be the Two 
 Sacraments peculiar to the Chriitian 
 Church, viz. ]3aptifni and the Supper of 
 the Lord, which will be ihewn to be the 
 Seals of the Chriftian Covenant. 
 
 In the farther progrefs of this Defign, 
 it will be necefiary to advert to the moral 
 law of God, and to enter into a particular 
 explanation of each commandment, as it 
 has refpect to God, our neighbour and our- 
 felves ; that we may trace the nature of 
 true Chriftian Obedience, as a link in the 
 fame chain ; for Christ " came not to 
 " deftroy, but to fulfil the Law * ;'" to 
 confirm both by his doctrine and example 
 the duties of the Moral Law, to oblige 
 men to a more ftri6l obfervance of them 
 than the Pharifees had inculcated, and to 
 give grace and ftrength for the perform- 
 ance of them. 
 
 The firft will point out the true nature 
 and Object of Divine Worftiip; the fecond 
 will illuftrate the nature and evil of Ido- 
 
 * Matt. V. 17. 
 
 latry, 
 
Introdu^ory Difcoiir/e. 9 
 
 latry, which will be ihewn to be internal introd. 
 
 1)1SC. 
 
 as well as external. The third will extend ^*%^^ 
 to the regulation of that reverence which 
 we owe to God in our whole converfation 
 and behaviour. And the fourth, which 
 clofes the extent of our duty to Cod, 
 teaches us the time in which he prefcribes 
 thefe duties to be more efpecially tendered 
 to him; viz. on the Sabbath, which will of 
 courfe lead us to confider the following 
 particulars pertaining to it ; to wit, the 
 reafon and inititution of it, its proper fanc- 
 tification, and its change from the laft to 
 the firft day of the week, together with 
 its Sanation. 
 
 Under the fifth Commandment will be 
 coniidered not only the more immediate 
 duty of children to parents, but that alfo 
 of inferiors and fuperiors in general, and 
 of fervants and mailers in particular. 
 
 In difcourling on the (ixth Command- 
 ment, it will be obvious to notice the 
 various kinds of IMurder which may be 
 committed, and particularly fome of thofe 
 fins which the best Interpreter and Ful- 
 fiUer of the INIoral Law, thought fit to 
 
 rank 
 
10 Introdu^orij Vifcoiirfe. 
 
 ^^iisc^' ^^"^ "^ ^ ^^^^^^ ^^' criminality, little leG 
 than actual murder. 
 
 In detecting the deformity and fm of 
 Adultery, it is almoft impofilble to recount 
 the evils of it ; the aggravated guilt, the 
 palpable injuftice, the infidious deceit, and 
 confequent punifhment that muft await the 
 commiffion of it, from that Judge who 
 feeth in fecret. From hence likewife 
 there is room to enlarge with much pro- 
 priety, on the chaftity and modefly re- 
 quired of all perfons, and on the fatal 
 effects of promifcuous lewdnefs in general. 
 
 In explaining the eighth Precept, it will 
 be proper to pomt out the various kinds of 
 Theft of which mankind are guilty, that 
 they may efcape the puniihment which 
 awaits them here and hereafter ; and in fo 
 doing, it will be neceflary to advert to the 
 proviiion M-hich this Commandment hath 
 made for the fecurity of every man's pro- 
 perty. 
 
 In the ninth Commandment we fmd 
 ample provifion made for the prefervation 
 of every man's good name againlt the poi- 
 sonous darts of calumny, and the piercing 
 ihafts of falfe teftimony ; the evil of which 
 
 will 
 
JntrocluBory Difiourfe. 11 
 
 will be marked in dirtin6tive colours in the i-Vi^oD. 
 
 , . . J)ISC. 
 
 Expoiition here given. ^-^r^ 
 
 In the foregoing Precepts of the divine 
 Law, he has endeavoured not only to lay 
 open the maniieft corruptions of human 
 nature, and the vaft variety of fm to which 
 it is obnoxious ; but in the tenth and lafl 
 commandment, he is called upon to dive 
 into the fecret receffes of the human heart, 
 and flrive to lay a redraint upon the in- 
 ward dehre, as well as outward a6t. It is 
 evident therefore, that he muft be more 
 than a human, even a divine Lawgiver, 
 who undertakes to impofe fuch tranfcen- 
 dant precepts, and to controul thofe work- 
 ings of the foul, which are invifible to every 
 mortal eye, and amenable to no human 
 tribunal. This precept may therefore be 
 confidered as the fpecial bond which 
 ftrengthens and confirms the fecond table 
 of the Law ; and in unfolding it, it will 
 be neceliiiry to characterize the ieveral 
 degrees of iin which are the objects of it. 
 
 From inch a general expoiition of the 
 Moral Law of God, which his readers 
 will doubtleis perceive (according to the 
 Pfalmift's obfervation) to be ** exceeding 
 
 « broad/* 
 
12 IntroduBory Difcoiirfe. 
 
 iMROD. " broad *," reachino- to the thouobts and 
 
 DISC. . / ° . ® 
 
 ^^-v-*w/ intents of the heart, it will be necelTary to 
 obferve what is the ufe of the Law, whicL 
 will be found to anfwer two important pur- 
 pofes, viz. for conviclion of fin, and refor- 
 mation of heart and life. Thefe truths 
 will evince the neceffity of denouncing its 
 terrors, as well as inculcating its precepts 
 in order to bring us to Chrift, and prepare 
 us, through him, for the benefits of Salva- 
 tion. 
 
 But it will be impoffible to accomplifli 
 thefe great ends, unlefs we are alfo careful 
 to enforce the fandions of it by fetting 
 forth its divine promifes, and denouncing 
 its awful threatnings. By the former, it 
 will appear to operate aS the rule of our 
 obedience ; by the latter, as the rule of 
 divine juftice in punifhing the tranfgrelTbrs 
 of the Law. 
 
 From fuch an expofition of the pofitive 
 duty of man in all its branches, as is im- 
 plied under every precept of the Law, and 
 the penalty incurred for every the leall 
 violation of it ; it will be an caly but inte- 
 refting tranfition to the confide ration of the 
 
 ♦ Pfal. cxix. 9^. 
 
 nature 
 
Introductory Dlfcotirfc. 13 
 
 nature of that fpiiitual warfare in which we lyTKOD. 
 are engaged, which may ler\'e to put us on ^^/-^ 
 our guard, and excite us to be vigilant 
 agciinft the power and fubtilty of our ene- 
 mies. To this end he lliall endeavour to 
 point out the variety, ftrength and danger 
 of Satan's temptations, and the abfohite 
 necefiitv of rehitinsr them, in order to be- 
 come partakers of everlalting falvation. 
 
 Tliat reiiitance will then be lliewn, only 
 to be rendered invincible, by putting on 
 the whole armour of God, which necefla- 
 rily conhfts of various parts ; it will there- 
 fore require fome Ikill to know how to put 
 it on, and after it is put on, to apply it, for 
 unlefs it is made etie»5lual to the purpofes 
 of a complete and final victory it will avail 
 nothing. 
 
 From the confideration of the foregoing 
 Subjefts, carefully diicuiled and enlarged 
 upon, agreeably to the tenour of God's 
 Holy Word, and in conformity with the 
 doctrines of the Eftabli'ihed Church ; he 
 humbly hopes to be able to fubmit to the 
 ierious attention of his Fellow-Chriftians, 
 by means of the labours and afiiftance of 
 many of our belt Divines, fuch a body or 
 
 ly Item 
 
14 IntroduBoi-y Difcourfe. 
 
 rxTRoD. fyftem of religious in[tru6lion, as may com- 
 municate that knowledge which will " make 
 *' them wile unto falvation." 
 
 Whoe\'cr will give his attention with a 
 pure intent of finding out the truth, and, 
 after he has made that happy difcovery, 
 will take care with equal fmcerity to fteer 
 his courle according to the compafs marked 
 out for his obfervation, will not, it is to be 
 hoped, fail in the end of arriving at the 
 deli red haven of everlafting reft and peace> 
 throup'h the all-fufficient merits of his Re- 
 deemer. He may perhaps meet with 
 lome rocks and Ihoals in his tedious voyage 
 over the tempeftuous ocean of life, yet 
 nothing but the darknefs of the night of 
 lin, or his want of due vigilance, will ever 
 caufe him to make ihipwreck of faith and 
 a good confcience. What greater ^encou- 
 ragement then can any one have, than to 
 open his eyes that he may fee the hght, 
 and no longer continue in darknefs ; and 
 by the help of divine light and grace, fo 
 walk through this vale of mifery, that h« 
 may enjoy the daily and happy profpe6t of 
 life and immortalitv. 
 
 - Thid 
 
Introduciory Difcourfe. 15 
 
 This is the end of all our preachino-, in'Trod. 
 
 ^ ^'^ DISC. 
 
 and it is but loft labour on the part of our s^.^*-- 
 hearers, if it be not alio their ultimate aim. 
 Let them ferioufly conlider how great will 
 be their advantage, if they avail themfelves 
 of the prelent leafon in lavins; a sood 
 foundation of religious knowledge, found 
 faith and pure practice. It will be a gem 
 of great price, for which the world with 
 all its allurements can make them no re- 
 compence. " For what iliall a man Us 
 " profited, if he gain the whole world, 
 " and lofe his own foul ? or what fhall a 
 " man give in exchange for Ijis foul ?" 
 
 Indeed fb ufeful and indifpenfible are 
 the knowledge and practice of true Reli- 
 gion, and lb necellary the means by which 
 they are promoted, that unlefs fome ferious 
 attention be paid to the attainment of 
 them, no man can certainly enjoy any real 
 happinefs in this world, nor entertain any 
 well-grounded hope of a better life in that 
 which is to come. 
 
 In the early ages of the Church, it w^as 
 an undoubted mark of their pious zeal, 
 that Chriftians then were as eager to have- 
 religious inftru^tion imparted to them, as 
 
 thofe 
 
16 IjitrodiuJori/ Di/coiirfe. 
 
 ^ Di^c^' ^^o^s ^^ho were of a worldly and carnal 
 ^^^.-^' fpirit were to puriue the empty and delu- 
 i\ve vanities of the world. The Apoftles 
 themlelves, no doubt, in writing their epif- 
 tles, aimed at the fpiritual edification of 
 the whole Cathohc Church ofChrift; and 
 we may well fuppofe that thofe particular 
 Churches to whom their Epiftles were re- 
 fpectively addreffed, read them with more 
 particular regard, and poffibly reaped more 
 lignal benefits from them than others. 
 
 Whatever may be the refult of the Au- 
 thor's humble endeavours and ftudious 
 efforts to promote the knowledge and prac- 
 tice of true Religion (and he relies on that 
 Almighty Power, who alone can give the 
 increafe, that they may not be altogether 
 fruitlefs) he can only aver that they are 
 fmcerely intended for the general edifica- 
 tioft of his Chriftian brethren, and (if any 
 preference is due) to them more efpecially 
 to whom they were at firft addrelfed. 
 There is a paramount duty incumbent on 
 every Pallor to his own flock, and in the 
 exercife of his public miniftry, he can in no 
 inftance perhaps be more initrumental to 
 their fpiritual welfare, than in gradually 
 
 unfolding 
 
J-iUroduclory Dlfcourft, IJ 
 
 unfolding the firft principles of the Oracles JNtrod^ 
 of God; in which many, no doubt, require w-,-n^ 
 " the milk of the word," though fome 
 have need of " ftrong meat*." It is with 
 earneftnefs he repeats it, that he lincerely 
 wiOies every one in proportion to his know-- 
 ledge and meafure of grace, may receive 
 (lability in the Faith, and not be " toffed 
 " to and fro, and carried about with every 
 " wind of doctrine -j-," but be " rooted 
 " and grounded J" in the faith. It is a 
 juft obfervation, that it will not avail any 
 man to falvation, that he is an outward 
 and vifible member of the Church, unlefs 
 he live in a6lual conformity to the precepts 
 of the Gofpel. Thefe are the means, 
 which on man's part, may poffibly lead 
 him to the falvation of his foul. God 
 hath made ample provifion on his, by the 
 obedience and death of liis Son, for the 
 falvation of all mankind. It is their part 
 to repent of their fins, to believe in Chrift, 
 to accept his proffered mercy for the par- 
 don of them, to feek to be fanftified by his 
 Holy Spirit, and enabled to perfevere in 
 holinefs and righteoufnefs unto the end, 
 
 * Heb. V. 12. t Eph. iv. 14. J lb. iii. 17, 
 
 VOL. T. c A6luat4d 
 
18 IntroduBonj Bifcourfe.^ 
 
 IVTROD. Aauated by fucli a faith, the exerclfe of 
 N^i^ religious duties, inftead of a burden, Mill 
 be accounted " perfed freedom,'' and in- 
 fpire a kind of foretafte of thofe pleafures, 
 M'hich are at God's right hand for ever- 
 more. 
 
 If any religious inftrudion can lead 
 them to this happy experience, they will 
 have reafon to blefs God that ever they 
 difcovered it, let it flow through what 
 channel it might ; and it will be their 
 higheft wifdom, as long as the fpark of 
 life glows within them, to endeavour to 
 perfevere in higher attainments of divine 
 grace and goodnefs, looking unto the end 
 of their hope, even the falvation of their 
 fouls, through Jefus Chrifi 
 
 DISCOURSE 
 
DISCOURSE r. 
 
 ON THE EXISTENCE AND ATTRIBUtES 
 OF THE DEITY. 
 
 Exodus iii. 14» 
 / am that I am. 
 
 1 HESE words are the declaration of disc. i. 
 Jehovah himfelf to Mofes, when he en- 
 quired of him by what name he fliould 
 make him known to the children of Ifrael. 
 They conftitute the very foundation of all 
 religion, and are peculiarly expreflive of 
 the exiftence, nature, and effence of the 
 Supreme Being. A clear unequivocal 
 conviction of this facred truth is therefore 
 the firft obje6l of divine knowledge. In- 
 deed to a contemplative and unprejudiced 
 mind, the perfuafion or belief that there 
 c 2 doth, 
 
^0 On the Exiftence and 
 
 DISC. T. dotli, ever did, and ever will exift one Su- 
 '"'^'"*^ preme Being, of nitinile power and vvif- 
 dom, of perteaju(lice,goodnefs, and truth, 
 the Creator and Preferver, the Sovereign 
 Lord and Ruler of the Univerle, is the 
 prime dictate of natural reafon. " The 
 " inviiible things of Him from the crea- 
 " tion of the world," argues the great 
 ' Apoltle of the Gentiles, " are clearly feen, 
 " being underftood by the things that are 
 " made, even his eternal power and God- 
 " head */' In laying the foundation or 
 corner-done of all religion upon the being 
 of a God, as that, upon which alone can 
 ' be ere61ed the fuperftru6lure of revelation, 
 let us endeavour more fully to illuftrate his 
 divine nature and attributes from the reve- 
 lation w hich he has been pleafed to give of 
 himfelf. 
 
 If then it be an incontrovertible axiom, 
 that there is a Being, the fame who ftiles 
 himfelf, " I am that I am," or, in other 
 words, " the fame yefterday, to-day, and 
 " for ever f,'' it follows, that this Being 
 is a neceiiiiry Being, the author of his own 
 
 ' I^um. i..20. ■\ lleb. xiii. 8. 
 
 exiftence. 
 
At tributes of the Deitif. 21 
 
 cxiftence, befides whom " there is none i^i-^c. r. 
 elfe *"." This necefiary, felf-exifting, inde- 
 pendent Being, is that which we call Je^ 
 hovah, or CioD. AVhen therefore we are 
 well alibred and convinced that there is 
 fuch a God (and none but " the fool Y' 
 will deny the avowal) our next concern is 
 to ftrive to know that God aright. 
 
 o 
 
 In order therefore to attain to this di- 
 vine indifpenfable knowledge, it will be 
 necefifary to fhew what apprehenfions we 
 ought to have of God, and his holy attri- 
 butes, what impreffions thofe apprehenfions 
 ftiould make upon our hearts, and the 
 effe6ts they fhould produce in our lives. 
 
 In condefcenlion to our weak conceptions 
 and finite underflandings, which are in- 
 fufHcient to difcover the nature, and find 
 out the perfe6lions of the Almighty, God 
 hath o;raciou{l\- vouchlafed in his holy word, 
 to reveal himfelf, and manifeft his glorious 
 nature to us. There we learn that he is 
 an " eternal, infinite, immaterial, invifible, 
 •' incomprehenfible Being, a fpirit of 
 *' tranfcendent glory, to whom nothing in 
 
 * Jfaiiih xlvi. 9. f Pfalm .\iv. 1. 
 
 " heaver) 
 
22 On the Exijience and 
 
 DISC. L " heaven or earth can be likened *." In 
 contemplating his divine eflence, our ap-r 
 prehenGons lliould be raifed to the higheft, 
 hoheft, purelt, and moll fpiritual concep- 
 tion? of him poffible ; the higheft attain^^ 
 ment we can afpire to on earth, is to bcr 
 hold, with the eye of faith, " the King 
 *' eternal, immortal, invifible f- ;'' to en- 
 deavour to trace out his power, wifdom, 
 and Godhead by the vifible manifeftation 
 of created nature^ and by the lively ora- 
 cles of his own revealed word. That infi- 
 nite Being, therefore, whofe chara6leriftic 
 is, " I am that I am,'^ and which hath 
 communicated to all other creatures their 
 exiftence, power, life, virtue, and all other 
 their endowments, is the God whom we 
 are taught to acknowledge, adore, and 
 ferve. 
 
 ,2. The divine attributes are the next 
 important fubje6t of awful confideration. 
 The glorious excellencies of the divine na- 
 ture will here unfold themfelves to our 
 viev/j and enable iis, in fome degree, to 
 catch a glimpfe, though it is but through 
 
 ♦ Gen. xxi. 33. Job xxxvi. 26. 1 Tim. i. 17. Huiajj 
 xlvi. 9. t 1 Tim. i. 17. 
 
 a clouded 
 
Atlributesofthc Bdty. 23 
 
 a clouded mirror, of the mojefly of the disci. 
 divine glory. ^^-^r— ' 
 
 The beft and ablell divines have gene- 
 rally coniidered them as of an incommuni- 
 cable and communicable nature. The 
 former are appropriate to God onlv, as 
 God, and cannot belono^ to an^^ creature. 
 Such are his eternity, omnipreience, om- 
 nipotence, and omnifcience. The latter 
 are fuch, that, though they be infinite per- 
 fe6lions in the Godhead, fome reiem- 
 blances of them are to be found in the 
 creatures, viz. his wifdom, holinefs, juftice, 
 mercy and truth. 
 
 The firit in order are his incommunicar 
 ble attributes, 
 
 God is an eternal being, and none is 
 eternal but himfelf. " From everlafting 
 *' to everlaftinci; thou art God *." That 
 which had no caufe, had no beginning ; 
 and that which had no beginning is eter- 
 nal. Time, which is a duration that hath 
 beginning and end, is appropriate to man, 
 and other vilible creatures ; but eternity, 
 oi which there is neither beginning nor 
 
 * Plalm xc. 2. 
 
 C 4 end. 
 
24 On the Eai/ience and 
 
 DISC. I. ,gjj(]^ i^ the attribute of God alone. " He 
 ^' is the high and lofty One that inha^ 
 ^' biteth eternity *;" with whom one day 
 is as a " thoufand years, and a thoufand 
 " years as one day -f-." 
 
 He is alfo omniprefent : '' Can any 
 " hide himfelf in fecret places, that I iTfiall 
 ^' not fee him, faith the Lord ? Do I not 
 *' fill heaven and earth j ?" The holy 
 Pfalmift, imprefled with a deep fenfe of 
 this awful attribute, exclaims, " Whither 
 " fhall I go from thy Ipirit ? Or whither 
 " fhall I flee from thy prefence ? If I af- 
 " cend up to heaven, thou art there ; if I 
 ^' make my bed in hell, behold thoa art 
 " there ; if I take the wings of the morur 
 " ing, and dwell in the uttermoft parts of 
 " the fea, even there (hall thy hand lead 
 " me, and thy right hand (hall hold me. 
 " If I fay the darknefs fliall cover me, 
 ^' even the night Ihall be light about me ; 
 " yea, the darknefs hideth not from thee, 
 *' but the night fliineth as the day ; the 
 ,?' darknefs and light are both alike to 
 ?« thee§/' 
 
 * liiiJah Ivii. 15. f 2 Pet. iii. 8. J Jcr. xxiii. 24, 
 '^ Puilm cxxxix. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. 
 
 The 
 
Attributes of the Deity. 25 
 
 The omnipotence of Jehovah is alfo aw- disc. r. 
 fully linking-: '^ With God all things are ^"^ 
 ** poflible */' His eflence being infinite, 
 his power nuiit be fo too ; for the power of 
 God is the abfolute perfection of his 
 eflence, which fubiifts of. its own nature 
 by and of itlelf infinite, and is comprifed in 
 that incompvehenlible appellation, " I am 
 ** that I am." AW things which argue 
 perfeclion, and are fimply poffible, are the 
 proper object of divine power ; for " no- 
 " thing is too hard Ibr the Lord •^%" 
 Whatfoever he can will, the fame he can 
 do. The will of God is therefore the 
 adequate meafure of his power, If the 
 power of God could be limited by a fupe- 
 riorcaufe, or by the difticulty of the things 
 to be performed, it would not be infinite, 
 and therefore not a divine attribute. But 
 he made all things out of nothing, •' and 
 ■' calleth thofe things which be not as 
 " though they were:|:/' And, if " the 
 ^* Lord of Ilofts hath purpofed it, who 
 <* ftiall difannul it ? If his hand be flretch- 
 " ed out, who ihall turn it back § V' For, 
 
 f Mat. xix. 1Q. t Jer. xxxii. 17. X Rom. iv. 17% 
 § liaiah xiv. 27. 
 
26 On the Exiftence and 
 
 DISC I. "He doth according to his will in the 
 
 ^^^'**' " army of heaven, and among the inha- 
 
 " bitants of the earth ; and none can ftay 
 
 '* his hand, or fay unto him, what doeft 
 
 « thou*?" 
 
 From the irrefiftible power of the Al- 
 mighty, let us pafs on to make a few ob- 
 fervations upon his omnifcience. This is 
 an attribute of the Deity, by which he 
 knoweth all the poffibilities of things, and 
 by this perfea knowledge of all things, 
 every thing whatfoever, that either is, ever 
 was, or ever Ihall be, with all their appen- 
 dant circumftances. " His underftanding 
 « (faith the Pfalmift) is infinite f." " The 
 " Lord fearcheth all hearts, and under- 
 *' llandeth all the imaginations of the 
 ^' thoughts J." " All things are naked 
 *' and open unto the eyes of Him with 
 « whom we have to do § ;" for " known 
 " unto God are all his works from the 
 •^ foundation of the M'orld 1|." 
 
 From the abfolute or incommunicable 
 attributes of the Godhead, our fubjeft ne- 
 ceflarily leads us to the contemplation 
 
 » Dan. iv. 35. t P^alm cxlvii. 5. X 1 Chron, 
 
 xxviii. 0- § ^^e^- '^^' 13* 1^ ^'^^^ ^^* ^^' 
 
Attributes of the Beity. 27 
 
 of thofe that are relative or communi- ^^'^^- ^• 
 cable. 
 
 Now the firfl of thefe is the wifdom of 
 God. In his own revelation, he emphati- 
 cally (liles himfelf " the inviiibie and only 
 ♦' %vife God */' He adminifters the world, 
 and the affairs of it, with infinite and un- 
 fearchable wifdom, his ways and provi- 
 dences being for the moft part obfcure and 
 intricate. X^y means of this divine per- 
 fection, he underftandetli the nature of all 
 things, how they conduce to his own all- 
 wife purpofes, and how to order and dif- 
 pofe them in the beft manner to his own 
 glory, and the good of his creatures. As 
 at firft he created all things in number, 
 weight, and meafure, fo in his infinite wif- 
 dom he ruleth and difpofeth them accord- 
 ing to his own will, making them " work 
 " together for good to them that love 
 " him f." 
 
 The next divine attribute under confi- 
 deration is the hohnefs of God, by which 
 we are to underftand that he is infinitely 
 pure and holy in himfelf, hating iniquity, 
 
 ^ 1 Tim. i. 17. f V^^'^- ^"i- -8. 
 
28 Oft the Exiftence and 
 
 DISC. I. tranfgreirion, and fin. Indeed the liolw 
 nelb of God is fo effential to him, that as 
 foon might he ceafe to exift as to be defti- 
 tute of this godhke perfection. He neither 
 does nor can approve any thing but what 
 is holy, jufl, and good. " For he is not 
 " a God that hath pleafure in wickednefs, 
 " neither fhall any evil dwell with him *." 
 ,We are taught to conceive fo highly of 
 this divine perfedion, that God ftiles him- 
 felf emphatically, " the Holy One of 
 « Ifraelf;" " Glorious in Hohnefs + f 
 " Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God A1- 
 " mighty, which was, and is, and is to 
 " come §." 
 
 Another relative attribute of the God- 
 head neceflary to be noticed, is that of 
 juftice, the import of which is, that God 
 is efTentially juft in and from himfelf, and 
 *' righteous in all his ways ||." " A God 
 *' of truth, and without iniquity, juft and 
 " right is he ^." The manifellation of 
 this divine perfe6tion is no lefs difplayed in 
 rewarding than in puniihing. When God 
 of his mere mercy had purpofed to fend 
 
 * Pfalm V. 4. t Ifaiah xlix. 7. J Exod. xv. 11. 
 
 § Rev. iv. 8. II Pfalm cxiv. 17. U Deut. xxxii. 4, 
 
Ai tributes of the Deity. 29 
 
 his Son into the world, to fatisfy iiis jul- P^^_^j 
 tice for our fins, and to purchale grace and 
 glory for us, he promifed in Chriil, and. 
 for his fake, to juftify and fave all that be- 
 lieve in him, and walk in the obedience of 
 the Gofpel. What God thus promifed, 
 he is bound to perform, becaufe it is juft, 
 that he ihould acl according to his pro- 
 mile. 
 
 But the vindiftive juftice of God no 
 lefs obliges him to puniQi the wicked ac- 
 cording to their deferts. However great 
 may be the mercy of God in pardoning 
 the penitent, it never operates in deroga- 
 tion of his juftice ; for " he will by no 
 '* means clear the guilty *." When men 
 have filled up the meafure of their iniquity, 
 God will pour upon them the full vials of 
 his wrath ; and the meafure of their pu-? 
 nilhment Ihall be proportionable to the 
 meafure of their fins. The declaration of 
 the Pfalmifi; does, and for ever will, (land 
 uncontroverted by all the world : " Juf- 
 '^ tice and judgment are the habitation of 
 " his throne -j-." But in the exercife of 
 
 * Exod. xxxiv. 7, t Pf^ini Ixxxix. 14. 
 
 this 
 
so On the Exiftence and 
 
 »isc. I. this dread attribute, there is the greatcCt 
 conlolation to poor loil (iniiers, that it is 
 always tempered with mercy ; a conlidera- 
 tion at all times animating to thofe who con- 
 tinually ftand in need oi" it. In this view 
 of the divine Majelty, we behold him in- 
 finite in compaffion, and delighting to ma- 
 nifefl himfelf to the children of men in 
 that moft endearing character : " The 
 " Lord, the Lord God, merciful and 
 " gracious, long fuffering and abundant 
 *' ingoodnefs and truth, — keeping mercy 
 " for thoufands, forgiving iniquity, tranf- 
 " greffion, and fm *.'' How enlivening 
 the confideration, that the mercy of God 
 is as extenfive as the univerfe ; and how 
 pleaiing the afifurance, that " his tender 
 " mercies are over all his works -f- Y* To 
 the whole human race, created after his 
 own image, he hath exprefled peculiar 
 marks of compaffion, " not willing that 
 " any (hould perifli, but that all fhould 
 " come to repentance '\J' His property 
 is always to forgive, rather than to execute 
 vengeance on the moft unworthy; none 
 
 * Exod. xxxiv. 6, t Pialm cxlv. p. J 2 Pet. iii. p. 
 
 are 
 
Attributes of the Deiti/. 31 
 
 are excluded from the arms of divine ^^^^- ^: 
 mercy, but thofe who exclude themfelves 
 by their own obdurate impenitence. 
 
 Through the benignity of the divine 
 nature, therefore, a door of mercy has 
 been opened to the loft race of vidam, for 
 pardon and reconciliation, in the merits 
 and through the mediation of JefusChrift, 
 The mere mercy of God the Father moved 
 him " to fet forth Chrift to be a propi- 
 " tiation through faith in his blood, to 
 " declare his righteoufnefs for the remiffion 
 " of iins that are paft *." And in him 
 he hath fully difplayed the abundant 
 riches of his redeeming mercy to them, 
 " who, by patient continuance in weli- 
 " doing, feek for glory, and honour, and 
 *' immortahty f .'* 
 
 Laftly. From this compendious view 
 of the divine nature and attributes, let us 
 endeavour to ihew what apprehcnlions we 
 ought to entertain of them, and what im- 
 preffions they (hould make on our hearts 
 and lives. 
 
 * Rom. iii. 25,, f I^'^l- "• 7> 
 
 When 
 
32 -0)1 the Exiftence and 
 
 DISC. T. When a religious aril contemplative 
 irsind retlects upon the eternity, omnipre- 
 ience, omnipotence, and omnifcience of 
 that great and glorious }3eing, whofe deno- 
 mination is, " 1 am that I am," it mud be 
 filled with the moft profound and adoring 
 thoughts of his divine Majefty. The very 
 idea of eternity overwhelms the foul with 
 amazement, and makes the boafted days 
 of man appear lefs than nothing, yea, even 
 as a ihadow that departeth. Compounded 
 of body and fpirit, he mufl, in a moment, 
 in the twinkhng of an eye, in comparifon of 
 eternity, reiign the one to its kindred dull ; 
 and unlefs he afpires to be immortalized in 
 the other, in an eternal and glorious flate 
 in the prefenceof God, through the great 
 Mediator, he is of all men mod miferable. 
 To this end, living as you continually are 
 in the prefence of God, learn to be circum- 
 fpe6l in your thoughts, and words, and 
 a6lions ; " for his eyes are upon all your 
 " ways, they are not hid from his face, 
 " neither is your iniquity hid :iom his 
 " eyes *.'* At all times, therefore, and 
 
 * Jcr. xvi. 17. 
 
 in 
 
Attributes of the Dc'Uy. 33 
 
 in all places, think and demean yourfelveS disc. i. 
 ai thofe who are aOiired, that they fland 
 in the prelence of the great God of heaven 
 and earth. 
 
 And let the awful confideration of an 
 all-powerful Being make you tremble at 
 his judgments ; let the infinite power and 
 greatnefs of the heavenly JNiajefty be upon 
 you; not indeed a fervile fear^ void cf love, 
 but fuch a dread as will make you afraid 
 to offend him. Make him your refource 
 in all dangers and diftrefies; and remem- 
 ber, to your comfort, that the ground of 
 all the petitions in the Lord's Prayer is, 
 " Eor thine is the kingdom, and the power ^ 
 " and the glory, for ever and ever *." 
 Let the enemies of the church be never ^o 
 ftrong, God is (Ironger than they ; and 
 he has promifed that " the gates of hell 
 '* ftiall not prevail againft it j-." And if 
 any other motive can add weight to the 
 argument, let the omnifcience of God 
 teach you to be fincere, upright, and con- 
 fcientious, as well in avoiding fecret fms, 
 as in performing private duties.. " Lay 
 
 * Matt, vi, 13, t Ibid. xvi. 18, 
 
 VOL. I, D afide 
 
34 On the Uxijhnce and 
 
 pjsc. I. « afitle all guile and liypocrify *,'* knowing 
 that the " Lokd fl-archetli the hearts, and 
 " trieth the reins -j-.'* The very idea that 
 God knowelh all our thoughts, andweigli- 
 etb all our a6tions, (hould move us to 
 pra6life our duty in fincerity of heart, and 
 not aflimie " a form of godlinefs J," when 
 in fecret we follow the works of darknefs. 
 
 Under the influence of this truth. Me 
 ilrall ftrive to be " holy as he is holy §.'* 
 Sanctity of manners will be diffufed over 
 the whole man, holinefs Vvill dwell in our 
 thoughts, purity in our hearts, fincerity in 
 our intentions, truth in our words, and 
 juflice in our a6^idns. Temperance, humi- 
 lity, and modefiy Svill 'adorn our outward 
 deportment and converfation, knowing that 
 " nothing can enter into the New^ Jcrufa- 
 « lem that defileth \\r 
 
 And becaufe God is jufl as well as holy, 
 it ihould make the impenitent tremble : 
 their conditic^n is fearful indeed; and 
 thoiigh God deals^ not with them "as an 
 abfolute fovereign, but as an equitable 
 judge, yet will he take vengeiihce ion' them 
 
 * 1 PelMi. 1. t Rom. viii. £7- Pialm vii, 9. 
 
 : '} 2 Tim. ill. 5. § Lev. xx. 7. ^ Rev. xxi. 27. 
 
 according 
 
Attribict'es of the Tyaty. 35 
 
 Qi-cord'inf^ to thek works, " without refped o^-c. r. 
 *' of ^loii^ *." O reniember then, how ''^ 
 *' fearful a thing it is to fall into the hands 
 " of tl^e living God -f- ;" for his ways will 
 inollailij redly be jtiftified before men, and 
 the equity of -his difpenfations before the 
 alfembled nations of the earth. 
 
 Happy, thrice happy, however, is the 
 refledion, that the feverity of divine Juftice 
 is tempered with mercy ! Be then this 
 lovely attribute the fubje6l of our daily 
 praifes, and let it produce in us thofe 
 grateful returns to him, and that compaf- 
 lion to our fellow-creatures, which are the 
 greateft confolation in life, and the happieft 
 foretafte of that mercy which we ail hope 
 to experience at the hand of a long-fiiftering 
 God, through the mediation of a merciful 
 Redeemer. It well becometh them who 
 live continually upon his bountiful mercy, 
 to have their hearts, Uke the fweet finger 
 of Ifrael, tuned to the harp with a pfalm 
 of hankfgiving. Love, thankfalnefs, and 
 praife fhould conftitute their daily and in- 
 ceiTant chorus, " for the Lord is gracious, 
 
 ♦ 1 Pet i. 17. t ll^h. X. 21. 
 
 D 2 « and 
 
36 On the Exiftmce^ ^-c. 
 
 DISC. I. " and his mercy endureth for ever */' 
 Be it therefore our utmoft care and con- 
 flant endeavour, to render honour, and 
 glory, and praife to the eternal, omnipre- 
 fent, almighty and all-wile Being, who is 
 infinite in holinefs, juftice, and mercy; 
 the incompreheniible " I am that I am," 
 three perfons and one God, bleffed for 
 evermore. Amen. 
 
 * Pfalm cvi, 1. 
 
 DIS- 
 
DISCOURSE II. 
 
 THE TRINITY IN UNITY, 
 
 JEpiiesians ii. 18. 
 
 Through Him we both have Accefs by one 
 Spirit unto the Father, 
 
 The being and attributes of the Deity dtsc^l 
 having been the fubje£l of a former Dif* 
 courfe, our next inquiry will be, (though 
 not without the molt fubmiflive awe, and 
 godly fear) to contemplate the manner of 
 his exigence, or the adorable myftery of 
 the Trinity in Unity. In taking fo fear- 
 ful a ftep, it is fome confolation even at the 
 very threlhold to be fupported by the 
 hand of our own church. Her article, On 
 this fundamental do<^trine of Chriflian 
 f^ith, is, ** That there is but one living 
 p 3 " and 
 
58 The Trimly in Unitij, 
 
 DISC. II. " and true God, everlafting, without body^ 
 ^"^"^^^ « parts, or paffions, of infinite power, wif- 
 ^' dom, andgoodnefs; the Maker and Pre- 
 " ferver of all things, both vifible and in- 
 " vifible ; and in the Unity of this God- 
 ^' head, there be three perfons of one fub- 
 " ftance, po\ter, and eternity, the Father, 
 " the Son, and the Holy Ghoft*." Thefe 
 three perfons thus related, and thus deno- 
 minated, conftitute that one true God, 
 into whofe name, faith, and profeffion, 
 Chriftians of all nations are and have been 
 baptized. Without controverfy, therefore, 
 we may infer from either of the texts 
 above cited, that there is but one God 
 iubfifling in three perfons, each of v/hom 
 hath the whole divine elTence, and yet are 
 diftinjguifhed amongft themfeives by their 
 perfonal properties. The divine nature 
 being infinite, it cannot be divided or mul~ 
 tiplied ; it is therefore \yhole or entire in 
 every perfon of jthe Godhejid.: and though 
 the perfons do not retiily differ from the 
 eflencej yet there is fiicb a <li{ti««Stiion her 
 tween them, that, fome things are appro- 
 priate to the perlbns which aye Dfitito th« 
 
 • * Art. J. ■'• ;'"•'•' 
 
 3 <i eflence; 
 
The Trin'tfy in luitif. 39 
 
 fflence ; for, if we may be allowed fo to disc. ii. 
 fpeak, the effe nee of the Godhead is com- ^^-^^ 
 municable, the perfous incommunicable. 
 The eflence is qne only, but the perfpns 
 are three. " There is one perfon of the 
 " Father, another of the Son, and another 
 ♦' of the Holy Ghoit; but the Godhead 
 *' of the Father, of the Son, and of the 
 ^' Holy Ghoft, is all one ; the majelty, 
 " glory, and perfection co-equal and co- 
 ■' eternal''^." This is the doctrine of the 
 Chriftian religion ; a r'r^ht uiulerftanding, 
 therefore, of fo impo-rtunt a point as the 
 pature of God, and the maniier of his e.\- 
 iftence, is highly nerefii-uy to every be- 
 liever of that religion ; nor can any one 
 miftake more dangeroufly and fundament- 
 ally than in fuch an article as this. 
 
 Let us then confider how this doftrine 
 }5 confirmed by the tefliu^onies of Scrip- 
 t;urc, and the perfonal properties of each 
 divine perfon ; and the refult will ihe\y the 
 intereft \ye have in the do6trine that fliall 
 \ie thus eftabl idled. 
 
 Some of the tcftimonics which may be 
 alleged in proof of the doftrine of the 
 
 •' Athan.'iiian Creed. 
 
 ' p'V' floly 
 
4.0 The Trinity in Vniiij, 
 
 DISC. II. Holy Trinity, the beft commentators have 
 agreed are the following. — " God faid, 
 " let lis make make man *." The words 
 f' God Jaid,^'* denote the Unity of the 
 Godhead, and " let its,'" the Trinity of 
 Perfons. And, •' by the word of the 
 *' Lord were the Heavens made, and all 
 " the ho ft of them by the breath or fpirit 
 f of his mouth f." Here, " the Lord," 
 denotes God the Father; '* the word of 
 f' the Lord," God tlie Son ; and " the 
 ^' breath or fpirit of the Lord," God the 
 Holy Ghoft. So alfo in the prophet 
 Ifaiah is this remarkable fcripture, " The 
 " angel of his prefence faved them, but 
 " they rebelled and vexed his Holy Spi- 
 " rit J." Where " the angeV emphati- 
 cally denotes God the Son, " of his pre- 
 f* fencef' the prefence of God the Father, 
 and the Holy Ghoft, is the divine perfon 
 declared to be vexed by the rebellion of 
 linful men. 
 
 The teftimonies alfo of the New Tefta- 
 ment are numberlefs, and more expref*; and 
 unequivocal.—" Go, teach all nations," 
 
 ♦ Oen. i, 26. t Pfalm xxxiii, 6. 
 
 X Ifaiah ixiii. 9, 10. 
 
 fail^ 
 
The Triniti) in Unity, 41 
 
 faith the founder of Chriflianity to his dif- disc, il 
 ciples, " baptizing them in the name of the 
 *' Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
 " Ghoft*." Such is the natural, the ob- 
 vious import of this rite, by which we are 
 federally admitted into the church of 
 Chrifl-, that it can admit of no other con- 
 ftru6lion, but being l^taptized into the faith, 
 worlhip, and fervice of the Holy Trinity, 
 in oppolition to all falfe gods, and falfe 
 worlliip. A few more paffages, in perfe6l 
 harmony with the one preceding, (hall fuf- 
 fice to eltablifli this important point of 
 do6lrine. '• The Comforter," faith Chrift 
 himfelf, " which is the Holy Ghoft, whom 
 " the Father will fend in my name -j/' 
 Again, " AVhen the Comforter (hall come, 
 *' whom I," laith Chrift, " will fend unto 
 *' you from the Father, even the fpirit of 
 *' truth, which proceedeth from the Fa^ 
 *' ther J." That remarkable benedidion 
 too of the Apoflle, viz. " the grace of our 
 *' Lord Jefus Chrift, the love of God, and 
 ♦* the communion of the Holy Ghoft §,'* 
 as plainh' intimate, as wordy can exprefs, 
 
 f JSbtt. xxviii. 19. t Jofi" ^iv. 26. % Ibid. xv. 26'. 
 § 2 Cor. xiii. 14. 
 
 the 
 
4^ The Trinity in Unity, 
 
 pKG^ii. the exigence of three Perfons in the Vmty. 
 of the Godhead. But for the fake, if 
 poffible, of farther confirmation in 1;his 
 fundamental article of Chriflian faith, hear 
 the declaration of Go© himfelf at the bap-* 
 tifm of our Lord. " The fpirit of God 
 ^* defcended like a dove, and lighted upoi; 
 ** him ; and lo ! a voice from Heaven, fay-? 
 *' ing, this is my beloved Son */' Here 
 the three divine perfons clearly maniiefted 
 themfelves : the Father, by a voice fron'i 
 Heaven, proclaimed Chriflto be his beloved 
 iSon, the Son himfelf flood in the waters of 
 Jordan, and the Holy Ghoft defcended 
 like a dove. 
 
 To purfue the argument ftill further, it 
 might eafily be proved, that the fame per- 
 fections of the Godhead are equally attri^ 
 buted to each of the three divine perfons ; 
 and that the fame divine operations, the 
 fame honour and worlhip, and the lame 
 titles peculiar to the Deity, are equally 
 afcribed to all three perfons. The divinity 
 of the Father is unqueftionable. He is 
 repeatedly called " God Almighty -j-.'* 
 
 * Matt. Hi, 16, 17. 
 
 t Gen. xvii. l ; xxviii. 3 ; xliii. 14. 
 
 Chrif^ 
 
The Triniiy in Unity, 43 
 
 Phrifl is frequently called '' Jehovah '^^'' discii. 
 a name which can belong tQ no one but 
 God. And ''• to lie tq the Holy Ghollf ,'* 
 is the fame thiag a^ " to lie tq God.'* 
 As therefore we believe that there is one 
 only true, eternal? inftnite Gpp, fo mul^; 
 we alfo believe that thU one God is three 
 in perfons, Father, >Son, and Holy Ghoft, 
 and that neither of them is at all interior 
 or lefs than another, but that all three per- 
 fpns are true and very God, co-eternal, 
 co-equal, and co-effential in gl<)ry, power, 
 majefty, and perfe6lion. 
 
 But though the three divine perfons 
 liave all the fame effence and perfe6li6ns, 
 we are taught to diftinguifli them amongft 
 themfelves by their perfonal properties, 
 which was the next propofition to be con- 
 fide red. 
 
 The perfonal property of the Father, 
 (however myilerious to human intellect) is 
 to beget the Son, who is emphatically 
 ililed, " the only begotten of the Father, 
 " full of grace and truth:]:." The per- 
 fonal property of the Son is alfo to be be- 
 
 * Jer. xxiii. 6. Zech. x. 12. t Afts v. 3, 4. 
 
 t John i. 44'. 
 
 gotten 
 
44 The Trinity in Unity ^ 
 
 Discii. gotten of the Father, and the diftinctive 
 property of the Holy Ghoft is to proceed 
 from the Father and the Son. The Fa» 
 ther worketh of himfelf, by the Son and 
 by the Holy Ghoft. The Son is fent of 
 the Father, and worketh from the Father 
 by the Holy Ghoft. And the Holy Ghoft 
 proceedeth from the Father and the Son, 
 and worketh by both. And though we 
 can form no adequate idea of thefe per- 
 fonal properties and adions of the blefted 
 Trinity, nor fully comprehend how they 
 are diftinguiflied, yet they are ufed in 
 Scripture as different terms, forming a reaj 
 diftin6tion among the divine perfons. 
 
 This belief of a Trinity of Perfons in 
 the Unity of the Godhead, is required, as 
 neceffary to falvation, of all to whom the 
 Gofpel hath been preached. " For all 
 *' men (hould honour the Son, even as 
 " they honour the Father. He that ho-^ 
 *' noureth not the Son, honoureth not the 
 " Father which hath fent him. AVho- 
 " ever denieth the Son, the fame hath not 
 *' the Father, but he that acknowledgeth 
 " the Son hath the Father alfo *." 
 
 * John V. 23. 1 Jc^n ii. 25. 
 
The Trinity in Unity, 45 
 
 The Holy Spirit muft likewife be ho- ^^- ^i- 
 nouretl and worihipped as God, for he is 
 frequently allerted in Scripture to be the 
 author and infpirer of it, to be thefearcher 
 of hearts, the helper of our infirmities, our 
 comforter and our advocate. " Blaf- 
 " phemy againft him is unpardonable. 
 " To refill him is to refifl God. Our 
 " bodies are the temple of the Holy 
 " Ghoft; and by being his temple, are 
 " the temple of God *," which could not 
 be unlefs the Holy Ghofl were GoD. It 
 follows, therefore, that if any acknowledge 
 and worlhip the Father without the Son 
 and Holy Ghoft, they do not pay him that 
 homage and adoration which he requires 
 according to the revelation of his own 
 word. It is therefore indifpenfably re- 
 quired of the fame authority, that " we 
 ** woribip one God in Trinity, and Trinity 
 " in Unity, neither confounding the per^ 
 " fons, nor dividing the fubftance -J-.*' 
 And though we cannot comprehend the 
 divine nature in itfelf, yet we ought to be- 
 lieve it to be fuch as God himfelf hath re- 
 
 * Sec Bp. Home's 15th Difcourfe, Vol. V. 
 t Athanafiaa Creed. 
 
 vealed 
 
46 The Trhmty in Vnihy-^ 
 
 DISC. IT. vealecl it to be. His own cxprefs Revela- 
 tion is the only foundation oi" divine truths 
 thou^ii not perhaps in all points fathomable 
 by human Veafon. It is^ howe\'er, a pro- 
 per aft of realbn, to believe the revelation 
 God hath given of himfelf, becaufe weai-e 
 fure that his teftimony is infallible^ 
 
 Having thus briefly confidered the doc- 
 trine of the Holy Trinity, as declared in 
 the words of the text, and confirmed by 
 the teftimonies both of the Old and New 
 TeflaSMerit, together with the propertiies t/f 
 each divine perfon, I (hall endeavour to 
 point out, as propoied, the intereft we all 
 fe^e in -the d<)6tirine thus eftablilhed. 
 
 If any truth, then, of divine revelation 
 'ca'n at till afie6l the reafon and heart of 
 TMifenv^it'iiicrfl be that which dirrefts him to a 
 tisfht knowkds^e of that God which he 
 ptofeffes 4:6 believe, adore, and ferve. Who 
 theji i-s tile God of us Chrifiians, as dif- 
 tingiiiniedfrom all the world ? . And how 
 did we become fo ? Was it not by being 
 ** baptized in the hame of the Father, and 
 *' of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoft ^?*' 
 Being made Chriftians in the name of all 
 
 * INIat. xxviii. 19* 
 
 three. 
 
The Trinity in Unity. 47 
 
 three, we ceaib to be Chriftians, if we be- ^'^- "• 
 lie^ve only in one. A firm, unfliaken faith 
 ih God the Father, God the Son, and God 
 the Holy Ghoft, is therefore the charac- 
 terifdc of a Chriilian; and in this faith and 
 profeilion we have great caufe to make our 
 boaft. Mere all our means of grace and 
 bleffing begin, and all our hopes of happi- 
 nefs and ihlvation end. Let us then not 
 apprehend the doctrine of the Trinity to 
 be a mere fpeculation only, a matter of n'o 
 moment, concerning which we may think 
 and difpute at our pleafure. There cail- 
 "hot be a itiore grofs error in judgment i 
 for if any truth in the life of a Chriftian be 
 ■of real imjiortance, it is that in which Ms 
 falvatioh is at (lake. And who (hall f^y 
 that his redemption is not the firft grand 
 ' objeft of a rational foui ? Kfedemption ribt 
 from temporary bondage and mifery, but 
 ■from fm and Satan, from death and eter- 
 ^rial deftru6%ion, into '* the glorious liberty 
 " of the children of God *" here, and a^ 
 joyful immortality hereafter. But of fuch 
 redemption \\'hat detail do we find in the 
 Scriptures ? By whom was the gracious 
 
 * Rom, viii. 21. 
 
 defign 
 
48 Ihc Trinity in UniU^. 
 
 DISC. IT. tlefiga origiiKiliy planned, and afterward'; 
 carried into execution ? Was it not by the 
 three perfons of the aver bleffed and glo- 
 rious Trinity ? " Did not the Son conde- 
 " fcend to take our nature upon him, and 
 " in that nature make a full and fufficient 
 " oblation and fatisfaiSlion for the fms of 
 " the whole world ? Did not the Fatht^r 
 " accept that.oblation and fatisfa6lion, and 
 " in confequence forgive thofe fins ? And 
 " did not the Ploly Ghofl come forth from 
 " the Father and the Son through the 
 " preaching of the word, and the adminif- 
 " tration of the facraments by his enlight- 
 " ening, healing, and comforting grace, to 
 *' apply to the hearts of men, for all the 
 " purpofes of pardon, fan^tification, and 
 *' redemption, the merits and benefits of 
 
 ." that oblation and fatisfaftion *" ?" Now 
 if this be the plain ftatement of divine re- 
 
 ^ relation, who fliall prefume to call the doc- 
 trine of the Trinity only a curious, amu- 
 
 ; iive, uninterelting topic ? It is the \ery 
 foundation of our religion : if therefore 
 you wifii to be Chrifi:ians more than in 
 name, continue ftedfafl: in that faith by 
 
 * Sec i3p. Home's 15th Difc. Vol. V. 
 
 which 
 
The Triniti/ in Umt}f. 4.Q 
 
 which voii became fo. Be careful to a\OKl ^^^^- if- 
 thoie iiumberlels errors and enliiaring he- 
 relies which Satan hath of late fo abun- 
 dantly fown amongd us, and efpecially 
 thofe which ftrike at the very root of 
 Ctniftianitv. But remember, at the fame 
 time, that it will avail but little to excel 
 others in the truth of your profeffion, and 
 belief of the Trinity, if you do not excel 
 them alfo in the hohnefs of your life and 
 converfation. Manifell yourfelves there- 
 fore to be Chriftians, not only by the 
 Ibimdnefs of your faith, but l)y an unfliaken 
 confidence in the promifes, by a juft dread 
 of the threatenings, and by an uniform 
 obedience to the precepts of the Gofpel, 
 that both infidels and heretics may be 
 convinced of their errors, b}^ beholding 
 the purity of your faith, your piety to- 
 wards God, vour love towards your neigh- 
 bour, and your unity among yourielves. 
 Such condu6l will be a clear demonftra- 
 tion, that your faith is better than their's, • 
 when your lives thus adorn your doctrine ; 
 and it may perhaps prove the happy means 
 of convincing them, that your faith is none 
 VOL. I. i: olhtr 
 
50 The Tiinitif in Unity. 
 
 DISC. iL other tliaii that of ". the true God, and 
 " eternal hfe */' 
 
 In the power of this divine faith, then, 
 be it your privilege and happinefs to live, 
 as well as your glory to die. In the fame 
 faith have the fpirits of juft men made per- 
 fe6l, departed out of this life, who are now 
 linging the praiies of the ever blefled and 
 glorious Trinity, with Angels and Arch- 
 angels, with Cherubim and Seraphim, with 
 the glorious company of the Apoftles, with 
 the goodly fellowftiip of the Prophets, with 
 the noble army of JMartyrs, and with all 
 the company of Pleaven. And until we 
 join the blefied affenably and church of 
 the firft-boruj let our tongues and our 
 hearts be filled with the fame Hallelujahs, 
 faying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of 
 Holts, heaven and earth are full of thy 
 glory. Glory be to thee, O Loud, molt 
 
 high. 
 
 1 John V. 20. 
 
 DIS 
 
DISCOURSE III. 
 
 OP CREATION IN GENERAL. 
 
 Hebrews xi. 3. 
 
 Through Faith we underjiand that the 
 Worlds were framed hy the Word ofGod, 
 fo that Things which are feen were not 
 made of Things which do appear. 
 
 1 il^j firft a6l of God, revealed to us in disc. in. 
 his holy word, Avas the creation of the hea- ""^-^^ 
 vens and the earth, or that outward and 
 vifible frame of things, which, of his own 
 good pleafure, he made in the beginning 
 out of nothing, for the manifeftation of his 
 wifdom, power, and goodnefs. Creation 
 is therefore the proper work of God, de- 
 monftradve of his exiftence. In the con- 
 templation of this great and fublime fub- 
 E 2 jea, 
 
52 Of Creation in general. 
 
 DISC. III. je6l, in order to convey a more perfed idea 
 of it, it will be neceli(ary to confider the 
 caules, the matter, the manner, and the 
 end. Theie will afford abundant Icope 
 for meditation on the great Author, or 
 efficient, caufe, of nature, and on the va- 
 riety and goodnefs of the creatures in mi- 
 niftering to the ufe of man. 
 
 1. Be it affiimed then as an axiom in 
 religion, that the Author, or efficient caufe, 
 of creation, is God alone. The truth ot 
 this pofition (lands confirmed not only by- 
 plain and manifold teftimonies of Scripture, 
 but by the glimmering, feeble light of 
 natural reafon ; for ftie herfelf teacheth, 
 that there muft be a firft caufe of all 
 things from which they proceed, and that 
 all perfections which are in other things 
 by participation, muft be in the original 
 caufe itfelf, in which fo much wifdom, 
 power, and goodnefs, are manifefted by the 
 works of creation, none of which are af- 
 cribable to any other being but Jehovah, 
 or God: for which reafon, when the Gen- 
 tiles would have done facrifice to Paul 
 and Ijarnabas, becaufe they had reftored 
 
 '' a cripple 
 7 
 
Of Creation in general. 55 
 
 " a cripple from bis motlier's womb *'* to ^^'^^- "^• 
 tbe perfecl ufe of bis bmbs, tbo apoftles 
 admonilbed tlicm *' to turn" from their 
 idolatrous " vanities to the living God, 
 " who made beaven and eartb, tbe fca, 
 " and all tbings tbat are therein -j^." In- 
 deed natural reafon teaches us, that the 
 creatures receive their beinir and iroodnefs 
 from God ; and the fame teftimony is con- 
 firmed by revelation, " for bis pleafure all 
 " things are and were created %." In tbe 
 ftupendous work of creation, we are in- 
 ftrufted, by tbe higheft authority, to ac- 
 knowledge and believe, tbat the three di- 
 vine perfons of the Godhead were engaged. 
 " By Chrift, the eternal word and wifdom 
 " of God, all things were made, and 
 " without him was not any thing made 
 " that was made §." In the primitive 
 chaos, " the fpi) if of God moved upon tbe 
 " face of the waters ||," before it \\as pro- 
 duced into that comely order and beautiful 
 form in which it now appears. 
 
 2. Suffice it then, in tbe next place, 
 briefly to enquire, whereof were all things 
 
 ' Act- xiv. 8. 1 Ibiil, i5. I Rev. iv. 11. 
 
 § John i. 3. li Ccn. i. '2. 
 
 E 3 made ? 
 
54f Of Creation in general, 
 
 pisc^ii. made ? of nothing : God's volition in- 
 ftantly produced them into exiftence. — 
 ** Let there be light, and there was 
 " light */' " In the beginning/' that is, 
 before there was any thing but God, the 
 great " I am," " God created the heaven 
 " and the earth f." 
 
 3. The manner how God created the 
 world, is the third fubject of inyeftigation. 
 No means or inftrumentality were em- 
 ployed : by the fole power of his word the 
 foundations of the univerfe were laid, 
 " calling thofe things that be not as 
 " though they were J, for he commanded, 
 " and they were created §/' Yet the 
 work of creation was not inftantaneoufly, 
 but in the fpace of " fix days'' confum- 
 mated ; when " God faw every thing that 
 " he had made, and behold it was very 
 " good ||." The different modifications of 
 matter were not fuch, as in their own na- 
 ture they could affume, independent of the 
 will and power of the Creator ; " for by 
 " faith we underftand, that the worlds 
 " were framed by the word of God, fo 
 
 * Gen. i. 3. f lb. i. 1. Exod. iii. 14, I Rom. iv. 17. 
 § Pfalm cxlviii. 5. |l Gen. i. 31. 
 
 " that 
 
Of Creation m general. 55 
 
 " that things which are feen, were not ^^^c. iir. 
 " made of things tliat do appear *." 
 
 4. The end or delign of creation was to 
 manifeft the wiicloni, power, and goodnefs 
 of God. His wifdom is amply dilplayed 
 in the variety, order, fubordination, con- 
 nexion, and adaptation of nature, in all 
 its parts, to general and fpecific purpofes. 
 The excellency of the creatures is of itfelf 
 a clear manifeftation of divine wifdom. 
 Imprefled with the conviction of this truth, 
 the devout Pfalmift exclaimed, " O Lord, 
 " how manifold are thy works, in wifdom 
 *' haft thou made them all -f \" It would 
 far exceed the bounds of a difcourfe of this 
 nature, to trace out the wifdom of God in 
 the feveral parts of creation, and their par- 
 ticular application to his all-wife purpofes. 
 It is fufficient to glance at them, to be con- 
 vinced that they difcover the work and 
 wifdom of their incomprehenfible Author. 
 
 The power of God is alio no lefs demon- 
 ftrated beyond all poflibility of^difpute, 
 " for the invifible things of God, from 
 " the creation of the world, are clearly 
 
 * Ilcb. xi. 3. t Pi'alni civ. 24. 
 
 E 4 '* feen, 
 
56 Of Creation in general. 
 
 DISC. TIT. '« feen, being underftood by the things 
 " that are made, even his eternal power 
 " and Godhead*." And his goodneis 
 towards his creatures is fo ftrongly marked 
 ill every part of animated nature, that it is 
 no more than a juft tribute of praife and 
 gratitude to the Ahnighty Creator, to de- 
 clare, " Let every thing that hath breath, 
 *' praife the Lord -f." 
 
 In whatever lio-ht we take a view of the 
 
 o 
 
 works of c. nation, they exhibit a great and 
 ilriking variety. Whether we contemplate 
 the heavens, and their numerous orbs, or 
 whether we furvey the earth, and its inha- 
 bitants, together with its inanimate, as 
 well as animate produ6tions, they each of 
 them exhibit fuch a vaft and infinite va- 
 riety, as exceeds the conipreheniion of the 
 human underftanding, and, as it were, 
 overwhelm it in wonder and amazement. 
 " For by Jehovah were all things created 
 " that are in heaven and earth, vifible and 
 " invifible, whether they be thrones, or 
 *' dominions, or principalities, or powers [.." 
 But amidft all this manifold wifdom of the 
 
 * Rom. i. 20. t Pfalm cl. 6. J Col. i. \6. 
 
 great 
 
Of Creation in general 57 
 
 great Creator, the moft excellent and di^c. hi. 
 principal workmanihip is that of angels and 
 men. Angels are created Ipirits ; created 
 in the beginning, not improbably on the 
 firft day, together with the very heavens 
 themfelves. " Praile him all his angels," 
 faith the Pfalmift, " praife him all his 
 " hojis. Praife him fun and moon, praife 
 " him all ye fturs of light. Let them 
 " praife the name of the Lord, for he 
 " commanded, and they were created ''^.'* 
 They are invifible, immortal lubftances, in 
 number infinite. " A fiery ftream," faitH 
 the prophet Daniel, " iff bed and came 
 " forth from before him, thoufand thou- 
 " fands miniflered unto him, and ten 
 " thoufand times ten thoufand flood be- 
 " fore him -j^." Their general appellation 
 is angels or meffengers ; fometimes they 
 are denominated cherubim and feraphim ; 
 the former title was alcribed to them when 
 they appeared in a vilible Ihape with wings, 
 and had the refemblance of a young man 
 in the excellency of his beauty, ftrength, 
 and vigour. The latter, in the vifion of 
 
 * Pfalm cxlviii. 2, 3, 4, 5. t Dan. vii. 10. 
 
 Ifaiah, 
 
58 Of Creation in general. 
 
 DISC. Ill 
 
 DISC. Ill Jj^iah, importing their fervent zeal in exe- 
 
 cuting the will of God *. In the book 
 of Job they are character ized by the 
 pleafmg name of fons of God. " When 
 " the morning ftars fang together, and all 
 *' the fons of God lliouted for joy -f-." In 
 the Gofpel before cited, they are emphati- 
 cally ftiled " thrones, dominions, principa- 
 lities, and powers %," They are endowed 
 with peculiar wifdom and power. David's 
 chara6ler is defcribed as being " wife, ac- 
 " cording to the wifdom of an angel of 
 " God §." And the Pfalmift himfelf de- 
 voutly exclaims, " Blefs the Lord, ye 
 " his angels, that excel in ftrength [j ;" 
 but in the exercife of their wifdom and power 
 they are limited ; they are not able of 
 themfelves to work miracles ; they know 
 not the hearts of men, nor the contingency 
 of future events. Thefe are the fole pre- 
 rogative of the Almighty. 
 
 In their primitive ilate of creation they 
 were pure, happy, upright; they had fuffi-^ 
 cient ability to fulfil the whole will of God, 
 
 * Ifaiah vi. 2. t J"b xxxviii. 7. : Col. i. \6, 
 
 § 2 Sam. xiv. 20. |} Pialm ciii. 20. 
 
 and 
 
Of Creation in general 59 
 
 an<1 to perfevere in their obedience, yet i>'SC. iii. 
 they were fubje6l to a poffibility of defec- 
 tion ; good and evil, happinefs and mifery, 
 were within the fphere of their choice : 
 they who continued in obedience to the 
 will of their Creator are ftill angels of light, 
 whilft they who apoftatized, through pride 
 and rebellion, became fpirits of darknefs. 
 
 Next to angels, in the order of creation, 
 came man, " being made," as the Al- 
 mighty himfelf hath declared, " a little 
 " lower than the angels *." Man is a 
 creature coniifting of a material body, and 
 a reafonable immaterial foul. The body 
 of the firll man was made of the earth, 
 earthy ; his fpirit formed by the divine 
 power, after the image of God, an incor- 
 poreal fubdance ; free from any corrupting 
 qualities, and therefore immortal. En- 
 dowed too with intelleft, will, and paffions, 
 eflential faculties of a reafonable foul. 
 Thefe are ftill his inheritance, notwith- 
 ftanding they have fuftained both a moral 
 and intelledual change. The purity of his 
 underftanding, the reftitude of his will, 
 the regular fubordination of his paffions to 
 
 * rfalm viii. 5. 
 
 reafon. 
 
60 Of Creation in general. 
 
 DISC. m. reafon, and even that immortality of body, 
 with which man was at firll created, were 
 fupernatural gifts. His knowledge won- 
 derful and divine ; his fenfibility of happi- 
 nefs exquifite and celeftial ; his will un- 
 tainted, and abfolutely free to the exercife 
 of good. Of fulficient ability to have paid 
 an exa6l and perfect obedience to the com- 
 mands of his Maker, and to have perfe- 
 vered in that obedience. If therefore man 
 had not fmned, he had never tafted death. 
 It was of his own choice and power to 
 fland or fall, to hve or die. * " For God 
 " made man upright, and left hmi in the 
 " hand of his counfel *." But amidft this 
 wreck of our fallen nature, (at which it may 
 fuffice juft to take an oblique view) our do- 
 minion over the creatures, though impaired, 
 is not annihilated. In the order of crea- 
 tion, it appears to have been the will of 
 Providence, that while the flefh continued 
 in fubjeftion to the fpirit, and man in obe- 
 dience to his Maker, fo long the creatures 
 were fubordinate to man, as fervants are 
 fubje6l to their lord and mailer. This 
 original fubjeftion was doubtlefs uni^erfal 
 
 * Eccluf. XV 14. 
 
 and 
 
Of Creation in general. 6r 
 
 and ablblute. From the creatures man i^isc. m. 
 has even now much to learn, but nothing 
 to fear. If, to anfwer the purpofes of cre- 
 ation, or to convey to his mind ideas of 
 his invifible enemies, any were at that time 
 Avild and noxious, with regard to man in 
 his paradifaical ftate, they were tame and 
 harmiefs. In perfect fecurity he faw, con- 
 templated, admired them ; but the inftant- 
 he rebelled againft his Creator, the crea- 
 tures renounced their allegiance to him, 
 and became, in the hands of their com-^ 
 mon Maker, inftrumcnts of his puniihment. 
 They were no longer at peace with him. 
 Yet in confequence of the covenant and 
 promife made by God to redeem man- 
 kind, it was declared after the flood, that 
 " the fear of you and the dread of you ihall 
 *' be upon every bealt of the earth, and 
 " upon every fowl of the air, and upoi> 
 " all that moveth upon the earth, and upou; 
 ** all the fiflies of the fea */' So far is the 
 fuperiority of the human fpecies ftill pre-; 
 ferved, that " every kind of beafts, and oli 
 '' birds, and of ferpents, and things in the 
 " fea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of 
 
 man- 
 
^ Of Creation in general. 
 
 DISC. III. « mankind */' In perfeft correfpondence 
 with the fame do6irine, the holy Pfalmift, 
 in contemplation on the works of creation, 
 obferves, " Thou hail made him (viz. man) 
 " to have dominion over the works of thy 
 " hands ; thou hail put all things under 
 " his feet; all Iheep and oxen, yea, and 
 " the beafts of the field, the fowl of the 
 " air, and the fifh of the fea, and whatfo- 
 *' ever pafieth through the paths of the 
 " feas. O Lord, our Governor, how 
 " excellent is thy name in ail the earth -f'T* 
 Was Adam then invefted with fovereign 
 dominion over the creatures ? And was 
 every thing therein made to minifter to 
 the ufe and fervice of man ? 
 
 Learn we from hence to be thankful 
 and obedient to the great God of nature, 
 who hath bellowed fuch power and ho- 
 nour upon the fons of men. Even natural 
 religion teaches us to ferve and adore the 
 Creator of all things. And reafon herfelf, 
 however blind and averfe to the things of 
 God, cannot but give her fan6lion to the 
 facred employment of dedicating all our 
 
 * Jam. iii. 7, t Pfulm viii. 6, 7, S, 9- 
 
 faculties, 
 
Of Creation hi gcneraL 6Z 
 
 faculties, both of mind and bod}^, to- his i>isc. ih. 
 honour und iervice, " in whom we Uv^^and ^^^"'^ 
 " move, an(l liave our being*." Other 
 creatures, in their kind, by the. general 
 Law of their , tjature, arQ obedient Jtp the 
 will of their Maker. The fun, and moonj 
 and ftars, obferve their appointed courfesj 
 and fliall.mafU, the great mailer and lord 
 of the creation, prove himfelf the only in- 
 fenfible, ungrateful being? God forbid! 
 Xet gratitude and devotion confpire to 
 kuidle in his heart an inextinguiihable 
 flame of divixie love and praife ! The ani- 
 ;nate . p^rt . of the creation, though they 
 pofleCs iiot th« ineltimable gift of realbn, 
 a>r0 fubordinate to that end to which they 
 were ordained. They Ihew forth the praifes 
 pfHim .tjhajt nxade tliem. Nay, even the 
 inanimate creation befpeak their Maker: 
 " The heavens declare the glory of God^ 
 ^''^nd ^V^ firmament ftjeweth his handj^ 
 " woi:k, .One day telleth another, and 
 " oiife nigiit certifieth another. There is 
 ^' neither fpeech, nor language, but their 
 " jYpilces -^ are heard among: them-ij:/- 
 
 .III'.' ' ; ■ .i '';'j ' -• ■'■ '' 
 
 , , , * Afis xvii. 28. . .. t Plalm xix, 1, 2, 3- 
 
 liJV. 
 
 a 
 
 And 
 
64 Of Creation In general. 
 
 ^^'^' " "^"^ ^^^"-^^ ^^^ ^'^'^T heavens, by their 
 " manifold and beneficial operations, as 
 " well as by their beauty and magnifi- 
 " cence, proclaim the glory of their Crea- 
 " tor, and afford inexhauftible matter for 
 " contemplation and devotion to the phi- 
 " lofopher and the chriftian. They never 
 " ceafe to inftruct us in the fcience of di- 
 *' vine wifdom. There is one gloiy of the 
 ^': fun, which Ihines forth by day, and 
 " there are other glories of the moon and of 
 " the ftars, which become vifible by night. 
 " And becaufe day and night interchange- 
 " ably divide the world between themj 
 *f they arc therefore rep relented as tranf- 
 'f :mitting in fucceffion, each to other, the 
 >-*f:taik enjoined them, alternately chanting 
 " forth the praiies of God. O how does' 
 " inanimate nature reproach us with in- 
 " dolence and indevotion !" And though 
 the heavens are thus appointed to teach, 
 " yet there is neither i'peech nor lan- 
 " guage ; their voice is not heard. They 
 " are not endowed, like man, with the 
 " faculty of fpeech, but they addrefs 
 " themfelves to the mind of the intelligent 
 " beholder in another way; and that, 
 
 " when 
 
Of Creation in genicral. 65 
 
 " when underftood, a no lefs forcible way : ^^^^ "^• 
 " the way of picture, or reprefentation.. 
 " So manifold is the wifdoin of God— 
 " fo various are the ways bv which he 
 " communicates it to men* !" 
 
 Shall not we then, who are the nobleft 
 part of Creation, " being made only a 
 '* httle lower than the Angelsf," extol 
 the praifes, and glorify the name of our 
 tranfcendent Creator ? It is our preroga'- 
 tive to be " made in the image of God,'* 
 that we might at all times offer an accep- 
 table facrifice of praife and thankfgiving. 
 Plow then (hall we dare to abufe thofe 
 noble faculties with which we are endowed 
 above other creatures, to the greater dif^ 
 honour of him who save them ? God 
 forbid ! Rather let our thoughts and me* 
 ditations on the manifold works and varie* 
 gated beauties of Creation, ferve to en- 
 large our views of nature, to difcover the 
 wifdom of the Almighty in his largell: and 
 mod minute operations, and teach us to 
 magnify and adore him as the infinite 
 maker and ruler of all things. 
 
 * Sec Bifhop Home on the Pfalms. f Gen. i. 26. 
 
 VOL. I. r This 
 
66 Of Creation in general. 
 
 DISC. m. This is the delightful employment, and 
 never-ceaiing chorus of angels, who fang 
 h3^mns of praife at their Creation, and 
 will for ever rejoice in the contemplation of 
 it, though doubtlefs it is, in many refpefts, 
 too wonderful for their comprehenfion. 
 Can it then be a lefs rational, pleafmg, and 
 honourable employment, for man to ac- 
 quaint himfelf with the vifible works of 
 God, and with thofe more efpecially 
 which were ordained for his ufe, conveni- 
 ence, and enjoyment ? It would be bru- 
 tal ftupidity not to know the value of God's 
 gifts, and impious ingratitude not to apply 
 them with thankfulnels to the purpofes for 
 which they are bellowed. It is the re- 
 ligious application of all knowledge that 
 makes it valuable, and giveth true wifdom 
 and underftanding. Tor what avail the 
 deep refearcbes of the philofopher, if they 
 ferve not to lead him gradually nearer and 
 nearer to the great fountain of all wifdom ? 
 A V here is the ufe of his being able to 
 mealure the heavens, to tell the number 
 of the ftars, and call them all by their 
 names, without, perhaps, acknowledging 
 their Creator, or magmfying and adormg 
 
 the 
 
Of Creation in p;vncrai. ^) 
 
 tlie imiiienfll V of lii.s power, wifdon^, and '0\yc. iil 
 goodnefs ? Such knowledge, however woii- 
 derful, aiul iiirpailing the ordhjary [^puers 
 bf liuman underltanding^ is much wo,ri^s 
 and more crimin:;!, draii iguorauce. . Qj-, 
 could he Ipeak, like Solomon, '- of every 
 " herb, from the cedar which h in Leba- 
 ** non, unto the hvfibp that ipringeth out 
 ** of the v.'all*," — could he recoimt the 
 names of all their tribes, ciiid diilinguilli 
 all their properties — and yet, in this pleni- 
 tude of vvifdom^ Ihoukl overlook the hand 
 and delign of Providence in their forma- 
 tion, and not direct his phllofophical con- 
 templations of tlicm to tlie praiie and 
 glory of God, he would only foohildy in- 
 dulge a fruiilefs and impious curioiitv. 
 God is villble in all his v»orks, and there- 
 fore to be adored and gioriiied in them alb 
 ** The heavens and the eaith, day and 
 " night, funnner -dml wiiiler, th(j nioun- 
 " tains and valleys, fruiiful trees, and 
 " all cedars 'J'," proclaim his Beins; and 
 Providence ; do him homage; prallii hi'a 
 and magnify him for ever. Thev fupply 
 
 * 1 Kings iv. 33. f Plalm cxiviii. 9. 
 
 r 2 mate- 
 
68^ Of Creation in general. 
 
 DISC, tir; materials of adoriition to intelligent be- 
 ings ; and it is through the tongue of man 
 they Utter their fongs of praife. Let us, 
 therefore^ ttiagniij him with thankfgiving; 
 tell of jall his wondrous works, and fing 
 praifes unto him with underftanding. Let 
 us give utterance to all the works of nature; 
 and, when our hearts are filled with a 
 fenfe of the divine majelty, both in heaven 
 and earth, we Ihall cheerfully join with 
 one voice in this triumphant acclamation : 
 " Great and marvellous are thy works, O 
 " Lord God Almighty ; in wifdom halt 
 *' thou made them all ; the earth is full of 
 *' thy riches ! Worthy art thou, O Loud, 
 " to receive honour, autl glory, and 
 " power, for thou haft created all things 
 " for thy glory, and for thy pleafure they 
 ** are and were created*.'* 
 
 Now to God the Father* God the Son, 
 and God the Holy Ghoft, be afcribed 
 all honour, might, majefty, and dominion, 
 forever and ever. Amen. 
 
 * Plalio cxxxix. 14. Rev, iv. 11. 
 
 DLS^ 
 
DISCOURSE IV. 
 
 OF THE CREATION' OF MAN IN PaPw- 
 TICULAR, AND HIS ORIGINAL IN- 
 NOCENCE. 
 
 Genesis i. 27. 
 
 God created Man in his own Image. 
 
 ONa contemplative review of the original ^i^^^^. 
 ftate of Adanj, the great progenitor of 
 the human race, nothing feems to refleft 
 greater glory on the wifdom, power, and 
 goodnefs of the Creator, than that he 
 condefcended to make ^^ man in his own 
 " image, after his likenefs." A curfory 
 furvey of the prefent ftate of human nature 
 will eafily convince us that mankind are 
 not in fucha ftate now. Our inward feelings 
 arc in pcrfec-t unifon with the lofs we have 
 F 3 fuftained 
 
70 Of the Creation of Man. 
 
 DISC. TV. fLiftajjjed in moral reciitude. Confcience 
 ' 18 a never-iaiimg monitor ; a louice ot evil 
 is unhappily fprung up withiri us, and as 
 the It ream is polluted, the fountain mult be 
 fo too. But whatever change may have 
 pafied upon man 11 nee his creation, certain 
 it is, that in the beginning it was not lo : 
 f Go!> made man upright* ;*' and that 
 participation of the divine nature \vhich 
 he enjoyed in his primitive ftate, the fame 
 oracles of divine truth affure us be for- 
 feited by his tranfgreflion, through the 
 feduciions of Satan. Waving, however, 
 the conlideration of his prefent ftate, m'c 
 uill contemplate only the glory of his 
 original innocence, and endeavour to fhevv 
 \vherein it conlifted. 
 
 At man's firft creation, GoD endued 
 |iim with all intellectual perfeclions re- 
 quifite for a reaibnable creature, v.hich he 
 had formed for his oy n glory ; with all 
 natural endowments too, appropriate to 
 the conftitution of his being, and with 
 all moral excellencies adapted to the end 
 of his creation. His foul was pure, holy, 
 divitue ; iiis body rightly organized to 
 
 * "* ' * Ercl. vii. 90. 
 
 winifter 
 
Of the Creation of Man. 71 
 
 minirter to its ibperior faculties. His mind ^i>^- i^'- 
 was void of prejudices, his heart unoc- 
 cupied with fahe principles, his under- 
 Handing capable of knowing and compre- 
 hending truth when diitin6tly propoled to 
 it; and his memory tenacious only of 
 good. The firlt ideas of things were im- 
 printed on his mind by the fniger of God ; 
 and thefe ferved as the bahs and rule of 
 his judgment. His will was alfo free to 
 an extent, only not infinite ; being filled 
 with a fupreme love of God, and a 
 natural propenlity to all goodnefs. I J is 
 appetites and paffions were under an im- 
 mediate fubordination to reafon, and pro- 
 perly adapted to the p refer vation and pcr- 
 fe6^tion of his being. They were equally 
 eftranged from all immoderate dehres, as 
 from a fupine lukewarm nefs ; they coveted 
 nothing but what was truly defirable, an 
 intimate communion with the divine na- 
 ture, and an eager third after the fupreme 
 good. They fuggelted defires only in 
 conformity to the will of God, without 
 any fenle of remorfc or compun6tion. 
 AVhiKt every natural, intelle6tualand moral 
 iaculty, thus harmonized in the breaii of 
 ? 4 4<^lam> 
 
72 Of the Creation of Man, 
 
 ^^yrHi' ^^^^i his bodily organs contributed no 
 lefs to the perfe<5tion of the great mafter- 
 piece of the Almighty Creator. This was 
 in all points neceflary : for man, being 
 compounded of body andfpirit, and capable 
 of an infinite variety of a6lions, fenfations, 
 and paffions, which depend upon and 
 refult from the union of body and foul, 
 could not be called " upright,'* in a 
 natural as well as moi'al fenfe, if his body 
 had not been partaker, in its degree, of 
 that fitnefs of parts and difpofition peculiar 
 to fuch a ftate. A diforg^nized body 
 would have impeded rather than fuccoured 
 the operations of the mind. It would 
 have been a perpetual fource of diforder 
 and diftradion, inftead of a ftate of per- 
 fe6l harmony and innocence, in which all 
 the parts of the human frame were in 
 unifon. The body, therefore, had a con- 
 formation, health, and vigour affigned it 
 in all parts, internal and external, naturally 
 adapted to the laws of union with the 
 foul. In that (late Adam might be con- 
 fidered of himfelf, as a microcofm or little 
 world, called forth into exiftence with all 
 the perfe61ion of natural beauty and fym- 
 
 nietry. 
 
Of the Creation of Man. 73 
 
 metry, in which no want or redundance disc. iv. 
 could be found. No milts of darknefs or 
 ignorance could arife to eclipfe his under- 
 standing, nor any ftorms of paffion to 
 tranfport his foul. The prefent incelTant 
 druggie betwixt the flefli and the fpirit 
 had then no room to exert itfelf, but the 
 powers of each were always in a flate of 
 reconciliation and amity. Such was the 
 original (late of harmony and union be- 
 twixt the body and foul of man. " God 
 " made man upright :" during his enjoy- 
 ment of that happy ftate, he was in all 
 refpe6ls obedient to the will of his Crea- 
 tor. As a creature, it was foreign to his 
 nature to be independent, fole mafter of 
 himfelf; he owed, and was obliged to pay, 
 homage to his Maker. It was both jull 
 and neceffary : the very gift of exiftence 
 Itfelf claimed of him love, gratitude, obe^ 
 dience. Thefe duties were the natural, 
 immutable laws which necelTarily fprang 
 from the reciprocal relation of Creator 
 and creature. The great progenitor of 
 'the human race being a rational agent, 
 could not, like the brutes, be guided llni- 
 ply by impuife, or natural in(tin6l, inde- 
 pendent 
 
74 Of the Creation of Man. 
 
 DISC. IV. pendent of a knowledge and fenfe of duty. 
 He was endued with reafon ; and he could 
 not, in conformity with the law of his 
 nature, refifl her di6lates. The faculties 
 with which God had gifted him, rendered 
 him capable of knowing and difcerning 
 good and evil ; and he was in all refpe6is 
 competent to make that difcernment effec- 
 tual to all the purpol'es of his creation. 
 His will was fubordinate to that end, be- 
 ing of itfelf inclined to fubmit to thofe 
 laws, whether natural or pofitive, which 
 God had enjoined him. He felt the force 
 of the former as moral obligations, which 
 his reafon difcovered to him of itfelf to be 
 neceffary and indifpenfable ; fuch, for in- 
 flance, as the obligation of loving and 
 worfhipping his Maker. This was a kind 
 of irrefiftible impreffion, refulting from 
 the plained ufe of reafon, and ^o well 
 adapted to man's primitive ftate, that fuch 
 homage and dependance could not but 
 approve itfelf to his natural underitanding. 
 As the angels in heaven are fufceptive of 
 their duty without any exprefs revelation, 
 fo Adam, by means of a fimilar impreffion 
 on his fpirit before his fall, was competent 
 
 to 
 
Of the Creation of Man, 75 
 
 to the knowleds-e, and love, and fervice of i>^^c. w. 
 his God. This evidently appears to be 
 the caie after his tranfgreifion, becaufe he 
 ftill retained a confciouihefs of good and 
 evil ; or, as the Apoftle exprefles it, " the 
 ** Gentiles flievv the work of the law 
 ?' written in their hearts ; their confcience 
 ^' alfo bearing witnels, and their thoughts 
 ?' the mean while accufing or elfe excufing 
 ^* one another*." Thefe natural im- 
 preffions were perfedly correfpondent to 
 the inclination and bias of his will : he 
 ^as not confcious of any innate principle 
 of contrariety to them — nor of any fug- 
 geftion prompting him to cancel thefe 
 natural obligations, and make him doubt 
 pf what he ought to do, or forbear. 
 
 Superadded to the power of thefe na- 
 tural laws, it was higlily reafonable that 
 God (hould give him fome pofitive com- 
 mands— fome precept of arbitrary infti- 
 tution, to make him better acquainted 
 with his fovereign and abfolute right over 
 him, and to eftablifli that empire which 
 he had, as Creator, over the creature. 
 Accordingly he gave him that memorable 
 but fatal prohibition—** Thou (halt not 
 
 ♦ Rom. ii. 15. 
 
 «' eat 
 
76 Of the Creation of Man. 
 
 DISC. IV. « eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge 
 ^'^ a of good and evil*." Compliance with 
 this nijunaion was all that was required ; 
 fuch proof of Adam's homage and de- 
 pendance was indifpenfable ; but alas ! he 
 did not long pay this little tribute of obe- 
 dience to his Creator—^* for Eve took of 
 « the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave 
 *' alfo unto her hulband with her, and 
 « he did eatf.'* The divine precept 
 carried with it an exprefs menace of 
 death ; aud alfo a tacit promife of life 
 and immortality. God was, therefore, 
 pleafed to aa federally with Adam; 
 he propounded to him his laws, as his 
 rewarder and benefaaor-^he required 
 conditional obedience to them— he for- 
 tified them with the flrongeil fanaions, 
 and left him, as a rational agent, " in the 
 " hand of his own counfelj.'* What 
 then could God do more ? He had not 
 only created man in his own image, but 
 he had ufed (fo to fpeak) every precaution 
 to preferve him in that (late. How then 
 could he complain ? His original purity 
 and innocence could not but render him 
 
 * Gen. ii. 17. t Gen. iii. 6. J Ecclus. xv. 14. 
 
 happy, 
 
Of the Creation of Man. 11 
 
 "happy, whilft he a6led in conformity with ^^^^- i^'- 
 the will of God and the didates of his 
 own confcience. In that blefled ftate he 
 knew his God, loved him, held commu- 
 nion with him, and enjoyed the aflTurance 
 of his prote6iion : he felt an undifturbed 
 ferenity of mind, and enjoyed full vigour of 
 conftitution. Thefe were fome of the na- 
 tural bleffmgs which neceffarily refulted 
 from man's primitive ftate of innocence. 
 How far they were calculated to conftitute 
 a ftate of happinefs, we may judge in pro- 
 portion to our prefent defires and endea- 
 vours after them. For it is an undeniable 
 truth, that the more we are conformed to 
 the image of God, in which we were 
 created, the more we participate of real 
 joy and fubilantial felicity. To entertain, 
 therefore, too faint an idea of the original 
 purity of Adam, leads only to fcepticifm 
 and infidelity, becaufe it is apt to prevent 
 us from fufficiently diftinguiQiing his ori- 
 ginal (late of innocence from our prefent 
 lapfed condition. Hence it comes to pafs, 
 that they who endeavour to fubvert the 
 do6lrine of original lin, and wilh to leave 
 man after the fall equally prone to good, 
 
 and 
 
78 Of the Creation of Man. 
 
 Bisc. IV. and as free in the exercife of his will to- 
 wards it, form a very erroueous idea ot 
 that divine image in which he was created. 
 For in that ftate lie had no propenfity to 
 evil : (hall we then refie6l diilionour upon 
 God, in fupport of fuch falfe doftrine, to 
 extenuate the prefent fmfulnefs of man ? 
 Surely, if there be any taint in the crea- 
 tion of man, as it now appears, it is not 
 imputable to the Creator. Who then is 
 bold enough to aflert that the corruption of 
 man's nature derives its fource from the 
 very Author of his being ? The very idea 
 is blafphemy : it derogates from the holi^ 
 nefs, juilice, and goodnefs of God, as if 
 he could not create a moral agent without 
 fin. Yea, " God made man upright;'* 
 ^nd that uprightnefs was originally effen- 
 tial to his nature. His purity and inno^ 
 cence were not merely as a beautiful robe 
 with which his Creator had invefted him ; 
 they were the conftitution of his very 
 nature itfelf, though not infeparable from 
 it ; the inheritance of his birthright ; and 
 admirably adapted by his all-wife Maker 
 to the end of his being. 
 
 The 
 
Of the Creation of Man, 
 
 ;^ -^ 7f} 
 
 The difference then betwixt his original '^^sciv. 
 
 and prelent ftate is this : in the former he 
 was created in the image of God, in 
 righteoufnefs and true hohnefs ; in the 
 latter he is conceived and born in fni. 
 Plis refemblance of the Deity was emi- 
 nently confpicuoiis in many refpects, par- 
 ticularly in the immortality of his foul, 
 the fpirituality of his affe6lions, and the 
 treedom of his will. His moral p8rfe6iions 
 alfo neceffarily conftituted a part of that 
 fimilitude which he bore to his divine 
 Author. As, therefore, other chara6lers 
 of a godlike relemblance were imprinted 
 upon x\dam belides thofe of innocence 
 and purity, which rendered him partaker 
 of a divine nature, fo all of them united, 
 formed the diftinftive beauty of his nature, 
 and the peculiar fplendor of his perfec- 
 tions. God placed him in this lower 
 world, as in a temple, to receive that tri- 
 bute of homage and adoration from him 
 which was due from a creature to its 
 Creator. To confecrate him to this holy 
 office, as the pried of God, he had by 
 nature endowed him with gifts and graces 
 appropriate to tlie difcbarge of it ; the 
 
 fame 
 
80 Of tilt Creation of MaU. 
 
 DISC. IV. fame being imprinted on the fleflily table 
 of his heart, by the immediate finger of 
 God. 
 
 Another confideration, which may ferve 
 to convince us that man was formed in the 
 image of Cod, Is, the ruins that remain 
 of io fine a fabric. Whence our know- 
 ledge of good and evil ? whence that in- 
 ward confcioufnefs of right and wrong, 
 but the precious rehcs of that integrity 
 and primitive innocence with which God 
 at firlt endowed man ? We judge by thefe 
 of the grandeur and beauty of the antient 
 edifice, as travellers judge of the pyramids 
 of Egypt, and the wonders of antiquity, 
 by a view of their ruins. Virtue and 
 vice, good and evil, light and darknefs, 
 are now fo blended together in our nature, 
 that they conftitute a kind of chaos in the 
 foul of man. Yet we muft judge by thefe 
 of the original beauty of our primaeval 
 ftate. There is even yet fome refemblance 
 betwixt its former innocent and its prefent 
 corrupt (late, when regenerated and re- 
 newed. The fcripture every where points 
 out a ftriking analog3^ It calls upon us 
 to be ** renewed after the image of him 
 
 " who 
 
Of titc Creation of Man. 81 
 
 " who crented us *." Tlie work of grace is ^i^C- iv. 
 to form in us a new man, created in true 
 holinefs and righteoufnefs. " If any man 
 " be in Chrift, he is a new creature *f- ;" we 
 are God's workmanihip, " created in 
 " CliriR Jefus unto good works J." Now 
 this new-birth is the recovery and re- 
 eltabUfliment of our fallen nature to the 
 divine fmiilitude, which confifts in a par- 
 ticipation of the divine nature and per- 
 fections. How then can we refleft upon 
 the glory and innocence of Adam's para- 
 difaical ftate, and not acquit his Maker of 
 any fault in his tall ? Shall we not rather 
 confefs our preient ftate of inabihty and 
 imperfedion, and regret with deeper fen- 
 fibiUty our deprivation of that once blefled 
 fruition ? Yea, let us adopt the language 
 of the wife fon of Sirach, and own, " that 
 *' God made man from the beginning, 
 " and left him in the hand of his counfel, 
 " if he would, to keep the commandments, 
 " and to perform acceptable faithfulnefs§/' 
 "What then fhall we fay ? Shall we liften 
 to the murmurings of impiety, and lay any 
 
 * Col. iii, 10, t 2 Cor. v. 17. t Eph. li. io. 
 § Eccluf. XV. 14 
 
 VOL. I. Q thincr 
 
82 Of the Creation of Man. 
 
 DISC. IV. thins: to the chartre of God ? God for- 
 bid : let every mouth be • (lopped — " let 
 " God be true; but every man a liar*." 
 He was the adorable author of our inno- 
 cence. We, alas ! the fole caufe of our 
 fall. " Who art thou, O man, that re- 
 " plied againft God ? Shall the thing 
 *' formed fay to hin) that formed it, why 
 " haft thou made me thus}?" When 
 the clay of the earth was fafliioned into a 
 velTel of honour, how iliall it complain, 
 when, through its own fault, it became a 
 veilel unto diihonour 't The tranfcendent 
 glory and perfe6lion of our firft eftate, 
 ought to excite in us a ihame of our pre- 
 fent fallen and degenerate condition, and 
 teach us to behold ourfelves iinners in the 
 mirrour of the innocence of our firft 
 parents. But loft and miferable as we 
 are, groaning under the body, of this 
 death, we know, that through the grace of 
 God in Chrift Jefus, and the benefits of 
 that covenant eftablilhed in him, we may 
 regain the image and love of God, and 
 even greater bleflings than thofe which 
 
 • Rom. iii. 4. -t Ibid. ix. 20. 
 
 accom- 
 
Of the Creation of Man. 83 
 
 accompanied the creation of Adam ; r^isc. iv. 
 
 though it is true, we cannot become on 
 
 eartii what he was in Paradife. With 
 
 propriety, however, may we apply to our- 
 
 felves the language of Job — " O that I 
 
 " were as in months pad, as in the days 
 
 " when God prelerved me ; when his 
 
 " candle fliined upon my head, and when 
 
 " by his light I walked through darknefs; 
 
 " as I was in the days of my youth, when 
 
 " the fecret of God was upon my taber- 
 
 " nacle, when the Almighty m as yet with 
 
 " me. I put on righteoufnefs, and it 
 
 " clothed me ; my judgment was us a robe 
 
 " and a diadem, my glory was freOi in 
 
 " me*." And blefled be God, we may 
 
 all recover, in fome meafure, by the fecond 
 
 Adam, our lofs in the firft. Which God 
 
 grant, for the fake of his dear Son, Jefus 
 
 Chrift our Lord ; to whom, with the 
 
 Holy Spirit, be afcribed all honour, glory, 
 
 praife and dominion, both now and for 
 
 evermore. Amen. 
 
 * Job xxix. 2, 3, 4, 5, 14. 
 
 DIS- 
 
DISCOURSE V. 
 
 THE TALL OF MAN. 
 
 Genesis iii. 6. 
 
 And when the Woman faw that the tree 
 was good for food, and that it was 
 pleafant to the eyes, and a tree to be 
 defred to make one wife ; flie took of 
 the fruit thereof, and did eat, and 
 gave alfo unto her hujband with her, 
 and he did eat. 
 
 In thefe words are recorded by the fpi- d^sc.v. 
 rit of God, the moft melancholy cataftro- ^^^-^^^ 
 phe that ever befel the human race. It 
 originated with the firft pair, the root of 
 all mankind, and its confequences have 
 been entailed upon all their pofterity. 
 How different, alas ! is the pi6ture from 
 the pleafmg portrait we lately took of 
 G 3 man's 
 
86 The Fall of Man. 
 
 DISC. V. man's primitive ftate of innocence, where 
 all was light, purit}^ and perfe6tion ; and 
 nothing is now exhibited to our view but 
 darknefs, impurity, and imperfection. 
 Gloomy however as the profpecl may be, 
 as the foundation-fione on which the re- 
 demption of mankind, and the pecuUar 
 do6lrines of the Gofpel through Jefus 
 Chrift are laid, we will endeavour to '\\- 
 luftrate the important truth of the fall of 
 Adam with its confequences and effe6ts, 
 taking care at the lame time, to (liew that 
 it was imputable to man, and not to 
 God. And may the good fpirit of God, 
 who alone can reftore us to that divine 
 image we loft in Adam, enable us to be- 
 hold with heartfelt forrow and concern, 
 our prefent corruption and mifery ! 
 
 To a contemplative mind, viewing its 
 prefent ftate, and reflefting on the out- 
 ward courfe of nature, it is evident that 
 a moral, as well as natural change, hath 
 taken place hnce the creation of Man. 
 And, if we trace the channels of cor- 
 ruption and depravity, up to their foun- 
 tain-head, we ftiall iind, we cannot derive 
 the fource of moral and natural evil from 
 
 any 
 
The Fall of Man. 87 
 
 any other root, but the common proge- disc. v. 
 iiitor of tlie whole human race. The 
 ftrcam as naturally partakes of the qua- 
 lity of the ipring, as the caufe produces 
 the efte6l, and that the current of human 
 aftions is polhited, every one's experience 
 is but a melancholy proof. How theh 
 did it become fo ? The words of the text 
 are an infalhble folution of the queftion : 
 — " AVhen the woman faw that the tree 
 " was good for food, and that it was plea- 
 " fant to the eyes, and a tree to be de- 
 " lired to make one wife ; (he took of the 
 " fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave 
 " alfo unto her hulband with her, and 
 " he did eat." God indeed had made 
 our firft parents pure, holy, happy: and 
 fo long as the}'- complied with the natural 
 and pofitive law of their Maker, they 
 could not but continue in that innocent 
 and blelTed ftate. But alas! that happy 
 innocence was foon infringed upon by the 
 evil fpirit, which had apoftatized from 
 God hmifelf; and through envy and ma- 
 lignant fubtilty had beguiled Eve, ** and 
 '' file did eat of the fruit of the tree *," 
 
 * Gon. iii. 13. 
 
 G 4 of 
 
88 The Fall of Man. 
 
 DISC. V. of the which, on pain of death, God 
 had faid, " ye (liall not eat *." As foon 
 however as they began to flatter them- 
 felves, through the artful iniinuations of 
 the ferpent, that they " (hould be as 
 " Gods, knowing good and evil-j-," they 
 began to conceive thoughts of increduhty, 
 pride, and independence towards their 
 Maker; "they fought out many inven- 
 " tions;]:," and inftead of fliewing that 
 obedience due to their Creator, as a pre- 
 fent and permanent principle in their 
 minds, they turned afide from that pri- 
 mitive limplicity, unity of defign, and 
 uniformity of condu6l fo congenial to 
 their nature. AVhen they had thus once 
 loft light of their homage and depen- 
 dence upon God, they were from that 
 moment overwhelmed in the vanity of 
 their own imaginations, and became, like 
 their infernal feducer, a melancholy ex- 
 ample of apoftacy and rebellion. They 
 did not indeed feek their own deftru6tioia, 
 but being tempted, they liftened to the 
 fedu6lions of their grand adverfary. 
 
 * Gen, iii. (). t It>itl- 5. % Ecclcs. vii. 29. 
 
 The 
 
The Fall of Man, 89 
 
 The o-reat diiriculty then is, to difcover disc. v. 
 the pollibihty of man's detection, and de- 
 .parture from his original innocence, fince 
 he uas lb newly created in the image of 
 God. The fa6i is, the fall of Adam was 
 voluntary, not neceffary ; being tempted, 
 he fell, but he had ftrength enough given 
 him of God to have vanquiflied the 
 tempter, and to have flood firm to his 
 obedience. It was in no lenfe caufed by 
 God, though foreknown. It was indeed 
 permitted, becaufe he would not impeach 
 the freedom of will he had given unto 
 man. But it is as impious, as abfurd, 
 to afcribe it to the power of an inevita- 
 ble fatality. Until w'e know the whole 
 account of the temptation, what induce- 
 ments they themfelves gave the tempter, 
 and what progreffive fteps they took to 
 confummate their own ruin, we ought 
 not to afcribe it to the effe6ts of a pre- 
 ordained neceffjty. It is impoffible to 
 determine how far the operations of the 
 mind as well in Adam, as in every good 
 man who yields to a temptation, will 
 carry him, before he commits an evil 
 action. The emotions of the mind, when 
 
 once 
 
^0 The Tall of Man. 
 
 Discv. Qfj^.^ ^i^gy j^^^.g gained the confent of the 
 will, are often quick and fudden ; in him 
 they thus unfortunately operated to his 
 ruin. To deny the fa6^, is to dii'pute the 
 authority of divine revelation, and to 
 queftion the truth, which hoth fcripture 
 and experience daily teflify, of the cof^ 
 ruption of human nature. And though 
 man was made upright, he was ilill liable 
 to fall. As a finite being he was necef- 
 farily fufceptible of change : it was an 
 appendage of his condition : for he was 
 placed by his Maker in this world, only 
 in a ftate of probation, to prove his fide- 
 lity and allegiance ; being thus left for 
 -awhile to his own counfel, it of courie 
 implied a poffibility of change of con- 
 dition. At the fame time he was made 
 capable of knowing and loving him, and 
 was endowed with a power of free-will, to 
 choofe the good and refufe the evil. 
 Such an end-owment was at all times fuffi- 
 cient to guard Him in that ftate of trial. 
 The^erv angels themfelves were on(?e 
 under fimilar circumilances, during which 
 they were capable of perfevering in their 
 original purity, or of falling from it. Ac- 
 cordingly 
 
The Vail of Man. 91 
 
 cordingly fome of them fell: Is it then to i>t?c. t. 
 be wondered at, that God (hould fufter 
 our firft parents to follow the natural dic- 
 tates of thofe faculties, with which He 
 had endowed them, and make the con- 
 tinuation of their own happinefs depend 
 «pon themfelves ? But the truth is, they 
 \vei*e free to ftand or fall: If they pre- 
 ferved thofe powers and faculties inviolate 
 with which they were intrufted as good 
 and faithful ftewards, they (hould pafs 
 into a more perfc6t and unchangeable 
 (late. But alas ! every one knows, every 
 one feels the lad event. They went from 
 •incredulity to independence, from inde- 
 pendence to inordinate concupifcence, and 
 from concupifcence to the actual tranf- 
 grefllon of eating the forbidden fruit.. 
 
 The fall of Adam, it may therefore 
 -fairly be inferred, was free and voluntary, 
 and by no means imputable to God. 
 This dedu6tion refults from the cleared 
 and moft inconteltible principles of rea- 
 lon and revelation. The former abun- 
 dbntiy ratifies that confcioulhefs of cur 
 own freedom of will, of which every ra- 
 tional agent is (^iiceptible. Tor will fuch 
 '■ '^ an 
 
92 The Fall of Man,. 
 
 Disc.v. an one be bold enough to affirm, that 
 in the commiffion of a crime, neceffity 
 or conftraint was the only motive ? Or if 
 he fliould be hardy enough to avow it, 
 who will give him credit for his avowal ? 
 Who will believe that he did not aO; 
 only in compliance with the choice of his 
 own will ? And if this be fo now, when 
 the freedom of man's will is confefledly 
 fo enflaved to fin, how much more in a 
 ftate of innocence, when he enjoyed the 
 abfolute privilege of choofmg good, and 
 refufmg evil ? It was not becaufe he chofe 
 error for error's fake, or did evil for evil's 
 fake, but he determined for himfelf, fm- 
 ned of his own accord, and yielded to 
 the temptation in fpite of his knowledge 
 and conviftion to the contrary. Eve 
 was not ignorant of the prohibition, fhe 
 even alledged it herfelf, in excufe to Sa- 
 tan, and Adam was in the fame circum- 
 ftances. Thus far does the teftimony of 
 realon avail on behalf of the fall of man. 
 The latter, or the evidence of revelation, 
 is (till more explicit : there is fcarce any 
 truth in fcripture, either exprefs or im- 
 plied, more frequendy inculcated, than 
 
 that 
 
The Fall of Man. 93 
 
 that man was the author of his own i>i^v. 
 
 ruin. " Thou haft deftroyed thyfelf, 
 
 " faith the Lord, but in me is thy 
 
 " help*." " Shew us thy mercy, O 
 
 " Lord, and grant us t/ii/ falvation. 
 
 " My foul, faith the Pfahnift, waiteth 
 
 " on God, from him cometh 7711/ falva- 
 
 " tion. — He only is my falvation, my 
 
 ** God is the rock of 7711/ falvation -i'/* 
 
 This leads us to another refle6tion, the 
 confequence of the former confiderations, 
 that the fm of Adam cannot be imputed 
 to God. There is no truth fo evident, 
 as that, God being infinitely holy, He 
 cannot be the fource of evil. And, be- 
 ing fupremely juft and good. He could 
 not render that being whom he had 
 created in his own image unhappy, in 
 fpite of itfelf, or produce in it by a ne- 
 cefifary and efficient caufe the fame evil 
 which he had prohibited, abhorred, con* 
 demned and punilhed. Shall it then be 
 faid, that God enjoined upon man a pro- 
 hibition, which was the occalion of big 
 fm, and ferved as a Ihare to him ? But 
 
 * Hosea xjii. Q. f Psalm Ixxxv. 7. Ixii. 1, 2. 
 
 Ixxxix. 26. 
 
 how ? 
 
94 The Fall of MfJiL 
 
 DTscv. how? Is the lawgiver the caufe of the 
 criipe, becaiife he prohibits it ? Is the 
 mailer the caufe of his fervant's unfaith- 
 fulnefs, becaufe he gives him a command 
 in order to prove him ? Is it not agree- 
 able to the fovereign majeliy of God, 
 and the necefiary dependence of man, 
 that the Almighty fhould prefcribe an 
 abfolute rule of conducf, and in making 
 a covenant with him, impofe certain con- 
 ditions ? Surely then it is impious ingra- 
 titude to lay any tiling to the charge of 
 God, becaufe he endowed him with a 
 freedom of will, by which he deftroyed 
 himfelf. What elfe is it but to reproach 
 the x4.1 mighty for his mod valuable gifts, 
 becaufe we abiife them ? Will even the 
 common intercourfe of life juftify any im- 
 putation upon a benefactor, for the mif- 
 application of his benefits ? Adam indeed 
 might have fallen without the diltinguifli- 
 ing faculty of frec-wili, but deflitute of 
 that which dire6ted both his knowledge 
 and his choice, he would not have been 
 a reaibnable being, capable of loving 
 God, and enjoying an infinite and Ibve- 
 reign good. It was enough that God 
 
 had 
 
The Fall of Man. 95 
 
 had endowed him with all the perfections, i^isc.v. 
 moral and intelledual, necelTary for the 
 well-being of his nature, and futTicient to 
 render him happy in that Itate, though 
 it was indeed fufceptible of alteration. 
 Mud we then impeach the all-wile 
 Creator of man, becaufe under tempta- 
 tion, he left him to his own free-will, 
 without preventing his fall by a Ibper- 
 natural interpolition ? We (hoiild remem- 
 ber that God purpolely left him in a 
 date of probation, and to have fupplied 
 any extraordinary aid to withltand the 
 temptation, would have been to fruilrate 
 his own delign. The argument feems 
 to apply thus : How ihould I prove the 
 fidelity of my fervant, if by fome invin- 
 cible means, I prevented him mylblf from 
 a poflibility of difobeying me, if he 
 would ? God indeed lays a ftrong in- 
 junction upon us to be faithful, and at 
 the fame time by his grace enables us 
 to obey him, becaufe we are not merely 
 under the covenant of nature, but un- 
 der a fupernatural dilpenfation of grace 
 founded in Chrifl Jefus. And it is 
 through the benefits of this new cove- 
 8 nant. 
 
96 The Fall of Alan. 
 
 D.'sc.v. nant, that we have any hope of deliver- 
 ance from the miferies of our fallen 
 nature. " Chrilt is the true light that 
 " lighteth every man that cometh into 
 " the world *." " No man cometh unto 
 " the Father but by him -f-." In his blood 
 are all our fins, both original and a6tuai, 
 waflied away. " He lifteth up the poor 
 " out of the mire," and " giveth medi- 
 " cine to heal their ficknefs \,." 
 
 Let us then humble ourlelves at the 
 thought and experience of our loft and 
 fallen condition by nature, and have re- 
 courfe to the grace and mercy of our 
 Lord Jefus Chrift, to fave us from death 
 and eternal ruin. And let us be tho- 
 roughly perfuaded, that how capable fo- 
 ever we were of deftroymg, we are now 
 not able to fave ourfelves. " For no man 
 " can redeem his brother §," how much 
 lefs himlelf, " or give to God a ranfom 
 " for him.'' If in a ftate of innocence 
 we could not maintain our integrity, how 
 Ihall we be capable of relieving ourfelves 
 from the fad confequences of the fall? 
 
 * John i. 9' t Il^id. xiv. 6. J Psalm cxiii. 7. 
 
 ^ Ibid, xlix. 7. 
 
 The 
 
The Fall of ]\fan. 97 
 
 The only poffible means of recovery now disc. v. 
 are, to renounce the natural pride and 
 felt-fufficiency of our own ilrength, and 
 have recouri'e to the free and Ibvereign 
 grace of God, " for we can do all things 
 *' throuali Chrift flren "then ins: us'^." 
 .Deftitute of his fupport and fuccour, mc 
 are like a lliip without a pilot, in a teni- 
 pefluous ocean. " Lord, fave us, we 
 " perillif-!" Indeed, our naturalflatc is 
 enough to fill us with fear and trem- 
 bling, but '' the grace of God which 
 ** bringeth falvation .j;," infpires us w ith 
 hope and confolation. Bleiled therefore, 
 for ever bleifed be that mercy which 
 came to vifit us, " miferable fmners, 
 " who lay in darknefs, and the fliadow 
 ** of death, that it might make us the 
 " children of God, and exalt us to ever- 
 " lafting life§.'* How pleafmg, how wel- 
 come, would thefe glad tidmgs be, were 
 we but once truly fenfible of our mifery 
 through the fall of Adam ! With what 
 unfeigned gratitude and praife fhould we 
 
 * Phil. IV. 13. + Matt. viii. 25. J Tit. ii. 11. 
 § Coinmun. Serv. 
 
 VOL. I. II exclaim. 
 
PS The Tall of Man. 
 
 DISC. y. exclaim, " thanks be to God for his un- 
 " fpcakable gift*." " Not as the offence, 
 " fo ahb is the free-gift, for if thyough 
 " the offence of one many be dead, 
 '* much more the grace of God, and 
 " the gift by grace, which is by one 
 " man Jefus Chrilt, hath abounded unto 
 *' many i-." It is our part to receive 
 with repentance and faith our great Re- 
 deemer, who came to deUver us from lin 
 and death, from the curfe of the law, and 
 from the power of Satan. Let us there- 
 fore fight manfully under his banners, 
 againft all our fpi ritual enemies, fo fliall 
 we be " more than conquerors through 
 " him that loved us]:." Let us no longer 
 i(jek out vain inventions and fooliOi de- 
 lires, which are " conupt according to 
 " the deceitful lufts §," but earneltly im- 
 plore the help of God, that mo may 
 " ferve Him in true holinefs and righte- 
 *' ouliiels all the days of our life (I/* 
 Adam fell through unbelief; let us llajul 
 fail in the faith : he tranlgreiled through 
 
 * '.^ C'or. ix. 15. t Rom. v. l,**. J Rom* viii. oj . 
 S Epli. i\. ■>■,', II Luke i. 74, 75. 
 
 a vain 
 
The Fall of Man. 99 
 
 a vain dclire of knowledsie, let us liiinibly ^i^t;. v. 
 and taithfuUv acquiefce in " the trulh as 
 ** it is in Jelus"*." " Chrilt gave bis 
 *' lil'e to be the propitiation tor our 
 ** lins-J:" His grace and Ipirit are at all 
 times ready to lan6tiiy our depraved na- 
 ture, and renew our hearts into the 
 imaoe of God. If liieb l"an6tification 
 and renovation be neceliary, (and furely 
 none ^\ho acknowledge the redemption 
 that is in Chrilt Jefus will deny it) let 
 us worthily adore the divine myitery, 
 and elteem it an invaluable mercy to be 
 born under the new covenant, " which ijj 
 " eftabliilied on better promifes ;J;," pro- 
 mifes more fpiritual, more clear, more 
 exteniive, and the happinefs refer ved in 
 heaven for us, more tranfcendent, more 
 lafting, and more glorious than that in 
 paradife, even unchangeable, immortal, 
 eternal. 
 
 Grant therefore, O blefiTed Loud God, 
 that we may all be fo delivered from the 
 guilt and punilhment of Adam's tranf- 
 grefllon ; that, being renewed in the 
 
 • Eph, iv, i.M. t J John ii. 2. _ ; Heb. viii. 6. 
 
 H 2 imaee 
 
100 The Fall of Man, 
 
 Pisc V. in^age of God, and made *' partakers of 
 " a divine nature *," we may be re-in- 
 ftated in the glorious fruition of the eter- 
 nal godhead, Father, Son, and Holy 
 Ghoit, to whom be afcribed all the ho- 
 nour, and glory, and power, of man's 
 falvation throughout all ages, world with- 
 out end. Amen. 
 
 * 2 Pet. i. 4. 
 
 D1S= 
 
DISCOURSE VI. 
 
 PROVIDENCE. 
 
 Hebrews i. middle part of ver. 3. 
 
 Upholding all Things by the Word of his 
 Poxver. 
 
 After the creation and fall of man, disc. vi. 
 it is fome confolation to his forlorn con- ^"^^^-^^ 
 dition to be aiTured that the world itfelf, 
 and man more efpecially, are fuftained, 
 preferved, and governed by an over-ruling 
 Providence. Accordingly this doctrine 
 hath been univerfally admitted by all who 
 profefs to believe in divine revelation, In- 
 deed without the admiffion of this facred 
 and comfortable truth, it would be im- 
 poffible, upon any rational principle, to 
 account for the fuftentation, government, 
 and order of the eftablilhed courfe of 
 II 3 nature. 
 
102 Providence. 
 
 DISC. VI. nature. The very definition of Provi- 
 dence is, that it is a work of the Alniiglit}', 
 by wliieh be forefees, directs, and orders 
 all tbings after tbe counfel of bis own 
 will, to their proper ends and to bis own 
 glory. Now as all tbings are the work 
 of bis wiiHorn and power, fo they conti- 
 nually depend upon his fuperintending 
 Providence for their prefervation. " Thou 
 ^* preferveft man and beaft */' *' Thou, 
 " even thou, art Lord alone ; thou baft 
 *' made heaven and earth ; the heaven of 
 ** heavens, with all their hoft; and tbe 
 *' earth, and all things that are therein ; 
 ^* the feas, and all that is therein ; and 
 " thou preferveft all, and the boil of 
 ^' beaven worfliippeth thee-f." Equally 
 dependent, alfo, are tbe creatures for 
 their operations and power of a6lion, as 
 for their very exiftence ; for God worketb 
 in them according to their nature and mode 
 of operation; and notwithftanding this 
 divine agency in and upon them, tbe effeds 
 they produce are to be afcribed to their 
 immediate caufes ; which in no degree 
 
 * Pfalm x^gtvi, 6. f Nchcm. ix. 5. 
 
 obftrua 
 
Proiidcnre. 103 
 
 obftriK^ the fret dom of ihcir refptctlve t)i><-' vi. 
 faculties, but enable ibem to bring them 
 forth into action, according to their na- 
 tures, in iuch a manner, that what they 
 do is properly their own at:l, though they 
 cannot do it without the co-operation of 
 the divine energy. 
 
 And as the irrational part of the crea- 
 tion are thus fuliained in their i'phere by 
 the all-protecting hand of Providence, 
 much more are we preferved in all evils 
 and dangers. Kxcept it watch over us for 
 good, in vain do we feek for refuge : fo 
 manifold and great are the evils and miferies 
 of this prefent life, that we Qiould never be 
 fecure one moment, if tlie ibperintending 
 arm of Omnipotence fliould be withdrawn 
 from us ; — but, " under the Oiadowofthy 
 " ^^ings*,** O Lord, we are fafe ; for 
 ** thou wilt defend us as with a iliield.'* 
 God ruleth over all, as the iupremc 
 governor ; yea, " he ruleth the world w ith 
 " the palm of his hand, and all things 
 " obey his will-j-." " The eyes of all wait 
 " upon thee, O Loud, and thou givelt 
 ^' them their meat in due feafon. Thou 
 
 * riUlin xvii. 8. t Kccliil'. xviii. 3. 
 
 H 4 " openeft 
 
104 Pi'ovulenre, 
 
 Di^cvi. " openeft thine hand, and ialisrieft tlio 
 " deflre of every living thing*." For 
 the fame reafon we are taught to believe, 
 that all the bleOings we enjoy are the 
 gifts of God, and all our afflitSiions pro- 
 ceed from him, and are at his all-wife 
 difpofal. Both the one and the other are 
 difpenfed according to his good pleafure ; 
 though it muft be owned that fm natu- 
 rally induceth evil, and righteoufnefs good. 
 By the power of his grace we are enabled 
 to obey his will ; and though, by our 
 tranfgrellion, he permits evil, he is by no 
 means the author of it. As by his wifdom 
 he bringeth light out of darknefs, fo by 
 his Providence he draweth good out of 
 evil ; for " God is not the author of 
 f' confufion f-," but of order. He is even 
 fometimes wont to dire6l moral evil, how- 
 ever contrary to its nature, to a good end ; 
 and by it to take occafion to magnify his 
 mercy or his juitice. In fa 61;, there is no 
 event but God ruleth and difpofeth it 
 according to the counfel of his own will. 
 He influences natural caufes in their 
 
 * Pfalm cxlv. 15, l6. -}■ 1 Cor. xiv.33. 
 
 courfe, 
 
Provitknce. 105 
 
 courfe, and the univerle itielf is under bis disc. vi. 
 controul, lor he is the fupreme dii'pofer of 
 all things. 
 
 This belief then of a divine Providence 
 conftitutes the chief foundation of that 
 iervice and worfliip which we owe unto 
 God. If there were no Providence, there 
 could be no correfpondence between God 
 and his creatures, and all his perfections 
 would avail nothing to mankind. What 
 would the infinite wifdom, and power, and 
 juftice, and goodnefs ot" God concern 
 them, if he took no care of their affairs ? 
 What reafon could they have to fear and 
 love, to truft in, and pray unto God, if 
 he fliewed no regard of their aCtions, nor 
 would render unto them according to their 
 works .'* Let us, therefore, humbly and 
 thankfully infer, dependent creatures as 
 we are, that the belief of a divine Provi- 
 dence is a ncceffary truth of religion. A 
 brief refutation of fome of the obje6tions 
 commonly urged againft it, with the im- 
 provement the belief of this do6lrine na- 
 turally fuggeits, will form the remaining 
 part of this difcourfe. 
 
 The firft objection is, that it is not con- 
 fident 
 
106 Providc7ice. 
 
 Disc.vr. ilfient with the majefty of God to take 
 the rule and chreciion of the affairs of this 
 Avorkl. Vtut furely the proper exercife of 
 majefty is to govern : and the government 
 of the world is fo far from bein^ beneath 
 the majefty of God, that there is none 
 but the Lord of heaven and earth can 
 undertake it. To '■lire6b the helm of the 
 univerfe, and fteer it with an unerring 
 hand to the wifeft and beft purpofes, mull 
 iurely be worthy of its adorable author. 
 For what dilhonour can it reflect upon the 
 great Creator to fuperintend the work of 
 his own hands, and to govern and pro- 
 vide for all creatures which he hath made? 
 It is not a work of labour or difficulty to 
 him to rule over all, like the exerciie of 
 dominion in created beings, whole im- 
 perfection and wcaknefs naturally obftru6l 
 their operations. But God is an infmite, 
 all-perfecb being, and therefore all things 
 are to him alike eafy and poffible. It 
 would be highly derogatory to the nature, 
 •wifdom, power, and goodnefs of God, 
 to conceive of him in any other light than 
 ruling and difpofmg all things for the 
 benefit of his creatures, pnd for his own 
 
 glory ; 
 3 
 
Providence. 107 
 
 glory; and therefore the exercife of his ^^^<^ ^'f- 
 providential ibperintcndancc is fo far from 
 being irkfomc, that it mutt be delightful 
 and pleafing to him. 
 
 The next objection urged againft this 
 do6i:rine is, that it is irreconcilable with 
 thofe natural and moral evils which abound 
 in the world. Ijut the warring of the 
 elements, the earth's produdion of briers 
 and thorns, and the permiflion of fin in 
 the world, is no more inconfiftent with 
 the Providence of God, than the appoint- 
 ment of free agency in rational beings is 
 incompatible with the perfe6lions of the 
 divine nature. When God permitteth fm, 
 he doth not deprive mankind of the means 
 of preventing it : he fuflers them to exer- 
 cife the freedom of their will in choofmg 
 good, or refufing evil. What difparage^ 
 ment then is it to the Providence of God, 
 to permit free and rational agents to acb 
 conformably to their nature ? Jf, when 
 God on his part hath done fufiicient to 
 reftrain men from evil, and encourage them 
 to good, they abufe their liberty, and 
 fruftrate the inetliods of divine grace to- 
 wards them, how can they impeach his 
 
 Provi- 
 
108 Providence. 
 
 DISC. VI. Providence for an act which is the effe6l of 
 their own folly and perverfenefs ? 
 
 If then the permilFion of fin be in no 
 refpeft repugnant to the ju(tice and good- 
 nefs of Providence, much lefs can thofe 
 miferies which abound in the world be 
 any reproach to it. Moft of the evils to 
 which we are hable, are either the natural 
 effe6ls of our fins, or the juft punilhment 
 of them. And it is neither unreafonable 
 or unjuft, that we ftiould fuifer according to 
 our deferts. As mankind in general are 
 prone to tranfgreffion, fo the miferies con- 
 fequent upon it, are a ftrong prefumptive 
 evidence of a juft Providence. 
 
 The unequal diftribution of temporal 
 bleffings is alfo another objection to this 
 argument, particularly fince the ungodly 
 are fonietimes feen to profper, and the 
 righteous to be deftitute and affli6led. 
 But when we confider the prefent ftate of 
 things in this world, how fleeting and 
 tranfitory ! we fliall find that all the dif- 
 penfations of Providence, however appa- 
 rently unequal, are not only well adapted 
 to the nature of things, but neceflary, as 
 fuch, to the prefent circumftances and con- 
 dition 
 
Providence. 109 
 
 dition of mankind. The very nature of ^'^'^c. vr. 
 good and evil in this world is fo relative 
 and precarious, that it might feem rather 
 to derofrate from the wifdom of Provi- 
 dencc to be more exact in the diftribution 
 either of the one or the other. All worldly 
 bleflings and enjoyments are mean and in- 
 confiderable of themfelves in the account 
 of God ; he confequently difpenfes them' 
 indifcriminately, without apportioning to 
 every one bis juft recompence or defert. 
 Indeed the prefent ftate of things (which 
 is only a Itate of probation) requires 4n 
 unequal diflribution of temporahties, for 
 the mutual prefervation, fupport, and fub-. 
 ordination of the different ranks of men. 
 The world itfelf is a ftate of public difci- 
 pline ; temporal afflictions are as neceflary 
 for the trial of the righteous, and the ex- 
 ercife of their graces, as an uninterrupted 
 career of profperity to lead the wicked 
 to a right knowledge of their dependence 
 upon God. If the righteous never tafted 
 the cup of afiBiction, and the wicked were 
 always deprefled with forrow and tribula- 
 tion, neither the one or the other would, 
 in that cafe, be fufficiently tried. But the 
 
1 10 Provideu(te. 
 
 DISC. vr. Providence of God has Mifelj tempered 
 the one witii the other, and made one lot 
 common to them both. If it were not fo, 
 many would abltain from iin, not from a 
 real motive of goodnef^s, but from a re- 
 gard to felfilhnefs only. The troubles of 
 the righteous would ceafe to conduce to 
 their Ipiritual welfare, and the enjoyments 
 of prolperous fnuiers, would invariably to 
 them become a fnare and a curfe. The 
 unequal difpenfutions, therefore, of Provi-* 
 dence in this world, are io far from being 
 an evidence againft it, that they highly 
 contribute to eftablifli the wifdom and 
 juftice of his dealings with men. 
 
 From the argument thus briefly elucidat- 
 ed, lay thine hand upon thine heart, O 
 man, and ferioufly alk thyfelf, whether 
 thou hail any juit ground of complaint 
 againft Providence, for having placed thee 
 in this chequered fcene of things ; or 
 whether thou halt any reafon to delire that 
 -they ihould be otherwile than they arc ; 
 or that the general flate of things could be 
 altered for the better. C'oniider for a mo- 
 ment the lamentable fall of man, and its 
 numberlefs confequent evils ; reflect on 
 
 the 
 
Providence. Ill 
 
 the unfearchable defigns of Providence in disc. vr. 
 the general adniiniltration of the world ; '^'^^ 
 and liiy whether any other expedient could 
 be difcovered that would equally contribute 
 to the "lorv of God, and the <i;eneral crood 
 of mankind. If, upon the ^vhole, thou art 
 forced to confefs, whatever trials or afflictions 
 may have fallen to thy fliare, that thou 
 fuftereft infniitely lefs than thou delervefl ; 
 that thy very fufferings themielves (unlefi 
 foolilhly fruftrated) may be the means, 
 under the blelling of Providence, of thy 
 greateft good ; that thy prefent good things 
 far exceed thy prefent evils ; and though 
 great in themielves, are but little foretaftes 
 of thole immortal joys in reverfion, which 
 thou art taught to hope for, and of which 
 thou niayeti: be ihortly in poflelfion ; if, I 
 fay, thou art forced to confeis all this, 
 then in humble proitration bow down, 
 and with heartfelt gratitude own, that 
 " God reigns, and all is well*;'* — " His 
 " work is perfeei, all his ways are judg- 
 " ment, a God of truth, and without ini- 
 " quity ; jult and right is he-i-," I^et u*^ 
 
 * Stc Dr. Price's Serin, en rrovidcucc, 
 ■J Dfut. x.wii. 4. 
 
 then 
 
112 Provideijce, 
 
 Difc. VI. then learn to commit ourfelves and all our 
 affairs to his all-wiie difpofal, and excite 
 one another to depend at all times and 
 under all circumftances on his providential 
 fuperintendance. It is, without doubt, the 
 beft method of obtaining the good we de- 
 lire, and of avoiding the evil we dread. 
 He took care of us when we hanged upon 
 our mother's breafts, and he hath been 
 our preferver and proteftor ever fince, 
 even unto this moment. On God, there- 
 fore, let us (till place our hope, and our 
 dependence. But if in addition to his 
 general Providence over us, we can fecure 
 his love and favour, as our reconciled 
 Father in Chrift Jefus, we (hall then be 
 under his more immediate care ; for he 
 will protect us in all dangers, and carry 
 us through all temptations. " We know 
 « that all things work together for good 
 " to them that love him *." This perfua- 
 fion will arm us to endure with patience 
 and refignation the crofles and difappoint- 
 ments we meet with here, and flop the 
 mouth of all ungrateful repinings. As 
 there is notlnng which makes us more 
 
 * Rom. viii. C8. 
 
 thankful. 
 
Providence. 1 ] 3 
 
 tliankful, than an opinion that the blef- ijtsc- vr. 
 lings lCc receive, exceed thofc that are be- 
 ftowed upon others, fo there is hardly any 
 thing which makes us more impatient than 
 a conceit, that the affiictions which befall 
 us are unparalleled ; as it' the Providence 
 of God did not extend itfelf as favourably 
 to us, as to the reit of our fellow-crea- 
 tures. 
 
 Henceforth therefore let us fully acqui- 
 efce in the afTurance of the general Pro\ i- 
 dence of God over mankind at large, and 
 over his Church, and every particular mem- 
 ber of the fame, in an efpecial manner. 
 For as the world was made for the benefk 
 of mankind, fo was mankind for the glory 
 of Chrift's Church ; and as the world (liall 
 one day have an end, and the generations 
 of mankind ceafe — fo when the number 
 of the ele<5l (the members of Chrilt's 
 Church properly fo called) is fuily accom- 
 plilhed, then ihall this fublunary fcene of 
 things pais awav, and the works of Provi- 
 dence be conlummate. In the mean time, 
 be aliured, that his fuperintending care 
 extends not only to the prefervation of 
 outward nature, but to the faletv and pro- 
 ve l. i. I tection 
 
X 14 Providence, 
 
 DISC. VI. tedion of his Church, which " He keep- 
 "^""^ «« eth as the apple of the eye */' The 
 Church triumphant has indeed no need ot 
 ' providential care ; it remains unchangeahle, 
 hke the fun in his meridian fplendor ; but 
 the Church miUtant on earth, hke that 
 feebler luminary, the moon, ever chang- 
 ing its outward appearance, though never 
 wholly deprived of light, gives us an af- 
 furance of recovering its brightnefs, even 
 in the fulnefs thereof, fo that no clouds of 
 darknefs, nor ftorms of perfecution, Ihall 
 ever again obfcure it. 
 
 In full reliance on this comfortable ex- 
 peaation, let us confidently commit every 
 event to the wife and all-direaing hand of 
 Providence. Let us be aflured, that not 
 a " fparrow falls to the ground without 
 " his permiffion, and that the hairs of our 
 «. head are all numbered f-" -'^"d if in 
 thefe minute and comparatively trifling 
 circumftances the finger of God is con- 
 feflfedly difplayed, much more in events 
 which involve the fate of empires, and the 
 advancement or decline of the Chriftian 
 
 Pfalm xvii. 8. t Matt. x. -29, 30. 
 
 Church. 
 
Providence. II5 
 
 vr. 
 
 Church. Revolutions of various defcrip- disc 
 tions are in the prefent eventful period ^^' 
 making every llate and kingdom in Eu- 
 rope rtiake to its very centre, to anfwer 
 fome unforefeen and momentous defifi^na* 
 tions of divine Providence *. True it is, 
 that the period in which thefe important 
 tranfaftions are accomplifhing is awfully 
 tragical, fufficient of itfelf to imprefs 
 even the moft carelefs and unthinking ob- 
 ferver with a ftriking proof of the truth of 
 that do6lrine now under conlideration. 
 
 In the various tranfactions therefore 
 that are now carrying on upon the theatre 
 of the world, wliatever iffues may be de- 
 rived from them either to the Church or 
 State to which we belong, let us, in defi- 
 ance of any modern atheiftical notions, or 
 the tenets of a falfe philofophy, not im- 
 pute the event to chance, or fortune, or 
 fate, but fee and acknowledge the all-wife 
 and over-ruling Providence of God in 
 it; for " the Lord is Kingf;"'* he 
 " putteth down one, and fetteth up ano- 
 " ther:|:." 
 
 * This Difcourfe was written in 17P9. 
 + Plalm X. 16. I Ibid. Ixxv. 
 
 Let 
 
Proiidt-nce. ^ 
 
 Let us earneftly inlreat his providential 
 care over us, and commit ourjtlx es, and 
 all our concerns, to his ali-wiie dilpofal. For 
 calamities of ever}^ kind, whether pubhc 
 or private, luive their commiilion from 
 Ilim. " Ai'fliction comes not forth of the 
 " dull*." And as he brings it upon us 
 for a chafiifement of our fms, fo He pro- 
 portions it according to our guilt. He 
 befl knows the ftrength of the difeafe, and 
 ihe application of tlie proper remedy ; 
 and it concerns us chiefly to hope, that in 
 the end he will brms: iiood out of evil, 
 that we may live to bleis and praife his 
 holy name for all his wife diipenfations. 
 
 Let us then not difquiet ourfelvesin re- 
 ference to the wellare of our country or 
 our pofterity ; all things are in the hand of 
 God; and though we muft every one of 
 us ibon go hence, and quit this tumultuous 
 Icene, yet let us apply to ourfelves Jacob's 
 confolation to his ion Jofeph : " Jjehold 
 " I die: But CjOD ihall be with you f." 
 
 And with refped to the Church of Chrift 
 on earth, (of vhich we j^rofefs ourfelves 
 members, and of whole privileges we all 
 
 * Job V. G. + Gen. xlviii. '-21. 
 
 have 
 
Proildcnce. 117 
 
 have llic happinprsoFl-eing partakers, and disc, vl 
 more efpecially, if we have found God to 
 be our " reconciled Father in Chrid 
 " Jelus ;" we liave his infallible word, 
 that " the gates of hell fliall not prevail 
 " againft it *." 
 
 In full confidence therefore of this di- 
 vine promife, " let us caft all our care 
 " upon him, for he careth for us -f ;** 
 " for the Lord Goj> is a fun and lliield ; 
 " the Loud will give grace and glory, 
 " and no oood thins; will he with-hold 
 " from them that walk uprightly. O 
 " LoKD of hods, blefled is the man that 
 " trufteth in thee J." 
 
 Now to God the Father, &c. 
 
 Matt..xvi. !8. t 1 Ppt. V. 7. 
 
 : IMulm Ixxxiv. 11, ]-;;. 
 
 T 3 
 
 DIS. 
 
DISCOURSE VII. 
 
 OlMGIXAL AND ACTUAL SIN 
 
 Romans iii. 23. 
 
 All have finned, and come Jhort of the 
 Glory of God. 
 
 1 PIE words of the text naturally lead disc. vii. 
 us, agreeably to the plan already marked 
 out, to the confideration both of original 
 and a<5taal 11 n, the lamentable effe<^l of the 
 fall of Adam. To form a right notion of 
 this important doclrine and its confe- 
 quences, it will be necelTary in the fequel, 
 by way of application, to point out its guilt 
 and puniihment. 
 
 " Original hn then, (to take it in the 
 
 *' words of our own Church) is the faulc 
 
 " and corruption of the nature of every 
 
 I 4 " man. 
 
120 Oj'iginal and a chad Sin. 
 
 Di.^r. vrr. «' man, that is naturally engendered of the- 
 " offspring of Adam, wherebj man is 
 " very far gone from original righteoaf- 
 " nefs, and is of his oun nature inclined 
 " to evil "*." As God vouchfafed to 
 make a covenant Vvith x4dam, and in him 
 with aU mankind, fo when he tranfgreiled 
 it all his poiierity finned in him, and his 
 aftiial offence, as it is imputed to tlie whole 
 race of mankind, is become original. 
 
 From this iin thus imputed, proceeds 
 the privation of original righteoufnefs, as 
 its juft pimiihment. All fupernatural gifts, 
 with which man was at iirit endowed, were 
 forfeited by the fall, and his natural en- 
 dowments much corrupted. I'he foul of 
 man is now indeed created without the 
 gifts of fupernatural grace, through the 
 infection and guilt of the fnft iin imputed. 
 When the inniiortal fpirit is united to the 
 polluted body derived from Adam by na- 
 tural generation, it participates of the 
 guilt of his original Iin, becaufe every 
 thing derixed, partakes of the fource from 
 whence it Iprmgs. it is no wonder then, 
 that being thus difmantled of its primitive 
 
 * Article ix. 
 
 innocence. 
 
Original and aditul Sin. 121 
 
 innocence", it llioukl contrad corruplion, t^i=^c. vir. 
 as n-on niit, whole polilii is not to l)e re- 
 Itored vvithoat a new formation. I'roni 
 this natural taint of fin, no man, except 
 Jeliis Chrift f/ic Rin/i/cous, is, or ever \ias, 
 free. AVe are all by nature deliled by 
 carnal concupifcence. Even the blefled 
 Virgin herfelf was conceived in iniquity, 
 and born in fin. " For all have finned, 
 " and come fliort of the glory of God ^\'* 
 And " if we lay that we have no fm, ^e 
 " deceive ourfelyes, and the truth is not 
 " in us 'i'." AVe have no power of our- 
 felves to will or do any thing that is good 
 without the fpecial grace of God; " tor 
 " it is God that vvorketh in us both to will 
 *' and to do of his good pleafure j." And 
 when we are regenerated and renewed by 
 grace, there is Hill, even in the belt of 
 men, a principle of innate lin remaining in 
 lis, and prompting us to evil, which, un- 
 iels it be relirained, is apt to produce lin- 
 ful a6lions. Tor out of the heart of man 
 proceedeth all iniquity ; and " luft, when 
 *' it hath concoi\ ed, brlngeth forth" a6tual 
 ^' lm|l." 
 
 * Rom. iil. 23, + 1 John i. 8. 
 
 I Phil, ii. 13. 11 Jain, i. L5. 
 
 Now 
 
122 Original and actual SiJi. 
 
 PTSC.vir. ^ow actual fin is a voluntary tranfgref- 
 (ion of the law of God, and neceflarily 
 induces guilt and puniiliment. No one is 
 fo ignorant as not to know, that the law 
 oi God is the rule of duty, and that 
 every a6tion is good or bad by its confor* 
 mity to that law or its violation of it. For 
 " the flrength of (in is the law * ;" and 
 " by the commandment fin*' appeareth 
 *' to be exceeding finfui f ;*' for if there 
 were " no law," there would l)e " no 
 *' tranfgreffion J ;" " for fm is the tranf- 
 " greflion of the law §." 
 
 And as the law is the rule, fo the will 
 is the caufe of all moral a6tions, and from 
 it they take their eftimate. If an nftion, 
 which the law enjoins, be done with a 
 ready mind and upright intention, it is mo- 
 rally good, but if the will confents to a 
 violation of the law, it becomes morally 
 evil : for the will is the principle of a6lion, 
 and by it a man is denominated either 
 good or bad. Though many evils may fol- 
 low the outward conjmiliion of lin, yet 
 there are no degrees of morality, beyond 
 
 * 1 Cot, XV. 56. + Rom. vii. 13. J Ibid. iv. 15. 
 § 1 John iii. 4:. 
 
 the 
 
Original and aSIual Sin. 12S 
 
 the lad a6l of the will, which excites the disc. vir. 
 execuiion of it. Vv'heii the will hath once 
 fully conlented to the coniniiriioii of a 
 crime, God, who knowtth the lieart, ef- 
 teeins it as perpetrated, and it is as impu- 
 table in his ali-ieeing eye, as if it had been 
 aftiially committed. He who piirpoles to 
 kill another, and watches an opportunity 
 to do it, though he fliould not carry his 
 purpofe into execuiion, is guilty of nmrder 
 before God ; for God judgeth not by the 
 event, but by the intention. In the fame 
 manner our bleffed Saviour interpreteth 
 the law, " A\'hofoever looketh upon a 
 *' woman to luft afier her, hath ah'eady 
 " committed adultery with her in his 
 " heart* ;" where the will is evidently con- 
 {Irued into the act. 
 
 Having thus confidered the nature of 
 actual fin, let us purfue the lubje6l a little 
 further, according to its ufual diftribution, 
 into (ins of commifllon and omifTion. The 
 former of which happens, when the evil 
 forbidden is a6tually perpetrated, and 
 there is no ground of innocence. Every 
 fuch tranfgrcfllon is a greater hn, than the 
 
 * Matt, V. 28. 
 
 l)are 
 
124. Orimnal and acliial Sin. 
 
 o 
 
 DISC. Yii. |ij^,rc omiffjon of a duty, btcaufe it is more 
 directly contrary to the letter of the law, 
 to the dictates of confcience, and tends 
 more to the diilionour of God, and the 
 difparagement of his holy religion. " Thefe 
 " ought ye to have done;" " and,'* it 
 is immediately added, " not to leave the 
 " other undone */' 
 
 The law of God is tranfgreffed, as well 
 when that is omitted, which ought to be 
 done, as when that is done, which ought 
 to be avoided. It is not enough to avoid 
 evil, we muft alfo do good. " Every tree 
 " that briiigeth not forth good fruit, is 
 " hewn down, and call into the fire -j /* 
 Negative good, as well as pofitive evil, 
 renders us obnoxious to the wrath of God. 
 And as God, in compaffion to the 
 frailty of our nature, has gracioufly vouch- 
 fafed us a rule of duty, ib he has bound 
 us to the obfervance of it by the ftrongeil 
 fanctions. Our guilt in his tight is there- 
 fore equal, whether it ariies from the fug- 
 geftion of our own will, the imperioufnefs 
 of autliority, the influence of perfuafion, 
 or the power of example. 1( we liri 
 
 Matt, xxiii. 23. f Ibk;. iii, 10. 
 
 through 
 
Original and actual Sin. 12j 
 
 i\\\'o the perverfeners of our own choice, Dr>c.vn. 
 uitiioiit any extruiilc motive, the gMiilt ^^' 
 lies wliolly upon our own Ibuls. " For one 
 " Ihall not bear the iniquity of another, 
 " but the foul that iinneth, it ihall die*." 
 
 Or if we violate the law of God through 
 the conftraint of authority, it by no means 
 excules the guilt of the offence ; for \^ hen 
 man enjoins any thing prohibited by the 
 divine law, we owe no obedience to it, but 
 we " ought to obey God rather than 
 " men •(•." Or, if we fin againft God 
 through the fear, or perfuafion, or example 
 of men, we exalt and honour them more 
 than God, and thereby commit a moit: 
 provoking abomination by exciting the 
 jealoufy of the Molt High. We become 
 like thofe unhappy wretches, who con- 
 fented to the rebellion of Korah and his 
 company, in not " departing from the 
 *' tents of thofe wicked men %." 
 
 It is alio a no Ids aggravation of our 
 fms, when we glory in them, and rejoice 
 in the iniquities of others. We nrake our- 
 . ielves acceffaries to them, and, by contri- 
 buting, as much as in us lies, to theirguiit, 
 
 '* y.zok. xviii. CO. f Ads v. ?9. X Numb. xvi. '2G. 
 
 we 
 
126 Original and a&ual Sin. 
 
 DISC. VII. we are liable to their punifhment. To 
 avoid therefore, as niuch as poffible, the 
 commiflion of actual fiii, do we endea- 
 vour, upon all occalions, to rtmn the caufes 
 of it ? Do we in general not yield to 
 temptation, but through the power of di- 
 vine grace, and the efficacy of earneft 
 prayer, iirive to withitand it ? All affec- 
 tion to evil, indulgence of it, and conti- 
 nuance in it, conftitute the very effence of 
 ■wilful tranfgreffion. \i, on the contrary, 
 we were careful to uie that meafure of 
 grace, which Goi> hath given, or is ready 
 to vouchfafe us, we might, no doubt, avoid 
 all deliberate iins, fuch, more eipecially, as 
 are inconfiflent with a ftate of regenera- 
 tion. *' Whofoevcr is born of God, faith 
 " St. John, doth not commit fin ;" that 
 is, known and deliberate fins, nor live in 
 the i)ra6tice of them, '* for his feed re- 
 " maineth in him ;" a principle of divine 
 grace a6luates him, inclining him to hate, 
 and rnabliu": him to avoid evcrv kind of 
 ini(|uity ; and therefore, morally fpeaking, 
 he cannot fo fin,, " becaule he is born of 
 " God*." 
 
 * \ J.jlin lii. .9. 
 
 Another 
 
Original and acfiial Sin, 127 
 
 Another caufe of adual iin, is, when i>i^c:. vii. 
 we commit iniquity, knowing it to be for- 
 bidden by the law of God. *' To him 
 " that knovveth to do good, and doth it 
 " not, to him it is Iin * ;" a iin of an 
 heinous nature. The greater knowledge 
 of the will of God, evidently implies the 
 greater guilt. " If," faid our blefled Sa- 
 viour to the Jews, *" I had not come and 
 " fpoken unto them, they had not had 
 " lin-f-;" that is, their iin had not been lb 
 great ; but becaufe they defpiled the means 
 of knowledge, and " rejected the couniel 
 " of God againii: themlelves J," therefore 
 " they had no cloke for their Iin §." Ig- 
 norance of the law, and of duty, when it 
 is not wilful, but unavoidable, will in the 
 eye of a merciful God, ever extenuate 
 guilt. " But that fervant which knew 
 " his Lord's will, and did it not, fliall be 
 " beaten with many ftripes ; for unto 
 " whomfoever much is given, of him lliall 
 " much be required ||.'' 
 
 A third caule of a6lual tranfgreflion, is, 
 when we do a thing which confcience con- 
 
 ♦ James iv. 17. + John xv, 22. J Luke vii. 30. 
 § John XV. 22. || Luke xii. 4". 
 
 demns. 
 
118 Origtiud and actual Shu 
 
 DUG. vir. demns. It is the ft ill voice of God within 
 us; if M-e a6l contrary to its dictates, we 
 " fin, and come lliort of the glory of 
 " God ',' we aggravate our guilt and con- 
 demnation. Nay, ev^n to doubt of the 
 lawfulnefs of a thing, and do it, though 
 in itfelf lawful, is to incur the cenfure of 
 this inward monitor ; for he that doubt- 
 eth is condemned of himfelf, becaufe he 
 doth it not of faith, or with a full per- 
 fuafion that it is lawful: " For whatfoever 
 " is not of faith is lin *." 
 
 And as there are different caufes of fin, fo 
 are there alio different degrees of it, fbme 
 more heinous than others, the guilt of which 
 is confequently greater, and therefore de- 
 ferves greater punilhment. And though 
 all fin is a tranfgreiilioii of the law^, fome 
 violations of it are greater than others, as 
 fome matters are more weighty, and fome 
 duties more excellent than others ; fo the 
 breach of thefe is more offcnfive, than 
 the bare omiffion of fome of its precepts. 
 And as the guilt of fin is in proportion 
 to its quality, ib is the punifliment, 
 " for it fiiall be more tolerable for fome" 
 
 * Rom. xiv. 23. 
 
 in 
 
Original zifid actual Sin. 12^ 
 
 in the day of judgment " than for disc. vir. 
 
 " others 
 
 Now the guilt of fin confifts in a great 
 meafure in the cu'cumftances under which 
 it is committed. The greater the com- 
 mandment by which it is prohibited, the 
 greater the violation of it; and the more 
 evil and mifchief confequent upon it, the 
 higher is the guilt. The aftual commlf- 
 fion of a crime, is therefore of greater ma- 
 lignity than the firft conception of it in the 
 heart, becaufe its effeds are more fenfible 
 and deft ruftive. For the fame reafon, the 
 repetition of a fm, and continuance in it, 
 increafe its guilt ; for relapfes not only 
 contra6l the guilt of fo many more fniful 
 a6ls, but render thofe a6ts more exceed- 
 ingly fmful and dangerous, till by an in- 
 Teterate habit of finning, the guilt is en- 
 hanced in the highelt degree. When the 
 power of fm in the human breaft is fo pre- 
 dominant, as not only to render the finner 
 hardened, but to caule him to delight in it, 
 and even to glory in its (hame, then is the 
 guilt of it exceffive, and there is little hope 
 of remiffion. The jufl defert of fuch ob- 
 
 * Malt. X. 15. 
 
 VOL. I. K durate 
 
130 Orimnal and actual Sin. 
 
 'O 
 
 DISC. VII. clurate wickcdnefs muft end in punidi- 
 ment — that condign puniflnnent, which is 
 due to the wilful breach of God's law^s, 
 and confifts in death temporal, fpiritual, 
 and eternal. 
 
 Now the temporal punidiment of fin is 
 the death of the body, and the confequent 
 deprivation of thofe outward comforts and 
 conveniences appendant on this life. For 
 " as by one man lin entered into the 
 " world, and death by lin, fo death pafied 
 " upon all men, for that all have finned*.'* 
 Every man is neceffarily fubje6t to death, 
 as the wages of (in, for fin and death are 
 correlatives ; the former as the original, 
 procuring caufe — the latter as the un- 
 avoidable eifect. "God made not death,'' 
 faith the wife fbn of Sirach, " neither hath 
 " He pleafure in the deftru6tion of the 
 " living; but unrighteoufnels bringeth 
 ," death, and the ungodly call it to thera 
 " both with hands and words f," 
 
 The next punifhment of fm is fpiritual 
 death, or that which confifts in the depri- 
 vation of the divine life ; in the lofs of 
 grace, in blindnels of underflauding, hard- 
 
 » Rom. V. v:, + WiW. i. 13. 
 
 nels 
 5 
 
Original and a&ual Sin, 13l 
 
 nefs of heart, terrors of confcience, and i>isc. vil 
 total alienation from the hfe of God. 
 Thc'fe are fome of the fad effefts and wages 
 of iniquity. Abandoned to this infli6lion, 
 we are \vont to abufe the grace of God, 
 before IJe is inchned to withdraw that 
 grace from us, and leave us to our- 
 felves. But alas ! when left to ourfelves, 
 we commit iniquity with greedinefs, we 
 Ihut our eyes againfl the light, and harden 
 our hearts againft the means of amend- 
 ment. AYe are fpiritually infenlible to all 
 fpiritual things, deflitute of any right 
 knowledge of our mifery, " being pad 
 " feeling *," and have no relifh for hea- 
 venly things, being utterly ignorant of 
 their worth. Can any flate or condition 
 on this fide the grave be compared to fuch 
 wretchcdnefs and mifery ? It carries with 
 it the foretafte of that eternal death, which 
 is the laft and mod extreme punilhment of 
 fin, and with the confideration of which, I 
 iliall conclude this difcourfe. 
 
 Oh, tremendous thought ! to be eter- 
 nally leparated from the prefence of the 
 ever-blefled God ! to endure thofe exqui- 
 
 * Eph. iv. 10. 
 
 K 2 fite 
 
132 Original and a8ual Sin. 
 
 DISC. VII. lite torments, to which the wicked fhall be 
 ""^^"^^ configned in hell to all eternity ! This 
 death, called in fcripture, " the fecond 
 " death *," is the full and final wages of 
 fm, both original and aftiial. For no other 
 reafon will a juft and merciful God inflid 
 this puniHiment upon any of the fons of men, 
 but becaufe they have fmned, and come 
 fliort of the glory of God. Impenitence 
 will be their final ruin, " for God hath no 
 " pleafure in the death of the wicked, but 
 " rather that they fliould turn from their 
 *' ways and live •\," " When the wicked 
 " man turneth away from his wickednefs 
 " that he hath committed, and doeth that 
 " which is lawful and right, he (hall fave 
 « foul alive +." 
 
 And, if we would not betray your fouls, 
 as faithful difpenfers of the word of God, 
 it is incumbent upon us to alfure you of 
 the unalterable decree of the Almighty, 
 that *' indignation and wrath, tribulation 
 ^' and anguifli, fliall be upon every foul of 
 *' man that doeth evil §/' From the mo- 
 ment of Adam's tranfgreffion, we became 
 
 ♦ Rev. XX. 11. + Ezek. xviii. £3. : Ibid. £7. 
 § Rom. ii. S, 5. 
 
 federally 
 
Origi/nd and actual Shu 133 
 
 federally in him finners before God ; and disc, vii 
 from the very inftant that we violated in 
 our own perfons the law of works, we be- 
 came liable to its ciirfe ; and it is abfo- 
 lutely certain, that there is no deliverance 
 from that malediction, but by making 
 fatlsfadion to the offended Juftice of 
 God. Who then is fufhcient for thefe 
 things ? Alas ! none of them " can by any 
 " means redeem his brother, nor give to 
 " God a ranfom for him ; for the redemp- 
 " tion of their foal is precious, and it 
 " ceafeth for ever*." Xone lefs than God, 
 in the form of man, could pay the price 
 of our redemption, and deliver us from 
 the bondage of fin and death. " God 
 " therefore, who is rich in mercy, for his 
 " great love wherewith he loved us, while 
 " we were yet enemies -f-," provided the 
 bleffed means of our reftoration, and in 
 the counfel of his eternal wifdom, fent 
 forth Immanuel, his only begotten Son, 
 Jefus Chrift the righteous. 
 
 To whom, &:c. Amen. 
 
 ♦ Pfalm xlix. 7, 8. -f Eph. ii. 4. 
 
 K 3 DIS- 
 
DISCOURSE VIII. 
 
 THE ISi£W COVEXANT, AND ABKOGA- 
 TION or THE OLD. 
 
 Hebrews viii. former claufe of ver. 13. 
 
 Ill that He faith, a neio Covenant, he 
 hath made the fwji old. 
 
 oOME of the chief do6lrines which disc. virr. 
 conltitute the foundation of divine Reve- ^^^^^ * 
 lation having been illuftrated in the pre- 
 ceding difcourfes, I {hall proceed, with 
 the blefli ng of God, to explain, in order, 
 the great work of redemption. The firft 
 ftep in this undertaking, will be to point 
 out the abrogation of the old covenant, 
 K 4 and 
 
136 The New Covenant, 
 
 PISC.VIII. and the confequent cftablifhment of the 
 new. From the words of the te^jt, we 
 are neceflariiy led to infer, that fome 
 abrogation of the covenant of works has 
 taken place on the part of God, by the 
 fubftitution of the new covenant of grace. 
 God, by that abrogation, has now de- 
 clared that no man, by virtue of the cove- 
 nant of works, can procure his favour, and 
 obtain eternal life. " All are now con- 
 " eluded under hn * ;" all have forfeited 
 the promife of that covenant, and confe- 
 quently the hope of enjoying that promife 
 is gone for ever. Accordingly, the apoltle 
 argues, " that there is not now a law 
 " which can give life, fo that righteoufnefs 
 f* fliould be by the law fJ' 
 
 Indeed, that covenant is now fo abro- 
 gated, that it can admit of no renewal. 
 For iin is now pre-fuppoied to exift, which 
 is contrary to that perfe6tion of obedience, 
 which the covenant of works requires. 
 How then can God prefcribe a condition 
 ot" obedience, lefs perfect than that which 
 He Itipuiatecl by the law ; when even the 
 law itfelf never pronounced one tittle of 
 
 * Gal. iii, 22. f Ibid, iii, !:i. 
 
 for- 
 
Q7id Abrogation of the Old. 137 
 
 forglvenefs ? Sach a tranfu6tion would be Disc.vm. 
 unworthy of God, and lb far from a 
 renewal of the covenant of works, that it 
 would rather manifeftly deltroy it. For 
 the penal ian6lion makes a part of that 
 covenant, in which God threatened the fin- 
 iier with death ; if therefore he fhould par- 
 don him without a due fatisfd6tion, he 
 would a6l contrary to the tenor of his own 
 covenant, and the immutability of his 
 trutb. 
 
 Let us then inquire in what refpe6ls the 
 old covenant is repealed ; point out the 
 mercies of the new ; and the conditions 
 prefcribed on our part. 
 
 Firfl, then, the ceremonial law, as a 
 part of that covenant, is abrogated ; and 
 they who ftill adliere to it, and infift upon 
 the neceffity of it, do in efFe6l deny the 
 advent of our blelil(?d Lord and Savioun 
 AH its rites were only typical, forelbadowing 
 better things to come ; " the body was of 
 f' Chrid*." He it was that " blotted out 
 " the hand-writing of ordinances that was 
 ^t againli us, which was contrary to us, 
 
 • Coloff. ji. 17 , 
 
 and 
 
138 The IS'ezv Covenant, 
 
 Bisc.viii. " and took it out of the way, nailing it to 
 " his crols */' lie made void all thofe 
 legal ordinances, and ceremonial injunc- 
 tions, " which were as a yoke, that nei- 
 " ther our fathers nor we were able to 
 " bear-j*;" and he cancelled our obliga- 
 tion to wrath and punifhment, incurred 
 through our own lin and guilt, by the fa- 
 crificc of his death. 
 
 But the moral law, as a rule of life, re- 
 quiring perfect obedience, continues ftill in 
 force. The precepts of the moral law 
 are precepts of the new covenant, as well 
 as of the old, but on different terms. The 
 one requires Works ; the other, in contra- 
 diftindion, Faith. The one fays, " Do 
 " this, and live :];.'' The other, " I>e//^fe in 
 " the Lord JefusCh rift, and thou (halt be 
 " faved ||." But this faith is not fo to be 
 underflood, as if it had no concern with 
 the preceptive part of the law ; for the 
 covenant of grace alfo requires works; 
 though not as the ground of julliiication, 
 yet as the fruits of faith ; for " the grace 
 *' of God that bringGtli falvation, teaches 
 
 * CoIofT. ii. 14. t Aas xv. ]0. + Lev. xviii. 5. 
 li Ads xvi, 31, 
 
 « US 
 
and Abrogation of the Old. 139- 
 
 " us to deny all ungoclilnefs and worldly- J^^sc.viil 
 " lufls, and to live Ibberly, righteoudy, 
 " and godly In this prefent world *." And 
 to this end, " Chrift gave himfelf for us, 
 " that he mi<:ht redeem us from all ini- 
 
 o 
 
 " quity, and purify unto himfeif a peculiar 
 " people zealous of good works -j-.'* The 
 new covenant, however, differs in its prin- 
 ciple from the old. The latter requires 
 obedience throuo'h our own ftrenoth and 
 
 o o, 
 
 ability, as mere moral agents, independent 
 .of any fupernatural aid ; but tlie former 
 fupplies (trength, through the promiie of 
 Cbriftby the affiftance of the Hofy Spirit... 
 " I can do all things,'' faith the apoftle, 
 ^' through Chrift ftrengtheningme.'* The 
 obedience of the Gofpel is therefore called 
 the " obedience of faith J:,'" as the root 
 from which it fprings. 
 
 The law, then, as a covenant of works, 
 prpmifing happinefs, on condition of un- 
 linning obedience, is now abrogated, be-^ ' 
 eaufe the condition itfelf is inipra6ticable : 
 All men in the fight of God are trar^i^ . 
 greffors of it, and unable to keep it ; it is in 
 vain therefore for any man to ieekforjufti- 
 
 * Tit. ii. 12. t Jbid. 14. X Rom. xvi. 26. 
 
 fication 
 
140 The New Covenant, 
 
 DTSc.viii. fication by the deeds of the law. Indeed, 
 if a pure and holy God fhould deal with 
 us according to the fpirituality of his law, 
 our comparative righteoufnefs would con- 
 duce more to our condemnation, than to 
 our juftification. The law itfelf threatens 
 death, and the fevered malediftion, for the 
 leaft violation of it, and would inevitably 
 fubje6l the offender to the inexorable 
 wrath of God, did not the remedial law 
 of grace cancel the obligation to puniih- 
 ment. But " there is now no condem- 
 " nation to them that are in Chrift Jefus, 
 " who walk not after the flefh, but after 
 " thefpirit*/' 
 
 Secondly, Let us then next confider 
 what mercies God hath promifed on his 
 part in the new oeconomy of grace, and 
 the conditions on our part which we are 
 bound to perform. 
 
 Now the firfl mercy vouchfafed to us 
 by the difpenfation of grace, is the pro- 
 mulgation of fuch precepts, as by their 
 own efiential goodnefs approve themfelves 
 to our natural reafon and underftanding. 
 For the precepts of the Gofpel are " put 
 
 * Rom. viii. 1. 
 
 " into 
 
and Abrogation of the Old. 141 
 
 " into our minds, and written in our^^^vnL 
 " hearts * ;" but it would have been alto- 
 gether in vain to do fo, if they had not 
 been hicrhlv reafonable in thenifelves, in- 
 telligible in their nature, and morally prac- 
 ticable by free and rational agents. The 
 great infufficiency of the covenant of 
 works, however excellent itfelf, and equally 
 claiming God as its author, was, that, when 
 confidered as adapted to the natural ftate 
 and circumftances of mankind, it was ut- 
 terly impra6^icable by them, in that " the 
 " law was weak through the flefli -f." And 
 the inefficacy of the Mofaical ordinances 
 was amply confirmed by their being, from 
 the beginning, only " ftiadows of good 
 " things to come p" But daily expe- 
 rience confirms us in the opinion, and con- 
 vinces us of the reafonablenefs and excel- 
 lency of the Gofpel-preccpts, of their prac- 
 ticablenefs under the means of grace, and 
 their furtherance of our bell and higheft 
 interefts. It is no hard talk then to dif- 
 criminate betwixt the covenant of works, 
 ^nd the difpenfation of faith ; by the for- 
 mer we are taught to underftand thofe 
 
 • Hcb. viii. 10, 1 Rom. viii. 3. J Hcb. x. 1. 
 
 precepts, 
 
142 The New Covenant, 
 
 Disc.viii. precepts, by means of which falvation was 
 to be obtained in the old covenant ; and 
 by the latter, that doctrine, which points 
 cut the way, in which, by means of faith, 
 falvation is to be procured in the new. 
 
 The next mercy promifed in the new^ 
 covenant, is ability to fulfil the precepts of 
 the Gofpel, " according to the oath which 
 " God fware to our father Abraham, that 
 " He would grant unto us, that we, being 
 " delivered out of the hands of our ene- 
 " mies, might ferve him without fear, in 
 " holinefs and righteoufnefs before Him 
 " all the days of our life *." For we are 
 too impotent of ourfelves to will, or to do 
 any thing that is good, before (ioD by 
 bis preventing grace enables us ; and 
 when we are thus empowered to do the 
 will of God, it by no means iuperfedes 
 th'e conftant exertion of our own efforts ; 
 for we are enjoined " to work out our own 
 " falvation with' fear and trembling -f-." . 
 
 A third mercy vouchfafed us under 
 'the oeconomy of grace is the pardon of 
 our fms. This is a peculiar prerogative qV 
 the Gofpel in contradillin.6Hon to the law '; 
 
 * Luka i. 73, H,' 75. f Phil. ii. 12. 
 
 this 
 
a?id Abrogation of the Old. 143 
 
 thm tliicatens death for every tranfgrefilon ; Disc.vm- 
 tliat oflfers forgivcneisi, not only of fins of "-^-^^ 
 frailty and infirmity to which we are daily 
 hable ; b-ut even for all offences of which 
 we are truly penitent. For God hath 
 there promiltjd, tliat " He will be merci- 
 " ful to our unrighteoufnefs, and our fnis 
 " and our iniquities will he remember no 
 " more ''•'." But this gracious promife is 
 not unconditional ; it is attached to an un- 
 feigned faith and fincere repentance. Thefe 
 on our part muft as invariably precede re- 
 miflion of fins through Chrift, as the tree 
 is known by its fruit. To confider the Gof- 
 pel-covenant in any other light would be 
 to make " Chrift the minifter of fin -f-," 
 and to reconcile the wifdom and holinefs 
 of God with the practice of ungodly and 
 impenitent finners. 
 
 The promife of eternal life and happi- 
 nefs is alfo another appropriate mercy of 
 tlie new covenant. Like the former, though 
 freely proftered to all, it is likewife condi- 
 tional, and belongs only to them who live 
 in obedience to the Gofpel, and. perfevere 
 unto the end in well-doing. If we would 
 
 * Hcb. 'sij!. v:. ■ + Gill. li. 17. 
 
 enter 
 
144 The Nr^; Covenant, 
 
 Discvirr. enter into the kingdom of God, we muR 
 " do the Mill of onr heavenly Father * ;" 
 any other courfe of pra6lice will make us 
 forfeit our claim to the hope of eternal re- 
 compence, for " without holinefs no man 
 " fliall fee the Lord •^•." We can never 
 be qualified to live in the prefence of God, 
 and in the fruition of his glorious Majefty, 
 but by ** purifying ourfelves even as he is 
 *' purej." The felicity of heaven being 
 of a pure and fpiritual nature, is utterly 
 incompatible with the defires and appetites 
 of thofe who delight only in the indul- 
 gence of fenfual gratifications. How then 
 can they be happy in thofe pleafures of 
 which they have no reliih or enjoyment ? 
 The difpolition of the fubject muft be con- 
 genial with the nature of the happinefs 
 propofed ; and it requires no illuftration 
 to prove the contrariety of Chrift to 
 Belial, of light todarknefs. And it is to 
 be remembered, that the promifes of 
 fcripture are for the moft part conditional, 
 and attach only to the performance of the 
 covenant. What thofe conditions are on 
 our part, no one can be ignorant of, who 
 
 * Matt. vii. 21. | Ihh. xii. 14. ^ 1 John iii. 3. 
 
 has 
 
and Ahrogalion of the Old. 145 
 
 has learned the firft rudiments of Chrif-Disc.viii. 
 tianity ; and if lie has rightly underftood 
 them, is fully apprized that they are not 
 the caufe of claiming '* the recompence 
 *' of reward," fo much as the means to 
 be purfued not to the rights but to the 
 poDeffion of eternal life. 
 
 Faith is the inftrument therefore by 
 Avhich \ve lay hold on the Lord Jcfus 
 Chrift, and have any title whatever to hh 
 grace and glory. Good v\'orks are the 
 evidences of our faith, and of our union 
 with Chrift ; and through his merits and 
 mediation they confiitute as it vvere our 
 paffport to the kingdom of heaven. In- 
 deed repentance, faitli and obedience, are 
 fo indilpenfably requifite, that without 
 them the Gofpel itfelf, the great charter of 
 divine mercy, aftords no ground of hope 
 for pardon of fin and eternal falvation. 
 But " there is now no condemnation to 
 *' them that are in Chrift Jefus, who w^alk 
 " not af'ter the fledi, but after the fpirit ^^'* 
 So indifpenfable is an uniform and unin- 
 terrupted courfe of obedience, that if after 
 our converfion to the faith of Chrift, we 
 
 * Rom. viii. 1. 
 
 VOL. I, J. return 
 
145 Tlic NeiD Coxenani, 
 
 mscviii. j.gj;y).{-j (_(j QQj. former wickcdnefs, " our 
 " latter end will be worle than the bc'2;in- 
 " niiifi"^." Our freedom from the curfe 
 of the moral law, and puniilmient due to 
 ihe tranfgrefdoM of it, till we have fmiOied 
 our courfe in holinefs, is (till conditional. 
 For " when a righteous man turnetli 
 " away from his righteoufnefs, and com- 
 " mitteth iniquity, and dieth in it, for his 
 " iniquity that he halh done, iliall he 
 « die f." 
 
 But though the general pra6lice of mo- 
 ral reditude is thus guaranteed by the 
 covenant of works ; yet let us rejoice, that 
 *' there is verily a difannulling of the 
 *' commandment going before J ;" i. e. of 
 the whole body and frame of the ritual 
 ' and judicial lav/, before the coming of 
 Chrift, and introdudion of the Gofpcl ; 
 *' for the weaknefs and unprofitablenefs 
 thereof," through its inability and imper- 
 fedion, in comparifon of that " better co- 
 " venant which was edabliilied upon bet- 
 " promifes §." When the dawn of the 
 fuperior light of the fun of righteoufnefs 
 
 * 2 Pot. ii. 20. t Ezck. xviii. 26. 
 
 ; Hiib. vii. IS. ^ Ibid. viii. 6". 
 
 arofe, 
 
a n d A brofio t ton of the Old. 147 
 
 arofe, liko the grand luminary of the uni- Disc.vnr. 
 verfe, it echpled the lefler conitellations. 
 And though the ordinances of Mofes were 
 obHgatory, while Chrift was not yet made 
 " perfeft through fufferings *," their ab- 
 rogation was gradually approaching : Ac- 
 cordingly, Jeliis faith to the woman of 
 Samaria; " Woman, believe me, the hour 
 •* cometh, when ye fliall neither in this 
 " mountain, nor yet at Jeruialem, wor- 
 " ihip the Father ; but the hour cometh, 
 " and now is. when the true worfliippers 
 *' lliall wordiip the Father in fpirit and in 
 " truth f/' 
 
 I/Ct us then, who experience this high 
 and comfortable privilege of a divme and 
 ipiritwal worfliip, be fenfible of the great 
 and peculiar honour to which we are called. 
 Let us rejoice that the Mediator of a bet- 
 ter covenant, Jeius Chri(t our Lord, 
 *' hath blotted out the hand-writing of or- 
 •' dinujices that was againit us :]," and, as 
 was before obferved, " hath taken it out 
 *' of the way, nailing it to his crofs, and 
 *' hath abolillied in his flelh, the law 
 
 *^Jl€j. ii. 10. j Jjlin iv. 21—23. I CololT. ii. U. 
 
 L 2 "of 
 
148 The jScii) Covenant, c$-c. 
 
 pisc.viii. u Qf commandments contained in ordi- 
 " nances*'.'* lie, who was hitherto in 
 bondage to the elements of the world, 
 equally with the other woHhippcrs of God, 
 is now bleiTed with his people " with all 
 " fpiritiial blefiings in -heavenly places in 
 *' Chrid'j/' where no inch bondage pre- 
 vails, bat where the fpirit is given as the 
 fcal of a milder and more dehghtfal 
 difpenfation, which we have the unlpeak- 
 able happinefs of enjoying in all its glo- 
 rious and diftlngulQied benefits, through 
 the alone mediation of Jefus Chriit our 
 bleffed Lord and Saviour. To whom, with 
 the Father and the Holy Spirit, be afcribed 
 all honour and praife, and glory and 
 thankfgiving, now and evermore. Amen. 
 
 * F.ph. ii. 16. t Ibid. i. 3, 
 
 DIS- 
 
DISCOURSE IX. 
 
 YIIE PERSON" AND TITLES OF T 1112 
 I\! RDIATOR. 
 
 t»»«Jj«.r«raT'MngJ 
 
 ITeerem^s i. f>. 
 
 fVho being the Bj'/ghfncfs of his Chynj, and 
 the crprefs Image of his Fcrfon. 
 
 1 HE confKleration of the eftablKlimGntDTSc. ix. 
 of a new covenant, by the introduction ^"^"^ 
 of the Golpel, and the confequent abro- 
 gation of the old one, naturally lead us 
 to inquire, by and through whom the 
 former was brought in, that it fhould 
 make void the latter. The holy Pfalmiil, 
 in the fortieth Pfalm *, evidently fpeak- 
 ing in the perfon of the Meffiah, pro- 
 claims the ineflicacy of the legal facri- 
 
 * Psalm xl. 6. 
 
 J, 3 ficea 
 
150 The Per/on and Titles 
 
 pisc. IX. fJces to take away fin, and cxprefly an- 
 nounces the divine dilapprobation of 
 them, when rehed upon for that purpofe. 
 He then fets forth his own readinefs to 
 do and fuffer the will of God, imphed 
 under the phrafe, " mine ears haft thou 
 opened ;" that is, thou haft made me obe- 
 dient, as fervants whoie ears were bored : 
 but more unequivocally exprelied in the 
 Apoftle's citation by the para phrafe, " a 
 " body haft thou prepared me," to be 
 obedient to thy will. He refers to the 
 predictions concernmg Mcffiah in the 
 Old Teftament, which in this Pfalm is 
 ftvled " the volume of the book *.'* He 
 declares the pleafure he had in doing the 
 will of his Father, or in yielding perfect 
 obedience to the law, by laying down his 
 life, and making himfelf a facrifice to the 
 juftice of God, for the hns of the world; 
 ♦' I delight to do thy will, O my God ; 
 ** yea, thy law is within my heart -\" I 
 am ready to perform all that thou re- 
 quireit of me as mediator. Now thefe 
 words being applied by the Apoftle to 
 
 * Psalm xl. 7, i Ibid. ver. 8. 
 
 Chrift, 
 
of tJic Media for. 151 
 
 Chrift, in his own perfon, there can be noT>i><^"- i\'- 
 doubt but that He it \vas who " taketh 
 " away the firft, that he may eftabhth 
 " the fecond covenant*." 
 
 Having thus proved beyond all doubt, 
 by and through whom the covenant of 
 grace was introduced and eflublillied, the 
 Jiext fubje6t of religious inveltigation, is 
 the dignity of his peribn and titles, who, 
 in the words of the text, is emphatically 
 Itylcd, " the brightnefs of his father's 
 " S^*^'T' '^"^ ^^^ exprefs image of his 
 " perfon." 
 
 Now the perfon of the Mediator is the 
 Avord, or eternal Son of Gor, begotten 
 01 the Father, before the foundation of 
 the world, and in time became " incar- 
 " nate and dwelt among us, and we be- 
 " held his glory, the glory as of the only 
 " begotten of the Father, full of grace 
 *' and truth ■)•." Hence we infer, that 
 He had two entire and diftihiit natures, 
 divine and human, united in one perfon. 
 In refpeft of his divine nature, he is very 
 God of very God, equal to the Father, 
 
 * II. b. X. 9. t Jtjhn i. It. 
 
 L 4 and 
 
152 The Vevfon and Titles 
 
 Pisc. IX. and of ihe fame eiTence and fubftancc 
 with Him, infinite in all perfections. In- 
 deed it was requifite, that the Mediator 
 ihould be God, as well as man, that he 
 might make fatisfaftion to the divine 
 juitice, and thereby obtain eternal re- 
 demption for us. The juftice of God 
 being offended by the introdLi6lion of hn, 
 required an infinite fatisfaction, and wh.o 
 but an infinite Being could make fuch fa- 
 tisfa^lion ? But Chrift is that infinite Be- 
 ing, who lliifered " the jufl for the uii- 
 " juft '",'" and therefore " by him we 
 " have now received the atonement '^•." 
 And thouo'h his fufFerino;s were finite in 
 duration, they were infinite in value, on 
 account of the divine nature, and dig- 
 nity of the perfon fuffering. When there- 
 fore by his active and paffive obedience, 
 he had " obtained eternal redemption for 
 " us J," it behoved him to give us thofe 
 " great and precious promifes, by Mhich 
 " we might be partakers of the divine 
 ?' nature §." 
 
 * 1 Pjt. iii. IS. t Horn. V. n. X Hcb. ix. 12. 
 § C Pet. i. 4. 
 
 Anc] 
 
of the Mediator. I53 
 
 And as Chrift is thus proved to Lc bisc. tx. 
 God, {o was He alfo man. *' For 
 ^* when the fulnefs of time was come, 
 " God Tent forth his Son, made of a 
 " woman */' " For verily Chrilt took not 
 " on him the nature of angels, but ho 
 " took on him the feed of Abraham, and 
 " was made in all thinos like unto his 
 " brethren, fm only excepted, that he 
 " mioht be a merciful and faithful hi<ih 
 
 o o 
 
 " prieft, in things pertaining to God, to 
 *' make reconciliation for the hns of the 
 *' people j-/' And as man conlids of two 
 diftinft parts, body and foul, fo Chrift 
 aifuraed the whole nature of man in both. 
 It is eafy to adduce ample tcftimony 
 from fcripture, that Chrift affumicd a true 
 human body, with all the natural pro- 
 perties belonging to it. It is exprefly 
 declared, that " as we arc partakers of 
 " fle(h and blood, fo lie alfo himfelf took 
 " part of the famej." Theaclions andpaf- 
 fions of his life evidently demonftrated 
 the truth and reality of his human na- 
 ture, lie increafed in wifdom and fta- 
 
 * Gal. iv. 4. t lU'b. ii. l6, \7. X Ibid. v.. 11-. 
 
 3 • lure. 
 
154 The Per/on and Titles 
 
 Disc.^ix. ture , he ate and drank; he hiingred and 
 thirfted; he endured pain und forrow; he 
 preached righteoufnefs ; he wrought niha- 
 cles ; he luffered death as a malefa6ior ; 
 he reflored himfelf to hfe, and openly 
 alcended up to heaven. Such a6tions vi- 
 fibly difplayed, could not be real, with- 
 out a material body. Nay, he himfelf 
 proved the reality of his body, even after 
 his refurre6lion. " Behold," faith he to 
 the unbelieving difciple, " my hands and 
 *' my feet, that it is 1 myfelf ; handle me 
 " and fee, for a fpirit hath not fiefli and 
 ** bones, as ye fee me have *.'' 
 
 And that He affumed alio a true human 
 foul,, there is as little room to queliion ; 
 his manhood fubfifted in his godhead ; yet 
 his divinity was not a mere lubilitution for 
 thofe rational faculties which belong to hu- 
 man nature. For fucli actions and paf- 
 fions are attributed to the Son of God, as 
 comport neither with his divine or human 
 natures feparately contldered, but as with a 
 " rcafonable foul and human flefli fublift- 
 " ing in the fame perfon-|s" accordingly 
 He is faid to have " increafed in wifdom 
 
 * L\ike xxiv. 39' t Athanafian Creed. 
 
 " and 
 
of the Mediator, 155 
 
 " and ftature, and in favour with God ^^-^ ^x. 
 " and men *." But wifdom, it is plain, is 
 no more an attribute of the body, as fuch, 
 than Itature of the foul, and therefore he 
 mull have been endowed with a rcafonable 
 foul, as the indrunient of attaining wifdom. 
 In this fenfe, therefore, he is faid " to be 
 " madelike unto us in all things, fin only 
 " excepted/' 
 
 For this caufe it was that Chrifl became 
 a vicarious facriiice, that the fame nature 
 which had offended, might fufier for the 
 offence ; at the fame time that he made the 
 atonement, as God. Both thefe natures 
 therefore united in Chritt, conftituted but 
 oneperlbn inllim, as foul and body united, 
 though of diitintl; natures, make but one 
 perfon in man. For " there is but one 
 " mediator betwixt God and men, the 
 '* man Chrift Jefus -|-." 
 
 From the confideration of the arduous 
 fubjecl of Chrift's perfon, let us proceed, 
 fecondly, to notice his titles, which, in ex- 
 prefs terms, are three; yiz. Loud, Jefus, 
 Chrift. 
 
 * Luke ii. 52. I 1 Tim. ii. 5. 
 
 a Now 
 
355 The Per/on and Titles 
 
 T)i?c. IX. Now the title of Lord is afcribed to 
 him, by reafon of his authority and domi- 
 nion over ail. As mediator, He hath two 
 diftinft natures, divine and human ; a fe- 
 parate power belongs to each. In refpect 
 of his divine nature, He is abfolutely fo- 
 vereign, co-equal with God the Father 
 in power, glorj^, and majefty, for " all 
 " things were created by Him'^," and 
 *' without Him, was not any thing made 
 ** that was made-j-;'' for the lame reafon 
 alfo. He " upholdeth all things by the 
 *' word of his power 1." What higher 
 right to fovereignty then can be afferted, 
 than giving being to all creatures, and pre- 
 ferving them in the continuance of it ? 
 
 In regard of his human nature alfo, 
 Chrift hath a plenary power and dominion 
 conferred upon him over all, as the reward 
 of his merits. For unto this end, faith 
 the apoftle, Chrift both died, and rofe, and 
 revived, that he might be Lord both of 
 the dead and living. And, when our 
 blefled Lord had fmiibed all things which 
 were appointed Him to do and fuffer on 
 earth, to perfe6l the work of redemption, 
 
 '" Colofl". i. 16. * John i. 3. % Hcb. i. 3. 
 
 " God 
 
of the Mediator, 157 
 
 " God fet him at his own right hand in disc. ix. 
 
 " heavenly places, far ahove all principah- 
 
 " ties and power, and might and dominion, 
 
 " and every name that is named, not only 
 
 " in this world, hut alio in that which is 
 
 " to come *." Yea, " Cod hath put 
 
 *' all things in fubjeclion under his feet ; 
 
 *' and that He hath put all things in fub- 
 
 " je6fion under Him, He hath left no- 
 
 " thing that is not put under Him -j." 
 
 To this abfolute fovereignty as Lok n 
 and Creator of all, may be luperadded 
 his fupreme dominion in right of redemp- 
 tion. For He hath purchafed and re- 
 deemed all mankind with the price of his 
 own blood ; therefore, argues the apoftie, 
 " Ye are not your own i.." But this 
 mediatorial power and dominion fliall ceafe 
 at the day of judgment, when all hi.3 faintii 
 iliall be glorified, and all his enemies de- 
 ftroyed. *' Then fliall He deliver up the 
 " kingdom to God, even the Father ^.'* 
 Then (hall faints and martyrs, angels and 
 arch-angels, the cherubmi and feraphin), 
 join in the univerial chorus of pruife and 
 
 * F,ph. i. CO, 91. t H..-h. ii. 8. 
 
 t 1 Cor. vi. ly. § iLid. XV. 2A. 
 
 dominion, 
 
158 ^he Perfon and Titles 
 
 ^^^^•^^- dominion, thankfgiving and honour unto 
 the Lamb for ever u'nd ever; for " lie 
 " (hall reign over the houle of Jacob for 
 " ever, and of his kingdom there lliall 
 *' be no end *.'' 
 
 The next title appropriate to the Me- 
 diator is that of Jefiis, which lignJHes 
 Saviour. This appellation was given llim, 
 to intimate the end of his coniing in the 
 tielh, which was " to lave his people from 
 *' their hns •^-." As Jofliiia hud his name 
 given him, to denote that he was the per- 
 fon ordained of God to be the temporal 
 deliverer of the liVaehtes, and to bring 
 them into the land of Canaan, the type of 
 heaven; fo was that of Jefiis afcribed to 
 the Meffiah, in token that He (liould be 
 the fpiritual Saviour of mankind, and 
 bring them to the laiid of everlafting reft. 
 Accordingly that prophecy which foretold 
 that his name ihould be fmmanuel, was 
 perfectly fulfilled, when He was culled 
 Jefus, for He became incarnate, that 
 " He might give himfelf for us, and 
 ** redeem us from all iniquity .'^j." And 
 
 * Luke i. oj. t Matt. i. 21- 
 
 ; 'lit. ii, 14. 
 
 we 
 
of the Mediator, 139 
 
 we are alTured, that by his merits, " He ^;^- 
 " hath reconciled us unto God, and per- 
 " fe6led for ever them that are fan6ti- 
 " fied */* Thus is He become our King 
 and our Saviour ; " for there is fulvation 
 " in none other; neither is there any 
 " other name under heaven given amonglt 
 " men whereby we muftbe liived 'j-/' 
 
 The laft title by which the Saviour of 
 the World is denominated is that of Chrift, 
 or Mefiiah, which fignifies anointed. In 
 allufion to the practice of anointing the 
 prophets, priefts, and kings under the mo- 
 faical law^ ; this name was, by way of emi- 
 nence, applied to the bleffed Jefus, who 
 was the objecl of the " delire" and ex- 
 peftation " of all nations :{:." He was 
 accordingly anointed with the Holy Ghoft 
 *' without meafure §," and endowed with 
 gifts and graces requifite for the perform- 
 ance of thofe high offices, and for the ac- 
 complilhment of man's redemption ; " for 
 " it pleafed the Father, that in him fliould 
 *' all fulnefb dwell, who was thebrightnefa 
 
 * i Cur.v. IS. Ilcb. X. 11. t Ads iv. 12. 
 
 I Hag. ii. 7. § John iii. 34. 
 
 *' of 
 
160 The Tcrjon and Titled 
 
 DISC. IX. " of his Q-lorv, and the exprefs imaire of 
 " his puribii ■"'•"." 
 
 If then the object of our fahh I)c our 
 Lord Jefus Chrilt, do we pay him that 
 homage and obedience which he has a 
 right to require at our hands as our Lokd 
 and our King ? Are we deeply fenlible of 
 the incftimable gift of hfe and immortahty 
 which he hath brought to hght by the 
 Gofpel, and in return for fo great a blef- 
 ling, do we ftudy to ferve him in true ho^ 
 lineis and righteoufnefs all the days of our 
 life ? Unlel's we thus honour and ferve 
 our Lord, we can have no ground to hope 
 .either for pardon, juftification, or falvation 
 from him. If we will not have him to 
 rule o\ er us, it is in vain to expect that 
 his Gofpei lliouid ever become to our fouls 
 " the povvcr of (iod unto falvation 'f-." 
 He hath redeemed us from the bondage 
 of fin, from the curfe of the law, and from 
 eternal death, that we lliould take him for 
 our Lord, and fulfil the obligations of 
 ^ our fworn allegiance to him. Let us 
 therefore invite Ifmi to ereft his kingdom 
 in our hearts, that we may. receive the 
 
 * Col. i. If). t I^onv. i. 10\ 
 
 prefent 
 
of the Mediator, l6l 
 
 present recompence of a good confcience disc. ix. 
 and faith unfeigned, in a regular confor- 
 mity to his laws as dutiful and obedient 
 fubjefts; and, this life ended, we ihall be 
 made partakers of that future glory, 
 through his merits, who is the only Lord 
 and Saviour, to whom " all power is given 
 " both in heaven and earth *." To whom 
 therefore with the Father, and the Holy 
 Ghoft, three perfons and one God, be 
 afcribed all honour and glory henceforth 
 and for evermore. Amen. 
 
 '* Matt, xxviii. 18, 
 
 VOL. I, M DIS- 
 
DISCOURSE X, 
 
 THE TESTIMONY OF PROPHECY, THAT 
 JESUS IS CHRIST, 
 
 Rev. xix. latter part of verfe 10. 
 
 The Tejlimony of Jefus is the Spirit of 
 Prophecy. 
 
 1 N" purfuance of a plan of do6lrinal and pi^<"_^ 
 praclical Chridianity, by which the fun- 
 damental truths of our holy religion may 
 be ufefull}' elucidated and applied, it is 
 neceffary to proceed flep by ftep, left, if 
 but one link be wanting in the chain, we 
 Ihould be found to have laboured in vain, 
 and have induced you to believe a thing in 
 itfelf not credible, if the proofs adduced 
 are not adequate to the fupport of our 
 faith. But 1 humbly hope what has been 
 31 2 hitherto 
 
l64 The Teftimony of Provhccj, 
 
 DISC. X. hitherto attempted, has carried fo much 
 coiivi6tioii along with it, that you know, 
 or are fully perluaded in your own minds, 
 of " the certainty of thofe things wherein 
 " jou have been inftruc^ed." 
 
 Having in the laft Difcourfe endeavoured 
 to explain the union of tlie divine and hu- 
 man natures in the perfon of Chriit, and 
 the import of thofe titles by which he is 
 more peculiarly denominated ; it cannot 
 be deemed foreign to our dehgn, to en-^ 
 deavour to prove, from the teftimoq^ of 
 prophecy, that Jefus is Chrift. 
 
 This is that main article of our faith, 
 by which our religion is diftinguiflied from 
 Judaifm ; and, upon inquiry, I doubt not 
 it will be found, tiiat there is fufficient evir 
 dence from fcripture to eftablilh the truth 
 of this important point. Tor if all the 
 predictions concerning the Meffiah, were 
 fulfilled in Jefus of Nazareth, it follows 
 that He mufl be ,,the Chrift. But the 
 predictions concerning the Meffiah were 
 fulfilled in Jefus;, therefore He is the 
 Chrift. This fyllogifm we hope to efta- 
 blifh by an indudlion of particulars, in 
 comparing the event and final accojnplilh- 
 
 mtiit 
 
' that JefiiS is Chrljl. \6j 
 
 ment with the prophecies concerning Ilim. i>^<" x. 
 Firfi, in regard to the birth of Jefus, 
 \vhich correi'ponded in all points with the 
 prophecies of the Old Teftament. The 
 time, and place of his nativit\' ; his lineage, 
 and the adorriion of Him by the Wife 
 Men, were circumftances long before pre- 
 di6led of Him. The time, in thofe me- 
 morable words recorded of Jacob, that 
 " the fcepter fliould not depart from 
 *' Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his 
 " feet, until Shiloh, or Meffiah come *." 
 Accordingly, when Herod, the Idumsean, 
 had iifurped the kingdom of Judtea, and 
 tranflated the fcepter from Judah, then 
 was Jeius, agreeably to that prophecy, 
 born into the world. The period of the 
 Meffiah's advent was alfo remarkably 
 foretold by the prophet Daniel; and though 
 perhaps it cannot certainly be determined 
 when the feventy weeks there mentioned 
 began or ended, yet certain it is, from 
 this paflage of Holy Writ, that the MefTiah 
 was to come before Jerufalem and the 
 temple were dellroyed, ^nd before the 
 facrifices ceafed. 
 
 * Con. xlix. 10. 
 
 M 3 Now 
 
166 The Teftimony of Prophecy, 
 
 DISC. X. KTovv fince tliefe things have long ago 
 been accomphihed, the feventv weeks of 
 Daniel muft be expired, and conCequently 
 the predifted period of the Meffmh's ad- 
 vent fulfilled. 
 
 If it be neccfTary to adduce further 
 proofs of the teftimony of prophecy to this 
 point, let the prophets Haggai and Ma- 
 lachi be alfo referred to. They uniformly 
 bear witnefs, that Meffiah fhould come 
 while the fecond temple of Jerufalem was 
 ilanding. " The deiire of all nations (hall 
 " come," faith the one, " and 1 will fill this 
 " houfe with glory ; and the glory of this 
 " latter houfe fhall be greater than the 
 " former'*." " The Lord, whom ye 
 " feek, fhall fuddenly come to his tem- 
 " pie," faith the other, " even the melTen- 
 *' ger of the covenant, in whom ye de- 
 " light ; behold he (hall come f-'* Ac- 
 cordingly He who was thus emphatically 
 foretold, came into the world while the 
 iecond temple was yet {landing ; for he not 
 only appeared perfonally, but alio taught 
 in it, and by his prefence made it more. 
 glorious than the temple built by Solomon, 
 which, in refpe6l of matter, workmanfliip, 
 
 * Hag. ii. 7. f Mai. iii. 1. 
 
 and 
 
that Jefus is Chnjl. 167 
 
 and the thino-s contained in it, far excelled wsc. x. 
 the other. Then was ufliered into the 
 world the bleflfed Prince of Peace, the 
 Lord of Life and Glory, who became incar- 
 nate to perfe(5b the myfterious counfels of 
 God's decrees, and to procure pardon, re- 
 conciliation, and redemption for us. 
 
 But as the time, fo likewife is the place, 
 in exa6l cerrefpondence with fcriptural 
 predictions, particularly noticed by the 
 prophet Mtcah, fix hundred years before 
 the fcene of this event. " But thou, 
 " Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be 
 " little among the thoufands of Judah, 
 " yet out of thee fliall He come forth 
 • * unto me, that is to be Ruler in Ifrael *.'* 
 And, " by the determinate counfel and 
 " fore-knowledge of God -|'," it fo hap- 
 pened, that the Roman emperor had or- 
 dered a taxation to benkidein all the pro- 
 vinces of the Empire. This circumftance 
 brought the Virgin and Jofeph to Beth- 
 lehem, the city of David, that, being of 
 that houfe and lineage, they might alio 
 bfe regifteVed as citizens of that place. 
 " While they were there, the days were 
 
 * Mi^h. V. ?, t A^s ii. 2.1. 
 
 M 4 ** accora- 
 
168 The Tejlimony of Prophfxy, 
 
 risc.x. « accompliflied that ilie (hoiild be deli- 
 " vered ''^," and there was Jefus born. 
 
 The family alfo of the Meffiah was 
 foretold to be of the houfe of David. For 
 " God fware with an oath unto him, 
 " that of the fruit of bis loins, he would 
 " raife up Chrift to fit on his throne -j-." 
 And in the fame prophetic fpirit Ifaiah, 
 feveral ages before, predi6led that " there 
 *' fhall come forth a rod out of the fteni 
 *' of Jefie, and a branch iliall grow out 
 " of his roots .p" And of a truth, our 
 Lord Jefus was " made of the feed of 
 *' David, according to the flefli§;" for 
 Jofeph, his reputed father, was defcended 
 from David by Solomon ; and Mary, his 
 Virgin Mother, by Nathan. 
 
 The adoration too of Chrift by the 
 Magi was foretold by the royal prophet. 
 " The kings of Tarfliifh and of the ifles 
 " {hall bring prefents, the kings of Sheba 
 " and Seba ihall offer gifts4|." Accord- 
 ing to this prophecy, while Jefus continued 
 yet with his parents at Bethlehem, " certain 
 " uii'e men of the Eall came publicly to 
 
 * Luke ii. 6. f Afts ii. 30. t Ifaiah xi, 1. 
 
 § Horn, i, 0. II Pfulm Ixxii. 10. 
 
 " Jeru- 
 
that Jefus is Chrift. IG9 
 
 « Jerufalem */' to inquire for him wlio disc, x, 
 was born King of the Jews, and by the 
 conduct of a miraculous ftar ftandingover 
 the place of his nativity, they " fell down 
 " and worlbipped Him," prefenting Him 
 with " gifts, gold, frankinccnfe, and 
 " myrrh f." 
 
 The lite and converfation of Jefus were 
 likewife in all points anfwerable to the an- 
 cient prophecies concerning Him. He 
 was foretold to be " God's righteous fer- 
 " vant who fliould juitify many .t.." His 
 meeknefs is prophetically compared to a 
 " Iheep,'' which, " before her fliearers is 
 " dumb §." His inofFenfivenefs and Sim- 
 plicity fo remarkable, that it was predi6ted 
 of Him, that " He Ihould do no violence, 
 " neither fliould any deceit be in his 
 " mouth ||/' How truly his example cor- 
 Irefponded to this character, the whole Gof- 
 pel, from beginning to end, bears ample 
 teltimony ; it unequivocally declares Him 
 to have been " meek and lowly in heart **" 
 —to have been " holy, harmlefs, ujidefiled, 
 
 • Matt. ii. 1,2. t Itid. 11. J Ifaiah liii. 11. 
 
 5 Ifftiah liii. 7. II Ibid. 9- ** Matt..xi. £9. 
 
 ^ • *' feparate 
 
170 The Teftiinomj of Prophecy, 
 
 DISC X. « feparate from finners *." So entire 
 and perfeft Mas his holy deportment, that 
 He accomplifhed a work which no man, 
 either before or fmce, dared to undertake. 
 He " fulfilled all righteoufnefs f ." In 
 this fenfc He not only fubmitted to the 
 rites and ceremonies of the Mofaic infli- 
 tution, but he performed an abfolute fm- 
 iefs obedience to the moral law of God. 
 There was no evil propenfity in his heart, 
 nor guile found in his mouth ; and though 
 he was " made fui for us,'' that is, a facri- 
 fice for (in, yet He himfelf " knew no 
 '' fin^.." 
 
 It is an obvious and eafy tranfition from 
 the life, to the contemplation of the doc- 
 trine of the blelTed Jefus, as prophetically 
 fpoken of in the Old Teftament, and re- 
 vealed in the New. In the former He is 
 foretold to be a " prophet, whom the 
 " Lord thy God fliould raife up unto 
 **^ thee from the midft of thy brethren 
 " like unto Moles ; ynto him fhall ye 
 ^' hearken §." " Behold, my fervant,*' 
 faith the Lord, " whom I uphold, mine 
 
 ♦Heb.vij. 26. t MattiiL 15. % %Coy^*.1i1u 
 \ Dcut. xviii. 1^. 
 
that Jefus is Chrijf. 171 
 
 " eleck, in whom my foul delighteth ; I disc, x, 
 
 " have put my fpirit upon him, He Hiall 
 
 " bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. 
 
 *' He Ihall not fail nor be difcouraged till 
 
 " He hath fet judgment in the earth ; and 
 
 " the illes ftiall wait for his law *." 
 
 Thefe words being dire6tly applied to 
 Chrift, by an Evangelift, we have only to 
 put a fair and jult interpretation upon them, 
 to underlland the do6lrine they contain. 
 Chrift then might properly be confidered 
 God's fervant, as he was man and medi- 
 ator, whom God the Father " upheld,** 
 or enabled to undertake the work aifigned 
 Him, both in doing and fuffering ; being 
 " chofen,'* and fet apart from eternity by 
 God to the high office of making reconci- 
 liation between God and man, and fur- 
 nifhed for that purpofe with all the gifls 
 and graces of the ipirit without meafure, 
 and ift due time to " bring forth judg- 
 " ment to the Gentiles," or caufe the 
 Gofpel, which is the law or will of God, 
 to b,e pubhihed to them, and thereby fet 
 up his kingdom among them, and rule 
 them as his peculiar people. And it was 
 
 ♦ If^jali xhi. 1, 4> 
 
 eminently 
 
172 The T(jHmo7i}j of FyopJicct/, 
 
 Disc.x eminently charafteriftic of Him, that** lie 
 " lliould not fail, nor be difcouraged'* 
 by any perlecutions or difficulties he met 
 with ; but go on courageoufly, " till he 
 " fliould have fet judgment in the earth ;*' 
 or publiQied his law and do61;rine among 
 the nations .by his apoftles anil minifters, 
 fettled his church, eftablillied his kingdom 
 in the hearts of men, and fubdued the 
 oppoiing and perfecuting powers of the 
 oarth, and " the iiles lliall wait for his 
 ** law," and all nations lliall readily em- 
 brace thefaving truths of his Gofpel. 
 
 Now that our Lord Jefus Chrift, that 
 great fliepherd of the (heep, came into 
 the world, " to make known to us the 
 " myftery of his will, according to his 
 " good pleafure which he hath purpofed 
 " in himfelf^%" and "hath," by revelation, 
 " made known unto us the myfter}^, 
 " which, in other ages, was not made 
 *' known unto the fons of men, as it is 
 " now revealed unto his holy apoftles and 
 " prophets by the fpirit -f-," is a matter of 
 fa6t, atteited and confirmed by the whole 
 lenour of that Gofpel which He tauglit : 
 
 *• Eplief. i, p, f Ibid. iii. 3—5. 
 
 the 
 
that Jefus is Chr'iJ}, I7S 
 
 the docli'ines of which Lave ])een " a ni-r x. 
 *' hght to lightrn the Gentiles, and the 
 *' glory of his people Ifrael ^•\" ])v them 
 alfo we have attained (blt-f/ed be Goi>) 
 to the knowltfdge of falvation.. Tor *' God, 
 *' who at lundry times and in divers man- 
 ♦' ners, fpakein times paft unto the fathers 
 "■ by the prophets, halh in thefe lalt days 
 " fpoken unto us by his Son -j-." And 
 by the fame Gofpel which our Lord Jeiiis 
 Chrid, the Son of Goi), revealed, "..life 
 ^' and immortality are brought to light t/' 
 and that very Golpel is now become " tho 
 ^V. power of God unto falvation to every 
 ^' one that; believeth §." The doctrine 
 therefore which our bleffed Lord incul- 
 cated, correfponds with the prophetical 
 predictions of it in the Old Teliament ; 
 and well might we, as vve]l as the difciples 
 of "old, exclaim with " ailoniftmient,** 
 *• What new doctrine is this || r" if we 
 were not allured that it came from God. 
 For if it were not fo, how could that de- 
 fpifed doctrine of the crofs have prevailed 
 iif) univerfally againlt the allurements of 
 
 * Luke ii. 3'3. ^ \Uh. i. ], '?. | i? Tim. i. 10. 
 § Koni. 1. JO". jl Mark i. 2'2, ^17. 
 
17'^ The Tejlhnonij ofPropheci/^ 
 
 J>;sc. X. fleOi and blood, and all the blandifliments 
 of ihi.s world, againlt the rage and perfecu- 
 tion of all the kings and powers of the 
 earth ? " What elfe could conquer with- 
 *' out arms ; perfuade without eloquence ; 
 " overcome enemies without violence ; 
 " difarm tyrants without oppreffion ; and 
 *' fubdue empires without oppofition * ?" 
 
 The foretelling of miracles to be wrought 
 by the Meffiah, and the a6tual accomplifh- 
 ment of them in the face of great multi- 
 tudes by Plim, are alfo an irrefragable 
 proof of the teftimony of prophecy. 
 " God," faith the prophet Ifaiah, " will 
 " come with recom pence ; he will come 
 " and fcive you. Then the eyes of the 
 " blind fliall be opeii^d, and the ears of 
 *' thedeaf fliall be unftopped. Then fhall 
 " the lame man leap as the hart, and the 
 " tongue of the dumb ihall fing «('•'* 'I'he 
 lead acquaintance with the record of our 
 Saviour's life, allures us of the reality of 
 his performance of fuch miracles. " Fop 
 " the works which the Father gave him to 
 " finilh, the fame works that He did, bore 
 *' wituefs of him that the Father had 
 
 * Lcflic on Dcirm. f I^^iiah xxxv. 4, 5, 6. 
 
 *' fent 
 
that Jefiis is ChriJI. 175 
 
 « fent him*." And He himfelf urged i^'-cx. 
 his miracles to the Jews, in proof of his 
 being the Mefhah. *' If I do not the 
 " works of my Father," faith he, " be- 
 " lievc me not ; but if I do, though ye 
 " beheve not me, beheve the works if" 
 For no man could do fuch miracles as 
 Jefus did, except God had been witli him. 
 No lefs agreeahle hkewiie to the tenor 
 of ancient prophecy were the fufferings of 
 Chrift. As " the fpirit of Chrift wliich 
 " was in the prophets, teftified beforehand 
 " of the fufferings of Chrift j," fo " thofe 
 " thmgs which God before had fnewed 
 " by the mouth of all his prophets that 
 " Chrift fliould fuffer. He hath fo ful- 
 " filled §.'* For " he was dei'pifed and 
 " reje6ted of men, a man of forrows, and 
 " acquainted with grief ||/' And after he 
 had preached theGofpel, and done good to 
 them that hated Him, He was at laft be- 
 trayed, and fold by one of his dilciples for 
 thirty pieces of iilver; and being appre- 
 hended by his enemies, all his dii'ciples for- 
 fook him and fled. When brought before the 
 
 ♦ John V. 36. t Ibid. x. 37- X 1 P<-t. i. 11. 
 § Ads iii. lb. 11 Ifaiahhji. 3. 
 
 1 judgment- 
 
176 The Tefthnony of Prophecy, 
 
 PTsc. X. judgment-feat, He flood meek and patient 
 ^^^""^ as "a lamb. And when the foldiers who 
 crucified Him, nailed his hands and his 
 feet to the crofs, then was fulfilled that re- 
 markable prophecy of the Pfalmift ; " they 
 " pierced my hands and my feet *.** And 
 when they had fo nailed him to the crofs, 
 they fet him between two thieves, who 
 were crucified with him, fulfiUing another 
 part of the fame prophecy ; " and he was 
 " numbered with the transgreffors." The 
 foldiers then parted his garments among 
 them, and cad lots upon his vefture, as 
 David had foretold. After this. He prayed 
 for his murderers, and fo likewife was 
 accomplifhed that memorable predi6lion, 
 " He made interceffion for the tranf- 
 '-^ greffors -j-.'* But this is not all; while 
 the bleffed Jefus was hanging on the crofs 
 in extreme agony, the malice of his ene- 
 mies flrove to aggravate his mifcry by re- 
 viling fpeeches ; and when he faid, '* I 
 *' thirlt T,'* " they gave him vinegar to 
 *' to drink mingled with gall §," accord- 
 ing to the truth of prophecy. And find- 
 
 Pfalmxxii. l5. -f Ifaiah liii. 12. 
 
 John xix. 28. § Matt, xxvii. 34. 
 
 ing 
 
that J ef its is Chrlft, \T1 
 
 ing that " He was iilready dead, they ^^^C- ^* 
 ** brake not his legs ''^," as they were 
 wont to do to all that were crucified in 
 Juda:a, " but one of them with a Ipear, 
 " pierced his lide-jV' which was done, 
 that the Scriptures might be fulfilled ; 
 *' a bone of Him ihall not be broken J, 
 '* and they fliall look on Hiui whom they 
 *' pierced §." And though he Iiiitered an 
 accurfed death, he was honourably buried, 
 and " made his grave with the wicked, 
 " and with the rich in his death || ." 
 
 And of that remarkable event of his 
 refurre6tionj David, whofe fon Chrift is 
 called, fpeaks frequently of Him in his 
 own perfon, and in none more explicitly 
 than in that of his refurreftion, where He 
 faith) " Thou wilt not leave my foul in 
 ** hell, neither wilt thou fuffer thine Holy 
 " One to fee corruption ^," which words 
 cannot be applied to David, for he has 
 feen corruption, but with appropriate dif- 
 tinetion belong to Chrift. 
 
 Trom thefc circumftances thus taken 
 together, as foretold by the prophets, con- 
 
 * John xix. 53. f Ibid. 34. | Ibid. S6. § Ibid. 37. 
 Zech. xii. 10. || Ifaiah liii. 0. 1[ Pfalm xvi. 10. 
 
 VOL. I. N cernins: 
 
ITS The Teflimony of PropJieci/, 
 
 DISC. X. cerning the birth, hfe, fufterings, deaths 
 burial, and relurredion of Chrift, it ap- 
 pears that they were all exa6tly fulfilled 
 in the perfon of the Meffiah, and in Him 
 only, and therefore from the mod irre* 
 fragable proofs we coiiclude, that " the 
 " teftimony of Jefus is the fpirit of pro- 
 ** phecy." 
 
 Here then we might venture to reft the 
 truth of our Holy Faith, without taking 
 notice either of the afcenfion of Chrift, or 
 his feffionat the right hand of God. Suf-- 
 .'fice it then barely to allude to the pro- 
 phetical intimations of both thefc events ; 
 " Thou haft afcended on high/' And,- 
 " the Lord fisid unto my Lord, fit thou- 
 " at my right hand, until 1 make thine ene- 
 " mies thy footflool,'* which never could 
 be predicated of any 'but of Chrift; 
 
 It might feem like not availing oiirfelves- 
 of the whole force of this argument to 
 forbear remarking, that feveral of the pro- 
 phets forefhewed that Chrift fliould reign 
 over the Gentiles, and that the diftin<5lion 
 between them and the Jews ftiould ceafe. 
 *' Alk of me, and I ihall give thee the 
 " Heathen for thine inheritance, and the 
 
 •'' utmoft 
 
ihat Jefus is Chriji, 179 
 
 ** utmoft parts of the earth for thy pofTef- ^j^ 
 ** (ion *." " I will alfo give thee for a light 
 ** unto the Gentiles, that thou mayeft be 
 " my falvation unto the ends of the 
 ** earth -f-." ** For, from the rifing of 
 *' the fun unto the going down of the 
 " fame, my Name (hall be great among 
 ** the Gentiles J." We, as well as many 
 other nations upon earth, have reafon to 
 blefsGoD for the accomplifhment of this 
 prophecy, upon whom the light (hined when 
 we *' fat in darknefs and the fhadow of 
 *' death, to guide our feet into the way 
 *^ of peace §." 
 
 Since then we have fuch a *' fure 
 *' word of prophecy ||j*' " let us hold 
 *' fail the profeffion of our faith without 
 *' wavering ^.'* If ever we had need of 
 f^edfaftnefs, it is in this fceptical and in- 
 fidel age, in which the enemies of chrifti- 
 «nity wi(h to tear up the foundation, and 
 throw down the pillars of the Chriilian 
 edifice. But I truft, both minifiers and 
 people know in whom they do believe, 
 
 • Pfalm ii. 8. t Isaiah xlix. 6. fj Mai. i. 11. 
 
 5 Luk« i. 79- II 2 Pet. i. I9. H Heb. x. 23. 
 
 N 2 and 
 
i so Th e Teft imony of Propkexjj, 
 
 DISC. X. and that neither the fophhtry of the fcep-^ 
 tic,nor the vauntings of the infidel, fliali ever 
 be able to llagger our faitli. We both do, 
 and will " rejoice/' in fpite of all their 
 •falfereafonings, and acrimonious revilings^ 
 " iii,^hope of the glory of God *" in 
 CJArift J-efus, in whom we are fully per- 
 fuad.(rd , . all the blefied promifes of the 
 ,Go,fp€l " are yea, and Amen'i'." Let us 
 triumph- in ihe accompliihment of thefe di- 
 vine prophecies, being now aflured by the 
 molt infallible proofs, that after the blefled 
 Saviour of mankind had fuffercd, he was 
 railed from the dead, and " declared to 
 " be the Son of God with power J ;" and, 
 that " when He had by himfelf purged 
 " our hns §," lie vifibly afcended into the 
 heavens, and for ever fat down at the 
 right hand of the Majeity on high, until 
 lie fliall come again in his more glorious 
 JMujeily to judge the world in righteouf- 
 ,nefs. Thefe truths are the only hope 
 •and coniblation of a Ciiriltian m this un- 
 certain and traniitory ftate ; they are 
 more dear to him than life itfelf; they 
 
 .r: .:..'• .■ i: r: _.:i '^ 
 
 * Rom. Y. 2. t 2 Cor. i. 20. J Rom. i. 4. 
 
 .W -x .■:,. li . . n. . • - '-•-i ( 
 § lleb. i. 3. 
 
 •• , are 
 
that Jefus is Chrifl. 181 
 
 are the very " iiiicbor of his foul both i^i^^c. x. 
 " ilire and itedfaft *," amid(i: the waves 
 of this agitated ocean of hfc, until he 
 fliall arrive at the haven of eternal red 
 and peace, through the merits of the 
 iame Lokd and Saviour Jefus Chrift. 
 
 To whom, SiQ. Amen,. 
 
 • Heb, vi, 19^ 
 
 :^ 3 DIS- 
 
DISCOURSE XI. 
 
 THE MEDIATORIAL OFEICES Op 
 CimiST, 
 
 1 Timothy ii. 5. 
 
 There is one Mediator between God and 
 Men, the Man Chrifi Je/us, 
 
 In order to form a complete idea of thei^Kc.xt 
 great work of our redemption, it is ne-* 
 ceffary to copfider what offices the Me-» 
 diator between God and men fufiained Xq 
 accomphfli it. In the execution of that 
 redeeming procefs. He took upon H^m 
 three important chara6ters, without which 
 it would never have been rendered dlec- 
 jj 4» tual 
 
184. The Mediatorial Offices of Chrift. 
 
 Pisc.jci. tual to the purpufes of man's falvalion, 
 viz. that of a Prophet, Prieft, and King. 
 Each of thefe in their order, \vill con- 
 ftitute the fubjeft of the following dif- 
 courfe. 
 
 Now the firft of them confifts in re- 
 vealing the will of God in all thmgs ne- 
 ceffary to falvation. It was very early 
 predifted, that the promifed Meftlah 
 fhould be a " prophet and a lawgiver *,'' 
 like unto Mofes. Jefus of JSJazarelh was 
 emphatically that prophet, for he deli- 
 vered the new law of the Gofpel, and 
 taught it with fuch power and authority, 
 that even his hearers " were aftoniihed at 
 " his do6lrine-j-." And " God who at 
 <^ fundry times, and in divers manners, 
 " fpake in timps paft unto the fathers by 
 " the prophets, hath in thefe laft days 
 " fpoken unto us by his Son.]:." This 
 great fhepherd of the .ftieep far excelled 
 all other prophets. For they received the 
 gifts of the Spirit by meafure, and had 
 commiifion to declare only fome particular 
 precepts, and promifes,' and threatenings, 
 
 ♦ Dcut. xviii. 18. t Murk i.C:. | Ilcb. i. ;. 
 
 But 
 
The Mediatorial Offices of C/nyll IB."* 
 
 But this eminent and divine prophet, re- insc.-^i. 
 ceived not " the Spirit by nieaiinx' *," and 
 being thus pre-ordained, had authority 
 to reveal the whole counfel of (ioi), con- 
 cerning man's ialv:ition. AV'hen he began 
 to ^pubhfh the Golpel, his authority was 
 confirmed by divine approbation, for 
 *' the Father which fent him, bore witnefs 
 " of him, by a voice from heaven-)-/' 
 And the miracles which he wTouo'ht to 
 confirm his doctrine were a fufiicient evi- 
 dence that he was a teacher come from 
 God, and the greateft of all prophets. 
 
 Now the office of a prophet is not only 
 to foretel things to come, but to expound 
 the word of God. This was an eminent 
 part of Chrift's character, for he revealed 
 the will of God, and fliewed us all thinjis 
 neceffary, both for faith and practice, that 
 we. might obtain falvation. It is alfo a 
 diftinguifliing part of his office, to teach 
 US' inwardly by his Spirit, as well as out- 
 wardly by his Word, and thereby make 
 his do6trine effi^^ctual, by illuminating the 
 jiiind, and converting the heart, which 
 
 ♦ John iii, 3-i, f ibid. v. 37. 
 
 no 
 
iSdT Tht Mediatorial Offices of Chrijt; 
 
 DISC. XI. no other prophet had power to do. Andt 
 after He had thus preached the Gofpel, 
 in his own- peribn, and was ready to de- 
 part unto his Father in heaven, he or- 
 daii^ed his Apoftles to guide his church 
 in the way of truth. Accordingly the 
 do6lrines they taught, they received from 
 hini. 
 
 The next mediatorial office, with which 
 Chrift was invefted for the accomplifti- 
 ment of man's redemption, was that of 
 a Prieft, which confilted in offering up 
 himfeif a facrifice for our lins, that he 
 might reconcile us unto God, and make 
 intercefiion for us unto the Father, by 
 virtue of his own merits. Accordingly 
 it was foretold by the Pfalmift, that Chrilt 
 fhould be " called of God an High 
 " Prieft, after the order of Melchife- 
 " deck*.'* And as a Prieft, having once 
 offered up himfeif a facrifice for fins, he 
 >* entered into heaven itfelf, there to apt- 
 *' pear in the prefence of God for us-f-." 
 In offering up himfeif a facrifice for lin, 
 be exercifed the fun6tion of an Aaropical 
 
 ♦ ?¥alm ex. 4. ■\ Ueb. ix, 24', 
 
 Priefl, 
 
^he Mediatorial Offices of Chri/l, 187 
 
 Prieft, but in blefllng us, and interceding disc.xi, 
 for us with God, he is a Prieft for ever 
 after the order of Melchifedeck. Now 
 the firft part of Chriit's prieftly office, is 
 making fatisfa6iion to the jullice of God 
 for the fins of mankind, by the facrifice 
 of himfelf. The oblation which Chrift 
 once offered on the crofs, is of fuch inli- 
 jiite value and merit, that the whole worl^ 
 of fatiiifa6lion for fin is thereby confuni- 
 mated ; and there is now no need of any 
 more ofFeriag for fin ; " for by one ofFer- 
 " ing Chrift hath perfefted for ever them 
 ** that are fanctified *." He fufFered the 
 penalty of the law, and was made a curfe 
 for us, not only to leave us an example of 
 patience, but chiefly to fatisfy the juftice 
 of God for our fins. " For Chrift hath 
 •' once fuffered for fins, the juft for the 
 f* unjuft, that He might bring us to 
 " God "f-." " He is the propitiation for 
 ?* our fms J ;" and *' when we were ene- 
 ** mies, we were reconciled to God by 
 <* the death of his Son § ;" " in whon; 
 
 * Heb. X. 14. + 1 Pet. iii. 18. 
 
 X 1 John ii. 2. § Rom. v. 10. 
 
188 The Mediatorial Offices of ChriJI, 
 
 DISC. XI. " we have redemption through his blood, 
 " even the forgivencfs of fins*/' But 
 thefe comfortable declarations 'of God's 
 word have no foundation in truth, if 
 Chrift, being innocent, did not fuffer in 
 our ftead : If the propitiation he made, 
 \vas not on our behalf: If He' did not 
 fatisfy the curfe of the law : If by his' 
 death and bloodfliedding, He did not 6b- 
 tain eternal redemption for us. But God 
 being oifended by the breach- of his law, 
 could not, in honour of his jaftice,- pardon 
 our fms, without fatisfaction. Of his own 
 mercy, therefore, " He fent his only be- 
 *' gotten Son into the AVorld -f-", to make 
 an atonement for our fms, and " to de- 
 " clare his righteoufnefs, that He might 
 " be juft, and the jull:ifier of him that 
 " believeth in Jefus J/' 
 
 The remaining, part of Chrift's prieftly 
 office, is the making interccihon to his 
 heavenly Father on our behalf. As the 
 Priefts under the law were ordained to 
 offer facrifices for fms, and to pray unto 
 God for the people : ib our High-Prielt 
 
 * E^h. i. 7. t 1 John iv. 0- X r^t>in'. iii. 2^. 
 
 havin*! 
 
The Mediatorial Offices of Chrijh 189 
 
 liavlno: offered one facrifice for fins, di-^c.xi. 
 . . . , ^i^*'^ 
 
 " entered into heaven itlelf, now to ap- 
 
 " pear in the prefencc of God for us*.'* 
 The offering hinifelF a facrifice for fins, 
 fitted him for the hiirh office of inter- 
 ceflbr. And He is our " advocate 
 " . with the Father ;" becaufe " lie is the 
 " propitiation for our fins-j-." He inter- 
 cedeth for us by virtue of his own merits, 
 and God is well-ploafed with his me- 
 diation, and beftowcth upon us the blef- 
 fmgs we (land in need of, even grace 
 and pardon, fanctification and redemp- 
 tion. 
 
 It behoves us too to remember that this 
 office of interceffion is pecuhar to our great 
 High-Prieft, becaufe he alone hath recon- 
 ciled us unto God by his death, and pur- 
 chafed for us the bleffmgs and privileges 
 of the Gofpel. " For there is but one 
 ^' Mediator between God and men, the 
 "man Chrift Jefus." The Holy Spirit 
 doth not intercede for us as a Mediator, 
 but when He is faid to make interceffion 
 for us, it is to be uiiderltood, that He 
 
 * Ih-b. ix. 24. t 1 John ii. 1, 2. 
 
 flirrcth 
 
19(t The Mediatoiial Offices of Chrijt, 
 
 insc.XT. ftlrreth up good motions in our hearts, 
 hclpeth our infirmities, and enables us to 
 p-aj wilh fervency and zeal. Neither 
 are the holy angels and glorified faints 
 t^.pable of being intercelfors for us. 
 They know not the defires of our hearts^ 
 tior can they make God propitious to us 
 hj their merits^ for having none to offer 
 <on our behalf, they cannot appeafe the 
 ■wrath of God againll us by their prayers, 
 "Chrift therefore is our only interceffor 
 ivith the Father, He ftandeth in the 
 'breach, and, by his mediation, maketh 
 peace l)etween God and us : He pre- 
 lenteth our facrifices of prayer and praife, 
 -with other good works, before the throne 
 of grace, that for his fake they may be 
 accepted and rewarded. 
 
 The la(t oftice of Chrift's mediatorftiip, 
 propofed to be confidered, is that of a 
 'Kingv tvhicli conlKts in governing his 
 -church, and in fubduing and deftroying his 
 ^enemies. When, as a Pried, He had 
 •offered up himfeif a facriiice for fms, and 
 ^purchafed eternal redemption for us, 
 God highly exalted hn-n, and made him 
 
 both 'Lord and Kinir. " aivins: him 
 
 (( 
 
 power 
 
.fhc Mediatorial Offices of Chrijl, l^l 
 
 ** power ill heaven and earth ^." Heaven ^i^- ^^ 
 is the feat of his empire, and his kingdom 
 is ere6ted in the hearts of his people. He 
 ruleth them with his Word and Holy 
 Spirit, adminiftering his goveriiment by 
 ineans which tend only to fpiritual ends. 
 
 In thus governing and protecting his 
 Church, in the way of falvation, and in 
 rewarding the faithful obedience of his 
 fubjefts, He exercifes the power and au- 
 thority of his kingly office. As He hath 
 given us the law of the Gofpel to be our 
 rule, fo He enables us, by the grace of 
 his Holy Spirit, to live in conformity to it ;• 
 and if we are careful to improve that 
 grace, he will by degrees " make us per- 
 *' fe6l in every good work to do his will, 
 •' working in us that which is well- 
 •' pleafing in his fight -(*." As our King 
 He alio prote6ls and defends us from evils, 
 which we could not otherwife avoid ; and 
 tliouo-h He fometimes " fuffer us to be 
 
 o 
 
 " tempted above what "sve are able, yet 
 *' will He with the temptation alfo make 
 •' a way to efcape, that we may be able 
 
 * Matt, xxxiii. 18. + Heb. xiii. 21. 
 
 " to 
 
192 The Medkdorial Offices of Chri/i. 
 
 tations, imd continue bis obedient fubjecls, 
 figbting under liis banners againft fin, the 
 world aivd the devil, and finilh our war- 
 iliro in hoUnefs, he will reward our alle- 
 giance, and through his merits give us 
 *' a crown of gloiy, that fadeth not 
 " awayf/' 
 
 Jf, on the contrary, we rebel asrainil 
 his love reign authoritj^, we are not only 
 ungrateful, but fubje6l ourfelves, as his 
 enemies, to all the penalties of his wrath 
 and indignation. The enemies of Chrift 
 are either temporal or fpiritual, the former 
 are thofe who vifibly rellft his governmentj 
 of whon\ were the Jews and llomans of 
 old, who periecuted both Him and his 
 followers, from citj- to city. And of the 
 ilime defcription are all thofe who in 
 words profeis Chrift, " but in works 
 " deny Himj;" whofe end will be, that 
 they (hall be. made his footftool, in the 
 day of his vindi6live power. The latter 
 are thole who invifibly oppofe his domi- 
 nion, and fet up a kingdom of their own 
 
 • 1 Oct. x. IZ. f l Pet. v. 4. J Tit. i. l6. 
 
 againft 
 
The Mediatorial Offices of ChrijL 19:3 
 
 againft the kingdom of Chrift. Such are i^i^f xi. 
 (in, iatan, and death. All theie Chrift 
 will in due time deltroy, and abolifh their 
 power and dominion, in reference to the 
 faithful. The guilt of lin, and the pow'er 
 of fa tan over them, are now in part done 
 -away, for " He hath waihed them from 
 " their fins in his own blood*";" He hath 
 bruifed fatan under their feet, and will 
 finally " ranfom them from the power of 
 " the grave 'f-.'* When the faithful fliall 
 be thus raifed from the dead, they fhall 
 die no more; death iliall have no more 
 dominion over tlicm. But it will not be 
 fo with the ungodly ; though they too fhali 
 be raifed from the dead, they iliall rife 
 only to experience ihame and everlaft- 
 ing contempt, and to die the /eco/zc^ death, 
 a ftate infinitely worfe than their former 
 one. 
 
 Such are the high and important offices 
 our bJelTed Redeemer fufiains, as the one 
 Mediator between Goo and men. Froiu 
 his prophetic chara61er then let us learn 
 to be ready to hear, and willing to receive 
 
 * Rev. i. 5. t Hoseaxiii. 14. 
 
 VOL, I. o the 
 
194 The Mediatorial Offices of Chrijf, 
 
 DISC. XI. ^\^Q facred truths he taught, for a right 
 knowledge of his faving truths muft ne- 
 ceilarily precede the behef and pradice 
 of them. To be negligent or remifs in 
 attaining to the knowledge of them, will 
 ferve only to demonftrate our contempt of 
 fo great falvation, and to increafe our con- 
 demnation ; for our love of his divine 
 precepts, and our delire of falvation 
 through Him, will always be in propor- 
 tion to our incjuiry and fearch alter re- 
 ligious truth. And it is reafonable that 
 our refearch after divine knowledge ihould 
 as much exceed that of all other, as it is 
 uilimately of more value, and alone can 
 make us wile unto falvation. AVho then 
 would not wilh to have fuch a teacher, 
 and fuch a prophet, in whole in{tru6lions 
 are contained '* the* words of eternal 
 " life * ?" To avail ourfelves of any be- 
 nefit from his divined pjrecepts, we muft 
 remember, that they muft be accompa- 
 nied with a found - faith, and unfeigned 
 obedience. For to pretend to believe 
 the important doctrines of the gofpel, 
 (h 
 
 * Jotin vl. 68. . 
 
 . and 
 
The Mediatorial Offices of Chrijl, 195 
 
 and at the fame time to walk contrary disc. xr. 
 to them, is to difhonour God's holy 
 word, and to bring reproach and con- 
 demnation upon ourfelves. This great 
 prophet, Jeliis Chrill our Lord, hath 
 revealed the will of God, not fo much 
 to make us more learned in the myfteries 
 of his holy religion, as to teach us the 
 way of lalvation. BleiTed therefore are 
 they, and they only, who have fo learned 
 Chrift, as from the heart to obey him. 
 
 In the capacity alfo of a Prieft, making 
 atonement for our fms, and interceding 
 for us in heaven, the leaft tribute of gra- 
 titude and acknowledgment we can pay 
 Him for fo unfpeakable a mercy, is to 
 repent of our iniquities, and to " ferve 
 " him in true holinefs and righteoufnefs 
 " all the days of our hfe*." The end 
 for which Chrift " gave himfelf for us, 
 " was to redeem us from all iniquity, and 
 " to make us zealous of good works -f-." 
 How then Ihall we be capable of enjoying 
 the benefits He hath purchafed for us, if 
 we are not folicitous ourfelves to anfwer 
 
 * Luke i. 75. t Tit. ii. 1,4. 
 
 o 2 the 
 
196 The Mediatorial Offices of Chrift. 
 
 Dt>c.xi. tlie end of his all-fufficicnt facrifice and 
 '^^ oblation ? The Redeemer of the World 
 hath not fo procured iklvation for us, as 
 to fufpend the neceflity of good works, 
 but that we lliould ftrive " to work out 
 " our own Iklvation*." He bore our 
 tins, (that is, the guilt and punifliment 
 due to them) " in his own body on the 
 " tree, that we being dead to fin, Ihould 
 " live unto righteouiiiefs-j-.'* Shall we 
 then not rely upon his merits, through 
 faith and obedience for the pardon of 
 them ? For none are excluded from 
 God's mercy in Chrift, but ''' whofoever 
 " believeth in bin; (liall receive, remiffion 
 " of fins throuoh his name J." ., , 
 
 And from the do6trine ofGhrift's in? 
 terceffion, let us learn to " come unto 
 " God by Him, for fie is the way, the 
 '' truth, 'and the life, and no man cometh 
 '' unto the Father but by Him.§.'* Doth. 
 the guilt of fm fling and wound your 
 confciences ? Remember that you have 
 ^n Advocate, Jefus Chriif the righteous. 
 
 Phil. ii. 12. t 1 Pet, ii. 24. J AdS x. 4: 
 
 % H.'b. vii. 25. John .xiv. 6". 
 
 Ar« 
 
The Mediatorial Offices, of Chrifl, 197 
 
 Are you, as poor and loft finners, in want i)isc,xi 
 of grace, or mercj-, or forgivcnefs ? Call ^^-^^ 
 to mind the words of your blefied Sa- 
 viour, " Whatfoever ye fliall. afk the Fa- 
 " ther in my name, He will give it 
 " you*." And the declaration of an 
 infpired Apoftle is equally to be believed, 
 that " He is able to lave to the uttermofi 
 " them that come unto God by Him, 
 *' feeing He ever liveth to make inter- 
 " ceflion for them f-." Laftly, it remains 
 then to confider, what is required of us 
 in conformity to Chrift's kingly oflice. 
 And what elfe can be required, but to 
 fubmit to his government, and be willing 
 that He fliould reign over us ? For this ' 
 purpofe He Mas conflituted both Lord 
 and King, that He might rule over us, 
 and confer upon us the royal benefits of 
 his bounty. To become our Saviour, He 
 muft firft become our King, and we his 
 dutiful and loyal fiibjccts. It is our in- 
 tereft, as well as our duty, to ^gyyg and 
 obey Him, and to feek to Him for help 
 and prote6tion in all difficulties and dan-- 
 
 * John .xiv. 13. t Ilcb. vii. '25. 
 
 o 3 gers; 
 
198 Th Mediatorial Offices of Chrijh 
 
 DISC. XL gers ; then fliall we be faved from our 
 greateil enemies. And if Chriii; be for 
 us, who can be again ft us ? He is Loud 
 of all, He is *^ God blelled for ever- 
 ^* more * ;" He reigneth, and '* will reign 
 " till he hath put all enemies under his 
 *' feet-f-." Let us tlierefore joyfully iliout 
 Hofannas to the King of Heaven, and 
 continue, as good fubjects, faithful in his 
 fervice ; then may we confidently hope 
 that He will blefs and preferve us from 
 the evil of this world, and " keep us by 
 " his power through faith unto falva- 
 *' tionj." — Which God of his infinite 
 mercy grant, for the fake and through 
 the alone mediation of the fame Jefus 
 Chrift our Lord, to whom, Sec Amen, 
 
 * Rem. ix. 5. t 1 Cor. xv. 25. J 1 Pet. i. 5. 
 
 BIS. 
 
DISCOURSE XII 
 
 U NI V^ ER S A L RED E M PTION 
 
 1 John 
 
 11. 'S. 
 
 He is the Propitiation for our Sins, and not 
 for ours onhj, hut aJfo for the Sins of 
 the whole World. 
 
 Having in a former Dlfcourfe con-£,jc;^^jj 
 ildered thole feveral capacities in which ^-^^^^ 
 our blelTed Lord made iatisfa8:ion to the 
 offended juftice of God ; the next (tep is 
 to (hew for whom He made that fatisfac- 
 tion or atonement. And there is no doc- 
 trine more clearly revealed in the Gofpel, 
 than that He paid the price of redemption 
 far all mankind. " For God fent not his 
 " Son into the world to condemn the 
 " world, but that the world through Him 
 4 " might 
 
200 Univerfal Redemption. 
 
 DISC. XII. « „^;g]jt be faved *.*' AVhoevcr, without 
 exception, believes and obeys the Gofpcl 
 of Chrift, (hall be juftified and faved by 
 his merits. " For God is no refpe6ter of 
 " perfons, but in every nation, He that 
 *' feareth Him and worketh righteoufnefs 
 " fhall be accepted with Him f.'* All 
 men therefore are fo far redeemed by the 
 death and merits of Chrift, that they are 
 reftored to a capacity of obtaining falva- 
 tion, and nothing can prevent them from 
 becoming partakers of it but their own in- 
 veterate wickednefs and obdurate impeni- 
 tence. 
 
 It mufl; however be obfervcd, that the 
 fpecial benefits of redemption, fuch as par- 
 don of (ins, peace with God, fanctifica- 
 tion, and life eternal, do not aclually ber 
 long to all men ; they are limited to the 
 faithful ; and none but fuch as are become 
 new creatures, and perfevere in the obe- 
 dience of faith, fhall enjoy thofe benefits, 
 Though Chrifl died for all, yet the blefied 
 fruits of his death are conferred only on 
 the faithful. Where the Gofpel hath beep 
 preached, they only who believe in Chrifl, 
 
 * John iii. 17 . t Ads x. 34, 35. 
 
 and 
 
Vniterfal Redemption. 201 
 
 and walk according to that rule, lliall be ^^^c. xii, 
 accepted with God for Chriit's lake, and 
 obtain remifiion of (ins, and eternal life. 
 True it is, that Chrift came into the world 
 to fave linncrs, but it is only by *' turning 
 *' every one of them from their iniqui- 
 ** ties *," and by keeping his command- 
 ments, Unlefs the conditions on our part 
 'Are faithfully obferved, it is in vain to ex- 
 pe6l the benefits of his purchale, which will 
 ierve only to enhance our guilt, and ag- 
 gravate our condemnation. 
 
 Upon this plan the redemption of the 
 world is clearly revealed in the Gofpel, as 
 the fundamental doctrine of Chriltianity. 
 The mercy of God through Chrift, to- 
 wards the whole human race is fuch, that 
 He willetb their falvaticn, and not their 
 deftru6lion. And He hath fworn by him^ 
 felf, that " He hath no pleafure in the 
 *' death of the wicked, but that the 
 ^* wicked turn from his way, and live -f*." 
 For this purpofe " He lent his Son into 
 " the world," and though it was eftranged 
 from God by wicked works, yet was 
 " God in Chrift," then " reconcihng the 
 
 * Acls iii. 26'. "t Ezt'k. xviii. 93. 
 
 " world 
 
202 Univerfal Redemption. 
 
 DISC. xii. u ^^.Qj.j^j ^nto himfelf *." And the merits 
 of its great Redeemer were of fiich infi- 
 nite value as to be a ** full, perfeft, and 
 " fufficient facrifice, oblation, and fatisfac- 
 *' tion for the lins of the whole world -j-.** 
 This do6trine is confirmed by the exprefs 
 teftimony of St. John, who afTures us, 
 that " He is the propitiation for our fins, 
 " and not for ours only, but alfo for the 
 " fins of the whole world J.'* Who then 
 can fufiicientlj admire the greatnefs of 
 that love, and adore the exceeding riches 
 of that mercy, which hath fb amply pro» 
 •vided for the redemption of the whole 
 human race ! Had it operated only to a 
 particular and partial redemption, the bc' 
 nignity of the divine Mercy could not 
 have been fb fully magnified, nor Mould 
 the procefs of redeeming Love have been 
 commenfurate to the defigns of his all- 
 wife Providence. But it is the pecuhar 
 and blefled charter of theGofpel, to ofter 
 eternal hfe and happinefs to all men through 
 the obechence of faith, that every one who 
 turneth from his evil ways unto God with 
 full purpofe of heart, and pra6tifes holinefs 
 
 * 2 Cor. V. ig. "t Communion Service. I I John ii. 2, 
 
 iii 
 
Vnivcrful Exempt ion, 203 
 
 r, may havPgood hope of ialva- 
 tion ; and lie that hath this well-jrrounded 
 
 in his fear, may havlrgood hope of falva- disc, xti- 
 
 hope in him, hath ample encouragement 
 to walk in newnefs of life. Being thus 
 reftored to a capacity of falvation, if any 
 perifli, they perilh through their own de- 
 fault, and nothing can attach either on the 
 mercy of God on one fide, or hisjuilice 
 on the other. Nought therefore remains 
 in this cafe, but that a God of infinite 
 love and mercy mud reproach them for 
 their ingratitude, and condemn them for 
 their impenitence and iinhelief. 
 
 If, on the contrary, the greater part of 
 mankind were not redeemed by Chrift in 
 the fenfe here fpoken of, his advent in tlie 
 flelh might be confidered, perhaps, rather 
 as an evil, than a blefiing. For heavier 
 puniihment againfl impenitent fmners is 
 denounced under the Golpel than under 
 the law. On this prefumption, therefore, 
 it had been better for them that He had 
 not come into the world. But coniidered 
 abftra^ledly, Chrift's coming in the flefli 
 is ever to be efteemed a juft ground of joy 
 to all men, and the immediate caufe of 
 perdition to none. True, however, it is, 
 
 that 
 
^Q4> Unkerfal Jiedempfion. 
 
 DISC. XII. that many, through their own delinquency, 
 ^"**"^'"*^ abufe the grace of the Gofpel to their 
 greater condemnation, by their negle6l of 
 fo great falvation. The primary end of 
 his manifeltation in the flefli was, doubt- 
 \e^^y not to dellroy, but to fave the fallen 
 race of man. But if the greater part of 
 mankind are abfolutely excluded, by a pre- 
 ordained decree of the Almighty, from 
 any faving benefit in the fufferings and 
 death of' Ghrifl, every effort to avoid evil, 
 and every inclination to do good, are to no 
 purpofe ; Faith is no more than a chime- 
 rical delufion, and Hope, which was here- 
 tofore wont to be the anchor of the foul, 
 is uncertoin and unjieady. The fruits of 
 the fpirit are no longer the teft of obe- 
 dience, when they ceafe to afford any well- 
 grounded expectation of the recompence 
 of reward. If this be fo, and we are to 
 look upon the Gofpel of our Lord Jefus 
 Chrift only as a partial tender of falvation, 
 it ferves rather to dcflroy than to fupport 
 the Apoilolical injunction, of being able 
 " to give an aniwer to every man that afk- 
 " eth us a reaj'on of the hope that is in lis"^.** 
 
 ••' I Pet. iii. 1-5. 
 
 AU 
 
Vniverfal Redemption, 205 
 
 All encouragement to piety and virtue ^i-^c. xii. 
 ceaies, if after a life fun6tified by, the 
 fpirit of God, and fpent in faithful obe- 
 dience, no well-grounded hope of falva- 
 tion can be cheriihed, through a falfe and 
 dangerous perfuafion that we are not in the 
 number of the ele6l. 
 
 Upon this ground then tlie dodrine of 
 a particular redemption tends, in its own 
 nature, to difcourage true religion. : Fo|' if 
 onlv a very fmall part of mankind be re- 
 deemed by Chrill, who, notwithftanding 
 his pretenfions, can be affured, on firm 
 grounds, that he is of that number? And 
 if he cannot be fo fortunate as to work, up 
 his mind to this happy perfuafion, will he 
 not be apt to conclude in defpair that h,e 
 oannot be laved, and therefore give up the 
 reins to the gratification of his lufts, and 
 the propeniities of his evil nature? But 
 ' before the mifguided religionill proceeds 
 thus far, let him paufe a moment, and 
 weigh the conlequences of luch unfounded 
 temerity. Let him confider upon what; a 
 precipice he grounds his dearelt hopes and 
 beli: mterefis, and not abandon the dignity 
 of his nature, and the immortality of his 
 
 foul, 
 
£05 TfnvOerfal lledemption. 
 
 DISC. x;i. foul j to preconceived, erroneous opinions. 
 Let him open the facred volume of God's 
 word, and coiifole his dejeded fpirit with 
 that divine truth, that *' when the wicked 
 " man turneth away From his wickednefs 
 " th'^tr he hath committed, and doeth that 
 " which is iawfiii and right, he fliall fave 
 " his foul alive *," he Ihall put it into 
 a capacity of being flived through the re- 
 demption that is in Chrift Jefus. And if 
 the teftimony of the Gofpel itfelf can 
 carr3^ itronger convi6iion to his heart, let 
 him call to mind the polilive declaration 
 of St. Peter ; " of a truth I perceive that 
 " God is no refpe6ler of perfons, but in 
 " every nation he that feareth Him, and 
 *' worketh righteoufnefs, is accepted with 
 •*' Him-j-." And our Lord himfelf hath 
 affirmed, that " whofoever believeth in 
 " Him, iliould not periili, but have ever- 
 " lading life X'' It is evident then upon 
 a comparhbn of thefe two parages, that 
 believing and zcorking righteoufnefs are 
 ternis of like fignification, and entitle the 
 perfon polTeffed of thefe qualities to the 
 fame hope of reward through the merits 
 
 • Ezek.'xviii. 27. t Atls X. 34,, 35, J John iii. l6. 
 
 of 
 
Univerfal Redemption, 207 
 
 of the Redeemer. To imagine that Chrift t^i'^c- xil 
 hath purchaled unconditional redemption 
 for us without reference to our moral hfe 
 and converliition, would be to evacuate the 
 whole tenor of the Gofpel, which, on our 
 part, invariably prefcribes repentance, faith, 
 xmd obedience. The only misfortune is, 
 we do not comply with the terms of it. It 
 is not any want of love in God towards 
 us, nor any deficiency in the merits of 
 Chrift, but our own wilful pertinacity in 
 fin, that brings deitru^tion upon us. Many, 
 our Lord himfelf declares, *' will not 
 " come to Him, that they might have 
 " life *.*' The condemnation is not that 
 Chrift hath not paid a ranfom for all, or 
 that God in mercy did not intend to ac- 
 complilh the redemption of all men ; but 
 " this is the condemnation, that hght is 
 " come into the world, and men love 
 " darknefs rather than light, becaufe their 
 *' deeds are evil -j-." 
 
 Be it remembered then, that the doc- 
 trine of univerfal redemption, as thus in- 
 terpreted, is no private opinion, but the 
 avowed dodrine of our Church. In the 
 
 * John V. 40, t Ibid. iii. 19. 
 
 form 
 
208 Univerfal ^Redemption. 
 
 ISC. XII. fonn of General confeflion, we are direfted 
 to praj that God would " reftore them 
 " that are penitent, according to his pro- 
 " miles declared unto vianlc'uid in Chriil 
 " Jel'u our Lord/' And in the general 
 thanklgiving, we are to praife God for all 
 his bleflings ; " but above all, for his inefti* 
 ** mable love in the redemption of the world 
 " by our Lord Jefus Chrift/' In the begin- 
 ning of the Litany like wife, God the Son 
 is acknowledged to be the Redeemer of the. 
 IVorld. And in the prayer of Confecration 
 at the celebration of the Holy Communion, 
 ChriR is laid to have " made on the crofs, 
 *' (by his one oblation of Himfelf once of- 
 " fered,) a full, perfect:, and fufficient facri- 
 " fice, oblation and fatisfa«5tion, for the fins 
 *' of the whole J P or Id." And, (not to multi- 
 ply unneceliary proofs) in the Catechifm we 
 are taught to '* believe in God the Son, 
 " who hath redeemed us, and all mankind.^' 
 If then there be falvatioa in Chrift, 
 and if " Hq tafted death for every man *,'' 
 let us not prefume to circumfcribe his pre- 
 cious merits, and limit his grace to a cho^ 
 fan few. Rather let us thankfully adore 
 
 bis' 
 
Univerfal Redemption. 209 
 
 His divine goodnefs, that " the manlfef- disc. xir. 
 " tation of the fpirit is given to every "^-^^ 
 " man to profit withal*." If Chrift he 
 the propitiation for the fins of the whole 
 world, and the Saviour of all, hut efpe- 
 ciallv of them that believe ; how can it 
 be faid that He died but for a few ? If 
 " His grace, which bringeth falvation, ap- 
 " pear to all men f-," and " enlighten 
 " every man that cometh into the world J," 
 it follows, that He willeth all men to b6 
 faved. If the love of God toward a loft 
 world was fo great, that He gave his only 
 begotten Son to die for it ; and if the fame 
 precious gift would hare fufficed for the 
 Salvation of all, as well as afew^, though it 
 fliould not have been given for that end ; 
 it feems to argue fuch evident partiality 
 for fome, and fuch dereliction of the reft 
 of mankind, though equally fallen, and in 
 need of a Saviour, as is inconfiflent with 
 the character of human goodnefs ; how 
 much more fo then when predicated of 
 the divine Benignity ! How contrary does 
 fuch a procefs appear to the love and 
 compafiion of Him, who once wept over 
 
 *lCor. xii. 7. tTit. ii. 11. J John i. 9. 
 
 VOL. I. p Jeru* 
 
2 10 Univerfal Redemption , 
 
 pisc. xn. Jerufalem with fympathizing pity, when 
 (he relilted the laft effort of his grace ! 
 And though her cafe was defperate, and 
 her ruin iiretrievable, exclaimed with heart- 
 felt cornpaffion, " If thou hadlt known, 
 " even thou, at lead in this thy day, the 
 " things which belong to thy peace ! but 
 " now they are hid from thine eyes * !" 
 
 The queftion too applies with no lefs 
 truth and conviclion, how far it is confiit- 
 ent with the juftice, more than the good- 
 nefs of God, to leave a great part of man- 
 kind in a condition into which they had 
 not brought themfelves by their own per- 
 fonal tranfgredion, without help or re- 
 medy ? The anfwer is obtained by the 
 means employed for the recovery of all 
 men ; " As by the offence of one," faith 
 the apoflle, "judgment came upon all men 
 " to condemnation; fo by the righteoufnefs 
 " of one, the free gift came upon all men to 
 " juftification of life -j-." All men thus 
 becoming fmners by the fall of Adam, 
 Chrift, the fecond Adam, came to redeem 
 them, not only from their original fm, but 
 alfo from their own perfonal iniquities. 
 
 * Luke xix, 42. fRoin. v. IS. 
 
 For 
 
^^..^^lie 
 
 Univerfdl Redemption . 211 
 
 For though " judgment was by one to^^Kcxn. 
 " condemnation, the free gift is of many 
 " offences to juditication." 
 
 Let us not then unreafonably imagine 
 that the promifes of the Gofpel are not to 
 be received, as they are generally fet forth 
 in Holy Scripture. For how can it be con- 
 iillent with any idea of juftice, to fufferall 
 mankind to be loll and undone for ever by 
 one, and, unlefs they are left utterly to 
 penlh in that ftate, as the due wages of 
 fin, not to give them an opportunity of be- 
 ing faved by the appointed Mediator be- 
 twixt God and man ? The gracious inten- 
 tion of the one great Mediator is expr^fsly 
 avowed by Hmifelf, " He came to feek 
 ^ and to fave that which was loft *," but 
 this being the unhappy condition of the 
 vhole human race, it follows, that He 
 came into the world on purpofe to redeem 
 
 m. 
 
 Here then let us pour forth the whole 
 chorus of.ourpraife and thankfgiving, and, 
 with " the four-and-twenty eiders that fell 
 ** down before the Lamb, (ing a new fong, 
 ** faying ; Thou art worthy to take the 
 
 ♦ Matt, xviii. 11, 
 
 P 2 " book. 
 
212 IJniverfal Redejjrption. 
 
 DISC. XII. " book, and to open the feals thereof, for 
 " Thou waft ilain, and haft redeemed us to 
 " God by thy blood out of every kin- 
 " dred and tongue and people and na- 
 " tion *." And may this comfortable and 
 evangelical doctrine infpire the M-hole loft 
 race of Adam with fincere refolution to turn 
 from their fins, and then with a ftedfaft faith 
 and lively hope to look unto Him, and be- 
 . faved.. Be it remembered, however, that 
 the Gofpel of Chrift gives no occafion to 
 any man to hope for falvation, while ha, 
 continues in wilful tranfgreffion. The lot 
 of the wicked, as fuch, muft iffue in mi- 
 fery ; '* mifery, in degree, unfpeakable ; 
 " in duration, endlefs ! But perhaps, they 
 " hope, that the mercy of God will par- 
 " don their fin through Jefus Chrift -j-:" 
 Alas ! the very beft of men, thofe who 
 have fpent their whple :liyes,in jioiinefs and 
 righteo'ufnefs, in the love of God, and his 
 fervice, will be obliged to reft all their 
 hopes of falvation on that ground ; and, 
 " if the righteous fcarcely be faved, where 
 
 * Rev. V. 9. 
 ^ t^Scc page f7, Bi/liop Landers Addfts^ aftc^CofyHf- 
 
 '^ "2"^ ' *' iludl 
 
Unherfal Redanpfion. 5213 
 
 ''* lliall the uii'^odlv and linncr appear'^ p"Disc.xn. 
 •If the terms of lalvation were any other 
 than through the gate of holuiefs, they 
 would make Chrift himfelf the minifter of 
 fin ; and if when men can fm no more, 
 they could at lait be faved through his 
 merits, He himfelf would not have faid, 
 " Itraight is the gate, and narrow is the 
 " way which leadelh unto life, and few 
 " there be that find it f ." If the righ- 
 teoufnefs of Chrift is to be fo imputed to 
 mankind, that it will fave them who have 
 done nothing to fave themfelves, our life 
 would not be reprefented in Scripture as a 
 warfare, a race, a combat, in which we 
 mult fight againfi: the fledi, the world, and 
 the devil ; for we might, on that fuppo- 
 fition, be the faft friends of them all through 
 iife,. and yet be laved at the end of it. 
 " But let no man deceive you ; he that 
 " that doeth righteoufnefs, is righteous J." 
 " Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor 
 " adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abufers 
 " of themfelves with mankind, nor thieves, 
 " nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor re- 
 " vilers, nor extortioners, fli^ll inherit the 
 
 * I Pet. IV. 18. 
 
 t Mutt. vii. 14. 
 
 I 1 John iii. 7. 
 
 ^IvI 
 
 r 3 
 
 " kingdom 
 
214 Unherfal Redemption. 
 
 DISC. xii. «< kingdom of God *." If fuch were not 
 the condition of falvation, the Gofpel it- 
 felf would be no barrier againit the over- 
 flowings of ungodlinefs. But we know, to 
 our unfpeakable comfort, that redemption 
 is fo purchafed by Him for all men, that 
 upon true repentance none need defpair 
 of God's mercy ; though we muft own 
 it to be a lamentable truth, that all will 
 not be iaved for whom Chrift died. How 
 many will l)e lofl, to whom the Gofpel 
 has been preached, in the abyfs of infi- 
 delity ! and how many more will link and 
 perilh in the ocean of difobedience ! For 
 who (liall prefume to conclude, that remif- 
 fion of lius and eternal hfe, through the 
 merits oF the Redeemer, appertain to him 
 whhout faith, and without holinefs ? True 
 it is, that Chrift died tor the ungodly, but 
 He vviU not lave them unholy and unfanc- 
 tified. " He is the Author of eternal falva- 
 " tion unto them," and them only, " that 
 " obey Him/' To whom, with the Father 
 and the Holy Spirit be afcribed, &c. 
 Amen. 
 
 * 1 Cor. vi. 9. 
 
 DIS- 
 
DISCOURSE XIII, 
 
 THE INCARNATION OF CHRIST. 
 
 Galatians iv. 4. 
 
 JVhen the Fulnefe of the Time was come, 
 God fcnt forth his Son, made of a 
 Woman. 
 
 XlAVING already taken a view of 
 Chrift's mediatorial offices, and contem- 
 plated the nature, univerfality, and be- 
 nefits of that redemption, which He came 
 into the world to accomplill], the next 
 fubjeft of our inquiry will be thofe flates 
 in which that redemption was wrought 
 out, and thoie offices were fulfilled. The 
 one was evidently a ftate of humiliation, 
 the other of exaltation. Our prefent re- 
 fearch, however, points only to the for- 
 r r 4 mer : 
 
 DISC. 
 
 xni. 
 
216 The Incarnation of Chvijl. 
 
 55^^- mer : and herein we flmll be led to take 
 V-v^^ a view of the bleiled Redeemer of man- 
 kind, fucceffively in his incarnation, fuf- 
 ferings, burial, and defcent into hell. 
 
 1. Firit then in his incarnation. This 
 %vas that low condition in which for our 
 fakes He humbled himfelf to be made 
 man ; became obedient unto death in our 
 nature; was buried, and continued under 
 the power of death until the third day. 
 In this Rate " he made himfelf of no re- 
 " putation, and took upon him the form 
 " of a fervant *,'' affuming the common in- 
 firmities incident to the nature of man, 
 and enduring, with perfe6l refignation to 
 the will of God, the miferies, calamities, 
 and punifhments due to us for our fins. 
 Accordingly, " when the fulnefs of the 
 " time was come, God fent forth his Son 
 " made of a woman -f-," who, by the ex- 
 traordinary and miraculous operation of 
 the Holy Ghoft, overlhadowing the blefied 
 Virgin, conceived, and that holy thing 
 which iliould be born of her, became in- 
 carnate, and was called the Son of God, 
 
 ' Phil.ii. 7. t.tial. iv. 4. 
 
 * Being 
 
The Incarnation of Chrljl. 217 
 
 Being thus wonderfully conceived in the i^tsc. 
 womb of a Virgin, lie alfumed the fiib- v^^.^^ 
 (lance of the manhood, without any taint 
 or corruption of lin. " For fuch an 
 " High-prieft became us who was holy, 
 " harmlefs, undetiled, and feparate from 
 " finners *." Had the human nature of 
 Chrift not been free from every pollution, 
 as well original as actual, it could not 
 have been united to the infinite purity of 
 the Godliead, nor could the efticacy of 
 his atonement have been applied to others 
 for falvation. But it was the peculiar ex- 
 cellence of his character, that " lie did 
 " no fin, neither was guile found in his 
 " mouth 'I'." 
 
 The ftate and condition in which the 
 incarnate Son of God mus born, was no 
 lefs extraordinary than his conception and 
 birth. Thouo'h He was the Kin^ of 
 Glory, he took upon him the form of a 
 fervant, and was uihered into the world 
 under a variety of circumftances of more 
 than ordinary meannefs and humility. 
 He was brought forth in a liable among 
 
 ♦ Ileb. vii. 2(J. f i P*-^- "• 22. 
 
 the 
 
SI 8 The Incarnation of Chrijh 
 
 ^^^' the beafts that perifh, and laid in a 
 manger, for want of better accommo- 
 dations. And " though He was rich," 
 as " heir of all things," " yet for your 
 '* fakes he became poor," emptying himfelf 
 of his divine glory and majefty, " that 
 *' ye through his poverty might be 
 " rich*;" that ye on the fcore of his 
 humiliation and fufferings, might be par* 
 takers of all fpiritual and heavenly blef^ 
 fmgs in Him. He might indeed have 
 come with all the outward pomp of dig*- 
 nity and power, as a royal Meffiah whom 
 the Jews expe6led. But fuch fplendor and 
 worldly magnificence w^ere not adapted 
 to the end of his coming, which was to 
 convince the world, upon principles of rea» 
 fon and divine Grace, that his religion 
 ■was from heaven, and that it would ap-^ 
 prove itfelf to the confciences of man- 
 kind, by the reformation of their hearts 
 and lives. Such a wonderful change and 
 happy effe6l could not be produced with- 
 out fupernatural interpofition. The per^ 
 fon by whom it was to be wrought muft 
 
 * 2 Cor, viii. 9. Heb. i, 2. 
 
 be 
 
The Incarnation of Chrlft. ^\% 
 
 be more thun human ; and its divine Au- iii^-c 
 tbor muft fet tbith luch an example of ^^^-^ 
 profound humility, unfpotted innocence, 
 and unparalleled patience, as the world 
 never before had witneilcd. Accordmgly 
 Chriii came into the world in a mean and 
 low eftate ; lived an holy and blamelefs 
 life, and patiently endured the indignities 
 of the rude and infultmg multitude, to de- 
 monftrate the truth and efficacy of his re- 
 ligion, and to '• lca\e us an example that 
 " wefhould follow his fteps */' 
 
 But though the circumftances of his na- 
 tivity, who was the Lord of glory, were 
 deftitute of the 2;oro'cous embeililliments 
 of earthly majefty, and the pride ufualiy 
 attendant on the birth of princes, yet his 
 humiliation was rendered eminent and con- 
 fpicuous by prefages and (igns from hea- 
 ven. The advent of the iMeffiah being f© 
 remarkable an event, and m itfelf fo un- 
 fpeakable a gift to mankind, foon became 
 pianifeft to all nations, and was fpeedily 
 imparted to perfons of all ranks and con-^ 
 ditions. The very elements confpired to 
 notify his approach, and, as if that were 
 
 ♦ 1 Pet. ii, 21. 
 
 not 
 
220 The Incarnation of C/irijL 
 
 not fiifficient, Heaven itfelf interpoied by 
 the miniftry of an angel. For as certain 
 " fhepherds,'' near Bethlehem, were "keep- 
 *' ing watch over their flocks by night, 
 " lo ! the angel of the Lord came upon 
 *' them, and the glory of the Lord ftione 
 *' round about them, and they were fore 
 " afraid. And the angel faid unto them, 
 *' Fear not : for behold, I bring you good 
 " tidings of great jo}^, which (liall be to 
 *' all people, for unto you is born this day 
 " in the city of David a Saviour, which is 
 " Chrift the Lord *." But left the {hep- 
 herds fliould miftake this young Prince, 
 the angel gave them a fign by which they 
 might know Him, that they fhould " find 
 " the babe wrapped in fwaddling-clothes, 
 " lying in a manger -f-." And fb far were 
 the angels from envying the bleflmgs and 
 happinefs of mankind procured for them 
 by the birth of Chrift, that they rejoiced, 
 " praifmg God, and faying, " Glory be 
 " to God in the highefl, and on earth 
 
 peace, good-will towards men 
 
 
 * Lukcii. 8, 9, 10, 11. t I^id* 12, " 
 
 } Luke ii. 13, 14, 
 
 Another 
 
The Incarnation of C/inJt. 221 
 
 Another difcovery of the Advent of tlie utsc. 
 Mefllah was made by the revelation of v^^-^ 
 the Holy Spirit unto Simeon and Anna. 
 For when the holy child Jefus was brought 
 to Jerufaleni to be prefcntcd unto the 
 Lord, Simeon, a juft and devout man, 
 (to whom it was revealed, that he fliould 
 fee the Mefliah before his death,) being 
 influenced by the Holy Ghoil to go into 
 the temple, publicly profeffed Jefus to be 
 the Chrift and Saviour of the world ; even 
 " a light to lighten the Gentiles, !and to 
 " be the glory of his people lirael */' 
 And Anna, a prophetefs, at the lame in- 
 ftant coming into the temple, " gave 
 " thanks likewife unto the Lord -j-," and 
 thereby teftified that Jefus was the ChrilL 
 
 A third manifeftation of the Incarna- 
 tion of our Lord and Saviour was made 
 to the Gentiles by the appearance of a 
 miraculous (tar. By a fpecial defignation 
 of Providence, (the parents of the holy 
 child Jefus coming with Him to Bethlehem, 
 fome time after his prefentation in the 
 temple, and while He was there) certain 
 magi, or wife men (killed in aftrology, 
 
 • Luke ii. 32, I Ibid. 38. 
 
 beino; 
 
:^i2 The IncarnQfion of ChriJI, 
 
 ^^j^- lieiiig guided by the light of a refplendent 
 ''^^^^ liar, came thither to leek Him 5 and, when 
 they hud difcovered Him, " fell down at 
 " his feet and vvorlliipped Him, prefent- 
 " ing Him with gifts, gold, frankincenfe, 
 " and myrrh */* 
 
 On paying this humble tribute of ho- 
 mage and adoration to Hmi, they recog- 
 nized Him to he the everlafting Son of the 
 everlafting Father, " in whom dwelt all 
 " the fulnefs of the Godhead bodily -fJ* 
 All his thoughts, and words and aftions 
 were the manifeilation of the moft perfe6i; 
 reafon, the moft divine wifdom, and the 
 moft lacred truth. In Him was " the true 
 " light, that llghteth every man that 
 " cometh into the world J ;" His Gofpel 
 is the rule of our life, His conduft our ex- 
 ample, and Hit> " words are fpirit and 
 *' life §." It is our misfortune and our 
 mifery that we do not underftand thefe fub- 
 lime truths more perfectly, and contem- 
 plate with more knowledge and delight the 
 facred myftery of our Lord's Incarnation. 
 Our fenfes have, alas ! too much afcen- 
 
 * ai.-itt. ii. 11. t ColofT. ii. 9. J John i. 9. 
 
 § Ibid. vi. 63. 
 
 2 dcncy 
 
The Licaniaiion of Chrifi, 2:23 
 
 dency over us, and our imagination, which ^i^^^c. 
 leads captive our thoughts, will not lufter ^^\-^^. 
 us to dwell long upon lb pure and hea- 
 venly a light. A\'e know not ourfclvcs ; 
 we are for the molt part ignorant of the 
 corruption of our nature, and therefore do 
 not fet a true value on the riches of God's 
 redeeming love in Chrifi Jefus. He calls 
 us in Him to an immortal glory, and it is 
 the bleiTed fruit of our faith, through hi^ 
 merits, that will make us partakers of it. 
 It is that GoD-jMan, the incarnate word 
 and wifdom of the Father, that hath re- 
 vealed to us tliefe divine and comfortabla 
 truths, that hath given us a promife of the 
 beatific vifion of the Godhead, as the fure 
 and certain recompence of our faith. 
 
 How then, fhall not the contemplation 
 of our blefied Lord's Incarnation lead us 
 to adore the love, and magnify the mercy 
 of our God? " Herein was manifelled 
 " the love of God towards us, becaufe 
 " that God fent his only begotten Son 
 " into the world that we might live 
 *' through Him *." And " God com- 
 " mendeth his love towards us, in that 
 
 * 1 John iv.p. 
 
 " while 
 
224 The Incarnation of Chrift. 
 
 Drsc. " while we were yet finners, Chrift died 
 ^^^>^ " for us *." Every thing is lubfervient 
 not only to our temporal, but to our fpiri- 
 taal and eternal good through Jefus Chrift: 
 Grace and holinefs, life and glory, are 
 made inftrumental to our bleflednefs, and 
 the kingdom of God itfelf is our inheri- 
 tance through Him, provided we do not 
 render ourfelves unworthy of it. Surely, 
 no greater love on God's part could be 
 evinced ; and no greater kindnefs could 
 the Redeemer himfelf beftow upon us, 
 than by affuming our nature, and in that 
 nature, laying down his life as a propitia- 
 tion for the hns of the world. If God the 
 Father had not commiferated our loft and 
 iniferable eftate, when we laid in darknefs 
 and the fhadow of death, expofed to the 
 wrath of divine juftice, better had it been 
 for us that we had never been born. And 
 if Chrift had not come in the flefti to re- 
 deem us from that itroke of divine ven- 
 geance, our ruin mufthave been inevitable, 
 hopelefs, eternal. O that men would there- 
 fore praife the Lord for his goodnefs in 
 this inftance more efpecially, and return 
 
 * Horn. V, S. 
 
 him 
 
DISC. 
 Mil. 
 
 The Incarnation of Chrift. 225 
 
 him thanks from the ground of the heart 
 for his unfpeakable gift, and to his name 
 give the praife for his loving mercy and for 
 his truth's fake ! 
 
 " When the fulnefs of the time was 
 come," it was matter of fuch joy and be- 
 nefit to all men, that it fliould engage us 
 more particularly, to whom the knowledge 
 of falvation is vouchfafed, to rejoice and 
 folemnize the revolution of that bleffed ara 
 with fongs of praife and devout thankfgiv- 
 ings to the glory of God and of the 
 Lamb. For by his incarnation and fuffer- 
 ings Chrift hath reconciled us unto God, 
 and opened to us the gate of eternal life. 
 And in contemplating the myfterious ac- 
 complifhment of that glorious event, how 
 can we teftify our joy in a better manner, 
 than by dedicating ourl'elves in renewed 
 purpofes of obedience to the fervice of 
 God, and the good of our fellow-crea- 
 tures ? If angels once rejoiced fo greatly 
 at the birth of Chrift, how much more 
 ought we to exult, to whom He is born a 
 " Prince d,nd a Saviour * ?" The beft me- 
 thod of celebrating that happy feftival, is 
 
 ♦Adlsv. 31. 
 
 VOL. I. Q not 
 
226 The Trcanuifion of ChriJL 
 
 ^ij^C- not with wanton jollities, but with hj-mns 
 \^f^^ of Ipiritual joy, and exercifes of Chriitian 
 charity. Outward demonftrations of jov, 
 and feafts of love, and hofpitable enter- 
 tainment, are doubtlefs, at the fame time, 
 proper tokens of rejoicing on fuch an oc- 
 cafion, when they are reitrained within the 
 bounds of piety and moderation, and ufed 
 as means to promote good-will towards 
 men, and advance the innocent cheerful- 
 nefs of true, religion. When, on the con- 
 trary, the Advent of our blefled Saviour 
 is celebrated with intemperance and cx- 
 cefs, inftead of doing honour to his Incar- 
 nation with acclamations of heartfelt gra- 
 titude and praife, it is converted into a 
 feafon of impious abufe, and irreligious 
 mockery. 
 
 That event which brought glory to God, 
 and good-will towards men, cannot be 
 commemorated by them with fenfibilities 
 too expreliive of praife and thankfgiving. 
 To cultivate a due fenfe of fuch great and 
 condefcending love ; — to contemplate the 
 fuflferings of the Son of God in our na- 
 ture, the imbecility of his infancy, the 
 miferics of his low condition, the fcorns 
 
 and 
 
XIII. 
 
 Thelncarnation of Chri/t, 227 
 
 and injuries of his own kindred, tire atro- ^isc. 
 ciou.s barbarit\' of his enemies, and at laR 
 the ignominy of his death, to atone for 
 our fins, and obtain for us an inheritance 
 of eternal glory, requires the exertion of 
 all our faculties, and the energy of a 
 grateful heart. Whoever duly coniiders 
 the nature of fuch fufferings, and the be- 
 nefits obtained thereby for tlie fmful race 
 of man, will be very far from proflituting 
 the holy feafon of Chrift's Incarnation to 
 the purpofes of intemperate indulgence, or 
 \Tanton licentioufnefs. A time of joy and 
 a feafon of rejoicing truly is it, but of the 
 moft ferious and happy nature; not a brutal 
 and carnal feftivity, but a fpiritual banquet 
 of holy meditation and devout praife. 
 Every indulgence of cuftomary delight 
 fhould be fanftified by frequent thoughts 
 on the nature of thofe glad tidings which 
 are recorded in God's holy word to have 
 befallen us at that feafon. A feafon than 
 M hich none affords a more fit opportunity 
 for the exercife of benevolence and gene- 
 rofity to the poor, compatible with our abi- 
 lity, and thofe means with whicli the 
 liORD hath bleflfed us in our refpe6live 
 Q 2 flations. 
 
228 Th^ Incarnation ofdfmjl. 
 
 DISC, (lations, above tbofe of our needy bre- 
 
 XIII. . *' 
 
 ^^-^w thren. And furely no circumftances can 
 more powerfully remind us of Cbriftian 
 love and cbarity, tban thofe in which the 
 Saviour of the World preferred to be born. 
 "With the poor, He firlt drew his breath ; 
 Avith them He paffed his whole life ; to 
 them He ureached the Gofpel ; and in our 
 compaffionate regards to them, he folemnly 
 declares, our love to himfelf is profitably 
 ftiewn. And in what inflances can we 
 more fully evince the ftrength of our faith, 
 and the fincerity of our obedience, than in 
 a6ls of Chriftian benevolence to our fel- 
 low-creatures, and efpecially to them that 
 are " of the houfliold of faith *." Such 
 a condu6t will be the beft proof of our 
 love to Chrift, and of our earned defire 
 to be counted amongft the flieep of his 
 fold. He is the good Shepherd that laid 
 down his life for the iheep, and takes de- 
 light in knowing them, as well as being 
 known of them. Let us then not refufe 
 to hear his voice, nor flight bis proffered 
 mercy. He is our Immanuel, through 
 whom alone we can obtain falvation. 
 Let us not tempt Him to leave us to 
 
 * Gal. vj. 10. 
 
 the 
 
The Incarnation of Chri/, 229 
 
 the nnfery of our fallen nature, left we ^i^C'. 
 pafs our day of trial in a ftate of fpiritual ^-^/-^^ 
 darknefs and ignorance, deftitute of his 
 heavenly light and knowledge, and in the 
 day of his fecond coming to reward or 
 punidi, our gracious and condefcending 
 Saviour fliould be changed into a jull and 
 terrible Judge, denying that He ever knew 
 us, and defervedly afliamed of us for ever. 
 Oh, let us now learn to know the inefli- 
 mable gift of our incarnate God and Sa- 
 viour ; let us joyfully embrace the terms 
 on which Pie has fo bountifully promiled 
 to accept us, to forgive us our fins, and to 
 admit us into the number of his chofen 
 people, that we may obtain faith to call 
 upon Him for every faving purpofe, being 
 aiTured that " in the fulnefs of time, God 
 " fent forth his Son made of a woman, 
 " that we might live through Him *." 
 
 Do Thou, therefore, O blefled Jefu, fo 
 touch the hearts of all who dehre to believe 
 in thee, on account of thy unfpeakable 
 condefcenfion in the myftery of thy holy 
 Incarnation, that they mav glorify Thee 
 upon earth as their only Lord and Saviour, 
 
 * 1 John iv. 9. 
 
 Q 3 and 
 
^30 The Incarnation of Chryi. * 
 
 ^isc. and be glorified with Thee in thy ever- 
 lafting kingdom, in the unity of the God- 
 head, Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft, to 
 whom be afcribed all honour and praife, 
 dommion and thankfgiving, for ever and 
 ever. Amen. 
 
 DIS- 
 
DISCOURSE XIV. 
 
 THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST. 
 
 1 Pet. iii. 18. 
 
 For CJu'iJl alfo once fufftred for Sins, the 
 Juji for the Unjuji, that He might bring 
 us to God, 
 
 \V E have lately been contemplating theDisc.xiv, 
 Iledeemer of the World in the firit ftage ^^-'^^ 
 of his humiliation, namely that of his In- 
 carnation, where we beheld Him delpoiled 
 of that glory which He had with the Fa- 
 ther before the world was, making Ilim- 
 felf of no reputation, and taking upon 
 Him the form of a fervant in the likenefs 
 of iinful men, being made of a woman. 
 
 ^V e are now led to the confideration of 
 
 thofe manifold fufferings which He endured 
 
 Q 4 in 
 
232 The Sufferings of Chrijh 
 
 Disc.xiv. 'lYi human nature, all of which were more oi* 
 lefs foretold by the prophets, and prefigured 
 by typical reprefentations under the Mo- 
 faic law. Such were the legal facrifices, 
 and particularly that of the Pafchal Lamb. 
 To point out the certainty of the fufferings 
 of Chrift, Ifaiah prophefied of them in 
 fuch exprefs terms, as if they had been 
 already paft. " He was wounded," faith 
 lie, " for our tranfgreffions ; He was 
 " bruifed for our ini(]uities ; the chaftife- 
 " ment of our peace was upon him, and 
 " with his fl:ripes we are healed *." And 
 after him the prophet Daniel with the ut- 
 mofl precifion foretold thatMeffiah " ftiould 
 " be cut off, but not for himfelf -j-." 
 
 Indeed whoever will take the pains to 
 compare the prophetic predictions of the 
 Old Teftament with their accomplilhment 
 in the New, will find that they were ful- 
 filled in the life and death of our bleffed 
 Saviour. He was made a curfe for us, 
 and fuffered the punilhment which the law 
 denounced, that He might redeem us from 
 the curie of it. To this end his whole 
 life, from his birth to his crucifixion, was a 
 
 * Ifaiah liii. 5. •}■ Dan. ix. 26. 
 
 continued 
 
The Sufferings of Chiijl. 233 
 
 continued fcene of lutfcrin";. He was born ^^^^c.xiv. 
 into the world under liie molt afflicting 
 circumftances of nieannefs and poverty ; 
 and not long after his nativity, lie was per- 
 fecuted by Herod, and his anxious parents 
 were forced to flee with Him into Egypt 
 for the prefervation of his life. So low and 
 diilrefsfid too was his condition in the 
 world, that " He had not where to lay his 
 head *." As foou as He M'as baptized, 
 and began his public miniftry, he was led 
 by the fpecial dire6lion of the Holy Spirit 
 into the wildernefs, where He continued faft- 
 ing forty days ; during which time He was 
 ftronglyafiaulted by Satan, and in all points 
 " tempted like as we are, yet without iinf/' 
 After He had chofen his difciples, and 
 conimiffioned ihem to go forth and preach 
 the Gofpel, and was Himi'elf engaged con- 
 tinually in going about doing good, he was, 
 notwithftanding, " defpifed and reje6ted of 
 *' men J," reviled as a friend of publican^ 
 and finners, and treated as an impoftor. 
 
 The more miracles He wrought in con- 
 firmation of his doctrine, and in proof of 
 his MefiTiabniip, the more was He re- 
 
 *Matt. fiii. 20. t Hob, iv. 15. J IHi. liii. 3. 
 
 proached, 
 
234 The Sufferings of Chrift, 
 
 Disc.xiv. preached, hated, perfecuted. But hght 
 and inconfiderable were the indignities of 
 his hfe, in comparifon of thofe agonies 
 which He endured at his death. They 
 are emphatically fliled the Tafflon,- — the 
 parts of which ihall confl:itute the fubject 
 of the following Difcourfe. 
 
 Now the firft part of our Saviour*s paf- 
 fion was his agony. When he had eaten 
 the PalTover with his difciples, and infti- 
 tuted his holy fupper for a memorial of 
 his approaching death, He went forth with 
 them into the Mount of Olives, and pafs- 
 ing thence into a garden in Gethfemane, 
 He was fo overwhelmed with the appre- 
 henfion of the heavy wrath of God for the 
 fms of the world, that his foul was exceed- 
 ing forrowful, even unto death. The op- 
 preffion of fuch unparalleled lb rrow caufed 
 Him to fall proftrate three times on the 
 ground, and earneftly intreat his heavenly 
 Father, with perfect fubmifiion to his 
 will, that if it were poffible that cup might 
 pafs from Him, though it was the very 
 end for which He came into the world. 
 But inflead of removing the cup of his 
 Father's indignation from Him, God fent 
 
 an 
 
The Sufferings of Chr'ijh 235 
 
 an angel from heaven to fupport and disc.xiv. 
 ilrcnglhen his human nature under the ^"^'"^ 
 fufFerance ot" a o-reater burthen. And as 
 
 o 
 
 the mtafurii of his ftrength was increafed, 
 fo were his Ibrrow and anguidi mukiphed. 
 For fuch was his inward agony, that his 
 body began to belray the diitrefs of his 
 ibul, " Ihedding, as it were, great drops of 
 " blood falhng to the ground*." 
 
 2. The next part of our Lord's paf- 
 fion was his apprehenfion-f*. Asfoon as his 
 bitter agony was abated, he was appre- 
 hended by his mahcious enemies. When 
 the chief Priefts and Rulers of the Jews 
 had confulted how they might take Him 
 without tumult, not daring to do it by 
 open violence, left the people who took 
 Him for a prophet fliould oppofe them, 
 Judas the traitor offered to affift them in 
 this tragical delign, and actually engaged 
 fecretly to betray his Mafter to them for 
 thirty pieces of filver. And, having re- 
 ceived a band of officers and foldiers for 
 the accomplilhment of his purpofe, He 
 
 * Luke xxii. 44. f Matt. xxvi. 
 
 tame 
 
256 The Siiffenugs of Chrifl. 
 
 Disc.xiv. came to the place where Jefus was; and 
 He, knowing all things that (hould come 
 upon Him, went forth and told them He 
 was the perfon whom they fought. By 
 the word of his mouth they were inftantly 
 flruck to the ground, an event, one would 
 fuppofe, enough to have checked their 
 fury, and fruftrated their wicked enter- 
 prize. But, prompted by the evil fpirit, 
 Judas drew nigh unto his Mailer, and 
 with a kifs betrayed Him into the hands 
 of his enemies, a token, of all others, the 
 moil exprefiive of homage and love ! 
 Forthwith his difciples forfook Him and 
 "fled. And when they had bound Jefus, 
 they led Him away to Annas, a man of 
 principal authority, who inquired of Him 
 concerning " his diiciples and do6irine,'* 
 to whom He replied, " He fpake openly 
 " to the world ; he ever taught in the {y- 
 " nagogue and in the temple, whither the 
 " Jews alway reforted*," and therefore 
 his doftrine was generally known. For 
 this free and undiiguifed anfwer, a fervant 
 
 •>• John xviii. ]<), 20. 
 
 " ftandin": 
 
The Sufferings of Chrijf, 237 
 
 *' ftanding by, (truck Jelus with the palm disc.xiv. 
 " of his hand,'* laying, " anrwereft thou '^^^'^ 
 " the High PrieftVo*?" 
 
 3, Upon the apprehenfionof our Lord, 
 prefently followed his arraignment, both 
 before Caiaphas the High Prieft, and 
 Pontius Pilate the Roman governor. Af- 
 ter Jefus had been examined bj x\nnas, 
 the fame night he was lent bound unto 
 Caiaphas ; and while he was detained in 
 expectation of the council, which was to 
 aflemble in the morning, " the foldiers,'* 
 who guarded him in the palace of the High 
 Prieft, " mocked him and fmote himf-;'* 
 and, to aggravate his sorrow, Peter de- 
 nied him thrice with oaths and impreca- 
 tions. In the morning the Sanhedrim, or 
 great council of the Jews, aflembled toge- 
 ther, and fought falfe witnefs againft Je- 
 fus, but found in him nothing worthy of 
 death. The High Prieft then adjured Je- 
 fus to tell them plainly whether He was 
 the Chrift; and though He knew his 
 defign to be an inquihtion for blood, yet, 
 becaufe his hour was come, he profelled 
 
 John xviii. 22. f Liike x\ii. 63. 
 
 himfelf 
 
^38 TJie Sufferings of Chrijf. 
 
 Disc.xiv. himfelf to be the Mefliah. The High 
 Prieft then rent his clothes, accufing him 
 of blafphemy, and prefently called for 
 fentence upon Him ; and, according to 
 their pre-determination, they all condemn- 
 ed Him- to be " guilty of death *." 
 
 As foon as He was thus condemned, he 
 was led bound to Pilate the Roman go- 
 vernor, before whom they accufed Him of 
 feveral crimes ; — of feducing the people, 
 forbidding to pay tribute to Caefar, and 
 of being a King. When Pilate, there- 
 fore, alked him whether he were a King, 
 He anfwered in the affirmative, but declar- 
 ed that his " kingdom was not of this 
 world-}-," and fo attempted nothing againfl 
 the Roman government. Pilate perceiv- 
 ing the injuitice of the accufation, openly 
 pronounced that he found nothing worthy 
 of death in Him. But inflead of releafin<r 
 
 o 
 
 Him, (which he was in confcience bound 
 to have done, particularly when he found 
 that He was of Galilee, which belonged to 
 Herod's junidiftion) he fent him to be 
 judged by Herod m ho was at Jerufalem at 
 
 * Malt. xxvi. 6(5. \ John xviii. 36. 
 
 that 
 
The Sufferings of Chnjl. 239 
 
 that time. Herod was exceedingly glad toi^isc.xiv. 
 lee Jelbs, becaule he had heard many 
 things of Him, and hoped to have feen 
 iome miracle done by Him, but failing in 
 his expectation, and being ftirred up by 
 the Jews, he, with his men of war, fet 
 Him at nought, and mocked Him, think- 
 ing Him worthy of no greater punifhment 
 than fcorn and derifion, " arrayed Him 
 " like a King in a gorgeous robe, and 
 " lent Him again to Pilate *;''who, when 
 he had re-examined Him, announced his 
 innocence the fecond time, and offered to 
 releafe Him in honour of the feaft. But 
 the Jews preferred a murderer to Him, 
 and with incelTant clamour required Him 
 to be crucified. Then Pilate, to gratify 
 the Jews, caufed Jefus to be fcourged; 
 and the icldiers who fcourged Him, in 
 derilion d relied Him hke a mock-king, 
 clothing Him " in a fcarlet robe,'* and 
 •putting on his facred head a " crown of 
 " thorns," and, inftead of a fceptre, a 
 " reed in hight hand,'* faying, " Hail, 
 *' King of the Jews f /' In this difguife 
 and contemptuous mockery, Pilate brought 
 
 * Luke xxiii. 11. 
 
 t Matt.xxvii. 28,29. 
 
 6 
 
 Him 
 
240 The Sufferings of Chrijl. 
 
 Disc.xiv. Him forth before the Jews, hoping; that 
 fo fad and pitiable a i'pettacie voiild ap- 
 peafe their rage, and iTiiii< vie their ma- 
 lice. Pilate then the ihird lime profefied 
 that He found in Him njthiiig worthy of 
 death. But when the Jtws told the Ro- 
 man governor, that if He did notput Jefus 
 to death, he was " no friend to Ca?far*," 
 even againft the convi6tions of his own 
 confcience, and after havmg declared Hi* 
 innocence, he condemned Hmi to the ig- 
 nominious and accurfec^ death of the crofs. 
 
 Tlie laft tragical fcene of our blefied 
 Lord's paffion was his aclual crucifixion and 
 . death. After his arraignment and conie- 
 quent condemnation, the foldiers forthwith 
 took the fcarlet robe off from Him, and put 
 his own raiment upon Him, and led Him out 
 of the city to crucify Him, and according 
 to the Roman cuftom, Jefus bore his own 
 crofs. But exhaufted with an overwhelm- 
 ing agony the night before, and his flefli 
 bemg torn with fcourges, and his fpirits 
 fpent with fatigue, it may be prefumed he 
 was ready to faint under the heavy burden; 
 and one Simon of Cyrene was compelled 
 
 * John xix. 12. 
 
 2 to 
 
The Siiferings of Chriji. 241 
 
 to bear it. When they brought Him to disc.xiv. 
 Calvary, the place of execution, they ^^'^'^'"^ 
 ftripped Him ot his garments, which were 
 divided among the Ibldiers, according to 
 the Plahnilt's predi6lion. And the body 
 of Jefus being ftretched upon the crofs, 
 they nailed his hands and his feet upon it, 
 and over his head a tablet was fixed on 
 which his accufation was written, " This 
 " is Jefus the King of the Jews*.'* Hav- 
 ing thus faftened Him to the crofs, they 
 railed him up in view of all the fpedators, 
 and placed Him, for the greater ignominy, 
 between tMo thieves, Mho were crucified 
 with Him, as if He had been the chief of 
 malefa^lors. In the midst of this agoniz- 
 ing torture. He who came into the world 
 to fave finners, in great pity made inter-' 
 celTion for his murderers. And though 
 his pains were exquifite and intolerable, 
 the malice of his enemies was implacable, 
 and, to aggravate his forrow, in " palling 
 " by, they reviled Him, wagging their 
 " lieads and faying. Thou that deflroyeft 
 '• the temple and buildeft it in three 
 
 * Mat. xxvii. 37. 
 
 VOL. I. R « day?. 
 
242 The Sufferings of CJiriJl. 
 
 Disc.xiv. " days, fave thjfelf. If thou be the Son 
 " of God, come down from the crois*." 
 One of the malefactors alfo, who were cru- 
 cified with Him, railed on Him, but the 
 other rebuked his fellow-fufferer, and turn- 
 ing to Jefus with a lively and aftoniftfmg 
 taith, profefled Him to be the Meffiah, 
 and immediately received from his dying 
 RedeciTwjr a promife of falvation. 
 
 After, this melancholy cataftrophe, the 
 whole frame of nature feemed to be dif- 
 folved, becaufe the God of nature was 
 fuffering and dying. About the fixth 
 hour the fun began to v/ithdravv his light, 
 and ivi a ftiort time \Va8 totally eclipfed, fo 
 that there was a palpable darknefs over all 
 the land of Judiea, and the adjacent coun- 
 tries, until the ninth hour. About that 
 time, the bleffed Saviour of the world, be- 
 ing overwhelmed with the heavy indigna- 
 tion of his Father's wrath due to our 1ms, 
 cried with a loud voice, " My God, my 
 " God, why had thou forfaken me-j-?" 
 At. length, being a-thirft, he tailed -the vi- 
 negar rtiingled with gall, which was in- 
 
 IVIat. xxvii. 39, 40. f lb. 46\ 
 
 fultingly 
 
The Sufferings of ChriJL 243 
 
 fultingly put to his facrcd lips, and kiiow-Disc.xiv. 
 ing that all the prophecies concerning Ilim 
 were now accompliflied, lie faid, " It is 
 " finiflied*/' and, bowing his head, cried 
 ■with a loud voice, " Father, into thy 
 ** hands I commend my fpirit, and having 
 " faid thus, He gave up the ghoit-j-/' 
 
 If then the Saviour of the World fuffer- 
 6d fo much for our iins, ought we not to be 
 imprefled with a deep fenfe of their hein- 
 oufnefs and the neceffity of an hearty re- 
 pentance ? Nothing can fo fully demon- 
 flrate the juftice and hatred of God 
 againft fin, as the fufferings and death of 
 Chrift. How can that be accounted a 
 flight matter, for ^hich God, in all the 
 rigour of his juftice, puniihed his own in- 
 nocent Son ? And fince it required fuch 
 an ineftimable expiation as the blood of 
 Chrift for the fms of mankind, fliall we 
 not be grieved at the commiflion of every 
 the leaft. tranfgreffion ? When the Re- 
 deemer of the world hung upon the 
 crofs, and yielded up the ghoft, " the vail 
 " of the temple was rent in twain, the 
 
 • Jolm xix. 30. t Lukexxiii. 46. 
 
 R 3 " earth 
 
Uh The Suffahigs of Chnjl. 
 
 prsc.xiv. « earth trembled, and the rocks rent ^.** 
 Shall not then our hearts be moved at tlie 
 Gruel and ignominious torments He en-' 
 du red for us men and for our falvation ? 
 Can we meditate on all the bitter circum- 
 flances ot' our dear Lord's crucifixion; — - 
 his head crowned with thorns, his back'la- 
 cerated with fcourges, his hands and liis 
 feet perforated with nails, his fide pierced 
 with a fpear, and the derelitrtion of his 
 God and Father; can we, I fay, think 
 on thefe things, and not be grieved for 
 thofe ims which were the caufe of thofe 
 very iiifierings ? Surely if we have any 
 love ibr our blelTed Saviour, or any kind- 
 nefs for ourCelves, we muft lay our (ins to 
 heartv tmd earneftly turn unto God 
 throtii»h Jefu.s Chrift. Let us remember 
 that for this caule Chrllt " bare our fins 
 " in i his own body on the tree, that we, 
 *^ bein^ dead to fai, ftiould live in? to 
 *-* rigkteoasness-j-." L^nlefs, therefore, we 
 ceafe ta do evil, and become holy as he 
 vi-as Ijolv, v/e frudrate the end of Chrilis 
 Ififfierings as to ourfelves, and becoipe in- 
 
 * Mult, xxvii. 51 . t 1 Pet. ii. 24. 
 
 capabla 
 
The Si{fiThii!,-s ff Chrlft. 245 
 
 capable of receiving any benefit from Ilini.»'^c.xrv. 
 Nay, the very death of Chrift to impenitent 
 finners is full of terror, and a forrowful 
 occafion of lieisrhtenin<^ their condenma- 
 tion. For Chrift is a " Itone of itumbling, 
 " and a rock of ofience to thoni who 
 " ftumble at the word, being diibbedi- 
 " ent*.'* If, therefore, we would be juf- 
 tified by his obedience unto death, and 
 faved by his merits, let us " cleanie our- 
 *' felves from all filthinefs of fleih and fpi- 
 *' rit-j-," and feek to be " renewed*' by his 
 grace " in the fpirit of our minds J." \i 
 He fuffered ib much for our fakes, why 
 fliould we be unwilhng, after his example, 
 to take up our crol's, and endure aff^liftions 
 with patience ? He fuffered not only to 
 fatisfy the divine juftice for our offences, 
 but to *' leave us an example, that we 
 fliould follow his lleps^/' And in what 
 refpe6l is it either unjult or unreafbnable, 
 that as meml)ers of Chrilt, we fliould be 
 partakers of his fufferings? For " the 
 " difciple is not above his Mafter, nor the 
 
 * 1 Pit, ii. 8. t 2 Cor. vii. 1. \ Kph. iv. C3. 
 
 § 1 Pot. ii. iil. 
 
 ji 3 " fervant 
 
246 The Sufferings of Chrijf, 
 
 Discxiv. a fervant above his lord ; it is enough that 
 " the dilciple be as his Mafter, and the 
 ^' fervant as his lord*." And in all our 
 trials and fufFe rings upon earth, let us 
 remember, that, if the blefied Jefus enter- 
 ed by the crofs into his glory, we ihould 
 be content to endure reproach and fuffer- 
 ing for his fake, that we alfo may enter 
 into his everlafting kingdom. 
 
 To whom, with the Father and the Holy 
 Ghofl, three Perfons and one God, be 
 afcribed all the praife, and honour, and 
 glory of man's falvation for ever and ever« 
 Amen. 
 
 * Matt. X. 24, 25. 
 
 PIS- 
 
247 
 
 DISCOURSE XV. 
 
 CHRIST" S BURIAL AND DESCENT 
 INTO HELL. 
 
 John xix. 41, and part of ver. 42. 
 
 Now in the Place where He was crucified, 
 there was a Garden, and in the Garden 
 a new Sepulchre, wherein was never 
 ]\fan yet laid, there laid they Jefus 
 therefore. 
 
 After taking a view of our blefled disc xv 
 Saviour in the two former ftao-es of his hu- ^"^"^'^^ 
 miUation, viz. his Incarnation and Suffer- 
 ings, we are prompted by a fort of na- 
 tural curiofity to trace his hiftory a httle 
 farther, and fee how He was difpofed of 
 after his death ; and as far as the Scrip- 
 tures dire6l us, to contemplate Him even 
 R 4 beyond 
 
248 Chrl/s Burial and 
 
 PL-c.xv. beyond the grave, in his delcent into hell, 
 or hades, the region of departed ipirits. 
 
 Firft, then, as to his burial. Though 
 fuch as were crucified, had not by the 
 lloman law the benefit of a fepulchre, yet 
 the chief magiftrate had a power to grant 
 it. And the Jews themfelves beibught 
 Pilate, that the legs of Jefus, and of the 
 two thieves who were crucified with Him, 
 might be broken to haften their death, and 
 that their bodies, according to the law of 
 Mofes, might be taken away, and buried be- 
 fore fun-fet *. Then " came the foldiers, 
 " and brake tl^e legs of the two thieves, 
 *' but finding that Jefus was dead already, 
 " they brake not his legs, but one of them 
 *? with a fpear pierced his fide, and forth- 
 *' with came thereout blood and water -^j," 
 infallible figns of his death. 
 
 After this unqueftionable proof of bis 
 departure out of life, " Jofeph of Ari- 
 '-'mathea," an honourable counfellpr, being 
 before a difciple of Jellis, fccrelly took 
 courage, " went boldly to Pilate," and, 
 conquering his worldly fears, ^" begged 
 '* the body of Jefus." Hjivjng obtained 
 
 * Dcut. xxi. 23. + John xix. '3Q, 33, 34.. 
 
 his 
 
Defcent info Hell. 249 
 
 his rcqucft, be " look the body'' down from i>i>5c. \v: 
 the crols. And when he bad " wrapped 
 ** the body in a clean bnen cloih *," and 
 embalmed it with fpices, according to the 
 cuftom of the Jews, be laid it " in a gar- 
 " den near the place where He was cru- 
 " cified, in a new tomb hewn out of a rock, 
 " wherein was ne\er man yet laid j-.'* 
 And to fecure the body from outward in- 
 juries, as well as from claiidelline ftealtb, 
 " he rolled a great ftone to the door of ibe 
 " fepulchre, and departed J." Thus was 
 our blefied Saviour entombed by two ho- 
 nourable perfons, and, according to the 
 prophecy, " made bis grave with the rich 
 " in his death ^." Such ample tcitimony 
 did the burial of Chi'ilt afford in proof of 
 his antecedent death, and i'ubiequent re^ 
 furrection. 
 
 But the inveteracy of malice and rage 
 of jealouly Hill burning in the hearts of 
 ■the chief priefts and pharil'ces againft the 
 dead body of Jefus, they btfought Pilate, 
 that the iepulchre might be made lure until 
 the third day, to prevent the pollibility of 
 
 * Matt, xxvii. 57, 58, 59. + I.uko xxiii. 53. 
 
 t Matt, xxvii. ()'0. § lluiali liii.C). 
 
 a fit-tit ions 
 
250 ' Chnft's Burial and 
 
 I)isc. XV. a fi6litious refurreftion, becaufe he had 
 foretold, that after three days he would 
 rife again. They accordingly fealed the 
 fepulchre, and fet a guard of foldiers over 
 it. But this device did not avail them ; 
 for it was fo ordered by Providence, as to 
 operate in direft confirmation of the truth 
 of our blefied Saviour's refurre6lion. 
 
 From the eventful circumitance of our 
 Lord's burial, (hall we not learn fo to 
 mortify the whole body of fm within us, 
 that it may never revive, for as He died 
 and was buried for us, fo fliould we die 
 unto fm, and bury our corruptions in his 
 grave. In the heart of every regenerate 
 fnmer there mult be a fpiritual death and 
 actual burial of the body of fm, or there 
 cannot be a conformity to Chrili in the 
 leading features of his humiliation. AVe 
 cannot become living branches of the true 
 vine, unlefs we are grafted into the body 
 of Chrift ; neither can we be reputed to 
 be " dead unto fm, unlefs we are alive unto 
 " God through Jefus Chritt our Lord *." 
 The death and burial of our blefied 
 Redeemer may alfo ferve to comfort us at 
 
 * Rom. vi. 11. 
 
 the 
 
Pefeent into IlelL ' 251 
 
 the approach of that awful jiirnrture, and J^is<^ xv. 
 under the apprehenfions of aur own cor- 
 ruption. I'or Chriit by his death halh 
 overcome death, and by his burial hath, 
 as it were, coufecrated our graves. Inftead 
 of habitations of perdition, they are now 
 become chambers of reft. Death in iifelf 
 is indeed moft terrible, being " the wages 
 '' of fin ^s" and the grave in its own na- 
 ture the prifon of darknefs ; but Chrift by 
 his a6live and paifive obedience hath got- 
 ten us the vidor}', and we are now becqme 
 " more than conquerors through IJim that 
 " loved us -f,'* 
 
 II. The Idtt degree of Chrift's humi- 
 liation which fialls under our confideration 
 is his defcent into hell, about which the 
 learned have entertained various opinions. 
 In order tlierefore, if poilible, to point 
 out the right one, it nia}' not be improper 
 to make a few oblervations upon each. 
 
 The firit opinion then is, that Chrift's 
 deicent into hell iignilles onl}' his burial ; 
 tliis interpretation the Greek text will un- 
 undoubtedly admit of, and in this fenfe it 
 is ufed in the Athanaliau Creed; but- this 
 
 * Rum. vi. 23. | Ibid. viii. 37. 
 
 • cannot 
 
'2.52 Chr/jVs Burial and 
 
 DISC. XV. cannot be its {o\g im|)ort, witljout manj- 
 feft tautology, becaafe the burial of Chriit 
 is before ipoken of in exprefs terms. 
 
 The next opinion is, that it is merely a 
 figurative fpeccb, fignifying his fuffering 
 the torments of hell in his fool. But if 
 thefe be taken in a ftrict fenfe for thofe 
 torments to which the damned are con- 
 iigncd, then Chrift did not undergo them, 
 for in hell there is an abfoliite defpair of 
 anj/ better condition ; remorfe and anguith 
 are there never-ccafioig evils, evils which 
 the immaculate Lan)b of God did not en^ 
 ffure. But if the lonnents of hell may 
 be taken metaphorically for very grievous 
 fnfferings, then the Saviour of iinncrs may 
 undoubtedly be faid to have fulhiincd 
 them, becaafe they exceeded the fum total 
 of all human milerv, and were accompaT 
 nied with tlie moft poignant {ttn^ii of the 
 vindicitve wrath of (xOD againll the tins 
 of mankind. This interpretation, how^ 
 ever, does not feem to coincide with this 
 article of Chriftian faitl}, fmce it appear* 
 rather to denote fomething done or fuf^r 
 fered after his death, and iiinnediately be- 
 fort; Iji.s refurreelion. 
 
 Another 
 
Dcfcent into lltll. $53 
 
 Another opinlort concerning ChrilVs de- I'T'^r. xv. 
 fc€nt into hell, is, that between his death "*^ 
 and refurjveiion. He defcended really and 
 locally into the reuion ot" damned ipirits. 
 And to oonhrni this notion, theie two texts 
 of Scripture are ufliallv alledged. " Thou 
 " wilt not 'leave my ion 1 in hell "*," which 
 leems to import that once lie was there ; 
 and that remarkable pallage of St. Peter, 
 ." By which alfo he went and preached 
 ■" unto the Ipirits in prilbn -j-." But on 
 iair inveftigation, neither of theie texts • 
 prove Chrilt's real defcent into hell. The 
 true fenfe of the former is, that his foul 
 Hiould not lb long continue in a fepaPate 
 ftate, that his body (liould be corrupted. 
 And the (ignification of the latter appears 
 to be, that Chriii:, by his fpirit in Noah', 
 (as the fpirit of Chrilt is faid to ipeak by 
 ■the prophet.-) " went and preached to 
 " them who were diibbedient, when once 
 *' the long-liiHerlng of CioD v.'aited in the 
 " days of Noiih :|." •• But net hearkening 
 to Him then, they are now in prifon 're- 
 ferved for the awful lenteiice of the lait 
 day. 
 
 * Pialm jcvi. 10. | i Wt. m. 19, ; IbiJ. ?0. 
 
 ' ■ I'his 
 
554 Chriffs Burial and 
 
 DISC. XT. This opinion therefore of Chrift's real 
 defcent into hell hath no fufficient founda- 
 tion, nor would it, on farther inquiry, be 
 found confonant either to reafon or Scrip- 
 ture. If it be faid that He defcended into 
 hell to convert the fpirits detained there, 
 and to releafe them upon their repentance, 
 this aiTertion is falfe and groundless ; for 
 they that are caft into hell, have no means 
 of repentance and converhon, neither can 
 they change or ameliorate their condition. 
 • From hell there is no redemption, but 
 there " the worm dieth not, and the fire 
 ** is not quenched */' 
 
 If it ihould be farther remarked, that 
 Chrift defcended into hell to triumph over 
 Satan, Snd the powers of darknefs within 
 their own dominion, there is no warrant 
 for this opinion in the word of God, 
 for we do not read of our Saviour's tri- 
 umphing over principalities and powers any 
 where but on the crofs. And " when He 
 " afcended into heaven, he led captivitj*' 
 " captive ^." 
 
 The facl is, the place of torment is 
 never determinately exprefied in Scripture 
 
 * Mark ix. 44. + F.ph. iv.^. 
 
Defcent into Hell. 255 
 
 by the word Ilades^ {which is invariably disc. xv. 
 ufed in fpenking of Ch rift's defcent into "^-^^ 
 hell) as if it fignified what we mean by it 
 in common fpeech, the place where evil 
 fpirits and wicked men are puniQied. Un-^ 
 happily our tranflation hath ufed the fam« 
 word for both, initead of calling the for- 
 mer, what it ftri6tly imports, the invifible 
 region of departed fpirits. In this ftate 
 we conceive our bieffed Lord to have 
 continued for fome time after his foul was 
 feparated from his body, and that nothing 
 more is intended by the expreffion *' de* 
 *f fcended into heil," how unfortunately 
 foever it may be worded. 
 
 Let us remember then, in repeating 
 thefe words of our Creed, that this is the 
 whole of what we are bound to profefs by 
 thein. But in what part of fpace, or of 
 what nature that receptacle is, in which 
 the fouls of men remain from their death 
 until their rel'urreftion, we fcarce have any 
 knowledge at all, except that we can enter- 
 tain no doubt of its being divided into tw^o 
 extremely different regions, the one, the 
 habitation of the righteous, denominated 
 
 by 
 5 
 
Q56 Chrijrs Burial and 
 
 DISC. XV. by St. Luke, " Abralram's bolbm *," to 
 uhicb Lazarus departed; tlic other, tbat 
 of the wicked, in vvhicb " the rich man*^-*' 
 was, when he " bfted up liis eyes, be- 
 " ing in torments, and between which 
 " there is a great guU'lixed J." We have 
 no proof whatever that our bleffed Sa- 
 viour went on any account into the kit- 
 ter, but as He told the penitent thief on 
 the. crofs, that " He (hould be that day 
 *' ^^ ith him in Paradife ^ ;" we are certain 
 He was in the former, where they who 
 *' die in the Lord, relt from their labours, 
 ** and are ble^ed || ;" waiting for a ftiil 
 more perfeft ftate of ha|)pineis at the re- 
 ^rredion in the lait day. 
 d:.'How the foul of our dear Redeemer 
 Nvaa employed in tbat intermediate abode, 
 or why He continued there, except that 
 JHe might be " hke to his brethren in all 
 .** things ^,'' we are not, told, and need 
 not conje6ture. But probably this article 
 •was made a part of the Creed, m order to 
 affert and prove, that He pofielJed a real 
 human foul, which was feparated from his 
 
 *Lul-c vvi. '2'>. 
 
 t Ibid. 
 
 CI. 
 
 - t H'iJ. 2(>. 
 
 § Ibi.'.. :-:xiii. 4J. 
 
 11 Rov. xiv, 
 
 , 13. 
 
 51 Ilcb. ii. 17. 
 
 body. 
 
Defcent into Hell. 257 
 
 body. And it may reafonably be pre-^'^c. xv. 
 fumed that its refidence, during the repa- 
 ration, in the fame ftate and place where 
 other " fpirits of juft men made perfect'' 
 are, greatly enhanced their felicity. For 
 " Abraham, who rejoiced to fee his day*,'' 
 even in the womb of futurity, muft be in- 
 expreffibly more rejoiced to i'ee Him pre- 
 fent in " the general affembly of the firft- 
 born -f*." There can be no doubt but 
 thofe bleifed fpirits whofe departure hence 
 into Paradife preceded the death of our 
 Lord, muft in fome degree have been 
 partakers in the joy i And it affords a kind 
 of confolino; reflection to all who have 
 fmce, or (hall herefifter come into that 
 region of blifs, where their common Re- 
 deemer had been " admired J" of ten 
 thoufands of his faints, and where his di- 
 vine prefence once fan6li{ied the abode, 
 and to which, in fome peculiar fenfe, it is 
 yet continued, for we learn from an in- 
 fpired Apoftle, that the inmiediate confe- 
 quence of a pious man's departure out of 
 life, is " being witli Chrift ^." 
 
 * John viii. 56. f Hcb. xii. '23. J 2 Tlieff. i. 10. 
 § Phil. i. 23. 
 
 VOL. I. s But 
 
2.58 Chrift's Burial and 
 
 DISC. XV 
 
 Bat were the reafons of his defcending 
 into hades, or the region of departed fpi- 
 rits, ever fo obfcure, it may fuffice us to 
 learn, that thofe of his fufferings and death 
 Tire \eTy plain as well as very important. 
 Among the principal of them, no one can 
 be fo ignorant as not to know that He fuf- 
 fered, died, and was buried, " to deftroy 
 " the works of the devil *," to make 
 atonement for fin, " to bring in everlall- 
 " ing righteoufnefs -j-," and by fetting us 
 an example of perfect ilibmiffion to the will 
 of God, to teach us the way of falvation. 
 By his own a6tive and paffive obedience 
 He hath merited the purchafe of our re- 
 demption, a redemption fo free and uni- 
 verfal, that He is willing to beftow it upon 
 all them who are " planted in the likenefs 
 " of his death, that they may be alfo in 
 " the likenefs of his refurre6lion J/' But 
 this is in its nature impoffible, unlefs in the 
 firft inftance we are " buried with Him by 
 " baptifm into death % ;" i- e. have com- 
 munion with Him in his burial, which re- 
 prefents a farther degree of the deftruftion 
 of the body of fin, to which we were actu- 
 ally engaged by baptiim, and of w hich we 
 
 ■♦ 1 John iii. 8. f Dau. \\/2i. : Rom. vi. j. § lb. 4. 
 
 arfi 
 
Befcent into Hell. 259 
 
 are made partakers by bis burial. For tbe d sc. xv. 
 bodily aclioiis and luiierings of Cbrift, fucb 
 as his crucifixion, death, burial, and re- 
 furre^tion, are not only reprefentative of 
 fpiritual works in us, viz. of our mortifica- 
 tion of fm, and riling unto newnefs of life, 
 but produ6tive of the fame by the fpiritual 
 efficacy of Chrift's body through its per- 
 fonal union with the Holy Ghoft, by which 
 it is made a fpiritual body, and a quicken- 
 ing fpirit. 
 
 His example likewife fiiould be no lefs 
 efficacious in urging us to work out our 
 own falvation, than the different a6ls of his 
 humiliation. In his own perfon He was 
 the nobleR and moll engaging pattern of 
 every Chrifiian virtue, not only of forgive- 
 nels of his enemies, but of abfolute re- 
 lignation to the divine will under every 
 diipenfation. Pie had done no aft worthy 
 even of the lead reproach, yet he patiently 
 fubmitted to the moll ignominious death. 
 Well therefore may we poor, iinful, and 
 miferable mortals as we arc, be reiigned to 
 our lot, wht'tbicr in life or death, becaufe 
 " Chrift alio fullered for us, leaving us 
 " an example that we Ihould follow his 
 " fleps, who did no fin, neither was guile 
 s 2 " found 
 
260 Chri/l's Burial, ^-c. 
 
 ^^^^^^^ found in his mouth ; who, when he was 
 " reviled, reviled not again ; when he luf- 
 " fered, he threatened not, but committed 
 " himfelf to Him, who judgeth righte- 
 
 In the manifeftation of thefe feveral 
 acts of our Lord's humihation, let us 
 ever remember that they were wrought 
 and accomplilhed not for his fake, but 
 ours, that in confequence " we are not 
 " our own, but bought with a price -|-,'* 
 and otight therefore thankfully to acknow- 
 ledsre that He hath refcued us who laid 
 in darknefs and the (liadow of death from 
 the power of the grave, and " delivered us 
 *' from the bondage of corruption into 
 " the glorious liberty of the children of 
 " God :t". Unto Him therefore that 
 loved us and " waOied us from our fms 
 " in his own blood §/' and hath made 
 as more than conquerors over death and 
 the grave, even kings and priefls unto 
 God ; unto Him be glory and dominion, 
 thankfgiving and praife, world without 
 end. Amen. 
 
 » 1 Prt. ii. 21, 22, 23, 54. f 1 Cor. vi. 20. 
 
 X Rom. viii. 21. ^ Kev. i. 5. 
 
 DIS- 
 
DISCOURSE XVI. 
 
 CHRIST S EXALTATION. 
 
 PjiiLippiANs ii. 9. 
 
 Wherefore God alfo hath highly exalted 
 Hun, and given Him a Isanie which is 
 above every JSJaine, 
 
 In unfolding to your view the facred discxvi. 
 truths of the Ciolpel, particularly that ^"^^^ 
 fcheme of redeeming proceis which the 
 Saviour of the World vouchfafed to under- 
 take, we were under the neceility of exhi- 
 biting Him to the eye of your faith in the 
 different ftages of his humiliation from the 
 manger to the grave. But the light of 
 divine truth begins now to (hine upon us 
 with greater lultre, and we are led from 
 the darkncfs and horrors of the gnne to 
 ^ 3 behold 
 
262 ChrijVs Exaltation. 
 
 Disc.xvr. behold the " clay-fpring from on high vi- 
 ** fiting us*" in the glory of divine Majefty. 
 "VVe Ihall now look upon Hirn riling from 
 the dead, afcending into heaven, fitting at 
 the right hand of God, crowned with glory 
 and honour, and coming again at the laft 
 day with power and majedy to judge the 
 world. 
 
 By the manifeftation of that glory which 
 He had with the Father from all eternity, 
 and by the acquifition of all power and 
 dominion both in heaven and earth, the 
 perfon of Chrift was very highly exalted; 
 but it was not until his fufferings were 
 confiimmated, that He was thus glorified. 
 The ground of his fuhfequent exaltation 
 ■was his antecedent forrow : '^ Becaufe 
 " Chrift humbled himfelf, and became 
 " obedient to death, even the death of the 
 '' crofs; therefore God highly exalted 
 " him, and gave him a name above every 
 " name-f." 
 
 The exaltation likewife of our blefled 
 Saviour, with refped to his human nature, 
 was manifefted in laying afide the infir- 
 unities which He had afiUmed, and putting 
 
 * Luke i. 78. ■ t I'liil- "■ 9- 
 
 on 
 
Chrift^ Eaaltation. 263 
 
 on the robe of divine majedy and glory, disc.xyi. 
 After he had accomphihed, through fufJer- ^^"^•''^ 
 ings, the arduous work of Redtmption, he 
 diveded hlmfelf of the iuiperfettions of 
 humanity, being no more fubje6t to pam, 
 or mifery, or death; but, glorified both in 
 body and ibul, was advanced " far above 
 " all principality, and power, and might, 
 " and dominion, and every name that is 
 ** named not only in this world, but alio 
 " in that which is to come*." 
 
 Now the firit itate of our Redeemer's 
 triumph was his Refurre6tion. He had 
 not tafted corruption before he burft in 
 funder the bands of death, revived and 
 rofe again. If his continuance for a time, 
 under the dominion of death, had not 
 been necelTary to prove the reality of his 
 death, and the truth of his refurrection, he 
 might, by the like energy, have re-allumed 
 life the next inftant. For by his cruci- 
 fixion, he triumphed over hn, the caufe of 
 death, and merited immediate freedom 
 from the dominion of it. If He had in- 
 Itantaneoufly rifen from the grave, there 
 might have been fome doubt of the reality 
 
 • Eiihciians i. 21. 
 
 s 4 of 
 
264 ChrijVs Exaltation. 
 
 Disc.xYi. of his death, and if that had been ambi- 
 guous, the fa6l of his refurreO-ion could not 
 have been afcertained. But when lie 
 had continued fo long in thefiate of death, 
 that its reality was beyond all contradic- 
 tion. He rofe from the dead according to 
 the Scriptures. 
 
 I'he prophet Ifaiah foretold this event 
 in thofe memorable words : " When thou 
 " flialt make his foul an offering for fin, 
 " He ftiall fee his feed, He (hall prolong 
 ♦' his days*."' But how could this be 
 accompliihed after his death, without a 
 fpeedy prolongation of his life ? It was 
 necefiary, therefore, that He fhould rife 
 again. The Pfalmift in the fame pro- 
 phetic drain declares in the perfon of the 
 Mcffiah, " Thou xvilt not leave my foul in 
 " hell, neither wilt thou fuffer thine Holy 
 " One to fee corruption •)•." St. Peter 
 affirms, that David is here fpeaking of the 
 refurre6i:ion of Chrift ; " that his foul was 
 " not left in hell, neither did his flefli fee 
 " corruption J." " And David after he 
 " had lerved his own generation, by the 
 " will of God", faith another Apoftle, 
 
 ^* Ifaiah liii. 10. f I'^^ili" xvi. 10. | Ads ii. 31. 
 
 «* Ibli 
 
ChrijFs E.valtation. 265 
 
 ^* fell on fleep, and was laid unto his fk-Disc.xvr, 
 *' thers, and faw corruption*;" butChrift, 
 whom God raifed again, law no corrup- 
 tion. Our blelled Saviour himfelf like wife 
 foretold his own dealli and refurreaion, 
 with the preciie time of his rifing again, in 
 very remarkable words : " Deilroy this 
 *' temple,'' meaning the temple of his 
 body, " and in three days I will raife it 
 " up againf /' According to thefe predic- 
 tions, our Lord was raifed from the dead 
 after his paffion, and thereby highly ex- 
 alted. 
 
 After his refurrection he perfonally ap- 
 peared at different times to his Apoftles, 
 '' (liewing himfelf alive after his paffion, 
 *' by many infallible proofs, being feen of 
 " them forty days, and fpeaking of the 
 ♦* things pertaining to the kingdom of 
 « Goi)+.'' The difciples themf elves, who 
 were eye-witnefles chofen before of God, 
 gave teftimony of the Refurreftion of the 
 Lord Jefus. They had all the rational 
 convi6tion of its certainty they could re- 
 quire, the evidence of their fenfes; accord- 
 ingly they preached it as the fundamen- 
 
 * Acts xiii. 36\ t John ii. 19. j Ads 1. 3. 
 
 tal 
 
^6G Chrifs Exaltation, 
 
 Pisc.xvi.tal do^lrine of the Gofpel, they delivered 
 it as the truth of the divine Oracles, coht 
 firmed it by miracles, ratified it by the 
 accompliQiment of prophecy, and fealed it 
 with their blood. It cannot be prefamed 
 that they would have facrificed their lives 
 in teftimony of fuch a faft, had it been 
 nothing more than a forgery of their own 
 contrivance. No reafonablc man would 
 be fo prodigal of his life, and all he holds 
 dear, as to throw away both without any 
 confideration of gaining fome prefent or 
 future greater advantage. What hope 
 either of temporal or eternal benefit could 
 the Apoftles of our Lord have enter- 
 tained by preaching fuch a doclrine, if 
 they had known it to have been falfe os 
 ficlitiovis ? Neither can the idea one mo- 
 ment be allowed, that a God of infinite 
 wifdom and juftice would have endowed 
 the Apoftles of Chrift with the power of 
 working miracles, in atteftation of his re- 
 furreclion, if it had not been a real faft. 
 Nay, it is blafphemy to imagine that the 
 God of truth, and hating iniquity, would 
 fet the feal of his Omnipotency to a lie. 
 We then, who believe on the teftimony of 
 
 the 
 
Chriffs Exaltation, Q67 
 
 the Apoftles, have no reafoii to doubt it; discxvi. 
 and if we cannot im peach the vahdity of 
 their attertation.-, it follows that we mull 
 believe them. 
 
 As then we believe that Chrift rofe from 
 the dead, lb we acknowledge, that having 
 entered into his glory, he is now highly 
 exalted " at the right hand of God, 
 *' angels, and authorities, and powers, 
 *' being made fubjed unto Him*." In 
 this glorified ftate " he ever liveth to make 
 " interceflion for us-f-,*' and is both able 
 and willing to confer upon us all the bene- 
 fits and privileges of his purchafed redemp- 
 tion. By this ineftimable gift He hath 
 given us affurance, that He hath made a 
 full, perfeft, and fufficient atonement for 
 the hns of the whole world. For had the 
 leaft tranfgreffion remained unexpiated, it 
 would have (till detained Him a taft pri- 
 foner in the grave, and the work of Re- 
 demption would have been unfinifhed for 
 ever : " But thanks be to God who hath 
 " given us the vi6fory through our Loud 
 « Jefus ChriftJ/' 
 
 Imprelfed with a powerful fenfe of this 
 
 ^ 1 Pet, iii. 22. f Hcb. vii. 25. J 1 Cor. xv. 57. 
 
 faving 
 
568 Chrifi's Edultafioii. 
 
 Dsc.xvi. favino^ truth, uill it not excite us to rile 
 from the death of fin unto a life of righte- 
 OLifnefs, that we alfo may partake with 
 Chriit our head in a proportionable de- 
 gree of exaltation ? But to attain to 
 fuch a fpiritiial advancement in grace and 
 holinefs, we muft remember our baptifmal 
 engagements, and " continually mortify 
 " all our evil and corrupt affedions, and 
 " daily proceed in all virtue and godlinefs 
 " of living*." Thefe are the indifpen- 
 fable qualifications for a life of glory. 
 Have we then thus put on Chrift ? and do 
 we lead a pure and holy life, as thofe who 
 are rifen with Him from the death of fin, 
 *' looklno' for the mercy of our Lokd 
 " Jefus Chrift unto eternal lifef ?" Or 
 are we dead in fin while we live, " fenfual, 
 " having not the Spirit,'" not ftriving to 
 ** build up ourfelves in our moft holy 
 " faith, not praying in the Holy Ghofl,'* 
 and confequently not having any fellow- 
 fliip with Chrift here, nor any welt- 
 grounded hope of glory hereafter ? If 
 this be our unhappy condition, the infer- 
 ence is but too plain; we have neither 
 
 ♦ Form of Baptifm. + Jude 21. 
 
 been 
 
Chrifs Exaltation, 269 
 
 been " planted in the likenefs of his death, nisc.xvi. 
 *' neither (hall we be in the likenefs of his 
 *' refuiTe(5lion*." Omiferable and wretch- 
 ed ftate ! Better had it been for us that 
 we had never been born ! On the con- 
 trary, what can adminifier more eafe and 
 compofure in troul)le, or greater confola- 
 tion in the hour of death, than the joyful 
 hope of a glorious refurrecTtion ? What- 
 ever afflictions or calamities may befal us 
 here, if we "are in Chrilt," that is, true 
 Chriftians, nothing can deprive us of the 
 hope of a bleffed immortality. This is 
 the only " anchor of the foul both fure 
 " and Itedfaflj-, "whatever ftorms or bil- 
 lows may drive us " to make fliipwreck of 
 " our faith j." Holding faft by this, we 
 (hall at lad arrive at the haven where we 
 would be. And the mean while this hope 
 will enable us to look upon " the fufferings 
 *' of this prefent time, as not worthy to be 
 *' compared with the glory which ftuill be 
 " revealed in us^/* Under the prell'ure 
 of all outward calamities and afiliclions, we 
 (liall fledfaiily conlide on the arm of that 
 
 * Rom. vi. .'5. + Hebv vi. ly. 
 
 I 1 Tim. i. 10. h Rom. viii. 18. 
 
 Saviour 
 
270 Chrift'i Exaltation, 
 
 DISC.XVI. Saviour who is " highly exalted, and to 
 " whom is given a name, which is above 
 *' every name*;" that by his authority and 
 power may be adminiftered to the children 
 of men the ihpply of all their wants, and 
 in and through whofe name alone they can 
 hope for falvation. And let us remember, 
 to our unfpeakable comfort, that the day 
 is not far didant to ev^vy one of us, when 
 " the Loud himfelf Ihall defcend from 
 " heaven with a fliout, with the voice of 
 " the Arch-angel, and with the trump of 
 " God ; and the dead in Chrift (hall rife 
 *' firft, and they which are alive and re- 
 " main, ftiall be caught up together with 
 " them in the clouds, and fo (liall we ever 
 " be with the Lord -)•,'' and witnefs the 
 manifeftation of the power, excellency, and 
 glory of his exalted Majeily. Being cal- 
 led to the participation of thefe great and 
 precious promifes through the blood of the 
 everlafting Covenant, let us, in the words 
 of an Apoftle upon this very fiibje61, de- 
 voutly pray, " that the God of our Lord 
 " Jellis Chrift, the Father of Glory, may 
 •' give unto us the fpirit of wifdom and 
 
 * Phil. ii. p. t 1 Then: iv. 16, 17. 
 
 8 *' rove- 
 
Chrift's Exaltation* 271 
 
 " revelation in the knowledge of Him : disc.xvl 
 the eyes of our underftanding being en- '''~^"*^ 
 ** lightened, that we may Know what is 
 *' the hope of His calling, and what the 
 ** riches of the glory of His inheritance in 
 " the faints, and what is the exceeding 
 " greatnefs of his power to us-ward who 
 " believe, according to the working of his 
 *' mighty power, which He wrought in 
 " Chrift, when He raifed Him from the 
 " dead, and fet Him at His own right-hand 
 " in the heavenly places, far above all 
 " principality, and power, and might, and 
 " dominion, and every name that is named, 
 ** not only in this world, but alfo in that 
 " which is to come; and hath put all 
 ** things under His feet, and gave Him 
 " to be head over all things to the Church, 
 «*, which is His body, the fulnefs of Him 
 " who filleth all in all*." 
 
 To whom, with the Father and the Holy 
 Spirit, &:c. Amen. 
 
 * Eph. i. 17—23. 
 
 DIS- 
 
DISCOURSE XVII. 
 
 CIIRISTS ASCENSION AND SESSION AT 
 . ;, JTiH J6 ( Ji I G H T- H A N 1> OF GOD. 
 
 ••(obd yaffl fhi •• • 
 
 o 
 
 ^ ^ .1 Peter iii. 22. 
 
 7F/m> {^-jgone, info fleaven^ oii(f, is. QXjk^thc 
 . " • M . i . Might-h and of G od, o, ji j^v h j » j 
 
 1 HE[ next decree .df iChrift's exaltation disc. 
 
 • • » x\'[r 
 
 after, his rerurre(:tion, was his Afcenfion v^>.^ 
 
 into Heaven, and litting on the right-hand 
 
 of God. Accordingly, when He had fuf*- 
 
 ficiently proved the truth of his refur-»- 
 
 reftion to his deiponding difciplee, by 
 
 " fhewiiig himfelf ahve to them after his 
 
 " paflioii, by many infallible proofs, being 
 
 " leeni-ol'- them forty days, and fpeaking 
 
 *' of the- tilings pertaining to the kingdom 
 
 *' of God *", it was expedient he ftiould 
 
 ..r ... * Aftsi. ^ 
 
 vo*.^ I. T return 
 
274 Chrifi's Afcenjion and Sejjlon 
 
 xvii' r<^tuni to thoie blefled manfions, from 
 which his compaffion to a loft world had 
 brought llitti down, in conformity to the 
 tenour of his own prayer : " Father, the 
 " hour is come : I have glorified thee 
 *' on earth : I have finiihed the work 
 "which Thou gavefl me to do. And 
 " now, G Father, glorify thou me with 
 *' the glory which I had with thee before 
 " the world was*/' This being the cafe, 
 there was no farther reafon for his perfonal 
 appearance amongit men, until he fhould 
 come again at the end of the world to 
 judge the quick and the dead. Many 
 ages were to pafs away before that great 
 and terrible day of the Lord fhould come. 
 It was fit therefore, as St. Peter fpeaks, 
 that " the Heaven fhould receive Him, 
 '*' until the times of reftitution of all 
 *' things-f*." And though the Redemp- 
 tion of mankind was completed by our 
 blefled Saviour, io far as in this lower 
 world, it could -be yet there was left an 
 important part of' it to be accomplifhed 
 above. The JewilTi dilpenfation, we learn, 
 was only " a {hadow of good things to 
 
 • John xvii. 1, 4, 5. + Ads iii,/fil. 
 
 *« come.*' 
 
at the Right-hand of God. 5275 
 
 " come.'* Under it, the greiit facrifice of disc. 
 atonement was yearly ilain without the ^^ 
 ian&uary firft, and then the Iligh-prieft 
 entered alone with the blood of it, into the 
 mod holy place, there to offer it before the 
 Lord as an atonement for the has of the 
 people. So under the Gofpel, was Jefus, 
 as the Lamb of God, to be facrificed for 
 our fins on earth ; and then, as the High- 
 prieft of our profeffion, to enter with his 
 own blood into heaven, the true holy 
 place, of which the other was a figure, 
 there to appear with it in the prefence of 
 God for us; and thus, having offered one 
 facritice forfms, he was for ever to fit down 
 on the right-hand of God. 
 
 I fhall now difcourfe to you on each of 
 thefe in their order. 
 
 Firft, his Afcenfion. After our Lord 
 had fully inftrufted his difciples in his doc- 
 trine, the fa6l ftands recorded on the tef- 
 timony of Lifpiration itfelf, *' he led them 
 " out as far as to Bethany, and lifting up 
 " his hands and blefling them, he was 
 " parted from them, and carried up into 
 " heaven''^." No words can be more ex- 
 
 * Luke xxiv. 50, 51. 
 
 T ^ preffive 
 
!^!j6 CIi riffs Afcenfion and Stjfioii 
 
 DISC, prcffive of a plain matter of fa6l; let us 
 / not then "jive way to the falfe and fanciful 
 idea, that the Afcenfion of Ch rift was only 
 figurative, denoting a more glorious con- 
 dition after his refurreclion, but Jet us 
 conftrue plain words in plain fenfe, and 
 confider them as defcripti\'e of, a refil ai|d 
 local trandatibn of his human nature from 
 earth into heaven. • lor in the pretence of 
 divers witnelTes^ as -^ ■f«''in> he- afc^nded 
 really and vifibly into heaven, there to re- 
 main until he return to iudo;ment. And 
 ■ ■ though .Chrifl:, ;ds^;GjOD, be Itill^, pref^pt 
 ^witfi us oi eartii.by his powder, grace, and 
 Holy Spirit, yet as to his bodily prefence, 
 he is abfe'nt from ^ us in heaven. He^ is 
 gone to take polTeflion ofhis kingdom, and 
 to prepare a place for us. lie is, "exalted 
 " to be a Prince and a Saviour, ^tOr^g-ive 
 " repentance to Ifrael, and forgiVenefs of 
 *' fms*.'^' ■And when by the. lanclifying 
 influence of , his grace, He hath prepared us 
 to be meet partakers of the heavenly in- 
 heritance, '-he will exalt us unto the fame 
 place, ^vhliher he IS gone before •f'.''' 
 
 After confiderins^ tUe truth of 'oqr 
 
 ■■:^^ tJi^jin 
 
 *Aasv. 31.. . t.r^^ifSnfion Collca. 
 
 Lord's 
 
XV II. 
 
 at the Right-hand of God 277 
 
 IvOT^d's afcenfion, tlie next degree of bis dkc 
 exaltation that prelents itlelf to our in- 
 quiry, is his i'eflion at the right-hand of 
 God the Father Ahiiiohtv. 
 
 The phrafc of fittino: at God's ri^ht- 
 hand is plainly a figurative expreflion, and 
 therefore cannot, in a literal ienle, be 
 afcribed to God, who is a Spirit without 
 any bodily parts. It imports an invefliture 
 of power, dignity, and glory; and, when 
 attributed to Chrift, is emphatically ex- 
 preflive of his fupreme authority and domi- 
 nion both in heaven and earth. David 
 accordingly forefeeing the extenfion, power, 
 and duration of the Meffiah's kingdom, 
 ])rophelied concerning the exaltation of 
 Chrift in theie remarkable words: " The 
 " Lord faid unto my Lord, lit thou at 
 " my right-hand until I make thine ene- 
 *' mies thy footltool*." i\greeabl^ to the 
 fame do6trine, St. Paul afterward declared, 
 that when " Chrift had by himielf purged 
 " our fnis, he I'at down on the rijiht-hand 
 " of the Majelty on high-^-i" And when 
 God had railed Him from the dead, " He 
 ^' fet him at his own right-hand in hea- 
 
 * Plalm c\. 1. t liflj- J- •">. 
 
 T 3 " venly 
 
.278 ChrijVs Afcenjlon and Scjjhn 
 
 DISC. « venly places, far above all principalities, 
 " and power, and might, and dominion, 
 ** and every name that is named, not only 
 ** in this world, but- alio in that M^hich is 
 *' to come*." This was an honour never 
 promifed, never given to any but the Mel'-, 
 fiah, for " to which of the angels faid He 
 ^* at any time, Sit on my right-hand -j- ?" 
 They indeed ftand about the throne of 
 Gop, but our glorious Redeemer was fo 
 afifured of this honour, that when He faw 
 all the inftrumeijts of death, and the hor- 
 rors of the crofs preparing for Him, he 
 lexclaimed in the hearing of the chief- 
 priefts and elders : ^* Hereafter (hall the 
 *' Son of Man fit on the right-hand of the 
 *^ power of God J.'* 
 
 From this two-fold do6lrine of Ch rift's 
 afcenfjon, and feflion at the rightrhand of 
 Gop, let us learn to rejoice in ib glorious 
 an e?:altation of Chrift our head, and 
 humbly have recou rfe to God in all our 
 necefiities, fmce we have fo powerful an 
 advocate with the Father. Under tjie 
 forrows and afflictions of this infirm and 
 piortal ftate, let the alfurance of Chrift's 
 
 t» Eph. i. 20, '21. t Ilcb. i. 13. % Luke xxii. 69. 
 
 srlorious 
 
lit the Ilight-hiuid of God. 279 
 
 glorious afcendon revive our drooping Dm 
 fpirits, knowing that it' we be his members, n*--.-^ 
 we Ihall aicend alfo. " Father, I will," 
 faith he, " that tiiofe alio whom thou haft 
 " given me, be with me where I am, that 
 " they may behold my glory which thou 
 " haft given me *." 80 infallible is this 
 hope and glorious expectation, that St. 
 Paul fpeaks of the afcenfion of true be- 
 hevers, as a thing already effefted by the 
 afceniioQ of Chrift, who " hath raifed us 
 ** up together, and made us fit together in 
 " heavenly places in Chrift Jefus f." Such 
 is the ailimilating power of that fpirit of 
 life by which Chrift rofe from th6 grave, 
 that being quickened by the fame I'pirit, 
 we have an alfured hope that we (hall not 
 only rife from the dead, but aicend alfo 
 with Him into the higheft heavens, and in 
 due time " lit down with Abraham, Ifaac, 
 and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven ;t/* 
 
 Let this animating do6trine teach us alfo 
 to exercife that lively faith in Chriit, which 
 the Apoftle, with fuch peculiar energy, 
 entitles " the evidence of things not feen^." 
 
 • John xvii. 24. f ^'Ph. ii. 6. J Matt. viii. U. 
 
 S lieb.xi. 1. 
 
 T 4 Let 
 
?80 ChriJi'sAfcenfLon and Sefion 
 
 xvir "^^^ ^^ excite us to obtain a reward ade- 
 .y%^ quate to the greater holinefs and righ- 
 teoufnefs to which we may attain, by en- 
 lightening our underftandings, reforming 
 our hearts, amending our hves, and ianc- 
 tifying our wills and affections. 
 
 Let it remind us alfo of our Lord's 
 promife, " Bleffed are they that have not 
 " feen, and yet have believed ;" a bleffedr 
 nefs which He hath left to his whole 
 Church the means of acquiring ; *f that the 
 f' trial of your laith may be found unto 
 ** praife, and honour, and glory, at the 
 f appearing of Jefus Chrift; whom hav- 
 *.' ing not feen, ye love; and in whom, 
 " though now ye fee Hmi not, yet, be^ 
 ." lieving, ye rejoice with joy unipeakable 
 " and full of glory, receiving the end. of 
 ." your faith, even the falvation of your 
 " fouls*." If the abfence of our Re- 
 deemer thus tries our faith, the manner of 
 Lis going away powerfully conlirms it, the 
 Apoitles were eycrwitnefies of his afcent 
 into the clouds, and none but an infide 
 will queiiion the credibility of tbtir tel? 
 timony. 
 
 * 1 Pet. i. 7, 8, 9. 
 
 So 
 
ai the Bight-huml uf God. 281 
 
 ; So full of confolation, too, is this evun- w^fj- 
 gelical doctrine, that it may fcrve in feme s^y^ 
 meafure to remove from us the fear of 
 death, if not make it defireahle. Over- 
 powered with the anticipation of " being, 
 « with Chriit," wh^n St. Paul " was in a 
 " Itrait betwixt two*," whether he fliould 
 defire to hve or die, confidering the need 
 the. Phihppians had of his miniftry, he 
 r^iblved.on his own behalf, that He " had 
 *? a delire to depart, which was far better," 
 knowing that having fuftered with Him, he 
 Ihould alfo reign with Him. 
 
 It Ihould alfo excite us to live as Gran- 
 gers upon earth. We know from the ex- 
 perience of pad ages, as well as from the 
 Itrongeft convictions of our own mortality, 
 that this world is not our home., " nor have 
 *.* we here any continuing city, but we 
 " feek one to come, which hath founda- 
 ♦* tions, whofc builder and maker is 
 *' God ')•.'' Our convcifation, therefore, 
 is in heaven, where our J^Ord is; and it 
 we are denizens of that city, we (liali in- 
 fallibly feek after it, and endeavour " to 
 .•^' pafs the time of our iojourning here in 
 
 * Philip, i. 23. ' t llcb. xiii. U. 
 
 " the 
 
XVII. 
 
 fS2 Chrijf's Jfcenfion and Sii/Jion 
 
 pisc. " the fear*" of God. Though we are in 
 the world, yet we fliall not live as thofe 
 that are of the world, but demean ourfelves 
 as flrangers, fetting our affe6lLons on things 
 above, and afcending in heart and mind 
 after Him, who fitteth at the right-hand of 
 God. For furely it ill becomes thofe who 
 profefs themfelves difciples of the humble 
 Jefus, to faften their affe6iions on earthly 
 things, and fhew an anxious folicitude 
 about them. But if we ** love the Lord 
 " Jefus Chrift in hncerity-jV we fhall long 
 for a nearer approach and clofer commu- 
 nion with Him ; we fhall eagerly anticipate 
 the joys of heaven, and, in the mean time, 
 walk " as obedient children, not fafhioning 
 *' ourfelves according to the former lufts in 
 " our ignorance ,"[:," until we are called to 
 reign with llim in his everlaltino^ kina:- 
 dom. 
 
 This bleffednefs he hath refe rved for us 
 through his own merits, as the ineitimable 
 purchafe of his blood, and will, in due 
 time, beflow it upon thole who are " kept 
 ♦* by his power through faith unto falva- 
 
 * 1 Pet. i. 17. t li''i- vi. 2-i. : 1 Pot. i. U. 
 
 «< tion." 
 
at the Righl-haml of God. 283 
 
 " tion*/' To our unfpeakablc conitbrt it disc. 
 
 •I , . . . ^ , XVII. 
 
 IS, Uiat this promile can never be eva- «^^,-^- 
 
 cuatecl ; for Chrift will exercife this regal 
 
 power at the right-hand of God '" till his 
 
 " enemies be made his fbotltool -f-." When 
 
 the whole oftice of his Mcdiatorlhip Ihall 
 
 be coniumniHted, then, and not till tlien, 
 
 fliall every brunch of its execution ceafe. 
 
 " Then conieth the end, when He fhall 
 
 " have delivered up the kingdom to God, 
 
 " even the leather, \\hen lie Ihall have 
 
 " put dow^n all rule, and all authority and 
 
 *' power, and when all things iball l)e fub- 
 
 '* dued unto Him, then IhuU the Son alfo 
 
 " himfelf be fubjett unto Him that put all 
 
 " things under Him, that GoD mav be 
 
 " all in all :\. ;" and of his kingdom there 
 
 fliall be no end. 
 
 Inftead, therefore, of amufing ourfelves' 
 with the ipeculative conlideration of Chriit's 
 afcenfion and feliQon at the right-hand of 
 God, let us learn from his departure to 
 prepare for his return. Are we then care- 
 ful to behave in iiich a manner, that we 
 may be ready to meet our Lord at his 
 fecond coming, and enter with Him into 
 
 • 1 Pet. i. 5. t Hcb. X. 13. I 1 Cor. xv. 2 1— 2S. 
 
 hi3 
 
XVII. 
 
 284 Clmji's Afcevfion and Se/Jton, ^^c. 
 
 DISC, his joy ? Enthroned in glory at the right- 
 hand of the Majeftj on high, he invites 
 us to become partakers of it by the tender 
 motives of love, gratitude, and obedience. 
 What then remains, but to fix our hearts 
 where our beft treafure lies, and fet our 
 afFe6lions on things above ? But in vain fhali 
 we make this pretenfion, and rejoice in the 
 aifurance of a glorified Redeemer, unlefs 
 w;e firft become his friends by fulfilling his 
 commands. In vain do we lift up our 
 hands and our eyes to his bleffed abode, 
 unlefs by imitation of his example in 
 purity and holinefs, we quality ourfelves to 
 become partakers of the reiemblance of his 
 glory. Unavailing for ever Mill be our 
 beft performances for acceptance with a 
 pure and holy God, unlefs we plead the 
 all-atoning merits and interceffion of our 
 great Advocate, Jefus Chrifl the righteous. 
 To whom, with the Father and the Holy 
 Spirit, three Perfons and one Cjot3, be all 
 honour and glory, praife and thankfgiving, 
 for ever and ever, Amen. 
 
 DIS- 
 
DISCOURSE XVIII, 
 
 CHRISTS GOMING TO JUDGMENT. 
 
 Rev. XX. 13. 
 
 And the Sea gave up the dead which were 
 
 , X in it J and Death and Hell delivered up 
 
 // the dead which were in them, and thejf 
 
 were judged every one according to their 
 
 ,jj JV0rks. 
 
 .I^E 
 
 '^. E ane now arrived, iii the cpurft^; of disc. 
 our intended plan, at that great and awful ^^^.-^ 
 do6trine which makes all , the precedii^g 
 ones fo important tO-MV^-.f Fpr..,fi Q.flp 
 " hath appointed a day,, in which He will 
 " judge the world in righleoufnefs bj^that 
 " Man whom he hath ordained ,trO" a 
 truth, the belief of which it infinitely con- 
 cerns us all to be fully perfuaded of in 
 
 * A6ls xvii. 31. 
 
 our 
 
286 Cliriji's coming to Judgment. 
 
 our own minds, that we may be prepared 
 to ftand beibre the awful tribunal of our 
 Judge. 
 
 Before we attempt to defcribe the nature 
 and circumftances of the oewerr// judgment, 
 let us make a few obfervations upon that 
 particular '^^wAgm^nt which, is fuppofed to 
 pafs upon every indiridual at his death. 
 As foon as the ipirit dej)arts from the body, 
 it is afijgned its ftate in another world, 
 and, according to the works done in the 
 body, is partaker in fome degree, until the 
 final judgment, of a flate of happinefs or 
 mifery. This we learn from our Lord's 
 remarkable parable of the Rich ]\Ian and 
 Lazarus, the former of whom " lifted up 
 *' his eyes in hell being in torments,'* 
 While the latter was " carried away by 
 "angels into Abraham's bofom*." In- 
 deed we are exprefsly told by an apoftle, 
 that the righteous, as foon as they are 
 '**^'abfen't from the body, are prefent "Nlvith 
 '** the LoRDf." 
 
 But befides that particular judgment 
 which is fecfetly pafied upon the fouls of 
 men at their departure hence, there will 
 
 " Luko xvi. 2?; ?3. t 2 Cor. v. S. 
 
 be 
 
XVIII. 
 
 ChrijVs coming to Judgment. 2H7 
 
 be a general jiKlginent, when all nations ^J^c. 
 iliall be gathered together before the judg- 
 ment-leat of Chrift, that all mankind may 
 be publicly abfolved or condemned, and 
 Teceive in body as well as in Ibul, a jufl 
 recompence of reward or punilliment, ac- 
 cording to their deeds. For in the laft 
 day " Chrift ihall defcend" from heaven 
 with great power and majefty, " with the 
 " voice of the archangel, and with the 
 " trump of God *," and He Ihall fit as 
 a judge upon the throne of his glory. By 
 the power of his Godhead He fliall raife 
 the dead, and change thofe that be alive. 
 " For we fiiall not all deep, but we (hall 
 *' all be changed, in a moment, in the 
 ** twinkling of an e^'e -f-." 
 
 Let us then briefly confider the feveral 
 particulars of this awful tranfa<5lion, the 
 perlbns, the judge, the fubjeft-matter, the 
 manner, and the confequence of that final 
 fentence which Iball be pronounced on the 
 whole race of Adam. 
 
 1. The perfons, are evil angels and the 
 whole fpecies of mankind. That the for- 
 mer will conltitute a part of that vaft af- 
 
 . » 1 Thcff. iv. 16. t 1 Cor. XV. 52. 
 
 5 fembly, 
 
XVIil. 
 
 288 ChrijVs toming to JudgmeiU. 
 
 DLsc. fembl}', we iMve the authority of an iinf- 
 .fpired Apottie, who hath declared that 
 "the angels : which kept not their firit 
 •" eftate, He hath relerved in : everlafting 
 ;■*■ chains under darkneis, unto the judg- 
 " . naent of the great day *." , How great 
 their, numbers, how aggravated their , of- 
 fence, how fore, their punithnient, is knovvj;i 
 .only; to that. AJiiiighty Being, >vh,ofe. pre- 
 rogative it is t^y-jfU^lgejn abfol,ut^jj^jti€c 
 and equity, oil her. '^^ •?•,>, j ■i)<|/njifr 
 
 The next '^ill^)^ the whole huiiian' race, 
 
 both quick jrnd dt;ad. The quick will b 
 
 all thole wl^o iliall be found alive upoi 
 
 leaj^th at, pjir^t'i?* fecond coming ; and) th^ 
 
 dead are all they, without any exception, 
 
 who departed out of this life before thai 
 
 rgre^i^vand awfijljday of judg^ient. " For 
 
 .^I'J.we mutl a//^ ftand before the judgment- 
 
 .".feat of Chrift,;and every qi]e give an 
 
 ff' account on]Imiyff||nto Go jp^ ,•,{;;.'' ''rTJl^ 
 
 " dead both fniall ^and great fliull {land 
 
 *' befoie God :r. :*' neither the power of 
 
 the highefl:,, nof ^he wealth of the richeli:, 
 
 nor the wifdom;of the wifeii, nor the fo- 
 
 phi|try of the moft fubtlc, nor the bold 
 
 * Judc 6'. t Roiii. xiv. 10, 12. : Rev. x.x. 12. 
 
 Atheift 
 
ChriftU coming to Judgment, 2S( 
 
 Atheid, or fcolfing Infidel, any more than i^isc* 
 the ignorant wretch, or protiigate volup- ^— r*> 
 tuary, ihall be able to evade the judgment 
 of God. It will be of no confequence 
 what ftation of life wo held, provided we 
 fulfilled the duties of it faithfully and con- 
 icientioully. The more knowledge we had 
 of our duty, and means of doing good, fo 
 much the more will be required of us. 
 The inquiry will not be how great, or how 
 rich, or how powerful we were, but whe- 
 ther, according to our ability, we " fed the 
 " hungry, clothed the naked, vilited the 
 " lick *," and comforted the affli6ted, and 
 endeavoured " to follow Chrift in the re- 
 " generation -f-." All other dillin6lions, 
 how confiderable foever they may have 
 appeared in the eyes of our fellow-crea- 
 tures, will then avail us nothing. " For 
 " there is no refpe6l of perlbns with 
 " Cod, for as many as have fmned with- 
 " out law, fliall perifli ^vithout law, and 
 " as many as have finntd in the law, 
 " Ihall be judged by the law, in the day 
 " when God iliall judge the lecrets of 
 " men by Jefus Chrift {:." AVe are all 
 
 * Matt. XXV. GO', t Ibid. xix. i'8. J Rom. ii. 11, ix?, l6\ 
 
 VOL. I. U " equally 
 
XVIII. 
 
 290 Chri/i's coming to Judgnicnt, 
 
 DISC, equally the work of his Almighty hand ; 
 we are all the (heep of his paiture, and we 
 have all more or lefs gone aftray ; we are 
 all therefore Iial)le to the fentenceof con- 
 demnation, and have no caufe to juftify 
 ourfelves in his fight more than another. 
 Here we are ail put in a ftate of prohation, 
 according to our refpeftive talents, with- 
 out any partiality, or inequality whatever 
 in the fight of God. The moft honour- 
 able, and the moft contemptible, as to 
 worldly circumftances, may be the moft 
 happy, or the moft miferable in the next 
 life, according to their refpe6live demeanor 
 in this. Let thofe then of high rank learn 
 to be humble, thofe of low degree, con- 
 tent, and let all, both high and low, rich 
 and poor, be watchful over themfelves, 
 that they may be able to give a good ac- 
 count. 
 
 2. The Judge by whom the fentence 
 (liall be pafied is JefusChrift. " For He 
 " hath commanded us to preach unto the 
 " people, and to teftify that it is lie which 
 " was ordained of God to be the judge 
 " of quick and dead *.'' And " the 
 
 * Ads X. 42. 
 
 Father 
 
Chrijl's coming to Judgment, 291 
 
 " Father juclgeth no man, (that is, imme- 
 diately by himlelf,) ** but hath committed 
 " all judgment unto the Son," and hath 
 given Him authority to execute it, " be- 
 ** caufe He is the Son of Man *," before 
 ^v■hom, according to the prophet Daniel, 
 " the judgment was to be fet, and the 
 " books opened f ;" and He is no lefs pe- 
 culiarly qualified, than exprefsly appointed 
 for it, in whom divine perfe6lion is joined 
 with human infirmity. So that being 
 judged by one, " who was in all points 
 " tempted like as we are, yet without 
 " lin J," we may be fure that every due 
 allowance will be made for our unavoidable 
 weaknefs, and no undue one for our wilful 
 wickednefs. Unlefs therefore we repent 
 us truly of our fms, He, \Wio in mercy 
 came the firft time to fave us, will come 
 again in jufticc to condemn us, and the 
 nu^ekand mercifuljefus will appear clothed 
 with fuch terror, that we (hall be ready 
 *' to cry out to the mountains and to the 
 " rocks, fall on us, and hide us from the 
 " face of Him that litteth on the throne, 
 " and from the wrath of the Lamb, for 
 
 • John V. 22. t DJ"!' vii. 10, % Hob. iv. 15. 
 
 u 2 " the 
 
292 Chri/Fs coming to Judgment:'' '• 
 
 " the great day of his wrath is come, and 
 w ho (liall be able to iland ^' ?" 
 3. isow the things tor which we 
 Oiall be judged are all our voluntary 
 thouglit.s, and words, and actions, whether 
 good 01^ bad. All the actions of mankind 
 are written in the tablet of their conlcience, 
 and in the book of Cod's remembrance: 
 'i'hefe volumes (hall then be opened, and 
 ihcy Ihall be judged out of thole things 
 which are written in the books according 
 to their- Mor]<s. The righteous fliall be 
 finally a blblv'ed from any imputation of 
 ■guilt, and crowned with everlafting happi- 
 nefs for the fake, and through the alone 
 merits and mediation of their bleiled Sa- 
 viour. The mere mercy of God in Chrift, 
 they will joyfully proclaim to be the fole 
 caufe of their juitilication, and redemp- 
 tion : and will with ail humility acknow- 
 ledge, that their faith and obedience to 
 the Gofpel are only the conditions on 
 which thole benefits were promifed and 
 conferred. In heaven, it is true, there 
 are many manfions correipondent to the 
 difioi'enl: talents received and improved, 
 
 * Rev. vi. \G, 17. 
 
 and 
 
Clirijrs coming to Judgment, 5?93 
 
 and there can be no doubt, but tliey w 
 have applied them inofl to the glory oi' 
 God and the good of their fellow-crea- 
 tures, (hall be advanced to a proportionate 
 degree of ielicity. 
 
 If then fuch will be the comparatively 
 blifsful (late of the righteous, who would 
 not Mill], who would not ftrive to be of 
 that blelled number ? No tongue can tell, 
 no thought can conceive the happinefs 
 which God hath referved for them in that 
 day. 
 
 But we fliall be able perhaps to form a 
 more adequate idea of it, by conlidering 
 for a moment the punifhment which awaits 
 the wicked. If there be any truth indif- 
 putably difclofed in the holy Scriptures, 
 it is, that " when the Lord Jefus ihall 
 " be revealed from heaven, he iliall take 
 " vengeance on them that know not God, 
 " and obey not the Gofpel *." Their 
 punifhment fliall be proportioned to the 
 meafure of their iniquity, and moft juft it 
 is, that they who refufed mercy proffered, 
 fliall have " judgment without mercy •h" 
 When the awful fentence is pafled, judg- 
 
 * 2 Their, i. 7. f James ii. 13. 
 
 u 3 ment 
 
 10 T)i,s(:. 
 
 XVllI. 
 
294* Chri/t's coming to Judgment, 
 
 xvm ^^^^ ^^'^'^^ t)e executed without, delay : the 
 
 WV righteous fhall go away into hfe eternal, 
 
 and the wicked be conligncd to ^' everlaft^ 
 
 " ing deftrudion from the prefence of the 
 
 « Lord*." 
 
 Mean while, with refped to others, let 
 us be charitable, and "judge nothing be- 
 ^' fore the time, until the Lord come, 
 ^* who both will bring to light the hidden 
 " things of darknefs, and make manifeft 
 " the counfels of the heart *j-." And 
 with regard to ourfelves, if we have not 
 merited the reproach of human cenibre 
 let us be eafy and contented, for, in that 
 cafe, *? it is a fmall thing to be judged of 
 " man's judgment J." There is no me- 
 thod of preparing for the awful fentence 
 of the great Judge of all without terror 
 and amazement but by a life of true holi- 
 nefs and righteoufnefs. And though " we 
 " know nothing by ouriclves," that is, 
 though we are not confcious of anv wiiful 
 tranfgreflioi s, " yet are we not hereby 
 " juftificd, but He that judgeth us is the 
 
 " LORD^ 
 
 * 2 Their, i. 9. t 1 Cor. iv. 5. J Ibid. 3. 
 
 § Ibid. 4. 
 
 4 As 
 
DISC. 
 XVIII. 
 
 Chriji's coming to Judgment. 295 
 
 4. As to the manner and procefs of the 
 day of judgment, it will be condu6led with 
 that awfulnels and folemnity which be- 
 comes the divine Majefty, and adniinillered 
 in perfect juliice and equity. The Lord 
 himfelf Ihall deicend from heaven with his 
 mighty Angels, in tlaming fire ; the trump 
 of God fliall Ibund, and awake all that are 
 in their graves, and they ftiall come forth. 
 AMiatever confcioufnefs may attend the 
 trembling linner, he, no leis than the glo- 
 rified Saint, (liall acknowledge "jufticeand 
 " judgment to be the habitation of his 
 " throne*.'' Then ihall the Almighty 
 Judge fit upon the throne of his glory, 
 and the books of God's Omnifcience, of 
 confciencc, and of the law, (hall be opened, 
 and every individual of all the afiembled 
 nations of the earth (hall be "judged out 
 *' of thole things which were written in the 
 " books, according to their works -|-.'* " As 
 " many as finned without (a revealed) law, 
 '* fiiallperiih without (a rexealed) law ; and 
 " as many as iinned in the law, whether 
 " Jewirti or Chriftian, ihall be judged by 
 " the law. I.." And, as a criterion of the 
 
 • Plalm xcviii. 14. t 1^«-'^'- -^^■. 12. X Rom. ii. V2. 
 
 V 4 recom- 
 
296 Chrifi's coming to Judgment. 
 
 rccompence to be paid to e^ery one, it 
 will infallibly occur to his recollection, 
 " unto ■whom much was given, of him 
 " fhall much be required */' And " what- 
 " foever a man fowed, that fliall he alfo 
 " reap-}'." When the awful fentence is 
 gone forth, it will be irrevocable, and 
 the righteous will be feparated from the 
 wicked through all eternity. 
 
 5. The laft confideration which occurs 
 as part of our prefent inftruSlion is the con- 
 fequence of that awful day. When the 
 Redeemer of the world hath put all ene- 
 mies under his feet, and glorified all his 
 faints, then fliall He " deliver up the king- 
 " dom to God even the FatherJ.'' His 
 mediatorial kingdom Ihall ccafe becaufe it 
 will be no longer necefiary. Then " fliali 
 " the earth and all things that are therein 
 '' be burnt up, and the elements lliall melt 
 " with fervent heat §." And " behold ! the 
 " Lord cometh with ten thoufand of his 
 *' faints to execute judgment upon all, and 
 *' to convince all that are ungodly among 
 " them of all their ungodly deeds M'hich 
 
 * Luke xii. 4S. 
 
 t Gal. vi. 7. 
 § 2 Pet. iji. 10. 
 
 X 1 Cor. XV. 24. 
 
 " they 
 
C/iriJl's coming to Judgment, 297 
 
 " ihoy have unootHy committed, and of disc. 
 " all their hard Ipeeches which ungodly ^-»^,^^ 
 " hnners have fpoken againfl him *.'* 
 
 Let US then all iblemnly and ferioufly 
 prepare for this great trial, b}^ letting up a 
 judgment feat in our own Ibuls, that we 
 may keep a confcience void of offence. 
 The expectation of a future judgment is a 
 powerful motive to keep us from fin, and 
 to make us careful to ferve and pleafe ' 
 
 God, that we may be found of Ilim in 
 peace without fpot and blameiefs. If our 
 minds were continually imprefted with the 
 awful terror of a judgment to come, and 
 were daily expefting the glorious appear- 
 in*]: of the i>;reat God, how diligjent Ihould 
 M'e be to " deny all ungocllinefs and 
 " worldly lulls, and to live Ibberly, righ- 
 " teoully, and godl}^ in this prelent 
 " world j!" lor the mod obdurate fin- 
 ner muli own (if not infenfible to every re- 
 ligious fentiment) that the terrors of the 
 Loud are great, and enough to excite juft 
 appreheniioiis of his dil'plealiire, and to in- 
 ipirc him " with reverence and godly 
 *' fear J." If he really believed and feri- 
 
 * Judc, 15. t Tit. ii. i:. % Hob. xii. 28. 
 
 oully 
 
298 Chriji's coming to Judgment, 
 
 xvm ^"% confidered that God will bring every 
 w-v^-w work into judgment, he would doubtleis 
 not be io bold and prefumptuous in his 
 provocations, but feel himielf ibmewhat 
 more folicitous " to work out his own lal- 
 " vation with fear and trembling */' Be 
 perfuaded then " to watch and to pray that 
 " ye enter not into temptation -f," " for 
 " the day of the Lord cometh as a thief 
 ** in the night J," and when men are wont 
 to triumph in their wickednefs, and flatter 
 themfelves with peace and fafety, then 
 " fudden dertru6lion cometh upon them 
 *' as travail upon a woman with child §.'* 
 The furprize of death, under fuch circum- 
 ftances, is enough to overwhelm the foul 
 in defpair, but the horrors of the day of 
 judgment who can bear? It will then be 
 too late to cry for mercy when the ientence 
 is pronounced — "■ Go, ye curled, into ever- 
 " iaftmgfire||!" 
 
 And, as the thought of a judgment to 
 come, can only ferve to awaken in the 
 bieaft of an hardened fmner the mod 
 dreadful fenfations, fo let the belief and 
 
 ♦ I'hilip. ii. 12. t Mail< xiv. 38. J 1 ThefT, v. 2. 
 § Ibid. 3. II Malt. xxv. 41. 
 
 certainly 
 
Chrijl^s coming to Judgment. 299 
 
 certainty of it infpire the liumhle CMiriftian 
 with hope and coniblation. Ii is, and ever 
 fhould be, ph inexhauitible fountain of joy 
 to all the faithful people of God. " For 
 " tl.^ re i* now no condennialion to them 
 " that are in Chrilt Jefus, who walk not 
 "after the flefh but after the Spirit*.'' 
 Chrift himfelf will be not only their 
 judge, but their advocate ; and if He fliall 
 juftity them, " who Ihall lay any thing to 
 " tli^ir charge-^- ?" " They ihall not come 
 " into condemnation, but (liall pals from 
 " death unto life J/' As Chrift was once 
 offered to bear the hns of many, fo ihall lie 
 appear the iecond time for the ialvation of 
 thoie that look for Him, and are prepared 
 for his coming. Let us, therefore, " pafs 
 " the time of our fojou ruing here in 
 " fear§," that we may be accounted 
 worthy to efcape the wrath to come, and 
 to (land before the judgment feat of 
 Chrift. 
 
 'Jo whom, Sec. Amen. 
 
 * Rom. viii. 1. t Ibid. 33. J John v. 3-t. 
 S 1 Pet. i. 17. 
 
 DIS- 
 
DISCOURSE XIX, 
 
 THE OPERATION AND INFLUENCE Oj 
 THE HOLY SPIRIT. 
 
 1 John iii. 24, 
 
 Hereby know we that He ahideth in l/y, 
 hi/ the Spirit which He hath given Us. 
 
 We have been contemplating our bleffed dkoxtx. 
 Lord in feme former difcourfes as Medi- 
 ator of the new covenant, and the humih- 
 atlon and fiifferings which He fuflained in 
 his own perfon to accomphOi the work of 
 man's redemption. In order to form an 
 adequate idea of the whole procefs, it will 
 be proper to turn our attention alfo to the 
 third perfon in the Holy Trinity, and 
 conficler his operations and influence in 
 perfecting the fame (lupendous undertak- 
 
302 The Operation and Influence 
 
 Drscxo ing. It is oar part thankfully to accept 
 
 ^"^'"^ the rnerci'jb conferred by each divine per- 
 
 fon in the Godhead, ami strive to perform 
 
 the duties we owe to each of them dif- 
 
 tin6tly. 
 
 For, as to take God for our God, is 
 nior© than hapely t-o believe that there is a. 
 God, and -ta taive Chrift for Qur Saviour, 
 is more than barely to believe that He is 
 the Meffiah ; fe to beUeve in the Holy 
 Gholt is not merely to believe that He is 
 the third person in the Trinity and very 
 God ; but to take liim for our guide, 
 our fanQ:ifier, our helper, our advocate, 
 and ottp coHifo^rter. He is denoniina|:ed 
 the Holy Spirit, becaufe his peculiar of- 
 fice is to fanetify the church and people of 
 God. i\ccordingiy the Apoftle tells the 
 Theffalonians, that " God had chofen 
 ** them to ii)lvalion through fanctification 
 " of the fpirit and belief of the truth *\" 
 Some, however, pretend to believe in the 
 Holy Ghoft, Avho rejeft all his fan6tifying 
 influences, and make even thole the objects 
 of enthuiiaftic ridicule who are lanftified 
 by Him. But the whole tenor of Scrip- 
 
 ♦ 2 Their, ii. 13. 
 
 tore, 
 
of the Holy Spirit. - 303 
 
 ture, as well as every part of the Liturgy disc.xix. 
 of our church, avow and declare the faiic- 
 tiiying operations of the Spirit; and none 
 but profelVed unbelievers, wlio deny the 
 authority of Scripture, will dare to deny 
 his infpiration of it. 
 
 To guard you therefore from error on 
 one fide, and enthufiafm on the other, in 
 this important doctrine of Revelation, I 
 lliall attempt to give you a right under- 
 ftanding of it, and point out the duty you 
 owe to the Spirit of God. 
 
 The doctrine of the Holy Clioft, necef- 
 fary to be believed by every Chriftian, we 
 have already explained in a former dif- 
 courfe upon the Trinity ; in which, with 
 the moft profound deference and devout 
 awe, we Ihewed that the Holy Ghoil 
 is a divine perfon, not a mere quaUty or 
 operation, but is of the fame nature with 
 the Father and the Son, and therefore 
 very God; a perfon diftin6t in the God- 
 head, and yet proceeding both from the 
 Father and the Son. 
 
 Now the tirft truth to be believed con- 
 cerning thp ofiices and operations of the 
 Holy Spirit is, that He infpired the pro- 
 phets 
 5 
 
504 The Operation cmd Infiuenc6 
 
 Disc.xT'K. phets of old, and alio the Apoftles and 
 Evangelilts, to preach and propagate the 
 the word of God as contained in the holy 
 Scriptures. And when thus promulgated 
 under his diredion and affiftance, he ianc- 
 tioned their teftimony, confirmed their 
 do6lrine hy the operation of miracles, and 
 many other wonderful works which He 
 enabled them to perform, and convinced 
 the unbelieving world, through their mi- 
 niftry, of " the power of God unto falva- 
 " tion to every one that believed*^," and 
 thereby gradually planted and eventually 
 eftabliilied the biefied Gofpeiof our Lord 
 Jefus Chriil. 
 
 The fame Holy Spirit having conftitut- 
 ed the various offices, and ordained the 
 minifters of the church, qualifies and pre- 
 pares them by requifite gifts for the or- 
 dinary work of the miniflrj^, and affifts 
 them in the faithful difcharge of their holy 
 function to explain and apply the word of 
 God, to adminilter the holy facraments, 
 and to guide and govern the flock of 
 Chrift. 
 
 The fame bleffed Spirit, by the miniflry 
 
 * Rom. i. 16. 
 
 of 
 
Of the IIo/i/ Spirit. 305 
 
 of the word, illuminates the mind of man, disc.xix. 
 renews his aiie6lions, fan6tifies his will, and 
 draws him to Chrift for life and falvation, 
 as the only propitiation of our hns. When 
 this great work of light and life and reno- 
 vation is accomplilhed, he aflifts them that 
 are fanclified in the exercife of thofe 
 graces which he has given, and perfeCls in 
 their hearts the work of repentance, faith, 
 obedience, and felf-denial. He directs 
 and governs their converfation, enabling 
 them to walk with diligence and circum- 
 fpedion, that they may not dilhooour 
 God, nor difcredit their holy profeffion. 
 For if we live in the Spirit (being quick- 
 ened by his renovation) we muft alfo walk 
 in the Spirit ; and if we *' walk in the Spi- 
 " rit, we fliall not fuKil the lulls of the 
 " fle(h*." For as many as are thus " led 
 " by the Spirit of God, t\uy are the Sons 
 " ofGoD-f-." 
 
 He alfo teaches us to pray, opens our 
 hearts to receive the word of Go J), iniiu- 
 ences our aflections to take delight in it, 
 and excites our wills lo act conformably to 
 it, for which reafons godly perlbns are faid 
 
 * Gal. V. U". t l'^"f>i- '*■'•'• l+- 
 
 VOL. I. X to 
 
306 The Operation and Influence 
 
 Disc.xix. to be led by his influence, and all Chril- 
 tiau traces are denominated " the fruits of 
 " the Spirit*/' Them who yield to his 
 godly motions he renews, and " (trength- 
 " ens with might in the inner manf-;" lie 
 " helps their infirmities j,'' directs and 
 animates their prayers, making, as it were, 
 interceffion within them. By the influ- 
 ence of the fame Spirit, Chriltians are 
 united into one body, and made to love 
 each other. " l^y Him the love of God 
 " is flied abroad in their hearts §," teiich- 
 ing them to look upon him, not as an auf- 
 tere Mafter, but as a kind parent, crying, 
 in the language of St. Paul, " Abba, 
 " Father ||.'' And thus " the Spirit itfelf 
 " beareth witnefs with our fpirit, that we 
 " are the children of God -jV' from which 
 teftimony arifes that comfort and joy in 
 the Holy Ghofl: which different perfbns 
 experience in different degrees. No one 
 therefore fliould defpond, becaufe he feels 
 but little, or at times perhaps no divine 
 confolation, provided he tridy honours and 
 Jiirves God. But it is far worle with the 
 
 * Gal. V. 22. t I'ph. iii. 16. J Rom. vili. 2^. 
 
 ^ lb. V. 5. il lb. viii. 15. 51 lb. l6. 
 
 ungodly, 
 
of the Hohj Spirit. 307 
 
 ungodly, they have no hope of fpiritual disg.xix. 
 comlbrt. He Itrives indeed, but drives '^^ 
 in vrtin with them ; they wilfully grieve 
 Him, till they become fo hardened that 
 he forfakes them, and " gives them over to 
 a reprobate mind*." 
 
 On the contrary, to the pious Chriflian, 
 this heavenly Comforter, on fome occa- 
 hons, vouchfafes both llrong aflurances of 
 his fpiritual condition (" hereby know we," 
 faith the ApoRIe, " that God abideth in 
 " us, by the fpirit which he hath given us") 
 and iuch lively confolations from it, as 
 amount to a pledge and foretafte of future 
 felicity. Accordingly they are laid to be 
 " fealed with the Holy Spirit of promife, 
 " which is the earned of their inherit- 
 ** ance-f-;" as a man's feal fignifies the 
 thing fealed to be his own, fo the fpirit of 
 holiufcfs imprelled on our hearts, is God's 
 feal upon us, noting that we are his. 
 Therefore, faith the Apoltle, " grieve not 
 " the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye 
 " are/t^fl/er/ unto the day of redemption ;[.." 
 
 The next inquiry is the duty we owe to. 
 the Spirit of God. 
 
 ♦ Rom. i. 28. f Eph. i. 13, 14. % lb. iv. 30. 
 
 X 2 The 
 
SOS The Operation and Influence 
 
 Disc.xrx. fjij^g ^Yst is that p-eneral one of honour- 
 >^^,-^ .... . 
 
 ing Him fiiitably to his nature as God, 
 
 and particularly by being baptized in his 
 name, accordin(>; to the injunction of our 
 Lord, to pray for his ordinary gifts and 
 graces, which are proniifed to them that 
 alk him ; to be thankful for his good mo- 
 tions, and confcienlioufly to obey them in 
 every indance. And efpecially to take 
 heed not to miftake the fuggeftions of Sa- 
 tan, the wayward neis of our own paf- 
 fions, or the di6lales of our own flellily 
 wiidom, for the motions of the divine Spi- 
 rit. The latter may generally be diftin- 
 guiflied by the following marks. He in- 
 fufes heavenly wifdom into the mind, dif- 
 pofing it to leek peace of confcicnce and 
 reconciliation with God, and to fecure a 
 title to the kinodom of Heaven throuirh 
 the alone Mediator. He likewife never 
 fails to operate as a Ipirit of love and con- 
 cord, teaching us to dwell together in uni- 
 ty, as brethren in the fame bond of holy 
 fellowihip ; an<l infpiring us with a Ipirit 
 of humilit}^, felf-denial, meeknefs, pati- 
 ence, and forbearance. Thefe are Ibme of 
 his never-faihng fruits, and whoever pof- 
 
 fcllcs 
 
nf ihe lloly Spirit. 309 
 
 fedes t])( m, hath, without doubt, the fpi- di c.xix. 
 rit of Chrift. Guided by his influence, fuch 
 a one will at all times fubniit his reafon and 
 iindcrftanding to the revealed will of God, 
 knowing that He can have no fafe re- 
 courfe to any other rule but " to the law 
 " and to the tedimony *." He will not en- 
 thulia(tically follow every ftrong imagina- 
 tion of his own, or rafiily adopt any vain 
 pretence of fupernatural light in others, 
 but ftedfaitly adhere to that rule of life 
 inculcated in the fcriptures by the infpi- 
 ration of the Holy Ghoft. Other infpi- 
 ration than this, exce[it the ordinary in- 
 fluences of di\ ine grace vouchfafed more 
 or lefs to every Chriftian, having now be- 
 come unnecefiiiry, he has no reafon to ex- 
 pert but to diftruit. ]f, under colour of 
 fuch authority, he ibould be urged at any 
 time to violate any })recept of the Gof- 
 pel, to add to, or diminilli from, any article 
 of the Chriftian Faith, though an angel 
 from lieaven ihould require it, he would 
 not i'urrender that unalterable " ftilth which 
 " was once delivered to the faints -j-," to 
 any power real or pretended whatever. 
 
 * Isaiah viii. 20. f Jude, 0. 
 
 X 3 Con- 
 
310 The Operation and Influence 
 
 Disc.xix. Convinced that fuch is the conduct of 
 a real Chriitian, let us next purfue the 
 means which the Holy Spirit hath ap- 
 pointed for our improvement in grace and 
 fan6tifjcation. Let us not quench his 
 gifts and graces in ourfelves, or provoke 
 him to withdraw his benign aid, and 
 comforting prefence from us. If, on the 
 contrary, we refill his good motions, and 
 flifie the efficacy of his quickening grace 
 within us, we are fo far from fahilling the 
 duties which we owe Him, that we take 
 every means in our power to thwart and 
 oppofe Him. We lofe all fenie of fm 
 and conviction of our danger, our hearts 
 imbibe no fendbility of godly forrow and 
 contrition for our paft offences, they have 
 no divine love fhed abroad in them, nei- 
 ther do they feek aijy pardon or reconci- 
 liation with God through Chrifl Jefus. 
 However neceffary the divine operations 
 of the Holy Spirit may be to begin and 
 carry on the life of faith in the Ibul of 
 man, and to enable Him to perfevere in 
 a fteady, active, and faithful obedience to 
 Him who pays no regard to this hea- 
 venly monitor, they are utterly in vain, 
 
 and 
 
of the Holy Spirit. 311 
 
 nnd perhaps it had been better for fuch Disr.xix. 
 a one that He had never been born. 
 
 Alas ! how infenllble is he that the lead 
 nieaiure of divine <;raee is more to be de- 
 iired than the gold ot Ophir, and as none 
 are exchided from the hope of attaining 
 it, how ineftimal)le a blefling does he re- 
 jet^l ? If he knew the voice of the charmer, 
 how could he but h(ten to his lecret whif- 
 pers ? How could he but encourage every 
 breath of divine favour ? And though, in 
 the primitive times of Chriftianity, fpecial 
 a6ts of i'lipernaturai grace were more fre- 
 quent than at prefent, when the difciples 
 and immediate followers of our Lord 
 were perfecuted for the truth's fake, yet 
 their joy in the Holy Gholl was propor- 
 tionably greater, and they have left upon 
 record, (thanks be to God), ample telti- 
 mouv of his divine aid andconio! ;iion. 
 But communications of divine grace have 
 been the common experience of the faith- 
 ful in all asies. *' Herebv knov/ we," faith 
 the Apoftle, " that God abideth in us, by 
 " the fpirit which he hath given us*/* 
 And of old, " the fecret of the Lord was 
 
 ♦ 1 John iii. 24. 
 
 X 4 with 
 
312 The Operation and Injliienct 
 
 Discxix." ^^,ith them that feared Him*"—" How 
 " excellent is thy loving kindnefs ! Thoa 
 " makeit me to drink of thy pleafures," 
 faith the Pfalmift, " as out of a riverf-." 
 It was the lofs of this di\ine confolation 
 that He ib bitterly lamented, when he ex- 
 claimed, " Keftore to me the joy of thy 
 *' falvationj/' Shall we then, under all 
 the gracious means of the Gofpel, be dif- 
 couraged from expecting the ordinary 
 comforts of the Holy Spirit, or lliall we 
 reduce the power and pleafure of religion 
 below what God himfelf hath given us 
 fuch infiilhble affurance of, when he de- 
 clares that he will abide in us by his fpi- 
 rit, and that " the fellovvQiip of the Holy 
 " Ghoft lliall be with us§/' Surely theri 
 it becomes us to conlider how far the want 
 of this fpiritual joy and holy communion 
 may be owing to ourielves. For if the 
 Holy Ghoft be ftiil the comforter of the 
 church of Chrift even unto the end, how 
 fliall frail man, who can do nothing that 
 is good without his aid, prefume to im- 
 peach his power, his love, and his conlb- 
 
 * J'falm xxv. ]4. f Ib. x.\xvi. 8. I Ib. li. 12. 
 § 2 Cor. xiii. 14. 
 
 lation .^ 
 
of the Holij Spirit. 313 
 
 lation? In arcril)ing thefe efle6ls to blsm-c.xix. 
 holy inipiration, we ni<nin not to contend 
 for any fanciful or entluifiaftic fenfations, 
 the groundleis confidence of an overheat- 
 ed imagination : — no, but for tliat fober 
 and well-tempered joy which is the un- 
 doubted fruit of the Spirit. It is much 
 to be feared that the deprivation of it, is 
 imputable in a great meafure to our neg- 
 lect of prayer, to unbelief, and fenfual af- 
 fections. If, likewife, the cares and plea- 
 fures of life engrofs too much of our time 
 and attention, how fliall the love of God 
 and the influences of his divine fpirit flow 
 in upon us ? How can an heart, fatiated 
 with the love of the world, and its flatter- 
 ing endearments, be at all fuiceptible of 
 heavenly communications? Light is not 
 more contrary to darknefs, than Chrifi to 
 Belial ; let us, therefore, cleanfe ourfelves 
 from all inordinate aife6tions, or ceafe to 
 expe6l the abidance of God's Holy Spirit 
 in our hearts. If we are enabled to bring 
 forth the fruits of it, and experience any 
 coniblations of divine grace as the happy 
 confequeuce, let us humbly praife his good- 
 nefs, and be thankful. And, to fecure the 
 
 continu- 
 
314 The Operation and InJIuefice, ^c. 
 
 ^^^•^^^- continuance of his blefTed influence, let us 
 be fober and watchful : fruitful in everj 
 good work, that, abounding in grace, the 
 ipirit of God may " help our infirmi- 
 *' ties*," and " flrengthen us with might in 
 *' the inner man-t"." Thus fliall we ftir up 
 the grace of Gou that is in us, and alio 
 find freih luppiies of it, to enable us to ac- 
 compliQi our delires, and bring our endea- 
 vours to good effeft. Then fliall we rejoice 
 in the Lord, and glory in his holy name, 
 and with the devout Pfalmift, be ready to 
 " declare what the Loup hath done for 
 ** our fouls j ; which, as a watered garden, 
 and as a fpring whofe waters fail not, he 
 hath made to profper and increafe, abound- 
 ing in all thofe " fruits of nghteoufnefs 
 " which are by Jefus Chrift to the glory 
 " and praife of GoD§," to whom, with the 
 Holy Ghoft, three perfons and one GoD, 
 be afcribed all honour and adoration and 
 thankfgiving for ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 * Rom. viii. '26. f Eph. iii. l6. X Plalm Ixvi. l6, 
 § Phil. i. 11. 
 
 DLS- 
 
DISCOURSE XX. 
 
 THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH, AND 
 COMMUNION OF SAI^^TS. 
 
 Romans xii. 4, 5. 
 
 For as we have many Members in one 
 Bodi/, and all Members have not the 
 fame Office ; Jo we being many, are one 
 Body in Chrijl^ and every one Members 
 one of another. 
 
 r ROM thefe words I fliall take occafion disc. xx. 
 to difcourfe to you on thole two articles of '^"'^'^^ 
 the Chriltian faith, the Holy Catholic 
 Church, and the Communion of Saints, 
 the former being evidently implied in the 
 claufe, " many members in one body,'* 
 and the latter, in the expreffion, " every 
 " one members one of another;' and 
 therefore liolding an intimate comniunion, 
 
 or 
 
316 The Holy Catholic Church, 
 
 DISC. XX: or communication, like the members in the 
 natunil ])ody, one with another. 
 
 Now the Holy Cathohc Church is that 
 general aflembly or congregation of faith- 
 ful Chriftians, where foever difperfed over 
 the face of the whole earth, which, frora 
 its latitude and extent, is called Catholic, 
 and from the piety of its profeflbrs, Holy. 
 
 In treating on this fubjeft, four remarks 
 naturally occur to our coniideration : 
 
 1. The nature of this Church. 
 
 2. The diftin6lions of it. 
 
 3. The marks or tokens of it. 
 
 4. The head and members of it, and 
 their communion with one another. 
 
 Now the nature of this Church confifls 
 in an holy and orderly fociety of people 
 proftffing the true and genuine faith of 
 Chrift without any mixture of pernicious 
 errors. This Church is one body united 
 by one Spirit under one head. And though 
 there be many particular churches, yet, 
 being all united in the fame myflical head, 
 and comnumicatins: in the fame doctrines 
 and M'orthip, they conftitute but one true 
 Church. The nature of which may be 
 difcerned from fuch other public aliemblie--^ 
 
 as 
 
and CommiDiion of Saints. 317 
 
 as may feem to lay claim to this title byr)isc. xx. 
 two charaftcriftics ; viz. its hohnefs and 
 catholicii'm, or Lmiverfality. It is holy in 
 refpecl of its vocation ; all the members of 
 which are called to, and engaged unto ho- 
 linefs. " Let every one that nameth the 
 '* name of Chrift depart from iniquity*." 
 The end of Chrift's calling thom to be his 
 people is, that they may be a holy and 
 ** peculiar people to himfelf, zealous of 
 *' good works •^•." IMofes fpeaking of the 
 congregation of Ifrael in like manner faith, 
 " Thou art an holy people unto the Lord 
 " thy God j;" they were fo collectively by 
 defignation, though many of them, perhaps, 
 individually, were not in reality. 
 
 The Church of Chriit may alfo be ftyled 
 holy, becaufe it trains up its members in 
 the way of godlinefs ; and God is pleafed 
 to fan6tify it by the graces of his Holy 
 Spirit. 
 
 It is alfo denominated catholic or uni- 
 verlid in refpeft of its locality, becaufe it is 
 not now Ihut up in the narrow confines of 
 Judea. but dilfulcd throuiih tlie world, and 
 ahnult all nations of the earth are indifcri- 
 
 ^ 'Z Tim. ii. If). t 'Jit. li. 14. I Dfiit. vii. 0". 
 
 minalely 
 
3 1 8 The Hohj Catholic Church, 
 
 DISC. XX. niinately called to the faith of Chrift : nei- 
 ther Jew nor Gentile, bond nor free, are 
 excluded. It comprehends likewife the 
 faithful in all ages lince the promulgation 
 of the firft promife, that " the feed of the 
 " woman Ihould braife the ferpent's head*," 
 even to the days of our blefled Saviour, 
 and IVom thence by continual progreffion 
 to tlie end of the world. It not only in- 
 cludes that part of the church now militant 
 on earth, but that which is triumphant in 
 heaven. Both they with us, and we Avith 
 them, make one myliical body, whereof 
 Chrilt is the head. And all together, both 
 the ancient patriarchs, and other holy men 
 of God under the law, make up that one 
 glorious Church, which is emphatically 
 llyled " the general affembly, and Church 
 " of the firft-born, whofe names are written 
 " in heaven -f-." 
 
 The next head of our inquiry is, the dif- 
 tin6tions of the Church, which are two, 
 militant and triumphant. 
 
 The Church Militant is that fociety of 
 Chriftians, which, in this world, fights 
 under the banners oj:' the Captain of our 
 
 ♦ Gen. iii. 15. -f IJcb. xii. 2-0. 
 
 Sal- 
 
and Communion of Saints. 319 
 
 Salvation againft its ipiritual enemies, the ^isc. xk. 
 world, the flelli, and the devil. The life of 
 a true Chriltian is a continual warfare ; 
 and no fooner is he enliited under Chrid's 
 ilandard, and marching towards heaven, 
 than he is allaulted by an holl of enemies, 
 who, by fecret treachery and open violence, 
 endeavour to overcome him. ** For we 
 " wreftle not (only) againft flerti and blood, 
 " but againft principalities, againft powers, 
 " againlt the rulers of the darknefs of this 
 " world, againft fpi ritual wickednefs in 
 ** high places*." And, therefore, as good 
 foldiers of Jefus Chrift, we muft endure 
 hardnefs'j", and fight the good fight of 
 failh, *' takmg unto us the whole armour 
 " of God, that we may be able to with- 
 " fiand in the evil day:[:." 
 
 Now the members of the Church mili- 
 tant are eiiiier vifible or invilible. The 
 vilible Church is a company of people 
 openly profeffmg the faith of Chrift, whe- 
 ther they do it in truth and iincerity or 
 not. The faithful only are members of 
 Chrift, and moft properly the Church of 
 God. Yet all that profefs Chriftianity in 
 
 * Eph. vi. ]:. t 2 Tim. ii. 3. J Ej.h. m. 13. 
 
 luiman 
 
320 The Bohj Catholic Church, 
 
 DISC. XX. human eftimcitlon are members of the vifi- 
 ble Cluirch. Though alas ! it be too true 
 of them what the Holy Gholt witnelKed of 
 old of profeiling Jews : " 1 know the blal- 
 *' phemy of them that fay they are Jews, 
 " and are not, but are of the ly nagogue of 
 " Satan*." 
 
 The. Church confide red in its fulleft lati- 
 tude containeth members good and bad, 
 who ugree in outward profeffion, and have 
 communion in all external rites of divine 
 vvordiip. For it is compared to a " net 
 " caft into the feaf-," which gathered 
 filhes of every kind. To a " field wherein 
 " were ibwn both wheat and tares J," and 
 to a " great houfe, wherein are veffels of 
 " feveral forts, fome to honour, and fome 
 " to dithonour§." And be it remem- 
 bered, that tliat vidble Church, which 
 maintaineth all things neceflary to falva- 
 tion, and doth not impofe any pernicious 
 errors, is the true Church with which we 
 ought to hold communion. For we muft 
 firit be members of the true viiible Church 
 
 * Rev. ii. 9. t Matt. xiii. A:7- 
 
 X Ibid. xiii. 25. § '2 Tim. ii. 20. 
 
 of 
 
and Coiumuuion of Saints. 321 
 
 of Clnhl^ before we can be nicmbers of the disc, xx, 
 invi(il)le one. ^^.-w. 
 
 Now the in\ ifihlc chnrcli is a fociet v of 
 fincere Chriltians, who nol only protels 
 the true taith of Chrift, but hve (lecor'ding 
 to their prolcffion, and rer\e God in 
 righteoufneis and true holincl"^. Indeed 
 they are the beft and principal members of 
 the vifible church, and if they be liridly 
 taken for tliat fociety which is the nnlti- 
 cal body of Chrift, united to Him bv the 
 Spirit, tiien the faithful only are the true. 
 church of Chrift. And they are denomi- 
 nated the invilible church, not becauli; 
 their perfons, their profeflion, or their 
 works are inviiible, but becaufe the puritv 
 of their hearts and their inward hohnefs 
 are not i^uGn by men. Into this aflemblv 
 or church of the firlt born, whole names are 
 written in heaven^ let us P'ck to enter, 
 though '• ilrait be the gate and narrow the 
 " way which leadeth to it ''\" 
 
 Tiie next diftin<5tion incident to the 
 church of Chrift, is its triumphant ftate : 
 or tliat " blelled" company of angels, and 
 of" the i'pirits of juft men made perfect f," 
 
 ■ Mall. \ii, 
 
 , 11. 
 
 t Heb. xii 
 
 . 2C>, 23. 
 
 Vol. I. 
 
 
 X 
 
 which 
 
3^22 The Ilohi Catholic Church, 
 
 t)is(' \x. winch reign with Chrift in glory. Thorn 
 **^''"**' they triumph over God's enemies and 
 their own, and rejoice in thtit vi6lory 
 which God hath given them through 
 Chrift " with joy unipeakahle and full of 
 ^' glory ^%" It is no wonder that the an- 
 gels fiiould rejoice with them as well oA 
 account of their own dignity and felicity, 
 as for their joint celebration and united 
 harmony in tlie praifes of the ever bleffed 
 (joD. Heaven refounds with the accla- 
 Illations of " bleffmg, and glorj^, and wif- 
 *' dom, and thankfgiving, and honour, 
 " and power, and might be unto our God 
 ^^ for ever and ever-j-." 
 
 A third point of inquiry on this fubje^l 
 is the marks or tokens of the church of 
 Chrift. 
 
 Now the firft token of the true church 
 is the profeffion of the genuine faith of 
 Chrilt. This is fo eflential to the true 
 churchy and fo infeparable from it, that it 
 is the verv corner ftone of the foundation. 
 For, without a pure and unadulterated 
 faith in Chrift, there can be no pretenfions 
 to anv apoftolical church fmce the Apof- 
 
 * 1 iVi. i S. }■ llcv, vli. i2. 
 
 ties 
 
and Communion qf Saints, 323 
 
 ties tlienifelves laid the foundation ofpisc. xx. 
 that church ** of which Jelbs Chrift is "^^''^ 
 " the chief corner ftone"^\" And to af- 
 certain the knowledjre of the true failh, we 
 can only have recouH'e to the revealed will 
 of Got). And there we iind the nature, 
 the reafons and grounds of that faith on 
 which the church of Chrilt is built. When, 
 therefore^ the doftrines inculcated by the 
 church are founded on the holy Scrip- 
 tures, and nothing contrary to them is 
 fupported and maintained, we juftly deem 
 that a true and pure church, of courfe no 
 other can be fuch^ much lefs one that er- 
 reth pertinacioufly in fome main grounds 
 of faith. Of this defcription is the church 
 of Rome, and confequently neither is, nor 
 ought to bC) reputed a true church. It 
 may, indeed, be called a church, becauffe 
 it profeffes Chritlianity ; juft as a man that 
 hath the plague, or any other mfe6tious 
 difeafe, is Itill a man, though every one 
 would wifli to Ihun him» 
 
 Another mark of the true church is the 
 right ufe of the Sacraments, Baptifm and 
 thp Lord's Supper. 
 
 * Eph. ii. 2Q. 
 
 V 2 Thefe 
 
The Hohj CaihoUc Cliurch, 
 
 I'lic'le were ordained by Chrift, not 
 only to be means and pledges of grace, 
 but alio marks or tokens by uhich to dif- 
 tinguifii the members of tbe church from 
 ihofe that are not ; " for by one fpirit 
 *' we are all baptized into one body; and 
 " we being many, are one bread and one 
 " body, for we are all partakers of that 
 *' one bread*/' As the Jews were for- 
 mer] v didJnguiflied from all other nations 
 by the rite of circumciiion and the inftitu- 
 tion of the pafibver, io the church of Chrifi:, 
 by the right ufe of Baptifm and the 
 Lord's Supper, may be known from all 
 that are (Irangers to the faith. But let it 
 be obferved, that this is no fure mark by 
 "^vhich to diftinguiGi orthodox Chriftians 
 from hereticks and fchifmaticks, becaufe 
 the/ may all equally obferve the outward 
 ad mini It ration of the Sacraments. 
 
 A third mark of the true church, whiclv 
 1 ILall notice, is an union of people in the 
 true faith under lawful paftors. As the 
 church is one body conlifting of many 
 members, fo ought the members to con- 
 lent to the acknowledgment of the fame. 
 
 * 1 Cgr. .\il. 13.. Xi 17. 
 
 divine 
 
wid Communion of Sain fi^. 32 j 
 
 divine truth, and according to their rcfpcc- t:I'C. .\x. 
 ttve gifts and graces perform their mutual 
 obhgations of duty in love and charity. 
 Every faithful minifter of Chrilt will take 
 care to direct his people (as the only 
 ground of all acceptable obedience) to a6l 
 from ftrictly religious motives. AVhen 
 fuch principles are inculcated on one hde, 
 and adopted on the other, the connec- 
 tion betwixt the paftors and their iiock in 
 the true faith of Chrift is not only main- 
 tained, but good difcipline alfo preferved, 
 and fome evidence gi\ en by which to dif- - 
 criminate true members of the church 
 from fchifmatics. For fuch they muft be 
 reputed who rejeft the inftructions of her 
 lawfully conftituted minifters, and defpife 
 both her do6lrine and difcipline without 
 juft caufe. 
 
 The laft inquiry on this important fub- 
 je6i is the head and members of this 
 church, and their communion one with 
 another. 
 
 Now the head of the Catholic church 
 
 is Chrift, " for he is head over all things," 
 
 faith the, Apoftle, " to the church, which is 
 
 y 3 " his 
 
526 The Holy Catholic Church, 
 
 pisc.xx.«; i^js body*/' As Chrift purchafed it 
 with his own blood, fo ought it to be fub- 
 je6l to Him alone. The true members of 
 it are thofe who, being called with an holy 
 calling, have obeyed it, and are endued 
 with an holy faith, uniting them to Chrift, 
 by which they are juftiiied and fanclified 
 through the Spirit of God; they are in- 
 ftrufted and guided in the way of falva- 
 tion ; they enjoy communion with God 
 the Father, praying unto andpraih^g Him 
 with joyful lips, and exercifing fuch a6ls of 
 faith^ worfljip, love, fear, and truft towards 
 Him as becomes the children of Gop, 
 the redeemed of the Lord. They are 
 not afraid or aOiamed to avow their expe- 
 dience in the language of an Apoftle — • 
 *^ That which we have feen and heard, 
 " declare we unto you, that ye alfo may 
 " have fellowlbip with the Father and 
 *' with his Son Jeilis Chrift -j-," In the 
 fame pious and pathetic Itrain did the 
 holy tfalmiii exprefs his deiirc of this 
 blelled communion. — " As the hart pant- 
 ** eth after the vvaterbrooks," faith he, 
 
 : ' ■ ■' Kph. i, 22, 23. t 1 John i. 3. 
 
 (( 
 
 io 
 
and Co7nmiinion of Sainf.^. 327 
 
 ** fo panteth my foul after thee, O God-." Di'^f" xx. 
 Beino thus called by God to the fellow- 
 (hip of his Son, they are united to Him by 
 faith, become partakers of his holinefs, 
 and derive fpiritual life and grace from 
 Plim for the purification and lanftification 
 of their qature. 
 
 In like manner they participate in the 
 communion of the Holy Ghoft, intimated 
 by thofe wordsof the ApoftleSt. Paul,\vhofe 
 experience as a Chriftian, nidependwit of 
 his extraordinary infpiration as an Apoftle, 
 no one can queiiion. *' If there be any 
 ^* fellowlhip of the fpirit," faith he, " ful- 
 ^^ fil ye my joy -]- ;" and in that heavenly 
 benediftion which our church hath wiiely 
 adopted in her liturgy, He fpeaketh more 
 exprefsly — " The grace of our Lok]3 Je- 
 *^ fus Chrift, and the love of (ioD, and 
 ♦' the communion of the Holy Ghoft, be 
 <' with you all J :" as if He had faid to his 
 Corinthian converts, I M'ilh you may parr 
 take of all thofe l)enefits which Chrill of 
 his free grace and favour hath purchafed, 
 the Father out of his love hath pur- 
 pofedj and the Holy (ihoft applies, and 
 
 * Pfalm xlii. 1. j Phil. ii. 1, X\ ; "2 Cor. x*. ] t. 
 
 Y 4 com? 
 
S2S The llolij Catholic Church, 
 
 vise. XX. comnumicates to all his taithiul mem- 
 bers. 
 
 Tills is the communion which the mem^ 
 Jbers of Chrift enjoy with the three bleiTed 
 perfons in the holy Trinity. " If any 
 " man love me," faith oiar bleffed Saviour, 
 " he will keep my words, and. my Father 
 ?* will love him, and we will come unto 
 ?' him, and make our al)0(ie with him *.'* 
 And the prefence of the IJoly Spirit can- 
 not be wanting M'here the Father and the 
 Son inhabit, " for if any man have not the 
 f' Spirit of Chrilt he is none of his-j-.'' 
 
 The members pf Chrift have alfo com- 
 munion with the holy angels which are 
 " miniftring fpirits fent forth to mmifter 
 ^' for them who (hall be heirs of fal- 
 *' vation;|;." They rejoice, likewife, at 
 the converfion of a Dnner, and are inftru- 
 mentalin mapy good ofiices for the people 
 of God. Such being their defignation 
 and employment, ought we not to enter- 
 tain the higheft regard for their minifr 
 trations, and blefs God for the nftpnifli:* 
 ing care he hath taken in f^ppointing His 
 pngels to minifter for the fafeguard of his 
 
 * John xiv. ':3. f l^""^* viii- 9- X Hcb. i. 14. 
 
 faints^ 
 
and Communion of Saints* 329 
 
 faints, for the fuccefs of tbeir fpirltual wel-pisc^ xx. 
 fare, and for the lecurity of their eternal ^^^'^ 
 falvation ? 
 
 Moreover, the members of Chrift have, 
 ill a peculiar fenfe, communion one with 
 another. " If we walk in the light we 
 have fellowflup one with another *," being- 
 children of the fame Father, difciples of 
 the fame Mafter, aduated by the fame 
 Spirit, members of the fame body, and 
 heirs of the fame heavenly kingdom. We 
 all join together in the ufe and benefit of 
 the llime ordinances, are all partakers of 
 the fame bread, have all hope in the fame 
 promiies, are engrafted into the fame ftock, 
 and receive life and nouriftniient from the 
 fame root. 
 
 Thefe confiderations ought furely to bo 
 fufticient to engage us with the utmoit 
 care, to preferve by prudent order and 
 mutual forbearance as much unity in the 
 church as poflil)le. We ought to teach 
 and admonilh one another to walk by the 
 liime rule, to mind the fame things, to 
 pray with and for one another, to com- 
 fprt and encourage each other in the ways 
 
 * 1 John i. 7» 
 
S80 The Hohj Catholic Church, 
 
 PJ^-J^'^ 6f godlinefs, and, by all proper means, " to 
 " edify one another iu love *.*' 
 
 But we have not only thus communion 
 with the faints on earth ; it is alfo the pri- 
 vilege of Chriftians, as fuch, to have fel» 
 lowftiip with them who are departed out 
 «f this life and admitted into the prefence 
 of God. For we are of one city, and one 
 family with them who are members of the 
 church triumphant. They manifeft their 
 communion with us by loving and pray^ 
 ing for their brethren whom they have left 
 in altate of probation, and whom they ear- 
 neftly willi to be partakers of the fame 
 happinefs with themfelves. But whilit 
 we maintain the high privilege of the 
 ** Communion of Saints," let us not en^ 
 tertain for a moment, the idea of their 
 interpofmg any merits for us, and that 
 for this caufe we are to invocate them, 
 or perform any aft of religious worfhip to- 
 wards them. Such doctrines as tliefe are 
 only the inventions of men, and have no 
 foundation whatever in the word of God. 
 
 If then you profefs to believe in the 
 Holy Catholic Church of Chrift, and in 
 
 ♦■ Eph. iv. 15. 
 
 the 
 
and Communion of Sainf$. 331 
 
 the confcquent ccmmunioii of faints, it be- disc. w. 
 hoves you ierioufly to confuler whetbep 
 you are truly ionlible of the inefttmablo 
 privileges you thereby eujoy, and have put 
 in your claim to a fbare of them. Many, 
 it iy to be feared there are, who inlleat^ 
 of '* having fellovvlliip witli the Fatbe-i' 
 '* and with his Son Jefus Chrift */' the 
 glorious prerogative of Chriilians, hold 
 communion with fatan and his agents, 
 and in fome inftances, perhaps, even anti- 
 cipate them in the invention of wicked 
 devices and in the practice of all iniquity. 
 But be not deceived : "God is light, and 
 " in him is no darknefs at all. If we fay 
 " that we have fellowlbip with Him and 
 " walk in darknefs, we he and do not the 
 *' truth ; but if we walk in the light as he 
 " is in the light, we have fellow fhip one 
 " with another -f-." And it will inflame 
 our hearts with glowing charity to all 
 them " who have obtained like precious 
 " faith with us J." If congruity of man- 
 ners and like aniiableneis of difpofition will 
 conciliate and unite afte6lions, what flnce- 
 ^ity of benevolence fbould prevail among 
 
 * 1 John i. 3. t Ibid. 5, G, 7- : 2 Tet. i. 1. 
 
 thoPj 
 
532 The Hohj Catholic Church, cj-c. 
 
 DISC. XX. tliofe who bear the ftamp of the fame di- 
 vine image, and are animated by the fame 
 fpirit, following holinefs here, that they may 
 all meet in a flate of happinefs hereafter, 
 being " fellow-citizens with the faints and 
 " of the hoiilbold of God*/* until they 
 *' have their perfect conlbmmation and blii"s 
 " both in body and foul, in his eternal and 
 " everlafting glory, through Jefus Chrift 
 " our Lord -f /' 
 To whom, &c. 
 
 * Eph. ii. 19, t Burial Service, 
 
 mS' 
 
DISCOURSE XXI. 
 
 PORGIVEXESS OF SIN". 
 
 Psalm xxxii. 1, 
 
 Blejfed is He uhqfe Tranfgrefflon is for* 
 given, wliofe Sin is covered. 
 
 Forgiveness of fms is a privilege discxxi. 
 
 for which all the preceding ones have been '"'"^''^ 
 preparing the way ; it is a do(5lrine of the 
 greateft comfort to believe, and of the ut- 
 moft danger to mifapprehend ; it is pro- 
 per however fo far to premife, that it be- 
 longs only to them who are true members 
 of Chrift's holy catholic Church. 
 
 To give you therefore a diftind appre- 
 henfion of fo important a doiSirine, I (hall 
 endeavour to explain, 
 
 1. The nature of fm, its different kinds, 
 its guilt, and punilhment. 
 
 2, By 
 
534 Forgkenefi of Sin. 
 
 Disc.xxr. 2. By whom, aiicl upon what account 
 fin is lbri>iven, and the nature of that for- 
 givenefs* Ar,d 
 
 3. What is required of them who expe6l 
 this great pri\ilege. Firft, as to tlie na- 
 ture of fm* The law of God is univer- 
 fally acknowledged, (where his revealed 
 %vill is known) to be the rule of mens' ac- 
 tions, and any deviation from that rule is 
 a lin, and brings them under gnilt, there- 
 " fore hn" is defined by the /\poltle to be 
 ** the tranfgreffion of the law *." Obe* 
 dience to this law is unqueitionably our 
 duty : tranfgreffion in any the leait in- 
 fiance is fin, whether it be by neglefting 
 its pofitive injunctions^ which is a fin of 
 omiflion ; or by acting contrary to its pro- 
 hibitionSj which is a fin of commiffion. 
 
 Now fin is of two kind.^j original and 
 actual. The former is by the article of 
 our Church defcribed to be " the fault 
 *' and corruption of the nature of every 
 *' man that naturally is ingendered of the 
 " offspring of Adam, whereby mafi is very 
 *' far gone from original righteoufnefs, 
 " and mclined unto evilf/' The latter. 
 
 * 1 John iii. 4. f Article ix. 
 
 or 
 
For give jiefs of Sin, C'S5 
 
 or aclual fin, (which is the fruit of original) Df^r.vxi, 
 is any adion repugnant to the law of God. 
 Now as God hath a right to give us laws. 
 He muft have a right to punidi the viola- 
 tion of them. And we all have an inward 
 Confcioufnefs that fin deferves punifiiment, 
 which confcioufnefs is deemed a fenfe of 
 guilt ; and therefore the Apoftle declares, 
 " the wages of fin is death *." And as 
 every fin is a deviation from the law of 
 God, it necefiarily implies guilt, which 
 renders us liable to the punhhment due to 
 it. Every oftence is augmented by the 
 confideration of the dignity of the perfon 
 againft whom it is committed, and as all 
 men fin againft the divine IMajefty, -every 
 tranfgreffion is highly aggravated, and of 
 courfe binds them over to fuffer the ven- 
 geance of eternal punifiunent, unlefs ihey 
 obtain pardon and remiffion. 
 
 This brings us to the next inquiry, by 
 whom, and upon what account fin is for-» 
 given. We may undoubtedly forgive of- 
 fences committed againft each other, fo far 
 as they concern us: " If thy brother 
 " trefpafs againft thee, rebuke him, and 
 
 * Rom. vi. 23. 
 
 jf 
 
336 For given efi of Sin. 
 
 i>^xxj. « if he repent, forgive him, and it' be tref- 
 " pafs againil thee feven times in a day, 
 " and feven times in a day turn again 
 " to thee, laying, I repent, thou flialt 
 *' forgive him *." But as " iin is the 
 *' tranfgreffion of the law of God -f-,*' 
 He only can forgive it. It is his prero- 
 gative : " I, even I am He that blotteth 
 " out thy tranfgreflion for mine own 
 " fake, and will not remember thy hns :|:/' 
 " When Jefus faw their faith," He faid 
 unto the fick of the palfy, " Son, thy (ins 
 " be forgiven thee §." The Scribes ahb 
 afked, " who can forgive fms biit God 
 " only II ?" The pofition was jufl, that 
 God only can forgive fms, but their fup- 
 pofition falfe, that Chrift was a 7uere man, 
 and therefore could not do it. But upon a 
 little farther inquiry we fliall find upon 
 what account, and for whofe fake fins are 
 forgiven. Accordingly, the Apoftle tells 
 us, that we are " jufl;ified freely by the 
 " grace of God ^," and that " in Chrift 
 *' we have redemption through his blood, 
 '* even the forgivenefs of fms, according 
 
 * Matt, xviii. 15. f 1 Johniii. 4. - | Ifa. xliii. 25. 
 § Matt. ix. 2. 11 IVIark ji, 7., ■ f, Rora.iii. 24. 
 
 to 
 
Forgkenefs of Shi. 337 
 
 « to the riches of his grace *.'* The fuf-i'^^L 
 fe rings and death of Chriil are the fole 
 meritorious caule of our forgivenefs, for 
 " the blood of Jefus Chrift cleanfeth us 
 " from all fin -j-." The atonement made 
 by the facrifices under the law had an im- 
 mediate reference to the death of Chrift, 
 and whatfoever virtue was in them ope- 
 rated through his death alone. As by the 
 foreknowledge and decree of the Almighty, 
 lie was " the Lamb flain'from the foun- 
 '* dation of the world J/' fo all atone- 
 ments which were ever made, were only ef- 
 fe6lual through his blood. No fm was ever 
 forgiven but by virtue of his fatisfa6lion, 
 nor any fmner ever reconciled to God, 
 but by the death of his Son. The Ca- 
 tholic doctrine of remifTion of fms was 
 neve r clea rly revealed , and publicly preached 
 to all nations, until the coming of our Lord 
 and Saviour Jefus Chrift. " Be it known 
 " unto you therefore, men and brethren, 
 ** that through this man is preached unto 
 " you the forgivenefs of fins §." The in- 
 quiry of courfe prefents itfelf what this for- 
 
 ♦Eph. i.". +lJohui.7. J Rev. xiii. 8. 
 
 11 Aasxiii.38. 
 
 VOL. I. z givenefs 
 
538 Forgkeuefs of Si7i. 
 
 Disc.xxr. givcnefs imports. It comprifes recon^ 
 ciliation of an offended, and fatisfa6tion 
 made to a juft God. By his atonement 
 Chrift effected both thefe ends : For 
 " God hath reconciled us to Himfelf 
 " by Jefus Chrifl *," and by his death 
 upon the crofs full fatisfa6lion is made to 
 the juflice of God. If then we confider 
 our habihty to fm and confequent punidi- 
 ment, and the full atonement made for us 
 by the blood of Chrift, we (hall eafily per- 
 ceive how God forgiveth lins, and in what 
 the remiffion confifts. 
 
 Our bleffed Saviour, by taking upon him 
 the nature of man, and offering himfelf a 
 voluntary facrifice to God for the (ins of 
 the whole world, prefents an infinitely more 
 valuable and acceptable facrifice, than if 
 the whole race of xVclam had endured the 
 everlafting punifhment due to their fins. 
 For by his propitiation both the guilt and 
 puniQmient of fin are done away, and 
 God is reconciled to them. In the mani- 
 feftation of this gracious a6l of divine 
 inercy coniifts the pardon of fin. " There- 
 *' fore," laith the Apoftle, *' being jufti- 
 
 *2 Cor. V. IS. 
 
 " fied 
 
Forgkenefi of Sin. 339 
 
 ** fied by faith, we have peace with God disc.xxi. 
 " through our Lord Jefus Chrift, by whom 
 " alio we have acct-rs by faith into this 
 ** grace wherein we (land, and rejoice in 
 " hope of the glory of God *." 
 
 No fooner is the heart endued with a 
 true faith, which is the gift of God, than 
 a man is reputed righteous, or, in other 
 words, " his fins are forgiven." " For 
 " with the heart man believeth unto 
 •* righteoufnefs -}-/' Jultification and re- 
 miffion of fins are in Scripture fy nonimous. 
 In fome pailages of holy writ we are faid 
 to be " juftified by the faith of Jefus 
 " Chrift X>" in others, that " by the obe- 
 ^' of Chrift we are made righteous §," and 
 " juftified by his blood ||/' By thefe ex- 
 preifions one and the fame thing is in- 
 tended. For juftification is a cancelling 
 of the guilt and punilliment of pad fins, 
 an acquittal from the condemnation of the 
 law, and making us righteous before God 
 not for our own merits, but through the 
 imputed righteoufnefs of Chrift. Annexed 
 to this bleifing of divine grace are alfo 
 
 * Rom.v. 1,2. t Ibid.x. 10. J Gal. ii. l6. 
 
 5 Rom. V. 19. II Ibid. 9. 
 
 z 2 Other 
 
340 Forgkenefs of Sin, 
 
 Disc.xxr. Q|:]rjgj. privileges, for whom " God juftifies,'* 
 He Tanctifies ; and on whom He confers 
 thefe graces, " He will alfo glorify *." 
 
 Let us then carefully remember that 
 the meritorious caufe of our pardon and 
 juftification is the a6iive and paffive obe- 
 dience of Chrifl. For though the Re- 
 deemer of the world, when He had af- 
 fumed our nature, and was made man, was 
 bound to fulfil the righteoulhefs of the 
 law, yet, inafmuch as He voluntarily took 
 our nature, and fubmitted to the obliga- 
 tion and penalty of the law, this fulfilment 
 of it rendered his a6live obedience merito- 
 rious. All his a6lions and fufferings upon 
 earth were therefore undertaken and ac- 
 compliihed for the propitiation of the fms 
 of the whole world. The whole fyllem of 
 the Gofpel is founded on the fatisfa6lion 
 made by Chrift to the juftice of God. 
 In confequence Of which we are faid to be 
 ** ranfomed -f," " redeemed J,'' " pur- 
 " chafed §,'* and " bought with a price H-** 
 No works of our own could ever amount 
 to fuch a purchafe. Could we have either 
 
 • Rom. viii. 30. f Ifai- xxxv. 10. J Rev. v. p. 
 
 § 1 Pet. ii. 9. fl 1 Cor. vi. 20. 
 
 perfectly 
 
Forgivenefs of Sin, 341 
 
 perfectly kept the law, or fuflicienlly atoned i>!sc.xxi. 
 for the violation of it, " verily rigliteouf- 
 " nefs fliould have been by the law *," and 
 Chrift fliould neither have fuffcred or died. 
 
 The active and pafiive obedience of our 
 Lord Jefus Chrift is therefore imputed to 
 them who perform the conditions required 
 in the Gofpel. Under fuch circumftances 
 this imputation will not fail to operate to 
 their prefent juftification and future falva- 
 tion. And in this fenfe we may fafely 
 conclude that " lie is the Lord our 
 " Righteoufnefs ^•.'* And what can we 
 defire more, than to reap all the benefits of 
 Chrift's whole undertaking, and on account 
 thereof, (it being accepted by God on our 
 behalf) to be pardoned, juftified, fanfti- 
 fied, and faved ! And happy is that foul 
 which hath experimentally found that 
 " Chrift is of God made unto it wifdom, 
 " and righteoufnefs, and laml^lification, 
 " and redemption '\. !" 
 
 In the full hope arid enjoyment of thefe 
 fpiritual bleffmgs, let us not imagine that a 
 bare aftent to the truths of the Gofpel will 
 avail any man to falvation. That faith, 
 
 * Gal, iii.21. f Jcr. xxiii.6. X 1 C£>r. i. 30. 
 
 z 3 which 
 
342 Forgivenefs of Sin. 
 
 *^^^'^^^' which the Scripture denominates to be a 
 juftifying one, is lively and active, includ- 
 ing in its very nature a correfpondent obe- 
 dience, it is infeparably conne6led with it, 
 and conftitutes the leading principle of ac- 
 tion. Ever fmce the time of Abel the 
 fpring of all religious conduct has been 
 Faith, and by the wife appointment of 
 God himfelf, it muft fo continue till the 
 confummation of all things, A true be- 
 liever is therefore a fincere pra6tical Chrif- 
 tian from a principle of unfeigned faith, 
 and he *■ is righteous *," becaufe his 
 righteoufnefs fprings from its proper root. 
 And it is no fmall confolation to fuch a 
 believer, that he has the authority of an 
 Apoftle to warrant his alTurance, tliat " by 
 ♦* works is faith made perfe6l-i/' 
 
 Let us then admire the infinite good- 
 nefs and mercy of God, that there is a 
 poflibility of pardon for the fallen and fin- 
 ful race of man, who is by nature under 
 the wrath of God, and dellitute of any 
 hope or means of pardon without the in- 
 tervention of a Mediator, and where could 
 he have found a Mediator but in the man 
 
 * 1 Jol^n iii. 7. t James ii. 22. 
 
 Chrift 
 
Forgivenefi of Sin. 343 
 
 Chrift Jefus ? If all the choir of angels in disc.xxi. 
 heaven had united their eftbrts to accom- 
 pli(h this work, it mud have been left un- 
 done for ever. It was relerved for the 
 Son of God alone to elTeft it, not by a 
 bare mediation, but by a price, the preci- 
 ous price of his own blood ; the benefits 
 of which redound in a more efpecial man- 
 ner to all who are called to this hope of fal- 
 vation. And we muft acknowledge, if we 
 view it in its true light, that it is of itielf not 
 only a great and unfpeakable mercy, but 
 the foundation of all other mercies. — 
 " Bleffed is he whofe unri^hteoufnefs is 
 « forgiven, and whole fin is covered.** 
 The fenfe of this mercy makes all af- 
 flictions eafy to be borne. And if. we 
 be reconciled to God, what fear can 
 alarm, or what danger terrify us ? To the 
 weary and heavy-laden Ibul a fenfe of par- 
 doning mercy brings cafe and confolation, 
 and a progreffive improvement in all the 
 fandifying graces of the fpirit. If, then, 
 remiffion of fm be fo divine and inel- 
 timable a mercy, what frail linner (hall 
 prefume to flight or negle6t it ? Or who 
 iliall dare to think himlelf fo pure and per- 
 z 4 fea 
 
344 Forgive nefs of Sin, 
 
 pisc.xxi. fea as not to (land in need of it ? It lurely 
 ^*^^^^ then behoves us, as linners, to examine 
 ourlelves whether we have obtained this 
 blelTedneis or not. Many are apt to con- 
 tent themfelves with (lender ground on 
 which they build their hopes of pardon. 
 They are not fo bad as others, though they 
 acknowledge themfelves fmners; poffibly 
 they are not, yet they have much to be 
 forgiven. Others^ they are perfuaded, 
 think well of them ; — be it fo : but let them 
 remember, they Ihall not ftand or fall by 
 man's judgment. Or they live perhaps in 
 civil and courteous intercourfe with their 
 neighbours ; but what avails it if they are 
 itill unconverted, unpardoned, unfanctifi- 
 ed ? Without true repentance there can be 
 no converfion, and without converfion there 
 can be no juitilication or redemption. 
 
 As however God, through Chrift, is 
 ever ready to forgive, let us ferioufly en- 
 deavour to fecure to ourfclves the di- 
 "vine promife in the text — " BlefTed is 
 ^* the man to whom the Lord will not 
 *' impute fm." J^et us fcek it with all di- 
 ligence as thofc who niuft fliortly ftand 
 before the tribunal of Chrift, to be eter- 
 nally 
 
Forgkenefs of Sin. 345 
 
 nally acquitted or condemned. And to disc.xxl 
 animate our efforts towards the attainment ''^^'^'^ 
 of fo divine a blefling, let us remember 
 that God hath fworn, " He hath no plea- 
 " lure in the death of a llnner */' And 
 our blefled Saviour came into the world 
 on purpofe to redeem us from fin and 
 eternal death ; nay, lie even complained 
 that finners *' would not come to him, that 
 " they might have life f." It is evident, 
 therefore, from the uhole tenor of Scrip- 
 ture, that all the means of gra<:e and invi- 
 tations to repentance, are only fo many in- 
 timations of divine mercy, of w hich we may, 
 jnoft affuredly, reap the advantage and 
 comfort, unlefs we be wanting to ourfelves. 
 You cannot, therefore, I truit, but fee 
 the ineftimable goodnefs of God in provid- 
 ing fuch means for your prefent pardon and 
 future acceptance through the Mediator, 
 unlefs you are full " walking in the vanit}'- 
 *' of your mind, having the underftanding 
 " darkened, being alienated from the life 
 " of God through the ignorance that is 
 " in you, becaufe of the blindnefs of your 
 " hejirts .|.." But whilft you behold with 
 
 * J^zek. xviii. SQ. t J"''" v. 40. J Epli. iv. 1", IS. 
 
346 Forgivcncfs of Sin. 
 
 DISC.XXI. joy and triumph the mercy proffered, turn 
 not afide from the terms on which you am 
 to expe6l it. Thefe are not a continual 
 uninterrupted circle of finning and repent- 
 ing, a temporary abflinence from fome 
 fins, and an unlicenfed indulgence in 
 others, but fuch an abhorrence of all ini- 
 quity as fprings from an entire love of 
 God and his law. Until you are arrived 
 at this ftate of grace, there is but little 
 ground, I fear, for confidence and fafety. 
 For, as on the one hand, " if the wicked 
 " man turn away from his wickednefs he 
 " ftiall hve;" fo, on the other, " if the 
 " righteous man turn from his righteouf- 
 " nefs he fhall die *.'* 
 
 Now to God the Father, Sec. Sec. 
 
 * Ezek. xviii. 21, 24. 
 
 DIS- 
 
DISCOURSE XXII. 
 
 HESURRECTIOX OF THE BODY. 
 
 PlIILIPPlANS iii. 21. 
 
 Who Jhall change our vile Bodi/, that it 
 may be fajhioned like unto his glorious 
 Bodif, according to the working whereby 
 he is able to J'ubdue all Things unto 
 him/elf. 
 
 irlAVlNG, in purfuance of a regular disc. 
 plan of Chriftian do6lrine, confidered fe- ^'^ 
 veral articles of our common faith, we are 
 now arrived to the contemplation of that 
 very important one, the refurredion of our 
 bodies, without which the preceding ones 
 are vain. " For if there be no refurrec- 
 *' tion of the deaJ, then is Chrift not 
 ^* rifen. And if Chrift be not rifen, then 
 *' is our preaching vain and your faith is 
 
 " alfo 
 
348 Refiirrection of the Bodif. 
 
 msc. « alfo vain*." But if Chrift rofe from 
 
 XXIL 
 
 the dead by the power of his Godhead, 
 -we have alfo good ground to hope that 
 in and by Him we alfo fliali bo vaifed. 
 The text powerfully confirms us in this be- 
 lief; it treats of a moft amazing change to 
 be wrought in the bodies of men by the 
 powerful and irrefiftible operation of our 
 Lord Jefus Chrift. For by his death 
 and refurreclion he hath redeemed our 
 whole man both in body and foul, and 
 therefore hath gotten us the victory over 
 death and the grave. And there is no 
 doubt but God, who purpofed in Chrift 
 to raife the dead, is able to do it; and 
 his infinite wifdom will apportion every 
 particle of duft to its identical body, when,, 
 in the twinkling of an eye, he ftiall quicken 
 the dead, and " call thofe things which be 
 " not as though they were-j-." For 
 though our bodies be diffolved into myri- 
 ads of atoms, and parts of them variouily 
 fcattered in the earth, yet they are within 
 the knowledge and power of that Al- 
 mighty Being which created them, and 
 therefore by their feparation and difperfion 
 
 * 1 Cor. xv. 13.. J1-. t Rom. iv. 17. 
 
 involve 
 
RcfnrreB'ion of the Bochj. 349 
 
 involve no impofiTibility in tbem of being disc. 
 re-unitcd in what manner and at what w^/.«# 
 time He pleafetb. AVhat is ther^ either 
 irrational or abfurd in the fiippofition that 
 God who made all things out of notiiing, 
 and formed man of the duft of the earth, 
 can as ealily re-animate the bodies of men 
 out of fliofe particles into which they ar<* 
 diifolved, ^s he could at firll command 
 them into being ? And though our finite 
 Underftandings cannot comprehend how 
 the fame bodies of men which undergo io 
 many changes (liould be identically re- 
 Itored, yet who can for a moment doubt, 
 whether the power of the Almighty doth 
 not infinitely exceed the Ihallow concep- 
 tions of men ? We know not even hovv 
 feed fown in the ground brings forth firil 
 the blade, next the ear, then the full corn 
 in the ear. Or can we account for the 
 common principle of vegetation, how the 
 roots of a plant or tree annually (hoot 
 forth their buds and bloflbms, their flow- 
 ers and leaves of like quality, and exqui- 
 fite form and beauty ? Thefe effei^s in 
 their feafons we behold and admire, con- 
 viijced that the great God of nature hath 
 
 implanted 
 
350 Kejurreciion of the Body, 
 
 DISC, implanted in the vegetable world fuch qua- 
 lities as never fail to produce their natural 
 and wonted fruits. 
 
 Indeed the natural reftoration of vege- 
 tables is one of the mod lively images of 
 the refurre^lion of our bodies ; they lie bu-^ 
 ried in the earth a long feafon till the re- 
 turn of fpring, when they rife out of their 
 graves and (hine forth in all the beauty 
 and glory of a new creation. In allufion 
 to the fame metaphor the Apoftle remark- 
 ed, " that which thou foweft is not quick- 
 ** ened except it die*." Now, if the 
 courfe of nature is thus continued by a 
 feries of deaths and fucceffive revivals, why 
 fliould it be thought a thing impofiible that 
 God ibould raife our dead bodies from 
 the grave, any more than that he fliould 
 reftore thefe things to man after corrup- 
 tion ? At any rate, if the record of God 
 be true, it is well worth the ferious confi- 
 deration of every unbeliever, that " the 
 " fea, and death, and the grave, fliall de- 
 " liver up the dead that are in them-)-." 
 *' Then (liall be brought to pafs the faying 
 " that is written, Death is fwallowed up in 
 
 * 1 Cor, XV. 3(j. t Hev. xx. 13. 
 
 " vi6tory. 
 
Refurrcciion of the Bocli/^ 351 
 
 ** victory. O death, where is thy fting, O disc. 
 " grave, where is thy vidory * ?" ^^^.-w 
 
 Jf then there will be a refurre6tion, let 
 us look alio to the confequences of it, for 
 it will not be partial but general : not the 
 righteouiJ only, but the wicked fliall be 
 raifed again to life, though upon a very 
 different account, and to a very different 
 end. The former (hall be railed from the 
 dead by virtue of Chriil's refurrefiion who 
 is their fpiritual head and faviour, that 
 they may be crowned with glory and im- 
 mortality ; and the latter, by the power 
 of Chrifl as their judge, to fufTer the pu- 
 niihment due to their (ins. " For there 
 lliall be,'* faith St. Paul, '* a reiarre6tion 
 " of the dead both of the juft and un- 
 ** juft-f-." And " the hour is coming,'* 
 faith the judge of quick and dead, " in 
 " which all that are in the graves (hall 
 " hear the voice of the Son of man, and 
 " ftiuU come forth, they that have done 
 " good unto the refurre6lion of life, and 
 " they that have done evil unto the refar- 
 " re6tion of damnation J." 
 
 A di(tin6tion, however, mud neceflarily 
 
 1 Cor. XV, 55, 56. f Ads xiv. 15. ; John v. 29- 
 
 take 
 
'v^^ 
 
 >52 RefurreBion of the Body. 
 
 ^^c. take place betwixt the living and the dead. 
 A change upon the former Ihall be equiva- 
 lent to the refurre6lion of the latter : for 
 " they fliall not all fleep" in death, but 
 they who are then alive, " fliall all be 
 " changed in a moment, in the twinkling 
 " of an eye, at the laft trump */' This 
 change fliall be in refpe6l of their qualities 
 and not of their fubftance. For thefe 
 mortal and corruptible bodies fhall put on 
 incorruption and immortality ; the fame 
 bodies fliall therefore be endued with new 
 qualities, becaufe there can be no change 
 but in the fame fubftance. 
 
 Some, indeed, immortal and incorrupti- 
 ble as their ftate will be, no lefs fo than that 
 of the righteous, fliall be raifed in con- 
 tempt and diflionour, " whofe worm dieth 
 " not, and whofe fire is not quenched, for 
 *^ every one,'* i. e. every wicked perfon, 
 " fliall be ialted with fire f ," both tor- 
 mented and preferved thereby, that fire 
 which torments him, fliall be hke fait to 
 preferve him from total deftruclion or an- 
 nihilation. 
 
 * 1 Cor. XV. 51, 52. f Mark ix. 48, 4i). 
 
 7 And 
 
RefttrreBion of the Bdiy. 353 
 
 And as fuch will be the condition of the i>r'^c. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 Ungodly and impenitent after the refurrec- 
 tion, lb the righteous (hall be raifed in 
 power and glory : their haturtil body (hall 
 become a fpiritual body, their corruptible 
 and mortal part (liall put on incorrUption 
 and immortahty, and " they fhall not 
 " die any more, but flilall be equal to the 
 *' angels, and {hall be the children of God, 
 " being the children of the 1-efdrrec- 
 " tion */* 
 
 The unfpeakable greatnefs of this change 
 will herein appear, that " bur vile body 
 ** {hall bie fa{hioned like Unto Chrift*s glo- 
 " rious body," of which he condefcended 
 to exhibit a glorious fpecirhen in his tranf- 
 figuration on Mount Tabor to Peleri 
 James, and John. There, and thei'e only, 
 can the human mind pi6lure to itfelf a faint 
 refemblance of this moft amazing change : 
 *' The fulnefs of the Godhead which 
 « dwelt in Chrift bodily t;* there diffufed 
 itfelf, as it were, outwardly? until he ap- 
 peared in a manner cloathed with divine 
 majefty arid glory ; " his face (hining like 
 
 * Luke XX. 35. f Col, ii. p. 
 
 VOL. I. A a *' the 
 
36^! Refiin-cctlou qf' the , Bodji, 
 
 ?\a *' the iun, and his' raii^i,efit bje>(^Qipi/ig,-w^^ 
 ,^.^ ^' as the hght^.",^^»;f,c>q.rji {jrteylj^o.,.;. 
 Probably in iilkiiion to this :^ci|l fjileii- 
 dour of Chrili's glory, St. Johji Oj^iM^l^^s^this 
 oblervation-^" ijelo,ved,i it 'does ,^>qt yet 
 *' appear what, we Ihall be; 'but,,lliis. ,\y^ 
 " kiiowj that;when lie .iliall.app.^ar^f.^vt' 
 
 _,*^hfliull bejike him^ for '^ve fljall fee. lyai as 
 J{,Jiqis,:jv' and by feeipg ilim,, " b<^ l,i:anl- 
 
 ..*,V,.iornied into the lame image, frq^i ^lory 
 
 ^« to glory J/' . ■ iTOii •* 
 
 Now, m order ■ iQ.^cpnfirm ,QU^)x>lief in 
 
 {his great and gloriipiis chang^, it will be 
 
 necchary to GO-ntid^rt^lfa<.thq lec.oiid cjaufc 
 
 un the text, ss^re^ijprefiive of the^ power 
 
 , *' wliereb}^ Chrid is .^ble to fubdue ^i^ll 
 ." things unto himfelf,y,rand ,cojalequeiitiy 
 to eftisctuate lb great; a changt?^,.^. gc,f,,uX. 
 
 -jp^. It we have the dj?c'iaration..of o<.ir,loiiD 
 bimfeh, **, tiiat.idl powci; is given unto him 
 
 ,,,V^4a heaven and earth %," . ^vho. caii; ^©r »a 
 
 : mohient ciueiiion eit^>ci'j.his , right ^oj^^aUi- 
 .iLly to exert it over ihcfe mortal.bodieii I! r 
 
 ,^.5';: "heavens und.eome down, and hqivy^^n 
 
 •* Mil 1 1, xvii. 2.. .11 Job 11 ui, ':. !,2^Cor. iii. IR. 
 
 ^ Mute. Kxiuu IS. jl Si;<: Up. homo's '.'th Serm. ^'ol."2. 
 
 exit • •• .. . a^"raud 
 
^cfuneBion of the BocJi/. 355 
 
 *' and earth ilrall be filled with an over- t^^^c. 
 
 *' flowing tide of the IMajefty of his glory, 
 " as the waters cover the Tea*." The 
 heawens over our heads Ih-dU melt away, 
 and the mountains diflolve in liquid fire at 
 his prefence. ^Vt that initant when the 
 Ihriek of. millions of the human race fliall 
 mingle with the trump of the archangel, 
 \vith the thunders of the departing hea- 
 vens, and with the c rail i of worlds crum- 
 bling into dinblution ; at that inftant fliall 
 the dead be raifed, and we Ihall be chang- 
 ed — changed — not by the annihilation of 
 our corruptible body, but by the fuperin- 
 duclion of an incorruptible one. For the 
 Apottle's oblervation on this fubjeiSl is — 
 " We that are in this tabernacle do groan 
 *' earnefily, dehring to be clothed ztpon 
 " with our houfe which is from heaven; 
 " not that we would be unclothed, but 
 " clothed upon -j-," with a fuperinveitment 
 of divine light and glory which will enve- 
 lope thefe mortal bodies as a garment; 
 and by the eiiergy of its divine power, fo 
 penetrate and pervade their whole I'ub- 
 iianccj as to convert, fubdue, and change 
 
 * Kaiah xi 9- +2 Cor. v. C, 4. 
 
 A a ^ them 
 
 XXII. 
 
XXII. 
 
 35(3 Refurre^ion of the Body. 
 
 DISC, them into itlelf, " that mortulity might be 
 " fwallowed up of life*/' and corruption 
 itlelf abforbed, as it were, in the ocean of 
 eternal duration. I'hen flmll the righ- 
 teous (land forth viftorioufly in the faith 
 of their rifen Redeemer, transformed from 
 the darknefs and corruption of mortality 
 into the ftate of " excellent glory -f*." It 
 is with difficulty we can form any idea of 
 it in our prefent (tate, and we muft be con- 
 tent " now to fee through a glafs darkly," 
 until that bleiTed day dawns, " when we 
 " fliall know even as alfo we are known J." 
 In the mean time, however, let us learn 
 an inftru6tive lefibn from nature, convinc- 
 ed, that if fhe inculcates any religion it is 
 the Chriftian, if flie preaches any doftrine 
 it is the refurredion, and that future 
 change of which we have been difcourfingo 
 And if the book of nature, as well as of 
 Revelation, were not a fealed book^ what 
 man of common underfthnding, obfervant 
 of the feaibns through the viciflitudes of a 
 year, could deny the doctrine of a lefurrec- 
 tion ? Let him alk the furrows of the fields 
 
 * ;? Cor. V, 4, t 2 Pet. i. \7. X I Cor. xiii. 12, 13,- 
 
 and 
 
Refurre&ion of the Bodif, 357 
 
 and they will inform him. For, except a ^^^"^ 
 grain of wheat fall into the ground and die, v^-v^j 
 it abideth alone, but if it die it bringetli 
 forth much fruit. Diflblution, therefore, 
 becomes an eliential foundation of vegeta- 
 tion. True it is, the iiulbandman ibweth 
 only the bare grain, but it fprings forth 
 clothed upon with a beautiful verdure. 
 And if God i'o clothe the grafs of the 
 field, how much more ftigll he clothe our 
 mortal bodies with the glorious garment of 
 immorta4ity ? But why need we lake the 
 revolution of a year, when every night and 
 day is a natural rehearfal of man's death 
 and refurreftion ? Does not the day, with 
 all its luftre, die away in darknefs and the 
 fhadow of death ? Does not the variegated 
 f^ce of nature fade ? Does not all beauty 
 vamih and all labour ceafe ? And does Jiot 
 every creature (except fuch as fliun the 
 face of maq) veiled in the gloom of night, 
 feem to mourn in folemn lilencc the inter- 
 ment of the world ? Who would not al- 
 most infer, (unlefs he had been afcertained 
 of the fa6l, that " one day telleth another, 
 <* and one night certiiieth another*") that 
 
 * Pfalm xix. 2. 
 
 A a 3 \% 
 
358 Refurreclion of the Bodij. 
 
 xxu ^^ ^^ dead, and fliall never rife again ? Yet, 
 V--,^^ wait only the illiie of a few hours, in faith 
 and patience, and this entombed earth, by 
 the agency of heaven, Ihall burft the bands 
 of its fepulchral darknefs, and in a natural 
 as well as fpiritual fenfe, it fliall " arife 
 ^' and fliine, for its light is come, and the 
 " glory of the 'Lord is rifen upon it*." 
 Thus does erery morn call up creation to 
 give glory to God, and to ling the praifes 
 of a refurre8ion. Happy, thrice happy 
 they ^vho know how to make this blefied 
 life of it! God fliall help them when that 
 glorious morning appearetij, of which every 
 mornmg has been to them an happy pre- 
 lude ; to fucli, day unto day uttereth the 
 word of the everlafting Gofpel, and night 
 pnto night iiieweth the knowledge of lal- 
 vation. 
 
 " If then our earthly tabernacles are to 
 become inltruments of glory hereafter, 
 how ought they to be fultilled with 
 grace and heavenly bencdi6lion here ! 
 for grace is the dawn of glory", and " is 
 f' as the fhining light that fliineth more 
 *' ajid more unto the perfe6l day -j-." It 
 
 * Ifaiah ix. 1. f Prov. iv. 18. 
 
 faj;iclifiei; 
 
I{pfui'reB.ion of the Bodi/. ^j9 
 
 fanftlfies all our adions, and renders our u^^e. 
 bodies living temples of the Moly Ghoft, v^.^ 
 and fit Aibjects lor that glorious change 
 ivhich mult paii^ upon them. Mow un- 
 Ipeakably huppy then is that Ibul wjiiuh 
 hath previoully " paOed iVom death uijto 
 Vit'e ■^%' and, by a Hate of preparatory grace, 
 is qualified for that of glory ! If the foul 
 of a Chriftian be ever " transtbrmrd by 
 *•* the renewing of his miudj-/' it muft be, 
 not while he is in tiie hurry and tu- 
 mult of the world, but during the ele- 
 vation of his heart and mind, by faith, tq 
 '4 future (tate of glorification. Comfort 
 yourfelves, therefore, with the allurance, 
 that your '' Redeemer liveth, and that 
 *' he rtiall ftand at the latter day upon 
 *^ the earth, and though after your fkiji^ 
 ^' worms defb'oy this body, yet in your 
 ♦' flelli (changed and glorified) (hail you ieo 
 *• God t-" ^^nd may you io look for the. 
 Saviour, the Lori) Jefus Chrift, by iho 
 eye of faith, that when you fliall fee liiui 
 as he is, he may " change your vile body, 
 " that it may be f^Qlioned like uqto his 
 ^* glorious body, according to the work- 
 
 f John V. 24. t Rum, \ii. C. t Job xix. 2.5, 2(J. 
 
S6Q HcfurreBion of the Body. 
 
 DISC. " ingr whereby He is able even to fubdue 
 
 XXII. P -^ y ■ r ^c■>y 
 
 Vvw " all things unto hnnlelr. 
 
 To whom, with the Father, and the 
 Holy Ghoft, three perfons and one GoD^ 
 be all honour and glory, dominion and 
 praife, for ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 BIS. 
 
DISCOURSE XXIII. 
 
 LIFE EVERLASTING. 
 
 Daniel xii. 2. 
 
 And many of them that Jleep in the Diifi 
 of the Earth Jkall awake, fome to ever- 
 lajiing Life, and fome to Shame and 
 evej'lajiing Conteinpt. 
 
 1 HE poffibility of the refurredion of disc, 
 the body having been lately proved, the 
 doctrine vi-hich next in order follows it, is 
 life everlafting. This is the grand charter 
 of the Gofpel, purchafed and procured for 
 us through the merits of our blefled Re- 
 deemer. Some llrong intimations of this 
 divine and comfortable truth were vouch- 
 fafed under the Old Teftament, particu- 
 larly by the tranflation of fome holy per- 
 fons out of this life, without the interven- 
 tion 
 
562 Life Evcrlq/ting. 
 
 xxni ^*'^" ^^ death. E^iiocb, who hvcd bcfoiT, 
 and Ehjah after the proinnlgationof the 
 law, are both of them eminent initances of 
 this fort. And after Abraham, Ifaac, and 
 Jacob wore dead, God emphatically it} led 
 himfelf their God. And in confirmation 
 of the fame truth, our blefled Lord told 
 the Sadducees, " that God iS not the 
 *• Cod of the dead, but of the living*.'* 
 This was as plain An intimation as could 
 be ^iven, that their fouls, though fepa- 
 rated from their bodies, did (till exill ; 
 and from the words of the text, we may 
 unqueftionably infer the refurre6tion of the 
 body, and confequently a re-union of foul 
 and body in a future ftate. 
 
 Thus far we can deduce thij? doctrine 
 from the Old Teftament : but the clear 
 nianifeftation of it was referved fur the 
 Gofpel of Chrift, which "hath brought 
 " life and immortality to hght f-." To 
 inftance only in a few paflages out of 
 many. " Thefe," faith Chrift, meaning 
 the ungodly, ^' fhall go away into everlaitr 
 "■ ing punilhment, but the righteou'? into 
 »? life eternal J.'" And, " God fq loved 
 
 > !\Iatt. xxii. 32. t ~ T'*"- '• ^O- t ^^att. xx'v. 46, 
 
 *' thu 
 
Life Evcrlafting. S65 
 
 ^' the world that He gave bis only begot^ 
 ^* ten Son, tlwt whofoever bebeveih in 
 ''Him fliould not periili, but have ever- 
 " lajiuiiy lite *." And *' we know," faith 
 St. Paul, " that if our earthly houfe of 
 " this tabernacle were difibhcd, we have 
 " a building of God, an houfe not made 
 " with hands, eternal in the heavens -f'." 
 But though all men, good and bad, fliall 
 awake from the duit of the earth, yet fomc 
 fliall awake to everlaliing life, and ibme to 
 ihame and everlafting contempt. 
 
 I fliall therefore in this dilcourfe endea,- 
 vour to explain both thefe (tates, that you 
 may learn to obtain the one, and avoid |^he 
 other. 
 
 Now life eternal i^ that blefifed ftate, in 
 which the righteous Ihall be perfe6tly glo- 
 rified both in foul and bodyj and live in 
 the prefence of God for ever and ever. 
 In this heavenly ftate there are three 
 things to be coniidered, the parts, the de- 
 grees, and the duration of it. 
 
 Now the parts of this heavenly felicity 
 are two-fold, the glorification of our whole 
 nature, and the enjoyment of God, in 
 
 * John lii^ 1^'. f 2 Cur, v. i. 
 
 Chrift. 
 
364 Life EverhJIwg. 
 
 Bisr.. Chriit. I'he fouls of tlic righteous iliall 
 be fo purified and fpirituaiized, that ihej 
 iliall be advanced to the higheft perfec- 
 tion of which their faculties are capable. 
 Their underitanding fliall be fo enlightened 
 Avith heavenly wifdoni, that they ihall 
 clearly know all things necellary to make 
 them perfeftly happy. " For now we fee 
 " only through a glafs darkly, but then 
 '' face to face ; now we know in part, but 
 ** then fhall we know even as alfo we are 
 ^* known '^." Their will fhall alfo be con- 
 formable to the will of God, and endued 
 with fuch moral perfe6lions of holinefs, and 
 righteoufnefs, and liberty, as not only to 
 free them from the fiavery of fm, but from 
 the very aptitude of fmning. For in a 
 (late of glory our will {hall be fo governed 
 by the Holy Spirit, and fo free to the ope- 
 ration pf good, that we (hall always have 
 the fame godlike affe6tions as the Deity, 
 without the leaft propenfity to evil. And 
 even thofe afFe61;ions which we fhall flill re- 
 tain, fuch as love, joy, and peace, will be 
 fo purified ar^d refined by the power of the 
 divine energy, that they will have but one 
 objed. 
 
 * 1 Cor. xiii. 12. 
 
 3 Ai^d 
 
XXIII.- 
 
 Life Et'crlajting. 365 
 
 And as the fouls, fo alio will the bodies p^^^a 
 of the righteous be confummated in glory. 
 They (hall not only be freed from all out- 
 ward wants and calamities, but from every 
 inward malady and defe6l. They Ihall no 
 longer require any external means of fup- 
 port and nouriihment, neither fliall they 
 be any more fubje6b to pains, difeafes, or 
 death. But they fhall become incorrup- 
 tible and immortal, clothed with comeli- 
 nefs and beauty, yea, decorated with glory 
 and majefty. *' For when Chrift, who is 
 ** our life, (hall appear, then fliall we alfo 
 " appear with Him in glory*." 
 
 The next part of our ceieftial blifs will 
 be the enjoyment of God in Chrift. As 
 God is the Author of all happinefs, fo wili 
 he be our " exceeduig great reward 'f." 
 For nothing lefs than God can fatisfy 
 the defires of an immortal foul* and fill it 
 with fulnefs of joy. And if the fountain 
 of all felicity be our enjoyment, nothing 
 can be wanting to complete our bappinefs= 
 And as God only is abfolutely good, He 
 alone can conititute our fupreme delight. 
 This fruition of the Godhead confifts in 
 
 ♦Col.iii. 4-, ^ fCen. XV. 1. 
 
 beholding 
 
tGO Life Everldfting. 
 
 pr«;c. behdldlno; tbe divine perfections, and cdm- 
 •^.^ municating with Ilini in the fuhieis of his 
 glory and excellence. A\hen ve (hall be 
 thus glorified in bis prefence, the eyes of 
 our mind will be enlightened, and we ihall 
 know fo much of the majefty of his glory ^ 
 as will conduce to our eternal felicity. 
 
 It will alfo probably contribute to our 
 happinefs in a certain degree to behold, as 
 it were, by reflexion, the excellencies of 
 the divine nature in " the fpirits of juft 
 " men made per fed *," and efpecially in 
 the perfon of our Lord Jeiiis Chrifl, " who 
 " is the brightnefs of his Father's glory, 
 *' and the exprefs image of his perfon *-j-/' 
 But this beatific vifion will not be a bare 
 fight and fuperficial knowledge of God, it 
 will render us lively images of Him, for 
 " we know that when lie Ihall appear, we 
 " be like Him, for we Iball fee Him as 
 ** He is %." In this life He is pleafed to 
 communicate his goodnefs and his blel- 
 iings to us by outward means, and compa- 
 ratively in fmall proportions ; in the next, 
 without any inftrumentality, He will com- 
 municate of his fulnels, for " God ftiall 
 
 * Ilcb. xii. 23. t Itud. i. 3. J I John iii. '2. 
 
 " be 
 
Life i^vcrlajling. 36't 
 
 *'• bo all in all '••/' And as He is infinite 
 in goodnefs and pertcction, lb will be our 
 bliis, and nilinitely exceed all our concep- 
 tions. 
 
 But to enjoy this unfpeakable commu- 
 nion with God and the Lamb, and all the 
 blelKed inhabitants of Heaven, we mull 
 refemble them ourfelves in all their celeli- 
 tial graces, and be of the fame mind. For 
 unlefs our fouls are endued with like holy 
 dirpolitions, how ihould we be capable of 
 enjoying any communion with tliem .'' '* Be 
 •J^t5'€ holy," ikith the Lord, *' as I a|n 
 " holy," leems to be the firft ftep towards 
 any approacli to the divine jMajefty. An 
 aflimilation therefore of heart and mind 
 is as neceflary in fpiritual as temporal fei- 
 JowQiip, and wretched indeed would })e 
 the ftate of that foul, which iliould obtain 
 a manfioni in heaven (if it were poflible) 
 without a pre-difpoiition of enjoyment. 
 To difcovei" vyhat that pre-difpoiition is, is 
 " to open in each heart a little heaven," 
 Life eternal is begun on earth, and glory 
 is the confummalion of grace. 
 
 ■' 1 Cor. XV, 28. 
 
 Tha 
 
S68 Life Everlapng. 
 
 The degrees of this glory is the next fub- 
 jeft of our enquiry. The firft meafure of 
 it commences here, when, being juftified 
 and fan6lified, we have peace with God 
 through our Lord Jefus Chrift, and be- 
 come the children of adoption. For " He 
 " that believeth on the Son/' fo as to 
 be juftified and fan6tified by Him, " hath 
 ^ everlafting hfe," i. e» the root and prin- 
 ciple of it in Hinij *' and fhali not come 
 *' into condemnation i but is paffed from 
 " death unto life *." It may therefore 
 hence be inferred, that grace and glory 
 tire the fame in kind though not in degree. 
 
 The next ftep towards everlafting joyj 
 is that felicity which is conferred upon the 
 foul on its fepafation from the body. '* The 
 •' fouls of the righteous, immediately after 
 " death, are in the hand of the Lord 
 " where no torment can touch them f." 
 Orj as an infpired Apoftle hath taught us; 
 " When we are abfent from the body, we 
 *' are prefent with the Lord J." 
 
 The third degree of heavenly blifs re- 
 fetved in a future ftate is when both the foul 
 kild body of man; being re-united in the 
 
 * Julm V. 24. t Wifdom iii. 1. J 2 Cor. v; 8: 
 
 refur- 
 
Life Everlajiing. 369 
 
 refarre6lion, fhall be crowned with glory 
 and happinefs in the kingdom of God. 
 Different perfons, no doubt, will be par- 
 takers of this felicity in different degrees, for, 
 " as one ftar differeth from another liar in 
 " glory, fo alfo is the refurre6lion of the 
 " dead *." As ibme have been more zealous 
 to promote the glory of God than others, 
 and through much tribulation have become 
 martyrs to the faith of Chrill, fo (hall their 
 reward be ojreater. And thou2;h all the 
 glorified faints in heaven fhall enjoy God 
 as their fupreme good, and receive ai 
 much happinefs as they are capable of, yet 
 fome fliall doubtlefs excel others in glory, 
 where there are exprefsly " many man- 
 " lions -f-,'* correfpondent to the feveral 
 degrees of holinefs, to which different Ipi- 
 rits have attained. 
 
 The laft propolition concerning the (tate 
 of future happinefs is its duration, which is 
 eternal. The joy and felicity of which the 
 faints in heaven ihall be partakers in God 
 through Chrift, are like the great Author 
 hinifelf, everlafling, incorruptible, unde- 
 filed, and that fadeth not away. They will 
 
 * 1 Cor. XV. 41, 42. f John xiv. 2. 
 
 . VOL. I. B b endure 
 
370 li/e Everlajiing, 
 
 endure through the countlefs ages of eter- 
 nity, and be evermore as frelh as the 
 morning dew. And though the eternity 
 of man's future happinefs be but one con- 
 ftituent part of it, yet it is fo confiderable, 
 that without it, it would be infinitely im- 
 perfed, for the joys in the prefence of God, 
 and the pieafures at II is right hand, would 
 not be full and complete, if they (hould 
 ever have an en(\. The very idea of their 
 ceffation would neceflkrily be accompanied 
 with much alloy. Let then the blefled 
 hope of eternal life animate us by faithful 
 obedience to become " partakers of the 
 " glory which (liall be revealed *.'* " If 
 " thou wilt enter into hfe," faith our blefied 
 Lord, " keep the commandments -j-.'* 
 Obedience to the will of God is both the 
 condition of falvation, and the indifpen- 
 fable qualification for it. Every one that 
 hath " the hope,'' of living with Chrift 
 in glory, " purifieth himlelf even as He- 
 " is pure J.." And furely, if the happi- 
 nefs we afpire after be inlinite in great- 
 iiels and duration, we ought to feek it in 
 preference to any tranfitory enjoyments of 
 
 * i Peter v. 1, t Matt. xix. 17- J 1 John iii. 3. 
 
 thi& 
 
Life Everlapng. 371 
 
 ibis world. If we were wife for ourfelves, ^I'^c. 
 
 ' xxiir. 
 
 and for our future welfare, we iliould " la- ^^^r^, 
 " hour more for the meat which endureth 
 *' unto everlafting life, than for that which 
 " periflieth *." It is not only the height 
 of folly, but of madnefs, to forfeit our title 
 to an heavenly inheritance, for the vain 
 and momentary comforts of earth. Thefe 
 which are now fo erroneoufly valued and 
 efteemed, will one day appear to be lighter 
 than vanity itfelf. The favour of God, 
 peace of confcience, and a hope full of im- 
 mortalit}^, will infinitely outweigh all the 
 boafted advantages of worldly fplendour 
 and profperity. Nay, even " the fufier- 
 " ings of this prefent time, how great fo- 
 " ever, are not worthy to be compared 
 " with the glory which fhall be revealed 
 " in us -j^-." The very hope of that glory 
 is fufficient to alleviate the weight of all 
 human woe. How many venture their 
 lives to obtain the tranlitory honours and 
 uncertain riches of this world .'' And fliall 
 thofe who profefs themlelves candidates 
 for a blefled immortality fcruple to endure 
 as much " for the prize of their high 
 
 * John vi. 57. t I'^f'm- '^J'i- 18. 
 
 B b 2 " call- 
 
372 Life Eterlafting. 
 
 \^^(i. " calling* ?" Let them call to mind that 
 '^-^'^ high and facred authority which aflures 
 them that their " light affliction, which 
 " is but for a moment, worketh for them 
 " a far more exceedinor and eternal weioht 
 " of glory j-." And as the promife of 
 life everlaiting is made to the righteous, 
 fo, according to the oracles of the fame 
 divine truth, everlaiting iLame and confu- 
 iion will be the doom of the ungodly. 
 Let us then, in the next place, confider in 
 what it \vill confiit. 
 
 Now Death eternal Is an endlefs fepara- 
 tion from the gracious prefence of God, 
 and an exclufion from all that aggregate of 
 -happincfs in the kingdom of Heaven which 
 the wicked might have enjoyed, accom- 
 panied with a bitter remorfe in the lofs of 
 it, and an everlafting defpair of obtaining 
 it. " For they that obey not the Gof- 
 " pel of our Lord Jefus Clirift iliall be 
 " puniflied with everlafting deftrucTtion 
 " from the prefence of the Lokd, and 
 " from the glory of his power J." The 
 heavy wrath of God, and torments unceaf- 
 ■ing, will be their portion. For " every tranf- 
 
 * Phil. iii. 14. t 2 Cor. iv. 17. : 2 Thefl'. i. 9- 
 
 8 *' greffion 
 
Life Excrlafthig. 375 
 
 " frrefrion and diibbedience fluill receive a '^^'^^ 
 " jult recompence of reward *." They -^.-v 
 who die in a ftate of impenitenqe, fhall 
 " fufter the vengeance of eternal fire -]-" 
 A\ hatever may be the nature of Ilell-tor- 
 ments, they are fitly compared in the holy 
 .Scriptures to fire and brimlione, in conde- 
 fcenlion to the weaknefs of our capacity 
 to exprefs their horror and dreadfulnefs, 
 becaufe we know of no natural ingredients 
 fo apt to inlii6l intolerable pains on the 
 body. 
 
 And whilft we are confidering the ex- 
 quifite punilhment of Hell, we mufl not 
 forget its duration. The perfons of the 
 damned Hiall not be annihilated, but as 
 the word of infpiration forcibly exprefles 
 it, " iTiali be falted with fire %y\ i. e. both 
 tormented and preferred by it, for the, 
 fire which torments them fljall preferve 
 them like fait from total dc(tru6tion. Nei- 
 ther fliall they find any deliverance from 
 the prifon of darknefs, or any redemption 
 from the bottomlefs pit ; " where their 
 " worm dieth not, and the fire is not 
 
 * Htb. ii. 2. t Judc 7. 
 
 ; Mark ix. 49- 
 
 B b 3 quenched.** 
 
S74 Life EverlaJIing. 
 
 xxui " quenched *.'* Where guilt ahvays re- 
 maineth, punifhment is ever due, and the 
 inexorable juftice of God will not fail to 
 inflift it. After death there are no means 
 of repentance, and without repentance 
 there is no pardon, confequently the guilt 
 of iin muft remain, and therefore its wages 
 or punifhment, death eternal. 
 
 The equity of this death depends on the 
 choice which God hath given us of being 
 happy or miferable for ever. And though 
 there is no proportion between the prefent 
 pleafures of fin, and the future miferj of 
 the wicked, yet it is not incompatible with 
 the juftice of God to inflid eternal punifli- 
 ment on the fins of our probationary (late. 
 For God hath purpolely fet Life and 
 Death before us; Life, on condition of faiths 
 ful and fincere obedience to his will, through 
 the merits of the only Mediator; and 
 Death, in cafe of obftinate impenitence. 
 And therefore they who refufe life, and 
 choofe to walk in the way which leadeth 
 u'nto death, juftly deferve to be punilhed 
 according to their own choice. How then 
 is there any injultice in configning thofe 
 
 * Mark ix. 48. 
 
 to 
 
Life Everhjting, 375 
 
 to everlading ihame and contempt who disc. 
 will not endeavour to efcape them ? And 
 where is the hardfhip In denying mercy to 
 them who will not accej)t it on reafon- 
 able terms, even the gracious terms of the 
 Gofpel ? 
 
 Let then the awful confideration and 
 ferious belief of Death eternal deter you 
 from fm, and lead you to repentance. 
 Nothing, you are all well aware, can bring 
 you to de{tru6lion, but lln, and no other 
 but unrepented iin. If therefore you turn 
 unto God, He will be gracious unto you, 
 and abundantly pardon all your iniquities. 
 But if you harden your hearts, " there 
 " remaineth only a fearful looking for of 
 " judgment, and fiery indignation * ;" and 
 therefore let me earneftly intreat you, to 
 implore God's grace to enable you to 
 break off your fins by timely repentance, 
 that you may every one of you efcape the 
 wrath to come, through the merits and 
 propitiation of Jefus Chrift our Saviour. 
 
 To whom, &c. Amen. 
 
 * Hcb. X. 27. 
 
 B b 4 DIS- 
 
DISCOURSE XXIV. 
 
 THE CHRISTIAN VOCATIOX, 
 
 Efhesians iv. 1, 
 
 / therefore befeech you, that ye walk wor^ 
 thy of the Vocation wherewith ye arc 
 called. 
 
 JljIAVING in fome former Difcourfes, 
 agreeably to the propofed delineation of a 
 fcheme of do6trinal and practical divinity, 
 offered to your ferious confideration fome 
 of the fundamental articles of the Chrif- 
 tian faith, before we proceed to elucidate 
 the great duties we owe to God, our neigh- 
 bour, and ourfelves, let us endeavour to 
 explain fome of the benefits which Chrift 
 Jiath procured for us by his merits and iu- 
 terceffion, one of which, and that not the 
 
 Icaft 
 
 DISC. 
 XX IV. 
 
XXIV 
 
 57S The Chri/tian Vocation, 
 
 B^sc. leaft confiderable is Vocation, or that gra- 
 cious ad of God. by which He invites us 
 by his Word, and excites us by his Holy 
 Spirit, to believe and obey the Gofpel. 
 The efficient caufe of God calling us out 
 of our fallen ftate of fm and death unto 
 holinefs and life, is his free mercy and good 
 pleafure in Chrift Jefus. For " God liath 
 " faved us and called us with an holy 
 " calling, not according to our works, but 
 " according to his own purpofe and grace 
 " which was given us in Chrift Jefus be- 
 *' fore the world began *.'* By the ma- 
 nifeftation of this unmerited goodnefs He 
 emancipated us from the power of Satan, 
 delivered us from the rurfe of the law, 
 refcued us from the guilt and punifhment 
 of fin, and " called us unto holinefs f" 
 Every one that is " partaker of the liea- 
 *' venly calling %," knoweth that there is 
 nothing in him even when he is holy, that 
 can merit any biefling at the hand of 
 God, much lefs can he oblige God, by 
 any aft of his own, to bellow his grace 
 upon im, whilfthe is " dead in trefpafies 
 « and fms §." But of his mere love and 
 
 * 2 Tim. i. 9. "t 1 ThclT. iv.7. t Heb. iii. 1. 
 
 § Kph. ii. 1. 
 
 unde- 
 
The Chnjiiaji Vocation, 379 
 
 undeferved kindneis He affords every one, disc. 
 
 . . XXIV. 
 
 to whom the Goi'pel is preached, fufficient -^^^"^ 
 means of orrace for his converfion, without 
 any previous condition on his part. It is 
 a truth much inculcated in the Gofpel, 
 however humihating to the natural pride 
 of man, that we cannot even will or do any 
 good of ourfelves, until God is pleaied to 
 call us by his grace, and renew ur hearts. 
 
 Now the ui'ual means by which God 
 calleth us to the knowledge of the truth, 
 are the miniftry of the word and iacra- 
 ments, the exercife of prayer, the enjoy- 
 ment of temporal bleflings, anci, when 
 thefe fail, not un frequently an afHi6tive vi-' 
 iitation. 
 
 ] . The miniftry of the word and facra- 
 ments. As God has been pleafed to make 
 a revelation of his will to mankind, in or- 
 der to make them wife unto falvatj' n, fo 
 He hath likewife " inftituted and ordained 
 " holy mylteries, as pledges of his lo^e, to 
 *' our great and endlefs comfort *." The 
 former, when " rightly di\ided-f" and 
 prelfed home to the confcienre, is wont to 
 be " niighty through God to tae pulling 
 
 '^ Communion Service. -j- 2 Tim. li. 15. 
 
 " down 
 
XXIV, 
 
 380 The CJmJIian Vocation. 
 
 51SC. « clown of the ftrong holds *'' of Satan, 
 and to be effe6tual in producing in the hu- 
 man heart the faring graces of the Gof- 
 pel. -And without afcribing any thing ex- 
 traordinary to the efficacy of the word, 
 whether read or preached ; its general cha- 
 racter is defcribed by the Apoftle to be 
 " quick and powerful, and (harper than 
 " any two-edged fword, piercing even to 
 " the dividing afunder of foul and fpirit, 
 " and of the joints and marrow, and is a 
 " difcerner of the thoughts and intents of 
 " the heart f .'* 
 
 Now the mildeft interpretation of thefe 
 words is ; that the miniftry of the. word of 
 God is lively in convincing, and a6live in 
 converting thofe that are dead in fm, and 
 elfe6lual in feparating, as with a fharp in- 
 llrument, the moft beloved lufts from the 
 foul, by fubduing the moil inveterate ob- 
 ftinacy of mind, conquering the mod re- 
 folute purpofes of the will, and mani* 
 fefting the inmoft recefles of the heart. 
 The latter too, viz. the adminiftration of 
 the public ordinances of religion, is no lefs 
 conducive to an effedual call. They na* 
 
 *2Cor. X. 4. flltb.iv. 12. 
 
 tu rally 
 
The ChnjUan Vocation. 381 
 
 turally tend to excite holy defires and de- 
 vout refolutions in the foul, and, when at- 
 tended to with ferious reverence and reli- 
 gious iblemnity, they infpire a fweet fere- 
 nity of mind, and as it were afford a little 
 foretaite of the joys of heaven. Under 
 the influence of thefe means of grace, we 
 are belt prepared to let forth the praifes of 
 God, and there is no harmony in the foul 
 fweeter than that which arifes from well- 
 tuned aflfeftions in the public celebration of 
 the divine ordinances. 
 
 For the fame reafon the exercife of 
 prayer whether public or private is wont to 
 reclaim afinner from the error of his ways; 
 it foftens the heart, and ferves powerfully 
 to turn the ftream of his aflfections into a 
 proper channel. It draws the foul nearer 
 to God, and in proportion as it has that 
 blefifed efre6t, it eitrangcs it more and 
 more from the love and practice of fin. It 
 likewife opens in the foul a difcovery of the 
 dangers of its natural unrenewed ftate, and 
 brings it to a conviction of the neceffity of 
 deliverance from it. Here then a door is 
 opened by prayer to endeavour to *• make 
 
 *' vour 
 
SB"^ The Chrijlian Vocatioiu 
 
 DISC. <^ your calling and eledion lure *.** And 
 
 XX iV. 
 
 ■.>w happv, thrice happy is that foul which hath 
 experimentally found prayer to be ^o great 
 a blefiing ! 
 
 Another ordinary means by which God 
 calleth us to the knowledge of his grace, 
 and alfo to the knowledge of our depen- 
 dance upon Him, is the enjoyment of tem- 
 poral bleffings. Who can reflect one mo- 
 ment on the abundance of the things which 
 he pofiefleth without acknowledging the 
 bountiful hand of the Giver ? and if he has 
 difcernment and gratitude enough to adore 
 and praife the fountain of all his bleffmgs, 
 it is not likely that fuch a perfon fliould be 
 either ignorant or unthankful that he has 
 been called to a ilate of falvation through 
 Jefus Chrift. If he be fo, his heart and 
 his alFeClions muft be fo funk in the mire 
 of worldly gratiiications, that he muft ftill 
 be " in the gall of bitternefs and in the 
 " bond of iniquity -f-." But when the 
 grace of God hath taught us to enjoy the 
 good things of this life with fubmiffion and 
 thankfulnefs to that power which beftows 
 
 * 2 Pet. i. 10. t Artsviii. 23. 
 
 them, 
 6 
 
The Chr'ijiian Vocation. 383 
 
 them, then have we kiirnt to extract that msc. 
 evil out of them, which turns all their ^-^,^/ 
 iweetnefs into wormwood. For want of 
 this real enjoyment of them, it often 
 pleafes God in mercy to fend an afflictive 
 vifitation upon us. Therefore, faith the 
 Piklmirt, " Foolilh men are plagued for 
 " their offence, and becaufe of their wick- 
 ** ednefs */' And what wonder is it, if, 
 when all the gracious calls of divine good- 
 nefs both in a temporal and fpiritual fenie 
 do not lead men to repentance, the Al- 
 mighty fhould " whet his fword, and bend 
 " his bow, and make it ready, and 
 " prepare for them the inftruments of 
 " death •[• ?" Such vifitations are often 
 wont to prove the greateft inftances of di- 
 vine mercy ; and happy is he, who, before 
 it be too late, hath coniidered the hand 
 that is upon him ! 
 
 By fome or other of thefe outward 
 means of Vocation, the Holy Spirit gene- 
 rally worketh in us that which is good, and 
 ftrives to " turn us from the power of Satan 
 " unto God X'' For our will by nature 
 is corrupt, and prone to the exercife of 
 
 * Pfaim cvii. 17. t Ibid. vii. \2, 13. X Ads xxvi. IS. 
 
 evil. 
 
XXIV 
 
 384 The Chriftian Vocation, 
 
 J?}^^; evil ; and no man of his own natural 
 ftrength " can come unto Chriil, except 
 " the Father, which hath fent him, draw 
 " him *." To thefe outward and ordinary 
 means may be added alfo the inward effi- 
 cacy of divine grace to all the faithful 
 members of Chrift. For fmce God hath 
 made a covenant with us in Chrift^ and re- 
 quired obedience to it, which of ourfelves 
 we are not able to perform. He hath freely 
 promifed to give us fuch a meafure of his 
 grace, as (except through our own de- 
 fault) will enable us to fulfil his will. And 
 though we may be unwilling of ourfelves 
 to " come to the knowledge of the 
 *' truth -j^-,'* how often does God feek to 
 bring us back as (lieep going aftray, and 
 by his word invite us to repentance, and 
 wait with great long-fuffering for our 
 amendment ! 
 
 But when GoD calleth us by outward 
 means, and likewife fupplies inward grace 
 adequate to all the purpofes of falvation, 
 Hill we may reiiit that grace, itifle our con- 
 vi6lions, and fruftrate our converfion. God 
 is not wont to call us by an n-reliftible 
 
 * John vi, 44. -j^ 2 Tim, iii. 7. 
 
The Chrijiian Vocation. 385 
 
 (energy which would deprive us of free disc. 
 agency, for then we Ihould ceuie to be ac- s>^,'-^' 
 countable, but we mull " work out our 
 ** own falvation with fear and trembling/' 
 becaufe " God worketh in us both to 
 ** will and to do of his good pleafure *.'* 
 
 The divine afliftance therefore, inilead 
 of cancelling our endeavours, ierves only 
 to render our own co-operation the more 
 necellary. We mud give ear to the voice 
 of his word, and not ht down in a Hate of 
 quietiihi ^xpe6ting to be converted by a 
 miracle^ To diiregard his call, and refufe 
 his counfel, is to act over again the part of 
 the obltinate and rel)ellious Jews, whole 
 hopes of divine favour mult in reaibnceafe, 
 and who therefore remain to this day 
 impenitent, obdurate, unconverted. The 
 chief reafon likevvife why fo many now- 
 con tin ue in {in, is becaufe they refill the 
 grace that is given them. But furely for 
 a man to be a Chriftian by profeflion, to 
 own Ciirill for his Lord, and the Golpel 
 for the rule of his condu6t,and to lead the 
 life of an unenlightened Heathen, is an in- 
 iiance of fuch unreafonablenefs, as will 
 
 * Phil. ii. 12. 
 
 voi.« I4 c c admit 
 
38^ The Chrlftian Vocation. 
 
 admit of no apolog}^ What then would 
 the Apoftle have us to do ? What fort of 
 converfation does he require of us when he 
 bids us ** walk worthy of the Vocation 
 wherewith we are called ?" You your- 
 felves, and every man in the world, whe- 
 ther ignorant or learned, who knows what 
 it is to be aChriftian, are competent judges 
 in this matter. Afk yourfelves what the 
 nature of your Chriftian Vocation is, what 
 you profefs in it, what benefits you exped 
 from it, and you will need no inftru6lor as 
 to the fort of life and converfation worthy 
 of it, neither will you require any further 
 motives to put it in pra6lice. 
 
 It does not require any ingenuity of ar- 
 gument, or elaborate difquifition, to fliew 
 what kind of hfe he ought to lead who is 
 " called from darknefs to light, and from 
 " the power of Satan unto God *;'' from 
 the bondage of death, to the certain hope 
 of a glorious immortality, from a profane 
 and impious worfliip, to an holy, pure, 
 and " reafonable fervice -j/* Every man's 
 reafon, when enlightrncd by the torch of 
 Revelation, will teach him that in propor- 
 
 * Acls xxvi. 18. t Rom. xii. 1. 
 
 tiou 
 
The Chriflian Vocation. 38T 
 
 tion to the fpiritual advantages he enjoys 
 above others, he ought to be more hoi), 
 more careful to approve himielf to God, 
 more ftudious of his will, more zealous in 
 his fervice. This is the nature of our Vo- 
 lition, and therefore, if it docs not produce 
 in us thefe eft'efts, judge ye liow unworthy 
 of it we are ! If it be not productive of 
 fuch fruits, it will probably turn out to 
 our unfpeakable (liame and confullon. " If 
 '* I had not," faith our bletoi Lord, 
 " come and i'poken unto them, they had 
 " not had fin, but now they have no cloke 
 " for their fin *." There mioht be fome 
 excufe for them who lived in the darknefs 
 of heathen ignorance, and had no other 
 guide but the mere liglit of nature, ob- 
 fcured as it was by the cloud of human de- 
 generacy. But " the times of this igno- 
 " ranee God winked at -f-," and becaufe 
 they knew not their matter's will, and 
 therefore did it not, if they fliould l^e 
 puniftied for their fins, they fliould be 
 " beaten only with few ftripesj." The 
 molt ignorant here prefent, have not, I 
 fear, that plea to make. What then can 
 
 • John XV. S2. t Adls xvii. 30. J Luke xii. 48. 
 
 > c c 2 be 
 
388 The Chriftian Vocation. 
 
 ^^: "be faid for them, if, aflcr having all the- 
 ^^''V"'*-^ opportunities and means ot grace afforded 
 them of entering into God's everlatting 
 rell, any of them lliould fall fliort of it 
 tlirongh difohcdicnec or unbelief? And, 
 on the contrary, happy are \vc Chrillians 
 above all men, if, having thefe clear difco- 
 ^eries of the will of (Joi), and the inef- 
 tiaiable advantages that How from it, we 
 embrace and improve them as we ought 
 by adorning our Chriitian profeffion with 
 a pure and holy life ! U we do not, " it 
 " had been better not to have known the 
 *' way of rightcouihels, than after we have 
 *■ known it, to turn from the holy com- 
 *' mandnient delivered unto us''^." Pitiable 
 as is the itate of thofe that l;now not 
 God, and lamentable as is their darknefs, 
 it is no fniall part of a Chrillian's felicity 
 to be fenliblc of the glorious light of the 
 Goij)el. ^Vhile they have no effectual 
 moans of grace, and lefs hope of attain- 
 ing to ev(>rlailing ' ' ^ how richly, yea, 
 how ab'jiulantly are we /applied with both; 
 i'o that little elfe is wanting to confummate 
 our prefent and future happinefs but our. 
 
 'V2 Peter ii. 21. 
 
 owa 
 
The Chri/tian Vocation, 389 
 
 own free choice and voluiitarv concurrence, dtsc. 
 What unfeigned thanUfuhieis then do we s^,-^ 
 owe to Almighty God for I'uch unlpeak- 
 able mercies in Cbrift Jefus, and how can 
 Ave i'o well exprels our gratitude, as by 
 walking worthy of our Chriitian vocation I 
 Laltly, Let us lerioully alk ou riches 
 what kind of converiiiiion bed becomes us 
 who have folemnly dedicated ourlelves to 
 God in baptilm, publicly profeiled " to 
 " renounce the devil and all his works, 
 *' the vanities of ihis wicked world, and 
 " all the iinful lufts of the tleQi *," and 
 luive devoted ourfelves as an holy and liv- 
 ing iiicriiice to our Creator and Redeemer ? 
 'J'his is actually the caie of all who have 
 been called to the Chriitian faith. Let us 
 then refletft a moment on theie things, and 
 coniider what kind of life we ought to 
 lead, who, from being the children of 
 wrath and fervantsof Satan, are made the 
 fons of God, brethren of our liOR.D Jefus 
 Chrift, and joint-heirs v>ith Him of the 
 heavenly inheritance ? Should not the very 
 mention of thefe high privileges rajfe our 
 thoughts in a manner fuitable to the dig- 
 
 * Catcchifm, 
 
 c c 3 pity 
 
XXiV 
 
 S90 The Chriftian Vocation. 
 
 DISC, nlty to which we are called, and to that 
 relation into which we are adopted ? 
 Ought they not to conftrain us to " bring 
 " every thought, and word, and adion 
 **. into captivity to the obedience of 
 ** Chrift * ?" 
 
 And when we confider too the promife 
 which God hath made us of the afliftance 
 of the Holy Spirit to enable us to carry 
 on the work of our V-ocation, and to be 
 in us a prniciple of fpiritual life and fane- 
 tification, how holy and undefiled ought 
 we to be both in body and foul ! how 
 prompt to withiland temptation, and how 
 ftrenuous to *' make our calling and elec* 
 
 ^« tionfurefi** 
 
 Above all, let us confider ourfelves only 
 as ftrangers and pilgrims upon earth, the 
 effecl of which will ahejiate our affeftions 
 from the things of this world, and lead 
 them to the more important concerns of 
 the next. God indeed has gracioufly al? 
 lowed us the ufe and enjoyment of every 
 good thing that can make our abode here 
 eafy and comfortable ; but in the midft of 
 jDarthly bleflings, let us not forget that 
 
 *2Cor. X.5. t 2 Peter j. 10. 
 
 country 
 % 
 
The Chri/iian Vocation. 591 
 
 country to wliicli we are all travelling, for ^^^ 
 the fake of which we have entered on our ^'^^.-^^^ 
 Chriftian courfe, and profei's to be aiming 
 at the " prize of our high calling of God in 
 " Chrill Jefus *," lb ftiall we fee u re to our- 
 fclves that cverlaiting inheritance which is 
 the end of our faith, and the hope of our 
 calling, through His merits who hath pur- 
 /chaied it for us with His own moll pre^ 
 cious blood. 
 
 To whom, Sec. Amen. 
 
 * Phil. iii. U, 
 
 c c 4. BIS- 
 
DISCOURSE XXV. 
 
 REGENERATION. 
 
 2 Cor. v. 17. 
 
 If any Man he in Clwijt, he is a iienf 
 Great we. 
 
 In recountino; fome of the benefits which btsc. 
 
 XX \'. 
 
 redound to u^ throus^h the new covenant ^^v-*- 
 eftabhihed by Chrift Jelus, that of Rege- 
 neration, or the new birth, feems to follow 
 next in order of that of Vocation. And, 
 as the knowledge of our true (tate in reli- 
 gion, is at once a matter of lb great im- 
 portance and difiicully, it will be neceilary 
 to inculcate " line upon Inie, and precept 
 " upon precept*." 1 have, therefore, 
 made choice of thefe words of the x\pol- 
 tle as peculiarly expreffive of the nature 
 
 * Ilaiah .x.wiii. 10. 
 
 of 
 
59'i Regeneration. 
 
 DISC, of Regeneration. They evidently denote 
 not only a great change, but a change no 
 iefa-than than that of a new creation 
 which fliould take place in every Chrif- 
 tian. Such is the genuine influence of vi» 
 tal Chriftianity, when through the power 
 of divine grace it is fuflfered to have its full 
 and perfect work in the foul of man. 
 
 Now, in order to fliew how far it is pof- 
 fible this new creation may be wrought in 
 us, I Ihall propofe three things to your feri- 
 ous confideration. 
 
 Firft, What it is to be in Chrift. 
 
 Secondly, In what the new creature 
 confiils. 
 
 Thirdly, The immediate coime6lion, or 
 neceiTary confequence of the Apoftle's 
 propofition, that if any man be in Chriil, 
 he is a new creature. 
 
 As to the firlt remark, '■ to be in Chrift,*' 
 it muft be acknowledged, that the relatiop 
 in which Chriftjans Itand to Chrift their 
 head, is of a very different nature from 
 that which fubfifts betwixt one man and 
 another. The do6i;rine which the Scrip-r 
 ture expreffes by a new creature, is a 
 change or relation quite unknown to the 
 
 mea 
 
Regeneration. 393 
 
 men of the. world. If thus unknown disc. 
 amidit all their boafted knowledge, furcly v^\^^/ 
 it is of fome coniequence to inquire what 
 the phrafe of *• being in Chrilt" imports. 
 It ligni^ies not only to be a nominal Chrif- 
 tian, as we ail become at our baptil'm, but 
 to be in the church of Chrift by the open 
 profeflion of his do6trine, to be in commu- 
 nion and fellowftiip with Him by grace, 
 to live by faith upon him as our governing 
 principle, and to be united to him by a 
 pure, holy, and living faith. The force of 
 this exprefiion, therefore, imports a real 
 ^nd true Chriftian, incorporated into 
 Chrift by a fpiritual, myftical, and living 
 union. As w^e fay that the members are 
 in the body to denote their union with it, 
 and all of them are aftuated by the fame 
 life and fpirit, fo are the faithful members 
 of Chrift united to him, and conftitute one 
 myftical body in him. 1'hey live by the 
 fame life and are animated by the fame 
 fp'irit. " As the branch cannot bear fruit 
 " of itfclf," faith our Loed, " except it 
 *' abide in the vine, no more can ye, ex- 
 ♦' cept ye abide in me*." He is the 
 
 * Joiui XV. 4'. 
 
 fountain 
 
39^ Hfgenerafion, 
 
 ^^1?- his image, *' is created in righteoufnefs and 
 \*-v->j " true holinefs *." And in reference to 
 f:be fame inward change, He exhorts his 
 Roman converts " not to be conformed to 
 " this world, but to be transformed by the 
 *' renewing of their mindj-." Upon the 
 fame principle, what in one place He calls 
 ^ the new creature :t," in another he ex- 
 prefles by " faith which worketh by love," 
 and by " keeping the commandments of 
 " God §;" for all thefe, as equivalent cha- 
 racters. He oppofes to circumcifion and 
 uncircumcifion, or the mere externals of a 
 religious profeffion, declaring the utter in- 
 fufficiency of the latter, and the abfolute 
 neceflity of the former. 
 
 Let us then next confider more particu- 
 larly in what the new creature confifts. 
 The general nature and defcription of it 
 may be und;^ritood by an attentive confi- 
 deration of the Scriptures already quoted, 
 which contain the moft eflfential truths of 
 this doctrine. But for the more complete 
 illuftration of ihe fubjeft, it is neceffary to 
 obferve, that where there is reafon to fpeak 
 
 * EpI). iv. 23, '24. + Rom. xii. 2. X Gal. v. 6. 
 § 1 Cor. vii. li). 
 
 of 
 
x\v, 
 
 Regeneration. $99 
 
 of a man as a new creature, there will be ^[i'c. 
 new apprehciifions, afleftions, refolutions, 
 enjoyments, and hopes*. This is the 
 foundation of the whole Chriitian build- 
 ing, becaufe, as religion is a reafonable 
 fervice, all the change which is made in 
 the affe6lions and refolutions, in the pur- 
 i'uits, enjoyments, and hopes of a Chrif- 
 tian, arifes from that different view in 
 which he is now taught to look on thofe 
 obje6ls, the nature of which is to dire6l his 
 choice, determine his condu6i:, and regu- 
 late his affections. Wherever, therefore, 
 there is a real principle of Regeneration, 
 tfiere will be new apprehenfions of things. 
 As when God created the natural world, 
 he faid, in the very beginning of his work, 
 " Let there be light, and there was 
 ** light -jV' fo his power is manifefted in 
 this new creation, which raifes the foul 
 from its chaos of darknefs into a beautiful, 
 bright, and well-ordered frame of light. 
 " God, who commanded the light to 
 " (bine out of darknefs, hath fhined into 
 " our hearts, to give the light of the know- 
 
 * See Dr. Doddridgi/s Sermons on Regeneration. 
 t Gen. i. 3. 
 
 " ledge 
 
XXV 
 
 400 He generation, 
 
 pi^c. " ledge of the glory of God in the face of 
 " Jefus Chrift'''" Before the beams of 
 this hght penetrate the hearts of men, 
 " their underflanding is darkened throegh 
 " the ignorance that is in them-f-/' be- 
 caufe of llieir natural blindnefs. This il- 
 lumination appertains not fo much to a 
 fpeculative as to a prae'lical knowledge. 
 AVhen our fouls are once convinced of the 
 reality, and experience " the power of god- 
 *' linefs J," they foon obtain a clearer and 
 fuller knowledge of the do6lrines of Chrif- 
 tianity, they inquire with greater diligence 
 after the truth, they feek it with more ear- 
 neftnefs, they caft off many evil affections 
 which put a corrupt bias on the judgment, 
 and they come within reach of thofe di- 
 tine promifes^ " 'i'hen fliall we know, if 
 " we follow on to know^ the Lord§;''' 
 and, " if any man will do his will, he ftiall 
 " know of the doctrine whether it be of 
 ** God||.'* It is one thing to believe that 
 €/0D is the omnipotent, all-wife and gra- 
 cious Gavemor of the world; another and 
 very different thing tohave the heart pov?- 
 
 * 2 Cor. iv. G. t Eph. iv. 18. J 2 Tim. iii. 5. 
 V lioliia vi.3. || Juhn vii, IJ. 
 
 erfully 
 
Regeneration. 401 
 
 etfully Imprefled with an appfehenfion of i^t^C- 
 bis ability and readinefs to help us. Sucli ^^-v/-^ 
 an apprehenlion of the great and bleiled 
 God has every renewed Chriftian, for he 
 not only believes in his ]3eing and perfec- 
 tions, but he knows that " Chrift is of 
 " God made unto him wifdom and righ- 
 " teoufnefs, fan^lification and redcmp- 
 " tion *." Tii€ glories of the divine Be- 
 ing are known to him in fuch a manner, 
 as they are not to the moil acute meta- 
 phylician or the mod recondite philofo- 
 pher, who are ftrangers to the fpiiituil hfe 
 of a Chriftian. 
 
 By regeneration he is become a child of 
 God, an heir of heaven, and joint-heir 
 M'ith Chrift. He was " carnal -f," " ferv- 
 " ing divers lufts and pleafures J ;" but by 
 the grace of God be hath " put on the 
 *• new man which is renewed in know- 
 " ledge §," and is become holy, pure, and 
 fpiritual. His natural birth made him 
 like unto the firft iVdam after his falh, on 
 whom God pronounced the fentence of 
 death as *• the wages of lin ||/' But his 
 
 ♦ 1 Cor. i. 30, + Rom. vii. 14. X Titus iii. 3, 
 § Col. iii. 10. 11 Rom. vi. 23. 
 
 Vol. I. p d fpirituul 
 
402 Regeneration. 
 
 ?v\9" Spiritual birth hatli afimiilated him in 
 ^-^r^ heart and mind to the lecond Adam, or 
 '' the new man, which, after God, is cre- 
 " ated in righteoufnefs and true hoU- 
 *' neis*.*' The humihty^ purity, and 
 lo\e of God are " Ihed abroad in his 
 " heart by the Holy Ghoil which is crivcn 
 *' unto him f ." The powers and facul- 
 ties of his Ibul are renovated, his under- 
 fianding, which before was eclipfed with a 
 thick cloud of darknefs, is now illuminated 
 with the bright beams of the " fun of 
 " righteoufnefs J." His confcience once 
 afleep and infenfible, is now awake and at- 
 tentive to the .voice of reafon and religion. 
 His heart which before was as adamant, is 
 now foft and tender ; his will, once ftub- 
 ftorn and perverle, is now flexible and ob- 
 fequious to the law of God. His paffions, 
 before " earthly, lt;3nfual, devilifh §," now 
 yield to the condu6l of divine grace, and 
 turn of theml'elves to objefts inviiible and 
 heavenly ; and the members of his body, 
 formerly fervants more or lefs to iniquity, 
 . are nov/ employed in the fervice of righ- 
 
 * Eph. iv. 21. t Rom., v. 5. ; Mai. iv. 2. 
 
 § fJinntis iii, I5T 
 
 •:... .-.-•.. tcoufnefs 
 
"Regmeraiion* 405 
 
 leoufnefs unto holincfs. Hence the whole ^^^;- 
 man runs with equal rapidity in the lirait ^.^,-*-' 
 path of obedience, " and the life which he 
 " now lives in the flefli, he lives by the 
 " taith of the Son of God*/' Such is 
 the aftonifliing moral change which a living- 
 faith produces in the heart and life of a re- 
 generate Chriftian. Such alfo is the 
 change which the Apoflle calls a " new 
 " creation/' It follows, therefore, 
 
 Thirdly, as a necessary confequence^ 
 that " if any man be in Chrift, he is a new 
 " creature/' New in his affections. The 
 degree in which the affe6lions operate may 
 be different in different perfons, according 
 to the frame of their natural conftitution ; 
 but in whatever degree they a6luate us, 
 they make an effential part of our frame, 
 and it is impoffible but they muff be im- 
 preffed with a matter of fuch infinite im- 
 portance as religion appears to be. The 
 apprehenfions of a renewed mind cannot 
 but awaken the exercife of correfpondent 
 afte6lions, and dire6l them to objetts very 
 different from thofe by which they were 
 before excited, and on which they were 
 
 * Gal. ii. 20. 
 
 D d 2 fixed. 
 
404 Jxegeiieratioii. 
 
 ^^^^- fixed. 'I'his, perhaps, will be Left illuf- 
 '"^r^ trated by the afFeclioii of love, which is in- 
 deed the ruling paffion of the mind. 
 
 And here lies t-he very root of hunwn 
 mifery in our fallen and degenerate ftate. 
 AV e are naturally lovers of ourfelves in a 
 very inordinate degree, and " lovers of 
 *' pleafure too more than lovers of God*.*' 
 But the llrlt and great commandment of 
 the law, — " Thou ilialt love the Loud thy 
 " God with all thine heart, and with all 
 " thy foul, and with all thy mind j^," is 
 written and engraven in the breaft of every 
 renewed Chrillian. If the foul of man 
 were indeed entirely cafl into this mould, 
 / and hi« attainments in divine love com- 
 
 plete, lie would not only ceafe from fin, 
 but be free from all calamity. For what 
 evil could effe6t, much lels affail a mind 
 entirely and unchangeably fixed on God .^ 
 And that the love of God iliould be the 
 prevailing atiettion, is not merely an inci- 
 dental circumftance, but an client ial part 
 of true relinion. While the true Chrif- 
 tian, therefore, lees II im who is invifible, 
 us infinitely perfeci in himfelf, and as the 
 
 *■ 2 Tiin iii.4. f .Miilt. xxii. 37. 
 
 author 
 
llcgcneration. 405 
 
 author of being and Iiap[>iners to the whole pisc 
 
 creation, he cannot but acknowledge Him 
 to be beyond companion the moil amiable 
 of all ol)je6ts. And though it is certain 
 nothing can ib much excite our love of 
 (lOD, as a well-grounded ailhrance that 
 He is become our God and Father in 
 Chrift, yet before the regenerate ibul has 
 attained to this, a fenfe of thoie blelhngs 
 which it receives from God in common 
 with the whole human race, and more ef- 
 pecially of thofe which are inieparable 
 Irom the Chriitian profeflion, together 
 with the perfuafion of his being accei'lible 
 through the Mediator, and reconcileable 
 to the guilty race of men, will diifufe a 
 deli2:htful favour of the divine soodnefs 
 over the mind, which will grow fweeteras 
 its hopes brighten, and \vhile they are 
 growing towards " a iViU affurance of 
 ** faith *." 
 
 And as the afre6lions of the regenerate 
 man are thus turned into another bias, fo 
 are his refolutions changed from the prac- 
 tice of fin into the iervice of God. He 
 does r|ot now refolve only againit any par- 
 
 * Heb. X. 'OS. 
 
 J) (\ 3 ticular 
 
 xw. 
 
406 'Rcfyenei'aiion. 
 
 DISC. 
 XX v. 
 
 ticLilar fin. but againft all kinds of iniquity. 
 He is convinced of its abfolute contrariety 
 to the holy nature of God, and its de- 
 ftru6tion of the honour and happinefs of 
 the whole rational creation. Guided by 
 his own convi6lions, W has no defire with 
 Naaman to compound for any favourite 
 idol, by faying, " the Lord pardon thy 
 " fervant in this thing*;" nor does he 
 even wifh for indulgence in that " fm 
 <« which moft eafily beiets him •^-." His 
 will and his judgment are in ftrift league 
 ^gainit every propenfity which may feduce 
 and enfnare his foul. 
 
 His enjoyments are in like manner of a 
 pure, holy, and reftified nature. They 
 arife chiefly from a review of himfelf, as 
 a6ling under the fan6lifying influences of 
 di\ine grace, as " having fellowfhip with 
 *' the Father, and with his Son Jefus 
 " ChriflJ," as being brought into a fl;ate 
 of favour and acceptance with him, and 
 enjoying the light of his countenance. 
 Under a flrailar impreffion, David calls 
 God his " exceeding joy §," and declares 
 
 * 2 Kings \.l^. t Heb. xii. I. j 1 John i. 3. 
 § Plalm xliii. 4, 
 
 ^ the 
 
Regeneration, ^t>,|, 
 
 the gladnefs he had put into his heart to he ^';^f' 
 far preferable to the joy of ihoie " whole ^-^.-n^ 
 " corn and wine increaied */' St. Paul, 
 hkewife, ipeaks of Chridians " rejoicing 
 " in the Lord f;' nnd St. Peter defcribes 
 them as tlioi'e who, " beheving in hnn, 
 ** though unfeen, rejoice w ith joy unfpeak- 
 " able and full of glory:]:." 
 
 His hopes alio are new and lively, not 
 refemblino- thofe of a vain worldlinsr un^- 
 taught in the fchool of wifdom, and undil- 
 ciphned by divine grace, and therefore 
 ever reprel'enting to himfelf fome new 
 phantom of eartlily happinels : No — the 
 renewed Chriitian abandons thefe empty 
 fchemes, becaufe he is " begotten again to 
 " a lively hope by the refurreCtion of Je^ 
 " fus Chrift from the dead, even to the 
 " hope of an inheritance, incorruptible, 
 '• undefiled, and that fadeth not a\Vay," 
 and though it be for the prefent " referv- 
 '' ed in heaven § ;" it is fo fure and gloria 
 ous, that he waits for it with patience, 
 knowing that the " things which are not 
 " feen are eternal \\." Eternity therefore 
 
 * rfalm iv. 7. t Pliil- iv- 4. I 1 Pet. i. S, 
 
 § lb. .3, 4. II 2 Cor. iv. IS, 
 
 D d 4 fills 
 
408 Jienencration . 
 
 .XV, 
 
 inpc. fills his thoughts ; and growing dailv more 
 feniible of its great importance, he pants 
 after the hope of a future recompence. To 
 this his defires and expe61ations are raifed. 
 Unfpotted hohnefs and perfect happinefs 
 in the prefence of God for ever and ever, 
 without any mixture of fm, or alloy of for- 
 row, are his firm hope and unfliaken confi- 
 dence, a felicity which an immortal foul 
 flyall never oi^tlive, and an eternal GoD 
 will never ceale to communicate. He is 
 therefore a zealous candidate for heaven, 
 und no mean citizen of it while he lives 
 upon earth, for both his converfation and 
 his treafure are there. 
 
 This is the renovatins: change wliich 
 this do6trine makes in a man's character 
 and views. And can there be any thing 
 more ornamental to our nature, than to 
 have the bias of the mind thus changed 
 by grace, and our purfuits direcled to fuch 
 obje6ls as are worthy our beft attention 
 and regard ? To have our apprehenfions of 
 divine and fpiritual things enlarged, and 
 to form right conceptions of GoD and eter- 
 nity ? To have the ftrcam of our afFe6lion3 
 turned from earthly vanities tp obje6is 
 
 proper 
 
Hegeneration. 409 
 
 proper to excite and fix them ? To have 
 our relbliitions i'ct aiiainfl all fin, and a full 
 purpofe formed within us of an immediate 
 reformation and return to Cod, with a de- 
 pendance on his grace to help us both to 
 will and to do ? To have our enjoyments 
 founded in a religious life, and flowing in 
 upon us from the fwect intercourfe we 
 have with God in his word and ordinan- 
 ces ? And, finally, to have our hopes with- 
 drawn from the things of time, and cen- 
 tered in eternity. AVhat can be more ho- 
 nourable to us than thus to be renewed 
 after the image of Him that created us, 
 yea, blefl'ed are they that have " followed 
 " the Lamb in the regeneration*," for 
 they iliall " ftand before the throne and 
 " before the Lamb clothed with white 
 *^ robes and palms in their hands -j-." 
 To whom, with the Father, cScc. Amen. 
 
 * Matt. xix. C8. t R^'v. vii. p. 
 
 DIS. 
 
DISCOURSE XXVI. 
 
 JUSTIFICATIOJS^, 
 
 Galatians ii. 16. 
 
 Knowing that a Man is not juftified hy the 
 Jforks of the Law, but by the Faith of 
 Jefus ChriJL 
 
 \V E are now arrived at that doftrlne 
 in the fcale of Chriftian redemption which 
 in different ages of the Church hath been 
 to fome " a ftone of ftumbhng," and to 
 pthers " a rock of offence */' But when 
 rightly underftood, it will, we truft, be 
 found to magnify the free grace of Gop 
 in Chrift Jefus, more than any other 
 fcheme of i'alvation which was ever de- 
 vifed by the wit of man. 
 
 * ilom. ix. 3Z, 
 
 Juili-* 
 
412 Jujlification. 
 
 CISC. Juftification then is a gracious aclof God, 
 v-^,..w wliereby He pardons and accepts ofiinners 
 on the account of Chriil's righteouinefs im- 
 puted to them, and received bv faith. As 
 it is an ii6l of mere mercy in God to call 
 finners to repentance, fo thofe who obey 
 the call, and truly repent, He abfolves and 
 acquits from the guilt and punifhment of, 
 fm, not for their own works or defervings, 
 ** but only for the merit of our Loud 
 " and Saviour Jefus Chrift by faith *." 
 
 Perhaps we (liall attain to a better know- 
 ledge of this important doftriue, if we at- 
 tempt to illuflrate it under the four follow- 
 ing heads : — 
 
 1. The kinds of juftification. 
 
 2. Its beginning, continuance, an^ cpn- 
 fummation. 
 
 3. The meritorious caufe. 
 
 4. The conditions. 
 
 Now there are two forts of juftification, 
 the one legal, the other evangelical. 
 
 Legal juftification is that by which tliQ 
 Jew expe6led to be juftified by paying obe- 
 dience to the precepts of the law, and to 
 be difcharged from its curfe. But the beft 
 
 * Article *i. 
 
 of 
 
Jufijlcation. 413 
 
 of men, even now by the help of divine ^|-fj- 
 grace, cannot perform every requifition of ^-^/^-' 
 the moral law, and fulfil an exaft, unfm- 
 ning obedience, " for in many things we 
 •' offend all *," much lefs could the Jew 
 "who lived under a feverer dii'penfation of 
 divine Juftice, a difpenfation under which, 
 ** if Thou, Lord, iljouldeil mark iniqui- 
 " ties, who could itand -j- ?" If ever there- 
 fore any legal righteoufnels could be faid 
 tojuftity. It was that of Jefus Chrift f/^e 
 Righteous, who, by his obedience unto 
 death, perfected every part of our redemp- 
 tion, and, through his merits, procured 
 the imputation of it to us by faith. This 
 is the only condition by which we can avail 
 Gurfelves of this ineltimable benefit. For 
 it is evident, that that righteoufnefs, (ifany 
 fuch there be) which could juftify by the 
 works of the law, muft be lucli as that law- 
 required ; but the moral law of God re- 
 quired a perfeft, abfolute obedience, viz. 
 " that the man who doeth thofe things 
 " (hould live by them J," which every man 
 living, (one only excepted) is and ever will 
 be unable to perform, and therefore never 
 could be juftified in reference to that law. 
 
 * Jamt"' jii 2. f Pfalm cxxx, 3, J /lom. x. 5. 
 
414 Jufiification. 
 
 AVe arc confequcntlY C',mpelled toliilve re- 
 courle to fome other mean of juftification 
 than that of our own legal rigljtcOijfnefs,and 
 uhat that is the Apoitle of the Gentiles fliall 
 declare — "That 1 may be found in Hrni,'-* 
 faith he, " not having mine own righte- 
 oufnefs which is of the law, but that which 
 " is through the faith of Chrift, the ri*rhte- 
 " oufnefs which is of God by faith*/' 
 But though it appears our righteoufnefs 
 can by no means merit an acquittal from 
 puniihment at the hand of a jufl God, yet 
 is He gracioufly plea fed to accept, on our 
 part, faith as the condition by which we 
 may lay claim to the falvation of Chrift, 
 <* for we are faved by grace through faith •]■'.'* 
 This therefore will be as effeftual to our 
 final juftification, as if we ourfeives had 
 fulfilled the whole law of God. But be 
 it remembered, that " neither on the per- 
 " formance of this condition, can we lay 
 " that our own arm hath faved us, or that 
 " we have done any thing towards perfe6l- 
 " ing our redemption, for this falvation 
 ." through faith, and this faith J" is not of 
 ourfeives, ^' it is the gift of God §." 
 
 * PhiUp. iii, 5. t Kpli- ii- 8. 
 
 t See Sherlock's Qd Difcouifc, 2d vol. § Eph. ii. 8. 
 
 The 
 
Jiiftification. 415 
 
 The evangelical Juftification by which a disc. 
 Chriilian, as luch, fhall be faved, is a free v^.^^^ 
 act of Cod through Chrift, by which lie 
 accounts us righteous in Him, by faith, 
 and the promife of the Gofpel. What the 
 promife of the Gofpel on this fubje6t is, 
 fhall be fet forth in the words of the learned 
 and judicious Hooker, whofe phrafeology 
 is more pure and expreflive than any I am 
 able to utter; " The Righteoufnefs^" faith 
 He, " wherein we rnuit be found, if we 
 
 * will be juftified, is not our own : there- 
 
 * fore we cannot be juftified by any inhe- 
 ' rent quality. Chriit hath merited righte- 
 ' oufnefs for as many as are found in Him* 
 ' In Him God fmdeth us, if we be faith- 
 
 * ful, for by faith we are incorporated 
 
 * into Chrifl. Then, although in our- 
 ' felves we be altogether fmful and mi- 
 ' righteous, yet even the man which is 
 ' impious in himfelf, full of iniquity, full 
 ' oflin, him being found in Chriil through 
 ' faith, and having his fm remitted 
 ' through -repentance ; him God uphold- 
 ' eth with a gracious eye, putteth awa^^ 
 ' his finby^ not imputing it, taketh quite 
 
 * .away the punifliraent due thereto by 
 
 " pardon- 
 
XXV r. 
 
 416 Jujtlfication. 
 
 DISC. " pardoning it, and accepteth him in Jefiia 
 " Chrift; as perte6tly righteous, as if hef 
 " had fulfilled all that was commanded 
 " him in the law : Ihall I fay more per- 
 *' fectly righteous, than if himfelf had ful-« 
 *' filled the whole law*?" I muft take 
 heed what 1 fay : but the Apoftle faith, 
 " God made him to be fm for us who 
 " knew no lin, that we might be made the 
 " righteoufnefs of God in Him -f." Shall 
 we then not conclude with fame Apoftle ; 
 " There is therefore now no condemna- 
 " tion to them that are in Chrift Jefus, 
 " who walk not after the flelb, but after 
 " the Spirit :[?" 
 
 If indeed we are hypocrites or unbe- 
 lievers, and confequently violate the condi- 
 tions of the evangelical covenant, the fa- 
 tisfaftion of Chrift will avail us nothing, 
 and we cannot be " juftitied by his blood §.'' 
 Nothing can be more exprefs than the ge- 
 neral terms of falvation ; " He that be- 
 " lieveth, a.nd is baptized, fliall be faved, 
 " but he that belie veth not fliall be 
 " damned I]." Faith then in the firft in- 
 
 * Difcourfc on JuOificalioii, fixth fcdfioii. 
 
 t 2 Cor. V. ':i. ; l?om. vjii. 1. 4 Ibid. ^. 9- 
 
 li Maik xvi. 10\ 
 
 ft»9ce 
 
Jiiftification. 417 
 
 ftance is the ground-work of our juftifica- ^^sc. 
 tion, as it was of our father Abraham's, ^--v^-' 
 " He beheved God, and it was counted to 
 " him for righteoufnefs. Now to him 
 " that worketh is the reward not reckoned 
 " of grace, but of debt; but to him that 
 *' worketh not, but believeth on Him that 
 " juftifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted 
 " for rigliteoufnefs */' 
 
 By St. Paul therefore our juftification 
 is proved by Abraham's example, to be of 
 faith without works ; and by St. James it 
 is alfo demonflrated by the fame example, 
 to be by works, and not by faith onl}^ 
 In order therefore to reconcile thefe two 
 infpired Apoftles, it is neceljfary only to 
 obierve, that the former is fpeaking of juf- 
 tification by faith as the peculiar do6trine 
 of the Golpel, in contradiltin6lion to the 
 works of the law, and the other is proving 
 the efficacy of that faith by the righte- 
 oulhefs of fanttlfication. " By the for- 
 " mer we are interefted in the risiht of in- 
 " heritance,by the latter, we are brought to 
 ** the actual polleliion of eternal blifs, and 
 " lb tile end of both is life everlalting •^•.'* 
 
 * Koin. iy. 3, 4, 5. t Hooker, Ibid. 
 
 VOL. I. £6 The 
 
418 Jnjiification. 
 
 The next coiifideration is its beginning, 
 continuance, and confummation. 
 
 Now it commences, when God upon 
 our faith firft accepts our perfons, pardons 
 our fins, and receives us into favour. It 
 is confequcnt upon the very firft a6l of true 
 faith : " Bleffed is the man to whom the 
 " Lord imputcth not iniquity*!" 
 
 The continuance in this happy {late is 
 aifured to the behever only on condition 
 of faith, obedience, and unremitting per- 
 feverance. It is not only an inftantaneous 
 a6l, commencing with our firll profeffion 
 of faith, but as a ftate it is progreflive, 
 which, though in its kind complete from 
 the beginning, is ftill carrying on to the 
 end of our Chriftian courfe in righteouf- 
 nelb and true holinefs. For who will deny 
 the neceffity of good works, as well as faith, 
 to fupport us in a final flate of grace and 
 acceptance with God ? 
 
 This bleffed iiate of juftification will be 
 confummated at the end of our life, and 
 in the day of judgment, when God (liall 
 fully and finally abfolve us from our {in^ 
 through the merits of Chrift, and crown 
 
 • Pfalm xxxii. C. 
 
 US 
 
Sujification, 419 
 
 us with glory. And it will have a mani- disc. 
 fed reference to our works, " For we muft ^^^v/ 
 "all appear before the judgment-feat of 
 ** Chrift, that every one may receive the 
 " things done in his body, according to 
 ** that he hath done, whether it be good or 
 " bad */' If we have done good, and 
 perfe6led the work of our fan^lification, we 
 fhall be fully juftified and finally faved by 
 grace through faith. 
 
 The third fubjecl of our inquiry is the 
 inevitorious caufe of our juftification : and 
 in this argument we mufl be all agreed, 
 " For a man is not juftified," faith St. 
 Paul, " by the works of the law, but 
 " by the faith of Jefus Chrift, even we 
 " have believed in Jefus Chrift, that we 
 " might be juftified by the faith of Chrift, 
 " and not by the works of the law ; for 
 *' by the works of the law {hall no fleih be 
 " juftified •|\" All our righteoufnefs in 
 reference to the extent and fpirituality of 
 the law of God is exceedingly imperfedl, 
 and therefore can lay no claim whatever 
 to the leaft (hare of merit. For this rea- 
 fon, " no man living in the fight of God 
 
 * 2 Cor. V. 10. t Gal. ii. l6\ 
 
 E e 2 " fhall 
 
420 Jiijiijication. 
 
 J^sc. *c ^j.^|i |3e juftified*." " The blood f" 
 of Jefiis Chrill alone can avail for that 
 purpofe, and therefore happy is the man 
 -who is thus acquitted from the guilt and 
 punifliment of fm ! 
 
 The laft confideration is the condition of 
 our j unification, which is evidently,/bww^^^ 
 upon faith, decorated, as a tree in full ma- 
 turity fpreading forth its leaves and fruits, 
 with the beautiful fupcrftrufture of repent- 
 ance, love, and obedience. Thefe render it 
 fuch as God will accept through thefalisfac- 
 tion of our Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift, 
 who alone by his moft precious blood llied 
 upon the crofs, hath obtained for us remii- 
 fion of fins and eternal life. But I know 
 no part of the Gofpel covenant which pro- 
 mifes pardon of fm and future falvatiori 
 independent of a pure and holy life. True 
 it is, that faith, in St. Paul's fenfe, alone 
 jultifies, as it includes the whole condition 
 of the Gofpel, and as it ftands in oppo- 
 fition to the works of the law. 
 
 In this fenie, no doubt, " a man is juf- 
 " tified by faith without the deeds of the 
 " law J." But 1 believe no one, except 
 
 * PfaUn cxliii. 2. t Rorn, v. 9. J Ibid. iii.-28- 
 
JiiJIification. 421 
 
 an Antinomiau, or an I'^ntliufiaft, will af- i^^^^- 
 lert that taith alone, in oppoiition to all ^^.-w 
 the fruits of righteoufnefs, is the fole con- 
 dition of our juftification. Thefe not only 
 prove our faith to be of a jufiifying na- 
 ture, but they are thenilelves part of the 
 condition required in the new covenant. 
 And in this ^enie St. James expref-^ly de- 
 clares, that " by works a man is juitilied, 
 " and not by faith only "^." 
 
 The furn of the whole argument then, I 
 humbly conceive, to be briefly as follows : 
 A man is then only juitified, when he is 
 freed from the wq-ath of God, abiolved from 
 the guilt and punifhment of (in, and is at 
 peace with God through faith in Chrift 
 Jefus; and thefe evangelical privileges and 
 bleffmgs can be applied to none but fuch 
 as come within thole qualifications and con- 
 ditions prefcribed in the charter of our 
 falvation. That God pardons lin, and re- 
 ceives us into favour, only through the 
 merits and death of Chrift, is fo fully ex- 
 prefTed in the Gofpel, that it is not pofllble 
 for any unprejudiced mind to doubt of it. 
 Put it is no iefs evident that it is not of- 
 
 • J;imos ii. 24, 
 
 E e 5 fered 
 
422 Juftlfication, 
 
 xxvi ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ abfolutely and unconditionally. 
 
 V'^rv^ Repentance and remiflion of fnis are con- 
 comitants : " Faith which worketh by 
 " love *," which " purifies the heart -f-,'' and 
 " keepeth the commandments of God J," 
 is the only genuine faith of the Gofpel ; 
 but be it remembered that this faith is not 
 a meritorious work, it is only the condi- 
 tion on which the mercy of God is of- 
 fered to us through Chrift, we then cor- 
 refpond with his defign of coming into the 
 world, " that He might redeem us from 
 " all iniquity," that is, juftify us, " and 
 " purify unto himfelf a peculiar people 
 " zealous of good works §," that is, fanc- 
 tify us. On a faithful compliance with 
 ihefe qualifications, our fms are pardoned, 
 our perfons accepted into the divine favour, 
 and we are entitled to eternal life through 
 the merits of our Lord and Saviour Jefus 
 Chrift, 
 
 Shall not then this moft wholefome and 
 very comfortable do6lrine animate us to 
 live by faith upon the Son of God, and 
 conftrain us to walk before Him in true 
 
 * Gal. V. 6. t Afts XV. 9. j 1 Cor, vii. 19, 
 
 % Titus ji. 14, 
 
 holinefs 
 
Jiijiification. 425 
 
 holinefs and rishteoufnefs all the days of PJ^<^. 
 ^ ^ ^ , *^ xxvr. 
 
 our life ? Shall we not firmly believe that ^^.^w 
 Chrift died for all penitent and converted 
 finners, and when we can with truth apply 
 thefe charafters to ouH'clves, ma}^ we not 
 infer that lie died for us, and that we are 
 of the number of thofe who ihall be juf- 
 tified and faved by Him ? But as we may 
 fall from this Itate of grace, and forfeit 
 our hope of immortality, it is therefore 
 necel!ary to " work out our falvation with 
 " fear and trembling ^\" 
 
 It is impoffible to conceive the praifes 
 which will redound to the honour of the 
 everlafting God, and our Saviour Jefus 
 Chrift, when his redeemed Ihall obtain the 
 end of their faith, even the falvation of 
 their fouls. Let us then lift up our heads, 
 and rejoice, that this complete redemption 
 •will begin as foon as we are releafed from 
 the prifon of the body, and admitted into 
 the regions of the bleiled. There, in the 
 divine prefence, the celeftial inhabitants 
 are fatiated with " fulneis of joy -j-," and 
 " each with his harp J" of praiie and 
 thankfgiving joins in the long of the Lamb 
 
 » Phil. ii. 12. I Puilm xvi. U. % Rev. v. 8. 
 
 E c 4 who 
 
4i24 Ji/fiification. 
 
 DISC, who hath " redeemed them to God by his 
 
 X.XVI, 
 
 v^i^v^ " blood*." Howmuch more then ftiall they 
 triumph in the day of the Lord when the 
 number of his ele6l ftiall be accomphlhed, 
 and when they, who have '' hved the Hfe 
 " which they now hve in the flelh by the 
 " faith of the Son of God -f/' fliall inhe- 
 rit the kingdom of their Father ? Then 
 fhall all the hoft of heaven iliout Allelujahs 
 to the Lamb triumphant, who hath re- 
 deemed them out of every nation, and 
 tribe, and people. And may God grant 
 that we who fee Him only now by faith, 
 may be juftified by his biood, fan6tiiied by 
 his Spirit, and faved through the merits of 
 the fame Jefus Chrifl our only Lord and 
 Saviour. 
 
 To whom, &c. Amen. 
 
 * Rev. V. 9. t Gal. ii. 20. 
 
 DIS- 
 
DISCOURSE XXVII. 
 
 SANCTIFJCATION. 
 
 1 Thess. iv. 3. 
 
 XXV 11. 
 
 This is the Will of God^ even your SanBi- 
 fication. 
 
 As God, of bis free mercy, bath called prsc.^ 
 us in Chrift Jefus to a ftate of falvation, 
 and juflified us tlirougb faith, lb he afibrds 
 grace fufficient to turn every one of us 
 from our iniquities, and to fanftify our fal- 
 len and corrupt nature. Aided by the 
 power of divine grace, and fupported 
 through fan6lificationof the Spirit, we are 
 enabled to perform an acceptable, though 
 imperfe<5l obedience. In the order of na- 
 ture, therefore, but not of time, we are 
 juiiified before we are lan^tified, but the 
 work of the latter muft be begun and con- 
 tinued, 
 
426 Sancilfication. 
 
 DTsc-^ tinued, or it will deprive us of the faving 
 ^—-r^ benefit of the former. They are, as it 
 were, correlatives, and depend in a great 
 meafure on each other. 
 
 Sanftification is the work of God's 
 grace within us, by which we, who were 
 before impure and defiled, are made inhe- 
 rently holy, enabled to forfake lin, and to 
 walk in newnefs of life. Then are we 
 fanclified, when we are a6lually changed 
 Jrom evil to good, as well in the inward 
 bias of our will and afFeftions, as in the 
 outward tenor of our life and converfa- 
 tion. For fuch as are truly regenerate, 
 fan6tified, and real members of Chrift, 
 " have crucified the flefli with the afiec- 
 " tions and lulls *,'* and they only who 
 have calt off their old inclinations and in- 
 veterate habits of fin, can with truth and 
 propriety be faid to be " fanftified by the 
 " Holy Ghoft-j'.'' They are renewed by 
 the Spirit after the image of God in purity 
 and holinefs. 'i'hey confequently ceafe 
 more and more from the ways of fin, en- 
 deavouring in all things to obey the will of 
 God. The ground of fuch acceptable 
 
 * Gal. V. 24. t Rom. xv. ]6\ 
 
 obedience 
 
Sanctificatlon. 427 
 
 obedience is warranted by the Apoftle ; 
 for *' wholbever," ikith he, " is born of 
 " God, doth not commit fm, for his feed 
 " remaineth in him, and he cannot fin, 
 " becaufe he is born of God *." It is 
 morally impoffible, as fuch, that He fliould 
 commit any wilful, deliberate fin, or con- 
 tinue in the practice of it. There is fuch 
 a principle of grace in the heart of a fandi- 
 fied Chriftian, as enables him both to avoid 
 and to hate iniquity. But this is not the 
 cafe of that man who wilfully negle(5ls the 
 good which he knows he ought to do, and 
 commits the evil which he ought not, for 
 he fins againft the light of knowledge, and 
 the convictions of his own confcience ; 
 mufl not he, therefore, if he refle6l at all, 
 be confcious to himfelf that he is in an un- 
 fanclified (late, and confequently not in a 
 ftate of fulvation.'^ 
 
 But though a real Chriftian be fo fan<5li- 
 fied that he keeps the commands of God 
 in an evangelical manner, and allows not 
 himfelf in the indulgence of any known 
 fin, yet is he fenfible how prone he is by 
 jiature to evil, and how liable to the fug- 
 
 * 1 John iii. t). 
 
 o-eflions 
 7 
 
428 Sanciijication, 
 
 geftions of a corrupt and carnal principle 
 within him. For " the fleOi lufteth againft 
 " the Spirit*." He is apprized that one 
 of his greateft trials is the mortification of 
 natural concupifcence. To overcome that, 
 and " to efcape the pollutions that are in 
 " the world through luft-f/' is no fmali 
 victory in the Chriftian warfare ; and 
 though in a {lri6lfenfe, the mere propenfity 
 to evil does not conftitute ad:ual fin until 
 it gains the confent of the will, ^^et to refift 
 the inclination is an a6t of virtue. 
 
 Indeed it is recorded of fome faints in 
 Scripture, that they were perfe61:, and 
 " walked in all the ordinances of the Lord 
 " blamelefsj." But that perfection to 
 which they attained, was not an abfolute 
 perfection, though it might fairly be deno- 
 minated fuch in an evangehcal fenfe, be- 
 caufe they obeyed from the heart the 
 words of our bleffed Saviour, notwith- 
 flanfling they were not perfect in fa6l ac- 
 cording to the law. For legal perleftion, 
 excluding the leaft taint of fin, cannot be 
 attained in this life by any mere mortal. 
 The ability vouchfafed to him through 
 
 * Gal. V. \7. t ^ Pot, ii. 20. J Luke i. 6. 
 
 grace 
 
San^lfication. 4^9 
 
 grace to perform an acceptable obedience, d:sc. 
 is all that an " unprotitable lervant *"" can C^-v-^ 
 attain to. " For there is not a juft man 
 " upon earth, that doth good, and fmneth 
 " not'j-." — " In many things we offend 
 " all+." And, " if we lay that we have 
 " no lin, we deceive ourfelves, and the 
 " truth is not in us §." 
 
 And if the fan6tified believer cannot 
 perfeftly keep the law of God, but on ac- 
 count of his numberlefs infirmities ftands 
 in need of daily pardon, how can he ex- 
 pe6l to be faved by his own merits ? 
 Much lefs can He " redeem his brother, 
 " or give to God a ranfom for him ||." 
 And though life eternal may feem to be 
 promifed as the reward of righteouihefs, it 
 IS a reward of grace, not of merit. No 
 performance of good works can properly 
 lay claim to falvation, unlefs it be in every 
 tittle equivalent to the proffered falvation. 
 But what equivalence can there be betwixt 
 the imperfe6t righteoufnels of a poor mi- 
 ferable finner, and the perfeft infinite hap- 
 pinefs of heaven .-^ " If then we muft needs 
 
 * Luke xvii. ]0. f Eccl. vii. 20. % James iii. i2. 
 § 1 John i. 8. II Psalm xlix. 7 • 
 
 " glory. 
 
^SO SanBtfication. 
 
 " glorj^ let us, with Saint Paul, glory of 
 the things which "concern our infirmi- 
 " ties *," and not our performances. For, 
 " when we have done all thofe things 
 " which are commanded us, we have done 
 " only that which was our duty to do -f'/' 
 For this is the will of God even our Sanc- 
 tification. The exercife of this Chriflian 
 grace, its encreafe and progrefs, depend 
 in fome meafure on ourfelves under the di- 
 vine influence, and therefore it is enjoined 
 as the pofitive will of God. When this 
 holy principle is wrought in us by the fpi- 
 rit of God, it difcovers, both to the un- 
 derftanding and will, the knowledge and 
 excellence of divine truths. The intellec- 
 tual faculty is foon convinced of their 
 power, reafonablenefs, and facred origin ; 
 and the will is difpofed to make choice of 
 them as its greatefi: good. Drawn by the 
 indillbluble band of love, it is eager, at all 
 times, to pay the moll fubmiffive homage 
 and chearful obedience to them. Both 
 the one and the other are ready to join in 
 the devoi^t language of the holy Pfalmift : 
 " O how 1 love thy law, all the day 
 * 2 Cor. xi. 30. f Luke xvii. 10. 
 
 " long 
 
DISC. 
 .\X\II. 
 
 SanBification, 43 1 
 
 " long is my ftudy in it*/' " I delight to 
 " do thy Mill, O my GoDf." The fame 
 Spirit of truth and piety which ft)one ib 
 eminently in the life of our blelKed Saviour, 
 appears alfo in its order and degree in thofei 
 that are Chrift's. Hence ariles in the foul 
 of a fan6lified Chriftian a fieady and fixed 
 purpole of heart to be in all things con- 
 formable to the will of God ; eftablifliing 
 this as a lacred and inviolable principle of 
 condu<5t, to have the fame inclinations and 
 the fame averfions with God. " The fear 
 " ot the Lord," faith Solomon, '' is to 
 •* hate evil ; pride, and arrogancy, and 
 " the evil way, and froward mouth do I 
 " hatej;' 
 
 The inferior faculties of the mind being 
 thus fubjugated to the power of the will, 
 chearfully obey the commands of God. 
 And the whole foul, like a weU-dilciplined 
 army, in which every individual in his 
 rank and order moves at the firlt word of 
 command, is ever prompt to obey. This 
 is that " willing mind §" which is fo ac- 
 ceptable in the light of God. Guided by 
 this influence, the tumult of the paflions 
 
 * Pfalin cAix. 47. t Pr. xl. 8. : Prov. viii. 13. 
 § 2 Cor. viii. 12. 
 
 gradu- 
 
432 SanBification. 
 
 gradually fubfides, they learn to wait the 
 commands of realbn and the controul of 
 grace, and they a6t with more intenfe 
 energy, or remifs indifference, in propor- 
 tion to the real importance of the obje6l 
 on which they are engaged. They now 
 exert themfelves with becoming zeal in fpi- 
 ritual and heavenly things, with which they 
 were once wont to be i'carcely, if at all, 
 affe8:ed. They now calmly refign them- 
 felves to the rule of God's word, and the 
 government of his Holy Spirit. How dif- 
 ferent from that wretched ftate, when the 
 impetuofity of luft predominated, and the 
 paffions were hunting after worldl}^, carnal, 
 and vicious gratifications with uncurbed 
 ilcentioufnefs ! Blefled change ! They have 
 jjot only acquired a more generpus and no- 
 ble bias, but are tuned to a fong of fweeter 
 melody; and they carry the mind, by their 
 miproved and fanctified tendency, towards 
 obje<f:ts that are not only holy and heavenly, 
 but in the higheft degree ornamental to a 
 Chriftian. 
 
 In fuch a ftate of religious confolation 
 He does not even prefume to wifh that 
 God would either regulate his precepts, or 
 
 change 
 
SanBification. 433 
 
 change his purpofes from any regard to his disc. 
 defire, or boj e, or fear. That ielt-denial, 
 which is the firft leflbn in the fchool of 
 Chrift, commands all iiis affeftions into 
 lilence, and a principle of unlimitted obe- 
 dience oblio;es them to be reli^ned to the 
 will of God. He is confcious how unbe- 
 coming in a Chriflian it is to wilh that any 
 thing God has done or fpoken fliould be 
 otherwife than it is, and as often as that 
 prevailing principle of felf-love, which can 
 never be eradicated, urges him to depart 
 from God, the fuperior faculties of his 
 foul, " through fan6lification of the Spi- 
 " rit *," infpire him with confidence in 
 that pious ejaculation of the Pfalmift, 
 " My foul, wait thou only upon God, for 
 " my expefilation is from Him -f-." 
 
 This holy difpofition of mind commu- 
 nicates itfelf to all the members of the 
 body, which being before " inftruments of 
 "unrighteoufnefstofm,arenowinftruments 
 " of righteoufnefs to God J.'* The eyes, 
 the tongue, the ears, the hands, and the 
 feet are not only reftrained from giving the 
 lead occafion to lin, after the example of 
 
 • 2 Thcff. ii. 13. t Tfalm Ixii. 5. \ Rom. vi. 13. 
 VOL. I. F f St. 
 
434 SanBification. 
 
 DISC. St, Paul, who " kept undtT his bodv, and 
 
 XXVII. . . .... *' 
 
 ** brought it into fubiection *," but all of 
 them are ready and inclined to obey the 
 will of God, to which the}' yield them- 
 feives for the performance of cvevy good 
 work. They then ierve as weapons of de- 
 ience to ward off the afiaults of Satan, and 
 to guard againft the temptations to fm. 
 As long as the moit eminent virtues lie 
 concealed in the inward recefs of the 
 heart, they tend but little to the edifica- 
 tion of others, but \\ lien the}' are exer- 
 cifed and called forth into action by the 
 members of the body, tliey contribute, in 
 their feveral capacities, to the extirpation 
 of vice, and promotion of virtue. When 
 the tongue is exerted in the praifes of God, 
 and the commendation of true holinefs and 
 righteoyfne.fs ; when the hands and the feet 
 are prompt to proryjote the temporal and 
 fpiritual welfare of others, and the general 
 pra6bice of pure religion, then it is, that 
 fuch a Chriltian, according to the com- 
 mand of St. Paul, " glorifies God in 
 " his body, and in his ipirit which ar^ 
 " God's -f-," " and the very God of peace 
 " fandifies him wholly j." 
 
 * 1 Cor. ix.27. t Ibid. vi. 20. I I Thv.i(, v. 23. 
 
 2 True 
 
San&ificatioii\ 435 
 
 TrUe San6lification therefore conllfts not 
 ouly in the outward amendment of the ac- 
 tions, but in the inward puriiication of the 
 heart gradually wrought in it. Among 
 ihofe precious promilesj which, as Chrif- 
 tians, we may obtain, St. Peter mentions 
 ^* the participation of a divine nature*/' 
 and a large meafure of thofe virtues, 
 which, *' if they be in us, they make us 
 " that we (hall neither be barren nor un- 
 " fruitful in the knowledge of our Lord 
 " Jefus Chriftf." And St. Paul, enu- 
 nierating the fruits of the Spirit, viz. love, 
 joy, peace, long-fuffering, and the like, in- 
 timates that thefe graces are habitual and 
 inherent in the fouls of thofe, ** who by 
 ** reafon of ufe have their fenfes exercifed 
 " to difcern both good and evil J." The 
 power of this heavenly virtue is improved, 
 as the fubje6t in whom it dwells inereafes 
 " in wildom and fpiritual underftanding § ;'* 
 though the cfllcient caufe of it is the 
 uncreated infinite holineis of the divine 
 Majefty. " That they might know, tnat f 
 •' am the Lord that doth lanttify them |L" 
 
 * 2 Peter i. 4-. ^Wj'A.'H. jHeb. v. U. 
 
 \ Col. i. 9. il Exod. xxxi. 13. 
 
 F f 2 The 
 
DISC. 
 XXVII. 
 
 436 SanSiificatioji, 
 
 The fame power which was once exerted in 
 the work of creation, is alfo neceflary in 
 the fan6tification of the eleft, whofe " work- 
 " manihip they are, created in Chrift Je- 
 " fus unto good works */' 
 
 What then can we do but earneftly en- 
 deavour to give ourfelves up to the govern- 
 ment and guidance of the Holy Spirit, 
 that we may be fan6lified by Him in body, 
 foul, and fpirit, and never more grieve his 
 holy operations within us ? His divine in- 
 fluence is a delicate thing : as we are wont 
 to treat it, it recedes, or dwells with us. 
 If with tender care we cherifli its good 
 motions. He will manifeft Himfelf to us 
 >vith a more chearful and ferene counte- 
 nance. He will carry us forward to higher 
 attainments, enable us to run the race that 
 is fet before us without wearinefs, bring us 
 nearer to God, and dire6l us in the way 
 to heaven. Let us therefore, (to ufe the 
 expreffion) fpread all our fails while this 
 heavenly breeze continues, left, this prof- 
 perous gale dying away, or a ftorm arifing, 
 our voyage to the fair haven of Salvation 
 (hpuld be intercepted ; in that cafe we 
 
 ♦ Eph. ii. 10. 
 
 ftiould 
 
Sandfification. 437 
 
 ilioulcl be in danger of fplitting on the rock ^^^^i 
 of Infidelity, or fniking in the quiekfands ^-^.^^ 
 of Dei'pau'. 
 
 If we willi not to fail in the great work 
 of our San<5lification, we fhould remember 
 how much it may be promoted by renew- 
 ing our covenant with God, and reiterat- 
 ing ihofe vows by which we bound our- 
 feh'es to a fmcere obfervance of his laws. 
 In the language of the holy Pfalmift, " I 
 " have fworn, and I will perform it, that I 
 " will keep thy righteous judgments *." 
 The baptilmal vow being thus renewed, (if 
 no other advantage attend it) will be of ufe 
 to reitrain the ibul from fin, to quicken its 
 indolence into zeal, to raife it when fallen, 
 and teach it to repent of the complicated 
 guilt of treachery and perjury. 
 
 Be careful then frequently to examine 
 your own confciences, and to call not only 
 your words and actions, but your very 
 thoughts to remembrance, that with fliame 
 and forrow you may confefs to God all the 
 evil of your paft lives, and endeavour in 
 future to perform an acceptable, becaufe a 
 fan(5lified, obedience. Or, by glorifying 
 
 * Plalm cxix. \06. 
 
 ifS God 
 
438 San&ification, 
 
 God for the purity and holinefs of your 
 lives, and the fecret fatisfaclion of rejoicing 
 in the teftimoriy of a good confcience, you 
 may be animated to purfue that courfe of 
 holy difcipline on which you have entered; 
 and fay with the devout Pfalmift, " I 
 ^' thought on my ways, and turned my feet 
 ^' to thy teltirponies *." Such condu6t as 
 this cannot fail to promote the progrefs of 
 fdn6lification in the foul, till it arrive at a 
 nearer conformity to the divine pattern. 
 In the meaq time let us " not count our- 
 " felves to have already attained, or to be 
 " already perfe6l, but, forgetting thofe 
 " things th^t are behind, and reaching 
 ** forth untq thofe things that are be-r 
 ** fore, prefs towards the mark for the 
 " prize of the high calling of God in 
 ^« Chrift Jefusf." 
 
 To whom, &c. Amen. 
 
 * rfalm cxix. 5C|. f I'l^i^. iii- 1>> 13, 14. 
 
 BIS- 
 
DISCOURSE XXVIII. 
 
 ADOPTION. 
 
 John i. 12, 
 
 XXV III 
 
 As 7/10)11/ as rcctked Him, to thtm gave 
 He Foa'er to become the So?is of God, 
 even to them that believe on his Name. 
 
 Among the many excellent privileges disc 
 of which Chrift makes all true believers 
 to partake, there is none more valuable in 
 itielf, than that of Adoption. It graci- 
 ouily admits them, though ftrangers and 
 enemies to God by nature, into the ftate 
 and relation of children throusfh Jei'us 
 Chrift. For his fake God is pleafed in 
 become their Father according to the pro- 
 mile of the new covenant. They are re- 
 generated by the Spirit, juftified freely by 
 F f 4 his 
 
DISC. 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 440 Adoption, 
 
 his grace through the redemption that is 
 in Chrift Jefus, and are brought through 
 the fame divine influence to an afire6i:ionate, 
 obedient frame of mind towards God as 
 their reconciled Father. 
 
 The only objeft that open and avowed 
 enemies to God, living under the dominion 
 of Satan, and enflaved to their lufts, (and 
 fuch were all mankind) could have, was to 
 be re-admitted to the degree of fervants, 
 according to the tenour of the Prodigal ; 
 " Father, I have finned againft heaven 
 " and before thee, and am no more wor- 
 " thy to be called thy fon, make me as 
 " one of thy hired fervants *." But be- 
 hold the wonderful love and ftupendous 
 condefcenfion of the great God and Fa- 
 ther of our Lord Jefus Chrift, who was 
 pleafed not only to re-admit them to his 
 fervice, but advance them to the endear- 
 ing relation of fons. " As many as re- 
 " ceived Him, to them gave He power," 
 or privilege, " to become the Sons of 
 " God." 
 
 Firft, then, let us condder under what 
 notion Chriftians become the Sons of God. 
 
 * Luke XV. 19. 
 
 Secondly, 
 
Adopt 1071. 441 
 
 Secondly, upon what condilions ; and x^\^fi- 
 Thirdly, to what duties it obliges them, w-,-^ 
 Now this relation to God is attributed 
 in Scripture to very different fubjefts, and 
 upon very ditrereni: accounts. 'J'he Lord 
 Himlelf demands of Job, " Hath the raip 
 " a father? or who hath begotten the 
 *' drops of dew * ?" Even to an unphilo- 
 fophical mind the anfwer is obvious, be- 
 caufe the inanimate parts of the creation 
 derive their being from Him. The angels 
 are alfo called " the Sons of God -i," be- 
 caufe they are " miniftring Spirits J.'* So 
 are likewife the fpirits of good men de- 
 parted to a ftate of immortality, becaufe 
 they cannot die any more, and are there- 
 fore " equal to the angels" of God §. 
 " Adam" too, is juftly called " the Son of 
 " God||," becaufe he was created by his 
 immediate hand. The blefifed Jefus is 
 emphatically fo denominated, becaufe he 
 was formed in the womb of an immaculate 
 Virgin by the operation of the Holy 
 Ghoft, but more properly becaufe he is his 
 own, only, begotten Son, of the fame na- 
 
 * Job xxxviii. 28. t Ibid. 7. : Uvh. i. 14. 
 § Luke XX. 36". Jl Ibid. iii. oS. 
 
 turc, 
 
442 Adoption. 
 
 DISC, ture, eflence, and perfeclion with Him 
 
 XXVTII. . 
 
 from aH eternity. 
 
 It is evident, that of thefe feveral accep- 
 tations, fome cannot poffibly belong to us 
 at any time ; others not noM', though they 
 may hereafter ; and of thofe which may be 
 appropriate to us, they are not fo as we are 
 Chriilians. 
 
 The only means, exclufive of creation, 
 by which we become in a fpecial manner 
 the children of God, are by Redemption 
 and Adoption. 
 
 By Redemption we are brought from a 
 Itate of fm, mifery, and death, into the en- 
 joyment of a ftate of holinefs, and happi- 
 nefs, and life. By the fufferings of Chrift 
 we are bought with a price, and being by 
 them reconciled to God, he lays claim to 
 a paternal right over us, and entides us to 
 the adoption of fons. For the fame rea- 
 fon, Mofes declared to the children of If- 
 rael, whom God redeemed from the land 
 of Egypt : — ** Is not he thy Father that 
 " hath bought thee, hath He not made 
 ** thee and establiihed thee * ?" Senfible 
 of this great and wonderful deliverance, 
 
 * Dcut. xxxii. 6. 
 
 they 
 
Adoption. 443 
 
 thev exclaimed with pious e;raliludo — nisr. 
 
 " xx\'i(r 
 
 •" Doubtlefs thon art our Father, though 
 
 ** Abraham be ignorant of us, and Ifrael 
 
 ** acknowledge us not, thou, O Lord^ 
 
 ** art our Father, our Redeemer, from 
 
 " everlafting is thy name*." 
 
 Now, if the IlraeHtes thus became the 
 children of God, by virtue of their re- 
 demption, from a temporal bondage only, 
 in how much more exalted a fenfe does 
 that title belong to us whom He has fo 
 wonderfully redeemed from a fpiritual cap- 
 tivity, with which the other, in compa- 
 rifon, is not worthy to be mentioned ? We 
 who, according to the divine goodnefs, are 
 " begotten again by the refurre6tion of 
 " JefusChrilt from the dead, unto a lively 
 • ' hope of an inheritance incorruptible and 
 *' undefiled -f /' Animated with this hope, 
 we may look forward with the joyful ex- 
 peftation of being " heirs of God and 
 f' joint heirs with Chrift J." 
 
 'Fhe next means by which we become 
 the children of God is by Adoption, 
 which, as appears from the laws and cuf- 
 toms of the country where it has obtained, 
 
 ♦ Ifiiiah Ixiii. l5. f 1 I*'t. i. 3. ; Mom. viii. 17. 
 
 is 
 
441) Adoption, 
 
 DISC. 
 
 XXVIII ^^ ^^ °^ favour by which a perfon, 
 ^--vV through choice, takes him for a fon, who 
 was not fo by birth. Such a one, fo 
 adopted, if a flave before, becomes free of 
 courfe, and then, as a freeman, he takes 
 the name and fucceeds to a right of the in- 
 heritance of the adopter. 
 
 Now, in the cafe before us, there is in 
 hke manner a marvellous act of grace in 
 fuffering wretches, who before were aliens 
 and ftrangers from the covenant of God, 
 nay, flaves to the enemy of fouls, and 
 fold under fin, to be firft taken into liber- 
 ty, and then into the family of that GoD 
 from whom they had eftranged them- 
 felves. And the method of procuring us 
 this invaluable privilege is ftill more won- 
 derful, for the eternal and only begotten 
 Son of God took our nature upon him, 
 and became the Son of man, that we 
 might become the fons of God. And by 
 dying in that nature. He delivered us 
 from the curfe to which every partaker of 
 it was U^ble, and fo purchafed for us that 
 hberty and freedom which was a nece0ary 
 qualification and ftep to our Adoption. 
 Devolving, by thefe means, his merits apd 
 
 his 
 
Adoption, 445 
 
 bis claims upon us, and conveying to us a Ji\^5'"r 
 good and legal affurance of as large a fliare 
 as we are capabJe of, in that glory and in- 
 heritance to which he hath the mod un- 
 doubted right by fupcrnatural dei'cent. 
 
 For this reaibn the Son is laid to have 
 *' loved us, and waflied us in his own blood, 
 " and to have made us kings and priefts 
 " unto God */' Thus it is faid, " that 
 " both lie who fan6tifieth, and they that 
 " are fan6tified are all of one, for which 
 *' caufe He is not adiamed to call them 
 " brethren -j-." The Father is alfo faid to 
 have " predeftinated us to the adoption 
 " of children by Jefus Chrilt to himfelf, 
 " according to the good pleafure of his 
 " will, to the praife and glory of his grace, 
 " wherein He hath made us accepted 
 " in the beloved, in whom we have re- 
 " demption through his blood :{:." And 
 elfevvhere God is laid, to have " fent 
 " forth his Son to redeem them that were 
 " under the law, that v/e might receive the 
 " adoption of for.s §." " And becaufe 
 ** ye are fons, Goi; hath fent forth the 
 
 *Rev. i. 5,(J. fllob. ii. 11. : Eph.i. 5,(^,7. 
 § Gal. IV. 5. 
 
 « Spirit 
 
wrv. 
 
 XXVIli 
 
 446 Adoption. 
 
 " Spinl of his Son into your hearts, cry- 
 " in^^, Abba, Father*." 
 
 Hence itapppyrs that fo far as the free 
 oood~\vili of the adopter, and the advan- 
 tages accruing to the perfons of the 
 adopted are concerned, the allufion to that 
 adoption, ufual in fome countries, is juft 
 an(i good ; and we fo far underftand the 
 one by the other, this fpiritual by that 
 earthly one, as myy make us duly ienfibie 
 of the greatnefs of the mercy, and our un-« 
 worthineis of fuch an high dignity as to 
 become the fons of God. 
 
 2. As to the condition on which we are 
 admitted to this invaluable privilege, it is 
 here faid to be the receiving of Chrirt, 
 which is of the fame import with believing 
 on Him, as appears by the laft claufe of 
 the \eY{{i which is explanatory of the for- 
 mer. Faith is the great condition of the 
 new covenant, and fo far as concerns the 
 matter in (pieftion, it is a (irm belief and 
 full periualion that Jefus Chrift is the Mef- 
 fiah and Saviour of the AVorld,oran abid- 
 ing dependai>ce of the heart upon Him 
 for peace, pardon, and falvation, and an 
 
 •Gal.iT.(J. 
 
 accept- 
 
xxviir. 
 
 Adoption. 44' 
 
 acceptance of him as he is oflered in the i^^^^- 
 Goipel. 
 
 And that He is offered to us under thefe 
 capacities, and veited with all thofe offices 
 which render llim in every refpecl a re- 
 medy fullv adequate to our loit and mifcr- 
 able condition, is evident from the whole 
 tenour of the Scriptures, and therefore we 
 muft receive him as well in one as in the 
 other. 
 
 That we are all naturally ignorant of the 
 true knowledge of God, of his nature and 
 will, the Scripture every where declares, 
 and therefore Chrift came in quality of a 
 Prophet to reveal the will of God for our 
 ialvation. Confcious of this, Ifaiah accord- 
 ingly introduces him thus revealing him- 
 felf: " The Spirit of the Iord God is 
 " upon me, bccaufe lie hath anointed me 
 '* to preach the Gofpel to the poor, to bind 
 " up the broken-hearted, to proclaim li- 
 " berty to the captives, and the opening of 
 " the prifon to them that are bound *.'* 
 *' This day," faith our blelied Saviour Ifim- 
 felf, " is this Scripture fulfilled in your 
 " ears 'j-. 
 
 * Ifaiah l\i. 1, 2. ■» lukc iv. 21. 
 
XXVI 1 
 
 448 Adoption, 
 
 DISC And that He performed the office of a 
 
 divine Teacher, will appear to any one who 
 confiders that He was extraordinarily qiia- 
 hiied for it, gave the mod unequivocal 
 proofs of his miflion, and a6tually dif- 
 charged it to the belt purpofe. 
 
 God indeed declared to Jeremiah, " Be- 
 " fore thou earned forth out of the womb, 
 " 1 fan6lified thee, and ordained thee a 
 " prophet among the nations "*." And of 
 John the Baptift, " He fliall be filled 
 " with the Holy Ghoft from his mother's 
 *' womb-f-;" and if thefe became lingular 
 prophets by their preparative fanftilica- 
 tion, how much more excellent mull his 
 prophetical qualification be, to whole mo- 
 ther it was iliid, " The Holy Ghoft Ihall 
 " come upon thee, and the power of the 
 " Higheft Ihall overlhadow thee J." Upon 
 whom the Holy Ghoft " defcended like 
 " a dove in a bodily (hape, and a voice 
 " came from heaven, faying, Thou art 
 *' my beloved Son, in thee I am well- 
 " pleafed ||." Never did any one give 
 fuch manifeft proofs of his divine miffion, 
 
 * Jer.J. 5., -t Luke i. 15. J Ibid. Z5. 
 
 \\ Ibid. iii. 22. 
 
 or 
 
Adoption. 449 
 
 or fucli irrefra":able teftimonies confirmiiicc ^^^c:. 
 
 • XXVI II; 
 
 it as the blelled Jeilis, i'or la peradc led to ^-^^^ 
 the prior atteflations of John the Baptilt, 
 of whom it faid, that " He went before 
 *' him in the fpirit and power of Elias *," 
 that of miracles was undoubtedly one of 
 the Uroogeih " I have greater witnefs 
 than that of John," iaith our Saviour 
 himfelf, " for the works which my Fa- 
 " ther hath given me to finifli, and which 
 ** I do, bear witnels of me, that the Fa- 
 ^* ther hath fent me •^- ;" and from them 
 he challengeth belief; *' If yt^ believe not 
 ^' me, believe the works, that ye may 
 ^* know and believe that the Father is in 
 ^* me, and I in him J." 
 
 If then Mofes and the Prophets to 
 whom God gave this power of working 
 miracles, did afifert their million to be 
 from God, by the divine works which 
 they wrought, much more efficacious to 
 this purpofe ma(l the miracles of Chrift 
 appear, who wrought more and greater 
 than they all. 
 
 How competeat He was to the difcharge 
 of the important office of a Prophet or a 
 
 * Luke i. 17. t John v. 3(). \ Ibid. x. 38. 
 
 VOX.. I. G g teacher. 
 
^50 Adoption. 
 
 -D1BC. teacher, the teflimony of Jolin the Bap- 
 w->.y^ tift is a fufficient vouclicr. '• No man," 
 faith he, " hath icen God ul any time, 
 " the only begotten Son which is in the 
 *' bofom of the Father, He liath declared 
 '' him *." And in his laft prayer. He 
 tells his difciples " He c;ave them the 
 " v.'ords, that his Father had given unto 
 " Him." And as He thus revealed the 
 perfect will of God, fo he not only con- 
 lirmed it by miracles, but recommended 
 his doftrine by the moil innocent ami 
 holy life, and at laft ratified and fealed it 
 with his blood. Do we then receive Him 
 in this capacity by renouncing our own 
 -wifdom, and entirely acquiefcing in the 
 wifdom of the Father ? Do w^e fubjecl our 
 reafon to the revelation of Him, " who of 
 " God is made unto us wifdom?'* and 
 not futfer the facred truths of Scripture to 
 be warped either by the violence of paffion, 
 or the warmth of prejudice ? Reafon and 
 lleligion are by no means incompatible : 
 for though the myfteries of religion are 
 beyond the comprehenfion of our finite 
 underftanding, they are not contrary to it. 
 
 * John i, IS. 
 
 God. 
 
Ad&ptiofu -451 
 
 God has ftooped as low to our weak capa- 
 cities, as was coiililient with his divine 
 Majt'fty ; and that wc have not a- perfe<5t 
 underitandm:^ of his revealed word, is to 
 be imputed to the great diiproportion be- 
 tween finite and infinite. The det"e6l is in 
 our realbn, which, when railed to a degree 
 adequate to the infinite perfections of 
 God, (as it may be hereafter,) will then 
 evince beyond difpute the perfect rationa- 
 htyof the deepcfl mylteries of Revelation. 
 Let us therefore, in the mean time, rely 
 on the veracity of God, and not give 
 way to the corrupt dictates of our minds, 
 inquiring with impertinent curiofity, "Plow 
 *' can thefe thiniis be * ?" 
 
 o 
 
 As through our natural ignorance we 
 all ftood in need of Chrill as a Prophet 
 to teach us the knowledge of divine 
 trutli ; fo through our guilt and mifery, 
 we required Him alfo in the capacity of a 
 Prieft, to make propitiation for our fins, 
 to appeafe the wrath of God, and " to 
 " bring in," through the oblation of hin>- 
 fel£ once for all, " an everlafting righte- 
 *' oufnefs -j-," " by whofe offering we are 
 
 * JoJin. iij. 9, t I^an. ix.:24. 
 
 G g 2 " fane* 
 
45'2 Adoption, 
 
 " fan^tlfied *." Nor is He prevalent dnT^ 
 in his own oblation of himlelf, but in hi«' 
 conftant interceffion for us at the right 
 hand of God. On this foundation we 
 are aflfbred that " He is able to fave t6 
 " the utternioft all that come unto God 
 " through Him -j-,'* and we have now no 
 reafon to look upon it as a fervrle and pre- 
 carious, but as the efficacious and prevail- 
 ing interceffion of Him, to whom " all 
 *' power in heaven and earth is given J.** 
 Do we then receive Him as a Prieft by 
 renouncing our own " righteoufnefs as fil- 
 *' thj rags §, in comparion of his, and 
 when we have done all, accounting our- 
 felves but " unprofitable fervants || ?" Do 
 \VB truft iblely to his perfe6i propitiatory fa- 
 crifice, as the only means of our falvation, 
 commending ourcaufeto Him, as our Ad- 
 vocate and prevailing Interceiror at the right 
 band of God ? And as we are by nature 
 fubje^ls of Satan, and flaves to the domi- 
 nion of our luits, Chrift comes as a King to 
 vanquifli our enemies, to fubdue the rebel- 
 lion of our hearts, and to *' proclaim liberty 
 
 * Heb. X. 10. t Ibid. vii. 23. X Matt, xxviii. 18. 
 § IfiuuK Ixiv. 0'; y Luke xvii; lo, 
 
 "to 
 
Adoption, 4j3 
 
 *' to tlie captives * ;'' and we then only re- Rise. 
 jr. ^. , . , . -^ XXV itr. 
 
 ceive turn m this capacity, when we re- v^/^*/ 
 
 nounce our own wills, and bring them in 
 lbbje6lion to his : when we fubmlt to his 
 righteous government, and rely on the pro- 
 tnil'ed afliltance of his grace. This may- 
 be cftlled the teft of a true Chriitian, for 
 liow many, alas ! are apt to pay great re- 
 gard to Chrift's revelation as a Prophet, to 
 depend oh the efficacy of his facrifice as a 
 Prieft, who with thofe citizens recorded in 
 the Gofpel, " would not have this man to 
 ** reign over them -]-." But let them re- 
 tnember the aweful judgment which Chrift 
 deriounces againft them : " Thofe mine 
 *' enemies which would not that I Hiould 
 ** reign over them, bring hither, and flay 
 " them before me J." 
 
 Laftly. As to the duties to which this 
 privilege of Adoption obliges us. To a 
 generous mind the firft refle6lion it ex- 
 cites is that of gratitude and thankfulnefs. 
 Who can reflect one moment dn the honour 
 hereby conferred upon him, and the great 
 privileges to which he is intitled, without 
 feeling his heart overflow with a lively fenfe 
 
 * Ifuiah Ixi. 1. fLukcxix. U. t Ibid. 27- 
 
 of 
 
454 Adopt ion. 
 
 of G G d's mercy through Chrlft ? Senfible 
 of the fallen and corrupt ftate of his na- 
 ture, he has nothing to recommend him to 
 the divine favour, nothing but what might 
 rather excite averfion, than pity, nor has 
 he been partaker of any bleffmgs but what 
 he has more or lefs abufed to the diflio- 
 nour of the Donor. And yet from this 
 -wretched ftate of guilt and unworthinefs,. 
 of mifery and defpair, he is tranllated into 
 favour, to a hope full of immortality ; from 
 being a ftranger and an enemy, he is be- 
 come a friend and child of God ; and from 
 being the deferved obje6l of God's hatred, 
 and a " veiTel of wrath fitted to deflrue- 
 " tion *," he is embraced in the arms of 
 divine mercy, and nurtured in the bofom 
 of a Father. Imprefled with a deep fenfe 
 of fuch divine benevolence, St. John burft 
 forth in expreffions full of amazement, 
 " Behold," faith he, " what manner of 
 " love the Father hath beflowed upon us, 
 " that we fhould be called the fons of 
 *' God • )• !" How little in comparifon is the 
 advantage to which the great ones of the 
 earth can prefer their adopted children, to 
 
 * Rod. ix. 25. f 1 Join iii. 1, 
 
 ^ an 
 
Adoption. 455 
 
 an uncertain honour, a perifliiiig poflefTion, ^^vux 
 ja fwelling title, or an ancient name. What >^^.-^ 
 are theie in coniparifon of the favour of an 
 unchangeable God, a trealure in heaven, 
 a crown of glory, a kingdom that cannot 
 be (liaken, an inheritance that fadelh not 
 away ? And yet thefe are the terms by 
 ^hich the profpecl we have of a future 
 happinefs, and to which we are advanced 
 by thiij dignity, is exprelTed. Impreffed 
 then as we cannot fail to be with a due 
 fenfe of thefe ineftimable bleflings, let the 
 confideration of them animate and enliven 
 our hearts with every fentiment of pious 
 and humble gratitude to that God who 
 hath thus gracioully been pleafed to admit 
 us into his family, and to give us the 
 Adoption of fons through Jefus Chrift ouf 
 1-011 D. Amen. 
 
 END OF VOt. I. 
 
 Printed by Bye and Law, St. John's-Squarc, Clcrkinwci 
 
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