Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

tute for the guilty, and his obe- | is reconciled to God, condemns dience or fufferings could merit nothing in favor of the believer. He must be received to the divine favor on his own account, or be rejected.

But admitting the divinity of Christ, and the confequent fufficiency of his atonement, the believing finner's juftification by faith in his perfect righteoufnefs, is agreeable to the analogy of faith; and is wonderfully adapted to glorify God by fupporting the perfection of his government,-to humble the finner, and to magnify fovereign grace.

Juftifying faith imports that the divine government is perfect, that the finner's condemnation is just, and that God is righteous in taking vengeance. Therefore the obedience and death of Chrift for our offences, are the most decided divine teftimony to the perfection of that goverment, and the malignity of fin, and therefore highly acceptable to God and a proper foundation of pardon and life to the finner, fo connected with him by divine faith, that the favors granted to him are evidently beftowed altogether on account of the merit of Chrift.

"Where then is boasting? It is excluded." "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid. Yea, we establish the law."

This truth will appear with till greater clearness from a view of the diftinguishing qualities of justifying faith.

This faith confifts in fuch a belief of the gofpel on the teftimony of God, as involves an acquief cence of the heart in the mediatorial character and work of Chrift.

But the heart which truly approves this character, neceffarily. approves the divine government,

fin, and repents of it, admires and adores the divine Saviour, for his mediatorial undertaking and work, in which the law of God was magnified and made honorable. Therefore he admires the free grace of the gospel, and trufts in Chrift. alone for falvation.

The doctrine of regeneration, by the Holy Ghoft, as neceffary to falvation, coincides with the truths immediately preceding, with the perfection of divine government, and total depravity of man. Thefe doctrines being admitted, it follows that if the finner is reconciled to God, and united to Chrift by faith, it must be produced by the fupernatural agency of the Holy Spirit. So true it is that except a man be born again-of the Spirit—and from above, he cannot fee the kingdom of God or enter into it.

That gracious tranfaction in the divine trinity, called by Chriftian writers, the covenant of r demption, and variously expreffed in the holy fcriptures, is fundamental to the work of redemption, in all its parts.

By this the eternal word, in his perfonal diftinction, engaged to affume our nature' and act as our fubftitute, in fulfilling all righteoufnefs, and making atonement for fin by the facrifice of himself.

The Father engaged that he fhould be fupported and accepted, that he fhould fee of the travail of his foul till he fhould be fatisfied, and be exalted to divine dominion in his whole perfon, and even "glorified with the Father, with the fame glory which he had with him before the world was."

The Holy Spirit in this coverant confented to reft on the incarnate Saviour, without mea,

[merged small][ocr errors]

ed." "All whom the Father giveth to me fhall come to me, and him who cometh to me I will in no wife cast out."

All the promises of this covenant reft on the flability of the covenant of redemption, and cannot fail if that be fulfilled. But that is founded on the counfels and the perfections of God.

This leads to a direct confideration of the doctrine of the decrees of God. By which we underftand his eternal, unchangeable

The covenant of grace, as it is termed by theological writers, is nearly connected with that of re-purpose, refpecting all events, all demption.

This confifts in the gracious promifes of God to believers in Chrift, on account of his finished redemption.

This covenant was adminiftered to Adam in the promise refpecting the feed of the woman: To Noah in the ark, and in the rainbow: To Abraham in the promise of his feed in whom "all the families of the earth fhould be bleffed." It was wrapped up in the prediction of dying Jacob refpecting the tribe of Judah-of the coming of the Shiloh and the "gathering of the people to him :" To David in the promise of a fon to fet on his throne forever: To Ifaiah that he should reign in Mount Zion, in Jerufalem, and before his ancients glorioufly. As the time of the Redeemer's incarnation approached, the grace to come to us by him was more clearly announced. It was foretold that he fhould be bruifed for our tranfgreffions, that the chaitifement of our peace fhould be on him, and by his ftripes we flould be healed; and that Meffiah fhould be cut off, but not for himself.

[ocr errors]

creatures, and all their actions.

It is not defigned at prefent, to collect the fcriptural arguments for the proof of this very important doctrine. It refults directly from the perfections of God, and is as much an effential truth of natural religion as of that which is revealed. It is implied in the covenant of redemption and of grace. It is at the foundation of the whole mediatorial fyftem, with all its moft interefting and diffufive fruits and confequences; through the fucceffive ages of the world, to its final diffolution; yea, thro' the undefcribed, the unlimited duration of eternity.

That all who fhall be finally faved from among men, were "from the beginning chofen to falvation, through fanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth," is fo evidently a branch of the general doctrine that it will not be queftioned where that is admitted.

The doctrine of the faint's perfeverance and final glory, refts on many fcripture declarations, on the gracious promifes of God to all his redeemed, on the covenFinally, in the new teftament, ants of grace and redemption, on this gracious covenant is pro- the power and grace of Chrift, pounded inthe most explicit terms, and many truths which have alHe who believeth fhall be fav-ready paffed in review.

[ocr errors]

The refurrection of Chrift from the dead, is an important and effential doctrine of Christianity and in a fenfe, fundamental. So that if this were false the whole fyftem muit be given up. This doctrine harmonizes with the divine types and promises which preceded the incarnation with the prophecies of Christ himfelf-it is attefted by his infpired apoftles, and they wrought many miracles in his name for the confirmation of the truth teftified, and with the truth of this is intimately connected the truth of all the fubfequent articles of Christianity.

Chriftianity. But this will be more fully manifest from attending to it as exifting in the minds of good men, and powerfully influencing their views and affec tions.

(To be continued.)

FOR THE CONNECTICUT EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE.

A ferious address to professing Chrif tions, on the duty and vaft importance of acting with fteady and perfevering vigilance, wisdom and fortitude in the fpiritual warfare. (Continued from p. 126.)

I'

be

TN view of the preceding illuftration of the general orders addreffed by the great apoitle to his fellow-Chriftians, it may obviously remarked, That when finners are truly converted, they have much more to do, than mere

The future refurrection of the bodies of the faints to an immortal life in heaven, is fo infeperably connected with the refurrection of Chrift, that the latter having taken place, the former is plaeed on the ground of equal certainty; as the holy apoftle Paully to give thanks to God for his has clearly proved in the fifteenth chapter of his firft epistle to the Corinthians.

Indeed, the refurrection of the dead, both the righteous and the wicked, the general judgment and final ftate of believers and unbelievers, are abundantly revealed in the holy fcriptures.

These doctrines agree with that of the accountability of man, the righteoufnefs of divine government, the doctrine of redemption by Chrift, and with all the promifes and threatenings of the holy fcriptures. They will not be queftioned by thofe who believe the Chriftian fyftem in general, and have any proper difcernment of the excellence and confiftence of its feveral parts.

This brief view of natural and revealed religion, as to the agreement of the refpective doctrines of each, affords no inconfiderable evidence of the divine origin of

wonderful grace, and to fit down and congratulate themselves upon and rejoice in their own happy condition. They are not, immediately upon their converfion, to confider their condition as refembling that of foldiers, who at the end of a fuccefsful war, return in triumph, to fpend the refidue of their days in peace, free from the fatigues and toils of war, and in the enjoyment of the bleffings for which they have been contending; but they are to view it, as bearing a greater refemblance to that of foldiers juft enlifted, and enga ging in a warfare for life; in which they muft ferve, and watch, and fight, to the end of their days with the certain expectation of final victory and triumph to all thofe, who perfevere to the laft, and faithfully obferve and obey the orders of their Prince.

We e may further remark, how unlike to what Chriftians ought to be,

and glory of God the fulleft ef tablishment of his authority-the complete recovery and eternal falvation of an innumerable multitude of the finful, ruined race of man

an inconceivable addition to the knowledge and holiness, joy and happinefs, of all holy crea

pointment of Satan and all his perfevering adherents as to their ultimate end, and their reduction to a state of the moft abfolute fub

thofe profeffing Chriftiansare, who fign will comprife the grandeft give way to unwatchfulnefs, care-difplay of the infinite perfection Lefsnefs, indolence, eafe and floth; and inftead of ftanding faft in the faith, are eafily fhaken, and fuffer themselves to be turned or drawn away from it, by the flatteries or frowns, or fubtle artifices of its enemies. Wherefore, the application of what has been illuftrated, may be by way of ferious textures and the complete difaphortation to profeffing Chriftians, to comply with the directions, to watch, to ftand fast in the faith, to act the man, to be strong. Of the vast importance of this com-jection as vanquifhed enemies, un-. prehenfive duty, we furely cannot der the feet of their conqueror, entertain a doubt, or fail of per- fuffering the vengeance due to ceiving numerous and weighty their crimes. motives to it, if we duly confider the following things; which are here fubjoined, as well for the purpose of further illuftrating fome of the particulars already fuggefted, as to recommend and enforce the exhortation, viz.

[ocr errors]

Though Chrift, by his obedience unto death, laid the foundation for and infured the full accomplishment of this great defign; yet much remained to be done, in order to the actual attainment of all thefe ends. Among other 1. The caufe in which we have things, Chrift's kingdom must be vifibly enlifted, and for the fupport fet up and maintained in the and fuccefs of which, we are re-world, in oppofition to Satan's quired to watch, to stand faft, &c. and finally prevail over it. Thofe is the most important and inter-of mankind, who are to obtain efling that ever existed, or can be the falvation which is in Chrift conceived. It involves the glory Jefus, with eternal glory, must be of God, and the most precious in- delivered from the power of fin terefts of the intelligent creation. and Satan, and obtain the victory A moft daring and impious reover them. In accomplishing bellion hath broken out against thefe ends, which are all comthe Moft High. It is headed by prifed in and neceffary to the fucSatan, who was once a diftinguifa- cefs of Chrift's great defign, he ed prince among the angels, and makes ufe of means and inftrufeconded by great numbers of ments. Among the means which thofe, once holy, but now, apof- are made effectual to thefe importate fpirits. Into this rebellion tant ends, the gofpel or word of mankind have been drawn, by the truth holds a diftinguished place. artful management of the first They who by reading, preaching apoftate. or writing, or by their profeffion Christ hath undertaken to crufhand practice, and perfevering ftedthis dreadful rebellion-to bruife the Serpent's head-to deftroy the works of the devil. The full accomplishment of this great de

faftmefs in the faith-they who in any or all of thefe ways, clearly exhibit, and properly maintain, and fuccefsfully recommend and

a powerful motive with us, who have given up our names to him, to comply with and execute his orders, To watch, to ftand fast in the faith, to act the man, and be ftrong ?-Efpecially when we confider

2. That the enemies oppofed to the fuccefs of the general caufe, in which we are engaged, and to our personal falvation in particular, are exceedingly numerous, fubtil, crafty and powerful.

Within, we have a deceitful, treacherous and wicked heart, exceedingly prone to backflide, and to depart from the living God; yea, a heart, which is deceitful above all things, and def

awful remainders of it in cafe we are Chriftians indeed. Surely then, it concerns us to watch our heart-to keep it with all diligence!

enforce the gospel, are inftruments under Chrift, and by affiftance derived from him, towards pulling down the ftrong holds of fin and Satan, destroying the works of the devil, and maintaining and building the kingdom of Chrift. Every advantage which, in thefe or any other ways, any are enabled to obtain, over fin or Satan, in their own fouls, or in in others, and every degree of fpiritual light, holinefs or comfort, thus produduced, effected or obtained, contributes fomething towards the -fuccefs of the great defign, which Christ is carrying on, and towards the overthrow and deftruction of his enemies. Though, to fome, the advan-perately wicked-at-leaft, fome tage which any individual, as a fubordinate agent, may obtain, againft fin and Satan, by watching and ftanding faft in the faith, and all the benefit thence refulting, may feem fuch a mere trifle, as can have no influence in regard to the final fuccefs of Chrift's grand undertaking; yet every fuch trifle makes one of that innumerable multitude and variety of fteps, in the progreffive accomplishment of this great defign, by which the good to be obtained by it, is accomplishing, and will at length be completely attained, and neceffary to the perfection of it; even as every particle of water in the ocean is one of the in-numerable multitude of particies of which that vaft body of water is compofed, and neceffary to make the quantity complete. Should not, and will not, this view of the infinite importance of the conteft, which Chrift is conducting to the moft glorious iffue, and of the neceffity and fubordinate influence of the faithful exertions of his fervants, in bringing it to the iffue defigned, operate as

And as to the enemies from without, what human mind can count their number, or calculate their ftrength, or form any proper conception of the depth of their policy, craft and subtilty?

Befides a flattering, a tempting and enfnaring world, that old ferpent, the Devil, with all the infernal legions under him, combine, by every means in their power, to overthrow the faith in general, and to take all poffible advantage of our ignorance and weaknefs, and blinding lufts, and of all the deceitfulness and wickednefs of our hearts, to fubvert our own faith in particular, to draw or drive us into fin, and to destroy our fouls. Nor are these invifible foes without their fubordinatė agents among men, who act under their influence, and co-operate in promoting their nefarious defigns. Among men there are numerous haters and oppofers of

« AnteriorContinuar »