FOR
building our confidence upon this solid ground, these four Warrants and
special Motives to believe in Christ may serve.
The
first whereof is God's hearty invitation, holden forth, Isa. Iv. 1, 2, 3, 4,
5.
Ho,
every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money:
come ye, buy and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money, and
without price. Ver. 2. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not
bread ? and your labour for that which satisfieth not ? Hearken diligently
unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in
fatness. Ver. 3. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul
shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure
mercies of David. Ver. 4. Behold, I have given him for a witness to the
people, a leader and commander to the people, etc.
Here
(after setting down the precious ransom of our redemption by the sufferings
of Christ, and the rich blessings purchased to us thereby, in the two former
chapters) the Lord, in this chapter,
1.
Maketh open offer of Christ and his grace, by proclamation of a free and
gracious market of righteousness and salvation, to be had through Christ to
every soul, without exception, that truly desires to be saved from sin and
wrath: "Ho, every one that thirsteth," saith he.
2.
He inviteth all sinners, that for any reason stand at a distance from God,
to come and take from him riches of grace, running in Christ as a river, to
wash away sin, and to slocken wrath: " Come ye to the waters,"
saith he.
3.
Lest any should stand aback in the sense of his own sinfulness or
unworthiness, and inability to do any good, the Lord calleth upon such
persons in special, saying, " He that hath no money, come."
4.
He craveth no more of his merchant, but that he be pleased with the wares
offered, which are grace, and more grace; and that he heartily consent unto,
and embrace this offer of grace, that so he may close a bargain, and a
formal covenant with God; "Come, buy without money, (saith he,) come,
eat: that is, consent to have, and take unto you all saving graces; make the
wares your own, possess them, and make use of all blessings in Christ;
whatsoever maketh for your spiritual life and comfort, use and enjoy it
freely, without paying any thing for it: "Come, buy wine and milk
without money, and without price," saith he.
5.
Because the Lord knoweth how much we are inclined to seek righteousness and
life by our own performances and satisfaction, to have righteousness and
life as it were by the way of works, and how loath we are to embrace Christ
Jesus, and to take life by way of free grace through Jesus Christ, upon the
terms whereupon it is offered to us; therefore the Lord lovingly calls us
off this our crooked and unhappy way with a gentle and timeous admonition,
giving us to understand, that .i.we; shall but lose our labour in this our
way: "Wherefore do ye spend your money (saith he) for that which is not
bread ? and your labour for that which satisfieth not ?"
6.
The Lord promiseth to us solid satisfaction in the way of betaking ourselves
unto the grace of Christ, even true contentment, and fulness of spiritual
pleasure, saying, " Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which
is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness."
7.
Because faith cometh by hearing, he calleth for audience unto the
explication of the offer, and calleth for believing of, and hastening unto
the truth , which is able to beget the application of saving faith, and to
draw the soul to trust in God: "Incline your ear, and come unto
me," saith he. To which end, the Lord promises, that this offer being
received, shall quicken the dead sinner; and that, upon the welcoming of
this offer, he will close the covenant of grace with the man that shall
consent unto it, even an indissolvable covenant of perpetual reconciliation
and peace: "Hearken, and your soul shall live: and I will make an
everlasting covenant with you." Which covenant, he declareth, shall be
in substance the assignation, and the making over, of all the saving graces
which David (who is Jesus Christ, Acts xiii. 34.) hath bought for us in the
covenant of redemption: "I will make a covenant with you, (saith he,)
even the "sure mercies of David." By sure mercies, he means saving
graces, such as are righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost,
adoption, sanctification, and glorification, and whatsoever belongs to
godliness and life eternal.
8.
To confirm and assure us of the real grant of these saving mercies, and to
persuade us of the reality of the covenant betwixt God and the believer of
this word, the Father hath made a fourfold gift of his eternal and only
begotten Son:
First,
To be incarnate and born for our sake, of the seed of David his type; for
which cause he is called here, and Acts xiii. 34. DAVID, the true and
everlasting King of Israel. This is the great gift of God to .man, John iv.
10. And here, I have given him to be David, or born of David, to the people.
Secondly,
He hath made a gift of Christ to be a witness to the people, both of the
sure and saving mercies granted to the redeemed in the covenant of
redemption; and also of the Father's willingness and purpose to apply them,
and to make them fast in the covenant of reconciliation made with such as
embrace the offer: "I have given him (saith the Lord here) to be a
witness to the people." And truly he is a sufficient witness in this
matter in many respects: 1st, Because he is one of the blessed Trinity, and
party-contractor for us, in the covenant of redemption, before the world
was. 2dly, He is by office, as Mediator, the Messenger of the covenant, and
hath gotten commission to reveal it. 3dly, He began actually to reveal it in
paradise, where he promised, that the seed of the woman should bruise the
head of the serpent. 4thly, He set forth his own death and sufferings, and
the great benefits that should come thereby to us, in the types and figures
of sacrifices and ceremonies before his coming. 5thly, He gave more and more
light about this covenant, speaking by his Spirit, from age to age, in the
holy prophets. 6thly, He came himself, in the fulness of time, and did bear
witness of all things belonging to this covenant, and of God's willing mind
to take believers into it; partly, by uniting our nature in one person with
the divine nature; partly, by preaching the good tidings of the covenant
with his own mouth; partly, by paying the price of redemption on the cross;
and partly, by dealing still with the people, from the beginning to this
day, to draw in, and to hold in the redeemed in this covenant.
Thirdly,
God hath made a gift of Christ, as a leader to the people, to bring us
through all difficulties, all afflictions and temptations, unto life, by
this covenant: and he it is, and no other, who doth indeed lead his own unto
the covenant; and, in the covenant, all the way on unto salvation: 1. By the
direction of his word and Spirit. 2. By the example of his own life, in
faith and obedience, even to the death of the cross. 3. By his powerful
working, bearing his redeemed ones in his arms, and causing them to lean on
him, while they go up through the wilderness.
Fourthly,
God hath made a gift of Christ unto his people, as a commander: which office
he faithfully exerciseth, by giving to his kirk and people laws and
ordinances, pastors and governors, and all necessary officers; by keeping
courts and assemblies among them, to see that his laws be obeyed; subduing,
by his word, Spirit, and discipline, his people's corruptions; and; by his
wisdom and power, guarding them against all their enemies whatsoever.
Hence
he who hath closed bargain with God may strengthen his faith, by reasoning
after this manner:
"Whosoever
doth heartily receive the offer of free grace, made here to sinners,
thirsting for righteousness and salvation: unto him, by an everlasting
covenant, belongeth Christ, the true David, with all his sure and saving
mercies:
But
I (may the weak believer say) do heartily receive the offer of free grace
made here to sinners, thirsting for righteousness and salvation:
Therefore
unto me, by an everlasting covenant, belongeth Christ Jesus, with all his
sure and saving mercies."
The
second Warrant and special Motive to embrace Christ, and believe in him, is
the earnest request that God maketh to us to be reconciled to him in Christ;
holden forth, 2 Cor. v. 19, 20, 21.
God
was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their
trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Ver. 20. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech
you by us: .i.we; pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. Ver.
21. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that .we might
be made the righteousness of God in him.
Wherein
the apostle teacheth us these nine doctrines:
1.
That the elect world, or world of redeemed souls, are by nature in the
estate of enmity against God: this is presupposed in the word
reconciliation; for reconciliation, or renewing of friendship, cannot be,
except betwixt those that have been at enmity.
2.
That in all the time bypast, since the fall of Adam, Christ Jesus, the
eternal Son of God, as Mediator, and the Father in him, hath been about the
making friendship (by his word and Spirit) betwixt himself and the elect
world: "God (saith he) was in Christ reconciling the world to
himself."
3.
That the way of reconciliation was in all ages one and the same in
substance, viz. by forgiving the sins of them who do acknowledge their sins
and their enmity against God, and do seek reconciliation and remission of
sins in Christ: "For God (saith he) was in Christ reconciling the world
unto himself," by way of "not imputing their trespasses unto
them."
4.
That the end and scope of the gospel, and whole word of God, is threefold:
(1.) It serveth to make people sensible of their sins, and of their enmity
against God, and of their danger, if they should stand out, and not fear
God's displeasure. (2.) The word of God serveth to make men acquainted with
the course which God hath prepared for making friendship with them through
Christ, viz. That if men shall acknowledge the enmity, and shall be content
to enter into a covenant of friendship with God through Christ, then God
will be content to be reconciled with them freely. (3.) The word of God
serveth to teach men how to carry themselves towards God, as friends, after
they are reconciled to him, viz. to be loath to sin against him, and to
strive heartily to obey his commandments: and therefore the word of God here
is called the word of reconciliation, because it teacheth us what need .i.we;
have of reconciliation, and how to make it, and how to keep the
reconciliation of friendship, being made with God through Christ.
5.
That albeit the hearing, believing, and obeying of this word, doth belong to
all those to whom this gospel doth come; yet the office of preaching of it
with authority belongeth to none, but to such only as God doth call to his
ministry, and sendeth out with commission for this work. This the apostle
holdeth forth, Ver. 19. in these words, "He hath committed to us the
word of reconciliation."
6.
That the ministers of the gospel should behave themselves as Christ's
messengers, and should closely follow their commission set down in the word,
Matt. xxviii. 19, 20; and when they do so, they should be received by the
people as ambassadors from God; for here the apostle, in all their names,
saith, "We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by
us."
7.
That ministers, in all earnestness of affections, should deal with people to
acknowledge their sins, and their natural enmity against God, more and more
seriously; and to consent to the covenant of grace and embassage of Christ
more and more heartily; and to evidence more and more clearly their
reconciliation, by a holy carriage before God. This he holdeth forth, when
he saith, "We pray you, be ye reconciled to God."
8.
That in the ministers' affectionate dealing with the people, the people
should consider that they have to do with God and Christ, requesting them,
by the ministers, to be reconciled. Now, there cannot be a greater
inducement to break a sinner's hard heart, than God's making a request to
him for friendship; for when it became us, who have done so many wrongs to
God, to seek friendship of God, he preventeth us: and (O wonder of wonders
!) he requesteth us to be content to be reconciled to him; and therefore
most fearful wrath must abide them who do set light by this request, and do
not yield when they hear ministers with commission, saying, "We are
ambassadors for Christ, as though God did "beseech you by us: we pray
you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God."
9.
To make it appear how it cometh to pass that the covenant of reconciliation
should be so easily made up betwixt God and a humble sinner fleeing to
Christ, the apostle leads us unto the cause of it, holden forth in the
covenant of redemption, the sum whereof is this: " It is agreed betwixt
God and the Mediator Jesus Christ the Son of God, surety for the redeemed,
as parties contractors, that the sins of the redeemed should be imputed to
innocent Christ, and he both condemned and put to death for them, upon this
very condition, that whosoever heartily consents unto the covenant of
reconciliation offered through Christ, shall, by the imputation of his
obedience unto them, be justified and holden righteous before God; for God
hath made Christ, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, saith the apostle, that
.i.we; might be made the righteousness of God in him." Hence may a weak
believer strengthen his faith, by reasoning from this ground after this
manner:
"He
that, upon the loving request of God and Christ, made to him by the mouth of
ministers, (having commission to that effect,) hath embraced the offer of
perpetual reconciliation through Christ, and doth purpose, by God's grace,
as a reconciled person, to strive against sin, and to serve God to his power
constantly, may be as sure to have righteousness and eternal life given to
him, for the obedience of Christ imputed to him, as it is sure that Christ
was condemned and put to death for the sins of the redeemed imputed to him:
But
I (may the weak believer say) upon the loving request of God and Christ,
made to me by the mouth of his ministers, have embraced the offer of
perpetual reconciliation through Christ, and do purpose, by God's grace, as
a reconciled person, to strive against sin, and to serve God to my power
constantly:
Therefore
I may be as sure to have righteousness and eternal life given to me, for the
obedience of Christ imputed to me, as it is sure that Christ was condemned
and put to death for the sins of the re deemed imputed to him."
The
third Warrant and special Motive to believe in Christ, is the strait and
awful command of God, charging all the hearers of the gospel to approach to
Christ in the order set down by him, and to believe in him; holden forth, 1
John iii. 23.
This
is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus
Christ, and .love one another, as he gave us commandment.
Wherein
the apostle giveth us to understand these five doctrines:
1.
That if any man shall not be taken with the sweet invitation of God, nor
with the humble and loving request of God, made to him to be reconciled, he
shall find he hath to do with the sovereign authority of the highest
Majesty; for "this is his commandment, that we believe in him,"
saith he.
2.
That if any man look upon this commandment as he hath looked heretofore upon
the neglected commandments of the law, he must consider that this is a
command of the gospel, posterior to the law, given for making use of the
remedy of all sins; which, if it be disobeyed, there is no other command to
follow but this, "Go, ye cursed, into the everlasting fire of
hell;" for "this is his commandment;" the obedience of which
is most pleasant in his sight, Ver. 22. and without which it is impossible
to please him, Heb. xi. 6.
3.
That every one who heareth the gospel, must make conscience of the duty of
lively faith in Christ; the weak believer must not think it presumption to
do what is commanded; the person inclined to desperation must take up
himself, and think upon obedience unto this sweet and saving command; the
strong believer must dip yet more in the sense of his need he hath of Jesus
Christ, and more and more grow in the obedience of this command; yea, the
most impenitent, profane, and wicked person must not thrust out himself, or
be thrust out by others, from orderly aiming at this duty, how desperate
soever his condition seems to be; for he that commands all men to believe in
Christ, doth thereby command all men to believe that they are damned and
lost without Christ: he thereby commands all men to acknowledge their sins,
and their need of Christ, and in effect commands all men to repent, that
they may believe in him. And whosoever do refuse to repent of their bygone
sins, are guilty of disobedience to this command given to all hearers, but
especially to those that are within the visible church: for "this is
his commandment, that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus
Christ," saith he.
4.
That he who obeyeth this commandment hath built his salvation on a solid
ground: for, 1st, He hath found the promised Messiah, completely furnished
with all perfections unto the perfect execution of the offices of Prophet,
Priest, and King; for he is that Christ in whom the man doth believe. 2d, He
hath embraced a Saviour, who is able to save to the uttermost, yea, and who
doth effectually save every one that cometh to God through him; for he is
Jesus, the true Saviour of his people from their sins. 3d, He that obeyeth
this command hath built his salvation on the Rock, that is, on the Son of
God, to whom it is no robbery to be called equal to the Father, and who is
worthy to be the object of saving faith, and of spiritual worship: for
"this is his command, (saith he) that we believe in the name of his Son
Jesus Christ."
5.
That he who hath believed on Jesus Christ, though he be freed from the curse
of the law, is not freed from the command and obedience of the law, but tied
thereunto by a new obligation, and a new command from Christ; which new
command from Christ importeth help to obey the command: unto which command
from Christ, the Father addeth his authority and command also; for
"this is his commandment, (saith John,) "that we believe on the
name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he hath commanded
us." The first part of which command, enjoining belief in him,
necessarily implieth love to God, and so obedience to the first table; for
believing in God, and loving God, are inseparable; and the second part of
the command enjoineth .love to our neighbour, (especially to the household
of faith,) and so obedience to the second table of the law.
Hence
may a weak believer strengthen himself, by reasoning from this ground after
this manner:
"Whosoever,
in the sense of his own sinfulness, and fear of God's wrath, at the command
of God, is fled to Jesus Christ, the only remedy of sin and misery, and hath
engaged his heart to the obedience of the law of love, his faith is not
presumptuous or dead, but true and saving faith: But I, (may the weak
believer say) in the sense of my own sinfulness, and fear of God's wrath, am
fled to Jesus Christ, the only remedy of sin and misery, and have engaged my
heart to the obedience of the law of love: Therefore my faith is not a
presumptuous and dead faith, but true and saving faith.
The
fourth Warrant and special Motive to believe in Christ, is much assurance of
life given, in case men shall obey the command of believing; and a fearful
certification of destruction, in case they obey not; holden forth, John iii.
35.
The
Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. Ver. 36. He
that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not
the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Wherein
are holden forth to us these five following doctrines:
1.
That the Father is well satisfied with the undertakings of the Son, entered
Redeemer and Surety, to pay the ransom of believers and to perfect them in
holiness and salvation: "The Father loveth the Son," saith he;
viz. as he standeth Mediator in our name, undertaking to perfect our
redemption in all points: The Father loveth him, that is, doth heartily
accept his offer to do the work, and is well pleased with him: his soul
delighteth in him, and resteth upon him, and maketh him, in this his office,
the "receptacle of love, and grace, and good will," to be conveyed
by him to believers in him.
2.
That, for fulfilling of the covenant of redemption, the Father hath given to
the Son (as he standeth in the capacity of the Mediator, or as he is God
incarnate, the Word made flesh) all authority in heaven and earth, all
furniture of the riches of grace, and of spirit and life, with all power and
ability, which the union of the divine nature with the human, or which the
fulness of the Godhead dwelling substantially in his human nature, or which
the indivisible all-sufficiency and omnipotency of the inseparable, every
where present Trinity doth import, or the work of redemption can require:
"The Father (saith he) hath given all things into the Son's hand,"
to wit, for accomplishing his work.
3.
Great assurance of life is holden forth to all who shall heartily receive
Christ, and the offer of the covenant of grace and reconciliation through
him: "He that believeth on the Son (saith he) hath everlasting
life;" for it is made fast unto him, 1st, In God's purpose and
irrevocable decree, as the believer is a man elected to life. 2d, By
effectual calling of him unto life by God, who, as he is faithful, so will
he do it. 3d, By promise and everlasting covenant, sworn by God, to give the
believer strong consolation in life and death, upon immutable grounds. 4th,
By a pawn and investment under the great seal of the sacrament of the Lord's
supper, so oft as the believer shall come to receive the symbols and pledges
of life. 5th, In Christ the fountain and head of life, who is entered in
possession, as attorney for believers; in whom our life is so laid up, that
it cannot be taken away. 6th, By begun possession of spiritual life and
regeneration, and a kingdom consisting in righteousness, peace, and joy in
the Holy Ghost, erected within the believer, as earnest of the full
possession of everlasting life.
4.
A fearful certification is given, if a man receive not the doctrine
concerning righteousness and eternal life to be had by Jesus Christ:
"He that believeth not the Son shall not see life," that is, not
so much as understand what it meaneth.
5.
He further certifieth, that if a man receive not the doctrine of the Son of
God, he shall be burdened twice with the wrath of God; once, as a born rebel
by nature, he shall bear the curse of the law, or the covenant of works; and
next, he shall endure a greater condemnation, in respect that light being
come into the world, and offered to him, he hath rejected it, and loveth
darkness rather than light: and this double wrath shall be fastened and
fixed immovably upon him, so long as he remaineth in the condition of
misbelief: "The wrath of God abideth on him," saith he.
Hence
may the weak believer strengthen his faith, by reasoning from this ground
after this manner:
"Whosoever
believeth the doctrine delivered by the Son of God, and findeth himself
partly drawn powerfully to believe in him, by the sight of life in him, and
partly driven, by the fear of God's wrath, to adhere unto him, may be sure
of right and interest to life eternal through him:
But
sinful and unworthy I (may the weak believer say) do believe the doctrine
delivered by the Son of God, and do feel myself partly drawn powerfully to
believe in him, by the sight of life in him, and partly driven, by the fear
of God's wrath, to adhere unto him:
Therefore
I may be sure of my right and interest unto eternal life through him.
Next
Section: Evidences of true Faith
