Immagini della pagina
PDF
ePub
[ocr errors]

ture must be from some kind or degree of influence of the Holy Spirit; and whatever looks like it should be in a measure encouraged. But as many promising appearances are blighted, and the Scripture speaks of such as "had been parta"kers of the Holy Ghost, and had tasted the good "word of God, and the powers of the world to 66 come, who yet fell away:" we are constrained to add that not every operation of this kind is that good work, which distinguishes the chosen people of God.-Nay, probably few perish, where the word of God is fully preached, without many awakenings, many fears, many desires, yea, and many feeble endeavours, which are all subdued and extinguished through the love of sin." "Strive to "enter in at the strait gate; for many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able." Yet as far as there is any tendency to good in these things, they are to be ascribed to a good cause and not only " hating the light," and acting in defiance of their own consciences, but also "resisting the Holy Ghost," will be found among the aggravations of sin, in many that perish at the day of judgment.

[ocr errors]

Nor are they who are saved, free from the same guilt: but in them grace proves victorious; and though resisted, by invincible efficacy it gains the ascendancy.-This distinguishing work of God, will in time shew itself, and make it evident that the man was drawn and taught of God in

coming to Christ. Hence, when all are invited, none will come but they who are willing: none are willing, but as made willing by God: he makes none willing but the elect: he would have all encouraged, who are willing: he will have all sinners left without excuse: no one can know his election, but by his vocation; nor his vocation, until he hath actually come to Christ: and there is no way to answer these ends, but by free and urgent invitations, connected with warnings, instructions, exhortations, and expostulations. If this style of address be not adopted, you quench the smoking flax, and break the bruised "reed:" for the trembling sinner will be apt to say, "if any poor sinner, may not come, how can I 'know that I may? for I know not that I am elected: But if every one is invited then I may come, and now I am heartily willing, and this gives me encouragement.'

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

Many are zealous for the system, who do not understand the arguments, by which it is maintained: but he that does, will allow that this question is the very knot of the whole controversy; Who makes man willing to be saved in the method of the gospel? If any natural preferable disposition, or any improvement of nature, contribute to produce this willingness, then the doctrines generally

I say, in the method of the gospel: For every man is willing to be saved from misery and made happy, if it may but be in some way of his own, either favourable to his pride, or to his love of sin.

cailed Arminianism must be true, and boasting must be introduced. But if God alone produce this willingness without any help, and notwithstanding every hindrance, from man's evil nature, then the grand principles of Calvinism are established, and boasting is excluded. Notions in the head indeed do not always suitably influence the heart and conduct. Many of those who are called, and who call themselves, Arminians, are far from boasting, nay, are remarkably pious and humble: and too many Calvinists are haughty, dogmatical, censorious, and contentious. But a humble believer in Jesus is a brother, and entitled to our cordial love, though he cannot subscribe our whole creed.

This, however, being the real question, it contains nothing that militates against invitations: we invite all that will to come to Christ for his salvation; and as it is not necessary to make any limitation in respect of the unwilling, who suíliciently distinguish themselves; so we give the invitation in all respects general and unencumbered; "As many as ye shall find bid to the marriage." My fellow sinners, if you are willing, you will seek our merciful Saviour, and you shall find mercy and grace: but if any of you are not willing, raise no slander against him; charge him not with unwillingness, but be sure the fault is entirely your own.-I proceed then,

[ocr errors]

V. To observe, THAT CHRIST'S COMMISSION

REACHETH TO THE INFALLIBLE AND EVERLASTING SALVATION OF THE BODY AND SOUL OF

EVERY INDIVIDUAL, WHO IS GIVEN TO HIM, SEES HIM, AND BELIEVES ON HIM. "This is "the Father's will which hath sent me, that "of all which he hath given me, I should lose no

thing, but should raise it up again at the last day. "And this is the will of him that sent me, that

[ocr errors]

every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on "him, should have everlasting life, and I will "raise him up at the last day." Indeed this unavoidably follows from all that hath been already discoursed; and likewise from the unchangeable wisdom, faithfulness, and love of God; and from his promise, covenant and counsel, "confirmed "with an oath: that by two immutable things, in "which it was impossible for God to lie; we might "have a strong consolation who have fled for re

fuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us; "which hope we have as an anchor of the soul "both sure and stedfast.""" Whom he did "foreknow, he did also predestinate to be con"formed to the image of his Son,-Moreover "whom he did predestinate them he also called: "and whom he called them he also justified, "and whom he justified them he also glorified. "What shall we say then to these things? If "God be for us, who can be against us? He that

! Heb. vi. 17-19.

66

spared not his own Son, but delivered him up "for us all, how shall he not with him freely give "us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the "charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth."

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? "For I am persuaded that neither death, nor "life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall "be able to separate us from the love of God, "which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." To object, that though nothing else can, our own sin may separate us from Christ, is a mere evasion; for nothing has any tendency to separate betwixt Christ and the believer but sin, or as it powerfully tempts him to sin.

In like manner Peter confirms the doctrine of his" beloved brother Paul," at the very opening of his first epistle, which begins in this manner: "To the strangers,-elect according to the fore"knowledge of God the Father, through sancti"fication of the Spirit unto obedience, and sprink"ling of the blood of Jesus-Grace unto you and 66 peace be multiplied. Blessed be the God and "Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which accor"ding to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of "Jesus Christ from the dead; to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

1 Rom, viii, 29-39.

« IndietroContinua »