Page images
PDF
EPUB

fulness in keeping through Christ his Gospel promises to all sinners, who freely submit to the terms of the Gospel; and that consequently the SECOND cause of that salvation is our own prevented free will, submitting to the obedience of faith, through the helps that Christ affords us ; -if, on the other hand, you take notice, that the FIRST cause of our eternal damnation is always our own free will, doing despite to the Spirit of grace; and that the SECOND cause of it is God's justice in denouncing, and his faithfulness in executing, by Christ, his awful threatenings against all that persist in unbelief to the end of their day of initial salvation, generally called "the day of grace;"-if you consider these things, I say, you will see, that all the scriptures which compose my Scales, and some hundreds more, which I omit for brevity's sake, agree as perfectly as the different parts of a good piece of music.

We now and then find, it is true, a solo in the Bible; I mean a passage that displays only the powerful voice of free grace, or of free will. Hence Zelotes and Honestus conclude that there is no harmony, but in the single part of the truth which they admire; supposing that the accents of free grace and free will, justly mixed together, form an enthustastical or heretical noise, and not an evangelical, Divine concert. Thus much by way of introduction.

FIRST SCALE.

Scriptures that display the glory of CHRIST, the importance of primary causes, the excellence of origimal merit, and the power of free grace.

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, &c; no man cometh to the Father, but by me. I am the door; by me if any man enter in he shall be saved, John xiv, 6; x, 9.

Other foundation can no man kay, than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, &c. He that believeth on him shall not be confounded, 1 Cor. ii, 11; 2 Pet. ii, 6.

God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of CHRIST. He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord, Gal. vi, 14; 1 Cor. i, 31.

My soul shall be joyful in My Gon, for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, Isa. Ixi, 10. My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour, Luke i, 47.

Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ. He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bride adorn

SECOND SCALE.

Scriptures that display the glory of OBEDIENCE, the importance of secondary causes, the excellence of derived worthiness, and the power of free will.

Christ, in his sermon upon the mount, strongly recommends the obedience of faith, as the strait gate, and the narrow way, which lead unto life, Matt. vii, 13.

Not laying again the foundation of repentance. Charge the rich that they do good, &c, laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, Heb. vi, 1; 1 Tim. vi, 17.

Let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have xauxa, glorying in HIMSELF alone, and not in another, Gal. vi, 4. [It is the same word in the original.]

This is our rejoicing, the testimony of our conscience, that in simpicity and GODLY SINCERITY, &c, we have had our conversation in the world, and to youward, 2 Cor. i, 12.

I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. I put on righteous. ness and it covered me; my judg.

[ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

Lock to me. Isa. T. 22 Consider the He Paesi x profession, Jens Chris. Eet, 1. 1.

Jess was made a set of a better testamen Hea 22 [Note: it is not said that Jaw is the surety of disordient believers; but of that testament chick ca of the entail of their heavenly inheritance. See Eph. v, 5.]

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree.

God has made him (Christ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteous ness of God in him, 2 Cor. v, 21.

By his knowledge shall my righteous servant [Christ] justify many, Lea. liii, 11.

Preach the GOSPEL to every ereature-and forgiveness of sins in [my] name, Mark xvi; Luke xxiv, 47.

Saul preached CHRIST in the synagogues; we preach not our selves, but CHRIST JESUS the Lord, Acts ix, 20; 2 Cor. iv, 5.

We preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them that are called [and obey

[ocr errors]

De meness of the rights sal be inca m. 3d the wich us fe virged seal be u um. Ezt IR JĀ

This jeet to thyself and to doczne, &c. ir nag this Sut WC sed and t Chut bene des. 1 Ta iv, 16.

Let every ma prove his wies. Se every man shall ben vi burden. Gal mv. 4. 5.

Putar de evil of your de fom bedre mine eyes, Isa. i,

Lock » yurices, John 9. Consider thyself-let us con me mutier, Gavi. 1; Heb. 1

The Lord is our Judge, the is our Lawriver, the Lord i King; be wil save us; [e ectly with those glorious titles m

That we being dead to sin s live unto righteousness, 1 Pet.

Be not deceived: God mocked: for whatsoever a ma eth, that shall he also reap. that soweth to his flesh, sha reap destruction, Gal. vi, 7,

He judged the cause of th and needy, then it was we him. Was not this to kno saith the Lord, Jer. xii, 16.

Teaching them to obse things whatsoever I have com you, Matt. xxviii, 20.

As he reasoned of righted [or JUSTICE,] TEMPERANCE, JUDGMENT to come, Felix tr Acts xxiv, 25.

And yet when the apostle these very Corinthians to rei poor, he uses a variety of beside that of Christ's cross.

I.

the call] Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you [Corinthians] save Jesus Christ, and him crucified, 1 Cor. i, 23, 24; ii, 2.

Preaching peace by Jesus Christ, be is Lord of all-the Prince of Peace, Acts x, 36; Isa. ix, 6.

He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God, hath not life, 1 John v, 12. He that acknowledgeth the Son, hath the Father also, 1 John ii, 23. Christ is our life, Col. iii, 4.

JESUS CHRIST, who is our hope, 1 Tim. i, 1.

I have laid help upon one that is mighty. Without me ye can do nothing, Psa. lxxxix, 19; John xv, 5. Neither is he that planteth any thing, [comparatively,] &c, but God that giveth the increase, 1 Cor. ii, 7.

Yet not I [alone, not I first,] but the grace of God which was with me, 1 Cor. xv, 10.

Call no man your father upon earth; for one is your Father, who is in heaven, Matt. xxiii, 9.

Christ is made unto us of God wisdom, 1 Cor. i, 30.

God only wise, Jude 25.

Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is GOD, Matt. ix, 17.

THOU ART WORTHY, O Lord, to receive glory and honour, Rev. w. 11.

I am the light of the world, John viii, 12.

If God be for us, who can be against us? Who is he that condempeth? It is Christ that died,

II.

churches had abundantly given. He had boasted of their forwardness. Their charity would make others praise God, and pray for them. He that soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully, &c, 2 Cor. viii, 2; ix, 3, 6, 12, 14.

There is no peace to the wicked; he that will love life, &c, let him do good, seek peace, and pursue it, Isa. lvii, 21; Psa. xxxiv, 14.

Beloved, &c, he that doeth good is of God: he that doeth evil hath not seen God, 3 John 11.

Whosoever transgresseth hath not God, 2 John 9.

To be spiritually minded is life, Rom. viii, 6.

What is our hope? &c. Are not even YE [Thessalonians ?] 1 Thess. ii, 19.

I [Paul] can do all things through Christ, who strengtheneth me, Phil. iv, 13.

We are labourers together with God. As a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, 1 Cor. iii, 9, 10.

I [Paul] laboured more abundantly than they all [the apostles,] 1 Čor. xv, 10.

Ye have not many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the Gospel, 1 Cor. iv, 15.

Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son, Prov. xxviii, 7.

Five virgins were wise, Matt. XXV, 2.

A good MAN, out of the good treasure of the heart, [an honest and good heart] bringeth forth good things, Matt. xii, 35; Luke viii, 15.

They shall walk with me in white, for [or rather or because] THEY ARE WORTHY, Rev. iii, 4.

Ye are the light of the world, Matt. v, 14.

Hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God that he should do wickedness, &c.

I.

yea, rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us, Rom. viii, 31, 34.

If any man sin, we have an Adrocate with the Father, JESTS CHRIST the righteous, 1 John ii, 1.

CHRIST ever liveth to make intercession for them that come unto God by him, Heb. vii, 25.

The Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, Mark ii, 10.

CHRIST, by whom we have now received the aforement, Rom. v, 11.

There is one Mediator between God and men, the man CHRIST JESUS, 1 Tim. ii, 5.

O God, shine on thy sanctuary, for the Lord's sake. For my name's sake will I deter mine anger, Dan. ix, 17; Isa. xlviii, 9.

The Son of man is come to— &c, SAVE that which was lost, Luke xix. 10..

Christ is ALL and in all-it pleased the Father that IN HIM should all fulness dwell-and ye are complete IN HIM, Col. iii, 11; i, 19; ii, 10. To him that hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests, &c, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever, Rev. i, 5, 6.

Π.

For the work of a man shall her der unto him, and cause every n to find according to his ways. Y surely God will not do wicke neither will the Almighty per judgment, Job xxxiv, 10, 11, 1

If ANY MAN see his brother &e, he shall ask, and he [G will give him life for them sin not unto death, 1 John v, 1

I will that intercessions be m for all men. The effectual vent prayer of a RIGHTEOUS availeth much, 1 Timothy i James v. 16.

Whosesoever sins ye remit, are remitted to them, John

23.

PHINEHAS Was zealous for and made an atonement for children of Israel, Num. xxv,

Moses his chosen stood b him in the breach to turn awa wrath, lest he should destroy Psalm evi, 23.

I will not do it [i. e. I wi rain fire and brimstone from Lord upon Sodom] for ten eous sake, Gen. xviii, 32.

He became the author of nal SALVATION to all them obey him, Heb. v, 9.

Is Christ the minister of God forbid! By their FRUI shall know them. We labor we may be accepted of him, must all appear before the ment seat of Christ, that eve may receive the things done body, according to that he done, whether it be good o Gal. ii, 17; Matt. vii, 20; v, 9, 10.

Is it not evident from the balance of these, and the like scr that Honestus and Zelotes are both under a capital, though contra take? and that to do the Gospel justice, we must Scripturally joi ther what they rashly put asunder!

SECTION V.

Setting forth the glory of faith and the honour of works.

FIRST SCALE.

Whosoever believeth on him [Christ] shall not be ashamed, Rom. x, 11.

This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent, John vi, 29.

Abraham believed God, &c, and he was called the friend of God, James ii, 23.

To him that worketh not, but beliereth, &c, his faith is counted for righteousness, Rom. iv, 5.

If ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins, John viii,

24.

Only believe: [I particularly require a strong exertion of thy faith at this time,] Luke viii, 50.

He that believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life, John v, 24.

Thy faith hath SAVED thee, Luke vii, 50.

Through faith they wrought righteousness, obtained promises, &c, Heb. xi, 33.

With the heart man believeth to righteousness, Rom. x, 10. Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Gal. iii, 2.

Through his name, whosoever believeth on him shall receive re. mission of sins, Acts x, 43.

If Abraham were justified by WORKS, he hath whereof to glory, Rom. iv, 2.

Without FAITH it is impossible to please God, Heb. xi, 6.

SECOND SCALE.

Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments, Psa. cxix, 6.

What does the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God, Micah vi, 8.

Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you, John xv,

14.

Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone, James ïi, 17.

Brethren, &c, if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die, Rom. viii, 13.

The devils believe, [therefore faith is not sufficient without its works,] James ii, 19.

With the merciful thou [O God] wilt show thyself merciful; and with the froward thou wilt show thyself unsavoury, 2 Sam. xxii, 26, 27.

We are SAVED by hope, Rom. viii, 24.

Remembering, &c, your labour of love-let patience have her perfect work, 1 Thess. i, 3; James i,

4.

And with the mouth confession is made to salvation. (Ibid.)

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot, &c, so then, &c, I will spue thee out of my mouth, Rev. iii, 15, 16.

Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven. If we confess our sins, he is faith. ful and just to forgive us, Luke vi, 37; 1 John i, 9.

Was not Abraham our father justified by WORKS? James ii, 21.

O vain man, faith without WORKS is dead, James ii, 20.

« EelmineJätka »