[2.] If we consider the good depending on it. You are not capable of enjoying God, and being happy for evermore, till his wrath be ap- peased, and your sins forgiven ; but when that is once done, then you may have sure hope of being admitted into his presence : Rom. v. 10,
102 THE SECOND SERMON. [Ps. XXXII. 1, 2.
' If, when we were enemies, we were reconciled by his death, much more being now reconciled shall we be saved by his life ; ' that is to say, it is far more credible that a reconciled man should be glorified, than that a sinner and rebel should be reconciled. If you can pass over this difficulty, and once get into God's peace, then what may you not expect from God ? The first favour to such as have been rebels against him facilitates the belief of all acts of grace.
Now, what must we do that we may bo capable of this blessed pri- vilege, that our sins may be jinrdoned, and our filth covered, and our debt may be forgiven ? I shall give my answer in three branches : —
I. I will show you what is to be done as to your first entrance into the evangelic state.
II. What is to be done as to your continuance therein, and that you may still enjoy this privilege ; and —
III. What is to be done as to your recovery out of grievous lap.ses, and falls, and wounds, as are more troublesome to the conscience, for which a particular and express rejientance is required.
I. As to our first entrance into the evangelic state ; that is by faith and repentance : both are neccs.sary to pardon. Acts x. 43, ' To him give all tlie prophets witness, that through his name, whosoever be- lieveth in him shall receive remission of sins.' There remission of sins is granted to a believer. Now repentance is full out as necessary, Acts ii. 38, ' Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins;' Luke xxiv. 47, 'And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.' What is in another evangelist, ' to preach the gospel to every creature,' in this is, ' that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name.' And this is 1 (reaching the gospel ; for the gospel is nothing else but a doctrine of lepentance and remission of sins. So if we Avill not hearken to the vain fancies of men who have perverted the scripture, but stand to the l)lain gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ ; these two duties are necessary to pardon. Christ's satisfaction is not imputed to us, but upon terms agreed on in the covenant of redemption. As to the impetration there is required the intervention of Ciirist's merit, so to the ajiplication faith and repentance, without which we are not pardoned. These two graces have a distinct reference, and it is intimated by that passage of Paul, for he gives this account of his ministry. Acts xx. 21, ' Testifying both to the Jews, r.nd also to the Greeks, repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ.' Here, in short, repentance respects God, to whom we return, and faith Jesus Christ, hy whom we return. From God we fell, to God we must return ; we fell from him as we withdrew our allegiance, and sought our happiness elsewhere ; and we return to him as our rightful Lord and our proper happiness. And then faith in Christ is necessary, because the Lord Jesus is the only remedy fjr our misery, who opened the way to God by his merit and satisfaction, and doth also l)ring us to walk in his ways by his renewing first, and then reconciling grace ; and faith is that that respects him. Wlio will take [)hysic of a ])hysician who.se art he does not trust, or go to sea with a pilot whose skill he questions ? Who will venture his eternal interest in Christ's hands, if he be not per-
Ts. XXXII. 1, 2.] THE SECOND SEKMON. 103
biiaded of his ability and fidelity, as one that is able to make our peace with God, and bring us to the enjoyment of him ? But I would not lightly mention it, but bring it to a distinct issue.
1. I will show yon it is for the glory of God and comfort of the creature that there should be a stated course of entering into God's peace, or applying the gospel ; for we must not so look to the impetra- tion, or merit and righteousness of Christ, as not to consider the appli- cation, and how we come to have a title to these things.
2. I will show that these two graces and duties are faith and repent- ance, which do in many things agree, and in other respects differ.
3. I will show you that they, differing in their use, are required for distinct reasons and ends.
4. The use of these graces will plainly discover their nature to you, so that a poor Christian, that would settle his soul upon Christ's terms, and this blessed gospel made known to us, need not any longer debate what is repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ.