But because this prejudice is drunk in by many not ill-meaning people, let us a little dispossess them of this vain conceit.
(1.) As to Christ. It is certain that a sinner can have no hope of acceptance with God but by Christ : 1 Tim. i. 15, ' Christ came to save sinners;' and Mat. i. 21, 'He shall save his people from their sins.'
(2.) It is as true that ' whosoever is in Christ, he is a new creature,* 2 Cor. v.. 17. So that the dispute will lie here ; to clear up our inte- rest in Christ, whether we are new creatures ; for till that be deter- mined, we can have no solid peace and comfort within ourselves,
(3.) None is a new creature but he who feareth God and worketh righteousness ; for that is the description of a new creature, that all old things are passed away, and all things are become new ; a new heart, a new mind, and a new conversation ; for a new heart is only sensibly discovered by newness of life, Kom. vi. 4. Well, then, our proposition is fully reconcilable with the grace of Jesus Christ.
[2.] With respect to the new covenant, which, suspending our right and title to privileges upon the conditions of faith and new obedience, do plainly show what influence fearing God and working righteousness have on our comfort and peace. Now in the new as in all covenants there is Q-atio dati et accepti, something - promised and something required. That which is promised is acceptance unto pardon and life ; that which is required is taking hold of this covenant, and choosing the things that please God, Isa. Ivi. 4 ; that is, an unfeigned consent to God's covenant, as it is modelled and stated, or such a sense of God's transactions with men by Christ as maketh them willing of the mercies offered and duties required in order to these mercies. This sense of God's mercy is sometimes called faith, sometimes love, some- times fear. It is called faith, because we treat with an invisible God
SERMON UPON ACTS X. 34, 35. 415
about an happiness that lieth in an unseen world. It is called love, because such great and necessary benefits are offered to us as draw our hearts to God again. It is called fear, because we are so culpable, and God is so holy and glorious, and the concernment of the work is so weiglity, that we come to serve him with reverence and godly fear, Heb. xii. 28. But then this sense makes us willing of the mercies offered, because none but the serious part of mankind doth regard and care for them. And it maketh us also willing of the duties required, both for tlieir own sakes, they tending to the glory of God and the j)erfecting of man's nature, as also because of the annexed benefits. But now every will doth not give you a title to the blessings of the covenant, but a sincere will. There is a cold and ineffectual will, which is in no prevailing degree ; a lazy wish, which will never change our hearts ; and there is a fixed bent, which maketh it our work to please and glorify God : Heb. xiii. 18, ' We trust we have a good con- science, in all things willing to live honestly.' This is that sincerity which is our gospel duty.
[3.] With respect to the Spirit, who is our sanctifier and comforter. First a sanctifier, and then a comforter, and therefore a comforter because a sanctifier. Otherwise the Spirit would cause us to rejoice we know not why, and the comforts of a christian would be fantastical and groundless ; at best we should rejoice in a mere possible salvation. But holiness is God's seal and impress upon us : Eph. i. 13, ' In whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.' When his sanctifying work is interrupted, so is his comfort- ing work disturbed also, Eph. iv. 31. David's bones were broken,, and he lost his joy, when he fell into great sins, Ps. li., and Ps. xxxii. And it is true in others, who, when they have been lifted up to heaven in comfort, have fallen almost as low as hell in sorrow, trouble, and perplexity of spirit, when they grew remiss, negligent, and disobedient to the motions of the Holy Ghost. If we intermit a course of holiness, the frowns of God will soon turn our day into night ; and the poor forsaken sou], that was feasted with the love of God, knows not whence to fetch the least support. Such is the fruit of our careless and loose walking.
[4.] With respect to conscience. He that casts off a godly life, and giveth up himself to a carnal course, can never have comfort ; for guilt will breed terror, and by frequent sinning you keep the wounds of con- science still bleeding. Till it be better used, how can it speak peace to us ? 1 John iii. 20-22, ' Beloved, if our own hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and knoweth all things ; but if our hearts condemn us not, then have we confidence towards God ; and whatsoever we ask we receive of him, because we keep his command- ments, and do what is pleasing in his sight,'