CHAP. IV.] god's sending JESUS CHRIST. 639
not more (I may say, not so much) dishonour the one and the other than those do who, professing to own them both, yet continue to hve and walk in an unholy condition: for as to the open enetnies of Christ, they are judged and condemned already, and none have occa- sion to think the worse of him or the gospel for their opposition unto them ; but for those others who profess to own them, they endeavour to represent the Lord Christ as a minister of sin, as one who hath procured indulgence unto men to live in their lusts and in rebellion against God, and the gospel as a doctrine of licentiousness and wicked- ness. What else can any one learn from them concerning the one or the other? The whole language of their profession is, that Christ is such a Saviour, and the gospel, such a law and rule, as that men loving sin and living in sin may be saved by them. This is that which hath reflected all kind of dishonour on Christian religion, and put a stop unto its progress in the world. These are they of whom our apostle makes his bitter complaint: Phil. iii. 18, 19, "Many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weep- ing, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ; whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things." How many that are called Chris- tians doth this character suit in these days ! Whatever they think of themselves, they are " enemies of the cross of Christ," and do " tread under their feet the blood of the covenant."
Secondly, Let more serious professors be most serious in this matter. The apostle having given assurance of the certain salvation of all true believers, from the immutable purpose of God, presently adds, " Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity," 2 Tim. ii. 19; plainly intimating that without holiness, without a universal departure from iniquity, we cannot have the least evidence that we are interested in that assured condition. You name the name of Christ, profess an interest in him, and expect salvation by him ; which way will you apply yourselves unto him ? From which of his offices do you expect advantage? is it from his sacerdotalt Hath his blood purged your consciences from dead works that you should serve the living God ? Are you cleansed, and sanctified, and made holy thereby? Are you redeemed out of the world by it, and from your vain conversation therein, after the cus- toms and traditions of men ? Are you by it dedicated unto God, and made his peculiar ones? If you find not these effects of the blood-shedding of Christ in and upon your souls and consciences, in vain will you expect those others of atonement, peace, and recon- ciliation with God, of mercy, pardon, justification, and salvation, which you look for. The priestly office of Christ hath its whole effects towards all on whom it hath any effect. Uespisers of its fruits
640 NECESSITY OF HOLINESS FROM [BOOK V.
in holiness shall never have the least interest in its fruits in right- eousness.
Is it from his actings as the great prophet of the church that you expect help and relief? Have you effectually learned of him " to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world ?" Hath he taught you to be humble, to be meek, to be patient, to "hate the garment spotted with the flesh?" Hath he instructed you unto sincerity in all your ways, dealings, and whole conversation among men? Above all, hath he taught you, have you learned of him, to purify and cleanse your hearts by faith, to subdue your inward spiritual and fleshly lusts, to endeavour after a universal conformity unto his image and likeness? Do you find his doctrine effectual unto these ends? and are your hearts and minds cast into the mould of it? If it be so, your inte- rest in him by his prophetical office is secured unto you. But if you say that you hear his voice in his word read and preached ; that you have learned many mysteries and have attained much light or know- ledge thereby, at least that you know the substance of the doctrine he hath taught so as that you can discourse of it ; yea, and that you do many things or perform many duties according unto it; but cannot say that the effects before inquired after are wrought in you by his word and Spirit, — you lose the second expectation of an interest in Christ as mediator, or any advantage thereby.
Will you betake yourselves to the kingly office of Christ? and have you expectations on him by virtue thereof? You may do well to examine how he ruleth in you and over you. Hath he subdued your lusts, those enemies of his kingdom which fight against your souls? Hath he strengthened, aided, supported, assisted you by his grace, unto all holy obedience? And have you given up yourselves to be ruled by his word and Spirit, to obey him in all things, and to intrust all your temporal and eternal concernments unto his care, faithfulness, and power? If it be so, you have cause to rejoice, as those who have an assured concern in the blessed things of his king- dom. But if your proud, rebellious lusts do yet bear sway in you ; if sin have dominion over you ; if you continue to " fulfil the lusts of the flesh and of the mind;" if you walk after the fashions of this world, and not as obedient subjects of that kingdom of his which is not of this world, — deceive not yourselves any longer, Christ will be of no advantage unto you.