I know that many expressions used in the declaration of the na- ture and work of faith herein are metaphorical, at least are generally esteemed so to be ; — but they are such as the Holy Ghost, in his infinite wisdom, thought meet to make use of for the instruction and edification of the church. And I cannot but say, that those who un- derstand not how effectually the light of knowledge is communicated unto the minds of them that believe by them, and a sense of the things intended unto their spiritual experience, seem not to have taken a due consideration of them. Neither, whatever skill we pre- tend unto, do we know always what expressions of spiritual things are metaphorical. Those oftentimes may seem so to be, which are most proper. However, it is most safe for us to adhere unto the ex- pressions of the Holy Spirit, and not to embrace such senses of things as are inconsistent with them, and opposite unto them. Where- fore,—
1. That faith whereby we are justified is most fi'equently in the New Testament expressed by receiving. This notion of faith hath been before spoken unto, in our general inquiry into the use of it in our justification. It shall not, therefore, be here much again insisted on. Two things we may observe concerning it : — First, That it is so expressed with respect unto the Avhole object of faith, or unto all that doth any way concur unto our justification ; for we are said to receive Christ himself: " As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God," John i. 12; " As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord," Col. ii. 6. In opposition hereunto unbelief is expressed by not receiving of him, John i. 11, iii. 1 1, xii. 48, xiv. 17. And it is a receiving of Christ as he is " The Lord our Righteousness," as of God he is made righteousness unto us. And as no grace, no duty, can have any co-operation with faith herein, — this reception of Christ not belonging unto their nature, nor comprised in their exercise, — so it excludes any other righteousness from our justifi-
292 ON JUSTIFICATION.
cation but tliat of Christ alone ; for we are " justified by faith/' Faith alone receiveth Christ ; and what it receives is the cause of our justi- fication, whereon we become the sons of God. So we " receive the atonement" made by the blood of Christ, Rom. v. 11 ; for " God hath set him forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood." And this receiving of the atonement includeth the soul's approbation of the way of salvation by the blood of Christ, and the appropriation of the atonement made thereby unto our OAvn souls. For thereby also we receive the forgiveness of sins : " That they may receive for- giveness of sins by faith that is in me," Acts xxvi. 18. In
receiving Christ we receive the atonement ; and in the atonement we receive the forgiveness of sins. But, moreover, the grace of God, and righteousness itself, as the efficient and material cause of our justifi- cation, are received also ; even the " abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness," Rom. v. 17. So that faith, with respect unto all the causes of justification, is expressed by " receiving ;" for it also receiveth the promise, the instrumental cause on the part of God thereof, Acts ii. 41 ; Heb. ix. 15. Secondly, That the nature of faith, and its acting with respect unto all the causes of justification, consist- ing in receiving, that which is the object of it must be offered, ten- dered, and given unto us, as that which is not our own, but is made our own by that giving and receiving. This is evident in the general nature of receiving. And herein, as was observed, as no other grace or duty can concur with it, so the righteousness whereby we are jus- tified can be none of our own antecedent unto this recejDtion, nor at any time inherent in us. Hence we argue, that if the work of faith in our justification be the receiving of what is freely granted, given, communicated, and imputed unto us, — that is, of Christ, of the atone- ment, of the gift of righteousness, of the forgiveness of sins, — then have our other graces, our obedience, duties, works, no influence into our justification, nor are any causes or conditions thereof; for they are neither that which doth receive nor that which is received, which alone concur thereunto.
2. Faith is expressed by looking: " Look unto me, and be ye saved," Isa. xlv. 22 ; "A man shall look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect unto the Holy One of Israel," chap. xvii. 7 ; " They shall look upon me whom they have pierced," Zech. xii. 10. See Ps. cxxiii. 2. The nature hereof is expressed, John iii. 14, 15, " As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up : that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." For so was he to be lifted up on the cross in his death, John viii. 28, chap, xii. 32. The story is recorded Numb. XXL 8, 9. I suppose none doubt but that the stinging of the peoj)le by fierj' serpents, and the death that ensued thereon, were