Some few testimonies may be added out of the other evangelist, in whom they abound : " As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name," John i. 12. Faith is expressed by the receiving of Christ; for to receive him, and to believe on his name, are the same. It receives him as set forth of God to be a propitiation for sin, as the great ordinance of God for the recovery and salvation of lost sinners. Wherefore, this notion of faith includes in it, — 1. A supposition of the proposal and tender of Christ unto us, for some end and purpose. 2. That this proposal is made unto us in the promise of the gospel. Hence, as we are said to receive Chiist, we are said to receive the promise also. 8. The end for which the Lord Christ is so proposed unto us in the promise of the gospel ; and this is the same with that for which he was so proposed in the first promise, — namely, the re- covery and salvation of lost sinners. 4. That in the tender of his person, there is a tender made of all the fruits of his mediation, as containing the way and means of our deliverance from sin and ac- ceptance with God. 5. There is nothing requhed on our part unto an interest in the end proposed, but receiving of him, or believing on his name. 6. Hereby are we entitled unto the heavenly inheritance ; we have power to become the sons of God, wherein our adoption is asserted, and justification included. What this receiving of Christ is, and wherein it doth consist, hath been declared before, in the consideration of that faith whereby we are justified. That which hence we argue is, that there is no more required unto the obtaining of a right and title unto the heavenly inheritance, but faith alone in the name of Christ, the receiving of Christ as the ordinance of God for justification and salvation. This gives us, I say, our original right
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thereunto, and therein our acceptance with God, which is our justi- fication; though more be required unto the actual acquisition and possession of it. It is said, indeed, that other graces and Avorks are not excluded, though faith alone be expressed. But every thing which is not a receiving of Christ is excluded. It is, I say, virtually ex- cluded, because it is not of the nature of that which is required. When we speak of that whereby \we see, we exclude no other mem- ber from being a part of the body ; but we exclude all but the eye from the act of seeing. And if faith be required, as it is a receiving of Christ, every gTace and duty which is not so is excluded, as unto the end of justification.
Chap. iii. 14-18, " And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up ; that whoso- ever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only be- gotten Son of God."
I shall observe only a few things from these words, which in them- selves convey a better light of understanding in this mystery unto the minds of believers than many long discourses of some learned men: — 1. It is of the justification of men, and their right to eternal life thereon, that our Saviour discourseth. This is plain in verse 18, " He that believeth on him is not condemned ; but he that believeth not is condemned already." 2. The means of attaining this condition or state on our part is believing only, as it is three times positively as- serted, without any addition. 3. The nature of this faith is declared, — (1.) By its object, — that is, Christ himself, the Son of God, "Whosoever believeth in him;" which is frequently repeated. (2.) The especial consideration wherein he is the object of faith unto the justification of life ; and that is as he is the ordinance of God, given, sent, and proposed, from the love and grace of the Father; " God so loved the world, that he gave;" " God sent his Son." (3.) The especial act yet included in the type, whereby the design of God in him is illustrated ; for this was the looking unto the brazen serpent lifted up in the wilderness by them who were stung with fieiy serjients. Hereunto our faith in Christ unto justification doth answer, and includes a trust in him alone for deliverance and relief This is the way, these are the only causes and means, of the justification of condemned sinners, and are the substance of all that we plead for.
It will be said, that all this proves not the imputation of the right-