Take the substance of what has been said on this head, in the few following words. Every man that is saved, is justified three ways: _First_, _meritoriously_, by the death of JESUS CHRIST: “It is the blood of JESUS CHRIST alone that cleanses us from all sin.” _Secondly_, _instrumentally_, by faith: faith is the means or instrument whereby the merits of JESUS CHRIST are applied to the sinner’s heart: “Ye are all the children of GOD by faith in CHRIST JESUS.” _Thirdly_, we are justified _declaratively_; namely, by good works: good works declare and prove to the world, that our faith is a true saving faith. “Was not _Abraham_ justified by works?” And again, “Shew me thy faith by thy works.”
It may not be improper to illustrate this doctrine by an example or two. I suppose no one will pretend to say, that there was any fitness for salvation in _Zaccheus_ the publican, when he came to see JESUS out of no better principle, than that whereby perhaps thousands are led to hear me preach; I mean, curiosity: but JESUS CHRIST prevented and called him by his free grace, and sweetly, but irresistibly inclined him to obey that call; as, I pray GOD, he may influence all you that come only to see who the preacher is. _Zaccheus_ received our LORD joyfully into his house, and at the same time by faith received him into his heart: _Zaccheus_ was then freely justified in the sight of GOD. But behold the immediate fruits of that justification! He stands forth in the midst, and as before he had believed in his heart, he now makes confession with his mouth to salvation: “Behold, LORD, the half of my goods I give unto the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him four-fold.” And thus it will be with thee, O believer, as soon as ever GOD’s dear Son is revealed in thee by a living faith; thou wilt have no rest in thy spirit, till out of love and gratitude for what GOD has done for thy soul, thou shewest forth thy faith by thy works.
Again, I suppose every body will grant there was no fitness for salvation in the persecutor _Saul_; no more than there is in those persecuting zealots of these last days, who are already breathing out threatenings, and, if in their power, would breathe out slaughter also, against the disciples of the LORD.
Now our LORD, we know, freely prevented him by his grace, (and O that he would thus effectually call the persecutors of this generation) and by a light from heaven struck him to the ground. At the same time, by his Spirit, he pricked him to the heart, convinced him of sin, and caused him to cry out, “Who art thou, LORD?” CHRIST replies, “I am JESUS whom thou persecutest.” Faith then was instantaneously given to him, and behold, immediately _Saul_ cries out, “LORD, what wouldst thou have me to do?” And so will every poor soul that believes on the LORD JESUS with his whole heart. He will be always asking, LORD, what shall I do for thee? LORD, what wouldst thou have me to do? Not to justify himself, but only to evidence the sincerity of his love and thankfulness to his all-merciful High-priest, for plucking him as a firebrand out of the fire.
Perhaps many self-righteous persons amongst you, may flatter yourselves, that you are not so wicked as either _Zaccheus_ or _Saul_ was, and consequently there is a greater fitness for salvation in you than in them. But if you think thus, indeed you think more highly of yourselves than you ought to think: for by nature we are all alike, all equally fallen short of the glory of GOD, all equally dead in trespasses and sins, and there needs the same almighty power to be exerted in converting any one of the most sober, good-natured, moral persons here present, as there was in converting the publican _Zaccheus_, or that notorious persecutor _Saul_. And was it possible for you to ascend into the highest heaven, and to enquire of the spirits of just men made perfect, I am persuaded they would tell you this doctrine is from GOD. But we have a more sure word of prophecy, to which we do well to give heed, as unto a light shining in a dark place. My brethren, the word is nigh you; search the scriptures; beg of GOD to make you willing to be saved in this day of his power: for it is not flesh and blood, but the Spirit of JESUS CHRIST, that alone can reveal these things unto you.
_Fourthly_ and _Lastly_, What think you of JESUS CHRIST being formed within you? For whom CHRIST justifies, them he also sanctifies. Although he finds, yet he does not leave us unholy. A true christian may not so properly be said to live, as JESUS CHRIST to live in him. For they only that are led by the Spirit of CHRIST, are the true sons of GOD.