(3.) And faith itself, whereby we receive the Lord Christ for all the ends for which he is tendered unto us, and become actually interested in all the fruits and benefits of his mediation, is wrought in us by the word of the gospel: for, as we have declared, it is the seed of all grace whatever; and in especial, “faith cometh by hear- ing, and hearing by the word of God,” Rom. x. 17. Conviction of sin is by the law; but faith is by the gospel. And this is the way and means which God hath appointed on our part for the giving us an actual interest in justification, as established in the law of the gospel, Rom.v.1. Again,—
(4.) The promise of the gospel, conveyed unto the soul by the Holy Spirit, and entertained by faith, completes the justification of a believer in his own conscience, and gives him assured peace with God. And thus the whole work of this main branch of our salva- tion is wrought by the gospel.
4, There is in this salvation an instruction and growth in spiritual wisdom, and an acquaintance with “ the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ,” Col. ii. 2; which also is an effect of the gospel. Of ourselves we are not only dark and ignorant of heavenly things, but “darkness” itself,—that is, utterly blind, and incomprehensive of spiritual, divine mysteries, Eph. v 8; and so under “the power of darkness,” Col. i. 13, as that we should no less than the devils them- selves be holden under the chains of it unto the judgment of the great day. Darkness and ignorance as to the things of God them- selves, in respect of the revelation of them, and darkness in the mind as to the understanding of them in a right manner, being revealed, is upon the whole world; and no heart is able to conceive, no tongue
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to express, the greatness and misery of this darkness. ‘The removal _ hereof is a mercy inexpressible,—the beginning of our entrance into heaven, the kingdom of light and glory, and an especial part of our salvation. For “ God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all;” so that whilst we are under the power of it we can have no intercourse with him; for “ what communion hath light with dark- ness?” Now, the removal hereof is by the gospel: 2 Cor. iv. 6, “God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, shineth in our hearts, to give us the light of the knowledge of his glory in the face of Jesus Christ;” and he doth it by the illumination of “the glorious gospel of Christ,” verse 4. For not only is the object re- vealed hereby, “life and immortality being brought to light by the gospel,” but also the eyes of our understandings are enlightened by it, savingly to discern the truths by it revealed: for it is by it that both the eyes of the blind are opened and light shineth unto them that sit in darkness; whence we are said to be “ called out of dark- ness into marvellous light,” 1 Pet.i.9. And our calling is no other- wise but by the word of the gospel. And as the implanting of this heavenly light in us is by the word, so the growth and increase of it in spiritual wisdom is no otherwise wrought, 2 Cor. iii. 18; Col. i. 2, And this spiritual acquaintance with God in Christ, this sav- ing wisdom in the mystery of grace, this holy knowledge and under- standing of the mind of God, this growing light and insight into heavenly things, which is begun, increased, and carried on by the gospel, is an especial dawning of that glory and immortality which this salvation tendeth ultimately unto.
5. There belongs unto it also that joy and consolation which believers are made. partakers of by the Holy Ghost in this world. Ofttimes their trials are many, their troubles great, and their temp- tations abound, in the course of their obedience. And these things are ready to fill them with cares, fears, sorrows, and disconsolation. Now, though our Lord Jesus Christ hath foretold his disciples of all the tribulations and sorrows that should attend them in this world, and taught them to uphold and support their spirits with the thoughts and hopes of the glory that shall be revealed; yet in the salvation that he hath purchased for them there is provision of
-eomfort, “with joy unspeakable and full of glory,” even during their pilgrimage here below. Such joy, indeed, it is as the world knoweth not, nor can know. ‘The principles and causes of it, its nature and effects, are all hidden unto them. Yet such it is, that all the con- tentments and enjoyments of this world are no way to be compared with it; and such do all that have tasted of it esteem it to be. Now, this also is wrought in us and communicated unto us by the gospel. Tt is the word of promise whereby God gives “strong consolation” unto the heirs of salvation, Heb. vi. 17, 18. And upon the receiv-
302 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. II.
ing of this word by faith it is that believers “rejoice with joy un- speakable and full of glory.” Not only supportment and comfort in the bearing of troubles, but glorious exultations and eestasies of joy, are ofttimes wrought in the hearts of believers by the gospel. Now they can endure, now they can suffer, now they can die; joy is upon their heads and in their hearts, and sorrow and sighing flee away. Here is rest, here is peace, here are refreshments, here are pleasures, here is life to be desired. The good Lord sweeten and season all our hearts with all these consolations, these joys of his kingdom, and that by the blessed word of his grace !