12. And that this is also an ordinary stated means of receiving the grace of God, is evident from those words of the apostle, which occur in the preceding chapter? _The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion_, or communication, _of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?_ (1 Cor. x. 16.) Is not the eating of that bread, and the drinking of that cup the outward, visible means whereby God conveys into our souls all that spiritual grace, that righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, which were purchased by the body of Christ once broken, and the blood of Christ once shed for us? Let all, therefore who truly desire the grace of God, eat of that bread and drink of that cup.
IV. 1. But as plainly as God hath pointed out the way, wherein he will be inquired after, innumerable are the objections which men, wise in their own eyes, have from time to time raised against it. It may be needful to consider a few of these; not because they are of weight in themselves, but because they have so often been used, especially of late years, to turn the lame out of the way; yea, to trouble and subvert those who did run well, while Satan appeared as an angel of light.
The first and chief of these is, “You cannot use these means (as you call them) without _trusting_ in them.” I pray, where is this written? I expect you should shew me plain scripture for your assertion. Otherwise I dare not receive it: because I am not convinced, that you are wiser than God.
If it really had been as you assert, it is certain Christ must have known it. And if he had known it, he would surely have warned us, he would have revealed it long ago. Therefore because he has not, because there is no tittle of this in the whole revelation of Jesus Christ, I am as fully assured your assertion is false, as that this revelation is of God.
“However, leave them off for a short time, to see whether you trusted in them or no.” So I am to disobey God, in order to know, whether I trust in obeying him! And do you avow this advice? Do you deliberately teach, to _do evil, that good may come_? O tremble at the sentence of God against such teachers! Their _damnation is just_.
“Nay, if you are troubled, when you leave them off, it is plain, you trusted in them.” By no means. If I am troubled when I wilfully disobey God, it is plain his Spirit is still striving with me. But if I am not troubled at wilful sin, it is plain, I am given up to a reprobate mind.
But what do you mean by “_Trusting_ in them?” Looking for the blessing of God therein? Believing, that if I wait in this way I shall attain, what otherwise I should not? So I do. And so I will, God being my helper, even to my life’s end. By the grace of God, I will _thus_ trust in them, till the day of my death; that is, I will believe, that whatever, God hath promised, he is faithful also to perform. And seeing he hath promised to bless me in this way, I _trust_ it shall be according to his word.
2. It has been, secondly, objected, “This is seeking salvation by works.” Do you know the meaning of the expression you use? What is, “Seeking salvation by works?” In the writings of St. _Paul_, it means, either seeking to be saved, by observing the ritual works of the Mosaic law, or expecting salvation for the sake of our own works, by the merit of our own righteousness. But how is either of these implied, in my waiting in the way God has ordained; and expecting that he will meet me there, because he has promised so to do?
I do expect, that he will fulfil his word, that ♦he will meet and bless me in this way. Yet not for the sake of any works which I have done, nor for the merit of my righteousness: But merely through the merits and sufferings and love of his Son, in whom he is always well-pleased.
3. It has been vehemently objected, Thirdly, that Christ is the only means of grace. I answer, this is mere playing upon words. Explain your term, and the objection vanishes away. When we say, “Prayer is a means of grace,” we understand, a channel through which the grace of God is conveyed. When you say, “Christ is the means of grace,” you understand, the sole price and purchaser of it: or, that _no man cometh unto the Father, but thro’ him_. And who denies it? But this is utterly wide of the question.