But, alas ! more is necessary : and therefore God, in tender mercy, has enjoined it in a way of positive command —
[Y"es, this is his commandment, that we believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ. We are averse to this humiliating way of salvation, and, if we dared, would eternally reject it. ]>ut God sent us this solemn warning, that, " if we believe in
11 Rev. iii. 18. e Isai. lv. 1, 2.
f Acts ii. 37— •"!>• & Acts xvi. 30—33.
Christ, and are baptized in his name,, we shall be saved : but that, if we believe not, we shall assuredly and eternally be damned h." And even after we are made, in a measure, willing to embrace this salvation, we ai*e apt to put it from, us, under an idea that we are unworthy of it, and that it were presump- tion in us to appropriate to ourselves so rich a boon. But God silences at once all objections of this kind. He leaves us not at liberty even to deliberate upon the subject. He tells us plainly, that " as long as we continue in unbelief, we are in a state of condemnation, and that his wrath abideth on us1." And he further informs us, that there is but " one way of sal- vationk," " one only foundation" whereon to build our hopes1 ; and that the embracing or rejecting of that Saviour will deter- mine our eternal state; since " there is life in Christ alone; and he only who hath the Son of God, hath life ; whereas he who hath not the Son of God, hath not life™," nor can by any possibility obtain it in any other way than by faith in him".
Behold then, brethren, what the duty is that is here en- joined ; and know, that it will be at the peril of your souls to disobey it.]
See, then,
1. What a merciful command this is —
[Suppose that God had commanded us to make compen- sation for our past iniquities, and to earn his favour by a course of perfect obedience ; who amongst us could ever have entertained the slightest hope of mercy at his hands ? Or suppose that he had required us to do so much as one single act that should merit his favour ? Who amongst us must not have been cast down in utter despair? But all he requires is, that we should receive thankfully what he offers freely. So far as respects every thing for the removal of our guilt, or for the providing of a perfect righteousness for us, all that is wrought for us by the Lord Jesus Christ, and is offered to us as a free gift from God. O beloved, what an unspeakable mercy is this ! O ! never turn your backs on this salvation ! for, "how shall ye escape, if ye reject it?" It is precisely such as your necessities require ; and, if ye will but accept it as the free gift of God to your souls, it shall be yours for ever.]
2. What inconceivable benefit will flow from your obedience to it —
[In the words following my text there is another com- mand connected with it ; namely, that " we should love one another, as he gave us commandment." But this, in fact, is
h Mark xvi. 16. { John in. 18, 36. k Acts iv. 12.
1 1 Cor. hi. 11. mi j0iin Vi n( 12. <• John xiv. 6.
k;! i John, in. 24. [2452.
the fruit, of which the other is the root. True " faith will invariably work by love0:" so that, not only will salvation be secured to us by faith; but holiness also, in all its subliniest branches, will be wrought in us. Those who object to salva- tion by faith, do so under an apprehension that it will leave us regardless of moral duties. But I ask, where is love found in any degree in comparison of that which is produced by faith? Where, since the foundation of the world, was holiness in all its branches seen, in comparison of that which shined forth in the Apostles and in all the primitive saints? I say then, that in this vieiv, the exercise of faith is of inestimable value. But who shall declare the benefits resulting from it in the eternal world ? Who shall make known to us all that is implied in " obtaining the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory p?" My dear brethren, be thankful that these blessings are yet offered to your acceptance; and pray earnestly to your God, that you fall not short of them through unbelief.]