Section 4.
SECTION 4.
Containing, (1.) An observation upon the terms of the covenants; and, (2.) A balanced specimen of the anti-Pharisaic Gospel, displaying Christ’s glory in the first scale; and of the anti-Solifidian Gospel, setting forth the glory of evangelical obedience in the second scale.
To reconcile the opposite parts of the Scriptures, let us remember that God has made two covenants with man; the covenant of justice, and the covenant of grace. The first requires uninterrupted obedience to the law of paradisiacal innocence. The second enjoins repentance, faith, and humble obedience to all those Gospel precepts, which form what David calls the law of the Lord; St. Paul, the law of Christ; St. James, the law of liberty; and what our Lord calls my sayings, — my commandments, &c. Being conceived in sin since the fall, and having all our powers enfeebled, we cannot personally keep the first covenant: therefore as the first Adam broke it for us, Christ, “the second Adam, the Lord from heaven,” graciously came to make the law of innocence honourable, by keeping it for us, and to give us “power” to keep his own “law of liberty,” that is, to repent, believe, and obey for ourselves. Therefore, with respect to the law of the first covenant, Christ alone is, and must be, our foundation, our righteousness, our way, our door, our glory, and all our salvation.
But with respect to the second covenant, the case is very different: for this covenant, and its law of liberty, requiring of us personal repentance and its fruits, — personal faith and its works, — all which together make up evangelical obedience, or “the obedience of faith;” it is evident, that, according to the requirements of the covenant of grace, our “obedience of faith” is (in due subordination to Christ) our righteousness, our narrow way, our strait gate, our glory, and our salvation: just as a farmer’s care, labour, and industry are, in due subordination to the blessings of Divine Providence, the causes of his plentiful crops.
If you do not lose sight of this distinction; — if you consider that our salvation or damnation have each two causes, the second of which never operates but in subordination to the first; — if you observe, that the FIRST cause of our eternal salvation is God’s free grace in making, and faithfulness in keeping through Christ his Gospel promises to all sinners, who freely submit to the terms of the Gospel; and that consequently the SECOND cause of that salvation is our own prevented free will, submitting to the obedience of faith, through the helps that Christ affords us; — if, on the other hand, you take notice, that the FIRST cause of our eternal damnation is always our own free will, doing despite to the Spirit of grace; and that the SECOND cause of it is God’s justice in denouncing, and his faithfulness in executing, by Christ, his awful threatenings against all that persist in unbelief to the end of their day of initial salvation, generally called “the day of grace;” — if you consider these things, I say, you will see, that all the scriptures which compose my Scales, and some hundreds more, which I omit for brevity’s sake, agree as perfectly as the different parts of a good piece of music.
We now and then find, it is true, a solo in the Bible; I mean a passage that displays only the powerful voice of free grace, or of free will. Hence Zelotes and Honestus conclude that there is no harmony, but in the single part of the truth which they admire; supposing that the accents of free grace and free will, justly mixed together, form an enthusiastical or heretical noise, and not an evangelical, Divine concert. Thus much by way of introduction.
FIRST SCALE.
Scriptures that display the glory of CHRIST, the importance of primary causes, the excellence of original merit, and the power of free grace.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, &c; no man cometh to the Father, but by me. I am the door; by me if any man enter in he shall be saved, John 14:6; 10:9.
Other foundation can no man lay, than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, &c. He that believeth on him shall not be confounded, 1 Corinthians 3:11; 2 Peter 2:6.
God forbid that I should glory. save in the cross of CHRIST. He that SECOND SCALE.
Scriptures that display the glory of OBEDIENCE, the importance of secondary causes, the excellence of derived worthiness, and the power of free will.
Christ, in his sermon upon the mount, strongly recommends the obedience of faith, as the strait gate, and the narrow way, which lead unto life, Matthew 7:13.
Not laying again the foundation of repentance. Charge the rich that they do good, &c, laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, Hebrews 6:1; 1 Timothy 6:17.
Let every man prove his own work, and glorieth, let him glory in the Lord, Galatians 6:14; 1 Corinthians 1:31.
My soul shall be joyful in MY GOD, for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, Isaiah 61:10. My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour, Luke 1:47.
Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ. He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels, Romans 13:14; Isaiah 61:10.
Christ is made unto us of God righteousness, 1 Corinthians 1:30.
Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name [or person] under heaven whereby we must be saved, Acts 4:12.
Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many, Hebrews 9:28.
Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world, John 1:29.
Look unto me, Isaiah 45:22.
Consider the High Priest of our profession, Jesus Christ, Hebrews 3:1.
Jesus was made a surety of a better testament, Hebrews 7:22. [Note:
it is not said that Jesus is the surety of disobedient believers; but of that testament which cuts off the entail of their heavenly inheritance. See Ephesians 5:5.]
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree.
God has made him [Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of then shall he have kauchma, glorying in HIMSELF alone, and not in another, Galatians 6:4. [It is the same word in the original.]
This is our rejoicing, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and GODLY SINCERITY, &c, we have had our conversation in the world, and to youward, 2 Corinthians 1:12.
I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy. I put on righteousness and it covered me; my judgment was a robe and a diadem. I was eyes to the blind, &c, Job 29:14, 15.
The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him, Ezekiel 18:20.
Take heed to thyself and to thy doctrine, &c, for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee, 1 Timothy 4:16.
Let every man prove his own work, for every man shall bear his own burden, Galatians 4:4, 5.
Put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes, Isaiah 1:16.
Look to yourselves, John 8.
Consider thyself — let us consider one another, Galatians 6:1; Hebrews 10:24.
The Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King; he will save us; [consistently with those glorious titles,] Isaiah 33:22.
That we being dead to sin should live unto righteousness, 1 Peter 2:24.
Be not deceived: God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh, shall, &c, reap destruction, God in him, 2 Corinthians 5:21.
By his knowledge shall my righteous servant [Christ] justify many, Isaiah 53:11.
Preach the GOSPEL to every creature — and forgiveness of sins in [my] name, Mark xvi; Luke 24:47.
Saul preached CHRIST in the synagogues; we preach not ourselves, but CHRIST JESUS the Lord, Acts 9:20; 2 Corinthians 4:5.
We preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them that are called [and obey the call] Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you [Corinthians] save Jesus Christ, and him crucified, 1 Corinthians 1:23, 24; 2:2.
Preaching peace by Jesus Christ, he is Lord of all — the Prince of Peace, Acts 10:36; Isaiah 9:6.
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God, hath not life, 1 John 5:12.
He that acknowledgeth the Son, hath the Father also, 1 John 2:23.
Christ is our life, Colossians 3:4.
JESUS CHRIST, who is our hope, 1 Timothy 1:1.
I have laid help upon one that is mighty. Without me ye can do nothing, Psalm 89:19; John 15:5.
Neither is he that planteth any thing, [comparatively,] &c, but God Galatians 6:7, 8.
He judged the cause of the poor and needy, then it was well with him. Was not this to know me? saith the Lord, Jeremiah 12:16.
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, Matthew 28:20.
As he reasoned of righteousness, [or JUSTICE,] TEMPERANCE, and the JUDGMENT to come, Felix trembled, Acts 24:25.
And yet when the apostle exhorts these very Corinthians to relieve the poor, he uses a variety of motives beside that of Christ’s cross. Other churches had abundantly given. He had boasted of their forwardness. Their charity would make others praise God, and pray for them. He that soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully, &c, 2 Corinthians 8:2; 9:3, 6, 12, 14.
There is no peace to the wicked; he that will love life, &c, let him do good, seek peace, and pursue it, Isaiah 57:21; Psalm 34:14.
Beloved, &c, he that doeth good is of God: he that doeth evil hath not seen God, 3 John 1:11.
Whosoever transgresseth hath not God, 2 John 1:9.
To be spiritually minded is life, Romans 8:6.
What is our hope? &c. Are not even YE [Thessalonians?] 1 Thessalonians 2:19.
I [Paul] can do all things through Christ, who strengtheneth me, Philippians 4:13.
We are labourers together with God. As a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, 1 Corinthians 3:9, 10.
that giveth the increase, 1 Corinthians 3:7.
Yet not I [alone, not I first,] but the grace of God which was with me, 1 Corinthians 15:10.
Call no man your father upon earth; for one is your Father, who is in heaven, Matthew 23:9.
Christ is made unto us of God wisdom, 1 Corinthians 1:30.
God only wise, Jude 1:25.
Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is GOD, Matthew 9:17.
THOU ART WORTHY, O Lord, to receive glory and honour, Revelation 4:11.
I am the light of the world, John 8:12.
If God be for us, who can be against us? Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea, rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us, Romans 8:31, 34.
If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, JESUS CHRIST the righteous, 1 John 2:1.
CHRIST ever liveth to make intercession for them that come unto God by him, Hebrews 7:25.
The Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, Mark 2:10.
CHRIST, by whom we have now received the atonement, Romans 5:11.
There is one Mediator between God I [Paul] laboured more abundantly than they all [the apostles,] 1 Corinthians 15:10.
Ye have not many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the Gospel, 1 Corinthians 4:15.
Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son, Proverbs 28:7.
Five virgins were wise, Matthew 25:2.
A good MAN, out of the good treasure of the heart, [an honest and good heart] bringeth forth good things, Matthew 12:35; Luke 8:15.
They shall walk with me in white, for [or rather oti because] THEY ARE WORTHY, Revelation 3:4.
Ye are the light of the world, Matthew 5:14.
Hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God that he should do wickedness. &c. For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways. Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment, Job 34:10, 11, 12.
If ANY MAN see his brother sin, &c, he shall ask, and he [God] will give him life for them that sin not unto death, 1 John 5:16.
I will that intercessions be made for all men. The effectual fervent prayer of A RIGHTEOUS MAN availeth much, 1 Timothy 2:1; James 5:16.
Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted to them, John 20:23.
PHINEHAS was zealous for God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel, Num. 25:13.
MOSES his chosen stood before him in the breach to turn away his wrath, lest and men, the man CHRIST JESUS, 1 Timothy 2:5.
O God, shine on thy sanctuary, for the Lord’s sake. For my name’s sake will I defer mine anger, Dan. 9:17; Isaiah 48:9.
The Son of man is come to — &c, SAVE that which was lost, Luke 19:10.
Christ is ALL and in all, — it pleased the Father that IN HIM should all fulness dwell — and ye are complete IN HIM, Colossians 3:11; 1:19; 2:10. To him that hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests, &c, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever, Revelation 1:5, 6.
he should destroy them, Psalm 106:23.
I will not do it [i.e. I will not rain fire and brimstone from the Lord upon Sodom] for ten righteous’ sake, Genesis 18:32.
He became the author of eternal SALVATION to all them that obey him, Hebrews 5:9.
Is Christ the minister of sin? God forbid!
By their FRUITS ye shall know them.
We labour that we may be accepted of him, for we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad, Galatians 2:17; Matthew 7:20; 2 Corinthians 5:9, 10.
Is it not evident from the balance of these, and the like scriptures that Honestus and Zelotes are both under a capital, though contrary mistake?
and that to do the Gospel justice, we must Scripturally join together what they rashly put asunder?