quickened and strengthened in all saving graces, to the practice of true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.f II. This sanctification is throughout in the whole man, yet imperfect in this life; there abideth still some remnants of corruption in every part:h whence ariseth a continual and irreconcilable war; the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.i III. In which war, although the remaining corruption for a time may much prevail,k yet, through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part doth overcome: and so the saints grow in grace,m perfecting holiness in the fear of God.n I. CHAP. XIV.-Of Saving Faith. work of Spirit Christ in their hearts, and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to e Col. 1. 11. Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness. Eph. iii. 16. That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; Ver. 17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, Ver. 18. May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; Ver. 19. And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 2 Cor. vii. 1. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Heb. xii. 14. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. II. 81 Thess. v. 23. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly: and I pray God your whole spirit, and soul, and body, be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. h1 John i. 10. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. Rom. vii. 18. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. Ver. 23. But I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. Phil. iii. 12. Not as though I had already at tained, either were already perfect; but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. i Gal. v. 17. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 1 Pet. ii. 11. Dearly beloved, I beseech you, as strangers and pilgrims, ab stain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul. III. k Rom. vii. 23. But I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into cap tivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 1 Rom. vi. 14. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 1 John v. 4. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Eph. iv. 15. But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: Ver. 16. From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body, unto the edifying of itself in love. m 2 Pet. iii. 18. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2 Cor. iii. 18. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. n 2 Cor. vii. 1. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. I. a Heb. x. 39. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. b 2 Cor. iv. 13. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak. Eph. 1. 17. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: Ver. 18. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, word: by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened.a II. By this faith, a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the word, for the authority of God himself speaking therein;e and acteth differently upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth; yielding obedience to the commands, trembling at the threatenings, and embracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come.h But the principal acts of saving faith are, accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.i f Rom. xvi. 26. But now is made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith. III. This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong;k may be often and many ways assailed and weakened, but gets the victory; growing and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, Ver. 19. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power. Eph. ii. 8. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. e Rom. x. 14. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? Ver. 17. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. d1 Pet. ii. 2. As new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. Acts xx. 32. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. Rom. iv. 11. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also. Luke xvii. 5. And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. Rom. i. 16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Ver. 17. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. II. e John iv. 42. And said unto the wo man, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world. 1 Thess. ii. 13. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but (as it is in truth) the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 1 John v. 10. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believed not the record that God gave of his Bon. Acts xxiv. 14. But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets. g Isa. lxvi. 2. For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor, and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. h Heb. xi. 13. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 1 Tim. iv. 8. For bodily exercise profiteth little; but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. i John i. 12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. Acts xvi. 31. And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Gal. ii. 20. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. xv. 11. But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. Acts III. k Heb. v. 13. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. Ver. 14. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Rom. iv. 19. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: Ver. 20. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief but was strong in faith, giving glory to God. Matt. vi. 30. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Matt. viii. 10. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 1 Luke xxii. 31. And the Lord said, S mon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to up in many to the attainment of a full assurance through Christ,m who is both the author and finisher of our faith." I. CHAP. XV.-Of Repentance unto Life. EPENTANCE unto life is an evangelical grace,a the doctrine to preached by gospel, well as that of faith in Christ.b II. By it a sinner, out of the sight and sense, not only of the danger, but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, as contrary to the holy nature and righteous law of God, and upon the apprehension of his mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, so grieves for and hates his sins, as to turn from them all unto God,c purposing have you, that he may sift you as wheat: Ver. 32. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Eph. vi. 16. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 1 John v. 4. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Ver. 5. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? m Heb. vi. 11. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence, to the full assurance of hope unto the end: Ver. 12. That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Heb. x. 22. Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Col. ii. 2. That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ. n Heb. xii. 2., Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. I. a Zech. xii. 10. And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabi tants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications; and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first-born. Acts xi. 18. When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. b Luke xxiv. 47. And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Mark i. 15. And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Acts xx. 21. Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Grecks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. II. c Ezek. xviii. 30. Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Ver. 31. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? Ezek. xxxvi. 31. Then shall ye remember you own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities, and for your abominations. Isa. xxx. 22. Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous cloth; thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence. Ps. li. 4. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight; that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Jer. xxxi. 18. I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the Lord my God. Ver. 19. Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth. Joel ii. 12. Therefore also now, saith the Lord, Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning; Ver. 13. And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Amos v. 15. Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the Lord God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph. Ps. cxix. 128. Therefore I esteem all thy precepts con cerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way. 2 Cor. vii. 11. For, be hold, this self-same thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it and endeavouring to walk with him in all the ways of his commandments.d e III. Although repentance be not to be rested in, as any satisfaction for sin, or any cause of the pardon thereof, which is the act of God's free grace in Christ; yet is it of such necessity to all sinners, that none may expect pardon without it.g IV. As there is no sin so small but it deserves damnation;h so there is no sin so great, that it can bring damnation upon those who truly repent.i V. Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance, but it is every man's duty to endeavour to repent of his particular sins particularly k VI. As every man is bound to make private confession of his sins wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. d Ps.cxix.6. Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. Ver. 59. I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. Ver. 106. I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments. Luke i. 6. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the command ments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 2 Kings xxiii. 25. And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him. III. Ezek. xxxvi. 31. Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities, and for your abominations. Ver. 32. Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord God, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel. Ezek. xvi. 61. Then thou shalt remember thy ways, and be ashamed, when thou shalt receive thy sisters, thine elder and thy younger: and I will give them unto thee for daughters, but not by thy covenant. Ver. 62. And I will establish my covenant with thee; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord: Ver. 63. That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord God. f Hos. xiv. 2. Take with you words, and turn to the Lord: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: 80 will we render the calves of our lips. Ver. 4. I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. Rom. iii. 24. Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Eph. i. 7. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. 8 Luke xiii. 3. I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Ver. 5. I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Acts xvii. 30. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Ver. 31. Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. IV. h Rom. vi. 23. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. v. 12. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. Matt. xii. 36. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. i Isa. Iv. 7. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Rom. viii. 1. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Isa. i. 16. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil. Ver. 18. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. V. k Ps. xix. 18. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Luke xix. 8. And Zaccheus stood, and said unto the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 1 Tim. i. 13. Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. Ver. 15. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. to God, praying for the pardon thereof; upon which, and the forsaking of them, he shall find mercy;m so he that scandalizeth his brother, or the church of Christ, ought to be willing, by a private or publick confession and sorrow for his sin, to declare his repentance to those that are offended;n who are thereupon to be reconciled to him, and in love to receive him. CHAP. XVI.-Of Good Works. L YOOD works are only such as God hath commanded in his holy by men out of blind zeal, or upon any pretence of good intention.b II. These good works, done in obedience to God's commandments, are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith: and by them VI. 1 Ps. li. 4. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight; that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Ver. 5. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Ver. 7. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Ver. 9. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Ver. 14. Deliver me from blood quiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation; and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. Ps. xxxii. 5. I acknow ledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou for gavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. Ver. 6. For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. m Prov. xxviii. 13. He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. 1 Johni. 9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. n James v. 16. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Luke xvii. 3. Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. Ver. 4. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. Josh. vii. 19. And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me. [Ps. li. throughout.] o 2 Cor. ii. 8. Wherefore I beseech you, that ye would confirm your love toward kim. I. a Micah vi. 8. He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Rom. xii. 2. And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renew. ing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. Heb. xiii. 21. Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. b Matt. xv. 9. But in vain they do wor ship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Isa. xxix. 13. Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men. 1 Pet. i. 18. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conver sation received by tradition from your fathers. Rom. x. 2. For I bear them record, that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. John xvi. 2. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 1 Sam. xv. 21. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in Gilgal. Ver. 22. And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. Ver. 23. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king. II. James ii. 18. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works; shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Ver. 22. Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect |