true holiness, without which no man shall fee the Lordf II. This sanctification is throughout in the whole mang; yet imperfect in this life, there abideth still some remnant of corruption in every parth: whence arifeth a continual and irreconcileable war; the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the fleshi. III. In which war, although the remaining corruption for a time may much prevailk, yet, through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part doth overcome/: and fo the faints grow in grace, gracem, perfecting holiness in the fear of Godn. love of Christ, which passeth know ledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. f 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. Heb. xii. 14. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall fee the Lord. II. g 1 Thess v. 23. And the very God of peace fanctify you wholly: and I pray God your whole spirit, and foul, and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. b1 John i. 10. If we say that we have not finned, 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. v. 23. But I fee I another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of fin, which is in my members. Phil. iii. 12. Not as though I had already attained, 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 lufteth 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, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the foul, III. Rom. vii. 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 fin, 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. 5. 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. v. 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 it self in love. F m2 Pet. T CHAP. XIV. Of Saving Faith. HE grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their foulsa, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their heartsb; and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the word c: by which also, and by the administration of the facraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened d. m2 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 fame 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 cleanfe ourselves from all filthinefs 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 faving of the foul. b 2 Cor. iv. 13. We having the fame fpirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken: we alfo believe, and therefore fpeak. Eph. i. 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. v. 18. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the faints, v. 19. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward II. By who believe, according to the working of his mighty power. Eph. ii. 8. For by grace are ye faved, through faith; and that not of your selves : it is the gift of God. 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 fhall they hear without a preacher? v. 17. So then, faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. d 1 Pet. ii. 2. As new born babes, defire the fincere 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 who are fanctified. Rom. iv. 11. And he received the sign of circumcifion, a feal of the righteousness of the faith, which he had yet being uncircumcifed: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcifed; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also. Luke xvii. 5. And the apostles faid unto the Lord, Increase our faith. Rom. i. 16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Chrift: for it is the power of God unto falvation to every one that believeth, to the Jew first, and alfo also to the Greek. v. 17. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. II. By this faith, a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the word, for the authority of God himself speaking thereine; and acteth differently upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth; yielding obedience to the commandsf, trembling at the threateningsg, 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 Chrift alone for juftification, sanctification and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of gracei. II. e John iv. 42. And faid unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy faying; for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world. I Theff. ii. 13. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, yé 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, believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. Acts xxiv. 14. But this I confefs unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, fo worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and the prophets. ƒ Rom, xvi. 26. But now is made manifeft, and by the fcriptures of the prophets, according to the comfandment of the everlasting God, III. This made known to all nations for the obedience of faith. g Ifa. lxvi. 2. For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, faith 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, b Heb. xi. 13. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having feen them afar off, and were perfuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Tim. iv. 8. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promife 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 becoine the fons of God, even to them that believe on his name. Acts xvi. 31. And they faid, Believe on the Lord Jesus Chrift, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Gal. ii. 20. I am crucified with Chrift: Nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Chrift 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. Acts xv. II. But we believe that through : III. This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong; may be often and many ways afsfailed and weakened, but gets the victory/; growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance through Christm, who is both the author and finifher of our faith n. R : the CHAP. XV. Of Repentance unto Life. EPENTANCE Unto life is an evangelical grace a, doctrine whereof is to be preached by every minifter the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we shall be faved even as they. III. Heb. v 13. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. v. 14. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of ufe have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Rom. iv. 19. And being not weak in faith, he confidered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb. v. 20. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God. Mat. vi. 30. Wherefore if God fo clothe the grafs 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? Mat. viii. 10. When Jefus heard it, he marvelled, and faid to them that followed, Verily I fay unto you, I have not found so great faith, no not in Ifrael. I Luke xxii. 31. And the Lord faid, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath defired to have you, that he may fift you as wheat: v. 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 of shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked. I John v. 4. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. v. 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 defire that every one of you do thew the fame diligence, to the full assurance of hope unto the end: v. 12. that ye be not flothful, 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 confcience, 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. # 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. Zech. xii. 10. And I will pour upon of the gospel, as well as that of faith in Christ b. 11. By it a finner, out of the fight and sense, not only of the danger, but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his fins, as contrary to the holy nature and righteous law of God; and upon the apprehenfion of his mercy in Chrift to such as are penitent; so grieves for and hates his fins, as to turn from them all unto Godc, purposing and endeavouring upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the fpirit of grace and of fupplications, and they thall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only fon, and shall be in bitternefs for him, as one that is in bitternels for his first born. Actsxi. 18. When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, faying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. Luke xxiv. 47. And that repentance and remiffion of sins should be preached in his name, among all nations, beginning at Jerufalem. Mark 1. 15. And faying, 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 Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. II. c Ezek. xviii. 30. Therefore, I will judge you, O house of Ifrael, every one according to his ways, faith the Lord God: repent, and turn yourselves from all your tranfgreffions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. v. 31. Caft away from you all your tranfgreffions, whereby ye have transgressed, and make you a new heart and a new spirit; for why will ye die, O house of Ifrael? Ezek. xxxvi. 31. Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, to and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own fight, for your iniquities, and for your abominations. Ifa. xxx. 22. Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graven images of filver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold; thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous cloth: thou shalt fay unto it, Get thee hence. Pfal. li. 4. Against thee, thee only have I finned, and done this evil in thy fight: 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 haft chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me and I fhall be turned; for thou art the Lord my God. v. 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, beeause I did bear the reproach of my youth. Joel ii. 12. Therefore alfo now, faith the Lord, Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning. v. 13. And rent your heart and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, flow 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: |