Page images
PDF
EPUB

of life, a turning from sin and a turning unto God: a renewal of the soul unto holiness, a ceasing to do evil, and a learning to do well. This change of heart, with all its happy effects, is usually ascribed in the Scriptures to the agency of the Holy Spirit, who works by various means. Sometimes a severe affliction is rendered subservient to the sinner's welfare; he is restrained in his downward course, and is brought to reflect on the evil of his doings; the stony heart is taken away, and a heart of flesh is given unto him. He is humbled before God, and being made sensible of the evil nature and destructive consequences of sin; he abhors himself and repents as in dust and ashes. Sometimes the voice of conscience speaks in such a persuasive and forcible manner, that the sinner cannot rest till he forsakes his sins, and seeks the favour of God, and is comforted with a good hope, through grace, of obtaining mercy and peace.

But the great means is the preaching of God's word by his faithful ministers; for to them the lively oracles of divine truth are especially committed, and they "are embassadors for God, and beseech men in Christ's stead to be reconciled unto him." The Spirit blesses the

* 2 Cor. v. 20.

word and makes it quick and powerful, edifying and comforting, that the sinner may be converted from the error of his ways, and that the humble and faithful disciples of Christ may

grow in grace," and may "bring forth the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God."

The graces and virtues of the Christian are every where, in the holy Scriptures, ascribed to the agency of the Spirit of God. All his good works are the fruits of the Spirit. If he repents and believes the Gospel; if he mortifies the deeds of the body; if he denies himself and takes up his cross; if he follows his Redeemer, "the Captain of his salvation," in the narrow way of holiness; and if he boldly opposes all his spiritual enemies ;-these things he is enabled to perform by strength and power derived from above. The Spirit helpeth his infirmities,' and comforts his soul; he "puts into his heart good desires, and enables him to bring the same to good effect." The Christian receives "the Spirit of power, of love, and of a sound mind;" and thus he is saved from the power of sin; it no longer maintains its dominion over him, because he "is not under the law but under grace." By grace he is actually h Heb. ii. 10. i Rom. viii. 26. k 2 Tim. i. 7. Rom. vi. 14

1

[ocr errors]

saved, and is taught to "cleanse himself from all filthiness of the flesh and Spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."m

II. We observe that this salvation is through faith. But this point and the remainder of the discussion we must defer till another opportunity. In the mean time, let us lift up our hearts in prayer unto the God of all grace, that we may thus be saved from the condemnation and power of sin; that the gracious design of Christ may be accomplished in us, and that we may be "to the praise of the glory of his grace," now and for ever. Amen.

n

m 2 Cor. vii. 1.

n

" Ephes, i. 6.

L

SERMON VIII.

SALVATION BY GRACE, NOT INCONSISTENT

WITH HUMAN EXERTIONS.

EPHES. II. 8, 9.

By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

IN discoursing on these words, we have already seen in what sense our salvation is of grace; we come now to consider,

II. That this salvation is obtained through faith. By grace are we saved through faith. Faith is the great instrument in this divine work. But this faith is not of ourselves; this also is the gift of God. Faith is the gift of God, as it is the work of his Spirit in the hearts of men. * He gives "repentance unto life, not

* See the Note in Doddridge's Commentary on this text.

to be repented of," and he inclines them to believe in Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins and for all other benefits of his death and passion. Much stress is laid on faith in the gospel of our Lord. Some of his disciples prayed unto him to increase their faith; and the father of the afflicted child said to him, with tears, "Lord, I believe, help thou mine

d

с

unbelief." We are commanded to receive him that is weak in the faith; but of Abraham, the father of the faithful, it it said, that "he was strong in faith, and thus he gave glory to God. "With the heart," says the Apostle, "man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation."

Do we inquire, why so much stress is laid on Faith? The answer is obvious; it is only through faith that we can obtain an interest in the saving benefits of Christ's mediation. His followers are frequently called believers by way of distinction. They "believe" in him "to the saving of the soul." They are "justified by faith, and obtain peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." "The righteousness of God which is by faith. of Jesus Christ, is unto all and upon all them that believe," both

b

с

a Luke xvii. 5 Mark ix. 24. Rom. xiv. 1. d Rom. iv. 20. f Heb. x. 39. 8 Rom. v. 1.

e Rom. x. 10.

« PreviousContinue »