AB_Reign of Grace

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The Reign of Grace

by

Abraham Booth(1734-1806)



MEMOIR

Abraham Booth wa born at B!ac"we!!# in $erbyhire# on the %0th

of &ay# 1734# o!' ty!e n the firt year of hi !ife# hi *arent

remo+e' from B!ac"we!! to Anne!ey ,oo'hoe# a ma!! ham!et

in the *arih of Anne!ey# .ottinghamhire# where they occ*ie' a

farm be!onging to the $"e of /ort!an' f a nmero fami!y of

chi!'ren# Abraham wa the o!'et# an' there the firt fifteen or

iteen year of hi !ife were *ae'# aiting hi father a oon ahe wa ab!e in hi agric!tra! concern

The a'+antage of e'cation# which are of ch n*ea"ab!e

im*ortance to the c!ti+ation of or menta! *ower# are genera!!y

of 'iffic!t attainment in +i!!age an' the retire' 'itrict of the

contry2 an' a centry ago they were *robab!y more o than at

*reent Thi may he!* to accont for a circmtance which &r

Booth ha often been hear' to mention amongt hi frien'thatnti! he itte' the farming bine# he ne+er *ent i month at

choo! 5i father taght him to rea'# ma"ing it a genera! *ractice

to hear hi !eon e+ery 'ay after 'inner

t i certain!y a +ery t remar"# that there are no character#

howe+er eminent among or *ecie# whoe biogra*hy i more

intrcti+e# or in which we fee! more interete'# than thoe which

ehibit to or +iew *ere+ering effort rmonting formi'ab!eobtac!e# an' 'itingihe' eminence gra'a!!y ariing ot of

obcrity an' 'e*reion ch i the 'ici*!ine throgh which

many of the greatet name in the re*b!ic of !etter ha+e *ae'2

nor ha+e any of the origina! fa+orite of natre or the chi!'ren of

aff!ence attaine' a *eriority o o!i' an' 'rab!e a that which

ha been acire' by ch a core of c!ti+ation

The energy of yong Booth min'# which a**eare' ocon*ico!y throghot the beent *erio' of hi !ife# began

+ery ear!y to 'e+e!o*e ite!f 5e wa in'ebte' a!mot entire!y to

hi own in'try an' a**!ication for hi *roficiency in the art of



writing# an' in the cience of arithmetic An' a he grew *# o

'e+ote' 'i' he become to hi t'ie# that he cheerf!!y acrifice'

the hor a!!y a!!otte' to re*oe an' recreation# for the *!eare

he fon' in *roecting them ,hen the other member of thefami!y retire' to ret# Abraham with'rew to c!ti+ate hi min'

The *arent of or athor were member of the chrch of

9ng!an'2 an' of core traine' * their on in a ctomary

re+erence for the nationa! etab!ihment of re!igion The firt

'irection of hi min' towar' the 'ienter too" *!ace when he

wa abot ten year of age2 an' wa occaione' by the *reaching

of ome *!ain an' i!!iterate teacher be!onging to the

'enomination of Genera! (or Arminian) Ba*tit who occaiona!!y+iite' hi neighborhoo' They 'rew the attention of the fami!y2

an' n'er their 'icore or athor wa firt awa"ene' to a

concern abot the a!+ation of hi o! 5i con+iction were

*ermanent an' increae' with hi year2 bt it i *!ain from the

hitory of hi own min'# that it wa !ong after thi ere he at-raine'

any t an' c!ear +iew of the tre grace of Go'# or wa

en!ightene' into the im*ortant 'octrine of acce*tance with Go' a

re+ea!e' in the .ew Tetament 5e# howe+er# a**!ie' to theociety of Genera! Ba*tit to be a'mitte' into their commnion#

an' wa accor'ing!y ba*ti:e' on a *rofeion of hi faith# by &r

;ranci mith# at Barton# in 17<<# at which time he wa abot the

ago of twenty-one

ome year *re+io to thi# yong Booth ha' re!inihe' the

farming bine2 an'# in'ce' *robab!y by the ho*e of being ab!e

to *re hi t'ie with !e interr*tion# he ha' a**!ie' hime!fto !earn the bine of a toc"ing ma"er# bt wa ne+er artic!e' a

an a**rentice to the tra'e 5e# howe+er# manage' to **ort

hime!f by that mean# from the age of iteen to that of for-an'-

twenty# at which *erio' he marrie' &i 9!i:abeth Bowmar# the

'aghter of a neighboring farmer# with whom he enoye' mch

'ometic fe!icity 'ring more than forty year

Bt *oeing o +igoro a min'# it wa not !i"e!y that &rBooth ho!' !ong contine a mechanic 5e ha' now been

'i!igent!y occ*ie' for e+era! year in the aciition of ef!

"now!e'ge2 hi ca*acity ha' attaine' to a coni'erab!e 'egree of



matrity2 he ha' entere' into an im*ortant 'ometic re!ation2 an'

he ha' before him the *ro*ect of a nmero fami!y for whom he

wa bon' w *ro+i'e2 an' he therefore a'o*te' the reo!tion of

o*ening a choo! at tton Ahfie!'# abot two retie from =irby#for the intrction of yoth &r Booth aite' the n'erta"ing

by intrcting the fema!e **i! in the ef! branche of nee'!e-

wor"# for which he ha' been eminent!y a!ifie' by her

e'cation

The ociety of Genera! Ba*tit# with which &r Booth now too'

connecte'# ha' fficient 'icernment to *ercei+e that he

*oee' abi!itie which on!y reire' c!ti+ation to matre an'raie to ece!!ence They accor'ing!y in+ite' him to ait

occaiona!!y in the *b!ic *reaching of the wor'2 an' o ra*i' wa

hi im*ro+ement# that in a !itt!e time he wa coni'ere' a a

!ea'ing *eron among them Their *rofeion increae'

coni'erab!y throghot the neighboring 'itrict2 an' or athor

wa freent!y at &e!borne# Barton# >oghborogh# $ieworth#

an' other *!ace# at the 'itance of twenty# thirty# an' e+en forty

mi!e from home# *reaching the g!a' ti'ing of a!+ation to hife!!ow-inner# accor'ing to the +iew which he then ha' of 'i+ine

trth n the year 1760# it wa thoght a'+iab!e to co!!ect into

chrche thoe who ha' *rofee' the faith an' been ba*ti:e'# an'

to a**oint o+er them *ator an' teacher# after the eam*!e of the

firt chrche The ociety of =irby-,oo'hoe wa accor'ing!y

bmitte' to the *erinten'ence of &r Booth# who contine' for

e+era! year to !abor among them in the minitry of the wor'2

thogh# for reaon which 'o not a**ear# he 'ec!ine' to ta"e *onhime!f the *atora! office 5i *reaching i# ne+erthe!e# ai' to

ha+e been with coni'erab!e acce*tance an' cce2 an' in the

reg!ation of thee new!y-forme' ocietie he *ro+e' high!y

intrmenta! ,e fin' him in the ame year aiting at the

or'ination of &r ; mith an' &r T /ar"in o+er the Genera!

Ba*tit chrch at &e!borne# an' 'e!i+ering a o!emn charge to

them from Act %8 Take heed unto yourselves and to all the

flock, ?c

n thi tage of their *rocee'ing# howe+er# a memorab!e an'

im*ortant change too" *!ace in the re!igio entiment of &r



Booth 5e ha' hitherto he!' the Arminian 'octrine# an' been a

treno a'+ocate for the ni+era!ity of 'i+ine grace 5e ha'

written an' *rinte' a *oem on @Abo!te /re'etination#@ in which

the fer+or of hi :ea! for what he then eteeme' trth# ha' +ente'ite!f in re+i!ing the 'octrine of e!ection an' *artic!ar

re'em*tion# in !angage a re*!ete with contme!y an' re*roach

a i to be fon' in the writing of ,e!ey or ;!etcher t may

in'ee' be *!ea'e' a ome a*o!ogy for it athor# that he wrote it

when on!y twenty year of age2 an' it i im*ortant# a er+ing to

'emontrate the greatne of the change which afterwar' too"

*!ace in hi min' re!ati+e to the character of the *reme Being

&r Booth wa f!!y aware that the change which hi entiment

ha' n'ergone wa of ch a natre a to ten'er it tter!y

im*oib!e for hime!f an' hi frien' to wa!" any !oner together

in a way that wo!' be *ro'ct-ire of mta! comfort2 an' he ha'

too mch integrity to concea! the 'ifference The change ite!f wa

the frit of 'ee* con+iction# an' th at a ftre *erio' of hi !ife

we fin' hi own *en recor'ing it @The 'octrine of o+ereign#

'itingihing grace# a common!y an' t!y tate' by a!+init#it mt be ac"now!e'ge'# i too genera!!y e*!o'e' Thi the

writer "now by e*erience# to hi grief an' hame Throgh the

ignorance of hi min'# the *ri'e of hi heart# an' the *re'ice of

hi e'cation# he# in hi yonger year# often o**oe' it with

mch warmth# thogh with no ma!! wea"ne2 bt after an

im*artia! iniry# an' many *rayer# he fon' reaon to a!ter hi

'gment2 he fon' it to be the 'octrine of the Bib!e# an' a 'ictate

of the nerring *irit Th *atroni:e'# he recei+e' the onceobnoio entiment# n'er a f!! con+iction of it being a 'i+ine

trth@

The re+o!tion that ha' now ta"en *!ace in hi entiment wa

oon ober+e' by hi frien'# an' it occaione' coni'erab!e

neaine in their min' They re*ecte' hi character an'

a**ro+e' hi minitry &eeting were he!' for the *r*oe of

in+etigating the 'ifference which bite' between them# wheneach *arty *ro'ce' the bet argment they co!' in beha!f of

their re*ecti+e tenet2 bt neither *arty ccee'ing in con+incing

the other# they mta!!y agree' to *art n +in'ication of the





that grace in a!! it rich abon'ing2 a reigning in or e!ection

effecta! ca!!ingthe *ar'on of intificationa'o*tion

anctification*ere+erancean' at !ength crowning the inner

with eterna! g!ory# we may afe!y conc!'e that @the wor' ofhrit 'we!t rich!y in him@ an' that he @*a"e of thee thing ot

of the abn'ance of hi heart#@ bringing forth that which wa goo'

to the e of e'ifying an' which minitere' grace to the hearer@

,hen the min' i fi!!e' with the 'octrine of 'i+ine grace# it

'e!ight to 'we!! *on o tran*orting a theme# an' the tonge

*ea" of it with ine*reib!e *!eare

,hen the mancri*t of the Reign of Grace wa com*!ete'# it wahown by the athor to ome of hi frien'# thogh *robab!y

withot any +iew to imme'iate *b!ication 5e wa yet an obcre

an' nfrien'e' in'i+i'a!# !itt!e "nown e+en in the circ!e of hi

own 'enomination2 an' he might *oib!y reco!!ect the maim of

the *oet# that

@!ow rie worth by *o+erty 'e*ree'@

At any rate we are ai' to owe it firt *b!ication to the fo!!owing

train of circmtance A frien' of &r Booth who ha' *ere'

the wor" in mancri*t# ha**ening to be at 5''erfie!'# in

Dor"hire# ca!!e' *on &r 5enry Eenn# a c!ergyman *rofeing

e+ange!ica! entiment# an' we!! "nown a the athor of a *o*!ar

wor"# entit!e' @The om*!ete $ty of &an#@ to whom he

mentione' &r Booth inten'e' *b!ication# an' ga+e ch an

accont of it a ecite' in &r Eenn an eager 'eire to ee it Themancri*t wa accor'ing!y tranmitte' to him# an' o trong!y

*re*oee' wa he by a *era! of it# that he too" a orney from

5''erfie!' to tton Ah-fie!'# that he might enoy the *!eare

of a *erona! inter+iew with the athor The re!t wa an

acaintance which ri*ene' into intimacy2 an' notwithtan'ing

the 'iimi!arity of their +iew re*ecting the natre# contittion#

an' or'er of a hritian chrch# that intimacy wa cemente' by

the bon' of reci*roca! eteem an' frien'hi* which contine'with nabate' ar'or throgh !ife &r Eenn trong!y rge' *on

hi frien' the *b!ication of hi mancri*t# an' with a +iew of







whom there wi!! be fon' more otation in hi writing# than

from any other athor# ancient or mo'ern# if we ece*t the acre'

+o!me

t i a tre thogh hac"neye' ober+ation# that the hitory of an

athor mt be fon' in hi wor"2 an' the tice of it

a**!ication to &r Booth wi!! be a**arent from the *reent

narrati+e ,e may trace him in hi t'ie an' in hi !abor by

mean of the *re# 'ring a!mot e+ery ccei+e year# from the

time of hi remo+a! to >on'on# to the *erio' of hi 'eath n 1770#

which wa on!y the firt year after hi or'ination# he *b!ihe'

The Death of Legal Hope, the Life of Evangelical Obedience, inan 9ay on Ga! %C1

The main 'eign of thi 9ay i to *ro+e that the grace which

bring a!+ation to gi!ty men# an' which @reign throgh

righteone nto eterna! !ife by Fe hrit or >or'#@ ha no

ten'ency to re!a their ob!igation to ho!ine# bt that# on the

contrary# it i a 'octrine accor'ing to go'!ine

ne of the mot *ernicio entiment ariing from an abe of

the 'octrine of grace# i a 'enia! that the mora! !aw i the r!e of

!ife to be!ie+er Thi ncri*tra! an' abr' *rinci*!e wa

*robab!y ne+er more *re+a!ent in 9ng!an' than at that *erio'2 an'

&r Booth ha' to tain a tetimony againt it both in hi writing

an' in hi *erona! con'ct a the *ator of a hritian chrch

Abot the time &r Booth came to ett!e in >on'on# the etionconcerning the 'i+inity of hrit wa the bect of mch

contro+ery in thi contry e+era! re*ectab!e c!ergymen of the

etab!ihe' chrch reigne' their benefice# an' too" their !ot

among the ocinian 'ienter# becae they co!' not

concientio!y conform to Trinitarian worhi* The 'i*te wa

"e*t in agitation 'ring e+era! year2 an' certain!y a formi'ab!e

*ha!an of ta!ent a**eare' againt thi !ea'ing artic!e of the

hritian faith t wa *on thi occaion that &r Booth wain'ce' in the year 1777# to *reent the *b!ic with a new e'ition

of a wor"# entit!e'# The Deity of Jesus Christ, essential to the

Christian Religion, written origina!!y in ;rench# by Dr Ja!es



"baddie, 'ean of =i!!a!oe in re!an' An 9ng!ih tran!ation of it

ha' a**eare' many year before# bt it wa great!y im*ro+e' by

or athor# who re+ie'# correcte'# an' by 'icio!y retrenching

it in ome *art# concentrate' the athor reaoning# an' mchenhance' it +a!e an' ef!ne

n the fo!!owing year (1778) he *b!ihe' @An A*o!ogy for the

Ba*tit# in which they are +in'icate' from the im*tation of

!aying an nwarrantab!e tre on the or'inance of Ba*tim@ The

obect of the *b!ication i to o**oe the *rinci*!e of mie'

commnion# which ha' been intro'ce' among ome of the

Ba*tit chrche in 9ng!an'# abot the mi''!e of the e+en tenthcentry# an' which ha more or !e *re+ai!e' among them to the

*reent time A coni'eration of the bect wa *art!y force'

*on or athor# by one of hi brethren in the minitry# who ha'

been in+ite' to ta"e the *atora! care of a ociety of thi mie'

"in'2 bt ha+ing cr*!e in hi own min' *on the *ro*riety of

thi *ractice# he bmitte' the thing to the 'gment of &r Booth#

an' reete' to be fa+ore' with hi entiment *on it The

btance of@ The A*o!ogy@ wa coneent!y tranmitte' to hifrien' in a erie of !etter2 an'# in the ho*e that what wa

origina!!y inten'e' for the information of an in'i+i'a!# might

*ro+e ef! to the 'enomination at !arge# he wa afterwar'

in'ce' to *b!ih it in it *reent form

&r Booth wa# hort!y after thi# ca!!e' to ta"e * hi *en in

'efence of the or'inance of Ba*tim ite!f n the year 1784# he

wa in'ce' to !ay before the *b!ic hi #$aedobaptis!e%a!ined, on the $rinciples, Concessions, and Reasonings of the

!ost learned $aedobaptists# n the *reface to that wor"# he

inform that ha+ing ober+e' for a core of year# that many

of the mot !earne' an' eminent /ae'oba*tit# when theo!ogica!

bect are n'er 'icion# freent!y arge on ch *rinci*!e#

a'mit ch fact# inter*ret +ario tet of cri*tre in ch a

manner# an' ma"e ch conceion# a are great!y in fa+or of

the Ba*tit2 he etracte' a nmber of *aage from their *b!ication# an' ma'e many reference to other# which he

thoght might be fair!y *!ea'e' againt infant *rin"!ing n

re+iewing thee otation an' memoran'a# he ha' conc!'e'



mere!y for hi own *ri+ate e# to em*!oy ome !eire hor in

trancribing an' arranging them n'er 'ifferent hea' of the

/ae'oba*tit contro+ery

5e ha ta"en * the bect *on mch more genera! gron'#

than that which i occ*ie' by any in'i+i'a! writer that ha

hitherto a**eare' on either i'e of thi !ong !itigate' etion2 an'

hi metho' of 'icing the bect i entit!e' to the f!! *raie of

origina!ity f the abi!ity 'i*!aye' by the athor in the eection

of thi wor"# it i nneceary in thi *!ace to en!arge The *b!ic

+oice# which i *erha* after a!! the ret tet of criticim# ha

!ong ago tam*e' *on it the anction of it a**!ae t may beafe!y ma'e a etion# if the bect wa e+er han'!e' in a more

mater!y manner# by any writer in any age or !angage 5e meet

hi o**onent on their own gron'# a+ai! hime!f of their own

wea*on# an' with ing!ar 'eterity trn them againt

theme!+e The &onth!y Re+iew for e*tember# 1784# mart!y

remar"e'# that @5e et hi o**onent together by the ear# an'

!ea+e them to o+erthrow the +ery cae# in 'efence of which they

*rofee' to ta"e the fie!'@ The boo" wa o we!! recei+e' thatthe who!e im*reion wa oon 'i*oe' of2 an' in the year 1787#

or athor ga+e to the *b!ic the econ' e'ition of /ae'oba*tim

9amine'# now en!arge' by a''itiona! otation# i!!tration#

an' remar"# from one to two thic" +o!me The *erformance# in

it *reent tate# may# a!mot withot a hy*erbo!e# be ai' to ha+e

ehate' the contro+ery on the Ba*tit i'e of the etion2 an'

the im*!e inirer after trth who i not con+ince' by &r

Booth +o!me can har'!y be e*ecte' to yie!' hi 'gment toany thing that man can ay *on thi !ong contete' *oint

The #Essay on the &ingdo! of Christ# *b!ihe' in 1788 t

re!ate to a bect of great im*ortance2 for it i e+i'ent that t

+iew of it !ie at the fon'ation of a!! rationa! *rinci*!e of 'ient

from the nationa! re!igio etab!ihment Det it i remar"ab!e that

before the *b!ication of thi eay# the bect ha' been +ery !itt!e

'ice' among the 9ng!ih .onconformit# thogh it ha' beenfierce!y !itigate' among the 9*ico*a!ian &r Booth 9ay i a

cri*tra! i!!tration of the bect# 'eigne' to how that a the

"ing'om of hrit i not of thi wor!'# it mt in it natre be



'ifferent from that of the "ing'om of $a+i'# an' the entire

contittion of thing n'er the Fewih theocracy 5ence he t!y

infer that it i ite abr' to reaon from what too" *!ace n'er

the &oaic economy# to the natre of the hritian chrch# an' theright# *ri+i!ege# an' 'tie of the bect of the &eiah

"ing'om# ince thee are a 'ifferent a f!eh an' *irit# tem*ora!

an' *irita! =ee*ing thi 'itinction in +iew# he *rocee' to

e!ci'ate hi bect by howing that the go*e! chrch i not of

thi wor!' in regar' to it originit bectthe mean of it

etab!ihment an' **ortthe !aw by which it i go+erne'that it

'oe not reemb!e the "ing'om of thi wor!' in regar' to it

*!en'ornor in re*ect of it immnitie# riche# an' honorThe 'icion of thee e+era! *artic!ar !ea' him not on!y to

+in'icate hi own *rinci*!e of 'ient from the nationa!

etab!ihment# bt to anima'+ert with coni'erab!e e+erity on

+ario thing among it member which a**ear to him in the

!ight of *o!itica! artifice ca!c!ate' to im*each the 'ominion of

hrit in hi own "ing'om# or to 'egra'e an' corr*t that worhi*

which he reire#

5i net *b!ication i entit!e'@ 'lad Tidings to $erishing

(inners) or, The 'enuine 'ospel, a co!plete *arrant for the

+ngodly to believe in Jesus Christ)# the firt e'ition of which

a**eare' in 176# an' wa fo!!owe' by a econ' in 1800# with

ch coni'erab!e a''ition an' im*ro+ement a a!mot to

contitte a new wor" 9+en among thoe who a'mit the trth of

the go*e! in the mot na!ifie' term# it ha ne+erthe!e been

a bect of mch 'ebate# @to what 'ecri*tion of *eron it ho!' be *reache'2@ thogh re!y# when we coni'er that it i the

comman' of the $i+ine Athor that it be *reache' @to e+ery

creatre#@ it may t!y ecite r*rie that ch a etion ho!'

e+er ha+e been tarte'

#The "!en to (ocial $rayer, illustrated and i!proved) firt

*b!ihe' in the year 1800# i a ermon which ha' *re+io!y been

'e!i+ere' at one of the month!y meeting of miniter be!onging tothe /artic!ar ba*tit 'enomination t ha+ing been agree' to

*reach a erie of $icore on the 'ifferent branche of the

>or' *rayer# $r Fen"in commence' with a ermon on the wor'



@r ;ather# who art in hea+en2@ an' it fe!! to the !ot of &r Booth

to c!oe the who!e with a 'icore on the wor' @Amen@ A no

man wa e+er more a+ere than or athor to the *ractice of

e!ecting 'etache' wor' an' *hrae# or of chooing any *art ofcri*tre for the bae *r*oe of ma"ing it the bect of a tria! of

"i!!# with the +iew of eciting *o*!arity# or of affor'ing

amement to the gi''y m!tit'e# it may be rea'i!y **oe' that

the ta" a!!otte' him on thi occaion# of *reaching from a ing!e

wor'# wo!' ecite no ma!! hare of *!eaantry among hi

frien' They co!' not forbear ca!!ing to min' the trong term in

which# in hi @9ay on the =ing'om of hrit#@ he ha' entere'

hi o!emn *rotet againt thi *ractice# con'emning it with themot mar"e' re*robation# a a 'igrace to the *!*it# an' a

*rofanation of the acre' minitry2 an' a genera! interet wa

ecite' to "now how the *reacher wo!' etricate hime!f from

what wa coni'ere' a *ecie of 'i!emma 5e e+en a**ear to

ha+e *erona!!y fe!t the 'e!icacy of hi itationC bt hi goo'

ene an' o!i' 'gment etricate' him withot mch 'iffic!ty

from the embarrament n fact# the re!t wa ch a to ma"e it

rather a matter of regret that he wa not oftener *!ace' incircmtance which# !i"e the *reent# ca!!e' forth the *erior

*ower of hi min'# than that it ha**ene' to him on thi occaion

t *ro'ce' a 'icore on the bect of *rayer# in which the 'ty

an' the *ri+i!ege of it are i!!trate' in o mater!y a manner# an'

ch im*ortant intrction are gi+en# both to miniter an' *eo*!e

re*ecting that branch of *b!ic worhi*# that the *ator or *ri+ate

hritian who can *ere it withot being both hmb!e' an'

e'ifie' mt either ha+e +ery !itt!e e*erimenta! acaintancewith thee intereting thing# or ha+e ma'e an a'+ance in the

'i+ine !ife# far beyon' what fa!! to the genera!ity of *rofeor

,e now arri+e at that *erio' of or athor !ife# when# accor'ing

to the or'inary core of natre# it might reaonab!y be e*ecte'#

that hi *ower both of bo'y an' of min' wo!' be ra*i'!y

'ec!ining 5e ha' near!y attaine' the !imit common!y a!!otte' to

the !ife of man2 for he wa fat a'+ancing *on e+enty year ofage Bt whate+er ra+age thoe infirmitie of natre which are

the a! concomitant of o!' age ha' ma'e *on hi earth!y

tabernac!e# he ga+e the mot in'bitab!e *roof that the *ower of



hi min' ha' not taine' the ma!!et 'imintion The

*ro'ction of hi *en# which it yet remain for to notice# n'er

whate+er *oint of +iew they may be eamine'# wi!! be a!!owe' by

e+ery com*etent an' im*artia! 'ge# not to yie!' the *a!m ofece!!ence to the ab!et of hi former *b!ication

n the year 1803# at one of the month!y meeting of hi Ba*tit

brethren# he 'e!i+ere' a 'icore which wa oon afterwar'

*b!ihe' n'er the tit!e of #Divine Justice essential to the Divine

Character)# a 'icore which# ha' he !eft to the wor!' no other

frit of hi *en# wo!' a!one ha+e been fficient to tam* hi

character a one of the c!oet thin"er# an' ab!et reaoner# an'mot 'icio 'i+ine of the centry in which he !i+e'

n 180<# the !at year of hi !ife# he *b!ihe' hi #$astoral

Cautions,# the btance of which he ha' twenty year before

'e!i+ere' from the *!*it a a charge# at the or'ination of &r

Thoma 5o*"in# o+er the Ba*tit hrch in 9ag!e treet# Re'

>ion are# >on'on 5e ha' now been fifty year engage' in the

wor" of the minitry# an' of that *erio' more than thirty-fi+e *ator of the chrch in /recot treet n'e*en'ent of hi nati+e

goo' ene an' *erior ta!ent# it i natra! to con-e!'e that hi

age an' !ong e*erience mt ha+e eminent!y a!ifie' him for

intrcting hi yonger brethren on a bect of ch +ita!

im*ortance to the we!fare of the chrche# an' the honor of the

hritian *rofeion t forme' no *art of hi *!an in thi

*b!ication# to *oint ot the to*ic which ho!' contitte the

bect matter of their minitration2 bt to cation them how theyho!' beha+e theme!+e in the hoe of Go'# in their fami!ie#

an' in the wor!'# o a to eem*!ify the character of the hritian

*ator# an'# by a corre*on'ing 'e*ortment# a'orn the high an'

honorab!e office in which they are *!ace' The 'icore i

re*!ete with maim of *r'ence# an' abon' in that wie an'

a!tary cone! which i the re!t of matre year an' +a!ab!e

e*erience in nion with 'iinterete' an' fer+ent affection2

which combine in thi intance# to a'miniter *rofitab!eintrction to the ine*erience' The !eon are ch a it became

one to 'e!i+er# who ha' grown gray in hi &ater er+ice# an'

who ob+io!y coni'ere' hime!f tan'ing on the brin" of the



gra+eC an' they are ch a it we!! become thoe who r+i+e him

to ma"e fami!iar# an' by them to reg!ate their con+eration in the

chrch an' in the wor!'

e+era! #-uneral (er!ons# an' #"ddresses# 'e!i+ere' at the

interment of hi frien'# were a!o *b!ihe' at 'ifferent *erio'

of hi minitry2 an' they are what ch com*oition oght to be#

im*!e# chate# o!emn# an' *athetic a**ea! to the !i+ing on the

ncertainty of hman !ifethe certainty of 'eaththe neceity of

being *re*are' for that e+ent#the fo!!y of trif!ing with the

interet of the immorta! o!# an' neg!ecting the thing that

concern or e+er!ating *eacethe im*ortance of the go*e! ofFe hrit a the one thing nee'f!# a that which a!one can gi+e

effecta! re!ief to the min' of a inner n'er the 'rea' of 'eath

an' the 'gment They ehibit no high-wroght e!ogie on the

character of the 'eceae'no 'etai! of com*!iment to r+i+ing

re!ati+eno f!ight of fancy# nothing trif!ing# nothing etraneo

A!! i o!emn an' affecting a the cene before 2 an' they may

be afe!y he!' * a mo'e! of a''re which yong miniter

wo!' 'o we!! in *irit an' man-net to imitate# when ca!!e' toofficiate on ch mornf! occaion

&r Booth wa in'ebte' to the goo'ne of Go' for a on'

contittion of bo'y2 an' he enoye' a great a *ortion of goo'

hea!th a common!y# fa!! to the !ot of man 5i frame wa

mc!ar# thogh ne+er inc!ine' to cor*!ency2 an' 'ring the far

greater *art of hi !ife# he wa e!'om interr*te' by i!!-hea!th in

the 'icharge of hi *atora! 'tie Bt after he wa ity yearo!' the effect of hi intene a**!ication to t'y were +ery

*erce*tib!e 5e wa increaing!y aff!icte' with the athma#

*artic!ar!y 'ring the winter eaon2 an' the !at three which he

*ae' were e+ere an' threatening# inomch that he became

im*ree' with the con+iction that the time of hi 'e*artre wa at

han' Abot for year *re+io to hi own 'io!tion# he

taine' a e+ere hoc" in the !o of hi 'ear *artner in !ife2

thogh hi reignation to the wi!! of Go' n'er that trying'i*enation# a**eare' tr!y remar"ab!e



ome month before hi 'eath# ha+ing been atten'ing a meeting of

hi minitering brethren in the city# he wa ta"en ''en!y i!! on

hi way home# an' from that time wa mot!y !ai' ai'e from hi

*b!ic !abor 5e wa now ca!!e'# in hi own *erona!e*erience# to *ro+e the +a!i'ity of thoe *rinci*!e which he ha'

*ent hi !ife in recommen'ing to other 5i frien' ha' now the

atifaction of eeing that in the imme'iate *ro*ect of 'eath hi

min' retaine' a!! it wonte' ca!mne an' erenity To their

anio inirie# hi anwer niform!y wa# @ ha+e no fear

abot my tate@

@The go*e! bear my *irit *2

A faithf! an' nchanging Go'

>ay the fon'ation of my ho*e

n oath# an' *romie# an' b!oo'@

A!thogh in a great meare *rec!'e' from the 'icharge of hi

*b!ic officia! 'tie for e+era! month before hi 'eath# heem*!oye' hime!f in re+iing an' finihing for the *re# #"n

Essay on the Love of 'od to his chosen $eople,# an' another on

#" Conduct for!ed under the .nfluence of Evangelical Truth,#

,hich he 'e!i+ere' into the han' of a *artic!ar frien' t before

hi 'eath# an' by whom they were beent!y *b!ihe' .or

are thoe ece!!ent eay the on!y frit that remain to of hi

'e*arting hor n!y a 'ay or two before he !eft the wor!'# he

ga+e into the han' of the ame frien' a mancri*t entit!e'#

#Thoughts on Dr Ed/ard *illia!ss Hypothesis relative to the

Origin of 0oral Evil# Thi bect# in ite!f meta*hyica! an'

crio# ha a!way been regar'e' a one of the mot abtre an'

'iffic!t that can *oib!y em*!oy the hman inte!!ect2 an' in the

eamination of $r ,i!!iam @5y*othei@ &r Booth ha

e+ince' that he wa ti!! a com*etent a e+er he ha' been to eert

the *ower of a on' an' 'icriminating 'gment to gra**!ewith the nwie!'y or to chae the bt!e 5i mancri*t bear

interna! e+i'ence of ha+ing been com*oe' 'ring the !at year of

hi !ife 5a+ing caref!!y eamine' $r ,i!!iam theory# an'



e*oe' it fa!!acione# &r Booth th terminate the !at of

hi !iterary !abor2 @,ere my o*inion a"e' re*ecting the origin

of mora! e+i!# the anwer wo!' be# ha+e no o*inion *on the

bect2 nor 'are form conectre abot it 5a+ing !ong beenf!!y *era'e' that a atifactory o!tion of the etion !ie far

beyon' the reach of hman inte!!ect# coni'er it a more

becoming my feeb!e reaon# an' mch more re*ectf! to $i+ine

/ro+i'ence# to ec!aim with /a!# the 'e*th than to in'!ge

*ec!ation on a bect o myterio2 !et ho!' fa!! n'er the

righteo re*roof of Feho+ah interrogatory to Fob# ,ho i thi

that 'ar"eneth cone! by wor' withot "now!e'geI f thi#

howe+er# ha+e no 'obt# that the eitence an' *re+a!ence ofmora! e+i! in the rationa! creation# are com*!ete!y conitent with

a!! the *erfection of Go'# an' with a!! hi eterna! 'ecree2 an'

that n'er the management of *reme ,i'om# when the great

ytem of /ro+i'ence re*ecting both ange! an' men i finihe'#

the con'ct of Go' in reference to e+i!# both mora! an' natra!#

wi!! be to the *raie of hi g!ory# in the eye of a!! ho!y creatre@

,hat a *ictre 'o thee few !ine ehibit of an hmb!e#

ingeno# an' *io min' ,hat a contrat to that rah an' *rem*to *irit of *ec!ation which# +ain!y *tte' * by a

f!eh!y min'# corn to bon' it in+etigation by the !imit of

re+e!ation# an' 'aring!y intr'e into thing which Go' ha

thoght fit to +ei! from hman "en 5ow e*rei+e a!o of hi

re+erence for the *reme Being# hi nha"en confi'ence in hi

wi'om# hi *ower# hi tice# ho!ine# an' trthC how

'ecri*ti+e of the concione which *oee' him of the +ery

!imite' etent of hi own fac!tie The *aragra*h i worthy to be *rinte' in !etter of go!'2 it i worthy of the *en of 2 an' in no *art

of a!! hi +a!ab!e writing 'oe hi hritian character a**ear

more tr!y great# than in thi conc!'ing entence of hi wor"

;rom the time that he wa com*e!!e' to gi+e * *reaching#

to the *erio' of hi 'eath# he ha' many o**ortnitie of e+incing

to hi frien' the tea'fatne of hi faith an' ho*e# a we!! a the

im*ortance which he now attache' to thoe *recio 'octrinewhich he ha' *ent hi !ife in *b!ihing among them @ now

!i+e#@ ai' he# @*on what ha+e been teaching other 5i

e*erience corre*on'e' to the o!i' an' 'icio +iew of



$i+ine trth# which forme' the bai of hi *b!ic 'icore# an'

that characteri:e a!! hi writing 5e e*ree' no enthiatic

ra*tre2 nor i there any reaon to **oe that he wa anio

abot them 5i min' wa erene an' *eacef!2 an' with eternityin hi imme'iate +iew# an' coni'ering the time of hi 'e*artre at

han'# he b!ee' Go' for a goo' ho*e throgh grace# breathe'

after hea+en an' *erfect conformity to the image of hrit# an'# in

*atient bmiion to the wi!! of Go'# waite' for the coming of hi

>or' an' a+ior# to recei+e him to hi "ing'om

n the atr'ay *rece'ing hi 'eath he reete' to ee a mch

eteeme' frien'# that he might commnicate to him hi !atintrction# to whom# among other thing# he ai'# @ am *eacef!

bt not e!e+ate'@ The fo!!owing 'ay# the ame gent!eman 'eire'

hi on to inire after hi hea!th 5e re*!ie' to the iniry# an'

then a''e'# @Dong man# thin" of yor o!2 if yo !oe that# yo

!oe a!! Be not ha!f a hritian ome *eo*!e ha+e t re!igion

enogh to ma"e them mierab!e2 not enogh to ma"e them ha**y

The way of re!igion are goo' way ha+e fon' them ch thee

ity year@ Thi wa on the >or'-'ay# 'ring ome *art ofwhich he wa ab!e to it * in hi t'y 5i frien'# howe+er#

were a**reheni+e that hi 'io!tion wa near# an' e+era! of

them went to ee him# a they right!y **oe' for the !at time

Thogh ren'ere' a!mot inca*ab!e of con+eration# he

affectionate!y 'ro**e' a wor' to one an' then to another#

*artic!ar!y to hi yong frien' who were anio to ta"e !ea+e

of him @Bt a !itt!e whi!e@ ai' he to one of them# @an' ha!! be

with yor 'ear father an' mother@ To another# @ ha+e often borneyo on my heart before the >or'2 now yo nee' to *ray for me#

an' yo mt *ray for yore!f@ To a thir'# in reference to a we!!-

"nown ocinian miniter# he ai' with mch o!emnity# @Beware

of ------ entiment@ Th he t'ie' to re'eem the few hor

yet a!!otte' him# in cone!ing the yong# an' etab!ihing them in

the way of the >or' The e+ening wa *ent in the boom of hi

en'eare' fami!y Two of hi 'aghter an' their hban'

contine' with him# an' before their 'e*artre one of the !atterengage' in fami!y worhi*# with which he oine' Abot nine

oc!oc"# he wa *t to be'# an' !ay 'own to rie no more nti! the



rerrection morn 5e e*ire' the net 'ay# withot a trgg!e or

a igh2 age' e+enty-one

The fo!!owing etract from the recor' of the chrch in >itt!e

/recot treet# o+er which &r Booth ha' o !ong eercie' the

*atora! office# may here be a**ro*riate!y inerte'C

@By thi 'i*enation of /ro+i'ence# the chrch are berea+e' of an

n'er he*her' whom they high!y +a!e'# in whom there wa an

nion of *iety an' ta!ent rare!y to be met with

@n the *!*it he wa a!way o!emn an' 'e+otiona!2 hi *rayer

were the fer+ent effion of the heart# an' often broght hi

fe!!ow-worhi**erwhere he a**eare' to benear to the 'i+ine

foottoo! 5i 'icore were o!i'# 'icio# an' intereting2

nothing fe!! from hi !i*# bt what ten'e' to e'ification 5e aime'

to a!arm the concience# an' to awa"en the heart# with an energy

that *!ain!y e+ince' how 'ee*!y he wa con+ince' of the

im*ortance of thoe trth which he *reache' to other 5i#

'octrina! +iew of re!igion were forme' *on the c!oetin+etigation of cri*tre# accom*anie' with earnet *rayer

$octrina! trth he coni'ere' a the on!y fon'ation of

e+ange!ica! obe'ience2 whi!e noti+n of re!igion# trth# howe+er

correct# wo!' *ro+e of no a+ai!# any farther than their anctifying

inf!ence wa fe!t *on the heart# an' e+i'ence' by a ho!y wa!"

an' con+eration 5i own eem*!ary con'ct wa a tri"ing

comment on the 'octrine he be!ie+e' an' *reache'

@ntegrity an' *rightne were *rominent trait in hi character#

ac"now!e'ge' by a!! who "new him2 an' the *age of thi chrch

recor'-boo" how with what 'i!igence# fer+or# an' affection he

watche' o+er the *irita! interet of hi be!o+e' *eo*!e

@To the *oor of hi f!oc" he wa "in' an' attenti+e2 they were

ne+er neg!ecte' by him whi!t ab!e to go abroa'# an' to the !owet

among hi brethren an' iter# hi hmi!ity an' con'ecenionwere manifet To the chamber of ic"ne an' 'itre he wa

e+er rea'y to 'irect hi te*# to *ray with# to cono!e# an' to

a'+ie the aff!icte' inmate n e+ery time of nee' he wa a



+a!ab!e frien'# an' in hi *atora! +iit many of can ay that

he wa freent!y intrmenta!# by hi cheerf! 'emeanor an'

*io con+eration# in mitigating or orrow an' increaing or

oy

@5e *oee' a nob!e 'iinterete'ne of *irit2 he oght not

or bt 5e wa tr!y the er+ant of thi chrch for Fe a"e

A *ator# in the !angage of Feremiah# accor'ing to Go' heart#

who fe' hi *eo*!e with "now!e'ge an' n'ertan'ing There are#

*erha*# bt few intance in the chrch of hrit# of one who ha

better eem*!ifie' the character of a hritian biho*# a 'rawn by

the *en of the a*ot!e /a! Tit 1C7-@

A a tetimony of eteem for thi eminent er+ant of hrit# the

chrch ha erecte' a neat marb!e tab!et# in the cha*e! in >itt!e

/recot treet# Goo'man ;ie!'# where he ha' o !ong officiate'

a their *ator2 with the fo!!owing incri*tionC

&9&R

T5 TAB>9T

wa erecte' by the hrch in gratef!

Remembrance

of their be!o+e' an' +enerab!e /ator#

who# with nremitte' ;i'e!ity# 'icharge' hi

miniteria! >abor

in thi *!ace# thirty-e+en Dear

A a &an# an' a a hritian# he wa high!y

an' 'eer+e'!y eteeme'2

A a &initer# he wa o!emn an' 'e+otC

5i a''ree were *er*ico# energetic#

an' im*rei+e2



they were 'irecte' to the Hn'ertan'ing# the

oncience# an' the 5eart

/rofon' =now!e'ge# on' ,i'om# an'

naffecte' /iety

were tri"ing!y eem*!ifie'

in the on'ct of thi ece!!ent &an

n him the *oor ha+e !ot a hmane an'

genero Benefactor2

the Aff!icte' an' the $itree' a wie an'

ym*athetic one!!or2

an' thi hrch

a 'iinterete'# affectionate# an' faithf!

/atorC

nor wi!! hi name or writing be forgotten#

whi!e 9+ange!ica! trth ha!! be re+ere'2

Geni a'mire'# or ntegrity re*ecte'

5e 'e*arte' thi >ife on the %7th Fanary#

1806#

n the 7%' year of hi Age

The fo!!owing con'ene' an' e!aborate +iew of hi character# i

from the *en of one of hi contem*orary minitering brethren# the

Re+ $r .ewman

"s a Christian, he wa *re-eminent a!!e' by 'i+ine grace when

abot twe!+e year of age# he e*erience'# in the !ong core ofthreecore year# many a!ternation of ho*e an' fear# of oy an'

orrow# with many change of tria! an' tem*tation Det with

re*ect to hi *erona! interet in the 'i+ine fa+or# he eem to



ha+e been carrie' on in an e+en tenor# withot any remar"ab!e

e!e+ation or 'e*reion 5i common con+eration breathe'

mch of a 'e+otiona! *irit# an' 'ico+ere' the trong ene he

ha' of hi own inf!ne before Go' an' the im*!icity of hi'e*en'ence on the 5o!y *irit ;irm in hi attachment to hi

re!igio *rinci*!e# he 'e*ie' the *o*!ar cant abot charity#

an' c!ti+ate' that genine can'or# which i a!i"e remote from

the !aity of !atit'inarian# an' the cenorione of bigot 5e

wa con*ico for e!f-'enia!# an' contem*t of the wor!'#

wa!"ing hmb!y with Go' 5i mora! character wa *re an'

nb!emihe' /erha* there ne+er wa a man of more tern#

nben'ing integrity# he wo!' ha+e been a'mire' an' re+ere' by "ristides the Just incerity c!ear a cryta!# conitency with

hime!f# an' nbro"en niformity of con'ct were a!way to be

een by the ten thoan' eye that were contina!!y fie' *on

him 5e wa tem*erate# e+en to abtemio-neC in fortit'e

@bo!' a a !ion@ ation wa interwo+en with the tetre of hi

min'# yet he wo!' ometime ay# @,e ha+e nee' of cation

againt cation ite!f# !et we be o+er catio@ 5e once ober+e'

that @in mora!# integrity ho!' the firt *!ace# bene+o!ence theecon'# an' *r'ence the thir' ,here the firt i not# the econ'

cannot be2 an' where the thin i not# the other two wi!! be often

broght into *icion@ n hi atten'ance on *b!ic worhi*# he

wa remar"ab!e for an eem*!ary *ncta!ity# which a!o

eten'e' to a!! a**ointment in meeting for bine 5i

manner were im*!e# gra+e# an' naffecte'2 freent!y en!i+ene'

with an agreeab!e *!eaantry t wa e'ifying an' 'e!ightf! to

ober+e how he *er*eta!!y breathe' after more conformity tohritmore hea+en!y-min'e'ne That man mt ha+e been

etreme!y wie or etreme!y foo!ih# who co!' *en' an hor in

hi com*any withot being ma'e wier an' better

"s a Divine, he wa a tar of the firt magnit'e A /rotetant# an'

a /rotetant $ienter# on *rinci*!e# are one of the brightet

ornament of the Ba*tit 'enomination to which he be!onge' A

a!+init# an' in ome *artic!ar a**roaching what i ca!!e'5igh-a!+inim2 bt he ha ometime 'ec!are'# a many other

great men ha+e 'one# that he ne+er aw any hman ytem which

he co!' f!!y an' entire!y a'o*t ;rom the *!*it# hi ermon



were *!ain an' teta!# high!y intrcti+e# a! way a+ory an'

acce*tab!e to *eron of e+ange!ica! tate2 for the g!ory# the

go+ernment# an' the grace of hrit were hi fa+orite theme 5e

aime' to conteract# with ea! care# e!f-righteo !ega!ity on theone han'# an'# on the other# Antinomian !icentione ch wa

the ece!!ence of hi *erona! character# that he nee'e' not the art

of the orator an' the grace of e!oction to gain attention 5i

a'ience !itene' with *rofon' +eneration# an' hng *on hi

!i* 5e ha' the gift of *rayer in a +ery high 'egree2 an' whoe+er

hear' aim wa *owerf!!y im*ree' with the i'ea that he wa a

man who *raye' mch in ecret ;rom the *re# he a**eare' to

the greatet a'+antage .or wi!! it be 'enie' by any# that hiwriting are +ery e!aborate an' eiite!y *o!ihe' .o

bagate!!e# no airy *ec!ationa!! o!i' an' ef! 5i #Reign of

'race,# an' in'ee' a!! hi wor"# wi!! contine to intrct an'

'e!ight the hritian wor!' to the en' of time

"s a Christian $astor, he hone with 'itingihe' !tre 9+ery

member of the chrch in which he *rei'e'# ha' a hare in hi

affection The *oor were a we!come to hi a'+ice an' aitancea the richC an' hi faithf! re*roof were gi+en# withot *artia!ity

to either# a occaion reire' t wa t!y remar"e' at hi gra+e#

that he ha nintentiona!!y 'rawn hi own *ictre# in hi ermon

entit!e' @/atora! ation@ 5e wa not a !or' o+er Go'

heritage t ha been ai' he a**eare' a!way wi!!ing to gi+e *

a!mot e+ery thing to the 'eciion of the chrch2 an' the

coneence wa# the chrch ga+e * a!mot e+ery thing to his

'eciion 5i attention to the *oor an' the aff!icte' of hicongregation wa high!y eem*!ary .or 'i' he content hime!f

with aying# @Be ye warme'# an' be ye fi!!e'#@ bt !ibera!!y

contribte' to the **!y of their want# accor'ing to hi abi!ity

The economica! ytem he etab!ihe' at home# frnihe' him

with a coni'erab!e fn' for charitab!e e abroa' 5i charity

wa ne+er otentatio2 none bt the mnicient eye "new the

etent of it# an' therefore it i im*oib!e to ay how many of the

on an' 'aghter of aff!iction ha+e !ot# by hi 'eath# a motgenero benefactor



"s a literary !an, he wa genera!!y ac"now!e'ge' to be!ong to

the firt c!a among /rotetant $ienter ,ithot the

a'+antage of a !ibera! e'cation# he ha' ct hi own way# by the

force of a trong# "een min'# throgh roc" an' 'eert 5imemory wa ama:ing!y tenacio2 hi reaoning *ower acte2 hi

a**rehenion ic"2 hi 'e!iberation coo! an' *atient2 hi

'etermination !ow an' 'eci'e' 5i a**!ication mt ha+e been

wry intene# to which hi +igoro an' robt contittion of bo'y

wa ha**i!y ber+ient Thogh he *ere' a *ro'igio

m!tit'e of boo"# an' re*ecte' the o*inion of wie an'

!earne' men# he e+er maintaine' a b!ime in'e*en'ence of min'#

an' thoght for hime!f 5i "now!e'ge of !angage wa +eryconi'erab!e .ot many of the literati of thi contry ha+e ha' o

intimate an acaintance with the grace an' force of wor'# or

ha+e written with ch correctne an' energy nite' Det he ha

been hear' to ay# that he ha' a wife an' fami!y before he "new

any thing of the theory of 9ng!ih grammar 5e wa not

nacainte' with the Gree" an' Roman c!aic2 they were#

howe+er# by no mean hi fa+orite athor t wo!' r*rie the

*b!ic to "now what !oa' of *on'ero >atin arto he rea'# of;rench $tch# an' German 'i+ine The Gree" Tetament he

went throgh near!y fifty time# by the im*!e e*e'ient of

rea'ing one cha*ter e+ery morning# the firt thing# not o mch for

the *r*oe of criticim a of 'e+otion Genera! cience an'

!iteratre c!aime' a hare of hi attention2 an' e+ery one wa

atonihe' to ober+e the fn' of information he *oee' on a!!

bect n hitory ci+i! an' ecc!eiatica!2 in antiitie# Fewih

an' hritian2 in theo!ogica! contro+ery an' the cree' of a!!'enomination# he wa ea!e' by few# an' ece!!e' by none t i

*!eaing to reco!!ect# that a!! hi !earning wa o!emn!y

conecrate' to the cro of hrit2 an' that# whi!e he wa

'igte'# a he often wa# with the i!!iteracy an' ignorance of

boo" which he *ercei+e' e+en among e'cate' *reacher in

many intance# he wa +ery far from **oing hman !iteratre

to be eentia! to the go*e! minitry

"s a universal friend and counsellor, he wa ecee'ing!y be!o+e'

5i eteni+e an' 'i+erifie' "now!e'ge# hi we!!-trie' integrity#

hi *enetration# *r'ence# an' bene+o!ence# occaione'



nmber!e a**!ication for hi cone!# not mere!y from the

Ba*tit# bt from hritian of a!mot a!! *artie $iffic!t tet

of cri*tre# "notty *oint of contro+ery# 'i*te in chrche#

an' *ri+ate cae of concience were !ai' before him inabn'ance e!'om wa there an a**ea! ma'e to the 'gment of

any other man t wa !i"e @ta"ing cone! at Abe!# an' o they

en'e' the matter#@ Det he wa no 'ictator ,hen he ha' *atient!y

hear' the cae# an' can'i'!y gi+en hi o*inion# he wo!' a!!y

ay# @on!t other frien'# an' then 'ge for yore!f@ ch a

'egree of maety atten'e' him# *!ain a he wa in eterior# that if

he at 'own with yo bt a few minte# yo co!' not he!*

fee!ing that yo ha' a *rince or a great man in the hoe t wo!'ometime a**ear to tranger that he wa 'eficient in that

winning grace which accom*anie oftne an' weetne of

manner2 bt thoe who were mot intimate!y acainte' with him#

are f!!y *re*are' to ay# there wa in genera! the greatet 'e!icacy

of genine *o!itene in hi con'ct &any yong miniter wi!!

!ong 'e*!ore their !o .e+er re!y can they forget how rea'i!y

he grante' them acce to him at a!! time2 how "in'!y he

cone!!e' them in their 'iffic!tie2 how faithf!!y he warne'them of their 'anger ,ith a mornf! *!eare they mt often

reco!!ect hi gent!ene in correcting their mita"e2 hi ten'erne

in im*!oring the $i+ine bene'iction *on them2 hi cor'ia!

congrat!ation when he witnee' their *ro*erity





tate of the mot re*ectab!e *art ?man"in' wa e+i! 'rea'f!!y

e+i! e+i! a to thoe thing# for the a"e of which they mot

high!y eteeme' theme!+e2 o they bo!'!y *reache' a *erfect

a+ior# an' finihe' a!+ation# to the mot worth!e an' +i!e

Thee *rimiti+e teacher an' infa!!ib!e gi'e were not in the !eat

acainte' with thoe term an' con'ition# *rereiite an'

a!ification# the *erforming an' attaining of which are# by

many# acconte' o neceary to acce*tance with Go' They "new

bt of one way in which a inner might be acce*te' of Go'# an'

tifie' before him2 an' that wa entire!y of grace# throgh the

*erfect wor" of hrit a!one The way of tification which theytaght i abo!te!y *re an' nmie' n their 'octrine# on thi

im*ortant bect# grace 'oe not on!y a**ear2 it hine# reign#

trim*hC it i the only thing There i not 'icernib!e in it the !eat

tinctre of thoe notion which foter *ri'e# or cherih e!f-

eteem A!! thoe fine 'itinction# in+ente' by the *ro'

*hi!oo*her# or the e!f-righteo mora!it# which ten' in any

'egree to **ort the o*inion of hman worthine# an' to obcre

or +iew of 'i+ine grace# are by them entire!y et ai'e# an'tota!!y annihi!ate' The mot hining 'ee' an' +a!ab!e a!itie

that can be fon' among men# thogh high!y ef! an' tr!y

ece!!ent# when et in their *ro*er *!ace# an' referre' to itab!e

en'# are# a to the gran' artic!e of tification treate' a

nonentitie n thi re*ect# the mot :ea!o *rofeor# with a!! hi

!abore' *erformance# tan' on a !e+e! with the mot *rofane

The a*oto!ic trth a''reing an to whom it come# a gi!ty#

con'emne'# *erihing wretche# !ea+e no room for *reference or boating in any2 that o the who!e g!ory of or a!+ation may be

ecre' to that grace which i infinite!y rich an' abo!te!y free

At thi# the 'e+ot /hariee an' the 'ecent mora!it are high!y

offen'e' ch 'octrine being a'+ance'# they thin" it incmbent

*on them to tan' * in 'efence of what they ca!! an ho!y !ifeC

an' to **ort the in"ing cre'it of goo' wor"# a ha+ing a

coni'erab!e efficacy in *rocring or acce*tance with Go' Thimany *eron freent!y 'o# mch more by ta!"ing abot their

neceity# than by *erforming them .ow they thin" it their 'ty

to rai! at the *reacher a an a+owe' enemy to ho!ine2 nor wi!!



they *are to gi+e him the honorab!e tit!e of# " friend of

publicans and sinners .ow innmerab!e !an'er are cat on the

'octrine of grace# a being !icentio2 an' on the miniter of it# a

o*ening the f!oo'gate of a!! iniity ;or they **oe that e+erything ba' may be t!y e*ecte' from thoe who o*en!y 'ia+ow

a!! 'e*en'ence on their own 'tie2 an' whoe ho*e of eterna!

ha**ine arie# not from er+ice which they *erform# bt from

grace which the go*e! re+ea! not from the worth which they

*oe# bt from the wor" which hrit ha wroght Th they

'e*ie the go*e! n'er the fair *retence of a more than common

concern for the interet of ho!ine

.or i thi the on!y offence which the go*e! gi+e ;or a it i

entire!y inconitent with the natra! notion of men concerning

acce*tance with Go'# an' contrary to e+ery cheme of a!+ation

which hman reaon gget2 a it wi!! a'mit of no co*artner in

re!ie+ing a 'itree' concience# or in bringing 'e!i+erance to a

gi!ty o!# bt !ea+e e+ery one that !ight it an' ee" for

aitance from any other arter# to *erih n'er an e+er!ating

cre2 o the *ri'e of the e!f-fficient "in'!e into reentmentagaint it# a a mot ncharitab!e 'octrine an' ite nociab!e

.or can the faithf! 'i*ener of acre' trth fai! to hare in the

honor of thee re*roache ;or whi!e they 'are to affirm that thi

go*e!# o hatef! to the on of *ri'e# ehibit the on!y way of a

innner acce to hi offen'e' o+ereign2 an' that a!! who

o**oe it# an' a!! who embrace it conterfeit# are !eft in the han'

of 'i+ine tice withot a &e'iator2 they are re to be acconte'

*eron of contracte' min'# an' +ery far from a !ibera! way ofthin"ing They are coni'ere' a the '*e of bigotry# an' !itt!e

better than the enemie of man"in' 5e# in'ee'# who *reten' to

be a frien' to re+ea!e' trth# bt i coo! an' in'ifferent to it

honor an' interet2 whoe eteni+e charity i ch# that he can

a!!ow thoe who wi'e!y 'iffer from him in the ca*ita! artic!e of

the hritian faith# to be afe in their own way2 may enoy hi

*ec!iar entiment withot mch fear of 'itrbance Bt thogh

ch con'ct may be a**!a'e'# n'er a fa!e notion of hritiancan-'or# an' of a catho!ic *irit2 thogh it may be the way to

maintain a frien'!y intercore among m!tit'e whoe !ea'ing

entiment are wi'e!y 'ifferent2 yet it wi!! be 'eeme'# by the Go'



of trth# a 'eer+ing no better name# than a 1oint opposition to the

*irit an' 'eign of hi go*e! ;or ch a timi' an' !"ewarm

*rofeion of trth i !itt!e better than a 'enia! of it than o*en

hoti!ity againt it To ee" for *eace at the e*ene of trth# wi!! be fon' in the en'# no other than a wic"e' con*iracy againt

both Go' an' man ch# howe+er# a !o+e the trth# wi!! bo!'!y

'ec!are againt a!! it conterfeit# an' e+ery 'e+iation from itC

an'# whate+er may be the coneence# they wi!! ay with him of

o!'2 Though /e, or an angel fro! heaven, preach any other

gospel, let hi! be accursed

Th the genine go*e! wi!! a!way a**ear !i"e an in!t on thetate of the *b!ic ,here+er it come# if it be not recei+e'# it

awa"en 'igt an' *ro+o"e abhorrence .or can it be

otherwie ;or it *rinci*a! 'eign i to mortify the *ri'e of man#

an' to 'i*!ay the g!ory of grace2 to throw a!! hman ece!!ence

'own to the 't# an' to e!e+ate# e+en to throne of g!ory# the

nee'y an' the wretche'2 to how that e+ery thing which ea!teth

ite!f againt the "now!e'ge of hrit# i an abomination in the

ight of Go'2 an' that 5e who i 'e*ie' of men an' abhorre' bythe nation# i Feho+ah eterna! 'e!ight (a !i 7 &att iii 17)

The ancient go*e! i an nceremonio thing t *ay no re*ect

to the aca'emic becae of hi *rofon' !earning2 nor to the

mora!it on accont of hi *right con'ct t ha not the !eat

regar' to the cortier# becae of hi *om*o honor2 nor to the

'e+otee# for the a"e of hi :ea! or hi righteone .o# the

*otent *rince an' the abect !a+e# the wie *hi!oo*her an' the

ignorant rtic# the +irto !a'y an' the infamo *rotitte#tan' on the ame !e+e! in it com*reheni+e ight t bine i

with the worth!e an' the mierab!e# whomoe+er they be f

thee be re!ie+e'# it en' i gaine' f thee be ma'e ha**y# it

Athor i g!orifie'# whate+er may become of the ret Towar'

thee it contant!y wear the mot frien'!y a*ect# an' reoice to

'o them goo' Bt the e!f-fficient of e+ery ran" are treate' by

it with the tmot reer+e# an' behe!' with a tea'y contem*t The

hungry it filleth /ith good things, but the rich it sendeth e!ptora/ay



Thee coni'eration may er+e to how the tre tate of the

cae# a it too' between /a! an' hi o**onent The itation of

thing wa mch the ame between /rotetant an' /a*it# at# an'

for ome time after the Reformation .or wi!! the a*oto!ic'octrine e+er fai! to be atten'e' with treno o**oition an'

fo! re-*reache# whi!e ignorance of it rea! natre# an' !ega!

*ri'e# *re+ai! in the heart of men &any# in'ee'# are the metho'

that ha+e been 'e+ie'# to ren'er the n*a!atab!e trth more

genera!!y acce*tab!e# an' to ob+iate the offence of the cross Bt

what ha+e been the coneence The go*e! ha been

corr*te'2 the concience of awa"ene' inner ha+e been !eft to

gro*e in the 'ar"# for that cono!ation which nothing bt thena'!terate' trth co!' gi+e2 an'# intea' of *romoting ho!ine#

the re+ere ha been awf!!y manifet t therefore behoo+e e+ery

!o+er of acre' trth# to !et it tan' on it own bai# an' not to

tam*er with it To !ea+e a!! it cre'it an' a!! it cce in the

wor!'# to it own intrinic worth to that athority with which it

i c!oe'# an' to the management of that o+ereign Being who

or'aine' it for hi own g!ory

Bt howe+er the 'octrine of reigning grace may be 'e*ie' by

the e!f-fficient# it wi!! e+er he re+ere' by the poor in spirit ;or

by it they are informe' of an honorab!e way of eca*e from the

wrath to come# which they "now they ha+e t!y 'eer+e' To the

enib!e inner# therefore# it mt a!way be a 1oyful sound An'

thogh ch *eron a are ignorant of it natre# ten'ency# an'

'eign# are a!way rea'y to imagine that it ha an nfrien'!y

a*ect *on mora!ity an' goo' wor"# when *reache' in itg!orio freene2 yet we may bo!'!y affirm# that it i the gran'

intrment or'aine' by a ho!y Go'# for informing the ignorant#

comforting the 'icono!ate# an' recing the *rof!igate from that

wort of +aa!age# the er+it'e of in# an' bection to atan

ch i the benign ten'ency of the g!orio go*e! ch i it

frien'!y an' anctifying inf!ence on the heart of men

t wi!! in'ee' be ac"now!e'ge' that thi 'octrine may be he!' in!icentione by thoe that *rofe it Bt then it wi!! be a

confi'ent!y maintaine'# that whoe+er ho!' it in nrighteone

ne+er recei+e' the !o+e of that acre' trth# or e*erience' the



*ower of it ;or# to ha+e a bare con+iction of 'i+ine trth in the

min'# an' to e*erience it *ower on the heart# are +ery 'ifferent

thing The former may *ro'ce an otwar' *rofeionC the !atter

wi!! e!e+ate the affection# trn the corr*t bia of the wi!!# an'inf!ence the who!e con'ct ,ith the tea'iet *eraion#

therefore# of the ho!y natre an' ten'ency of the 'octrine of 'i+ine

grace# a it i in ite!f# an' a it o*erate on the min' an' manner

of a!! thoe who "now it in trth2 *rocee' to gi+e# not a f!!

'i*!ay# (that i infinite!y too high for morta!#) bt ome brief

hint concerning that grace which reign2 an' of the way in which

it i manifete'# o a to 'emontrate it *ower# g!ory# an' maety#

in the a!+ation of inner Thi ha!! 'o by en'ea+oring toi!!trate that im*ortant an' charming *aage# recor'e' in

Roman the fifth an' twenty-firt2 9E9. &G5T GRA9

R9G.# T5RHG5 RG5T9H.9# H.T 9T9R.A>

>;9# BD Fe 5RT HR >R$ An' whi!e the athor#

concio of hi own infficiency# !oo" * to the *irit of

wi'om for 'i+ine i!!mination# that he may write with a!! the

*reciion an' anctity of trth# in o*ening the nob!e bect of the

ening treatie2 he wo!' entreat the rea'er to *ere# withcan'or an' im*artia!ity# the content of the fo!!owing *age



PREFACE TO THE LAST CORRECTED

EDITION

5A>> not offer any a*o!ogy to the *b!ic# on beha!f of the

ening treatie ;or if the !ea'ing entiment a'o*te' an'

'efen'e' in it corre*on' with the nerring orac!e# ha+e no

a**rehenion from the frown of men2 an' if not# it wo!' be

im*oib!e# by the mot !abore' a*o!ogy# to tify my con'ct

The 'octrine of o+ereign grace i here maintaine' an' han'!e' in

a *ractica! manner t ha been my en'ea+or# in the fo!!owing

*age# not on!y to tate an' 'efen' the ca*ita! trth of the go*e!#

in a 'octrina! way2 bt a!o to *oint ot their *ec!iar im*ortance#

a ha**i!y a'a*te' to awa"en the concience# an' comfort the

heart2 to e!e+ate the affection# an' inf!ence the who!e con'ct in

the way of ho!ine

To thi e'ition of The Reign of 'race, ha+e ma'e !arge

a''ition The *rinci*a! of which i# an entire cha*ter *on

Election) which ren'er the cheme of 'octrine more com*!ete#

an' the content of the boo" more anwerab!e to the tit!e a!o

thoght it my 'ty# in a *artic!ar mariner# to bear a *b!ic

tetimony to that im*ortant *art of re+ea!e' trth2 ha+ing in my

yonger year great!y o**oe' it# in a *oem On absolute

$redestination ,hich *oem# if coni'ere' in a critica! !ight# i'e*icab!e2 if in a theo!ogica! +iew# 'etetab!eC a it i an im*otent

attac" on the honor of $i+ine grace# in regar' to it g!orio

freene2 an' a bo!' o**oition to the o+ereignty of Go' o

now coni'er it# an' a ch here renonce it

5owe+er the 'octrine of Reigning Grace may be 'ecrie' a

!icentio# it i that +ery trth which Go' in a!! age ha 'e!ighte'

to honor2 which the $i+ine *irit ha owne' for the informationan' comfort# for the ho!ine an' ha**ine of inf! men ,ere

not f!!y *era'e' of thi# rather than a**ear a an a'+ocate for



it# wo!' con'emn my tonge to e+er!ating i!ence# an' my *en

to *er*eta! ret

ha+e nothing frther to a''# by way of *reface# ece*t my ar'ent

*rayer# that a 'i+ine b!eing may atten' e+ery *era! of the

fo!!owing cha*ter2 o a to ma"e the *erformance rea!!y ef!#

an' cae it to anwer ome +a!ab!e *r*oe for the great

Re'eemer g!ory A BT5



1. CONCERNING THE SIGNIFICATION OF

THE TERM GRACE

That we may *rocee' with greater c!earne an' certainty in or

fo!!owing inirie# it i neceary to coni'er what i im*!ie' in

the term grace The *rimary an' *rinci*a! ene of the wor'# i

free favor) un!erited kindness n thi acce*tation it i mot

freent!y e' in the in*ire' +o!me2 an' th it i to be

n'ertoo' in the wor' of the 5o!y Ghot n'er coni'erationGrace# in the writing of /a!# tan' in 'irect o**oition to wor"

an' worthine a!! wor" an' worthine of e+ery "in'# an' of

e+ery 'egree Thi a**ear from the fo!!owing *aage 2o/ to

hi! that /orketh the re/ard is not reckoned of grace, but of debt

Therefore it is of faith, that it !ight be by grace -or by grace are

ye saved3 not of /orks, lest any !an should boast *ho hath

saved us 3 not according to our /orks, but according to his o/n

purpose and grace (Rom 4C4#16 9*h %C8# % Tim 1C)

A the wor' !ercy, in it *rimary ignification# ha re!ation to

ome creatre# either acta!!y in a suffering tate# or obnoio to

it2 o grace, in it *ro*er an' trict ene# a!way *re**oe

un/orthiness in it obect 5ence# whene+er any thing +a!ab!e i

commnicate' by the b!ee' Go' to any of A'am a*otate

off*ring# the commnication of it cannot be of grace, any frther

than the *eron on whom it i conferre' i coni'ere' aun/orthy ;or# o far a any 'egree of worth a**ear# the *ro+ince

of grace ceae# an' that of eity ta"e *!ace Grace an'

worthine# therefore# cannot be connecte' in the ame act# an' for

the ame en' The one mt neceari!y gi+e *!ace to the other#

accor'ing to that remar"ab!e tetC .f by grace, then it is no !ore of

/orks) other/ise grace is no !ore grace 4ut if it be of /orks,

then it is no !ore grace) other/ise /ork is no !ore /ork (Rom

11C 6) ;rom the a*ot!e reaoning it i e+i'ent# that whate+er i

of wor"# i not of grace at a!!2 an'# that whate+er i of grace# i

not of wor" in any 'egree n the a*ot!e +iew of thing# wor"

an' grace are eentia!!y o**oite# an' ea!!y irreconci!ab!e a



!ight an' 'ar"ne Bei'e# when /a! re*reent the ca*ita!

b!eing of a!+ation a f!owing from 'i+ine grace# we are !e' to

coni'er the *eron on whom they are betowe' not on!y a

ha+ing no c!aim to thoe benefit# bt a 'eer+ing ite there+ere a ha+ing incrre' a tremen'o cre# an' a t!y

e*oe' to eterna! rin

That grace# therefore# abot which we treat# may be th 'efine'C

t i the eterna! an' abo!te!y free fa+or of Go'# manifete' in the

+ochafement of *irita! an' eterna! b!eing to the gi!ty an'

the nworthy ,hat thoe b!eing are# we ha!! en'ea+or to

how in the beent *age &eanwhi!e be it ober+e'# that#accor'ing to thi 'efinition# the grace of Go' i eterna! Agreeab!e

to the im*ort of thoe re+i+ing wor'2 Dea# ha+e !o+e' thee with

an e+er!ating !o+e (Fer 31C3) t i 'i+ine!y free# an' infinite!y

rich 9ntire!y 'etache' from e+ery **oition of hman worth#

an' o*erating in'e*en'ent!y of a!! con'ition *erforme' by man2

it rie *erior to hman gi!t# an' *erabon' o+er hman

nworthine ch i the eterna! rigin# ch the g!orio bai#

of or a!+ation 5ence it *rocee' an' i carrie' on to *erfectionGrace hine throgh the who!e ;or# a an e!egant writer

ober+e# it i @not !i"e a fringe of go!'# bor'ering the garment2

not !i"e an embroi'ery of go!'# 'ecorating the robe2 bt !i"e the

mercy-eat of the ancient tabernac!e# which wa go!' *re go!'

a!! go!' throghot@

De# rea'er# thi i the inehatib!e orce of a!! thoe

inetimab!e b!eing which the >or' betow on hi nworthycreatre# in thi or in a ftre wor!' t i thi which# in a!! that he

'oe# or e+er wi!! 'o for inner# he inten' to ren'er e+er!ating!y

g!orio in their eye# an' in the eye of a!! ho!y inte!!igence The

in'e!ib!e motto incribe' by the han' of Feho+ah on a!! the

b!eing of the nchangeab!e co+enant# i# TO THE PRAISE

OF THE GLORY OF HIS GRACE.

5ence we may !earn# that if grace in it own natre# an' a it ieercie' in or a!+ation# be 'irect!y o**oite to a!! wor" an'

worthine2 then thoe *eron are awf!!y 'ecei+e'# who ee" to

oin them together in the ame wor" an' for the ame en'



5owe+er high their *retene may be to ho!ine# it i *!ain from

the wor' of Go'# an' may in ome 'egree a**ear from the natre

of the thing# that they ta"e an effecta! way to rin their o!

fore+er# ece*t that +ery grace *re+ent# of which they ha+e chfa!e an' corr*t i'ea ;or 'i+ine grace 'i'ain to be aite' in

the *erformance of that wor" which *ec!iar!y be!ong to ite!f#

by the *oor# im*erfect *erformance of men Attem*t to com*!ete

what grace begin# betray or *ri'e an' offen' the >or'2 bt can

not *romote or *irita! interet >et the rea'er# therefore#

caref!!y remember# that grace i either abo!te!y free# or it i not

at a!!C an'# that he who *rofee to !oo" for a!+ation by grace#

either be!ie+e in hi heart to be a+e' entire!y by it# or he actinconitent!y in affair of the greatet im*ortance



2. OF GRACE, AS IT REIGNS IN OUR

SALVATION IN GENERAL

GRACE, in or tet# i com*are' to a o+ereign .ow a

o+ereign# coni'ere' a ch# i in+ete' with rega! *ower# an'

the highet athority Grace# therefore# in her beneficent

go+ernment# mt eert an' manifet o+ereign *ower mt

*ere'e the reign# an' conteract the mighty an' 'etrcti+e

o*eration of in2 or he cannot bring the inner to eterna! !ife ;orthe 5o!y *irit ha com*are' in to a o+ereign# whoe reign

terminate in 'eath

A sin a**ear# c!othe' in horri' 'eformity# an' arme' with

'etrcti+e *ower# inf!icting tem*ora! 'eath# an' menacing eterna!

f!ame2 o 'race a**ear on the throne# arraye' in the beatie of

ho!ine# an' mi!ing with 'i+ine bene+o!ence2 toche' with

fee!ing of the ten'eret com*aion# an' arme' with a!! themagnificence of in+incib!e *ower ;!!y 'etermine' to eert her

athority an' gratify her com*aion# n'er the con'ct of infinite

wi'om2 to the e+er!ating honor of inf!eib!e tice# in+io!ab!e

+eracity# an' e+ery 'i+ine *erfection by recing the con'emne'

offen'er from the aw of 'etrction2 by *ea"ing *eace to the

a!arme' concience of 'amnab!e 'e!inent2 by retoring to

a*otate creatre an' +i!e micreant a *reme !o+e to Go' an'

'e!ight in the way of ho!ine2 an'# fina!!y# by bringing them afeto e+er!ating honor an' oy n a wor'# the heart of thi mighty

o+ereign i com*aion ite!fC her !oo" are !o+e2 her !angage i

ba!m to the b!ee'ing o!# an' her aria a!+ation ch a o+ereign

i GRACE. Thoe who are 'e!i+ere' by her mt enoy a

com*!ete a!+ation Thoe who !i+e n'er her mot benign

go+ernment mt be ha**y in'ee'

$i+ine grace# a reigning in or a!+ation# not on!y a**ear# bta**ear with maetyC not on!y hine# bt trim*hC *ro+i'ing a!!

thing# free!y betowing a!! thing neceary to or eterna!

ha**ine Grace 'oe not et or a!+ation on foot# by



accommo'ating it term an' con'ition to the enfeeb!e'

ca*acitie of !a*e' creatre2 bt begin# carrie on# an'

com*!ete the ar'o wor" Grace# a a o+ereign# 'oe not

rece the inner from 'eer+e' rin# frnih him with newabi!itie# an' then !ea+e him# by their *ro*er e# to reit the

tem*ter# to mortify hi !t# to attain thoe ho!y a!itie# an'

*erform thoe righteo act# which ren'er him fit for eterna!

ha**ine# an' gi+e him a tit!e to it .o2 for if the *ro+ince an'

wor" of grace were circmcribe' in thi manner# thing of the

!at im*ortance to the g!ory of Go' an' the fe!icity of man# wo!'

be !eft in the mot ncertain an' *eri!o itation An'# a'mitting

the *oibi!ity of any inner being a+e' in ch a way# therewo!' be am*!e co*e for the eertion of *irita! *ri'e# an'

mch room for boating2 which wo!' be 'iametrica!!y contrary to

the honor of the &ot 5igh# an' frtrate the nob!e 'eign of

grace Thi match!e fa+or# far from being atifie' with !aying

the fon'ation# rear the *ertrctre a!oC it not on!y ett!e the

*re!iminarie# bt eecte the +ery bine ite!f The /hariee

in the *arab!e ma'e hi ac"now!e'gment to *re+enting an'

aiting graceC for# 'od, . thank thee, wa hi !angage t ie+i'ent# howe+er# that hi +iew of grace were +ery contracte'2

an' hi ho*e ariing from it +ery 'eceitf! ,o!' we then +iew

grace a reigning# we mt coni'er it a the a!*ha an' omega# the

beginning an' the en' of or a!+ation2 that the nri+a!e' honor of

that greatet of a!! wor" may be gi+en to the 'od of all grace

5a+ing ta"en thi genera! +iew of reigning grace# wo!' now

a"# ,hat thin" yo# rea'er# of thi won'erf! fa+orI it worthyof Go'I it itab!e to yor caeI r "now yo not# that yo are

by natre n'er the gi!t an' 'ominion of inI f in# that

'rea'f! o+ereign2 of in# that wort of tyrant (in reigns, ay

the a*ot!e2 an' the en' of it reign# where the o+ereignty of

grace 'oe not inter*oe# i eterna! 'eath an yo !ee* away

yor time# an' 'ream of being fina!!y ha**y# whi!e n'er the

*ower of o ma!ignant a o+ereign ha!! the toy an' trif!e of a

tranitory wor!' ame# when yor soul, yor immorta! A>># i atta"eI f o# how !amentab!e yor con'ition how 'rea'f! yor

tate Awa"e arie Bow the "nee to 'i+ine grace# tbborn

rebe! whi!e he ho!' ot the go!'en ce*ter of *ar'on an' of



*eace Ac"now!e'ge her *remacy# bmit to her go+ernment#

before tice acen' the throne an' +engeance !anch her bo!t

;or then an eterna! bar wi!! !ie againt e+ery a**!ication for

mercy# thogh ariing from the mot *reing want

r# if awa"e in yor concience# 'o yo thin" it *oib!e to effect

yor own 'e!i+eranceI A!a yo are entire!y withot trength to

*erform any ch thing2 an' grace wa ne+er inten'e' a an

ai!iary to he!* the wea"# bt we!!-'i*oe'# to a+e theme!+e

The mercy of Go' an' the go*e! of hrit# were ne+er 'eigne'

to ait an' rewar' the righteo2 bt to re!ie+e the mierab!e an'

a+e the 'e*erate to 'e!i+er thoe who ha+e no other aitance#nor any other ho*e ,ere yo acainte' with yor abect

+aa!age# were yo con+ince' by the *irit of trth# that there i

no *oib!e way of eca*e# bt by reigning grace2 then wo!' yo

cry for he!*# an' then the re!ief that grace affor' wo!' be all

your salvation, and all your desire

f# on the other han'# yo are br'ene' with in an' harae' by

c!amoro fear of being eat into he!!2 if# enib!e of yor nati+e'e*ra+ity# the m!ti*!ie' iniitie of yor !ife# the many hamef!

'efect atten'ing yor bet er+ice# an' yor *reent abo!te

nworthine# yo are rea'y to in" in 'e*on'ency2 remember#

that grace ha erecte' her throne Thi forbi' 'e*air ;or her

won'erf! throne i erecte'# not on the rin of tice# not on the

'ihonor of the !aw2 bt on the BLOOD OF THE LAMB. The

inconcei+ab!y *erfect obe'ience# an' the infinite!y meritorio

'eath of the on of Go'# form it mighty bai 5ere grace ihigh!y ea!te'C here grace a**ear in tate# 'i*ening her fa+or

an' howing her g!ory To ch a bene+o!ent an' con'ecen'ing

o+ereign# the baet may ha+e free acce By ch a *owerf!

o+ereign the mot +ario# m!ti*!ie'# an' *reing want may be

re!ie+e' with the tmot eae an' greatet a!acrity Remember#

'icono!ate o!# that the name# the natre# the office of GRACE

ENTHRONED, !o'!y attet# that the greatet nworthine an'

the mot *rof!igate crime are no bar to the inner in coming tohrit for a!+ation2 in !oo"ing to o+ereign fa+or for a!! that he

want .ay# they 'emontrate# that the nworthy an' inf! are the



only *eron with whom grace i at a!! concerne'C Thi i

ama:ing thi i 'e!ightf!

5o a!! ye chi!'ren of want an' on of wretche'ne hither ye

may come with the tmot free'om Be it "now to yo# be it ne+er

forgotten by yo# that JEHOVAH coni'ere' yor in'igent cae#

an' 'eigne' yor com*!ete re!ief# when he erecte' thi won'erf!

throne Dor name are not omitte' in the hea+en!y grantC nay# ye

are the only *eron that are b!ee' with a right of acce to thi

mercy-eat $i' inner more genera!!y "now their tate# an' the

g!orio natre of grace a e%alted in 0a1esty) how wo!' the

throne of thi mighty o+ereign be crow'e' crow'e'# not by *eron a'orne' with fine accom*!ihment bt# with the poor,

the !ai!ed, the halt, and the blind ,ith !onging heart an'

*!ifte' han'# big with e*ectation an' re of cce# they

wo!' throng her cort Thither they wo!' f!ee# a a cloud for

nmber# an' a doves for *ee'C for there i *ro+iion ma'e to

**!y a!! their want A *eron of a!! ran" an' of e+ery

character are ea!!y 'etitte of any righteo or +a!i' *!ea for

a'miion into the eterna! "ing'om2 o# fee!ing their want of*irita! b!eing# they ha+e ea!!y free acce to thi mnificent

o+ereign# an' the ame gron' to e*ect com*!ete re!ief 5ere#

an' in thi re*ect# there i no 'ifference between the 'e+ot

*rofeor# an' the aban'one' *rof!igate2 the chate +irgin# an' the

infamo *rotitte ;or# being a!! crimina!# an' n'er the ame

con'emnation# they ha+e not the ma!!et g!eam of ho*e# ece*t

what hine *on them in that com*aionate *roc!amation which

i ie' from the throne of grace by the eterna! o+ereign (a<<C1-3 &att 11C%8 Fohn 6C37# an' 7C37 Re+ %%C17) Bt# a that

*roc!amation i e*rei+e of the freet fa+or an' the richet

grace2 inc!'ing offen'er of the wort character# *b!ihing

*ar'on for in of the 'ee*et 'ye# an' a!! ratifie' by +eracity

ite!f2 it affor' fficient encoragement to the +i!et wretch that

!i+e# who i wi!!ing to owe hi a!! to 'i+ine bonty# withot

heitation to recei+e the hea+en!y b!eing# an' with gratit'e to

reoice in the roya! 'onation@ De# thine it i# O SOVEREIGNGRACE! to raie the *oor from the 'nghi!!# an' the nee'y ot of

the 't Thine it i# to et them on throne of g!ory# an' to nmber

them among the *rince of hea+en@ Remember thi# my o!# an'






ELECTION

A&.G the +ario b!eing which f!ow from o+ereign

goo'ne# an' are 'i*ene' by reigning grace# that of election

'eer+e'!y c!aim or firt regar' t wa in the 'ecree of e!ection

that the grace of or infinite o+ereign 'i' firt a**ear# in

chooing hrit a the hea'# an' in him# a hi member# a!! that

ho!' e+er be a+e' 9!ection# therefore# i the firt !in" in thego!'en chain of or a!+ationC an' the corner-tone in the ama:ing

fabric of hman ha**ine

A F95EA5 i the former of ni+era! natre# the **orter an'

go+ernor of a!! wor!'2 an' a it i no# conitent with the

*erfection of an infinite Agent# to act withot the highet an'

nob!et 'eign2 o the a'ore' reator# before he im*arte'

eitence# or time commence'# *ro*oe' an' a**ointe' an en'worthy of hime!f# in a!! he 'etermine' to 'o Thi wa hi own

g!ory Thi wa hi gran' 'eign in a!! the +ario ran" of

eitence to which hi a!mighty fiat ga+e birth .ot a ing!e

creatre in the +at ca!e of 'e*en'ent being# bt i connecte'

with thi a it !timate en' The !oftiet era*h that rron' the

throne# an' the meanet inect that craw! in the 't# ha+e the

ame origina! /arent# an' are 'eigne'# in 'ifferent way# to

anwer the ame ea!te' en' To 'eny thi# or to **oe that themot *erfect Agent 'i' not act for the mot worthy *r*oe# i

high!y 'erogatory to the 'ignity of the ;irt ae

.ob!y con*ico# among the +ario or'er of animate an'

inanimate eitence in thi !ower creation# wa man# when firt

forme' an' recent from the han' of hi &a"er &an# therefore# a

bearing the !i+e!y im*re of hi great reator image2 *oeing

ch e!e+ate' fac!tie an' !arge ca*acitie for o*eration an'enoyment2 wa 'eigne'# in a *ec!iar manner# to anwer thi

highet of a!! *r*oe .or wa the entrance of in b+eri+e of

the gran' 'eign# bt ma'e ber+ient to it in +ario way t



wa im*oib!e ch an e+ent ho!' bring confion into that

t*en'o *!an of 'i+ine o*eration which conmmate wi'om

ha' forme' ;or# kno/n to the omnicient 'od, are all his /orks,

and all events, fro! the beginning of the /orld A!! that icom*rehen'e' in what men ca!! contingent, i abo!te certainty

with 5im who i *erfect in "now!e'ge The entrance of in#

therefore# among mora! agent# whether ange! or men# co!' not

*oib!y frtrate F95EA5 *r*oe# or ren'er hi origina!

'eign aborti+e The counsel of the Lord shall stand, and he /ill

do all his pleasure 3 Thogh the entrance of mora! e+i! among

man"in' wa an awf! e+ent2 thogh A'am# an' e+ery in'i+i'a!

of hi nmero off*ring were contaminate'# inre'# an' rine' by it2 yet it a**ear from 'i+ine re+e!ation# that 5e /ho declares

the end fro! the beginning, not on!y foreaw it# bt from eternity

'etermine' to 'i*!ay hi *erfection an' *romote hi g!ory by it

5i 'etermination wa# to g!orify hime!f in the com*!ete

a!+ation an' en'!e fe!icity of ome of the a*otate race# an' in

the righteo con'emnation of otherC o that a re+ene of g!ory

ha!! arie to the great *reme from a!! man"in' Thi g!ory ha!!

arie# a we!! from that haghty 9gy*tian monarch# whorenonce' Go' 'ominion an' ai'C *ho is F95EA5 that .

should obey hi!6 a from the "ing of rae!# whoe ea!te'

character i# " !an after 'ods o/n heart A we!! from a

traitoro F'a# who o!' hi &ater b!oo'2 a from a faithf!

/a!# who conte' not hi +ery !ife 'ear# o that he might finih

hi core with oy# an' *romote the a+ior honor Thee ha!!

be the monment of o+ereign grace2 thoe# of righteo

+engeance# an' both for the g!ory of Go' to a!! eternity .or i anything more agreeab!e to right reaon# or the acre' cri*tre# than

to conc!'e# That a F95EA5 i the firt ae# o he ho!' be

the !at 9n'2 an' that he ho!' be at the mot *erfect !iberty to

'i*oe of hi offen'ing creatre in what way he *!eae# for hi

own g!ory To 'i*te thi# i to 'eny hi 'i+ine *remacy# an'#

with /haraoh# to renonce hi eterna! 'ominion

ch being the fina! cae of the creation in genera!# an' ofman"in' in *artic!ar# that o+ereign Being who ha an abo!te

right to 'o what he wi!! with hi own ha+ing 'etermine' to create

man an' to !ea+e him to the free'om of hi own wi!!# foreeeing





repliest against 'od6 3 t frther teache# that a nmerite'

"in'ne an' o+ereign fa+or began the wor" of a!+ationC o the

ame grace mt carry it on an' com*!ete the +at 'eignC whi!e

the &ot 5igh# e+er ea!o of hi honor# i 'etermine' to ha+ea!! the g!ory ther reaon might be mentione'2 bt thee may

ffice to how# that the *irit of in'e*en'ence which i natra! to

man# an' reign in the nregenerate# mt be fire' with

reentment by ch an attac" *on it 5ence the few +otarie of

thi n*o*!ar 'octrine mt e*ect re*roach an' ri'ic!e# if not

omething more e+ere# to atten' the *rofeion of a tenet o

n*o!ite

t i not# howe+er# my *reent 'eign# to enter *on a !abore'

'efence of thi offeni+e 'octrine ha!! !ea+e that to the frien'

of trth# who ha+e more !eire an' greater abi!itie Thi# in'ee'#

ha been a!rea'y often *erforme' with great a'+antage to the

chrch of Go' ha!!# therefore# content mye!f with ta"ing a

hort +iew of the *rinci*a! branche of thi artic!e of the hritian

faith2 with *ro*oing a few argment# which a**ear to me *!ain

an' *ertinent in +in'ication of it2 an' with *ointing ot it *ro*erim*ro+ement

That thoe who in the +o!me of in*iration are ca!!e' the elect,

are a *eo*!e 'itingihe' from other# an' that a!! man"in' are

not inc!'e' n'er thi 'enomination2 are o a**arent a har'!y to

nee' any *roof Thee thing are o ob+io# from the a!!owe'

ignification of the term# an' the tenor of 'i+ine re+e!ation# a to

!ea+e no room for 'i*te ;rom the signification of the ter!3Becae where a!!# whether *eron or thing# are ea!!y

acce*te'# there i no *reference gi+en2 there i no choice ma'e2

there are none !eft ;or to elect an' to choose, are the ame thing

,here any are choen# other mt be refe' ;rom the tenor of

divine revelation3 A it i written2 *ea" not of yo a!!2 "now

whom ha+e choen ha+e choen yo ot of the wor!'The

e!ection hath obtaine' it# an' the ret were b!in'e'

That thoe who are o 'enominate' are not co!!ecti+e bo'ie#

a**ear with *erior e+i'ence from what i aerte' concerning

them# in the ame infa!!ib!e r!e of or faith an' *ractice They are





.or 'oe it a**ear that the 'eign of Go' in the a!+ation of

inner# by the incarnation an' 'eath of hi own on# co!' ha+e

been certain!y anwere' on any other hy*othei **oing# for

intance# that it ha' been the 'i+ine *r*oe to a+e# by theme'iation of Fe# a!! who ho!' e+er be!ie+e2 withot

acertaining the *eron who ho!' th embrace the Re'eemer#

it wo!' ha+e remaine' 'bio whether any wo!' be fina!!y

a+e'2 becae ncertain whether any wo!' e+er be!ie+e Bt if it

were certain that ome wo!' be!ie+e# thi certainty mt arie

from the *r*oe of Go'2 for# on any other fon'ation# nothing

ftre can be abo!te!y certain f it wa 'etermine' that ome

ho!' be!ie+e# the 'i+ine a**ointment mt be coni'ere' aeten'ing to e+ery in'i+i'a! whoe faith an' a!+ation are

**oe' to be certain ;or faith i a gift of grace# an' co!' not

be foreeen in any bt thee on whom the great $i*ener of e+ery

fa+or ha' 'etermine' to betow it 5ence we may afe!y infer#

that a the 'eath of hrit wa abo!te!y certain# in +irte of a

'i+ine *r*oe# an' the e+er!ating com*act between the 9terna!

Three2 o a!! the in'i+i'a! that ho!' e+er be a+e' by the

n'erta"ing of Fe# were choen of Go'2 were 'itingihe'from other# an' conigne' to the great he*her' a hi *ec!iar

charge

t i ea!!y c!ear that the e!ect were choen of Go' before time

began2 for their e!ection i one of the firt effect of 'i+ine !o+e

Thi !o+e wa from e+er!ating The !o+e of Go' to their *eron#

an' their e!ection to com*!ete fe!icity# mt# therefore# be eterna!

f# in'ee'# there ha' e+er been a *oint in 'ration# in which the b!ee' Go' ha' no thoght of a &e'iator# nor any 'eign of

manifeting hi !o+e to mierab!e an' gi!ty creatre2 then it

might be **oe' that there wa an intant in which the fa+ore'

few# who are ca!!e' his elect, were not the obect of hi choice2

bt if it wa Feho+ah eterna! *r*oe to manifet the riche of hi

grace by a &e'iator2 if the $eity# biting in three 'itinct

/eron# an' acting n'er the *erona! character of the ;AT59R#

the .# an' the 5>D /RT# 'i'# before a!! wor!'# reo!+eon the meare to be *re'2 an' if a &e'iator wa a**ointe'#

a the gran' me'im of 'i+ine o*eration in the won'erf! wor"2

then we may afe!y conc!'e# that the *eron to be interete' in



thi me'iation an' benefite' by it# were fie' *on an' choen

;or both reaon an' re+e!ation concr to forbi' or **oing#

that the on of the b!ee' ho!' engage a &e'iator# an' act a a

btitte# for he 'i' not "now whom2 or that the cone! of5ea+en ho!' terminate in mere *era'+entre t wo!' be

ea!!y incongro for to imagine# that a reo!tion in the

9terna! &in' concerning the wor" of re'em*tion# which i

e+i'ent!y rite chief of a!! the way of Go'# ho!' ha+e any other

'ate than eternity

9*re!y in or fa+or an' in *roof of the *oint are the

'ec!aration of the 5o!y Ghot Th we rea'2 'od hath, fro! thebeginning, chosen you to salvation 3 He hath chosen us in hi!

before the foundation of the /orld They were choen in hrit a

their hea' an' re*reentati+e hrit an' the e!ect contitte one

mytica! bo'y 5e the hea'# an' they the member2 the fulness of

hi! that filleth all in all 4efore the foundation of the /or! Thi

em*hatica! *hrae i e+i'ent!y e*rei+e of eternity Before the

wor!' wa forme'# or any creatre eite'# time 'i' not

commence The commencement of time# an' that of create'eitence# are eact!y of the ame 'ate /rior# therefore# to the

formation of the ni+ere# 'ration wa abo!te eternity The

ame infa!!ib!e writer in the ame e*it!e# *ea"ing of the ama:ing

cheme of man re'em*tion forme' in the min' of Go'# ca!! it

the 9T9R.A> /HR/9# /hich he purposed in Christ Jesus our

Lord) which# a we ha+e before *ro+e'# neceari!y infer the

choice of the obect of that re'em*tion

Thi trth may be farther e+ince' by coni'ering# that a the

inheritance of g!ory wa *re*are' for it ftre *oeor# before

the fon'ation of the wor!'2 o grace, an' a!! *irita! b!eing

that were neceary to fit them for the enoyment of it# were given

the! in Christ Jesus) were !o'ge' in hi han'# a their fe'era!

hea'# a the a**ointe' &e'iator# an' for their e# before the

/orld began (% Tim i 9*h i 3# 4) .or can we concei+e of

any new 'etermination ariing in the 9terna! &in'# or any *r*oe forme' by or &a"er# that were not from e+er!ating#

withot **oing him 'efecti+e in "now!e'ge# or mtab!e in hi



*erfection **oition thee# which +ery i!! become the

character of 5im whoe name i F95EA5

Bt i there any reaon aignab!e# why the e!ect were choen to

!ife an' g!ory# whi!e other were !eft in their in to *erih n'er

the tro"e of 'i+ine ticeI .one# in the creatre ;or a!!

man"in'# coni'ere' in theme!+e# were +iewe' a in the ame

itation# an' on a *erfect !e+e! .otwithtan'ing# the great

Athor of a!! thing an' >or' of the wor!' con'ecen' to aign

the reaon when he ay2 . /ill have !ercy on /ho! . /ill have

!ercy n thi the a'ore' Re'eemer *erfect!y aciece'# a

a**ear from thoe remar"ab!e wor'2 Even so, -ather, for so it see!ed good in thy sight n thi the *enetrating 'gment of that

won'erf! man# who wa caght * to the thir' hea+en# rete'

com*!ete!y atifie'C (Rom i 1<# 16) an' in the ame reaon of

the 'i+ine *roce're we oght a!! to ret# withot a mrmring

wor'# or an o**oing thoght .or can we rebe! againt the

o+ereign 'etermination of the &ot 5igh# withot incrring

f!agrant gi!t2 or *erit in o 'oing# an' eca*e with im*nity

Bt **oing there wa no origina! 'ifference between the

obect of 'itingihing grace# an' thoe who fina!!y *erih2 yet#

'i' not the mnicient foresee them a *oee' of faith# fritf!

in ho!y obe'ience# an' *ere+ering to the en'I an' were not thee

coni'ere' by a righteo Go' a the cae why he choe them

rather than other who were +iewe' a 'etitte of ch

recommen'ationI By no mean ;or grace reigns in the choice of

a!! the e!ect2 an' grace# a a o+ereign# reect with 'i'ain e+erych *ro' *retence to a c!aim *on her he ne+er affor' her

mi!e to any becae they are worthy he ennob!e none becae

they are better than other o to 'o wo!' he ite inconitent

with her amiab!e character2 wo!' be tter!y b+eri+e of her

gran' 'eign ,here+er he betow her "in' regar'# it i with

the con'ecenion of an abo!te o+ereign ,here+er he

inter*oe her he!*ing han'# it i on the beha!f of thoe who ha+e

no other aitance# nor any other *!ea Bt# a a frther *roof ofmy negati+e# wo!' offer the fo!!owing argment



;aith in hrit an' ho!y obe'ience are re*reente' by the nerring

*irit a the frit an' effect of e!ectionC they cannot# therefore#

be coni'ere' a the cae withot abr'ity in reaon# an' a

contra'iction to 'i+ine re+e!ation ;or it i written2 "s !any as/ere ordained to eternal life, believe3He hath chosen us3that /e

!ight be holy They be!ie+e' becae they were ordained to

eternal life) not or'aine' to eterna! !ife# becae it wa foreeen

they wo!' be!ie+e They were choen# not becae they were# or

e+er wo!' be ho!y2 bt that they might be o (Act iii48 9*h

i 4) Thoe# an' thoe on!y# *arta"e of faith# who are ca!!e' by

'i+ine graceC bt ch on!y are ca!!e' to faith an' ho!ine# who

were *re'etinate' to be conforme' to the image of hrit ;or/ho! he did predestinate the! he also called (Rom +iii 30)

AgainC The choen of Go' are the hee* of hrit .one bt thoe

who are o 'enominate' be!ie+e on him# accor'ing to hi own

'ec!aration2 7e believe not, because ye are not of !y sheep (Fohn

%6) By which we are taght# that be!ie+ing in him 'oe not

!ake hee*# or gi+e a right to the character2 bt i an

e+i'ence that we were o coni'ere' in the ight of Go'# an'

gi+en into the han' of the great he*her' to be a+e' by himnce moreC Go' hath called us /ith an holy calling, not

according to, not in coni'eration of our /orks, whether *at or

ftre2 but according to his o/n purpose and grace, /hich he

purposed in Christ Jesus before the /orld began (% Tim i ) f#

then# we are not ca!!e' accor'ing to or wor" or worthine# bt

accor'ing to the e+er!ating *r*oe# an' free 'itingihing grace

of 5im who /orketh all things after the counsel of his o/n /ill)

mch !e i it to be **oe'# that we were choen accor'ing tothem# or in any foreight of them

To i!!trate the trth an' confirm the argment# it may be frther

ober+e'# that faith an' ho!ine# in the metho' of grace# occ*y a

mi''!e tation They are neither the fon'ation# nor the to*tone#

in the *irita! bi!'ing Thogh ine*arab!y connecte' with

e!ection# they are neither it cae nor it conmmation That i

o+ereign grace2 this infinite g!ory ;aith an' ho!ine are# a oneober+e# what ta!" an' branche are to a root2 by which the

+egetab!e ice acen'# to *ro'ce an' ri*en the *rinci*a! frit

4y grace ye are saved T5RHG5 faith3chosen to salvation



T5RHG5 sanctification of the (pirit and belief of the truth

oneent!y# they are no more the cae of e!ection# than the

mean neceary to attain any +a!ab!e en' are the cae of

a**ointing that en'2 than which nothing can be **oe' moreabr' Bei'e# if men were foreeen a *oee' of faith an'

ho!ine# *rior to their e!ection# an' in'e*en'ent on itC it i har' to

concei+e what occaion there wa for their being e!ecte' There

co!' be no neceity for it to ecre their fina! ha**ine ;or the

F'ge of a!! the earth mt 'o rightC an' eterna! miery wa ne+er

'eigne' to be the *ortion of any who be!ie+e an' are ho!y2 for

*eace an' a!+ation are ine*arab!y oine' to ch a tate# an' to

ch character To ha+e or'aine' thoe to ha**ine an' g!orythat were foreeen to be th a!ifie'# wo!'# therefore# ha+e

been a!together nneceary

;rtherC 9!ection 'e*en' on the mere goo' *!eare of Go'#

withot any moti+e in to inf!ence the $i+ine wi!! .o other

cae i aigne' by /a!# when tating an' 'efen'ing the

'octrine2 no other reaon i gi+en by hi $i+ine &ater The

former aert# that the =ing immorta! predestinated us3accordingto the good pleasure of his /ill That it is not of hi! that /illeth,

nor of hi! that runneth, but of 'od that sho/eth !ercy Therefore

hath he !ercy on /ho! he /ill An' the !atter with oy 'ec!are2 .

thank thee, O -ather, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast

hid these things fro! the /ise and prudent, and hast revealed

the! unto babes Even so, -ather, for so it see!ed good in thy

sight That re+e!ation which i here 'eigne'# i no other than the

e%ecution of the $i+ine *r*oe in e!ection An' the on!y reaonaigne' by 5im who i the ,i'om of Go'# an' *erfect!y

acainte' with the cone! of hea+en# why the myterie of the

go*e! are re+ea!e' to ome2 whi!e other# of *erior abi!itie an'

greater re*tation among their fe!!ow-creatre# are !eft in

abo!te ignorance# an' ffere' to o**oe them to their

aggra+ate' rin2 i the o+ereign *!eare of 5im who giveth no

account of any of his !atters

&ch to or *r*oe are the wor' of /a!# when *rofee'!y

'efen'ing the 'octrine of 'i+ine e!ection The children being not

yet born, an'# coneent!y# neither having done any good or evil,



to obtain the a**robation or to *ro+o"e the reentment of their

reator2 that the purpose of 'od according to election !ight

stand) not of /orks, or worthine in the obect of it# but of the

grace of hi! that calleth8 it /as said concerning a Facob an'9a# a an intance of the 'i+ine *roce're towar' man"in' in

genera!# a an e+i'ence of the trth of the 'octrine2 the elder shall

serve the younger An' againC There is a re!nant according to the

election of grace Thi aertion the acre' 'i*tant *rocee' to

confirm by the fo!!owing ner+o argmentan argment ta"en

from the natre of grace# a contra'itingihe' to a!! wor" an'

worthine of e+ery "in' "nd if by grace, then it is no !ore of

/orks) other/ise grace is no !ore grace 4ut if it be of /orks,then it is no !ore grace) other/ise /ork is no !ore /ork n thi

*aage the trth n'er coni'eration i aerte' in the *!ainet

manner# an' confirme' by the tronget reaoning o that if any

bmiion of 'gment an' concience be 'e to the *oiti+e

'ictate of the infa!!ib!e *irit2 if any regar' oght to be *ai' to a

'emontrati+e argment rge' by the >or' ambaa'or2 here

they are 'e# an' hero they oght to be *ai' ;or /a! teache an'

*ro+e# that or e!ection to eterna! g!ory mt be either entire!y ofgrace# or entire!y of wor"2 grace an' wor" being 'irect!y

o**oite They cannot# therefore# nite in *ro'cing the ame

effect# or in *romoting the ame en' ,hoe+er# then#

ac"now!e'ge any ch thing a an e!ection of inner to ftre

ha**ine# mt neceari!y maintain# either# that the o!e reaon

why they were choen rather than other# wa their own superior

/orthiness, withot grace being concerne' at a!! in the choice2 an'

o their e!ection i an act of remnerati+e tice2 or# that theywere e9ually un/orthy of the 'i+ine regar' any of thoe that

*erih2 an' o their e!ection i an act of o+ereign grace ne of

thee he mt ho!'# in o**oition to the other ;or if there be any

other a!ternati+e# the a*ot!e argment i inconc!i+e There i

no reconci!ing e*e'ient that can be 'e+ie' by the wit of man

,e may attem*t a coa!ition between wor" an' grace# bt it wi!!

be fon' im*racticab!e2 whi!e# in o 'oing# or *ri'e an' fo!!y wi!!

be great# an' or 'ia**ointment certain ;or ch an attem*t

wo!' not on!y bring the greatet confion into a!! or i'ea

abot wor" an' grace2 bt# a far a *oib!e# 'etroy the +ery

thing theme!+eJ ch *eron a maintain the contrary



hy*othei# may# to a+e a**earance# say, that e!ection i of

grace2 bt if it be on a foreight of faith an' obe'ience# there i in

rea!ity nothing of grace in itC for grace i free favour n thi

**oition# e!ection i no other than an appoint!ent of a re/ardto its ob1ects, on a foresight of the re9uisite conditions being

prescribed, and perfor!ed by the! Bt# a ch# it i an act of

remnerati+e tice2 or# at !eat# of fi'e!ity an' trth2 an' cannot#

withot o*en +io!ence to the common ignification of the term#

be 'enominate' an act of mere fa+or# or of *re bene+o!ence

That it i the 'eign of /a!# when 'ecribing the bect in hi

e*it!e to the Roman# to ec!'e a!! coni'eration of hmanworthine# an' to reo!+e the e!ection of thoe who are a+e'

entire!y into the grace of Go'# a infinite!y free an' 'i+ine!y

o+ereign# a**ear from thoe obection to which he re*!ie ;or

the obection ma'e# an' the anwer retrne'# are of ch a

natre a wo!' a**ear ite im*ertinent# an' withot the !eat

ha'ow of reaon to **ort them# on **oition that Go'# when

he choe hi *eo*!e# ha' any regar' to their *erior worthine#

in com*arion thoe who *erih The obection **oe that the'i+ine con'ct in thi affair i ineitab!e Bt ch a **oition

co!' not ha+e been ma'e# ch a charge co!' ne+er ha+e been

!ai' againt it# by any man of ene# or of the !eat ref!ection# if the

A!mighty# in the 'ecree of e!ection# ha' *rocee'e' to 'itingih

between one man an' another# accor'ing to their *erona!

a!itie an' mora! worth

The infa!!ib!e writer ha+ing treate' abot Go' 'itingihing!o+e to Facob an' hi reection of 9a# tart an obection againt

the tenor of hi arging an' the trth he maintaine'2 an obection#

he "new# that wa both *!aib!e an' common *hat shall /e say,

then6 what wi!! be inferre' a the neceary coneence of or

foregoing aertionI ,i!! any one 'are to conc!'e that there is

unrighteousness /ith 'od, becae he 'i*ene# or withho!' hi

fa+or# accor'ing to hi own o+ereign *!eareI -ar be it5 ch

a coneence wi!! be he!' in the tmot abhorrence# by a!! whore+ere their &a"er The a*ot!e ha+ing reecte' the hoc"ing

inference# in the tronget manner# *rocee' to confirm hi

aertion an' to *ro+e hi 'octrine Thi he 'oe by a**ea!ing to



the ancient cri*tre -or He, whoe name i F95EA5# saith to

0oses) . /ill have !ercy on /ho! . /ill have !ercy, and . /ill

have co!passion on /ho! . /ill have co!passion ;rom which

memorab!e an' ancient orac!e# he infer the fo!!owing conc!ionC(o, then, it is not of hi! that /illeth, nor of hi! that runneth, but

of 'od that sho/eth !ercy 5ence it a**ear with tri"ing

e+i'ence# that it wa /a! 'eign to *ro+e# not on!y that ome of

the fa!!en race were choen# in contra'itinction to other2 bt

a!o# that thoe obect of the $i+ine choice were a**ointe' to

g!ory# not in coni'eration of any thing which cae' them to

'iffer from other2 bt *re!y# o!e!y# entire!y# becae it wa the

goo' *!eare of Go' to ma"e them *arta"er of that mercy onwhich they ha' not the !eat c!aim# any more than thoe who

*erih ;or# on a **oition of the contrary# it 'oe not a**ear

that hi otation from the writing of &oe# an' the conc!ion

he form *on it# were at a!! to hi *r*oe2 bt rather a'a*te' to

mi!ea' hi rea'er# an' to bia hi 'gment in fa+or of error

The :ea!o an' in'efatigab!e teacher of hea+en!y trth# in

*roecting hi bect# meet with another obection which he iea!!y caref! to ob+iate ;or# after ha+ing aerte' that Feho+ah

ha !ercy on /ho! he /ill, and /ho! he /ill, he hardeneth, it is

added) Thou /ilt say then unto !e, *hy doth he yet find fault with

any of hi creatre# or b!ame their con'ctI for /ho hath resisted

his /ill, or ren'ere' hi *r*oe +oi'I Thi obection ehibit a

faithf! mirror# in which e+ery o**oer of 'i+ine o+ereignty may

ee hi face an' rea' hi character The mot horri' an' hoc"ing

coneence that are now charge' on the 'octrine of eterna!#ncon'itiona!# an' *erona! e!ection# are here inc!'e' an'

re'ce' to a ma!! com*a Thi obection# in mo'em ty!e# rea'

thC @Accor'ing to the a!+initic 'octrine of e!ection# men are

mere machine They are im*e!!e' to thi or that by a fata!

neceity They are no !onger the *ro*er obect of *raie or

b!ame# of rewar' or *nihment A'ie# therefore# to e+ery

+irto action an' a!! *raieworthy 'ee' ,hether we be

righteo or wic"e'# here2 whether we be a+e' or 'amne'#hereafter2 an arbitrary wi!!# an' a o+ereign# omni*otent 'ecree are

the cae of a!!@ ch *eron# howe+er# a are inc!ine' to re*eat

the ta!e obection# may 'o we!! to coni'er# in what manner the



a*ot!e refte it2 an' how he treat the *ro' o**oer of the

o+ereign *rerogati+e of the great *reme The obection i

!e+e!!e' againt the o+ereignty of Go'# in ma"ing ch an

immene 'itinction between *eron ea!!y nworthy of $i+inec!emency Bt# thogh bo!' an' b!a*hemo to the !at 'egree#

the nerring teacher 'oe not refte# or attem*t to remo+e it# by

informing the obector# that it wa not hi 'eign# by the

imme'iate!y foregoing aertion# to affirm# that the o!e cae of

that infinite 'ifference which ha!! bit to eternity between the

tate of one man an' of another# ea!!y gi!ty an' a!i"e

mierab!e# coni'ere' in theme!+e# wa the o+ereign *!eare

of Go' .o2 he i far from gi+ing any ch hint2 bt imme'iate!yrecr to the supre!e do!inion of 5im who forme' the ni+ere#

a a c!ear coni'eration of fficient im*ortance# an' fficient!y

c!ear# to etab!ih the *oint o far from oftening hi former

aertion# howe+er harh they might eem# that he at once

confirm the trth he aerte'# an' i!!trate the *ro*riety of hi

!angage n 'oing of which he gget# that the obection# horri'

a it i# cannot ha+e the !eat force# or *ertinency of a**!ication#

ece*t it were *ro+e' that the &aety of hea+en ha' not anabo!te right to 'i*ene hi fa+or t a he *!eae Bt thi

the reo!te aerter of Feho+ah honor wa not wi!!ing to grant

Thi he co!' by no mean a!!ow# withot denying the 'od that is

above 5e# therefore# bo!'!y re*e! the confi'ence of the *ro'

obector# by a trong ec!amation# an' a mortifying ery 2ay,

but, O !an . /ho art THO+ that repliest against 'od6 ha!! a

worm of the earth# an inect# an atom# arraign hi con'ct who i

>or' of the ni+ere# an' *rononce it nrighteoI ha!!im*otence an' 't f!y in the face of mni*otenceI ha!!

corr*tion an' gi!t *recribe ro!e of eity# by which the &ot

5o!y ha!! reg!ate hi beha+ior towar' the rebe!!io bect of

hi bon'!e em*ireI ;ar be it *o to hi! that striveth /ith his

0aker5 Let the potsherd strive /ith the potsherds of the earth) bt

!et not the 'e*icab!e fragment *reme to ma"e war *on

5ea+en2 !et $i+ine wrath# !i"e a 'e+oring fire# brea" ot an'

conme it

The :ea!o an' catio 'i*tant ha+ing e+ere!y reb"e' the

o**oer fo!!y an' arrogance# *rocee' to confirm hi aertion#





con'ct of a Tr"ih 'e*ot2 not the a**ointment of 5im that

go+ern the wor!'

The !o+e of Go' to hi offen'ing creatre mt be coni'ere'# in

the who!e of it eercie# a-n'er the 'irection of hi $i+ine

n'ertan'ingC an' a hi bon'!e inte!!igence com*rehen' a!!

*oibi!itie# hi !o+e mt be conmmate!y wie in a!! it

o*eration The *reme *erfection of Feho+ah natre forbi'

or **oing# that he can 'ecree withot wi'om# any more than

go+ern withot rectit'e# or *nih withot tice 5ence the

a*ot!e# when 'icoring on that *rofon' bect# eterna!

*re'etination# conc!'e th2 O, the depths5 3 of whatI Anarbitrary wi!!# or an abo!te o+ereignty# 'etache' from wi'omI

far from it Bt of the riches both of the ,$& and

=.,>9$G9 of 'od5 To reo!+e thoe eterna! 'ecree# which

contitte the great *!an of /ro+i'ence# into the $i+ine wi!!#

'etache' from $i+ine wi'om2 i neither the 'octrine of cri*tre#

nor agreeab!e to on' reaoni to re*reent the *reme >or'

n'er the notion of an eatern tyrant# rather than to gi+e an i'ea of

G$# .>D ,9

f# then# we coni'er the A!mighty a chooing any of the fa!!en

race to !ife an' ha**ine# we beho!' him eerciing the mercy of

a co!passionate -ather, to hi mierab!e off*ring Bt if we

coni'er him a chooing thi *eron rather than that# when both

were ea!!y wretche'2 we +iew him a +ete' with the character

of a sovereign Lord, an' a the o!e *ro*rietor of hi own fa+or

f# therefore# the etion be a"e'2 ,hy any were choen toa!+ation# when a!! 'eer+e' to *erihI The anwer i2 Becae oar

&a"er i mercif! Bt if it be frther a"e'2 ,hy /a!# for

intance# wa choen rather than F'aI The anwer i2 Becae he

i >or' of a!!# an' ha an in'i*tab!e right to 'o what he wi!! with

hi own Bt if thi anwer wi!! not atify the crio inirer# he

i 'irecte' by the *irit of in*iration to a" the *otter# what wa

the reaon of hi +ery 'ifferent *roce're with the ame !m* of

c!ay2 an' why he forme' the +ee! into which it wa wroght#for ch 'ifferent an' o**oite eI The anwer wi!! rea'i!y

anwer# a 'irecte' by common ene2 @.ot any thing in the c!ay

ite!f2 bt my own 'e!iberate an' free choice ;or it wa of the



ame "in'# an' *oee' the ame a!itie throghot the who!e

maC nor co!' one *art 'ictate how it wo!' be forme'# or for

what e# any more than another@ Th the mot ignorant *otter#

withot heitation# wo!' aert a "in' of o+ereignty o+er hic!ay An' are not man"in' in the han' of Go'# a c!ay in the han'

of the *otterI r# ha!! Feho+ah o+ereignty o+er hi offen'ing

creatre# be inferior to that of a *ny morta! o+er *ai+e matterI

Reaon an' re+e!ation forbi' the thoght n e!ection# therefore#

we ha+e a tri"ing 'i*!ay of $i+ine grace in it tmot free-ne2

an' of Go' 'ominion in it highet o+ereignty f the former#

towar' the +ee! of mercy2 of the !atter# towar' a!! man"in'

That# we beho!' with a'miration an' oy2 thi# we re+ere ini!enceC we!! remembering who it i that ay2 B9 T>># A.$

=., T5AT A& G$

5a+ing hown# in the *rece'ing *aragra*h# that e!ection i an act

of o+ereign grace2 now *rocee' to coni'er the great end which

the *reme >or' inten'e' by it The !timate en' i hi own

eterna! g!ory2 an'# bor'inate to it# the com*!ete ha**ine of a!!

hi *eo*!e The g!ory of the *reme Being i# a before ober+e'#the fina! cae of a!! the eterna! cone!# an' of a!! $i+ine

o*eration2 e*ecia!!y of thoe# which re*ect the a!+ation of

inner They were a!! 'eigne' for the /RA9 ; 5

G>RH GRA9

Too rea'y we are to imagine# that the *r*oe an' *!eare of Go'

terminate in the ha**ine of thoe that are choen# an' in the

miery of thoe reecte'2 a thogh the eterna! fe!icity# an' thee+er!ating torment of inf! creatre# were the fina! cae of the

$i+ine 'ecree Bt thi i a great mita"e# an' re*reent the

'octrine of *re'etination in a +ery fa!e# a we!! a nfa+orab!e

!ight ;or a it wo!' be *regnant with b!a*hemy to **oe# that

5e who i *reme!y b!ee' an' *reme!y goo'# ho!' ta"e

'e!ight in the infinite miery of a rationa! being# withot reference

to a frther an' nob!er en'2 (t i in'ee' ai'# wi!! !agh at yor

ca!amity2 wi!! moc" when yor fear cometh Bt then# a the!earne' ETR.GA ober+e2 @Ko' 'e $eo anthro*o*atho

'ictm inte!!igi 'ebet2 non +ere# ac i eitim homini mieri et

tititia a +o!ntaria *erenti# $eo 'e!ectationem a'ferat2 e'







*ower# a if he were not able to eecte hi own 'eignC neither

of which can *oib!y atten' that infinite Being# whoe wi!! i

fate# an' whoe wor' i the bai of the ni+ere f Go' were to

change hi min'# it mt be either for the better# or for the woref for the better# he wa not *erfect!y wie in hi former *r*oe

f for the wore# he i not wie in hi *reent reo!+e ;or there can

be no a!teration withot a tacit ref!ection# either on the *at# or on

the *reent 'etermination f a man change hi reo!tion# he i

a**reheni+e of ome 'efect in hi former *r*oe# which mo+e

him to ch a changeC an' thi mt arie# either from a want of

ca*acity to foreee# or from not '!y coni'ering the obect of hi

cone! Bt neither of thee can be **oe' of 5im who i*reme!y wie withot 'enying hi $eity A change of *r*oe

may# in'ee'# be an act of wi'om in the rationa! creatre2 bt it

**oe fo!!y in hi former con'ct# which i inconitent with

conmmate *erfection The only /ise Go' ha' no occaion for

econ' thoght A he i wie to *erfection# he ee no cae of

re+ering hi *r*oe A he i bon'!e in *ower# he i bect

to no contro! in eecting hi wi!!# or in ma"ing hi *eo*!e

*arta"er of thoe b!eing he 'eigne' for them To **oe#therefore# that any who were choen to eterna! g!ory ho!' fina!!y

fai! of enoying it# i an imagination abr'!y im*io2 a it

gget a charge of *a!*ab!e im*erfection againt F95EA5#

an' wo!' ma"e him altogether such an one as ourselves

That e!ection i infa!!ib!y connecte' with eterna! ha**ine#

a**ear from the fo!!owing remar"ab!e *aageC ,hom he 'i'

*re'etinate# them he a!o ca!!e'2 an' whom he ca!!e'# them hea!o tifie'2 an' whom he tifie'# them he a!o g!orifie' ,hat

ha!! we then ay to thee thingI f Go' be for # who can be

againt I f the *r*oe of Go' in e!ection be not immtab!e2 or

if the obect of it might *oib!y fai! of the g!orio en'2 there

wo!' be no certain conneion between the e+era! b!eing that

are here mentione' n ch a **oition# to arge# a the a*ot!e

'oe# from the *at e!ection of any *eron# to their ftre

g!orification# wo!' be ecee'ing!y wea"# an' the inference agro inconeence .or wo!' there ha+e been any *ro*riety in

hi oyf! ec!amation2 ,hat ha!! we then ay to thee thingI

nor any o!i' fon'ation for thi bo!' conc!ion2 f Go' be for #





,here thee ha+e no eitence# the mot eteni+e ron' of

'tie# the mot cot!y an' hining *erformance# are of no eteem

in the ight of Go'

Thi 'octrine i a'a*te' to *romote genuine hu!ility ;or it how

that a!! man"in'# in their natra! tate# are ea!!y obnoio to

wrath an' e*oe' to rin2 an'# ec!i+e of that grace which

a**ear an' reign in e!ection# that their con'ition i abo!te!y

'e*erate t a!!ow not the !eat !iberty for any of the on of men

to c!aim *erior worth# or to g!ory o+er their fe!!ow ,hen e!f-

a'miring thoght arie in the hritian breat# it to* them

hort with nee'f! an' har* reb"e2 *ho !aketh thee to differ6and /hat hast thou that thou didst not receive6 2o/ if thou didst

receive it, /hy dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it6

Thoe therefore# who are the fa+ore' obect of 'itingihing

!o+e# an' who !oo" for a!+ation by it2 'ico+ering that their

*eron are a!i"e inf! an' their tate ea!!y wretche'#

coni'ere' in theme!+e a the *eron or tate of thoe that

fina!!y *erih2 cannot# accor'ing to the geni of thi 'octrine# bt

!ie !aw in hmi!ity before Go' Being f!!y con+ince' that theeterna! choice of their *eron wa not on accont of the !eat

*oib!e 'ifference between theme!+e an' other2 an' that the

who!e reaon of their ho*e centre in that grace which might ha+e

been manifete' to other# ha' the great o+ereign o 'etermine'2

they are at a!! time free to ac"now!e'ge# that the chief of inner#

an' the mot worth!e obect# are their *ro*er character The

inf!ence of thi hmb!ing trth they fee! in their concience# an'

their ar'ent 'eire i to e*re it in their !i+e

>et atten' the be!ie+er in hi ecret retirementC !et beho!'

him on hi ben'e' "nee# an' hear him *oring ot hi o! ,

Go' n hi intercore with 5ea+en# at the throne of grace# hi

!angage wi!! be to the fo!!owing im*ort @Tho GR9AT

H/R9&9# who art g!orio in ho!ine# an' the infinite

o+ereign of a!! wor!'2 who hmb!et thye!f to beho!' the thing

that are in the highet hea+en2 whoe con'ecenion in*ea"ab!y great# in 'eigning to regar' the *eron or er+ice of

the mot ho!y an' ea!te' creatre2 'i't tho coni'er !e in my

!ow etate# a a fa!!en creatre an' a mierab!e innerI $i' thy



e+er!ating !o+e fi on !e a it obect# when might# with the

greatet eity# ha+e been mar"e' ot a a +ictim for eterna!

ticeI not my *eron *o!!te'# an' my tate by natre

'amnab!eI ,a not my origina! 'e*ra+ity a great# an' are not myacta! trangreion a nmero a any which can be fon'

among the a*otate on of A'amI An' hat tho 'etermine' to

ma"e me an e+er!ating monment of *aring mercy# whi!e

mi!!ion are !eft to ffer the awf! 'eert of their crimeI .othing

in me co!'t tho beho!'# bt a hoc"ing com*on' of im*rity

an' fo!!y# of gi!t an' wretche'ne .othing in my con'ct

co!'t tho foreee# bat what wa a'a*te' to *ro+o"e thy

abhorrence# rather than to obtain thy regar' # tho maeticBeing why ch mercy to a har'ene' rebe!I why ch !o+e to an

in+eterate enemyI b!ige' am# in the cort of concience# to

*!ea' gi!ty to the com*!icate' charge which thy own righteo

!aw ehibit againt me &oti+e# or cae# of thy ten'er regar'#

can fin' none in mye!f Thy own o+ereign wi!!# thy own free

*!eare2 thee are the on!y cae why mercy i manifete' to me#

of inner the +i!et ;or ho!' a wretch who i now in he!!

a'+ance a c!aim on thy fa+or# gron'e' on hi own worthine# mt ac"now!e'ge it a we!! fon'e' a any to which can

*reten' $ride5 tho mot 'etetab!e of a!! tem*er# fore+er 'e*art

from my breat Hu!ility5 tho fairet f!ower of hea+en!y origin#

tho brightet ornament of the hritian character2 be tho my

contant com*anion2 be tho the !i+ery in which ha!! a!way

a**ear ha!! a micreant# who might ha+e been t!y 'oome' to

'amnation2 ha!! a worth!e worm# that i beho!'en to grace for

hi a!!# entertain a*iring thoght# or aert hi own im*ortancea we!! might >cifer hime!f cha!!enge a eat in *ara'ie # my

Go'# !et me bt +iew thy e!ecting !o+e in a!! it freene# an' thy

'itingihing fa+or in a!! it o+ereignty# an' ha!! be tr!y

hmb!e Then ha!! my o! !ie !ow in the 't# an' reigning grace

ha!! ha+e the g!ory of a!! my a!+ation ,hate+er b!eing now

*oe# whate+er enoyment hereafter e*ect# free!y

ac"now!e'ge the nri+a!!e' honor be!ong to Thee@

.or i the 'octrine maintaine' !e a'a*te' to inf!ame the heart

with acre' love Love is of 'od) he, therefore, /ho d/ells in

love, d/ells in 'od, and 'od in hi! $i't Tho# who nee'et not



the er+ice of ange!2 who art infinite!y *erfect an' infinite!y

ha**y in thy own eterna! e!f#@ wi!! the e!ect an' regenerate o!

ay# @'i't T5H entertain thoght of !o+e towar' me# before

the fon'ation of the wor!' were !ai'I $i' thy *r*oe ofcommnicating b!i terminate on a worm o mean# on a wretch

o +i!eI Ho/ precious are thy thoughts unto !e, O 'od5 ho/

great is the su! of the!5 $i't tho recor' my worth!e name in

the boo" of !ife# an' contitte me a member of that mytica! bo'y

of which hrit i the hea'I ,ere my *eron an' a!! my immorta!

interet conigne' o+er# by an irre+erib!e grant# into the han' of

thy on!y on# a the a**ointe' &e'iator in or'er to ecre my

eterna! ha**ine beyon' the *oibi!ity of a fai!reI $i't tho#my Go'# in the origina! *!an of a!+ation# *ro+i'e for the honor

of thy tice# a we!! a the g!ory of thy grace# by a**ointing a

rety to *erform the obe'ience to which am bon'# a a

creatre2 an' to ffer the *nihment that 'eer+e a a crimina!I

An'# in or'er to effect the ama:ing 'e-nigh# 'i't tho 'etermine#

before ha' a being or time commence'# to 'e!i+er * the on of

thy !o+e# c!othe' in hmanity# to the tro"e of incene' tice#

an' to the eecrab!e 'eath of the croI an' a!! thi to rece an'a+e# to ennob!e an' 'ignify whatI be atonihe'# ye hea+en#

at thi a rebellious /or!, a despicable insect6 e!ate' with *ri'e#

anti re*!ete with enmity againt Thee# tho greatet an' bet of

Being t*en'o goo'ne &ar+e!!o grace # my Go'

wa the obect of thy eterna! choice when +iewe' by

mnicience a fa!!en n'er gi!t# an' n" in rin2 !oathome a

the 'nghi!!# an' abhorrent a he!! an' ha!! not my bet

affection an' warmet !o+e be 'e+ote' to TheeI $i't Thonmber me among the obect of grace# when tho mightet with

honor to thy crown an' 'ignity# a a righteo Go+ernor# ha+e

conigne' me o+er to en'!e *er'ition2 an' ha!! not my heart

f!ame with !o+e to thy a'orab!e nameI $i't Tho !o+e an'

chooe me# when 'eforme' an' fi!thy# *oee' of 'i*oition

*art!y brta!# an' *arty 'iabo!ica!I Art tho infinite!y amiab!e in

a!! thy *erfection# an' com*!ete!y righteo in a!! thy way# an'

ha!! not my +ery o! !o+e an' a'ore TheeI 5at Tho# of thy

mere grace# 'itingihe' me a an obect of thy com*!acentia!

regar'2 an' ha!! not Tho be the obect of my warmet *aion

an' mot intene 'eireI De# b!ee' >or' ome# *oe my



heart# an' way my affection Thine they are# an' thine# throgh

grace# they ha!! e+er be $e*art from me# ye ri+a! of my Go' De

i'o! of nregenerate heart# *!eare# wea!th# *om*# an' *ower#

get yo hence A''re me no more with yor oft o!icitation2entice me no more with yor gi!'e' bait F95EA5 ha

con'ecen'e' to ta"e me for hi ownC chooe him for my

*ortion# !o+e him a my a!!@

A 'e+ot coni'eration of thi momento trth i a!o a nob!e

incenti+e to gratitude Gratit'e i a 'e!ightf! 'i*oition# an' an

amiab!e tem*er t brn in hea+en!y boom# tne the har* of

ce!etia! choir# an' gi+e the weetet accent to a!! their ong>o+e to the infinite!y amiab!e Go'# an' gratit'e to him for hi

bon'!e beneficence2 thee enter into the eence# of a!! re!igion2

thee are the +ery !ife an' o! of a!! inte!!ecta! ha**ine n

*ro*ortion# therefore# a thee are *romote'# the ho!ine an'

comfort of man"in' are a'+ance' That an interet in the e!ection

of grace# an' a ene of it warm on the heart# are a *owerf!

incenti+e to the mot genero gratit'e# we may bo!'!y aert# a

we ha+e an athority which none can 'i*te /a!# we fin'# whencontem*!ating the riche of grace in eterna! e!ection# brea" ot in

the fo!!owing !angage 4lessed be the 'od and -ather of our

Lord Jesus Christ, /ho hath blessed us /ith all (piritual blessings

in heavenly places in Christ) AR$.G A 59 5AT5

59. H . 5&# B9;R9 T59 ;H.$AT. ; T59

,R>$ AgainC *e are bound to give thanks al/ays to 'od for

you, brethren, beloved of the Lord) B9AH9 G$ 5AT5

;R& T59 B9G...G 59. DH T A>EAT.ch are thoe gratef! ac"now!e'gment the a*ot!e ma"e# on

the beha!f of hime!f an' hi brethren# to the Athor of a!! goo'# in

reference to their e!ectionC an' imi!ar wi!! be the entiment of

gratit'e in e+ery regenerate heart# in *ro*ortion a thi im*ortant

trth i "nown an' e*erience'

>et once more !iten to the 'e+ot a''ree an' hmb!e

ac"now!e'gment of the be!ie+er# when ben'ing the **!iant"nee before hi ;ather Tho# that art infinite!y ea!te' abo+e a!!

b!eing an' *raie what ha!! ren'er to Thee for a!! thy

benefitI 5at Tho# my ;ather# an' Tho# my Go'# choen me to



ho!ine# choen me to eterna! !ife# an' that of thy mere grace2 an'

ha!! not thy g!ory be the en' of a!! my action# whi!e *oe

either breath or beingI $i't Tho enter into an e+er!ating

co+enant with the on of thy !o+e# to a+e me from fina! rin an' bring me to immorta! b!i2 an' ha!! not free!y engage with

han' an' heart to be thine fore+erI Thine am# by right of

creation2 thine am# by e!ecting !o+e2 an' thine wo!' eterna!!y

be# in the *erformance of e+ery 'ty# an' in the eercie of a!! my

*ower ,ere the treare of infinite wi'om 'i*!aye' in

contri+ing the way# an' in a**ointing the neceary mean for my

com*!ete fe!icity2 were the tore of nbon'e' mercy an' the

riche of o+ereign grace# !ai' o*en in the eterna! cone! of *eace on my beha!f2 an' ha!! not my !ife# my o!# my e+er!ating

a!!# that are a+e' at ch an e*ene# be 'e+ote' to Thee I Bin'

me# b!ee' Go' for e+er bin' me to thye!f# with the

'e!ightf! cor' of !o+e2 that may ne+er 'eert thy er+ice# that

may ne+er 'ihonor thy name Dishonour T599I *ainf!

thoght &ay e+er chooe to 'ie a thoan' 'eath# rather than

act a *art o 'iingeno 5at tho choen me ot of the wor!'I

'i't tho *ity an' *are my gi!ty o!# whi!e nmber were !eftin their *erihing tate2 an'# 'o not reaon an' concience# 'o not

a!! the entiment of honor an' gratit'e of which the hman

heart i ce*tib!e# con*ire with 'i+ine re+e!ation to how# that

am !ai' n'er infinite ob!igation to a'mire thy goo'ne# an'

contina!!y to *ea" thy *raieI ch an e+er!ating an' immene

'itinction a Tho hat ma'e in e!ection# between creatre

ea!!y 'eer+ing of *nihment# cha!!enge from the obect of

'icriminating !o+e a!! *oib!e than"f!ne >or'# here am thy'e+ote' er+ant To !o+e an' a'ore thy *erfection# to "now an'

*erform thy wi!!# be a!! my 'e!ight an' a!! my em*!oy bow

before thee# an' ac"now!e'ge mye!f entire!y thine gi+e mye!f

entire!y to thy 'i*oa!# a my on!y an' o+ereign >or' A

nforme' c!ay in the han' of the *otter# to be mo!'e' an'

fahione' accor'ing to thy own wi!!# commit mye!f an' a!! my

concern to Thee@ ch i the a!tary ten'ency of thi 'octrine#

an' ch the !angage of a!! that are tr!y acainte' with it# in

*ro*ortion a faith i in eercie



Bt# howe+er comfortab!e thi trth may be# to ch a are

*era'e' of their interet in the !o+e of Go'2 i it not a'a*te' to

'icorage the iniring o!# an' to o+erwhe!m the awa"ene'

inner with 'e*on'ing fearI $oe it not a'miniter abn'antoccaion for the anio min' th to ref!ectI "now not whether

hrit an' hi a!+ation be free for me f be not of the nmber

of Go' e!ect# ha+e e+i'ent!y no interet in him# nor in any thing

that he ha 'one oneent!y# how mch oe+er may 'eire to

be!ie+e an' be a+e' by him# ne+er ha!!# if not or'aine' to

eterna! !ife@ Thi obection# howe+er *!aib!e it may eem# or

howe+er mch the concience of an awa"ene' inner may be

harae' by it# i wea" an' im*ertinent t **oe that a *eronmt "now the 'i+ine a**ointment concerning him2 that he mt#

a it were# *ere the eterna! ro!! of Go' 'ecree# an' rea' hi

name in the boo" of !ife# before he can *on o!i' gron' a**!y

to hrit for a!+ation Bt thi i a gran' mita"e

>et me i!!trate the *oint ,hen foo' i *reente' to a *eron

*inche' with hnger# wo!' it be wie# wo!' it be rationa! for

him to heitate abot the *ro*riety of ing it# becae he 'oe not"now whether hi &a"er ha a**ointe' that he ha!! be norihe'

by itI thogh at the ame time he we!! remember# that !an does

not live by bread alone, but by every /ord /hich proceedeth out

of the !outh of 'od8 an' therefore **oing he eat it# withot the

concrrence of /ro+i'ence it wi!! be of no er+ice to him ,o!'

he not rather ay2 @&eat wa ma'e for the e of manC fee! my

nee'C wi!! en'ea+or to e it# therefore# a the a**ointe' mean

of atifying my cra+ing a**etite# an' of **orting my anima!frameI@ .ow hrit i the brea' of !ife# an' the foo' of or

o! Thi hea+en!y foo' wa *ro+i'e' by grace# i ehibite' in

the go*e!# an' free!y *reente' to a!! that hnger# withot any

ece*tion ,hat# then# ha the awa"ene' inner to 'o# bt# a the

>or' ha!! enab!e him# to ta"e# an' eat# an' !i+e fore+erI t i +ery

e+i'ent# that he ha no bine to inire abot any frther right

to *arta"e2 ince it wa not *ro+i'e' for inner# nor can be of e

to them# n'er any other character# or coni'ere' in any other!ight# than that of mierab!e obect who are starving for want of

*irita! foo'



Accor'ing to thi 'octrine# com*!ete *ro+iion i ma'e for the

certain a!+ation of e+ery inner# howe+er nworthy# who fee! hi

want an' a**!ie to hrit The go*e! i not *reache' to inner#

nor are they encorage' to be!ie+e in Fe# n'er the forma!notion of their being e!ecte' .oC thee ti'ing of hea+en!y mercy

are a''ree' to inner# coni'ere' a ready to perish) an' a!! the

b!eing of grace are 'i*!aye' for their imme'iate re!ief# a

con+ince' that ch are their tate an' character A!!# withot any

ece*tion of *eron# or any regar' to worthine# who a**rehen'

their 'anger an' fee! their want# are in+ite' by the >or' Re'eemer

to a *artici*ation of *irita! b!eing# *re+io to any inirie

abot their e!ection# that being a fo!!owing coni'eration Theor'er etab!ihe' in the economy of grace# an' in reference to thi

affair# 'oe not reire *erihing inner to *ro+e their e!ection

before they are *ermitte'# or ha+e any encoragement to trt in

hrit for com*!ete 'e!i+eranceC bt# eeing their tate# they ha+e

a!! the encoragement which the wor' of Feho+ah can gi+e#

withot heitation to re!y on the a+ior2 an' a!! the arance

which the oath of Go' can im*art# that in o 'oing they ha!!

obtain *ar'on for their in an' *eace for their concience2 afree'om from wrath# an' the enoyment of g!ory Thee thing are

e+i'ent from the tenor of 'i+ine re+e!ation2 an' to concei+e

otherwie *rocee' on a mita"e of the 'octrine# an' i fo!!owe'

by an abe of the trth oneent!y# it a'miniter no rea!

occaion of 'icoragement or fear# to the iniring o! or the

enib!e inner to none of the hman race# in whoe eteem a

a+ior from the gi!t an' *ower of in wo!' be *recio or

we!come A to thoe who are 'ea' in in an' nconcerne' abottheir o!# or that ha+e an high o*inion of their own

righteone2 the Re'eemer with a!! hi g!ory# an' the go*e!

with a!! it b!eing are 'e*ie' by them# o that they mt be

ot of the etion

Bt may it not be inferre'# @that thi 'octrine i ca!c!ate' to

contenance *irita! !oth# an' to encorage !icentio *ractice#

in thoe who conc!'e that they are in the nmber of the fa+ore'fewI@ That none who are o *era'e' wi!! fin' theme!+e

'ecei+e' in their e*ectation# 'are not aert wi!! not

therefore affirm# that there are no intance of *eron professing



to be!ie+e the e+ange!ica! 'octrine# an' pretending to an interet in

the hea+en!y b!eing2 who 'o not abe the former# an' who may

not fa!! infinite!y hort of the !atter Bt thi wi!! bo!'!y affirm#

that whoe+er# from ch a *eraion# encorage hime!f in*irita! !oth# or !icentio *ractice# i gi!ty of bae!y abing

the 'octrine of grace# which# in #it own natre# ha a 'irect!y

contrary ten'ency2 an' mar" hime!f ot a a +ee! of eterna!

wrath# rather than an obect of o+ereign mercy

.or can thi obection ha+e any force# ece*t it were *ro+e'# that

the infinite!y wie Go' ha a**ointe' the en'# bt entire!y

forgotten the mean which are neceary to attain an' enoy it A**oition thi# high!y nworthy of hi character# an' contrary to

hi e*re 'ec!aration ;or thogh the eterna! o+ereign ha' no

re*ect# in the choice of hi *eo*!e# to any thing in them that wa

worthy of hi regar'# or to any goo' wor" foreeen2 yet hi

*rofee' 'eign in their e!ection wa# that they !ight be holy and

/ithout bla!e before hi! in love Thi being the 'eign of Go'

re*ecting hi choen# it wo!' be trange in'ee'# trange to a

won'er# if the re+e!ation of hi immtab!e *r*oe ho!' ha+e aten'ency to ma"e them ite the re+ere# an' *ro+e an incenti+e

to their +i!et !t t i written# 'od hath fro! the beginning

chosen you to salvation 5owI Accor'ing to thi bo!' obection

one wo!' **oe it wa in ch a way# a a!!owe' them !arger

co*e an' greater !iberty for gratifying their !icentio *aion

an' !aw!e a**etite# than corr*t natre co!' otherwie ha+e

enoye' in ch a way a *ay no regar' to the interet of

ho!ine2 a ma"e no *ro+iion for the honor of Go' in ahritian con+eration f thi co!' be *ro+e'# the 'octrine wo!'

'eer+e the tmot abhor-fenceC bt it i far from being the cae

;or the obect of thi gracio *r*oe# we are e*re!y

informe' by the orac!e of hea+en# were choen to a!+ation

T5RHG5 A.T;AT. ; T59 /RT# and belief of

the truth (anctification of the (pirit may be coni'ere' not on!y

a an a**ointe' an' honourable !ean of attaining that ea!te'

en'# the a!+ation of the o! an' the g!ory of Go'2 bt a!o a anessential part of that a!+ation to which they were choen# which

i begn on earth an' com*!ete' in g!ory Ta"en in either +iew# it

i ob+io that thi intrcti+e an' im*ortant tet i a f!! *roof



that the obection a!!ege' i ite im*ertinent# an' entire!y +oi' of

trth to **ort it oneent!y# that thoe who ma"e it are

inf!ence' either by gro ignorance or in+eterate *re'ice ;or

hence it a**ear# that the ho!ine an' the ha**ine of Go' *eo*!e are ea!!y ecre' by the $i+ine *r*oe Bei'e# thoe#

an' thoe on!y# who !i+e by faith on Fe hrit# an' wa!" in the

way of obe'ience# ha+e any e+i'ence that they are the e!ect of

Go' n *ro*ortion# therefore# a they !oe ight of the g!orio

obect of their 'e*en'ence# an' 'e+iate from the *ath of ho!ine#

they !oe ight of their interet in 'itingihing !o+e o that their

inwar' *eace an' *irita! oy are great!y concerne' in a *io

con'ct

.or i the fo!!owing obection# o freent!y an' +io!ent!y rge'#

any more to the *r*oe @f thi 'octrine be tre#@ ay or

o**onent# @there i !itt!e or no occaion for the e of mean# in

or'er to attain a!+ation ;or if we are e!ecte'# we hah be a+e'

withot them2 an' if not# they wi!! *ro+e aborti+e n ch a

**oition# a!! or *rayer# an' tear# an' tri+ing2 a!! or

circm*ection an' e!f-'enia!# wi!! be of no a+ai! ,e may#therefore# a we!! ta"e or eae an' ret contente'# A *rofeion of

re!igion i an e!e thingC for the fina! e+ent i fie' by a

*re'etinating Go'# an' who ha!! re+ere itI@ Thi obection

agree with the former# in **oing that the en' i 'ecree'

withot regar' to the mean A *a!*ab!e fa!!acy# an' *regnant with

great abr'itie >et a**!y the *rinci*!e# on which the

obection *rocee'# to the common affair of !ife ta"e it for

grante'# that there i a *erinten'ing /ro+i'ence o+er a!! hmanaffair# o+er a!! or mintet concern f o# either the great R!er

of the wor!' from e+er!ating deter!ined what he wo!' 'o# in a!!

that infinite +ariety of circmtance in which any of hi creatre

ho!' e+er eit# or he 'i' not f not# innmerab!e mi!!ion of

new 'etermination mt ha+e arien in the eterna! &in' ince the

wor!' began# re*ecting hi con'ct towar' hi creatre2 or he

mt ha+e acte' withot any *rior 'etermination at a!!# an' o

withot a *!an2 neither of which corre*on' with or i'ea of aninfinite!y *erfect Agent f he 'i'# from eternity# 'etermine *on

hi con'ct# an' form the eteni+e *!an of hi ftre o*eration

re*ecting rationa! creatre2 then# it i e+i'ent# the obection !ie



with ea! force againt or ing mean# or eerting en'ea+or#

in or'er to obtain any *romiing a'+antage# or to a+oi' any

threatening e+i! in common !ife# a it 'oe againt ma"ing e of

mean in the im*ortant concern of or o!# an' in reference to aftre wor!' ;or it i abr' to **oe# that the $i+ine *r*oe

can be ma'e +oi'# any more in the one cae than in the other

Accor'ing to thi way of arging# tra'e an' commerce# the

!abor of hban'ry# an' a!! the em*!oyment of !ife# mt be at a

tan' ;or who# among a!! the by morta! on earth# can forete!!

the e+ent# or acertain cceI ,ho can te!!# howe+er *romiing

the *ro*ect# bt Feho+ah *r*oe may ren'er a!! hi

contri+ance an' a!! hi *ainf! in'try entire!y frit!eI .ay#frther# *on thi *rinci*!e# we mt not eat or common foo'#

nor ee" the nee'f! refrehment of 'ee*2 for it mt be

confee'# that we are abo!te!y ignorant what the *r*oe of

Go' may be# a to the e+ent# in either cae f it be hi

'etermination that we ha!! enoy hea!th an' +igor# what

occaion for the one or the otherI an' if not# what goo' wi!! they

'o I ;or his purpose shall stand, and he /ill do all his pleasure,

Bt who# notwithtan'ing thi# e+er too" it into hi hea' to a'o*tthe *rinci*!e# an' th to a**!y it# in affair of the *reent !ife

.one# re!y# bt a foo!# or a ma'man ,hi!e we ha+e or ober

ene in eercie# howe+er firm!y we may be!ie+e the eitence

of eterna! 'ecree2 or howe+er c!ear!y we may 'icern the

inter*oition of *ro+i'ence# on ten thoan' 'ifferent occaion2

we ne+er **oe that thoe e+er!ating *r*oe# or thee

*ro+i'entia! inter*oition# were 'eigne' to *ere'e the e of

mean# or ha'# a to the concern of time# any ch ten'ency,hy# then# ho!' we tri+e to e*arate the en' from the mean# in

thing of infinite!y greater im*ortanceI The 'ictate of in*iration#

the maim of *hi!oo*hy# the *rinci*!e of common ene# an'

the genera! con'ct of man"in'# a!! nite in tter!y 'ia!!owing

ch a *roce're# a irrationa! an' abr' to the !at 'egree

Thi obection mi!itate no !e againt the infa!!ib!e

forekno/ledge of Go'# than againt hi *r*oe ;or Feho+ah i *erfect in "now!e'ge That "now!e'ge which i abo!te!y *erfect

can a'mit of no increae A!! the +o!ition# therefore# of mora!

agent# an' a!! the e+ent coneent *on them# were from



eternity *reent to the $i+ine &in'# an' o*en to hi omnicient

eye An' a e+ery thing ftre wa inc!'e' in hi a!!-

com*rehen'ing +iew# before the wor!' began2 o it wo!' be

abr' to **oe that any e+ent ho!' e+er ta"e *!ace# otherwiethan a 5e foreaw it ,ith ea! reaon# therefore# might the

obector infer from the $i+ine *recience# that the e of mean to

attain any en' i +ain# a from the 'octrine of *re'etination ;or

between the fore"now!e'ge an' the *r*oe of Go' there i a

c!oe an' ine*arab!e conneion To i!!trate the *oint# an' to

a**!y the argment A'mitting the *erfect fore"now!e'ge of Go'#

the obector may th arge againt the e of mean# re*ecting

hi eterna! tate# @The fore"now!e'ge of Go' i *erfect ;rometernity he +iewe' my fina! tate 9ither he foreaw me eate' on

a throne of b!i# an' e!ting in a ene of hi fa+or2 or !oa'e'

with chain of 'ar"ne# an' groaning in the agonie of en'!e

'e*air A he from eternity +iewe' me# o it mt ine+itab!y be2

for *erfect fore"now!e'ge i infa!!ib!e &y eterna! tate i

therefore a fie' *oint with the $eity ,hat nee' then of the e

of mean to a+oi' *nihment# or to obtain fe!icityI /rayer an'

watchf!ne# a!! the eercie an' a!! the 'tie of a *ainf! *rofeion# are entire!y in +ain f the omnicient foreaw me

ha**y in the ftre wor!'# cannot be mierab!e f he foreaw me

mierab!e# ha!! not# cannot be ha**y2 thogh a!! the ange! in

hea+en# an' a!! the men *on earth# were to affor' me their nite'

ai'@

Thi argment# hmb!y concei+e# wear the face of *robabi!ity to

a great a 'egree# an' infer the obection am now refting witha mch *ro*riety an' force# a that which i forme'# an' the

inference from it# againt the 'ecree of e!ection Bt the trth i#

neither that nor thi ha the !eat force or *ro*riety ;or a

Feho+ah# when he 'ecree' the en'# a**ointe' the mean an' the

a**!ication of them to their re*ecti+e obect2 o# in hi eterna!

*recience# he not on!y +iewe' the en'# bt a!o foreaw the

mean# with their a**!ication an' e# a connecte' with the fina!

e+ent A he foreaw none in the abo'e of 'ar"ne# bt thoewhom he +iewe' a gi!ty# an' a wa!"ing in the way of

'etrction2 o he 'etermine' to bring none to g!ory# ece*t in a

way becoming hime!f a *erfect!y ho!y# an' by the e of mean



which grace ho!' ren'er effecta! 5ence it a**ear# that the

obector mt either gi+e * hi argment# or 'eny that hi &a"er

i *erfect2 which wo!' be to n'eify the 'od that is above Thi#

in'ee'# with a bo!' im*iety many ha+e 'one# in or'er to **orttheir fa+orite notion abot free-agency an' the !iberty of the

hman wi!!# in o**oition to the 'octrine of o+ereign grace# an'

of $i+ine *re'etinationC being we!! aware# that whoe+er a!!ow

the eterna! an' *erfect fore"now!e'ge of Go'# cannot conitent!y

'eny hi 'ecree re*ecting the fina! tate of men Thi the

ocinian ha+e free!y ac"now!e'ge' A'mitting# ay they# the

infa!!ib!e *recience of a!! ftre contingencie# A>E.

'octrine of the *re'etination of ome# by name# to !ife# an' ofother to 'eath# cannot be refte'@(A*' ,TH&# (9con

;ae' ! iii c i+ L 1%) They therefore 'o their tmot en'ea+or to

*ro+e (horri' to thin") that 5e who forme' an' go+ern the

ni+ere# i not *oee' of ch a foreight# in other wor'# that

he i not Go' Thi they 'o# by mch the ame argment that

other e# in o**oition to the 'octrine here maintaine'

To the foregoing obection ome# *erha*# may be rea'y to a''#with an air of confi'ence2 @$oe not thi 'octrine# in it

ine*arab!e conneion# re*reent the &ot 5igh a *artia! in hi

con'ct towar' hi creatre# an' a a respecter of persons6 a

'ea!ing har'!y# if not nt!y# with far the greater *art of

man"in'I@ n anwer to which ober+e# that a to the charge of

*artia!ity an' re*ect of *eron# here ehibite' againt the $i+ine

con'ct# it i entire!y +oi' of the !eat fon'ation ;or where+er

ch a charge may be a'+ance' with *ro*riety againt the con'ctof any one# it mt be in the affair of remnerati+e# or of

*nihing tice# an' where the r!e of eity are more or !e

trangree'2 bt cannot *oib!y ha+e *!ace in matter of

o+ereign fa+or an' mere bonty# of which "in' i e!ection ;or

intanceC if we coni'er a *eron in the ca*acity of a !agistrate,

a in+ete' with the eecti+e *ower of the crimina! !aw of hi

contry# an' beho!' him inf!icting *on ch offen'er a are

*oor# an' mean# an' of !itt!e accont in the wor!'# the *ena!tieannee' to their re*ecti+e crime2 whi!e he ffer other of

nob!er birth# of more e!e+ate' ran"# an' of aff!ent circmtance#

to eca*e with im*nity2 we ha+e great reaon to remontrate



againt ch a *roce're# a a c!*ab!e *artia!ity# a crimina!

re*ect of *eron# an' a no other than a *er+erion of tice

Bt if we coni'er the ame *eron n'er the character of a

benefactor# an' beho!' him 'i*ening hi fa+or among hiin'igent neighbor# in or'er to re!ie+e their want an' ren'er

them ha**y2 we ne+er imagine that he i n'er any ob!igation to

how an ea! regar' to a!! that are 'itree' with *o+erty

**oing he 'itribte hi bonty in great +ariety to the fa+ore'

obect of hi beneficence2 nay# **oing he in'!ge ome with

fa+or# whi!e other# who tan' in the ame nee'# are entire!y

o+er!oo"e'2 ha!! we arraign hi con'ct# an' ca!! him a respecter

of persons6 By no mean ;or were that the cae# there-wo!' benothing in'ecent# if# after he ha' manifete' hi beneficent regar'

to ome# other were to come with a comman'ing +oice# an'

re9uire hi aitance in the ame way# an' to the ame 'egree2

than which nothing can be more im*ertinent Bei'e# thogh men

are n'er ob!igation to !o+e an' ait one another2 thogh# being

on!y tewar' of what they *oe# they are accontab!e to the

*reme F'ge for the manner in which they e their fac!tie#

their time# an' a!! their ta!ent2 yet Go' ha the mot *erfect rightto do /hat he /ill /ith his o/n ;or no creatre# an' e*ecia!!y no

offending creatre# ha any c!aim *on hi bonty

f Feho+ah mt be 'enominate' a re*ecter of *eron# an' hi

con'ct *rononce' *artia! on **oition that he !o+e' an' choe

ome to e+er!ating ha**ine# whi!e he reecte' other an' !eft

them to *erih n'er hi righteo cre2 if the eity of hi

*rocee'ing# in the affair of grace# mt be ca!!e' in etion# becae he betow eterna! b!eing on ome# an' entire!y

withho!' them from other2 how ha!! we +in'icate the metho'

of /ro+i'ence in ten thoan' 'ifferent intanceI $oe not Go'#

a to the concern of re!igion# affor' thoe mean of grace# hi

wor' an' or'inance# to ome# whi!e they are entire!y withhe!'

from otherI an' where they are enoye'# 'oe he not regenerate

an' anctify ome by the *irit of trth# whi!e other# who ha+e

the ame eterna! mean# contine in *irita! 'ar"ne# an'fina!!y *erihI f# then# the ncontro!!ab!e Go' may 'o that in time

for ome# which he i n'er no ob!igation to 'o for any2 none can

'obt whether he might from eternity form ch a reo!tionC for



$i+ine /ro+i'ence i nothing bt the eection of Go' eterna!

*r*oe imi!ar to thi i the con'ct of Go' towar' man"in'# a

to tem*ora! thing ;or nothing i more e+i'ent# than that the

*reme Go+ernor of the wor!' i !ibera! in commnicatingenoyment of e+ery "in' to ome2 whi!e other# not more

nworthy# are a!! their !i+e e*oe' to the greatet 'itree An'

thogh there i a +at 'i*arity between tem*ora! an' eterna!

b!eing# yet# if to 'itingih between hi creatre# in betowing

or in withho!'ing the !atter# wo!' any way im*each hi character2

it mt in *ro*ortion 'o o in the former ;or the F'ge of a!! the

earth mt 'o right An' a none can# withot o*en b!a*hemy#

arre! with the o+ereign 'i*enation of /ro+i'ence# onaccont of that 'ifference which bit between one man an'

another in the *reent !ifeC o none ho!' in'!ge a ca*tio

hmor in fin'ing fa!t with the metho' of grace# becae their

&a"er 'oe not manifet an ea! regar' to a!!

.or can it be inferre' from any thing im*!ie' in thi 'octrine# that

or eterna! o+ereign 'ea! har'!y# mch !e nt!y# with any

*art of man"in' 5ere !et me a" the obector# an' !et him a" hiown concience2 5a+e a!! man"in' inne'I in a trangreion

of $i+ine !awI the !aw they ha+e bro"en# righteo# t in it

reiition# an' eitab!e in it *ena!tyI f o# e+ery man i gi!ty

before Go'# an' e+ery moth ho!' be to**e'C for a!! ha+e

'eer+e' to 'ie2 to *erih2 to be 'etroye' with an tter

'etrction 9ither thee thing are ac"now!e'ge' a n'obte'

trth# or the athority of the Bib!e i reecte' Thee trth being

a'mitte'# reaon ite!f mt a!!ow# that if a!! man"in' ha' *erihe'n'er a cre# the honor of their &a"er# a the *reme

Go+ernor an' righteo F'ge# mt ha+e been nim*eache' Bt

if o# it i im*oib!e to concei+e how hi chooing ome to !ife

an' ha**ine# an' hi reecting other# can affor' the !eat

occaion for the charge ggete' in the obection ;or the

e!ection of thoe whom Go' 'etermine' to a+e# 'oe not inre

the non-e!ect Their itation wo!' not ha+e been at a!! the better#

if none ha' been choen# nor any a+e' ;or non-e!ection i not a *nihment2 it i on!y the withho!'ing a free fa+or# which the

o+ereign >or' of a!! may betow on whomoe+er he *!eae





b!eing of grace be hi own to gi+e ;or that of which he may

not 'i*oe a he *!eae# i not hi own# he cannot ma"e a *reent

of it to any of hi creatre# they ha+ing a c!aim *on it2 for it i

abr' to ta!" of gi+ing to any one that to which he ha' a right ineity Bt what wo!' thi obection ma"e of Go'I &t the

5igh an' >ofty ne be o circmcribe' in the eercie of hi

grace# that he cannot manifet it at hi own *!eare in betowing

hi gift2 bt if he 'i*ene them to one# mt be ob!ige' to gi+e

them to another# or be obnoio to the charge of *artia!ity an'

cre!tyI hoc"ing to thin" The +ery thoght i b!a*hemy Thi

im*io imagination arie# abr' a it i# from the high o*inion

we form of ore!+e# an' the 'iminti+e thoght we entertain ofor &a"er

Bt why ho!' the obector be o mch concerne' abot the

honor of $i+ine tice# in the con'ct of Go' towar' man"in'#

on **oition that he ha choen ome an' reecte' otherI ,hy

ho!' he not be a mch concerne' !et the g!ory of hi &a"er

ho!' ffer a tain# by the fina! reection of a!! the ange! that

inne' an' fe!! from their firt etateI ertain!y# there i ea!# ifnot *erior reaon ,hy# then# 'oe he not *!ea' the cae of

thoe o!' a*otate# thoe 'amne' *irit# an' arre! with Go'

becae he hath hown more regar' to fa!!en men than to fa!!en

ange!I Det he i n'er no *ain on their accont2 nor 'oe he

*ect that the $i+ine character wi!! !oe any *art of it g!ory#

becae they are a!!# withot one ece*tion# the obect of

Feho+ah eterna! +engeancebt# +ery !i"e!y# he conc!'e that

they 'eer+e to be 'amne' TreC an' i it not o with menI f not how ha!! *ea" itI the !aw of Go' i nrighteo# for it

'enonce 'amnation a the 'eert of inC the +icario 'eath of

hrit wa an nneceary an' hoc"ing e+ent2 the ca*ita! *art of

the Bib!e are nworthy of the !eat regar'# an' the 'itingihing

'octrine of hritianity are no better than a 'ream# a fab!e a

gro im*oition on a!! who be!ie+e them ,ithot a'mitting thi

fn'amenta! trth# that men# coni'ere' a gi!ty creatre#

deserve to perish forever) we can beho!' neither eity in the !aw#nor grace in the go*e! The eterna! rectit'e of the great

>awgi+er# an' the amiab!e g!orie of the won'erf! a+ior# are

ite obcre'2 whi!e the who!e economy of re'em*tion# a



re+ea!e' in cri*tre# i thrown into the tmot confion

oneent!y# the obector ha no a!ternati+e# bt either to gi+e *

hi *oint# or b!a*heme hi &a"er

The trth maintaine' may now be coni'ere' by way of

im*ro+ement# a it re*ect the care!e inner an' the rea!

hritian A it re*ect the careless sinner thi yor

character# rea'erI f o# it i ha**i!y a'a*te' to tri"e yor

concience an' a!arm yor fear2 to aroe yor !ethargic o!#

an' awa"en yor inirie after eterna! b!ee'ne Do ha+e

een that it i a righteo thing with Go'# to eecte tice on a!!

who are gi!ty2 an' that# if he ha' !eft a!! man"in' to *erih# nonewo!' ha+e ha' any reaon to com*!ain .ow# thogh he ha# of

hi mere goo'ne# choen a nmber of the fa!!en race# an'

'etermine' to bring them to g!ory2 yet mi!!ion are !eft to ffer

the awf! 'eert of their crime 5ow# then# 'o yo "now bt thi

may be yor caeI Remember# thoght!e morta! that if yo be

reecte' of Go'# yo are !ot fore+er An' are yo ti!!

nconcerne' abot yor o!I then the entence of a bro"en !aw#

an' the wrath of an awf! F'ge# abi'e *on yo Do are in thehan' of an offen'e' Go'# an'# hoc"ing to thin" yo are at a

'rea'f! ncertainty what he wi!! 'o with yo Do are# it may be#

ometime afrai' what wi!! become of yo2 afrai' !et yo ho!'

ha+e yor *ortion m the !a"e which brn with fire an' brimtone

De# an' be it "nown to yo# that whi!e yo are habita!!y care!e

abot yor eterna! interet# an' a !o+er of *!eare more than a

!o+er of Go'# yo ha+e reaon to fear Dor a**rehenion of

eterna! *nihment ha+e a rea! fon'ation Do ha+e reaon totremb!e e+ery moment Bt yo wi!! 'o we!! to remember# that

thogh yo be e+er o mch afrai' of the fina! e+ent2 thogh

e+er!ating 'amnation be e+er o 'rea'f!# yet it i what yo ha+e

'eer+e' Dor inre' &a"er an' affronte' o+ereign may inf!ict

it *on yo# an' be righteo# an' ho!y# an' g!orio in it

5owe+er 'rea'f! it now i# in yor a**rehenion2 or howe+er

into!erab!e it wo!' be to yo in the eection2 yet# in regar' to

Go'# neither the one nor the other can ren'er it the !e righteoDo ho!' remember# inner# that yor &a"er tain the

character of a ni+era! o+ereign# an' of a righteo F'ge 5i

honor# therefore# i 'ee*!y concerne' in *nihing the gi!ty










EFFECTUAL CALLING

,9 ha+e een in the *rece'ing cha*ter# that grace *rei'e' in the

eterna! cone!# an' reigne' a an abo!te o+ereign in the

'ecree of e!ection >et now coni'er the ame g!orio grace#

a eerting it benign inf!ence in the regeneration an' effectual

calling of a!! that ha!! e+er be a+e' 9!ection ma"e no a!teration

in the rea! tate of it obect ;or# a they were coni'ere'# in thatgracio *r*oe# in a inf!# 'ying con'ition2 o they contine in

that itation# ti!! the energy of the 5o!y *irit# an' the *ower of

e+ange!ica! trth# reach their heart The mean being 'ecree' a

we!! a the en'# it i abo!te!y neceary# to accom*!ih the great

'eign of e!ection# that a!! the choen in their e+era! generation#

ho!' be born of the *irit an' con+erte' to Fe2 ca!!e' of Go'#

an' bear hi image

That im*ortant change which ta"e *!ace in the min' an' +iew of

a inner# when con+erte' to hrit# i freent!y ignifie' in the

infa!!ib!e wor'# by being called of 'od) called by grace) called by

the gospel n *erforming thi wor" of hea+en!y mercy# the eterna!

*irit i the gran' agent# an' e+ange!ica! trth the honore'

intrment Are men# in their natra! tate# coni'ere' a a!ee* in

in an' 'ea' to Go'I when they are ca!!e'# their min' are

en!ightene'# an' *irita! !ife i commnicate' The *irit of Go'#*ea"ing to the concience by the trth# ic"en the 'ea' inner#

how him hi awf! tate# an' a!arm hi fear The dead shall

hear the voice of the (on of 'od, and they that hear shall live3

"/ake thou that deepest Are they coni'ere' a ha+ing 'e*arte'

from Go'# an' at a 'itance from him2 in the way of 'etrction#

yet afrai' to retrnI then the !angage of the go*e! i# Return to

the Lord, and he /ill have !ercy upon you) and to our 'od, for

he /ill abundantly pardon Hi! that co!eth to !e, . /ill in no

/ise cast out ch a re+e!ation of grace being ma'e in the go*e!#

an' ch in+itation being a''ree' to *erihing inner# the

*irit of trth in effecta! ca!!ing gi+e them encoragement from



thee 'ec!aration to retrn to Go'# an' enab!e them to !oo" for

a!+ation from the han' of 5im againt whom they ha+e inne'#

an' from whom they ha+e o 'ee*!y re+o!te' ch# in a genera!

+iew# i the natre of that hea+en!y b!eing which i the bectof or *reent iniry

That any inner i called out of darkness into !arvellous light, i

entire!y owing to 'i+ine grace 'od called !e by his grace, i the

!angage of /a!2 nor 'o the aint acribe their con+erion to any

other cae &an# being by natre 'ea' in in# nacainte' with

it e+i!# an' e!ate' with a fon' conceit of hi own abi!itie2 !oo"

*on hi offence againt Go'# rather a *itiab!e fai!ing thanhoc"ing crime 5e etenate hi fa!t# an' magnifie hi

'tie 5e 'e*reciate the wor" of hrit# an' re!ie on hi own

**oe' goo' *erformance Being entire!y ignorant of hi mora!

wea"ne# the tota! corr*tion of hi natre# an' the eteni+e

'eman' of 'i+ine !aw2 he en'ea+or# if at a!! concerne' abot

hi o!# to etab!ih hi own righteone# a the *rinci*a!

gron' of hi acce*tance with the high an' ho!y Go' 5e trt in

ome genera! mercy# to be eercie' towar' him throgh Fehrit# to ma"e * the 'eficiencie atten'ing hi own incere

attem*t to *erform hi 'ty n cae of a re!a*e into o*en an'

can'a!o offence# he f!atter hime!f with the ho*e of *ar'on#

an' of ha+ing an interet in the !o+e of Go'# if he 'o bt fora"e

hi *at trangreion# be orry for them# an' amen' hi way for

the ftre Thi# he thin"# i the ob+io an' eay way of

*!acating an offen'e' Go'# an' of obtaining the 'i+ine fa+or n

ch a an'y fon'ation are the ho*e of men common!y bi!tTh we !ie# a!ee* in in# an' 'reaming of ha**ine2 on the

+erge of a 'rea'f! *reci*ice# yet na**reheni+e of 'anger# ti!!

reigning grace eert her inf!ence to reco+er from or nati+e

rin

Bt when the *irit of Go' con+ince of in by the ho!y !aw# an'

manifet it eteni+e 'eman' to the concience of a inner2

when he i informe' that e+ery in bect the offen'er to a'rea'f! cre2 then hi fear are a!arme' an' hi en'ea+or are

ic"ene' Being aroe' from hi *irita! !mber# he i more

earnet an' *ncta! in the *erformance of re!igio 'tie# in



en'ea+or after ho!ine# an' in the *rit of ha**ine 5e i

not content with that care!e an' *erficia! way of *erforming

'e+otiona! er+ice# which before atifie' hi concience an'

gratifie' hi *ri'e ;or now# gi!t br'en hi o!# an' conciencehar*en her ting2 whi!e the terror of the A!mighty eem to be

et in array againt him The 'tie he ha neg!ecte'# the mercie

he ha abe'# an' the 'aring act of rebe!!ion he ha committe'

againt hi 'i+ine o+ereign# crow' in *on hi min' an' rac" hi

+ery o! The tice of the >awgi+er a**ear rea'y to +in'icate

the !aw# a ho!y an' goo'2 an'# !i"e an incene' a'+erary#

nheath the wor' an' ma"e a !o' 'eman' for +engeance n

ch a itation# he cannot bt earnet!y ee" to eca*e im*en'ingrin Bt yet# hi heart being 'ee*!y !ea+ene' with !ega! *ri'e# an'

nacainte' with the 'i+ine righteone# he !abor to obtain

a!+ation# as it /ere, by the /orks of the la/ ,hen# by the *irit

an' wor' of trth# he i frther ma'e enib!e of hi natra!

'e*ra+ity# an' of the 'efect atten'ing hi bet *erformance2

when he coni'er how +ery im*erfect they ha!! a**ear in hi

own eye# an' that a *erfect righteone i abo!te!y neceary

to hi acce*tance with the eterna! F'ge2 then hi ho*e ofa!+ation by hi own obe'ience +anih# an' hi a**rehenion of

eterna! *nihment increae Th# /hen the la/ co!es, hining in

it *rity an' o*erating on hi concience with *ower# sin is

revived) a ene of 'eer+e' wrath *oee the o!# an' hi

former e!f-righteo ho*e e*ire

5e now ref!ect on hi *at ignorance an' *hariaica *ri'e# with

the greatet ama:ement an' the 'ee*et e!f-abhorrence 5owe+erre!ctant# he i ob!ige' to gi+e * hi former ea!te' notion of hi

own mora! ece!!ence2 an' i com*e!!e'# with the *o!!te' !e*er#

to cry# +nclean5 unclean5 .ow he *ercei+e a *ro*riety# now he

fee! an energy in thoe em*hatica! cri*tre *hrae# which

'ecribe the tate of a natra! man# by a fi!thy ow wa!!owing in

the mire2 by a 'og in !o+e with hi +omit2 an' by an o*en

e*!chre emitting the abhorre' tench of a *trefying carca

Thee obect# he i f!!y con+ince'# are infinite!y !e offeni+e tothe mot 'e!icate *eron an' the "eenet ene# than that mora!

*o!!tion i# which# in the ight of an ho!y Go'# ha 'efi!e' hi

who!e o! .ow he free!y ac"now!e'ge# that what he e' to



!oo" *on a tri+ia! offence# are hoc"ing crime 5e i

thorogh!y con+ince' that the +ario trangreion of hi !ife#

howe+er +i!e an' enormo# are o many tream from a corr*t

fontain within2 that they *rocee' from a 'e*erate!y wic"e'heart 5e i ama:e'# he i confon'e'# when he ref!ect on hi

inbre' corr*tion# an' +iew hi nati+e 'e*ra+ity 5i eye being

o*ene' to beho!' the *irita!ity an' +at etent of the 'i+ine !aw#

he coni'er hi who!e !ife a one contine' cene of iniity ;or

intea' of !i+ing e+ery moment of hi time in the ninterr*te'

an' mot fer+ent !o+e of Go'# a the !aw reire2 he fin'# to hi

grief an' hame# that he ha !i+e' in the !o+e of e!f an' in2 e!f-

!o+e ha+ing been hi !aw2 e!f-*!eaing a!! hi en' Eiewing theho!y !aw a a trancri*t of 'i+ine *rity# he *!ain!y ee that he i

no !e ob!ige' to !o+e Go' with a!! the *ower of hi o!# for the

a"e of hi infinite ece!!encie# than he i to a+oi' the horri'

crime of mr'er an' a'!tery n a wor'# he coni'er hime!f a

the chief of sinners The entence of the !aw# thogh terrib!e to the

!at 'egree# he a!!ow to be t The eection of it he cannot bt

'rea'2 yet from hi heart he acit both the !aw an' the !awgi+er

of any nrighteo e+erity# thogh he ne+er ho!' tate ofmercy 5i !angage i# The !aw i t# an' 'eath i my 'e

&ethin" beho!' the awa"ene' inner# obbing with angih an'

bathe' in tear2 fie' in thoght an' in'!ging ref!ection abot hi

tate an' hi 'anger @The !aw# how ho!y# which ha+e

trangree' the cre# how awf!# that ha+e incrre' &y

crime# how nmero Their aggra+ation# how 'rea'f! 5ow

ineffab!y wretche' my tate for my o!# my immorta! a!!# i inthe tmot eo*ar'y ,hat ha!! 'oI ,hither ha!! f!ee for

refgeI ha!! !oo" for re!ief to carna! enoyment an' inf!

*!eareI ha!! aff the *ar"!ing bow!# or freent the circ!e

of *o!ite amementI ch a *roce're wo!' enhance my gi!t

an' increae my torment2 wo!' be !i"e ee"ing an ay!m in he!!

ha!! *!ea' with my o+ereign an' F'ge# that ha+e not been

o wic"e' a otherI Bt how ha!! *ro+e the factI or if co!'#

the 'ebtor that owe bt fifty *ence# ha+ing nothing to *ay# iea!!y obnoio to an arret an' a *rion# with one that owe

fi+e hn're' ;or Feho+ah 'ec!are# Cursed is every one that

continueth not in "LL things /hich are /ritten in the book of the



la/ to do the! Bt ha+e *erforme' no goo' wor"# nor any

obe'ience# from which may etract ome comfort# on which

may bi!' my ho*e of acce*tanceI 5ere# a!a# am entire!y

'etitte oncio am# that ha+e not !o+e' Go'# that ha+enot oght hi g!ory2 an' withot thee there i no acce*tab!e

obe'ience &y +ery *rayer nee' an atonement# an' my tear

want wahing ha!! *romie amen'ment# an' +ow reformation#

if 5e# to whom ha+e forfeite' my !ife# wi!! be *!eae' to *are

itI ha!! ay# with him# in the *arab!e that owe' ten thoan'

ta!ent# Have patience /ith !e, and . /ill pay thee all6 Thi

wo!' be an e+i'ence of *er!ati+e *ri'e# an' an intance of the

greatet fo!!y &y 'ebt# !i"e hi# i enormo2 an' wo!' myreator com*on' for the wi'ow two mite# ho!' ti!! be

ino!+ent now fin' by e*erience that am tter!y withot

trength Bt **oing *oee' abi!itie# an' were to *erform

a *erfect obe'ience in ftre2 thi wo!' ma"e no amen' for my

*at trangreionC the o!' an' hea+y core wo!' ti!! tan'

againt me 5a' my offence been committe' againt a fe!!ow-

creatre# might *oib!y ha+e been ab!e to ma"e com*enation

Bt they are againt my &a"er2 to whom owe my time an'ta!ent2 a!! that ha+e an' a!! that am .f one !an sin against

another, the 1udge shall 1udge hi!8 but if a !an sin against the

Lord, /ho shall entreat for hi!) or how ha!! the offen'er atone

for hi crimeI t i the infinite F95EA5 againt whom ha+e

inne'C it i the eterna! o+ereign of a!! wor!' againt whom

ha+e rebe!!e' ,ho# then ha!! entreat for meI De# ha+e

tram*!e' on infinite athority The !angage of my tbborn heart

an' abominab!e con'ct ha been# *ho is the Lord, that . shouldobey hi!6 A the ni+era! Go+ernor# ha+e renonce' hi

'ominion# an' eate' e!f on the throne2 a my contant

Benefactor# ha+e abe' hi mercie to hi 'ihonor nfinite!y

*erfect an' *reme!y amiab!e a he i in hime!f# ha+e neither

!o+e' nor a'ore' himC ha+e treate' him a thogh he 'eer+e'

neither affection nor re+erence ha+e hoc"ing im*iety

ha+e *referre' the +i!et !t# an' the gratification of the wort

a**etite# to hi honor an' er+ice 5ow ha+e neg!ecte' the

'i+ine wor' an' acre' worhi*I ha+e treate' the Bib!e a if it

were not worthy of a erio *era!# an' in o 'oing ha+e been a

*ractica! $eit The aemb!ie of the aint# my c!oet# my



concience# a!! bear tetimony againt me# that ha+e !i+e'# a

/ithout 'od in the /orld r# if at any time ha+e atten'e'

re!igio worhi* in *b!ic or *ri+ate# how ha+e moc"e' my

&a"er ha+e beha+e' mye!f in hi awf! *reence# a thogh heha' been a ene!e i'o!2 one who neither "new nor care' how he

wa worhi**e' ,hen *reten'e' to ac"now!e'ge my in# my

confeion fro:e on my forma! !i*C an' if a"e' for hea+en!y

b!eing# it wa a thogh ha' !itt!e or no neceity for them

,ith 'e!ight an' a+i'ity ha+e *re' tranitory *!eare an'

+icio enoyment2 bt a to the worhi* of Go'# ha+e been

rea'y to cry# O, /hat a /eariness is it5 ha+e ai' to Go'# it ha

been the !angage of my heart an' con'ct# Depart fro! !e) for .desire not the kno/ledge of thy /ays *hat is the "l!ighty, that .

should serve hi!6 and /hat profit shall . have if . pray to hi!6

an 'obt# then# can etion for a ing!e moment# whether

'eer+e to 'ie# 'eer+e to be 'amne'I $A&.9$ 'rea'f!

*nihment magination recoi! at the thoght The i'ea chi!! my

b!oo' 5ea+en a+ert the im*en'ing# the righteo +engeance Bt

Go' i t2 an' tice reire that in ho!' not eca*e with

im*nity $oe it not fo!!ow# then# that my eterna! miery iine+itab!eI n what other way can the right of the Go'hea'# the

honor of 'i+ine ho!ine# trth# an' tice be maintaine'I f no

other way can be fon'# wretch that am am !ot fore+er@ Th

he !ie at the feet of o+ereign mercy

A a rebe! againt the &aety of hea+en# an' concio that he

'eer+e to *erih# he !ie 'ee* in the 't of e!f-abaement# an'

!ow at the foottoo! of 'i+ine grace Bt hi A>> being at ta"e foreternity# an' not being n" into abo!te 'e*air# he +entre to

a''re the b!ee' Go'2 being we!! *era'e' that if hi reet

be grante' an' hi *eron acce*te'# hi o! ha!! !i+e2 an' that if

hi *rayer be reecte'# an' hi *eron abhorre'# he can bt 'ie

,ith tremb!ing han' an' a throbbing heart2 with 'owncat !oo"

an' fa!tering !i*# he therefore th *rocee'C @ffen'e'

o+ereign am t!y n'er entence of 'eath# an' ho!'

eterna!!y *erih# yet tho art righteo &y moth mt beto**e'C ha+e no right to com*!ain Bt i there nothing in thy

re+ea!e' character that may encorage a mierab!e creatre an' a

gi!ty crimina!# to !oo" for mercy an' ho*e for acce*tanceI Art



tho not a com*aionate a+ior# a we!! a a t Go'I not

Fe thy on!y on# an' hat tho not et him forth a a

propitiation through faith in his blood6 To 5im# therefore# a my

on!y ay!m from 'i+ine wrath# wo!' f!ee Det if re*!e'# 'are not# cannot obect2 for ha+e no c!aim on thy mercy n!y#

if it eem goo' to thee to a+e the +i!et of inner# the mot

wretche' of creatre2 if it *!eae thee to eten' infinite mercy to

one who 'eer+e infinite miery# an' i ob!ige' to con'emn

hime!f# the greater wi!! be the g!ory of thy com*aion 5owe+er#

a a **!icant at the throne of grace# a a *erihing inner who

ha no ho*e bt in orereign mercy an' in the b!oo' of the cro#

am reo!+e' to wait nti! free!y recei+e'# or abo!te!y reecte' freecte'# mt bear it a my t 'eert2 if acce*te'# bon'!e

grace ha!! ha+e the g!oryM

M >et none of my rea'er imagine that the *roce of con+iction

here 'ecribe'# i 'eigne' a a tan'ar' for their e*erience2 or

that wo!' !imit the 5o!y ne of rae! to the ame way an'

manner of wor"ing on the min' of inner# when he bring them

to "now theme!+e# their tate# an' their 'anger ha+e no chintention2 being we!! aware that Go' i a o+ereign# an' act a he

*!eae in thi# a in a!! other thin" ;or thogh e+ery inner mt

fee! hi want# before he wi!! either ee" or acce*t re!ief at the han'

of grace2 yet the >or' ha +ario way to ma"e hi *eo*!e wi!!ing

in the 'ay of hi *ower ome he en!ighten in a more gra'a!

way# an' 'raw them to hrit by gent!er mean# a it were with

the cor' of !o+eC whi!e he tri"e con+iction in the min' of

other# a with a +oice of thn'er# an' ''en a a f!ah of!ightning They are broght to the +ery brin" of 'e*air# an'

hoo"# a it were# o+er the bottom!e *it .or ha+e we any

bine to inire into the reaon of thi 'ifference in the $i+ine

con'ct A the >or' a+e whom he wi!!# o he may bring them

to the "now!e'ge of hi a!+ation# in what way# an' by what

mean he *!eae f any one 'obt whether hi con+iction be

genine# !et him remember that the etion he ho!' a"

hime!f# in or'er to attain atifaction# are notC @5ow long 'i' !ien'er themI To what a degree of terror, 'i' they *rocee'I By

/hat !eans were they wroght@ Bt# @$oe it tan' tre in my

concience# that ha+e inne' an' 'eer+e to *erihI it a fact



that nothing bt the grace of Go' can re!ie+e meI Thee are the

etion which 'eman' hi notice# an' a itab!e anwer o!+e

the ery

Th the name an' the wor" of Fe forbi' 'e*air# an' he' a

beam of ho*e on hi benighte' o!

ne wo!' imagine that the go*e! of reigning grace# that the

ti'ing of a free a+ior an' a f!! a!+ation# wo!' be embrace'

with the tmot rea'ine by a in-her th con+ince' ne wo!'

**oe that# o oon a he hear' the 'i+ine re*ort# he co!' not

forbear ec!aiming# in a tran*ort of oy# @Thi i the a+ior

want Thi a!+ation i e+ery way itab!e to my con'ition

/erfect in ite!f# an' free for the nworthy inner ,on'erf! trth

Atonihing grace ,hat co!' ha+e# what can 'eire moreI

5ere wo!' ret2 in thi wi!! g!ory@ Bt a!a thi i not a!way

the cae ber+ation an' e*erience *ro+e# that the awa"ene'

inner i freent!y bac"war'# ecee'ing!y bac"war'# to recei+e

comfort from the g!orio go*e! Thi arie# not from any 'efect

in the grace it re+ea!# or in the a!+ation it bring2 not becae theinner i n'er any neceity# or in any 'itre# for which it ha

not *ro+i'e' com*!ete re!ief2 bt becae he 'oe not beho!' the

g!ory of that grace which reign trim*hant in it# an' the 'eign of

Go'# in ma"ing ch a *ro+iion 5e want to fin' hime!f ome

way distinguished, a a *ro*er obect of mercy# by ho!y tem*er

an' anctifie' affection Thi i a bar to hi comfort# thi i hi

gran' embarrament# n other wor'# he i rea'y to fear that he i

not fficient!y hmb!e' n'er a ene of in2 that he ha not aitab!e abhorrence of it2 or# that he ha not thoe fer+ent

breathing after hrit an' ho!ine which he oght to ha+e#

before he can be warrante' to !oo" for a!+ation with a we!!-

gron'e' ho*e of cceM M 5ere it ho!' be we!! ober+e'#

that 'ee* 'itre# ariing from the fear of he!!# i not reire' of

any# in or'er to *eace with Go'2 for ch 'itre 'oe not be!ong

to the *rece*t of the !aw# bt to it cre Terrifying

a**rehenion of eterna! *nihment are no *art of that which ireire' of inner# bt of what i inf!icte' on them There i

in'ee' an e+ange!ica! orrow for in# that i or 'ty2 which i

comman'e'# an' ha *romie annee' to itC bt !ega! terror#



*rocee'ing from the cre of the !aw# not from it *rece*t2

e*reing a ene of 'anger fro! the !aw# rather than of ha+ing

'one e+i! against the !aw2 are no mar" of !o+e to Go'# or of an

ho!y tem*er An awa"ene' inner# therefore# wihing for 'itreeof thi "in'# i a *eron ee"ing the miery of nbe!ief# that he

may obtain a *ermiion to be!ie+e ee $r wen on the Holy

(pirit, * 306

Th the inner# e+en when hi concience i o**ree' with gi!t#

an' earnet!y 'eiro of a!+ation# o**oe the tre grace of Go'#

by 'eiring ome worthine of hi own ,hence it a**ear# that

the genine e!f-'enia! of the go*e! i the har'et acrifice tohman *ri'e

Bt grace reign The *irit of trth# a *rinci*a! *art of whoe

bine it i# in the economy of a!+ation# to tetify of hrit an'

of o+ereign mercy by him2 ti!! ca!! the *oor a!arme' wretch by

the go*e! 9+i'encing to hi concience# not on!y the a!!-

fficiency# bt a!o the abo!te freene of the g!orio

Re'eemer &anifeting that there are no goo' a!itie to beobtaine'2 no righteo act to be *erforme'# either to gain an

interet in him# or to a!ify for him howing# yet frther# that

con+iction of in# an' a ene of want# are not to be acconte'

con'ition of or acce*tance with hrit an' a!+ation by him2 nor

oght they to be eteeme' *re+io!y neceary to or be!ie+ing in

him# on any other accont# than a a enibi!ity of or *irita!

*o+erty an' wretche'ne# ren'er re!ief in a way of grace tr!y

we!come Thi i nee'f!# not a inc!ining Go' to gi+e# bt a'i*oing to recei+e A inner wi!! neither ee" nor acce*t the

great atonement# ti!! enib!e that $i+ine wrath an' the 'amnation

of he!! are what he 'eer+e2 an' what# withot the *ro*itiation of

the a'orab!e Fe# he mt na+oi'ab!y ffer

ta"e it for grante' we mt come to hrit n'er that character

by which he ca!! .ow# it i e+i'ent# he in+ite by the name

of inner A inner# therefore# mierab!e# rine' inner# wemt come to him for !ife an' a!+ation The go*e! of *eace i

*reache' to ch# an' them the go*e! ca!!2 e+en thoe who are

not concio that they are the obect of any goo' 'i*oition



De# 'icono!ate inner# be it "nown to yo# be it ne+er forgotten

by yo# that the go*e! with a!! it b!eing# that hrit with a!!

hi f!ne# are a g!orio *ro+iion ma'e by the great o+ereign#

an' by grace a reigning# for the gi!ty an' the wretche'for cha ha+e nothing of their own on which to re!y# an' tter!y 'e*air

of e+er being ab!e to 'o anything for that *r*oe The

n'erta"ing of Fe hrit wa inten'e' for the re!ief of ch a

are ngo'!y# a!together mierab!e# an' withot ho*e in

theme!+e ch wa the beneficent 'eign of Go'# an' ch i

the a!tary geni of hi go*e! $e!ightf!# ra+ihing trth

enogh# one wo!' thin"# to ma"e the brow of me!ancho!y wear a

mi!e >et me in'!ge the *!eaing thoght# an' once moree*re the charming i'ea The b!eing of grace were ne+er

'eigne' to 'itingih the worthy# or to rewar' merit2 bt to

re!ie+e the wretche' an' a+e the 'e*erate Theehear an'

reoice thee are the *atentee in the hea+en!y grant Dea# they

ha+e an ec!i+e right ;or a to a!! thoe who imagine

theme!+e to be the better ort of *eo*!e who 'e*en' on their

own 'tie# an' *!ea' their own worthine2 who are not wi!!ing

to tan' on a !e+e! with *b!ican an' har!ot2 hrit ha nothingto 'o with them# nor the go*e! any thing to ay to them A they

are too *ro' to !i+e *on a!m# or to be entire!y beho!'en to

o+ereign grace for a!! their a!+ation2 o they mt not ta"e it

ami if they ha+e not the !eat aitance from that arter They

a**ea! to the !aw# an' by it they mt tan' or fa!!

5e# therefore# who be!ie+e in hrit# re!ie on him a the 1ustifier

of the ungodly .or 'oe he coni'er hime!f in any other !ight# ora bearing any other character# in that +ery moment when he firt

be!ie+e on himC if he 'i'# he co!' not be!ie+e on him a the

tifier of ch The on!y encoragement a inner ha to a**!y to

hrit for a!! that he want# conitnot in a concione of

being *oee' of any *io 'i*oition# of ha+ing come * to

term# *erforme' any con'ition# or a being any way 'ifferent

from what he wa beforebt# in that grace which reign# an' i

*roc!aime' in the go*e! De2 the free 'ec!aration of the go*e!concerning Fe# contain a fficient warrant for the +i!et inner#

in the mot 'e*erate circmtance# to !oo" for re!ief at the han'

of hrit ch a# . ca!e not to call the righteous, but sinners to



repentance3The (on of !an is co!e to seek and to save that

/hich /as lost3Look unto !e, and be ye saved, all the ends of the

earth3Co!e unto !e, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and

. /ill give you rest3Hi! that co!eth to !e, . /ill in no /ise castout3*hosoever believeth in hi!, shall not perish, but have eternal

life

n thee# a in imi!ar *aage of ho!y writ# the inner i

encorage' to !oo" to the >or' Re'eemer# with arance that in

o 'oing he ha!! not be 'ia**ointe'2 to !oo" to 5im2 not a one

whoe character an' tate are 'ifferent from thoe of the wor!' in

common2 bt a a gi!ty creatre an' rea'y to *erih Thee free'ec!aration are fon'e' on the g!orio n'erta"ing an' finihe'

wor" of hrit# who suffered for the un1ust) /ho died for !en,

/hile sinners and ungodly) an' who reconciled the! to 'od,

/hen they /ere ene!ies o that all things are no/ ready for the

inner enoyment an' ha**ine2 here# in a !ife of faith an'

ho!ine2 hereafter# in the frition of g!ory Thee 'i+ine

tetimonie are on!y a *ecimen of what might be *ro'ce' on the

occaion2 an' they# together with other of the ame im*ort# arethe *ro*er gron' of or faith in hrit# or 'e*en'ence on him# for

e+er!ating a!+ation

5ence it a**ear# that the inner who i effecta!!y ca!!e' of Go'#

i not !e' by the 5o!y *irit to be!ie+e in a 'ying Re'eemer n'er

a *eraion of hi being now 'itingihe' from hi ngo'!y

neighbor an' former e!f2 or# in other wor'# of hi being a

mch better man than he wa before# in +irte of any goo' habitor a!ifie2 nor 'oe hi comfort arie from any ch **oe'

a!teration .oC the $i+ine *irit 'oe not bear witne to or

*irit# concerning or own inherent ece!!encie# or inform

how mch we are *erior to other2 bt# concerning the a!!-

fficiency# itab!ene# an' abo!te freene of hrit# an' of

a!! the b!eing inc!'e' in hi me'iation The bai of a

be!ie+er ho*e# an' the orce of hi *irita! oy# arenot a

concione that he ha done omething towar' hi owna!+ation# (ca!! it believing, or what yo wi!!#) bt the truth he

be!ie+e an' the (aviour on whom he re!ieC which trth#

*oee' in rite heart# i a!o the *ring of hi ho!ine



A inner being broght# n'er the inf!ence of the b!ee' *irit#

an' by the intrmenta!ity of the go*e!# to renonce e+ery fa!e

confi'ence an' !ega! ho*e# an'# a to acce*tance with the &ot

5igh# to *or contem*t on e+ery righteone which i not in a!!re*ect *erfect2 !ean on hrit# a the roc" of age2 c!ea+e to

him a the on!y ho*e of the gi!ty# an' reoice in him a able to

save to the utter!ost a!!# withot ece*tion# /ho co!e to 'od by

hi! .ow a new cene of thing o*en to hi +iew 5e beho!'

with ama:ement how Go' can be t# an' yet the tifier of the

ngo'!y The t Go' an' the a+ior a**ear in the ame *oint of

!ight .ow the e+er!ating co+enant n+ei! it infinite tore to

hi ra+ihe' ight# an' the go*e! *or it hea!ing ba!m into hiwon'e' concience Fe hrit# an' hi righteone# are now

hi on!y ho*e 5e fin' a fficiency in the g!orio mmane!#

not on!y to **!y a!! hi want# bt to ma"e him infinite!y rich#

an' eterna!!y ha**y2 an' in him he ret com*!ete!y atifie' 5e

who# bt a !itt!e before# too' tremb!ing an' confon'e' at the

tribna! of concience2 who co!' carce!y imagine that Go'

wo!' be righteo if he 'i' not *or ot hi +engeance *on him2

fin' the wor" of the hea+en!y btitte a f!! +in'ication of theright of tice# an' an e+er!ating fon'ation for hi tronget

confi'ence Thi won'erf! e*e'ient# o we!! a'a*te' to g!orify

Go' an' a+e the inner# he beho!' with atonihment# an'

contem*!ate with ra*tre De# beho!'ing 'race on the throne, he

bow# a'ore# an' reoice Gratit'e abon' in hi heart# an'

*raie f!ow from hi !i*

,hen he ref!ect on hi *reent nworthine an' former tate# beho!'ing what enmity he cherihe' in hi boom againt hi

&a"er2 when he coni'er how carna! hi affection# how

tbborn hi wi!!# how *ro' hi heart2 how often he ha'# in hi

con'ct# a'o*te' the !angage of thoe who ay to the A!mighty#

Depart fro! us) for /e desire not the kno/ledge of thy /ays) he i

ama:e' that he wa not !ong ince tranmitte' to he!! ,hen he

frther coni'er how !oth he wa to ac"now!e'ge $i+ine

o+ereignty# an' bow to hea+en!y mercy2 how !ong he reite' theca!! of /ro+i'ence2 how often he tif!e' the remontrance of

concience2 an' that# if !e than an infinite Agent ha' been

em*!oye' in re'cing an obtinate rebe! to obe'ience# he ha' been



fina!!y ob'rate an' eterna!!y mierab!ewhen he th ref!ect# he

i fi!!e' with *!eaing atonihment n a com*arion between

what hi offence 'eer+e'# an' what Go' ha betowe'# he

cannot forbear ec!aiming# @,hat hath Go' wroght ,hat amirac!e of mercy@ 5e i con+ince' to a 'emontration# that hi

calling mt be acribe' to reigning grace 5e i f!!y *era'e'

that Go' wa the firt mo+er in thi# a we!! a in e+ery other

b!eing betowe'# in e+ery other benefit enoye' or *romie'

,hen he me'itate *on hi ca!!ing# hi !angage i# @ am fon'

of 5im# whom neither !o+e' nor oght 5e i manifete' to me#

after whom 'i' not inire@ 5e wi!! ay# @ am kno/n of Go'2

am apprehended of hritC@ rather than @ kno/ Go'2 apprehendhrit@ (>"e + 4 < Rom %0 Ga! i+ /hi! iii 1%)

Th to be ca!!e' of Go' i an intance of reigning grace# an' an

e+i'ence of 'itingihing !o+e 5a**y are yo# rea'er# if yo

"now by e*erience what it i to be ca!!e' by grace f ch be

yor tate# it become yor in'i*enab!e 'ty to /alk /orthy of

your calling, for it i high# ho!y# hea+en!y De# be!ie+er# yor

ca!!ing i tr!y nob!e Do are called out of darkness into!arvellous light) an' ot of wore than 9gy*tian bon'age# into

the g!orio !iberty of the on of Go' Do are ca!!e' ot of the

wor!'# into fe!!owhi* with Fe hrit a!!e'# yo are# ot of a

tate of o*en rebe!!ion againt Go'# an' *ainf! aniety of min'#

into a tate of reconci!iation an' frien'hi*# of concio *eace

an' hea+en!y oy ,hat ha!! ayI yo are ca!!e' from the

!a+ery of in# to the *ractice of ho!ine2 into a tate of grace

here# an' to the enoyment of g!ory hereafter n hort# it i the5igh Go' that ca!!e' yo2 it i the way of ho!ine in which yo

are ca!!e' to wa!"# an' it i an nfa'ing inheritance# a!! eterna!

"ing'om# yo are ca!!e' to enoy 5ere i yor b!ee'ne# an'

here i yor 'ty The coni'eration of thee thing# a a nob!e

incenti+e to obe'ience# ho!' fire yor min' with go'!y :ea!2

ho!' fi!! yor heart with hritian gratit'e2 ho!' 'irect yor

feet in the *ath of 'ty# an' manifet it contraining inf!ence

throgh yor who!e con'ct

To yo that are uncalled, what ha!! ayI Dor tate i awf! ;or#

!ea+ing the wor!' in yor *reent itation# yo are !ot fore+er2



yo 'ie to eternity ;or none ha!! be g!orifie' hereafter# bt ch

a are ca!!e' here f 'eath ho!' mmon yo hence# before yo

are con+erte' to hrit# what wi!! become of yoI a 'ry tbb!e

yo mt fa!! into the han' of 5im who i a consu!ing fire Domay entire!y neg!ect the concern of yor o!2 yo may# for a

eaon# trif!e with the affair of re!igion# an' hear the go*e! with

a care!e in'ifference2 bt# if grace ho!' not inter*oe for yor

rece# 'rea'f! wi!! be the ie The wor' of Go' an' the go*e!

of hrit# wi!! be a wift witne againt yo another 'ay2 wi!! be

the savour of death unto death to yor o!C whi!e Go'# e+en

G$ hime!f# wi!! be yor eterna! enemy Consider this, ye that

forget 'od, lest he tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver

f yo atten' on a *reache' go*e! an' freent the hoe of Go'#

'o not ta"e it for grante' that yo mt nee' be a hritian#

becae yo ma"e a *b!ic *rofeion# an' yie!' a coo! aent to

the trth Thi thoan' ha+e 'one# thi yo may 'o# an' yet

*erih fore+er f not 'i+orce' from the !aw# if not renewe' in yor

min' an' enab!e' to be!ie+e in hrit# a a mierab!e he!*!e

inner# it wi!! oon a**ear that yo ha+e on!y choen a more'ecent# thogh !e freente' *ath# to the region of 'ar"ne2

an' that yo are 'amne' with the ing!e a'+antage of ha+ing !eft a

re*ectab!e character amongt or fe!!ow-inner A *oor

com*enation thi for the !o of an immorta! o!# an' an awf!

ie of a re!igio *rofeion Go' grant it may not be the cae

with my rea'er

.or !et any one mita"e a et of e+ange!ica! notion# recei+e' bye'cation# or imbibe' n'er a go*e! minitry# for tre con+erion

an' faith in the great Re'eemer A mita"e here i fata!# an' ha

been the rin of m!tit'e A *rofeor may be wie in 'octrina!#

an' ab!e to +in'icate the trth againt it o**oer2 whi!e hi heart

i entire!y carna!# co!' a ice# an' barren a a roc" Though .

understand all !ysteries and all kno/ledge, and have not charity,

!o+e to Go' an' !o+e to hi *eo*!e# . a! nothing Eain# then# are

the *retenion of a!! thoe# whate+er "now!e'ge they may ha+e ofthe go*e!# who !i+e in in# who !o+e not Go'# nor ee" hi g!ory

They may hine in re!igio con+eration2 they may 'i*!ay their

ta!ent an' fee' their +anity# by 'efen'ing trth an' refting error2



an'# concio of *erior abi!itie# may !oo" 'own with a o!emn

*ri'e on *eron of meaner *art an' !e n'ertan'ing in the

'octrine of grace# bt their *erior "now!e'ge wi!! on!y

aggra+ate their ftre wo# an' ren'er 'amnation ite!f more'rea'f!



5. OF GRACE, AS IT REIGNS IN A FULL,

FREE, AND EVERLASTING PARDON

/AR$. of in i a b!eing of *er!ati+e worth# becae

abo!te!y neceary to *reent *eace an' ftre a!+ation

,ithot it# no in'i+i'a! of A'am race can be ha**y ,hen the

concience of a inner i won'e' with gi!t# an' o**ree' with

fear of $i+ine wrath# it i oght with ar'or# a the mot

'eirab!e thing2 it i recei+e' with oy# a the firt of a!! fa+or

Bt great an' neceary a the b!eing i# ha' it not been for that

re+e!ation containe' in the Bib!e# man"in' wo!' ha+e !ain n'er

a a' ncertainty# whether there wa any ch thing a forgiveness

/ith 'od Being concio of gi!t# yet *artia! in their own fa+or#

they might ha+e *!eae' theme!+e with conectre# that he

wo!' not fina!!y con'emn a!! hi offen'ing creatreC bt they

co!' ne+er ha+e arri+e' at certainty ;or by whate+er me'imthey might ha+e come to the "now!e'ge of Go'# a the Athor of

natre an' o+ereign of the wor!'# by the ame mean they mt

ha+e "nown that *erfection i eentia! to the $i+ine character2

an'# coneent!y# that the $eity mt be infinite!y o**oite to

mora! e+i! Bt whether ch a ha' rebe!!e' againt their eterna!

o+ereign might be forgi+en# conitent!y with hi *erfection an'

*r*oe# an' withot im*eaching hi honor a a righteo

go+ernor2 thi naite' reaon co!' not ha+e 'etermine' Hn'erwhat ob!igation then are we !ai'# to a'ore the con'ecenion an'

goo'ne of Go'# who ha not !eft to gro*e in the 'ar"# an' to

form a thoan' wi!' conectre abot an affair of ch +at

im*ortance ;or# *oeing a 'i+ine re+e!ation of the richet

grace# we are taght with abo!te certainty# that there is

forgiveness with or &a"er an' o+ereign Thi re+e!ation of

mercy i of great antiity# an' a!mot coe+a! with time ite!f t

wa "nown to the *atriarch2 it wa ehibite' in a c!earer manner

n'er the &oaic economy Bt# by the incarnation an' wor" of

the on of Go'# it ha recei+e' the highet confirmation# an'

hine in a!! it g!ory Feho+ah *ar'oning goo'ne wa !o'!y



*roc!aime' to &oe# an' ma"e a con*ico figre in that

acre' name# by which the Go' of rae! wa "nown to the chrch

in the wi!'erneC "s the Lord descended in the cloud and stood

/ith hi! there, and proclai!ed T59 .A&9 ; T59 >R$ "nd the Lord passed by before hi!, and proclai!ed, T59 >R$#

T59 >R$ G$# !erciful and gracious, long:suffering, and

abundant in goodness and truth) keeping !ercy for thousands,

;RGE.G .KHTD# TRA.GR9.# A.$ in De# to

the eterna! o+ereign belong !ercies and forgiveness, though /e

have rebelled against hi!

Thi ca*ita! b!eing of the new co+enant i re*reente' in the boo" of Go' by many trong meta*hor# an' in a rich +ariety of

!angage2 yet a!! in eact corre*on'ence to the 'ifferent +iew

which are there gi+en of the 'rea'f! natre an' com*!icate' e+i!

of in the inner 'ecribe' a a!! o+er defiled, an' loathso!e

with hatef! im*rityI hi *ar'on i 'enote' by the perfect

cleansing of hi *eron# an' by the co+ering of a!! hi fi!th (/a!m

i+ 3# ii 1# an' !+ % Fohn 1 7 Re+ i <) he com*are'

to a wretche' insolvent, an' hi offence to a 'ebt of ten thousandtalents6 hi *ar'on i re*reente' by blotting out of the 'ebt# or by

a non:i!putation of it (/a!m ii %# an' !i 1# &att +ii %4)

he !i"ene' to a *eron who !abor n'er the weight of a heavy

burden, that ga!! hi ho!'er an' in" hi *iritI hi

forgi+ene i re*reente' by lifting up, an' by remo+ing the

*ainf! encmbrance (/a!m +iii 4# an' ii 1 &att i %8)

Are hi trangreion# for their natre# nmber# an' effect#

re*reente' by clouds) b!ac"# !owering# !ow hng c!o'# that are t rea'y to brt in a torm an' to 'e!ge the contryI hi

*ar'on i 'ecribe' by their total abolition, by blotting the! out

from the face of hea+en# o that no trace of them ha!! be fon'#

nor any morta! be ab!e to te!! what i become of them (aiah !i+

%%) 'iobe'ience to the $i+ine !aw *rononce' rebellion

againt the &aety of hea+en# an' the inner coni'ere' a a

convict n'er the entence of 'eathI forgi+ene conit in

reversing the sentence, an' in re!itting the penalty 'e to hicrime Hn'er thi coni'eration# which i the *ro*er notion of

*ar'on# the !angage of a gracio Go' i# Deliver hi! fro! going

do/n to the pit) . have found a ranso! The >or' i *!eae' to



re*reent the ame in+a!ab!e b!eing# by casting our sins behind

his back) by casting the! into the depths of the sea) by re!oving

the! as far fro! us as the east is fro! the /est) by re!e!bering

the! no !ore) an' by ma"ing scarlet an' cri!son offence# /hiteas /ool, yea# /hiter than sno/

n thi forgi+ene grace reign# an' the riche of grace are

'i*!aye' t i an abo!te!y *erfect *ar'on2 an' to ma"e it o#

three thing are reire' t mt be f!!# free# an' e+er!ating

That i# it mt eten' to all in2 it mt be +ochafe' withot

any conditions to be *erforme' by the inner2 an' it mt be

absolutely irreversible Bt thee thing 'eer+e a more *artic!arconi'eration

That forgi+ene which i ea! to the want of a inner# mt be

full) inc!'ing a!! in# be they e+er o nmero2 eten'ing to a!!

their aggra+ation# be they e+er o enormo 9+ery in being a

trangreion of $i+ine !aw# an' e+ery trangreion becting

the offen'er to a 'rea'f! cre2 if the gi!t of e+ery in be not

remo+e'# if the *ena!ty 'e to e+ery in be not remitte'# the cremt fa!! *on # an' wrath mt be or *ortion 5ence a**ear

the neceity of a f!! *ar'on in or'er to ha**ine An' a it i

eentia!!y neceary# o it i grante' The cri*tre 'ec!are# that

when or offen'e' o+ereign *ar'on any of the hman race# he

forgi+e a!! their in ;or# ay the =ing# whoe name i the

>R$ ; 5TC /ill cleanse the! fro! A>> their ini9uities

u, hereby they have sinned against !e8 and . /ill pardon A>>

their ini9uities /hereby they have sinned, and /hereby they havetransgressed against !e $e!ightf! 'ec!aration To forgi+e in i

a $i+ine *rerogati+e .one can 'i*ene the n*ea"ab!e fa+or

bt Go' Thi he 'ec!are he wi!! 'oC an' that he wi!! not on!y

forgi+e ome in# or a few# bt a!!2 a!! entire!y

>et hear another ambaa'or from the cort of hea+en The

*ro*het &icah# when *ea"ing of the =ing 9terna!# with an air of

than"gi+ing an' of oy# 'ec!are# He /ill turn again, He /ill haveco!passion upon us, He /ill subdue our ini9uities) and Thou /ilt

cast A>> their sins into the depths of the sea He /ill turn again)

not a an incene' a'+erary# to eecte +engeance2 bt a a frien'





ab!e to cleanse fro! all sin ;rom each in# be it e+er o heino2

from a!! in# be they e+er o nmero Th grace# !i"e a mighty

an' com*aionate monarch# *ae an act of ob!i+ion on mi!!ion

an' mi!!ion of the mot aggra+ate' offence an' com*!icate'crime

$i' the mot aban'one' *rof!igate "now what forgi+ene there

i with Go'# they wo!' no !onger be he!' by the 'e+i! n'er that

inrio *eraion an' fata! nare# There is no hope .or wo!'

they form the rah conc!ion# *e have loved strangers, and after

the! /ill /e go (Fer ii %<) F95EA5 i the Go' of *ar'on Thi

i hi name an' thi i hi g!ory (9o' i+ 6# 7 .eh ! 17);or th aith the >or'# . /ill pardon all their ini9uities 3and it

shall be to !e a .A&9 ; FD# A /RA9# A.$ A.

5.HR# before all the nations of the earth, and all the angels

in heaven, /hich shall hear of all the *er!ati+e good that . do

unto the! (Fer iii 8# ) Atonihing wor' The o+ereign of

a!! wor!'# eem to g!ory in *ar'oning mercy# a one of the

brightet ewe! in hi own eterna! crown ,e!!# therefore# might

the chrch cry ot in a tran*ort of oy# /ho is a 'od like untothee6 that pardoneth ini9uity of the mot com*!icate' an'

hoc"ing "in'2 and passeth by, with the tmot rea'ine# the

transgression of the re!nant of his heritage6 He retaineth not his

anger forever) an' the g!orio reaon i# a reaon which oght

ne+er to be forgotten# because he $9>G5T9T5 in !ercy

(&icah +ii 18)

ome# then# *oor tremb!ing inner thogh concio that thenmber an' magnit'e of yor in are ine*reib!y greatC coma#

!et reaon together# an' contem*!ate the riche of grace ,hat

thogh yo are by natre an a*otate creatre an' a chi!' of

wrath2 thogh yo ha+e# by innmerab!e trangreion# +io!ate'

the !aw of Go' an' incrre' it e+er!ating cre2 thogh yo are

grown hoary in rebe!!ion againt yor 'i+ine o+ereign# an' !oo"

*on yore!f a a monter of iniity2 thogh yor in of heart#

of !i*# an' !ife2 in of omiion# an' in of commiion2 in ofignorance# an' in againt "now!e'ge2 !i"e an arme' hot in

terrib!e array beiege yo on e+ery i'e# an' ca!! a!o' for

+engeance on yor gi!ty hea'2 thogh# to heighten yor miery#



the enemy of man"in' ho!' come in !i"e a f!oo'# an' !oa' yo

with horri' accation2 ho!' te!! yo that# by yor offence#

yo ha+e 'are' Go' +engeance to hi face# an' o!emn!y

moc"e' him in yor 'tie2 an' o et a "eener e'ge on a!! yorenation of gi!t2 an'# to com*!ete yor 'itre# thogh yor

own concience trn e+i'ence againt yo# ratify the 'rea'f!

+er'ict# an' *rononce the 'eer+e' entence# o that yo are

rea'y to conc!'e yo are a!mot a 'amne' o!# an' that your

eae i abo!te!y 'e*erate2 yet ti!! there i re!ief to be ha'

.otwithtan'ing a!! thee 'e*!orab!e circmtance# there i no

reaon to in" in 'e*air ;or# beho!' there i f!! forgi+ene

with Go'2 an' ch i hi mercy# he /aits to be gracious in betowing the in+a!ab!e b!eing A he ne+er comer the fa+or

on accont of any thing amiab!e in the obect# o he ne+er

withho!' it# on accont of any *ec!iar aggra+ation in the

inner con'ct or character To 'i*te thi# i to 'eny that

a!+ation i by grace $i+ine mercy i not con'itiona!# narrow# or

!imite'2 not !i"e that which i eercie' by men# bac"war' to

inter*oe# ti!! omething in+iting a**ear in it obect .o2 it i

'i+ine!y o+ereign# an' abo!te!y free

oni'er# 'icono!ate o! how many mi!!ion now inhabit the

region of immorta! *rity an' e!t in b!i# that were once

!oathome with in# an' !a'en with gi!t2 *ree' with fear# an'

rea'y to in" in 'e*air2 in a wor'# a!together a abominab!e an'

wretche' a yo can *oib!y be Ref!ect a moment# an' ee

whether yo cannot fin'# among thoe spirits of the 1ust !ade

perfect, ch a were by natre the ame# an' before mercy wahowe'# no better by *ractice than yore!f There yo wi!! fin'

that a'e*t in e+ery "in' of wic"e'ne# the i'o!atro an' b!oo'y

&anaeh (% =ing i % hron iii) There yo may ee the

*erfi'io /eter2 the man who# contrary to the 'ictate of hi

concience# to the warning of hi &ater# an' to hi own mot

o!emn *rotetation# 'enie'# with oath an' cre# (&ar" i+

71) hi >or' an' a+ior There yo may beho!' many of the

*rof!igate orinthian2 *eron that were once a re*roach to theircontry# an' a can'a! to hman natre ,hi!e near to the on of

Go'# an' eate' on throne of b!i# yo cannot bt beho!' many

of thoe Fera!em inner# who imbre' their han' in the b!oo'



of or 'i+ine >or' Thee ma"e a 'itingihe' figre among the

hining hot2 the +ery thoght of which mt re+i+e the heart of a

'roo*ing inner n a wor'# there yo wi!! ee inner of e+ery ort

an' of e+ery i:e o that# be yor in !i"e a 'ebt of mi!!ion ofta!ent2 be they more in nmber than the tar in the firmament#

an' hea+ier than the an' of the ea2 yet thi full forgi+ene

*erabon' >et thi be yor ret an' thi yor oy# that grace

reign in the *ar'on of a!! in

The net reiite in a com*!ete *ar'on i# that it be free) or# in

other wor'# not +ochafe' on any con'ition to be *erforme' by

the inner n regar' to hrit# or rety# the *ar'on of any# e+enthe !eat offence# wa *en'e' on the *erformance of the mot

'rea'f! con'ition an' the har'et term The term# the

con'ition were# hi incarnation# hi mot *erfect obe'ience to the

'i+ine !aw# an' bection to the mot infamo 'eath of the cro

A to hrit or btitte# b!oo' wa the rigoro con'ition2

b!oo' wa the 'rea'f! 'eman'2 e+en the *oring ot of his o/n

blood wa the righteo reiition of $i+ine tice ;or /ithout

shedding of blood, e+en the b!oo' of the /rince of !ife an' >or' ofg!ory# there is no re!ission of any offence The atonement of or

g!orio 5igh-/riet i that which atifie the c!aim of tice#

which *rocre the *ar'on of in# an' *acifie the concience of

men when *aine' with a ene of gi!t

Thi forgi+ene i# notwithtan'ing# abo!te!y free to the

*ar'one' inner t i 'i*ene' accor'ing to the riche of 'i+ine

mercy# an' i recei+e' in a way of grace A it i written# *e haverede!ption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins,

according to the riches of his grace The 'eath of hrit i the

meritorio cae# an' the g!ory of Go' i the !timate en' that

Feho+ah ha in +iew when he betow the b!eing 'od for

Christs sake hath forgiven you 3., even . a! he, that blotteth out

thy transgressions for !y o/n sake The !at *aage i o

remar"ab!y a**oite that cannot forbear trancribing it more at

!arge 4ut thou hast not called upon !e, O Jacob) but thou hastbeen /eary of !e, O .srael Thou hast not brought !e the s!all

cattle of thy burnt:offerings, neither hast thou honoured !e /ith

thy sacrifices . have not caused thee to serve /ith an offering,



nor /earied thee /ith incense Thou hast brought !e no s/eet

cane /ith !oney, neither hast thou filled !e /ith the fat of thy

sacrifices, but thou hast !ade !e to serve /ith thy sins, thou hast

/earied !e /ith thine ini9uities After ch a hea+y charge2rather# after ch a com*!ication of charge ehibite' againt

them# who co!' e*ect bt the net wor' wo!' f!ah

+engeance# an' 'enonce tter 'etrction Bt# !oreoice# ye

hea+en an' hot for oy# ye chi!'ren of mene+ery y!!ab!e

i ba!m# e+ery wor' teem with cono!ation F95EA5 *ea"2

!et the wort of inner atten' an' hear # whom tho hat o

notorio!y offen'e'# even . a! he that blotteth out thy

transgressions) not becae tho art hmb!e# or any way a!ifie'for mercy# bt for !ine own A=92 to 'emontrate the riche of

my grace# an' to 'i*!ay the g!ory of a!! my *erfection "nd o

f!!y an' effecta!!y ha!! thi be 'one# that . /ill not re!e!ber

thy sins any more5ere we ha+e the a*ot!e 'ec!aration fine!y

eem*!ifie'2 *here sin abounded, grace did !uch !ore abound

n the intance before # we beho!' a *eo*!e# high!y fa+ore' of

the >or'# neg!ecting hi *oiti+e a**ointment# thogh eay to be

*erforme'2 we beho!' them restraining prayer before 'od, an'ite weary of hi worhi* Dea# we hear their o+ereign com*!ain

that they ha+e cae' him to er+e with their in# an' wearie'

him with their m!ti*!ie' crime2 an' yet thee im*io wretche

are *ar'one' Ama:ing mercy in abon' !i"e a f!oo'# bt grace

abon' !i"e an ocean f *ar'on th circmtance' be not

abo!te!y free# in re*ect of the crimina!# thin" it wo!' *::!e

the mot fritf! in+ention to contri+e a form of wor' to e*re

any ch a thing

The *irit of in*iration# *ea"ing by the ame *ro*het in another

*!ace# 'ec!are# ;or the iniity of hi co+etone wa wroth

an' mote him2 hi' me an' wa wroth# an' he went on frowar'!y

in the way of hi heart ,hat e*e'ient 'oe the >or' try netI

ince thee mi!'er metho' 'i' not rec!aim the obtinate#

rebe!!io# co+eto wretch# it might natra!!y be e*ecte' that

Go' wo!' *rocee' imme'iate!y to !ay on e+erer tro"e# an' toma"e him fee! the +engeance of hi !ifte' arm Bt reigning grace

'oe won'er# ch won'er a wi!! fi!! hea+en with ha!!e!ah to

a!! eternity# ha+e een hi way# ay the >or' re!y# then# he



wi!! teach him not to offen' any more# by inf!icting an awf!

*nihment# an' by ma"ing him a igna! eam*!e of a+enging

tice ch wo!' be the 'etermination an' con'ct of men# in

'ea!ing with a tbborn# yet im*otent a'+erary Bt Feho+ahmetho' of rec!aiming offen'er# an' of oftening the heart of hi

har'ene' enemie# are not !i"e or2 they are in a *ec!iar manner

hi own# an' high!y becoming hime!f 5e a''(ama:ing!y

gracio in'ee')he a''# an' wi!! hea! him of thee hi

in+eterate ma!a'ie wi!! *ar'on a!! hi offence# an' !ea' him

a!o in the way of obe'ience An'# ha+ing hown him the infinite

e+i! of hi former con'ct# an' *oee' hi heart of go'!y

orrow# wi!! retore comfort nto him# an' to a!! hi mornerA g!orio!y free *ar'on in'ee' 5ere grace ta"e the rebe! in

han'2 an' what i the coneenceI ,hy# their *irita! 'ieae

are hea!e'2 their crying in are *ar'one'2 the on of Be!ia! are

re'ce' to obe'ience# an' ma'e *arta"er of hea+en!y oy

>et now coni'er ome few of thoe eminent an' e+er!ating

monment of grace a it reign in the free *ar'on of in# that

tan' recor'e' in the .ew Tetament a!# afterwar' ca!!e' /a!#wa a barbaro *erector of the chi!'ren of Go' The acre'

hitorian inform # that hi rancoro heart breathed out

threatenings and slaughter againt the aint of the &ot 5igh

5a' it been in hi *ower# he wo!' ha+e 'ea!t 'etrction among

the hritian by e+ery breath he 'rew ,o!' yo ee a frther

'ecri*tion of hi ma!ice an' rage againt the *eacef! an' ho!y

'ici*!e of FeI ,o!' yo beho!' thi tiger in hman form

*ring an' 'e+oring the innocent !amb of hrit# to thetmot etent of hi *ower then rea' the fo!!owing wor'C .

punished the! oft in every synagogue, and co!pelled the! to

blasphe!e "nd, being 9N9$.G>D &A$ against the!, .

persecuted the! even unto strange cities it *oib!e for wor'

to e*re a more 'iabo!ica! tem*er# or a more a+age barbarityI

,hat ha' the obect of hi im*!acab!e fry 'one# that he became

o high!y incene' againt themI The gran' offence wa# they

!o+e' or >or'# an' owne' him for the tre &eiah ;or thi hetirre' * a!! hi rage# an' wo!' not ffer them to !i+e 5e might

we!! ac"now!e'ge# when he came to hi right min'# . /as a

blasphe!er, a persecutor, and in1urious Det thi man# than whom





hman ha*eti!! the 'ecri*tion of thi barbarity heighten .

/as e%ceedingly !ad against the! . co!pelled the! to

blasphe!e) and punished the! in every synagogue The *ractice#

not of a ma!!# bt of a fien' Ti the +ery *ictre of an incarnate'e+i!,hat ha thi inferna! wretch that may recommen' him to

the $i+ine fa+orI f e+er there wa a inner on earth# that ha'

inne' beyon' the reach of mercy# beyon' the *oibi!ity of

*ar'on# re!y it mt be thi a! of Tar

@Bt the $i+ine mercy# 'i'aining a!! !imit# i o+erf!owing an'

nmearab!e ,here in ha abon'e' !i"e a f!oo'# $i+ine mercy

abon' !i"e an ocean The fa+or of man i bac"war' tointer*oe ti!! omething amiab!e an' in+iting a**ear in the obect

Bt the grace of Go' i immene!y rich an' infinite!y free t

*re+ent the mot +i!e an' har'ene' rebe! t bring e+ery

reiite an' recommen'ation# in it own n*ea"ab!y beneficent

natre t accom*!ihe a!! it b!ee' en'# not by any towar'!y

'i*oition in the inner# bt by that one g!orio righteone

*ro+i'e' in the a+iorThi o+ertoo" the *erector on hi

orney to $amac >ight an' !ife were *ore' *on him# notfrom any 'awn of reformation in hime!f# bt from a +ery

'ifferent arter By o*ening# a it were# a win'ow in hea+en#

whi!e he wa oorning e+en in the brb of he!! He sa/ that

FHT .9 5e recei+e' the inetimab!e gift 5e wa ma'e

*arta"er of the a!+ation# which i in Fe hrit

@ee# now# what an effect thi faith ha *on hi con'ct t cae

a tota! re+o!tion in the entiment of hi min' t gi+e a new biato e+ery fac!ty of hi o! t intro'ce an abo!te change into

the who!e tenor of hi beha+ior A great an' mar+e!!o a

change# a if yo ho!' beho!' ome mighty torrent# trne' by

the hoc" of an eartha"e2 an' ro!!ing thoe water to the eat#

which# from the beginning of time# ha' f!owe' inceant!y to the

wet 5e a'ore that Fe whom he !ate!y b!a*heme' 5e

*reache that faith which he once 'etroye' An' he i rea'y to

!ay 'own hi !ife for thoe be!ie+er whom# not !ong ago# he *erecte' nto 'eath@ Theron and "spasio Eo! iii * %33# %34

e'it <th



The cae of Oacche the *b!ican# of the amaritan woman# an'

of the /hi!i**ian ai!er# !o'!y attet the g!orio trth for which

am *!ea'ing Oacche wa chief among the *b!ican# an'# it i

high!y *robab!e# wa not the !eat among the etortioner Amonghi neighbor# hi em*!oyment wa 'etetab!e# hi character

*rof!igate# an' hi com*any can'a!o That hi em*!oyment wa

'etetab!e# none can 'obt That hi character wa *rof!igate#

a**ear from hence The office of chief a!ong the publicans, wa

what no on of Abraham# who ha' not !ot hi re*tation# or who

wa not of an aban'one'# hame!e character# wo!' n'erta"e

An' that hi com*any wa eteeme' can'a!o# i e+i'ent from

that "een ref!ection *on the con'ct of Fe# when he became aget at hi tab!e They !ur!ured, saving, that he /as gone to be

a guest /ith a !an that is a sinner) a worth!e# infamo fe!!ow

A com*!aint of the ame "in' with that of imon the /harieeC

This !an, if he /ere a prophet, /ould have kno/n /ho, and /hat

!anner of /o!an this is that toucheth hi!, for she is a sinner) a

*eron of i!!-fame# one that i a re*roach to her e Bt#

notwithtan'ing the nworthy character or con'ct of thi Fewih

*b!ican# he i intantaneo!y con+erte' .o core of 'tie# *rior to hi be!ie+ing on hrit# i aigne' him .o a!ification#

a *re'i*oing for *ar'on# mentione' This day, withot any

*re+io *re*aration# is salvation co!e to this house .ay# before

or >or' e*ree' thoe gracio wor'# Oacche ma'e hate#

came 'own from the tree# an' recei+e' him 1oyfully .ow# a

thing were then circmtance' in reference to the entertaining of

hrit# it i not at a!! *robab!e that he ho!' ha+e recei+e' him

1oyfully, withot be!ie+ing in him2 nor co!' that ha+e been#withot recei+ing the remiion of in Thi# therefore# i a nob!e

intance of an abo!te!y free an' ncon'itiona! *ar'on

The con+erion of the amaritan woman i an intance mch to

or *r*oe Thi woman !i+e' in ignorance of Go' an' hi

warhi*# an' in the +i!e *ractice of a'!tery# ti!!# by a remar"ab!y

gracio *ro+i'ence# he met with or >or' 5e ma'e hime!f

"nown to her he be!ie+e' on him2 confee' her faith in him2an'# coneent!y# recei+e' that forgi+ene which i by him .or

can we **oe# withot offering +io!ence to reaon an' cri*tre#

that hrit coni'ere' her a ha+ing com*!ie' with any term# or



ha+ing *erforme' any con'ition# a!ifying for that *ar'on an'

thoe b!eing which were +ochafe' to her

The con+erion of the /hi!i**ian ai!er i ea!!y a**oite# an'

ea!!y trong in *roof of or *oint The ai!er wa a Genti!e

i'o!ater# a barbaro *erector# an'# in *r*oe# a e!f-mr'erer

Det# being awa"ene' in hi concience# he wa 'irecte' by an

infa!!ib!e gi'e to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ imme'iate!y2

with the tronget arance that in o 'oing he should be saved

5a' /a! an' i!a thoght of any *re'i*oing or a!ifying

con'ition# to be attaine' in any way# or *erforme' by any mean2

ha' they thoght the *erformance of re!igio 'tie# a core ofhmi!iation for in# or the e+i'ence of any 'egree of !o+e to Go'#

*re+io!y neceary to faith in Fe for *ar'on an' acce*tance2

no 'obt bt thoe ambaa'or of hrit# who hnne' not to

'ec!are the who!e cone! of Go'# wo!' ha+e gi+en ome

intimation of thee thing to the tremb!ing erit Bt a they

'irecte' him imme'iate!y to trt in the a+ior# a free for any#

free for the +i!et of inner# withot gi+ing him any ch

intimation2 we may conc!'e that they 'i' not coni'er any thingneceary for that *r*oe .ow# a their 'gment an' con'ct in

thee im*ortant affair are ac"now!e'ge' to ha+e been accor'ing

to the min' of Go'# we may +entre to aert# that there i no

goo' 'i*oition# no ho!ine# nor any frit of anctification

reiite# a the con'ition of *ar'on

might *ro'ce +ario other intance# from the +o!me of

re+e!ation# to the ame *r*oe2 bt ha!! content mye!f at thitime with e!ecting one t i that of the thief on the croC an' a

hi eae i +ery remar" ab!e# the rea'er wi!! ece me if a !itt!e

en!arge *on it Thi man 'ie' the mot ignominio 'eath2 a

'eath which wa not common!y eecte' on any offen'er# bt

ch a were the refe of man"in'# an' gi!ty of atrocio

crime To thi 'eath he wa 'eer+e'!y broght2 hi own

concience ac"now!e'ging the tice of the eection A

har'ene' +i!!ain we fin' he wa# accor'ing to the tetimony oftwo e+ange!it# e+en after he wa fatene' to the cro &atthew

inform # that the T59E9 also, /hich /ere crucified /ith

Christ, too" * the ,or' of re*roach an' b!a*hemy# which were





honor which morta! can *ay to the tre Go' 5i *etition i#

Lord, re!e!ber !e /hen thou co!est into thy kingdo!5 Fe

anwer him with that maety an' con'ecenion which become

none bt the *reme /oeor of hea+en an' earth ;erily . sayunto thee, To:day shalt thou be /ith !e in paradise<

M5ow ama:ing the metho' of grace 5ow mortifying to hman

*ri'e i the con'ct of hrit n the time of hi *b!ic minitry he

wa a''ree' by a +ery 'ecent# re*ectab!e# an' a**arent!y

devout young ruler A *eron who# to otwar' a**earance# wa

+ery *romiing# an' !i"e!y to be an honor !o the Re'eemer

riing interet Det# notwithtan'ing a!! hi recommen'ation ofwor!'!y *ro*erty an' *o!ihe' manner# of honorab!e character

an' 'e+ot a''re2 he wa ent away e%ceedingly sorro/ful Bt

here we beho!' the ho!y Fe retrning the mot gracio anwer

to the +ery firt *etition of an aban'one' ma!efactor# a thief e+en

t before he breathe' hi !at oneent!y# he wa o far from

ha+ing any recommen'ation# either of *eron or of character# that

e+ery thing abot him wa ite the re+ere o tre are thoe

wor'# thogh *o"en with an i!! intent2 4ehold a friend of publicans and sinners3The /hole have no need of a physician,

but they that are sick, a**ear to ha+e been the maim on which

&eiah forme' hi con'ct An' why ho!' the righteo# or the

e!f-fficient# be offen'e' at thiI f they can 'o withot the

manifetation of ch grace# other cannot Bt if the e!'er brother

wi!! be 'i*!eae'# becae the *ro'iga! i acce*te'# who can he!*

itI ch# howe+er# a fee! their want# an' !oo" to the cro a!one

for re!ief# wi!! entire!y aciece in the con'ct of hrit2 beingwe!! *era'e'# that it i for hi eterna! honor# an' for their

e+er!ating a!+ation >"e +iii 18%3

The *etition of the 'ying crimina! **oe faith in the i!!trio

fferer# a the a!!-fficient a+ior2 an' the gracio anwer

which Fe retrne'# irrefragab!y *ro+e it 5i com*reheni+e

*etition being rea'i!y grante'# we may infer that hi offence were

*ar'one' an' hi *eron acce*te' .ow# can it be **oe' thatthe 'ying Re'eemer# when he +ochafe' *ar'on to him#

coni'ere' him in any other !ight than that of a notorio offen'er#

a mot ngo'!y wretchI it *oib!e to concei+e# with any



a**earance of reaon or of cri*tre# that thi thief *erforme' any

entit!ing or a!ifying con'ition# *re+io to the mercy an'

forgi+ene that were grante' an' manifete' to himI

an we imagine that thi thief# when he ai' re!e!ber !e, co!'

*oib!y coni'er hime!f a any other than the +i!et micreantIM

M#0e!ento !ei, homini f!agitioiimi b *eccatm +en'iti#

bi*e'm *eimi# et *eccatorm maimi2 9uando veneris in

regnu! tuu!, t et ego gratiam in+eniam a*' te# et firmam ac

ecram b a!i aeternae tae maetati tationem@ &9R=9.#

Observ Crit in $assion $ . * 78

Det# with great bo!'ne# an' no !e acce*tab!y# he ttere' the

wor' .atre teache an' *ri'e ggetC @Thi i a "in' of

!angage becoming none bt the 'ying !i* of *ro*het# of

a*ot!e# or of martyr2 of ch a ha+e been eminent for goo'

wor" an' *io er+ice a!! their 'ay@ ,hence# then# co!' thi

infamo man 'eri+e ch a 'egree of ho!y bo!'ne# o

acce*tab!e to the b!ee'ing mmane!I ,ith what confi'ence# or*on what gron' co!' he ay# Re!e!ber &9I t i im*oib!e#

ho!' thin"# for the in+ention of man to fin' any other reaon2

nor can a!! the hot of ange! fin' a better# than that grace which

reign That grace(!et ange! an' the *irit of t men ma'e

*erfect 'we!! on the charming on' !et the wort of inner !oo"

at it an' reoice in it)that grace# which wa the on!y bai of

ho*e for the greatet a*ot!e# an' the mot ho!y among the

chi!'ren of men# i an a!!-fficient gron' of 'e*en'ence# e+enfor b!a*hemer an' *erector# for thie+e an' mr'erer2 or# a

/a! ay# for the chief of sinners

5ere we beho!' with won'er an' contem*!ate with oy the

con'ct of the >or' Re'eemer in ma"ing choice of one a hi

com*anion to g!ory# when he ma'e hi eit an' !eft the wor!' f

one who ha'not !i"e 9noch# wa!"e' with Go'2 not !i"e Abraham#

reoice' to ee the 'ay of hrit# an' !onge' for itcommencement2 nor !i"e o!' imeon# waite' with ar'ent

e*ectation for the cono!ation of rae!2 bt of one who# for aght

a**ear to the contrary# ha' 'e+ote' a!! hi time an' a!! hi ta!ent



to the er+ice of atan2 of one# whom the wor' of ci+i! tice

*ermitte' not to !i+e2 an' who# in the eye of the *b!ic# wa !e

worthy of mercy than Barabba hime!f# who wa gi!ty of

sedition and !urder) wa a +i!e incen'iary an' a b!oo'y rffianAtonihing *roce're of Fe# the F'ge of the wor!' ,hen

ch a wretch i a+e'# who can 'e*airI At that e+er-memorab!e

an' ama:ing *erio'# when the on of the 5ighet wa in the *ang

of 'io!tion# Feho+ah wa 'etermine' to how# by an

incontetab!e fact# that ti!e a!+ation which wa then finihing#

originate' in o+ereign mercy# f!owe' in atoning b!oo'# wa ea!

to the want of the mot abominab!y wic"e'# an' terminate' in hi

own eterna! g!ory# a it !timate 'eign Thi# thi i grace#in'ee' Grace#

@.ot to be thoght on# bt with ti'e of oy#

.ot to be mention'# bt with hot of *raie@

an we ceae to a'mire the *ower of hi 'i+ine grace in ti!e

a!+ation of thi thiefI ,hat a!! ama:ing 'ifference ta"e *!ace ina few hor# a to hi character an' tate ,hen firt eten'e' on

the cro# we +iew him one of the mot har'ene' wretche whoe

character i recor'e' in a!!y hitory Then we hear him *ray# an'

beho!' him a incere *enitent An' !o before the 'ay i e!a*e'#

e+en whi!e hi bo'ya 'eforme' *ectac!e inti!! hang on the

gibbet an' 'ec!are to a!! the wor!' that he wa not fit to !i+e2 hi

immorta! *irit enter the *orta! of *ara'ie# an' i b!ee' with

the beatific +iion r*riing tranition A a niance to ocietyan' a *et to the *b!ic# he i broght to the cro# an' from

thence i tran!ate' to a throne of g!ory 5ere# a!o# we beho!'# in

tri"ing !ight# the o+ereignty of grace ;or the other thief# thogh

not more nworthy# 'ie nre!enting# an' i !ot fore+er 5ere the

A!mighty how that he /ill have !ercy on /ho! he /ill have

!ercy) for one is taken and the other left

cannot conc!'e my remar" on thi +ery etraor'inary fact#withot ober+ing# That a the 'eath of the on of Go' wa the

mot won'erf! e+ent that e+er 'i'# or e+er wi!! ta"e *!ace on the

theatre of the wor!'2 an' a it wa inten'e' to be a fon'ation of



ho*e for inner# in the mot 'e*erate cae2 o the circmtance

atten'ing it were wie!y a'a*te' to anwer that gracio 'eign in

it tmot !atit'e The /rince of !ife wa nu!bered a!ong

transgressors) wa crcifie' between two thie+e 5e 'ie'# noton!y the mot abhorre' of 'eath# bt in the wort of com*any

.or wa thi a caa! thingC it wa 'etermine' by Feho+ah# an' the

bect of ancient *ro*hecy Thi wa gracio!y or'ere'# in the

*r*oe an' *ro+i'ence of Go'# to affor' re!ief to the mot

f!agrant offen'er 5a' any the !eat regar' been *ai' to mora!

character an' hman ece!!ence# in that mot ama:ing of a!!

tranaction# nbe!ief an' *ri'e wo!' oon ha+e conc!'e' that it

wa *rinci*a!!y inten'e' for the more re*ectab!e *art of man"in'#for thoe who want bt !itt!e aitance# an' wo!' be ab!e to 'o

to!erab!y we!! withot it n ch a **oition# what mt ha+e

become of notorio crimina!# an' of thoe who coni'er

theme!+e a awf!!y gi!ty an' wretche'I ,hat# bt abo!te

'e*air wo!' ha+e awaite' the entire!y worth!eI thogh thee

are the *eron in whoe a!+ation mercy 'e!ight# an' for whom

the great atonement wa *ro+i'e' 5a' the com*anion of hrit

on the cro been *eron of a hining character for hmanity an' *iety2 nay# ha' they been of ea! re*te with 9:e"ie! worthie#

.oah# $anie!# an' Fob2 thogh man"in' by common conent

might ha+e agree' to *rononce their eection an otrageo

+io!ation of tice# an' ha+e eecrate' the F'ge who con'emne'

them2 yet the 'ying Fe wo!' ti!! ha+e been nu!bered /ith

transgressors Bt thi wo!' ha+e affor'e' ma!! encoragement

to thoe# who are not on!y con'emne' by 'i+ine !aw# an' tan'

gi!ty in their own concience# bt ha+e a!o# by a crimina!con'ct# incrre' the *b!ic o'im ch wo!' ha+e been rea'y

to infer# that their cae wa entire!y ho*e!e2 an'# therefore# a

'e*air of the ftre wa the mot rationa! thing# !o *reent

*!eare# howe+er inf!# wo!' ha+e been ti!! more eager!y

*re' by them Bt reigning grace wa by no mean wi!!ing that

the mot abhorre' of men ho!' be re'ce' to ch a 'rea'f!

itation n or'er# therefore# to *re+ent thi# the 5o!y ne of

rae! wa not on!y crucified, to how that he 'ie' n'er a charge

of the highet gi!t# an' wa ma'e a cre# bt he wa crcifie'

between t/o convicts that were thie+e an' rffian 5e ma'e hi

eit# an' wa nmbere' with ch a a!! the wor!' agree to



*rononce transgressors) with ch a ha+e e+er been eteeme'

by a!! nation a nworthy to !i+e Bt why wa thi# if not to

how# that a the bet of men ha+e no o!i' fon'ation of ho*e#

ece*t the b!oo' of the cro2 o the +ery wort an' the +i!et thate+er 'eer+e' a gibbet# ha+e no reaon to in" in 'e*air whi!e

they beho!' the >or' of !ife e*ire in ch com*any2 an'

e*ecia!!y when they remember that he too" one of thoe +i!!ain

with him to g!oryI

&y rea'er# *erha*# wo!' be rea'y to thin" it a gro affront to

hi character# were to aert that he tan' on the very sa!e

ter!s with thi thief# in regar' to acce*tance with Go'2 an' thatthe mot *right of men ha+e nothing more to *!ea' before their

&a"er than he ha' Det thi i a certain trth ;or a!+ation i

entire!y by grace2 an' grace i ncon'itiona! fa+or Grace#

therefore# ha no regar' to any rea! or **oe' 'ifference among

men A!! whom it re!ie+e are coni'ere' a on the ame !e+e!2 the

moot mora!# an' the mot *rof!igate# being ea!!y withot he!*

an' ho*e in theme!+e ,e may therefore conc!'e# that whoe+er

!oo" for a!+ation by any other grace than that which a+e' thithief# wi!! meet with a 'rea'f! 'ia**ointment

n the e+era! foregoing intance# grace# in the free *ar'on of in#

'oe not on!y a**ear# bt a**ear with maety2 it not on!y how

ite!f# bt 'emontrate it *ower to be infinite!y great an'

*reme!y g!orio Thee remar"ab!e cae tan' engroe' by

the *en of in*iration# a o many acts an' precedents of the cort

of hea+en2 an' were recor'e' for orye# rea'er# for ourober+ation# intrction# an' comfort They were or'ere' to be

tranmitte' to *oterity by the =ing eterna! that in the ages to

co!e he !ight sho/ the e%ceeding riches of his grace, through

Christ Jesus

The b!ee' effect *ro'ce' on the min' an' mora! of ai! thee

enormo offen'er# by the manifetation of grace an' a grant of

*ar'on# 'eer+e or coni'eration2 a they are a tan'ingtetimony to the trth of that aying# There is forgiveness /ith

Thee, that thou !ayest be feared ,hen /a! came to e*erience

the *ower# an' to tate the weetne of *ar'oning grace# no



!abor were too great for him to n'erta"e2 no ffering were

too e+ere for him to n'ergo# on the beha!f of hi $i+ine &ater

5e conte' not hi +ery !ife 'ear# o that he might *ro*agate the

g!orio trth# an' *romote hi Re'eemer honor Oacche waintant!y change' in hi 'i*oition an' con'ctC for the

etortioner ma'e retittion# an' *t on bowe! of mercy The

woman of amaria imme'iate!y 'rew nmber to hear that

gracio +oice which ic"ene' her own o!2 an' to recei+e him#

a the hrit# by whom he wa intrcte'# *ar'one'# an'

comforte' The ai!er manifete' a rea'y obe'ience to the

comman' of or a+ior# a =ing in Oion# by bmitting to the

or'inance of ba*tim 5e e+ince' hi !o+e to the a+ing trth# bywahing the tri*e of hi two i!!trio *rioner# an' by treating

them at hi ho*itab!e boar' with a cor'ia! we!come An' the

thief# the few moment he ha' to !i+e# after he enoye' the

b!eing of grace# confee' hi offence# tifie' Go' in the

*nihment he then ffere'# an'# in !o+e to the o! of hi *artner

in +i!!any an' infamy# re*ro+e' him for hi b!a*hemy# an'

warne' him of hi 'angerthe 'rea'f! 'anger of ffering eterna!

wrath

am *era'e' that the tetimonie an' fact# a!rea'y *ro'ce'

an' *!ea'e'# in or'er to *ro+e that *ar'on i free) 'etache' from

a!! wor"# 'e*en'ent on no con'ition# to be *erforme' by the

inner# are ite fficient therwie# might eai!y a'' to their

nmber# by *ro'cing other eam*!e an' more 'ec!aration from

the acre' +o!me Bt thee omit# an' ha!! on!y remin' my

rea'er of that remar"ab!e an' tr!y e+ange!ica! tet# *hen /e/ere ene!ies, /e /ere reconciled to 'od by the death of his (on

.ow# a none can 'eny that *ar'on of in i eentia! to a tate of

reconci!iation with Go'# o it i im*oib!e the reconci!iation an'

forgi+ene of thoe who are ene!ies to him# ho!' e+er ta"e

*!ace on accont of any thing amiab!e which they *oe# or of

any thing goo' which they ha+e 'one ch a **oition# if any

were abr' enogh to ma"e it# wo!' confon' the two

abo!te!y contra'ictory i'ea of enmity an' frien'hi*

5ere !et *ae a moment# an' in'!ge ref!ection there no

forgi+ene of any offen'er# or of the !eat offence# bt by



shedding of blood3 the infinite!y *recio b!oo' of Fe# or

incarnate Go'I 5ow awf!!y e+i!# how inconcei+ab!y great the

ma!ignity of in The 'ignity of the /eron who ffere' for it2 the

*er!ati+e interet he ha' in hi ;ather !o+e2 an' the more thanmontaino weight of $i+ine wrath which he bore in hi

com*!icate' ffering2 mch more trong!y e*re the

ecee'ing inf!ne of in# an' the infinite *rity of Go'# than

the e+er!ating *nihment of the 'amne' 5ere we beho!' in the

c!earet !ight# that or o+ereign i abo!te!y t# a we!! a

'i+ine!y mercif!# in granting a free *ar'on to ti!e worth!e an'

gi!ty 5ere we beho!' the righteo F'ge# an' the ffering

a+ior# inf!eib!e tice# an' trim*hant grace# in the ame *ointof !ight The cre i eecte' in a!! it rigor# an' mercy i

manifete' in a!! it riche 5ere the great >or' of a!! a**ear#

'i*ening innmerab!e an' free *ar'on2 bt in ch a way a

*reer+e the honor of hi !aw in+io!ate# an' maintain the

right of hi $i+ine go+ernmentin ch a way# a i the r*rie

of ange! an' the won'er of hea+en To contri+e it# wa the wor"

of infinite wi'om2 to manifet it# a 'i*!ay of bon'!e grace n

ch a metho' of 'i*ening forgi+ene# how afe!y may thea!arme' concience ret ;or whi!e it i mot ha**i!y a'a*te' to

im*re the min' with an awf! ene of the infinite e+i! of in#

the *rity of the 'i+ine n# re# an' the eteni+e 'eman' of the

ho!y !aw2 it encorage the mot nreer+e' confi'ence in mercy

th re+ea!e'# an' cherihe the !i+e!iet ho*e in grace th

reigning

there a f!! an' free forgi+ene2 a forgi+ene +ochafe'withot any term or con'ition to be *erforme' by the enfeeb!e'

an' corr*te' creatreI 5ow hamef!!y then 'o thoe *eron

inre the grace of Go'# an' +ei! it mot hining ece!!encie#

who teach# or imagine# that *ar'on of in i not to be e*ecte'#

nor can be recei+e'# ti!! the inner i *re*are' for it by a core of

hmi!iation# of e!f-'enia!# or of ho!y con+erationI Thi *ar'on#

far from being *en'e' on con'ition to be *erforme' by #

f!ow from o+ereign grace# i accor'ing to the infinite riche ofgrace# an' i inten'e' by Feho+ah to aggran'i:e hi grace# in the

+iew of a!! the re'eeme'# an' before the ange! of !ight# both here

an' hereafter That forgiveness /hich is /ith 'od, i ch a





fe'era! forman abo!te *romie# which faithf!ne ite!f i

engage' to f!fi! The continance of a *ar'one' tate# not

'e*en'ing on con'ition to be *erforme' by the inner# bt on the

*er*eta! efficacy of or >or' atonement# an' on the in+io!ab!efaithf!ne of the eterna! Go'# there i a!! *oib!e ecrity that a

f!! an' free *ar'on# once grante'# ha!! e+er abi'e in it f!!

force# an' in a!! it g!ory

The ame comfortab!e trth i taght an' confirme' by $a+i' "s

far as the east is fro! the /est, so far hath he re!oved our

transgressions fro! us 5ence we infer# that the in of thoe who

are forgi+en ha!! ne+er come againt them to their con'emnation#n!e thoe two o**oite *oint# the eat an' the wet# ho!'

e+er meet# an' o ceae to be what they are .or can that

b!ee'ne which the /a!mit# in another *!ace# acribe to the

*ar'one' inner# be acconte' for on any other **oition

4lessed is he, /hose transgression is forgiven ;or if all hi

offence were not forgi+en# an' that forever, what *eace for hi

concience here# what ho*e of g!ory hereafter# co!' he enoyI f

the continance of hi *ar'one' tate 'e*en'e' on hi ownobe'ience2 if# by a re!a*e into in# he ho!' again be !iab!e to

con'emnation an' wrath# a!! hi *reent enoyment an' ftre

ho*e wo!' not 'eer+e the name of blessedness, the tenre by

which they are he!' being o *recario $recarious5 retract the

e*reion There wo!' be a!! the certainty on the o**oite i'e

that co!' be ha'2 not the !eat *robabi!ity in hi fa+or# or the

!eat gron' to **oe that he wo!' e+er obtain eterna!

ha**ine The concience being awa"e# *reent *eace wi!! a!way"ee* *ace with a ho*e of ftre fe!icity

Another in*ire' *enman th e*ree the oyf! trth Thou

/ilt cast all their sins into the depth of the sea The trangreion

of the *ar'one' inner are here com*are' to a tone# or to ome

other *on'ero thing2 which# when cat into the fathom!e 'ee*#

i abo!te!y irreco+erab!e by a!! the art an' *ower of man The

!oftiet tower# the mot enormo montain# with a!! theircmbro !oa' of roc" an' foret# if cat into the ocean# wo!'

a!! entire!y 'ia**ear an' be !ot fore+er By thi e*rei+e an'

tri"ing image 'oe the 5o!y Ghot re*reent the *er*etity of



that forgi+ene which i with Go'# an' i +ochafe' to the

be!ie+er onformab!y to which# the >or' ay# The ini9uity of

.srael shall be sought for, and there shall be none) and the sins of

Judah, and they shall not be found The reaon of thi aertion icontaine' in the fo!!owing wor'C -or . /ill pardon the! /ho! .

reserve A con+incing *roof# that thoe who are *ar'one' by the

Go' of grace# ha+e a!! their in forgi+en# an' that fore+er aiah#

the e+ange!it of the Fewih chrch# ha a *aage mch to or

*r*oe 5e re*reent the Re'eemer# the 5o!y ne of rae!#

a''reing hi *eo*!e in the fo!!owing manner "s . have s/orn

that the /aters of 2oah should no !ore go over the earth) so have

. s/orn that . /ould not be /roth /ith thee nor rebuke thee -orthe !ountains shall depart, and the hills be re!oved) but roll

kindness shall not depart fro! thee, neither shall the covenant of

!y peace be re!oved, saith the Lord, that hath !ercy on thee

5ere we ha+e# not on!y the wor'# bt the oath of Feho+ah# in

attetation to the g!orio trthC an' if thee fai!#

@The *i!!ar' firmament i rottenne#

An' earth fon'ation tbb!e@

The a*ot!e of the Genti!e ha+ing thi g!orio trth f!! in hi

+iew# i bo!' to cha!!enge e+ery enemy# an' to 'efy e+ery 'anger

,hat !e can be the im*ort of that heroic !angage *ho shall

lay any thing to the charge of 'ods elect6 *ho shall conde!n6 f

the b!eing of *ar'on were e+er to be re+ere'2 if a inner# ha+ing

been once acitte' from con'emnation# ho!' again fa!! n'erthe cre an' be !iab!e to *erih# there wo!' be no fon'ation for

thee bo!' e*reion

ch i the natre an' ch the *ro*ertie of $i+ine forgi+ene2

e+en of that forgi+ene# which i the *rchae of mmane!

*ain# an' the *rice of re'eeming b!oo' The 'octrine of *ar'on i

an eentia! branch an' a ca*ita! artic!e of that trth# which i by

way of eminence ca!!e' THE GOSPEL. ;or the cheering!angage of that hea+en!y meage i 4e it kno/n unto you, !en

and brethren, that through this i!!trio Fe is preached unto

you the forgiveness of sins ch i the im*ort of the e+ange!ica!



tetimony2 an' the g!orio b!eing i recei+e' by faith in the

'ying Re'eemer A it i written2 To hi! give all the prophets

/itness, that, through his na!e, /hosoever believeth in Hi! shall

receive re!ission of sins Be!ie+ing the infa!!ib!e recor'# whichGo' ha gi+en of hi on# we recei+e the atonement The

*ro*itiating b!oo' of hrit i *rin"!e' on or heart# *ar'on i

a**!ie' to or concience# an' *eace enoye' in or o!

t i no rea! obection to the trth a'+ance'# that the >or' !ay hi

chatiing han' on the obect of thi forgi+ene ;or thogh he

correct them# an' freent!y with ome 'egree of e+erity# on

accont of their bac"!i'ing# yet thoe chatiement areintance an' e+i'ence of hi *aterna! affection# an' of hi

contant care o+er them They ha+e the tronget arance that

he /ill never take fro! the! his loving kindness, nor suffer his

faithfulness to fail

.or i it any way inconitent with the 'octrine maintaine'# that

be!ie+er are e*re!y comman'e' to *ray for the *ar'on of in#

an' that thi comman' ha been freent!y ac"now!e'ge' in thecon'ct of eminent aint# whoe character are recor'e' in the

ho!y cri*tre ;or# to e the wor' of a !earne' athor# @Eery

freent!y when the aint *ray# either for the forgi+ene of their

own or other in# their meaning i# that Go' wo!'# in a

*ro+i'entia! way# 'e!i+er them ot of *reent 'itre2 remo+e hi

aff!icting han'# which !ie hea+y *on them2 or a+ert ch

'gment which eem to hang o+er their hea'# an' +ery mch

threaten them# which# when he 'oe# i an in'ication of hi ha+ing *ar'one' them ,e are to n'ertan' many *etition of &oe#

Fob# o!omon# an' other in thi ene (9o' ii 3% .m

i+1# %0 Fob +ii %1 =ing +ii 30# 34# 36# 3# <0) Bei'e#

when be!ie+er now *ray for the *ar'on of in# their meaning i#

that they might ha+e the ene# the manifetation# an' a**!ication

of *ar'oning grace to their o! ,e are not to imagine# that a

often a the aint in# re*ent# confe their in# an' *ray for the

forgi+ene of them# that Go' ma"e an' *ae new act of *ar'on2 bt# wherea they 'ai!y in againt Go'# grie+e hi *irit#

an' won' their own concience2 they ha+e nee' of the freh

*rin"!ing of the b!oo' of Fe# an' of renewe' manifetation





destruction) /ho cro/neth thee /ith lo/ing kindness and tender

!ercies

Before conc!'e thi momento *art of my bect# wi!!

trancribe a few !ine from a ce!ebrate' athor of the !at centry2

ce!ebrate'# not more for hi +ery *erior !earning# than for hi

great *enetration in *irita! thing# an' hi e*erience in the

hritian !ife Treating of $i+ine forgi+ene# he ay# @The

forgiveness that is /ith 'od, i ch a become him# ch a i

itab!e to hi greatne# goo'ne# an' a!! the other ece!!encie

of hi natre2 ch a that therein he wi!! be kno/n to be GOD.

,hat he ay concerning ome of the wor" of hi *ro+i'ence# be still, and kno/ that . a! GOD, may be mch more ai'

concerning thi great effect of hi grace# (till yourselves, and

kno/ that he is GOD. t i not !i"e that narrow# 'iffic!t# ha!+ing#

an' manac!e' forgi+ene# that i fon' amongt men2 bt it i

f!!# free# bottom!e# bon'!e# abo!te-ch a become hi

natre an' ece!!encie t i# in a wor'# forgiveness that is /ith

GOD, an' by the eercie of which he wi!! be "nown o to be f

there be any *ar'on with Go'# it i ch a become him to gi+e,hen he *ar'on# he wi!! abundantly pardon Go# with yor ha!f

forgi+ene# con'itiona! *ar'on# with reer+e an' !imitation#

nto the on of men t may be# it may become them2 it i !i"e

theme!+e That of Go' i abo!te an' *erfect2 before which# or

in area a c!o' before the eat win' an' the riing n 5ence

he i ai' to 'o thi wor" /ith his /hole heart and his /hole soul)

free!y# bontif!!y# !arge!y to in'!ge an' forgi+e nto or in#

an' to cast the! into the botto! of the sea Remember thi# *ooro!# when yo are to 'ea! with Go' in thi matter f we !et go

the free *ar'on of in# withot re*ect nto any thing in thoe that

recei+e it# we renonce the go*e! /ar'on of in i not merite' by

antece'ent 'tie# bt i the tronget ob!igation nto ftre

'tie 5e that wi!! not recei+e *ar'on# n!e he can one way or

other 'eer+e it# or ma"e hime!f meet for it# or *reten' to ha+e

recei+e' it# an' fin' not hime!f ob!ige' to ni+era! obe'ience

by it# neither i nor ha!! be *arta"er of it@ M

M $r wen# On the hundred and thirtieth $sal!, * %0% %%7# an'

on 5eb +iii 1% Thi eminent writer !o'!y *roc!aim the



charming trth 5e no more feare' thi 'octrine !ea'ing to

!icentione# than he +a!e' the a**!ae of the e!f-fficient

mora!it 5e treat of a f!!# free# an' fina! forgi+ene# !i"e one

who "now it rea! +a!e# e*erience it ntterab!e weetne#an' g!orie in it a hi own *ri+i!ege# 5e !abor hi nob!e bect#

an' re*eat the oyf! trth ,herea# many of or mo'em

*reacher# who *reten' to re+erence the 'octor memory# a'mire

hi *rofon' !earning# an'# in a genera! way# a**!a' hi

'gment2 when han'ing the ame bect# either 'irect!y

contra'ict him# or whi*er the gran' trth in faint accent# a if

they etione' the certainty of what they wo!' eem to affirm#

or were a**reheni+e of ome *ernicio coneence atten'ingit

.ow# rea'er# what thin" yo of thi g!orio *ar'onI it itab!e

to yor wantI it worthy of yor acce*tanceI Do are# *erha*#

one of thoe care!e morta! that are at eae in their in# an'

eager!y *ring the tanta!i:ing *!eare of thi ncertain !ife

Bt can yo be contente' to !i+e an' 'ie in tter ignorance of thi

forgi+eneI *ar'on a b!eing of ma!! im*ortance# or ha+eyo no occaion for itI inne' yo ha+e# con'emne' yo are# an'#

withot forgi+ene# yo 'ie to eternity tart# tart from yor

t*or Dor tate i 'rea'f!# thogh not 'e*erate Dor in are

*on yo# the !aw of Go' cre yo# an' yo are in etreme

'anger of eterna! 'amnation Do are tottering# a it were# on the

brin" of a 'rea'f! *reci*ice# an' no''ing on the +erge of the

brning !a"e an yo !ee* in yor in# can yo ret in an

n*ar'one' tate# when it i a!! ncertainty whether the net hormay not tranmit yo into an eterna! wor!'2 *!ace yo at the bar of

Go'# an' *t yo beyon' the *oibi!ity of re!iefI &ay $i+ine

grace forbi' yor contining another moment in ch an awf!

itation ;or# another moment# an' yor !ife may be gone2

another moment# an' yor o! may be !ot2 an' then yor !o

wi!! be irre*arab!e# inconcei+ab!e# an' eterna!

my rea'er enib!e of hi want# an' !onging for the match!e b!eingI Then !oo" to the 'ying Fe Dor iniitie# it i tre#

abon'2 bt *ar'oning mercy# throgh hi atonement#

*erabon' Be of goo' cheerC ta"e encoragementC for the



fa+or yo o earnet!y 'eire i a free gift B!ee' be Go' for

the ama:ing mercy ch are the metho' of grace2 an' ch i

the natre of thi forgi+ene# that a yor eterna! a!+ation i

bon' * in the enoyment of it# o the e+er!ating honor ofFeho+ah i n*ea"ab!y a'+ance' by free!y betowing it There i

no reaon# therefore# that yo ho!' tan' at a tremb!ing 'itance#

a if there were no ch fa+or for yo2 bt with bo!'ne yo

may !oo" for it2 in a way of grace throgh the b!oo' of hrit# an'

trth ite!f ha mot o!emn!y 'ec!are' that yo ha!! not be

'ia**ointe'

Are yo comfortab!y acainte' with the *ar'oning goo'ne ofGo'I ha+ing mch forgi+en# yo ho!' !o+e mch The

remembrance of a b!eing o immene!y rich# the ene of a

fa+or o etreme!y high# ho!' eh-!arge yor heart with a!! ho!y

affection towar' the >or' Re'eemer2 ho!' animate a!! yor

'e+otiona! er+ice2 ho!' cae yo to com*aionate yor

offen'ing brother# in forgi+ing him hi hundred pence,

coni'ering that Go' ha forgi+en yo ten thousand talents, an'

ma"e yo :ea!o of e+ery goo' wor" Thi forgi+ene# far from being an incenti+e to +ice# wi!! bia yor affection on the i'e of

+irte2 wi!! cae yo to !o+e Go' a infinite!y ho!y# an' to abhor

in# a a 'irect o**oition to hi immac!ate *rity an' re+ea!e'

wi!! De# a ene of *ar'on# when warm on yor min'# wi!! wor"

in yo go'!y orrow for a!! in# for the !atent corr*tion of yor

heart# no !e than the o*en trangreion of yor !ife# an' wi!!

cae yo to confe them before Go' with hame an' grief ch

are the genine effect of $i+ine forgi+ene Thee frit wi!!neceari!y a**ear# in ome 'egree2 an' he who *rofee to "now

the *ar'on of hi trangreion# bt 'oe not forgi+e hi

offen'ing brother# an' !i+e n'er the 'ominion of in# is a liar,

and the truth is not in hi!



. OF GRACE, AS IT REIGNS IN OUR

JUSTIFICATION

T59 'octrine of tification ma"e a +ery 'itingihe' figre in

that re!igion which i from abo+e# an' i a ca*ita! artic!e of that

faith /hich /as once delivered to the saints ;ar from being a

mere!y *ec!ati+e *oint# it *rea' it inf!ence throgh the

who!e bo'y of 'i+inity# rn throgh a!! hritian e*erience# an'

o*erate in e+ery *art of *ractica! go'!ine ch i it gran'im*ortance# that a mita"e abot it ha a ma!ignant efficacy# aci'

i atten'e' with a !ong train of 'angero coneence .or can

thi a**ear trange# when it i coni'ere'# that thi 'octrine of

tification i no other than the way of a sinners acceptance /ith

'od Being of ch *ec!iar moment# it i ine*arab!y connecte'

with many other e+ange!ica! trth# the harmony an' beaty of

which we cannot beho!'# whi!e thi i min'ertoo' Ti!! thi

a**ear in it g!ory# they wi!! be in+o!+e' in 'ar"ne t i# if anything may be o ca!!e'# a funda!ental artic!e2 an' certain!y

reire or mot erio coni'erationM

M>et it be caref!!y ober+e' by the rea'er# that thogh here treat

*on tification a 'itinct from *ar'on# yet am f!!y

*era'e' that they are b!eing which cannot be e*arate' ;or

he who i a!o *ar'one' i tifie'# an' he who i tifie' i a!o

*ar'one' t i rea'i!y a!!owe' that there i# in +ario re*ect# agreat reemb!ance between the two b!eing They are both gift

of grace2 both +ochafe' to the ame *eron# at the ame time2

an' both are commnicate' throgh the me'iation of hrit

.otwithtan'ing which agreement# the signification of the term#

an' the nature of the b!eing inten'e' by them are o far

'ifferent a to !ay a fficient fon'ation for 'itingihing

between the one an' the other wo!' t hint at a few thing in

confirmation of thi ,hen a /aron i *ar'one'# he i coni'ere'

a a transgressor) bt when he i tifie'# he i coni'ere' a

righteous A crimina! when *ar'one'# i free' from obligation to

suffer death for hi crime2 bt he that i tifie' i 'ec!are'



/orthy of life, a an innocent *eron *isdo! i ai' to be

tifie'2 Christ i ai' to be tifie'2 nay# 'od hime!f i ai' to

be tifie' &att i 1 1 Tim iii 16 >"e +ii % Rom iii 4

Bt neither Go'# nor hrit# nor ,i'om# i e+er ai' to be/ar'one'2 nor in'ee' i it *oib!e# in any ene# that they ho!'

be forgi+en Thogh we may# therefore# with the cri*tre affirm

that they are 1ustified, we cannot withot abr'ity# or b!a*hemy#

ay they are pardoned Thi one coni'eration# hmb!y concei+e#

i an irrefragab!e *roof# that there i a rea!# an im*ortant 'ifference

between tification an' *ar'on To which may a''# /a! treat

*on them a 'itinct b!eing# in Act 13C38# 3

Ho/ shall inf! !an be 1ust /ith 'od6 i a etion of the mot

intereting natre to e+ery chi!' of A'am A etion which#

notwithtan'ing it infinite im*ortance# co!' ne+er ha+e been

reo!+e' by a!! the reaon of men# nor by a!! the *enetration of

ange!# if the >or' of hea+en an' earth ha' not eercie' an'

manifete' reigning grace# towar' hi 'iobe'ient an' rebe!!io

creatre Bt# with the Bib!e in hi han'# an' the go*e! in +iew#

the mere infant in re!igio "now!e'ge an' in hritian e*eriencei at no !o for an anwer2 for the /ayfaring !an, though a fool,

shall not err therein .ay# ch i the *!eare of Go'# that he

freent!y re+ea! thi trth in it g!ory# to thoe who are eteeme'

foo! by the haghty on of cience# that no f!eh might ha+e the

!eat gron' of boating

Justification i a forenic term# an' ignifie the declaring, or the

pronouncing a person righteous according to la/ Ftification inot the !aking a *eron righteo# by a rea!# inherent change from

in to ho!ine# in which the natre of anctification conit2 bt it

i the act of a 'ge# pronouncing the partly ac9uitted fro! all

1udicial charges That the b!eing of which we *ea" 'oe not

conit in a rea! change from in to he!!ne# wi!! frther a**ear

from coni'ering# that 1ustification is dia!etrically opposite to

conde!nation .ow the entence of con'emnation i ne+er

**oe' to ma"e the *eron crimina! on whom it i *rononce'There i no infion of e+i! a!itie into the c!*rit min'2 nor i

he ma'e gi!ty# either in the eye of the *b!ic# or in hi own

etimation Bt being arraigne' a a crimina!# an' *ro+e' gi!ty of





coni'er the tate an' character of thoe *eron to whom the

b!eing i grante'

Ftification may be frther 'itingihe'# a being either at the

bar of Go'# an' in the cort of concience# or in the ight of the

wor!'# an' before or fe!!ow-creatre The former i by mere

grace# throgh faith# an' the !atter i by wor" t i the former of

thee ha!! now coni'er# which may be th 'efine'2

Justification is a 1udicial, but gracious act of 'od, by /hich a

sinner is absolved fro! the guilt of sin, is freed fro!

conde!nation, and has a right to eternal life ad1udged, !erely for

the sake of our Lords obedience, /hich is i!puted to hi!, andreceived by faith

To tify# i e+i'ent!y a 'i+ine *rerogati+e .t is 'od that

1ustifieth That o+ereign Being againt whom we ha+e o great!y

offen'e'# whoe !aw we ha+e bro"en by ten thoan' act of

rebe!!ion againt him# ha# in the way of hi own a**ointment# the

o!e right of acitting the gi!ty# an' of *rononcing them

righteo Feho+ah# whoe 'gment i a!way accor'ing to trth#i the Ftifier of a!! that be!ie+e in Fe 5ere grace reign ;or

the infinite!y wie Go' a**oint the way2 the righteo an'

mercif! Go' *ro+i'e the mean# an' (!et the acre' name be

re*eate'!y mentione' with *rofon' re+erence) the Go' of a!!

grace im*te the righteone an' *rononce the inner

acitte'# in *erfect agreement with the 'eman' of hi +io!ate'

!aw# an' the right of hi offen'e' tice

,hat i here# a we!! a in e+era! *aage of cri*tre# affirme'

concerning Go'# coni'ere' eentia!!y# i# in ome *!ace of the

infa!!ib!e wor'# more *artic!ar!y a**ro*riate' *erona!!y to the

;ather t i manifet# howe+er# that a!! the three 'i+ine /eron are

concerne' in thi gran' affair# an' each *erform a 'itinct *art in

thi *artic!ar# a a!o in the who!e economy of a!+ation The

eterna! ;ather i re*reente' a a**ointing the way# an' a gi+ing

hi own on to *erform the con'ition of or acce*tance beforehim The $i+ine on# a engaging to tain the cre# an' ma"e

the atonement# to f!fi! the term# an' *ro+i'e the righteone

by which we are tifie' An' the 5o!y *irit# a re+ea!ing to



inner the *erfection# itab!ene# an' freene of the a+ior

wor"2 enab!ing them to recei+e it# a ehibite' in the go*e! of

o+ereign grace# an' tetifying to their concience com*!ete

tification by it in the cort of hea+en Th the trine Go' tifie An' may we not a"# in the trim*hant !angage of /a!#

*ho shall conde!n6 f Feho+ah *rononce the inner acitte'#

who# in earth or he!!# ha!! re+ere the entenceI f the &ot 5igh

entire!y tify# who ha!! bring in a econ' chargeI There i no

higher cort to which any a**ea! can be ma'e There i no

*erior tribna! at which a com*!aint can be !o'ge'# againt any

of thoe ha**y o! whoe in+a!ab!e *ri+i!ege it i to be tifie'

by the eterna! Go' ,hen he acit in 'gment# he abo!+efrom a!! gi!t# he acce*t a com*!ete!y righteo2 otherwie# a

*eron# imme'iate!y after he i tifie'# mt be **oe' to

tan' in nee' of a frther tification# which i high!y abr'

Thi 'i+ine entence ha!! ne+er be ma'e +oi'# by any

nworthine of him on whom it i *ae'# nor by the accation

of atanC bt ha!! tan'# firmer than the e+er!ating hi!!2

nha"en a the throne of Go' Thi entence (!et my rea'er

'we!! on the ra+ihing trth# !et hi +ery o! feat on the *recio'octrine) thi entence# being the 1ustification of life, i *regnant

with a!! the b!eing of the e+er!ating co+enant2 with a!! the

fe!icity of the wor!' of g!ory

*er!ati+e!y great# g!orio# an' 'i+ine# i the b!eing of

tification &ot ar'ent!y to be oght# mot than"f!!y to be

enoye' an any one# concio of *oeing it# ceae to e!t in

Go' hi Ftifier# who# by being o# i a!o the Go' of hi *raieIr# who that i con+ince' of hi gi!ty# con'emne' con'ition# can

ceae to *ray an' mot earnet!y to !ong for itI # inner are yo

inenib!e to the worth of thi b!eing# an' *ine!y neg!igent

abot itI be are'# then# that yo are in yor in# an' n'er

con'emnation The tification of which we treat i far from yo

An' what# if yo ho!' ne+er be tifie'I ,hat# if yor

affronte' o+ereign ho!' wear in hi wrath# that he wi!! ne+er

forgi+e# ne+er acce*t yo2 bt that yo ha!! 'ie n'er the crea!rea'y *ae' *on yoI n ch a cat# thogh awf! beyon'

conce*tion# what co!' yo ha+e to obectI Do ha+e tram*!e' hi

athority n'er yor feet# an' cherihe' a *irit of the mot



ma!ignant enmity againt him Dor concience tetifie# that yo

ha+e neither obeye' hi !aw# nor !o+e' hi go*e!2 that yo ha+e

ha' !itt!e concern whether he wa *!eae' or offen'e'# o that yo

co!' bt gratify yor im*eto !t# an' obtain yor or'i' *r*oe Do ha+e# it may be# ne+er coni'ere' the 'eath of the

on of Go' a worthy of yor erio notice2 thogh it i the

greatet an' mot won'erf! e+ent that e+er too" *!ace in the

ni+ere# an' the on!y thing that can a+e yo from fina!

con'emnation Remember# thoght!e rea'er that yo ha+e a

cae to be trie' at the bar of Go'# an' before Feho+ah yor

F'ge# which in+o!+e yor a!! An eterna! he!! to be ffere'# or

an eterna! hea+en to be enoye'# wi!! be the awf! or the g!orioconeence of being cat or acitte' in 'gment an yo ret#

then# can yo ta"e any comfort# whi!e entire!y ignorant whether

the F'ge immorta! wi!! abo!+e or con'emn yoI oni'er the

gron' on which yo tan'# an' the reaon of that ho*e which i

in yo A mita"e abot the way of acce*tance with Go' wi!! be

atten'e' with the tmot 'anger2 ch 'anger that# where it i

fina!# ine+itab!e an' eterna! rin mt be the coneence &ay

the Go' of grace an' the ;ather of fight awa"en the !ee*yconcience of the inconi'erate# into an earnet o!icit'e abot

it an' may he 'irect the te* of ch a are anio!y iniring#

Ho/ shall a !an be 1ust /ith 'od6

The *eron to whom the won'erf! fa+or i grante'# are sinners

and ungodly ;or th rn the $i+ine 'ec!aration# To hi! that

/orketh is the re/ard of tification# an' of eterna! !ife a

connecte' with it# not reckoned of grace, but of debt 4ut to hi!that /orketh not, but believeth on hi! that 1ustifieth whomI the

righteoI the ho!y the eminent!y *io .ay# +eri!y# bt the

H.G$>D2 his faith, or that in which he be!ie+e# is counted

unto hi! for righteousness ;rom thi remar"ab!e tet we !earn#

that the bect of tification# coni'ere' in theme!+e# are not

on!y 'etitte of a *erfect righteone# bt ha+e *erforme' no

goo' wor" at a!! .or are they on!y 'ecribe' a ha+ing

*erforme' no goo' wor"# bt a!o a being entire!y 'etitte ofe+ery hea+en!y a!ity an' righteo 'i*oition They are

'enominate' an' coni'ere' a ngo'!y when the b!eing i

betowe' *on them The mere inner# the ngo'!y *eron# he





An' we mt not forego thi tetimony of the 5o!y Ghot# !et men

be a angry a they *!eae

@Bt the 'ifference i abot the meaning of the wor' f o# it

may be a!!owe' withot mta! offence# thogh we ho!'

mita"e their *ro*er ene n!y it mt be grante'# that Go'

1ustifieth the ungodly That i# ay ome# thoe who for!erly /ere

ngo'!y2 not ch who continue ngo'!y when they are tifie'

An' thi i mot tre A!! that are tifie'# were before ngo'!y2

an' a!! that are tifie'# are at the ame intant ma'e go'!y Bt

the etion i# whether they are go'!y or ngo'!y# antecedently,

in any moment of time# nto their tificationI f they areconi'ere' a go'!y# an' are o in'ee'# then the a*ot!e wor'

are not tre# that Go' tifieth the ngo'!y2 for the contra'ictory

*ro*oition i tre# Go' tifieth none bt the go'!y ,herefore#

a!thogh in an' with the tification of a inner he i ma'e go'!y2

(for he i en'owe' with that faith which *rifieth the heart# an' i

a +ita! *rinci*!e of a!! obe'ience# an' the concience i *rge'

from 'ea' wor" by the b!oo' of hrit#) yet antece'ent!y nto hi

tification# he i ngo'!y an' coni'ere' a ngo'!y2 a one that/orketh not) a one whoe 'tie an' obe'ience contribte

nothing to hi tification A he wor"eth not# a!! wor" are

ec!'e' from being the cae2 an'# a he i ngo'!y# from being

the con'ition of hi tification@ (n tification# ha*ter 8)

That the mere inner i the bect of tification# a**ear from

hence The *irit of Go' *ea"ing in the cri*tre re*eate'!y

'ec!are# that we are tifie' by grace Bt grace# a a!rea'yober+e'# tan' in 'irect o**oition to wor"2 a!! wor" an'

worthine of e+ery "in' an' of e+ery 'egree ,hoe+er therefore

i tifie' by grace# i coni'ere' a abo!te!y nworthy# in that

+ery intant when the g!orio b!eing i +ochafe' to him Thi

momento trth i yet more trong!y e*ree' in the fo!!owing

em*hatica! wor'C 4eing 1ustified freely by his grace (Rom 3C%4)

-reely by grace f thee wor' 'o not *ro+e that tification i

entire!y free# withot the !eat regar' to any **oe' ho!ya!itie in the inner# or any goo' wor" *erforme' by him#

antece'ent to hi being *oee' of the n*ea"ab!e fa+or2

thin" it i im*oib!e to e*re any ch thing The mot fritf!



in+ention wo!' be at a !o to contri+e a form of wor' better

a'a*te' to e*re the commnication of any benefit in a way of

mere fa+or Thi tet inform that# in regar' to Go'#

tification i an act of *re# nmie' grace2 ec!i+e of a!!goo' wor"# an' abo!te!y in'e*en'ent on any ch thing a

hman worthineC an'# in re*ect of # that it i entire!y /ithout

cause) for o the a'+erb in the origina! ignifie The wor' freely,

'oe not o imme'iate!y re*ect# either the b!eing ite!f# or the

gi+er# a it 'oe the tate an' character of the *eron to whom the

inetimab!e b!eing i grante' t 'enote that there i no cae in

them# why they ho!' be th treate' by a righteo Go' n thi

ene the origina! wor' i e' an' tran!ate' in ti!e fo!!owing *aageC They hated !e /ithout a cause (Fohn 1<C%< / 3<C1

/ !i 4 *etag) ,a the ho!y Fe hate'# by the ma!e+o!ent

Few# withot the !eat cae in hime!fI certain!yC to aert the

contrary wo!' be a contra'iction of the acre' tet# an'

b!a*hemy againt the on of Go' The *eron# therefore# that i

tifie' free!y by grace# i acce*te' /ithout any cause in hime!f

.othing in him# or abot him# i coni'ere' by the o+ereign

$i*ener of e+ery fa+or# when he betow the b!eing# a *re*aring or a!ifying for it

5ence it a**ear# that if we regar'e' the *eron who are tifie'#

an' their tate# *rior to the enoyment of thi immene!y g!orio

*ri+i!ege2 $i+ine grace a**ear an' reign in a!! it g!oryC there

being no con'ition# or *rereiite# no term to be f!fi!!e'# or

goo' a!itie to be obtaine'# either with or withot the $i+ine

aitance# in or'er to a f!! 'icharge before the eterna! F'geFtification i a b!eing of *re grace# a we!! a trancen'ent!y

ece!!ent o the tre be!ie+er eteem it# an' a ch reoice in it

n thi# a in e+ery other *art of hi a!+ation# he i wi!!ing to be

nothing# !e than nothing2 that grace may reign# that grace may be

a!! in a!!

The +ario fact an' tetimonie *ro'ce' from acre' writ#

when treating abot the freene of *ar'on# ea!!y *ro+e the *oint n'er coni'erationC an' might# with many other# be

a''ce' an' *!ea'e' on thi occaion ;or he that i *ar'one' i

tifie'2 an' he that i tifie' i *ar'one'# a before ober+e'



oneent!y# if or *ar'on be free# or tification cannot be

con'itiona! Bt# to a+oi' *ro!iity# ha!! not frther en!arge in

*roof of the g!orio trth2 on!y wo!' t ober+e# that o great a

b!eing# yet abo!te!y free2 o $i+ine a fa+or# yet not*en'e' on any con'ition to be *erforme' by the inner#

'ico+er atonihing grace Thi mt i!ence the fear an' raie

the ho*e of the gi!ty# the accre'# the e!f-con'emne' An'

may their ho*e be raie' by ch a coni'eration2 an' a!o by

beho!'ing the g!ory of that infinite Being# whoe honor an'

o+ereign *rerogati+e it i# to be in+io!ab!y t# yet the Justifier

of the ungodly

5a+ing coni'ere' the antece'ent tate of the *eron whom Go'

tifie# an' the freene with which the im*ortant b!eing i

betowe' *on him2 the way a**ointe' in the eterna! cone! an'

re+ea!e' in the e+er!ating go*e!# in which the con'emne'

crimina! may be honorab!y acitte' before the $i+ine tribna!#

an' acce*te' a righteo# now 'eman' or attenti+e regar'

5ere we beho!' immac!ate ho!ine an' trict tice

harmoni:ing with ten'eret mercy an' freet fa+or .or can it beotherwie The F'ge of a!! the earth mt 'o right 5e can acit

none withot a com*!ete righteone ;or to tify a *eron#

an' 'icia!!y to *rononce him righteo# are the ame thing

Ftification i e+i'ent!y a forenic term# an' the thing inten'e' by

it a 'icia! act o that were a *eron to be tifie' withot a

righteone# the 'gment wo!' not be accor'ing to trth2 it

wo!' be a fa!e an' nrighteo entence

That righteone by which we are tifie' mt be *erfect2

mt be ea! to the 'eman' of that !aw# accor'ing to which the

o+ereign F'ge *rocee' in or tification 9+ery 'ge# it i

e+i'ent# mt ha+e ome r!e by which to *rocee' in hi 'icia!

ca*acity Thi r!e i the !aw To ta!" of *aing 'gment# withot

ha+ing any regar' to !aw# i abr'# an' in+o!+e a contra'iction

;or# to 'ge# i nothing e!e bt to 'etermine whether the obect

of 'gment be accor'ing to r!e A 'ge firt coni'er what ifact# an' then# com*aring the fact with the r!e of action# he

*rononce it right or wrong# an' a**ro+e or con'emn the

*erformer of it An im*erfect obe'ience# therefore# before a 'ge#





,here then ha!! we fin'# or how ha!! we obtain a tifying

righteoneI ha!! we f!ee to the !aw for re!iefI ha!! we a**!y#

with 'i!igence an' :ea!# to the *erformance of 'ty# in or'er to

attain the 'eire' en'I ch a *roce're# thogh it might f!atteror *ri'e# wo!' betray or ignorance# 'ia**oint oar ho*e# an'

ie in eterna! rin The a*ot!e of the Genti!e# when *rofee'!y

han'!ing the 'octrine of tification# *oiti+e!y affirm an'

trong!y *ro+e# that there i no acce*tance with Go' by the /orks

of the la/ .ow# the wor" of the !aw# are thoe 'tie of *iety an'

of hmanity which the !aw reire .or can any acce*tab!e

obe'ience be *erforme'# which i not reire' by that !aw which

'eman' *erfect !o+e to Go'# an' *erfect !o+e to man o thatwhen the infa!!ib!e teacher ec!'e the wor" of the !aw from

ha+ing any concern in or tification# he entire!y reect a!! or

wor"# a!! or 'tie of e+ery "in' Bt !et hear hi wor' an'

coni'er their im*ort

4y the deeds of the la/, by or own obe'ience to it# howe+er

incere# shall no flesh be 1ustified, acce*te' of Go'# an'

*rononce' righteo in his sight The reaon i e+i'ent2 for bythe la/ is the kno/ledge of sin, as an o**oition to the $i+ine

re+ea!e' wi!!# an' a 'eer+ing an e+er!ating cre@ Bt if o# it

i abo!te!y im*oib!e that we ho!' be tifie' by it2 for a !aw

which *ro+e gi!ty# i far from *rononcing righteo in the

eye of the !awgi+er The la/ entered, wa *rom!gate' at inai#

that the offence !ight abound, that the abn'ance of or iniitie

might be manifete'# an' their ecee'ing inf!ne a**ear (Rom

<C%0) The la/ /orketh /rath t re+ea! the wrath of Go' againta!! ngo'!ine an' nrighteone of men t faten a charge of

gi!t on the crimina!# an' wor" a ene of 'eer+e' wrath in hi

concience ;ar from tifying any offen'er# it 'enonce tter

'etrction againt him# an' nheath the wor' of +engeance

(Rom 4C1<) "s !any as are of the /orks of the la/) who 'o their

bet en'ea+or to "ee* it# an' are !oo"ing for tification by it2

are whatI n a *romiing way to obtain acce*tance with Go'#

an' to be rewar'e' with !ife eterna!I ite the re+ere They areunder a 'rea'f! curse -or it is /ritten by the *en of infa!!ibi!ity#

an' i awf!!y e*rei+e of Feho+ah nchangeab!e *r*oeC

HR9$ 9E9RD .9# withot any re*ect of *eron#



withot any regar' to *!eae# That .T.H9T5 .T . A>>

T5.G /hich are /ritten in the book of the la/ to do the!

(Fame %C10) ;rom thi a!arming tet we !earn that there ne+er

wa# nor can be any acce*tance with Go'# withot a *erfectobe'ience an obe'ience# *erfect in it *rinci*!e# com*!ete in a!!

it *art# anti withot the !eat interr*tion in thoght# wor' an'

'ee' ;or he who fails in one point, brea" the !aw# i gi!ty

before Go'# an' e*oe' to rin (Ga! 3C10)

The a*ot!e arge in *roof of hi *oint# from the o**oition there

i between !i+ing by faith, an' !i+ing by the /orks of the la/

Thee are hi wor'2 That no !an, howe+er ece!!ent hi mora!character# howe+er righteo in hi own eteem# is 1ustified by hi

own obe'ience to the la/ in the sight of 'od, it is evident8 -or the

1ust, the tr!y righteo an' tifie' *eron# shall live by faith

"nd, that he 'oe not obtain the character# or enoy the

b!ee'ne connecte' with it# in +irte of hi own obe'ience#

a**ear from hence2 the la/ is not of faith) it ma"e no mention of

a Re'eemer# or of be!ie+ing in him 4ut, it niform !angage i#

the !an that doeth the!) that *ncta!!y *erform the 'tieenoine'# an' entire!y a+oi' the thing *rohibite'2 he# an' he

on!y# shall live in the!) ha!! fin' acce*tance an' enoy *eace

(Ga! 3C11# 1%)

The in*ire' *enman# e+er ea!o of hi &ater honor# e+er

concerne' for the g!ory of $i+ine grace# arge from an abr'ity2

an abr'ity# ob+io to the meanet ca*acity# an' hoc"ing to

e+ery min' that ha the !eat eteem for the >or' Re'eemer .frighteousness co!e by the la/, if men either were or co!' be

tifie' by their own 'tie an' en'ea+or# then it wo!'

ine+itab!y fo!!ow that Christ is dead in vain) a!! hi obe'ience an'

a!! hi ffering were e!e thing2 there wa no occaion for

them (Ga! %C%1) Again2 .f they /hich are of the la/ be heirs) if

they who re!y on their own !ega! *erformance be acce*te' of

Go'# an' entit!e' to the hea+en!y inheritance2 faith in a 'ying

Re'eemer i !ade entire!y void, and the pro!ise of !ife by him i!ade of none effect (Rom 4C14)



.or are the wor" of the !aw# which /a! o e*re!y an'

re*eate'!y ec!'e from ha+ing any concern in or tification#

to be n'ertoo' on!y of an obe'ience to thoe positive

intittion of Feho+ah# which# being of a tem*orary "in'# wereabrogate' by the 'eath of hrit 5i 'eign wa to et ai'e a!!

or obe'ience to e+ery !aw2 a!! or wor" an' 'tie of e+ery

"in' That thi wa hi intention# a**ear from the fo!!owing

coni'eration The a*ot!e ec!'e all /orks in genera! 'od

i!puteth righteousness /ithout /orks 3 4y grace ye are saved 3

not of /orks 3 .f by grace, then it is no !ore of /orks 2ot by

/orks of righteousness /hich /e have done 3 *ho hath saved us

3 not according to our /orks 5e 'oe not on!y ay# that we arenot tifie' by the wor" of the !aw2 bt a!o# that we are not

tifie' by /orks, *erformance# 'tie# obe'ience# in genera!#

what r!e oe+er may be their obect# or howe+er they may be

'enominate' 5e 'oe not gi+e the !eat hint# a if he meant on!y

to ec!'e the wor" of ome *artic!ar !aw# or 'tie of ome

*artic!ar "in'# in contra'iction to other An' when the *irit of

Go' 'ec!are# withot !imiting the *hrae to any *artic!ar "in' of

'tie# that we are not tifie' by /orks) what athority ha+e weto retrain the ene to thi or that ort of wor"# to the ec!ion

of otherI ;or a a!! 'tie *erforme' in obe'ience to a !aw are

/orks, whether the !aw be coni'ere' a mora! or ceremonia!# o!'

or new2 o a!! wor"# whate+er they be# are here ec!'e' withot

any ece*tion

That !aw which the a*ot!e 'eign# tan' in 'irect o**oition to

the grace of the go*e!# an' the *romie of !ife2 to faith in hrit#an' the righteone of faith The *romie that he should be the

heir of the /orld, /as not to "braha!, or to his seed through the

!aw# but through the righteone of faith -or if they /hich are

of the la/ be heirs, faith is !ade void, and the *romie !ade of

none effect 4ecause the !aw /orketh /rath) for /here there is no

!aw# there is no transgression Therefore it is of faith# that it !ight

be by grace, that the pro!ise !ight be sure to all the seed (Rom

4C13-16) .ow it i the mora!# an' not the ceremonia! !aw# thattan' o**oe' to grace# an' the *romie2 to faith# an' the

righteone of faith ;or the ceremonia! !aw# ehibiting in

+ario way the grace of Go'# the *romie' &eiah# an' !ife by



him# a the great obect of faith an' ho*e n'er the ancient

Fewih economy2 cannot be tate' an' coni'ere' in thi

contrate' +iew# withot a manifet im*ro*riety Bt the mora!

!aw i not of faith) it contain no re+e!ation of graceC it ehibit nofon'ation of trt# no obect of ho*e for inner2 nor 'oe it ma"e

the !eat *romie to them# bt a!! the re+ere Bei'e# the !aw

hero inten'e'# /orketh /rath By a trangreion of it# wrath i

incrre'2 an' by a con+iction of the e+i! of ch 'iobe'ience# a

ene of 'eer+e' wrath *oee the concience ,hich# thogh

*erfect!y a**!icab!e to the mora! !aw# an' to man"in' in genera! a

brea"er of it2 yet cannot be affirme' of the ceremonia!

intittion# neither in regar' to Few nor Genti!e Becae# a tothe former# thoe rite were !ong ince abrogate'2 an'# a to the

!atter# they ne+er were n'er any ob!igation to ober+e them

The im*ortant reaon aigne' by the acre' 'i*tant# why we

cannot be tifie' by the wor" of the !aw# bt by faith in Fe#

ma"e it e+i'ent# that he inten'e' to ec!'e# not on!y a!!

ceremonia! *erformance# bt a!o a!! or mora! obe'ience

5a+ing aerte'# that there i no tification by the 'ee' of the!aw# he a''# -or by the la/ is the kno/ledge of sin (Rom 3C%0)

.ow the a*ot!e inform from hi own e*erience# that the

"now!e'ge of in come by that !aw which forbi' a!! irreg!ar

'eire# an' e+ery nanctifie' affection . had not kno/n sin but

by the la/) for . had not kno/n lust, e%cept the la/ hall said,

Thou shall not covet 5ence it i *!ain to a 'emontration# that a!!

the 'tie of that !aw by which i the "now!e'ge of in# are

entire!y ec!'e' from a!! concern in or tificationC an'# thatthe !aw which con+ince of in# i *irita!2 reache the thoght

an' intent of the heart# aying# Thou shall not covet ,hether it

be the mora!# or the ceremonia! !aw# that i here inten'e'# the

rea'er# *reme# wi!! be at no !o to 'etermine Another reaon

aigne'# i# Lest any !an should boast ;or th it i written2 4y

grace ye are saved 3 not of /orks, lest any !an should boast 3 To

declare at this ti!e his righteousness, that he !ight be 1ust and

the 1ustifier of hi! that believeth in Jesus *here is boasting,then6 it is e%cluded 4y /hat la/6 of /orks6 2ay) but by the la/

of faith ,hence the a*ot!e infer the fo!!owing conc!ionC

Therefore /e conclude, that a !an is 1ustified by faith /ithout the





R.'HTEO+(2E((, to every one that believeth That

righteone by which many are tifie'# i the obe'ience of

One The be!ie+er# therefore# i not tifie' for the a"e of hi

own faith2 for then there mt be a many 'itinct righteonee#a there are tifie' *eron ,ere faith ite!f or tifying

righteone# we might# withot either *ri'e or fo!!y# 'e*en'

*on it# *!ea' it before Go'# an' reoice in it ;or whate+er the

&ot 5igh i *!eae' to acce*t a or tifying righteone#

may be *!ea'e' before him a ch ,hate+er may be o *!ea'e'#

mt be eteeme' a *ro*er gron' of or confi'ence may be

e' a an argment in *rayer at the throne of grace# an' a the

fon'ation of or e*ecting fina! ha**ineC an' whate+er i thegron' of or confi'ence# mt be the orce of or *irita! oy

o that# accor'ing to thi hy*othei# not hrit# bt faith# i the

ca*ita! thing2 the obect to which we mt !oo" The g!orio

Re'eemer an' hi n'erta"ing are on!y coni'ere' a ai!iarie

in the affair of tification2 whi!e faith i the gran' reiite# a it

ren'er mmane! wor" effecta!# an' crown the who!e To

n'ertan' thoe wor'# -aith /as i!puted to hi! for

righteousness, in the Arminian ene# i to contra'ict the who!eco*e an' 'eign of the a*ot!e argmentation# when treating

abot the tification of inner ;or hi main 'eign i to *ro+e#

that the eterna! o+ereign tifie freely) /ithout any cause in the

creatre Bt# accor'ing to thi hy*othei# faith i the con'ition2

i the cae2 i that on accont of which we are acce*te' a

righteo ;or it i coni'ere' n'er the forma! notion of

righteone 5ence it a**ear# that it i not faith ite!f# bt it

g!orio Ob1ect, which /a! inten'# when he *ea" of the beingim*te' for righteone

Bt i not that !aw# which man wa origina!!y n'er# which

reire an abo!te!y *erfect obe'ience# an' 'enonce a cre

on the !eat offen'er# abrogate' by the me'iation of Fe hritI

An' i not a new# reme'ia!# mi!'er !aw# intro'ce' in it *!ace2

one that i more ha**i!y a'a*te' to the infirmitie of a fa!!en

creatre# reiring on!y a sincere obe'ience# a the con'ition ofacce*tance before the o+ereign F'geI .oC for# not to ta"e notice

that ch a cheme re*reent the go*e! a !aking void the la/)

not to mention many other thing which might be rge'2 the



entiment **oe that the o!'# the eterna! !aw of Go'# wa either

too trict in it *rece*t# or too e+ere in it *ena! anction2 an'

that it reiition ne+er were# nor e+er wi!! be *erforme'# either

by ore!+e or by or rety An imagination thi# which'eer+e the tmot abhorrence2 a# in one +iew# it 'enie

*erfection to that !aw which i holy, and 1ust, and good) an' a# in

another# it high!y ref!ect on the wi'om# or eity# or goo'ne of

the *reme >egi!ator for enacting a !aw# the re*ea! of which wa

o neceary in or'er to accom*!ih the 'eign of hi grace

Bei'e# the cheme i abr' ;or it **oe that the !aw which

man i now n'er reire on!y an i!perfect obe'ience Bt an

im*erfect righteone cannot anwer it 'eman'# whether it be'enominate' o!' or new ;or e+ery !aw reire *erfect obe'ience

to it own *rece*t an' *rohibition Hn'er whate+er !aw we are#

it mt be the tan'ar' of 'ty an' the r!e of or obe'ience2 an'

e+ery r!e reire# an' cannot bt reire# a com*!ete conformity

to ite!f That !aw which forbi' e+ery irreg!arity in or tem*er

an' con'ct# whate+er name it may bear# i the r!e of or 'ty#

the !aw which i now in force2 otherwie# ch irreg!arity wo!'

not be in2 ch a 'e+iation from *erfect rectit'e wo!' be nofa!t That which i not *rohibite'# that which i the breach of no

!aw# cannot be in2 for sin is a transgression of the la/ f then we

are forbi''en to commit in# it mt be by a !aw that i now in

force2 an' if e+ery in be a breach of it# nothing hort of *erfect

obe'ience can be reire' by it oneent!y# nothing can be

acce*te' a righteone by or eterna! F'ge# bt an obe'ience

in a!! re*ect com*!ete2 a *erfect obe'ience# either *erforme' by

or im*te' to IM

M To ob+iate obection an' to enforce my argment# wi!!

intro'ce a *aragra*h or two from a !ate ece!!ent writer2 who#

when toching *on thi bect# ober+eC @They#@ the Arminian#

@treno!y maintain# that it wo!' be nt in Go' to reire

any thing of beyon' or *reent *ower an' abi!ity to *erform2

an' a!o ho!'# that we are now nab!e to *erform *erfect

obe'ience# an' that hrit 'ie' to atify for the im*erfection ofor obe'ience# an' ha ma'e way that or im*erfect obe'ience

might be acce*te' intea' of *erfect2 wherein they eem

inenib!y to rn theme!+e into the groet inconitency ;or



they ho!'# That Go' in mercy to man"in'# ha abo!ihe' that

rigoro contittion# or !aw# that they were n'er origina!!y2 an'#

intea' of it# ha intro'ce' a more mi!' contittion# an' *t

n'er a new !aw# which reire no more than im*erfect# incereobe'ience# in com*!iance with or *oor# infirm# im*otent

circmtance ince the fa!! .ow# how can thee thing be ma'e

conitentI wo!' a"# ,hat la/ thee im*erfection of or

obe'ience are a breach ofI f they are a breach of no !aw that we

were e+er n'er# then they are not in An' if they be not in#

what nee' of hrit 'ying to atify for themI Bt if they are

in# an' the breach of ome !aw# what !aw i itI They cannot be a

breach of their new !aw2 for (accor'ing to their *rinci*!e) thatreire no other than im*erfect obe'ience# or obe'ience with

im*erfectionC an'# therefore# to ha+e obe'ience atten'e' with

im*erfection i no breach of it2 for it i a mch a it reire

An' they cannot be a breach of their old !aw2 for that# they ay# i

entire!y abo!ihe'# an' we ne+er were n'er it They ay# it wo!'

not be t in Go' to reire of *erfect obe'ience# becae it

wo!' not be t to reire more than we can *erform# or to

*nih for fai!ing of it An'# therefore# by their own cheme#the im*erfection of or obe'ience 'o not 'eer+e to be *nihe'

,hat nee'# therefore# of hrit 'ying to atify for them ,hat

nee' of hi ffering# to atify for that which i no fa!t# an'# in

it own natre# 'eer+e no fferingI ,hat nee' of hrit 'ying

to *rchae that or im*erfect obe'ience ho!' be acce*te'#

when# accor'ing to their cheme# it wo!' be nt in ite!f that

any other obe'ience than i!perfect ho!' be reire' ,hat

nee' of hrit 'ying to ma"e way for Go' acce*ting ch anobe'ience# a it wo!' be nt in him not to acce*tI there any

nee' of hrit 'ying to *re+ai! with Go' not to 'o

nrighteo!yI f it be ai'# That Christ died to satisfy that old

la/ for us, that so /e !ight not be under it, but that thee !ight be

roo! for our being under a !ilder la/) ti!! wo!' inire#

,hat nee' of hrit 'ying that we might not be n'er a !aw#

which# by their *rinci*!e# it wo!' be in ite!f nt that we

ho!' be n'er# whether hrit ha' 'ie' or no2 becae# in or

*reent tate# we am not ab!e to "ee* itI



@o the Arminian are inconitent with theme!+e# not on!y in

what they ay of the nee' of hrit satisfaction, to atone for

thoe im*erfection which we cannot a+oi'2 bt a!o in what they

ay of the grace of Go' grante' to enab!e men to *erform theincere obe'ience of the new !aw They grant# that by reason of

original sin, /e are utterly disabled for the perfor!ance of the

condition /ithout ne/ grace fro! 'od Bt they affirm# that he

gives such grace to all, by /hich the perfor!ance of the condition

is truly possible8 and that upon this ground he !ay and doth !ost

1ustly re9uire it f they inten' to *ea" *ro*er!y# by grace they

mt mean that assistance which i of grace# or of free fa+or an'

"in'ne Bt yet they *ea" of it# a +ery unreasonable, un1ust,an' cruel, for Go' to reire that, a the con'ition of *ar'on# that

i become im*oib!e by origina! in f it be o# what grace i

there in gi+ing aitance an' abi!ity to *erform the con'ition of

*ar'onC r why i that ca!!e' by the name of grace that i an

abo!te debt, which Go' i bon' to betow# an' which it wo!'

be nt an' cre! in him to withho!'2 eeing he reire that#

the con'ition of *ar'on# which we cannot *erform withot itI@

ee that mater!y wor" entit!e' @A caref! an' trict iniry intothe mo'ern *re+ai!ing .otion of that ;ree'om of ,i!!# which i

**oe' to be eentia! to &ora! Agency#@ *art iii ect iii by

&r Fonathan 9$,AR$

.or are we acce*te' of Go' on accont of any ho!ine wroght

in by the 5o!y *irit2 or of any goo' wor" *erforme' by

throgh the aitance of $i+ine grace after regeneration ;or#

howe+er attaine' or *erforme'# if it be or by way of inherency#it come n'er the 'enomination of our o/n righteousness Bt a!!

or own righteone i etreme!y im*erfect# an' i therefore

entire!y ec!'e' Thi a**ear from hence A!! righteone

conit# either in habit# or in act2 either in *rinci*!e# or in *ractice

.ow if or eterna! obe'ience to the comman' of Go' be not

our o/n righteousness, there i no ch thing2 an' o the *hrae#

a e' in the acre' writing# mt be entire!y 'etitte of a!!

*ro*riety A to the *rinci*!e of a!! obe'ience# what i it bt the!o+e of Go'I Thi i *rity of heart# thi i tre ho!ine An'

thogh thi hea+en!y affection be not natra! to man# bt a frit of

the *irit# yet it i inc!'e' n'er the genera! i'ea of our o/n



righteousness) for there i no ch thing a righteone# or

mora! goo'ne# where Go' i not the obect of *reme affection2

where or &a"er i not incere!y !o+e' A rationa! creatre who

'oe not !o+e the infinite!y amiab!e Feho+ah# far from ha+ing anything that may be ca!!e' righteousness, i actate' by the tem*er#

an' bear the +ery image of atanC ;or where $i+ine !o+e ha no

*!ace in the heart# the 'i*oition of the min' are entire!y inf!#

an' the who!e con'ct a 'irect o**oition to the re+ea!e' wi!! of

Go' oneent!y# if nothing be worthy the name of

righteone# where the !o+e of Go' ha no inf!ence2 an' if a!!

or own obe'ience be ec!'e'# in the artic!e of tification2 a!!

that ho!ine# an' a!! thoe 'tie which fo!!ow regeneration# an'are *erforme' by the aitance of the 5o!y *irit# mt be tota!!y

et ai'e# a to that im*ortant affair Accor'ing to thoe wor'C 4y

grace ye are saved 3 not of /orks ,hat wor"I thoe to which

they /ere created in Christ Jesus, an' in /hich 'od ordained that

they should /alk (9*h %C8-10) 5ence the a*ot!e +ery e+i'ent!y

'itingihe between that righteone by which he wa

tifie'# in which a!o he 'eire' to be found, an' a!! hi own

righteo 'ee' "nd be found in Hi! not having !ine o/nrighteousness, /hich is of the la/) but that /hich is through the

faith of Christ, the righteousness /hich is of 'od by faith (/hi!

3C) .or can any man# with the !eat ha'ow of reaon# **oe#

that the a*ot!e e+er imagine' hime!f to ha+e attaine' that

ho!ine# or to ha+e *erforme' thoe goo' wor" inc!'e' n'er

the genera! *hrae# his o/n righteousness, withot the $i+ine

aitance

To aert that or own righteone i the con'ition of

tification# i to confon' the two o**oite co+enant of wor"

an' grace ,hat wa the co+enant of wor"I ,a it not a

contittion which reire' *erona! obe'ience# a the con'ition

of !ife# an' *romie' acce*tance with Go' on the *erformance of

that con'itionI Thi wa the tenor of it# an' in thi it

'itingihing natre conite' ,hate+er co+enant therefore

*rocee' on the ame term# whether e*ree' or im*!ie'# i#howe+er it may be +arie' in other re*ect# a co+enant of wor"

A in the renewa! of the firt *romie concerning the &eiah# in

which the eence of the co+enant of grace wa containe'2 thogh





Det frther to e+ince the trth an' confirm the argment# it may be

ober+e'# that the co+enant of wor" ite!f 'i' not reire# e+en

from innocent A'am# the *erformance of it con'ition by a *ower

in'e*en'ent on $i+ine aitance .or co!' it# conitent with thenatre of a 'e*en'ent being# a man in hi bet etate# an' e+ery

mere creatre# mt neceari!y be ;or coner+ation i a mch

owing to a $i+ine *ower# a creation ite!f Thoe ho!y a!itie#

therefore# with which man wa at firt en'e'# co!' no otherwie

be maintaine'# than by a contina! 'i+ine inf!ence from hi

reator an' /reer+er ;or if $i+ine agency be neceary to a

continance in mere eitence# it mt certain!y be a!!owe'

neceary to a ho!y an' ha**y eitence2 ch a or origina! *arent wo!' n'obte'!y ha+e enoye'# ha' they contine' in a

tate of innocence f then we ta!" of term an' con'ition

re*ecting the co+enant of grace# the etion i not whether they

be great or ma!!# har' or eayI bt whether# *ro*er!y *ea"ing#

there be any con'ition at a!!# to be *erforme' by the inner# in

or'er to obtain acce*tance with Go'I an' whether a **oition

of any ch thing 'oe not annihi!ate the ra'ica! 'ifference

between the co+enant of wor"# an' the co+enant of graceIM

M f the co+enant of grace be '!y coni'ere'# it wi!! a**ear# that

the eection of it# an' the fina! ha**ine of the co+enantee# 'o

not 'e*en' on the *ro*er eercie of the hman wi!!# or on any

con'ition to be *erforme' by manC that co+enant ha+ing a!! it

+irte an' benign efficacy from the athority# !o+e# an'

faithf!ne of Go' hime!f Thi g!orio contittion conit of

absolute pro!ises 9*h %C1% Fer 31C 31-34 5eb 8C10-1% .or ithere any thing !i"e a condition, which i not containe' in the

*romie theme!+e Thoe *eron# therefore# mt act a +ery

in'icio *art# who en'ea+or to e*!ain the natre of thi

'i+ine co+enant# by coni'ering the *ro*ertie of thoe com*act

which are common among men ;or in o 'oing they entire!y

obcre the g!ory of o+ereign grace# an' !ea+e the awa"ene'

inner 'etitte of a!! ho*e ee $r wen Theologeanena, 1 iii

c i ,T (9con ;oe' iii c i L 8-13 "cta (ynod Dordrech/art iii * 31% 5R.B99= (u!!a Controvers 1 * 80<



f then the bect of tification be# in hime!f# ngo'!y2 if the

*reme Go+ernor of the wor!' neither wi!! nor can tify any

withot a *erfect righteone2 an' if ch a righteone cannot

*oib!y be fon' in or own *erformance# nor in faith ite!f# norin any of the grace or frit of the 5o!y *irit2 it i abo!te!y

neceary that righteone# wroght ot by a btitte# ho!'

be im*te' to # or *!ace' to or accont ,here then# where# bt

in the finished /ork of F9H 5RT# ha!! we fin' thi

+icario righteoneI De# the *ot!e obe'ience# the bitter

ffering# an' the accre' 'eath of or hea+en!y rety#

contitte that +ery righteone by which inner are tifie'

before Go' That ama:ing wor" which the incarnate oncom*!ete' when he e*ire' on the cro# i the gran' reiite for

or tification before the hea+en!y tribna! To thi# an' toPhi

on!y# the eterna! o+ereign ha re*ect# when he *rononce the

inner t# an' acit him in 'gment 5ence we are ai' to be

!ade righteous by the obedience of hrit# an' to be 1ustified by

his blood Thi b!oo' being he'# an' that obe'ience being

*erforme' by or $i+ine btitte# on the inner beha!f an' in

hi natre# are *!ace' to hi accont a f!!y an' a mch to hia'+antage# a if he ha' in hi own *eron n'erwent the ffering

an' *erforme' the obe'ience The ffering of the 5o!y Fe#

thoe 'rea'f! ffering of the on of Go' an' the >or' of g!ory#

coni'ere' in conneion with thi conmmate obe'ience to the

*erce*ti+e *art of the !aw# which# for the *erece!!ency of it# i

ca!!e' T59 RG5T9H.9 ; G$ thee# inc!'ing a!!

that the righteo bt bro"en !aw reire# being acce*te' by the

F'ge an' im*te' to inner# are the nite' cae an' the on!ygron' of their f!! 'icharge Thi !et me in'!ge the *!eaing

i'ea# an' re*eat the *recio trth thi# withot any a''ition# of

any ort whate+er# i that wor" for the a"e of which the wretche'

inner i *rononce' t an' a''ge' to !ife# by 5im who i of

purer eyes than to behold ini9uity By thi obe'ience the !aw i

honore'# an' eterna! tice com*!ete!y atifie' Feho+ah

'ec!are hime!f we!! *!eae' with it# an' treat a hi chi!'ren a!!

thoe that are fon' in it

That we are not tifie' by a *erona!# bt by an im*te'

righteone# a**ear from the cri*tre with *erior e+i'ence





the wor" of a 'ying an' riing Re'eemer# /as i!puted to hi!) but

for us also, whether Few or Genti!e# to /ho! it shall be

i!puted, if /e believe on Hi! that raised up Jesus our Lord fro!

the dead ;or they /hich be of faith, are blessed /ith faithful "braha! (Rom 4C%# 3 %%-%4 Ga! 3C6-) .ow if a *eron of

ch +ictorio faith# ea!te' *iety# an' ama:ing obe'ience a he

wa# 'i' not obtain acce*tance with Go' on accont of hi own

'tie# bt by an im*te' righteone2 who ha!! *reten' to an

interet in the hea+en!y b!eing# in +irte of hi own incere

en'ea+or# or *io *erformanceI *erformance not fit to be

name'# in com*arion with thoe that a'orne' the con'ct an'

character of F95EA5 ;R9.$

The a*ot!e hating hown in what way the ;ather of the choen

tribe wa tifie' before the =ing immorta!2 an' ha+ing

intimate'# that the *atriarch wa coni'ere' a an ungodly *eron#

a one who ha' no good /orks, when the >or' im*te'

righteone to him# in or'er to hi fina! acce*tance2 to i!!trate

an' confirm the momento trth# he *reent hi rea'er with a

'ecri*tion that $a+i' gi+e of the tr!y b!ee' man An' how'oe the roya! *a!mit 'ecribe himI To what 'oe he attribte

hi acce*tance with Go'I To an inherent# or to an im*te'

righteoneI $oe he re*reent him a attaining the ha**y tate#

an' a enoying# the *recio *ri+i!ege# in coneence of

*erforming incere obe'ience# an' of "ee*ing the !aw to the bet

of hi *ower .o ch thing 5i wor' are# 4lessed are they

/hose ini9uities are forgiven, and /hose sins are covered 4lessed

is the !an to /ho! the Lord /ill not i!pute sin The b!ee' mani here 'ecribe' a one who i# in hime!f# a *o!!te' creatre#

an' a gi!ty crimina! A one who# before grace ma'e the

'ifference# wa on a !e+e! with the ret of man"in'2 ea!!y

nworthy# an' ea!!y wretche'C an' the acre' *enman inform

# that a!! hi b!ee'ne arie from an im*te' righteone

;or what e!e can be inten'e' by thoe remar"ab!e wor'# with

which he intro'ce the e+ange!ica! 'ec!aration Even as David

describeth the blessedness of the !an 3 /hat !an6 ,hy# he to/ho! the Lord i!puteth righteousness /ithout /orks (Rom 4C<-

8) The righteone here inten'e'# cannot be n'ertoo' of a

*eron own obe'ience2 becae it i e*re!y ai' to be /ithout



/orks 5i own +irte an' 'tie# howe+er ece!!ent# contribte

nothing towar' it .o2 it i *erfect in ite!f# an' entire!y 'etache'

from e+ery thing which he either ha 'one# or can 'o The

*hraeo!ogy of rite in*ire' writer i +ery remar"ab!e 5e 'oe noton!y *ea" of b!ee'ne# a the re!t of an im*te'

righteone2 bt he 'ecribe the obe'ience# which i th

a**!ie' to the inner# a being /ithout /orks Thi he 'oe# more

trong!y to aert the trth he 'efen'# an' more effecta!!y to

ecre the honor of grace Righteousness i!puted8 righteousness

/ithout the la/8 righteousness /ithout /orks ch wa the

!angage of /a!2 ch wa the 'octrine that he *reache'2 an'

ch wa the faith of the *rimiti+e chrch .ow# a!a# the *hraeare cahiere' a obo!ete# an' are become offeni+e2 o offeni+e

that their freent e i coni'ere' by the genera!ity of thoe who

ca!! theme!+e hritian# a a certain in'ication of an

enthiatic trn of min' An' a the !angage i 'ia**ro+e' by

m!tit'e in the *reent age2 o the entiment e*ree' by it i

'icar'e' with contem*t# a offering an in!t to common ene

Bt# howe+er mch the 'octrine of im*te' righteone may be

'e*ie' a abr'# or abhorre' a !icentio# by any of ormo'ern *rofeor# it i e+i'ent that the great a*ot!e coni'ere' it

a intimate!y connecte' with the ha**ine of man"in'# an'

eteeme' the b!eing a the on!y o!i' bai of a!! or ho*e# an'

of a!! or comfort

5a+ing een what /a! ay concerning the tification of

Abraham# an' the a**!ication he ma"e of that 'ecri*tion which

$a+i' gi+e of the b!ee' man2 !et now coni'er what wa thefon'ation of hi own ho*e of eterna! fe!icity# an' on what

righteone he re!ie' f thee *artic!ar the infa!!ib!e teacher

inform in the fo!!owing *aageC 7ea, doubtless, and . count

all things but loss, for the e%cellency, of the kno/ledge of Christ

Jesus !y Lord -or /ho! . have suffered the loss of all things,

an' 'o cont them bt 'ng that may win hrit# an' be fon' in

5im2 not ha+ing mine own righteone# which i of the !aw# bt

that which i throgh the faith of hrit# the righteone whichi of Go' by faith n thi contet the a*ot!e re!ate hi own

e*erience n thee wor' he 'ec!are what wa the frame of hi

min'# an' what were hi +iew with regar' to the 'octrine of



tification 5ere he *reent hime!f a a gi'e an' a *attern to

a!! that inire the way to ha**ine

>et atten' to hi wor'# an' a !itt!e more *artic!ar!y coni'er

their im*ort 7ea, doubtless) affirm it with the tmot

confi'ence# and am 'etermine' to abi'e by it2 that count all

things) my birth-*ri+i!ege# an' *hariaica! :ea!2 my bmiion to

ceremonia! rite# an' *erformance of mora! 'tie2 thee# a!! thee

eteem but loss .or 'o on!y reect a!! my 'tie before

con+erion2 bt a!o whate+er now ha+e# an' a!! that now

*erform# cont of no worth in the gran' artic!e of $i+ine

acce*tance Thee# thogh high!y ornamenta!# ef!# an'ece!!ent# when tan'ing in their *ro*er *!ace an' referre' to

itab!e en'# are !itt!e# are nothing# are loss ite!f# com*are' with

the e%cellency of the kno/ledge of Christ Jesus !y Lord Dea#

ch i the !o+e that ha+e for my a+ior# an' ch the

'e*en'ence *!ace on hi righteone# that for hi a"e . have

cheerf!!y suffered the loss of all things which once o high!y

+a!e' "nd . do with the greatet 'e!iberation again 'ec!are# in

the *reence of 5im who earche the heart# that . count the! +i!ea the offa! which are thrown to the 'og# an' !oathome a dung

which i cat ot of ight ch i the worth of my own

*erformance# an' ch my etimate of them# if et in com*etition

with the wor" of Fe# or *reming to tan' in the *!ace of hi

righteone .ow# therefore# it i my chief 'eire an' *reme

concern that . !ay /in Christ, who i ab!e to **!y e+ery want#

an' to ren'er me com*!ete!y ha**y That when the F'ge acen'

the throne# at the !at tremen'o a'it# when a!! nation ha!!a**ear before 5im# an' when none bt the *erfect!y righteo are

ab!e to tan'# may be found in Hi! the Be!o+e'# a the >or' my

righteone Then im*artia! tice mt entire!y acit# an'

immac!ate ho!ine com*!ete!y a**ro+e ,o!' yo "now more

*artic!ar!y what mean by being found in Hi!6 t i# my not

having, not 'e*en'ing *on# or o mch a once mentioning !ine

o/n righteousness, /hich is of the la/) the ho!y a!itie now

*oe# an' the righteo 'ee' ha+e *erforme' in obe'ience tothe !aw# a a r!e of con'ct# an' by the inf!ence of grace# a the

*rinci*!e of *irita! !ife2 4ut, being a'orne' with# an' re!ying

*on that righteone which i throgh the faith of hrit2



which wa finihe' by him# i re+ea!e' m the go*e!# an' recei+e'

by faith9+en that obe'ience which# being *erforme' by the

incarnate on# i 'ignifie' with e+ery ece!!ence# an' bear that

ea!te' character# The righteousness of 'od by faith

n thi intrcti+e an' +ery im*ortant *aage wo!' frther

ober+e# that the manifet 'eign of the acre' *enman i to how#

what that i in which a inner may afe!y confi'e# an' what i a

warrantab!e gron' of reoicing 5e intimate# that there can be no

confi'ence towar' Go'# no acce*tance with him# an'

coneent!y no cae of *irita! oy# withot a righteoneC

for con'emnation an' wrath mt be or *ortion# if we a**ear inor in before the righteo F'ge 5e frther gget# that there

i a twofo!' righteone The one he ca!! our o/n, an' inform

it is of the la/ The other# he 'ecribe a through the faith of

Christ) an' thi he characteri:e# the righteousness of 'od Thee#

he ignifie# are entire!y 'itinct# an' far from ha+ing a nite'

inf!ence in *rocring or tificationC o far from it# that they

are o**oite an' abo!te!y inconitent# a to any ch *r*oe

n reference therefore to acce*tance with the &ot 5igh# he whoembrace the one# mt reect the other2 an' on the one or the

other a!! man"in' 'e*en' 5e a!o inform # with a!! the fer+or

of ho!y :ea!# an' in the mot em*hatica! manner# which of thee

obtaine' hi regar' an' **orte' hi ho*e2 wa the gron' of hi

confi'ence an' the orce of hi oy 5ow mch oe+er the

F'ai:ing teacher# of whom he *ea" in the beginning of the

cha*ter# might confide in the flesh, or 'e*en' on their own 'tie#

he wa 'etermine' to a'o*t a +ery 'ifferent metho'# an' to ee"for acce*tance in a contrary way 5a+ing warne' them of their

'anger# an' gar'e' the /hi!i**ian againt their 'etrcti+e

mita"e# he 'ec!are that the righteone which he eteeme'

fficient wa not his o/n) wa not of the la/) bt a gift of grace#

an' through the faith of Christ 9+en that obe'ience which or

>or' *erforme' in the ca*acity of a rety2 which i /ithout

/orks, and /ithout the la/) wa the obect of hi 'e*en'ence# an'

in that on!y he g!orifie' Bt a to a!! that i inc!'e' n'er the *hrae# his o/n righteousness, when he coni'ere' the *rity of

the $i+ine !aw# the maety of the eterna! F'ge# an' that he mt

oon tan' before him# he acconte' it of no a+ai! Hn'er ch a



coni'eration# he reecte' it with 'i'ain# an' *ore' the tmot

contem*t *on it# ca!!ing it loss an' dung ch wa the

e*erience# an' ch wa the ho*e of that won'erf! man# whoe

a*oto!ic gift an' hritian grace# whoe miniteria! ef!nean' eem*!ary con'ct# ren'ere' him an eminent b!eing to the

wor!'# an' an honor to the great Re'eemer cae

&any are the argment which might be a''ce' from the

nerring wor'# in *roof of thi ca*ita! 'octrine an' comfortab!e

trth2 bt ha!! on!y *reent my rea'er with the few that fo!!ow

t ha been before *ro+e'# that the bect of tification i an

ungodly *eron 5i *ar'on an' acce*tance# therefore# cannot bethe re!t of hi own obe'ienceC an' it i ea!!y c!ear# that as

ngo'!y he cannot be tifie' 5e mt tan' right in the eye of

the !aw# an' nre*ro+ab!e before hi F'ge# before he can be

acitte' in 'gment t mt# coneent!y# be by the

righteone of another Bt# what# or whoe# righteone can it

beI .ot the obe'ience of or fe!!ow-morta! who are a!rea'y

tifie'2 that wo!' be to a'o*t the e*!o'e' 'octrine of

*erogation .ot the anctity of ange!2 becae they ne+er became re*onib!e for .ot the eentia! rectit'e of the

$i+ine natre2 for that i abo!te!y incommnicab!e t mt

therefore be the righteone of Christ) or hi com*!ete

conformity to the ho!y !aw# a a +o!ntary btitte for the

ngo'!y .ow# in what way can hi obe'ience be a**!ie' to #

ece*t by i!putation6 Thi argment# am *era'e'# wi!! remain

conc!i+e ti!! it be *ro+e'# either that the bect of tification

i not in hime!f ngo'!y2 or that the F'ge of a!! the earth can tify withot a righteone The former i e*re!y contrary

to the $i+ine tetimony# an' the !atter in+o!+e a *a!*ab!e

contra'iction

/a!# when treating abot or awf! rin by in# an' or

won'erf! reco+ery by grace# an' when *rofee'!y han'!ing thi

ca*ita! 'octrine# inform # that A'am wa a type of Hi! that

/as to co!e, e+en of the >or' &eiah 5e form a tri"ingcom*arion between the firt an' the econ' A'am2 between the

'iobe'ience of the one# an' the obe'ience of the other# together

with the effect of each 5e re*reent A'am a a *b!ic *eron# a



contitte' the fe'era! hea' of a!! hi *oterity2 an' hrit# a the

re*reentati+e of a!! the choen ee' The firt offence of the

former# he ignifie# wa im*te' to a!! hi natra! off*ring2 the

com*!ete obe'ience of the !atter# i im*te' to a!! hi *irita!ee' By the im*tation of that offence# a!! man"in' were !ade

sinners) came n'er a charge of gi!t# an' the awf! entence of

con'emnation to eterna! 'eathC by the im*tation of thi

obe'ience# a!! that be!ie+e are ma'e righteo2 are acitte' from

e+ery !ega! charge# an' a''ge' to eterna! !ife An' a it wa one

offence, of one !an, that broght 'eath an' miery on a!! the

hman raceC o it i by one righteousness, of one !an, e+en of the

>or' from hea+en an' Feho+ah ;e!!ow# that *irita! !ife an'eterna! ha**ine are intro'ce' Accor'ing to that aying# "s by

one offence, 1udg!ent ca!e upon all !en to conde!nation8 even

so, by one righteousness, the free gift ca!e, upon all !en to

1ustification of life -or as by one !ans disobedience !any /ere

!ade sinners8 so by the obedience of One shall !any be !ade

righteous (Rom <C18# 1) That the one offence, an' the

disobedience of one, are to be n'ertoo' of A'am acta!

trangreion of the $i+ine !aw# none can 'i*te By hi firtiniito act an' bo!' offence many were !ade sinners, before

they were gi!ty of acta! trangreion2 o ma'e inner a to be#

on *rinci*!e of tice# !iab!e to con'emnation an' 'eath .or i it

concei+ab!e how thi co!' be# ece*t by im*tation2 for which

im*tation# their natra! re!ation to A'am# an' hi fe'era! re!ation

to them# were a fficient fon'ation t i ea!!y e+i'ent# that the

one righteousness an' the obedience of One, are the com*!ete

*erformance of $i+ine *rece*t by or >or' Fe hrit# hiacta! conformity to the ho!y !aw Thi the antithei in the tet

reire2 thi the co*e of the a*ot!e reaoning 'eman' By

thi conmmate obe'ience !any are !ade righteous By thi one

mot ece!!ent righteousness, a!! that be!ie+e are tifie' an'

entit!e' to immorta! g!ory# withot any goo' wor" of their own#

an' before they ha+e *erforme' any acce*tab!e 'ty .ow# in

whate+er way the firt offence of or origina! *arent wa ma'e

or to con'emnation2 in the ame way i the righteone of hi

g!orio Antity*e ma'e or to tification f that wa by

im*tation# o i thi



The momento trth for which am *!ea'ing# i em*hatica!!y

taght in the fo!!owing ner+o *aage He hath !ade Hi! to be

sin for us, /ho kne/ no sin, that /e !ight be !ade the

righteousness of 'od in Hi! 5ence it i *!ain# that a hrit therety wa ma'e in# o are we ma'e righteone2 in the +ery

ame way that or in were ma'e hi# 'oe hi obe'ience become

or 5ow# then# an' in what ene# wa the 5o!y ne of Go'

ma'e inI By being punished for itI .o2 for tie wa ma'e that in

which he kne/ not) bt he "new by *ainf! e*erience what it wa

to be *nihe' Bei'e# he co!' not ha+e been *nihe' for in#

if he ha' not too' gi!ty in the eye of the !aw2 for *nihment

a!way **oe guilt, either *erona! or im*te' A *eron mayffer# bt he cannot be punished withot a *re+io charge of

gi!t2 withot being coni'ere' a the brea"er of ome !aw2 for

*nihment i no other than the e+i! of ffering# inf!icte' for the

e+i! of inning ,a he ma'e in by becoming a sacrifice for itI

That he wa an e*iatory acrifice# i rea'i!y grante'# i the

hritian g!oryC bt that thi i the ene of the *hrae may be

t!y etione' ;or# to omit other coni'eration# it i *!ain

from the tet# that he wa ma'e that sin which tan' o**oe' torighteousness) which cannot be affirme' of an e*iatory acrifice

.or co!' he ha+e been offere' a an atoning +ictim# withot

ha+ing in tranferre' to him *rior to hi being offere' o that 5e

wa in ome way or other ma'e in before he he' hi b!oo' an'

ma'e e*iation ,a he then ma'e in by inhesion, or by

transfusion6 ,a it commnicate' to him# o a to reside in himI

The i'ea i abr'# the fact wa im*oib!e# an' the +ery thoght

i b!a*hemy t remain# therefore# that if he wa ma'e in# thatin which i o**oe' to righteone# it mt be by i!putation

(.on *er tro*m et e*!ican'm# e' enta men'm et# *rot

o**oitio mantrat ,A>T5 Ei'e A>EH& in !oc) Thi wa

the way in which or a'orab!e *onor came n'er a charge of

gi!t 5ence it fo!!ow# by neceary coneence# accor'ing to

the r!e of o**oition# ece*t we wo!' entire!y 'etroy the

a*ot!e beatif! antithei# an' the who!e force of hi argment#

that thoe who are tr!y righteo# are ma'e o by i!putation, an'

by im*tation on!y ;or a it i im*oib!e that any *eron#

*erfect!y innocent# ho!' be ma'e in# bt by ha+ing the in of

other *!ace' to hi accont# or charge' *on him in a 'icia!





Bt **oing any# throgh t*i' ignorance or +io!ent *re'ice#

to ha+e o far mita"en hi meaning a to imagine# that he entire!y

reecte' a!! ho!y 'eire an' *io en'ea+or withot ece*tion#

a contitting no *art of that righteone for the a"e of whicha inner i tifie'2 when at the ame time he on!y ec!'e' a

supurious "in' of ho!ine# an' wor" of a *artic!ar ortC we may

reaonab!y conc!'e that# in hi re*!ie to thoe re*roachf!

charge againt hi miniteria! character# an' againt that go*e!

which wa 'earer to him than hi +ery !ife# he wo!' not ha+e

fai!e' to *oint ot the egregio mita"e on which the obector

*rocee'e'# by 'itingihing the wor" he 'i' a'mit# from thoe

which he renonce'

5a' he reecte' on!y the wor" of the ceremonia! !aw# or ch

'tie a are *erforme' *rior to regeneration# an' withot the ai'

of grace# whi!e he maintaine' the neceity of e+ange!ica!

obe'ience2 it wo!' ha+e been eay# natra!# an' neceary for

him# when refting the b!a*hemo accation# to ha+e 'rawn

the !ine of 'itinction# in or'er to *re+ent ftre mita"e Bt not

the !eat +etige of any ch 'itinction a**ear# in hi anwer tothe e+era! hatef! charge 5e 'oe not o mch a hint that the

obector wa n'er a mita"e in **oing# that he entire!y

ec!'e' a!! the 'tie an' wor" of men withot any 'ifference

,hen he *t the obection# *hat shall /e say then6 shall /e

continue in sin that grace !ay abound6 he anwer by a trong

negation# e*reing the tmot abhorrence of any ch thoght2

'od forbid5 Then he arge from an abr'ity2 Ho/ shall /e thatare dead to sin, live any longer therein6 By which he ignifie#

that thoe who are the bect of grace an' be!ie+e in Fe

hrit# being 'ea' to in# cannot wa!" in the way of ngo'!ine

;or# o to 'o# wo!' be abo!te!y inconitent with their new

tate# an' with that *rinci*!e of *irita! !ife which they ha+e

recei+e' Bt he gi+e not the !eat intimation of the neceity of

ho!ine# or of obe'ience in or'er to gain the fa+or of Go'# or to

*rocre acce*tance before him f my rea'er ho!' **oe thathi +iew of tification are the ame which /a! ha'# an' yet i

*era'e' that ome ho!ine# or mora! goo'ne of hi own# i

neceary to obtain *ar'on# or to *rocre acce*tance# wo!'



a'+ie him to coni'er# whether# if hi entiment were charge'

with being !icentio# he wo!' not imme'iate!y thin" of a

'ifferent re*!y one better a'a*te' to anwer hi *r*oe# than

any of thoe-which the a*ot!e ma'e in a imi!ar cae An'whether he wo!' not be rea'y to +in'icate hi cree' by

ober+ing# That a he ha' no e*ectation of being# acce*te' before

the eterna! o+ereign withot a personal obe'ience# to charge him

with !aking void the la/, or with aying# let us do evil that good

!ay co!e, co!' *rocee' from nothing !e than the mot *a!*ab!e

mita"e# or the greatet ma!e+o!ence ch *eron# howe+er# a

maintain the neceity of goo' wor"# in or'er to tification

before Go'# are in !itt!e 'anger of being charge' by ignorant *eo*!e with ho!'ing !icentio *rinci*!e2 which i a trong

*rem*ti+e argment# that the 'octrine which they e*oe are

not the ame that /a! *reache'# an' which the *rimiti+e aint

*rofee' ;or# that their character an' entiment were o

a*ere'# i c!ear beyon' a 'obtC nor 'oe it a**ear that natra!

men are any more ca*ab!e of 'icerning *irita! thing# or any

more frien'!y towar' the genine go*e! now# than they were in

the a*oto!ic time

That righteone by which we are tifie' i a free gift, a

a**ear by the fo!!owing wor'# The gift of righteousness)

conformab!y to which# the a*ot!e re*reent be!ie+er# not a

*erforming# bt a receiving it (Rom <C17) The go*e! of

o+ereign grace# *roc!aiming the fficiency# itab!ene# an'

freene of it# i thence 'enominate' the /ord of righteousness 3

the !inistration of righteousness) (5eb <C13 or 3C) an' oneof the g!orio character which or $i+ine *onor bear# i#

T59 >R$ HR RG5T9H.9 n *erfect corre*on'ence

with which# 5e i ai' to be !ade unto us righteousness) and it is

affir!ed of believers, that they are !ade the righteousness of 'od

in Hi! ( or 1C30 or <C%1) 5ence it i that they are

'ec!are'# by the *irit of infa!!ibi!ity# to be 1ustified in Hi! 3

accepted in Hi! 3 co!plete in Hi! 3 and saved in Hi! (a

6<C%< 9*h 1C6 o! %C10 a 6<C17) ch i the 'i+ine!ya**ointe' metho' of tification2 an' ch the *ro+iion which

grace ha ma'e# for the fina! acce*tance of gi!ty# ngo'!y# an'

wretche' creatre



The gran' 'eign of the go*e! i to reveal this righteousness of

'od, an' to 'i*!ay the riche of that grace which *ro+i'e' an'

free!y betow the won'erf! gift The go*e! inform that# in

regar' to tification# what i reire' of the trangreor# both ato 'oing an' ffering# wa *erforme' by or a'orab!e btitte

Thi *erfect obe'ience# therefore# being re+ea!e' in the wor' of

trth for the tification of inner# it i the bine of tre faith#

not to come in a a con'ition# not to aert it own im*ortance#

an' to hare the g!ory with or a+ior righteone# bt to

receive it a abo!te!y fficient to tify the mot ngo'!y

inner# an' a entire!y free for hi e ;or what i e+ange!ica!

faith# bt the receiving of Christ and his righteousness6 (a6<C%% Fohn 1C1% o! %C16 Rom 1C17# an' <C17) r# in other

wor'# a dependence on Jesus only for eternal salvation6 A

'e*en'ence *on 5im# i a!!-fficient to a+e the mot gi!ty2 a

e+ery way itab!e to **!y the want of the mot nee'y# an' a

abo!te!y free for the +i!et of inner The $i+ine Re'eemer# an'

hi finihe' wor" being the obect of faith# (Agreeab!e to thoe

remar"ab!e an' intrcti+e wor'# /et 1C1 @To them that ha+e

obtaine' by !ot ea!!y *recio faith with # . T59RG5T9H.9 ; HR G$ A.$ AEHR F9H

5RT@) an' the re*ort of the go*e! it warrant an' gron'# to

believe, i to trt entire!y an' withot reer+e# on the faithf!

wor' which Go' ha *o"en# an' on the *erfect wor" which

hrit ha wroght ch i the faith of Go' e!ectC an' the

comfortab!e e+i'ence of it trth an' rea!ity# are the !o+e of Go'#

an' ho!y obe'ience2 *eace of concience# an' ho*e of g!ory

Thee# to a greater or !e 'egree# are it *ro*er effect an'genine frit

5a**y# thrice ha**y they that are interete' in thi $i+ine

righteone# an' ha+e recei+e' the atonement A!! ch are

*rononce' righteo by the eterna! F'ge There i nothing to be

!ai' to their charge They are acitte' with honor to a!! the

*erfection of $eity# an' e+er!ating!y free from con'emnation

Their in# thogh e+er o nmero or e+er o hatef!# being *rge' away by atoning b!oo'# an' their o! being +ete' with

that mot ece!!ent robe# the Re'eemer righteone# they are

/ithout spot, or /rinkle, or any such thing They are presented, by



their great Re*reentati+e# in the body of his flesh, through death,

holy, unbla!eable, and unreprovable in the ight of mnicience

They are fair a the *ret woo!2 whiter than the +irgin now De

!et be!ie+er e!t in the thoght the wor" an' worthine ofthe >or' Re'eemer gi+e them acce*tance with infinite &aety#

an' 'ignity before the ange! of !ight Thee affor' cono!ation on

earth# an' *rocre etimation in hea+en Throgh thee they ha!!

tan' with corage at the bar of 'gment# an' ma"e their

a**earance with honor among the inhabitant of g!ory >et the

!ega!it boat of hi goo' wor"# hi 'e+ot er+ice# an' trict

ho!ine2 the man that i taght of Go' eteem them a!!# if et in

com*etition with hrit# or *reming to tan' in the *!ace of hirighteone# or'i' a 'ro# an' +i!e a the 'ng# !ighter than

+anity# an' wore than nothing ,ere he en'e' with a!! the

hining +irte that e+er a'orne' the !i+e an' character of the

mot ece!!ent aint2 'i' he *oe the eem*!ary mee"ne of

&oe# an' the ama:ing *atience of Fob# the e+er-acti+e :ea! of

/a!# an' that !o+e which g!owe' in the boom of Fohn# he wo!'

not# he 'rt not# a'+ance the !eat c!aim to tification an'

eterna! !ife on that footing .o# b!ee' Fe it i in thyrighteone on!y that he 'are to confi'e2 it i on!y in thy

obe'ience he *reme to g!ory Thi obe'ience i an immo+ab!e

bai for the anio min' to ret *on by faith Thi i a re

fon'ation to **ort the be!ie+er ho*e of g!ory# e+en when he

+iew the righteo !aw in it f!! etent an' nabate' *rity Thi

fon'ation of confi'ence wi!! **ort the o! in the +iew of

'eath# an' when on the confine of an eterna! wor!' .or wi!! it

fai! (ch i it high *erfection an' o+ereign efficacy) in the near *ro*ect of the awf! 'gment 5ere then grace reign# in free!y

betowing thi righteone# an' in or com*!ete tification by

it

A it i the im*te' righteone of hrit# an' that on!y# by

which any of the chi!'ren of men can be tifie'# !et !oo" to it#

re!y on it# an' g!ory in it ;or it i 'ignifie' with e+ery honorab!e

character# an' free for or e heering thoght Thi way of tification i com*!ete!y fitte' to *!! 'own the *ri'e of the e!f-

righteo *rofeor# who coni'er hime!f a tan'ing on more

re*ectab!e term with hi &a"er# than hi ngo'!y neighbor



.or i it !e ha**i!y a'a*te' to raie the 'roo*ing *irit of the

tremb!ing inner2 of him who ha nothing to *!ea' why entence

of con'emnation# a!rea'y *rononce' *on him# ho!' not be

eecte' in a!! it rigor f# in'ee'# we were not a!!owe' to !oo"to thi nea!!e' obe'ience# ti!! concio of ha+ing ome

righteone of or own# we might then be 'icorage'2 'e*air

wo!' be rationa!# an' 'amnation certain Bt# than" be to Go'

for the n*ara!!e!e' fa+or thi righteone# an' tification by

it# are free# *erfect!y free for the wort of inner ;or the wor" of

e+ery !aw# in e+ery ene# a *erforme' by man# are entire!y

ec!'e' from ha+ing any concern in or acce*tance with Go'M

M $r wen# ha+ing ote' Rom iii %3# an' i+ <# an' i 6 Ga!

ii 16 9*h ii 8# # an' Tit iii <# a''# @ am *era'e' that no

re*re'ice' *eron# whoe min' i not *re*oee' with notion

an' 'itinction# whereof not the !eat titt!e i offere' nto them

from the tet mentione'# nor e!ewhere# can bt 'ge# that the

!aw in e+ery ene of it# an' a!! ort of wor" whate+er# that at

any time# or by any mean# inner or nbe!ie+er 'o or can

*erform are# not in thi or that ene# bt e+ery way an' in a!!ene ec!'e' from or tification before Go' An' if it be o#

it i the righteone of hrit a!one which we mt beta"e

ore!+e nto# or thi matter mt ceae fore+er@ $oct of

Ftification# cha*# i+

ince# therefore# it i in hrit a!one# a or hea'# re*reentati+e#

an' rety# that we are or can be tifie'# he a!one ho!' ha+e

the g!ory 5e i infinite!y worthy to ha+e the nri+a!!e' honor>et the inner# then# the ngo'!y wretch# trt in the obe'ience of

the 'ying Fe# a being abo!te!y fficient to tify him#

withot any goo' wor" or 'tie# withot any goo' habit or

a!itie# howe+er *erforme' or acire'2 an' eterna! Trth ha

'ec!are' for hi encoragement# that he ha!! not be 'ia**ointe'

5ere# inner# e!f-rine' an' e!f-con'emne'2 e+en yo that are

tem*te' to eecrate the 'ay of yor birth# on accont of yorm!ti*!ie' *ro+ocation an' tter nworthine2 here i a com*!ete

righteone re+ea!e' for yor f!! re!ief an' imme'iate comfort

n thi righteone yo may rea' the $i+ine character2 FHT#



D9T T59 FHT;9R ; T59 H.G$>D Tre it i# if nothing

bt eity ha' a**eare' in Feho+ah name# nothing bt miery

co!' ha+e been e*ecte' by the gi!ty Bt when we beho!' the

i'ea of a com*aionate a+ior# connecte' with that of arighteo F'ge2 ch a character# thogh *reme!y +enerab!e# i

great!y in+iting ;or it *ea" 'e!i+erance# an' a'miniter

cono!ation De# 'icono!ate o!# thogh yo ha+e no

righteone# nor any recommen'ation# yet the wi'om of Go'

ha a**ointe' a way# an' the infinite riche of o+ereign grace

ha+e *ro+i'e' effecta! mean for yor f!! 'icharge before the

great tribna!# an' for attaining that honor an' oy# which are

commenrate to yor tmot wihe# which ecee' yor highetconce*tion# an' ha!! ren'er yo ha**y to a!! eternity my

rea'er o**ree' with gi!t# an' harae' with tm!to fear of

'eer+e' rin wearie' with going about to establish his o/n

righteousness, an' enib!e that he i *oee' of no worth# nor

any thing that might be a *robab!e mean of recommen'ing him to

the Re'eemerI Remember# 'itree' fe!!ow morta!# that no ch

recommen'ation i nee'f! .othing i reire' at yor han' for

any ch *r*oe @ome# an' ta"e freely,# i the !angage# ofFe 5e ha a!! that yo want# howe+er im*o+erihe'2 an' he

gi+e a!! with the mot !ibera! han' 'race reigns an' !et that be

yor encoragement when thin"ing abot acce*tance with hrit#

an' of yor tification in him before the A!mighty

f my rea'er# notwithtan'ing a!! that ha been ai'# ho!' yet

thin" it *r'ent an' afe to 'e*en' on hi own obe'ience# !et me

remin' him before 'imi the bect# of the abo!te *rity an'infinite ho!ine# the trancen'ent maety an' awf! g!orie of

that G$ with whom he ha to 'o# an' before whom he mt

oon a**ear oni'er# *rem*to morta! that with yor

*reme F'ge i terrib!e maety That He is of purer eyes than to

look upon evil, and cannot behold ini9uity, /ill by no !eans clear

the guilty, and is a consu!ing fire 5i righteo 'gment i# that

those /ho co!!it sin are /orthy of death) an'# therefore# hi !aw

'enonce an awf! cre on e+ery offen'er Remember that he#whoe 'i+ine *rerogati+e it i to tify# i a 1ealous 'od) ea!o

of hi honor# a a righteo go+ernor# an' 'etermine' to **ort

the right of hi throne o terrib!e hi in'ignation# that# when



once hi wrath i "in'!e'# it wi!! conme e+ery refge of !ie#

and burn to the lo/est hell o awf!!y maetic i Feho+ah# that

before him the e+er!ating !ountains 9uake, the pillars of heaven

tre!ble, and are astonished at his reproof A hi con'ecen'ingmi!e irra'iate the contenance of ange!# an' crown them with

ntterab!e b!i2 o hi righteo frown i nothing !e than

abo!te 'etrction o f!aming hi *rity# an' o 'a::!ing hi

g!ory# that he looketh to the !oon and it shineth not, and the stars

are not pure in his sight n hi *reence the era*him# thoe mot

ea!te' of mere creatre# +ei! their faces and cover their feet, in

to"en of *rofon' hmi!iation2 whi!e they cry in !o' re*oni+e

train# 5>D 5>D 5>D i the >R$ ; 5T Ho/,then, to e the !angage of Bi!'a' in Fob# how# then# can !an be

1ustified /ith 'od6 or ho/ can he be clean, before hi &a"er# that

is born of /o!an6 ,hen he whoe eye are a a f!ame of fire#

whoe *ec!iar *ro+ince it i to earch the hman heart# an' to

e*!ore it !atent e+i!2 when he ha!! ift yor con'ct# an' mar"

yor offence# laying 1udg!ent to the line and righteousness to

the plu!!et, yo wi!! not be ab!e to ans/er hi! one of a

thousand8 an' to what refge wi!! yo then f!eeI Trting in yorown 'tie# yo !ight the great atonement# yo 'e*ie the

re+ea!e' righteone# an' hrit ha!! *rofit yo nothing Do

may ta!" in !ofty train abot man mora! ece!!ence# an' the

'ignity of hman natre# the worth of *erona! obe'ience# an' the

efficacy of *enitentia! tearC yo may 'ec!aim *on the neceity

of goo' wor"# an' reect with 'i'ain the 'octrine of im*te'

righteone# whi!e yor concience i nim*ree' with a ight

of the $i+ine *rity# an' with a ene of the $i+ine *reenceC btwhen yo come to coni'er yore!f a before the &ot 5G5#

an' that the im*ortant etion i# Ho/ shall . be 1ust before the

&ot 5>DI when yo form yor i'ea of the Go' of hea+en#

not from the character yo ha+e 'rawn of him in yor own

imagination# bt agreeab!y to that which i gi+en in the in*ire'

+o!me2 then yor *retenion to *erona! worthine mt

bi'e# an' yor moth mt be to**e' r# if not entire!y

i!ent# yo mt ec!aim with the men of Bethhemeh# when

Feho+ah han' wa hea+y *on them2 *ho is able to stand before

this Holy Lord 'od6 Then# if the atonement be not *reente' for





perfect, it shall also prove !e perverse Though . /ere perfect, in

my own a**rehenion# yet, before 5im that i infinite!y ho!y#

wo!' be o far from *!ea'ing my own etraor'inary attainment#

that . /ould not kno/ !y soul) nay# . /ould despise !y life, witha!! it mot hining accom*!ihment ;or if . /ash !yself /ith

sno/:/ater, and !ake !y hands never so clean, yet shalt Thou,

righteo an' eterna! F'ge# plunge !e in the ditch) manifet me#

notwithtan'ing a!! my en'ea+or to obtain *rity an' fin'

acce*tance# to be a *o!!te' creatre an' a gi!ty crimina! o

abominab!y fi!thy an' high!y crimina!# that my o/n clothes, were

they enib!e of my *o!!tion an' gi!t# /ould abhor !e -or He,

to whom am accontab!e# is not a !an as . a!, bt a being ofch 'icernment# that the mintet fa!t cannot eca*e hi

notice2 an' o *erfect!y ho!y# that the !eat *ot of 'efi!ement i

infinite!y abhorrent in hi ight t i therefore abo!te!y

im*oib!e that . should ans/er hi!, *!ea' my cae an' gain

acce*tance# on the fon'ation of my own obe'ience2 or that /e

should, on any ch footing# co!e together in 1udg!ent, withot

ine+itab!e rin to my *eron an' a!! my immorta! interet (Fob

60C<2 <%C62 C%0# %1# 30-3%) $a+i'# the man after Go' own heart#ma'e it hi earnet reet that Go' wo!' not enter into

1udg!ent /ith hi! accor'ing to the tenor of hi own obe'ienceC

being we!! aware that neither he nor any man !i+ing co!' be

tifie' in that way To reb"e the *ri'e of e!f-righteo

confi'ence# with emotion of ho!y re+erence an' acre' awe# he

a"# .f thou, Lord, shouldst !ark ini9uities) O Lord, /ho shall

stand, who can be acitte'I (/ c!ii %2 c 3) aiah a!o#

thogh an eminent *ro*het# an' a 'itingihe' er+ant of Go'#when he behe!' Feho+ah g!ory# an' hear' the era*him *roc!aim

hi ho!ine# !o'!y ec!aime'# *o is !e5 for . a! undone5

because . a! a !an of unclean lips .or wa hi conternation

remo+e'# of hi concience re!ie+e'# ti!! *ar'on throgh the

atonement wa a**!ie' to him (a 4C%-7)

.ow# i it *r'ent# or can it be afe# to trt in yor own im*erfect

'tie# when *eron of ch eminent character an' ea!te' *ietyma'e thee ac"now!e'gment# an' ha' ch +iew of theme!+e

an' of their own attainmentI f their *erona! obe'ience wo!'

not bear the $i+ine crtiny# what a wretche' figre mt yours



ma"e before the heart-earching Go'I f Feho+ah charge his

angels /ith folley, an' if the hea+en be not *re in hi ight2 what

then i man# who 'rin"eth iniity !i"e water# that he ho!'

*reme to be clean6 or the son of !an, that he should *reten' tobe righteous6 ;or# between hman obe'ience an' ange!ic

ho!ine# there i no more com*arion than between a c!o' of the

fie!' an' a tar in the firmament ;ain !an /ould be /ise, though

he is born like a /ild asss colt8 *ro' man wo!' be righteo#

thogh !oathome with in an' obnoio to rin Bt# howe+er

high!y the e!f-fficient may thin" of their own obe'ience# the

inner# whoe concience i *ree' with a ene of gi!t# an'

e+ery rea! hritian wi!! 'e*recate a**earing in their ownrighteone# before the fina! 'ge Dea# the man who i taght

of Go' wi!! ar'ent!y cry# @;a!! *on me# ye roc" co+er me# ye

montain yea# rather !et me !oe my eitence than a**ear

before the &ot 5o!y in the fi!thy rag of my own 'tie2 or in

any righteone bt that which i *erfect# in any obe'ience bt

that which i 'i+ine@



". OF GRACE, AS IT REIGNS IN OUR

ADOPTION

Thoe whom Go' ha tifie'# an' a'mitte' into a tate of

reconci!iation with hime!f# he ha a!o a'o*te' for hi chi!'ren

5ence their interet in a!! the b!eing of grace# an' in the

n"nown riche of g!ory# 'e*en' not mere!y on the fa+or of

frien'hi*# thogh that be of the nob!et "in'2 bt a!o *on an

in'i*tab!e right of inheritance# which right they ha+e in +irte ofa'o*tion

The wor' A'o*tion# ignifie that act by which a *eron ta"e the

chi!' of another# not re!ate' to him# into the *!ace# an' entit!e him

to the *ri+i!ege of hi own on n the Grecian an' Roman tate#

it wa ctomary for a man of wea!th# in 'efa!t of ie from hi

own bo'y# to ma"e choice of ome *eron *on whom he *t hi

name2 reiring him to re!inih hi own fami!y ne+er to retrnto it again# an' *b!ic!y *roc!aime' him hi heir The *eron th

a'o*te' wa !ega!!y entit!e' to the inheritance# *on the 'eceae

of hi a'o*ter2 an' thogh *re+io!y +oi' of a!! c!aim to ch a

benefit# or any e*ectation of it# wa in+ete' with the ame

*ri+i!ege# a if he ha' been born an heir to hi benefactorM

M &r Eenn om*!ete $ty of &an# * 470# 471 e'it %'

That *irita! an' 'i+ine a'o*tion abot which we treat# i# Go'

gracio a'miion of tranger an' a!ien into the tate# re!ation#

an' enoyment of a!! the *ri+i!ege of chi!'ren# throgh Fe

hritC accor'ing to that g!orio *romie of the new co+enant#

wi!! be a ;ather nto yo# an' ye ha!! be my on an' 'aghter#

aith the >or' A!mighty Reconci!iation# tification# an'

a'o*tion# may be th 'itingihe' n reconci!iation# Go' i

coni'ere' a the inre' *arty# an' the inner a an enemy to himn tification# or &a"er tain the character of *reme

F'ge# an' man i coni'ere' a a crimina! tan'ing before hi

tribna! n a'o*tion# Feho+ah a**ear a the fontain of honor#





The *eron a'o*te' are inner of A'am race2 who# coni'ere'

in their natra! tate# are etrange' from Go'# an' gi!ty before

him# n'er entence of 'eath# an' obnoio to rin Their

tran!ation therefore ot of thi 'e*!orab!e con'ition# into a tatean' re!ation o g!orio# i an intance of reigning grace That the

chi!'ren of wrath ho!' become the inheritor of g!ory# an' the

!a+e of atan be ac"now!e'ge' a the on of Feho+ah2 that the

enemie of Go' ho!' be a'o*te' into hi fami!y# an' ha+e an

in'efeaib!e right to a!! the *ri+i!ege of hi chi!'ren# are

atonihing to the !at 'egree r character an' tate# by natre#

are the mot in'igent# wretche'# an' abominab!e2 ch a ren'er

fit for nothing# after thi !ife# bt to 'we!! with 'amne' *iritan' accre' fien'# in the abo'e of 'ar"ne an' of 'e*air Bt#

by the *ri+i!ege of a'o*tion# we are in+ete' with ch a

character# an' are broght into ch a tate# a ren'er fit to

aociate with aint in !ight# with ange! in g!ory ,hat bt

omni*otent# reigning grace# co!' be fficient to effect o nob!e#

o atonihing# o 'i+ine a changeI

f we ta"e a crory +iew of thoe in+a!ab!e *ri+i!ege which# in+irte of a'o*tion# the aint *oe# an' of which they are heir#

or i'ea of the *er!ati+e b!eing wi!! be ti!! heightene' They

ha+e the mot honorab!e character) for they are ca!!e'# not

mere!y the er+ant# or the frien'# bt the on of Go' Thi

'ignifie' character i na!terab!e2 for the >or' hime!f 'ec!are#

that it i an everlasting na!e that shall not be cut off (a !ii %2

an' !+i <) f $a+i' o high!y eteeme' the character of on-in-!aw

to an earth!y "ing2 ( am +iii %3) how mch more ho!' be!ie+er eteem that b!ime tit!e# the sons of 'od) of 5im who i

=ing of "ing# an' >or' of !or' They are a!o ca!!e' kings an'

priests) bei'e which agt an' +enerab!e fi'e# they are

'itingihe' from the wor!' by a rich +ariety of other# that are

ob+io to e+ery inte!!igent rea'er of the acre' writing The

'ignity of their relation i immene!y great ;or# being the

chi!'ren of Go'# Feho+ah hime!f i their father# an' hrit

ac"now!e'ge them for hi brethren .or 'o they tan' in re!ationto Fe mere!y a brethren2 they are a!o hi bri'e Than their

conga! re!ation to him# nothing can be concei+e' more

honorab!e# or more beneficia! ;or he is the chief a!ong ten



thousand, and altogether lovely ,hen $a+i'# thogh not yet in

*oeion of the crown# ent hi men to Abigai! to ta"e her to

wife# that 'icreet wi'ow bo/ed herself to the earth, an' ai'#

4ehold, let thine hand!aid be a servant to /ash the feet of the servants of !y Lord .ow# may not the be!ie+er# for infinite!y

greater reaon# with gratit'e an' atonihment a'ore that

beneficent han' which bro"e off hi yo"e of baet +aa!age# an'

oine' him to $a+i' Antity*e# the hea+en!y Bri'egroomC oine'

him in a marriage-co+enant that ha!! ne+er be bro"en# in a nion

that ha!! ne+er be 'io!+e'I

Be!ie+er# being the chi!'ren of Go'# are the obect of hi *aterna! affection an' nremitting care A a father# he gi'e

them by hi cone! an' gar' them by hi *ower Their

'iobe'ience he +iit with a ro' of correction2 an' in their

'itree he fee! for them with bowe! of *aterna! com*aion

n the who!e of hi 'ea!ing with them he manifet hi !o+e# an'

cae a!! thing to wor" together for their goo' De# they are the

'ar!ing of /ro+i'ence# an' the charge of ange! Thoe

minitering *irit# who are acti+e a f!ame# an' wift a thoght#encam* aron' them2 an'# in way n"nown to morta!# ber+e

the 'eign of grace in *romoting their bet interet

.othing can ecee' the riche an' ece!!ency of that inheritance

to which they ha+e a right# in +irte of their a'o*tion2 that eterna!

inheritance which i beeathe' to them by an in+io!ab!e

tetament Thi tetament# recor'e' in the acre' writing# wa

confirme' by the 'eath of hrit Their inheritance inc!'e a!! the b!eing of grace here# an' the f!! frition of g!ory hereafter

Thogh# a to tem*ora! thing# they be freent!y in'igent# an'

mch aff!icte'2 yet the b!eing of common *ro+i'ence are

'i*ene' to them in ch meare a *aterna! wi'om ee bet

for their *irita! we!fare# an' the g!ory of Go' ;or godliness

hath the pro!ise of the life that no/ is, a we!! a of that /hich is

to co!e) an' their heavenly -ather kno/eth that they have need

of hi *ro+i'entia! fa+or# whi!e they contine in the *reenttate o that whether they be thing tem*ora!# *irita!# or eterna!2

whether they be thing *reent or thing to come# a!! are their

Accor'ing to that a'mirab!e tet# "ll things are yours, /hether



$aul, or "pollos, or Cephas, or the /orld, or life, or death, or

things present, or things to co!e) A>> are yours Bt# which i

yet more em*hatica!# an' the highet that wor' can e*re# the

tmot or i'ea can reach2 the $i+ine *irit 'ec!are that they are59R or G$# an' F.T-59R of 5RTM

M Rom +iii 17 o it i !itera!!y2 an' o &.TA.H# B9OA#

A TA># an' many other# ren'er the *aage

9ach# therefore# ha a right to ay# @Feho+ah hime!f i my rewar'#

my *ortion# an' my inheritance@ Dea# ch i the mta! *ro*erty

which Go' an' hi *eo*!e ha+e in each other# that the inheritance

i reci*roca! between them -or the portion of Jacob is the

-or!er of all things, and .srael is the rod of his inheritance, the

Lord of hosts is his na!e A!! the awf!# the amiab!e# the a'orab!e

attribte of $eity# wi!! a**ear g!orio in the chi!'ren of Go'#

an' be enoye' by them to their e+er!ating honor an'

ntterab!e b!i ,hat can the heart of man 'eire moreI r#

what goo' thing wi!! Go' withho!' from them for whom he ga+e

hi on# to whom he gi+e hime!fI

n tetimony to thi their b!ime re!ation# an' a an earnet of

their ftre inheritance# they recei+e the (pirit of adoption) by

whom they cry# with a**ro*riation an' confi'ence# "bba, -ather

The *irit of a'o*tion# a o**oe' to the *irit of bon'age# i the

*irit of !ight an' of !iberty# of cono!ation an' of oy 5e g!orifie

hrit in the be!ie+er +iew# an' he' $i+ine !o+e abroa' in hi

heart 5e bring the *romie to hi remembrance# an' enab!ehim to *!ea' them at the throne of grace 5e e!e+ate the

affection to hea+en!y thing# an' ea! him# a an heir of the

"ing'om# to the 'ay of re'em*tion ch are the *ri+i!ege of

Go' a'o*te' on# in the +ochafement of which grace reign

,hat a mercy might we eteem it# not to be confon'e' before the

Go' of hea+en ,hat a fa+or to obtain the !eat in'!gent regar'

from the =ing eterna! ,hat an honor to be a'mitte' into hifami!y# to occ*y the *!ace an' to bear the character of hi

meanet er+ant Bt# to be hi a'o*te' chi!'ren# who i the

;ontain of a!! b!i2 an' hi e*oe' bri'e# who i the o+ereign



of a!! wor!'2 to ha+e him for or e+er!ating ;ather# who i the

former of a!! thing2 an' him for or 5ban'# who i the obect

of ange!ic worhi*2 are b!eing 'i+ine!y rich in'ee' That inf!

morta!# who may t!y ay to corr*tion# Thou art our father)an' to the worm# Thou art our sister, ho!' be *ermitte' to ay to

the infinite Go'# @Tho art or *ortionC A!! that tho hat an' a!!

that tho art are or# to ren'er com*!ete!y ha**y an' eterna!!y

b!ee'2 i an atonihing# 'e!ightf!# tran*orting thoght Thee

are b!eing# than which none greater can be concei+e'2 none

more g!orio can be enoye'

>et the gran'ee of the earth# an' the on of the mighty# boat oftheir high birth an' !arge re+ene2 their *om*o tit!e an'

*!en'i' retine2 their 'e!icate fare an' cot!y array2 ti!! the

*ooret *eaant that be!ie+e in hrit i incom*arab!y *erior to

them a!! ,hat thogh they hine in i!" an' embroi'ery# or g!itter

in go!' an' ewe!2 thogh their name be a'orne' with the

highet e*ithet that men can betow# whi!e a *rofion of wor!'!y

riche i *ore' into their !a*2 yet they mt oon lie do/n in the

dust, on a !e+e! with the meanet of morta! The /or!s shallic"!y cover the!, an' their !e!ory shall rot Bt yor name#

wea"et of hritian yor new name i e+er!ating 5owe+er

neg!ecte' or 'e*ie' among men# it ha!! tan' fore+er fair in the

boo" of !ife Thogh yo are not 'itingihe' a a *eron of

eminence# whi!e yo *rocee' on yor *i!grimage# an' recei+e not

the acc!amation of the *eo*!e# bt wa!" in the +a!e of !ife2 yet

yo are high in the etimation of 5ea+en# nor 'etitte of the

b!imet honor Dor *raie i not of men# bt of Go' 5e"now the way that yo ta"e# an' comman' the ange! to

coni'er yo a the obect of their regar' Thogh yo cannot

boat of i!!trio ancetor# or of nob!e b!oo'2 yet# being born

from abo+e# the b!oo'-roya! of hea+en rn in yor +ein Thogh

not a fa+orite of yor tem*ora! o+ereign2 yet# !i"e a *rince# yo

ha+e *ower with the Go' of rae! Thogh e+er o *oor a to thi

wor!'# the nearchab!e riche of hrit are a!! yor own Thogh

yo ha+e not a nmero train of atten'ant# an' thogh yormanion be a cobwebbe' cot-ta*e2 yet the ho!y ange! are yor

gar' an' miniter to yor goo'2 whi!e the Go' of g!ory not on!y

con'ecen' to come n'er yor !ow!y roof# bt e+en to 'we!!



with yo Dor i the honorab!e character2 yor i the ha**y

tate Thi i fe!icity which a!! the wea!th of the n'ie cannot

*rocre Thi i honor# which a!! the crowne' hea' in the wor!'

cannot confer The >or' of hot hath *r*oe' to tain the *ri'eof a!! other g!ory# bt thi honor ha!! ne+er be !ai' in the 'tM

M &9wen 9ay# +o! ii * 30-31%

,hat a ha'e it cat on e+ery ec!ar 'itinction# when force' to

fee! how +ery f!eeting it i 5ow encoraging to ref!ect on the

'rab!e an' ea!te' ha**ine of the on of Go' hritianity it

i thine to ennob!e the hman min' an' to ma"e it rea!!y great

Grace it i thine to raie the *oor from the 'nghi!!# an' the

nee'y ot of the 't Thine it i# to nmber them among the

*rince of hea+en# an' to eat them on throne of g!ory

An' now# rea'er# what i yor characterI Do# +ery *robab!y# ca!!

yore!f a hritian f o in rea!ity# yo are a chi!' of Go'# an' an

a'o*te' heir of immorta! g!ory

$o yo "now then by e*erience# what are the *ri+i!ege

atten'ant on ch a tate# an' connecte' with ch a characterI f

not# yo bear the name in +ain o far from being a hritian# yo

arehow ha!! *ea" itI wi!! yo be!ie+e itI can *ri'e forgi+e itI

yo are an ce-my to Go' an' a chi!' of the 'e+i! ;or thee two

character# the children of 'od, an' the seed of the serpent,

inc!'e a!! man"in' oni'er# then# where to c!a yore!f# an'

what i yor *ro*er name

Are yo a be!ie+erI a chi!' of Go' by a'o*tion# an' an heir of

eterna! richeI Be caref! to act agreeab!y to yor high character

an' ea!te' *ri+i!ege >et the chi!'ren of thi wor!' atify their

!itt!e min'# an' be ca*ti+ate' by the !ow enoyment an'

*erihing +anitie of the *reent tate2 bt yo ho!' 'i'ain to

act *on their *rinci*!e# or to be go+erne' by their maim The

riche of the wor!'# which engro the care of the co+eto2 ithonor# that are o earnet!y *re' by the ambitio2 an' it

+ario *!eare# in which the ena!it 'e!ight# yo ho!' be

far from 'eiring ,hy ho!' yo be 'icontente' at the want of



that which# thogh enoye' in a!! it f!ne# co!' not ma"e yo

ha**yI ea!!y far ho!' yo be from *erforming re!igio 'tie

on the ame *rinci*!e an' with the ame +iew# a the !ega!

mora!it an' e!fih /hariee2 which genera!!y are# either thea**!ae of men# or their own acce*tance with Go' That i the

mot abominab!e hy*ocriy in the ight of 5im who earche the

heart# an' tan' abhorre' by e+ery genero min'2 this i a

crimina! r*ation of the office of hrit# an' the highet

'ihonor to hi n'erta"ing ;or it *rocee' on a **oition#

that the wor" of the >or' i either not *erfect in ite!f# or not free

for the inner The former bae!y ref!ect on hi *ower# or

faithf!ne# an' the !atter on hi graceC both which are ea!!y farfrom honoring the a'ore' Re'eemer n'er hi cheering an'

acre' character# Fe The chi!'ren of !ight ho!' act from the

mot genero moti+e an' for the b!imet en' >o+e to their

hea+en!y ;ather# an' gratit'e to the b!ee'ing a+ior# ho!'

e+er be the fritf! orce of their obe'ience2 an' the g!ory of

Go'# the ea!te' en'

Are yo an heir of the "ing'omI Do ho!' be caref! to *reer+e tea'y con'ct in the chrch of Go'# an' in the wor!' .ot on!y

to be :ea!o for yor ;ather honor# a we +!gar!y ay# by fit

an' tart2 bt maintain an niform beha+ior throgh the who!e

of yor con'ct 9n'ea+or to ma"e it a**ear that yo are a

'i!igent er+ant# a we!! a a 'ignifie' on of Go' Dor *ractice

ho!' be# a mch a *oib!e# agreeab!e to yor ho!y *rofeion#

an' yor g!orio ho*e Remember# that a yor gracio ;ather

an' !o+ing 5ban'# yor g!orio re!ati+e an' brightinheritance# are a!! in hea+en2 there a!o ho!' be yor heart# an'

yor con+eration ;or thogh yo are an heir of a "ing'om# it i

not of this /orld8 an' thogh yo are in, yo are not of the wor!'

.or wi!! yo ha+e any reaon to be r*rie'# or ahame'# if the

wor!' ho!' hate yo *hatsoever things are true) /hatsoever

things are honest, gra+e# or +enerab!e2 /hatsoever things are

pure) /hatsoever things are lovely) /hatsoever things are of good

report) if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, thechi!'ren of Go' n'obte'!y oght# abo+e a!! other# to think on

these things ;or no man can free hime!f from the o'io charge

of being a 'ihonor to hrit# an' a re*roach to hi hritian



*rofeion# if he !i+e n'er the 'ominion of in# an' be a er+ant

of atan ch a *eron# whate+er *ec!ati+e "now!e'ge he may

ha+e of the 'octrine of grace# or whate+er hi *rofeion of !o+e

to it may be# i 'etitte of the faith of the go*e!# an' an enemy tothe cro of hrit2 i a tmb!ing b!oc" in the way of yong

con+ert2 an'# !ea+ing the wor!' in thi con'ition# wi!! fee! e+erer

+engeance# wi!! fa!! n'er 'ob!e 'amnation to a!! eternity



#. OF GRACE, AS IT REIGNS IN OUR

SANCTIFICATION

5AE.G treate' *on that re!ati+e change# which ta"e *!ace in

the tate of Go' *eo*!e in tification an' a'o*tion# now

*rocee' to coni'er# that rea! change which i begn in

anctification an' ma'e *erfect in g!ory Thi rea! change i

abo!te!y reiite ;or thogh hrit i *roc!aime' in the go*e!#

a entire!y free for the inner2 an' thogh we are coni'ere' ango'!y# when the obe'ience of the righteo Fe i im*te' to

for or tification before Go'2 yet# before we can enter the

manion of immorta! *rity# we mt be anctifie' hrit#

in'ee'# fin' hi *eo*!e entire!y 'etitte of ho!ine# an' of e+ery

'eire after it2 bt he 'oe not !ea+e them in that tate 5e

*ro'ce in them a incere !o+e to Go'# an' a rea! *!eare in hi

way 5ence they are ca!!e' an holy nation A ho!ine i the

hea!th of the o!# an' the beaty of a rationa! natre2 a it i the brightet ornament of the chrch of Go'# an' eentia! to tre

b!ee'ne2 o# in a treatie on reigning grace# it mt by no

mean be o+er!oo"e'2 for we may are ore!+e that grace

reign in it

The +at im*ortance of anctification# an' the ran" it ho!' in the

'i*enation of grace# a**ear from hence t i the en' of or

eterna! e!ection a ca*ita! *romie an' a 'itingihe' b!eing#of the co+enant of grace2 a *recio frit of re'em*tion by the

b!oo' of Fe2 the 'eign of Go' in regeneration2 the *rimary

intention of tification2 the co*e of a'o*tion# an' abo!te!y

neceary to g!orification o that in the anctification of a inner#

the great 'eign of a!! the 'i+ine o*eration# re*ecting that mot

g!orio of a!! wor"# R9$9&/T.# are nite'

anctification# therefore# may be t!y 'enominate' a ca*ita! *artof or a!+ation# an' i mch more *ro*er!y o terme'# than a

condition of it ;or# to be 'e!i+ere' from that bon'age to in an'

atan# n'er which we a!! natra!!y !ie# an' to be renewe' after



the image of Go'# mt certain!y be eteeme' a great 'e!i+erance

an' a +a!ab!e b!eing .ow# in the enoyment of that

'e!i+erance# an' in the *artici*ation of thi b!eing# conit the

+ery eence of anctification 5ence the wor' i e' to ignify#That /ord of Divine grace by /hich those that are called and

1ustified are rene/ed after the i!age of 'od The effect of thi

g!orio wor" i tre ho!ineC or a conformity to the mora!

*erfection of the $eity n other wor'# !o+e to Go'# an' 'e!ight

in him a the chief Goo' The end of the co!!and!ent is love,

out of a pure heart o to !o+e the *reme Being# i 'irect!y

contrary to the bia of corr*t natre ;or a natra! 'e*ra+ity

conit in or a+erion to Go'# which manifet ite!f in tenthoan' +ario way2 o the eence of tre ho!ine conit in

!o+e to Go' Thi hea+en!y affection i the fritf! orce of a!!

obe'ience to 5im# an' of a!! 'e!ight in 5im# both here an'

hereafter .or i it on!y the tre orce of a!! or obe'ience2 for it

i a!o the m an' *erfection of ho!ine Becae a!! acce*tab!e

'tie natra!!y f!ow from !o+e to Go'2 nor are they any thing e!e

bt the necessary e%pressions of that 'i+ine *rinci*!e

Thogh tification an' anctification are both them b!eing of

grace# an' thogh they are abo!te!y ine*arab!e2 yet they are o

manifet!y 'itinct# that there i in +ario re*ect a wi'e

'ifference between them Thi 'itinction may be th e*ree'

Ftification re*ect the *eron in a !ega! ene# i a ing!e act of

grace# an' terminate in a re!ati+e change2 that i# a free'om from

*nihment# an' a right to !ife anctification regar' him in a

*hyica! ene# i a contine' wor" of grace# an' terminate in area! change# a to the a!ity both of habit an' action The

former i by a righteone withot 2 the !atter i by ho!ine

wroght in That *rece'e# a a cae2 thi fo!!ow# a an effect

Ftification i by hrit a a *riet# an' ha regar' to the gi!t of

in2 anctification i by him a a "ing# an' refer to it 'ominion

The former ann! it 'amning *ower2 the !atter it reigning

*ower Ftification i intantaneo an' com*!ete# in a!! it rea!

bect2 bt anctification i *rogrei+e# an' *erfecting by'egree



The *eron on whom the b!eing of anctification i betowe'#

are thoe that are tifie'# an' in a tate of acce*tance with Go'

;or concerning them it i written# an' it i the !angage of

reigning grace2 . /ill put !y la/s into their !ind, and /rite the!in their hearts The b!eing here 'eigne'# an' the fa+or here

*romie'# are# that !o+e to Go'# an' that 'e!ight in hi !aw an'

way# which are im*!ante' in the heart of a!! the regenerate2

contant!y inc!ining them to obey the who!e re+ea!e' wi!! of Go'#

o far a they are acainte' with it anctification i a new

co+enant b!eing2 an' in that gracio contittion it i *romie'

a a choice *ri+i!ege# not reire' a an entit!ing con'ition

Thoe ha**y o! who *oe the in+a!ab!e b!eing# an' are

'e!i+ere' from the 'ominion of in# are not under the la/) neither

ee"ing tification by it# nor obnoio to it cre2 but under

grace) are com*!ete!y tifie' by the free fa+or of Go'# an' !i+e

n'er it *owerf! inf!ence Thi tet trong!y im*!ie# that a!!

who are n'er the !aw# a a co+enant# or are ee"ing acce*tance

with the eterna! F'ge by their own 'tie# are n'er the 'ominion

of in2 whate+er their character may be among men# or howe+erhigh their *retence may be to ho!ine An' a thoe that are

n'er the !aw ha+e no ho!ine# they can *erform no acce*tab!e

obe'ience ;or they that are in the flesh, in their carna!#

nregenerate tate cannot please 'od 9+ery one that i n'er the

!aw# i con'emne' by it2 an' whi!e hi *eron i accre'# hi

'tie cannot be acce*te' A man *eron mt be acce*te' with

Go'# before hi wor" can be *!eaing to him

To et the bect in a c!earer !ight# it may be of e to coni'er#

that to contitte a wor" tr!y goo'# it mt be 'one from a right

*rinci*!e# *erforme' by a right r!e# an' inten'e' for a right en'

t mt be 'one from a right principle Thi i the !o+e of Go'

The great comman' of the nchangeab!e !aw i# Thou shalt love

the Lord thy 'od ,hate+er wor" i 'one from any other

*rinci*!e# howe+er it may be a**!a'e' by men# it i not

acce*tab!e in the ight of 5im who earche the heart ;or by 5im *rinci*!e# a we!! a actions, are /eighed t mt be *erforme'

by a right rule Thi i the re+ea!e' wi!! of Go' 5i wi!! i the



r!e of righteone The mora! !aw# in *artic!ar# i the r!e of

or obe'ienceM

M ee my $eath of >ega! 5o*e# the >ife of 9+ange!ica!

be'ience# ect +ii where thi bect i *rofee'!y 'ice'#

in o**oition to the Antinomian

t i a com*!ete ytem of 'ty2 an' coni'ere' a mora!# i

immtab!y the r!e of or con'ct 5owe+er chargeab!e therefore

any wor" may be to him that *erform it2 or howe+er 'i!igent he

may be in it *erformance2 yet# if it be nowhere comman'e' by

the athority of 5ea+en# it tan' con'emne' by that $i+ine

ery2 *ho hath re9uired this at your hands6 An' thogh it be

*reten'e' that the !o+e of Go' i the *rinci*!e# an' the g!ory of

Go' the en'# a the '*e of *ertition# both ancient an'

mo'ern# ha+e genera!!y 'one2 yet being nowhere enoine' in or

on!y r!e of faith an' *ractice# it i no better than reprobate silver,

an' wi!! certain!y be reecte' of Go' o that# howe+er high!y the

*erformer may *!eae hime!f# or gratify hi own *ri'e by the

'ee'# he cannot be commen'e' for hi obe'ience ;or where therei no comman'# e*!icit or im*!ie'# there can he no obe'ience2

coneent!y no goo' wor" t mt be inten'e' for a right en'

That i# the g!ory of the *reme Being *hatsoever ye do, do all

to the glory of 'od, i the *erem*tory comman' of the &ot 5igh

An' a thi i the en' for which Feho+ah hime!f act# in a!! hi

wor"# both of *ro+i'ence an' grace# o it i the highet en' at

which we can *oib!y aim .o man# howe+er# can act for o

b!ime an en'# bt he that i taght of Go'# an' f!!y *era'e'that tification i entire!y by grace2 in ch a ene by grace# a

to be 'etache' from a!! wor" 'e*en'ent on no con'ition to be

*erforme' by him ;or ti!! then he cannot bt refer hi **oe'

goo' action *rinci*a!!y to e!f# an' hi own acce*tance with Go'

Thi i the highet en' for which ch a *eron can *oib!y act#

thogh other an' baer en' are often *ro*oe' by him Bt thoe

wor" that are tr!y goo'# an' which the 5o!y *irit ca!! the

fruits of righteousness, are, in the 'eign of their *erformer# awe!! a in the ie# to the glory and praise of 'od .ow# thogh

an nregenerate man may 'o thoe thing which are materia!!y

goo'# an' by a right r!e2 yet none that are ignorant of the go*e!



of $i+ine grace can act from that genero *rinci*!e an' for that

ea!te' en'# which are abo!te!y neceary to contitte a goo'

wor"

To confirm the argment# an' to i!!trate the *oint# wo!'

ober+e# that man i a fa!!en creatre2 entire!y 'etitte of the ho!y

image an' !o+e of Go' o far from !o+ing hi &a"er# or

'e!ighting in hi way# he i an enemy to him The !angage of an

nregenerate man heart an' con'ct# i that of thoe *rofane

wretche in the boo" of Fob# who ay to Go'# Depart fro! us) for

/e desire not the kno/ledge of thy /ays *hat is the "l!ighty,

that /e should serve hi!6 "nd /hat profit should /e have, if /e pray unto hi!6<

M Fob i 14# 1< hmb!y concei+e that the nregenerate man

habita! forgetf!ne of Go'# the neaine he fee! when the

thoght of hi &a"er an' F'ge 'art into hi min'# an' hi

en'ea+or to e-e!'e them a nwe!come intr'er-hi *aion

for inf! *!eare# en' hi !o+e to *reent enoyment-the enmity

he ha to the *eo*!e of Go'an' hi a+erion to erio# re!igio#hea+en!y con+erationen'# fina!!y# the treatment with which the

go*e! meet in hi breat# e+en the go*e! of a+ing grace# that

brightet mirror of the $i+ine *erfection2 are e+i'ence of thi

hmb!ing trth# an' f!!y *ro+e the o**robrio charge not thi

tri"ing *roof2 that a $i+ine *ower# a' in+incib!e agency# i

neceary to regenerate the o! an' con+ert the heartI

.either the comman' of the $i+ine !aw# thogh the trictet an' *ret imaginab!e# nor a!! the +engeance threatene' againt

'iobe'ience to thoe comman'# can wor" in or heart the !eat

'egree of !o+e to Go'# the !awgi+erC nor# coni'ering ore!+e a

a*otate creatre an' n'er the cre# i it in the natre of thing

*oib!e ;or the more *re it *rece*t are# o mch the more

contrary to the bia of corr*te' natreC an' it i e+i'ent# that it

awf! anction cannot be a**ro+e' by a *eron obnoio to it

con'emning *ower oneent!y# the $i+ine >awgi+er can ha+eno hare in or affection# whi!e we contine in thi 'e*!orab!e

con'ition



;a!!en man therefore cannot !o+e Go'# bt a he i re+ea!e' in a

&e'iator 5e mt beho!' hi &a"er g!ory in the face of Fe

hrit# before he can !o+e him# or ha+e the !eat 'eire to *romote

hi g!ory .ow# a there i no re+e!ation of the g!ory of Go' inhrit# bt by the go*e!# an' a we cannot beho!' it bt by faith#

it neceari!y fo!!ow# that no man can nfeigne'!y !o+e Go'# or

incere!y 'eire to g!orify him# whi!e ignorant of the trth Bt a

there i the brightet 'i*!ay of a!! the $i+ine *erfection in Fe

hrit# an' a the go*e! re+ea! him in hi g!ory an' beaty2 o#

throgh the acre' inf!ence of the 5o!y *irit# inner beho!' the

infinite amiab!ene an' trancen'ent g!ory of Go'# in the *eron

an' wor" of mmane! The go*e! being a 'ec!aration of that *erfect forgi+ene which i with Go'# an' of that won'erf!

a!+ation which i by hrit# which are f!!# free an' e+er!ating2

by whomoe+er the go*e! i be!ie+e'# *eace of concience an'

the !o+e of Go' are in ome 'e-g!ee enoye' ,hi!e in *ro*ortion

to the be!ie+er +iew of the $i+ine g!ory re+ea!e' in Fe# an'

hi e*erience of $i+ine !o+e he' abroa' in the heart# wi!! be hi

retrn of affection an' gratit'e to Go' a an infinite!y amiab!e

Being# coni'ere' in hime!f2 a inconcei+ab!y gracio# to nee'y#gi!ty# nworthy creatre 5i !angage wi!! be# *hat shall .

render to the Lord for all his benefits6 4less the Lord, O !y soul5

and all that it /ithin !e, bless his holy na!e5 Being born from

abo+e# he delights in the la/ of 'od, after the in/ard !an) an' i

habita!!y 'eiro of being more an' more conforme' to it# a it

i a trancri*t of the $i+ine *rity# an' a re+e!ation of the $i+ine

wi!! .ow he i frnihe' with that genero *rinci*!e of action#

!o+e to Go' The obe'ience he now *erform# an' that which Go'acce*t# i not the er+ice of a mere mercenary# in or'er to gain

a tit!e to !ife# a a rewar' for hi wor"2 mch !e of a !a+e# that i

'ri+en to it by the goa' of terror bt the obe'ience of a chi!'# or

of a *oe2 of one who regar' the 'i+ine comman' a coming

from a father# or from an hban' Being dead to the la/, he lives

to 'od

ai'# being dead to the la/ Thi i the cae of none bt thoethat are *oor in *irit# an' ha+e recei+e' the atonement in the

b!oo' of hrit2 thoe who re!y on hi wor" a!one# a com*!ete!y

fficient to *rocre their acce*tance with Go'# an' a *erfect!y



atifying an awa"ene' concience# re*ecting that im*ortant

affair o the a*ot!e2 7e are beco!e dead to the la/ by the body

of Christ 3 *e are delivered fro! the la/, that being dead /herein

/e /ere held n thee remar"ab!e wor'# the be!ie+er i 'ecribe'a being 'ea' to the !aw# an' the !aw a 'ea' to him By which are

ignifie'# that the !aw ha no more *ower o+er a be!ie+er to eact

obe'ience# a the con'ition of !ife# or to threaten +engeance

againt him# in cae of 'iobe'ience# than a 'eceae' hban' ha

to 'eman' obe'ience from a !i+ing wife2 or# on accont of

'iobe'ience# to threaten her with *nihment That the rea!

hritian# being 'ea' to the !aw# ha no more e*ectation of

tification by hi own obe'ience to it# than a !i+ing wife ha ofaitance from a 'ea' hban' An' that# a he can ha+e no

e*ectation of recei+ing any benefit from him# he being 'ea'2 o

he cannot rationa!!y ha+e any fear of ffering e+i! at hi han'

Bt thogh the !aw# a a co+enant# ceae to ha+e any 'eman' on

the! that are in Christ Jesus) yet# a a r!e of con'ct# an' a in

the han' of hrit# it i of great ti!ity to be!ie+er# an' to the mot

a'+ance' aint .or# th coni'ere'# i it *oib!e that it ho!' be'e*ri+e' of it athority# or !oe it e ;or it i no other than the

r!e of that obe'ience which the natre of Go' an' man# an' the

re!ation biting between them# ren'er neceary To imagine

the !aw +acate'# in thi re*ect# i to **oe that re!ation to ceae#

which ha e+er bite'# an' cannot bt bit# between the

great o+ereign an' hi 'e*en'ent creatre# who are the bect

of hi mora! go+ernment .or# th coni'ere'# are it comman'

br'enome# or it yo"e ga!!ing to the rea! hritian 5e a**ro+eof it2 he delights in it, after the in/ard !an ;or# a a frien' an' a

gi'e# it *oint ot the way in which he i to manifet hi

than"f!ne to Go' for a!! hi fa+or2 an' the new 'i*oition he

recei+e' in regeneration# from hi >aw-f!fi!!er# inc!ine him to

*ay it the mot incere an' ninterr*te' regar' The obe'ience

he now *erform i in ne/ness of spirit, and not in the oldness of

the letter

ho!' any *reten'er to ho!ine# the genine off*ring of the

ancient /hariee# obect# that by faith /e !ake void the la/, or

anwer i rea'yC 'od forbid5 7ea, rather# /e establish the la/,



both by the 'octrine an' the *rinci*!e of faith By the doctrine of

faith Becae we teach# that there i no a!+ation for any of the

chi!'ren of men# withot a *erfect f!fi!ment of a!! it righteo

'eman' Thi# thogh im*oib!e to a fa!!en# enfeeb!e' creatre#wa *ncta!!y *erforme' by &eiah# the rety2 which# being

*!ace' to the accont of a be!ie+ing inner# ren'er him

com*!ete!y righteo Th the !aw# o far from being ma'e +oi'#

i honore' i magnifie'# an' that to the highet 'egree The

obe'ience *erforme' to the *erce*ti+e *art of the !aw# by a $i+ine

Re'eemer# an' the ffering of an incarnate Go' on the cro# in

conformity to it *ena! anction# more high!y honor it than a!! the

obe'ience which an abo!te!y innocent race of creatre co!'e+er ha+e yie!'e'2 than a!! the ffering# which the many mi!!ion

of the 'amne' can en're to eternity By the principle of faith ;or

a it *ritie the heart from an e+i! concience# throgh the

a**!ication of atoning b!oo'2 o it wor" by !o+e !o+e to Go'#

hi *eo*!e# an' hi cae# in ome 'egree conformab!e to the !aw#

a the r!e of righteone 5ence it i that thoe who be!ie+e# are

ai' to be sanctified by that faith /hich is in Jesus f any one

therefore# *reten' to be!ie+e in hrit# to !o+e hi name# an' toenoy commnion with him# who 'oe not *ay an habita! regar'

to hi comman'2 he is a liar, and the truth is not hi! ;or or

>or' ay# .f a !an love !e, he /ill keep !y /ords 5e inform

a!o# that the reaon why any one 'oe not keep his sayings, i

becae he does not love Hi!, whate+er he may *rofe to the

contrary That i no !o+e# which i not *ro'cti+e of obe'ience2

nor i that worthy the name of obe'ience# which *ring not from

!o+e /retenion to !o+e# withot obe'ience# are g!aringhy*ocriy2 an' obe'ience# withot !o+e# i mere !a+ery

The great an' hea+en!y b!eing of anctification i the frit of or

nion with hrit n +irte of that nion which bit between

hrit a the hea'# an' the chrch a hi mytica! bo'y# the choen

of Go' become bect of regenerating grace# an' are *oee'

of the 5o!y *irit Accor'ing to thoe em*hatica! an' intrcti+e

wor'C *ithout !e, withot +ita! nion with me# imi!ar to that ofa !i+ing branch to a f!orihing +ine# ye can do nothing that i

tr!y goo'Ian' acce*tab!e in the ight of Go' t i by the *irit of

trth an' the wor' of grace# that any inner i# or can be



anctifie' A it i written# 7e have purified your souls in obeying

the truth through the (pirit 5ence we rea'# of the sanctification

of the (pirit) of the holiness of truth) an'# of being sanctified by

the truth ( /et 1C% % The %C13 9*h 4C%4 Fohn 17C1) Bycom*aring thee *aage together# it i e+i'ent that the $i+ine

*irit em*!oy e+ange!ica! trth a the a**ointe' intrment# in

*ro'cing that ho!ine in the heart an' !ife of a hritian# which

i inc!'e' in the b!eing# an' ignifie' by the term#

anctification ;or thi reaon it i that or great interceor *ray#

(anctify the! through thy truth) thy /ord is truth8 and asserts, 7e

are clean through the /ord /hich . have spoken unto you (Fohn

17C17# an' 1<C3)

The trth of the go*e! i that mirror in which we beho!' the

gracio 'eign of Go' re*ecting 2 the a!!-fficiency of

hrit# an' hi finihe' wor" wroght ot for the gi!tyB$%&'()*+, - )* +'--, %$ +'&/0 & %$ L&/(; $ /$ %*+$(

)*& %$ -$ )+$, /& +'&/0 & +'&/0, $$* - 60 %$ S7)/)

& %$ L&/(. A the contenance of &oe# after hi fami!iar

con+ere with Feho+ah# hone with ch 'a::!ing ra'iance that thechoen tribe co!' not tea'i!y beho!' it2 o the be!ie+er# +iewing

the =ing of g!ory in hi match!e beaty# 'eri+e a !i"ene to the

g!orio obect of hi +iew an' hi !o+e ;or the more freent!y

he beho!' 5im# the more f!!y he "now hi *erfection# of which

hi ho!ine i the ornament The more he "now them# the more

ar'ent!y he !o+e them The more he !o+e them# the more he

'eire a conformity to them2 for !o+e a*ire after a !i"ene to

the be!o+e' The more he !o+e the trancen'ent!y amiab!e Go'#the more freent!y# attenti+e!y# an' 'e!ightf!!y wi!! he beho!'

him Th he obtain# by e+ery freh +iew# a new featre of

Feho+ah g!orio image (,T 9cn ;ae' 1 iii c ii /g

111) 5ence it a**ear# that or a'+ance in tre ho!ine wi!!

a!way "ee* *ace with or +iew of the g!ory of Go' in the face of

Fe hrit r# in other wor'# that a !ife of ho!ine to the

honor of hrit# a or =ing an' or Go'# wi!! a!way bear an

eact *ro*ertie to a !ife of faith *on him# a or rety an' ora+ior



A the wor' of grace i the *ro*er warrant an' gron' of faith# the

more c!ear or conce*tion are concerning it trth an' certainty#

the more firm!y ha!! we confi'e in itC coneent!y# the frit of

ho!ine wi!! more abn'ant!y a'orn or con+eration ;or thego*e! brings forth fruit in all fro! that kno/ it in truth8 an' it i

by the e%ceeding great and precious pro!ises containe' in it# that

we are ma'e *arta"er of a 'i+ine natre 5ence the go*e! i

com*are'# by an infa!!ib!e athor# to a mo!' into which me!te'

meta! are cat2 from which they recei+e their form an' ta"e their

im*reion 'od be thanked that ye /ere the servants of sin) but

ye have obeyed fro! the heart that type of doctrine, into /hich ye

/ere delivered (Rom 6C17) A the go*e! of *eace i the 'octrinehere 'eigne'# an' a it i accor'ing to go'!ine2 o thoe that

recei+e im*reion from it# mt# in *ro*ortion to it hea+en!y

inf!ence# ha+e their tem*er an' con'ct conforme' to the !aw of

Go' a the r!e of righteone Th the trth become effecta!#

throgh the agency of the 5o!y *irit# to *ro'ce that *rity of

heart which i the hea!th of the o!2 an' thoe goo' wor" which

are the on!y ornament of a hritian *rofeion

A a!! the or'inance of grace are ca!c!ate' to increae or

"now!e'ge an' !o+e of hrit2 o they are a'a*te' to *romote the

wor" of anctification ,hether# therefore# they be thoe of the

c!oet or of the fami!y2 whether *b!ic or *ri+ate2 they oght# by

a!! mean# to be concientio!y ober+e'# by a!! who *rofe

theme!+e the 'ici*!e of the 5o!y Fe A!! that atten' *on

them in faith# ha!! certain!y fin' them the ha**y mean of

*romoting their "now!e'ge of the tre Go'# their growth in grace#an' their a'+ancement in rea! ho!ine

,e may now coni'er the *rinci*a! moti+e# that are e' in the

boo" of Go'# to tir * the min' of be!ie+er to ee" a !arger

enoyment of anctification# an' to abon' in e+ery goo' wor"

Thee moti+e are +ario# yet a!! e+ange!ica! Be!ie+er are

ehorte' to obe'ience# from the coni'eration of their

'itingihing character# a the elect of 'od and a peculiar people (o! 3C1%-14 /et %C) The purchase which hrit ha

ma'e of hi choen# an' the nea!!e' price which he *ai' for

their 'e!i+erance# affor' a charming# a contraining moti+e# to be



ho!y in a!! manner of con+eration The *rice with which they

were boght# being nothing !e than the infinite!y *recio b!oo'

of Fe# or incarnate Go'2 a remembrance of it ho!' "in'!e in

their heart the mot fer+ent g!ow of hea+en!y gratit'e# an'e!e+ate them to a *itch of era*hic 'e+otion2 an' thi more

e*ecia!!y# when they ref!ect on that abect !a+ery an' mierab!e

tate# in which they were +iewe' by the >or' Re'eemer# when he

n'ertoo" their cae# an' ga+e hi +ery !ife a ranom for them n

the ffering of hrit on the cro we beho!' hi ten'eret

com*aion to *erihing o!# hi intene regar' to the right of

hi ;ather +io!ate' !aw# an' the concern he ha' for the honor of

hi $i+ine go+ernment oni'eration thee# mot ha**i!yca!c!ate' to mortify or !t an' ic"en or grace2 to ma"e

!oathe in an' !o+e the !aw# a being holy, 1ust, and good

5ere we ee the ten'eret com*aion to or *erihing o!#

e*ree' in a way *erior to a!! the *ower of !angage2 *erior

to a!! finite conce*tion Thi he e*ree' be atonihe'# ye

inhabitant of the hea+en!y wor!' whi!e a!! the re'eeme' of the

>or' are tran*orte' with ho!y won'er# an' fi!!e' with a'oringgratit'e Thi he e*ree' in tear an' crie# in groan an'

b!oo' oni'er 5im# be!ie+er# !oa'e' with re*roache by hi

enemie# 'eerte' by hi frien'# an' fora"en e+en by hi Go'

oni'er him in thee circmtance of n*ara!!e!e' wo# an' ee

whether it wi!! not fire yor heart with ho!y :ea!# an' arm yor

han' with an hea+en!y reo!tion# to crcify e+ery !t# to

mortify e+ery +i!e affection $i' 5A..BA># by the comman'

of hi father# wear at the a!tar# to maintain an irreconci!ab!eenmity againt the Roman o ho!' the hritian# when

tan'ing a it were at the foot of the cro# an' beho!'ing the

ffering of hi 'ying a+ior# wear to maintain a *er*eta!

o**oition againt e+ery !t an' e+ery in 5ere he wi!! form hi

firmet reo!+e# to enter into no a!!iance# to a'mit of no trce#

with thoe enemie of hi o! an' mr'erer of hi >or' ch a

coni'eration# et home by the b!ee' *irit# wi!! be intea' of a

thoan' argment to *era'e# intea' of a thoan' incenti+eto *rom*t to cheerf! obe'ience o trc" wa /a! with a +iew

of thi atonihing !o+e# an' the righteo c!aim which Fe ha

to e+ery heart# that he acconte' a want of !o+e to him the highet



*itch of ingratit'e an' wic"e'ne2 an' bo!'!y *rononce' the

tate of ch to be accre' to the !at 'egree ( or 16C%%)

5ere we beho!' the Re'eemer !o+e to hi ;ather !aw# an' the

*er!ati+e regar' that he ha' to the honor of hi $i+ine

go+ernment ;or thogh he wa 'etermine' that the rebe! ho!'

be a+e' from 'eer+e' 'etrction2 yet# rather than the !eat

ref!ection ho!' e+er be eat on the +io!ate' !aw# a thogh it

*rece*t were nreaonab!e# or it *ena!ty cre!# he hime!f wo!'

obey# he hime!f wo!' b!ee' By which *roce're he 'ec!are'# in

the mot em*hatic# a! manner# that the !aw# in it *rece*t# i

entire!y ho!y an' goo'2 an'# in it *ena! anction# *erfect!y tAn' at the ame time he 'emontrate'# how t!y thoe who 'ie

n'er it cre are *nihe' with e+er!ating 'etrction Ref!ect

*on thi# be!ie+er# an' ee whether it wi!! not *ro+e a nob!e

incenti+e to !abor# an' tri+e after a more *erfect conformity to

it ho!y *rece*t# in a!! yor tem*er# wor'# an' action2 in a!!

that yo are# an' in a!! that yo 'o Then yo wi!! ee# that a the

>or'# ot of !o+e to yor o! an' in honor to the !aw# refe'

not to 'ie the mot infamo 'eath for yor a!+ation2 yo are !ai'n'er the tronget ob!igation to !o+e hi name# an' re+erence the

!aw2 to confi'e in hi atonement# an' imitate hi eam*!e

,hen the hritian coni'er that hi who!e *eron i the obect

of re'eeming !o+e# an' the *rchae of mmane! b!oo'2 when

he ref!ect that the en' inten'e' by thi *rchae# i# that he

should serve the Lord /ithout fear, in holiness and righteousness

all the days of his life) an' that he should live to Hi! /ho died forhi! and rose again8 beho!'ing ch a 'e!i+erance# by ch

t*en'o mean# an' for ch a g!orio en'# he wi!! ec!aim

with 9:ra# on an infinite!y !e im*ortant occaion2 (eeing that

thou, our 'od, hast given us such deliverance as this, should /e

again break thy co!!and!ents6 The heart that i not mo+e'# by

ch coni'eration a thee# to !o+e the Re'eemer an' to g!orify

hi name# i har'er than tone# an' co!'er than ice2 i entire!y

'etitte of e+ery gratef! fee!ing ,ere be!ie+er more f!!yacainte' with the !o+e of a 'ying a+ior# an' the infinite

efficacy of hi atoning b!oo'2 their 'e*en'ence on him wo!' be

more tea'y# an' their !o+e to him wo!' be more fer+ent An'#



were thi the eae# how *atient wo!' they be n'er a!! their

aff!iction2 how than"f! in a!! their enoymentC how ar'ent in a!!

their 'e+otion2 how ho!y in a!! their con+eration2 how ef! in

a!! their beha+ior Dea# how *eacef!# how oyf!# in the *ro*ectof 'eath an' a ftre wor!' Then wo!' their !i+e be ha**y

in'ee' The *rchae ma'e by the ho!y ne of Go' i therefore a

nob!e# a contraining moti+e to ho!ine of !ife

Their calling i another coni'eration e' to the ame *r*oe

"s he /ho hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all !anner of

conversation The hritian ho!' often me'itate on the natre

an' ece!!ence of hi high# ho!y# hea+en!y ca!!ing Being ca!!e' bygrace# he i tran!ate' out of darkness into !arvellous light) and

fro! under the po/er of darkness, into the kingdo! of 'ods dear

(on t of a tate of wrath# an' of a!ienation from Go'# he i

broght into a tate of *eace# an' of commnion with him .ow#

the +ery en' of hi ca!!ing i# that he might be ho!y2 that he might

how forth the *raie of hi infinite Benefactor here be!ow# an'

fina!!y attain hi g!ory in the **er wor!' 5ow great the b!eing

ite!fI 5ow gracio# how g!orio the 'eign of Go' in betowing itI The remembrance of thi mt neceari!y ha+e a

ten'ency to ho!ine# in e+ery heart that i in the !eat acainte'

with it

The !ercies of Go' in genera!# an' more *artic!ar!y that *ecia!

mercy manifete' in the free *ar'on of a!! their in# an' the

e+er!ating tification of their *eron# contitte the nob!et

attracti+e of the heartCM An attracti+e of o+ereign efficacy# to'raw forth a!! the *ower of their o!# in a way of cheerf!

obe'ience to the e+er-mercif! Go' That forgiveness /hich is

/ith or o+ereign# an' the manifetation of it2 far from being an

incenti+e to +ice# cae them to fear an' re+erence# to !o+e an'

a'ore him The tate of be!ie+er# a not being under the la/, i

coni'ere' an' im*ro+e' to the ame ece!!ent *r*oe (in shall

not have do!inion over you n what i thi *oiti+e aertion

gron'e'I it becae they are bon' to obe'ience# on *ain ofincrring the cre of a righteo !awI r# on the 'rea'f! *eri! of

ffering eterna! rin ;ar from it The reaon aigne'# which

oght e+er to be remembere'# i# -or ye are not under the la/, but



under grace6 5ere grace i 'ecribe' a ha+ing 'ominion 5ere

grace reign Thi coni'eration the a*ot!e a**!ie# a a *owerf!

moti+e to ho!y obe'ience

The filial re!ation in which be!ie+er tan' to Go'# an' their ho*e

of !ife eterna!# contitte another moti+e to anwer the ame

im*ortant en' (9*h <C1 /hi! %C1<) The in*ire' writer

freent!y ta"e notice of that b!ime re!ation# to remin' them of

the 'ignity an' *ri+i!ege atten'ing it# an' to *romote a itab!e

con'ct An'# re!y# the chi!'ren of Go' ho!' act from nob!er

*rinci*!e# an' ha+e more e!e+ate' +iew# than the !a+e of

ena!ity an' the er+ant of in A coni'eration of theirhea+en!y birth# their honorab!e character an' infinite inheritance#

mt animate them to wa!" a become the citi:en of the .ew

Fera!em# an' the e*ectant of an eterna! crown The ind/elling

of the 5o!y *irit# together with the afety an' comfort of

be!ie+er# which in +ario re*ect arie from it2 are coni'ere'

an' rge' for their a'+ancement in ho!ine ( or 3C16# 17 9*h

4C30) ;or the abo!te neceity of hi abi'ing *reence with the

*eo*!e of Go'# i no ma!! in'cement not to grie+e the acre'inhabitant# by a !ooe an' care!e con+eration

The pro!ises, which are all yea and a!en in Christ Jesus, thoe

e%ceeding great and precious pro!ises, which re!ate both to thi

wor!' an' that which i to come# are im*ro+e' a a frther

moti+e# to in'ce the chi!'ren of Go' to *re forwar' after a!!

ho!ine of heart an' !ife (% /et 1C4 % or 7C1) The a*ot!e /eter#

a before ober+e'# coni'ering their ten'ency an' 'eign#cr*!e not to affirm# that it i by the!, by their inf!ence on the

o!# that we are !ade partakers of a divine nature (/a!m

13C30-3%) Thee g!orio *romie are great a the heart of man

can concei+e2 great a Feho+ah hime!f can ma"e

The coni'eration of thoe chatiement with which the >or'# a

a father# correct hi chi!'ren# when remi in their 'ty an'

neg!igent in the *ractice of goo' wor"# i another moti+e to tirthem * to fo!!ow after ho!ine# an' to ma"e them watchf!

againt the incrion of tem*tation (/a!m 13C30-3%) ai'#

with which the >or' a a father chastises) not *nihe ;or it i



the *ro*erty an' bine of a ten'er father to correct hi chi!'ren#

when 'iobe'ient2 bt of a F'ge an' of an eectioner# to

*rononce a *eron worthy of *nihment an' to inf!ict it# which#

in the *ro*er ene of punish!ent, ma"e no *art of the $i+inecon'ct towar' the heir of g!ory ,hen their hea+en!y ;ather

chatie them# it i not mere!y to 'emontrate hi own

o+ereignty# bt to correct for fa!t committe'2 an' that not in

wrath# bt in !o+e Dea# he 'oe it becae he !o+e them# in or'er

to !ake the! partakers of his holiness, and that they !ay not be

conde!ned /ith the /orld (5eb 1%C<-11 or 11C3%) Thi

being the 'eign of Go' in chatiing hi *eo*!e# an' the e+eret

chatiement being a frit of hi *aterna! care2 thogh the mean be grie+o# yet they are a!tary# an' the en' i g!orio orrect

them he wi!!# bt not 'iinherit them 5e wi!! ma"e them mart for

their fo!!y# bt he wi!! not aban'on them to rin Accor'ing to that

'ec!aration2 .f his children forsake !y la/, and /alk not in !y

1udg!ents) if they break !y statutes, and keep not !y

co!!and!ents, then /ill . visit their transgressions /ith a rod,

and their ini9uities /ith stripes 2evertheless, !y loving kindness

/ill . not utterly take fro! hi!, nor suffer !y faithfulness to fail(/a!m 13C30-33) A the >or' correct hi chi!'ren when

'iobe'ient2 o he re+ea! more of hi !o+e to them when they

wa!" tea'i!y in the *ath of 'ty ch a maintain the c!oet

commnion with him# an' mot *ncta!!y obey hi comman'#

ha+e reaon to e*ect richer manifetation of hi !o+e2 to !i+e

more n'er the mi!e of hi contenance2 an'# coneent!y# to

be more oyf! in their *i!grimage here on earth# ha+ing !arger

foretate of ftre g!ory ,hi!e thoe of hi *eo*!e that bac"!i'emore freent!y# an' are not o caref! to *erform hi wi!!# come

oftener n'er hi correcting han'# an' their comfortab!e

commnion with him i more interr*te'

Thi moti+e# it mt be confee'# i of a !e genero "in' than

thoe before mentione' .otwithtan'ing# in the *reent im*erfect

tate# it ha it e .or i it 'etitte of ho!y !o+e ;or thogh the

re'eeme' of the >or' fear the frown of their ;ather face# an'the !ahe of hi correcting ro'2 yet they 'o not !i+e n'er the

!a+ih a**rehenion of eterna! wrath# nor are they "e*t in the

way of 'ty by the tormenting fear of that awf! *nihment



Thogh they may t!y e*ect more co*io manifetation of

their ;ather !o+e# when they wa!" in obe'ience to him2 yet they

'o not obey to obtain !ife# or to gain a right of inheritance .o#

they are a!rea'y heir They are not on!y er+ant# bt on2 an'are *oee' of a fi!ia! affection for him who ha begotten them

to a !i+e!y ho*e Thogh the moti+e therefore be not o free# an'

*re# an' nob!e a thoe before mentione'# which are ta"en from

b!eing a!rea'y conferre'2 yet it a+or of !o+e to Go'# an' ha

a regar' to hi g!ory The obe'ience *erforme' n'er it inf!ence#

i of a 'ifferent "in' from a!! the 'tie of the mot :ea!o

mora!it# that i nacainte' with a!+ation by grace t mt#

howe+er# be grante'# that the more *re or +iew are of the g!oryof Go'# the more *erfect i or obe'ience# an' the more

acce*tab!e in the ight of or hea+en!y ;ather Det# far be it that

we ho!' in'!ge the thoght of or 'tie# when *erforme' to

the tmot of or abi!ity# being acce*te' of Go' for their own

a"e The acce*t-anew with which they meet at the han' of Go'

i not becae they are *erfect# or we worthy2 bt in coneence

of or nion with hrit# an' the tification of or *eron in

him Thee 'tie# being the frit of ho!ine# are *ro'ce' in+irte of or nion with him2 are coni'ere' a e+i'ence of that

nion2 an' acce*te' throgh him# a or great 5igh /riet in the

hea+en!y anctary Acce*te'# not to the tification of or

*eron# bt a a tetimony of or !o+e an' gratit'e# an' of or

concern for the g!ory of Go'

That thee are all the moti+e to obe'ience# with which the

cri*tre frnih be!ie+er# an' which they are bon' to "ee* intheir +iew# am far from **oing2 bt they# concei+e# are ome

of the *rinci*a! f# therefore# thee ha+e their *ro*er inf!ence

*on them# they wi!! be neither idle, nor unfruitful, in the

kno/ledge of our Lord Jesus Christ

t i e+i'ent# from the foregoing *aragra*h# that anctification i

an im*ortant *art of that a!+ation an' b!ee'ne# which are

*romie' to the *eo*!e of Go'# an' *ro+i'e' for them >et therea'er# therefore# be caref! to !oo" *on it# an' ee" after it#

n'er it tre character Be 'i!igent in the *rit of ho!ine# not

a the con'ition of yor tification2 bt a the brightet ornament



of a rationa! natre# a the image of the b!ee' Go'# an' a that

by which yo bring the highet honor to hi name n thi the

*erfection of yor inte!!ecta! *ower conit# an' e+er!ating

g!ory i it genine re!t The chi!'ren of Go' ho!' a!wayremember# that thogh ho!ine an' goo' wor" gi+e them no tit!e

to !ife2 for that i the *rerogati+e roya! of $i+ine grace# throgh

the &e'iator wor"2 yet a higher# an' ti!! higher 'egree of

ho!ine i to be oght with a!! ai'ity t being their *ro*er

bine# a we!! a their great b!eing# whi!e they wa!" in hrit

the ,ay# to e+i'ence# by ho!ine an' goo' wor"# that they are in

him# an' o free from a!! con'emnation

t a!o a**ear# that a no obe'ience i acce*tab!e to Go'# ece*t

it *rocee' from a *rinci*!e of !o+e to hi name# an' be *erforme'

with a +iew to hi g!ory2 an' a no man i *oee' of that

hea+en!y *rinci*!e# or ca*ab!e of acting for that ea!te' en'# bt

the ro!e be!ie+er# or the tifie' *eronC o it mt be +ery

*re*otero# an' entire!y na+ai!ing# to ehort inner to 'o thi

or the other goo' wor"# in or'er to gain an interet in hrit2 or a

*re*aratory to tification by him ;or an interet in hrit i notacire' by the inner# bt free!y betowe' of Go'2 an' i a

*rimary frit of eterna!# 'itingihing !o+e .or are the bet

wor" of an nbe!ie+er# any other than *!en'i' fa!t2 neither

*irita!!y goo' in theme!+e# nor acce*tab!e to 5im that

earche the heart Ti!! we recei+e the atonement which i by

hrit# an' that forgi+ene which i with Feho+ah# a!! or 'tie

arie from a !a+ih *rinci*!e# an' are 'irecte' to a e!fih en'

,ithot thi# a!! that yo 'o#@ ay $r ,9.# howe+er it may *!eae yor min'# or eae yor concience# i not at a!! acce*te'

with Go' Do rn# it may be# earnet!y2 bt yo rn ot of the

way2 yo tri+e# bt not !awf!!y# an' ha!! ne+er recei+e the

crown Tre go*e! obe'ience i the frit of the faith of

forgi+ene ,hate+er yo 'o withot it# i bt a bi!'ing withot

a fon'ation2 a cat!e in the air Do may ee the or'er of go*e!

obe'ience# 9*h ii 7-10 The fon'ation mt be !ai' in grace2

riche of grace by hrit# in the free *ar'on an' forgi+ene of in;rom hence mt the wor" of obe'ience *rocee'# if yo wo!'

ha+e them to be of Go' a**ointment# or fin' acce*tance with

him@ (/a!m 130)



5ence it i e+i'ent# that a it i the go*e! of reigning grace# n'er

the agency of the $i+ine *irit# which *ro'ce tre ho!ine in

the heart# an' frnihe the hritian with ch ece!!ent moti+e

to abon' in obe'ience2 thi g!orio trth i abo!te!y necearyto reform the wor!' neceary to be "nown# e*erimenta!!y

"nown# that we may *!eae Go'# or anwer any +a!ab!e *r*oe

in a ho!y con+eration ;or the go*e! on!y can frnih with

ch *rinci*!e an' moti+e to obe'ience# a wi!! cae to ta"e

'e!ight in it ,hen we "now the troth a it i in Fe# then# an'

not ti!! then# the /ays of /isdo! /ill be /ays of pleasantness

Then faith wi!! wor" by !o+e to Go' an' or neighbor

Be it yor concern# be!ie+er# to "ee* in +iew the many

in'cement to ho!ine# with which the boo" of Go' abon' an'

rge *on yo A!way coni'ering it a yor in'i*enab!e 'ty

an' *ro*er bine# to g!orify Go' by an ho!y# hea+en!y# ef!

con+eration Remember# yo are not your o/n8 you are bought

/ith a price8 yor who!e *eron i the >or' A nothing i a

more *owerf! *erai+e to ho!ine# than a coni'eration of the

!o+e of hrit an' the g!ory of Go'# that are manifete' in theatonement ma'e on the cro2 !et that be the bect of yor

freent me'itation ;or the cro# an' the wor" finihe' *on it#

ehibit the brightet +iew of the $i+ine *erfection 9n'ea+or#

then# to obtain c!earer +iew of Feho+ah g!ory# an' of yor

reconci!iation to him by Fe hrit2 an' yo wi!! ha+e a greater

abhorrence of a!! in# an' be more abae' in yor own eye

ontem*!ate the bitter ffering which Fe n'erwent# not on!y

for yor goo'# bt in yor tea'2 an' yo wi!! be *aine' at theheart on accont of yor *at trangreion an' *reent

corr*tion (Oech 1%C10) The more yo become acainte' with

that $i+ine *hi!anthro*y which wa manifete' in the re'em*tion

of yor o! from the *it of 'etrction2 the more wi!! it contrain

yo to !o+e# to a'ore# an' to g!orify the >or' Re'eemer (% or

<C14) ;or a the !o+e of Go'# manifete' in hrit# *roc!aime' in

the go*e!# an' e*erience' by faith# i that which firt fie or

affection on him2 o the more we +iew it# the more wi!! or !o+e be heightene' An' a !o+e to Go' i the on!y *rinci*!e of tre

obe'ience# the more it i heightene'# the more wi!! it inf!ence or

min' an' con'ct in a!! re*ect Th grace# that +ery grace



which *ro+i'e'# re+ea!# an' a**!ie the b!eing of a!+ation# i

the mater who teache# i the moti+e which in'ce# an' the

o+ereign which weet!y contrain a be!ie+er to 'eny hime!f#

an' to wa!" in the way of ho!ine (Tit %C11# 1%)



8. CONCERNING THE NECESSITY AND

USEFULNESS

; 5>.9# A.$ ; G$ ,R=

5AE.G coni'ere' the natre of anctification# the character an'

tate of thoe ha**y o! who enoy the b!eing# the way in

which they come to *oe it# an' the many cogent moti+e to

engage be!ie+er in the *rit of ho!ine# an' in the *ractice oftre +irte# ha!! now *rocee' to how the neceity of ho!ine#

an' the +ario im*ortant *r*oe which are anwere' by the

*erformance of goo' wor"

>o+e to Go'# being by regeneration im*!ante' in the heart of a

inner# he i fitte' for *irita! commnion with the great obect of

a!! re!igio worhi*# in hi or'inance an' with hi *eo*!e in the

chrch be!ow2 an' for a more *erfect commnion with 5im in thewor!' of g!ory n thi fe!!owhi* with the ;ather# an' with hi on

Fe hrit# with which be!ie+er are in'!ge' in the *reent

tate2 an' in that more intimate fe!!owhi* with Go'# enoye' by

the *irit of the t ma'e *erfect abo+e# tre ha**ine# both in

time an' in eternity# conit Bt the nanctifie' o! i

abo!te!y inca*ab!e of ch refine' *!eare There mt be a

*irita! 'icernment# an' a hea+en!y tate# before thing of thi

"in' can be either enoye' or 'eire' ;or whi!e a man continein hi natra! tate# at enmity with Go' an' in !o+e with in2 he

neither ha# nor can ha+e any rea! *!eare in a**roaching hi

&a"er T/o cannot /alk together e%cept they be agreed 5ence it

i that or >or' ay# E%cept a !an be born again, he A..T

see the kingdo! of 'od ,ith whom the a*ot!e agree# when he

aert# *ithout holiness no !an shall see the Lord

That ho!ine which the cri*tre o e*re!y reire in or'er tothe enoyment of Go'# i *oee' by e+ery one that i born from

abo+e# an' in a tifie' tate ;or e+ery bect of regenerating

grace !o+e Go' >or' to Go' being the gran' *rinci*!e of



ho!ine# an' the orce of a!! acce*tab!e obe'ience# none can

enoy it# an' not be *oee'# in ome 'egree# of rea! ho!ine

.ay# we may +entre to aert# that whoe+er !o+e the infinite!y

Amiab!e# i *oee' of a!! that ho!ine# in the *rinci*!e# thatha!! at any time f!orih an' a'orn hi ftre con+eration# or that

ha!! hine in him to a!! eternity ch a one# therefore# mt not

on!y ha+e a tit!e to hea+en# bt a!o be in a tate of *re*aration for

it

ome *rofeor# who e*oe the notion of in!e *erfection#

an' !oo" *on theme!+e a ncommon frien' to the interet of

ho!ine# ta!"# in'ee'# of *eron being in a regenerate an' tifie' tate# whi!e they are yet n-anctifie' oneent!y#

ite inca*ab!e of ha+ing com-renion with Go'# in hi

or'inance here2 entire!y nfit for the b!ime enoyment of the

hea+en!y wor!' hereafter2 an'# therefore# if they !ea+e the *reent

tate in ch a itation# e+er!ating miery mt be their *ortion

Bt a the 'octrine of in!e *erfection in thi !ife# i a bo!'

o**oition to the tetimony of Go'# an' contrary to a!! hritian

e*erience2 o thi imagination i ea!!y fa!e an'ncomfortab!e ;or# either they mean the ame thing by the

term# regenerate an' 1ustified, which the cri*tre 'oe# or they

'o not f not# what they ay i nothing at a!! to the *r*oe2 an'

therefore nworthy of a moment regar'# whate+er may be their

meaning Bt if# by thee e*reion# they inten' the ame thing

which the 5o!y *irit 'oe# in the +o!me of infa!!ibi!ity2 then it i

e+i'ent# from the tenor of $i+ine re+e!ation# that they !abor

n'er a great mita"e ;or what i in ten'e' by the 1ustification ofa inner# bt that the eterna! F'ge *rononce him righteo

accor'ing to !aw# an' free' from e+ery charge ,hat i im*!ie' in

the regeneration of a inner# bt a commnication of *irita! !ife#

an' the retoration of the image of Go' in manI .ow# i it

*oib!e that a *eron ho!' be regenerate' an' tifie'2 that he

ho!' tan' c!ear in the eye of the !aw# an' be +iewe' by

mnicience a *oee' of *irita! !ife# an' a bearing hi

&a"er image# whi!e he i yet nanctifie'# an' ite nfit forg!ory There i no ch !aw in the b!eing of tification# nor any

ch im*erfection in the tate of a regenerate *eron# a to !ea+e

him at ch a 'itance from the eterna! inheritance ,e are not# in



or'er of time# firt renewe' by the *irit of trth# an' tifie' by

an im*te' righteone# in +irte of which we are entit!e' to

g!ory2 whi!e yet we remain entire!y 'etitte of ho!ine# or a

ca*acity of enoying eterna! b!i# for which we mt !abor an'tri+e in ho*e to attain it at ome ftre *erio' ;or# being free'

from the cre# an' entit!e' to b!ee'ne# we are the member of

hrit2 in a new tate# an' !i+e a new !ife /oee' both of a

right to g!ory# an' of a *re*aration for it2 at the ame time# thogh

not by the ame mean

A ho!ine of heart i abo!te!y neceary to commnion with

Go'# an' to the enoyment of him2 o ho!ine of con'ct# or aneterna! conformity to the $i+ine re+ea!e' wi!!# i high!y ef!#

an' anwer +ario im*ortant *r*oe in the hritian !ife2 the

*rinci*a! of which wo!' now coni'er By obe'ience to the

comman' of Go'# we e+i'ence the incerity of or ho!y

*rofeion By thi or faith i 'ec!are' genine before men2 who

ha+e no other way to conc!'e that it i nfeigne'# bt by or

wor" ,hooe+er *reten' to be!ie+e in Fe# an' i not

habita!!y caref! to *erform goo' wor"2 hi faith i worth!e# barren# 'ea' By a goo' con+eration# in which or !ight hine

before men# we e'ify or brethren# i!ence o**oer# an' *reer+e

the go*e! from thoe re*roache which wo!' otherwie be cat

*on it# a if it were a !icentio 'octrine An eem*!ary con'ct

in hritian *rofeor ha often been owne' of Go' an' ma'e

ha**i!y ef!# by con+incing the ignorant# an' by remo+ing their

*re'ice againt the trth2 o a to ma"e them im*artia! inirer

after it# an' freent!y of winning them o+er to an a**robation ofit By wa!"ing in the *ath of 'ty# we e*re or gratit'e to

Go' for hi benefit# an' a!o g!orify hi ho!y name2 which i the

great en' of a!! obe'ience

The wor" of faith an' !abor of !o+e which be!ie+er *erform#

wi!! be remembere' by Fe 'ie F'ge# at the !at an' great 'ay

of accontC thoe e*ecia!!y that are 'one to the *oor# 'e*ie'

member of hrit# an' for hi a"e Thee wi!! be mentione'# atthat awf! time# a frit an' e+i'ence of their nion with hrit#

an' of their !o+e to him They wi!! 'itingih rea! hritian from

o*en *rof!igate an' mere forma!it2 from a!! that were *ncta!



in the *erformance of a ron' of 'tie# that cot them nothing2

which raie' their character among men# an' e*oe' them to no

hame nor ffering2 bt ecee'ing!y bac"war' to *art with their

nrighteo &ammon for the **ort of the cae of Go'# or toait the *oor an' the *erecte' member of hrit Thee are

the *rinci*a! of thoe necessary uses, for which goo' wor" are to

be maintaine'

t i# notwithtan'ing# caref!!y to be ober+e'# that neither or

eterna! obe'ience# nor inherent ho!ine# contitte any *art of

that righteone by which we are tifie' .either the one nor

the other i either the cae# or the con'ition# of or acce*tancewith Go' ;or# a before ober+e'# that righteone by which we

are tifie'# mt be abo!te!y *erfect Bt or *erona!

obe'ience i great!y 'efecti+e# e+en in the bet of men an' in their

mot a'+ance' tate# whi!e in the *reent !ife o that if Go' were

to enter into 'gment with # on the gron' of or own ho!ine

or 'tie# none of co!' tan' in the awf! tria! r ho!iet

'i*oition wo!' be fon' far hort of that *erfection which the

!aw reire2 an' or bet 'tie co!' not anwer for theme!+e#mch !e atone for or trangreion "ll our righteousnesses

are as filthy rags) an' we ha+e nee' of a 5igh /riet to bear the

ini9uity of our holy things ;or who among morta! 'are ay to the

omnicient Go'# @earch an' try thi# or the other 'ty# *erforme'

by me2 tho ha!t not# on the trictet eamination# fin' any

'efi!ement c!ea+ing to it# nor any inf! 'efect atten'ing it@ ,ho

'are a''# @ am wi!!ing to ri" my o! eterna! a!+ation on it

abo!te *erfection# after ch an eact crtiny ma'e@ The bo!'et heart mt +ery mch tremb!e at ch a thoght2 nor 'are

the mot *right ma"e the o!emn a**ea!# or +entre hi immorta!

a!! on ch a fon'ation

5ence the great teacher of the Genti!e# who wa a mot eminent

aint# notwithtan'ing a!!-hi etraor'inary gift# hi beneficent

!abor# eem*!ary con'ct# an' *ainf! ffering# for the cae

of trth an' the honor of hi $i+ine &ater# tter!y 'ic!aime' a!! *retenion to *erona! worthine ;or# when ta"ing a *ro*ect of

the awf! tribna!# he earnet!y 'eire' to be found in Christ) not

having his o/n righteousness, /hich /as of the la/, coniting in



hi own ho!ine an' righteo 'ee'2 but that /hich is through

the faith of Christ, e+en the righteousness /hich is of 'od by

faith Thi obe'ience# an' thi on!y# can **ort or ho*e# an'

comfort or heart# when we thin" of tan'ing before 5im who isa consu!ing fire That righteone which wa wroght ot

before we ha' a being# i the on!y gron' of a f!! 'icharge

before or fina! F'ge2 an'# being o# it i the orce of a!! or

comfort an' of a!! or oy# a to that gran' affair f any *eron#

therefore# o!icito!y inire# 5ow ha!! a**ear before my

&a"er the anwer i# in the obe'ience of hrit# which i *erfect

in ite!f# an' entire!y free for the gi!ty Bt if the iniry be# 5ow

ha!! e*re my than"f!ne to Go' for hi benefit an' g!orifyhi nameI then the anwer e+i'ent!y i# by !i+ing in con-fortity to

hi re+ea!e' wi!!2 an' by 'e+oting yore!f# a!! that yo are# an'

a!! that yo ha+e# to hi honor an' er+ice Th *ro+iion i

ma'e# in the co+enant of grace# for the be!ie+er *eace an' oy# by

a 'irect +iew of the finihe' wor" of hrit2 an' for the eercie

of e+ery +irte# the *erformance of e+ery 'ty# whether it be

re!igio or mora!2 an' a!! for the nob!et en'# e+en the g!ory of

Go'

5ence it i manifet that thogh or goo' wor" are of no

coni'eration at a!!# in the artic!e of Ftification# or in obtaining a

tit!e to !ife2 yet# on many other accont# they are high!y

necearyC an' it i an affair of the !at im*ortance# to be right!y

acainte' with the *ro*er e of goo' wor" therwie# we

ha!! ine+itab!y rn into one of thoe o**oite an' fata! etreme#

Arminian !ega!ity# or Antinomian !icentione The former wi!!won' or *eace# infringe on the honor of grace# an' ea!t e!f

The !atter wi!! trn the grace of Go' into wantonne# har'en the

concience# an' ren'er wore than infi'e! a+owe' ,e ho!'

therefore be ecee'ing!y caref! right!y to 'itingih between the

fon'ation of or acce*tance with Go'# an' that *ertrctre of

*ractica! go'!ine which mt be raie' *on it

>et once more hear the 'icio $r wen *ea"ing to thi *oint he ayC @r fon'ation in 'ea!ing with Go'# i hrit

a!one2 mere grace an' *ar'on in him r bi!'ing i in an' by

ho!ine an' obe'ience# a the frit of that faith by which we



ha+e recei+e' the atonement An' great mita"e there are in thi

matter# which bring great entang!ement on the o! of men

ome are a!! their 'ay !aying of the fon'ation# an' are ne+er

ab!e to bi!' *on it to any comfort to theme!+e# or ef!ne toother An' the reaon i# becae they wi!! be miing with the

fon'ation# tone that are fit on!y for the fo!!owing bi!'ing

They wi!! be bringing their obe'ience# 'tie# mortification of in#

an' the !i"e# nto the fon'ation Thee are *recio tone to

bi!' with# bt nmeet to be firt !ai' to bear *on them the who!e

weight of the bi!'ing The fon'ation i to be !ai'# a wa ai'# in

mere grace# mercy# *ar'on in the b!oo' of hrit Thi the o! i

to acce*t of# an' to ret in# mere!y a it i grace) withot theconi'eration of any thing in ite!f# bt that it i inf! an'

obnoio nto rin Thi it fin' a 'iffic!ty in# an' wo!' g!a'!y

ha+e omething of it own to mi with itC it cannot te!! how to fi

thee fon'ation-tone# withot ome cement of it own

en'ea+or an' 'ty An' becae thee thing wi!! not mi# they

*en' a frit!e !abor abot it a!! their 'ay Bt if the

fon'ation be of grace# it i not at a!! of wor"2 for otherwie

grace is no !ore grace f any thing of or own be mie' withgrace in thi matter# it tter!y 'etroy the natre of grace# which if

it be not a!one# it i not at a!!

@Bt 'oth not thi ten' to !icentioneI $oth not thi ren'er

obe'ience# ho!ine# 'tie# mortification of in# an' goo' wor"

nee'!eI Go' forbi' Dea# thi i the on!y way to or'er them

aright nto the g!ory of Go' 5a+e we nothing to 'o bt to !ay the

fon'ationI De# a!! or 'ay we are to bi!' *on it# when it ire!y an' firm!y !ai' An' thee are the mean an' way of or

e'ification Thi then i the o! to 'o# who wo!' come to *eace

an' ett!ement >et it !et go a!! former en'ea+or# if it ha' been

engage' in any of that "in' An' !et it a!one recei+e# a'mit of# an'

a'here to mere grace# mercy# an' *ar'on# with a fa!! ene that in

ite!f it hath nothing for which it ho!' ha+e an interet in them2

bt that a!! i of mere grace throgh Fe hrit Other

foundation can no !an lay $e*art not hence nti! thi wor" bewe!! o+er rceae not an earnet en'ea+or with yor own

heart# to aciece in thi righteone of Go'# an' to bring yor

o! into a comfortab!e *eraion that Go'# for hrit a"e#



hath free!y forgi+en yo a!! yor in tir not hence nti! thi he

effecte' f yo ha+e been engage' in any other way2 that i# to

ee" for the *ar'on of in by ome en'ea+or of yor ownC it i

not n!i"e!y bt that yo are fi!!e' with the frit of yor own'oingC that i# that yo go on with a!! "in' of ncertaintie# an'

withot any "in' of contant *eace Retrn then again hither

Bring thi fon'ation wor" to a b!ee' ie in the b!oo' of

hrit2 an' when that i 'one# * an' be 'oing@ (/a!m 130)

t i great!y to be feare'# that the 'itinction o 'icio!y *ointe'

ot in the *rece'ing otation# i bt !itt!e "nown or coni'ere'#

e+en by many who are earnet!y concerne' in a re!igio *rofeion An' it i n'eniab!y *!ain# that there are great nmber

'enominate' hritian# who# a they "now nothing in rea!ity

concerning hrit2 no# in their con'ct# they are more !i"e

incarnate 'e+i! than rea! aint--.or are there a few that *erform

a ron' of 'tie +ery eact!y# an' ha+e a high o*inion of their

own re!igio *rofeion2 who# notwithtan'ing# are far from

*oeing that ho!ine# an' from *erforming thoe goo' wor"#

which are eentia! to the hritian character Eiew them in their *!ace of *b!ic worhi*# an' in the *erformance of 'e+otiona!

'tie2 they ame a erio air# a thogh they were great!y

concerne' abot their e+er!ating we!fare ee them in their

fami!ie an' in the common concern of !ife# there they are f!! of

!e+ity# na+ory an' !ooe in their con+eration ome of thee

*reten'er to hritianity wi!! a!o atten' that eminary of +ice

an' *rofanene# the *!ayhoe# an' other amement of thi

!icentio age# a far a their circ tance wi!! *ermit Do mayee them +ain an' etra+agant in 're an' how# whi!e their *io

neighbor of the ame re!igio commnity# with a!! their

in'try# are har'!y ab!e to acire 'ecent c!othingC yet thee

chi!'ren of carna! *!eare# either 'o not at a!! regar' their

'itre# or content theme!+e with aying# 4e ye /ar!ed They

wi!! be !a+ih at their own tab!e# whi!e the *oor among the *eo*!e

of Go' are a!mot tar+ing by their i'eC yet ch i their !o+e to

hrit an' hi member# that they wi!! thin" it an intance of greatcon'ecenion if they +ochafe to +iit them an' ay# 4e ye

filled





etimate of 5ea+en# a co+eto man# whate+er hi tation in !ife#

or *rofeion of re!igion may be The !angage of the co+eto

heart i that of the hore!eech 'aghter# 'ive, give The

co+eto man i a!way 'eiro of !ore, whether he ha+e !itt!e ormchC an'# if a *rofeor# he wi!! a!way fin' ome *retence to

hi'e the iniity of hi i'o!atro heart Bt howe+er ch a

*rofeor may co+er hi crime n'er *!aib!e *retence of any

"in'2 or howe+er afe he may imagine hime!f# a being a member

of ome +iib!e chrch# an' free from her cenre2 the time i

coming when the ma" ha!! be tri**e' off# an' then it ha!! be

f!!y "nown where hi affection ha+e been# an' what Go' !ie

hath er+e' Then it ha!! *!ain!y a**ear# whether F95EA5# or&ammon# waye' hi affection an' r!e' in hi heart /erha*

there are few in for the *ractice of which o many ece are

ma'e an' *!aib!e *retence rge'# a that of co+etone# or a

!o+e of the wor!'C coneent!y# there are few in againt which

*rofeor ha+e greater occaion to watch t wa not# therefore#

withot the greatet !eon# that or >or' ga+e that o!emn cation

to a!! hi fo!!ower2 Take heed, and be/are of

E9TH.9M

M >"e ii 1< .one wi!! **oe# from what i here aerte'# that

mean to encorage i'!ene or etra+agance .o2 far be it Thoe

who# throgh in'o!ence# *ri'e# or *ro'iga!ity# wate their

btance an' fai! in the wor!'# can har'!y be too e+ere!y

cenre' They not on!y im*o+erih theme!+e# bt inre their

neighbor2 are the *et of ociety# an' *b!ic robber

The rea'er# *reme# wi!! not be 'i*!eae'# if *reent him with

a otation on thi bect# from my worthy an' honore' frien'#

&r 59.RD E9.. @ t i remar"ab!e#@ ay he# @that the

co+etone againt which we are o earnet!y warne' in Go'

wor'# i not of the can'a!o "in'2 bt ch a may go+ern the

heart of a man# who i eteeme' +ery +irto an' ece!!ent by the

wor!' n the tenth /a!m# the covetous, whom the >or' i there

ai' to abhor, are the +ery *eron of whom the wic"e' speak/ell) which co!' ne+er be the cae# 'i' their !o+e of money ma"e

them either +i!!ano in their *ractice# or mierab!y *enrio in

their tem*er2 for men of thi tam* none commen' The ame



thing i ober+ab!e in that o!emn cation gi+en by or Re'eemer2

Take heed, and be/are of covetousness By which it i e+i'ent# he

meant no more than a roote' *eraion that the comfort of !ife

conit in abn'ance# an' 'eiring# from ch a *eraion# to berich2 thi wa the co+etone or >or' con'emn An'# that thi

a'monition might in" the 'ee*er# he re*reent the wor"ing of

that a+arice which he con'emn# in a cae which *ae e+ery 'ay

before or eye t i thiC A man grow rich in hi bine# not

throgh fra' an' etortion# bt by the b!eing of Go' *on hi

!abor an' "i!! A i a!# he i high!y 'e!ighte' with hi

cce2 he e!t in the *ro*ect of being mater# in a few year#

of an in'e*en'ent fortne n the mean time# he i 'etermine' to be frga! an' 'i!igent# ti!! he ta"e hi fina! !ea+e of bine# to

enoy a!! the weet of eae an' *!en'or >"e ii 1 .ow#

where are the *eo*!e go+erne' by the common maim an'

*rinci*!e of hman natre# who ee any thing the !eat to b!ame

in thi man entiment or con'ctI ,ho 'o not a**!a' an'

imitate it theme!+eI Det thi +ery man or >or' et before or

eye# a the *ictre of one engroe' by a co+eto 'eire of the

thing of thi wor!' Thi +ery man he re*reent a mmone'# inthe mi't of a!! hi go!'en ho*e# to a**ear a mot gi!ty crimina!

at the bar of hi 'e*ie' &a"er >o thi i the man whom or

>or' e*oe# a a mierab!e wretch for a!! other to ta"e warning

by an' reit co+etone o# ch a foo! an' ch a inner a

thi is he that layeth up treasure for hi!self) that i# e+ery earth!y

min'e' man# who ee" after wea!th# a if it wa the fon'ation of

ha**ine2 and is not rich to/ards 'od) rich in faith# ho*e an'

ho!ine >"e ii %1

@/a!# in *erfect harmony with hi >or'# forbi' the 'eire of

wea!th a crimina! effect of a+arice >et yor con+eration be

withot co+etone# an' be content with ch thing a ye ha+eC

for 5e hath ai'# wi!! ne+er !ea+e thee# nor fora"e thee 5eb

iii < An' where# intea' of thi e!f-'enie' tem*er# a 'eire of

increaing in wea!th i cherihe'# there nare# 'efi!ement# an'

rin are 'ec!are' to he the certain coneence ;or they thatwi!! (the origina! ignifie the im*!e 'eire) be rich# fa!! into

tem*tation an' a nare# an' into many foo!ih an' hrtf! !t#

which 'rown men in 'etrction an' *er'ition ;ar the !o+e of



money i the root of a!! e+i!C which whi!e ome ha+e co+ete' after#

they ha+e erre' from the faith# an' *ierce' theme!+e throgh

with many orrow 1 Tim +i# # 10 if it ho!' be ai'# $o yo

mean then to affirm# that it i wrong for any man to arie to a tateof great wea!th The cri*tre# anwer# con'emn on!y the 'eire

of riche an' the *aion for them# a 'efi!ing an' inf!

Therefore# if whi!t yor who!e heart i gi+en to Go'# he i

*!eae' to *ro*er whate+er yo ta"e in han'# an' gi+e yo an

abn'ant increae2 then yor wea!th i e+i'ent!y a mch the gift

of Go'# a if it came to yo by !egacy or inheritance t i Go'

own act an' 'ee' to ce!! yo *# who wa content to it 'own in a

!ow *!ace# to a higher *oint of +iew# an' to intrt yo with moreta!ent# to im*ro+e them for hi g!ory .ow the 'ifference between

*oeing wea!th# th *t into yor han'# en' 'eiring to grow

rich# i a great a that between a worth!e# ambitio intr'er

into a *!ace of honor# ee"ing nothing bt hi own bae interet2

an' a man oght ot for hi worth an' in+ete' with the ame

office# for the *b!ic goo' An' thoe who can ee no materia!# no

neceary 'itinction in the two cae# are a!rea'y b!in'e' by the

!o+e of money@ om*!ete $ty of &an# * 38--3%# econ'e'ition

,e may# therefore# conc!'e# that thogh the abo!te freene of

hrit# a ehibite' in the go*e! to the wort of inner# mt be

maintaine' with confi'ence2 yet we are bon' to affirm# with

ea! arance# that he who *reten' to faith in Fe# an' 'oe

not habita!!y !i+e n'er the benign inf!ence of !o+e to Go'# an'

of !o+e to hi brother for the truths sake) an' that he who 'oe notmanifet hi hea+en!y affection by a itab!e con'ct# ha no

c!aim to the hritian character



19. OF GRACE, AS IT REIGNS IN THE

PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS TO

ETERNAL GLORY

T a**ear# from the *rece'ing cha*ter# that the tate of be!ie+er#

whether coni'ere' a re!ati+e# or a rea!# in their tification#

a'o*tion# an' anctification# i high!y ea!te'2 an' that the

*ri+i!ege atten'ing it are of incom*arab!e ece!!ence# an' of

infinite worth n each of thee *artic!ar it ha a!o been *ro+e'that grace reign2 that the ecee'ing riche of grace are

manifete'

The be!ie+er# notwithtan'ing# who "now hime!f# wi!! be rea'y

to inire with great o!icit'e2 @5ow ha!! *ere+ere in thi

ha**y tateI By what mean ha!! attain the 'eire' en'I ,hat

*ro+iion ha the >or' ma'e# that# after a!!# ha!! not come hort

of the e*ecte' b!iI Grace# than"f!!y ac"now!e'ge# ha 'onegreat thing for meC to reigning grace own mye!f n*ea"ab!y

ob!ige' Bt if grace# a a o+ereign# 'o not ti!! eert her *ower#

not on!y *oib!y may# bt certain!y ha!! fina!!y micarry@ Th

wi!! e+ery hritian conc!'e# when he coni'er the nmber an'

*ower# the ma!ice an' bti!ty# of hi in+eterate *irita! enemie#

com*are' with hi own inherent trength to reit them ;or the

wor!'# the f!eh# an' the 'e+i! are combine' againt him Thee# in

their e+era! way# aa!t hi *eace an' ee" hi rin Thee

attem*t# in +ario form# to cae him to wa!!ow in the mire of

ena!ity# a the fi!thiet brte2 or to *ff him * with *ri'e# a

>cifer By ininating wi!e or o*en attac"# with the craft of a

er*ent# or the rage of a !ion# they en'ea+or to com*a hi rinC

an'# a!a# how ma!! hi abi!ity# coni'ere' in hime!f# to reit

an' o+ercome The corr*tion of natre# e+en in the regenerate#

ren'er the be!ie+er 'eire after that which i goo'# too oftenecee'ing!y !angi'# an' ener+ate a!! hi mora! *ower 5i *io

frame are fic"!e an' ncertain to the !at 'egree2 nor can he# with

afety# *!ace the !eat confi'ence in them



Thi hmb!ing trth wa eem*!ifie' in the cae of /eter Thogh

a!! men be offen'e' becae of thee# yet wi!! ne+er be offen'e'

Thogh ho!' 'ie with thee# yet wi!! not 'eny thee wa hi

confi'ent !angage Bt# a!a in a +ery !itt!e whi!e hi frame ofmin' i a!tere'# 5i corage fai! 5i *io reo!tion hang their

enfeeb!e' hea'C an'# notwithtan'ing hi boate' fi'e!ity# he

cannot watch with hrit o mch a one hor# thogh there be the

greatet neceity for it 5e i broght to the tria!# an'# !i"e

amon# hi !oc" are horn2 hi *reme' trength i gone 5e

tremb!e at the +oice of a i!!y mai'2 an'# hoc"ing to thin"

'enie hi >or' with 'rea'f! oath an' horri' im*recation ch

are the inherent abi!itie of thoe who are to fight againt thewor!'# the f!eh# an' the 'e+i! ch# coni'ere' in theme!+e# are

the bet of aint

.ow# can thee ntab!e an' im*otent creatre ho*e to *ere+ere#

an' to attain eterna! !ifeI an thoe who "now not how to trt

their own heart for a moment2 (/ro+ %8C%6 Fer 17C) whoe

mora! trength# in a com*arati+e +iew# i mere wea"ne2 who are

contina!!y rron'e' with crafty# *owerf!# an' nwearie'a'+erarie# rationa!!y e*ect a com*!ete +ictory an' an

e+er!ating crownI De2 thee +ery *eron can do all things

through Christ strengthening the! Go' can enab!e e+en a /or!

to thrash the !ountains They ha!! not on!y come off +ictorio#

bt be !ore than con9uerors o+er a!! their enemie .or can thi

a**ear trange# or in the !eat incre'ib!e# when it i coni'ere'#

that omni*otent 'race reigns that the !o+e# the *ower# the

wi'om# the *romie# the co+enant# an' faithf!ne of Go'--thata!! the 'i+ine *eron in the eterna! Trinity# an' e+ery *erfection in

the Go'hea'# are concerne' in their *reer+ation# an' engage' to

maintain it

The love of Go' i engage' for their e+er!ating ecrity 5a+ing

choen them to !ife an' ha**ine# a a *rimary frit of hi own

eterna! fa+or# hi !o+e mt abate# or hi *r*oe be ren'ere'

+oi'# before they can fina!!y fa!! Bt if the Lord of hosts hath purposed, /ho shall disannul it6 f his hand be stretched out, for

the eection of hi gracio 'eign# /ho shall turn it back,

before the en' be accom*!ihe'I A he thought, so it shall co!e



to pass) an' a he purposed, so shall it stand =.sa >?8@?, @AB .or

ha!! hi !o+e to their *eron e+er abate ;or he rests, he ta"e the

highet com*!acency in the eercie of his love, an' in a!! it

fa+ore' obect ch i Feho+ah 'e!ight in hi *eo*!e# that here1oices over the! /ith singing, an' ta"e a $i+ine *!eare in

'oing them goo' (Oe*h 3C17 Fer %%C4%) 5i !o+e i

nchangeab!e a hime!f# an' na!terab!y fie' *on them

oneent!y# thogh the manifetation of it may +ary# yet# whi!e

infinite wi'om i ca*ab!e of 'irecting# an' a!mighty *ower of

eecting hi gracio *r*oe towar' them# they ha!! ne+er

*erih Agreeab!e to which# we hear the a*ot!e e!ting in Go'

mmtab!e !o+e2 affirming# that nothing in the height abo+e# norany thing in the 'e*th beneath2 nothing *reent# nor any thing

ftre# ho!' be ab!e to e*arate him from it (Rom 8C38-3)

The po/er of Go' i a!o engage' on the beha!f of a!! thoe who

are begotten again to a lively hope They are kept by it, a in a

garrion# through faith to salvation ( /et 1C%-4) 5i *ower

rron' them a a fiery wa!!# to be their *rotection an' the

'etrction of their a'+erarie (Oech %C<) mni*otence ite!f itheir hie!'# an' "ee* them night an' 'ay (a %7C3) A

omni*otence i their gar'# o omnicience i their gi'e2 the

honor of $i+ine /isdo! being concerne' in their *reer+ation

;or if a regenerate o!# one that ha been rece' ot of atan

han'# were fina!!y to fa!! an' *erih fore+er2 it wo!' arge# if not

a want of *ower in Go' to maintain the conet# yet a change of

reo!tion2 an' o wo!' bring no honor to the wi'om of hi

firt 'eign t i no re*tation to the wi'om of an artificer toffer a wor"# by which he 'etermine' to manifet# in age to

come# hi eiite "i!!# an' *on which hi affection were

*!ace'# to be 'ahe' in *iece# before hi eye# by an in+eterate

enemy# when he ha' *ower to ha+e *re+ente' it .ow the

cri*tre inform that# in the metho' of re'em*tion# the

wi'om of Go' i *ec!iar!y concerne'# i great!y 'i+erifie'# an'

in the mot won'erf! manner 'i*!aye' Feho+ah abounded in all

/isdo! and prudence, in forming the t*en'o *!an# an' inchooing itab!e mean to attain the won'erf! en' Bt if any of

the choen# re'eeme'# an' ca!!e'# were to be fina!!y mierab!e#

how co!' thi a**earI



The pro!ises of Go'# thoe e%ceeding great and precious

pro!ises which are ma'e to hi *eo*!e# affor' them trong

cono!ation re*ecting thi matter ;or the ;ather of mercie ha

'ec!are' that he wi!! confir! the! to the end, and preserve the!to his kingdo! That the righteous shall hold on their /ay, and

gro/ stronger and stronger) that they shall never depart fro!

hi!, but fear hi! forever, that a they are in hi han' an' in the

han' of hrit# they ha!! ne+er be *!c"e' thence2 an'#

coneent!y# shall never perish De# the b!ee' Go' ha

re*eate'!y an' o!emn!y 'ec!are'# that he /ill never, no ne+er

leave the!, nor forsake the! An' the reaon i# not becae they

are worthy# or any way better than other2 bt for the g!ory of hiown eterna! name# an' becae he ha choen them to be hi

*ec!iar *eo*!e The Lord /ill not forsake his people, for his great

na!es sake) because it hath pleased the Lord to !ake the! his

people (1 or 1C8 % Tim 4C 18 Fob 17C Fer 3%C3# 40 $et

3%C3 Fohn 10C %8# % 5eb 13C < am 1%C%%) Thee *romie#

with many other of a imi!ar "in'# are yea and a!en) are ma'e#

an' na!terab!y confirme'# in Christ Jesus $i+ine faithf!ne i

*!e'ge' in them# an' infinite *ower i engage' to *erform themThee *romie# !et hritian e!t in the cheering thoght thee

*romie were ma'e by 5im that cannot !ie2 to which he ha

annee'# ama:ing to thin" hi mot o!emn oath2 with thi

*rofee' 'eign# that e+ery inner who flees for refuge to lay

hold on the hope set before hi! !ight have strong consolation

.ow# the *romie an' oath of Go'# being two immtab!e thing#

mt acertain the be!ie+er fina! ha**ine

Feho+ah covenant with hi *eo*!e in hrit affor' another

g!orio attetation to the comfortab!e trth That co+enant# which

i ordered in all things, which i tore' with hea+en!y *romie#

re*!ete with *irita! b!eing# and abo!te!y sure) that co+enant

of *eace which ne+er ha!! be remo+e'# rn thC They shall be

!y people, and . /ill be their 'od "nd . /ill give the! one heart

and one /ay, that they !ay fear !e forever, for the good of the!

and of their children after the! "nd . /ill !ake an everlastingcovenant /ith the!, that . /ill not turn a/ait fro! the! to do

the! good) but . /ill put !y fear in their hearts, that they shall

not de part fro! !e The tabi!ity of the new co+enant i here



aerte' in the tronget term Thi gracio co+enant i entire!y

'ifferent from that which wa ma'e with or great *rogenitor

A'am2 the con'ition of which wa *erfect obe'ience# an' the

*romie of !ife wa *en'e' on that con'ition t i a!o +ery'ifferent from that which wa ma'e with the *eo*!e of rae! at

inai2 which# being bro"en by them# wa abrogate' by the >or'

hime!f The !angage of thi i testa!entary t conit of

abo!te *romie# reire no con'ition to be *erforme' by man#

an' i *er*eta! 5ere that o+ereign Being# who cannot !ie#

'ec!are in the tronget manner# that thoe who are inc!'e' in

thi co+enant shall not depart fro! hi!, an' that he wi!! never

cease to do the! good ecrity greater than thi i not to beconcei+e'# nor can be ha' t wo!' in'ee' be abr' to **oe#

that Go' ho!' ma"e a new an' better co+enant than that which

he ma'e with A'am# or with rae! at inai2 a co+enant withot

con'ition to be *erforme' by man2 a co+enant which 'i*!ay

rich goo'ne an' bon'!e grace2 an' that# after a!!# the

co+enantee ho!' be a !iab!e to the 'rea'f! forfeitre of !ife

an' ha**ine# a or firt father# when n'er the co+enant of

wor" .ay# if the new co+enant ha' been con'itiona!2 if *ere+erance an' immorta! ha**ine ha' 'e*en'e' on or

*erformance of any con'ition# whether greater or !e2 or tate#

a be!ie+er# wo!' ha+e been mch more ha:ar'o than A'am

wa# whi!e n'er the co+enant of wor"2 becae of the +ery great

'i*arity between that tate of *rightne# in which he wa

create'# an' or of corr*tion# into which we are fa!!en /erfect

obe'ience wa eaier to him than the !eat *oib!e con'ition

wo!' be to

The faithfulness, an' in+io!ab!e# +eracity of Go' gi+e frther

arance of the aint *ere+erance The roc"# thogh of

a'amant# ha!! me!t away2 the e+er!ating montain ha!! be

remo+e'2 yea# the who!e terraeo g!obe ite!f ha!! 'ia**ear2

bt the faithf!ne of Go' in eecting hi co+enant# an' the

+eracity of Go' in *erforming hi *romie# are nchangeab!e an'

eterna! The Lord is faithful /ho shall establish you and keep you fro! the 'etrcti+e *ower of e+ery evil8 an' he ha 'ec!are'# that

he /ill not suffer his faithfulness to fail Dea# he hath s/orn by his

holiness, by the g!ory of a!! hi *erfection# that he wi!! be faithf!



to hi co+enant an' *romie# re*ecting hrit an' hi choen

ee' (% The 3C3 / 13C33-34#) o that if there be

immtabi!ity in the *r*oe of Go'# if any tabi!ity in hi

co+enant# if any fi'e!ity in hi *romie# the tre be!ie+er ha!!certain!y *ere+ere Reoice# then# ye feeb!e fo!!ower of the

>amb The bai of yor confi'ence an' cono!ation i firm an'

trong tronger than a!! the trob!e of !ife2 tronger than a!! the

fear of 'eath2 an' tronger than a!! the terror of a**roaching

'gment ,hy ho!' not yo 'imi e+ery !a+ih

a**rehenion# when the Go' of *ower# of trth# an' of grace# ha

ma'e ch am*!e *ro+iion for yor 'e!i+erance from e+ery e+i!

yo ha' any reaon to fear2 an' for the enoyment of e+ery b!eing yo oght to 'eire# whether in thi or a ftre wor!'I

The !erit of the Re'eemer b!oo'# hi intercession for hi *eo*!e#

an' hi nion with them# trong!y arge their fina! *reer+ation#

an' heighten their arance of it The !erit of his blood ;or# i

it *robab!e that he who o !o+e' them a to gi+e hi !ife a ranom

for them2 that he who ffere' ch tortre of bo'y an' horror

of o! in their tea'2 that he who 'ran" the +ery 'reg of the c*of wrath# on *r*oe that oy an' b!i might be their *ortion

fore+er i it *robab!e# ay# that he ho!' e+er ffer thoe who

are in the mot em*hatica! ene hi peculiar, hi purchased

people, an' hi own *ro*erty# to be ta"en from him by craft or

*ower# an' that by the mot abhorre' of being an' hi greatet

enemyI ch a **oition i +ery abr' ch an e+ent wo!'

be high!y inrio to the a+ior character ,hat# wi!! not 5e

who n'erwent o mch for them in the gar'en an' on the cro2who bore the cre an' ffere' the *ain of he!! in their tea'#

e+en whi!e they were enemie# *rotect them now they are become#

by con+erting grace# hi frien' ,hy wa he wi!!ing to be at ch

an ama:ing e*ene in their *rchae# if# after a!!# he *ermit their

a+owe' enemy to ma"e them hi eay *reyI That be far from him

The thoght be far from .o2 whi!e there i com*aion in hi

heart# or *ower in hi han'2 whi!e hi name i F9H# an' hi

wor" A>EAT.2 he mt see of the travail of his soul, and becom*!ete!y satisfied t cannot be# that one o! for whom he ga+e

hi !ife an' *i!!e' hi b!oo'2 whoe in he bore an' whoe cre

he taine'# ho!' e+er fina!!y *erih ;or if that were the cae#





who b!e' on the cro# an' the *ower of 5im who *!ea' on the

throne# acertain yor fina! fe!icity

That ineffab!e union which bit between hrit an' hi *eo*!e

in+o!+e the trth for which am *!ea'ing# an' c!ear!y e+ince the

im*ortant *oint ;or a e+ery be!ie+er i a member of that

mytica! bo'y of which 5e i the hea'2 o# whi!e there i !ife in

the hea'# the member ha!! ne+er 'ie neither by the wi!e of

craft# nor the aa!t of *ower ;or 5e who r!e o+er a!!# with an

nremitting regar' to the chrch# 'ec!are concerning hi *eo*!e2

4ecause . live, ye shall live also 5i !ife# a &e'iator# i the cae

an' **ort of their2 an' they are the fulness an' g!ory of Hi!/ho filleth all in all (9*h 1C%%# %3 % or 8C%3) A it i written#

Christ is our life 37our life is hid /ith Christ in 'od (o! 3C3# 4)

Dor !ife i hid, !i"e the mot +a!ab!e treare in a ecret *!ace

*ith Christ) committe' to hi gar'ianhi*# an' !o'ge' n'er hi

care# who i ab!e to "ee* that which i intrte' to hi han' .n

'od) the boom of the A!mighty i the acre' re*oitory in which

the ewe! i afe!y "e*t heering thoght ;or Fe# the

Gar'ian# wi!! ne+er be bribe' to 'e!i+er * hi charge to the *ower of an enemy2 nor ha!! any acri!egio han' e+er be ab!e#

by ecret fra' or o*en +io!ence# to rif!e the ca"et where Feho+ah

!ay * hi ewe! (&a! 3C17) The !ife of be!ie+er i bound up in

the bundle of life /ith the Lord their 'od) ( am %<C%) an' the

bon' of that nion ha!! ne+er be bro"en# the myterio

conneion ha!! ne+er be 'io!+e' ;or he that is 1oined to the

Lord is one (pirit with him# an'# therefore# abo!te!y ine*arab!e

( or 6C17)

The ind/elling of the 5o!y *irit in be!ie+er frnihe them with

another cogent argment in *roof of the oyf! trth 5e i in the!

a /ell of living /ater, springing up unto everlasting life A a

gi'e an' a comforter# he i gi+en to abide /ith the! forever 5i

'eign# in regeneration# i their com*!ete ho!ine an' e+er!ating

ha**ine 5i gracio *r*oe# in ta"ing * hi rei'ence in

them# i to fit them for b!imer enoyment# to ecre their *ere+erance# to gar' them throgh !ife# an' con'ct them to

g!ory By him they are sealed to the day of rede!ption8 and he is

the earnest of their inheritance .ow a an earnet i *art of the



who!e# an' i gi+en in arance of enoying the who!e2 an' a the

5o!y *irit i ca!!e' the earnet of or e+er!ating inheritance2 the

wor' mt im*ort the tmot certainty of or ftre b!i# if

*oee' of thi earnet therwie# which wo!' be hoc"ing toaffirm# it mt be eteeme' *recario# a not anwering the en'

for which it wa gi+en

The /ord an' ordinances of Go'# on which it i both the 'ty an'

*ri+i!ege of be!ie+er to atten'# ha**i!y ber+e the great 'eign

By thee# a throgh the who!e# the great Agent of the co+enant

wor" in a way ite' to the natre of a rationa! being ;or thogh

the aint are kept by the in+incib!e po/er of 'od) yet not bymean mere!y *hyica! bt through faith ,hate+er# therefore# i

a'a*te' to increae an' confirm or faith in the great Re'eemer# at

the ame time ten' to or *reer+ation Thi the wor' an'

or'inance 'o n the $i+ine wor'# be!ie+er ha+e many great an'

*recio *romie to encorage them2 many ehortation to 'irect

an' animate them in the *erformance of 'ty2 many warning

gi+en# an' 'anger *ointe' ot# to 'eter them from e+i!2 many

eam*!e of ffering *atience an' +ictorio faith# for theirimitation# comfort# an' **ort# whene+er they come into imi!ar

circmtance2 an' many g!orio thing affirme' concerning that

inheritance which Go' ha *ro+i'e' for them# in or'er to raie

their affection to hea+en!y thing# an' to in+igorate their ho*e of

eterna! b!ee'ne2 a!! which are a'a*te' to *romote their

e'ification# an' to *reer+e them in the way of *eace The

ordinances of Go' in genera!# which are com*are' to green

*atre# in which the hee* of hrit 'e!ight both to fee' an'ret# (/ %3C%) being a'a*te' to norih their o!# an' to

increae the +igor of their *irita! !ife# mt be ha**i!y

con'ci+e to their *reer+ation By a itab!e atten'ance on

$i+ine intittion# be!ie+er ha+e their faith confirme'# their

ho!ine a'+ance'# an' their ho*e brightene' n them they ha+e

the brea' of Go' 'i*ene'# by which they are norihe' * to !ife

eterna! n thoe a**ointment of 5ea+en# therefore# it i their

'ty an' their b!eing to atten'C nor can they# withot the highet *rem*tion# e*ect *reer+ation in the faith# whi!e they neg!ect

the a!tary mean .or are the $i+ine chastise!ents withot their

e# in thi re*ect ;or the chi!'ren of Go' are chatene' of their



;ather# that they !ight not be conde!ned /ith the /orld ( or

11C3% / 13C30-34)

n the who!e# then# we ha+e the tmot reaon to eon-e!'e with

/a!# that where+er Go' begin a good /ork, he /ill certain!y

perfor! it until the day of Jesus Christ ;or 5e that forme' the

ni+ere i not ch an inconi'erate bi!'er# a to !ay the

fon'ation of a inner com*!ete ha**ine in hi own eterna!

*r*oe# an' in the b!oo' of hi on!y on# an' then !ea+e hi wor"

nfinihe' .o2 it ha!! ne+er be ai' by hi inferna! enemie# 5ere

'od began to build, but /as not able to finish 5e once !o+e'#

re'eeme'# regenerate'# an' 'eigne' to ha+e a+e' theewretche' o! Bt hi !o+e abate'2 hi *r*oe a!tere'# or# which

i more to or honor an' hi 'ia**ointment# we ha+e ren'ere'

hi *!an of o*eration aborti+eC an' now we torment# with a

+engeance# myria' that were once high in Feho+ah fa+or# an'

nmbere' among hi chi!'ren Bt# thogh thi be the

coneence of the o**oite 'octrine# >cifer hime!f# with a!! hi

*ri'e an' enmity# wi!! ne+er entertain ch a thoght# nor th

b!a*heme hi &a"er

The fo!!owing otation may er+e to ehibit# in a com*en'io

+iew# the btance of the foregoing *aragra*hC @ince we tan'

not# !i"e A'am# *on or own bottom2 bt are branche of ch a

+ine a ne+er wither2 member of ch ahea' a ne+er 'ie2

harer in ch a *irit a c!eaneth# hea!eth# an' *rifieth the

heart2 *ar ta"er of ch *romie a are ea!e' with the oath of

Go' ince we !i+e# not by or own !ife# bt by the !ife of hrit2are not !e' or ea!e' by or own *irit# bt by the *irit of hrit2

'o not obtain mercy by or own *rayer# bt by the interceion of

hrit2 tan' not reconci!e' to Go' by or own en'ea+or# bt by

the *ro*itiation wroght by hrit2 who !o+e' when we were

enemie# an' in or b!oo'2 who i both wi!!ing an' ab!e to a+e to

the ttermot# an' to *reer+e hi own mercie in 2 to whoe

office it be!ong to ta"e or'er that none who are gi+en nto him be

!ot n'obte'!y# that !ife of hrit in # which i thn'er*ro**e'# thogh it be not *ri+i!ege' from tem*tation# no#

not from bac"!i'ing# yet it i an abi'ing !ife 5e who raie' or

o! from 'eath# wi!! either *reer+e or feet from fa!!ing# or if we



'o fa!!# wi!! hea! or bac"!i'ing# an' wi!! a+e free!y@ (B*

Reyno!' ,or"# * 173# 174)

ome# *erha*# may be rea'y to obectC @f the *reer+ation of

be!ie+er 'e*en' *on Go'# in the manner aerte'# they ha+e no

occaion to be at a!! caref! how they !i+e .o great harm can

befa!! them# for they are certain of being fina!!y afe@ n anwer

to which ha!! on!y ober+e2 that the trength of thi obection

wa !ong ince trie'# by atan# *on or >or' hime!f Bt a it

a**eare' of no force to him# thogh the tem*ter *ro*oe' it a the

neceary coneence of thoe *romie ma'e by the ;ather to

hrit# a man an' me'iator# re*ecting hi *reer+ation2 o ita**ear to ha+e a !itt!e in the *reent cae The maor *ro*oition

in the 'e+i! argment wa2 if tho art the on of Go'# hi ange!

wi!! certain!y *reer+e theeC tho cant not be inre' An' hi

conc!ion wa# therefore# withot any 'anger# tho mayt cat

thye!f 'own from thi eminence o# in the *reent cae# the

argment containe' in the obection# i# yo be a chi!' of Go' an'

in nion with hrit# yor *ere+erance mt be certain ;or#

being the charge of mni*otence# it i im*oib!e yo ho!'fina!!y fa!! Therefore# yo may afe!y bi' a'ie to a!!

circm*ection Do nee' not fear in# or it coneence2 nor i

there any occaion to be o!icito abot wa!"ing with Go' in the

way of ho!ine Bt a or >or'# who ha' not the !eat 'obt of

the *ecia! care of hi ;ather o+er him# reecte' atan *ro*oa!

with the tmot abhorrence2 "nowing it wa a tem*tation to e+i!#

an' that the argment e' to enforce it wa an abe of the

cri*treC o the be!ie+er# thogh f!!y *era'e' that grace reignin e+ery *art of a!+ationC an' thogh it trong!y a**ear in that

*ecia! care of Go'# which i inceant!y eercie' o+er him in hi

*ere+erance to eterna! !ife2 yet he i we!! con+ince'# that he mt

not contine in in that grace !ay abound n e+ery ch

ggetion# therefore he wi!! from hi heart ay# 'od forbid5

Bei'e# there arc many im*ortant *r*oe anwere'# by wa!"ing

in the way of obe'ience# re*ecting the hritian hime!f# hi

neighbor# an' hi Go'2 which# ha+ing been coni'ere' a!rea'y# ha!! not here *artic!ar!y mention



.or can it# with any *ro*riety# be obecte' againt the 'octrine for

which am *!ea'ing2 @that the aint are ehorte' to *ray for the

contina! ai' of grace2 for $i+ine **ort# in time of tria!2 an'

for *rotection againt their enemie#@ a if it arge' their tatencertain# with reference to the fina! e+ent ;or hrit# who wa

abo!te!y re of ha**ine# nor co!' *oib!y fai! of enoying

the rewar' that wa *romie' to him# a &e'iator2 or come hort

of *oeing that g!ory which he ha' with the ;ather before the

wor!' wa2 yet *raye' for it with a mch fer+or a any aint can

*oib!y 'o for the mot 'eirab!e b!eing (Fohn 17C1# <

om*are % am 7C%7-% $an 11C%# 3) A nob!e eam*!e thi# of

the arance of faith# re*ecting or eterna! tate2 an' of annreer+e' re!iance on the $i+ine *romie# being *erfect!y

conitent with earnet an' contant *rayer for the f!fi!ment of

them Bei'e# whoe+er 'are to act on the *rinci*!e of thi

obection ha no reaon to coni'er hime!f a a hritian2 bt

rather a 'ea' in in# an' in the broa' way to fina! rin

Bt notwithtan'ing the >or' ha *romie' that hi *eo*!e ha!!

ne+er *erih2 yet a he ha nowhere engage' that they ha!! notfa!! into in# an' a mora! e+i! i *ro+o"ing to the eye of hi

ho!ine2 they are bon' to e the tmot cation# !et by

'iobe'ience they mo+e him to e the corge ;or the frown of

a father wi!! be har' to bear2 a their *irita! *eace an' oyf!

commnion with him wi!! be mch interr*te'# by ch

'iobe'ience an' chatiement for it The chi!'ren of Go'# when

care!e in their wa!" an' gi!ty of bac"!i'ing# ha+e e+ere!y

marte' n'er hi correcting han' The orrowf! confeion an' bitter com*!aint of $a+i'# after hi can'a!o intrige with

Hriah wife# are a tan'ing incontetib!e *roof of thi ober+ation

Their *eraion of interet in the e+er!ating co+enant ha been

terrib!y ha"en# if not !ot for a eaon# o a to won' their heart

with "eenet angih2 ti!!# after many *rayer an' great

watchf!ne# they ha+e been again in'!ge' with the mi!e of

Feho+ah contenance# an' with the oy of hi a!+ation (/

101C8# 1% an' 130C30-3%) The remembrance of thi# an' aconi'eration how Go' the ;ather an' hi incarnate on are

'ihonore'# the 5o!y *irit grie+e'# the g!orio go*e!

re*roache'# wea" be!ie+er offen'e'# an' the han' of the wic"e'



trengthene'# by the care!e con'ct of hritian *rofeor#

affor' a fficient reaon for thoe m!ti*!ie' cation# which are

gi+en to the 'ici*!e of hrit in the boo" of Go'# that they

in'!ge not any crimina! *aion in the !eat 'egree2 withot**oing that their fina! ha**ine 'e*en' on the tea'ine of

their wa!"# or on the goo'ne of their con+eration ;or or

*ere+erance in faith an' ho!ine 'e*en' on the ece!!ency of

or tate2 a being in co+enant with Go'# hi a'o*te' chi!'ren an'

the member of hrit2 not *on or obe'ience an' en'ea+or

5ence yo may !earn# be!ie+er# that a the enemie of yor o!

are in+eterate# bt!e# an' *owerf!# an' yor *irita! frameincontant# it i high!y neceary yo ho!' !i+e n'er a contina!

remembrance of thoe awa"ening coni'eration ,hat more

a'+iab!e# what o neceary for yo# a to wa!" circm*ect!y2 to

watch an' *ray# !et yo enter into tem*tationI A ene of yor

own wea"ne an' infficiency ho!' e+er abi'e on yor min'

an' a**ear in yor con'ct A the corr*tion of natre i an

enemy that i a!way near yo# an' a!way in yo# whi!e on earth2

an' a it i +ery trong!y 'i*oe' to econ' e+ery tem*tationfrom withot2 yo ho!' keep your heart /ith all diligence

,atch# 'i!igent!y watch# o+er a!! it imagination# motion# an'

ten'encie oni'er whence they arie# an' to what they inc!ine#

before yo eecte any of the *r*oe forme' in it ;or ch i

the *er!ati+e 'eceitf!ne of the hman heart# that he /ho

trusteth in it is a fool) ( /ro+ %8C%6 Fer 17C /ro+ 4C%3) ignorant

of hi 'anger# an' nmin'f! of hi bet interet Thi

coni'eration ho!' cae e+ery chi!' of Go' to ben' the**!iant "nee# with the tmot freency# hmi!ity# an' fer+orC

to !i+e# a it were# at the throne of grace2 nor 'e*art thence ti!! far

from the reach of 'anger ertain it i# that the more we ee of the

trength of or a'+erarie# an' of the 'anger we are in from

them2 the more ha!! we eercie ore!+e in fer+ent *rayer an

yo# hritian# be coo! an' in'ifferent# be '!! an' care!e#

when the wor!'# the f!eh# an' the 'e+i!# are yor im*!acab!e an'

nwearie' o**oerI $are yo in'!ge yore!f in carna! 'e!ight#or in a !othf! *rofeion# whi!e the enemie of yor *eace an'

a!+ation are e+er acti+e an' by in ee"ing to com*a yor fa!!#

yor 'igrace# an'# if *oib!e# yor eterna! rinI "/ake, thou that



sleepest5 &ita"e not the fie!' of batt!e for a be' of ret 4e sober)

be vigilant

Are there# notwithtan'ing the be!ie+er wea"ne an' the *ower

of hi enemie# ch trong arance gi+en of hi *ere+erance#

com*!ete +ictory# an' fina! ha**ineI then# thogh with fear an'

tremb!ing he ho!' often re-f!eet on hi own infficiency# he

may re!y on a faithf! Go'# a hi nerring gi'e an' in+incib!e

gar'# with confi'ence an' oy The remembrance of that wi!! be a

contant moti+e to hmi!ity an' watchf!ne The eercie of thi

wi!! maintain *eace an' cono!ation of o!2 wi!! be an

inehatib!e orce of *raie# in *ite of a!! the attem*t ofin+eterate ma!ice in hi mot enrage' foe ;or the A!mighty ay#

-ear not8 . a! thy shield, fore+er to 'efen' thee2 an' thy

ecee'ing great rewar'# to ren'er thee com*!ete!y ha**y ,hi!e

the eternal 'od is his refuge, and everlasting ar!s hi **ort#

there i no occaion to fear f 'od be for us, /ho can be against

us6 ,hen the gate of he!! an' the *ower of earth nite'# aai!

the be!ie+er# menacing 'etrction to both bo'y an' o!# then the

na!e, the *romie the oath# an' the attribte of Jehovah are a strong to/er, an im*regnab!e fortreC an'# concio of hi own

inabi!ity to reit the enemy# he runneth into it, and is safe from

e+ery attac"# howe+er crafty or +io!ent The righteo man# the

rea! hritian# d/elleth on high, ot of the reach of e+ery e+i! His

place of defence is the !unitions of rocks) immo+ab!e a their

o!i' fon'ation2 inacceib!e a their !ofty ri'ge .or ha!! the

fa+ore' inhabitant of thi e+er!ating fortre e+er be ob!ige' to

rren'er for want of *ro+iion A f!ne of !i+ing brea'# an'tream of !i+ing water# are nite' with in+incib!e trength ;or# it

i a''e'# 4read shall be given hi!, an' his /aters shall be sure

5e ha!! want neither norihment nor *rotection2 otwar'

'efence# nor inwar' comfort 5a**y# then# thrice ha**y they that

are n'er the reign of grace 9+ery attribte of $eity i engage' to

*romote their fe!icity A!! the eterna! cone! terminate in their

fa+or2 an' /ro+i'ence# in the who!e core of e+ent re*ecting

them# ha a *ecia! regar' to their a'+antage Th $i+ine gracea**ear an' reign in the *ere+erance of tre be!ie+er ;or grace

*ro+i'e the mean neceary to it2 grace a**!ie them2 an'



omni*otent grace crown them with cce# to it own eterna!

honor an' *raie



11. CONCERNING THE PERSON OF

CHRIST, BY HOM GRACE REIGNS

T59 *eron of hrit# coni'ere' in conneion with hi wor"# i a

co*io an' ea!te' bect2 infinite!y 'eer+ing or mot

attenti+e regar' ;or hi *eron i 'ignifie' with e+ery

ece!!ency# 'i+ine an' hman2 an' hi wor" inc!'e e+ery

reiite for the com*!ete a!+ation of or gi!ty o!

The contittion of or &e'iator won'erf! *eron wa an effect

of infinite wi'om# an' a manifetation of bon'!e grace The

hy*otatica! nion of hi $i+ine an' hman natre# i a fact of the

!at im*ortance to or ho*e of eterna! ha**ine ;or# by the

*erona! nion of thee two natre# he i ren'ere' ca*ab!e of

*erforming the wor" of a &e'iator between Go' an' man f he

ha' not *oee' a natre inferior to that which i $i+ine# he

co!' neither ha+e *erforme' the obe'ience reire'# nor ha+effere' the *ena!ty threatene' by the ho!y !aw2 both which were

abo!te!y neceary to the a!+ation of inner

.or wa it fficient mere!y to ame a create' natre2 for it wa

to be that which i common to men The !aw being gi+en to man#

the obe'ience reire' by it# a the con'ition of !ife# wa to be

*erforme' by man# a rea!# thogh in!e man Becae the

wi'om an' eity of the *reme >egi!ator co!' not ha+ea**eare' in gi+ing a !aw to or *ecie# if it ha' ne+er# o mch a

in one intance# been honore' with *erfect obe'ience by any in

or natre A man wa become a trangreor of the !aw# n'er

it cre# an' bon' to ffer eterna! miery2 it wa neceary that

he who ho!' n'erta"e hi 'e!i+erance# by +icario ffering#

ho!' be hime!f a man t wo!' not ha+e a**eare' agreeab!e#

that a 'ifferent natre from that which inne' ho!' ha+e ffere'

for in 5a' it *!eae' the infinite o+ereign to ha+e a+e' theange! that fe!!# with re+erence we may **oe# that it wo!'

ha+e a**eare' itab!e to $i+ine wi'om# that their 'e!i+erer

ho!' ha+e ame' the ange!ic natre Bt a man# ha+ing !ot



hi ha**ine# wa the creatre to be re'eeme'2 an' a hmanity#

ha+ing !ot it ece!!ence# wa the natre to be retore'2 it wa

neceary that re'em*tion# an' thi retoration# ho!' be effecte'

in the hman natre ;or as by the disobedience of one man# !any/ere !ade sinners, broght n'er con'emnation# an' !iab!e to

eterna! 'eath2 even so, by the obedience of one man# Fe hrit#

mt !any be !ade righteous, be 'e!i+ere' from con'emnation#

an' acce*te' to e+er!ating !ife

t wa neceary a!o that the hman natre of hrit# in which he

wa to accom*!ih or 'e!i+erance# ho!' be 'eri+e' from the

common root an' fontain of it in or firt *arent ;or it 'oe nota**ear itab!e to anwer the +ario *r*oe 'eigne' by the

am*tion of or natre# that it ho!' be create' imme'iate!y

ot of no thing2 nor yet that hi bo'y ho!' be forme' ot of the

't# !i"e that of the firt man Becae# on that **oition# there

wo!' not ha+e been any ch a!!iance between him an' # a to

!ay a fon'ation for or ho*e of a!+ation by hi n'erta"ing t

wa neceary that he who ho!' tain the character an'

*erform the wor" of a Re'eemer# ho!' be or 'oel, or nearkins!an8 one to whom the right of re'em*tion be!onge'I (>e+

%<C48# 4 Rth %C%0# 3C &argin) o it wa 'ec!are' in the firt

*romie2 The seed of the /o!an, an' no other# shall bruise the

serpents head 5e wa not on!y to ame the natre of man# bt

to *arta"e of it# by being ma'e of a /o!an Th he became or

"in'-man# an' or brother Accor'ing to that aying# both he that

sanctifieth, and they /ho are sanctified, are all of one natreC for

/hich cause He is not asha!ed to call the! brethren (5eb %C11)Ama:ing con'ecenion thi That the on of the 5ighet ho!'

become the chi!' of a +irgin2 that the Go' of natre ho!'

become the ee' of her who# with a bo!'# *rem*to han'#

*!c"e' the fata! frit which entai!e' 'eath on a!! or *ecie2 that

5e whom ange! a'ore ho!' a**ear in or natre when n" in

rin# that he might obey# an' b!ee'# an' 'ie for or 'e!i+erance

,hat wor' can e*re# what heart can concei+e the 'e*th of that

con'ecenion# an' the riche of that grace# which a**ear in cha *roce're



t wa abo!te!y neceary# notwithtan'ing# that the natre in

which the wor" of re'em*tion wa to be *erforme' ho!' not be

o 'eri+e' from it origina! fontain a to be tainte' with in2 or

*arta"e# in any 'egree# of that mora! 'efi!ement# in which e+erychi!' of A'am i concei+e' an' born t behoo+e' to ha+e ch

an 5igh /riet# a wa holy, har!less, undefiled, and separate

fro! sinners) for a a *riet# he wa to atone for or in an'

ranom or o!# f the hman natre of hrit ha' *artoo"# in

any meare# of that *o!!tion which# ince the fa!!# i here'itary

to 2 it wo!' ha+e been 'etitte of the ho!y image of Go'# a

we are *rior to regenerationC an'# coneent!y# he wo!' ha+e

been ren'ere' inca*ab!e of ma"ing the !eat atonement for 5ewho i hime!f inf!# cannot atify $i+ine tice on the beha!f

of another2 becae# by one offence# he forfeit hi own o!

5ere# then# the a'orab!e wi'om of Go' a**ear in it richet

g!ory ;or thogh it wa neceary or rety ho!' be man# an'

the ee' of the woman2 yet he wa concei+e' in ch a manner a

to be entire!y withot in De# Fe# thogh born of a woman#

wa abo!te!y free from the gi!t of the firt trangreion# an'

from e+ery 'egree of that 'e*ra+ity which i common to a!! theoff*ring of A'am The *erfect *rity of or &e'iator hmanity#

being an artic!e of the !at im*ortance to or a!+ation# i

freent!y an' trong!y aerte' in the acre' writing The

com*!ete rectit'e of hi heart# an' the n*otte' anctity of hi

!ife# are there 'i*!aye' in !i+e!y co!or

A !itt!e to e*!ain an' i!!trate thi momento trth# it may be of

e to coni'er# how it i that we# who are the natra! 'ecen'antof A'am# became gi!ty throgh the firt trangreion# an' are

ma'e *arta"er of a 'e*ra+e' natre A to guilt by the firt

offence# it may be ober+e'# that the who!e hman natre

bite' in or origina! *arent when it wa committe'2 an' that

A'am wa or *b!ic re*reentati+e 5ence it i that hi offence

became the in of a!!2 i t!y im*te' an' charge' *on .n

hi!, a or common re*reentati+e# /e all sinned ch being or

natra! tate# a the 'ecen'ant of an a*otate hea'# we t!y bear that hmb!ing an' awf! character2 5>$R9. ;

,RAT5# BD .ATHR9 Bt A'am wa not a fe'era! hea' of

hrit The Lord fro! heaven wa neither inc!'e' in him# nor





gi!t co!' not ta"e *!ace in him# a it 'oe in # being

re*reente' by A'am an' 'ecen'e' from him accor'ing to the

common core of natre Th wa the hman natre of Fe

hrit entire!y free from a!! contaminationC an' th that holything, which wa forme' in the womb of the +irgin# by the *ower

of the &ot 5igh# wa contitte' the econ' A'am# in o**oition

to the firt Thi *ro'ction of the hman natre of or g!orio

mmane!# being in a way *ernatra! an' 'i+ine# i ca!!e' the

creation of a ne/ thing in the earth (Fer 31C%%) Th hrit

became a *arta"er of the natre which ha' inne'# withot the

!eat inf!ne of that natre

t wa abo!te!y neceary a!o# that or &e'iator an' rety

ho!' be 'od a we!! a man ;or a he co!' neither ha+e

obeye'# nor ffere'# if he ha' not *oee' a create' natre2 o#

ha' he been a mere man# howe+er immac!ate# he co!' not ha+e

re'eeme' one o! .ay# thogh he ha' *oee' the highet

*oib!e create' ece!!encie# they wo!' not ha+e been fficient2

becae he wo!' ti!! ha+e been a 'e*en'ent being ;or a it i

eentia! to $eity# to be n'eri+e' an' e!f-eitent2 o it ieentia! to a creatre# to be 'eri+e' an' 'e*en'ent The !oftiet

era*h that ing in g!ory i a rea!!y 'e*en'ent on Go'# e+ery

moment of hi eitence# a the meanet worm that craw! n thi

re*ect# an ange! an' an inect are on a !e+e! 9+ery inte!!igent

creatre# therefore# whether hman or ange!ic# ha+ing recei+e'

eitence from the A!mighty# an' being contina!!y 'e*en'ent on

him# a the a!!-*ro'cing# a!!-**orting firt cae2 mt be

ob!ige' to *er*eta! obe'ience# by +irte of that re!ation in whichhe tan' to Go'# a hi &a"er an' /reer+er t i high!y abr'

to **oe it *oib!e for any creatre to *ererogate# or to 'o

more in a way of obe'ience to 5im from whom hi a!! wa

recei+e'# than he i n'er the tronget ob!igation to *erform# in

coneence of hi abo!te an' ni+era! 'e*en'ence Bt

whate+er i *re+io!y 'e from any one# on hi own accont#

cannot be tranferre' to another# withot ren'ering the firt 'e+oi'

of that obe'ience which it i abo!te-+ neceary for him toha+e Hni+era! obe'ience# in e+ery *oib!e intance# i o

neceary in a rationa! creatre# a ch# being 'e*en'ent on Go'



an' create' for hi g!ory# that the omiion of it# in any 'egree#

wo!' not on!y be crimina!# bt e*oe to e+er!ating rin

The righteone# therefore# of a mere creatre# howe+er high!y

ea!te'# co!' not ha+e been acce*te' by the Great *reme# a

any com*enation for or obe'ience Becae whoe+er n'erta"e

to *erform a +icario righteone# mt be one who i not

ob!ige' to obe'ience on hi own accont oneent!y# or

rety mt be a $i+ine /eron2 for e+ery mere creatre i tra'er

in'i*enab!e ob!igation to *erfect an' *er*eta! obe'ience

.ow# a or itation reire'# o the go*e! re+ea!# a &e'iator

an' btitte th ea!te' an' g!orio ;or Fe i 'ecribe' aa $i+ine /eron# a one who co!'# withot any arrogance# or the

!eat 'i!oya!ty# c!aim in'e*en'ence2 an'# when th coni'ere'#

he a**ear tit fin the ta" Bt of ch an ne we co!' ha+e ha'

no i'ea# withot that 'itinction of /eron in the Go'hea' which

the cri*tre re+ea! Agreeab!y to thi 'itinction# we beho!' the

right of $eity aerte' an' +in'icate'# with infinite maety an'

athority# in the *eron of the -ather) whi!e we +iew e+ery $i+ine

*erfection 'i*!aye' an' honore'# in the mot i!!trio manner# by the ama:ing con'ecenion of the eterna! (on8 By the

hmi!iation of 5im who# in hi !owet tate of bection# co!'

c!aim an ea!ity with Go' ch being the 'ignity of or

won'erf! *onor# it wa by hi own +o!ntary con'ecenion

that be became incarnate# an' took upon hi! the for! of a

servant By the ame free act of hi wi!! he wa !ade under the

la/, to *erform that obe'ience in or tea'# to which# a a $i+ine

/eron# he wa no way ob!ige'

The neceity there wa that or rety ho!' be a $i+ine

/eron# might be frther *ro+e'# by coni'ering the infinite e+i!

there i in in That in i an infinite e+i!# a**ear from hence

9+ery crime i more or !e heino# in *ro*ortion a we are n'er

ob!igation to the contrary ;or the crimina!ity ?any 'i*oition#

or action# conit in a contrariety to /hat /e ought to possess, or

perfor! f# therefore# we hate# 'iobey# or 'ihonor any *eron#the in i a!way *ro*ortiona! to the ob!igation we are n'er to

!o+e# to honor# an' to obey him .ow the ob!igation we are

n'er to !o+e# to honor# an' to obey any *eron# are in *ro*ortion



to hi !o+e!ine# hi 'ignity# an' hi athority f thi# none can

'obt f then infinite beaty# 'ignity# an' athority be!ong to the

immene!y g!orio Go'2 we mt be n'er ea! ob!igation to

!o+e# to honor# an' to obey him2 an' a contrary con'ct mt beinfinite!y crimina! in# therefore# i a +io!ation of infinite

ob!igation to 'ty2 coneent!y an n!imite' e+i!# an' 'eer+ing

of infinite *nihment ch being the natre of or offence# an'

of the aggra+ation atten'ing them# we tan' in abo!te nee' of a

rety# the worth of whoe obe'ience an' ffering ho!' be

ea! to the nworthine of or *eron# an' to the 'emerit of or

'iobe'ience f to the e+i! there i in e+ery in# we ta"e into

coni'eration the +at nmber of inner that were to bere'eeme'2 the cont!e mi!!ion of enormo crime that were to

be e*iate'2 an' the infinite weight of $i+ine wrath that wa to be

taine'2 a!! which were to be com*!ete' in a !imite' an' hort

time# in or'er to reconci!e man to Go'# an' to effect hi eterna!

a!+ation2 we ha!! ha+e ti!! tronger e+i'ence in *roof of the

*oint

,ere a 'efence of the *ro*er $eity of hrit my intention# thecri*tre wo!' frnih me with am*!e matter an' abn'ant

e+i'ence in fa+or of the ca*ita! trth ;or the name that he

bear# the *erfection acribe' to him# the wor" he ha 'one# an'

the honor he ha recei+e'# !o'!y *roc!aim hi 9T9R.A>

$E.TD Bt wa+e the attem*t# an' *rocee' to ober+e#

That it wa neceary or rety ho!' be 'od an' !an, in nity

of *eron Thi neceity arie from the natre of hi wor"2 whichi that of a &e'iator between Go'# the offen'e' o+ereign# an'

man# the offen'ing bect f he ha' not been a *arta"er of the

$i+ine natre# he co!' not ha+e been a!ifie' to treat with Go'2

if not of the hman# he wo!' not ha+e been fitte' to treat with

man $eity a!one wa too high to treat with man2 hmanity a!one

wa too !ow to treat with Go' The eterna! on therefore ame'

or natre# that he might become a mi''!e *eron2 an' o be

ren'ere' ca*ab!e of laying his hands upon both, (Fob C33) an' of bringing them into a tate of *erfect frien'hi* 5e co!' not ha+e

been a me'iator# in regar' to hi office# if he ha' not been a

mi''!e-*eron# in re*ect of hi natre ch i the contittion



of hi won'erf! *eron# an' hence he i ca!!e' &&A.H9> Go'

with # or in or natre

The *erfect *erformance of a!! hi office# a *riet# *ro*het# an'

"ing# reire thi nion of the $i+ine to the hman natre A a

$riest ;or it wa neceary he ho!' ha+e so!ething to offer, that

he ho!' offer hime!f Bt *re $eity co!' not be offere' t

wa reiite therefore that he ho!' be man# an' ta"en from

among men# a e+ery other high-*riet wa An'# ha' he not been

Go'# a he co!' not ha+e ha' an abo!te *ower o+er hi own

!ife# to !ay it 'own an' ta"e it * at hi *!eare2 o the offering of

the hman natre# if not in nion with the $i+ine# wo!' not ha+ema'e a *ro*er atonement for or trangreion# wo!' by no

mean ha+e e*iate' that enormo !oa' of hman gi!t# for

which he wa to ffer .or co!' hi 'eath ha+e been an

ei+a!ent# in the eye of eterna! tice# to that e+er!ating

*nihment which the righteo !aw threaten againt in2 which

mt ha+e been the inner *ortion# a it i hi t 'eert# if ch

an a'mirab!e *onor ha' not a**eare' on hi beha!f Bt when

we coni'er that he who ffere'# the t for the nt# wa a$i+ine /eron incarnate# we cannot bt !oo" *on him a *erfect!y

ab!e to bear the *nihment an' to *erform the wor" ;or a the

infinite e+i! of in arie from the maety# an' the ece!!ence of

him againt whom it i committe'2 o the merit of or rety

obe'ience an' ffering mt be ea! to the 'ignity of hi

*eron 5ow great# how trancen'ent!y g!orio are the

*erfection of the eterna! Feho+ah o great# o *er!ati+e!y

ece!!ent i the atonement of the 'ying Fe

A a $rophet ;or ha' he not been the omnicient Go'# he co!'

not# withot a re+e!ation# ha+e "nown the $i+ine wi!! re*ecting

hi *eo*!e .or co!' he ha+e ha' a *erfect acaintance with that

infinite +ariety of cae# in which# throgh e+ery age an' nation#

they contina!!y nee' hi teaching An'# if he ha' not been man he

co!' not o fami!iar!y# in hi own *eron# ha+e re+ea!e' the

$i+ine wi!!

A a &ing ;or if he ha' not been Go'# he co!' not ha+e r!e' in

the heart# or ha+e been the >or' of concience2 nor wo!' he ha+e



been ab!e to 'efen' an' *ro+i'e for the chrch# in thi im*erfect

an' mi!itant tate .either co!' he# in hi own right# ha+e

'i*ene' eterna! !ife to hi fo!!ower# or e+er!ating 'eath to hi

enemie at the !at 'ay An' if he ha' not been man# he co!' notha+e been a hea'# either *o!itica! or natra!# of the ame "in' with

the bo'y to which he i nite'# an' o+er which he i *!ace' a

=ing in Oion oneent!y# he co!' not ha+e ym*athi:e' with

the member of hi mytica! bo'y# a he e+i'ent!y 'oe Bt a hi

won'erf! *eron i 'ignifie' with e+ery *erfection# $i+ine an'

hman2 a he *oee a!! the g!orie of $eity# an' a!! the grace

of immac!ate hmanity2 thee ren'er him a &e'iator com*!ete!y

amiab!e an' *reme!y g!orioan a'eate obect of the innerconfi'ence# an' of the be!ie+er oy

5ence it a**ear# that hrit i a g!orio# a $i+ine &e'iator2 a

&e'iator that ha *ower with Go' an' with man 5e mt be ab!e#

therefore# to save to the utter!ost, to a!! *erfection an' fore+er#

all that co!e to 'od by hi! The obe'ience of ch a rety mt

magnify the !aw# an' ren'er it high!y +enerab!e2 mt ha+e an

ece!!ence an' a merit# incom*arab!y an' inconcei+ab!y great tmt be of more +a!e than the obe'ience of a!! the aint in the

wor!'# or of a!! the ange! in g!ory The ffering n'erwent by

thi hea+en!y btitte# the acrifice offere' * by thi won'erf!

5igh /riet# mt be a!!-fficient to e*iate the mot accm!ate'

gi!t2 omni*otent to a+e the mot horri' trangreor ;or hi

obe'ience i that in worth# which hi *eron i in 'ignity Thi#

infinite in g!ory2 that# bon'!e in merit

A the greatne of an offence i *ro*ortiona! to the 'ignity of the

*eron whoe honor i in+a'e' by it2 o the +a!e of the

atifaction ma'e by the ffering of any btitte# mt be

ea! to the ece!!ence of the *eron atifying in# being

committe' againt infinite &aety# 'eer+e' infinite *nihment2

the acrifice of hrit i of infinite worth# being offere' by a

*eron of infinite 'ignity t wa the acrifice# not of a mere man#

not of the highet ange!# bt of Fe the incarnate Go'2 of 5imwho i the brightne of the ;ather g!ory# an' 5ea' o+er a!!

creation A the infinite g!ory of hi $i+ine /eron cannot be

e*arate' from hi hmanity2 o infinite merit i neceari!y



connecte' with hi obe'ience an' ffering n a!! that he 'i'#

an' in a!! that he n'erwent# he wa the on of Go'2 a we!! on

the cro# a before hi incarnation2 a we!! when he crie'# 0y

'od, !y 'od, /hy hast thou forsaken !e6 a when he raie' the'ea'# anti re+ere' the !aw of natre 5e wa Feho+ah ;e!!ow

when he fe!t the wor' of tice awa"e *on him2 he thoght it

no robbery to aert an ea!ity with Go'# e+en when he wa

fatene' to the b!oo'y tree# an' e*ire' n'er a cre (Oech %3C

7 /hi! %C68 Ga! 3C 13) ,a the in for which he ffere'

infinite!y e+i!I the /eron who atifie' i infinite!y ece!!ent $i'

an infinite bect ffer in hi honor by or offenceI the inry

i re*aire' by a bect of infinite ece!!ence ma"ing anatonement for them r in i infinite in re*ect of the obect2 or

acrifice i infinite# in regar' to the bect Feho+ah coni'ere'

or rety a the 0an his fello/, when he mote him2 an' we

ho!' coni'er him n'er the ame ea!te' character when we

be!ie+e on him# an' *!ea' hi atonement before Go' @5ere i firm

footing# here i o!i' roc"@ n the $i+ine 'ignity of the

Re'eemer *eron# an' in the conmmate *erfection of hi wor"2

there i an e+er!ating bai for faith# the arance of faith# thef!! arance of faith A bai# firm a the *i!!ar of natre2

immo+ab!e# a the eterna! throne

,herea if# with ocinian# we **oe that Fe ha' no

eitence before hi conce*tion in the womb of the +irgin# an' o

!oo" *on him a a mere man2 or if# with Arian# we imagine him

to be a "in' of *erange!ic *irit# nite' to a hman bo'y2 yea#

thogh we ho!' com*!iment him# a ome of them ha+e 'one#with acribing a!! $i+ine *erfection to him# ece*t eternity an'

e!f-eitence# which i abr'!y im*io2 yet we rob him of

*ro*er $eity# we ma"e him a 'e*en'ent being# we re'ce him to

the ran" of mere creatre# an' 'e*ri+e ore!+e of that

fon'ation of confi'ence in him which hi tre character affor'

;or we ne+er can *era'e ore!+e# that the ffering of a mere

creatre# an' thoe for o hort a time# co!' be acce*te' by the

mot high an' ho!y Go'# a a righteo com*enation to hi !awan' tice# for the in of innmerab!e mi!!ion of he!!-'eer+ing

trangreor 5ence it i# that thoe who 'eny the *ro*er $eity of

hrit# common!y 'eny that he ma'e atifaction for in to $i+ine



tice Th far they are conitent# an' (what they affect to be

ca!!e') rational Bt they may 'o we!! to coni'er# whether they

theme!+e be ab!e to atify eterna! tice2 an' how they can

e*ect a'miion into the "ing'om of g!ory# by the in-a+engingGo'# withot any atifaction ma'e for their crime ;or# certain it

i# that 5e who go+ern the ni+ere i inf!eib!y t# a we!! a

'i+ine!y mercif! T59 FHT G$ A.$ T59 AEHR i hi

re+ea!e' character A th re+ea!e'# we mt "now him# an' trt

in him# if we wo!' eca*e the wrath to come

5ere !et the rea'er a'mire an' a'ore the !o+e of the 9terna!

;ather# an' the con'ecenion of the $i+ine on The love of theeternal -ather ;or the g!orio *eron 'ecribe' i the on of

Go'# an' the ;ather gift to inf! men n com*arion with

whom# a!! the ange! an' a!! wor!'# betowe' *on for an

inheritance# wo!' be trif!ing an' net to nothing Becae a!!

create' thing are ea!!y eay to $i+ine *ower# being on!y the

effect of the im*!e wi!! of Go' The formation of an ange!# or of

an inect2 of a thoan' ytem# or of a thoan' grain# i the

ame thing to mni*otence ;or which reaon# there co!' be nocom*arati+e greatne in any ch gift f# therefore# the eterna!

;ather wo!' manifet hi !o+e to an ncommon 'egree2 if he

wo!' o gratify hi mercy# in b!eing hi offen'ing creatre# a

to ha+e an a**earance of 'oing +io!ence to hime!f2 it mt be by

giving his only begotten (on, who i one in natre an' ea! in

g!ory with himby gi+ing him to be their btitte# their

*ro*itiation# an' their a+ior n thi +iew# how great the

*ro*riety# how tri"ing the beaty of thoe a*oto!ic aying Hethat spared not his o/n (on, but delivered hi! up for us all, ho/

shall he not /ith hi! also freely give us all things6 'od

co!!endeth his love to/ard us, in that /hile /e /ere yet sinners

Christ died for us 5ere $i+ine !ow a**ear in the tmot

a'+antageC here it hine in a!! it g!ory ;or it rich 'onation i

infinite!y ece!!ent# an' the b!ee'ne re!ting from it i

conmmate an' eterna! The condescension of the Divine (on

That 5e /ho /as in the for! of 'od, and thought it no robbery tobe e9ual /ith 'od) that 5e whom ange! obey2 that 5e whom

era*h a'ore# an' before whom they +ei! their face2 a concio

of their own com*arati+e meanne# or a 'a::!e' with the b!a:e



of hi infinite g!orie that 59 ho!' be ma'e f!eh# ta"e *on

him the form of a er+ant# *erform obe'ience# an' gi+e * hime!f

to the mot infamo 'eath# i ama:ing Bt that he ho!'

rren'er hime!f to 'ie for inner# for enemie# an' for ch awere in acta! rebe!!ion againt him# i n*ea"ab!y more

ama:ing Thee are 'emontrati+e *roof# that the >or' Re'eemer

i a mch *erior to hi creatre in the riche of hi grace# a he

i in the 'e*th of hi wi'om# or in the wor" of hi *ower >et

a!! the hea+en a'ore him an' !et the chi!'ren of men be fi!!e'

with won'er# an' brn with gratit'e ;or thi g!orio Re'eemer

i acceib!e by inner# who wa 'eigne' for inner2 an' on

them hi *ower an' grace are magnifie'

ch i that re*reentation which the go*e! gi+e of $i+ine#

re'eeming !o+e Bt were we to 'eny the *ro*er $eity of Fe

hrit# an' to reect the rea!ity of hi atonement# we ho!'# in

reference both to the ;ather an' the on# obcre it g!ory# wea"en

it force# an' a!mot 'etroy it +ery being n ocinian

*rinci*!e# many of the mot em*hatica! term an' *hrae of

in*iration# re!ati+e to or a!+ation by the on of Go'# mt ben'ertoo' in a ene 'irect!y contrary to their natra! im*ort2 or#

in other wor'# the !angage of cri*tre mt be re+ere' ;or

intanceC or >or' ay# 'od so loved T59 ,R>$# that he gave

his only begotten (on Bt ocinianim teache to n'ertan'

the $i+ine 'ec!aration thC @Go' o !o+e' the son of 0ary, that

he ga+e him the go+ernment of the wor!'@ /a! ay# 7e kno/

the grace of our >R$ F9H 5RT# that though he /as rich,

yet for your sakes be beca!e poor Bt# accor'ing to thihy*othei# the meaning an' the fact are# @De "now the grace of

Go' to the man Fe hrit2 who# thogh he wa by nature poor,

a any that are born of a woman2 thogh# in the who!e of hi !ife#

he wa ea!!y 'e*en'ent on the ;ather *ower an' *!eare a

any other *eron can *oib!y be# an' thogh neither the !abor

of hi minitry# nor the *ain of hi martyr'om# were ea! to

thoe of many among hi 'ici*!e2 yet# for hi o/n sake, an' a

the rewar' of hi obe'ience# he beca!e, throgh 'i+ine bonty#inco!parably rich#



n another e*it!e the ame a*ot!e ayC hrit Fe# being in the

form of Go'# thoght it not robbery to be ea! with Go'2 bt

ma'e hime!f of no re*tation# an' too" *on him the form of a

er+ant# an' wa ma'e in the !i"ene of menC an' being fon' infahion a a man# he hmb!e' hime!f an' became obe'ient nto

'eath# e+en the 'eath of the cro .ow thi# accor'ing to the

*rinci*!e of .H# may be *ara*hrae' thC @hrit Fe#

being a mere!y hman creatre# eite' in the form of a man

oncio of thi# he thoght it the mot im*io robbery on the

honor of $eity# for him to be ea! with Go'2 whether it were

by bearing hi name# by c!aiming hi attribte# by *reming to

*erform hi wor"# or by recei+ing hi worhi* De# being ma'ein the form of a er+ant# (becae a a mere creatre# it wa

im*oib!e he ho!' eit in any other form) an' fee!ing hi own

em*tine# he wa contente' to a**ear in the !i"ene of men An'

eeing he wa a mere man# there i no reaon to won'er that he

,a fon' in fahion a a man2 or that# a a righteo *eron# an'

a teacher of trth# he wa great!y hmb!e'# a many other goo'

men ha+e been# by *o+erty an' re*roach .or yet# fee!ing hime!f

entire!y at the $i+ine 'i*oa!# i there any reaon to be r*rie'that# a a martyr# he became obe'ient to 'eath# e+en the 'eath of

the croC Becae he "new that ch wa the wi!! of hi reator

an' o+ereign Bt a he ha' no bo'i!y 'ieae to affect hi

imagination with me!ancho!y g!oom2 no gi!t on hi concience#

to ecite 'e*on'ency2 no nha!!owe' attachment to fami!y

conneion# to re!igio frien'# or to any enib!e obectC no

'obt of *ecia! interet in the ;ather !o+e2 nor any fear# with

regar' to hi own fina! fe!icity2 the won'er i# that# in hi !atffering# an' before any hman han' wa *on him# he ho!'

be o f!! of conternation# o *enetrate' with angih# a to weat

b!oo'# an' to ec!aim# &y o! i ecee'ing orrowf!# e+en nto

'eath&y Go'# &y Go'# why hat tho fora"en me At thi we

may we!! be atonihe'2 becae many of hi 'ici*!e# e+en when

in the han' of their barbaro eectioner# an' thogh concio

of *erona! gi!t# ha+e taine' the etremet ffering withot

one com*!aint# an' ometime with in'ication of eberant oy

@Bei'e# Fe 'ying on!y a a martyr# being *erfect!y innocent of

the crime !ai' to hi charge# an' ffering nothing at a!! from the



han' of eterna! tice for the in of other2 the !o+e he e*ree'

to men !i"e hime!f wa far from being o 'iinterete'# o

fer+ent# or o great# a m!tit'e ha+e imagine' ;or he wa

abo!te!y certain of riing again from the 'ea' within the *aceof three 'ay2 an'# a the rewar' of hi obe'ience to 'eath# of

being ea!te' to the throne of ni+era! em*ire De# he "new that

Go' wo!' highly e%alt hi!, and give hi! a na!e above every

na!e8 that at the na!e of Jesus every knee should bo/, of things

in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth) and

that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the

glory of 'od the -ather .ow# a he wa a mere man2 a hi 'eath

wa on!y that of a witne to $i+ine trth2 a he !ot hi !ife on!yfor three 'ay2 an' a he ha' the mot certain e*ectation of ch

an nbon'e' rewar'2 it cannot with reaon be **oe' that hi

!o+e to men coni'ere' a neighbor# or hi com*aion to men#

coni'ere' a *erihing in ignorance an' in *ertition# wa

mch *erior to that *hi!anthro*y which *ro*het# a*ot!e# an'

martyr ha+e 'ico+ere' Becae it i manifet that# ha' e!f-!o+e

been the on!y *rinci*!e of hi con'ct# he co!' not ha+e

*romote' hi own a'+antage o effecta!!y in any other way,ho# that >o+e Go' an' man2 who# that *re hi own

*reme honor an' ha**ine# wo!' refe to n'ergo imi!ar

ffering# *ro+i'e' he were abo!te!y certain of an ea!

rewar'I .ay# 'i' not $RH# 'i' not the $9# +o!ntari!y

'e+ote theme!+e to 'eath for the goo' of their re*ecti+e

contrie2 thogh# being en+e!o*e' in /agan 'ar"ne# the on!y

rewar' they ha' to e*ect wa a !itt!e *othmo renownI@

o abhorrent are the gran' *rinci*!e of ocinianim to the

!angage an' entiment of $i+ine re+e!ation n thoe

*rinci*!e# the *hraeo!ogy of in*ire' writer i etreme!y

trange# an' +ery obcreC o obcre# that intea' of aying#

'reat is the !ystery of G$>.92 we may t!y ec!aim#

Hnaccontab!y ing!ar# an' *rofon'!y myterio# i T59

>A.GHAG9 of prophets and of apostles, re*ecting the *eron

an' wor" of Fe hrit ;or thogh the things inten'e' are *!ain# an' eai!y a**rehen'e' by common ca*acitie2 yet the

ter!s by which thoe thing are e*ree' are o etreme!y

abtre# that the mot ar'ent t'y# an' the greatet acmen# are



abo!te!y neceary to 'e+e!o*e their meaning hritian ha+e

been e' to coni'er cri*tre myterie# a re!ating to the

&$H of certain i!portant facts) which fact# being *!ain!y

re+ea!e'# are be!ie+e' on the athority of $i+ine tetimonyC btthi new theo!ogy teache to !oo" for thoe myterie in the

n*ara!!e!e' &$H of biblical e%pression ai'# unparalleled

;or# re!y# if the ocinian ytem be tre# no et of writer# who

ha' not !ot their ene# an' who inten'e' to be n'ertoo'# e+er

e*ree' common i'ea in ch myterio !angage# a that

which i e' by the in*ire' *enmen re!ati+e to Fe hrit# an'

to the great wor" of re'em*tion by himM

M ee $r ABBA$9 on the $eity of Fe hrit eentia! to the

hritian Re!igion# passi!

;!!y *era'e'# therefore# that the cri*tre mean a they *ea"#

!et the inner who i concio of nothing bt miery an'

wretche'ne abot him# f!ee to the a!!-fficient &e'iator2 trt

in him a mighty to a+e2 an' +eracity ite!f ha engage' that he

ha!! not be 'ia**ointe' in hi e*ectation A a $i+ine *eron#ho mt be ab!e to act agreeab!y to e+ery character he bear2

*erfect!y a!ifie' to eecte e+ery office he ha n'erta"en2 an'

com*!ete!y fitte' to fi!! * each re!ation in which he tan' to hi

*eo*!e >et re*oe the mot nreer+e' confi'ence in hi

atonement an' interceion# a or /riet2 !oo" to him for

intrction# a or *ro*het2 be bect to him# an' e*ect

*rotection from him# a0r =ing >et manifet the mot fer+ent

!o+e to him# a or Re'eemer2 yie!' him the mot cor'ia!obe'ience# a or >or'2 an' *ay him the b!imet worhi*# a or

Go' wi!! a''# !et a!! thoe who 'eny hi *ro*er $eity# an' reect

hi +icario 'eath2 who refe to honor him a a $i+ine *eron#

an' to acce*t hi righteone a &e'iator2 be aware !et# when it

i too !ate# they fee! their want of hi atonement# an' be com*e!!e'

to ac"now!e'ge# that 5e E9R A>># G$ B>99$

;R9E9R

>et my rea'er contem*!ate with won'er an' with oy# the infinite

honor that i conferre' on the hman natre in the *eron of or

great &e'iator ;or it i in e+er!ating nion with the on of Go'2



i now eate' on a throne of !ight2 i the mot g!orio of a!!

creatre# an' the eterna! ornament of the who!e creation De#

be!ie+er# 5e on whom yo re!y# in whoe han' yo ha+e intrte'

yor o!# ti!! wear yor natre whi!e he *!ea' yor cae That+ery bo'y that hng on the cro# an' wa !ai' in the gra+e2 that

+ery o! which ffere' the "eenet angih# an' wa e%ceeding

sorro/ful, even unto death) are now# an' e+er ha!! be# m c!oe

conneion with the eterna! ,or' &yterio# ineffab!e nion big

with won'er an' re*!ete with comfort 5ow encoraging it i to

coni'er# that a Fe i c!othe' with that +ery hmanity# in which

he ffere' aff!iction an' tria! of e+ery "in' an' of e+ery

'egree2 he cannot forget hi tem*te'# 'e*ie'# aff!icte' *eo*!e inthi mi!itant tate n hime!f he ee their image2 in hi han' he

beho!' their name 5e fee! for them# he ffer with themC

(5eb %C18# an' 4C1< a !i 1<# 16) he ne+er wi!!# he ne+er can

o+er!oo" their *eron# or be nmin'f! of their bet interet



12. CONCERNING THE OR: OF

CHRIST, THROUGH HICH GRACE

REIGNS

5AE.G ta"en a +iew of the *eron of hrit# an' of hi

a!ification for the wor" of a &e'iator# ariing from hi

*erona! ece!!encie coni'ere' a mmane!2 we mt now

a'+ert to that *erfect /ork, throgh which grace reign# an' in

+irte of which her fa+or are 'i*ene'

'race reigns, ay the orac!e of hea+en# T5RHG5

RG5T9H.9 Righteone# in thi *!ace# n'ertan' a

inc!'ing the who!e of that obe'ience which the Re'eemer# n'er

the character of a rety# *erforme' to the *rece*ti+e *art of the

!aw2 an' a!! thoe bitter ffering which he n'erwent# in

conformity to it *ena! anction Throgh thi obe'ience grace

reign# in a way trict!y conformab!e to the right of $i+ine tice By thi mot *erfect wor" of hrit# the ten'eret mercy i

manifete' to mierab!e inner# an' meet with the trth of

Feho+ah righteo threatening againt in 5ere the

righteone of Go'# a the !awgi+er# a**ear in ta"ing

+engeance on in2 o a to be *ro'cti+e of btantia! an' !ating

*eace to the inner 5a**y e*e'ient ,on'erf! grace Bt !et

a !itt!e more *artic!ar!y coni'er the natre an' ece!!encie of

thi e+ange!ica! righteone

A to it nature8 it i a com*!ete conformity to the $i+ine !aw

,hate+er the *rece*t of Feho+ah !aw 'eman'e'# the a'orab!e

Fe *erforme' in it f!!et etent 5i natre being *erfect!y

ho!y# the *rinci*!e of hi action wa abo!te!y *re2 the en' for

which he 'i' them entire!y right2 an' the matter of them# an' r!e

of their *erformance# withot any 'efect ,hate+er the !aw#coni'ere' a bro"en# threatene' by way of *nihment againt

the offen'er2 to that he bmitte' in a!! it 'rea'f! e+erity ;or

he /as !ade sin) he /as !ade a curse 5e ffere' ama:ing



!o+e n*ara!!e!e' con'ecenion he ffere' the greatet

hame# the mot ecrciating *ain# that the ma!ice of men# or the

bti!ty of 'e+i!# co!' in+ent or inf!ict2 an' which wa infinite!y

more# the wrath of Go' The 'ration of hi *aion wa in'ee'com*arati+e!y hort2 bt for thi the infinite 'ignity of hi *eron

wa a f!! com*enation ,hen we coni'er that it wa the .

; G$ an' >R$ ; G>RD# who b!e' an' 'ie' n'er e+ery

circmtance of infamy an' *ain2 a!! the 'rea'f! monment of

$i+ine tice inf!icte' on the on of rebe!!ion in *at age# an'

tranmitte' to *oterity in the mot athentic recor'2 a!! the

miery that await the !icentio wor!'# an' i 'enonce' in the

cri*tre2 cannot raie or i'ea of Feho+ah +in'icti+e tice too high a *itch# a a remembrance of the bitter# thogh tranitory

ffering of the $i+ine Fe

The e%cellencies of thi righteone a**ear from the character

it bear in ho!y writ ;or to ignify it n*otte' *rity# it i called

fine linen clean and /hite To 'enote it com*!etene# it i ca!!e'

a robe To ho!' forth it eiite beaty# richne# an' g!ory# it i

ca!!e' clothing of /rought gold, and rai!ent of needle:/ork To *oint ot it nea!!e' ece!!ency# it i ca!!e' the best robe t i

better than the robe of innocence with which or firt *arent were

c!othe' before the fa!!2 yea# better than the righteone of ange!

in g!ory ;or their i bt the obe'ience of mere creatre2 of

'e*en'ent being Bt thi which i the highet e*ithet that

!angage can gi+e thi i the RG5T9H.9 ; G$ t

natre an' *ro*ertie are ch# that the >or' hime!f eem to

g!ory in it# freent!y ca!!ing it His righteousness (Re+ 1C8 a11%C10 / !+ 13# 14 >"e 1<C %% % or <C%1 Rom 10C3 Fer

%3C6 a !+i 132 101C <-82 106C1)

t i an everlasting righteone ($an i %4) t i a robe# the

beaty of which wi!! ne+er be tarnihe'2 a garment that wi!! ne+er

'ecay2 an' c!othing that wi!! ne+er wear ot ,hen mi!!ion of

age ha+e nm their am*!e ron'# it wi!! contine the ame that it

wa the firt 'ay it came into e2 an' when mi!!ion more aree!a*e'# there wi!! be no a!teration The continance of it

efficacy# beaty# an' g!ory# wi!! be !ating a the !ight of the .ew

Fera!em2 nfa'ing a the eterna! inheritance





*erformance# an' whoe concience i affecte' with a ene of

'eer+e' wrath# may# *erha*# be rea'y to ay2 @A to the g!orio

natre an' *er!ati+e ece!!ence of thi obe'ience# there i no

'i*te Bt# i it free for a mere innerI it not rather 'eigne'for thoe who are ome way a!ifie' for it# by a et of ho!y

*rinci*!e# an' a erie of *io action2 thoe who are

'itingihe' from the a!together worth!e an' +i!eI there any

*oibi!ity for a mierab!e inner# a con'emne' crimina!2 one

whoe trangreion are great an' whoe corr*tion are trong#

to *arta"e of it# an' be ma'e ha**y by itI An' if there be# which i

the wayI@ To thee momento inirie the orac!e of Go'

frnih a btantia! anwer ;or they inform that there ianother ece!!ency atten'ing it# which ha a *ecia! regar' to the

manner of it commnication2 an' therefore oght by no mean to

be o+er!oo"e' De# b!ee' be Go' the nerring wor' warrant

me to aert that thi righteone i abo!te!y free t wa

wroght for the inner2 it wa 'eigne' for the inner2 an' i free!y

betowe' on the +i!et of inner t i not matter of bargain# or the

bect of a!e2 it i not *ro*oe' on certain conditions) a# the

*erforming ome ar'o core of 'tie# or the attaining omenotab!e a!ification2 bt it i a free gift Grace# a a o+ereign# i

ea!te' to confer it2 an' grace# we "now# 'ea! on!y with the

nworthy A a gift it i im*arte'2 a a gift# therefore# it mt be

recei+e'2 an' a for an abo!te!y free gift# the *rofeor of it

ho!' be than"f! ;rom thee coni'eration we may with

confi'ence affirm# that the mere inner# the con'emne' creatre2

he who fee! hime!f in a *erihing con'ition# an' i concio

that he 'eer+e no fa+or2 ha the tronget encoragement gi+enhim to re!y on it# a ite fficient for hi tification# an'

abo!te!y free for hi e De# 'icono!ate inner# yo ha+e no

reaon to heitate# whether yo ha+e a right to concei+e it# an' to

ca!! it yor own Be!ie+ing the tetimony which Go' ha gi+en of

hi on# yo recei+e it# an' enoy the comfort ariing from it

5ea+en *roc!aim yor we!come to hrit# an' eterna!

faithf!ne inre acce*tance to a!! that be!ie+e in him

By a figre of *eech that i freent in cri*tre# thi

righteone i re*reente' a speaking $obt!e# then# o nob!e

a righteone mt ha+e a charming !angage2 an' a !itt!e





*!ain!y 'ec!are that the on!y obe'ience by which there i fa+or

with Go'# an' a tit!e to ha**ine# i a!rea'y *erforme'C an' that

the anio inirer i not !eft in a tate of ncertainty how it may

be enoye'2 for it i broght near in the wor' of grace# with a freewe!come to re!y on it an' e it a hi own# to the e+er!ating

honor of it $i+ine Athor

By com*aring what the a*ot!e ay abot the righteousness of

faith, with what &oe 'ec!are concerning the righteousness of

the la/, we !earn# That whoe+er thin" of 'oing any goo' wor"# a

the con'ition of !ife# i ignorant of that obe'ience which the

go*e! re+ea!2 i n'er the !aw# a a co+enant2 i a 'ebtor to *erform the who!e2 an'# a a brea"er of it# i obnoio to it

awf! cre Thi i hi cae# e+en when# with the /hariee in the

*arab!e# he than" Go' for aiting him to *erform he **oe'

con'ition# whether great or ma!! ;or the righteone of the

!aw# an' the righteone of faith# are here 'irect!y o**oe' Thi

i e+i'ent from the co*e of the *!ace in genera!2 an' e*ecia!!y

from the a'+erati+e but, with which what i ai' abot the

righteone of faith i intro'ce'

Thi +icario obe'ience i no !e ef! to the inner# than

*erfect in ite!f By thi wor" of or hea+en!y btitte# that ho!y

!aw which we ha+e bro"en i high!y honore'2 an' that awf!

tice which we ha+e offen'e' i com*!ete!y atifie' By thi

righteone the be!ie+er i acitte' from e+ery charge# i

*erfect!y tifie'# an' ha!! be eterna!!y a+e' n thi

conmmate wor"# Feho+ah 'ec!are hime!f we!! *!eae'# an' init a!! the g!orie of the Go'hea' hine De# the obe'ience of or

a'orab!e *onor i *erfect a $i+ine rectit'e co!' reire2 an'

ece!!ent a eterna! wi'om ite!f co!' 'e+ie A'mirab!e

righteone ,ho that i taght of Go'# wo!' not# with /a!#

'eire to be found in it6 an' who# that i concio of an interet

in it# can ceae to a'mire an' a'ore the grace that *ro+i'e'# an'

the a+ior that wroght itI

the obe'ience of the >or' Re'eemer o g!orio in it natre# o

ece!!ent in it *ro*ertie# o free in the manner of it

commnication to the ngo'!y# an' o eteni+e!y ef! to a!!



that *oe itI ,hat encoragement# then# ha the mierab!e

inner to !oo" to it 5ow afe!y may he confi'e in it# a a!!-

fficient to tify hi ngo'!y o! ;or# be the 'eman' of the

$i+ine !aw an' infinite tice e+er o great# or nmero# or'rea'f!2 the wor" of hrit com*!ete!y anwer them a!! There i

greater efficacy in the grace of Go'# an' in the wor" of hi

incarnate on# to tify an' a+e from 'eer+e' *er'ition# than

there can be 'emerit in the offence of a inner# to incr

con'emnation an' rin

.or can it eem trange that the wor" of hrit ho!' be th

efficacio ;or Go' the on *erforme' it# in the ca*acity of abtitte Go' the ;ather 'ec!are hi 'e!ight in it# an' treat a

hi chi!'ren a!! thoe that are +ete' with it An' it i the *rinci*a!

bine of Go' the 5o!y *irit# a a gi'e an' a comforter# to

tetify of it o that e+ery other righteone# in com*arion with

it# i ite inignificantC if et in com*etition with it# i +i!er than

'ro# an' wore than nothing n thi righteone hritian of

a!! age ha+e g!orie'# both !i+ing an' 'ying# a the on!y gron' of

their ho*e n thi mot *erfect obe'ience be!ie+er are nowea!te' an' the aint in hea+en trim*h ;or the wor" of hrit

finihe' on a cro i the br'en of their ong Bt who can *oint

ot a!! it beatieI ,ho can how forth ha!f it *raieI After a!!

that ha been written or ai' abot it# by *ro*het or a*ot!e# here

on earth2 after a!! that ha been ng or can be concei+e'# by

aint or ange! in the wor!' of g!ory2 coni'ere' n'er it $i+ine

character# T59 RG5T9H.9 ; F95EA5# it ecee' a!!

*oib!e *raie The inhabitant of the hea+en!y wor!' mt2 beconcio that their !oftiet train# thogh e*ree' with

era*hic ar'or# fa!! +at!y hort of 'i*!aying a!! it ece!!ence

o that#

@,hen Gabrie! on' thee g!orio thing#

5e tne an' mmon a!! hi tring@



13. CONCERNING THE CONSUMMATION

OF THE GLORIOUS REIGN OF

GRACE

A $i+ine grace i g!orio in ite!f# an' infinite!y *erior to a!!

that i 'enominate' free fa+or among men2 a the way in which

it reign i abo!te!y withot a *ara!!e!# an' ch a wi!! ren'er it

fore+er 'ear to a!! the 'ici*!e of hrit2 o the en' of it benign

go+ernment i ea!!y g!orioC for it i eterna! !ife Re+i+ing#ra+ihing thoght Thi# in bor'ination to hi own g!ory# i the

great 'eign of Go' in e+ery gracio 'i*enation towar' hi

*eo*!e The em*hatica! *hrae i he' in cri*tre to ignify# "n

everlasting state of co!plete holiness and consu!!ate happiness,

in the presence and fruition of 'od, in all his persons and

perfections To thi b!if! tate# grace# a a o+ereign# infa!!ib!y

bring her bect# throgh the *eron an' wor" of mmane!

To ait or feeb!e an' contracte' min' in forming ome faint

i'ea of ce!etia! b!ee'ne# an' to inform by whom it ha!!

be enoye'2 it i com*are' by acre' writer to the mot 'e!ightf!

an' g!orio thing that come n'er or notice in the *reent

wor!' ;or intanceC To 'enote it *erabon'ing 'e!ight# it i

ca!!e' paradise, in a!!ion to the gar'en of 9'enC for at Go'

right hand are pleasures forever!ore To ignify it gran'er#

magnificence# an' g!ory# it i ca!!e' a cro/n an' a kingdo! A a

crown# it i nfa'ing an' incorr*tib!e To intimate that none ha!!

enoy it# ece*t in +irte of the Re'eemer obe'ience# it i

'enominate' a cro/n of righteousness t i a!o ca!!e' a cro/n of

life an' a cro/n of glory A a "ing'om# it wa *re*are' for

be!ie+er before the foundation of the /orld, an' i the "ing'om

of their ;ather2 who betow it *on them here# in right to *oe2

hereafter# in *erfect enoyment To acertain it *er*etity# it ica!!e' an everlasting "ing'omC an' thoe that enoy it are ca!!e'

kings, are ai' to sit upon thrones, an' to reign in life To inform

who ha!! *oe it# an' on what gron'# it i ca!!e' an



inheritance /!ain!y 'enoting# that none bt the chi!'ren of Go'

ha!! enoy itC for a er+ant# coni'ere' a ch# cannot inherit ,e

mt# therefore# be the on of the 5ighet# by a'o*tion an'

regeneration# before we can t!y ho*e to enoy the hea+en!y *atrimony ;or howe+er 'i!igent the on of Go' may be in

"ee*ing hi comman'# an' in *erforming hi wi!!2 they ha!! not

*oe it n'er the notion of a rewar' of 'ty# or a wage for

wor"2 bt n'er the i'ea of a tetamentary gift De2 it i a gift by

way of !egacy# an' i beeathe' to them in the e+er!ating

tetament of or >or' Fe hrit Accor'ing to thoe wor'2 .

appoint, by testa!ent, unto you a kingdo!<

M>"e %%C% Th the ce!ebrate' ,TH ren'er an' inter*ret

the *aage# (9con 1 iii c L %8 To the ame effect# B9OA an'

ATA> tran!ate the wor'

The "ing'om i mot g!orio# the inheritance mot free to the

chi!'ren of Go'# an' abo!te!y na!ienab!e

.or are the heir of thi bon'!e b!i withot ome oyf!foretate of it in thi !ife ;aith being# a the a*ot!e# 'efine it#

the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not

seen) they antici*ate# in ome 'egree# the oy of the **er wor!'

n the *reent tate# they recei+e the earnet of their ftre

inheritance# an' reoice in ho*e of the f!! frition .ay# at ome

bright inter+a!# they re1oice /ith 1oy unspeakable, and full of

glory ;or be that believeth hath everlasting #life, in the *romie#

an' in the earnet of it Having fled for refuge to lay hold on thehope set before the!) thoe t/o i!!utable things, the *romie

an' the oath of Go'# in either of which it is i!possible for hi! to

lie, affor' the! strong consolation re*ecting their fina!

*reer+ation an' eterna! ha**ine >i+ing by faith on the 'ying#

the acen'e' Re'eemer# a their rety an' acrifice# their

righteone an' a'+ocate2 an' +iewing the tabi!ity of the

*romie# the co+enant# the oath of Feho+ah2 they ha+e the greatet

arance that# /hen Christ /ho is their life shall appear, theyalso shall appear /ith hi! in glory



The ftre ha**ine of be!ie+er may be coni'ere'# either a it i

enoye' by the separate spirit, before the rerrection an' the !at

'gment2 or by the soul and body united, after that awf! *erio'

i come# an' thoe gran' e+ent ha+e ta"en *!ace That thee*arate *irit of the aint are *oee' of thoght an'

concione# an' that they enoy ineffab!e b!i in commnion

with Fe their ea!te' 5ea'2 are trth manifet!y containe' in

the nerring wor' oon a that myterio nion# which bit

between o! an' bo'y in the *reent tate# i 'io!+e' by 'eath2

the o!# being ma'e *erfect!y free from the being of in#

imme'iate!y enter into g!ory $eath# to the aint# far from being

a *ena! e+i!# i nmbere' among their *ri+i!ege# an' ma"e oneartic!e their com*reheni+e in+entory of $i+ine b!eing ( or

3C%%) $eath i the gate by which they enter thoe hea+en!y

manion *re*are' for them2 in the *oeion of which they

enoy 'e!ight that co!' not be e*erience' in thi morta! tate

The "now!e'ge of that b!ime b!ee'ne# an' of an interet in

it# ma'e /a! desire to depart and to be /ith Christ, /hich is far

better) infinite!y *referab!e to a!! that can be enoye' in thi

wor!'

The ame incom*arab!e man an' infa!!ib!e teacher ay2 *hilst

/e are at ho!e in the body, /e are absent fro! the Lord8 at the

ame time 'ec!aring# that it wa far more e!igib!e to him an' hi

*io contem*orarie# to be absent fro! the body and present /ith

the Lord .ow# if the a*ot!e wor' ha+e any ene# an' if their

meaning be at a!! inte!!igib!e# we cannot **oe him to ha+e

imagine'# that hi immorta! o!# when e*arate' from the bo'y#wo!' !ie in a !ee*y# nconcio# inacti+e tate# ti!! the on' of

the archange! trm*et ho!' awa"en it2 which notion i by ome

warm!y e*oe' ;or in ch a tate of abo!te inenibi!ity he

co!' not# with any *ro*riety# be ai' to be /ith Christ, or to enoy

the *reence of 'od Before the 'io!tion of hi bo'y# he

reoice' in the !ight of Feho+ah contenance an' ha' mch

commnion with hi Go'2 wa in'!ge' with bright

manifetation of $i+ine fa+or# an' e!te' in the certain *ro*ect of a b!if! immorta!ity2 a!! which# accor'ing to the

!ee*ing cheme# he intant!y !ot by 'eath Hn'er the 'e*ri+ation

of which he mt contine for a !ong erie of year2 e+en ti!! the



+oice of the mni*otent# an' the a!arming crah of a fa!!ing

/orld, ha!! ra!!y hi 'ii*ate'# an' awa"en hi 'rowy *ower

into act2 an' o bring him into a econ' enoyment of hime!f# an'

of hi Go' 5ow ncomfortab!e ch an i'ea to the rea! hritian

That the 'e*arting *irit of the chi!'ren of Go' enter imme'iate!y

into ha**ine# might be *ro+e' from a great +ariety of $i+ine

tetimonie Among which there are few more a**oite# than that

which contain the remar"ab!e an' gracio anwer of Fe to the

con+erte' thief# when they were both on the +erge of the neen

wor!' ;erily . say unto thee, to:day shalt thou be /ith !e in

paradise Thee wor' inc!'e a *artic!ar anwer to the reetof the e*iring *enitent# who *raye' that hrit wo!' re!e!ber

him A if or >or' ha' ai'2 @ wi!! not on!y remember thee# a

abent2 for# +eri!y# tho ha!t be with me in the e+er!ating

manion# to beho!' my g!ory@ A the 'ying *etitioner 'eire' hi

reet might be grante'# when the b!ee'ing Fe ho!' enter

into hi "ing'om2 the ffering a+ior certifie' him# not on!y of

the *!ace where he wa to reign# which he ca!! paradise, bt a!o

of the ti!e when he wa to enter on the *oeion of hi"ing'om# ignifie' by to:day .or i it nworthy of notice# that

when thi *romie wa ma'e# the 'ay wa ha!f e!a*e'2 for it /as

about the si%th hour, yet hrit *romie' him the oy of *ara'ie

before that +ery 'ay conc!'e'# "nowing that# in the interim# they

ho!' both ma"e their eit A the gracio *romie to thi thief

wa +ery etraor'inary# an' a the *eron to whom it wa ma'e

wa in ch circmtance# an' bore ch an infamo character2

Fe confirme' it with the ae+eration# +eri!y A if he ha' ai'#@# the Amen# who am trth ite!f# o!emn!y 'ec!are that what

ha+e *romie' ha!! certain!y be f!fi!!e' thi 'ay@

The 'ifferent *nctation an' ene of the tet# that are gi+en by

thoe who a'o*t the !ee*ing cheme# a**ear farfetche'# traine'#

an' ene They conten'# that the wor' oght th to be *ointe'2

. say unto thee to:day, thou shalt be /ith !e in paradise A if or

>or' ha' not the !eat intention to fi the time# when thecon+erte' ma!efactor ho!' beho!' hi g!ory2 bt on!y 'ec!are'#

by the e*reion to:day, the certainty of what he *romie' To

which force'# nnatra!# an' ini*i' inter*retation of the *aage#



it may be t!y obecte'# that a the thief co!' not be ignorant of

the time when the gracio *ro-mi wa ma'e2 o he ha' no

occaion to ha+e that *artic!ar 'itingihe' an' confirme' in o

o!emn a manner .or i it the e*reion to:day, bt the wor'verily, which in'icate the trth of what wa affirme'# an' the

certainty of enoying the *romie' b!eing ;or a to:day, in or

>or' anwer# 'enote a *recie!y !imite' time2 o it e+i'ent!y

corre*on' to the a'+erb /hen, in the thief *etition

Thi hy*othei a**ear not on!y ncomfortab!e to the rea!

hritian# an' anticri*tra! to the im*artia! eaminer of the

acre' recor'# ht a!o n*hi!oo*hica! ;or a the o! i athin"ing being# if# when the anima! frame i 'io!+e'# it were to

be entire!y 'e*ri+e' of thoght an' concione2 it mt# for

aght a**ear to the contrary# !oe it eitence Bt if o# intea'

of a rerrection at the !at 'ay# there mt be a new creation2

which i contrary to the ana!ogy of faith# an' to the ho*e of aint

in e+ery age A min' withot thoght an' concione# an'

matter withot o!i'ity an' etenion# being ea!!y abr' i'ea

The e*arate *irit of aint# therefore# being !o'ge' in eterna!

manion# an' abi'ing at the orce of a!! fe!icity# enoy

inconcei+ab!e *!eare They are com*!ete!y re!eae' from a!!

trob!e of e+ery "in'2 from a!! in an' ffering2 from a!!

tem*tation an' orrow &ora! e+i!# with a!! it atten'ant# i

eterna!!y banihe' from thoe bright abo'eC for the *eo*!e that

'we!! there are a!! *erfect!y righteo2 nor ha!! any of the

inhabitant of that !an' ay# . a! sick Their garment are a!waywhite2 their har* are a!way tne' Being with hrit# accor'ing

to hi *romie# they beho!' hi g!ory# an' are 'e!ighte' with hi

beaty The infinite ece!!encie of Fe# the incarnate

F95EA5# are i!!trio!y 'i*!aye' in that ea!te' tate Thoe

$i+ine an' me'iatoria! *erfection# of which# whi!e here be!ow#

we ea form bt +ery !ow conce*tion2 beam forth on the ho!y an'

ha**y *irit in a b!a:e of g!ory ,ith a'oring gratit'e an'

*!eaing atonihment they ref!ect2 Thi i 59 that once raie' afeeb!e cry in the tab!e at Beth!ehem Thi i 59 that *ent hi !ife

in one contine' erie of beneficent action# when rron'e'

with meanne an' *o+erty# with re*roache an' orrow Thi i



59bt# how change'who ma'e hi eit on a!+ary# n'er

e+ery mar" of infamy# n'er the e+eret enation of *ain# both

in bo'y an' o!2 an' a!! thi to accom*!ih or a!+ationTo

+iew 5& eye to eye# who wa once a man of orrow an'ffering to the highet 'egree2 to beho!' 5& who i their

hban' an' hea'# after# a!! the abaement an' miery to which he

bmitte' on their accont# th ea!te' an' g!orifie'# mt fi!!

their o! with ectatic b!i .or are they mere *ectator of hi

g!orio ea!tation They not on!y beho!' their be!o+e'# an' ha+e

intercore with him# a !oya! bect with an ea!te' o+ereign2

bt he entertain an' reoice o+er them a hi frien' an'

brethren# a hi bri'e an' *ortion Thi we may !earn from thefrien'!y free'om he e' with hi 'ici*!e whi!e here on earth

;or thogh# a their o+ereign >or'# he reire' *reme re*ect#

an' acce*te' *rofon' a'oration2 yet he 'i' not "ee* them at an

awf! 'itance# bt con+ere' with them in the mot fami!iar

manner $obt!e# then# he 'oe not beha+e with !e free'om# or

"ee* them at a greater 'itance# becae of hi ea!te' tate2 bt

rather ta"e them into a tate of ea!tation with hime!f ;or

thogh he i ea!te' abo+e a!! b!eing an' *raie# yet not a a *ri+ate *eron# nor mere!y for hi own a"e2 bt a the hea' of hi

nmero fami!y# an' a the a+ior of a!! hi *eo*!e The

a'+ancement of him# the hea'# co!' not be inten'e' to remo+e

the member to a greater 'itanceC for there i the ame re!ation#

an' the ame nion# biting between him an' them

oneent!y# they mt be honore' an' ea!te' with him

Beho!'ing hi infinite g!ory# their a'oring regar' are heightene'2

bt thi i far from 'iminihing their nearne to him# or their'e!ight in him t on!y er+e to increae their atonihment an'

oy# a they fin' him ti!! con'ecen'ing to a'mit them into ch a

fami!iarity with him# an' o !ibera!!y commnicating hi g!ory to

them ,hen in thi !ower wor!'# they 'icerne' the ignatre of

$eity in the wor" of creation an' of *ro+i'ence They behe!' yet

brighter 'i*!ay of Feho+ah g!ory in the o*eration of grace# an'

the ama:ing effect of hi !o+e2 in the gift of a a+ior# an' in hi

'eath on the cro Bt now# ha+ing their inte!!ecta! *ower

abn'ant!y trengthene'# they ha+e manifetation of hi infinite

ece!!ence# com*are' with which# a!! their *re+io 'ico+erie of

$i+ine *erfection# by the materia! creation# an' a!! the ha**ine



they enoye' in the chrch mi!itant# were *oor an' mean# were

!ow an' !angi' beyon' e*reion ;or they are rron'e' with

the o*!ence of Go'# an' eterna!!y enriche' with hi mnificence

f /a!# ra+ihe' with the more obcre a**earance of $i+inewi'om# co!' not forbear ec!aiming2 the 'e*th of the riche#

both of the wi'om an' "now!e'ge of Go' what ho!y tran*ort

of won'er mt it affor' the *irit of the t ma'e *erfect# to

ha+e the cone! of 5ea+en !ai' o*en to their +iewI The

contem*!ation of $i+ine *ower# n'er the con'ct of infinite

wi'om# an' !eage' with bon'!e goo'ne# mt heighten

their *!eare 5ow 'e!ightf! to beho!'# in the !ight of g!ory# that

*ower which raie' the +at frame of natre# an' from the beginning taine' a!! thingThat *ower# which trne' the

mighty whee! of *ro+i'ence in e+ery age of the wor!'# throgh

a!! the re+o!tion of timeThat ncontro!!ab!e *ower# which

retraine' !egion of ma!ignant *irit an' accre' fien'# in ten

thoan' 'ifferent intance# from *er*etrating their ma!icio

'eign an' from fi!!ing the wor!' with michief2 which wroght

*on the ob'rate heart of rebe!!io creatre# cae' them to

ac"now!e'ge $i+ine o+ereignty# an' ma'e them wi!!ing to acce*ta!+ation in the a**ointe' wayThat *ower# which# ha+ing forme'

their o! anew# *reer+e' them in the mi't of innmerab!e

'anger that contina!!y !ay in their way to the region of

ha**ineC nor e+er intermitte' it gar'ian agency# ti!! it broght

them afe to g!ory

f the *ower of Go'# a behe!' by the aint in !ight# be o

'e!ightf! a bect of contem*!ation# what eberant oy mt the+iew of hi !o+e affor' ;or a !o+e i the nob!et *aion of the

hman breat# o it i the brightet beam of $i+inity that e+er

irra'iate' the wi'e creation >o+e i a *!eaing theme# an' the

meaning of that 'i+ine entence# G$ >E9# i there nfo!'e'

to the +ery !ife The ha**y *irit are no !onger ob!ige' to !earn

Feho+ah !o+e from hi name an' wor"2 for they now beho!' it

a eentia! to hi Being The 'ay they ha'-!ong e*ecte'# that

ha**y 'ay which i a**ro*riate' to the f!!-'ico+ery of $i+ine!o+e# ha+ing 'awne' *on them# they ta"e their fill of loves .ow

the immorta! *irit i in+igorate' in a!! it *ower# en!arge' in a!!

it fac!tie# on *r*oe to ren'er it ca*ab!e of ta"ing in more



co*io +iew# an' of recei+ing abn'ant!y !arger emanation of

$i+ine !o+e# than it co!' *oib!y before enoy They ha+e now

trace' * the tream to the eterna! fontain2 the beam# to the

+ery n of !o+e The boom of their ;ather# where the thoght of!o+e were !o'ge' from e+er!ating# an' where it nob!e 'eign

were forme'# i !ai' o*en to their +iew .ow they c!ear!y ee why

the on of Go' became incarnate# n'ertoo" the re'em*tion of

man# an'# in or'er to accom*!ih the ar'o wor"# obeye'# an'

ffere'# an' 'ie' the mot *ainf! an' infamo 'eath$ie'# a

acrifice# an atonement for in2 a *ectac!e to the wor!'# to ange!#

an' to men The won'ering o! *enetrate the +at 'eign# an'

ee# with warmet gratit'e# why ite!f wa not ma'e ane+er!ating monment of $i+ine tice2 why it nati+e enmity

againt Go' wa com*!ete!y b'e'# an' why it enormo

crime were *ar'one' A!! which i reo!+e' into the free#

'itingihing !o+e of Go' The a'oring o! beho!'# with

ectaie of 'e!ight# how we!! the a'mirab!e effect corre*on' to

their gran'# origina! cae ertain!y# nothing hort of hea+en

ite!f# which gi+e the e*erience# can gi+e an a'eate i'ea of

ch ea!te' b!i

.or wi!! their +iew of $i+ine tice2 no# not in it awf! effect

coni'ere' a +in'icti+e# an' manifete' in the 'amnation of

innmerab!e myria' of a*otate ange! an' inf! men# in the

!eat a!!ay their oy# or 'am* their *!eare ;or# howe+er

infi'e! may now obect againt an eterna! *nihment being

inf!icte' for tranient crime2 an' arraign the Boo" of Go' ite!f#

which aert that o it ha!! be2 to them it a**ear# in the c!earet!ight# that in i an infinite e+i!# an' therefore# t!y 'eer+ing of

*er*eta! miery Their ho!y wi!!# being *erfect!y conforme' to

the *!eare of Go'# f!!y aciece in the entence *rononce'

*on offen'er# an' reoice in the eection of it on a!! the 'aring

on of rebe!!ion# whether ange! or men They now more f!!y

'ico+er# how ho!ine in the >awgi+er# the 'eman' of hi !aw#

an' rite right of hi tice# were a!! 'i*!aye' an' *erfect!y

atifie'# in the re'em*tion of their o! by the b!oo' of thecro The remembrance an' +iew of which are a cene of

won'er# an' an inehatib!e orce of oy $i+ine ho!ine they

contem*!ate with *reme 'e!ight Go' i glorious in holiness



Thi *erfection of the Go'- hea' ha freent!y been ce!ebrate' in

!ofty train of 'e+otion# by aint on earth (9o' 1<C11 am

%C 8 / 30C42 67C1%) .ow# if thoe who 'we!! in hoe of c!ay2

whoe +iew# at the bet# are o feeb!e an' *artia!# ha+e been oaffecte' by me'itating on it2 what thoght mt they ha+e who

beho!' it in a!! it g!ory with a'oring heart an' ra+ihe' eye#

with in- f!ame' 'e+otion an' note 'i+ine!y weet# they oin the

hea+en!y choir in that era*hic hymnC Holy5 holy5 holly5 is the

Lord of hosts5 Heaven and earth are full of his glory5 5ow

inconcei+ab!e the *!eare how 'i+ine the oy an' may not

+entre to a''# the +iew of thi g!orio ho!ine mt ha+e ch

a tranforming efficacy on the ha**y *irit# a to *ro'ce in thema *er*eta!!y a'+ancing conformity to Go' in ho!ine an' in

g!oryI

f the face of &oe hone with *ec!iar brightne# after he ha'

been a'mitte' to fami!iar con+ere with Feho+ah on the mont2

how mch greater mt that eff!gence be# which Go'

commnicate to thoe who contant!y beho!' him withot any

inter*oing +ei! The trancen'ent amiab!ene of Feho+ah great!yconiting in hi immac!ate ho!ine# (for ho!ine i nothing bt

inte!!ecta! beaty#) an' he *reenting hime!f to beatifie' aint

a the nfinite Beaty2 they mt *er*eta!!y ret in him a the

*ro*er obect of their !o+e# an' a the centre of their 'e!ight .or

can they ceae to a'mire the eity of hat comman'# which

reire the mot *erfect !o+e to Go'# on accont of hi own

infinite !o+e!ine an' a!!-r*aing ece!!ence

Being fa+ore' with a more *erfect "now!e'ge of Go'# an' more

intimate commnion with him# their !o+e to him i *ro*ortiona!!y

heightene' That grace which reigne' in their who!e a!+ation#

being 'icerne' by them in a tronger !ight# inf!ame them with

the mot ar'ent !o+e to it a'orab!e Athor# an' to Fe# by whom

it reigne' A!! the amiab!e an' infinite *erfection of $eity#

hining *on them in the !ight of g!ory# their ho!y boom cannot

bt g!ow with the tmot fer+or They cannot bt ma"e retrn of!o+e# an' in ch a manner# a are ite' to their ha**y an'

ea!te' tate Their *reme !o+e to Go' cae them to

contem*!ate hi $i+ine *erfection an' atonihing o*eration



with e+ernew 'e!ight2 by which they are more an' more

aimi!ate' to hi $i+ine image# 5ence that b!ime 'e!ight#

which# in the acre' *age# i ca!!e' the 1oy of their Lord

Abo!te!y free from that *ri'e an' e!fihne which tarnih or

bet er+ice whi!e here# an' ite remote from a!! thoe

im*erfection which atten'e' them in a mi!itant tate# ong of

inceret gratit'e an' hymn of ho!y won'er# the *rofon'et

ac"now!e'gment of m!ti*!ie' ob!igation to reigning grace# an'

the !oftiet train of than"gi+ing to Go' an' the >amb# are their

ninterr*te' an' weet em*!oyC 9+er free to 'ec!are# that the

on!y cae of their enoying the beatific +iion# an' being eate'on throne of g!ory# i that grace which# a a mighty# magnificent#

an' bontif! o+ereign# reigne' throgh the *eron an' wor" of

mmane! 5ence it i that grace# a it a**ear# an' hine# an'

trim*h# in recing them ot of the han' of atanin *reer+ing

them throgh a!! 'angerin **orting them n'er the e+eret

tria!in bringing them afe to g!ory# an' in crowning them with

ntterab!e b!ii the gran' an' n+arie' br'en of their ong

To the G$ ; A>> GRA9# the trine Go'# they a''re a!! *oib!e *raie with 'i+ine 'e!ight

/ec!iar!y great an' g!orio i that b!ime b!ee'ne which i

*oee' by the e*arate *irit of aint in hea+en2 it#

ne+erthe!e# come far hort of that ha**ine which ha!! be

enoye' in their /hole persons, an' which be!ong to the

conmmation of that ce!etia! tate ;or the orac!e of Go'

freent!y intimate that the b!i of the aint wi!! not beabo!te!y com*!ete# ti!! the genera! 'gment i *at# an' the en'

of the wor!' i come (o! 3C4 % Tim 1C1%2 4C8 1 /et <C4) ,e

may# therefore# ta"e notice of ome thing# by which their

b!ee'ne wi!! then be enhance'

Their bo'ie being raie' in g!ory# an' renite' to their immorta!

*irit# wi!! not on!y be a 'emontration of $i+ine *ower# an' a

'i*!ay of $i+ine goo'ne# +ery won'erf! in their eye# bt a!oan a''ition to their b!ee'ne ;or# o !ong a any of the chi!'ren

of Go' contine in thi *er*!eing# mierab!e wor!'# an' o !ong

a the bo'ie of aint 'e*arte' are confine' in the gra+e# the



ha**y *irit in g!ory cannot be ignorant# that the *ower which in

obtaine' o+er man i not yet entire!y abo!ihe'2 an'# coneent!y#

that omething mt be wanting to the conmmation of their oy

Bt by the rerrection# 'eath ite!f# which i the !at enemy# ha!! be 'etroye'# ne+er more to ha+e the !eat *ower# bt o+er the

enemie of Go'# an' of hi *eo*!e

That the 'ea' ha!! be raie'# i a fn'amenta! artic!e of the

hritian cree' That the ame bo'ie ha!! be raie'# which fe!!

by 'eath# the tice of Go' an' the comfort of be!ie+er

a**arent!y reire# i c!ear from the cri*tre# an' i im*!ie' in

the wor' resurrection Bt thogh# a to their btance# they ha!! be the ame2 o far at !eat a to **ort the i'entity of them2 yet

a to their a!itie# the a!teration wi!! be o great# that we cannot

form itab!e i'ea concerning them That r*riing change#

which ha!! *a *on them# i abo!te!y neceary to fit them for

the ea!te' tate into which they ha!! be intro'ce'# when

reanimate' by their immorta! *irit 5ence thoe wor'C -lesh

and blood cannot inherit the kingdo! of 'od The *reent

contittion of or bo'ie ren'er them inca*ab!e of bearing the*!en'or of the hea+en!y wor!'2 an'# coneent!y# of *arta"ing

in the oy of that tate The g!ory of it wo!' be in**ortab!y

bright2 too 'a::!ing for them to tain >i"e herb an' f!ower of

the mot 'e!icate "in'# e*oe' to the corching g!are of the

meri'ian n# they wo!' faint n'er it Bt when that which wa

so/n in corruption ha!! be raised in incorruption when that

which wa so/n in dishonour and /eakness, ha!! be raised in

glory and po/er) when thi corruptible shall put on incorruption,an' thi !ortal shall put on i!!ortality3 in a wor'# when that

which wa so/n a natural body ha!! be raised a spiritual body) it

wi!! then be ca*ab!e of *arta"ing in the em*!oyment an' b!i of

hea+en ,hen the bo'ie of be!ie+er ha!! be raie' by a!mighty

*ower# an' fahione' by infinite wi'om# !i"e to the g!orio bo'y

of hrit# (/hi! 3C%1) they wi!! be fit com*anion for their o! to

a!! eternity Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun, both in

bo'y an' o!# in the kingdo! of their -ather (&att 13C43) Thenha!! the bo'y# which *artoo" n the orrow an' ffering of thi

*reent wor!'2 which ffere' +ario har'hi* an' act of

+io!ence# from the enemie of hrit2 an' which aite' the



inte!!ecta! *ower in *erforming re!igio 'tie# be a *arta"er of

the oy of that trim*hant tate De# the earth!y tabernac!e# being

the *rchae of re'eeming b!oo'# an' the tem*!e of the 5o!y

Ghot# e+en when rron'e' with im*erfection# ha!! then be bright a the n# +igoro with ce!etia! yoth# an' n'ecaying a

the *ower that ha!! **ort it ,e may# therefore# conc!'e# that

the bo'ie of the aint being raie' from the 't of 'eath# wi!!

contribte mch to agment their b!i Bt who can form

a'eate i'ea of the natre an' ece!!ence of a spiritual body6

,ho can 'ec!are the *ower an' grace that ha!! be eercie' an'

manifete' towar' the chi!'ren of men# in raiing their !ee*ing

't# an' in forming their bo'ie afreh for an eterna! wor!'# aftero 'ignifie' an eem*!ar a the g!orio bo'y of hritI 5ere we

mt !ea+e them# ti!! we beho!' the g!orifie' bo'y of or ea!te'

Re'eemer# or e*erience the ha**y tranformation ;or the

be!o+e' 'ici*!e hime!f 'ec!are# .t doth not yet appear /hat /e

shall be8 but /e kno/ that /hen he shall appear /e shall be like

hi!, for /e shall see hi! as he is ( Fohn 3C%) To which may

a''# in a!!ion to the wor' of the *a!mit# we ha!! certain!y be

satisfied with the ama:ing a!teration# when we awa"e from the!ee* of 'eath# in the !i"ene of or a'orab!e a+ior (/ 17C1<)

Another thing which wi!! a'' to the b!ee'ne of aint at that

'ay# i their *b!ic acitta! by Fe the 'ge# when tan'ing

before hi tribna! 4ehold he co!eth /ith clouds and every eye

shall see hi!5 nfinite!y gran' an' awf!!y amiab!e he now

a**ear nnmerab!e ange! atten' hi a**roach# an' *or aron'

hi chariot The brightne of ten thoan' n i !ot in the b!a:eof hi g!ory# an' in the !tre of hi contenance Beho!' A great

white throne i erecte'2 (Re+ %0C11) c!ear a !ight# an' fiery a

f!ame The F'ge# inf!eib!y t an' immene!y g!orio# acen'

the tribna!2 an' before hi *reence the heavens and the earth

flee a/ay Thoe innmerab!e mi!!ion of rationa! creatre that

*eo*!e the ni+ere are now aemb!e' The boo" are o*ene'

&yria' of a'oring era*h# an' cont!e m!tit'e of anio

*ectator# await the gran' re!t The wic"e'# with tremb!inghan' an' throbbing heart# with horror in their a*ect an'

'amnation in +iew# wo!' be g!a' to !oe their being2 bt the

righteo are bo!' an' intre*i'C for the F'ge i their frien'# an'



their a+ior The righteone in which they a**ear# wa

*erforme' by 5im the *!ea which they ma"e# he cannot reect

;or it i the b!oo' which he he' to atone for their in# an' the

*romie he ma'e to comfort their o!# n'er the e*ectation ofthi im*ortant e+ent They there tan'# not to ha+e any freh

in'ictment broght againt them2 nor to ha+e any thing !ai' to

their charge# by atan# or the !aw# or tice2 bt to be honorab!y

acitte' in the *reence of ange!# an' of the who!e aemb!e'

wor!' The entence of tification# !ong before *rononce' in

the cort of hea+en# an' in the cort of concience# at the time of

their con+erion# i now recognie' in the mot o!emn an' *b!ic

manner The wor" of faith an' !abor of !o+e *erforme' bythem# in the time of their *i!grimage here be!ow# towar' their

nee'y fe!!ow-chritian# are now *ro'ce' by the omnicient

F'ge# a frit an' e+i'ence of their nion with him# of their

faith in him# an' of their !o+e to himM

M &att %<C34-40 t i +ery ober+ab!e how 'ifferent the con'ct

of aint wi!! be# at thi awf! an' g!orio time# from that of

nomina! *rofeor# a re*reente' by or >or' in &att 7C%% 5erewe fin' the F'ge ta"ing notice of hi *eo*!e wor"# when they

ma"e no mention of them .ot on!y o# bt when he i *!eae' to

mention their !abor of !o+e# with high a**robation# they eem to

ha+e forgotten them A *!ain *roof they 'i' not e*ect a!+ation

by them# nor e+er thoght of any ch thing .o2 hrit wa their

righteone# an' that wa fficient The wor" they *erforme'

were 'eigne' to g!orify him# an' to e*re their gratit'e to Go'

for hi benefit Bt# o concio were they of the im*erfectionc!ea+ing to their *erformance# that they were ahame' to mention

them ,herea# when or >or' re*reent the reaon of ho*e in

e!f-righteo *eron# he te!! that they wi!! ay# with great

im*ortnity2 Lord5 Lord5 have /e not prophesied in thy na!e6

and in thy na!e have cast out devils6 and in !y na!e done !any

/onderful /orks6 Bt he wi!! anwer# . never kne/ you 3 Depart

fro! !e, ye that /ork ini9uity They *!ea' their own wor"#

re!igio 'tie# an' great ef!ne# a a fficient reaon whythey ho!' be a'mitte' into the "ing'om of g!ory .ot that they

*reten' to ha+e 'one thee thing by their own trength# or natra!

abi!itie .o2 they ac"now!e'ge that a!! wa 'one in the na!e of



Christ, by hi athority# an' hi aitance ;or which reaon# we

may **oe# they wo!' be the more confi'ent of acce*tance

with him 5ence# /e have done this, an' /e have done the other,

i their cry an' their *!ea They thoght of coming to hea+en bytheir own wor" They 'i' them for that en'# an' were !oath to be

'ia**ointe' Bt what i the ie ,hy# tr!y# thee mighty

wor"er an' +ery ef! *erona are bran'e' a the wor"er of

iniity2 not ac"now!e'ge' a the *eo*!e of Go' They are thrt

'own into he!!# with a!! their fine recommen'ation an' imaginary

goo'ne2 an' notwithtan'ing a!! their *!ea an' *romiing ho*e

fon'e' *on them ,hi!e the poor in spirit, thoe who are

enib!e of their own nworthine2 who !i+e by righteoneim*te'# ma"ing that the on!y gron' of their ho*e2 an' who#

from !o+e to the trth# an' to hrit# a re+ea!e' by it# *erform

goo' wor" with a +iew to the g!ory of Go'# not in the !eat

e*ecting a'miion into the eterna! "ing'om for the a"e of their

*io *erformancethee# who ay not a wor' abot any thing

which they ha+e 'one# are acce*te' by the F'ge of a!!# into

e+er!ating honor an' oy>et the !ega!it be catione' by thi#

not to trt in hi own 'tie# thogh of the mot *!en'i' "in'2an' !et a!! who !o+e the trth be encorage' to abon' in e+ery

intance of 'ty to Go'2 e*ecia!!y in that of commnicating to

the in'igent member of hrit ;or the F'ge wi!! ay to them on

hi right han'2 .nas!uch as ye have done it unto one of the least

of these !y brethren, ye have done it unto !e &att %<C40 ,hat

con'ecenion i here hrit i not ahame' to own the meanet

of hi *eo*!e n'er the character of brethren

There i reaon to fear that many *rofeor# whoe itation in

!ife i a !itt!e more e!e+ate' than that of their neighbor# are

a!mot abo+e !oo"ing at the poor brethren of hrit2 an' wo!' be

etreme!y offen'e'# if one of thoe in'igent 'ici*!e were to

a''re any of them# n'er the character of a brother Bt who art

tho# re*ti!e of the earth that tho ho!'t be ahame' of them

whom Fe# the >or' of g!ory an' F'ge of the wor!'# wi!!

ac"now!e'ge a 5 brethren6 ,hat ha!! a !itt!e hining 't# orwor!'!y honor# o e!ate thy ignob!e min' an' we!! thy

contracte' heart# that the *oor member of Fe hrit ha!! ha+e

no *!ace in thy affection Beware# !et after a!! thy *rofeion#



tho ho!'t go 'own to he!! with a !ie in thy right han'2 an' a!!

thy e*ectation of eterna! ha**ine *ro+e no better than @the

bae!e fabric of a +iion@

The natre an' a!ity of their wor"2 the *rinci*!e from which

they *rocee'# an' the en' foe which they were 'one# together with

the character of thoe that were benefite' by them# wi!! affor'

fficient e+i'ence to whom the *erformer of them be!ong Thee

e*reion of !o+e an' frit of ho!ine being remembere' by

hrit# thogh forgotten by the aint# he wi!! a+ow them for hi

own2 he wi!! nmber them among hi ewe!2 he wi!! confe them

before hi ;ather an' a!! the ho!y ange! Then ha!! theircharacter# which# in the time of their oorning here be!ow# were

a*ere' with e+ery fo! re*roach# be f!!y +in'icate' to their

e+er!ating honor# an' to the eterna! confion of a!! their

a'+erarie ;or# with a mi!e of $i+ine com*!acency# the F'ge

wi!! ay# Co!e, ye blessed of !y -ather, inherit the kingdo!

prepared for you fro! the foundation of the /orld Re+i+ing

wor' 5a+ing !ong 'eire' to be near the >or'# they are in+ite'

to come# an' to be with him fore+er .ow the *ainf! fear whichthey once ha' are eterna!!y remo+e'2 for they are *rononce'

blessed of the -ather, by a +oice which the who!e aemb!e'

wor!' ha!! hear They were a!! *oor in *irit# an' the genera!ity of

them *oor in tem*ora!2 how agreeab!y# then# mt they be

r*rie'# to hear that they are ca!!e' to *oe a "ing'om2 ca!!e'

to inherit it# a *rince of the b!oo' roya!# who are born to throne

an' crown >ot# they wi!! be# in *!eaing atonihment# to fin'

that# before they ha' a being# or the fon'ation of the wor!' were!ai'# the eterna! Go' ha' *re*are' thi "ing'om for them2 an'

e+ery ref!ection *on the way in which they came to *oe it

mt heighten their ama:ement an' oy Then ha!! they be

a'mitte'# in their who!e *erona# into the f!ne of b!i2 into a

nearer an' more *erfect frition of Go' than they e+er before

enoye'

Their b!ee'ne th heightene' ha!! be eterna! t i eternitytam*e' on their enoyment that gi+e them their infinite worth

;or co!' they# who are o high in b!i# be a**reheni+e of an en'

of their ha**ine# howe+er remote2 @that ghat!y thoght wo!'



'rin" * a!! their oy@ Bt their inheritance i na!ienab!e# their

crown nfa'ing# an' their "ing'om e+er!ating Feho+ah hime!f

i their light, an' the &ot 5igh their glory De# the infinite Go'

i their *ortion# an' their ecee'ing great re/ard (a 110C1Gen 1<C10) Their fe!icity# therefore# i *ermanent a the $i+ine

*erfection they a'ore an' enoy2 an' ma'e certain to their own

com*reheni+e min' beyon' the *oibi!ity of a 'obt Thi

ma"e their tate *reme!y g!orio Thi contitte it hea+en

in'ee' .ay# what if the !imit of their ca*acitie ho!' be fore+er

en!arging# an' fore+er recei+ing greater meare of g!oryI ;or

the $eity i an infinite orce of b!ee'ne2 an' finite +ee!

may be fore+er e*an'ing# an' fore+er fi!!ing# in that ocean ofA!!-fficiency ,hat an ama:ing tate of e+ergrowing *!eare

an' what an atonihing ca!e of b!i Feho+ah ha!! o*en

inehatib!e tore of b!eing# a yet n"nown to ange!# an'

feat their o! with oy that are e+er new .othing ea! to thi

can be concei+e' by morta!2 nothing *erior can be enoye' by

mere creatre Det thihear it# ye nation An' !iten# ye i!e

from afar whi!e the mi!!ion of beatifie' aint 'we!! on the

t*en'o trththi i the 9.$ of the +ictorio reign of graceGrace reigne' in the eterna! cone!# when contri+ing the way to

thi g!orio en' Grace reigne' in *ro+i'ing the mean# an' in

betowing the b!eing# that were neceary to it

accom*!ihment Grace reigne' to the com*!ete eection of the

nob!e# the atonihing 'eign# from firt to !at re!y# then#

reigning grace ho!' ha+e the nri+a!!e' honor of a!! the

b!eing enoye' by be!ie+er on earth# or by aint in !ight De#

an' it ha!! ha+e the g!ory# in a!! the chrche of hrit be!ow# an'in a!! the trim*hant hot abo+e ;or when the !at tone of the

*irita! tem*!e ha!! be !ai'# it wi!! be /ith shoutings, GRA9#

GRA9 H.T T

n thee re*ect the b!ee'ne of aint# in their entire *eron#

after the rerrection an' the genera! 'gment# wi!! ecee' that of

their e*arate *iritC an' in how many other *artic!ar the

*rocee'ing of that 'ay wi!! a'' to their ha**ine# neitheraffirm nor *reme to inire t i ite fficient for to "now#

whi!e in the *reent tate# that we are heir of thi b!ee'ne# an'

that it i inconcei+ab!y great ,e ho!' ret eon-tente' with what



i re+ea!e' concerning it# withot in'!ging a crio imagination#

in earching after thoe *artic!ar of which the *irit of wi'om

ha gi+en no intimation# or thoe that are +ery obcre2 for

ch inirie are re to be atten'e' with +anity# rather thane'ification

.or wi!! the ange!ic hot be naffecte' *ectator# when that

gran'et of a!! $i+ine wor"# R9$9&/T.# ha!! be com*!ete'

;or a they ha' often been charge' with office of great

im*ortance to the chrch of Go'# an' to it *artic!ar member#

whi!e in thi !ower wor!'2 o hey ha' een with atonihment the

incarnation of their o+ereign# hi feeb!e a**earance in themanger# hi !ife of *o+erty# of re*roache# an' of ffering They

aw hi agony in the gar'en# an' hear' hi crie an' com*!aint

They aw him eten'e' on the cro# an' behe!' him !ai' in the

gra+e They were witnee of hi +ictorio rerrection# an'

they atten'e' hi trim*hant acenion into the rea!m of g!ory

They behe!'# an' often ref!ecte' on thee thing# with ama:ement

They 'i!igent!y !oo"e' into thee wor" of $i+ine contri+ance#

thee myterie of infinite !o+e# ( /et 1C1% 9*h 3C10) won'eringwhat wo!' be the gran' re!t They ha' !ong 'eire' the

e+o!tion of the myterio *!an# an' now they ha+e it

@.ow they are trc" with 'ee* ama:e#

9ach with hi wing concea! hi face2

.ow c!a* their on'ing *!me# an' cry

The g!orie of the $9TD@

f thoe firt-born on of !ight an' !o+e co!' not forbear

shouting for 1oy when they behe!' the materia! wor!' rie into

eitence# an' aw it finihe' form# (Fob 38C7) how mch greater

reaon wi!! they ha+e to reoice# when they beho!' a!! the

re'eeme' wor!' broght afe to g!ory an' confirme' in b!iIThoe morning tar# thoe chi!'ren of ar'or an' on of Go'

mt e!t with oy# when they +iew the *ot!e *erfection an'

ra+ihing beaty of the who!e chrch# coni'ere' a the bri'e# the



wife of the >amb (9*h <C%7 Re+ %1C) .or can any thing hort

of tran*ort ei:e their breat when they ref!ect# that a!! thi

immac!ate innocence an' match!e beaty aroe from reigning

grace# throgh the *eron an' wor" of their incarnate o+ereign2her own origina! being bae an' mierab!e

An' now# rea'er# what are yor thoght of thi b!ee'ne Eery

*robab!y yo are one of thoe that ho*e to go to hea+en when they

'ie f o# what i yor ho*eI it a mere wih# or a we!!-gron'e'

e*ectationI Remember# that the wor' of Go' reire yo# a a

hritian *rofeor# to be ready to give an ans/er to every !an

that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you 5a+e yo e+ererio!y inire'# why you ho*e to be ha**y# when o many

mi!!ion wi!! be eterna!!y mierab!e2 when it i certain from the

cri*tre# that there are com*arati+e!y +ery few that fin' the way

to !ifeI Do ha+e# *erha*# ne+er thoght mch abot thee

intereting bect Bt why# then# 'o yo ca!! yore!f a

hritianI ,hy ho*e to go to hea+enI ;or if thi be yor

con'ition# yo are in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of

ini9uity Do aremay Go' en!ighten yor min' to ee it mayreigning grace 'e!i+er yo from ityo are at *reent# a chi!' of

wrath# an' an heir of 'etrction

Bt why ho*e for hea+en# when yo ha+e no 'e!ight in Go'2 no

*!eare in hi way2 no !o+e to hi *eo*!e2 in a wor'# *oee'

of no ho!ineC an'# withot ho!ine# inte!!ecta! ha**ine i

im*oib!e 5ea+en# were yo there# wo!' be no hea+en to yo2

nor# a an nregenerate inner# can yo 'eire it for the a"e of itenoyment ;or they are contrary to the *re+ai!ing inc!ination of

yor wi!! Do 'o not !o+e hea+en# bt are afrai' of he!! The

inhabitant of the ce!etia! wor!' wo!' be no com*anion for

yo Their bine wo!' be a toi!# an' their !angage n"nown2

their weetet hoanna wo!' affor' yo no *!eare# an' the

ym*hony of their go!'en har* wo!' be 'icor' in yor ear

.ay# the frition of Go'# their highet oy# wo!' be yor greatet

neaine# were yo to be a'mitte' into thoe manion of *rityin an nregenerate tate ;or ha**ine conit in the enoyment

of an obect that i com*!ete!y itab!e an' atifying to or

'eire A ho!y Go'# therefore# cannot be or ha**ine# withot



*arta"ing of hi ho!ine Remember# inner# that if yo !ea+e the

wor!' in an nanctifie' tate# a yo cannot be fit for hea+en# o

yo mt not enter thoe abo'e of b!if! *rity# or tate their

b!ime *!eare2 bt yor tate wi!! be eterna!!y fie'# wherethere i /eeping, /ailing and gnashing of teeth

Are yo a erio *eron# an' a trict *rofeorI Be it o2 yet it

behoo+e yo to coni'er what i the fon'ation of yor ho*e ;or

there is a /ay that see!eth right unto a !an, but the end thereof

are the /ays of death (/ro+ 16C%<) A man may be :ea!o for

Go'# an'# in many re*ect# eem*!ary in hi con+eration2 yet#

after a!!# *erih fore+er (Rom C31# 3%2 10C%# 3) ,hat then i thereaon of yor ho*eI it that grace which reign throgh the

*eron an' wor" of hrit an yo ay with the *rimiti+e

hritian# *e believe that through the grace of our Lord Jesus

Christ, /e shall be saved6 Are yo come to a *oint abot that

mot intereting an' o!emn affair# the a!+ation of yor immorta!

o!I yor ho*e of g!ory !i+e!y an' bright# or !angi' an'

obcreI it ch a i atten'e' with reoicing# a *rifie the

heart an' con'ctI (Rom <C% /et 1C3# < Fohn 3C3) 5a ithrit an' hi finihe' wor"# together with the *romie of him

that cannot !ie# for it e+er!ating **ortI# *rofeor ee" for

certainty an' atifactionC they are to be ha' in the "now!e'ge of

hrit# an' in the be!ief of hi trth f yo !o+e yor o!# ret not

in ncertainty abot an affair of infinite coneence Do are

bi!'ing for eternity2 be catio# therefore# with what materia!

yo bi!'# an' *on what fon'ation A mita"e in the gron' of

yor trt wi!! rin yor o! Rea' yor bib!e# me'itate# an' *raythat the *irit of trth may 'irect yo in the momento concern

Are yo a chi!' of Go' an' an heir of the "ing'omI en'ea+or# by

a concientio atten'ance on a!! the *b!ic mean of grace# an'

by maintaining commnion with yor hea+en!y ;ather in e+ery

*ri+ate 'ty# to ma"e a wift *rogre in +ita! re!igion# an' in rea!

ho!ine2 remembering# that ho!ine i the hea!th# the beaty# an'

the g!ory of yor immorta! min' ee" after it# therefore# a a$i+ine *ri+i!ege# an' a a hea+en!y b!eing ,atch an' *ray

againt the inrrection of in'we!!ing in# the o!icitation of

wor!'!y *!eare# an' the aa!t of atan tem*tation ,atch#



e*ecia!!y# againt *irita! *ri'e an' carna! ecrity A to the

former# reoice not in yor "now!e'ge# or gift# or inherent

ece!!encie2 no# nor yet in yor hritian e*erience Be

than"f! for them# bt *t them not in the *!ace of hrit# or thewor' of hi grace2 o a to ma"e them the gron' of yor *reent

confi'ence# or the orce of yor ftre comfort ;or o to 'o# i

not to re!y on the *romie of Go'# an' to !i+e by faith in Fe

hrit2 bt to a'mire yor own accom*!ihment# by which yo

'iffer from other men# an' to !i+e *on yor own frame The

coneence of which mot common!y i# either *hariaica! *ri'e#

imagining ore!+e to be better than other2 or 'e*on'ing fear#

a if# when or frame are fiat an' or *irit !angi'# there wereno a!+ation for The *eace an' comfort of ch *rofeor

mt be ncertain to the !at 'egree Bt a a gi!ty# *erihing

inner# a ha+ing no recommen'ation# nor any encoragement# to

be!ie+e in Fe# or to !oo" for a!+ation by him# bt what i

containe' in the wor' of grace# 'e*en' *on him# !i+e by him

The more yo beho!' the g!ory of Go' in the face of Fe hrit#

the more wi!! yo ee of yor own +i!ene The more yo grow in

rea! ho!ine# the more enib!e yo wi!! be of the *ower of yorown corr*tion# an' of the im*erfection atten'ing a!! yor

'tie Do wi!! be more an' more con+ince' that if the go*e! 'i'

not warrant yor 'e*en'ence on hrit# n'er the character of a

inner# yo co!' ha+e no ho*e# e+en after e+er o !ong an'

:ea!o a *rofeion of re!igion Do ho!' !i+e n'er a contina!

remembrance# that yo are ti!! an nworthy# a gi!ty# a 'amnab!e

creatre2 bt acce*te' in hrit# an' free' from e+ery cre That

wi!! "ee* yo tr!y hmb!e# an' *ro+o"e to e!f-abhorrenceC thiwi!! ma"e yo rea!!y ha**y an' ecite to *raie an' 'ty

,atch againt carna! ecrity an' *irita! !oth ;orget not that

yo ha+e many enemie 4e sober, therefore# be vigilant Time i

hort an' abo!te!y ncertain 5ban' we!! yor *recio

moment >ay them ot for Go' Be caref! that the frit of

gratit'e to yor infinite Benefactor may a'orn yor who!e

beha+ior &a"e the ho!ine an' ef!ne of the !ife of Feyor fair eam*!eC co*y after that brightet of *attern

Remember# that the eye of Go'# of ange!# of accre' *irit#

an' of men# are a!! *on yo Both frien' an' enemie in*ect



yor con'ct an' mar" yor te* 5ow neceary then i

watchf!ne an' circm*ection !et# fa!!ing into in# yor

*irita! oy be im*aire'# yor frien' an' a!!ie be grie+e'# an'

yor a'+erarie trim*h 5a+ing recei+e' the earnet of yorftre inheritance ha+ing ha' ome oyf! foretate of that

immene b!i# of which yo# hritian# are an heir2 ma"e it

yor contant bine# a it i yor in'i*enab!e 'ty# to !i+e

abo+e the wor!'# whether yor tem*ora! circmtance be aff!ent

or *enrio# *ro*ero or a'+ere >et yor con+eration be in

hea+en# a become a citi:en of the new Fera!em t i yor 'ty

an' b!eing to !i+e in the *ro*ect of the wor!' to come# an' a

on the confine of it on+ere mch with the 9terna! &in'# in *rayer# an' *raie# an' ho!y me'itationC o ha!! yo contract a

b!ee' intimacy with that b!ime Being whoe fa+or i better

than !ife# whoe frown i wore than 'etrction By ch an

intercore with Go'# yo wi!! tate more eiite 'e!ight than

a!! the *!eare of in can boat2 than a!! the riche of the wor!'

can betow De# be!ie+er# by ch con+ere with Go'# yo ha!!

fin' yor mercie anctifie'# an' yor aff!iction a!!e+iate'2 yor

ho!y 'i*oition in+igorate'# an' yor corr*t affectionwea"ene' Be it yor contant en'ea+or that# whene+er yor fair#

yor g!orio# yor hea+en!y Bri'egroom ha!! come# he may fin'

yo rea'y2 ha+ing yor !oin girt# yor !am* brning# an' waiting

for hi g!orio a'+ent o ha!! yor o! be *eacef!# yor !ife

ef!# an' yor 'eath trim*hant

,hi!e we oar on the wing of faith an' ho!y me'itation# in or'er

to e*!ore the won'er of reigning grace2 whi!e we en'ea+or toon' it 'e*th an' to meare it height# we are e!e+ate'# a it

were# to the brb of hea+en ,e tate of oy 'i+ine!y weet#

an' a+or the entertainment of ange! Bt# a!a how oon the

*inion of 'i+ine contem*!ation f!ag 5ow oon are we

interr*te' by the wor"ing of in'we!!ing in# or by the

im*ertinencie of a noiy# by# tranient wor!' Det# for or

comfort# we ha+e to remember# that when a few more of or

f!eeting 'ay are e!a*e'# we ha!! enter on a tate nchangeab!e#to enoy thoe infinite 'e!ight which are inc!'e' in the beatific

+iion2 in the frition of the eterna! F95EA5



To conc!'eC from thi im*erfect an' brief r+ey of The Reign of

'race) from thi feeb!e attem*t to i!!trate it *ower an' maety#

we may !earn# that the free fa+or of Go' manifete' in or

Documents

AB_Reign of Grace