True Christianity Part 24

4. But if thou livest in Adam, and Adam reigns in thee, then thou art not a child of G.o.d, nor born again of him. For since thou art overcome by the world, and since the prince thereof rules in thee by pride, ambition, and self-love, thou art on this very account to be numbered amongst the children of the devil. John 8:44. "For as many as are led by the Spirit of G.o.d, they are the sons of G.o.d." Rom. 8:14. And, on the contrary, as many as are led by Satan, they likewise are his children; yea, they are the very members of Satan, sons of darkness, a habitation of unclean spirits, an accursed Babylon, full of impure and of abominable beasts; as it is represented by the ancient prophets (Isa. 13:21; Rev. 18:2); but particularly by the prophet Ezekiel. He being brought in spirit into the temple at Jerusalem, beheld two remarkable things: one whereof was, "every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed upon the wall round about;" and secondly (which was still more detestable), "seventy men of the ancients of the house of Israel, worshipping these beasts and images, and offering them incense."

Ezek. 8:10, 11.

5. Behold, O man, a lively representation here given of thy depraved, brutish, and beastly heart! If thou wilt but enter into this temple of thy heart, thou shalt surely find therein vast numbers of foul, detestable creatures, images, and idols, fashioned and represented by all manner of corrupt and impure thoughts in the carnal mind, imagination, and memory.

Moreover (and this is the greatest evil of all), though these idols and horrid abominations should be utterly banished from the heart, and this detestable evil, by which man is made the habitation of unclean and pestilential reptiles, should, by all means, be destroyed by repentance, by mortification of the flesh, and by penitential tears and humiliation; yet, instead of doing that, thou lovest these serpents, adorest these vile monsters, and servest and caressest them. Alas! thou but little regardest that Christ is cast out of thy soul by these abominations, and is utterly banished from thy heart; and that by this means thou deprivest thyself of the supreme and eternal Good, losing the Holy Spirit with all his excellent gifts and graces. O miserable man! thou exceedingly grievest when any outward trouble befalls thee, or when thou losest anything in the world that is dear to thee; why then is it, that thou art not at all concerned at the loss even of CHRIST himself, and at the deplorable state of thy soul and body, which are both become a habitation of malignant spirits!

6. If these things be seriously pondered and laid to heart, we shall soon understand what Adam and Christ are; and how they live and act in men. To this head we may also refer the following observations. First, In Adam we are ALL naturally equal, nor is one better than another; since we are all, both as to body and soul, equally polluted and corrupted, so that it is affirmed by St. Paul, not only of Jews and Gentiles, but even of all men in general, that "there is no difference." Rom. 3:22. Hence it is also true, that in the sight of G.o.d, no man is better than the most profligate criminal. For though that perverse temper which is natural to all, does not equally in all break out into works, yet G.o.d judges all men by the inward state of the heart, that poisoned fountain of all sin. Nor is there any sin so heinous, which man by nature would not freely commit, were he not strongly restrained by divine grace. For by the bent of our nature we are but too much inclined to pollute ourselves with all manner of wickedness (Jer. 13:23); and if the inclination be not always attended with the external effect itself, it is wholly to be attributed to the grace of G.o.d, and not to any strength or prudence of our own. Gen. 20:6.

This consideration should excite us to the practice of true humility, and to an unfeigned fear of G.o.d; and at the same time restrain us from rashly despising our fellow-creatures, lest, by reflecting on others, we ourselves split upon the dangerous rock of carnal presumption. Secondly, it is proper to observe, that as in Adam we are all equally bad with regard to the corruption of nature; so by Christ we are all made equally just and holy; no man receiving for himself any prerogative of a peculiar righteousness in the sight of G.o.d. For since Christ is our perfection, our "wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption" (1 Cor. 1:30; 6:11), we, who in _Adam_ are alike, are also alike in _Christ_. For as in _Adam_ by nature we are all one man and one body, infected with the foul contagion of disobedience and sin, so all true Christians are as one man in _Christ_, and make up one body, completely purified and sanctified by faith, and the blood of Christ.

7. This truth is a remedy against _spiritual pride_, namely, that none should account himself better before G.o.d than others, though perhaps adorned with greater gifts, and endowments. For even these are no less bestowed on him of pure grace, than are righteousness and salvation themselves. Upon this principle of pure grace, be careful to keep thy mind constantly fixed. If thou dost so, then this grace shall protect thee against the dangerous snares of pride and arrogance; and as, on the one hand, it will convince thee of thy own misery and poverty in spirit, so, on the other, it will give thee a most lively insight into Christ, and into the exceeding riches of grace, offered through him to all mankind.

Chapter VIII.

Showing How Graciously G.o.d Invites Us To Repentance, And How Necessary It Is That It Should Not Be Delayed.

_Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of G.o.d over one sinner that repenteth._-LUKE 15:10.

G.o.d, who is of infinite mercy, in order that he might the better soften our hard and stony hearts, and turn them from the world, ourselves, and the devil, unto himself (Acts 26:18), has, in his Word, variously represented and set before our eyes man's conversion and repentance.

2. Among other ways of impressing it on our minds, the two parables of the _Lost Sheep_ and of the _Prodigal Son_ (Luke, chap. 15), are exceedingly affecting, and are so abundant in divine consolation, that it is scarcely possible seriously to think upon them without tears. Therein our Saviour describes three different hearts. Of these the first is, the impenitent heart of a sinner; the second, the contrite heart of a penitent; the third, the heart of G.o.d, full of mercy and paternal affection.

3. The _first_ he describes under the similitude of a degenerate son, wastefully spending his substance and inheritance, and at last reduced to such necessity, as to wish to fill his belly with the husks which the swine did eat. By this figure all mankind in their natural state are shadowed forth; who, as so many degenerate sons, have squandered away the heavenly inheritance by continual riot and wickedness. That is, they have lost their original righteousness, holiness, innocency, and the beautiful image of G.o.d, in which they were at first created (Eph. 4:24), and are now by their own fault become the bond-slaves of sin, of the devil, and of death. And to complete their ruin, finding no relief, rest, or comfort, in any human performances and laws (which answer to the husks in the parable) they must of necessity perish with endless famine and misery, unless they speedily have recourse unto the grace of their Heavenly Father.

4. The _second_ heart, which is that of a repenting sinner, is set forth in these words: "How many hired servants of my Father have bread enough, and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise, and go to my Father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee; and am no more worthy to be called thy son." In this account we have a very moving description of true repentance. By the Prodigal's coming to himself, is signified sorrow for sin; that is, when a man, on the one hand, reflects upon his own misery, and considers how, from being a child of G.o.d, he is become, as it were, a brute beast (2 Pet. 2:12), an unclean swine, a man void of reason, earthly and sensual; and, on the other, mindful of his divine origin, turns his thoughts entirely upon his Father, repents, acknowledges his offences, and says, "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee;" and have offended both G.o.d and man. This he immediately confirms by a sincere contempt of himself, expressed in these words: "and am no more worthy to be called thy son." Moreover, _faith_, which is the other part of repentance, is exhibited to us in his actual _arising_ and _returning_ to his father's house. He a.s.sumed confidence to repair to his home, and firmly persuaded himself that his father would receive him, if not as a son, at least as one of his hired servants. "For," says he, "I am no more worthy to be called thy son; make me as one of thy hired servants." This plainly shows the sure hope he entertained, that his father would yield to his entreaties, and receive him into his favor.

5. And now I come, _thirdly_, to draw the character of the paternal heart of G.o.d, set forth in the parable.

I. _When the son was yet a great way off, his father saw him._ Behold the prevenient mercy of our Heavenly Father, who graciously looks for his prodigal children. Ps. 79:8; Isa. 30:18, 19; Ps. 32:8.

II. _And was moved with compa.s.sion._ Hereby is represented his mercy waiting to be gracious to us.

III. _And ran and fell on his neck._ Here is mercy receiving into favor.

IV. _And kissed him._ This exhibits mercy ready to administer consolation to the returning sinner. Micah 7:19; Isa. 66:13.

V. _Bring forth, says he, the best robe, and put it on him_ (Isa. 61:10).

This has relation to Christ, and points out his righteousness, and _justifying_ grace. Rom. 8:33.

VI. _And put a ring on his hand._ Hereby is signified the Holy Spirit, the pledge of sonship (Gal. 4:6; Eph. 1:5), the seal of intimate favor and union; and it also represents to us the espousing mercy of the Lord.

VII. _And shoes on his feet._ This denotes a new and holy walk in Christ, resulting from the Divine power, and the grace of the Holy Spirit; which are the peculiar effects of preserving mercy. 1 Peter 1:5; Ps. 84:11.

VIII. _Bring hither the fatted calf._ By this feast is represented the joy of angels, or rejoicing and _crowning_ mercy, described by the holy Psalmist, and the prophet Isaiah. Ps. 63:5; 103:5; Isa. 65:13.

6. What strong and endearing arguments are here offered by the goodness of G.o.d inviting us to sincere repentance! Let us, then, seriously consider some of the main _inducements_ to true repentance, of which seven shall be proposed at present.

I. The boundless mercy of G.o.d.

II. The kindness of Christ, and his inestimable merit.

III. The awful threatenings and punishments that are laid before us.

IV. Death.

V. The last judgment.

VI. h.e.l.l. And

VII. Everlasting joy.

I. THE MERCY OF G.o.d.

7. "If thou shalt seek the Lord thy G.o.d, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart, and with all thy soul. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy G.o.d, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (for the Lord thy G.o.d is a merciful G.o.d); he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers, which he sware unto them." Deut. 4:29-31. What tender affection, as of the heart of a father, have we here presented to us! And how just and reasonable is it, that it should move us to repentance! For how numerous and _great_ soever our sins may be, the mercy of G.o.d is still _greater_, according to the words of the Psalmist: "With the Lord there is mercy; and with him is plenteous redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities."

Ps. 130:7, 8. And again: "According unto the mult.i.tude of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions." Ps. 51:1. Nor are our sins so filthy and abominable, but G.o.d can make them white as snow. "Though your sins,"

says the prophet, "be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." Isa.

1:18. And the Psalmist says: "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." Ps. 51:7. Neither are they so various and manifold, but that they are surpa.s.sed by the riches of divine grace, according to the apostle: "In Christ we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace."

Eph. 1:7. And what we read in Exodus teaches the same: "The Lord, the Lord G.o.d, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth; forgiving iniquity, and transgression, and sin." Exod. 34:6, 7. Nor are they so strong and powerful, but G.o.d can destroy them, and throw them into the depth of the sea, as he did unto Pharaoh and all his host. "He will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." Micah 7:19. Nor, finally, are they so mortal and pestilential, but G.o.d can heal them, as the prophet a.s.sures us: "The wicked shall not fall by his wickedness in the day that he turneth from it." Ezek. 33:12.

II. THE KINDNESS OF CHRIST.

8. How kindly and affectionately Christ Jesus receives sinners, he himself abundantly declares in the Gospel: "They that be whole," says he, "need not a physician, but they that are sick. I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Matt. 9:12, 13. "The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:10. Of this gracious bounty of Christ towards returning sinners, the prophets have left us many predictions. "Woe be to the shepherds of Israel," saith Ezekiel, "who have not sought that which was lost: but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd. Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.

As a shepherd seeketh out his flock, in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick." Ezek. 34:2, 4, 12, 16. And the prophet Isaiah says, "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom." Isai. 40:11.

Nor should only the _gracious nature_ of Christ move thee to _repentance_; but more especially his extreme _sorrow_, and most innocent blood shed on thine account. For consider within thyself:

(1.) That he laid down his life, not for heaven or earth, but for thy soul. And wilt thou, by sin and impenitence, wantonly cast away so great and valuable a treasure?

(2.) Remember, that thou couldest not have been redeemed by any other or less price than the precious blood of Christ (1 Pet. 1:19). Why shouldest thou deprive thyself of a ransom so inestimable as the Redeemer has paid for thee?

(3.) Call to mind, that Christ has redeemed thee from the world, from sin and the devil. And dost thou desire to continue longer in the service of so hard and cruel a master?

(4.) Be a.s.sured, that without unfeigned repentance, the merit of Christ will avail thee nothing; yea, that thou tramplest under foot his blood, and dost "despite unto the Spirit of grace." Heb. 10:29.

(5.) Lastly, consider how sharp and cruel were the sufferings which thy Saviour underwent on thy account! How he wept and sorrowed, trembled and feared! Heb. 5:7. How grievously he was wounded for thy transgressions (Isa. 53:5), and, at last, as a worm (Ps. 22:6), and cursed (Gal. 3:13), hung upon a tree! How loudly this mournful scene calls on thee to repent!

III. THREATS OF TEMPORAL PUNISHMENT.

9. "G.o.d judgeth the righteous," saith the Psalmist, "and G.o.d is angry with the wicked every day. If he turn not, he will whet his sword: he hath bent his bow, and made it ready: he hath also prepared for him the instruments of death: he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors." Ps. 7:11-13.

10. This wrath and revenge, no man will ever be able to escape, as the prophet Amos affirms: "He that escapeth of them shall not be delivered.

Though they climb up to heaven, thence I will bring them down: and though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the sea, thence will I command the serpent, and he shall bite them. Behold, the eyes of the Lord G.o.d are upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the face of the earth." Amos 9:1-3, 8. "Their blood shall be poured out as dust," saith Zephaniah, 1:17, 18, "and their flesh as the dung. Neither their silver, nor their gold, shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy."

Such terrible threatenings as these should lead us to unfeigned repentance; this being the only means by which to prevent impending desolation, and the total destruction of nations and cities; as evidently appears from the example of Nineveh. Jonah 3:5, 10. "At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; if that nation against whom I have p.r.o.nounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them." Jer. 18:7, 8.