A New Creature. 2 Corinthians 5:17 If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new. The dangers, to which the church at Corinth was exposed from plausible false teachers, obliged the apostle to use such methods of re-establishing his authority, as he apprehended might be misunderstood and censured: he therefore says, “Whether we be beside ourselves it is to God, or whether we be sober it is for your cause.”---The zealous servants of God have constantly been slighted and despised, as “beside themselves;” nay the Son of God, the perfection of wisdom and excellency, was involved in the same change, even by his friends and relations, as well as by his enemies. (See 2Ki 9:11; Jer 29:29,27; Ho 9:7; Mr 3:21; John 10:20 ) The apostle therefore would not be greatly disquieted, when, not only Festus said, “”Paul, thou art beside thyself, much learning doth make thee mad,” but when his Corinthian converts concurred in the same sentiment. (But,( says the apostle, (Both the ardor that gives occasion to such imputations, and the wisdom which regulates its effects, spring from regard to the glory of God, and affectionate longing after your souls:( “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead; and that he died for all, that they which live, should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh; yea, though we have known no man after the flesh; yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh; yet now henceforth know we him no more.” Even the brethren or nearest friends of Christ himself, according to the flesh, might not be regarded by the apostles, in dispensing instructions, reproofs, censures, or encouragements; but they were constrained by love to him who had died for them, to do all things with unbiased impartiality. In like manner, no ties of blood, friendship, or even gratitude, must influence the servant of Christ, in the discharge of his pastoral office. In this respect even relations, benefactors, and patrons, must be disregarded, if we would approve ourselves to be indeed the genuine successors of the apostles in the sacred ministry. “Therefore,” saith St. Paul, “if any man be in Christ he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold all things are become new; and all things are of God who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ.” The text suggests the following subjects to our consideration. I. The apostle’s description of a real Christian; “If any man be in Christ.” II. The change, which every real Christian has experienced, “He is a new creature.” III. The effects of this change, “Old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” I. Then we consider the apostle’s description of a real Christian, “If any man be in Christ.” This expression may appear singular to many who are called Christians, but it is the uniform language of the New Testament: and if any man speak. Let him speak as the oracles of god.” New terms imperceptibly introduce new doctrines; nor has any subtility of Satan or his servants better succeeded, in “privily bringing in damnable heresies,” than that of modernizing the language of divinity. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.” “I knew a man in Christ fourteen years ago.” “he was also in Christ before me.” Of whom are ye in Christ “Jesus who of God is made unto us, wisdom and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” (See Ro 8:1,7; 1Co 1:30; 2Co 12:2 ) “That we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Many of the epistles also are addressed “to the saints in Christ Jesus,” “or to the church--in God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ.”--- Which accords to the language of the prophet. “Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation.” “Surely shall one say, In the LORD have I righteousness and strength.” “In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified and shall glory.” (See Isa 14:17,24,25 ) The apostle John also employs similar expressions; “And now, little children, abide in him.”---”We are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. 1Jo 2:28; 5:20 But the words of our Lord himself are most decisive; “he that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.” Joh 6:56 Accordingly when we administer the Lord’s supper, that outward sign of this inward life of faith in a crucified Savior, we pray, (we mat so eat the flesh of Christ, and drink his blood;---that we may dwell in him and he in us.(---”neither,” saith our divine Redeemer, when interceding for his disciples, “pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us.” (See Joh 17:20-23 ) But we must explain this language and show its propriety and energy; lest it should be thought, that the whole argument rests upon our translation of the original particles. St. Paul says, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through,” or in “Christ Jesus our Lord:” And St. John, “This is the record that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son; he that hath the Son hath life, and he that Hath not the Son of God hath not life.” (See Ro 6:23; 1Jo 5:11,12 ) The salvation of Christ is completed, as far as his mediatory work is concerned: but who are they that shall eventually be “Saved from wrath by him?” To this question the scripture answers with the most decided precision; “they that receive him,” “they that believe in him,” “they that are found in him.”---Union with Christ, is necessary in order to communion with him: he saves all those, and those only, who thus stand related to him. According to the illustration of scripture, the believer is in Christ, as the stone is in the building. God is preparing a spiritual temple, in which he may dwell and be glorified forever. The person of Christ is the precious Foundation and Corner stone of his temple, and believers “come to him, and as living stones are built up a spiritual house,” “and habitation of God through the Spirit.” (See 1Pe 2:4-8; Eph 2:20-22 ) But this emblem, taken from things wholly inanimate, only represents our dependence on Christ, and consecration to God through him: we therefore learn more fully the nature of the mystical union, by the parable of the vine and its branches. Mere nominal Christians continue unfruitful; and at length are taken away, withered, and unfruitful: but true believers are vitally united to him, and abide in him by the quickening and fructifying influences of the Holy Spirit. (See Joh 15:1-8 ) Yet even this illustration falls short of fully elucidating the subject; may, the nearest of all relative unions dose not entirely answer to it; for believers are in Christ, as the members are in the human body. He is the Head of the church, and every Christian is a part of his mystical body. They live spiritually by virtue of his union with their Head; they are placed under his guidance and authority; have one common interest, and fill up their stations in the church for the benefit of the whole. (See 1Co 2:12-16 ) According to the remarkable words of the apostle, “I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.”---”Your life is hid with Christ in God; when Christ, who is our Life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” (See Ga 2:20; Col 3:3,4 ) There is, however, another way of illustrating the subject, which may help us to explain the way in which sinners attain to so high an honor, and so blessed a distinction. The believer is in Christ, as Noah was in the ark. “By faith Noah being warned of God was moved with fear, and prepared an ark.” (See Heb 11:7; 1Pe 3:20 ) He believed the sure testimony of God, both respecting the deluge and the appointed method of preservation: he feared the impending judgment, and revered the justice and power of God; and thus he was moved to follow his directions. To prepare the ark was a vast undertaking: his labor and expense must have been exceedingly great, and his perseverance, amidst the scorn and hatred of an unbelieving world, most exemplary.--But when the deluge came, he was found in the ark, and preserved to be the progenitor of a new race of men; and even of the promised Redeemer, on whom doubtless his faith had ultimately been placed: while all the rest of the human species, however distinguished, or to whatever refuges they fled, were swept away with one common desolation. But had he bestowed as much pain and expense, in building a lofty tower on a high mountain, following the dictates of his own wisdom; he would have shared the common doom; as they will, who “go about to establish their own righteousness,” instead of diligently seeking the salvation of God. For like Noah, the sinner, hearing of “the wrath of God revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men,” believing the divine record “is moved with fear,” and takes warning to flee from the wrath to come. He hears also of Christ, the true Ark, which God himself hath provided; and renouncing all other confidences, by faith he betakes himself to this sure refuge, applies for admission, and endures the self-denial, contempt, and persecution to which this may expose him. And whatever difficulties he may now encounter; his wisdom will be acknowledges and his felicity envied, when no unbeliever shall find any shelter from the overwhelming deluge of divine vengeance, which perhaps he now despises or blasphemes. Under the Mosaic dispensation, the guiltless manslayer was exposed to the sword of the avenger of blood: but cities of refuge were provided, to which he might flee for shelter.---Yet in this perilous situation an Israelite had no choice: he must scarcely turn back to take his clothes, and by no means go home to bid farewell to his dearest relatives; he must leave all his outward comforts, employments, and interests: he must flee without delay, and hardly stop for necessary refreshment: he must not yield to indolence, or sit down when weary; and could never think of loitering, to interfere with other men’s business, to examine curiosities, or to join in vain diversions. With all speed he must urge his course to the city of refuge; as if he had been the avenger of blood with a drawn sword close behind, and heard him uttering most dreadful menaces. When he had gained the appointed asylum, he was requires to abide there, at a distance from all his connections, those expected who chose to follow him; and this restriction continued, till the death of the high priest set him at liberty from his confinement. Thus the sinner, perceiving himself exposed to the wrath of God and the curse of his violated law, must, “flee for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before him” in the gospel. Without delay he must diligently use all the means of grace, and separate from the vain pursuits and pleasures of an unbelieving world. He must not give “sleep to his eyes or slumber to his eyelids; but flee as a bird from the snare of the fowler, and as a roe from the hand of the hunter.” He must “work out his own salvation with fear and trembling,” and earnestly apply for an interest in the great atonement; knowing that if death should previously overtaken him, the avenging justice of God would prove the ruin of his immortal soul. And when he hath obtained a good hope of his acceptance, he must still keep close to this refuge: renouncing the society of all those that refuse to join with him in his new course of .life; remembering that “If any man love father, or mother, wife, or children, more than Christ, he cannot be his disciple.” Thus the true believer is in Christ, as in the city of refuge: and if we do not wish to deceive ourselves, we may know whether our experiences, conduct, and confidence bear any resemblance to this representation; and whether we desire to join the apostle in saying, “Yea doubtless, I count all things but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord:---I count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him. Not having mine own righteousness which is of the law; but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.” (See Php 3:8,9 ) He that is thus in Christ, is finally delivered from condemnation; all his sins are blotted out and buried in the depths of the sea; “Being justified by faith he hath peace with God;” to whom being reconciled when an enemy “by the death of his Son, he shall be saved by his life.” He is admitted into a covenant of friendship with the everlasting God, and adopted into his family as a son and heir. “All things shall work together for his good,” and “nothing shall separate him from the love of Christ.” All the promises without exception belong to him, and shall be fulfilled in due season and order; “for,” says the apostle, “all things are your’s and ye are Christ’s and Christ is God’s”---We consider, then, II. The inward change, which every real Christian has experienced. “He is a new creature.” Whether anyone were previously a Jew or a Gentile; whether he were moral, civil, learned, ingenious, devout, zealous, or superstitious, and enthusiastically, a skeptical reasoned, or a scoffing infidel; when he becomes a Christian, “he is a new creature.”---”We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availed anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.” (See Ga 6:15; Eph 2:10 ) What are we then to understand by these energetic expressions?---Will any sensible man maintain, that a new creed or Name may properly be called a new creation? Will he affirm that nothing more was meant than a decent moral conduct, or an external reformation? Does this amount to anything more than the cleansing of the outside, while the heart remains full of pollution? Such frigid interpretations must be merely the word of man; for “the word of God is quick and powerful, sharper that any two-edged sword; piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (See Jer 23:29; Heb 4:12 ) It is, however, proper to observe, that he, who is a new creature, continues, in many respects, the same as before. His body with all its members and senses is the same; though he finds himself disposed to make a new use of them: his soul and all his faculties are the same, though his judgment and affections are entirely changed. He possesses his former measure of capacity and learning, with the peculiarity of his genius and the original complexion of his mind. The man of enlarges powers does not lose that superiority of talent; while he is content to be thought a fool for Christ’s sake, to seek wisdom from him with the teachableness of a little child, and to devote all his endowments and illiterate education, makes no advances in learning, or ingenuity, except as he becomes of “good understanding in the way of godliness.” No alteration takes place in any person’s relative situation or rank in society: he can claim no additional civil immunities or advancement, when he is, “in Christ a new creature:” nor does he forfeit any of his rights; though persecution may deprive him of them, and love of Christ make him willing to renounce them.---In general he abides in his calling, if lawful; but endeavors to fill it up in a new manner What then is especially intended?---Here again the scripture assists our enquiry by apt illustrations, “Ye were,” says the apostle, “the servants of sin, but ye obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine, which was delivered you.” (See Ro 6:17 ) Learned men generally agree, that the concluding words would be more exactly rendered, into which ye were delivered; alluding to the mould into which metal is poured, that it may thence take it’s intended fashion and impression. When vessels of silver have been thus formed again; they are as really new, as if the metal had just been brought from the mine. Thus sinners are in themselves, “vessels of wrath fitted for destruction,” bearing the image of fallen Adam, and disposed to imitate his rebellion and apostasy: but the new creation forms them into “vessels of mercy, prepared for glory,” stamped with the image of Christ, “fitted for their Master’s use, and ready for every good work.” They are the same men, yet new creatures. The grafted tree also is in many respects the same as before: yet it is a new tree, and as the poet beautifully expresses it, Miraturque novas frondes, et non sua pona. (It wonders at its new leaves, and fruit that is not its own.(-- Thus when the word of truth is engrafted in the heart by the Holy Spirit, the same man becomes a new creature, and his thoughts, words, and actions also become new. The scriptural emblems of sinners, according to their different propensities, are taken from lions, tigers, foxes, swine, serpents, and other fierce, crafty, ravenous, or filthy animals: but a sheep or a dove is the emblem of a Christian; and the new creation affects this marvelous change. “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf, the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall head them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox: and the suckling child shall play on the hole of the asp; and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice den: they shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain.” (See Isa 11:6-9 ) Does not every man perceive, that if Almighty God should dispose these animals to live together in perfect amity, as here described, they would be new creatures; though the same outward form, and many other peculiarities of each species should remain? And who can deny, that if the grace of God, so change the ambitious, rapacious, covetous, fraudulent, contentious, revengeful, cruel, sensual, and profane; that they willingly live together, “in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless,” they are to all religious purposes new creatures? Let any considerate and impartial man compare the character and spirit of St. Paul, before and after his conversion; and determine for himself, whether the apostle was not a new creature. His body and soul, his abilities and ardent turn of mind, continued the same; but, in other respects, he differed as much from his former self, as from any other man in the world. The change would probably appear as remarkable, in the case of Matthew, Zaccheus, or Onesimus, had we as copious an account of them, as we have of the apostle.---Nay, the thief upon the cross, gave evident proofs, that the tree was made good for; the fruit began to be good, and would doubtless have been abundant had his life been spared.---Even when a man’s outward conduct has been irreproachable, the internal change in his views, purposes, and desires, is clearly manifest to his own mind, though the effects be less visible to others. The various metaphors, in which this explanation is spoken of in scripture, confirm this explanation. “A new heart, will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you,” saith the Lord. (See Eze 11:19,20; 36:25-27 ) But reformation, without an inward change of disposition, would be a more counterfeit of the promised blessing.---Ye must be born again.”---”Blessed be God who hath begotten us again to a lively hope.” (See Joh 3:1-8; 1Pe 1:3; 2:23 ) The allusion is made, in this common scriptural language, to the production of a creature, which before had no separate existence, but now possesses life, has capacities of action and enjoyment, wants nourishment, and may be expected to grow to maturity; and it is the invariable rule of nature, that the offspring bears the image and inherits the propensities of the parent animal. The emphatically meaning of “being born again,” “born of the Spirit,” “born of God,” must be very manifest: and had our Lord only intended an outward ordinance or reformation, when he said, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except ye be born Again, ye cannot see the kingdom of God;” it could not have been denied, that he had perplexed a plain subject by a needless obscurity of expression. “You hath he quickened,” saith the apostle, “who were dead in trespasses and sins.” Man, as the Lord created him, possessed animal life and its propensities; as a rational creature, he was capable of actions and enjoyments of a higher order; and as spiritual he was capable of finding happiness in the love and service of God; but he has lost his spiritual life and dead in sin. Fallen angels possess the powers of reason to very great degree; yet they are spiritually dead; they are incapable of loving and enjoying God, and finding happiness in his holy service: and , I am persuaded that sober reflection will convince and candid enquirer, that the most rational man living is, while unregenerate, as incapable of pleasures angels enjoy in heaven, as animals are of sharing the satisfactions of the philosopher. This appears in one remarkable circumstances; when any person renounces all other pursuits for the sake of religion, it is always supposed that he leads a joyless life, and is in danger of becoming melancholy; as if the felicity of “angels , and the spirits of just men made perfect,” were wholly unsuited to man’s nature on earth, and incapable of affording him delight! The same internal renovations is called “the circumcision of the heart to love the Lord;” and described under the image of “putting his law in the heart, and writing it in the inward parts.” “For the grace of God which bringeth salvation, teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.” This change begins the “renewing in the spirit of our mind,” the “transformation by the renewing of our mind,” “the putting off the old man,” and “the putting on of the new man;” for these expressions relate to the growth of the new creature, and the removal of everything that retards it. So that regeneration is the beginning of sanctification, which signifies the making of that person or thing holy, which was before unholy. We cannot however, fully explain or even comprehend the manner, in which the new nature is communicated. In general we may observe, that as natural life pervades all the faculties of the soul. It is light, knowledge, and judgment in the understanding; sensibility in the conscience; purity, spirituality, and fervor in the affections, and submission in the will: and this entire inward revolution produces proportionable effects upon the whole conduct and character of the real Christian. But this will appear more distinctly, while, III. We consider the effects of the change, “Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” This language is general, and no exceptions are intimated.---He who hath thus “passed from death unto life,” will find that his old sentiments and thoughts are vanished. His high opinion of himself, of his abilities, actions, and heart are no more; he ceases to shine in his own eyes, and gradually discovers that he is “wretched, poor, miserable, blind, and naked;” he is constrained to renounce all dependence on his wisdom and righteousness, to distrust his own heart as “deceitful and desperately wicked,” and to abhor himself as a guilty polluted criminal. Nor can he ever again recover those lofty thoughts of himself, which once were natural to him. His hard thoughts of the divine law, as unreasonably strict and severe, are passed away: and he can no longer entertain his former palliating notions concerning the evil of sin. He perceives the commandment to be holy, just, and good; and the transgression of it to be replete with ingratitude, rebellion, and contempt of God. He dears no longer impeach the divine justice and goodness, on respect of the punishments denounced against sinners: his old thoughts and reasoning’s on these subjects are gone, and he is astonished at his own presumption, in having formerly indulged them. His sentiments concerning the happiness to be enjoyed in worldly pleasures, and the gloom and melancholy of a religious life, are wholly changed. He can no longer think of eternity as uncertain or distant: and no temptation or discouragement can henceforth prevail with him, to give up his hope of everlasting, to rest satisfied with a portion in his world, or to risk the tremendous consequences. “He looks not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” His former thoughts of Christ and his salvation are passed away. He once despised the glorious Redeemer in his heart; perhaps he deemed those to be hypocrites or enthusiasts, who spoke in animated language of his love and preciousness: but these imaginations are no more; he is now ready to exclaim, “How great is his goodness! How great is his beauty!” he counts all but loss for Christ, and fears exceedingly coming short of his salvation. He cannot think meanly of him, or be indifferent to his favor, cause, or glory; yet he continues dissatisfied with the degree of his admiring love and gratitude to his great Benefactor.---His former opinions concerning the wise and happy among the sons of men are irrecoverably gone. He pities the very persons, whom he once admired or envied; and counts the despised and afflicted disciples of Christ “the excellent of the earth, in whom is all his delight.” He longs to share their privileges and felicity: nor could he recover his former aversion to them, even if he supposed that he should be for ever excluded from their company. When anyone is in Christ a new creature, his old pursuits and pleasures also pass away. As the man of holiness has done with the pastimes of childhood: so the believer ceases to relish those scenes of dissipated or sensual indulgence, which once were his element. He finds himself uneasy, when they come in his way: not only deeming them a criminal Waste of time and money, and a willful hindrance to serious reflection; and an interruption to his comfort, in communion with God, and the company of his servants. His conduct is still more decided in things directly evil; “How shall he that is dead to sin live any longer therein?” He hates and dreads sin as his worst enemy: “His seed remained in him, that he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” He does not indeed forsake his lawful employments; but he gradually learns to follow them from new motives, and in a new manner; not from covetousness or on worldly principles, but as his duty from love to God and man, and according to the precepts of the sacred scriptures. It will readily be perceived, that the old companions of such a man will pass away. Even when relative duties and other causes render some intercourse with ungodly persons unavoidable, it will become less cordial and intimate. When such opposite characters meet, one of them must be out of his element: all those associates therefore of the new convert’s former years, who have no interest in continuing the acquaintance, will drop off, as leaves from the trees in autumn: and he will find that the society of his most agreeable old companions is become irksome; for they seem far more profane and frivolous than they used to be. Time would fail, should we particularly consider how the new convert’s former discourse is passed away: and how his idle, slanderous, profane, or perhaps polluting, words are exchanged for such as are pure, peaceable, and edifying.(See Eph 4:29,4; Col 4:6; Jas 1:26,3 ) And it is almost needless to state, that his old course of behavior also if finally renounced. The particulars that have been mentioned, may serve for a specimen: and it should be remembered, that in every respect in which “old things pass away, all things become new,” the apostle, by inserting the word behold, hath emphatically demands our attentions to his circumstance! This too might be illustrated, by considering the various operations of the believer’s mind, and the objects of his affections. He hopes and fears, grieves and rejoices, desires and hates, in a new manner; and his passions have respect to new objects. He fears the wrath and frown of God; he hopes for glory and immortality; he mourns for his own sins, and the miseries of other men: he rejoices in God, hungers and thirsts after righteousness, and abhors that which is evil. His judgment and taste are gradually formed upon God’s word; his memory is replenishes with divine truths, and his imagination employed in realizing invisible things. The company of his choice the places of his willing resort, the books he prefers, his select topics of discourse, the use he makes of his time and talents, the manner in which he conducts business, and enjoys the comforts of life, might be enlarged upon, to show in what respects “All things are become new.” For the real Christian desires, that “whether he eat or drink, or whatsoever he do, he may do all to the glory of God.” The extent of the apostle’s meaning may, however, be further illustrated, by showing that the believer does the same things in a new manner, in respect of the best part of his former conduct, and the worst of his present.---He used perhaps to attend on religious ordinances: and though his heart was not engaged, nor his profession sincere; he returned home well satisfied with having done his duty, or elated with as idea of his own goodness. But now, when his prayers and praises are the language of his habitual judgment and desires, and he is upon the whole a spiritual worshipper; he is continually humbled for the unallowed defects and evils of his services, and seeks to have all washed in the atoning blood of Christ. On the other hand, it must be allowed that sin dwelleth even in the true convert; and he may possibly fall into the same evil, in which he once habitually indulged with little remorse. But in this case he is filled with anguish; he deeply abases himself before God, confesses his guilt, deprecates deserved wrath. Submits to sharp correction, craves forgiveness, and “prays to be restored to the joy of God’s salvation, and upheld by his free spirit.” Even in these respects “all things are become new.” In short, the proposition is universal: and the true believer, in all things acts from new motives, by a new rule, and to accomplish far other purposes, than he formerly had in view. But the more particular examination of the subject must be left to your private meditations, while we conclude at present with a brief application. There are persons professing to be Christians, who avowedly disregard this subject; and if we speak of regeneration or the new creature, are ready to answer, “How can these things be?” or perhaps to retort an indiscriminate charge of enthusiasm. But do you intend to answer your Judge in this manner? Do you expect to enter heaven, by disproving the truth of his most solemn and repeated declarations? Is your judgment the standard of truth? Can nothing be needful to salvation, which you do not experience? If God be indeed glorious in holiness: if the society and joys of heaven be holy, and if a man be unholy, and entire change must, in the very nature of things, take place, before he can possibly delight in God, or enjoy heaven, were there no other obstacle to his salvation. Let me therefore earnestly beseech you to reconsider the subject: let me prevail with you to search the scriptures, and to beg of God to show you the true meaning of them; and to grant, that if these things be indeed true and needful, you may know them by your own happy experience. Again some religious people profess to know that their sins are forgiven, and others are anxious to obtain this assurance. If then it be asked, how can any man be thus certain in this matter? I answer, by a consciousness, that “he is in Christ a new creature, that old things are passed away, and all things are become new.” When our Lord forgave the sins of the paralytic, he enabled him to carry his bed; this proved his sins forgiven, both to himself and others. And in like manner, when we know that, in consequence of having applied to Christ for salvation, we abhor all sin, love the ways of God, and delight in pious company, we have a witness in ourselves, and the testimony of God in his word, that we partake of the gift of righteousness by faith. The clearer this evidence of our new creation appears, the fuller ground of assurance we possess: we are therefore exhorted, “to give all diligence to make our calling and election sure:” but without this, all impressions and supposed revelations, declaring our sins to be pardoned, are manifest delusions; for they contradict the express testimony of God in his holy word. Too many profess the gospel, who give no evidence of this gracious change, and stumble others by their unholy lives: but the text at once cuts off such men’s pretensions; and the reproach ought to rest on themselves, and not on the holy doctrines which the disgrace. But as “the path of the just shineth more and more unto the perfect day,” I would earnestly and affectionately caution the serious enquirer, not to undervalue feeble beginnings; but to take encouragement from them to press forward, in the diligent use of the means of grace; that the change may be rendered more evident, and that he may “abound in hope by the power of the Holy Ghost.” Let discouraged souls likewise, who feel sin to be their burden, grief, and terror, and who are ready to say to the Savior, Lord, to whom shall I go:” thou hast the words of eternal life:” let such fainting, and feeble minded believers, learn to derive encouragement from their very fears, jealousies, sighs, groans, and tears, because they cannot do the things that they would:” for these are, without doubt, effects and evidences of the new creation. Finally, my brethren, if you can rejoice in the assurance that you are partakers of these inestimable benefits; show your gratitude to God, by endeavoring to communicate the same blessings to your fellow-sinners: knowing that his mercy and grace are sufficient for them also; that he makes use of reconciled enemies, as instruments in reconciling others also to himself; and that he preserves them in life especially for this most gracious purpose. GOD BLESS YOU
Posted on: Mon, 24 Nov 2014 06:25:37 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015