212 THE MANNER OF CONVERSION EXPLAINED its proper end, there is no sincere conversion onto God: (2.) It is looked on as the sense of the law, or as that which will give satisfaction thereunto. But there is a deceit in all these things, as to the end proposed; and if any amendment of life be leaned on to that purpose, it will prove a broken reed, and pierce the hand of him that rests upon it: for, although the law require at all times an abstinence from sin, and so for the future, which in a sinner is amendment of life; yet it proposeth it not as that which will deliver any soul from the guilt of sin already contracted, which is the state under consideration. And if it win upon, the mind to accept of its terms unto that end or purpose, it can do no more, nor will do less, than shut up the person under its curse. Sect. 36.-(2.) It is the duty of persons, in tuch a condition, to bewareof entangling temptations: As, (1.) That they have not attained such a degree of sorrow for sin and humiliation, as is necessary unto them that are called to believein Jesus Christ. There was indeed more reason of giving caution against temptations of this kind in former days, when preachers of the gospel dealt more severely, I wish I may not also say, more sincerely, with the consciences of convinced sinners, than it is the manner of most now to do. But it is ye; possible that herein may lie amistake; seeing no such degrees of these things as some may be troubled about, are prescribed for any such end, either in the law or gospel. (2.) That those who persuade them to believe, know not how great sinners they are, but yetthey know that Christ called the greatest; and it is an undervalua- tion of the grace of Christ, to suppose that the greatest sins should disappoint the effects of it in any that sin- cerely come unto him, Sect. 37.-The last thing whereby this work of con- version to God is completed, as to the outward means of it, which is the ingenerating and acting of faith in God by Jesus Christ, remains alone to be considered, wherein all possible brevity and plainness shall be con- sulted. And I shall comprise what I have to offer on this head in the ensuing observations: (1.) This is the proper and peculiar work of the gos- pel, and ever wasso from the first giving of thepromise. The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ, John i. 18. Rom. i. 16. 1 Peter i. 23. James i. 18. Eph. iii. 8, 9, 10, (2.) To this purpose, it is necessary that the gospel, that is, the doctrine of it concerning redemption, righ- teousness, and salvation by Jesus Christ, be declared and made known to convinced sinners. And this ,iso is an effect of sovereign wisdom and grace, Rom. x, 13, 14, 15. (3.) The declaration of the gospel is accompanied with a revelation of the will of God, with respect unto the faith and obedience of them untowhom it is decla- red. This is the work of God, the work which he re- quires at our hands, that we believe in hint whom he Izath sent, John vi. And this command of God unto sinners to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for life and salvation, the gospel teacheth us to press from the manifold aggravations which attend the sin of not com- plying therewith: for it is, as therein declared, (1.) A rejection of the testimony of God, which he gives unto his wisdom, love, and grace, with the excellency and certainty of the way of salvation of sinners by Jesus Christ, which is to make God a liar, I John v. 10. John iii. 32, 33. (2.) A contempt of love and grace, with the way and means of their communication to lost sinners by the blood of the Son of God, which is the highestprovocation that can be offered unto the Divine Majesty. (4.) In the declaration of the gospel, the Lord Christ is in an especial manner proposed, as crucified and lift- ed up for the especial object of our faith, John iii. 14, 15. Gal. iii. 1. And this proposition of Christ bath included in it an invitation unto all convinced sinners to come unto him for life and salvation, Isa. xlv. 2. chap. lxv. 1. (5.) The Lord Christ being proposed unto sinners in the gospel, and their acceptance or receiving of him be- ing urged on them, it is withal declared for what end he is so proposed. And this is, in general, to save them from their sins, Matth, i..21. or the wrath to come, whereof they are afraid, 1 Thess. i. to. For, in the evangelical proposition of him there is included: (1.) That there is a way yet remaining for sinners, whereby they may escape the curse of the law, and the wrath of God which they have deserved, Psal. cxxx. 4. Job xxxiii. 24. Acts iv. 12. (2.) That the foundation of these ways lies in an atonement made by Jesus Christ unto the justiceof God, and satisfaction to his law for sin, Rom. iii. 25. 2 Cor. v. 21. Gal. iii. 13,
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