Ver.ç. Equal and' Holy. 257 Faith, Rom. 3. 27. It might be eafily manifefted, that God hath fo laid the defign of laving Sinners by Forgivenefl according to the Lawn of Faith, that it is utterly impoflible that any Soul fhould on any account whatever have the leafi Ground of Glorying, cr boafting in its (elf, either abtolutely, or in corn- parifon with them that perifh. If Abraham, faith the fame Apoflle, were juflifted by work!, he had whcrcof to glory, but not before G'd, Chap. 4. 2. The Obedience of work, would have been fo infinitely diJprop,rrionzte to the Reward, which was God himfelf, that there had been no glorying before God ; but therein his Goo.lnrfs and Grace mull be acknowledged; yet in comparifon with others who yielded not the Obedience required, he would have had wherein to glory., Bat now this all) is catl off by the way offorgiven+f1, and no pretence is left for any to claim the leali (hare in the Glory of it bat God alone; and herein lyes the excellency of Faith, that it gives glory unto God, Rom. 4.20. the denyal whereof under various pretences is the ifue of proud unbelief. And this is that which God will bring all unto, or they (hall perifh ; Namely, that frame he o<ers, and the whole Glory of our lalvation bs his alone. So he exprefìfeth his defign, If:. 45. 22, 23, 24, 25. V. 22. he pro - pofeth himfclf as the only relief for Sinners ; Look unto me, (faith he) and be faved, all ye ends of the Earth ; But what if men take fome other cootie, and 1)oíß well to themfelver, and fo decline this way of meer Mercy and Grace, why faith he, v. 23. I havefworn by my Pelf, the Word is gone out of my mouth in Righreoufnef;, and frail not return, that unto me, every Knee fray bow, and every Tongue frail fwear. Look you unto that ; but I have (worn that you (hall either do lo, or anfwer your difobedience at the day ofJudgement ; whereunto P,mlapplyes -thole words, Rom. 14. r i. what do the Saints hereupon ? V. 24, 25. Surely (1;41, one fay, in the Lordhave I Kighteoufneff and ffrength. in the Lord /hall-all the fed of Ifrael be juffifted, and ¡hall glory, They bringthrrr hearts to,accept ofall Righte- áufnars from him, and to gave all Glory unto him. God at firtl placed Man in a blefíed flare and condition, in fucha dependance on himfelf, as that he might have wrought' out his 'Eternal happinefs wish a great Reputation of Glory L 1 unto 1>r
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=