66 Of theNature of Regeneration,and it.rNecety, vfli, Ì_ renounce the Gofpel; for we, through the Spirit, wait for the hope of IIighteoufnefs by Faith, ver. 5. we by the Spirit, in oppofition toCircumcifon, which was in the .Flefh, do exiled to be juftified by the belief of the Gofpel. For in gefus Chrifl, neither Circumcifron availeth any thing, nor tencircumcifion, ver. 6. that is now under the difpenfation of the Gofpel by Chrilt Jefus, it fignifies nothing to a Man's Juftification or Salvation, whether he be Circumcifed, or not Circumcifed, whether he be a Jew or a Gentile. All that the Gofpel requires as neceffary to thefe purpofes, is, that we perform the Conditions of the Gofpel, that fo we may be capable of being made Partakers of the bleffìngs of it. Now as the great bleffing and benefit of the Gofpel is varionfly expreft, as by the forgivenefs of ourfins, by our acceptance with Gad, or (whichcomprehends both,) by our Jxfllcation, fometimes by Adoption, and our being made the Sons and Children of God, fometimes by Redemption, and (which is the confummation of all,) by Salvation and Eternal Life; I fay, as the bleffing and benefit of the Gofpel, is in Scripture expreft to us by thefe feveral terms, which do in effeA, all fignifie the fame thing ; fo our Duty, and the Condition the Gofpel requires on our part, is likewife as varioufly expreft, fometimes, and that very frequent- ly, by the word Faith, as being the great Source and Principle of all Religious A&s and. Performances ; but then this Faith mutt not be a bare agent and per- fwafion of the Truth of the Gofpel, but fuch an effe&ual belief, as expreffeth it Pelf in fuitable a is of Obedience and Holinefs, fuch as the Apoftle here calls 1r4.1s dyáves éseeynktIrn, a Faithwhich worketh by Love, a Faith that is inhir'd and aced, or rather confummateand made perfee9 byCharity, (for fo the word doth often lignifie) and then this Phrafe will be juft of the fame importance with that of St. games, Chap. 2. 22. by Works is Faith made perfeEE. Sometimes, and that alfo very frequently, the Condition of the Gofpel is expreft by words which import and lignifie the change of our State, as by Repentance, Converfion, Regeneration, Renovation, Sancl1cation, the New Creature, and the New Man, which exprefiions are all fo well known, that I need not refer to particular Texts fometimesthe condition of the Gofpel is expreft by the vifible and fenfi- ble effeas of this inward change in our outward Life and A&ions; as namely by Obedience and keeping the Commandments of God. So Heb. 5. 9. Chrift is laid to be the Author of Eternal Salvation to them that obey him; where Obedience is plainly put for the whole condition of the Gofpel, theperformance whereof entitles us to EternalLife andHappinefs. Now that by thefe various expreffions, one and the fame thing is certainly intended and meant, viz. The Condition of theGofpel; that which is requir'd on our part, in order to our full and perfe& juftification and acceptance with God, is evident beyond all denial ; by comparing the three different ways whereby St. Paul doth exprefs the fame Propofition for fenfe and fubftance in which he tells us, what it is that will avail toour Jultification under the Gofpel, that is, according o the terms of the Chriftian Religion g that it is neither here nor there, that it fignifies nothing whether a Man be Circumcifed or not, but that we be fo qualified as the Gofpel requires, that the Conditions upon which the Bleffings of the Gofpel are promifed be found in us. And there are three Texts wherein the fame thing is plainly intended in three very different ex- preffions. Gal. 5. 6. In Jefus Chrifi neither Circumcifon availeth any thing, nor uncircumcifon but Faith, which is confummate, or made perfeíá by Charity. Gal. 6. 15. For in Chrit 7efua neither Circumcifron availeth any thing, nor uncir cumcifion : but a new Creature. a Cor. 7. 19. Circumcifon is nothing, and uncir cumcifion k nothing : but the keepingof the Commandments of .God. It is evident, that in thefe three Texts the Apoftle defigt to fay the fame thing, and confe- quently that Faithwhich is made perfeti by Charity, and the new Creature, and keep- ing of the Commandments of God, are the fame in fenfe and fubftance, viz.. the Condition of ourJuftification and acceptancewith God under the Covenant of the Gofpel, or in the Chriftian Religion. I fhall at prefent, by God's affiftance, handle the fecond of thefe Texts. In Chrifi jefu, neither Circumcifron availeth any thing, nor uncircnmcifon : but a new Crea-
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