392 0f the Natureof Regeneration, and its Neceßty, Vol. I. And this Condition here mentioned in the Text, of our being R'em Creature , is the fame in fenfe and fub(tance with thole Expreffions which we find in the two parallel Texts ro this, where Faith which is perfeaed by Charity, and keeping the Commandments of God, are made the Condition of our juftification and accep. Cb tance with God, Gal. 5. 6. In rifi jefus neither Circumcifon availed) any thing, nor Üncircumcifion ; but Faith, which it confummate, or made perfell by Charity and t Cor. 7. t9. Circumcifon is nothing, and 7Jncircumcifion is nothing ; but the Ieeping of theCommandments of God. It is evident that the Defign and Meaning of thefe three Texts is the fame, and therefore thefe three Expreflions of the new Creature, and of Faith perfehted by Charity, and of keeping the Commandments of God, do certainly fignify the fame thing. That the New Creature fignifies, the change of our five, from a (late of Difobedience and Sin, to a (fate of Obedi- ence and Holinefs of Life, I have (hewn at large ; and the Apoftle explaining this New Creation, moft exprefly tells us, Ephef. a. lo. We are his workrnanfbip, Created in Chrifi fefes unto good works, which God bath before ordained, that we jh n1d walkin them; and Co/of. 3. Io, 12, 13, t4. where the Apoftle tells them, that they ought to give teftimony of their Renovation, and having put on the new Man, by all the fruits ofObedience and Goodnefs 5 7e have put on the newMan, which is renewed in knowledge, after the image of him that created him. Put on therefore as the Elea`( ofGod, holy and belovedbowels of mercy, kindnefs, humblenefs of mind, meeknefs, long.fufering, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another g and above all thefe things put on Charity, which is the bond ofperfelIion. And the ApoftleSt. Pe- ter tells us, that our Regeneration, which he calls Santlifcation of the Spirit, is unto obedience, I Pet. 1. a. So that our Renovation confafteth in the Principle and Praftice of Obedience, and a good Life ; And what is this but Faith perfe- c` led by Charity ? And Charity the Apoftle tells us is the fulfilling of the Law; an a what is the fulfilling of the Law, but keeping the Commandments of God ? And keeping theCommandments of God, or at leaft a fincere Refolution of Obedience, when there is not time and opportunity for the tryal of it, is in Scripture as ex- prefly made a Conditionboth of our prefent and final juftification and acceptance with God, as Faith is, and in truth is the fame with a living and operative Faith, and a Faith that is confummate, and made perfeél by Charity, Alls jo. 34, 35 Of a truth, Iperceive (faith St. Peter.) that God is no refpeïler ofPerfons, but in every Nation he that feareth hits, and worketh Righteoufnefs, is accepted with him) which fpeech does as plainly, as words can do any thing, declare to us upon what terms all Mankind, of what Condition or Nation foever may find acceptance with God, Rom. 2. 6, 7, 8, 9, to. Who will render to every Man according to his deeds, to them who by patient continuance in well-doing, leek for Glory, andHonour, and Immortality, Eternal Life : but to them who are contentious, and obey not the Truth, but obeyVnrighteoufnefs ; Indignation andWrath ;Tribulation andAnguifb upon every Soul of Man that doth Evil ; of the yewftrfl and alfa of the Gentile : but Glory, . Hcnour, and Peace to every Man that worketh good, to the Jewfrf , and alfa to the Gen- tile. As to our acceptance withGod, and the Rewards of another World,it matters not whether Jew orGentile, circumcfed or uncircumcifid ; that which maketh the difference, is obeying the Truth, or obeying Unrighteoufnefs ; working Good, or do- ing Evil, thefe are the things which will avail to our Juftification, or Condem- nation at the Great Day. To the fame purpofe is that Saying of the Apoftle to the Hebrews, Chap. 5. g. That Chri.fl is the Author of Eternal Salvation to them that obey him. I will conclude this Matter with two RemarkableSayings, the one towards the beginning, the other towards the end of the Bible, to fatisfie us that this is the tenour of theHoly Scriptures, and the confiant. Doftrine of it from the begin- ning to the end, Gen. 4. 7. It is God's Speech to. Cain, If thou doff well, ¡halt thou not be accepted ? And Rev. 22. 14. Bled are they who do his Commandments, that they may have right to the Tree of Life, andmay enter in through the Gates into the City. And thus I have done with the Second thing I propounded, whichwas to (hew, that according to the terms of the Gofpel, and the Chriftian Religion, the real Reno-
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