395 SERMON LVII. The Danger of all known Sin, both from the Light of Nature and Revelation. ROM. I. Ió, 19. The Sir11 Sermon on :50 Text. For the wrath ofGod is revealed fromHeaven againfl all un godlinefs and unrighteoufnefs ofMen, who hold the truth in unrighteoufnefs; becaufe that which may be (norm of God is manifefl in them, for God hath'hewed it unto them. IN the beginning of this Chapter, the Apoftle declares that he was particu- larlydefgned and appointed by God to preach the Gofpel to the World, and that he was not a(hamed of his Miniftry, notwithftanding all the Reproach and Perfecution it was attended withal, and notwithftanding theflight and undervaluing Opinion which the World had of the Do&rine which he preached, it being to the 7ews aHumbling block, and to the Greeks foolifhnefs ; for tho' this might refle& force difparagement upon it in the efteem of fenfual and carnal Men, yet to thofe who weighed things impartially, and confider'd the ExcellentEnd and Defignof the Chriftian Do&rine, and the force and efficacy of it to that end, it will appear to be an Inftrument admirably fitted by the Wif- domof God, for the Reformation and Salvation of Mankind. And therefore he tells us, verfe r 6. that howmuch foever it was defpifed by that ignorant and inconfiderate Age, he was not afhiamed ofthe Gofpel of Chrifi ; be- caufe it is the power of God unto falvation, to every one that believeth, to the Jew firfl, and alfo to the Greek ; that is, the Do&rive of the Gofpel fincerely believed and embraced, is a moil proper and powerful means, defigned by God for the Salvation of Mankind ; not only of the Jews, but alto of the Gentiles. The Revelations which God had formerly made, were chiefly reltrained to the Jewifh Nation; but this great and laft Revelation of the Gofpel, was equally Calculated for the benefit and advantage of all Mankind. The Gofpel indeed was firfe preached to the Jews, and from thence publifh'd to the whole World; and as this Doflrine was defign'd for the general benefit of Mankind, fo it was very likely tobe effe&ual to that end, being an Inftrument equally fitted for the Salvationof the whole World, Gentiles as well as Jews ; it is the power of God to falvation toevery one that believes, to the Jewfirf$, and alto to the Greek. And to (hew the efficacy of it, he inftanceth in two things, which render it fo powerful and effe&ual a Means for the Salvationof Mankind. Firff, Becaufe therein the grace and mercy of God in the Juftification of a Sinner, and declaring him Righteous, is fo clearly revealed, ver. 57. For therein is the righteoufnefs of God revealed, frontfaith to faith, as it is written, the jufl' hall live by faith. This is very obfcurely expreft, but the meaning of this Text will be very much cleared, bycomparing it with another in the 3d Chapter of this Epiftle, ver. 20, 2r, 22, &c. where the Apoftle fpeaks more fully and expref- ly of the way of our Juftification by the Faith of Jefus Chrift, that is, by the belief of the Gofpel. He afferts at the loth verfe, that by the deeds of the law there(hall no flefh be juf%fed in the fight of God. To this way of Juftifica- tion by the deeds of the law, he oppofeth the righteoufitefs of God by the faith of E e e 2 gefus
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