8. The gospel (that is, good tidings, good news for guilty, helpless sinners) in the largest sense of the word, means, the whole revelation made to men by Jesus Christ: and sometimes the whole account of what our Lord did and suffered, while he tabernacled among men. The substance of all is, Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. Or, God so loved the world, that, he gave his only begotten Son, to the end we might not perish, but have everlasting life. Or, he was bruised for our transgressions, he was wounded for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed.
9. Believe this and the kingdom of God is thine. By faith thou attainest the promise. “He pardoneth and absolveth all that truly repent and unfeignedly believe his holy gospel.” As soon as ever God hath spoken to thy heart “Be of good chear, thy sins are forgiven thee,” his kingdom comes; thou hast righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
10. Only beware thou do not deceive thy own soul, with regard to the nature of this faith.It is not (as some have fondly conceived) a bare assent to the truth of the bible, of the articles of our creed, or of all that is contained in the old and new testament. The devils believe this, as well as I or thou, and yet they are devils still. But it is, over and above this, a sure trust in the mercy of God through Christ Jesus. It is a confidence in a pardoning God. It is a divine evidence or conviction, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not imputing to them their former trespasses: and in particular, that the Son of God hath loved me and given himself for me: and that I, even I, am now reconciled to God by the blood of the cross.
11. Dost thou thus believe? Then the peace of God is in thy heart, and sorrow and sighing flee away. Thou art no longer in doubt of the love of God: it is clear as the noon-day sun. Thou cryest out, My song shall be always of the loving kindness of the Lord: with my mouth will I ever be telling of thy truth, from one generation to another. Thou art no longer afraid of hell, or death, or him that had once the power of death, the devil: no, nor painfully afraid of God himself; only thou hast a tender, filial fear of offending him. Dost thou believe? Then thy soul doth magnify the Lord, and thy spirit rejoiceth in God thy Saviour. Thou rejoicest in that thou hast redemption thro’ his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. Thou rejoicest in that Spirit of adoption, which crieth in thy heart, Abba, Father!Thou rejoicest in a hope full of immortality, in reaching forth unto the mark of the prize of thy high calling; in an earnest expectation of all the good things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
12. Dost thou now believe? Then the love of God is now shed abroad in thy heart. Thou lovest him, because he first loved us. And because thou lovest God, thou lovest thy brother also. And being filled with love, peace, joy, thou art also filled with long-suffering, gentleness, fidelity, goodness, meekness, temperance, and all the other fruits of the same Spirit: in a word, with whatever dispositions are holy, are heavenly or divine. For while thou beholdest with open, uncovered face, (the veil now being taken away) the glory of the Lord, his glorious love, and the glorious image wherein thou wast created, thou art changed into the same image, from glory to glory, by the Spirit of the Lord.
13. This repentance, this faith, this peace, joy, love; this change from glory to glory, is what the wisdom of the world has voted to be madness, mere enthusiasm, utter distraction. But thou, O man of God, regard them not: be thou moved by none of these things. Thou knowest in whom thou hast believed. See that no man take thy crown. Whereunto thou hast already attained hold fast; and follow, till thou attain all the great and precious promises. And thou who hast not yet known him, let not vainmen make thee ashamed of the gospel of Christ. Be thou in nothing terrified by those who speak evil of the things which they know not. God will soon turn thy heaviness into joy. O let not thy hands hang down. Yet a little longer, and he will take away thy fears, and give thee the spirit of a sound mind. He is nigh that justifieth: who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died; yea rather that rose again; who is even now at the right-hand of God, making intercession for thee. Now cast thyself on the Lamb of God, with all thy sins, how many soever they be; and an entrance shall now be ministred unto thee, into the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
SERMON VIII.
THE FIRST-FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT.
ROM. viii. 1.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.