Thirty Six Sermons - Monergism...St. Paul can well speak of his gospel, (Romans 2:16) but how so? It is not that he has written a Gospel history, but that his teaching conformed to

ThirtySixSermons

JohnCalvin

TableOfContents

SermonontheDeityofJesusChrist-John1:1-5

SermonontheNativityofJesusChrist-Luke2:1-14

FirstSermononthePassionofOurLordJesusChrist-Matthew26:36-39

SecondSermononthePassionofOurLordJesusChrist-Matthew26:40-50

ThirdSermononthePassionofOurLordJesusChrist-Matthew26:51-66

FourthSermononthePassionofOurLordJesusChrist-Matthew26:67-27:10

FifthSermononthePassionofOurLordJesusChrist-Matthew27:11-26

SixthSermononthePassionofOurLordJesusChrist-Matthew27:27-44

SeventhSermononthePassionofOurLordJesusChrist-Matthew27:45-54

EighthSermononthePassionofOurLordJesusChrist-Matthew27:55-60

TheResurrectionofJesusChrist-Matthew28:1-10

OnPervertingtheGospelofChrist-Galatians1:6-8

JustificationisbyGraceAlone-Galatians2:15-16

WeAllStandCondemnedbytheLaw-Galatians3:11-12

WhenCurseBecomesBlessing-Galatians3:13-18

TheManyFunctionsofGod-Galatians3:19-20

FreedomfromtheBondageoftheLaw-Galatians4:21-26

OnDiscerningWhoBelongstotheTrueChurch-Galatians4:26-31

AbsolvedOnlyThroughtheSacrificeofJesusChrist-Galatians5:1-3

TheSpiritualityoftheLaw-Galatians5:19-23-Galatians6:12-13

RaveningWolvesWhoWreakHavoc

OnGloryingOnlyintheCrossofOurLordJesusChrist-Galatians6:14-18

TheFirstSermonontheFirstChapter-Ephesians1:1-3

TheSecondSermonontheFirstChapter-Ephesians1:3-4

TheThirdSermonontheFirstChapter-Ephesians1:4-6

TheFourthSermonontheFirstChapter-Ephesians1:7-10

TheFifthSermonontheFirstChapter-Ephesians1:13-14

TheSixthSermonontheFirstChapter-Ephesians1:15-18

TheSeventhSermonontheFirstChapter-Ephesians1:17-18

TheEighthSermonontheFirstChapter-Ephesians1:19-23

TheMysteryofGodliness-1Timothy3:16

TheSalvationofAllMen-1Timothy2:3-5

TheCalltoWitness-2Timothy1:8-9

TheDoctrineofElection-2Timothy1:9-10

PurePreachingoftheWord-2Timothy2:16-18

TheWordOurOnlyRule-Titus1:15-16

SermonontheDeityofJesusChrist

InthebeginningwastheWord,andtheWordwaswithGod,andtheWordwasGod.ThesamewasinthebeginningwithGod.Allthingsweremadebyhim;andwithouthimwasnotany thingmade thatwasmade. Inhimwas life; and the lifewas thelightofmen.And the light shineth indarkness;and thedarkness comprehended itnot.—John1:1-5

The word “Gospel” declares how God loved us when He sent our Lord JesusChrist intotheworld.Wemustnotethiswell.Forit is importanttoknowhowHolyScripture uses words. Surely we need not stop simply at words, but we cannotunderstandthe teachingofGodunlessweknowwhatprocedure,styleand languageHeuses.Wehavetonotethisword,allthemoresinceitissuchacommonpracticetorefertoHolyScriptureastheLawandtheGospel.Thosewhospeakthusintendthatall the promises contained in the Old Testament should be referred to the word“Gospel.” Surely their intention is good, but Holy Scripture does not speak thus ofitself. We should be careful and out of reverence for the Spirit of God retain themannerofspeakingwhichHeusestoinstructus.

Theword“Gospel” indicates thatGod insendingourLordJesusChristHisSondeclaresHimselfFather toall theworld.St.Paulwrites to theEphesians thatJesusChrist came to evangelize those whowere near and those whowere far fromGod.Those near were the Jews, who were already allied with God. Those far were thepaganswhowerealooffromHisChurch.WhenwehavelookedatitinthelightofallScriptureweshallfindthatthisword“Gospel”hasnoothermeaning.

That iswhy thisword is the title of the fourwritten histories of howourLordJesusChristcameintotheworld,Hewentabout,Hedied,Heroseagain,Heascendedintoheaven.That,Isay,comesunderthetitle“Gospel.”Andwhyallthat?BecausethesubstanceoftheGospel iscomprehendedinthePersonoftheSonofGod,asIhavealreadysaid.TheAncientFatherssurelyhadthepromisesofsalvation.TheywerewellassuredthatGodwouldbetheirFather.ButtheydidnothavetheGuaranteefortheloveofGodandfor theiradoption.ForwhenJesusChristcame into theworld,Godsigned and sealed His fatherly love. We have received full testimony of life, thesubstanceofwhich (as Ihavealreadysaid)wehave inJesusChrist.That iswhySt.Paul says that all the promises of God are in Him, Yea and Amen. For God thenratifiedallthatHehadpreviouslysaidandhadpromisedtomen.

Sonotwithoutcausethosefourhistorieshavebeennamed“Gospel,”whereitisdeclaredtoushowtheSonofGodwassent,Hetookhumanflesh,andHewentaboutwithmen in this life.All that iscomprehendedunder thename“Gospel,”because it

declarestoushowGodperfectedandaccomplishedeverythingwhichwasrequiredforthesalvationofmen,anditwasalldoneinthePersonofHisSon.

St.Paulcanwellspeakofhisgospel,(Romans2:16)buthowso?Itisnotthathehas written a Gospel history, but that his teaching conformed to all that is hereincontained.Thus,followingwhatIhavealreadysaid,whentheGospelisproclaimedtous, it isamanifestationofJesusChrist,sothat inHimwemayknowthatall thingsare perfected and thatwe have the truth of thatwhich had been promised from alltime.But forall that theEpistlesofSt.Paularenotnamed“Gospel.”Andwhynot?Because therewehavenot a continuoushistorywhich showsushowGod sentHisSon,howHewilled thatassumingournatureHemighthave truebrotherhoodwithus,howHedied,was raised, andascended intoheaven.These things, I say, arenotdeduced from a single, continuous thread in Saint Paul. It is very certain that theteachingwhichiscontainedinhisEpistlesisconformedtotheteachingoftheGospel.But forall that theword isespeciallyascribedto these fourhistories, for thereasonthatIhavealreadyalleged.

Now when we say that the substance of the Gospel is comprehended in thePersonoftheSonofGod,thatisnotonlytosaythatJesusChristhascomeintotheworld,butthatwemayknowalsoHisoffice,thechargecommittedtoHimbyGodHisFather,andHispower.LetusnotethedifferencebetweentheGospelaccordingtoSt.John and the other three. The four Gospel-writers are entirely agreed in that theydeclarehowtheSonofGodappearedintheworld,thatHehasbeenmadetrueman,likeusinallthingsexceptsin.NexttheydescribehowHedied,Heroseagain,andHeascended intoheaven.Briefly,all thatwascommittedtoHimtodrawus toGodHisFatheristheredeclared.

But there are two thingswhich are peculiar to Saint John.One is that he paysmore attention to the teaching of Jesus Christ than do the others. Likewise, hedeclarestouswithgreaterlivelinessHisvirtueandHispower.Surelytheothersrelatewell the teaching of Jesus Christ, butmore briefly. Little summaries in the othersappearaslongdeclarationsinSaintJohn.Forexample,inJohn6weseewhatissaidof themiracleHedid in thedesert,whenHe fed suchamultitude.From thatSaintJohnleadsuptothepropositionthatJesusChrististheBreadofLifeEternal.WeseethisteachingofJesusChristwhichisexpoundedatlengthbySaintJohn,andwithagreater deduction than is made by the other Gospel-writers, and which was evenomittedbythem.Soitisthroughout.Forafterhehasmentionedcertainmiraclesandstories he always comes back to the teaching and finds occasion to put inmaterialtreatingonthevirtueofourLordJesusChrist.FromJohn12tothenarrativeofthePassionhetreatsonlyofthatteaching.

Weseenow thedifferencebetween theGospelaccording toSaintJohnand theotherthree.Tosayitbetter,theGospelaccordingtoSaintJohnistous,asitwere,the

key by which we enter into an understanding of the others. For if we read SaintMatthew,SaintMark,andSaintLukeweshallnotknowsowellwhyJesusChristwassentintotheworldaswhenweshallhavereadSaintJohn.HavingreadSaintJohn,weshallknowthenhowwhatourLordJesusChristhasdonebenefitsus, thatHetookhumanflesh,thatHediedandroseagain.Weshall learn,Isay,thepurposeandthesubstance of all those things in reading thisGospel. That iswhyhedoesnot lingeroverthestory,asweshallseebytheorderwhichhefollows.Surelythesethingsoughttobeconsideredmoreatlength,butsincethereismuchsubstancetothetextwehavetoexpound,ImentionthingsasbrieflyasIcan.

Letusbecontent,then,withwhatIhavementionedinsummaryoftheofficeofJesus Christ, namely, that Saint John declares to us howHe was sent by God HisFathertoperfectthesalvationofmen.HedeclareshowHetookhumanflesh,howHediedandroseagain,howHeistheGuaranteefortheloveofGod,thatHeistheSoulofourredemption,andthatinHimthepromisesofGodareratified.Wemustnote(asIhavealreadysaid)thatSt.Johndiscussesthingsmorebrieflythantheotherthree.Buthe stops longerover the substance to showus the teachingofJesusChrist, thechargecommitted toHimbyGodHisFather,briefly,Hisvirtue,Hispower,andHisgoodnesstowardus.Theword“Gospel”itselfmeans“goodnews.”Butthiswordoughttobesosacredthatwehatethethingsofthisworldandthatwemayknowthatallourwelfare,happiness, joyandglory are inJesusChrist.Whenwepronounce theword“Gospel,”which is to say “GoodNews,”maywe learnnot toenjoywithout restraintthings of this world, which are perishable and vain. Let us not take pleasure, inentertainment’s, sensuality’s, or anything of that sort, but let us rejoice that JesusChristwas sent tous, thatGodgaveHimself tous inHisPerson, that JesusChristcametobeourmeansofreconciliationbetweenGodandourselves,thatGodacceptsusasHischildren,apartfromWhomwewouldbelostanddamned.ThatiswhythiswordshouldbesacredtoussoastomakeusprizethispricelessgiftwhichisbroughttousbyourLordJesusChrist.

ItissaidespeciallythatthisGospelisaccordingtoSt.John,sothatwemayknowthat it is not of amortalman but that Saint John is only theminister of it. Fromwhom,then,shallwesaywehavetheGospel?FromSaintJohnorfromJesusChrist?ItisfromJesusChrist.EvenJesusChristusesthismannerofspeakingwhenHesaysthedoctrineisnotHisownbutHepreachesitupontheauthorityofGodHisFather,fromWhomitproceeds.That issothatwemayholdall themorereverencefor thisdoctrineandthatwemaynotreceive itasacommonthing,butas thepuretruthofGodwhich has been proclaimed byHis Only Son. Saint John, then, was surely theinstrumentandorganofGod,asapenwillwriteinthehandofaman,butwemustnotreceivetheGospelwhichwaswrittenbyhimasfromamortalman.

Wecomenowtothetext.TheWord,sayshe,wasinthebeginning.Theintentionof St. John is to show us that, as the Son of God did not begin to exist when He

appeared to the world, so also He did not begin only when His virtue was spreadeverywhere.ForHealreadywas,fromalltimeandbeforealltime.AlreadyHisvirtueresidedinHimandwasnottakenfromelsewhere,buttherewasavirtuewhichwasintheWordofGodatthebeginning.Butfinallyitwasmanifested.WeknowitnowsinceJesusChristwassent into theworld.St.John, then,herewishes toshowthatwhenJesusChristcameintotheworld,itwasourEternalGodWhocame,WhoredeemedustoHimself.

But to still better understand thewhole,wemustnote itemby item the thingssaidhere.TheWordwasinthebeginning.ThereisnodoubtthatheherecallstheSonofGodtheWord.ThereasonisthatitisthewisdomwhichalwayswasinGod,thatisHis counsel andHis virtue. Surelywehavenot expounded thingshere according astheirseriousnessrequires. Isay itevenof thosethingspropoundedbySt.John.ForalthoughtheSpiritofGodhasspokenbyhismouth,yethehasnotyetdeclaredthingsin theirgrandeurandmajesty. It isnotaderogatory remarkabout theSpiritofGodwhen we say that He did not manifest entirely and in perfection the things hereindicated.For theHolySpiritaccommodatesHimself toourweakness. In fact, ifweheardGodspeaking tous inHisMajesty, itwouldbeuseless tous, sincewewouldunderstandnothing.So,sincewearecarnal,Hemuststutter.Otherwisewewouldnotunderstand Him. By that, then, we see that we must understand that God madeHimselflittletodeclareHimselftous.Andifitwerenotso,howwoulditbepossibletoexpressanythingoftheMajestyofGodbyspeakingthelanguageofmen?Woulditnot be too great a step to take?St. John, then, althoughhe is an instrument of theHolySpirit,doesnotspeakofthesethingsintheirgrandeur.Nevertheless,hespeaksalanguagewhichis,asitwere,unknowntous.Yetonemustconcludethatthesecretshere contained are not declared so openly that we can comprehend them as wecomprehendthethingsofthisworld.Letusinsimplicitybecontentwithwhatishereshown us. For our Lord knew what would be sufficient for our good. HeaccommodatedHimselftousandtoourweaknessinsuchawaythatHehasneitherforgottennorleftbehindanythingwhichmightbegoodandprofitabletous.

SoletuslearntoclingtothepurityandsimplicityofHisteaching,asweseehowtheworldinthismatterhasbeendeceivedbyfoolishimagination,vainspeculations,anddiabolicalaudacity.Forwhenitcametoaquestionoftreatingthesethingsmenhave gone beyond their depth as they have wished, beyond the revelation anddoctrine,withcuriosityandaudacity,toinquireintotheeternalessenceofGod,asonemighthearinthePapacy,asifoneweredisputingaboutaflockofgoats,andIdonotknowwhatall.Theyhavenomorereverence forGod than forabeast.WeneednotseekbettertestimonyagainsttheteachingoftheSophistsoftheSorbonneinordertoknowthatthedevilreignsthereandalwayshasreignedthere.Isayagaineveniftheirteachingwerenotactuallyfalse,whenoneseesthattheyhavesolittlerespectforthemajesty of God, onemust surely say that it is a diabolical teaching which is todaypracticedbytheSophistsandSorbonnistsinallthecollegesofthePope.Sothen,(asI

havesaid)letusbecontentwiththissimplicitywhichisshownusbytheHolySpirit.ForHetreatsofwhatisgoodandusefulforoursalvation.AsIhavealreadydeclared,Hehasherebroughtoutwhatwassuitableforustoknow.

Let us come now to this word “Word.” When St. John calls Jesus Christ “theWord,” it is as if he said, “The eternalplanofGod, or thewisdomwhich resides inHim.”However,wemustnotethatGodisnotlikemen.Whenwehaveaplan,itcanchange.ButnotsowithGod.ForwhateverisinGod’smindisunchangeable.Besides,aplanwhichwehavedoesnotnecessarilyrepresentouressentialnature.ButGod’splanisreallyGod.ForGodisnotlikeaveilwhichcastsashadow,asinthefigureofspeechSt. Jamesuses.Weare like a shadow that flits about andwe cannot remainfirm.NownothinglikethatexistsinGod,sothatwhateverisinHimisofHisessenceandeternity.ThatiswhySt.JohndeclaresthatthisWordisreallyGod.

Butasfortheexpression(asIhavealreadysaid)wemustnotimagineaplanorawisdom in God like the word of men. Surely we can make some comparison withourselves, but wemust always consider the long distancewhich is between us andGod. For if the heavens are high above the earth, we must know that God is stillhigheraboveus.There isnoproportion.So,whenwededucesome figureof speechfromourlivesascreatures,wemustalwaysnotethisgreatdistancewhichisbetweenGodandus.

Onemay well say that in the soul of men there is an intelligence which is sojoinedtothesoulthatthesoulcannotexistwithoutintelligence.Thereisalsothewill.Idonotmeanonedesirenowandanotherdesirethen,butthefaculty(astheysay)ofwillingwhichmanhasinhimself.Formanisnotlikeastoneoralogwithoutsenseandwithoutreason,buthehasthispeculiarnaturestampeduponhimofwillingthisandthat.So,then,wecancertainlyacceptsuchfiguresofspeech.However,wemustremember that we are here speaking of things so high that all human sensibilitiesmustbethrowndownandthatwemusttreattheminhumility,applyingthemintheirtrue sense, that we must not be too curious, that we must not have that foolishimaginationwhichhasuntilnowprevailedintheworldbutthatwemustcometotheschoolofGodtolistentowhatHehastotellusandtofleeeverypropositionofmenwhichiscontrarytowhatisreleasedtousbytheHolySpirit.

However,wemustalsonotethatsome,beingdrivenbythedevil,havepervertedthesenseof thisdoctrine, saying that thisWordwasnot,apart fromsomeplananddeliberationwhichGodhadmade to redeemmankind in thepersonofJesusChrist(Whowas an idea, as they say, as when aman has resolved to do a piece of workwhichhehasconceivedinhismind).TheydonotalloweternityofessencetotheSonofGodinspeakingthus.Nowwehavealreadyseen,andweshallseestillmorefully,how Saint John calls Jesus Christ the Word of God to show His Deity, as I havealreadysaid.AndmaythisbeavisibletestimonyfromGodHimself.Forhesaysthat

thisWordwasinthebeginning.SoHemusthavebeeneternal.Tobesure,onemightreplyonthecontrary thatMosessays that in thebeginningGodcreatedheavenandearthandnowSaintJohnsaysthatthisWordwasinthebeginning.Soitseemsthat,ifheaven and earth and other creatures were in the beginning, one cannot prove theeternityofJesusChristbysaying theWordwas in thebeginning.But theanswer iseasy,namely:thatwhenMosesdealswiththisbeginning,wemustbeadvisedhowhespeaks,thatis,ofheaven,ofearth,andofotherthingswhichhaveabeginning.

LetusconsidernowwhatSaintJohnsays.“Inthebeginning”(sayshe)“was theWord.” Andwherewas this beginning? InGod.Andwhat is the beginning ofGod?There isnone.OtherwiseGodwouldhave tobeacreatureofour imagination.Thuswhen mention is made of the beginning of God, we must conclude that it is abeginningwhichhasnotimeelementinit.Itiswell,then,tocomparethepassageofMoseswhere it says thatGod created everything in the beginning and this passagewhichsays,“TheWordwasinthebeginning.”ForMosesdealswithcreatureswhichbegan to be at a certain time. Here St. John speaks only of God, who cannot bewithoutHiseternity.Wemust, then,concludethatthisbeginninghasnobeginning.SoweseethatJesusChristalwayswas.ThatishowSaintJohnsaidthatJesusChristisoureternalGod,Whoappearedtousintheflesh,asalsoSaintPaulspeaksofit.

Nextheadds,“thisWordwaswithGod,”asifhesaidthatwemustseparatetheWordfromallcreatures.ThatistheintentionoftheGospel-writer.Wemustnot(sayshe)imaginethatthisWordhashadsomethinglikecreatures.Wemustwithdrawfromtheworld.WemustascendaboveearthandheavenwhenwethinkofthisWord.Onemightperhapsask,“Beforetherewasheavenorearthwas itpossiblethatthisWordwas in the beginning?” Saint John, then, in answer separates this Word from allcreatures.Hemighthavesaid,“WhenIspeaktoyouofthisWord,youmustcometoGod,forHeisinGod.”LetusregardHim,then,asanEternityWhobelongsneithertocreatures,nortoheavennortoearth,nortoanythingwhichmayexist.

Nevertheless, theGospel heremakes a distinction betweenGod andHisWord.What is thisdistinction?It isnotadistinctionofessence.ForhealwaysmeansthatthisWord isGod.Andwemust conclude, sincewehaveonlyoneGod,and there isonlyonesimpleessenceinHim,thatJesusChrist,thisEternalWordherespokenof,wasnotdifferentfromGodHisFather.Yetthereisalwayssomedistinction.Whatisit?

Now becausewe cannot comprehendwhat is so high above all our intelligenceand reason, ancient Teachers have used the word “Persons.” They said that in Godtherewere threepersons,notas ifwe speak inordinary languagecalling threementhreepersons,orasinthePapacytheyevenhavetheaudacitytopaintthreegrotesquepictures, and behold the Trinity! But the word “Persons” in this connection is toexpressthepropertieswhichareoftheessenceofGod.Theword“Substance”or(as

theGreekssay)“Hypostasis”isstillmoresuitablesinceitisfromHolyScripture.TheApostle uses it in the first chapter of the Letter to theHebrewswhen he says thatJesus Christ is the living image, and the splendor of the glory, the image of thesubstanceofGodHisFather.WhenhespeaksthereofthesubstanceofGod,hedoesnot mean the essence. He speaks of this property which belongs to the Father:namely,thatHeistheSourceofallthings.

NowletuslookatthesethreeHypostases,astheyarecalled.Letusseehowtheyagree,asmuchasGodteachesus,asIhavealreadysaid.Forwemustnotexceedtheselimits,andletuspayasmuchattentiontothataswillberequiredfortheexpositionofthispassage.Whenone speaksofGod, surelymen themselves are confusedanddonotknowhowtoimagineHimwithoutbeingledastrayintheirimaginations,assaysSaintPaul.Soitcomesthattheyweregiventotoomuchpridefortheirprudenceandwisdom. Yet God punishes them in such a way that they find themselves in suchhorrible labyrinths that they cannot get out. But when we allow God to lead us toHimselfbyHolyScripture,weshallknowhowmuchGodwillbeourHelper.Forweshall come to theFatheras to thesourceofall things.Thenweshallnotbeable toconceiveoftheFatherwithoutHisCounselandEternalWisdom.Thentherewillbeavirtuewhich resides inHimwhichwe shall also sense clearly.That ishowwe shallfindthesethreepropertiesintheessenceofGod.

This iswhatSaintJohnmeantby theexpression “TheWordwaswithGod.” Ifthere were not any distinction, he would not speak thus. For it would be speakingimproperly to say, “God was with Himself.” So we know that this Word has somedistinctionfromtheHeavenlyFather.For thisWordwasbegottenbefore time,eventhoughGodalwayshadHisplanandHiswisdom.However,wemustnotimagineanybeginning. Forwemust not say thatGodwaswithout judgment,without plan, andwisdom.So,wemustnotputapartandseparatefromGodthePropertyofthisWordbysayingthatwejudgethattherewassometimewhenHewasnotwithHim.ForthiswouldmakeHimanidol.ButasIhavesaid,theThreeareonlyOne,andyetwemustdistinguishThem,since there isadefinitedistinction,as ishereshown.However, itreminds us of a sentence of an ancient teacher, which is well worthy to beremembered,becauseitisexcellent.

“I cannot,” says he, “think upon these three propertieswhich are shownme inGod unless immediately my mind reduces them to one. On the other hand, it isimpossibleformetoknowoneonlyGodunlessIregardallthethreeproperties,andIseethemdistinguishedbymysenseaccordingtotheclaritythatisgivenmeinHolyScripture.”ThatishowbelieverswillknowGod.KnowingtheFather,theywillknowHiswisdom,which is thisWordwhich ishere spokenof.Theywill comemore andmore to this power which we have discussed. When they have known these threethings,theywillnolongergoastrayeitherthiswayorthatway,buttheywillcometothissoleessence—toknowthatthereisonlyoneGod,evenonlyoneGodwhohasso

createdtheworldthatHehasomittednothingofallthatwasrequiredtoaccomplishour redemption. That is what we must note with respect to what is said, that thisWordwaswithGod.That is, theGospel-writerwishedtoseparateJesusChrist fromallcreatures.However,heshowedusthedistinctionbetweenHimandtheFather.

Now he adds “This Word was God” to express still better what he wished toindicate,thatJesusChristisnotacreatedthingWhohadabeginning,butHeisourtrueGod.Thispassagehasbeenpoorlyunderstoodbysome.Someonehas foolishlytranslated it, saying, “God is theWord.” For ifwe said thatGodwas theWord, theFatherwouldno longerbeGodand theHolySpiritwouldno longerbeGod.ButSt.John wished on the contrary to say that theWord is God, as if he said that JesusChristis,withrespecttoHisDeity,ofonesameessencewiththeFather.ThushedoesnotexcludetheFatherfromtheDeity,butheshowsthatthereisonlyoneessenceinGod. Although there was a distinction of God fromHisWord, yet wemust alwayscomebacktothissimpleproposition,thatTheyareoneGodWhomwemustadore.Tobe sure, ancient heretics have worked hard to pervert this passage so as not to beconstrained to confess that JesusChristwasour trueGod.Butwe seehere thatSt.JohnspeakssodearlyoftheeternityofthisWordthatthereisnoplaceforshufflingorsubterfuge.

Nextheadds,“ThisWordwasinthebeginningwithGod.”Hehadnotsaidthesetwowordstogether.Hehadsaid,“ThisWordwasinthebeginning”and“HewaswithGod.” Now he joins the two together. That is why we must so contemplate JesusChristthatwedonotestimatethatHeisnottrueGodandofthesameessencewiththeFather.Hehas,tobesure,beencreatedwithrespecttoHishumannature,butwemustgofurthertoknowHimasoureternalGod,WhoisinsuchamannerourGodthatHe is thewisdomofHis Fatherwhich has beenwithGod from all time. That,then, is the summaryof it.Nowwhenwe remember this exposition (as it is simplyexpressed) itwill suffice to instruct us for our salvation. Surely it is allwe need toknowaboutit.

For ifwe comehere todispute foolishly itwill happen tous (as I have alreadysaid) as it happened to the Papists. Besides, let us note that it is a foolish study towork hard to confirm what the Gospel-writer here says by the teaching of ancientPhilosophers.Therearepeoplewho try todo that.Tobesure, inPlatoonewill findthat therewasan intelligence inGod.ForwhenhespeaksofGod,hesays thatGodalwayshadHisintelligenceinHimself.AlmostalltheotherPhilosophersspeakinthisway.Now thosewhoare so curiousas towish thus tomake thePhilosophersagreewithHolyScripturethinktheydogreatservicetotheChristianChurchwhentheycansay that theGospel-writershavenotbeen theonlyoneswhohave spoken thus andthateventhepaganshavewellknownsuchthings.Itisveryapropos!Asthoughoneput a veil before clear vision. Behold God Who makes Himself clear to us by thedoctrineofHisGospel,andwearegoingtoputaveilbeforeitbysaying,“Lookatthis!

Yourclearnesswillbestillmoreclear.”

ItisverycertainthatGodwilledthatthesesamethingsmightbeknownbypaganPhilosopherstorenderthemsomuchmoreinexcusablebeforeHisMajesty.ButthatisnottosaythatHisdoctrineoughttobeconfirmedbywhattheyhavesaid.Forthefact is that,althoughthemoretheythought theywereapproachingGod, the furtheraway they were straying. So is fulfilled this sentence which Saint Paul pronouncesagainstallmankind.All thosewhowishedtobetooclever,whodidnotseekGodinsuchreverenceandhumilityastheyought,havefallenintothedepthoferror.Anditis a just punishment fromGod if we come thus to polluteHis doctrine, classing itamongthefoolishinventionsofmen.

Nowletuspasson.TheGospel-writersays,“All thingsweremadebyHim,andwithoutHimnothingwasmadeofallthatwhichwasmade.”Afterhehasassuredusof the eternal essence of theWord of God, he adds a confirmation to show usHiseternal Deity, so that we may be more certain of everything. “All things,” says he,“weremadebyHim.”TheessenceofGod isknownbyus,notonlybywhatwe cancomprehend ofHim, but alsowhenHe declaredHimself to us byHis creation. ForwhenScripturedealswith it, thenand there it ismadevisible.Notonly visible, butSaintPaulgoesstill further,sayingthat,althoughweareblind,wecanfeel itbythehand.Thuswhenoureyeswillhaveclosed,wecanknowthispowerofGod.Andhowso?Since it is insideus. Inwhomdowe liveandmoveandhaveour substance? InGod,Whohasbreathedlifeintous,andbyWhomwesubsist.ThatiswhatSaintJohnshowsusbysayingthatallthingsweremadebyHim.

So,weknowthattheWordofGodhasbeenfromthebeginning,WhoisourGod.And howdowe know that? Certainlywe could not reach so high. And yetGod hasdescended to us, even God with His Word, in such a way that we can knowHim,althoughoursensesdonotextendsofarandwecannotascendabovetheclouds,weareconstrainedtoknowthatthisWordisreallyGod.Howso?Becauseallthingswere made by Him. So it is in Him that all things have been. The Apostle to theHebrewsputsit,“LetusconfessthattheWordofGodiseternal.”Whyso?BecausebythisWordallthingsweremade.SaintPaulalsosaysinthe17thchapterofActs(Acts17)thatGoddidnotmanifestHimselfwithoutampletestimonyinorderthatwemaybeabletoseeHiminallHiscreation.Thus,sinceallthingsweremadebyHisWord,wemustknowthatHeisoureternalGod.TherearesomehereticswhoimaginethattheWordofGodhadabeginningatthecreationoftheworld,becausetheWordwasneverspokenofuntil theworldwascreated.AsMosessays,“Godsaid, ‘Lettherebelight,’andtherewaslight,”etc.TheywishtoinferbythatthattheWordbeganthen.Really?Onthecontrary,wemustratherconcludefromthatthattheWordiseternal.Forifamanbeginstodosomething,thatdoesnotsaythathedidnotpreviouslyexist.Ifthatisthecausewithrespecttocreatures,isitnotevenmoretruewithrespecttoGod?

Sothen,althoughtheWordofGoddidnotpouroutHispowerbeforethecreationof theworld, thatdoesnotsay thatHedidnotexistbefore.That iswhatSaintJohnmeansbythismannerofspeaking,thatis,whenhesays,“AllthingsweremadebythisWord.”Besides,letusnotethatwhenmentionismadeofGodtheFatherandofHisWord,wesay then thatall thingsaremadebyGodand throughHisWord,and thisword “Word” is attributed only to Jesus Christ. To be sure, when we are speakingsimplyofGodwithoutdistinctionofPersons,wemaywell say thatall thingsarebyand throughGod.Butwhen there is somedistinction as in this passage, this is thepropertythatbelongstoJesusChrist,that“allthingsaremadethroughHim.”Thisisthe distinction of Persons that I havementioned: that all things are from God theFather,butJesusChrististhemeans.

ThatiswhatSaintJohnintended.Itisasifhesaid,“GodthroughHisWordmadeallthings.”God,then,declaresthatHeisthesourceofthem,andallthingshadtobemade by Him, through the means and in the power of His Word. And withoutHim nothing was made of that which was made. Saint John thus repeats thissentence,notonlyonaccountofhismannerofsayingthesamethingintwodifferentways, but because of the ingratitude of men. For although one tells them that allthingsaremadebyGodthroughHisWordtheydonotapprehendit.WeseethatthecreaturesofGoddonottouchustothequickandthatwearesostupidandsogrossinoursensesthatwecannotcomprehendthingsastheyareproposedtous.

Saint John, then, to better express it to us, adds, “Without Him nothing wasmadeofthatwhichwasmade.”Asifhesaid,“AndhowunhappyweareifwedonotreceivethiseternalWordofGod,sincethroughHimwewerecreated.Thatis,thattheworld was made, the heaven, the stars, and the earth which produces ournourishment.Briefly, all good thingshavebeengiven tousbymeansof thisWord.Thus,then,whenweseethatourlifeproceedsfromHim,wemustclingonlytoHimand reject everything that onemaypropose tous to the contrary.There is adoubleexposition,accordingtothepositionofthewords.Notthattheyarechanged,buttheyaretreateddifferently.Somereadthus,“ThroughthisWordallthingsweremade,andwithoutHimnothingwasmade,”andthey finishthesentencethere.Thentheyadd,“AllthatwasmadewaslifeinHim.”Butthatdeclarationisnotproper.Tobesure,thesensethattheyputintoitisaverygoodone.Fortheyhavethesameexpositionaswehave.But it isastrangewayofspeaking.For it isnotsaidofcreaturesthattheyarelife,butthatisattributedtoGod.AssaysSaintPaultotheRomans,“TheSpiritislife,becauseof the freedomwhichwasgiventous throughJesusChrist.” Inbrief,whenwe lookall throughHolyScripture,never is it said thatweare life inourselves,butthat God Himself alone has life, not only spiritual life, but the life from which allthingshavetheirbeing,andbywhichwelive,andthatwehavelifeandbreathinHim,asIhavealreadyshownfromthepassagefromSt.Paul.

So,weseethetruthofthissentence,thatnothingofallthatwasmadewasmade

withouttheWordofGod.ThisistheorderofreadingwhichhasbeenfoundinallthemoreancientGreekteachersandotherexpositors.Therewasnonewhodidnotthusexpound it. However, we have to note that the Manicheans wished to pervert thispassage(saying,“AllthatwasmadeinHimwaslife”)toprovetheirfoolishopinions,thatall creaturesare living—rocks, trees,wheat,barley.All that, according to theirimagination, was living, so that they did not dare to eat bread unless they werepreviouslysanctifiedbyGod.Andwhynot?“ItmustbeGodwhoeatsthisthing,”theysaid.Thedevil possessed them, and yet theybrought forwardpassages of Scripture,and abused them to prove their foolish speculations. I certainlywanted tomentionthis inpassing to show that thedevil has always tried topervertHolyScripture.Bethatasitmay,ifweareseekingthetruthofGodweshallfinditpureandsimple.Thedevilwillneverbeabletocontriveanythingagainstittoturnusawayfromit,sinceitisshownbeforeoureyes,anditwillbeourownfaultifwedonotseeitinitspurityjustasGodhasrevealedittous.

Letuscomenowtothenaturalsense.AfterSaintJohnsaid,“Nothingwasmadeofthatwhichwasmade,withoutthisWord,”headds,“InHimislife.”Herehewishesto indicate two different things. That is, that as everythingwas once created by thepoweroftheWordofGod,alsoallthingsremainandarepreservedbythispowerandby this samemeans. There are two thingswemust properly consider.One, thatwehavebeginningandlifethroughthisWord.Theother,thatwearesustainedthroughHim—andnotonlywe,butall theworld.Notonlywas theworld in thebeginningcreatedthroughthisWord,butalsoitwouldnolongerexistunlessitwerepreservedin this same condition and by this same means. Therefore (as I have said), let usrememberwellthesetwothingsherepointedoutbySaintJohn.

In the first place, then, hedeclares tous thatnothingof thatwhichwasmade,wasmadewithoutthisWord.Howso?Doeshewishtoexceptanythingthatwasnotmade?Itseemsthathewishes tosay that theAngelswerenotcreated.No,no. It isnot that, but hewishes to show thatwehavenothingwhichdoesnot dependuponGodandwhichhasnotitsbeinginHim.SurelytheAngelshaveaverynoblenature.Nevertheless they exist through this Word, and are established in Him. Otherwisethey couldnot endure.As also there isnothing in theworldwhich isnotpreservedthroughthissameWord.

Here we are admonished, of what poverty there would be in us unless Godsustained us by His grace. That is why the Psalmist says that as soon as GodwithdrawsHisSpiritfromus,thereweareasdust,andentirelyvanished.Tobesure,hespeaksthereofcreaturesandthingscorporal.Butwealsoseethatalltherestalsois surely sustained through the power of this Word. Although we must subsistthroughtheWordofGod,wemustnotethatbymeansofHimwebegantohavelife.Andwhodeclares it tous?TheGospel-writer. It isafterallwhat theApostlesays inthefirstchapterofHebrews.“TheSonofGodisthesplendorofthegloryortheimage

ofthesubstanceofGodHisFatherandHesustainsallthingsbyHisword.”Heusestheretheword“Word,”butwithsuchameaningthatheintendsnotonlythepoweroftheSonofGod,butalsoanadmirablearrangementandawell-definedorderwhichHehasputintocreatedthings,sinceHeistheWisdomofGod.AndwecanbeholdHiminallcreatures,becausehesustainsallthingsthroughHisvirtueandpower.That,then,ishowwehave lifeandmovement,andafterhaving fedupon it today,wecontinue,that is, as long as God preserves us. For on our own power alone we might haveperished anyminute, unless theWord of Godmaintained us. That is the sense inwhichtheGospel-writersays“ThisWordwaslife.”NotonlywereallthingsmadebyHim,buttheymustbeestablisheduponHimandHemaintainsthemintheirbeing.

Nextheadds,“Thelifewasthelightofmen.”Andwhydoesheaddthis?Fortworeasons.ThefirstisthatafterwehaveknownthepowerofGodandthevirtueofHisWordeverywhereaboveandbelow,wemustconsiderourrelationshiptoitall.Foritis surely reasonable thatwhat touchesusmorecloselywecontemplatewithgreaterdiligence.Howso?IoughttoknowthegoodnessofGodinHispreservinghorsesandoxen.SoDavidtellsus,sayingthatHegivesnourishmenttoeverybeast.IseeontheotherhandtheearthwhichbythecommandmentofGodproducesherfruits.IfIlook,then,atthebeasts,IoughttoknowthegoodnessofGod,whichisshowneventowarddonkeysanddogs,butmuchmore towardme.God comes even in that tomakemefeelHisvirtue.Hegivesme thebreadbywhich I amnourished.Andmust Inotbedeeply moved by so many benefits? It is certain. For also when one considers theworksofGodhe speaks especiallyofmen, forGoddeclaresHis virtuemoregreatlyandmoreexcellentlyinusthaninothercreatures.

God,then,surelywishestobemagnifiedbothinheavenandonearth,andinallHisworkswhichwesee,butmuchmoreinman,becauseHehasstampedHisimageuponusmore thanuponall other creatures.ForHehasnot saidof the sun, of thestars, nor of any other creaturehowever excellent itmaybe, “Iwill tomakehere amasterpiece who is to be in My image and likeness.” So, then, the Gospel-writer,havingspokenofthevirtueoftheWordofGod,whichextendstoallcreatures,comestomen.BythatheshowsthatifmencontemplatethegoodnessofGodbyeverythingthey behold, surely they must consider it in their own persons. Although God hasdoneus thehonor tobemagnified inus so thateven thepaganshavecalledmanalittleworld,becauseoneseesinhimamasterpiecewhichsurmountsallothers.ThereisgoodreasonforustoknowinhimthevirtueandthepowerofGod.Tobesure,wecan contemplate God in all His creatures, but whenHemanifestsHimself inman,thenweseeHim,asitwere,bytheface.WhenweconsiderHiminothercreaturesweseeHimobscurelyand,asitwere,bytheback.So,althoughitmaybesaidthatGodismadevisible inothercreatures, inthemwesee,as itwere,onlyHisfeet,Hishands,andHisback.Butinmanwesee,asitwere,Hisface.NotthatitshouldbeHisfacesothat we contemplate Him in perfection. I do notmean that. For I do not speak ofthings divine, but only of what God wishes to be known in this world above and

below.

That,then,isthesumwhatSt.Johnsays,that“thelifewasthelightofmen.”Asifhesaid,“Certainlythereisa lifewhichwaspouredoutuponallcreatures.Andwhatlife?AsallthingsaremadeandpreservedthroughtheWordofGod.However,thereissomethingmore excellent inman, that is, soul, intelligence, and reason. For amanwill not be insensible like a stone.Hewill not bewithout sense and reason as thebeasts.Buthehasamoreexcellent life,tocontemplatethethingswhicharebeyondtheworld.

Nowheaddsconsequently,“The light shines in thedarkness,and thedarknesscomprehendeditnot.”Hementionsthisespecially,becausethelightwhichGodputinmanisalmostentirelyextinguished.Infact,ifwejudgeaccordingtowhatwecannowsee inmortalmen,weshallnotestimateveryhighly thegraceofGod.ForalthoughmanhasbeencreatedintheimageofGod,hehasbeendisfiguredbysin.What,then,do we see in men? We see there an image of God which is wholly deformed andspoiled, since thedevil has soiled it by sin.But althoughmen followingwhatSatansuggestedhaveextinguished thebrightnessofGod,however, thedevilhasnotbeenabletodosomuchbyhiscraftinessthatthisbrightnessofGoddidnotstillshineinthemidst of darkness. That iswhat Saint Johnwishes to show.As if he said, “It istrue,mylittleones,thatifwhatwasoriginallygiventomenhadremainedinthem,wewouldnowseeonlythegloryofGodshiningeverywhere,insteadofwhatwedosee—thatHisimageissodisfigured.Stillitistrue,however,thatwemayyetperceivesomebrightness of God left there and some spark ofHis light. That is what the Gospel-writer wished to indicate. I omit other things, because time does not permit us tospeakofthemfurther,andalreadyIhavespokentoolong.Nevertheless,wemustnotethat men have enough light of knowledge of God to be convicted and renderedinexcusablebeforeGod.Wemaymakebelievewhatwewill,butGodpronouncesthatwearedarkness.Andhowso?LetusnotattributethattoGod,buttoourvice.NowGod must enlighten us by His brightness. Otherwise there would be nothing butdarknessinus,andwewouldsurelytripifwewishedtowalkapaceforwardwithoutHisleading.Andyetitistrue(asIhavealreadysaid)GodhasnotleftussodestitutethatweareentirelyabandonedbyHimsothatnoneofHisgiftsremaininus.Andthatitmaybeso,thereissomesemblanceofreligioninmen.Theystillhaverelicsoftheiroriginal creation. So we see even in the most wicked and depraved there is someimpressionoftheimageofGod.Thatmakesusallthemoreinexcusable.Inasmuchastheywillnothavemadeuseofit,theircondemnationwillbealltheheavier.Itwillbedoublyheavy.That, then, ishow,althoughournaturehasbeensocorrupted,yetwestill retain some spark of the gracewhichGodhad put in our fatherAdam. So thissentenceistrue,“Thelightshinesindarkness.”

However,theGospel-writersays,“Thedarknesscomprehendeditnot.”Bywhichheshowstheingratitudeofmen.GodmakesHislighttoshineinus.HisWordshines

there.However,weobscurethatlightbyourwickedness.Tobesure,theGospelitselfis tous adeclarationandamanifestationof this light.But still thewickedness andingratitude which are in us would entirely extinguish the light in us, unless Godremedied it by all infinite power and goodness. That is what Saint John wishes toshowinthisplace.However,hebeginstoprepareusforwhathewillsaylater:thatis,the purpose forwhich thisWord (Who is Jesus Christ) was sent to us byGodHisFather.ItisthatHemightbemanifesttousinthefleshforoursalvation.Hewishes,then,toshowthemysteryofourredemptionandhowweneededitwhenhesays,“Wehavenotcomprehendedthe lightwhichwasinus.”Asifhesaid,“Itwouldnothavebeen profitable to have the light which shines in us, unless we had been sowonderfullyredeemedandthisWordhadfulfilledtheloveofGodtowardustorestoreHis imagewhichhadbeenblottedoutbyour sinandentirelydisfigured in the firstman.”

That is how (say I) Saint Johnwishes to prepare us to know the effect of ourredemption.ThenhealsowishedtoshowhowtheWordofGoddeclaresHimself inHiscreatures,sinceallthingsarepreservedbyHispower.However,heexhortsustoknow the graces God has given us, by which we excel other creatures, so that wemagnifyHim.Besides, toknow that, sinceHehas imprintedonusHis living imagefrom thebeginningandHemakesus to experienceHispower, it is only reasonablethatweshould learn tocling to thisWordand toknow ingeneral, thebenefitsGodhasgiventomankind,inorderthatthelightHehaspoureduponusbyHisgracemaynot be extinguished by our wickedness, but that Jesus Christ may so dwell in themidstofusthat,beingledbytheHolySpirit,wemaybeabletohavesuchaccesstotheFatherthatHemayintroduceusintoHisheavenlyglory.

Now I have treated things as briefly as was possible for me, always hoping toattain the object which was before the Gospel-writer. However, if I have omittedsomething because I could not remember everything, let each one of you saywhatGodhasrevealedtohimaboutit.Andifthereisanydoubtlethimsuggestthethings,sothatdeclaringthemtheymaybeexplained,andsothattheChurchofGodmaybefully edified by it when things do not remain in doubt, but they are understoodaccording to their truesense,after theyshallhavebeenappropriatelydiscussedandaccordingtoGod.

SermonontheNativityofJesusChrist

Anditcametopassinthosedays,thattherewentoutadecreefromCaesarAugustus,thatall theworld shouldbe taxed. (And this taxingwas firstmadewhenCyreniuswasgovernorofSyria.)Andallwent to be taxed, every one intohis own city.AndJosephalsowentupfromGalilee,outofthecityofNazareth, intoJudaea,unto thecityofDavid,whichiscalledBethlehem;(becausehewasofthehouseandlineageofDavid:)Tobe taxedwithMaryhis espousedwife,beinggreatwith child.Andso itwas, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should bedelivered.Andshebrought forthher firstbornson,andwrappedhim in swaddlingclothes,and laidhim inamanger;because therewasnoroomfor themin the inn.And therewere in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keepingwatchover their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and thegloryoftheLordshoneroundaboutthem:andtheyweresoreafraid.Andtheangelsaidunto them,Fearnot: for, behold, I bringyougood tidingsofgreat joy,whichshallbe toallpeople.Foruntoyou isborn thisday in the cityofDavidaSaviour,which isChrist theLord.And this shall be a signunto you;Ye shall find the babewrapped inswaddlingclothes, lying inamanger.Andsuddenly therewaswith theangelamultitudeoftheheavenlyhostpraisingGod,andsaying,GlorytoGodinthehighest,andonearthpeace,goodwilltowardmen.—Luke2:1-14

Weknowthatitisourgood,ourjoyandresttobeunitedwiththeSonofGod.AsHeisourHead,weareHisbody,soalsofromHimweholdourlifeandoursalvationandallgood.Infact,weseehowmiserableourconditionwouldbeunlesswehadourrefugeinHim,tobemaintainedunderHiskeeping.However,wecouldnotreachsohigh (seeing that scarcely can we crawl upon the earth), unless from His side Heapproachedus,andalreadyHehadapproachedinHisbirth,whenHeclothedHimselfinourfleshandHemadeHimselfourbrother.WecouldnotnowhaveourrefugeinourLordJesusChrist’sbeingseatedattherighthandofGodHisFatherinheavenlyglory,unlessHewereabasedasfarasbeingmademortalmanandhavingaconditioncommonwith us. That is also why, whenHe is called “Mediator between God andmen,”thistitle“man”isespeciallyattributedtoHim.AsalsoforthesamereasonHeiscalled“Emanuel,”thatis,“Godwithus.”

Yet when we seek our Lord Jesus Christ to find in Him alleviation of all ourmiseriesandasureandinfallibleprotectionwemustbeginatHisbirth.Notonlyisitrecited to us that He wasmademan like us, but that He so emptied Himself thatscarcelywasHereputedtobeoftherankofmen.Hewas,asitwere,banishedfromeveryhouseandfellowship.TherewasnothingexceptastableandamangertoreceiveHim.

Sinceitisso,then,weknowherehowGoddisplayedtheinfinitetreasuresofHisgoodnesswhenHewilledthatHisSonmightbe thushumbledforoursakes.LetusrecognizealsohowourLordJesusChristfromHisbirthsosufferedforusthatwhenwe seekHimwe need notmake long circuits to findHimnor to be truly united toHim.ForthiscauseHewilledtobesubjecttoeveryshame,insuchawaythatHewas,asitwere,rejectedbytherestofmen.ButletusalsolearntobelittletobereceivedbyHim.ForitisreasonableatleastthattherebeconformitybetweentheHeadandthemembers.Menneednot empty themselves tobeofnovalue.Forbynaturealreadythey will find such poverty in themselves that they will have good reason to bethoroughlydejected.Butletusknowofwhatsortweare,thatwemayofferourselvesto our Lord Jesus Christ in true humility and that He may recognize us andacknowledgeusasHisown.

However,wealsohavetonotethat,inthehistorywhichSt.Lukehererecites,onthe one handwe learn how the Son of God emptiedHimself of everything for oursalvation,nevertheless,ontheotherhandHedidnotfailtoleavecertainandinfallibletestimony that He was the Redeemer of the world promised from all time. EventhoughHe tookour condition,Hewasable tomaintainHisheavenlymajesty.Bothsidesarehereshowntous.ForourLordJesusChristishereinamangerandHeis,asitwere, rejectedby theworld.He is in extremepovertywithout anyhonor,withoutany reputation, as itwere, subject to servitude.YetHe ismagnifiedbyAngels fromParadise,whodoHimhomage.

Inthefirstplace,anangelbearsthemessageofHisbirth.Thenthesameoneisaccompaniedbyagreatmultitude,evenbyanarmy,whoareallpresentandappearaswitnessessentbyGodtoshowthatourLordJesusChrist,beingthusabasedforthesalvation of men, never ceases to be King of all the world and to have everythingunderHisdominion.

Then the place, Bethlehem, gives proof that it wasHewho had been promisedfromalltime.FortheprophetMicahhadspokenthus:“AndthouBethlehem,thoughthoubeingreatcontempt,asavillagewhichisnotmuchtolookat,andwhichisnotdensely populated, yet from thee shall come forth toMeHeWho is to governMypeople,andHisgoingsforthwillbefromalleternity.”Wesee,then,hereontheonehandhowourLord JesusChrist didnot spareHimself, so thatwemighthave easyaccess toHim and thatwemight not doubt thatwe are received even asHis body,sinceHewilledtobenotonlyamortalmanclothed inournature,but,as itwere,apoorearthwormstrippedofallgood.Mayweneverdoubt,then,howevermiserablewemaybe,thatHewillkeepusasHismembers.

Ontheotherhand,weseeHimheremarked,as itwere,bythehandofGod,sothatHemaybereceivedwithoutanydifficulty,asHimfromWhomwemustexpectsalvation, and byWhomwe are received into the Kingdom of God, fromwhichwe

werepreviouslybanished.ForweseethatHehasinHimselfaDivinemajesty,sincetheAngelsrecognizeHimastheirsuperiorandtheirsovereignKing.Weoughtnottodoubt,whenweshallbeunderHiskeeping,thatHehasallthatisneededtomaintainus. Let us know, howevermuchHewas abased, it in nowise takes away fromHisDivinepowernorhindersusfrombeingsecurelyunderHisguidance.

Nowweseethesummaryofthishistory.Thatis,inthefirstplace,weknowthattheSonofGod,evenourMediator,hasunitedHimself tous in suchaway thatwemust never doubt that we are sharers both ofHis life and of allHis riches. Let usknowalso thatHebroughtwithHimself tous everything thatwas required for oursalvation. For (as I have already said) He was not thus emptied without alwaysretainingHisDivinemajesty.AlthoughbeforemenHewasmadeofnoreputation,yetHealwaysremainednotonlyheirofthisworld(sinceHeistheHeadoftheChurch),butalsoalwaystrueGod.

Besides, let us learn from thosewho are here ordained as teachers and leadershowwemustcometoourLordJesusChrist.Tobesure,thewisemenofthisworldare so inflatedwithpride andpresumption that scarcelywill they condescend to bescholars of unlearned men and poor shepherds from the fields. But it is all ourwisdom,nevertheless,thatwelearnfromtheseshepherds(ofwhomitisherespoken)to come toourLordJesusChrist.Foralthoughwemayhaveall the sciencesof theworldstuffedintoourheads,ofwhatusewillitbewhenlifefailsus?Howwillithelpustoknow“Himinwhomthetreasuresofallwisdomarehidden,”asSt.Paulsays?Nowweseewherewemustbegin.ItdoesusnoharmtofollowthosewhohaveshownusthewaytocometoourLordJesusChrist.

Godgavethishonorneithertothegreatonesofthisworld,nortothewise,nortotherich,nortothenobles,butHechoseshepherds?Sinceit isso, letusfollowthatorder.ItistruethatWiseMencamefromtheEasttopayhomagetoourLordJesusChrist.But the shepherdshad to come first, in order that all presumptionmightbeabolished,andthathewhowouldbereputedChristianmustbeasafoolinthisworld.So,letusnotbringafoolishpresumptiontojudgebyourimaginationstheadmirablesecretsofGod,butletusadoretheminallsimplicity.

Further, let us look at the faithwhichwas in these shepherds. Then it will nolongerbedifficulttofollowthem.TheycometoadoretheRedeemeroftheworld.Andinwhatconditiondo they findHim?ThereHe is laid inamangerandwrapped inafewlittlecloths,anditisthesignwhichhadbeengiventothembytheAngel.NowitsurelyseemedthatthiswastoastonishthemandeventomakethemturntheirbacksinsuchamannerthattheymightnolongerrecognizeJesusChristastheirSavior.

FortheScribesandTeachersoftheJewssurelythoughtthattheRedeemerwhohadbeenpromisedmustcomeingreatpomp,andthatHemustsubjectalltheworld,

in such a way that He would have only prosperity, that they would get wealth inabundancetoglutthemselves,andtheywouldamassalltherichesoftheworld.Here,then,was a scandalwhich couldmake these poor people lose courage, so that theywouldneverhavecometoourLordJesusChrist,butratherthattheywouldhavebeenentirelyalienatedfromHim,whenitissaidtothemthattheywillfindHiminastableandwrappedwithrags.ThesigngiventothemoftheRedeemeristhatHewillbelaidinamangeras ifHewerecutoff fromtherankofmen.Yeteventhatdoesnotturnthemaway.Theycome,then,toknowHimasLord,confessinghowGodhashadpityonthemandthatfinallyHewilledtofulfillHispromisewhichHehadgivenfromalltime,andtheyareassuredbysuchaspectacle.

Since, then, the faith of these shepherds was so great that it fought againsteverything that could turn them from coming to ourLord JesusChrist,we shall bedoublyguiltyandstrippedofeveryexcuse,unlesswelearnintheirschool,andunlessthebirthofourLordJesusChrist(althoughHeappearedwithoutdignityorpompornobilityofthisworld)benotascandaltohinderus,ortomakeusturnawayfromthegoodway,andunlesswecometoyieldtoHimastooursovereignKing,andtoHimtoWhomalldominion is givenboth inheavenandonearth. In fact,weneed suchanadmonition.For,asIhavealreadymentioned,thedoctrineoftheGospelbringsonlyscandaltothosewhoarepreoccupiedwithprideandfollyandwhoreputethemselveswisemen.

Weseealsohowmanyfanaticsrejecteverythingwhichiscontrarytotheirbrains.There are, on the other hand,manymockers who have never been touched by anyfeeling of their sins. Because they are profane peoplewho think theywill never bebroughttoanaccountingandtheydonotknowwhetherthereisabetterlifethantheonetheyseeherebelow,theyreckonthatitisonlyfoolishnesssotofollowtheSonofGodandtoacquaintoneselfwithHim.Letussee,then,howmuchmoreoughtwetobestrengthenedbythisadmonition:namely,thattheSonofGodlosesnothingofHismajesty and of His glory, and that it is not decreased in His humiliation for oursalvation; but rather we ought to be enraptured by it, knowing His inestimablegoodnessandtheloveHehasbornetowardus.

This, then, ishowwemustpracticethisdoctrine, thatwedonot fail tocometoourLordJesusChrist, althoughat first sightwedonot find inHimwhatour flesh,thatis,ournaturalsenses,desire.ButalthoughHewaswrappedinragsatHisbirth,andalthoughHehadbeenlaidthereinthemanger,mayweknowandberesolvedthatHedidnot,however,ceasetobeMediatortodrawustoGodHisFather,togiveusanentranceintotheKingdomofheavenfromwhichwewereentirelyshutout.Stillmoretoday,althoughHedoesnotruleinpomp,andalthoughHisChurchisdespised,andalthoughthereisasimplicityinHisWordwhichthegreatmenofthisworldreject,asforus,mayweneverceaseonthataccounttoclingtoHimandtosubjectourselvestoHisdominioninatrueobedienceoffaith.Forexample,whenonepreaches,according

toourcustomitisnotanythingtodrawusmuch.Wehearamanspeaking.Andwhoishe?Heisnotofgreatdignityandreputation.Then, insummary,thereisonlytheword.On the other hand, inwhat is preached by theGospel there aremany thingswhichseemtoustobeagainstallreason,whenwewishto judgethemaccordingtoourtaste.SoletusknowwecannotdrawneartowhatGodshowsanddeclarestous,unlesswehavefirstboweddown.

As a confirmation which He adds for our sakes to His Word we have theSacraments.Andwouldadropofwater suffice to assureusof the remissionof oursin,andthatGodadoptedusasHischildren,and,thoughwearefeebleandfrail,yetweshallbeclothedwithHisheavenlyglorywhichwillneverfailus?Couldwefindaguaranteeandassuranceof things sogreat and so excellent ina littlewater? In theHolySupperwouldapieceofbreadandadropofwinesufficetoassureusthatGodaccepts us as His children, that we live in Jesus Christ, and that He has sharedeverythingwithus?Foritseemsthatsuchceremonieswhichhavenogreatpompcanhave no value. So then, we see still better how what is here mentioned about theShepherdspertainstousandhowweshouldprofitbyittoday.Thatis,letusnotceasetodrawneartoourLordJesusChristandtobeassuredthatitisHeinWhomweshallfindallgood,allrejoicing,andallglory,althoughitseemsthatHeisstill,asitwere,inthe stable and in themanger,wrappedwith swaddling clothes. That is to say, theremightbemanythingswhichcoulddebauchusanddazzletheeyesofafewthattheymightnotperceive theheavenlyglorywhichwasgiven toHimbyGodHisFather, Isay, even in the human nature He took from us. For since He is God, He haseverything fromHimself (as it issaid inJohn17),butwithrespect toHishumanityHereceivedasafreegifteverythingthatHebroughttous,thatwemightdrawfromHisfullness,andthatwemightfindinHimeverythingthatisdesirable,andthatwemighthaveallourrestandcontentmentinHimalone.

Besides, let us note well that the Holy Spirit also wished to assure us that infollowing the shepherds who are here ordained as teachers and guides, we shouldhavenofearofmakingamistake.Foriftheshepherdshadhadnoothersignthanthestableandthemanger,wecouldsay, “Lookat thepoor idiotswhomake themselvesbelieve foolishly andwithout reason thatHewas theRedeemer of theworld.” Thatwouldbealtogether tooeasy forus.Wecould, then,be indoubt.But theShepherdswereconfirmedbyothermeanstobecertainthatHewastheSonofGod,HeWhowasthus laid in themanger.That is,when theAngelappeared to them, then theyheardthissongwhichSt.Lukeadds,wherealltheKingdomofheavenrenderstestimonytoourLordJesusChrist, thatHehasallpowerovercreatures, inheavenaswellasonearth.

Let us learn, then, to receive (to be assured in the faith of Jesus Christ)everything here proposed to us. For it is certain that God willed to convict ofingratitude all those who today do not condescend to do homage to His Only Son,

whenHesentsuchamultitudeofAngelstodeclarethatHewastheRedeemerWhohadbeenpromised. It is vain, then, forus tobe satisfied inourunbelief, aswe seemany stupid peoplewho do not take account of everything that is contained in theGospel. There are even mockers of God, who are so careless that it makes nodifferencewhatispreachedtothem.Theypaynomoreattentionthantheywouldtofables.

ThereisalsosomethingtoconvictofanobstinateanddevilishrebellionallthosewhodonotsubjectthemselvestoourLordJesusChristtodoHimhomage.Forsincethere are unbelievers, they will have an infinitemultitude of Angels from Paradisewhowilltestifyagainstthem.ForthesearetheministersofthetruthofGod.Sothen,thoughall thewicked andall thosewhoare steeped in their vices and corruption’s,takepleasureinitandarehardenedasmuchastheywishintheirunbelief,theyhavemore-than-sufficient witnesses to testify their condemnation. For the Angels ofParadiseappearedso that theremightno longerbeanyexcuse forusnot to receiveJesusChristasoursovereignKing,humblybowingourselvesbeforeHismajesty.

However,letusnoteontheotherhandthatGodprocuredoursalvationwhenHesentsuchamultitudeofAngels,sothatwemightbeabletocometoourLordJesusChristwitha readycourageand thatwemightno longerbeheldbackbydisputeorscruple,butthatwemightbefullyresolvedthatweshallfindinHimallthatislackinginusandthatHewillhavesomethingtosupplyallourwantsandmiseries.Briefly,itisHebyWhomGodwilledtocommunicateHimselftous.DowewishtoseekourlifeexceptinGod?

ThereisallfullnessoftheGodheadinJesusChrist.When,then,wehavesuchatestimony,itisjustasifGodextendedHistwoarmstomakeusfeelHisinestimablegoodness: and to show that only when we have faith in Jesus Christ (I say a faithwithouthypocrisy)leaningonlyuponHim,knowingthatitisfromHimthatwemustreceiveeverything,thenweshallbesharersofallthebenefitswhicharelackinginusand for which we starve. Besides, although today we do not see the Angels whoappearedonlyforaninstant,yetthistestimonyisregisteredsoastobeauthentic.FortheHolySpiritspokebythemouthofSt.Luke.Letusbesatisfied,then,tohavesuchawitness fromGod,Who declares to us that the Angels rendered testimony of thebirthofourLordJesusChrist,sothat,knowinghowHewasmademan,thatis,thatHeemptiedHimselfforoursakes,wemaybesodelightedastoaspiretotheKingdomofheaven,soastoadheretoHimintrueunionoffaith.

Next we consider the place of His birth, Bethlehem. This is no slight orunimportantconfirmationwhenweseehowtheSonofGodwasbornassuch,alongtimebefore theProphethadmadementionof it. If Joseph andMaryhadhad theirdwelling-place inBethlehem and hadmade their residence there, itmight not havebeenstrangethatshedeliveredthereandJesusChristwasbornthere.Butthiswhich

oughttodaytohelpushasbeenmuchobscured.Foronemightatleastknowthatnotwithout cause the Prophet had said, “Thou, Bethlehem, although thou art todaydespised as a little village, yet thou wilt produce Him Who is to be Head of Mypeople.”ButwhenJosephandMaryarelivinginNazarethandtheycomeintothecityofBethlehemjustwhenshemustbedeliveredandJesusChristisbornthere,whowillnotseethatGodguidedthewholethingbyHishand?Men,then,mustknowinglyandwithsureknowledgebeblindwhentheyarenotwillingtorecognizeheretheWordofGod,WhomarkedHisonlySon, soHecouldbe receivedwithoutanydoubtasHimWhohadbeenpromised.

SurelytherewassufficientoccasiontocauseJosephtocometoBethlehemintheedict publishedby theRomanEmperor.But tobring there awomanwith child andabouttobedelivered,itiscertainthatwasnotgovernedbymanandGodwasatworkthere.WeseehowevenGodusesstrangemeanstoaccomplishHiswill.FortheedictofCaesar,thoughitwascarriedoutwithouttyrannicalsubjection,madeitnecessarythat theJewishpeoplewere then tagged, theyhadacheckuponeachperson,and itwas to show them that they need no longer expect any liberty. Jesus Christ waspromisedtodelivertheJewsandallbelieversfromthesubjectionofSatanandfromall tyranny. It seemed that this edict was to close the door, that God might neveraccomplish what He had promised to His people. However, it is the means ofaccomplishingit.ForwhenJosephandMarycomeaspoorpeoplesubjecttoatyrant,a pagan and an unbeliever, and so Jesus Christ is born in Bethlehem, it shows theProphecytobetrue.God(asIhavesaid)heregivesfullcertaintytoHisownsothattheymustnotdoubt thebirthofourLordJesusChrist.That, then, ishowwemustapplytoouruseandinstructionthethingsherediscussed.ForitisnottheintentionofSt.Luke,orratheroftheHolySpiritWho,spokebyhismouth,simplytowriteusahistoryofwhathadhappened.ButHeexpressedhereontheonehandhowtheSonofGoddid not spareHimself for our sakes, and then on the other handhowHeboreinfallibletestimonythatHewastheRedeemerinorderthatHemightbereceivedassuch.

Letusbethinkourselvestoprofitfromthishistory,sothatwemaybeabletobeintunewiththesongoftheAngelsinglorifyingGod,andtosoreceivewhatHeheregivesusfortherejoicingofoursouls.InthefirstplacetheAngelsays(thatistheonewhobearsthemessageoftheshepherds),“Fearnot.Iannouncetoyouagreatjoy.”ThenthereisthistestimonyincommonfromallthearmythatGodsends,“Peaceonearthtomen.”This,then,iswhatwehavetorememberfirstofall:thatweseekourjoyinJesusChrist.For,infact,eventhoughwehadallkindsofdelightsandluxuries,itwouldonlybeamatterofdrowningourselves inourpleasures.Yeteven ifwearetoo sleepy, even entirely stupid, our conscience will never have rest. We shall betormented without end and without ceasing. This worm (of which the Scripturespeaks)will eatusaway,we shallbe condemnedbyour sins, andwe shall feel thatwith perfect rightGod is opposed to us and is our enemy. So, therewill be a curse

upon all the enjoyments of the world, since they will be changed into gnashing ofteeth,untilmenarerightwithGod.

Cursedthenareallenjoyments,allhonors,allthingsdesirable,untilwefeelthatGodreceivedusinmercy.BeingthusreconciledwithHimwecanenjoyourselves,notmerelywithanearthlyjoy,butespeciallywiththatjoywhichispromisedtousintheHoly Spirit, in order thatwemay seek it inHim.For peace and joy are inseparablethings. For how, seeing we are surrounded by so many miseries, can we enjoyourselves?Then,seeingwearecursedinAdam,wearechildrenofwrath,GodbeingourJudgeisarmedwithvengeancetocastusintothepit,whatjoycanweconceiveof,being insuchastate?Certainlywhenwethinkof it,notonlymustwebeovercomewith unrest but in a horrible gehenna which surmounts all the anguishes of thisworld,unlessthedevilhasbewitchedus.Asweseemanywhodonotceasetomakemerry,althoughtheymakewaronGod.But ifwehaveasingleparticleof feelinginus, it is certain that we shall always be in torment until God is declared favorabletowardus.

Thispeace,then,mustprecede,thatweknowthatGodownsusasHischildren,evensinceHedoesnotimputetousoursins.ArewethusatpeacewithGod?Thenwereally have something over which to rejoice, even with God, following what I havealreadymentioned.Forunbelievershaveindeedsomepeace(thatistosaytheyaresothickthattheyarenotconcernedaboutthejudgmentofGod;theyevendefyit),butitisnotwithGod.Fortheyneverhavepeacenorrest,exceptwhentheyforgetbothGodand themselves and they are altogether insensible. But St. Paul exhorts us to havepeacewithGod,thatis,tolooktoHim,andseekasweareabletobepeaceable.Thatis, thatwhenwedrawnear toHimwebe certainandassuredofHis love.Howwillthat be? By the remission of our sins, by the free unmerited love which He bearstowardusinourLordJesusChrist.

Letusnotewell, then, that thepeacewhich theAngelsofParadisepreachherecarriedwith it this joy,which the firstAngelhadmentioned, saying, “I announce toyouagreatjoy,” that is, thesalvationyouwillhaveinJesusChrist.HeiscalledourPeace,andthistitledeclaresthatwewouldbeentirelyalienatedfromGodunlessHereceivedusbymeansofHisonlySon.ConsequentlywealsohavesomethingtoboastofwhenGodacceptsusasHischildren,whenHegivesuslibertytoclaimHimopenlyasourFather,tocomefreelytoHim,andtohaveourrefugeinHim.

However, let us deduce from this thatGod has so ordained that theGospel bepreachedbythemouthofmen.YettheAngelshavepreacheditbeforehand.TodayitistruethattheChurchmustbetaughtbymeansofmortalcreatures.Thoughthatmaybe,webearnothingnew.WeonlyrecitethepreachingwhichwasdonebytheAngelsofParadise, andnot in a smallnumber,but an infinitemultitudeanda great army.Besides,itcannotbethatweareasinflamedtomagnifyourGodaswhenweshallbe

madefullycertainofHisgoodness.Thatiswhythesetwothingsarejoined:thattheAngelsexhortalltheworldtoglorifyGod,sinceHehasgivensuchapeaceonearth.We rejoice, then, over the good that God has freed us bymeans of our Lord JesusChrist His only Son. He has taken possession of this peace, in order that praisesascendonhighandthattheypiercetheclouds,andthatalltheworldmayre-echothissong,thatis,thatGodmaybeblessedandmagnifiedeverywhere.

We have to deduce from this that we shall always be dumb and that we shallnever be able to praise God untilHe hasmade us to experienceHis goodness. Forexample,howshallpoorsinners,whiletheyhavetroublesandremorseinthemselves,whodonotknowwhetherGodlovesthemorhatesthem,beabletoblessHisName?Butonthecontrarytheanguish,asitwere,willkeepthemrestrainedsothattheywillnotbeable inanywisetoopentheirmouths.Itmustbe,theninthefirstplacethatGodknowinglytestifiedtoustheloveHebearstowardusinsuchawaythatwemayberesolvedthatHewillalwaysbeFathertous.ThensurelyweshallhavesomethingforwhichtoblessHisName.

ButaswecannotpraiseGoduntilHehasdeclaredtousHisgoodness,letusalsolearnnottohaveafaithdeadoridle,butmaywebeincitedtoblesstheNameofGod,when we see that He has so displayed the great treasures of Hislovingkindnesstowardus.Mayourmouth,ontheonehand,performitsfunction,andthenmayallourlifecorrespondtoit.Forthisisthetruesong,thateachonededicateshimselftotheserviceofGod,knowingthat,sinceHehasboughtusatsuchaprice,itisreasonableenoughthatallourthoughtsandourworksbeappliedtothisuse,thatHisNamebeblessed.

WhenweshallknowthatwereallyareHisown,mayweknowthatitisinasmuchasithaspleasedHimtoacceptustoHimself,andthateverythingproceedsfromHisfreeunmeritedbounty.Sonotwithoutcauseisaddedthewordthatpeaceisgiventomen—not foranymerit,not that theyhadacquired it,butby thegoodpleasureofGod.ForthewordwhichSt.LukeusesmeansthatwemustnotseekanyotherreasonwhyourLordJesusChristappearedtousthanthatGodhashadpityandcompassiononourmiseries.Asalso it is said inJohn3:16 thatGod so loved theworld thatHesparednotHisownSon,butdeliveredHimtodeathforoursakes.

Letuslearn,then,tocometoourLordJesusChristinthisway:thatis,thatthemessagewhichisherepublishedbytheAngelsbetousasaburninglamptoshowustheway,thatfaithleadus,andthatweknowthatitisnowGodinus,asmuchasitisGod with us. Our God with us is declared when He willed to dwell in our humannatureasinHistemple.Butnowit isGodinus,thatis,wefeelHimjoinedtousingreater power thanwhenHe showed and declaredHimselfmortalman.He is evenbothGodandmaninus.ForfirstbythepowerofHisHolySpiritHemakesusalive.ThenHeismaninus,sinceHemakesussharersofthesacrificewhichHeofferedfor

oursalvation,anddeclarestousthatnotwithoutcauseHepronouncedthatHisfleshwastrulymeatandHisbloodwastrulydrink.

Thisisalsowhytheholytableismadereadyforus,sothatwemayknowthatourLordJesus,havingdescendedherebelowandhavingemptiedHimselfofeverything,wasnot,however,separatedfromuswhenHeascendedintoHisgloryinheaven.ButratheritisonthisconditionthatwearesharersofHisbodyandHisblood.Andwhyso?ForweknowthatHisrighteousnessandHisobedienceisthesatisfactionforoursinsand thatHeappeased thewrathofGodby the sacrificeofHisbodyandofHisbloodwhichHeofferedinthishumanitywhichHetookfromus.

Since this is so, may we not doubt when Jesus Christ invites us to this table,althoughweperceiveonlybreadandwine,thatHereallydwellsinus,andthatwearesojoinedtoHimthereisnothingofHimselfthatHeisnotwillingtocommunicatetous. May we recognize, I say, that in order that we know how to profit from thisSacramentwhichhasbeenestablished forus fromHim.Howeverandwheneverwereceiveit,mayweknowassuredlythatGodmighthavedeliveredusfromthedepthofcondemnationinwhichwewerebyanothermeansifHehadsowilled.ButHewilledtogiveusmoreassuranceofthelovewhichHebearstowarduswhenwehaveJesusChrist for aGuarantee, so thatwe seek all our good inHim.Mayweknow thatwecannot fullyappreciatewhat this is,untilHebegiven,as itwere, in themidstofusandHebesoapproachedbyusthatbymeansofHimweareledintotheKingdomofheaven,fromwhichwewerebanishedanddeprivedbecauseofoursins.

ThatishowourLordJesusChristmustbeappliedtooursalvation,ifwewishtoapproachGod, ifwedesire tohavearealspiritual joy,contentment,andrest,also ifwedesire tobearmedagainst thetemptationswhichthedevilcanstirup.But tobesharers of this holy table, let us examine ourselves, and let us in the first placerecognize our miseries, that we be displeased by them and entirely confounded bythem.Besides, let us know thatGodwilled to sweeten all our sadness and anguishwhenHesoshedHimselfabroadinHisonlySon,andthatHewilledthatweshouldenjoyHimfully.

Althoughwearesubjecttomuchpovertyinthisworldandbesiegedbyenemieswhoarelikeravenouswolves,thoughthedevilontheonehandceasesnottoseektopreyuponusandunbelieversbark likemastiffdogs,although,Isay,weareagitatedby many troubles and menaced from all sides, although we must endure manyannoyances,letusholditasacertaintythatweshallneverceasetohavepeacetowardourGod.Let us pray toHim thatHewillmakeus experience it byHisHoly Spirit,since that is one thing that surpasses all humanunderstanding (as alreadywehavenoticedfromSt.Paul)andletussolearntobecontentwithourLordJesusChristandthe spiritual benefits of which He makes us sharers, that we may be able to bearpatientlyallthemiseriesandafflictionsofthisworld.

May it not prove to be evil to us to bemolested from all sides, in brief, to beexposed to all shame and disgrace, provided that Jesus Christ is with us, and Heblessesallourmiseriesandafflictions,andwegainsuchfruitfromitthatwerealizeinthemidstofallourpoverty’sweasknothingexcepttoglorifyourGod.Andwhenworldlings gain their triumphs to their confounding, since they cannot enjoythemselveswithoutfightingagainstGod,mayourtruejoybetoserveHiminallfearandhumility,andtogiveourselvesentirelytoHisobedience.Thatishowwehavetoprofitfromthisdoctrine.

NowweshallbowinhumblereverencebeforethemajestyofourGod.

FirstSermononthePassionofOurLordJesusChrist

Then cometh Jesuswith them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto thedisciples,Sityehere,whileIgoandprayyonder.AndhetookwithhimPeterandthetwosonsofZebedee,andbegantobesorrowfulandveryheavy.Thensaithheuntothem,Mysoulisexceedingsorrowful,evenuntodeath:tarryyehere,andwatchwithme.Andhewentalittlefurther,andfellonhisface,andprayed,saying,OmyFather,ifitbepossible,letthiscuppassfromme:neverthelessnotasIwill,butasthouwilt.—MATTHEW26:36-39

WhenScripturespeakstousofoursalvationitproposestousthreeaims.OneisthatwerecognizetheinestimableloveGodhasshowntowardus,sothatHemaybeglorifiedbyusasHedeserves.Another,thatweholdoursininsuchdetestationasisproper,andthatwebesufficientlyashamedtohumbleourselvesbeforethemajestyofourGod. The third, thatwe value our salvation in such amanner that itmakes usforsaketheworldandallthatpertainstothisfraillife,andthatwebeoverjoyedwiththatinheritancewhichhasbeenacquiredforusatsuchaprice.ThisiswhatweoughttofixourattentionuponandapplyourmindstowhenitismentionedtoushowtheSonofGodhasredeemedusfrometernaldeathandhasacquiredforustheheavenlylife.Weought,then,inthefirstplacetolearntogiveGodthepraiseHedeserves.Infact,Hewaswellabletorescueusfromtheunfathomabledepthsofdeathinanotherfashion, but He willed to display the treasures of His infinite goodness when HesparednotHisonlySon.AndourLordJesus in thismatterwilled togiveusa surepledgeofthecarewhichHehadforuswhenHeofferedHimselfvoluntarilytodeath.ForwenevershallbekeenlytouchednorsetonfiretopraiseourGod,unlessontheotherhandweexamineourcondition,andseethatweareassunkinhell,andknowwhatitistohaveprovokedthewrathofGodandtohaveHimforamortalenemyandajudgesoterribleandappallingthatitwouldbemuchbetterifheavenandearthandall creatures would conspire against us then to approach His majesty while it isunfavorabletowardus.Soit isverynecessarythatsinnersshouldbebroken-heartedwith a feeling and an understanding of their faults, and that they should knowthemselves to be worse than wretched, so that they may have a horror at theircondition, inorderthatinthiswaytheymayknowhowmuchtheyareindebtedandobligatedtoGod,thatHehaspitiedthem,thatHeseesthemindespair,andthatHehasbeenkindenoughtohelpthem;notbecauseHeseesinthemanydignity,butonlybecauseHe looks upon their wretchedness. Now the fact is also (as we have said),forasmuch as we are surrounded by too much here below and that when God hascalled us toHimself we are held back by our affection and covetousness, that it isnecessarytoprizetheheavenlylifeasitdeserves,thatwemayknowathowgreatanexpenseitwasboughtforus.

AndthatiswhyitisherenarratedtousthatnotonlyourLordJesusChristhasbeenwillingtosufferdeathandhasofferedHimselfasasacrificetopacifythewrathofGodHisFather,butinorderthatHemightbetrulyandwhollyourpledge,Hedidnot refuse to bear the agonies which are prepared for all those whose consciencesrebuke themandwho feel themselves guiltyof eternaldeathanddamnationbeforeGod.Letusnotewell,then,thattheSonofGodwasnotcontentmerelytoofferHisfleshandbloodandtosubjectthemtodeath,butHewilledinfullmeasuretoappearbefore the judgment seat of God His Father in the name and in the person of allsinners,beingthenreadytobecondemned,inasmuchasHeboreourburden.Andweneed no longer be ashamed, since the Son of God exposed Himself to suchhumiliation.ItisnotwithoutcausethatSt.Paulexhortsusbyhisexamplenottobeashamed of the preaching of the Cross; however foolish it may be to some and astumbling-blocktomany.ForthemoreourLordJesusabasedHimself themorewesee that the offenses on account of which we are indebted to God could not beabolishedunlessHewereabasedtothelastdegree.And,infact,weknowthatHehasbeenmadeweakinorderthatwemightbemadestrongbyHisvirtue,andthatHehasbeenwillingtobearalloursufferings,sinexcepted,sothatHemaybereadytodaytohelpus.For ifHehadnot felt inHispersonthe fears, thedoubts,andthetormentswhichweendure,Hewouldnotbeso inclined tobepitiful towardusasHe is. It issaidthatamanwhoknowswhatneitherhungernorthirstiswillnotbemovedwithcompassionorhumanitytowardthosewhoendurethem,becausehehasalwaysbeenat his ease and has lived in his pleasures.Now it is true thatGod, although inHisnature He endures none of our passions, does not cease to be humane toward us,becauseHeisthefountainofallgoodnessandmercy.However,inorderthatwemaybeassuredthatourLordJesusknowsourweaknessesinordertorelieveusofthem,andthatwemaycomesomuchmoreboldlytoHimandwemayspeaktoHimmorefamiliarly,theApostlesaysthatforthiscauseHewaswillingtobetemptedlikeus.

So, then,we have to notice in the textwe have read thatwhen our Lord JesuscameintothisvillageofGethsemane,andevenonthemountainofolives,thatitwastoofferHimselfasavoluntarysacrifice.AndinthatHewilledtofulfilltheofficeandthe charge which was committed to Him. For why did He assume our flesh andnature,unlesstomakereparationforallourrebellionbyHisobedience,toacquireforusfullandperfectrighteousnessbeforeGodhisFather?AndstillHecametopresentHimself fordeath,becausewe cannotbe reconcilednor canwepacify thewrathofGodwhichhadbeenprovokedbysin,exceptbyHisobedience.

This, then, iswhy theSonofGodcameboldly to theplacewhereHeknewthatJudaswouldfindHim.Andthusweknowthatitwasnecessary,sinceourfatherAdambyhisrebellionhadruinedusall,thattheSonofGod,whohassovereigncontroloverallcreatures,shouldsubjectHimselfandassumetheconditionofaservant,asalsoHeis called both a Servant of God and of all His own. And that is also why St. Paul,showingthatwemusthavesomesupporttocalluponHiminfullconfidencethatwe

shallbeheardasHischildren,saysthatbytheobedienceofourLordJesusChristwearerecognizedtoberighteous.Foritisasamantletocoveralloursinsandoffenses,so that the thing which could prevent us from obtaining grace is not taken intoaccountbeforeGod.Buton theotherhandwe see that thepriceofour redemptionhasbeenverydear,whenourLordJesusChrist is insuchagony thatHeundergoestheterrorsofdeath,indeed,untilsweatasdropsofbloodbywhichHeis,asitwere,besideHimselfprayingifitbepossiblethatHemightescapesuchadistress.Whenweseethat,itisenoughtobringustoaknowledgeofoursins.Thereisnopossibilityoflullingus to sleephereby flatterywhenwesee that theSonofGod isplunged intosuch an extremity that it seems that He is at the depth of the abyss. If that hadhappened only to a righteousman,wemight be touched, of course, because it wasnecessary that apoor innocent endured forour ransom thatwhichhappened to theSonofGod.ButhereisHeWhoisthefountainoflifeWhosubjectsHimselftodeath.HereisHeWhosustainsalltheworldbyHispowerWhoismadeweaktothisdegree.HereisHeWhorescuesthecreaturesfromallfearWhohastoundergosuchahorror.When, then, that isdeclared tous,wewouldbemore thanstupid, if eachoneofuswouldnotmeditateon that, and,beingdisgustedbyhis faults and iniquities,wouldnotbeashamedbeforeGod,gaspingandgroaning,andifevenbythismeanswewerenotledtoGodwithatruerepentance.

Now it is impossible thatmenbecomerightly converted toGodunless theyarecondemned in themselves and theyhave concededboth the terror and the agonyofthemaledictionwhichispreparedforthemunlesstheyarerestoredtogracewithGod.Butagain,tobetterunderstandthewholeitissaidthatourLordJesustookonlythreeofHisdisciplesandleftthecompanyatquiteadistance,andagainthosethreeHedidnottakeall thewaywithHim,butHeprayedtoGodHisFather insecret.Whenwesee that, we must notice that our Lord Jesus had no companion when He offeredHimself as a sacrifice for us, butHe alone completed and accomplished thatwhichwasrequiredforoursalvation.Andeventhatisagainbetterindicatedtous,whenthedisciplessleep,andcannotevenbeawakened,althoughtheyhadalreadybeenwarnedsomanytimesthatthehourwasapproachinginwhichourLordJesuswouldhavetosuffer for the redemption ofmankind, and thatHe had exhorted them for three orfourhours,neverceasingtodeclaretothemthatHisdeathwasapproaching.Howevertrueallthatmaybe,theydonotceasetosleep.Inthisitisshowntousasinavividpicture that itwasmostnecessary that theSonofGodbear all ourburdens, forHecouldnotexpectanythingelse.Andthatisinorderthatourattentionmaybefixedsoas not to wander in thought, as we see the poor unbelievers who cannot fix theirattentionuponourLordJesusChristbutwho imagine that theymusthavepatronsand advocates as if there weremany redeemers. And we see even the blasphemieswhicharetheruleinthiswickedpapacy,thatthemeritsofthesaintsaretohelpthedeath andpassionof ourLordJesusChrist, in order that by thismeanswemaybefreedandacquittedbeforeGod.Eveniftherehadbeen,saythey,generalremissionas

farastheguiltoforiginalsinaswellasofactualsinsisconcerned;stilltheremustbeanadmixtureandthebloodofJesusChristisnotenoughunlessitissupplementedbythebloodofthemartyrs,andwemusthaveourrefugeintheminordertohaveGod’sfavor.WhenthedevilhasthusbrokenlooseweoughtallthemoretobewatchedthatweholdfasttoourLordJesusChrist,knowingthatinHimalonewemustfindthefullperfectionof salvation.And that iswhy it is saidnotablyby theProphet Isaiah thatGodmarveled,seeingthattherewasnohelpanywhereelse.

NowitistruethatGodwellknewthatHealonehadtoperfectoursalvation,butitisinorderthatwemaybeashamedandthatwemaynotbehypocritesasifwehavebroughtanythingtohelpintheremissionofoursinsandtomakeGodreceiveusinHisgraceandlove,sothatwedonotrunfromonesidetotheothertofindmediators.Sothatanysuchideamaybebanished,itissaidthatGodhasusedHisownarm,andthatHehascompletedallbyHisrighteousness,andHehasfoundnoonetohelpHim.Now that is declared to uswith extreme clearnesswhen it is said that three of thedisciples,thosewhoweretheflowerofall,weresleepingthereaspoorbeastsandthatthere was nothing else than brutal stupidity in them, that which is a monstrosityagainstnature to see that theysleptat sucha fatalmoment.Then inorder thatourconfidence be turned away from all creatures and that it be entirely shut up to ourLord Jesus Christ, therefore it is said that He advanced to the combat. Besides inaddressingGodHisFatherHewell showsus the remedy for our relief fromall ouragonies,tosoftenoursorrows,andeventoraiseusabovethem,eventhoughwewere,asitwere,sunkunderthem.ForifwearetroubledandinagonyweknowthatGodisnot called in vain the Father of Consolation. If, then, we are separated from Him,whereshallwefindstrengthunlessinHim?Wesee,however,thatHehasnotwilledtospareHimselfwhenweneededHim.Soit istheSonofGodWholeadsusbyHisexampletothetruerefugewhenweareinsorrowandagony.

ButletusnoticealsotheformofprayerwhichHeuses:“Father,ifitbepossibleletthischaliceberemovedfromme,”orthisdrink,foritisafigureofspeechwhetherHespeaksofagobletorofaglassorofacup,allthemoresobecauseScripturecallsafflictionsbitterdrinks inorder thatwemayknowthatnothinghappensbychance,butthatGodasafatherofafamilydistributestoeachoneofhischildrenhisportion,orasamastertohisservants,thusGodshowsthatitisfromHimandfromHishandthat they are beaten and afflicted, and also when we receive good things that theyproceedfromHisunmeritedloving-kindnessandHegivesusasmuchasHewantstogiveus.NowaccordingtothiswayofproceedingourLordJesussaysthatdeathisforHimsuchabitterdrinkthatHewouldpreferthatitweretakenawayfromHim,thatis,“ifitwerepossible.”Itistruethatonecouldraiseheremanyquestions,foritwouldseemthatforaninstantJesusChristforgotoursalvationor,stillworse,thatfleeingfromthestruggleHewilledtoleaveusinalostestateonaccountoftheterrorwhichHefelt.

Nowthatwouldnotagreewithwhatwehavesaid.Andeven the lovewhichHehasshownuswouldbemuchobscured.Butwedonothavetoenteruponanydisputesosubtle,becauseweknowthatsufferingsometimessoravishesthespiritofamanthathedoesnot thinkof anything; buthe is soweigheddownbypresent sufferingthat he lets it get him down and has no regard for themeans of restoring himself.When, then, we are thus temporarily out of ourselves that does not mean thateverythingelseisentirelyblottedoutfromourheartsandthatwehavenoaffection.As for example, he who will think on some affliction of the Church, especially aparticularaffliction,willpraytoGodasiftherestoftheworldweretohimasnothing.Now is that to say thathehasgrown inhumanand thathe isnot concerned forhisbrotherswhoalsohaveneedthatheshouldprayforthem?Notatall,butitisthatthisfeelingdriveshimwithsuchavehemencethateverythingelseiscutofffromhimfora time.Mosesprays to be removed from thebookof life. Ifwewouldwant to splithairsaboutitwewouldsaythatMosesblasphemedagainstGodinspeakingasifHewerevariable.ForthosewhomGodhaselectedtoeternallifecanneverperish.Soitseems thatMoses fights here against God and that he wants tomakeHim like uswhosecounselandtalkoftenchanges.AndthenwhathonordoeshetoGodwhenheknowsthatheisofthenumberofHiselect,andheknowsthatGodhadmarkedhimfrom his infancy to be committed to a charge so excellent as being a leader of hispeopleandyetheaskstobe,asitwere,rejectedandexterminatedbyGod?Andwhatwouldthatleadto?Onecould,then,domucharguing.ButthesolutioniseasyinthatMoses, having such an ardent zeal for the salvation of the people, seeing also thehorriblethreat thatGodhadpronouncedwithHismouth, forgetshimself fora littletimeandforaminute,andonlyasksthathemayhelphispeople.Tothisstateofmindour Lord Jesus had been brought. For if it had been necessary forHim to suffer ahundred deaths, even a million, it is certain that He would have been preparedpreviously.ButsoHehaswillednotsomuchforHimselfasforustobeartheagonieswhichplungeHimeventothatpoint,aswesee.Somuchforpointone.

Nowforthesecond.IfanyoneaskshowJesusChrist,Whoisentirelyrighteous,Whohasbeen theLambwithoutblemish,andWhohasbeeneven the ruleand themirrorofallrighteousness,holiness,andperfection,hasawillcontradictorytothatofGod;theanswertothatisthatGodhasinHimselfallperfectionofuprightness,whiletheangels,howevermuchtheyconformtothewillofGodandareentirelyobedienttoHim,neverthelesshaveaseparatewill.Forinasmuchastheyarecreatures,theycanhaveaffectionswhichdonotbelongbyrightstoGod.Asforuswhoaresurroundedbythismassofsin,wearesoburdenedthatwearefarremovedfromthewillofGod,forinallourappetitesthereissomeexcess,thereisevenrebellionmanifestoftentimes.But ifweconsiderman inhis integrity, that is tosaywithout thiscorruptionofsin,againitiscertainthathewillhavehisaffectionsfarremovedfromGod,andyettheywill not on that account be vicious. As when Adam was not yet perverted and hepersistedintheestateandconditioninwhichhehadbeencreated,ithappenedthathe

was both hot and cold and that he had to endure both anxieties and fears and likethings.

ThatishowitwaswithourLordJesusChrist.WeknowthatinallHisfeelingsHehadneither spotnorblemish, that ineverythingHewas ruledbyobedience toGod,butstillHewasnotprevented(becauseHehadtakenournature)frombeingexposedbothtofear,andtothathorrorofwhichitisnowspoken,andtoanxieties,andtolikethings.We are not able to perceive that in ourselves, as in troubled water one candistinguishnothing.So,thehumanaffectionsmakeusdriftfromonesidetotheothertogiveussuchemotionsthatweneedtoberestrainedbyGod.Butsuchasmenhave,beingdescendedfromAdam,areasamirewherethereisamoreandmoremixedupinfectionofthekindthatwecannotcontemplatewhatthispassionofourLordJesusChristmusthavebeen,ifwejudgeitbyourownpersons.Forevenifwehaveagoodaim and an affection is upright in itself and approved by God, still we always lacksomething.Isitnotagoodandholythingwhenafatherloveshischildren?Andrightthere we sin again. For there is never rule or moderation such as is required. ForwhatevervirtuesthereareinusGodshowsusvicesintheminorderthatallpridebemore abased and that we have all themore occasion to bow our heads, even to beconfounded with shame, seeing that even the good is corrupted by the sin whichdwellsinusandofwhichwearefilledtoexcess.

Besides,asfarasourLordJesusChrist isconcerned(asIhavealreadysaid)weoughtnottobesurprisedifHehad(insofarasHewasman)awilldifferentfromthatofGodHisFather,butonthataccountwemustnot judgethatherewasanyviceortransgression in Him. And even (as we have already noted) in that let us see theinestimable love He bore toward us when death was to Him so dreadful and,nevertheless,HesubmittedtoitofHisowngoodpleasure.AndevenifHehadnothadanyrepugnancetowardit,andevenifwithoutreluctanceHetastedthatcup,withoutfeelinganybitternessinit,whatkindofaredemptionwouldthathavebeen?Itwouldseemas if ithadonlybeenaplay,butwhen ithappened thatourLordJesusChristenduredsuchagoniesitisasignthatHelovedustosuchadegreethatHeforgotevenHimself and suffered that all the storm fell onHis head in order thatwemight bedeliveredfromthewrathofGod.

NowitstillremainstonotethatwhentheSonofGodagonizedinsuchawayitwasnotbecauseHehadto leavetheworld.For if ithadonlybeentheseparationofbodyandsoul,withthetormentswhichHehadtoendureinHisbody,thatwouldnothaveborneHimdowntosuchadegree.ButwemustobservethequalityofHisdeathandeventraceitsorigin.Fordeathisnotonlytodissolveman,buttomakehimfeelthecurseofGod.BeyondthefactthatGodtakesusoutofthisworldandthatweareasannihilatedwithrespecttothislife,deathistousanentrance,asitwere,intotheabyss of hell.Wewould be alienated fromGod and devoid of all hope of salvationwhen death is spoken of to us unless we have this remedy— that our Lord Jesus

Christendureditforoursakesinorderthatnowthewoundwhichwasthereshallnotbe fatal. ForwithoutHimwewould be so frightened by death that therewould nolongerbehopeofsalvationforus,butnowitsstingisbroken.Eventhepoisonissocleansedthatdeath inhumiliatingusservesustoday likemedicineandisno longerfatalnowthatJesusChristswallowedallthepoisonthatwasinit.

This, then, is what we must bear in mind, that the Son of God in crying out“Father,ifitbepossible,letthisdrinkberemovedfromme”considersnotonlywhatHehadtosufferinHisbody,northedisgraceofmen,norleavingtheearth(forthatwas easy enough forHim), butHe considers thatHe is beforeGod and beforeHisjudicialthronetoanswerforalloursins,toseethereallthecursesofGodwhicharereadytofalluponus.Foreveniftherebeonlyasinglesinner,whatwouldthewrathofGodbe?WhenitissaidthatGodisagainstus,thatHewantstodisplayHispowertodestroyus,alas!wherearewethen?NowitwasnecessaryforJesusChristtofightnot only against such a terror but against all the cruelties one could inflict.When,then,weseethatGodsummonsallthosewhohavedeservedeternaldamnationandwhoareguiltyof sinand thatHe is there topronounce sentence suchas theyhavedeserved,whowouldnotconceive in fullmeasureall thedeaths,doubtsand terrorswhich could be in each one? And what a depth will there be in that! Now it wasnecessarythatourLordJesusChristbyHimselfwithoutaidsustainedsuchaburden.Sothen,letusjudgethesorrowoftheSonofGodbyitstruecause.Letusnowreturntowhatwehavealreadydiscussed—thatinonerespectwemayrealizehowcostlyoursalvationwastoHimandhowpreciousoursoulsweretoHimwhenHewaswillingtogo tosuchanextremity foroursakes,andknowingwhatwedeserved letus lookatwhatwouldhavebeenourcondition—ifwehadnotbeenrescuedbyHim.Andyetletus rejoice that death has nomore power over us that could hurt us. It is true thatalwayswenaturallyfeardeathandwerunawayfromit,butthatisinordertomakeusthinkofthisinestimablebenefitwhichhasbeenacquiredforusbythedeathoftheSonofGod.Thisisinordertomakeusalwaysconsiderwhatdeathisinitself,howitinvolvesthewrathofGod,anditis,asitwere,thepitofhell.Besides,whenwehavetofightagainstsuchfearmayweknowthatourLordJesusChristhassoprovidedforallthosefearsthatinthemidstofdeathwecancomebeforeGodwithupliftedheads.

It istruethatwehavetohumbleourselvesbeforeallthings,aswehavealreadysaid,thatitisverynecessaryinorderthatweshouldhateoursinsandbedispleasedwithourselvesthatwebetouchedbythejudgmentofGodtobefrightenedbyit.Butstill we must raise our heads when God calls us to Himself. And this is also thecouragewhichisgiventoallbelievers!SoweseethatSt.Paulsays,JesusChristhaspreparedacrown forall thosewhowait forHiscoming. If, then,weno longerhavehopeoflifeincomingbeforetheheavenlyJudge,itiscertainthatweshallberejectedbyHim and thatHewill not knowus, even thatHewill disownus, howevermuchprofessionofChristianitywemaymake.

NowwecannotreallywaitforourLordJesusChristunlesswehaveunderstoodandarepersuadedthatHehassofoughtagainsttheterrorsofdeaththatneverthelessweare freed fromthemand that thevictoryhasbeengained forus.Andeven ifwehavetofighttomakeusfeelourinfirmity,tomakeusseekrefugeinGod,alwaystobringustoatrueconfessionofoursins,sothatGodHimselfaloneberighteous,itisneverthelesstruethatweareassuredthatJesusChristhassofoughtthatHehaswonthevictorynotforHimselfbutforusandwemustnotdoubtthatbymeansofHimwecan now surmount all anxieties, all fears, all dismays, and thatwe can invokeGod,beingassuredthatalwaysHehasHisarmsextendedtoreceiveustoHimself.

This, then, is what we must consider: that we may know that it is not aspeculative teaching that our Lord Jesus endured the horrible terrors of death,forasmuchasHefelt thatHewastherebeforeourJudgeandHewasourPledge,sothat today we can by virtue of His fight win over all our infirmity and persistconstantly in callingupon theNameofGod,notdoubtinga singlemoment thatHehearsus,andthatHisgoodness isalwaysreadytoreceiveustoHimselfandthatbythismeanswe shall go throughboth life anddeath, throughwater and fire, andweshallfeelthatitisnotinvainthatourLordJesusfoughttowinsuchavictoryforallthosewhohavecometoHimbyfaith.Thisis,then,inaword,whatwehavetokeepinmind.

Now,however,weseehowwemustfightagainstouraffections,andunlesswedoitisimpossibleforustomoveafingerbywhichwedonotinfullmeasureprovokethewrathofGod.ForbeholdourLordJesusChristWho ispureandentire,aswehavealreadydeclared.IfoneaskswhatHiswillwas, it istrueitwasweakasthewillofaman,butitwasnotviciousasthewillofthosewhoarecorruptedinAdam,fortherewasnotasinglespotofsin inHim.Behold, then,amanWho isexempt fromeveryvice.But,howeverthatmaybe,itisstillnecessarythatHeeffaceHimselfandthatHeexertHimself to the limitandthatHe finallyrenounceHimself,andthatHeputallthatunderfoot, to yieldobedience toGodHisFather.Letus looknowatwhat shallbecomeofus.Whatareouraffections?Whatofourthoughts?AllthoseareenemiesthatbattleagainstGod,assays;St.Paul.HereGodpronouncesthatwearealtogetherperverseandthatallthatmancanimagineisbutfalsehoodandvanity.Evenfromourinfancyweshowthatwearesteepedinthecomplete infectionofsin.Littlechildrencoming into theworld, though themalice does not appear, do not always fail to belittleserpentsfullofpoison,maliceanddisdain.Inthiswetrulyrealizewhatisinournatureevenfromthebeginning.Andwhenwehavebecomeofage,whatofusthen?Weare(asIhavesaid)soevilthatwedonotknowhowtoconceiveasinglethoughtwhichisnotatthesametimerebellionagainstGod,sothatwedonotknowwhethertoapplyourselvestothisortothat,sincewearealwaysledastrayfromthetruenorm,evenifwedonotcometoaclashwithGodinaprovocativeway.Whatafight,then,isnecessary todrawusback to thegood!Whenwesee thatourLordJesus, inWhomtherewasnothingbutintegrityanduprightness,hadtobesubjecttoGodHisFather,

eventorenouncingHimself,isitnotimportantthatweshouldgiveourselvesentirelytoit?

Sothen, letuslearntofightmorevaliantly.Butseeingthatwearenotableandthat rather all our powers and faculties tend to evil and that we have not a singleparticle of good in our nature and that there is such a weakness that wewould beconqueredahundredtimeseachminute,wecometoHimWhowasmadeweakthatwemightbefilledwithHispower,asSt.Paulsays.Next,soitis,then,thatourLordJesusChristhas thus renouncedHimself, thatwemight learn, ifwewish tobeHisdisciples,todolikewise.Seeingthatwearenotableofourselvestosucceedinitbutthatwealwaystendtogothewrongway,letuspraytoHimthatbyvirtueofHisHolySpiritHemayruleinustomakeusstrong.Asitissaid,HesufferedintheweaknessofHisflesh,butbyvirtueofHisSpiritHewasraisedfromthedeadinorderthatwemaybemadepartakersof the fightwhichHesustainedandthatwemayrealize theeffectandtheexcellenceofHispowerinus.This,then,insummary,iswhatwehavetorememberwhenitissaidthatChristresignedallHiswillinordertosubmitfullytoGodHisFather.

Now,however,wehavealways to remember that theSonofGoddoesnothereproposeHimselftobeonlyanexampleandamirror,butHewishestoshowushowdearlyoursalvationhascostHim.Forthedevil,wishingtoobscuretheinfinitegraceofGodwhichwasshownusinourredemption,hassaidthatJesusChristwasonly,asitwere,modelofeveryvirtue.BeholdhowthewhiningpretendersinallthePapalSeeprattle.Notonlydo theynotknowhow todeducewhatobedience is,norwhat self-renunciationis,buttheysay,whattheGospel-writerrecitesofJesusChristisinorderthatwemay followHimand thatwemaybe conformed toHim.Now that is, to besure,something,butitisnotallnoreventheprincipalthing.Foranangelcouldwellhave been sent that we might have followed him, but when Jesus Christ was theRedeemer of the world He submitted and was subject of His own free will to thatcondition so miserable, as we see here. We must always recognize that we findnothing inuswhichcangivehopeof salvation.And thereforewemustseek inHimwhatwelack.ForwenevercanobtainthegraceofGodnorapproachHimunlesswecome to Jesus Christ as poor beggars, which thing cannot be done until we haverecognizedourpovertyandourindigence,inbrief,thatwelackeverything.

This,then,iswhatwehavetobearinmindinorderthat,afterhavingheardthatalltheperfectionofourlifeistorenderusobedienttoGodandthentorenounceouraffections and thoughts and ourwholenature to conform toHim, also after havingheardthatwemustaskGodforwhatwedonotpossess,wemayknowthatourLordJesusChristisgiventousnotonlyasanexample,butHehasfullydeclaredtousthatifweareseparatedfromHimourlifewillnecessarilybecursedandwhenindeathweseethedepthofmiserythatweshallseethepitofthewrathofGodreadytoswallowusupand thatwebenotseizedwithasingle terror,butwithamillion,and thatall

creaturesshallcryoutvengeanceagainstus.Sowemustfeelallthat,then,inordertorecognize our sins and to groan and to be confounded in ourselves, and to have adesireand tohave the courage to come toGodwitha truehumilityand repentanceand thatweshouldappreciate thegoodnessandmercyofourGodaccordingas it isseenhereandthatweshouldhavemouthsopenedtogiveHimasacrificeofpraise,andthatweshouldbeturnedawayfromthewilesofSatan,whohashisnetsspreadout to retain us in the world, and that we leave also our conveniences and ourcomforts in order to aspire to this inheritance which was bought for us at such aprice.

And sincenextLord’sDaywe are to receive theHolySupper andbecauseGod,after having opened to us the Kingdom of heaven, presents there to us a spiritualbanquetthatwemaybeevenmoretouchedbythisteaching:Infactwhenweeatanddrink daily for our restrengthening God declares sufficiently to us that He is ourFather and thatHe cares for these earthly and frail bodies, so thatwe cannot eat apieceofbreadwithouthaving the testimonythatGodcares forus,but in theLord’sSupper there is a special reason. For God does not fill our stomachs there, butHetransportsustotheKingdomofheaven.HesetsbeforeusourLordJesusHisSonformeat anddrink. JesusChrist is not satisfied only to receive us atHis table, butHewishestobeineveryrespectourFood.HemakesusfeelbytheeffectthatHisbodyistrulymeattousandHisblooddrink.When,then,weseethatourLordJesussogentlyinvitesustoHim,mustwenotbetheworstofvillainsifwearenotdrawnawayfromthatwhichturnsusawayfromHim?Andeventhoughwewerecomingwithdraggingfoot,letusnotfailtobegrievedforourvicesinordertodrawneartoHimandcompelourselves as far as it shall bepossible forus to bedetached from thisworld and toaspiretotheKingdomofheaven.

Sothen,leteachoneobservewhatbenefittheHolySupperoughttoconferonus.ForweseethatourLordJesuscallsustoittobepartakersofHisdeathandpassionthatweshouldenjoythebenefitHeacquired,forusandbythismeansweshouldbefullyassured thatGoddeclares thatweareHis childrenand thatwecanclaimHimopenlyasourFather.LetusbringatruefaithknowingwhyourLordJesuswassenttousbyGodHisFather,whatHisofficeis,andhowHeisstilltodayourMediatorasHealwayswas.Beyondthat,letustrytobesounitedtoHim,thatitmaybenotonlyforeachoneofusthatsuchathingmaybesaid,butforallingeneral.Letushavemutualconcord and brotherhood together, since He has sustained and borne thecondemnationwhichwaspronouncedbyGodHisFatheruponusall.Soletusaimatthat,andleteachonecomeherenotonlyforhimself(asIhavesaid),butlethimtrytodrawhiscompanions to it,and letussourgeoneanotheron towalksteadfastly,noticingalwaysthatourlifeisasaroadwhichmustbefollowedtotheend,andthatwemustnotgrowwearyinthemiddleofthejourney,butletusprofitsomuchdaybyday,andletustaketroubletoapproachthosewhoareoutoftheroad;letthisbeallourjoy,ourlife,ourgloryandcontentment,andletussohelponeanotheruntilGod

hasfullygatheredustoHimself.

NowletusbowinhumblereverencebeforethemajestyofourGod.

SecondSermononthePassionofOurLordJesusChrist

And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter,What,couldyenotwatchwithmeonehour?Watchandpray,thatyeenternotintotemptation:thespiritindeediswilling,butthefleshisweak.Hewentawayagainthesecondtime,andprayed,saying,OmyFather, if thiscupmaynotpassawayfromme,exceptIdrinkit,thywillbedone.Andhecameandfoundthemasleepagain:fortheireyeswereheavy.Andheleftthem,andwentawayagain,andprayedthethirdtime,sayingthesamewords.Thencomethhe tohisdisciples,andsaithunto them,Sleeponnow,andtakeyourrest:behold,thehourisathand,andtheSonofmanisbetrayed into thehandsof sinners.Rise, letusbegoing:behold,he isathand thatdothbetrayme.Andwhileheyetspake,lo,Judas,oneofthetwelve,came,andwithhimagreatmultitudewithswordsandstaves,fromthechiefpriestsandeldersofthepeople.Nowhethatbetrayedhimgavethemasign,saying,WhomsoeverIshallkiss,that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail,master;andkissedhim.AndJesussaiduntohim,Friend,whereforeartthoucome?Thencamethey,andlaidhandsonJesus,andtookhim.—MATTHEW26:40-50

WehaveseenthismorninghowtheSonofGod,havingtosustainsodifficultafightastoappearbeforethe judgment-seatofGodHisFathertoreceivesentenceofcondemnationasoursecurity,wasmadestrongbyprayer.For itwasnecessary thathumanweaknessappear inHim,and it takesnothingaway fromHisdivinemajestywhenHehassoboweddowntothedusttobringaboutoursalvation.NowwehavetonotethatitwasnotonlyoncethatHeprayed.BywhichweseethatbyHisexampleHehasexhortedusnottofaintifwearenotheardassoonaswewouldwish.So,thosewholosecouragewhenourGoddoesnotrespondtotheirfirstwishshowthattheydonotknowwhatitistopray.ForthecertainruleforfindingourrefugeinGodinvolvesperseverance. Thus it is that the principal exercise of our faith is prayer.Now faithcannot existwithoutwaiting. It is not possible forGod to humor us as soon aswehaveopenedourmouthsandformedourrequest.ButitisneedfulthatHedelayandthatHe letus languishoftentimessothatwemayknowwhat it is tocalluponHimsincerely andwithout pretense, so thatwemaydeclare that our faith is so foundedupontheWordofGodthatitchecksusasabridlesothatwemaybepatienttoendureuntiltheopportunetimetohelpusshallhavecome.Letusnotewell,then,thatourLordJesusChristdidnotpraytoGodHisFatheronlyonce,butthatHereturnedtoitasecondtime.

Besides,wehavetoconsiderwhatwehavealreadytouchedupon:thatis,toknowthatourLordJesushasnotformedhereanytrivialprayer,butHehas,asitwere,been

willingtolayasideallselfishconsiderations.HeWhoisthepowerofGodHisFather,by Whom all the world is supported, nevertheless, forasmuch as He had to showHimselfaweakman,takingourplace,beingthereinourstead;HehasdeclaredwhenHethusreiteratedHisprayerthatitwasnotasaspectaclethatHedidit(thusseveralprofanepeopleimaginethatwhenJesusChristappearedHesufferednothing),butitwassothatwemightbetaught,thatwecannotescapethehandofGodandHiscurseexceptbythismeans.Nowit isheredeclaredtous(asitwasthismorning)thatourLordJesuswascrushedto the limit,evenso faras that theburdenHehadreceivedwasunsupportableunless the invincible power of theSpirit ofGodhadoperated inHim.Wemust not think that it was superfluous languagewhenHe repeated thesesamewords.Forwhatissaidintheotherpassage,thatinprayingtoGodwemustnotusealongbabble,asthosewhobelievethatindabblinginwordstheygetmuchmore,does not imply that we should not continue in our prayers, but it is to tax thehypocrisyandsuperstitionofthosewhobelieveinbreakingGod’seardrums(afteramannerofspeaking)topersuadeHimofwhattheywant.Aswesee,howthisfollyhasprevailed in theworld! Again, howmany there are among uswho use this sorcery,howmanywhosaynomorethantheirAveMaria, towhomitseemsas if theyhavegainedagreatdealeverytimetheysaytheirLord’sPrayer,andthatGodwillcountalltheirwordsinwhichtheydabblewhentheypray!NowIcallthatrealsorcery.Fortheywretchedlyprofane theprayerwhichhasbeengivenusbyourLordJesusChrist, inwhichHehascomprehendedinabriefsummaryallthatwecanaskofGodandwhatislawfulforustodesireoraskfor.

However, that does not imply that if aman is crushed in agony he should notreturnoften toGod, and thatwhenhe shall haveheaved some sighshe shouldnotbegin again immediately afterwards. Supposingwe come to itwithout ambitionandwithout display and then that we have no idea of having gained anything by ourbabble,butthatadearfeelingurgesuson,thenwehavethetrueperseverance,similartothatofourLordJesusChrist.Nowthereisthisarticletonote,aswehavesaid,thattheprincipal thing inall ourprayers is thatGod should controlus to suchadegreethat there is an agreement on our part to conform toHis goodwill. That, surely, isnecessaryforus.BeholdourLordJesusChrist,thoughallHisaffectionswereupright,holy,andconformedtorighteousness,that,however,insofarasHewasnaturalman,yetHehadtofightagainsttheagonyandsorrowwhichmighthavecrushedHimandHe had to holdHimself captive under obedience toGodHis Father.Howwill it bewithuswhohavenothingbutmaliceandrebellionandwhoaresocorruptedthatwedid not know how to apply our senses to anything whatever? Would not God beutterlyoffended?Sincethatisso,letuslearninprayingtoGodsotoholdourselvesincheckthatnoonemaygivehimselfsuchlicenseasheisaccustomedtoinfollowinghis own appetites. But let us know thatwe shall have profitedmuch, being able toholdourselvescaptives,inorderthatGodmaybecompletemasteroverus.

It is also a noteworthy sentence when our Lord Jesus says to His disciples,

“Watchandprayinordernottoenterintotemptation;foriftheSpiritisready,thefleshisweak.”Heshowedhere,then,thattheprincipalspurwhichoughttogoadustocalluponGod is thatwehave to fight, thatourenemiesarenear, and that theyarestrong, and thatwe shallnotbe able to resist themwithoutbeinghelpedandaidedfromonhigh,andthatGodfightforus.Nowweknowthatwhenmanisassured,heasksonly tobegivenallhiscomfortsand tosleep.Forwedonotvoluntarilyacceptanxietyormelancholyunlessnecessityforcesituponus.Tobesure,itisasovereigngoodtohaverest,orelsewewouldbetiredout.Neverthelessitisverynecessarythatnecessitypressustobevigilant.OurLordJesus,then,notwithoutcausedeclaresthatwehavetosustainmanyalarms.ForwhatissaidonlyoncetoHisdisciplespertainstoall of us in general, since in our lives we must always be ready to meet manytemptations. For the devil is our perpetual enemy, if we aremembers of our LordJesusChrist.Therewillbe,then,openwarwithoutendingandwithoutceasing.

Thenletusnoticewhatkindofenemywehavetodealwith.Itisnotonlyone,butthe number is infinite. Moreover the devil has a vast number of means to cast usdown; now he strikes openly, now he plots underground, and by craftiness he willhavesurprisedusahundredthousandtimesbeforewehavethoughtofit.WhenitisonlyasSt.Paulsaysthatourenemiesarepowerswhodwellintheairoverourheadsandthatwearehereaspoorearthwormswhoonlycrawlbelow,thatcertainlyoughttocauseustobeconcerned.AsalsoSt.Peterallegesthisreason,thatourenemyislikealionwho roars and seeks prey andwho never rests. That, then, iswhatwe have toobserveinthesayingofourLordJesusthatwemustbeonourguardinordernottoenterintotemptation.Besides,althoughwearevigilant,thoughwekeepgoodwatch,yet we cannot be exempt from the devil’s raising himself against us or our beingassailedbyhiminmanyanddiverseways.Wecannot, then,repulse theblows fromafar.But before entering into combat,wemust be on our guard lestwebeplungedintotemptation.

Letuslearn,then,althoughthebelieversandchildrenofGoddesiretohaverest,nevertheless,theymustnotdesiretobehereattheirease.ButletitbesufficientforthemthatGodperfectsHispowerintheirweakness,asalsoSt.Paulsaysthathehadtopass throughthat. It is, I say, theconditionofall thechildrenofGodtobattle inthisworld,becausetheycannotserveGodwithoutopposition.Butalthoughtheyareweak,althoughtheycanbeimpeded,evenoftenbeatendown,maytheybecontenttobehelpedandaidedbythehandofGod,andmaytheyalwaysleanuponthispromise,thatourfaithwillbevictoriousoveralltheworld.Yetalsotheremedyproposedtousis thatwe fight.TobesureSatan isalwaysmakingnewbeginnings toassailus,butJesusChristalsocommandsustowatch.Besides,HeshowsthatthosewhopresumeupontheirownstrengthwillbeconqueredbySatanahundredthousandtimesbeforetheyobtainasinglevictory.Whatisneeded,then?That,confessingwithallhumilitythatwecandonothing,wecometoourGod.

Here,then,areourrealarms.ItisHeWhotakesfromusallfearandterror.ItisHeWhocangiveusassuranceandresolution, thateven to theendweshall remainsafeandsound,thatis,whenwecalluponGod.AsSolomonsays,(Proverbs18:10)

“HisNameisastrongtowerandtherighteousmanwillhaveinHimhisgoodandassuredretreat.”

AlsosaystheProphetJoel,“Althoughtheworldbeturnedupsidedown,whoevercallsupontheNameoftheLordwillbesaved.”ThatisespeciallyappliedtothereignofourLordJesusChrist, inorder thatwemaybe entirelypersuaded that, althoughour salvationmaybe, as itwere, in suspense, and thoughwemay see, as itwere, athousandhazards,yetGodwillalwayskeepusinHisprotection,andweshallfeelthatHispower is alwaysnearus, and ready tohelpus, providedwe seek it byprayer ofmouthandheart.That,then,insummaryiswhatwehavetoremember.Inorderthatwemaybebetterconfirmedinthisdoctrine,letusnotethatourLordJesusinprayingnotonlycalleduponGodforHimselfand forHisownuse,butHehasdedicatedallourrequestsandprayerssothattheyareholyandGodapprovesthemandfindsthemacceptable.AsitsaysintheseventeenthchapterofSaintJohn,HesanctifiesHimselfinorderthatweallmaybesanctifiedinHim.SurelywemustalsoconcludethatHeprayed in order that His prayer may avail today, and that it might have its fullstrength,andthatbythismeanswemightallbeheard.

This consideration is very valuablewhen he adds, “The Spirit is ready, but thefleshisweak.”ForitistoshowthatallhaveneedoftheadvicewhichHehereurgeduponHisdisciples.Formanythinkthattheyhavegainedall if theyhavesomegooddesire. That makes them indifferent. Soon afterwards they are seized with suchlazinessandcoldnessthattheyrecoilfromGodanddespiseHishelp.ThatisalsothecausewhyGodoftenwithdrawsHimselfandhidesHispower.For it isagoodthingthatmenwho confide toomuch in themselves find themselves frustrated andGodmocks their arrogance and foolish imagination. In order, then, that both great andsmallmayknowthattheycannotdispensewiththehelpofGod,andwhatevergracestheyhavereceived,GodmuststillmaintaininthemwhatHehasputthereandevenaugmentitthattheymaybestrengthened,itisheresaid,“TheSpiritisready,butthefleshisweak.”Thatis,sincewefeelinussomegoodwill,andGodhasalreadysetuson the way, and has extended to us His hand, may we experience that He reallygovernsusbyHisHolySpirit.Although, then,wemayhaveallof that,yetwemustnot be slow to pray. Andwhy not? Let us considerwhether there is in us only theSpirit. Surely we shall find many infirmities remaining. Although God may havealreadyworkedinsuchawaythatwemayhavewhereoftoofferthankstoHimandtomagnifyHisgoodness;yetthereisreasontobowourheadsandtoseethatifHeleftuswewouldverysoonbe,Idonotsayweakened,butaltogetherfainting.

In a word, our Lord Jesus here wished to show that those who are the most

perfect,themostadvanced,anduponwhomGodhaspouredthegracesandpowersofHisHoly Spirit, still must be humble, and theymust walk in fear and carefulness,mustcalluponGodeveryhour,knowingthatitisnotenoughthatHehasbegunifHedoes not finish. Surely every good must come from Him. When He has given thegoodwillHemustcontinuetocarryitoutmorefully,sinceperseveranceisthemostsingularandthemostraregiftthereis.ThatiswhyourLordJesuswishedtoexhortus.Nowifthosewhocanbecalledspiritual,thatis,whohaveanardentzealtoserveGod,whoarefullyaccustomedtohaverecoursetoHim,whoareexercisedinprayerofmouthandhearttoGod,arestillsoweakthatinasinglemomenttheycanberuinedunless theyarecallinguponGod;whatwillhappen to thosewhoarestill soearthlyandsopitiablyweigheddownthattheycannotdragtheirlegsandtheyhardlyhaveagoodimpulseorasinglegoodthought?Howtheymusthavetostrugglefortheprize!Sothen,mayeachoneofusexaminehimself,andweshallfindthatwearesolaxandsodullinthematterofprayingtoGodthatthereissometimesmoreceremonythanfeeling.Seeingthat,maywelearntobedispleasedwithourselvesforsuchaviceandsuch laxity.Maywe even detest such a corruption,maywe take pains to call uponGod,andtoraiseourspiritsonhighandtoseektheremedywhichishereproposedforus.That,then,inaword,iswhatwehavetoremember.

Now when it is said that the disciples went to sleep for the third time, eventhough they had been spurred so sharply (beyondwhatwe discussed thismorning,that is, that we see how Jesus Christ to perfect our salvation sought no othercompanion)letusalsocontemplatehowslowweare.Foritiscertainthatwehavenomore ability than these threewho are herementioned, and yet theywere themostexcellentofthecompany,andthosewhomJesusChristhadmarkedastheflowerofthetwelve,whoweretopublishtheGospeltoalltheworld.Although,then,therewasalreadysuchagoodbeginning,yetweseehowtheyweakened.NowitisinorderthatwemayhaverecourseonlytotheSonofGodandthatwemayseekinHimallthatislackinginus,andthatwemaynotlosecouragewhenwefeelsuchaweaknessinus.ItistruethattheexampleoftheApostlesgivesusnooccasionatalltoflatterourselves(asmanywillsaythattheyhaveasmuchrighttosleepasPeterandJohnandJames)but rather tomakeusdispleasedwithour vices, thatwemayalwaysknow thatourLord Jesus is ready to receive us, providedwe come toHim. Furthermore, there isalways this special reason thatwedeclared thismorning, that itwasnecessary thateverything that is man should give way in order that we may know that theaccomplishment of our salvation is in Him who was appointed by God as ourMediator.WemustalsonotewhenwearenearourLordJesusChristthat it isthenthatwemustbemore vigilant.For theworldlings and thosewhomGodhas cut offentirely as rotten members whomHe abandons, have no great fight. For the devilalready has dominion over them. And that is why they can sleep at their ease. ButaccordingasourLordJesusexercisestowardusthegracetocallustoHimself,andtodrawneartousfamiliarly,thebattlesarealsoinstigatedbySatan,becausehewishes

todrawusbackfromtheobedienceoftheSonofGod.When(Isay)heseesthatweareon the right track, thenwehaveall themore rudeassaults.Thusmayeachonepreparehimself,knowingforwhathewascalledbyGod,andwhatishischarge.This,then,is,insummary,whatwehavetoremember.

Besides,whenit issaid“Sleepandrest,thehourhascome” thatis,asitwere,adeclaration that they would soon be surprised unless God watched over them.However,Herebukesthembysaying,“Hownow?Lookwhereyouare.Forthedevilismakingeveryeffort for theperditionofmankind,andinMyPersontheKingdomofGodmustbe recovered,orall creatureswillperish.Yethereyouaresleeping.”Nowthis admonition hardly served for that time. But as time passed the disciples knewtheymustattributeallpraise for their salvation toGod, inviewof their ingratitude,whichwasdisplayedinsuchbrutishcowardice.Sonowweareadmonished(asIhavealready mentioned) that the Son of God had to be shown to be our Redeemer byHimselfaloneandwithoutaid.Besides,letusalsolearnthatitisabsolutelynecessarythatGodwatchoverusevenwhilewesleep.Forhowmanytimeswillithappenthatthedevilwouldhaveoppressedusahundredthousandtimes?Yetwhatmeanshavewetoresisthim,unlessGodhavepityonus,althoughHeseesus,asitwere,reducedtoinsensibility.SothatmustnotgiveusoccasiontogoastrayandtoquitaddressingGodinprayer.ButstillwemustalwaysrememberthissentencefromthePsalm,

“He who watches over Israel never sleeps; what is more Heslumbersnot.”(Psalm121:4.)

Soforourpartletusbevigilant,evenasweareurgedbythisexhortation.Butletusrecognize that however vigilantwe ourselvesmay be, Godmust still keep a carefulwatch.Otherwiseourenemieswouldsoonwinagainstus.

ItfollowsthatJesusChristsaystoHisdisciples,“Letusgo;hewhobetraysMedraws near.” He does not wish them to keep Him company (as we have alreadydeclared)exceptthattheyseehowHedoesnotspareHimselffortheirsakes,norforthesakeofthehumanrace.ForHepresentedHimselftoreceivealltheblowsandtoexemptthemfromthem,asitwasnecessarythatthiswordmightbefulfilled.“Heletnothing perish of thatwhich the heavenly Father had givenHimand committed toHischargeandprotection.”ButbythathedeclaresthatHewentvoluntarilytodeath,followingwhatwehave treated thismorning, that the sacrifice of obedience had toanswer towipe out all our rebellions. If Jesus Christ ofHis freewill had not beenofferedtoappeasethewrathofGodHisFather,Hisdeathandpassionwouldnothavebeenofanyusetous.ButHeholdsHimselftoitanddeclaresthatasHehasputonournatureinordertoaccomplishourredemption,nowinthesupremeact,HedidnotwishtofailinHisoffice.

According to thenarrative,“JudashadgivenasignofHimWhomhebetrayed,

thatitwasJesus,andthatHewasseized,andhavingarrivedhekissesHimandsaystoHim,‘Hail,Master!’”Nowletusnotethatthiswasamannerofgreeting.Asinsomenations they embrace, in other nations they shake hands. The Jews were entirelyaccustomed to this kiss, as one sees by Holy Scripture. Besides, one would find itstrangethatJudas,beingpartofthecompanyofJesusChristalittlewhilebefore,thatis,eventhatsamenight,returnsandkissesHimasifhecamefromadistantjourney.Butheusesthisceremony,becausehecomesthereasafrightenedman.AndthatiswhytheotherGospel-writersays,“Rabbi,Rabbi,Hail!”Hemakesbelieve, then, thathe isverysorrythathismaster is thusassailed.Whenheseessuchacompanywhocome to surprise Him, he draws near and kisses Jesus Christ, as if to say, “O myMaster,theyarelookingforYou,hereareYourenemieswhosurroundYou,theyseekto exterminateYou, Youwill be cut off from themidst ofmen, once they put theirhandsuponYou.”That,then,isasignofpityandcompassionwhichJudasgives.

Further,itissaidthatJesusChristreproacheshim,“Friend,whyartthoucome?”whichisasifHesaid,“Youvillain,youwhohavebeenwithMeatMytable,youhavebeen, as itwere, ofMyblood,whenwewereunited as childrenofGod (for I beingyourHead,soIhaverecognizedyouasMymembers)andyetyoucometobetrayMe,evenbyakiss.”UponwhichletusnotethattheSonofGodhadtobemarked,inorderthatScripturemightbesomuchbetterproved,andthatitmightbeknownthatitwasHeWhom God had elected as our Redeemer. For all this had been typified in thepersonofDavid,whowas,as itwere,amirrorand imageof theSonofGod.Now itsays that it is not strangers nor those who have openly declared themselves Hisenemieswhomolestedand tormentedHim,but “He (saysHe)whoatebreadatMytablehaskickeduphisheelforbetrayal,hehassurroundedMe,hehasbetrayedMefalsely.”Indeed,evenhe(asHesaysintheotherpassage)whoaccompaniedMetogotogetherintothehouseoftheLord.”AsifGodsaidtherewasnotonlyaprivateandhumanfriendship,asitwouldbebetweenthoselivingincommon,butthattherewasholy brotherhood dedicated to the name ofGod. This, then, iswhat theHoly Spiritwished to show us, that nothing happened to the Son of God which had not beentestifiedpreviouslyandwhichhadnotbeentypified, inorderthatwemaybeall thebetterassuredthatitisHeWhofromalltimehadbeenestablishedbyGod,sinceHebearssuchinfalliblemarks.

Besides, in the person of Judas we see that the Church of God will always besubject to many betrayals. To be sure, it is something to have Satan with all hisparaphernaliaforanenemy,andeverythingwehavealreadydeclared,andtohavealsothosewhofightopenlyagainstGodandseekonlytheconfusionofHisChurch.It issomething (I say) thatwehave to fight against such enemies, butGod stillwills toprove our patience in this respect, that in ourmidst theremay always be domesticenemies,whoarefullofbetrayalanddisloyalty.Althoughthisplagueisdetestable,yettheChurchneverwillbepurgedof it.Surelywemustguardagainst it,andeachonemusttry,asmuchasitisinhispower,toscrapesuchanodorandinfection.Butwhen

weshallhavedoneall,stillGodwillalwayspermitthattherebeJudases.ForsinceitwastypifiedinDavid,andsinceitwasfulfilledinourLordJesusChrist,wemustbeconformedtoHim(asSaintPaulsays),forHecarries,asitwere,thecoatofarmsofthehouseofGod,beingthefirst-bornamong;allbelievers.Wemust,then,havethiscondition in common with Him. But we can see here that it is from a frightenedconscience,whenGodput there the spirit of disturbance, frenzy or stupidity, asHeoften spoke of it by His prophets. Judas, then, shows us the penalty of those whoknowinglyfightagainstGod,thattheymustbesolostthattheynolongerhaveeithersenseofreason.However,theytrytohideeverythingbyhypocrisyeventosayingthatGod forces them and thatHe leads them even to their final condemnation. At firstglance it surely seems that these two things are opposed: (1) that aman comes tothrowhimself like a savage bull againstGod, that he has forgotten that itwon’t dohimanygoodtospitatthesun,thatoftenhewishestospitenature,and(2)yettriestohidehimselfbysubterfuges,andhethinkstogainsomethingbyhishypocrisy.Onewillsaythatthosetwothingsareincompatible.ButtheyareseeninJudas.Forhehadexperienced the heavenly power of our Lord Jesus Christ, he had seen so manymiracles, and on his part he had done them, even in the Name of our Lord JesusChrist.Havingknown,then,thattheSonofGodhasallpowerbothoverlifeandoverdeath, he betrays Him, and says he did justly. For otherwise he would haveimmediatelyescaped.Judas,then,isentirelydepravedofsenseandreason,andis,asit were, frantic. So it is only by a kiss and by these sweet words, saying “Alas myMaster,” he does not yet allow himself to have subterfuges, thinking he will beacquittedbythismeans.ButthatishowSatandazzleshislackeys.

Let us learn, then, in the first place, to humble ourselves that no one throwhimselfagainstthisrockwhichistoohard.Thatis,maywenotwagewaragainstourLordJesusChrist.Letuswatchcarefully,then,lestwestandinthisdevilishrage,lestwe fight against the truth, and lest we contend against our conscience, so that weknowinglyprovokethewrathofGod,asifwewishedtodefyHim.Letusguardagainstthat.Letusnot so flatterourselves inourhypocrisy and inour fictions thatwearefinally cheated and deceived by them. For we see what happened to Judas (as it ismentionedintheaccount),thatitwasnotnecessarythatajudgecondemnhim,thatitwas not necessary to compel him to recant. But he confessed that he had sold andbetrayed righteous blood. However, he did not ask pardon for his misdeed, but hewent away indespair tohanghimself andheburst asunder.Letusbewell advised,then,nottogivesuchaccesstoSatanthathetearsoureyeswhenweareasleepinoursins,andnottoexpectbythismeanstoescapethehandofGod.Butletusremoveallthismake-believe.

Besides, letusrecognize that it iscertainlycommandedtous tokiss theSonofGod inPsalm2:12,but that is todoHimhomageasourKingandasHimWhohassovereignDominionoverallcreatures.Fortheword“Kiss”impliesonlyreverenceandasolemnprotestationthatweareHisown.AsHesaid,“YoucallmeMaster,andyou

dowell.”ButincomingtoHimletusbeadvisednottocallHimMasterfromthetipofthe tongue while we are yet enemies to Him, not to practice toward Him a falsereverenceinordertokickagainstHimandtogiveHimtheboot.Thatis,maywenotbestubbornandpeevishbyourdisloyalty,butmayweshowthatwehavesought tomaintain ourselves in His Church only in order to serve our God. Let us, then, beadmonishedofall that.Besides,although thewordofourLordJesusChristdidnotimmediately take effect upon Judas, finally by virtue of this word he had to hanghimselfwithoutwaitingforothercondemnation.

Infact,SaintJohntellsushowourLordJesusstrucklikelightning,althoughHeusedonlya singlewordagainstall thosewhocame toseekHim,saying, “I amHe.”There isabandsentbyPilate.There isa forceofmengatheredbythePriests.Theycometherefurnishedwithclubs,swords,andotherblades.JesusChristisalone.Heisasa lambledtotheslaughter-house,asIsaiahsays.AndwhatworddoesHeuse?“IamHe.”Andallarethrowndown.Allfallimmediately.Andhowcomesthisfall?Byitwe see that our Lord Jesus, although He is humbled for a time, even emptied ofeverything,neverceasedtoretain,whenitseemedgoodtoHim,Hisheavenlypowerin order to cast down allHis enemies, ifHehadwished. Let us compare our timeswithwhatwasdonethen.JesusChristhadtobeboundandfastened(asweshallseelater). He had to let His enemies rule. For Satan had unleashed the bridle to urgethemontoeveryrageandcruelty.ThisiswhatissaidbySt.Luke,“Thisisthereignofdarkness.” Be that as it may, when He said “I am He” His enemies had to beconfounded.Whatwillitbe,then,whenHecomesinHismajestywithallHisAngels?WhenHe comes tomake all thosewhohave resistedHimHis footstool?WhenHecomeswithadreadful faceandan incomprehensiblewrath?AsSaintPaul says in2Thessalonians1:8.Thenhowcanwickeddespisersof themajestyofGodandof thewordofourLordJesusChristexistbeforeHisface?WhenHehadthusthrowndownHisenemies,thenHewasreadytosufferandHedidnotuseanydefense.Isay,eventhatofGodHisFather.AsHesaid,HecouldaskthatamillionAngelsmightbesenttoHim.ButHeabstained.YetHesurelywishedtoshowthatbyHisvoicealoneHecouldcastdowneveryonewhowasagainstHim,ifHehadwished.

BythatwearetaughttofearthewordofourLordJesus.AlthoughHedoesnotconversehereinavisiblemannerinourmidst,yetsincetheGospelispreachedbyHisauthorityandHesays,“Hewhohearsyou,hearsMe;”letuslearntoreceivewhatispreachedtousinHisnamewithallreverenceandtosubjectourselvestoit.Weshallfind that thisword,which so caused to fall the guards and thosewho came againstHim,willbeouronlyfoundationandprop.Forhowcanwerejoice,exceptwhentheSonofGodappeartous,andweseethatHeisnearus,andHeshowusWhoHeis,andwhyHehasbeensenttousbyGodHisFather?Sothen,itisinthisword“IamHe”thatwemayknow,whenitwillpleaseourLordJesustomanifestHimselfasHedoes to all His believers, that in this word He declares to us why He calls us toHimself,whyHehasdescendedtous,andwhyHedwells inusby thepowerofHis

HolySpirit,andthatiswhereinconsistsallourgoodandallourrest.ButifwewishtobepeevishandscorntheWordofGodlikemanyprofanepeople,letusbeassuredthatitwillbeathunderbolttocastusdownintothedepthofhell.Soletusfear,andyetmay our Lord Jesus open to us the door, andmayHe say to us in another fashion“HereamI,”asHehasnotdonetothosewhowerealreadyHisdeclaredenemies.LetuslearntocometoHim.

Besides,letusalsolearnsotobearinpatiencethebetrayalswhichweseetodayintheChurchnomatterhowoutrageoustheymaybetous,sothatweshallshowthatwe really cling to theSonofGod, forHe isourHead.ThenmaywehaveHis truth.May we so converse with one another that we may be united in true concord andbrotherhoodtogether.Thatiswhatwehavetoremember.

Butwhateverelsemaybe,mayweaccepttheprincipalarticleofinstructionwhichwemust remember from this passage: namely, that the Son of GodmadeHimselfobedient in everything and by everything in order to make reparation for ourrebellions. It is true (as I have said) that all themembers ofHis body ought to beruled byHis example. There is good reason, sinceHeWho has entiremastery andsuperiorityissohumbled,thatwebereadytoobeyourGoduntolifeanduntodeath.YetletusrecognizethattheobedienceofourLordJesusChristinthisplaceisspecial,thatis,becauseofthefruitandtheeffectwhichproceededfromit.TheApostleshavewellchosenthedeathofJesusChristforanexample.FortheywerestrengthenedfortheirneedswhentheyhadtofightforthewitnessoftheGospel.Theywerenotthenasleep.We see the vigilancewhichwas in them and that theywere ready to followtheir calling. They even had fear neither of torments nor of the death which waspresented to them when God called them for the glory of His Name, and theconfessionofourLordJesusChrist.YettheyinsistedprincipallyonshowingthatbythepouringoutofthebloodofourRedeemerwearewashedandcleansedofallourspots, thatHemadepayment toGodHisFather forallourdebtsbywhichwewereobliged,thatHeacquiredforusperfectrighteousness.

Letusrecognize,then,thedifferencebetweentheHeadandthemembers.Letuslearnthatthoughbynatureweareentirelygiventoevil,andalthoughGodmayhaveregeneratedusinpart,stillourfleshdoesnotceasetochafeagainstGod.However,byvirtueoftheobediencewhichweseeinourLordJesusChrist,wedonotceasetobeacceptable to our God. If we do not yet do the good that we will, but the eviloftentimespushesus,andtheremaybemanyfailures,orperhapswemaybetooslowtodogood,letuslookatwhattheSonofGodsufferedinordertomakereparationforall our faults. Let us notice how He fought in such a way that there was nocontradiction in Him when our crimes and sins were imputed to Him, as wasexplainedmoreatlengththismorning.Letussee,then,howourLordJesushasmadesatisfactionineverythingandforeverything,butwetoday,althoughhavingtakenthetrouble to obeyGod, are not able to succeed, butwe always droop ourwings,must

constantlyrepeat this: thatweknowthatweshallnotcease tobeacceptable toGodand that our imperfections will always be abolished by the obedience of our LordJesusChrist, so that theywillnotcome intoaccountbeforeGod.Besides,mayeachoneaccordingtothemeasureofhisfaithandofthegracewhichhehasreceivedexerthimselftofightuntilwecometotheheavenlyrest.Seeingourweaknessesarestillsogreat,beingconvincedthatweshallnotevenknowhowtohaveasinglegoodthought,andthathavingstumbledweshallnotbeabletoraiseourselves,unlessGodextendedtousHishandandstrengtheneduseachminute,maywebeadvisedtopraythatHemay augment in us the graces ofHisHoly Spirit; asHe has promised it to us, andofferstousJesusChristforourHeadandCaptain, inorderthatafterweareabletoarrive at the victory whichHe acquired for us, of which we already experience thefruit,weshallexperienceitinperfection.

NowweshallbowinhumblereverencebeforethemajestyofourGod.

ThirdSermononthePassionofOurLordJesusChrist

And,behold,oneofthemwhichwerewithJesusstretchedouthishand,anddrewhissword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. Then saidJesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take thesword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to myFather,andheshallpresentlygivememorethantwelvelegionsofangels?Buthowthen shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus itmust be? In that same hour saidJesustothemultitudes,Areyecomeoutasagainstathiefwithswordsandstavesforto takeme?Isatdailywithyouteaching in the temple,andye laidnoholdonme.Butallthiswasdone,thatthescripturesoftheprophetsmightbefulfilled.Thenallthe disciples forsook him, and fled. And they that had laid hold on Jesus led himawaytoCaiaphas thehighpriest,where thescribesand theelderswereassembled.But Peter followed himafar off unto the high priest's palace, andwent in, and satwiththeservants,toseetheend.Nowthechiefpriests,andelders,andallthecouncil,soughtfalsewitnessagainstJesus,toputhimtodeath;Butfoundnone:yea,thoughmanyfalsewitnessescame,yetfoundtheynone.Atthelastcametwofalsewitnesses,Andsaid,Thisfellowsaid,IamabletodestroythetempleofGod,andtobuilditinthreedays.And thehighpriestarose,and saiduntohim,Answerest thounothing?what is itwhich thesewitnessagainst thee?ButJesusheldhispeace.And thehighpriestansweredandsaiduntohim,IadjuretheebythelivingGod,thatthoutelluswhether thou be theChrist, the Son ofGod. Jesus saith unto him,Thouhast said:neverthelessIsayuntoyou,HereaftershallyeseetheSonofmansittingontherighthand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent hisclothes,saying,Hehathspokenblasphemy;whatfurtherneedhaveweofwitnesses?behold,nowyehaveheardhisblasphemy.Whatthinkye?Theyansweredandsaid,Heisguiltyofdeath.-Matthew26:51-66.

IfwewishedtojudgesuperficiallyaccordingtoournaturalsensesthecaptureofourLordJesusChrist,wewouldbetroubledbythefactthatHeofferednoresistance.It would not seem consistent with His majesty that He suffered such shame anddisgracewithout hindering it. On the other hand,wewould prize the zeal of Peter,sinceheexposedhimselftodeath.Forhesawthegreatmultitudeofenemies.Hewasalone,andamanwhowasnotskilledatarms.Yethedrawsouthisswordonaccountof the lovewhichhebears towardhisMaster, andprefers todieon the field ratherthanallowsuchaninjurytobedonetoHim.ButbythatweseethatwemustcomewithallhumilityandmodestytoknowwhereallthattheSonofGoddidandsufferedwas leading,and thatwhat seemsgood tous isworthnothing,butwemustpray toGodthatHeleadusandguideusbyHisWordandthatwejudgenotexceptaccording

to what He will have shown us. For that is how the Gospel is a scandal to manypeople.Othersmakefunofit,andalltotheirperdition.Itisthattheyareinflatedwithpresumptionandarerashjudges.Butinordernottobedeceived,wemustalwaysinthe first place comeback towhat ourLord Jesus declares. It is thewill ofGodHisFather.That isone item.Thenwehavetoconsider theendof thatwhichmayseemstrangetous.When,then,weshallhavethesetwoconsiderations,thentherewillbeoccasiontoadoreGodandtoknowthatwhatseemstobefollyaccordingtomenisanadmirablewisdomeventotheAngels.

But to arrive at that, let us consider what is here told about Peter. It is said,“Having drawn out his sword, he cut off the ear ofMalchus, whowas servant ofCaiaphas.”Hereweseehowmenaretoobold,whentheyfollowtheirfoolishopinion.Then theyare soblind that theydonot spare themselvesunderanyconditions.ButwhentheyoughttoobeyGodtheyaresocowardlythat it isapity.Theyevenforgetthemselves insuchamanner that it takesnothing tomake themturnaside.That ishow we shall always have hundred times more courage to follow our foolishimaginationsthantodowhatGodcommandsusandtodowhatourcalling implies.WeseetoomuchofthatintheexampleofPeter.Forafterhehasshownthathehasmadeconfessionandwitness toourLordJesus,heblasphemes tohisperdition.Yetheiscontenttodie,evenwhenitisnotcommandedtohim.Whatmoveshimtodrawouthissword?Hedoesitasifinspite.ForhereceivednosuchinstructionfromhisMaster. And when he renounces Jesus Christ, did he not already know the saying,“Whoeverdeniesmebeforemen,himI shalldenybeforeGodMyFatherWho is inheaven”?But(asIhavesaid)heishot-headed.ThisfoolishdesiretosupportourLordJesusinhisownwayandaccordingtohisfancycarrieshimon.Nowbyhisexamplelet us learn to exert ourselves to walk where God calls us. May nothing that Hecommandsusbetoodifficult forus.Butmayweattemptnothing,noteventomoveour little finger, unless God approves it and we have testimony that it is HeWhoguidesus.Thatisoneitem.

In fact, in the first place, our Lord Jesus shows him that he has offendedgrievously,becausehewasnot ignorantof the law,where it is said, “Whoeverspillshuman blood, his bloodwill be spilled.” St. Peter, then, shouldwell remember thislesson,thatGoddoesnotwillthateitherforceorviolencebeused.And(whatismore)inwhatschoolhadhebeennurturedduringmorethanthreeyears?HadnotourLordJesus held back as far as it was possible for Him in humanness and gentleness?Where, then, does he expect to get approval for his boldness? We must observefurtherwhatwe have already said. That is, if our zeal is prized bymen andwe areapplauded, to that extent we shall not cease to be condemned before God if wetransgressHisWordeversoslightly.ThereisthennopraiseexceptinwalkingasGodshowsusbyHisWord.Forassoonasamangoesbeyondthisline,allhisvirtuesonlystink.Thatishowitiswithallourdevotions.Assoonitswehaveworkedtodowhatwehave imagined inourbrain,Godwill condemneverything,unlesswehaveheard

His Word. For apart from that there is no truth which He approves and which islegitimatebeforeHim.

But as for the accountwe are treating now, the second reasonwhich our LordJesusallegesismorenoteworthy.Whatwehavealreadytoucheduponisgeneral.ButthereishereasentencewhichispeculiartothedeathandpassionofourLordJesusChrist,whenhesays,“DoyounotthinkthatIcannowpraytomyFather,andhewillsend me more than twelve legions of angels?” Now one legion in that timecustomarilymadefourorfivethousandmen.“Thereis,then,aheavenlyarmywhichIcanhave,”saysHe,“andyetIdowithoutit.Andwhy,then,doyoucomeheretousurpmorethanGodeitherwillsorpermits?”NowitissurelypermissibletocalluponGodand to pray to Him that Hemay be willing to sustain our life; and as He holds itprecious,thatHemaykeepitinHisprotection.OurLordJesusdeclaresthatHedoesnotwish it now and thatHe ought not to do it.How, then,will Peter use violence,seeingitisoutsidetheorderwhichGodhaspermittedandestablishedbyHisWord?Ifameanswhichispermissibleinitselfoughtnottocomeintouse,howdistinguishwhatGodhasdefendedandwhatHehasdeclaredworthyofpunishment?Here(asIhave already mentioned) we see how the Son of God subjected Himself to suchshamesandthatHepreferredtoletHimselfbeboundandtiedlikeanevil-doerandacriminal rather than toheadeceiverbymiracle and thatGodemployedHis arm toprotectHim.BythatwehavetorecognizehowHeprizedoursalvation.HereisapointwhichIhavealreadynoted:namely,thatHerefersustothewillandtothedecreeofGodHisFather.ForapartfromthatonewouldfinditstrangethatHedidnotwishtoimploreHis aid, as Hemight surely know that He could have it. It seems that HetemptsGodwhenHedoesnotpray toHimatall.Wehave thepromise thatAngelswill surround thosewho fearGod, even that theywill follow them toprevent themfromhurtingthemselves,andthattheymaynothavetomeetanyevilintheirpaths.NowwhenGod has promised us something,Hewills that itmay be to invite us toprayer.YetwhenweareinneedweoughttorunbacktoHiminorderthatHemayuseHisAngelstoguideus,forwhichcauseHehasgiventhemthisoffice.WeseealsothatthiswaspracticedbytheholyPatriarchsandtheFathers.“TheAngeloftheLordwhohasneverfailedmewillbeinthywaywiththeeandhewillmaketheeprosper,”saidAbraham.Thus,then,havetheholyFathersusedit.Why,then,didJesusChristnotwishtohavetheAngels?ForalreadyHehadbeencomforted(asSt.Lukementions)andAngelshadwaiteduponHiminordertosweetentheanguishinwhichHewas.

Itseems,then,thatHedespisesanecessaryhelpfromGod.ButHetakesitintoaccount when he adds “Howwill the Scriptures be fulfilled?” As if He said, “If wedoubtsomething,wecan,then,andoughttopraytoGodthatHemaylookuponusinpity and that by all means He may make us to feel His power. But when we areconvincedthatHemustpassbysomeneed,andthatthewillofGodisknowntous,then it isno longeramatterofmakingofHimanotherrequest,unless thatHemaystrengthen us in power and in invincible constancy, and that we may make no

complaint,orthatwemaynotbecarriedawaybyouraffections;butthatwemaygowithareadycouragethrougheverythingtowhichHecallsus.”Forexample,ifwearepersecutedbyourenemies,andwedonotknowwhatGodhasinstoreforus,orwhatoughttobetheoutcome,wehavetopraytoHimasifourlifewereprecioustoHimandsinceHeholdsinHisguardthatHedemonstratesthisbytheresultandthatHedeliversus.ButwhenwearepersuadedthatGodwillstocallustoHimselfandthatthere is no longer any remedy, thenwemust cut off every dispute and fully resignourselves that nothing any longer remains but to obey the decree of God which isimmutable.

That, then, is the intentionofourLordJesus.ForHesurelyprayed throughoutHiswholelife,andevenpreviouslyinthisgreatcombatwhichHehadsustained,HepraystoGodthat if itwerepossiblethisdrinkmightbeturnedawayfromHim.ButnowHehastakenupHisconclusion,becauseHewassoordainedbyGodHisFatherandHesawthatHemustacquitHimselfofthechargewhichwascommittedtoHim,thatis,tooffertheperpetualsacrificetoblotoutthesinsoftheworld.Since,then,HesawHimselfcalledtothatplace,andthematterwasfinished,thatitwhyHeabstainsfrom praying to God to do the contrary. He wishes, then, to be helped neither byAngels nor by men. He does not wish that God make Him to feel His power towithdraw Him from death. But it was sufficient for Him to have this spirit ofconstancy,thatHemightbeabletogobyHisfreewilltoperformHisoffice.ThatiswhatsatisfiesHim.

NowweseeinthefirstplacethatthewillofGodoughttostopusandholdusincheck so that,when things seem to us savage and against all reason,wemay valuemorewhatGodhasordainedthanwhatourbraincancomprehend.Ourimaginations,then,oughttobeputunderfootwhenwefeelthatGodhasprovedotherwise.ItispartoftheobedienceofourfaithwhenweconsiderGodtobewise,sothatHemayhaveauthority to do everything that pleasesHim. Ifwehave reasons to do the opposite,mayweknowthatitisonlysmokeandvanityandthatGodknowsallandthatnothingis hidden from Him, and even that His will is the norm of all wisdom and of alluprightness. Besides, what our spirit argues to the opposite, that comes from ourrudeness.ForweknowthatthewisdomofGodisinfinite,andscarcelyhavewethreedropsofsense.Weneednot,then,beastonishedifmenarescaredwhenGoddoesnotgovernHimself according to their appetite. Andwhynot? Forwe are poor fools. Infact,thereisonlybrutalityinushowevermuchoursenseandreasonrule.Butsincewe do not understand the profound depth of the judgments of God, let us learn toadorewhatishidden—toadoreit(Isay)inhumilityandreverence,confessingthateverythingGoddoesisjustandupright,thoughasyetwemaynotperceivehow.Thatisoneitem.

Followingthat,sinceitissothatGodwilledthatHisSonmightbethusexposedtodeath,maywenotbeashamedofwhatHeendured.Maywenotthinkthatwicked

men were in control and that the Son of God did not have the means to defendHimself. For everything proceeded from the will of God, and from the immutabledecreewhichHehadmade.ThatisalsowhyourLordJesussaysinSt.Luke,“Indeed,itisyourreignnow,andthepowerofdarkness,AsifHesaid,“Takenogloryinwhatyouaredoing;forthedevilisyourmaster.”However,Heshowsthatitisbymeansofthe permission which God gave them. Although the devil possessed them,nevertheless,neither theynorhecouldattemptanythingunlessGodhadunleashedforthemthebridle.That,then,insummary,ishowwemusthaveoureyesandalloursenses fixed upon the will of God, and uponHis eternal plan, when the death andpassionofourLordJesusChristisspokenoftous.NowHedeclaresthatsuchisthewillofGod,because it iswritten.For ifJesusChristhadnothad testimonyofwhatwasorderedbyGodHisFather,Hemightstillhavebeenindoubt.ButHeknewHisoffice.GoddidnotsendHimherebelowthatHemightnothavegivenHimfully toHisexpresscharge.Itistrue,inasmuchasourLordJesusiseternalGod,HedidnotneedtobetaughtbyanyScripture;butinasmuchasHeisourRedeemerandthatHeclothedHimselfinournaturetohaveatruebrotherhoodwithus,HehadtobetaughtbyHolyScripture,aswesee,aboveall,thatHedidnotrefusesuchinstruction.

Sothen,sinceGodhasshownHimtowhatHewascalled,thatisuponwhatHerelies.ThatiswhyHeistakenasacaptive,inordernottodrawbackwhenHeknewthat He had to achieve the charge which was committed to Him, that is, to offerHimself in sacrifice for the redemption of us all. So, then, we must learn that,inasmuchasthewillofGodissecrettoHimselfandincomprehensible,wemusthaverecourse to Holy Scripture. It is true that God does not cease to have His counselorderedbythingsthatweimaginetobebychance.Butthatisnotdeclaredtous.Weshallnotalwayshavespecial revelation tosay thatGodhasdeterminedthisor that.Then,wemustwithholdjudgment.ThatiswhywepraytoGodthatHemayhealusofan illnessor thatHemaydeliverus fromsomeotherafflictionwhenwehavefalleninto it.Andwhy?WedonotknowwhatHewills todo.Tobesure,weoughtnot toimposealawuponHim.Thisconditionoughtalwaystobeadded:thatHiswillmaybedone.Butallourprayersoughtto leadhere:toaskHimthatHemayknowustobenecessary and useful, and that we may meanwhile refer everything to Him in Hissecret counsel in order that Hemay do as seems good to Him. But when we havetestimonythroughHolyScripturethatGodwillsathing,thenitisnotpropertoofferanyreply,asIhavealreadysaid.

HerewearestillbetterassuredastothepersonofourLordJesusChrist,thatHewas afflicted cruelly and treatedwith such shame and haughty, scornful abuse, notonlyaccordingtothedesireofwickedandlawlessmen,butsinceGodhadsodecreedit.Andhowdoweknow?ByHolyScripture.ForhadnotthesacrificesbeenordainedintheLawtwothousandyearsbeforeJesusChristwasborn?AndbeforetheLawwasgiven or written, had not God already inspired and taught the Ancient Fathers tosacrifice? And could the blood of brute beasts acquire remission of sins? Could it

render men acceptable to God? Not at all, but it was to show that God would bereconciled by the blood of theRedeemerWhomHehad established.ThenHe givesexplicit testimony and declaration through the Scriptures.We see, indeed, that theProphetshavespokenofHim,andHealsorefersespeciallytothem.WhenIsaiahsaidthatHeWhowastobetheRedeemer,wouldbedisfigured,thatHewouldbeheldindisdain,thatHewouldhavenoformornomorebeautythananadder,thathewouldbebeatenandstruckbythehandofGod,thatHewouldbeaterriblethingtosee,insummary,thattheywouldtakeawayHislife,bywhatpowerdidheprophesythat?IsitthatGodcannotresistSatanorallthewickedmen?NobutHepronouncedbythemouth of IsaiahwhatHe had previously ordained. InDaniel there is a still greaterexpression. Since it is so, then, that God had declared thatHis only Son had to besacrificedforourredemptionandsalvation,nowwearebetterassuredofwhatIhavesaid,thatis,thatwemustalwayscontemplatethehandofGodWhogovernswhenweseethatourLordJesusissubjectedtosuchshamefulthingsatthehandsofmen.ThatisalsowhySt.PetersaysinActs4:27thatJudasandalltheJewsandthepoliceandPilatedidnotactexceptasthecounselandthehandofGodhaddetermined,aswillbedeclaredstillmoreat length.Here,theniswherewemustlook,ifwewishnottobetroubledbyour foolish imaginations. It is thatGodsentherebelowHisonlySon inordertoaccepttheobediencewhenHewouldoffertoHiminHisdeathandpassiontoabolishallourfaultsandiniquities.

NowthesecondpointwhichIhavementionedisthebenefitwhichcomesbacktousfromwhatourLordJesussuffered.Forifwedidnotknowwhy,thatwouldbetotakeawaythetasteofwhatisherenarratedtous.ButwhenitissaidthatHehasbeenboundandtiedforourdeliverance,then,indeed,weseeourconditionbynature,thatis,thatSatanholdsusunderthetyrannyofsinanddeath,thatweareslaves,sothatinsteadofourbeingcreatedintheimageofGodthereisinusonlyentirecorruption,thatwearecursed,andthatwearedragged likepoorbeasts in thiscursedcaptivity.When,then,weknowthatandwesee,ontheotherhand,thattheSonofGoddidnotrefuse to be shamefully bound in order that the spiritual bonds of sin and death,whichholdusundertheservitudeofSatan,mightbebroken,thenwehavetoglorifyGod,wehave to triumphwith full voice in thedeathandpassionofourLordJesusChristandinthecapturewhichisherementioned.Sothatiswhatwemustrememberfromthispassage.

ThereupontheGospel-writersaysthatourLordJesushealedtheservantwhohadbeenwoundedbyPeter.Not that hewasworthy of it, but in order that the offensemightberemoved.For itwouldhavebeentodefamethedoctrineof theGospelandthe redemption of our Lord Jesus Christ if this wound had remained (I call“redemptionofourLordJesusChrist”whatheacquiredforus)sothatitcouldbesaidthat He had resisted the governor of the country and all the priests and that Hecommitted,asitwere,robberyinthislonelyplace.That,then,mighthaveobscuredallthegloryoftheSonofGodanditwouldbetoputtheGospelinperpetualshame.Also

letusseethatthisactionofPeterwasbyzealofSatan.ForthedevilschemedtomakeJesusChristberenderedinfamouswithallHisdoctrine.Thatisalsothetendencyofall our beautiful devotionswhenwewish to serveGod according to our desire andeachoneisgivenleavetodowhatheimaginestobegood.JesusChrist,then,wishedtoabolishsuchascandalinorderthatHisdoctrinemightnotbedefamedatall.

However,we seehereadetestable ingratitude in thosewhowerenotmovedbysuchamiracle.TherearethepolicewhocometobindourLordJesusChrist.TheyseethatthepoweroftheSpiritofGodisatworkinHiminsomanyways.Hemadethemfallbackalittlebeforeasingleword.NowHehealsamanwhohashisearcutoff.Allthatisnothingtothem.Wesee,then,whenthedevilhasoncebewitchedmenandhehas dazzled their eyes, that neither the graces ofGod nor allHis powers can touchthemthattheydonotfollowandwalkalwaysintheirdeeds,andtheyhave,asitwere,the snout of a pigwhich pokes itself everywhere.WhateverGoddoes,whateverHesays, they remainalways in theirobstinacy,which is ahorrible thing.Yetwe surelyhavetopraytoGodthatHemaygiveusprudencetoprofitfromallHisgracesinordertobedrawnbyHisloveandalsototouchuswhenHeraisesHishandtoshowusthatHe isourJudge in suchaway thatweare then frightened into returning toHim intruerepentance.This,then,insummary,iswhatwehavetoremember.

Whatever itmaymean, themouthsof thewickedmenwereclosedwhenJesusChristhealedtheservantofCaiaphas.Thereuponitissaid“JesusisledintothehouseofCaiaphas,whereHe is questioned,” etc. For to abbreviatewe omitwhat St. JohntellsofAnnas,whowasthefather-inlawofCaiaphas,andperhapsJesusChristisledthere out of respect, or maybe it was along the road while they were waiting foreveryone tobeassembled.Jesus, then, is ledas faras thehouseofCaiaphasand isthere questioned. Especially is it said, “The priests sought everywhere for falsewitnesses,andfoundnone.Finallytwofalsewitnessesstoodupandsaid,‘Hesaidhewouldrebuildthetempleinthreedays.’”HereweseehowJesusChristwascharged.Not that the priests were moved by some holy zeal. Often those who persecuteinnocents imaginetheyareperformingaserviceacceptabletoGod,as infactweseethatSaintPaulwaspossessedbysucharage,that,being,asitwere,abrigand(soheiscalled)he spoiledanddestroyedmore.Even thenhe imaginedhimself tobeagoodzealot.ButthiswasnotsoofCaiaphasandallhisband.Forwhatdidtheyseek,exceptthat JesusChrist be unjustly oppressed? Sowe see that their ambition led them tofight openly against God, which is a horrible thing. For as for Caiaphas and all hisband, theyaresonsofLevi, theholy linewhichGodhadchosen. Itwasnotbymenthattheyhadbeenelected,butGodhadsoordainedbyHis law.It is truethattherewas a villainous and enormous corruption, inasmuch as the office of thepriestwassoldinthattime,andinsteadofbeingobligatedforlife(soGodhadordainedit)eachonebrought his companion andhewhobrought themostmoney carried away thatdignity. It was, then, a villainous and detestable corruption that intrigues andunderhanded practiceswere used in so holy and honorable an estate.However, the

Priest always remained in this line of LeviwhichGodhaddedicated toHis service.Nevertheless,lookatthem!allenemiesofGod,lookatthem!allintoxicatedbySatan,indeedenragedagainsttheRedeemeroftheworld,WhowasthefinalpurposeoftheLaw.

Soletusnotethatthosewhoareinhighestateanddignitywillnotalwaysacquitthemselvessofaithfullythatitisnotnecessarytokeepwatchoverthem,asoverthosewho can be enemies of God. By that one can see the altogether too dull-wittedfoolishnessofthePapists,whentheyadoptthetitleandestateofPriest.SupposethatGod had commanded that there be a Pope (which He never did). Suppose that HeoughttohaveHisthroneatRome(stillless).Thoughallthatmightbetrue,yetinthepersonofCaiaphasandofhiskind it is seen thatall thosewhohavebeen raised tohonorcanabusetheirpower.Sothenmaywenotbesofoolishastoamuseourselveswithmasks.Andwhenthereissomehonorabletitle,mayGodnotloseHisauthorityover it, aswe see thePapists renounce thewholeHolyScripture anddohomage totheir idols.Letus learn, then, thatunder shadowof somehumandignityGodmustnotbedecreased,butHemustretainHissovereignDominion.Thatisoneitem.Asforthescandalwhichwecouldhereconceiveaccordingtoourfancy, letusnotewhatissaidinPsalm118(asalsoourLordJesushadpreviouslyalleged)thatHeistherockwhichhad toberefusedby thebuilders.Andwhowere thebuildersof thehouseofGodandofHisChurch?ThePriests.Atleasttheyoughttoacquitthemselvesofthatoffice.YettheyrefusedthestonewhichGodhadestablishedasthecornerstone.Andthisstone,althoughitmighthavebeenrejected,hasneverthelessbeenseatedattheprincipalplaceof thebuilding, that is, thatGoddidnot cease to fulfillwhatHehadordainedbyHiscounsel,whenheraisedfromthedeadHisonlySon,andraisedHimhigherthanHewasbeforeHewasemptied.ForeverykneemustbowbeforeHim.

WhenitisheresaidthatthePriestssoughtfalsetestimony,thiswasnotsimplytocontriveacrime,buttohavesomepretextanddisguisetoburdenandoppresstheLordJesus.IntruthHehadpronouncedthesewords,“Destroythistemple,andIshallraise itup in threedays.”Those, then,are thewordsofourLordJesus, justas theycameoutofHismouth.Thewitnesseswhoareproducedrecitethem.Onecouldsaythat they are goodand faithfulwitnesses.Yet theHolySpirit calls them false, sincethey have wickedly perverted this remark. For our Lord Jesus spoke of His body,whichisthetruetempleofthedivinemajesty.ThematerialtemplewhichwasbuiltinJerusalemwasnothingbutafigure.Itwasonlyashadow,asweknow.ButinourLordJesusallfullnessoftheGodheadmadeHisresidence,assaysSt.Paul,indeed,bodilyandintruesubstance.Sothen,letusnotethatwemustlooknotsimplyatthewordsof a witness but at the intention of him who speaks. This is a good and usefulinstruction forus,becauseweseemenare sogiven to their evildeedsand lies thatwhentheyhavesomecoveritisenoughforthemanditseemstothemthattheyareabsolved beforeGodwhen they have by thismeans falsely charged aman.Maywenot,then,bestoppedsimplyatthewordsorattheformalityorceremony,butmaywe

lookat the truenatureof thecause.For thosewhocouldalwaysmaintain that theygavenoevidenceexceptwhatwasthere,willnotceasetobereputedbeforeGodfalsewitnesses,aswesee.

WhereuponitissaidthatCaiaphassaystoJesusChrist,“Hownow?Youanswernothing? Do you not see those who testify against you?” Yet Jesus still remainsentirely quiet and receives all those slanderouswords in silence. Onemight find itstrangethatJesusChrist,Whohadajustenoughoccasiontorepulsesuchafalsehooddoes not contradict. But (as already we havementioned, as we shall see still morefully) Jesus Christ was not there tomaintainHis doctrine as previously.Wemust,then, distinguish prudently among all circumstances. For Jesus Christ, after havingfastedinthedesert,wassentbyGodHisFathertopublishthedoctrineoftheGospel.DuringallthattimeweseewithwhatmagnanimityHealwaysdefendedthedoctrineofwhichHewasminister.We see howHewas opposed to all contradictions. That,then,ishowHeacquittedHimselfofHisoffice,sinceHewassentasministeroftheWord.Butherethereisaspecialregard.ItisthatHemustbeRedeemeroftheworld.Hemust be condemned, indeed, not for having preached theGospel, but for usHemustbeoppressed,as itwere, to the lowestdepthsandsustainour cause, sinceHewasthere,asitwere,inthepersonofallcursedonesandofalltransgressors,andofthosewhohaddeservedeternaldeath.Since,then,JesusChristhasthisoffice,andHebearstheburdensofallthosewhohadoffendedGodmortally,thatiswhyHekeepssilence.So,letuswellnotethatwhentherewasneedthatJesusChristmaintainedthedoctrineoftheGospel,andthatHisofficeandHiscallingdemandedit,Hefaithfullyacquitted Himself of it. But when by keeping silence He performed the office ofRedeemer, as if He accepted voluntary condemnation, it was not out of regard forHimself thatHekeptHismouthclosed, forHewasthere(asIhavealreadysaid) inourname. It is true thatHe speaks (aswe shall see presently) but it is not forHisdefense;itisnotwithoutinflamingtheangerandfuryofthewickedmenallthemoreagainst Him. That, then, is because He did not wish to escape death, but allowedHimself voluntarily to be oppressed, in order that He might show that He forgotHimselfinordertoacquitusbeforeGodHisFather.So,HehadnoregardforHimself,neitherforHis life itselfnorevenforHishonor.Itwasallonetosuffertheshamesand disgraces of theworld, provided that our sins be abolished andwe be absolvedfromourcondemnation.

Whereuponitissaid,“ThehighPriestadjuresHimbythelivingGodthatHetellthemifHeistheChrist, ifHeistheblessedSon.HeanswersthatsoHeis,buttheywill seeHismajestywhen it is too late,” that is, for them, since it will be to theirconfounding.HereourLordJesusspeaks,butitisnottobowasahumanbeingtothegreat Priest and all his band. Rather He uses threats to sting him still more. Ifpreviouslyhewasfullofmaliceandcruelty,thisistolightstillmorefire.Butwehavealready declared that Jesus Christ had no regard for Himself and that rather Heacquits Himself of the duty of which He has taken the charge, that is, to be our

Redeemer.

Besides,herewehave in the firstplace,as itwere,despisersofGod, thosewhoareentirelypossessedbySatan,whoyetwillabusesomekindofcoverofreligion,foronemight say that this great Priest still performs well his office, when he adjuresJesusChristbytheNameofthelivingGod.ButthatiswheremenareplungedonceSatanhas bound their eyes.He flings them into such impudence that theyhavenoreverenceforGod,nomorethantheyareashamedbeforemen.InthisanswerofourLordJesuswehavetonotethatHewishestodeclarebothtoCaiaphasandtoalltherestthatifHeisthus,asitwere,crushedforalittletime,thatoughtnottolessenHismajesty,thatalwaysHemaybeheldandreputedOnlySonofGod.ButHehashereastill higher consideration. It is that we may be assured that, having thus abasedHimself for our salvation, nothing has been lost of His heavenlymajesty, but thatbeforemenHewaswilling to be so oppressed, in order thatwemay bemade fullycertainthatweshallbefoundhonorablebeforeGod,becausealltheshameswhichwemighthavedeservedwillbeabolished.Since,then,ourLordJesuskeptsilenceandHedidnotdefendHimselfinHisgoodcause,nowwehaveourmouthsopentocalluponGod as if wewere righteous.He is even our Advocate,Who puts in a word for us.When, then, our Lord Jesus stood by, it was in order that now in full liberty HeintercedesforusbeforeGodHisFather,althoughwearenothingexceptpoorvermin.There is inusonlyallmisery.Yetwehaveaccess toGodtocalluponHimprivatelyandtoclaimHimopenlyasourFather.

ThisiswhatHewishestoshowwhenHesaid,“YouwillseeafterwardstheSonofManseatedat the righthandof thepowerofGod."Wemust, then,be turnedawayfromeveryregardwhichcouldbringusscandal,whenweseethatourLordJesuswasthus humiliated. So let us look at what was the end of it. He willed, then, to becondemnedwithoutanyresistanceinorderthatwemightbeabletoappearbeforethejudgment-seatofGod,and thatwecome there freelywithoutany fear.Letus learn,then, in summary, every time thehistoryof thePassion is recited tous so togroanand sigh seeing that theSonofGodhad to suffer so for us, thatwe tremble atHisMajestyuntilitmayappeartous.MaywebesoresolvedthatwhenHecomes,itwillbetomakeusexperienceineffectthefruitwhichHeacquiredforusbyHisdeathandpassion. Besides, may we fear to be numbered with those whom He threatens so,saying.“Youwillseehenceforth.”Foritmustbethatthewickedandreprovedwillfeelhow terrible is the judgment-seat of God and how great is His power to cast themdown when He will rise against them. When St. Paul also wishes to speak of thecondemnationwhichthewickedandthosewhoarecursedbyGodwillendure,hesaysthattheywillbebeforeHisinfinitemajestytremblingandfrightenedatHislook.

Sinceit isso, letuslearntohumbleourselvesbeforetheLordJesus.LetusnotwaittoseewiththeeyethemajestywhichHewillshowatHissecondcoming,butbyfaithletuscontemplateHimtodayasourKing,andtheHeadoftheAngelsandofall

creatures,andletusreceiveHimasoursovereignPrince.LetusattributetoHimthehonorwhich belongs toHim, knowing that sinceHe is given to us forwisdom, forredemption, forrighteousnessandholinessbyGodHisFather,wemustattribute toHimeverypraise,andthat it is fromHis fullness thatwemustdrawtobesatisfied.Letusbeadvised,then,todothishonortoourLordJesusChrist,althoughtodaywedonotyetseeHisjudgment-seatprepared.ButletuscontemplateHimbytheeyesoffaithandletuspraytoGodthatHemayenlightenusbyHisHolySpirit,thatHemaystrengthenus tocalluponHim in timeof trouble,and that thismaycarryusabovetheworld,aboveallofoursensesandallourapprehensions, insuchawaythatourLordJesusmaybemagnifiedtodaybyusasHedeserves.That,then,insummary,iswhatwehavetoremember.

TouchingthesayingthatCaiaphasandthePriestshavecondemnedHimtodeath,maywelearnnottobeastonishedbytheobstinacyofthewickedandoftheenemiesofthetruth.Todaythisdoctrineisverynecessaryforus.ForweseethegreatonesofthisworldblasphemeopenlyagainsttheGospel.WeseeeveninourmidstthatthosewhomakeprofessionoftheGospelandwishtobeconsideredreformedpeopleandinwhom it seems there is only theGospel, yet condemn likedevils incarnate, or evenlikefuriousbeastspossessedbySatan,thedoctrineoftheGospel.Oneneednotgofartoseeallthesethings.So,maywebeassuredagainstsuchscandals,andmaywelearnto always glorify our God. Though Caiaphas and all his kind cough up theirblasphemiesasmuchastheywish,andthoughtheysaythatJesusChristisdeservingofdeath, it isnecessary tokeepsilenceonsuchanarticle, though it isbad.Though,then, they so infect the air by their villainous and execrable blasphemies, yet let usclingtothisvoiceofourLordJesusChrist.IftodayHistruthissocondemnedbymenfalsely, and it is doubted, it is falsified, it is depraved, and people deliberately turntheirbackson it, it is strongandpowerful enough tomaintain itself.Letuswait inpatience until He appears for our redemption. Yet may all of us learn to humbleourselves,andtogiveHimall theglory,sinceHewassowilling tostoop, indeed, toemptyHimselfofeverythingforoursalvation.

NowletusbowinhumblereverencebeforethemajestyofourGod.

FourthSermononthePassionofOurLordJesusChrist

Thendidtheyspitinhisface,andbuffetedhim;andotherssmotehimwiththepalmsof their hands, Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ,Who is he that smote thee?NowPetersatwithoutinthepalace:andadamselcameuntohim,saying,Thoualsowastwith JesusofGalilee.Buthedeniedbefore themall, saying, I knownotwhatthousayest.Andwhenhewasgoneout intotheporch,anothermaidsawhim,andsaid unto them thatwere there, This fellowwas alsowith Jesus of Nazareth. Andagainhedeniedwithanoath,Idonotknowtheman.Andafterawhilecameuntohimtheythatstoodby,andsaidtoPeter,Surelythoualsoartoneof them;forthyspeechbetrayeth thee.Thenbeganhe tocurseand toswear, saying, Iknownot theman. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus,whichsaiduntohim,Beforethecockcrow,thoushaltdenymethrice.Andhewentout,andweptbitterly.Whenthemorningwascome,allthechiefpriestsandeldersofthepeopletookcounselagainstJesustoputhimtodeath:Andwhentheyhadboundhim, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. ThenJudas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repentedhimself,andbroughtagainthe thirtypiecesofsilver to thechiefpriestsandelders,Saying,IhavesinnedinthatIhavebetrayedtheinnocentblood.Andtheysaid,Whatisthattous?seethoutothat.Andhecastdownthepiecesofsilverinthetemple,anddeparted,andwentandhangedhimself.Andthechiefpriests tookthesilverpieces,andsaid,It isnot lawfulfortoputthemintothetreasury,becauseit isthepriceofblood. And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to burystrangersin.Whereforethatfieldwascalled,Thefieldofblood,untothisday.ThenwasfulfilledthatwhichwasspokenbyJeremytheprophet,saying,Andtheytookthethirtypiecesofsilver,thepriceofhimthatwasvalued,whomtheyofthechildrenofIsrael did value; And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointedme. -Matthew26:67-27:10

AsSaintPaulsaysthatthepreachingoftheGospelisodoroflifetothosewhomGodcallstosalvationandodorofdeathtoallreprobateswhoperish,alsowehavetwonoteworthyexampleswhoarehereproposedtoustoshowthatthedeathandpassionoftheSonofGodwastothesalvationofoneandpushedanotherintocondemnation.ForinthefallofPeterisseentheneedwhichhehadofbeingdrawnoutofthepitinwhichhewastrapped.ForwhilehewastherehewasbanishedfromtheKingdomofheaven,hewasalienatedfromallhopeofsalvationandcutofffromtheChurch,asarottenmember.NeverthelessthedeathofourLordJesusdidnotfailtobenefithim,althoughhemaynothavebeenworthyof it.AsforJudas, it issaidthat,seeingthatJesusChristiscondemned,heisseizedwithdespair.Nowinthiscondemnationofour

Lord Jesus (as we have said) one must take courage to hope in God. For we areabsolved by virtue of the fact that our Lord Jesus was condemned. But it wasnecessarythatwehadherethesetwomirrorsinorderthatwemightbeablesomuchthebettertoknowthatunlesswearebyspecialgracecalledtobesharersofthefruitofthedeathandpassionoftheSonofGod,itwillbeuselesstous.It isnotenough,then,thatourLordJesusChristhassuffered,butthegoodwhichHeacquiredforusmustbecommunicated,andwemustbeputinpossessionofit.ThatisdonewhenwearedrawntoHimbyfaith.

But tobetterunderstandall this letus followthe threadof thehistorywhich isherenarratedtous.ItissaidthatourLordJesuswastreatedwitheveryshameinthehouseofCaiaphas,thattheyspitinHisface,thatHewasinsultedandmadefunofbycallingHim“Prophet,”indeedindisgrace.Nowthatwasinorderthatwemightknowthat what He suffered in His person was to deliver us before God and before HisAngels.Fornooneneeds to spit inour face inorder forus tobearmany spotsandblemishes before God. All of us are not only disfigured by our sins, but full ofinfection,andabominable.Besides,here istheSonofGod,WhoisHis livingimage,whereHisgloryandmajesty shine,Whosufferedsuchshames, inorder that inHisnamenowwecanappearbeforeGod toobtaingraceand thatHemayknowusandownusasHischildren,andthatallourstainsandspotsmaybewipedaway.That(Isay)iswhatwehavetoconsiderinthefirstplace.

NowwecometothefallofPeter.Itissaid,“Achambermaid,seeinghim,accusedhim of being a disciple of Jesus. He denies it.” Another chambermaid returns. Hedeniesitagain.Then,morepresshimandmakequiteanissueofit.Thenhebeginstoswear,andeventocurse,andtousethe formofexecration.As ifhesaid,“MayIbedamned,mayIperish,maytheearthswallowmeup if IknowHim.”There, then, isthefallofSaintPeter,andnotone,butthreewhicharesoheavyandsoenormousthatwe surely ought to be frightened reading this history.Nowweknow the zealwhichwasinhim.Moreover,hehadbeenpraisedbyourLordJesusChrist,andthenameofPeterhadbeengiventohimtonote the firmnessandconstancyofhis faith;hehadbeen taught in such a good school. He had heard this doctrine: “Whoever willrenounceMebeforemen,himwillIalsorenouncebeforeGodMyFathertodisavowhimfromMe.”Yetweseehowhestumbles.Eachone,then,oughtsurelyheretohaveoccasiontotremble.Forunlesswearesustainedfromonhigh,theweaknessofPeterwasnogreater thanours.So, in the firstplace,weseehowfrailmenareassoonasGodhasletgowithHishand.Forthisisnotspokenofsomemocker,ofsomeprofaneman,of someonewhohadneverheardaparticleof theGospel,whohadno fearofGod, and who had borne no reverence to our Lord Jesus Christ. It is entirely thecontrary.FortherewerealreadysomeexcellentgiftsinPeter.Ithadbeensaidtohimfromthemouthof theSonofGod,“Fleshandbloodhavenotrevealed toyouthesethings,butMyFather.” It is, then, theSpirit ofGodwhichdwells inPeter.Yethowlittle he resists renouncing ourLord Jesus!A chamber-maid! If amanhad assailed

him,orifithadbeensomehonorablepersonwhohadassailedhim,theremighthavebeensomeexcuse.Butweseethatitrequiredonlyachamber-maidtomakehimgiveuphopeoflifeandofsalvation.

Letuscontemplate,then,inthepersonofPeter,thatitisverynecessarythatGodstrengthen us each minute of time. For it is impossible to persevere otherwise.AlthoughwemayhavetriedtodrawneartoGod,andthoughwemayhavedonemanydeedsofvirtue,allthesameattheleastlittleturningofthehandweshallbeentirelychangedunlessGodcontinues togiveus invincibleconstancy.Letus learn, then, topracticetheadmonitionofSaintPaul,“Lethimwhostandstakeheedlesthefall."Itistruethatwecannotmaintainourselves.ButletushaverecoursetoHimWhohasthemeans.However,letuswalkinallhumility.AsSaintPaulsaysintheotherpassage.

“Since it isGodWhogivesthewillandthedeedandHedoes itbyHisgoodpleasure,beadvised(sayshe)toworkoutyoursalvationinfearandtrembling.”(Philippians2:13,12b.)

As if he said that all presumption surely ought to be beaten down, and indeed allindifference.When we see what necessity we have to be helped by God, and in somanyways,isitnotrightthatwebeonourguard,indeedthatwedonotpresumeatall on our own strength, but that we be solicitous to call upon God evening andmorning,andtoputourselvesinHiskeepingandleading?

That,then,iswhatwehavetoobserveinthefirstplace.Itisevenverynecessaryforustoassumethatthetemptations,althoughtheymaynotbelarge,willhavesoonoverwhelmedus,unlessGodbyHisgraceworksonitandHeremediesit.Andthosewho imagine themselves to be themost hardy, when they are far from blows, findthemselves,asitwere,lostifthereisonlyalittlewindthatblows.ItistruethatifGodassistsus,weshallpersevere,howevergreatstormsarise.Forweknowthefigureofspeech thatourLordJesusChristdrew: thatabuildingwithagood foundationandbuilt of goodmaterial, although there comesa great torrent, always remainswhole;butwhat is built upon sandwill soon go away in decay. So then,whenwe shall befoundeduponourGodandHewillextendtousHisstronghand,weshallsurelybeabletosustaingreatandveryroughalarms.Butalthoughtheremaynotbeanyenemywhofightsus,yetweshallbeconqueredimmediatelywhenGodwithdrawsfromusorletsgoofourhand,asweseeinPeter.

ButitisstillworsethatitisnotonlyoncethathedeniestheLordJesus.Butherepeatsitasmanytimesasheisquestioned.Weseethatitdidnotmatteratalltohimthathewasgoingfrombadtoworse,evenuntilheaddsexecration,asitwere,askingthatGodmaycursehimandswallowhimup.Whenweseethat,letusknowthathewhohas fallen, insteadofwanting tobe raised soon,will plungehimself evermoredeeplyintoruin,untilhecompletelyperishesinit,unlessGodremediesit.Thisisthe

condition of men. From the beginning theymake themselves believe that they aremarvelsintheirownpower.YetourLordshowsbyexperiencethatitisnothing,andthatonlyalittlewindblows,andtheyarebeatendown.Stilltheyarepersuadedthattheycanstandupagain.Butonthecontrarytheyonlyaugmenttheirevil,addingfaultupon fault, overflowing stillmorewith preposterous deeds. If Saint Peter had beentemptedahundredtimesinaday,hewouldhaverenouncedJesusChristahundredtimes,andathousandbesides.ThatiswherehewouldhavebeenunlessGodhadhadpityonhim.ButHesparedhim,anddidnotwishtoprovehimfurther.Yetthethreefallsmentionedhereareenoughtoshowadreadfulexample,anditoughttomakeourhairstanduponendwhenweseethatforthethirdtimePetersoforgothimselfandthathewasassenselessasabrutetorenouncehissalvation.Besides,wemustalwaysobserve that if still other temptations had come upon him, he would have resistedthemnobetterandhewouldhavebeenputintothemostprofounddepthsunlessGodhadsparedhimthatmuch.

That,then,ishowwehavetoprofitfromthisdoctrine.NowwedonothearthesethingsinordertojudgePeterandtocondemnhiscowardice.Tobesure,wecannotdoitjustly,butifitisnecessaryinthefirstplacetoreceiveinstruction,mayweknowourweakness,mayweevenknow thatwecandonothingatall,maywenotbe inflatedwithpride,attributingtoourselvesbyfoolishopinionsomevirtue.However,maywealsoknow,sincethedevilhassomanymeanstoplotourruin,hewouldsoonputanendtous,sinceSt.Peterfellwithouthismakinganyappearance.Thenfinally,letusknowthatourLordJesushaspityonuswhenHedoesnotpermitustobetemptedwithoutlimit.Foritiscertainthatalwayssomuchmoreevilwouldbeuncovered,andthattherewouldbenoend,unlesswewereheldbackbyHisgoodness.Theseareallthethingswehaveheretoobserve.

However, it is said, “Peter, after having heard the cock crow (as St. Luke tells)afterJesusChristlookedathim,wentoutsideandweptbitterly.”Bythisconclusionitis shown us (as I have alreadymentioned) that the death and passion of our LordJesushasalreadyproduceditseffectanditspowerinthatPeterhasbeenraisedfromsuchahorriblefall.ForisitnotamiraclethatGodhadpityonhimandthathestillobtainedmercyafterhavingcommittedsuchadetestablefault?Wehavedeclaredthathecouldnothave theexcuseof ignorance,as ifhis faultofhavingrenouncedJesusChristweresmall.Forithadbeensaidandpronouncedtohimthatifhedidnotmakeconfessionofhisfaithandgivetestimonybeforemenhewoulddeservetobeentirelycutoffbefore theAngelsofGodand thathisnamebeerased from thebookof life.However it does notmatter to him that he sells thismiserable and frail life by sovillainous and so strange a renunciation. Indeed, he is not yet even led before thejudges.Heisnotquestionedtothelimit.Thereisonlyachamber-maidwhospeakstohim.Whentheymightalreadyhavebeenrudetohim,andwellso,hehadfoughtonlyas apoor ill-starred creature.Nevertheless, hedidnot forget all fear ofGod.When,then, we see that, let us think how much more necessary it was for us that God

displayed the infinite treasuresofHisgoodness,whenHestillmadePeter sharerofthefruitofthedeathandpassionofHisSon.

It is,then,amiraclewhichoughttoenraptureus,thatPeterobtainedremissionforsuchagreatoffense,indeed,asitappears,byhisrepentance.Foritiscertainthatifamanistouchedtothequick,afterhavingfailed,andhemoansandwailsbeforeGodto obtain pardon, it is a sign that God has already received him, and that He hasreconciledhimtoHimself.ForalsorepentanceisapeculiargiftproceedingfromtheHolySpirit,WhoshowsusthatGodhaspityonusandthatHedoesnotwillthatweperish.ButHedrawsus toHimself.Nowwesee that inPeter. It follows, then, thatalreadythedeathandpassionofourLordJesusChristwasprofitabletohim,indeed,inamarvelousway,as Ihavealreadysaid.But in the firstplace letusnote thatSt.PeteralwaysremainedsleepyandstupiduntilhereceivedthesignofwhichourLordJesusChristhaswarnedhim,thatis,thatthecockwouldnotcrowuntilherenouncedHimthree times,orbetter, that thecockwouldnotcrowfor thesecondtimeunlessPeterhadalreadymadehisrenunciations.Sinceitisso,then,thatifhehadnotbeenwarned by our Lord Jesus Christ he would have remained there in his sin and hewould be forever plunged into perdition, let us know that we need to be solicitousafterwehavecommittedsomefault.ForifweweredeprivedofthegraceofGodandHedidnotexhortustoreturntoHim, it iscertainthatwewouldbepreoccupiedbySatan and all our senses would be brutalized so that we would have neither anyscruplenorgoodmovementtoreturntothewayofsalvation.

That,then,iswhatwemustcontemplatefurtherinthepersonofPeter.ButwhenSaintLuketellsthatJesusChristlookedathim,throughthatwearesomuchbettertaughtthatitisnotsufficienttobestungandthatsomeonetugonourearstomakeusreturntoGod,butJesusChristmustcastHisglanceandHislookuponus.Nowitistruethatitisherespokenofonlythelookoftheeyes.HoweverourLordJesusdoesnotconversewithus inavisiblemanner.Yet it iscertain thatuntilHehascastHisglance upon uswe shall always be blockheaded dullards in our faults andwe shallnever think to moan and wail, although we may have provoked the wrath of God.Although He may have His bow bent and His sword unsheathed, we shall alwaysremain in our indifference until our Lord Jesus has made us feel that He has notforgottenusandthatHeisnotwillingthatweperish,butwishestodrawusbacktoHimself.Andthat itmaybeso,weheardailysermons,bywhichweareexhortedtorepentance. And how are we touched by them? There are asmany admonitions astherecouldbe.DoesnotallcreationinciteustocometoGod?Ifoursensesarewellruledsoastohavesomeparticleofprudence,whenthesunrisesinthemorning,doesitnotcallustoadoreourGod?Afterthat,ifwenoticehowtheearthandallelementsperformtheiroffices,thebeastsandthetrees,thatshowsusthatwemustdrawuptoourGod,inorderthatHemaybeglorifiedinus,andthatwemaynotthinkofdoingotherwise.Thecock,then,haswellcrowed,andnotonlythecock,butGodmakesallhiscreaturesaboveandbelowtocrowtoexhortustocometohim.Whatismore,He

surelydeignstoopenHissacredmouththroughtheLaw,throughHisProphets,andthroughtheGospel,tosay,“Returntome.”However,itisseen,asitwere,thatwearedull-witted.Suchastupidityisseeninusthatweare,asitwere,monsters.Itisverynecessary,then,thatourLordJesusregardusinpity,asHedidPeter,inordertodrawfrom us true wailing’s to give testimony of our penitence. For when it is said thatPeter wept bitterly, it is to note the sorrow of which Saint Paul speaks in 2Corinthians,whenhesaysthat itworkstowardsalvation(2Corinthians7:9,10)andthatweoughtnottoflee itbutthatweevenoughttoseekit.Althoughnaturallywewishtoenjoyourselvesandnottoexperienceanynuisance,yetwemusthavesomemelancholy. As when God touches us with anguish, we must be tormented in ourheartsafterhavingoffendedHim.Forsuchunrest istoleadustorealrestandsuchsorrowistomakeusrejoicebothbeforeGodandbeforeAngels.

Soon we shall well see that Judas repented, but it is in another and diversefashion.Butas forPeter,hewept to show thathewasgreatlydispleasing inhis sinandhehasfullyreturnedtoJesusChrist.Letusnotealsothat“hewentouttoweep.”It is true that it still proceeded from his weakness, that he feared to show hisrepentancebeforethecrowd.Butthoughthatmaybe,whenhe,weepsalone,hewellshowsthatheistouchedbyhisfaultandoffense.Forhedoesnotseekmentowitnesshisrepenting,butbeingalone,heweepsbeforeGod.Thatisalsohowwemustdoit.For ifweweeponlybeforemen,bythatweshowourhypocrisy.Butwheneachonehascollectedhisthoughts,andheexamineshisfaultsandsins,ifheisthentouchedwithanguish, it isasignthatthere isnomake-believe inhim,andthatheknewhisJudge,andthatheistheretoaskpardon,andhewellknewthatitistheofficeofGodtodrawbackfromthedepthsthosewhoarealready,asitwere,damnedandlost.That,then, insummary, iswhatwehavetorememberfromtheaccountheregivenof thefallofPeter,andconcerningthese threerenunciations,bywhichhehaddeservedtobe cut off from theKingdomofGod, unless JesusChrist had already displayed thepowerofHisdeathandpassioninordertodrawhimtorepentance,asweseethatitcametopass.

Next it is said, “Thepriestsandgovernors tookcounsel tocondemnJesus.”Butbecausethatwasnotintheirpower,theyledHimboundandtiedtothegovernorwhohad jurisdiction over the country, that is, Pontius Pilate. After that theGospel tellsthat Judas repented, seeing that Jesus Christ was condemned, and threw down themoney which he had received as the price and payment for his betrayal andcompletely confessed his fault. However the Priests are not willing to receive themoney,butitbuysapotter’sfield,wheretherehadbeensometile-makingsothatthefieldwasuselessandcouldbeneithercultivatednorseeded.Theybuy,then,thisfieldtoburypassers-by.Indeed,theydoitundercoverofsomedevotion.FortheysaidthatitwasnotlawfulthatthismoneybeputwiththeofferingsoftheTemple.Whereuponthe Gospel-writer says what was said by the Prophet was fulfilled, that the thirtydenarii,bywhichGodhadbeenappraisedbythepeopleofIsrael,couldbeusedforthe

pottery.Wehaveheretoconsiderwhatwasalreadybegun,thatis,thatthedeathandpassionofourLordJesusdoesnotbearfruitinallmen,becauseitisaspecialgracethatGodgivestoHiselectwhenHetouchesthembyHisHolySpirit.Althoughtheyhavefallen,Heraisesthem.Althoughtheyhavegoneastraylikewanderingsheep,HecorrectsthemandextendstothemHishandtobringthembacktoHisfold.Forthereis Judaswho is entirely cut off from the number of the children ofGod. It is evennecessarythathiscondemnationappearbeforemenandthatitbeentirelyobvious.

Soletuslearn(followingwhatIhavealreadymentioned)toknowineverythingandbyeverythingthe inestimablegoodnessofourGod.ForasHedeclaredHis lovetowardmankindwhenHe spared notHisOnly Son but deliveredHim to death forsinners,alsoHedeclaresalovewhichHebearsespeciallytowarduswhenbyHisHolySpiritHetouchesusbytheknowledgeofoursinsandHemakesuswailanddrawsustoHimself with repentance. The entrance, then, that we have to come to our LordJesusChristdoesnotproceed fromus,but it is inasmuchasGodgovernsusand itpleasedHimtoshowHiselection.Andthesecircumstancesaregoodtonote.BeholdJudaswhohadbeenadiscipleofourLordJesusChrist.HehaddonemiraclesinHisName.Yetwhatistheissueofit?Maywe,then,learntofearandtowalkinsolicitude,castingourselvesentirelyuponourGod;andmaywepraythatHemaynotpermitusto fall into suchconfusionas thismiserablewretch.Andevenwhenwehave fallen,thatHemay raiseusagainbyHispower, and thatwemay return toHim;notwithsuch a repentance as that of Judas, but with a true and right confession. For thewickedmockGodasmuchastheycan.Theyarepleasedintheirsins.Theyeventakegloryinthem,andintheendtheybecomeasshamelessasprostitutes,asitissaidbythe Prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel. Besides, in the endGodmakes them feel theirsins,andtheyareinsuchfrightthattheyfretandcry“alas!”ButitisnotinordertoconceivesomehopeandtopresentthemselvestoGod.Ratheritisafurywhichdrivesthem. They flee as far as possible and they would like to pull down God fromHisthrone.ItisonlyamatteroffrettingandofgnashingtheirteethincompleterebellionagainstHim.

Nowwesurelymustcometoanotherkindofrepentance;thatis,notthatwebefrightened,seeingthatwecannotescapethejudgmentandthehandofGod;butthatweconfessoursin,anddetestit;andnextthatwedonotceasetodrawneartoGod,indeed,beingsummonedbeforeHimwithoutbeingdrawntoHimbyforce;butthatofourowngoodpleasurewecometodoHimhomage,andtoconfessthatwedeservetoperish; nevertheless, being assured that although we deserve a hundred thousanddeaths,Hewill not, however, cease to have pity on us. That was the repentance ofPeter.ButthatofJudasoughttoshowusthatitisnotsufficienttohavesomefeelingofour faults and some scruple,butwemustbe fully converted toGod.This is verynoteworthy,becauseweseehowmany,andnearlyall,flatterthemselves.Whentheyhavemadeconfessioninawordoftheirfaults,howevergrievoustheyare,itseemstothemthat theyare freeandclear,as if all theyhad todowas towipe theirmouths.

Andeven if some instance ismentioned to them, they imagine that theyaredoneagreat wrong. “Why?” they say, “Have I not recognized my fault? Have I not donepenitence?”Thatisallthepaymenttheymake,asifGodwerealittlechildWhowasappeasedbysomelaughter,evenafalselaughterwhichisfullofhypocrisyandlying.ButsinceitiscommonamongmenthattheywishtoappeaseGodIdonotknowhowall,soit issaidthatJudasrepented.Letusfear,then,whenGodadmonishesusandHe makes us feel our faults, but let us not stop everything there. For that is notproperlyrepentance.Buthereisthetestbywhichwecanknowwhetherwearetrulyrepentantornot.ItiswhenofourfreewillweseekcompleteaccordwithGodandwedonotfleebeingjudgedbyHim,indeed,providedthatHereceivesusinmercy.ThisiswhatHewilldoafterwepleadguilty.ForhewhowilljudgehimselfinordertopleadguiltybeforeGod,beforeAngels,andbeforemenwillbejustifiedandabsolved,sinceheasksonlythatGodmaybefavorabletowardhim.Thatthen, insummary, iswhatwehavetoobserve.

NowthisconfessionofJudashadtobemadeinordertorenderthePriestsallthemore inexcusable. Also the Gospel-writer gives this account so that we maycontemplate so much the better the blindness that Satan had put into all thesereprobates,and thateachonemay thinkofhimself.WhenGodproposes tous suchexamplesofHiswrathandofHisvengeanceandHeshowsthatmenare,as itwere,mad,thattheyaredepravedofsenseandofreason,thattheyare(briefly)brutishtoflingthemselveswithaninfernalfury;itisinorderthateachoneofusmaybowhisheadandthateachoneofusmayknowthatwecouldoftencometothat,unlesswewerepreservedbythegoodnessandgraceofourGod.However,letusbeadvisednotto fightagainstourownconsciencesas thePriestsdid.Forall thosewhosohardenthemselvesagainstGodintheendwill fall intosuchareprobateconditionthattheywill no longer have any reason in them. Even after being thus undone beforeGod,theywillalsoceasetobeatallashamedbeforemen.Forit isagoodthingthattheirbaseness isshowntoallandthat theybeput insuchdisgracethateveryonemaybehorrifiedbytheirvillainy.

That,then,iswhytheGospel-writerhashererelatedtousthatwhenJudascametopaybackthemoney,thePriestswerenotatallmovedbyit.Itistruethattheydosaythatitisnotlawfultoputitintothecofferofthetreasury,butthatitisthepriceofblood.ThatishowhypocritesalwaysguardwellIdonotknowwhatappearancestomakeashadowandacoveringfortheiriniquities.ButthisinonlymockingGod.FortheynevercomeinintegrityandopennesstoHim.Forwhatistheretosay?“Oh,weshallnotput thismoneywith thesacredoblations,because it is thepriceofblood.”Then this money, had it been stolen? It is known that the Priests lived on theoblations of the Temple. As today in the Papacy those who are called Prelates andpeopleof theChurchgobbleuptheoblationsanddonotcare forwhatpurposetheyapply them. Although the Priests had drawn from the oblations of the Temple themoneywhichtheyhadgiventoJudas,itdoesnotmattertothem;theyhavenoregard.

Nowtheymakeanissueofputtingthismoneybackintothecofferoftheoblations.BywhichmeanstheyrepulseJudas,asitwere,bymockery,andasiftheysaid,“Perhapsthiswickedmanhasbetrayedhismaster.Wehaveonlytodeterminewhetherbehasdonegoodorevil.Yetinorderthatwemaynotbesharersinhisoffenseonourpart,and in order to keep our hands clean (since they had used this money for such apurpose)we shallbuywith it a field for theburialof strangers.” Indeed, to say thattheyhavesurelysatisfiedGodandthatHemightnotknowhowtoaskmore,thoughtherewassomefaultinwhattheydid.

Thatishowhypocriteswillalwayshavetheirsatisfactions,thinkingtobuytheirwayout,butthisisonlychild’splay.Yetletusknowthatthisisrecitedtousinorderthat wemay learnwhenwe have fallen to recognize our faults in truth and not tomakecircuits fromonesideor fromanother,but ineverythingandbyeverythingtofranklybearcondemnation.That,then,iswhatisshowntous.Meanwhile,letuspraytoGodthatHeremovefromustheblindfoldSatanistryingtoputoninorderthatwemaynot croakonour flatteries,wishing to excuse evil, but thatmore andmorewemaytakethetroubletoexaminewellallourvicestocondemnthemandtomakeanuprightconfessionofthem.Besides,weseealsohowGodoverthrowstheopinionofhypocrites,thatintheendtheyremainfrustratedbywhattheyhadpretended.ForthePriestshadsurelywishedtoerasetheirfaultandthatnoonemightevermentionit.That iswhy theypretendwhen theybuya field for theburialof strangers.ButGodturnsthatentirelytothecontraryoftheirintention.Forthisfieldmustbecalled“fieldof blood” or “field of murder.” That memorial must be perpetual and it remainsforeveronthemouthsofmen,womenandlittlechildren,sothatthisdetestablecrimewhichhadbeenthuscommittedbythePriestsisdailyknownandmanifest,andtheysay, “Behold, the field of blood, that is, the field that was bought with the price ofbetrayal.Andwhodidit?ThePriestsandthechiefsofallthepeople.”Sothen,weseewhen hypocrites try to hide themselves in their crimes and to disguise themselves,thatGoduncoverstheirvillainyallthemoreandcausestheirshametobeknownbyallmenandthateveryoneholdthemindetestation.ThatiswhyIhavesaiditisallthemore necessary that we be advised to come to God and there to uncover all ouroffenses,inorderthatitmaypleaseHimtoburythembeforeHim,beforeHisAngels,andbeforealltheworld,whenwehavethusrecognizedthemonourpart.

FinallytheGospel-writercitesapassagefromtheProphettoshowthatthisisnotrecitedonlyonaccountofthesinofJudas,oronaccountofthedevilishobstinacyofthePriests,butonaccountofthecondemnationofallpeopleingeneral.Hesays,then,“Whatwaswrittenbytheprophethasbeenfulfilled,thatGodwasappraisedatthirtydenarii and that was applied on a potter’s field.” Now Zechariah, from whom thispassage is drawn, compares our Lord Jesus Christ to a Shepherd, and says thatwishingtogoverntheJewishpeople,HehadtakenHisstaff,orHisshepherd’scrook,whichwascalled“Beauty,”inordertosaythatHehadaconditionsowellorderedthatitwaspossibleamongthosepeople,indeed,thatHemightbeallowedtobeledbythe

handofGod.Foristhereanythingmoredesirable?Andthatitmaybeso,whereisoursovereignjoyandbliss,unlessGodcaresforoursalvationandHeperformstheofficeofshepherdamongus?That,then,wasagovernmentofGodinthosepeople,whenitisspokenofthisrod,notofastaffwhichistostrikeandbreakeverything,buttoleadand govern peaceably the sheepwhich become docile. Now it is said that againHetookasecondrod.Asinfact,whenthepeoplehavebeenreturnedfromthecaptivityofBabylon,Godhas thengoneback toHispositionas shepherd.After suchahorribledissipation as had existed previously, He gathers in the people to govern thempeaceablyunderHishand.But in theend therewassuchvillainous ingratitude thatGodhadtoquiteverything.SoHesays,“Oh,Iseewhatitis;IneednotloseMytimeorMytroublewithyou.”Hespeakshereinthecommonfashionofmen.“Letusgeton themarch at once. Payme, that Imay go away.”Whereupon they broughtHimthirtydenarii.“What?”saysHe,“isthistherewardandthepaymentIgetfromyou?”ForwhenHespeaksofthirtydenarii,HeconsiderstheoblationswhichtheymadeintheTemple.Theywere(sincetheyusedtheminhypocrisywithoutfaithandwithoutrepentance) only vain ceremonies which, nevertheless, the Priests and the Jew’sprizedhighly.AstodaythePapists,whentheyhavedonemany“holies”andall theirbeautifuldevotions,itseemstothemthatGodisalmostindebtedtothem.NowGodsaysall that is only rubbish. “How,” saysHe, “have I gained fromyourhavinggonethroughit?Perhapsthatisthepaymentforashepherd,Iammuchobligedtoyou.Oh,oh, no! I have nothing to do with it. Go, throw that in the pottery, and may youdecoratethemouthsandhandlesofyourpotswithit!Go!Iamleavingyou.Usethatinyourtile.”AsifHesaid,“IfitrainsinyourTemple,fixityourselves.AsforMe,Inolongerhaveanypartorportionwithyou.Iwishyouwouldgoaway.AnddonotthinktoappeaseMeherebybringingMe,as itwere, thepaymentofascoundrel.Idonotapproveatallofanyofit.”That,then,iswhattheProphet,insummary,hasintended.

NowweknowthatwhatwaspredictedofourGodthen,wasfulfilledinthepersonof our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is our true God manifest in the flesh. So it wasnecessarythatinavisiblemannerthispassagebeverified,andthatJesusChristwasappraised at only thirty denarii, that is, that the people showed such villainousingratitudetowardHim,WhowastheEternalShepherd,WhomGodhadestablishedoverHispeople.ItiscertainthatsincethepeoplehadleftbeinggovernedbyGod,alsoourLordJesusalwaysperformedtheofficeofMediator,indeed,althoughHehadnotyetappearedinhumanflesh.Wemustrememberthiswell,inorderthatwemaylearnonourpart, ifGodhasexercisedthegracetoreceiveus,as itwere,underHishand,andwe areHis flock, andHe gives us ourLord JesusChrist for a Shepherd, not tosting Him so that His Spirit is saddened and wearied by our acts of rebellion andingratitude. Also may we not throw Him any bouquets of flowers (as they say incommonproverb),butsinceHegivesHimselftous,mayweclingtoHimasourGodand King, may we dedicate our whole lives to Him, and may we not bring Him apaymentthatHerejects;butmaywepresenttoHimbothoursoulsandourbodies.

For it is also very right that He should have all preeminence over us and that Hepossessusentirely,whenweseethatHeseeksonlyoursalvation.

Nowtoenditandcometotheconclusion,itissaid,“OurLordJesushavingbeenledbeforePilateanswerednothing.Pilateaskedhim,saying,‘Doyounotspeakatall?Doyounot see thewitnesses theyhavebroughthereagainstyou?’Andheheldhispeace, so that the judge marveled greatly.” In the first place we have to keep inmemory,whenourLordJesusChristisjudgedbefore,anearthlyjudge,thatitwasinorder that we might be exempt and absolved from the condemnation which wedeservedbeforetheheavenlyJudge.WeknowthatwecannotescapewhatiswrittenbytheProphetIsaiah,thateverykneemustbowbeforeGod.(Isaiah45:23.)SinceGodistheJudgeoftheworld,howcanwesubsistbeforeHisfaceandbeforeHismajesty?Thereisnotoneofuswhoisnotconstrainedtocondemnhimselfahundredthousandtimes. When we have lived only a year in the world, there are already a hundredthousandfaults,bywhichwedeservetobecondemned.Thereisnoonewhohasnotthis testimony engraved upon his heart, and who is not convinced of it. Now God,Whoseesmuchmoreclearlythanwe,howwillHenotcondemnuswheneachoneisconstrainedtocondemnhimself,indeed,insomanyways?ButhereourLordJesusissubjected to this extremity of being accused before an earthly judge, even before aprofane man, before a man who was pushed only by his greed and his ambition.When,then,theSonofGodishumiliatedtothatextent,letusknowthatitisinorderthatwemaybeabletocomewithheadsraisedbeforeGod,andthatHemayreceiveus, and that fearmayno longer causeus todrawback fromHis judgment-seat, butthatwemay dare to approach it boldly, knowing thatwe shall be received there inmercy.WeevenknowthatJesusChristacquiredauthorityandpowerandsovereigndominiontobeJudgeoftheworld.AndwhenHeisthuscondemnedbyPilate,itisinorderthattodaywemaycomeboldlytoHim,indeed,knowingthatpowerisgiventoHim to judge us. Since He stood there, may we know that He wished to bear ourcondemnationandthatHedidnotintendatrialtojustifyHimself,alsoknowingwellthatHe had to be condemned, indeed, in our person. For althoughHewaswithoutspotorblemish,HeborealloursinsuponHimself.Weneednotbeastonished,then,that He stood there as if He had been convicted. For otherwiseHe could not haveperformedtheofficeofMediatorexceptbyacceptingsentenceandconfessingthatinourpersonsHehaddeservedtobecondemned.That,then,iswhatthesilenceofourLordJesusChrist implies, inorder that todaywe can call uponGodwith full voice,andthatwecanaskHimforpardonforallvicesandoffenses.

NowletusbowinhumblereverencebeforethemajestyofourGod.

FifthSermononthePassionofOurLordJesusChrist

AndJesusstoodbeforethegovernor:andthegovernoraskedhim,saying,Artthouthe King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. And when he wasaccusedof the chief priests and elders, heanswerednothing.Then saidPilateuntohim,Hearestthounothowmanythingstheywitnessagainstthee?Andheansweredhim to never aword; insomuch that the governormarvelled greatly. Now at thatfeastthegovernorwaswonttoreleaseuntothepeopleaprisoner,whomtheywould.And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. Thereforewhen theyweregathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you?Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? For he knew that for envy they haddeliveredhim.Whenhewassetdownonthejudgmentseat,hiswifesentuntohim,saying,Havethounothingtodowiththatjustman:forIhavesufferedmanythingsthis day inadreambecause of him.But the chief priests and elderspersuaded themultitudethattheyshouldaskBarabbas,anddestroyJesus.Thegovernoransweredandsaiduntothem,WhetherofthetwainwillyethatIreleaseuntoyou?Theysaid,Barabbas. Pilate saith unto them,What shall I do thenwith Jesuswhich is calledChrist? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. And the governor said,Why,what evil hath he done?But they cried out themore, saying, Let him be crucified.WhenPilatesawthathecouldprevailnothing,butthatratheratumultwasmade,hetookwater,andwashedhishandsbeforethemultitude,saying,Iaminnocentoftheblood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said,Hisbloodbeonus,andonourchildren.ThenreleasedheBarabbasuntothem:andwhenhehadscourgedJesus,hedeliveredhimtobecrucified.-Matthew27:11-26

We have already seen by the preceding verses that our Lord Jesus so offeredHimselfofHisownwillasasacrificetomakereparationforallouriniquitiesbyHisobedienceandHewaswillingtobecondemnedtowipethemout.ThatiswhyitissaidthatHedidnot answer at all the accusations thatwere raised againstHim.Hehadenoughwherewithtoanswer,butHewassilent,asisalsomentionedbytheProphetIsaiah.Thatwasnotonlytoshowhispatience,butinordertoacquireforuslibertytobe able today to glory in being righteous and innocent before God (indeed,notwithstandingthatourconscienceaccusesusandcondemnsus),knowingthatGodhasreceivedusinmercy,andthatallourfaultsareabolishedbytheperfectionwhichwasfoundinourLordJesusChrist.That,then,ishowtheSonofGodacquiredforusthe liberty to be able to glory boldly that we are the children of God and reputedrighteousbeforeHim,thatis,whenHewilledtooffernoreplytoshowHisintegrity.Besides, onemight at first find it strange thatHe is thus capturedandneverthelessrespondsthatHeisKingoftheJews.Forthesethingsseemcontradictory;butSaintJohnproceeds still further, and says thatHedeclared thatHisKingdomwasnot of

thisworld,and thenHedeclaredalso thatHewasSonofGod, indeed,HeprotestedthatHehadcomeintotheworldtomaintainthetruth.Butallthisagreeseasily.ForourLordJesussurelyhadtodeclareHimselftobeKingoftheJews,unlessHewishedtorejecttheProphecies.AlsoHehadtobedeclaredSonofGod.ButthatdidnotleadtoHisabsolution.Itwasratherthattheremightnotbealongdrawn-outtrial,butthatHemightbecondemned.Letusnotewell, then,when thesilenceofJesusChrist isspoken of, that itwas inasmuch asHe did notwish to offer any excuse. As forHisperson, He kept His mouth closed. However, He did not cease to make suchconfessionasHehadtomake.ThatisalsowhySaintPaulsaysthatHemadeagoodconfessionbeforePontiusPilate(1Timothy6:13).ForifithadbeenamatterofJesusChrist’s entering intoHis own self-defense, already the judgewas persuaded ofHisintegrity.Hecould,then,easilyhavewonHiscasebyspeaking.That iswhatamazesPilate.YetourLordJesusChristdidnotcease torendersuchtestimonyasGodhadcommittedtoHim—nottendingtoinstruct(forthiswasnottheplace)buttoconfirmandratifythedoctrinetowhichHehadpreviouslybornewitness.

However, we have to note on the one hand that the crime which troubled theJews most was that He had stirred up trouble and prevented them from payingtributestotheEmperorofRome.ThatalsowastoirritatetheGovernor,apaganmanwhowas sent thereby theEmperor.Now it is very certain that ourLordJesushaddeclaredHimselftobeKing,butnotanearthlyking.As,infact,weseethatwhentheJews wish to crown Him, He withdraws Himself and hides on the mountain. Stillfurther He dulls the edge of that calumny, because it would have been a slanderagainst theGospel, ifHehadpervertedtheorderand law-enforcementof theworld.ForHeWhohascometocallusalltotheheavenlyKingdomandtomakeussharersinitdidnotwishtoabolishearthlykingdoms,sinceeventheyaresustainedbyHimandinHispower.TheGospel,then,neednotbeblamed,savingthatJesusChristhadcometousurpanypowerorworldlyauthority.ThatiswhyHesaidtoPilateespeciallythatHiskingdomisnotofthisplace.

Infact,whatwouldhappeniftheKingdomofourLordJesusChristwereearthly?What would we gain by hoping in Him, since our condition is somiserable in theworld?Unbelievershaveamuchbetter lotthanwe,concerningtheafflictionswhichwemustendure.TrueitisthatthechastisementsofGodhaveeffecteverywhereandthatthosewhowishitasmuchastheypossiblycandonotceasetobesubjecttomanymiseries and afflictions. But all the same let us always be ready for more rigiddiscipline.ForGodmustbeginHischastisementsinHishouseandinHisChurch.If,then,ourLordJesuswereanearthlyKing, itwould seem thatwemightbeentirelyalienatedfromHim.Further,supposewehadeverythingeasy in thisworldandthatbymeansoftheSonofGodwehadhere,asitwere,aparadise,yetourlifeisonlyashadow.Ourhappiness, then,wouldbeverybriefandfrail.Sowemustsurelyknowandbe entirelypersuaded that theKingdomofourLordJesus isheavenly, inorderthatwemayreachthe lifeeverlasting towhichwearecalled.That, then, ishowthe

KingdomofJesusChristisperpetual,becauseitdoesnotconsistinanythingwhichisofthisworld,herewhereeverythingiscorruptible.

Let us learn, then, to bear patiently our adversities, knowing that they neitherdiminish nor impair at all the grace which was acquired for us by our Lord JesusChrist.Forindeed,theseareaidstooursalvation,asSt.PaulshowsinRomans8:28.When we are despised and mocked by the world, that we have to suffer manyreproaches, that we are hungry and thirsty, that our wings are clipped, that we areharassedfromallsides;wemustconsider“SoitisthatGodacceptsus.”ThatisasifHesaidtous.“Lookonhigh.Donotsetyourmindsonwhatisinthisworld.”That,insummary, iswhatwehave toobserve. In fact, it isnotwithout cause that ourLordJesuswishedtoaddasaconfirmationthatHewasbornandcame into theworld tospeakthetruth.WhoeverhasclearlyhearditstopsatthesoundofHisvoice.BythisweseethatitisadoctrineofimportancetoknowthattheKingdomofourLordJesusChrist is not from this world. For if it had been a trivial sentence, Hemight havepasseditquickly.ButwhenHepronouncedthatHehadcomeintotheworldtospeakthe truth, it is as if He wished to render us attentive, and that each one shouldmeditate in his heart, and applywell his study to this doctrine. That is, thatwe bewithdrawn fromtheworldand fromall creatures, inorder tocome to thisheavenlyKing,andtoseekinHimthespiritualbenefitswhichareherecommunicatedtous,inorder that we might enjoy them according to the measure which He knows to beuseful tous foroursalvation.Indeed inall thatweseetobeof thesummaryof theGospel, let us note particularly thisword: that Jesus Christ came into theworld tospeak the truth, in order thatwemay come to the conviction from it,whenwe areattentivetoHisdoctrinethatweshallnotbeatalldisappointed,sinceitisanentirelysureandcertainthingthatwhatHehaspromisedHewillbringtopass.WhenDavidwishestobeassuredagainstalltemptations,hesaysthattheWordofGodisassilverpurified seven times andwhich has beenwell tried by fire. So as often aswe shallenter into doubt about the promises of our Lord Jesus Christ, and as we shall betroubledandmolested(asthedevilalsousessuchcraftinessinordertodisheartenusandtomakeuslosecourage),letusreturntothistestimony,thatinanycaseourLordJesusappearedintheworldinordertobetousafaithfulwitness.LetuswaittodayforHim to show in effect that it is not in vain thatHe gave us all these promises,becausetheyareinfallible.That,then,insummary,iswhatwehavetoremember.

Besides,whenPilatesays,“Whatistruth?”letusnotethatitwasnot,asitwere,throughadesiretolearnthatheaskedsuchaquestion,butitwas,asitwere,throughspiteandinmockery,astodaythisviceisseeninmany.WhenwespeakofthetruthofGod,wemeanthedoctrineoftheGospel.SaintPaul(inEphesians1)attributestoitthistitleinorderthatwemaybeabletodistinguishitfromallotherknowledge.Tobesure,ifsomeonegivesusallaccountofsomethingwhichhashappened,itistruth;butwhenGodcallsustoHimself,andHewishestowithdrawusfromthisworldinorderthat we may arrive at the heavenly life, that is a truth which ought to be put in

sovereignpositionandbycomparisonalltherestshouldbenothing.NowletusnoticehowtheworldbearsreverencetowardthedoctrineoftheGospel.Thewisestmenintheworld(whoareconsideredtobesuch)aresoblindedbypresumptionthatwhenitis spokenof to them, “Hownow?” they say, “Havewe lived sucha long time in theworld,andweshouldknowtheGospelonlyandnothingelsethatexists.Allofthem,then,willbescandalizedwhenitissaidtothemthatthetruthofGodhasbeenburiedandthatit isnownecessarytoguarditmoreclosely.Wehearhowtheyscoffatthatidea. So it was with Pilate. For inasmuch as he was sent by the Emperor to be hislieutenant inthecountryofJudea, itseemedtohimthatagreatwrongwasdonetohimwhenatruthwasspokenofwhichwasunknowntohim.“Andhowso?Mustwe,then,actlikeidiots?Istherenothingbutliesinus?Canwenotdiscernbetweengoodand evil? And I who am appointed to office, who take the place of the Emperor,representinghisperson,mustyoureproachme justbecauseIhavenotknownwhattruthis?”This,then,istheintentionofPilate.Heisinflatedwithpridelikeafrogandhedoesnotwishtohavethereputationofnotknowingthedifferencebetweengoodandevil.Infact,wedonotseethathewaitsfortheanswerofourLordJesus,buthethrows in thiswordas if inspite,and leaves theplace.Since it is so, then, letusbeadvised.IftodaytherearemanyPilateswhorefusetobetaughtintheschoolofGodandbecometeachable,as if theywerealreadywiseenough,maywenotbehinderedfromplacingourselvesundertheobedienceoffaith,inordertoacceptwhatourLordshowsandproposestous;thatis,knowingthatthetruthdoesnotgrowinourminds,inasmuchasthereisonlyvanityandfalsehoodthereandweareplungedindarknessuntilourLorddrawsusoutof it.Letusrecognize, then, that thetruthsurpassesalloursensesandfacultiesandGodmustsurelybeourMastertokeepusinit;alsothatwe are little to receivewhatHe showsus.Maywehold this truth so precious that,when we shall have circled the heaven and the earth, and it seems that we havelearned everything, we may know that it is only smoke and that it will proveephemeraluntilwearefoundeduponthisWord,Whoiscertainandimmutable.That,then,insummary,iswhatwehavetoremember.

Now it is said, “AsPilatewas seated uponhis thronehiswife commandedhimnot to condemn Jesus Christ, because she had been tormented by many dreams.”ThereisnodoubtthatGodwishedtotestifytotheinnocenceofJesusChristinmanyways;asevenbythemouthofPilate(asalreadywehavementionedandasweshallseestillmorefully),notthatGodhadnotalreadyconcludedwhatoughttobedonebyHisOnlySon.So,sinceHewilledthatHebetheSacrificetowipeoutthesinsoftheworld,Scripturehadtobefulfilled.YetourLordJesusalsohadtobeprovedrighteousand innocent, in order that we might know all the better that He suffered thecondemnationwhichwasduetousandwhichwedeserved,andthatwemightalwayslookatourfaultsandsinsineverythingthatisheretoldusofthedeathandpassionofourLordJesusChrist.

Whereupon it is said, “Pilate desires to be able to acquit our Lord Jesus.” For

althoughhehadsovereignauthoritybeyondappeal,stillhewas ina foreigncountryand with a mutinous people, though he had a garrison in the city, the seditiontroubledhim.Thatiswhyhewishedtoproceedbysubtleandamiablemeans,inorderthat the people might be appeased. It is then said that he presents what was hiscustom,“AtthefeastofthePassoverhereleasedaprisonerwhomthepeoplewilled.”He allows them to choose either Jesus Christ or Barabbas, whowas (as says SaintJohn) a robber. The otherGospel-writers say that hewas awell-knownmalefactor,whohadevenbeenamurderer,andhadstirredupseditionandtroubleinthecity.Heisapestwhoshouldbedetestabletoeveryone.Yet,nevertheless,thepeoplecry,“LetushaveBarabbas,andlethimbepardoned,andletJesusChristbecrucified.”

AsforthiscustomofreleasingaprisoneratthePassover,weseewheremenareledbytheirfoolishdevotions.Foritsurelyseemedthatthefeastwassomuchbetterkeptbydeliveringaprisoner,and that itwasaserviceofGod.Nevertheless,all thatwasonlyanabomination.Foritissaidthathewhojustifiesthemalefactorisjustasblameworthy before God as he who punishes the innocent. Theremust, then, be asenseofequity in thosewhomGodsentandestablishedupon the throneof justice.ForinarmingthemwithHissword,Hehasnotsaidtothem,“Dowhatseemsgoodtoyou.”He surelywishes that they have a fatherly care over the people and that theyguardwellagainstrisingincrueltytodowrongtoothersbyabusingtheircreditandauthority, but rather that they be humane and pitiful.However, evil-doersmust bechastised, and so God commands it. But what do men do? They imagine they arekeeping the feast of the Passover, when they are offending God and they aretransgressingopenlyHisWord.BythatweoughttobeadmonishednottofollowourfancieswhenitisamatterofhonoringGod,buttopleaseHiswillineverythingandbyeverything.Sothen,letusnotconjureupanydevotionaccordingtowhatseemsgoodtous,butletusbesatisfiedtodowhatGodordersustodoandwhatHeapproves.Weeven see what this custom is, which men make law today, that everything that isreceivedasacommonstatuteseemstobelawful.Thoughthatmaybe,Goddoesnotfail to condemn it. We see the abuse that took place, that this corruption broughtabout—thatBarabbaswaspreferredtotheSonofGod.

Alsoatfirst,onemightfinditstrangethatourLordJesusisthuscrieddownandthat a robber and murderer is more privileged than He, that he finds more favoramongmen,andthatJesusChristhasreceivedsuchshameanddisgrace.Forwas itnotenoughthattheSonofGodbecrucifiedandthatHeenduredakindofdeathfullof opprobrium and that furthermore there were great torments? For death by thecross was, as it were, the punishment of robbers. It was not only like thegallowswouldbetoday,butlikethewheel.Woulditnothavebeenenough,then,thatJesusChrist,afterhavingbeenwhippedandspatuponintheface,shouldbeplungedintothedepths,withitsbeingnecessarybycomparisontoshowHimtobeexecrableto all the world? For if we judge by our senses and we do not look beyond whatappears,surelyweshallbeconfounded,butwemustraiseoureyeshigherbyfaithand

cometowhatwehavepreviouslymentioned:namely,thatGodgovernsallthisbyHiscounsel. Let us not stop then with what the people did with Pilate, but let uscontemplate this immutabledecreeofGod: that tobetterhumbleusHewilled thatHis Sonbe plunged into complete confusion and thatHe be put even below all themalefactors of theworld, asHewas crucified between two robbers, aswe shall seelater.That,then,iswhatwehavetoobservewhenitisheresaidthatBarabbashadtobe set free and Jesus Christ put there, as it were, the most detestable man in theworld.

Pilate,evenafterall that, tries tomakeourLordJesusescape,butbyadevilishmeans:namely,hewhipsHim(whatwasthencalled“chastise”)andwishedtoreleaseHimafterhavingthuschastisedHim,asonewhohadcommittedsomefault.Forbythathepretendedtoquietthepeople.NowifourLordJesushadthusescaped,whatwouldhave becomeof theGospel,whatwouldhave becomeof the salvation of theworld? For this “correction” as Pilate called it, might forever have been a mark ofshame, as if theGospel had been awicked doctrine, since the judge of the countrycondemned it, and ourLord Jesus inHis personwouldhave been entirely rejected.Meanwhilewewouldhaveperished,sincetherewasnoothermeanstoreconcileustoGod,exceptbythedeathofHisonlySon.This,then,istheovertureoflife—thedeathofourLordJesus.SoweseethatthedevilexertedhimselfverygreatlythatourLordJesusmightnotdieatall.Yetwhodrove thePriestsand theirkind topursueJesusChrist todeath,unless thedevil?It is true, forheworks,as itwere, likeamadman.According as we see that God sends a spirit of disturbance and of frenzy upon allwickedmen so that they contradict themselves and are likewaves of the seawhichbeat upon one another, so the devil was carried awaywhen he tried to abolish thememoryofourLordJesusontheonehandandthen,however,wishedtopreventtheredemptionofmankind.ButGodsoworkedthatHewilledthattheinnocenceofHisSonmighthavewitnessthroughtheverymouthofthejudge;however,Healsowillednevertheless thatHe shoulddie inorder tomake the sacrifice forour salvationandredemption.Godhasonlyasingleandsimplewill,but it isadmirable tous,andHehas such strange ways of proceeding that we must bow our heads in awe and yetrecognizethatourLordJesussuffered,notatallaccordingtothedesireofmen,butbecausewehadtohavesuchagageoftheinfiniteloveofourGod,andJesusChristhadtodeclareittoustoshowhowpreciousoursoulsaretoHimandhowdearisthesalvationofthemtoHim.Letus,then,considerallthesethings.

Besides,itissaidattheendbySt.John,althoughJesusChristhadbeenwhipped,thepeoplestrivestillmorebycrying thatHebeput todeath.ThenPilatequestionsHimagain; indeed, becauseheheard that JesusmadeHimself the SonofGod, andthisword toucheshim, andhe ismore frightenedby it thanbefore.That iswhyheasksHim,“WhereareYoufrom?”WhenJesusChristdoesnotansweratall,“DoYounotknowsayshe,thatIhavepowertoreleaseYouorpowertocondemnYou?”NowhereweseewhytheJewsbringsuchanaccusationagainstourLordJesusChrist.Itis

truethatthecrimewhichcouldbettermovetheGovernorofthecountrywashavingattributedtoHimselfkingdomanddominion;butwhentheyseethattheirmalice isdiscovered, and that Pilate well understands that they are only trumped-up lies,thereupon they say, “We have the lawbywhichHeought todie.”For thatprivilegehadbeenreservedforthem,inorderthattheymightnothaveanyreligiousdisputes.For theRomans,whowereprofanepeople andwho served their idols only throughceremony,wishedtomaintaintheirempirebymeansoflettingeachonedoaccordingtohisreligion.

Whereupon they say, “He made Himself the Son of God and thereby Heblasphemed.” It is true that, if our Lord Jesus had not been the Redeemer of theworld,itwouldhaverenderedHimsubjecttothedeathpenaltytomakeHimselftheonlySonofGod.ForweareallchildrenofGodwhenHehasadoptedusthroughHisgrace.ThatisthecommonmannerofspeakingofitinHolyScripture.Thosewhohavereceived some special grace are called “Sons of God” in still another manner, asPrincesandMagistrates.Withgreaterreason,then,JesusChrist,WhowassupremelyanointedwithgracesandpowersbytheHolySpirit,mightwellbecalled“SonofGod.”ButifHehadnotbeenRedeemeroftheworldatallandcalledHimself“OnlySonofGod”parexcellence,thatwouldtrulyhavebeenamortalcrime.ButhowisitthattheJewsaccuseHimofthat?It is firstofallby ignoranceoftheScripture, inasmuchasthey do not know that HeWho should be the Redeemer should be the living Godmanifest.Since,then,theydidnothavetherealunderstandingofScripture,andtheywerenot trained in it,but theyweremadebrutishby their indifference, that iswhytheyaresoboldtocondemnJesusChrist.Nowweseealiketemerityinall ignorantpeople.Todaywhen they cry “Heretic” it isnot that theproofsareonhand,but themost block-headed people are driven by such a rage that theywish to be zealots tohonor God, and they know neither why nor how. Further, it was necessary toinvestigatewhetherJesuswasChrist theMessiahornot.ButtheJewsrejectedHimwithoutmakinganyinquiry.Letuslearnbythat,ifwewishtohaveazealwhichGodapproves,wemustberuledbytrueknowledgeandbetaughtbyHisWord.Forwemaybeabletoskimthesurface,butitwillbeonlybywildargumentsofSatan,ifwedonotspeak as scholars of God’s truth; becauseHe is the only competent Judge, andHereservestoHimselftheofficeofshowinguswhatisHiswill.Sinceitisso,then,letusfollow theWordofGodwithsimplicity,andalso letusbepeaceable.Thenmayourzealberuledbythat.Thatiswhatwemustobserveinthefirstplace.

But when it is said that Pilate feared more than ever to hear the Son of Godspoken of, here we see in the person of a poor Pagan some semblance of religionwhichmoveshim,andstingshim,andspeakstohisconscience,sothathedoesnotknowwhichway to turn.There standsJesusChrist entirelydisfiguredandwith themarksofthewhippingstilluponHim.Hehadpreviouslysufferedsomuchreproachand ignominy, somany drops of spit, somany blows on the head which had beengiven toHim in the house of Caiaphas. Briefly, here is amanwho is despised and

rejected by everyone. Yet, nevertheless, the name of Godmoves Pontius Pilate andarousesinhimfrightandastonishment.Whatofus,then,whenwebehavelikesavagebeasts?AndwhenonewishestospeaktousofGod,ifwearenotheldincheckatall,must not the example of Pilate condemn us even to the last day? We see todaymockers,peoplefullofthedevil.Ifoneproposestothem,“LookwhatGodshowsus,”ifonedeclarestothemHisWord,ifonewishestoprovewhattheyreject;onethingisasgoodasanothertothem.Theystopuptheirears,theybinduptheireyes,theyareentirelypreoccupiedintheirnaturalsenses,andtheyaresoproudthattheywouldnoteven consider giving any audience. For they are satisfied as they are. “We haveordainedit,”theysay,“andsoitmustbedone.”Indeed?However,hereisPilatewhohad never heard a singleword of the doctrine of God, even the Lawwas to him indisdain,sothateverythingthattheJewsdoheconsiderstobesomethingtrumped-up,andheadoreshisidols.Yetthename“God”affectshim,andheisheldbackwhenitisspoken of. Is it on account of somemajesty or some pompwhich he sees in JesusChrist? Not at all. It is only the name “God” which draws him to reverence. Howmuch, then,somepeoplewillbecondemnedbythis fearofPilate,whenthey followtheirbeatenpathandnoprogresscanbemadeamongthem,althoughthename“God”isspokenoftothem,andnotonlyasawordinpassing,butofferingtoteachthemandtoshowthemwiththefingerthetestimoniesofScripture!Iftheycondescendneithertothinkaboutnortoapplythemselveswithanydiligence,mustnotthedevilpossessthem entirely? Must they not know that they are as it were monsters, who haveabolishedeverygermof religion, inasmuchas theyhavemade themselvesobstinateagainstGod,asitwere,defyingallnature?That,then,iswhatwehavetoremember.

Though thatmay be, on the contrarywe also see that all the fears whichmenhave,andallsentimentandapprehensiontheyhavetohonorGod,willbe,asitwere,onlyaflashoflightningwhichpassesbeforetheireyesandimmediatelyvanishes.ForhowdidPilate fearGod?Wesee that itdoesnotgriphimatall, thatheonlyshowssuchagreatpride,thatitseemstohimthatGodisnolongeranything.That,then,ishowall thosewhoarenot governedby theSpirit ofGodwillhaveon theonehandsomefearsbywhichtheyareseized,sothat theywillhumblethemselves fora timebeforeGod,buttheydonotceasetoraisetheirhorns,thentoforget,andtodulltheirconsciences todoevil.Aswesee inPharaoh that sometimeshe isquiteastonished.“AndpraytoGodforme,.”hesays.AndwhenheseesthepowerofGodsoapparent,“Oh,itisthefingerofGod,”hesays,“onemustbesubjecttoHim.”Butsoonafterheisworsethanever.Thus,then,itwaswithPilate.Thisadmonishesusnottohaveanyfears ofGod like gusts ofwind, but to have a good rootwhich remains firm in ourhearts.ForhowisitthatPilatefearedGod?Itisonlytorenderhimmoreinexcusable.That iswhyGodawakens thesleepingconsciences,whichwish torejecteveryyoke,andHebringsthembackandincitesthemtothinkofthemselvesmoreclosely,sothatinspiteofthemselvestheymustrecognizetheirpovertyandfeeltheirvices,althoughtheywishtosleep in them.All thescruples, then,whichcondemnersofGodandall

wickedmenhave—thesearetoberegardedassummonseswhichGodissuestotakeaway from them every excuse of ignorance. But then they slacken the reins, theythrowthemselveswithabandon,andsotheyareinnowiseheldback—asweseeinPilate.Atthebeginningheisquiteastonished,butsoonafterwardshegoesbacktohisnatural self. “Anddoyounot know,” he says to JesusChrist, “that I havepower toreleaseyouortocondemnyou.”Hereletusnotefirstofall,ifHehadbeenarobber,nevertheless,hewouldnothavebeenabletomoveafingerunlessGodhadgivenhimthepower.Howisit,then,thatPilatedarestoassumesuchunboundedlicenseastocondemnand toset freeaccording tohisdesireandbyvirtueofhisposition?For itwouldbebetterthatthecheckbereleasedfromallrobbersandthattheyhadlibertytoexercisetheircrueltyintheforeststhanforpeopletositonsuchanhonorablethrone— people who take pleasure in power without thinking of their consciences andmeanwhilethrowingtheworldintoentireconfusion.Herewesee(asIhaveshown)thattherewasnolivingrootinPilate,butonlyagustofwind.Sothen,letuslearntoso fearGod that theremaybea firmconstancy inus towalk inHisobedience, andthat we may fight virtuously against everything that could turn us aside, and thatalwaysthischeckmayholdusback:thatitisnotfittingtoprovokethewrathofHimWhohasallpoweroverus.That,insummary,iswhatwehavetoremember.

However,alsothereistoconsiderhowtheglorywhichPilateattributestohimselfisneverthelessagreatshameuponhim.Forhisenemiescouldhavereproachedhimno worse than this: namely, that he wishes to he held and reputed to have nodiscrimination between good and evil. Nevertheless he boasts of it. We see, then,inasmuchasthedespisersofGodimaginethemselvestoberaised,theymustalwaysfeelthemselvestobefurthercastdowninconfusion.Godputsinthemsuchasenseof disapproval that they boast of their iniquities in order to render themselvesdetestable both in heaven and on earth.What, then, is to be done? Let us learn toglory in the good, and let us considerwhat is lawful for us. For thosewho glory intheir greatness, it is certain that they provoke God, inasmuch as they have oftenacquiredtheirrichesandtheircreditbyunlawfulmeans,byexcess,bycruelty,andallkindsofextortion’s.When,then,theygloryinthat,itis,asitwere,bydefyingGod.Hewhohasplunderedfromallpartswillsay,“Ihavedonewell.”Andthereisthebloodofpoor people which he has sucked. He will say, “I have acquired it.” And how? Byfrauds,wickedpractices,pillagingone,gobblingupanother,andhavingpervertedallorder. The other through ambition and unlawful means will have arrived at somedignity.Whereuponhewishestobeheldinawe.ThisismanifestlytodefyGod.

Letuslearn,then,(asIhavealreadysaid)togloryinwhatGodapproves.Itistruethat although theremight be some good in us, it is not lawful to usurp the praisewhichGodreservestoHimself,andonaccountofwhichwemustpayHimhomage,inasmuch as He has given us everything. It is not proper, then, here to glory inourselves,asifwhatGodgivesusbelongedtous.ButIsaywemustgloryonlyinthatitpleasedGodtoadoptusforHischildren,andinasmuchasHegivesusgracetowalk

infearofHim,inasmuchasHegivesuspowertoabstainfromevil.Inthatwemustglory.Then, ifweare littleandcontemptibleaccordingto theworld, letuspray thatHemaygiveuspatience, and thatwemayprefer tobe in suchanestate than toberaisedandmeanwhiletoenjoyourselves likeworldlypeopledo,whomakemerry insuchawaythatnothingcanrestrainthem.This,insummary,ishowwehavetoglory,thatis,thatwemaynotwishtobemorethanGodallowsus,andthatwemaydespiseeverything He disapproves of, although the world may applaud those who exercisetyrannyandwhopracticeeveryevil toexcess.Letus leave,then,easilyandwillinglyall such glories, not seeking anything else except to be recognized and confessedbeforeGodasHischildren.That,insummary,iswhatwestillhavetoremember.

Inconclusionitissaid,“Pilate,seeingthathewasgainingnothingandthatthetumultamongthepeoplewasincreasing,washeshishandsandsays,‘Iaminnocentof thebloodof thisman.’”Wehavealreadydeclared that the innocenceofourLordJesushadtobeprovedanditwastestifiedtothroughthemouthofthejudgehimself.Forwhen it is said that JesusChrist sufferedunderPontiusPilate and thatHewascondemned, it isnotenough tohaveheard theaccount,butwemustbe fullyawarethatJesusChristnotonlyisinnocent,butthatHeisthefountainofallholinessandperfection. Why, then, is He condemned? There are here two different things, itseems. It is said thatHe is theLambofGodwithout spot. SinceHe is theLambofGod,Hemustbecondemnedforthesacrifice.Theword“Lamb”impliesthatHeistobeoffered.Andwhatdoes theLawpronounceofsacrifices?That theystandforsinsandcurses.ThatiswhyitissaidthatourLordJesuswasaccursedforoursakes,thatis,thatHereceivedthecursewhichwasduetooursins.This,then,isthequalityandconditionunderwhichHe iscondemned,sinceGodappointedHimasa lambwhichmustbeoffered insacrifice.ButalsoHehadtobeknownwithoutanyblemish,andHispurityhadtocomebeforeoureyes,inorderthatwemightunderstandoursins,asfar aswe have known that JesusChrist is themirror of all perfection; and thatwemight enter into examination of our faults to be displeased with them and to passcondemnation,whichwaspreparedforusunlesswehadbeendeliveredbyHim.NowwhenPilatetookthebasinandthewatertowashhishands,itwasfartoofrivolousaceremony,asifhecouldbeacquittedbeforeGodbythat.Butitwasnottomakehisexcuse beforeGodwhen he tried to appease the fury of the people. For he did notprotest before God that he was innocent, but he only said to the people, “Look toyourselves.Asforme,Iaminnocent.”Asifhesaid,“Youforcemetothis.”Butallthat(as I have said) is not to excuse him. Also he is not performing at all the office ofjudge. For he ought sooner to die a hundred times than to swerve from his office.Whenhesawallthetroublesoftheworld,heoughttohavethismagnanimitytodowhatheknewtobegoodandjust.Butwhenheseesthepeopletobesoinflamed,heletshimselfbecarriedaway.However,ithadtobe,cursedasitwas,thathetestifiestothe innocence of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that from his ownmouth he justifiesHim.Nevertheless,thatdoesnotexcusehimfromcondemnation,butinthatrestsour

consolation. Forwe know that ifwe should be brought beforeGod today to appearbeforeHisthrone,itwouldnotbetoreceivecondemnation;butsincethefactthatthebloodofourLordJesuswasspilledisthetruepurgingofoursouls,Hereceivesusaspureandclean.

There, then, is where we. must have our recourse. However, we see the wordwhichispronouncedbytheJews.FortheyareflungheadlonginsuchawaybySatanthat theysay, “Hisbloodbeuponusanduponallourchildren.”Now theywere theheritage of God, the people elected and chosen from among all the nations of theearth. Yet they renounce this dignity, and all the promises of salvation, this sacredalliancewhichGodhadestablishedwiththeirline.Theyare,then,deprivedofallthebenefits that God had previously distributed to them, inasmuch as they weredescendedfromtheraceofAbraham.AndthebloodofourLordJesushadtofalluponthem, indeed, to theconfoundingof themandall theirdescendants.AsalsoHehadpreviouslydeclaredtothem,

“Youriniquitymustcometothefull,andthebloodoftheMartyrs,from Abel the righteous even to Zacharias son of Barachias, whowas murdered not long ago, must be brought upon you, and youmust see that youwere alwaysmurderers of the Prophets, and bythis means you have fought against God and against His Word.”(Matthew23:34-36,Luke11:49-51,2Chronicles36:15-16.)

That,then,ishowthebloodofourLordJesus,whichoughttobethesalvationofalltheworld,andindeedespeciallyoftheJews,sincethebirthrightbelongedtothem,criedvengeanceagainstthem.Butnowletuslearntolookdeepinsideourselves,andto pray toGod that itmay comeuponus in anothermanner, both uponus and, inparticular,uponourchildren;namely,maywebewashedandcleansed,seeingthatweareabominablebeforeGodonaccountofoursinsuntilwearewashedandwesufferthatthebloodwhichwasoncepouredoutforourRedemptioncomeuponusandthattherebywearesprinkledby thepowerof theHolySpirit (1Peter1:2) (sosaysSaintPeter inhisCanonical letter)andmaywebecarefulnot toreject thegracewhich isoffered to us by God, of which the Jews have been deprived because of theiringratitude,andhavedonenothingbutprovokemoreandmoreHisvengeance.Maywe, then, today be disposed to receive the purging of our Lord Jesus Christ, whichcannot be apprehended except by faith.Maywe pray toGod thatwemay not havereceived thiswashing in vain, but fromday to daymaywe be purified fromall ourblemishes.MayitpleaseourGodtomakethemostofthispuritywhichwasacquiredby our Lord Jesus Christ until we have arrived inHis Kingdom,wherewe shall befreedfromallcorruption’sofourvices.

NowweshallbowinhumblereverencebeforethemajestyofourGod.

SixthSermononthePassionofOurLordJesusChrist

ThenthesoldiersofthegovernortookJesusintothecommonhall,andgathereduntohimthewholebandofsoldiers.Andtheystrippedhim,andputonhimascarletrobe.Andwhentheyhadplattedacrownofthorns,theyputituponhishead,andareedinhisrighthand:andtheybowedthekneebeforehim,andmockedhim,saying,Hail,KingoftheJews!Andtheyspituponhim,andtookthereed,andsmotehimonthehead.Andafterthattheyhadmockedhim,theytooktherobeofffromhim,andputhis own raiment on him, and led himaway to crucify him.Andas they came out,theyfoundamanofCyrene,Simonbyname:himtheycompelledtobearhiscross.Andwhen theywerecomeuntoaplace calledGolgotha, that is to say,aplaceofaskull, They gave him vinegar to drinkmingledwith gall: andwhen he had tastedthereof,hewouldnotdrink.Andtheycrucifiedhim,andpartedhisgarments,castinglots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted mygarments among them, and uponmy vesture did they cast lots. And sitting downtheywatched him there; And set up over his head his accusationwritten, THIS ISJESUSTHEKINGOFTHEJEWS.Thenwere there two thieves crucifiedwith him,oneontherighthand,andanotherontheleft.Andtheythatpassedbyreviledhim,waggingtheirheads,Andsaying,Thouthatdestroyestthetemple,andbuildestitinthree days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, Hesavedothers;himselfhecannotsave. Ifhebe theKingof Israel, lethimnowcomedownfromthecross,andwewillbelievehim.HetrustedinGod;lethimdeliverhimnow, ifhewillhavehim: forhesaid, IamtheSonofGod.The thievesalso,whichwerecrucifiedwithhim,castthesameinhisteeth.-Matthew27:27-44

Following what we have mentioned about this before, we must consider stillbetterthattheKingdomofourLordJesusChristisnotofthisworld.ForweseehowHewasindisgrace,theymockedHim,andinsteadofaRoyaldiademHehadacrownofthorns.InsteadofascepterHehadareed.Theneverythingthatcouldbeimaginedtoheapshameuponaman,wasdonetoHim.Ifwelimitourattentiontowhatisherenarrated,itwillbeasitwereanobjectofscandaltoalienateusfromourLordJesusChrist, and consequently fromall hopeof salvation.Butwehave to contemplatebyfaith the spiritual Kingdom which was mentioned above. Then we can conclude,althoughmenmocktheKingdomofourLordJesusChristthatHeneverceasedtobeprizedaccordingtoHisworthbothbeforeGodandbeforeHisAngels.Indeed,wehavetorememberthattheSonofGodwasthustreatedinHisperson, inordertoreceiveuponHimselfalltheshamewhichwedeserve.ForhowcanwestandbeforeGodwhile

wearedefiledinouriniquities?ButsinceourLordJesussufferedthemtospitinHisface,Hewaswilling tobebuffetedon thehead.He receivedall insults, that ishowtoday we are recognized and avowed as children of God and therein consists ourconfidence.Indeed,alsowehavealwaystoconsiderthatGodwishesto induceustobemoredeeply touchedbyour faults, tohold theminhorroranddetestation,whenweseethatitwasnecessarythattheSonofGod,tomakereparationforthemandtoacquireforusgraceandabsolution,soendured,andthattheheavenlyFathersparedHimnotatall.Seeingthen,theconfoundingofoursinstobesuchinthepersonoftheSon of God, we surely have to humble ourselves and to be entirely confounded inourselves. However, we ought also to take courage, and to be grounded in suchconfidence thatwemay not doubt at all, whenwe shall come beforeGod, that ourLord Jesus Christ acquired grace for uswhenHe sufferedHimself to be so vilifiedbecauseofus.ForHeacquiredforusgloryanddignitybeforeGodandHisAngelsbythismeans.

Now it is here said that our Lord Jesuswas led to the place which is called“Golgotha,”thatistosay“theplaceofaSkull.”TheHebrewwordfromwhichthisisderivedmeans “to roll,” but they soused it becausewhen a bodyhasdecayed, theyfind theskulldry,and it is likeaballwhichrollsaway.Theycalled, then, thisplace“Golgotha” becausemanyevildoerswerepunished there, and theirheadswere seenthere.HerewehavetorememberwhattheApostlesaysintheEpistletotheHebrews,thatourLordJesusChristwasledoutsidethecity,aswascustomarywithsacrifices,that is, those that had been burned, and of which the blood was carried into theSanctuarytowipeawaytheblemishesofthepeople.(Hebrews13:11,12.)Itwassaidthat such a sacrificewas as it were a curse. Itmust, then, be disposed of far away.Behold the Son of GodWhowaswilling to receive this condition uponHimself, inorder thatwemayknowthat in truthwearenowset freeandabsolvedbeforeGod.ForwedeservethatGodrejectus,eventhatHepouroutHishorriblevengeanceuponus,whileHe looks at us aswe are.There is, thenno othermeans to acquire grace,exceptthatwecometoourLordJesusChrist,andthatwehaveallourrefugeinHim,sinceweareunburdenedofsuchaload,whenHewaswillingtobeasitwerecursedanddetestableforoursakes,inorderthatwemightfindfavorbeforeGodandthatwemightbeacceptabletoHim.ForalthoughalreadyPilateHis judgehadjustifiedHimmany times, yet He had to receive in His person everything that was required toredeem us. ForHewas our pledge, and in everything and by everythingHe had toanswerforus.Sothen,afterhavingknownthatourLordJesuswasthusrejected,asnot being worthy to be of the company of men, even, as it were, bearing such aninfectionthatHecouldnotbeendured;seeing,Isay,that,letuslearntofollowHim,and to renounce the world, as we are exhorted in this passage. And if wemust bemocked, cut off as rottenmembers, and be held in detestation, let us endure it allpatiently, yielding submissively, until the day come that our sorrows are convertedinto joy, thatGodwillwipeaway the tears fromoureyes, and indeed, thatwhatwe

nowjudgetobeshamewillbeconvertedforusintoglory.ForitiscertainthatallthatweendureforourLordJesusChristismorehonorablebeforeGodthanallthepompofthisworld.That,then,iswhatwehavetorememberonthispoint.

Now theGospel-writer adds that our Lord Jesuswasmocked by all thosewhopassed by, and above all by Priests and Scribes and their kind. And what was theoccasionof it?“IfHeistheSonofGodletHimcomedown,” theysay, “and letHimsaveHimself,forHesurelysavedothers.IfHeisKingofIsrael,letHimshowit.”Hereweseea terribleblindness in thesemiserablepeople,whowerepossessedbySatan,for not having anymore feeling or insight. Behold the Priestswho ought to be theMessengers of God. For He had ordained them to this function, in order that HisWordandHiswillmightbeknownthroughtheirmouth.BeholdtheScribeswhoaretrained in the Law, and nevertheless they, supposing that they can crush our LordJesus,showthattheytreadunderfootallHolyScriptureandallthereligionofwhichthey boasted. When the Messiah was previously spoken of to them, they certainlyrespondedthatHehadtobeborninBethlehem.Theyoughtalsotohavebeenwarnedand informed that the RedeemerWho was promised to them had to suffer such adeath.Thiswasnotanobscurething.ThepassagefromIsaiah(Isaiah53)wasasclearasifonegavearecitationofwhatourLordJesusChristendured.Theyought,then,tohave known that it was impossible to have a clearer picture of things than did theProphetalthoughhehadspokenofthemsuchalongtimebefore.ThenthereareasinZechariahsoinDanielthedeclarationsthatGodmustgatherHispeople,andexaltHisChurch: (Daniel 12:1-3; Zechariah 2:11) namely, that the Redeemer of the worldshouldsuffereveryreproachandcursebeforetheworld.Howisit,then,thattheysodefied the Son of God when He exercises His office, as it had been sufficientlydeclaredbytheProphets?SoweseethatSatancarriedthemaway,whentheyforgoteverythingtheyhadpreviouslyknown.

So let us be advised so towalk in the fear ofGod that, after having tastedHisWord, we may receive it with reverence and obey our Lord Jesus Christ Who ispresented to us there. For it is also in Him that we shall find entire perfection ofvirtues,indeed,ifwecometoHiminhumility.ForifwepresumetoplaywithGodouraudacitymustreceivesucharewardaswereadhereofthesemiserablemenwhoweresocarriedawaybytheirrage.Yetwehavetoprofitfromtheseblasphemies,learningfromthemtodotheopposite.ForsinceourLordJesuswilledtobeourKingandourHead,thatiswhyHedidnotsaveHimself.Theenemiesoftruthsaid,“LetHimsaveHimselfifHeisKingofIsrael.”ButHehadtoendureinHispersontoacquireforussalvation.Why, then, did our Lord Jesus not spareHimself?Why didHe endure adeath so bitter and so shameful, unless itwas necessary in order thatwemight bedelivered throughsucha ransom.Wehave, then, todefyallagentsofSatan,andallhisvillainswhovomitedupsuchblasphemiesastheGospel-writerdescribes,andtobe all themore sure thatwe really have aKingWhopreferred our salvation toHisown life, and suffered everything thatwas required for our redemption, andhadno

otherconsiderationexcepttoredeemwhatwaslost.ForwewouldhavebeendevoidofallhopeiftheSonofGodhadleftusinourestateandcondition.ButwhenHewassoswallowed up in death, that is where our deliverance lies. When He enduredeverything so patiently, that is the cause why God now extends His hand and Hispower tohelpus in timeofneed.OurLordJesus, then,had tobe there, as itwere,abandonedbyGodinorderthattodaywemayfeelthatHewatchesforoursalvation,andHewillalwaysbereadytoaidusinnecessitywhenwerequireit.However,letusalsolearntoarmourselvesagainstalltemptations,whenthedevilcomestoassailusandhewishestomakeusbelievethatGodhasforsakenusandthatHehasturnedHisbackuponusandthatit isadisappointingthingtohopeinHim.Letusknow,then,whenJesusChrististhetruepatternofallbelieversandHehasshownusthewaywemustgo,thatitissufficientreasonforustobepatternedafterHim.HesufferedthatsuchblasphemieswerepouredoutagainstHim,andyetHeconstantlyresistedtheminsuchaway thatby thismeans thevictorywasacquired forus.Letus fight, then,todaywhenthedevilcomestolaysiegeagainstus,asitwere,tooverthrowourfaithandtoclosethedooruponus,sothatwemaynotbeabletohaveaccesstoGod,asifHehadforgottenallaboutus.LetusfollowourLordJesusChristandletuswaitforthehourwhenGodextendsHisarm to show thatHe ispitiful towardusandHe isFathertous,althoughforatimeHesuffersthatwearethusbeatendown.

Somuch,then,forthesetauntsandmockingswhichwereheapeduponourLordJesus.Therearestillothers.“HetrustedinGod.LetGodsaveHimifGodlovesHim.”That had already been typified in the person ofDavid, for these verywords (Psalm22:8) are recitedwhenhe complains thathis enemieshave takenoccasion to shootouttheirtonguesathim,(Psalm22:7)andtheyalmostputtheirfeetonhisneck,inreproachinghim for the confidencehehad inGod.Now it is certain that this is themost fatal plague that Satan can devise against us. For, the life ofmen consists infaith,andintherefugewhichwehave inGod, leaninguponHispromises.Ifwearerobbed of these, we are done, we are entirely lost and cast down. That is also whySatantriedtodestroytheconfidencewhichourLordJesushadinGodHisFather.ItistruethatJesusChristfoughtwithagreaterpowerthanwearecapableof.ForHewasnotsubjecttoanyunbelief.Thoughthatmaybe,yetHefeltsuchfuryastherewasinthese temptations. For as the devil had previously plotted such things, nowhe alsodoubleshisefforts.HehadsaidtoHim,

“Ifyouare theSonofGod, let thesestonesbechanged intobread,andeat,foryouareapoorstarvedman.(Matthew4:3.)

Anddoyounotseethatyoumustexperimenttosee ifyouhaveanypowerornot?”NowinthatJesusChristwasnotinsensible,anymorethanwhentheyreproachHimfortheconfidenceHeherehadinGod.Sonow,althoughwemaynothavethesamepowertoresist,sothatwemaynotcometogrief,yetweoughttobestrengthenedinHim,knowingthatitisforusandtoourprofitthatHeconqueredsuchassaultsand

roseabovethem.

Therearealsothosewhosay,“HesavedothersandHecannotsaveHimself.”Wesee once again how theywere confounded. Forwas not the fact thatHe had savedothersacertainandinfalliblemarkofHisDivinepower?JesusChristhadraisedthedead.Thiswasnotunknowntothem.Hehadgivensighttotheblind;Hehadhealedparalytics, the lame, evendemoniacs.Behold, then, JesusChrist,Whounfolded thegreat treasures of His goodness and power in all themiracles which were done byHim.YetthatisstillanobjectionagainstHim.Wesee,then,howthesepoormadmen,unlesssomeonerestrains them,are their judges todeprive themofeveryexcuse;sothat,when theywill come before the great judgment-seat of our Lord JesusChrist,they will not be able to allege anything to cover themselves. For there they are,condemnedbytheirownmouths.IfourLordsavedothers,itiscertainthatHecouldhave savedHimself, unlessHe preferred others toHimself.What can be perceivedthere except an admirable goodness, that He wished to be cast into the abyssaccording tomen in order to draw us out of the depth of the abysses, thatHewaswillingtosuffereverythingwedeservedinordertoacquitusfromit,briefly,thatHerenouncedalltemporalsalvation,thatis,HedidnotwishatalltobringHisownlifeintoconsideration,HedidnotwishatalltospareHisperson,inorderthatwemighthavesuchagageandsucharansom.Allthemore,then,oughtwetobeconfirmedinourfaith.SeeingeverythingthedevilplotstotroubleusandtohinderusfromcomingtoourLordJesus,oughttoservetomakeusallthemoresure.Mayweknowhowtoprofitfromallthis.Nowitiscertainthatthedevilmakesallhiseffortstohinderusatthispoint.Forknowingwhereinrestsoursalvation,heapplieseverymeansinordertobeabletodepriveusofit.Forheknows,ifhecaninduceustobescandalizedinthepersonofourLordJesusChrist, thathehaswonhis case.Andweexperimentwithhimtoomuch.Besides,allthescandalswhichthedevilraisesupandputsbeforeoureyes, tomakeusturnawayfromtheSonofGod,oughttoserveusasconfirmation.Forwhen it is said thatJesusChrist savedothersanddoesnot saveHimself, it isapropositionwhich,accordingtoourhumanjudgment,shouldbetomakeusconceivesomedisdainagainstthepersonoftheSonofGod,torejectHim,andnottoputourhopeinHim.Butquitethecontrary,letusknowwhentheSonofGodhadnoregardforHimselfandHehadnoconcernatall forHisown life, it isbecauseHeheld thesalvationofsoulssodearandsopreciousthatHewishedtoemployeverythingtothatend.Sinceitisso,weoughtboldlytobefoundeduponHimtocalluponHimandtobemadeentirelysurethatitisnotinvainthatHesufferedsoforoursakes.

Asfortheirsaying“HereisHewhodestroystheTempleandrebuildsitinthreedays,”thereistoovillainousamaliceincontrivingthatJesushadsaidthatHewoulddestroytheTemple.ButHehadsaid,“DestroythisTempleandIshallrebuilditattheendofthreedays.”Itwasnot,then,referredtothedestructionoftheTemple,exceptbyHisenemies.AndwhentheycrucifiedHim,shouldtheynothaveknownthatthethingalreadybegantobefulfilled?Fortheywerenot ignorantof thefactthatJesus

ChristhaddeclaredHimselftobethetrueTempleofGodwithrespecttoHishumanbody.ForsinceHeisGodmanifestinthefleshandHisDivineessenceisunitedtoHisnaturewhichHetookfromus,since,Isay,allfullnessoftheGodheaddwellsinHim,it isverycertain thatHisbodydeserves tobecalled“Temple,”more thantheone inJerusalemandmorethanalltheheavens.Nowtheydestroyedit,inasmuchasHewasamongthem,andHerebuiltitattheendofthreedays.Alsotheydidnotforgetthat;fortheyknewwellafterwardswhattosaytoPilate.(Matthew27:63.)Butbythatweseethatifthedevilpossessesmenhemakesthemsostupidthattheycannolongerdistinguish between good and evil. They are full of such fury that they throwthemselveswith abandonagainstGod, as if theywished todefyHim fully andwithdeliberatepurpose.Letusseethat,thatwemaybeadmonishedtowalkallthemoreinthefearofGod,whenweknowhowHeworkedbyHisadmirablepowertodeclarethatit was not in vain that Jesus Christ had pronounced by His mouth, “Destroy thisTempleandIshallrebuildit.”ForweseeonlyconfoundinginHisdeathaccordingtoappearances and according to the common sense ofmen.But JesusChrist repairedevery thing by His resurrection. Since it is so, then, all the more ought we to beconfirmedinthefaith,andtodefySatanwithallthegestureshecanmaketoshakeusandtocauseustodoubt.

Concerning the saying “Theygave ourLord Jesus vinegarmixedwithgall andmyrrhtodrink,”itispropertoassumethatthiswasdoneaccordingtothecustomofthattimetoshortenthedeathofevil-doers.Allthesame,JesusChrist,havingtastedit,didnotwishtodrink,becauseHeknewthatHishourhadnotyetcome.Theywereaccustomed,then,beforeevil-doerswereraisedonthecross,togivethemthisdrinkinorderthatthebloodmightbestirredupandtheygaveuptheirspiritssooner.Forthiskindofdeathwascruelenough,andtheyneededtobehelpedthroughit.Infact,weshallseelaterhowtherobbershadtheirbonesbrokenandsnappedinorderthattheymightnotlanguishanyfurther.Thoughthatmaybe,ourLordJesusdidnotwishto drink this beverage, to declare that He was ready to receive in obedience theconditionwhichwascommittedtoHimbyGodHisFather. It is true that thisdeathwas very hard for Him. For apart from its being dreadful, He had in it spiritualtorments, of whichwe shall treat tomorrow,Godwilling. All that, then,mightwellhave inducedourLordJesusChrist toapproachdeathassoonas itwaspossible forHim,ButHewishedtoplaceHimselfwithentireobediencetoendureuntilHemightbedeliveredwithoutanyhumanmeans.That, then, insummary, iswhatwehavetoremember.Butitisinthesearticles,whenHisclothingwasdividedamongthemandthey cast lots over them, that the Scripturewas fulfilled. David, a type of our LordJesusChrist,makessuchcomplaints.It istruethatthisisbyfigureofspeech,whenhe says that they have put gall in his drink, and vinegar, and they have divided hisgarments,andthatinhisafflictiontheystillstunghimandputhiminfurtheragony,(Psalm69:20,21;Psalm22:18)ascruelandinhumanpeoplewouldstillliketomolesttheir poor victim who can make no resistance. David, then, uses such a figure of

speechwhenhesaysthathiswealthwasdividedamongthem.(Psalm22:18.)Underthatwordhespeaksofhiswife,ofhishouse,ofallhisgoods,andofallhisestate.Butin the person of our Lord JesusChrist this had to be seenwith the eye. They gaveHim,then,vinegarandgall,inorderthatitmightbeknownthatDavidwasreallythetype ofHim, and thatHewas the trueRedeemerWhohad been promised from alltime.ForwhywastheKingdomraisedinthehouseofDavid,unlesswithpromisethatit would endure longer than sun or moon? There was, then, this eternal Kingdomwhich today has been established in the person of theRedeemer. For these things,whichwere,as itwere, inshadowandtypeinthepersonofDavid,hadtohavetheirperfectioninJesusChrist,asweseehere.

Besides, as for theGospel-writer’s adding that even the robberswhowerewithourLordJesusmockedHim, itwassaidbyonlyone,as itappearsbySt.Luke,whodeclaresthesethingsmoreatlength.Butitisacommonenoughmannerofspeaking,aswhenone says, “One speaks even to little children,”Although theremaybe onlyone,thespeakertakesthepluralnumber.“Theremustbewomenamongthem.”Yetthereneedbe only one. In thisway, then, it is said that ourLord Jesuswas spited,mocked,andblasphemedbyall,evenbythemalefactors.ForwhenHewasidentifiedwithtworobbers,itisinordertoaggravateallthemoretheshameofHisdeath.Itistrue that thiswas theplacewhere theywereaccustomedtoexecutingevil-doers.Allthesame,theyarenotsatisfiedwithsuchashame.ButHehadtobeconsideredworseandmoredetestablethanalltherobbersintheworld,whentheyputoneoneachofHistwosides,tosaythatHeisthechiefofthemall.Andinthat,assaysSt.Mark,wasverifiedwhat,issaidbytheProphet,

“He was reputed among the transgressors.” (Mark 15:28; Isaiah53:12)

Now without this reputation, today in what place and condition would we bebeforeGod?Forwecannotobtaingracewithoutrighteousness.GodmusthateusandrejectusuntilwearerighteousandpurgedofallspotsandoffensesbeforeHim.Andthatitbeso,canGodrenounceHimself?CanHestripHimselfofHisholiness,justice,andintegrity?Since,then,webringbeforeHimourstains,wemustbeabominabletoHim.Now,how shallwenowbe justifiedbeforeGod, except inasmuch as ourLordJesus Christ was reputed among the malefactors? We are, then, exempt from thisclassandGodreceivesus,andweareasacceptabletoHimasifwewereentirelypureandinnocent,inasmuchasourLordJesussufferedbeinginsuchshameanddisgracebeforemen.That,insummary,iswhatwehavetorememberabouttherobbers.

ButwemustinsisttotheendupontheaccountofSt.Luke,thatis,thatoneoftherobbersrebukeshiscompanionwhenheseeshimsoobstinate.“Hownow?”sayshe,“will thereneverbeatimewhenyouwillbehumiliated?Forthecondemnationandthepunishmentwhichyouendureareforyourmisdeedsandforyourcrimes.Youare

amanplunged intoeverycurse,andthoughduringyourentire lifetimeyouweresobrutishastotakepleasureinyourfaults,sonowyoumustbegintogroan.”Foraman,howeverundonehemaybe,althoughhemakesmerryhiswholelifetime,andthinkshewillnevercometoaccountatall,hemocksjustice,andevendefiesit,inasmuchashetruststhathewillremainunpunished,yetwhenheiscaptured,hemustdrophiscackling. “Nowhereyouare,” sayshe, “ingreat torment.Yousee thatGodandmenarenowbringingyoutoaccount.Alsoyourconsciencerebukesyouthatitisforyourcrimesthatyouendure.AndmustyoustilldefyGod?”HereisasentencewhichwellshowsthatthisrobberhadbeentaughtbytheSpiritofGod.Althoughweshallsoonseeitincomparablymore,alreadyinthiswordwecanjudgewhatkindofateachertheSpiritofGodis,whenHegivessuchinstructiontothosewhohavebeenentirely ledastray, indeed, made brutes; that they not only recognize their faults and preparethemselves so as to obtain grace, but they can speak just like learned doctors, andpeople who for a long time have been trained in Holy Scripture. For the principalremonstrance that we canmake against aman so hardened andwho still does notceasetostormagainstGodwhenheoughttobendandcometorepentance,is itnotwhat this poor robber did? But though that may be, such an admonition profitednothing except to render inexcusable him who was so possessed by Satan. Eventhoughitservednopurposetowardhimtowhomitwasaddressed,itcertainlyoughttobeusefultoustoday.

SoletuslearntofearGod,althoughHesparesus.ButaboveallifwearebeatenbyHisrods,andHemakesusfeelthatHeisoffendedagainstus,thenmaywebeallthemore incited to groan, andmaywe also have constancy to endure patiently ourafflictions,asweseethatthispoorrobberdid,andnottoraiseourselvesatallinprideandfury like theother.What ismore, in these twowesee,as itwere,mirrorsofallmankind. Forwe see themiseries withwhichwe are surrounded. This life is, as itwere,adepthofallprivations,andthesearethefruitsofoursins.ForwehavebeendeprivedoftheblessingofGodinthefallofAdam.ItistruethatalthoughGodbyHisinestimablegoodnessrisesabovethiscurse,whenHealwaysdeclaresHimselfFatherinmanywaysandmakesusfeelHisgentlenessandthelovewhichHebearstowardusandthecarewhichHehadforus,yetwehavemanymarksofoursins,andhighandlowweoughttoperceivethatwearecursedbyGod.Deathfinallyiscommontoall.Whenweshallhavelanguishedinthisworld,whenweshallallhavebeensubjecttomanymaladies,toheatandtocold,whenweshallhavebeentormentedinonewayandanother,briefly,whenweshallhaveendured infinitemiseries,whatwillbe theissueofit?Wemustreturntocorruptionandashes.However,weseethosewhoaretouchedbyGod in suchaway that theafflictionswhich theyendure serve for theirsalvationandturntotheiraid,asSt.Paulspeaksinthe8thchapterofRomans.Othersgrowworseandworse,and insteadofhumbling themselvesandbeing touchedwithanyrepentance,onlymake themselves to fester stillmore,and increasinglyprovokethewrathofGodandlightstillmorefiretobeconsumedby.Weseethat,then.So,let

uscastoureyesuponthesetworobbersasuponmirrorsofalltheworld.Forfromthegreatesttotheleastweareallblame-worthybeforeGod.Andifalltogetherweshallendure,whowillboastofhisinnocence?Whowillbeabletobeabsolved?Beingthenplunged into condemnation,we endure rightly for our sins.However,we do not allmake equal confession of it. For there are thosewho grow from bad toworse, andtheirrebellionwhichtheymakeagainstGodismanifest.Theygnashtheirteeth,theyfoamatthemouthintheirrageandcruelty.Andtheydonotwishinanywisetocometo thiscondemnation.Orperhaps they take thebit in their teethandshowawillfulcontempttosaythatGodwillnotgetthemanythingatallandthattheywillhavenomasteroverthem.

Now let us conclude that, when poor sinners recognize themselves, when theyhumble themselves, when they confess their debt, when they give glory to God,declaring that He treats them in all equity and uprightness, and that there is goodreasonwhytheyaresufferedtobesochastised,when,Isay,poorsinnersaredrawntosuchreasonableness,letusknowthatGodhasputHishanduponthem,thatHehastouchedthembyHisHolySpiritandthatinthisonecanobserveaninfinitegoodness,whenHesodrawsbackfromperditionandhell,thosewhowere,asitwere,devoidofall hope.Now, in summarywe see in the person of this poor robber an example offaithwhichisasexcellentasanythereeverwas.Somuchmoreoughtwetobecarriedaway and astonishedby such amiraclewhichGodperformed.For inwhat estate ishe? There he is near death, he endures horrible torments, hewaits for someone tocomeandbreakandsnaphislegs,forhimselftobedismemberedthere,whoisstillinatormentsobitteranddreadfulthatitistomakehimlosesenseandmemory,heseesour Lord Jesus Who is also in the same desperate situation, indeed, with greatershame, and how does he speak? Not only does he recognize his faults to humblehimself before God, not only does he exercise the office of teacher to convert hiscompanionand to leadhimback to thegoodway,buthemakesaconfessionwhichdeserves to be preferred to all others, if we consider well such circumstances.“Rememberme,”sayshe,“whenThoucomestintoThyKingdom.”

How is it that he is able to conceive of a Kingdom in Jesus Christ? He thereperishingonthecross,HeiscursedbothbyGodandbymen.ForthissentenceofthelawhadbeenpronouncedbythemouthofGod,

“Cursedishewhowillhangonthetree.(Deuteronomy21:23.)

Andthatwasnotdoneinachancecase,butGodputthereHisonlySon.When,then,he sees Jesus Christ to be there under the curse both before God and beforemen,indeed in the depth of despair from the humanpoint of view, he cannot collect histhoughtstosaythatJesusChristisKing,exceptitbeinfaithandinspirit.Sothen,hesees there thingswhich could turnhimaway from theSonofGodandwhich couldmakehimconcludethatitwouldonlybeanabuseandamockerytotrustinHim.Yet

hecallsHimKing,seeingHiminHisdeath.“Saveme,”sayshe,“Givemelife.ForifYouwillrememberme,inthatwillconsistallmybliss.”Nowwhenweshallhavewellponderedallthesecircumstances,itiscertainthatthefaithwhichwasinthisrobberwasasexcellentaswasinanymanwhoeverlived.However,letusnotbeashamedtobehisdisciples,forinfactthedeathofourLordJesusChristwillnotprofitusunlessweare,as itwere,condemnedinourselves, inordertoobtainsalvationinHim.AndwecannotbeabsolvedbeforeGod,unlesswehaveconfessedthatthereisinusonlyiniquityandfilth.Sinceitistrue,then,thatweareblameworthybeforeGod,andthatour own conscience judges and condemns us, let us not be ashamed to follow thisrobber,seeingthathecanbetousagoodteacher.

AndevennowthatourLordJesushasascendedintoheaven, thatHehastakenpossessionoftheglorywhichwasgiventoHimbyGodHisFather,inorderthateverykneemaybowbeforeHim,letusnotdoubtthatwearefullyrestoredtoHiskeeping,and conclude that there iswherein consists all our bliss, to know that JesusChristremembers us and that He governs us. Inasmuch as He has been ordained ourShepherd,Hewatchesoveroursalvation, inorder thatwemaybesecureunderHishandandunderHisprotection.Besides,maywelearntobearpatientlythemiseriesofthispresentlife,andmaythatnotturnusasidefromcomingtoourLordJesusChrist.Therobberwasheard,aswesee.Yethedidnotescapedeath,whichwasveryhardandterrible.Sothen,maywesoesteemthespiritualgracewhichisgivenusinourLordJesusChrist,andwhichisoffereduseverydaybythepreachingoftheGospel,thatitmaybetomakeusriseabovealltheanguishes,quarrels,cares,troubles,andassaultswhich we could experience. May all our afflictions be sweetened, inasmuch as weknowthatallwillturnoutforourgoodandsalvation,bythegraceofourLordJesusChrist.

That,then,iswhatwehavetoobserve.Besides,letusaddtoittheanswerofourLordJesusChrist,whenHepromisestotherobberthathewillbewithHimthatdayinParadise.Although,then,ourLordJesuswasnotyetraisedfromthedead,andHehadnotevenfulfilledallthatwasrequiredforourredemptionandsalvation,alreadyHe displayed the power and the fruit of His death and passion. It is true that thefulfillmentwasintheresurrection.ButsinceitisconjoinedtoHisdeathandpassion,andsinceweknowthat,asHesufferedintheinfirmityofHisflesh,so,Heisraisedinthe power of His Spirit. As He endured for our sins in order that we might beacceptablebeforeGod,alsoHeisraisedforourjustification.When,Isay,weknowallthat,withhowmuchgreatercouragemaywecomefreelytoHim.Maywenotdoubtatall,whenitwillpleaseHimtorememberus,andtohideusundertheshadowofHiswings, that we can defy Satan, death and all miseries, and glory in our infirmity.Althoughaccordingtotheworldwearepoorill-starredcreatures,mayweneverceasetorejoiceinGod,fromtheforetasteHegivesusbyfaithoftheheavenlygloryandofthisinheritancewhichHehasacquiredatsuchapriceandfromthehopeofwhichwecanneverbecheated.

Nowweshallbowinhumble,reverencebeforethemajestyofourGod.

SeventhSermononthePassionofOurLordJesusChrist

Nowfromthesixthhour therewasdarknessoverall the landunto theninthhour.And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lamasabachthani?thatistosay,MyGod,myGod,whyhastthouforsakenme?Someofthem that stood there,when they heard that, said, Thisman calleth forElias. Andstraightwayoneofthemran,andtookaspunge,andfilleditwithvinegar,andputitonareed,andgavehimtodrink.Therestsaid,Letbe, letusseewhetherEliaswillcometosavehim.Jesus,whenhehadcriedagainwitha loudvoice,yieldeduptheghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to thebottom;and theearthdidquake,and the rocks rent;And thegraveswereopened;andmanybodiesofthesaintswhichsleptarose,Andcameoutofthegravesafterhisresurrection,andwent into the holy city, andappeareduntomany.Nowwhen thecenturion, and they thatwerewith him,watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, andthose things thatwere done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly thiswas the Son ofGod.-Matthew27:45-54

WesawyesterdaythatthemockeriesandblasphemiesoftheenemiesofGoddidnothinderthedeathandpassionofourLordJesusfromproducingandshowingHispowerinthemidstofsuchcontemptandingratitudeoftheworld.ForhereweseeallthosewhowereinsomereputationanddignityamongtheJews,whoopenlymocktheSonofGod.YetthatdidnothinderHimfrompityingapoorrobberandreceivinghiminto eternal life. It is not necessary at all that personality obscure or diminish thegloryoftheSonofGod.IfitisarguedthatapoorrobberisnotatalltobecomparedwiththosewhoruletheChurch,whowereteachersofthelaw;itisnotproper,whenwespeakofthesalvationwhichwasacquiredforusthroughthegratuitousgoodnessofGod,toseekanyexcellenceinourpersonalities,butratherwemustcomebacktowhatSt.Paulsays,

“Thisisafaithfulteaching,thatJesuscametosavepoorsinners.(1Timothy1:15.)

So then,whenwe shall consider the fruit of thedeath andpassionof ourLordJesusChrist, allmenhave to behumbled, and therewill have to be found in themonlypovertyandshame,inorderthatGodmaybythismeanspouroutuponthemthetreasures of His mercy, having no other consideration to provide for us, exceptinasmuchasHeseesthatwearecastintothedepthsinallmiseries.Sincethen,thisrobberwasamandisapprovedofby all, andGod calledhimso suddenly,whenourLordmadeeffectiveforhimHisdeathandpassionwhichHesufferedandenduredfor

allmankind, thatoughtall themore toconfirmus. It isnotatall, then,amatterofGod’sshowingherehowHeextendsHishandto thosewhoseemtobeworthyof itandwhohavesomemeritinthem,orwhowererespectableandingeneralreputationamongmen.ButwhenHedrawsfromthedepthofhellpoordamnedsouls,whenHeshows Himself to be pitiful toward those on whom all hope of life had beenforeclosed, that iswhereinHis goodness shines. That is alsowhat ought to give usentrancetosalvation.Forhypocrites,althoughtheyprofesstobesomewhatrestrainedbythegraceofGod,yetclosethedooragainstthemselvesbytheirarrogance.FortheyaresoinflatedwithpridethattheycannotadjustthemselvestoourLordJesusChrist.So firstmaywebe very certain that JesusChrist calls toHimself poor sinnerswhohaveonlyconfusionintheirpersons,andthatHeextendsHisarmstoreceivethem.For ifwe are not sure,we shall never be able to take courage to come toHim.Butwhenweshallbewellpersuadedthat it is to thosewhoarethemostmiserablethatHeaddressesthesalvationwhichHeacquired,providedtheyrecognizethemselvesassuch, and they humble themselves, and they are entirely confounded, renderingthemselves blameworthy (as they are) before the judgment of God; that is howweshall be assured, that is how we shall have easy access to be sharers of therighteousness which is here offered to us, and by whichwe obtain grace and favorbeforeGod.

Whereupon it is said, “From the sixth hour until the ninth hour there wasdarkness.” I speak differently fromour common language, forwewould say twelveo’clock until three o’clock. But the Gospel-writer followed the commonmanner ofspeakingofthattime.Forwhenhesaysthethirdhour, it isnottosaythreeo’clock,butitisatthefirstpartoftheday.Thereareheretwothingstonoteinsummary.Oneisthattheycountedthehoursdifferentlyfromwhatwedotoday.Fortheycountedtheday from sunrise to sunset, and there were twelve hours in the day, whereas wemeasure the day by twenty-four hours, figuring from midnight to the followingmidnight. Clocks had to be managed differently, so that the hours were longer insummer than inwinter.According as the dayswere longer or shorter, so the hourswerelongorshort.Theotherpoint isthattheydividedthedayintofourquartersofthreehourseach,andeachpartwasnamedbythefirsthourofthequarter.Soallthetimefromsunrisetothesecondpartoftheday,wascalledthefirsthour.Thesecondpart,whichextendedtonoon,wasbythemnamedthethirdhour.Andthesixthhourbeganatmiddayandlasteduntilthethird,orfourhourslater.Theotherpart,whichwasthelast,lasteduntilthesunsetanddaywasended.ThatiswhyitissaidbyoneoftheGospel-writersthatJesusChristwascrucifiedaboutthethirdhour.Anditisheresaidthatthiswasaboutthesixthhour.OurGospel-writermeantthatfromthesixthhourtotheninthhourtherewasdarkness.ForourLordJesuswascrucifiedbetween9a.m.andnoon,andHehadbeencondemnedabout9a.m.byPilate.AndSt.Markmeanstheendofthethreehours,notthebeginning,whenhedescribedthetimethatJesusChristwasledtoGolgotha.NowHewasonthecrossuntiltheninthhour,when

alreadytheendofthedaywasapproaching.SoitismostlikelythatourLordJesusdidnotremaininagonyuponthecrossmorethanthreehours.

During which time it is said that there was darkness over all the land, that is,Judea.Fortheeclipsewasnotgeneralthroughalltheworld.Infactthatwouldhaveobscured the miracle which God wished to show. Because they might then haveattributed thiseclipse to theorderofnature.On theotherhand therearenotmanypeoplewhohavespokenofitinthesensethatithappenedinothercountries.Indeed,thosewhomakementionofitarerightlysuspected.ButbeholdthecountryofJudeawhich is covered by darkness. And at what hour? For about the three hours afternoonday, when the sun was not yet near his rest, as they say. But apart from thecommonorderofnaturetherehadtobedarknesstocausefrightandastonishmenttoall.Manyconsiderthatthiswasdoneasasignofdetestation,asifGodwishedtocalltheJewstoaccount,inorderthattheymighthavesomefeelingforsuchanenormouscrimeastheyhadcommitted,andas ifHesignifiedtothembythisvisiblesignthateven all creatures ought, as it were to hide themselves from such a horrible thing,whenJesusChrist is thusdelivered todeath.Butwehave tonote that inaway thedeathofourLordJesusChristhadtobeheldasadreadfulcrime,thatis,withregardto the Jews. God has well detested their so villainous iniquity. For it surpassed allothers.Infact,ifwehatemurderandsuchthings,whatwillitbewhenwecometothepersonoftheSonofGod?ThatthemenhadbeensomadastowishtoannihilateHimWhowas theFountain of Life, that they rose up to destroy thememory ofHimbyWhomwewerecreated,andinthepowerofWhomwesubsist!

YetthedeathofourLordJesusdidnotremainmerelyasacrificeofsweetsavor.Forwemustalwaysrememberthatitwasthereconciliationoftheworld,aswehavedeclaredabove.Besides,thedarknesscameinorderthatthesungivetestimonytotheDivine andheavenlymajesty of ourLordJesus.Although, then, for thatminuteHewas not only abased and rendered contemptible before men, even emptied ofeverything,asSt.Paulsays;yetthesunshowsthatitdoesHimhomage,andasasignof that, it remains hidden. Since it is so, then, let us know that God, to render thewicked all the more inexcusable, willed that Jesus Christ in His death be declaredsovereignKingofallcreatures,andthatthistriumphofwhichSt.PaulspeaksinthesecondchapterofColossiansbeganalready,whenhesaysthatJesusChristtriumphedinthecross.(Colossians2:14,15.)ItistruethatheappliesthatinthatHetoreupthewritwhichwas against us, and thatHe acquittedusbeforeGod, andby thismeansSatanwasconquered;yetthatwasalreadyshownbythiseclipseofthesun.However,the Jews were convinced of their ignorance, even of a malicious and fanaticalignorance,asifithadbeenseenwiththeeyethatSatanpossessedthem,andthattheywere, as it were,monstersmade contrary to nature. That, in summary, is what wehavetorememberwhenitisspokenofthedarknesswhichoccurred.

It is true that we are enlightened today by the death and passion of our Lord

JesusChrist.ForhowisitthattheGospelshowsusthewaytosalvation?HowareweilluminedtocometoGod,unlesssincetheretheSonofGodispresentedtouswiththe fruit and the power of His death? Jesus Christ is really, then, the Sun ofRighteousness, because He acquired for us life by dying. But the Jews have beendeprivedofsuchabenefit.Andinthatthesunwasobscuredtheywereconvincedthattheywereofallpeoplereproved,andthattherewasnolongerdoctrinewhichwouldserve them, nor be useful unto salvation, since by their malice they had tried toextinguishandabolisheverythingthatcouldgivethemhope.ForitwasentirelyinthepersonoftheMediator,Whomtheytriedtodestroybytheirmaliceandingratitude.Itwasquite right, then, that theywerecompletelydestituteofall lightof salvation, inorderthatthewrathofGoddeclareditselfinavisiblemanneruponthem.

It follows that our Lord Jesus cried, saying, “MyGod,myGod,why hast thouforsakenme?”St.MatthewandSt.MarkreciteintheSyriactonguethewordsofourLordJesus,whicharedrawnfromPsalm22.AndthewordsarenotsopronouncedbyalltheGospel-writersaswhatthetextofthePsalmbears.Eveninthisword“Eli,”thatis “My God,” we see that St. Mark says “Eloi.” (Mark 15:34) But this is by thecorruption of language, aswehavenotedbefore this. For the Jewshaving returnedfromBabylon,haveneverhada language entirelypure, asbefore.All the same thisquery and complaint is drawn from Psalm 22:1. God willed especially that this berecited in two tongues, to show that itwas a thing of importance, and towhichweoughttobeattentive.Infact,unlesswewouldwishtoimagine(asdomanyfantasticpeople)thatourLordJesusspokeaccordingtotheopinionofmenandnotaccordingtoHissenseandHisfeeling,wesurelymustbemovedbythis,andalloursensesmustbe rapt,when JesusChrist complains of being forsaken and abandonedbyGodHisFather.Foritisathingtoodullandtoofoolish,tosaythatourLordJesuswasnotatalltouchedwithanguishandanxietyinHisheart,butthatHehadsimplysaid,“TheygatherthatIamforsaken.”Thatshowsthatthosewholookforsuchglosses,arenotonlyignorant,butarealtogetherinjest.Besides,theyneverceasetoblaspheme,likemastiffdogs,againstGod.Andallthosewhospeakthus,itiscertainthattheyhavenomore religion than dogs and brute beasts, for they do not know how much theirsalvationhascosttheSonofGod.Andwhatisworse,theymockitjustlikethevillainswhichtheyare.

Then,wemustholditasaconclusivefact,thatourLordJesus,beingbroughtintosuchextremityandanguish,criedwithaloudvoice(yes,likethosewhoaretormentedtothelimit),“MyGod,myGod,whyhast thou forsakenme?” In fact,wehavesaidabovethatitwouldbeacoldstatementfromthehistoryofHisdeath,ifwewouldnotconsider the obedience which He rendered to God His Father. This, then, is theprincipalthingwehavetoconsiderwhenwewouldbeassuredofoursalvation.It isthatifwehavecommittedmanyfaultsandrebellionsandiniquitiesagainstGod,allofitwill beburied, inasmuchasourLordJesusbyHisobediencehas justifiedus andrenderedusacceptabletoGodHisFather.Nowthisobedience,inwhatdiditconsist,

unlessJesusChrist,althoughdeathwastoHimhardandterrible,neverthelessdidnotrefusetobesubjecttoit?ForifHehadexperiencedinitnodifficultyorcontradiction,itwouldnothavebeenobedience.ButthoughourLordJesusbynaturehelddeathinhorrorandindeeditwasaterriblethingtoHimtobefoundbeforethejudgment-seatofGodinthenameofallpoorsinners(forHewasthere,asitwere,havingtosustainall our burdens), nevertheless He did not fail to humble Himself to suchcondemnationforoursakes,weknowinHimaperfectobedience,andinthatwehaveagoodcausetoglorifyHim,assaystheApostleintheEpistletotheHebrews,

“OurLordJesuswasheardinthathefeared.”(Hebrews5:7)

But though thatmay be, yetHe had to sustainwhatwas so hard and burdensome,indeed,entirelycontrarytoallhumanaffection.Itwasnecessary,then,

that God His Father so trained Him in order that His obediencemightbeknown.(Hebrews5:8.)

We see, then, the Apostle, who specifies particularly that our Lord Jesus had to beastonishedwithfear.Forwithoutthatwewouldnotknowwhatthissacrificebywhichwe have been reconciled isworth. In fact, St. Peter also shows that our Lord Jesussufferednotonly inHisbody,but inHissoul,whenHesays thatHe foughtagainstthepainsofdeath.

ItistruethatScripturewilloftensaythatweareredeemedbythebloodofJesusChrist,inasmuchasHeofferedHisbodyasasacrifice.ThatisalsowhyitissaidthatHis flesh is tousmeatandHisblood is tousspiritualdrink.But that is saidoutofregard to our uncouthness. Becausewe are gross, theHoly Spirit brings us back towhat isvisible in thedeathofJesusChrist, inorder thatwemayhaveacompletelycertainpledgeofoursalvation.However,thisisnottoexcludewhatisshowninalltheotherpassages,andeventoderogatefromthearticlethatthedeathandpassionofourLordJesuswouldnothaveservedanythingtowipeawaytheiniquitiesoftheworld,exceptinsofarasHeobeyed,indeed,abasingHimselfeventosofrightfuladeath.AndHeobeyed,notatallthatHissensesweretakenaway.ButalthoughHehadtosustaingreatandextreme terrors,yetHeputoursalvationaboveeveryotherconsideration.This,then,iswhatwehavetoobserveinthispassage:Thatis,thattheSonofGodnotonlyendured inHisbody sucha crueldeath,but thatHewas touched to thequick,havingtosustainhorribleassaultsasifGodhadabandonedHim.For,infact,Healsosustained our cause, andHe had to experiencewhat condemnation therewas uponpoorsinners.

Byoursinsweare,asitwere,alienatedfromGod,andHemustwithdrawHimselffromus, andwemust know thatHehas, as itwere, rejectedus. That is the properthing for sinners. It is certain that JesusChristhasneverbeen rejectedbyGodHis

Father.Nevertheless,HehadtosustainthesesorrowsandHehadtofightvaliantlytorepulsethem,inorderthattodaythefruitofthevictorymaycomebacktous.Sowehavetorememberthat,whenourLordJesuswasputintosuchanextremity,asifGodHisFatherhadcutofffromHimallhopeoflife,itisinasmuchasHewasthereinourperson, sustaining the curseofour sins,which separatedus fromGod.Forwhereinrestsourfelicity,unlesswearemadealivebythegraceofGod,andenlightenedbyHisbrightness?Heisthefountainoflifeandofeverygood,andoursinsput,asitwere,alongdistancebetweenHimandus.JesusChrist,then,hadtoexperiencethis.Letusconsider nowwhat someonemight say. Is it possible that Jesus Christ experiencedsuchterrors,sincethereisinHimonlycompleteperfection?Foritseemsthatittakesaway fromthe faithwhichHemusthavehadand fromeverything thatweought tobelieveofHim.Thatis,thatHewaswithoutanyspotofvice.Nowtheanswertothatisveryeasy.ForwhenHewastemptedbySatan,itiscertainthatHehadtohavethisapprehension thatHewas, as itwere, on topof a tower and thatHewas subject tosuch an illusion according to His human nature. However, that took nothing awayfromHisdivinepower.RatherwehaveoccasiontomagnifyHisgoodnesstowardus,inasmuchasHethusabasedHimselfforoursalvation.

NowitissaidthatHecried,“MyGod,whyhastThouforsakenMe?”Inthefirstplace it isverycertain thatJesusChrist, insofarasHewasGod.couldhavenosuchapprehension.No,no.ButwhenHesufferedHisDeityhadtogiveplacetoHisdeathandpassion,whichHehadtoendure.That,then,isthepowerofourLordJesuswhichwas kept, as it were, hidden for a time, until He had accomplished all that wasrequired for our redemption. Yet according toman, let us note that this complaint,thisfeelingandterrorofwhichwenowspeak,innowisedetractedfromthefaithofourLordJesusChrist.ForinasmuchasHewasmanHehadallHisconfidenceinGod,aswehaveseen,andyesterdayitwassufficientlytreated.Itwas,then,thetruepatternofa true,perfect, andentire confidence. It is saidnow thatHewas in suchanguishthat He seemed to be forsaken by God His Father. However His faith was alwaysperfect, was neither beaten down nor shaken in anymanner whatever. How, then,doesHe say, “WhyhastThou forsakenMe?” It is by natural apprehension.Behold,then,ourLordJesusChristWhoaccordingtotheweaknessofHisfleshis,asitwere,abandonedbyGod,andyetHedoesnotceasetoconfideinHim.Asinfactweseetwoparts in thesewordswhichare superficially contrary, andyet it all agrees verywell.WhenHesays“MyGod,MyGod”andHerepeatsthewordinsuchaway,bythatHeshowstheconstancyofHisfaith.Hedoesnotsay,“WhereisGod?HowdoesHeleaveme?” But He addressesHimself to Him.Hemust, then, be entirely persuaded andassured thatHewill always find favorable access towardGodHis Father. Behold (Isay)acertainandinfallibletestimonyofthefaithofourLordJesusChrist.WheninthemidstoftheextremityandanguishwhereHewas,HedoesnotceasetocallGodHisFather,andnotinpretense,butbecauseHewasassuredthatHewouldfindHimpropitiousincallinguponHim.Behold(Isay)thefaithofourLordJesusChristwhich

issufficientlydeclared.YetHerepeatstheword,becausethisfightisdifficult,asifHewould defy all the temptations which Satan prepared for Him, and He soughtconfirmationoffaiththatHemightalwayspersistincallinguponGod.

Now He said further, “Why hast Thou forsaken Me?” Of course that wasaccording to what He could conceive of as man. For He had to enter into thatexperience,nottobeconqueredbyit.ForSt.Petersays,

“It was impossible that He be held by the pains of death,” (Acts2:24)

thatis,thatHebeseizedlikeapoormanwhoaltogethergiveswayandiscrushed.“Itwasimpossible,”saysSt.Peter.Andsothevictorywasinthemidstofthefight.Andthat is to glorify all themore our Lord Jesus Christ. David had experienced this inpart.Forit iscertainthatinthemidstofhisafflictions,howevergreattheywere,hepersistedtocalluponGod,indeedhopinginHim.Butsincehewasfrailman,hisfaithwas very often shaken, as he confesses. But in our Lord Jesus, there was a specialconsideration(whichwastreatedlastLord’sDay),thatis,thatHehadallHispassionswell controlled, because of the integrity that was inHim and there was inHim nonaturalcorruption.Assometimesitwillhappentousthatourpainswillproceedfroma good cause, indeed, both our fears and our anxieties. But all the same there willalways be vicemixed in it, since corruption is in all our passions. But in our LordJesus therewasnothing troubledordisordered. It follows, then, thatHewasnotsoseizedwithanguish, thatHedidalwayshaveHishope fixedrightlyonGod, thatHecalledonlyuponHimandremainedfirmandconstantinthat,knowingwellthatHewouldbeSavioreventotheend.

Whereuponitissaid,“SomeofthosewhowerenearHimmockedHim.”“HewhocallsElijah,letusseeifElijahwillcometohelpHim.”Onesupposedthattheguards,as ignorantof theLaw,spokethus.But this is too foolishanabuse, for theydidnotknowwhoElijahwas.Thereisnodoubt,then,thatthisblasphemywaspronouncedbynone others than the priests who were trained in the Law. And are not theythemselvesdeceivedinwhatJesussaid?Notatall.FortheProphetwhomtheycalledElijah is not named thus. The name, then, had not deluded them. For there is nodoubt implied, seeing that theword “Elijah” ispronouncedentirelydifferently fromtheword“Eli,” that is, “MyGod.”Thatcouldnotcauseanyambiguity. It is, then,bycertainmaliceand impudence that the reproach that“HecallsElijah”wasputuponourLordJesusChrist.And ifwe find thatstrange,would toGod that therewerenosuchexamplestoday.ForonewillseetodaythePapistswhoturnawayanddepravebytheircalumnieswhatweteach,thatis,whatisdrawnfromthepuretruthofGod,andtheyknowinglyblasphemetorenderourdoctrineodioustomanyignorantpeopleandpeoplewhodonothearwhatwepreacheveryday.Theydeprave,then,falselywhatwesayandtheytakeitentirelythewrongway,inordertogiveplausibilitytotheirlieand

entertainpoorignorantpeoplewithit.ThatishowtheenemiesofGod,possessedbySatan, have turned aside by certainmalice thewords of our Lord Jesus Christ, andtodayamongthePapistsoneseesthesamething.AndnotonlyisthatperceivedinthePapacy,butevenamongustherearebelligerentswhowillsaythatwewishtomakebelieve that JesusChristwasdevoidof allhopewhenwe see thatHe sustained theanguish of death, thatHewas as itwere cast into the depths, inasmuch asHewasthereinournameandHesustainedtheburdenofoursins.ButthatinnowisetakesawayfromtheconstancyofHisfaith,thatitmightnotalwaysremaininitsentirety.And these rascals who make profession of the Gospel, never cease to knowinglyblaspheme, bywhich they show that they are worse than those of whom it is herespoken.Seeingthenthatthedeviltodaysharpensthetonguesofhisagents,andthateachonebysuchbrutalimpudencecomestodisgorgehisvenomagainstthepurityofdoctrine,letusnotthinkitstrangeifourLordJesuswasthusslandered.Butmaywebearpatiently theseblasphemies,praying toGod (as it is said in the twelfthPsalm)thatHemaydestroythesevillainoustongues(Psalm12:3)whicharesofullofvillainyandofexecration,andwhichtendtoblasphemeHisNameandtoobscureHistruth.

WhereupontheGospel-writerrecordsthattherewasthereavesselfullofvinegar(indeed, as we have already seen, whichwasmixedwith gall) and that they took areed,orbetter(assaysSt.John)ahyssopinordertohavea longbranch,andattheend of it they attached a sponge tomake it reach themouth of our Lord Jesus. St.John speaks here more distinctly, for he says that Jesus Christ, knowing that allthings were fulfilled, said that He was thirsty, and thereuponHe pronounced onceagain“Itisdone,all isfulfilled.”This, then, iswhatwehavetonotehere,whenthisdrinkwasgiventotheSonofGod:namely, thatHedidnotasktodrinkbecauseHewasthirsty,forHehadrefusedit,asalreadywehaveseenabove.Why?Forthisdrinkwasgiveninordertoshortenthelife.NowourLordJesuswishedineverythingandbyeverythingtowaitforthehourofGodHisFatherinpatienceandrest.That,then,iswhy He did not wish to hasten His death, but rendered Himself peaceable andobedient,untilallwasfulfilled—indeed,althoughHehadnotyetgivenuptheSpiritandHewasnotraisedfromthedead.ForhemeansthatuntilthishourHehadshownacompleteobedience,sothatnothingnowhinderedHimfromgivingHissoultoGodHis Father. This, then, is howwemust take this passage: It is that our Lord Jesusdeclaredthatnothingmorewaslackingforourredemptionexcepttodepartfromtheworld, which He was ready and prepared to do, and to surrender His soul to God.Seeing,then,thatHehadacquittedHimselfofHiswholedutyasMediator,andthatHehaddoneallthatwasrequiredtoappeasethewrathofGodtowardus,andthatthesatisfactionforoursinswasaccomplished,Hewaswillingtoaskforthisdrink.

Nowwehavehereaverynoteworthyandexcellentsentence,whenitissaid,“Allis;fulfilled.”ForitiscertainthattheLordJesusdoesnotspeakatallofanylittleorcommonthings.ButHeintendsthatbyHisdeathwehaveallthatweneedtoseektohaveaccesstoGodandtoobtaingracefromHim.NotthatHisresurrectionshouldbe

excludedbythat,butitisasifHesaidthatHehasperformedHisofficefaithfully,andthatHehas not come to be a partial Savior, but that until the lastmomentHehasexecutedthechargewhichwascommittedtoHim,andthatHehadomittednothingaccording to thewill of GodHis Father. Since that is so, we are instructed to fullyfastenourconfidenceinourLordJesusChrist,knowingthatallpartsofoursalvationarefulfilledinwhatHedidandenduredforoursakes.That isalsowhyHisdeathiscalledaperpetualSacrifice,bywhichthebelieversandelectofGodaresanctified.Dowewish,then,tohavecertaintythatGodisFathertous?DowewishtohavelibertytocalluponHim?Dowewishtohaverestinourconsciences?DowewishtobemademorefullycertainthatweareheldtoberighteousinordertobeacceptabletoGod?LetusabideinJesusChristandnotwanderhereorthere,andletusrecognizethatHeiswhereinrestsallperfection.Those,then,whowishotherprops,andwholookfromonesidetotheothertosupplywhatmustbelackinginthedeathandpassionofourLord Jesus Christ, renounce fully the power of whichwe are now speaking. Brieflythey treadunder foot thebloodof JesusChrist, for theydishonor it.Now inall thePapacywhatisthereexceptrenunciationofthedeathandpassionofourLordJesusChrist? For though they think to do goodworks, because they call themmerits, bywhich they are confident that they acquire grace before God, it is certain that theydisavowwhatwaspronouncedbyourLordJesusChrist,“Allisfulfilled.”Andsinceitisso,whentheythinktoobtainsalvationbeforeGod,andtheywishtohaveremissionof their sins,wheredo they go, except to their foolishdevotions?For eachonewillperformhislittledutyathispost,sothatalltheso-calleddevotionsinthePapacyaresomanyblasphemiestonullifywhatwaspronouncedwhenourLordJesussaid,“Allisfulfilled.”Whatfollows,then?Thatwemayknowthatthereisnotasingleparticleof virtue or merit in us, unless we apply ourselves to this Fountain wherein is allfullnessofit.

That, then, is how our faith ought to be fastened on our Lord Jesus Christ.Besides, may we know above all that when He was offered as a sacrifice it was toabsolve us forever and to sanctify us perpetually, as Scripture says. (Revelation13:8)Maywe,then,havenoothersacrificethanthisOne.ItistruethatinthePapacy,this diabolical abomination of the mass is called daily Sacrifice; and they say thatJesusChristsurelyonceofferedHimselfasaSacrificetoobtainforustheremissionofoursins,butthatit isstillnecessarythatHebeoffereddaily,whichisblasphemyfullymanifest, inasmuchastheyusurptheofficewhichwasgiventoourLordJesusChrist,whenHewas ordained only eternal Sacrifice, indeed,with an oath thatGodadjuresthatitshouldbeperpetual.When,then,mortalmentakeituponthemselvesstilltocometopresentandofferJesusChristtoGod,dotheynotrobthehonorwhichGodreservestoHimselfalone,andwhichcannotbeattributedtoanycreature?Sinceit is so, then, we see how these poor blind men, supposing themselves to keepappointmentwithGod,provokeHiswrathandHisvengeance, renouncing thedeathand passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. And somuchmore oughtwe tomagnify the

graceofGodbywhichHehaswithdrawnusfromsuchanabyss,thatwhenweclaimtoapproachHim,itistodefyHimopenly.ForwedepriveourselvesofHimandofthefruitofHisdeathandpassionwhenweseekothersacrificethanthatwhichHeofferedinHisperson.That,then,iswhatwehavetoremember.

Now it is said, “OnceagainHe criedwitha loudvoiceandgaveup the spirit.”Andthiscrywas,“Igivebackmysoul orMyspirit intoThyhands.” In thatwe seehowourLordJesusChristsofoughtagainstthepainsofdeath,thatfromthenonHewas conqueror over it andHe could gainHis triumphs as having surmountedwhatwasthemostdifficult.Andthispertainstous,thatis,wemustapplyittoouruse.ForweareassurednotonlythattheSonofGodfoughtforus,butthatthevictorywhichHe acquired for us belongs to us, and that today we ought not to be in any wisefrightened by death, knowing that the curse of God, which was terrible to us, isabolished,andthatdeath,insteadofbeingabletowounduslikeafatalplague,servesusasmedicinetogiveuspassageintolife.NowaspreviouslybytheexampleofDavidHesaid,

“MyGod,myGod,whyhastThouforsakenme?”(Psalm22:1)

sonowHetakestheprayermadebyDavidinthethirty-firstPsalm,

“IcommendtoTheemyspirit.”(Psalm31:5.)

ItistruethatDavidsaidthat,beinginthemidstofdangers.Asifhesaid,“Lord,holdmeinThyprotection;formysoulisasitwerebetweenmyhands;itisthereasitwerefluttering.ForIseemyselfexposedtoallhazards;mylifeisasitwerehangingfromathread. It does not remain, then, unless Thou takestme into Thy keeping.” That ishowDavidbythisprayerconstitutedGodashisProtector.However,hedidnotleaveituntildeathitselftocalluponGod,andtobeassuredthatalwaysGodistheSaviorofHis elect, not only to maintain and guard them in this world, but also when Hewithdraws them toHimself. For the principal guard that God keeps over us is thatbeing withdrawn from this world we are hidden under His wings to rejoice in Hispresence,asSt.Paulspeaksof it in2Corinthians. (2Corinthians4:3)AndourLordJesusalsopronouncingthisprayerdeclaresthatHediespeaceably,havingconqueredinallthecombatswhichHehadtosustainforus,andachievesalreadyHistriumphsinournameandtoourprofitandsalvation.HefullydeclaresbythissamemeansthatGod isHis Savior and thatHe keepsHis soul as a safe trust. For that is what thisrequestthatHemakesofHimimplies,whenHesays,“MyGod,beThouguardianofMysoul,evenafterdeath.”

WhenourLordJesusspeaksso,itisasifHeassuredusallthatwecannotfailincommittingourselvestoourGod,sinceHesurelycondescendstotakechargeofus,inorder to sustainus,and thatweshallneverperishbeing thusunderHishand.Now

especiallywehavetonotethatJesusChrist,saying,“MyGod,IcommendtoTheeMyspirit,”acquiredtheprivilegewhichisattributedtoHimbySt.StepheninActs7.ItisthatHewas constituted guardian of all our souls. For how is it that Saint StephenspeaksinHisdeath?

“LordJesus,IcommendtoTheemyspirit.”(Acts7:59.)

This,then,ishowSt.StephenshowsthefruitofthisrequestwhichwasmadebyJesusChrist: namely, that now we can address ourselves to Him, and we ought to do it,declaringthatsinceHewasgiventousasShepherdbyGodHisFather,weneedhavenodoubttobepeaceablebothinlifeandindeath,knowingallwillprofitusandwillbeturnedtoouradvantage.AsSt.Paulsays,havingJesusChristhewill findgainineverything, thathewillno longer lackanything ineither lifeordeath, forallwillbeusefultohim.(Philippians1:20-24.)

Sothen,letuslearnnow,whenweshallbebesiegedbydeath,thatJesusChristhastakenawaythestingwhichmightprickusfatallyintheheart,andthatdeathwillno longerbeharmful tous,andthatwhenourLordJesusgaveHissoul toGodHisFather, it was not only to be preserved in His person, but in order to acquire thisprivilegewhichisentirelypreservedforusbyvirtueofthisrequest;indeed,whenweshall have our recourse to Him, as to the One under the protection of Whom wecannotperish,sinceHedeclaresit.Thereisstillthistriumphofwhichwehavemademention,whichalreadyprofitsus.ForourLordJesusshowshowpreciousHisdeathis,whenHesoconfidentlydepartstoGodHisFathertoleadustoHimandtoshowusthewaytoHim.Buttheprincipalthingisthatwemayknowthatthefruitofitcomesbacktous,inasmuchasHetoreupthewritwhichwasagainstus,asHeacquiredforusfullsatisfactionforoursins,sothatwecanappearbeforeGodHisFatherinsuchawaythatevendeathisnolongertodouseviloranyharm.Althoughwestillseeinusmanythingswhichmightastonishus,andweexperienceourpovertyandmisery,yetletusnotceasetogloryinHimWhowasthenabasedforusinordertoraiseuswithHim.

In fact, although onman’s side there is only complete shame, yet when JesusChristwashangedthereonthecross,alreadyGodwishedatthattimebythemouthofPilatethatHebedeclaredKing.So,althoughtheKingdomofourLordJesusChristisvilifiedbeforetheworld,maywenot,however,ceasetoholditasthefoundationofallour glory, and may we know that being in shame under His leading, we haveneverthelesswhereoftorejoice;sinceourconditionwillalwaysbeblessed,becauseallthemiseries, afflictions, and ignominies which we endure aremore honorable andpreciousbeforeGodthanareall thescepters,all thepomp,andthingshonorable,towhichmenareaddicted.That, then, ishowwemustcometoourLordJesusChrist,andclinginsuchawaytoHimthatwemayknowwhatthericheswhichHebringstous areworth, and above allwhenHe leads us byHisGospel,maywe reject all the

conveniences and comforts of this world; indeed,maywe hold them in detestationwhentheywouldturnusasidefromthegoodway.Briefly,mayourLordJesusobtainthehonorwhichHedeserves, andonourpartmaywealsonotbeas reeds shakingwitheverywind,butbeingfoundedinHimmaywecalluponGod,andinlifeandindeathmaythevictorybegiventousinwhichHehasalreadytriumphed.Andwhileweare still here below may we give Him the honor of recognizing that it is HeWhosustainsus.ThisiswhatHewilldowhenweshallreallyhaveourrefugeinHim:Hewilldoit,Isay,notinacommonmannerbutmiraculously.Forwhenweshallbecastdowntotheverybottomoftheabyssofdeath,itisHisofficetowithdrawusfromitandtoleadustotheheavenlyinheritancewhichHehassodearlyacquiredforus.

NowweshallbowinhumblereverencebeforethemajestyofourGod.

EighthSermononthePassionofOurLordJesusChrist

Andmanywomenweretherebeholdingafaroff,whichfollowedJesusfromGalilee,ministeringuntohim:AmongwhichwasMaryMagdalene,andMarythemotherofJames and Joses, and themother of Zebedee's children.When the evenwas come,there camea richman ofArimathaea, named Joseph,whoalso himselfwas Jesus'disciple:HewenttoPilate,andbeggedthebodyofJesus.ThenPilatecommandedthebodytobedelivered.AndwhenJosephhadtakenthebody,hewrappeditinacleanlinencloth,Andlaiditinhisownnewtomb,whichhehadhewnoutintherock:andherolledagreatstonetothedoorofthesepulchre,anddeparted.-Matthew27:55-60

WehaveseenabovehowourLordJesusdeclaredthefruitandthepowerofHisdeathinthepoorrobber,whosurelyseemedtobe,asitwere,adamnedandlostsoul.Now if all thosewho had previously been taught in theGospel, and had had sometasteofit,werealienatedseeingtheSonofGoddie,itwouldseemthatthepreachingoftheGospelhadbeenvainanduseless.BesidesweknowthattheApostleshadbeenelectedtotheconditionofbeing,asitwere,thefirst-fruitsoftheChurch.Onecould,then,havethoughtthatthiselectionhadbeenadisappointingthing,andthattheyhadbeen chosen to such office and estate. For this cause it is here declared to us that,althoughtheApostleshadfledandinthatwasshownavillainouscowardice,St.Peterhad even renounced our Lord Jesus and was, as it were, cut off from all hope ofsalvation, indeed, being worthy to be reputed as a rottenmember; yet God did notpermitthedoctrinewhichtheyhadpreviouslyreceivedtobeextinguishedandentirelyabolished.ItistruethatSt.Matthewputsmorefaithintheconstancyofwomenthanofmen.That is inorder thatwemay learn tomagnifyall themore thegoodnessofGod,WhoperfectsHispower inourweakness.That is alsowhatSt.Paul says, thatGod has chosen the weak things of this world, in order that those who supposethemselves to be strongmay bow their heads and not glory at all in themselves. (1Corinthians1:19-31.)If itwere, then,herespokenofmenandof theirmagnanimity,andthat theyhad followedourLordJesusChrist todeath,onewould take thatasanaturalthing.ButwhenwomenareledbytheSpiritofGod,andthereisinthemmoreboldness than in men, indeed, than in those who had been elected to publish theGospeltoalltheworld,inthatwerecognizethatGodwasatworkandthatitistoHimthatthepraiseoughttobeattributed.

Nowitissaidespecially,“ThesewomenhadfollowedourLordJesus,doingHimservice.”Which is tobetterdeclare the inclination theyhad toprofit by theGospel.For itwas no small excellence that they left their houses to traipse here and there,indeed,withgreateffortandevenwithshame.Forweknowwhattheconditionofour

LordJesusChristwaswhileHewentaboutintheworld.Hesaysthatfoxeshavecavesand little birds are able to build their nests, but He has nowhere to lay His head.(Matthew 8:20, Luke 9:58.) We see on the other hand that these women had thewherewithal to feed themselves peaceably and at their comfort. When, then, theytraipse sowithout being able to find lodging exceptwith difficulty, they have to gowithoutfoodanddrink,theyaresubjecttomanymockeries,theyaredrivenawayandmolestedeverywhere,andyettheyriseaboveall thatandbearit inpatience,wecaneasilyjudgehowGodhadstrengthenedthem.However,atthedeaththeystilldeclarethehopethattheyhadinourLordJesusChrist.Foralthoughtheyarebewildered,yetiftheyhadsupposedthatourLordhadcometogrief,theycouldhavejudgedthatHehadcompletelyfailed.ForHehadspokentothemoftheKingdomofGodwhichwastobe restoredbyHismeans.Hehad spoken to themof theperfectbliss andof thesalvationwhichHewouldaccomplish.Andwhereareallthesethings?Wesee,then,howthesepoorwomen,althoughtheyhadbeenbewilderedandhowevermuchtheyaretroubled,notknowingwhatwouldbetheoutcomeofourLord’slife,neverthelesswere held back by His authority. And yet He causes that in the end they couldrecognizeandjudgethatHehadnotpromisedthemanythinginvain.Theyhave,then,waitedforthepromiseoftheresurrection,althoughaccordingtomentheymighthavejudgedentirelytothecontrary.However,weseehowtheirfaithwastrained,inorderthatwemightnotbetroubledbeyondmeasure,ifinappearanceitseemsthatweareforsakenbyGod,andthatallthepromisesoftheGospelare,asitwere,abolished,butthatwepersistnevertheless.For thesewomengive testimonyagainstus,andtoourgreatcondemnation,ifwefailinsuchcombats.Wouldwewisharuderexamplethanwhattheyhaveendured?However,theywerevictorious,indeed,bymeansoffaith.

So then, let us armourselveswhenwe arewarned of the assaultswhich Satanmakesagainstus, thatwearearmed tomeet theblow,andwe show thatweare sosupportedbythepowerofourLordJesusChristthatalthoughwemaynotperceiveatfirstglancethefulfillmentofwhatissaidtous,wemaynotceasetorestinHim,andtobring toHimthishonorandreverence, thatHewill showHimself faithful in theend. And we need to be thus proved to the limit. For otherwise we would be toodelicate, and even our faith would be deadened, or perhaps we would imagine anearthly paradise, and we could not raise our senses high enough to renounce thisworld.As alsowe see it better in thepersonof themother of John and James.Weknow thatpreviously shehadbeendrivenby suchanambition that shehadwishedthatourLordmightbeseatedonHisRoyalthrone,andthatHemighthavehadthereonly pomp and bravery, and that her two sons might have been there as twolieutenantsofourLord.“Command,Lord,”shesays,“thatoneofmysonsbeatyourrighthand,andtheotherattheleft.”Whatafoolishwoman!whoismindfulonlyofgloryandwhowishedtoseeanearthlytriumphinherchildren.Nowhereisanotherand very different experience. For she sees our Lord Jesus hanged on the cross, insuchshameanddisgracethatalltheworldisopposedtoHim,andHeiseventhere,as

itwere,cursedbyGod.Soweseethis,whenweshallbeledintosuchaconfusionthatourspiritswillbeastonishedwithterrorandanguish,butbythismeansGodrobsusof all earthly affections, inorder thatnothingmayhinderus frombeing raised intoheavenandtothespiritual lifetowhichwemustaspire.Andwecannotdoitunlesswearepurgedofeverythingthatholdsusbackonthisearth.That,then,insummary,iswhatwehavetorememberconcerningthesewomen.

However, that is not to say that there may not also have been men, but theintentionoftheHolySpiritwastoputbeforeoureyesheresuchamirrorinorderthatwemightknowthat it isGodwholedthesewomenbythepowerofHisHolySpirit,andHewished to declareHis power andHis grace, choosing instruments so feebleaccording to theworld.The like is also seen inNicodemusand in Joseph. It is truethatSt.Matthew,St.Mark,andSt.LukespeakonlyofJoseph,whocametoPilate,andNicodemustookcourage,seeinghehadsuchaleader.ItistruethatNicodemuswasateacherofgreatesteem.Josephwasarichmanofproperty,indeed,alsoamemberofthecouncil.However, letus looktoseewhethertherewasinthemsuchazealastoexposethemselvestodeathforourLordJesus,andindeedifduringHislifetheyhavelefttheirhousestofollowHim.Notatall.ButwhenitcomestothedeathGodmovesthemandincitesthembeyondallhumanexpectation.Wesee,then,thatGodworkedhereastrangeandadmirablechange,whenHegavesuchboldness toJosephandtoNicodemus,thattheywerenotafraidoftherageofallthepeople,whentheycametoburyourLordJesus.PreviouslyNicodemushadcomebynight,fearingtobemarkedwith infamy. Now he buries our Lord Jesus, indeed, when He has come to theextremity.God,then,hadtogivehimanewcourage,forhehadhiddenhimself,and,indeed,noshadowshadbeendarkenoughforhim,seeinghistimidityandcowardice,unlessGodhadcorrectedthisviceinhim.Briefly,weseehowthedeathofourLordJesusprofited,andthatalreadyHethendisplayedthegracesofHisHolySpirituponthesepoorpeople,whopreviouslyhadneverdaredtomakeadeclarationoftheirfaith.Nownotonlydotheyspeakbymouth,butwhattheydoshowsthattheyprefertobeheldexecrablebeforeall theworldandyetbedisciplesofJesusChrist, than to losewhattheyhadobtained;namely,thefreesalvationwhichhadbeenofferedthem.

That is alsowhy it is said that Josephwaited for the Kingdom of God. By thisword it is declared to us that we are alienated from God and banished from HisKingdomuntilHegathersustoHimselfforHispeople.Wesee,then,howmiserableistheconditionofmen,untilourLordJesushascalledthemtoHimself todedicatethemtoHisFather.Andifweareseparatedfromthisgood,woeandconfusionuponus!Itwasagreatvirtuethentowait fortheKingdomofGod,becausetheJewshadcorrupted it, and the occasions of it were great according to the world. For theProphetshaddeclared,whenthepeoplehadreturnedfromBabylon,thatGodwouldbe in such wise their Redeemer that there would be a kingdom flourishing in alldignity, that the Temple would be built in greater glory than ever, that then theywouldenjoyallbenefits,andthatitwouldbeahappylife,thatallwouldhaverestand

that the only concern would be to enjoy God, and bless His Name, and give Himpraise. That is what the Prophets had promised. But what is the condition of thepeople?Theyare consumedandgobbledupby theirneighbors, theyare stung, theyare molested. Sometimes there is such tyranny that innocent blood is spilledthroughoutallthecity,thebookoftheLawisburned,andtheyareforbiddentohaveasinglereadingofitunderpenaltyofdeath.Suchgreatcrueltiesarepracticedthatitishorribletothinkofit.TheTempleisfullofpollution.ThehouseofDavid—whathasbecomeofit?Ithasentirelyfallenandthestateofthingscontinuouslygoesfrombadtoworse.Sothen,onemustnotbeastonished,ifinapeoplesoroughandgiventoitsappetitesandaffections,therewereveryfewwhoretainedthetruereligionandwhohadnotlostcourage;asweseealsothatthenumberofthosewhoenduredpatientlyandwhowerefirminthefaithwasverysmallandveryrare.ThatissaidofSimeon,itissaidofAnnatheprophetess,itissaidofJoseph.Butwhy?Inamultitudesogreat,amongtheJewsinacountrysopopulated,theHolySpiritsetsbeforeusfourorfiveas a thing which was not at all usual, and gives testimony that those people werewaitingfortheKingdomofGod.Butitisinorderthatwemaylearn,wheneverythingwillbeconfusedandindespair,tohaveoureyesfixeduponGod.AndinasmuchasHistruth is infallible and immutable, let us remain firm until the end, and let us riseabovealltroubles,scandals,andperplexitiesofthisworld,andhoweverwemaygroanletusnotceasetoaspiretowhatourLordcallsusto,thatis,towaitpatientlyforHisKingdomtobeestablishedinus,andyetmayitsufficeustohavetheGagewhichHegivesusofHisHolySpirit,byWhomHe testifies tousof the freeadoptionHehasmadeofus.WhenGoddeclaresthatHeholdsusandregardsusasHischildren,andwhenitisengravedonourheartsbyHisHolySpirit,whenwehavedailythedoctrineof theGospelwhichresoundsandrings inourears, letusbeconfirmed in the faithand not fail at all, even though things are so confused that one could not imaginethem any worse. That, then, in summary, is what we have to remember from thispassage.

NowitisalsonecessarytonotewhatSt.JohnrecitesbeforeourLordJesuswastakendownfromthecross:namely,thattheypiercedHissidetoseeifHehadalreadygiven up the spirit. For they had not hurried His death as they had with the tworobbers.But seeing that it appeared thatHehad alreadypassed away, they came toprobeHimwithablowofaspear,andthentheyknewthatHehaddied,andso theguards are satisfied. Now it is true that this, if the testimony of the Law were notadded,wouldseemtousasomewhatcoldstatement.ButSt.JohnwishedtogiveusproofthatourLordJesuswasthetruepaschalLamb,sincebytheprovidenceandtheadmirablecounselofGodHehadbeenpreservedfromeverymutilation.Foritissaidin the 12th chapter of Exodus that they should eat the paschal lamb, but that thebones should not be broken, and that they should remain entirely whole. (Exodus12:8, 9, 46.) Why was it important that Jesus Christ should not have His bonesbroken?For itwasthecommoncustom,aswesee.TheydidnotwishtospareHim,

and He was even set in the midst of the robbers to be held, as it were, the mostdetestable,tobereputedtheprincipaloneamongwickedmenandcriminals.Wesee,then,thatGodwashereatworkwhenHeheldbackthehandsoftheguards,andevenwilledthatHisSonexpiredinordertobepreserved,andthatwemighthavehereanevidentsignthatitwasinHimthatthetruthofthisancientfigurehadtobefulfilled.Thus,then,wemustnoticethattheSonofGodwaspreservedfromallbreakingofHisbones,inorderthatwemightholdHimforourpaschalLamb,WhoistopreserveusfromthewrathofGod,whenweshallbemarkedwithHisblood.Forwemustcometothis:that,ifHeisourPassover,wemusteverylastonebesprinkledbyHisblood,forwithout that it profitsusnothing that ithasbeen spilled.Butwhenwe shall acceptHimwith this sacrifice, alsowe shall find there the remission of our sins, knowingthatuntilHewashesandcleansesuswearefullofpollution.ThenwearesprinkledbyHisblood,bythisbesprinklingwhichismadeinoursoulsbytheHolySpirit.Thenweare purified and God accepts us for His people, and we are assured; although HiswrathandHisvengeanceisuponalltheworld,yetHeregardsusinpityandHeownsusasHischildren.That,then,iswhatwehavetorememberfromthispassagewhenitis said that thebonesofourLordJesuswerenotbrokenor snappedatall, inorderthat we may know that what had been declared by a figure in the Law has beenverifiedinHisperson.

However,itisalsosaid,“WaterandbloodcameoutofHisside,andhewhosawit has given testimony of it.”When we see that water and blood came out thus, itoughttoremindusthat itbringstousourpurgingandtheagreementtowipeawayoursins, indeed,byHisSacrifice,asSt.Johnspeaks inhisCanonical letter. (1John1:7)Itistruethatthebloodwillbeabletocongealindeath,asthatisdonebynature,andthatwiththebloodwatercancome,thatis,themostfluid,inasmuchasthecolorandthethickestpartofthebloodwillhavecoagulated.ButSt.Johndeclared,thoughthat may be, that God wished to show wherein the death of His Son profits us:namely,inthefirstplacethatbythesheddingofbloodHeisappeasedtowardus,asitissaidthatnoremissionofsinsispossiblewithoutsheddingofblood.Forthatiswhyfromthebeginningoftheworldsacrificeswereoffered.GodsurelydeclaredthatHewouldbepropitioustoallpoorsinnerswhowouldhavehopeinHim;butHewishedthatsacrificesbeadded,asifHesaidthattheremissionofsinswouldbefreelygiventomen,becausetheyof themselvescouldbringnothingof theirown,but that therewould be theMediator for recompense. That, then, is how the blood which flowedfromthesideofourLordJesusChrististestimonythatthesacrificewhichHeofferedistherecompenseofallouriniquities,sothatweareacquittedbeforeGod.Itistruethatwemustalwaysfeelguiltyofthatblood,thatis,tohumbleourselvesandtobringustoatruerepentance,andtotakefromusallpresumption.Butthoughthatmaybe,wearemadecertainthatGodholdsusacquittedandabsolvedbytheNameofHisSon,when we come to recognize our faults and offenses. And why? Inasmuch as theSacrificeofHisdeathissufficienttowipeawaythememoryofallourtransgressions.

Nowthereisthewaterwhichimpliespurging.Inorder,then,thatwemaybewashedfromallourspots,letusrecognizethatourLordJesuswishedthatthewaterflowedfromHis side to declare that trulyHe is our purity and thatwemust not seek anyother remedy to wash any of our stains from us. That, then, is howHe camewithwaterandwithblood,andby thismeanswehaveallperfectionofsalvation inHim,andwemustnotwanderabouthereorthere,tobehelpedfromonesideandanother.

Indeed, when we shall look more closely, we shall see that there is a strikingresemblancebetweenthebloodandthewaterwhichflowedfromthesideofourLordJesusChrist,andtheSacramentsoftheChurch,bywhichwehavetheproofandsealof what was done in His death. For having endured what was required for oursalvation,havingfullysatisfiedGodHisFather,havingsanctifiedus,havingacquiredfor us full righteousness, He wished that all that might be testified in the twoSacramentswhichHeinstituted.Isaytwo.FortherearenomorewhichareinstitutedinHisWord: namely, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. All the rest is only frivolousimaginationwhich came from the audacity and temerity ofmen. Behold, then, ourLord Jesus Christ, Who displays the power of His death and passion as much inBaptismasinHisHolySupper.ForinBaptismwehavetestimonythatHehaswashedandcleansedusofallourpollution’s,sothatGodreceivedusingraceasifwecamebeforeHimpureand clean.Now letus recognize that thewaterofBaptismhasnotthiseffect.Howcanacorruptibleelementbesufficientforthewashingandpurgingofour souls? But it is inasmuch as thewater flowed from the side of our Lord JesusChrist.Letuscomethen, toHimWhowascrucified forus, ifwewish thatBaptismmaybeusefultous,ifwewishtoexperiencethefruitofit,thatourfaithmayaddressitself to our Lord Jesus Christ, Who wishes that we seek all the elements of oursalvationinHim,withoutramblingandbendinghereandthere.AndthenintheHolySupper we have testimony that Jesus Christ is our Food. And under the bread HepresentstousHisbody,underthewineHisblood.This,then,isthefullperfectionofsalvation,whenweare thuspurified,andGodacceptsusas ifwehadonly integrityand righteousness in us: and so we are acquitted before Him of being any longerblameworthy,sinceourLordJesusChristhasfullysatisfiedforus.That,then,ishowwemust profit from the Sacraments, apply ourselveswith all our faith to our LordJesusChrist, and not turning to any creatures at all. That also is howwe are to bemadesureofwhatwasdonebythedeathandpassionofourLordJesus,andletourmemory be daily refreshed by it when God shows us with the eye how much HevalueditthatfromthesideofourLordJesusChristthereproceededbloodandwater.

SothisinsummaryiswhatwehavetorememberconcerningthesayingthatthesideofourLordJesusChristwaspierced.Indeedalsointhisword,whenitissaidthatthe Scripture was fulfilled, may we recognize what has been said at greater lengthalready,thatis,thatallhasbeengovernedbythesecretcounselofGod,andalthoughtheguardsdidnotknowwhattheyweredoing,yetGodputintoeffectandexecutionwhatHehadpronouncedbothbyMosesandHisProphetZechariah.Wehavealready

seenthetestimonyofExodus.St.JohnaddsaswellfromtheProphetZechariah,

“TheyshallseeHimWhomtheyhavepierced.”(Zechariah12:10.)

ItistruethatGodusesthatbyfigureofspeech,forHedefiesthecondemnersofHisWordwhowerehardenedineveryrebellionandmalice.Orperhaps,hesays,“Itseemsto them that theymake war againstmen who preachMyWord, and that they canhinderthembythismeans.NowitisagainstMethattheyfight,andwhentheythusdespiseandrejectMyWord,itisasiftheywoundedmebyblowsofadagger;andsotheyshallseeHimWhomtheyhavepierced.”ButthatwastrulyfulfilledinthepersonofourLordJesusChrist; foreveninHishumanbodyHewaspierced.That, then, ishowHewasdeclaredthelivingGodWhohadspokenfromalltimebyHisProphets,sinceinHispersonallthathadbeenpromisedisseen.

NowitissaidconsequentlythatJoseph,havingobtainedfromPilatepermissionthatthebodyofJesusChristmightbetakendownfromthecross,andthatitbegiventohimforburial,hadacleanwinding-sheetandboughtalsosomearomaticointments(indeed, for a great sum, as it appearsbySt. John)ofmyrrh andaloes, and thatheburied Him in a new sepulcher which he had made for himself (sic), which washollowedoutofarock.InthissepulcherourLordJesusChristalreadybegantoshowthe outcome of His death, that is, He soon was to come into the glory of Hisresurrection,andGodwilledtomanifestitcompletely.This,then,isstillaninfallibletestimony, that, among somany confusions ofwhatwe read in thenarrativewhichcouldtroubleusandshakeourfaith,weperceivethatGodalwayscaredforHisonlySonasfortheHeadoftheChurch,andforHisWell-Beloved,notonlyinorderthatwemight be able to hope in Him, but that we might confidently expect, since we aremembersofHisbody,thatthefatherlycareofGodwillalsosurelybeextendedtousandtoeachoneofthosewhohopeinHim.

However, one might ask why our Lord Jesus Christ wished to be buried socarefully. For it surely seems that such sumptuousness as aloes, myrrh, and likethingswassuperfluous.Infact,whatgoodisittoadeadpersonthatheiswashedoranointedoragreatparadeismadeinhonorofhim?Itwouldseem,then,thatthiswasnotinharmonywiththeteachingoftheGospel,whereitissaidthatweshallriseatthelastdaythroughtheinestimablepowerofourGod.Soitseemsthatallsuchpompoughttoberejectedandforgottenabout.Consequently,onemightjudgethatJosephhadafoolishdevotion,whichwouldtendtoobscurethehopeoftheresurrection.Butwe have to note that the Jews had such ceremonies until our Lord Jesus Christaccomplished what was required for our salvation. And the sepulcher was for thattimeasthesacrifices,andwashings,andlightsoftheTemple,andalllikethings.Forthatpeople,accordingasitwasuncultured,hadtobetreatedlikelittlechildren.Itistruethatbyalltheworldthegraveisconsideredtobeholy,andGodwilledthatthisbeengravedupontheheartsofmen,evenofPagans,inorderthattherewouldbeno

excuse at all for men to become like brutes, to have no hope of a better life. ThePaganshaveabusedit.Butbethatasitmay,theywillbereproachedforthistothelastday, that they had a great care in burying the dead, that there was no nation sobarbarousthattheydidnotalwaysmakemuchofthat.Theydidnotknowthereasonofitanymorethanoftheirsacrifices,butitwasasufficientcondemnation,whentheyremainedalooffromthetruthofGodandtheycorruptedthetestimonythatHegavethem,inordertodrawthemtofaithintheheavenlylife.Bethatasitmay,thegraveinitselfhasalwaysbeen,asitwere,amirroroftheresurrection.Forthebodiesareputintheearthasifinkeepingforatime.Iftherewerenoresurrectionatall,itwouldbejustaswelltothrowthemawayinorderthattheymightbeeatenbydogsorbysavagebeasts. But they were buried honorably, to show that they would not perish at all,although theydid goaway indecay.Especially theJewshad some ceremonies. It istruethattheEgyptianssurpassedtheminmanyways,buttheywereonlyfanfarestomakeagreatmourningparty,tobewailthemselves,toteartheirhair.TheEgyptians,then,didthat,butthedevilhadbewitchedthemsothattheypervertedallorder.Asforthe Jews, who made use of the grave, it was to confirm them in the faith of theresurrection.

So, following what I began to say, our Lord Jesus was willing to be buriedaccording toancient custom,becauseHehadnot yet accomplishedall our salvationwithrespecttotheresurrection.ItistruethattheveiloftheTemplewastornatHisdeath.Andby thatGodshowed that itwas theendandperfectionofall things, andthatthefiguresandshadowsof theLawno longerremained.However, thatwasnotyetapparenttotheworld,andtherewasnoonewhowascapableofrecognizingthatinJesusChristallthefiguresoftheLawhadcometoanend.Forthiscause,then,Hestillwishedtobeburied.Somuchforoneitem.NowweknowthatintheresurrectionofourLordJesusChristlifehasbeenacquiredforus,sothatweoughttogorighttoHim,notseekinganyothermeanstoleadusthanthosewhichHehasassignedtous.We have already said that He has given us two Sacraments to serve us as fullconfirmation.IfthemannerofburialwhichtheJewsobservedwerenecessaryforus,there is no doubt at all that Jesus Christ would have wished only that it remainedpermanentinHisChurch.Butitisnolongernecessarythatourattentionbearrestedbytheseearthlyandpuerileelements.Itsufficesus,then,tohaveasimplemannerofburial,leavingthesearomaticointments,whichdonottypifytheresurrection,whichhasbeenmanifestedinourLordJesusChrist.WewouldonlyseparateourselvesfromHim,ifwewishedtohavesuchbaseinstruction.ForweseethatSt.Paulsays,

“If our life is on high, there we must seek it in faith and spirit,”(Colossians3:1)

andwemustbejoinedtoourLordJesus.(1Corinthians6:17.)LetusreachouttowardHim,letusnotbewrappedupinanythingwhichmightdistract,hinder,orretardusfrombeingunitedtoHimastoourHead,sinceitissaidthatHisbodywastheTemple

ofGod.That,then,insummary,iswhatwehavetorememberaboutthegrave.

ThereisyettoconsiderthatHewasputinanewsepulcher,whichwasnotdoneapart from the particular providence of God, for He could well have been put in asepulcher which had served for a long time. Also Joseph of Arimathea had hisancestors,andusuallyinsuchrichandopulenthousesthereisacommonsepulcher.ButGodforesawitfromanotherviewpoint,andwilledthatourLordJesusshouldbeputinanewsepulcherwhereinnopersonhadeverbeenlaid.Foritalsowasnotatallwithout cause thatHe is called the first-fruitsof the resurrectionand the first-bornfrom the dead. However, onemight say that many have died and have beenmadesharersof lifebeforeourLordJesusChrist.Lazarushadbeen raised.AndweknowalsothatEnochandElijahweretranslatedwithoutnaturaldeath,andweregatheredinto life incorruptible. But all that depends on the resurrection of our Lord JesusChrist.Wemust,then,clingtoHimasthefirst-fruits.IntheLawthefruitsofayearwerededicatedandconsecratedtoGod,whentheybroughtonlyahandfulofwheatatthealtar,andabunchofgrapes.When,then,thatwasofferedtoGod,itwasageneralconsecrationofallthefruitsoftheyear.AndwhenalsothefirstbornwerededicatedtoGod, itwas todeclare theholinessof the lineof Israel,and thatGodaccepted it forHisinheritance,thatHehadreservedittoHimselfbeingsatisfiedwiththatpeople,asaman will be satisfied with his patrimony. Also when we come to our Lord JesusChrist, letus recognize that inHispersonwearealldedicatedandoffered, inorderthat His death may give us life today, and that it may no longer be mortal aspreviously.This,then,iswhatwehavetoobservewithrespecttothenewsepulcher,thatthesepulcherofourLordJesusChristoughttoleadustoHisresurrection.

However, letus lookatourselves.Foralthougheverythingwhichought tohelpour faith was accomplished in the person of the Son of God, although we havetestimony of it which ought to be sufficient for us, yet in our uncouthness andweakness we are still very far from coming to our Lord Jesus Christ. And for thisreasonleteachoneofus,recognizinghisfaults,reachtowardtheremedies,andletusnot losecourage.WeseewhatNicodemusandJosephdid.Nowwehavetoconsidertwo things for our example. The first is that they are not yet clearly enlightenedconcerningthefruitofthedeathandpassionofourLordJesusChrist.Thereis,then,somecrudenessandtheirfaithisstillverysmall.Theother,thatneverthelessinsuchextremitytheyfoughtagainstall temptations,andtheycametoseekourLordJesusdead to putHim in the sepulcher, protesting that theywere hoping for the blessedresurrection,whichhadbeenpromisedtothem,andtheyaspiredtoit.Sinceit isso,then,whenwe experience some feebleness in us,may that still not hinder us fromtakingcourage.Itistruethatweareweak,andGodcouldrejectusifHedealtwithusinstrictness.Butwhenweexperiencethese failures, letusknowthatHewillacceptourdesire,although it is imperfect.Besides, today, sinceourLordJesus is raised inglory,althoughwemuststillendureheremanyprivationsandmiseries,andthoughitseemsthatdailyHeiscrucifiedinHismembers,astrulythewicked,asmuchasisin

theirpower,crucifyHim; letusnot failon thataccount,knowing thatwecannotbedisappointedinwhatispromisedtousintheteachingoftheGospel,and,althoughwemustpass throughmanyafflictions, yet letus lookalways toourHead. JosephandNicodemushadnotatallthisadvantagewhichwehavetoday:thatis,tocontemplatethe power of the Spirit of Godwhich showed itself in the resurrection of our LordJesusChrist.Yetonthataccounttheirfaithwasnotentirelydeadened.

Now,sinceourLordJesuscallsustoHimself,andwithaloudvoiceHedeclarestousthatHehasascendedintoheaven,inordertogatherusalltogetherthere,letuspersist constantly to seekHimand to followHim, and letusnot consider it an evilthing to die with Him to be sharers in His glory. Now St. Paul exhorts us to beconformedtoJesusChrist,notonlywithrespecttoHisdeathbutalsowithrespecttohisburial.(Romans6:4,Colossians2:12.)Fortherearesomewhowouldbecontenttodiewith our Lord Jesus for aminute of time, but at length they get tired. For thisreasonIsaidthatwemustdienotonlyonce,butwemustsufferpatientlytobeburieduntil the end. I call it death when God wills that we endure so for His name. Forthoughwearenotatfirstdraggedtothefireorcondemnedbytheworld,yet,whenweareafflicted,thereisalreadyaspeciesofdeathwhichwemustendurepatiently.But,becausewearenotsosoonhumiliated,wemustbebeatenforalongtime,andtherewemustpreserveandpersistinpatience.Forasthedevilneverceasestoplanwhatispossibleforhimtodistractanddebauchus,soallour lifetimewemustnotceasetofightagainsthim.Althoughthisconditionmaybehardandtedious,letuswaitforthetimetocomewhenGodcallsustoHimself,andletusneverceasetomakeconfessionof our faith, and in that let us followNicodemus, but not in his timidity.When hecamepreviouslytotheLordJesusChrist,hehidhimself,andhedidnotdaretoshowhimself a true disciple, butwhen he came to bury our Lord Jesus, he declared andprotestedthathewasofthenumberandofthecompanyofbelievers.Sinceitisso,letusfollowhimtodayinsuchconstancy.AndalthoughourLordJesuswiththedoctrineofHisGospelishatedbytheworld,indeedtheyholdHimindetestation,letusnotfailtoadhere toHim.Letusevenrecognize that itwillalwaysbeallourhappinessandsatisfaction, when God will accept our service, and let us know that, if we mustlanguish in thisworld, the fact that our Lord Jesus has come into the glory ofHisresurrectionisnotatallinordertobeseparatedfromus,butthatatthepropertimeHewillgatherustoHimself.

Besides,onemustnotbeastonishedthatourLordJesuswasraisedfromthedeadonthethirdday.ForitisveryproperthatHehadsomeprivilegeabovethecommonorderoftheChurch.InthiswasalsofulfilledwhatissaidinPsalm16,

“Thou wilt not permit Thy Holy One to see corruption.” (Psalm16:10.)

ThebodyofourLordJesusChrist, then,had to remain incorruptibleuntil the third

day.ButHis timewassetandestablishedbythecounselofGodHisFather.Onourpart we have no time assigned, except the last day. So let us wait until we havelanguishedaslongasitwillpleaseGod.IntheendweshallknowthatatthepropertimeHewillfindmeanstorestoreus,afterweshallhavebeenentirelyannihilated.Asalso St. Paul exhorts us to thatwhenhe says that JesusChrist is the first-fruits. (1Corinthians15:20,23.)Thisistoretardtheardentzealwithwhichwearesometimestoomuchcarriedaway.Forwewishtoflywithoutwings,andweareoffendedifGodleavesusinthisworld,andthatatthefirstsignofstruggleHedoesnotwithdrawusintoHeaven.WewishtobeledthereinachariotoffirelikeElijah.Briefly,wewishtogainourtriumphsbeforehavingfought.Nowtoresistsuchcupidityandthesefoolishdesires,St.PaulsaysthatJesusChrististhefirst-fruitsandwemustbesatisfiedthatinHisdeathwehaveasurepledgeoftheresurrection.Soit is,sinceHeisseatedatthe right hand of God His Father, exercising all dominion both above and below,although.Hismajesty has not yet appeared, and though our lifemust be hidden inHim,thatwearetherelikepoordeadpersons,andthatwhilelivinginthisworldweare likepoor lost people.Nevertheless it is proper forus to suffer all thatuntil ourLordJesuscomes.Forthenour lifewillbemanifestedinHim,that is,atthepropertime.

This,then, iswhatwehavetoobservewithrespecttothesepulcherofourLordJesus Christ, until we come to the last which will show us that not only has Hesatisfiedforalloursins,butalsothathavingobtainedvictoryHehasacquiredforusperfection of all righteousness, by which we are today acceptable to God, to haveaccesstoHimandtocalluponHiminChrist’sname.Andinthisconfidenceweshallbow in humble reverence before His Holy Majesty, praying to Him that He mayreceiveusinmercy,thathoweverpoorandmiserablewemaybe,wemaynotceasetohaveourrefugeinHismercy.AlthoughfromdaytodayweprovokeHiswrathagainstus,andthoughrightlywedeservetoberejectedbyHim,maywewaitneverthelessforHim to show the fruit and the power of the death and passionwhichHis only Sonendured,bywhichwehavebeenreconciled,andmaywenotdoubtthatHeisalwaysFather tous, especiallywhenHewill dous the favor to show thatwe are trulyHischildren.Maywedeclarethisinfact, insuchawaythatweasknothingexcepttobeentirelyHisown,asalsoHehasboughtusatsuchaprice,andrightlyweoughttobefullyreformedtoHisservice.Inasmuchaswearesoweakthatwedonotknowhowtoacquitourselvesofthehundredthpartofourduty,stillHeworkedinusbyHisHolySpirit,becausealwaystheweaknessesofourfleshcarrywiththemsomanystrugglesandfightsthatwecanonlydragourselvesalong,insteadofwalkingproperly.

MayitpleaseHimtostripusofallthis,andmaywebejoinedtoHim.

TheResurrectionofJesusChrist

Intheendofthesabbath,asitbegantodawntowardthefirstdayoftheweek,cameMaryMagdaleneandtheotherMarytoseethesepulchre.And,behold, therewasagreat earthquake: for theangel of theLorddescended fromheaven,and cameandrolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was likelightning,andhisraimentwhiteassnow:Andforfearofhimthekeepersdidshake,andbecameasdeadmen.Andtheangelansweredandsaiduntothewomen,Fearnotye:forIknowthatyeseekJesus,whichwascrucified.Heisnothere:forheisrisen,as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell hisdisciplesthatheisrisenfromthedead;and,behold,hegoethbeforeyouintoGalilee;there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from thesepulchrewith fearandgreat joy;anddid run tobringhisdisciplesword.Andastheywenttotellhisdisciples,behold,Jesusmetthem,saying,Allhail.Andtheycameandheld himby the feet, andworshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them,Be notafraid:go tellmybrethren that theygo intoGalilee, and there shall they seeme. -Matthew28:1-10

OnemayfinditstrangeatfirstglancethatourLordJesuswishingtogiveproofofHisresurrection,appearedrathertowomenthantoHisdisciples.Butinthatwehaveto consider thatHewished to prove the humility of our faith. For wemust not begrounded in human wisdom, but we must receive in absolute obedience what weknowtoproceed fromHim.Ontheotherhand, there isnodoubt thatHewishedtopunish the disciples, when He sent them women to instruct them, because theinstructionwhich theyhad received fromHismouthhadbeenof noprofit to themwhen itcameto the test.For lookhowtheyarescattered.Theydesert theirMaster;theyareconfusedbyfear.Andwhatgoodhasitdonethemtobeformorethanthreeyears in the school of the Son of God? Such cowardice, then, deserved greatpunishment,even that theymightbeentirelydeprivedof theknowledgewhich theyhad received before, inasmuch as they had, so to speak, trampled it under foot andburiedit.NowourLordJesusdidnotwishtopunishthemseverely,buttoshowthemtheir fault by gentle correctionHe appointedwomen to be their teachers. They hadbeenchosenbeforehandtopublishtheGospeltothewholeworld(theyarereallythefirst teachers of the Church), but since they were so cowardly as to be found thusbewildered,somuchsothattheirfaithwas,asitwere,deadened,itisentirelyproperthattheyshouldknowthattheyarenotworthytohearanyteachingfromthemouthof ourLord JesusChrist.Notice, then,why they are sent back towomenuntil theyhave better recognized their faults, and Jesus Christ has restored them to theirpositionandprivilege,butbygrace.Besides (as Ihavesaid),allofus ingeneralareurged to receive the testimonywhich is sent tousbyGod, even if thepersonswho

speakareoflittleimportanceoriftheyhavenocreditorreputationintheeyesoftheworld.Asinfact,whenamaniselectedorappointedtobeanotarypublicorapublicofficerwhathedoeswillbereceivedasauthentic.Onewouldnotsay thisor that tocontradicthim.For theofficegiveshimrespectamongmen.AndwillGodhave lesspreeminencethanearthlyprinces,ifHeordainsonlythosewhomHepleasestobeHiswitnesses,fromwhomonereceiveswhateverHeshouldsaywithoutcontradictionorreply?CertainlyitmustbesounlesswewanttoberebelsevenagainstGodHimself.This,then,wehavetorememberinthefirstplace.

Besides,letusnotealso,althoughourLordJesusChristappearedtowomenandthey held the first degree of honor, He Himself gave sufficient testimony to Hisresurrection, so that, if we do not close our eyes, stop up our ears and by certainmalicewilltobehardenedandstupid,wehaveanabundantcertaintyofthisarticleoffaith, as also it is of great importance. For when St. Paul refutes the incredulity ofthosewhostilldoubtedifJesusChristwasraised,hementionsnotonlythewomen,but he mentions Peter and James, then the twelve Apostles, then more than fivehundreddisciples towhomourLordJesusappeared.How, then, canweexcuseourmaliceandrebellionifwedonotgivecredittomorethanfivehundredwitnesseswhowerechosenforthatnotonman’spartbutfromthesovereignMajestyofGod.Anditwasnot only just once that ourLord Jesus declared to them that hewas living butmany times. Thus, what the Apostles have doubted and their incredulity ought toserveus for a greater confirmation.For, if at first appearance theyhadbelieved theresurrectionof ourLordJesusChrist, onemight allege that itwouldhavebeen toosimple. But they are so slow that Jesus Christ has to reproach them for beingblockheaded people with no faith, for having minds so heavy and thick that theyunderstandnothing.When,then,theApostlesweresounreadytoreceivethisarticleof faith, thatought tomakeusall themorecertain.For that itwas thenbrought tothemas by force is good reasonnow forus to follow.As it is said, “Youhave seen,Thomas, and you have believed, but blessed are thosewho believewithout seeing.”Now,then,whenitisthusspokenthatourLordJesusappearedtotwowomen,letusthinkofwhatissaidfromtheotherpassagefromSaintPaulthatwemayknowthatweneednotstumbleatthosewhospeaktogivecredittowhattheysayaccordingtotheimportanceorconditionoftheirpersons,butratherweoughttoraiseoureyesandour senses on high to subject ourselves to God, who well deserves to have entiresuperiority over us and that we be captives under His Word. For if we are notteachableitiscertainthatweshallneverprofitfromtheteachingoftheGospel.Anditought not to be ascribed to foolishness when we receive what God declares andtestifiestous.ForwhenweshallhavelearnedbyobediencetoprofitinHisschoolandin the faith, we shall know that the perfection of all wisdom is that we be thusobedienttoHim.

Now let us come to this story which is here narrated. It is said that “MaryMagdalenewithhercompanioncametothesepulcherthefirstdayofthesabbaths,”

thatis,thefirstdayoftheweek.FortheJewskeepSaturday,whichtheycallSabbath,asthedayofrest,asalsothewordsignifies,andthentheynamethedaysfollowinginall the week, first day after Sabbath, second day, etc. Now because they count thebeginning of the day as at sundown, it is said that the Marys bought aromaticointments after the sabbath was finished andmade their preparations to come thenextdaytothesepulcher.Andtheywerenotonlytwo.ItistruethatSt.JohnnamesonlyMaryMagdalene.St.Matthewnames twoof them,andweseebySt.Luke thattherewerealargenumberthere.Butallthisagreesverywell.ForMaryMagdalenedidthe leading, and theotherMary isherenamedexplicitlybecause she followedmostclosely. Meanwhile, several have come to anoint the body of our Lord Jesus, butnotablyitisheresaidthattheyhavecometoseethesepulchertoknowiftherewouldbeaccessandentrance.Thatiswhytwoareherespeciallymarked.

St.Matthewaddsthattheangelappearedtothemwhilethetwowerethere.Butbecauseonlyone spoke theword, that iswhyhe is thus speciallynamed.Finallyastheygoaway,theymeetourLordJesusWhosendsthemtoHisdisciplesinorderthatallmay be assembled inGalilee,wishing to show them thereHis resurrection, andthis,becausethecityofJerusalemhaddepriveditselfbyitswickednessfromsuchatestimony.True it is thattheFountainofLifewasstill there, foroutof itproceededtheLawandtheWordofGod,butmeanwhileourLordJesusdidnotwishtorevealHimselftoHisdisciplesinthatcity,whenthewickednesswasstillsorecentthere.Ontheotherhand,Healsowishedtoconformtotheirhardnessofheart.Fortheywere,as itwere, seizedwithastonishmentso that thesenseof sightwouldnothavebeenenoughunlessHehadtakenthemapart,andhadshownHimself insuchawaythattheywouldhavebeenfullyconvinced.

Nowweseeagainherehowthewomenwhoarenamedarenotyetpermittedtoworship our Lord Jesus Christ as theirMaster, although theywere troubled byHisdeath.Consequently,wecanwelljudgethattheWordofGodwasalwaysimplantedintheir hearts. For although their faith was feeble, they seek our Lord Jesus at thesepulcher.Thereisalsointhemacertainignorancewhichcannotbeexcused.Fortheyshouldalreadyhaveraisedtheirspiritsonhigh,waitingfortheresurrectionwhichhadbeen promised them— to which the third day was especially assigned. They were,then,sooccupiedthattheydidnotunderstandtheprincipalthing—namely,thatourLordJesushadtoobtainvictoryoverdeathtoacquireforuslifeandsalvation.Isaythatistheprincipalthing,becausewithoutittheGospelwouldbenothing(assaysSt.Paul) and our faith would be entirely destroyed. Thus these poor women, howevermuch theymay know theGospel which has been preached to them to be the puretruth,nevertheless,aresotroubledandconfusedthattheydonotunderstandthatHewastorise,andthustheycometothesepulcherwiththeiraromaticointments.Thereis,then,afaultwhichistobecondemned.Buttheirserviceisnone-the-lessagreeabletoGod,forHeexcusestheirastonishmentuntilHehascorrectedthem.InthatletusseewhenourLordapproveswhatwedo,stillwemustnotputthattoourcredittosay

thatwehavemeritedit,while,altogetheronthecontrary,itisofHisabundantgraceifHe acknowledges that which was not worthy to be offered to Him. For there willalways be occasion to condemn our works when God examines them strictly,forasmuchastheywillalwaysbetaintedwithsomespot.ButGodsparesusanddoesnot refuse what we come to offer Him, whatever weakness or fault there may be,seeingthatallispurifiedbyfaithandweknowthatitisnotwithoutcausethatweareacceptabletoHiminJesusChrist.This,then,wehavetoobserve.

However, let us recognize also that there surely must have been anotherfragrance,muchbetter,muchstronger,inthesepulcherofourLordJesusChrist,thanthatof theseointmentsofwhichmention ismade.WehavealreadymentionedthattheJewswereaccustomedtoanointthebodyinordertobeconfirmedinthehopeoftheresurrectionandoftheheavenlylife.Itwastoshowthatthebodiesdonotdecaytosuchanextentthattheycannotbepreserveduntilthelastday,andsothatGodmayrestore them.But thebodyofourLordJesusChristhadtobeexempt fromallsuchdecay.Nowthespicescouldnoteffectthat,but,becauseithadbeendeclaredthatGodwouldnotsufferthatHisHolyandGodlyOneshouldseecorruption,thatiswhybyamiracle our Lord Jesus has been preserved from all decay. Besides, because he hasbeen exempt from corruption, we are now certain and assured of the glory of theresurrection,whichhasalreadyappearedtousinHisPerson.Wesee,then,now,thatthe fragrance of the sepulcher and of the resurrection of our Lord JesusChrist haspermeatedeventous,sothatwemaybecomealivebyit.Nowwhatfollows?Thatwemaygono longer to lookat thesepulcheras thesewomen,bywhose ignoranceandweaknessweareserved,butthatwemaysoarupward,sinceHecallsusandinvitesusthere,sinceHehasshownustheway,andHehasdeclaredtousthatHehasenteredintopossessionofHisheavenlyKingdomtoprepareusaroomandaplacetherewhenbyfaithweshallfindHimthere.

ButwemustalsonotewhatSt.Matthewadds:Theangel,sayshe,appeared,whofrightened the guards so that they became as deadmen. Thewomenwere likewisefrightened, but the angel after that administered the remedy. “As for you,” said he,“Fearnot,foryouseekJesusWhowascrucified.Heisrisen,asHesaid.”Hereweseehow God accepts the affection and the zeal of these women so that He corrects,however,whatHedoesnotapproveof.ImeanthatHecorrectsitthroughthemouthoftheangelwhoisthereinHisname.WehavesaidthatitisbysingularkindnessthatGod receives our service when it is imperfect although He might have it inabhorrence.Hereceivesfromus,then,whatisofnovalueasafatherwillreceivefromhischildrenwhatotherwisewouldberegardedasrubbishandjest.Behold,Isay,howgenerousGod is towardus.But,on theotherhand, it is true thatHedoesnotwishmentotakepleasureinandtomakelightoftheirfaults.Therefore,theangelcorrectsthis fault on the part of thewomen.Although their intention is good, still they arecondemnedfortheirparticularfault.Therefore,St.Lukerecordsthattheyhavebeenmoreharshlyrebuked.“Whyseekyethelivingamongthedead?”Butherewehaveto

observethattheguards,asmenwhoareunbelievingandwicked,whohadnofearofGodorreligion,wereseizedwithfear,possiblyeven,asitwere,withaspiritoffrenzy.Thewomen, tobesure,areafraidbut they immediatelyreceiveconsolation.Behold,then,howterriblethemajestyofGodistothosetowhomitappears.ThatiswhywefeelourweaknesswhenGoddeclaresHimselftous,andwhileatfirstwewerepuffedupwith presumption andwewere so bold thatwe no longer thought thatweweremortal men, when God gives us any sign of His presence, we must necessarily becrushed,andknowwhatourconditionis,thatis,thatweareonlydustandashes,thatallourvirtuesareonlysmokethatfloatsawayandvanishes.This,then,iscommontoall,whethergoodorbad.Besides,whenGodhasthusterrifiedunbelievers,Heleavesthem there as reprobate men, because they are not worthy of experiencing Hisgoodnessinanyway.Therefore,also,theyfleeHispresence,theyareangryandgnashtheir teeth and are so enraged that they lose all sense and reason, becoming menentirelybrutish.Thefaithful,afterhavingbeenfrightened,riseupandtakecourage,becauseGodconsolesthemandgivesthemjoy.Thisfear,then,whichthefaithfulfeelin thepresence of themajesty ofGod isnoneother than a first step inhumility inorderthattheymaypayHimthehomagewhichisHisdue,andthattheymaysubmittoHim,knowingthattheyarenothing,inordertoseekalltheirgoodinHimalone.

This,then,iswhytheangelsays,“Fearnot.”Thiswordisworthyofnotice.Foritisevenasthoughhehadsaid,“Ileavethisrabbleintheirconfusion,fortheyarenotworthyofanymercy,butnowIturntoyouandbringyouamessageofjoy.Be,then,deliveredfromthisfear,becauseyouseekJesusChrist.”Sincethatistrue,letuslearntoseekourLordJesus,not(asIhavesaid)insuchhardnessofheartasthesewomenofwhomitisherespoken(asalsothereisnolongeranyoccasiontogotosearchforHimatthesepulcher),letuscomebyfaithstraighttoHimwithoutpretense.Andinsodoingsoletusbesurethatthismessagebelongstousandisaddressedtous.Wemustcomeboldlyandwithoutfear,butnotwithoutrespect(forwemustbetouchedwithfearinordertoadorethemajestyofGod).But,anyway,letusnotbefrightenedas ifwewere altogether overcomewithdistrust. Let us know, then, that theSonofGodwilladaptHimselftoourlimitationswhenwecometoHiminfaith,andweshalleven find inHimcause for consolationand joy, inasmuchas it is forourprofit andsalvationthatHehasacquiredlordshipanddominionoftheheavenlylife.

However, the women went away with great joy and great fear. Here again theweakness of their faith is shown. I have said that the purpose toward which theyaspiredwasgood,buttheydidnottaketherightroad,aswelearnfromthefactthatthey are cowardly, and that they cannot make up their minds to believe or not tobelievetheResurrection.Althoughtheyhadhearditspokenofmanytimes,stilltheycannot conquer their feelings to come to a final conclusion that it is no longernecessary to look for ourLord Jesus at the sepulcher.Note, then, the origin of thisfear.Thusweseethatitisamistakensentiment.Itistrue(asIhavesuggested)thatwe must fear God to yield reverence toward His majesty, to obey Him and to be

entirelyabased,sothatHemaybeexaltedinHisglory;tokeepeverymouthshut,sothat He alone may be recognized righteous, wise, and allpowerful. But this fearmentionedhereis, inthesecondplace,evilandtobecondemned,forit iscausedbythe confusion of these poor women. Still, though theymay see and hear the angelspeak, it seems to them almost like a dream.Now by thatwe arewarned thatGodworks inus sooftenwhenwedonotperceivewhetherwehaveprofitedornot.Forthere is somuch ignorance inus that, as itwere, cloudspreventus fromcoming toperfectclearness,andweareentangledinmanyfancies.Briefly,itseemsthatalltheteaching of God is almost useless.Nevertheless, we find some apprehensionmixedwithitwhichmakesusfeelthatGodhasworkedinourhearts.Eventhoughwehaveonlyalittlesparkofgrace,letusnotlosecourage.Rather,letuspraytoGodthatHemayadd to this littlewhichHehasbegun,and thatHemaymakeus tobelieveandthatHemayconfirmus,untilwearebrought toperfection, fromwhichweare stillveryfar.Eventhoughthefactthatthewomenhadbeenthusoccupiedbyfearandjoywerecondemnedasafault,weseethatGodalwaysgovernedthembyHisHolySpiritandthatthismessagewhichwasbornetothembytheangelwasnotentirelyuseless.

Nowwehavetopasson.OurLordJesusappearedtothemontheroad,andsaidto them, “Fear not, but go, tellMy brothers to gather together inGalilee and theretheywillseeMe.”WeseestillbetterinthispassagehowtheSonofGoddrawsusbydegrees toHimself until we are fully confirmed, as is needful for us. It was surelyenough that thewomen heard themessage by themouth of the angel, for he boremarksthathewassentbyGod.Hiscountenancewaslikelightning.Itistruethatthewhiteness of a robe and like things do not express vividly the majesty of God.However,thesewomenhadaverysuretestimonythatthiswasnotamortalmanwhospoke,butaheavenlyangel.Thistestimony,then,mightwellhavebeensufficientforthem,but,evenso,thecertaintywassomuchgreaterwhentheysawourLordJesus,whom they first recognized tobe theSonofGodandHisunchangeable truth.This,then,istoratifymoreplainlywhattheyhadheardbeforefromthemouthoftheangel.Andthatisalsohowwegrowintofaith.Forfromthebeginningweknowneitherwhatpowernor efficacy there is in theWordofGod.But if one teachesus, andwell,welearn something, and yet it is almost nothing. But little by little it makes itsimpressiononusbyHisHolySpirit and in the endHe showsus that it isHeWhospeaks.Thenweareresolvedsothatnotonlydowehavesomeknowledge,butwearepersuadedinsuchawaythatwhenthedevilschemeseverythinghepossiblycanheisnotabletoshakeourfaith,inasmuchaswehavethisconviction:thattheSonofGodisourteacherandweleanuponHim,knowingthatHehasentiremasteryoverusandthatHemeritsentiresovereignauthority.Weseethatinthesewomen.Itistrue,thatGoddoesnotworkinallthesameway.Somefromtheveryfirstwillbesoattractedthat theywillperceive thatGodhasexertedanextraordinarypoweron theirbehalf.But oftenwe shall be taught in such away that our rudeness andweaknesswill beplainly seen, so that by it we are somuchmore admonished to glorify God and to

recognizethatitisfromHimthatwehaveeverything.

Letusnowconsiderthewordthatwehavequoted,“Go,tellmybrotherstomeetmeinGalilee.”WeseethattheSonofGodappearedheretoMaryandhercompanionnot only to reveal Himself to seven or eight, but He wished this message to bepublished to theApostles, that itmightnowbecommunicated tous thatweshouldshareinit.Infact,withoutthat,ofwhatprofitwouldthisstoryoftheResurrectionbetous?ButwhenitissaidthattheSonofGodhassomanifestedHimself,andthatHewished the fruit of it to be communicated to all the world, that is howwe gain somuchbetteraconception.So,then,letusbeassuredthatourLordJesuswishedthatwemightbemadecertainofHis resurrection,because in that also rests allhopeofour salvation and of our righteousness,whenwe truly know that our Lord Jesus isrisen.Not only hasHe purged us of all our filth byHis death and passion, butHecouldnotremaininsuchastateofweakness.HehadtoshowthepowerofHisHolySpiritandHehadtobedeclaredSonofGodbyrisingfromthedead,asSt.Paulsays,both in the first chapter ofRomans, and in otherpassages.Thus it is thatwemustnowbeassuredthatourLordJesus,beingraised,wishesustocometoHimandthattheroadmightbeopenedtous.AndHedoesnotwaitforustolookforHim,butHehas provided that wemight be called by the preaching of the Gospel and that thismessagemight be spoken by themouths ofHis heraldswhomHe had chosen andelected.Thisbeingso,letusrecognizethattodayweshareintherighteousnesswhichwehaveinourLordJesusChrist,toreachtheheavenlyglory,sinceHedoesnotwishtobeseparatedfromus.

And that iswhyHe callsHisdisciplesHisbrothers.Surely this is anhonorabletitle. And so it was reserved for those whom our Lord Jesus had engaged as Hisservants. And there is no doubt that He has used this word to show the brotherlyrelationwhichHewantedtosustaintowardthem.AndsoHeisalsounitedtous,asitisbetterdeclaredbySt.John.Infact,wearedriventowhatissaidinPsalm22,fromwhichthispassageistaken:IwilldeclareThynametomybrothers,whichpassagetheApostle,applyingtothePersonofourLordJesusChrist,includednotonlythetwelveApostlesincallingthembrothersofJesusChrist,butbestowsthetitleonallofusingeneralwhofollowtheSonofGod,andHewishesthatwesharesuchanhonor.Thatiswhy,alsowhenourLordJesussays“IamgoingtoMyGodandtoyourGod,toMyFather and to your Father,” it is not spoken for a small number of people, but it isaddressed to thewholemultitude of believers.NowourLord Jesus, althoughHe isoureternalGod,doesnone-the-less inHiscapacityasMediatorabaseHimself tobenearus,andtohaveeverythingincommonwithus,thatiswithregardtoHishumannature.For, althoughHe isbynature theSonofGodandweareonly adopted, andthatbygrace,stillthisfellowshipispermanent,thatHeWhoistheFatherofourLordJesusChrist, throughHimisalsoours,tobesure, indifferentaspects.For ,weneednot be raised as high as our Head. There must not be any confusion here. If in ahumanbodytheheadwerenotaboveallthemembers,itwouldbeafreak,itwouldbe

aconfusedmass.ItisreasonablealsothatourLordJesusshouldkeepHissovereignposition,sinceHeistheonlySonofGod,thatis,bynature.Butthisdoesnotpreventourbeing joined toHim inbrotherhood,so thatwecancalluponGodboldly in fullconfidenceofbeingansweredbyHim,sincewehavepersonalandfamiliaraccesstoHim.We see, then,what thiswordmeans,when our Lord Jesus callsHis disciplesbrothers, namely, that it was so that we have today this privilege in common withthem, that is, bymeans of faith. And that does not take away from the power andmajestyoftheSonofGod,whenHeunitesHimselfwithcreaturessomiserableasweare,andHeiswillingtobe,asitwere,classedwithus.Forweshouldbeallthemorefilledwithjoy,asweseewhatgoodnessHedisplays,asweseethatinrisingfromthedeadHehasacquiredforustheheavenlyglory, toacquirewhichforusHealsohadabased Himself, yes, was even willing to become, as nothing. Now, since our LordJesuscondescendstoacknowledgeusasHisbrotherssothatwemayhaveaccesstoGod,letusseekHim,andcometoHimwithfullconfidence,beingsocordiallyinvited.Thatis,asonemightevensay,Heusesnotonlyspeechtodrawus,butHeaddsalsothe visible Sacrament, so that wemay be led as we are able to follow. And in fact,howeverweakandslowwemaybe,stillwecannotexcuseourslacknessifwedonotcometoourLordJesusChrist.HereisthetablewhichHehaspreparedforus.Andtowhatpurpose?Itisnottosatisfyourbodiesandourbellies,althougheveninthatGoddeclaresthatHehasafatherlycareforus,andourLordJesusChristshowsthattrulyHe is the lifeof theworld. Ifwe takedailyour restand food,even in thatourLordJesusdeclarestousHisgoodness.ButHeshowsaspecialconsiderationinthistablewhich is set forushere, for it is to showus thatwearebrothersofourLordJesusChrist,thatistosaythatasHeunitedustoHimself(asHesaysinthe17thchapterofSt.John)HehasalsounitedustoGodHisFather,andfullydeclarestousthatHeisourmeatanddrink,thatwearefedwithHisownsubstancetohaveallourspirituallifeinHim.AndthatismorethanitwouldbeifhecalledusHisbrothersahundredtimes.

Sothen,letusrealizetheunitythatwehavewithourLordJesusChrist,thatis,Heiswillingtohaveacommonlifewithus,andthatwhatHehasmaybeours,eventhatHewishestodwellinus,notinimagination,butinfact;notinanearthly,butinaspiritualmanner;and inanycase, thatHesoworksby thepowerofHisHolySpiritthatweareunitedtoHimmorethanarethemembersofabody.Andjustastherootof a tree sends its substance and its power through all the branches, so we drawsubstanceandlifefromourLordJesusChrist.AndthatisalsowhySt.PaulsaysthatourPaschalLambhasbeencrucifiedandsacrificed,sonothingmorenowremainsbutthatwekeepthefeastandthatwetakepartinthesacrifice.AndasinoldtimeintheLawwhen the sacrificewas offered they ate, now alsowemust come and take ourmeatandspiritualfoodinthisSacrificewhichhasbeenofferedforourredemption.ItistruethatwedonotdevourJesusChristinHisflesh,Hedoesnotenterusunderourteeth,asthepapistshaveimagined,butwereceivebreadasasureandinfallibletoken

thatourLordJesus feedsus spirituallywithHisbody;we receiveadropofwine toshowthatwearespirituallysustainedbythebloodofourLordJesusChrist.ButletusobservewellwhatSt.Pauladds, that justasunder the figuresof theLaw itwasnotpermittedtoeatbreadthatwasleavenedandofwhichthedoughwasbitter,nowthatwe are no longer under such shadows, we must put away the leaven of malice, ofwickednessandofallourcorruption’s,andhavebreadorcake(sayshe)whichhasnobitterness in it.Andhow?Inpurityandsincerity.When, then,wecometoapproachthisHolyTable,bywhichtheSonofGodshowsusthatHeisourmeat,thatHegivesHimself to us as our full and entire nourishment, and He wishes that now weparticipateinthesacrificewhichHehasonceforallofferedforoursalvation,wemustseetoitthatwedonotbringtoitourcorruption’sandpollution’stobemixedwithitbutthatwerenouncethem,andseekonlytobefullypurified,sothatourLordJesusmayownusasmembersofHisbody,andthatbythismeansalsowemaybepartakersofHislife.ThatishowtodaywemustmakeuseofthisHolySupperwhichispreparedforus.Thatis,thatitmayleadustothedeathandpassionofourLordJesusChrist,andthentoHisresurrection,andthatwemaybesoassuredoflifeandsalvation,asbythevictorywhichHehasobtainedinrisingfromthedeadrighteousnessisgiventous,andthegateofparadisehasbeenopenedtous,sothatwemayboldlyapproachourGod,andofferourselvesbeforeHim,knowing thatalwaysHewill receiveusasHischildren.

NowweshallbowinhumblereverencebeforethemajestyofourGod.

OnPervertingtheGospelofChrist

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace ofChristuntoanothergospel:Whichisnotanother;buttherebesomethattroubleyou,andwould pervert the gospel of Christ. But thoughwe, or an angel from heaven,preach any other gospel unto you than thatwhichwe have preached unto you, lethimbeaccursed.-Gal.1:6-8

Nowwewill lookmore deeply into the subject I touched upon thismorning. IsaidthatwhereasPauldoesnotsparetheGalatians,neitherdoeshewishtoshutthegateofsalvationtothemcompletely.Heintendstobringthemtorepentance,andforthisreasonhespeaksofthegraceofGodintowhichtheyhadallbeencalled.Yet,hedoesnotflatterthem;rather,herebukesthemfortheirsins.Inparticular,herebukesthemfortheirfickleness,fortheyhadlistenedtodeceiverswhocameinamongthemdistortingthepuredoctrineofthegospel.Inordertomakethembetterperceivetheirtreachery, Paul says he marvels that they have forsaken their heavenly calling soquicklyandeasily.Hewondershowitisthattheyhavebeenledastraysoswiftly,andhow it is that they have remained in that state, given that they had felt andexperienced the grace of God in our Lord Jesus Christ. Because he is seeking torestore them, he is not saying at the outset that they have completely turned awayfrom the gospel, but rather that they have been overtaken by temptation throughseducers,whosoughtnolessthantopervertthetruthofGod.Thereisonlyonepuregospel,asalsothereisonlyoneJesusChristonwhomitisfounded.Itisnotforustocreatethegospelanew;indeed,ifweseektoaddanythingtothepureseedwhichwehave received from our Lord Jesus Christ, we are destroying what God hasestablished.This,insum,iswhatPaulisteachingusinthisfirstverse.

It might seem that Paul is being overly harsh and severe in rebuking theGalatians’weakness,seeingtheyhadneveroncethoughtofrejectingthegospel,norJesusChristwhohadbeenpreachedtothem.ButPaulpaysnoattentiontothewaytheyviewedthesituation;heseesitasitreallyis—inotherwords,thatoncepeopleturn away from the truth of God, they are rejecting Jesus Christ and cuttingthemselvesofffromhim.Somepeoplemaythinkthisstrange,formanywouldliketomixlightwithdarkness.Indeed,theconfusionthatexistsinPoperyisanoutstandingexample of this. They make many wonderful claims to the effect that they areupholdingtheChristianfaithintowhichtheyhavebeenbaptised.But,forallthis,itisclear that they have turned everything upside-down. Superstitions reign, and theypractise open idolatry of a worse kind than has ever been known, even among thepagans. Any reverence for God is destroyed, since each one sets himself up as asaviour inplaceofourLordJesusChrist.Now, thePapistswouldrespondbysayingthat theyarenotapostates,and that theyhavenotabandonedJesusChrist.Butour

LordJesusChrist isnoghost;he cannot changeaccording to thewhimsofmen. Inshort,hecannotbeseparatedfromhischurch.Thus,whateverthePapistsmayclaim,they robJesusChristof allhisauthority. ‘If there isonlyonemediator,’ [they say],‘whataboutthemalesaints,ourpatrons,andthefemalesaints,ouradvocates?’Ifwespeak to them of the sacrifice bywhich our Lord Jesus Christ has obtained perfectjustificationforallbelievers,onceandforall,[theywillsay],‘ArewenotsupposedtosayMasseverydayandofferJesusChristagainasasacrificetoappeasethewrathofGod?’Ifwespeaktothemoffreeforgivenessofsins,[theywillsay],‘Whatabouttheways in which we havemade satisfaction for our own sins, and thus earned God’spity?’IfwesaythatwecanonlybemadegoodbytheregeneratingworkoftheHolySpirit, and that untilGod transforms us,we are full of sin and rebellion, [theywillsay], ‘What?What aboutour freewill?’ In short, theywillname thenameof JesusChristoftenenough,andwillstillgivehimhistitleofRedeemer,buttheywilldividehisofficeandputitonoffersothateachmanmayclaimashareinitforhimself.Theyalso imagine that the saints and angels in paradise are their patrons, and that,therefore, they have infinitemeans of coming beforeGod, for so it seems to them.Now, we may well conclude that the Holy Spirit has good reason to call themapostates;fortheyhaveforsakenJesusChrist,andcutthemselvesofffromhim.Theyevenmisusehisname.ButJesusChristneverchanges;wehaveseenthatPaulsaysin2Corinthiansthatwewillnotfindinhimyesandno(2Cor.1:19),becauseheremainsconstant.Thus,whateverthePapistsbabbleaboutChristianity,itisnothingbutmerehypocrisyandlies.TheyfalselyandwickedlyusethenameoftheSonofGod,eitherasamaskorasanidol.

This,then,iswhyPaulaccusestheGalatiansofhavingbeenledastray.Ifweaskwhattheyhaddone,theansweristhattheysoughttoobservetheceremoniesofthelawasiftheywerenecessary.Yes,itistruethattheseceremonieshadbeenordainedbyGod.Ofcourse;yet, theywerea temporarycondition for thepeopleofold, foratthecomingofourLordJesusChristallthishadtocease.BecausetheGalatiansweremixingoldfiguresandtheshadowsofthelawwiththepurelightofthegospel,Paul,unable tobear it, says that theyhaverebelledand turnedaway fromGod.But therewas something worse: namely, that they were making the grace of the Lord JesusChrist altogether void, by believing that man can merit and acquire his ownjustificationbeforeGod, andmakehimself acceptable inGod’s service.When thesedeceiversintroducedthisparticularerrorofkeepingtothe‘formershadows’,itledtheGalatianstobelievethattheywerepresentingGodwithmeritoriousservice.Yet,oursalvationmustbefree,orJesusChristisnolongeranything.Wecallitfreesalvationsimplybecauseit isgiventousbyGod,andwecometohimtobefed,withnothingbut ahungrydesire forwhatwe are lacking.We should approachGodasmiserablebeggars, if we would be justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. For if weimaginethatwehaveonedropofmerit,wewillnotbemotivatedtocometohim.Oneof the learned ancients said, and not without reason, that we cannot receive the

salvationofferedtousinourLordJesusChristunlesswecanfirsterasethememoryof all our merits, and acknowledge that we are only full of wretchedness. Paul,therefore,wascompletelyjustifiedinsayingthattheGalatianshadfallenawayfromJesusChristandfromGodtheFather.

However,therewasanotherproblem:theyhadbeendeludedintobelievingwhatothersdesiredthemtobelieve.Theyhadbeensubjectedtoaslavishbondage,whichrobbedthemofthepeaceofconsciencethattheyoughttohavehadintheLordJesusChrist. Indeed, togetherwiththereconciliationwehavethroughhissacrificialdeathandpassion,wemustalsobeset free fromthe rigoursof the law towhichwewereonce in bondage. To explain this (as we will soon see more clearly; for here I amdismissingthesematters,butwewillseetheirwiderimplicationsshortly),youknowthatitsaysinthelawthatallthosewhodonotfulfilwhatGodcommandstothelastletter will be accursed (Deut. 27:26). Yet it is impossible for us to reach suchperfection.Therefore,itwasnecessaryforourLordJesusChristtoobtainourliberty,andtofreeusfromtheyokeofthelaw,whichweareunabletobear,asitsaysinthefifteenthchapterofActs(Acts15:10).

Wehavenowseen,ineffect,whyPaulaccusestheGalatiansofrebelling,andwhyhecallsthemtraitorstoGodandtoourLordJesusChrist:theyhadrobbedhimoftheloyalty that theyhadpromised.By this,we tooarebeingadmonishedtokeep to thepureandsimpledoctrineofthegospel,withoutstrayinginonedirectionoranother.For it isnotenoughtohavethenameandtitleofChristians,ortobearthemarkofbaptism:wemust continue steadfast in the doctrine of the gospel. Aswe have saidbefore,ourLordJesusChristcannotdenyhimself.Hecanonlybeknowninthewayhehas been revealed to us byGod theFather, our own various conceptions of himbeing irrelevant. The gospel shows uswhy he came, his office, the benefits thatwereceive fromhimand the strength thathegivesus. Ifwedonothave thepure andsimpledoctrinewhichourLordJesusChristhasrevealed,wehavenothingatall,butifwehavebeentaughtit,letusholdontoittotheveryend.Ifwedrawback,evenjustalittle,itisnothingshortofunfaithfulness.Indeed,wemustrememberthatterribleFall,wherewe,togetherwithothers,fellandbecameentangledwithsomanyerrors,liesanddeceitsofSatan,thatJesusChristwastotallyunknowntous.SinceGodhasnow, in his goodness, takenus from such an abyss, let us resolve to have firm andconstantfaith,sothatwearenolongershakenlikereedsinthewind.Letusremainfirmly rooted in the gospel, grounded upon the invincible power of our Lord JesusChrist.InhimallthepromisesofGodare‘yesandamen’(2Cot1:20);theirtruthandtheirfulfilmentisinhim.Therefore,letourfaithreststeadfastinthesefacts.ThisiswhatwemustretaininourmindsfromPaul’steachinginthispassage.

TomaketheGalatiansevenmoreashamedofthemselves,hespeakstothemofthecallingofgrace.Wecanrelate thewords, ‘fromhimthatcalledyou’,asmuchtoJesusChristas toGod theFather, therebeingnogreat significance in this.Wecan,

however,understandwhatPaulissaying.HeiscriticisingtheGalatiansfortheirbasebehaviour; for they had even less excuse for going astray, considering they hadexperiencedthegoodnessofGod.ForifGodcallsus,evenifhesummonsusinordertoputustoshame,wearestillhiscreatures,and,therefore,owehimourobedience.Wemustalwayssubmittohisauthority,whateverhedecidestodowithus.Itisourduty to say to him: ‘Here I am.What do you require ofme?’Whereas, if wemakeexcuseswhenGodcallsus,wearepervertingtheproperorderofthings.ButGodnotonlycallsustohimself,hegivesusallthetreasuresofhisgoodnessinourLordJesusChrist.Hegiveshimselfwillinglytous,askingofusonlythatweshouldbehisown.SinceGodtreatsuswithsuchkindness,andravishesallourfacultieswithadmirationfor him, this should render usmost unwilling to draw back.Nevertheless, if we dohappen to wander to and fro after we have come to him, we will have much lessexcuse,andwill thereforesufferamoresevereandamoreterrifyingcondemnation,asIhavealreadysuggested.

We see now why Paul mentions the grace into which the Galatians had beencalled.Infact,wearemoreguiltytodaythanourfatherswereunderthelaw,ifwefailtoabideinthepuredoctrineofthegospel,withoutswervingfromit.ForalthoughGodledourforefatherstosalvationunderthelaw,yetthatcallingwasnotaccompaniedbysuch open and abundant displays of the riches of hismercy aswenowhave in ourLordJesusChrist.Letusexamineourselves.IfGodhasalreadymadehisgraceknowntous,maythisinspireandencourageustohaveevengreaterboldnessandinvinciblestrength,sothatwemaycontinueinourcalling,untilwereachtheplacetowhichheis calling us.Whenwe compare ourselveswithwretched, ignorant unbelievers, ouringratitudeisallthemoreapparent,inthatwehavehadfullerandnoblergraceshowntous.Weknowthatmanypoorsoulsstrayfarandwide.Theyare,however,subjecttocondemnation:‘Forasmanyashavesinnedwithoutlawshallalsoperishwithoutlaw’(Rom.2:12).Now,asforus,Godhasdeclaredhiswilltousinsuchfamiliarterms,andhas given us the opportunity to learn the doctrines of the gospel (ifwewould onlyapply ourselves to them); therefore, our condemnation will be even greater thantheirs, ifwedonotmakeevery effort todevoteourselves entirely toGod, as Ihavealreadysaid.Thismakesourresponsibilityallthegreater.

Pauladdsanotherpointhere:thatallthishadhappenedsoquickly.Indeed,itisterrible that the Galatians, who had been taught from the lips of the apostle, haddefiled themselves during his lifetime. This made them even more blameworthy,becausejustthreedays[asitwere]afterreceivingthegospel,theyfellawaybymixingfalseteachingswithGod’struth.HadtheykeptthefaithuntilagoodwhileafterthedeathofPaul,itdoesnotfollowthatthiswouldhaveexcusedtheminGod’ssight,iftheyhadsubsequentlyfallenaway.Forasthetruthonwhichourfaithisgroundediseverlasting, although theheavens and the earth arepassing away, even so our faithmustenduretotheveryend(Luke21:33).Ourfaithshouldnotdependonthelifeordeathofmen;itshouldbeanchoredinheaven.Therefore,ifwechangefromoneday

tothenext,weshallhavethemoretoanswerfor,andourungratefulnesswillbeevenmorepronounced.Infact,whatPaulsayshereabouttheGalatiansisfartoomuchinevidence today. Those who have been taught the gospel become discontented afterthreeyears [or so] if theydonothave somenoveltyorother, for theyhave ‘itchingears’.Manyvainpeoplebackslidebecausetheyarenotcontentwiththetruth inthegospel.They alwayswant tobemovinghouse [as itwere], because theyneed somenewthingto feedtheir foolish imaginations.Othersgrowdissatisfiedwhentheyseethatthegospelhasnotbroughtthemanyofthisworld’sgoods.Thereareevensomewho turn away when they find that they may well be persecuted, and have manyenemies.Theywillhave tosufferwhileothersprosper (orso they think).Thus,youcanseehowmanydesertourLordJesusChrist,not justasonegenerationsucceedsanother,butevenasthosewhoappeartobehisfollowersturnandrebelafterthree,orperhapstenyears.

Howcloselythendoweneedtoholdontothisteaching,sinceitappliestous.Letus consider the grievance Jeremiah had against the Jews.He says, in effect, ‘Go todistantlands,runtotheisles,observewhatisdonebyotherpeople.Eachonekeepstohisownidols’,adding,‘whichareyetnogods’(Jer.2:10-11).Satanhaddeceivedthemby calling this worship, and they were so set in their ways that they could not bemoved. (Ihopeyouareassteadfastas theywere, sinceGodhasrevealedhimself toyou,andyouhaveafullandcertainknowledgeofhiswill.)Surely,however,thesamecouldbesaidofusnowadays:forwehaveseenhowunbendingtheTurks[Moslemsarebeingreferredtohereas“Turks”-Ed.]are!AndalthoughthewretchedJewsarenobetterthanuncleandogs,yettheyareverypersistentinmaintainingtheauthorityof their law. As for the Papists, their foolishness is so apparent as to make themhideous; even children could judge them.Yet for all that, they burnwith suchmadzeal tomaintain their blasphemous practices. As for ourselves, as soon as the devilbeckons with his finger, we are enticed away. It seems as if each of us is on thelookouttoseeifthereisanythingnew;theslightestthingwillimmediatelyweakenusand lead us astray. There is enough sin here without going any further.Wemust,therefore, take heed to the accusation which is made here by the mouth of PaulagainsttheinconstancyofthosewhoturnawayfromGod,sosoonafterhehascalledthemintothegraceofourLordJesusChrist.

Atthispoint,Paulstatesthatthecausebehindallthisisthat,‘therebesomethattrouble you and would pervert the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ’. Here, Paul isasserting thatanythingwhichwemayaddto thegospel isnothingbutmeresmoke.Eventuallywewill discover that it is thedevilwhohas conceived suchnonsense inorder to deceive miserable fools who cannot adhere to God’s truth at all. ‘This isnothingotherthansomepeopletroublingyou,’hesays.Itistruethatthisexpression‘nothing other’ [The Authorised Version of 1611 renders this ‘not another [gospel]’,thusreflectingaviewdifferentfromthatgiveninCalvin’sFrenchtranslation.Trans.]seems to imply that thewholematter is of no importance.However, Paul is saying

that theGalatianswerewrong to be troubled by those fromJerusalem and Judaea,whotoldthemtheymustnotseparatethelawfromthegospel.‘No,no,’hesays,‘thereisonlyoneJesusChrist.Thereisonlyonedoctrinethatwillleadustohim,andgiveus faith, throughwhichwemayobtainsalvation. Ifwewish tohaveandmaintainapureknowledgeof thegospel,wemustrealise that this iswherewe findperfection;thosewho go further are simply trouble-makers throwing everything into disarray.’This text is well worth noting.We learn from it that if our Lord has given us theprivilegeofbeingtaughtinhisschool,wemustnolongerhaveweakfaithwhichcanbeblownhereand there.Wemusthave resolutedetermination, so thatwecansay,‘Here is the faithbywhichwearegoingto liveanddie.’Wemeetmanywhodonotopenlyopposetheteachingofthegospel,andwhoevensufferustopreachthegraceof our Lord JesusChrist. Indeed, ifwewere to ask such peoplewhat they disagreewithinthegospel,[theiranswerwouldbe]‘Nothing!’Butthen,iftheyweretoseeanaltaradornedwithgrotesquestatues,sureenough,theywouldflocktoit!Theywouldgo and hearMass and do all the other excesses of the Papists; it is all the same tothem.Andifallthisissetbeforethemaserror,theystillcannotseethatitmakesanydifference.Takegoodnote—suchbasebehaviourrevealsthattheydonothavefaith.How?Well, this is how we can know, and even feel, if we ourselves are believers:whenwehavediscernmentaboutthegospel,andconcludethatitistheinfallibletruthofGod, and that it cannot lead us astray ifwe follow it.However, the Papists haveinventedafaith(astheycallit)whichisveiled;thissuitsthemfine(eventhoughthepoorsoulsknownothing),aslongastheycontinuetosay,‘IrelyonourHolyMotherChurch; Ihold towhat shebelieves.’Thesepeopleopenlydisplay that theyhavenofaith, and do not know how to be saved. It is written that we can only obtainjustification and salvation through faith,whenwe embrace Jesus Christ as the onewhocommunicatesallblessings.Therefore,iftheLordJesusChristisunknown,therecan be no faith. Popish leaders and teachers have been bewitched by amost awfuldeception of Satan to speak as they do, which proves to us that they have noknowledgeofGod;indeed,theyarefollowingthepathofreprobates.

Letusobserve,then,thatwhenPaultellsusthereisnoothergospel,hewantsustoabide in theLordJesusChristand toremain faithful tohim,nowthatwerealisethegospelhascomefromhim,rejectinganythingwhichiscontrarytoitsteaching.Ifwehavesuchmaturity,wewillbeequippedtodobattlewithSatan,andtoopposeallthevariousopinions thatare in theworld today.Wewillneverbeshaken,whatevertroubles comeourway;norwillweever lack theassuranceof faith.However, ifwewaver,wewillbejustlikelittlechildren:iftheyareofferedanappleinonehand,sureenough,theywillrunto it.If theyarethenofferedsomeotherpleasantthingintheotherhand,theywillreachforthatinthesameway!Havingdesertedthefirstthing,theywillrallyaroundthesecond.If,Isay,weareasfickleasthis,thenitisasuresignthat we are completely unfaithful. Know, therefore, that there must be harmonybetweenour faithand thegospel.Havinggivenourselves totally to it,wewillnever

turnaside,becausewefixourfaithonwhatiscontainedtherein,aswehavealreadysaid.Notthatwecanallbeaswell-versedaseachother;foritiscertainthatmostofthosewhomtheLordJesusChristhasinhisflockdonotunderstandthetenthpartoftheHolyScriptures!Yet,whateverelsewedonotknow,weshouldhavethefollowingbeliefsincommon:that,(1)ThereisoneGodtheFather,inwhomweallbelieve,whohas adopted us out of his puremercy. (2) There is only one Jesus Christ, throughwhomallblessingsaregiventous.(3)WearemaderegeneratebytheHolySpirit.

ConcerningourLordJesusChrist,wemustalsobeawarethatheisourAdvocate,andthatwithouthimwecannotapproachGod.Wewouldnotdaretosay‘ourFather’unlessweweremembersof thebodyof theLordJesusChrist—unlesshespokeonourbehalfasourintercessorandfriend,guidingus,asitwere,bythehandtobringustoGodtheFather. Ifwedonotknowthese things, thenwecannotobtainsalvation.PaulaccusestheGalatiansoffailingtorecognisethatthereisonlyonegospel,whichcannotbealtered.HedoesnotwantthemtogrieveourLordJesusChrist,whoaloneis to be heeded. He also warns us of seducers, who seek to turn us from the puresimplicityofthegospelofGodandofourLordJesusChrist.Heteachesustoregardthemasabhorrent,for(asweshallsoonseemoreclearly)theypervertthegospelofthe Lord Jesus Christ. How dreadful it is that the gospel, the foundation of oursalvation,andthekeythatopensthegatesofparadise,shouldbeperverted!Itisouronly treasure.Wewere banished from the kingdom of heaven and could not comenearto it,untilGodmadeaway, throughthegospel, forustobehispeopleandforhimtobeourKing,sothatwecanbeledandgovernedbyhisauthority.Inestimabletreasuresarecontainedinthegospel.Godisreconciledwithman;thegatesofheavenareopenedtous;ourLordJesusChristhasbeengiventousasour inheritance;wearemadepartakersofall thegoodthings thathehasbestoweduponus;andweareassuredofoureternalsalvation.Itwerebetterthatthewholeworldshouldperishandbeconsumedthanthatthisgospelshouldbeperverted.ThisiswhatPaulsaysaboutall thosewhocome to troubleus,afterwehavebeenso faithfully taught,andofallthosewhobringus littlenovelties,mixing intheirowninventionshereandthere—thesepeople turnmenfromthekingdomofGod,andfromhisroyal throne,so thattheyarenolongergovernedbyhim,andtherebythesceptreofourLordJesusChristis no longer extended to them for their salvation. If God’s honour, and our ownsalvation,isasdeartousasitoughttobe,andifsharinginalltheblessingsofheavenis precious to us, then whenever we are approached by such scoundrels seeking todetract from themajesty of God, the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and even oursalvation,oughtwenottoshunthemandcastthemoutaswewouldthemostdeadlyplague in theworld?This, in short, iswhatwemust do:wemust clingwith strongaffectiontothegospel,andnotallowanyonetocorruptitinanyway.Wemustnotletanybodyconfuseourmindsbytheirclaimstobebringingusanalternativeview.Evenifthepeoplewhospeaktoushavegreatknowledge,andareskilful,sharp-wittedandveryeloquent,wemustrejectthemasabominations,peoplewhohavecometodraw

usawayfromthepurityofthegospel.ThisiswhatPaulisteachingushere.

Having spoken of this, Paul then adds, that if either he, or an angel, came topreachanyothergospelthanthatwhichtheGalatianshadalreadyheard,theyweretoreject them. They must be treated as accursed people, and as devils, and beexcommunicated.WeseeherethatPaulbecomesheated(inamannerofspeaking),asheisseekingtopromoteconstancyinthefaithsothatwewillnotbeshaken.Yethedoesnot do sowithout good reason.Forwe knowhow fragilewe are, andnot onlyfragile,butworsethanthis,wearevainandrebellious.WhenwearefirsttaughtfromtheWordofGod,ifwearenotgenuinelytouched,wefinditthestrangestbookintheworld;fortheteachingofthegospelisalwaysfoolishnesstothehumanmind,aswehaveseenonpreviousoccasions(1Cor.2:14).Andthereasonforthis?Becausewearevanity: our hearts have wandered and gone astray, our natures incline and tend tofalsehood,andwealmostwilfullydesire tobebeguiled.Becauseourmindsare thuscorrupted,weshouldnotbesurprised ifwedonotdesire theWordofGodand if itdoes not become a part of us. For our only activity is in rebelling against God.Althoughwethinkwearedoingright,weare,infact,blind.Inshort,theScripturesdonot say without cause that all men are ‘vanity and leasing’ (Psa. 4:2). We are inrebellion against God, pulling in the opposite direction when he calls us. God hasgrantedus theprivilegeofbeingdrawn tohimself, andof realising thathis truth iswhatwemustholdto.Hehassomasteredusthatwearenolongerfullofguile,butwillingtobecompletelysubjecttohim.Evenso,thedevilisstillabletoleadusastrayatanymoment,becausewearesofragileandinconstant!Wehaveseenthishappentothosewhoweremirror-imagesofholiness(asitwere).Wehavebeenshockedtoseethemchangesoquicklyandwanderfromtherightpath.Whatcausesthis?AsIhavealready said, even when we are in good form, we cannot remain in this state longbefore we travel in the opposite direction; that is, unless God works in us andstrengthensusinourweakness.

This is why Paul upholds the teaching of the gospel in such a forceful way(occasionhavingbeengivenhimbytheGalatians,whohadgoneastraybecausetheyhadbeentaught toobserve theceremoniesof the law).Seeingsuchanexampleandsuchapictureofman’sgreatweaknessandfickleness,Paulstatesthatthetruthofthegospelmust supersede anything thatwemaydevise.He also implies thatwe oughtnottobedeceivedbytheknowledge,skilloreloquenceofmen,foreveniftheangelsfromheavenhadenteredourranks,weshouldrathercountthemasdevils.Butthis,apart fromanything else,musthave seemeda very strange thing to say.What!Theangels fromheaven!Butwhat else is it towhich he refers?His own preaching.HedoesnotsimplyspeakofthegospelofChrist,butofthegospelwhichhehadpreachedtothem.Andcanhebesuperiortotheangelsfromheaven?Well,inthefirstplace,wesee that it is nothing to praise the gospel in a general and vague sense; youmustknow,itsteaching.Afterall,therearemanywhowillmockthefollyofthePapists,butifyouweretoaskthemtherudiments,whichevenlittlechildrenknowwell,theydo

notknow them. Ifone saysone thingandanother says somethingelse, it is alloneandthesamethingtothem.Thereisnodifference; it isas if theyarethrowingsalt,water,mustardandbitterjuicetogetherinarecipe!Theywillspeakoftenenoughingeneraltermsabouthowwemustpreachthegospel,andyettheydonotknowwhatitis!Inordertocorrectsuchasin,Paulspeaksofthegospelwhichhepreachedtothem.Bythis(asIhavesaid),heisshowingusthatweoughttoknowthesubstanceofthedoctrine which is brought to us in the name of God, so that our faith can be fullygrounded upon it. Then we will not be tossed about with every wind, nor will wewanderaboutaimlessly,changingouropinionsahundredtimesaday;wewillpersistinthisdoctrineuntiltheend.This,inbrief,iswhatwemustremember.

BecausePaulspeaksinsuchboldlanguageindefenceofhisteaching,thisshouldmake it all the more genuine to us. He does not speak with human arrogance orpresumption, but in the name of God. Indeed, there is no question here of hisboastingabouthimself;heprovesthisbysaying,‘ifI’.Heputshimselffirst,asifheissaying: ‘EvenImyself, if I changemydoctrine,or ifyou findIhaveswerved inanyway, letmeberegardedasadevil.’Here,Paulisshowingthathewasnotseekingtogain a reputation forhimself, norwashe fighting forhis own cause, so that peoplewouldsayhowintelligent,wiseandgiftedhewas.No;heputshimselfonthelevelofallbelieversandsays: ‘LetusallembracethewholeofourMaster’s teaching,whichGodhasentrusted tous, and towhichwemust submitour conduct.Foralthough Ihavetaughtyouthisdoctrine,yetitisnotmine,butitisofGod,whoneverchanges.IfIchange,donotbeshaken,norsurprisedaboutthis,buttreatmeasadevil,countmeaccursed. As for yourselves, remain grounded in the truth that you have alwaysknown.Iwouldratheryousawmeasaccursedandabominable,andeventheangelsfromheavenalso,thanthatyouforsakethetruthabouttheSonofGodandturnawayfromit.’WecanseefromthiswhatPauldesired:thatGod’struthshouldbereveredamongstmen,asitdeservestobe,andthatitshouldbeesteemedinsuchaway,thatalloursenses,thoughts,desiresandaffectionsshouldbesubduedandheldcaptivetoit.Itisnotlawfulforanylivingcreaturetochangeanythinginthegospel,forGodhasspokenbythemouthofhisonlySon.Mayhebeourmasterindeed,andmayeachofus obey himwithout question. This iswhat Paul desired. But sincewe cannot nowfinish commenting on the rest, it will be reserved for next Sunday, in God’s goodpleasure.

NowletusfallbeforethemajestyofourgreatGod,acknowledgingourfaults,andprayingthathewillmakeusevermoreconsciousofthem.Maythisleadustoarightrepentance, andmakeusgrowand increase in faith, as true sacrifices tohim.SinceourLord JesusChrist gave himself for our redemption, let us also seek to dedicateourselvesfullytohim.Maywebeledbyhimtopersevere,sothatinlifeandindeathweseeknoothercontentmentorrestthantoacquiesceinhisgoodwill.Maywegloryinnothingotherthanthesalvationwhichhehaspurchasedforus.Maythisgracenotonlybegrantedtous,buttoallpeoplesandnationsonearth,etc.

JustificationisbyGraceAlone

WewhoareJewsbynature,andnotsinnersoftheGentiles,Knowingthatamanisnot justifiedbytheworksof the law,butbythe faithofJesusChrist,evenwehavebelievedinJesusChrist,thatwemightbejustifiedbythefaithofChrist,andnotbytheworks of the law: for by theworks of the law shall no fleshbe justified. - Gal.2:15-16

Thusfar,wehaveexpoundedwhyPaul,addressingthesubjectoftheceremonies,typesandshadowswhichwerepractisedbeforethecomingoftheLordJesusChrist,reachesthegeneralconclusionthatamancannotbe justifiedoracceptable inGod’ssightunlessheobservesthewholelaw.Now,atfirst,wemightconsiderthesethingstobetwoseparateissues;however,aswehavebeensaying,Paulhastodrawusbacktobasics inorder toexposethe follyofbelievingthatwecanobtain favour inGod’seyes through our ownmerit. Now, we have already discussed the reason why Pauladdstheword‘law’.Forhowevermuchitmaybecommonlyheldthatagoodmancanearn favour and acceptance with God, men are very seriously mistaken in suchmatters. Indeed,whateverwemayhavedone,wecannotWinGod’s favour,becausehe deserves the very best of all that is in our power. There is, therefore, nomeritpossibleonourpart(if,indeed,wemaycallitthat),unlesswefulfilthetermsofthecovenanthemadewithus,whenhesaidthatwhosoeverkeepsthelawshallobtainlifeandsalvation(Lev.18:5).WhenGodutteredthesewords,hewaspreparedtoacceptourtotalobedienceasworthyofsalvation,butthisdoesnot,infact,implythatwecan,therefore,meritfavour,fornoneofushavedoneourduty(asweshallseehereafter).Thus,thepromisewouldhavebeenforfeited,oratleastwithouteffectinthatitwouldneverapplytoanyone,hadnotGodsenttheremedy—thatistosay,unless,despiteour unrighteousness, he forgave our sins, and accepted us as righteous.WhenPaulsaysthatwecannotbejustifiedbytheworksofthelaw,hemeansthatifweclaimtomeritgraceandsalvationbecauseGodhaspromisedthatthosewhoobservethelawwillbeaccountedasrighteous,wearecompletelymistaken;fornoonekeepsthelawperfectly.WemustrealisethatweallstandguiltybeforeGodandhavethesentenceofcondemnationhangingoverourheads.

Inordertoexpressthis factmoreclearly,PauldrawsacomparisonbetweentheJewsand theGentiles.Hesays thateven though theywere ‘JewsbynatureandnotsinnersoftheGentiles’theyrealisedthattheycouldonlybeacceptabletoGodbyfaithin the Lord Jesus Christ. For, although allmen have fallen in Adam and thereforehavenoindividualmerit,itappearedthattheJewshadaspecialprivilege,inasmuchasGodhadadoptedthemashisownchildrenandcalledthemhisservants.Yet,thisiswhere theJewswentwrong.Forwhen theScriptures speakof ‘theuncircumcision’,they refer to the pollution which indwells us from Adam, and places us all under

condemnation from ourmother’s womb. But the Jews believed that God had freedthemfromthiscurseuponmankindandthereforetheyboasted.Whilstitistruethatgreat honour was conferred upon them, which they should have valued above allearthlygood—forGodhadchosenthemtobehispeopleandhis inheritance—yetthey ought to have humbly acknowledged that in their own selves they wereunworthy. Indeed,wealsoareused toadoptingsuchapresumptuousattitudewhenweexperiencethegraceofGod;likewisetheJews,forthemostpart,wronglybelievedtheywere superior to everyone else. They thoughtGodhad found something aboutthem thatmade him prefer them to those he had rejected. This arrogance broughtwith itwicked ingratitude, for theydidnotattribute toGodall thegood things theyhad received from his hand, butwere puffed upwith pride, as if God thought theywerebetterormoreworthyofeternalsalvationthantheGentiles.

Toextinguishallsuchpresumption,Paulbeginshisargumentthus:‘wewhoareJews by nature . . .’ It appears that he is saying, ‘Yes, it is true that we have beenshowngreatergracethantheGentiles,whomGoddidnotacceptintohischurch’.Butwhen he speaks like this he does not, in fact, intend to give the Jews occasion forpride; rather, he is spreadingbefore them the things theyhave freely received fromGod to teach them that they have no grounds for boasting. In the Epistle to theRomans, Paul makes two statements which at first sight seem contradictory, yetwhich are in perfect harmony. On the one hand he asks, ‘Do we not have moreprivileges than the Gentiles?’, and he answers, ‘Yes. For we were chosen to be hispeople;hegaveuscircumcisionasasignandsealthatwearehischildren;hemadeacovenant with us; he promised to send us the Redeemer of the world. Thus, if weconsider themercies thatGodhas showereduponus,wehavebeenblessed indeed,and exalted far above all other peoples.’ Here Paul magnifies the goodness of Godtowards them (Rom. 3:1-2). However, later he asks the same question (Whatadvantagehave theJews?),but answers, ‘Noneat all’ (Rom.3:9-10). ‘ForweareallunderGod’scurse.IftheGentilesaretobecondemned,thenwearetobecondemnedtwice as much, for they have the excuse of ignorance. Nevertheless, they cannotescape God, but will perish although they have never had any instruction orknowledgeofdoctrine.Itfollows,then,thatwewillbecondemnedbythelaw,becauseGodhastaughtusandyetwehavenotstoppedsinningortransgressinghisrighteouslaws, so that nowwe are plunged into greater and deeper condemnation than evenGentilesandunbelievers’,hesays.Thus,theJewsweredistinctfromtheGentiles—notbecausetheyweremoreworthyormorerighteous,butsimplybecauseGodchosethemoutofhisfreebounty.

Inthesameway,thechildrenborntobelieversarenobetterthanthechildrenofotherGentilesorevenofTurkswhenitcomestotheirnature.ForweareallpartofacorruptandaccursedmasswhomGodhascondemned,sothatnoneofusmayexaltourselvesandthinkourselvesofmoreworththanourfriends.However,Pauldeclaresthat our children are sanctified, that they are not stained in the sameway as those

born to unbelievers or pagans (1 Cor. 7:14). It would seem that there are somecontradictions here. Yet the whole hangs together very well, because, as for ournatures,wearealltaintedandcorrupted,withonlyoneexception[Christ].Yetthereissuchathingasasupernaturalgift, that is,aprivilegethatGodconfers inorderthatthechildrenofbelieversarededicatedtohim,andherecognisesandacceptsthemashis own.This iswhy the childrenof the church todayare regardedas thepeopleofGod and amongst the number of the elect, just as under the law the Jews wereseparatedfromtherestof theworld.ThisexplainswhyPaulsays, ‘WeareJewsandnotsinnersoftheGentiles’.By ‘sinners’,hemeansthosewhocontinueintheirfilthandhavenotbeenwashedbythegraceofGod.Indeed,circumcisionitselfwasasignandatestimonytothefactthatGodacceptedthefamilyofAbrahamandtheracethatdescendedfromhimashisownfamiliarandspecialpeople.Inoldtimes,thisiswhatdistinguished the Jews fromunbelievers; for, although theywere of equal status aschildrenofAdam,yetGodhadchosensomeandleftothersasstrangerstohisfamily.Ifweaskwhythisshouldbe, theanswercanonlybepurelybecauseofGod’sgrace,sincetheJewsthemselveswerenotoutstandinginanyway.

LetusnowfollowtheargumentthatPaulisconstructinghere.Hesays,‘Knowingthatamanisnotjustifiedbytheworksofthelaw,butbythefaithofJesusChrist.’Insayingthis,PauldemonstratesthatwhatevergracetheyhadreceivedfromGod,theywerenotatlibertytotrustinmanorinthemselvesasiftheydeservedthisfromGod.No,rather,theyhadtoseekrefugeinhisfreebounty,recognisingthatsalvationisinJesusChristalone,whocame to rescue fromperdition thosewhowerealready lost.This is confirmed in that other passage, where it says that he ‘came and preachedpeacetoyouwhichwereafaroffandtothemthatwerenigh’(Eph.2:17).JesusChrististhatpeace,foritisthroughhimthatGodcanloveusandreceiveusinmercy.ThisisnotonlytrueforthosewhowerepreviouslyfarawayliketheGentiles,butalsoforthechildrenofAbraham,despitethedignityandnobilitytheyalreadypossessed(forthis was not theirs by nature). Paul says that the Jewswho had been converted toChristianityknewthattheycouldnotbejustifiedbytheworksofthelaw,butonlybyfaithintheLordJesusChrist,andhemakesacomparisonbetweenthetwoinordertoshow thatwe cannot be justified by grace unlesswe actually renounce all personalmerit.

This iswellworthy of our attention. For indeed, even thePapists profess to bejustifiedbyfaith,butthisisonlyhalfofthetruthanditistherestofthepicturewhichspoils thewhole. Sure enough, they arepersuadedof the fact that aman cannotbeaccountedrighteousbeforeGodunlessJesusistheMediatorandunlessthatpersonrests upon him for salvation. The Papists know this only too well, and yet they sooftensay,‘Wearejustifiedbyfaithbutnotbyfaithalone.’Thisisthepointwithwhichtheytakeissue,andthisistheprincipalmatteruponwhichwediffer.Paul,however,showstheirfollywhenhesays,‘butbyfaith’,forthisexpressionimpliesthatallthatmen bring toGod to please him is rejected. The door is, therefore, tight shut to all

merit, forPaul declares that the onlyway to come toGod is through faith.WewillsoonseemoreclearlywhyPauldrawsa comparisonwith the lawas ifhereare twoopposites. The lawpresupposes that ifwe fulfilwhatGod requires of uswewill befound good servants and he will give us the reward he has promised; faith, on theotherhand,presupposes thatwearepoor, lost, condemnedsoulsand thatweare tofindinJesusChristwhatwesodesperatelyneed.

Take this as an example: there are twomen seeking food and shelter.One hasmoney and wishes to be treated in accordance with his means. They both ask forsomethingtoeat,butthesecondmanispooranddoesnothaveapenny,sohebegsforalms.Theybothhavesomethingincommon,fortheybothseekfood,butthefirsthasmoneywithwhich to satisfy his host. Thus, after eating and drinkingwell andbeing courteously entertained, the host, for his part, will be happy to receive hispayment,nolongerthinkingthathisguestisinanywayindebtedtohim.Why?Well,hehasbeensatisfiedandhasevengainedfromit.But the lifeof thepoormanwhoasksforalmsdependsupontheonewhocanprovidehimwithfoodandshelter,forhecangivehimnothinginreturn.Inthesameway,ifweseektobejustifiedbythelawwemustdeservethatjustification;forthenGodwillreceivefromusandwefromhimin a reciprocalmanner. Is such a thing possible?Not at all, aswe shall examine inmoredetail later.Wemust, therefore,concludethatwecannotobtainrighteousnessbythelaw,andthatifwebelievewecanmakeGodourdebtor,wewillonlyprovokehiswrath. The only option is to come as poor beggars, thatwemay be justified byfaith. Not as if faithwere a virtue proceeding from us, but wemust come humbly,confessingthatwecannotobtainsalvationexceptasafreegift.This,then,iswhythelawisputinoppositiontofaith.PaulisshowingusthatallwhoclaimtobeacceptabletoGodbytheirmeritsareturningtheirbackuponthegraceoftheLordJesusChrist.Weshallstudythisatgreaterlengthhereafter.

Amanmayraisethisobjection:thelawwasgivenbyGod,sothereforeitcannotbeplacedinoppositiontofaith,whichalsoproceedsfromGod.Theanswertothisissimple.Godmadeboththedayandthenight,waterandfire,coldandheat.Surely,thedayisnotinoppositiontothenight,butratherGodinhisgoodnessandwisdomhasarranged that they appear in a suitable order;manhas thebrightness of the sun inwhichtodohisworkbyday,andbynightthesunhidesitselfawaysothatmanmaytake his rest. Therefore, although day differs from night, there is no disharmonybetweenthem.Thesameappliestofireandwater.Everycreatedthinghasitsfunction—and fire andwater complement eachother verywell; however, ifwewere tomixthemtogether, thentheywould indeedclash!This is trueof the lawandthegospel.Thosewhobelievethatwearejustifiedbythelawaswellasthegospelareconfusingeverything;itisasiftheyarecrashingheavenandearthtogether!Inshort,itwouldbeeasiertomixfireandwaterthantosaythis:thatwecanmeritameasureofthegraceofGodandyetalsoneedtheaidoftheLordJesusChrist.Ifweconsiderwhatthelawisandwhyitwasgiven,wewilldiscoverthatthereisnodiscrepancywiththegospel,

norwithfaith,butthatthereisperfectharmonybetweenthem.Thisobjectionisthusdealtwith.IfwesaythatbothfaithandthelawproceedfromGod,weareright;butwemustgivesomethought(aswewilldoshortly)tothereasonwhyGodoriginallyinstitutedthemboth.

LetusreturntoPaul’swords—hesaysthatwecanonlybe justifiedbyfaith inthe Lord Jesus Christ.When he speaks of justification, he means being accountedrighteous in the sight ofGod. This expression needs to be understood because it isdealingwiththewholesubjectofhowwearesaved.Wewouldbemiserablecreaturesindeed if, having lived a long life in thisworld, someonewere to ask us theway ofsalvationandwedidnotknowhowtorespond!ManyfoolshavefeastedonthebreadofGodwithoutknowinghowtobeacceptabletohim.ThisiswhyweoughttobeallthemoreattentivetowhatPaulistellingushere.Hesaysthatwearejustified.How?Arewealreadyrighteous—areweblameless?Notatall,butGodacceptsus.Theword‘justification’pointsus to that favourwhichGodbestowsuponuswhenwebecomehis children and he our Father. Youmay ask, why do the Scriptures use the word‘justify’whenitseemssoinappropriate?WecouldjustaswellsaythatGodlovesus,thathetakespityonus,thathedesirestobeourFatherandSaviour—whynotusetheseexpressionsinsteadofspeakingofjustification?TheScripturesdonotrefertoitwithoutgoodreason.

Ifweanalysesalvation in itsmostbasicsense,wewill say thatwearesavedbythe grace of our Lord JesusChrist.However, this does not imply knowledge of ourmiserableconditionbynatureoroftheremedythatweneedtoapply.ForinordertoputourtrustintheLordJesusChrist,wemustacknowledgethatbythesinofAdam,as well as by our own iniquities, we are altogether lost.We ought to have alreadydiscoveredthisforourselves.WewillneverunderstandthatoursinscondemnusinGod’ssight,unlessweknowthatweneedtobeputrightwithhim.Inotherwords,wewillnotbeawareoftherighteousnessofGodifwesimplysay,‘Wearesavedbygraceandbyfaith.’ForGodcannotoncedenyhimself,sinceheembodiessovereignjustice;heisallpurityandperfectionand,therefore,hedetestswhatisevil.Yetwearetotallycorruptandthere isonlywickedness inus; it follows, therefore, thatGodmusthateus.However,ifhehatesus,woeuntous,forwearedamned.ThisiswhyweneedtobejustifiedbeforewecanbepleasingtoGod.Thismeanswemustbecleansedfromoursinsand transgressions;otherwise,wecouldneverappreciateGod’smercy (as Ihavesaid).Ifweacknowledgethatwearesinners,wewillrealisethatGodhatessin,and yet though he hates it he has nevertheless provided a way to save us — byforgivingoursins,andbycleansingandpurgingus fromthemthrough thebloodoftheLordJesusChrist,whogivesusspiritualcleansing.Godwashesuscleaninorderthat he might receive us, so that sharing in his love, we may be assured of oursalvation.ThisiswhytheScripturesusetheword‘justification’.

Papists may debate over its meaning like foolish beasts. ‘What!’, they say,

‘Justifiedby faith?Faithdoesnotmakeapersonperfect—how, then, can it justifyus?’TheydonotrealisethatthejustificationspokenofintheScripturesreferstoGodcoveringour sins (as Ihavebeensaying)and,byvirtueofhis sufferingsanddeath,cancellingtheminandthroughthenameof theLordJesusChrist.Whateverothersmaysay, it iswrittenthatweareaccountedrighteousinGod’ssightwhenheremitsandpardonsoursins.Infact,PaulspeaksofthisinthefourthchaptertotheRomans,wherehesays:‘EvenasDavidalsodescribeththeblessednessoftheman,untowhomGodimputethrighteousnesswithoutworks,saying,Blessedaretheywhoseiniquitiesare forgiven, andwhose sins are covered’ (Rom. 4:6-7; Psa. 32:1).Again, in anotherpassage he says, ‘For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin’; (thismeansthathereceivedallthecondemnationduetousforoursins),‘thatwemightbemade the righteousness of God in him’ (2 Cor. 5:21). Thus, we, being joined andunitedtohispersonandtohisbody,areaccountedrighteous,becausehisobediencewas so perfect that it was sufficient to cleanse and remove our sins.We have nowdealtwiththemeaningoftheterm‘justification’.

Turning our attention to the expression ‘faith’, Paul states here that they have‘believed’ inJesusChrist. Ifwewere toaska foolwhathe considers faith tobe,hemightwellsay ‘belief,butheclearlywouldnotunderstandwhateitherwordmeans.Arewehappy tobe as ignorant as such fools?Letus firstlypointout that theLordJesusistheobjectofbothourfaithandourbelief.Issalvationthroughfaith?Yes,ifwebelieveintheLordJesusChrist.LetusconsiderforamomentwhytheLordJesusChrist is set before us as the one in whomwemust rest all our faith. It is simplybecausewefindinhimallweneedforourjustification.Wehavealreadysaidthatweareaccountedrighteous inGod’ssightwhenhehas forgivenoursinsandno longercalls them into account.Andhowdoes this happen, if not by the blood of theLordJesusChristwhichwasshedforourcleansing?Byhissufferingsanddeath,hemadesatisfactionforoursinsandappeasedthewrathofGodagainstus.Wemustseeknofurthermeansofpayment,otherthanthesacrificemadebyGod’sonlySon,ourLordJesusChrist.ItishewhoiscalledGod’sbelovedSon(Matt.3:17),sothatwemightbebelovedinhim;heiscalledtheRighteousOne(Isa.53:11),sothatwemaypartakeofhis righteousness; and he is called the Holy One (Luke 1:35), so that we may besanctifiedinhim.ThisiswhyourattentionisdrawntotheLordJesusChristwhenweconsider‘faith’.

However, thePapists formtheirownopinionsonthesubject,revealingbywhattheyclaimthattheyhaveneverexperiencedwhatitistobelieve.‘What!’,theysay,‘isitpossibleforamantobejustifiedbyfaithalone,seeingthatevendevilsthemselvesbelieve?’Thisisindeedtrue,andJamesusesthisargument(Jas.2:20);however,wealsoseehimscorningthosewhovainlyandfrivolouslysaidtheywereChristiansandhadfaith,andyetshowednofruit.ThePapistshavestrayedevenfurther,inthattheysay faithmeansbelieving inGod, and that the subject of our faith isGod,whenbybelieftheymeanamereimaginingthatthereisaGodsomewherewhohascreatedthe

worldandwhonowcontrols it.Theyremainat thispoint,asleep in their ignorance,andyetdonothesitatetocallthemselvesgoodChristiansandgoodCatholics,astheysay,although theyarealtogether ignorant.Therefore,we shouldnotbe surprised if,devoid of discernment or intelligence, they fight against the doctrine contained inHolyScripture,orwhen theydeny,with incorrigibleobstinacy, thatman is savedbyfaithalone.Theydonotevenknowwhat faith is.Howcarefully, therefore,mustweheedthewordsofPaulherewhich tellus that ifwedonot look toJesusChrist,wecannot knowwhat faith really is.Without him, we cannot know remission of sins,howtoapproachGod,howtoputourtrustinhim,ortocalluponhim.Neitherwillweknowwhat it is to have peace of conscience, or the hope of eternal life. All this isbeyondourreachuntilweareintroducedtoJesusChristanduntilwehavelookedtohimandcastourselvesuponhim.Thiskindoffaithbringsgrace:whenwerecognisethatwearewretchedcreatures,andabominableinGod’ssight,seekingtheremedyinthe Lord Jesus Christ. We must accept that he offered himself for us in order toredeem us from the curse underwhichwe lived, and that he haswashed us in hisblood. By his obedience, he has cancelled all our transgressions so that we can beassured that God accepts and receives us as his children. This is how we canunderstandthispassage.

Having stated that he, and all the Jews that hadbeen converted toChristianityhadbeensavedbyfaithintheLordJesusChrist,Pauladdsthefollowing:‘forbytheworksofthelawshallnofleshbejustified’.Wehaveheardthisbeforeinapplicationto those of his ownnation, buthereheproclaims it in amore general sense to thewholeworld.Whenhesays,‘noflesh’,heprimarilyimpliesthatthereisnodifferencebetween theJewsand theGentileswhen it comes to thewayof salvation.Althoughthe Jews had been circumcised, chosen asGod’s inheritance and sanctified by him,nevertheless, they couldhavenohopeof salvation except throughGod’spure gracealone.SeehowtheyaresetatthesamelevelastheGentiles,havingthesamestatus.Paulseekstoexpelallpridethatmenmayhaveabouttheirownvirtues.Indeed,manyofusknowourselvestobesodepravedthatwecannotpossiblyattributeanyhonourtoourselves,asifweshoulddeserveanythingatGod’shand.Thosewhoaredrunkordebauchedorwhohavegiventhemselvesovertoallkindsofevilfeeltooashamedtoelevate themselves or to boast that they can persuade God to save them by theirmeritsorgoodworks. In fact, theyhide themselveseven fromotherpeoplebecausethey are ashamed of their baseness. But the bigoted, who make a show of their‘holiness’beforemen,aresohardenedthattheydeceivethemselvesintothinkingtheydeserveparadise—asifGodwereindebtedtothem!Thesehypocrites,thoughutterlydepravedandfullofambition,avarice,wickednessandsuchlikethings,becauseofalltheirmanipulations and pretences, believe that God sees nothing wrong with theircorruptpracticesandevenpersuade themselves thathewill accept thembecauseoftheir merits! Those who regularly attend Mass, running from the alehouse to thechapel,buyingpardonsandothersuchthings,observing fastsand feastdays—they

arepuffedupwithvainprideandbelieve thatGodowes themsomething.Bysaying‘no flesh’, Paul declares that it is pointless to separate ourselves from one anotherherebelow,asifoneisjustandtheotherunjust.Wemustallhumbleourselvesandjudgeourselves,knowing thatall ourvirtuesarebut filthy rags inGod’s sight, eventhe very best that we can do. For even if a man were perfectly righteous in ourestimation,becauseheneverharmedanyone,orbecausehecouldresistallkindsofevilandwaschasteandsober—inshort,thoughhewerereputedtobeanangel—yetwithin, therewouldbenothingbut corruption.How is thispossible?Well,wemustneverjudgebytheappearance,forallthatglitters(astheproverbsays)isnotgold.Wecannotjudgewhatissinorvirtuewithoutfirstlookingwithin.ForifamandoesnotascribetoGodwhatisrightfullyhis,heisnotrobbingmenoftheirhonour,butGod.Thus, however muchmenmight praise and commend him, he is full of pride andambition,andnothingwillhumblehimexceptcomingtoknowtheLordJesusChrist.

So then, even those who make a good outward show of religion shall becondemnedbeforeGod.Hence,Paul intendstostopmenfromtrusting in theirownmerits.Butthereisyetmore.Forwhenhesays,‘noflesh’,henotonlyreferstomenwhomGodhasgivenover,whohavenotbeenrenewedbyhisHolySpirit,buthealsoincludesbelievers.ForalthoughGod’sSpiritdwellswithinusafterhehasledustoaknowledge of the gospel and grafted us into the body of the Lord Jesus Christ —although,Isay,God’sSpiritdwellswithinus,weareall includedinthisword ‘flesh’becauseofwhatwearebynature.Thus,whenPauldeclaresherethat ‘nofleshshallbe justified’, he means that unbelievers are condemned in Adam and remaincondemned,andthatbelievers,becausetheywillalwaysbeimperfectandhavemanyspots and blemishes, are condemned as much as the others. Indeed, thiscondemnationisageneralone,forwhoeverseekstobejustifiedbytheworksofthelawwillalwaysfindhimselfguilty—yes,eventheholiestpersonthateverexisted.LetustakeAbrahamasanexampleofperfection,orDavid,whoaboundedinallvirtues,orNoah,Job,andDaniel,whomEzekielnamesasthreerighteousmen(Ezek.14:14).TheyallfallintothesamecategoryasmenwhocouldonlybejustifiedinGod’ssightthroughgrace.

Now then, I ask you all, where do we stand? Those who say that they will bejustifiedbytheirmerits,or‘meritoriousworks’astheycallthem,havetheynotbeendriven to excessive pride by the devil? For who can match David, or Noah, orAbraham,orDaniel?Surely,eventhosewhohavedonewellinGod’sschool,andwhoarefiredbytruezealingivingthemselvestotallytoGod,areconvincedthattheyarestill far from having reached the standard set by David, or even Noah or Daniel!Knowing this, therefore,we can see that theHoly Spirit is here casting down thosewhoexaltthemselvesovermuch,toconvinceusthatwehavenotthemerestdropofrighteousness, so thatwe seek all that pertains to our salvation in the grace of theLordJesusChrist.Nowweunderstandwhatthestatementimplieswhenitsaysthat‘no flesh shall be justified’. It is as if Paul were saying that, when it comes to our

nature,weareonlyevilwithin,despitewhatappearstobethecaseoutwardly.Wemaybegreatlypraisedandrespectedbytheworld;wemaybesurroundedbyvainflattery;butuntilGodworksinustochangeus,wearefulloffilth.Indeed,allthevirtuesthatmenexaltarenothingshortofvicesthatwillleadmentodestructionandplungethemintohell.ForeventhosewhohavebeenrenewedbythegraceofGod,andwhohavelearnttoobeyhimbydoingthethingswhichGodlovesandcherishes,eventheycanbringnothing toGodthatcansettle theiraccountswithhim.Theywillalwaysbe indebtbecauseallthegoodgiftstheyhaveproceedfromGod;also,evensuchmenarecorrupt throughsinand infirmity.Thus,wemustbestrippedofall trust inourownrighteousness.For, fromthegreatest to the leastofus,weareallcondemned. Ifweseekjustificationbythelaw,wearegreatlydeceived—wewillneverfindit.

NowwecanunderstandmuchmoreclearlythetruthofwhatIhavebeensayingconcerning the Lord Jesus Christ as a refuge for those who are convinced of theirspiritualneed.ThismeansthattheonlyrealpreparationforbeliefinJesusChrististobetouchedwithareal,vividsenseandawarenessofoursins.ThisiswhyChristsaid:‘Comeuntome,allyethatlabourandareheavyladen,andIwillgiveyourest...andye shall find rest unto your souls’ (Matt. 11:28-29).Elsewhere, the Scripture clearlysaysthathewassent ‘topreachgoodtidingsuntothemeek.. . toproclaimlibertytothe captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound’ (Isa. 61:1).Therefore, thosewho take pleasure in their sinswill never come to the Lord JesusChrist. Theymay boast that they have faith, formanymockers ofGodprofane thisword,holyasitis.EveryonewishestobethoughtofasaChristian,andnomatterhowdepraved theyare, theywill say that theybelieveasmuchasanyother.Butwhenamanspeaks in thismanner, it isevidenceenough thathehasnotonedropof faith.When truebelievers say, ‘Ibelieve’, theyexpress it ingreatweakness,knowing thathadnotGodtakenpityonthem,eventhelittletheyhadwouldhavebeentakenfromthem.Thosewholoudlyboastthattheyhavecompletefaitharenothingbutdogsandswine,whohaveneveroncetastedtruereligionnorthefearofGod.Theterm‘faith’willalwaysbeshamefullydefiledbythesedogs,whodonothingotherthanmockGod.They cannotdiscernbetweengoodandevil, andare so foolishas towallow in theirownsins.Takeadrunkard,forexample,whoispastshame;afterdrinkingtoexcess,he longs to remain in his intoxicated state. Then there are the whoremongers,perjurers, blasphemers, and suchlike— all ofwhom claim to have faith; but for allthat, it is certain that they are not ready tomeet the Lord Jesus Christ.Why not?Becausetheydonotrealisethattheycanonlybejustifiedbygrace.Letusremember,however, that tobe thoroughlypersuadedthatwecannotbe justifiedby the law,wemust setGodbeforeus onhis judgment throne and summonourselves beforehimeverymorningandevening,knowingthatwemustgiveanaccountofourwholelives.Also,wemust realise thatwewouldbe sent to thepit ahundred thousand times ifGoddidnotpityusandraiseusupinhis infinitemercyThenwewillknowthatwecannot be justified by the law, for we are all under condemnation every time we

compareourselveswithGod.Weneedtohavesuchfear,thatwecannotfindrestuntiltheLordJesusChristhassavedus.See, therefore,howgood it is forus tobeheavyladen,thatistosay,tohateoursinsandtobeinsuchanguishoverthemthatwefeelsurroundedbythepainsofdeath,sothatweseekGodinorderthathemighteaseusofourburden.Wemust,however,seekhimintheknowledgethatwecannotobtainsalvation,fullorinpart,unlessitisgrantedtousasagift.PaulisnotsayingthatwemayfindsomethingofwhatwelackinJesusChrist,andsupplytherestourselves.Hesays we cannot be counted righteous through our own merits, or works, but onlythroughfaith.

Let us, therefore, understand that there is no salvation whatsoever outside ofJesusChrist, forhe is thebeginningand theendof faith,andhe isall inall.Letuscontinueinhumility,knowingthatwecanonlybringcondemnationuponourselves;therefore,weneedtofindallthatpertainstosalvationinthepureandfreemercyofGod.Wemust be able to say that we are saved through faith. God the Father hasappointedhisSontheLordJesusChristthathemightbeboththeauthorandfinisherof our salvation. We are to deny ourselves and give ourselves to him wholly andcompletely,thatallthepraisemightbelongtohim.

NowletusfallbeforethemajestyofourgreatGod,acknowledgingoursins,andasking that he wouldmake us increasingly aware of them, that wemay hate themmoreandmore,andgrowinrepentance(agracethatweneedtoexerciseallourlives).Maywe learnso tomagnifyhisgrace,as it is showntous in theLordJesusChrist,thatwemightbecompletelytakenupwithit;andmaywenotonlydosowithourlips,butplaceourentiretrustinhim.Maywegrowinthattrustuntilwearegatheredupintooureternalhome,whereweshall receive faith’s reward.Mayhenotonlygrantthisgracetous,buttoallpeoples,etc.

WeAllStandCondemnedbytheLaw

ButthatnomanisjustifiedbythelawinthesightofGod,itisevident:for,Thejustshalllivebyfaith.Andthelawisnotoffaith:but,Themanthatdoeththemshallliveinthem.-Gal.3:11-12

Wehaveseenthatmenmustbeworsethaninsane(whatevertheysay)iftheydonotcometotheLordJesusChristforsalvation.Foriftheyclingtothelaw,itwillonlybring damnation, as I have shown; this is borne out sufficiently by our ownexperience.Indeed,whenPaul inhisEpistletotheRomansseekstoprovethatmenaregreatlydeceived if they trust in theirownmerits,hepointsout that the lawcanonlybringGod’swrathandvengeanceuponus(Rom.4:15).Foralthoughwealreadystand condemned (evenbeforeGodhas openedhismouth in judgment againstus),our evil is exposedby the lawbecause it iswritten that ifwe transgress in just onearea, we are God’s enemies and have provoked his wrath against us. What can begainedbyprotestingwhenthesentence isgiven fromtheheavenly throne?There isno room for appeal. Thus, to have a proper understanding of the gospel, we mustrecognise that we need to lean entirely upon the Lord Jesus Christ and his mercyaloneasouronlyhopeofsalvation.Weallneedtoexamineourownlives,forifwedosohonestlyandwithouthypocrisy,ourspiritualstandingwillbeabundantlyclear.ThePapistswillnotagreethatfaithalonecanrenderusacceptabletoGod.Thisisbecausethey have never beenwilling to place themselves before the judgment seat of God,but, instead, prefer to dwell in the darkness, as it were. Therefore, it should notsurpriseus if theygrant themselves complete liberty todoas theyplease.However,thewayoftrue,purereligionisforeachofustoscrutiniseourownlives.Surely,evenifwewerecarefullytoexaminejustoneminuteofourlives,wewouldfindourselvesworthy of eternal death. Indeed, each one of us would discover ourselves to besinners,notinjustoneareabutahundredthousand;notduetosomeonefaultbuttocountlessmillions.Nowifevenweourselvesacknowledgethatwearefullofsomanyblemishes,surelyGodisawareofmanymorethanwecouldeverperceive,becauseheseesmoredeeply thanwecan,asJohnwrites inhisepistle (lJohn3:20).Thus, thecase is settled.Theverdict is thatnoonecanbe justifiedby the law; justification isthroughfaithalone.

Theapostlecontinueshisdiscoursebyaddinganotherargument,whichisthis:ifwe seek our righteousness in the law, itwill be clean contrary to the righteousnessobtainedbytheelectchildrenofGodthroughfaith.‘Whatisjustificationbythelaw?’,Paulasks.Heanswers:‘Themanthatdoeththemshallliveinthem.’Inotherwords,whoeverobeysGodandkeepshiscommandmentswillhavesalvationashisreward.This is a wonderful promise, but what good will it do us? If we were to try to doperfectly all thatGod commands,wewould findGod revealing justwhat a grievous

stateofcondemnationwearein,bybringingourfailuretotheforefront.Whatsortofsalvationwoulditbe,ifeachofushadtoachieveitourselvesanddeserveit?Atfirst,whenwehear thatGod iswilling torewardwiththegiftofeternal lifeallwhohavehonouredandservedhimbykeepinghislaw,itseemslikeawonderfulprospect(thatis,beforeweponder its implications!). ‘What!’,wesay, ‘Here isGod indebted tous,assuringusthatwewillinheritparadiseifonlyweservehimanddohiswill.’Butifwepause to place our lives alongsidehis commandments,wewill find that although itappearsthatGodiswillingtobesokindandindulgenttowardsusastorewardusifweservehimandkeephislaw,thepurposeofthisistoplungeusdeeperintothepitinwhichwealreadyfindourselvesbynature.Whathope,therefore,canwehave?ThesolutionissetforthherebytheapostleinthewordsofHabakkuk:‘Thejustshalllivebyfaith’(Hab.2:4).Letus,therefore,turnawayfromthepromisewhichthelawgivesus,forit isofnovaluetous,andacceptthefreegraceofourGod,whoisstretchingouthisarmstoreceiveus,thatis,ifwefirstridourselvesofallpride.Thisis,ineffect,whatPaulmeanshere.

Thisargumentdisclosestwoopposites.Imaginethis:onepersonclaimsthatfireisasourceofheat,andanotherarrivesandratherobstinatelyarguestheopposite.Wemight say to him, ‘Can ice or frost create heat, then? Surely, they are oppositeelements,andcompletelyincompatiblewithoneanother!’Orimagineaquarrelaboutwhethertheheatofthesunisnecessarytothislifeofoursornot.Well,whatwouldhappeniftherewerenosunintheworld?Wewouldallchokeonfilthyair,whichisonlypurgedbytheshiningofthesun.Therefore,asthereareopposingforcesintherealmofnature,sotheapostlesaysthatwecannotbejustifiedbyboththelawandthegraceofGod!Ifwedesiretobeinhisfavour,itcanonlybethroughhisowngoodnessandloveforus,whichhehasrevealedintheLordJesusChrist,andnotthroughanydignity we possess in and of ourselves. But in order properly to understand thisteaching, we need to pay careful attention to Paul’s words here. He says that therighteousnessof the lawisachievedbyobservingwhateverGodhascommandedus.This proves that keeping the law is quite sufficient to save us, for God has clearlydeclared,‘Thisishowyouaretolive.Thisishowyouaretoorderyourlives’,andhehasgivenusthetencommandmentscontainedinthelaw.Thislawisaninfallibleruleforour lives,andwearenottoseekforperfectrighteousnessanywhereelse.This iswhywearesoopposedtothePapists,whothinktheyareservingGodsofaithfullybydevisingtheirowncommandments.Goddemandsobedience.Letusbeclearthatthelawcontainstheperfectionofholinessinitsteachings;itisnotlawfultoaddanythingto it. Man’s struggle to introduce devotions which he has conceived in his ownimaginationisvanity.

However, the fact that the teachings of the law are sufficient to show us thenatureof truerighteousness, isnot theendof thematter.Wemustmoveon to thenext point,which is, ‘Canwe dowhatGodhas commanded?’We saw thismorningthat we fall very far short and, thus, the promise for all who keep the law is not

applicabletous.ThePapistsaregreatlydeceivedinthismatter:theystillholdtotheliethatGodhasnotcommandedanythingthatwecannotaccomplishourselves.Yet,Paul says the very opposite. They claim in support of their error that God must,therefore,becheatingus,becauseheclearlysays,‘Themanthatdoeththemshallliveinthem.’Butitisveryeasytoresolvethisobjection.Yes,wewould,indeed,bemostconfused over themeaning of this verse, had not God granted us a remedy to thisproblem; otherwise, it wouldmean that no one could live! As I have said, it wouldseem,superficially,thatwehaveeverythingtogain,becauseGodtellsusthatwecanbeacceptableinhissightbykeepingthelaw,andhepromisesusacrownofglory;infact, itwould seem thatwe just cannot lose!Butwhenall is taken intoaccount,wecome back to this same conclusion: noman can obtain eternal life in this way, nomatterhowmuchhedesiresit.Why?Becausenomanobservesthelawperfectly.Itisnotwrittenthat‘Themanwhokeepspartofthelawwilllive’,butallofit.What,then,is justificationby the law?Aperfectobedienceto itwhichdoesnot fallshort inanyway. Such obedience cannot be found on earth: it therefore follows that we are allexcludedfromthepromisewhichisgiveninthelaw.

This,however,doesnotmeanthatGodischeatingus.Hemakessuchapromisebecause men deceive themselves through pride and boast of their own merits; hethereforewishes toconvictusofourguiltandofour inability to fulfilhisdemands.Whatwouldbecomeofusiftherewerenolaw,norsuchapromiseasthis?Thinkofthe heathen — they have always sought to be pleasing to God through their ownvirtuous conduct. Yet, at the same time, they have an awareness of theirshortcomings. This is why they retain the use of sacrifices. Of course, they do notunderstandthetruepurposeofsacrifice;whentheheathensacrificesomething,theyconfessthattheyareindebttoGodandneedtofindacceptancewithhim.Muchlikethe Papists today, they amassmany little rituals in their service to help them findreconciliation with God. Pagans throughout the ages have observed the kind ofpractices that thePapistsuse today.Whatever theymaysay,bothgroups think theycanmakethemselvesworthyofGod’ssalvation.Now,heretheLordissayingthatwearewrongifwethinkhewillnotrewardus,foroutofhisfreegoodnesshepromisestocountusrighteousifweobservehislaw.Thequestionis:dowekeepit?No;wefallveryfarshort,infactsoshortofitthatwearemadetofeeldesperate.Godhasgoodreasonformakingsuchapromise,eventhoughitcannotberealisedinourlives.Itsintention is to correct the pride which fills us to the point of bursting, and whichrequiresadrasticremedy.Andwhatisthisremedy?Well,Godknowsthatwebegintomurmurifhedoesnottreatusaccordingtoourdesires,andthereforeheiswillingtopour out his grace and blessings upon us in this world, in this passing life.Furthermore, he says he is willing to reserve an immortal inheritance for us, uponconditionthatweservehim.Ifwesubmittohimandkeepagoodaccountwithhim,hesayshewillrewardusbothinthislifeandthenext.Insayingallthesethings,heintendsthatallfleshshouldremainsilentbeforehim,confessingthatifGodwereto

punishthem,orsendthemmanyafflictionsandtrials, theywouldbewelldeserved.Forthoseofuswhohaveproperlyexaminedtheirliveswillconfesswithouthypocrisythatwearenotevenworthy toeat thebreadthatsustainsourphysical liveson thisearth.How,then,couldwepossiblymeritparadiseandtheglorythatbelongstoGodalone?Howcouldwereachthisbyourownvirtues?Thus,men’sboastingtonguesaresilenced,eventhroughthismostgenerousandbountifulpromiseoftheLord.

Atthispoint,weoughttonotethatthissamepromiseisfreeinandofitself,butthatwefallsofarshortofitsstandardsthatitwilldousnogoodwhatsoeveruntilwerelinquish our claim upon it. This would seem rather unclear to us, if I did notexpound it inmore detail. The heathen, as Imentioned earlier, think thatGodwillreward them if they livehonest andblameless lives in the sight ofmen.But this isfoolishness, evenmadness, for how could God possibly be indebted to us? (This ismade clear in the seventeenth chapter of Luke— Luke 17:10.) Even if we could dobetterthantheangelsinheaven,woulditmeanthatGodwouldbeboundtorepayus?Notatall!Forwebelong tohim;wearehispossession.OurLordJesusChristusesthepictureofaservant;notspeakingofaservantasweknowittoday,but,ratherofaslave like the ones they used to have in those days. Even if a servantwere killed ahundred times over for hismaster, as it were, living or dying, he is at hismaster’sdisposal.Our Lord JesusChrist is saying to us, ‘You are nomore than poormortalcreaturesyourselves,yetifanyofyouhasaslave,hetreatshimlikeanassoranox.Afterworkingandlabouringhardalldaylong,hereturnshomeintheevening,butthemasterwillnotevenlethimsitdownathistable!Evenso,aservanthasonlydonehisdutyandonly thatwhichhewashired todo.’HasGod lessauthority thanmortals?Eventhoughyoumaybehis,andareseekingtowalkinobediencetohiswill, itcanneverbesaidthatheisinanysensebeholdentoyou.Thus(asIhavealreadyproved),althoughtheLorddeclaredinthelaw,‘Themanthatdoeththemshallliveinthem’,itisimportanttoconsiderwhatmovedhimtomakesuchabountifulpromiseofeternallife. It was not because he was indebted to us! If we kill ourselves, as it were, ahundred times in his service, this cannot make him obliged to pay us any wageswhatever.But,inhismercy,hedrawsnearandsays,‘AlthoughIoweyounothing,andalthoughyoucanbringmenothingworthyofareward(foryouareboundtomeinallpoints and in every respect), yet I desire to recompense you for your labour.Therefore, do your duty, do whatsoever I command and then you will not bedisappointedbutwillreceiveyourreward.’Thisiswhatweneedtoremember,andwewillhearmoreofthisshortly.

As for thePapists, theyacceptpartof this,butnotall.Mostof them(I refer tothosewhoarethePope’sclosestallies)knownothingoftheseprinciples.Yettherearesomewhowill grant that thedivinepromiseof the law (togive life toallwhohaveserved God) does not teach that the works themselves have anymerit in terms ofeternal life, but only because of the promise. However, given that God has boundhimselfinthisway,theyneverthelesshopetodeservesomerewardathishand.Why

dotheythinkinthisway?Well,theysaythat,otherwise,hispromise(‘Themanthatdoeth them shall live in them’)wasmade in vain.However, thesewretches do notunderstandwhatIhavebeenexpounding,namely,thatGod’spromisedoesnotmeanthatmencanmeritsalvationbytheirownworks,butwasratherintendedtoconvicttheir souls and to lead them to true humility. This they shun, through their ownfoolishprideandambition.

Nowwe can see the purpose behind Paul’swords— ifwe claim to be justifiedthroughthelaworthroughourownworks,wemustnotfailintheleastdutyoromittodoanything,howeversmall.Foritiswritten,‘Themanthatdoeththemshallliveinthem’.Now,whatmanissoproudthathewoulddareboasthehasfullydischargedhisdutytowardsGod?Nonebutahypocritewhohasbeenovertakenbydevilishpride,ora profane person who despises God and who has never truly repented, whoseconscienceiseitherasleeporbewitched.Onlysuchapersoncandeceivehimselfintothinking he deserves anything. Thus, since the righteousness of the law isunattainable, and is something from which we are utterly barred, we need to findanother righteousness.Put anotherway,weneedGod to acceptus throughhis freegrace.InsteadofGodreceivinganythingfromus,weneedtheobedienceoftheLordJesusChristtobeimputedtous,thoughwedonotdeserveit.Thus,wearedeliveredby God from our state of condemnation by nature through the abolition of all ouroffencesandiniquities.Ineffect,thisiswhatismeantinanotherpassage,wherePaularguessoadmirablyaboutthisverydoctrine(Rom.3:19).Inthisplace,too,thepointatissueistherighteousnessofthelaw.ItisawondertomethatthePapistshavegonesofarastrayasto ignoresuchaclearwarningasPaulmakes inthe lattertext.Theystill protest thus: ‘What!’, they say, ‘You are making a mockery of God! He haspromised a reward for goodworks. Sincehehaspromisedon somanyoccasions torecompense us, how can he not carry it out? Otherwise,menmight accuse him oflying.’ But Paul answers them thus: ‘My friends, if we think God will accept usbecausewedeservehisfavour,letusexaminethepromisehemadeus.Ifanargumentbreaksoutbetweentwomenoverbuyingorsellingorsomesuchthing,theywillsay,“Let us examine the contract and what is contained within it.” As soon as thedocumenthasbeenread,thecasewillbecomeplain.Oneofthemwillsay,‘Thisarticlebelongstoyou,uponconditionthatyoupayfor it. Ifyoudonotpay,youcanlaynoclaimtoit.”Inthesameway,withreferencetothewayofsalvation,wemustcometotheoriginalandchiefcontractthatGodmadewithus.Now,thatcontract isthelaw.Therefore,ifmenareseekingtobepaidaccordingtotheirservice,theywillfindthatthiswillbanish them fromeverlasting life rather thanenable themtoobtain it.ForGodhasdeclaredthattheyhavetoperformallthathehascommandedthem,beforetheycaninheritthesalvationhehasinstore.’Allthatremainsistofindoutwhetherornotitispossibleforanymantoperformthesecommandmentsperfectly.

Well, as we have already discovered, no one fulfils these requirementssatisfactorily;thus,thepromisecannotapplytousinournaturalstate.However,this

isnotwhatthePapistsbelieve.Theyhearthewords,‘Themanthatdoeththemshallliveinthem’andthinkthemostimportantthingistoobservethelaw.Itisenoughforthem that God has given hisWord to reward them.Whilst it is true that God hasindeedsaidthis,herequiresthatweactuallyfulfilhisdemands.ThePapistswillthenuse the followingpassage,wherePaul says, ‘Fornot thehearers of the law are justbeforeGod,butthedoersofthelawshallbejustified’(Rom.2:13).Theywillusesuchquotations,butareclearlyblindtotheirmeaning,forPaulissayingthatwecanonlybejustifiedifweobeyallthatiscommanded.TheJewsusedtogloryinthelawthathadbeengiventothem,saying, ‘ThelawtellsusthatwearethepeopleofGod.’Butthere was a condition attached to this. And who has fulfilled that condition? Haveyou?Not in the least!Thus,wecannotbe justifiedbyhearing the law,asPaulsays.Howfoolishifeachofussimplycametochurchtohearthemessagethatwasbeingdeclaredhere,andthenwentawayagain,gratifyingourownlusts.PaulsayswemustobservewhatGodcommandsus,yet,sincenoonecandothisproperly,weallstandcondemned.

ThePapists,however,failtoreachthesameconclusionbecausetheyonlyclingtohalfthetext:‘Butthedoersofthelawshallbejustified.’Yes,thisissoifapersonhaskeptthelaw,butfirstshowmesuchaman.InthesameEpistletotheRomans,PaullaterdeclaresthatGod’spromiseofeternallifetoallwhokeephislawisofnovaluetousbecausewecanneverperformitadequately(Rom.8:3).Infact,bynaturewearecompletelyhostile toGod’s righteous standards.Now thathehas regeneratedusbyhisHolySpirit,weareentirelyindebtedtohim;everygoodthingwepossesswehavereceivedfromhishand,andhesimplyrewardshisowngiftsinus.Canwe,therefore,speakofmerit?No. Indeed,wemust go further and say that even thoughourLorddeigns to crownourworkswhen they are good inhis sight, they canonly bepartlygood,fortherewillalwaysbeenoughsinmixedinwiththemtocondemnus.Thus,weare stripped of all confidence in our own righteousness, because our works haveinsufficientworth intheeyesofGod.Ifwewerebeing judgedbythetext, ‘Themanthatdoeththemshallliveinthem’,ourworkswouldbeshowntobetotallyoffensivetoGod.Hewouldsay,as itwere, ‘Youarealldead,damnedand lost.Why?BecausenoneofyouhavedonethethingsIaskedyoutodo,whereasitwasyourdutytodoso.’ThisiswhyweneedtoconsiderthesecondaspecttothesolutionImentioned,whichis‘livingbyfaith’.

Paul,inthepassageIreferredtoearlier(Rom.3:21-22),doesnotquotethewordsofHabakkuk as he does inRomans chapter one and the seventeenth verse. But hesaysthat the lawpoints totherighteousnesswhich isby faith.Therighteousnessofthelaw(thatis,theGod-givenruleinthelawwhichjustifiesus)isthatwemustobeyand observe all his commandments. But the righteousness of faith speaks anotherlanguage.ItsaysthatitisnotformantoseektowinGod’sfavourthroughthewayheliveshislife,andthusearnhisrewardorcrown;rather, it isformantorestentirelyuponGod’sWord,allowingittodwellinhisheartanduponhislips.Forifwebelieve

inourheartsthattheLordJesusChristhasdied,andconfesswithourlipsthathehasrisenagain,weshallbecountedrighteousinGod’ssight(Rom.10:9).NoticethatPaulexplainshismeaningatsomelengthhereforustocomprehendwhyheseparatestherighteousness of the law and the righteousness of faith, showing us that they areincompatibleandcannomorebemixedtogetherthanfireandwater.Notthatthereisanycontradictionbetweenthelawandthegospel(asIhavealreadymadeclear), forweknow that theybothproceed from the sameGod.Butwemust rememberGod’spurposes, as we have said all along. By giving us the righteousness of the law, heintended tohumbleus.Next,wewill comebeforehimrealisingweare condemned;thiswewouldneverhavedoneifhehadnotrevealedtousourownpoverty.WhenwereadthatGodpromisesjustificationifweservehimaright,heissayingineffect,‘Poorcreatures, what worth or value do you have in and of yourselves? Weigh up mycommandments and considerwhat they involve, and then reflect uponhow eachofyou have lived. This will make you feel as if you could drown in self-despair.’ Yet,thoughGod speaks in this vein, he also grants a remedy— ‘Come’, he says, ‘to theteachingsofthegospel’.Andwhatarethey?PaulquotestheexpressionofHabakkuk,fromchapter twoand the fourth verse: ‘The just shall livebyhis faith’.And in thispassagehe explains itmore clearly, aswehave seen, stating thatweneed to resortwhollytotheLordJesusChrist.Forthe‘Word’thatshouldbeinourheartsanduponourlips,bringingustoGod,andopeningthekingdomofheaventous,isnotaWordthatmakesuscleavetothisworldbelow.NordoesitleadustobelievethatGodwillpraiseus forourmerits,allowingus tobepuffedupwithpride.Notatall; rather, itmakesusclingtotheLordJesusChrist.TherighteousnessoffaiththatGodgrantsusinvolvesthefollowing:understandingthatoursinsareblottedoutthroughthedeathand passion of our Lord Jesus Christ; understanding also that through hisresurrection we have obtained righteousness, and are now heirs of his heavenlykingdom(whereasbeforewewerecondemnedtothepitofhell,whichistheheritagethatbelongstousandofwhichweareworthybynature).WemustalsorealisethatinJesusChrist,allthatwelostinAdamisrestoredtous.ThecursewhichcoveredusisremovedwhenGodsetsusfree.Thisistherighteousnessoffaith,andindeed,whenweexaminethecontextoftheversePaulquotesfromtheprophetHabakkuk,wewillseethatitistothisverydoctrinethattheHolySpiritispointing.

Now, theprophethad spokenabout the chastisements and judgments thatGodwould send on the people; therefore, having examined the situation,wemightwellhaveconcludedthatallwaslost.Thenhesaysthattheprideofthewickedwillswelland increase, but that their feet are in a slipperyplace and theywill stumble in theway.Themoretheyseektoexaltthemselves,themoregrievouswillbetheirfall.Thisiswhat theprophetpronouncesupon thewicked.On theotherhand,hesaysof thejustthattheyshall‘livebyfaith’.Noticehesaysthatthejustshalllive,implyingthatGod’s childrenwill not find life here below.Even if theywere to travel all over theworld,andsearchhighandlow,theywouldsoonrealisethatthereisdeathanddecay

everywhere and in everything. However, though they do not enjoy this ‘life’ at thepresent time, they look forward to a life to come, and cherish it in their hearts andmindsby faith. Theprophet is seeking to draw theminds ofGod’s elect away fromboth theworld and themselves, so that theymay cleave entirely toGod, findinghisgracealone sufficient for their salvation.Yet,Paulputs the casemorebriefly inourpassage, because he was fully persuaded of the things I have expounded, and hadalreadywrittenofthem—healwaystaughtthatfaithleadsustofindsalvationinGodalone.Thelaw,thoughitmayappeartobeteachingsomethingverydifferent,actuallyshows us that there is no life in us at all, if we understand it aright. The law says,‘Workhardanddowhatyoucantoobtainparadise.’Whydoesitsaythis?Nottofeedman’s vain confidence in his ownmerits — certainly not! Rather, to prepare us toreceivethegraceof theLordJesusChrist inhumility.For(asIhavesaid),althoughwearefarawayfromGod,weallliketothinkweareworthyofhisacceptance.ButourLordwillbeavengedonsuchpresumptuousness.Hesaystous,‘Letmeseewhatyouhavedone,drawnearandwewillbeginthereckoning.Whicheverofusowesanythingto the otherwill have to pay it. I will not disappoint you; I have the reward inmyhand.Itisallready.IfyouhavedonewhatIhavecommandedyou,donotworry,youwillbewellpaidforyourlabour.Therefore,settoworkandletmeobservehowyouwill serveme.’ In saying this, our Lord, as I have said, prepares and disposes us toknowwhatwearebynature.Whenwehaveacknowledgedourpoverty,thenwewillcometohimtosupplywhatwelack.Thus,thelawleadstofaith,albeitbyasurprisingroute!

Whateverwemay think, therewill alwaysbe theparadoxofwhichPaul speakshere. That is to say, that a person cannot be justified by faith unless he has firstrecognisedandacknowledgedincompletesinceritythatheislost.Forsalvationmustbebasedupontheknowledgethatwedeservedamnation.ItmightseemasifPaulhastakentheprophet’swordstoofar,ifHabakkukwassimplyspeakingoftheafflictionsofthistransitorylife.Thejust‘shalllive’couldmean‘shallsurvive’,eventhoughGodmay afflict and torment him.Hewill not fall if he rests upon the promises ofGod.Paul,however,isnotdealingwiththequestionofGodcomfortingusanddeliveringusfrom the calamities towhichweare subject in thisworld;he is concernedwith thequestion of our eternal salvation, which is of far greater importance than anythingelseinthisfleetinglife.Itmightappear,therefore,asifhehasmisappliedthewordsof the prophet. But let us remember that the words themselves would have beenutteredinvainifthethoughtsoftheprophethadgonenofurtherthanthisworld,forafflictionscomeuponall,upongoodandbadalike.How,then,canwespeakoflivingbyfaith,ifweareconstantlyfallingintothesametrialsthatGodhasalreadydeliveredus fromonce, twiceor three timesbefore? IfGodhas comfortedme today in someafflictionorother,andshownmehisgrace,tomorrowhemayafflictmewithanothertrial.WhatwouldmylifebelikeifIhadbutthisworldalonetotrustin?Therefore,tosumup, the prophetwas saying that although believersmay bemiserable andmay

languishinthis life,nevertheless,Godblessestheminthisworld,and,furthermore,all theevil theyendureherebelowshall turnto felicity.Why?Becausetheytrust intheirGod.Weoughttobeaware,therefore,thatthereisabetterinheritancethanthis,andweneedtoseektrue,everlastinghappiness—thekindthatendures.

Wemust be careful to comment on the word ‘just’ here. For if Habakkuk hadsaid, ‘Wretchedsinnersshall livebyfaith’,wewouldperhapshaveimaginedthathiswordswere addressed to just a handful of people.Mostwill freely accept that poorsinnersneedtofleetoGodforrefuge,butasforthoseofnoblervirtues,surelytheyareexempt fromwhatapplies to thecommonpeople,Godhavingexalted themtoahigher degree? Surely it is their prerogative to be justified?Even today, though thePopishclergy(astheycall them),withall theirceremonies,arefilthyinGod’ssight,andought tobeabhorredbybothGodandman,yet theypresume,becauseof theirmonkish habit and all the rest of their nonsense, that God is greatly in their debt!Thesebigots,havingdoneall theirbabbling,and trottingupanddown fromaltar toaltar,andfromchapeltochapelonvariouspilgrimages,hopethatGodwillrememberall theirworks. They hope that all of thiswill be put towards the payment of theiraccount,withahundredthousandotherthingsthattheyplantopresenttoGod!Thisis why the Lord Jesus Christ said that poor wretched sinners, even harlots, wouldenterthekingdomofheavensoonerthanallthesefoultoadswhoarepuffedupwithpride in their own merits (Matt. 21:31)! Although their lives are full of wickedabominations,yetintheirhypocrisytheysupposethatGodisboundtorewardthem.

Now, to eliminate all opportunity of entertaining such thoughts, the prophetexpressly says, ‘The just shall live by his faith.’ At first, the meaning of this versemightbeobscuretous.Doesitmeanthatinordertohaverighteousnesswemustfirstlivebyfaith?Ifthisisthecase,thosewhodonotlivebyfaithcannotberighteous.Butwhatisthejustificationspokenofinthegospel?Itisthis—Godfreelygrantingusthemeansbywhichwemayhaveaccesstohim.WecanbeacceptabletohimintheLordJesus Christ alone, for we cannot obtain righteousness through the law. Thus,althoughamanmaylivebyfaith,heisnotrighteousinandofhimself.Theprophet,therefore,meansthat the justaresavedbythefreegraceofGodalone.It isas ifhewere saying, ‘PerhapsGodwill grant you grace to serve him acceptably, impressinguponyourheartbyhisHolySpirittruefearandazealtoglorifyhimashedeserves.Hemaywell enable you to struggle against the lusts of the flesh to a great extent,strivingwiththesinwhichispartofyournature.Yetforallthis,youmuststillturnyourbackuponall thatyouhavedone ifyouareseeking topleaseGod.’ Indeed,wemustrestupontheLordJesusChristalone.Ifeventhosewhoarerighteouscanonlybe justified through faith,who is therewhowilldare toseek tobe justified throughmerit?Onlydevils,wickedmenandtheenemiesofGod.

Thus,whenthePapistsboast today(as theydo)about thepurityof theirworksandmeritorious deeds, they only prove that they do not know themeaning of true

righteousness.TheyareflyinginthefaceofbothGodandnature.Theysaytheywanttobe righteous—whatdo theymean?Theymean in themselves, throughworksofmerit.Butwhatdoestheprophetsay?Hedoesnotsaythatthejustshalllivebytheirworks,butthattheywillbesavedbythegraceofGodalone.Ifthejustrenounce,astheyought,alltrustintheirownmerit,itfollowsthatthosewhothinktheycancomebeforeGod in the strength of their owndeeds and that hewill be bound to rewardthem,arestrikingthemselvesofftheregisteroftherighteous.Thus,accordingtothestatementutteredherebytheprophet,thePapistsarerejectedbyGodiftheycontinueintheirerrors.PaulquotesthewordsofDavid:‘BlessedisthemantowhomtheLordwill not impute sin.’ He teaches us that the righteous are those who condemnthemselves,feelingintheverydepthsofdespair,untilGod, inhisgoodness,rescuesthem(Rom.4:8;Psa.32:1ff).WhenDavidsaid,‘BlessedisthemantowhomtheLordwillnotimputesin’,hewasnot,atthisstageofhislife,awickedordissoluteman,noronewhodespisedGodorwhohadneverexaminedhisconsciencetoexposehissin!Onthecontrary,Godhadchosenhim;hehadanointedhimthroughSamuel;hehadmade him one of the foremost prophets. His kingdom prefigured that of the LordJesus Christ. In short, God had so transformed him that hewas now like an angelliving amongst men. Yet, he confessed and acknowledged his sins, sorrowing andmourningoverthem,andwasinastateoftormentlikethatofhellitself.HeremainedthustortureduntilGodcameanddisplayedhismercy,knowingnojoyorpeaceuntilGod granted him forgiveness.We, too, can only be happy if God overlooks all ourdeeds andblots out all our sins.This joy is ours ifGod is gracious tous, no longerconsideringwhatwe arebynature—poor, condemned sinners—and acceptingus,not as we are in our own persons, but for the sake of his only Son. Indeed, Davidreiterates this teaching in anotherplace (Psa. 143:2): ‘Enternot into judgmentwiththyservant:forinthysightshallnomanlivingbejustified.’

Letus,therefore,learnthefollowinglesson:themoreamanfearsGod,themorehewillbeashamedofhissin.Consciousnessofsinisnotsomethingthatshouldlastforamerethreeorfourmonths—weoughttodetestoursinsfortherestofourlives.After all, let us remember that the mouth of hell is open, ready to swallow us upunlessGodsuppliesthegraceweneedsodesperatelyandplucksusoutofthepitofdeath.Thisiswhyitiswrittenthat‘thejustshalllivebyfaith’—notasadoctrinethatappliesforthreeorfourmonthsonly;noris itwrittenforthosewhoselivesarelessholythanothers.Godaddressesthesewordseventotheverynoblestamongstus.

Nowbeforeweend,weneedtocommentupontheword‘live’.Itdoesnotrefertoafixedlengthoftime,sayadayorthreemonths.Itspeaks,instead,ofalifelivedbyGod’sgraceeverymoment,inwhichweseekhispresenceandgracedaybydaytotheendofourearthlylives.Althoughourlivesarehiddeninthisworld,asPaulsays(Col.3:3), andweseenothingbutdeath in frontofus,weneed to rest entirelyupon thepromiseofGod.Hehasassuredusofeternallifeandthislifeishistogive—hewillreserveit forus!HehaspledgedittousbysendingtheLordJesusChrist,whodied

androseagain foroursakes.Nowweno longerneedask, ‘Whowillgoup forus toheaven?’.Or, ‘Whowill descend into thedepths?’Or, ‘Whowill go over the sea forus?’. ‘TheWordisnighthee,eveninthymouthandinthyheart’(Deut.30:12;Rom.10:6-8). We know that our Lord Jesus Christ descended into the deep; that is, hebecame a curse for us (as we shall see, Godwilling, in the next sermon— let thissufficeusfornow).Alsoheascendedintoheavenandopenedthedoorforus,sinceheenteredonourbehalf.Letusfindgreatassuranceinthesetruthsandallowourselvestobelikepoor,deadmeninthisworldwhileweawaittherevelationofthelifewhichhasbeenpromisedus.ThereisnodoubtbutthatGodwillrevealandmanifestittousinhis time, andwewill fully rejoice in that ‘life’whichhis holy gospel has so longproclaimed.

NowletusfallbeforethemajestyofourgreatGod,acknowledgingoursins,andprayingthathewouldmakeusincreasinglyconsciousofthem.Maywebesoaffectedby themthatwecastourselvesdownbeforehim, tremblingandgroaningunder theburdenoftheweaknessesandsinswhichbesetus,untilhehasfullypurgedus.Letusalso pray that, during this mortal life, he would bear us up until he has utterlydeliveredusfromslaverytosinandbondagetoSatan;until,Isay,hehasgranteduscompleteliberty.Mayhenotonlygrantthisgracetous,buttoallpeoples,etc.

WhenCurseBecomesBlessing

Christhathredeemedusfromthecurseofthelaw,beingmadeacurseforus:foritiswritten, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing ofAbrahammightcomeontheGentilesthroughJesusChrist;thatwemightreceivethepromiseoftheSpiritthroughfaith...-Gal.3:13-18

Aswehaveseen,ifouronlyhopeofsalvationrestedupontheconditionthatwefulfil our duty, we would all be condemned; for we have all fallen short in manydifferentwaysandare, therefore,guilty in theeyesofGod. Indeed,even theholiestamongstuscanneverclaimtohavereachedastateofperfection,neveragaintofall,andfreefromall infirmity!Weare,therefore,ledtoconcludethatwewillallbelostand condemnedwhenGod callsus to account.This isman’s true condition,despitethehighregardhemayhave forhimself!Therefore,weneedsomemeansofescapefromthecurseweareunder.Otherwise,whatgoodwillitdoustohaveourearsdailyassailedbytheWordofGod?Itwillonlypushusclosertowardseternaldeath.Thus,inorderthattheWordofGodshouldprofitandassistustofindsalvation,wehavetofindawayofescapefromthesentenceofjudgmentpronounceduponthehumanrace.Paulpointsoutthewayofescapetoushere:‘Christhathredeemedusfromthecurseof the law,beingmadeacurse forus.’Heshowsus that itwasnot invain thatourLordJesusChristhungon the tree, forhesuffered tobear thecurseofall thosehewouldcalltosalvation.

Aswehavesaid,weareallunderthiscurse,whichmeansitwasnecessaryforourLordtotakeourburdenofsinuponhimself.InthelawofMoses,itiswritten:‘Cursedis everyone that hangeth on a tree’ (Deut. 21:23). Our Lord commanded that thebodiesof thedeadshouldbe removed fromsight,because itwasadisgrace toseeahumanbodythusdefiledandthereforehedesiredittobetakenaway.Yet,whenGodpronouncedthiscurseuponallwhohunguponatree,heknewonlytoowellwhatwasgoingtohappentohisonlySon.FortheLordJesusChristdidnotsuffersuchadeathbyaccident,noraccordingtothewhimofman.Whilstitistruethathewascrucifiedby unbelievers, it had been ordained by the will of God (Acts 2:23; 4:28). As it iswritten,GodsolovedtheworldthathedidnotevensparehisonlySon,butdeliveredhimuptodeathforus.Indeed,ifhisdeathhadbeendeterminedbyJudasalone,whohad him wickedly and forcibly led away, this could not be the foundation for oursalvationatall!WemustrememberthatGodhadappointeditthus,asPeterexpoundsin greater depth in Acts chapter two, verse twenty-three, where he states that thewicked hands that crucified our Lord Jesus did no more than God had previouslydeterminedinhiswill.Thus,whenwereadthatourLordJesusChristwascrucified,wemustrememberthat itwasall foroursalvation,becausebythismeansGodwasseekingtoreconcileustohimself.Therefore,whenGodsaid,‘Cursediseveryonethat

hangethona tree’,hewasnot ignorantofwhatwasgoingtooccur, forallhadbeensettledandpredetermined.

Thesetwofactsmustbecarefullyheldtogether—thatGodhassaidthatwhoeverhangsupona tree is cursed, but that itwashiswill forhis ownSon to suffer thus.Whywasthis?Hetookourburdenuponhimself,asoursubstitute,andmadehimself,asitwere,thechiefofsinnersonourbehalf.JesusChristbecameacurseinordertodeliverusfromthecurseofthelaw.ItmayseemharshandstrangeatfirstsightthattheLordofGlory,hewhohasallsovereignauthority,andbeforewhomalltheangelsofheaventrembleandprostratethemselves,shouldbesubjecttoacurse.ButwemustcalltomindwhatPaulwroteinthefirstlettertotheCorinthians,thatistosay,thatgospel teaching is foolishness to thehuman race,who regard themselves aswise (1Cor.1:18,23).Indeed,inthisway,Godhumblesusforourfolly.Forthereisenoughwiseandgoodinstruction,ifwecaretoheedit,intheheavenandeartharoundus;yetweareblindandshutoureyes toGod’swisdomdisplayed innature.This iswhyhehasopenedupanewwaytodrawustohimself—throughsomethingwhichwedeemfoolish!Thus,wemustnot judgewhatwe readhere, concerning the curse towhichtheSonofGodwassubject,byourownhumanreasoning.Instead,weshoulddelightin such a mystery and give glory to God that he loved our souls so much that heredeemed them at such inestimable cost to himself. Far from detracting from themajesty of our Lord Jesus Christ, or obscuring the glorywhich theHoly Scripturesattribute to him, this teaching provides occasion to glorify him evenmore. Indeed,maywealldoso,forhereisourLordJesusChristrefusingtoconsideritrobbery(asPaul expresses it) to reveal himself in his infinite glory (Phil. 2:6). He willinglyemptiedhimself;henotonlytookuponhimselfahumannatureandbecameaman,buthe also submitted to amost shameful death in the sight of bothGod andman.Howprecioustohimwemusthavebeenforhimtoallowhimselftoexperiencesuchextreme suffering for our redemption! Ifwe couldbut taste somethingofwhat thisimplies,wewouldforevermagnifytheunspeakablegracewhichsurpassesallhumanunderstanding. However, although we cannot comprehend it fully, and can onlyfathomthehundredthpartofit,itdelightsustoknowthatwecangraspsomethingofitsmeaning,howeversmall!

Yet, how this exposes themalice and perversity that is inman! ForwhenPauldeclaresthatourLordJesusChristbecameacurseforus,itwashesoverus.Thereareeven those who are so depraved that they will see this as an occasion to behavescandalously, abandoning thegospel altogetherwhen theyhearof theway inwhichChristhas redeemedus.Suchpeople say, ‘What!Can itbe that theSonofGod, thefountainofallthatisgood,andtheonewhosanctifiesus,hasbeencursed?’Totheirwayofthinking,Godhasactedinanunreasonableanddisorderlyfashion!But,(asIhavebeensaying),Godhadtostooptothis ‘folly’becausewedidnotrespondtohiswisdom,thoughthewaywasclearlyevident;thusheexposesourownignorance!WecanonlywonderatthemysteriesofGod,fortheirsignificancemaybeobscuretous

andseemstrange;forinthefaceofsuchwonders,ourintellectfailsandourpowersofreasoningareconfounded!

ThefactthattheSonofGodbecameacurseforusdemandsafullerexaminationof our sinful state. Indeed,webegin to realise thatwe aredetestable in the eyes ofGod,thatis,untiloursinsandiniquitieshavebeencleansedinthebloodoftheLordJesusChrist.Forevenifalltheangelsofheavenweretobemadeanswerableforus,thepricetheywouldpaywouldbeinsufficient.TheonlyoneabletomakesatisfactionforoursinsistheLordJesusChrist.But,whenhecametothisworld,itwasnotbyadisplay of divine and heavenly power that he paid our debt of eternal death. How,then,didhecome?Inweakness;indeed,notonlyso,buthewasaccursed.Ifthishadnotbeenthecase,ourburdenswouldhavecrushedusandallwouldhaveperishedintheabyss.WhenweunderstandthattheSonofGod,theLambwithoutblemish,themirrorandfountainofallrighteousness, thatthisOnewascursedforus,shouldwenot be horrified at the thought of all our sins and engulfed in despair until Godrescuesusinhisgraceandinfinitemercy?Therefore,letusbeawarethatwhenGodsays he has redeemed us from the curse of the law, it is to bring us to a state ofcomplete humility. We can never be humble unless we are first stripped of self-confidenceandbecomeashamedatwhat lieswithinus.Thenweare frightenedandlost,knowing that thewrathofGodhangsoverusuntil the remedy isapplied tousthroughourLordJesusChrist.Thus,ourwhole life isdetestable inGod’s sightandthere isnomeansof reconciliationwithhimapart from theLordJesusChrist,whotakesawaythecursewhich isuponusandbears ithimself.Now,eachtimethatwereadthispassage,weshouldariseandpresentourselvesbeforethejudgmentseatofGod,awarethatthereisapitwaitingtoswallowusupifweremainasweare.Letusfeelour lostconditionandbeashamedbeforeGod.Furthermore, letusmagnify thegraceboughtforusbytheSonofGod,andbecarefulnottodetractfromhisworthinanywaywhatsoever,eventhoughhebecameacurse.Thisought,rather,tostirustorenderallthepraisethathedeserves,forhehasprovedoursalvationtobesoprecioustohim.

Moreover,letusproperlyappreciatesuchapledgeofoursalvationanddisplayofthe loveGod has for us, and let us not doubt thatwe are acceptable inGod’s sightwhenweapproachhim.Forhehasredeemedusatsuchacost,asPetershowsinhisfirstepistle—notwithsilverorcorruptiblethingsbutwiththeLordJesusChristwhobecamearansomforus(1Pet.1:18).Therefore,wemusttrustthatwheneverwecomeinhisname toask formercy, itwillbebestoweduponus.But ifwecomebelievingthatwehaveascrapofmerit,whatgoodis it?WeknowhowmuchtheFatherlovestheSon,andhowprecioushisdeathwasinhissight.Forthisreason,wecanhavefullconfidence thatGodwill forgiveusandbe favourableandkind tous ifwecleave towhatPaulshowsushere:namely, thatourLordJesusChrist sparednothing forus,eventothepointofbearingourcurse.

However, let us turn our attention to what Paul continues to say: ‘That theblessingofAbrahammightcomeontheGentilesthroughJesusChrist;thatwemightreceive thepromiseof theSpirit through faith.’BymentioningAbraham,he revealsthat the promise belonged first to those who descended from him. For the gift ofsalvationwasfortheJewsuntilGodopenedthedoorstoeveryoneelse,andspreadhisgospel abroad, that allmight share in the redemption purchased by the Lord JesusChrist.ForalthoughthispromiseoriginallybelongedtotheJewsandwaspeculiartothem, itwasmadeapplicable to thewholeworld.How is thispossible?Because thepromise originated in the Spirit and was not dependent upon observing theceremonies.ByreferringustotheSpirit,Paulblotsoutallthefalsedoctrinestaughtbyseducerswhosought tomix the lawandthegospel together.He isrevealingthatnow all these things are superfluous, that is to say, sacrifices, circumcision andsuchlike.Thisisnottoarguethatwecannotprofitbyreadingwhatiscontainedinthelaw: no, but the practice of it has been abolished. This is why we can say that thepromise is a spiritual one for us today, because we no longer need the types andshadowsofdaysgoneby.NowwearesimplycalledandinvitedtocommunewithourGod.Nowweareable tocry tohimwithcompleteconfidence,because,havingbeenadopted by him, we lean entirely upon the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the onlyfoundationthegospelallows;wefindallweneedinhim.Thisis,ineffect,whatPaulintendsustolearnfromthispassage.

Toreinforcethemessage,headdsanotherpointwhichprovesthatthegospel istheperfectrevelationofthewayofsalvation,andthatweneednootherteachingbutthesimpledoctrineofjustificationthroughthefreegraceofourGod.Hetellsusthatthe lawwasgiven fourhundredand thirty years after the freepromiseof salvation.Nowweknowthatacovenantmadebetweenmen,ifitistobeauthentic,muststand,nomatterwhat happens. It follows, therefore, that the lawwas not given to cancelwhat God had promised to Abraham and his descendants (and consequently to therestofus).Wemayat firstquestionthisargumentofPaul’s, thinkingthatasecondcontractmust annul the first.As soon asmenhave entered an agreement, they areliabletohavesecondthoughtsandchangetheirminds,makingthefirstcontractnullandvoid.Thesameapplies to lawsandstatutes, fora first lawcaneasilybebrokenand invalidated by a second. But Paul presupposes something which needs to beconsidered,whichisthatifamanhaspromisedandsolemnlyobligatedhimselftodosomething,hecannotretracehissteps—theagreementmustremainfirm.Yet,iftwopartiesweretoagreetogethertochangetheirpreviousresolutionsbymutualconsent,thisisadifferentcase.Indeed,suchanexampleisalmostirrelevanthereifwebearinmind that men change their ideas so lightly at the slightest whim. Paul, however,presupposesthatthe‘person’inquestionhasmadeacovenantwhichwillendure,andwhichwillnotbedisputedorcontravenedafterwardsinanywaywhatsoever.Ifoneofthepartiesweretobreakthatoriginalcovenant,itwouldbecountedterribletreacherywhichallmenalikewouldjudgeintolerable,sincetheagreementwassosolemnlyand

formally recorded that it must be upheld and maintained without the slightestcontradiction.Now,is itpossiblethattherecouldbelessconstancyinGodthaninaman, who is mere vanity by comparison? Therefore, I conclude that the gospelpromiseholdsfirmbecausethefreepromisewasmadebeforethearrivalofthelaw.

Allthiscouldmystifyusifitwerenotexplainedingreaterdetail.WehavealreadydealtwiththecontrastPaulmakesbetweenthelawandthegospelinpreviousstudies.WhenGodpromisedsalvation,itwasuponconditionthatweservedhim,completelyfulfillingourdutytohim.This,however, isnotpossible;thus,weareexcludedfromallhopeof salvationby the law. It isnot thatGod isunfaithfulonhispart: it iswewho do notmeet his requirements! It is like amanwho says, ‘I amwilling to sellgoodstoyouonconditionthatyouhavethemoney.’Thus,whoeverdoesnothaveapennycannotbuyanyofthegoods,forthisistheconditionthatwassetdowninthefirstplace.Similarly,Godpromisesthatwewillinheritsalvationifweservehim,butthisdoesnotbenefitusbecausewecannotfulfilwhathedemands.Indeed,wearesofull of iniquity, so polluted and infected inhis sight, that he quite justly regardsuswith detestation. Therefore, we all stand condemned under the law. However, Godfreely and graciously accepts us through the Lord Jesus Christ, who offers us theremission of our sins. In fact, he greatly desires us to accept the grace that we areofferedandtoleancompletelyontheLordJesusChrist,notuponourselves.

Now Paul asks, ‘Which ismore ancient— the free promise of salvation or thelaw?’Weare aware of thedifferencebetween them.Now, if the lawwere themoreancient,itmustholdfirm,becauseGodneverchangesandisnotsubjecttovariation.However, if the free promise came first andwasmade before the lawwas decreed,thenwemustconcludethatGodhasnotchangedhismind,norwithdrawnhisoriginalpromise.Hewould not have desired the abolition of this covenant, for suchwouldhavebeenawithdrawalofhiskindnessandmercy.If,atonetime,heboundhimselfout of his free bounty to give salvation to men on a basis other than merit,subsequentlychanginghismindasifhedesiredustoenrichhimbyourgoodworks,itwould be absurd! Paul tells us that the free promise was given before the law. Itthereforefollowsthatthelawdoesnotchangeanythingaboutthepromise;itsnatureand its force remain intact.Whilst it is true that the Lord JesusChrist had not yetbeen born on earth when the promise was made to our father Abraham, he hadalreadybeenchosenasourMediatorbecause,throughhimwewouldbereconciledtoGod.

Now, in casewe think that the lawmust have been unnecessary, or that theremusthavebeenachangeofmindonthepartofGod,Paulnextaddressesthismatter.Wemustnotbecomeconfused; though it isnotpossible toexplaineverything inanhour, nor indeed in a day, it is enough for themoment for us tohave this one factclearlyunderstood:thatthepromisetoordainustobehischildrenwasmadebyGodbefore the law. Indeed, it was not made with reference to our merit or personal

worthiness;God did this out of his own goodness andmercy and expected nothingfromusbecauseheknewwewerefullofnothingbutwretchedsin.Thispromisehadits foundation in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose office was already that ofMediator,grantingaccesstoGodtheFather.Havingsaidthis,weconcludethatthispromisewillenduretotheendoftheworld.ThemainreasonthismustbesaidisbecausetheJewstendedtoboastintheirheritage.PaulseekstotellthemthattheirfatherAbrahamdidnothavethelawandyetwascontent,althoughhedid,ofcourse,offersacrificesandthelike.But,eventhoughhewaseventuallycircumcised,atthetimehereceivedthepromisenowrittencodeasyetexistedandnotevenanycircumcision.ForalthoughAbrahamwas not circumcisedwhen he received the promise, hewas, nevertheless,justifiedapartfromcircumcisionbyfaithalone.Therefore,PauldemonstratestotheJews that it is very foolish indeed to count themselves in a category apart from therest of humanity, and to base their hopes upon the types and shadows of the law,seeingthattheirfatherAbraham,thechiefpatriarchofthechurch,wasjustifiedinthesamewayaspeopletoday.Inotherwords,hewasjustifiedbythemercyofGodalone,havingrecognisedthathewasapoorsinner, lostandcondemned inAdam,andthatthe only blessing he could hope forwas to be included in the promisemade in thenameoftheLordJesusChrist.Thisiswhatwearetoremember.

Next, we must carefully consider the promise addressed directly to Abraham,which revealed to him that all nations on earthwould be blessed through his seed(Gen.12:3).Now,therearetwomainpointsmadehere.Oneisthattheblessingisnotonlypromised to the earthlydescendantsofAbraham (aswehave seen), but to thewholeworldingeneral.Thus,wewhodescendfromGentilestock(thatis,fromthosewhoareuncleanandwhowereoriginallybanished fromtheheavenlykingdom)canalsoshare in thispromise.Althoughwedonotbelong to thatholy lineage thatGodchoseatthebeginning,yetnowsalvationextendseventous.Howisthis?Becauseitwaspromisedthatallthenationsonearthwouldbeblessed.Thisbeingthecase,darewespeakasifGodhaswithdrawnhisliberalhand,andonlyseeksthedescendantsofAbraham,whenhehadalreadydeclaredthathewouldrevealhimselfas theSaviourandFatherofmankindwhenthetimewasright?Thus,themostimportantpointhereis this: though this promisewasmade to Abraham, it did not apply to his physicaldescendantsalone,buttoallmen,eventhoughthiswasnotapparentatfirstbecausethefulnessoftimehadnotcome,asweshallseeinthefollowingchapter.

ThesecondpointisthattheblessingpromisedtoAbrahamwasforhisseed.Paulsaysthathedoesnotreferto‘seeds’intheplural,buttooneseed;wemust,therefore,concludethatheisreferringtoJesusChrist.WemightperhapshavefeltthatPaulismakingmuchofsomethingwhichhaslittlerelevance;afterall,theterm‘seed’referssimplytodescendants,notspecificallytooneman,nortoten,nortoforty!Surely,itspeaksof awhole raceofpeople, the seedofAbrahambeing the race thatdescendsfromhim. Indeed, this comprised such a greatmultitude that itwas said to be liketwelvepeoples(Gen.17:6);forwhenwerefertoapeople,wespeakofaboutahundred

thousandmen, and thereweremore than this in the tribe of Judah alone! Thus, itwould seem thatPaul hadnot properly consideredwhatGod intendedby thisword‘seed’, when he says that it refers to just one man. But we must weigh up Paul’sconclusionsinordertorealisethattheyarecorrectandfirmlyestablished;indeed,weshallseethathisargumentisutterlyinfallible.

Abraham did not have just one son; after Ishmael, he had Isaac. And whathappened tohisoldest son?Hewas castoutofhishouse, aswe shall seewhenwecometoconsiderthenextchapter.Thus,hereisIshmael,whohasalltheprivilegesofbeingthefirst-bornofAbraham’shousehold,beingcastoutlikeastranger,justasitiswritten,‘Castoutthisbondwomanandherson:forthesonofthisbondwomanshallnotbeheirwithmyson,evenwithIsaac’(Gen.21:10).Afterthis,otherchildrenwereborntohim(Gen.25:1ff).Hegaveeachonetheirallottedportionandthensentthemaway.OnlyIsaacremainedwithAbraham.IntimeIsaachadtwochildren,twinsbornofthesamewomb(Gen.25:22-23).Thefirst-born,Esau,whooughttohavehadtheauthority,wasrejectedandnotcountedasadescendantofAbraham;thus,hehadnoshare in the promised blessings. That left only Jacob, for his father ignorantly andmistakenlyblessedhim, thendeclared thathecouldnotwithdrawthatblessing,noralter what he had said since he had been the instrument of the Holy Spirit (Gen.27:37).Ifwetaketheterm‘seed’toapplytothosewhodescendfromAbraham,thensurely this will include such people as the Ishmaelites andHagarenes (as they arecalled) and the like. If this were so, the Idumaeans, their servants, might also becounted as part of his household. But the inheritance was taken away from thesepeople.Therefore, thephrase ‘the seedofAbraham’mustbeunderstood ina ratherdifferentway.

Letusthinkthroughtheissueforamoment.Withoutfaith,whatwouldunitethechurch?Therewouldbenosuremeansofdiscerning thespiritualseedofAbraham.Howwouldwedistinguishthemfromtherestofmankind?TheonlywayisbycomingtotheHead,inotherwords,totheLordJesusChrist.TheunityofthebodydependsonitsHead,onitsRedeemer.ThisiswhyPaulsaysthatthepromisedoesnotrefertoseedintheplural,buttooneman,towhomwemustcomeifwearetodiscoverhisspiritualpeople.Inotherwords,ifwedesiretolocatethechurchofGod,wemuststartwith the Lord Jesus Christ, because his own will be gathered round him. All whobelong to his body and cleave to him by faith are the children of God, and are hisservants. These are truly the seed of Abraham. This is discussedmore fully in theEpistle to theRomans,chapternine,versesix,where itsays, ‘Theyarenotall IsraelwhoareofIsrael.’Howisthis?Well,therewasreallyonlyonechildofpromise:Isaac.Therefore,wemustcometotheLordJesusChrist,forinhimallthepromisesofGodare ‘yes and amen’, being absolutely firm and sure (2 Cor. 1:20).Without him, wewould all be lost. This is why it is written in the first chapter of Colossians, versetwenty, that the office of the Lord Jesus Christ was to gather together all that hadbeenscatteredinheavenandonearth;withouthim,wewouldallbeconfounded.

Nowwe can seemuchmore clearly the lineofPaul’s argument.Before the lawwas imparted to theworld, that is, beforewewere informedof ourduty toobey allthatiswrittentherein,Godhadalreadyrevealedhisgoodpleasure.Seeingthehumanrace lostandcondemned,hedesired tobringhiselect tohimself inorder tobestowmercyon them.Thiswasnot only for one racebut for ‘all nations’ as theScriptureasserts.AndthesourceofthatmercyistheLordJesusChrist.Indeed,whenAbrahamwasalive,ourLordJesusChristhadalreadybeenappointedMediator, that throughhimthewrathofGodagainstusmightbeappeased.Thus,whenwecomeinhisnameasking for grace, it will be supplied to us and our expectations will not bedisappointed.Thishadalreadybeenestablishedand,happily,nothinghaschanged;wecanbesurethatGodacceptsustodayifwearefullyrootedandgroundedintheLordJesusChrist.Forthecovenantmadeinhisnameshallnotchange—itispermanentandwillalwaysbeinforce.Thus,wemayfreelycomebeforeGodandcalluponhimasourFather sincehehas adoptedus ashis children;notbecause therewas anythingworthyinus,butonlybecauseofhismercyareweunitedbyfaithtotheLordJesusChrist.

However,inordertoreceivethegraceofGodandhaveassuranceofsalvation,weneedtorenounceallopinionswemighthaveofourownworth.Wemustgiveheedtowhat isdeclared inthispassageconcerningfaith, for it isonlythroughfaiththatweare enabled to enjoy such blessing. Faith (as we have explained) means that weembracethemercyofGod.Butwecannothavefaithuntilwehavebeentouchedwitha sense of our own poverty, for the Lord Jesus Christ, by becoming a curse for us,presentsuswithapictureofourcursedstate.Faith, therefore, cannotexistwithoutrepentance, for it isnotpossible forustocometoGodseekingsalvationandaskinghimtopityourmiserablecondition,unlesswehavebeenconvictedinoursoulsandled to deplore ourselves.Hypocriteswhomock atGod bywallowing, intoxicated, intheirsins,mustnotexpectJesusChrist toreceive themashisown; forsuchpeoplemaynotevensomuchasapproachhim. Indeed,his invitation is intended for thosewholabourandareheavyladen(Matt.11:28),whocanbearnomoreandwhostaggerundertheburdenoftheirsins.ThisishowwemustapproachtheLordJesusChrist,notwith anymerit of our own; for all the ceremonial law and all the sacrificeswecouldoffercannotcontributetooursalvation.Rather,beforeGodshowsusmercy,wemustcomeinastateofhumility,fullyawareofourmiserablecondition.Wearefirstbrought low inorder thatwemightperceive the curse thatweareunder,beforewecanrejoicethatwehavebeenpurchasedatsuchinestimablecost.Thishasbeenourthemethroughoutourstudy.

Thus,itisbyfaiththatwereceivethepromiseoftheSpiritandbecomeunitedtotheLordJesusChrist.WebecomepartofthespiritualseedofAbraham.Althoughwedo not physically descend fromhis family, it is enough thatwe are united togetherwithhimby faith. Indeed,wehavebeen regeneratedby incorruptible seed, asPeter

says, in otherwords by theWord of God, the Scriptures (1 Pet. 1:23).Having beentransformed,weunderstandthatGodacceptsusaspartof thebodyofhisonlySon.ThoughofGentiledescent,wecanstillbejoinedtohischurch,sincefaithisallthatisrequired. Here, all pride in human virtues and merits must cease, and men mustrecognisethattheyshallbeutterlyconfoundedunlesstheyseekGodinthewaythathehasappointed.Havingsaid this, letus learnnot tobeblownhereand there, likeunstablemen,whowillnotbecontentwithwhatGodhasdeclaredbutmustalwaysadd something to it of their devising. We need to guard against such an unholymixture.IintendtoexpanduponthisafterlunchinthewillofGod.LetJesusChristbeoursufficiency,sinceoursalvationdependsentirelyuponhim;wewilllacknothingifwehaveaninterestinhim.ThisisthepointtowhichPaulfrequentlyreturnsinthisbook.Furthermore,hedesiresthatweholdfast toGod’s truth,knowingthat itdoesnotallowforanyadditions.Werewetoaddtoit,wewouldcorrupt,pervertandfalsifythe covenant upon which our salvation depends. Having embraced our Lord JesusChrist,we are expected to remain fully inhim,because this onemanhas sufficientgrace for us all. In him, we can call upon God boldly, knowing that, although wedescend fromtheaccursedraceofAdam,we,nevertheless, receiveblessing inJesusChrist.Henowaccepts us as his children and freely adopts us.Hedesires that thismessageshouldbeheardthroughouttheworld—thereisnowanopendoorandfreeaccessbywhichwemaydrawneartohim.

NowletusfallbeforethemajestyofourgreatGod,acknowledgingoursins,andasking that he would make us increasingly conscious of them, that we may detestthem.Maywespendourlivesseekingandstrivingtohonourandservehiminstrictobedience.And sincewe cannot freeourselvesowing toourgreat infirmity,mayhebearusupuntilhehasfreedusfromallthedefilementsoftheflesh,andclothedusinhis righteousness. Indeed, he has begun this work in us now and affords us solidground of assurance that what he has begun, he will complete. Thus, we all say,AlmightyGodandourheavenlyFather,etc.

TheManyFunctionsofGod

Whereforethenserveththelaw?Itwasaddedbecauseoftransgressions,tilltheseedshouldcometowhomthepromisewasmade;anditwasordainedbyangels inthehandofamediatorNowamediatorisnotamediatorofone,butGodisone. -Gal.3:19-20

We established last time that the law came after the promise of God to begracioustothehouseofAbraham.Godpromisedfreegrace,andtheJewsweretoleanuponthispromisefortheirsalvation,knowingthatGodwouldmercifullysendthemaRedeemer,throughwhomtheywouldobtainremissionoftheirsins.Fromthis,Paulconcludesthatthelaw(whichcameafterthepromise)didnotabolishthatwhichhadbeenordainedandestablishedbyGod.However,itwouldbeeasytoassumethatthelawwasaddedtostrengthenthepromise,asifithadbeenweakinisolation.Indeed,theapostleseemstoarguealongthoselinesintheEpistletotheHebrews,wherehesays, inthewordsofJeremiah,thatGodwouldprovideanewlaw—thegospel.Theapostle explains that the law given by Moses was imperfect and insufficient forsalvation(Heb.8:7).Atfirst,itmightseemthatthesamecouldapplyheretothelawandthepromise,thatthepromiserequiredafinishingtouch,asifitwereincompleteinandofitself,andneededtobeperfected.Otherwise,surely,thelawissuperfluous?Yet,itwouldbeagainstallreasontosupposethatGodwouldgiveusthisdoctrinefornopurposeatall!

Wemust,therefore,giveourattentiontoexaminingthefunctionofthelaw,andto discovering towhat end it was given, lestwemistakenly assume that the gospelpromisewas inadequate, and only partially beneficial for salvation. Paul states thatGoddidnot intend toprovideuswithameansof justificationorsalvationwhenhesentushis law; itwasadded,hesays, ‘becauseoftransgressions’.Itwasnotcreatedsimply to keep us on a tight rein (as the saying goes) because of all the evil anddepravityintheworld;forwehavemanyordinarylawsandstatuteswhichhavebeenformulated topunish crimehereon earth. Ifwewere all like angels, blameless andfreely able to exercise perfect self-control, we would not need rules or regulations.Why,then,dowehavesomanylawsandstatutes?Becauseofman’swickedness,forheisconstantlyoverflowingwithevil;thisiswhyaremedyisrequired.Ifwewereallhealthy, we would have no need of medicine, but man’s intemperance means thatthere will always be diseases, and, therefore, remedies must be sought out. Theexistenceofsomanycivillawsbearstestimonytothefactthatwearetotallyevilanddepraved and, therefore, need to be restrained and harnessed. But Paul does notunderstandthefunctionofthe lawinthisway—hegoesmuchfurther.HedeclaresthatGodgavehislawinordertoexposeman’siniquity,whichproves,therefore,thatthis is not ameans of salvation! For heat and cold cannot originate from the same

source!Ifafountainissweet,wecannotseekbitterwaterthere;likewise,ifafountainisbitterorsalted,wemustseekelsewhereforsweetwater.Thesamecanbeappliedtothelaw.

Why, then,was the law given? In order thatmen could be doubly convicted oftheir sins before God and realise that their hypocrisy, self-flattery, desire to hidebehind excuses, and other such sins are vain and to no avail. Hence, in the fourthchaptertotheRomans,andthefifteenthverse,Paularguesthatwecannotbejustifiedbythe law,since itbringsuponusnothingbut thewrathofGod.(He isreferringtoGod’svengeance.)Inacertainsense,itcouldbesaidthatbothlifeanddeathproceedfromthelaw.Forthelawcondemnsusallandsentencesalltodeathbyshowingthatwe are accursed and abominable inGod’s sight.What folly, therefore, to seek to bejustified simply by its observance! Paul also states in the seventh chapter to theRomans, and the eighth verse, that the law actually causes sin to increase!We arealready liable to condemnation, evenbeforewehaveheard the law; as it iswritten,thosewhohavesinnedwithoutthelawwillneverthelessperish(Rom.2:12).Inotherwords,theheathen,althoughtheyhavenocodefromwhichtheystray,stillhavetheinnerwitnessoftheirconscience,whichactsastheirjudge.Thus,menareworthyofdamnationwell before they are summoned intoGod’s presence and examined,Godhavingtakenhisplaceonthejudgmentthrone.Yetthosewhopersistinsinningandoffending God believe themselves to be faultless! For we are subject to such self-flattery, that althoughwearewallowing in sin, our conscienceswill never once feelashamedwithoutthelaw:theywillremaindullandinsensitive.Instead,wewouldfeelatlibertytodowhateverwickedthingswedesire.Butwhenoncewehearthelaw,werecognisesin,andareforcedtohumbleourselvesbeforeGod(orelsegnashourteethlike rebels!). God awakens us through the law and leads us to acknowledge ourdesperatecondition.Itislikeamanwhosefaceiscoveredwithfilth;peoplelaughathim but he does not understand why! If someone were to bring him a mirror, hewouldbeashamedandstealawaytocleanoffthedirt,buthewillonlydothiswhenhehasdiscoveredhisugliness!Orifamanhassomesortofdeformitywhichmakesothersafraidtolookathim,hewillnotrealisethathehassuchadisfigurementuntilamirror isbroughtbeforehis eyes!The sameapplies tous:althoughweare fullofevil and iniquity to the extent that heaven and earth are ashamed of us, and Godpreparesanawful fate forus,wegoonourwayunperturbed!Why?Becauseweareunawareofoursin;wearesoblindedbyourownhypocrisythatwecannotperceiveanydanger.But the lawreveals justwhoweare,andsetsbeforeusthe judgmentofGod.Thelawteachesusthatwewillbecondemnedifwefailtodocertainthings.Andwhatarethesethings?Itisnotsimplyamatterofguardingourfeet,hands,eyesandears;no,wemustkeepourselvespureand free fromall covetousness.Our integritymustbesuchthatallouraffections,thoughtsanddesiresarecentreduponGod.Weare not to be enticed or led astray by anything in thisworld. Butwhere can such apersonasthisbefound?

NowGodhasascendedhis throneandsitsas judge,andhehaspronouncedhissentenceuponus—weareaccursedbecausewearefoundtobetransgressors,which,indeed,weare.That is themiserableconditionof thehumanrace.This iswhyPaulsaysinthispassagethatthelawwasadded‘becauseoftransgressions’.However,thelawdoeshaveotherfunctions.Forexample,oneofthechiefreasonswhyweneedthelawistoteachushowwearetoworshipGod.Itshowsthatwearetohonourhimbyourobedience,ratherthaneachpersonlivingasalawuntohimself!Thelawhelpsusto distinguish between good and evil. What is the ‘reasonable service’ that Goddeserves?Isitnottosubmitourselvestohiswill,asPaulsaysinthetwelfthchaptertotheRomans,verseone?Isthisnotamostexcellentfunctionofthelaw—toshowushowwemaypleaseGodandwhat ruleswe are to obey, rather than forus tobestruggling in vain, believing we are serving God when we are not? But when Paulspeaksofthelawbeingaddedfortransgressions’sake,hedoesnotintendtogiveusanaccountoftheusesofthelawandthefruitsitproduces.Wehavesaidthatthelawinstructsus,andteachesustodiscernbetweengoodandevil;iturgesusbymeansofgoads,as itwere,togiveourselveswhollytoGod.ButPaul isreferringtothe lawinthecontextofthepassageheisexpounding,provingthatthelawisnotsuperfluous,yet,neither is it ameansof justification. Indeed, its function is to confoundusandreveal thatwe are sinners in a twofold sense, to convict us of our sin and leave uswithoutexcuse.Infact,wesoonrealisethatthereisabottomlesspitawaitingus.Thisis why the law was given: it was added to the promise, not because the latter waspowerless without it, unable to bring salvation without assistance from anothersource;notatall, saysPaul! Itwasadded inorder thatwemightrealise thatGod isright to condemn us all, and to give ourminds no rest from anxious and tortuousthoughts,inorderthatourdespairmightleadustofindhopeinhispromise.

Ifweobjectthatthepromisecouldhaveachievedthisalone,theanswertothisisverysimple.AlthoughGodhasrevealedhimselfasSaviour,andshownusthatwewillbecondemnedunlesshehasmercyuponus,wecannotrespondasweoughtunlesshefirsthumblesus.Throughhispromise,hecallsustohimselfwiththetenderloveofafather.Thisoughttobesufficienttomakeusawareofoursinsandtomakeushatethem:yet,wearesocomfortable inoursins thatwewillnotgive themanythoughtunlesswearecoerced.Therefore,afterGodhadmadethispromisetoman,weshouldhavegroanedundertheburdenofsinandsoughtrefugeinthegraceoftheLordJesusChrist,butwedidnot,thatis,untilGoddealtusafewmightyblowswithhishammerthroughthelaw!Doesthisnotrevealourwickedness,thatweabuseGod’skindnesstous,anduseitforanoccasiontoflatterourselves?Ofnecessity,hedealsharshlywithus,andexposeswhatweare truly like, toalarmusso thatwemight run tohim forgrace. The word ‘added’ here indicates that Paul is accusing us of despising God’sgoodness,revealedinhisgentleandgraciouscall.Indeed,wevirtuallyconstrainhimtouseforceinordertohumbleus;onlywhenourwillsarethusinclinedbyforcewillweseekhisgraceintheLordJesusChrist.

Atthispoint,Pauladdsthatthe lawapplied ‘till theseedshouldcometowhomthepromisewasmade’. The ‘law’ chiefly refers to the ceremonies, althoughwe canalso include all the qualities, circumstances and details of the law, aswe say. Ifwetake the law to refer only to the Ten Commandments, thenwhat Paul says here isentirelyinappropriate!Foreventodaythelawcarriesweight,inthatitisourruleforliving.ItrevealstousthewillofGod,keepingusfromlivingasvagabonds,aimlesslywanderingaboutfromplacetoplace,asitwere,forthepathwayissetoutbeforeus.Therefore,becausethelawteacheswhatisright,itistimelessandwillenduretotheendoftheworld.ItisimportantforustoenterintothemindofPaulhereandrealisethat he is referring to the promises, curses and ceremonies of the law. On the onehand,wearepromisedthatifamanobeys,‘heshallliveinthem’(Lev.18:5).Wehavealreadydealtwiththis.Next,thereisthethreat:‘Cursedbehethatconfirmethnotallthewordsofthislawtodothem’(Deut.27:26).Thelaw,aswehavediscovered,onlypromises salvation to those who have lived pure lives in all integrity. All of us fallshortof thisand,therefore, thepromisedoesnotapply.This is thefirstpoint.IfweobjectthatGodismockingatmen,theansweris,notatall!Rather,wearesofullofprideandarrogance thatwe thinkwe canachieve salvationbyourselves.Therefore,Godhas to say, ‘If youareasvirtuousasyou thinkyouare,prove it tome.Formypart,IhavegivenyoumylawandIhavepreparedarewardforyouifyouobeyit.Youwill not be disappointed if you serveme.Eternal life is promised you, but first youmustdoyourduty—settowork!’Evenifmenweretoattempttodosowithalltheirmight, they would doubtless discover weakness of which they were previouslyunaware.Thus,thepromisesofthelawdonotapplytous,yet,noraretheythwarted,becausetheyservearatherdifferentpurpose.

Thecursesof the laware infallible.Thefollowingtextcondemnsusall: ‘Cursedbehethatconfirmethnotallthewordsofthislawtodothem.’Weareobligedtofulfilthemall,andtheremustnotbeonesinglepointatwhichwefail.Wearewrongifwebelievewe can serveGod in part; he does not divide uphis commandments in thisway. He desires the one who is chaste to abstain also from plundering, pillaging,cheating, violence and everything else. Since this is the case, these warnings arebindinguponusall,andPaulwasawareofthis.

Concerning the ceremonies, they serve tohighlightour lost condition.WehavealreadyreferredtowhatPaulsaysinColossianschaptertwo,andthefourteenthverse,wherehedescribesthemasordinanceswhicharedesignedtobindusandkeepusinplace.Ifamanborrowsasumofmoney,hethenowesitandmustpayitbackwithhisownhand.Thisoughttobesufficient.However,ifhesecuresamortgage,heisobligedunderpenaltytopayitback,especiallyifitbeapublicmatter.Thismakeshisburdengreater.The sameapplies to the ceremonies.The lawwas sufficient to condemnallmankind, forallhavesinned;yetGod,seeing thepride thatwassodeeplyrooted inour hearts, added ceremonies to place us under an evenmore solemn obligation tohim.ButPaulsays thatall thiswasonly ‘till theseedshouldcome’; inotherwords,

thelawcannotharnessorrestrainthosewhoputtheirtrustintheLordJesusChrist.Rather, it leads them to faith and they find in Christ all that is lacking in the law!Thus,whenGodisharshinhiscondemnation,itisonlytoprocureoursalvation,andthe fact that he thunders against us is an evident token of his exceptional gracetowardsus!How is this? Ihavealready said, andexperiencebears thisout, thatwewouldnever stopabusinghiskindness tous,using it forouradvantage if thiswerenotthecase.Therefore,Godmustarrestusandactasourjudge,sothatwehearthedreadfulsentenceandsinkindespair.Thenweexpectnolessthaneternaldeath,andthisverdict isconfirmedandratifiedbyhis law.Yet,all isdesignedtohumbleus inorder that wemight come to the Lord Jesus Christ with true zeal and in sincerity.Havingexperiencedsuchanguishandtormentinourconsciences,wewilllearntorestentirelyuponhim.Thisiswhythelawonlyapplied‘tilltheseedshouldcome’.

Ifwe,then,askhowitwasthatourforefathersobtainedsalvation,theansweristhatalthoughthelawreignedbeforethecomingoftheLordJesusChristwithregardtooutwardthings,nevertheless,ourfathersstillhadtorelyuponthegracetheyhadbeenpromised(despitethefactthatChristhadnotyetcome).Weshalllearnmoreofthispresently.Nowwehaveresolvedthefollowingpoint:thatthelawdidnotalterthepromise, neitherwas it added to support the promise, as if it had been insufficientalone for salvation.Rather, itwasaddedbecauseofman’sprideandarrogance, thatwemighthumblyseekthemercythatisofferedusintheLordJesusChrist,andthat,throughhim,wemightbeenabledtoreceiveandenjoyhisforgiveness.

AtthispointPaulmentionsthatthelaw‘wasordainedbyangelsinthehandofamediator’.Hereheauthorisesthe lawandindicatesthatwearetoreceive itwithalldue reverence. However, we are only to apply it in the way that God intended! Tomakethispoint,Paulspeaksofangels,todemonstratethatGodhadmanywitnesseswhogaveauthority to the lawand showedhow itwas tobe receivedandesteemed.ButPaul’smainobjecthereistospeakoftheMediator—thatistosay,theLordJesusChrist. Many have thought this was referring to Moses, since he was a mediatorbetween God and man with regard to doctrine. However, this is hardly a suitableinterpretation!Afterall,Paulfirstlyspeaksofangels,andthenoftheMediatorastheirhead, the one who holds the position of supreme sovereignty. This cannot beapplicable to Moses! Indeed, Paul’s argument here is that there is no disparitybetweenthelawandthegospelconcerningthefreepromiseofsalvation.Inordertoreiterate this, he refers to the Lord Jesus Christ, explaining thatwhen the lawwasestablished, it was with his hand and under his leadership. This word ‘hand’ oftenimpliespowerinScripture,andhereitisusedtodrawacontrastbetweentheangelsandJesusChristhimself.Paulmentionstheassembledangelsbecausetheirpresenceshouldensurethat the lawisheededbymen,andacceptedwithoutreservation.Theangels werewitnesses of God’smajesty, yes, but theMediator is even greater thanthey!The‘hand’hereimplieshisheadship,revealingthathehassovereignauthorityand,therefore,hasthechiefcommissionofordainingthelaw.Thisoughtnottoseem

strange tous; forwhen theangelappeared toMoseshesaid, ‘IamtheLord’ (Exod.3:6).Yetheiscalledanangel!ThismeansthathewasamessengerofGodasthewordimplies;yethesaysineffect,‘IamtheLord,whosebeingproceedsfrommyselfalone’.This cannotbe saidof any creature (including theangels)who, likeourselves,weremadefromnothing!Itwouldhavebeenblasphemyforanangeltousurpsuchatitle,whichbelongstoGodalone.Wemust,therefore,reachtheconclusionthatthisangelwas none other than the Lord Jesus Christ, who was already fulfilling his role asMediator.This,indeed,isborneoutbyPaulinFirstCorinthians,chaptertenandversenine,where he speaks of the rebellion of the Jews in provokingGod to angerwiththeirmurmuringsandfoolishlusts.PaulsaysthattheyweretemptingChristhimself,who led and guided them through thewilderness. Therefore, I have no difficulty inbelievingthatourLordJesusChristwasalreadyamediator,becauseinmanydifferentwaysheactedtoreconcilementoGodtheFather.ThisiswhytheapostlewritesintheEpistle to the Hebrews that Jesus Christ is the same, ‘yesterday, and today, andforever’, and that we must cleave to him and not be carried about with ‘strangedoctrines’(Heb.13:8).

Hence,Paul is teachingus thatJesusChristmediatedbetweenGodandman inorderthatpoorsinnersmightbegrantedrelieffromtheirtroubledmindsconcerningthe judgment of God. Now we can rejoice because God has provided a mediatorthroughwhomwemayobtaingracetoapproachhim.ButtheLordJesusChristisalsoamediator inanothersense,and that is thatGodhasalwayscommunicated tomanthroughhim.ForthereissuchagulfbetweenGodandourselves,wearesoalienatedfromhim through sin, thatwe cannot have access to him.He can only stoop to usthrough amediator. Indeed, is this not what the vision of Jacob teaches us in thetwenty-eighth chapter of Genesis, verse twelve? It tells us there that Jacob saw aladder, at the top of which God was enthroned in majesty, and the angels wereascendinganddescendingonthisladder.TherecanbenodoubtthatthisimagewastorevealtoJacobthatweareexcludedfromthekingdomofGoduntilameansisfoundto reconcile heaven and earth. In other words, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is ‘Godmanifestintheflesh’;heishigherthantheheavens,yethehasidentifiedwithusinthat he took our nature upon himself and became a man— frail, but without sin.Althoughhewasperfect,hetookuponhimselfourinfirmities.ThisishowitwasthatthelawwasordainedbythehandoftheLordJesusChrist.Thus,itfollowsthattherecan be no contradiction between the law and the gospel, for Jesus Christ neverchangesandcannotdenyhimself.

NowletusturnourattentiontoPaul’snextstatement.Hesays‘amediatorisnotamediator of one, but God is one’. By saying that theMediator is not ‘of one’, heimpliesthattheLordJesusChristcametogathertogetherinoneallthingsinheavenandon theearth, ashe says in the first chapter to theColossians (Gal. 1:20).SomehaveunderstoodthistexttomeanthatJesusChristhadmorethanonenature;others,thatifheistheMediatorforallmankind,itfollowsthattherecanbenodisharmony

between the law and the gospel. However, Paul is clearly referring to the bringingtogether of Jews and Gentiles here! In effect he is saying, ‘Yes, Jesus Christ wasMediatorwhenthelawwassetforth,thatGodmighthumblementhroughhimtotheendthattheymightreceivehisgrace.Butletusnoticethat,althoughhewasalreadyMediator when he presented the law to the Jews, his office was to extend muchfurther, since he was also to gather the Gentiles who were cut off from God. Forthough, for a time, God chose the descendants of Abraham above the rest ofhumanity,yetattheendoftimehehasmadeuspartakersofthesalvationfromwhichwe were once estranged. Those of us who were afar off have been welcomed inalongsidethosewhowerepreviouslyclosetoGod.’Indeed,inthatotherpassage,Paulcalls JesusChrist ‘ourpeace’, sincehehas reconciledandunited toGodboth thosewho were already near (the Jews) and those who had no knowledge of God (Eph.2:17).WehavebeenacceptedintothebodyofhischurchbecauseofChrist’scoming.Thosewhowereonce separatedbyagreatdistancehavebeenunited,notonlywithGod,butwithoneanother.

NowweunderstandPaul’steachinginthispassage,butinordertoprofitfromallwehaveconsidered,thereisaspecificlessonweoughttolearnfromthisonefact:thatGodgaveushislawthroughangels.Thatis,thatthesesameangelswillbewitnessesagainstusifweignoreorpassbythelaw,ortrampleitunderfoot,asitwere.Thus,theangels will have the right to ask God to avenge our ungodly rebellion. When Godchoseangels toassisthim in thesetting forthofhis law,hewasnotplayinggames;rather it was in order that we might reverence the law. Yes, it is true, we cannotperfectlyfulfilwhatitdemands;however,ifweweretostopthere,wewouldbetotallyengulfed in despair, and remain under the sentence of eternal death. If God hasgraciously taught us his will and enabled us to discern between good and evil, ourresponseoughttobetobowourneckstoreceivetheyokethatGodplacesuponus,aresponseofsubmissiontohim.Thisisthefirstpoint.Secondly,thelawisdesignedtopromptandprickourconsciences,becausewearesocold,lethargicandinactivethatwewouldnevercometoGodofourownaccord.Thelaw,therefore,shouldcauseeachoneofustoexamineourselves;indeed,forourowninstruction,wewoulddowelltocommittomemorythecommandmentsofGodandrecitethemmorningandevening.

Letus, therefore,keepourselvesona tighter rein, since theangelsobserveandwatchoverus.HavingbeenemployedbyGodtoestablishthelaw,theywillnotallowustodespiseit,ortoputittoanopenshameasifitwereworthless.Furthermore,thelawistheretocondemnus,andwewillreceivethiscondemnationinthepresenceofthesesameangels,regardlessofhowmuchmenmayhavepraisedandapplaudedus.Evenifthewholeworldwereonourside,itwouldcountfornothing.Forwhy,then,wouldGodhavechosentohavehisangelstheretoassistwiththepublicationofhislaw,ifnottoteachustobeashamedofoursinfulness,humbleourselveswillinglyandseeksalvationintheLordJesusChrist?

AsfortheLordJesusChristbeingtheMediatorofthelaw,wecanbesurethatifwehavesoughtrefugeinhisgrace,the lawnolongerhasthepowertocondemnus,nortocausesintohavedominionoverus.ForwemustbearinmindwhatPaulwrotein theFirstEpistle to theCorinthians, chapter fifteen, and the fifty-sixthverse: ‘thestrength of sin is the law’. The law sharpens sin, as it were, leaving us mortallywounded.Therefore,ifwedonotenjoytheconsolationspokenofhere,wewillsurelybeseizedwithterrorandhavenoassuranceofsalvation,despitethepromisesmadebytheLordJesusChrist.Wewillconstantlybeweighingthesetruthswhichseemsocontradictory,saying,‘SurelythelawcamefromGod?YetGodcondemnsusthroughit!AlthoughhesenttheLordJesusChristtobetheremedy,theredoesnotappeartobe anywayof escaping its sentence!’Thus,wewill be tormentedby such thoughts.But ifweconsider that theLordJesusChristwas theMediatorwhoestablished thelaw,werealisethat ifhe isourAdvocatetoday,he isableto forgiveus.Thus,wedonothave tobecountedamongst the lost.Yes,Godhas indeedpronouncedhiscurseupon us, and we have been oppressed by the torment and anguish that this hascreated.Ourevildoesatfirstseemtobeincurable,butweknowthatourLordJesusChristisabletofulfilbothroles:thatis,toteachushumilitythroughsuchterrifyingthoughts,andyetalsotoassureusofsalvation.Thus,whenwearecastdowninthisway,theonlywaytoberaisedupistorecognisethattheOnewhowasestablishedastheMediatorofthelawhasbeenrevealedtoustodayinthissameofficeofMediator,assomeofuscantestifyfromourownexperience.

Finally,letusnoticethatheisnottheMediatorforonenationalone,butforthewholeworldbecauseweareallGod’screatures.Yes,bythesinofAdamwewereallcut off, but the Lord Jesus came to gather together things in heaven and things onearth,aswehavealreadydiscussed(Col.1:20).Thisbeingthecase,weshouldneverdoubt thatGod accepts us today as heirs of his promise, because he sees us as thespiritualchildrenofAbraham.Andalthoughwearelivingindaysverydifferentfromthetimeoftheceremoniallaw,whichdividedsomepeoplefromothers,thisdoesnotpreventusfrombeingabletoapproachGodwithboldness.Howisthis?Because‘Godis one’. There may be Jews and Greeks, and many other different nations, with avarietyof languages,moralsandwaysof life, andcertainlyeach individual is fullofinconsistenciesandsubjecttochange,withnofirmanchorage;butletusall learntofixoureyesuponGod,forheisone.Hehasgivenushislawandhisgospel;letusnotthinkthat there isanycontradictionbetweenthem,fortheyare inperfectharmony.Letus,rather,beledbythesemeanstocometotheLordJesusChrist.Andhowcanwe do this? Only when we are stripped of all pride, and feel that horror andrepugnancethatmakesusdetestourselvesupontherealisationthatwearespirituallydead. Then we will come to the Lord Jesus Christ, knowing that God the Fatheracceptsusifwecomeinhisappointedway.Why?Forheisone.Whenhegaveushislaw, he did not intend to diminish the authority of the promise which preceded it.Whenherevealedhisgracemorefullyinthegospel,itwasnotbecauseheconsidered

the lawworthless or invalid, for it providesuswith a rule for living.Thus, to avoidbeingunder its curse, the law teachesus that theonly escape is found in that Seedwhichwas promised at the beginning of time, and inwhose hands our salvation issecure;thatis,intheLordJesusChrist—thefountainandsourceofallblessing.

NowletusfallbeforethemajestyofourgreatGod,acknowledgingoursins,andasking him tomake us increasingly conscious of them, thatwemight detest them.May we not only confess them with our lips, but may our hearts also be in fullsubmissiontoGod’sHolyWord.Mayhisfreegracecomfortus,asithasbeenrevealedtousinourLordJesusChrist.MayhisHolySpiritcontinuallytransformus,inorderthatifwearefullofrebellion,hemaybringusunderhiscontrolandmakeusmeek,readytofollowhisholywillanddevoteourselvescompletelytohim.Weprayforallthesethings,saying,AlmightyGod,andourheavenlyFather,etc

FreedomfromtheBondageoftheLaw

Tellme,yethatdesiretobeunderthelaw,doyenothearthelaw?Foritiswritten,thatAbrahamhadtwosons,theonebyabondmaid,theotherbyafreewoman.Buthewhowasofthebondwomanwasbornaftertheflesh;butheofthefreewomanwasbypromise.Which thingsareanallegory: for theseare the twocovenants; theonefromthemountSinai,whichgendereth tobondage,which isAgar.For thisAgar ismountSinaiinArabia,andanswerethtoJerusalemwhichnowis,andisinbondagewithherchildren.ButJerusalemwhichisaboveisfree,whichisthemotherofusall.-Gal.4:21-26

Freedom is such a desirable thing to every one of us, that without it our liveswouldbelittlemorethanalivingdeath,orattheveryleast,perpetualmisery.Indeed,so far as we are able, we flee subjection and constraint, and covet liberty, which,accordingtotheoldproverb,isapricelesstreasure.Ifthisistrueofourearthlylives,thenitappliesevenmoretotheeternalsalvationofoursouls.Yethowmanytherearewho are still in bondage, as if they have a noose tied around their necks!Althoughthey claim to love freedom, they live as though they were bound in slavery. ThisfreedomisparticularlyevidentwhenpeopleareabletorejoiceinthelibertypurchasedforthembytheLordJesusChrist,whichbringsresttotheirsouls.Inthegospel,Goddeclaresthathedelightstoadoptusashischildren,andindoingso,hefreesusfromSatan’ssnareandfromthetyrannyofsin.Butthereareveryfewwhowillacceptthisgiftwhenitispresentedtothem,becauseoftheircursedcaptivitytosin;theyseemtoprefertobesubjecttotheirowncarnalappetites,ratherthantoyieldinobediencetoGod and walk in complete liberty. Paul, therefore, has good reason to scold theGalatiansforlivingunderthelaw,becausetheyarerejectingthefreedomandlibertythattheyshouldhaveenjoyedaschildrenofGod.

NowPaul gives us a symbol, a vivid picture illustrating that the very law itselfrevealsthepovertyandmiseryofthehumanheart;yettheGalatiansprefertoremainunderit!ForthehouseofAbrahamisaclearsymbolofthechurchofGod.Ittellsusmuchaboutthestateofthechurch.ItiswrittenthatAbrahamhadtwosons:IshmaelandIsaac(Gen.16:1ff).IshmaelwasborntoHagar,Abraham’sservant,whowasgiventohimtobehiswife.Buttherewasaseriousfaulthere,foritwasnotrightforhimtobreak faith with his lawful wife, Sarah. Now, what was the reason for this unionbetweenAbrahamandHagar? ItwasbroughtaboutbecauseSarahactedhastilyandrashly,believingthatGodwastooslowaboutfulfillinghispromisetohertoprovideher with offspring. She thought that she was unable to conceive. But herunderstanding of God’s Word was poor, and she did not have the patience andcontentmentthatfaithdemands.Inshort,thiswasarelationshiptobecondemned,animmoralunion,thoughAbrahamdidnotoriginallyintendthisatall.Hehadnotbeen

drivenbywickedlust,hehadsimplydesiredtohaveseedthroughwhichwouldspringthesalvationoftheworld.Buthowfoolishsuchactsare,whenweattemptthisorthatwithoutbeingtoldtodosobytheWordofGod.Whenwearedrivenbyourownrashdesires,manysinsoccur.Thus,IshmaelwasborntoHagar,the ‘bondmaid’, fromanillicit relationshipwithwhichGodwas not pleased. Isaacwas born to Sarah a longtimeafterIshmael,forIshmaelmayhavebeensixteenyearsoldwhenIsaacwasborn.Paul(followingMoses’account)tellsusthatIsaacwasbornaccordingtopromiseandIshmaelaccordingtotheflesh.NowthisdoesnotmeanthatAbrahamwasnotIsaac’sfather,butratherthathewasbornthroughdivinepower;forAbrahamwasdeclining;indeed,hewashalf-deadandhadnostrengthleftinhim!Hewasahundredyearsold,and his wife was almost the same; she had been infertile throughout her life ofroughly ninety years. The idea that she could conceive and give birth was seen aslaughable when the angels brought her thismessage (Gen. 18:12). Therefore, Isaacwasbornaccordingtopromise,forGodworkedamiracleinorderthathemightsendthe Lord Jesus into this world; not following the laws of nature, but through thegoodnessofGodaloneandaccordingtohisperfectwill.

Thus,inthehouseofAbraham,wehaveafigureofthechurch:twowomen,bothofwhomgavebirth to a son.As forHagar, Paul tells us that she representsMountSinai,wherethelawwasgiven,andwearetoldthatthiswasinArabia,toshowthatitwas not in the holy land chosen by God as an inheritance for his people. Sarahrepresents Jerusalem. Not, he says, the present city, for it has changed beyondrecognition. Its inhabitants have separated themselves from the law and from puredoctrine.Now,whenIsaythelaw,IdonotmeanitinthewayPaulreferstoitinthisletter—thelawthatengendersbondage—ImeanthecovenantthatGodmadewithhis people through the Lord Jesus Christ. Since Jerusalem at the time of Paul hadrejectedJesusChristand,therefore,brokentheircovenantwithGod,Paulsaysthathemust refer to it as Hagar and Sinai. For the Jews, he is saying, boast about theirtemple and sacrifices and the like, and that they are the chosen and elect people ofGod, yet they are banished and excluded from theholy land, as itwere, andhave ameaninglessconnectionwiththelaw.ForifweweretoseeJerusalematthetimeofPaul,wewouldrealisethatitwascomparabletoSinai.ButthereisanotherJerusalem:‘Jerusalemwhichisabove’.ThiscorrespondstothechurchthroughwhichwereceiveregenerationinGod’ssight.Thechurch,throughtheincorruptibleseedofthegospel,engenders offspring who are freeborn. For she is ‘themother of us all’. Then Paulquotes thewords of Isaiah, ‘Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not’ (Isa. 54:1).Now,Isaiah isnotreferringtoaparticularwomanhere,but thechurchofGod,usingthisimageasasimile.Foratimethechurchhadbeenverydissoluteand,therefore,Isaiahtellsus itwasas if shehadbeencastaway.AkindofdivorcehadoccurredbetweenGodandhispeople.Buttheprophetassuresthechurchthathewillmultiplyheroneday, and that she would havemore children than if she had always prospered andflourished. This happened when the gospel was proclaimed to the world. For the

church not only comprises the children of Abraham, or one particular race; butthrough the holy seed of the gospel, she has brought forth an infinite number ofchildrenforGod,ofeverynationandland,eventhosefar-distantfromourown.ForGodhasdisplayedhismightthroughouttheglobe.Thisisthemeaningofthepassagethatwehavequoted.

Paul tellsus that these thingsare ‘anallegory’.The firstpointweneedtomakehereisthatPauldidnotwishtodenytheliteralmeaningofHolyScripture.TherearesomepeoplewhofindacuriouspleasureinseekingoutstrangeinterpretationsoftheScriptures. By overlooking the literal interpretation, they undermine the whole.Hence, therearecountlessperversionsandcorruptionsof the truth.Falseallegoriesaboundtoday;theyareadoptedbymultitudes,andyetarenothingmorethanSatanicinventions. Because such theories are accepted and applauded, the people remainbewitchedbySatan.Whatfineexpositorstheymake!Yet,howaretheysosuccessful?Well,ifadoctrineisneitherfromheavennorfromearth,itiseasyforpoorignorantsoulstoremaininsuspensionbetweenthetwo!PauldoesnotintendustointerpretMoses’storyofIsaacandIshmaelasafancifulspeculation—no,heisdemonstratingthatthishistoricalaccountrevealsthestateofthechurch,though,inthosedays,theonly church that God presided over was that of the house of Abraham. (Of course,therewasSalem,whosekingwasMelchisedec,butthiswasnotclearlyunderstoodatthat point. Therefore,God chose to adopt a people throughAbraham, and to revealthathewishedtobecalleduponbyapeoplewhomhehadseparatedfromtherestofmankind.) However, wemust not readMoses’ account coldly, without looking anyfurther, that is,withoutconsideringwhathappened to this familyandapplying it tothechurch.

Now, let us come to the central theme— the law.WhenPaul comparesHagar,Abraham’sservant,toMountSinaiandthelawwhichwasgivenonthatmountain,heisnot referring to the substanceof the law.For the law containsmanypromisesofsalvationwhichwere fulfilled in theLordJesusChrist;Paulhimselfdeclares this inseveral other passages, aswehave already seen. Ifwe take and apply the law in itsproper and legitimate usage, we will see it as an incorruptible, life-giving seed,through which God becomes our Father and sets us free. The law only engendersservitudewithrelationtoexternalissues,aswehavediscussedbefore.Ourforefathersofold,thoughtheywerechildrenofGodandheirsofthekingdomofheavenjustlikeourselves,wereundertutorsandgovernors.Theywerelikelittlechildren,incompleteuntilthecomingoftheLordJesusChrist.Theirceremonieswerelikebridlesorcordspreventing those who observed them from enjoying the liberty that we have todaythroughtheLordJesusChrist.Yet,whenPaulspeaksofthelawcreatingservitude,heis speaking here of the way in which the Galatians misapplied the law, for hecontinues by saying that those who are under such servitude will eventually bebanished and excluded from the family and inheritance ofGod. Thus, although ourforefatherslivedinservitudewithregardtoexternalthings,yettheywerefree;forthe

Spiritgavethemafaiththatovercametheirbondage,asitsaysintheeighthchaptertotheRomans.Withoutfaith,theywouldhavebeencutofffromanyhopeofsalvation.Tosumup,Paulreferstothelawhereinthisnegativewaybecauseoftheparticularinterpretation these hypocrites had made of it, corrupting it by reducing it to theobservanceofpettyrules,andbymaking theirobservationmeritorious. Indoingso,theywerebindingpeople’sconsciencessotightlythattheywerealmostsuffocated!

Now, Paul has adequately dealtwith this subject on a previous occasion, but itwould be helpful for us to remind ourselves of what he said. He drew a contrastbetween the law and the gospel; for those who seek justification through the lawimaginethatGodisindebtedtothemiftheyfulfiltheirdutytowardshim.Theyhaveheard the promise that if a man keeps the law, he shall live (Lev. 18:5). They arerigorousintheirlawobservanceandevenbelievetheyhaveaccomplishedallthatGodrequiresanddemands.Havingsuchapromisebefore them, theyawait theirreward,nolongerbelievingthatsalvationisafreegift,butratherthattheyhavedeservedallthat God has promised. Thus, eternal life becomes the expected recompense for alltheir meritorious deeds. Somuch for the law. As for the gospel, God becomes ourFatherwhenweare released from the curseof sin andSatanand, indeed, from thecondemnationdue to us through the law. For it iswritten that thosewhohavenotkeptthelawperfectlyareaccursed,aswehavesaidbefore(Deut.27:26).Thus,allareguilty;thewholeworldisplungedintodespairwithoutremedy,unlessGodwithdrawsthecondemnationofpoorsinners,andquashesthesentencehehaspronounceduponthem.WehavenowunderstoodwhatPaulmeanswhenherefersheretothelaw.HeisnotsayingthatMoses’teachingsareinsufficientforapersontobecomeachildofGod, or that there arenopromises of eternal salvation formankind in the law, butsimply that before Christ came into thisworld therewas not the full enjoyment oflibertythatwehavetoday.Morethanthis,heisinformingusoftheabusesofthelawby hypocrites who had misinterpreted its purpose. They imagined that they couldpleaseGodandobtainhisfavourbyitsobservance.ButPaultellsusthatweremaininslaveryuntilwearedeliveredbyanotherkindofseed,thatistosay,thegospel.

Now,whenPaul says thatHagarorSinai corresponds to ‘Jerusalemwhichnowis’, hemeans that citywhich had once beenGod’s sanctuary, andwhich, therefore,ought tohavebeenthe fountainheadofheavenlyandpuredoctrine.ForbothIsaiahandMicah tellus that ‘outofZionshallgo forth the law,and theWordof theLordfromJerusalem’(Isa.2:3;Mic.4:2).ButtheJewsbecamedefiledandaddedtheirowninventionsandinterpretationstothepurityoftruedoctrine.TheyevenrejectedJesusChrist, the fountainof life.Thus,Paul tellsus that this Jerusalem is likeHagar thebondmaidandMountSinai,whichcanonlybringaboutcondemnation.Thisisworthyof note, because it shows us that God has never favoured a place somuch that hecould not punish the ingratitude of its inhabitants for theirmisuse of his benefits;mercieswhichheplacedattheirdisposal.ThisisJerusalem,knownastheholycityofGod, his royal palace, his habitation, the place of his residence — all of these

descriptionsaretobefoundinHolyScripture,(Psa.48:1-3,132:13;Matt.4:5,27:53).Yet,PaultellsusthatithasbecomelikeSinai,aninfertilemountaininadistantanddesolateareaoutsidethebordersoftheholyland,whichGodchoseastheinheritanceandrestingplaceofhiselectpeople.

Recognising that such a change had taken place in Jerusalem, the city oncechosenbyGodandblessedwithsuchexcellenttitles,whatwillhappentothepeoplewho reject the gospel today?Even if theyhaveknowngreathonour,God can easilybring them down to ignominy. Look what is said about the towns where Jesuspreached the gospel, like Capernaum and the rest; they could boast of having beenfirsttohearthemessageofsalvation,orthatJesusChristpreachedmoretherethaninJerusalemitself.Butwearetoldthatsuchtownswouldbe ‘broughtdowntohell’(Matt.11:23).Itwasfortheirrebellionandstubbornpersistenceinevil;theirrefusaltoacceptthegracethatwasofferedtotheminthepreachingofthegospel.WeknowwhatJeremiahsaidaboutShiloh(Jer.7:12).Yousee,theJewsboastedthattheyhadthecityofJerusalemwithitstempleandaltar.ButJeremiahtellsthemtovisitShiloh—thatplacewherethearkrestedforsomanyyears.PeoplewouldcometherefromallpartstoworshipGodandbringtheirsacrifices,butnowwhatwouldtheyseethere?Aterrifying reminder of the vengeance of God because they had misused the goodthingsthatGodhadoriginallyblessedthemwith.

Now,letusapplythisforourowninstruction,sothatwelearntowalkinfearandwisdom,forGodhasbeengracioustousbydwellingamongstusandestablishinghisroyal throne to reign over us. For our part, we ought to obey him, and shelterourselvesbeneathhiswings in sobrietyandhumility. Ifwewere to think thathe isunderobligationtous,thenwewillbeaudacious,opinionatedandproudtowardshim.We would abuse the gifts that he intended to be for our well-being, and suchwickedness could not go unpunished. Thus, the example of Jerusalemwarns us toyieldpeacefullyinobediencetoourGod,andallowhimtoruleoverus.Wemustbesubmissive ineveryway,andnotpuffedupwithprideorpresumption,now thathehaspouredouthisspiritualblessingsuponus.Indeed,thisoughttomakeusconfessourdependenceuponhimandtohumbleourselves.

Incidentally,wecanseehowfoolishthePapistsaretowanttoassociateGodwithRome;fortheysay it is the ‘apostolicseat’.ButtheirclaimsaboutPeterarenothingmore than lies and fables.Whilst it is certain thatPaulwasheldprisoner inRome,and itmayevenbededuced thathedied there, this isall that setsRomeapart.Thegospelwasattacked there,and thatdenof thedevilwassaturatedwith thebloodofthemartyrs,asiftoprovokethewrathofGod.Itwasherethatmenconspiredtofightagainstthetruth,andblotout,asfarastheypossiblycould,thenameandmemoryofthe Lord Jesus Christ. This is all the dignity that Rome can claim! These peopleimagine that Rome has all the honourable titles that Jerusalem once had, thoughthereisnotasinglesyllableintheScripturestojustifythis.Nowheredotheytellus

thatGodreignsthere,orhaschosentodwellwithinitswalls;nowhereisitreferredtoas‘mother’,orashavingaspecialhonour—nothinglikethisatall!PauldoessaythatthefaithoftheRomanswasknowneverywhereandthattheyhadagoodreputation(Rom. 1:8), but he is speaking of amerehandful of people. For thosewho ruled inRomewerecertainlynotChristians,yettherewasasmallgroupgatheredtogetherinhideouts,andthesearethepeoplethatPaulpraisesandesteems.Therefore,wemustneverimaginethatthewholeofRomebelongedtothechurchofGod!Wesawwhathappened toJerusalem— that shewas compared toHagarandSinai, that is to say,that she had become a profane and polluted place. Her holiness had long beenforgotten,becauseshehadnotcontinuedinthepuredoctrinesofthegospel.

We can only conclude, therefore, that even those who are nearest to God, andwhohaveenjoyedclosecommunionwithhim,willbecastofflikestrangersiftheydonotpersevereinholiness;forholinessislikeatiethatkeepsuscloselyboundtoourGod.WecanseethattheteachingoftheLordJesusChristisrejected,troddenunderfoot,held incontemptanddisdain inRometoday.Furthermore,gospel teachersarepersecutedbyfireandtheirbloodisshedinthatplace.Thereisnotruereligionthereatallnow,foritisfullofwickednessandcorruption.IfamanweretoenterRomeandreturnwiththefearofGod,somegoodseedhavingbeensowninhisheart, itwouldbeamiracle. It is clear thatRome is theverycavernofhell.May itpleaseGod thatpeoplewouldsufferbrokennecksratherthanventureuponthatcity!Foratthistime,eventhenationofFrancehasbeeninfectedbyherimpiety.ThemajorityofthoseinFrancehavebecomenothingmorethandogsandpigs,withnomoretruereligionthanbrutebeasts.Allthemorereason,therefore,forustoheedthiswarningandtowalkinwisdomandthe fearofGod,beingcareful thatwearenotdeprivedof theprivilegesthatwehave receivedbecause of our ingratitude.MayGodneverwreakhis terriblevengeance upon us, andmake us trophies of dishonour and shame. Such is Paul’sdescriptionofJerusalem,whichhadformerlyknownsuchgreathonour.

Notice,furthermore,thatunderthefigureofAbraham,Godproclaimsthatheisthe Father of all his own people.We have, therefore, been born of God in that webelong to his church. Yet it is not enough simply to claim that God is our Father,unlesswehavebeentrulyregeneratedthroughtheincorruptibleseed,whichisalonetheguaranteeoflifeandeternalsalvation.Wemayaskthequestion,howisitpossibletobemembersofGod’s family andyetbe like illegitimateoffspring?Theanswer isthat,byouriniquityandwickedness,wehavecorruptedtheWordofGod,whichishisseed.ThisisthewayPeterdescribesit(1Pet.1:23).Yes,itistruethattheWord,sinceitproceedsfromGod,isspotlessinitself.Itsparkleswithpurity,andcontainsallthetreasuresoftherighteousness,goodnessandmercyofGod.ThisisthenatureoftheWordofGod,butwehavedevalueditandaltereditaccordingtoourownwhimsandfancies,andaddedourown impurity.So then,althoughwemay regardourselvesaschildren of God, yet we are bastard children, as we shall see in greater detail thisafternoon, byGod’s goodpleasure.ForPaulproceeds to show that Ishmael, though

theeldestson,wasfinallyexpelledfromhisownfamily.Thisoccurredbecausehewasillegitimate,beingborntoHagar.Therefore,wearetolearnthatwemustbebornintoGod’sfamilythroughfaithintheWordofGodinitspurity;GodthenenlightensourmindsthroughtheHolySpirit,whoreveals tous thewillofGod.For ifwealter theWord of God beyond recognition, according to our own perceptions, though itmaystillbecalledtheseedofGod,itwillnotbesointruth,forithasbeencorrupted.

Thus,therearesomanypeoplearoundtodaywhocallthemselvesChristiansbutliveunderfalsepretences.Forexample, thePapistssaythattheybelieve inGodandseek toadhere to theHolyScriptures,but it is evident that theyhave twisted them.Instead of accepting the Holy Scriptures with all due reverence, they wrest themaccordingtotheirownconvenience,andevenmockthemandjokeaboutthem!Aswehavesaidonapreviousoccasion,theyblasphemouslytreattheScriptures likeawaxnosethattheycanmouldtowhatevershapetheywish!Theyhaveturnedeverythinginto confusion by their contrivances! Indeed, whatever the Papists call servingGodhas been hatched in their own minds. There is no question of ordering one’s lifeaccording towhatGod has commanded and decreed.No, he is dethroned, and theyusurp his lawful sovereignty and attribute such authority to themselves that theysubjugate consciences and createwhatever laws seemgood to them.This sin is toogreat and too evil for words. How, then, do the Papists formulate their articles offaith? It must be according to what they have determined themselves, for there iscertainlynothinginthemthathasbeendrawnfromtheScriptures!Nevermindwhatis written in the Holy Scriptures; they have conclusions of their own, which theyregard as the very oracles of heaven, for they are swiftly received as commonlyacceptedfacts.Whentheyseekourapprovalofsuchnonsense,theysaythat,firstandforemost,thesearereceiveddoctrines:wemustbowtotheirantiquityas if itmakesthemprescriptiveforus,andthereupontheymayjustciteafewpassagesofScripturewhich they have pulled out of context for goodmeasure. But this is amockery, fortheyhavewilfullydefiledtheWordofGod.Surelyevenlittlechildren,awareofsuchgreatandglaringignorance,wouldspitintheirfaces!

Thus, thePapists are a goodexampleofwhatPaul is illustratinghere. Inotherwords, therearemanywhoboast that theyare childrenofGod, and servantsof thechurch, who are really illegitimate. They are born of corrupt seed, for instead ofadheringtopuredoctrinewhichcouldbringtheregenerationthatleadstoeternallife,theyhaveaddedtheirowndoctrinesandthusviolatedtheintegrityofGod’sWord.WearenotstretchingthepointtoofarwhenwesaythatPaul’sargumentisborneoutbythePapiststoday.Forwhatisourgreatestquarrelwiththematthispointintime?Itconcerns freewill,meritorious acts of service, satisfaction for sin, and the rest.ThePapistssaythatwecanobtainfavourintheeyesofGodbyourownefforts,andthatwedonotneedtheaidandassistanceoftheHolySpirit.Yes,theyadmitthatthereissomecollaboration,andthatGodworkswithinusuptoapoint;buttheysaythatwearehishelpers,andwewouldbemostweakanduselessifourvirtuedidnothelpusto

gainGod’sfavour.TheyalsosaythatthegraceofGodisofnoeffectunlessweaddtoitsomethingofourowndoing.Thus, theyarebuildingadoctrinebaseduponmerit;the only way you can reach the kingdom of heaven is by pleasing God. You needpersonal merit in order to pay for the sins you have committed. This is what thePapistsspoutforth!Furthermore,theyconcludethatitisablasphemytosaythatitisimpossible to keep the law ofGod perfectly. They claim that anybody, if he applieshimself, can fullyobserve its requirements.Yes, it is easy tobrag in thiswaywhilststill living in darkness, for those who say these things are themselves wickedfornicators, drunkards, blasphemers, people given to all kinds of gross and sinfulbehaviour.Weknowjusthowholythesemonks,hypocrites,crooksandverminare!

As for ourselves, we would say that we are born slaves of sin and under thetyrannical ruleofSatan.Weareheldso tightly inhisgrip thatwecannotevenhaveone righteous thought aboutdoinggood.Ournature tendswholly towards evil, justlikeadonkeycarryingitsyokeandburden,yetoursinproceedsentirelyfromourownwills.We are born in sin and, therefore, candonothing else;we continually offendGoduntilhesetsusfreebyhisHolySpiritandgrantsushisliberty.Furthermore,webelievethatitisimpossibletokeepthelawofGod,butthatthelawsimplyrevealsourduty;itisforeachonetoreadhiscondemnationtherein.WemustcomebeforeGodin silence, as evildoers, in order to obtain grace for the offences that we havecommitted.We comeclothed in shame, confessing thatweare lost, thatGodmightsave us through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. In short, we say that it iscompletelybeyondourpowerstoacquitourselvesintheeyesofGod.Buthecomestoour aid; he does not scrutinise us or enter into account with us. When we haveoffendedhim,thereisnosatisfactionforsinotherthanthesacrificeofourLordJesusChrist.Theonlywaywecanbecleansedistowashourselvesinhisblood.

Wesee, therefore, thepracticalapplicationofPaul’s teachingwhenweconsiderthepointsofconflictbetweenthePapistsandourselves.Thoughtheyassociatewiththe name of God, and falsely claim to honour it, and though they say they are hischildren because they accept the Holy Scriptures, yet they demonstrate that theirmotherisHagarandSinai,andthattheyarestillinbondage.Theystillhavetheyokearound their necks, and refuse to come to God to accept the liberty that he offers.TheywouldratherusurpthatwhichGodhasreservedforhimselfalonebyjustifyingthemselves through their own merits and by seeking to fulfil the law. They arechildrenofthebondwoman,therefore,andmustremainslaves;theirendistobecastout forever. As for us, we will see the implications of this teaching later on, but,briefly,itconcernsthefactthatouronlymeansofdeliveranceisthroughthegospel.OurLordJesusChristhimselfdeclaresintheeighthchapterofJohn’sGospelthatitishisroletosetusfree,andthatthisprivilegewasgiventohimbyGodtheFather,todeliverusfromallcondemnation.Wemust,therefore,cometotheLordJesusChristandfindallthatweneedinhim,foritisthroughhimthatwearefreedfromtheyokeof the law.Thisyoke is tooheavy forus tobear:notonlydoes itweighusdown, it

actuallyplungesusintothepitofhell.Thus,weobtainthisdeliveranceonlythroughtheseedwhichbringsregenerationandcompleteliberty.WebecomechildrenofGod,andnotonlyareweknownassuchintheeyesoftheworld,butbeforeangels.Wewillfinallyreachtheinheritancethathasbeenobtainedforusatsogreatacost,andwhichwecouldneverhavepossessedbyourownmerits.ItcanonlybeobtainedthroughtheOnetowhomitallbelongs,havingconferredtheinheritanceonusthroughthegospelwhichweheareachday.

Now, let us fall down before themajesty of our great God, acknowledging oursins,andprayingthathewouldhelpustofeelthemmorethaneverbefore.Thenwemaygrowandmaturemoreandmorethroughgenuinerepentance,sothat,incomingtohim,wemaydosoinallhumilityandwithouthypocrisy.Wemustbeashamedofoursin to thepoint thatweseeknootherremedythantheLordJesusChrist.Sinceour great God has received us and sealed us with the grace of his adoption in ourheartsbyhisHolySpirit,maywemaintainthepurityofthegospel,addingnothingofourowninvention.Maynothingbecorruptedbyourownnotions,butmaytheHolySpiritkeepusobedientinthefaith.Inthisway,ashehasbeguntoshowushisfavour,weforourpartwillaimunswervinglyforperfection.Thus,weallsay,AlmightyGodandheavenlyFather,etc.

OnDiscerningWhoBelongstotheTrueChurch

ButJerusalemwhichisaboveisfree,whichisthemotherofusall.Foritiswritten,Rejoice, thoubarrenthatbearestnot;break forthandcry, thouthat travailestnot:forthedesolatehathmanymorechildrenthanshewhichhathanhusband.Nowwe,brethren,asIsaacwas,arethechildrenofpromise.ButasthenhethatwasbornafterthefleshpersecutedhimthatwasbornaftertheSpirit,evensoitisnow.Neverthelesswhat saith the scripture?Cast out thebondwomanandher son: for the sonof thebondwomanshallnotbeheirwith thesonof the freewoman.So then,brethren,wearenotchildrenofthebondwoman,butofthefree.-Gal.4:26-31

We saw this morning that many people who claim to be believers and to beassociated with the name of God are, nevertheless, illegitimate children. For thisreasonGod,disownsthem,thoughtheymaybeconsidered‘Christians’intheeyesofthe world. They have corrupted that good seed, which is pure doctrine, which theyneedinordertoberegeneratedandadoptedintoGod’sfamily.Whatgoodisittoberegardedaspartofthechurchifwearenottrulybornofthegoodseedwhichisbothpureandperfect?Forthistooccur,wemustbegovernedbytheWordofGod,withouttwistingitoraddingtoit.ThisiswhyPaulspeakshereoftheheavenlyJerusalemasourmother.Yes,itistruethatthosewhocontortthenaturalmeaningofScripturearenottruechildrenofGod,andareliarsandhypocriteswhentheyaddressGodastheirFather. Yet, because they appear to be believers, Paul tells us that wemay discernthembytheirmother,andthusknowwhethertheyaretrulythelegitimatechildrenofGodandacceptabletohim.Fortheword‘church’isoftenusedlightly.ThePapistsinourgenerationusethetermasashieldtocoveralltheirerrors!SincetheWordofGodisagainstthem,theymakeuseofthis;atleasttheyhavethechurchontheirside!

Well, Paul is warning us to be careful when it comes to discerning who reallybelongs to the true church. For the Jews had abundant evidence to show thatJerusalemwastheveryplacewhereGoddwelt,since,aswesawthismorning,hehadchosenherandtestifiedthatshewouldbehiseverlastingrestingplace(Psa.132:14).Yet, is it not true that this same Jerusalemwas like a den of thieves, and even ourLordJesusChristwascrucifiedthere?Inthisway,throughtheirtreachery,theJewscutthemselvesofffromthehouseholdofGodforever.Indeed,theysought,asfarastheypossiblycould,todestroyhistruth.Thus,thecityofJerusalem,thoughshehadonce been honourable, came to be regarded as dishonourable and shameful in theeyesofbothbelieversandtheangelsthemselves.Inthesameway,wemustbecarefultoday when we speak of ‘the church’, to ensure that we ourselves are not of thatillegitimateseed;forifwehavehypocriticallyutteredGod’snamebeforemen,hewillsurelyrejectusandbanishusfromhisfamily.

Godbestowsgreathonouruponthechurchhere,whenhecallsherthemotherofallbelievers.ItremindsusofthewordsofPaulinanotherplace,wherehesaysthatthechurchisthepillarwhichupholdsGod’struthinthisworld(1Tim.3:15).Itdoesnotmeanthatthetruthneedstobemaintainedbysinnerslikeourselves,inclinedaswearetoficklenessandinconstancy,andpronetofalsehood.HowcouldthetruthofGod restupon the shouldersofmen,unstableasweare?Yet, throughhisunfailingkindness,hedesiredthathisWordshouldbeproclaimedherebelow,andcommittedthatresponsibilitytothosewhomhehascalled.Itisforthisreasonthatthechurchisreferredtohereas‘themotherofusall’.AstheLordJesusChristdeclares,GodaloneisourFather(Matt.23:9).GodisourspiritualFather,andmusthavenorival.Itishethatbringsus thehopeofeternal lifebymeansofhis truechurch, inwhichhehasplacedhisincorruptibleseed.AstheprophetIsaiahsays,‘mywordswhichIhaveputinthymouth,shallnotdepartoutofthymouth,noroutofthemouthofthyseed,noroutofthemouthofthyseed’sseed,saiththeLord,fromhenceforthandforever’(Isa.59:21).Thus,Godgovernshispeople throughhisWord. It is thismessagewhichhehas bestowed as a deposit and priceless treasure for the salvation of his church, tobringusregenerationandnourishourspirituallives.

Therefore,weneedwisdomtodiscernthetruechurchofGod,asIhavealreadysaid. As the mother of God’s children, we ought not to misuse or sully her name.Unfortunately,thisispreciselywhathashappenedandcontinuestooccurtothisday.It is a commonerror inourday touse the term ‘church’ toobscureandhideGod’struth from the people.What else do the Papists do when they call themselves ‘thechurch’soproudlyandpublicly?TheyhavemanagedtosealupthemouthofGod,asitwere,and tramplehisWordunderfoot. Indeed, theyno longerevenrefer to it, allthewhileacceptingunreservedlythatwhichhasbeenfabricatedintheirownminds,both declaring it and submitting to it. See how men, who are no more thanearthworms anddung, consider themselves equal toGod, and all is doneunder theauspices of the so-called ‘church’. But Paul warns us here to seek for that churchwhich upholds pure doctrine, for it is by this means alone that we are adopted asGod’schildren.Aswehaveseenbefore,themostimportantthingistobegraftedintothebodyofourLordJesusChrist.Firstly,weneedtorecognisethatweareaccursedbynatureandthatallourworksarefilthyrags;weareunderthetyrannicalruleofthedevil,andtheonlyescapeisforGod,inmercyandcompassion,torescueus.WecanonlyenterthehouseholdofGodthroughthisonedoor,that is, throughthegraceoftheLordJesusChrist.This ishow the churchbearsusasher children, through theincorruptibleseedwehavebeenspeakingabout.

However,inorderreallytoprofitfromthispassage,therearetwofurtherpointstobearinmind.Firstly,wearenottobelikethosewhoclaimtobebelieverswithouteverreadingorlisteningtothepreachedWord.TheyimaginethattheHolySpiritwillreveal all to them in a visionor some such thing! In fact, the truth is, theydespisedoctrineandregarditastheywouldanalphabetfortheinstructionoflittlechildren.

BecarefulnottoallowyourselvestobeledastraybySatanandhiswilesinthisway.IfwedesiretobechildrenofGod,andtobearthetruemarksofabeliever;ifwedesireto be acknowledged as such even by angels, we need to be teachable and, with allreverence and humility, thus to maintain order in the church. Even the greatestamongst us, and those who have been raised to honourable status,must recognisethatthehighestdignitymencouldhave,betheykingsorprinces,istobechildrenofGod. If a man wishes to exempt himself from this condition, he is rejecting Godcompletelyandcuttinghimselfoff fromallhopeof salvation.This, then, is the firstpoint,thatwhileweareinthisworld,wemustmakeitourbusinesstoprofitfromtheWord of God. Herein lies the key to spiritual life; for if God has granted usregeneration,wearetonourishourselveswiththeteachingofScripturefortherestofour lives. Indeed, it is the only food for our souls. Let us never proudly orpresumptuously despise doctrine, as if we no longer needed to be students of theWord,forwearetoacceptwhatwearetaughtdaily,andbythismeansbecometruechildrenofthetruechurch.Thisisthefirstpoint.

Secondly,weneedtobediscerning,andnotlikeanimalswhoareledbythereinsacross the fields.Weneed tobeawareofwhat constitutes the true church; forGodhas left certain signswithin itwhichwill not fail as ameans of discerning his truepeople.WhereverhisWord is preached faithfullywithout anyhumanadditions, hisown people will be found. This will occur where the gospel is unadulterated, andwherepeopleareleddirectlytoGodtoseekinhimallthattheylack.TheywillfollowtheLordJesusChristastheWaysetbeforethem.Riddingthemselvesofallprideandarrogance,theywilleagerlyclothethemselveswiththespiritualqualitiesbelongingtothe Lord Jesus Christ. All their glory and all their teaching will proceed from thehouseandsanctuaryofGod,thetruechurchwhichisourmother.Theycanthenbesure thatGodacceptsandreceives themashischildren.This, I say, isacertainandinfalliblemeans of discernment unless, of course, ourminds are dull and clouded.Therearemanypeoplewhoclosetheireyesandshuttheirears,believingthattheyarejustifiedsimplybecausetheysaytheybelongtothechurch.Inreality,theyarehidingthefactthattheyfollowSatan,togetherwithallhisdeceptions,liesandabuses.Maywenotbelikeanimals,ledbyourappetites,butmaywebebroughttotheplacewherewearebornagainthroughtheseedofhisWord,andfedintheonlytruepastureforsouls.

PaulquotesthetestimonyofIsaiahhere(Isa.54:1).InthisScripture,Godisnotreferringrandomlytoanygroupwhoclaimthetitle ‘church’,butonlyhissheep,hisremnant,lefttohimaftertheterribleapostasyoftheJews.Whilstitappears,atfirstsight,thatGodhadwipedoutandabolishedhischurchintheworld,yettherewasstillasmallnumberthathehadgatheredtohimself,knownashiselectremnant(Isa.1:9).Thus, the prophet Isaiah tells us that thosewho had been redeemed, andwho hadtrulyreturnedtoGod,orderingtheirlivesinobediencetohisWord—thesewerethechildrenofthechurch.Itisimportanttonoticethatthechurchisnottriumphantin

thisworld;shedoesnotshinewiththekindofsplendourandmagnificencethatwouldcapture our hearts with just one glimpse and make us her devotees. Often, she isdesolateanddisfigured.ThisisallthemorenoteworthywhenappliedtothePapists.Howmusttheysetouttoprovethattheyarethetruechurch?Theysurelyneedsomeevidence.Yet,alltheycanpointtoistheirwealth,theirpopularity,andalltheirpompand splendour. But this is not the way that God desires his church to be known.Rather,theLordJesusChristdesirestoreignherebelow,surroundedbyhisenemies.He has chosen that his disciplesmust experience those things of which hewarnedthem.Inotherwords,theywillberejectedbytheworldandbedespised;peoplewillwagtheirtonguesatthem,andtroublethem,givingthemnopeacenorrestinthislife(Matt.10:16ff).Therefore,whenwespeakof thechurch, letusrememberwhatPaultells us here: that she is like a barren woman who is alone in her household, andwithoutsupportorhelp.Sheisrejectedandignored,andhasonefootinthegrave,asitwere.ButGodpromisesthatshewillberestored,andwillhavemorechildrenthanshethatismarriedandenjoyshonourandagoodname.

I tell you, we need to bear this teaching in mind today. We see the churchtrampled upon, and the enemies of the truth acting so proudly and venomouslytowardsher.Theyhaveshownfightandcharged,standingintriumphoverus,asifwewerenothingmorethandustorsmoke.Whenwewitnesssuchthings,letuspatientlywaitforGodtogathertogetherhiselect,contentmeanwhileintheknowledgethatweare his children, though the world despise and reject us. Thus, if wewish to knowwhatthechurchis,letusnotlookforitwithaneyefullofvanity,likethosewhoseekonlypompandbeautifulappearances.Onthecontrary,letusrememberthatGodwillafflicthispoorchurch to thepoint that ithasnobeautyorattraction in theeyesofmen,but ratherappearsdesolate.Even,asweshall see shortly, if everyone risesupagainstthechurch,letusbecontenttobeoneofGod’schildren.ForifwehavebeencalledtoGodthroughthepuredoctrineof thegospel,webecomecompanionsofallour forefathers whowere chosen under the law.We are onewith all the righteouskings and patriarchs, prophets andmartyrs; in short, all believers since the time ofAbelaswellasthosewhoaretocome,totheendoftimeitself.Yes,thePapistsboastthattheyareavastmultitude,buttheprophetIsaiahmocksatallthis.Why?Becausethe important thing is to discern who are the rightful children. What are all thetemplesof thePapistsbutbrothelsofSatan?Everythingabout them is taintedwithfilth,andtheirserviceforGodiscorrupt.Thereisnothinguprightaboutanyofit!Sothen, the Papists, though they call themselves ‘the church of God’, are bornillegitimate,andbelongtothebrothel,alongwiththeirmotherandallthesynagogueofSatan.ThisishowitisaccordingtoIsaiahandPaul,afaithfulexpositorledbytheSpiritofGod,confirmshismessage.LetusonlyjointhosewhoarethetruechildrenofGod,whohavetheinfalliblesealoftheHolySpiritandrefusesimplytofollowthecrowd.Asforthosewhoarewretched,letthemgotheirwaytoperdition,fortheyhavewillinglythrownthemselves intothenetsofSatan,wanderinglikepoorbrutebeasts

voidofknowledge.

However, letusbearinmindthatthosewhoarechildrenofthechurchcanstillbe our fathers in the faith.We have been born again through theirmessage, asweheardtheWordofGod.ItiswrittenthatallwhobelievearesonsofAbrahamandthetrueIsraelofGod,asifwehaddescendedfromJacob(Gal.6:16).Ourfathersinthefaith, therefore, belong to this same fraternity, thoughwe are known collectively asthesonsofGodandofhischurch.Similarly,ourLordJesusChristiscalledourHead.Thoughhe isultimately theonlySonofGod, yetby associatingourselveswithhimand becomingmembers of his body, we can call ourselves the sons of God, not bynaturebutbecausewehavebeenfreelyadopted.Therefore,Paultellsusthatwe,likeIsaac,arethechildrenofpromise.Hedoesnotwishustohaveanyvainconfidenceinourownmerits,norinourownpersons,butratherthatweshouldbedevoidofpridewhen we realise that our dignity has been conferred upon us by the grace andkindness of God alone. In this way, we differ from those illegitimate children whofalselygloryinthenameofGod.Theyarefullofpresumptionandhypocrisy.Alltheytalkaboutisfreewill,meritoriousworks,penances,thefourcardinalvirtues,aswellastheologicalvirtues,astheycallthem!Inshort,theyarepuffedupwithpride.Asforourselves,weareofpromise,whichmeansthatGodhaslookeduponusinmercyandpluckedusoutof theabyssofhellwhereoncewewere.Throughthegospel,hehasbecomeourFather,andhehasdeclaredthataninheritanceawaitsus,boughtnotbyourselves or any other mortal creature, but by Jesus Christ. He, though very God,becameman,thatwemightfindinhimthatwhichwecouldneverhavefoundintheworld.

Thus, Paul concludes here that ifwewish to be groundedupon the gospel andenjoyassuranceofsalvation,wemustneverentertainthoughtsofourownmerit,norbelieve that we can contribute anything of ourselves, for it is simply a matter ofaccepting thatwhichhasbeenoffered tous.JesusChrist isnothalfasaviour,he istheSaviour!Thesearesomeimplicationsofthispromise,aswehavealreadyseenatsomelength.Ofcourse,thelawhasitspromises,butasIhaveexplained,theyallhaveconditions. The promisewhich Paul refers to here abolishes all human pride, castsmandownandrevealsthatheislost.Theonlyanswer,therefore,isintheLordJesusChrist.TheonlywaywecanenjoytheblessingsofGodisbymeansofthegospel.ItteachesusthatsalvationistobefoundinGodalone,andthatwemustreturnthankstotheOnewhograntedit.Itisnotarewardthatheisobligedtogive,forinnosenseisGodindebtedtous.

Atthispoint,Paulsays, ‘ButasthenhethatwasbornafterthefleshpersecutedhimthatwasbornaftertheSpirit,evensoitisnow.’Thus,itisinevitablethatwewillbe so treated.Hypocrites and liars, illegitimate childrenwho have defiled the truthandcut themselvesoff fromit,willgloatoverus.Theywillexalt themselvesagainstus, as if we were unworthy even to kiss their feet. They will rise up proudly and

persecuteus.ButPaul is teachingus tobe faithful, andnot toallowour faith tobeshaken by their arrogance; nor are we to be deceived by the cunning of suchhypocritesandtraitors,whohavetwistedtheWordofGod.For intheend, itwillbeforthemasitwasforthoseofthehouseofAbraham:‘Castoutthebondwomanandher son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of thefreewoman.’ All such, though they claim to be believers, andwish to be consideredpartofGod’sfamily,willbecutoffasrottenbranches,andwillhavenopartnorlotintheinheritance.

There is an excellent message here which ought to be most useful to us, andwhichconfirmsthattowhichIhavealluded:andthatis,thatwearenottobedazzledbythesplendourofthisworld,nortransportedwithamazementwhenweseedisplaysofgreatmagnificence. Ifwewere tobelieveall thatwe sawwithoureyes, thePopeuponhisthrone,withallhissparklinggarmentsandtheirtrimmings,wouldseemanidoltobeworshipped.Itdoesnotsurpriseusthatpeoplestandthereaghast,asiftheyhavebeenhitovertheheadwithaclubandaresemi-conscious!Why?Becausemenare inclined to judge carnally, andare less than little childrenwhen it comes to thethingsthatconcernthekingdomofheaven.Yet,Paultellsusthatthoseinpositionsofauthority, who are filled with self-importance and who are held in awe — indeed,those who might be regarded as the first-born — are often Ishmaelites. They arebastardchildren,despitewhattheymayclaimabouttheirseniority.Now,ifPaullivedtoday, the proclamation of his message would be so unwelcome that he would beburnt a hundred times over! Today,wemaywrite or saywhateverwewish, butwecouldnotdescribethePopeandhisclergymoreaptlythaninthewordsofPaul.TheimplicationsofthistextarethattheyareabandofIshmaelitesandevil, illegitimatechildrenwhofightagainstGodandallhistrueoffspring.Now,thePapistsclaimthattheyhavenotjustestablishedthemselvestoday,norevenahundredyearsago.Theyclaim that they have observed their ceremonies and traditions for eight or ninehundredyears.Well,itisclearthat,eveninthis,theyshamelesslylietous;buteveniftheworldhadnotdeterioratedinthoseeighthundredyears,thefactthattheyarethe‘first-born’makesthemnomoreimportantorworthythanIshmael!Withtime,theyhave grown in number and say that we are no more than a handful of people incomparisontothem.Theysaythattheyhavekingsandprincesamongtheirnumber,that thewholeworldagreeswiththem, fromthegreatest to the least,andthat theirruleextendsacrossmostofEuropeandpartofAfrica.Butevenwithallthistoboastof,itamountstonomorethantheseniorityofIshmael.Theyoughttobelookingforotherevidence,namely,thattheyseektoliveaccordingtotheteachingofthelawandthegospel,andaddnothingoftheirowndevising;fordoingthisresultsincorruptandillegitimate doctrine. Of course, they will not discuss whether or not they haveadulteratedthepurityoftheWordofGod.Butitisplainenoughforalltosee!Undercoverofbeinga ‘church’,asIhavebeensaying,theyhaveaudaciouslyassumedthattheyhavetheauthoritytoaddanddetractfromtheWordofGod.

Thus,wedonotneedtoconductadetailedexamination,nortopossessaspecialgiftofdiscernmenttotellwhetherornotthePapistsare,indeed,childrenofGod.LikeIshmael they are proud to be first-born; they are proud that they have an infinitenumberofadherents.Theysaythatwearelikelittlerunts,inamannerofspeaking:wearedespised,andwehavenodignityorreputationintheworld.Whentheyspeaklikethis,itisIshmaelthatwecanhear.Wehavegreatneedofpatience,therefore;forwhentheenemiesofGodoccupythebestplaces inhishouse, it isasoretrial.Theyarelikestrawinthebarn,whilstwearehiddenaway,likeseedbeneaththesoil.Itisamiserableconditionthatishardforustobearand,indeed,wehaveseenmanyforsakethegospel throughweakness.Suchpoor, simple soulshear thenoble titles, suchasthe Catholic Church, the Apostolic Throne, the Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor toSaint Peter and Saint Paul, prelates, bishops, etc.With all this placed before them,these poor folk are confused and conclude that they ought to follow. They arecaptivatedby thismask, the sameaswouldhorrify little children;but thisdoesnothappen to those who are strong and follow God faithfully. Thus, when the Papistsclaimthattheyarethe ‘representativechurch’,theyspeakthetruth,forindeed,theyarenomorethanarepresentation!Inotherwords,theyarelikeabeautifulmedal,butallthatglittersisnotgold,astheysay!Weneedtoknowwhethertheyteachthetruth.

TakenoteofwhatPaulistellingushere.Fortheill-treatmentofIsaacbyIshmaelwas not just a one-off occurrence.We see the same kind of thing happening today.ThechildrenofGodwillbeoppressedandtroddenunderfootbythosewho,intheory,arethefirst-born,andmanysimplesoulswillbeseducedbythisveryclaimoftheirs.Theycoveralltheirfilthandpollutionwithsuchprettycolours,dotheynot?However,letusprepareourselvesforbattle,saysPaul,andnotallowourfaithtobeovercomeby the pride of thosewho are the enemies of the truth ofGod. These are domesticenemies, not like the Turks or pagans, but those who are garrisoned within thechurch,suchastheprelatesandgreat leaders.Yet,wemustnotbesurprised,forwehave been prepared for it through the example of our father Isaac. We need topersevere to the end, ifwehavebeenbornagain through thepure seedwithwhichGodispleased,forthisalonemakesusrightfulchildrenandheirsofthekingdomofheaven.

YetitmaystillbeconsideredstrangewhenPaulsaysthatIsaacwaspersecutedbyhisbrotherIshmael.ForMosessimplywritesthatonthedaythatIsaacwasweaned,at the feast, Ishmael laughedmockingly (Gen.21:8-9).According toMoses’account,there is nomention of Ishmael persecuting Isaac.He onlymocked, being the olderchild,andconsideringhimselfsuperiortoIsaacthroughgreaterknowledge.If itwassimplyamatteroflaughterandmockery,why,then,shouldPaulcallthispersecution?Well,thepersecutionthatthechildofGodhastoendureisnotalwaysbythesword,orbyfire,torture,imprisonment,orotherbodilysuffering.Sometimesheisdrownedin a torrent of abuse that unbelievers and enemies of the truth spew out of theirmouths.IfwearefamiliarwithwhatitsaysinthePsalms,wewillnotfinditstrange

that Paul should speak as he does.We are told that the reproaches that are madeagainstourmajesticGodwillalsofalluponus(Psa.69:9).Wearetobeveryparticularwhen the name of God is slandered, or his honour undermined in any waywhatsoever.Ifapersonweretoattackthereputationofanyoneofushere,wewouldbeangryandstartaquarrel.Wewouldseethatitonlytakesonewordofcriticismforustodrawourswordsinanger,underthepretextthatwearedefendingourhonour.Ifamanwere to criticise our parents, such passions would be aroused in us that wewouldsoonbeoutofcontrol.Therefore,whenGodisattacked,andwhenmenvoicetheir criticism of him, ought we to suffer it, and not be moved with anger andindignation? This iswhy it says that the zeal ofGod’s house has eaten us up (Psa.69:9).WearenotonlytofeelangerwhenapersonunderminesthemajestyofGod,ortwiststhedoctrineofsalvation,orwhenthechurchisfullofungodliness:thesethingsshouldeatusupwithin.

To return towhat Iwas saying, it iswritten that Ishmael persecuted Isaac.Wemayask,how?WithGehenna,orwithfire?Ordidhehaveaswordwithwhichtocutoffhishead?Notatall!HesimplymockedatthepromisethatwasmadetoIsaac.ItwasforetoldthatIshmaelwouldlive,butnotasachildofpromise.ItwasinIsaacthatthe world would receive blessing (Gen. 21:12). Indeed, Jesus Christ was promisedthrough Isaac, and thus, this was a promise of salvation. Bymocking, Ishmaelwasgivingamortalwoundto thechildrenofadoptionandtoallbelievers,bydisdainingand attacking their source of highest good and eternal felicity. Nowwe understandwhat Paul intended by this.Hewants us to apply his teaching, and to be ready fortheseinternalconflicts.TheTurksandthepagansarenottheonlyadversariesofthegospel.Therearealsomanyhypocrites,seekingtodestroy,asfarastheypossiblycanthedoctrineofgracewhich isoffered to themby theLordJesusChrist.Theywouldrobhimofhisdignityandworth,ratherthanmagnifyingthewonderfulgenerosityofGod,thesourceofoursouls’well-being.Letusbeready,Isay,tofightthesebattleswith our internal foes, who claim to be children of God. They say they are oursuperiorsandboastoftheirseniority,hopingitwillmakeusfeelcrushedandbeaten.

Thereisanotherpoint,andthatisthat,whenweseethedoctrinesofGodtwistedinthisway,weshouldbecuttothequickwithanguish.Bynature,wefleeanythingthat will harm us, or afflict the body. Yet, we should not be so wrapped up in thisworld thatwe preferwhat seems desirable here below to our heavenly inheritance.Whenever thenameofGod isblasphemed,orwheneveraperson seeks towipeoutthedoctrinesthatbringlife,weshouldfeelsuchanguishthatwecannotoverlookthematter,evenmorethanifwewereafflictedinourbodies.Ifweweretobethreatenedwith having our throats slit, or with enduring all the torments imaginable (theenemiesof thegospel todaycanonly satisfy their rageagainstourpoorbrothersbytorturing, burning, cutting off tongues and the like, as we know)— if this were tohappentous,Isay,wearenottotakeitsohardaswhenthenameofGodisrippedtoshreds, and attacked bywickedmen. But why should they do such things?Well, if

theyslitourthroats,itisnotonlytodepriveusofthisfleetingandtransitorylife,butalsotocutusoff fromthekingdomofheaven.Bycorruptingthe truedoctrine, theyareturningmeatintopoison,lifeintodeath,lightintodarkness.ThispassageisPaul’sexhortationandwarningtousnot togiveourselvesover to thethingsof thisworld.Our thoughts and affections should be raised heavenward, and centred on thepricelessgiftwhichhasbeenofferedtousthroughthegospel.Wemustfightforthiscausemorethanforourownlives.Fortruly,amillionlivesuponthisearthcannotbecomparedtothateternityinheavenwhichtheLordJesusChristhaspromised.Thisiswhatweneedtoremember:ourpassioncanneverbesaidtobeunreasonableifwearereactingtotheblasphemiesofwickedmenagainstGod.Foritisbytheirschemesanddevicesthat theyseektoalterandfalsify theonlydoctrinewhichcanbringspirituallife.

Finally,noticewhatPaulsaysinconclusion,thatallthosewhoboastinthiswaythattheybelongtothechurchtodayandclaimtherightsofthefirst-bornwillbecastout as bastard children. Do not be deceived by the splendour that surrounds thosewho strive against the truth of God: their tyranny is maintained by force, bypersecution,bygloatingandthelike.Looktotheirend:theywillbecutoff, fortheyare not heirs. They may well live in the same house, just as we are told that theAntichrist sits in the temple ofGod (2Thess. 2:4); but theywill be scrapedoff likemud or dung. Now, this does not happen in the sight of men and, therefore, it ishidden from our eyes today. However, wemust wait for God tomanifest his truthmoreopenly,andfortheLordJesusChrist toconfoundhis foesbytheswordofhismouth,thepowerofhisWord.Weneedtostandfirmwithunshakeablefaithfulness,thathoweverdespisedorcriticisedweare,wemightpersevere in theholycallingofourGod,knowingthatwewillnotbedisappointedifweleanuponthedoctrinesofthegospel.Letusremaingroundedtherein,until thedaythatGodreveals thatwhich ispresentlyhidden.Onthatday,wewillbetrulygatheredtohisside,knowingthatwehavenotbeentaughthispreciousWordinvain.Norwill itbeinvainforustohaverenounced the foolish inventions ofman, and tohave sought life only through thatpureseedthatbringsregeneration.Thispasturealonecanfeedandnourishustotheend.

Now let us fall down before the majesty of our great God, acknowledging ourfaults,andprayingthathewouldmakeusmoreconsciousofthem,sothatweareledtotruerepentance.Maywecontinuetotremblebeforehisthrone,andbeconfoundedwithinourselves; yet still assured thathe acceptsus in thenameof theLord JesusChrist. The remission of our sins is guaranteed if we seek it in true faith, withoutstepping aside to the right handor to the left.Wemust follow theway that hehasshownus,andwecannotgoastrayiftheSunofRighteousnesslightsourpath.Mayheshowthisgrace,notonlytous,buttoallpeoplesandnationsonearth,etc.

AbsolvedOnlyThroughtheSacrificeofJesusChrist

Stand fast therefore in the libertywherewithChrist hathmade us free, and be notentangledagainwiththeyokeofbondage.Behold,IPaulsayuntoyou,thatifyebecircumcised,Christshallprofityounothing.ForItestifyagaintoeverymanthatiscircumcised,thatheisadebtortodothewholelaw.-Gal.5:1-3

Last time,wesawthat inorder tohaveanabidingplace in thechurch,weneedtheLordJesusChristasourfoundation.TherearemanywhoclaimtobechildrenofGodwhohaveneverbeenbornagain through thatgood seedwhichenlightens, andbringsacceptancewithGod,whothenacknowledgesusashischildren.WemustholdfasttothepuredoctrineofthegospelifwedesiretobetrulyunitedtotheLordJesusChrist. He, as our Head and our Mediator, unites us to God the Father. We havealready spoken about the reason why Paul mentions both the servile and the freeoffspring.HetellsusthatthosewhoseekjustificationthroughtheirowngooddeedsareseveringthemselvesfromthegraceoftheLordJesusChrist.Fortheyarebindingthemselvestoperformthatwhichisimpossible,thatis,tosatisfyGodbykeepinghiscommandments.Whereas,wearesofullofweaknessesthatwecannotpossiblyfulfilltheleastarticleofthelaw,letalonereachtheperfectionwhichthelawrequires.ThisiswhyPaulconcludesthatwemustmaintainthelibertythatwaspurchasedforusbyourLordJesusChrist.

Now,he ismostcertainly referring to theceremonieshere,althoughweshouldalways return to the original purpose andmain goal of the law.For if the lawwereonlyconcernedwithkeepingacertain feastdayorabstaining fromacertainkindofmeat, this would not be an issue of suchweight as to stir up somany contentionswithin the church. Yet, Paul never wasted his time dealing with trivial orinconsequentialmatters.Hewasconcernedwithdoctrine;fortomakeothermattersobligatorywastoexcludemultitudesfromthehopeofsalvation.Ifitisamortalsintoneglect a certain ritual, I becomea transgressor if I fail, and there isno remedy forsuch a sin. God is my judge and will call me to account; there is no means ofredemption.Whilstitistruethatweallmustobservethelaw,yetthereisaremedyif,on account of our shortcomings, we run to the Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed, hesubmittedtothelawinordertobuyourliberty.Hetookourcurseuponhiminordertosetusfree.Sothen,ifweimposevariousadditionalobligations,andsaythattodothisorthatisasin,ourLordJesusChristwillnotserveasaremedyforsuchthingsinthe way that I have said. Instead, we will remain under the curse without hope ofdeliverance.Thus,PaulhasgoodreasontoexhorttheGalatianstostandfastandnotallowthemselvestoreturntoservitude.Forthis,hesays,willrobthemofapricelessgift, and theywill fall from the grace ofGod and be separated from theLord JesusChrist,theonlysourceofsalvationandeternalhappiness.

Now,inordertoexperiencethenatureandqualitiesofthisgift,wemustlearntohideourselvesinGod.Letmegiveanexamplehere.Ifcertainlawsandobligationsareplaced upon us bymen, they do not detract from our liberty beforeGod.Whateverbelongstolawandorder,andiseitherforbiddenorcommanded,mustbeobeyedforthesakeofthecommongood.Ifacertaindutyisrequired,weoughttodoit,therebyserving one another in the community. Notice, therefore, that the things whichpertain to law and order require that we interact in a united and harmonious way,having sucha strongbond thatwewill serveourneighbours, andnot selfishly lookafter our own interests. However, when it comes to spiritual liberty, we need towithdrawfromthecrowdinordertoexperienceitsnatureandeffects.IsaythateachoneofusmustcomebeforeGodpersonally,foronedayweshallgiveaccountbeforeourheavenlyjudge.Wearetoexamineourselveswithinandask,howamItopresentmyselfbeforethejudgmentseatofGod?Ifmylifeisexaminedaccordingtothelaw,woe isme! I am guilty of an infinite number of offences, that even if therewere amilliondeaths,itwouldbeinsufficienttopayforthesinsIhavecommitted.Yet,Goddesirestoshowmehisfavour,andreceivemeinmercyinthenameoftheLordJesusChrist.WhenIapproachhim, therefore, Icancomewithmyheadheldhigh,havingbeenacquittedandabsolvedthroughthesacrificeofJesusChrist,whopaidformysinand gaveme full deliverance. This is the first thing, theway inwhich Imust serveGod.Ofcourse,Imustdedicatemylifetohim,buthowdoIbegin?ForIcannotbringhimtheperfectionthatherequires,noreventhehundredthpartofit!Well,Godbearswithme, and still accepts andapproves thatwhich is imperfect andweak, and eventhatwhich ismixedwithsin.Why?Becauseheacceptsme in thenameof theLordJesusChristasoneofhisownchildren.This,Isay,ishowwearetocomebeforeGodifwewishtoknowandexperiencethefruitofthislibertyofwhichPaulspeaks.

WhenPaulsays,‘benotentangledagainwiththeyokeofbondage’,heshowsthatbeforewehadfaithinthegospelandunderstoodthesignificanceofthesufferingsanddeathof theSonofGod,wewereheld tightlyboundasprisonersanddidnotenjoyany freedom. Indeed, if Jesus Christ had not intervened and become theMediatorbetweenGodtheFatherandman,oursoulswouldstillbetormentedandafflicted.Forthere is not one of us who does not recognise that he ismore than guilty, andwewouldhaveremainedinthiscondition,drownedindespair,hadwenotbeenrescuedby theLordJesusChrist.Such sorrowwouldhavebeenours ifweneverknewhowmercifulGodwouldbeonus;howhewouldbestowpeacetous,andtheboldnesstocalluponhimbecauseJesusChristhasgonebeforeus.Ontheotherhand, ifwedonotknowthatGodhastrulyreceivedus,and issatisfiedwiththeobediencethatweseektorendertohim(thoughwithmuchweakness),thenweareboundbyasecondrope,whichwillstrangleus.Thisisthecasewithallunbelievers.NowthegospelhasshownthatGodlovesus,andthathefreelyacceptsusashischildreninhisgoodness.Therefore,Paulwarnsusnottobetrampleduponbymenintheirtyranny,buttobedeliveredfromtherigorousobligationsofthelawwhichforceusintoslavery.Weare

toupholdourprivilegedposition,nowthatJesusChristhassetusfree.

Letusnowconsiderthereasonthathegives:‘Behold,IPaulsayuntoyou,thatifyebecircumcised,Christshallprofityounothing.’Thisstatement,whichtellsusthatcircumcisioncancutmenoff fromanyshareinthesalvationpurchasedbyourLordJesusChrist, isveryharsh.However,wemustremember,firstofall,thatwhenPaulspeaksofcircumcisionhere,heisnotreferringtotheactitself,buttoitspurpose.Theseducers that had infiltrated the Galatians and corrupted the purity of the gospelwantedthemtobelievethatapersonhadtobecircumcisedinordertokeepthelaw.Paulstopshere,andsaysthatifwearebeingforcedandobligedtoperformthistaskforGodandtoenterintothiscovenantwithhim,JesusChristwillnotprofitus.Thisiswellworthyofourattention.Today,wesay that it ishellish tyranny tocommandpeopletoobeycertainrulesonthegroundsthattheirfailureisamortalsin!Likewise,it is tyranny to forbid something simply because it does not pleasemen. SomeoneordainedthatweshouldkeepLent,andanother,thatweshouldconfessallofoursinsonceayear.Nowifwedisputethis,thePapists,asIhavesaid,willbethrownintoamadrage,withoutconsideringthereasonswhywehavebeenstirreduptoinsistuponthisview.Why?Becausetheylooknofurtherthantheexternalact.Yet,wemustlookmoredeeply.ThePapistscommandthatweobey,onpainofcommittingamortalsin,makingusthinkthatweareobligedtodoittobeacceptabletoGod;wehaveenteredintoacovenantwithhimbasedupondoingourduty.Whoeverhas fulfilledhisdutyhasmadeGodhisdebtor,accordingtothedevilishdoctrineswhichaboundinPopery.Wecanonlyobtaingracebyourmerits,andthememoryofoursinsandiniquitiescanbe wiped out by making our own satisfaction for sin and thereby appeasing God’swrath.Wesee,therefore,thatifwecanobtainourownpardon,JesusChristismadeof no value and cannot profit us at all. Why? Because Jesus Christ is not ourrighteousness if we do not seek remission of our sins through the sacrifice of hisdeath.WeneedtobesurethatGodisourFather,andthatwecancalluponhimwithapeacefulconscience,havingbeenadoptedthroughtheLordJesusChrist.

Now, it is true that the seducerswhodeceived theGalatians still desired JesusChrist tobeknownas theSaviourof theworld.Theybelievedboth the lawand thegospel, so they upheld all the titles that belonged to Jesus Christ. However, theybelieved that part of our salvationhas to bemerited, as ameans of appeasingGod.Thus,JesusChristsimplysuppliedthatwhichwaslacking.Butthisleavespoorsoulswithtroubledconsciencesstill.ThesameappliestodayinPopery.ThePope,withallthescumofhisclergy,differsnothingfromtheseducersthatPaulisarguingagainsthere, except, perhaps, that they used the authority of the law of Moses to pushforwardtheirownnotionsandmakethemacceptable.ThepeoplethatPaulcriticisesherewere arguing that theymust observe the rite of circumcision.They said itwasnecessary foreveryone tobecircumcised.Why? Inorder tobeguiltlessbeforeGod;that,havingdonetheirduty,theymaybeacceptabletohim.What,then,istheroleofJesus Christ?He acts as a kind of supplement; they are not saying that he has no

purpose, but that he supplies thedifference, aftermenhave acquitted and absolvedthemselves,andonlyiftheyneedextrahelp!SuchisthespeechoftheseducerswhoopposedPaul.AndwhatofthePope?InsteadoftheceremoniallawofMoses,hesaysthatwemustobeywhatheordains,andwhathiscouncilsdetermine,ordecisionsofthis person or that.Hemakes such directives compulsory, on pain of committing amortal sin. If we have offended God, he says we can redeem ourselves throughpenances,ratherthanbydoingwhatGodhascommanded.Hisideaofpenanceisnotto fulfill that which has been commanded in the law, but to do evenmore than isrequired;thisishowweareacquittedinGod’ssightandmadeacceptabletohim.Wecan see, therefore, that thePopehas retained the samedevilishprinciple that thesepeoplesoughttointroduce.Indeed,hissinisevenworse,becauseinsteadofusingthelawofMosesforhisauthority,hebasesituponhisowninventions,forgedinhisownmind!

Paulopposesall this,andsaysthatChristshallprofit themnothingif theyseeksuchacovenantwithGod.Why?BecauseitisasiftheyaredividingChrist,andonlyattributingtohimhalfofthatwhichiswhollyhisown.Heisourrighteousnessandheis our peace (1Cor. 1:30;Eph. 2:14).What does thisword ‘righteousness’ imply? ItmeansthatGodcanfreelyacceptusthroughtheLordJesusChrist.IfwesaythatwecanpleaseGodbyourmerits,andthatJesusChristsimplycompletesthatwhichwelack,arewenottearinghimintwo,anddismemberinghimasfarasisinourpower?Wearenottodosuchathing,norallowotherstodoso.Furthermore,ourLordJesusChristhaspaid foroursins,andthere isnoothermeansofbeingreconciledtoGodthantheknowledgethathehasdeliveredandrescuedusfromthepenaltyofeternaldeath.Ifwethinkthatwecanpurchaseourownredemptionthroughourownmerits,and believe that the rest will come from him, as a small addition, we are openlymockinghim,which isabominable.WeseewhyPaulsays thatJesusChristwillnotprofitinsuchcircumstances;hewantsmentostopdeceivingthemselvesbycreatingaJesus Christ who only partially fulfils his office. No; wemust receive him as he isrevealedtousbyGodtheFather.Hehasbeengiventoussothatwemightnottrustinanythingelse,buthaverecoursetohimalone.WearetobecontenttohavehimasourHead,andwemustserveGodtheFatherwithallthatwehave,knowingthatalthoughitamountstonothing,yetheispleasedwithitthroughouradoptionintheLordJesusChrist. It is this which makes us ourselves and all our works acceptable to God.Ourselves,Isay,thoughweareworthless,andourworks,thoughtheyarevain.Godispleasedwith thembecausehedoesnot take account ofwhatwe are, or ofwhatwehavedone,norofthequalityorquantityofourworks.Heisinterestedinthefactthatwehavecometohim,asmembersofthebodyofhisonlySon,leaningentirelyuponthesacrificebywhichheboughtus.

ThisiswhyPauladds,forthegreaterconfirmationofthesame,‘Itestifyagaintoeverymanthatiscircumcised,thatheisadebtortodothewholelaw.’Ifwewishtojustify ourselves in thisway,he says,Christwill notprofit us.Wehavehere a very

straightforwardandarticulate statementofwhatPaul said earlier, andwemustpayattentionto it, for it isdifficult topersuadepeople thatChrist isofnovalueatall iftheyseek tomakeuseofhimonly inpart.Foralthough theTurksandpaganshavenotevenknownJesusChrist,theyhaveasimilarviewtothePapists,andwewillfindmuchconformitybetweenthem.FortherehaveneverbeenanypaganpeopleinthisworldwhohavebelievedthatwecannotpleaseGod.Theyhavealwaysboastedabouttheirgooddeedsandthoughtthattheirsalvationdependeduponthem.Paganshave,therefore,alwaysbelievedthattheycanobtaingraceandmeritfavourinGod’ssight.Hence,theyhaveofferedsacrificestohim,unawarethattheseareafigureoftheLordJesus Christ, hoping to bring God a propitiation. This, also, was done by the Jews,havingdefiledandcorruptedthetruesignificanceofthe law.ThePapistsfollowsuittoday.They are certain thatGod acceptswhat theydo, and is somehow indebted tothem.Theyenter intoa covenantwithhimwherebyhe is compelled toacceptwhattheydo, thoughtheyhave failedhim.(Forontheonehand, theyreadilyaccept thatthey cannot achieve everything perfectly— although, on the other hand, they claimthattheycanaccomplishmorethanGodhasrequiredofthem,andthatthisservesaspayment!)Now,becauseitisdifficulttopersuadementhatJesusChristcannotserveaspart-payment,wemustgiveallthemoreattentiontothispassage,wherePaultellsusthatwhoeveriscircumcisedisadebtortoperformthewholelaw.

Firstly,whenPaul speaksof circumcision,he isnot referring to thatwhichwasinstituted by God. Why, indeed, did he ask this of Abraham? It was a seal of therighteousnessthatcomesthroughfaith,asPaulhimselfsaysinthefourthchaptertothe Romans (Rom. 4:11). When Abraham was circumcised, it did not make him adebtortokeepthewholelaw:onthecontrary,itwastoobtainremissionofhissins,and to assurehim thatGodacceptedhimasoneofhis children in thenameof theLordJesusChrist.Therefore,circumcisionsetour fatherAbrahamfree!Whydidhedoit?BecauseitwasasacramentthatremindedhimofthefreemercyofGod.Thosewith whom Paul argues here took circumcision as a meritorious work, hoping toobtainGod’s favourby it.Theysaw itasacovenantwhichsaid, ‘Ihavedeclaredmyallegiancetoyoubydoingthis,andnowIseekareward’.IfweentersuchacovenantwithGod, thenwearedebtors tokeepthewhole law.Inotherwords,Paul issayingthatwecannotbargainwithGod.MenmustnotimaginethattheycanpleaseGodinpart,andthatheis,therefore,obligatedtothem.Heisnotboundtoallowthemintohis paradise because they have done this or that.No, no, says Paul,wemust reachheavenbyverydifferentmeans;wearenottohavethisnotionofamutualcovenantwithGod,whichmakeshimobligatedtograntuseternallifeinreturnforcompulsoryobservationof the law.If this iswhatwehavebelieved, thenwearedebtorstokeepthewholelaw.

Inbrief,PaulcontendsherewiththeSatanicdoctrinewhichholdsswayinPoperytoday.Theyspeakofpartialrighteousness,whichmeansthatpartofitproceedsfromthegraceofGod,whilsttheotherportionissuppliedbymeritoriousworks.Howcould

this be? After all, it is quite obvious that there has never been aman alive in thisworldwhohasfulfilledthewholelawofGod.Experienceprovesthissoclearly!SincethePapistsrealise the truthof this, itbeingmostevident,as Isay, thatnomancankeep all of the law, they have the effrontery to say, ‘Oh, we do not believe that aperson can be completely righteous in everyway, and therefore Jesus Christ is ourrighteousnessandourRedeemerinpart.Therestwemeritthroughourgooddeeds!’Shame, shame, says Paul. If you imagine that you have an agreement with Godwhereby you havemerited something fromhim, and deserve a reward because youhaveplacedhim inyourdebt; if, I say,youaresomercenaryas tosay, ‘Ihavedonethis, now youmust do that’, you havemade yourself a debtor to do thewhole law.Thesearefoolishnotions;menaredeceivingthemselvesbythinkingthatGodacceptsall thattheydo,yetwill ignoreall thattheyhaveomittedtodo.Forexample,amanowesahundredpounds,andhastopayitback.Yet,hethinkshiscreditoroughttobecontentifhegiveshimfourpounds,andsays, ‘Here.Takethisaspayment’.Thenhebringshimanothersix,thenten.Finally,aftermuchado,hehaspaidhimathirdoraquarterofthesumowed.Now,ifhebelievedthathehadacquittedhimselfofthedebtbydoingthis,woulditnotamounttowickedingratitude?Hisfriendhadopenedhispurse tohelphimata timeofneed, anddidnot spareanything inorder to supporthim.Yet,hewantstobeacquittedofthedebtbecausehehasgivenbackIknownotwhat,saying‘Takethisaspayment’,whenhehasnotevenpaidaquarterofthetotalamount.Wecanseethatthiswouldberidiculous.What,then,ofthosewhowanttoenter intoaccountwithGodbytheirmerits?ForGodhassaid,andPaulhasalreadyquotedthisforus,thatwhoeverdoesnotkeepallthethingsthatarewritteninthelawisaccursed.

What,then,areourobligationsunderthelaw?Toobserveitperfectly.Andwhoisabletoaccomplishthis?Thereisnotonewhocanfulfillevenasinglerequirementtoperfection.Yet,whatdothesehypocritesdo,whobelievetheycanbeworthythroughtheirownworks?Theydo thisandthat,hoping toberighteous inpartat least.Godwill acceptnoneof it.Hewillnever retract the followingstatement,whichhemadewithhisownmouth,‘Cursedbehethatconfirmethnotallthewordsofthislawtodothem’ (Deut. 27:26). This is why Paul insists here that whoever is circumcised is adebtortokeepthewholelaw.Itisasifheweresaying,‘Donotdeceiveyourselvesanylonger.Goddoesnothavetwopaths.Hehasdeclaredinthelawthatwhoeverdoesnotperfectlyfulfill it isaccursed.’Thereisnotonewhohassucceeded,sothat leavesusallunder thiscurse.There isbutoneremedy,andthat is tocometo theLordJesusChrist.ItiswrongtobelieveinthepartialvalueofJesusChrist,whilstholdingontoIknownotwhatofourown.Weought,rather,toconfessthatweareunderthecurseuntilourLordJesusChristhasfreedusandwehavesoughtallthatweneedinhim.Weneedtoconfessthatallourworksareofnovalue,andthattheystinkintheeyesof God, until he owns us as his children, and enables us to walk in liberty ofconscience, knowing that our sins are forgiven by virtue of the pardon that he

obtainedforus.Now,Godnolongerimputesoursinsandiniquitiestous,becauseheseesusasweareinthepersonofhisonlySon.

ThisishowPaulsetsouttoprovewhathesaidearlier,thatJesusChristisofnoprofit to those who have been circumcised. Why? Because, if they seek salvationthroughworks, theymust achieve all thatGod requires, andnotbits andpieces (asthey say). Theymust accomplish thewhole law,without omitting anything.Who isable todo this? Ifwewere toselect themostholyandperfectperson thatwecouldfind,hecouldnotevenperformahundredthpartofthatwhichhasbeencommanded.Thus,menarebereftofanyhopeof salvationunless theycomeemptiedofall their‘merits’andfullyleanontheLordJesusChrist,knowingthattheycannotbejustifiedbyhimorbyhisgraceunlesstheyhaverenouncedallthosethingsinwhichtheyoncetrusted.

Furthermore, when Paul speaks of circumcision here, hemeans the erroneousviewof it spreadby these seducers, imagining that theywerewinningGod’s favourand fulfilling the law. Similarly today, all who keep the papal ordinances areoverturningtheauthorityoftheLordJesusChrist.IamnotsayingthatamanwillbecondemnedforrefusingtoeatmeatonFridaysoronfastdays;yet,ifheabstainsfrommeatoutofsuperstition,andbelievesheismeritingGod’sfavourbysodoing,thenheis rejecting the Lord Jesus Christ. He was given to us as our Advocate, in order toreconcileustoGodtheFather.Hehassetusfreesothatwehavenoneedofhumantraditions.Manykeepthepapalordinancesbecausetheybelieve it isamortalsintoeatmeatonacertainday,andthat,byabstaining,theydeserveGod’smercybecausetheyhavesatisfiedhim.Theyeventhinkthat theyarehonouringJesusChristwhentheymake confession, or do this or that! They believe that the door of heavenwillremainclosedtothemunlesstheyopenitbyconfession,thinkingthat,bythismeans,theycanappeaseGod.Thus,bybelievingthesethings,theymakethemselvesdebtors(asIhavesaid),andrejectthegraceobtainedforthembytheLordJesusChrist.

Letusnowapplythisdoctrinetoourprofit.Inthefirstplace,weknowthatGodhasdeclared in thegospel thatwheneverwecome tohim (unlesswearevexedandperturbed,likereedsshakinginthewind),wearetocalluponhimfreelyandopenlyasourFather,whohasadoptedusashischildren.Secondly,theonlywaywecanbepleasingtohimisthroughhavingoursinsforgiven.How?JesusChristhasfullypaidtheprice,andgivenuscompletepardon.However,weknowthatthisdoesnotmeanthatwearetoremoveourbridlesandpleaseourselves,likewildanimalsthatcannotbe tamedbyGod.No, rather,wemust come tohim freely,willing to obeyhim.Weneed the assurance that he accepts us as his children and supports us socompassionately thathe approves ofwhatwedo, though it isworthless, because ofthefatherlylovehebearsus.Ifwedonothavethisassurance,thethoughtofservingGodwillmakeusgrindourteeth.If,however,wearepersuadedthatGodlooksuponusfavourably; if, thoughweareweakandcandonothingworthyofhisapproval,he

accepts us in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, thenwewill surely be filledwithcourage.Wewillbelikeaship’ssailthathasbeenstretchedandfilledbythebreeze!Thus, ourheartswill run to obeyhim, like a shipdriven alongby its sail,whenweknowthatGoddelightsinusandacceptsourworks,notwantingustobecompelledintoservitude.Heishappyforustobehischildren,andthatwedesiretoobeyhim.Knowing this, we can serve our God with all themore zeal.With his grace as ourfoundation, we are so filled with his joy that we can offer the sacrifice of praise.Likewise, having sought him inprayer,we can know that hewill answerus and, inreturn,wecanthankhimforthepricelessgiftsthathecommunicatestouseveryday.

NowletusfalldownbeforethemajestyofourgreatGod,acknowledgingoursins,andprayingthatitwouldpleasehimtomakeusmoreconsciousofthem,sothatwearetrulyhumbled,andgiveourselveswhollytotheLordJesusChrist.Havingcometohim,maywe persevere in the faith of the gospel,without drawing back in anywaywhatever.Mayhesupportusinourinfirmity,whenwearetouchedwithourneedfortruerepentance.Maywetrembleandgroanbeforehim,untilthedaythathedeliversusfromthismortalbody,which,likeaprison,confinesusinbondagetosin.Thus,weallsay,AlmightyGod,andourheavenlyFather,etc

TheSpiritualityoftheLaw

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication,uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations,wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings andsuchlike:ofthewhichItellyoubefore,asIhavealsotoldyouintimepast,thattheywhichdosuchthingsshallnotinheritthekingdomofGod.ButthefruitoftheSpiritis love, joy,peace, longsuffering,gentleness,goodness, faith,Meekness, temperance:againstsuchthereisnolaw.-Gal.5:19-23

WesawthismorningthatmenstandcondemnedinthesightofGodbecauseallthatproceeds fromman is contaminatedand filthy.Now ifGod is theAuthorof allperfection, it follows that all that is contrary to his nature or to hisWord is totallycorrupt.Hence,thereisaconstantbattleofthefleshagainstthespirit;forifmenwerelefttopursuetheirownpaths,theywouldbemortalenemiesofGodthroughouttheirwhole lives. For this reason, we can only conclude that men are full of evil andiniquity.Whenwehearthissentencepronounced,weoughttobeutterlyashamed;forhere is the decree of our heavenly judge, and it is not lawful to contest it, for Godspeakswithauthority.Whenhedeclares thatweareevilandperversebynature,hefulfils his office; forwemust give account to him.However,men are so blinded intheir hypocrisy or pride that they do not care if they have provoked God’s angeragainst themselves. This is because we all flatter ourselves and feed our sins.Therefore, the onlywaywe can bemade truly to acknowledge our sins is by force.Even then, we make use of evasive techniques and subterfuge. What is more, webrazenlyseekoutfrivolousexcuses,asiftheywouldbepleasingtoGod!Therefore,itis not enough for us to hear God’s general sentence of condemnation pronouncedagainstus;weneedGodtorevealourownvileness,tomakeusashamedofourselves.We need him to be specific and point his finger at the sins that are apparent andobvioustothepeoplearoundus.

Hence,Paul,havingsaidthismorningthatall the thoughtsandfeelingsofmenstriveagainstGod,nowaddsthedeclarationthatwehavejustheard.Hetellsusthattheappearanceoffruitenablesustoassesstheconditionofthetree,thoughthemostimportantpart,theroot,ishidden.Justasthetreeisknownbyitsfruit,thesinthatreignsinusandinournatureisseenbytheworksthatweproduce.Thus,wecanseewhyPaul sayshere that ‘theworksof the flesharemanifest’. It isas ifhe is sayingthat people deliberately close their eyes to obscure their own evil, and deceivethemselves into thinking that they are full of nothing but virtue, although they areburstingattheseamswitheversomanyterriblevices.Howevermuchwemayprotest,seekoutdifferentexcuses,wipeourmouthsanddisguisethewaythingsreallyare,yetwehavetoreturntothefactthatourlivesdeclare,loudandclear,thekindofpeople

weare.Thus,theworksofthefleshareindeedmanifest.Nowthisisenoughtorebukethosewhoseektohidebehindalayerofmakeup,asitwere,asiftheywereinnocentin theeyesofGod. It is true thatPauldoesnotgiveacomplete listhereof thesinsthatGodcondemnsinthelaw,butherecitesexamplesbywhichwemayeasilyjudgethe rest. Besides, it would have been a lengthy procedure if Paul had wanted toenumeratetheminthisway.Asweshallsee,however,thislistissufficienttoconvictallthosewhothinktheystandtogainbytheirhypocrisy.

Inordertohaveabetterunderstandingofallthis,weneedtobeawareofwhatitistowalkinobediencetoGod.InthesecondchapterofTitus,verseeleven,itsaysthatthegraceofGodhasappearedthatwemightwalkintheworldherebelowinholiness,temperance,andrighteousnesswhilewehopeforthe lifethatGodhaspromisedus,and the coming of our great Saviour,whowill gather us to himself in his heavenlykingdom. To this, Christians must apply themselves above all else. They must beexercised in these things; namely, the knowledge that this is not the place of oureternalrest,norourinheritance.Thisworldislikeaforeignlandthatwemusttravelthrough,whilstoureyesarelifteduptoheaven.Thisisthemostimportantthing.Yetthis cannot be achieved unless believers call upon God and have recourse to himalone.As forour lives,Paul speaksof three specific things: there isholiness,whichmeansthatweserveGodwithapureheart,withintegrityandhonesty,renouncingallthe pollution of this world. This is the first point. Secondly, we must not becomeworldlyorprofane,butmust leadanhonest life.The third is thatweharmnoone,that we never practise deceit or cruelty, but that we seek, rather, to serve ourneighbours.ThelifeofaChristianshouldbelikethis.

Now,Paulsaysherethatforthosewhodonotacknowledgethattheyarewhollyat enmitywithGod, and full ofmalice and rebellion, a simple test is needed. Ifwewere to examine their lives,wewould find that some are given over to fornication,some are drunkards, others are given up to all kinds of wickedness, some aremurderers,othersarewitches,somestiruprevolts,othersarefullofambition,somestillseekonlytosowdiscordandtroubleandtocreatesectsthatpervertthetruthofGodby their corruption.This iswhatwewill find ifwe look intomen’s lives.Now,whatwilltheygainbycomplainingagainstGodandseekingtohidetheirbasenessbyquibbling?If theydonotconfess thiswith theirmouths, then their liveswill speak.Theirlives,withalltheworksthatweseethemperform,willbeatestimonytowhatwehavesaid;thus,therecanbenofurtherdebate.

Moreover,whenPaulsays that theworksof the flesharemanifest,hedoesnotmeanthatallwhomGodleavestofollowtheirnaturalcourse,andwhoarenotledbytheHolySpirit,areguiltyofeachsinnamedhere.Itismorelikelythatapersonwillbecorrupttotheextentthathewillbegivenoverfirsttoonesin,thentotwoorthree,asoccasionarises.Thus,therearemanypagansandunbelieverswhohavenofearofGod,andhaveneverbeentaughthisWord,whoyethavesomeappearanceofvirtue

and uprightness. However, this does not mean that they are therefore free fromcorruption, for if the infection is hidden and lurking inside them, then they have atumour which will eventually rot every part of them. For man’s nature knows noperimeters,nolimits;allisunboundedconfusion.Thisiswhatwearetoretainfromthispassage;and,inorderthatnoneofusshouldbedeceivedbyhypocrisy,weneedtolookwelltoourselvesandexamineourlivesdiligently.Thenwewillhaveoccasiontocast our eyes downwards, and close our mouths, knowing that we are utterlywretched,andworthyofcondemnation.It is truethatnothingthatPaul listshere isapparent, and maybe we cannot be accused before men; but even if we outwardlyappeartobelikelittleangels,wearestillevilandperverse,untilGodhastransformedus.ItisjustthatGoddoesnotwishustobewithouttestimonyinourlivestocastusdownandcauseustocondemnourselvesvoluntarily.

Nowwewill seehow toapply thisdoctrine. Ifwe thinkweareworthy in someway, and do not perceive our own poverty, let us examine our lives, and make acomparisonbetweenourownactionsandallthatGodhasproscribedandprohibited.It is then we will have a good picture of our wickedness and filth; instead of usthinkingthatwearefullofpurityandperfectionaswedidbefore,Godwillrevealtooureyesthatwearefullof iniquity.Yet,afterwehaverecognisedonesin,thentwo,thenthree,wemustthenconcludethatthisisnotevenahundredthpartofit.Forwearealwaysbedazzledwhenitcomestoawarenessofourownpoverty.Evenwhenweseeourworksclearly,weoughttobeabletoproceedtotheirsource.Somepeoplearesodensethattheythinktheywillbeacceptableaslongastheyhavenotbeenguiltyoffornication,oraslongastheirdrunkennessremainsundiscovered,oraslongastheirdeception has been so secretly and carefully carried out that no one has noticed it.Paul’sintention,however,insayingthattheworksoftheflesharemanifest,isnottoflattermenby telling them that a sin can remainuncondemneduntil it is detected.For,asIhavesaid,onesinleadstoanother.Thus,iffornication,drunkenness,theft,murders,treachery,blasphemyagainstGod,strifeandrebellion,aredetestablethingsinthemselves,wecanonlyconcludethatthesameistrueofimpiety,ambition,pride,or an inordinate sense of self-esteem and self-worth which remain hidden in theheart.Covetousness,wherewedesirethethingsthatbelongtoothersandsuch-like,isanother sin thatwemust condemn. In short, external actions give testimony to thefactthatwearefullofinfectioninthesightofGod.Whereisthisseen?Inourdesires,inouradvice, inourthoughts,andinallourundertakings;wecanseethatall thesethingsspringfromanevilsource.

Thus,wearedrawntoaknowledgeofoursinswhichmakesusutterlyashamedofourselvesbeforeGod.Godusesthesamemethodof instruction inthe law.ThereGoddoesnotforbidfornicationalone,butheprohibitsadultery.Atfirstsight,itlooksas if God does not forbid cheating or plundering. Instead, what does he condemn?Stealing.Hedoesnotforbidlying,onlybearingfalsewitness.Thus,tothosewhoknownothingof thepowerof the law, it seemsas though theyhave fulfilled theirduty if

theyhaveabstained fromthese specific crimes.For this reason,Paul says that foratimehethoughthewasmostrighteous,as ifGodcouldhavediscoverednothingforwhich to reproach him (Rom. 7:7). Thus, hypocrites become drunk with pride andbecomecompletelywildifGodrebukesthem,fortheythinkhegreatlywrongsthem.Why?Becausetheydonotunderstandthenatureofthelaw.Itisspiritual,saysPaul,whichmeans thatwemustbe totally transformedbeforewecansubmit to it (Rom.7:14).Solongaswefollowourcarnalnatures,allthatwethink,allthatwedoandsay,canonlybesinintheeyesofGod.

Thus,wearenottolooksimplyatthewordthatisusedinthelaw.ForwhenGodgives the example of adultery, he was also seeking to make any fornication seemdetestabletous,forifmarriagevowsarebrokenandviolated,itisaperversionofalllawandorderamongstmen.Bythisword‘adultery’,therefore,Godisshowingthathedetestsallsexualimpurityandimmodesty.Wearealsotold,‘Thoushaltnotkill’.Isitnot,therefore,lawfultofight?Notatall;noteventohate,accordingtoJohn,whotellsusthatifanyonesecretlyhateshisneighbour,evenifhenevertormentshim,norliftsa fingeragainsthim,he isamurderer in theeyesofGod(1John3:15).Thus,by theword ‘murder’, God is condemning any harm that wemight do to our neighbours.Therefore,eventhoughwemaynotliftafingertohurtthem,ifwehatethemorbearthemill-will,weareguiltyofmurderintheeyesofGod.Thesameappliestostealing;thievesarenotjustthepeopleweflogandhang,andwhoseearswecutoff.These,Itellyou,arenottheonlythievesinthesightofGod.Eventhosewhoseekreputationas good people, and are highly respected — if they deceive and cheat on theirneighbours,thoughtheycannotbeaccusedoftheftbecauseoftheirhighstandinginthe eyes ofmen, they are nevertheless thieves before God. The same applies to allothersins.

Inthispassage,wherePaulsaysthattheworksoftheflesharemanifest,hislineof instruction moves from the grosser sins to the lesser ones. Once we have beenconvinced of our poverty and sin, and once we have discovered our own shamefulcondition,sothatweareleftspeechless,wemustthenbeconvincedofanotherpoint:we need to realise that all of the appetiteswhich lead us to do evil, be it theft andcruelty,deceptionandperjury,orhatredandenmity—allofthesethingsareequallytobecondemned.Forthetreeisstillabadone,evenifwedonotseeitsfruitatfirstsight;thetreehasitsownnature,buttheonlywaywecanjudgethenatureofthetreeisbyitsfruit.Now,thisisworthyofnotebecause,asIhavesaid,thoughGodcompelsmen to condemn themselves, they will only half do so. They want all that is notapparenttootherstobeforgotten,sothatnomentionisevermadeofit.Thepersonwho is condemned for having done evil will doubtless never excuse his sin if he isforcedtoconfessit.Yet,thereisnoquestionofhimvoluntarilyexamininghimselftofeelthejudgmentofGodagainsthim.Hedoesnotthinkaboutwhathedeserves,orconsiderthemanytemptationshewentthroughbeforehecommittedthisact,andthehundredorsotimesthathehadoffendedGodbeforehissinwasapparenttoall.

Wemust,therefore,payallthemoreattentiontothiswarninguponwhichIhavecommented; especially since the Popish doctors display their excessive stupidity bysaying that it is not a sin to think evil, or to be tempted, as long as one does notconsenttodoit.Amancouldbetemptedtowronghisneighbourinsomeway;hemayhave a grievance or frustrationwhichmakes himwant to avenge himself upon thepersonwhohas offendedhim. If the occasionwere to arise, hewouldbedelighted.This isnotsin, they tellus,unlesshehasconsented to the temptationwithresolve.They are only wiping theirmouths like whores, or showing their snouts like sows,aftertheyhavewallowedinthemireanddirt.AmanmaymurmuragainstGodandbeangrywithhim, anddoubtwhetherGodwill lookafterhim;hemaybe troubledbymanymistrustful thoughts, so thathe cannot find refuge inGod;butnoneof thesethingsaresinaccordingtothePapists.Iamnotsayingthatthecommonherdaretheonlyonestobedeceivedinthesematters,foralloftheirschoolsholdtothedoctrineand belief that this is not sin. They do say that all is sin before baptism; but afterbaptism,allbecomesvirtuous,howevermuchwemaydoubtGod,orhowevermanygrievanceswehaveagainsthim.Wemaybeveryimpatientwithhim,oragitatedaboutthismatterorthat—butwecannotbeaccusedifwehavenotbeenmovedtopractiseeviloutwardly!Inshort, ifweareinclinedtoallthatGodcondemnsandreprovesinhis law— all that is unlawful— it is nothing. They arewell suited to believe suchstupid things!Afterall, theyhavemade idols andgrotesque statues toworship, andnow their minds have become darkened as they make merry around their gods,scoffingatus,asatalittlechildholdingforthaboutrighteousnessandintegrity.Wemustnot, therefore,be surprised if suchpeoplebehave like this.Because theyhavefalsifiedthegloryofGodanddestroyedit,theymustbecompletelybrutish.

As for us, let us note the words which I have already quoted from the apostlePaul, namely, that the law is spiritual. If we are convicted as rebels against Godbecause of external, visible acts, let us remember that God will find an infinitenumber, indeed, an abyss of evil desireswrithing inside of us, though they are notregarded by men as rendering us guilty. We must, therefore, conclude that ineverythingandineverywaywearedrownedinperdition,untilGodlooksinpityuponus, and draws us out. The way to apply this text of Paul’s to our instruction is asfollows:inasmuchasweareunawareofthesinsthatlurkwithinus,itisnecessaryforGodtocomeandexamineourlives.Afterthis,wewilllearntohumbleourselves.Sothen, oncewe see the sins that are known and evident to all, andwhich cannot beexcused,evenintheeyesof littlechildren,maywebe ledevenfurthertosoundoutthe depths, and acknowledge that all our appetites and thoughts are like manyrebellions againstGod.Yet if each of usweremore careful to examine ourselves inthisway,wewouldallsurelyhaveoccasiontotrembleandsigh;allhaughtinessandpridewouldbecastdownandwewouldbeashamedofeveryaspectofourlives.Butweknow thateachofus turnsawayasmuchaswecan fromanyknowledgeofoursins;wethrowthemallbehindourbacks.Goddoesnotforgetthem;thoughwemay

want them tobe forgotten,hehas tokeep them in remembrance.This iswhatPaulattractsourattentiontointhispassage.

Furthermore,wecansee the foolishnessand ignorance(or, rather,stupidity)ofthedoctorsofthePapacy,inthattheybelievethattheword‘flesh’refersonlytoman’ssensualnature(astheycall it);forthisishowtheydivideitup.Theyadmitthattheappetiteswhich they label ‘inferior’ are very corrupt, but believe that as long aswehave free will, there remains some degree of reason and intelligence within us.AccordingtothePapists,thesensualityofmanexhibitsitselfwhenheisnotguidedbyhisownreason,butdevoteshimselfexcessivelytosexualimpurity,ordrunkennessorgluttony or some such thing. Yet here, Paul puts ambition on the sameplane.Whyelse is it thatmenenvyoneanother, and compete for superiorityoveroneanother,desiring tobe thewisestormost intelligent? Is itnotbecause eachone longs tobeesteemed in the eyes of the world? Is this less worthy of condemnation thanfornication or drunkenness? If a poor lout who loves eating and drinking becomesverydrunk,well,hewillcontinuealongonhismerryway;hedoesnotasktobeakingoragreatlord—hesimplywhilesawayhistime.Anotherwhoisaddictedtogamblingwillgoandplaywithrascalslikehimself,withoutbeingtemptedbyambitionandthedesireforgreathonour.Therefore,thosewhoareconsideredtobemosthonourable,andwho think highly of themselves, are themost carnal, says Paul.We saw in theFirst Epistle to the Corinthians that he accused them of being carnal, because theydebated with one another over doctrinal matters, and had a foolish longing to beprizedandnoticedbymen(1Cor.3:3).Indeed,hementions‘strifeanddivisions’theretoo.IfamantroublesthechurchofGodbyfalsedoctrines,eitheroutofdisdainforothers,oroutofadesireforacclaimandreputation,thePapistswouldnotsaythathewas carnal. They would say that he was too clever; but Paul says that heresies,ambition and emulations are works of the flesh. This proves what we said thismorning,thattheword‘flesh’includesallthatpertainstoman.Wewillbecompletelygivenovertoevilunlesswearechangedandtransformed.

As I have already said, it is true that pagans and unbelievers will always beconsidered virtuous, though God has let go of their reins and has not regeneratedthembyhisHolySpirit.Indeed,wewillfindsomedegreeofdecencypresentintheirlives;at thevery least, theywillnotallbe fornicators,ordrunkardsor thieves.HowcanPaulsaythattheyarecarnal,therefore?Becausetheheartofmanisadeeppitofiniquity,asJeremiahsays,withoutbaseorbank;theprophetexclaims,‘Whatanabysstheheartis!Whocanfathomitsdepths?OnlyGod’(Jer.17:9).

Formenflatterthemselves,asweknow,andcommitwickedactswithimpunity;they are so hardened in sin that they heap up evil upon evil and sin upon sin,considering their vices to be virtues. Nevertheless, their lives may have a glossy,attractiveappearance.Thus,wecannotsay that thosewhohavenotbeen taught thetruth will be justified. Paul said in the first chapter to the Romans that the whole

world isguiltyofungodlinessandungratefulness,sinceGodhasrevealedhimself toall without exception, enough to leave them without excuse (Rom. 1:20). He adds,‘whentheyknewGod, theyglorifiedhimnotasGod’; therefore,hegavethemupasreprobates,andabandonedthemto theirowngross,wicked lusts.Paulcontinuesbyrecitingallthedetestablethingstheydo.Amongstotherthings,hespeaksofmurder,fornication, andother evil andcorrupt thingswhichweoughtnot tomention.Afterthat, he speaks of envy, as in this passage, and of those who invent evil things; ofdeceit,backbiting,malignity,contentionsanddebates.Ofcourse,notallof theseareinevidenceineveryunbeliever!However,Paultellsusthatallunbelievers,fromthegreatesttotheleast,areungratefultoGod,andhaverobbedhimofthehonourthatishis due. Hence, they are guilty of sacrilege, because they have removed all thatbelongstohim.Thus,hegivesthemthewagesthattheyhavedeserved,owingtothefactthattheseedsofallsinlieinman’snature.

Nevertheless,althoughmenarestuffedfullofasmanyvicesaswecanimagine,God still holds the reins and does not allow men complete abandonment towickedness. Because of this, many unbelievers are not controlled by their naturalsenses,indeed,arechasteandmodest;theydonotstealanother’sgoods,butaresoberandupright. Inshort, theyhavemanyvirtuesaccording to theopinionof theworld.Why, then,are theycondemnedalongwith fornicators, thievesanddrunkards? It isbecause they do not have these virtues out of a desire to obeyGod, for there is nointegrity in theirhearts.Theyareheldbackoutof shame,or for someother reasonunknown tous. In thisway,Godspares thehumanrace, so that thingsarenot inastate of confusion, and men are not totally brutish. God is in control of theseunbelievers to the end that all their virtues, whatever they may be, remain vices.Therefore, at the first opportunity, when God releases their reins, they devotethemselvestoallkindsofevil.Wemightsaythatbelieverscouldjustaseasilybecomedebauched.Indeed,butGodhaspromisedtostrengthenthemtopersevere.Also,thereisagreatdifferencebetweenthechildrenofGod,whoareledbyhisHolySpirit,andunbelievers, who are still carnal. The children of God aim and intend to dedicatethemselvestohimandtobetrulypurifiedbyhisgrace.Theotherswalkaimlessly,andiftheyaregood,theyscarcelyknowwhy!Theywillcallit‘virtue’,buttheydonothaveGodinmindbecausetheyarefarfromhim.Thisiswhatweneedtorememberfromthispassage.

Ontheotherhand,Paulsaysthat‘thefruitoftheSpiritisjoy,peace,gentleness,kindness,patience’,andsuchlikethings.Itisasifheissayingthatinviewofourgreatperversityandthefactthatwearefullofevilandcorruption,thereisenoughheretoexercise us to ensure that we will not be idle for the rest of our lives! The battleagainstoursinissufficienttooccupyusdayandnight.Yet,wearealsocommandedtobekindandgood-natured, to livesoberandchaste lives,andtokeepourselves frombeingpolluted.WearetodedicateourselvesasasacrificetoGod,andtoabstainfromallthatwouldcauseharm.Insteadofseekingself-advancement,wearetodoallthat

wepossiblycantohelpandcomfortthosewhoneedus.Whenweseethatallthisisexpectedofus,weask,isitpossibletoachievethis?Notatall;infact,weneedtobetransporteduptoheaveninordertoapproachGod.TheholinessthatGodrequiresinthe law, and all the goodworks that he demands of us are because he is seeking aunionbetweenourselvesandhim.Butwherearethewingstoflysohigh?Forwecanneitherbechaste,norbenign,norkind,nortemperate,norsober,unlesswerenouncetheworldandourselves,anddiscardallthatwearebynature.However,thisisbeyondourfaculties.Therefore,thereismuchherethatcouldfrightenusaway.

Hence, Paul concludes by saying that ‘against such there is no law’. In otherwords,ifwearetrulyledbytheSpiritofGod,wearenolongerunderthelaw.Here,Paulencouragesallbelievers,whowillfeeltheirownweaknessuntiltheyleavetheirmortalbodiesbehind.Godstillsupportsthem,andtheirserviceisacceptabletohim,even though they are not completely renewed to the point of perfection. Therefore,they are to persevere; otherwise, they will be troubled and fall into despair. Paul,therefore,exhortsustobeconstanthere,tellingusthatifweareledbytheSpiritofGod,wewillnolongerbesubjecttothelaw.

However,at the same time,he is indirectlymocking thosewithwhomhehasaquarrel,aswesawthismorning,fortheyadvertisedtheirvirtueswithgreatfanfares!It is so in thePapacy today,where to speakofholinessand the serviceofGod is tospeak of nothing more than good deeds and keeping many ceremonies. In otherwords,theyareconcernedwithtrivialnonsense.APapistwilldabbleinthisandthat—he will bow to one statue, and then move on to the next. Bigots will light theircandles,applytheholywaterseveraltimes,makethesignofthecrossrepeatedlyhere,there and everywhere, and be sure to keep fast days. They weigh themselves downwith all these things in order to redeem themselves, through Masses, or otherabominations. This is howGod is served and honoured! For the Papists, perfectionconsists in that which is nothing short of a lie; the candlesmust be attractive, theorgans must sound good, there must be many parades, the statues must be wellgilded,theymustpreparefragrancesandbeappeasedbyallkindsofotherfollies.Thisistomfoolery,indeed,abomination,thoughtheymayconsiderittobehighlyvirtuous.

Asforus,wesaythattheserviceofGodisspiritual,andthathedoesnotregardthatwhichisseenbymen(John4:23-24).Godseeksanuprightintegrityandsincerityof heart, as it says in the fifth chapter of Jeremiah (verse three). However, on thecontrary,menpersuadethemselvesthattheycansatisfyGodintheirownwayandastheyplease,andthustheytransfigurehimandimaginethatheisabsolutelythesameasthemselves,andwill,therefore,agreewiththeirideas.Thisshouldnotsurpriseus,foralthoughtheysaythattheyhavebeentaughtthe law,theyneverstudyitanddonot really knowwhat it contains. Let us learn, therefore, that if wewant to devoteourselves to servingGod,wearenot todowhatever seems right tous, for ourownideas,aswecallthem,aresimplythedeceptionsofSatan.Wearetogiveheedtothat

which God has commanded, and occupy ourselves with the things that he hasordained.Letusmaketheseourstudy,thatwemightrenderhimobedience.

We must take good note of the passage that is set before us here, becausehoweverhardwestrivetoobserveourowninventions,itdoesnotmeanthatGodwillacceptanyof them.Weare followingournature,which iscorrupt.What, then,doesGodwantus todo?Whatdoesheaskofus?In the firstplace, thatwerenounceallperversity,hatred,rancour;alldissensions,deceit,allthatcausesharm,blasphemies,idolatry,cruelty,violence,treachery,envyandenmity.Thus,wemustbegoodsoldiersifwewishtodevoteourselvestoservingGod,fightingagainsttheworksoftheflesh,ratherthanagainsttheworksthatarevisible,andwhichtheworldeithercondemnsorapproves.Ourfightisagainstthehiddenlusts.Maywebecleansedofthisfilth,whichisstagnatingwithinourhearts.Mayweapplyalloureffortstothisend;notthatwecan achieve this ourselves, but we must be ready to pray to God, and to examineourselvesmorningandnight.Oncewehaverecognisedoursins,maywebemovedtotrembleandaskforhelpfromtherightsource.WemustaskthatGodwouldremedytheevilwithwhichwearestricken.If,therefore,weincreasinglystrivetoliveahappylife, to be good-natured, to be patient in adversity, to suffer insults and injurieswithoutseekingvengeance—if,Isay,wearelikethis,wewillhavealottooccupyus,andcanneverbeidle.

LetusleavethePapiststogetonwiththeirfoolingaroundwithGod.Whydotheyfret themselves so much? Because they have never known how God wishes to beserved and honoured. According to them, his ordinances are nothing compared totheirfoolishinventions.Letmegiveyouanexample.Amanworkshonestlyinordertomakealiving;thoughheonlyhasbrownbreadtohisheart’scontent,hestillcallsuponGodinthemorningandpraiseshimintheevening.Ifhehaschildren,hedenieshimselfasmuchaspossibleinordertofeedandclothethem.IfGodsendsafflictionstohishousehold,hebearsthempatiently.Ifhepractisessomekindofhandicraft,orsomeothertrade,hewillrefrainfromcheatingonhisneighbours.Hewouldprefertodie rather than towrong anyone. Thisman,who lives first and foremost an honestlife,willnotbearrogantenoughtoseekself-advancementwithoutrestraint.Hewillnotbegivenovertointemperatehabits.Hewillbemodestinhiseatinganddrinking,patientinalladversities.WhatkindofmanisthisaccordingtothePapists?‘Oh,he’sasecularman;inotherwords,heisamanoftheworld.’ThisishowmuchtheyvaluethepureserviceofGod.WeknowthattheprincipalservicethatGodrequiresofusisthat we devote ourselves entirely to him; this means that we will glorify him inafflictionaswellasinprosperity,andthatwewillfollowthevocationwehavewhenwearecalled,withoutpride,ambitionorenvy.Godtakesdelightinthis,butaccordingtothedefinitionofthePapists,thosewholiveinthiswayareworldly!

Where are the Papistical ‘angels’ then? Within cloisters! When these wickedhypocriteshave stuffed themselves full, andgorged themselveswithgood fare, they

donotknowwhattodowiththemselvesexcepttogambleorpursueotherevils.(ForweknowthatalltheconventsofthePapacyarefull-blownbrothels,andwouldtoGodthat theywere only brothels— for they commit such gross and shocking acts therethatourhairwouldstandonendtohearaboutthem!)Inotherwords,theirlifestylewouldhorrifyus,andyet theseareangelscomparedto thepoor folkwho liveaswedescribedearlier.Whyisthis?Becausetheysingmatinsdevoutly,theysingMassandseparatethemselvesfromtherestoftheworld.Theydonotengageindiggingearth,nor do they get involved with sewing or tailoring, or anything else. Theirs is acontemplativelife,andtheyareinastateofperfection.Canyounotseehowtheworldhasbeendeceived?Suchpeople,whomakeGodintolittlestatues,welldeservethepitfordevisingsuchabsurderrors.

As forourselves, letusbeaware thatourGod isSpirit,and thathewants tobeserved spiritually, as he tells us in his Word. At the same time, let us be wary ofbecomingtrappedinthefoolishnotionswhichbewitchthesewretches;letus,instead,realisethatGodspeakswithussothatwemighthaverecoursetohiminallholiness,righteousness and uprightness. Let us measure our lives against the law and notagainstourownopinionsor thoseof theworld.LetusbeconcernedwithwhatGodcommands and forbids, sincewehave to give account tohim, andknowing thatwehavenootherjudgethanGodhimself.Mayweexerciseourselvesinallthesethings,believingthatifwedoso,wewillnotbelabouringinvain.LeavethePapiststobreaktheirlegsandtheirnecks,allthewhileunsureofwhattheyaredoing,yetvexingGodandprovokinghimmoreandmore.Inorderthatwedonotstriveinvain,orwanderabouthereandtherefollowingthisorthatopinionwithoutafixeddestination,letusexerciseourselvesinthethingsthatPaulteachesusinthispassage.Subsequently,wewill not be condemned for occupying ourselveswithmeaningless thingswhichGoddisapprovesof,detests,anddeclarestobefrivolous.

NowletusfalldownbeforethemajestyofourgreatGod,acknowledgingoursins,andpraying that hewouldmakeus increasingly conscious of them, so thatwe castourselves down low. Having condemned ourselves, let us have recourse to him,knowingthatheisalwayswillingtohelpthosewhoarestarvedofhisgrace,andwhodesire it in sincerity. Since he has given us to the Lord Jesus Christ, and views hisconduct as if it were ours,may he pour out the treasures and the gifts of hisHolySpiritthatwemaypartakeofthem.Mayheincreasehisgraceinus,andmaywebesowell armed thatweachieve thevictory inall our combatwithSatan, theworld, andourownflesh.Mayheshowthisgracenotonlytous,buttoallpeoplesandnationsonearth,etc.

RaveningWolvesWhoWreakHavoc

As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to becircumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. Forneither they themselveswho are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have youcircumcised,thattheymaygloryinyourflesh.-Gal.6:12-13

It isnotwithoutgoodcause thatGodstronglyexhorts thosewhoseduty it is topreachtheWordnottoseekgraceandfavourintheeyesofmen.Heexpectsthemtoclose their eyes to human opinions, so that they are not turned to one side or theother, or prevented from properly fulfilling their office. Indeed, we know it to beimpossible for us to fulfil our office properly unlesswe fix our eyes uponGod andturnoureyesawayfrommen;forwecaneasilybecomecorruptedifwedootherwise,andittakesverylittletoturnusonewayoranother.Yetthemostimportantloyaltyrequired of thosewhohave the responsibility of preaching theWord ofGod is thattheybenottempted,eitherthroughambitionoravarice,tospeaktopleaseandsatisfymen.Theymustnotbeafraidofperilsordangers.Forexperienceshowsthat,assoonasamanfearsforhisownskin,orelsehasaneyetohisownprofit,hewillchangeinamomentoftime.

Itistruethatthosewhoseektopleasemeninthiswayarenotdemonstratingatthatmoment that they are evil or enemies of the truth; as indeed, our Lord Jesusshows in the tenthchapterofJohn’sGospel,wherehemakesadistinctionbetweenthe hirelings and the wolves (John 10:12). Having spoken of good and faithfulshepherds, who seek the common well-being of the flock, he says that there areraveningwolves, or thieves,who seek only to plunder everything, therebywreakinghavoc and confusion. These are people who fight openly with God, and strive andstruggletooverturnpuregospeldoctrine.However,thereareotherswhorunwiththehareandhuntwiththehounds,andwhopretendtobeservingGod.Yetneithertypeedifyus,not even through their zeal, for they aredevoidof integrity.While it coststhemnothing,theysimplymakeafairshow.Indeed,somuchsothatwecanoftenbedeceived because we consider them to beministers of Jesus Christ. However, theyonlyseekthewagesandaredevotedtofillingtheirownstomachs.Thisiswhy,whenthreatened, they immediately become fearful and they change and alter theirapproach. Yesterday they seemed to uphold the Word of God, but today they arebendingoverbackwardshere, thereandeverywhere.Why?Becausetheyrealisethatthiswillgratifyeveryone,andtherebybemoreprofitabletothemselves.

ThisiswhyPaulnowwarnstheGalatiansthatthosewhotroubledthemandledthemastray fromtherightpathweregivenover to theirownambitions; this iswhythey cast doubt on certain doctrines. Up to this point, Paul has used reason in his

debatingtoshowthatifweputourcompletetrustinJesusChrist,theceremoniesofthelawarenowsuperfluous.Theirapplicationwastemporary;theyweredesignedtoshowusthat,ifwearetrulyleaninguponthegracethatwaspurchasedforusbyourLord Jesus Christ, we must not seek justification in the sight of God through ourmeritoranyotherfoolishnotion.Paulhasdealtwithandsettledthisargumentasfaras itwas necessary for him to do so.Now, in order that the simple-heartedwill bemovedevenmoredeeplyhecomesandaddressesindividuals,saying,‘ConsiderwhyitisthatthesepeoplewithwhomIherequarrelmixtheceremonial lawwiththeLordJesusChrist. Are theymotivated by zeal, or a desire to serveGod?Not at all! Theyhavemoreofaneyetotheirdangerofbeingpersecuted.Therefore,sincefearmakesthemdistorttheWordofGod,itisnotnecessaryforyoutomakefurtherenquiriesorlongerinvestigationsintowhatkindofpeopletheyare,andifyoucantrustthem.Foryou will see how quickly they change and alter simply because they would avoidconflict. Thus, being traitors to God by their fearfulness, do they deserve to bebelieved,ortohavepeoplerespectwhattheysay?’ThisisPaul’saimhere.

This teaches allministers of theWord tohave such constancy and faithfulnessthat they are unconcerned about whether the doctrines they preach are hated orwhether they are pleasing to their hearers. Theymust follow their course, and notstrike sail at the slightest signofwind,normust they sway like reedsbendinghereandthere.Whateverchangesandrevolutionsoccur,whatever troubleandconfusionarises,letthemcontinuetoserveGod.Inbrief,wemustpracticallyapplythatwhichwelearntearlier,whichisthatifweseektopleasemen,weareabandoningtheserviceoftheSonofGod.Thisisthefirstpoint.

However,allbelieverscandrawgood,practicalinstructionfromthispassage.Weare to be wary of those who seek their own profit and advantage, who desire theacclaimofothersandwanttobeesteemed.Forsuchpeopleneverhaveanystability.As I have already said, this may not be immediately apparent, because some aredupes;theyeventhinkthatitisthankstothemthattheWordofGoddoesnotappearodious, and is rather applauded. Therefore, theymay appear to be on fire, and yetchangetheirmindsovernight.Ifthereissomedangerandtheyseethattheyarebeingprompted to testify to the Lord Jesus Christ, then they reveal their cowardice, andfinally turn in the opposite direction, and turn their coat as the proverb says.Whatever happens, let us always be on our guard, that we might only trust thosewhose lives are upright, and who do not wander away when they see the worldconspiringagainstthem.Evenwhenothersaresopossessedwithragethattheyseemtobeabouttodevourthem,andevenwhendangersaremostapparent,theyoughttocontinuesteadfastandconstant. In thiswaywecandistinguish themas servantsofGod.Butthosewhoalterandarecounterfeit,whofirstsayonething,thenanother(toescapethehatredofmenandavoidsufferingpersecution),wemustguardagainstsothatwearenotdeceivedormisled, fortheyare likedeadlyplagues.WecannothaveanysecurityorsupportunlesswedisplaythegoodjudgmentandcarefulnessthatPaul

urgesustohaveinthispassage.

Now this message is necessary today. For why is it that so many hypocritesmurmurasboldlyaswhoresagainsttheWordofGod,andupholdsuchgrossabusesasweseeinthePapacy:thesuperstitions,theidolatries,theerrors?Itisbecausetheyknowthatiftheydonotkeepthepotboiling,andholdontocertainthings,theywillsimply starve! They also consider the danger of persecution if they uphold suchdoctrine.They see it condemnedbyprinces andpowerfulpeople in thisworld; theythereforedecidetokeepthemselveshiddenawayintheshade.This,Itellyou,iswhyan infinite number of people disguise the truth of God, and falsify it; instead, theyupholdmanycorruptpractices.Thereasonisthattheydonotwishtoendureforthesakeof JesusChrist. It is true that theymaynotbePapists in the leastdegree,norblasphemeopenlyagainsttheWordofGod;yettheydesiretocreateanotherpath,yes,made according to their liking. For they accuse us of being too extreme and toorigorous because we condemn those who attend Mass, and those who convincethemselvesthattheydonotworshipidols!‘Comenow!’,theysay,‘Providedthattheydonothavethesethings intheirhearts,doweneedtooppressthemtothepointofcreatingoffence,andcausepeopletoriskdeathoverit?Whatreasoncantherebeforthis?OurlifeisprecioustoGod,andevenifwedocommitevil,hewillstillpityusinourfrailty!’Thosewhospeakinthiswayshowforcertainthattheyaremotivatedbysomeotherreason;thatis,thattheyhavenoticedthattheworldisinflamedagainstusandthatitseemswedailyruntheriskofsinkingandperishing.Thisiswhytheydrawback,andseektooperateasaseparategroup,whentheyseetheimpendingdanger.

However, because we see weak preachers running away from persecution, notwishing to suffer any conflict for theLord JesusChrist, bending and compromisingonlyinordertoenjoypeaceinthisworld,wemustpayallthemoreattentiontoPaul’swarninghere,anddiscernwhoarethetrueservantsofJesusChrist.Theyarepeoplewhohavenothoughtfortheirownprofit,whodonotseektheapplauseofmen,northebestfare,northehonoursofthisworld.Theyarecontentjustsimplytodotheirduty,without concerning themselves about thekindofwind that is blowing,be it atempestorwhirlwind,orbeitcalm,aslongastheyprofittheirhearersandmaintainthedoctrinethathasbeencommittedtotheminallpurity.Ifwefollowthatwhichistaughtushere,itiscertainthatourfaithwillnotwaver.Therearemanytodaywhodonotknowwhat theyought todo,andyet theysay, ‘I fearconflictanddifferencesofopinion, and the strife that has to be faced in thisworld.’ Some conclude that theymustdevotethemselvesfullytotheLordJesusChrist,butthereareotherswhofollowamoregentleroute,andwhoonlydesireahalf-heartedtransformation.WhomshouldIbelieve?

Simplyopenyoureyes,forthosewhousesuchexcusesarenotseekingtofollowthe truth. They are quite happy to veil their turpitude, and to seek the flattery ofothers.Butwhatdotheygain?Satanisleadingthemtoperdition,andtheydesireto

followhim!Becausetheyfearwhatwillhappentotheminlife,theylovetheshadows,and devote themselves to pleasure and comfort. They must therefore receive thepayment that theydeserve.Thosewhodeliberatelybecomebrutish in thiswayhavebeentakenoverbySatan,Pauldeclares,andnowremainperplexed,notknowingwhattodo.Theydonotstoptothinkthatthosewhosimplypreachthetruthofthegospelare not to be pliable people, but to pursue their course without worrying aboutwhetherornottheirdoctrineispleasingtoeveryoneelse.SinceGodhascommandedthemtospeak,theydoso.Ontheotherhand,simperingpeoplewhosaythatwehavetotreadcarefullyandnot‘swingbeyondourhinges’,whoclaimthatitwerebettertobecounterfeits,anddouble-minded;suchpeoplecannotbedrivenbyzealoraffectionfor serving God. They do not consider either the edification or well-being of thechurch.Inshort,theironlyconcernisthattheymightescapepersecution,andretaintheircomforts;theydonotwantanyonetoattackthem.Nowthisisindeedworthyofnote,forthosetodaywhoremainintheirnestsandoffendGodhavenoexcuse.Why?BecausePaulgivesusasuremarkwhichdistinguishesthetrueservantsofGodfromthehirelings fromwhomwe are to flee; that is to say, thosewho seek only to feedtheirstomachsandenjoythecomfortsofthisworld.

Atthispoint,headds‘lesttheyshouldsufferpersecutionforthecrossofChrist’.By thisword ‘cross’, there isnodoubtbut thatPaul includes all doctrine, andhe issayingthatitisverydifficulttopreachinallsimplicitythatwhichiscontainedintheWordofGod,withoutencounteringmuchconflict.ForalthoughGodprotectsus(IamspeakingaboutthoseofuswhopreachhisWord),andhasnodesiretoputusthroughtrialssorigorousthatourenemiescomeagainstuswithdrawnswords,yet it isstilltrue to say that theworldhasnever obediently accepted the gospel, and there havealways beenmurmurers and opponents. Indeed, we still see them today, and shallcontinue to do so, for our Lord wants to test the faithfulness of his own, andultimately demonstrate the invincible power of hisWord, which overcomes all theobstaclesrearedupbySatan.AsitsaysinJeremiah,‘Andtheyshallfightagainstthee;but they shall not prevail against thee’ (Jer. 1:19). Thus, God is glorified when theworld, together with Satan,makes its strongest efforts, and yet cannot prevent thetruthfromrunningitscourse.

Forthisreason,Paulsaysthatthesemotleypeople,whodisguiseandfalsifytheWordofGod,arerunningawayfromthecross.Inotherwords,theyarefleeingfromthe truemessage of the gospel, in order to avoid persecution. Once again, this is abadlyneededwarning forus.For ifwedesire toserveGodandhischurch,wemustalways be prepared to undergo danger. Even though the fires are not lit, and theenemiesarenotarmedtoexecutethecruelpersecutionthattheywouldliketometeout (or rather, even though our Lord is restraining those who are furious with hisWord, and who wish to throw off his yoke), yet we must, nevertheless, suffer therevilingsofmanypeople.Wewillbedefamed;therewillbemurmuringsandslandersagainstus;butletusbreatheitallinandthenhardenourselvesagainstit,asitwere.

We see that wherever the gospel is preached, a thousand accusations come againstthosewhoseektocarryouttheirdutyfaithfully.Theyareputontrial,andaccusedofthisandthat,but it isallpurecalumny.Inshort,all thosewhowishtopursuetheircourse must prepare themselves to bear many trials; these would lead them tocompromise,weretheynotdeterminedtoobeyGoddespiteeveryoneelse.Hereisonething.

However, we ought to remember that this extends to the whole body of thechurch in general.Whenwehear themessage of peace that is brought tous in thenameofGod,letusnotexpecttobeatrestasregardsthisworld,butalwaystohavetodealwithmanyquarrelsanddifficulties. Ifanyone isnotprepared for this,hemustleavetheLordJesusChrist,forsuchapersoncanneverbeoneofhisdisciples.Ashedeclareswithhisownmouth, theonewhodoesnotbendhis shoulders to carryhisburden and his cross is not worthy to be in his school, and indeed all such areexcluded (Matt. 10:38). Therefore, let us learn that, being called to the Lord JesusChrist,wemustshareinhiscrossasmuchaspleaseshim;asitiswritten,thatifwesufferwithhim,wewillalsobeglorifiedandpartakeofthepowerwhichwasrevealedathis resurrection(Rom.6:5).Wemuststillhave fulfilled inus,asmembersofhisbody, thesufferings thathe firstendured. It is true thathealonesufferedwhatwasnecessaryforoursalvation,butweneedtobeconformedtohisimage,asitsaysintheeighth chapter to theRomans.However, even ifGod sparesus frombeing amongsttyrantswho could tortureus, or evilmenwho could attackus, andhe ensures thattheyonlybarkatus;yes,evenifheleavesusinpeace,itisbecausehepitiesourfrailtyandsparesusbecauseofourweakness.Letusnotflatterourselvesinthismeanwhile,but let us pray to God that through his Holy Spirit he would strengthen us. Then,whenhecallsustolineupreadyforcombat,wewillnotactlikerawrecruits,butwillhavepremeditated long since the fact thatwemust share in the sufferingsof JesusChristinordertoreachthegloryofhisresurrection.

Paul, having thus spoken, now adds, in order to strengthen his argument, thatthosewhoarecircumcisedandwhopreachcircumcision,donotkeepthelaw,buttheywishtogloryinthefleshofthosetowhomtheytaughtthewaysofJudaism.Inthispassage, Paul is again accusing his adversaries of being double-minded people, inwhom there is nothing but falsehood. Why? Before the coming of Jesus Christ,circumcisionwasasign,muchlikebaptismtoday.FortheJewsknewthattheyweresetapartbyGodashisinheritance.ButthosewhomixedcircumcisionwiththegospelfullybelievedthattheytoohadtokeepthelawofMosesbecauseithadbeengivenbyGod and, therefore, must never be abolished. Thus the excuse they used was thatcircumcisionwasasign that theyobserved thewhole law.ButherePaul reproachesthem for not keeping the law at all. They were, therefore, deceiving God andman,becausethiswasanexteriorsignofsomethingtheywerenotdoing;theveryoppositewastrue!WecannowseePaul’sintentionhere.

With regard to this expression, ‘keep the law’, it is sometimes taken to meanaccomplishing and observing all that it contains. No one can ‘keep the law’ in thesense that no one can perfectly accomplish all that is commanded therein. There isgood reason for it to be referred to as an intolerable burden (Acts 15:10). Also, weknowhowweakweare,andthelawrevealsGod’sangelicstandardofrighteousness.How,then,isitpossibletoreachit?Therefore,noonekeepsthelawifwetakethistomeanperfectobediencewhichcannotbecriticised.Believers,beinggovernedandledbytheSpiritofGod,keepthelaw,thatistosay,theywalkaccordingtotherulethatisgiveninthelaw.Notthattheyrunasfastastheyought,northattheyreachtheirgoalsimmediately,yettheystillaimatthesethings,Godsupportingthemandnotimputingtheirsinstothem.Thus,believerskeepthelaw.

However, here he is referring to the ceremonial law (although on previousoccasions,PaulhasshownusthatallthecommandmentsofGodcanonlybringaboutourcondemnationifwedonothaveresorttothegraceoftheLordJesusChrist).Yethere he is speaking about the ceremonies and shadows. Let us now consider hismeaninghere.Hesaysthatthosewhoarecircumciseddonotkeepthelaw.Hemeansthatwhilsttheyhavethissignasastandard,tomakeothersthinkthattheyareJews,inordertoavoidhatredandpersecution,theydonotobservethewholelaw,fortheystill allow themselves freedom todespise all that ought to accompany circumcision.Thepersonwho iscircumcisedoughtalso tosacrifice,andabstain fromeatingmeatthatisforbiddeninthelaw,keepthefestivalsthatareappointedtherein,observethevariouswashingsandcleansings,andsoon.Butthesepeoplepaynoattentiontothis.Whentheyarealone insecretandnotbeingwatched,noneof thismatters to them,and they have no scruples about showing contempt for the whole ceremonial law.Therefore,we can see that theywere not circumcised out of zeal, but because theycaredaboutwhatothersthinkofthem.

NowwemustbeclearthatPaulisspeakinghereaboutthosewhoinsistedonthecircumcisionofothersasacompulsoryact.Foroncertainoccasions,PaulhadtobecarefultoconformtothewaysoftheJews,andtoforfeitthelibertythatheotherwiserightfully enjoyed, so as not to give offence (Acts 16:3; 1 Cor. 8:9). But he alwaysmaintainedthathewasnotunderanyobligationtodoso.Thus,sincePaulsubmittedofhisownfreewill,hedidnotwishtoplaceothersinservitude,asindeedheprotests,when he says that hewould notwish to bind anyone. It is true that this is said inanothercontext,inrelationtomarriage,butheisstillsettingoutingeneraltermsthathe does not wish to cast a snare for the souls that were bought by the Lord JesusChrist.ThusPaulconductedhimself.Nowhesayshere, ‘Thosewhoconstrainyoutobecircumcised,inotherwords,whoimposethelawuponyou,andwhotellyouthatyoumustkeepthisceremonyorelsecommitamortalsin,needlesslysubjugateyou.’To sum up, those who wanted to force Christians to submit to observing theceremoniesandshadowsofthelawofMosesarehereaccusedofdouble-mindedness.They did not really do these things because God required them but because they

wantedtopleaseandgratifyothers,andtherebyescapepersecution.

Today,weneedthesamewarningthattheGalatianshadtohaveinthosedays.Ifweconsiderthestateandconditionofourownage,wewilleasilyrecognisethatthisteaching ismostnecessary,andthat theSpiritofGodwants toreveal thatwhichheknewwouldbeimportantforus.Forhowmanypeopledowefindtodaywhostronglyandfirmlyupholdtheceremoniesofthelaw,andseenothingwrongwiththis?Worsethan this, theyuphold follies and traditionswhichhavebeen inventedbymen; andeven abuses, errors and deceits which are more terrible and more foolish thananythingelse.Alloftheseareinsisteduponwithextremerigiditybythosewhowantustoobeythem.

WhenwesetbeforethesehypocritesthegraceofourLordJesusChrist,andtellthemthat the lightof thegospel isobscuredbyall suchobservances,or thatwearebecomingliketheJews(fortruly,thePapistshaveborrowedsomanythingsfromthelaw that it is hard to distinguish between the Jews and those who call themselvesChristians)—whenwetellthemthesethings,theystillmaintainthattheymustkeepthemtotheveryendbecausetheyhavebeenobservedsincethebeginningoftime.Ifwego further and tell them that these are such follies that evenpaganshaveneverstoopedtoobservesuchawfulorsuchridiculoussuperstitionsastheydotoday,theywillreply:‘Oh,butwemustkeepthetraditionsofourHolyMotherChurch.’Theywillrant and rave over thismatter. Butwhat are these hypocrites doing now,whohaveincited the rage of both princes and judges against those who faithfully preach theWordofGod?Well,assoonastheyareamongsttheirown,theysimplymockatthesetraditions,butwhentheyareengagedinadebateaboutthem,theywillsaytheveryoppositetoallthattheypreachanddeclareintheflesh.Bythiswecanseethattheyhave no zeal for God and no integrity; but they seek to eat their fill, and to feastluxuriously,andthentobeatpeaceandtohavealltheircomfortsandpleasures.

We see, therefore, that there are somanypeoplewithout a single ounce of thefearofGodorreverence forhisWord,whoneverthelesspretendtobegreatzealots.Theyallurepoorsouls,only tostrangle theminamannerofspeaking; thereforewemustpayallthemoreattentiontowhatPauldeclareshere.Inotherwords,whenweunderstandthatthesepeoplewhoshoutandragedonotpractisewhattheypreach,letusbeonourguardandfindoutwhatmotivatesthosewepermittoteachus.Itistruethat ifamandoes thereverseofwhathesays,wemustnotasaconsequenceallowtheWordofGodtoloseitsauthorityoverus.ItisnotfairtodethroneGodfromhissovereign position of authority for the sake of onewickedman. If a person leads adissolutelife,orcommitsacowardlyact,andyethaspreachedfaithfully,wemustnotallowthistodetractfromtheheavenlydoctrineitself.WemustnotpermitthetruthofGodtodiminishinoureyesbecauseaman,ficklebynature,altersandwavers,orifheisahypocriteandhislifedoesnotmatchthatwhichhismouthproclaims.Itellyouright now that whenever we see those who seem champions of the truth, giving

themselvespermissiontodoanythingand licencetodotheoppositeofall that theypreach,wemust consider the situation, and, using our good judgment, refuse to bedeceivedbyfalseappearances,orledbythenose.Letussearchouttheirdoctrineandmakeagoodandthoroughexaminationofit.

Ifweproceed inthisway,wewillseethat thePapist’sdoctrine isnothingbutacoveringthattheyhidebehindsothattheycanremainatpeaceinthisworld.TheydonotcarehowthingsappeartoGod,andtheycannotfacechangingbecausetheydonotwish to expose themselves to the hatred of others. For they always live in fear ofbringingtroubleuponthemselvesorhavingfurtherproblems.Whenweseethis,weknowittobeansureindicationofthefactthatwemustguardagainstSatan’sattacks,sothatwewillnotbedeceived,atleastnotinadvertently,aswehavebeensaying.

Finally,Pauladdsthat thesepeoplewant toglory in the fleshofsimple-mindedfolk.Thisdefinitely relates to the signof circumcision. It is as ifhe is saying, ‘Theywant to leave theirmarkuponyou, inorder toprove that theyhavewonyouover.’How detestable thismakes them, that they would abuse the sign that God gave toratify the adoption of Abraham and his descendants, and corrupt its true andlegitimate use. ForGod had commanded the Jews to be circumcised.Why? So thattheywould understand that thewhole human racewas cursed, there beingnothingbutpollutionwithinus,andthatthereforewemustrenounceallthatpertainstoournatureorelseforeverremainpollutedandbecondemnedbeforeGod.ThisiswhattheJewshadto learn throughcircumcision.Yet theyreceived testimonyto the fact thattheir salvation would come through human seed, as indeed we know that we areblessed by God through the Lord Jesus Christ. This circumcision was designed tohumble the Jews and cause them to be dissatisfied with themselves and ashamedwhen they saw that their naturewas cursed.And yet itwas also a testimony to thegraceofGod,enabling themtocalluponhimas theirFather,knowing that throughtheseedpromisedtoAbraham,theywouldreceivesalvation.

This, I say, is the true and legitimate use of circumcision. But what did thesepeople thatPaul speaksagainstdo?Theyknew that circumcisionno longerapplied,and that since the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, baptism was sufficient. Butbecause the Jews called all who were not circumcised apostates, these scoundrelsretained the sign without the reality. We can see, therefore, that they were trueforgers, turning this doctrine into something other than God intended when heinstitutedthisspiritualsacrament,simplybecausetheysoughttosatisfytheworld.

Thesameistruetoday.ThosewhoseektooverturnGod’strutharemuchworsethanPaul’sadversaries,fortherewassomesemblanceofhonestyintheirpretextformaintainingcircumcisionandthefiguresofthelaw,inthatthesehadbeeninstitutedandestablishedbyGod.Butwhataboutthesehypocriteswholoudlyproclaimthatwemustkeeptheancientriteswithouttheleastalteration?Uponwhatdotheybasetheir

views? They cannot claim that God is the author of all these things. Men haveinventedthemaccordingtotheirownfantasies,or,rather,Satanhaswhisperedthesethingsintheirears.Inshort,thereisaconfusedlabyrinthofteachingsinthePapacywhichtheyrefertoas‘theserviceofGod’.Thesearedreamsputforwardbymen,andthedevilisstilltheirchiefsourceofinspiration.Yetsuchscoundrelsinsistthatwecantakenothingaway.Whatistheirmotive?Theysaythatthesearethemeanswherebywe can obtain God’s grace, and that they also inspire men to a greater level ofdevotion.Thenagain,theyrefertoallthefoolishinventionsthattheirownheadshavedevised as ‘sacraments’, saying, ‘You must observe this because it is a sacrament’.Whenall issaidanddone,it isobviousthat,aboveallelse,theywanttopleasemenandpreservethemselves.Theyareforced,inspiteofthemselves,toconfessthatallofthis isneitherherenor there as far asGod is concerned, and their servicedoesnotpleasehimintheleast;hewoulddisownitall,forheseekstobeservedbyobedience.However, we cause terrible confusionwhenwe suggest removing these things, andwhenwespeakclearlyaboutsuchmatters.

This, I say, is the way they disguise, corrupt and falsify religion andmake it aconfusedmixtureofjustabouteverything.Theymayjustsaythatwecanremovetheworst and most grievous errors, whilst leaving the ceremonies, which are stilladmissible.All those, I say,whospeak in thiswayonly seeka fairwindandagoodprofitinthisworld.Thisbeingthecase,letusbewarnedbytheSpiritofGodtofleesuch plagues. Althoughwe cannot enjoy victory in thisworld, and althoughwe arecriticisedandshamefullyaccused,maywekeepourselvesuprightforthesakeofthetruth ofGod.May it be enough for us to enjoy the approval of our heavenly judge,even if the whole world regards us as an abomination. However much of thistreatmentwesee, letusbepatient,waiting for thedaywhen theLordJesusrevealshimselfasoursurety,andgivessuchvictorytohistruththatallhisenemiesstandinshameandsilencebeforehim.

NowletusfalldownbeforethemajestyofourgreatGod,acknowledgingoursinsand praying that he would so touch us by his Holy Spirit with a true spirit ofrepentance, that we might tremble, despairing of ourselves, being emptied andstripped of all presumption. Furthermore, may it please him to increase in us thegracesofhisHolySpiritso thatweareno longergivenover toour fleshandto thisworld, and hindered and held back by them.Maywe instead aim to serve him andmakeeveryefforttoensurethathisnameisglorifiedinusmoreandmore,andthatwe bear visible evidence of our adoption, that we may be strengthened withinourselves.ThusotherswillhaveoccasiontoglorifythenameofourgreatGod,whenhehasworkedinus.Mayheshowthisgrace,notonlytous,butalsotoallpeoplesandnationsonearth,etc.

OnGloryingOnlyintheCrossofOurLordJesusChrist

ButGod forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, bywhom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. For in Christ Jesusneithercircumcisionavailethanythingnoruncircumcision,butanewcreature.Andasmanyaswalkaccordingtothisrule,peacebeonthem,andmercy,andupontheIsrael of God. From henceforth let noman troubleme: for I bear inmy body themarksof theLordJesus.Brethren, thegraceofourLordJesusChristbewithyourspirit.Amen.-Gal.6:14-18

We sawearlier thatPaul condemned thosewhoseonlydesirewas to sit on thefenceinordertopleasetheworld,andescapepersecution.Forthishadcausedthemto twist the gospel, andwe see numerous examples of this today.Having seen thatpuredoctrineandthetruthofGodareunacceptabletotheworld,butthatwickedmenareincensedagainstit,thesepeople,Isay,seektofindsomewaytoavoidcreatingbadfeelingandincurringhatred.Thisbeingso,ifwetodayweretointerviewpeoplewithatleastsomegoodsense,wewouldscarcelyfindoneinahundredofthemwhowouldadmitthattherewereerrorsinthePapacy.Mostwouldsaythatweoughtnottoforcethem to abandon everything and that it would be enough if theywere to get rid ofsomeoftheirmoreunreasonableandabsurdsuperstitions,eveniftheycontinuedtonurturemany other corruptions.Why? Because, as we have said, they desire to beesteemedandhighlycredited,andbecauseitisallthesametothemiftheybetraythepurity of the gospel, provided they can remain exempt frompersecution.What is itthatmotivates them,but the fact that theywish tobe valuedand to acquire a goodreputation?Nowthedevil,whohasstirredupthiskindofconflicteversincethedaysofPaul, continues to thispresentday, and thereforeweneed toarmourselveswiththisdoctrine.Thebest remedy is theone thatPaulproposeshere: thatwe rejectallglorying,savethatwhichisinthecrossofourLordJesusChrist.

Inordertounderstandthisclearly,wemustfirstlyrememberwhatiswritteninJeremiah,andconfirmedherebyPaul.Inotherwords,thatallthegloryofmanmustbeabasedinorderthatGodbeexaltedashedeserves.(Jer.9:23,24).Indeed, inthesameway it iswrittenthatall thewisdomthatmenbelieve theypossess isnothing,andwillnotbetakenintoaccount;itmustbeblottedout,thatwemighthaverecoursetoGod,astheonewhohasallabundanceofgoodthingsinhimself(Isa.29:14;1Cor1:19).Letusacknowledge,Isay,thatallwisdomproceedsfromhisfreegrace,sothatwe are enlightened by hisHoly Spirit, and, being weak, strengthened by hismight.Beingfullofpollutionandiniquity,mayrighteousnessberestoredinusaccordingtohisgift.

Nowletuscometothemeans.ItisnotenoughtoknowthatGodisourlight,thathe isourrighteousness, thathe isourwisdom,andthathe isourstrength; inotherwords,thatinhispersonisperfectlife,joyandfelicity.Thisisinsufficient,forthereisstill too great a distance betweenhimself andus. Yetweneed to knowhowandbywhatmeanswecanobtainallthegracesthatweseekinGod.Weknowthattheyareall communicated tous inJesusChrist, forhedescendedherebelow,madehimselfnothing,andwascrucifiedwillinglyforoursakes.Therefore,sincewemustdrawallthatwe lack from the Lord Jesus Christ, we can understandwhy Paul says that hesoughtonlytogloryinthecrossofourLordJesusChrist.Why?Becausehesufferedacruel and bitter death, and even exposed himself to God’s judgment on our behalf,receivingallourcurse,andinthiswaywasgiventousasourwisdom,righteousness,holiness,strengthandallthatwelack.

Therefore,inthefirstplace,weneedtoknowwhoweare,beforewecanpreventall gloryingandstayourselvesupon theLordJesusChrist.Forwe seemanypeopleburstingwithpridewhohavenogroundsforthiswhatsoever.Allthattheyimaginetobetrueaboutthemselvesisnomorethanwindandsmoke.Yetbecausetheyhavenotexaminedthemselvesproperly toseewhat theyarereally like, theyhavenotsoughtJesus Christ; such are these hypocrites, and counterfeits, who are puffed up withpresumptionbecauseoftheir‘merits’.Therefore,asIhavesaid,wemustconsiderourconditionandseetheextentofitswretchedness,thatisuntiltheLordJesustakespityuponus.Thisishowwecanprepareourselvestocometohim.Thisisthefirstpoint.

However,thisisnotall.Fortherearesomewhowillconfessthattheyaresinners,andthattheyarefullofnothingbutvanity,andyetcontinuetowallowintheirfilth.Why?BecausetheydonotanticipatethejudgmentofGod,andtheirmindshavebeenlulled to sleep by theworld. All such pleasure-seekers,who abandon themselves todrunkenness,orbawdiness,andthelike,cannotexcusetheirwickedness,andindeed,they ought to be ashamed of it, and yet they seem to take pleasure in sins andcontinueinthemasifhardened.Why?Theyhavebeenintoxicatedbytheworld,andblindfolded by the devil, such that they cannot see that one day theymust give anaccount of themselves. They have stupidly made themselves believe that they willalwaysremainastheyare,pursuingevilthings,andthattheywillneverhavetosighandtremble,butonlylaugh,asiftheyseekwilfullytoshowcontemptforGod.Thus,we can see how it is that some are prevented (indeed, they are fully incapacitated)fromcomingtoJesusChrist,eitherbecausetheypresumetohavetheirownwisdom,orbecause theyarepursuinga falsenotion thatSatanhasplaced in theirminds,orbecausetheythinktheyarewiseenoughwithoutJesusChrist.Thesearethereasonswhytheydespisehim.Others,ofwhomthereareaninfinitenumber,knowthattheyarepoorsinners,andyetdonotseekaremedy.Why?Becausethisworldhastheminitsgrip,andtheyaresocaughtupinitthattheycannotlifttheireyesortheirmindsabovetoseekfortheremedythathasbeenprovidedinJesusChrist.

Wemust,therefore,beallthemorereadytomeditateonwhatIhavesaid,thatis,toridourselvesofallprideandpresumption,andtofeelsomuchshamethatwehavenorestuntilwehavefoundreliefintheLordJesusChrist.Mayweopenoureyestoseeourdepravityandbeashamedofit,andnotonlyso,butalsotorecognisethatthislife isnothing,and thatGodhasplacedushereasona journey, so thathecan testwhether or not we are following him. May each of us therefore come aside, bothmorningandevening,toconsideroursins,andmaytheybelikegoadstoprickusandencourageustocometoGod.Maywenotbelikebrutebeasts,tiedtothisworld,butmayourneedleadustocometotheLordJesusChrist.ThisiswhatitistogloryinthecrossoftheLordJesusChrist.

Paul specifically speaks of the cross here because he seeks to knock down andtrampleunderfootallhaughtinessinman.Forwealwayswanttobe‘someone’inandof ourselves, andmaintain a certain dignity. Therefore, in order to rid us of such awickeddesire,Paul showsus that JesusChrist, theSonofGod, shouldbe our onlycauseofgloryingbecausehewascrucifiedforus.Followingonfromthis,headdsthatwewillbecrucifiedtotheworld,andtheworldtous,whenwehavelearnedtogloryonlyinthegracethatourLordJesusChristhasbroughtus.How?Thosewhoarenotcrucifiedtotheworld,thatis,thosewhodesiretohaveapositionofsomeauthority,andtobeimportant,andwhoasktobeheldinhonourandpromoted,inotherwordsthosewhoaredivertedhere,thereandeverywherebytheirlusts,certainlydonotyetknowwhatitistogloryinthecrossofJesusChrist,fortheybeginatthewrongpoint.Theyareconfusedwithinthemselves.

Therefore,PaulcansaywithconfidencethatwhenhisgloryingwasfoundeduponthecrossoftheLordJesusChrist,heabandonedandforsooktheworld.By‘world’hemeansall thatappeals toour flesh, tomenwhoneither thinkofGodnorofeternallife, but are given over to avarice or ambition. Each one is controlled by his ownnatural instincts, and not one looks beyond this world. When men follow theirinclinationsandwhenGodhasnottouchedthembyhisHolySpiritordrawnthemtohimself, it istruetosaythatthoughtheyhaveallstrayedandroamed,yetthereisagreatvariationintheirdesires,suchthat,whenweexaminethematter,wefindthatone is heading in a certain direction, whilst another is pulling in completely theopposite direction. Thus, it seems as if men are very different from one another.However,theyareallalikeinonearea,thatistosaythattheywanttobeimportantintheeyesoftheworld,andaregivenovertotheirpersonalprofitorpleasure.Inotherwords, they are so enmeshed in things here below that they do not mind beingseparatedfromGod.ButPaulsaysthatifallourgloryingisinJesusChrist,knowingthatbymeansofhiscrosshehascommittedus toGod theFather,andhassecuredthekingdomofheavenforus,thenitwillbeeasyforustowithdrawfromtheworldandcutourselvesofffromit,asitwere.Why?WhoeverhasbeencuttothequickandoverwhelmedwithasenseoftheirownsinwillsurelyseekthegraceofferedtohiminJesusChrist,andtheworldwillbeworthnothingtohim.

Indeed,wetreatallthespiritualrichesthatGodhasofferedusandinvitesustoshare as if they were nothing, because, in comparison to the deceptions andtemptations of Satan, we do not value them at all. What is this world, when wecontemplateitasitis?Notoneofusseesjusthowfragileourlivesare,thattheyarebut smoke which floats past and then vanishes. Men still burn with lust and aretransportedandcarriedawaythereby.AsforGod,hecallsout,‘Poorpeople!Youhaveless sense than little children, in that you busy yourselves about wisps of straw,meaningless rubbish, and all kinds of nonsense, and attach yourselves whole-heartedlytothesethings.YetwhenIofferyouthatwhichisperfectfelicity,youignoreit; to you it is unimportant.’ Hence, the reason that we are so cold and so slow toaccepttherichesthatGodoffersusisthatwearepreoccupiedwiththethingsofthisworld.Indeed,wevaluethisworldtoohighly.Whatmakesusdothis?ItisbecausewedonotknowwhatpricelessrichesGodisofferingus.

Therefore,letusjointogetherthesetwothings:namely,letusbecrucifiedtotheworld,andtheworldtous,gloryingaloneinJesusChristcrucified.Nowthisiseasiertosaythantodo,andyeteachofus,whereverweare,muststrivetodoso;oncewehaveheard thisdoctrine,wemustput it intopractice.For ifwewouldbe esteemedandaccountedChristiansbeforeGodandhisangels,wemustconformtowhatPaultells us here; indeed, if we were not otherwise-minded, we would find plenty ofopportunity to do so, as I have already said. For all those who simply look withinthemselves and consider what they are really like, and what condition they are inwhilst still separated fromJesusChrist,willbe terrifiedof feeling thewrathofGodwhichtheydeserve.Theywillfeelthattheyareruinedbytheiraccursedstate,andthatitwouldbebetteriftheearthweretoswallowthemahundredtimes,ratherthanliveunderthiscurseforasingledayastheenemiesofGodwhocannotescapehishand.Let us therefore learn to examine ourselves. Those who wish to adorn themselvesaccordingtothisworld,especiallywomen,willgazeintoamirrorwithgreatcuriosityand concern. Yet our poverty and filth will not be reflected there, in order truly tohumbleusbeforeGod,ormakeusconsiderwhatwegloryin.Theonewhorecogniseshisshameandignominywillcertainlyseektoremedyit,ifindeedtheSpiritofGodisworkingdeepwithinhim,andheisnot(asIhavealreadysaid)intoxicatedbySatan.Letus,therefore,learntoexamineourselvessincerely,withoutflattery,andwhenwehave acknowledged our poverty and misery, let us come to the Lord Jesus Christ.Since,bymeansofthecross,allhaughtiness,self-worthandboastingiscastdown,letusbetrulycrucifiedtotheworldandmayitmeannothingtous.

Now, by saying that the world was crucified to him and he to the world, it iscertainthatPaulmeansthesamething,yethewantstoreinforcethatwecanindeedrenounce this world and be separate from it, by being crucified to ourselves withregard to the world. This means that all our loathsome desires (which are far toostronginusandconsumeuslikeaburningflame,pushingusinonedirection,then

another),must bemortified, forwe know that the Son ofGodhad to suffer such ashamefuldeathonourbehalf.Whoishewhoseekstohavehistriumphsanddohiscourageous deeds in this world, when he knows that the One who is the head ofangels, to whom belongs all glory, majesty and authority, hung on a tree and wascursedandhatedforoursakes?Inthisway,allourlustsmustbemortified;therefore,maythepassionanddeathofourLordJesusChristbesoeffectualinourhearts,thatourdesiresdonotquiverimpatientlywithinusasoncetheydid.Thisisthefirstpoint.

Also, the world must be crucified to us. How is this? In comparison to thespiritualrichesthatJesusChristbringsus,andwhichweenjoythroughhim,mayweesteem the things of this world as straw and corruption, since all is corruptible.Furthermore,all thatmencovet soearnestlyandwithsuchdetermination that theybecomecompletelyhinderedbyit,arenothingmorethannetsthatSatanhasspreadinordertocatchthem.Aretheynotillusionsanddeceptions?Yes,thisismostcertain.Since this is so, letus learn that theworldought tobenothing tous, and letusbecompletely persuaded and assured of the fact that God is merciful to us, andacknowledgesusashissonsandheirs;hehasblessedusandwithouthisblessingwewould be most miserable. Hence, we are to pass lightly by this world and not beattachedto itorheldbackforanything;thismustalwaysbeouraim.Weknowthatwe must make haste to the place to which God has called us, and if we becomeenmeshedby the loveof thisworld,wewillbecomealienated fromourGod.This iswhatwearetorememberfromthispassage.

At this point Paul adds that ‘in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature’. It is as if he is telling us that thosewhotroubledthechurchinhisdayweremotivatedonlybyambition.Forifthechurchdidnotgrow,andnoonereceivedanyprofitinanywayasaresultofthegreattroubletheystirredup,itsurelyprovesthattheywereonlyseekingtoreplacetheLordJesusChrist.Forwhatshouldouraimbe,buttoseetheSonofGodreigninginourmidst,and tobe ruledby theWordofhisgospel, and toknowhispower, so thatallofus,greatandsmall,placeourentiretrustinhim?Followingonfromthis,weaimtohaveourwholelifetransformed,thatwemightliveinobediencetoGodandsubmittohisWord.ForthespiritualtempleofGodisbuiltuponfaithandanewlife;faithleadsustopayhomagetoGodforallhisriches,andtohaverecoursetohim,anddeclarehispraises—tocalluponhisholynamewhenwemeettogether.ThisishowwearebuiltuptobecomethetempleofGod.

However,wemust also be renewed in our lifestyle, andpatiently learn to denyourselvesanddedicateour lives toGod.Thisought tobe themessageof thosewhohavetheresponsibilitytoteach.Thosewhodonotaimatthesethingsrevealthattheyhaveno intentionofserving theLordJesusChrist.ThusPauldeclares that theonlyimportantthingistobeanewcreatureinJesusChrist.Inotherwords,wemustcometothepointwhere,aswesawinSecondCorinthians,wearenewcreatures,ifwewant

tobe considered tobe ‘inJesusChrist’ (2Cor5:17).For if anyoneboasts thathe ismost eloquent, and another that he is very clever, and another that he is a greatscholar,andanotherthathehasgoodmanners,itisallvanity.Letus,therefore,learntoforsakeourselvesandthisworld,andtodedicateourselvestotheonewhoboughtussothatwemightbesetfree.ForitisonlyrightthatJesusChristwhoobtainedusat such cost should possess us and rejoice greatly over us. This cannot be achievedunlesswe eachdeny ourselves and reject all that couldholdus back amongstmen.Thisiswhatweneedtoobserve.

Paulspeakshereofcircumcisionanduncircumcisionbecausethedisputeandtheargumenthehad(aswehaveseenpreviously)concernedtheceremonial law,whichhedealswithherethroughtheexampleofcircumcision.FortheJewssoughttoretainall the types and shadowswhichwere only intended to last for a time. Thus, Paul,ridiculingallthis,saysthatourLordJesusChristcame,nottoencourageustokeeptheseancientfigures,but,becausetheveilofthetemplewastornintwo,andbecauseheisinhimselfthebodyandsubstanceofalltheshadowsthatexistedunderthelaw,wemustnowcontentourselveswithhim,circumcisionnolongerbeingofanyvalue.

Wewillderivegreaterprofitfromthispassageifweapplyittowhatweseetoday.For,inthePapacy,therearemanypointlessritualsinwhichtheyplacealltheirtrustin order to be holy.When we ask the Papists how they canmerit God’s grace andobtain remission of their sins, they boast that they have their holy water, theircandles, their incense, their organs and choirs, their pilgrimages and this and that.Also,theyhavetheirfoolishdevotions,whichinvolvetrottingfromaltartoaltarandfromchapel tochapel.Then theymust,ofcourse,buyagoodnumberofmasses. Inshort, all that the Papists refer to as the service of God is nothing more than aLabyrinth,oranabyss,ofsuperstitionswhichtheyhaveforgedintheirownheads.Letuscomenowtoconsiderwhatthesethingsareworth.Godhasmadenomentionofthem; but they have been invented bymen, in whose ears Satan has whispered inordertocorruptthetrueserviceofGod.However,thePapistsconsiderthattherecanbenoreligion,norfaith,norserviceofGod,norzealunlesswetooaretransportedbyalltheirnonsense.YetPaul,speakingoftheceremoniesthatGodhadordainedinthelaw,saysthattheyarenolongeranything.Why?BecauseGodiscontent ifweservehimwithapureconscience,andcalluponhim,havingputourtrustinhim,knowingthat all good things come fromhim.Letus, rather, liveuprightly andhonestlywithoneanother,knowing thatcharity is thebondofperfection,and theendof the law;and let us also so dedicate ourselves to our God that we live chastely and in allholiness,waitingforthecomingofourLordJesusChrist,asitsaysinTitus(Tit.2:12-13). This is the starting point of holiness and perfection, as declared byGod in hisWord.

Yet thePapistswill sayon theotherhand, ‘What!Andwhatkill becomeofourlovelydevotions?Willtheyallbeabolished?ItwerebettertopullGodoutofheaven!’

ThisrevealsthePapist’sfolly.WehaveseenwhatPaulhasexposedhere;thatevenifmen are so mistaken about their own inventions that they think they offer Godwonderful things, andareheldbackby thesemeaningless trifles, it is allworthless.Whohasdeclaredthis?God,bythemouthofPaul.What,then,oughtwetobe?Newcreatures.What isanewcreature?Wemuststartbyexaminingour livesandseeingourselves as nothing in and of ourselves. Then wemust offer to God the spiritualsacrifices thatweowehim,presentingourselves tohimthathemighthavepityandmercyuponourmisery,andaidandhelpus.Maywebereadytofollowhimashecallsus,havingnoothersourceofwisdombuthisWordalone,knowingthathedoesnotwish to be served with pomp or with the fine, glittering external appearances thatappealtotheworld.Heiscontentifwedevoteourthoughtsandaffectionstohiminsincerity.Moreover, it is our responsibility to understandwhat Paul is saying here,andtoapplyhisteaching;foritiscertainthatthosewhorefusetoflatterthemselvesin their sins, and who look to God, knowing that they must appear before hisjudgmentseat,willforsakeallgloryinginthemselves.

Furthermore,theywillknowwhatGoddemandsinhisWord,andhowhewouldbeserved,andwhathedelights in, so that theywillno longerbe indangerofbeingdeceived by themeaningless trifles which hypocrites pursue. For it ismost certainthatwhenthePapiststormentthemselvesinordertoserveGod(aswesee),itisonlysothathewillcounttheminnocent,andsothattheymayescapehishand,andnotbeconstrained toservehimashehascommanded; for theydespise thewhole law.Yetthere aremany thingswhich they do regard as vital, andwhich they desire God toaccept.But(asIhavesaid)theirmainaimistobelievethattheirdutytoGodhasbeenfulfilled,sothathewillnotoppressthemtoomuch.Meanwhile,theyfollowtheirowncourse, allow themselves great licence and grant themselves absolution of all theirsins.TheythinkthatsincetheyhavebroughtGodsomething(thatis,amereshadow),hedarenot speakawordagainst themandhas to remainsilent.NowwehaveseenPaul’sintentionhere.

Finally,headds, ‘Andasmanyaswalkaccordingtothisrule,peacebeonthem,andmercyandupontheIsraelofGod.’Byspeakingofthis‘rule’,heimpliesthatmenmay believe what they choose, and yet God will not give way to them, for he isimmutable andwill not yield to folly or bemade to retreat. Paul tells us that suchalterationisimpossible.Whateverhappens,therulethatGodhasestablishedremainsas it is,unchanging.This is somethingwhichweall accepton the surfaceof things.ForwhowouldnotreadilyacceptthefactthatGodissuperiortous?Weevenfeelthattosaythecontraryistoblaspheme.ThusweareallquitesurethatGodoughttoreign,andthathis lawought tobeourrule for living.Yet,at thesametime,seehowmenallow themselves to live without restraint! Each person invents this and that, andsoonafterwardsexpectseveryoneelsetoholdtotheirinventions.Everyonewantstohave their own separate rules. Whilst it may be true that not everyone in Poperyfollows the ruleofStFrancis, orofStDominic, yet there isnot a single foolishold

womanorbigotinPoperywhohasnotgothisownrule.Justasthereisnotasingleyoungcalfwhohasnotalsohisownruleforliving.Forallwillsay,‘ThisisthewayIdomydevotions.’Andwhentheyusetheword‘devotion’,theyvirtuallypushGodintothebackgroundbecause theyare really saying, ‘Imusthave the liberty todowhat Ithinkisgood,andGodmustcontenthimselfwiththat.’

Whatdiabolical audacitymenhave!Theycompromisehereand there, they talkwildly, they deviate first to one side then to the other. It is as if they make forthemselveswindingandcrookedpathways,hopingthatGodwilltwisthisrulesandbepliableenoughtobendtosuittheirownviews.Thereforewehaveallthemorereasontoobservecarefullywhatissaidhere,whichisthatmenmaytormentthemselvesalltheylike,butGod’sruleremainsandwillfollowitsowncourseanddirection.

Whatisthisrule?ItisthatweaimfortheperfectionthatourLordJesusrevealsinthegospel;notthatwecanattainthisduringourlifetime,butratherthatwearenottostepasideonewayoranother,totherightortotheleft,buttoaimalwaysforthegoal thatGod has revealed to us. This is howwe can be new creatures, by denyingourselvesanddedicatingourselves fully toGod.Sincethis is thecase, letusmakeadecision to submit to this rule, and conform our lives to it. For each one of usimmediatelypicksupourfeetandlegstorunoffhereorthere;butinordernottogoastray,weneedtolearntoholdfasttoallthatGodrevealsandteachesusinhisWord.NowwhenPaulasksthatpeaceandmercybeuponsuchpeople,it istodeclarethat,evenifallintheworldwerefoolishlytocondemnus,wecouldignoreitandrefusetoletitbotherus,pursuingourowncourse.IfGodisforus,thatoughttobesufficient.Forifweareshakenbythefoolishjudgmentsoftheworld,andtheopinionsthattheyspreadaboutus,wearenotrenderingtoGodthehonourthatishisdue.Iffolksayofus, ‘Thosepeoplearenot livinggoodlives’,andwegetupsetandseektoconformtotheirtastes,wewillsurelybemovingawayfromGod.

Therefore, let us take good note of what Paul says here, which is that if mencondemnusandfindthingstocriticiseinthatwhichwedo(anditisobviousthattheworldwillneverbeinharmonywithGod),itshouldmeannothingtous.Itoughttosuffice us that God has blessed us, and offers us complete happiness in this word‘peace’, showing that he will have pity on us, however wretched we may be, andhowevermuchothersmayspit inour faces.Althoughwedonothaveall thevirtuesrequiredofus,yetifweaimtofollowGod,wewillalwaysfindhimtobemerciful.Hesupportsus inourweakness,andaidsus inourwretchedness. Ifwehaveall this, itought tobe enough.On theotherhand, although theHolySpiritblesses thosewhosubmit toGod’s rule,wealsoknow thathe cursesanddetestsand loathesall thosewho go astray, andwhomake their own imaginations their law. They seek to haveliberty to followwhatever seems right to them, and harden themselves against theWord of God. However valued they are by the world, and however much they areintoxicatedwithprideandpresumption, thinkingtheyareeverso important,wecan

seethatGodstillregardsthemasdetestable.Thisiswhatweneedtoremember:thereisonlyonerulebywhichwemustliveandthatiscontainedinthegospel.

Where does this rule lead us? It will ensure that we do not offer to God thatwhichseemsrighttous,orthatwhichwehaveforgedinourownheads.Instead,wewill submitourselves fully tohimand tohisWord.Wewill recognise that inJesusChristwehaveallperfection.Thuswewillbecontentwithhimalone,especiallysinceweknowheismercifulenoughtoshowuspity,andourliveswillbeblessedandmadehappybyhim,ifwefollowhimtotheplacewherehecallsus.Conversely,wewillbecursedunlesswefollowtherulethatPaulspeaksofhere,nomatterwhatopiniontheworldhasofus,orhowevermuchtheworldmaypraiseus.

Nowheadds‘theIsraelofGod’,toprovethatthosewhoserveGodspiritually,hewillalwaysbepleasedtoacknowledgeashispeople.FortheenemiesofPaul,againstwhomhehasaquarrelinthiswholeepistle,wantedtomaintainalltheceremonies,asit seemed to them that thesewere themarksof the true church, just as thePapiststodaywanttokeeptheholyoil,andthisandthat.ButtheenemiesofPaulhadmuchstrongergroundsthanthePapists,andincomparisontheircasewasstronger.YetPaulstillrejectsitall,andsaysthatGoddoesnotconcernhimselfwithanyofthis.Whilstit is truethathehadordainedtheshadowsof the lawforatime,andtheyhadtheirfunction,whichwastoleadthepeopletotheLordJesusChrist,nowthatwehavethesubstance and the truth in him, wemust forsake it all.We have an even strongerreason, therefore, to say that the Israel of God are not those who appear in greatsplendourbeforetheeyesofmen,butthosewhobearthetruemarkofGod.Forwhenthe Papists speak to us of the church, they must include the Pope with his threecrowns,andthebishops,whodisguisethemselvesinordertoactouttheirfarce.Theyarelikehornedbeasts,andeverythingaboutthemglistens;thepriestsandthemonksareamongthemandtheytoodazzletheeyesofthesimple.ThisiswhatthechurchofGod consists of according to the Papists: in pomp and frivolous, useless nonsense.Whatofthesacraments?No,theyneedthisorthatextrathing—inshort,theyhavetheirownmarkswhichseemquiteacceptabletothem.

Yetwemustlookatthegospel.Whatdowefindthere?Allsimplicity.GoddoesnotwantthosewhopreachhisWordandadministerhissacramentstowearcostumesor to make so many fanfares. Nor does he want the sacraments to be polluted byhumaninventions,becausealltheseareworthlesstoGod.Letus,therefore,retainthedefinition that Paul gives here of the true church, so that we are unmoved whenpeople say to us, ‘Look,wehavemanybeautiful things here.’ It is true, ifwe judgeaccordingtoournaturalsenses,forwearecarnalandearthlyandare,therefore,moreinclined to follow thatwhichappearsbeautiful toour senses.But it isnot forus todecidehowwemustserveGod;wemusthold fast to thatwhichhehasproclaimed,becausehisdecreeisirrevocable,anditisthatweshouldfindallourwisdominJesusChrist.Thiscanonlyhappenifweobeyhim,andnotbefore.Thus,wearetorecognise

thatwemustno longerbe attached to the external thingswhichheordainedat thetimeof the law;butwearetobecontentwithJesusChristaloneandtheperfectionthatisinhim.

Letusbe sure tonotice something elsehe says at this point: ‘The graceof ourLord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.’ He exposes here that the world, due to itsingratitude, gives no thought to the riches which are offered in Jesus Christ. Thegospelispreachedoftenenough,andyetweallwithdrawfromitandturnaway,asifwe have decided to leave the good path that leads to salvation and throw ourselvesheadlongintoruinandperdition:Whatisthereasonforthis?Itisbecauseourspiritsareempty,andthedevilalwaysgainsentry;heenticesus,hetroublesusandmakesusflutteraboutintheair.Indeed,untilthegraceofourLordJesusiswithourspirit,wearelikeswayingreeds,withoutstabilityorfoundation.Thisiswhatweneedtoaimfor,sothatGodnotonlypoursouthisgraceuponus,butthatwealsoreceiveitintoour spirit andheart;our spiritmustbecome its throneand theplacewhere it takesroot,sothatwemightnotbetiedtothisearth,butraiseouraffectionsandmindstoGod.

Now,becausetherewillneverbeatimewhenthisdoctrineescapescontradiction,Paulherechallenges thosewhowouldriseupagainst it,andsays, ‘Fromhenceforthletnomantroubleme:forIbearinmybodythemarksoftheLordJesus’.WhenhespeaksofthemarksofJesusChrist,hesetsthemincontrasttoallthearmouriesofprinces, to all their diadems and sceptres, and to all that they possess to give themimportance,andtoobtaintheworshipandreverenceofall.Whenaprincewantstobeseentobe incontrolofhisestate,hemustbedressed insuchawaythatnonedarelook at him for fear of being bedazzled. They do thismore often than not becausethere is nothing about them worthy of note, and so they need to rely on theseborrowedmeans;thesameistrueofworldlypeoplewhogivethemselvestopompandgallantry,andusethisandthattoacquireagoodreputation.Inshort,theworldlywilluseanymeanstoget themselvesnoticed,althoughthese thingsarevanity inandofthemselves.ButPaulshowsthatthemarksofourLordJesusChristare,asweknow,worthsomuchmore,andfarmoreprecious,havingmorebeautyinthemselvesthanallthatischerishedbytheworld.

However,weneedtoconsiderwhatismeantby‘marks’.Hehasexplainedthistousbefore,whenhesaidthathewasbeatenseveraltimes.Hehadbeenstonedatoneplace,putinprisoninanother,andhadsufferedhungerandthirst(2Cor11:23-27).Inotherwords,hehadbeenregardedasloathsomeandwasthereforerejected.Accordingto theworld,wemust fleesuch ignominy.YetPaulsays that thesemarksareworthmore than all the honour and splendour that we could ever enjoy. He says thatbecausehebearsthesemarks,othersmustnot‘troublehim’bypreventinghimfromfollowinghiscourseandfulfillinghisduty.

Now Paul’s intention in this passage has been, firstly, to show that if we areChristians and part of the true church of God, we must obey the command to beunitedtooneanother.How?Notwitheachpersonfollowingtheirownimaginations;for thereare indeedmanywhohaveaperversespiritwhichmakes it impossible forthem to cooperatewith others. Such people seek to keep themselves separate fromeveryoneelse, likewildhorses,and it is tobehoped that therearemonasteriesandcloisters forsuchpeoplewhorefuse tounitewithothersaccording to thecommandgiven to the church. Thus, having separated themselves in their pride from thecompanyofbelievers,theycanonlyreallybecomemonksofthedevil!Whateverthecase,weknowwhytheyhidethemselvesaway:itisbecausethedevilhastheminhisgrip andpossesses them.He simply seeks to persuade them to live separately fromotherssothathemighteventuallyturnthemawayfromGodaltogether.

Secondly,Paulshowsusherethatwemustaimtokeepthis‘rule’;theLordJesusis tobeourexample, andweare to seek to conform tohis image.Whenhe speaks,maywesubmit tohis teaching, so thateachofuskeepshis commands.Also, letushelponeanother.Forwecanboastaboutpersecution,orthisorthat,allwelike,butunless we seek to help others to enable the building of the spiritual temple toprogress,itiscertainthatwearestillservingSatanandarelikeslavesservingunderhistyrannicalrule.LetuslearntobeofthesamemindonewithanotheraswesubmittoourLordJesusChrist.Furthermore,maythosewhoareselflessandfaithfulintheirwalkwithGoddespiseall thesepompouspeoplewhowant toelevate themselves intheirpride,introducingthisorthat;forJesusChristalwaysrecogniseshismarks.Inotherwords,howevercontemptiblewemaybeintheeyesoftheworld,wewillalwaysbeacknowledgedbytheSonofGod.Therefore,letuscontinuetowalk,andletthosewhoseektohinderusknowthatGodwillbeatthemdown,aswehaveseenpreviously(Gal.5:12).ItisonlyrightthatpeopleshouldbeputtoshameandforcedtoscatteriftheydisrupttheunityofthechurchandrefusetoserveaccordingtotheirabilitytotheadvancementofthereignofourLordJesusChrist.Godmustsendthemtotheirruinbecauseoftheirprideandpresumption.Thisiswhatweneedtorememberfromthispassageifwedesiretopersevereintheenjoymentoftherichesthatwepossess,whichwereboughtforusatsogreatacost,throughthedeathandpassionofourLordJesusChrist,andwhichareofferedtousdailythroughthegospel.

NowletusfalldownbeforethemajestyofourgreatGod,acknowledgingoursins,andprayingthattheywouldsogrieveusthatwewouldbemadetotrembleandseekhis pardon. Then we will be transformed through true repentance and enabled tobattleagainstallourvicesandall thecorruptionsofour flesh,untilhehas freedusfrom themaltogether; thenhewill clotheus inhis righteousness.Thus,we all say,AlmightyGodandourheavenlyFather,etc.

TheFirstSermonontheFirstChapter

Paul,anapostleofJesusChristbythewillofGod,toallyouholyandfaithfulonesinJesusChrist.whichareatEphesus.GracebetoyouandpeacefromGodourFather,and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be theGod and Father of our Lord JesusChrist,whohasblesseduswithallspiritualblessingsinheavenlythingsinChrist. -Ephesians1:1-3

Whenwe read the epistleswhichSt.Paulwrote to a varietyofplaces,wemustalwaysconsiderthatGodmeanttheyshouldservenotonlyforonetimealone,orforcertainpeopleonly,but forever,and ingeneral for thewholechurch.And truly ifamanconsiderswell thedoctrine that is contained in them, itwillbeeasy todiscernthatGod’sintentionwastobeheardinthethingsthatarespokenthere,eventotheworld’s end; and also that hehas such a care for us that hehasnot passed over orforgottenanything thatmight furtheroursalvation.Thesumof thisEpistlewhichIhavenowtakeninhandtoexpoundisthatSt.Paulconfirmssuchashadbeenalreadyinstructed in the gospel, in order that theymight know that that iswhat theymustrest upon, as upon the true and perfect wisdom, and that it is not lawful to addanythingtoit.

PaultellsusthatthebenefitswhicharebroughtusbyourLordJesusChristandofwhichwearemadepartakersbymeansofhisgospelaresoexcellentthatwemustsurelybeextremelyunthankful ifwe scurry toand fro likepeoplewhoareneveratrestorcontented.AndthenheshowsusalsowhatwehaveinChristinorderthatweshould so cleave to him as not to presume to seek help anywhere else, but assureourselvesthathehasprocuredeverythingforus.

Again, on the other side, he shows us that Christ has so well provided for hischurchthat ifweknowhowtouse thegiftsofgraceheoffersus,weshallhave fullandperfecthappiness.Alongwiththis,hewarnssuchashavebeeninstructedinthetruth of the gospel to lead a holy life, and to show that they have profited as theyoughttodoinGod’sschool.

NowthesethingsservenotonlyforthecityofEphesus,norforanyonecountry,norforanyoneageortime,butwehaveneedtobeurgedonmoreandmore,seeingthat the devil strives ceaselessly to turn us to evil. And when he cannot lead uscompletelyawayfromthedoctrineofJesusChrist,helabourstomakeitdistastefultoussomewayoranother,andtoentangleus innewcuriosities,only tobringtopassthat we may not be constant in the faith that we have received, but give way tovacillation.Nowwheneverour fancies are so fidgety, it is certain that anopening ismade to blot out the remembrance of all thatwehad learnedbefore and to take in

many follies, yes, and erroneous doctrines, which serve to corrupt and pervert thepurityofourfaith.

We see then that thedoctrinewhich is contained in this epistle is directed anddedicatedtousatthispresentday,andthatGodhasbyhiswonderfulprovidencesodisposedthingsbeforehandthatwenotonlyhavehadthe foundationsof thegospeluponwhichtogroundourselves,butalsothemeansbywhichourfaithmayfromdaytodaygrowandincrease,sothatwemaystillgoforwarduntilwereachperfection.

First and foremost, St. Paul claims the authority belonging to him, which hadbeengivenhimbyGod,inorderthatmenshouldnotwastetheirtimeoverhisperson,asthoughhiswordhadbeenbutthesayingofamortalman.ForinverydeedourLordJesusChrististheonlymasterfromwhomwemustlearn,foritiswitnessedofhimfromheaven that it isonlyheandnoother towhomwemust listen[Matt. 17:5]. IthasalwaysbeenGod’swilltokeeptheguidingofhisownchurchtohimself,andthathisWordshouldbereceivedwithoutcontradiction.Hehasnotgiventhatprivilegetoanycreature.AndwhenJesusChrist isordained intheplaceofGodhisFather, it isbecause he is God manifested in the flesh, and the infallible truth itself, and hiswisdomwhichwasbeforealltime[ITim.3:16].

Furthermore,whenmen speak theymustnot do it in their ownname,nor putforwardanythingoftheirownfancyandbrain,buttheymustfaithfullysetforththethingthatGodhasenjoineduponthemandgiventhemincharge.ThusyouseewhySt. Paul uses this preface, as it were everywhere, that he is an apostle of our LordJesus Christ. Hence he holds it as a settled principle that if any man introduceshimselftospeakinhisownname,thereisnothingbutrashnessinhim,forhetakesuponhimselfwhatbelongstoGodonly.

Again,sinceourLordJesusChristwaspurposelysenttobeourlastteacherthatwemighthavesuchwisdomasisperfectandutterlywithoutfault,thereforeSt.Paulcallshimselfanapostlesentbyhim.Thispresupposestwothings;first,thatSt.Paulhad that charge committed tohim; secondly, thatheduly acquittedhimself of it byrendering faithful service in the office that hewas called to. For if amanwere themostgiftedandmostexcellent in theworld,yet ifhe thrustshimself forwardunderhisownimpulse,hedisturbsallorder.AndweknowthatGodwillhaveorderandnotdisorderamongstus,asSt.Paulsays in the fourteenthchapterof the firstepistle totheCorinthians.

Hethenthatspeaks,atleasttoteach,musthaveacalling,thatistosay,hemustbeadmittedandhavehis chargegivenhim, so that everymanmaynotputhimselfforwardby reasonof anunadvised zeal, as I saidbefore.But to speak furtherofSt.Paul’scallingisnotneedfulatthistime,forweknowhowGodgavetestimonythatheanointedhimashisapostle[Acts9:15].Andindeedhedoesnotdisputemuchaboutit

here, because it was known well enough in the church of Ephesus. But since theGalatians had been troubled by deceivers, so that St. Paul’s authority, yes, and thenameofGodhimself hadbeendisgraced there,we seehowhemaintainedhis ownstatus,tellingthemthatthereverenceduetoanapostleofJesusChristcouldnotbetakenfromhimwithoutoverthrowingthedivineorder[Gal.I:13—16].ThereforeitisenoughforhimheretohavesaidinonewordthatheisanapostleofJesusChrist.

Let us come to the second point upon which I touched, namely, that it is notenoughforamantobecalled,excepthedischargehisdutywithapureconscienceandwithintegrityinhisoffice,whichthingSt.Paultookuponhimasathingbeyondallquestion, andhehadgiven sufficientproofof it.Thedeceiversmaywell boastwithfullmouththattheyarecalled,asweseetheydo.ForalltheywhofightagainstGodandhisWord,andsowtroubleand tares inhischurch,would fainmakeashieldoftheircalling,andalsooftheirzeal,fortheywillinsistonbeingcalledChristiansoverandoveragain.ButSt.Paulhadsufficientlyprovedthathedidnotcomeofhimself,norsoughtanythingelsethantospendhimselfinthebuildingupofthechurch.AndsincethesamewaswellknowninEphesus(aswemaygatherfromthehistoryofSt.Luke:Acts19),andhehadfoughtmanyahardbattle,thereforehethinksitenoughtosayinonewordthatheisanapostleofourLordJesusChrist.

Herewemusttakewarning,firsttokeeptothepuredoctrinewhichweknowhasproceededfromGod,forwecannotgowrongifwefollowthatrule.AndseeingthatinourLordJesusChristwehavetheperformanceofallthatisrequisiteandneedfulforourinstruction,sothatwehavenoneedtodoubtwhetherwemustkeeptothegospelor add something to it, let us be content to take the Son of God as our Master,especiallyashevouchsafestostoopsolowastotakethatchargeuponhim,andalsotestifiesthatifwehaveprofitedwellinhisdoctrine,weshallcometothetruegoaltowhichweshouldmakeourway.

You see then that the first lessonwhichwehave togather from thispassage isthatour faithmustnotwaveronewayoranother,buthavea sureand immoveablefoundationtoreston,namely,God’struth,evenasitiscontainedinthegospel.Andseeing that St. Paul is sufficiently acknowledged by us, let us not doubt that God’sSpirit speaks tousat thisdaybyhismouth,neither letushear thedoctrineas if itwere subject to our judgment.But letus subject ourownunderstanding andmindsandreceiveitwithoutcallingitinquestion,unlesswewillwilfullymakewaragainstGodandliftupourselvesabovehim.This,then,isoneofthethingswhichwehavetonoticefromthispassage.

Furthermore, inorder that thisdoctrinemaynotonlybe reverencedamongus,butthatitmayalsobepleasanttous,letustakenotethatSt.PaulspeaksinthenameofChrist,whowassenttousbyGodhisFathertobringusgladtidingsofpeace.Alsoletusbearinmindhowhesaysinanotherpassagethathewasordainedtobringthe

messageofreconciliation,andthathebeseechesmeninGod’snametobereconciledtoGod[2Cor.5:20].NowI toldyouthat thiswasdone tomake thedoctrineof thegospel sweet, that we might be desirous of it and give ourselves wholly to it. ForwheneveritistoldusthatGodspeakstous,trulyitisenoughtogiveauthoritytoallthat he shall speak. But yet wemay tremble at his voice and at the same time betroubled by it, according as we see a great number confess well enough that Goddeservestobeobeyedandtohaveallmensubjecttohim,butinthemeanwhiletheyturnawayandshunhimasfarastheycan,becausehisvoicemakesthemafraid.

ButwhenJesusChrist speaks tousas themediatorbetweenGodandman,wemaygotohimboldly,for(asitissaidintheEpistletotheHebrews)wearenomore,as it were, at Mt. Sinai, where the lightnings flashed in the air when the law waspublished,insomuchthatifabeasthadcomeneartoit,itmusthavedied.Thevoicewhich God uttered at that time was terrible [Heb. 12:18—20; Exod. 19:12]. Butnowadays,seeingthatheencouragesusbyhisgospeltoreceivethegraceheoffersus,and intends towipeaway the remembranceofour sins, letusallowourselves tobejustifiedbyhisfreegrace,andletusbepeaceableandobedienttohim.Forindeedthisoughttomoveustocometohimlikepoorhungrysoulstobefedwiththeheavenlyfoodthathewillgiveus.Thuswesee ineffectwhatwehavetorememberwhenSt.PaulcallshimselftheapostleofJesusChrist.

PauladdsthatheisanapostlebythewillofGod.Thisservestoplaceitbeyondalldoubt, in order that men should not blame him for presumption, as though hethought himself of better reputation than other men. He protests that it was notbecauseofanyworthinessofhisown,butbecauseithadpleasedGodtochoosehimforthatoffice.AndcertainlyitisnofeignedhumilitywhenhesayshewassetinthatpositionbyGod’smeregraceandchoosing [ICor. 15:9; ITim.1:13—16].Forweseehowinotherpassagesheconfessesthatheisnotworthyofsuchhonour,butratherhad deserved utter damnation, and therefore was to be taken as amirror of God’sinfinite goodness, in that he had exalted him so high, even him who had been amurderer of Christians, who had shed the blood of the martyrs, and who hadblasphemedagainstGodandhisWord,ashehimselfreportsit.

Weseethenthattherewasnopretence inthisconfessionofhis,wherehesaysthathewassetinthatstateandrankbythewillofGodalone.Andthisservesagreatpurposestill,inorderthatwemaynotesteemGod’sWordaccordingtotheworthofthose who bring it to us. For one of the common artifices which the devil uses todiminishreverenceforGod’sWordistoplacebeforeoureyesthepersonswhobringit.Now it is certain thatweare frail vessels andofnovalue, yes, ofnomoreworththanbrokenpots.WhatisthereinthosewhomGodhasordainedtobetheministersof his Word But the treasure is inestimably great at all times, despite thecontemptiblenessofthevessels[2Cor.4:7].

Letustakenotethenthatwhenmencometobeartestimonytotheforgivenessofoursinsandthesalvationweoughttohopefor,ourfaithmustriseuphigherandnotstandquestioningwhethersuchamanisworthytobeheardornot,orenquiringwhatmannerofpersonhe is.Letuscontentourselveswith the thought thatGodby thatmeans intends todrawus tohimself. This is thewaywemustwalk, and ifwe stepasidefromit,wesoongoastrayandareonthewaytoperdition.

Let us note this well, then, that we must submit ourselves to God’s will andordinance and receivewithout hindrance the doctrine that is preached to us by themouthsofmortalmen.Forwemustnotbewiseinthewaythatmanypeopleare,whodemand whether God could not send his angels from heaven and teach us byrevelations,norinthewayofsomebusybodieswhomakepretencethattheyhavetheHolyGhostattheirbeckandcall,[enleurmanche(Fr.)(Intheirsleeve)], forwhichreasontheydisdaintoreceivethegiftsastheyaredealtoutbyGod.SothatwemaynotbebewitchedbySatanafterthismanner,letustakenotehowitissaidherethatitisGod’swillthatthegospelshouldbepreachedbythemouthsofmen,andthattheyare, as it were, witnesses to us. Whoever exempts himself from this ordinance isacting as if he thrusts back God’s hand when he offers him sure and infallibletestimonyofhissalvation.Thusyouseewhatwestillhavetotakenoteoffromthispassage.

Again,theythatarecalledtoproclaimGod’sWordoughttotakewarningfromSt.Paul’sexampletowalkinlowliness.ForwhoareweifwecompareourselveswithhimHeshowsusthathewasnotchosenforanynativesufficiencyorability,butbecauseitwasGod’swilltohaveitso.ThereforeletusassureourselvesthatweholdallthingsofGodandhispuregrace,andthatwecannotattributeanythingtoourselves,unlesswe intend to rob him of his right. And we know that such ingratitude is not to betolerated.

Nexttheapostlesays,‘ToalltheholyonesthatareinEphesusandtothefaithfulinJesusChrist’.Itistruethatthenameofthecityisexpressedhere,butyet(asIhavetouchedonalready)thedoctrineiscommontousall,andGodhasgranteditforouruseatthisday,andwemustreceiveitasifSt.Paulwerestillaliveandamongus.Yes,andwemustnotonlyhaveaneyetohim,buttothePersonbywhomheissent.Foralthough he died when he had finished his race, yet God’s Spirit is immortal.Whateverhappens,wemust, for our learning,bear inmindwhatSt.Paul saysherewhenhespeakstothesaintsandfaithfulonesinJesusChrist.

Although, then,we are not of that time, nor of the country andpeople ofAsia,neverthelessseeingithaspleasedGodtojoinuswiththosetowhomSt.Paulwroteinhis time, let us assure ourselves that it behoves us to be strengthened in the faithwhichwehavereceivedbythegospel,becauseitwastheintentionandpurposeoftheHolySpirittoexhorttoperseveranceallthosewhohavetherudimentsofthegospel,

andarestillweakandinneedofstrongerconfirmation.

Butletusbearwellinmindthesewordswhereitissaid,‘thesaintsandfaithfulonesinJesusChrist’.ForSt.Paulshowsthatalltheholinessofmenisnothingelsebut pretence until God has brought them to his own service and dedicated andconsecrated them to it by faith. For we are all unclean by nature, and nothing butinfectioncancomefromus.Itistruethat,ifmenputonsomefineoutwardshowandappearance, theywill be accounted as righteous as can be, and their virtueswill becommendedeverywhere,justasweseethatamancanacquirethereputationofgreatperfection if he but possesses some fair qualities. Butwemust remember that it issaid in the fifteenth chapter of Acts thatGod cleansesmen’s hearts by faith [15:9].Andhehadgreatreasontodoso,for(astheprophetJeremiahsays)man’sheartisapitofhorribleconfusion[17:9].Weourselvesdonotperceiveit,butGodhasclearereyes thanme.Be thatas itmay, letusassureourselvesof this, thatall theholinesswhich men imagine they have is but corruption and abominable before God, untilsuch time as they aremade one by the faith of the gospel. Therefore note it for asettledpointthatnootherholinessisacceptedandacknowledgedatGod’shandthantheholinessofbelievers.ForexceptwefirstbecomeChristiansweareblindandcanneverrendertoGodhisdue.

Althoughtherewerenoothersacrilegethanthis,woulditnotbeenoughtomarall thevirtues thatwecouldhavebesidesAgain, seeing that the spiritofperfection,thespiritofthefearofGod,thespiritofrighteousnessandthespiritofpurityabideand rest in Jesus Christ, it is certain that all such as are separated from him havenothingelseinthembutviceandallmannerofuncleanness,howevermuchtheworldmayapplaudthem.

On theotherhand, letusnotealso thatall suchasboastofhaving faith in thegospel,andarenotsanctifiedbyGod,betraytheirownhypocrisyandlying,andbeliethemselves by their own life, nomatter what theymay sing or say, just as we seemanynowadayswhodefileandprofanethisnameofthefaithwhichoughttobeholy.Foreverymanwillsaythatheisfaithful,andtheywhohaveleastfaithareboldesttosay that there isno faithbut in themselves.AndwouldGod that itwere soonlybyhalf!ButweseeevenamongallthatbearthenameofChristiansthattheirwholelifeis disordered and loose, insomuch that they mock God to the full and despise allreligion,andyetneverthelessinthemeanwhilethink(asIhavesaidalready)thattheyaregreatlywrongediftheyarenottakenasgoodandcatholicChristians.

Yet for all this we see how St. Paul links these two things together in aninseparable bond, namely, that if we have the faith of the gospel, we mustconsequentlygiveourselvesoverentirelytoourGodandseparateourselvesfromthecorruptionsoftheworld,justaswehaveseenthatintheEpistletotheGalatians[I:4;4:5—7]hesaysthatthecomingintotheworldofourLordJesusChristisinorderthat

weshouldbesanctifiedbyhisblood,toyieldobediencehenceforthinallpurenesstoGod his Father. And as he says in another place [IThess. 4:7] we are not called touncleannessbuttorighteousness,inorderthatGod’snameshouldbehonouredandglorifiedbyus.

Thusyouseewhatwehavetorememberfromthispreface,inorderthatwemaybethebetterpreparedtoreceivethedoctrinecontainedinthisEpistle,andthatitmayhavesuchauthorityamongusasitdeserves,andmoreoverbemadepleasanttous,sothatwemayunderstandhowit is forourspecialbenefit to learnatPaul’shand.FortheapostletestifiesthegraceofourLordJesusChristtousandleadsustoGodtobereconciledtohim,whereaswearenaturallythechildrenofwrath.AndfurthermoreheshowshowwemaystandinGod’sfavour,sothatwemaybeboldtocalluponhimasourFatherandbesurethathealsoaccountsushischildren.

Next Paul uses a thanksgiving to lift up all men’s hearts to acknowledge howmuchtheyareboundandindebtedtoGod,especiallyconsideringthathehasshownhimself so bountiful towards them in giving forth himself in all kinds of ways.‘Blessed(hesays)betheGodandFatherofourLordJesusChrist,whohasblesseduswithallspiritualblessingsinheavenlythings(orinheavenlyplaces)inChrist.’SincethechiefsacrificewhichGodrequiresatmen’shandsisthattheyshouldacknowledgehisbenefits andbe thankful tohim for them,St.Paul considers first of allhow thesamemayprovokethemtodotheirduty,forwearesoslackthatitisfrightfultoseeit.Wecanwellenoughconfessthatourchiefstudyandendeavouroughttobetohaveawell-orderedlife,namely,topraiseGod.For ifamanasksuswhywearefoundinthisworld,whyGodhassuchacareforus,whyhisgoodnessfeedsandcherishesus,andfinallywhyhe,asitwere,dazzlesuswiththegreatnumberofbenefitshebestowsuponus, it is inorder thatweshouldyieldsomeacknowledgementof themtohim.For(asitissaidinthepsalm)weforourpartcannotprofithimatall,neitherdoesherequire anything else of us in exchange, but thanksgiving, according as it is said inPsalm116,‘WhatshallIrendertotheLordforallthebenefitswhichIhavereceivedfromhim,excepttotakethecupofsalvationathishandandtocalluponhisname

You see then that all that we can ever bring to God is but to acknowledgeourselvesboundtohimforallthings.Andyet,forallthat,nomandischargeshisduty,no,norahundredthpartofit,inthatrespect,butrather,allofusfromthegreatesttotheleastdefraudhimofit,inasmuchaswedonotceasethroughourbasenesstoburyhispraisewhichoughttoresoundinourmouths.ForthisreasonourLordrebukesusfor our negligence, for when the holy Scripture exhorts us to praise God and usesmanywords for that purpose, let us not think that they are superfluous, but let usacknowledgethemtobesomanyupbraidingsofourmaliceandwickednessforfailinginthethingthatissorequisiteand(asyouwouldsay)theprincipalthinginlife.

It is true that the Holy Spirit often sets forth other reasons why we should

magnifyGod’sname,as(forexample)theorderofnature,thefruitswhichtheearthyields, the aid and help which God gives us, and other such things. And these aresufficientmatter forwhichtopraiseGod.ButSt.Paul leadsushigherhere,andwillhaveustoglorifyGodaboveallthings.HethinksitnotenoughtoownthatGodhasplacedusintheworldandthathenourishesushere,andthatheprovidesallthingsneedfulduringthepassingofthistransitorylife,buthealsosaysthatGodhaschosenustobeheirsofhiskingdomandoftheheavenlylife.

WearethendoublyboundtoGod,andthat,muchmorecloselythanignorantandunbelievingwretchesare.Foralthoughtheyaresufficientlyindebtedalready,yetthegood he has done us in Jesus Christ is beyond all comparison more excellent andnoble,becausehehasadoptedustobehischildren.Itistrue,sincewearemen,thatweareofthenumberofhiscreatureswhichhehasfashionedafterhisownimage.Butwhatofthat?Thisimageisdefacedinusbysinandbythecorruptionwithwhichweare taintedbyAdam’s disobedience.Andnowwhat other heritagehavewe thanhiswrathandeternaldeath?

Inbrief,wearenotworthytobereckonedamongthenumberofbrutebeasts,ifweremaininthestatewhichisoursbynature.Nowthen,seeingthatGodmakesusmembers of his only Son, and ranks uswith the angels and prepares us to becomepartakersofhisownnatureandglory(asSt.PetersaysinhisfirstEpistle,I:12)oughtwenottoperceivetheresohighandnobleagraceasshouldravishuscompletely.

ThusyouseethatofthethingswhichSt.Paulmeanttosayinthistext,thefirstisthatwearehereexhorted toapplyourselveswholeheartedly to theworkofpraisingGod,justbecausewearetoocoldandindifferentinthatrespect,ifwearenotpushedandconstrainedtoit.Besidesthis,St.Paulhadoneotherintentionmore,namely,tofeedusinsuchawaywiththegracethatwehavebythegospelthatwemaynomorecovetthisthingandthatthingafterourcustomarymanner.Weseehowficklewearebynature,andwhenGodissogoodtousas tosethisWordbeforeus,we insistonhavingsomeother thingsbeside,andnothingcancontentus.AndwhynotBecausewearedullandhaveneverconceivedorunderstoodwhatGodshowsusbyhisWord[Eph.3:18].ForweshallseehereafterthatsuchasknowthelovethatGodshowsusinourLordJesusChristhaveallthattheycanwish,highandlow,farandwide.AlsoSt.PaulnowcallsuponustoblessGodwiththepurposeofkeepingustothedoctrineinwhichconsiststhefulnessofallhappiness,atleastifweknowhowtouseittoourprofit.

Furthermore, let us also note that it is not without reason that he speaks of‘spiritual blessings’. For althoughwe cannot eat a scrap of bread or drink a drop ofwater without being robbers of God, unless we acknowledge and confess that hetherein showshimselfa trueFather tous,nevertheless the things that concern thisbodyandthisourtransitorylifearenothingcomparedwiththethingsthatservefor

the eternal welfare of our souls. And in very deed, St. Paul’s exhorting us here topraiseGodforhisheavenlyblessingsisdoneinsuchawaythatatthesametimehegives us to understand thatwemust be patient if we are afflicted in respect of theflesh,anddonothaveallthingsaccordingtoourdesires,andifGodcurtailsourfoodandhandlesusnotsotenderlyaswecouldwish.

Twothingsthereforearecontainedhere.Theoneisthatweshouldlearntoknowwhereinourtrueandperfecthappinessconsists,namely,inthelifewhichwehopeforandwhichishidfromusasyet,inorderthatweshouldnotbetiedtotheworld.Notethatforonepoint.Secondly,thatifthisworldrejectsusanddespisesus,andmakesalaughing-stockoutofus,wemustsettleourselvesinpatience;andwhilethedespisersof God vaunt themselves with pomp and show and it seems that we are unhappycomparedwiththem,insomuchthatsomeofussufferhungerandthirst,andothersaretroubledandunjustlymolested,wemustlookfurther.AndwhyEvenbecauseweoughttocontentourselveswiththeheavenlyblessingswhichGodhasbestoweduponus. This blessedness so great, so high, and so inestimable, then, must make usoverlookalltheencumbranceswecanconceive,wheneverGodexercisesandtriesusinthisworldbymanyafflictions,andwillsthatweshouldknowscarcityandthelackofmanythings.Thisistheeffectofthethingswehavetonotefromthispassage.

Nowbeforewecometotherest, letusnotethat thisword ‘blessing’ is taken indifferentsenseswhenSt.PaulappliesiteithertoGodortoourselves.ItissaidthatweblessGod.AndhowAsheblessesus.AfterwhatmannerdoesheblessusWedonotblesshimasheblessesus.Wecomefarshortof that.For (as Ihaveshownalreadyfrom the sixteenth psalm) all our services can do him no good. Again, we have toconcludethat(asIhavealsoshownfromtheonehundredthandsixteenthpsalm)allthatwecanbringtoGodisnomorethanthisacknowledgementthatweareboundtohimforallthegoodthingswehave.YouseethenthatallourblessingisbuttoyieldthesacrificeofpraisetoGod.Letthatserveforonepoint.

Butnow,whenGodblessesus,isitsimplyinwordsNo!No!Butitisafillingofusandabestowingofallthingsuponusthatwewant,asfarasisneedful.Andwhyisthisword ‘blessing’attributed tohim?Becausehedoesnotneed to labourand takegreatpainstohelphisservantsandtogivethemwhatheknowsisexpedientforthem.Ifhesimplysaystheword,thatistosay,ifheonlydeclareshiswill,thethingisdone.

SincethenGod,havingcreatedtheworldbyhiswordalone,haspoweralsotodous good simply by commanding it, therefore it is said that we become rich by hisblessingalone,thatistosay,byhisshowinghimselflovingandfavourabletous.Nowletus see ifweare tobe excusedwhenwedefraudGodofhisduebydisdaining toopenourlipstoconfesshowmuchweareboundandindebtedtohimafterwehavereceived somany benefits at his hand. Let all the blessings that all themen in theworld can give to God be laid in the balance against the blessing with which he

enrichesthem;andwhichhasthegreaterworthAllthattheycanputforwardisthatitisneedfulforthemtoconfessthattheycanneithersaynordoanythingthatisworthwhile,whereasatthesametimeGodshowsusthathehasallthatisrequisiteforourhappiness.Thereforeit isnotwithoutreasonthatSt.Paulsaysherethatthefaithfulmust fully devote and apply theirminds and endeavours to bless the name ofGod,seeingthathegivesthemsogreatcause,forotherwisetheywouldbeunthankfulandchurlish.Thereforehesaystwothings,‘TheFatherofourLordJesusChristwhohasblessedusinChrist’.

Whenhesays‘theGodandFatherofourLordJesusChrist’,itmustbeexplainedinthisway,thattheGodwhomwefeelsofavourabletousistheFatherofourLordChrist. This circumstance deserves to be noted well. For by it St. Paul makes usunderstandthatGod’sbenefits,especiallythosethatbelongtotheheavenlylifeandtotheeverlastingsalvationofoursouls,cannotcometous,exceptJesusChristis,asitwere,thechannelofthem,sothatwemaybemadepartakersofthemforhisname’ssake.ThereforeletusnotewellthatweareshutoutfromallGod’sbenefitsandfromall things that concern the salvation of our souls, unless Jesus Christ becomes ourway.

It is true thatunbelieverseatanddrinkandglut themselves to theutmost,andthesunshinesonthem.Butbethatasitmay,tospeakproperly,theydonotenjoyallthethingsGodgivesthem,becausetheyusurpthemwithoutanylawfultitletothem.FortheworldwascreatedforGod’schildren,evenwithrespecttotheirHead,whoisourLordJesusChrist,Inbrief,itisnotwithoutcausethatSt.Paul,showinghowGodhas given himself to us, says that it is because he is the Father of our Lord JesusChrist.But(asIhavealreadytoldyou)itisnotaquestionofeatinganddrinking,butof far greater and more precious things, namely, that God has adopted us as hischildren.Andsoyouseeineffectwhatwehavetobearinmind.

Yet,thatwemaythebetterprofitfromthispassage,letustakenotethatwemustcheck ourselves lest we wander into many speculations when we know God, theFather of our Lord Jesus Christ. And why? The papists have this word ‘God’ oftenenough in theirmouths, and likewise theword ‘JesusChrist’, but at the same timethey have disfigured Jesus Christ and utterly falsified the doctrine of his gospel inwhichheshouldbeseen.SotheyhaveaGod,thoughbutbyconfusedfancies,andyettheydonotknowhim.Andtruly,theycannomoreexplainwhatGodtheyserveandadorethantheTurksdo.WeknowthatourLordJesusChrist(inthefourthchapterofSt.John)saysthattheywhodonothavethedoctrinebywhichtorulethemselveswelldonotknowwhattheyworship,butcontinuallyinventidolsforthemselves.ThereforethereisbutonewaybywhichtohavegoodandinfallibleaccesstoGod,andthatisbybeholdinghiminhis livingimage,forhismajesty istoohigh,toomuchhidden,andtoodeepforus.ButJesusChristhascommunicatedhimselftous,andappliedhimselftoourweakness,andtaughtuswhateveritwasrequisitetoknow,thatwemightcome

toGodhisFather.

YouseethenthatwemusthaveourLordJesusChristforourway,inorderthatwemightnotstray.ForseeingthatGodistheFatherofourHeadandofhimwhoismadeonewithus,youseehowwemayhaveaccesstocomefreelytohim.Andsurelywithout thatmediatorweareentirelyshutout fromhim,and themajestyofGod isboundtomakethehairsofourheadstandonend.Butwhenweconsider thathe isentitledtheFatherofhimwhoisourHead,letusknowthathealsoisboundtoownusashischildren,becausehehasredeemedus.

Furthermore, although St. Paul here sets down in one wordwhat our spiritualblessingsare,neverthelesshe shows thatGodhas shownhimselfbountiful towardsusinmorewaysthanone.Andofthishewillmakealargerexpositionlaterbysettingforth inparticular thebenefitswhichweobtainby the gospel, for thewholeof thischapterisfullofthem.Butbethatasitmay,herehegivesustounderstandthatGod’sgivingofhisgraciousgiftstousisnotsparingly,andthathiscausingustotastethemisnotdonewithafinger-lick,[fairego�tee� lechedoigt(Fr.)].astheysay.Butheshows thatGodhas given them to us so diversely and fully thatwehave reason tomagnify him in every respect. Therefore let us understand that, seeing that JesusChristissogiventous,inhimweobtainallthatisnecessaryforoursalvationandforourhappiness,justasSt.Paulspeaksofit intheeighthchapteroftheEpistletotheRomans.For if theonlybegottenSonisgiventous,howshouldnotall thebenefitswhichhehasinhimselfbecommunicatedtouswithhimandthroughhim.

Butbethatasitmay,letuslearntotasteGod’sspiritualgiftsinsuchawaythatall ourmental facultiesmay be concentrated tomakemuch of them. And that thismaycometopass,letusbewareofhavingourmindstoomuchweddedtotheworld.Fortheverycausethatdrawsusaway,preventingusfromperceivingthehundredthpartofthegoodthatGodhasdoneusandfromapplyinghisbenefitstoourprofit,isour own vanity, because everyone of us beguiles himself with his own foolish andextravagant lusts. Therefore let us learn to shake off the things that stop us fromcomingtoourLordJesusChrist.Andalthoughourevilnatureprovokesustoseekthetransitorythingsofthisworld,yetletusendeavourtowithdrawfromthem,sothatwemayyieldourselveswithafreehearttoGodandbeearnestlymindedtoobeyhimandtogiveourselveswhollytohim,forsoitishiswilltohaveusjoinedtohim.

ThisisthethingwhichwehavetonoticeinSt.Paulwhen,havingspokenofthespiritualblessings,heimmediatelyadds,‘inheavenlyplaces(orthings)’,bywhichhemeant to show that we are not able to receive the gracious gifts which arecommunicatedtousinourLordJesusChrist,andwhichGodwouldhaveuspossess,till we know that there is not anything in this world that ought to hold us back.Thereforewhenonceweknowthatwearenotcreatedtodwellforeverinthisworld,but thatwemustonlybepilgrims in it,andthatourpermanentheritageandrest is

aboveinheaven,letusthereuponmakeourwaythere,andpresstowardsitmoreandmore.Andalthoughwearefeeble,yetletusnotfaint,butpluckupgoodcourageandprayGodtogiveittous.MoreoveryouseethatthereasonwhySt.Paulsetsdowntheword ‘blessings’ is to cause us to know that whereas the devil lays many traps todebauchusandtoturnusoutoftheway,Godhasmadeprovisionforallthat,forhehassuchastoreofblessingsthathecanoverthrowanddestroyall thatmayeverbeagainstoursalvation.

But now let us fall down before the majesty of our good God, withacknowledgementofourfaults,prayinghimtoacquaintusmoreandmorewiththem,thatwemaybebroughttotruerepentance.AndletuscondemnourselvesandseektofindinourLordJesusChristallthatweneed,andthatnotforoneday,orforamerebriefmoment,butcontinuallyandsteadfastlytoourlife’send.Andwhateverhappenstous, letusalwaysassureourselvesthatwehavegoodcausetopraiseourGod,andthat even if we are poor and miserable in this world, the happiness of heaven isenoughtoappeaseus,tosweetenallourafflictionsandsorrows,andtogiveussuchcontent that wemay nevertheless have ourmouths open to bless God for showinghimselfsokindheartedandliberaltowardsusaseventoadoptusashischildren,andtoshowusthattheheritagewhichhasbeenpurchasedforusbythebloodofhisonlySonisreadyforus,andthatwecannotmissit,seeingthatwegotoitwithtrueandinvincibleconstancyoffaith.Mayitpleasehimtograntthisgracenotonlytousbutalsotoallpeoples.

TheSecondSermonontheFirstChapter

BlessedbetheGodandFatherofourLordJesusChrist,whichhathblesseduswithallspiritualblessingsinheavenlythingsinChrist:Accordingtohischoosingofusinhim before the foundation of the world, in order that we should be holy andunblameablebeforehiminlove.-Ephesians1:3-4

WehavealreadyseenhowSt.PaulexhortsustopraiseandblessGodbecausehehasblessedus,andthatnotafteranearthlymannerbutafteraspiritualmanner,sothat we should content ourselves with God’s showing of his fatherly goodness andlovetowardsusinopeningthegateofthekingdomofheaventousbyhope.Althoughwearesubjecttomuchmiseryinthisworld,yetthereisgoodreasonforustocontentourselveswithGod’s choosing of us after that fashion andwith his calling of us tohimself, for it iswitnessed tous by the gospel that he is ourFather [Matt. 6:9; Lk.11:2]inasmuchashehasjoinedustoourLordJesusChristasmemberstotheirHead.

And now St. Paul brings us to the origin and source, or rather to the principalcause thatmovedGod to takeus intohis favour.For it isnot enough thatGodhasrevealedthetreasuresofhisgoodnessandmercytoustodrawustothehopeoftheheavenlylifebythegospel—andyetthatisverymuch.ForhadnotSt.Pauladdedthatwhichwe see now, itmight have been surmised thatGod’s grace is common to allmenandthatheoffersitandpresentsittoallwithoutexception,and,consequently,that it is ineverymanspower toreceive itaccording tohisown freewill,bywhichmeanstherewouldbesomemeritinus.ForiftherewerenodistinctionbetweenmenexceptthatsomereceiveGod’sgraceandothersrefuseit,whatcouldbesaidbutthatGodhasshownhimselfliberaltoallmankindButtheythatarepartakersofthegraceofourLordJesusChristattaintoitbyfaith.Andsoyouseewhatmightbejudgedofit.ButSt.Paul, to exclude allmerit onman’spart and to show that all comes fromGod’spuregoodnessandgrace,saysthathehasblessedusaccordingtohiselectionofusbeforehand.AsifheshouldsaythattoexaltGod’sgraceasbecomesus,wemustlookuponthediversitythatisfoundamongmen.Forthegospelispreachedtosome,andothersdonotknowwhat it isbutareutterly shutout from it, as ifGodshouldmakeitraininonequarterandallowanotherquartertoremainverydry.

Now if it isdemandedwhyGodpities theonepartand forsakesand leavesandabandons the other, there is no other answer but that it so pleases him. Upon thepreachingofthegospelinaplace,somewillbeaffectedwithlivelyfaithintheirheartsand otherswill go away as they camewithout benefiting at all, or else they hardenthemselvesagainstGodandbetraythestubbornnessthatwashiddeninthembefore.WhatisthereasonforthisdifferenceEventhis,thatGoddirectstheonesortbyhisHolySpiritandleavestheothersortintheirnaturalcorruption.

YouseethenthatthethinginwhichGod’sgoodnessshinesforthmosttous, isthatbythepreachingofthegospeltouswehave,asitwere,atokenthathehaspitiedus, lovesus,callsusandalluresus tohim.Butwhen thedoctrinepreached tous isreceivedbyuswithheartandaffection,thatisyetafurtherandmorespecialtokenbywhichwe perceive that God intends to be our Father and has adopted us to be hischildren.Notwithoutreason,then,St.PaulsaysinthispassagethatweareblessedbyGodevenaccordingtohiselectionofusbeforehand.Foritisnotthatwehavecometohim; it is not thatwe have sought him. But the saying of the prophet Isaiah [65:i]mustbefulfilledineveryrespect,namely,thatGodshowshimselftosuchasdidnotseekhim, and that suchaswere faroff seehimnear athand, andhe says to them,‘HereIam,hereIam.Althoughyouhavedespisedme,yetIvouchsafetocometoyoubecauseIhaveacareofyoursalvation’.ThusweseewhatSt.Paulwasaimingat inthispassage.

In short, we have to note here that we shall never know where our salvationcomesfromtillwehaveliftedupourmindstoGod’seternalcounselbywhichhehaschosenwhomhepleasedandlefttheremainderintheirconfusionandruin.Nowthenit isnomarvelthatsomementhinkthisdoctrinetobestrangeandhard, for itdoesnotfit inatallwithman’snaturalunderstanding.Ifamanasksofthephilosophers,theywillalwaystellhimthatGodlovessuchasareworthyofit,andthat,sincevirtuepleases him, he also marks out such as are given that way to claim them for hispeople.Youseethenthat,afterourownimagination,weshalljudgethatGodputsnootherdifferencebetweenmen, inlovingsomeandinhatingothers,thaneachman’sownworthinessanddeserving.But,atthesametime,letusalsorememberthatinourownunderstandingthereisnothingbutvanityandthatwemustnotmeasureGodbyourownyardstick,andthatitistooexcessiveapresumptiontoimposelawuponGodsothatitwouldnotbelawfulforhimtodoanythingbutthatwhichwecouldconceiveand which might seem just in our eyes. The matter here, therefore, concerns thereverencingofGod’ssecretswhichareincomprehensibletous,andunlesswedoso,weshallnevertastetheprinciplesoffaith.Forweknowthatourwisdomoughtalwaysto beginwith humility, and this humility imports thatwemust not comeweighingGod’s judgments in our own balances or take it upon ourselves to be judges andarbitersofthem.Wemustbesoberbecauseofthesmallnessofourminds,andsincewe are gross and dull,wemustmagnifyGod and say, aswe are taught by the holyScripture[Ps.36:6],Lord,thycounselsareasagreatdeep,andnomanisabletogiveanaccountofthem.

Youseethenthatthereasonwhysomemenfindthisdoctrinehardandirksomeis because they are too much wedded to their own opinion and cannot submitthemselves toGod’swisdom, to receivehis sayings soberly andmodestly.And trulyweoughttotakewarningfromwhatSt.Paulsays,namely,thatthenaturalmandoesnotunderstandGod’ssecretsbutregardsthemasstarkfoolishness[ICor.2:14].AndwhyBecausewe arenothis counsellors butmusthave things revealed tous byhis

Holy Spirit, or else we shall never know them, and we must have them in suchmeasureashegivesthemtous.

St. Paul speaks here of the thingswe know by experience, namely, thatwe areGod’s children, that he governs us by his Holy Spirit, that he comforts us in ourmiseriesandthathestrengthensusthroughpatience.Weshouldnotconceiveanyofall these things unless we were enlightened by his Holy Spirit. How then shall weunderstand that which is much higher, namely, that God elected us before thecreationoftheworld?Sincethematterstandsthus,letuslearntoputawayallthatweconceive in our own brain and put it under foot, and let us be ready to receivewhateverGodsaystous,castingawayourownjudgmentandassuringourselvesthatwe cannot bring anything from our side but utter stupidity. Thus you see what wehavetobearinmind.

And,infact,weseehowSt.Paulexhortsustocometothesamepoint.‘Whoartthou,Oman(hesays)whocontendsagainstthyGod?’[Rom.9:20].Afterhehadsetdownmanyrepliesweareaccustomedtomake,hesays, ‘Oman’.Bytheword ‘man’hemeant tomake us perceive our own frailty, for we are but worms of earth androttenness [Ps. 103:14]. Now then, what audacity it is to open ourmouths to replyagainstGod.Isitnotapervertingofthewholeorderofnature?Isitinourpowertopluck the sun out of the sky, or to take themoon between our teeth, as they say?Much less is it lawful for us to contend with God and to advance reasons forcontrollinghisjudgmentswhichwecannotcomprehend.

There are those who will grant this doctrine of predestination, which St. Paultreatshere, tobe true, for theydarenotcontradict theHolySpirit,yet theywould itwereburiedsothatitmightneverbespokenof.Buttheymerelyshowthemselvestobenothingbut fools incontrolling theHolySpiritwhospoke itby theprophetsandapostles, and even by themouth of God’s only Son. For when our Lord intends toassure us of our salvation, he brings us back to this eternal election; and similarlywhenheintendstomagnifythegiftoffaith,theoneinthetenthchapterofJohnandtheotherinthesixth.AndthereforethatkindofpeoplecometoolatetoputGodtosilenceand to efface from theholyScripture the thingswhichare shown there.ForthewholeScripture isprofitable [2Tim.3:16]. StPaul said that of theLawand theProphets. Therefore wemay also conclude that there is nothing superfluous in thegospel, nor anything which serves no good purpose and by which we may not beedifiedbothinfaithandinthefearofGod.

Butthisdoctrineisthuscontainedthere,andtheHolyGhostspeaksit loudandclear.TheymustbeManicheeswhointendtomutilateandtakeawayfromthegospel.Forwhat theydidnot like theysetasideandhave forgedagospelofvariouspieces,allowingnothingbutwhat they themselves thoughtgood.Nowif suchhereticshaveshown a devilish stubbornness against God in separating things which ought to be

kepttogetherinaninseparablebond,thentheyarealsomaliciousandperversewhowould nowadays have the doctrine of election kept silent. For they would stop themouth ofGod, if itwere possible, and seal hismouthwhenever he utters anythingtheydonotlike.

Again,amanmayclearlyseetheirstupidityinthatSt.PauldidnothaveabetterproofthanthisbywhichtomagnifyGod’sgoodness.Sothen, if therewerenootherreason, it were better that the whole world should go to confusion than that thisdoctrineshouldbereducedtosilence.ForisitreasonthatGodshouldsettheinfinitetreasureofhismerciesbeforeoureyesandyetthattheyshouldnotbespokenof,butbethrustunderfoot?

But there are yet two more reasons which show that this doctrine must ofnecessitybepreached,andthatwereapsuchgreatprofitfromitthatithadbeenmuchbetter ifwehadneverbeenborn thanbe ignorantofwhatSt.Paul showshere.Fortherearetwothingsatwhichwemustchieflyaimandtowhichit isfittingforustoapplyallourstudiesandendeavours,andtheyaretheverysumofallthethingsGodteachesusbytheholyScripture.TheoneisthemagnifyingofGodashedeserves,andtheotheristheassuranceofoursalvation,sothatwemaycallonhimasourFatherwithfullliberty[Rom.8:15].Ifwedonothavethesetwothings,woetous,forthereisneitherfaithnorreligioninus.WemaytalkwellofGod,butitwillbebutfalsehood.

With regard to the first point, I have told you already that God’s grace is notsufficiently known but by setting God’s election, as it were, before our eyes. ForsupposeGoddrawsallmenalike,andthatsuchaswishtoobtainsalvationmustcomeoftheirownfreewillandself-moving.Ifitbeso,thenitiscertainthatwedeservetobe received at God’s hand, and that he should handle every man according to hisdeserts.ButhowshallGod’sgoodnessbemagnifiedSimplyinthisway,thathegoesbefore us by his pure bounty and loves us despite all,without finding either in ourpersonsorinourworksanyreasonwhyheshouldloveus.Ifthisistrue,thentheremustneedsbeelection:Godtakestheonesortbecausehethinksitgoodtodoso,andleaves the other. Thus you see it is amost certain point that God’s glory does notappear and shine forth as is fitting, unless it be known that he sheds forth hisgoodnessandlovewhereitpleaseshim.

IsaidjustnowthatthepreachingofhisWordisasingularbenefittous.AndthatisthereasonwhyitissaidsooftenintheLawandtheProphetsthatGodhasnotdealtwithanyothernationashedealtwiththelineofAbraham,inthathevouchsafedtochooseandadoptthem,towhichthelawgavesuretestimony.SothenthechildrenofIsraelwere exhorted topraiseGodbecausehehadvouchsafed to give themhis law[Deut.4:7],and,inthemeanwhile,hadletthepoorGentilesaloneaspeoplethatdidnotbelongtohimafterthesamefashion.Butit isyetafargreaterandmorespecialprivilegewhenhemakesusprofitbythatWord.Forit iscertainthatourearsmight

beassaileddailywiththethingsthatshouldbetoldusandthatwewouldneverbethebetterforit,untilGodspeakstousbyhisHolySpiritwithinus.

Inthismatter,then,Godshowsadoublegrace.Theoneiswhenheraisesupmentopreachthegospeltous,fornomanismeetandsufficienttodoitofhimself.Itisthereforenecessary thatGodshouldsend thosewhocallus tohimandofferus thehopeofsalvation.Butyet, forallthat, letusnotewellthatwecannotbelieveunlessGod reveals himself to us by his Holy Spirit and speaks to our hearts by the HolySpirit,inadditiontospeakingtoourearsbythemouthofman.AndthatisthereasonwhytheprophetIsaiahsays,‘Whohathbelievedourdoctrine,andtowhomisthearmoftheLordrevealed?’[Isa.53:1].HeshowsthatthereisnofaithintheworldtillGodhasworked inmen’sminds andhearts by thepowerofhisHolySpirit.And for theverysamereasonalsoourLordJesusChristsaysthatnomancomestohimexcepthebedrawnby theFather; butwhoeverhas learnedofmyFather (he says), the samesubmitshimself tome [Jn.6:44]. Inaword,we see clearly thatGodshowshimselfmercifultouswhenhevouchsafestoenlightenusbyhisHolySpiritinorderthatwemightbedrawntothefaithofhisgospel.

If this was done commonly and to allmenwithout distinction, we should stillhave reason to magnify God. But now, when we see that some are hardened andothersfickle,andthatsomegotheirwayswithoutreceivinganyprofitfromwhattheyhave heard, and that others are altogether stupid, it is certain that it makes God’sgracemoreapparenttous,evenasitissaidbySt.Lukethat,atSt.Paul’spreaching,asmanybelievedaswereordainedtosalvation[Acts13:48].TrulyamultitudeofpeopleheardSt.Paul’ssermon,and,beyondalldoubt,heonhissidehadsuchgracethat itought to havemoved even the very stones.Nevertheless, despite this, a greatmanycontinuedintheirunbeliefandstubbornness;othersbelieved.

NowSt.Lukesaysplainlythatitwasnotthatsomeweremorecleverthanothers,orthattherewasmoreinclinationtovirtueinthemthaninothers,butthatGodhadspeciallyordainedthemtosalvation.Inaword,therefore,weseethatallman’smeritsmust cease andbe laid underfoot, or elseGodwill not have the praisehedeserves.Furthermore,wemustunderstandthatfaithcomesnotofourselves,forifitdid,therewould be somemerit in ourworks. It is true that by faithwe confess that there isnothingbutwretchednessinus,thatwearedamnedandaccursed,andthatwedonotbring anythingwith us but only an acknowledgement of our sins.But, even so, ourfaith would qualify as a thing ofmerit if we had it through our own initiative.Wemust therefore conclude that it is impossible formen to believe, unless it is giventhemfromabove.

AndsurelySt.Paulheredeclaressomethingwellworthobservingwhenhesays‘BlessedbeGod’.Andforwhatreason?EvenforsoenrichingusinJesusChristthatourlifeishappyandblessed.Andafterwardsheadds,‘accordingtohiselectionofus’.

Is not faith comprehended among the spiritual riches of which St. Paul makesmention?Indeed,and(whatismore)itisthechiefofthem.ForitisbyfaiththatwereceivetheHolySpirit;itisbyfaiththatwebecomepatientinouradversities;itisbyfaith that we become obedient to God; it is by faith that we are sanctified to hisservice. In short, faith continues always chief of all the spiritual benefits that Godbestowsuponus.

NowletuswellrememberSt.Paul’sorder.HesaysthatGodhasgivenusfaithaswellasanyoftherest,accordingtohiselectionofus.WeseethenthatfaithdependsuponGod’selection,orelsewemustmakeSt.Paulaliar.Andso,withregardtothefirstpoint,youseethatallwhocannotsufferhavingpredestinationplainlyandopenlyspokenof,aredeadlyenemiesofGod’sgraceandwouldmakeitobscuretotheutmostoftheirpower.For(asIsaidbefore)tohideitistooverthrowallreligion.

Thesecondpointistheassuranceofoursalvation.ThepapistssaythatwemustdoubtitandthatwecancometoGodonlywithahopethathewillreceiveus;buttoassure ourselves of it—that we ought not to do, for that would be too great apresumption.ButwhenwepraytoGod,wemustcallhimFather,atleastifwearethescholarsofourLordJesusChrist,forhehastaughtustodoso.

Now, is itataventure thatwecallhimFather,orarewesureof it inourselvesthatheisourFatherIfnot,thentherewouldbenothingbuthypocrisyinourprayers,andthefirstwordthatweutterwouldbealie.ThepapiststhenneverknowwhatitistopraytoGod,seeingthattheycannotbeassuredoftheirsalvation.But(asweshallseeinthethirdchapterespecially)theScriptureshowsthattopraytoGodrightly,wemusthavebeliefinJesusChrist,whichgivesusconfidence,anduponthatconfidencewebyandby conceiveboldness.Be thatas itmay,wemustnotbehesitantnoryetdoubt, but we must be thoroughly resolved and persuaded in ourselves that Godcountsusashischildren.Andhowmaythatbebutbyembracinghismercythroughfaith, as he offers it to us in his gospel, and by assuring ourselves also thatwe aregrounded in his eternal election? For if our faith should depend upon ourselves,surelyitwouldsoonslipfromus;anditmightbeshakenoff,ifitwerenotmaintainedfromabove.Andalthoughwearekeptorpreservedby faith,asSt.Petersays [IPet.1:5],yetitisGodwhokeepsus.If,then,ourfaithwerenotgroundedinGod’seternalelection,itiscertainthatSatanmightpluckitfromuseveryminute.Thoughtodaywewerethemoststeadfastintheworld,yetwemightfailtomorrow.ButourLordJesusshowsustheremedytostrengthenusagainstalltemptationsinthathesays:Youdonotcometomeofyourselves,buttheheavenlyFatherbringsyoutome;andsinceIhave taken you into my keeping, be no more afraid, for I acknowledge you as theinheritanceofGodmyFather, andhe thathas givenme chargeof youandput youintomyhand is stronger thanall [Jn. 10:28—29].Wesee, then, thatbesidessettingforthGod’sglory,oursalvationalsoisassuredbyGod’seternalpredestination,whichought tobe sufficient reason tomoveus to considerwhatSt.Paul saysof it in this

place.

Itistrue(asIhavementionedalready)thatmanymencavilwhentheyhearthatGodhaselectedthoseas itseemedgoodtohimandrejectedall therest.ForweseethatitisthesmallerportionthatcometoGod;andwhythenhasherejectedtherestReally,itisratherlikesayingthatthewillofGodshouldnotsufficeforourrule.Weoughttonote,first,thatGodisnotboundatalltoanyperson.Forifweonceheldthatprinciple,thatheowesustheleastthingintheworld,thenwecallinquestionhislaw.Butsinceheonhissidehasnoobligationtowardsus,butthatweoweeverythingtohim while he owes nothing to us, let us see now what we shall gain by all ourcontending.ForifweaimatcompellingGodtodealalikewithallmen,hewouldhaveless libertythanmortalcreatures.Ifamanisrich,hemaydowhathelikeswithhisowngoods.Ifhemakesagift tosomeone, is itreasonthatheshouldbesuedatthelawforit,andthateverymanshoulddemandthesamesumfromhim?Again,amanwishestopromotesomeonewhomheloves.Nowifallpoorpeopleshouldcomeandrequire him to do as much for them as a matter of obligation, would it not beridiculousWhy, amanmay adopt themost distant stranger in the world to be hischild and heir, and he is free to do so. Andmark, God is liberal to allmen, for hemakes his sun to shine upon both good and bad [Matt. 5:45]. He reserves only acertain number of men on whom to bestow the privilege of adopting them as hischildren.What shallwenowgainbymurmuringagainsthim? If anyman says thatthenhewouldseemtobearespecterofpersons,itisnotso[Col.3:25].Forhedoesnot elect the rich and pass over the poor; he does not choose noble men andgentlemenratherthanmenofnoaccountandlowdegree[ICor.1:26].Andthereforeit cannotbe said that there isany respectingofpersonsbeforeGod, for inchoosingthosethatareunworthyhehasrespecttohisownpuregoodnessalone.Nordoesheconsiderwhetheroneismoreworthythananother,buthetakeswhomhepleases.

Whatmorecouldwewish?Itisgoodreason,then,thatweshouldholdourselvescontented with God’s will and check ourselves and leave him to choose whom hepleases,becausehiswillisthesovereignstandardofallequityandright.Andsoyousee themouths of all theworld stopped [Rom. 3:19]. And although thewicked andprofane murmur and find fault, or even blaspheme, yet God is mighty enough tomaintain his own righteousness and infinitewisdom, andwhen they have jabberedtheirfill,theyaresuretobeconfoundedintheend.ForourpartweseewhatSt.Paulsayshere.Forit isnoobscuredoctrinewhenhesaysthatGodhasblessedus.Truly,inasmuchashehasenlighteneduswiththefaithofthegospelbyhisHolySpiritandmadeuspartakersofthegraceofourLordJesusChrist,eventhereby(hesays)hehasshown thathehad electedusbefore the creationof theworld.And therefore let usunderstandthattomagnifyGod’sgracearight,wemust(asIsaidbefore)cometothisfountainandoriginalcause,thatistosay,toelection.

Nowwehavetoproceedfurther,forinorderthebettertoexcludeallrespectand

worthiness which men might pretend, since we are inclined always to attributesomethingtoourselvesandcannotbeartobebroughttonothing,hesays,‘beforethecreationoftheworld’.Sothen,sincethroughsuchthinkingweimagineourselvestohavethatwhichwedonothave,itwasessentialthatSt.Paulshouldherebeatdownall such ridiculous folly. And for that reason he says we could not on our side putourselves forward when we were not yet born. In fact, God elected us before thecreationoftheworld,andwhatcouldwethenbringtohim?Itistruethatthepapistsshowmuchsubtletyonthispoint,fortheysaythatGodelecteduntosalvationsuchashadnotyetdeservedit,butyetheelectedsuchasheforesawwoulddeserveit.Thustheyconfessthatnodeservingatallwentbeforeelection,either inorderor intime,but thatGod (ashe towhomall things areopen)knewwhowouldbeworthyof it.Speaking thus theydonotdenyGod’selection.Andso, to showthat thesewretcheswhonowadayscannotbeartohaveitspokenofareasdevilsincarnateandmaintainamore outrageous and vile wickedness than the papists do, we must note that thepapistsconfessthatGodhaselectedandpredestinatedthosewhomhethoughtgood,even before the creation of the world. They stand to that, which thing these devilsdenyandwouldhaveGod’smajestyutterlyannihilatedbyoverthrowinghiscounselinthatway.Thepapists(atleastsuchofthemashaveexcelledothersintheirwalk,andIspeakevenofthemonksandfriarswhoarecalledschooldivines)grantevenmore—that thiselectionofGod’s is freeand thathedidnot chooseanyman foranyotherreasonthanthat itpleasedhim.But immediatelyafterwards theymixupeverythingandthrowallintoconfusion,fortheysaythatwhenGodchosewhomhepleased,hedidittomakethemdeserveit.Andonthistheybasealltheirmerits,tosuchadegreethat they conclude thatmenmay win the kingdom of heaven by their own power.Theygrantindeedthatastouchingelection,itisafreegift,buttheyalwaysreturntotheirfoolishsuppositionthatGodforesawthosewhowoulddogood.

ButhowshouldheforeseethatwhichcouldnotbeForweknowthatallAdam’soffspringiscorrupted,andthatwedonothavetheskilltothinkonegoodthoughtofdoingwell, andmuch less thereforeareweable to commence todogood.AlthoughGodshouldwaitahundredthousandyears forus, ifwecouldremainso long intheworld, yet it is certain thatwe should never come to him nor do anything else butincreasethemischiefcontinuallytoourowncondemnation.Inshort,thelongermenlive in the world, the deeper they plunge themselves into their damnation. AndthereforeGodcouldnotforeseewhatwasnotinusbeforehehimselfputitintous.

How then dowe come toGodHow dowe obey him?How dowe have a quietmindthatyieldsitselfinaccordancewithfaith?Allthesethingscomefromhim,andsoitfollowsthathemustdoallhimself.WhereforeletusobservethatinsayingthatGodelectedusbeforethecreationoftheworld,St.Paulpreysupposesthatwhichistrue,namely, thatGodcouldnotseeanything inussave theevil thatwas there, fortherewasnotonedropofgoodnessforhimtofind.Sothen,seeinghehaselectedus,regarditasaverycleartokenofhisfreegrace.Andforthesamereason,intheninth

chaptertotheRomans,wherehespeaksofthetwinsJacobandEsauatsuchtimeastheywerestill intheirmother’swombbeforetheyhaddoneeithergoodorevil, it issaidthattheeldershouldservetheyoungersothatallshouldcomefromthesideofhimwhocalledthem,andnotfromthesideoftheirworks[Rom.9:11—12].

We see then how St. Paul shows there at greater length that which he heretouchesonbriefly, that is to say, that sinceGodchoseusbefore thecreationof theworld, he thereby shows sufficiently that oneman is notmore worthy or excellentthananother; thathedidnothave respect toworthiness.Therefore, seeing that thedistinguishingbetweenJacobandEsauwasbeforetheyhaddoneeithergoodorevil,itdidnotcomeoftheworksbutofthecaller.Allpraise,then,mustbeyieldedtoGodandnothingatallbereservedtoman.AndsoyouseeyetonceagainwhatwehavetonoteherewhenSt.Paulsaysthatwewereelectedbeforethecreationoftheworld.

HeconfirmsthethinginbetterfashionstillbysayingthatthesamewasdoneinJesusChrist.IfwehadbeenelectedinourselvesitmightbesaidthatGodhadfoundinussomesecretvirtueunknowntomen.Butseeingthathehaselectedusoutsideofourselves,thatistosay,lovedusoutsideofourselves,whatshallwereplytothat?IfIdoamangood,itisbecauseIlovehim.Andifthecauseofmyloveissought,itwillbebecausewearealikeincharacter,orelseforsomeothergoodreason.Butwemustnotimagineanythingsimilar to this inGod.Andalso it isexpressly toldushere, forSt.PaulsaysthatwehavebeenelectedinJesusChrist.DidGod,then,haveaneyetouswhenhevouchsafedtoloveus?No!No!forthenhewouldhaveutterlyabhorredus.Itistruethatinregardingourmiserieshehadpityandcompassiononustorelieveus,but that was because he had already loved us in our Lord Jesus Christ. God, then,musthavehadbeforehimhispatternandmirrorinwhichtoseeus,thatistosay,hemusthavefirstlookedonourLordJesusChristbeforehecouldchooseusandcallus.

Andso,tobebrief,afterSt.PaulhadshowedthatwecouldnotbringanythingtoGod, but that he acted beforehand of his own free grace in electing us before thecreationoftheworld,headdsanevenmorecertainproof,namely,thathediditinourLordJesusChrist,whois,asitwere,thetrueregister.ForGod’svouchsafingtoelectus, that is to say, his vouchsafing to do it from all eternity, was, as it were, aregisteringofusinwriting.AndtheholyScripturecallsGod’selectionthebookoflife.AsIsaidbefore,JesusChristservesasaregister.ItisinhimthatwearewrittendownandacknowledgedbyGodashischildren.Seeing,then,thatGodhadaneyetousinthe person of Jesus Christ, it follows that he did not find anything in uswhichwemightlaybeforehimtocausehimtoelectus.This, insum,iswhatwemustalwaysremember.

Itfollowsnextthatitis‘inorderthatweshouldbepureandunblameablebeforeGodinlove’.Thisword ‘love’maybereferredtoGod,asif itweresaidthatweshallfindnootherreasonwhyGodvouchsafedtotakeusforhischildren,butonlyhisown

free love. Or else (as seems very likely) St. Paul shows us here what the truesoundnessandperfectionofthefaithfulis,namely,towalkinallrighteousnessbeforeGod.Wecannotexpoundthewholenow,butitwillsufficetotellbrieflywhatSt.Paulhad inview.Forhe showshere thatalthoughGod’s election is freeandbeatsdownandannihilatesalltheworthiness,worksandvirtuesofmen,neverthelessitdoesnotprovideuswith licence to do evil and to lead a disordered life, or to run amok, butratheritservestowithdrawusfromtheevilinwhichwewereplunged.For,bynature,wecandonothingelsebutprovokeGod’swrath;wickednesswillalwaysreigninus;andwe are held down under the bonds and tyranny of Satan.God, therefore,mustworkandchangeus,forallgoodnesscomesfromhiselection,saysSt.Paul.

Yousee,then,thatthattowhichhemeanttobringthefaithfulwastomakethemknowthat justasGodelected themofhisown freegrace, sohedoesnotgive themleave to yield themselves to all wickedness, but intends to keep and preserve themundefiled to himself. For God’s electing of us and, with that, his calling of us toholiness are things joined inseparably together, even as St. Paul says in anotherpassage, thatwearenot called touncleanness and filthiness, but tobededicated toGodinallpietyandholiness.[IThess.4:7]

Now,sincewecannotexpoundthewholeatthistime, letusseektoprofit fromthisdoctrine.AndseeingwearenowabouttoprepareourselvestoreceivethesupperofourLordJesusChrist,whichisapledgetousofourelection,aswellasthehopeofour salvation and of all the spiritual benefits that come forth from this source andfountainofGod’sfreelove,letusknowthattherehedisplayshisrichestousnotsothatweshouldabusethem,butratherwiththepurposeofbeingglorifiedforthematourhands,notonlywithourmouthsbutalsowithourwholelife.Andsinceweholdallthingsofhim,letusalsolearntobehisandtogiveourselvesuptohisobedience,thathemayenjoyuspeaceably.Andletusalwaysaimatthismark,namely,togetasureapprobationthathetakesandownsusforhischildren,bybearinghismarksandbyshowinginverydeedthatwearetrulygovernedbyhisHolySpiritincallinguponhimasourFather.Thusyousee,ineffect,whatwehavetoobserveinthispassagetilltherestfollows.

NowletusfalldownbeforethemajestyofourgoodGodwithacknowledgementofourfaults,prayinghimtomakeusfeeltheminsuchawaythatwemaycontinuallyprofit in his fear, and be strengthened more and more in the same; and, in themeanwhile,sotobearwithourweaknessesthatwemayalwaysenjoyhisgraceeventillhehassetusinpossessionofallthingsatsuchtimeasheshallhaveputawayoursinsandblottedthemoutcompletelyforourLordJesusChrist’ssake.Andsoletusallsay,AlmightyGod,heavenlyFather.

TheThirdSermonontheFirstChapter

GodhaschosenusinChristbeforethefoundationoftheworldtotheendweshouldbeholyandwithoutblamebeforehiminlove;WhohaspredestinatedustoadoptustohimselfbyJesusChristaccordingtothegoodpleasureofhiswill,Tothepraiseofthegloryofhisgracewhereinhehasacceptedusinhiswell-beloved.-Ephesians1:4-6

Ibegantoshowyouearlier that it isnot lawful forus to indulge in loose livingwiththeexcusethatGodhaselectedusbeforethecreationoftheworld,asthoughitwere right for us to give ourselves over to all manner of evil, because we cannotperish, seeing that God has taken us for his children. For we must not put thingsasunderwhichhehascoupledtogether.Seeingthenthathehaschosenustobeholyandtowalkinpurityoflife,ourelectionmustbeasarootthatyieldsgoodfruits.ForsolongasGodletsusaloneinourownnaturalstatewecandonothingbutallmannerofwickedness,becausethereissuchgreatcorruptionandperversityinmansnaturethat all thatmen ever think of doing is contrary to God’s righteousness. Thereforethere isnootherwaybut tobechangedbyGod.Andwhencecomesthischangebutonlythroughthegracethatwespokeof,namely,thatheelectedandchoseusforhischildrenbeforewewerebornintotheworld.

Yetwemustnote further thatGod letshiselectonesgo fora timeso that theyseem to be astray and utterly lost, and yet he brings them home again to his flockwhen it pleases him. And this serves to humble them the more and to make hisgoodness andmercy somuch the better known to the whole world. If God shouldmakeallhiselectonesbehaveperfectlyfromtheirverychildhood,itwouldnotbesoclearlydiscernedthatsuchbehaviourcomesthroughthatgraceofhisHolySpirit.Butwhenwretchedpeoplethatlivedlooselyandforatimeweregiventoallkindsofevilarechanged,itcannothappenwithoutGodworkingandputtingforthhishand.ThusweseethatthereasonwhyGoddelaysthecallingofthosewhomhehaselectedis(Isay)togivethemlifebyhisHolySpiritthathemaymakethemwalkinobediencetohim.Forwhenweseethemsuddenlyreformedbeyondthecommonexpectationandopinionofmen,weperceive thereby thatGodhasdisplayedhispower in them,as Isaidbefore.Andagain,ontheotherhand,everyoneofusisconvincedbyexperiencethatweareindebtedtoGodforall thegoodthat is inus.Forwhenwearenaturallyinclined to any vice and afterwards it is corrected, we well perceive that God haslookedmercifullyuponus.

Weperceivethenthatwehavesomuchmorereasontobehumbledseeingthatwewereinthewayofperditiontillhehaddrawnusoutofit.Anditisessentialforustonotethatwell,fortherearesomefancifulheadswhichimaginethatGodsoguides

his elect by hisHoly Spirit that they are sanctified beforehand, even from the timetheyareborn into theworld,assoonas theycomeoutof theirmother’swomb.Butthecontraryappears,andindeedweseehowSt.Paulinanotherpassagespeakingtothe faithful says, ‘Some of you were plunged in covetousness, some were given tocruelty, somewere scorners, somewerewhore-mongers and loose-livers andothersweregluttonsanddrunkards;and,inshort,youwerefullofalluncleanness;butGod,having changed you and made you clean from such filthiness and infection, hasdedicatedyoutohimself.’[ICor.6:10—11].Again,hesaystotheRomans,‘Yououghtto be ashamed of the life which you led beforeGod drew you to himself’. So then,whereas it is said in thispassage thatGodchosehisservants tomake themwalk inholinessoflife,itisnotmeantthatheisboundtogovernthembyhisHolySpiritevenfromtheirchildhood.For(asIhavealreadysaid)experienceshowsthatheletsthemgoastraytilltheopportunetimehascometocallthem.

ButyetwemustalwaysbearinmindthatGod’selectingofuswasinordertocallustoholinessoflife.Forifheshouldletusalonestillaswretchedcastaways,surelywecoulddonothingbutallmannerofwickednessaccordingtothecorruptionthatisinus.Thegood, then,proceeds fromhis freemercywhichhehas alreadydisplayedtowardsusbeforewewereborn,yesandbeforetheworldwascreated.Thusweseeineffectwhatwe have to learn from this passage. And so the blasphemies of such aswouldobscureGod’spraiseareputdown,thatis,ofsuchasmakeaconflictand,asitwere, adivorcebetweenGod’s free electionanda seeking to livewell. ‘Really’, theysay, ‘has God elected us Then let every one of us do what he likes, for we cannotperish!’ Andwhat does itmatterwhetherwe do either good or evil seeing that oursalvationisgroundeduponGod’sgracealoneandnotuponanyvirtueinus?’

The answer to this is easy, namely, that if there were no such thing as God’selection, corresponding to asmany thoughts andappetites asmightbe found inus,justsomanyrebellionswouldtherebeagainstallrighteousness.Forallofustendtoevil,andwearenotonlyinclinedtoit,butweare,asitwere,boilinghotwithit.WeruntoitwithfranticimpetuositybecausethedevilpossessesallwhoarenotreformedbyGod’sHolySpirit.AndsowemustneedsconcludethatourgivingofourselvestodogoodisbecauseGodguidesandleadsustoitbyhisHolySpirit,andallbecauseofhiselection. Therefore (as I said before)wemust not separate the things thatGodhasjoinedtogether.Forwearenotelectedtogiveourselvesovertopermissiveness,buttoshowbyourdeeds thatGodhasadoptedus tobehischildrenandtakenus intohiskeeping in order to dwell in us by hisHoly Spirit and to unite us to himself in allperfectionofrighteousness.

Moreover,letusalsoobservethatthoughGodhasreformedusandsetusinthegoodwayandmadeus to feel thathehasworked inusalready to subdueus tohisWord and to make us serve him obediently in all things, yet it does not thereforefollowthatwearefullyreformedonthefirstday,no,noryetinourwholelifetime.St.

Paul does not say that God brings his elected and faithful ones to the fulness ofperfection, but that he draws them towards it, and so we are but in the waythitherwardeventoourdeath.Therefore,aslongasweliveinthisworld,letuslearntoprofitandgoforwardmoreandmore,restingassuredthatthereisstillalwaysverymuchthatisblameworthyinus.Fortheythatimagineanyperfectionareasgoodasbewitchedbyhypocrisyandpride,or rather,haveno feelingor fearofGod in them,buttheyarefar-gonemockers.Forhethatexamineshimselfshallalwaysfindsuchastoreofvicesthatheshallbeashamedofthemifheseriouslyconsiderthem.

They then which say that we can reach any perfection while we dwell in thismortal body clearly show that either they are utterly blindedwith devilish pride, orelsethattheyareprofanepeople,voidofallreligionandpiety.Asforus, letusnote(whatItouchedonbefore)thatGodhaselectedusthatweshouldbeblameless,butthatwearenotabletobesotillwearefullyridofallourinfirmitiesanddepartedoutofthisprisonofsininwhichwearenowheldfast.[Rom.7:24]And,therefore,whenwe feel any vices in us, let us fight bravely against them, and let us not be down-heartedasthoughwewerenotGod’schildrenbecausewearenotyetfaultlessbeforehim,andoursins,whichmakeusblameworthy,arealwaysbeforeoureyes.

Although, then,wefindneversomanymiseries inourselvestothrustusoutoftheway,yet letusgoon,stillassuringourselves thatas longaswe livehere in thislowerworldwehaveourjourneytopursue.Wemustalwayskeepgoingforwardandarenotyetcometotheendoftheway.Seehowthefaithfuloughttotakeheartandstrengthenthemselvesalthoughtheyarenotperfect;andletthatfactalsocauseustogroanandsighundertheburdenwhichwearedriventofeel.FortheperfectionofthefaithfulandofGod’schildrenistoacknowledgetheirownweaknessandtoprayGodnot only to amend all their misdoings but also to bear with them in his infinitegoodness andnot call them to accountwith extremity of rigour.You see, then, thatourplaceofrefugeandsuccourisGod’smercybywhichhecoversandburiesalloursins,becausewehavenotyetattainedtothemarktowhichhecalls,thatis,toaholyandfaultlesslife.But,bethatasitmay,letusstillgoforwardandtakegoodheedthatwedonotgetenticedfromtherightway.

Ifthisword‘love’hasreferencetomen,thenSt.PaulmeanttonotewhatisthetruerighteousnessofChristians,namely,towalkinfaithfulnessanduprightness.ForweknowthatthehypocriteswouldalwaysappeaseGodwithceremoniesandfanfares,astheyarecalled;andyetsomeofthemaregiventoactsofrobbery,somearefullofenvy,malice,crueltyandtreason;somearedrunkardsandothersarewhoremongersand loose-liversgivingrein toallkindsofwickedness.Andyet,despiteall this, theythinkall is safe if theyputona fewholy looks [agios (Fr.) i.e., sanctimonious] andpretendsomeshowofholinessby theseceremonies.St.Paul, tomakeanendofallsuchnonsense,says thatwemustwalk in love(which is thebondofperfectionandthefulfillingofthelaw)ifwemeantohaveourlifeapprovedofGod.Andsoyousee

whatwehavetolearnfromthispassage.

Furthermore, letusnotice that in thisplaceSt.Paulexhortsus toacknowledgeourselvesindebtedtoGodforallthevirtueandgoodnessthatisinus.Forexample,ifwehaveanygoodzeal,ifwefightagainstourownvices,orifwewalkinobediencetoGod,howdoesitcomeaboutEvenofthissource,thathepurposedit,thatis,thatGodelectedusbeforehand.Letusconsider,then,thatthepraiseforitisduetohimandletusnotdefraudhimofhisright.Foralthoughwelivedasperfectlyasangels,yetifwewere so foolish as to think that such living comes fromour own freewill and self-effort,wemissthechiefpointofall.FortowhatpurposeserveallourgoodworksbuttoglorifyGodAndifweregardourselvesastheirauthors,weseethattheyaremarredtherebyandareturnedintovicessoastobenothingelsebutambition.Wesee,then,that the thingatwhichSt.Paulaimed in thissentence is tobringusbackalways toGod’sgratuitouselectionthatwemightknowthatallgoodissuesfromthatsource.

Headds immediately that ‘wearepredestinatedbyadoption tohimself throughJesusChrist,accordingto thegoodpleasureofhiswill.’Whenhesays thatGodhaspredestinated us by adoption, it is to show that if we be God’s children it is notthroughnaturebut throughhispuregrace.Now thispuregrace isnot in respectofanythingthatGodforesawinus(asImentionedearlier)butbecausehehadmarkedusoutbeforehandandappointedustosuchadoption,yes,eveninsuchawaythatthecauseofitisnottobesoughtelsewherethaninhimself.AndthatisthereasonwhySt.Pauladdsthathedidit‘inhimselfandaccordingtothegoodpleasureofhiswill’.HerepeatsalsothesamethingthatIpreviouslyexplained,namely,thatallwasdoneinJesusChrist.YouseethereforethatwhatwehavetonoteinthispassageisthatnoothercausemakesusGod’schildrenbutonlyhischoiceofusinhimself.Forwehavenosuchstatusbybirthorinheritance,neitherdoesitcomeoffleshandblood,asitissaid inthe firstchapterofSt.John, insomuchthatall thatcaneverbe lookedfor inourownselves isexcludedandutterlyabolished.Andthis is toshowus that ifmenareleftaloneintheirformerplight,theyhavenocommunionatallwithGodbutareutterlycutofffromhiskingdom.

ItistruethatourfatherAdamwascreatedaftertheimageofGod[Gen.1:26]andthathewasexcellent inhis first state,but after the coming inof sinweall becameutterlyhelpless,sothatevenAdamdidnothaveanystrengthinhimself,andhisfreewill thatwas givenhim servedhim tono otherpurposebut tomakehim themoreinexcusable.Forhefellwilfullyandthroughhisownmalice.Butbythisweseewhatsort of constancy he had in him, for, having been createdwith the utmost care [�grand’peine(Fr.)]hefell,andruinedhimself,andourselveswithhim.Now,then,weareallbornthechildrenofwrathandcursedofGod.[Eph.2:3]

Andso,aslongasweremaininourformerstateandplightthereisnothingbuteternaldeath inus.ThereforeGodmust freely callus tohimself, forareweable to

purchasesuchahighcallingWhereisthegoldorsilvertobuyitWherearethevirtueswithwhich torecompenseGod forsogreatandexcellentaprivilegeTobebrief, (ashasbeensaidalreadyonthismatter)itcomesneitheroffleshnorofblood,thatistosay,itdoesnotcomeofanythingwecanfindinthisworld,butonlyofGod’sadoption.[Jn. 1:13]For thewordwhichSt.Paulusesmeans thatGodconstitutesus children.Whenamanadoptsachildhechooseshimtobehisheir,andall thegoodsthathehas afterwards are passed on under that title. So it is with uswho are heirs of theheavenlylifebecauseGodhasadoptedandchosenusforhischildren.Andfurther,St.PaulisnotcontentedwithhavingsofarmagnifiedGod’sgrace,buthesaysmoreoverthatGodhasalsopredestinatedusanddeterminedthematterbeforehand.

Wesee,then,thatSt.Paulgatherstogethereverythingthatmaycrushthefoolishimaginationswhichwemight conceiveofbringinganything toGod,orofadvancingourselves towards him to make ourselves acceptable to him. Therefore everythingmust be brought to nought so that God’s grace only may be acknowledged in thisrespect. And that also is the reason why he repeats ‘through Jesus Christ’. If it bedemanded, then,why andhowwe are predestinatedbyGod to behis children, it isbecausehewaspleasedtolookuponusinChrist.For(asIhavesaidbefore)thisis,asit were, the register in which we are written to attain to the heritage of life andsalvation. For although God had pitied ourmiseries, yet we should always be as itwereexecrableinhissightifJesusChristdidnotcomebeforehim,becauseallofusbeingdescendedfromAdamareofonemeasure,allofusalikeandequal.Nowsomeare accounted reprobates: and why is that but because God looking upon them inthemselves passes them by. But he chooses us in our Lord Jesus Christ and looksupon us there, as in a mirror that is pleasing to him. And so you see how thedifferencecomesabout.Nevertheless,toexpressthematterevenbetter,hesaysthatGod’s choosingofuswas ‘inhimself’. It is true thatGoddoesall goodhimself, buthereSt.PaulmeanttoshowthatwhichisnotseeninalltheordinaryworksofGod,namely, that no other cause moved him to elect us than his own will. St. Paul,therefore, takes away all respect of persons when he says that God elected us inhimself.Ifhehadfoundanymeritorworthiness, ifhehadfoundanydispositionorgoodnessorvirtue,or(tobebrief)ifhehadfoundonedropofanythinghemightlikeandapproveof,hewouldnothaveelectedusinhimselfbutweourselvesshouldhavehadsomepartnershipwithhim.

SeeingthenthatSt.PaullocksupinGod’scounselallthingswhichbelongtooursalvation,andsaysthatourelectionalsoisshutupinthatpurpose,itisasifhesaidthatmengrosslydeceivethemselveswhentheypresumetheyareworthanythingorhave advanced or prepared themselves to the reception of such grace. Thereforewemustbecarrieduponhighifwewouldknowthatonwhichoursalvationisgroundedandwhatisitstrueoriginandbeginninganditssovereignandonlycause.AndsoyouseewhatismeantbythissayingthatGoddiditinhimself.

ButSt.Pauladdsevenfurther,‘accordingtothegoodpleasureofhisownwill’.Ifhehadsetdownnomorebutonlytheword‘will’, itwouldhavebeenenough,aswehaveseenanddeclaredbefore,thatSt.PaulhadbeenelectedaccordingtothewillofGod.Andhowso?Becausehewasneitherfitnorworthytohavesuchastatusexceptthat it pleased God to choose him. St. Paul, therefore, does not brag that he hadobtainedtheapostleship,butwithallmildnessacknowledges it tobe the freegiftofGod. Thus you see what the word ‘will’ signifies, not in any one place alone butthroughoutalltheholyScripture.ThereforewheneverGod’swillisafore-mentioneditistoshowthatmencannotadvanceanythingoftheirown.Nevertheless,St.Paulsetsdownhereatermofsuperabundanceandsays,‘accordingtothegoodpleasure’;asifhehadsaid,‘ItistruethatGod’swillisthecauseofoursalvation;weshouldnotflitto and fro seeking other reasons or means for it. However, since men are sounthankful and wicked that they would always darken God’s glory, and wouldcontinuallytakemoretothemselvesthanbelongstothem,iftheyarenotsufficientlypersuadedofGod’swillletthemunderstandthatitcomesofthegoodpleasureofhiswill, that is to say, of a free will which does not depend upon anything other thanitself, nor has any respect one way or another, but vouchsafes to choose us freelybecauseitispleasedtodoso’.

NowweseewhysuchasseektoestablishthecauseofGod’selectionofuswould(if it lay inthem)overthrowhiseternalpurpose, fortheoneis inseparablefromtheother. If God has chosen us, as is shown here, then nothing can depend upon ourdesertsoruponanythingwemighthavetobringforward,butGoddiditaccordingtohis own freewill and did not find any other reason than his own good pleasure. Ifanyone thinks this strange, it is because they would treat God in an over-familiarmanner. [comme un pet�t compagnon (Fr.)] And in this appears their devilishaudacityinthattheycannotallowGodtoreigninpurelibertysothatwhatispleasingtohimmightbereceivedasgood,justandrightfulwithoutcontradiction.Butletsuchpeople bark like dogs asmuch as theywill, yet is this decree irrevocablewhich theHolySpirithasutteredherebythemouthofSt.Paul,namely,thatitisnotforustolookforanyfurthercauseofourelectionthanthegoodpleasureofGod,thatistosay,thanhis own freewill bywhichhehas chosenus, thoughwewerenotworthy.Hissolemotiveinsodoingliesinthewords,‘thusitpleasedme’.AndsoweseeineffectwhatwehavetogatherfromthesewordsofSt.Paul.

NowSt.Paul immediately says that it is ‘to thepraiseof thegloryofhisgrace’.Here he shows the final reason thatmovedGod to elect us, namely, that his gracemight be praised by it, yes, not after a common and ordinary manner, but with acertainglory.ForhecoupledthosetwothingstogethersothatweshouldberavishedwhenweseehowGodhasdrawnusoutofthebottomofhelltoopentousthegateofhis kingdomand to call us to the heritage of salvation.Herewe see oncemore thematter I dealt with previously, namely, that all who would do away with God’spredestinationorarelothtohearitspokenof,therebyshowthemselvestobemortal

enemiesofGod’spraise.Itseemstothemthatthatpassesawayandvanishes.Yes,butwhois thecompetent judgeof that?DotheythinkthemselvestobewiserthanGodwhohasspokencleancontrarytothatwhichtheyallegeO(theysay), thatwouldbethewaytoopenthemouthsofmanymentoblasphemeGod.Now,asforthewicked,itiscertainthattheywillalwaysfindsomethingtoblasphemeabout,andtheycannotbestoppedfromdoingso.But,forallthat,Godwillhaveenoughwithwhichtojustifyhimself,[Rom.3:4]andallwhosodefyhimandhisrighteousnesswillbeconfounded.[Ps.51:4]

Bethatasitmay,itisnotsaidherewithoutcausethatGodisdulyglorifiedandhishighpraisemaintained,whenweacknowledgethathehasfreelyelectedwhomhewilled,andthat there isnoothercauseofdifferencebetweenmanandman,so thattheywhomhehasreprobatedperishbecausetheydeserveit,andtheywhomhecallsto salvation ought not to seek the cause of it anywhere else than in this gratuitousadoption.

Furthermore,by these twowords,St.Paulmeant also to stirusup to a greaterandmoreferventearnestness inpraisingGod.For it isnotenoughforustoconfesscoldlythatoursalvationspringsfromGod’spureliber4ity,butwemustbe,asitwere,inflamed togiveourselveswholly tohispraise,as ifwewerewhollydedicated to it,according as St. Peter shows that sincewe are drawn out of the darkness of death,there is good reason forus tobe speakingof theunutterablepraisesofGod. [IPet.2:9] And by this he gives us to understand that when the faithful have strainedthemselvestotheuttermosttoacquitthemselvesinpraisingGod’sgoodness,yettheyshallneverperfectlyaccomplishitbecauseitisanincomprehensiblething.[Lk.17:10]Notewellthereforewhatwehavetobearinmind.Andso,fromthisgoodnessorgraceofwhichhespeaks,wemustlearnthatmenwillneveryieldtoGodhisdueglorytilltheyareutterlybroughttonothing,sothatthereremainsinthemnotasingledropinwhichtheymayboast.LetussupposethatGod’selectionhadneverbeenthoughtof,shouldhethereforeceasetobepraisedNo!No!Forthat isonlyapartofhispraise.For ifmenshouldsaynomorethanthatGodcauseshissuntoshineuponthem, itwereareasontopraisehim.[Matt.5:45]Andwhenweopenoureyestolookupwardanddownwarduponthewonderfulworksheshowsus,thereisindeedreasonenoughtoexerciseusinhispraiseallourlifelong.Moreover,whenhisgospelispreachedtous, therealsowehavereasontopraisehimthoughnomentionatall ismadeofhiselection. I say there is enough in respect of us, but thenhewouldbe robbedof hischiefpraiseandweshouldyieldhimbutaportionof thatwhich isdue tohim.Andwhy?Forthefaithfulwouldthinkthattheyhadfaiththroughtheirownimpulseandfree will. I told you earlier that faith is a fruit of election. For there is no otherdifferencebetweenusandunbelieversbutthatGodreachedouthishandanddrewustohimselfbyasecretmeansatsuchtimeaswewereturningourbacksuponhimandwere making ourselves strange to him. [Rom. 5:10] To be brief, it is not withoutreasonthatSt.PaulsaysherethatGod’spraiseshallneverbeglorifiedasitoughtto

betillweacknowledgehiselectiontobethecauseofallthebenefitshebestowsuponus, and that if he had not adopted us by his infinitemercy according to his eternalcounsel,we should takepartof thepraise toourselveswhich isdue tohim.AndsoGod would be reduced and deprived of somuch of his right. In short, we see wellenoughwhatissaidhere,thatmenmustbeutterlyabasedinorderthatGodmayhavehis right andnomanbemadea co-partnerwithhim,but that allmenmay confessthatheisboththebeginningandtheperfectionofoursalvation.

We must also note carefully how St. Paul adds that ‘of his own grace he hasacceptedusinhiswell-beloved’.Bythishemakesitevenclearerwhyoursalvationisgrounded upon God’s mere election and free grace. For men will never quit theirfoolishpresumptioniftheyarenotsoovercomethattheydonothaveonemorewordwithwhichtoanswerback.St.Paul,therefore,tobringustosuchreason,tellsusthatwe are damned and lost in ourselves.Nowwhen such a thunderbolt falls upon ourheads,itisnotforustodemonstrateourinsolence.Ifmenwillthenbesofoolishasstill to search everywhere, looking for something belonging to and reserved forthemselvesapartfromthegraceofGodalone,nomorethanthissayingisneededtoturn them from it, namely, that we were not in God’s favour till we were in JesusChrist,becauseweareutterlydamnedandaccursedinourownpersons.Thismatterwere sufficiently expounded already, if we were not so slow in understanding thatwhichissoneedfulandwhichoughttobecleartous.Andintruth,evenexperienceoughttoteachusinthismatter.And,infact,ifhypocrisydidnotblindustoomuch,weshouldwellperceivethatthere isnothingbutwickedness inus,andGod’swrathwould strike us with such fear that we should be at our wits’ end. But God mustcompel us to obedience by a strong hand, or else we cannot find in our hearts torelinquishallpraisefromourselvestohim.Letusthereforenotewellwhatismeantby this statement inwhich it is said thatwewere taken into favour inJesusChrist,becauseheisthewell-beloved.AndwhyisJesusChristcalledGod’swell-beloved,asheistermedintheseventeenthchapterofMatthew[v.5]andinotherplaces,andalsoisshowntobeso in theprophet Isaiah?[Isa.43:4] It is therebyshownus thatGodjustlyhatesandabhorsussolongasweremaininourownnaturalstate.

ForifthattitlewerenotpeculiartoJesusChrist,thenitwassaidinvain,‘Thisismywell-beloved Son inwhom I amwell pleased’. [Lk. 3:22] But if it is peculiar toJesusChrist,thennoothercreaturecanclaimit, insomuchthat,althoughGodloveshisangels,yettheycannotbelovedbyhimtoperfectionbutbymeansofJesusChrist.Andasforus,thereisindeedanotherconsiderationtobetakenintoaccount.For(asIhavesaidalready)wearehated,andJesusChrististhemediatortosettheangelsatfullaccordwithGod,insomuchthattherewouldbenosteadfastnessorconstancyinthemiftheywerenotupheldbyhim.[Col.1:17—20]Andbesides,theirrighteousnessshouldnotbeperfectexcept theywereblessedandelected inhim.Somuch foronepoint.

Asforus,seeingweareestrangedfromGodthroughsin,hemustneedstakeusas his enemies and be an adversary to us. Jesus Christ therefore is the only well-belovedamongmen,andasforalltherestofus,Goddetestsanddisclaimsus,evensofarastosaythatitrepentedhimthathehadmademan;[Gen.6:7]whichsayingofhismeans thatwearenotworthy tobenumberedamongasses,dogs andotherbeasts.FortheyremainstillGod’screatures inthesamestatethathecreatedthem,butweare so wretched and perverse that we deserve to be cut down and to have theremembranceofuscursedandexecrablebeforeGod.Nowletusgoonbraggingandboasting,andseekingourcoatsofarmstoennobleourselves,forweseehowtheHolySpiritdegradesall suchas think themselves tobeworthanything.Wherefore, letusconsiderthatifweareenemiesuntoGod,weareinaworsestatethanifwehadneverbeencreated.

Butat thispointSt.Paul tellsus that ‘Godhasacceptedus inhiswell-beloved’.SeeingthenthatourLordJesusChristisreceivedbyGodhisFathertobethebeloved,notonly inhisownpersonbutalso inrespectof the love that isextendedtoall themembersofhisbody,bythatmeanswearegatheredtogetheragainandGodembracesus forhis children,whereas formerlywewerehis enemiesandutterlydetestable tohim.But,bethatas itmay,wemustalwayscomebacktothiselectionthatwehavespokenofbefore.ForthegracescommunicatedtousinourLordJesusChristproceedalsofromthesamesource.

Next, continuing the subject I have touched on already, he shows us the greatneedwehaveofbeingwell-belovedinJesusChrist.Forifwewerenotpersuaded(byGod)wewouldnevergrant(Imeanunfeignedly)thatweoweeverythingtoGod.Forwearealwayslabouringtoadvanceourselvessomewayorother,andeveryoneofusseekshowhemay reserve something tohimself though it amount tonomore thanthepointofapin.

But,on thecontrary,St.Paulshowsus thatGodmust really loveusapart fromourselves,andthatifwearewellpleasingtohimitmustnotbeinrespectofourownselves.Andwhy?Forwearecaptivesandbondslavesofsin.WearehelddownundertheyokeandtyrannyofSatan.Inshort,weareshutupinthebondageofdeathtillweareransomedbyourLordJesusChrist.NowthenweseethatthesumofthisteachingisthatmenareadmonishedtogetoutofthemselvesandtoseektheirsalvationinthepuregoodnessofGod, evenby adopting themeansproposed toushere,namely, toresorttoourLordJesusChrist.Fortherearetwoevilextremesagainstwhichwemustbeonourguard.OneisthatincomingtoourLordJesusChristwemustnotimaginethat there isanyworthiness inuswhyhe shouldmakeuspartakersofhisbenefits.[Matt.8:8]Andhowmaythatvicebecorrected?EvenbybeingledtoGod’sgratuitouselection.Fortheveryreasonwhymenpresumesomuchupontheirownfreewill,andtheverygroundalsoonwhichtheybuildtheopinionthattheyhaveconceivedoftheirownmerits and worthiness, is that they do not know that they are nothing in any

other respect than thatGodhas accepted themofhis ownpure goodness andgracebecausehehadelectedthemalreadyinhisowneternalcounsel.

Therefore, we cannot by anymeans attribute the beginning of our salvation toGod, except we confess that which is shown us here, namely, that we were utterlydamnedandaccursedatthetimeheadoptedus,andthattheoriginofhisadoptionofusisthathehadpredestinatedusbeforehand,evenbeforethecreationoftheworld.Takenoteofthatforonepoint.

The second evil extreme against which we must guard ourselves well, isspeculation.Manyfancifulpeoplesay,‘Ho!asforme,IshallneverknowwhetherGodhaselectedmeand,therefore,Imuststillremaininmyperdition’.Yes,butthatisforwantofcomingtoJesusChrist.HowdoweknowthatGodhaselectedusbeforethecreationof theworld?Bybelieving inJesusChrist. I saidbefore that faithproceedsfrom election and is the fruit of it, which shows that the root is hidden within.WhosoeverthenbelievesistherebyassuredthatGodhasworkedinhim,andfaithis,as itwere, theduplicatecopy thatGodgivesusof theoriginalofouradoption.Godhashiseternalcounsel,andhealwaysreservestohimselfthechiefandoriginalrecordofwhichhegivesusacopybyfaith.

Ispeakhereafterthemannerofmen,forweknowthatGodusesneitherpapernorparchmentonwhichtowriteournames,andIhavetoldyoualreadythat,tospeakproperly,theregisterinwhichweareenrolledisourLordJesusChrist.Nevertheless,Godkeepstohimselftheknowledgeofourelection,asaprincewoulddothechiefandoriginalregister.Butyethegivesussufficientlyauthenticcopiesordeedsofit,inthatheimprintsitinourheartsbyhisHolySpiritthatwearehischildren.

YouseethenthatthefaithwhichwehaveinourLordJesusChristisenoughtoassureusofourelection, and therefore,whatmoredoweask I toldyou thatJesusChrististhemirrorinwhichGodbeholdsuswhenhewishestofindusacceptabletohimself.Likewise,onourside,he is themirroronwhichwemustcastoureyesandlook,whenwedesiretocometotheknowledgeofourelection.ForwhoeverbelievesinJesusChristisGod’schildandconsequentlyhisheir,asIhavedeclaredbefore.[Jn.1:12;IJn.5:1]Itfollowsthenthatifwehavefaith,wearealsoadopted.ForwhydoesGodgiveus faith?Evenbecauseheelectedusbeforethecreationof theworld.Thistherefore is an infallible order, that insofar as the faithful receive God’s grace andembracehismercy,holdingJesusChristastheirHead,toobtainsalvationinhisway,theyknowassuredlythatGodhasadoptedthem.

It is true thatelection is in itself secret. It issoprofoundandhiddenapurposethat we can only wonder at it. Yet, despite this, God shows it to us insofar as it isneededandasheknowsittobeforourbenefitandsalvation.Andhedoesthatwhenhe enlightens us with the faith of the gospel. Thus you see why, after St. Paul has

spokenofGod’seternalelection,hesetsforthJesusChristasthepartytowhomwemustresorttobeassuredthatGodlovesusandacknowledgesusashischildrenand,consequently,thathehadadoptedusbeforeweknewhimandevenbeforetheworldwascreated.

Moreover,wemustgather fromthispassage that thedoctrineofpredestinationdoes not serve to carry us away into extravagant speculations, but to beat down allpride in us and the foolish opinionwe always conceive of our ownworthiness anddeserts,andtoshowthatGodhassuchfreepower,privilegeandsovereigndominionoverusthathemayreprobatewhomhepleasesandelectwhomhepleases;andthus,bythismeans,weareledtoglorifyhimandfurthertoacknowledgethatitisinJesusChristhehas electedus, inorder thatwe shouldbeheld fastunder the faithofhisgospel. For if we are his members and hold him for our Head—for he has alliedhimselfwithusinaholyunionwhichcanneverbebrokensolongaswebelievehisgospel—wemustcometohimtobeassuredofoursalvation.ForweseeandfeelbyexperiencethatGodhasadoptedandelectedusandthathenowcallsusandtellsusthat theassurancehehasgivenusanddailygivesusbyhisgospel,namely, thathewillbeourFather,andespeciallyhisengravingofitinourheartsbyhisHolySpirit,isno deceitful thing. For the gospel may well be preached to all men, even to thereprobate, but, for all that, God does not extend to them this special grace ofquickeningthemintolife.

Therefore when we have our adoption engraven in our hearts, then (as shallfurther be declared afterwards) we have a good and infallible pledge that God willguideusuntotheend,andthatsincehehasbeguntoleadusintothewayofsalvation,hewillbringustotheperfectiontowhichhecallsus,because,intruth,withouthimwecouldnotcontinuesomuchasasingleday.

And now let us fall down before the majesty of our good God withacknowledgement of our faults, praying him to make us perceive them more andmore,thatbeingutterlyashamedofthemwemaybateourvicesandourlifeineverypart,asitisevilandperverse,andresorttohimwhoaloneisabletogivetheremedy,andnotswerveonewayoranotherfromhimashecommunicateshimselftousinourLordJesusChrist.Letuskeeponstraighttohim,acknowledgingthatwearechoseninhim,believingalsothatwearesustainedandpreservedforhissakeandthathewillexerthispowermoreandmoreinusuntilwehavefinishedourraceandarecometotheheavenlyheritagewhitherwearegoing;beseechinghimthatalthoughweareyetfarfromit,yethewillvouchsafetogiveusasteadyandinvinciblestrengthtoholdoutcontinually till we have fully renounced the world. And, being quite abased inourselves,letusseekthatwemaybesorenewedintheimageofGodthatitmayshineperfectlyinus,tillwearemadepartakersofthegloriousimmortalitywhichhehassodearlyboughtforus;alsothatitmaypleasehimtograntthisgracenotonlytous,butalsotoallpeopleandnations.

TheFourthSermonontheFirstChapter

Godhasacceptedusinhiswell—beloved,bywhosebloodwehaveredemption,thatistosay,forgivenessofsins,accordingtotherichesofhisgrace,whereofhehasshedabundanceuponusinallwisdomandunderstandingbymakingusknowthesecretofhiswill(accordingtohisgoodpleasurewhichhepurposedinhimself,inordertodispenseitwhenthetimewasfullcome),thatistosay,togatherallthingstogetherbyChrist,boththethingsinheavenandthethingsonearth,inhimself.-Ephesians1:7-10

Ihaveshownalreadythatwecannotbe lovedbyGod,butbymeansofhisonlySon.ForiftheangelsofheavenarenotworthytobetakenforGod’schildrenexceptthroughaheadandmediator,whatallbecomeofuswhodonotceasedailytoprovokeGod’s wrath by our iniquities [Isa. 59:2]. In fact, we fight against him! God, then,mustofnecessity lookuponus inthepersonofhisonlySon,orelsehe isboundtohateandabhorus.Inshort,oursinssetsuchadistancebetweenGodandus,thatwecannotapproachhimwithoutimmediatelyfeelinghismajestyagainstus,armed,asitwere,todestroyusall.

ButnowitremainstobeseenhowGodreceivesus intohis favourbymeansofour Lord Jesus Christ. That iswhat St. Paulmeans in adding that ‘in himwe haveredemptionthroughhisblood,thatistosay,theforgivenessofoursins,accordingtotherichesofGod’sgrace.’HerewearefirstofallgiventounderstandthattheenmitywhichGodbearsus,isnotinrespectofournature,butinrespectofourcorruption.Isay it is not in respect of nature, for, sinceGodhas createdus, it is certain that hecannothate us.But sincemankind is utterlymarred and given over to all evil,Godmust needs be as a mortal enemy to us and as an adversary against us, till theremembranceofoursinsisburiedoutofhissight.Forweareworthyofeternaldeathtill we are restored again, because God, being the fountain of all justice andrighteousness,mustdetest the evil thathe sees inus.Therefore,until such timeasoursinsareblottedout,itisimpossibleforustohopethatGodshouldeitherfavourorloveus.

But let us notice here how St. Paul uses two words to express how we arereconciled toGod.First,hesetsdowntheransomorredemption,whichamounts tothesamething,andafterwardshesetsdowntheforgivenessofsins.HowthendoesitcomeaboutthatGod’swrathispacified,thatwearemadeatonewithhim,andthatheevenacceptsandacknowledgesusashischildrenItisbythepardoningofoursins,saysSt.Paul.Andfurthermore,becausepardonnecessitatesredemptionheyokesthetwotogether.

The truth is that, in respect of us, God blotted out our sins of his own freegoodnessandshowshimselfaltogetherbountiful,anddoesnotlookforanypaymentfor it at ourhands.And, in fact,whatman is able tomake satisfaction for the leastfaultthathehascommittedIfeveryoneofus,therefore,shouldemployhiswholelifeinmakingsatisfactionforanyonefaultalone,andbythatmeansseektowinfavouratGod’shand,itiscertainthatsuchathingfarsurpassesallourabilities.AndthereforeGod must necessarily receive us to mercy without looking for any recompence orsatisfactionatourhands.But,forallthis,theatonement,whichisfreelybestowedinrespect of us, cost the Son of God very dear. [I Pet. 1:19] For he found no otherpaymentthanthesheddingofhisownblood,sothathemadehimselfoursuretybothinbodyandsoul,andansweredforusbeforeGod’sjudgmenttowinabsolutionforus.OurLordJesusChrist(Isay)enteredintothework,bothbodyandsoul.Foritwouldnothavebeenenough forhimtohavesufferedsocrueland ignominiousadeath inthesightofmen,but itwasnecessary forhimalso tobearsuchhorribleanguish inhimself, as if God had become his judge, for he gave himself up in the behalf ofsinners tomake full satisfaction.And so you seewhySt. Paulhas joined those twowordstogetherinthispassage.

Thereforewe have to observe, first of all, thatwe can obtain no grace atGod’shand,norbereceivedbyhim,tilloursinsarewipedoutandtheremembranceofthemcompletely erased. The reason for this is (as I said before) that Godmust hate sinwhere-everhesees it.So then,as longasheconsidersusassinners,hemustneedsabhorus, for there isnothing inusor inourownnaturebutallmannerofevilandconfusion.Weare,then,enemiestohim,andheiscontrarytous,tillwecometothisremedythatSt.Paulshowsushere,whichis,tohaveoursinsforgiven.Weseebythisthat noman canbe lovedbyGodbecause of anyworthiness that is in himself. ForwhereinliesthelovethatGodbearsusIhavetoldyoualreadythathemustbewillingtocasthiseyeuponourLordJesusChristandnotlookatusatall.ButyetitisfurtherdeclaredthatwearenotacceptabletoGoduntilhehasreleasedusfromourdebtsandadoptedus,inspiteofthefactthatweareworthyofdeathbeforehim.Thusyouseethattheknowledgeofoursalvation(asitissaidinthesongofZacharias)isthatGodismercifultousandforgivesusoursinsbyreasonofwhichwearehisenemies[Luke1:77].

Let us also bear inmind, however, that the full remission of our sins throughGod’sfreegoodness,isnotgivenwithouttheransomthatwaspaidbyourLordJesusChrist, not in gold or silver (as St. Peter says in his first epistle, 1:18), but it wasnecessary that hewhowas the spotlessLamb should givehimself for that purpose.Wherefore, whenever we intend to seek God’s favour and mercy, let us fasten thewholeofourmindsonthedeathandpassionofourLordJesusChrist, thatwemaytherefindthemeansbywhichtoappeaseGod’swrath.And,furthermore,seeingthatoursinsaredoneawaybysuchpaymentandsatisfaction, letusunderstand thatwecannotbringanythingofourownbywhichtobereconciledtoGod.And, inthis,we

see how the devil has, by his craft, cut off all hope of salvation from theworld, bycausing it to be believed that every man must ransom himself and make his ownatonementwithGod.And that is thevery thingwhichmencall goodworks,merits,andvirtuesinthepapacy.Fortowhatendarealltheinventionsthattheyhaveforgeddirected?Whydotheygoontormentingthemselvesinallsortsofways,sothatamanneverceasesdayornight,butmakesendlesscircuitsandharangues.TheobjectofalltheseperformancesistopacifyGod.Andsoallthegoodworkswhicharethuscountedinpapistryarenothingelsebutmeansbywhichtomakesatisfactionforsins.

But that issimply tobring tonought theransomofwhichSt.Paulspeakshere.Forthereis,sotospeak,aninseparablebondbetweenthesetwothings,namely,thatGodputsoursinsoutofhisremembranceanddrownstheminthedepthsofthesea,and,moreover, receives thepayment thatwasofferedhim in thepersonofhisonlySon.Thereforewecannotobtaintheonewithouttheother.If, then,wewishtofindGodpropitious,letusrealizethatwearehisenemiestillhehaspardonedallourdebtsof his own free goodness, and, further, that our Lord Jesus Christ had to step inbetweenhimandus. [seconstitue l� aumilieu (Fr.)]For the sacrificeofhisdeathservestopurchaseaneverlastingatonementforus,sothatwemustalwaysfleetoitforrefuge.

ItistruethatthewholelifeofourLordJesusChristhasbecomeourransom,fortheobediencewhichheyieldedinthisworldtoGodhisFatherwastomakeamendsfor Adam’s offence and for all the iniquities for whichwe are in debt. But St. Paulspeakshereexpresslyofhisblood,becauseweareobligedtoresorttohisdeathandpassion as to the sacrifice which has power to blot out all our sins. And for thatreason,Godhassetforthintypesunderthelawthatmencouldnotbereconciledtohimexceptbythatmeans.

Now it is true that JesusChristnot only shedhis blood, even inhisdeath, butalso experienced the fears and terrors which ought to have rested upon us. But St.Paul here under one particular comprehends thewhole, in themanner common toholyScripture.Inshort,letuslearntofindallourrighteousnessinGod’sshowingofhimselfmercifultowardsusofhisownfreegoodness,andletusnotpresumetoputbeforehimanyvirtueofourowntoputhiminourdebt,butletitbesufficientforusthathereceivesus freely intohis lovewithoutanyworthinessonourpart,butonlybecause the remembrance of our sins is buried out of his sight. And again, let usunderstand that the samecannotbedonebutby thedeathandpassionofourLordJesusChrist,andthatiswherewemustwhollyrest.

Next, St. Paul adds that ‘all is done according to the riches ofGod’s grace.’NotwithoutreasondoesheheremagnifyGod’smercywhichhedisplaysinreceivingustofavour. For we see on the one hand howmen wilfully deceive themselves throughtheirfoolishself-conceit.Formostmenhavealwaysimaginedthattheymightmake

their own atonement with God by their own satisfactions, and I know not whatsubterfuges besides. Seeing, then, that men are so far deceived in their ownimaginations,St.Paul,toexcludeallthat,saysthatwemustberavishedbytherichesofGod’sgrace.HecouldhavesaidsimplythatGoddoesallaccordingtohisgrace,buthesetsdownheregreattreasuressothatmenshouldnotbesofoolishastobring,asitwere,onlyafarthingwhentheirneedsruntoamillioncrowns.And,infact,whenthe papists speak about their satisfactions, they say, not that they are able to do itsufficiently in all points, but that they are of the opinion that with the death andpassionofourLordJesusChristtheywillalsobringsomethingoftheirown,andwilldosomuchbybitsandpiecesthatGodwillbesatisfiedandappeased.Thusyouseewhat a devilish opinion reigns in papistry, for they rest upon masses, they babblemanyprayers,theygadaboutonpilgrimage,theykeepthisfeastandthatfeast,theyperformIknownotwhatdevotions,theywearhair-shirtsaccordingtorequirements—allthistosupplementthedeathandpassionofourLordJesusChrist,asifitwerenotall-sufficient.

ButSt.PaultellsusthatGod’sgoodness,asit isshownusinJesusChrist, issogreat a treasure that all other thingsmust give place andbe thrust under foot.AndseeingthatGoddisplayssuchgreatbountythatweoughttobewhollyravishedbyit,is it not outrageous presumption when we would bring our own paltry trash, asthoughourgoingonpilgrimageandourperformanceofsomeotherdevotionswereofanyvalueorgood?IsitnotasthoughthebloodofJesusChristwerenotasufficientprice,Isay,asufficientpriceandransomforoursalvation?Youseethen,ontheonehand,howSt.Paulheremeant tocutoffalloccasionsof thevain imaginations thatmen conceive in supposing themselves able to appease God’s wrath by theirsatisfactionsandpayments,and,ontheotherhand,howhepurposedtosuccourourweakness.Foralthoughweareinclinedtobelievewondersaboutourownvirtuesandto make ourselves believe that God is greatly under obligation to us, nevertheless,whenitcomestocallinguponGodinrealearnestandtoputtingourtrustinhim,thenifSatanurgeustodespairandwearetossedaboutwithtroublesandtemptations,wearesodismayed thatall thepromisesof theholyScriptureandall that is said tousabout the death and passion of our Lord Jesus Christ cannot give us any hope. St.Paul.therefore,toremedythisviceofunbeliefwhichistoodeeplyrootedinus,heresetsbeforeusthegreattreasuresofGod’sgoodness,sothatalltheself-conceitwecanconceivemaybe,as itwere,swallowedup,seeingthatGodvouchsafestoshowsuchgreatabundanceofkindnesstowardsus.

And, on this account, he adds that ‘he hath made the same grace to aboundtowards us in all wisdom and understanding.’ By these words he gives us tounderstandbywhatmeanswecometopossessthatwhichhespecifiedbefore.Behold,allourhappinessandalloursovereignwelfareconsistsinbeingreconciledtoGod,sothathemayacknowledgeusashis children,and that itmaybe lawful forus tocalluponhimasourFatherwithfullliberty.Buthowshallweobtainthatfromwhichwe

are so far removed? It is said that although we are worth nothing, indeed can donothing,yetweshallfindinJesusChristallthingswhicharelackinginourselves,andthathisdeathandpassionwillbeasufficientsacrificetoputawaytheremembranceofallourmisdeeds.

However, does it therefore follow that all men are partakers of this benefitpurchasedforusbyourLordJesusChrist?No,forunbelievershaveneitherpartnorlotinit.Itis,then,aspecialprivilegeforthosewhomGodgatherstohimself.St.Paulalso shows us that faith is essential or Christ will profit us nothing [Gal. 5:4].Although, then,Christ is inageneralviewtheRedeemerof theworld,yethisdeathandpassionareofnoadvantagetoanybutsuchasreceivethatwhichSt.Paulshowshere.AndsoweseethatwhenweonceknowthebenefitsbroughttousbyChrist,andwhichhedailyoffersusbyhisgospel,wemustalsobejoinedtohimbyfaith.FortheJews,TurksandPapists,andallsuchlike,arecutoffandestrangedfromChristandrot away in their own corruption, because they presume to work wonders ofthemselves.For it isacommonprincipleamongthePapists,Jews,Turksandall theheathen that ever were, that theymust appease God’s wrath. And how? By a greatvarietyofmeansoftheirowndevising,andofeveryman’simagininginhisownbrain.Suchmen,therefore,havenopartinChrist.Wherefore,iffaithisthekeythatopensthedoortoenjoythetreasureofwhichSt.Paulhasjustspoken,thenthatishowweshall be made as rich as is necessary for our salvation, so that we shall not lackanythingifwearejoinedtoChristbyfaith.

Nevertheless, it is notwithout cause that St. Paul has here set down these twowords,‘wisdom’and‘understanding’.Fortheyshowusthatthelearningofthegospelisenoughtobringustoallperfection,andthatwhateverisaddedoverandabovethat,isbutdung,filth,androttenness.Inbrief,St.Paul’sdesignationofthegospelbythosetwohonourabletermsisinorderthateverymanshouldquietlygiveeartothatwhichGodteacheshimbymeansofhisonlySon,andthatweshouldbesoteachablethatwedonotpresumetoknowanythingbutthatwhichcomesoutofhismouth,butthatinallsimplicitywereceivewhateverhesaysandpersevereinthesamethoughthewholeworlddespiseusandallmenset themselvesagainstus.Letusnotprize theworld’ssubtleties, as manymen do who have itching ears and are always wanting to hearsome new thing. Therefore, in order that we may not be thus lightheaded, orpossessedbythefoolishdesireofknowingmorethanis lawful, letusnotecarefullyhowSt.Paulsaysherethatifwehaveonceprofitedbythegospel,weshallfindthereallthefulnessofwisdom,sothatwemayrejectallotherthings,notonlyasneedless,but also asharmful, becauseby themwe shall be turned from thepuredoctrinebywhichitisGod’swilltohaveusjoinedtohim.Tosumup,St.Paulmeanttoshowherethat God does us an inestimable favour when he vouchsafes to call us to theknowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, his only Son, and thatwhenwe have him,wemustdespiseallother thingsandnotbe troubledwitha foolishdesire toknowthisandthat,because(asIhavealreadysaid)thefullperfectionofallourknowledgeisto

knowourLordJesusChrist.

AndnowyouseealsowhyitwassaidtotheColossiansthathe(Paul)hadbeenafaithful teacher, even to bring men to the perfection of wisdom. [Col. 1:25] Heconfesses indeed thathewasroughandhomely inspeech [2Cor. 11:6],and thathehadneitherthewisdomnortheeloquencethatwashighlycommendedintheworld;but still, he declares that if his doctrine were received, it would be found full ofsubstanceforthefullnourishmentofmen'ssouls,andthatnothingmoreneedstobeaddedto it.Whenwehear these thingsnowadays,wemust takewarningtorestrainourselvesandtorepressthevastandfoolishcuriositythatisrootedtoodeeplyinus,sothatwemayclingtothepuredoctrineofthegospelandrestwhollyonit.Thusyousee,ineffect,whatwehavetogatherfromthispassage.

Furthermore, letusnote thatwhich Ihave touchedonalready,namely, that asoften as the gospel is preached, so often is God’s grace poured out upon us. If weacknowledge his goodness and generosity which he causes us to discern by hiswateringoftheearththatitshouldyieldusfruitsforthenourishmentofourbodies,muchmoremayweunderstandthatwhenGodsendsusthewordofsalvation,henotonlywatersusforthehealthofoursouls,butalsocausesustodrinksodeeplythatwecanbecompletelysatisfied.ForSt.Pauldoesnotthinkitenoughtosaythat,beingunfruitful,wehave some refreshment by the gospel but he says that it is as ifGodshouldpourdownabundanceofwateruponus,andthatwemightbesowateredandrefreshedwithitthatwemighttherebygathersustenanceandvigourtoenduretotheend.AndsoyouseehowmuchweoughttovalueGod’sgoodnesswhenhevouchsafestodrawustohimselfbymeansofhisgospel,andthatalsobythismeansweshouldenterintopossessionofthebenefitspurchasedforusbyourLordJesusChrist,asheoffersthemtousbyhisWordandwillhaveusalsotoreceivethembyfaith.

Now, for a larger exposition of the matter, he immediately adds that God’s sodoingis‘becausehehasmanifestedthesecretofhiswilltous,evenaccordingtohisowngoodpleasurewhichhepurposedbeforeinhimself.’Hereisanotherthingwhichought to amplify theworthof the gospel evenmore,namely, that in itwehave thesecretsthatwerehiddenpreviouslyinGod.AnditisnothereonlythatSt.Paulspeaksafterthismanner,butweshallseeanevenfullertreatmentofitinthesecondchapter.AndnotonlyinthisEpistle,butalsoeverywhereelse,heshowshowweoughttobe,asitwere,ravishedwhenthegospelispreached,becauseGodthereopensthethingsthat were incomprehensible to allmen before, andwhich nomanwould ever havebelievedorconceived.ForheseemedtohavechosenonlythelineofAbrahaminsuchawayasifhehadrejectedalltherestoftheworld.Thereforeitwasawonderfulthingwhenhepouredouthisgraceuponallmenincommon.[Rom.16:25;1Cor.2:7;4:1;Eph.6:19;Col.1:29]YetweknowthatwhenJesusChristcame into theworld thesevery samepeoplewerewhollydegenerate, andGod’sdoctrinewas so corrupted thattherewasnothingbutsuperstitionamongtheJews.Itseemedthenthatallwaspast

hope of recovery when suddenly, beyond the expectation of all men, salvation wasoffered toallnations.Behold,Christwhohadbeforebeenhidden indeepobscurity,andeveninsuchdeepobscuritythattherewasnohopethatheshouldevercomeoutofit,roseupasthesunofrighteousnesstogivelighttotheworld.[Mal.4:2]

For this reason thereforeSt.Paul says that in thegospelweknow the secretofGod’swill.Itistruethatatfirstsightthereseemedtobenothingbutsimplicityinthegospel.Andthatisthereasonalsowhymanyscoffersthinkthatthethingswhicharecontained in the gospel are only for idiots, and they pride themselves that they areabletodevisemanymoresubtlethingsintheirowndreamsthaninallthedoctrineofJesusChrist.Butsuchpeopleareunworthy to tasteof thatwhich isshownushere,fortheirprideutterlyblindsthemandmakesthemcompletefools.Bethatasitmay,however, the faithful quite clearly perceive that there is a divine majesty in thedoctrine of the gospel. And for that reason, St. Paul gives us to understand in thissamepassagethatourcomingtoitmustnotbetolearnanycommonthing,buttoberaised above the world. For we shall never be teachable before God, nor ever beprepared to benefit in his school, unlesswe rise above theworld and reverence thethingsthatGodspeakswithhisownholymouth.Inshort,thebeginninganddoorofour faith ishumility.Buthowcanmenreallyhumble themselves,unless theyknowthatthethingswhichGodtellsthemfarsurpasstheirownintelligenceandcapacity.Yousee then that the thingatwhichSt.Paulaimed is thatweshouldreverence thegospel,assuringourselvesthatitisnotforustojudgewhetherGodhasspokenwellor ill. Forwemust be fully persuaded that all that ever comes fromhim is infinitewisdom,evensuchwisdomasisutterlyfaultless.Therefore,sothatallboastinginourselvesmaybebeatendown,andthatwelearntoreverencesoberlyandmodestlythedoctrinepreachedtousingGod’sname,St.Paulhaspurposelysetdownthissecret.

Now,inorderthatweshouldknowhowmuchweareindebtedtoGod,herepeatsthisexpression, ‘accordingtohisgoodpleasure’,whichhehadsetdownbefore.Andthatisdonetoputawayandtoshutoutallopinionwhichmenmightconceiveoftheirownworthiness. ForGod’s good pleasure can have no place unlessmen are barredfromalldeservingandcometohimutterlyempty.Forassoonaswepresumetobringanythingatall toGod,surely it isaputtingforwardofourselvestotheobscuringofGod’s grace so that it no longer has its beauty and pre-eminence as it ought.Therefore,inorderthatmenshouldrefrainfromallvainconfidence,St.PaulsendsusbackagaintoGod’sgoodpleasure,asifheshouldsaythattherewasnoothercauseofthepreachingofthegospeltotheworldthanthegenerousandfreegoodnessofGod.However,torepressalltheaudacityofmen,headdsthat‘Godhadpurposedthesaiddecreeandthesaidhighincomprehensiblecounselofhiswill,beforehandinhimself.’For what is the reason why many men take such great liberty in questioning,disputing,andpleadingagainstGod,butbecause,asitseemstothem,theyaredealingwithmatterswhichoughttobeopenandwell-knowntothem.Sothen,perceivingustobe so foolishandrashas topresume toenquire intoGod’s counsel,St.Paul says

thatitisasealedletter,thatGodhashiscounselinhimself,andthatitisnotlawfulforcreaturestorisesohigh.Iftheydoso,itisthesurestwaytoruinthemselvesandtobreaktheirnecks.

It is true thatwemaywell apply all our endeavour to knowGod’swill, butwemustproceednofurtherthanhehasrevealedinhisWord,forhisWordisourlight.ButwhereGodholdshispeace,hewillhaveus reinourselves inand,as itwere,becaptives,andnotgoonanyfurther,forifwewouldtrytoknowmorethanisgrantedus,thatistosay,morethanweoughttoknowandmorethanisimpartedtousbyhisWord,itwouldbeonlyenteringfurtherandfurtherintoalabyrinth,orrather,intothebottomofhell.Therefore letusnotewell thatSt.Paul’smeaning in this text is thatwheneverGodkeepshispurposetohimself,itbecomesustobowourheadsandkeepourselvescontenttobeignorantofit.Foritisacursedwisdomandsuchawisdomassendsus to thepitofhellwhenwepresumetoknowmorethanGodhas taughtus.And,onthecontrary,wearewiserinourignorancethanallthewisemenoftheworld,whenwedonot take ituponourselves toknowanythingbeyondwhereGod’sWordguidesandgovernsus.

ItistruethatthereisonlyonesingleandsimplewillinGod.Buthedeclaresittousaccordingtoourcapacityandsofarasit isexpedientandprofitableforus.Aswehaveseen,theforgivenessofsinsisamatterthatwecannotpassover,andthereforeZacharias calls it the knowledge of salvation. Again, it is necessary for us to knowwhere the forgiveness of our sins is to be looked for. For if we do not have JesusChrist,we still remain enemies ofGod [Luke 1:77],we have no atonement, neitherhavewe rest in ourselves, andGod’s judgmentmust troubleus; but JesusChrist isourpeace.Furthermore,whenweknowthethingswitnessedtousbyGod’sWord,wemustatthesametimereverencethemysteriesthatarehiddenfromus,ashasbeensaidalreadyandmustbesaidagainwhenwecometodealwithGod’selection.AndSt.Paul once again sets down here the word ‘foreordaining’, to show that God haspredestinatedusbeforethecreationoftheworld,andyetthesamewashidden.Yes,verily,butitisnowdeclaredtous,hesays.Thusyousee,ineffect,thatwhatwehavetobearinmindisthatwearenotcalledtotheknowledgeofthegospelthroughourownskill,norbyputtingourselvesforward,norbymakingGodindebtedtousbyanyvirtue;butGodofhisowninfinitegoodnesshasbeenpleasedtoenlightenus.Andhehasnotdoneitbecauseitsuddenlycameintohismindtodoit, likemenwhomakeresolvesonthespurofthemoment,butbecausehehadthusdetermineditinhisowncounsel,evenbeforealltime.

Andifourspiritsfidgetandprovokeustobeinquisitiveandtosay,Howso?HasGodelectedusbeforehand?Andwhythendidhenotshowittoussooner?Howisitthatitwasnotperceivedbeforenow?—sothatweshouldnotbesorash,St.Paulsaysthatthispurposewas,sotospeak,lockedupinGod,tillitwasdisclosedtous.Andso,tobebrief, it isnot lawful forus toknowanymore than isannounced tous in the

gospel; and, furthermore, we are required to reverence it. And for this reason, it isaddedthatthiswasdoneinordertothedispensingofthetruthinthefulnessoftime.

NowbythisSt.Paulshowsthatmenmaywelltormentthemselves,buttheyshallfall shortof theirpurpose,andall their thoughtsand imaginationsshall fail themiftheygoonseekingtoknowmorethanGodhasgiventhempermissiontoknow.Forifanyman demands why God has not been inmuch greater haste in thematter, heshows that he would be wiser than God. And is not that a devilish pride? Is thecreatureworthytobesupportedbytheearthwhenheraiseshimselfsohigh?ForthisreasonSt.PaulsaysthattheorderingofthingsbelongstoGod.Forifamaninhisownhousemaysay,Iwillhavemypeopletobeprovidedforthus,Iwillhavethemdrinksuchabeverage,Iwillhavethemeatacertainkindofbread,Iwillhavethemtosleepafterthismanner;howmuchmoreoughtwetoletGoddoso,forwhyshouldhehavelessprivilegethanwormsoftheearth?Therefore,letusgiveGodleavetodisposeofhischurchandofthesalvationofhiselectasseemsgoodtohim.Andsoforthetime,letusreceiveasfullysufficientthatwhichitshallpleasehimtoshowus.Foritisnotforus tobe judgesorumpires in this case, tomeasure the times, years,months,ordays,butitoughttocontentusthatGoddesirestohaveitso.

Some man will argue the case and say, ‘What! four thousand years passedbetween the fallofAdamand thecomingofChrist,andcouldnotGodhaveput thematter rightby sending theRedeemerof theworld sooner?Lookwhatanumberofwretchedpeoplewanderedawayindarkness;lookatthedestructionofmankindbyadeluge thatengulfedall things,andyet, in themeanwhile,JesusChristwashidden.Besides this, a small number ofmen tasted of himonly by types and shadows. FortherewerenonebuttheJews,whowaitedfortheRedeemer,whoobtainedsalvationthroughhim,andyeteventheyhadtousecalvesandsheepandotherbrutebeaststoassure themselves of the forgiveness of their sins and that God was propitious tothem’.

Ifamanaskshowthiscomestopass, letushaverecoursetothatwhichissaidhereinaword,namely,thatthetimewasnotyetfullycome.Andwhy?BecauseGodhadsoordainedit.AndthisisexactlythesamethingthatwehaveseenalreadyintheEpistletotheGalatians,whereSt.Paulputdownallthefoolishspeculationsbywhichmen go astray inwanting to raise themselves higher than is lawful for them [4:3].Therefore,letusconcludethatitisGod’speculiarofficetoappointtimesandseasons,and thatwemustnot regardanyother tobe theappointed time than thatwhichheordains. For even thoughwinter and summer are usuallywith us every year, yet ifsummer arrives rather late,wemust check ourselves andnotmurmur againstGod.Wemaywellsay,Alas,ifitpleasedGodtosendusheatitwouldbemostwelcome.Butyet, inthemeanwhile,wemustbefullypersuadedthus—itisforGodtogovern,andallsovereigntyandauthoritybelongtohim.

If we ought to behave ourselves somodestly in respect of the order of naturewhichiscommonamongus,andinwhichGodshowshimselftousinafamiliarway,whatoughtwetodowhenwecometothequestionofthesecretsofthekingdomofheaven,theeternalsalvationofoursoulsandthishighmysterythattheSonofGodhas come to restore thingswhichwere lost andperished.Does it not becomeus toabase ourselves in that case, and humbly to receive whatever God tells us, and toknowwhatheapproves.

Thus you seewhySt.Paul spokehere expressly of the fulness of time, as if heshouldsaythatwecanneverprofitinthegospeltillweyieldGodsomuchhonourasto content ourselves with his will alone, so that we do not come forward to replyagainsthim,nor facehimwithourwrangling,butglorifyhimbyacknowledginghiscounseltobetheruleofallwisdom,ofallright,andofallequity.

And to show this thebetter,St.Pauladds immediately that itwas ‘togatherallthings togetherboth inheavenand inearth,byJesusChrist, inhimself’.As for thisword ‘gather’, St. Paulmeant to showus thereby howwe are all of us in a state ofdreadfuldissipation,tillsuchtimeasourLordJesusChristrestoresus.Andthishasreferencenotonlytous,butalsotoallothercreatures.Inbrief,itisasthoughhehadsaidthatthewholeorderofnatureisasgoodasdefaced,andall thingsdecayedanddisordered by the sin of Adam till we are restored in the person of our Lord JesusChrist. For althoughwe seeGod’swonderfulwisdom, power, goodness, justice, andrighteousnessinallcreatures,neverthelesstherearemarksofsinbothhighandlow,andallcreaturesaresubjecttocorruption,andallisdisorderedbecauseGodhatesandrejectsus[Rom.8:22].TherestorationhasthereforetobemadebyJesusChrist.AndthatiswhatismeantbythegatheringtogetherofwhichSt.Paulspeakshere,inorderthatweshouldlearntohateourselvesandtobeashamedoftheconfusionthatisinourselves and with which the whole world is filled through our sinful life; and,moreover,learnalsotomagnifyGod’sgoodnesssomuchthemore.Ontheonehand,then,theHolyGhostwarnsusinthistextnotonlythatweourselvesareinastateofdissipation,butalsothatwehavebroughtthewholeworldtothesamestateandkeepit theredaily by our sins, and that there is noother remedybut for JesusChrist torepaireverythingandmakesuchagatheringandunionthatwemaybejoinedagaintoourGod.

That then is the first pointwe have to note in this passage. It is true that thisthingissaidinfewwords,butitneedstobeponderedatgreaterlength.Foritisthethingaboutwhichweoughttobeemployedbothearlyandlate,thatwhenwelookatourselveswemightthinkinthisway—Whoareyou,Owretchedcreature?ForyouseeyouareseparatedfromyourGodevenfromyourbirth.Look,youarehisenemyandinheritorofhiswrath,and furthermore, there isnothing inyourselfwhichdoesnottend to evil and perverseness. You ought not only to feel this disorder in your ownperson,butalsotoperceivethateverythingelseisoutoforderthroughoutthewhole

worldbecauseofyourperverseness.

Therefore, letusabaseourselvesandbeashamed,andatthesametimeconfesshowmuchwe are indebted toGod for his vouchsafing to gather us together in thepersonofhisonlySon—evenuswhohavesotorntopiecesthethingshehadsetinsuchgoodorder.

And for the same reason, St. Paul speaks here not only of men, who wereestrangedfromGodbeforebyreasonofsin,butalsoof‘allthingsthatareinheavenandearth’,inwhichheincludeseventheveryangels[Col.1:20].ForalthoughGod’sgloryshinesforthinthemandtheywereneverseparatedfromhim,neverthelesstheyneededtobegatheredtogetherbyourLordJesusChrist,andthatfortworeasons.Foralthough theyneverstrayed,nor fell fromwhat theywere in theirorigin,andGod’srighteousness always shows itself in them, so much so that they are, as it were,mirrors and patterns of it, nevertheless if God had willed to look upon them withseverity, they would have found themselves far short of the perfection ofrighteousnessthatisinhim,asitissaidinthebookofJob[4:18].

Furthermore,thereisstilloneotherreasontobelinkedwiththis,whichis,thattheangelsshouldnothavehadsuchconstancyandsteadinessaswasrequisite,unlessJesusChristhadsoestablishedthemthattheymightneverfall.Thusyouseeonewayinwhichtheyweregatheredtogether.ButthisgatheringofwhichSt.Paulspeakshereiswith regard to their being united againwith us. Forwe know that sincewewerebanishedoutofGod’skingdom,wewerecutofffromallhopeofsalvation,sothattheangelswereimmediatelyobligedtobecomeourenemies,andwouldbesostill,wereitnotfortheconjunctionwehavewiththembymeansoftheHeadwhoiscommontousboth.

Andhereyouseealsowhyinthe ladderthatwasshowntoJacob, it issaidthatGodstooduponthetopofitandtouchedbothheavenandearth,andthattheangelswentupanddownonit[Gen.28:12].NowourLordJesusChrististhetruelivingandeternalGodwhotouchesbothheavenandearth,becauseinhispersonGodhasjoinedhisowndivineessenceandthenatureofmantogether.Thus,therefore,youseethatheavenisopensothat theangelsbegintoacquaint themselveswithus,andeventobecomeourservants,asissaidintheEpistletotheHebrews[1:14],becausethecareof our souls is committed to them and (as is said in the thirty-fourth Psalm) theyencampaboutusandwatch,andareourguardians.Youseethenhowweareunitedagainto theangelsofparadisebyourLordJesusChrist.Andthat is thereasonalsowhy he said ‘Fromhenceforth you shall see the heavens open and the Son ofMancoming down in his majesty with his angels’ [John 1:51]. By which he gives us tounderstandthatheavenwasshutagainstusandthatwealsowereunworthyto findanyfavouratGod’shand,butthatnowheiscometobeourHeadandhasmadetheatonementbetweenhisFatherandus,andtakenuponhimtheofficeofmediatorand

isbecometheHeadnotonlyofthefaithful,butalsooftheangels,andhasgatheredalltogetheragaininsuchawaythat,whereasthedevilsmakewaragainstusandceasenot to plot our destruction, the angels are armed with infinite power to uphold us[Col. 2:10]. And althoughwe do not see themwith our eyes, yetwemust certainlybelievethattheywatchforoursalvation.

Otherwise,whatwouldhappen?Forweknow that thedevil is as a roaring lionandseeksnothingelsebuttodevourus[1Pet.5:8].Weseewhatanumberofwileshehaswithwhich to surroundus. The angels, then, haveneed of an infinite power todefendus.ItisalsonecessarythatwebekeptundertheprotectionofourLordJesusChristwhoisboththeirHeadandours.ThusyouseebrieflythatthethingwhichSt.Paulmeanttotellusinthistextwherehesayswearegatheredtogetheragain,isthatwewerescatteredbeforehand,andthatwearenotonlyreconciledtoGodbythedeathandpassionof ourLordJesusChrist, but alsowe arenow joinedonce again to theangels, so that theyhave becomeour brethren and companions, andGodhas giventhemchargetoguideandupholdusinallourwaysandtowatchoverusandtobeincontinualbattleforthewithstandingofalltheenemiesthatmakewaragainstustillwearegatheredalltogetherintotherestofheaven[Psa.91:13].

Now let us cast ourselves down before the majesty of our good God withacknowledgementofourfaults,prayinghimsotomakeusfeelthemthatitmaydrawustotruerepentanceandmakeustocontinuethesameallthetimeofourlife,andthatatthesametimewemaynotceasetotrustinhimandtoofferourselvesboldlyinhisfight,sinceoursinsareblottedoutbythebloodthatwasshedforthewashingofthem,andthatwemaysoconformourselvestothisdoctrinethatwemayallthetimeofourlifeacknowledgethatseeinghehaspurchasedusatsuchaprice,weoughttogive ourselves wholly to his service; and since he has shown himself so good aRedeemertowardsus,wemaynotdoubtthathewillcontinuehisgoodnessfromdayto day to the final completion of the thing he has begun, and strengthen us in allassaultstillhehasdeliveredusfromthecrueltyofSatanandofallhissupporters,yesand clean takenus out of theworld tomakeus partakers of thehappyblessednessuntowhichhecallsus.

Andmayitpleasehimtograntthisgracenotonlytous,butalsotoallpeopleandnations.

TheFifthSermonontheFirstChapter

Youalsotrust inChristuponthehearingofthewordoftruth,that istosay,oftheglad tidings of your salvation, by believing in which you are also sealed with theHoly Spirit of the promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance, unto theredeemingofthepurchasedpossession,tothepraiseofhisglory-Ephesians1:13-14

WehaveseensofarhowSt.PaulhasdeclaredthatthereisnoothergroundofoursalvationthanGod’sfreegoodness,andthatwemustnotlookanywhereelseforthereasonwhyhechooses theonepersonand forsakes theother.For itbecomesus toholdourselvescontentedwithhispurewill,purpose,andunchangeabledecree.Andwhoevergoesanyfurthermustinevitablystumbleintosuchanabyssthroughhisownrashness, thatheshall feel thatsuchascannothonourGod’smajestyandhissecretcounsel with all lowliness and reverence must all (I say) remain in confusion.Thereforewheneverwecometosearchforthecauseofoursalvation, letuslearntoattributeitaltogethertoGod.

ItistruethattobeGod’schildrenandheirswemustbeofthebodyofourLordJesus Christ, which thing is brought about by faith, but yet we cannot believe thegospelexceptGoddrawusbyhisHolySpirit.Nowweseethathedoesnotdealalikewithallmen.Forhecouldverywellenlightenall theworldandbringit topassthatthereshouldbenounbelieversatall,butweseethecontrary.Thereforeletusassureourselvesthathechooseswhomhepleases.Forifamanshouldaskthereasonwhyhedoesit,itwouldbetoliftourselvesupfartoohigh;andthatistheveryreasonwhysomany presumptuous people break their own necks, for they cannot find in theirhearts togrant thatGodgovernsmenaccording tohisownwill, ashehasaperfectrighttodo.Furthermore,St.Paulhasalso,sofar,settheJewsandGentilesonequalfooting,andthatisamatterwhichrequiresstilllongertreatment.ForseeingthatGodhadchosenAbraham’soffspring,itmighthavebeenthoughtthattherehadbeensomenaturalworthinessinthem.Itistrue,ifweconsiderthegracethatGodshowedtotheJews,thattheyaremuchtobepreferredabovealltherestoftheworld.Butifamantake themas theyare in themselves,he shall find thememptyof all righteousness.Forwemustalwayscomebacktothispoint,thatGodisnotboundorobligedtoanymanat all, andhis receptionof the Jewsby free adoption isnot because theyweremore worthy than other men, or in order that they might boast in themselves onaccountofit.ThereforeyouseewhySt.PaulsaysexpresslythattheywhichbelievedinJesusChrist in timespast are comprehendedunderGod’s electionaswell as theothers, and that the others cannot boast themselves to bemoreworthy, or to havedeservedmorethanthey,butthatallmustcometothispoint,thatbothoftheJewsandoftheGentilesGodchosewhomhepleased,sothatnothingshouldbeconsideredinrelationtothisbutonlyhismercy,andsothatallmouthsmightbestoppedandno

manbeabletoallegethathecontributedanythingofhisown.

Now, when St. Paul enters into this comparison between the Jews and theGentiles,hesaysthatifamanhasregardtoGod’sacceptingoftheJewsforhisownheritage,theywereaholylineageandhehadgiventhemhislawandhispromisesbymeansofwhichtheywereinmoreexcellentandhighdegreethanalltherestwhomhehadrejectedandforsaken.ButifwehaveregardtoGod,allman’sboastingmustbeputdown.ButSt.PaulinthatplacespeaksonlyoftheforgivenessofoursinsandofourembracingofGod’sgracebyfaith,whichthingsheshowscannotbeattributedtoanyothercausethansimplyGod’spityingus.AlsowehaveseenbeforeintheEpistleto theGalatianshowSt. Paul said toPeter, ‘we are Jewsbynature’. [Gal. 2:15]Forsince itwasacommonopinionthat theJewswereaholy lineagebecausetheyweredescendedofAbraham’srace,verywell(hesays),bethatasitmay,wehavenootherrefugeorassuranceofsalvationbuttobelieveinJesusChrist,forheknewthatmenareutterlyruinedand lost in themselves,because theybringnothingwith thembutGod’swrathandcurse.Therefore, justas in thosepassages,St.Paulhasshownthatmen deceive themselves if they imagine that they have anymerit or worthiness inthem,sonow, for thebetter confirmationof the samedoctrineand to takeawayalldisputingandtobeatbackallcontradictions,hebringsustothissource,namely,thatGod not only gives faith to whom he pleases, but also has elected and chosen usbeforethecreationoftheworld.Youseethenthatwhatwehavetoobserve,ineffect,isthatallmen,fromthegreatesttotheleast,areindebtedtoGod,andthereisnonesoholyorexcellentthatcanclaimexemptionfromthatgeneralstateofmen.

Now, inthenextplace,St.PaulmagnifiesGod’sgoodness inthat theEphesiansweregatheredtogetherandmadeonewiththosethatwereheldandcountedbeforeasGod’s people and the household of his church. Before the Ephesians believed thegospel,therewasgreatdiversityamongthem,aswillbeshownatgreaterlengthinthesecondchapter.But,inspiteofthefactthatthebelievingJewswhohadalreadybeenconverted to our Lord Jesus Christwere as brethren to the angels of heaven, sincethey were members of the Head that was common to them both, whereas, in themeanwhile, theEphesianswere poorwretches, shut out from all hope of salvation,enemiesofGod,anddevotedtodestruction,Godneverthelesstookawaythatdiversityandset themall inonecompany.God’sgoodness, therefore,wassomuch themoremanifest inthathethusrescuedthemwhowereplungedintothebottomofhell, tojointhemwithhisownchildrenandtomakethemfellowsandheirsofhisheavenlykingdom. That, therefore, is the reasonwhy St. Paul, having spoken of such as hadbelieved in Jesus Christ before, tells us expressly that God has gathered andestablishedhischurch insuchaway that it clearlyappears that thegreatestdependwholly uponhim andhaveno other thing to rest on thanhis puremercy; and thatthosewhowere,sotospeak,castaway,evenhated,havereasontoglorifyhim,seeinghehasdeliveredthemfromtheconfusiontheywerein.

And,furthermore,St.PaulshowsthatwhathehadsaidbeforeisprovedtruetousbytheeffectsofGod’sgrace.For(asIhavesaidbefore)ourelectionisasecretthing,and even incomprehensible.Whenmen have enquired into it asmuch as possible,they must surely quail in all their own thoughts, if they attempt to enter into theeternalcounselofGod.Andthereforeit isnotlawfulforustoseekanyfurtherthantheScriptureguidesusandshowsustheway.YouseethenthatGod’schoosingofusishiddeninhimself,butyethegivesusevidenceofitbythegiftsofgracebestoweduponus,suchasfaith,whichisthegiftoftheHolySpirit.Somuchforonepoint.

Now,although itwereonlysuchagiftaswhenhemakeshissun toshinebothuponthegoodandthebad,oraswhenhecausestheearthtobringforthfruitforallmenwithout exception, it nevertheless ought also to be counted amongGod’s giftsand benefits. But faith is a special gift which is not bestowed upon all men incommon,butisreservedbyGodasatreasuretobegivenjustashepleases.Andwhatisthereasonforit?WeareallofusthechildrenofAdam,andweareallofthesamestock.Whythendoesheenlightensomeandleavetheothersaloneintheirblindness?Thereisnootherreasonbuthiselection.Sothen,althoughwecannotconceiveeitherbyargumentorreasonhowGodhaselectedusbeforethecreationoftheworld,yetweknowitbyhisdeclaringittous;andexperienceitselfvouchesforitsufficientlywhenweareenlightenedinthefaith.WhatisthereasonwhyIreceivethegospelandcleaveto it, and, meanwhile, others remain in their beast-like stupidity, or are evenembittered against the doctrine of salvation? If I imagine that it is due tomy ownskill, I amguiltyof sacrilege.Forwemustalwayscomeback to thatwhichwehaveseen already and say, ‘Who is he that has made you more excellent than others?’[1Cor.4:7]

St. Paul, then, in that saying pulls down allman’s pride, in order that nomanshouldputhimself forwardoraffirmthathehasanythingofhisown.Wemustnotthink (he says) that we have any worthiness of ourselves, but that all comes andproceeds fromGod.Therefore, in this text, St.Paul shows fromexperiencehow theEphesianshadbeenelectedbyGodandthatitbehovedthemtohavetheirwholefaithgroundeduponthat,thatistosay,uponGod’sfreegoodness.Andyouhavetheproofof it (hesays) in thatyouhaveheard thedoctrineof thegospelandbelieved it.Buthowdid that come topass?Heshows that theyhad tobe sealedby theHolySpirit.Now, if they were sealed, it was indeed necessary for the Holy Spirit to workbeforehand. And so it is useless to enter into so deep a labyrinth as God’s eternalcounsel.Forheshowsus,asitwerewithhisfinger,howhehaselectedus,atleastifwearenotungratefultohim,butacknowledgethegoodhehasdoneusandarefullypersuadedandresolvedinourselvesthatthere isnootherreasonfor it thanthathehassethissealuponusfromalleternity;inotherwords,thathehasreservedusforhimselfashisownchildren.Wesee, then,St.Paul’smeaning,and, therefore, letuslearnnottomakelongpreambles,whenitisaquestionsimplyofconfessingthatwehaveallonlythroughthepuremercyofGod.Forthefaiththatwehaveshowsitwell

enough,because (as Ihavesaidbefore) itdoesnotcome fromourownmotherwit,butasagiftfromabove,andsuchaoneasGodcommunicatesnottoallindifferently,butonlytosuchashepleases.

Furthermore,herearemanywordswellworthweighing.For,ontheonehand,St.PaulintendstomagnifythegraceoftheHolySpiritbyshowingthatwecanhavenopartorlotinourLordJesusChrist,orinanyofallthebenefitshehaspurchasedforus,exceptGodputusinpossessionofoursalvationbyhisHolySpirit.That,therefore,isonepoint.Andyet,St.Pauldoesnotfailtoshowaswelltheinestimablebenefitthatwe have by the gospel in that he terms it ‘the word of truth’ and ‘the gospel ofsalvation’. For, first of all, he meant to assure us, in order that we might have aninfalliblewarranttocalluponGodwithoutdoubtingorscrupleofconscience.ForsolongasweareindoubtwhetherGodlovesorhatesus,itisimpossibleforustopraytruly to him, and so by that means you see how our salvation is utterly defeated,accordingtowhatissaidbytheprophetJoel.[Joel2:32]AnditisacommondoctrineintheholyScripturethatwecannotobtainsalvation,exceptbyseekingrefugeinGodbyprayersandsupplications.Butweshouldbeshutoutfromthatifwedidnothavetheassurancespokenof,asweshallseemorefullyinthethirdchapter.

ThereforeitisnecessaryforustobefullyassuredthatGodisourFather,andthatheacceptsusforhischildren.Andhowshallwebesureofthatunlessthedoctrineofthegospelissocertaininallpointsthatitisnotlawfulforustocallitintoquestion?That,therefore,isthereasonwhySt.Paulsaysthatitisthewordoftruth.Nodoubt,there are other truths also, for even when God threatens us, he does not do it inpretence,oryetinvain,forbothhispromisesandhisthreateningshavetheirsureandcertainfulfilment.But,sincethepresentcaseconcernsthecorrectingofallunbeliefinus,towhichwearesomuchinclined,St.Paulhastermedthegospel,thedoctrineoftruth;asifheshouldsay,Myfriends,Godisafaithfulwitnesstoyouofhisownwill,forthegospelisasmuchasifheshowedhishearttoyou.Therefore,restyourselvesuponit.Moreover,hesaysalsothatoursalvationliesenfoldedinthegospel,andthatistomakeusloveitandprizeit.ForwouldwebesosenselessorsostarkmadastopourscornuponourownwelfareButyet,hesaysthatallthiscomesfromGod’spuremercy and eternal election, which is remote and unknown to us, but we haveknowledgeofitbythegospelwhichisitsmeansanditsinstrument.ForwhatwouldbethepurposeofourLordJesusChristofferinghimself insacrificetoreconciletheworldtoGodhisFather,unlesswearemadepartakersofitbyfaithNowfaithisnotanopinionconceivedbymaninhisownbrain,butasettledbeliefthatGodcannotlieor deceive us, and that it is not to be feared that our hope shall not finally bewellsatisfied,ifwewaituponhim.Sothen,inshort,St.Paul’sintentionwastoshowthatif we know how to profit by the doctrine of the gospel, we shall no longer bedisquieted and perplexed, but shall be able to call upon God wholeheartedly,acknowledgingourselves soboundandwholly indebted tohim inall things thatwehavenofearthatheownsusforhischildren,thatweareacceptedbyhim,andthathe

hearsusinalltheprayersweoffertohim.Somuchforthefirstpoint.

Therefore,inaccordancewithSt.Paul’sexhortation,letuslearntorestinsuchawayuponthedoctrineofthegospel,thatitmaybeasifGodshowedhimselfvisiblytous,andthattheheavenswereopenedtous.Andletusalwaysbearinmindhowitispronouncedby themouth of ourLord JesusChrist himself that,whenever sins areforgivenmen by the preaching of the gospel, the same is there and then ratified inheaven.[Matt.16:19;Jn.20:23]Thusyouseewhatcertaintyweoughttohave,sothatwe are no more doubtful whether God will hear us or not. But just as the gospelteaches us to believe, so also St. Paul shows us that we ought to prize it as anincomparabletreasure,sinceitisthepowerofGoduntosalvationtoallthatbelieve,ashesaysinthefirstchaptertotheRomans.[Rom.1:16]Seeingthenthatwearelostandundoneofourselves,andthereisnoothermeanstocallusbackagaintoGodbutbythegospel,letusgreatlyvaluethattreasureandseetoitthatweprofitbyit.Andinsodoing,letusfearlesslydespiseboththedevilhimselfandallhistemptationswhichhepractisesagainstus,seeingthatGodhascalledusandgivenussufficientevidenceofhisfatherlyloveandgoodwilltowardsus.

ButletuscometothesecondmatterIreferredto.ForSt.PaulshowsthatbesidesGod’sconsentingtohavethegospelpreachedtous,itbehoveshimalsotoworkbyhisHolySpiritandbyaspecialgrace.And,infact,weshallfindmanythatwillgrantfreelyenoughthatGodwasnotmovedtosendushisgospelbyanyothermotive thanhisownfreegrace;but,atthesametime,theysurmisethatthereasonwhysomereceiveitandsomedonot,isbecausetheirownfreewillsholdsway,andso,bythatmeans,God’sgraceisdiminished.ForGoddoesnotofferushisgrace,asamanmightofferan apple to little children, so that the best runner should come and have it. IfGodshouldthustossitout,itiscertainthatthegreatestpartofoursalvationwouldbetheproductofourownpowerandskill,andthepraiseofitwouldredoundtoourselves.

Now, after St. Paul has shown that God has called and daily calls us to theinheritance of his heavenly kingdom, and that his so doing proceeds from his ownpure, free grace, he further adds that we must be under the influence of his HolySpirit. It is trueheheresetsdownonlyonepartof thegraceof theHolySpirit,butthatisbecausehehassetdowntheotherpartbefore,forhehasnot,inthispassage,forgotten anything that belonged to his argument, but he began with God’s freegoodness with which we are all filled, and showed that faith springs out of thatfountainoffreeelection.Butnow,forthesecondpart,headdsthatGod’senlighteningofusbyhisHolySpiritsothat,whereaswewereblind,hehasimprintedhisgraceinourheartsandbowedandbent them tohisobedience, isnot enough forus,but, inaddition, he must establish us and strengthen our faith by giving us an invincibleperseverancetoholdouttotheend.

Yousee thenwhereSt.Paul isbringingus.Besidesour receivingof faithat the

handoftheHolySpiritandbesideshisenlighteningofusbyhisgrace,ofwhichIhavespoken already, God also secures us in such a way that we do not fall away. Tounderstandthisbetter,wemustfirstcalltomindwhathasalreadybeendealtwithatgreaterlength,thatistosay,thatsolongasGodleavesusaloneinourownstateandplight,weareblindwretcheswanderingindarkness,andnomatterwhatispreachedorsaidtous,weremainunmovedinourbrutishness.Forthecarnalmanshallneverunderstandanything thatpertains toGod,or tohisownsalvation. [1Cor.2 :14]YouseethenhowweareutterlybarredandexcludedfromheavenlylighttillGodpitiesusand gives us the spirit of light and understanding. Somuch for the first point. Andsince that point has been discussed before, it is sufficient to do no more than toremindyouofit.

Nowthereisyetanotherpoint,whichisthatwhenwehaveonceembracedGod’sgracebyfaith,sothatweknowthatourLordJesusChristisheinwhomwefindallthatisrequiredtomakeusperfectlyhappy,itisverynecessaryforustobeestablishedinthistruth.AndwhyLetusnoticehowvolatilemenare.Hethatisbestdisposedtofollow God will soon fall, for we are so frail that the devil will overcome us everyminuteoftime,ifGoddoesnotholdusupwithastronghand.AndforthatreasonitissaidthatGodmanifestshispowerinupholdinguswhenhehaselectedusandgivenustoourLordJesusChrist.Forifhedidnotfightforus,alas,whatwouldbecomeofusWe should be absolutely confounded, and not by reason of one stroke only, buttherewouldbeaninfinitenumberoffalls,asIsaidbefore.Assoonaswewereinthewayof salvation,we shouldatoncebe turnedoutof itbyourown frailty, lightnessand inconstancy, ifwewerenotrestrainedand ifGoddidnotsowork inus thatwemight,byhisHolySpirit,overcomeall theassaultsof thedeviland theworld.ThusGod’sSpiritdoesatwo-foldworkinuswithrespecttofaith.Forheenlightensustomakeusunderstandthingswhichotherwisewouldbehiddenfromus,andtoreceiveGod’spromiseswithallobedience.Thatisthefirstpartofhiswork.ThesecondisthatthesameSpirit ispleasedtoabide inusandtogiveusperseverance, thatwedonotdrawbackinthemidstofourway.That,then,iswhatSt.Paulishandlingnow.

It isas ifheshouldsay,My friends,youhaveknownGod’sgraceandyouhavehadexperienceof it,andhehasdrawnyou toobeyhisgospel.Foryouwouldneverhavecometoit,ifhehadnotshownhimselfmercifultoyou.Butbesureofthisalso,thatheincreaseshisgraceinthathegivesyoupowertopersevereinit.Forhadyoucontinuedonlythreedays,orthreeyears,orevenmore,Godmustneedshavehelpedyou in that, or else youwould alwayshave been tossed about like poorwretches atyourwits’end,withoutanycertaintyatall,unlessGodhadpromisedtotakecareofyouandtoguideyoucontinuallytillyouhavecometotheendofyourwayandhavefinishedyourcourse.That, therefore, is the reasonwhyhe sayshere that theyweresealedbytheHolySpirit.NowweshouldcarefullynotethefigureofspeechSt.Pauluses.Forweknowthatdeedsareendorsedbyseals,andthathasappliedatalltimes.It is true thatmendidnotwrite thingsdownin thesamewayas theydonowadays.

Nevertheless,insteadofsigningthemwiththeirownhands,theydeliveredtheirsealor ring. And that was the way they published wills, and other documents, and allcovenants.

InthisrespectSt.Paulsaysthatwemustbesealedinourhearts.Itistruethat,tospeakproperly,heshouldhavesaidthatthegospelwassealed.However,tomakeusunderstand that the faultcomesandsprings fromourselvesand that thegospel isadoctrineofsufficientauthorityinitself,hemeanttoshowusthatGod’ssealingofhistruth isbecauseofourhard-heartednessand inconstancy, sinceweare shakenwitheverywindlikewaveringreedsuntilsuchtimeashehasstrengthenedus.But,bethatas itmay, let us observe that theHoly Spirit is, as it were, the seal with which heratifieshistruthtous.

NowIhavetoldyoualreadyhowgreatlywestandinneedofthis.For,althoughwegrantthatGod’sWorddeservestobeacceptedwithoutcontradictionorreply,yetwe do not cease to doubt it. And we discover that well enough by conviction. Forwheneveranytroubleorannoyancecomes,weareaspeopledistracted,whereas,ifwewerethoroughlypersuadedofGod’sgoodnessinsuchwaysasheassuresusofit,itiscertain thatwe should not be in any such fear. All the trials, then,which shake usshow clearly enough that we do not profit as we ought to do by the gospel. And,therefore,GodonhispartispleasedtoempoweritbyhisHolySpirit,andtoprintitsocertainlyinourheartsthatwemaybesteadfastandthatthesamesteadfastnessmaynotbebeatendownbyallthatthedevilcaneverdoordevisetooverthrowourfaith.

But we shall understand this thing even better by making such a continualexaminationofourownweaknessasIhavespokenofbefore.Forwecantakeupallthereasonsofthisworldandyetweshallneverbeassuredasfullyandperfectlyasweought to be that God will be merciful to us and defend us in the midst of all thedangersofthisworld.Forwearehere,asitwere,inasea.Thewindsandstormsassailuseveryminute,andwearealwaysindangerofbeingswallowedup.HowthenmaywedefySatan,being likepoorsheepnotfurnishedwitheitherarmourorweaponorany othermeans of help?How canwe rejoice both in life and death, knowing thatSatanmightdoanythingagainstus,ifwearenotwellsealedinanauthenticmanner?So then, besides beingwarned, in this text, to rid ourselves of all presumption andpride,so thatGodalonemaybepraisedandmagnified,wemayalsogather fromSt.Paul’swords thatwehaveweaponswithwhich tomeet the foe and strivewell, andthatalthoughourenemyismightyandsturdy,yethewillneverovercomeus,solongaswetakeadvantageofwhatissaidhere,namely,thatGod’sSpiritsealsthetruthandthecertaintyofthepromisesofthegospelinus.

NowSt.Pauladdsyetonefigureofspeechmore,sayingthatGod’sSpiritislikeadeposit.And letusnot think it strange thatSt.Paulhas so confirmed thisdoctrine,sincethedevilhasneverceasedfromthebeginningoftheworldtokeepmenpuffed

up with some foolish opinion of their own wisdom and strength. The reason forAdam’s fallwas thathewantedtorisehigher thanwas lawful forhim,andbewiserthanGod,whichGodgavehimnopermissiontodo.Thecasestandsthesamewithus,andthedevilstillpursueshisattack.Seehowheoverthrewmankindwithguile,andhiswhole endeavour even yet is tomakeus believe thatwe are able to do this andthat.St.Paul,therefore,hadtoridmenofthatfalseandcursedopinionoftheirownfree-willandself-righteousness,andtoshowthemthattheyareindebtedtotheHolySpiritforallthings.Somuchforthat.

Secondly, we are so stupid and earthly that the doctrine had to be made easy[mâcher(Fr.) (Tochew, tomasticate)] tous,andwecannotconceivemoreofGod’sgracious gifts, which are invisible, than we see with our eyes and touch with ourhands. Itwas thereforenecessary forSt.Paul toshowby figuresof speech that it isGod’sHoly Spiritwho puts us in possession of the gospel and of all the benefits itcontains,andwhosupportsusinthemtotheend.

Now we know that contracts are confirmed by giving a deposit, which mencommonly call the earnest-money. [Denier á Dieu (Fr.) (Themite for God)] Since,then,inbuyinglands,houses,inheritancesorgoods,althoughamanbarewordoughttobesufficient,menaresowicked that if theyperceiveanyhurt to themselves inamatter,theywillnotbeashamedtogobackontheirword.Thereforethisceremonyofmaking a deposit was added, and it is just as though the payment were fullydischarged, so that the contract cannotbe renderedvoid.St.Paul, then,meansherethatGod’s Spirit serves fully to guarantee our salvation.And forwhat purpose ‘Foryourinheritance,hesays,‘tothedayofyourredemption’.ItistruethatwearealreadyGod’sheirs,beinghischildren.ButwemustnotehowitissaidintheeighthchaptertotheRomans[v.24]thatoursalvationisshutupinhope.Sothen,wecannotseeitorenjoyitnow,accordingtothethirdchapterofColossians[v.3],whereitissaidthatwearelikedeadmendepartedfromthisworld,andthatourlifeishiddenwithGodinJesusChrist.Therefore,althoughweareGod’schildren,yetwedonothave the fullenjoymentofitatpresent.

AllthisagreeswellwithwhatSt.JohnsaysinhisEpistle.‘Weknow’,hesays.Bythisheshowsthatourfaithisnotindoubt,yetheaddsthatitisnotyetseen,butwemustwaitforthedaywhenweshallbelikeGod,andthenweshallhavelighttoseeinfullperfectionthatwhichnowweonlybelieve.[1Jn.3:2]Again,wehaveseenhowSt.Paul said in the Second Epistle to the Corinthians, that as long as we are in thisearthlypilgrimage,weare, so tospeak,absent fromGod. [2Cor.5:6]Andwhy?Wewalk(hesays)inhope,andwedonotseethethingasifitwerepresent,butweseeitby faith. In short, althoughwe are passed fromdeath to life (as is said in the fifthchapterofJohn[v.24]),yetwefightagainstaninfinitenumberofdeaths,becausewearebesiegedbythem.

And St. Paul links both togetherwell in this passage. For, on the one hand, hesayswearenotyetcometoourredemptionandheritage,andyet,atthesametime,heshows that we are sure of it for all that, and that nothing but our own ingratitudepreventsusfromgloryingtothefull inGodandfromsayingwithallourheartsthatwedonotdoubtweshallreachtheheavenly life,sincewehaveapledgeof itbytheHolySpiritandaresounitedtoourLordJesusChristthatallhispossessionsbelongtous,fortheyappertaintousandarecommunicatedtousbyfaith.

Therefore, letus carefullyobservewhat is contained in thesewordsofSt.Paul.HesaysthattheHolySpiritisourpledge.Seeingthisissowemustneedsbesureofour redemption,ofwhichwe shallhave fullpossessionat the lastday.And this thefactsof thematter themselvesshowwellenough.Forwearebutpoorwormsof theearth,surroundedbyrottennessandcorruption.Wearebesetwithasmanymiseriesasitispitifultosee.Theworldcursesus,andmocksusandoursimplicity.Wehavetoendurehungerandthirst.ItoftenseemsthatGodhasforsakenusand,asitwere,cutus off, and that he does not even deign to pity us. We appear to be the mostcontemptiblecreaturesintheworld.Thatishowwestandtoalloutwardappearance.Andthereforeitisimperativeforustohavearemedywithwhichtoassureourselvesinthemidstofsomanyperplexitiesandheartaches.That is thereasonwhySt.PaulpurposelysaysthattheHolySpiritisourpledge.Although,then,theworldgivesitselfliberty to trampleusunder foot, as they say; althoughourLordkeepsus triedwithmanytemptations;althoughhehumblesusinsuchawaythatitmayseemweareassheep appointed to the slaughter, so that we are continually at death’s door, [nousavonstoujoursIamonentrelesdents(Fr.)(deathbetweentheteeth)]yetwearenotdestituteofagoodremedy.AndwhySeeingthattheHolySpiritreignsinourhearts,wehavesomethingforwhichtogivepraiseeveninthemidstofallourtemptations,inaccordancewithwhatissaidintheeighthchapteroftheEpistletotheRomans[v.15],thatbeingonceassuredthatGodtakesusforhischildren,wemaynotonlycalluponhim,butalso,thoughweareafflictedandtormented,yetwedonotceasetobealwaysand infallibly persuaded that he is ourFather to leadus to the glory of heaven; foreventhatalsoisawaybywhichourhopeistried.

Furthermore,wearealsowarnedtowalkinpatience,and,seeingGodhasgivenushisHolySpiritasapledge,wemustnotbesohastyandimpatientaswehavebeenaccustomedtobe.ForifGodhandlesusroughly,immediatelywebegintocomplain,andweareveryloathtosufferanything,forweseehowtenderandsensitivewearebynature. But we must endure patiently, because God will not have us come to hiskingdomwith, so to speak, one leap, but will have us negotiate this world throughthornsandbriars,sothatweshallhavemuchtroubleingettingthroughandweshallbeingreatdistress.Seeingthathewillhaveusledbysuchaway,andyetneverthelessgives us so good a remedy as ought to be sufficient for us—which is that hestrengthensuswithinvincibleconstancybyhisHolySpirit—letusstandreadytofighttillthetimeofvictoryisfullycome.

Itistruethatourfaithgetstheupperhandevennow,butwedonotyetreceivethe full fruit of it, nor do we fully enjoy it. Therefore we must determine withourselvestofightandgroancontinuallyandyet,atthesametime,torejoicealso.Andwhy?TorejoiceinourheartsandyettocrywithSt.Paul,‘Alas,wretchedcreaturethatIam,whoshalldelivermefromthisprisonofmybody?,’arenotincompatiblethings.Thereforeleteachoneofusmournandevenbegrievedatheart,becausewearestillsomuchgiventoourwickedlustsandthenumerousvicesthatareinus.NeverthelessletusnotceasealsotosaythatwethankGod,andtobecontentedwithhisgivingofsuchprovisiontousasoughtwelltosufficeus,andtowaituntilheaccomplishesandperfectswhathehasbegun,seeingwehavehisHolySpiritthusdwellinginuswithapromisethatweshallneverbedestituteofhimrightuptotheend.Thusyouseehowwe are here encouraged to take the bit between our teeth and to walk with suchsteadfastnessthatall themiseriesoftheworldmaynotstopuspursuingourcoursetillwecometoourgoal.

AndthatisthereasonwhySt.Paulspeakspurposelyofredemption.ItistruethatweareredeemedbyourLordJesusChrist,andheisgiventousforourredemption,asissaidinotherpassages,[ICor.1:30;ITim.2:6]butwedonothavetheeffectandfullfruition of it as yet. There is, then, a double redemption— one which wasaccomplishedinthepersonofourLordJesusChrist,andanotherwhichwewait forandwhichshallbeshowntousathiscomingagain.Accordingly,St.Paulsaysintheeighth chapter to theRomans [v.23] that, althoughwegroanandarehelddown inanguish,yetwemustnotbedismayedbyit,northinkitstrange,becauseallcreatures(hesays)keepuscompany,andareevenasawomanthattravailswithchild.ForweseethatalltheworldissubjecttocorruptionthroughthesinofAdam.Seeingthenitisso,letusnotfalterinourgroanings,butletusmoderateouraffectionssothatwearecontentthatourredemptionhasbeenpurchasedforusinthepersonofourLordJesusChrist,andletustrustinhimthathewillaccomplishthesamethinginusandourpersons thathehasaccomplished forus inhisown.ThatwhichSt.Paulmeant,then,isthatGod’sSpiritisourpledgeduringthetimethatwewaittobetakenoutofthistransitorylifeandtobesetfreefromallmiseries,especiallyfromthebondageofsin,whichistheheaviestburdenofall.Untilsuchtime,then,aswearedeliveredfromallthosethings,wemustrestonthis,thatGod’sSpiritdwellsinus.

And with regard to the ‘redemption of purchase’, it may well be taken forpurchased redemption, since it is a very common way of speaking; just as by theexpression‘theSpiritofpromise’ismeanttheSpiritwhosatisfiesallthepromises;or‘the Spirit of the fear of God,’ because it is he that makes us obedient to hisrighteousness. In the sameway, when he speaks of the redemption of purchase, itmaywellbesaidthatitistheredemptionwhichwaspurchasedforus,toshowthatifwefeeltheeffectofit inourselves,sothatwearenotinanydoubtaboutthethingsJesusChristhasdoneforus,wemustnotfearthathehassufferedinvain.Forsurely

hissufferingwouldbetonopurposeatalltowardsus,ifitdidnotreachussothatitmight result in our profit, and that we might enjoy it. That, therefore, is what ispurchasedinthepersonofourLordJesusChrist.

And yet, meanwhile, as far as we are concerned, we should keep ourselves incheckinorderthatweshouldnotthroughourowningratituderefusethebenefitthatGod offers us, that is to say, our rejoicing in afflictions—for we know that oursalvation is sure—or complainagainstGodandblasphemehim,butwalkonquietlyuntil we are delivered from our present bondage, and until we are fully set free bybeinggatheredtogetherinourLordJesusChrist.

Now let us cast ourselves down before the majesty of our good God withacknowledgement of our faults, praying him tomake us feel themmore andmore,evensofarastobringustoutterrevulsionfromtherottennessthatisinus,sothatwe,findingthatthereisnothinginusbutabottomlesspitofallkindsofiniquity,maylearntoresorttohisrighteousness,andtoseekitatthesource,andtoacknowledgethathehasshownhimselfamercifulFathertowardsus,notdoubtingthattherebyhemeantalsotoassureusthathehadadoptedusbeforethebeginningoftheworld,inorder that we should continue to call upon him with true steadfastness and neverceasesotodo.

Andsoletusallsay,AlmightyGod,heavenlyFather.

SermononEphesians1:15-18

ForthiscauseIalso,havingheardofthefaithwhichyehaveinJesusChrist,andofthe love which you have towards all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you,makingmention of you inmyprayers; that theGod of our Lord JesusChrist, theFather of glory, should give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, to haveknowledgeofhim,thatistosay,tohavetheeyesofyourmindenlightened,thatyoumightunderstandwhatisthehopeofhiscallingwhichyeoughttohave,andwhataretherichesofthegloryofhisinheritanceamongthesaints.-Ephesians1:15-18

Wehave seenalreadyhowSt.Paulbrought theEphesiansnotonly to thechiefbutalsototheonlycauseoftheirsalvation,andshowedthattheymustattributethewholeofittoGodwithoutmixingwithitanyfoolishpride,asiffromtheirsidetheythemselves had contributed toGod’s gracewhich they had received, either by theirfreewillorbyanygoodintentioninthem.St.Paulthereforehasshown,ineffect,thatnotonlytheEphesianstowhomhespoke,butalsotheythathadbeenGod’schurchbeforehand,oughtwithoutexceptiontoconfessthatalltheirwelfareproceededfromGod’sfreegoodnessalone,notonlybecausetheywereallredeemedbymeansofourLordJesusChrist,butalsobecausehehadcalledthemtothebeliefofthegospel, inaccordancewithhiselectionofthembeforethecreationoftheworld.

Andnowheendorsesall thisdoctrinebythewitnesshebearsasbeforeGod, inthathemagnifieshisgoodnessevenwhenheisseparated,asitwere,fromman’seyeandfromthesightofallwitnesses.Nowitistruethedoctrineofthegospeloughtnotto be the less esteemedwhen it is preached andpublishedopenly before thewholeworld,butyetitbehoveshimwhotellsittohaveitthoroughlyimprintedonhisheartandtosaythesamethingtohimself,andbeforeGodandhisangels,whichhespeaksbeforemen;forotherwiseitwouldmerelybeajangle,orratheraprofaningofGod’sWord, ifamanshouldstepup into thepulpit to talk likeanangel,but,at thesametime,notbeaffectedinheart,norbepersuadedofthatwhichhespeaks.Itwouldbebetter for a man to be drowned a hundred times than for him to bear the mostexcellenttestimonyeverywheretosalvationandtoGod’struthand,atthesametime,notbesopersuadedinhimselfofthethingthathepreaches,thatGodandhisangelsmightknowthathehasthesamethingimprintedonhisheart.

Therefore, it is not without reason that, after St. Paul has preached God’s freegoodness in electingwhomhepleased, and in calling them to the knowledge of hisgospelwhenhehadelectedthem,andinconfirmingthemwithhisstronghand,andin giving them invincible constancy and steadfastnesswhenhe had called them, henowaddsthatGodknowshiswitnessingtoittobesincereandingoodearnest.Forhebears testimony here concerning the prayers which hemakes alone, when noman

couldknowhisthoughtorwhathesaysandutterswithhismouth,thateventhenheconfesses the same doctrine before God, since he prays him to vouchsafe to finishwhathehasbegun.

Here,therefore,wehavetoobserve,firstofall,thatthosewhointendtheirlabourtobeprofitabletotheedifyingofthechurch,andthosewhohavetruezeal,mustnotonlygive themselves to teaching,butalso,at the same time,prayGod toworkwiththembyhispowerandgrace.Foroftenithappensthatwesimplybeattheair[battrel’eau(Fr.)(beatthewater)](eventhoughwehavethetonguesofangels)becausewedonotprayGod to further thedoctrine thatwepreach.Forofourselveswearebutunprofitableinstruments,andwhenhehasgivenusutterance,hemustalsomakeiteffectual, in accordance with the saying that he who plants is nothing and he whowatersisnothing,butitisGodthatgivestheincrease.[ICor.3:7]Seeingitisso,letsuchashavethechargeofteachingGod’schurchwalkinfearandwithcare,andnotonly endeavour towinmen toGod, but also humbly acknowledge that they can donothingof themselvesandthat theywouldonlybemakinganoise in theair,whichwouldsoondieaway,ifGoddidnotworkwiththembythesecretpowerofhisSpirit.That,therefore,iswhatwehavetocalltomindfromthewordsSt.Paulspeakshere.

But every one of us ought also to apply it generally to his own life. ThereforewhenwecometobetaughtGod’sWord,orwhenanyoneofusreadsitbyhimself,letus not imagine our minds to be so discerning that we are able sufficiently tounderstandwhatever the Scripture tells us, but let us acknowledge our own lack ofunderstandingandprayGodtomakehisdoctrineprevailwithusinsuchawaythatitmaynotslip fromus.But thiswillbeperceived thebetterby theprocedureSt.Paulfollowshere,ifweweighcarefullyallthewordsheuses.

He says that ‘he yields thanks unto God without end or ceasing’ for the faithwhichheheardtobeinthechurchatEphesus,‘andfortheirlovetowardsthesaints’;andyet,evenso,hecontinueshisprayertoGodthathewouldenlightenthemmoreandmoreandbring them to theperfectionwhichall the faithfulought to labour toattain,untilGodhastakenthemoutofthisworld.Nowinthathesaysthathedoesnot cease to give thanks toGod,we see, by his example, how the faithful ought tospend their time.For, in verydeed, the chief sacrificeGod requires andapproves isthatweshouldhonourhimforallhisbenefits,andyieldhimhisdeservedpraiseforthem.Anditisnottobethoughtthatthatcanbedoneinfitsandstarts(asyouwouldsay);butasGod,onhispart,doesnotceasetopourouthisbenefitsendlessly,soitisalsofittingforeveryoneofustostrivetoblessandpraisehimwithoutceasing.ForSt.Paul speaksherewithout pretence, andwhenhe blessedGod for theEphesians, hemeantasmuchforallotherchurches.Howunkinditwouldthenbe,ifamanshouldthinknothing at all of the benefits he has received atGod’s hand!We are all of usboundtopraiseGodforourneighbours.IfwehearitreportedthatGodhasprosperedhis church, or showedmercy to his people three hundred leagues away, and, to be

brief,ifwehearofanythingthatoughttomakeusglad,itisnecessaryforourmouthstobeopentopraiseGodforit.

Now if we are bound to do this for the benefits we do not see but which ourneighbours feel, though they are distant from us in far countries, what is to bethoughtofuswhenGodfillsourmouths(asitissaidinthePsalms[Ps.145:16])andyet,meanwhile,wehavenointentionatallofgivinghimthanksAndwehavetonotefurther, that if we are bound to praise God for ourmeat and drink and for all thethingsthatbelongtothistransitorylife,hebindsustohimbeyondallcomparewhenhecallsustotheheavenlyheritageandwhenheblessesandenrichesuswithspiritualgiftsofgrace,whichserve to leadusmuchfurther thanthisworld.SeeingthenthatGoddisplays such bountifulness towards us,what excuse canwe have ifwe do notfollow the example shownusherebySt.Paul,which is that ourwhole life longwemustoccupyourselvescontinuallyinpraisingthenameofGod.

Now,withall this,heshowsthatfaithandlovearetheverygiftsofGodanddonotcomefromourselves,asmenalwaysimaginethroughadevilishpride.ItoldyoubeforethatSt.PauldidnotplaythehypocriteingivingthankstoGodforthefaithandlove of the Ephesians. If everyman was able to believe and have faith of his ownaccord,orcouldgetitbysomepowerofhisown,thepraiseforitoughtnottobegiventoGod. For itwould be butmockery to acknowledge ourselves indebted to him forwhatwehaveobtained,notfromhim,butfromelsewhere.ButhereSt.PaulblessesGod’snameforenlighteningtheEphesiansinthefaithandforframingtheirheartstomakethemloving.Itistobeconcluded,therefore,thateverythingcomesfromGod.

The heathen, bringing in their own freewill, thought themselves under noobligationatalltoGod,exceptfortheirgoodluck,astheycalledit;fortheyimaginedtheyhad all things by their ownpower and skill. The papists alsowill readily grantthatGod’sgracemustnecessarilyhelpusinpart,but,forallthat,theywillstillhavemanexaltedandtoattaintofaithbyhisowndoings.HereSt.Paulexcludesallthesedevilish opinions and shows (as we have seen before) that whenever there is anychurch in the world, or any people to call upon himwho are settled and groundedupon the beliefs of the gospel, God deserves to have all the glory for it. And whyBecausehishandmusthavebeenatworkinthatcase,becausemenwouldneverbedisposedtoanygoodnessiftheywerenotguidedanddirectedtoit,andevenforciblydrawntoitbytheHolySpirit.Forthereissomuchrebellioninusthatwearenotonlyweakandfeeble,asthepapistsimagine,butalsoutterlycontrarytoGoduntilhehascleansed us. And this is what he means, in saying by his prophet Ezekiel that thehearts which were formerly of stone shall be changed into hearts of flesh, whichmeansthathewillsoftenthemandcausethemtobowinsubmissiontohim.

Furthermore,underthesetwowords, faithandlove,St.Paulhascomprehendedthewhole perfection of Christians. For themark atwhich the first table of the law

aims is that we should worship one God only and cling to him for all things,acknowledgingourselvestobesoindebtedtohim,thatweoughttofleetohimaloneforallrefugeandendeavourtospendourwholelifeinhisservice.Thatisthesumofthe first table of the law. The contents of the second are nothing else but that weshould live together in equity and uprightness, and deal in such a way with ourneighboursthatwestrivetohelpallmenwithouthurtinganyman.AndwearesurethatGodhassetforthsogoodandperfectaruleofgoodlife inhis lawthatnothingcanbeaddedtoit.

Seeing this is so, it is not without reason that, in this place, St. Paul here setsdownfaith inJesusChristandloveasasummaryof thewholeof theChristian life,showingtowhatweoughttobeconformedandwhatisourstandard.But,atthesametime, we must also note that under this word ‘faith’, he comprehends the wholeserviceofGod.For it is impossiblethat,oncebeingacquaintedwithhisgoodnessashehasshownittousinthepersonofhisonlySon,weshouldnotbetotallyravishedinlovetoourheavenlyFather.Behold,Goddrawsusoutofthepitofconfusionanddeathandopenstousthegateoftheheavenlykingdom,andtellsusthathewilltakeus forhischildren.Howcanwehearandbelieve thiswithoutbeingwhollygiven tohim,forsakingtheworld,andhatingtheevilthatisinourselves,becauseitseparatesusfromhim.Youseethenhowtheword‘faith’meansayieldingofourselveswhollytoGod.

Again,faithisnotanidlething.ItimpliesthatweshouldresorttoGod,andthatwheneverwe are stainedwith any spot,we shouldprayhim to remedy it, for everyneedweencounter ismeant tobeas theprickingwithaspurgiven tousbyGod tomake us come to him. Faith, therefore, involves prayer and supplication. Indeed, itimpliesthatwecannotbuthallowthenameofGodbyrestingourselvesuponhimandbyyieldinghimall theglorythatbelongstohim,whenweknowthathegivesusallthings of his liberality, looking for nothing from our hands except the sacrifice ofthanksgiving.Thusyouseehowfaithinvolvesallthatiscontainedinthefirsttableofthelaw.

Itistruethatthepartisputforthewhole.Itmustberemembered,however,thatthe thingsofwhichwehave spokencannotbeputasunder.Now thenwemust liveuprightlyandjustlywithourneighbours,asitissaidinthefifteenthPsalm[vv.2,3],that we are indebted to God for all things, and that we cannot yield him anyrecompence in exchange. Indeed when we have striven to the utmost to give himanything,allwecandoisneitherherenorthere[nichaudnifroid(Fr.)(neitherhotnorcold)]tohim.Whatdoesherequirethen?Thatweshouldbegiventodoinggoodtohispoorfaithfulpeople,accordingasSt.Paulalsomentionsthesaintsexpresslyinthistext.

Itistruethatweoughttopractiselovetowardsallmenwithoutexception,forwe

cannotbethechildrenofGod,whomakeshissunshineonbothgoodandbad,unlessweloveourenemiesandstrivetorelieveandhelpthem.That,therefore,isthemarkatwhichwemustaim.Nevertheless,thisdoesnotpreventuslovingallGod’schildrenwith a brotherly love, because they are linked to uswith a closer bond. That is thereasonwhyitissaidinthepassageIreferredtofromthesixteenthpsalm,aswellasinthispresentoneofSt.Paulhimself,thatweoughttohavelovetoallthefaithful.Inanotherplacehediscusseswellthedifficultythatmaybeseenhere.Forhecommandsus tohave love toallmen ingeneralandchiefly to suchasareof thehouseholdoffaith[Gal.6:10].God,then,willhaveusbecomelikehimselfandfollowhisexampleindoinggoodtoallmen,eventosuchasarenotworthyofit,tosuchanextentthatweshouldprocuretotheutmostofourpowerthewelfareofthosewhoseeknothingelsebuttoputoutoureyes.

Moreover, sinceGodhasstampedhis imageonall the faithfulandcommendedthem to us, hewill have us bear a certain special brotherly love towards them. ForGod’s gifts are to be esteemed wherever they are seen, according to the fifteenthPsalm,[v.4]whereitissaidthatwemustlovesuchasfearGodandabhorsuchasarewicked.Then,ifweseetheevidencesGodhasputintohisfaithfulpeople,bywhichhecomesnearthem,isitnotfittingthatwealso,onourpart,shouldbestirreduptolovethem?Inshort,wesee thatSt.Paulhascomprehendedhere thewholeruleofgoodandholyliving,thatistosay,thatfirstofallwemusthandourselvesovercompletelytoourGodtoclingsteadfastlytohim;and,secondly,livehonestlyanduprightlywithourneighbours,abstainingfromallevildeedsandendeavouringtodogoodtoallmen,according to our strength and ability. And how may that come to pass? Even byknowingourheavenlyFatherandbyacknowledgingtheinfinitegoodhehasdone,andofwhichhevouchsafestomakeusdailypartakers,forthewholeofourlifedependsuponhimandhealoneis theonetowhomwelookforeverlastingsalvation,callinguponhimandyieldinghimthanksallourlives.Somuch,then,forthefirstpoint.

Moreover,with regard to the second point, it is not possible for us to love ourneighbours, unless we also live soberly without showing any bad example, and paysuchattentiontoourbehaviourthatnoonemayhavecauseforcomplaint.Forwhatloveisthereinawhoremongerthatendeavourstodishonouranotherman’swife,orinathiefthatseekstostealanotherman’sgoods?Again,seeingthatourlifeoughttobe guided with all honesty, whenever any man breaks out into drunkenness,blasphemy,orsimilarthings,insodoingtherecannotbutbesometroublingofpoorpeople, some robbing themof their goods,or somewild running intoallmannerofextortionsandexcesses.Sothen,ifwehavelovetowardsourneighbours,weshallliveasoundanduprightlifewiththemandweshallruleitinsuchawaythatweshallnotbusyourselvesaboutvainfancies,asweseethepapistsdo;fortheytakegreatpainsintheir ceremonies, and they call it servingGod to babble away, and to gad here andthereonpilgrimage,andtodothisandthat,and,inthemeanwhile,theyswoonawayin their own imaginations, and all for lack of knowing to what God calls them.

Therefore,inorderthatwemaynotlabourinvain,letusobservewhatGodapprovesandletusholdourselvestothat.Forwecannotgoastrayifweabidecontinuallyintheway, as he shows it to us by his Word, especially since he shows us in so brief acompass what is required for the leading of such a life as becomes us. For if thevolumeswere long and endless,wewould excuse ourselves on the grounds thatwewere no great scholars and that we could not remember somany things. But now,seeingourLorduttershiswholedemandsintwoorthreewords,wemustgrantthatifwe do not remember so short and concise and easy a lesson,we are too crafty andperverse,andwilfullystopourearslestwehearwhathesaystous.

Finally, it is to be noted on thisword ‘faith’, that St. Paul, notwithout reason,says,‘faithinJesusChrist’;forthatiswherewemustlook.Thefathersofoldalwayshad the imageofGodbefore theireyes, for theymustonlyoffersacrificebeforehismercy-seat. Theywere not given any reason to hope thatGodwould hear them, orwouldbemerciful to theminanyotherway.Thentheyhadthevisible imageof theark of the covenant, but now we have Jesus Christ, the image of God, who is inhimselfinvisible;[Col.1:15;Heb.1:3]fornotwithoutreasonSt.PaulsaysthatGodisincomprehensibleuntilhemanifestshimselfinthepersonofhisSon.

Therefore,sincewehaveJesusChrist,whoistheexpressimageofGod,wemustindeedlooktohim.AndnowyouseealsowhyitissaidthatheistheexpresssignofthepowerofGodhisFather.Foralthoughthepersonsaredistinct,yetherepresentstouswhatbelongsand is requisite tooursalvation, so that, inknowing theSonweknowtheFatheralso,asSt.Johnsays.[Jn.5:23]AndhethatdoesnothavetheSonrenouncestheFather,howevermuchheproteststhathecomestohim.Sothen,sinceitissaidherethatwemustbelieveinJesusChrist,letustakenoticeofthewarninghegivestohisdisciples.‘DoyoubelieveinGod?’hesays,‘believealsoinme.’[Jn.14:1]There he shows that the ancient fatherswho livedunder the law, only had obscureteachinguntilthetimehewasmanifestedtotheworld.ItistruethattheyworshippedthelivingGod,andalsothattheyhadnoaccesstohimbutbymeansofthemediator.However,thatwasonlyundershadowsandtypes.Nordidtheyhaveanysuchlightaswehavenowadaysunderthegospel.AndforthatreasonalsoItoldyouthatChristiscalledtheimageofGod,whoisofhisownnatureinvisible,sothatwecouldnotknowhimunlesshedisclosedhimselfbysuchmeans.

Inshort,letusnotethatwedonothingelsebutwanderaboutuntilwehaveourfaithestablishedinJesusChrist.Andthiswillbethebetterperceivedbytheerrorsinwhichtheworldhasbeensteepedtothisday.Forthepapistswillprotestenoughthattheybelieve inGod;Turks andJewsdoasmuch. It is true that thepapists and theJewsseemtocomenearestthetruth,fortheJewsprotestthattheyworshipthelivingGod,even thesameGod thatgave themhis lawbyMoses.Butwhatof that?At thesametimetheyrejectJesusChrist,whoistheendandsubstanceofthelaw.Asforthepapists,althoughtheyprofessChristianityandavowJesusChristtobetheirSaviour,

yetitisobviousthattheymakewaragainsthim,sincetheyhaveestablishedawayofserving God to suit themselves, so that there is nothing but disorder in all theirdoings.AsfortheTurks,theycansaywellenough,‘AlmightyGod,Creatorofheavenandearth’,butshallwethinkthatGodwillrenouncehimselforretractthatwhichhehassaid,whichis,thatnomancancometohimbutbyhiswell-belovedSon,whomhehas constitutedmediator between himself andmen?Again,we see how the papistswill saywell enough that they believe inGod, but, at the same time, they insist onhavingpatron saints and advocates to bring them intohis presence.Again, it is notenoughforthemthattheyhavebeenboughtwiththebloodofourLordJesusChrist;it isnecessaryforustointroduceourownmerits,andredeemourselvesbyourownsatisfactions; and when we have offended God we must resort to such and suchmeans. If, then, aman cares to examine the papists’ belief, hewill surely find thattheybelievetheirowndreamsandthatalltheyeverdoisbutabewilderinglabyrinth.For theymix whatever comes into their own heads with Jesus Christ, whereas weknowthatheoughttoremainentirelybyhimself.

WeseethenhowSt.Paulleadsustothetruetestofourfaith,whichisbyrestinguponJesusChrist,sothatwefeelourselvesutterlyvoidofallgoodness,andthatwemustdrawfromhisfulnesstobefilledwithallgoodthings,orelsewoewillbetous.Forifwehadalltheangelsofparadiseonourside(ifitwerepossible),yetitiscertainthat therewouldbenothingbut confusion, ifwedidnothold theHead, as St.PaulsaysinthefirstandsecondchaptersoftheEpistletotheColossians.[1:18;2:10]Andsoyouseewhatwehavetogatherfromthissentence.

Now,afterSt.PaulhassaidthathethanksGodforthethingsthathesawalreadyin the church of Ephesus, he adds that ‘he prays to him also’. This is to show thatwhenweseeGodbestowhisexcellentgiftsuponhischildren,weneedtobeseechhimto continue and further them, and that for two reasons. For he that stands mayhappentofall;and,again,Godmustincreasehisgracemoreandmore.Foreventheythatarethemostperfectshallhavereasontobeashamed,iftheylookthoroughlyintotheirownpoverty.Yousee,then,thatthattowhichSt.PaulbringsusisthatwhenwepraiseGodforthegiftshehasbestoweduponhiselect,hischildren,weoughttolinkprayerwithour thanksgiving.AndwhyFor itbecomeshim toperfect thatwhichhehasbegun,andwemustalwaystakethisground—Lord,thouwiltnotleavetheworkofthineownhandshalfdone.[Ps.138:8]

And thevery thingweought todo forothers isalsonecessary forourselves. Inshort,wearehereexhortedtomagnifyGodinsuchawayforhisgoodnessandgiftswhichwealreadyhave,thatwemustperceivethatthereisstillmuchthatislackinginus,andthatitisnecessaryforusthatheshouldgiveusperseverancetotheend,and,moreover, that he should correct the rest of our faults and increase his grace in usuntilwearecometofullperfection,whichwillonlybewhenweareridofthismortalbody.

Yet, despite this, we see how Satan nowadays possesses such as surmise aninfernalperfection,andmakebutthefirstthreepetitionstotheirFather,sayingthatitisenoughtoprayGodthathisnamebehallowed,thathiskingdomcome,andthathiswillbedone—andsotheycutoffalltherestoftheprayerwhichourLordJesusChristhasleftus.AndinthismatterIhavethesignatureoftheirownhands,andthat,theirdisciplesknow.Bythisthosedevilsshowthattheymustbeutterlysenseless,seeingtheyarecarriedsofarawayastorefusetoyieldGodthisglory,thatevennowwearestill charged with the burden of our infirmities, held downwithmany corruptions,surroundedwithanabundanceofvices,sothatGodmustcleanseusfromthemmoreandmore,evenfromdaytoday,untilhehasbroughtustotheperfectiontowhichhecallsus.

Anditisallthemorenecessaryforuscarefullytonotethisdoctrinebecausethepapists are not as full with the errors of their superstitions and idolatries as thesewretches are, who nowadays disseminate their poisons in their synagogues andhiding-places.But, be that as itmay, let usnotewellwhat is shownushere by theHolySpirit,whenSt.Paulsays thathepraysGod.Andwhy?IhavetoldyoualreadythattheEphesianshadprosperedandthatthegiftsofGodandofhisHolySpiritwereincreased in them.Hehasshownthat.Now, toconclude thematter,hesays furtherthathepraysGodtogivethemthatwhichtheydonothave,andwhichtheystillneed.Sincethisisso,letusobservethatthemorewehaveprospered,themorereasonwehavetohumbleourselvesand,withallmeekness,tobeseechGodtofinishthatwhichhe has begun and to increase his gifts in us untilwe have nomore need to go anyfurther,whichshallbeatthatmeetingofwhichweshallspeakverymuchmoreinthefourthchapter.

ButnowwemustnotewellthewordsSt.Pauluses.Forhesays,theGodofourLord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, or the glorious Father (for the expression‘Father of glory’ stands in theHebrew language for ‘glorious Father’) ‘give you thespiritual revelation tohaveknowledgeofhim’.NowwhenSt.Paul sendsushere toJesusChrist, saying that theGoduponwhomhe calls is the sameashewho is theGodofourLordJesusChrist,andevenhisFathertoo,itistoshowtheconfidencehehadofbeingheard,andthattheEphesiansshouldbeencouragedtofollowthesamemethodand ruleofpraying, and thatwhen theyhaveanyoccasion to come toGod,theyshouldtakethesamecoursethathedidandkeeptothestraightpathofcomingtoourLordJesusChrist.

ButnowifamandemandhowGodisaboveourLordJesusChrist,thequestioniseasilyresolvedifwehaveaneyetothepersonofthemediatorwhoishumbledinourplaceandconditiontobethemediatorbetweenGodandus.ItistruethatJesusChristisonewithhisFather,[Jn.10:30]andwhenwespeakofthelivingGod,itisnecessaryforustoacknowledgethatthewholefulnessoftheGodheaddwellsinhim.[Col.2:9]Therefore,wemustnotsetourLordJesusChristapart,asthoughhewereanewGod

andsomethingotherthanhewhowasrevealedtothefathersfromthebeginning(assomedevils saynowadays,whohave stirredup that stinkingevil andabomination),butitistheverysameGod,theonlyGod,whohasshownhimselftousinthepersonof the Father—so thatwe seek him in JesusChrist. For in JesusChristwe have toconsider theofficeofmiddleman,[moyenneur(Fr.)] in thathesohumbledhimself.Notthatherelinquishedonewhitofhismajesty,northathewasinanywaycutshortordiminishedofhiseternalglory.Therewasnothingofthat.Butforoursakehewashumbled, [amoíndri (Fr.)] yes, and utterly emptied.[anéanti du tout (Fr.)] And wemustnotbeashamedtosaythatJesusChristwashumbled,[amoíndri(Fr.)]seeingitissaid thathewasemptied, [anéantidu tout (Fr.)] for that is theverywordthatSt.PaulusestothePhilippians.[Phil.2:7]Therefore,whenwespeakofJesusChristasjoined with us in order to bring us to his Father, so is he under God his Father,namely, with respect to the fact that he has taken our nature upon him andmadehimselfourfellow.

Andthatalsoisthereasonwhyhesaidtohisdisciples(asSt.Johnreportsinhistwentiethchapter [v. 17]), ‘Goye tomybrethrenand tell them, Igo tomyGodandyourGod,tomyFatherandyourFather.’HowamazingthatJesusChristshouldjoinhimselfinsuchawaywithhisfaithfulpeople,thathesaidhewillhavetheverysameGodasthey.Yesindeed,butafterwhatmanner?ForishenotGodhimself?Yes;but,since he is clothed with our flesh, and since he condescended to bemade flesh inorderthatwemightbemembersofhisbody,thatisthereasonwhyhehasoneGodwithus.Andthat isalsothereasonwhytheapostleappliesthistextofIsaiahtohisperson, ‘Lo,hereamIwith theservantswhich thouhastgivenme’; [Isa.8:18;Heb.2:13]sothatJesusChristappearsthereasacaptainthatpresentshimselfbeforehiskingandprince,saying,‘Lo,hereIamwiththecompanyofchildrenwhichthouhastgivenme.’Bethatas itmay,weseethatJesusChristdrawsustoGodhisFather inorderthatweshouldgotohimwithcompletetrustandthatheshouldreceiveus.For,otherwise,who is he thatwould dare to promise himself that his requestwould beheardWhatgracecouldweobtain if thegatewerenotopenedtousbyJesusChristand ifhedidnotprove tobewhathehas claimed,namely, thathe is theway? [Jn.14:6]

However, so thatwemightknow thebetterwhatneedwehave tobeguidedbyourLordJesusChrist,St.PaulsetsbeforeusheretheinfinitegloryofGod.Howdarewe, then,be soboldas topresentourselvesbeforeGodunlesswehaveanadvocatewhoobtainsawayofaccessforusthere?For if thesundazzlesmen’seyes,andtheheatofitburnsus,thoughweareveryfarofffromit,whatwillbecomeofuswhenweapproachGodForwhathasthesun,buta littlepowerwhichhehasbreathedintoitAnd must we not certainly be, as it were, consumed when we come to theincomprehensiblemajestythatisinGodButyet,ifwehaveJesusChrist,wehavetounderstandthatGodisnotonlytheFatherofglory,butalsotheFatherofmercy,andthat he looks with pity upon such as aremostmiserable and held in reproach and

disdainbytheworld.ThisiswhatweoughttorestoninprayingtoGod.

St.PaulpraysGodexpresslyheretogivetheEphesiansthespiritofwisdomandrevelation.ItiscertainthatGodhadalreadyrevealedtothemthetruthofhisgospel,aswehaveseen.And,indeed,wecouldnothaveonesinglesparkoffaith,oroflight,unless God had worked in us already, according to what is said to Peter in thesixteenth chapter of St. Matthew, [v. 17] ‘Flesh and blood hath not revealed thesethingsuntothee,butmyFatherwhichisinheaven.’Andyetforallthis,PetershowedafterwardsthatheknewnothingofChrist’sspiritualkingdom.Although,then,hewasjustlikeapooridiotathisA.B.C.,yetitistestifiedofhimthatthesmalltasteofthegospelthathehadwasagiftfromheaven.BythisweseehowGodhastoincreasehisgiftmoreandmoreinus,andinthatrespectourlifeiscalleda‘way’,becausewemustalwaysgoforwardsuntilourcourseisended.AndwhoeverimaginesanyperfectioninthisworldispossessedbySatan,andutterlyrenouncesGod’sgrace.Nevertheless,letus not imagine thatGod changes his purpose (for he is not variable), or allows hisgrace tobechoppedup intobitsandpiecesatmen’spleasure,buthehasappointedthisorder,thatweshouldgrowfromdaytoday,andyetatthesametime,learninallsoberness to acknowledge our shortcomings, and groan for them, and to afflictourselvesforthem,andtoholdourselvesincheck.

You see then that these two things agree verywell, namely, that theEphesianshadalreadyreceivedthespiritofrevelation,andyetthattheyneededtohaveitgiventhembyGod.ForalthoughthereisbutoneSpirit,yetarethegiftsmanifold,andtheyaredistributedtoeveryoneofusinhismeasure,andasitpleaseshimtogivethem.ThereisnonebutJesusChristwhohasfullyreceivedthem.Healoneisthefountainthatcanneverbedraineddry.HeitisuponwhomGod’sSpirithasrestedinorderthatweshouldallbemadepartakersofhim.Andforourownpart,letusacknowledgethatthewisestofushaveneedalwaystobescholars,andstill to learneventoourdyingday.Nowletusnotethatthisword‘revelation’condemnstheblindnesswhichbelongstousall.Forwehaveoureyesopentodistinguishbetweenwhiteandblack;weseethesunandthemoon;weseethethingsofthisworldandareabletoformjudgmentsaboutthem;weneednonewrevelationforthatsortofthing,forwehaveitbynature.It is true that our eyes are instruments of God’s power and goodness by which hemakes us enjoy the light, but that is something common to all. But here St. Paulshowsus thatweareblindandthatweunderstandnothingofGod’sspiritualgrace,unlessheopensoureyesandtakesawaytheveilthatisbeforethem,andevengivesus anew sightwhichwedonothave.Forour eyes areworse thanput outuntil heenlightensthembyhisHolySpirit.Thus,youseewhatwehavetobearinmind.

Andthisiswhathecontinuestodealwith,namely(hesays)‘tohavetheeyesofyour understanding enlightened.’ But a man might reply, If we have the spirit ofrevelationalready,whydoweneedit?There,—youspeakasifyouseeeverything.Itistruethatyouseeinpart,butyoureyesarestillverymuchdimmed.Andthismaybe

saidofallmengenerally,accordingas it is said that in thisworldwesee thingsbutdimlyand,as itwere, throughamirror, [ICor.13:12]untilwearecapableofseeingGod inhisheavenlyglory, atwhich timewe shallbemade likehim.Again,St.Paulwritesthus,inorderthatmenshouldnotsay,MustGodrevealthingsinsuchawaytous,asifwewereinsuchaconditionthatwecouldseenothingatall?Andisamannobetterthanabrutebeastwithoutdiscretionorjudgment?Inanswertothis,itistruethat we have some understanding, but we are blind for all that, because we arecorruptedbysin.God,therefore,hastogiveusneweyes,asIsaidbefore.

Andtheapostleaddstheword‘wisdom’,thebettertobeatdownthefoolishpridethatmenconceiveinthemselves,whentheytrytoflywithoutwingstocometoGod.Forthereisnotamanwhowouldnotbewise.IfwedesiredtruewisdombyseekingitfromGod’shand,itwouldbeagoodandwell-ordereddesire.Buttherearetwofaultsinus,forwewanttobewiseafterourownconceit.AmInotwiseenoughtogovernmyself?afoolwillsay.And,atthesametime,wedespiseGod’sWord,andeveryoneofuswantstohavethereinsonhisneckandtobeallowedtodowhathethinksbest.Butthatistoogreatanexcess.TheotherfaultisthatinreadingtheholyScripture,westillimaginethatwecancometotheknowledgeofthethingscontainedtherebyourownjudgment.ButherebothfaultsareexcludedbySt.Paul.ForwhenheasksGodtogivehisfaithfulpeoplethespiritofwisdom,heshowsthattheyhavenodiscernment,nomorethanbrutebeasts,exceptbytheguidanceofourLordJesusChrist,tocometothekingdomofheaven.Foreven incivilmattersandworldlyaffairs,Godonlygivesdiscernmenttosuchmenashepleases.

Now, if God keeps his special goodness always to himself, to give prudence towhomhewillsfortheconductoftheinferiormattersofthisworld,thenitishethatcausesunbelieverstobewise;andwhenitisamatteroftheheavenlylife,thereisnonaturaldisposition towisdom inus.Andso,St.Paulpresupposes thatwhich Ihavesaid already, namely, that wemust taught by God to know him by the doctrine oftruth,throughthetestimonyofthegospel;for,withoutthat,weshouldbelikethosefanaticswhofallintoerrorunderthepretenceofhavingtherevelationofGod’sHolySpirit.However,thatisnotthewayinwhichSt.Paultakestheword‘revelation’,whenhepraysGodtogiveittohischildren.Asforexample,whenJesusChristspeaksofhisSpirit, he does not separate it from the doctrine he had preached. ‘When the Spiritcomes(hesays)heshalltellyoualltruth.’[Jn.14:26;15:26]Andhowisthat?Hadnottheapostlesreceiveditalready?Yes,butheadds,Heshallshowyouthatwhichyounowhear frommymouth. To be brief, it is the peculiar office of theHoly Spirit toteachusinsuchawaythatthewordwehearmaytherebyhaveitspositionandtruevaluation,andthatwemayprofitfromit.

And next, St. Paul also shows what all our light and knowledge consists in,namely,inknowingGodinthepersonofhisonlySon.That(Isay)isthatwithwhichwemustcontentourselves.Forifwehavepryingmindsandareinquisitiveinthings

above our capacity, let us consider a little howweak and raw our understanding is.Andifourheartsaresogrossandheavy,whatshallwedowhenwewanttoriseaboveheavenandearth?AreweabletoembraceallthatinsosmallameasureNevertheless,weseehowmentakeexcessiveleavetobeinquisitiveaboutthisandthat,andtoposequestions by way of pleading and disputing against God. For this reason, St. Paulshowsusherethatifweintendtobewise,wemustbesober,thatistosay,wemustunderstand thatwisdom is ofGod and of our Lord Jesus Christ, as he himselfwillshowhereafter, so thatwhenwehaveoncecometo thatpoint,wehavesomuchasought to sufficeusperfectly; and ifwepresume to go any further, it is but awilfulruiningofourselves.

St. Paul, then, will show that at great length afterwards, but it ought to besufficient forusthatboth inthispassageandinthewholeof theholyScripture,weoughttolearnconcerningtheGodwhomwemustserve,whatishiswill,howwemayhaveourtrustinhim,whataccesswemayhavetopraytohim,andtofindourrefugeinhimatalltimes.Thatisthethinginwhichwemustbeemployed.Butthatcannotbe done unless all we ever have need of and avails for ourwelfare, is to be had inJesusChristinwhomGodhasmanifestedhimself.ForinitselfthemajestyofGodistoohigha thing,andweshouldbe lostahundred timesbeforewecouldcomenearhim,ifitwerenotthatheiscomedowntous.ButifweoncehaveJesusChrist,therewe have a living image of him, in which wemay see whatever is requisite for oursalvation.For thereweunderstand thatGod isourFather,and thatwearecleansedfrom all our sins to be transformed into the glory of God. There we see how Godacceptsusforrighteous,andhowwearereconciledtoGod.Thereweperceivehowhehas ransomed us and that we shall never be left destitute of the grace of his HolySpirit,untilhehasbroughtustotheenjoymentofourinheritance.Thus,weknowallthese things in our Lord Jesus Christ. And that is the reason why St. Paul says inanotherplace,thathedesirednottoknowanyotherthingthanJesusChrist,[ICor.2:2]andthatit isheonlyofwhomheintendedtoboast.Aswehaveseenbefore,heforsook all things in order to abide under the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, andalthoughtotheworldthismakesfornothingbutshameandreproach,yetheproteststhathehasgivenupallthatheesteemedbefore,andthatheregardsthemonlyasahindranceand loss,andevenas filthanddung, inorder tocleave toourLordJesusChrist and to show that such as are possessed by the foolish opinion of their owndeservings separate themselves from our Lord Jesus Christ; and that if we will beunitedtohim,wemustgiveupallweimaginewehaveofourownandofferourselvestohimemptyofallgoodness,tobefilledbyhim.AndnowyouseealsowhySt.Paulsaysthathewouldmuchrathercometothehavenofsalvationstarknakedandpoor,thanliveinthemidstoftheseaandtherebeengulfed.Foralthoughheweretakenforanholypersonage,andashalfangel,yethecountedthatasnothing,inorderthathemightbeapartakeroftheremissionofsinsthatwasgivenhiminJesusChrist,andofthegracewhichhehascommunicated toallhismembers.Therefore, letus learn to

magnifyGod’sgraceinsuchawaythatwemayutterlyforgetallthosefantasieswithwhich thedevil deceives theunbelievers, bypuffing themupwith I knownotwhatmannerofpride; and letus comeutterly empty toourLordJesusChrist tobeghisgrace. For we cannot receive one drop of it, except by confessing ourselves to beutterlyunworthyofit.

And now let us fall down before the majesty of our good God withacknowledgement of our faults, praying him to make us perceive them more andmore,and that thesamemaysohumbleus thatwemaybeestablished inhisgraceandlabourtocomenearerandnearertohim,thatbeingsubduedinourselves,wemaybe raised up by him through his pure mercy, and depending altogether upon him,resorttohimastoourFather,andcontinueinsodoinguntilhehastakenusoutoftheprisonof sin and joinedusperfectly tohimself.May it pleasehim to grant thisgrace,notonlytous,buttoallpeople.

TheSeventhSermonontheFirstChapter

Iprayforyou,thattheGodofourLordJesusChrist,theFatherofglory,giveyouthespiritofwisdomandrevelation, tohave theknowledgeofhim.That is, tohave theeyesofyourunderstandingenlightened,sothatyoumayknowwhatisthehopeyouought tohaveofhiscalling,andwhatare therichesof thegloryofhis inheritanceamongthesaints.-Ephesians1:17-18

Allmenbynaturehavesomeunderstanding.Not that it shows itselfassoonasthey are born, but, in process of time, all have discernment between good and evil.Andbecauseof that, theyarecalled reasonablecreatures.But theunderstandingwehavebynature is not enough to bringus to the kingdomof heaven. Forwe fall farshortwhenmattersconcerningtheheavenlylifecomeinquestion.Weseethateveryman applies hismind to the business and affairs of the world, and everymanwillthinkabouthis own interests.Again, although some couldwish in theirhearts thattheirownconsciencesweredead,neverthelessGodhasengravedthefeeling intheirhearts that our livesmust needs be subject to rule, and even themost wicked andworst-naturedofusallarecompelled tohavesomeprickingsof conscience,andareconstrained,whethertheywillornot,toapprovethegoodandcondemntheevil.Itistruethatwhentheyhavecommittedanyfault,theywillstrivetocoveritupwithvainexcuses. But if a man asks them whether murder, extortion, robbery, whoredom,deceit, and perjury are virtues or not, they will say they are vices worthy to becondemned. Everymanwill say so. For it isGod’swill that there should be such aknowledgeprinted inman’sheart, so that all shouldbe condemnedwithout excuse,andforcedtobetheirownjudges.

But(asIsaidbefore)thisisnotenoughtoleadustoGodandtoopentousthekingdomofheaveninsuchawaythatwemayknowhowtobesaved,orhowtocallupon God. Nowwe are totally blind in that respect, for our insight does not reachbeyond the world. Therefore God has to work in us and give us new eyes tounderstandthethingsnecessaryforoursalvation.AndthatisthereasonwhySt.PaulpraystoGodheretogivethemenlightenedeyes,bywhichhepresupposesthatmenalreadyhavesomesmatteringofunderstanding,nottoreachsohighasisnecessary,buttohavesomeseedofreligioninthem,andtoperceivethatthereisaGod.

Furthermore,Godmustgiveagreaterclearness,andsuchaoneaswearequitevoidofbyreasonofAdam’ssin,forweareplungedinsuchdarknessthatwegoutterlycontrary to the goodway,untilGod stretchesouthishand tous.You see then thatwhat is contained here is that God has done more for us in giving us the eyes ofunderstandingthaninmakingusmenandputtingusintotheworld,becausetherebyhereformsusandgivesusaclearandsureinsightastothosewhomhehaselected.

Foritisaprivilegepeculiartohisownchildrenandnotcommontoallmen.Andtrulywe see that when God manifests his power, it is known only by such as haveenlightened eyes, according to that saying ofMoses, ‘The Lord has not given you ahearttounderstand,noreyestosee,eventothisday.’[Deut29:4]

Weknowthatmiracleswereperformedinthesightofthepeople,yetdespitethecrossing of the Red Sea, the issuing of thewater out of the rock, the falling of themannafromheaven,thethickcloudbydayandthefierypillarbynight,theplentifulsupplyof fleshto them,andthehorriblepunishmentsGod laidupontherebelsanduponsuchashadgivenfullventtotheirownlusts,thepeopledidnotunderstandatall.Moses,tellingthemthattheyneededtosetaboutseekingGod,thattheymightbeenlightenedbyhisSpirit, says, I see that evenunto thishourGod’sgraciousdoingshavebeenburiedamongyou throughyour ingratitude.But that isbecausemenarestupidandneverunderstandanything thatbelongs to their salvation,untilGodhasworkedinthem.

Therefore,youmustridyourselvesofallpride,andcraveunderstandingatGod’shand,acknowledgingyourselvesunabletoaspiresohighastojudgerightlyofGod’sworksandmakeyourselvesprofitbythem,untilhehasgivenyouheavenlyspiritualinsight.Thisisthesubstanceofwhatwehavetonoteinthispassage.

Now, on this subject, it is easy to gather how the wretched world has beenbeguiled by the opinion of freewill which has been put into their heads. For thepapistswillgrantreadilyenoughthatwithoutGod’sgracewecannotwalkasweoughttodo;butyet,atthesametime,theysaythatwemaywellfurtherGod’sgracebyourown freewill, and so theymix them together.When they set aboutdefining freewilltheysayitisacomplexthing,forwehavereasonandprudencetochoosethegoodandtorefusetheevil,andatthesametime,wehavealsopowerandabilitytoperformandcarry out what we have purposed. But we see how St. Paul speaks here of man’sreason,which they term thequeen thatoverrulesandcontrolsall our thoughtsanddeeds.Heshowsthatsheisstoneblind,untilGodhasrenewedher,andthatitisnotacaseoftherebeingsomevestigeofabilityinus,sothatGodhasnottodomorethansupplyourdeficiencies.Haditbeenso,St.PaulwouldhavesaidthatGodassistssuchlightaswehave,orthatheincreasesit,orthatheaddstoitwhateveritstandsinneedof.However,hedoesnotsospeak,buthesays,‘Godgiveyouenlightenedeyes’,thusshowing that it is a free gift, and not simply that our Lord has to bear with ourinfirmities and to add something to them.He also says thatwebeingblind can seenothingatall,untilhehasopenedoureyes,andthatweareguidedandgovernedbythisrevelationofhisHolySpirit,onwhichwehavetouchedbefore.

And now, sincemen are always liable to run to extremes and busy their headsaboutmanyunprofitablethings,St.Paulshowsusthattowhichweoughttoapplythewholeofourmindsandhearts,namely, to seeking toknowwhat is thehopeofour

calling. I have told you already that men are, in a manner of speaking, born tocuriosity,andthattheyroveandrange,anddevisemanyevilspeculations,andthatisthe reasonwhymanymen torment themselves beyondmeasure, ever learning andneverattainingtotheknowledgeofthetruth,[2Tim.3:7]asSt.Paulsays.Therefore,letuscarefullynotethatallthetrueknowledgethatwemustseek,istoattaintothehope towhichGodhas calledus.For thepurposeof theScripture isnot to feeduswith vain and superfluous things, but to edify us for our welfare, that is to say, tomakeusperceiveGod’sgoodnessthatwemightbejoinedtohim,andthatthismightbeourtruehappiness.

And from this we may also gather that, until such time as our Lord hasenlightenedusbyhisHolySpirit,wecanfindneitherwaynorpathtocomeneartheheavenlylife,no,notsomuchastoguesswhatitisallabout.Therefore,ourneedisthatourLordshouldputus inpossessionofoursalvationby thepowerofhisHolySpirit. I toldyoubefore that faithserves togiveusaccess to thekingdomofheavenandtotheheritagepurchasedforusbyourLordJesusChrist,andthatitisneedfulforGodtogiveittousbyhisHolySpirit.Thensinceitisso,letusobservethatweneednotonlytohavethegospelpreachedtous,butalsothatGodshouldpierceourears,sothatwemaytakeheedtowhatiscontainedinit;andthatheshouldopenoureyestoseewhatheshowsus.Tobebrief,thathemaybothbeginallandbringalltopass.

However,(asIsaidbefore)sincemen,bytheirvainimaginations,takemoreuponthem than they ought to do, and, on the other hand, despise God’s gifts, St. Paulmagnifiesherethehopeofwhichwehavemadementionbefore,saying‘whataretherichesofthegloryofhisheritageamongthesaints’.Itistruethatwhenthereisanytalk of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pronounce them to be lofty matters.Nevertheless,thatisonlytoexemptourselvesfromthem,ifwecouldescape,sothatwe could be content to remain completely ignorant of that which appertains toreligion.Weareinsatiablewhenanybodyfeedsuswithvanitiesandfalsehoods,butifGodcallsustohisschool,weshrinkbackasmuchaswepossiblycan,andweevensetthisbeforeusasashield,thatwearesimple,andthatwehavebutasmallandratherdull understanding, and that the secrets of God’s Word are too deep andincomprehensibleforus.Weknowwellenoughhowtosayasmuchasthat,andyetitisallhypocrisyandpretence.

Andforproofofthis,menwillalwaysjudgeaccordingtotheirownideas,sothatifanythingispropoundedtothemoutofGod’sWord,theysay,IsitsoAndhowisitpossibleTheyreason, theycall it inquestion: Is it so?Indeed, it isGodthatspeaks,andyettheywillnotreceive,withoutcontradicting,whatisshowntheminthenameofGod.Wesee,then,thattheysimplylieinsayingtheyaredullandslow-minded,fortheythinkquitetheopposite.Thestarkestidiots,Isay,andthebiggestdoltsofthemallconsiderthemselvestohaveawisdomexcellingthatofGod.

Again,ontheotherhand,whatcausesthegospeltobedespisedisthatanumberofhaughtyand fancifulpeople think it isbutasimpledoctrine,andthat itdoesnothaveenoughsubtlety for them.Somuch themore, therefore,doweneed toponderwhat is shownusherebySt.Paul,which is that thegloriousheritage towhichGodhascalledushasinfiniteriches.Forinadditiontothefactthatwearenothingelsebutmireandrottenness,sinshutsusoutfromallhopeofsalvation.AndsolongasweareGod’senemies,whatcanweexpectathishandbututterconfusionButyetitpleaseshimtomakeuspartnerswiththeangelsofparadise,andevenmore.ForwearemademembersofourLordJesusChrist,inorderthatweshouldbepartakersofhislifeandglory.Whatexcellentrichesarethese!Whenwehaveappliedthewholeofourmindstothem,oughtwenottobethoroughlyashamed,seeingthatGodhasdisplayedsuchinestimable goodness towards us So then, St. Paul, to waken men from theirdrowsiness and to rebuke and correct their unthankfulness, because they do notcommendonehundredthpartofGod’sgraceas theyought todo, tellsus that ifwethinkwellaboutit,weshallfindthathisspeakinginthiswayistostirusuptoprayGod toenlightenus,becausewithouthimwe shouldnotbeable to comeanywherenearfaith,ornearanyknowledgeatall.

ThuswenowseeSt.Paul’smeaning,whichhepursuesandopensupmuchmorein adding, ‘what is the excellenceofhispower inuswhohavebelieved’.Andagain,‘according to theeffectualworkingof thestrengthofhispower’.Hehereassemblesandheapsupmanywordswhichallimportonething.Butitis,asitwere,acorrectionofthewickednessofmen,whoendeavourtoobscureGod’sgoodnessasmuchastheycan,insomuchthat,sincetheyarenotabletoobscureitaltogether,theydiminishitinsuchawaythat itdoesnotappear;as if ithadbutaspark,whereasitoughttohavefullshining.But,inpassing,letusnotethatwhenSt.Paulputsdownherethesaintsandbelievers,hemeansthefaithfulwhomGodhasalreadycalledtohim.Andbythisheshowsthatevenwhenwehavefaith,allourholinessproceedsfromGod’smercy,andmenbringnothingoftheirownmaking.Itistruethatthistitleof‘saints’isveryhonourable, but yetwemust go to the source of holiness, for in ourselveswehavenothingbutuncleanness.God’schildrenhavetobeholy,yettheymustconsiderfromwhere theyhave it,whetherby their own skill orby the gift ofGod.St.Paul showsherethatthepraiseforitoughttobegiventoGodalone.ForitisnotwithoutcausethatGodsayssooften, ‘Iamholy’.[Lev.11:44;19:2;IPet.1:15]Andagain,weknowthat Jesus Christ sanctified himself for us, in order that we might be washed andcleansedfromallourpollutions.Somuchforthefirstpoint.

Afterwardsfollowsthecauseofourfaith,namely,thatmendonotattainitunlesstheyaredrawnbyasecretimpulse,accordingasitissaidthatwemustlearnfromGod[Matt.2:29],notonlybecausehisWordcontainsallwisdom,andGodtherebyteachesusfaithfullywhatisusefulforus,butalsobecauseourLordexpresseditveryclearly,saying,‘HethathashearditofmyFather’.[Jn.6:45]Hehimself,whowasthewisdomofGod, spoke it, andyethe showed thatwhatheutteredwithhismouth couldnot

prevail,unlessGodspokewithinamanbyhisHolySpirit.Now,ifJesusChristcouldnot profit men by his teaching, except insofar as God’s Spirit worked within theirhearts,whatshallthepreachingdowhichwehearatthemouthsofmortalmen,whoarenothingMen,then,mustplantandwater,butitisGodwhogivestheincrease,asSt.PaulsaysinthethirdchapteroftheFirstEpistletotheCorinthians[v.6].

Furthermore,as Ihave toldyou thatwemustdrawallourholiness fromJesusChrist, inwhomweshall findall the fulnessof it, so letusalsounderstandthat,bythatsaying,wearewarnedthatwearenotcalledtofilthiness,totakeleavetodoevil,buttobe,asitwere,separatedtotheserviceofGod.Manymenwillbragwellenoughthattheyarebelievers—andthatwordtripslightlyfromeveryman’stongue,—butfaithisamorepreciousthingthanwethink,foritcleansesourhearts(asitissaidinthe fifteenth chapter of the Acts [v. 9]) in order that we should be, as it were,separatedandsetaparttodedicateourselveswhollytoGod’sservice.Butbythisitismeantthatmenare,as itwere,ofacorruptandinfectedlump,untilGodhasdrawnout theonesort fromtherest.Wediffernothingatall, then, fromthemthatareasdeeplyplungedaspossible in allmannerof evil andwickedness.Weare all alike (Isay)asfarasournatureisconcerned.ButtheythatbelieveinourLordJesusChristmust be, as it were, drawn out from this world, as St. Peter also says in his FirstEpistle.

Again,wehavealreadyseenthatwearecleansedbythebloodofJesusChristinorder thatwemight be drawn out from thisworld, according also as he says in St.John’sGospel,wherehepraystoGodhisFather,nottotakeusoutofthisworldandoutofthistransitorylife,buttokeeptheeviloftheworldfromprevailinginus,andtoexemptusfromit.[Jn.17:15]Yousee,then,thatwhatwehavetobearinmindisthatholinessisthetrueevidenceofourfaith.Andtherefore,whoeveriscalledaChristianoughttobeconsecratedtoGod,andmustnotgetentangled,ordefilehimselfwiththeuncleanness and filthiness of the world. It is true that our holiness shall never beperfect as long as we are in this world, for we always carry our infirmities, andalthough sin may not overpower us, yet it dwells in us, and we continually battleagainst it togettheupperhand.But,comewhatmay,whenGodhasoncesanctifiedus,wemust applyourselves tohis service,wemust endeavour to cleanseourselvesmoreandmorefromallvices,andwemustgiveourselveswholly tohimsothatwearenomore likeworldlings,who take leave todowhat theywish.This, in effect, iswhatSt.Paulwishedtosay.

Moreover, there can be no doubt that in this passage he makes a comparisonbetweensuchasaresunkintotalignorance,orratheraresohardenedthattheyhaveno inclination at all to submit themselves to the obedience of the gospel, but fightfuriouslyagainstit,andthefaithful,whoarelikepoorsheepattendingtothevoiceofthegoodshepherd.St.Paul,then,condemnshereallscofferswhodespiseGodandarelikedogsorbrutebeastswithoutanyfeelingofreligion.Whenweseethem,theyare

allofthemmirrorstous,sufficienttomakethehairsstanduponourheads,bylettingusknowwhatweshouldbelikeifGodhadnottakenpityonus.Andtherefore,whenweseepeoplescornGodsoopenlythattheyrushinconfusionintoallkindsofevil,letus acknowledge the infinite goodness of ourGod, in that he has separated us fromthat company. Wherefore, when we see one kind stupefied in their unbelief, andanother kind full of pride, bitterness, and stubbornness against the gospel, let usunderstandthatweourselveswouldbe likethem, ifGodhadnotstretchedforthhisarmtous.

But now, let us note carefully thewords that St. Paul uses here in saying, ‘theexcellentgreatnessofhismight,accordingtotheeffectualworkingofthepowerofhisstrength’. Itwould seem that theHolySpirit intended to thunderupon thisdevilishopinionwithwhichtheworldhasatalltimesbeenstupefied,thatistosay,offreewill.FortheheathenpresumedsofarastosaythatGodhadindeedcreatedthemtobeintheworld,andthatitwashistogivethemgoodfortune,astheytermedit,butthatitwasineveryman’sownpowerandfreechoicetofollowvirtueandtobehavehimselfinsuchawaythatnofaultmightbefoundinhim.Seehowtheheathendividedthingsbetween God and themselves. The lessermatter — the setting of us here below tocrawlaboutlikefrogs,—theylefttoGod,buttoattainheavenandtoruleourselvesinallvirtue,that,theysaid,waswithintherangeofman’sownability.

TheJewsandthepapistshavenotbeenaltogetherofthisopinion,for(asIhaveintimatedalready)theyconfessthatwehaveneedofGod’shelp.Butyet,forallthat,theywillhaveusmixsomeportionofourownholinesswithGod’sgraceandbeabletocooperatewithit,astheysay,insomuchthatwhenallhasbeenreckonedandeveryallowancemade,thechiefpartwillalwaysbefoundinourselves.

ButletusseehowtheHolySpiritspeaksofit.Towhatenddoesheusealltheseterms—highness,power,strength,effectualworking,andmight?Whydoesheheapupall these,except toshowthatmenaremadwhentheywill takemoreuponthemthanbecomesthem?Thereisnotonewordherewhichdoesnotservetosilenceourcackling,ifweboastofevenatinydropofgoodness.Forifmensay,Ihavesomegooddispositioninme,Ihavesomevirtue,thisiswhatSt.Paulspeaksof,‘Highness!’;asifhe intended to show that all thegoodnesswehave is above theworldanddoesnothaveanyrootororigininourselves,butcomesfromonhigh,asSt.Jamessays.[Jam.3:17]Again, ifmensay,thatwehavesomepowertowithstandourownvicesandtofight against temptations, St. Paul says here that our strength, our power, and ourmightcomesfromGod,andthathemustgiveittousandwereceiveitfromhim.Ifmenstillsay,thatbyexertingthemselvestheycanwelldoIknownotwhat,St.Paultells us that there isno effectualworking, there isnobringingof the thing topass,unless God grants it according to his speaking of it in the second chapter of thePhilippians,[v.13]wherehesaysthatwemustwalkinfearandwithcare,seeingthatit isGodwhogivesboththewillandtheabilitytoperformthewill,accordingtohis

owngoodpleasure,thatistosay,hebeginstheworkandcausesittobecarriedout.Inbrief, letusnotethatthewordstheapostleusesherearesomanythunderclapsandlightnings, tobeatdownandsubdueall theprideofman, inorder thatbeingput toshameinourselves,wemightgiveGodthegloryhedeserves,and,withalllowliness,frankly and freely confess ourselves to be in the wrong, acknowledging that allgoodnesscomesfromhim,andthatweareindebtedforittohimalone.Thusyouseehow, in effect,whatwe have to learn from this passage is to prostrate ourselves insuchaway thatwemighthavenodesire togoshareswithGod,saying thatheonlyhelpsus,and that there is someportionofhisgraceandHolySpirit inour freewill;butwearetoyieldtohimpurelyandsimplythewholepraiseforoursalvation.

Furthermore, let it alsomake us despise the world, that wemay be contentedwiththehopeofeverlasting lifewhichispurchasedforusbyourLordJesusChrist.Forweknowthatalthoughmenaregenerallysubjecttomanyafflictions,andthatthislifeofoursisnotwithoutreasontermedavaleofwretchedness,yetGodexerciseshisown children with a greater abundance of adversities than he does everyone else,because they also at all times have need to be urged to renounce the world. If weshouldliveheretoomuchatoureaseandpleasure,whatwouldbecomeofus,seeingthatwedonotfailtogotosleephere,eventhoughGodspursusandentreatsusinsomanywaystomakehastewithoutdelayingherebelow.Yousee, then, in fewwords,howGodwillexerciseusmanywaysafterhehascalledustothefaithofthegospel,for,otherwise,wemighttakeadistastetoservinghim,anditwouldseemtousthathislovewereonlyaverymeagrething,ifwedidnotlearntogiveupallotherthingsasworthlessoroflittlevalue,andtoembraceJesusChrist.Therefore,letuslearnthatitisSt.Paul’sintentionheretodrawustoGodinsuchawaythatnothingmaypreventus from going on in our calling. If we do not have everything to our liking in thisworld, letus learn tovalue the inestimablebenefitsofourGodbetter thanwehavedone,thatwemaysaywithDavid(ashespeaksinhissixteenthpsalm[v.s])’‘Ihavemyheritagewhichsatisfiesme’;seeingthatGodhasgivenhimselftome,IhavesuchanexcellentinheritancethatIdonotworryaboutgoingthroughalltheafflictionsoftheworld—poverty,sickness,reproach,fear,andthreatenings—allthesethingsshallbesweettome,solongasIpossessmyGod,andhemakesmefeelthathehaschosenmeand reservedme tohimself andpurposes tomakemeapartakerof allhis goodthings.

Thus you see, in effect, that by this passage we are to be heartened andstrengthened unto patience, to bearmeekly all the afflictions and adversities of theworld,andnottobegrievedorannoyed:andalthoughGodcausesusnowandthentodrinkfromabittercupandgivesusreasontosighandlament,yetwemustnotfalltogrumblingandcomplaining,butassureourselvesthatGodhasgivenusgoodcomfortinthathehascalledustobepartakersofhiskingdom,andhassoputforthhispoweralreadyinusthatweought,asitwere,toliftourselvesaboveallearthlythings,andtolookdownatthemasatourfeet.

AndsincewedonotyetperceivesuchfulnessofGod’sgraceasweretobewished,St.PaulthereforesendsustothepersonofourLordJesusChrist.Andsurelyifhehadnot added that God has manifested his power in his only Son, as we have alreadyheard,whatadisappointmentitwouldbe!Forwemightplead,bywayofreply,Howso?Where are these riches ofGod?Forwe are not only bereft of the goods of thisworld,butalsoweareasadryandbarrengroundinrespectofthegraceofGod’sHolySpirit.Ifthereisanyportionofitinus,itissosmallthatweoughttobeashamedofit,andyet,forallthis,weareimmersedinourinfirmities.IfwespeakofGod’spower,itoughttobevictoriousoverallsininus.Butwearesoweakthatweareasgoodasbeatendown.Again,itisnecessarythatGod’simageshouldshineforthinus,butwebearsomuchfilthinessandsuchblemishesaboutusasispitifultosee.Weshouldbewholly consecrated to God, but the world holds us back, and we are, as it were,entangledinit.

SeehowthefaithfulmightbedisheartenedwhenanywordwereministeredaboutGod’sgrace, if theystayedthereandwerenot led forthtoJesusChrist.Notwithoutreason, therefore, St.Paul addshere thatGoddisplayed the excellenceofhispowerwhen he raised our Lord Jesus Christ from death. And he speaks purposely of hisresurrection, because in his deathwe see onlywhat is liable to daunt us. For thereappearednothingbutweakness,butbyhisvanquishingdeathheshowedhimselftobetheSonofGod,eventheLordofgloryandlife,whohadallpowerinhimself.Andthatalso is thereasonwhySt.PaulsaysthatGodsethimathisrighthand.For itwouldnot have been enough for Jesus Christ to have been raised again, unless he had acontinual and abiding dominion. It is true that even in his resurrection, we have atestimony that he is the SonofGod, but yet, for all that,wemust take one furtherstep,namely,thathedidnothaveanysortofpowerandsway,but,byhisrisingagain,heattainedsuchsuperioritythatalltheworldisgovernedbyhim,andheisnowsetdownattherighthandofGodhisFathertomaintainandpreservehisservantsthatcall upon him and put themselves into his keeping, and has sufficient power toovercomeSatanandalltheworldandallourenemies.

Now,then,weseeSt.Paul’smeaning,thatsincewemightbecastdownandourfaithatleastbadlyshaken,ifweshouldlooknofurtherthantoourselves,thereforehesetsJesusChristbeforeusasthetruepattern,inwhichwemayseethatwhichasyetisunseen inourselves, that is tosay,God’s inestimablepowerwhich isgreater thanthatofthewholeworld.For,first,heisraisedfromthedead,and,secondly,heissetattherighthandofhisFather.Now,speakingofGod’srighthandisasimilitudetakenfrommen.ItiscertainthatGodhasneitherrighthandnorleft,forheisinfiniteandfillsbothheavenandearth;andagain,hehasnobody,but isofa spiritualessence.Therefore,wemustnotimagineanyparticularplacewhenGod’srighthandisspokenof.Andwhen it is said that JesusChrist sits there, it is to show thathe fills all theworldwithhispower.Itistruethatinrespectofhismanhood,heisinheaven,andit

isoneofthearticlesofourfaiththatheisascendedintoheaven.Butyet,althoughheisabsentfromusinhisbodyandthereisagreatdistancebetweenus,thatdoesnotprevent him filling all things with his Holy Spirit and dwelling in us himself andnourishingusbyhisownsubstance,accordingtothesayingthathisfleshisourmeatandhisbloodourdrink.[Jn.6:55]

Yousee,then,thatGod’srighthandisnotsomeparticularplacewhereChristisseated,butthesovereigntyhehasobtainedtogovernthewholeworld;and(asIsaidbefore)itisafigureofspeechborrowedfrommen,aswhenaprincemakeshisvice-regent, he sets himat his right side, as if to say, Seehere the secondpersonofmyrealm whom I will have men to obey. God, then, in the person of our Lord JesusChrist,purposedtoshowthatheisourFather.ItistruethatthewholefulnessoftheGodheadisinJesusChrist.[Col.2:9]Butaswearedullandlazy,andunabletoattaintothemajestyofGod,thereforeitissaidthatJesusChristhasobtainedallauthority,sothatwearesurethathehasputusinhisprotectionandthat,beingunderhishand,wearesafe,andallthedevilsofhellcannotprevailagainstus.ForwhoisitthathasallpowerItisevenourHead.Although,then,wewhoarehismembersareweak,yetistherestrengthenoughintheHead,whichisthechiefpartofthebody.Andsoyousee for what reason it is said that Jesus Christ is set at the right hand of God hisFather,namely,toshowusthatwedonotneedtoseekfarforhishelp,seeingthathegovernsallthingsbothaboveandbeneath,andwearecommittedtohischargehere.And now let us sum up what St. Paul is telling us here. He says that God hasmanifestedhishighandinfinitepowerinus.Nevertheless,sincethatisnotsufficientbyreasonof the infirmitieswefeel,andbecausethere issomuchat fault inusstillandwearenotyetcometoourfullstature,no,noreventothehundredthpartofit,therefore,inorderthatwemaybethebetterassuredofallthethingsthatweneed,wemustknowthattheyaretobefoundinJesusChrist.

Arewethenstillsubjecttodeath?TakenotethatJesusChristisreceivedupintoeverlastinglife,fortheveryreasonwhyhebecameamortalmanlikeuswasthatthelifewhichhehasmightbelongtous.DoessinstilldwellinusKnowthatJesusChristhasneitherspotnorblemishinhimAreweweak?HeisthepowerofGodhisFather,andwhateverhereceivedinhismanhood,whichhetookofus,wasforoursakesandforourprofit.Inshort,whateverwelack,andwhatevermaycomfortorenlivenus,weshall find it in our Lord Jesus Christ, in order that we might not be in care andperplexity, as though we were excluded from the benefits that St. Paul has madementionofbefore.Finally,weshouldneverhaveanysettledtrustifwedidnotknowthat the thingswhich are lacking in ourselves are in ourHead. For themeasure ofGod’s gift of grace is very small even in themost perfect people and in such as aremostadvancedandhaveprofitedmostofall.Sinceitisso,then,weshouldalwaysbewaveringanddoubting.ButwhenweknowthatallisaccomplishedinourLordJesusChrist,andthathe is,as itwere, the first fruits,andthatwehavebeensanctified inhim,andthatinhispersonwehavereceivedbeforehandwhatweshallbegiveninall

plenitude hereafter when he has taken us out of this world, there, indeed, lies ourcertainty, onwhichweought to stayourselves so thatwe arenot overborneby anytemptation.Inshort,wearetaughtbythistextthat,althoughGod’sgraceisweakinus, that is tosay,althoughhehasputonlyasmallbeginningof it inus,andnotsolargeanabundanceaswillbe requiredor is tobewished for, yet,nevertheless, thisgracegivesusatasteandsavourtohopeinhim.FortherecannotbesolittlegraceofhisHolySpiritinus,withoutusknowing(asSt.PaulsaysintheeighthchaptertotheRomans)thatitisasapledgeandearnestofthelifehehaspromisedus.Itistruethatthisbodyof sin stilldwells inus,but itought to contentus thatGodvouchsafes tocommunicateevenalittleofhisHolySpirittous.

Furthermore, since we cannot be assured of all these things, in view of thesmallnessofmindthatisinusandourinfirmitiesandneeds,thereforewemustliftup our eyes to Jesus Christ. Indeed, how does it avail us that we may find allperfectioninhim;forwearetoofarofffromhim.Wearefarfromhimwithregardtodistance of place, and in that respect St. Paul says that we are absent from him,becausewewalkonlybyfaithandnotbyopensightandactualviewing.Butyet,forallthat,wearemembersofhisbody.Seeingthat it isso, then, justasarootcannotbeseparatedfromthetree,butsendsforthitssapintoalltheboughsandbranchesofit,even so let us understand that the purpose forwhich ourLord JesusChrist has, insuch fulness, received the spiritual gifts that belong to the heavenly life, is tocommunicatethemtousasfarasisneeded,stagebystage,accordingasweshallhaveprofitedinthefaith.

And,withallthis,letuscontinuallybearinmindthatwemuststoopandhumbleourselvesandyetbecontenttofindourselvesstillfarofffromtheperfectiontowhichit becomes us to aspire, and to be like hungry people, so that we, feeling our owndeficiencyandneed,mustruntoourGodtobegathishand,knowingthatheisableto increase his help from day to day, and that if it were not so, we should becompletely lost, and everythingwould slip awayanddisappear,unlesshe continuedwhathehasbegun.Yousee,then,howitisnecessaryforustobejoinedtoourLordJesusChrist,andtoknowthatthereisaninseparablebondbetweenhimandus.And,sinceheoncebecamepoor tomakeusrich(as it issaidelsewhere), that is theverymeansbywhichalltherichesinhimareatthisdaycommunicatedtous.Notthatwehavethefullenjoymentofthem,asIsaidbefore,butbecauseitisenoughforusthatwehave somesmallportionof them tomakeus taste the loveofGodand toknowthathewillnotfailusinanything,butthatsincehehasgivenusanassurancethatheiscomeneartousanddwellsinusbyhisHolySpirit,aswehaveseenintheSecondLettertotheCorinthians,hewillalsofillusrightuptotheend.

St.Paul’suseoftheword‘enrich’istoshowthattherewillalwaysbedeficiencyandneedinessinus.Nevertheless,letustrustboldlytothispromisethathewhichhasbegunthegoodworkinuswillgothroughwithit,eventothedayofourLordJesus

Christ.Andthatissaidtogiveussomerefreshmentwhenourlifeseemstoustobeoverlong,andwewouldbegladifthesaidperfectionwerealreadyrevealedinus,andthatJesusChristhadcomeagain.Butitissaidthatuntilthatdaywemustalwaysbejourneying,andprogressingfurtherandfurther,andbeseechingGodthathewillnotsufferustofalter.Wearesurethatweshallneverfail toexperiencewantandneed,but yet hewill succour us in such away thatwe shall perceive that if he has oncevouchsafed to lookuponuswith the eyeofhismercy, it is inorder to carryon theworkofoursalvationatalltimes,andtocauseustoknowthathehasnotunitedustoourLordJesusChristinvain,butthathissodoinghasbeeninorderthateveryoneofusmightevennow,accordingtothemeasureoffaith,possessthegoodthingsthataresuitableforhim,untilhehasfilledustothefull;whichshallbewhenhehasjoinedusperfectlytohim.

But now, let us cast ourselves down before themajesty of our goodGod, withacknowledgementofoursins,prayinghimtomakeussotofeelthemthatitmaydrawus from them and cause us to direct our life obediently according to hiscommandments, so that we may show by our deeds that he has not bought us sodearlyinvain,butthatwegiveupallourownfleshlylustsandyieldourselveswhollyto the service of him who has once and for all adopted us-for his heritage. Andtherefore,letussay,AlmightyGod,ourHeavenlyFather.

TheEighthSermonontheFirstChapter

And that you may know what is the excellent greatness of his power towards usbelievers,accordingtotheworkingofthemightofhisstrength,whichhedisplayedinJesusChristwhenheraisedhimfromthedead,andmadehimtositathisrighthand in the heavenly places, above all principality, and might, and power, anddominion,andaboveallnames thatarenamed,notonly in thisworld,butalso inthatwhich is to come; and hath put all things under his feet and set him over allthingstobetheheadofthechurch,whichisthebodyofhimwhichfillethallinall.-Ephesians1:19-23

WehavealreadyseenhowGodhassufficientlydeclaredtousthatifwehaveandpossesshisonlySon,JesusChrist,wehavethefullperfectionofallgood,sothatifwecastoureyeuponhim,wemayseeall thatcanbedesired.Andthus,althoughtherearemanyblameworthy things inus, andeven thoughwe findnothingbut frailty inourselves,yetwehaveagood,firmsupporttoleanon,inthatourLordJesusChristcallsustohimandtellsusthatthethingshehasreceivedfromGodhisFatherareforusall,andthatalthoughwedonotyetenjoythemtothefull,wecannotcomeshortofthem. In short, our Lord JesusChrist is set at the right hand ofGodhis Father, inorderthatwemightbesurethatallthingsareunderhiscontrol,andthatherulesthewhole world, and that all good things are from him and he is able to prevent allinjuries, so that if we are under his protection, we may defy the devil and all ourenemies.

And now, in order that wemight learn to content ourselves all themore withJesus Christ alone, and not wander here and there as we tend to do, St. Paul addsexpresslythat ‘hehasbeensetaboveallmight,sovereignty,principality,andpower’.Nodoubthemeanstheangels.However,hehasusedthismannerofspeechtokeepusthebettertoourLordJesusChrist,thatnofancymightturnusfromhim;asifheshouldsay,‘AlthoughGodhasimpartedsomeportionofhisglory,dignity,andpowertotheangels,yetitinnowaydiminishesthatwhichhehasgiventoJesusChrist’;andthereforeweshall findinhimall thingsneedful,sothatwedonotneedtogadhereandthereforthem;neitherisitlawfultolinkanyassociatewithhim,becauseallpre-eminenceandwhateverelsemaybethoughtofasbeingmostnobleandexcellent isthere,thatistosay,inourLordJesusChrist;andhealoneistobesought,asSt.PaulhimselfsaysalsointhefirstchaptertotheColossians.Foritisnotjustrecentlythatthe world has sought occasion to turn away from our Lord Jesus Christ under thepretence of seeking the angels of heaven. We see how God’s creatures are alwaysdrawntosomesuperstition,andmenmakeidolsofangels,becauseGodexecuteshissovereignty by them, and they are, as it were, his hands, his officers, and hisinstruments.[Ps.104:4]Thatiswhymenthinktheyhavedonemuchinimploringthe

protectionofSt.Michael,orSt.Gabriel,orIknownotwhomelse.For(asIsaid)itisnot a newly devised vice. The devil, who is the father and author of lying, hasentangledmenatalltimeswithsuchfancies,andevenChristianshavefollowedwhatistoldusinthesecularhistoriesinthatrespect.

Fortheheathenhavealwaysimaginedtheangelstobedemigodsandmadethemtheir mediators, by which to come to God, because they were not worthy inthemselves.And in just thesamemannerdo thepapists talk thisday.NowtheverysameabominationsbegantobebuiltontheeartheveninSt.Paul’stime.Andforthatreason, he shows that it is not lawful to join anything to Jesus Christ, but thatalthough the angels are magnified and are called powers, authorities, principalitiesanddominions,andsuchothertitlesasmenplease,yettheymustbowandbeinferiortotheHead,andthechiefdignitymustbereservedforGod’sSon,becauseallkneesmust bow before him, not only of creatures of this world, but also of heaven. [Isa.45:23;Rom.14:11;Phil.2:10]

Wesee,then,thatthereasonforSt.Paul’sassemblingtogethersomanywordsinthisplacetorefertotheangels,isthatweshouldthebetterbekepttoourLordJesusChrist, and rest wholly upon him without deviating one way or another, underpretencethattheangelshaveexcellentandnoblegifts.Andsoweseeandmaygatherfromthispassagethatallthefollyofpopedominconceivingpatrons,advocates,andmediatorstowardsGodsprangupfromnoothercausethanfromlackofknowingourLord Jesus Christ and the things given him by God his Father. For we have noinclinationtorestourselvesuponhim,unlessweknowforwhatpurposeheiscome.Butthepapistshave,ontheonehand,imaginedthemselvestobeseparatedfromourLordJesusChrist,notknowingthathehasbecomeourbrotherinorderthatwemighthave intimate access to him, and, on the other hand, they have robbed him of hisofficewhichisappointedhimintheholyScripture,andmadeitintoadeadthing.

Somuchthemore,therefore,doweneedtonotewellthesesayings,thatwearemadealloneandgatheredtogetherintoonebodywiththeangelsofheavenandwiththeholy fathers that livedunder the law,and thatweandall theprophets, apostlesandmartyrs,mustwithoneaccordglorifyonecommonHead,JesusChrist,andcometohim.Hemustbeexaltedforeverymantolookat,andwemustnotwilfullyputveilsbeforeoureyes,buttakeawayall impediment, thathisglorymaynotbe inanywaydimmed.Thetrueway,then,toovercomeallobstaclesthatSatanshallcastinourwayto stop us from coming to Jesus Christ, is to consider that there is no dignity orworthiness in the whole world, neither above nor beneath, which is not put insubjection,inorderthatweshouldallbejoinedtohimwithoneaccord.Thusyousee,ineffect,whatwehavetogatherfromthispassage.

ItistruethatbythesewordswearegiventounderstandalsothatGoddistributesoffices among his angels, as it pleases him, so that one has a greater responsibility

than another. But it is not for us to knowhowmatters standwith them. Let us becontent toknow itaccording to themeasureofour faith,andonlygiveear toGod’sWord, and in all soberness learn from him without giving rein to our own foolishcuriosity,assomedo,disputingsubtlyabouttheangels,asthougheachonewouldbemaster, qualified to distribute offices in the house of God. For there is not amoredevilishaudacitythantoprattleinthatfashionaboutGod’ssecretsfurtherthanGodhas shown them to us by his Word. Therefore, let us be content that the angels(howevernobletheymaybe)areordainedtobeministersofoursalvation,bymeansofJesusChrist.Andwhenwewanttoacquireknowledgeofthemandtheirhelp,letusnotactas thepapists,whohave theirparticularprayers tomake to them,but letuscome to Jesus Christ, for by that means shall all things become common betweenthemandus.

When,havingspokenof thechurch,wesay, ‘Ibelieve in thecommunionof thesaints’,itiscertainthattheangelsareincluded,seeingthatGodemploysthemtodousservice.Butwhydoesheso?Itisnotbecauseweareworthyofit,butbecausehehas gatheredus all togetherunderJesusChrist.That, therefore, is the truebondofconcordandbrotherhoodbetweenusandtheangelsofparadise.

Now,next,St.Pauladdsthat‘JesusChristhasobtainedaname(thatistosay,amajesty)whichisaboveallnames,bothinheavenandinearth’.HereSt.PaulbrieflyshowsusthatallourwisdomistoknowthebenefitsthatarebroughttousbytheSonofGod,andwhichwepossess inhimalone, so thatour faith is settledwhollyuponhim, according as it is said in theActs of theApostles, that there is no other namegivenunderheavenwherebywemustbesaved.[Acts4:12]For(asItoldyouearlier),sinceGod is incomprehensibleanddwells in lightwhichwecannotapproach(asSt.Paulputsit),[ITim.6:16]JesusChristmust,asitwere,stepinbetweenhimandus,inorderthatwemaycomeboldlytohim,andknowthatheisnotfarseparatedorfardistantfromus.Wherefore,letusnotethatsincementionisheremadeof‘Name’,itis becauseGodwill be known in the person of his only Son. It is said, at the sametime,thattherearenotmanydeities.Withreferencetotheessenceorbeing,wehaveonly one God, [Deut. 4:35—39] but in Jesus Christ we have the living and expressimage of the Father, [I Cor. 8:4—6; Col. 1:15] so that in him we find whatever isexpedient and requisite for our salvation. It is said that we ought to glory in ourknowledgeoftheonetrueGod,[Jer.9:24]butyetthatisaccomplishedinthepersonofourLordJesusChrist,becausewhenmengoaboutseekingGod,theyenterintoaterrifyingmaze unless Jesus Christ is their way, and leads them. Thuswe now seewhatSt.Paulwasaimingat.

And it is also added that ‘the same is not only for this world, but also for theother’,bywhichitismeantthattheknowledgewehaveofJesusChristwillsufficeusfor the heavenly life. Now it would seem on the surface that there is somecontradictionbetweenwhatissaidhereandwhatissaidinthefifteenchapterofthe

FirstEpistletotheCorinthians.Fortherehesaysthatatthelatterdaywhentheworldshallbejudged,ourLordJesusChristwillyieldupthekingdomtoGodhisFather,ofwhomheholdsit,andherehesaysthatChristisestablishedinallauthority,yes,evenfor theworld to come. But these two agree verywell. Forwhen he says that JesusChristhasanameaboveallnames,andthatheistheimageofGodhisFather,thatisbecauseofourhardnessandinfirmity,asalsowhenChristiscalledtheLieutenantofGod, it is because we could not be at rest unless we knew that God has his handstretched out to succour us in our need; and we perceive that best of all in JesusChrist,sincehehascomeneartousandhasbecomeourbrother.

God, then,doesnotsoreignbymeansofJesusChristas ifhehadgivenuphisownofficeandsat idle inheaven; itwouldbeawickedimaginationtothinkso.AndindeedweseehowourLordJesusChristspeaksofit inthefifthchapterofSt.John(v.17).MyFatherandI(hesays)alwayshaveourhandatwork.ThereheshowsthathisownordainingtobetheruleroftheworldwasnotinorderthattheFathershouldmeanwhilebeatrepose inheaven;but it is thussaidforoursakes, inorderthatweshould not doubt that God is continually near at hand to us whenwe seek him infaith.At the latterday, andafter the judgment,we shall haveneweyes, asSt. Johnsays.Andsinceweshallbe likeGodandbe transfigured intohisglory,weshall seehimasheis,[IJohn3:2]whichwecannotdonowbecauseourunderstandingsaretoodull.Wherefore,itisenoughforusnowthatwebeholdhimasinamirrordarkly(asSt. Paul says), and thatwe knowhim in part. [I Cor. 13:12] You see, then, that theyieldingupofthekingdombyourLordJesusChristtoGodhisFatherisinorderthatweshallbeholdGod’smajestyandbeing,which isnow incomprehensible tous.Forweshallhaveournaturechanged,weshallbere-fashionedintheheavenlyglory,andweshallberidofallthecorruptionwithwhichwearenowcompassedabout.

Andyet,forallthis,itisnotmeantthatJesusChristwillbeabased,forheshallthenbemuchbetterinhisperfection,accordingtowhatissaidinthethirdchaptertothe Colossians, that our life is hid in God with Jesus Christ, and that when JesusChristappearsthenshallourlifebelikewisemanifested.Inshort,whenwearecometothesovereignhappinessthatispurchasedforus,thenweshallhavethatwhichliesasyetonlyinhope,andJesusChristshallgatherallthingstohimself,sothatweshallthenbepartakersofhisglory, everyman inhisowndegreeandmeasure.Thusyouseehowthesetwopassagesagreeverywell,forChristwillrenderupthekingdomtoGodhisFather.Andwhy?Forweshall thenseehisheavenlymajestywhichwearenot able to conceive at present, because we are carnal. Also we shall perceive thatwhereasJesusChristhasappearedtousamortalman,hehasbeensoglorifiedinhishumannature that in verydeedhe isGod, of one and the same substancewithhisFather. This (I say) shall be fully known then, whereas now we have only a littleshadowofit.

Furthermore,letuslearnthatwhenJesusChristwasexaltedbyGodhisFather,it

wasinorderthathisexaltationshouldservetooureternalsalvation.Andtherefore,intheninthchapterofIsaiah,heiscalledtheFatheroftheagetocome,inorderthatwemightknow,notonly thathe isgiven tous for this transitory life,butalso that thesubstanceofthefaithwhichisgroundedinhimisinheaven,andthatthereweshallknowthefruitofwhatisnowhiddenandwhichwetasteasyetonlyinpart,andthatweshallenterintofullpossessionofallthegoodthingsthatarealreadygiventohim.Thus,youseewhySt.Paulhaspurposelymadeexpressmentionoftheagetocome.

Headdsimmediatelythat‘Godhathputallthingsunderhisfeet,andmadehimheadofthechurchoverall things’.Hisspeakinghereof thesubjectionofthewholeworld is to show thatwhateverwehaveneedof, ifwe can resort to ourLordJesusChrist,heisabletosuccourus,forhehasthewherewithaltodoit.Yes,andwemustnotewellhowit issaidintheeighthPsalmthatGodhascareofall things,eventhesheep, the birds of the air, and the fishes of the sea. In short, all creatures are putunderhisfeet.AndtowhatendFortheHolySpiritmeanttodrawusthereby,aslittlebabes, and to show that the spiritual benefits (which we ought to have in greatestesteem)arecommunicatedtousbyourLordJesusChrist.Hissayingthenisthatwemightnoteatonebitofbread,saveinsofaraswearemembersofJesusChrist.

ForitisjustasifheintendedtotrainusuphigherbytheA.B.C.,sinceallthingshave been given to our Lord Jesus Christ, with the condition that if we are trulymembers of his body, all things that he has belong to us, and that if we are notseparated from him, he will hereafter make us partakers of far higher and moreexcellentgoodthings,thatistosay,weshallbenamedGod’schildrenandbetakensotobe,andweshallbethetemplesofhisHolySpirit.Andwhatathingisthat!Whatathing it is thatwemay come freely tohimand call uponhimboldly as ourFather!Whatathingit istobeenrichedagainwiththegiftsthatwewerestrippedofbythesinofAdam!Whatathingit istobelinkedinfellowshipwiththeangels, insteadofbeingunder the tyranny of Satan andunder the thraldomof sin!How canwehavethesesohighandnoblethings,sincewecannotclaimsomuchasamorselofbreadasourownwithouttheft,savinginthatwearemembersofourLordJesusChristNowthenweseewhatSt.Paulaimedat insaying thatall thingsaremadesubject toourLordJesusChrist.Sothen,letuslearnnowtogivethankstoGodinthenameofhisonlySonourLordJesusChrist,whomhehassent,notonlytofeedandnourishourbodies,butalsotobefoodtooursoulsthatwemayliveforever.Andinthatwayletuslearntotrainourselves,toacknowledgethatourLordJesusChristhassuppliestosuccourallournecessities.Ifthenthedevilmakessoviolentanassaultonusthatwemay be afraid of utter failure, let us understand that our Lord Jesus Christ has aninvinciblefortresswithwhichtodefendusagainsthim,andarmswithwhichtomakeusinvincibleinallbattles.Thereforewhenweareweak,letusresorttohisstrength;whenwelackanygrace,letusdesirehimtogiveuswhathethinksnecessary;whenour enemies behave like mad beasts, and it seems that we would be completelyengulfed,as itwere, inawhirlpool, letusbeseechourLordJesusChrist tokeepus

underhisprotectionandtokeepSatan,asitwere,chainedwithallhissupporters,sothathedoesnotallowustobeovercomebythem.

YouseethenhowallthingsweremadesubjecttoourLordJesusChrist,notforhisownuse(forwhatneedhadheofthem?)butforoursakes,inorderthathemaygiveuswhateverheknowstobeforourprofit,andthatwealsoshouldlearntoseekallthingsathishand,that,whenheseesourenemieshavetheadvantageoverus,hemayrepressthemashewellcan.

Furthermore, when St. Paul says here that Christ was ordained Head in thechurch(oroverthechurch)‘inallthings’,itistofurtherhisdesigntobringuswhollytoJesusChrist.Asifheshouldsay,ItistruethatGod’sgraciousgiftsaredistributed,andthateventheangelsandmortalmenalsomaybeministersofthemtous;butyet,be thatas itmay,wemustalways resort to the source.Theveins thataredispersedthroughout thewhole bodymaywell give strength to every part, for they are, as itwere,thechannelsoftheblood,butyet,howeverthatmaybe,thebrainmustalwaysbethesourceoflife.Itisreadilytobeseenthatinatreethesapisspreadthroughout,andyet,althoughtherootdoesnotascendtogivenourishment toeverybranchandleaf, all the nourishment comes from the root. And if anyman would say that thewholetreeismaintainedalivebyanyonebranch,quitethecontraryisseen.Itistruethat a great bough may well give nourishment to the branches and twigs that areabout it, but is it therefore right that that should take the glory from the root?Nosurely,nomorethanthemembersofaman’sbodyoughttotakethegloryfromthehead,despitethefactthateverymemberfulfilsitsoffice.

HereSt.Paulsays thatourLordJesusChristwasgiven to thechurch tobeherhead above all things, as if he should say it behoves us all to resort to him. In thismatter, there is neither St. Paul, norSt. Peter, nor theVirginMary, norSt.Michaelwhohaveanythingoftheirown.FortheyareallneedyandhungrysavinginsofarasJesus Christ fills them, and therefore all of them, both great and small,must drawfromhisplenty.Andthatisthereasonwhy,inthesamepassagewhichIcitedoutofthefirstchaptertotheColossians[v.19],St.PaulsaysthatitpleasedGodtheFatherthat all fulness shoulddwell inChrist.For the title ofHead isnot simply a styleoffleetinghonour,butitservestoexpressthepowerofourLordJesusChristsomuchthebetter.Thereforejustasanaturalheadnotonlyhassuperiorityandpreeminenceabove thewholebody,butalsoyieldsnourishment to thewholeandkeeps themanalive,evensoitisbetweenourLordJesusChristandus,somuchsothatallwouldgotoruinifwedidnotdependuponhim.Although(Isay)itseemsthatwehavereceivedmostexcellentgiftsatGod’shandalready,yetneverthelessallisbutwindandsmoke,unlesswepersevereinunionwithourLordJesusChrist.

Atthesametime,itbehovesustonotealsothatsinceChristiscalledaHead,itisfittingthatallothersshouldobeyhim,andthatweshouldacquiesceinhisdoctrine,

thathemayruleallthingsastheheadrulesalltherestofaman’sbody.Forthefeetwalk and thehandsmove, and tobebrief, there isnopartwhich isnotwilling andreadytodowhatevertheheadshallappointit.Thesamemustbedoneinthechurch.JesusChristmustruleandallmenmustquietlyobeyhim.Andsowehavetonoteinthistext,first,thatoursalvationsodependsuponJesusChrist,thatthereareneitherangelsnormen,howeverholytheyare,whodonothaveneedtoreceiveathishandthe things that they lack in themselves. And therefore when we stand in need ofanythingthatisrequisite,eitherforthepresentlife,orfortheheavenlylife,eitherforourbodiesorforoursouls,thereisnorunningtoSt.Peter,ortoSt.Paul,butwemustgostraighttoourLordJesusChrist.Somuchforonepoint.

Secondly,letusalsolearntoallowourselvestoberuledandtobeheldincheckbythehandofourLordJesusChrist,thattherebywemayshowourselvestobetruemembersofhisbody.AndhecannotbeourHead,excepthebeatthesametimeourShepherdtoo,andhaveallauthorityoverus.ButjustasItoldyouthatthedevilhaslaboured toobscure thegloryofGod’sonlySon,under theshadowofangels, so,ontheotherside,hehassentusan idol into theworld tobeabarrier inourway, thatJesusChristmightbe,asitwere,separatedfromus.ForthePopeisnotashamedtospewoutthisblasphemy,thatthechurchwouldbebutaheadlessbody,ifhehimselfdidnotreignoveritandhavetheuniversaldominionofit,sothateverymanlookedathim,andhisseatwereabovethewholeworld.NowthatisasmuchasifheshouldsaythatJesusChristhasnomoretodohere,butoughttobecontenttobeinheaven,andlethissuccessorrulehereinhisstead.ButinthisweseehowheovershootshimselftoabolishthewholesovereigntyoftheSonofGod.Somuchthemorethereforeoughtwe to keep this passage well in mind, in which St. Paul says that Jesus Christ isappointedtobeHeadofthechurchaboveallthings.

It is true that the Popewill affirmhimself to be but as a subordinate [un chefsubalterneFr.]andthereforethatJesusChristisnotthrustoutofhisplace.ButletuslookbacktothatwhichIhavetouchedonalready,whichisthatJesusChristwillhavenoimaginarytitle,butwillhavehispowerwhichbelongstohim,reservedtohim.Fora head requires not only to be set highest, but also to have all others to receive allthingsfromhim;andwemustallunderstandthatheistheveryrootofourlifeandthe fountain fromwhichwe have to draw, even thoughhe sends forth his spiritualbenefitsandgoodamongusbysuchchannelsashethinksgood.Thusyouseewhatwehaveyetfurtherbrieflytobearinmind.

Thismatter isexpoundedatgreater length inthefirstchaptertotheColossians[vv.16—18].ForSt.PaulshowstherethatourLordJesusChristwasappointedtobetheHeadevenfromthebeginningoftheworld,sinceallthingswerecreatedbyhim,andnotsimplybecauseheisatthisdayourRedeemer.ForsupposingAdamhadnotfallenintotheruinintowhichhehasdrawnuswithhim,yetGod’sSonwouldhavebeen always as the firstborn of creatures. Not that he himself is a creature, but

becauseheisthefoundation,accordingalsoasSt.Pauladdsthereasonforit,whichisthatbyhim theangelswerecreatedand inhim theyhave theirbeing.Yousee thenthattheSonofGodwouldnothaveceasedtohavehadallpre-eminencebothaboveandbeneath,evenifwehadnotfallenwithourfatherAdamuntosuchconfusionaswearein.ButnowourLordJesusChristmustbeourHeadafteranothermanner,thatistosay,tosetusatoneagainwithGodhisFather,andtogatherustogetheragaintohim,fromwhomwewereestrangedbysin,sothathewasourdeadlyenemy,tillwewerebroughtintofavouragainbymeansofJesusChrist,inforgivingusoursins.

And besides this, St. Paul declares in the same passage that Jesus Christ wasordainedHeadofthechurch,inorderthatallfulnessshouldbeinhim.Thusweseehow we ought to be linked with the angels, with the ancient fathers and with theprophets, on the condition that our Lord Jesus Christ must nevertheless not onlycontinuethefirstandchief,butalsohaveallthingsrelatedtohim;ontheconditionalsothatwecommunicateinsuchawaytogetherthateachofuskeepshisplaceandallbemembersofonebody,andthattheremaybenomoreheadsthanone.ForifweaddanyassociatetoJesusChrist,itisrobbinghimofthethingsthatGodhisFatherhas given to him alone. Let us be contented that he makes us partakers of all hisbenefits, upon the condition thatwe acknowledge all things to come fromhim andseekallthingsinhim.Forintheforty-fifthpsalmitiswellshownthatweareallofusunited toJesusChrist, and thatwe receive someportionof all thegood things thatweregiventohim.Butyetforallthat,itisnottobesaidthatheismerelyonewithus,andequaltous,andthathecannotbedistinguishedfromtheapostles,asthepapistsproverbially speak; but it is in order thatwe shouldknow thatnoneof all the goodthingswhichwecanwisharefarfromus,butthattheyareofferedusbyhimandthathe isso liberal thathedesiresnothingelseatourhands,but thatweshouldreceivethethingsthatareforourownwelfare,accordingashehimselfsays,‘Comeuntome,allyethatareathirst,come,drinkwater,yeaevenwithoutmoneyormoney’sworth,drinkyourfillofwater,wineandmilk.’[Isa.55:1]

There our Lord shows how it is he thatwemust resort to, and that if we lookuponhim,hismajestyistoohighandtoofarofffromus.JesusChristthereforemustbeourmediator,andsinceheiscomedowntous,letusalsobetakeourselvestohim,inthemannerexpressedintheseventhchapterofSt.John[vv.37—38],‘Comeuntome,allyethatareathirst;andwhosoeverdrinksofthewaterthatIwillgivehim,heshallhavehisbellysofullthatfountainsofwatershallflowoutofhim.’ProvidedthatmenseekfaithfullyinJesusChristforthethingstheyneed,hewillgiveusnotonlyasmuchasshallbeofusetoeveryoneofusforhimselfbutalsoasmuchasweshallbeabletobestowuponourneighbourstoo,andtosuccourtheirlack.

NowforaconclusionSt.Pauladdsthat‘thechurchisthebodyandfulnessofhimthatperformsallthingsinallmen.’IntermingthechurchthebodyofJesusChrist,heshowsthethingthatIhavetouchedonalready,thatistosay,thatwedonotneedto

make long journeys nor find it difficult to get the things thatwe have need of. ForsinceweareunitedandjoinedtotheSonofGodwhatmoredoweaskWemustgrantthis principle thatwe have neither life, nor gladness, nor any good thing, except inGodalone.Thatbeingconfessed,letusseebywhatmeanswemayreachhim;itisbythemeansofourLordJesusChrist.Andsoyouseethereasonwhyitissaidherethatall fulnessdwells inhimand that it ishischarge touniteus toGodand todrawusbackfromthelostconditionwearein.

ThereforewecannotswerveasideonewayoranothertoattributetoSt.Peter,ortoSt.Paul,partsofthatwhichisreservedtoJesusChristalone,withoutrobbingGodofhisdue.Itistruethatwemaynotcometoadmitit,butyetourhypocrisywillnotservetoacquitusbeforeGod.Wemayindeedbringinmanyevasions,butyetwegivesentenceof condemnationonourselves, in confessing thatweought to seekall oursalvationatGod’shand.

Well,then,ifweallege,Ho!wearenotworthytopresentourselvesbeforeGod,itis true; and ifwe sayHowcanwe flywithoutwings that is true too.And ifwe say,ThenwemustturntoSt.PeterortoSt.Paul,wespeakallthesethingsoutofoursillyheads.[ánostrefantaisieFr.]ForGodsaysexactlytheopposite.IsendyoutomyonlySon(hesays), for inhimyoushall findallyouneed;anddonot fearyoushallhaveanyscarcityifyouareoncefilledwiththegraceIhaveputinhim,andabidesinhim.And that is the reasonwhy the prophet Isaiah speaks purposely ofwine,water andmilk,[Isa.55:1]asifheshouldsay,wehaveallfulnessoflifeinJesusChrist.AsforthosethenwhorunofftoSt.PeterandSt.Paul,andthinkitnecessarytohavepatronsaintsandmediators,theynotonlydowrongtoJesusChristbycuttingintobitsandpiecesthatwhichisgivenwhollytohim,butalsorobGodofhishonour.Forsinceitishis will that all fulness should dwell in Jesus Christ, as I have alleged before, it iscertain that we go about defying him openly when we do not remain within thebounds which he has set us, putting ourselves in subjection to that person he hasgiventous,inorderthathemightgiveusallweneed.

Butyet,whatheaddsoughttobeagreaterandlargercomforttous,whenhesaysthat ‘the church is the fulness of him that fills all’. Now, by thisword ‘fulness’, hemeans that our Lord Jesus Christ, and even God his Father, account themselvesimperfect, unless we are joined to him. And that (as I said) is a witness to God’sinfinitegoodness,atwhichamancannevermarvelenough.Firstandforemost,Goddoesnotneedtoborrowfromothermen’shands,forheisperfectinhimself,neitherdidhelackanythingevenbeforehemadetheworld.Andwhenhemadeit,didhedoitforhisownprofitortohisadvantage?Itwassimplyinorderthatweshouldknowhisgoodness,power,wisdomandrighteousness,andbewitnessesofit.Forhehassetushereasonastage, inorderthatweshouldseehisgloryinallhiscreatures,andyet,despitethis,hecouldverywelldowithoutus.ButsupposingGodshouldborrowfromothers toperfecthimself, andhewere likemortalmen,ofwhomnone isable todo

withoutcompany;supposeGodwerelikethat.Whatarewe?Howcanhefarebetterbybeingjoinedtous?Itisjustasifthesunwerejoinedwithastinkingmire.Forwhathave we but infection and filthiness?We are so corrupted by Adam’s sin that it ishorribletothinkaboutit.HowthencanwebringanysuchperfectiontoGodAlthoughthereisnothingbutfrailtyinus,althoughweareperverseandevil,althoughthereisnothinginusbutallmanneroffilth,andinshort,althoughweareloathsomeinhissight, yet, in spite of this, it is his will to have us joined to him, yes, even on theconditionthatheshouldbeperfected[accompliFr.]inusbyourbeingunitedinthatmanner.Asifafathershouldsay,Myhouseseemsemptytome,whenIdonotseemychildinit.Ahusbandwillsay,Iseemtobeonlyhalfamanwhenmywifeisnotwithme.

After the same manner God says that he does not consider himself full andperfect,exceptbygatheringustohimselfandbymakingusallonewithhimself.Hetakeshiswholepleasure inus, andwillhavehisglory shine forth inus, so thathisbeamsmayshineoutonallsides.Andalthoughthewholegloryisinhimself,yethewillhaveitseenthatitishiswillthatweshouldhaveourpartandportionofit.Thusyousee,ineffect,whatSt.PaulmeantbycallingthechurchthefulnessofGodandofJesusChrist.

Nowthen,canwebeexcusablebeforeGod,whenwesaythatwecannotcometohim,seeingwearehisbodyinthepersonofourLordJesusChrist?Ifoneofourfeet,beingdiseased,shouldrunIknownotwhere,androamupanddownsaying,Igotoseekremedyelsewhere,andtodososhouldcutitselfofffromthebody;if(Isay)themembersofthebodyhadanyunderstandinganddiscernment,andcouldspeakinthatway,woulditnotbemadnessforthefoottosayitwouldbeseparatedfromthebodytoseekelsewherewhatitneeded?Evenso,whenthepapistsandotheridolatersassertthattheyhavetobehelpedbythesaintsandtohaveavarietyofmediatorsandmeansto bring them toGod, it is just as if they should say, JesusChrist is nothing to us,neitherdowehaveaccessorapproachtohim.CanthemembersreallybeseparatedfromtheHeadOfatruth,St.Paulhashereaccusedandcondemnedofingratitudeandunkindnessallthosewho,underthepretextofunworthinesstocometoGod,devisenewmeansforthemselvesandseparatethemselvesfromJesusChrist,anddiminishhispowerandtear it topieces.St.Paulcondemnsthembecausetheycannot find intheirhearts toacceptthebenefitandprivilegethat isofferedthem, inthatourLordJesus Christ has vouchsafed to become onewith them, aswith his own body.Nowthen,letuslearntohavesuchlibertywithourLordJesusChristthatweresorttohimatalltimes,wheneverwearewarnedofourdeficienciesandneeds.

Furthermore,inorderthattheLord’smajestyshouldnotbetherebyobscured,St.Pauladdsthathedoesnotceasetoaccomplishallinallthings.Forwesee,ontheonehand, that when men are once endued with God’s gifts, they begin to thrustthemselves into his place and would be looked up to in his stead. That is how we

behave;anditseemstousthatthegiftsGodhasbestowedonusfreelyarelikeapreyorbootytoboastabout,andtoadvanceourselvesmorethanis lawful.Again,ontheotherhand,whenwehearJesusChristspokenof,howhewashumbledforoursakes,how hewent down into the abyss of death, how he vouchsafed to be subject to allkindsofreproach,itseemstousthathemaywellbeheldincontemptbyus.St.Paultherefore,tobeatdownallprideandtoshowthatJesusChristwasnotsoabasedthathisglorywasdiminished,saysthatneverthelesshedoesall inallthings.Wherefore,letuslearntoreceivetheblessing,graceandbenefitswhicharegivenusbyourLordJesusChrist.And,atthesametime,letusacknowledgenotonlythatwearemadeofnothingandthatourlifeisbutafleetingandvanishingshadow,butalsothatallthevirtueandexcellencewhichwesupposeourselves tohave, isbut likeagreenflowerwhichwithersimmediatelyassoonasGodbreathesuponit.Andtherefore,letusnotimagineourselvestoberich,whenwearepoor.Letusnotboastourselvesinourfreewill. Let us not presumeupon our ownmerits, nor upon any of the other foolerieswhichthedevilhasdevisedinpopery;butletusdrawatthefountainthatcannotbedraineddry,thatwemayfindsuppliestoquenchourthirstwheneverwearedry.

Finally, there are two ways in which God does all in all things. For just as hehimselfcreatedtheworld,somustallthingsbeguidedandgovernedbyhishand.Ifitisaskedwhocausesthesuntoriseandseteveryday,whoguidesthewholeorderofnature,who ordains the days,months and years, andwhomakes the alternation ofdayandnight,itisGod,whodoesallinallthings.Wemaysaythesameofallotherthings we perceive in the universal government of the whole world. Therefore, wemust not imagine that God was a Creator for only a minute of time, for he alsocontinuestomaintainwhathehascreated.Buthere,St.Paulspeaksof thespiritualbenefits,whichare,asyoumightsay,theheritageofGod’schildren.God,then,doesallthingsinus.Yes,butnotonlybythecommonorderofnature,butbyenlighteninguswiththefaithofthegospel,inthathesanctifiesandcleansesusfromthevicesandwickedlustsofourflesh,inthathedrawsusfromtheworldand,tobeshort,inthatheprovidesuswithall thingsrequisite toourwelfareandsalvation.Andsoyouseehowhedoesallinallthings.AsifSt.Paulhaddeclaredinonewordthatthefaithfularenothing,andcandonothingnorcantheyhaveanythingofthemselves.

Hedoesnotspeakhere, then,of thesun,orof themoon,orof the treesof thefields,orofanyotherfruit,nordoeshespeakofbeasts,norevenofmensofarastheyarethechildrenofAdam,butofthosewhomGodhasregeneratedbyhisHolySpirit,sothatwhateverconcernssalvation,orbelongstotheheavenly life, isnottobehadexceptathishand.Hehasallthingsinhimselfanddoesallinallthings,asissaidofhim here. And therefore, let us learn to empty ourselves and to offer ourselves insacrificetoGodwithtrueandgenuinehumility,toyieldhimhisdeservedpraise.Letnoneofusseparateourselves fromhimthroughour ingratitude,but letallofusdohimsuchhonouras to confess thatweholdall fromhimand thatweare joined tohimbyourLordJesusChristwhoisoureternalGod,acknowledgingthatitishefrom

whomallgoodthingscome,andthatitishealsotowhomallgloryoughttobeyieldedandrendered.

Now therefore, let us cast ourselves down before themajesty of our goodGodwithacknowledgementofoursins,prayinghimtomakeusperceivethemmoreandmore,andthatthesamemaycauseustohavesuchadislikeofourselvesthatwemayearnestly and heartily seek to give ourselves wholly to our Lord Jesus Christ. Andsince he has called us already to him by his gospel, let us fashion ourselvesaccordingly, renouncingall superstitionsandassuringourselves thatall thatwecaneverimaginetobringustothekingdomofheavenarebutdeceitsofSatan,andthatitisenoughforustohaveJesusChristalonetomakeourrecourseto;thatjustasitwastheFather’swilltolifthimonhighinorderthatallmenshouldlooktohim,soalsowemayhaveoureyesfasteneduponhimandapplyourwholemindstohiminsuchawaythatwemayhavenootherwayorpreparationthanbyhimalone;norswerveonewayoranother,butwhenweareoncebroughtintotherightway,keeponcontinuallytowardsouraimuntilwearefullycometoperfection.Thatitmaypleasehimtograntthisgrace,notonlytous,butalsotoallpeople.

TheMysteryofGodliness

Andwithoutcontroversygreatisthemysteryofgodliness,Godwasmanifestintheflesh,justifiedintheSpirit,seenofangels,preacheduntotheGentiles,believedonintheworld,receivedupintoglory.-1Timothy3:16.

St.PaulexhortedTimothy tobehavehimself inhisoffice;showinghimtowhathonor God had advanced him, in that he had placed him to govern his house. Heshowedhimalso that theoffice itselfwashonorable;because thechurchupholdeththetruthofGodinthisworld,andthatthereisnothingmoreprecious,ormoretobesoughtafter,thantoknowGod,andtoworshipandserveHim,andbecertainofHistruth,thatwemighttherebyobtainsalvation.Allthisiskeptsafeforus:andthus,sogreat a treasure is committed to our care bymeans of the church; according to thewordsofSt.Paul.Thistruthiswellworthytobemorehighlyesteemedthanitis.

Whatahiddenthingisthis,andhowwonderfulamatter;thatGodwasmanifestintheflesh,andbecameman!Doesitnotsofarsurpassourunderstanding,thatwhenwearetoldofit,weareastonished?Yetnotwithstanding,wehaveafullandsufficientproof, that Jesus Christ beingmademan, and subject to death, is likewise the trueGod,whomadetheworld,andlivethforever.Ofthis,Hisheavenlypowerbearethuswitness.Again,wehaveotherproofs:towit,HewaspreacheduntotheGentiles;whobefore were banished from the kingdom of God: and that faith had had its coursethroughout thewholeworld, which at that timewas shut up among the Jews; andlikewiseChristJesuswaslifteduponhigh,andenteredintoglory,andsittethontherighthandofGodtheFather.

Ifmen despise these things, their unthankfulness shall be condemned: for theveryangelshaveherebycometotheknowledgeofthatwhichbeforetheyknewnotof.For itpleasedGod tohide themeansofour redemption fromthem, to theend thatHisgoodnessmightbesomuchthemorewonderfultoallcreatures:thusweseeSt.Paul’smeaning. He calleth the church of God, the keeper of his truth: he likewiseshoweththatthistruthissuchatreasure,asoughttobehighlyesteemedbyus.Andwhy so? Let us mark the contents of the gospel; God abased Himself in such amanner,thatHetookuponHimselfourflesh;sothatwehavebecomeHisbrethren.WhoistheLordofglory,thatHeshouldsofarhumbleHimselfastobejoinedtous,andtakeuponHimtheformofaservant,eventosufferthecursethatwasduetous?St. Paul comprehendeth all things whatsoever that Jesus Christ received in Hisperson;towit,thatHewassubjecttoallourinfirmities,sin,onlyexcepted.

ItistruethatthereisnoblemishinHim,butallpurenessandperfection.Yetsoitis, that He became weak as we are, that He might have compassion and help our

feebleness;as it isset forth in theepistle to theHebrews(4:15).He thathadnosinsufferedthepunishmentduetous;andwas,as itwere,accursedofGodtheFather,whenHe offeredHimself a sacrifice: that throughHismeanswemight be blessed;and thatHis gracewhichwas hidden fromus,might be poured upon us.Whenweconsiderthesethings,havewenotoccasiontobeastonished?DoweconsiderwhatabeingGodis?WecaninnowisereachuntoHismajesty,whichcontainethallthingsinitself;whicheventheangelsworship.

What is there in us? If we cast our eyes upon God, and then enter into acomparison,alas!shallwecomenearthishighnesswhichsurmounteththeheavens?Nay,rathercanwehaveanyacquaintancewithit?Forthereisnothinghitrottennessinus;nothingbutsinanddeath.Then let the livingGod, thewell-springof life, theeverlastingglory,andthe infinitepower,come;andnotonlyapproachtousandourmiseries,ourwretchedness,ourfrailty,andtothisbottomlesspitofalliniquitythatisinmen;letnotonlythemajestyofGodcomenearthis,buthejoinedtoit,andmadeonewith it, in thepersonof ourLord JesusChrist!What is JesusChrist?God andman!ButhowGodandman?WhatdifferenceistherebetweenGodandman?

Weknowthatthereisnothingatallinournaturebutwretchednessandmisery;nothingbutabottomlesspitofstenchandinfection;andyetinthepersonofourLordJesusChrist,wesee thegloryofGodwho isworshippedbyangels,and likewise theweaknessofman;andthatHeisGodandman.Isnotthisasecretandhiddenthing,worthytobesetoutwithwords,and likewiseenoughtoravishourhearts!Theveryangels could never have thought upon it, as here observed by St. Paul. Seeing itpleased the Holy Ghost to set forth the goodness of God, and show us for howprecious a jewel we ought to esteem it, let us beware on our part that we be notunthankful,andhaveourmindssoshutup,thatwewillnottasteof it, ifwecannotthoroughlyandperfectlyunderstandit.

Itisenoughforustohavesomelittleknowledgeofthissubject;eachoneoughttobecontentwithwhatlightisgivenhim,consideringtheweaknessofourjudgment;and looking for thedaywherein thatwhichwenowsee inpart, shallbewhollyandperfectlyrevealedtous.Yetnotwithstanding,wemustemployourmindsandstudiesthisway.WhydothSt.Paulcallthisamysteryoffaith,thatJesusChrist,whoisGodeverlasting,wasmanifestintheflesh?Itisasmuchasifheshouldsay,whenwearegatheredtoGod,andmadeonebodywiththeLordJesusChrist,weshallbeholdtheendforwhichweweremade;towit,thatwemightknowthatGodisjoinedandmadeonewithusinthepersonofHisSon.

Thus, wemust conclude that noman can be a Christian, unless he know thissecretwhichisspokenofbySt.Paul.Shouldwenowexamine,andaskbothmenandwomen whether they know what these wordsmean, that God wasmanifest in theflesh,scarcelyoneintencouldmakesogoodanansweraswouldbelookedforfroma

child.Andyetweneednotmarvelatit;forweseewhatnegligenceandcontemptthereisinthegreatestpartofmankind.Weshowandteachdailyinoursermons,thatGodtookuponHimournature;buthowdomenhearthem?Whoistherethattroublethhimselfmuch to read theScripture?There are very few that attend to these things;everymanisoccupiedwithhisownbusiness.

Iftherebeonedayintheweekreservedforreligiousinstruction,whentheyhavespentsixdaysintheirownbusiness,theyareapttospendthedaywhichissetapartforworship,inplayandpastime;someroveaboutthefields,othersgotothetavernstoquaff:andthereareundoubtedlyatthistimeasmanyatthelastmentionedplace,asarehereassembledinthenameofGod.Therefore,whenweseesomanyshunandfleefromthisdoctrine,canwemarvelthatthereissuchabrutishness,thatweknownot the rudiments of Christianity?We are apt to consider it as a strange language,whenmentellusthatGodwasmanifestintheflesh.

But this sentence cannot be put out of God’s register.We have no faith, if weknow not that our Lord Jesus Christ is joined to us, that we may become Hismembers.ItseemeththatGodwouldstirusuptothinkuponthismystery,seeingweare so sleepy and drowsy.We see how the devil stirreth up these oldmakebates todeny the humanity of Jesus Christ, andHis Godhead: and sometimes to confoundthemboth;thatwemaynotperceivetwodistinctnaturesinHim:orelsetocauseusto believe that He is not the man who fulfilled the promises in the law; andconsequentlydescendedfromthestockofAbrahamandDavid.

Isitindeedthecase,thatsucherrorsandheresiesaswereinthechurchofChristatthebeginning,aresetforthinthesedays?LetusmarkwellthewordsthatarehereusedbySt.Paul:Godwasmanifestintheflesh.WhenhecallethJesusChristGod,headmits thisnaturewhichHehadbefore theworldwasmade. It is true, there isbutone God, but in this one essence we must comprehend the Father, and a wisdomwhichcannotbeseveredfromHim,andaneverlastingvirtue,whichalwayswas,andshallforeverbeinHim.

Thus,JesusChristwastrueGod!asHewasthewisdomofGodbeforetheworldwasmade,andbeforeeverlastingness.It issaid,Hewasmademanifest intheflesh.By theword flesh, St. Paul gives us to understand thatHewas trueman, and tookuponHimournature.Bythewordmanifest,HeshoweththatinHimthereweretwonatures. But we must not think that there is one Jesus Christ which is God, andanotherJesusChristwhichisman!butwemustknowHimonlyasGodandman.LetussodistinguishthetwonatureswhichareinHim,thatwemayknowthattheSonofGod isourbrother.Godsuffereth theoldheresies,which in timespast troubled thechurch, tomake a stir again in our days, to stir us up to diligence. The devil goethabouttodestroythisarticleofourbelief,knowingittobethemainpropandstayofoursalvation.

IfwehavenotthisknowledgeofwhichSt.Paulspeaketh,whatwillbecomeofus?We are all in the bottomless pit of death. There is nothing but death andcondemnationinus,untilweknowthatGodcamedowntoseekandsaveus.Untilwearethuslearned,weareweakandmiserable.Therefore,thedevilwentaboutdoingallinhispowertoabolishthisknowledge,tomarit,andmixitwith lies, thathemightutterlybringittonought.WhenweseesuchamajestyinGod,howdarewepresumetocomenighHim,seeingwearefullofmisery!WemusthaverecoursetothislinkofGod’smajesty,andthestateofman’snaturetogether.

Do what we can, we shall never have any hope, or be able to lay hold of thebountyandgoodnessofGod,toreturntoHim,andcalluponHim,untilweknowthemajesty ofGod that is in Jesus Christ; and likewise theweakness ofman’s nature,whichHehathreceivedofus.Weareutterlycastofffromthekingdomofheaven,thegateisshutagainstus,sothatwecannotentertherein.Thedevilhathbestowedallhisarttopervertthisdoctrine;seeingthatoursalvationisgroundedthereon.Weshouldthereforebesomuchthemoreconfirmedandstrengthenedinit;thatwemayneverbeshaken,butstandsteadfastinthefaith,whichiscontainedinthegospel.

Firstofallwehavethistonote,thatweshallneverknowJesusChristtobeourSavior,untilweknow thatHewasGod fromeverlasting.ThatwhichwaswrittenofHimbyJeremiahtheprophet,mustneedsbefulfilled:"Lethimthatglorieth,gloryinthis,thatheunderstandethandknowethme,thatIamtheLord"(Jer.9:24).St.Paulshoweth that this must be applied to the person of our Lord Jesus Christ: andthereuponheprotesteththathemadenoaccountofanydoctrineorknowledge,onlytoknowJesusChrist.

Again,howisitpossibleforustohaveourlifeinHim,unlessHebeourGod,andwebemaintainedandpreservedbyHisvirtue?HowcanweputourtrustinHim?Foritiswritten."Cursedbethemanthattrustethinman,andmakethfleshhisarm"(Jer.17:5). Again, how can we be preserved from death except by God’s infinite power?EvenifScriptureborenowitnesstotheDeityofJesusChrist,itisimpossibleforustoknowHim as our Savior, unless we admit that He possesses the wholemajesty ofGod;unlessweacknowledgeHimtobethetrueGod;becauseHeisthewisdomoftheFatherwherebytheworldwasmade,preserved,andkeptinbeing.Thereforeletusbethoroughlyresolvedinthispoint,wheneverwespeakofJesusChrist,thatweliftourthoughtsonhigh,andworshipthismajestywhichHehadfromeverlasting,andthisinfiniteessencewhichHeenjoyedbeforeHeclothedhimselfinhumanity.

Christwasmademanifestintheflesh:thatistosay,becameman;likeuntousinall things, sin only excepted (Heb. 4:15). Where he saith, sin only excepted, hemeaneth thatourLordJesuswaswithout faultorblemish.Yetnotwithstanding.Herefusednottobearoursins:HetookthisburdenuponHimself,thatwethroughHisgracemightbedisburdened.WecannotknowJesusChristtobeamediatorbetween

Godandman,unlesswebeholdHimasman.WhenSt.Paulwouldemboldenus tocalluponGodinthenameofourLordJesusChrist,heexpresslycallethHimman.

St.Paul saith, "There is oneGod, andonemediatorbetweenGodandmen, themanChristJesus"(ITim.2:5).Underthisconsideration,wemayinHisname,andbyHismeanscomefamiliarlytoGod,knowingthatweareHisbrethren,andHetheSonofGod.Seeingthereisnothingbutsininmankind,wemustalsofindrighteousnessand life inour flesh.Therefore ifChristhasnot trulybecomeourbrother, ifHehasnotbeenmademanlikeuntous,inwhatconditionarewe?LetusnowconsiderHislifeandpassion.

It is said (speaking of Christ), "But now once in the end of the world hath heappeared,toputawaysinbythesacrificeofhimself"(Heb.9:26).Andwhyso?St.PaulshowethusthereasoninRomans5:18."Asbytheoffenceofonejudgmentcameuponallmentocondemnation;evensobytherighteousnessofonethefreegiftcameuponall men unto justification of life." If we know not this, that the sin which wascommittedinournature,wasrepairedintheself-samenature, inwhatsituationarcwe?Uponwhat foundationcanwe stayourselves?Therefore, thedeathofourLordJesusChristcouldnotprofitusonewhit,unlessHehadbeenmademan,likeuntous.

Again,ifJesusChristwereonlyGod,couldwehaveanycertaintyorpledgeinHisresurrection, thatwe should oneday rise again? It is true that theSonofGod roseagain;whenwehearitsaid,thattheSonofGodtookuponHimabodylikeuntoours,came of the stock of David, that He is risen again (seeing our nature is of itselfcorruptible), and is lifted up on high unto glory, in the person of our Lord JesusChrist, "we aremade to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:6)Therefore,thosethatwentabouttobringtonoughtman’snature,inthepersonoftheSon ofGod, are to be themore detested. For the devil raised up in old times someindividualswhodeclaredthatJesusChristappearedintheshapeofman,buthadnotman’s true nature: thereby endeavoring to abolish God’s mercy towards us, andutterlydestroyourfaith.

OthershaveimaginedthatHebroughtabodywithHimfromheaven;asthoughHepartooknotofournature.Ithasbeendeclared,thatJesusChristhadabodyfromeverlasting;composedoffourelements:thattheGodheadwasatthattimeinavisibleshape,andthatwhenevertheangelsappeared,itwasHisbody.Whatmadnessitistomake suchanalchemy, to frameabody for theSonofGod!What shallwedowiththatpassagewhich saith, "He tooknotonhim thenatureof angels, buthe tookonhim the seed ofAbraham.Wherefore in all things it behoovedhim to bemade likeunto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in thingspertainingtoGod,tomakereconciliationforthesinsofthepeople"(Heb.2:16,17).

Itissaid.HetookuponHimourflesh,andbecameourbrother.Yea,andthatHe

wasmadelikeuntous,thatHemighthavepityuponus,andhelpourinfirmities.Hewas made the seed of David, that He might be known as the Redeemer that waspromised, whom the fathers looked for from all ages. Let us remember that it iswritten,theSonofGodappearedintheflesh;thatis.Hebecameveryman,andmadeusonewithHimself;sothatwemaynowcallGodourFather.Andwhyso?Becausewe are of the body ofHis only Son. But how arewe ofHis body? BecauseHewaspleasedtojoinHimselftous,thatwemightbepartakersofHissubstance.

Herebyweseethatitisnotavainspeculation,whenmentellusthatJesusChristputonourflesh:forhitherwemustcome,ifwewillhaveatrueknowledgeoffaith.Itis impossible forus to trust inHimaright,unlessweunderstandHismanhood:wemustalsoknowHismajesty,beforewecantrustinHimforsalvation.WemustknowmoreoverthatJesusChristisGodandman,andlikewisethatHeisbutoneperson.

Hereagainthedeviltriestostirupthecoalsofstrife,bypervertingordisguisingthe doctrine which St. Paul teaches us. For there have been heretics who haveendeavoredtomaintainthat themajestyandGodheadofJesusChrist,Hisheavenlyessence, was forthwith changed into flesh and manhood. Thus did some say, withmanyother cursedblasphemies, that JesusChristwasmademan.Whatwill followhereupon?GodmustforegoHisnature,andHisspiritualessencemustbeturnedintoflesh. They go on further and say Jesus Christ is no more man, but His flesh hasbecomeGod.

Thesearcmarvelousalchemists, tomake somanynewnaturesofJesusChrist.Thusthedevilraisedupsuchdreamersinoldtimestotroublethefaithofthechurch;whoarenowrenewedinourtime.Therefore,letusmarkwellwhatSt.Paulteachesusinthisplace;forhegivethusgoodarmor,thatwemaydefendourselvesagainstsucherrors.IfwewouldbeholdJesusChristinHistruecharacter,letusviewinHimthisheavenlyglory,whichHehadfromeverlasting:andthenletuscometoHismanhood,whichhasbeendescribedheretofore;thatwemaydistinguishHistwonatures.Thisisnecessarytonourishourfaith.

If we seek life in Jesus Christ, we must understand that He hath the wholeGodheadinHim;foritiswritten,"Forwiththeeisthefoundationoflife:inthylightshall we see light" (Psa. 36:9). If we would be maintained against the devil, andwithstandthetemptationsofourenemies,wemustknowthatJesusChristisGod.Tobeshort,ifwewouldputourwholetrustandconfidenceinHim,wemustknowthatHepossessesallpower;whichHecouldnothave,unlessHewereGod.WhoisHethathathallpower?ItisHethatbecamefeebleandweak;theSonofthevirginMary;Hethatwassubjecttodeath;Hethatboreoursins:Heitis,thatisthewellspringoflife.

We have two eyes in our head, each performing its office: but when we looksteadfastlyuponathing,oursight,whichisseparateofitself, isjoinedtogether,and

becomethone;andiswhollyoccupiedinbeholdingthatwhichissetbeforeus:evensoaretheretwodiversenaturesinJesusChrist.Isthereanythingintheworldmoredifferentthanthebodyandsoulofman?Hissoulisaninvisiblespiritthatcannotbeseenortouched;whichhathnoneofthesefleshlypassions.Thebodyisacorruptiblelump, subject to rottenness; a visible thingwhich can be touched: the body has itsproperties,whichareentirelydifferentfromthatofthesoul.Andthusweask,whatisman?Acreature,formedofbodyandsoul.

IfGodusedsuchaworkmanshipinus,whenHemadeusoftwodiversenatures,whyshouldwethinkitstrange,thatHeusedafargreatermiracleinJesusChrist?St.Paulusesthesewords,wasmanifest,thatwemaydistinguishHisGodheadfromHismanhood;thatwemayreceiveHim,asGodmanifestintheflesh;thatistosay.Him,who is truly God, and yet hath made Himself one with us: therefore we are thechildrenofGod;Hebeingour justification,wearedelivered fromtheburdenofoursins.SeeingHehathcleansedusfromallourmisery,wehaveperfectrichesinHim;inshort,seeingHesubmittedHimselftodeath,wearenowsureoflife.

St.Pauladdeth,"Hewas justified inthespirit."Thewordjustified isoftentimesused in Scripture, for approved.When it is said.Hewas justified, it is not thatHebecamejust,itisnotthatHewasacquittedbymen,asthoughtheywereHisjudges,andHeboundtogivethemanaccount:no,no;thereisnosuchthing;butitiswhenthegloryisgivenHimwhichHedeserveth,andweconfessHimtobewhatindeedHereallyis.Itissaid,thegospelisjustifiedwhenmenreceiveitobediently,andthroughfaithsubmitthemselvestothedoctrinethatGodteacheth:sointhisplace,itissaid,JesusChristwasjustifiedinspirit.

WemustnotcontentourselvesbylookingatthebodilypresenceofJesusChrist,whichwasvisible,butwemustlookhigher.St.JohnsaysGodwasmadeflesh;ortheWordofGod,whichisthesame.TheWordofGod,whichwasGodbeforethecreationoftheworld,wasmadeflesh;thatis,wasunitedtoournature;sothattheSonofthevirginMary,isGod;yea,theeverlastingGod!Hisinfinitepowerwastheremanifested;whichisasurewitnessthatHeisthetrueGod!St.Paulsaith,JesusChristourLordwasmadeoftheseedofDavid;helikewiseadds,HewasdeclaredtobetheSonofGod(Rom.1).

ItisnotenoughforustobeholdHimwithournaturaleyes;forinthiscase,weshouldrisenohigherthanman:butwhenwesee,thatbymiraclesandmightyworks,He showeth Himself to be the Son of God, it is a seal and proof, that in abasingHimself,HedidnotleaveoffHisheavenlymajesty!Therefore,wemaycometoHimasourbrother:andat thesametimeworshipHimas theeverlastingGod;bywhomweweremade,andbywhomwearepreserved.

Wereitnotforthis,wecouldhavenochurch;wereitnotforthis,wecouldhave

noreligion;wereitnotforthis,wecouldhavenosalvation.Itwouldbebetterforusto be brute beasts, without reason and understanding, than to be destitute of thisknowledge: towit, that Jesus cameand joinedHisGodheadwithournature;whichwassowretchedandmiserable.St.Pauldeclaresthistobeamystery;thatwemaynotcometoitproudlyandarrogantly,asmanydowhowishtobethoughtwise;thishascausedmanyheresiestospringup.Andindeed,pridehathalwaysbeenthemotherofheresies.

Whenwehearthisword,mystery,letusremembertwothings;first,thatwelearntokeepunderoursenses,andflatternotourselvesthatwehavesufficientknowledgeandabilitytocomprehendsovastamatter.Inthesecondplace,letuslearntoclimbup beyond ourselves, and reverence thatmajestywhich passeth our understanding.Wemustnotbesluggishnordrowsy;but thinkupon thisdoctrine,andendeavor tobecomeinstructiontherein.Whenwehaveacquiredsomelittleknowledgethereof,weshouldstrivetoprofitthereby,allthedaysofourlife.

Whenwebecomepossessedof thisknowledge, that theSonofGod is joined tous,weshouldcastoureyesuponthatwhichissohighlysetforthinHim;thatis,thevirtueandpoweroftheHolyGhost.Sothen,JesusChristdidnotonlyappearasman,butshowedindeedthatHewasAlmightyGodasallthefulnessoftheGodheaddweltinHim.Ifweonceknowthis,wemaywellperceivethatitisnotwithoutcausethatSt.Paulsaith,allthetreasuresofwisdomarehiddeninourLordJesusChrist.

WhenwehaveoncelaidholdonthepromisesofthisMediator,weshallknowtheheight and depth, the length and breadth, yea, andwhatsoever is necessary for oursalvation: so thatwemay stay our faithuponHim, asupon theonly trueGod; andlikewise beholdHim as our brother; who hath not only come near to us, but hathunited and joinedHimself to us in such amanner, thatHe hath become the samesubstance.Ifwehavecometothis,letusknowthatwehavearrivedtotheperfectionofwisdom,whichisspokenofbySt.Paulinanotherplace;thatwemayfullyrejoiceinthegoodnessofGod;foritbathpleasedHimtolightenuswiththebrightnessofHisgospel,andtodrawusintoHisheavenlykingdom.

TheSalvationofAllMen

ForthisisgoodandacceptableinthesightofGodourSavior:Whowillhaveallmentobesaved,andtocomeuntotheknowledgeofthetruth.ForthereisoneGod,andonemediatorbetweenGodandmen,themanChristJesus.-1Timothy2:3-5.

Whenwedespise thosewhomGodwouldhavehonored, it is asmuch as ifweshoulddespiseHim:so it is, ifwemakenoaccountof the salvationof thosewhomGodcallethtoHimself.ForitseemeththerebythatwewouldstayHimfromshowingHismercytopoorsinners,whoareinthewaytoruin.ThereasonwhySt.Pauluseththisargument,thatGodwillhavealltheworldtobesaved,isthatwemay,asmuchaslieth in us, also seek the salvation of those who seem to be banished from thekingdomofGod;especiallywhiletheyareunbelievers.

Wemustalwaysobservewhat the conditionof theworldwas in thedaysofSt.Paul.Itwassomethingnewandstrangetohavethegospelpublishedtotheworldinthosedays: for it appeared thatGodhadchosen the stockofAbraham,and that therestof theworldwouldbedeprivedofallhopeofsalvation.And indeedweseehowHolyWrit setteth forth the adoptionof this people: but St. Paul commandethus toprayforalltheworld;andnotwithoutcause,forheaddeththereason,whichisherementioned:towit,becauseGodwillhaveallmentobesaved.Asifheshouldsay,myfriends,itisreasonablethatweshouldobservewhatthewillofGodis,andatwhatHeaimeth;thateveryoneofusmayemployhimselftoserveHimaright.

Therefore, seeing it is thewill of God that allmen should be partakers of thatsalvation which He hath sent in the person of His only begotten Son, we mustendeavortodrawpoor,silly,ignorantcreaturestous,thatwemayallcometogethertothisinheritanceofthekingdomofheaven,whichhathbeenpromisedus.ButwemustobservethatSt.Paulspeakethnotofeveryparticularman,butofallsortsofmen,andofallpeople.Therefore,whenhesaiththatGodwillhaveallmentobesaved,wemustnotthinkthathespeakethofthemindividually,buthismeaningisthis:thatwhereasintimespastHechoseacertainpeopletoHimself,Hemeanethnowtoshowmercytoalltheworld:yea,eventothemthatseemedtobeshutoutfromthehopeofsalvation.

He saith in another place, the heathens were without God, and void of allpromise;becausetheywerenotasyetbroughttothefellowshipoftheJews.Thiswasa special privilege thatGodhadgiven to thedescendants ofAbraham.ThereforeSt.Paul’smeaningisnotthatGodwillsaveeveryman,butthatthepromiseswhichweregiventobutonepeoplearenowextendedtoalltheworld:forashesaithinthissameepistle, thewallwasbrokendownat the comingof ourLord JesusChrist.Godhadseparated the Jews from all other nations; but when Jesus Christ appeared for the

salvationoftheworld,thenwasthisdifference,whichexistedbetweenthemandtheGentiles,takenaway.

Therefore, God will now embrace us all: and this is the entrance into oursalvation.Forifthathadalwayscontinued,whichGodordainedbutforaseason,thenshouldwe be all accursed; and the gospelwould not have been preached to us:weshouldhavehadnosignortokenoftheloveandgoodnessofGod.ButnowwehavebecomeHischildren;wearenomorestrangerstothepromises,aswereourfathers:forJesusChristcametobeaSaviortoallingeneral;HeofferedthegraceofGodtheFather,thatallmightreceiveit.

AsSt.Paulspeakethofallnations,sohelikewisespeakethofallconditions;asifhe should say,Godwill save kings andmagistrates, aswell as others:wemust notrestrainHisfatherlygoodnesstoourselvesalone,nortoanycertainnumberofpeople.Andwhyso?ForHeshoweththatHewillbefavorabletoall:thuswehaveSt.Paul’smeaning.Toconfirmthismatter,headdethitisGod’swillthatallshouldcometotheknowledgeofthetruth.WemustmarkwellwhySt.Pauluseththisargument;forwecannot know thewill ofGod,unless it bemadeknown tous; unlesswehave somesignortokenwherebywemayperceiveit.ItistoohighamatterforustoknowwhatGod’scounselis;butasfarasHeshowethittousbyeffect,sofarwecomprehendit.

The gospel is called the mighty power of God, and salvation to all them thatbelieve:yea,itisthegateofparadise.Itfolloweththen,ifthroughthewillofGodthegospelbepreachedtoall theworld, there isatokenthatsalvationiscommontoall.Thus St. Paul proveth that God’swill is that allmen should be saved.He hath notappointedHisapostlestoproclaimHisnameonlyamongtheJews,forweknowthatthe commissionwas given them topreach to all creatures; tobewitnessesof JesusChristfromJerusalemtoSamaria,andfromthencethroughoutalltheworld.

Are the apostles sent to publish the truth of God to all people, and to allconditions ofmen? It followeth then thatGod presentethHimself to all theworld,thatthepromisebelongethtobothgreatandsmall,aswelltotheGentilesnow,astotheJewsbefore.Butbeforewegoanyfarther,itisnecessarytobeatdownthefolly,orrather thebeastliness,of thosewhoabuse thispassageofSt.Paul;whoendeavor tomaketheelectionofGodofnoeffect,andtoutterlytakeitaway.Theysay,ifGodwillhave all men to be saved, it follows that He hath not chosen a certain number ofmankind,andcasttherestaway,butthatHiswillremainethindifferent.

Theypretend that it is left to thechoiceofmen tosave themselvesornot; thatGodlettethusalone,andwaitethtoseewhetherwewillcometoHimornot;andsoreceiveth themthatcomeuntoHim.But in themean time, theydestroy thegroundwork of our salvation; forwe know thatwe are so accursed that the inheritance ofsalvation is far fromus: ifwesay thatJesusChristhathcometo,remedythat, then

mustweexaminethenatureofmankind.Wearesocontraryinournature,andsuchenemiestoGod,thatwecannotbutresistHim:wearesogiventoevilandwickednessthatwecannotsomuchasconceiveagoodthought.Howthencanitbethatwemaybecomepartakersofthatsalvationwhichisofferedinthegospel,unlessGoddrawustoitbyHisHolySpirit?LetusnowseewhetherGoddrawall theworldto itornot.No, no, for then had our Lord Jesus Christ said in vain, "Noman can come tome,excepttheFather,whichhathsentme’drawhim"(John6:44).Sothenwemustneedsconcludethatit isaspecialgracethatGodbestowethuponsuchaspleasethHim,todrawthem,andteachtheminsuchamanner,thattheybelievethegospel,andreceiveitwithtruefaith.

And now, why doth God choose one, and leave another? We know that mencannot come toGod by their own deserts, neither are thosewho have been chosendeservinganysuchthingastobepreferredtotheircompanions,asthoughthereweresomeworthiness in them. It followeth then that before theworldwasmade (as St.PaulsaithinthefirsttotheEphesians),GodchosesuchaspleasedHim:andweknownotwhy thismanwas chosen in preference to that. And still wemust confess thatwhatsoeverGoddothisdonejustly,althoughwecannotcomprehendit.Therefore,letus receive thatwhereofwe are so thoroughly certified inHolyWrit; and not sufferourselves to be lead astray, under a shadow of vain reason, used bymen, who areignorantoftheWordofGod.

At the first sight, there appears to he someweight in their argument Godwillhaveallmentobesaved:thereforesaythey,itislefttothefreechoiceofeverymantobecome enlightened in the faith, and to partake of salvation. If amanwill readbutthree lines,hewilleasilyperceivethatSt.Paulherespeakethnotofeveryparticularman as we have already shown, but that he speaketh of all people, and of allconditionsofmen.HeshoweththatthecasestandethnotasitdidbeforethecomingofChrist,whentherewasbutonechosenpeople,butthatGodnowshowethHimselfaSaviortoalltheworld;asitissaid,thineinheritanceshallbeeventotheendsoftheearth.

Moreover,thatnomanmayabusehimself,orbedeceivedbythevainandfoolishtalkofthosewhopervertHolyWrit,letusexaminehowthedoctrineoftheseenemiesofGod,andallgodliness,standeth.Godwillhaveallmentohesaved;thatis,astheyimagine,everyone.IfitbethewillofGodatpresent,nodoubtitwasthesamefromthebeginningoftheworld:forweknowthatHismindchangethnot.Sothen,ifatthisdayGodwillhaveallmentohesaved,Hismindwassoalways;andifHismindwassoalways,whatshallwemakeofwhatSt.Paulsaith?thatHewillthatallmencometotheknowledgeofthetruth.HechosebutonepeopletoHimself,asitissaid(Acts14)andleftthepoorGentilestowalkintheirownignorance.

TherewerelikewisesoniccountrieswhereHewouldnotsufferSt.Paultopreach;

as inBithynia andPhrygia (Acts 16:7). And sowe see thatGodwould not have theknowledgeofthegospeltocometoeveryoneatfirst.Thuswemayeasilyseetheerrorofthosewhoabusethistext.St.PaulspeakethnotinthisplaceofthecounselofGod,neither dothHemean to lead us to His everlasting election, which was before thebeginningof theworld:butonlyshowethwhatHiswillandpleasure is,as farasweoughttoknowit.

ItistruethatGodchangethnot;neitherhathHetwowills;nordothHeuseanycounterfeit dealing: and yet the Scripture speaketh unto us in twoways concerningHiswill.Andhowcanthatbe?HowcomethittopassthatHiswillisspokenofintwodifferentways?Itisbecauseofourgrossness,andwantofunderstanding.WhydothHemakeHimself tohaveeyes, tohaveears,andtohaveanose?WhydothHetakeuponHimmen’saffections?WhyisitthatHesaithHeisangry,Heissorry?IsitnotbecausewecannotcomprehendHiminHisincomprehensiblemajesty?Therefore, itisnotabsurdthatHolyWritshouldspeakuntousofthewillofGodaftertwosorts:not because His will is double, but in order that He may apply Himself to ourweakness,knowingthatourunderstandingisgrossandheavy.

When the Scripture informeth us that God hath chosen such as pleased Himbefore theworldbegan,webeholda counsel intowhichwecannotenter.Why thendothHolyWritinformusthatthiselectionandchoiceofGodiseverlasting?Itisnotwithoutcause;foritisaveryprofitabledoctrine,ifitbereceivedasitoughttobe.Forthereby we are reminded that we are not called to the knowledge of the gospel byreasonofourownworthiness.Wearenobetter thanothers, forweall sprung fromthecursedrootofAdam;weareallsubjecttothesamecondemnation;andweareallshutupundertheslaveryofsinanddeath.

WhenitpleasedGodtodrawusoutofthedarknessofunbelief,andgiveusthelightofthegospel,Helookednotatanyservicewhichwemighthaveperformed,oratanyvirtuewemighthavepossessed:butHecalledus,havingchosenusbefore.ThisistheorderinwhichSt.PaulmakethmentioninRomans8:thatknowingGod,wemustnot take the glory to ourselves. Thus, the calling of the faithful resteth upon thiscounselofGod;andweseehowfartheLordmakethknowntousthatwhichHehaddecreed before we were born. He toucheth us with His Holy Spirit, and we areingrafted,asitwere,intothebodyofourLordJesusChrist.Thisisthetrueearnestofouradoption:thisisthepledgegivenus,toputusoutofalldoubtthatGodtakethandholdethusforHischildren,whenbyfaithwearemadeonewithJesusChrist,whoistheonlybegottenSonofGod,untowhombelongeththeinheritanceoflife.

God giveth us such a sure testimony of His will that notwithstanding ourignorance,Heputtethusoutofdoubtofourelection;Hegivethusahope,ofwhichweshouldbeentirelyvoid,ifJesusChristdidnotcallustobemembersofHisbody.Thusweseehowprofitablethisdoctrineofelectionistous:itservethtohumbleus,

knowing that our salvation hangeth not upon our deserts, neither upon the virtuewhichGodmighthave found inus:butupon the election thatwasmadebeforewewereborn,beforewecoulddoeithergoodorevil.

Whenweknowthataccordingtothisunchangeableelection,GodhathcalledustoHimself,wearesomuchthemoreputoutofdoubtofoursalvation.JesusChristsaith,nomantakethfromMethatwhichtheFatherhathgivenMe(John10).WhatisitthattheFatherhathgivenJesusChrist?TheywhomHehathchosen,andwhomHeknowethtobeHis.Seeingthecasestandeththus,thatGodhathgivenustoHisSon,tobekeptanddefendedbyHim,andthatJesusChristpromiseththatnoneofusshallbelost,butthatHewillexerciseallthemightandpoweroftheGodheadtosaveanddefendus, isnotthisacomfortsurpassingallthetreasuresoftheworld?Isnotthisthetruegrounduponwhichalltheassuranceandcertaintyofoursalvationissettled?

Weareasbirdsupontheboughs,andsetforthasapreytoSatan.Whatassurancethencouldwehaveoftomorrow,andofallourlife;yea,andafterdeath,wereitnotthatGod,whohath calledus,will endHiswork asHebathbegun it.HowhathHegatheredustogetherinthefaithofHisgospel?Isitgroundeduponus?Nay,entirelyto thecontrary; itproceedeth fromHis freeelection.Therefore;wemaybesomuchthemore freed fromdoubt.Wemustnot strive toknowanymoreofGod’s counselthanwhatisrevealedinHolyWrit.

ThewillofGodisopenedtous,asoftenaswehearHisWordpreached,wherebyHecallethandexhortethusall to repentance.AfterHehathonceshownus thatweare all damned inHis sight, and that there is nothing but condemnation in us,Heshowethus thatwemust renounceourselves, andget out of thisbottomlesspit. InthatwhichGodexhortethallmen,wemayjudgethatitisHiswillthatallmenshouldbe saved: as He saith by the prophet Ezekiel, "Have I any pleasure at all that thewickedshoulddie?saiththeLordGod;andnotthatheshouldreturnfromhiswaysandlive?"(18:23)."Sayuntothem,AsIlive,saiththeLordGod,Ihavenopleasureinthedeathofthewicked;butthatthewickedturnfromhiswayandlive"(33:11).

HowwillGodhavesinners turn themselves?andhowshallweknow it?SeeingHewillhaverepentancepreachedtoalltheworld.WhenitissaidthatGodwillhavemercyuponsinners,uponsuchaswillcometoHim,andask forgiveness inChrist’sname,itisageneraldoctrine.Sothen,itissaidthatGodwillhaveallmentobesaved,nothavingrespecttowhatwedeviseorimagine,thatis,asfarasourknowledgecancomprehendit.WhentheScripturespeakethoftheloveandwillofGod,letusseeifmencanhaverepentancebytheirownactions,beingselftaught,orwhetheritisGodthatgivethit.

GodsaithbyHisprophet,Iwillthatallmenturnandlive.Canamanbyhisownworksturnhimself?No:forifthatwereinourpower,itweremorethantomakeus.It

isanundoubteddoctrinethroughout thewholeScripture thatourLordJesusChristgivethHimselfthepraiseofturningus.Hesaith,"Iwillputanewspiritwithinyou:andIwilltakethestonyheartoutoftheirflesh,andwillgivethemanheartofflesh"(Ezekiel11:19).Tobeshort,thereisnothingthatthefaithfuloughtsomuchtodoastogiveGodtheglory,confessingthatitisHealonethatcanturnus;andthatHehathadoptedusinsuchamannerthatHemustneedsdrawusbythegraceofHisSpirit.

Havemensuchknowledge that theyareable toattain this faith, thiswonderfulwisdom which is contained in the gospel, such as the very angels themselvesreverence?LetusmarkwhatGodsaithtousinHisWord:thatHewillopenoureyes,andunstopourears;becausethenaturalmanunderstandethnopartofthesecretsofGod;foritistheHolyGhostthatrevealeththemtous.ItishardlypossibletoreadasinglepassageinHolyWrit,withoutfindingsomesentence,whichinformethusthatmen are utterly blind by nature until God openeth their eyes. They can in nowisecometoHim,untilHedrawthem,andenlightenthembyHisHolySpirit.

Seeing thatGod alone turnethmen from theirwickedness, experience teachethus,andsodoththeHolyScripturethatHegivethnotHisgracetoallmen.Itissaid,"TheLordhathnotgivenyouanhearttoperceive,andeyestosee,andearstohear,untothisday"(Deut.29:4).ItisplainlyshownthatGoddothnotcastforthHisgracewithoutdirection,but that it isonly for thosewhomHehathchosen, for those thatareof thebodyofHischurch,andofHis flock.ThusweseewhatSt.Paulmeanethwhenhe saith,Godwill have allmen to be saved: that is,Hewill have some of allnations,andallconditions.

It issaidthatHeofferethHisgospeltoall,whichisthemeansofdrawingustosalvation.Anddoth thisprofit allmen?No;of thisourownevesarewitnesses.ForwhenwehearthetruthofGod,ifwerebelagainstit,itprovesagreatcondemnationto us. Yet so it is, that there aremany who do not profit by the gospel, but ratherbecomeworse, even those towhom it ispreached; therefore, theyarenot all saved.Godmustgofartherinordertobringustosalvation;Hemustnotonlyappointmen,andsendthemtoteachusfaithfully,butHemustoperateuponourhearts.Hemusttouchustothequick,HemustdrawustoHim,HemustmakeHisworkprofitabletous,andcauseittotakerootinourhearts.

It isevident thatwehave toconsider thewillofGod in twoways:not that it isdouble of itself (aswe before observed), butwemust consider it as adapted to ourweakness.HeformethHisspeechtousinHisWord,accordingtoourcapacity.IfGodshould speak according to His majesty, His speech would be beyond ourcomprehension;itwouldutterlyconfoundus!Forifoureyesbenotabletoabidethebrightnessofthesun,wouldourmindsbeabletocomprehendtheinfinitemajestyofGod? These silly men who would destroy God’s election ought not to abuse thispassage;norsaythatwemakeGodtohavetwowills;forthereindotheyimpudently

misrepresent us.We say, as far as we can perceive, Godwould have allmen to besaved,whensoever,andhowoftsoever,HeappointethHisgospeltobepreachedtous.

Aswesaidbefore,thegateofparadiseisopenedtous,whenwearecalledtobepartakers of that redemptionwhichwas purchased for us by ourLord JesusChrist.AndthisisthewillofGod,asfaraswecancomprehendit:thatwhenHeexhortethusto repentance,He is ready to receiveus, ifwewill come toHim.Althoughwehaveansweredthedoubtswhichmighthavebeenraised-uponthissubject,wewillbringasimilitude tomake this doctrinemore easy. (I call a similitude that agreement andsimilaritywhichGodmakethbetweenthechildrenofIsraelandus.)GodsaiththatHechosethechildrenofAbrahamforHisinheritance,anddedicatedthemtoHimself:Helovedthem,andtookthemforHisownhousehold(Deut.7).

Thisistrue;forHemadeHiscovenantwithallthosethatwerecircumcised.Wascircumcisionavain figure,andofno importance?Nay, itwasasureandundoubtedsign thatGodhad chosen that people forHis own, accounting all forHis flock thatcameofthatrace.Andyet,wastherenotaspecialgraceforsomeofthatpeople?

Surelytherewas,asSt.Paulsettethforth,"FortheyarenotallIsraelwhichareofIsrael:neitherbecausetheyaretheseedofAbraham,aretheyallchildren"(Romans9:6,7),forGoddeprivedsomeofthisbenefitthatHisgraceandgoodnessmightseemgreatertothosewhomHecalledtoHimself.Behold,therefore,thewillofGodwhichwasmademanifesttothechildrenofIsraelisatthisdaymademanifesttous.

It issaidinAmos4:7,"Godcausedit torainupononecity,andcauseditnottorainuponanothercity."SotheLordsendethHisgospelwheresoeveritpleasethHim:Hisgraceispouredoutuponalltheworld;yetitcannotbebutHeworkethotherwisewiththosewhomHedrawethtoHimself,forallofushaveourearsstopped,andoureyeshoodwinked.Wearedeafandblind,unlessHepreparethustoreceiveHisWord.Whenthegospelispreachedtous,itisasmuchasifGodreachedoutHishand(asHesaithinIsa.65:2)andsaidtous,comeuntoMe.Itisamatterwhichoughttotouchusto theheartwhenweperceive thatGodcometh toseekus.Hedothnotwait tillwecometoHim,butHeshowethusthatHeisreadytoreceiveus,althoughwewereHisdeadly enemies. He wipeth away all our faults, and maketh us partakers of thatsalvation,whichwaspurchasedforusbyourLordJesusChrist.

Thusweseehowworthythegospelistobeesteemed,andwhatatreasureit is!AsSt.Paulsaith to theRomans."It is thepowerofGoduntosalvationtoeveryonethatbelieveth:"itisthekingdomofheaven;andGodopeneththedoor,thatwe,beingtakenoutofthebottomlesspitwhereinweweresunkbynature,mayenterintoHisglory.Wemust remember that it is not enough for us to receive theWord that ispreachedtousbythemouthofman,butafterwehaveheardit,GodmustspeaktousinwardlybyHisHolySpirit;forthisistheonlymeanstobringustotheknowledgeof

thetruth.Therefore,whenGodhathdealtsomercifullywithus,astogiveusthelightof faith, let us hold it fast, and pray Him to continue it, and bring His work toperfection.

Let us not lift ourselves proudly above other men, as though we were moreworthythantheyare,forweknowthatitisourGodthathathchosenus,andsettethus apart from others, by His mere goodness and free mercy. We must know,moreover, that men are very faulty, when God offereth them His Word, and theyreceive it not. This is spoken that unbelievers and rebelsmight have theirmouthsstopped, that theymight not blaspheme the name of God, as thoughHe had beenwanting onHis part; and to the end that all the faithful should, in humbleness ofheart,glorifyGodforHisgraceandmercytowardthem:forweseehowHecallethallthosetowhomHisWordispreached,tosalvation.

IfmenreplybysayingtheycannotcometoGod,wecannotstandtopleadhere,forweshallalwaysfindourselvesinfault.Ifamansay,itrestethonlyinthehandsofGod,andifHewouldgivemerepentance,couldHenotdoit!IfIremainstiff-neckedinmyhardness andmalice,what can Ido in this case, seeingGodwill not givemerepentancetoturntoHim?This isnot inanywisetobeallowed; forGodcallethussufficiently to Him, and we cannot accuse Him of cruelty; even if we had not HisWord,wemustneeds confess thatHe is just, althoughweknownot the cause thatmovedHimtodepriveusofit.

WhenwearecalledtocometoGod,andknowthatHeisreadytoreceiveus,ifwedonotcome,canwedenythatweareunthankful?Letusnotseparatesalvationfromtheknowledgeofthetruth;forGoddothnotmeantolie,nordeceivemen,whenHesaith,whentheycometotheknowledgeofthetruththeyshallbesaved.Godwillhaveallmentobesaved;buthow?Iftheywillcometotheknowledgeofthetruth.Everymanwouldbesaved,butnomanwilldrawnightoGod.TheScripture informethusthat ifwedesiresalvation,wemustattendto themeanswhichGodhathappointed;thatis,wemustreceiveHisWordwithobedienceandfaith.

TheScripturesaiththisiseverlastinglife:towit,toknowGodtheFather,andtoreceiveChristasouronlySavior.Thereforeletuslearn,asitisheresetforth,nottodoubtofthecertaintyofoursalvation;forthekingdomofGodiswithinus.IfwewishGodtoreceiveus,wemustreceivethedoctrinegivenusbySt.Paul.Howarewecalledtothehopeofsalvation?BytheinfluenceofthegraceofGod,whichmakethknowntousHisloveandfavor.ThuswemayseewhatSt.Paul’smeaningiswhenhesaith,Godwill have His grace made known to all the world, and His gospel preached to allcreatures.Therefore,wemustendeavor,asmuchaspossible,topersuadethosewhoarestrangerstothefaith,andseemtobeutterlydeprivedofthegoodnessofGod,toacceptofsalvation.

JesusChristisnotonlyaSavioroffew,butHeofferethHimselftoall.Asoftenasthegospelispreachedtous,weoughttoconsiderthatGodcallethustoHim:andifweattendtothiscall,itshallnotbeinvain,neithershallitbelostlabor.Butcanwecome toHimwithout any assistance, except what we derive from our own nature?Alas,wecannot!"BecausethecarnalmindisenmityagainstGod;foritisnotsubjectto the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Romans 8:7). When God dealeth sograciouslywithusas to touchourheartswithHisHolySpirit, thenHecausethHisgospel to work profitably to our salvation; then He maketh a display of the virtuespokenofbySt.Paul.

Again,wemustrememberwhenthegospelispreachedtous,thatitistomakeusmorevoidofexcuse.SeeingGodhathalreadyshownusthatHewasreadytoreceiveus to mercy, if we would come unto Him, our condemnation will no doubt beincreased,ifwebesowickedastodrawback,whenHecallethsomildlyandlovingly.Notwithstanding,(aswearehereexhorted),letusnotleaveoffprayingforallmeningeneral; forSt.Paul showeth thatGodwill have allmen tobe saved; that is to say,menofallpeopleandnations.

Althoughwe seea greatdiversity amongmen, yetwemustnot forget thatGodhathmadeusallinHisownimageandlikeness,andthatwearetheworkmanshipofHishand;thereforeHeextendsHisgoodnesstothosewhoareafaroff,ofwhichwehavehadsufficientproof:forwhenHedrewusuntoHim,werewenotHisenemies?Howthencomethittopassthatwearenowofthehouseholdoffaith,thechildrenofGod,andmembersofourLordJesusChrist?IsitnotbecauseHehathgatheredustoHimself? And isHe not the Savior of thewholeworld, aswell as of us?Did JesusChrist come to be the mediator of two or three men only? No, no; but He is themediatorbetweenGodandmen.

Therefore,wemaybesomuchthemoreassuredthatGodtakethandholdethusforHischildren,ifweendeavortobringthosetoHimwhoareafaroff.Letuscomfortourselves,and takecourage in thisourcalling:although therebeat thisdayagreatforlornness, though we seem to be miserable creatures, utterly cast away andcondemned, yetwemust labor asmuch as possible to draw those to salvationwhoseemtobeafaroff.Andaboveallthings,letuspraytoGodforthem,waitingpatientlytillitpleaseHimtoshowHisgoodwilltowardthem,asHehathshownittous.

TheCalltoWitness

BenotthouthereforeashamedofthetestimonyofourLord,norofmehisprisoner:butbethoupartakeroftheafflictionsofthegospel,accordingtothepowerofGod;Whohathsavedus,andcalleduswithanholycalling,notaccordingtoourworks,but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesusbeforetheworldbegan,-2Timothy1:8-9

AlthoughGodshowsHisgloryandmajestyinthegospel,yettheunthankfulnessofmen issuch, thatwehaveneed tobeexhorted,not tobeashamedof thisgospel.Andwhy so?BecauseGod requires all creatures todoHimhomage: yet the greaterpartrebelagainstHim;despise,yea,andareatdefiancewiththedoctrinewherebyHewouldbeknownandworshipped.AlthoughmenaresowickedastoliftupthemselvesagainsttheirMaker,letus,notwithstanding,rememberthatwhichistaughtusinthisplace;towit,thatwebenotashamedofthegospel;foritisthewitnessofGod.

Ifthegospelbenotpreached,JesusChristis,asitwere,buried.Therefore,letusstandaswitnesses,anddoHimthishonor,whenweseealltheworldsofaroutoftheway;andremainsteadfast in thiswholesomedoctrine.St.Paulheresettethhisownpersonbeforeus:notthathewishedparticularlytobeapproved,butbecauseweoftenget indifficulty, ifwe separateourselves from the servantsofGod.When there is aministeroftheWordofGodtroubled,molested,andpersecuted,weareapttoforsakehimintimeofneed,thinkingitisbutmortalman:butindoingthis,weoffendGod;becausethismanthatsuffereth,beareththemarkofthegospel:thusthecauseofGodisbetrayed.Therefore,St.PaulsaithtoTimothy,benotashamedofme.

ThemindofTimothymighthavebeen shaken; therefore,St.Paul saith tohim,though theworlddespiseme, though theymockandhateme,yetmust thounotbemovedbythesethings;forIamtheprisonerofJesusChrist.Lettheworldspeakevilofme;itisnotformyoffences:Godallowethmycause;forindeeditisHis.Isuffernotformineownevildoings,havingHistruthalwaysonmyside.Therefore,thecauseofmy persecution is, because I havemaintained theWord ofGod, and continue tomaintain it. Thou shouldest not be guided by the world’s judgment, for men arecarriedawaywithevilaffections.Letitbesufficientfortheethen,thatIamasitwereapledgefortheSonofGod;thatHemagnifiethmyperson;thatifitbereproachfultotheworld,itceasesnottobehonoredbeforeGod,andHisholyangels.

Let us not deceive JesusChrist in the testimonywe oweHim, by stopping ourmouths,when it is needful tomaintainHis honor, and the authority ofHis gospel.Yea, and when we see our brethren afflicted for the cause of God, let us join withthem,andassist them in their affliction.Letusnotbe shakenby the tempests that

arise,butletusalwaysremainconstantinourpurpose;andstandaswitnessesfortheSonofGod,seeingHe issograciousas touseus insuchagoodcause.Letusmarkwell, whethermen suffer for their sins, or for the truth of God.When we see oneoppressed,wemustnotdespisehim,lestwedoinjurytoGod:wemustascertainforwhatcausemensuffer.If theyhavewalked inagoodconscience,andareblamed, ifthey are tormented because they serveGod, this is enough to removewhatever thewickedworldcansayagainstthem.ThereforeSt.Pauladds,"Bethoupartakeroftheafflictionsofthegospel."

There isnomanbutwhatwouldwillingly escape affliction; this is according tohuman nature; and although we confess, without dissembling, that it is a singulargracewhichGodbestows,whenHeenablesmentobearaffliction,andmaintainHiscause, yet there is not one of us, but what would willingly draw his neck out ofpersecution.Forwe looknotat the lessongivenbySt.Paul,whichsaith. thegospelbringeth troubles.JesusChristwascrucified inHisownperson,andHisdoctrine isjoined with many miseries. He could, if it pleased Him, cause His doctrine to bereceivedwithoutanygainsaying.ButtheScripturemustbefulfilled:"Rulethouinthemidstofthineenemies"(Psalm110).

We must come to Him upon this condition; to be willing to suffer manybickerings;becausethewickedliftupthemselvesagainstGod,whenHecalleththemtoHim. Therefore, it is impossible for us to have the gospel without affliction.Wemust be exercised; we must fight under our Lord Jesus Christ. Doth he not thenrenouncehissalvation,thatwouldgetridofthecrossofChrist?Whatisthehopeoflife?Onlyinthis,thatweareboughtbythesacrificeoftheSonofGod.ThenwillHehaveusmadelikeuntoHim,andhaveustransformedintoHisimage.

Wemustnotbeashamedofourbrethren;whenwehearevilreportsofthem,andseethemcastoffbytheworld,letusalwaysbewiththem,andendeavortostrengthenthem; for thegospel cannotbewithout affliction; as Ihavealready said. ItpleasethGod, thatmenshouldbesodivided.ButHecallethall to theunityof faith;and thedoctrineofthegospelisthemessageofatonement;butyetthefaithfularedrawnbythevirtueofHisHolySpirit(asweshallnoticemoreparticularlyhereafter);buttheunbelievers remain in their hardness: thus the fire kindleth; as when thunderengendereth in the air, there must needs be trouble; so it is when the gospel ispreached.

Now, if thegospelbringaffliction,and itbethemindofJesusChrist, thatwhatHesufferedinHisperson,shallbefulfilledinHismembers,andbedailycrucified,isitlawfulforustowithdrawourselvesfromthatsituation?Seeingitisso,thatallhopeofsalvation is in thegospel,wemust rest thereon;andmarkwhatSt.Paulsaith; towit, wemust assist our brethrenwhenwe see them in trouble, andwhen they arereviled by the wicked; and choose rather to be their companions, and suffer the

rebukesandscoffsoftheworld,thantobeotherwisehonoredwithagoodreputation,havingourfacesturnedfromthemthatsufferforthatcause,whichisours,aswellastheirs.

Weareapt tobeweak, and thinkwe shallbe swallowed tipbypersecutions, assoonasourenemiesassailus:butSt.Paulobserves,weshallnotbedestituteoftheaid and succour of our God. He armeth us forthwith, and giveth us an invinciblepower,thatwemayremainsureandstedfast.ForthisreasonSt.Pauladds,"accordingto the power ofGod." But aswe have said, everymanwould be glad to have somecoveror cloak,wherebyhemightwithdrawhimself frompersecution. IfGodwouldgivemegrace. Iwouldgladly suffer forHisname; Iknow it is thegreatestblessingthatIcouldreceive.

Every man will confess this: hut they add, we are weak, and shall quickly bebeatendownby thecrueltyofourenemies.ButSt.Paul takethaway thisexcuse,bysaying,Godwillstrengthenus,andthatwemustnotlooktoourownstrength.Foritiscertain,ifwenevercomeintoconflictswithourenemies,weshallbeafraidofourown shadows. Seeingwe know thisweakness, let us come to the remedy.Wemustconsiderhowhard it is towithstandourenemies; therefore letushumbleourselvesbeforeGod,andprayHimtoextendHishand,andupholdusinallourafflictions.Ifthisdoctrinewerewellimprintedinourhearts,weshouldbebetterpreparedtosufferthanweare.

Butweareapttoforgetit;yea,westopourears,andcloseoureyes,whenwehearitspokenof.WepretendthatwewishGodtostrengthenus,butwecannotbringoursighttothepowerthatSt.Paulspeaksof;weareapttothink,thatwehavenothingtodowith it; although theLordhath shownus, thatHispowerwill alwaysupholdus.Therefore, letnotourweaknesscauseus towithdrawourselves from thecross, andfrompersecution;seeingGodhathreceivedusintoHishands,andpromisedtosupplyour needs. St. Paul here addeth a lesson tomake us greatly ashamed, if we be notenticedtoglorifyJesusChristbysufferingpersecution;hesaith,"Godhathsavedus,andcalleduswithanholycalling."

Behold!Godhathdrawnusoutofthegulfofhell!Wewereutterlycastawayandcondemned:buthehathbroughtussalvation,andhathcalledustobepartakersofit.Therefore, seeing God hath showedHimself so liberal, if we on our parts turn ourbacks toHim, isnot this a shamefulmalice?Letusmarkwell theaccusationofSt.Paulagainstthosethatareinconstant;thosethatareunwillingtostiffertheassaultsmadeagainstthemforthesakeofthegospel.Undoubtedlyhismindwastocomfortthefaithful,forthetimetocome;hethereforeshowethwhatGodhathdoneforthemalready.

WhenGodgivethusanytokenofHisgoodness, it istotheendweshouldhope

for the like atHis hands again; andwait tillHe bring to passwhatHehath begun.Therefore, ifGodhathsavedus,andcalleduswithanholycalling,dowethinkthatHewillleaveusatmidway?WhenHehathshowedusoursalvation,andgivenusHisgospelwherebyHecallethus toHiskingdom,andopeneth thegatesuntous;whenHehathdoneallthis,dowethinkHewillleaveushere,andmockus,anddepriveusofHisgrace,ormake itunprofitable?No,no;but letushope thatHewillbringhisworktoaperfectend.

Therefore, let us go on with good courage; for God hath already displayedHispowertowardus.LetusnotdoubtbutwhatHewillcontinueit,andthatweshallhaveaperfectvictoryoverSatanandourenemies;andthatGodtheFatherhathgivenallpower into thehandsof JesusChrist,who is ourheadand captain; thatwemaybepartakersofit.ThusweseeSt.Paul’smeaning.Godhathwitnessed,andweknowitbyexperience,thatHewillneverfailusintimeofneed.Andwhyso?ForHehathalreadysavedus,inthatHehathcalledustothegospel,andredeemedusfromsin.Hehathcalleduswithanholycalling;thatistosay,HehathchosenustoHimself,outofthegeneralconfusionofmankind.

TheLordhavingdrawnus toHim,willHenot up-holdus, and guideus to theend?ThisisasureconfirmationofthepowerofGod;thatwealwaysfindHimreadytohelpus:thereforeweputourtrust inHim,knowingthatwehavealreadyfeltHispower.Thatwemayprofitbythisdoctrine,letusknowfirstofall,thatwhereasGodhathgivenustheknowledgeofHistruth,itisasmuchasifHehadshownusalreadythatwebelongedtoHisheavenlyinheritance,andthatwewereHis,andofHisflock.Ifwearepersuadedof this, and resolved therein,we shall alwaysgo forward in thecause, knowing that we are under His protection. He hath sufficient strength toovercomeallourenemies,whichmakesoursalvationsure.

Letusnotfear,onaccountofourweakness,forGodhathpromisedtoassistus.We should think upon this, and endeavour to receive that which is said to us. TheLordwillbringoursalvationtoanend!Hewillassistusinthemidstofpersecutions,andenableustoovercomethem.Whenweareonceconvincedofthesethings,itwillnot requiremuch power of rhetoric to strengthen us against temptations.We shalltriumphover all our enemies: notwithstandingwe seem to theworld to be troddenunderfoot,andutterlyoverwhelmed.ButwemustcometothisdeclarationwhichSt.Pauladdeth,concerningthesalvationofwhichwehavespoken,andtheholycalling.Hesaith,"Notaccordingtoourworks,butaccordingtoHisownpurposeandgrace."

ForHehadnorespecttoourworksordignity,whenHecalledustosalvation.Hedid it of mere grace. Therefore we shall be less excusable, if we disobey Hisrequirements,seeingwehavenotonlybeenpurchasedbythebloodofourLordJesusChrist, butHe had a care of our salvation before the world wasmade. Let us hereobservethatSt.Paulcondemnsourunthankfulness,ifwebesounfaithfultoGod,as

not to bearwitness ofHis gospel; seeingHe hath called us to it. And thatHemaybetterexpress thispurpose, theapostleadds, that this"wasgivenus inChristJesusbeforetheworldbegan;beforetheworldhaditscourse,orbeginning:itwasrevealedatthecomingofourLordJesusChrist.

WhenthisgreatSaviormadeHisappearance,thegracethatwashidbefore,yea,andcouldnotbereachedbytheknowledgeofman,wasmadeclearandmanifest.Andhowso?TheSonofGoddestroyeddeath, andalsobrought everlasting life!Andweneednotgoafaroff to find it, for thegospel leadethus to it.WhenGodsendethusthismessageofsalvation,wehaveonlytoreceivetheinheritancewhichHepromisedus.Letusopenourmouths, thatHemay fill them; letusopenourhearts,andgivethis testimony of the gospel leave to enter; and the immortality of the kingdom ofheavenshalldwellwithinus; thoughwebepoor, frailvessels,andhavenothingbutcorruptionandrottennessinus;yetnotwithstanding,wedoalreadylayholduponthisimmortality, and have a sure witness of it, when we can accept this grace that isofferedinthegospel.

Thatwemay better understandwhat is here contained, let us remark that thisword purpose, signifieth the everlasting decree of God; which hath no causeswhatsoever. Forwhenwe speak of God’s counsels, we need not dispute aboutwhomovedHim: as thoughwe should imagine reasons, and say, this is the reasonwhyGodhathdeterminedafter this sort; this is the causewhyHewouldhave it so.FMGodwillhaveususesuchsoberness,thatHisbarewillmaysufficeusforallreason.When it is said, God hath thus appointed it, though our eyes be dazzled, and thematterseemstrangetous,andweseenoreasonwhyitshouldthusbe,yetwemustnotfindfault.ItiswisdominustodowhateverGodappointeth,andneveraskwhy.

Butbecausemenhavebusyheads,andgivenmuchtocuriosity,St.PaulbringethustoGod’spurpose;andtellethusplainly,thatwemustconsideritsodeepthatwecannotenter into it, toknowwhomovedHim.HewasmovedonlybyHis justwill;which is a rule of all justice. Therefore,we are hereby informed, that our salvationdependsnotuponourdeserts:Godneverexaminedwhatwewere,norwhatwewereworthyof,whenHechoseustoHimself;butHehadHispurpose;thatis,Hesoughtno cause of our salvation but inHimself. St. Paul showeth evidently that thiswordpurposesignifieththisdecree.Butbecausemencannotbyreasonofthepridethatisin them withhold themselves from imagining some worthiness of their own, theythink that God is under an obligation to seek them: but St. Paul saith pointedly,purposeandgrace.Thisisasmuchasifhehadsaidfreepurpose.

This is therefore to beat down all our works: that we be not so foolish andstubborn,as to thinkGodchoseusbecause therewassomething inusworthyof it.No,no;butwemustknowthatGodneverwentfartherthanHimself,whenHechoseustosalvation.ForHesawthattherewasnothingbutcondemnationinus:therefore

HecontentedHimself,bymeregraceandinfinitemercy,tolookuponourmisery,andhelpus;althoughwewerenotworthy.Forbetterproofhereof,St.Paulsaiththatthisgracewasgivenusbeforetheworldbegan.

Weperceiveby this,howvoidofsensemenarewhentheyvaunt themselvesofbelieving that they are the cause of their own salvation; and have prevented God’sgoodness,orwerebeforeHim,andmetwithHim.Whereuponhangethoursalvation?Isitnotupontheelectionandchoicethathathbeenfromeverlasting?Godchoseusbeforewewere.Whatcouldwedothen?Weweremadefit,wewerewelldisposedtocometoGod.Nay,weseethatoursalvationdothnotbeginafterwehaveknowledge,discretion,andgooddesires;butitisgroundedinGod’severlastingdecree,whichwasbeforeanypartoftheworldwasmade.

Whatcanwedo then?Haveweanymeans toput forthourselves?CanwegiveGodoccasiontocallus,andseparateusfromtherestoftheworld?Arewenotthenmarvellously mistaken, when we think we have some worthiness of our own, andexalt our deserts to darken God’s grace, and be thus prepared of ourselves to haveaccess to Him? We must mark well for what purpose St. Paul here mentions theelection of God; saying, that grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the worldbegan.They that think toabolish thedoctrineofGod’selection,destroyasmuchaspossiblethesalvationoftheworld.

Thisisthemostfitinstrument,usedbythedevil,todefacethevirtueofthebloodofourLordJesusChrist; tobringtonought,anddestroythegospel;yea,andtoputthegoodnessofGodoutofman’smemory.Thedevilhathnofitterinstrumentsthanthosewhofightagainstpredestination;andcannotintheirragesufferittobespokenof,orpreachedasitoughttobe.Ifwedetestthepapists(asindeedtheyoughttobedetested), because they have profaned the Holy Scripture, and have marred anddepravedthetruthofthegospelandtheserviceofGod,byinfectingalltheworldwithsuperstitionandidolatry,muchmorearetheytobedetestedwhogoabouttobringtonoughtGod’selection;andendeavour,byindirectandcrookedways,tostopmenfromspeakingofitplainlyandopenly,andofpreachingitasitoughttobe.

Wherein consisteth the salvation of the faithful, only in God’s free election?WouldwenothavemenpreachthatGodhathchosenHis,ofmeregoodness,withoutregardtoanythingwhatsoever?Willwenotadmitthistobesuchamysteryascannotbeattainedto,showedanddeclaredtousasfarasGodwishedtoreveal it?Ifwedonotadmitthis,weenterintoaconspiracywithSatan;asthoughJesusChristsufferedin vain, and the passion thatHe suffered profited theworld nothing.Wemay hereremarkthatthegospelcannotbepreached,thatitisaprofanegospel,orthedoctrineofMahomet,thatthereisnochurchnorChristianity,ifGod’selectionbeabolished.

TheHolyGhostthatspeakethheremustneedsbeprovedaliar,ifthisdoctrinebe

not received. Therefore, let us fight constantly; for it is the groundwork of oursalvation. How can we build, and maintain the building, if the foundation bedestroyed?St.Paulshowethusherewithwhatvirtuewemustfight,andhowweshallcometothisinheritancewhichwassodearlypurchasedforus:heshowethushowweshallenter intothepossessionof thegloryofGodandmakeanendof thisbuildingand faith.My friends, wemust be grounded upon the grace that was given us, nottodaynoryesterday,butbeforetheworldbegan.

Itistrue,Godcallethusatthisday,butHiselectiongoethbefore;yea,andGodchoseuswithoutanyrespecttoourworks,aswecouldhavedonenothingbefore:butwearedebtorstoHimforall;forHedrewusoutofthebottomlesspitofdestruction,whereinwewerecast,andpastallhopeof recovery.Therefore, there isgoodreasonfor us to submit ourselves wholly to Him, and rely upon His goodness, and bethoroughlyravishedwithit.Letusholdfast this foundation,asIsaidbefore,unlesswewillhaveoursalvationperishandcometonought.Thisdoctrine isprofitableforusifwecanapplyitwelltoourownuse.

TheythatwouldnothaveusspeakofGod’selectionwillsay,itisnotnecessary.ButsuchmennevertastedGod’sgoodness,neitherdotheyknowwhatitistocometoour Lord JesusChrist. Ifwe knownot thatwe are saved because it pleasedGod tochooseusbeforetheworldbegan,howcanweknowthatwhichSt.Paulsaithtous;towit,thatweshouldgiveourselveswhollytoGod,tobedisposedofatHiswill,andtoliveanddieinHisservice?HowcanwemagnifyHisname?HowcanweconfessthatoursalvationcomethfromHimonly,thatHeisthebeginningofit,andthatwehavenothelpedHimtherein?Wemaysayitwithourmouths,butunlesswebelieveit,asheresetforth,itwillonlybehypocrisy.

Therefore,letuslearnthatthedoctrineofGod’selection,wherebywearetaughtthatHe predestinated us before the world began, ought to be preached openly andfully, indespiteofall theworldthatwouldstandagainst it.Andnotonlyso,butweshouldknow that it is a veryprofitabledoctrine forus; becausewe cannot layholdupon the inf3nitegoodnessofGod,untilwecome thither.Unless thispointbewellcleared,God’smercywillbealwaysdisguised.Isay,unlessthisbemadeplaintous,thatHehathchosenusbeforewewereborn,andbeforewecouldpreventHim.

Menwill frequently say thatwewere boughtwith the blood of our Lord JesusChrist, and thatwearenotworthy thatGodshouldshowus suchgreatmercy: theywilllikewisesay,whohathpartandportioninsucharedemptionasGodhathmadeinthepersonofHisSon?Eventheythatwill;theythatseekGod;eventheythatsubmitthemselvestoHim.Theythathavesomegoodmotives,andarenotrude; thosethataregoodnatured,andhavesomegooddevotion.Whenmenmakesuchamixture,andthink they are called toGod, and toHis grace, for something that is in themselves,thattheybringsomethingtorecommendthemtothefavorofGodwherebytheymay

attainsalvation,thegraceofGodisdarkened,andrentasunder.

This is a sacrilege thatoughtnot tobe countenanced.For this cause, I said thegoodnessofGodshallneverbethoroughlyknownuntilthiselectionbelaidbeforeus;andwearetaughtthatwearecalledatthistime,becauseitpleasedGodtoextendHismercytousbeforewewereborn.Thisdoctrinemustbeexplainedmoreatlarge;butastimewillnotadmitatpresent,weshallattendtoitinthelatterpartoftheday.

TheDoctrineofElection

Whohathsavedus,andcalleduswithanholycalling,notaccordingtoourworks,but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesusbefore theworldbegan.But isnowmademanifestby theappearingofourSaviourJesus Christ,who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality tolightthroughthegospel.-2Timothy1:9,10

We have shown thismorning, according to the text of St. Paul, that if we willknow the free mercy of our God in saving us, we must come to His everlastingcounsel:wherebyHechoseusbefore theworldbegan.For therewe see,Hehadnoregard to our persons, neither to our worthiness, nor to any deserts that we couldpossiblybring.Beforewewereborn,wewereenrolledinHisregister;Hehadalreadyadoptedus forHischildren.Therefore letusyield thewhole toHismercy,knowingthatwecannotboastofourselves,unlesswerobHimofthehonorwhichbelongstoHim.

Menhaveendeavoredtoinventcavils,todarkenthegraceofGod.Fortheyhavesaid, although God chose men before the world began, yet it was according as Heforesawthatonewouldbediverse fromanother.TheScriptureshowethplainly thatGoddidnotwaittoseewhethermenwereworthyornotwhenHechosethem:butthesophistersthoughttheymightdarkenthegraceofGodbysaying,thoughHeregardednotthedesertsthatwerepassed,Hehadaneyetothosethatweretocome.For,saythey, though Jacob and his brother Esau had done neither good nor evil, and Godchose one and refused the other, yet notwithstandingHe foresaw, (as all things arepresentwithHim)thatEsauwouldbeaviciousman,andthatJacobwouldbeasheafterwardsshowedhimself.

Butthesearefoolishspeculations:fortheyplainlymakeSt.Paulaliarwhosaith,GodrenderednorewardtoourworkswhenHechoseus,becauseHediditbeforetheworld began. But though the authority of St. Paulwere abolished, yet thematter isvery plain and open, not only in the Holy Scripture, but in reason; insomuch thatthosewhowouldmakeanescapeafterthissort,showthemselvestobemenvoidofallskill.Forifwesearchourselvestothebottom,whatgoodcanwefind?Arenotallmankindcursed?Whatdowebringfromourmother'swomb,exceptsin?

Thereforewediffernotonewhit,one fromanother;but itpleasethGodto takethose toHimselfwhomHewould.And for thiscause,St.Pauluseth thesewords inanother place, when he saith, men have not whereof to rejoice, for no man findshimselfbetter thanhis fellows,unless itbebecauseGoddiscernethhim.So then, ifweconfessthatGodchoseusbeforetheworldbegan,itnecessarilyfollows,thatGod

preparedustoreceiveHisgrace;thatHebestoweduponusthatgoodness,whichwasnotinusbefore;thatHenotonlychoseustobeheirsofthekingdomofheaven,butHelikewisejustifiesus,andgovernsusbyHisHolySpirit.TheChristianoughttobesowellresolvedinthisdoctrine,thatheisbeyonddoubt.

There are some men at this day, that would be glad if the truth of God weredestroyed.Suchmen fightagainst theHolyGhost, likemadbeasts,andendeavor toabolishtheHolyScripture.There ismorehonesty inthepapists, thaninthesemen:forthedoctrineofthepapistsisagreatdealbetter,moreholy,andmoreagreeabletothesacredScripture,thanthedoctrineofthosevileandwickedmen,whocastdownGod'sholyelection;thesedogsthatbarkatit,andswinethatrootitup.

However, let us hold fast that which is here taught us: God having chosen usbefore theworldhad its course,wemustattribute the causeofour salvation toHisfree goodness;wemust confess thatHe did not take us to beHis children, for anydeserts of our own; for we had nothing to recommend ourselves into His favor.Therefore, we must put the cause and fountain of our salvation in Him only. andgroundourselvesuponit:otherwise,whatsoeverandhowsoeverwebuild,itwillcometonought.

Wemust here notice what St. Paul joineth together; to wit, the grace of JesusChrist,withtheeverlastingcounselofGodtheFather:andthenhebringethustoourcalling, thatwemaybeassuredofGod's goodness. andofHiswill, thatwouldhaveremainedhidfromus,unlesswehadawitnessof it.St.Paulsaith inthefirstplace,thatthegracewhichhangethuponthepurposeofGod,andiscomprehendedinit,isgiven inourLordJesusChrist.As ifhesaid,seeingwedeserve tobecastaway,andhated asGod'smortal enemies, it was needful for us to be grafted, as it were, intoJesusChrist;thatGodmightacknowledge,andallowusforHischildren.Otherwise,God could not look upon us, only to hate us; because there is nothing butwretchedness in us; we are full of sin, and stuffed up as it were with all kinds ofiniquity.

God,who is justice itself,canhavenoagreementwithus,whileHeconsiderethoursinfulnature.Therefore,whenHewouldadoptusbeforetheworldbegan,itwasrequisite that Jesus Christ should stand between us and Him; that we should bechoseninHisperson,forHeisthewellbelovedSon:whenGodjoinethustoHim,HemakethussuchaspleasethHim.LetuslearntocomedirectlytoJesusChrist. ifwewillnotdoubtGod'selection:forHeisthetruelookingglass,whereinwemustbeholdouradoption.

IfJesusChristbetakenfromus,thenisGodajudgeofsinners;sothatwecannothope for any goodness or favor at His hands, but look rather for vengeance: forwithoutTestisChrist.Hismajestywillalwaysbeterribleandfearfultous.Ifwehear

mentionmadeofHisever-lastingpurpose,wecannotbutbeafraid,asthoughHewerealreadyarmed toplungeus intomisery.Butwhenweknowthatallgrace resteth inJesusChrist,thenwemaybeassuredthatGodlovedus,althoughwewereunworthy.

In the secondplace,wemust notice that St. Paul speakethnot simply ofGod'selection, for that would not put us beyond doubt; but we should rather remain inperplexity and anguish: but he adds, the calling; whereby God hath opened Hiscounsel,whichbeforewasunknowntous,andwhichwecouldnotreach.HowshallweknowthenthatGodhathchosenus,thatwemayrejoiceinHim,andboastofthegoodness that He hath bestowed upon us? They that speak against God's election,leavethegospelalone;theyleaveallthatGodlayethbeforeus,tobringustoHim;allthemeansthatHehathappointedforus,andknowethtobefitandproperforouruse.Wemustnotgoonso;butaccordingtoSt.Paul'srule,wemustjointhecallingwithGod'severlastingelection.

Itissaid,wearecalled;andthuswehavethissecondword,calling.ThereforeGodcallethus:andhow?Surely,whenitpleasethHimtocertifyusofourelection;whichwe could by no othermeans attain unto. Forwho can enter intoGod's counsel? assaith the prophet Isaiah; and also the apostle Paul. But when it pleaseth God tocommunicateHimself tous familiarly, thenwe receive thatwhich surmounteth theknowledge of all men: for we have a good and faithful witness, which is the HolyGhost; that raiseth us above the world, and bringeth us even into the wonderfulsecretsofGod.

WemustnotspeakrashlyofGod'selection,andsay,wearepredestinate;but ifwe will be thoroughly assured of our salvation, we must not speak lightly of it;whetherGodhathtakenustobeHischildrenornot.Whatthen?Letuslookatwhatissetforthinthegospel.ThereGodshowethusthatHeisourFather;andthatHewillbringustotheinheritanceoflife,havingmarkeduswiththesealoftheHolyGhostinourhearts,whichisanundoubtedwitnessofoursalvation,ifwereceiveitbyfaith.

Thegospelispreachedtoagreatnumber,whichnotwithstanding,arereprobate;yea,andGoddiscoverethandshoweth thatHehathcursed them: that theyhavenopart nor portion inHis kingdom, because they resist the gospel, and cast away thegrace that isoffered them.Butwhenwe receive thedoctrineofGodwithobedienceandfaith,andrestourselvesuponHispromises,andacceptthisofferthatHemakethus,totakeusforHischildren,this,Isay, isacertaintyofourelection.Butwemusthereremark,thatwhenwehaveknowledgeofoursalvation,whenGodhathcalledusand enlightened us in the faith of His gospel, it is not to bring to nought theeverlastingpredestinationthatwentbefore.

Thereareagreatmanyinthesedaysthatwillsay,whoaretheywhomGodhathchosen,butonlythefaithful?Igrantit;buttheymakeanevilconsequenceofit;and

sayfaithisthecause,yea,andthefirstcauseofoursalvation.Iftheycalleditamiddlecause,itwouldindeedbetrue;fortheScripturesaith,"Bygraceareyesavedthroughfaith" (Eph.2:8).Butwemustgouphigher; for if theyattribute faith tomen's freewill, theyblasphemewickedlyagainstGod,andcommit sacrilege.Wemust come tothatwhich the Scripture showeth; towit,whenGod giveth us faith,wemust knowthatwearenotcapableofreceivingthegospel,onlyasHehathframedusbytheHolyGhost.

It is not enough for us to hear the voice ofman, unlessGodworkwithin, andspeaktousinasecretmannerbytheHolyGhost;andfromhencecomethfaith.Butwhatisthecauseofit?Whyisfaithgiventooneandnottoanother?St.Lukeshowethus: saying, "Asmany aswere ordained to eternal life believed" (Acts 13 :48). Therewere a great number of hearers, and yet but few of them received the promise ofsalvation.Andwhatfewwerethey?Thosethatwereappointedtosalvation.Again,St.Paul speaketh so largely upon this subject, in his epistle to the Ephesians, that itcannotbebut theenemiesofGod'spredestinationarestupidand ignorant,andthatthedevilhathpluckedouttheireyes;andthattheyhavebecomevoidofallreason,iftheycannotseeathingsoplainandevident.

St. Paul saith, God hath called us, andmade us partakers ofHis treasures andinfinite riches,whichweregivenus throughourLordJesusChrist: accordingasHehad chosenusbefore theworldbegan.Whenwe say thatwe are called to salvationbecause God hath given us faith, it is not because there is no higher cause; andwhosoever cannot come to the everlasting election of God, taketh somewhat fromHim, and lesseneth His honor. This is found in almost every part of the HolyScripture.

Thatwemaymakeashortconclusionof thismatter, letussee inwhatmannerweoughttokeepourselves.Whenweinquireaboutoursalvation,wemustnotbeginto say, Are we chosen? No, we can never climb so high; we shall be confounded athousand times, and have our eyes dazzled, before we can come to God's counsel.Whatthenshallwedo?Letushearwhatissaidinthegospel:whenGodhathbeensogracious,astomakeusreceivethepromiseoffered,knowwenotthatitisasmuchasif He had opened His whole heart to us, and had registered our election in ourconsciences!

We must be certified that God hath taken us for His children, and that thekingdomofheavenisours;becausewearecalledinJesusChrist.Howmayweknowthis?HowshallwestayourselvesuponthedoctrinethatGodhathsetbeforeus?Wemustmagnify thegraceofGod,andknow thatwecanbringnothing to recommendourselves toHis favor;wemust becomenothing in our own eyes, thatwemaynotclaimanypraise; but know thatGodhath calledus to the gospel, having chosenusbeforetheworldbegan.ThiselectionofGodis,as itwere,asealedletter;becauseit

consistethinitself,andinitsownnature:butwemayreadit,forGodgivethawitnessofit,whenHecalledustoHimselfbythegospelandbyfaith.

Forevenastheoriginalorfirstcopytakethnothingfromtheletterorwritingthatisread,evensomustwebeoutofdoubtofoursalvation.WhenGodcertifiethusbythe gospel that He taketh us for His children, this testimony carries peace with it;being signed by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, and sealed by theHoly Ghost.Whenwe have thiswitness, havewe not enough to content ourminds? Therefore,God'selectionissofar frombeingagainstthis, that itconfirmeththewitnesswhichwehave in thegospel.WemustnotdoubtbutwhatGodhathregisteredournamesbeforetheworldwasmade,amongHischosenchildren:buttheknowledgethereofHereservedtoHimself.

WemustalwayscometoourLordJesusChrist,whenwetalkofourelection;forwithoutHim(aswehavealreadyshown),wecannotcomenightoGod.WhenwetalkofHisdecree,wellmaywebeastonished,asmenworthyofdeath.ButifJesusChristbe our guide, we may with cheerfulness depend upon Him; knowing that He hathworthiness enough inHim tomake allHismembers beloved of God the Father; itbeing sufficient for us that we are grafted intoHis body, andmade one withHim.Thuswemustmuseuponthisdoctrine,ifwewillprofitbyitaright:asitissetforthbySt.Paul;whenhesaith, thisgraceofsalvationwasgivenusbefore theworldbegan.Wemust go beyond the order of nature, ifwewill knowhowwe are saved, and bywhatcause,andfromwhenceoursalvationcometh.

God would not leave us in doubt, neither wouldHe hide His counsel, that wemight not know how our salvation was secured; but hath called us to Him by Hisgospel,andhathsealedthewitnessofHisgoodnessandfatherlyloveinourhearts.Sothen, having such a certainty, let us glorifyGod, thatHe hath called us ofHis freemercy.Letus rest ourselvesuponourLordJesusChrist, knowing thatHehathnotdeceived us, when He caused it to be preached that He gave Himself for us, andwitnesseditbytheHolyGhost.ForfaithisanundoubtedtokenthatGodtakethusforHischildren;andtherebyweare ledtotheeverlastingelection,accordingasHehadchosenusbefore.

HesaithnotthatGodhathchosenusbecausewehaveheardthegospel,butonthe other hand, he attributes the faith that is given us to the highest cause; towit,becauseGodhathfore-ordainedthatHewouldsaveus;seeingwewerelostandcastawayinAdam.Therearecertaindolts,who,toblindtheeyesofthesimpleandsuchasarelikethemselves,say,thegraceofsalvationwasgivenusbecauseGodordainedthatHisSonshouldredeemmankind,andthereforethisiscommontoall.

ButSt.Paulspakeafteranothersort;andmencannotbysuchchildishargumentsmarthedoctrineofthegospel:foritissaidplainly,thatGodhathsavedus.Doesthis

refer to all without exception?No; he speaketh only of the faithful. Again, does St.Paul include all the world? Some were called by preaching, and yet they madethemselves unworthy of the salvationwhichwas offered them: therefore theywerereprobate.Godleftothersintheirunbelief,whoneverheardthegospelpreached.

ThereforeSt.PauldirectedhimselfplainlyandpreciselytothosewhomGodhadchosenandreservedtoHimself.God'sgoodnesswillneverbeviewedinitstruelight,norhonoredasitdeserveth,unlessweknowthatHewouldnothaveusremaininthegeneral destruction ofmankind;whereinHehath left those thatwere like unto us:fromwhomwedonotdiffer; forwe arenobetter than they: but so it pleasedGod.Therefore all mouths must be stopped; men must presume to take nothing uponthemselves,except topraiseGod,confessingthemselvesdebtors toHimforall theirsalvation.

WeshallnowmakesomeremarksupontheotherwordsusedbySt.Paulinthisplace. It is true thatGod's election could never be profitable to us, neither could itcometous,unlessweknewitbymeansofthegospel;forthiscauseitpleasedGodtorevealthatwhichHehadkeptsecretbeforeallages.ButtodeclareHismeaningmoreplainly,headds,thatthisgraceisrevealedtousnow.Andhow?"Bytheappearingofour Savior Jesus Christ." When he saith that this grace is revealed to us by theappearingofJesusChrist,heshoweththatweshouldbetoounthankful, ifwecouldnotcontentandrestourselvesuponthegraceoftheSonofGod.Whatcanwelookformore?Ifwecouldclimbupbeyondtheclouds,andsearchoutthesecretsofGod,whatwouldbe the resultof it?Would itnotbe toascertain thatweareHis childrenandheirs?

Nowweknowthesethings,fortheyareclearlysetforthinJesusChrist.Foritissaid, that all who believe in Him shall enjoy the privilege of being God's children.Thereforewemustnotswervefromthesethingsonejot,ifwewillbecertifiedofourelection.St.Paulhathalreadyshownus,thatGodneverlovedus,norchoseus,onlyinthe person ofHis beloved Son.When Jesus Christ appearedHe revealed life to us,otherwiseweshouldneverhavebeenthepartakersofit.HehathmadeusacquaintedwiththeeverlastingcounselofGod.ButitispresumptionformentoattempttoknowmorethanGodwouldhavethemknow.

IfwewalksoberlyandreverentlyinobediencetoGod,hearingandreceivingwhatHe saith in theHolyScripture, thewaywill bemadeplainbeforeus.St.Paul saith,whentheSonofGodappearedintheworld,Heopenedoureyes,thatwemightknowthat He was gracious to us before the world was made. We were received as Hischildren, and accounted just; so that we need not doubt but that the kingdom ofheavenispreparedforus.Notthatwehaveitbyourdeserts,butbecauseitbelongstoJesusChrist,whomakesuspartakerswithHimself.

When St. Paul speaketh of the appearing of Jesus Christ, he saith, "He hathbroughtlifeandimmortalitytolightthroughthegospel."ItisnotonlysaidthatJesusChrist is our Savior, but that He is sent to be a mediator, to reconcile us by thesacrifice ofHis death;He is sent to us as a lambwithout blemish; to purge us andmake satisfaction for all our trespasses; He is our pledge, to deliver us from thecondemnation of death; He is our righteousness; He is our advocate, who makethintercessionwithGodthatHewouldhearourprayers.

Wemustallow,allthesequalitiestobelongtoJesusChrist,ifwewillknowarighthowHeappeared.Wemust lookat thesubstancecontained in thegospel.WemustknowthatJesusChristappearedasourSavior,andthatHesufferedforoursalvation;andthatwewerereconciledtoGodtheFatherthroughHismeans;thatwehavebeencleansedfromallourblemishes,andfreedfromeverlastingdeath.IfweknownotthatHe is our advocate, that He heareth us when we pray to God, to the end that ourprayersmaybeanswered,whatwillbecomeofus;whatconfidencecanwehavetocallupon God's name, who is the fountain of our salvation? But St. Paul saith, JesusChristhathfulfilledallthingsthatwererequisitefortheredemptionofmankind.

Ifthegospelweretakenaway,ofwhatadvantagewoulditbetousthattheSonofGod had suffered death, and risen again the third day for our justification?All thiswould be unprofitable to us. So then, the gospel putteth us in possession of thebenefitsthatJesusChristhathpurchasedforus.Andtherefore,thoughHebeabsentfromus inbody,and isnotconversantwithushereonearth, it isnot thatHehathwithdrawnHimself,as thoughwecouldnot findHim; for thesunthatshinethdothnomoreenlightentheworld,thanJesusChristshowethHimselfopenlytothosethathave theeyesof faith to lookuponHim,when thegospel ispreached.ThereforeSt.Paulsaith,JesusChristhathbroughtlifetolight,yea,everlastinglife.

Hesaith,theSonofGodhathabolisheddeath.AndhowdidHeabolishit?IfHehad not offered an everlasting sacrifice to appease thewrath ofGod, ifHe had notenteredeven to thebottomlesspit todrawus from thence; ifHehadnot takenourcurseuponHimself,ifHehadnottakenawaytheburdenwherewithwewerecrusheddown,whereshouldwehavebeen?Woulddeathhavebeendestroyed?Nay,sinwouldreign in us, and death likewise. And indeed, let every one examine himself, andweshallfindthatweareslavestoSatan,whoistheprinceofdeath.Sothatweareshutnointhismiserableslavery,unlessGoddestroythedevil,sin,anddeath.Andthisisdone:buthow?HehathtakenawayoursinsbythebloodofourLordJesusChrist.

Therefore, thoughwebepoorsinners,and indangerofGod's judgment,yet sincannothurtus;thesting,whichisvenomous,issobluntedthatitcannotwoundus,becauseJesusChristhasgained thevictoryover it.Hesufferednot the sheddingofHisbloodinvain;butitwasawashingwherewithwewerewashedthroughtheHolyGhost,asisshownbySt.Peter.AndthusweseeplainlythatwhenSt.Paulspeakethof

thegospel,whereinJesusChristappeared,andappearethdailytous,heforgettethnotHisdeathandpassion,northethingsthatpertaintothesalvationofmankind.

WemaybecertifiedthatinthepersonofourLordJesusChristwehaveallthatwecandesire;wehavefullandperfecttrustinthegoodnessofGod,andtheloveHebearethus.ButweseethatoursinsseparateusfromGod,andcauseawarfareinourmembers; yet we have an atonement through our Lord Jesus Christ. And why so?BecauseHehath shedHisblood towashawayour sins;Hehathoffered a sacrificewherebyGodhathbecomereconciledtous;tobeshort,Hehathtakenawaythecurse,thatwemaybeblessedofGod.Moreover,Hehathconquereddeath,andtriumphedover it; thatHemight deliver us from the tyranny thereof; which otherwise wouldentirelyoverwhelmus.

Thusweseethatall thingsthatbelongtooursalvationareaccomplishedinourLordJesusChrist.AndthatwemayenterintofullpossessionofallthesebenefitswemostknowthatHeappearethtousdailybyHisgospel.AlthoughHedwellethinHisheavenlyglory,ifweopentheeyesofourfaithweshallbeholdHim.WemustlearnnottoseparatethatwhichtheHolyGhosthathjoinedtogether.LetusobservewhatSt. Paulmeant by a comparison to amplify the grace thatGod showed to theworldafter thecomingofourLordJesusChrist;as ifHesaid, theold fathershadnot thisadvantage,tohaveJesusChristappeartothem,asHeappearedtous.

Itistrue,theyhadtheself-samefaith;andtheinheritanceofheavenistheirs,aswell as ours; God having revealed His grace to them as well as us, but not in likemeasure, for theysawJesusChristafaroff,under the figuresof the law,asSt.PaulsaithtotheCorinthians.Theveilofthetemplewasasyetstretchedout,thattheJewscouldnotcomenearthesanctuary,thatis,thematerialsanctuary.Butnow,theveilofthe templebeing removed,wedrawnigh to themajesty of ourGod:we comemostfamiliarly toHim, inwhomdwelleth all perfection and glory. In short,wehave thebody,whereastheyhadbuttheshadow(Col.2:17).

Theancient fathers submitted themselveswholly tobear the afflictionof JesusChrist;as it issaid inthe11thchapteroftheHebrews;for it isnotsaid,Mosesborethe shame of Abraham, but of Jesus Christ. Thus the ancient fathers, though theylivedunderthelaw,offeredthemselvestoGodinsacrifices,tobearmostpatientlytheafflictionsofChrist.Andnow,JesusChristhavingrisenfromthedead,hathbroughtlifetolight.Ifwearesodelicatethatwecannotbeartheafflictionsofthegospel,arewenotworthytobeblottedfromthebookofGod,andcastoff?Therefore,wemustbeconstantinthefaith,andreadytosufferforthenameofJesusChrist,whatsoeverGodwill;because life is setbeforeus,andwehaveamore familiarknowledgeof it thantheancientfathershad.

Weknowhowtheancientfathersweretormentedbytyrants,andenemiesofthe

truth, and how they suffered constantly. The condition of the church is not moregrievous inthesedays, than itwasthen.FornowhathJesusChristbrought lifeandimmortalitytolightthroughthegospel.AsoftenasthegraceofGodispreachedtous,itisasmuchasifthekingdomofheavenwereopenedtous;asifGodreachedoutHishand, and certifiedus that lifewasnigh; and thatHewillmakeuspartakersofHisheavenlyinheritance.Butwhenwelooktothislife,whichwaspurchasedforusbyourLordJesusChrist,weshouldnothesitatetoforsakeallthatwehaveinthisworld,tocometothetreasureabove,whichisinheaven.

Therefore,letusnotbewillinglyblind;seeingJesusChristlayethdailybeforeusthe life and immortalityhere spokenof.WhenSt.Paul speakethof life, andaddethimmortality,itisasmuchasifhesaid,wealreadyenterintothekingdomofheavenby faith. Thoughwe be as strangers here below, the life and grace ofwhichwe aremadepartakersthroughourLordJesusChristshallbringitsfruitinconvenienttime;towit,whenHeshallbesentofGodtheFathertoshowustheeffectofthingsthataredailypreached,whichwerefulfilledinHispersonwhenHewascladinhumanity.

PurePreachingoftheWord

Butshunprofaneandvainbabblings;fortheywillincreaseuntomoreungodliness.Andtheirwordwilleatasdothacanker:ofwhomisHymeneusandPhiletus;Whoconcerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; andoverthrowthefaithofsome.-2Timothy2:16-18

WehavealreadyshownthatSt.Paulhath,notwithoutcause,diligentlyexhortedTimothytofollowthepuresimplicityoftheWordofGod,withoutdisguisingit.Thedoctrinewhich is set forth tous inGod'sname, tobe the foodof our souls,will becorruptedbythedevil,ifinhispower;whenhecannotdestroyit,heblendeththingswith it, in order tobring it into contempt, anddestroyour knowledgeof thewill ofGod.Therearemanyinthisdaywhoputthemselvesforwardtoteach;andwhatisthecauseof it?Ambition carrieth themaway; theydisguise theWordofGod, and thusSatangoethabouttodepriveusofthespirituallife.

Butthisheisnotabletoaccomplish,unlessbysomemeansthedoctrineofGodbecorrupted.St.Paul repeateth theexhortation: thatwemust shunallunprofitablebabbling, and stay ourselves upon plain teaching. which is forcible. He not onlycondemnethmanifesterrors,superstition,andlies,buthecondemneththedisguisingof theWordofGod:aswhenmen invent subtleties, to cloymen's ears;bringingnotrue nourishment to the soul, nor edification in faith, and the fear of God, to thehearers.

When St. Paul speaketh of vain babbling, he meaneth that which contentethcuriousmen; aswe seemany that take great pleasure in vainquestions,wherewiththeyseemtoberavished.Theydonotopenlyspeakagainstthetruth,buttheydespiseitasathingtoocommonandbase;asathingforchildrenandfools;asforthem,theywillknowsomehigherandmoreprofoundmatter.Thustheyareatvariancewiththatwhichwouldbeprofitableforthem.Therefore,letusweighwellthewordsofSt.Paul:vainbabbling; as thoughhe said, if therebenothingbut fine rhetoric andexquisitewords togainhimcredit thatspeaketh,andtoshowthathe iswell learned,noneofthisshouldbereceivedintothechurch;allmustbebanished.

ForGodwillhaveHispeopletobeedified;andHehathappointedHisWordforthatpurpose.Therefore,ifwegonotaboutthesalvationofthepeople,thattheymayreceivenourishmentbythedoctrinethatistaughtthem,itissacrilege;forwepervertthepureuseoftheWordofGod.Thiswordprofane,issetagainstthatwhichisholyanddedicatedtoGod.WhatsoeverpertainethtothemagnifyingofGod,andincreasesourknowledgeofHismajesty,wherebywemayworshipHim;whatsoeverdrawethustothekingdomofheaven,ortakethouraffectionsfromtheworld,andleadethusto

JesusChrist,thatwemaybegraftedintoHisbody,iscalledholy.

Onthecontrary,whenwefeelnotthegloryofGod,whenwefeelnottosubmitourselvestoHim,whenweknownottherichesofthekingdomofheaven,whenwearenotdrawn intoHisservice to live inpurenessof conscience,whenweknownotwhatthesalvationmeanethwhichwaspurchasedbyourLordJesusChrist,webelongtotheworld,andareprofaned.Thedoctrinewhichservestomisleadusinsuchthings,isalsocalledprofane.ThusweseewhatSt.Paul'smeaningis:towit,whenwecometogether in thenameofGod, it isnot tohearmerrysongs,andtobe fedwithwind,thatis,withvainandunprofitablecuriosity,buttoreceivespiritualnourishment.ForGodwillhavenothingpreachedinHisname,butthatwhichwillprofitandedifythehearers,nothingbutthatwhichcontainethgoodmatter.

But it is true, ournature is such, thatwe takegreatpleasure innovelty, and inspeculationswhichseemtobesubtle.Therefore,letusbeware,andthinkasweought,thatwemaynotprofaneGod'sholyWord.Letus seek thatwhich.edifieth,andnotabuseourselvesbyreceivingthatwhichhathnosubstanceinit.Itishardtowithdrawmen from such vanity, because they are inclined to participate in it. But St. Paulshoweththatthereisnothingmoremiserablethansuchvaincuriosity:"Fortheywillincreaseuntomoreungodliness."Asifhehadsaid,myfriends,youknownotatfirstsightwhathurtcomethbythesedeceivers;whogoabouttogaincreditandestimationamongyou,andwithpleasant toysendeavor topleaseyou;butbelieveme, theyareSatan's instruments and such as in no wise serve God but increase unto morewickedness;thatis.iftheyareletalone,theywillmartheChristianreligion;theywillnot leave one jot safe and sound. Therefore, see that you flee them as plagues,althoughatfirstsight,thepoisonwhichtheybringbenotperceived.

Everyoneofusshouldsuspecthimself,whenwehavetojudgeofthisdoctrine.Andwhyso?Because(asIsaidbefore),weareallweak;ourmindsarealteringandchanging, and besides, we have a foolish desire that draweth to things which areunprofitable. And therefore let us beware that we do not satisfy our own desires.Althoughthisdoctrinemaynotseembadtousatthefirstview,yetnotwithstanding,ifithasnotatendencytoleadustoGod,andstrengthenusinHisservice,toconfirmusinthefaithandhopethatisgivenusofeverlastinglife,itwilldeceiveusintheend;andprovetobebutamixturewhichservethnopurpose,excepttotakeawaythegoodwhichwehadreceivedbefore.

Tobeshort,thosethathavenotthisinview,todrawtheworldtoGod,andbuildupthekingdomofourLordJesusChrist,thatHemayruleamongus,marall.Allthelaborandpainstheytakebutincreasestheirwickedness;andiftheybesufferedtogooninthisway,agateissetopentoSatan,wherebyhemaybringtonoughtwhatsoeverisofGod.Althoughthis isnotdoneat the firstblow,yetwesee theend issuch.Toexpressthisthebetter,St.Pauladds,"Theirwordwilleatasdothacanker."

The word "eat," mentioned here, is not commonly understood; it is what thesurgeonscall,aneatingsore,andwhatisalsocalled,St.Anthony'sfire:thatistosay,whenthereissuchaninflammationinanypartofthebody,thatthcsoreeatethnotonlythefleshandsinews,butthebonesalso.Inshort, it isafirethatdevourethall:thehandwillcausethearmtobe lost,andthe foot the leg,unlessat thebeginning,thepartthat isaffectedbecutoff;thusthemanis indangerof losinghismembers,unlesstherebefitremediesprovidedforit;inthiscaseweshouldsparenopains,butcutoffthepartaffected,thattherestbenotutterlydestroyed.

Thuswe view it here spiritually: for St. Paul showethus that althoughwemayhavebeenwellinstructedinwholesomedoctrine,allwillbemarred,ifwegiveplacetotheseunprofitablequestions,andonlyendeavortopleasethehearers,andfeedtheirdesires.SeeingweunderstandwhatSt.Paul'smeaningis, letusendeavortoputthisexhortation intopractice.Whenwe seemengo about, endeavoring to turnus asidefromthetruedoctrine, letusshunthem,andshutthegateagainstthem.Unlesswetakeitinhandatthefirststart,andentirelycutitoff,itmaybeasdifficulttocontrolasthediseaseofwhichwehavespoken.

Therefore,letusnotbesleeping;forthisisamatterofimportance;itwillproveadeadly disease, unless it be seen to in time. If this exhortation had been observed,things would be in a better condition at the present day in Christendom. For thisdoltishnessofpapistryisbutthevainbabblingspokenofbySt.Paul.Eventhosewhowouldbecountedthegreatestdoctorsamongthem,whoareofmanyyearsstanding,yea, and have spent their whole life in it, think upon nothing but foolish prattling;which serveth no other purpose than to leadmen astray, as noman knowethwhatthey mean. It seemeth that the devil hath forged this language by a miraculoussubtlety,inorderthathemightbringalldoctrineintoconfusion.

It is plainly perceived that theyhave conspired to do contrary to thatwhichSt.PaulhathinGod'snameforbidden.FortheythathavethusturnedtheWordofGodintoaprofanelanguageofbarbarousandunknownwordsshallbemuchlessabletoexcuse themselves. Many there are that would gladly have pleasant things taughtthem;theywouldmakepastimeoftheWordofGod,andrecreatethemselvesthereby;thus they seek vain and unprofitable teaching. They would bring error, contention,anddebateintothechurch,andendeavortobringthereligionweholdintodoubt,andobscuretheWordofGod.

Therefore we must be so much the more earnestly serve God, and continueconstantly in thepurenessof thegospel. Ifwehaveadesire toobeyourGodasweought,wemust practice thatwhich is commandedus, and prayHim to cleanse thechurchfromtheseplagues,fortheyarethedevil'sinstruments.Thismightbeappliedtoallcorruptionsandstumbling-blocksinventedbythedevil;butitisherespokenofconcerningthedoctrinewherebywearequickened,whichisthetruefoodofthesoul.

Nowletuscometothatpartofthesubject,inwhichSt.Paulinformsuswhoareofthisnumber.Hesaith,"OfwhomisHymeneus,andPhiletus;whoconcerningthetruthhaveerred,sayingthattheresurrectionispastalready:andoverthrowthefaithof some."When he namethHymeneus and Philetus, he showeth thatwemust notsparethem,who,likescabbysheep,mayinfecttheflock,butwemustrathertelleveryone,whatkindofmentheyare,thattheymaybewareofthem.Arewenottraitorstocur neighbors when we see them in danger of being turned from God, and do notinformthemofit?Awickedmanthatgoethabouttoestablishperversedoctrine,andcauseoffences inthechurch,what ishebutan impostor?If IdissemblewhenIseehim, is itnotas thoughIshouldseemyneighbor indanger,andwouldnotbidhimbeware?

If the lifeof thebodyought tobesoprecious tous thatwewoulddoall inourpowertopreserveit,ofhowmuchmoreimportanceisthelifeofthesoul!Thosewhoendeavor to turn every thing upside down, will come and sow their false doctrineamongthepeople,inordertodrawthemintoacontemptofGod.Thesebarkingdogs,thesevilegoats, these ravenouswolves,are they thathaveerred,andendeavored tooverthrow the faithof the church: andyetwe suffer them.Menwill frequently say,must we be at defiance with them?Must we cast them off that theymay fall intodespair?Thisissaidbythosewhothinkweoughttousegentleness;butwhatmercyisittospareoneman,andinthemeantimetocastawayathousandsouls,ratherthanwarnthem?Wemustnotsufferwickedherbstogrowamongus–lesttheyshouldgettheupperhand,andchokewhatsoevergoodseedtherebe,orutterlydestroyit.

Satan comethwithhispoison andplagues, thathemaydestroy all.We see theflockofGod troubledand tormentedwithravenouswolves, thatdevouranddestroywhatsoevertheycan.Mustwebemovedwithmercytowardsawolf:andinthemeantime let the poor sheep and lambs of which our Lord hath such a special care, letthem. I say, perish?Whenwe see anywickedman troubling the church? either byoffences or false doctrine,wemust prevent him asmuch as lieth in our power:wemustwarnthesimple,thattheybenotmisledandcarriedaway;thisIsay,isourduty.

TheLordwouldhavethewickedmadeknown,thattheworldmaydiscernthem,thattheirungodlinessmaybemademanifesttoall.St.Paulspeakethofsomewhoarebusybodies,idlers&c.:thesemustbepointedoutlikewise,thattheymaybeshunned.Whatmust be done to those who have the sword in hand; who have become verydevils;whocaninnowiseliveinpeaceandconcord,butthrustthemselvesforwardtobringalltonought?Whenweseethemthus,mustweholdourpeace?Letuslearntoknow them that trouble the church of God, and keep them back, and endeavor topreventthemfromdoinginjury.HerebyweseehowfewtherearethathaveazealforGod'schurch.

We speak not only of open enemies (for we confess that we must name the

papists,thatwebenotentangledwiththeirerrorandsuperstition),butweseeothersthatseektoturnusawayfromthesimplicityofthegospel:theyendeavortobringallthingsintodisorder;theysowtares,thattheymaybringthisdoctrineintohatred,andcausemen to be grieved with it; others would have a licentious liberty to do whatwickednesstheychoose,andthusthrowofftheyokeofourLordJesusChrist.Weseeothers, who seek nothing but to fill the world with wickedness, blasphemies, andvileness,andthusendeavortotreadthereverenceofGodunderfoot.Welikewiseseegrossdrunkardsandtiplers,whoendeavortobringallmenintoconfusion.

Andyet,whoisthereamongusthatsettethhimselfagainstthesethings?Whoistherethatsaith, letusbewareandbewatchful?Onthecontrary,thosethatoughttoreprovesuchwickednesssharplynotonlywinkatit,andletitpass,buttheyfavorit,and give it their support.We see thewickedness that overspreads the land;we seethosethatendeavortopervertandbringtonoughtoursalvation,andbringthechurchofGodintodoubt;andshallwedissemble,andmakeasthoughwesawnoneofthesethings?Wemay boast as much as we please about being Christians, yet there aremoredevilsamongusthanChristians,ifwecountenancesuchthings.

Therefore, letus lookwell to thedoctrinewhich isheregivenus;and ifweseewickedpersonstryingtoinfectthechurchofGod,todarkengooddoctrine,ordestroyit,letusendeavortobringtheirworkstolight,thateveryonemaybeholdthem,andtherebybeenabledtoshunthem.Ifweattendnottothesethings,wearetraitorstoGod,andhavenozealforHishonor,norforthesalvationofthechurch.Wemustbeprofessedenemiesofwickedness,ifwewillserveGod.Itisnotenoughforusmerelytorefrainfromcommittingsin,butwemustcondemnitasmuchaspossible,thatitmaynotbearanysway,orgettheupperhandofus.

AfterSt.Paulhathnamedthesetwoindividuals,he informsusthattheyturnedawayfromthefaith, insomuchthattheysaidtheresurrectionwaspassed.Soweseetheir fall was horrible. Hymeneus and Philetus were not obscuremen; for St. Paulmakesmentionof them, although theywere afar off, Timothybeing at this time inEphesus.Itisthereforeevidentthattheywerefamousmen.Theyhadbeenforsometime ingreat reputation,aschiefpillars in thechurch.Butweseehowfar they fell;eventorenounceeverlastingsalvationwhichwaspurchasedforusbyourLordJesusChrist.Ifwelooknotfortheresurrection,ofwhatuseisitforustoteachthatthereisaredeemerwhohathsavedusfromtheslaveryofdeath?Ofwhatusewillthedeathand passion of our Lord Jesus Christ be to us, unless we wait for the fruit that ispromisedusinthelatterday,atHiscoming?

Notwithstandingthesemenhadbeenforaseasonofthenumberofthefaithful,yet they fell, as it were, into the bottomless gulf of hell. Thus God declareth Hisvengeance toward them that abuse His gospel. It seemeth that these men weredrunkenwith foolishambition: they soughtnothingbut renown; theydisguised the

simplicity of the Word of God, and endeavored to show themselves greater thanothers.ButGodesteemethHisWordfarhigherthanHedothman;forifmencastitdownandmakeamockofit,Hewillnotholdthemguiltless.Thusweseethatthosewhowere likeangelshavebecomeverydevils: theyareblinded,andyet theywouldbecomegreatdoctors.

Theabilityofthesepersons,ofwhomSt.Paulspeaketh,werenotofthecommonsort; theywerenot idiots,butofhigh standing inall the churches:andyet theyarefallen into such blindness that they deny the resurrection of the dead: that is, theyrenounce the chiefest article of our religion and deprive themselves of all hope ofsalvation.Howis thispossible! It seemethstrange thatmenwhowereable to teachothers should come to such gross and beastly ignorance. Thus we see how GodrevengethscoffersandscornersthatabuseHisWord.ItcannotbebutHemustcastthemoffintoastateofreprobation;thattheymayneverbeabletodiscernanymore,andbecomeutterlyvoidofallreason.

Therefore,ifatthisday,weseemenbecomebeastly,afterhavingknownthetruthofGod,andbecomevoidofreason,wemustknowthatGodwilltherebymagnifyHisWord,andcauseustofeelthemajestythereof.Andwhyso?BecauseHepunishedthecontempt of it by giving such persons to the devil, and giving him full liberty overthem. Therefore wemust not be offended when we see those who have tasted thegospel, revolt from the obedience ofGod; but let it rather be a confirmation of ourfaith:forGodshowethusplainlythatHisWordisofsuchimportancethatHecannotinanywisehavemenabuseit,nortakeitinvain,neitherdisguiseorprofaneit.

Wemust learn to takeheed,andwalk fearfullyandcarefully.Letusview thesethingsasalooking-glasssetbeforeoureyes,thatwemayseethosewhoseemedtobepassing for good Christians, fallen; having in themselves nothing but wickedness,usingdetestablespeeches,havingnothingbutfilthinessinalltheirlives.SeeingGodhathplacedthesethingsbeforeus,letustakewarningthereby,andawakeandwalkinthesimplicityofthegospel,thatwemaynotbecomeapreytoSatan.

Itistrue,thesemenhadafantasticalresurrectionassomedoatthepresentday;who would make us believe that to become Christians was to rise again: but theScripture callethus to the comingofourLordJesusChrist thatwebealways readyandprepared, thatHemaybemademanifest;anduntil that timeour life ishidden,andweare,as itwere, in theshadowofdeath.WhentheScripturecallethus toourLord Jesus, these fanatics say, wemust look for no other resurrection, except thatwhichtakesplacewhenweareenlightenedinthegospel.

Wewillhereobservethatouroldmanmustbecrucified,ifwewillbepartakersofthegloryofourLordJesusChrist,andriseagainwithHim.St.Paulhathshownus,thatifwewillbeofthekingdomofourLordJesusChrist,wemustbepartakersofHis

cross; wemustwalk in death beforewe can come to life.How longwill this deathcontinue?As longasweare in thisworld.ThereforeSt.Petersaith,baptismis,as itwere,afigureofthearkofNoah(IPet.3:21).Forwemustbeenclosed,asitwere,inagrave;beingdeadtotheworld,ifwewillbequickenedbythemarkofourLordJesusChrist.

Theythatwouldhavearesurrectionatmidway,dotheynotpervertthenatureofbaptism,andconsequentlyalltheorderthatGodhathsetamongus?LetuslearnthatuntilGodshalltakeusoutofthisworld,wemustbeaspilgrimsinastrangecountry:and that our salvation shall not be shown us until the coming of our Lord JesusChrist:forHehasbecomethefirstfruitsofthemthatslept(ICor.15).Andlikewise,"Heistheheadofthebody,thechurch;whoisthebeginning,thefirst-bornfromthedead; that in all things hemight have the pre-eminence" (Col. 1:18). It is true thatJesusChristhasrisenagain;butHemustneedsappeartous,andHis lifeandglorymustbeshownusbeforewecancometoHim.

St.JohnsaiththatwearesureweareGod'schildren:thatweshallseeHimevenasHeis,whenweshallbemadelikeHim.It is true,GodisrevealedtouswhenHetransformedusintoHisimage;butthatwhichweconceivebyfaith,isnotyetseen,wemusthope for it at the comingof ourLord JesusChrist.Notwithstanding the greatabsurdity of the error, St. Paul informs us that the two individuals here spoken of,haveoverthrownthefaithofsome.Thisisathingthatoughttomakeustremble;tothinkthatadoctrinewhichoughttobelaidasideatthefirstsightshouldoverthrowthefaithofsome.

WeseehowthechildrenofGodareafflictedinthisworld;yea,itisoftenpitiabletobehold theirsituation;while theunbelieverswhocontemnGod,areat theirease,andliveinpleasure.Theymaketheirtriumph,whereasthesaintsaremadeastheoff-scouringoftheworld(ICor.4:13).Howisitpossibleformentoconceivethisheresy:tosaytheresurrectionisalreadypast?Andyetweseethatthiswaswelcometosome;yea, in the primitive church in the time of the apostles. When they, whom JesusChristhadchosentopreachHistruththroughouttheworld,stilllived,somefellfromthefaith.

Whenweseesuchanexample,havewenotoccasiontobeastonished,andwalkin fear! Not that we should doubt but what God will help and guide us, but itbehoovethus toarmourselveswithprayer,andrelyupon thepromisesofourGod.Wellmaywebeamazed,whenwethinkupontheheinousnessofthiserror;thatGodhath suffered some to be turned away from the faith already. If the apostles, whoexercisedallthepowerthatwasgiventhemfromabovetomaintainthetruthofGod,couldnotpreventmenfrombeingmisled,whatmustweexpectnow-a-days!Letusbediligentinprayer,andfleetoGodthatHemaypreserveusbyHisHolySpirit.Maywenot be puffed up with presumption, but consider our nothingness, for we should

quicklybeoverthrown,ifwewerenotupheldbythesupremeBeing.

Theselessonsarenotgivenuswithoutacause.AlthoughHymeneusandPhiletusare not alive at this day, yet in their persons theHolyGhostmeant to degrade thewicked,whogoabouttopervertourfaith;thatwemaynotbegrievedatwhatsoevercomestopass;thatwemaynotdepartfromthegoodway,butbeguardedagainstalloffences.Wemustnotbesopuffedupwithpride,astogoastrayafterourownfoolishimaginations;butwemusttakeheed,andkeepourselvesinobediencetotheWordofGod.Thenweshallbedailymoreandmoreconfirmed,untilourgoodGodtakethustoHiseverlastingrest,whereuntowearecalled.

TheWordOurOnlyRule

Untothepureallthingsarepure;butuntothemthataredefiledandunbelievingisnothingpure;buteven theirmindandconscience isdefiled.Theyprofess that theyknowGod;butinworkstheydenyhim:beingabominableanddisobedient,anduntoeverygoodworkreprobate.-Titus1:15-16

St.PaulhathshownusthatwemustberuledbytheWordofGod,andholdthecommandments of men as vain and foolish; for holiness and perfection of lifebelongethnottothem.Hecondemnethsomeoftheircommandments,aswhentheyforbidcertainmeats, andwillnot sufferus touse that libertywhichGodgiveth thefaithful. Those who troubled the church in St. Paul’s time, by setting forth suchtraditions, used the commandments of the law as a shield. These were but men’sinventions:becausethe templewas tobeabolishedat thecomingofourLordJesusChrist.ThoseinthechurchofChrist,whoholdthissuperstition,tohavecertainmeatsforbidden,havenottheauthorityofGod,foritwasagainstHismindandpurposethattheChristianshouldbesubjecttosuchceremonies.

Tobeshort,St.Paulinformsusinthisplacethatinthesedayswehavelibertytoeatofallkindsofmeatwithoutexception.As for thehealthof thebody, that isnotherespokenof;butthematterheresetforthisthatmenshallnotsetthemselvesupasmasters,tomakelawsforuscontrarytotheWordofGod.Seeingitisso,thatGodputtethnodifferencebetweenmeats,letussousethem;andneverinquirewhatmenlike, or what they think good.Notwithstanding, wemust use the benefits that Godhath granted us, soberly andmoderately.Wemust remember that God hathmademeatsforus,notthatweshouldfillourselveslikeswine,butthatweshouldusethemforthesustenanceoflife:therefore,letuscontentourselveswiththismeasure,whichGodhathshownusbyHisWord.

If we have not such a store of nourishment aswewouldwish, let us bear ourpovertypatiently,andpractisethedoctrineofSt.Paul;andknowaswellhowtobearpovertyasriches.IfourLordgiveusmorethanwecouldhavewishedfor,yetmustwebridleourappetites.Ontheotherside,ifitpleaseHimtocutoffourmorsel,andfeedusbutpoorly,wemustbecontentwithit,andprayHimtogiveuspatiencewhenwehavenotwhatourappetitescrave.Tobeshort,wemusthaverecoursetowhatissaidinRomans13:"ButputyeontheLordJesusChrist,andmakenotprovisionfortheflesh,tofulfilltheluststhereof."Letuscontentourselvestohavewhatweneed,andthatwhichGodknowethtobeproperforus;thusshallallthingsbecleantous,ifwebethuscleansed.

Yet it is true thatalthoughwewereeversounclean, themeatswhichGodhath

madearegood;butthematterwehavetoconsideristheuseofthem.WhenSt.Paulsaith all things are clean., he meaneth not that they are so of themselves, but asrelateth to those that receive them; as we have noticed before, where he saith toTimothy,all thingsaresanctifiedtousbyfaithandgivingofthanks.Godhathfilledtheworldwith such abundance thatwemaymarvel to seewhat a fatherly careHehathoverus:fortowhatendorpurposeareallthericheshereonearth,onlytoshowhowliberalHeistowardman!

IfweknownotthatHeisourFather,andacteththepartofanursetowardus,ifwereceivenotatHishandthatwhichHegivethus, insomuchthatwhenweeat,weare convinced that it is God that nourisheth us, He cannot be glorified as Hedeserveth;neithercanweeatonemorselofbreadwithoutcommittingsacrilege; forwhich wemust give an account. That wemay lawfully enjoy these benefits, whichhavebeenbestoweduponus,wemustberesolveduponthispoint(asIsaidbefore),thatitisGodthatnourishethandfeedethus.

Thisisthecleannessspokenofherebytheapostle;whenhesaith,allthingsareclean, especially when we have such an uprightness in us that we despise not thebenefitsbestoweduponanother,butcraveourdailybreadatthehandofGod,beingpersuadedthatwehavenorighttoit,onlytoreceiveitasthemercyofGod.Nowletusseefromwhencethiscleannesscometh.Weshallnotfinditinourselves,foritisgivenusby faith.St.Peter saith, theheartsof theold fatherswere cleansedby thismeans;towit,whenGodgavethemfaith(Acts15).

It is true thatheherehathregard to theeverlastingsalvation;becausewewereutterlyuncleanuntilGodmadeHimselfknowntous inthenameofourLordJesusChrist;who,beingmadeourRedeemer, brought theprice and ransomof our souls.Butthisdoctrinemay,andoughttobeappliedtowhatconcerneththispresentlife;foruntil we know that, being adopted in Jesus Christ, we are God’s children, andconsequently that the inheritance of this world is ours, if we touch one morsel ofmeat,wearethieves;forwearedeprivedof,andbanishedfromalltheblessingsthatGodmade,byreasonofAdam’ssinuntilwegetpossessionoftheminourLordJesusChrist.

Therefore,itisfaiththatmustcleanseus.Thenwillallmeatsbecleantous:thatis,wemayusethemfreelywithoutwavering.Ifmenenjoinspirituallawsuponus,weneednotobservethem,beingassuredthatsuchobediencecannotpleaseGod, for insodoing,wesetuprulerstogovernus,makingthemequalwithGod,whoreservethallpowertoHimself.Thus,thegovernmentofthesoulmustbekeptsafeandsoundinthehandsofGod.Therefore, ifweallowsomuchsuperiority tomen thatwe sufferthemtoinwrapoursoulswiththeirownbands,wesomuchlessenanddiminishthepowerandempirethatGodhathoverus.

And thus the humbleness thatwemight have in obeying the traditions ofmenwouldbeworse thanall therebellion in theworld;because it is robbingGodofHishonor,andgivingit,asaspoil,tomortalmen.St.PaulspeakethofthesuperstitionofsomeoftheJews,whowouldhavemenstillobservetheshadowsandfiguresof thelaw;buttheHolyGhosthathpronouncedasentencewhichmustbeobservedtotheend of theworld: that God hath not bound us at this day to such a burden aswasbornebytheoldfathers;buthathcutoffthatpartwhichHehadcommanded,relativetotheabstainingfrommeats;foritwasalawbutforaseason.

SeeingGodhaththussetusatliberty,whatrashnessitisforwormsoftheearthtomakenewlaws;asthoughGodhadnotbeenwiseenough.Whenweallegethistothe papists, they answer that St. Paul spake of the Jews, and of meats that wereforbidden by the law. This is true, but let us see whether this answer be to anypurpose,orworthreceiving.St.Paulnotonlysaiththatitislawfulforustousethatwhichwas forbidden, but he speaketh in general terms, saying, all things are clean.ThusweseethatGodhathheregivenusliberty,concerningtheuseofmeats;sothatHewillnotholdusinsubjection,asweretheoldfathers.

Therefore,seeingGodhathabrogatedthatlawwhichwasmadebyHim,andwillnot have it in force any longer, what shall we think when we see men inventingtraditionsoftheirown;andnotcontentthemselveswithwhatGodhathshownthem?In the first place, they still endeavor to hold the church of Christ under therestrictionsoftheOldTestament.ButGodwillhaveusgovernedasmenofyearsanddiscretion,whichhavenoneedofinstructionsuitableforchildren.Theysetupman’sdevices,andsaywemustkeep themunderpainofdeadlysin;whereasGodwillnothaveHisownlawtobeobservedamongusatthisday,relativetotypesandshadows,becauseitwasallendedatthecomingofourLordJesusChrist.

Shall it thenbe lawful toobservewhatmenhave framed in theirownwisdom?Dowenot see that it is amatterwhich goethdirectly againstGod?St. Paul settethhimselfagainstsuchdeceivers:againstsuchaswouldbindChristianstoabstainfrommeats asGod had commanded inHis law. If aman say, it is but a smallmatter toabstainfromfleshonFriday,orinLent,letusconsiderwhetheritbeasmallmattertocorruptandbastardizetheserviceofGod!Forsurelythosethatgoabouttosetforthand establish the tradition of men, set themselves against that which God hathappointedinHisWord,andthuscommitsacrilege.

Seeing God will be served with obedience, let us beware and keep ourselveswithinthoseboundswhichGodhathset;andnotsuffermentoaddanythingtoitoftheirown.Thereissomethingworseinitthanallthis:fortheythinkitaservicethatdeserveth something from God to abstain from eating flesh. They think it a greatholiness: and thus the service of God, which should be spiritual, is banished, as itwere,whilemenbusythemselvesaboutfoolishtrifles.Asthecommonsayingis,they

leavetheapplefortheparing.

Wemustbefaithful,andstandfastinourliberty;wemustfollowtherulewhichisgivenusintheWordofGod,andnotsufferoursoulstobebroughtintoslaverybynewlaws,forgedbymen.Foritisahellishtyranny,whichlessenethGod’sauthorityand mixeth the truth of the gospel with figures of the law; and perverteth andcorrupteth the true service of God, which ought to be spiritual. Therefore, let usconsider how precious a privilege it is to give thanks to God with quietness ofconscience, being assured it is His will and pleasure that we should enjoy Hisblessings:andthatwemaydoso,letusnotentangleourselveswiththesuperstitionsofmen, but be contentwithwhat is contained in the pure simplicity of the gospel.Then,aswehaveshownconcerningthefirstpartofourtext,untothemthatarepure,allthingswillbepure.

WhenwehavereceivedtheLordJesusChrist,weknowthatweshallbecleansedfromour filthinessandblemishes; forbyHisgracewearemadepartakersofGod’sbenefits, andare taken forHis children,although therebenothingbutvanity inus."But unto them that are defiled and unbelieving, is nothing pure." By this St. Paulmeaneth thatwhatsoever proceedeth from those that are defiled and unbelieving isnotacceptabletoGodbutisfullofinfection.Whiletheyareunbelieving,theyarefouland unclean; and while they have such filthiness in them, whatsoever they touchbecomespollutedwiththeirinfamy.

Therefore,all the rulesand laws theycanmakeshallbenothingbutvanity: forGod disliketh whatsoever they do; yea, He utterly abhorreth it. Althoughmenmaytormentthemselveswithceremoniesandoutwardperformances,yetall thesethingsare vain until they become upright in heart: for in this the true service of Godcommenceth.Solongthenaswearefaithless,wearefilthybeforeGod.Thesethingsought to be evident to us; but hypocrisy is so rooted within us that we are apt toneglect them.Itwill readilybeconfessedthatwecannotpleaseGodbyservingHimuntilourheartsberidofwickedness.

God strove with the people of old time about the same doctrine; as we seeespeciallyinthesecondchapteroftheprophetHaggai:whereheaskeththepriests,ifamantouchaholything,whetherheshallbemadeholyornot,thepriestsanswered,no.Onthecontrary,ifanuncleanmantouchathing,whetheritshallbecomeuncleanorno, thepriests answeredand said, it shall beunclean: so is thisnation, saith theLord,andsoaretheworksoftheirhands.Nowletusnoticewhatiscontainedinthefiguresandshadowsofthelaw.Ifanuncleanmanhadhandledanything,itbecameunclean,andthereforemustbecleansed.OurLordsaith,considerwhatyebe:foryehave nothing but uncleanness and filth; yet notwithstanding, ye would contentMewith your sacrifices, offerings, and such like things. But He saith, as long as yourminds are entangled with wicked lusts, as long as some of ye are whoremongers,

adulterers, blasphemers, and perjurers, as long as ye are full of guile, cruelty, andspitefulness,yourlivesareutterlylawless,andfullofalluncleanness;Icannotabideit,howfairsoeveritmayseembeforemen.

Weseethenthatalltheserviceswecanperform,untilwearetrulyreformedinourhearts,arebutmockeries;andGodcondemnethandrejectetheverywhitofthem.Butwho believeth these things to be so?When thewicked, who are taken in theirwickedness, feel any remorse of conscience, they will endeavor by some means orothertocompoundwithCodbyperformingsomeceremonies:theythinkitsufficientto satisfy the minds of men, believing that God ought likewise to be satisfiedtherewith.Thisisacustomwhichhasprevailedinallages.

ItisnotonlyinthistextoftheprophetHaggaithatGodrebukethmenfortheirhypocrisy, and for thinking that theymay obtainHis favorwith trifles, but itwas acontinualstrifewhichalltheprophetshadwiththeJews.ItissaidinIsa.1:13,14,15:"Bringnomore vainoblations; incense is anabominationuntome; thenew-moonsand sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot awaywith: it is iniquity, even thesolemnmeeting,yournew-moonsandyourappointedfeastsmysoulhateth:theyareatroubleuntome;Iamwearytobearthem.Andwhenyespreadforthyourhands,Iwillhidemineeyesfromyou;yea,whenyemakemanyprayers,Iwillnothear:yourhandsarefullofblood."

Andagainitissaid,"Thoughyeoffermeburntofferings,andyourmeat-offerings,I will not accept them; neither will I regard the peace-offerings of your fat beasts"(Amos5:22).GodhereshowethusthatthethingswhichHeHimselfhadcommandedwere filthy and unclean when they were observed and abused by hypocrites.Therefore,letuslearnthatwhenmenserveGodaftertheirownfashion,theybeguileanddeceivethemselves.ItissaidinanothertextofIsaiah,"Whohathrequiredthesethingsatyourhands?"WhereinitismademanifestthatifwewillhaveGodapproveourworks,theymustbeaccordingtoHisdivineWord.

ThusweseewhatSt.Paul’smeaning iswhenhesaith there isnothingclean tothemthatareunclean.Andwhy?Foreventheirmindandconsciencearedefiled.Bythis he showeth (as I before observed) that until such times aswe have learned toserveGodaright, inapropermanner,we shalldonogoodatallbyourownworks;although we may flatter ourselves that they are of great importance, and by thismeansrockourselvestosleep.

Let usnow seewhat the traditions of popery are.The chief endof themare tomakeanagreementwithGod,by theirworksof supererogation,as they term them;that is, their surplus works; which are, when they domore thanGod commandeththem. According to their own notions, they discharge their duty towards Him andcontentHimwithsuchpaymentastheyrenderbytheirworks,andthereofmaketheir

account.Whentheyhavefastedtheirsaintsevenings,whentheyhaverefrainedfromeating fleshuponFridays,when theyhave attendedmassdevoutly,when theyhavetakenholywater, they think thatGodoughtnot todemandany thingmoreof themandthatthereisnothingamissinthem.

But in the mean time, they cease not to indulge themselves in lewdness,whoredom,perjury,blasphemy,&c.:everyoneofthemgivinghimselftothosevices;yetnotwithstanding, theythinkGodoughttoholdHimselfwellpaidwiththeworkstheyofferHim;asforexample,whentheyhavetakenholywater,worshippedimages,rambledfromaltar toaltar,andother like things, they imaginethat theyhavemadesufficient payment and recompense for their sins. But we hear the doctrine of theHolyGhostconcerningsuchasaredefiled;whichis,thereisnothingpurenorcleaninalltheirdoings.

Butwewillput ‘the case,by supposing that all theabominationsof thepapistswerenotevilintheirownnature;yetnotwithstanding,accordingtothisdoctrineofSt.Paul, there can be nothing but uncleanness in them, for they themselves are sinfuland unclean. The holiness of these men consists in gewgaws and trifles. Theyendeavor to serveGod in the things thatHedothnot require,andat the same timeleaveundonethingsthatHehathcommandedinHislaw.

IthasbeenthecaseinallagesthatmenhavedespisedGod’slawforthesakeoftheirowntraditions.OurLordJesusChristupbraidedthePharisees,whenHesaith,"WhydoyealsotransgressthecommandmentofGodbyyourtradition"(Mat.15:3).Thusitwasinformertimes,inthedaysoftheprophets.Isaiahcriethout,"WhereforetheLordsaid,forasmuchasthispeopledrawnearmewiththeirmouth,andwiththeirlipsdohonorme,buthaveremovedtheirheartfarfromme,andtheirfeartowardmeis taughtby thepreceptofmen: therefore,behold, Iwillproceedtodoamarvellouswork and wonder; for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and theunderstanding of their prudentmen shall be hid" (chap. 25:13).Whilemen occupythemselvesabout traditions, theypassover the things thatGodhathcommanded inHisWord.

ThisitisthatcausedIsaiahtocryoutagainstsuchassetforthmen’straditions;telling them plainly that God threatened to blind the wisest of them, because theyturnedawayfromthepureruleofHisWordtofollowtheirownfoolishinventions.St.Paullikewisealludestothesamething,whenhesaiththeyhavenofearofGodbeforetheireyes.Letusnotdeceiveourselves; forweknowthatGodrequirethmento liveuprightly, and to abstain from all violence, cruelty,malice, and deceit; that none ofthesethingsshouldappearinourlife.ButthosethathavenofearofGodbeforetheireyes, it is apparent that they are out of order, and that there is nothing butuncleannessintheirwholelife.

Ifwewishtoknowhowourlifeshouldberegulated,letusexaminethecontentsoftheWordofGod;forwecannotbesanctifiedbyoutwardshowandpomp,althoughtheyaresohighlyesteemedamongmen.WemustcalluponGodinsincerity,andputourwhole trust inHim;wemustgiveupprideandpresumption,andresort toHimwith true lowliness of mind that we be not given to fleshly affections. We mustendeavor toholdourselves inawe,undersubjection toGod,and flee fromgluttony,whoredom,excess,robbery,blasphemy,andotherevils.ThusweseewhatGodwouldhaveusdo,inordertohaveourlifewellregulated.

Whenmenwouldjustifythemselvesbyoutwardworks,itislikecoveringaheapoffilthwithacleanlinencloth.Therefore,letusputawaythefilthinessthatishiddeninourhearts;Isay,letusdrivetheevilfromus,andthentheLordwillacceptofourlife: thus we may see wherein consists the true knowledge of God! When weunderstand thisaright, itwill leadus to live inobedience toHiswill.Menhavenotbecomesobeastly,astohavenounderstandingthatthereisaGodwhocreatedthem.But this knowledge, if they do not submit to His requirements, serves as acondemnation to them:because their eyes areblindfoldedbySatan; insomuch, thatalthough the gospel may be preached to them, they do not understand it; in thissituationweseemanyatthepresentday.Howmanythereareintheworldthathavebeentaughtbythedoctrineofthegospel,andyetcontinueinbrutishignorance!

This happeneth because Satan hath so prepossessed the minds of men withwickedaffections thatalthough the lightmay shineever sobright, they still remainblind,andseenothingatall.Letuslearn,then,thatthetrueknowledgeofGodisofsuch a nature that it showeth itself, and yieldeth fruit through our whole life.ThereforetoknowGod,asSt.PaulsaidtotheCorinthians,wemustbetransformedintoHisimage.ForifwepretendtoknowHim,andinthemeantimeourlifebelooseandwicked, it needeth nowitness to prove us liars; our own life beareth sufficientrecordthatwearemockersandfalsifiers,andthatweabusethenameofGod.

St.Paul saith inanotherplace, if yeknowJesusChrist, yemustputoff theoldman: as if he should say, we cannot declare that we know Jesus Christ, only byacknowledging Him for our head, and by His receiving us as His members; whichcannotbedoneuntilwehave cast off the oldman, andbecomenew creatures.Theworld hath at all times abused God’s name wickedly, as it doth still at this day;therefore, letushaveaneye to the trueknowledgeof theWordofGod,whereofSt.Paulspeaketh.

Finally,letusnotputourownworksintothebalance,andsaytheyaregood,andthatwethinkwellofthem;butletusunderstandthatthegoodworksarethosewhichGod hath commanded inHis law and that all we can do beside these, are nothing.Therefore,letuslearntoshapeourlivesaccordingtowhatGodhathcommanded:toput our trust in Him, to call upon Him, to give Him thanks, to bear patiently

whatsoever itpleasethHim to sendus; todealuprightlywithourneighbors, and tolivehonestlybeforeallmen.ThesearetheworkswhichGodrequirethatourhands.

If wewere not so perverse in our nature, therewould be none of us but whatmight discern these things: even childrenwouldhave skill enough todiscern them.TheworkswhichGodhathnotcommandedarebutfoolishnessandanabomination:wherebyGod’spureserviceismarred.IfwewishtoknowwhatconstitutesthegoodworksspokenofbySt.Paul,wemustlayasidealltheinventionsofmen,andsimplyfollowtheinstructionscontainedintheWordofGod;forwehavenootherrulethanthatwhich is given byHim;which is such asHewill accept,whenwe yield up ouraccountsatthelastday,whenHealoneshallbethejudgeofallmankind.

NowletusfalldownbeforethefaceofourgoodGod,acknowledgingourfaults,prayingHimtomakeusperceivethemmoreclearly:andtogiveussuchtrustinthename of our Lord Jesus Christ that we may come to Him and be assured of theforgivenessofoursins;andthatHewillmakeuspartakersofsoundfaith,wherebyallourfilthinessmaybewashedaway.