The true gospel comes home endeared and recommended to the affections of the Lord’s people, both in the beautiful simplicity of it, and in the fullness of it; agreeably to what the prophet was commanded by the Holy Ghost to proclaim in the mountain of the Lord’s house, that it was a way so plain and self-evident, when taught by the Lord, that “the wayfaring man, though a-fool, should not err therein,” (Isaiah 35:8.) In the covenant engagements of Jehovah, each glorious person of the Godhead is set forth as taking his own personal acts in the accomplishment of it; and Christ becomes revealed as the one, and the only one ordinance of heaven, for salvation to every one that believeth.
God the Father’s love is very blessedly manifested in all those acts of grace which refer to his choosing the church in Christ; adopting the church in Christ; and accepting the church in Christ before all time. And God the Son’s love is equally revealed, as having from eternity betrothed the church to himself in an everlasting union; and in redeeming the church from all iniquity, by the sacrifice of himself. And God the Holy Ghost’s love is demonstrated with equal clearness in the scriptures of truth, in having anointed both Christ and his church from the beginning ; and by his regenerating grace during the time-state of the church, raised her up together with Christ, and made her sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. And all the sovereign acts, so very fully and completely secure the present state of the church in grace, and for the future enjoyment in glory, that nothing of peradventure can arise: no yea and nay can come between to make the event doubtful. The charter of heaven runs in these words : ” I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them to do them good, but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me,” (Jer. 32:40.)
The true gospel being thus founded in the eternal counsel, purpose, will, and pleasure of God, in his trinity of persons, comes home endeared to the heart by every thing that can recommend it to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. And when the Lord Jesus Christ is held up to the view as containing in himself, and in his offices and relations, every principle essential to salvation, here are no peradventures, no buts, or ifs, or doubts, or misgivings. The sinner, if taught of God, is led to see that salvation is in no other but in-Christ; ” neither is there any other name under heaven given among men whereby we must he saved.” Christ is declared to be the sum and substance of the whole bible. He is the object of all ordinances; the thing signified in all sacrifices; the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. And when the Lord the Holy Ghost, who lifts up Christ to the church in all the fulness and completeness of his finished salvation, brings him home to the heart also by the blessed influences of his sovereign grace, and forms him there the hope of glory; then Christ is seen, and felt, and enjoyed, in all the sweetness and suitableness of his divine character ; and the believing soul enters into the apprehension, how blessedly he is made of God to all his people, “wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption, that he that glorieth may glory in the Lord,” 1 Cor. 1:30.
Robert Hawker (1753 – 1827) The True Gospel: No Yea and Nay Gospel
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