Good news of gold to poor that lack; Glad news of freedom to the bound Of endless life unto the dead And prefent help in time of need. Good news of heav'n, where angels dwell, Of strength to weak for work and war. Glad news of joy to thofe that weep, grace And mercy free, where wrath was due. Good news of welcome kind to all, Yea, new of drawing pow'r, when fcant, Of Chrift exalted as a Prince, Pardons to give a penitence; CHA P. III. The BELIEVER'S PRINCIPLES Concerning Juftification and Sanctification, their Difference and Harmony. SECT. I. The Difference between Juftification and Sanctification; or Righteoufnefs imputed and Grace imparted; in upwards of thirty particulars *. KIND Jefus fpent his life to fpin My robe of perfect righteoufnefs; But by his Spirit's work within He as a Prieft me juflifies, His blood does roaring confcience ftill; But as a King he fanctifies, And fubjugates my ftubborn will. *Note, That (METRI CAUSA) Juftification is fometimes here exproffed by the words, Imputed grace, justifying grace, righteousness, 8cc.Sanctification by the names, Imparted grace, grace, graces, holiness, fandlity, &c.; which the judicious will gaily understand. He juftifying by his merit,' But nothing with my ftrongeft grace This juftifying favour fets, The guilt of all my fin remote: But fanctifying grace delets The filth and blacknefs of its blot. By virtue of this righteousness Sin can't condemn nor jufily brand: By virtue of infused grace Anon it ceafes to command. The righteoufnefs which I enjoy, Sin's damning pow'r will wholly ftay: The moment that I first believe: The last a real inward change. The former pardons ev'ry fin, And counts me righteous, free, and juft: The latter quickens grace within, And mortifies my fin and luft. Imputed grace intitles me Unto eternal happiness; Imparted grace will qualify That heav'nly kingdom to poffefs. My righteoufnefs is infinite, Both fubjectively and in kind; My holiness moft incomplete, And daily wavers like the wind. So lafting is my outer drefs, It never wears nor waxes old; My inner garb of grace decays And fades, if Heav'n do not uphold. My righteousness and pardon is At once moft perfect and complete; But fanctity admits degrees, Does vary, fluctuate, and fleet. Hence fix'd, my righteousness divine No real change can undergo; But all my graces wax and wane, By various turnings ebb and flow. I'm by the first as righteous now, As e'er hereafter I can be: The laft will to perfection grow, Heav'n only is the full degree. The first is equal, wholly giv'n, And ftill the fame in ev'ry faint; The laft unequal and unev'n, While fome enjoy what others want. My righteousnefs divine is fresh, For ever pure and heav'nly both; My fanctity is partly flesh, And juftly term'd a menftrous cloth. My righteousness I magnify, 'Tis my triumphant lofty flag; But, pois'd with this, my fanctity Is nothing but a filthy rag. I glory in my righteousness, And loud extol it with my tongue; But all my grace, compar'd with this, I under-rate as lofs and dung. By justifying grace I'm apt Of divine favour free to boast; By holiness I'm partly fhap'd The first to divine juftice pays Inftructs me duly to perform. As all the work and matter here. I on my righteousness rely For Heav'n's acceptance free, and win; But, in this matter must deny My grace, ev'n as I do my fin. More juftify'd I cannot be By all my most religious acts; But thefe increase my sanctity, That's ftill attended with defects. My righteousness the safest ark 'Midft ev'ry threat'ning flood will be; My graces but a leaking bark Upon a stormy raging fea. |