Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

41. Are not good works commanded?

This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in GoD, might be careful to maintain good works: these things are good and profitable unto men. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. But wilt thou know, O vain man,

faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed GOD, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness and he was called the friend of God, Ye see then how that by works a man is justifiand not by faith only. Tit. 3. 8. Eph. 2, 10. 2 Tim. 2. 21. Mat. 5. 16. Col. 1. 10. John 15. 8. Heb. 10, 24. 2 Pet. 1. 511. 1 Cor. 15. 58.

ed,

Jam. 2.

20-24

42. Will works be brought into judgment?

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. For GoD shall bring every work into judgment, with ev. ery secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before GOD; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the

dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them; and they were judged every man according to their works. 2 Cor. 5. 10. Ecel. 12. 14. Rev. 20. 12, 13. Job 34. 10, 11. Is. 3. 10, 11. Mat. 16. 27.

43. Does not God estimate works by the state of the heart from which they proceed?

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts. To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. An high look, and a proud heart, and the ploughing of the wicked, is sin. I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. Prov. 21. 2--4, Jer. 17. 10. || 1 Sam. 16. 7. 1 Chron. 29. 17. Rev. 2. 23.

44. Is salvation of debt or of Grace? (i)

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly; through Jesus Christ our Saviour: That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Eph. 2. 8-10. Tit. 3. 5-7. Eph. 1. 7. and 2. 5—7. Rom. 5. 20, 21.

(i) See Appendix, Note I.

D

45. Are not all who enjoy the light of the glorious Gospel, called, invited, and entreated, freely and cordially to accept of salvation?

Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine, and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me; hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. And the spirit and the bride say, come, and let him that heareth say,come,and let him that is athirst come. And WHOSOEVER WILL, let him take the water of life freely. Is. 45. 22. and 55. 1-3. Rev. 22. 27. || Ez. 18. 21, 22, Is. 1. 18-20. and 2. 10.

46. Has God any pleasure in the misery and destruction of the wicked, in itself considered ?

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD; and not that he should return from his ways and live. Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness, and forbearance, and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of GOD leadeth thee to repentance? say unto them, as I live saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the

'death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? 2 Pet. 3. 9. Ez. 18. 23. Rom. 2. 4. Ez. 33. 11. || Is. 30. 18. 1 Tim. 2—4. and 1. 14, 15. Ez. 18. 32. The PURPOSES of GOD are the rule of HIS conduct, his commands the rule of ours.

47. What is the tenour of the covenant of grace?

Incline your ear, and come unto me; hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you even the sure mercies of David. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel. After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts : and I will be to them a GOD, and they shall be to me a people. ls. 55. 3. Heb. 8. 10. | Jer. 31. 33. and 50. 5. Gen. 17. 7. Ps. 103. 17, 18.

48. Who is the mediator of the NEw covenant or covenant of grace?

Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens. But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the Mediator of a better covenant, which was es tablished upon better promises. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel, After those days saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a GoD, and they shall be to me a people. For

no more.

I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember For there is one GoD, and one Mediator between GoD and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Heb. 8. 1. 6. 8. 10. 12. 1 Tim. 2. 5, 6. || Gal. 3. 19, 20. Heb. 7. 22. and 12. 24, 25. Is. 42. 6.

49. Is Christ both able, and willing to save penitent sinners of every description ?

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens. Wherefore GoD also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. 1 Tim. 1. 15. Heb. 7. 25, 26. Col. 2. 9. Rom. 3. 25. || John 1. 1, 14. and 10. 25, 30. Is. 45, 22, 23. Rom. 3. 24-26.

50. Why was it necessary, that the Mediator between the Father and sinners should be man?

For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is the devil. But this man because he continueth ever hath an unchangeable priesthood."

« AnteriorContinuar »