2. There is a spiritual Salvation; and this is sometimes applied to the Gospel and means of grace, because they are instituted means to bring to salvation, Act. 13. 26. It's called the Word of salvation. 2 Cor. 6. 2. Behold now is the day of salvation, Heb. 2. 3. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation? So that the very title which is given to the preaching of the Gospel, should partly much affect and win upon us; who would not be saved? Why should not all Congregations endeavour after a godly Ministry? This is to bring in Salvation amongst them: And partly it should terrify all profane atheistical men, who delight in their lusts, and slight the Gospel preached; what is this but to refuse salvation? What is this but to say, Let me be damned, I had rather with my lusts go to hell, then without them to Heaven? Every Sermon thou despisest, salvation it self is rejected by thee. But then, 2. This spiritual Salvation is either inchoate, or 1consummate. Inchoate or Salvation begun, is attributed to the works of grace in this life, Sanctification, especially Justification. So Ephes. 2. 5. and 2. 8. By grace ye are saved; he speaks of Justification in this life, and as that which is ⟨p. 242⟩already obtained, 2 Tim. 1. 9. Justification is salvation begun, though good works are otherwayes required to one and the other. The Consummate or complete Salvation, is that in Heaven, which is the Salvation so often promised in the Scripture, and that is the Summum bonum, and the ultius finis, the mark all are to aim at. The Scripture doth clearly describe that, which the Philosophers did grope in the dark about, having many several opinions about it. That as our Saviour asked his Disciples, Whom do men say I am? And they answered, Some John Baptist, some Elijah. Now though these were holy men, yet it was a dishonour to Christ to be accounted no more than a man; Woe be to us, if Christ had been no more than a mere Prophet. Seeing therefore these did so mistake, our Saviour asketh further; But whom say ye that I am? Then Peter answered, The Son, of the living God. It was the Father, not flesh and blood that had revealed this. Thus if you ask, What do the men of the world say Happiness and Salvation is? One will reply, Riches; another, Honours; but what do ye say, who are more than flesh and blood, who have the Spirit of God revealing things to you?
2. There is a spiritual Salvation; and this is sometimes applied to the Gospel and means of grace, because they are instituted means to bring to salvation, Act. 13. 26. It's called the Word of salvation. 2 Cor. 6. 2. Behold now is the day of salvation, Heb. 2. 3. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation? So that the very title which is given to the preaching of the Gospel, should partly much affect and winne upon us; who would not be saved? Why should not all Congregations endeavour after a godly Ministry? This is to bring in Salvation amongst them: And partly it should terrifie all prophane atheistical men, who delight in their lusts, and slight the Gospel preached; what is this but to refuse salvation? What is this but to say, Let me be damned, I had rather with my lusts go to hell, then without them to Heaven? Every Sermon thou despisest, salvation it self is rejected by thee. But then, 2. This spiritual Salvation is either inchoate, or 1consummate. Inchoate or Salvation begun, is attributed to the works of grace in this life, Sanctification, especially Justification. So Ephes. 2. 5. and 2. 8. By grace ye are saved; he speaks of Justification in this life, and as that which is ⟨p. 242⟩already ob•ained, 2 Tim. 1. 9. Justification is salvation begun, though good works are otherwayes required to one and the other. The Consummate or compleat Salvation, is that in Heaven, which is the Salvation so often promised in the Scripture, and that is the Summum bonum, and the ultius finis, the mark all are to aim at. The Scripture doth clearly describe that, which the Philosophers did grope in the dark about, having many several opinions about it. That as our Saviour asked his Disciples, Whom do men say I am? And they answered, Some John Baptist, some Elias. Now though these were holy men, yet it was a dishonour to Christ to be accounted no more than a man; Woe be to us, if Christ had been no more than a meer Prophet. Seeing therefore these did so mistake, our Saviour asketh further; But whom say ye that I am? Then Peter answered, The Sonne, of the living God. It was the Father, not flesh and blood that had revealed this. Thus if you ask, What do the men of the world say Happinesse and Salvation is? One will reply, Riches; another, Honours; but what do ye say, who are more than flesh and blood, who have the Spirit of God revealing things to you?
- 1Spiritual salvation is either inchoate or consummate.
