The real Christian, or, A treatise of effectual calling wherein the work of God…

As if I see an Apothecaries Shop full of Physic, and a Physician there, I can gather by consequence then there is sickness; else why is all this Physic prepared? why Physician? though I see no diseased person, nor feel any disease my self. Thus when I read of glorious Promises in the Gospel, and find Christ the Physician there, I may well conclude, then there is Sin, and condemnation for Sin, else what need of Christ, and these promises of pardon, and justification through his righteousness. Yea, I grant also, by the Gospel, we may argue, how great an evil Sin is, that must have such a Medicine as the blood of Christ to heal it; but still this is by consequence. The Law tells you directly, what that Sin is, and that condemnation for Sin.

As if I see an Apothecaries Shop full of Physick, and a Physitian there, I can gather by consequence then there is sickness; else why is all this Physick prepared? why Physitian? though I see no diseased person, nor feel any disease my self. Thus when I read of glorious Promises in the Gospel, and find Christ the Physitian there, I may well conclude, then there is Sin, and condemnation for Sin, else what need of Christ, and these promises of pardon, and justification through his righteousness. Yea, I grant also, by the Gospel, we may argue, how great an evil Sin is, that must have such a Medicine as the blood of Christ to heal it; but still this is by consequence. The Law tells you directly, what that Sin is, and that condemnation for Sin.

Thirdly, Men may be convinced of Sin without the Gospel, but not without the Law.

God hath convinced many of Sin where the Gospel was not known, or not understood. The Heathen had Convictions, Rom. 2.16. by a Law not written. But to have men convinced of Sin by the Gospel, where no Law was known, I wish Mr. Saltmarsh would tell us where those persons are: Tell men of the Son of God being incarnate, doing, suffering, dying, rising, interceding, and tell them of his righteousness, obedience and blood, what will you convince men of by this discourse alone, unless you first teach them the cause of all this? and then I am sure you must teach them the Law; and this being opened and set home, will soon teach them the meaning of the work of Christ in Redemption.