I. As to our first Entrance into the Evangelic State; that is, by Faith and Repentance: Both are necessary to Pardon, Acts 10. 43. To him give all the Prophets witness, that through his Name, whosoever believeth in him shall receive Remission of Sins. There Remission of Sins is granted to a Believer. Now Repentance is full out as necessary, Acts 2. 38. Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ, for the Remission of Sins. Luk. 24. 47. And that Repentance and Remission of Sins should be preached in his Name among all Nations, beginning at Jerusalem. What is in another Evangelist, to preach the Gospel to every Creature, in this is, that Repentance and Remission of Sins should be preached in ⟨p. 28⟩his Name. And this is preaching the Gospel; for the Gospel is nothing else but a Doctrine of Repentance and Remission of Sins. So if we will not hearken to the vain Fancies of Men who have perverted the Scripture, but stand to the plain Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; these two Duties are necessary to pardon. Christ's Satisfaction is not imputed to us, but upon Terms agreed on in the Covenant of Redemption. As to the Impetration, there is required the intervention of Christ's Merit, so to the Application Faith and Repentance, without which we are not pardoned. These two Graces have a distinct Reference, and it is intimated by that Passage of Paul, for he gives this account of his Ministry, Acts 20. 21. Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, Repentance towards God, and Faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ. Here in short, Repentance respects God, to whom we return, and Faith Jesus Christ, by whom we return. From God we fell, to God we must return; we fell from him, as we withdrew our Allegiance, and sought our Happiness elsewhere; and we return to him as our rightful Lord, and our proper Happiness. And then Faith in Christ is necessary, because the Lord Jesus is the only Remedy for our Misery, who opened the way to God by his Merit and Satisfaction, and doth also bring us to walk in his Ways by his renewing first, and then reconciling Grace; and Faith is that that respects him. Who will take Physic of a Physician, whose Art he does not trust; or go to Sea with a Pilot, whose Skill he questions?
I. As to our first Entrance into the Evangelick State; that is, by Faith and Repentance: Both are necessary to Pardon, Acts 10. 43. To him give all the Prophets witness, that through his Name, whosoever believeth in him shall receive Remission of Sins. There Remission of Sins is granted to a Believer. Now Repentance is full out as necessary, Acts 2. 38. Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Iesus Christ, for the Remission of Sins. Luk. 24. 47. And that Repentance and Remission of Sins should be preached in his Name among all Nations, beginning at Ierusalem. What is in another Evangelist, to preach the Gospel to every Creature, in this is, that Repentance and Remission of Sins should be preached in ⟨p. 28⟩his Name. And this is preaching the Gospel; for the Gospel is nothing else but a Doctrine of Repentance and Remission of Sins. So if we will not hearken to the vain Fancies of Men who have perverted the Scripture, but stand to the plain Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; these two Duties are necessary to pardon. Christ's Satisfaction is not imputed to us, but upon Terms agreed on in the Covenant of Redemption. As to the Impetration, there is required the intervention of Christ's Merit, so to the Application Faith and Repentance, without which we are not pardoned. These two Graces have a distinct Reference, and it is intimated by that Passage of Paul, for he gives this account of his Ministry, Acts 20. 21. Testifying both to the Iews, and also to the Greeks, Repentance towards God, and Faith towards our Lord Iesus Christ. Here in short, Repentance respects God, to whom we return, and Faith Jesus Christ, by whom we return. From God we fell, to God we must return; we fell from him, as we withdrew our Allegiance, and sought our Happiness elsewhere; and we return to him as our rightful Lord, and our proper Happiness. And then Faith in Christ is necessary, because the Lord Jesus is the only Remedy for our Misery, who opened the way to God by his Merit and Satisfaction, and doth also bring us to walk in his Ways by his renewing first, and then reconciling Grace; and Faith is that that respects him. Who will take Physick of a Physician, whose Art he does not trust; or go to Sea with a Pilot, whose Skill he questions?
