Some few Testimonies may be added out of the other Evangelists, in whom they abound. As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the Sons of God, even ⟨p. 439⟩to them that believe on his name, Joh. 1.12. Faith is expressed by the receiving of Christ. For to receive him, and to believe on his name, are the same. It receives him as set forth of God to be a propitiation for sin, as the great Ordinance of God, for the Recovery and Salvation of lost sinners. Wherefore this notion of Faith includes in it, (1.) A supposition of the proposal and tender of Christ unto us, for some end and purpose. (2.) That this proposal is made unto us in the promise of the Gospel. Hence as we are said to receive Christ, we are said to receive the promise also. (3.) The end for which the Lord Christ is so proposed unto us, in the promise of the Gospel; and this is the same with that for which he was so proposed in the first promise, namely, The recovery and salvation of lost sinners. (4▪) That in the tender of his person, there is a tender made of all the Fruits of his Mediation, as containing the way and means of our deliverance from sin, and acceptance with God. (5.) There is nothing required on our part unto an interest in the end proposed, but receiving of him, or believing on his name. (6.) Hereby are we entitled unto the Heavenly inheritance, we have power to become the Sons of God, wherein our Adoption is asserted, and Justification included. What this receiving of Christ is, and wherein it doth consist, hath been declared before, in the consideration of that Faith whereby we are justified. That which hence we argue is, That there is no more required unto the obtaining of a right and title unto the Heavenly Inheritance, but Faith alone in the name of Christ, the receiving of Christ as the Ordinance of God, for Justification and Salvation. This gives us, I say, our original right thereunto, and therein our acceptance with God, which is our Justification, though more be required unto the actual acquisition and possession of it. It is said indeed, that other Graces and Works are not excluded, though Faith alone be expressed. But every thing which is not a ⟨p. 440⟩receiving of Christ, is excluded. It is, I say, virtually excluded, because it is not of the nature of that which is required.
Some few Testimonies may be added out of the other Evangelists, in whom they abound. As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the Sons of God, even ⟨p. 439⟩to them that believe on his name, Joh. 1.12. Faith is expressed by the receiving of Christ. For to receive him, and to believe on his name, are the same. It receives him as set forth of God to be a propitiation for sin, as the great Ordinance of God, for the Recovery and Salvation of lost sinners. Wherefore this notion of Faith includes in it, (1.) A supposition of the proposal and tender of Christ unto us, for some end and purpose. (2.) That this proposal is made unto us in the promise of the Gospel. Hence as we are said to receive Christ, we are said to receive the promise also. (3.) The end for which the Lord Christ is so proposed unto us, in the promise of the Gospel; and this is the same with that for which he was so proposed in the first promise, namely, The recovery and salvation of lost sinners. (4▪) That in the tender of his person, there is a tender made of all the Fruits of his Mediation, as containing the way and means of our deliverance from sin, and acceptance with God. (5.) There is nothing required on our part unto an interest in the end proposed, but receiving of him, or believing on his name. (6.) Hereby are we intitled unto the Heavenly inheritance, we have power to become the Sons of God, wherein our Adoption is asserted, and Justification included. What this receiving of Christ is, and wherein it doth consist, hath been declared before, in the consideration of that Faith whereby we are justified. That which hence we argue is, That there is no more required unto the obtaining of a right and title unto the Heavenly Inheritance, but Faith alone in the name of Christ, the receiving of Christ as the Ordinance of God, for Justification and Salvation. This gives us, I say, our original right thereunto, and therein our acceptance with God, which is our Justification, though more be required unto the actual acquisition and possession of it. It is said indeed, that other Graces and Works are not excluded, though Faith alone be expressed. But every thing which is not a ⟨p. 440⟩receiving of Christ, is excluded. It is, I say, virtually excluded, because it is not of the nature of that which is required.
