First, The command of Christ is, that every one to whom the Gospel comes, and ⟨p. 146⟩is preached, do believe, i.e. receive Christ Jesus in all his fullness in the Gospel. John 1.12. For that is to believe; in which command lies Gods offer. 1 John 5.23. This is his commandment, that ye believe, John 6.25, 37, 38. This is the work of God that ye believe. Now here men think they are free. 1. They say they are unworthy; and hence they say, Depart from me, Lord, I am a sinful man; as if Gods grace was built on mans worthiness. 2. Because unhumbled, whereas Gods grace calls in men unhumbled. Rev. 8.17, 18. For Gods call and offer is general, though none but the humble will hearken to it. But there are none, but it may be said to them; If they can believe, let them. 3. Because Christ is not theirs, and are they bound to believe he is? Whereas the first act of faith, is not to believe Christ is mine, then men were bound to believe a lie. But to receive Christ as a woman her husband, that he may be mine by faith; and so a man may know and say, he is mine. The Gospel doth no where say to any man, Christ is thine; but if thou receive him, he is thine, and consequently the Spirit speaks so also. 4. Because they cannot believe, unless they should presume; as if the Gospel bound the conscience of none to believe, but them that were able to believe it, and receive Christ in it; yet 'tis otherwise: for it binds all to receive Christ Jesus; to go up and possess ⟨p. 147⟩him, to feed, eat and drink, and live for ever. And I will leave this one undeniable argument; If men are liable to eternal condemnation at the great and last day, and to bear the eternal wrath of God and Christ also, for disobeying the Gospel, for refusing Christ and the offer of his grace therein: Then those mens consciences are bound to obey the Gospel; i. e. to believe and receive Christ now in this life. — But all that have the Gospel preached to them, are liable to eternal condemnation, for disobedience to it. John 3.18, 19. Psal. 2.12. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry. So, 2 Thess. 2.8, 9. He comes to render vengeance on them that obey not the Gospel. Rom. 2.16. The Lord shall judge the secrets of all hearts by my Gospel. That is, wherever the Gospel comes; for they that have no law, having no law shall not be judged by it:
First, The command of Christ is, that every one to whom the Gospel comes, and ⟨p. 146⟩is preached, do believe, i.e. receive Christ Jesus in all his fulnesse in the Gospel. John 1.12. For that is to believe; in which command lies Gods offer. 1 John 5.23. This is his commandment, that ye believe, John 6.25, 37, 38. This is the work of God that ye believe. Now here men think they are free. 1. They say they are unworthy; and hence they say, Depart from me, Lord, I am a sinfull man; as if Gods grace was built on mans worthinesse. 2. Because unhumbled, whereas Gods grace calls in men unhumbled. Rev. 8.17, 18. For Gods call and offer is general, though none but the humble wil hearken to it. But there are none, but it may be said to them; If they can believe, let them. 3. Because Christ is not theirs, and are they bound to believe he is? Whereas the first act of faith, is not to believe Christ is mine, then men were bound to believe a lie. But to receive Christ as a woman her husband, that he may be mine by faith; and so a man may know and say, he is mine. The Gospel doth no where say to any man, Christ is thine; but if thou receive him, he is thine, and consequently the Spirit speaks so also. 4. Because they cannot believe, unlesse they should presume; as if the Gospel bound the conscience of none to believe, but them that were able to believe it, and receive Christ in it; yet 'tis otherwise: for it bindes all to receive Christ Jesus; to go up and possesse ⟨p. 147⟩him, to feed, eat and drinke, and live for ever. And I will leave this one undeniable argument; If men are liable to eternal condemnation at the great and last day, and to bear the eternal wrath of God and Christ also, for disobeying the Gospel, for refusing Christ and the offer of his grace therein: Then those mens consciences are bound to obey the Gospel; i. e. to believe and receive Christ now in this life. — But all that have the Gospel preached to them, are liable to eternall condemnation, for disobedience to it. John 3.18, 19. Psal. 2.12. Kisse the Son, lest he be angry. So, 2 Thess. 2.8, 9. He comes to render vengeance on them that obey not the Gospel. Rom. 2.16
