The Fountain of Life Opened Up

Now if at any time this trial befall you, mind these two seasonable admonitions, and lay them up for such a time. Exercise the faith of adherence. Cleave to God when you have lost the faith of evidence. When God takes away that, He leaves this. That is necessary to the comfort, this to the life of His people. It is sweet to live with clear views of your interest in Christ, but if they be gone, believe and rely on God. Stay yourself on your God when you have no light. Isaiah 50 verse 10. Drop this anchor in the dark, and do not reckon all gone when evidence is gone. Never reckon yourselves undone while you can adhere to your God. Take the right method to recover the sweet light which you have sent away from your souls. Do not go about from one to another complaining, nor yet sit down desponding under your burden. But search diligently after the cause of God's withdrawalment. Urge Him importunately, by prayer, to show thee wherefore He contends with thee. Job 10 verse 2. Say, Lord, what evil is it which thou so rebukest? I beseech thee, show me the cause of thine anger. Have I grieved thy spirit in this thing, or in that? Was it my neglect of duty, or my formality in duties? Was I not thankful for the sense of thy love when it was shed abroad in my heart? O Lord, why is it thus with me? Humble your soul before the Lord for every evil you shall be convinced of. Tell Him it pierces your heart that you have so displeased Him, and that it shall be a caution to you while you live, never to return again to folly. Invite Him again to your soul, and mourn after the Lord till you have found Him. If you seek Him, He will be found of you. 2 Chronicles 15 verse 2. Wait on in the use of means till Christ return. O be not discouraged, though He tarry, wait ye for Him. For blessed are all they that wait for Him. Chapter 34, page 414. The fifth saying of Christ on the cross, I thirst. After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. John 19, 28. These words were spoken by Christ upon the cross, a little before He bowed the head and yielded up the ghost. They are recorded only by the evangelist, John. Number 1. The person complaining is Jesus. This is a clear evidence that it was no common suffering. Great and resolute spirits will not otherwise complain. Number 2. The affliction or suffering of which He complains is thirst. His soul thirsted in vehement desires and longings to accomplish and finish the great and difficult work He had undertaken. And His body thirsted by reason of those unparalleled agonies it endured. It was the latter, the proper natural thirst here intended, when He said, I thirst. Now, this natural thirst of which He complains is the raging of the appetite for moist nourishment, arising from the scorching up of the parts of the body for want of moisture. And among all the pains and afflictions of the body, there can scarcely be named a greater and more intolerable one than extreme thirst. The most mighty and valiant have stooped under it. Samson, after all his conquests and victories, was sore of thirst and called on the Lord and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of Thy servant, and now shall I die for thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised. Judges 15 verse 18. Hence, thirst is used to express the most afflicted state. When the poor and needy seek water and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them. Isaiah 41 verse 17. That is, when my people are in extreme necessity, under extraordinary pressure and distress, I will be with them, to supply and relieve them. Thirst causes the most painful compression of the heart when the body, like a sponge, sucks and draws for moisture and there is none. And this may be occasioned either by long abstinence from drink, or by the laboring and exhaustion of the spirit under grievous agonies and extreme tortures. Now though we find not that Christ had tasted a drop since he sat with his disciples at the table, after that no more refreshment for him in this world, yet this was not the cause of his raging thirst. It is to be ascribed to the extreme sufferings which he had so long conflicted with, both in his soul and body. These preyed upon him and drank up his very spirit. Number three. The time when he thus complained was when all things were now accomplished, that is, when all things were even ready to be accomplished in his death. A little, a very little while before he expired, when the pains of death began to be strong upon him. And so it was both a sign of death at hand, and of his love to us, which was stronger than death, and would not complain sooner, because he would admit of no relief, nor take the least refreshment until he had done his work. Number four. The design and end of his complaint was that the scripture might be fulfilled, that is, that it might appear, for the satisfaction of our faith, that whatsoever had been predicted by the prophets was exactly accomplished, even to a circumstance in him. Now it was foretold of him, they gave me gall for my meat, and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. Psalm 69 verse 21. And herein it was verified. Hence, such were the agonies of our Lord Jesus Christ upon the cross, as drank up his very spirits and made him cry, I thirst. If I should live a thousand years and every day die a thousand times, the same death for Christ that he once died for me, yet all this would be nothing to the sorrows Christ endured in his death. At this time the bridegroom, Christ, might have borrowed the words of his spouse, the church, Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger. Lamentations 1 verse 12. The sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ upon the cross were twofold, namely his corporeal and spiritual sufferings. We shall consider them distinctly and show how both these meeting upon him in their fullness and extremity must drink up his spirits and make him cry, I thirst. Roman numeral 1. His bodily and more external sufferings were exceedingly great, acute, and extreme, for they were sharp, universal, continual, and unrelieved by any inward comfort. Number 1. They were sharp sufferings. His body was wrapped in those parts where sense more eminently dwells, in the hands and feet. They pierced my hands and my feet. Psalm 22 verse 16. Now Christ, by reason of his exact and excellent temper of body, had doubtless more quick, tender, and delicate senses than other men. Sense is, in some, more delicate and tender, and in others dull and blunt, according to the temperament and liveliness of the body and spirits. But in none, as it was in Christ, whose body neither sin nor sickness had any way enfeebled or dulled. Number 2. His pains also were universal, not affecting one, but every part. They seized every member from head to foot. No member was free from torture. For as his head was wounded with thorns, his back with bloody lashes, his hands and feet with nails, so every other part was stretched and distended beyond its natural length, by hanging upon that cruel engine of torment, the cross. And as every member, so every particular sense was afflicted. Number 3. These universal pains were continual, not by fits, but without any intermission. He had not a moment's ease by the cessation of pain. Waves came upon pain, one grief upon another, till all God's waves and billows had gone over him. To be an extremity of pain, and that without a moment's intermission, will quickly overcome the stoutest nature in the world. Number 4. His pains were altogether unrelieved. If a man have sweet comforts flowing into his soul from God, they allay the pains of the body. This made the martyrs shout amidst the flames. If even inferior comforts and delights of the mind, will greatly relieve the oppressed body. But now Christ had no relief this way. Not a drop of comfort came from heaven into his soul. But on the contrary, his soul was filled up with grief, so that instead of relieving, it increased unspeakably the burden of the outward man. 4. Roman numeral 2. Let us consider these inward sufferings of his soul, how great they were, and how quickly they spent his natural strength, and turned his moisture into the drought of summer. Number 1. His soul felt the wrath of an angry God, which was terribly impressed upon it. The wrath of a king is as the roaring of a lion, but what is that to the wrath of God? Who can stand before his indignation, and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? His fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him. Nahum 1 verse 6. Had not the strength that supported Christ been greater than that of rocks, this wrath had overwhelmed and ground him to powder. Number 2. And as it was the wrath of God that lay upon his soul, so it was the pure wrath of God without any alloy or mixture. Not one drop of comfort came from heaven or earth. All the ingredients in his cup were bitter, for God spared not his own son. Romans 8.32. Had Christ been abated or feared, we had not. Number 3. Yea, all the wrath of God was poured out upon him, even to the last drop, so that there is not one drop reserved for his redeemed to feel. Christ's cup was deep and large. It contained all the fury and wrath of an infinite God, and yet he drank it all up. He bore it all. Romans 3. It is evident that such extreme sufferings meeting upon him must exhaust his inmost spirit and make him cry, I thirst. For let us consider, number 1, what mere external pains and outward afflictions can do. These pre-upon and consume our spirits. So David complains, When thou with rebukes correctest man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away as a moth. Psalm 39.11 That is, as a moth frets and consumes the most strong and well-wrought garment without any noise, so afflictions waste and wear out the strongest bodies. They make the firmest constitution like a decayed garment. They shrivel and dry up the most vigorous and flourishing body and make it like a bottle in the smoke. Psalm 119.83 Number 2. Consider what mere internal troubles of the soul can do upon the strongest body. They spend its strength and devour the spirits. So Solomon speaks in Proverbs 17.22 A broken spirit dryeth the bones. That is, it consumes the very marrow with which they are moistened. So Psalm 32.3-4 My bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy on me. My moisture is turned into the drought of summer. What a spectacle of pity did Francis Spira become merely through the anguish of his spirit. A spirit sharpened with such troubles, like a keen knife, cuts through the sheath. Certainly whoever hath had any acquaintance with trouble of soul knows by sad experience how like an internal flame it feeds and preys upon the very spirits so that the strongest stoop and sink under it. But Number 3. When outward bodily pains meet with inward spiritual troubles and both in extremity come in one day, how soon must the firmest body fail and waste away. Now strength fails apace and nature must sink under the load. The soul and body sympathize with each other under trouble and mutually relieve each other. If the body be sick and full of pain, the spirit supports, cheers, and relieves it by reason and resolution all that it can. And if the spirit be afflicted, the body sympathizes and helps to bear up the spirit. But if the one be overladen with strong pains more than it can bear, and calls for aid from the other, and the other be oppressed with intolerable anguish and cries out under a burden greater than it can bear so that it can contribute no help, but instead thereof adds to the burden which before could not be borne. The nature must fail, and the friendly union between soul and body suffer a dissolution by such an extraordinary pressure. So it was with Christ when outward and inward sorrows met in one day in their extremity upon him. Hence the bitter cry, I thirst. Inference Number 1. How horrid a thing is sin! How great is that evil of evils which deserves that all this should be inflicted and suffered for its expiation. The sufferings of Christ for sin give us the true account and fullest representation of its evil. O then, let not thy vain hearts slight sin as if it were but a small thing. If ever God show thee the face of sin in this glass, thou wilt say there is no other such horrid representation to be made to man. Fools make a mock at sin, but wise men tremble at it. Number 2. How afflictive and intolerable are inward troubles! Did Christ complain so sadly under them and cry, I thirst? Surely then they are not so light as some regard them. If they so scorched the very heart of Christ, prayed upon his very spirits and turned his moisture into the drought of summer, they should not be slighted as they are by some. The Lord Jesus was fitted to bear and suffer as strong troubles as ever befell the nature of man. And he did bear all other troubles with admirable patience. But when it came to this, when the flames of God's wrath scorched his soul, then he cried, I thirst. David's heart was for courage as the heart of a lion. But when God exercised him with inward troubles for sin, then he roars out under the anguish of it, I am feeble and sore broken, I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart. My heart panteth, my strength faileth. As for the light of mine eyes, it is also gone from me. Psalm 38 verses 8 and 10 A wounded spirit, who can bear? Many have declared that all the torments in the world are nothing to the wrath of God upon the conscience. What is the worm that never dies but the sting of a guilty conscience? This worm feeds upon and gnaws the vital, most sensible part of man and is the principal part of hell's horror. In bodily pains, a man may be relieved by proper medicines. Here, nothing but the blood of sprinkling relieves. In outward pains, the body may be supported by the resolution and courage of the mind. Here, the mind itself is wounded. O let none despise these troubles, they are most intolerable. How dreadful a place is hell, where this cry is heard forever, I thirst. There the wrath of the great and terrible God flames upon the damned forever, in which they thirst and none relieves them. If Christ complained, I thirst, when he had conflicted but a few hours with the wrath of God, what is the state of those who are to grapple with it forever? When millions of years are gone, ten thousand millions more are coming on. There is an everlasting thirst in hell and it admits of no relief. Think of this, ye that now add drunkenness to thirst, who wallow in all sensual pleasures and drown nature in excess of luxury. Remember what Dive said in Luke 16.24, And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame. If thirst in the extremity of it be now so insufferable, what is that thirst which is infinitely beyond this in measure and never shall be relieved? Say not it is hard that God should deal thus with his poor creatures. You will not think so if you consider to what he exposed his own dear son, when sin was but imputed to him, and what that man deserves to feel that has not only merited hell, but by refusing Christ the remedy, the hottest place in hell. 4. How should nice and wanton appetites be reproved? The Son of God wanted a drop of cold water to relieve him, and could not have it. God hath given us a variety of refreshments to relieve us, and we despise them. We have better things than a cup of water to refresh and delight us when we are thirsty and yet are not pleased. 5. O that this complaint of Christ on the cross, I thirst, were but believingly considered, it would make you bless God for what you now despise, and beget contentment in you for the meanest mercies and most common favors. 6. Did the Lord of all things cry, I thirst, and had nothing in his extremity to comfort him? And dost thou, who hast a thousand times forfeited all temporal as well as spiritual mercies, contemn and slight the common bounties of providence? What, despise a cup of water, who deserveth nothing but a cup of wrath from the hand of God? O lay it to heart, and hence learn contentment with anything. 5. Did Jesus Christ upon the cross cry, I thirst? Then believers shall never thirst eternally. Their thirst shall be certainly satisfied. So it is promised, blessed are they which hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. Matthew 5 verse 6. In heaven they shall depend no more upon the stream, but drink from the overflowing fountain. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house, and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life, and in thy light shall we see light. Psalm 36 verse 8. There they shall drink and praise, and praise and drink forevermore. All their desires shall be filled with complete satisfaction. O how desirable a state is heaven upon this account, and how should we be restless till we come thither, as the thirsty traveler is until he meets the cool, refreshing spring he seeks. This present state is a state of thirsting, that to come of refreshment and satisfaction. Some drops indeed are received from the fountain by faith, but they quench not the believer's thirst. Rather like water sprinkled on the fire, they make it burn the more, but there the thirsty soul hath enough. Number six. Did Christ in the extremity of his sufferings cry, I thirst? Then how great is the love of God to sinners, who for their sakes expose the son of his love to such extreme sufferings. O the height, length, depth, and breadth of that love which passes knowledge. The love of God to Jesus Christ was infinitely beyond all the love we have for our children, and yet as dearly as he loved him, he was content to expose him to all this, rather than we should perish eternally. And it should never be forgotten that Jesus Christ was exposed to these extremities of sorrow for sinners, the greatest of sinners, who deserve not one mercy from God. This commends the love of God singularly to us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, Romans 5 verse 1. Thus the love of God in Jesus Christ still rises higher and higher in every view of it. Admire, adore, and be transported with the thoughts of this love. Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift. Chapter 35, page 423. The sixth saying of Christ on the cross, It is finished. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished. And he bowed his head and gave up the ghost. John 19, verse 30. It is finished. This is the sixth remarkable word of our Lord Jesus Christ upon the cross, uttered as a triumphant shout when he saw the glorious issue of all his sufferings at hand. It is but one word in the original, but in that one word is contained the sum of all joy, the very spirit of all divine consolation. The ancient Greeks valued themselves in being able to speak much and little, to give a sea of matter in a drop of language. What they only sought is here found. It is finished. The great work of man's redemption is done, and therein all the types and prefigurations that shadowed it forth are fulfilled. The completing of redemption is the principle and the fulfilling of all the types of collateral and secondary sense implied. Yet it must be observed that when we say Christ finished redemption by his death, the meaning is not that it was by his death alone, for his abode in the grave, resurrection and ascension had all their joint influence therein. According then to the principle scope of the passage we observe that Jesus Christ hath perfected and completely finished the great work of redemption committed to him by God the Father. To this great truth the apostle gives full testimony. By one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. Hebrews 10.14 And to the same purpose Christ says, I have glorified thee on the earth. I have finished the work thou gavest me to do. John 17.4 We shall inquire what this work was, how Christ finished it, and what is the evidence that it is completed. Roman numeral 1 What was the work which Christ finished by his death? It was the fulfilling of the whole law of God in our room and for our redemption as a sponsor or surety for us. The law is glorious. The holiness of God is engraven or stamped upon every part of it. From his right hand went a fiery law. Deuteronomy 33.2 The jealousy of the Lord watched over every point and tittle of it, for his dreadful and glorious name was upon it. It cursed everyone that continued not in all things contained therein. Galatians 3.10 Two things therefore were necessarily required in him that should perfectly fulfill it, perfection in his character and perfection in his work. Number 1 Perfection in his character He that wanted this could never say it is finished. Perfect working proceeds from a perfect being. That he might therefore finish this great work of obedience and therein the glorious design of our redemption, lo, in what shining and perfect holiness was he produced. That holy thing that shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Luke 1.35 And indeed, such a high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners. Hebrews 7.26 So that the law could have no exception against his person, nay, it was never so honored as in having such a perfect and excellent person as Christ stand at its bar and give it due reparation. Number 2 There must be also a perfection of work and obedience before it could be said it is finished. This was in Christ. He continued in all things written in the law to do them. He fulfilled all righteousness as it behooved him to do. Matthew 3.15 He did all that was required to be done and suffered all that was requisite to be suffered. He did and suffered all that was commanded or threatened in such perfect obedience, both active and passive, that the pure eye of divine justice saw no defect in it, and so finished the work his Father gave him to do. This was a necessary, a difficult, and a precious work. It was necessary in respect to the Father. I do not mean that God was under any necessity from his nature of redeeming us, for our redemption is an act of the free counsel of God. But when God had once determined to redeem and save poor sinners by Jesus Christ, then it became necessary that the counsel of God should be fulfilled, to do whatsoever thy hand and counsel had before determined to be done. Acts 4.28 It was necessary with respect to Christ by the precious contact between the Father and Him. Therefore it is said by Christ, Truly the Son of Man goeth as it was determined. Luke 22.22 That is, as it was foreagreed and covenanted. Under the necessity of fulfilling his engagement to the Father, he came into the world, and being come, he turned not from it. I must work the works of him that sent me. John 9.3 Yea, and it was no less necessary upon our account that this work should be finished. For had not Christ finished this work, sin had quickly finished all our lives, comforts, and hopes. Without the finishing of this work, not a son or daughter of Adam could ever have seen the face of God. Therefore it is said, As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3.14-15 As it was necessary this work should be finished, so the finishing of it was difficult. It cost many a groan and many a tear before Christ could say, It is finished. All the angels in heaven were not able, by their united strength, to lift that burden one inch from the ground, which Christ bore upon his shoulders. Yea, and bore it away. How heavy a burden this was, appears in some degree by his agony in the garden and the bitter outcries he made upon the cross, which we have already considered. It was also a precious work which Christ finished by his death. That work was done in a few hours, which will be the matter of everlasting songs and triumphs by angels and saints to all eternity. Oh, it was a precious work. The mercies that now flow from this fountain, such as justification, sanctification, adoption, are not to be estimated besides the endless happiness and glory of the world to come, which it cannot enter into the heart of man to conceive. If the angel sung when the foundation stone was laid, what shouts, what triumphs should there be among the saints? As this voice is heard, it is finished. Roman Numeral 2 Let us inquire in what manner Jesus Christ finished this glorious work. Number 1 It was finished most obediently. He became obedient to death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2.8 His obedience was the obedience of a servant, though not servile obedience. So it was foretold of him before he entered upon his work. The Lord God hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. Isaiah 50.5 Number 2 As Christ finished it obediently, so he finished it freely. Freedom and obedience in acting are not at all opposite to or exclusive of each other. Moses' mother nursed him in obedience to the command of Pharaoh's daughter, yet most freely for her own delight. So it is said of Christ, and not by his own mouth, Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. John 10.17-18 He liked the work for the sake of the end to be accomplished. When he had a prospect of it from eternity, then were his delights with the sons of men. Then he rejoiced in the habitable parts of the earth. Proverbs 8.30-31 And when he came into the world, with what a full and free consent did his heart echo to the voice of his Father calling him unto it. Lo, I come, I delight to do thy will. Thy law is within my heart. Psalm 40. 3. He also finished the work diligently. He was never idle wherever he was, but went about doing good. Acts 10.38 Sometimes he was so intent upon his work that he forgot to eat bread. John 4.30-31 As the life of some men is but a diversion from one tribulation to another, from one pleasure to another. So the whole life of Christ was spent between one work and another. Never was a life so filled up with labor. The very moments of his time were all employed for God to finish this work. 4. He finished it completely and fully. All that was to be done by way of meritorious redemption is fully done. No hand can come after his. Angels can add nothing to it. 5. That is perfected to which nothing is wanting and to which nothing can be added. Such is the work which our Lord Jesus Christ finished. 6. Whatever the law demanded is perfectly paid. Whatever a sinner needs is perfectly obtained and purchased. Nothing can be added to what he hath done. He put the last hand to it when he said it is finished. 7. Let us consider what evidence we have that Christ so finished the work of redemption. 1. When Christ died, the work of redemption must be finished inasmuch as the blood, as well as the obedience of Christ, was of infinite value and efficacy, sufficient to accomplish all the ends for which it was shed. When that therefore is actually shed, justice is fully paid, and consequently the souls for whom it is paid are fully redeemed from the curse. 2. It is apparent that Christ finished the work by the discharge or acquittance God the Father gave him when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand. If Christ the sinner surety be, as such, discharged by God the creditor, then the debt is fully paid. 3. Now Christ was justified and cleared at his resurrection from all charges and demands of justice. Therefore it is said that he was justified in the Spirit, that he is openly discharged by that very act of the Godhead, is raising him from the dead. 4. Now when the grave was opened and Christ arose, it was to him as the opening of the prison doors and setting a surety at liberty who was confined for another man's debt. To the same sense Christ speaks of his ascension. The Spirit shall convince the world of righteousness, John 16 verse 10, that is, of a complete and perfect justification. And whereby shall he convince and satisfy them that it is so? By this, because I go to the Father, and ye see me no more. There is a great deal of force and weight in those words, because ye see me no more, as if he had said, By this you shall be satisfied that I have fully and completely performed all righteousness, and that by my active and passive obedience I have so fully satisfied God for you that you shall never be charged or condemned. Because when I go to heaven I shall abide there in glory with my Father and not be sent back again, as I should if anything had been omitted by me. And this the apostle gives us also in plain words, After he had offered one sacrifice for sins, forever sat down on the right hand of God. Hebrews 10 verses 12-14 And what does he infer from that but the very truth before us, that by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified? 3. It is evident Christ hath finished the work by the blessed effects of it upon all that believe in him. 4. For by virtue of the completeness of Christ's work, finished by his death, their consciences are now pacified, and their souls at death actually received into glory, neither of which could be if Christ had not in this world finished the work. If Christ had done his work imperfectly, he could not have given rest and tranquility to the laboring and burdened souls that come to him as now he doth. Matthew 11-28 Conscience would still be hesitating, trembling, and unsatisfied. And had he not finished his work, we could not have had entrance through the veil of his flesh into heaven, as all that believe in him have. Hebrews 10 verses 19-20 Inference 1 Has Christ perfected and completely finished all his work for us? How sweet a relief is this to them that believe in him against the defects and imperfections of all our services. There is nothing finished that we do. All our duties are imperfect. Oh, there is much sin and vanity in the best of our duties, but here is the grand relief, and that which is perfect for us in all our duties, and that which is perfect for us is perfect in all our duties, and that which is perfect for us is perfect in all our duties, and is perfect for us is perfect in all our and that which is perfect for us in all our duties, and that which for us is perfect in and that which is perfect for us is perfect in all our duties, and that which in all our in all our duties. When Christ stamped endure this, it reflects upon his work dishonorably. He will be all or none in our justification. If he had finished the work, what need of our additions? And if not, to what purpose are they? Can we finish that which Christ himself could not? But we would fain be sharing with him this honor which he could never endure. Did he finish the work and will he ever divide the glory and praise of it with us? No, Christ is no half savior. Oh it is a hard thing to bring these proud hearts to live upon Christ for righteousness. God humbles proud nature by calling sinners holy from their own righteousness to Christ for their justification. Number three, did Christ finish his work for us? Then there can be no doubt but he will finish also his work in us. As he began the work of our redemption and finished it, so he that hath begun the good work in you will also finish it upon your souls. Philippians 1 verse 6. Jesus Christ is not only called the author but the finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12 verse 2. If he began it, no doubt he will finish it. And indeed the finishing of his own work of redemption gives full evidence that he will finish his work of sanctification within us. And that because these two works of Christ have a respect and relation to each other, such a relation that the work he finished by his own death, resurrection, and ascension would be in vain to us if the work of sanctification should not in like manner be finished. Therefore as he presented a perfect sacrifice to God and finished redemption, so will he present everyone perfect and complete for whom he offered up himself. He will not lose the end of all his sufferings. To what purpose would his meritorious work be without complete and full application? Therefore be not discouraged at defects and imperfections in yourselves. Be humbled for them but not dejected. This is Christ's work as well as that. That work is finished and so will this be. Number 4. Is Christ's work of redemption a complete and finished work? How excellent and comfortable is the method of salvation by faith? Surely the way of believing is the most excellent way in which a poor sinner can approach God, for it brings before him a complete, entire, perfect righteousness which must be most honorable to God as well as most comfortable to the soul that draws nigh to him. Oh how complete, finished, and perfect is the righteousness of Christ. The searching eye of the holy and jealous God can find no defect in it. Let God or conscience look upon it. Turn it every way. View it on every side. Thoroughly weigh and examine it. It will appear a pure, a perfect work. Maintaining in it whatsoever is necessary for the reconciling of an angry God or calming the distressed and perplexed soul. How pleasing then and acceptable to God must be that faith which presents so complete and excellent an atonement to him. Hence the acting of our faith upon Christ for righteousness, the approaches of faith to God with such an acceptable present is called the work of God. This is the work of God that ye believe. John 6 29. One act of faith pleases him more than if you should toil all your lives at the task of obedience to the law. As it is more for God's honor and my comfort to pay all thou owest him at one payment in one full sum than to be paying by very small degrees and never be able to make full payment or see the bond canceled. So this perfect work alone produces perfect peace. Number five. Did Christ work and work out all that God gave him to do till he finished his work? How necessary then is a laborious working life to all that call themselves Christians. The life of Christ you see was a laborious life. Shall he work and we slumber and sleep? O work and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2 verse 12. Will anyone say but if Christ's work was complete we may sit still. 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And remember that John Kelvin in defending the Reformation's regulative principle of worship or what is sometimes called the law of worship commenting on the words of God which I commanded them not neither came into my heart from his commentary on Jeremiah 731 writes God here cuts off from men every occasion for making evasions since he condemns by this one phrase I have not commanded them whatever the Jews devised there is then no other argument needed to condemn superstitions than that they are not commanded by God for when men allow themselves to worship God according to their own fancies and attend not to his commands they pervert true religion and if this principle was adopted by the papists all those fictitious modes of worship in which they absurdly exercise themselves would fall to the ground it is indeed a horrible thing for the papists to seek to discharge their duties towards God by performing their own superstitions there is an immense number of them as it is well known and as it manifestly appears were they to admit this principle that we cannot rightly worship God except by obeying his word they would be delivered from their deep abyss of air the prophets words then are very important when he says that God had commanded no such thing and that it never came to his mind as though he had said that men assume too much wisdom when they devise what he never required nay what he never knew