AT this time more especially will we speak that by grace ye are saved through faith, because never was the maintaining this doctrine more seasonable than at this day. Nothing but this can effectually prevent the increase of the Romish delusion among us. It is endless to attack one by one all the errors of that church. But salvation by grace through faith strikes at the root, and all fall at once when this is established. It was this doctrine that first drove Popery out of these kingdoms, and it is this alone that can keep it out. Nothing but this can give a check to that immorality which has overspread the land as a flood.
Can we empty the great deep drop by drop? Then you may reform men by dissuasion from particular vices. But let the righteousness which is of God by faith be brought in, and so shall its proud waves be stayed. Nothing but this can stop the mouths of those who glory in their shame, and openly "deny the Lord who bought them." They can talk sublimely of the law. To hear them speak on this head might incline one to think they were not far from the kingdom of God. But take them out of the law into the gospel; begin with the righteousness of faith, with Christ the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth; and those who but now appeared almost if not altogether Christians, stand confessed as far from life and salvation (God be merciful unto them!) as the depth of hell from the height of heaven.
There is no power in man till it is given him from above, to do one good work, to speak one good word, or to form one good desire. For it is not enough to say all men are sick of sin. No, we are all dead in trespasses and sins. We are all helpless, both with regard to the power and the guilt of sin. For who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Who can raise those that are dead, spiritually dead in sins? None less than the Almighty. But on what consideration will He do this? Not for works of righteousness that we have done. The dead cannot praise Thee, O Lord, nor can they do anything for which they should be raised to life.
Whatever therefore God does, He does it for the sake of His well-beloved Son. "He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities:" "He was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification." Here then is the sole meritorious cause of every blessing we can or do enjoy, and in particular of our pardon and acceptance with God, of our full and free justification. But by what means do we become interested in what Christ has done and 'suffered? Not by works, lest any man should boast, but by faith alone. "We conclude," says the apostle, "that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of law." And to as many as receive Christ He gives title to become children of God; even to them which believe in His name, who are born not of the will of man, but of God. Except a man be thus born again, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. All is a free gift through the blood of Christ, and there is eternally the same reason to remember; He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Thou ungodly one, who hearest or readest these words, thou vile, helpless, miserable sinner, I charge thee before God, the Judge of all, go straight unto Jesus with all thy ungodliness. Take heed thou destroy not thine own soul by pleading thy righteousness more or less. Go as altogether ungodly, guilty, lost, destroyed, deserving, and dropping into hell; thus shalt thou find favor in His sight, and know that He justifieth the ungodly. As such thou shalt be brought unto the blood of sprinkling, as an undone, helpless, damned sinner.
Thus look unto Jesus! Plead no good works, no righteousness of thine own, no humility, contrition, sincerity. No! Plead thou singly the blood of the covenant, the ransom paid for thy sinful, proud, stubborn soul. Who art thou that now seest and feelest both thine inward and outward ungodliness? Thou art the man! I want thee for my Lord. I challenge thee for a child of God by faith. The Lord bath need of thee. Thou, who feelest thou art just fit for hell, art just fit to advance His glory, the glory of free grace,, justifying the ungodly and him that worketh not. Oh, come quickly! Believe in the Lord Jesus, and be reconciled to God.