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THE GOSPEL PRODUCTIVE OF GOOD WORKS
THE objections which men urge against the doctrines of the Gospel, originate for the most part in their aversion to its precepts. The restraint which it imposes on their actions is irksome to them. They wish to follow the impulse of their passions, or the dictates of self-interest: and when they are checked in their progress, they complain, that the path marked out for them is too strait, and the yoke which we would put upon them is too heavy.
St. Paul is giving directions for the conduct of masters and servants towards each other: but, however “wholesome his words” were, he foresaw that some would “not consent to” them, notwithstanding they were “the words of Christ himself,” and in perfect unison with the Gospel, which was, in that, as well as in every other respect, “a doctrine according to godliness.” He then proceeds to animadvert upon such characters, and to shew, that their dislike to the injunctions given them was owing only to their own pride, and ignorance, and love of sin.
The expression contained in the text is peculiarly worthy of our attention. It gives a just, and very important view of the Gospel; to illustrate and confirm which is the intent of this discourse.
In order to prove that the Gospel is indeed “a doctrine according to godliness,” let us consult,
I. Its doctrines—
We might, if our time would admit of it, illustrate this in every one of the doctrines of our holy religion. But we shall confine ourselves to,
1. The representations which it gives us of God—
[The systems of religion which obtained among the heathen, were calculated rather to promote, than to repress, iniquity: for even their gods themselves, according to their own representation of them, were monsters of iniquity. But our God is holy and just; so holy, that he cannot look upon sin without the utmost abhorrence of it [Note: Hab_1:13.]; and so just, that he will never suffer it to pass unpunished [Note: Exo_34:7.].
If indeed these were his only attributes, men might sit down in despair, and take their fill of sin, because they would have no encouragement to depart from it. But “there is mercy also with him, that he may be feared;” yea, so “rich is he in mercy,” that “none shall ever seek his face in vain.”
How must the contemplation of such perfections tend to deter men from the commission of evil, and to foster in them every holy sentiment and desire!]
2. The means which it prescribes for our reconciliation with him—
[The leading feature of the Gospel is, that it proclaims pardon to penitent sinners, through the blood and righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Let any one reflect on this stupendous mystery, the incarnation and death of the Son of God; let him consider, that no less a sacrifice than that made by our incarnate God was sufficient to atone for sin; and will he then be willing to incur all the penalties of sin, and to bear them in his own person? Will not the tears and agonies of an expiring Saviour compel him to exclaim, “If such things were done in the green tree, what shall be done in the dry?” and will not the love of Christ in submitting to such an ignominious death, on purpose that he might redeem him from iniquity, have any influence on his mind? Will he readily trample on the blood that was shed for him, and crucify his Lord afresh by continuing in sin?]
Let us prosecute the same inquiry, in relation to,
II. Its precepts—
View the precepts relating to God and our neighbour—
[The two great commandments of the law are confirmed and ratified by the Gospel, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and thy neighbour as thyself.” Now ran any man love God, and not endeavour to do his will? Or, if he make his own self-love the rule and measure of his love to others, can he willingly injure them in any thing or forbear to do them good? Would not an unfeigned love to these commands lay the axe to the root of all sin, and transform men into the very image of their God?]
View the directions which it gives for self-government—
[The Gospel does not regulate the actions only, but the heart: it extends its dominion over all the most secret motives and inclinations; and requires every thought to be brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. It makes no allowance for temptations, as though they extenuated the guilt of sin, or were an excuse for the commission of iniquity; but teaches us to “heap coals of five on the bead of an enemy” by acts of kindness, and “not to be overcome of evil, but to overcome evil with good.” It tolerates no kind or degree of sin, but enjoins us to “cleanse ourselves from all filthiness both of flesh and spirit, and to perfect holiness in the fear of God.” It requires us to “be holy as God himself is holy,” and “perfect, even as our Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
Can any one that considers these precepts, doubt what is the nature and tendency of the Gospel?]
Let us examine further,
III. Its examples—
It calls us to an imitation of,
1. Our blessed Lord—
[He was virtue itself embodied. Neither friends nor enemies could ever find in him the smallest spot or blemish. Under circumstances the most trying that can be imagined, he preserved the same serenity of mind, the same meek and heavenly disposition. While he was suffering the most injurious treatment, he was like a Jamb led to the slaughter: and in the very agonies of death, he prayed for nothing but blessings on the head of his cruel murderers. Now we are told, that in all this “he set us an example, that we should follow his steps:” and that all his followers must “walk even as he walked.”]
2. His holy Apostles—
[These were far inferior indeed to their Divine Master; yet were they bright patterns of every thing that was excellent and praise-worthy. As being men of like passions with us, they manifested on some occasions their infirmities: and, in these instances, they are warnings to us, and not examples. But, for the most part, they conducted themselves in a way that excites our highest admiration. And though on account of their defects we cannot follow them in every thing, yet we are called on the whole to tread in their steps, and to “be followers of them, as they were of Christ.”
Are not these sufficient proofs of the holy tendency of the Gospel?]
Infer—
1. How little reason is there for objecting to the Gospel as unfriendly to morality!
[Men ground this objection upon the doctrine of our being “justified by faith only, without the works of the law.” But if they would consider that that faith is always preceded by repentance, and followed by obedience, they would see that there was no foundation at all for their objection. If we said that people might live and die in an impenitent and disobedient state, and yet be saved by their faith, then there were good reason to condemn the Gospel which we preach: but while we maintain the character of God as it is exhibited in the Gospel, together with the obligation of its precepts, and the purity of its examples, no man need to tremble for the ark of God. A roof is not the less necessary to a house, because it is not to be laid as a foundation: nor are works less necessary, because they cannot justify us before God. Let them but stand in their proper place, and they are as necessary as faith itself.]
2. How deluded are they who hold the truth in unrighteousness!
[There doubtless are many who profess to believe in Christ, while yet by their works they utterly deny him. There was one of this description even in the family of Christ himself. But will the faith which they exercise be sufficient to save them? No: their faith is dead, being alone: it is no better than the faith of devils: nor will it be productive of any benefit to their souls: yea rather, inasmuch as it argued light and knowledge, it will only enhance their guilt, and aggravate their condemnation. Let those who are not occupied in a careful imitation of their Lord, and an unreserved obedience to his will, know assuredly, that if, on the one hand, he that believeth shall be saved, so, on the other hand, “the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of heaven.”]
3. How great are the obligations of God’s people to walk circumspectly!
[The world will judge of the Gospel, not so much by what they hear, as by what they see. Now, though they have no right to act thus, we should be careful not to lay a stumbling-block before them. We should endeavour rather to make a good impression on their minds, and to give them no occasion from our conduct to speak evil of the truth itself. We should shew them by our lives, that their fears respecting the licentious tendency of the Gospel are groundless. By walking as it becometh saints, we should put to silence their ignorant objections, and constrain them to confess, that, however the Gospel may be dishonoured by its friends, or calumniated by its enemies, it is indeed a doctrine according to godliness.]