that are weak in faith, to be diligent in hearing and reading what in scripture is revealed concerning the Trinity in unity; looking up always for the inward teaching of the Holy Spirit and I would direct them to a form of sound words in the common prayer-book for Trinity Sunday, which contains the shortest and best account of the subject, that I ever saw. "It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should, at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, almighty, everlasting God: who art one God, and one Lord; not one only person, but three persons in one substance for that which we believe of the glory of the Father, the same we believe of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, without any difference or inequality." These are precious words. Meditate, reader, upon them, and intreat the Holy Spirit to enlighten thine understanding with the saving knowledge of them; that being established in the doctrine of the ever blessed Trinity, and of the Godhead of the Lord Christ, thou mayest be enabled to overcome the difficulties which arose, Secondly, From thy not being well acquainted with the nature of Christ's salvation; concerning which, young believers are apt to have many doubts. Carnal reason is strong in them. The spirit of bondage resists with many and mighty arguments, and unbelief musters up all its forces; and there is a long and obstinate fight against being saved freely and fully by the grace of Christ Jesus. But the arguments which God has provided in his word, when applied by his Spirit, will prevail and overcome. Meditate upon them for the establishing of thy weak faith. Consider, first, the covenant." Salvation is not a thing of chance, or left to man's will or power; but it was contrived by the blessed Trinity in the covenant of grace, and every thing belonging to it was perfectly settled. It is said to be, 2 Sam. xxiii. 5. an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure. O thou of little faith, why then dost thou doubt? What! doubt of God's love? Here is a covenant springing from his mere love, and from everlasting. Doubt of its being well contrived! Infinite wisdom or ders it in all things. Doubt of its being well executed! It is in all things sure, sure as God's almighty power and faithfulness can make it. What motives are here for the strengthening of thy faith? May the Lord render them effectual. Reflect, secondly, upon the undertakings of the Lord Christ, the surety of this covenant. There was nothing left out of this covenant; it was ordered in all things belonging to salvation, and Christ undertook to perform all things on the part of his Father, that his law might be magnified, and his justice made honourable and glorious; and on the part of the sinner, that he might be saved from all evil, and entitled to all good. And being God and man united in one Christ, he was a proper surety to reconcile God to man, and to reconcile man to God. May these things then sink deep into thy heart, that thy surety has undertaken the whole of thy salvation, to do all for thee, and all in thee, and all by thee. What canst thou desire more for the settling of thy faith? 3. Perhaps thou wilt say, his undertakings were great; but has he fulfilled them? Yes, and so perfectly, that he is able to save to the uttermost. He was called Jesus, because he was to save his people from their sins; as their surety, he was to fulfil the law for them by his obedience, and to suffer the pains and penalties of it by his death and passion. Accordingly, in the fulness of time, he was manifest in the flesh, and came to do the will of his Father: of his obedience to that will he thus speaks. "I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do." Of his suffering that will, he said with his last breath, "It is finished." Observe, whatever he undertook to do in his life and death, was finished; and it was demonstrated, that, as man's surety, he had done and suffered every thing ordered in the covenant, by his resurrection from the dead: for then did the Father declare him to be the Son of God with power. Will not all this satisfy thee, O thou of little faith? Here is one more cause of thy doubting removed; thou canst not deny but Christ has finished every thing he undertook; and, in consequence thereof, he has all power in heaven and earth, to bestow a full and finished salvation. What canst thou now object? are 4. Does a thought arise in thy heart? It is finished; but is it so freely given that such an unworthy creature as I am, may partake of it? Yes, it comes to thee in the way of a free gift. Great, inestimable, and eternal as it is, yet it is all thine in receiving. Not he who worketh, but he who believeth, is justified from all things. It is by faith that believers are justified and sanctified; strengthened and comforted in their walkby faith they fight against all their enemies, and by faith they conquer and lay hold of eternal life. And, therefore, it is all of faith, that it might be by grace. Salvation is wrought out and finished by thy Surety, given to thee freely; continued with all its blessings in time and through eternity, as a free gift, to the praise of the glory of free grace. Why, therefore, art thou discouraged? Hast thou nothing to buy with? Then obey the Lord's command--Come and buy free salvation, without money and without price. How should this motive still add to the establish |