LECTURES ON THE CHURCH CATECHISM

BY APPOINTMENT FROM DR. BUSBY'S TRUSTEES
16 March 1766
Lecture 29
 
[contd from Lecture 28]
  
[2.] A true repentance of former sins, such as I described in my last is always accompanied with a steadfast purpose to lead a new life. This is the next particular, concerning which we may observe:
  2.1 That the proper effect and evidence of true religion is a new life. It is more than to take up a new set of notions, or to learn to talk a sort of new language. Some of you perhaps can speak of grace and Christ, of the certainty of the promises, and of God’s accepting poor sinners graciously in the name and righteousness of his own Son. But if you are under the power of old sins, all you can say of this kind is of little worth. The promises are indeed sure and true, but you have no reason to think they belong to you, if you live in malice, drunkenness, uncleanness, or any practice which is contrary to God’s commandment. For all those who are justified by the blood of Jesus, are sanctified by his Spirit. Be not deceived, neither fornicators, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, nor the covetous who are idolaters, have any part in the kingdom of God. The Christian life is a new life. From a new principle a heavenly light [is] received into his soul, discovering to him the beauty of holiness, and the vileness of sin, so that he freely chooses the one, and hates the other with a perfect hatred. It is from a new motive, a sense of the constraining love of Christ to his soul, which draws him forth to love him again. The objects of his affections are all new. He loves the Word, the ways, the people of God, he savours and delights in heavenly things, his heart is in a prevailing degree weaned from the present evil world, and he feels something within, that tells him continually, he shall never be well, till he is got safe out of it. Answerable to this are his actions: they are all new. His eyes which once were wandering after folly, are now employed in searching the good Word of God. His hands which were formerly busied in mischief are now raised up in prayer, or stretched out for the relief of the poor and miserable. His feet which before led him, into the company where riot and sin was multiplied, now refuse to perform such a hateful office, but lead him with greater readiness to the house and ordinances of God. His tongue which was used to blasphemy, slander, folly and lies, is now filled with the praises of him who saved his soul from death – his ears which were open to receive impure and filthy communications, are now continually listening to know more and more of the good, holy and perfect will of God. Thus, his heart being renewed by divine grace, he leads a new life, and his light shines before men to the praise and glory of his heavenly father. If you have the beginnings of such a life as this, though you may find many things in your heart to grieve and humble, the Lord will make you welcome at his table.
  2.2 Those who lead such a new life, do it by the means of a steadfast purpose. Many have purposed to lead a new life, but they are not steadfast – rather they are double minded as James speaks – like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. This is a sad sign of insincerity. The soul that is in earnest is steadfast. It is possible indeed he may be surprised and thrown off his guard by a sudden temptation. But such a miscarriage will make him doubly upon his guard afterwards. He does not, he cannot, wilfully sin, or continue in sin because he is born of God. But then his steadfast purpose is not in himself nor founded on his own strength. But his eye is ever to the Lord to keep his feet out of the net. And all his resolutions are made in humble dependence upon that promised grace without which he can do nothing. On this then his trust in the Lord does not make him secure and careless, but stirs him up to the greater diligence, as he prays, Lead me not into temptation – so he endeavours to avoid the occasions of temptation. If you expect the Lord by a miracle of grace will preserve you from evil while you willingly and without necessity run yourself into the way of it – this is not to trust him, but to tempt him, and it shows that your purposes to lead a new life are not steadfast, and will not be successful.

O that the Lord would convince you of the necessity here. If you lead not a new life here, you will have no part in eternal life hereafter – if you persist in the path of sin, it will certainly lead you to hell. Look up to him then and say, Depart from me, ye wicked, for I must keep the commandments of my God.
 
The next clause points at the spring both of true repentance, and new obedience, namely a lively faith in God’s mercy through Christ. And here again the expression is worded to prevent any mistakes if possible. You are directed to enquire, if you have a lively faith in God’s mercy, and if your faith and hope is in and through Christ. These words are a proper guard and testimony against two very common errors:
 
1. Some seem to put their refuge in God’s mercy – but without that especial reference to Christ which the Scriptures teach. They trust to a general notion of mercy. Not considering there is no hope of mercy for a sinner, but according to the dispensation of the gospel covenant. God is merciful beyond our conception, and he has shown himself so to be, both in giving his own Son to die for sin, and in freely pardoning the chief of sinners. But he is just likewise – and those who do not plead and trust to the atonement and mediation of Christ alone, must answer all the demands of the law in their own persons. But alas if the Lord should lay justice to your line and righteousness to the plummet, who can stand before him? [1]  Beware therefore that you do not trust in vanity, nor take refuge in lies – if you expect any mercy but gospel mercy, if you offer any plea but that which God has provided, you will be awfully disappointed. Other foundation can no man lay, but that which is laid – Christ Jesus. [2]
2. Some profess faith in God’s mercy and that through Christ – but then it is not a lively faith, it is a faith which is consistent with the love and practice of sin. But wilt thou know O vain man that faith without works is dead. Christ came to destroy the works of the devil, to deliver his people from their sins. If this deliverance is not begun in you, you have no part in him, nor will a talking faith save you. Rather your profession of his name is a disgrace and dishonour done him for which he will call you to account. To speak highly of Christ, while you go on in your evil ways, is but to act such a part as Judas, who cried, Hail Master, and kissed him, while his heart was set to betray him.
Some profess faith in God’s mercy and that through Christ – but then it is not a lively faith, it is a faith which is consistent with the love and practice of sin. But wilt thou know O vain man that faith without works is dead. Christ came to destroy the works of the devil, to deliver his people from their sins. If this deliverance is not begun in you, you have no part in him, nor will a talking faith save you. Rather your profession of his name is a disgrace and dishonour done him for which he will call you to account. To speak highly of Christ, while you go on in your evil ways, is but to act such a part as Judas, who cried, Hail Master, and kissed him, while his heart was set to betray him.


    Endnotes:
[1] Isaiah 28:17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
[2] 1 Corinthians 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.


 

Marylynn Rouse, 02/05/2020