Use 3

From the premises be instructed, that nothing short of effectual saving faith can give a man any grounded hopes that he shall be saved: or whatever any person has or may pretend to, that is short of and separated from sound and effectual faith, can give him no title to heaven and happiness. We see it is not every faith that is saving; much less anything short of faith: and yet many such things persons place their trust and confidence in, and build their hopes of salvation upon. Many things there are that persons are apt to lean upon and comfort themselves with, which yet will give them no title to salvation, because short of saving faith: as Paul in the days of his Pharisaism, he thought he had many things that could stand him in stead, which after he saw were vain; and nothing would do, but faith in Christ whereby he might be found in him (Philippians 3:4-8). Take a short view of what persons build their hopes of salvation upon, which yet fall short of saving faith.

1. Some would gather up hopes for heaven, because of their happiness here on earth. Their outward prosperity, wherein God blesses them, from where they gather that God loves them; and it shall be forever well with them: and here they bottom their hopes for salvation. If any should be so stupid and foolish as to rest in worldly wealth, riches, and honors and comforts of outward estate; remember these are not faith, nor akin to it. The Lord has nowhere said in all the Scripture, that he that is a rich man, or a great man, shall go to heaven. Riches do not carry faith along with them, nor help to it; but often much hinder it (Matthew 19:23). The young man in the Gospel went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions: therefore, says Christ, a rich man can hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 1 Corinthians 1:26: For you see your calling, brothers, how that not many wise men, after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called. The poorest man on earth may get to heaven, as soon as the richest, and you often sooner. It is he that is rich in faith, that is the heir to the kingdom (James 2:5).

2. Some build up their hopes and confidence, upon their gifts and parts. Natural and acquired wit, memory, learning, activity, knowledge of arts, or skill therein, etc. Why, these are good and commendable in themselves, and very useful, and make men famous, but these are not faith: these alone will not save. Had one the parts and abilities of an Ahithophel, yet these alone would not render one any better, than he who, with Judas, went and hanged himself. Knowledge is good and excellent, yet may be separated from faith and love; and then it is nothing in point of salvation (1 Corinthians 13:1-2). Indeed ministerial gifts themselves may be separated from faith, as in Judas, and others (Matthew 7:22). And if so, they save not. Oh, you may know many things, and yet not know Christ and him crucified, with a believing application to your own soul; and then you know nothing, that will stand you in stead for salvation.

3. Some build their hopes of future happiness and salvation upon good nature and disposition. The temper of some is not so inclined to some vices; and more apt to gain love and esteem, than others are: but this is not faith, no nor sanctification. The young man in the Gospel was of an amiable, lovely disposition and demeanor (Mark 10:21). Jesus beholding him, loved him; and yet missing of Christ, he misses of heaven. An Absalom can so pleasingly carry it, as to steal the hearts of the men of Israel; and yet a graceless wretch. Be it, your disposition and carriage is such, as every one is taken with you; yet take heed of resting in that, that will not suffice. A lovely young man, you see, may go down to hell, not following Christ with a self- and world-renouncing faith; when a rude, rugged jailer, believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, may go to heaven.

4. Some build their hopes of salvation upon a comparative goodness, that they are not so bad as others. Many do, Pharisee-like, bear themselves upon this (Luke 18:11). But be it so; yet to have less sin, than some others; that is not to have faith. You are not so bad as many others; but it may be it is also true, you are not so good as many others, who yet never shall be saved. It may be you are not so good as the young man in the Gospel, or the scribes and Pharisees; and yet they are gone to their own place. Oh, your righteousness must exceed theirs, if ever saved (Matthew 5:20). Oh, you must exceed those, whom perhaps you have not yet equaled. If you are not so bad as others, yet are you as good, as the rule of the Gospel requires to salvation? Have you sound faith in Christ? It is not what others are, but what the rule, the Word of God, the terms of the Gospel require, by which you shall be judged another day.

5. Others build their hopes of salvation upon moral honesty and virtue and external blamelessness. To be a just dealer, a good neighbor, civilly honest, a good commonwealth's man; a good townsman, a good householder, etc. To perform these external civil duties well, is more than is found with many; but yet this alone has not the promise of salvation made to it. Paul, a Pharisee, was blameless (Philippians 3:6). Alas, it must be another kind of righteousness, than this, that will stand before God, namely: the righteousness, which is of God by faith (Philippians 3:9).

6. Others build their hopes of being saved upon their outward church privileges. They enjoy means and ordinances. They are within the pale of the Church. They are Jews outwardly by profession and privileges, the visible people of God. But it is manifest that these things are separable from saving faith. A visible and an invisible saint are not of equal latitude. To have eaten and drunk in Christ's presence will not be a sufficient plea at that day (Luke 13:26). The promise is not that every church member shall be saved. But every true believer shall be saved. Oh! It is not the shadow of outward privileges that will shelter you from the wrath of God. The sinners in Zion are under as much cause of fear as any there (Isaiah 33:14). It is no new thing to go out of a church on earth into the chambers of hell. Many who walk with saints now will be sent to devils one day. Many who are ear-marked among Christ's sheep here will be found to be goats when Christ's fold shall be searched at that day. You build much upon it that you are within the bosom of the Church. But oh, are you within the bosom of Jesus Christ by faith? You are an Israelite, but are you an Israelite indeed by effectual faith in Christ?

7. Others build their hopes for heaven upon the apprehension of a saving work of conversion wrought by the Spirit, but mistaking legal terrors for evangelical convictions, and being deceived by some common and remoter preparations.

If persons have been convinced, awakened, terrified, troubled, and frightened out of the lewdness of their former ways, and have prayed and taken up good resolutions, and thereupon their hearts have been quieted and calmed, now they think all is well. But even such things as these are separable from saving faith. Such as these — as some legal trouble wounds them, so a little legal reformation heals them. You were terrified and troubled. But was it not rather a pang of fear than a spirit of mourning for sin? You had terrors, so had Judas. But did they carry you to Christ Jesus? Did they end in faith unfeigned?

8. Others build their hopes for heaven and salvation upon their reformations and duties customarily performed. They have laid aside their gross sins and have taken up a course of duties. They come to meeting, and they pray in their families, and it may be do something in secret too. And here they rest in the work done, but done formally and carelessly, without delight and constancy, merely to stop the mouth of conscience rather than to attain the end of duty. And they cry peace to themselves and say, all is well.

Oh! Upon what a slight, shady, weak bottom do men build their hopes of salvation? But truly, it is a matter of the greatest concern in the world to see what bottom you build your hopes upon. Why, nothing short of effectual saving faith can give a man any grounded hopes of salvation.