Romans 5

Use 3. Is Christ our Priest who was sacrificed for us, then see the endeared affection of Christ to us sinners: The Cross (says Austin) was a pulpit in which Christ preached his love to the world. That Christ should die was more than if all the angels had been turned to dust: An…

Such were some of you, but you are washed, etc. Before effectual calling, we are not only without strength (Romans 5:6), but enemies (Colossians 1:21). So that the foundation of vocation is election.

Second, when the Spirit does transform the heart, leaving an impress of holiness upon it (2 Corinthians 3:8): "We are changed into the same image, from glory to glory." Third, when the Spirit does refresh the heart with comfort, it comes not only with its anointing, but its seal…

There had never been a stone in the kidneys, if it had not been first a stone in the heart. Indeed, the death of the body, is the fruit and result of original sin (Romans 5:12). Sin entered into the world, and death by sin.

There are some meats (we say) are hard of digestion, and only a good stomach will concoct them: affliction is a meat hard of digestion, but patience (like a good stomach) will be able to digest it; and from where comes patience but from Assurance? (Romans 5:5). Tribulation works…

3. As faith is the grace which God honors to justify and save: thus, indeed, it is precious faith, as the apostle calls it (2 Peter 1:1). The other graces help to sanctify, but it is faith that justifies (Romans 5:1): being justified, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], by faith. Repen…

Your comforts delight my soul; that is, the comforts which distill from the alembic of the promises. 2. The Spirit of God (who is called [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩], the Comforter (John 14:26)) does sometimes drop in this golden oil of joy into the soul; the Spirit whispers to a…

Quest. What is the means or instrument of our Justification? Resp. Faith (Romans 5:1). Being justified by faith. The dignity is not in faith as a grace, but relatively, as it lays hold on Christ's merits.

Look up to the blood of sprinkling (Hebrews 12:24). That blood of Christ which pacified God, must pacify conscience; Christ's blood being sucked in by faith gives peace (Romans 5:1). Being justified by faith, we have peace with God.

Death was not natural to Adam, it came in after sin. Josephus is of opinion, man should have died though he had continued in innocency, only he should have had a longer term of years added to his life; but out of question, death grew out of the root of sin: the Apostle says (Rom…

Answ. The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell within his first transgression. Romans 5:12. By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, etc. Adam b…

We had no spiritual beauty to tempt Christ. In fact, we were not only in our blood, but we were up in arms (Romans 5:8). When we were enemies, Christ died for us: when he was shedding his blood, we were spitting our poison.

First, he has no sense; a dead man has no sense: he has no sense of the evil of sin, of God's holiness and veracity; therefore he is said to be without feeling (Ephesians 4:19). Second, he has no strength (Romans 5:6). What strength has a dead man?

Having answered this question, I shall now come to press the exhortation upon every one of us to seek earnestly after the forgiveness of our sins. 1. Our very life lies upon the getting of a pardon, it is called the justification of life (Romans 5:18). Now if our life lies upon…

4. Branch. If you have any good hope of this blessed kingdom, let this make the color come in your faces, be of a sanguine, cheerful temper; have you a title to a kingdom, and sad? (Romans 5:2) We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Christians, the trumpet is ready to sound…

It remains therefore, that we consider, (1.) how this is revealed and affirmed in the Scripture: and (2.) what is the true meaning of the expressions and propositions wherein it is revealed and affirmed; for in them, as in sundry others, we affirm, that the satisfaction pleaded…

(Ecclesiastes 7:29) Lo, this only have I found, that God made man upright, but he has sought out many inventions. (Romans 5:12) Therefore as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. Ver. 18. Therefore by…

And if this be well considered, it will from there be apparent, that both Christ's active and passive obedience were needed in this case, and no more than what was requisite; and if he had not so, he could not have perfectly merited for us: for Covenant merit is nothing else but…

And that he should do all this for those that were his enemies, and had wilfully and unreasonably revolted from and taken up arms of rebellion against him — behold what manner of love God has loved us withal, thus to do for us in our most urgent distress. The Apostle cannot choo…

Peace within a man's self is a wonderful blessing, and happy is that man who enjoys it, and can live upon it: and this peace, if it be of the right kind, and that which will hold out, has its foundation in our justification by faith in Jesus Christ. This is the proper ground of…

Q. What need was there of such a Mediator? A. Very much need, because by the sin of man there was now grown enmity between them, God being offended with man, and man being enemy to God (Romans 5:9, 10; Colossians 2:21). Q. Is Christ the only Mediator? or are there not others tha…

What righteousness is it then? That perfect righteousness whereby we are justified is that righteousness which was wrought by Christ, and inherent in his person (Isaiah 45:24, 25; Jeremiah 23:6; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:18, 19). How comes the righteousnes…

Q. Justification, Adoption, and Sanctification are excellent benefits that come to believers through Christ; tell me what other benefits do accompany or flow from these? A. In this life there does accompany or flow from them assurance of God's love, lively hope, and expectation…

Q. What Scriptures do prove that Adam and Eve did fall from that state of innocency and purity wherein they were created? A. Many, but most especially the third chapter of Genesis, Ecclesiastes 7:29, Isaiah 43:27, Romans 5:12, 18, 19, 1 Timothy 2:14. Q. Who did fall?

This we may also see in Asaph (or whatever other holy penman of Psalm 73): his heels were well-nigh tripped up in the dark. 'My feet were almost gone,' says he (verse 2) — that is, from keeping his standing by faith, as the apostle speaks (Romans 5); and this by an argument fram…

Lastly, in the general state of the reason, and of Abraham's practice; observe, how he having promise of Canaan, waited for heaven. Now, no man waits for anything, but that which he has hope of; nor hopes truly and properly, for anything, but that which he has assurance of: for…

Deuteronomy 8:2, Remember all the way (says Moses to the Israelites) which the Lord your GOD led you, this forty years, for to prove you and to know what was in your heart. Hence James calls temptations, the trial of faith, James 1:2, 3: And Paul makes patience, the fruit of tri…

If the sin of Adam were imputed to us for our condemnation, as soon as we were alive by natural life before we had done any act of life, good or evil: then the righteousness of Jesus Christ is imputed to us to our justification, as soon as we be alive to God by faith, before we…

In the explicating of it, I must first speak what it is that justifies us. First, we do believe, that in our effectual calling, God draws us to union with Christ (John 6:44), shedding abroad his Spirit in our hearts (Romans 5:5), and working faith in us to receive Christ (John 1…

The introduction of all imperfection and weakness in the Church was by sin. This made the Law weak (Romans 8:3), and sinners to be without strength (Romans 5:7). Therefore the reduction of Perfection must in the first place be by righteousness.

It is therefore highly vain to confound the consideration of our concernment in what Adam did as he was the head of the covenant, with what he afterwards did, and other intervenient progenitors might do. All this our Apostle confirms at large (Romans 5). (7.) Abraham was taken i…

In the new Testament it is used, Luke 1:6, Romans 1:32, chap. 2:26, chap. 5:16, chap. 8:4, Hebrews 9:1, ver. 10, Revelation 15:4, chap. 19:8. And in no one place does it signifie Institution, but it may be better rendred Righteousness when alone we so translate it (Romans 5:16).…

God has eminently suited our relief, the means and causes of our spiritual deliverance, to our misery, the means and causes of it, as that his own wisdom and grace may be exalted and our faith established. That which is here summarily represented by our Apostle in this elegant a…

This state of things is now changed under the Gospel. It is one of the principal priviledges of Believers, that, being made Kings and Priests to God by Jesus Christ, this distinction as to especial gracious access to God is taken away (Revelation 1:5; Ephesians 2:18; Romans 5:2)…

Yes, none have greater hopes for the most part than such as have no faith at all. The great use, benefit and advantage which believers have by this grace, is the supporting of their souls under the troubles and difficulties which they meet withal upon the account of the professi…

It is granted that the actual communication of this effect of the death of Christ to our souls is wrought according to the method which God in his sovereign wisdom and pleasure has designed. And herein (1) the Lord Christ by his blood made actual and absolute Atonement for the s…

And therefore that the Lord Christ in all this may have the preeminence, he will do it in an abundant and unconceivable manner, above the former declarations of his glory in any other of his attributes. Hence in the Scripture the communication of grace is expressed in words that…

(1) In its nature it is [in non-Latin alphabet], sure, and not a deceiving imagination. It makes not ashamed (Romans 5:5) by any failure or disappointment. Groundless presumptions are the deceitful engines, whereby the souls of multitudes are ruined every day; of no more use tha…

Hence believers have boldness to appear before him, and approach to his presence. See (Romans 5:11; 2 Corinthians 5:18, 19, 20, 21; Ephesians 2:13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18). Hereon was it the procuring, the purchasing cause of this privilege.

A respect to his oblation whereby he made reconciliation is included, but it is the efficacy of his intercession that is expressly regarded. For being reconciled by his death, we are saved by his life (Romans 5:10). He therefore alone is the mediator of intercession, who is able…

They knew they had it in themselves, from the powerful experience which faith gave them of it. So the whole of it is intended, and at large explained by the Apostle (Romans 5:1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Faith gives us justification before God, access to him, and acceptance with him, and the…

Patience is the perfecting grace of suffering Christians (James 1:4, 5). And that which all tribulations do excite in the first place to its proper actings, whereon the exercise of other graces does depend (Romans 5:4, 5). This says the Apostle you have need of.

The grant hereof is called God's gift. So is the gift of Christ used also (Ephesians 4:7): according to the measure of the gift of Christ, that is, according as he is pleased to give and grant of the fruits of the Spirit to men; see (Romans 5:15, 17; Ephesians 3:7). Sometimes it…

Hence the Substantive [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩] is used in both those Senses, and where it is to be taken in either of them, the circumstances of the Text do openly declare. Where it is taken in the latter Sense, the Greek renders it by [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩], a Sacrifice…

(3) Afflictions and trials. By these he purges his vine that it may bring forth yet more fruit; that is, he tries, exercises, and thereby improves the faith and graces of believers (1 Peter 1:7; Romans 5:3, 4, 5; James 1:2, 3, 4). 4. God expects fruit from this field, which is s…

And it is the word which our Apostle uses when he enjoins us to try and search ourselves as to our sincerity in faith and obedience (2 Corinthians 13:5; Galatians 6:4), as also to make a due enquiry into the true nature of spiritual things (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 5:10), not cont…

This the Apostle does so plainly and positively declare, Chap. 10. 19, 20, 21, 22. that I somewhat admire so many worthy and learned expositors should utterly miss of his meaning in this place. The Holies then is the gracious presence of God, whereunto believers draw nigh, in th…

Indeed works don't justify us, they have no hand in that at all: it is faith only that justifies us (Romans 3:28) — a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. (Romans 5:1) Therefore being justified by faith, &c. yet it is also true, that that faith which is alone,…

Which does clearly shew what the Synod says, That a different way and means of being members, does not alter the nature and kind of membership; which we see does hold as touching being a member of fallen mankind, and we see no reason but it may also hold as touching being a memb…

Sin is anything whatever is against the will and word of God: as Saint John says, Sin is the transgression of the law (1 John 3:4). And this definition Paul confirms when he says, that by the law comes the knowledge of sin, and, where no law is there is no transgression: and, si…