"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." [Philippians 1:6]
I beg the Reader not to overlook the confidence with which the Apostle tells the Church of their safety in grace. He that began the good work is a wise Master-builder, who never entered upon so grand a concern, as the salvation of the soul, to leave it unfinished. And the reason is evident. Because the beginning of the good work in regeneration, is, in fact, but the finishing the first and original purposes of GOD in election, the confirming it in redemption, and now by quickening the soul, which was before dead in trespasses and sins, to the knowledge and enjoyment of it in regeneration, becomes an earnest and pledge of an interest in it to all eternity. This work of regeneration by the HOLY GHOST, though, in fact, the last in point of order among the Persons of the GODHEAD, is the first in point of our apprehension to the knowledge of the love of GOD. By this gracious act, GOD’S children are brought into spiritual life, to discover their having been chosen of GOD the FATHER before the world, and redeemed by GOD the SON in the time-state of the Church, and now, by regeneration, made partakers of an inheritance with the saints in light. Hence, this good work, as Paul calls (and beyond all conception both of goodness and of greatness it is,) comes the earnest of our adoption-character, and our union with CHRIST JESUS. It is impossible, therefore, but that it must be completed, being secured by such principles, and not founded in human worth, but divine grace. Because I live, (saith JESUS,) ye shall live also. John 14:19.
I beg the Reader not to overlook the confidence with which the Apostle tells the Church of their safety in grace. He that began the good work is a wise Master-builder, who never entered upon so grand a concern, as the salvation of the soul, to leave it unfinished. And the reason is evident. Because the beginning of the good work in regeneration, is, in fact, but the finishing the first and original purposes of GOD in election, the confirming it in redemption, and now by quickening the soul, which was before dead in trespasses and sins, to the knowledge and enjoyment of it in regeneration, becomes an earnest and pledge of an interest in it to all eternity. This work of regeneration by the HOLY GHOST, though, in fact, the last in point of order among the Persons of the GODHEAD, is the first in point of our apprehension to the knowledge of the love of GOD. By this gracious act, GOD’S children are brought into spiritual life, to discover their having been chosen of GOD the FATHER before the world, and redeemed by GOD the SON in the time-state of the Church, and now, by regeneration, made partakers of an inheritance with the saints in light. Hence, this good work, as Paul calls (and beyond all conception both of goodness and of greatness it is,) comes the earnest of our adoption-character, and our union with CHRIST JESUS. It is impossible, therefore, but that it must be completed, being secured by such principles, and not founded in human worth, but divine grace. Because I live, (saith JESUS,) ye shall live also. John 14:19.
