Dear Brethren -- We now address you on the plan of salvation for sinners, which is a subject in which, not only all who profess religion, but all men are concerned. Then let it be remembered that all mankind, by sinning are in their natural state, pursuing for happiness, the road that leads to certain misery. By sin the whole man is depraved, his head, his heart, his mind, and conscience defiled, having no sound part, but full of wounds, bruises, and putrifying [sic] sores, he has reason but it is depraved, he has a will but it is contrary to the will of God. Hence he chooses darkness rather than light, he puts light for darkness and darkness for light, he calls bitter sweet and sweet bitter, he is governed by a carnal appetite and mind, he has violated God's holy law and is unable to repair the injury, he is exposed every moment to its penalty, and continually under its curse, hence he is ruined. The earth with all its wealth, and all its worth is insufficient to one soul; none can redeem his brother, even angels are dependant beings, but God in his Word informs us, that salvation is of Him, and to behold that his salvation cometh.The Lord Jesus, uncreated and unchangeable in all his perfections, in whom dwelleth all the fullness of the divine nature, bodily, possessing love for rebellious man, stronger than death, in whom also, are not only all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, but the treasures of grace given us in him before the world was, he says, "Lo, I come to do thy will, O God." He manifests his grace, comes under the law manifests it and makes it honorable by fulfilling to a jot and title, not for himself but for his people, and thereby brings in everlasting righteousness, even the righteousness of God, and is therefore called, "The Lord our Righteousness." And inasmuch as the penalty annexed to sin is death, he bearing our sins, became sin for us (though "in him was no sin") he was obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, offering himself as a sin offering to God, without the gates of Jerusalem. Yes, he sweats, he bleeds, he died for you, dear Christian, and thereby makes reconciliation, propitiation and atonement in your behalf. Hence he cries, "it is finished," the types are laid aside because the glorious anti-type is come, the shadows disappear because the substance is come. The veil of the temple rent in twain, and the mercy seat, the place of the exercise of the majestic tenderness of an Almighty Saviour, yet a just God, made open and free to all nations, and as an evidence of the acceptance of his offering, he rose from the grave at the very appointed time, ascended up on high, led captivity captive, and obtained gifts for rebellious men. --
While he was in this world, (the only place of prayer, and the exercise of pardoning mercy,) he prayed for his disciples, and for all that should believe on him, and promised to send his holy spirit to reprove the world of sin, of righteousness and judgment; and indeed the promise of the spirit, to convert, guide and comfort the heirs of glory, appears to be one peculiar feature of the New Testament. Hence we find Him (the Holy Spirit) attending the preaching of the word, and other means of God's appointment, sinners are converted by Him, saints comforted, churches formed and established in the true faith, and the name of God glorified. We conclude this to be the work of God, alone from the entire inability and depravity of human nature. The change wrought, being represented in Scripture, by being born again, born of the spirit, made a new creature, created in Christ Jesus, old things passed away, and all things becoming new, regenerated and made children and heirs of God, &c. Thus we find man entirely corrupted and ruined by his sin, and subject to death in all its horrors.
God in his infinite goodness and unchangeable love provides salvation full of treasures of his grace, and in due time manifests it in and through his divine Soon, who came to seek and to save that which was lost, and the Holy Spirit taking of the gifts and things that are Christ's and applying them to men, and without this application our knowledge, faith, &c. will be vain and chaffy. But the Lord by his holy spirit searches, and finds poor sinners dead in moral pollution, he quickens them, convinces them of their sins, &c. gives them repentance, humbles them, like unto little children, and gives them faith in the Lord Jesus, so that they lay hold of him as their only and all sufficient Saviour. Their sins have been borne away by him, for "the Lord hath laid on him the iniquities of us all," and his righteousness in the same way, now becomes theirs. Therefore being justified by faith they have peace with God, and rejoice in hope of his glory. They are made to possess love to God, to his word, people, service, &c. He has become their father, husband and guide and friend, yea moreover, their head and they his members. The Holy Spirit, the Comforter, seals them to the day of redemption, their times are all in his hand, he will never, no never leave them nor forsake them, "and they shall be the Lord's in that day when he comes to make up his jewels." Now they are saved from the curse of the law and the dominion of sin, they shall be saved from all sin and enjoy God forever. Wherefore we may safely say, "Salvation is of the Lord," and that it is a great and glorious salvation. It is becoming the holy majestic character of him, who is infinite in wisdom, for he performs it all. --
It is suitable and safe for the poorest wretched sinner, for it is by grace to the end the promise may be sure to all the seed. O! how shall men escape if they neglect so great salvation. Dear Brethren and Sisters, we wish to remind you of these things, and of the great goodness of God towards us. O! has he condescended to love us, redeem us, and to save us, how should we strive to honor and obey him in all things, to take up our cross daily and follow him. We should seek his glory, not our own, and never be ashamed nor afraid to be found like Mary, weeping at the feet of our despised Lord. Surely while we there weep for our sins our tears will be tears of joy, for it will be Godly sorrow, let us tell poor sinners all around of their ruined condition, and point them to the father of infinite mercies, to a saviour of unbounded love, to a comforter of almighty power, and a heaven of everlasting joys. Grace be with you. Amen.
============= [Taken from Lost River Baptist Association Minutes (IN), 1829, pp. 3-4. The title and paragraph markings are added. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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