Hebrews 5:9

Observe here, 1. choice and singular blessing and benefit spoken of, and that is, eternal salvation; which implies not only deliverance from hell, and redemption from eternal misery, but the obtaining of eternal life had happiness.

Observe, 2. The author of this great blessing and benefit to mankind, namely, Jesus Christ our great High Priest, who, by making atonement for us, and reconciling us to God, is said to be the author of eternal salvation to mankind.

Observe, 3. The way and means whereby he became the author of our salvation, and that was by being mad perfect; the original word is an allusion to one that runs in. race, where he that wins receives the crown. Thus Christ having finished his course of sufferings, and received the reward of them, by being raised from the dead, and exalted to the right hand of God, he is said to be made perfect.

Observe, 4. The qualification of the persons who are made partakers of this great benefit, or the condition upon which it is offered and tendered, and that is obedience, He became the author of eternal salvation to them that obey him.

Question, 1. How does Christ become the author of eternal salvation?

Answer, As. rule and pattern, as. prince and propitiation, and as an advocate and patron: By the purity of his doctrine, as. rule: by the piety of his example, as. pattern; by the merit of his obedience and sufferings, as. propitiation: and by his prevailing intercession, as our Advocate now in heaven.

Where note, That the virtue of his intercession in heaven is founded on his satisfaction here on earth, in shedding of his blood for us.

Question, 2. What obedience does the gospel require as. condition, and is pleased to accept as. qualificaton, in those who hope for eternal salvation?

Answer, Negatively, Not. bare external profession of obedience, though accompanied with prophesying and working miracles, but an hearty and universal conforming to the precepts of the gospel in sincerity and uprightness; allowing our selves in the neglect of no known duty, nor in the practice of any known sin.

Question, 3. But is fallen man under. possibility now of performing this obedience?

Answer, We are no more sufficient of ourselves, and by any power of our own, to perform the conditions of the gospel, than we are able to answer the demands of the law.

But the face of God is offered to us, and stands ready to assist us to perform the condition which the gospel requires.

Consequently, what the grace of God stands ready to enable us to do, if we be not wanting to ourselves, that may properly be said to be possible to us, and in some sense in our power to perform.

Question, 4. But is not making our obedience the condition of our salvaton prejudicial to the freeness of God's grace, and the law of faith?

Answer, In no wise; seeing it is acknowledged, that faith is the root of all true holiness and evangelical obedience; that we stand continually in need of assistance of God's grace, to enable us to perform that obedience which the gospel requires, and is pleased to accept; and that God confers eternal life upon us, not for the merit of our obedience, but only for the sake of Christ.

The sum of all is this, That it is indispensibly necessary for. man to be. good man, that he may get to heaven; and that it is the greatest presumption in the world for any man to hope to attain salvation without obedience, and an holy life. For though our obedience cannot merit heaven; yet it does qualify and fit us for heaven; though it doth not make us worthy, yet doth it make us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. And whosoever finds fault with this doctrine, finds fault with the gospel itself.