by William S. Plumer
In ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
Is salvation by grace--or is it of debt? Did God owe it to man to provide for him a Savior? Do men deserve all the wrath revealed from heaven against ungodliness? Is the sentence of condemnation just? Cannot human merits avail something towards eternal happiness? Is man able to turn himself to God and subdue his own sins? Is the ruin of the soul by sin partial--or total? Are men very far gone from righteousness before divine grace renews them? When Christ came, what did he do and suffer for us? How does his mediation avail for the lost? Is there mercy for all who come to God through Jesus Christ? Are the provisions of the gospel suited to the needs of men? Is salvation necessary? Is it infinitely important? Is it possible?
These and many similar questions are continually undergoing discussion. In fact they are themes well worthy of the closest and most solemn inquiry. They are of paramount and universal interest. He, who seeks not the truth in these matters, must be found guilty of criminal recklessness. Whatever else may claim his attention--here are matters of still higher importance. These things pertain to the well-being of man and the honor of God. They lay hold of eternity. No man ever gave up his mind with too much candor, with undue love of truth, or with excessive earnestness to the investigation of the Scriptures--on themes of so vast moment.
It ought not to be denied that there are difficulties in the way of every inquirer. The prejudices of men are strong and their passions violent. These mightily hinder our reception of the truth. The world also is full of error. Men love darkness rather than light. The friends of sound doctrine are often both timid and unresisting. The propagators of false notions are lively and confident. It is easy to embrace error. To know the right way demands patience, inquiry, humility. The great things of God are not to be learned by those who restrain prayer. How few men are found crying, "Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law!"
Yet it is possible by the aid of God's word and Spirit to learn the truth on all these matters. Thousands have made that great attainment. They have lived long lives and died in the possession and profession of the truth as it is in Jesus. When God bids us search the Scriptures, he sends us not on a fool's errand, nor commands an impossible task. Indeed it is a part of God's plan concerning his people that "we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ." Ephesians 4:13-15
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. All men are sinners
3. Sin is a great evil
4. How the pious regard sin in themselves and in others
5. The heart of man is all wrong
6. Wicked men are like devils
7. Man is utterly helpless
8. Without divine grace, men can do nothing but sin
9. The corruption of man is hereditary
10. Men are guilty. Imputation of Adam's sin. Actual sins
11. Self-righteousness is worthless. Man needs a Savior
12. The true notion of grace
13. The properties of grace —it is free, sufficient, unselfish, rich in blessings
14. God's grace is also of great antiquity, sovereign and distinguishing
15. God's purpose of grace
16. God's Word teaches the Doctrines of Grace; the Fathers
17. What the martyrs taught; the reformers; other godly men
18. The grace of Christ--like that of the Father and the Spirit
19. No salvation but by a Redeemer, and no Redeemer but Christ
20. The constitution of Christ's Person; His Grace therein
21. The Work and Sufferings of Christ; His active and passive obedience
22. The Death of Christ; the Atonement
23. Justification before God
24. Justification—the pardon of sin by Christ's blood
25. Justification—Acceptance in Christ
26. Justification—Christ's Righteousness is imputed to believers
27. Justification—Imputed Righteousness; Additional Testimonies
28. The office of faith in justification
29. Why good works are necessary
30. Regeneration
31. Sanctification
32. Sanctification, continued
33. Relative duties
34. Temptation
35. The power of divine grace to console
36. Afflictions of the righteous; Sayings; Promises
37. The righteous shall hold on his way
38. The brevity of human life
39. The believer's victory over death—the Martyrs
40. The believer's victory over death—other Examples
41. The believer's victory over death, continued
42. The immortality of the soul
43. The happy state of God's people immediately after death
44. The resurrection of life
45. The final judgment
46. Eternal glory
47. All honor is due to Christ
48. Christians long to see Jesus
49. The danger of rejecting salvation
50. The wonders of grace will never cease
51. The offers of free grace are to all indiscriminately
52. The doctrine of free grace is safe and reforms sinners
53. The Conclusion—An offer of life made to the perishing