The Works of Joseph Bellamy (Volume 2) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1850. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... ESSAY. SECTION I. A GENERAL VIEW OF THE NATURE OP THE GOSPEL. The word gospel signifies good news. The good news comes from heaven; from God, the great King of the universe. It was first more darkly hinted to Adam, immediately after the fall; and afterwards to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, by God himself; and by Moses and all the prophets, in God's name, to Israel of old. But last of all, the whole glorious plan was fully brought to light, and published to the world, by Jesus Christ and his apostles. And he who will be at the pains carefully and critically to read the Bible through, and take a full view of the whole account as it there stands, will find the following particulars, among many others, implied in the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ: -- 1. That God is considered as the moral Governor of the world; that man is considered as a proper subject of moral government; that God's law is considered as holy, just, and good; that man has broken it, is without excuse, stands guilty before God, already condemned; and is so far from penitence, that he is dead in sin, an enemy to God, and at enmity against his law and government. 2. That God did not judge it suitable to the honor of his majesty, or agreeable to the honor of his law and government, in a sovereign way, by the influences of his Holy Spirit, to bring man to repentance, and then by a sovereign act of grace to pardon him, and receive him to favor, and entitle him to eternal life, without a Mediator and an atonement. 3. That God has appointed his own Son to be a Mediator, and made him a curse, to redeem us from the curse, that through him he might communicate the Holy Spirit; and set him forth to be a propitiation, that through faith in his blood, we might receive forgiveness of sins; and yet God be just, an...