Reformed Covenanter
Cancelled Commissioner
WE come now to the words themselves; wherein Christ asserts that, He is, 1) the Way (2) the Truth, (3) the Life. & (4) That no man cometh to the Father but by him. In them we learn those two things, in general, first The misery of wretched man by nature: This cannot be in a few words expressed. These words will point out those particulars thereof, which we will but mention.
1. That he is born an enemy to, and living at a distance from God, by virtue of the curse of the broken covenant of life, made with Adam.
2. That he neither can, nor will return to God, of himself. His way is not in himself; He hath need of another to be his way.
3. That he is a blind wandering creature, ready to take by ways and to wander; yea he loveth to wander: He goeth astray as soon as he is borne, speaking lies.
4. He cannot discern the true way; but is blinded with prejudice thereat, and full of mistakes, he is nothing but a lump of error.
5: He is dead legally, and really, how can he then come home? How can he walk in the way, though it were pointed out to him?
6. He, even when entered into the way, is subject to so many faintings, swoonings, upsittings &c. that except he get new quickening, he must lye be the way, and perish.
In a word, his misery is such as cannot be expressed; for as little as it is believed, and laid to heart; or seen and mourned for, and lamented. ...
For more, see John Brown of Wamphray: our misery and Christ’s sufficiency.
1. That he is born an enemy to, and living at a distance from God, by virtue of the curse of the broken covenant of life, made with Adam.
2. That he neither can, nor will return to God, of himself. His way is not in himself; He hath need of another to be his way.
3. That he is a blind wandering creature, ready to take by ways and to wander; yea he loveth to wander: He goeth astray as soon as he is borne, speaking lies.
4. He cannot discern the true way; but is blinded with prejudice thereat, and full of mistakes, he is nothing but a lump of error.
5: He is dead legally, and really, how can he then come home? How can he walk in the way, though it were pointed out to him?
6. He, even when entered into the way, is subject to so many faintings, swoonings, upsittings &c. that except he get new quickening, he must lye be the way, and perish.
In a word, his misery is such as cannot be expressed; for as little as it is believed, and laid to heart; or seen and mourned for, and lamented. ...
For more, see John Brown of Wamphray: our misery and Christ’s sufficiency.
