'A Cloud Of Witnesses
- The Power of the Gospel'by Phillip Melanchthon
(1497-1560)(abstracted and translated from Melanchthon's 'Loci Communes Theologici')
Those whom conscience has terrified in this manner [by convicting of sin] would most surely be driven to despair, the usual condition of the condemned, if they were not lifted up and encouraged by the promise of the grace and mercy of God, commonly called the gospel. If the afflicted conscience believes the promise of grace in Christ, it is resuscitated and quickened by faith, as the following examples will reveal wonderfully.In Genesis, chapter 3, the sin, repentance, and justification of Adam are described. After Adam and Eve had sinned and were looking for coverings for their nakedness - for we hypocrites have the habit of relieving our consciences by making amends - they were called to account by the Lord; but his voice was unbearable. Under these conditions neither coverings nor pretexts excused their sin. Convicted and guilty, the conscience lies prostrate when it is directly confronted with sin through the voice of God. They flee, and Adam explains the cause of their flight when he says: 'I heard the sound of thee in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked' (Gen. 3:10). Note the confession and the acknowledgment by the conscience. In the meantime, Adam eats his heart out in grief until he hears the promise of mercy, the word spoken about his wife that her seed would bruise the serpent's head (Gen. 3:15). Even that the Lord clothed them did something to strengthen their consciences, and is unmistakably a sign of the incarnation of Christ. For it is that flesh which in the last analysis covers our nakedness and destroys the confusion of trembling consciences on which the insults of the reproachful have fallen (Ps. 69).
We recalled before how David was undone by the voice of the prophet Nathan. And he certainly would have perished if he had not at once heard the gospel: 'The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die' (II Sam. 12:13) [The] Spirit of God has richly shown us the works both of his wrath and of his mercy. What more evangelical expression can be conceived of than this: 'The Lord has put away your sin'? Is this not the sum of the gospel or of the preaching of the New Testament: Sin has been taken away? You may add to these examples many stories from the gospels. Luke 7:37-50 tells of the sinful woman who washes the feet of the Lord; he consoles her with these words: 'Your sins are forgiven' (v. 48). And what is better known than the story in Luke, chapter 15, of the prodigal son, who confesses his sin? How lovingly his father receives, embraces, and kisses him! In Luke 5:8 Peter, stunned by the miracle and, what is more, struck in his heart, exclaims: 'Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.' Christ consoles and restores him by saying: 'Do not be afraid,' etc. (v. 10). From these examples I believe it can be understood what the difference is between law and gospel, and what the power of the gospel is as well as that of the law. The law terrifies; the gospel consoles. The law is the voice of wrath and death; the gospel is the voice of peace and life, and to sum up, 'the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride,' as the prophet says (Jer. 7:34). And he who is thus encouraged by the voice of the gospel and trusts in God is already justified; on this I shall soon say more. Christians well know how much joy and gladness that consolation brings. And here belong those happy words the prophets use to describe Christ and the Church. Isaiah 32:18: 'My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.' Isaiah 51:3: 'Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song.' Jeremiah 33:6: 'I will reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security.' Jeremiah 33:9: 'I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord.' Psalm 21:6: 'Thou dost make him glad with the joy of they presence,' etc. Psalm 97:11: 'Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.'
But why heap up arguments when it is obvious from the promulgation of the law and the advent of Christ what the power of both law and gospel is? Thus Exodus, chapter 19, describes with that a horrifying spectacle the law was given, and we have just reviewed this above. For just as the Lord terrified Israel at that time, so the consciences of individuals are tormented by the voice of the law, and they exclaim along with Israel: 'Let not God speak to us, lest we die' (Ex. 20:19). The law demands the impossible, and the conscience, convicted of sin, is assailed from all directions. In this condition, dread and confusion so trouble the conscience that no remedy appears anywhere unless the very One who cast it down raises it up. Some seek consolation by their own strength, efforts, works, and acts of appeasement. But these do not accomplish any more than Adam accomplished with his fig leaves. So are those who array themselves against sin in the power of their own will (arbitrium). The actual facts teach that they soon fall even more miserably. 'The war horse is a vain hope for victory; and by its great might it cannot save' (Ps. 33:17). 'O grant us help against the foe, for vain is the help of man' (Ps. 108:12)!
On the other hand, the advent of Christ is described by the prophet Zechariah as follows in 9:9: 'Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble.' First, when the prophet gives the order to rejoice, he teaches that the word of this King is different from the law; moreover, he expresses the gladness in the conscience of one overjoyed at hearing the word of grace. Next, there is nothing tumultuous, but all is calm, that you may understand he is the author of peace, not of wrath. This is that characteristic which elicits Zechariah's term 'humble,' which the Evangelist, as if in explanation, has made 'meek.' Isaiah has the same idea in 42:3: 'bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench.'
In a similar vein the apostle contrasts the face of Moses with that of Christ in II Cor. 3:13ff. Moses terrified the people with a glance of his countenance, as we have stated above. For who could bear the majesty of divine judgment when even the prophet deprecates it: 'Enter not into judgment with thy servant' (Ps. 143:2)? When the disciples see the glory of Christ on Mt. Tabor, such a new and wonderful joy floods their hearts that Peter, forgetting himself, exclaims: 'Lord, it is well that we are here; if you wish, I will make booths here' (Matt. 17:4). Here is a view of the grace and mercy of God. Just as a glance at the bronze serpent saved men in the wilderness, so are they saved who have fixed eyes of faith on the cross of Christ (John 3:14ff.). Therefore the apostles most fittingly called their joyful message evangelion, or 'good tidings.' For the Greeks also commonly designate their announcements and public commendations of deeds well done as evangelion .
We also warmly recommend these superb writings, "Holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." by John Charles Ryle, "Bible Reading" by John Charles Ryle, and "A Call To Prayer" by John Charles Ryle, to our readers.
You'll also find a selection of J.C. Ryle's books further down on this page. They make for some of the most profitable, edifying, encouraging and uplifting Christian books available, and are classics which have stood the test of time!
If you appreciate the writings of the godly Bishop Ryle, you'll certainly delight in those of the great Charles Haddon Spurgeon, whose sermons were flashed around the world by telegraph and reprinted in full the following day in newspapers from New York City to Sydney, Australia! We particularly recommend "All of Grace", "Justification by Faith", "The Outpouring Of The Holy Spirit", and "A Revival Sermon".
And how could we adequately describe the preaching of the incomparable Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, whose pulpit ministry in Britain had an effect felt around the world! We warmly recommend his sermons, "The Parable of the Prodigal Son", "God and Mammon", "The Light of the World", "The Salt of the Earth", "Jesus on Prayer". "The Call to Battle", and "A Living Hope of the Hereafter".
And for a moving witness to steadfast Christian faith under persecution, see "The Scottish Covenanters".
We have provided in the box below a live, continually-updated listing of the current bestselling books by, and on, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones at Amazon.com. Please click on any of these titles to read extracts from, or reviews of, these books. You can also place an order for any of themt at the same time with Amazon.Com, if you wish, and enjoy speedy delivery plus the low Amazon.Com price!
![Bestselling Christian Books by, and on, Charles Hadden Spurgeon ['C.H. Spurgeon'] from Toronto Christian Book Centre, your single source for Christian Bibles, Christian books, Christian music, Christian videos, Christian children's books, Christian computer software, and Christian DVDs, serving global customers online from Toronto, Ontario, Canada](spurgeonban.gif)
We have provided in the box below a live, continually-updated listing of the current bestselling books by, and on, C.H. Spurgeon at Amazon.com. Please click on any of these titles to read extracts from, or reviews of, these books. You can also place an order for any of themt at the same time with Amazon.Com, if you wish, and enjoy speedy delivery plus the low Amazon.Com price!
![Bestselling Christian Books by John Charles Ryle ['Bishop J.C. Ryle'] plus 'Shall We Know One Another and Other Papers' by John Charles Ryle, 'Holiness Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots' by J C Ryle, 'Old Paths' by John Charles Ryle, 'Knots Untied' by John Charles Ryle, 'Practical Religion' by John Charles Ryle, 'A Call To Prayer' by J C Ryle, 'Thoughts for Young Men' by John Charles Ryle, 'How Readest Thou' by J C Ryle,.'The Christian Leaders of the Last Century' by John Charles Ryle, 'Faithfulness and Holiness The Witness of J. C. Ryle An Appreciation' by Dr J I Packer, 'The Christian Race and Other Sermons Vol 3' by John Charles Ryle, 'Shall We Know One Another and Other Papers' by John Charles Ryle](ryleban.gif)
"Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots" - J. C. Ryle
"Old Paths" - John Charles Ryle
"Knots Untied" - John Charles Ryle
"Practical Religion" - John Charles Ryle
"A Call To Prayer" - John Charles Ryle
"Thoughts for Young Men" - John Charles Ryle
"How Readest Thou?" - John Charles Ryle
"The Christian Leaders of the Last Century" - John Charles Ryle
"Faithfulness and Holiness: The Witness of J. C. Ryle: An Appreciation" - Dr. J. I. Packer
"The Christian Race and Other Sermons Vol.3" - John Charles Ryle
"Shall We Know One Another and Other Papers" -John Charles Ryle
We have provided in the box below a live, continually-updated listing of the current bestselling books on Sanctification at Amazon.com. Please click on any of these titles to read extracts from, or reviews of, these books. You can also place an order for any of themt at the same time with Amazon.Com, if you wish, and enjoy speedy delivery plus the low Amazon.Com price!
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