The tree and its fruits
Or if we hold fast, that other foundation no man can lay than that which is laid, even Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11), and I am justified freely by God's grace, through the redemption which is in Jesus (Romans 3:24), yet he will not cease to urge: But the tree is known by its fruits (Matthew 12:33). And do you have the fruits of justification? Is that mind in you which was in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5)? Are you dead to sin and alive to righteousness (1 Peter 2:24)? Are you made conformable to the death of Christ, and do you know the power of his resurrection (Philippians 3:10)? And then, comparing the small fruits we feel in our souls with the fullness of the promises, we shall be ready to conclude: Surely God has not said that my sins are forgiven me! Surely I have not received the remission of my sins, for what lot do I have among those who are sanctified?
1771 text
3. Or if we hold fast, other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, even Jesus Christ; and I am justified freely by God’s grace, through the redemption which is in Jesus: yet he will not cease to urge, “But the tree is known by its fruits. And have you the fruits of justification? Is that mind in you which was in Christ Jesus? Are you dead unto sin and alive unto righteousness? Are you made conformable to the death of Christ, and do you know the power of his resurrection?” And then, comparing the small fruits we feel in our souls, with the fullness of the promises, we shall be ready to conclude, “Surely God hath not said, that my sins are forgiven me! Surely I have not received the remission of my sins; for what lot have I among them that are sanctified?”