Hall (1736-78) belonged to one of the Scottish Secession Churches and, for the last 13 years of his life he ministered to their congregation in Wall Street, London. This is an edited extract from Hall’s Treatise on the Faith and Influence of the Gospel.
The merciful declarations and blessings of the gospel are all adapted to promote our sanctification and even to perfect “holiness in the fear of God”. Have we received redemption through the Saviour’s blood, even the forgiveness of our sins? Sinners are redeemed, not that they may sink in passivity, or launch into licentiousness, but that they may be “a peculiar people, zealous of good works”. Have we been made the children of God? Then let our light so shine before men that others, seeing our good works, may glorify our Father which is in heaven. This is the genuine consequence of such a doctrine and the proper effect of such a benefit. Are we vested with sacred privileges? These admonish us, these urge us, to walk worthy of Him who has called us to “His kingdom and glory”.
Shall the citizens of heaven be animated with no higher views than those who are the slaves of appetite and drudges of the world? Are we constituted heirs of the promises? The grace which they speak of is intended to make us partakers of a divine nature; and the encouragement which they administer incites us to “cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit”, even to “perfect holiness in the fear of God”. Such high privileges should surely persuade believers not to disgrace God but to magnify Him, not to provoke Him but to please Him. Holiness is one of the most distinguished blessings in this system; indeed it is the very central blessing, to which all the others converge, in which they all terminate. Were we chosen from eternity? It was for this purpose, that we may be holy and unblameable in love. Were we called in time? It was to this intent, that we may “show forth the praises of Him who hath called [us] out of darkness into His marvellous light”. Were we created again in Christ Jesus? It was to give us the capacity for acceptable service and to furnish us unto every good work. Far, very far from discarding sincere obedience, we would only introduce it, under its due character, as the fruit, not the cause, of our interest in Christ’s righteousness – and in its due order, as following, not preceding, the gift of righteousness.