Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Romans 5:1. For he is our peace. Ephesians 2:11. There is now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit. Romans 8:1.
A justified soul must not only study to be diligent and punctual in the duties of holiness, which may turn into a legal working, and bring it under the law again, but must before all things continually endeavour to enjoy the peace of Christ and the blessings of salvation, that its sanctification may proceed from faith, and be of the right kind. We must first receive Christ, and be strong in faith, then shall we be able to give, to love, and to work.
O may the Author and Finisher of faith give me always such a faith.
Our guilty spirits dread
To meet the wrath of heaven,
But in his righteousness arrayed
We see our sins forgiven.
Unholy and impure
Are all our thoughts and ways,
His hands infected nature cures
With sanctifying grace.
Lord, we adore thy ways,
To bring us near to God,
Thy sovereign power, thy healing grace,
And thine atoning blood.