John 3:18

Christ goeth on to clear and illustrate the certainty of the salvation of believers in him, by shewing on the contrary the condemnation on unbelievers, whom he declareth to be under a double condemnation, one by the Law, and another by the Gospel; every unbeliever is condemned already by the sentence of the Law, which they lie still under, and have it confirmed by the Gospel, since they do not by faith lay hold on the offered and only remedy for their liberation. Whence learn, 1. Albeit Christ came into the world to save his own, yet he actually saveth none, but such as he giveth faith unto, wherby they renounce themselves, and close first with him, and then with all the Promises in him; & this is the method wherin he deals with all his elect; for, it is he that believeth on him, that is not condemned. 2. However believers in Christ deserve condemnation of themselves, as having many things condemnable in them; and however the Law may accuse and trouble them, yet they are freed from actual condemnation; for, he that believeth on him is not condemned. 3. Believers are not only freed from condemnation in the life to come, but immediately upon the exercise of faith, a sentence absolvitory is past, which standeth firme till the last day, wherein it shall be solemnly declared, for, he that believeth is not condemned, in the present time. 4. Albeit such as flee to Christ, and expect not to be condemned, ought to studie holinesse, without which no man will see God; yet the condition required for reversing the sentence, and absolving the self-condemned sinner, is only faith put in exercise, as laying hold on Christs righteousnesse, which alone can answer the Law, and endureth constantly; whereas our holinesse is imperfect and variable like the Moon; therefore it is he that believeth on him, or, hath faith in exercise, not in the habit only, that is not condemned. 5. Every unbeliever (such as all by nature are) hath the sentence of condemnation already past against him by the Law, under which he lieth, having only the thread of his life betwixt him and full execution of it: therefore it is said, he that beleeveth not, is condemned already. The sentence of the Law standeth, since he hath not come to Christ to get it repealed. See, Rom. 2.9. Gal. 3.10. 6. Albeit the sentence of the Law be sufficient to condemn mankinde, and will condemn all them who have not heard of Christ; yet under the Gospel, unbelief and not receiving of Christ is the great condemning sin; for, as no sin will condemn the man, who fleeth to Christ the remedy, so when the remedy is not embraced, the sentence of the Law is ratified in the Gospel and Court of mercy: for, he that believeth not is condemned, because he hath not believed. The sentence is declared just and confirmed by a new sentence, since he will not take help. And thus unbelief is the great, unpardonable sin, Mark 16.16. whereas other sins, (that against the Holy Ghost excepted, because it is joyned with final impenitency) would be pardoned, if men would believe. 7. It aggreageth the sin of unbelief, that the sinner rejecteth so excellent a one as Christ, whose excellency proveth him an all-sufficient Saviour, and who is so clearly manifested to be so; or if he pretend to beleeve, yet he doth not take up Christ as he is revealed in the Word, nor groundeth his faith on the Word, nor followeth the order prescribed therein, but taketh up a Christ according to his fancie, and taketh a dream for faith; for, he hath not believed in the only begotten Son of God, nor in his name, whereby he is clearly revealed, nor according to it.