Essex Remembrancer Ezekiel 20:41 I will accept you with your sweet smell, when I bring you out from the people… I. THE MEANING OF ACCEPTANCE WITH GOD. It doubtless expresses that God is well pleased with us, and our obedience. That He neither rejects nor overlooks us; but observes us, and that with an approving and gracious smile. II. THE WAY OF ACCEPTANCE. 1. None of the guilty, unworthy children of men, nor any of their works, can be accepted before a holy God, and honoured with His approval and good pleasure, except for the sake of Christ. 2. None are accepted through Christ but believers. Now, by this rule are excluded (1) Hypocrites and their works. (2) Formalists and their works. (3) Pharisees and their works. 3. Believers only perform such services, and are made by grace such persons, as God can approve. III. THE BLESSEDNESS OF ACCEPTANCE AND OF A HOPE, A SENSE OF ACCEPTANCE IN THE SOUL. IV. THE CROWN AND FINISH OF ACCEPTANCE. V. THE USE OF ACCEPTANCE WITH GOD. To put the life of hope into our obedience; to stimulate and cheer us amidst every duty, every struggle. (Essex Remembrancer.) Parallel Verses KJV: I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen. |
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