Reformation Upon the Gospel Scheme
J. Guyse, D. D. Hebrews 9:10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. I. STATE THE NOTION OF REFORMATION. All things were defective and out of order when our Saviour appeared to set up a new dispensation of grace. But Christ came to fulfil the ancient types, to throw off human impositions, to establish a more pure and spiritual worship and government, and to give a system of doctrines, which, by the power of His Spirit, should make a blessed alteration in the Church and in the world. II. SHOW THE ADVANTAGES OF THE GOSPEL SCHEME TO PROMOTE A REFORMATION IN THE HEART AND LIFE. 1. It represents the atonement of Christ as the ground or basis of reformation. 2. If gives us the most excellent plan of righteousness as the rule of reformation. 3. It leads us to the best means and assistances for reformation. 4. It affords us the strongest motives and encouragements to a reformation. How inviting and engaging are gospel displays of the Divine philanthropy! III. POINT OUT SOME PROPER METHODS OF IMPROVING THIS SCHEME FOR THE REFORMATION WE ARE AIMING AT. 1. We should be deeply affected with a sense of the great degeneracies of the age which need to be reformed, and of the rich advantages of the gospel scheme which encourage our hopes of a reformation. 2. We should be earnest in prayer to God for His Spirit to reform us. 3. Every one should be seriously concerned about personal reformation upon the foot of the gospel scheme. 4. We should take the best care and pains we are capable of, in our respective stations, to promote the reformation of others together with ourselves. (J. Guyse, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. WEB: being only (with meats and drinks and various washings) fleshly ordinances, imposed until a time of reformation.