· 328 Book. IV. Lookingul$fO 1efus. Chap. z. Sect. 5 -. fome good meafure in his love and goodne.tfe towards a !I men ! can I indeed and really, forgive an enemy, and according to opportunity and my ability do good unro them that do evil unto me? why fhould I not then confidently and comfortably hope .that I have my fhare a_nd interel.l: in the birth of Chrift, · in the ble.tfed incarnation, and conception ofJefus Chril.l:? away, away all defpaire>, and dejeCtions, and defpondencies of fpirit! if thefe be my grounds of hope,it is time to hold up head, and heal't, and hands, and all with cheerfulne.tfe and confidence, andto fay with the Spoufe, I am my belovrds, and my beloved is mine. ~---~-------------~ SECT. 5· Ofbeleeving in {efus in that re(peEl. 5. LEt us beleeve ~n [efus, ~arrying on the great work ofour . falvatiqri at.hts fidl: ~Ol}ltng or ~nc.armrion. I know many ftaggerings are oft mChnfttans,what u tt llksly that Chrifl foould be incarnate for me? that fuch a Godfoottld do fucb a thing, for fuch ajinful, wofMI, abom~nab!e -w~etch as 1 am? ah my foul, .put thy propriety in Chrifts mcarnatwnout of ddpute, that' thou mayfi be able to fay, as God was manifift in the fl.efo, .md 1 may not doubt it. fo God is manifeft in me, and l dP.re not deny it. - 'But to help the foul in this choyce duty, I fhaJ.I firft propofe the binderances of f:uth. 2. The helps of faith in this refpeet. . 3 . The manner how to ad: ou~ faith .. 4· !he encouragements to bring on the foul to belu:v~ tts part m thts ~~.tfed incarnation of}efus Chril.l: . · Forthefirft there are but three thmgs that l·an hinder faith; As--- I. The exceeding unworthineffe of the foul; a.1d to thill purpofe are thofe complaints, what? Chriftincarn«.~e for me? for fuch a dead dog as I 11m? what King WOt4ld dethro;u himjelfe, and Income a roade to [ave toades? and am not I at a greater dijfan.e from God,then ~ to:~ de is from ;ne? hath not Jirme m~de my foul more uglJ jn Gods eJ~, t~en any loathfome roade can be m my eye ? 0 I 11m left - then
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