Faith is peculiar to themwho are called, &c. 139 nor trouble our [elves about the dittinetion of the fa- culties. . lithe Scripture mention this as an aS offaith, To be- leeve that Chrift is theSonne ofGod,which is feared in the minde ; it mutt bee remerrlbred, thatwords ofknowledge doe togetherbyconnotation `imply affeClion , much more wordsof beleefe and therefore where wee finde To be- leeve that Chrift is thefonneofGod , wee muff conceive -this beleefe to containe confidence in the Sonne. Words of knowledge molt ufually import , not idle knowledge in the minde, but true and unfained affeSl ions in the heart, which accompany that knowledge. Knowledge is the ground ofconfidence , and fo it is put for confidence which it dothbring forth. The whole intelleuall nature is the feat offaith, and that faith which jultifyeth is well-rooted, and taketh kindly in the foule ; orherwife it could not feafon the whole lumpe , difperfe itsvertue into every affeó} ion, corn- mand every paflion, and bring into fabjeC'Iton whatfoever doth make head again!+ the power of godlineffe. Faith that is not well planted canneither foundly receive , nor firrnely hold Chrift; but by the allurementsof the world, the lufas oftheflefh,and affaults,ofSatan it is eafily over- turned. The ftonie ground received the feed, butwanting good root it withered, and broughtforth no fruit to ripe- nefre. Whileft faith pofiefleth the caftle ofthe foule, it can as ealily overcome theaffaultsofthe Fleflr, theWorld, and the Devil' ; as honeí+ fubjeas-, which hold theheart of theKingdome , can vane uifli and bring under the fcat- tered forces ofan enemie, that makes inrodes upon the borders. But ifthe heart be taken upwith worldlydelights, or vaine leasbe fuffered tobuild their caIlle therein, then (hall we be made a prey to Satan. The cares of the world and pleafitres of this life choake the feedoflife received, that it brings forth no fruit untoperfeetien. §. q.. This faith well rooted is common to all, and pro- per to them onely, who be called according to the purpofe of PÍal.212. P, az,also. Pr ;. S. Chomnit. 1or. corn. de. 7faftif fi¿1.Pofict renom metttb de dffid. 1 Jo,:. 5.1. aon;:v.á. 1 Joh. 54>5 20. Verre, 7 J°h 2. 4. P tàì.q8.z2. Plai.l;i 4,S Neh 6.14.& 13.14,29.. John 27.3. Heb,4.2,3. Eccl.zz. z. §4 : Faith ayccuéiaP to them,+vbebe called according to thepurpofegf god.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=