The Life ofFaith. 193 !feet, though yet the prifoners are in his power, to releafe them on fuch terms at fecal belt to him. And as a man is a perfe&Chirurgeon,when(befides his skill)he is furni(hed with all his inftruments or falves (how softly focver) though yet the cure is not done: Or as he that hath ranforaed prifoners is a perfc& Ranfomcr, when he hath paid the price, though yet they are not delivered, nor have any a&ual'right them - felves to claim deliverance by. I here mention this, becaufc the building upon that foundation, which is fuppofed to bealrea- dy laid and ftnilhed, and the feeking of the further falvation which yet we haveno poff thon of, nor perhaps any title to, are works fo very different, that he that doth not difcern the difference, cannot cxercife the Chriflian faith : Becaufc it is to be neceffarily exercifed by two Inch different ads, or dif- ferent waies of a&ing and applying our felves to our Re- deemer. Dire&. 7. Stiff think of Chriftr xearnefs both to the Father and to us ; and foof our NEARNESS to God in and by bim. Ourdiftance is the lamentable fruit ofour Apo(tacy ; which inferreth, our fears, and efirangednefs, and backwardnefs to draw near to God : It eaufcth our ignorance of him, and our falle conceits of his will and works : it greatlyhindereth both love and confidence: whereas the apprehcnlion ofour nearneft ro Godwill do much to cure all theft evils. As it is the mife- ry of the proud, that God looketh on them as afar off, that is, with firangenefs, and abhorrence, and difdain, Pfal. 138. 6. And accordingly they (hall be far off from the ble(fed ones hereafter, Luke 16.23. So it is the happinefs of Believers to be nigh to God, in Jefus Chrift, who condefcended to be nigh to us; which is our preparation to be yet nearer to him for ever, ?fal. 148. 14. & 34. 18. & 145. 18. Epbaf.2. t3. It giveth the foul more familiar thoughts ofGod, who limed before to be at an inacceffible diflance; which is part of the boldnefs of acce f and confidence mentioned, Epic! 3. 12. & T18. Rom. g. x. Heb. 10.19. We may come boldly to the hrone ofgrace, Heb. 4. 16. And it greatly helpeth us in the work of Love, to think how near God is come to us in Chrift, and how near he bath taken thehumane náture unto C c him.
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