The Life ofFaith. 2' And I w:1í venture to fay it, as the truth of Chritl, that he that truly can do this, hath a fìncere and favirg faith ; what- foever Opinionifis may fay againli it. For Chrift hath prò- mifed, that be that lofetb his life for hie fake and the Gofpels, fhafl have life evarlaffing, Mat. to. 37, 38, 39, 42. & i6. 25. & 19. 29. Luke IS. 3o. And he hath appointed no higher ex- prefíions of faith, as nectfiary to falvation, than denying our felves, and taking tip the Crofs, and forfaking all that we have or in one word, than Martyrdom ; and this as proceeding from the Love of God, Luke 14.26,27,29,33 Rom. Si 17,18, 28,29;30,35,36,37,38,39. And It is molt evident that the (i ncere have been weak no faith, Luke 17. 5. And the Apofiles Paid unto the Lord, Increafe our faith, Mark g, 24. Lord I believe, help thou my unbelief. Luke 7. 9. 1 bave nit foundfo great faith, no not in Ifrael. The weak faith was the more common. 2. And as true Faith or Trull' may conf(t with doubts and uncertainty in the fubjed , fo may it with muchanxiety, care,.. difquietment and linful fear ; which íheweth the imperfeó ion ofour Faith, Shall be nit much more clothe you, Oye of little faith? Mar. i6. 8. 0 ye of little faith, why.reafonyouamong:: your !elves, Vic. Mat. S. 16. Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith ? Mat. 34.3 t. Peter had a faith that could venture his.. life on the waters to come to Chrift, as confident of'a miracle upon his command : But yet it was not without fear, v. 30. When hefair the wind boijferous, be was afraid; which caufed Chrift t,, fay [ O thou of little faitb wherefore didit. thou d..ubt ?] Ana you cannot fay that this is only a hinderance in the op- plying atl, and not in the diren and principal all of faith :. For Lukç 2.1. 21. we find fame Difcip'cs at ttis pals [But we truJf_ ed that it had been he, who fhsuld have redeemed Ifrael.] And . v z5, 26. Chtitt faith to them O fools, andflosv of bears to bdieve all that the Prophets have fpoken ; ought not ChriJf to have fufferedthe f things, and to enter into hie Glory ? Luke 24. 11. The words of thesoa who told the Apo(tles, that Chrift was rifen, feerned but as tales to them, andthey. believed them not. And v. 4 I. !While théy believed notfor joy, andwondered, &c: ' 3. Nay, a weak faith may have fuch a fwouningft,' as to fail , P.
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