264 DIRECTIONS POR GETTING AND KEEPING many a poor soul that knows itself unfeignedly willing to have Christ, yet feeleth not a,resting on him, or trusting in him, and thereforecries out, 'O, I. cannot believe ;' and think they have no faith. For recumbency, affiance, or resting on Christ, implieth that easing of themselves, or casting off their fears, or doubts, or cares, which true believers do not always find. Many a poor soul complains, ' O, I cannot rest on Christ ; I cannot trust him I' who yet would have him to be their Lord and Savior, and can easily be convinced of their willingness. (3.) Besides, affiance is not the adequate act offaith, suited to the object in that fullness as it must be received, but willingness or acceptance is. Christ is rest- ed onnot only for ourselvesas our Deliverer, but he isaccepted also for himself as ourLord and Master. The fullproof of these I have performed in other writings, and oft in your hearing in public, and therefore omit them now. Be sure then to fix this truth deep in your mind, ' That justifying faith is not an assurance of our justifi- cation ; no, nor a persuasion or belief that we are justified or par- doned, or that Christ died more for us than for others. Nor yet,* is affiance or restingon Christ the vital principle, certain, constant, full act ; but it is the understanding's beliefof the truth of the gos- pel, and the will's acceptance of Christ and life offered tous there, in ; which acceptance is but the hearty consent or willingness that he be yours, and you his. This is the faith whichmust justify and save you. Object. But, ' May not wicked men be willing to have Christ? And do not you oft tell us that justifyingífaith comprehends love to Christ and thankfulness, and that it receiveth him as a Lord to be obeyed, as well as a Deliverer? And that repentance and sincere obedience are parts of the conditionof the new covenant ?' Anew. I will give as brief a touch now on these as may be, be- cause I have handled them in fitter places. 1. Wicked men are willing to have remission, justification, and freedom from hell, (for no man can be willing to be unpardoned, or to be damned ;) but they are not willing tohave Christ himself in that nature and office which he must be accepted that is, as an holy Head and Husband tosave both from the guilt and power, and all defilement and abode of sin, and to rule them by his law, and guide them by his Spirit, and to make them happy by bringing them to God,, that, being without sin, theymay be perfectly pleas- ing and amiable in his sight, and enjoy him forever. Thus is Christ offered, and thus to be accepted of all that will be saved; and thus no wicked man will accept him, (but when he ceaseth to be wick- ed.) 2. To cut all the, rest shórt in a word, I say, That in this fore-described willingness or acceptance, repentance, love, thankful- ness, resolution to obey, are all contained, or nearly implied, as I
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