Baynes - BS2695 B289 1643

V ER.10 è .Epbeflans,Chap.i. t7.I we fpeake ofit abfolutely) a thing promifed, but it is aproperty ofhim who promifeth,without whichrevealed&beleeved,ourrfaith in the pro - inifes would waver, and beof none effe6t. Ifone not worth two pence would promife me, to helpe mee with zo.. pound, I could nòt ref' in his promife, becaufe I am not perfwaded he is of ability to performee; fo, longer then we can perfwade ourfelves ofGods powerto performs, wee cannot beleeve this or that promifed. Hence,4brahambeleeved Gods power, as a fupporter ofhim againft fuch temptation as faid that the thing formerly promifed in ifaac, could,tiot take effea ; and fo Paul, z rim. t. I know whom I havebeleeved, who is ableto keepe that Ihave wafted himwith, to that day. Howcould we ever beleeve that hope touching therefurreEtion and glorification of our bodies, did we not beleeve this; as arevealed property in God promifing, viz.. that hee isof fuchpower as can fubdueall things to felfct Againe,the want of the knowledgeof this power ofGod maketh many who otherwife ufe all goodmeanes thinke, O fuch athing will never be holpenwith them. But it Maybe asked, bywhat insanes we may come to know.this power better. Firft, by feeking to God, who [lath promifed we thanknow him to the leaft ofus4. .prayinghim to open our eyes, that we may fomewhat morefee thishis.glory. Secondly, by lookinginto that double mirrour ofhis wordand ofhis works,throughwhichthe light ofthis hisglorious power refieeteth toour fight. Thirdly, by obfervingthe experience we haveour (elves ofthis pow.e,:both working in us, and for us. . Obfervefecondly ; Who they are iii whom this power worketh, and for. whom it is ready to worke; even true beleevers. Wee come o have the divine power giving its; or working for .us all things, to . life andgodlinelfe, through the acknowledging ofChrift. The more we are united with any thing, the morewe,feele the vertue ofit work- ing upon us, and afiimilating and making us like it felfe : iswee fee in things caft into the fire, which the fire dothfo,workeOn, thatit turneth them into fire, or maketh them redhot and .fiery , likeit felfe. Thus the more weebybeliefe are united with God in Chrift, themoredoth his,vertue or power workeupon ús, both in conforming us to him- felfe, and in doing otherwife what ever is behoovefuli. There are fundry things,in regard whereof,this, fo excellent power hath wróught,, and doth worke in beleevers ; and fome things, in regard whereof it is readyto workefurther: Whata.power is that which.&nth fo change them, and make them Lambes ofLyons, chafte and fober of filthy and intemperate, humble ofproud, a thing more hard then for a Cam- mell topareby the eye ofa needle r Secondly, to continue and pro- mote the workeof fanûîficationin us, who are carnal! fold under finne; a thing no leffeftrange, then to keepe in fire, and make itbume higher and higher on the water. Thirdly, the quickningofuswith heavenly defires, andholyaffeéti-- óns,isno (mall power; neitherisit leffe wonderfull,thento.fee IronAnd Lead flying upward,txiereit no leffe frequently wrought thenthe,other. Qz Again, in ,v. Dall,a.

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=