244 Ephefians,Chap. 2. V E R. 8. Anjm. I anfwer, they are together in time, though in nature there is an anteccdencie. aril But how can the pardonof fins, which yet is not really applyed, be beleeved anfwer,it is in the eternall determination,in the purchafeof Chrift, in the word of truth , it is fufficient for faith , that it is in theword of Promife. 4. For the Properties of Faith which juftifieth : Ì'roperacsof I. It is Perfevering ; Afhield againfl all thefery darts of thedevil. iuniryiog fa;th. It cannot be loft, nor overcome of any creature, becaufe it is built on r. the Reck Chrift ; fo as the gates of hell shall not prevail againft it. Ephef.6.t6. This is our viétory, whereby we overcome the world, even ourfaith, r Joh. 5.4. 2. It is Lively, workingby love, it maketh that we /hall neither be Gat. 5.6. idle nor unprofitable : It is no dead thing which will (land us in head. Dead Faith There are indeed manykindes of there dead faiths ; tome are blinde ofdiver :forts. prefumptions, which are meetly counterfeit; fome are Hiftoricall perfwafions, touching the truth of the articles of Religion, without any particular confidence ; force are common illuminations in the points of the GofFel, with mifgrounded perfwafions,like that of Ha. Efth. 6.6. mans, What (hall be done to the man whom the Kingwill honour ? Heno fooner heard it was in the heart of the King to honour a man, hut who fhould the perfon be befide himfelf! There are called faith, becaufe they are inferiour operations of the Spirit, andhave an illu- mination likeas Faith bath, though they differ much from that which is juftifying and Paving. 3. 3. Saving Faith is finkre and found, called therefore Faithwith- out hypecrifte; as which bath his laving effedt, Receiving the endof our faith, even the falvationofyourfòuls. All other Faiths are like rep. 1.9. flips, will not paffe inheaven,for the obtaining of fpirituall blef- tangs through Chrift, becaufe they do not trulyand inwardly unite us with Chrift, otherwife then as a Wen is united with the body, 4. 4. It is a precious faith, within it fell a Pearl, rare, andofgreateft t Pet. r. r. worth, the leaft grain better then a kingdom : molt rare, Almenhave Tit. r. r. not faith ; therefore celled, the faith ofgods elect, becaufe it is given to none elfe : more precious then gold ; for the effès t, it intituleth to Yfe Chrift, and all treafures of grace and glory in him. Unheleerers If this be fo now,as I have proved, that Gods grace doth not fave taxed, 3. forts. but by faith, manyare hereby to be convinced. As the devil pleaded to Chrift Gods protthion, though he fhould throw himfelf down; fowe fhall do well , though we go on in unbelief. But mark I pray you, Without faith it is imporible topleafi cod, Hebrews s r. 6. Ex- cept God be pleated, thoucanft not be faved. Now then the matter beingof life anddeath, it concerns thee to look well to it, whether thou have a true Faith or no. O6jeEî. Why, would you make me a Jew ! I hope I have a good Faith, elfe I would be lorry. Indeed
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=