Downame - Houston-Packer Collection BT70 .D75 1628z

CHAP. y. The Kingdome, 'c. 4II p all Nations oftheWorld, Iewsj, and Gentiles, and emery particular perfon, all, and as many as layvnder the curie before. But of this enough : we come vino the Caufes. Faith commethnot from our felues;it commeth from the holy Ghoft , and is the fpeciall worke ofthe Spirit of Chrifl, as may appeare by the prayerof the Apotflcs, Lord, P increafe our Faith; andby him that faid , 9 1be- lere, Lord, herpe my vubeliefe. This worke of the Spirit makingvs fo to beleeue is termed, eA'drawingofvs to Chrif¢, Iohn 6.4. Cant. t. 3. A Calling, Rom. 8.3o. but in a more firm} fignificati=on then the Callingfpokcnof before, and many wages dif- fering from it : for, That is but a Calling to the Profefl'iionof Chrifi ; and therefore outward and externall onely : This,to the par- ticipation and enioying of Chrif} himfelfe; and there.. fore a true and effe&uall Calling. That but to thevifìble Church : This robe a member ofthe true Catholike and inuifible Churchof God. The caufe that moueth God to beffow this gift of Faith vp_ on vs, is his owne fpeciallGrace, and the good pleafi*re of his Will. So faith theApof}le, Phi1.9.2I. ?&you it is freely giken to beleeuein Chrif : and,Afts 28.27. Hedid *mach helps them that had beleexed through Grace. Wee come therfore to apprehend Chrift,only becaufe through his Grace andGoodneffe we are apprehended of him. The oncly inftrument that God vfeth ordinarily to beger Faith, is thepreachingof the Word , as the r A - potfle faith, How can they beleeue , ofwhom they bane not heard ? and how can they blare without a Prea- cher ? concluding ; Therefore Faith is by bearing, and bearing by the Word or Ordinance ofGod. And f againe, Becaufe in thewifedome of God (this Frame and Gouern ment ofthe World, wherein the wifedomeof God fhi- neth fo cleerely, the Worldyet by that wifado*vts knew not D d Gad) Luke Ii.i. y ,7}tarke y.:4. wrought (or- dinarily) by preaching. r Rom.1o.14,ti f r,cor.tstà

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