7.7.:1171 CHAP. 7. The Kitagdome, &c. 413 fometimes other meanes fo farre, as to make it effetuall for theplantingof Faith in the heart ; as John 4.39. ma- ny of the Samaritans were brought to beleeue in Chri(l, onely upon the womans wordes, which bare re- cord of him. And the b Apoflle to theRatnane.c fhew- eth ,-that all the World was without excufe, to pretend that they had not heard , fecing the found of the Apo- Ples Dottrine was goneabroad into all the earth. The Wife -men alfo,OWatt.a.were led by a Starre,as it were, by the hand , vnto the true knowledge ofChrif}. And Rod./ 2.6. it is Paid , That thewoman which fled into the Wildernefre, had aplace prepared ofGod , that theyAmid l feed her therea thoufand,twe hundred and threefcore dayes. Of the extraordinarie worke in refpe&of theper- fons,we haue an example in the courfe, which it pleafeth .him to takewith Infants , that are not come to yeeres of difcretion and vnderaanding, as alto withmen of age, which haue not capacitie ; bee it natural' fooles , mad men,or deafe-borne,in-hom the Spirit ofGod worketh immediatelywithout this outwardMinillerie. To the faithful' this prerogatiue doth belong , That Godnot enely offereth , but maketh with them hisCo. uenant. In the Scripture it is called, A 'hiking, fmiting, or as the worddoch lignifie , e eí1 cuttingof a Come- nog. The phrafe feemeth to bee takenfrom thecuilorne of old-time, in making of folemne Couenants, which was, to cut a beaff in twaine, and to paffe bctweene the parts of it, Cgen.i5.i7,i8. ler.34.18,19. The qualities or adioyntsof Faith are three. Fir(l, Apprehending Chrifl now abfent onely in his Word and Sacraments,theknowledgeand apprehenfion muflneeds be feeble andweake. _ Wherein notwithfanding there are diflin°rees,: neither are the faithful' that lay hold on Chrill, endued all with the like meafure of Faith : for thete is a weake anda flendcrhold, as it were, by the fingers end; there Dda is b Rom. If;.i8.. wherefore with thc(e Godmaketh indeedhis' Cournant. c By vertue: whereofour Faith,all eit apprehending Chrift abfent, it apprehend himweakely:
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