Ver. z 9,20. the Epiftle to the Eiomans. 123 whole word of God, according as it is written, Faitb is by bearing,and hearing by the Word of God, Rom. so. 17. but the word of promife is that, ehereabout Faith is properly occupied, and efpeci- ly the Word of the Covenant, wherein God promifed to be merciful! to our fnnes. T r M. Yet the promife that Abraham is faid to beleeve, was of a temporali bleff»g, even ofa large poierity. S I L. It was fo, but this dependeth upon the Covenant of grace, and help eth him to beleeve that. For,he that can beleeve God to be faithfull in finaller things,can allo beleeve,that he will keep his truth in greater things. Again, all earthly promifes are fulfilledforChrif, who is the fubfiance of the Covenant. Again , all earthly promifes proceed from mercy , and Chrift is the founda- tion of Gods mercy towards us. DIALOOUS IX.! Vertes 19, 20,2 r. And be not weakin faith, confidered not bis own body now dead, when he was almoft an hundredyears old; neitheryet the dead nef of Sarah her wombe ; he doubted not at the promife thoron unbeleef, but was prong in faith, and gave glory to God,, being fully affured, that be which bad promifed, was able to perform it. TI MO TH EUS. WHat was the drift and end of 'hi' Text ? S I L. To praire the faith of Abraham by there few Renions. Firif, by fetting down the hinderances of his faith, as the deadnefle of Abrahams body, and of Sarah her wombe. Secondly, by oppofing to it the contrary, which is unbeleef. Thirdly,by the meafure of his Faith, which was a firong and full alfurance. Laftly,by the end of his be- leeving, which was, the giving of God . the glory. TIM. What is meant here byibeing weak inFaitb? S s L.Sometimes Faith is put for the Do&rine beleeved, Rom. 1¢. I. then to be weak in faith, is to be rude arid igno- rant of the truth, and not to be weak,is to be very expert and skiliull. But faith is here put for the gift of faith , and by not being weak in faith, he meaneth, that he did firongly beleeve God. This fpeech is a figurative kinde . of fpeech, when he meaneth more then he expref- feth, as [ Calm 5r. 17. not to defpife, is put for to hold in great account. Ts M. What were the hinderances which might bave troubled, and hurt Abrahams fairh ? S r L. The deadneffe of his own body, and of Sarah., womb, which he did not confider; that is,he thought not there things fo able to hinder the pros mile of God, as Gods power was able to fulfill the thing promifèd:neirher did he realon by unbeleef againlf the pro- mile of God, laying, he mocksme,or it will come to nothing. T r M. 19-bat was the inffruíïion from hence? Sr L. This: A (Iong faith yeeldeth not to filch lets which difcourage or daunt it; but breaketh thorow, . and overcommeth them all, be they never fo many and fo great : whereby the faith- ¡Ulf are to be admoni(hed of their duty; which is, to drive againff the impedi- ments of theirfaith, not to yedd. Ti M What thing is contrary to faith? S t L. Unbeleef : by which is meant eithera weer privation of faith, when there is none at all : as in Turks and. Jewes, and wicked men : or a defe& in beleeving,whereby one beleeveth a thing faintly, through infirmity of faith. Un- beleef, if it be a nicer ab(énceof faith, then it breedeth that wavering whereof James fpeaketh, Jam. 1. y. if it be but a defe& of beleef, then is engendreth doubting, filch as is here fpoken of. T r ar. But had Abraham no doubt- ing at all, touching the thing which he be- leeved? S I L. Yes, on every fide doubting offered it Pelf; but when hee looked to thewill and power of God, he was certain of the promifes , and frtbdued doubts ailing ; for it is inspoflìble that My any
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