I24 An Expojition upon Chap.4. any manfhoúld fo beleeve,as to be freed from all doubting ; becaufe every mans faith bath infirmities in it. T I M. Whence h.eppenesh this infirmity of faith unto godly men? S e L. It commeth two wayes firft, by want of knowing well fuch things as are to be beleéved: example in the Jewes,Rom.I4.2i. Secondly, by not coriftantly and firmly cleaving to fuch things as they know well ; as Peter when he walked on the water, knew Chrift would have him come to him, but did not clofely hold to Chrifts words. TIM. Whatfhould this wock? SIL. Earneft prayer unto God to encreafe and ftablifh our faith. TIM. Now tell ut of the meafure of Abrahams faith, what it war? S I L. It was not a little and weak faith, but a ftrong and great faith, fuch a faith as fully allured him of the thing promifed to him.This word [full affurance] is fetched from fhips, which againft wind and waves,are yet with full and ftrong fail carryed unto the haven: fo Abraham by the strength of his faith, overcame all waves of doubts beating againft his minde. T I M. What may bee obferved from hence? SI L. That in every true faith, there is an affurance and perfwafion of that which it beleeveth, but not a full affu- rcnce,for this is proper to a strong faith. Secondly, that weak Chriftians fhould not be difcouraged, becaufe they be not fully affured, fo as they firive towards it; for the meafure of true faith is diffe- ring,andGod looks not to the quantity but to the truth of faith. T t M. What is the end whereunto faith tendeth? SIL. It is the glory of God, becaufe our faith giveth unto God a witneffe of his great power, truth, and good- neffe, ever contrary to our reafon and fenfe. DIALOGUE XII. Verfs 22,23,24,25. And therefore it war imputed unto biro pa. righteoufneffe. Now it it not written fQr him onel,that it war imputed wits him for righteotofnr f e ;but alga for or to wham it fball be imputedfor rigbteouf es,w,hídr believe in him that rail d up le* from ¡, the dead, who mat delivered to death far our fins, and it rifen again for our J4i f ication. T IMOTHELI S. V fiat it the end and fcope of this Scripture e' St L. Together with the conclufion of this Chapter, it doth conclude the treadle of Abrabstnt ¡unification. In this conclufion we may obferve thefe things: First,the conclufion itfelf, ver.22, [and therefore.] Secondly, an application of Abrahams example to the beleevitrg Ro- mans, and to all beleevers , verf. 24. as teaching "a doftrine common to the wholeChurch. Thirdly, a proof of the fitnefs of this application, from theend and drift of this Scripture, ver.23.[naw it it not written.] Lastly, a declaration of ¡unifying faith,by the two fpecial things on which it principally leaneth, the death and re fierreaion of our Lord.] TI M. For the conclufion, tell ut what is the meaning of it? SIt. Thus much; that it isnomar rail lithe faith ofAbrahanr were imputed to him for righteonfreflö,feeing by it he did fo ftrongly and lively apprehend the mercies and promifes which the strongand faithfull God gave him. TIM. We may not then thin&by the Apofiles words[therefore;]tbat he meant to mare faith a meritorious castle of Abraham: righteoufneffe. S I t. No furely ; his purpofe is to . declare,not what his faith merited, but that it was a true,lively and found faith, teeing it did fo firmly lay hold on the truth and the power of God,promifing to Abraham eternall blefledneffe in the perfon of the Meffiah. TIM. May net a weak.beleever'by this be moved to think,, that he it not reektOnedj4, feast
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