abraham_n be_v faith_n state_v and_o apply_v a_o sermon_n preach_v february_n 16._o 1695_o 6._o by_o geo._n duncumb_n m._n a._n rector_n of_o albury_n in_o surrey_n london_n print_v for_o tim._n goodwin_n at_o the_o queens-head_n against_o st._n dunstan_n church_n in_o fleetstreet_n mdcxcvii_o to_o his_o parishioner_n the_o inhabitant_n of_o albury_n belove_a if_o one_o may_v make_v a_o judgement_n of_o man_n principle_n and_o opinion_n by_o their_o most_o usual_a practice_n nothing_o be_v more_o apparent_a than_o that_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n be_v persuade_v that_o a_o right_a faith_n will_v atone_v for_o a_o irregular_a practice_n for_o otherwise_o it_o be_v hardly_o possible_a that_o person_n who_o be_v orthodox_n in_o their_o creed_n shall_v so_o easy_o separate_v the_o commandment_n from_o it_o wherefore_o that_o you_o may_v not_o be_v delude_v and_o fatal_o mislead_v by_o any_o such_o false_a notion_n which_o make_v our_o faith_n a_o matter_n of_o speculation_n i_o do_v earnest_o recommend_v the_o follow_a discourse_n to_o your_o serious_a perusal_n in_o hope_n that_o by_o god_n blessing_n accompany_v it_o it_o may_v prove_v a_o mean_n to_o convince_v you_o effectual_o what_o little_a reason_n there_o be_v to_o boast_v of_o have_v abraham_n for_o your_o father_n by_o live_v under_o the_o profession_n of_o a_o most_o holy_a faith_n unless_o you_o likewise_o approve_v yourselves_o his_o faithful_a child_n by_o lead_v a_o godly_a righteous_a and_o a_o sober_a life_n this_o be_v my_o aim_n and_o if_o i_o may_v but_o be_v so_o happy_a as_o to_o succeed_v in_o it_o i_o shall_v not_o matter_n what_o stranger_n say_v of_o it_o in_o pass_v any_o uncharitable_a censure_n on_o it_o the_o publication_n indeed_o be_v somewhat_o unusual_a for_o though_o what_o you_o late_o hear_v from_o the_o pulpit_n come_v now_o from_o the_o press_n it_o be_v altogether_o a_o volunteer_n if_o this_o render_v it_o contemptible_a to_o other_o reader_n as_o proceed_v from_o a_o overween_a opinion_n of_o a_o plain_a sermon_n it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v the_o less_o acceptable_a to_o you_o for_o be_v a_o freewilloffering_a humble_o present_v and_o put_v into_o your_o hand_n by_o your_o faithful_a minister_n geo._n duncumb_n jam_z ii_o 23._o and_o the_o scripture_n be_v fulfil_v which_o say_v abraham_n believe_v god_n and_o it_o be_v impute_v to_o he_o for_o righteousness_n and_o he_o be_v call_v the_o friend_n of_o god_n as_o very_o excellent_a thing_n be_v speak_v of_o faith_n and_o many_o noble_a act_n have_v be_v do_v by_o it_o so_o there_o be_v none_o in_o who_o this_o saving-grace_n be_v more_o eminent_a than_o the_o person_n characterise_a in_o my_o text_n even_o abraham_n who_o have_v the_o high_a honour_n to_o be_v entitle_v the_o friend_n of_o god_n and_o since_o he_o seem_v to_o be_v set_v forth_o as_o a_o pattern_n and_o precedent_n for_o our_o imitation_n i_o shall_v 1._o inquire_v what_o kind_n of_o faith_n or_o belief_n abraham_n be_v and_o 2._o show_v particular_o what_o we_o must_v be_v in_o order_n to_o be_v justify_v though_o probable_o the_o scripture_n here_o refer_v to_o may_v principal_o respect_v the_o special_a promise_n of_o god_n make_v unto_o abraham_n touch_v a_o numerous_a issue_n when_o strike_v in_o year_n according_a as_o it_o be_v write_v in_o gen._n 15._o where_o upon_o this_o assurance_n when_o sarah_n his_o wife_n be_v natural_o past_o child-bearing_a it_o be_v say_v v._o 6._o that_o he_o believe_v in_o the_o lord_n and_o he_o count_v it_o to_o he_o for_o righteousness_n i_o say_v though_o abraham_n thus_o believe_v in_o hope_n against_o hope_n may_v be_v reckon_v or_o count_v the_o ground_n of_o his_o justification_n yet_o be_v it_o not_o sufficient_a to_o support_v the_o confidence_n of_o such_o presumptuous_a believer_n as_o rely_v upon_o a_o speculative_a faith_n expect_v to_o be_v justify_v and_o save_v by_o it_o for_o this_o passage_n be_v not_o to_o be_v consider_v single_o and_o alone_o but_o must_v be_v take_v in_o conjunction_n with_o a_o antecedent_n and_o a_o subsequent_a act_n with_o what_o go_v before_o it_o and_o what_o follow_v after_o it_o whereby_o abraham_n give_v full_a proof_n of_o his_o faith_n being_n no_o less_o obediential_a than_o fiducial_a i_o mean_v no_o less_o forward_o to_o observe_v god_n precept_n than_o to_o depend_v on_o his_o promise_n you_o must_v note_v then_o that_o beside_o god_n know_v the_o sincerity_n and_o steadfastness_n of_o abraham_n faith_n at_o the_o time_n when_o he_o count_v it_o to_o he_o for_o righteousness_n upon_o his_o not_o stagger_v at_o the_o strange_a promise_n through_o unbelief_n he_o have_v already_o experience_v it_o god_n have_v long_o before_o make_v trial_n of_o it_o by_o a_o command_n of_o some_o difficulty_n even_o that_o of_o leave_v his_o native_a country_n and_o go_v into_o a_o strange_a land_n with_o which_o he_o comply_v without_o the_o least_o hesitancy_n or_o reluctance_n he_o do_v not_o hang_v back_o and_o object_v its_o be_v a_o hard_a case_n to_o quit_v a_o certainty_n for_o a_o uncertainty_n but_o make_v haste_n and_o delay_v not_o to_o fulfil_v the_o commandment_n of_o his_o god_n not_o scruple_v to_o part_v with_o his_o present_a possession_n in_o confidence_n of_o god_n provision_n he_o ready_o forsake_v his_o kindred_n and_o his_o father_n house_n thereby_o approve_v himself_o the_o friend_n of_o god_n under_o who_o conduct_n he_o take_v his_o journey_n and_o follow_v not_o know_v whither_o he_o shall_v be_v lead_v as_o we_o read_v in_o gen._n 12._o this_o be_v such_o a_o signal_n instance_n of_o his_o resignation_n to_o the_o divine_a will_n in_o a_o entire_a dependence_n upon_o god_n that_o the_o inspire_a apostle_n rank_n it_o among_o the_o most_o worthy_a fruit_n of_o a_o true_a faith_n say_v heb._n 11.8_o by_o faith_n abraham_n when_o he_o be_v call_v to_o go_v into_o a_o place_n which_o he_o shall_v after_o receive_v for_o a_o inheritance_n obey_v and_o he_o go_v out_o not_o know_v whither_o he_o go_v that_o be_v he_o believe_v god_n that_o he_o will_v be_v as_o good_a as_o his_o word_n and_o in_o consequence_n of_o such_o belief_n be_v not_o disobedient_a to_o the_o heavenly_a voice_n but_o do_v as_o he_o be_v bid_v and_o repair_v to_o the_o place_n appoint_v though_o he_o have_v no_o knowledge_n of_o it_o no_o kindred_n or_o acquaintance_n in_o it_o after_o he_o have_v long_o dwell_v or_o rather_o sojourn_v here_o in_o the_o land_n of_o promise_n as_o in_o a_o strange_a country_n the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n come_v unto_o he_o in_o a_o vision_n say_v gen._n 15.1_o fear_v not_o abraham_n i_o be_o thy_o shield_n and_o thy_o exceed_a great_a reward_n which_o be_v as_o if_o he_o shall_v have_v say_v let_v nothing_o daunt_v or_o discourage_v thou_o forasmuch_o as_o i_o will_v still_o stand_v by_o thou_o i_o will_v never_o leave_v thou_o nor_o forsake_v thou_o but_o will_v sure_o defend_v thou_o and_o always_o plentiful_o provide_v for_o thou_o abraham_n it_o seem_v have_v already_o more_o wealth_n than_o he_o well_o know_v what_o to_o do_v with_o have_v no_o son_n to_o inherit_v it_o so_o that_o a_o child_n be_v the_o only_a blessing_n that_o he_o want_v and_o therefore_o he_o take_v this_o occasion_n not_o out_o of_o any_o diffidence_n but_o from_o a_o long_a desire_n to_o see_v the_o accomplishment_n i_o say_v he_o take_v this_o occasion_n with_o humble_a confidence_n to_o put_v god_n in_o mind_n of_o a_o former_a promise_n thitherto_o expect_v by_o his_o servant_n even_o that_o of_o give_v he_o a_o son_n whereupon_o this_o ancient_a promise_n be_v gracious_o renew_v and_o notwithstanding_o ahraham_n be_v now_o grow_v old_a and_o his_o wife_n both_o barren_a and_o also_o past_a the_o age_n of_o child-bearing_a yet_o be_v not_o weak_a in_o faith_n he_o consider_v not_o his_o own_o body_n now_o dead_a when_o he_o be_v about_o a_o hundred_o year_n old_a neither_o the_o deadness_n of_o sarah_n womb_n but_o know_v he_o to_o be_v faithful_a that_o promise_v and_o able_a also_o to_o perform_v it_o he_o believe_v god_n and_o it_o be_v impute_a or_o account_v unto_o he_o for_o righteousness_n not_o that_o we_o be_v to_o look_v upon_o this_o single_a act_n to_o be_v in_o itself_o the_o sole_a ground_n of_o abraham_n justification_n for_o unless_o he_o have_v justify_v this_o his_o profess_a faith_n by_o a_o suitable_a action_n in_o time_n of_o trial_n we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o think_v he_o will_v have_v be_v justify_v by_o himself_o have_v he_o refuse_v to_o obey_v the_o special_a command_n of_o god_n require_v he_o to_o sacrifice_v his_o son_n his_o only_a son_n isaac_n his_o bare_a believe_v the_o promise_n can_v never_o have_v be_v impute_v to_o he_o for_o righteousness_n there_o be_v no_o need_n that_o god_n to_o who_o all_o thing_n future_a be_v
present_a and_o so_o may_v well_o be_v call_v by_o he_o as_o though_o they_o be_v shall_v wait_v the_o issue_n and_o event_n and_o therefore_o he_o foresee_v certain_o at_o the_o time_n when_o abraham_n believe_v the_o promise_n concern_v receive_v a_o son_n that_o he_o will_v ready_o resign_v he_o up_o or_o frank_o surrender_v he_o back_o by_o make_v a_o oblation_n of_o he_o whenever_o he_o shall_v call_v for_o he_o i_o say_v this_o be_v as_o perfect_o know_v unto_o god_n then_o as_o at_o any_o time_n afterward_o he_o may_v very_o well_o make_v the_o imputation_n beforehand_o and_o now_o that_o god_n have_v real_o a_o eye_n to_o this_o very_a thing_n in_o impute_v righteousness_n unto_o abraham_n be_v very_o evident_a from_o the_o word_n immediate_o forego_v and_o follow_v my_o text_n so_o that_o we_o have_v a_o infallible_a interpretation_n to_o warrant_v the_o application_n for_o in_o the_o two_o verse_n next_o before_o the_o text_n we_o read_v express_o that_o abraham_n our_o father_n be_v justify_v by_o work_n and_o that_o particular_o when_o he_o have_v offer_v his_o son_n isaac_n upon_o the_o altar_n whereby_o his_o faith_n be_v make_v perfect_a whence_o the_o apostle_n make_v this_o inference_n or_o conclusion_n and_o the_o scripture_n be_v fulfil_v which_o say_v abraham_n believe_v god_n and_o it_o be_v impute_v to_o he_o for_o righteousness_n how_o be_v the_o scripture_n fulfil_v how_o do_v it_o receive_v its_o completion_n by_o the_o bare_a believe_v the_o promise_n no_o but_o by_o his_o expression_n of_o obedience_n to_o god_n command_n in_o be_v ready_a to_o offer_v up_o his_o only_a son_n the_o design_n of_o st._n james_n be_v to_o prove_v that_o christian_n be_v justify_v by_o work_n and_o not_o by_o faith_n only_o for_o which_o purpose_n he_o allege_v the_o example_n of_o abraham_n the_o father_n of_o the_o faithful_a affirm_v that_o he_o be_v therefore_o justify_v because_o he_o obey_v you_o see_v then_o say_v the_o apostle_n just_a after_o the_o passage_n cite_v in_o my_o text_n how_o that_o by_o work_v a_o man_n be_v justify_v and_o not_o by_o faith_n only_o which_o be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v it_o be_v apparent_a from_o the_o forementioned_a example_n that_o obedience_n to_o god_n command_n as_o well_o as_o belief_n of_o his_o promise_n must_v concur_v to_o the_o make_v any_o person_n accept_v or_o approve_v of_o god_n so_o that_o either_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o right_o understand_v the_o say_v of_o moses_n either_o he_o mistake_v the_o meaning_n and_o misapply_v it_o which_o no_o good_a christian_n can_v say_v or_o else_o it_o must_v be_v take_v as_o you_o have_v hear_v it_o now_o explain_v namely_o in_o conjunction_n with_o that_o after-act_n which_o god_n see_v will_v be_v perform_v in_o its_o season_n in_o the_o proper_a time_n appoint_v for_o it_o but_o because_o it_o may_v be_v object_v that_o st._n paul_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v of_o another_o mind_n and_o in_o his_o relation_n of_o it_o to_o put_v a_o different_a or_o rather_o a_o clean_a contrary_a construction_n upon_o it_o it_o be_v necessary_a i_o shall_v attempt_v a_o clear_a solution_n of_o this_o difficulty_n by_o show_v their_o real_a concord_n notwithstanding_o this_o appear_a contradiction_n the_o apostle_n of_o the_o uncircumcision_n have_v declare_v in_o rom._n 3.28_o that_o a_o man_n be_v justify_v by_o faith_n without_o the_o deed_n of_o the_o law_n he_o proceed_v in_o the_o four_o chapter_n to_o illustrate_v this_o point_n at_o large_a where_o at_o the_o 3d_o v._n he_o cite_v the_o same_o passage_n that_o st._n james_n do_v here_o in_o my_o text_n and_o thence_o argue_v against_o the_o boast_a righteousness_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o observe_v the_o mosaic_a law_n especial_o the_o discriminate_a part_n of_o it_o which_o they_o be_v wont_a to_o press_v as_o necessary_a to_o justification_n and_o show_v that_o as_o abraham_n be_v justify_v without_o they_o so_o shall_v his_o seed_n be_v after_o he_o but_o in_o all_o this_o there_o be_v nothing_o inconsistent_a with_o st._n james_n assertion_n for_o st._n paul_n do_v not_o exclude_v work_n or_o suppose_v that_o abraham_n faith_n be_v not_o approve_v by_o they_o but_o he_o only_o reject_v those_o legal_a deed_n which_o the_o jew_n obtrude_v and_o cry_v up_o for_o righteousness_n such_o as_o circumcision_n sacrifice_n the_o mosaic_a difference_n of_o clean_a and_o unclean_a meat_n as_o also_o their_o set_n up_o a_o mere_a human_a righteousness_n in_o consist_v in_o outward_a act_n and_o the_o like_a these_o he_o know_v will_v never_o commend_v any_o man_n to_o god_n these_o therefore_o he_o condemn_v as_o supersede_v or_o set_v aside_o by_o the_o gospel_n and_o that_o these_o be_v what_o he_o mean_v by_o work_n be_v evident_a from_o his_o declare_v to_o those_o who_o lay_v so_o much_o stress_n upon_o they_o as_o to_o trust_v whole_o to_o they_o that_o abraham_n righteousness_n be_v impute_v when_o uncircumcised_a and_o consequent_o can_v not_o be_v on_o the_o account_n of_o any_o such_o work_v as_o be_v before_o specify_v but_o rather_o such_o as_o he_o will_v have_v christian_n or_o all_o that_o believe_v in_o god_n charge_v careful_o to_o maintain_v tit._n 3.8_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n be_v the_o law_n of_o their_o commonwealth_n who_o breach_n be_v triable_a in_o their_o own_o court_n the_o manner_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v to_o esteem_v themselves_o righteous_a in_o the_o eye_n of_o their_o law_n as_o the_o world_n do_v in_o case_n of_o other_o political_a and_o state_n law_n when_o they_o be_v not_o liable_a to_o be_v bring_v in_o trouble_n or_o indict_v upon_o they_o before_o any_o of_o their_o own_o tribunal_n hereupon_o measure_v themselves_o only_o by_o external_a act_n which_o alone_o be_v cognizable_a in_o human_a court_n the_o orderly_a liver_n among_o they_o make_v no_o more_o scruple_n of_o assert_v their_o righteousness_n in_o the_o eye_n of_o their_o law_n than_o any_o good_a subject_n do_v in_o plead_v their_o innocence_n as_o to_o the_o law_n of_o their_o respective_a country_n as_o we_o find_v st._n paul_n himself_o do_v in_o set_v off_o his_o jewish_a confidence_n say_v that_o touch_v the_o righteousness_n which_o be_v in_o the_o law_n he_o be_v blameless_a that_o be_v have_v do_v nothing_o that_o can_v be_v allege_v against_o he_o before_o any_o of_o their_o tribunal_n phil._n 3.6_o so_o that_o upon_o the_o whole_a matter_n when_o st._n paul_n affirm_v that_o abraham_n be_v justify_v by_o faith_n and_o not_o by_o work_n without_o all_o peradventure_o he_o mean_v such_o a_o lively_a faith_n as_o do_v constant_o demonstrate_v its_o sincerity_n by_o suitable_a affection_n and_o action_n a_o faith_n work_v by_o love_n and_o so_o make_v acceptable_a to_o god_n through_o christ_n the_o promise_a seed_n even_o without_o perform_v perfect_a unsinning_a obedience_n and_o without_o conform_v to_o the_o rite_n of_o the_o mosaic_a precept_n which_o be_v the_o two_o thing_n that_o st._n paul_n certain_o mean_v by_o work_n wherever_o he_o explode_v they_o or_o set_v up_o faith_n in_o opposition_n to_o they_o and_o particular_o in_o the_o instance_n before_o we_o agreeable_o hereunto_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o when_o the_o same_o apostle_n speak_v of_o abraham_n faith_n in_o another_o epistle_n where_o he_o make_v it_o his_o business_n to_o magnify_v and_o extol_v it_o exceed_o and_o so_o can_v be_v think_v to_o have_v omit_v what_o be_v most_o praiseworthy_a he_o take_v no_o notice_n of_o his_o believe_v the_o promise_n but_o make_v mention_n only_o of_o his_o obey_v the_o command_n as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o heb._n 11.17_o 18._o by_o faith_n say_v he_o abraham_n when_o he_o be_v try_v offer_v up_o isaac_n and_o he_o that_o have_v receive_v the_o promise_n offer_v up_o his_o only-begotten_a son_n of_o who_o it_o be_v say_v that_o in_o isaac_n shall_v thy_o seed_n be_v call_v the_o story_n be_v relate_v more_o full_o in_o gen._n 22._o and_o the_o substance_n of_o it_o be_v this_o it_o seem_v some_o time_n after_o the_o promise_n to_o abraham_n be_v fulfil_v in_o that_o sarah_n his_o wife_n conceive_v and_o bring_v forth_o a_o son_n it_o please_v god_n as_o he_o have_v purpose_v of_o old_a to_o make_v a_o further_a trial_n of_o his_o faith_n such_o as_o may_v deserve_v to_o be_v a_o stand_a monument_n throughout_o all_o age_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n god_n say_v unto_o he_o v._n 2._o take_v now_o thy_o son_n thy_o only_a son_n isaac_n who_o thou_o love_v and_o get_v thou_o into_o the_o land_n of_o moriah_n and_o offer_v he_o there_o for_o a_o burnt-offering_a upon_o one_o of_o the_o mountain_n which_o i_o will_v tell_v thou_o of_o abraham_n do_v not_o more_o easy_o believe_v the_o strange_a promise_n than_o he_o ready_o obey_v this_o hard_a command_n for_o instead_o of_o murmur_v like_o
those_o of_o who_o we_o read_v of_o in_o mic._n 6.7_o and_o say_v shall_v i_o give_v my_o first-born_a for_o my_o transgression_n the_o fruit_n of_o my_o body_n for_o the_o sin_n of_o my_o soul_n instead_o of_o halt_v between_o two_o opinion_n or_o expostulate_v doubt_v and_o dispute_v whether_o he_o shall_v not_o destroy_v the_o promise_n by_o obey_v a_o command_n which_o seem_o put_v he_o upon_o cut_v off_o the_o hope_n of_o a_o numerous_a posterity_n with_o his_o own_o hand_n behold_v he_o present_o prepare_v to_o set_v forth_o upon_o this_o unwelcome_a expedition_n with_o the_o same_o forwardness_n as_o he_o have_v do_v former_o when_o he_o quit_v the_o land_n of_o his_o nativity_n upon_o the_o prospect_n which_o his_o faith_n in_o god_n give_v he_o of_o that_o inheritance_n which_o he_o now_o enjoy_v together_o with_o the_o heir_n of_o promise_n for_o we_o read_v v._n 3._o that_o abraham_n rise_v up_o early_o in_o the_o morning_n and_o saddle_v his_o ass_n and_o take_v two_o of_o 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as_o to_o come_v to_o the_o very_a last_o act_n of_o it_o abraham_n receive_v this_o testimony_n from_o heaven_n v._n 12._o of_o the_o forecited_a chap._n now_o i_o know_v that_o thou_o fear_v god_n see_v thou_o have_v not_o witheld_a thy_o son_n thy_o only_a son_n from_o i_o which_o may_v be_v paraphrastical_o express_v thus_o thou_o have_v give_v abundant_a proof_n of_o thy_o pious_a impartial_a regard_n to_o the_o command_v of_o god_n and_o so_o may_v fair_o be_v discharge_v from_o the_o obligation_n of_o proceed_v any_o further_o in_o the_o prosecution_n of_o this_o particular_a order_n we_o be_v not_o to_o imagine_v that_o abraham_n be_v act_v by_o any_o such_o enthusiastic_a principle_n as_o that_o which_o influence_v those_o who_o make_v their_o child_n pass_v through_o the_o fire_n to_o molech_n offer_v their_o son_n and_o their_o daughter_n unto_o devil_n he_o can_v have_v no_o other_o motive_n or_o inducement_n in_o a_o country_n where_o this_o piece_n of_o cruelty_n be_v 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right_a to_o suspend_v the_o six_o or_o any_o other_o commandment_n at_o pleasure_n i_o say_v to_o do_v it_o upon_o such_o mature_a deliberation_n be_v a_o evident_a proof_n or_o clear_a demonstration_n of_o his_o unreserved_a obedience_n and_o that_o too_o proceed_v from_o a_o principle_n of_o pure_a love_n to_o god_n for_o he_o do_v not_o make_v haste_n to_o slay_v his_o son_n out_o of_o any_o fright_n he_o be_v in_o lest_o god_n shall_v have_v slay_v he_o or_o strip_v he_o of_o his_o estate_n if_o he_o have_v disobey_v but_o take_v time_n to_o consider_v of_o it_o that_o he_o may_v show_v to_o all_o man_n what_o we_o ought_v to_o do_v in_o obedience_n to_o god_n even_o where_o there_o be_v no_o fear_n of_o temporal_a punishment_n nor_o hope_v of_o worldly_a reward_n for_o it_o be_v plain_a he_o sacrifice_v his_o dear_a comfort_n his_o great_a delight_n on_o earth_n to_o the_o will_n of_o his_o father_n in_o heaven_n thus_o have_v give_v you_o a_o ample_a account_n of_o our_o 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