be_v destitute_a of_o this_o grace_n to_o be_v for_o the_o present_a in_o a_o woeful_a condition_n no_o measure_n of_o this_o grace_n no_o benefit_n by_o christ_n and_o then_o woe_n and_o alas_o use_v 2_o for_o trial_n and_o examination_n whether_o we_o be_v qualify_v with_o this_o grace_n or_o no_o see_v it_o be_v of_o such_o necessity_n as_o that_o without_o it_o we_o can_v partake_v of_o christ_n and_o his_o benefit_n to_o this_o purpose_n 2_o cor._n 13.5_o examine_v yourselves_o whether_o you_o be_v in_o the_o faith_n that_o be_v whether_o a_o true_a faith_n be_v in_o you_o or_o no_o prove_v your_o own_o self_n know_v you_o not_o your_o own_o self_n how_o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v in_o you_o except_o you_o be_v reprobate_n now_o if_o we_o say_v we_o have_v a_o justify_v faith_n first_o how_o come_v we_o by_o it_o how_o be_v it_o wrought_v in_o we_o do_v it_o come_v by_o hear_v of_o the_o word_n rom._n 10.17_o faith_n come_v by_o hear_v and_o hear_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n have_v the_o law_n be_v thy_o schoolmaster_n to_o bring_v thou_o to_o christ_n gal._n 3.24_o have_v the_o ministry_n of_o the_o law_n effectual_o discover_v thy_o sin_n and_o miserable_a condition_n unto_o thou_o and_o so_o thy_o heart_n become_v contrite_a and_o break_a before_o christ_n come_v into_o thy_o heart_n do_v john_n the_o baptist_n come_v prepare_v his_o way_n mark_v 1.2_o this_o be_v the_o ordinary_a way_n whereby_o the_o lord_n bring_v his_o elect_n to_o faith_n before_o the_o gospel_n work_v it_o instrumental_o the_o law_n prepare_v unto_o it_o 2._o thou_o that_o say_v thou_o have_v faith_n how_o have_v thou_o hold_v it_o have_v it_o not_o be_v with_o doubt_n and_o fear_n as_o the_o father_n of_o the_o possess_a child_n mark_v 9.24_o lord_n i_o believe_v help_v thou_o my_o unbelief_n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o that_o doubt_v be_v not_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n but_o just_o contrary_a unto_o it_o yet_o there_o be_v no_o faith_n altogether_o without_o doubt_v although_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o as_o faith_n grow_v so_o doubt_v be_v expel_v many_o will_v say_v they_o never_o doubt_v they_o thank_v god_n but_o that_o such_o person_n never_o have_v faith_n i_o need_v not_o doubt_v to_o affirm_v 2._o weigh_v we_o the_o effect_n and_o fruit_n of_o this_o grace_n 1._o it_o will_v make_v a_o man_n or_o a_o woman_n earnest_o to_o desire_v after_o the_o word_n job_n 23.12_o i_o esteem_v the_o word_n of_o his_o mouth_n more_o than_o my_o necessary_a food_n and_o 1_o pet._n 2.2_o as_o new_o bear_v babe_n desire_v the_o sincere_a milk_n of_o the_o word_n that_o you_o may_v grow_v thereby_o amos_n 8.12_o the_o believer_n be_v describe_v to_o be_v such_o a_o one_o as_o run_v to_o and_o fro_o to_o seek_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n when_o there_o be_v a_o scarcity_n of_o it_o such_o as_o in_o the_o ordinary_a course_n be_v indifferent_a whether_o they_o hear_v the_o word_n or_o no_o have_v a_o indifferent_a faith_n i_o mean_v none_o no_o true_a faith_n and_o there_o be_v abundance_n of_o such_o person_n like_v to_o the_o faction_n in_o corinth_n that_o glory_v they_o be_v neither_o follower_n of_o paul_n nor_o of_o apollo_n nor_o of_o cephas_n but_o of_o christ_n only_o they_o will_v seem_v so_o to_o depend_v upon_o christ_n that_o they_o care_v for_o never_o a_o preacher_n of_o they_o all_o nor_o regard_v to_o partake_v of_o their_o ministry_n and_o so_o many_o man_n and_o woman_n at_o this_o day_n that_o hope_v they_o say_v to_o be_v save_v by_o christ_n and_o yet_o care_v not_o in_o the_o least_o for_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n but_o this_o hope_n of_o they_o be_v but_o a_o vain_a hope_n 2._o a_o second_o fruit_n of_o this_o faith_n it_o be_v plentiful_a in_o prayer_n and_o supplication_n so_o we_o read_v of_o paul_n in_o the_o swaddle_a band_n of_o conversion_n act_v 9.11_o behold_v he_o pray_v and_o david_n psal_n 86.3_o i_o cry_v unto_o thou_o daily_o nay_o psal_n 55.17_o evening_n and_o morning_n and_o at_o noon_n will_v i_o pray_v and_o cry_v aloud_o and_o one_o special_a thing_n believer_n pray_v for_o be_v a_o increase_n of_o this_o grace_n luke_n 17.5_o o_o lord_n increase_v our_o faith_n so_o the_o apostle_n pray_v and_o mark_v 9.24_o the_o father_n of_o the_o possess_a child_n cry_v out_o lord_z i_o believe_v help_v thou_o my_o unbelief_n there_o be_v a_o great_a difference_n betwixt_o the_o pray_n of_o such_o as_o have_v this_o grace_n and_o such_o as_o have_v it_o not_o such_o as_o have_v not_o this_o grace_n pray_v especial_o for_o temporal_a thing_n and_o if_o for_o spiritual_a thing_n in_o a_o lip_n cold_a careless_a and_o carnal_a way_n but_o the_o believer_n especial_o for_o spiritual_a thing_n as_o before_o and_o from_o the_o heart_n earnest_o as_o galat._n 4.6_o because_o you_o be_v son_n god_n have_v send_v fortht_v he_o spirit_n of_o his_o son_n onto_z your_o heart_n cry_v abba_n father_n ephes_n 6.18_o 3._o the_o three_o effect_n and_o fruit_n of_o this_o faith_n be_v sin_z mortification_n in_o some_o measure_n 1_o joh._n 5.4_o 5._o this_o grace_n purify_v the_o heart_n as_o act_n 15.9_o and_o this_o effect_n of_o faith_n be_v thus_o ground_v 1._o because_o it_o appli_v all_o that_o christ_n do_v and_o suffer_v particular_o to_o a_o man_n and_o persuade_v his_o soul_n that_o out_o of_o his_o love_n to_o he_o and_o care_v to_o keep_v he_o from_o perish_v everlasting_o he_o endure_v all_o that_o he_o do_v endure_v as_o galat._n 2.20_o who_o love_v i_o and_o give_v himself_o for_o i_o and_o hence_o the_o believer_n can_v but_o love_n christ_n again_o and_o manifest_v the_o same_o by_o set_v himself_o against_o that_o which_o he_o know_v christ_n hate_v to_o wit_n sin_n 1_o john_n 4.19_o 2_o cor._n 5.14_o 15._o 2._o the_o second_o ground_n be_v because_o this_o grace_n unite_v a_o man_n to_o christ_n joh._n 15.5_o bring_v christ_n into_o the_o soul_n now_o if_o christ_n be_v in_o the_o soul_n sin_n must_v needs_o be_v weaken_v and_o decay_v many_o pretend_v faith_n but_o where_o be_v the_o abatement_n of_o corruption_n see_v malach._n 4.2_o but_o unto_o you_o that_o fear_v my_o name_n shall_v the_o sun_n of_o righteousness_n arise_v with_o heal_v in_o his_o wing_n this_o sun_n do_v never_o arise_v and_o shine_v upon_o any_o heart_n but_o it_o bring_v a_o heal_a virtue_n with_o it_o the_o four_o effect_n of_o faith_n a_o high_a esteem_n of_o the_o godly_a be_v they_o never_o so_o poor_a and_o a_o mean_a esteem_n of_o the_o wicked_a be_v they_o never_o so_o rich_a so_o the_o psalmist_n set_v forth_o the_o believer_n psal_n 15.4_o in_o who_o eye_n a_o vile_a person_n be_v contemn_v suppose_v they_o be_v never_o so_o rich_a and_o wealthy_a but_o he_o honour_v they_o that_o fear_v the_o lord_n be_v they_o never_o so_o mean_a and_o poor_a now_o many_o in_o the_o ordinary_a course_n who_o be_v they_o familiar_a with_o but_o the_o wicked_a and_o who_o do_v they_o oppose_v but_o the_o godly_a and_o for_o godliness_n sake_n such_o be_v far_o from_o have_v any_o measure_n of_o this_o grace_n 5._o the_o five_o effect_n and_o fruit_n of_o this_o faith_n be_v a_o fear_n to_o offend_v god_n in_o any_o thing_n prov._n 28.14_o happy_a be_v the_o man_n that_o fear_v always_o to_o wit_n to_o offend_v god_n the_o true_a believer_n be_v this_o man_n and_o psal_n 130.4_o there_o be_v forgiveness_n with_o thou_o say_v the_o true_a believer_n to_o god_n that_o thou_o may_v be_v fear_v the_o contrite_a and_o break_a heart_a sinner_n do_v no_o soon_o believe_v his_o sin_n to_o be_v pardonable_a through_o the_o rich_a mercy_n of_o god_n in_o christ_n but_o he_o fear_v to_o offend_v god_n in_o the_o least_o thing_n he_o know_v to_o be_v sin_n and_o therefore_o tell_v such_o a_o party_n that_o unbelief_n be_v a_o sin_n and_o that_o he_o offend_v by_o doubt_v of_o god_n mercy_n in_o christ_n oh_o how_o do_v he_o bewail_v his_o unbelief_n and_o earnest_o strive_v after_o faith_n 6._o and_o last_o although_o the_o true_a believer_n may_v sometime_o doubt_v whether_o he_o have_v faith_n or_o no_o yet_o he_o will_v not_o part_v with_o that_o faith_n of_o he_o which_o he_o so_o question_n upon_o any_o term_n for_o any_o thing_n and_o upon_o deliberation_n he_o will_v not_o change_v estate_n with_o any_o natural_a man_n no_o not_o with_o the_o best_a civillist_n neither_o will_v he_o be_v in_o the_o same_o estate_n he_o be_v sometime_o for_o all_o the_o world_n thus_o much_o for_o the_o second_o use_v wherein_o we_o have_v examine_v the_o justify_v faith_n use_v 2._o to_o exhort_v every_o man_n and_o woman_n to_o labour_v for_o this_o faith_n see_v without_o it_o we_o can_v partake_v of_o christ_n and_o
his_o benefit_n many_o inducement_n and_o provocation_n may_v be_v think_v of_o this_o way_n as_o first_o if_o we_o weigh_v the_o glory_n they_o give_v to_o god_n who_o do_v believe_v john_n 3.33_o he_o that_o have_v receive_v his_o testimony_n have_v set_v to_o his_o seal_n that_o god_n be_v true_a rom._n 4.20_o the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o abraham_n say_v he_o stagger_v not_o at_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n through_o unbelief_n but_o be_v strong_a in_o faith_n give_v glory_n to_o god_n 2._o if_o we_o weigh_v the_o dishonour_n and_o injury_n they_o do_v to_o god_n who_o do_v not_o believe_v as_o 1_o joh._n 5.10_o he_o that_o believe_v not_o god_n have_v make_v he_o a_o liar_n because_o he_o believe_v not_o the_o record_n that_o god_n give_v of_o his_o son_n and_o this_o be_v the_o record_n that_o god_n have_v give_v to_o we_o eternal_a life_n and_o this_o life_n be_v in_o his_o son_n 3_o if_o we_o weigh_v that_o it_o be_v such_o a_o qualification_n as_o every_o man_n have_v not_o 2_o thess_n 3.2_o all_o man_n have_v not_o faith_n nay_o such_o a_o qualification_n as_o but_o a_o few_o have_v isai_n 53.1_o who_o have_v believe_v our_o report_n 4_o if_o we_o confider_v the_o cloud_n of_o example_n this_o way_n to_o wit_n of_o believer_n although_o but_o a_o few_o comparative_o and_o what_o they_o obtain_v by_o faith_n heb._n 11.1_o etc._n etc._n 5_o if_o we_o consider_v that_o without_o this_o grace_n we_o can_v please_v god_n in_o any_o thing_n we_o do_v for_o so_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n acquaint_v we_o heb._n 11.6_o without_o faith_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o please_v god_n 6_o god_n command_v we_o to_o believe_v 1_o john_n 3.23_o this_o be_v his_o commandment_n that_o we_o shall_v believe_v on_o the_o name_n of_o his_o son_n jesus_n christ_n and_o matth._n 11.28_o come_v unto_o i_o all_o you_o that_o labour_n and_o be_v heavy_a lade_v this_o come_n be_v the_o motion_n of_o the_o will_n to_o wit_n believe_v 7._o if_o we_o weigh_v the_o inducement_n in_o the_o doctrine_n otherwise_o we_o can_v partake_v of_o christ_n and_o his_o benefit_n which_o if_o we_o do_v not_o woe_n be_v unto_o we_o joh._n 3.36_o he_o that_o believe_v on_o the_o son_n have_v everlasting_a life_n and_o he_o that_o believe_v not_o the_o son_n shall_v not_o see_v life_n but_o the_o wrath_n of_o god_n abide_v on_o he_o object_n but_o may_v some_o man_n say_v what_o need_v all_o this_o ado_n be_v it_o so_o hard_a a_o thing_n to_o believe_v in_o christ_n i_o thank_v god_n i_o never_o find_v it_o so_o ans_fw-fr the_o reason_n be_v because_o thy_o conscience_n be_v never_o thorough_o awaken_v with_o a_o distinet_fw-la sight_n of_o thy_o sin_n and_o god_n justice_n pursue_v thou_o for_o the_o same_o thou_o think_v thou_o do_v believe_v in_o christ_n all_o this_o while_n and_z alas_o thy_o faith_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o presumption_n but_o when_o thy_o conscience_n come_v to_o be_v a_o waken_v and_o to_o roar_v in_o thy_o face_n thou_o will_v find_v it_o the_o most_o difficult_a thing_n in_o all_o the_o world_n to_o look_v beyond_o the_o cloud_n of_o justice_n to_o believe_v in_o god_n mercy_n and_o to_o rest_v on_o christ_n for_o justification_n and_o salvation_n thus_o far_o touch_v the_o second_o member_n of_o the_o four_o principle_n now_o we_o come_v to_o the_o three_o member_n of_o the_o same_o member_n iii_o apprehend_v and_o apply_v christ_n with_o all_o his_o merit_n unto_o himself_o this_o be_v do_v by_o faith_n and_o faith_n alone_o as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o former_a member_n so_o then_o the_o doctrine_n be_v this_o doct._n it_o be_v faith_n and_o faith_n alone_o that_o apprehend_v and_o apply_v christ_n and_o all_o his_o merit_n unto_o a_o man_n self_n see_v ephes_n 2.8_o by_o grace_n you_o be_v save_v through_o faith_n as_o though_o the_o apostle_n shall_v say_v it_o be_v of_o the_o free_a favour_n of_o god_n give_v christ_n unto_o you_o that_o you_o be_v save_v and_o the_o only_a instrument_n that_o apprehend_v and_o apply_v christ_n and_o all_o his_o merit_n unto_o salvation_n be_v faith_n and_o rom._n 5_o 1._o be_v justify_v by_o faith_n we_o have_v peace_n with_o god_n through_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n as_o though_o faith_n and_o faith_n only_o be_v the_o instrument_n to_o lay_v hold_n on_o christ_n and_o his_o merit_n but_o take_v that_o place_n for_o all_o rom._n 3.28_o we_o conclude_v 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 faith_n be_v the_o only_a instrument_n that_o apprehend_v and_o apply_v christ_n to_o justification_n so_o also_o joh._n 3.36_o rom._n 9.33_o act_n 16.31_o reason_n the_o ground_n or_o reason_n be_v because_o there_o be_v no_o other_o eye_n nor_o hand_n for_o this_o purpose_n but_o this_o not_o that_o this_o faith_n be_v alone_o but_o ever_o accompany_v with_o love_n and_o other_o grace_n as_o the_o eye_n in_o the_o head_n be_v not_o alone_o without_o other_o sense_n yet_o it_o only_o see_v and_o no_o other_o sense_n beside_o it_o love_v indeed_o clasp_v christ_n and_o cleave_v unto_o he_o but_o it_o be_v for_o that_o which_o faith_n first_o discern_v to_o be_v in_o he_o christ_n be_v first_o the_o object_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o then_o the_o object_n of_o our_o love_n and_o to_o speak_v proper_o faith_n be_v the_o eye_n and_o hand_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o love_v only_o the_o hand_n of_o faith_n for_o so_o the_o apostle_n paul_n speak_v of_o these_o grace_n galat._n 5.6_o in_o christ_n jesus_n circumcision_n avail_v nothing_o nor_o uncircumcision_n but_o faith_n which_o work_v by_o love_n now_o for_o the_o illustrate_v of_o this_o doctrine_n we_o propound_v these_o question_n first_o whether_o faith_n or_o love_n be_v the_o more_o excellent_a grace_n second_o whether_o justify_v faith_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o be_v not_o of_o a_o large_a extent_n then_o aforesaid_a do_v not_o as_o well_o embrace_v the_o whole_a word_n of_o god_n as_o apprehend_v and_o apply_v christ_n and_o his_o merit_n quest_n 1._o whether_o faith_n or_o love_n be_v the_o more_o excellent_a grace_n answ_n in_o some_o respect_v the_o grace_n of_o love_n be_v more_o excellent_a than_o the_o grace_n of_o faith_n first_o it_o be_v more_o conspicuous_a and_o visible_a faith_n be_v secret_a and_o inward_a but_o yet_o by_o love_n discover_v itself_o second_o it_o be_v more_o beneficial_a and_o commodious_a faith_n be_v the_o hand_n whereby_o a_o man_n receive_v for_o himself_o but_o love_n be_v the_o hand_n whereby_o a_o man_n reach_v out_o to_o other_o three_o it_o be_v of_o long_a continuance_n 1_o corinth_n 13.8_o love_n never_o fail_v and_o in_o this_o respect_n the_o apostle_n prefer_v it_o to_o faith_n and_o hope_n ver_fw-la 13._o of_o the_o same_o chapter_n now_o abide_v faith_n hope_n love_n those_o three_o but_o the_o great_a of_o these_o be_v love_n the_o exercise_n of_o faith_n and_o hope_n cease_v when_o love_n shall_v be_v in_o the_o great_a exercise_n now_o in_o other_o respect_v faith_n do_v excel_v love_n as_o first_o it_o justify_v a_o man_n before_o god_n and_o so_o do_v not_o love_n i_o mean_v be_v the_o instrument_n that_o way_n but_o so_o be_v not_o love_n 2._o faith_n if_o we_o speak_v in_o regard_n of_o exercise_n be_v the_o cause_n and_o love_n be_v the_o effect_n now_o the_o cause_n be_v more_o excellent_a than_o the_o effect_n 3._o what_o do_v we_o reach_v forth_o by_o love_n which_o we_o have_v not_o receive_v by_o faith_n quest_n 2._o now_o we_o come_v to_o the_o second_o question_n whether_o justify_v faith_n do_v not_o as_o well_o believe_v the_o whole_a word_n of_o god_n as_o apprehend_v and_o apply_v christ_n and_o his_o merit_n whether_o the_o office_n of_o it_o be_v only_o restrain_v to_o justify_v answ_n although_o christ_n and_o his_o merit_n be_v the_o principal_a object_n of_o this_o faith_n why_o yet_o the_o same_o faith_n which_o receive_v christ_n and_o rest_v on_o he_o and_o so_o justify_v believe_v all_o the_o other_o promise_v make_v of_o god_n in_o christ_n unto_o believer_n whether_o they_o concern_v this_o life_n or_o the_o life_n to_o come_v nay_o believe_v the_o whole_a word_n of_o god_n act_v 24.14_o as_o the_o precept_n threaten_n etc._n etc._n this_o faith_n not_o only_o yield_v a_o bare_a assent_n unto_o whatsoever_o be_v deliver_v in_o the_o scripture_n as_o concern_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o but_o likewise_o move_v and_o stir_v the_o affection_n according_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o matter_n believe_v whether_o promise_v precept_n or_o threaten_n now_o we_o come_v to_o the_o use_v use_v 1_o to_o inform_v we_o how_o excellent_o they_o be_v furnish_v unto_o who_o the_o lord_n have_v vouchsafe_v this_o qualification_n it_o be_v the_o instrument_n and_o the_o only_a
in_o the_o second_o place_n to_o inquire_v wherein_o the_o nature_n and_o essence_n of_o this_o faith_n consist_v answ_n in_o four_o act_n of_o the_o soul_n the_o former_a two_o be_v act_n of_o the_o understanding_n the_o latter_a two_o be_v act_n of_o the_o will._n 1._o the_o first_o act_n be_v this_o to_o wit_n a_o know_v of_o christ_n aright_o and_o that_o which_o the_o gospel_n reveal_v to_o mankind_n concern_v he_o as_o first_o i_o must_v know_v that_o christ_n be_v a_o all_o sufficient_a saviour_n 2._o i_o must_v know_v that_o he_o and_o all_o his_o merit_n be_v offer_v by_o the_o lord_n to_o i_o as_o well_o as_o to_o any_o other_o mark_v 16.15_o 3._o i_o must_v know_v that_o christ_n be_v so_o offer_v to_o i_o as_o i_o be_o command_v to_o believe_v that_o he_o and_o his_o merit_n belong_v to_o i_o mat._n 11.28_o 4._o i_o must_v know_v how_o and_o upon_o what_o term_v christ_n be_v offer_v unto_o i_o not_o only_o as_o my_o saviour_n to_o free_v i_o from_o god_n wrath_n and_o to_o bring_v i_o to_o heaven_n but_o likewise_o as_o my_o lord_n and_o king_n to_o rule_v and_o govern_v i_o and_o i_o unfeigned_o and_o hearty_o to_o serve_v and_o obey_v he_o he_o be_v only_o a_o saviour_n to_o such_o and_o unto_o all_o such_o as_o heb._n 5.9_o be_v make_v perfect_a he_o become_v to_o wit_n christ_n the_o author_n of_o eternal_a salvation_n unto_o all_o they_o that_o obey_v he_o this_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n or_o the_o gospel_n be_v the_o first_o thing_n wherein_o the_o nature_n and_o essence_n of_o justify_v faith_n consist_v it_o be_v a_o excellent_a grace_n and_o ever_o have_v knowledge_n concur_v to_o the_o be_v of_o it_o and_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o sometime_o this_o faith_n be_v call_v the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n as_o isai_n 53.11_o by_o his_o knowledge_n that_o be_v by_o faith_n in_o he_o shall_v my_o righteous_a servant_n justify_v many_o and_o john_n 17.3_o this_o be_v life_n eternal_a that_o they_o may_v know_v thou_o the_o only_a true_a god_n and_o jesus_n christ_n who_o thou_o have_v send_v the_o second_o act_n of_o the_o soul_n wherein_o the_o nature_n and_o essence_n of_o this_o faith_n consist_v be_v the_o assent_n and_o credit_n that_o the_o mind_n give_v unto_o all_o aforesaid_a as_o to_o a_o undoubted_a truth_n to_o wit_n that_o christ_n be_v indeed_o a_o all-sufficient_a saviour_n and_o that_o god_n offer_v he_o unto_o i_o command_v i_o to_o receive_v he_o and_o that_o in_o this_o gracious_a offer_n he_o mean_v as_o he_o say_v and_o that_o he_o and_o all_o his_o merit_n belong_v to_o i_o if_o i_o will_v receive_v he_o upon_o those_o term_n the_o lord_n offer_v he_o on_o in_o respect_n of_o this_o second_o property_n faith_n be_v call_v a_o believe_a of_o god_n as_o rom._n 4.3_o abraham_n believe_v god_n and_o 1_o john_n 5.10_o he_o that_o believe_v not_o god_n have_v make_v he_o a_o liar_n see_v exod._n 14.32_o the_o three_o act_n of_o the_o soul_n wherein_o the_o nature_n and_o essence_n of_o this_o faith_n consist_v be_v the_o consent_n that_o the_o will_n give_v to_o this_o bless_a offer_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o gospel_n not_o only_o for_o the_o undoubted_a truth_n but_o for_o the_o incomparable_a goodness_n and_o excellency_n of_o it_o as_o when_o the_o contrite_a and_o humble_a soul_n say_v not_o only_o this_o be_v a_o faithful_a say_n but_o likewise_o worthy_a of_o all_o acceptation_n that_o christ_n jesus_n come_v into_o the_o world_n to_o save_v sinner_n and_o suppose_v the_o believer_n through_o the_o sense_n he_o have_v of_o his_o own_o unworthiness_n find_v much_o reluctancy_n and_o doubt_v to_o hinder_v this_o act_n of_o faith_n why_o yet_o his_o soul_n unfeigned_o desire_v and_o long_v to_o receive_v christ_n upon_o the_o term_n aforesaid_a in_o respect_n of_o this_o property_n faith_n be_v call_v a_o hunger_a and_o thirst_v after_o christ_n as_o matth._n 5.6_o bless_a be_v they_o that_o do_v hunger_n and_o thirst_n after_o righteousness_n to_o wit_n after_o christ_n and_o his_o righteousness_n and_o rev._n 21.6_o i_o will_v give_v unto_o he_o that_o be_v a_o thirst_n of_o the_o fountain_n of_o the_o water_n of_o life_n free_o the_o four_o act_n of_o the_o soul_n wherein_o the_o nature_n and_o essence_n of_o this_o faith_n consist_v be_v a_o rest_v and_o rely_v upon_o christ_n and_o he_o alone_o for_o the_o obtain_n of_o god_n favour_n and_o eternal_a life_n and_o indeed_o this_o be_v of_o all_o other_o the_o chief_a act_n of_o the_o soul_n in_o true_a faith_n and_o that_o wherein_o the_o be_v and_o essence_n of_o it_o do_v brief_o consist_v in_o respect_n of_o this_o property_n it_o be_v call_v a_o believe_a in_o or_o on_o christ_n or_o a_o trust_n in_o christ_n or_o a_o receive_n of_o christ_n as_o john_n 3.16.18_o ephes_n 1.12_o 13._o john_n 1.12_o these_o several_a phrase_n imply_v one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n thus_o we_o see_v now_o wherein_o the_o nature_n and_o essence_n of_o justify_v faith_n consist_v but_o the_o thing_n follow_v we_o must_v be_v put_v in_o mind_n of_o 1._o that_o there_o be_v several_a degree_n of_o faith_n the_o several_a act_n aforesaid_a be_v in_o those_o that_o be_v qualify_v with_o this_o grace_n in_o some_o more_o distinct_a and_o strong_a in_o other_o more_o dim_a and_o weak_a i_o mean_v the_o former_a knowledge_n assent_n consent_n and_o receive_n yet_o the_o weak_a faith_n be_v a_o true_a faith_n serve_v the_o turn_n to_o the_o purpose_n aforesaid_a 2._o that_o in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o party_n the_o several_a act_n aforesaid_a be_v sometime_o more_o strong_a and_o sometime_o more_o weak_a and_o 3._o that_o some_o of_o the_o act_n of_o faith_n may_v be_v strong_a and_o some_o of_o they_o weak_a in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o party_n and_o at_o one_o and_o the_o same_o time_n object_n but_o may_v some_o man_n say_v be_v not_o this_o likewise_o a_o act_n of_o justify_v faith_n to_o be_v assure_v or_o aussrance_n of_o god_n favour_n and_o that_o christ_n and_o his_o benefit_n be_v i_o answ_n first_o although_o this_o assurance_n be_v attainable_a and_o some_o do_v attain_v unto_o it_o in_o this_o life_n to_o wit_n in_o process_n of_o time_n after_o many_o trial_n and_o combat_n after_o many_o experience_n of_o god_n love_n after_o the_o practice_n of_o holy_a duty_n long_o continue_v in_o and_o constant_o stick_v unto_o for_o otherwise_o ordinary_o it_o be_v not_o attain_v unto_o why_o yet_o there_o be_v many_o that_o no_o question_n have_v a_o true_a and_o right_a faith_n that_o do_v not_o attain_v unto_o it_o in_o this_o life_n i_o mean_v to_o this_o assurance_n second_o this_o assurance_n be_v not_o a_o act_n of_o justify_v faith_n as_o it_o justifi_v but_o a_o act_n of_o faith_n follow_v justification_n or_o a_o act_n of_o experience_n in_o one_o already_o justify_v by_o faith_n or_o a_o fruit_n of_o faith_n it_o be_v not_o proper_o of_o the_o nature_n and_o essence_n of_o justify_v faith_n the_o doctrine_n be_v thus_o open_v we_o come_v to_o the_o use_v use_v 1_o to_o inform_v we_o touch_v the_o miserable_a condition_n of_o divers_a man_n and_o woman_n for_o the_o present_a all_o such_o as_o be_v not_o qualify_v with_o this_o faith_n no_o justify_v faith_n no_o christ_n no_o christ_n no_o salvation_n and_o if_o no_o salvation_n what_o but_o damnation_n now_o divers_a man_n and_o woman_n may_v it_o not_o be_v conclude_v of_o they_o that_o they_o be_v altogether_o destitute_a this_o way_n as_o first_o all_o such_o as_o be_v gross_o ignorant_a faith_n be_v a_o wise_a grace_n of_o god_n spirit_n and_o presuppose_v knowledge_n in_o some_o measure_n 2._o all_o profane_a person_n a_o justify_v faith_n be_v a_o sanctify_a faith_n 3._o all_o such_o who_o heart_n be_v not_o shiver_v and_o break_v in_o some_o measure_n in_o the_o sight_n and_o sense_n of_o their_o natural_a misery_n contrition_n and_o humiliation_n ever_o in_o those_o of_o year_n be_v the_o usher_n to_o this_o faith_n and_o the_o misery_n of_o such_o be_v the_o great_a because_o either_o they_o make_v no_o reckon_n of_o this_o grace_n or_o presume_v they_o have_v it_o already_o when_o alas_o there_o be_v no_o such_o matter_n or_o think_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o attain_v unto_o or_o if_o they_o shall_v go_v about_o it_o that_o it_o will_v cost_v they_o too_o much_o pain_n or_o bring_v upon_o they_o too_o much_o damage_n or_o trouble_v by_o forego_v their_o sinful_a pleasure_n and_o profit_n or_o expose_v they_o to_o danger_n and_o persecution_n or_o else_o think_v it_o be_v so_o easy_a a_o thing_n to_o get_v as_o they_o may_v obtain_v it_o when_o they_o will_v and_o so_o put_v off_o the_o seek_n of_o it_o until_o their_o death_n bed_n well_o we_o see_v all_o such_o as_o