Authority of God, himself speaking therein, and acteth differently upon that which each particular Paffage thereof containeth; yielding Obedience to the Commands f, trembling at the Threatnings, and embracing the Promifes of God for this Life and that which is to come h. But the principal Acts. of faving Faith are accepting, receiving, and refting upon Chrift alone for Juftification, Sanctification, and eternal Life, by Vertue of the Covenant of Grace i. III. This II. John 4. 42. And faid unto things have been, saith the Lord: the woman, Now we believe, not but to this man will I look, even to because of thy faying; for we have him that is poor and of a contrite heard him our felves, and know fpirit, and trembleth at my word, that this is indeed the Chrift the h Heb. II. 13! These all died in Saviour of the world. 1 Theff. 2. 13. faith, not having received the proFor this caufe alfo thank we God mifes,but having feen them afar off, without ceafing, because when ye and were perfwaded of them, and received the word of God which ye embraced them, and confeffed that heard of us, ye received it not as the they were ftrangers and pilgrims word of men, but (as it is in truth) on the earth. 1 Tim. 4. 8. For bothe word of God, which effectual- dily exercise profiteth little but ly worketh alfo in you that believe, godlinefs is profitable unto all John 5. 10. He that believeth on things, having promise of the life the Son of God hath the witnefs in that now is, and of that which is himfelf: he that believeth not God, to come. hath made him a liar, because he i John 1. 12. But as many as rebelieveth not the record that God ceived him, to them gave he power gave of his Son. Als 24. 14, But to become the fons of God, even to this I confefs unto thee, that after them that believe on his name. Acts the way which they call herefy, fo 16. 31. And they faid, Believe on worship I the God of my fathers, the Lord Jefus Chrift, and thou fhalt believing all things which are writ- be faved and thy house, Gal. 2. 20, ten in the law and the prophets. I am crucified with Chrift: NeverRom. 16. 26. But now is made theless I live; yet not I, but Chrift manifeft, and by the fcriptures of liveth in me: and the life which I the prophets, according to the com- now live in the flesh, I live by the mandment of the everlafting God, faith of the Son of God, who loved made known to all nations for the me, and gave himself for me. Alts obedience of faith. 15. 11. But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jefus Chrift, we fhall be faved even as they. III, Heb. Ifa. 66. 2. For all thofe things hath mine hand made, and all thofe F 3 III. This Faith is different in Degrees, weak or ftrong; may be often and many ways affailed and weakned, but gets the Victory; growing up in many to the Attainment of a full Affurance through Chrift m, who is both the Author and Finifher of our Faith". III. k Heb. s. 13. For every one that ufeth milk, is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. v. 14. But strong meat beJongeth to them that are of full age, even thofe who by reafon of ufe have their fenfes exercised to difcern both good and evil. Rom. 4. 19. And being not weak in faith, he confidered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred year old, neither yet the deadnefs of Sarahs womb. v. 20. He ftaggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was ftrong in faith, giving glory to God. Matth. 6. 30. Wherefore if God fo clothe the grafs of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is caft into the oven, shall be not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith: Matth. 8. 10. When Jefus heard it, he marvelled, and faid to them that followed, Verily I fay unto you, I have not found fo great faith, no not in Ifrael, Luke 22. 31. And the Lord faid, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath defired to have you, that he may fift you as wheat: v. 32. But I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not; and when thou art converted, ftrengthen thy brethren. Eph. 6. 16. Above all, taking the fhield of faith CHAP where with ye fhall be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked. I fon 5.4. For whatsoever is born of God, overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. v. 5. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jefus is the Son of God? m Heb. 6. 11. And we defire, that every one of you do fhew the fame diligence, to the full Affurance of hope unto the end. v. 12. That ye be not flothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Heb. 10. 22. Let us draw near with a true heart in full affurance of faith, having our hearts fprinkled from an evil confcience, and our bodies washed with pure wa ter. Col. 2. 2. That their heans might be comforted, being knit to gether in love, and unto all riches of the full affurance of understan ding, to the acknowledgment of the myftery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ. " Heb. 12. 2. Looking unto Je fus the author and finisher of o faith; who for the joy that is fet be fore him, endured the Crofs, defpi fing the fhame, and is fet down at the right hand of the throne of God. 1. Zech CHA P. XV. Of Repentance unto Life. Life Evan Rgelical Grace, the Doctrine whereof is to be preached by every Minifter of the Gospel, as well as that of Faith in Chrift ". II. By it a Sinner, out of the Sight and Senfe, not only of the Danger, but also of the Filthiness and Odioufnefs of his Sins, as contrary to the holy Nature and righteous Law of God; and upon the Apprehenfion of his Mercy in Chrift to fuch as are penitent, fo grieves for and hates his Sins, as to turn from them all unto God, purpofing and endeavour ing 1. Zech. 12. 10. And I will pour II. Ezek. 18.30. Therefore, I upon the house of David, and upon will judge you, O house of Ifrael, the inhabitants of Jerufalem, the every one according to his ways, fpirit of grace and of fupplications, faith the Lord God: repent, and and they hall look upon me whom turn your felves from all your tranfthey have pierced, and they fhall greffions; fo iniquity fhall not be mourn for him, as one mourneth for your ruin. v. 31. Caft away from he only fon, and fhall be in bitter- you all your tranfgreffions, wherenefs for him, as one that is in bitter- by ye have tranfgreffed, and make nefs for his firft-born, Acts 11. 18. you a new heart and a new spirit; When they heard these things, they for why will ye die, Ohouse of Ifheld their peace, and glorified God, rael? Ezek. 36. 31. Then fhall ye faying, Then hath God alfo to the remember your own evil ways, and Gentiles granted repentance unto your doings that were not good, and fhall loath your felves in your Luke 24. 47. And that repen- own fight, for your iniquities, and tance and remiffion of fins fhould be for your abominations. Ifa. 30. 22. preached in his name, among all Ye fhall defile alfo the covering of nations, beginning at Jerufalem. thy graven images of filver, and Mark 1.15. And faying, The time the ornament of thy molten images is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God of gold: thou fhalt caft them away is at hand: repent ye and believe as a menftruous cloth: thou shalt the gofpel. Acts 20. 21. Teftify- fay unto it, Get thee hence. Pfalm ing both to the Jews, and alfo to 51.4. Against thee, thee only have the Greeks,repentance toward God, I finned, and done this evil in thy and faith toward our Lord Jefus fight: that thou mightest be justi life. b Chrift. F 4 fied ing to walk with him in all the Ways of his Commandments d. III. Although Repentance be not to be refted in as any Satisfaction for Sin, or any Cause of the Pardon thereof, which is the Act of God's free all things ye have approved your felves to be clear in this matter. d Pfalm 119. 6. Then fhall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. v.59. I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy teftimonies. v.106. I have fworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments. Luke 1. 6. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless. 2 Kings 23.25. And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his foul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Mofes; neither after him arofe there any like him. fied when thou fpeakeft, and be clear when thou judgeft. Jer. 31. 18. I have furely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus, Thou haft chastised me, and I was chaftifed, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the Lord my God. v. 19. Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was inftructed, I fmote upon my thigh I was afhamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth. Joel 2.12. Therefore also now, faith the Lord, Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fafting, and with weeping, and with mourning. v. 13. And rent your heart and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and III. Ezek. 36. 31. Then shall merciful,flow to anger, and of great ye remember your own evil ways, kindness, and repenteth him of the and your doings that were not good, evil. Amos 5. is. Hate the evil, and fhall loath your felves in your and love the good, and establish own fight, for your iniquities and judgment in the gate it may be for your abominations. v. 32. Not that the Lord God of hofts will be, for your fakes do I this, faith the gracious unto the remnant of Jo- Lord God, be it known unto you: feph. Pfalm 119. 128. Therefore be ashamed and confounded for I efteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every falfe way. 2 Cor. 7. 11. For behold, this felf fame thing that ye forrowed after a godly fort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of your felves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement defire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! in : your own ways, O house of Ifrael. Ezek. 16. 61. Then thou shalt remember thy ways, and be ashamed, when thou shalt receive thy fifters, thine elder and thy younger: andI will give them unto thee for daughters, but not by thy covenant. v.62. And I will establish my covenant with thee, and thou shalt know that I am the Lord. v. 63. That thon mayett f free Grace in Chrift ; yet is it of fuch Neceffity to all Sinners, that none may expect Pardon without it.8. IV. As there is no Sin fo fmall, but it deferves Damnation : So there is no Sin fo great, that it can bring damnation upon those who truly repenti. V. Men ought not to content themselves with a general Repentance, but it is every Man's Duty to endeavour to repent of his particular Sins particularly f VI. As mayeft remember and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more, because of thy fhame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou haft done, faith the Lord God. Hof. 14.2. Take with you words, and turn to the Lord, fay unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive gracioufly: fo will we render the calves of our lips. v. 4. I will heal their backfliding, will love them freely for mine anger is turned away from him. Rom. 3. 24. Being i Ifa. 55.7. Let the wicked forjuftified freely by his grace, through fake his way, and the unrighteous the redemption that is in Jefus man his thoughts: and let him reChrift. Eph. 1. 7. In whom we have turn unto the Lord, and he will have redemption through his blood, the mercy upon him, and to our God, forgiveness of fins, according to the for he will abundantly pardon. Rom. riches of his grace. IV. h Rom. 6. 23. For the wages of fin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jefus Chrift our Lord. Rom. 5. 12. Wherefore, as by one man fin entred into the world, and death by fin; and fo death paffed upon all men, for that all have finned. Mat. 12.36. But I fay unto you, That every idle word that men fhall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. but : 8. 1. There is therefore now no con8 Luke 13. 3. Itell you, Nay: but demnation to them which are in except ye repent, ye fhall all like- Chrift Jefus, who walk not after the wife perish. v. s. I tell you, Nay: flesh, but after the Spirit. Ifa. 1. 16. except ye repent, ye fhall all Wash ye, make ye clean, put away likewife perish. Acts 17.30. And the evil of your doings from before the times of this ignorance God mine eyes, ceafe to do evil. v. 18. winked at ; but now commandeth Come now and let us reafon togeall men every where to repent. v.3 1. ther,faith the Lord:though your fins Because he hath appointed a day, in be as fcarlet, they fhall be as white the which he will judge the world as fnow; though they be red like in righteousness, by that man whom crimson, they fhall be as wooll. he hath ordained; whereof he hath V. Pfalm 19.13. Keep back thy given affurance unto all men,in that fervant alfo from prefumptuous fins, he hath raised him from the dead, lec |