If the promises were only true, but no ways beneficial, there might be an assured persuasion of them in Mind, without any affection or moving of will towards them: But faith adhereth to the word as good to me, as well as true in it self, which cannot be done without a godly affection embracing it. To believe on Christ, is, to receive him. 1And what is this receiving? Not only a comprehension of the understanding, but an embracing of the heart and affection, laying hold on him, as we take that with the hands which is reached unto us. Believing on Christ is implied in the phrase of going or coming to Christ, which going,2 no doubt, is rather a spiritual motion of the heart and affections towards Christ, then a contemplation of the Mind contented to see and behold him. The Holy Ghost speaking of Justifying faith doth use the entire phrasef of faith in God and Christ, or on God and Christ, which either there or elsewhere is declared by confidence or trust in God and Christ. And the same must be understood, when nothing is added,g but life or Justification is attributed to belief; that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. For it is a general rule, that words of knowledge are words of affection, much more words of belief. As the people of God looked for the Messiah, so according to the prophesies, they promised to themselves all good in and by the Messiah. The woman of Samaria could say,5 When the Messiah cometh, he will teach us all things: Where we may see, that there was not only a knowledge of Christ to come, but an expectation and hope placed in him, as in whom all good things promised, should be accomplished. So that if we consider the disposition of the people, whose hope did hang on the Messiah, we may ⟨p. 30⟩plainly understand, that to believe the Messiah, is not only to know, but to have an affiance in him. If by believing that Jesus is Christ, no more be meant but bare assenting unto that truth,6 then the Devils profess as much. But that belief to which life is ascribed, is not a bare action of the understanding, but of the heart and will. It is such a belief, as whereby Christ is to our hearts that which we believe him to be: whereby we come to Christ, believe in him, and rest upon him for salvation: whereby we believe to our own use and comfort that which we believe.
If the promises were only true, but no wayes beneficiall, there might be an •ssured perswasion of them in Mind, without any affection or mouing of will towards them: But faith adhereth to the word as good to me, as well as true in it selfe, which cannot be done without a godly affection embracing it. To belieue on Christ, is, to receiue him. 1And what is this receiuing? Not only a comprehension of the vnderstanding, but an embracing of the heart and affection, laying hold on him, as we take that with the hands which is reached vnto vs. Belieuing on Christ is implied in the phrase of going or comming to Christ, which going,2 no doubt, is rather a spirituall motion of the heart and affections towards Christ, then a contemplation of the Mind contented to see and behold him. The Holy Ghost speaking of Iustifying faith doth vse the intire phrasef of faith in God and Christ, or on God and Christ, which either there or elsewhere is declared by confidence or trust in God and Christ. And the same must bee vnderstood, when nothing is added,g but life or Iustification is attributed to beliefe; that Iesus Christ is the Sonne of God. For it is a generall rule, that words of knowledge are words of affection, much more words of beliefe. As the people of God looked for the Messias, so according to the prophesies, they promised to themselues all good in and by the Messias. The woman of Samaria could say,5 When the Messias commeth, he will teach vs all things: Where wee may see, that there was not only a knowledge of Christ to come, but an expectation and hope placed in him, as in whom all good things promised, should be accomplished. So that if we consider the disposition of the people, whose hope did hang on the Messias, wee may ⟨p. 30⟩plainly vnderstand, that to belieue the Messias, is not only to know, but to haue an affiance in him. If by belieuing that Iesus is Christ, no more be meant but bare assenting vnto that truth,6 then the Deuils professe as much. But that beliefe to which life is ascribed, is not a bare action of the vnderstanding, but of the heart and will. It is such a beliefe, as whereby Christ is to our hearts that which we belieue him to be: whereby wee come to Christ, belieue in him, and rest vpon him for saluation: whereby we belieue to our owne vse and comfort that which wee belieue.
- 1John 1.12. Col. 2.6.Iohn 1.12. Col. 2.6.
- 2John 6.•5.Iohn 6.•5.
- f1. Pet. 1.8.21. Acts 16.31. Rom 9.33. 1. Pet. 2.6. John 14.1. & 3.16. & •.35.36.1. Pet. 1.8.21. Acts 16.31. Rom 9.33. 1. Pet. 2.6. Iohn 14.1. & 3.16. & •.35.36.
- gMath. 16 16. John 20.31. Rom. 10.9. 1. Cor 15.2, 3, 4. Acts 8.37.
