A cloud of faithful witnesses, leading to the heavenly Canaan, or, A commentary upon…A cloud of faithfull witnesses, leading to the heauenly Canaan, or, A commentarie vpon…

Whereas these worthy men, by faith obtained these promises; Hereby we may be directed, to see the true cause, why after so long preaching of the word, and often receiving of the sacraments, men reap so little profit; especially, considering that God hath made a promise of grace and salvation, by means of his word and sacraments. Hence therefore we must learn, that the word of God preached, and the sacraments received, are unprofitable, not because God altereth his will, having promised his blessing in these means; for herein the will of God is unchangeable: but the cause is, the great measure of unbelief, in those which hear and receive. They therefore profit not, because they receive them without faith. For, howsoever men say they have faith; yet the works of their lives, and their estate in sin, after long hearing, show plainly, they have none at all. Take a vessel that is close stopped, and cast it into a river, or into the sea; yet it receives no water, because it hath no place of entrance: Even so, bring a man that wants faith, to the word and sacraments, wherein God hath promised the fullness of his grace; yet he receives none, because his heart is closed up through unbelief. This is it which makes the heart like a stopped vessel, which hath no entrance for Gods grace. We therefore, in the fear of God, must labour to have our hearts purged from this unbelief, and lip-faith, and to be endued with true saving faith; whereby we may profitably hear the word, and receive the sacraments, and so enjoy Gods most excellent promises in Christ. Men may lie, and be deceived; but, God is truth it self, and cannot lie: and therefore, as he hath made his promise of life to believers, and to no other▪ so will he surely accomplish the same to them, and to no other. Wherefore, if we love our souls, and desire life, let us get into our hearts the grace of ⟨p. 511⟩faith. And thus much of the third effect of their faith.

Whereas these worthy men, by faith obtained these promises; Hereby wee may bee directed, to see the true cause, why after so long preaching of the word, and often receiuing of the sacraments, men reape so little profit; especialally, considering that God hath made a promise of grace and saluation, by meanes of his word and sacraments. Hence therefore wee must learne, that the word of God preached, and the sacraments receiued, are vnprofitable, not because God altereth his will, having promised his blessing in these meanes; for herein the will of God is vnchangeable: but the cause is, the great measure of vnbeleefe, in those which heare and receiue. They therefore profit not, because they receiue them without faith. For, howsoeuer men say they haue faith; yet the workes of their lyues, and their estate in sinne, after long hearing, shew plainely, they haue none at all. Take a vessell that is close stopped, and cast it into a riuer, or into the sea; yet it receiues no water, because it hath no place of entrance: Euen so, bring a man that wants faith, to the word and sacraments, wherein God hath promised the fulnesse of his grace; yet he receiues none, because his heart is closed vp through vnbeleefe. This is it which makes the heart like a stopped vessell, which hath no entrance for Gods grace. Wee therfore, in the feare of God, must labour to haue our hearts purged from this vnbeleefe, and lip-faith, and to be endued with true sauing faith; whereby we may profitably heare the word, and receiue the sacraments, and so enioy Gods most excellent promises in Christ. Men may lie, and be deceiued; but, God is truth it selfe, and cannot lie: and therefore, as he hath made his promise of life to beleeuers, and to no other so will hee surely accomplish the same to them, and to no other. Wherefore, if we loue our soules, and desire life, let vs get into our hearts the grace of