Hereupon grows a second act, namely a kind of exclusive resolution, to be think himself of no new ways; to trust no inferior causes for salvation, or righteousness, to sell all, to count them all dung, not to consult any more with flesh or blood, but to prepare the heart to ⟨p. 509⟩seek the Lord: To resolve as the Lepers in the famine1 at Samaria, not to continue in the state he is in, nor yet to return to the City, to his wonted haunts and ways, where he shall be sure to perish: and from this resolution a man cannot by any discomforts be removed, or made to bethink himself of any other new way, but only that which he sees is possible and probable, and where he knows, if he find acceptance, he shall have supplies and life enough: and this act may consist with much fear, doubt, and trembling. The Syrians had food, and Samaria had none, therefore the Lepers resolve to venture abroad. Yet this they cannot do without much doubting and distrust, because the Syrians whom they should meet with were their enemies. However this resolution over-ruled them, because in their present estate, they were sure to perish, in the other there was room for hope, and possibility of living; and that carried them co Esters resolution; If we perish, we perish: such is the Act of Faith in this present case. It is well assured that in the case a man is in, there is nothing but death to be expected; therefore it makes him resolve to relinquish that. It looks upon God as plenteous in power and mercy, and so likely to save, and yet it sees him too as armed with Justice against sin, as justly provoked and wearied in his patience; and therefore may fear to be rejected, and not saved alive. Yet because in the former state there is a certainty to perish, & in the later a possibility not to perish, therefore from hence ariseth a third act, a conclusive and positive purpose to trust Christ. I will not only deny all other ways, but I will resolve to try this way, to set about it, to go to him that hath plenty of redemption and Life. If I must perish, yet He shall reject me; I will not reject my self▪ I will go unto Him. And this act or resolution of faith is built upon these grounds.
Hereupon growes a second act, namely a kinde of exclusive resolution, to be thinke himselfe of no new wayes; to trust no inferiour causes for salvation, or righteousnes, to sell all, to count them all dung, not to consult any more with flesh or blood, but to prepare the heart to ⟨p. 509⟩seeke the Lord: To resolve as the Lepers in the famine1 at Samaria, not to continue in the state he is in, nor yet to returne to the Citie, to his wonted haunts and wayes, where he shall be sure to perish: and from this resolution a man cannot by any discomforts bee removed, or made to bethinke himselfe of any other new way, but onely that which hee sees is possible and probable, and where he knowes, if he finde acceptance, hee shall have supplyes and life enough: and this act may consist with much feare, doubt, and trembling. The Syrians had food, and Samaria had none, therefore the Lepers resolve to venture abroad. Yet this they cannot doe without much doubting and distrust, because the Syrians whom they should meete with were their enemies. However this resolution over-rul'd them, because in their present estate, they were sure to perish, in the other there was roome for hope, and possibilitie of living; and that carried them co Esters resolution; If we perish, we perish: such is the Act of Faith in this present case. It is well assured that in the case a man is in, there is nothing but death to bee expected; therefore it makes him resolve to relinquish that. It lookes upon God as plenteous in power and mercie, and so likely to save, and yet it sees him too as arm'd with Iustice against sinne, as justly provoked and wearied in his patience; and therefore may feare to bee rejected, and not saved alive. Yet because in the former state there is a certainty to perish, & in the later a possibility not to perish, therefore from hence ariseth a third act, a conclusive and positive purpose to trust Christ. I will not onely deny all other wayes, but I will resolve to trie this way, to set about it, to go to him that hath plenty of redemption and Life. If I must perish, yet He shall reject me; I will not reject my selfe▪ I will goe unto Him. And this act or resolution of faith is built upon these grounds.
- 1Gal. 1. 16. 2. Chron. 30. 19 2. King. 7. 3. 4.
