The Soul's Conflict with Itself

As God offereth himself to be ours in Christ (else durst we lay no claim to him) so there must be in us an appropriating grace of faith, to lay hold of ⟨p. 480⟩this offer. David saith here, My God. But by what spirit? by a spirit of faith, which looking to Gods offer, maketh it his own whatsoever it lays hold of God offereth himself in covenant, and Faith catcheth hold thereon presently. With a gracious offer of God, there goeth a gracious touch of his spirit to the soul, giving it sight and strength, whereby (being aided by the same spirit) it layeth hold on God showing himself in love. God saith to the soul, I am thy salvation, and the soul saith again, Thou art my God. Faith is nothing else, but a spiritual echo, returning that voice bark again, which God first speaks to the soul. For what acquaintance could the soul claim with so glorious a Majesty, if he should not first condescend so low, as to speak peace, and whisper secretly to the soul, that he is our loving God and Father, and we his peculiar ones in Christ, that our sins are all pardoned, his justice fully satisfied, and our persons freely accepted in his deer Sonne.

As God offereth himselfe to be ours in Christ (else durst we lay no claime to him) so there must be in us an appropriating grace of faith, to lay hold of ⟨p. 480⟩this offer. David saith here, My God. But by what spirit? by a spirit of faith, which looking to Gods offer, maketh it his owne whatsoever it layes hold of God offereth himselfe in covenant, and Faith catcheth hold thereon presently. With a gracious offer of God, there goeth a gracious touch of his spirit to the soule, giving it sight and strength, whereby (being ayded by the same spirit) it layeth hold on God shewing himselfe in love. God saith to the soule, I am thy salvation, and the soule saith againe, Thou art my God. Faith is nothing else, but a spirituall eccho, returning that voice bark againe, which God first speakes to the soule. For what acquaintance could the soule claime with so glorious a Majesty, if he should not first condescend so low, as to speake peace, and whisper secretly to the soule, that he is our loving God and Father, and wee his peculiar ones in Christ, that our sinnes are all pardoned, his justice fully satisfied, and our persons freely accepted in his deere Sonne.