12. True vivification is a new life acting upon a new principle of Faith. The life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the Faith of the Son of God. They are the words of a man pursued by the law unto Christ; Paul seeing he was dead by the law, he speaks for a better husband; the law finds him dead, and leaves him dead, Nevertheless I live (saith Paul) what means he? a natural life? why so? he lived before now; no, no, it is a better life than a natural life; such a life is no contentment to a soul pursued by the law; very heathens and infidels have such a life, and in that respect are as happy as the best of Saints; Paul's life is a spiritual life, and the Spring of his life is the Son of God; Jesus Christ ⟨p. 455⟩is essentially, radically, fundamentally life it self, and by his incarnation, passion, resurrection, he is life for his Saints; they live by him, and in him, and for him, and through him; he is the heart and liver of their Spiritual life. But as from the heart and liver there must be arteries, and veins for maintenance of life and conveyance of blood throughout all the body; so from Christ there must be some conveyance to bring this to life unto us, and this is by faith; I live by the faith of the Son of God. O my soul, dost thou live this life of faith on the Son of God? canst thou make use of Christ in every state, and in every condition? As for instance; in thy particular calling, dost thou look to Christ for wisdom, success, blessing, ability? dost thou say, if I have ill success, I will yet go to Christ; it is he that set me here, and it is he will enable me? in case of provision, dost thou run to Christ, and dost thou hang upon him for all things needful? dost thou say; If I want means, God will create means; he commands all means, and he can suddenly do whatsoever he will? In case of protection, dost thou look unto Jesus to be thy shield and protector? dost thou mind the word of God to Abraham, Fear not Abraham, for I am God all-sufficient, 2thy buckler and thy exceeding great reward? In case of thy Children, goest thou to Christ, saying, Are not my Children thy Children, and wilt thou not provide for thy own? it is true, thou must do what thou canst, but for the rest, despair not; cast thy burden upon him, who hath commanded thee in nothing to be careful, 3but in all things to make thy suits known with prayer and supplication;
12. True vivification is a new life acting upon a new principle of Faith. The life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the Faith of the Son of God. They are the words of a man pursued by the law unto Christ; Paul seeing he was dead by the law, he speaks for a better husband; the law finds him dead, and leaves him dead, Nevertheless I live (saith Paul) what means he? a natural life? why so? he lived before now; no, no, it is a better life than a natural life; such a life is no contentment to a soul pursued by the law; very heathens and infidels have such a life, and in that respect are as happy as the best of Saints; Paul's life is a spiritual life, and the Spring of his life is the Son of God; Jesus Christ ⟨p. 455⟩is esscentially, radically, fundamentally life it self, and by his incarnation, passion, resurrection, he is life for his Saints; they live by him, and in him, and for him, and through him; he is the heart and liver of their Spiritual life. But as from the heart and liver there must be arteryes, and vains for maintenance of life and conveyance of blood throughout all the body; so from Christ there must be some conveyance to bring this to life unto us, and this is by faith; I live by the faith of the Son of God. O my soul, dost thou live this life of faith on the Son of God? canst thou make use of Christ in every state, and in every condition? As for instance; in thy particular calling, dost thou look to Christ for wisdome, success, blessing, ability? dost thou say, if I have ill success, I will yet go to Christ; it is he that set me here, and it is he will enable me? in case of provision, dost thou run to Christ, and dost thou hang upon him for all things needful? dost thou say; If I want means, God will create means; he commands all means, and he can suddenly do whatsoever he will? In case of protection, dost thou look unto Jesus to be thy shield and protector? dost thou mind the word of God to Abraham, Fear not Abraham, for I am God all-sufficient, 2thy buckler and thy exceeding great reward? In case of thy Children, goest thou to Christ, saying, Are not my Children thy Children, and wilt thou not provide for thy own? it is true, thou must do what thou canst, but for the rest, despair not; cast thy burthen upon him, who hath commanded thee in nothing to be careful, 3but in all things to make thy suits known with prayer and supplication;
- 1Gal. 2.20.
- 2Gen. 15.1.
- 3Phil. 4.6. Phil. 27.10.
