Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

Love and Good works.] Fervour and Vigour in the heart, to and for its proper Objects, productive of their right Effects, are the Soul's Health indeed; the very esse formale of this Cure in hand; for Knowledge ministers to Faith in its Production and Proficiency, and in all its Exercises and Designs. Hence, established in the Faith, as ye have been taught, Col. ii. 7. and 1 Joh. v. 9.—14. for we must know whom to believe, in what, and why; The credibility of a Witness, the trustiness of a Promiser and Undertaker, the valuableness and certainty of things Promised, and the way of acquisition and attaining what is promised, if Promises be attended with, and ordered to depend upon any thing commanded by the Promiser to be done by us; these must be duly known ere Faith can fasten on them. Faith is no blind, no inconsiderate, no rash, no groundless act; I know whom I have believed, ii Tim. i. 12. And 'tis the evidence of things not seen, Hebr. xi▪ 1. And Faith works by love, or it is inwrought (and beco•• energetical) by Love; [Greek or Hebrew], Gal. v. 6. Building your s• […] your most holy Faith, keep your selves in the love of God, Jude ••.21. Faiths proper work and great design upon the Heart or Will […] t• kindle, feed and keep this holy flame of Love within, and to direct and keep it to its due Expressions and Employments. ⟨image 147⟩Thus Truths, and Hearts, are brought together, and sixth in their reciprocal Endearments, ii Tim. i. 13. And then God, and the Image, Interest, Saints and things of God; are like the King upon his Throne with all his lovely train about him. And then this Faith makes Christ upon the Heart, and dwelling there, like Manoahs Angel, working wondrously in these flames of love; for now no faculty, sense, or member can be idle, languid or indifferent amidst such glorious and lovely Objects, when urged and provoked by such powerful and busy Principles, as Faith and Love to be employed for God, Truths, Duty, Souls, and Glory. Let us then consider it in its, 1. Objects. 2. Actings. And 3. Effects.