The life of faith in three parts, the first is a sermon on Heb.…

Use 1. This being the nature and use of Faith, to apprehend things absent as if they were present, and things unseen, as if they were visible before our eyes; you may hence understand the nature of Christianity, and what it is to be a true Believer. Verily, it is another matter than the dreaming, self-deceiving world imagineth. Hypocrites think that they are Christians indeed, because they have entertained a superficial opinion, that there is a Christ, an immortality of souls, a Resurrection, a Heaven and a Hell; though their lives bear witness, that this is not a living, and effectual faith; but it is their sensitive faculties and interest that are predominant, and are the bias of their hearts. Alas, a little observation may tell them, that notwithstanding their most confident pretensions to Christianity, they are utterly unacquainted with the Christian life. Would they live as they do, in worldly cares, and pampering of the flesh, and neglect of God and the life to come, if they saw the things which they say they do believe? Could they be sensual, ungodly and secure, if they had a faith that served instead of sight?

Ʋse 1. THis being the nature and use of Faith, to apprehend things absent as if they were present, and things unseen, as if they were visible before our eyes; you may hence understand the nature of Christianity, and what it is to be a true Believer. Verily, it is another matter than the dreaming, self-deceiving world imagineth. Hypocrites think that they are Christians indeed, because they have entertained a superficial opinion, that there is a Christ, an immortality of souls, a Resurrection, a Heaven and a Hell; though their lives bear witness, that this is not a living, and effectual faith; but it is their sensitive faculties and interest that are predominant, and are the byas of their hearts. Alas, a little observation may tell them, that notwithstanding their most confident pretentions to Christianity, they are utterly unacquainted with the Christian life. Would they live as they do, in worldly cares, and pampering of the flesh, and neglect of God and the life to come, if they saw the things which they say they do believe? Could they be sensual, ungodly and secure, if they had a faith that serv'd instead of sight?

Would you know who it is that is the Christian indeed? 1. He is one that liveth (in some measure) as if he saw the Lord: Believing in that God that dwelleth in the inaccessible light, that cannot be seen by mortal eyes, he liveth as before his face. He speaks, he prays, he thinks, he deals with men, as if he saw the Lord stand by. No wonder therefore if he do it with reverence and holy fear. No wonder if he make lighter of the smiles or frowns of mortal man, than others do that see none higher; and if he observe not the lustre of worldly dignity, or fleshly beauty, wisdom or vain-glory, before the transcendent incomprehensible light, to which the Sun it self is darkness. When he awaketh he is still with God, Psal. 134.8. He sets the Lord always before him, because he is at his right hand, he is not moved,