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

As Faith is called a Trusting in God; so it is a practical kind of Trust; and the principal trial of it, lieth in forsaking all other happiness and hopes, in confidence of Gods promise through Jesus Christ.

As Faith is called a Trusting in God; so it is a practical kind of Trust; and the principal tryal of it, lyeth in forsaking all other happiness and hopes, in confidence of Gods promise through Jesus Christ.

To open the matter by a similitude: Suppose that Christ came again on earth as he did at his Incarnation, and should confirm his truth by the same miracles, and other means; and suppose he should then tell all the Country, I have a Kingdom at the Antipodes, where men never die, but live in perpetual prosperity; and those of you shall freely possess it, who will part with your own estates and Country, and go in a ship of my providing, and trust me for your Pilot to bring you thither, and trust me to give it you when you come there. My power to do all this, I have proved by my miracles, and my love and will, my offer proveth.] How now will you know whether a man believe Christ, and trust this promise or not? why, if he believe and trust him, he will go with him, and will leave all, and venture over the Seas whithersoever he conducteth him, and in that ship which he prepareth for him: But if he dare not venture, or will not leave his present Country and possessions, it is a sign that he doth not trust him.

If you were going to Sea, and had several Ships and Pilots offered you, and you were afraid left one were unsafe, and the Pilot unskilful, and it were doubtful which were to be trusted; when after all deliberation you choose one, and refuse the rest, and resolve to venture your life and goods in it, this is properly ⟨p. 257⟩