A30241:1489
CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…
CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St. John, or, Christs prayer before his passion explicated, and both practically and polemically improved by Anthony Burgess ...
London: printed by Abraham Miller for Thomas Underhill, 1656
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Sermon 57: Reasons proving the Necessity of Gods preserving his Children in Grace, That God keeps…
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1Faith is that grace to which the promise of Gods power is made preeminently; To him that believeth all things are possible, Mar. 9.23. So that as all the promises are yea and amen in Christ as the Foundation and meritorious cause, so they are yea and amen to Faith as instrumental; It's of Faith that the promise may be sure, Rom, 4.16. What promises then or deeds of gift God hath made over to his people; They are all made effectual to the believer; No Faith, no help, no assistance.
1Faith is that grace to which the promise of Gods power is made preheminently; To him that beleeveth all things are possible, Mar. 9.23. So that as all the promises are yea and amen in Christ as the Foundation and meritorious cause, so they are yea and amen to Faith as instrumentall; It's of Faith that the promise may be sure, Rom, 4.16. What promises then or deeds of gift God hath made over to his people; They are all made effectuall to the beleever; No Faith, no help, no assistance.
- 1Why faith confirmeth us rather then other graces.
2. Faith only receiveth into the Soul Christ who is the author and procurer of all strength; Paul saith, He can do all things through Christ that strengthens him, Phil. 4.13. But how shall we make Christ ours? How shall he come to dwell in us? The Apostle saith, By Faith, Eph. 3.12. So that herein Faith is greatly instrumental to keep us because it brings Christ with all his power into our soul, It deriveth all ability from him; It's not Faith but Christ by Faith received that doth thus enable; It was not Samsons hair the weakest part about him, but Gods power, whereof that was a Symbol or sign that did confirm him; No wonder then if Faith be thus serviceable to preserve us; Seeing that by it Christ is wholly made ours, in whom all Fullness both of grace and power dwells.