CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

4. Faith is serviceable to keep us by improving and making effectual those instituted means appointed by God for to preserve us, Such is the Ministry of the Word preached, &c. These are ordained by God to keep a man in holiness; Those that think they are above these, and can be kept without them, Let them think as well that they can live without food: But how come these instituted means of grace to be effectual in us, the Scripture attributes it to believing; The Word did not profit when it was not mixed with faith, Heb. 4.6. So that as the Word preached is used by God to beget Faith in us at first, so afterwards Faith doth improve the means of grace for all increase; If therefore we would expect to have the Ministry and the holy means of grace to keep us in the way to heaven, it must be faith that makes all these profitable.

4. Faith is serviceable to keep us by improving and making effectuall those instituted means appointed by God for to preserve us, Such is the Ministery of the Word preached, &c. These are ordained by God to keep a man in holinesse; Those that think they are above these, and can be kept without them, Let them think as well that they can live without food: But how come these iustituted means of grace to be effectuall in us, the Scripture attributes it to beleeving; The Word did not profit when it was not mixed with faith, Heb. 4.6. So that as the Word preached is used by God to beget Faith in us at first, so afterwards Faith doth improve the means of grace for all encrease; If therefore we would expect to have the Ministry and the holy means of grace to keep us in the way to heaven, it must be faith that makes all these profitable.

5. Faith is a means to preserve us, because by that the devil who doth most solicit our undoing is repelled; No grace but Faith doth so immediately and formally repel him, Whom resist steadfast in the Faith,