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

Obs.¹ That the Believing of Christ being sent unto the world is the foundation and first principle of our Conversion unto God; Though men have never so much understanding in other Religious Points, as that Scribe spoken of, Mark 12. though not far off, yet they are not in the Kingdom of Heaven, until they believe in Christ as sent by the Father to be our Mediator; That as the Apostle Hebr. 11. makes it a Fundamental requisite in every one to believe that God is, no less is required to believe that Christ is; Therefore 1 Cor. 3. Jesus Christ is called the Foundation, and by some made the adequate object of Divinity, because every thing considered there, doth either directly or reductively lead unto Christ; So that I shall not speak of that peculiar Act of Faith applying Christ, but that general act whereby we know and assent firmly and immovably, That there was a Christ, God and man, who was sent by the Father to redeem and save sinners; For though all be thought to believe this, yet the right and powerful assenting to it is the foundation both of all holiness and consolation, but ere we speak of the Nature of it some distinctions are to be premised,

Obs.¹ That the Believing of Christ being sent unto the world is the foundation and first principle of our Conversion unto God; Though men have never so much understanding in other Religious Points, as that Scribe spoken of, Mark 12. though not farre off, yet they are not in the Kingdome of Heaven, until they believe in Christ as sent by the Father to be our Mediatour; That as the Apostle Hebr. 11. makes it a Fundamentall requisite in every one to believe that God is, no lesse is required to believe that Christ is; Therefore 1 Cor. 3. Jesus Christ is called the Foundation, and by some made the adequate object of Divinity, because every thing considered there, doth either directly or reductively leade unto Christ; So that I shall not speak of that peculiar Act of Faith applying Christ, but that generall act whereby we know and assent firmly and immovably, That there was a Christ, God and man, who was sent by the Father to redeem and save sinners; For though all be thought to believe this, yet the right and powerfull assenting to it is the foundation both of all holinesse and consolation, but ere we speak of the Nature of it some distinctions are to be premised,