A30241:2927
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.
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.
2. The word substance doth imply, that it makes the things hoped for, though afar off, yet present to the soul, and even to subsist in the soul; for faith is not hindered in its actings by distance of place, for that receiveth Christ, enjoyeth Christ, though in Heaven, and he that believeth hath eternal life. Hence we are said to be already translated from death to life, John 5.24. because to faith these things are as sure, as if they were already done. Thus Paul, you see him by faith speaking as confidently, as if he were in Heaven already, Rom 8. Who shall separate us from the love of God, shall things present, or things to come? Shall life or death, &c? Hence faith is called, The beholding of things not seen ▪ 2 Cor. 3. Faith makes God present, Heaven present, Christ present, as really and truly, as bodily objects are present to sense; and truly for want of this it is that we are so cold, languishing, dejected; we do not by faith make these things present, if we did they would more divinely affect us, and as it is the substance of things hoped for, So of things feared likewise, Noah by faith moved with fear, prepared an Ark, Heb. 11.7. Thus faith makes hell and damnation present; it doth not look upon hell as a far off, but is affected, as if it did see and hear those doleful howlings in hell, and so dare no more sin, then if it were in hell already: Oh what a mighty change would faith, thus realizing things, work upon us!
2. The word substance doth imply, that it makes the things hoped for, though afarre off, yet present to the soul, and even to subsist in the soul; for faith is not hindred in its actings by distance of place, for that receiveth Christ, enjoyeth Christ, though in Heaven, and he that believeth hath eternal life. Hence we are said to be already translated from death to life, John 5.24. because to faith these things are as sure, as if they were already done. Thus Paul, you see him by faith speaking as confidently, as if he were in Heaven already, Rom 8. Who shall separate us from the love of God, shall things present, or things to come? Shall life or death, &c? Hence faith is called, The beholding of things not seen