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

4 This is strange and difficult to the godly a long while, because our justification and acceptation by him is wholly of supernatural Revelation; It's like the doctrine of the Trinity or of Christs Incarnation; As humane reason would never assent to such a Truth were it not for divine Revelation that overpowers all, so that all our sins are pardoned through Faith in Christs blood, is likewise of mere divine manifestation; For see what nature doth incline us unto in all the heathens when they had sinned, so as their Conscience condemned them, they went to some solemn sacrifice, or other extraordinary work, thinking thereby to pacify the wrath of God: Adam was created in a state of Righteousness, and so by his Obedience of works he was to be justified; And upon his fall it became impossible that any should be justified by what he did, unless sin could justify a man; Therefore when God discovered a Christ, and Justification by faith in him, This is new doctrine from heaven; Neither Men or Angels could have found out such a way, so that it's no wonder if man be thus averse to this Faith in the Promise, because it's a way that neither the state of Integrity or of man fallen was acquainted with, insomuch that a godly man in the sense of his sins, must bring such a faith in the Mediator as he doth in other mysterious supernatural objects of Faith, and his heart saith, It's unlikely such a sinner, such an offender should find mercy, say, O my Soul, Are not the other supernatural Points of Religion that I believe very unlikely also and incredible to flesh and blood?

4 This is strange and difficult to the godly a long while, because our justification and acceptation by him is wholly of supernatural Revelation; It's like the doctrine of the Trinity or of Christs Incarnation; As humane reason would never assent to such a Truth were it not for divine Revelation that overpowers all, so that all our sins are pardoned through Faith in Christs bloud, is likewise of meer divine manifestation; For see what nature doth incline us unto in all the heathens when they had sinned, so as their Conscience condemned them, they went to some solemn sacrifice, or other extraordinary work, thinking thereby to pacifie the wrath of God: Adam was created in a state of Righteousnesse, and so by his Obedience of works he was to be justified; And upon his fall it became impossible that any should be justified by what he did, unlesse sinne could justifie a man; Therefore when God discovered a Christ, and Justification by faith in him, This is new doctrine from heaven; Neither Men or Angels could have found out such a way, so that it's no wonder if man be thus averse to this Faith in the Promise, because it's a way that neither the state of Integrity or of man fallen was acquainted with, insomuch that a godly man in the sence of his sins, must bring such a faith in the Mediatour as he doth in other mysterious supernatural objects of Faith, and his heart saith, It's unlikely such a sinner, such an offender should finde mercy, say, O my Soul, Are not the other supernaturall Points of Religion that I beleeve very unlikely also and incredible to flesh and bloud?