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

2. The acceptableness of it doth appear in the frequent and constant commands that Christ giveth about it; It's true he commands Repentance, Love, Self-denial, but above all he requireth faith. The question he propounded to most that came to him was, Do ye believe? This is so great a duty in Christianity, that the Heathens abhorred our Religion as irrational, saying, It's only believed with them, whereupon they called them in scorn Believers; But this is the grand and primary duty, Heb. 11.1. There is no coming to God without this, and Eternal life is said to be in this, Above all take the Shield of faith, Eph. 6.16. If then we see the Scripture so constantly enjoining this above all, yea, and threatening with damnation if we do not believe; How is it that the godly stand aloof of, and still are not resolved whether they should believe or not; Thou dost not so about Repentance; Thou never questionest whether thou shouldst grieve or mourn for thy sins, Thou wouldst think it high wickedness to do so; Why then shouldst thou doubt whether being burdened with sin thou shouldst seek ease by faith in him, Is not the command as indispensable for one as the other.

2. The acceptablenesse of it doth appear in the frequent and constant commands that Christ giveth about it; It's true he commands Repentance, Love, Self-deniall, but above all he requireth faith. The question he propounded to most that came to him was, Do ye beleeve? This is so great a duty in Christianity, that the Heathens abhorred our Religion as irrational, saying, It's only beleeved with them, whereupon they called them in scorn Beleevers; But this is the grand and primary duty, Heb. 11.1. There is no coming to God without this, and Eternal life is said to be in this, Above all take the Shield of faith, Eph. 6.16. If then we see the Scripture so constantly enjoyning this above all, yea, and threatning with damnation if we do not beleeve; How is it that the godly stand aloof of, and still are not resolved whether they should beleeve or not; Thou dost not so about Repentance; Thou never questionest whether thou shouldst grieve or mourn for thy sins, Thou wouldst think it high wickedness to do so; Why then shouldst thou doubt whether being burthened with sin thou shouldst seek ease by faith in him, Is not the command as indispensable for one as the other.