The saints treasury being sundry sermons preached in London /

So much for the First, the things of God are things not seen.

But now faith, that doth evidence and make them clear, We know in whom we have believed, 2. Tim. 1. 12. and the mercies of God in Christ are called The sure mercies of David, Acts 13. 34. Faith is not a mere notion, imagination, or conceit, but tis that which makes all sure and certain to the soul. I should have answered a case here, whether or no there may not be faith without assurance, that is without assurance of a mans own salvation by Christ.

But now faith, that doth evidence and make them cleare, We know in whom we have believed, 2. Tim. 1. 12. and the mercies of God in Christ are called The sure mercies of David, Acts 13. 34. Faith is not a meer notion, imagination, or conceit, but tis that which makes all sure and certaine to the soul. I should have answered a case here, whether or no there may not be faith without assurance, that is without assurance of a mans own salvation by Christ.

Certainly it must needs be a great mistake to put that upon the being of faith, which is the riches of faith; for so the Scripture calls assurance: a man may be able to carry on his Trade, though he be not rich; and a man may be a believer, though he be not rich in assurance: now assurance is the cream of faith, the riches of faith. I should have shown also how far faith can be an evidence, where there is doubting. Only thus: the assurance we have by faith building upon the word, and drawing conclusions from divine principles, (for that I should have spoken of, how faith draws things up to an evidence, by divine and spiritual principles; and what these principles are: but we cannot stand to open this: but) it is so far an evidence, that the soul can venture upon it, as I told you before; faith is a foundation that the soul dare venture upon: as that Martyr said, though I cannot dispute for the truth, yet I can dye for the truth. Where faith comes with a convincing light, though there may be doubts and fears, and temptations; yet it can trust, and depend; and the soul resolves if I perish, I will perish here: let all the world say what they will, I find this is the way, and whatever comes of it I will not go back: and by this means over-powers the soul, and carries it through opposition; and so faith is an evidence.