I have spoken concerning Gospel-believing, and that it is a duty, and that they that do really perform it are highly dignified and privileged by it, as hath been made to appear from the Chapter; that which remains to be done, and shall be, as God enables the work of this morning, is, to make improvement of this Doctrine, which is one of the most material and momentous Doctrines that can be preached to us. Gospel-believing it hath most precious privileges entailed upon it; whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, that Jesus is the Son of God, that Jesus is come in the Flesh, is bor• of God, knows God, and shall be eternally blessed of God, and with God; surely then, the World runs upon a very great mistake. I have hinted something already to that purpose, but I have left the more full ⟨p. 116⟩discussion and discovery of the matter until now. Why, who is there among the generality of common Professors that is not very pregnant to hold forth this to be their Faith? If so be that it should be put to the Question; Friend, What is your Faith, what Belief are you of? Why, not one in a thousand, I think, but will be apt to say, Why truly I will give you this Account: There is a Gospel which is preached among us, and in the World; and this Gospel doth hold forth this for true Doctrine▪ That Jesus, the Son of Mary, that was born at Bethlehem▪ is the Christ, is the Messiah which was promised by the Father, and which the World did live in expectation of so long; This Jesus, I believe is the Son of God, this Jesus I verily believe is come in the Flesh, and he is come to be the Saviour of the World; this is the Belief, and that which is the common profession that is made by the generality of people. Why, but will you consider now this Text, and other Scriptures which speak fully to this purpose, Whosoever doth believe this, That Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God & that he is come in the Flesh, whosoever believes this, is of God, is born of God. And it doth clearly appear, and may be most convincingly made out, that many thousands that profess their belief concerning these things, yet notwithstanding are not born of God. Why certainly, there must needs be a great and gross fallacy in the business; Gospel-faith and Believing, it is not so common a thing as many take it to be;
I have spoken concerning Gospel-believing, and that it is a duty, and that they that do really perform it are highly dignified and priviledged by it, as hath been made to appear from the Chapter; that which remains to be done, and shall be, as God enables the work of this morning, is, to make improvement of this Doctrine, which is one of the most material and momentous Doctrines that can be preached to us. Gospel-believing it hath most precious priviledges entailed upon it; whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, that Jesus is the Son of God, that Jesus is come in the Flesh, is bor• of God, knows God, and shall be eternally blessed of God, and with God; surely then, the World runs upon a very great mistake. I have hinted something already to that purpose, but I have left the more full ⟨p. 116⟩discussion and discovery of the matter untill now. Why, who is there among the generality of common Professors that is not very pregnant to hold forth this to be their Faith? If so be that it should be put to the Question; Friend, What is your Faith, what Belief are you of? Why, not one in a thousand, I think, but will be apt to say, Why truly I will give you this Account: There is a Gospel which is preached among us, and in the World; and this Gospel doth hold forth this for true Doctrine▪ That Iesus, the Son of Mary, that was born at Bethlehem▪ is the Christ, is the Messiah which was promised by the Father, and which the World did live in expectation of so long; This Iesus, I believe is the Son of God, this Iesus I verily believe is come in the Flesh, and he is come to be the Saviour of the World; this is the Belief, and that which is the common profession that is made by the generality of people. Why, but will you consider now this Text, and other Scriptures which speak fully to this purpose, Whosoever doth believe this, That Iesus is the Christ, the Son of God & that he is come in the Flesh, whosoever believes this, is of God, is born of God. And it doth clearly appear, and may be most convincingly made out, that many thousands that profess their belief concerning these things, yet notwithstanding are not born of God. Why certainly, there must needs be a great and gross fallacy in the business; Gospel-faith and Believing, it is not so common a thing as many take it to be;
