And oh that I could suitably press this great Point, which falls in so directly with the main stream and scope of the whole Gospel: And oh, that whilst I am pressing it, you would list up an hearty cry to Heaven, Lord give me faith, whatever else thou deny me; open my heart to Christ under the Gospel Calls. I do not only press you to a ⟨p. 344⟩general and common assent to the Truths of the Gospel, that Christ is come in the flesh, and laid down his life for sinners; but unto an hearty Evangelical consent to receive him upon Gospel terms; to close with him in all his Offices, subjecting heart and life unto his Authority, living entirely upon him for righteousness, and to him by holiness. The value of such a Faith as this, is above all estimation. For (1.) this is the Grace which God hath dignified, and crowned with Glory and Honour above all its fellow Graces. Its singular Praises and Encomiums are in all the Scriptures. This is called precious faith, 2 Pet. 1. 1. Soul enriching faith, James 2. 5. That's a miserable poor Soul indeed that is destitute of it, whatever the Largesses of Providence have been to him. And he is truly rich, to whom God hath given Faith, whatever he hath denied him of the comforts of this life. This Christ calls the work of God, John 6. 29. This is the work of God that you believe. Why? so are all other things that your eyes behold, they are the works of God; the Earth, the Sea, the Sun, Moon and Stars, they are his handy-work. True, they are so; but this is the work, the most eminent, glorious, and admirable work of God, sine pari, excelling all his other works which your eyes behold. And (2.) that which exalts and dignifies it, not only above all the works of God's hands, but even above its fellow Graces, the works of his Spirit, is that high Office unto which it is appointed in the justification of a Sinner. God hath singled out this Grace from among all the other Graces, to be the instrument of receiving and applying the righteousness of Christ for the justification of a guilty Soul, Rom. 5. 1. You are never said to be ⟨p. 345⟩justified by love, hope, or desire, but by faith. 'Tis true, all other Graces are supposed in the person justified, but none apprehends and applies the righteousness of Christ for justification, but this only.
And oh that I could suitably press this great Point, which falls in so directly with the main stream and scope of the whole Gospel: And oh, that whilst I am pressing it, you would list up an hearty cry to Heaven, Lord give me faith, whatever else thou deny me; open my heart to Christ under the Gospel Calls. I do not only press you to a ⟨p. 344⟩general and common assent to the Truths of the Gospel, that Christ is come in the flesh, and laid down his life for sinners; but unto an hearty Evangelical consent to receive him upon Gospel terms; to close with him in all his Offices, subjecting heart and life unto his Authority, living entirely upon him for righteousness, and to him by holiness. The value of such a Faith as this, is above all estimation. For (1.) this is the Grace which God hath dignified, and crowned with Glory and Honour above all its fellow Graces. Its singular Praises and Encomiums are in all the Scriptures. This is called precious faith, 2 Pet. 1. 1. Soul enriching faith, Iames 2. 5. That's a miserable poor Soul indeed that is destitute of it, whatever the Largesses of Providence have been to him. And he is truly rich, to whom God hath given Faith, whatever he hath denied him of the comforts of this life. This Christ calls the work of God, Iohn 6. 29. This is the work of God that you believe. Why? so are all other things that your eyes behold, they are the works of God; the Earth, the Sea, the Sun, Moon and Stars, they are his handy-work. True, they are so; but this is the work, the most eminent, glorious, and admirable work of God, sine pari, excelling all his other works which your eyes behold. And (2.) that which exalts and dignifies it, not only above all the works of God's hands, but even above its fellow Graces, the works of his Spirit, is that high Office unto which it is appointed in the justification of a Sinner. God hath singled out this Grace from among all the other Graces, to be the instrument of receiving and applying the righteousness of Christ for the justification of a guilty Soul, Rom. 5. 1. You are never said to be ⟨p. 345⟩justified by love, hope, or desire, but by faith. 'Tis true, all other Graces are supposed in the person justified, but none apprehends and applies the righteousness of Christ for justification, but this only.
