But now let us raise up our minds, as high as we can, to contemplate the power and efficacy of Faith, and what it doth, not only upon the Earth, but in Heaven in the presence of God. Whilst Charity is exercised in this inferior World amongst men, Faith ascends into the Kingdom of God, where first by a sublime contemplation it lays hold on the Son of God the Mediator at the right hand of Majesty, takes a view of his Kingdom, and the glorious Riches thereof, and is ravished at the admiration of the universal Power that is given to him over all Heaven and Earth; and searches for the Promises of the Father, that are ratified in his Son the Mediator, and by search understands them, and in Heaven beholds them to be sure and infallible; wherewith the mind of a Believer being now confirmed, takes pleasure in them, and triumphs with great joy; and now Faith, by relying on these Promises, becomes fearless of danger, and invincible, and stands firmly against the fury of Satan, the power of Death, the terrors of a guilty Conscience, the Gates of Hell, the malice of the World, and the oppositions of the rebellious ⟨p. 450⟩flesh. Hence flows a gladsome tranquility of Conscience, and Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost; and thence it is that Hope derives its fiducial Reliance, and Charity its fervent Zeal from Faith only.
But now let us raise up our minds, as high as we can, to contemplate the power and efficacy of Faith, and what it doth, not only upon the Earth, but in Heaven in the presence of God. Whilst Charity is exercised in this inferiour World amongst men, Faith ascends into the Kingdom of God, where first by a sublime contemplation it lays hold on the Son of God the Mediatour at the right hand of Majesty, takes a view of his Kingdom, and the glorious Riches thereof, and is ravished at the admiration of the universal Power that is given to him over all Heaven and Earth; and searches for the Promises of the Father, that are ratified in his Son the Mediatour, and by search understands them, and in Heaven beholds them to be sure and infallible; wherewith the mind of a Believer being now confirmed, takes pleasure in them, and triumphs with great joy; and now Faith, by relying on these Promises, becomes fearless of danger, and invincible, and stands firmly against the fury of Satan, the power of Death, the terrours of a guilty Conscience, the Gates of Hell, the malice of the World, and the oppositions of the rebellious ⟨p. 450⟩flesh. Hence flows a gladsome tranquility of Conscience, and Peace and Ioy in the Holy Ghost; and thence it is that Hope derives its fiducial Relyance, and Charity its fervent Zeal from Faith only.
