A second volume of discourses or sermons on several scriptures

First, Faith preserves from Sin, by bringing in, and presenting to the Soul eternal Rewards and Punishments; and that's the peculiar Office of Faith: These indeed are future unto Sense, but they are present unto Faith; for Faith is the substance of things not seen, Heb. 11.1. It gives them a Being before they are; and what we hope for or fear, as to come, by Faith it is enjoyed, or felt, as already present. Why now, what a ⟨p. 305⟩mighty advantage is this to preserve men from sinning? Would Sinners treat with the Devil, or hearken to a Temptation, if they should now see the whole World on flame, Angels hastening them to Judgment, and Christ upon his Throne; here Heaven, to receive and crown them; there Hell, with all its horrors, to torment them; would any of you dare to sin, if all this were before your eyes? Why, believe it, when Faith acts lively, all this is as truly present to the Soul, as it is certain it shall once be; and therefore no more than we would commit a Sin if Sentence were now passing upon us, either of Absolution, or of eternal Damnation at the Judgment-Seat of God, no more shall we sin while Faith sets these things evidently before our eyes, and makes them as real to us as they are sure.

First, Faith preserves from Sin, by bringing in, and presenting to the Soul eternal Rewards and Punishments; and that's the peculiar Office of Faith: These indeed are future unto Sense, but they are present unto Faith; for Faith is the substance of things not seen, Heb. 11.1. It gives them a Being before they are; and what we hope for or fear, as to come, by Faith it is enjoyed, or felt, as already present. Why now, what a ⟨p. 305⟩mighty advantage is this to preserve men from sinning? Would Sinners treat with the Devil, or hearken to a Temptation, if they should now see the whole World on flame, Angels hastning them to Judgment, and Christ upon his Throne; here Heaven, to receive and crown them; there Hell, with all its horrours, to torment them; would any of you dare to sin, if all this were before your eyes? Why, believe it, when Faith acts lively, all this is as truly present to the Soul, as it is certain it shall once be; and therefore no more than we would commit a Sin if Sentence were now passing upon us, either of Absolution, or of eternal Damnation at the Judgment-Seat of God, no more shall we sin while Faith sets these things evidently before our eyes, and makes them as real to us as they are sure.