Sermons preached

2dly. The Terms he hath required of us. The Terms are either for Entrance, or making Covenant with God; or Continuance, or keeping Covenant with God. For Entrance, Faith, and Repentance are required.

1. Faith in Christ. The World thinks Faith quits Reason, and introduceth fond Credulity. No; there is much of the Wisdom of God to be seen in it. For Faith hath a special aptitude and fitness for this Work: (1.) Partly in respect of God. For He having designed to glorify his Mercy and free Grace, and to make our Salvation from first to last a mere Gift, and the Fruit of his Love to us; hath appointed Faith for the acceptance of this Gift. Rom. 4. 16. It is of Faith, that it might be by Grace. Faith and Grace go always together, and it is put in opposition to the Merit of Works, or the Strictness of the old Covenant. (2.) As it is fittest to own Christ the Redeemer, the Fountain of Life and Happiness, and our Head and Husband, whom we receive, and to whom we are united and married by Faith. (3.) With respect to the Promises of the Gospel, which offer to us an Happiness and Blessedness, spiritual, and for the most part future. Unseen things are properly Objects of Faith. Heb. 11. 1. Faith is the Substance of things hoped for, the Evidence of things not seen. (4.) It is fittest as to our future Obedience, that it may be comfortable and willing. Now we owning Christ in a way of Subjection and Dependence, and consenting to become his Disciples and Subjects, other Duties come on the more easily, 2 Cor. 8. 5.

1. Faith in Christ. The World thinks Faith quits Reason, and introduceth fond Credulity. No; there is much of the Wisdom of God to be seen in it. For Faith hath a special aptitude and fitness for this Work: (1.) Partly in respect of God. For He having design'd to glorify his Mercy and free Grace, and to make our Salvation from first to last a meer Gift, and the Fruit of his Love to us; hath appointed Faith for the acceptance of this Gift.