Sermons preached

2. Because we often think we believe these general Truths, when indeed we do not believe them at all, or not with such a degree of assent, as we imagine. Our Lord when he speaks of these Truths, Joh. 11. 26. He that believeth in me, shall live though he die. Believest thou this? Joh. 16. 31. Do ye now believe? We conceit our Faith to be much stronger than indeed it is, about the main Articles of Faith.

3. Because among them that profess themselves Christians, there are monstrous defects in their Faith. Naturally we look upon the Gospel as a well devised Fable, 2 Pet. 1. 16. and many that dare not speak it out, yet do but speak of Christ in Jest, and for fashion sake. I am sure most live as if there were no such matter, and the many Impostures and Cheats of Christendom, and the divisions and scandals amongst us, have ⟨p. 225⟩weakened the Faith of many, that were it not for shame they would turn professed Infidels. There could not be such Boldness in sinning, such Coldness in spiritual and heavenly things, such Neglect of Christ and Heaven, if Men were true and sound Believers. Others content themselves with a negative Sense, they do not question or contradict these Articles of Faith, because they do not consider them, but take up the common Opinion, Hand over Head, and were never assaulted with Temptations to the contrary; they do not doubt of it, say they; but are they rooted and grounded in the Faith? Col. 7. 23. Their not doubting comes from their nonattention. Others have a speculative Assent; there is a Certainty of Evidence, and a Certainty of Adherence. The former consisteth in the Conviction of the Mind, the latter in the Bent of the Will and Affections. An Object rightly propounded extorteth the former from the Understanding, not expecting the Consent of the Will; the latter followeth Imperium & Consensum Voluntatis. The former arises from the Evidence of the Thing; the latter from the Consideration of the Worth, Weight, and Greatness of it.