Sermons preached

What is Faith? surely it concerns us to know it, since the Scriptures speak so much of it every-where. There are in it three things.

1. Assent. 2. Consent. 3. Trust.

1. A firm and cordial Assent to this Truth, that Jesus is the Son of God, and Saviour of Mankind; who came down from heaven, and suffered for our Sins, and became the Foundation of that new Covenant, which offereth Pardon and Hopes of Bliss to all those, who feeling the Burden of their Sins, will trust their Souls upon Christ's Redemption and Ransom, and forsake the World, the Flesh, and the Devil, and take him for their only Lord and Saviour, that by him they may return to God. This Assent is a part of Faith, but this is not all. The reasonable Soul in Man hath Life, Sense, Appetite and Motion, as the Souls of the Beasts have; but this is not the difference between us and them: besides Sense, Life and Appetite, we have Reason and Discourse. So here, Knowledge and Assent are implied in Faith, but more is required to make it justifying and saying. Assent is good as it is inductive ⟨p. 309⟩of other things, or leadeth on other things, to wit, Choice and Trust; and it is not only good, but necessary, lest we build without a Foundation. It was of great weight heretofore, when Christ's Person and Doctrine was more questioned and contradicted. Joh. 8. 24. Unless ye believe that I am he, ye shall die in your Sins; lose all the Benefit of his Coming. 'Tis said 1 Joh. 5. 1. Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God. It was a mighty thing then to believe and profess Christ to be the Messiah, and to cleave to that Profession, whatever Temptations they had to the contrary. But I dare not leave the Decision of Mens Spiritual Estate upon that Trial only. The bleak Winds that blew then in their Faces, blow now on our backs; and it as dangerous now to deny Christ to be the Messiah, as it was for them to profess it. However, Assent is still necessary, to put the greater Life and Power into our Faith; for if the Fire were well kindled, it would of it self break out into a Flame. The stronger our Assent is, the more powerful to beget Love and Dependence on God's Promises, Obedience to his Commands, and Perseverance notwithstanding Temptations. This Assent to do its Work must be firm and cordial.