Sermons preached

2. That this Trust is practical, and is not to be determined by our Confidence so much as Obedience, and resolution to take the way which God hath prescribed, that we may obtain the Blessings which he hath promised to us. This consideration is necessary, partly because God, or Christ, will be trusted no farther than he hath obliged himself, and so far we may depend upon him. Now Christ hath only obliged himself to be the Author of Eternal Salvation to those that obey him, Heb. 5. 9. Partly, because this obedience is difficult, Self-denial is required. Mat. 16. 24. Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, &c. A surer note of our Faith than a confidence, or a presumption that we shall fare well enough ⟨p. 314⟩though we indulge the ease and desires of the Flesh, and gratify our Interest in the World. And therefore Faith, being an obediential confidence, doth confute these vain conceits. Many think they may the more boldly venture on Sin, the more they believe, or seem to believe the Grace of God in Christ. Others think all their business is to get a Victory over their Consciences, and though they do not deny their Lusts, yet if they can be strongly persuaded that God will be merciful to them in Christ, they shall not perish but obtain everlasting Life. No, we must obey, we must deny our selves, or else we do not trust Christ to bring us to Heaven in his own ways and methods, but trust to some vain conceits of our own.

2. That this Trust is practical, and is not to be determined by our Confidence so much as Obedience, and resolution to take the way which God hath prescribed, that we may obtain the Blessings which he hath promised to us. This consideration is necessary, partly because God, or Christ, will be trusted no farther than he hath obliged himself, and so far we may depend upon him. Now Christ hath only obliged himself to be the Author of Eternal Salvation to those that obey him, Heb. 5. 9. Partly, because this obedience is difficult, Self-denial is required. Mat. 16. 24. Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, &c. A surer note of our Faith than a confidence, or a presumption that we shall fare well enough