Sermons preached

2. With respect to Christ.

(1.) Because the whole Dispensation of Grace by Christ cannot well be apprehended by any thing but Faith: partly, because the Way of our Recovery is so supernatural, strange and wonderful, that unless we believe God's Testimony, how can we be persuaded of it? That the Carpenter's Son should be the Son of that great Architect and Builder, who framed Heaven and Earth; that Life should come to us by the Death of another; that God should be made Man, and the Judge a Party, and he that knew no Sin be condemned as a Criminal Person; that one crucified should procure the Salvation of the whole World, and be Lord of Life and Death, and have such Power over all Flesh, as to give Eternal Life to whom he will. Reason is puzzled at these things. Faith can only unravel them. Partly, because the Comfort of the Promises is so rich and glorious, and the Persons upon whom it is bestowed, so unworthy, that it cannot easily enter into the Heart of a Man, that God will be so good and gracious to us. 1 Cor. 2. 9. Eye hath not seen, Ear hath not heard, neither hath it entered into the Heart of Man to conceive, the Things God hath prepared for them that love him. Therefore Sense and Reason could look for no such thing. Faith is necessary, and a strong Faith, that it may work upon us. These are things which we could neither imagine, nor hope for; partly, because the chief of our Blessings lie in another World, and Nature cannot see so far off, 2 Pet. 1. 9. Partly, because Christ's most sincere People are afflicted with so many Difficulties, and so seemingly forsaken; and Temptations to Unbelief are many and pressing, that it is hard to maintain any Life in our selves, unless we have Faith, that is, a strong Assent, and invincible Trust. Well now, consider for what good reason God requireth Faith. Sense only looks to things seen and felt; Reason seeth Effects in their Causes, and yet but probably; but Faith is a believing such things as God ⟨p. 318⟩