A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…

But the truth is, when we are called to believe, when it is our Duty so to do, when we pretend that we are ⟨p. 138⟩willing and desirous to do so, were it not for such and such things in our selves, it is the sincerity of God in his Promises we all in question: and we think that although he proposeth the Promise unto us, and commandeth us to believe, yet it is not his intention and purpose that we should do so, or that we should be made partakers of the good things promised. By the purpose of God I do not here intend the Eternal purpose of his Will concerning the effects and events of things, about which we are called to exercise neither Faith nor Unbelief, until they are manifested. But the whole Rule of our Duty is in Gods Command, and the Faith required of us consists in this, that if we comply with what God prescribeth, we shall enjoy what he promiseth; if we believe, we shall be saved. And herein to question the Truth or Sincerity of God, is an high effect of Unbelief. This distrust therefore God removes by the Reduplication of the word of the Promise, that we might know he was in good earnest in what he expressed. The like may be spoken concerning the stability of the Promises, with respect unto change, which because it must be particularly afterwards spoken unto, shall be here omitted. And these things we have need of. If we think otherwise we know little of the nature of Faith or Unbelief, of our own weakness, the efficacy of the Deceits of Satan, or the manifold oppositions which rise up against believing.

But the truth is, when we are called to believe, when it is our Duty so to do, when we pretend that we are ⟨p. 138⟩willing and desirous to do so, were it not for such and such things in our selves, it is the sincerity of God in his Promises we all in question: and we think that although he proposeth the Promise unto us, and commandeth us to believe, yet it is not his intention and purpose that we should do so, or that we should be made partakers of the good things promised. By the purpose of God I do not here intend the Eternal purpose of his Will concerning the effects and events of things, about which we are called to exercise neither Faith nor Unbelief, until they are manifested. But the whole Rule of our Duty is in Gods Command, and the Faith required of us consists in this, that if we comply with what God prescribeth, we shall enjoy what he promiseth; if we believe, we shall be saved. And herein to question the Truth or Sincerity of God, is an high effect of Unbelief. This distrust therefore God removes by the Reduplication of the word of the Promise, that we might know he was in good earnest in what he expressed. The like may be spoken concerning the stability of the Promises, with respect unto change, which because it must be particularly afterwards spoken unto, shall be here omitted. And these things we have need of. If we think otherwise we know little of the nature of Faith or Unbelief, of our own weakness, the efficacy of the Deceits of Sathan, or the manifold oppositions which rise up against believing.