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

2. The Curse of the Law having by the guilt of Sin been admitted unto a Dominion over the whole Soul, it is a great thing to receive and admit of a Testimony to the contrary, such as the Promise is. What the Law speaks, it speaks unto them that are under it, as all men are by Nature. And it speaks in the Heart of every man, that the sinner must dye. Conscience complies also, and adds its suffrage thereunto. This fixeth a conclusion in the mind, that so it will be, whatever may be offered unto the contrary. But so is the Testimony of God in the Promise, namely, that there is a way of Life and Salvation for sinners, and that God offereth this way and an Interest therein unto us. Nothing but the exceeding greatness of the power of Grace, can enable a guilty sinner in this case to set his Seal that God is true.

3. When the Promise comes, and is proposed unto us, for the most part it finds us deeply engaged into, and as to our selves, Immutably fixed on other things that are inconsistent with Faith in the Promises. Some are interested in divers Lusts and Pleasures; Some are filled with inveterate prejudices through a vain Conversation received by Tradition from their Fathers; and some have some good hopes in themselves, that in the way wherein they are, by the Religion which they profess, and the Duties which they perform, they may in time arrive unto what they aim at. When the Promise is proposed, the first thing included therein, is an utter relinquishment of all these things. As it is a Promise of Grace, so it excludes every thing but Grace. Wherefore when it is proposed unto any, it doth not only require that it be believed, or God be believed therein, but also that in order thereunto, we part with and utterly renounce all hopes and confidences in our selves from what we are or expect to be, and betake our selves for Life and Salvation unto the Promise alone. Some imagine that it is a very easy thing to believe; and that the Souls of men are but deceived when they are called off from the Duties that Light and Conviction put them upon, to the way of Faith in the Promise. ⟨p. 169⟩But the truth is, that what from its own Nature, and from what is required thereunto, or comprised therein, it is as the most important, so the highest and greatest Duty that we are called unto, And which men would of their own choice rather grind in a Mill of the most burdensome Duties, than once apply their minds unto.