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Gospel grounds and evidences of the faith of God's elect showingGospel grounds and evidences of the faith of God's elect shewing
Gospel grounds and evidences of the faith of God's elect showing : I. The nature of true saving faith, in securing of the spiritual comfort of believers in this life, is of the highest importance, II. The way wherein true faith doth evidence it self in the soul and consciences of believers, unto their supportment and comfort, under all their conflicts with sin, in all their trials and temptations, III. Faith will evidence it self, by a diligent, constant endeavour to keep it self and all grace in due exercise, in all ordinances of divine worship, private and public, IV. A peculiar way whereby true faith will evidence it self, by bringing the soul into a state of repentance / by John Owen ...Gospel grounds and evidences of the faith of God's elect shewing : I. The nature of true saving faith, in securing of the spiritual comfort of believers in this life, is of the highest importance, II. The way wherein true faith doth evidence it self in the soul and consciences of believers, unto their supportment and comfort, under all their conflicts with sin, in all their tryals and temptations, III. Faith will evidence it self, by a diligent, constant endeavour to keep it self and all grace in due exercise, in all ordinances of divine worship, private and publick, IV. A peculiar way whereby true faith will evidence it self, by bringing the soul into a state of repentance / by John Owen ...
London: printed by John Astwood for William Marshal, 1695
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Evidence 4: The Fourth Evidence of the Faith of God's Elect.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
I Come in the next place to instance in a peculiar way whereby true Faith will evidence it self, not always, but on some Occasions; and this is by bringing the Soul into a state of Repentance. And three things must be spoken unto. (1.) In general, what I intend by this state of Repentance. (2.) What are the Times and Occasions, or who are the Persons wherein Faith will act it self unto this End. (3.) What are the Duties required unto such a state.
1. BY this state of Repentance I do not understand merely the Grace and Duty of Evangelical Repentance: For this is absolutely inseparable from true Faith, and no less necessary unto Salvation than it self. He that doth not truly and really repent of sin, whatever he profess himself to believe, he is no true Believer. But I intend now somewhat that is peculiar, that is, not common unto all, whereby on some Occasions Faith doth evidence its Power and Sincerity.
1. BY this state of Repentance I do not understand meerly the Grace and Duty of Evangelical Repentance: For this is absolutely inseparable from true Faith, and no less necessary unto Salvation than it self. He that doth not truly and really repent of sin, whatever he profess himself to believe, he is no true Believer. But I intend now somewhat that is peculiar, that is, not common unto all, whereby on some Occasions Faith doth evidence its Power and Sincerity.
NEITHER yet do I mean a Grace, Duty or State ⟨p. 68⟩that is of another kind or nature from that of Gospel-Repentance, which is common to all Believers. There are not two kinds of true Repentance, nor two different states of them that are truly penitent: All that I intend, is an eminent Degree of Gospel-Repentance, in the Habit or Root, and in all the Fruits and Effects of it. There are various Degrees in the Power and Exercise of Gospel-Graces, and some may be more eminent in one, and some in another; as Abraham and Peter in Faith, David and John in Love. And there may be Causes and Occasions for the greater and higher Exercise of some Graces and Duties at one time than at another; for we are to attend unto Duties according unto our Circumstances, so as we may glorify God in them, and Advantage our own Souls: So the Apostle James directs us, Chap. 5. 13. Is any afflicted? let him pray: Is any merry? let him sing Psalms. Several States, and various Circumstances in them, call for the peculiar Exercise of several Graces, and the diligent Performance of several Duties. And this is that which is here intended, namely, a peculiar, constant, prevalent Exercise of the Grace and Duties of Repentance in a singular manner: What is required hereunto, shall be afterwards declared.