Two discourses concerning the Holy Spirit, and His work the one, Of the Spirit…

(§ 13.) FAITH is added in the 3d place; To another Faith by the same Spirit. That the Saving ⟨p. 176⟩Grace of Faith, which is common unto all True Believers, is not here intended, is manifest from the Context. There is a Faith in Scripture which is commonly called the Faith of Miracles, mentioned by our Apostle in this Epistle, as a principal, extraordinary, Spiritual Gift, Chap. 13. 2. Though I had all Faith, so that I could remove Mountains; that is, the highest Degree of a Faith of Miracles, or such as would effect miraculous Operations of the highest Nature. This I should readily admit to be here intended, but that there is mention made of working Miracles in the next Verse, as a Gift distinct from this Faith. Yet whereas this working of Miracles is every where ascribed to Faith, and could not be any where but where the peculiar Faith from which those Operations did proceed was first imparted, it is not unlikely but that by Faith the Principle of all miraculous Operations may be intended, and by the other Expressions the Operations themselves. But if the Distinction of these Gifts be to be preserved, as I rather judge that it ought to be, considering the placing of Faith immediately upon Wisdom and Knowledge, I should judge that a peculiar Confidence, Boldness and Assurance of Mind in the Profession of the Gospel, and the Administration of it's Ordinances, is here intended. Faith therefore is that [Greek or Hebrew], that Freedom, Confidence and Boldness in the Faith, or Profession of the Faith, which is in Christ Jesus, mentioned by the Apostle, 1 Tim. 3. 13. That is, our [Greek or Hebrew], or Confidence in Profession, whose Beginning we are to hold fast and firm unto the end, Heb. 3. 14. And we do see how excellent a Gift this is on all occasions. When Troubles and Trials do befall the Church upon the ⟨p. 177⟩account of it's Profession, many, even true Believers, are very ready to faint and despond, and some to draw back at least for a Season; as others do utterly, to the Perdition of their Souls. In this State the eminent Usefulness of this Gift of Boldness in the Faith, of an assured Confidence in Profession, of an especial Faith to go through Troubles and Trials, is known unto all. Oft-times the Eminence of it in one single Person, hath been the means to preserve an whole Church from Coldness, Back-sliding, or sinful Compliances with the World.