Precious faith considered in its nature, working, and growth

First, It Disciples the soul to Christ; before faith a man is as a Wolf or a Lion for brutish untractableness; but after it, a little child may lead him, even the least truth in the word, and he will not break from it: his ear is opened, and his mind in a readiness for instruction. Now this Faith doth two ways.

First, It doth it by revealing the excellency of Christ as a Prophet. Oh! says faith, this is the only Rabbi, the Angel of Gods face, the wonderful counsellor, lying in his bosom and knowing all his secrets; his mouth is most sweet, he speaks honey-combs of grace, and breaths beams of light, and utters sparkles of glory; nothing but mysteries and rectitudes and words of eternal life ever came from him, and (to make these come home to thee) he is an inward Ecclesiastes, one who can unlock thy secrets, and come into the midst of thee, and there express himself in words of life and power, and all the while his Majesty shall not swallow thee up. He speaks through an humane nature and veil of flesh, in rare condescension and compassion towards thy weakness. Whilst faith is in the high praises of this great Prophet, the heart cannot choose but be upon the wheels ready to run to him, and say, speak Lord, for thy servant heareth.

First, It doth it by revealing the excellency of Christ as a Prophet. Oh! says faith, this is the only Rabbie, the Angel of Gods face, the wonderful counseliar, lying in his bosome and knowing all his secrets; his mouth is most sweet, he speaks hony-combs of grace, and breaths beams of light, and utters sparkles of glory; nothing but mysteries and rectitudes and words of eternal life ever came from him, and (to make these come home to thee) he is an inward Ecclesiastes, one who can unlock thy secrets, and come into the midst of thee, and there express himself in words of life and power, and all the while his Majesty shall not swallow thee up. He speaks through an humane nature and vail of flesh, in rare condescension and compassion towards thy weakness. Whilest faith is in the high praises of this great Prophet, the heart cannot chuse but be upon the wheels ready to run to him, and say, speak Lord, for thy servant heareth.