Precious faith considered in its nature, working, and growth

CHAP. XII.

The Divine Experiments of Faith in Scripture-Ordinances, Baptism, Preaching of the Word, Prayer, and the Lords Supper; and lastly in the great Works of Power recorded in Scripture.

IN the next place I proceed to the Divine Ordinances in Scripture: These the Believer may experience to be Divine. God bare such a Testimony to the Typical Ordinances under the Law, that his People experimentally knew that they were from him. In Circumcision God set his Seal and Love-mark on his ancient People, and at the doing of it they blessed him, that a Child was brought into Covenant. In their Burnt-offerings fire from Heaven consumed them as a witness of their acceptation. Hence the Psalmist prays, The Lord accept thy Burnt-sacrifice, Psal. 20.3. [Greek or Hebrew], in cinerem vertat; let him turn it to ashes, thereby testifying his acceptance thereof. In their first Temple they had many Symbols of Gods Presence, as the Ark with the Tables in it, and Propitiatory or Mercy-seat; by the Urim and Thummin they could ask Counsel of God; the Shechinah, ⟨p. 371⟩the Glory or Majesty of God dwelt between the Cherubims; and acceptance in their Services and Sacrifices offered unto God. But pretermitting these as being but Shadows, and by Christians experimented in Jesus Christ the substance of them; I shall instance in the four great standing Ordinances in the Christian Church; and show how the Believer may experience them to be from God, and in that experience prove the Scripture, which appoints them, to be from him also.

IN the next place I proceed to the Divine Ordinances in Scripture: These the Believer may experience to be Divine. God bare such a Testimony to the Typical Ordinances under the Law, that his People experimentally knew that they were from him. In Circumcision God set his Seal and Love-mark on his ancient People, and at the doing of it they blessed him, that a Child was brought into Covenant. In their Burnt-offerings fire from Heaven consumed them as a witness of their acceptation. Hence the Psalmist prays, The Lord accept thy Burnt-sacrisice,