The works of George Swinnock, M.A

2. Faith enableth (as to dye to sin, so) to live to God. The life of holiness doth so much depend on Faith, that its said to consist wholly in it. The just shall live by his Faith. Though he cannot live ⟨p. 723⟩by sense, that upon which he lives being invisible; nor by reason, because his food is supernatural; yet he can live by faith, and make a good living of it too. As the body lives by the soul, so Religion lives by Faith. A mortal wound in faith, lets out the heart blood of all holiness. Tis faith that actuates and animates the new creature. Faith puts him upon high designs, and holy enterprises for God and his own soul. David saith, I believe, therefore have I spoken; It may be said of a Christian, He believeth, therefore he speaks so much of God, for God, and to God. He believeth the unquestionable certainty, incomparable excellency, and eternity of that reward which is set before him, and therefore he prayeth, and watcheth, and readeth, and heareth, and denieth himself, and worketh night and day that he may attain it. Ferdinando of Aragon, believing the report of Columbus, concerning the richness of the Indian Mines, and the likelihood of his possessing them, was at great cost and charge in sending out men in Ships, and made them venture their lives, and labour hard to get those Golden and Silver veins. Faith believeth the report which the Gospel makes of the glory to be revealed, and the unsearchable riches in Christ, and the likelihood, nay, certainty of his enjoying them, if he will but strive and labour, and use those means which God hath appointed, and this puts the soul upon its greatest industry and integrity, in the performance of what the word requireth, in order thereunto, and a resolution to obtain them, what ever it cost, or to dye in the undertaking.

2. Faith enableth (as to dye to sin, so) to live to God. The life of holiness doth so much depend on Faith, that its said to consist wholly in it. The just shall live by his Faith. Though he cannot live ⟨p. 723⟩by sense, that upon which he lives being invisible; nor by reason, because his food is supernatural; yet he can live by faith, and make a good living of it too. As the body lives by the soul, so Religion lives by Faith. A mortal wound in faith, lets out the heart blood of all holiness. Tis faith that actuates and animates the new creature. Faith puts him upon high designs, and holy enterprises for God and his own soul. David saith, I beleive, therefore have I spoken; It may be said of a Christian, He beleiveth, therefore he speaks so much of God, for God, and to God. He beleiveth the unquestionable certainty, incomparable excellency, and eternity of that reward which is set before him, and therefore he prayeth, and watcheth, and readeth, and heareth, and denyeth himself, and worketh night and day that he may attain it. Ferdinando of Arragon, beleiving the report of Columbus, concerning the richness of the Indian Mines, and the likelyhood of his possessing them, was at great cost and charge in sending out men in Ships, and made them venture their lives, and labour hard to get those Golden and Silver veins. Faith beleiveth the report which the Gospel makes of the glory to be revealed, and the unsearchable riches in Christ, and the likelyhood, nay, certainty of his enjoying them, if he will but strive and labour, and use those means which God hath appointed, and this puts the soul upon its greatest industry and integrity, in the performance of what the word requireth, in order thereunto, and a resolution to obtain them, what ever it cost, or to dye in the undertaking.