A Body of Practical Divinity

2. Faith is a refining Grace, 1 Tim. 3.9. Mystery of faith in a pure conscience. Faith is in the Soul as Fire among Metals, it refines and purifies: Morality may wash the outside, Faith washeth the inside, Acts 15.9. Having purified their hearts by faith. Faith makes the Heart a Sacrary, or Holy of Holies. Faith is a Virgin-Grace: tho' it doth not take away the Life of Sin, yet love of Sin. Examine, if your Heart be an Unclean Fountain sending out Mud and Dirt, Pride, Envy; if there be Legions of Lusts in thy Soul, there is no Faith. Faith is an Heavenly Plant which will not grow in an impure Soil.

3. Faith is an Obediential Grace, Rom. 16.26. The obedience of faith. Faith melts our Will into Gods: Faith runs at God's Call, if God commands Duty (though cross to Flesh and Blood) Faith obeys, Heb. 11.8. By faith Abraham obeyed. Faith is not an Idle Grace; as it hath an Eye to see Christ, so it hath an Hand to work for him. Faith doth not only believe God's Promise, but obey his Command. It is not your having Knowledge will evidence you to be Believers; the Devil hath Knowledge, but wants Obedience, and that makes him a Devil. And the true Obedience of Faith is a cheerful Obedience; God's Commands do not seem grievous. Have you the Obedience, and obey cheerfully? What say you to this? do you look ⟨p. 127⟩on God's Command as your Burden or Privilege, as an Iron Fetter about your Leg, or a gold Chain about your Neck.

3. Faith is an Obediential Grace, Rom. 16.26. The obedience of faith. Faith melts our Will into Gods: Faith runs at God's Call, if God commands Duty (though cross to Flesh and Bloud) Faith obeys,