A Body of Practical Divinity

(3.) True Faith is at first nothing but an Embryo, it is minute and small; it is full of Doubtings, Temptations, Fears: It begins in Weakness. It is like the smoking Flax, Matth. 12.20. It smokes with Desires, but doth not flame with Comfort. It is at first so small, that it is scarce discernible. Such as at the first dash have a strong Persuasion that Christ is theirs, who leap out of Sin into Assurance; their Faith is false and spurious. That Faith which is come to its full Stature on its Birthday, is a Monster. The Seed that sprung up suddenly withered, Matth. 13.5.

(3.) True Faith is at first nothing but an Embryo, it is minute and small; it is full of Doubtings, Temptations, Fears: It begins in Weakness. It is like the smoaking Flax, Matth. 12.20. It smoaks with Desires, but doth not flame with Comfort. It is at first so small, that it is scarce discernable. Such as at the first dash have a strong Perswasion that Christ is theirs, who leap out of Sin into Assurance; their Faith is false and spurious. That Faith which is come to its full Stature on its Birthday, is a Monster. The Seed that sprung up suddenly withered, Matth. 13.5.

(4.) Faith is a Refining Grace, it consecrates and purifies. Moral Virtue may wash the out-side, Faith washeth the in-side. Acts 15.9. Having purified their Hearts by Faith. Faith makes the Heart a Sacrary or Temple, with this Inscription, Holiness to the Lord. Such whose Hearts have Legions of Lusts in them, were never acquainted with true Faith. For one to say he hath Faith, yet lives in Sin, is as if one should say he were in Health, yet his Vitals are perished. Faith is a Virgin-Grace, it is joined with Sanctity.