Seven sermons on several select subjects preached

First, Because man sets up the Idol of Self-righteousness: he is apt to think he hath something of his own growth in him; righteousness of his own: his prayers, his tears, his alms, he would make a Christ of them. Instead of kissing the Son, he doth idolize himself. Man's a proud piece of flesh; he would see some worthiness in himself; he would give part to himself, and part to Christ: he is loth to be beholden to grace only; he would grow upon his own Root, and not be grafted upon the Stock of Christs righteousness, Rom. 10.3. Going about to establish a righteousness of their own, they have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God. O! it's wonderful to see a proud sinner humble; to go out of himself to Christ for righteousness. That's one thing.

Secondly, That which makes this work of believing so hard, is this; because believing, it's a work above the power of nature to produce; it's a ⟨p. 89⟩work of supernatural infusing, John 6. v. 29. Faith is called the work of God: It's the work of God to believe. Faith is a new Creation. The creation of the world, it is called the work of Gods finger; but the creation of faith, it is called the work of Gods arm: The Lord doth as it were set all his strength awork. It is called the exceeding greatness of his power, Eph. 1.20. Surely to raise Christ from the dead, required a great power; he had a heavy Grave-stone laid upon him; the sins of the whole world. Why the same power God doth put forth in the producing of faith in the Soul: so that this kissing of Christ by faith, is not so easy as most do imagine.

Secondly, That which makes this work of believing so hard, is this; because believing, it's a work above the power of nature to produce; it's a ⟨p. 89⟩