Gospel-revelation in three treatises, viz, 1 The nature of God. 2 The excellencies of…

You will say, can we do any thing towards our salvation? yes, you may hear, it is the duty of us as creatures to come and hear the Word; and Faith comes by hearing: so then Faith comes by somewhat that we do, but not so that God hath tied himself to give Faith to every one that hears, I would not be understood so: But thus, God hath appointed, that hearing should be a means for the working of Faith; It is true, it is the blessing of God in hearing, but hearing is the way that God hath set; God indeed can convey Faith from Heaven to any soul immediately; I but where there is the preaching of the Gospel, there do I expect that these creatures that do intend that I should work Faith in them, should come and attend upon the preaching of the Gospel: Christ could have opened the blind mans eyes, without spitting upon the clay, and anointing his face, but he would have that done, and that must be the ⟨p. 318⟩means by which he will open his eyes: So if God will have hearing the Word of the Gospel to be the means by which he will work Faith in the soul, take heed how this be neglected, Act. 20.18. Paul was sent to preach, to what end? To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them that are sanctified by Faith that is in me. Saith the Lord Christ to Paul, I will send thee to open the eyes of men, and to turn them from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins; and this is the great ordinance that I intend for this end, and that I will accompany to those that I purpose to save at any time. Therefore when you come to hear the Word, you should come to it as the great Ordinance that God hath appointed to save souls by. Is there any soul that begins in this Congregation to be awakened, and to think with it self, Oh Lord, What shall I do to be saved? I tell thee, that every time thou comest to hear the Word preached, thou shouldest come to it with such thoughts as these; Now am I going to that great Ordinance that the Lord hath appointed to convey his power through, to the salvation of those souls that are appointed to eternal life;

You will say, can wee do any thing towards our salvation? yes, you may hear, it is the duty of us as creatures to come and hear the Word; and Faith comes by hearing: so then Faith comes by somewhat that wee do, but not so that God hath tied himself to give Faith to every one that hears, I would not bee understood so: But thus, God hath appointed, that hearing should bee a means for the working of Faith; It is true, it is the blessing of God in hearing, but hearing is the way that God hath set; God indeed can convey Faith from Heaven to any soul immediately; I but where there is the preaching of the Gospel, there do I expect that these creatures that do intend that I should work Faith in them, should come and attend upon the preaching of the Gospel: Christ could have opened the blind mans eyes, without spitting upon the clay, and anointing his face, but hee would have that done, and that must bee the