But as other actings of Faith have an influence into Holiness, so in a special manner the actings of Faith upon Jesus Christ: we are satisfied by Faith in him, Act. 26.18. the peculiar actings of Faith on Christ have a ⟨p. 249⟩special influence into an holy life: and that two ways:
1. The believing of the Gospel does in its own nature stir up men to holiness: when men by Faith do entertain the calls of God in the Gospel, it has a strong impression on their hearts to move them to holiness: when men see the readiness of God to pardon them, the wonderful grace of God in the Gospel, it prevails with them to lead an holy life, Psal. 26.23. Thy loving kindness is before mine eyes, and I have walked in thy truth: the sense of the grace of God apprehended by Faith, makes men admire the glorious excellency of God, love God, fear to offend him, troubled that they have grieved him and wronged him: the discoveries of Gospel grace leave an everlasting impression upon the heart, to love and honour God.
2. The believing on Christ is the way wherein God has promised to carry on the work of Sanctification: in this way God gives forth the assistances of his Spirit for the carrying on of this work: God in the invitations of the Gospel calls us to glory and virtue, 2 Pet. 1.3. Faith in Christ is the condition of the covenant of grace, and therefore thereby God becomes engaged to keep men in the ways of holiness, as all other covenant mercies are made over to the soul in this way; so likewise sanctifying grace, and besides that God has directed us to exercise Faith upon Christ for Sanctification; he tells us that without him we can do nothing, John 15.5. that he is made to us for Sanctification, 1 Cor. 1.30. that whatever we do in word or deed, we must do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Col. 3.17. this is a principal means prescribed unto us in order to the carrying on of the work of Sanctification, we must attend other appointments and ordinances of ⟨p. 250⟩God: prayer, reading, hearing, sacraments, watching, meditating & sim. but we may not trust to any of our own strivings: but especially attend this ordinance of the covenant of grace, to roll our selves upon Christ, as being the purchaser and the dispenser of this blessing, waiting for the influences of his Spirit, and in this way he assists and strengthens his to lead an holy life.
But as other actings of Faith have an influence into Holiness, so in a special manner the actings of Faith upon Jesus Christ: we are satisfied by Faith in him, Act. 26.18. the peculiar actings of Faith on Christ have a ⟨p. 249⟩special influence into an holy life: and that two wayes:
1. The believing of the Gospel does in its own nature stir up men to holiness: when men by Faith do entertain the calls of God in the Gospel, it has a strong impression on their hearts to move them to holiness: when men see the readiness of God to pardon them, the wonderful grace of God in the Gospel, it prevails with them to lead an holy life, Psal. 26.23. Thy loving kindness is before mine eyes, and I have walked in thy truth: the sence of the grace of God apprehended by Faith, makes men admire the glorious excellency of God, love God, fear to offend him, troubled that they have grieved him and wronged him: the discoveries of Gospel grace leave an everlasting impression upon the heart, to love and honour God.
2. The believing on Christ is the way wherein God has promised to carry on the work of Sanctification: in this way God gives forth the assistances of his Spirit for the carrying on of this work: God in the invitations of the Gospel calls us to glory and vertue, 2 Pet. 1.3. Faith in Christ is the condition of the covenant of grace, and therefore thereby God becomes engaged to keep men in the wayes of holiness, as all other covenant mercies are made over to the soul in this way; so likewise sanctifying grace, and besides that God has directed us to exercise Faith upon Christ for Sanctification; he tells us that without him we can do nothing, John 15.5. that he is made to us for Sanctification, 1 Cor. 1.30. that whatever we do in word or deed, we must do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Col. 3.17. this is a principal means prescribed unto us in order to the carrying on of the work of Sanctification, we must attend other appointments and ordinances of ⟨p. 250⟩God: prayer, reading, hearing, sacraments, watching, meditating & sim. but we may not trust to any of our own strivings: but especially attend this ordinance of the covenant of grace, to roll our selves upon Christ, as being the purchaser and the dispenser of this blessing, waiting for the influences of his Spirit, and in this way he assists and strengthens his to lead an holy life.
