Metaphor. | Parallel.
Gold is precious in some Countries upon the consideration of the Scarcity of it; there is but little of it to be had, and that hard to come by. Things are esteemed precious upon this account: In those days the Word of the Lord was precious, there was no open Vision. | True Faith is precious upon the account of the Scarcity of it. Tho there is great talk of it every where, it is in all Peoples Mouths, yet the right kind is very precious; few have so much as one dram of it in their Hearts; 'tis very hard to obtain.
II. Gold is very desirable. Men that know the worth of it, search ⟨p. 16⟩diligently for it; they work in Mines, labour hard, undergo much difficulty to obtain it. | II. All understanding Men, who are convinced of the Nature and Usefulness of Faith, seek for it, as for hid Treasure; ⟨p. 16⟩they endeavour to improve all Opportunities for the obtaining of it.
⟨p. 15⟩III. Gold must be tried. Many take that for pure Gold, that is counterfeit Metal, and thereby cheat themselves, or are deceived by others. | III. So Faith must be tried; for there is nothing Men are more mistaken or deceived in. There is abundance of counterfeit Faith in the World.
IV. Gold is tried by a Touchstone; Men can soon discern if it be naught, when they prove it that way. | IV. Faith must also be tried by the true Touch-stone, viz. the Word of God. If a Man fear his Faith be not of the right kind, let him bring it thither; i e. Examine the Nature and Quality of it, by the Marks laid down in the holy Scriptures, and he will soon discover what Faith he hath.
V. The best Gold is very precious, a most rare and choice thing, in respect of its own intrinsical virtue; and from hence it is so much prized and coveted by the Children of Men. It is called precious, from the excellent nature and worth of it. It is a most Sovereign Cordial. |
V. True Faith is a most precious Grace in respect of its own intrinsical Virtue, and from hence all true Christians esteem so highly of it. The Price thereof is above Rubies, it is far more precious than Gold that perisheth; which will appear by the Induction of the following Particulars.
1. In respect of the Names or Appellations given to it in holy Scripture. (1.) It is called Lively Faith. (2.) It is called Effectual Faith, 1 Thess. 1.3. (3.) It is called the Faith of God's Elect, Tit. 1.1. (4.) It is called unfeigned Faith, 1 Tim. 1.5. 2 Tim. 1.5.
Metaphor. | Parallel.
GOld is precious in some Countries upon the consideration of the Scarcity of it; there is but little of it to be had, and that hard to come by. Things are esteemed precious upon this account: In those days the Word of the Lord was precious, there was no open Vision. | TRue Faith is precious upon the account of the Scarcity of it. Tho there is great talk of it every where, it is in all Peoples Mouths, yet the right kind is very precious; few have so much as one dram of it in their Hearts; 'tis very hard to obtain.
II. Gold is very desirable. Men that know the worth of it, search ⟨p. 16⟩diligently for it; they work in Mines, labour hard, undergo much difficulty to obtain it. | II. All understanding Men, who are convinced of the Nature and Usefulness of Faith, seek for it, as for hid Treasure; ⟨p. 16⟩they endeavour to improve all Opportunities for the obtaining of it.
⟨p. 15⟩III. Gold must be tried. Many take that for pure Gold, that is counterfeit Metal, and thereby cheat themselves, or are deceived by others. | III. So Faith must be tried; for there is nothing Men are more mistaken or deceived in. There is abundance of counterfeit Faith in the World.
IV. Gold is tried by a Touchstone; Men can soon discern if it be naught, when they prove it that way. | IV. Faith must also be tried by the true Touch-stone, viz. the Word of God. If a Man fear his Faith be not of the right kind, let him bring it thither; i e. Examine the Nature and Quality of it, by the Marks laid down in the holy Scriptures, and he will soon discover what Faith he hath.
V. The best Gold is very precious, a most rare and choice thing, in respect of its own intrinsecal virtue; and from hence it is so much prized and coveted by the Children of Men. It is called precious, from the excellent nature and worth of it. It is a most Sovereign Cordial. |
V. True Faith is a most precious Grace in respect of its own intrinsecal Vertue, and from hence all true Christians esteem so highly of it. The Price thereof is above Rubies, it is far more precious than Gold that perisheth; which will appear by the Induction of the following Particulars.
1. In respect of the Names or Appellations given to it in holy Scripture. (1.) It is called Lively Faith. (2.) It is called Effectual Faith, 1 Thess. 1.3. (3.) It is called the Faith of God's Elect, Tit. 1.1. (4.) It is called unfeigned Faith,
