4. The benefits are negatively and positively exi^ressed ; negatively, they ' shall not perish ; ])Ositively, but ' have everlasting life.'
[1.] The negative expression is mentioned, ])artly because of our former deserts ; we incurred the sentence of eternal death, which is taken off from penitent believers ; they sliall not be condemned with the unbelieving world : j)artly because of our j)resent fears ; guilt pre- sents destruction before our eyes, but the cause of that is taken away as sin is remitted and weakened : and i)artly to support us in our troubles: they may be afllicted, but not perish for ever; chastened, l)ut not destroyed ; not for perdition, but amendment.
JOIIK III. 16.] THE SIXTEENTH SEKMON. 349
[2.] The positive part is expressed partly to show our heavenly Father's love, who cannot be satisfied till he hath brought us into his immediate presence ; and partly to answer the desire of the faithful, who long for everlasting communion with him ; we cannot be satisfied till we be for ever with the Lord, in a perfect state of subjection to him, and fruition of him.
Doct. That faith is the way which God bath appointed whereby to receive benefits by Christ. I. What faith is. II. How this is to be understood.
III. Why the gospel covenant layeth so much weight on it.
What is faith ? Surely it concerns us to know it, since the scrip- tures speak so much of it everywhere. There are in it three things : — (1.) Assent; (2.) consent ; (3.) trust.
1. A firm and cordial assent to this truth, that Jesus is the Son of God and Saviour of mankind, who came down from heaven and suftered for our sins, and became the foundation of that new covenant which offereth pardon and hopes of bliss to all those who, feeling the burden of their sins, will trust their souls upon Christ's redemption and ransom, and forsake the world, the flesh, and the devil, and take him for their only Lord and Saviour, that by him they may return to God. This assent is a part of faith, but this is not all. The reason- able soul in man hath life, sense, appetite, and motion, as the souls of the beasts have ; but this is not the difference between us and them : besides sense, life, and appetite, we have reason and discourse. So here, knowledge and assent are implied in faith, but more is required to make it justifying and saving. Assent is good as it is inductive of other things, or leadeth on other things, to wit, choice and trust ; and it is not only good, but necessary, lest we build without a foundation. It was of great weight heretofore, when Christ's person and doctrine was more questioned and contradicted : John viii. 24, ' Unless ye believe that I am he, ye shall die in your sins / lose all the benefit of his coming. It is said, 1 John v. 1, ' Whosoever belie veth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God.' It was a mighty thing then to believe and profess Christ to be the Messiah, and to cleave to that profession, whatever temptations they had to the contrary. But I dare not leave the decision of men's spiritual estate upon that trial only ; the bleak winds that blew then in their faces, blow now on our backs ; and it is as dangerous now to deny Christ to be the Messiah, as it was for them to profess it. However, assent is still necessary, to put the greater life and power into our faitli ; for if the fire were well kindled, it would of itself break out into a flame. The stronger our assent is, the more powerful to beget love and dependence on God's promises, obedience to his commands, and perseverance notwithstanding temptations. This assent, to do its work, must be firm and cordial.
[1.] Firm. You must believe unfeignedly that Christ is the Messiah and Eedeemer of the world : Acts ii. 36, ' Let the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made this Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.' The word signifies safehj, they may venture their all upon it: John xvii. 8, ' They have known.' There is a common customary superficial belief, that men take up upon the
350 THE SIXTEENTH SERMON. [JoHN III. 16.
credit of their forefathers, and the consent of the country where they live, and there is a sound persuasion of the truth of the gospel wrought in us hy the Spirit of God. And though human credulity doth little, yet this last serveth to renew the soul : Mat. xvi. 17, ' Flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father which is in heaven ;' when Peter had said, ' Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.' Tiiis makes us victorious over the devil, the world, and the tlesh : 1 John V. 5, 'Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God ? ' If this important sujireme truth were well believed, it would doubtless prevail against the allurements of the world and the flesh, and make men see that they have something else than this deceitful world to look after. Truths go to the quick when soundly believed.