[2.] An esteem of Christ. In faith there is not only a conviction of the understanding, but some motion of the will ; all motions of the Avill are founded in esteem. This is a low fruit of faith : 1 Peter ii. 7, ' To them that believe he is precious.' To an hungry conscience Christ is more precious than all the world besides ; he seeth the truth and preciousness of the rich ofi'ers of grace m the Lord Jesus Christ, the sweetest happiest tidings that ever sounded in his ears, and entertainetli it with the best and dearest welcomes of his heart, it is better than life. This is the same with ' tasting the good word of God,'_Heb. vi. 5, only it is more constant. Carnal men may have a vanishing and fleeting glance, but these are serious and spiritual motions and affections of the heart towards Christ. Wicked men soon lose their relish and taste, like those that cheapen things, and taste them, but do not like the price. This maketli us part with all : Mat. xiii. 44, ' The kingdom of heaven is like to a treasure hid in a field, the which, when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goethand selleth all that he hath and buvetli that field.' This esteem begetteth self-denial; estate, credit, friends, all shall go, so I may enjoy Christ. _ Wicked men have some relish ; they prize Christ in pangs of conscience. All apostasy Cometh from a low estimation of Christ after a taste ; it is the highest pvofaneness : Heb. xii. 16, ' Profane Esau, for one morsel of meat, sold his birthright.' Well then, is Christ precious? Dost thou embrace the reconciliation that he hath purchased with all thy heart ?
There is but one objection against this act and disposition of faith ; this prizing of Christ seemeth but a natural act. Esteem is pure when it is drawn forth upon religious reasons ; these acts are not gracious, because the ground is carnal— viz., offers of nature after ease. How will you do to comfort a troubled conscience that maketh this reply ? It is"^but a natural motion after ease ; we look on Christ for comfort?
I Arjswer, (1.) By setting before him the indulgence of God. We
YeR. 6.] SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. 113
may make use of Grod's motives ; he suffereth us to begin in the flesh, that we may end in the spirit : Mat. xi. 28, ' Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' There is faitli when we trust Christ upon his own word. If a prince should offer a general pardon to rebels, with a promise that he would restore their l.)lood, and now they lay down their arms and submit to mercy, it is counted an act of obedience. If Christ maketh proclamation, Come, and I will ease you, do you think it is a wrong faith to take him at his word, and to love him for his condescension ?
(2.) To press him to perfect these acts. It is good to be doing rather than censuring. Idle complaints do but vex the soul. Those rebels that submit to a prince because of his pardon may afterwards enter into an entire friendship. Christ is lovely in himself ; by ac- quaintance our affections grow more pure. We first esteem him out of hope, and then out of gratitude. Love to his person is the fruit of experience. In a treaty of marriage, the first proposals are estate and conveniences of life ; conjugal affection groweth by society and com- merce. It is a good advantage to love Ciirist upon any terms.
(3.) By discovering the mistake. There is some spirituality of esteem when we can prize a pardon and acceptance with God. Bastard motives are fame, and ease, and worldly honour, and the sunshine of worldly countenance. Besides, this esteem of Christ ariseth from a spiritual reason, because we are unsatisfied in our own righteousness : Phil. iii. 7, 8, ' What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excel- lency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suftered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung that I may win Christ.' Because we have a low esteem of ourselves, therefore we have a high esteem of Christ. Now it is an effect of grace to prize Christ for his righteousness, which is the esteem that groweth out of sound conviction.
[3.] Another act which ariseth out of this is a resolution to cast our- selves upon Christ ; then faith is budded and formed. Boiling upon Christ is the formal, vital act of faith ; and a sound purpose of acknow- ledging him for a saviour is the lowest degree of that act. And there- fore if, out of a sight of thy own lost condition and an esteem of Christ, thou resolvest to cast thyself upon him, thou dost truly believe. Partly because in this resolution there is a compliance with the decrees of heaven, of setting up Christ as the alone saviour of the world ; tliis decree is ratified in the court of conscience. There is another decree passed and ratified with the consent of my will, that Christ shall be my saviour : Ps. Ixxiii. 28, ' It is good for me to draw nigh to God ; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.' There is recumbency or sincere adherence, which is the formal nature of faith, expressed by a believing on him. This resolution is always accompanied with a great confidence of the ableness of Christ to do us good : Mat. ix. 21, ' If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.' Paul after experience had no more : 2 Tim. i. 12, ' I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day,' Partly because such an act findeth a sweeter welcome than it can expect. David received comfort upon it : Ps. xxxii. 5, ' I said,