[3.] There is a third sort, that do not only make profession of the name of Christ, but receive the truth in the love of it and in the power of it, and transfer it into practice : 2 Thes. ii. 10, ' They received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.' There is a receiving truth in the light of it by conviction, but there follows no conversion. And then they receive the truth not only in love, but in power. The gospel is the ministration of the Spirit and power : 1 Thes. i. 5, ' Our gospel came not to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance ; ' 1 Cor. ii. 4, ' My speech and my preaching was not with the enticing words of man's wisdom^ but in
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demonstration of the Spirit, and of power.' And tliey transfer it into practice: John viii. 31, 'If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed ;' and Mat. vii. 21, ' Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doth the will of my Father which is in heaven.' Christ's real worshippers are known, not by compliments and external respects, but the inward constitution of their hearts, and the course and uniformity of their practice and conversations ; they are those that do so carefully and con- stantly attend unto God's word that they lay it up in their hearts : Ps. cxix. 11, ' Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee ; ' and make it the rule of their whole lives : Gal. vi. 16, ' As many as walk according to this rule ; ' so as to obey his commands : Kom. vi. 17, ' Ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine that was delivered you ; ' rely upon his promises : Ps. cxix. 49, ' Eemember thy word unto thy servant, on which thou hast caused me to hope ; ' fear his threats : Isa. Ixvi. 2, ' To this man will I look, even to him that is poor, and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.' A carnal man doth not tremble under his strokes, but they tremble under his word, and engage themselves to continue with God in well-doing, and in the pursuit of everlasting happiness : Eom. ii. 7, * To them who, by patient continuance in well-doing, seek for glory, honour and immor- tality, eternal life.'
To make this evident unto you, I shall show you —
(1 .) How many things come short of faith, or that true and unfeigned assent that must be mingled with the word, to make it a sovereign remedy for our souls.
(2.) What is that true faith that doth so.
1st. Many things come short of faith, or that true and unfeigned assent which maketh the word effectual. There are several degrees of assent.
[Is^.] There is conjecture, or a lighter inclination and propension of the mind to the go.spel or word of God, as possibly or probably true ; a suspicious Imowledge or guess at things, when we go no higher than an ' it may be so.' The generality of careless professors go no further. It may be true, for aught they know, that there is a rest remaining for the children of God : and these do walk according to the trade of Israel, and conform to the current opinions and practices that are a-foot.
[2d] There is beyond this opinion, when the mind is strongly inclined to think it true, but not without fear of the contrary ; they are so rationally convinced of the truth of the gospel that they are not able rationally to contradict it ; yea, they can dispute for it, but it is but opinion ; they can plead for it, and defend it, as a dead, rotten post may support a living tree ; yet it doth not sink so deep unto them as to enter into the heart : Prov. ii. 10, ' When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant to thy soul' They live in suspense and uncertainty in matters of religion, and do not know aXi-jOm, ' Surely, that Christ came out from God : ' John xvii. 8, and ao-^aXw?, Acts ii. 36, ' Let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made that same Jesus whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.'
[Bd.] There is a higher degree, and that is dogmatical faith or a
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naked assent unto, or a persuasion of the truth of God's word ; but it is such an enlightening as is without taste and without power ; it worketh no thorough change in the heart or practice : as many men that make no doubt of the truth of the gospel, yet do not feel the power of it. This is spoken of, James ii. 19, 20, ' Thou believest that there is one God, thou dost well ; the devils also believe and tremble. But wilt thou know, 0 vain man, that faith without works is dead ' ? They have so much light as may disturb their peace, but not so much as doth comfort the conscience and overpower their carnal affections. Well then, this is not it that must be mingled with the word ; not the word and conjecture ; not the word and opinion ; not the word and dogmatical faith that rests in a dead naked assent, but it must be a believing with all the heart, a cordial assent : Acts viii. 37, ' If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest be baptized.'