Secondly, The acts of faith about the word.
1. We are to believe and credit it upon solid and sufficient evidence. It is said, Heb. xi. 11, ' They saw these thing? afar ofi'. and were per- suaded of them ; ' and Acts xiii. 48, ' When the gentiles heard this, they glorified the word of God, and believed ; ' that is, blessed God for his glorious mercy revealed in the gospel. The sound belief and firm assent leadeth on other things, for the most powerful truths work not till they are believed : 1 Thes. ii. 13, ' Ye received the word not as the word of man, but (as it is in truth) the word of God. which efiectually worketh also in you that believe.' Here beginneth the efficacy. Now usually we receive the truth at first upon low and insufficient evidence, but afterwards our assent is upon better grounds, and more valid and strong ; as the Samaritans : John iv. 42, ' Now we believe, not because of thy saying, for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.' Her saying was much, for the woman had testified that she had met with an holy person that had told her of all that ever she did. So Nathaniel was drawn to Chi-ist • by Philip's persuasion, but when he perceived that he knew the heart and secret things, John i. 48, 49, ' He saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me ? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig-tree, I saw thee. Nathaniel answered, and saith unto him, Eabbi, thou art the son of God, thou art the king of Israel. Christ then promiseth him further assurance and greater evidence, which should beget a more confirmed and strong faith : ver. 50, ' Jesus answered and said unto him. Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig-tree, believest thou ? thou shalt see greater things than these.' The church is in possession of a religion which
VOL. XVII. I
130 SERMONS UPON 2 THESSALONIANS I. 3.
God hath blessed throughout successions of ages, and we received the doctrine of the gospel and new covenant upon report and hearsay ; hereafter we see farther and better grounds, and the scriptures are owned with more certainty of evidence. Well, then, here is the first thing, assent, or a receiving all truths about supernatural things upon the credit of God's word.
2. The work of faith is to apply these things ; for the closer such blessed truths are laid to our own souls, the more we feel the virtue of them : Job v. 27, ' Lo, this it is ; know thou it for thy good ; ' Eom. viii. 31, 'What shall we then say to these things?' The promise includeth you as well as others, and promiseth and offereth you pardon and life if you will believe in Christ ; therefore the application I press you to is not a claim of privileges (stay a while there), but an exciting yourselves to perform the duties of the gospel, that you may turn away from all other ways of felicity, and choose this alone. Faith must be applicative, and the closer the application the better ; but there is a difference between the application which is an excitement of your duty, and that application which is an assurance of your interest : Acts xiii. 20, ' To you is this word of salvation sent.' It is my duty to make general grace particular, but not presently, and at first dash to enter ray plea and claim, but to oblige me to take God's way. God calleth upon me to repent and believe in Christ, that I may have pardon and life.
3. We are heartily to consent to this blessed covenant which is contained in the word of God, taking the promises offered for our happiness, resolving upon the duties required as our work : Acts ii. 41, ' They received the word gladly, and were baptized.' There was a precept and a promise, ver. *38 ; they accepted the counsel, and waited for the promise. Our respect to the word is made up of a mixture of obedience and dependence ; there must be a consent to both, and we must resolve for the holy and heavenly life. Faith is an act of the will as well as of the understanding : Heb. xi. 13, ' These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them.' Besides being persuaded, there is embracing : * The promises of God in him are Yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us,' 2 Cor. i. 20 ; and they are * exceeding great and precious promises,' 2 Peter i. 4. In one place you have both : 1 Tim. i. 15, ' This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.' Therefore embrace them you must with all your hearts, and submit to this way of covenanting with God.
4. Your judgments must highly esteem these promises, and your hearts find full contentment and satisfaction in them. We read often of receiving the word with joy, and the confidence and rejoicing of hope, Heb. iii. 6. Usually the word of God hath too cold and slight entertainment in our affections, and we do not value those precious promises as we ought to do. They should be dearer to us than our lives, and give us more satisfaction than all the enjoyments of the world : Ps. cxix. Ill, ' I have taken thy testimonies as an heritage for ever ; they are the rejoicing of my soul.' They do you good to your very heart, and the more you are acquainted with them, the