2. The speculative belief of this truth was not sufiicient then, no more than it is now, but the practical improvement. Grant that truth, that Jesus is the Son of God, and other things will follow, as that we must obey his laws, and depend upon his promises, and make use of his ])ower, and trust ourselves in his hands ; otherwise the bare acknowledg- ment was not sufficient. If a man had at that time with some kind of belief owned Christ as the Son of God, and yet could not overcome the shame and fear of the world, he would not have been accepted ; for it is said, 1 John v. 5, * Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God.' Unless that efiect followed, the belief was vain. Therefore it is said, John ii. 23-25, ' Many believed in his name when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man, for he knew what was in man.' Christ knew the inside of men, and therefore knew this faith was unlikely to bear any stress, or hold out against temptations. Men might be convinced of some excellency and divine power in Christ, and )'et remain unconverted. So Acts viii., Simon Magus believed in Christ, yet remained in the ■' gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity.' So we
SERMON UPON MATTHEW VIII. 5-10. 149
read again, John viii. 30, 31, 'As he spake these words, many believed on him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him. If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.' Some are his disciples in show, not truly and really, being not settled and rooted in the faith. So it is noted, John xii. 42, 43, ' Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him ; but because of the pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue ; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.' They had faith, but it was too weak to encounter temptations ; they were too tender of their reputation, lest they should be despised, and turned out of their places for deserting the old way wherein they were bred. But none of this can be imputed to our centurion, whose faith Christ approved and rewarded ; for in contemplation of this faith the cure was wrought : ver. 13. ' And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way ; and as thou hast believed, so be it unto thee,' And he venturetli the credit he had with his nation ; and though the particular address concerned not him, but his servant, yet he maketh an open acknowledg- ment of Christ,
II. How was this faith wrought and bred in him ?
I answer — The groundwork was laid in his knowledge of the omni- potency and power of God, and his acquaintance with the scriptures of the Old Testament, though he were not a professed Jew. This prepared for his faith in Christ ; the report or hearing was the ground of faith : Isa. liii. 1, 'Who hath believed our report? ' He had heard by fame of his excellent doctrine: Mat. vii. 29, ' That he taught as one having authority, and not as the scribes.' And he had heard the rumour of his miracles, more particularly the late instance of curing the leper, which was notorious and public ; for Christ biddeth him ' show Inmself to the priests,' Mat. viii. 4 ; and also the miracle in recovering the ruler's son, an instance near, which was done in time before this : Jolm iv. 46, 47, ' And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum ; and he heard that Jesus was come out of Judea into Galilee, and he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.' By all wdiich he was moved to ascribe the omni{)Otency of God, which he knew before, to Jesus Christ. The Spirit of God can bless slender motives to a will- ing heart ; and there is a readiness in holy souls to believe sooner and easier than others : Acts xvii. 11, ' These were more noble than those of Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures whether these things were so or no.' They were not light of belief, for they searched the scriptures ; yet they were more ready to believe than perverse and prejudiced persons, irpodvixoi. When there is sufficient evidence, they can hold out no longer. Thus the Spirit of God blessed the knowledge of this centurion, and the rumours that were brought to him of Christ's doctrine and miracles.
III. The effects or fruits of it, or how it discovered itself.
1. In that he applieth himself to Christ. They that believe in Christ will come to him, and put him upon w^ork, whilst others prize his name but neglect his office. A gracious heart will find occasions and oppor- tunities of acquaintance with Christ, if not for themselves yet for others ; for when they have heai'd of him, they cannot keep from him. Faith