Yea, from the same unbelief it is that at this day the very notion of the truth herein is rejected by many, even all those who are called Socinians, and all that adhere unto them in the disbelief of super- natural mysteriea They cannot see a suitableness in this way of salvation unto the glory of God, — as no unbeliever can ; and therefore those of them who do not oppose directly the doctrine of it, yet do make no use of it unto its proper end. Veiy few of them, compara- tively, who profess the truth of the gospel, have an experience of the 2)oioer of it unto their own salvation.
But here true faith stands in\dncibly, — hereby it will evidence its truth and sincerity in the midst of all temptations, and the most dis- mal conflicts it hath with them ; yea, against the perplexing power and charge of sin thence arising. From this stronghold it will not be driven ; whilst the soul can exercise faith herein, — namely, in steadily choosing, embracing, and approving of God's way of saving sinners by Jesus Christ, as that wherein he will be eternally glori- fied, because it is suited unto, and answers all the perfections of, his nature, is that which every way becomes him, — it will have where- with to relieve itself in all its trials. For this is faith, this is saving" faith, which will not fail us. That faith which works in the soul a gracious persuasion of the excellency of this way, by a sight of the glory of the wisdom, power, grace, love, and goodness of God in it, so as to be satisfied with it, as the best, the only way of coming unto God, with a renunciation of all other ways and means unto that end, will at all times evidence its nature and sincerity.
And this is that which gives the soul rest and satisfaction, as unto its entrance into glory, upon its departure out of this world. It is a great thing, to apprehend in a due manner that a poor soul that hath been guilty of many sins, leaving the body, it may be, imder great pain, distress, and anguish, it may be by outward violence, should
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be immediately admitted and received into the glorious presence of God, with all the holy attendants of his throne, there to enjoy rest and blessedness for evermore. But here also faith discerns and ap- proves of this great, of this ineffable, divine operation, as that which becomes the infinite greatness of that wisdom and grace which first designed it, the glorious efficacy of the mediation of Christ, and the excellency of the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, without any expectation from any thing in itself, as a cause meritorious of an ad- mission into this glory. Neither did ever any man know what it is, or desire it in a due manner, who looked for any desert of it in him- self, or conceived any proportion between it and what he is or hath done in this world. Hence some of those who have not this faith have invented another state, after men are gone out of this world, to make them meet for heaven, which they call purgatory ; for on what grounds a man should expect an entrance into glory, on his departure out of this world, they understand not.
Let them who are exercised with temptations and dejections bring their faith unto this trial ; and tliis is the case, in various degrees, of us all: — First, then, examine strictly by the word whether this be a true description of the nature and acting of saving faith. Sundry things are supposed or asserted in it; as, — 1. That the way of saving sinners by Jesus Christ is the principal effect of divine wisdom, power, goodness, love, and grace. 2. That the design of the gospel is to manifest, declare, and testify that so it is, and so to make known the glory of God therein. 3. That saving faith is that act, duty, and work of the soul, whereby we receive the record of God concerning these things, [and] do ascribe the glory of them all unto him, as dis- covering it in the way of life proposed unto us. 4. That hereon it proceeds unto a renunciation of all other ways, means, hopes, rehefs, in opposition unto this way, or in conjunction with it, as unto accept- ance with God in hfe and salvation. I say, in the first place, examine these things strictly by the word ; and if they appear to be (as they are) sacred, evangelical, fundamental truths, be not moved from them, be not shaken in them, by any temptation whatever.
And, in the next jilace, bring your faith to the trial on these prin- ciples : What do you judge concerning God's way of saving sinners by Jesus Christ, as proposed in the gospel ? Are you satisfied in it, that it is such as becomes God, and answers all the glorious attri- butes of his nature ? Would you have any other way proposed in the room of it? Can you, will you, commit the eternal welfare of your souls unto the grace and faithfulness of God in this way, so as that you have no desire to be saved any other way? Doth the glory of God in any measure shine forth unto you in the face of Jesus Christ? Do you find a secret joy in your hearts upon the satisfaction you take