Ver. 15.—1. It is in the nature of faith to mortify not only cor- rupt and sinful lusts, but our natural affections, and their most vehe- ment inclinations, though in themselves innocent, if they are any way uncompliant with duty of obedience to the commands of God. 2. When the hearts and minds of believers are fixed on things spiri- tual and heavenly, it will take them off from inordinate cleaving to things otherwise greatly desirable.
Ver. 16.—1. To avow openly in the world, by our ways, walk- ing, and living, with a constant public profession, that our portion and inheritance is not in it, but in things invisible, in heaven above, is an illustrious act and fruit of faith. 2. Faith looks on heaven as the country of believers, a glorious country, an eternal rest and habi- tation. 3. In all the groans of burdened souls under their present trials, there is included a fervent desire after heaven, and the enjoy- ment of God therein. 4. This is the greatest privilege, honour, ad- vantage, and security that any can be made partakers of, that God will bear the name and title of their God. 5. God’s owning of be- lievers as his, and of himself to be their God, is an abundant recom- pense for all the hardships which they undergo in their pilgrimage. 6. Divine wisdom hath so ordered the relation between God and the church, that that which is in itself an infinite condescension in God, and a reproach unto him in the wicked, idolatrous world, should also be his glory and honour, wherein he is well pleased. 7. Where God, in a way of sovereign grace, so infinitely condescends as to take any into covenant with himself, so as that he may be justly styled their God, he will make them to be such as shall be a glory to himself. 8. We may see the woful condition of them who are ashamed to be called his people, and make that name a term of reproach unto others. 9. Eternal rest and glory are made sure for all believers in the eter-
522 SUMMARY OF DOCTRINAL AND [ CHAP. XI. 17.
nal purpose of the will of God, and his actual preparation of them by grace.
VeR. 17.—1. God alone knows how to ascribe work and duty proportionate unto the strength of grace received. 2. Ofttimes God reserves great trials for a well-exercised faith. 3. Faith must be tried, and of all graces it is most suited unto trial. 4 God pro- portions trials for the most part unto the strength of faith. 5. Great trials in believers are an evidence of great faith in them, though not understood either by themselves or others before such trials. 6. Trials are the only touchstone of faith, without which men must want the best evidence of its sincerity and efficacy, and the best way of testi- . fying it unto others. 7. We ought not to be afraid of trials, because of the admirable advantages of faith in and bythem. 8. Let them be jealous over themselves who have had no especial instances of the trial of their faith. 9. True faith being tried will in the issue be victorious. 10. Where there is a divine command, evidencing itself to our consciences so to be, it is the wisdom and duty of faith to close its eyes against whatsoever seems insuperable in difficulties or inextricable in consequents. 11. Divine revelations did give such an evidence of their being immediately from God to those who re- ceived them, that though in all things they contradicted their reason and interest, yet they received them without any hesitation. 12. The great glory and commendation of the faith of Abraham consisted in this, that without all dispute, hesitation, or rational consideration of objections to the contrary, by a pure act of his will he complied with the authority of God. 13. It is a privilege and advantage to have an offering of price to offer to God if he call for it. 14. Obe- dience begun in faith, without any reserves, but with a sincere inten- tion to fulfil the whole work of it, is accepted with God as if it were absolutely complete. 15. The power of faith in its conflict with and conquest over natural affections, when their unavoidable bent and inclinations are contrary to the will of God, whereby they are ex- posed to receive impressions from temptations, is an eminent part of its glory, and a blessed evidence of its sincerity.
Ver. 18.—1. In great and inextricable difficulties, it is the duty, wisdom, and nature of faith, to fix itself on the immense properties of the divine nature, whereby it can effect things inconceivable and incomprehensible. 2. God may justly require the assent and con- fidence of faith unto all things which infinite power and wisdom can effect, though we can neither see, nor understand, nor compre- hend the way whereby it may be accomplished. 3. God’s dealings with his church sometimes are such as that, unless we shut our eyes and stop our ears unto all objections and temptations against his promises, opening them only unto divine sovereignty, wisdom, and
CHAP. XL 22.] PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 523
veracity, we can never abide in a comfortable course of obedience. 4. This is the glory of faith, that it can spiritually compose the soul in the midst of all storms and temptations, under darkness as unto events, 5. In any surprisal with seemingly insuperable difficulties, it is our duty immediately to set faith at work. 6. There may sometimes, through God’s providential disposal of all things, be an appearance of such an opposition and inconsistency between his commands and promises as nothing but faith bowing the soul unto divine sovereignty can reconcile.