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Spirit of Christ in their hearts b; and this is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the word c: by which alfo, and by the adminiftration of the facraments, and prayer, it is increased and ftrengthened d.

II. By this faith, a Chriftian believeth to be true whatsoever. is revealed in the word, for the authority of God himself speaking thereine; and acteth differently upon that which each parti

b2 Cor. iv. 13. We having the fame fpirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I fpoken: we also believe, and therefore fpeak. Eph. i. 17. That the God of our Lord Jefus Chrift, the Father of glory, may give unto you the Spirit of wifdom and rever lation in the knowledge of him. v. 18. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the faints, v. 19. And what is the exceeding greatnefs of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power. Eph. ii. 8. For by grace are ye faved, through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.

c Rom. x. 14. How then fhall they call on him of whom they have our believed? and how fhall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher ? v. 17. So then, faith cometh by hearing, and hear ing by the word of God.

di Pet. ii. 2. As new born babes defire the fincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. Acts xx. 32. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are fanctified. Romgiv. 11. And he received the

cular.

fign of circumcifion, a feal of the righteoufnefs of the faith, which he had yet being uncircumcifed; that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcifed; that righteoufhefs might be imputed unto them also. Luke xvii. 5. And the apoftles faid unto the Lord, Increase our faith. Rom. i. 16. For I am not ashamed of the gofpel of Chrift: for it is the power of God unto falvation to every one that believeth, to the Jew first,. and alfo to the Greek, V. 17. For therein is the righteoufnefs of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

II. e John iv. 42. And faid unto the woman, Now we believe, not becaufe of thy faying; for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Chrift, the Saviour of the world. 1 Theff. ii. 13. For this caufe alfo thank we God without ceafing, because when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but fas it is in truth) the word of God, which effectually worketh alfo in you that believe. I John v. 10. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himfelf: he that believeth not God," hath made him a liar, because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. Acts xxiv. 14. But this I confels unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so

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cular paffage thereof containeth; yielding obedience to the commands f, trembling at the threatnings g, and embracing the promifes of God for this life and that which is to come b. But the principal acts of faving faith are, accepting, receiving, and resting upon Chrift alone for juftification, fanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace i.

III. This faith is different in degrees, weak or ftrong k; may be often and many ways affailed and weakned, but gets the victory; growing up in many to the attainment of a full · affur

worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and the prophets.

Rom, xvi. 26. But now is made manifeft, and by the fcriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlafting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith.

g Ifa. Ixvi. 2. For all thofe things hath mine hands made, and all those things have been, faith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite fpirit, and trembleth at my word.

h Heb. xi. 13. Thefe all died in faith, not having received the promifes, but having feen then afar off, and were perfuaded of them, and embraced them, and confeffed that they were flrangers and pilgrims on the carth. 1 Tim. iv. 8. For bodily exercife profiteth little but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promife of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

john i. 12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power. to become the fons of God, even to them that believe on his name. Acts xvi. 31. And they said, Believe on the Lord Jefus Christ, and thou shalt be faved, and thy houfe. Gal. ii, 20. Fam crucified with Chrift: Nevertheleis live; yet pot I, but Chrift

liveth in me; and the life which L now live in the flesh, I live by faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Acts xv. 11. But we believe that thro' the grace of the Lord Jefus Chrift, we fhall be faved even as they."

III. k Heb. v. 13. For every one that ufeth milk is unfkilful in the word of righteoufnels: for he is a babe. V. 14. But ftrong meat be longeth to them that are of full age,

even

thofe who by reason of use have their fenfes exercised to difcern both good and evil. Rom. iv. 19. And being not weak in faith, he confidered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb. v. 20. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God. Mat. vi. 30. Wherefore if God fo clothe the grafs of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is caft into the oven, fhall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Mat. viii. 10. When Jefus heard it, he marvelled, and faid to them that followed, Verily I lay unto you, I have not found fo great faith, no not in Ifrael,

Luke xxii. 31. And the Lord faid, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath defired to have you, that he may lift you as wheat; v. 32. But I

affurance through Chrift m, who is both the author and finifher of our faith n.

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CHAP. XV. Of Repentance unto Life.

EPENTANCE unto life is an evangelical grace a, the doctrine whereof is to be preached by every minifter of the gospel, as well as that of faith in Chrift b.

II. By it a finner, out of the fight and fenfe, not only of the danger, but alfo of the filthinefs and odiousness of his fins, as contrary to the holy nature and righteous law of God; and upon the apprehenfion of his mercy in Chrift to fuch as are penitent; fo grieves for, and hates his fins, as to turn from them

have prayed for thee that thy faith
fail not; and when thou art convert.
ed, ftrengthen thy brethren. Eph.
vi. 16. Above all, taking the fhield
of faith, wherewith ye fhall be able
to quench the fiery darts of the
wicked. 1 John v.
For whatlo-
ever is born of God overcometh the
world and this is the victory that
overcometh the world, even our
faith. v. 5. Who is he that over
cometh the world, but he that be-
lieveth that Jefus is the Son of God?

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Heb. vi. 11. And we defire that every one of you do fhew the fame diligence, to the full affurance of hope unto the end; v. 12. That ye be not flothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promifes. Heb. x. 22. Let us draw near with a true heart, in full affurance of faith, having our hearts fprinkled from an evil confcience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Col, ii. 2. That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full affurance of under standing, to the ackowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Chrift.

z Heb. xii. 2. Looking unto Jefus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that, was fet before him, endured the cross, defpifing the fhame, and is fet down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I. a Zech. xii. 10. And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerufalem, the fpirit of grace and of fupplications. and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they fhall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only fon, and shall be in bitternefs for him, as one that is in bitternefs for his first born. Acts xi. 18. When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God. faying, Then hath God alfo to the Gentiles granted repentance untolife,

b Luke xxiv. 47. And that repen tance and remiffion of fins fhould be preached in his name, among all nations, beginning at Jerufalem. Mark i. 15. And faying, the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye and believe the gofpel. Acts xx. 21. Teftifying both to the Jews, and alfo to the Greeks, repentance toward God,

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Chap. XV. them all unto God c, propofing and endeavouring to walk with him in all the ways of his commandments d.

III. Although repentance be not to be refted in, as any fatisfaction

and faith toward our Lord Jefus Chrift.

V.

II. c Ezek. xviii. 30. Therefore I will judge you, O houfe of Ifrael, every one according to his ways, faith the Lord God: repent, and turn yourselves from all your tranfgreffions; fo iniquity fhall not be your tuin. 31. Caft away from you your tranfgreffions, whereby ye have tranfgreffed, and make you a new heart and a new fpirit; for why will ye die, O houfe of ifrael. Ezek. xxvi. 31. Then fhall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and fhall lothe yourselves in your own fight, for your iniquities, and for your abominations, Ifa, xxx, 22. Ye fhall defile alfo the covering of thy graven image of filver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold; thou fhalt caft them away as a menftruous cloth: thou fhalt fay unto it, Get thee hence. Pfal. li. 4. Against thee, thee only have I finned, and done this evil in thy fight: that thou mighteft be juftified when thou speakeft, and be clear when thou judgeft. Jer. xxxi. 18, I have furely heard Ephraim bemoaning himfelf thus, Thou hast chaftifed me, and I was chaftifed, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me and I fhall be turned; for thou art the Lord my God, v. 19. Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was inftructed, I fmote upon my thigh: I was afhamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth. Joel ii. 12. Therefore all now, faith the Lord, Turn ye

even to me with all your heart, and with fafting, and with weeping, and with mourning. v. 13. And rent your heart and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, flow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Amos . 15. Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the Lord God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Jofeph, Pfal. cxix. 128. Therefore I efteem all thy precepis concerning all things to be right; and I hate every falfe way. 2 Cor. vii, 11. For behold, this felf-fame thing that ye forrowed after agodly fort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of your. felves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement defire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! in all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this

matter.

d Pfal. cxix. 6. Then fhall I not be afhamed, when I have refpect unto all thy commandments. v. 59. I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy teftimonies. v. 106. I have fworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments. Luke i. 9, And they were both righteous before cod, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 2 Kings xxiii. 15. And like unto himwas there no king before him, that turned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his foul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Mofes ;

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faction for fin, or any caufe of the pardon thereof e, which is the act of God's free grace in Chrift f, yet it is of fuch neceffity to all finners, that none may expect pardon without it g.

IV. As there is no fin fo fmall, but it deferves damnation h; fo there is no fin fo great, that it can bring damnation upon thofe who truly repent i.

neither after him arose there any like him.

Ill. Ezek. xxxvi. 31. Then fhall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and fhall lothe yourfelves in your own fight, for your iniquities and for your abominations. v. 32. Not for your fakes do this, faith the Lord God, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O houfe of Ifrael. Ezek, xri. 61. Then fhalt thou remember thy ways, and be ashamed, when thou shalt receive thy fifters, thine elder and thy younger and I will give them unto thee for daughters, but not by thy covenant. v. 62. And I will establish my covenant with thee, and thou fhalt know that I am the Lord. v. 63. That thou mayeft remember and be confounded, and Dever open thy mouth any more, because of thy fhame, when I am pacified towards thee for all that thou haft done, faith the Lord God.

f Hofea xiv. 2. Take with you words, and turn to the Lord, fay unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: fo will we render the calves of our lips. v. 4. I will heal their backfliding, I will love them freely: for mine an-ger is turned away from him. Rom, ni. 24. Being juftified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Chrift jelus. Eph. i. 7. In whom we have redemption thro' his blood. the forgivennefs of fins, according to the riches of his grace.

V. Men

g Luke xiii, 3, 1 tell you, Nay: but except ye repent, ye fhall all likewife perish. v. 5. I tell you, Nay: but except ye repent, ye fhall all likewife perish. Acts xvii. 30. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent. v. 31. Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteoufnefs, by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given affurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

IV. Rom. vi. 23. For the wages of fin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jefus Christ our Lord. Rom. v. 12. Wherefore, as by one man fin entered into the world, and death by fin; and fo death paffed upon all men, for that all have finned. Mat. xii. 36. But I fay unto you, that every idle word that men fhall speak, they fhall give account thereof in the day of judg

ment.

i Ifa. lv. 7. Let the wicked forfake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return onto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Rom. viii. 1. There is therefore pow no condemnation to them who are in Chrift Jefus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Ifa.i. 16. Wash ye, make you clean, put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes, ceafe to do evil. F 3 V. 18.

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