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§. 153. Of Faith making us partakers of Christ.
FAith being the grace here intended, it appears that by faith we are made 〈◊〉〈◊〉 kers of Christ, Christ dwelleth in our hearts by faith, Eph. 3. 17. And 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the faith of the Son of God, Gal. 2. 20. For faith is that instrument which God 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Spirit worketh in us to lay hold on Christ, to be united unto him, and so to be•…•… partakers of him.
God in his wisdom doth use this instrument of faith to that purpose, up•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.1 especial grounds.
- 1. Because faith of all graces makes most to Gods honour. Hereof see T•…•… Armour of God, Treat. 2. Part. 6. on Eph. 6. 16. Of Faith, §. 7.
- 2. Because faith doth most strip man of all conceit in himself: For faith is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which a man stretcheth out to another to receive what is needfull for him. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he shews, that he cannot finde it in himself: but that which he looks for, i•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to whom he stretcheth his hand to receive it.
Against the fore-said Doctrine it may be objected, That, Hereby we kn•…•… we dwell in Christ, and Christ in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 4. 13. Hereupon another Apostle faith, If any man have not the spirit of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he is none of his, Rom. 8. 9. By these, and other-like Texts of Scripture, •…•…∣pears, that we are made partakers of Christ by his Spirit.
Answ. It is true, that we are united to Christ by his Spirit.: but that 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.2 not our union also by faith. Both may stand together. For there is a double 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of our spiritual union with Christ: One on Christs part, which is the Spiri•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 other on our part, which is faith. Christ by his Spirit layeth hold on us: and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 faith lay hold on Christ.
If Christ be worth the having, and that it be a priviledge to be made p•…•… of Christ: (How blinde are they that see it not? What sots are they that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it not?) then labour to get, preserve, and well use faith, which is the means 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hath appointed to that end. Here of see The whole Armour of God, in the place•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 quoted.