§. 152. Of Faith raising a man above Sense.
THis joyning together of things that seem to be contradictory, namely, seeing* 1.1 〈◊〉〈◊〉 invisible, in this phrase▪ seeing him who is invisible, giveth an evident 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Vigor of Faith, in raising a man above Sense.
On this ground, saith the Apostle, whom having not seen, yee love, in whom, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoyce with joy unspeakable, 1 Pet. 1. •…•…. On this ground Christ himself pronounceth them blessed, who have not seen, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yee have believed, Iohn 20. 29.
Gods Word is the proper object of Faith; what Gods Word revealeth, faith 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
- 1. Hereby we have a demonstration of the excellency of faith; It is of an in∣•…•…* 1.2 capacity. For they are infinit and incomprehensible mysteries which the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 revealeth; yet faith believeth them all. No grace is like unto it.
- 2. This sheweth the reason of Faiths Vigor in supporting against Sense. It* 1.3 〈◊〉〈◊〉 beyond things seen and Visible. God by many judgments seemes to be an∣•…•…▪ Faith seeth him pacified in Christ. We are here in this world subject to ma∣•…•…y visible miseries: Faith seeth a spiritual happiness in them, and a celestial felici∣•…•… following upon them. Our bodies putrifie in the grave; yet faith beholdeth a* 1.4 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of them.
- 3. Hereby learn how sure a ground the Martyrs had of suffering so much as