True saving faith, though never so weak, is all in all. [ 1293]
AS a dim dazeling eye, that looked on the brazen Serpent in the Wilderness, was of more avail to a poor Israelite, (then stung with a fiery Serpent) than any use that could possibly be made of all his other Members; little could the swiftnesse of his feet, strength of body,* 1.1 nimblenesse of hands, volubility of tongue, quick∣nesse of the ear, or any thing else have prevailed, had there not been an eye to have looked on it: So without faith,* 1.2 we lie dead in sins and tresp••sses, and cannot but perish of the mortal stings, which Sathan hath blistered us withall; so that had we perfect Repentance, sound knowledge, and sincere Love, not one of them, nor all of them together,* 1.3 could possibly cure us, if there were not faith to apprehend Christ for our satisfaction, and a propitiation for all our sins: It is onely faith in Christ, a true faith (though a weak dim-sighted faith) that looking up to the typified Ser∣pent Christ Iesus, can cure our wounded sin-sick souls, and make us here to live unto God, and hereafter in all happinesse with him.