there is cure: I but, saith the cripple, the Angel moves the
water, but I have no bodie to put me in; so the pro∣mise
invites, the Word calls, but I cannot close with
Christ there held forth. I am a cripple, and no need
but of a hand to help me; and whereas in Isa. 53. 1. there
seems to be a double expression concerning this point
of faith, Lord who hath believed our report, and to whom
is the arm of the Lord revealed! A man may say; I heard
the report, and believe it to be true, but the baring of
the Lords arme must go to the making of man believe,
when we teach that men naturally cannot believe: men
wonder and say within themselves, why should not I
believe as well as another man? I am as learned and
knowing in the Scriptures, and as pregnant as others;
and why should a man of a lesser measure and altitude
of parts go before me in believing? when we teach that
men cannot keep the law of works, there is never a one
but will consent to it: truly I cannot keep the Law: I
cannot love the Lord with all my heart, and might, and
strength; men yield they cannot; but when we preach
that faith is above your power, you cannot believe and
come to Christ, though we report the report of Christ
to you, that you believe not; few men that believe the
one will believe the other: they will not believe but
that they can believe, as if it were an easier matter to be∣lieve
in Christ, then to keep the law; that is, as if it were
easier to obey the Gospel, then tis to obey the law, and
that therefore such an omnipotent power, as this divine
drawing imports, is not necessary to make a sinner be∣lieve.
Now I beseech you consider, the Law hath
something in you: for being once written in the heart
of man, there do remain some fragments or rubbish,
(if I may use that word, in allusion to a building form)
but of the Gospel there is not a line in the heart of man
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