§. Sect. 2 Of the last meanes of ob∣taining faith, which is me∣ditation on di∣uers subiects.
The last meanes is often to meditate vpon these points following. First, vpon Gods euerlasting and vndeserued loue, which mooued him, euen whilst we were sinners, the children of wrath, the vassals of Satan, and enemies to God and his grace, to send his onely begotten, and dearely be∣loued Sonne into the world, that taking our nature vpon him, hee might therein redeeme and saue vs, by satisfying his iustice, in paying for vs an all-sufficient price for our redemption. And therefore hee that sought vs when wee were lost, will not cast vs away when hee hath found vs. Hee that so loued vs when wee were enemies, will not forsake vs now, if wee seeke his fauour. He that out of meere loue gaue Christ to redeeme vs by his death, will not, when he hath bought vs at so deare a price, suffer vs to perish, if we apply Christ and his merits by faith, when as a free gift hee offereth him vnto vs. Secondly, let vs meditate on Gods infinite mercy, which causeth him to delight, not in death and destruction, but the con∣uersion and saluation of sinners. The which his mercy being aboue all his workes, and infinitely greater then all our sinnes, is freely offered vnto vs, and wee are sure to receiue it, if wee doe not reiect it by vnbeliefe. Thirdly, let vs meditate on Gods immutable and infallible truth in his promises, and his omnipotent power, whereby hee is able to performe them. Fourthly, vpon the all-sufficiency of Christs righteousnesse and obedience, whereby Gods iustice is fully satisfied, and his wrath appeased, of which wee shall bee partakers, if wee beleeue in him as our onely Sa∣uiour and Redeemer. Fifthly, let vs meditate on the Couenant of grace, wherein the Lord promiseth the pardon of our sinnes, and the saluation of our soules, not vpon the condition of our workes and worthinesse, nor with exception of our sinnes, but vpon the alone condition of a liuely faith, which bringeth foorth the fruits thereof in vnfained repentance. Sixthly, let vs meditate vpon the generality and indefinitenesse of Gods promises, which exclude no sorts of sinners, who doe not exclude them∣selues by their vnbeliefe, reiecting Gods pardon when as it is offered, and pulling off the soueraigne salue of Christs merits and obedience, so as it cannot cure their sores of sinne. Lastly, let vs meditate vpon faith, not