partly affirmative, for discovering what it is to pray in faith, and what that faith doth import, which is so necessary to the prevalency of prayer.
Concl. 1. It is not faith of science (that for distinctions sake we may so speak) whereby we know what God hath revealed in his Word concerning his nature and attributes, and concerning our duty and that worship we owe to him, and how it ought to be performed; for many in hell to day, know more of this, then while they were on earth, and yet they dare not look up to God, nor pray to him, Luk. 16.23, 27. &c.
Concl. 2. Neither is it faith of credence and assent, where∣by we not only know, but also beleeve, and give credit to the Word of God, as being true and worthy of all acceptation; for thus the devils beleeve, they know that the Word of God is surer then heaven and earth, these being only founded upon a word of command, which the Lord may alter and remove at his pleasure, but the Word is grounded upon Gods truth and fidelity, which is a foundation that cannot be shaken; and therefore his Word must be infallible and immutable, it will stand and abide for ever, Isa. 40.8. Therefore the devils tremble (as knowing their prison doors shall never be opened, nor the golden Scepter held forth to them) Jam. 2.19.
Concl. 3, Neither is it faith of external profession, where∣by we are received to the visible Church, and are enrolled amongst the number of beleevers, for albeit at the first preach∣ing of the Gospel of Christ (when the great controversie was, whether the Son of Mary, was the Son of God, and the promised Messiah) by faith and beleeving frequently, was held forth an acknowledging, and profession, that he was the Saviour of the world, and that he was able to do what he would, yet that was not sufficient for the acceptance of their persons or prayers, Mat. 7.21, 22. But there being then so many dangers, difficulties and discouragments lying in the way, it may be supposed that then there were fewer hypocrits, and that then it was more rare to profess and own Christ and his interest, without true love to him, zeal to his glory, then now, in these places, where we may safely and without hazard profess the Gospel; yea, where without shame, if