What faith is.

It is a firm and stedfast Believing of what God hath promised, though it be almost im∣possible to be thought by humane reason; Mat. 14.31. Rom. 4.18. Mat. 8.8, 10. Gen. 15.5, 6. Heb. 11.17, 18, 19. Luke 8.50. John 4.48, 49.50.

It is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen; Heb. 11.1. 2 Cor. 4.13. compared with vers. 18. Chap. 5.6, 7.

More particular acts of faith.

It beleeves God to be the only God, and none else; Isa. 43.10. John 17.3.

It Believes him to be a rewarder of them that diligently seek him; Heb. 11.6.

It trusts in Gods grace for Justisication, and eternal Salvation; John 5.24. Acts 15.11. Rom. 4.5.

The next Act of faith, is to believe the Record God hath given of his Son, 1 John 5.10. Which is, There is life and Salva∣tion in him by Beliving and obeying him; 1 John 5.11, 12, 13.

As God the Father is the object of faith, so also is Jesus Christ to be believed in, un∣der many particulars; Job 3.36. Act. 16.31.

As he is the Messias which Moses and the Prophets said should come; Joh. 4.25. John 13.19.11.27.

2. Christ is the object of Beleeving in, as he is the only begotten Son of God; John 1:14. John 3:18. Acts 8:37. 1 John 5:5. John 20:31.

3. Christ as dying, and shedding his blood, is the object of faith; Rom. 3:25.

4. It is an Article of faith, to be lieve that Christ died for our Sins; 1 Cor. 15:2, 3.

5. We must believe that Christ Jesus is risen from the dead; Rom. 4:24. 1 Thes. 4.1. Rom: 10:19.

The Word, Gospel, or Doctrine of Christ, and his Apostles, is the object of faith; Mark 1:15. 2 Thes: 1:10.

Thus much to shew what the Gospel faith is.

The nature of faith.

It believes without seeing Signs and won∣ders; John 4:48, 49. John 20:29.

It is of a holy nature, and where it is, it purifieth the heart; Acts 15:9. Jude 20.

To such as believe, Christ is precious; 1 Pet. 2:7.

It is unfaigned; 1 Tim: 1:5.

It is full of good works; 1 Thes: 1:3. 2 Thes. 1:3. Jam. 2:26.

It is stedfast; Col. 2:5.

It is obedient to Gods Commands; Gen. 22.2. Heb. 11.17. Gen. 12.1. compared with Heb. 11.8.9.

The excelleney of Faith.

It will, where strongly placed, remove Mountains: Mat. 21.21.

The Prayer of faith will heal the Sick; Jam. 5.15.

Christ dwels in the heart by faith; Ephes. 3.17.

Men are Sanctifyed by faith; Acts 26.18.

Christ hath promised, that such shall do as great Works as he did, and greater; John 14.12.

Faith hath stopped the mouths of Lyons; Dan. 6.23. Heb: 11.33.

Justisication as a secondary means, is by faith in Christ; Acts 13.39. Rom. 5.1. Rom. 3.28. Gal. 2.16:

Remission of sins is obtained by faith through Jesus Christ; Acts 10.43. Acts 26.18.

Faith procures a multitude of Blessings; Gal. 3.8, 9.

The Spirit of God is attained by faith; Gal. 3.14. Ephes. 1.13. John. 7.38, 39.

We have access to God by faith; Rom. 5.2. Ephes. 3.12.

All Gods Promises belong to such; Heb: 6:12. Heb: 11:13, 39, 40.

Persons become the Children of God by faith; John 1:12. Rom: 4:13. Gal: 3:26.

By faith we come to be beloved of God; John 16:27.

By faith Persons are saved from wrath to come, and shall inherit everlasting life; John 3:16. Eph: 2:8. Hab: 2:4. 2 Thes: 1:10. 2 Tim: 4:7, 8. Jam: 2:5. 1 Pet: 1:4, 5. John 6:47. 11:26.

The necessity of faith.

Without faith its impossible to please God; Heb: 11:6.

Without faith no Remission of Sin; John 8:24.

Without faith Persons walk in darkness; John 12:46.

Without faith none can profit, nor grow, although they sit under the Preaching of the Gospel; Heb: 4:2.

We are kept from evil by the power of God through faith; 1 Pet: 1:5.

The Ʋse of Faith.

Through faith we understand, that the Worlds were framed by the Word of God; Heb: 11:3.

It is the Gospel Righteousness; Rom: 4:5. Phil: 3:9. Rom: 1:16, 17.

It is by faith we stand, Rom: 11:20. 2 Cor: 1:24.

We wait for the hope of Righteousness by faith, through the Spirit; Gal: 5:5.

It is by faith we look to attain those things we pray for; Jam: 1:5, 6. Mat: 21:22.

Faith keeps persons from fainting in all conditions, by having an eye at the reward to come; Psal: 27:13. 2 Cor: 4.13, 16, 17, 18. Psal: 116:10. Heb: 11:35.

By faith the Devil and all his fiery darts must be resisted; Ephes: 6:16. 1 Pet: 5.9.

The World and all the vanities thereof are overcome by faith; 1 John 5.4, 5. Heb. 11:24, 25, 26.

The danger of the want of faith.

Zecharias was stricken dumb for want of faith; Luke 1:20.

The Jews were broken off for want of faith, Rom: 11:20.

Gods wrath is against all those who want faith; Psal: 78:21, 22. Heb: 3:18, 19. Psal. 106:24, 26. John 3.36.

Those who do not exercise faith in God, and Christ, shall have their portion in ever∣lasting Destruction; Luke 12:46. John 3:18. 2 Thes: 2:12. Mark 16:16. Rev: 21:8 1 Tim: 5:12.

The end of Faith.

Receiving the end of your Faith, even the Salvation of your Souls, 1 Pet. 1.9.

The attaining of Faith; sometimes rebukes from Gods servants causeth Faith, Tit. 1.13.

The Scriptures were witten to that end, to beget Faith in those that search them, Acts 17.11, 12. Joh. 20.31. Rom. 16.26. 1 John 5.13.

The preaching of Gods Ministers, is a great means to beget Faith, in those that are the hearers thereof; Rom. 10.8. 14:17. Gal. 1.23. 1 Cor. 3.5.

Prayer is a means to have our faith increa∣sed, Luke 17.5.

Exhortations to put on faith, & to be strong in it, Mark 11.22. 1 Cor. 16.13. Col. 1.23. 1 Thes. 5.8. 1 Tim. 1.19. Heb. 10.22.