read these solemn Acclamations from Christ to those that came to him for help, O woman, great is thy faith: Thy faith hath saved thee: Be it to thee according to thy faith, &c.
But what? was the Arme of the Lord shortned, or his power turned to weakness? No such matter. Two senses are given of these words He could not. The first is, That he would not; as we usually say, I cannot drink Wine, I cannot abide it; that is, I have no minde to drink Wine, I will not abide it; and that is said to be impossible, from which the will abhorres. The other Interpretation is, That cannot is often used for non est congruum or consentaneum, that which is not congruous or fit to be done; as, Can the children of the Marriage Chamber fast? that is, is it fit they should fast? and in this sense it may well be taken here; for was it fit for him to work mi∣racles, and do good to them that asked in scorne, Is not this the Car∣penters Sonne? are not his Brethren with us? whence hath he this great Wisdome?
Take it either way; either that he would not, or it was not fit for him to do it; sure I am the better they were not for Christ, because of their un∣belief. And there is great reason for it, in that no sinne more dishonours God than Infidelity; For in effect, it makes God to be no God, Christ to be no Christ, his Word a lye, his Promises untruths, and his Threats bru∣tum fulmen, a crack of Thunder, that may fright and feare, but scatter and never hurt.
Do you then beare any go••d-will to the honour of God? will you uphold his Truth, his Mercies? Nay, do you beare any good-will unto your selves? would you be glad your works should please him? your whole service be a sweet smelling sacrifice to him? Then take heed 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that at no time there enter into you this evil heart of unbelief; for at that time you are not ca∣pable of favour from him.
I know it is not in your power alwayes to suppress doubts that may arise in your hearts (for faith is weak in many, and yet it may be a sound faith, that is but like a graine of mustard seed) yet it is in your power to come to Christ, and pray him, Lord encrease our faith. Yet it is in your power (for I speak now to regenerate persons) to call for, and use the means God hath ordain'd to remove those doubts. Sunt verba, & voces: God hath left in his Church meanes to beget, meanes to stirre up, meanes to strengthen your faith. There is his Word, there are his Sacraments, there are his Ministers to whom is committed the word of Reconciliation; hear diligently the one, and receive reverently the other, and God will give the encrease.
It lies upon you to call for these medicinable and corroborating Cordials. By Application of these, by Gods blessing, you shall go from strength to strength, from faith to faith, from a less to a greater, from a weaker to a stron∣ger degree, till you appear before God in Zion.