The Joy of Faith, Treatise · Part 2
PART II. Of the Nature of Faith in particular.
Having in the firſt part of this Treatiſe, laid the precious foundation upon thoſe two marble r…cks, the D… ctrine of the Divinity of the Scriptures, and the Deity of Chriſt: which may be likened to thoſe vaſt and ſtately fulciments which Solomon built on the ſides of Mount Moriah, to ſuſtain the grandeur of the Temple. I ſhould now proceed to erect the ſtrong hold of confidence, & the pleaſant Palace of aſſurance: wherein that beautiful Daughter of Zion, the grace of faith ſits as upon a throne of every, within the Curtains of our ſecond Solomon.
And this I ſhall endeavour in the Ten Apartiments or Chapters following.
Chap. 1. Of the Name and Nature of Faith.
Chap. 2. The various Expreſſions ſetting out its nature.
Chap. 3. The loweſt or leaſt degree of ſaving Faith.
Chap. 4. Of Juſtification, the immediate effect of Faith.
Chap. 5. Of entring into Covenant with God by Faith.
Chap. 6. Of the neceſſary and inſeparable connexion between Sanctification or holineſs, and Faith.
Chap. 7. Of the Infirmities of Believers.
Chap. 8. Of aſſurance or joy of Eaith how attained, with ſome clear ſigns.
Chap. 9. The danger of Ʋnbelief.
Chap. 10. The happy Fruits and benefits of Faith.
And ſo conclude the whole with ſome Corollaries by the bleſſed leave and help of our gracious God.
I intend not to enlarge very much on any but to be briefeſt on thoſe where others have been copious. On the ſecond third, ſixth and eighth, I would inſiſt a little liberally: it being my primary deſign, to ſtrengthen the weak believer, and in courage ſinking ſpirits: beſeeching them to meditate ſeriouſly on the directions for underſtanding the nature of Faith in the firſt and ſecond: and to be conſciencious in their holy care of walking with God in the points pr…ſcribed in the 6th chapter. That ſo they may live more comfortably, dye more ſweetly, and reign victoriouſly.
And now let us walk together into the firſt chapter by the gracious aſſiſtance of our holy and ever-bleſſed God.