volume 4

246 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. IV.
pel to the spiritual world, to all who intend to live unto God here,
or to enjoy him hereafter. Of old the preaching of the gospel was
by many wise men, or those that thought
to be, esteemed folly, 1 Cor. i.,
or boasted themselves so
that is, a thing needless and useless ;
and the wiser any one would have himself esteemed to be, the more
vehemently would he condemn preaching as folly. But notwith
standing all their pride, scorn, and opposition, it proved the "foolish
ness of God/ which was wiser than all their wisdom ; that is, what
God chose to compass his end by, which seemed unto them
ness," but was indeed the
"
"
foolish
wisdom and power of God." And it is
that which the eternal welfare or ruin of men depends upon: as the
apostle in this place declares, and as the Scriptures testify every
where. And this may direct us to make a right judgment both of
that contempt and neglect of it which are found amongst many who
ought to have other thoughts about it. The whole work is by some
despised and decried ; and few there are who labour in it with dili
gence as they ought. But they shall all bear their own judgment
Obs. V. The sole cause of the promise being ineffectual unto sal
vation in and towards them to whom it is preached, is in themselves
and their own unbelief.
This the apostle expressly asserts. It is granted that
"
the word
did not profit them." But what was the reason of it? Was it weak
or insufficient in itself? Was it like the law, that made nothing
perfect? that could not take away sin, nor justify the souls of men?
No; but the sole cause hereof was that it was "not mixed with
faith." God hath not appointed to save men whether they will or
no; nor is the word of promise a means suited unto any such end
or purpose. It is enough that it is every way sufficient unto the
nd whereunto of God it is designed.
If men believe it not, if they
refuse the application of it to themselves, no wonder if they perish
in their sins.
Obs. VI. There is a failing, temporary faith with respect to the
promises of God, which will not advantage them in whom it is.
It is known how often the people of old professed that they did
believe, and that they would obey accordingly ; but, saith the apostle,
notwithstanding all their pretensions and professions, notwithstand
ing all the convictions they had of the truth of the word, and the
resolutions they had of yielding obedience, wherein their temporary
faith did consist, yet they perished in their sins, because
"
the word
was not mixed with faith in them;" that is, truly and really be
lieved.
Obs. VII. The great mystery of useful and profitable believing con
sists in the mixing or incorporating of truth and faith in the souls
or minds of believers.
This being a truth of much importance, I shall a little insist on