The Worlds Great Sermons, Volume 2 | Page 3

say he hath faith, and in the
mean time can be content to be idle and unfruitful in the work of the
Lord, can be content to be a dead Christian, let him know that his case
is marvelously fearful: for if faith were in him indeed it would appear;
ye can not keep your good hearts to yourselves; wherever fire is it will
burn, and wherever faith is it can not be kept secret. The heart will be
enlarged, the soul quickened, and there will be a change in the whole
life and conversation, if ever faith takes place in a man. I will say no
more of this, but proceed to the second point arising out of the
affirmative part.
You will say, what fruit is it then? Or how shall a man know what is
the true fruit of faith, indeed, whereby he may discern his own estate? I
answer, the text will tell you: "He that walketh in the footsteps of that
faith of Abraham." By footsteps are meant the works the actions, the
holy endeavors of Abraham; and where those footsteps are there is the
faith of Abraham. So that the point of instruction hence is thus much
(which indeed is the main drift of the apostle).
That, Every faithful man may, yea doth, imitate the actions of faithful
Abraham.
Mark what I say; I say again, this is to be the son of Abraham, not
because we are begotten of him by natural generation, for so the Jews
are the sons of Abraham; but Abraham is our father because he is the
pattern, for the proceeding of our faith. "Thy father was an Amorite,"
saith the Scripture: that is, thou followest the steps of the Amorites in
thy conversation. So is Abraham called the "father of the faithful,"
because he is the copy of their course, whom they must follow in those
services that God calleth for. So the point is clear, every faithful man
may, yea doth, and must imitate the actions of faithful Abraham. It is
Christ's own plea, and He presseth it as an undeniable truth upon the
hearts of the Scribes and Pharisees, that bragged very highly of their
privileges and prerogatives, and said, "Abraham is our father." "No

(saith Christ), if ye were Abraham's children ye would do the works of
Abraham." To be like Abraham in constitution, to be one of his blood,
is not that which makes a man a son of Abraham, but to be like him in
holiness of affection, to have a heart framed and a life disposed
answerably to his. The apostle in like manner presseth this point when
he would provoke the Hebrews, to whom he wrote, to follow the
examples of the saints: "Whose faith (says he) follow, considering the
end of their conversation." So the apostle Peter presseth the example of
Sarah upon all good women: "Whose daughter ye are (saith he) as long:
as ye do well."
For the opening of the point, and that ye may more clearly understand it,
a question here would be resolved, what were "the footsteps of the faith
of Abraham"? which way went he? This is a question, I say, worthy the
scanning, and therefore (leaving the further confirmation of the point,
as already evident enough) I will come to it that you may know what to
settle your hearts upon.
I answer, therefore, there are six footsteps of the faith of Abraham,
which are the main things wherein every faithful man must do as
Abraham did, in the work of faith--I mean in his ordinary course; for if
there be any thing extraordinary no man is bound to imitate him therein;
but in the works of faith, I say, which belongeth to all men, every man
must imitate Abraham in these six steps, and then he is in the next door
to happiness, the very next neighbor, as I say, to heaven.
The first advance which Abraham made in the ways of grace and
happiness, you shall observe to be a yielding to the call of God. Mark
what God said to Abraham: "Get thee out of thy country, and from thy
kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee;
and Abraham departed," saith the text, "as the Lord had spoken unto
him." Even when he was an idolater, he is content to lay aside all and
let the command of God bear the sway; neither friends, nor kindred, nor
gods can keep him back, but he presently stoopeth to the call of God.
So it is, my brethren, with every faithful man. This is his first step: he is
content to be under the rule and power of God's command. Let the Lord
call for him,