The mysterious acting of the grace of Faith exerciseth itself upon an invisible object, even upon Christ not seen, according to that word, 1 Pet. 5:7. Whom having not seen, ye love, in whom though now ye see him not, yet believing, &c. I pose the greater part to you who are here, whether or not these be two of the greatest Paradoxes and mysteries unto you? For is not this a mystery, to love him whom we never saw? Whom having not seen, yet ye love: To love an absent and unseen Christ, is a mystery to the most part of the world: and is not this a mystery, to believe on him whom we never saw? In whom, though ye see him not, yet believing. And I shall add this that Faith can hold fast its interest with God, not withstanding the most precious Christian should call us hypocrites, and not acknowledge us, this is clear in the practice of Job; And most clear from that word, Isa. 63:16. Doubtless thou art our Father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not.
