A Treatise of Faith, Part 2 · Chapter 1
CHAP. I.
What it is to liue by faith, and how a Chriſtian ſhould ſtirre vp himſelfe thereunto.
MAny and pretious are the fruits of …aith,Inducements, to liue by Faith. whereof wee hauehave vſe at all times, in eueryevery ſtate, at eueryevery turne, and in all things that we goe about: which who ſo would enioy, hee muſt learne not onelyonly to hauehave, but to vſe it aright; to liue by it here; feeding vponupon the ſeuerall promiſes of mercy, and not onelyonly to be ſaued by it when he goeth hence. The Lord himſelfe, the Authour and giuer of life, hath o…ten taught vsus, by his Prophet and Apoſtle,Hab. 2.4. Rom. 1.17. Gal 3.11. Heb. 10.38. That the iuſt man, is not onelyonly to belieue to Iuſtification, but to liu… by Faith. The worthy ſeruants of God in all ages, are all brought in as a cloud of witneſſes, teſtifying this truth, that The Iuſt ſhall liue by faith. Gen 5.24. Heb. 11.5. Gen. 24.40.By faith Enoch walked with God: By faith Abraham walked before God. Paul liued, if euer any comfortably, happily, from the time of his conuerſion, to the time of his diſſolution: but euen whileſt hee liued in the fleſh, hee liued by the faith of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt. Without faith what …e wee but dead moules? liuing carkaſes that carrie about, and are carried with dead ſoules? The beſt, moſt excellent and pretious part of Man is d ſtitute of true life till faith be inſpired into it from aboue, whereby we are vnited vntounto Chriſt the fountaine of ſupernaturall and eternall life.Col. 3.3.4. The moſt glorious or pleaſant life of Man without faith, is but a vaine ſhadow, a meere picture and reſemblance o… life, or of death rather, drowned in carnall delights full of vexation, and leading towards euerlaſting perdition. The beſt worke of the regenerate, if it bee not animated and quickened by liuely faith, is but the very outſide and dull matter of a good and acceptable worke: There is no going right forward in the way to Heauen,1. Tim 1.5. if faith be not the guide. The end of the Commaundement is louelove out of a pure conſcience, and faith vnfained. That which is here called the precept is not all the law,Iun. animad in Bell Cont. 5. lib. 3. cap. 11. not. 14. but only the precept that Paul giueth to Timothy, that he ſhould hauehave care to ſee that there were no ſtrange doctrine admitted neither for forme, nor matter, neither for things directly contrarie to wholſome doctrine nor for idle queſtions, not tending to build vp the people in the louelove of God, and of their Neighbour, as appeareth euidently,Verſe 3. both by the verbe before, whereof this word here is deriued, and by this ſame word vſed afterward in this chapter,Verſe 18. where the ſignification of it is reſtrained vntounto the preſent matter of exhortaion. Neuertheleſſe, it may well be applied to confirme, that eueryevery act of ſincere and vnpartiall obedience, muſt come from a liuely, well-rooted and ſoueraigne faith.
Chriſt is the fountaine of life and faith the meane. Act. 2.15. Iohn 1.4. Pſal. 36.9. Heb. 5.9.Chriſt is the fountaine, and faith the meanes of life. The power and originall of life is intirely reſerued to the Lord and Prince of life, the Light and Life of men, the Author of eternall ſaluation: But faith is the radicall band on our part, whereby wee are tied vntounto Chriſt, and liue in him. The bodie hath it ſoule which enclines it; and ſo hath the ſoule its ſoule whereby it liues, and that is Chriſt the quickning ſpirit. 1. Cor. 15.45.Take away the ſoule from the bodie, and earth becomes earth: ſeuer Chriſt and the ſoule, what is it but a dead carrion? The members die if they bee ſeperated from the Head, liue ſo long as they be conioyned to it:Epheſ. 1.22, 23. & 4.16. Chriſt is to his Church and eueryevery liuing member of it, what the naturall Head is to the naturall members. And ſo we liue primarily and properly by Chriſt as by the ſoule and Head; by faith ſecondarily, as by the Spirits, the band of ſoule and body, or by Nerues and ſinewes, the ties of the Head and Members. Looke as the leg or arme liues by proper ſinewes, vniting them to the Head: ſo doth eueryevery belieuer liue in Chriſt by a wel-rooted, ſoueraigne, particular faith, whereby he receiueth Chriſt, and is made one with him. Thus ſaith hee himſelfe, Who is the truth and the life, Iohn 14.6.I am the reſurrection, and the life: he that belieueth in me, Iohn 11.25.though he were dead, yet ſhall he liue; and, I am the bread of life, Iohn 6.35. Iohn 5.26.hee that belieueth in me ſhall neuer hunger; and againe, As the Father hath life in himſelfe, ſo hath hee giuen to the Son to hauehave life in himſelf. Thus ſpeak the holy Scriptures of him, In it was life, and that life was the light of men; Iohn 1.4. Col. 3.4.When Christ who is your life ſhall appeare; Our hands hauehave handled the word of life. For the life was manifeſted, 1. Iohn 1.2, 3.and we hauehave ſcene it, and beare witneſſe, and ſhew vntounto you that eternall life which was with the Father, and was manifeſted vntounto vsus. And this is the teſtimonie of thoſe three heauenly and earthly witneſſes, That God hath giuen to vsus eternall life, and this life is in his Sonne; 1. Iohn 5.11, 12.Hee that hath the Sonne hath life, and hee that hath not the Sonne, hath not life. Whatſoeuer grace we want, it is to be receiued from Chriſt,1. Cor. 1.30. Who of God is made vntounto vsus wiſdome, righteouſneſſe, ſanctification and redemption: and whatſoeuer grace is in Chriſt for vsus, it is made ours by faith. And ſo we find in diuers paſſages of Scripture, that he that hath faith, 1. John 5.13.hath the Sonne, and eternall life in him. This is liuely repreſented vntounto vsus by the Parable of the Vine and the branches, that as the branch receiue… all the ſap (whereby it liues and is fruitfull) from the Vine,Iohn 15.5. ſo doe we from Chriſt, being engrafted into him. Life then is from Chriſt as the Author,Rom. 11.20. Prince and Fountaine: but wee liue by faith as it incorporateth vsus into Chriſt, and receiueth him to dwell in our hearts.Epheſ. 3.17. So that whatſoeuer wee lend to faith, it redounds to the honour of Chriſt. Impoſſible it is, that faith ſhould waxe proud towards her Lord, or inſolent ouer her fellow ſeruants, challenging any thing of deſert vntounto her ſelfe. No; faith receiues all of grace as a poore beggar, and altogether excludes the hatefull law of boaſting.Rom 3.27. Rom. 4.16. Epheſ. 2.8, 9.10 This is the nature, the place, the office of faith: for God ha…h ordained that life ſhould bee through faith, th…t it might bee of meere and rich grace. And if the end and meanes appointed of God to lead thereunto, doe well conſent, then it cannot be, that faith ſhould lift vp her ſelfe againſt grace, or in any thing ſeeke her owne pr…iſe, and not the glory of God. Among all the gifts of God there i… none more vſefull then faith: others are profitable for ſome few things, this is for this life and the l…fe to come; for all parts and purpoſes of our liues, in the vſe of it manifold, and rich eue…y manner of way: But euermore it aduanc…th the grac… of God, and cauſeth man altogether to diſclaime himſelfe, his abilitie and worth. Faith ſe…ueth not only to iuſtifie, but to make vsus endure in all afflictions without making haſte;Hab. 2.4. Eſay …8.16. Rom. 1.5. The Iuſt liueth, in time of his afflictions by faith; Hee that belieueth, maketh not haſte: It doth worke in vsus, and guide the courſe of our obedience; Wee hauehave r…ceiued grace and Apostleſhip to the obedience of faith, not only in belieuing the promiſe of the Goſpell, but the other p…rt or word of command: It doth alſo preuaile againſt all Enemies;1. Iohn 5.4. This is the victorie that ouer-commeth the world, euen our faith: But in all this, it leaneth vponupon the grace of God, looketh to his power and truſteth vponupon his faithfull promiſe.
To liue by Faith,Gal. 3.2. Rom. 4.21. Heb. 11.11. What it is to liue by faith. is by faith in Chriſt to aſſent and adhere vntounto, and p…ſſeſſe the whole Word of God as our owne, in all eſtates and conditions, reſting quietly vponupon his gratious and faithfull promiſe to receiue from his good hand all needfull bleſſings and comforts in fitteſt ſeaſon, and in all good conſcience yeelding our ſelues vntounto his good pleaſure in ſincere, vniuerſall and conſtant obedience. To liue by faith is not only to belieue in Chriſt for ſaluation, or to belieue throughout our life, that wee ſhall be ſaued in the life to come; but alſo to reſt vponupon the grace and free fauour of God, that we ſhall hauehave whatſoeuer is expedient to bring vsus ſafely thither, giuen vsus freely by the Lord in this life, ſo farre as hee knoweth it good for vsus. God hath made promiſe of all good things, more then we could aske or thinke,Pſal. 34.9 10. Rom. 8.28. that no good thing ſhall be wanting, that whatſoeuer commeth ſhall bee for our good: all which the Iuſt man poſſeſſeth by faith, and is aſwell ſatisfied, when in temptations and trials he hath no meanes of helpe, as if hee had all that his heart could deſire. To the burdened God hath promiſed eaſe,Math. 11.28. Eſay 55.1. Ier. 31.34. Eſay 26.1. …ro. 10.28. Zech. 1.8. 1. Cor. 10.13. Pſal. 91.2, 3. & 84.11. Eſay …3.28 Math 6.33. refreſhing to the thirſtie; pardon to the penitent, comfort to them that mourne, per…ect peace to them that waite vponupon the Lord: aſſiſtance, comfort, deliuerance to them that be tempted, preſeruation and protection from euill, with comfortable ſupply of all bleſſings temporall and ſpirituall ſo farre as ſhall be good: all theſe faith embraceth, poſſeſſeth, feedeth vponupon, and ſo reſteth contented and comforted, as if all helpe that could be deuiſed, were preſent, and comfort inioyed. The word of grace teacheth vsus to denie vngodlineſſe and worldly luſts, Titus 2.12.and to liue godly, iustly and ſoberly in this preſent world: from this word of command faith cannot be wholly turned aſide by allurement or terrour, but reſteth vponupon God for abilitie, and ſweetly inclineth the heart with delight and chearefulneſſe to follow after the Lord. Thus to liue by faith, is firmely to relie vponupon the Word of God, in all eſtates and conditions, with full purpoſe to bee guided by it, vntill the good things contained the…ein be fully accompliſhed. This is to be ſeene in that honourable company of Worthies ſummed vp by the Apoſtle, as patternes of faith,Heb. 11.1, 2, 3, 4. &c. who in all eſtates and ſtraights whatſoeuer they were brought into, in all temptations wherewith they were tried, and in all difficulties wherein they were exerciſed, yet ſo liued by faith, that nothing could diſmay them, much leſſe to ouerthrow them. By whoſe example we may learne, ſo to reſt vponupon Gods Word and promiſe for all needfull helpe, aſſiſtance, comfort and deliuerance, what danger or difficulty ſoeuer befall vsus, that we be neither diſmayed with terrour, nor turned aſide with worldly allurements, nor wearied with delayes, nor faint in the combate.
What is to bee done, that wee might liue by faith. Iob 22.21, 22. Pſal. 85.8.Now for the attaining hereof theſe two things are carefully to be performed.
Firſt, to acquaint our ſelues familiarly with the Word of God, that we might hauehave it in readineſſe for direction and comfort.
Secondly, to exerciſe faith aright in the Word of God.
The Word of God is the ground of all our faith, wherby we liue, be directed, maintained, and vpheld in all our trials.2. Pet. 1.4. The promiſes of mercy are as ſo many legacies bequeathed vsus by our heauenly Father, and by his Sonne Ieſus Chriſt,Pſal. 119.105. in his laſt Will and Teſtament: The Commandements are ſo many directions to guide in the way of bleſſedneſſe,Iohn 5.39. vntill wee be full pertakers of the good things promiſed: It is therefore moſt neceſſary and behouefull for vsus to ſearch this Will and Teſtament for all ſuch legacies as may concerne vsus:Prou. 6.21, 22. and to binde this law continually vponupon the heart, that it might leade, keepe counſell, and comfo…t vsus as occaſion requires. Faith is the li…e of our ſoules, the Word is the ground, life, guide, and moderator of our faith. If God ſhall leade vsus into the darke at any time, or bring vsus into any ſtraight, that wee ſee no way of eſcaping, or meanes of reliefe, will it not be a great ſtay and comfort to our ſoule, if then wee can call to min…e the good Word of God formerly laid vp in ſtore, whence we can raiſe ſuch hope of helpe in due time as may quiet and content vsus till we doe enioy in effect the good deſired?Pſal. 94.19. When the heart is perplexed with thoughts, diſtract…d with feares, and vnſetled with temptations, is it not a great refreſhing, that wee can call to minde the commandements of God, directing what wee muſt doe or leaue vndone, inſtructing in the way of peace wherein our feet ſhall neuer ſtumble?Pſal. 119.24. If wee would bee ready and skilfull practitioners in the great art of liuing by faith, wee muſt exerciſe our ſelues in the Word of God, and get into our hearts and memories, at leaſt, the princip…ll promiſes and Commandements, that we may hauehave them in readineſſe for direction and comfort vponupon all occaſions.Col. 3.16. Let the Word of Chriſt dwell in you richly in all wiſdome. And here it is to be obſerued, that beſides expreſſe Commandements and direct promiſes generally offered, there be ſp…ciall promiſes and Commandements by conſequent, which we are to note and make vſe of. As whatſoeuer God promiſeth to any one of his children, (not in any ſpeciall or proper reſpect, only concerning ſuch a perſon and for ſuch a time, but) as a common fauour belonging to all his children, that wee may, and ought to receiue as a promiſe made to vsus; Thus the Apoſtle diſwading from couetouſneſſe, applieth that promiſe to all the faithfull, which in ſpeciall was ſpoken vntounto Ioſhuah, I will not leaue thee, nor forſake thee. Heb. 13.5.Whenſoeuer wee find that any of Gods people hauehave prayed for any good thing, and hauehave bin heard, if it were not by ſpecial prerogatiue peculiar to them, we may take it as a promiſe to vsus. I ſought the Lord, and he heard me: and deliuered me from all my feares. Pſal. 34.4, 5, 6They looked vntounto him, and were lightned: and their faces were not aſhamed. This poore man cried, and the Lord heard him, and ſaued him out of all his troubl…s. Wh t fauour God hath ſhewed vntounto any of his children, according to promiſe and couenant of grace, the ſame m…y …ll that be in couenant with him, exp…ct and looke for. For all the faithfull hauehave the ſame God to be their God, liue vnderunder the ſame couenant, and hauehave in…ereſt in the ſame promiſes of mercy. Thus Iames exhorting to patience in trouble, alledgeth the example of Iob, Yee hauehave heard of the patience of Iob,James 5 11. and hauehave ſ…ene the end of the Lord. As for extraordinarie fauours or deliuerances granted vntounto ſome perſons by ſpeciall priuiledge, and not by ver…ue of common couenant: wee cannot promiſe our ſelues the ſame in particular from their example, nor did the Lord vouchſafe the ſame to the ſame perſons at all times: but as ſuch peculiar mercies imply a common ground or reaſon, they are vntounto vsus arguments of comfort and incouragement. God doth not ordinarily ſend his Angels to open the priſon doores, nor ſtop the mouthes of Lions, nor quench the force of the fire for the preſeruation of his people: but from ſuch extraordinary examples, wee may conclude, that God will bee with vsus in the fire and in the water to deliuer or comfort vsus,Pſal. 91.15. Eſay 43.2. 2. Cor. 4.8, 7. to ſuccour or ſupport vsus, that wee ſhall not be forſaken, much leſſe ouercome. Alſo in the practice of the ſeruants of God, we may learne our dutie: for whatſoeuer they did vponupon common grounds and reaſons pertaining to vsus, no leſſe then vntounto them, that dutie belongeth vntounto vsus as wel as vntounto them, and their example is for our imitation.Phil. 3.17. Pro. 2 20. Speciall Commandements by priuiledge giuen to ſome peculiar perſons, belong not vntounto them, who hauehave receiued no ſuch warrant: but if the immediate ground be common, the dutie it ſelfe reacheth vntounto vsus.
Bei…g acquainted with the Word, if wee would liue by fa…th, we m…ſt exerciſe it aright therein, and that con…iſteth in diuer… acts.
Firſt, Faith doth firmely and vniuerſally aſſent to the whole Word of God,The acts of Faith. Acts 24.14. and ſet a due price and value vponupon it, as that which containes the chiefe good of Man. The Goſpell is that pearle of price in compariſon whereof the merch…ndiſe of ſiluer and gold are of no worth.
Secondly, It ponders the Word ſeriouſly, and treaſures it vp ſafe. Earthly men keepe the conueyances and aſſurances of their Lands very circumſpectly,Math. 13.45, 46 lay vp their bils and bands, write vponupon them, know when they expire, and what to challenge by them. The promiſes of God vntounto the faithfull ſoule, are inſteed of all aſſurances,Pſal. 119.11. bils and bands for his liuelihood, maintenance, protection, aſſiſtance, deliuerance, comfort, and euerlaſting happineſſe: therefore hee is carefull to view them often, lay them vp ſure, meditate vponupon their ſtableneſſe and certaintie, and caſt with himſelfe what profit & comfort they will bring in fitteſt ſeaſon.
Thirdly, It preſerueth and keepeth in the way of the promiſes, it perſwadeth, inciteth and ſtrengthens therein. All the promiſes of God are free, his fauours of meere grace: but this free fauour is in ſpeciall bequeathed vntounto the penitent, meeke, humble, vpright, that walke in the vndefiled way, and doe none iniquitie: and faith in theſe promiſes, expecting the Lords helpe al-ſufficient in due ſeaſon, carrieth a man forward in the path,Pro. 19.16. Pſal. 119.1, 2, 3. wherein hee ſhall find reſt and peace, and will not bee turned out of the right way, then which it acknowledgeth none ſafe or pleaſant.
Fourthly, It plies the throne of grace with earneſt and continuall ſupplications, intreating helpe and ſuccour according vntounto promiſe. Faith hearkeneth what the Lord ſpeaketh, and ſpeaketh backe againe in feruent gro…nes and deſires. It hath the promiſe of God,2. Sam 7 27. and therefore is bold to pray, and will not keepe ſilence.
Fiftly, It looketh vp directly vntounto God, his wiſdome, power, merciemercy, and faithfulneſſe; If me…nes bee preſent, faith beholdeth Gods hand in them: if meane… bee wanting, the eye is lifted vp vntounto the Lord, who can prouide meanes, or worke without meanes and againſt meanes, and moſt certainly will performe what he hath promiſed when it ſhall be for our good.Pſal. 5.3. My voice ſhalt thou heare in the morning, O Lord, in the morning will I orderly addreſſe vntounto thee, and will looke out.
Sixtly, It reſteth quietly obſeruing the effects of Gods promiſes, and triumpheth before the victorie.Pſal. 13.5. I hauehave trusted in thy mercy, my heart ſhall reioyce in thy ſaluation. But of theſe more at large in the particulars following.
Meanes to ſtir vp our ſelues to liue by faith.Now for the better ſtirring vp of our ſelues to liue by faith.
Firſt, Wee muſt find and ferret out the Infidelitie that lurketh in our boſomes, condemne it, and make it odious. Ah, how is my heart fallen by vnbeliefe?Find out thy vnbeliefe. What a maſſe of infidelitie harboureth in my breaſt? O Lord, I am groſſely ignorant of thy wayes, doubtfull of thy truth, diſtruſtfull of thy power and goodnes, diſobedient to thy Commandement. Thou haſt giuen rare and excellent promiſes in thy holy Word, but I enquire not after them, reioyce not in them, cleaue not vntounto them in truth and ſtedfaſtnes, ſettle not mine heart vponupon thē, make them not mine own, keepe them not ſafe, that I may know what to challenge by them, prize them not according to the worth and value of the good promiſed. Becauſe by a ciuill faith men belieue men, therefore they ſeeke to get their ſecuritie, and if they hauehave a man of credit his word for what was deſperate, they are glad; If they hauehave bonds or ſpecialties, they boxe them vp, they know when they expire, what to challenge by vertue of them, they will doe nothing that may be preiudiciall to themſelues therein. But as for the promiſes of life made in thy Word, I ſeeke them not, build not vponupon them, hide them not carefully in my heart, caſt not ſeriouſly with my ſelfe what good I may aſſ…redly looke for by vertue of them, keepe them not continu…lly in thought to cut off all carn…ll reaſonings and d…ſtractions, am not wary to preuent what may bring preiudice to my ſoule and ſtate. Thou threatneſt in thy Word, but I doe not feare, am not carefull to decline ſin. Who is ſo hardie as to thruſt his finger into the fire? But I hauehave ſuffered my ſelfe often to bee carried aſide with luſts through vnbeliefe. How many wicked motions hauehave I entertained? what ſinfull paſſions hauehave I nouriſhed? how vainly, raſhly, wickedly hauehave I ſpoken, though I hauehave bin warned by thy Word of threatning to the contrarie? True and righteous are thy precepts according to which thou haſt commanded me to walke: But I hauehave followed the cuſtomes, examples, and traditions of men, the ſuggeſtions of Satan, and allurements of the World. Luſt and p…ſſion hauehave oft come betwixt my heart and thy holy precepts, whereby I am turned aſide from the ſtraite way of peace. I can find ſmall relliſh and ſauour in the Word of life, I digeſt it not, feed not vponupon it, hunger not after it, am not changed into the nature of it. I receiue not the truth, or it abides not in me for ſubſt…ntiall nouriſhment: I belieue no further then I ſee, feare no more then I feele, ſtart aſide in temptation.
The Symptomes of vnbeliefe are euident.Symptomes of vnbeliefe. From this root ſpringeth that vnmeaſurable deadneſſe that preſſeth downe. If a man of authority threaten with racke or gibbet, I quake and feare: but when I heare the Iudgements of God denounced againſt my ſinnes, I am ſcarce moued at all.
From this ariſeth impatience, murmuring, diſcontent, vnquietneſſe, when outward things are wanting:Pſal 78.19, 21, 22. Numb. 14.27. For did the heart cleaue faſt vntounto God, it would reſt quiet in his promiſe, if all other things were lacking. Selfe-confidence, reſting in meanes, and leaning vponupon them, as lands, riches,Rom 10.3. Ier. 17.5. Pſal. 40.4. & 52.7. Phil. 3.3. Ier. 9.13. f…iends, &c. are effects of vnbeliefe. Hee that reioyceth in Chriſt Ieſus can hauehave no confidence in the fleſh. As wee grow downe, denying our wiſdome, and all ſtrength wee can make; ſo doth faith in our great God grow vp; as we ſwell or be puffed vp in conceit of our wiſdome or ſtrength, ſo doth faith languiſh or decay. So much as the heart ſtayeth vponupon the creature, it is by ſinne with-drawne from the Creator. But my heart is much poyſoned with ſelfe-ſufficiencie: I feele my ſelfe apt to leane vponupon mine owne deuices to preſume vponupon mine owne ſtrength, and ſo wickedly to depart from God. If meanes be at hand I grow ſecure, forgetting, that further then God doth ſend forth his Word, they can doe nothing. If meanes be wanting, I faint, or at leaſt, am greatly diſtracted, not remembring that it is all one with God to ſaue with many as with few, with ſmall or no meanes as great. If I enioy the things I would, I thinke much vponupon the meanes, aſcribe little to Gods bleſſing: my affections do worke more liuely on this or that which fell out (as men ſpeake) more luckily, then on the bleſſing of God, which is all in all. In any matter of weight concerning liueli-hood or ſtate, I am readie to plod what friends I can make, what meanes be preſent, what likelihoods of good ſucceſſe, and here I reſt, not ſeeking to the Lord,Prou. 29.26. though all iudgement come from him. But if this or that requiſite (in my iudgement) cannot bee obtained, though I be neuer ſo diligent, ſeeke neuer ſo earneſtly, ſtill I diſtruſt and ſuſpect the euent, ſaying in heart, that it cannot proue well. And when my deſire is accompliſhed, the meanes are ſtill in mine eye, I thinke my ſelfe indebted to ſuch or ſuch friends, neuer able to requite their kindneſſe, when the chiefe cauſe, vponupon whom all things depend, is much forgotten, not affectionately remembred. In trials I am very tottering, and like a poore creeple who leaneth vponupon his crutches, eaſily brought to the ground, when ſenſible helpes are taken away. Carnall delights,Math. 6.30. Iohn 12.43. & 5.44. Math. 14 31. Marke 8.16, 17. couetouſneſſe, louelove of praiſe, double diligence about e…rthly things, and exceſſiue care: theſe are euill accidents of this diſeaſe.
Did we poſſeſſe the ſpi…ituall comforts of the Word, the heart could neither couet, nor take pleaſure in the tranſitorie things of this life.
Did wee aſſuredly belieue that our Heauenly Father will prouide for vsus, wee would not diſquiet our ſelues with troubleſome thoughts about liuing, maintenance, and ſucceſſe of our labours. But, ah, how is my heart taken vp with diſtracting cares, drawne away with carnall pleaſures and aſpiring deſires after great things. If riches increaſe, I reioy…e in them; if troubles or croſſes come on, my head is wholly buſied about them; I can keepe no meaſure in caſting, diſcourſing, contriuing how things will goe. The many thoughts that I ſpend about theſe things to no purpoſe, vponupon no occaſion, doe more then ſufficiently conuince the earthly diſtemper of my heart.
Partiall obedience, indulgence to any ſinne, ſleightineſſe in the performance of holy duties, and raſhneſſe in the vndertaking of ordinary workes without feare, reuerence and due conſideration, is the euill fruit of vnbeliefe. For the ſtrength of faith is vniforme, it fighteth againſt all ſinne, feedeth vponupon the dainties that God hath prepared for them that louelove him, and teacheth in naturall and ciuill actions to hold Chriſt, that his Spirit may guide vsus in the doing of them. But I hauehave beene too fauourable to boiſterous paſſions, euill luſts, vaine rouings, idle ſpeeches, neglect of holy duties. I hauehave prayed without intention, feruencie, or care to ſpeed: I hauehave heard the Word, but not attended vntounto it with diligence, not laboured to get it into poſſeſſion, nor to be changed into the nature of it. I hauehave feaſted without feare or thankfulneſſe; I hauehave laid me downe to ſleepe and riſen againe, not minding the promiſe of God, who giueth ſleepe to his beloued, not acknowledging him who is my li…e, and the length of my dayes, nor fearing the grin that is ſet for me in eueryevery creature and buſineſſe of this life. What ſhall I ſay? O Lord, I hauehave ſinned againſt thy goodneſſe, power, mercy, and truth; againſt the Mediation and bloud of Chriſt.1. Iohn 5.10. He that beli…ues not in God, …akes him a liar, then which what can be more reprochfull? Hee that reſteth not vponupon Chriſt, maketh his bloud of none effect, then which what is more abominable? To feare the threats of Man, to reſt on his Word, to obey his Commandements, when the will and pleaſure of God is neglected; what is this, but to rob Go… o… his glory, and ſet vp Man in his roome or ſteed? If a great Man ſhould threaten, would I not bee carefull to decline his wrath? Shall my God threaten, and I be ſecure and careleſſe? If I hauehave a mans word or bond that is of worth, I write vponupon the matter, as if I had it: Shall I not ioyfully reſt in the word, ſeale, and oath of my God? If a Man of great place ſhould bee asked a pawne, and not credited on his word, he would take it in euill part: what a ſhame is it, that I ſhould not beli…ue God further then I hauehave his caution? The ſeruants of Noblemen attend on their Lords pleaſure at an Inch, come at their call, goe at their command, doe eueryevery thing exactly that is giuen them in charge: What wretchedneſſe is this in me, that I hauehave ob…yed the Lord by the halues, beene ſleightie in his worſh…p, moſt negligent where all diligence is no more then duty, moſt praiſe-worthy. As I hauehave diſhonoured God,Titus 1.15. Eſay 7.9. Numb 20.12. Luke 1.20. ſo I hauehave hurt mine owne ſoule. If it were not for vnbeliefe, nothing could harme mee; this doth all the miſchiefe: for it reiecteth the medicines, which taken, would cure all maladies, and pulleth off Gods pla ſters, which lying on would ſalue our miſeries: it defileth our beſt workes, doubleth the bitterneſſe of croſſes, pulleth downe many iudgements vponupon vsus, diſinableth in the combate againſt Satan, is the nurſe of ſpirituall idleneſſe, and hindreth the ſweetneſſe of all holy duties. It were iuſt with thee, Deare Father, to caſt mee off for euer, and giuegive me ouer to the vanitie of mine vnbelieuing heart. I hauehave drawne backe from thee by infidelitie,Heb. 10.38, 39. cleauing to the luſts of the fleſh and allurements of the World, truſting in vaine deuices; and thou mightſt iuſtly forſake me vtterly for this mine hypocriticall ſtarting aſide from thy teſtimonies. O Lord, I am not more full of infidelitie by nature, then of my ſelfe vnable to remoue it: vntounto thee therefore, doe I lift vp my ſoule; O tame in mee the fierceneſſe of infidelitie, and teach mee to belieue as thou haſt commanded: then ſhall I cleaue vntounto thee inſeperably, waite confidently on thy ſaluation, and ſerue thee chearefully as long as I liue. Thus are we to find out, and make infidelitie odious.
Secondly, We muſt labour to ſee the neceſſitie and preciouſneſſe of faith,2. See the neceſſitie and pretiouſneſſe of Faith. and theſe ſeene, will make a man hold hard ere he part with it. A man that hath a great charge, his whole ſtate about him, will as ſoone loſe his life, as part with his treaſure. Of what excellencie and vſe is this gr…ce of faith, which ſubdueth paſſions, ouercommeth allurements, maketh things impoſſible to the fleſh, eaſie and delightſome; inableth to ſtand faſt when we are buffeted by Satan, lifteth vp the head amidſt all the ſurges of temptation, remayneth victorious in all combats, raiſeth vsus vp when we are laid along, and our weapons beaten on our Heads; knitteth the heart faſt to the heauenly Commandements, quickeneth in deadneſſe, and holdeth the Lord faſt when he leadeth vsus into the darke. Who would not preferre the cuſtodie and increaſe of ſuch a grace before life it ſelfe? Nay, what is our life without it? If faith liue in vsus, we liue bleſſedly, whatſoeuer miſery compaſſe vsus about; if faith decay, we die; if it die, we periſh.
Thirdly, We m…ſt conſider whom we truſt, and meditate on the grounds of faith (to wit) the grace,3. Meditate on the grounds of Faith. power, goodnes, truth & vnchangeablenes of God: for this will ſtrengthen beliefe. Wee muſt conſider the promiſes of God, that we may ſee what his good will and pleaſure is, what a Fatherly care of our welfare hee hath, and not only how able but how willing alſo he is to helpe and ſuccour v…; what promiſes he hath made, and how faithfull hee is in performa…ce for his owne names ſake and of free vndeſerued louelove.
The Mother of vnbeliefe is ignorance of God; his faithfulneſſe, merciemercy, and power.Pſal. 9.10. Thoſe that know thee, will truſt in thee. This confirmed Paul, Abraham, Sarah in the faith.2. Tim. 1.12. Heb. 11.11. Rom. 4.21. I know whom I hauehave beli…ued, and that hee is able to keepe that I hauehave committed vntounto him, vntill that day. Hee is faithfull who hath promiſed, and able alſo to performe. The free promiſes of the Lord are all certaine, his Commandements right and good, the recompence of reward ineſtimably to bee valued aboue thouſands of gold and ſiluer: Truſt therefore in the Lord, O my ſoule, and follow hard after him. Thou haſt his free promiſe, who neuer failed, who hath promiſed more then poſſibly thou couldſt aske or thinke, who hath done more for thee then euer he promiſed, who is good and bountifull to the wicked and vngodly: thou doeſt his worke, who is able, and aſſuredly will beare thee out; there is a Crowne of glory propoſed vntounto thee aboue all conceit of merit: ſticke faſt vntounto his Word, and ſuffer nothing to diuide thee from it. Reſt vponupon his promiſes, though hee ſeeme to kill thee, cleaue vntounto his ſt…tutes, though the fleſh luſt, the World allure, the Deuill tempt by flatteries or threatnings to the contrarie.
4. Feeling weakneſſe of faith looke on on Chriſt.Fourthly, When wee feele our faith weake, we muſt looke vp to Chriſt, the beginner and finiſher of faith in vsus. A fainting bodie will taſte ſome thing that is cordiall and reſtoratiue: and a fainting ſoule muſt baite it ſelfe with looking to Ieſus, who is our cordiall and reſtoratiue.
5. Pray for the ſpirit of faith.Fiftly, Faith is a grace that is giuen from aboue and commeth downe from the Father of lights vntounto whom wee muſt fly by feruent prayer, humbly begging, that he would by his Spirit both reueale vntounto vsus what be thoſe pretious promiſes, which he hath made vntounto his people, and giuegive vsus wiſdome rightly to iudge of them, and firmely to receiue them in eueryevery eſtate: and aboue all, to moue our hearts ſo to belieue them, that wee may aſſure our ſelues of all needfull helpe in due time, ſeeing God alſufficient and faithfull hath promiſed it, and waite vponupon him in the way of his Commaundements. Mercifull Father, it is my ſincere deſire and vnfained reſolution to draw nigh vntounto thee, and put my truſt in thy mercies for euermore. But of my ſelfe I hauehave no abilitie to ſtand in faith, or to follow hard after thy Commaundements; I am full of doubtings, when I can ſee no meanes to put me in hope of helpe, and ready to ſinke downe in deſpaire: vponupon eueryevery ſmall occaſion I am readie to ſtagger and ſlip aſide. Take pittie vponupon me, O Lord, for thy merciemercy ſake, for I fly vntounto thee for helpe. Thou haſt commanded mee to belieue, hold mee by thy right hand that I ſhrinke not; reueale thy promiſes vntounto my vnderſtanding giuegive mee a ſound iudgement, eſtabliſh me in the faith more and more, vnite my heart cloſe vntounto thee, that all the darts of the Deuill may fall off, & not be able to wound my conſcience. Thou haſt giuen me to ſee my weakeneſſe in faith, and to bewaile it; to ſee the neceſſitie and excellent vſe of faith, and to deſire it: giuegive me alſo ſtedfaſtly to belieue according to the riches of thy grace, that I may glorifie thy name.