A Treatise of Faith, Part 2 · Chapter 9
CHAP. IX.
What it is to liue by faith touching the Commandements: which God hath giuen for direction of our liues, according to which wee ought to walke.
IN the word of grace the Lord calleth for vniuerſall, voluntarie, ſincere, vniforme, conſtant obedience; and promiſeth both to …nable his Children to doe what is pleaſing, and to accept of their willing, though weake ſeruice. The firſt of theſe branches is apparent and well knowne to them th…t be any whit exerciſed in the word; the ſecond hath beene proued at large alreadie: neuertheleſſe that weake Chriſtians might hauehave in readineſſe ſome grounds of faith in theſe particulars, it will not be ſ…perfluous to point to ſome paſſages of Scripture where they may ſee them confirmed.The Lord calls for willing; chearefull, vniuerſall, vnfained, conſtant obedience. Gen. 17.1. Exod. 19.5. That Chriſtians are bound to ſerue God willingly and cheerefully without conſtraint, vniuerſally in holines, and righteouſnes, vnfainedly as in his ſight al the dayes of their life, conſtantly in all eſtates vntounto the end, theſe few texts may be ſufficient to p…oue. I am the Almighty God, walke before me, and be thou perfect. If yee will obey my voyce indeede, and keepe my couenant, then yee ſhall be a peculiar treaſure vntounto mee aboue all people. Deut. 5.29. and 6.2.O that there were ſuch an heart in them, that they would feare me, and keepe my commandements alwayes that it might bee well with them, Deut. 6.17.and with their Children for euer. You ſhall diligently keepe the Commandements of the Lord your God. …f thou ſhalt hearken diligently vntounto the voyce of the Lord thy God, Deut. 28.1.to …bſeru… and to doe all his Commandements which I commaund thee this day, the Lord thy God will ſet thee on high aboue all the nations of the earth. Take diligent heede to doe the commaundement and the l…w which Moſes the ſeruant of the Lord charged you, Joſh. 22.5. and 23.8. & 24.14. 1 Chro. 28.9.to louelove the Lord your God, and to walke in all his wayes, and to ke…pe his Commandements, and to cleaue vntounto him, and to ſerue him with all your heart, and withall your ſoule. Bleſſed are they that keepe iudgement, Pſal. 106.3.and he that doth iuſtice at all times. To this end are we deliuered out of the h…nds of our enemies,Luk. 1.74.75. that we might ſerue him without feare, in holin…ſſe and righteouſneſſe before him all the dayes our life. Pro 23.17.Be thou in the feare of the Lord all the day long. And looke what ſeruice the Lord doth expect and call for,Pſal. 25.12. that he will enable his people in couenant to performe. What man is he that feareth the Lord, him will he teach in the way that he ſhall chuſe. Deut. 30.6.The Lord thy God will circumciſe thine heart, and the heart of thy ſeed to the louelove Lord thy God with all thy heart and withall thy ſoule, that thou maiſt liue. Verſe 8.Ieremi. 24.7.And thou ſhalt returne and obey the voyce of the Lord, and doe all his commandements which I commaund thee this day. And I will giuegive them an heart to know mee, that I am the Lord, Ezek. 11.19.and they ſhall be my people, and I will be their God; for they ſhall returne vntounto me with their whole heart. And I will put a new Spirit within you, and I will take the ſtonie heart out of their fleſh, and will giuegive them an heart of fleſh. I will ſaue them out of their dwelling places, Ezek. 37.23.24.wh…rein they hauehave ſinned, and will cleanſe them, ſo ſhall they bee my people, and I will be their God. And Dauid my ſeruant ſhall be king ouer them, and they ſhall all hauehave one ſheepheard: they ſhall alſo walke in my iudgements, and ob…erue my ſtatutes and doe them. In that day ſing yee vntounto her. A vineyard of red wine. I the Lord doe keepe it, and will water it every moment: leſt any hurt it, I will keepe it night and day. Iſay 27.2.3.Surely ſhall one ſay, In the Lord hauehave I righteouſnes and ſtrength. Iſay. 45.24.Thoſe, that be planted in the houſe of the Lord ſhall flouriſh in the courts of our God. They ſhall ſtill bring forth fruite in old age▪ Pſal. 92.13.14. Rom. 6.14.they ſhall bee fat and fl…uriſhing. Sinne ſhall not hauehave dominion oue… you. Now we are d…liu red fro the law, that being dead wherein we were held, Rom. 7.6.that we ſhould ſerue in newn…s of Spirit, and not in oldnes of the letter I can doe all things through Chriſt which ſtrengtheneth me. Phil. 4 13. The Chriſtians obedience is imperfect, but pleaſing. Pro. 12.22. Pſ…l. 147.11. Pſal. 149.4.The obedience of the faithfull which through the power of grace they performe, is weake & imperfect, but pleaſing & acceptable vntounto God. The Lord taketh pleaſure in them that feare him: in thoſe that hope in his mercy. The Lord taketh pleaſure in his people: he will beautifie the meeke with ſaluation. In eueryevery nation he that feareth God and worketh righteouſneſſe, is accepted of him. The Lord by Moſes did often times tell his people that they offering vp their ſacrifices,Act. 10.35. ſuch as he commanded, they ſhould be accepted: which is often repeated by the p…ophets.Leu. 1.3.4. and 22.21. and 23.11. Thou ſhalt mak… a plate of pure gold and graue vponupon it like the engrauings of a ſ…gnet, Holines to the Lord; and it ſhall be vponupon Aarons forehead, that Aaron may beare the iniquity of the holy things which the children of Iſrael ſhal hallow in all their holy gifts, Exod. 28.36.38.and it ſhall be alwayes vponupon his forehead, that they may bee accepted before the Lord. Eſay. 60.7.All the flockes of Kedar ſhall be gathered together, the Rams of Nebaioth ſhall miniſter vntounto thee: they ſhal come vp with acceptance on mine altar. The Prieſt ſhall make you burnt offerings vponupon the alter, and your peace offerings, Ezek. 43.27, & 20, 40, 41.and I will accept you, ſaith th… Lord God. Then ſhall the offerings of Iudah and Ieruſale… be pleaſant vntounto the Lord, as in the dayes of old, and as in former yeares. Mal. 3.4.Then ſhalt thou be pleaſed with the ſacrifices of righteouſnes; with burnt offering, and whole burnt offering. Pſal. 51.19.Hereunto may be referred the prayer of the prophet. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation o… my heart be acceptable in thy ſight, O Lord my ſtrength, Pſal. 19.14.and my r…deemer. Accept I beſeech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach mee thy Iudgem…nt…. Pſal. 119.108. Deut. 33.11.There bee many other teſtimonies to the ſame purpoſe. I b ſeech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of Go…, that yee preſent your bodies a liuing ſacrifice holy, acceptable vntounto God. Rom. 12.1. Phil. 4.18.I am full hauing receiued of Epaphroditus the things which were ſent from you, an odour of a ſweete ſmell, a ſacrifice acceptable, wel-pleaſing to God. But to doe good, and to communicate forget not: for with ſuch ſacrifices God is well pleaſed. Yee alſo, Heb. 13.16. 1. Pet. 2.5.as liuely ſtones are built vp a ſpirituall houſe, an holy Preiſthood, to offer vp ſpirituall ſacrifice, acceptable to God by Ieſus Chriſt. Children obey your parents in all things, Col. 8.20. Heb. 11.5.for this is well pleaſing. Before his tranſlation Enoch had receiued this teſtimonie, that he pleaſed God.
And this faith is moſt neceſſarie to the leading of a Chriſtian life,Faith is neceſſary to the leading of a Chriſtian life. ſcil. to adhere and ſticke faſt vntounto the commandements, reſt vponupon God for abilitie to do what he requireth, and that he will accept what ſincere and vnfained ſeruice, though weake and imperfect, is tendered vntounto his Highneſſe. For the word of grace, which commandeth to belieue the free merciemercy of the Lord to the pardoning of ſinne,Tit. 2.11.12. teacheth vsus to denie vngodlineſſe and worldly luſt, and to liue godly, iuſtly and ſoberly in this preſent euil world. Such as giuegive vp their names to Chriſt, muſt not looke to bee lawleſſe; but they come to take a yo…ke vponupon them,Math. 11.28.29 Ioh. 13.34. and ſtand obliged to fulfill the law of Chriſt, called the new Commaundement. Want of belieuing the precepts is the cauſe why many doe ſtill continue in the practiſe of diuers things inconuenient, and ſuffer inordinate paſſions to hold them vnderunder. Ignorance or careleſneſſe in this point, is the cauſe, why ſome of the better ſort of people are off and on, now forward then backward, ſcarce ſetled or ſtayed at any time: not knowing how to ſet vponupon the practice of repentance; how to begin or to proceed therein: Whereas this faith much auaileth to the furthering of the deare Children of God in a godly courſe, the ſh…ning of euill, and the practice of holineſſe. True faith is an obſequious confidence, which carrieth a man whither ſoeuer he ſh…ll ſee the Lord to g…e before him.Heb. 11.5.7.8.9.10. &c. By faith H…noch walked with God; Noah builded an Arke; Abraham offered vp his ſ…nne Iſaac: Moſes refuſed to be called the ſon of Pharaohs daughter. Our preſent faith or truſt in God is but commenſurable to our fideli…ie in his Comma…ndements: ere we can make a faithfull plea for merciemercy, Gods will neglected muſt bee executed, either in act, if the ob…ect be preſent, and may be proſecuted; or in ſincere and conſtant reſolution, if abilities and opportunities required to execution of what we reſolue vponupon, be altogether wanting, or our endeauours vponupon ineuitable occaſions hindred.Gal. 5.6. Faith worketh by louelove, which conſtraineth men to doe the will of God, and ſubmit themſelues to his holy Commandements. The ſtrength of faith to it ſeuerall obiects is vniforme, that aſſurance of forgiueneſſe cannot be greater then care of obedience. The very conſciouſneſſe of any one ſin wherevnto we hauehave beene indulgent; will be of like force to withdraw our aſſent from Gods mercy, as the delight or pleaſure of that ſenſuall obiect, was to cauſe vsus to tranſgreſſe any part of his wil reuealed. The ſame ſtrength, beautie had to allure vntounto adulterie, will that foule ſinne vnrepented of, hauehave to diuorce our ſoules from Chriſt. Nor can wee faile in practice of this or other Commandement, without a precedent defect of that faith, which onelyonly can firmely vnite vsus vntounto Chriſt: whereby likewiſ… were it firme it ſelfe, wee ſhould aſſent vntounto eueryevery precept of God as much better then any incompatible good. That act cannot pleaſe God; which is not animated by faith: for it is but the naked carkeſe of a good worke, without life or ſoule, if that be wanting. It is faith, which impelleth to worke righteouſneſſe, and putteth life and vigour into the worke wrought: ſo that the beſt workes of the regenerate bee dull and liueleſſe, if faith be dormant, and put not forth it ſelfe for a time. And when a Chriſtian knowes not, whether he ſhall hauehave ſtrength to doe what God requireth; nor whether God hath giuen him any promiſe, that his burden ſhall be made light and that Chriſt will beare the greateſt part of it for him, it muſt needs bee very tedious and troubleſome; it will occaſion many feares and doubts, deadneſſe and vnchearefulneſſe. This killeth the heart of right good Chriſtians, when they are ignorant, or not throughly informed, that God will make them able and fit for ſo great a worke, as the leading of a godly life. But if they hauehave this faith as a foundation to vphold them, they ſhall ſooner wade through their doubts, and grow out of their feares, as knowing that God will be euer with them for their aſſiſtance. Who doth not know, that when ſome certaintie of ſaluation is obtained, yet for all that in aſmuch as it is but weake, they hauehave many heart-griefes for this, that they ſee they hauehave a weariſome pilgrimage to goe thorow, and little knowledge and perſwaſion of any great guiding of them through all the feares and difficulties of it? A Chriſtian that hath this confidence, that God will ſtrengthen him to eueryevery good worke, he ſhall goe about it with heart and cherefulneſſe; he ſhall be encouraged to pray as his neceſſitie ſhall giuegive cauſe, he ſhall be kept from fainting and diſmaidnes, when his ſtrength is not very great, and riſe vp againe when he is fallen. But if he be not wel grounded in belieuing, that God will build him vp more ſtrongly from day to day; & perfect the good worke in him which is begunne, hee ſhall very much ſtagger and goe backe. If a chiefe and maine poſt in a building be wanting, will not the whole houſe be ſoone ſh…ken, ſo if a Chriſtian, who muſt reforme his life, goe about it, not reſting vponupon the grace of God in Chriſt to be made able, hee may be ſure he ſhall want a maine h…lpe hereto, euen that which may ſhake all that is ſet vp. Sundry true-hearted Chriſtians, very Conſcionable in their conuerſation, be yet much diſcouraged by reaſon of the infirmities of their beſt duties, and hauehave little comfort in any thing they doe, becauſe they queſtion what accep…ance their poore ſeruice hath with God. And though they deſire to pleaſe him willing, in all things to liue honeſtly,Heb. 13.18. yet ſtill looking vponupon their frailties, they hardly admit any comfort, becauſe they come ſo farre ſhort of what is required. Whereas, if they were well inſtructed and aſſured of this, that although by reaſon of their cor…uption dwelling in them, they can neuer offer vp any ſacrifice to God without blemiſh and ſpot (for which God might reiect all, which they offer vntounto him) yet offering th…m vp in the Name of Chriſt they ſhall be accepted and rewarded; this would put life and courage into them, and make them performe all holy duties with more chearefulneſſe and conſtancie, to the glory of God, the comfort of their ſoules, and the good encouragement of others. Confidence in God to be accepted, what tedious diſputes would it remoue? What temptations would it cut off? What diſcouragements would it trample vnderunder feet? What ſtrength, vigour, reſolution and forwardneſſe in wel-doing would it nouriſh and conſerue? The ſharpeſt ſpurre to incite vntounto and encourage to goe forward in the workes of holineſſe, is affiance of fauourable acceptation.
Chriſtians are allowed to belieue that God will enable to obedience. Ier. 32.39, 40.EueryEvery Chriſtian is allowed to belieue that God will ſtrengthen him by his grace to walke in obedience, and make him able through the hearing of the Scriptu…es to caſt off his old conuerſation. For God hath promiſed in Couenant that he will teach them the way that they ſhall chuſe, guide them with his eye, and put his feare into their hearts, that they ſhall not depart from his Commandements. The Spirit of grace is promiſed and giuen to all true and vnfained Belieuers, to lead them into all truth an… holineſſe. As many as be the children of God,Rom. 8.14. they are led by the Spirit of God; and the law of the Spirit of life, in Ieſus Chriſt,Verſe 2. hath freed them from the law of ſinne an… death. The Lord when he ſendeth forth his ſeruants vponupon any meſſage or buſineſſe, doth euermore promiſe to be with them to aide and aſſiſt them in the execution of it. Thus the Lord promiſed to Moſes, Goe, Exod. 4.12. Math. 28.19, 20and I will be wit… thy mouth, and teach thee what thou ſhalt ſay. Thus our Sauiour to his Diſciples, Loe, I am with you alwayes, euen to the end of the world. 1. Chron. 28.20. Ier. 1.7, 8. Ioſh. 1.9.And thus Dauid encouraged his Sonne Salomon, Bee ſtrong and of good courage, and doe it: feare not, nor be diſmayed, for the Lord God, euen, my God, will be with thee; hee will not faile thee nor forſake thee, vntill thou haſt finiſhed all the worke for the ſeruice of the houſe of the Lord. And the ſame promiſe belongeth to them, that yeeld obedience to his Commandements: for the worke is his, and he will not faile nor forſake them, that ſet their hearts and ſoules to ſeeke him, and doe the thing that is good in his fight. Whatſoeuer the Saints hauehave and may begge in prayer according to the will and pleaſure of God, they are allowed to belieue that they ſhall obtaine it, and bee anſwered in their requeſts with fauourable acceptation, ſo farre as ſhall be for their good, and the glorie of God: But the ſeruants of God hauehave and doe begge grace to bring forth fruits worthy repentance and amendement of life.Pſal. 119.32, 33 I will runne the race of thy Commandements, when thou ſhalt inlarge mine heart. Teach me the way of thy ſtatutes, O Lord, and I ſhall keepe it vntounto the end. Make me to goe in the paths of thy Commandements, Verſe 35.for therein doe I delight. Teach me thy way, O Lord, Pſal. 86.11.I will walke in thy truth: vnite my heart to feare thy Name. Lead mee in thy truth, and teach mee: Pſal. 25.5. Pſal. 17.5.for thou art the God of my ſaluation, on the… doe I waite all the day. Hold vp my goings in thy paths, that my footſt…ps ſlip not. Pſal. 27.11.Teach …e thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plaine path becauſe of mine enemies. The faithfull hauehave bound themſelues by couenant & oath to keep the righteous iudgements of the Lord.Pſal. 119.106. Nehem. 10.29. 2. Kings 23.3. Pſal. 119.8. Verſe 36. I hauehave ſworne, and I wil… p…rforme it that I will keep thy righteous iudgements. But they came not to this couenant & oath, as truſting in their own ſtrength, but in aſſurance of diuine aſſiſtance; as the Prophet prayeth, I will ke…pe thy ſtatut…s, O forſake mee not vtterly. Incline my heart vntounto thy testimonies, and not to couetouſneſſe. Order my ſteps in thy word, and let not any iniquitie hauehave dominion ouer me. Verſe 133. Verſe 135.Make thy face to ſhine vponupon thy ſeruant, and teach me thy ſtatutes. God will perfect the ſauing worke, which he hath begunne in any of his children: for the gifts that flow from his eternall and free grace are without repentance. God who calleth vsus according to his purpoſe is faithfull, who will alſo confirme vsus vn…o the end,1. Cor. 1.8, 9. Phil. ….6. 1 Theſ. 5.24. Gal 2.20. Phil. 4 13. that we may be blameleſſe in the day of the Lord Ieſus Ch…iſt. Paul ſaith, he liued by faith in the Sonne of God, by whom he was ſtrengthened with abilitie to performe whatſoeuer was required of him. Notwithſtanding all the hope of helpe that hee had, yet hee complaineth of the rebellion of his fleſh,Rom. 7.19. which did m…ghtily reſiſt the Spirit in him: But ſtill he was confident in the promiſe of God, that he ſhould be deliuered from eueryevery euil work,2. Tim. 4.18. & preſerued vntounto the heauenly kingdome Now in all this Paul had no peculiar prerogatiue aboue other Chriſtians: but what he expected from God, they m…y all hope f…r.Acts of faith touching obedience requiquir…d. The acts of fai…h touching that obedience which we owe vntounto God in Chriſt are theſe or the like.
Firſt, I… mak…s a man wiſe to diſcerne what is lawfull, good, and ſeaſonable, both in reſpect of the worke, the meanes, and circumſtances of it. Dauid ſaith, hee was wiſer then his Enemies,Pſal. 119.97, 9, 99. then his Teachers then the Ancient: & he …nder… the cauſe thereof from the work of his faith;Pſal 119.24. for thy teſtimonies are euer with me, they are my meditation, & the men of my counſel with whom I ad…iſe.
Secondly, It c…rbes and bridles inordinate paſſions▪ and ouercomes …ll impediments, temptations, difficulties and allurements to the contrarie.1. Iohn 5.4. This is the victorie whereby we ouercome the world, euen our faith. For faith be…ng wel-rooted, poſſeſſing the heart, and hauing its force vnited by cloſe repoſall therein, comman…s eueryevery delight, affection, or pleaſure of our ſoules, and breakes the violence of eueryevery inclination contrarie to ſuch motion as it ſuggeſts; ſeeing no hopes can be equall to the reward which it propoſeth to the conſtant and reſolute, no feares compar…ble to the terrors which it repreſents to the negl…gent or ſlothfull followers of ſuch courſes as it preſ…r…bes. What?Phil. 3.8. that faith ſets an ineſtimable price vponupon the pearle of the Goſpell, accounting all other things as droſſe an… dung in compariſon, which cauſeth a free and aduiſed renouncing of all intereſt in the world, the fleſh,Math. 13.44. …nd all their appurtenances, for aſſurance of it, with as great willingneſſe as good husbands forſ…ke baſe tenements, and hard-rented leaſes, to compaſſe ſome goodly royalty and large poſſeſſions, offered them more then halfe for nothing. Againe, faith fighteth againſt temptations and inti…ements vntounto ſinne by the power of Chriſt, which cannot be vanquiſhed. Satan and the world are too ſtrong for vsus, ſtanding in our owne might: but by the grace of God, le…ning vponupon his power, wee remaine inuincible. The ſtrength of nature is corrupt, feeble, and defiled through ſinne; and therefore the truth which it taketh hold off, it hath not effectually. But faith hath ioyned with it the inſpiration of God, and the power of the holy Ghoſt, and therefore it taketh hold of the truth eff…ctually. Wherefore this difference is not in the truth it …elfe, but in the meane and inſtrument whereby wee embrace it. Hereof it commeth, th…t by f…ith we are chang…d, but in the other caſe we remaine the ſelfe-ſame that wee were before. A cleare teſtimonie of this wee h ue in th… Goſpell. Chr…ſt ſet forth to the young-man, what he ſhould doe to obt…ine ſaluation: but when hee heard, hee was not p…rſwad…d to obey, but went away ſorrowfu…l.Math. 19.22. Contrariwiſe Matthew, Math. 9.9.ſo ſoone as he was called, embraced the ſame with ſo great faith, that h…e left his money and Cuſtomer-ſhip, and ſt…aight-way followed Chriſt.Luke 19.8. And Zacheus when hee had heard of the Lord, that hee would turne in vntounto him, hee not only receiued him into his houſe with a glad heart, but alſo offered immediately to diſtribute halfe his goods to the poore, and to reſtore foure-fold, if he had defrauded any man. Indeed p…ſſions are not ſo bridled, nor corruptions ſo killed that they doe not ſtirre, and reſiſt the worke of faith: But the force and power of them is ſo farre ſubdued, that they ſhall not raigne, or hale vsus ordinarily to that which is euill. Whatſoeuer inordin…teneſſe faith can eſpie, it doth preſently condemne before the throne of grace, and endeauour the killing of it by the power and efficacie of Chriſts death, which it doth happily eff…ct in meaſure and by degrees. Haſt thou then beene long kept vnderunder of ſome violent paſſion, ſtrong corruption, or cuſtomarie vice, againſt which thou haſt reſolued and reſolued, but not preuailed or gotten victorie? Get thee to Chriſt, and by faith thou ſhalt draw vertue from him to cure thy infirmities. Die to thy ſelfe, renounce the broken reed of thine owne free-will, which hath ſo often deceiued thee: and put all thy truſt in the grace of Chriſt, and it will crucifie the old man, and giuegive him his deaths wound. Bee weake in thy ſelfe, and ſtrong in the Lord, and through faith thou ſhalt be more then conquerour. Digge vp the fallow ground of thy heart, that the word of the Kingdome may take deeper root in it, raiſe thy ſoule to an holy admiration of the promiſes of life, ſtirre vp thy ſelfe to cleaue and adhere firmely to the grace of God: as faith increaſeth, the power of corruption will languiſh and decreaſe. Admirable is the efficacie of faith well planted in the heart, it caſteth downe ſtrong holds, and brings eueryevery imagination into ſ…biection.
Thirdly, It inableth to obey: for it purifieth the heart, ſeaſoneth eueryevery facultie of ſoule reaſonable and ſenſuall, qualifieth and ſt…engtheneth our naturall inclinations to good, and altereth the taſte of eueryevery appetite.2. Pet. 1.4. Epheſ. 3.17. 1. Iohn 4.4. By faith wee are partakers of the diuine nature: by faith Chriſt dwelleth in our hearts: by faith we receiue the Spirit of promiſe, who is greater then he that is in the world: No maruell then, if that bee ſweet and delightfull to the belieuing heart, which is tedious and irkeſome to the vnregenerate. How came Dauid to that high delight in Gods ſeruice, that he loued the Commandements of God more then thouſands of gold and ſiluer, the honey and the honey combe? That hee roſe at mid-night to meditate in them, was it not by faith? The grace of Chriſt, the power of the Spirit, and the Word of life, doe change the diſpoſition of the ſoule; ſo farre as they enter and be receiued into it. But by faith their vertue is diffuſed into the whole maſſe.
Fourthly, Admirable in force and efficacie is the perſwaſion of faith, aboue all the Oratorie in the world. All the common inducements taken from profit, pleaſure, honour, what poore and weake engines are they to the irreſiſtible arguments of faith, by which it moueth the heart to yeeld willing and chearefull obedience. Thus it goeth to worke with vsus, Hath Chriſt giuen himſelfe for thee, forgiuen thee ſo many debts, conferred fauours of all kinds vponupon thee, and what haſt thou to retribute? If thou giuegive all thy goods to the poore, thy bodie to the fire, …hy ſoule to his ſeruice, were not all ſhort of recompence? Loueſt thou, loueſt thou this Sauiour of thine, and …areſt thou aduenture vponupon any thing diſpleaſing vntounto him? Is there any thing too hard to be done for his ſake? too de…re or good for him? Whom haſt thou in heauen or e…th worthy to be affected in compariſon of thy Sauiour? What is to be dreaded but his diſpleaſure? Is there any recompen…e to the ioyes of Heauen? any danger to the torments of Hell? any pleaſure to the ſenſe of his fauour? O my ſoule why doeſt thou not reſigne thy ſelfe to the pleaſure of his will in eueryevery thing, runne when he calle…h, and doe what he requireth at thy hands? Wh…t doſt thou feare? Wherewith art thou intangled? God is thy ſouereigne, thy F…ther, thy Sauiour; to him thou oweſt thy ſelfe, and all that thou haſt: thy honour, wealth, life, or if any thing be more pretious then theſe. Thou canſt not louelove thy ſelfe as is meete, if thou …enie not thy ſelfe to follow the Lord in all things. For in keeping his Commandements there is great reward. Can, or did any Belieuer euer giuegive the nay to theſe m…lting commands, or commanding intreaties of faith? Will it take the repulſ…? Doth it not conſtraine or extort more then all rackes and ſtrapadoes; allure more then all wages and prizes? When thou wouldſt bee ſure to ſpeed and obtaine any thing of thine owne vntoward heart, ſet faith on worke to make the motion, & thou ſhalt preuaile. For the motiues of faith are certaine, euident, and ſuch as cauſe firme aſſent, whereby the heart is drawne to follow after the thing propoſed.
Fiftly, It diſpoſeth and moueth the heart to abſolute, vniforme, vnpartiall and conſtant obedience to eueryevery commandement, and that in one eſtate aſwell as another. In Scripture, to belieue in Chriſt, and to keepe the Commandements mutually inferre one another, either capable of others properties. Faith includes the compleate and practicall knowledge of good and euill, inclining the faculties of our ſoule to auoid all commerce with the one, and embrace eueryevery branch of the other. It frameth the Image of God or Chriſt in our minds, and propoſeth him as a patterne for our imitation in all our workes, thoughts, and reſolutions:Deut. 30.20. & 11.22. 2. Kings 18.6. Ioſh. 23.8. Acts 11.23. Pſal. 119.31. Heb. 11 5.33. It acknowledgeth his ſoueraignetie, aſſenteth faithfully to his will and pleaſure, embraceth ſoundly eueryevery part of the holy truth of God, and ſticketh ſo faſt that nothing can come betwixt the heart and it: from whence iſſueth vniuerſall reſpect to all and eueryevery precept. Faith doth not admit one part of the Word and exclude another: nor receiue it barely into the Head, and ſhut it forth of the heart: but entertaineth it wholly, diffuſeth the …ertue of it into eueryevery power of the ſoule, & changeth the natural diſpoſition into the quality of the truth. And thus by faith the ſoule is kindly diſpoſed to follow the Lord, whitherſoeuer hee goeth before vsus. If the heart bee dull and vntoward, the beſt courſe to redreſſe what is out of order, is by quickening our aſſent to the good pleaſure of his command, and our confidence in his merciemercy.
Sixtly, It fires the heart with ſuch an indefatigable and vnquenchable louelove,Cant 8.7, 8. that in compariſon of obedience it contemneth the whole world. For it acquainteth with the incomprehenſible merciemercy and fauour of God towards vsus in giuing his Sonne, pardoning and forgiuing manifold offences, lading vsus with his daily bleſſings: It repreſenteth the ineſtimable ioy, that is prepared for them that walke before God in holineſſe and righteouſneſſe: and this enflameth the heart to follow hard after the Lord.Pſal. 63.8. When by faith we diſcerne what louelove the Lord beareth vntounto vsus, we cannot but returne louelove for louelove.Luke 7.47. Many ſinnes are forgiuen her therefore ſhee loueth much. And f…om all theſe acts it followeth, That what a temporarie belieuer doth by the halues, …perficially, or with an halting diuided heart, that the true and vnfained belieuer takes in hand with an intire, ſound, vpright affection. What in the one is a liueleſſe action, the out-ſide, or carcaſſe of a good worke; that in the other is a good worke indeed, ſpringing from an holy, wel-planted confidence in the merciemercy of God, and reſolute adherence to his Commandements, which (as the animall facultie) impels to that exerciſe. The ſelfe-ſame duties may be done by the ciuill man and by the belieuer for the out-ſide and deed done: both may goe to Church, heare a Sermon, reade a Chapter, giuegive an Almes, make a Prayer; but the one goeth as a Beare to the ſtake in compariſon of the other, who is moued by faith: or let the ciuill mans delight be as it may, his acts are liueleſſe, becauſe they iſſue not from an obedientiall confidence in the Lords merciemercy.
Seuenthly, Faith makes ſenſible of our manifold defects, infirmities and failings, faintings and coolings. It ſhewes how weake wee are of our ſelues, how farre wee come ſhort, how apt we are to decline and ſtart aſide. And this conſidera…ion of faith hath bleſſed effects.
Firſt, It cauſeth ſerious and attentiue meditation vponupon the Word of God that it may ſinke deepe and abide firme in the heart.Acts 16.14, Pſal. 119.15. Pſal. 119.11. I hauehave hid or treaſured vp thy Commandements in my heart, that I might not ſinne againſt thee. And to this purpoſe, a belieuer will not bee negligent to watch all opportunities, when his ſoule is throughly affected with vnexpected matter of ſorrow,Luke 1.65 66. & 2.51. ioy, griefe, feare, admiration, or the like, and forthwith to apply ſuch paſſages of Scripture, as ſute beſt to the preſent affections.
Secondly, It worketh the heart often and deliberately to renew its reſolution, not truſting in our owne ſtrength, but in the grace of God.Pſal. 119.106. Iohn 15.6. I hauehave ſworne, and will performe it (truſting vponupon thy diuine grace, without which we can doe nothing) that I will keepe thy righteous Iudgements.
Thirdly, It ſtirres vp earneſt, conſtant and heartie prayers, to be taught in the law, vpheld, eſtabliſhed and confirmed. Faith leaneth vponupon the Lord, and cryeth vntounto him for helpe, knowing that we hauehave no ſtrength of our ſelues.Pſal. 119.18. Verſe 5. Open thou mine eyes that I may behold the wondrous things out of thy law. O that my wayes were directed to keepe thy ſtatutes. Verſe 10.With my whole heart hauehave I ſought thee, Verſe 28. Pſal. 17.5. 1. Chron. 29.18, 19.O let me not wander from thy Commandements. My ſoule melteth for heauineſſe: ſtrengthen thou me according to thy word. Hold vp my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps ſlip not.
Eightly, It doth confirme in obedience, and pricke forward therein, though it be in manifold and bitter perſecutions: It puts into vsus both courage and conſtancie to ſight againſt the ſtrongeſt luſts, and ſet vponupon the practice of the moſt difficult duties, notwithſtanding all oppoſition from the World or the Deuill; yea, though we hauehave beene foiled, or taken the repulſe. Hee will not feare the ſubduing of the moſt head-ſtrong paſſion, who reſteth vponupon God for power and abilitie, nor be diſmayed becauſe once hee hath receiued a foile, who depends vponupon God for ſtrength to recouer; nor dread the might of his greateſt aduerſary, who knoweth that God will bee at his right hand to ſuſtaine and ſtrengthen him; nor ſtart aſide in the moſt difficult dutie, whoſe heart is faſt linked vntounto the Lord; and relieth vponupon his grace to be inabled vntounto whatſoeuer hee is pleaſed to call him.Heb. 11.9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15. By faith Abraham ſoiourned in the land of promiſe, and minded not to returne to his natiu… Countrie, though he had opportunitie. By faith,Verſe 17, 18. being tried of God hee offered vp Iſaac: and hee that had receiued the promiſes, offered vp his only begotten Son. By faith ſome were tortured, not accepting deliuerance, ſome ſtoned, ſome ſlaine with the ſword:Verſe 35, 36. Faith encourageth to conſtancie in wel-doing, by aſſuring of Gods all-ſeeing preſence, powerfull protection, continuall aſſiſtance, gracious acceptance, good ſucceſſe, and euerlaſting recompence: Bee ſtrong in the Lord, Epheſ. 6.10.and in the power of his might. Wait on the Lord: bee of good courage, Pſal. 27.14. & 31.24. Eſay 50 7.and hee ſhall ſtrengthen thine heart. For the God will helpe mee, therefore ſhall I not bee confounded: therefore hauehave I ſet my face like flint, and I know that I ſhall not be confounded. Heb. 13.13, 14.Let vsus goe forth therefore vntounto him without the Campe, bearing his reproach. For here wee hauehave no continuing Citie, but wee ſeeke one to come. By faith Moſes did chuſe rather to ſuffer affliction with the people of God, Heb. 11.25, 26.then to enioy the pleaſures of ſinne for a ſeaſon; esteeming the reproach of Chriſt greater riches then the treaſures of Egypt: for hee had r…ſpect vntounto the recompence of reward. But faith that continually driues forward to doe good workes, doth euer force the belieuer to denie himſelfe, and acknowledge it to be the merciemercy of the Lord in Chriſt, that hee is not confounded. Though a man bee plentifully laden with good wo…kes; yet faith doth euer preſent him before the throne of grace as poore and miſerable, deſiring of meere merciemercy to bee receiued and accepted: It confeſſeth the manifold imperfections of our beſt workes, acknowledgeth eueryevery grace and good worke to bee of God, and neuer looketh to workes further then as they bee ſignes of grace, effects of faith, and qualifications of that ſubiect, which makes faithfull plea to the Kingdome of Heauen, through the free merciemercy of God in Ieſus Chriſt.
Meanes to quicken our ſelues to the practice of obedience.But how ſhould a Chriſtian quicken faith to the chearfull practice of that dutie, whereunto hee finds himſelfe dull and ſluggiſh?
Firſt, Hee muſt acknowledge and bewaile his dulneſſe and ſloath, make it hatefull, and ſhame himſelfe for it before God. O Lord, I cannot, I deſire not to hide from thee mine indiſpoſition, and vnfitneſſe to any holy dutie; how dull, remiſſe, ſleightie. I am in the practice of true pietie and godlineſſe. I find more life, diligence, chearefulneſſe in any worldly buſineſſe, then in the wo…kes of holineſſe which thou requireſt.Ier 48.…0. Mal. 1.14. Curſed is the man that doth the worke of the Lord negligently, who hath a male in his flocke, and offereth the halt or lame vntounto the Lord. What is my portion if I ſhould bee dealt with in iuſtice, who hauehave neglected my dutie, and ſacrificed that which is torne and ſicke vntounto the great King and Lord of hoſts, whoſe name is dreadfull among the Heathen? It is hatefull in a ſeruant to doe his worke by the halues: ſpecially if he owe himſelfe vntounto his Maſter for vndeſerued kindneſſes: Whatſoeuer I am, I hauehave receiued it of the Lord: all poſſible dutie that can bee performed of a reaſonable creature, I owe vntounto him; he hath obliged mee vntounto his highneſſe by many great, vndeſerued, incomprehenſible mercies, that I am neuer able to repay, or ſufficiently to acknowledge: and in mee it is moſt abhominable that I ha…e beene halting and deceitfull in what hee commandeth. Can any man deſerue that dutie from another, that thou, O Lord, haſt and doſt deſerue of me? Can hee bee in ſuch dependance vntounto another, as I am vntounto thy Maieſtie, in whom I liue, moue, hauehave my being; by whom I am preſerued, redeemed, and called vntounto life? If the idle, vntruſtie, deceitfull ſeruant merit ſtripes: my ſleightineſſe and double dealing in the exerciſes of Godlineſſe, is worthy ſhame and confuſion of face for euermore. No maruell, if I finde ſmall comfort in life, feele no power and ſweetneſſe in the ordinances of grace, when I deale partially, heare perfunctorily, pray coldly, labour not to feed vponupon the word, and ſucke vigour out of it. The duties of courteſie loſe their worth and eſteeme with men, when wrung from vsus by importunacie, or followed with a ſlacke hand: Lord, thou loueſt a chearefull giuer, delighteſt in willing and free-hearted offerings: with what face then can I preſent vntounto thy Maieſtie, or how ſhouldeſt thou take pleaſure in that maimed, corrupt, vnchearefull, ſuperficiall, dead ſeruice which I performe? In former times I hauehave ſerued ſinne and Satan with more willingneſſe, alacritie and paines: I hauehave beene readie to run whither the Deuill droue me; I am ſtill forward to gratifie vnruly deſires with this or that they ſtand vntounto, and are bent vponupon. What am I but a ſpirituall adultereſſe, in that I hauehave yeelded the members of my bodie as weapons of vnrighteouſneſſe to doe the will of Satan, and liſtened to the motions of the fleſh, with more readineſſe to leane vntounto them, then hitherto I could giuegive my ſelfe vntounto God in all things to bee ruled and directed by him? O Lord, I am vile, it is of thy vnſpeakable merciemercy, that thou art pleaſed to looke downe vponupon mee, or to accept of any ſeruice that I can offer.
Secondly, He muſt call vponupon his ſoule by many powerfull and ſtrong perſwaſions to awake to the worke of God with liuelineſſe. Ariſe, O my ſoule, why ſleepeſt thou, ſtirre vp thy ſelfe with readineſſe to obey the charge of God in the duties of his wo…ſhip, and the workes of MercieMercy and Iuſtice: withſtand ſinne, ſubdue corruptions, fight manfully againſt the temptations of Satan, and the allurements of the world: Sticke faſt vntounto the teſtimonies of the Lord, and lay his iudgements before thee. For the teſtimonies of the Lord are wonderfull,Pſal. 119.129. Verſe. 9. Verſe 138. his iudgements good, righteous and very faithfull: his word is very pure; and his law is the truth. The ſeruice of God is perfect freedome: he walketh at libertie, who runneth on in obedience. As t…y louelove to the law is, ſuch ſhall thy life be: nothing is hard to a willing minde. Want of affection to the word of truth, makes the duties commanded to ſeeme irkeſome and tedious. LoueLove the Commandements aboue gold, and obedience will be as pleaſant as gaine to the couetous. Looke vponupon the Saints, who hauehave gone before: they endured impriſonment, loſſe of libertie, the ſpoiling of goods, hazard of life with ioy, looking vntounto the eternall and incomprehenſible recompence of reward. Thou art not called to ſuffer, but to obey; at leaſt not to ſuffer ſuch grieuous torments as they did: why doeſt thou then delay, ſtart aſide, or goe forth vnwillingly? Wouldeſt thou raigne with them, and not labour with them? receiue the price, and not runne the race? diuide the ſpoile, and not fight the battell? In the affaires of this life wee louelove to excell, and out-goe our fellowes; as to bee firſt vp, and about our worke; to exceed in fauour, riches, honour, wiſdome; and in matters of Religion to be dead and lumpiſh, is it not abhominable? Obedience is no dull ſeruice, no dead piece of worke, but the way to bleſſedneſſe and the crowne of glory.Eſay 45.19. The Lord hath not ſaid Seeke me in vaine. The reward of obedience is certaine, though our wo kes deſerue nothing. The Merchant vndertakes dangerous aduentures to raiſe his eſtate, inrich himſelfe. But what is the gold of India to the ioyes of He…uen? a fading poſſeſſion to an eternall weight of glory? ſtriue to enter, and goe forward in the ſtraiteway that leadeth vntounto life. Ariſe, why tarrieſt thou? forget not the high price of thy calling, but contend forward towards the marke. Heauen is worth all thy labour. We are glad to be entertained of them, who hauehave a name to be liberall & bountifull to their attendants; who is to be compared to the Lord our God herein? He is moſt able,1. Cor. 2.9. and beſt willing to preferre his ſeruants. Eye hath not ſeene, eare hath not heard, it exceeds all humane capacitie to conceiue, what ſurpaſſing glorie and ioy the Lord hath prepared for them that louelove him.
Thirdly, He muſt pray to the Lord that he would reuiue and quicken him. Teach me to doe thy will, Pſal. 143.10.for thou art my God; thy Spirit is good; lead me into the land of vprightneſſe. My deſire is to doe thy good pleaſure,Cant. 1.4. but of my ſelfe I hauehave no abilitie thereunto: Draw mee and I will runne after thee. Pſal. 119.33. 34 35. Verſe. 135.Teach me the way of thy ſtatutes, and I will keepe it vntounto the end. GiueGive me vnderſtanding and I ſhall ke…pe thy law; yea, I ſhall obſerue it with my whole heart. Lord thou haſt commanded mee to keepe thy teſtimonies;Pſal. 119.36. giuegive mee I pray thee to doe what thou requireſt. Incline my heart to thy ſtatutes, and not to couetouſnes.
Fourthly,Pſal. 119.93. Hee muſt renew his reſolution to walke with God, truſting in his grace. I will neuer forget thy precepts for with them thou haſt quickened me. I hauehave fully purpoſed to keepe and cleaue vntounto thy Commandements, for they are they ioy of my heart. But, Lord I leane not vponupon mine owne ſtrength, but vponupon thy grace,Pſal 119.57.112. Pſal. 119.133. who g…ueth both to will and to doe. Thou art my portion, O Lord, I hauehave ſaid that I will keepe thy words. Order my ſteps in thy word: and let not any iniquitie hauehave dominion ouer mee.