A Treatise of Faith, Part 1 · Chapter 10
CHAP. X.
Of the Effects, Subiect and Degrees of Iustifying Faith.
§. 1. MAny and excellent are the fruits and effects of faith,§. 1. The benefits and effects of Faith. for which cauſe it hath beene adorned with many ſingular titles of hohour. It is called the gift of gifts, the ſoule of our ſoule, the root of an honeſt life; the character of the ſonnes of God, the key whereby the treaſures which are in Chriſt are opened vntounto vsus, the mother of ſound ioy, and nurſe of a good conſcience: the hand whereby we apprehend Chriſt, the eye whereby wee ſee the inuiſible things of God, the mouth whereby we receiue the ſeed of ſaluation; the pledge of our eternall inheritance, the earneſt of our peace with God, the ſeale of our election, the ladder whereby we certainly and ſafely aſcend vp to Heauen; the ſhield of a faithfull ſoule, the ſword whereby we beate and wound our enemies, the token of our vnion in Chriſt, our victorie, and the band whereby we are vnited vntounto the chiefe good. The fruits of faith are diuided into two Heads; Internall and Externall, which the Schoolemen call Elicite and Imperate▪ But to ſpeake of them orderly as they are ſet downe in Scripture, we find them to be theſe. By faith wee are engrafted into Chriſt, and made one with him, Rom. …1.17. Iohn 15.1. Epheſ. 5.30.fleſh of his fleſh, and bone of his bone, l…uely members of that bodie, whereof he is the head: and by Chriſt wee are vnited vntounto God▪ In Scripture to bee in Chriſt, and to be in Faith are put indifferently. By faith wee are married vntounto Chriſt,Rom. 8.10. 2. Cor. 13.3, 5. Hoſ 2.18, 20. Acts 10 43. Rom. 3.25, 28. Acts 13.3…. Rom. 9.32. & ….17. & 5.1, Acts 15.9. Col. 2.12. Gal. 3.7.9. Iohn 1….36. Gal. 3.20. Iohn ….1… Heb. 11.6. Iohn 7.38, 39 Eph…ſ. 1.13, 17. Gal. 3.14. Iohn 15.3, 5. Iohn 1.16. & 15.6. and hauehave communion with him in his Death and Reſurrection, hee and all his benefits are truly and verily made ours; his name is put vponupon vsus, wee are iuſtified from the guilt and puniſhment of ſinne, wee are clothed with his righteouſneſſe, wee are ſanctified againſt the power of ſinne, hauing our nature healed and our hearts purified: we draw vertue from him to die to ſinne, and liue to righteouſneſſe. By faith wee are admitted into the Family of Abraham, become the children of l ght, are adop…ed to be the Sonnes of God, are made acceptable …nto him as heires of life, vntounto whom hee willeth eternall bleſſedneſſe, and doe receiue the promiſe of the Spirit. By faith we abide in Chriſt, and hauehave perpetuall communion with him. It is the loadſtone that lookes euer to Chriſt, as that doth towards the North: and as that drawes iron vntounto it, ſo doth faith ioyne our hearts to Chriſt perpetually. By faith wee receiue of Chriſts fulneſſe; hauehave profeſſion of him doe liue in him, and are ſo refreſhed by him, that we ſhall neuer wither or feele ſcarcitie.Gal. 2.20. Iohn 4.14. Water in a ditch may bee dried vp, ſo cannot the pond which is fed with continuall ſprings.Eph. 3.17. Eph. 3.12. Heb. 10.22. and 4.14. Tit. 1.15. 1. Pet. 1.5. 1. Ioh. 5.4. By faith Chriſt dwelleth, and ruleth in our hearts, wee hauehave acceſſe to the throne of grace, the temporall gifts of God are ſanctified vntounto vsus, all ſpirituall bleſſings are continued and augmented in vsus, and we are kept to the ſaluation to be reuealed. Faith ouercommeth the world; the manifold ill examples of the multitude, which like a raging ſtreame beares downe all before it, and the alluring ſweete baites of the deceitfull inchanting world, which are moſt ſtrong and dangerous; euen whatſoeuer within vsus or without vsus would draw from the law of God:Eph. 6.16. Pet. ….8. Math. 8.13. 1. Ioh. 5.14. Gen. 32.26. Heb. 4.2. Rom. 1.16. Mark. 16.16. Rom. 5.5. and 10.11. 1. Pet. 2.6. Pſal. 25.3. and 22.5.6. Ioh. ….68.69. Gal. 5▪6. Luke 7.47. 1. Pet. 1.8. Rom. 8.26. Gal. 4.6. Rom 8.15. Gal. 6.14. Eph. 5.11. Heb. 11.8.23. it quencheth the fierie darts of the Diuell, putteth Satan to flight, and kepeth vsus ſafe from the mightie aduerſarie of our ſoules and ſaluation. Faith obtaineth of God what we aske agreeable to his will, preuaileth with him, maketh the ordinances of God ſweete and comfortable, receiueth what is profered in the word and Sacraments, and maketh that we ſhall neuer be aſhamed nor confounded. Faith encreaſeth knowledge, enflameth the heart with louelove ſtronger then death, hotter then coales of Iuniper, which cannot be quenched with much water; ſtirreth vp earneſt ſighes and groanes, enlargeth the heart in thankefulnes and holy admiration, bloweth & quickeneth zeale, renounceth Satan and all his workes, crucifieth the fleſh with the affections and luſts, contemneth the world, ſcorneth the baſe and tranſitorie pleaſures or profits, whereby it doth allure to with-draw from God, and diſpiſeth the frownes, threats, and vtmoſt wrongs that it can doe, in reſpect of the louelove of God and Chriſt Ieſus, or hazarding his part in the eternall happineſſe. It armeth with patience and inuincible conſtancie, breedeth peace of conſcience and ioy vnſpeakeable,Rom. 5.1. 1. Pet. 1.7. 2. Cor 1 9. Phil. 1.25. maketh valiant in the combate ſtriuing againſt ſinne, couragious in difficulties, confident in deſperate dangers; is accompanied with holy ſecuritie concerning the grace,Rom 14.7. 1. Pet. 1.8. Iohn. 8.56. 2 Tim. 1.12. Heb. 11.34.35. 2. Chro 14.11. and 20.12. 1. Iohn. 3.21. Luk 7.50. Eph. 2.8. Rom. 8.28. Gal. 5.5. Heb. 6.12. Heb. 11.1. Iohn 8.56. Heb. 11.11.17.…9 Pſal 27.1.2.13. Eſay 28.16. protection and louelove of God, ioyned with a certaine expectation of eternall ſaluation, and aſſurance that all things ſhall worke together for beſt. It ſeaſoneth proſperitie, receiueth earthly bleſſings as pledges of Gods ſpeciall and Fatherly louelove, and lifteh them vp to ſpirituall vſe: it ſweetens afflictions, ſupporteth vnderunder them, teacheth to profit by them, beareth them meekly, expecteth deliuerance, and triumpheth before the victorie. It ſeeth things inuiſible, aſſureth aboue likelihood; ſence or reaſon, allayeth perplexing thoughts and feares, and breaketh off temptations. It ſtayeth vponupon the word of promiſe, and is confident of things, to reaſon incredible, in nature impoſſible, ro ſence direct contrarie, becauſe God hath ſaid them. It preſerueth from ill meanes, laboureth conſcionably in the duties of our callings, yet without couetouſneſſe or diſtracting care; ſwalloweth the painfulneſſe of honeſt labour, and obtaineth many temporall bleſſings and deliuerances,Dan. 6.…3. Ier. 39.18. Rom. 11.20. Rom. 10.10. 2. Cor. 4.13. 1. Tim. 3.13. Rom. 1.12. Pſal. 16.3. Luk. 22.32.33. Iam. 5.15. Heb. 10.38.39. and 11 4.6.7.8.33.34. Coloſ. 2.7. 2. Theſſ. 2.13. Rom. 11.20. and 5.1.2. Pſalm. 1.3. Iſay 40.30.31. Phil. 4.11. 1. Pet. 15. Eph. 2.8. Rom. 4.13.14. yea and ſpirituall priuiledges for our ſelues, for our proſterie, and for others. Faith preſerueth from falling, raiſeth vsus againe being fallen, maketh couragious and hardie in the profeſſion of the Goſpell, euen to the loſſe of goods, libertie, and death it ſelfe: it ſweeteneth the communion of Saints, linketh the heart in louelove to them that feare God, laboureth the conuerſion of them that goe aſtray, and the building forward of them that be called, and the comfort of them that be diſtreſſed in ſoule or body; maketh profitably to thoſe that be without, worketh righteouſnes, obtaineth a good report, & wholy reſigneth it ſelfe to the will of God. And to conclude, by faith we are certified of our election, are made wiſe vntounto ſaluation, doe ſtand in grace, are aſſured of proſperous ſucceſſe in what wee goe about, doe learne how to want and how to abound, and poſſeſſe all things wh…n for the preſent we hauehave nothing in hand: are enriched with many ſpirituall graces, are kept to our Heauenly inheritance, and ſhall b…e glorified in the life to come. Theſe be the ſound, comfortable, enduring fruits of faith, in which reſpect who can but ſay, that faith is an excellent grace? a rich iewell, a pearle of price, the Chriſtian mans treaſure? Faith is a principall thing, the merchandiſe thereof is better then ſiluer, and the fruites thereof then fine gold. Without faith there is no plentie to man on earth: with faith there can bee no want of any thing that is good. For how can hee lacke any good thing, who hath God for his Father, Chriſt his Sauiour, the holy Ghoſt his ſealer and Comforter, the Angels to guard him, Heauen his inheritance: who hath Gods faithfull promiſe confirmed by oath and ſeale, to ſecure him of all things needfull, grace, comfort and earthly bleſſings, and is kept by the power of God vntounto ſaluation? But here it muſt be obſerued, that faith doth not effect and performe theſe things, by any excellencie, force, or efficacie of it owne aboue other graces but in reſpect of the office wherunto it is aſſigned in the Couenant of grace. It is a cauſe onelyonly Inſtrumentall, and that is atributed vntounto it, which the principall cauſe worketh. Faith iuſtifies not as an act or qualitie, but as it receiueth Chriſt: faith purifieth not the heart of it ſelfe, but as it is the inſtrument whereby the Spirit worketh. Whatſoeuer wee are made by faith, wee are made it in Chriſt and whatſoeuer faith makes to bee ours, it is alſo in Chriſt. Therefore faith maketh not God to be our God, but in Chriſt: nor vsus the children of God, but in Chriſt. And whatſoeuer grace is wrought in the heart of any man, it is the gift of God, the worke of the holy Ghoſt: but faith is the Inſtrument whereby the Spirit doth more renue and purifie our hearts.
§. 2. Of all creatures onelyonly Man is capable of ſauing or iuſtifying faith:§. 2. Of all creatures Man only is capable of Iuſtifying faith 2. Pet. ….4. not the bleſſed Angels who neuer ſinned; nor the euill Angels, who are ſhut vp in priſon, and reſerued in chaines of darkenes againſt the day of iudgement. The Saints in glory doe inioy immediate fellowſhip and communion with God by ſight, and know moſt perfectly and moſt clearely: But the light of Iuſtifying faith, which doth include and ſuppoſe imperfection, pertaineth to this life in which we are in the way mouing to perfection, not yet attained vntounto perfect viſion. So that faith is proper vntounto Man in this life, in his iourney towards his perfect home and eternall habitation: but all men are not enriched with this precious gift of merciemercy, and rare iewell of grace. All men hauehave not faith.2. Theſ. 3.…. Iſay 53.1. Math. 11.25. and 13.11. Rom. 9.18. Many are not ſo much as outwardly called, the ſound of the Goſpell hath not reached vntounto them: many that heare, vnderſtand not, bee not affected with the truth: and in ſome that be affected, the word takes not kind rooting, is not well planted. Thoſe to whom faith is giuen are deſcribed to be the elect of God, the ſheepe of Chriſt, Tit. 1 1. Act. 13.48. Rom. 11.5. Ioh. 10.11.15.26. Ioh. 6.37.39. and 20.39. and 17.2.6. Math. 1.21. and 18.11.and to bee giuen of the Father vntounto Chriſt. The ſubiect of Iuſtifying faith is man a ſinnner, called according to the purpoſe of God, acknowledging his offences, and hungring and thi…ſting after merciemercy. For none but a ſinner can acknowledge Chriſt for his Sauiour for he is the Sauiour of ſinners. Faith in Chriſt for remiſſion of ſinnes, is neceſſarie for them onelyonly who hauehave offended: but eueryevery ſinner cannot belieue, eueryevery one is not fit to receiue the promiſe of mercy. The enimies of the Goſpell of Chriſt, worldings, hypocri…es, and all in whom ſinne raigneth, can hauehave no true faith in Chriſt:Math. 11.28. Mark. 1.15. hee onelyonly is fit to embrace mercy, who knoweth that hee is loſt in himſelfe, and vnſatiably deſires to be eaſed of the heauie burden of his ſinnes. Faith is not a worke naturall, but ſupernaturall, not of nature, but of grace, not of the power of our free-will, but of the efficacie of Gods Spirit, whereby we anſwere to the effectuall call of God, and come vntounto him, that we might be pertakers of life eternall.1. Iohn 5.1. Iohn 1.12.13. Ioh 6 44. The infuſion of faith is neceſſarily precedent to the act of faith, and grace to belieue is giuen before we lay hold vponupon Chriſt. And if ſauing-effectuall calling bee precedent to faith, the ſubiect of liuing faith is man ſauingly called according to the purpoſe of Gods will. We can teach no faith to ſaluation, but according to the rule of Chriſt; Repent and belieue the Goſpell; Mar. … 15. Luk. 24.47. Act. 2.37.38.no remiſſion of ſins, but according to the like rule: But faith ſeeketh and receiueth pardon as it is profered in the word of grace. Repentance is neceſſarie to the pardon of ſinne, as a condition without which it cannot bee obtained,Luk. 13.3. 1. Ioh. 1.9. Act. 11.18. not as a cauſe why it is giuen. If merciemercy ſhould bee vouchſafed to all indifferently, the grace of God ſhould be a boulſter to Mans ſinne; there ſhould bee no difference betwixt the iuſt and vniuſt, the pen…tent and obſtinate. Faith comes to Chriſt as an humble penitent petitioner, ſuing to the throne of grace for what is promiſed in the Goſpell, and it receiueth according to the promiſe of merciemercy.
§. 3. Faith reſideth both in Minde and Will.§. 3. The ſeate of faith is the heart, but the heart contrite, humbled, bewailing ſinne, denying it ſelfe, and affected with deſire of remiſſion of ſinnes. As the ſtomake is the place in which meate is receiued; but it is neceſſarie it bee deſirous of meate: So the heart is the place, where remiſſion of ſinnes is receiued and felt, but it muſt be an heart deſirous of, and thirſting after pardon. With the heart man belieueth. Rom. 10.10. Act. 8.37. 2. Pet. 1.19. Act. 16.14.If the Mind and will bee two diſtinct faculties of the ſoule, then iuſtifying faith is reſident in both, but principally in the will: becauſe it aſſenteth to diuine reuelation as true, and embraceth the promiſes as much better then any contrarie good, the world, the Diuell, or fleſh can preſent to preuent our choice of what it preſcribeth for our ſauing health. For the word of promiſe not onelyonly containing truth, but offering good vntounto vsus, cannot fully be receiued with the vnderſtanding, but the will alſo muſt moue towards it. And ſo faith is not onelyonly a knowledge or aſſent in the Minde but, a godly affection in the will, which doth goe to, embrace, reſt vponupon Chriſt or the grace offered in Chriſt. Therefore the nature of faith is deſcribed by words which ſignifie to ſtay and rolle our ſelues vponupon God, to l…ane on him as one would leane vponupon a ſtaffe: and by faith we come vntounto Chriſt and receiue him. It is obiected, that one and the ſame vertue or grace cannot be in diſtinct powers and faculties of the ſoule,Bellar. de Iuſtif. l 1. cap. 6. Haec. Philoſophia. nor faith in diſtinct ſubiects. Whereunto ſeuerall anſwers are made, Firſt, that one and the ſame thing in diuers reſpects may be referred to diuers ſubiects, as theſe ſubiects are not altogether ſeperated, but conioyned amongſt themſelues. So friend-ſhip is one morall vertue, and yet in the Minde and will both. LoueLove and hatred is noth ng but the affection of good or euill will vntounto a thing knowne in the vnderſtanding. Our Aduerſaries themſelues place hope in the vnderſtanding and the will,Bellar. de Iuſt. lib. 3. cap. 11. attributing a double certaintie vntounto it, one in reſpect of the vnderſtanding, another in reſpect of the will. And ſo faith being one doth properly poſſeſſe one ſubiect, to-wit, the ſoule; but conſidered according to the two faculties thereof, it poſſeſſeth the Minde, as it vnderſtandeth and aſſenteth; the will, as it receiueth embraceth the word of promiſe. Secondly it is anſwered, that ſauing faith doth preſuppoſe knowledge and aſſent as the roote and foundation: but formally it is an affection, towards the promiſe of grace, and ſeated in the heart. As the reaſonable ſoule doth giuegive life, ſence and motion as inferior operations: ſo iuſtifying faith doth knowe and aſſent, but as iuſtifying it doth truſt and relie vponupon the merciemercy of God in Ieſus Chriſt. Thirdly, Iuſtifying faith, or faith as it iuſtifyeth, is not one vertue, not any vertue but iuſtifyeth onelyonly as it makes vsus partakers of the righteouſnes of Chriſt; which it doth not by any dignitie or excellencie of it owne, but in reſpect of the place and office which our mercifull God hath freely and liberally granted vntounto it. Now nothing hindreth why God ſhould not giuegive the name of faith both to aſſent in the vnderſtanding, and to affyance in the will, and require both to Iuſtification. And that it is not a vertue as it iuſtifyeth, is manifeſt hereby, that wee are iuſtified by the act of faith, not by the habite of faith, as Diuines popiſh and proteſtant confeſſe. But if Minde and will be indeed but two names or titles of one and the ſame intellectuall nature, as truth and goodneſſe in matters morall differ only in degrees of apprehenſion, then there is no roome for this obiection.1. Reg. 3.9. 2. Cor. 3.15. Act. 7.39 and 11.23. 1 Cor. 7.37. Math. 6.21. Rom. 1.24. Ioh. 14.1. Luk. 1.66. and 21.14. Math. 12.35. Math. 13.14.15. Ioh. 24.25. and 4.11. Pſal. 10. Pro. 3.5 20. 1. Ioh. 5.1. Rom. 10.8. 1. Ioh. 5.4.5.20. verſ. 1. Iohn 2.4. Pſal. 78 22. Pſal. 137.4.5. Neh. 6.14 and 13.14.29. Iohn. 17.3. Heb. 4.2.3. Eccl. 12.1. Not to diſpute this point any further, this is manifeſt, that in Scripture the heart is taken for the whole ſoule, with all its powers and operations; as of vnderſtanding, willing and chooſing, remembring or retaining in Minde and affecting, that the Scripture doth ſimply attribute to the heart knowledge, confidence and affection; and that the Scripture hath no peculiar words, whereby that philoſophicall diſtinction of Minde and will may be confirmed: and therefore according to the ſentence of Scripture, wee may ſeale faith in the heart or reaſonable ſoule and not trouble our ſelues about the diſtinction of the faculties. If the Scripture mention this as an act of faith, To belieue that Chriſt is the ſonne of God, which is ſeated in the Minde; it muſt bee remembred, that words of knowledge doe together by connotation imply affection, much more words of beliefe: and therefore where wee finde to belieue that Chriſt is the ſonne of God, we muſt conceiue this beliefe to containe confidence in the Sonne. Words of knowledge moſt vſually import, not idle knowledge in the Minde, but true and vnfained affections in the heart, which accompanie that knowledge. Knowledge is the ground of confidence, and ſo it is put for confidence which it doth bring forth. The whole intellectuall nature is the ſeate of faith and that faith which iuſtifyeth is well-rooted and taketh kindly in the ſoule, otherwiſe it could not ſeaſon the whole lumpe, diſperſe it vertue into eueryevery affection, commaunde eueryevery paſſion, and bring into ſubiection whatſoeuer doth make head againſt the power of godlineſſe. Faith that is not well planted can neither ſoundly receiue, nor firmely hold Chriſt, but by the allurements of the world, the luſts of the fleſh, and aſſaults of Sathan it is eaſily ouer-turned. The ſtonie ground receiued the ſeed, but wanting good root it withered, and brought forth no fruit to ripeneſſe. Whileſt faith poſſeſſeth the caſtle of the ſoule, it can as eaſily ouercome the aſſaults of the Fleſh, the World, and the Deuill, as honeſt ſubiects which hold the heart of the Kingdome, can vanquiſh and bring vnderunder the ſcattered forces of an enemie, that makes inrodes vponupon the borders. But if the heart be taken vp with wordly delights, or vaine luſts be ſuffered to build their caſtle therein, then ſhall wee bee made a prey to Satan. The cares of the world and pleaſures of this life choake the ſeed of life receiued, that it brings forth no fruit vntounto perfection.
§. 4. This faith wel-rooted is common to all,§. 4. Faith is peculiar to them, who be called according to the purpoſe of God. Epheſ. 4.5. 2. Cor. 4.13. Math. 9.2. 2 Pet. 1.1. 1. Pet. 1.7. Rom. 1.17. Gal 2.…0. 1. Iohn 3.23. Hab 2.4 Iohn 20.27. Acts 16.31. & 19.…. Marke 11.22. John 14.1. 1 Pet. 1.7. Heb. …1.6, 7, 8, 9, 10. &c. Gal. 3.26. Acts 8.37. and proper to them only who be called according to the purpoſe of God. All that be ſauingly-effectually called, and they only are partakers of the ſame faith in ſubiect, obiect, kind, but not in number and degree. Euerie Belieuer hath a proper, ſingular, ſincere, indiuiduall faith, in kinde the ſame, but in number differing from the faith of others; as the faith of Peter was diſtinct from the faith of the other Diſciples. The iuſt doth liue by his owne faith: A ſpeciall and particular faith is required in eueryevery one that ſhall be ſaued. This particular faith is commended by the holy Ghoſt in particular faithfull men and women: And when the faithfull of age and diſcretion were admitted to Baptiſme, they profeſſed particularly their faith in Chriſt. Health of bodie and ſuch like outward bleſſings, may bee conferred by God vponupon one for the faith of another. And the children of Chriſtian parents are within the couenant for their parents faith, as the promiſe is made to the faithfull and to their ſeed, and they receiue it for themſelues and their poſteritie. And generally the faith of one may helpe to obtaine for another,Iames 5.14, 15. Phil 1.19. Epheſ. 6.18. 2. Theſ 3…. ſo farre as it moueth to pray for others. But rem…ſſion of ſinnes and ſaluation is not obtained without a proper and ſpeciall faith in them that bee of ripe yea es, and hauehave the vſe of reaſon. God takes no pleaſure in them who withdraw themſelues by vnbeliefe.Heb. 10.38.
§. 5. All hauehave not like meaſure of faith. Rom. 12 3. Math. 8.10. & 15.28. Math. 6.30. & 8.26. & 14.31. & 16.8. Marke 9.24. Rom. 4.20. Rom. 14.1. & 15.1.§. 5. The f…ith which is belieued is one and the ſame, the grace whereby we belieue ſupernaturally infuſed, the ſeate of faith an humbled and contri…e heart, but the meaſure of faith is not equall or like in all. To ſome is giuen a greater meaſure of faith, to others a leſſer: faith is more ſtrong in this Chriſtian, more weake in that. There is a great faith, and a little faith; a ſtrong faith, and a weake faith. All liuing trees in an Orchard be not of one growth or fruitfulneſſe: All men bee not of one ſtature, eſtate, or age▪ but ſome high, ſome low, ſome rich others poore; ſome ſtrong to labour, others that muſt be borne or held vp by the armes: and ſo it is in the Church of God amongſt Chriſtians. All good ground is not equall in yeelding fruit,Faith perfect in none. 1. Theſ. 1 7, 8. Compared with 1. Theſ. 3.10. 1. Tim. 1.5. Phil. 3.15. ſome returnes an hundred-ſold, ſome thirtie-fold. Such perfection of faith is granted to no man in this life, that neither he nor any other can be more perfect therin. The faith of all the elect is ſincere; the faith of ſome perfect in compariſon of others: but abſolutely the greateſt faith is imperfect Iuſtifying faith ſuppoſeth imperfection, and is it ſelfe imperfect in vsus ſo long as wee liue in this world. It is imperfect extenſiuely in regard of things to be belieued; and intenſiuely, in reſpect of confidence, wherewith wee belieue in Chriſt. Wee know nothing as we ſhould, of thoſe things which we know: and many things we are ignorant in,1. Cor. 13.12. Marke 8 24. which we ſhould know. We are like the blinde man, whoſe eyes now opened, began to ſee men like trees. Looke as children know not at all many things, they come to know afterward; ſo wee: and looke as they doe not fully know thoſe things which they know, but ſuperficially; ſo is it wi…h vsus in heauenly matters. Hence our confidence cannot bee perfect.Pſal. 9.10. For thoſe who know God beſt, truſt him b…ſt: thoſe who dimely know him, his goodneſſe and truth, they can but weakly belieue on him. In ſpeculatiue knowledge pertaining to diſcourſe they may farre excell, who come ſhort in confidence: but in certaine, diſtinct, practicall knowledge they are moſt excellent, that with moſt liuely affiance doe cleaue vntounto the Lord. Againe, the myſteries of faith are ſo profound, that in this life we cannot attaine vntounto the vnderſtanding of them fully and perfectly,2. Cor. 10.15. 2. Theſ. 1.3. Epheſ. 1 17, 18. & 4.29. Col. 1.9, 10. but hauehave need to pray daily, that the eyes of our Minde may be opened, that wee may more fully conceiue of the things that pertaine to the Kingdome of God. And if our eye bee dimme in ſight, our hand is feeble in receiuing. For our will is as much corrupt as the vnderſtanding: and it is eaſier to diſcerne the truth, then firmely to embrace it againſt all oppoſitions. The darkneſſe of Minde is an impediment to full and perfect knowledge: the corruption of will, which is neuer wholy remoued in this life, is a ſtop and let to perfect confidence. Faith groweth and encreaſeth by degrees, which is an argument,Rom. 1.17. that in this life it neuer comes to the higheſt pitch of perfection: For that which is alreadie compleate in degree, needeth no augmentation. What Belieuer is there, who findes not a continuall combate of faith againſt many temptations ariſing from his natiue ignorance, infidelitie, diffidence,Pſal. 73.1, 2. & 30.6, 7, 8. the wiſdome of the fleſh, his owne ſence and feeling, &c. which aſſaults againſt faith from within doe argue the weakneſſe, as the reſiſtance of them demonſtrates the the truth of faith. The tree is knowne by its fruit, and the goodneſſe of a cauſe by the effects it produceth. But the fruits of faith are imperfect; as louelove, ioy, and holineſſe. The faith of Abraham was great and excellent, but not perfect in degree: Hee was ſtrong in faith, and doubted not of infidelitie, but of infirmitie he doubted: His faith remained inuincible, though often aſſaulted, but now and then it was ſhaken.
§. 6. The faith of the weakeſt Chriſtian is ſufficient to ſaluation.§. 6. The ſtrongeſt faith is imperfect, but the meaſure of faith is ſo diuided by diuine prouidence, that to none who are called according to his purpoſe, is giuen leſſe then what may ſuffice to their ſaluation. The meaſure of faith containeth this in it, that it bee a ſufficient portion for eueryevery one. God in his wiſe prouidence giueth the greateſt meaſure of faith to them, who are to vndergoe the greateſt combats. Ht hath appointed ſome for the example of others, and in them hee propoundeth to the world certaine tokens of his glorie and vertue: and therefore he beſtoweth vponupon them a more abundant meaſure of faith, not that they might acquire by it more ſaluation, but that they might ſingularly ſerue for the illuſtrating of the glory of God, and be an helpe, comfort and ſupport to the weake. In the bodie humane the bones hauehave more ſtrength then the fleſh, not that there is more life in them but that they might ſuſtaine the weake fl…ſh: ſo here. There is no member of the bodie ſo weake, if it be endued with the Spirit of life, which is not as well a true and liuely member of the bodie, as they which are better and more excellent: ſo the weakeſt Belieuer is a liuely member of Chriſt, as truly as they that are more ſtrong in faith.
§. 7. The degrees of true and liuely faith§. 7. The degrees of faith. may bee conſidered according to the diuers growth, which God bringeth his children vntounto, and the diuers meaſure of grace; which God beſtoweth vponupon them; according to the time wherein they hauehave been trained vp in the ſchoole of Chriſt, the meanes God hath vouchſafed for their building forward, their experiments of his louelove, and their care to vſe the meanes and imploy their talent. God giueth not the ſame meaſure of grace to all Belieuers: all be not of equall ſtanding in Chriſts ſchoole, nor of equall paines to improue what they hauehave receiued, nor liue vnderunder like powerfull meanes of grace, and enioy like helpes of increaſe in ſtrength. In nature no man wonders to ſee a growne man ſtronger then a new borne babe; a plant ſet in a mellow and fertile garden thriue faſter then th…t which groweth in a more barren ſoyle; a Merchant that is warie and induſtrious to imploy his ſtocke, to increaſe more then hee that is remiſſe; an old beaten Souldier to bee more expert then one who hath newly put on his armour: In gr…ce the ſame holds good; for faith thriueth according to the time, meanes, experiments, and one we take to improue our talent and preſerue our faith. The degrees of faith may fitly bee drawne into foure Heads. For there is a weake faith as it were in the tender bud;Foure degrees of Faith. a faith ſomewhat growne vp: ſtrong faith, and full aſſurance.
Faith is weake foure wayes: Firſt, in knowledge,1. Weake. when a Belieuer is but a babe in vnderſtanding, ignorant of many profitable things needfull to bee learned and practiſed.Faith is weake in foure reſpects. Rom. 14.1. & 15.1. Heb. 5.11.12. 1. Cor. 8.10. Math. 16.16. Luke 9.45. Marke 9.9. Iohn 20.9. Marke 16 11. Iohn 14.5. Him that is weake in faith, receiue you, but not to doubtfull diſputations. The Diſciples had true faith, when they were very weake in knowledge. For though they belieued that Chriſt was the Meſſiah, yet they were ignorant of his Death and Reſurrection, and Aſcenſion. When he told them of his ſufferings, they vnderſtood not that ſaying; when Mary told them of his Reſurrection, they beleued it not; when hee ſpake of his tarrying with them a little, and then of going vntounto his Father, they knew not what it meant.
Secondly, faith is weake in aſſent, when a Chriſtian giues credit to the principles of doctrine and promiſes of life, not only as true and certaine, but as much better then life it ſelfe, yet not without much reaſoning and diſputing in himſelfe. Lord, I belieue, helpe mine vnbeliefe.Marke 9 24.
Thirdly, In confidence it is feeble, when the Belieuer rolls himſelfe vponupon Chriſt and the promiſes of merciemercy made in him, purpoſing to adhere and cleaue vntounto him, though he feele that he hangeth but weakly, diſcerne not the certaintie of his eſtate, nor the ſtableneſſe of Gods promiſes, cannot aſſure himſelfe that he doth belieue, is ſoone diſcouraged in troubles, and readie to faint if helpe come not preſently.Math. 8.26. & 14.31. But when the minde is perplexed with temptations, feares, and doubts, and the heart ready to faint, not able with cleare euidence to receiue the promiſes, yet then this true Belieuer is habitually reſolued (not without great dread and wauering) that it is good to truſt and waite vponupon the Lord. Pſal. 73.28.And this muſt be remembred for certaine, that howſoeuer faith bee often ſhaken, oppreſſed with feares, or turned aſide with oppoſitions that be made againſt it, for a time, as the Diſciples did all forſake our Sauiour and flee,Math. 26.56. when he was apprehended; yet the weakeſt faith is aduiſedly reſolued to ſticke faſt vntounto the promiſes of life, as much better then the pleaſures or profits of this life, and to embrace Chriſt notwithſtanding any oppoſition by allurement or terrour that the Deuill, the World, or the Fleſh can make againſt it.
Fourthly, In the fruites and effects thereof faith is weake; as in the ſence of Gods louelove, aſſurance of his grace and fauour, power to ſubdue vnruly paſſions, contempt of the world, patience and ioy in tribulation, and the conſtant,Ordinarily belieuers are weake at the fi…ſt. liuely practice of holineſſe. Ordinarily this is the ſtate of Belieuers at their firſt conuerſion; and who can expect it ſhould bee otherwiſe: Wee doe not looke that a new borne babe ſhould bee able to goe alone; if ſtrength come with age, wee thinke it is well. And thus it fareth with them alſo, who are not conſcionable to gaine knowledge, ſubdue their corruptions, cheriſh faith, nouriſh the motions of Gods Spirit, pray earneſtly, watch narrowly, get reſolution of their doubts, tie vp their paſſions, renue their repentance and purpoſe to better obedience.
Some priuiledged aboue others.But ſome there are, whom God in ſpeciall manner doth priuiledge at one time, and in one day to receiue that grace and gift of aſſurance, which others are long labouring and trauelling for, before they attaine it. As our Sauiour Chriſt pronounceth of Zacheus, Luke 19.9.This day is this Man become the Sonne of Abraham, and ſaluation is come into his houſe. So Lydia her heart was opened, Acts 16.14.that ſhe attended to the preaching of Paul: the Iaylour, and the Iewes who were pricked in conſcience at the preaching of Peter, Acts 16.34. & 2.38. Math. 9.9. Luke 22.43. Faith weake in one reſpect may be ſtrong in another. Heb. 11.31.were quickly comforted after they were throwne downe. The like may be ſaid of Matthew, and the thiefe who was conuerted vponupon the Croſſe.
Againe, faith may be weake or ſmall in one particular, when it is great and ſtrong in another. The meaſure of knowledge may bee ſcant, when affiance is ſtrong, according to that a man doth know, as in Rahab: where there is ſmall aſſurance of pardon, there ſtrength of faith may diſcouer it ſelfe by ſtriuing againſt doubting, bitter complaining for want of feeling comfort, feruent ſeeking to be ſetled in belieuing, earneſt longing after and vnſatiable deſire of grace, high prizing and valuation of Ieſus Chriſt, and merciemercy promiſed in him; ſelfe-deniall, contempt of the world, care to ſearch out the ſinne that may poſſibly hinder comfort, and expell it, continuall watchfulneſſe and holy iealouſie leſt they ſhould bee deceiued, and faithfull labouring to ſubdue corruption. Theſe and ſuch like fruits of ſound, liuely, wel-rooted affiance may bee ſeene in many that bee troubled with manifold feares and doubts of their owne ſaluation, though they themſelues doe not euer perceiue, how God hath enriched them.
§. 8. A weake and ſtrong faith differ not in ſpeciall nature and plantation, but in degree:§. .8 The benefits of the weakeſt faith, if true and liuely. Rom. 11.20. and the fruites of weake and ſtrong faith are the ſame, though not in like meaſure, fulneſſe and comfort. More diſtinctly the benefits of the weakeſt liuely faith be theſe: By it the Belieuer is firmely and inſeperably knit vntounto Chriſt, as a liuing member vntounto the Head. A true Belleuer, though neuer ſo we…ke,Iohn 14 17. & 6.35. …pheſ. 3.17. 1. Iohn 5.20. Heb. 1….1. doth poſſeſſe Chriſt with all his benefits, and all ſufficiencie in him (for knowledge of faith is neuer without p…ſſeſſion.) And ſo he is iuſtified, ſanctified, adopted, and made free by Chriſt. By faith he apprehendeth things inuiſible, he doth ſee God, and is made wiſe vntounto ſaluation▪ Iohn 17.3. & 6 54▪ Col. ….12, 13. Rom. 6.4, 5.Eternall life is alreadie begunne in eueryevery Belieuer weake and ſtrong, euen that life which ſhall neuer fade. The weakeſt faith giues will and abilitie in ſome ſort to walke vprightly, and to liue honeſtly in the ſight of God and Man: it is alſo ſtrong through the power of Chriſt to vanquiſh Satan and ouercome the world,1. Iohn 5.4. with whatſoeuer is therein that maketh head againſt the ſoueraignetie of grace.Iohn 7.37 38. Rom. 11.29. Rom. 1.17. The weakeſt faith is euer ioyned with the gift of perſeuerance, and cannot vtterly bee broken off. And weake faith, if found, will grow and increaſe, as a childe now feeble in his ioynts, may in time become ſtrong by nouriſhment,Yet ſhould wee ſtriue to bee ſtrong and rich in faith. and able to runne about. It is no wiſdome therefore for any man to content himſelfe with a little faith, though the weakeſt faith ſhall neuer faile, nor be ouercome by Satan, ſeeing God hath prouided and doth afford meanes, whereby we may be builded forward. It is a ſhame to be a man in yeares and a b…be in knowledge: to be an Infant in faith, when God vouchſafeth time and meanes of better ſtature. Who would bee poore that might be rich? weake that might be ſtrong? who would liue in feare and care, that might reſt confident and ſecure? who would walke penſiuely, that might continually reioyce and triumph? A weake faith will bring to ſaluation, but a ſtrong faith is neceſſarie for a Chriſtian, that he may ouercome with more eaſe, fight more manfully, endure with patience, and obey with chearefulneſſe. The leaſt dramme of faith is more precious then gold that periſheth, better then the whole world, who, that knoweth the price and value of ſuch a iewell, would not deſire and labour to be furniſhed with it, and grow rich therein. In earthly things a full eſtate pleaſeth beſt: in heauenly ſhall we be cōtented to l…ue from hand to mouth, & ſcarce that, when we might with better allowance enioy plentie? All liuing things hauehave an appetite to ſeeke and deſire nouriſhment for increaſe vntounto perfect ſtature in their kind: Herbs and plants ſucke iuyce out of the earth; new borne babes d ſire the mother breaſt. All true graces are ſtill growing from a gram of Muſtard ſeed to a great tree;Math. 13.31, 32 & liuely faith doth couet increaſe from feeble ſtate to better growth, from growth to ſtrength, from ſtrength to full aſſurance.
§. 9. Faith ſomewhat growne is,§. 9. 2. Somewhat growne. when the Belieuer is better acquainted with the doctrine of ſaluation, giueth more full, abſolute and vnlimited aſſent to the word of truth then formerly, cleaueth faſter to the promiſes of merciemercy, in Ieſus Chriſt, is better ſtabliſhed in the practice of godlineſſe, and hath obtained ſome ſetled boldneſſe, and confidence at ſometimes, though he be ſtill ignorant of many priuiledges which he might enioy, and of which he might be aſſured by the grace & bountie of the Lord; yea through weakneſſe hee wauereth often, doubteth againe and againe, and becommeth like the ſmoking flaxe.
Strong faith excelleth the former in certaine knowledge, firme and full aſſent,3. Strong. liuely confidence ioyned with ſincere purpoſe and reſolution of vnpartiall and conſtant obedience. This Belieuer is better acquainted with the promiſes of God temporall and ſpirituall to relie vponupon them, hee can wreſtle earneſtly in prayer, is not diſcouraged if for a time his ſuite be denied, will take no repulſe, is couragious in dangers, ſharpened by difficulties,Math. 15.28. & 8.10. walketh on conſtantly in a godly courſe, and holdeth the confident aſſurance of his ſaluation more ſtrongly, and hath it more vſually then the two former. But yet he hath not learned in eueryevery ſtate and thing ſo to liue by faith, but that he is often ſhaken and troubled with his corruptions, diſtracted with cares, and kept vnderunder with other incumbrances more then hee need, if hee had attained to that meaſure of faith, which in this life many hauehave obtained by the gift of God.4. Full aſſurance. Coloſſ. 2.2. Rom. 15.14. Coloſſ. 1.23. Rom. 4.20. Pſal. 27.1.23.4. Iob 13.15. Eſter 4.14. Full aſſurance is, when the Belieuer hath obtained full aſſurance of vnderſtanding in the miſtery of God, and of the Father, and of Chriſt and aſſuredly belieueth in Chriſt for ſaluation, and is certainly perſwaded that all other promiſes ſpirituall and temporall do belong vntounto and ſhall bee made good vntounto him in due ſeaſon, though in appearance all things goe cleane contrarie: and readily followeth the Lords commandement, though repugnant to fleſh and bloud, croſſe to carnall reaſon, contrarie to earthly pleaſure and contentment.Gotten by degrees. 2. Cor. 1.7. This degree of faith is not gotten at once, nor at firſt ordinarily, but by degrees, after good time and continuance in the vſe of the meanes, after many experiences of Gods louelove and fauour, after manifold tryals and combates, and the long continued practice of holines; many neuer attaine vntounto it in this life: but it is the dutie of eueryevery Chriſtian to labour after good eſtabliſhment and full aſſurance in the faith.
Heb. 6.11. Col. 2.11. The Benefits of full aſſurance.As faith is more excellent, ſo are the fruits that iſſue from it: The ſtronger our faith the more firme and cloſe is our vnion with Chriſt. A weake belieuer is as truely knit to Chriſt as the ſtrong, but not ſo neerely and faſt. The increaſe of faith makes our Communion with Chriſt more ſweete and comfortable then before. For the more ſtedfaſtly we belieue, the clearer apprehenſion hauehave we of the remiſſion of all our ſinnes; the more vertue and ſtrength draw we from Chriſt to kill and crucifie our corruptions; the greater is our peace and ioy in the ſence of Gods ſpeciall fauour and the more conſtantly inioyed with an increaſe thereof.Rom. 15.13. 1. Ioh. 1.…. Rom. 5 1.2.3. Heb. 10 22. Eph. 3.12. Mat. 15.28. and 9.29. and 8.13. Fulneſſe of faith breeds fulneſſe of peace and ioy which paſſeth vnderſtanding. The firmer our faith, the more free is our acceſſe with boldneſſe and confidence to the throne of grace, the more feruently and confidently can wee pray Abba Father, the better ſucceſſe doe wee finde in prayer and the more quietly doe wee waite till the viſion come, for it will come and will not lie. Aſſurance of faith doth inable with more eaſe to ouercome the world, to contemne the pleaſures of ſinne, to poſſeſſe the ſoule in patience in hard and …ſore preſſures, to curbe vnruly paſſions, to tread Satan vnderunder feete, to breake through all worldly difficulties and to runne with chereafulnes the race that is ſet before vsus. The weake belieuer creepes forward in the way to Heauen, but it is with much difficultie; He hath much adoe with himſelfe, hee is perplexed with feares, frightned with troubles, diſcouraged with want of meanes; he is wearie, feeble, panteth, maketh many a ſtand, and ſlippeth now and then. It is farre better with him, who is ſetled, ſtabliſhed and rooted in the knowledge and louelove of the truth, and is aſſured of Gods merciemercy; hath intereſt in all the promiſes of grace, and can lay actuall claime vntounto them. For hee contemneth the temptations of multitudes, cuſtomes, examples; he diſpiſeth the offers of profits, pleaſures, honours eſteeming it greater riches to ſuffer affliction with the people of God, then to enioy the pleaſures of ſinne. As for reproch, trouble, perſecution he ſhrinkes not at them, for his heart is fixed and truſteth in the Lord.Heb. 12 2. Act. 20.24. Pſal. 27.3. Act. 7.59. In dangers he is confident, through meanes of deliuerance appeare not, becauſe he ſeeth in God who is inuiſible, and reſteth vponupon his faithfull promiſe, that cannot deceiue. His affections are ſeaſoned, his heart is in Heauen, his louelove to God is ſtronger then death, life it ſelfe is not deare vntounto him, that he may finish his courſe with ioy. If at any time hee tread awry through ouer-ſight or infirmitie, the ſtronger is his faith, the ſooner doth he ariſe againe, renue his repentance, and embrace the promiſes of merciemercy afreſh. Let vsus then ſtriue to attaine vntounto the beſt meaſure of faith, and to excell our ſelues. In earthly things men are willing to better their condition: and ſhall wee bee careles in heauenly things to prouide well for our ſelues. In faire weather the Traueller will carrie his Cloake, becauſe the ſeaſon may change before his returne: A ſtrong faith is euer of vſe, moſt needfull in temptations of long continuance, and grieuous to be borne: and though now we liue peace, we know not how ſoone we may be called forth to tryall, what ſeruice we may bee put vntounto or the Lord will exerciſe vsus.
§. 10. But here wee muſt remember, the ſtrongeſt faith hath infirmities§. 10. The ſtrongeſt faith is ſubiect to ſundry infirmities. Iob 3.3.8. Num. 20.10.11.12. 1. King. 19.4. vnderunder which it groaneth and is ſubiect to temptations both on the right hand and on the left, euen ſtrong temptations whereby it is ſhaken for a time. Iobs faith was ſhak…n, when he curſed the day of his birth; Moſes his Faith quailed at the rocke: Eliah, that famous belieuer who had raiſed the dead, would bee dead in a paſſion Long delayes did both trie and ſhake the faith of Abraham. Gen. 15.2.In one and the ſame belieuer faith is ſometimes greater and ſtronger, another time more weake and infirme:Pſal. 3.5. with 31.22. 1. Sam. 27.1. ſtronger in a great aſſault, weaker in a leſſe. The gift of faith is without repentance, and being once kindly planted in the heart, there it remaineth for euer: but in regard of greatneſſe or meaneſſe it hath many alterations increaſings and decreaſings; yea, the ſtrong belieuer doth ſometimes ſhrinke and draw backe like a coward in ſmall temptations, and the weake doth quit himſelfe valiantly in great tryals. The ſtrong muſt not bee careleſſe, as if hee ſhould neuer doubt againe or be brought into ſtraits:The ſtronge belieuer doth ſometimes ſhrinke, when the weake ſtands faſts. The weake muſt not bee diſmayed, as if they ſhould vtterly bee ouerthrowne: Both weake and ſtrong muſt looke for tryals, and bee carefull to preſerue and grow in faith. For the ſtate of grace in this life is ſuch as hath ſtill reliques of ſinne dwelling with it, and the Deuill and the world ſtill lay ſiege againſt the caſtle of our faith to batter it, and preuaile much when they finde vsus ſecure and careleſſe, but are preuented by diligence and watchfulneſſe the Lord aſſiſting.