A Treatise of Faith, Part 1 · Chapter 11
CHAP. XI.
Of the right plantation of faith, and meanes whereby it is confirmed.
§. 1. THE neceſſarie vſe and excellent fruites of faith,§. 1. ſhould incite men if they want to ſeeke it with all diligence, and if they be pertakers of that heauenly gift to hold and keepe it, to increaſe and growe therein.Motiues and encouragements to belieue. 2. Cor. 5 20. And this the rather, becauſe wee hauehave many encouragements to belieue. God doth beſeech men to bee reconciled vntounto him: Should not this wonderfull clemencie of God encourage vsus with boldneſſe and confidence to come vntounto him? Chriſt himſelfe doth graciouſly inuite all that be poore,Iſay 55.1. Math. 11 28. needie, wearie and heauie laden to come vntounto him: and the Lord maketh a generall proclamation of libertie to all diſtreſſed ſoules that will come and receiue it, without exception of any in particular: which ſhould the rather affect, if wee conſider who it is that proclaimeth, inuite h, beſeecheth, namely, God, who is able to helpe, and readie to forgiue and ſuccour. If a couetous man ſhould offer vsus any greate kindnes,Deu. 7.9. wee might doubt of performance, becauſe it is contrarie to his nature but it is not ſo with our God; his name is gratious, and his nature is to be faithfull in performance, and true in offer and promiſing. In the couenant that God of his rich grace and merciemercy hath made with his Church and people ſe…led with Sacraments, and confirmed by oath,Ier 31.34. Heb. 10.16. Pſal. 32.10. Eſay. 55.7. Ezek. 18.21. and 33.11. Math. 3 17. Eſ…y 1.18. Tit. 2.14. 1. Ioh. 1 7. remiſſion of ſinnes ſecret and open, great and ſmall, of what qualitie ſoeuer, is promiſed and aſſured to them that repent and belieue. And when life and ſaluation is promiſed to them that will receiue it by faith, no man is excluded from that merciemercy, but hee that ſhuts forth himſelfe by infidelitie. Wee hauehave a Sauiour, who came into the world to ſaue ſinners,Mar. 16.16. Ioh. 3.15.16. and 6 34.40. Act. 10.43. Math. 1.21. and 18.11. Luk. 19.10. and is able to deliuer vsus out of the hands of all our enemies, his redemption being both pretious and plentifull. And therefore though the multitude and grieuouſneſſe of our ſinnes ſhould encreaſe our repentance, yet they ſhould not diminiſh our faith, and diligence in ſeeking aſſurance of forgiueneſſe. For though our debt was neuer ſo great, our ſuertie Chriſt Ieſus hath paid it to the vtmoſt farthing. The Lord who is beſt acquainted with his owne louelove, merc e, and compaſſion, and knoweth what is pleaſing and acceptable vntounto him,1. Ioh. 3.23.24. hath ſtraightely charged and commaunded vsus to belieue in him, and belieuing will beſtow vponupon vsus eternall life according to promiſe. And can there be any fraud in Gods word? or danger in yeelding obedience to his Commaundement? What neede we feare to commit our ſoules to him,2. Tim. 1.12. who is able to keepe them, and hath bound himſelfe to ſaue them, if we relie vponupon him? Our Faith is directed to God in and through Ieſus Chriſt our neere kinſman, who hath taken our nature, and is become fleſh of our fleſh. Though wee feared ſome great man, yet were hee maried to our houſe, very neare vsus, this circumſtance would animate vsus not a little: the ſame ſhould wee thinke of our God, maried as aforeſaid to our fleſh.Heb. 7.25. Chriſt our Sauiour and high Prieſt euer liueth, to appeare in heauen before his Father, and to make interceſſion for vsus. Math. 9.6.The Father, who hath committed all iudgement to the Sonne, hath giuen vntounto him power to remit and pardon ſinne;2. Cor. 5.19. and he as our ſuretie, hauing all our debt laid vponupon him, hath by one oblation of himſelfe once offered, purchaſed for vsus eternall redemption; and by vertue of his obedience hath receiued for vsus, whatſoeuer he diſtributeth vntounto vsus. By belieuing wee glorifie God both in his truth, power, wiſedome, louelove, grace and merciemercy,Rom. 4.20. whom before wee diſhonoured by our ſinnes. For the grace of God is manifeſted by faith in Ieſus Chriſt,Rom. 3.24.28. in the declaration and acknowledgment whereof ſtandeth the chiefe praiſe and glory of the Lord, as the the laſt end of all his workes. MercieMercy and compaſſion in Man is but as the drop of a bucket in compariſon of that huge Ocean of grace that is to be found in our God.Math. 18.21.22 But God requires that wee ſhould forgiue our Brother ſeuentie times ſeuen times, if hee did repent after hee had treſpaſſed againſt vsus: and wil not our God, who exacte…h ſuch compaſſion in vsus, bee much more readie to extend mercy vntounto vsus, if wee ſue vntounto him. There is no difficultie ſo great either in reſpect of ſin or of the meanes &c, but it hath beene ouercome by eueryevery one of the Saints, which is our encouragement to ſeeke faith, that we mig…t be healed.
§. 2. Now the knowledge of God and Chriſt ſuppoſed without which there can bee no faith,§. 2. Meanes for the right planting of faith. the meanes for the right planting of faith be theſe.
Firſt, ſerious meditation of our miſerable eſtate by nature, the multitude and hainouſnes of our ſinnes, and how deepe ſtaine ſinne hath made in the ſoule. The Phyſitian is welcome to the ſicke patient: the guiltie perſon eſteemes his pardon.Math. 9.12.13. Hunger cauſeth men to taſt their meate: and merciemercy is pleaſant to him that knowes his neede of mercy.
Secondly, learne and conſider what promiſes be made in the Goſpell, and to whom Chriſt offe…eth himſelfe; euen to the thirſtie, wearie, laden, and burdened; to them that bee ſtung in conſcience, parched with ſinne, that hauehave neither ſappe nor fruite of grace. To them Chriſt …ffereth himſelfe, and becomes a …ter, that if they will come vntounto him, he will eaſe and refreſh, enrich and comfort them. Ho eueryevery one that thirſteth come ye… to the waters. Let eueryevery one that is a thirſt, Iſay 55.1.2.…come vntounto mee, and drinke. Ioh. 7.37. Numb. 21.9. Ioh. 3.14. Math 11.18.If any be oppreſſed with the weight of ſinne, him doth the Lord intreate and perſwade to come for eaſe: If any be confounded in conſcience of his owne wretchedneſſe and ſinne, to him the Lord calleth in the Goſpell, Come, and let thy ſoule delight in fatnes. Men of this world labour to match with ſuch in marriage, as be rich and vertuous: but Chriſt doth preferre louelove to ſuch as be poore, that hee might make them rich; filthy, that hee might make them beautifull; in diſtreſſe, that hee might comfort them; baſe, that he might make them honourable; guiltie, that he might acquit them; naked, that he might cloath them.
Thirdly, Ponder and weigh who it is that maketh this liberall and free promiſe, euen God himſelfe, who is able and willing, and faithfull to performe what he promiſeth of his rich grace and vnſpeakable merciemercy. All theſe are cleare and manifeſt for the truth of them, b…t wee hauehave need oft to ſet them before vsus for our vſe, to encourage vsus the more boldly and ſincerely to relie vponupon Chriſt. To this end ſpecially, are theſe teſtimonies of Gods Power, MercieMercy, and Truth ſo often repeated in the Scriptures, that we might hauehave them euer before vsus, to vphold vsus againſt our doubtings and feares, whereof our nature is full. The things promiſed in the Goſpell are vnlikely in reaſon, oppoſite to ſence and feeling, too great and excellent, as Satan and our diſtruſtfull hearts will ſuggeſt, to be conferred vponupon ſuch vile and filthy creatures as we be, who hauehave ſo many wayes diſhonoured God, and hauehave ſuch a load of ſin lying ſtill vponupon vsus; For the ouercomming of which temptation, wee muſt looke vp to him that hath made the promiſe; his grace, faithfulneſſe, and power; and keepe them in our eye continually, rowſin… vp our ſoules to belieue againſt ſence and feeling, reaſon and likelihood, becauſe God is faithfull and cannot denie himſelfe; gracious, and will not caſt vsus off for our vnworthineſſe; great in might, able to doe whatſoeuer he will, and willing to performe with his hand, whatſoeuer commeth out of his mouth. Wee muſt ſay to our ſoules, The Lord of his grace inuites thee a poore, needie, miſerable, ſelfe-condemned wretch to come vntounto Ieſus Chriſt, and of the ſame grace hath promiſed to accept thee if thou do come, to heale thy ſoares, to forgiue thy ſinnes; come therefore, behold, he calleth thee: reaſon may be deluded, ſence is deceitfull, but the Word of the Lord endureth for euer: Thou haſt his faithfull promiſe for thy ſecuritie, diſpute no more, but draw neere with confidence.
Fourthly, It is very needfull againe and againe to conſider what excellent things are promiſed, and ſo raiſe the heart to an high prizing and valuation of them.Math. 13 44. The wiſe Merchant doth not buy the pearle, till hee know it to be of excellent price, or better then any price. Great things are eagerly ſought vponupon probable hopes: The meere poſſibilitie of obtaining ſome great and extraordinarie good, is of maruellous force in ſwaying mens actions. And if men conſider ſerio…ſly what rare, ſurpaſſing, pretious things be promiſed to them that come vntounto Ieſus Chriſt, and reſt vponupon him, what ſhall withhold them from belieuing? Were we certainly perſwaded, that euerlaſting life, full laden with all the fruits of true life, ioy, peace, and all choiceſt pleaſures, without any annoyance, ſhould bee conferred vponupon them that belieue in Ieſus Chriſt, would we not hang cloſe, and ſticke faſt, and not ſuffer the pleaſures or profits of this tranſitorie life, to diuide vsus from him. The reaſon why we ſtriue ſo ſlackly to belieue, and be ſo dull in Gods ſeruice, and faint in trouble, is, becauſe our hearts be not holden with the ſerious conſideration of that kingdome, ioy and glory, which God hath prepared for them that belieue, and cleaue vntounto him.
Fiftly, It is alſo needfull to denie our ſelues, our deſires, luſts and affections; to make ouer all our intereſt in our liues, or whatſoeuer is deare vntounto vsus; inure our hearts calmely to the heate and oppoſition, though of deareſt friends, and the reproaches and reuilings of men though abiect and vile. This our Sauiour layes downe as a fundamentall principle, If any man will come after me, Math. 16.24.let him denie himſelfe, and take vp his croſſe, and follow me. Math. 10.37, 38He that loueth Father or Mother more then mee, is not worthy of me: and he that loueth Sonne or Daught…r more then me, Luke 14.25.is not worthy of me. And hee that taketh not his croſſe, and followeth after mee, is not worthy of mee. The neceſſitie of this reſolution hee more fully ſets out vntounto vsus in two parables, of a builder that muſt be able to count his coſt and charges, and meanes to defray them, before hee take that worke in hand; otherwiſe to begin to build, being vnable to make an end, were to lay the foundation of his diſgrace, in the loſſe of his coſt and paines: And a Prince, who before he vndertake warre, muſt hauehave ſure triall of his owne abilitie and skill to diſcouer his enemies ſtrength, otherwiſe to bid him battaile, were raſhly to prouoke an enemie to his owne loſſe and danger.Luke 14.33. Mat. 13.44, 45. The concluſion of theſe inductions is this, So likewiſe, whoſoeuer hee bee of you, that forſaketh not all that hee hath, hee cannot be my Diſciple. The Merchant that would purchaſe the pearle of price, muſt ſell all that he hath to buy it; Hee muſt ſell his ſinnes, which is properly all wee hauehave of our owne) and renounce his intereſt in the world, and whatſoeuer naturall contentment hee might promiſe himſelfe in the things of this world. The meaning is not, that rich men muſt forgoe their wealth, and betake themſelues to voluntarie pouertie; for riches well vſed be great inſtruments of doing good: But they muſt caſt the world out of their affections, and make ouer their intereſt in whatſoeuer is moſt deare vntounto them: they muſt preferre the kingdome of Heauen before the whole world, and therefore renounce both themſelues, and all the deſires of the fleſh, that nothing may hinder the enioying of ſo rich a treaſure. Chriſt doth make louelove vntounto vsus, and by many faire, ſweet and precious promiſes doth allure and intice vsus to embrace him, but will bee receiued by way of Matrimoniall couenant; wee muſt forſake all baſe and carnall delights, caſt out of the heart whatſoeuer we formerly accounted pretious in the world, cleaue vntounto him only, and bee contented with thoſe ſpirituall good things, which he promiſeth vntounto vsus. Chriſt hath neuer due eſteem with vsus, vnles for his ſake we withdraw our hearts from all the riches, delights, honours and profits of the world, and denie our ſelues, that in all things we might be conformable vntounto his wil & pleaſure. What are we better then harlots, ſo long as the wo…ld or the delights thereof, luſts or paſſiōs poſſ…ſſe the heart, & diuide it from Chriſt? Roots, though of trees, can go no deeper then the rock or ſtone: nor can the Word of life ſi…ke deeper into the heart, then vn o the roots of his naturall deſires or affections: which vnrenounced, hinder the right taking and kindly ſpreading of it.Luke 8.14. The cares of this world and voluptuous liuing choake the ſeed of the word, after it hath taken ſome rooting, that it brings forth no fruit vntounto ripeneſſe. Therfore that the word of the kingdome may take kindly and fructifie in vsus, wee muſt caſt vp our accounts before hand, what we can be content to forgo for Chriſts ſake, and renounce the pleaſures & delights of the World, giuing vp our ſelues intirely to Ieſus Chriſt, in all things to be directed & guided by him, inuring our ſelues quietly to beare reproach, diſgrace & contempt for his ſake, and watching heedfully in proſperitie, that the world creep not into our affection, & priuily ſteale away our hearts from him. And this we ſhal do the more freely, if we attentiuely conſider what excellent & incōparable treaſures of delight, ioy, & comfort are to be found in Ieſus Chriſt, ouer and aboue all the world can promiſe or afford. Should a good husband be offered ſome goodly royalti…, vponupon condition he would forſake his baſe tenement or hard rented leaſe, when once hee perceiued the profit of the exchange, you need not vſe arguments to perſwade him. Should ſome great Noble-man make ſuite of louelove to a meane perſonage, vponupon condition ſhee would forſake her baſe drudgerie for the honours and delights of a pallace, the motion would bee accepted. And if wee ſeriouſly weigh that the Lord Ieſus calleth vsus to forſake the fleſh-pots of Egypt, and alienat… our intereſt in the world, and the fleſh with all their appurtenances, that wee might be enriched with heauenly, euer-enduring pleaſures, in compariſon wherof all earthly contentments are but dung and dogſ-meate;Phil. 3.8. that hee inuites vsus to caſt away our harlotrie delights, that he might marrie vsus vntounto himſelfe, and intitle vsus vntounto his euerlaſting kingdome, it will not be grieuous to make this exchange. But here it muſt be remembred, that it is not the poſſeſſion of earthly things, or delight in them, that is forbidden, but that poſſeſſion and delight in them, which with-holdeth vsus from reſigning our ſelues vntounto Chriſt, and ſeeking after the promiſed land withall the heart and all the ſoule. It is not the actuall abandoning of riches, honour, or other contentments of this life, which our Sauiour requires: but the diſpoſſeſſing of the heart of ſuch baſe delights, that the whole heart may bee ſet vponupon heauenly things, and not with-drawne by ſecret reſeruation of ſpeciall deſires for other purpoſes. And being thus diſpoſed, we receiue Chriſt with wel-rooted affiance, and cleaue to the merciemercy of God, as much better then life it ſelfe.
§. 3. Faith kindly planted muſt be regarded ſeriouſly and carefully confirmed.§. 3. Faith once obtained is ſeriouſly to be regarded. Luke 22.31. For Sathan vſeth all meanes to weaken faith, yea, quite to ſubuert and ouerthrow it. If an houſe begin to ſhrinke or reele of one ſide, will wee not put vnderunder ſome ſhore to prop it vp? Or if any man queſtion the Title of Land we hauehave purchaſed, will wee not ſearch Records, and vſe meanes to ſtrengthen it? The malice of Satan in ſeeking by all meanes to batter downe our faith, is ſufficient to ſhew the excellencie thereof, and to awaken vsus to a continuall carefull regard to preſerue and encreaſe it. In this life wee are ſubiect to many trials that require ſtrength of faith to vndergoe them.Acts 14.22. 1. Theſ. 3.2, 3, 4. The world, by reaſon of our continuall imployment in it, is apt to creepe into the heart, and inſenſibly to ſteale the affections from the eager purſuite of heauenly things, which calleth vponupon vsus for more then ordinarie care to increaſe our deſires of grace, and moderate them in tranſitorie things. Hee who will hauehave a plant to thriue in a ground drie, barren, and vnkindly for it, muſt ſtriue much, becauſe his ſoyle will not doe further, then it is forced: ſo he that will make fire burne in greene moiſt wood, muſt follow it with blowing: thus to get faith to thriue in our natures, which are as apt to the weedes of diffidence and vice, as auerſe from faith and eueryevery true vertue, wee muſt ſtriue with them, and offer violence vntounto them. He who doth rowe againſt the ſtreame, muſt plie his oare, or hee will goe downe apace: ſo it is here, wee goe againſt the ſtreame of corrupt nature, ſo farre as wee goe in faith or grace. Our daily and continuall weakneſſe of faith which wee finde in aſſenting vntounto and receiuing moſt obiects of faith and promiſes of God, when it is encountred with temptations: Our ordinarie failings in the practice of holy duties, and due ordering of our affections, which cannot bee without a precedent defect of that faith which onelyonly can firmely vnite vsus vntounto Chriſt doth ſufficiently manifeſt how feeble our beliefe is in the ſpeciall mercies of God towards vsus in Ieſus Chriſt, which being the higheſt obiect is the hardeſt to bee apprehended, and can neuer bee ſeperated from firme aſſent vntounto eueryevery precept of God, as much better then any incompatible good. And if men take food and phyſicke to ſtrengthen their bodies, becauſe they are fraile: muſt wee not labour to confirme our weake and feeble faith? The labour beſtowed about this moſt gainfull and beautifll grace, is ſo farre from tedious toile, that it is the ſolace of a Chriſtian heart, and the pleaſure thereof more ſweet then any pleaſure that can bee taken in all the paſtimes of the World. For by that meanes wee grow more and more familiarly and better acquainted with the minde and purpoſe of God towards vsus, we enioy ſweet communion and fellowſhip with him, wee are made readie for our latter end at one time as well as another, and are armed to goe well and chearefully through with the affaires of the day, belieuing that God will guide and bleſſe vsus. And of this alſo we may be well aſſured, that according to our ſtrength of faith the liuely fruits of holy obed…ence ſhall be found in vsus, and as our faith groweth, ſo doth ſound peace, ioy, and ſafetie; ſtrength againſt corruption, abilitie to reſiſt temptations, pouertie, of ſpi…it, meekneſſe, puritie, hunger and thirſt after righteouſneſſe, mercifulneſſe, and pleaſure in the meanes whereby faith is preſerued and confirmed, increaſed, and that from time to time, more and more. But as for ſuch as will not ſettle themſelues to nouriſh their faith with care and diligence, they depriue themſelues of much inward peace, which they might enioy, and make their liues vncomfortable to themſelues, vnprofitable to others: They lay themſelues open to many offences, which by this exerciſe they might preu…; and they go on, either in vnſauourie lightneſſe and carn…ll ioy, which doth deceiue them, or elſe in vnprofitable care and worldly ſorrow, which will diſquiet them. And when they neglect the faſhioning of Chriſt in their hearts, and ſo truly to put him on in their daily conuerſation, they become vnprofitable in their liues, offenſiue in their carriage; and the Deuill weakeneth and holdeth backe ſundrie (which were comming on) by their example, thinking themſelues well in the caſe they are in, rather then they ſhould be in following them, vnleſſe they ſaw ſome beautie and excellencie in their liues, more then in themſelues.
§. 4. The meanes whereby faith is confirmed and ſtrengthened are theſe,§. 4. Means whereby faith is ſtrengthened and confirmed. and ſuch like:
Firſt, Daily to account it our beſt portion, richeſt iewell, moſt pretious treaſure and chiefeſt happineſſe in this life: which if we doe, our hearts will be euer vponupon it▪ our feare will be vſually leſt we ſhould looſe it, and we ſhall thinke it moſt neceſſary to regard and looke vntounto it, whatſoeuer wee hauehave beſides it wo…th the looking after. And otherwiſe, eueryevery ſmall occaſion will hinder vsus, eueryevery fond delight carrie vsus away, and eueryevery trifle take vp the heart, much more our earneſt and weightie affaires and buſineſſe, to which moſt men thinke, that all exerciſes of religion ought to giuegive place. Things of worth are diſeſteemed if their value be not knowne: and trifles are looked after when they bee ouer-valued. A true eſteeme of the price, excellencie and vſe of faith, the profit and comfort of it, will raiſe an earneſt continuall care to preſerue and keepe it.
Secondly, Wee muſt labour daily, not only to loath thoſe things which are euill in themſelues, but alſo to be very ſober and moderate in our lawfull labours and delights, deſires and affections to things tranſitorie, remembring what our Sauiour Chriſt ſaith,Luke 10.42. One thing is neceſſarie; otherwiſe Sathan who can change himſe f into an Angell of Light, will fill our hearts and heads with ſwarmes of euill luſts, noyſome delights, cares and diſtractions: which will draw our Mindes from that which they ought moſt to minde and thinke vponupon. Wee muſt be heedfull in this, not only that the world draw vsus not to encreaſe our wealth by wicked or vniuſt meanes, but that it creepe not inſenſibly into our affections, and ſo by degrees not obſerued, breed great diſtempers in the ſoule. Feare of want, ioy and delight in what wee iuſtly and honeſtly poſſeſſe, climbing into the heart, and by little and little getting head, doe ſucke away that vertue, whereby the word ſowne ſhould receiue ſtrength and increaſe, and alienate part of the ſoule from God. Herein therefore we muſt be circumſpect, gaging our hearts and trying them to the bottome, weaning our ſelues from theſe delights, raiſing our ſoules to more ſpirituall and heauenly ioyes, and labouring that our deſire of grace and care to exerciſe our ſelues in all good workes doe grow, as the world comes in vponupon vsus.
Thirdly, Walking according to the rules of faith in humbleneſſe of minde, meekneſſe, puritie, merciemercy, long-ſuffering, and in all good workes, improuing what wee hauehave receiued to the glory of God, is a notable meanes to confirme and ſtrengthen faith. Faith brings forth good workes, and good workes increaſe faith. Faith hath his fruit created in it: but the better fruit it bringeth forth, the faſter it groweth. Faith is a fruitfull Mother that giues life to holineſſe: and good workes, as a kind Daughter, helpe to ſupport and ſuſtaine the Mother. Bee yee ſtedfaſt, 1. Cor. 15.58.vnmoueable, alwayes abounding in the worke of the Lord.
Fourthly, A daily viewing of our ſinnes, which by examination we hauehave found out, is availeable herevnto: that being humbled truely, and brought to account baſely of our ſelues, we may be kept from fulneſſe and lothing of that death of Chriſt, the ſweetneſſe whereof we cannot taſte or relliſh as wee ſhould, except wee feele the tartneſſe and bitterneſſe of our ſinnes.
Fiftly, A fift meanes is daily and oft to ſend vp ſtrong prayers to God for it, and purpoſely to ſeperate our ſelues from all other things in the moſt conuenient manner that wee can, to thinke deeply of his vnſpeakable goodneſſe, merciemercy, truth, fatherly affection and tender compaſſion in Ieſus Chriſt;Exod. 34.6. Iohn 7.37. Hoſ. 14.2, 3. 1. Iohn 5.14. Prou 28.13. Epheſ. 2.4. remembring withall what manifold, ſweet and gracious promiſes he hath made vntounto vsus in the Goſpel of his Sonne, whereby we come to hauehave more neere acquaintance with Gods nature, his minde, and purpoſe towards vsus. And if we belieue an honeſt man ſo much the more, becauſe he often goeth ouer i…, when hee affirmeth this or that vntounto vsus: the ſerious meditation of Gods promiſes reiterated againe and againe, muſt be auaileable to ſtrengthen faith,Rom. 10.17. and faſhion the Image of God in vsus more and more.
Sixtly, To theſe muſt be ioyned ordinarie and reuerent hearing of the glad tydings of ſaluation, which is the key whereby God doth open and ſoften our iron hearts: and an holy vſe of the Sacraments,Rom. 4.11. whereby this heauenly truth, which we hauehave alreadie receiued, is yet further ſealed vp to our conſciences. Theſe ordinances we muſt frequent with an appetite. Sound and healthfull bodies receiue nouriſhment from their food, and ſuck vigour out of it for growth and ſtrength: Liuely faith feedeth on the Word of life, and increaſeth. Though the Word be immortall ſeed, which corruptible food is not, yet in this they are like, that looke as bodily food doth not put to the body, all that ſubſtantiall ſtrength and latitude which belongeth to it; ſo the food of the Word doth not at one time augment the ſoule, with all length and depth of Knowledge, Faith, Hope, LoueLove, Iuſtice, Temperance, which it is to be brought vntounto. In which regard, as liuing bodies need daily food that they might grow vntounto perfection of nature, ſo ſoules hauing grace, hauehave need to goe ouer with the vſe of the meanes, as well as others, that the diuine nature may be more and more enlarged, getting vp as the light of the Sun…e doth in the aire which it inlightneth.
Seuenthly, It is good to call to minde the experience of the faith and ioy which wee hauehave had at any time before;2. Cor. 10. remembring that former comforts are as a bill obligatorie vnderunder Gods hand to aſſure that hee will not forſake vsus. For whom God loueth, hee loueth to the end;Iohn 13.1. becauſe he is vnchangeable, the ſame for euer, which conſideration may ſerue to ſettle vsus in aſſurance of Gods louelove towards vsus, more then a childe can bee of his Fathers good-will, or a wife of her bodily Husbands fauour, for they are mutable.
Eightly, Obſerue the opportunities, when it pleaſeth God in ſpeciall manner to draw nigh vntounto vsus, and make vſe of them. God viſiteth his children ſometimes in tender compaſſion, and knocketh at the doore of their hearts, inuiting them to diuine and heauenly communication with him. Sometimes he inclineth their ſoules to freſh ſorrow for ſinne, ſometimes hee refreſheth them with more liuely apprehenſion of the ioyes of Heauen, ſometimes they feele the motions of the Spirit quicke and liuely vponupon what occaſions ſoeuer, or in what manner it ſhall pleaſe God to offer himſelfe vntounto vsus, it ſtands vsus vponupon to make vſe of that for our quickning, to nouriſh the motions of his Spirit, and by feruent Prayer to entreat the continuance of his preſence.
Ninthly, Faith increaſeth by exerciſe, and groweth by continuall vſe. If wee learne to liue by faith in matters of this life, both when wee hauehave, and when wee want the meanes, and reſt vponupon God for ſucceſſe in our lawfull calings without diſtracting care, we ſhall with more facilitie and eaſe depend vponupon the free promiſes of grace for merciemercy and forgiueneſſe.