A Treatise of Faith, Part 2 · Chapter 10
CHAP. X.
What it is to liue by faith in the duties of our vocation.
Chriſtians are allowed to liue by faith in the duties of their vocation.IT is the ordinance of God that men ſhould labour in ſome honeſt vocation, for their priuate maintenance, and the common good, that is, the benefit and good eſtate of mankind: And for encouragement he hath promiſed to protect and bleſſe them that keepe themſelues within the limits, and doe the workes of their calling with diligence. The texts of Scripture are plaine for both.Gen. 2.15. The Lord God tooke the man, Gen. 3.19.and put him into the garden of Eden to dreſſe it, and to keepe it. In th… ſweate of thy face ſhalt thou eate bread, till thou returne vntounto the ground. Eph. 4.28.Let him that ſtole, ſteale no more, but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing that is good: that he may hauehave to giuegive to him that need…th. 1. Cor. 7.20.Let eueryevery man abide in the ſame calling wherein he was called, ſtudy to be quiet, and to doe your owne buſineſſe, and to worke with your one hands, (as we commaunded you) that yee may walke honeſtly toward them that are without. 1. Theſſ. 4.11.12 2. Theſſ. 3.10.11 12. Pro. 10, 4. and 12.27.For euen when wee were with you, this wee commaunded you, that if any man would not worke neither ſhould he eate. The hand of the diligent maketh rich. The ſubſtance of a diligent man is pr…tious. Prou. 13.11. Prou. 12.24.Hee that gathereth by labour ſhall encreaſe. The hand of the diligent ſhall beare rule. Seeſt thou a man diligent in his buſineſſe? hee ſhall ſtand before Kings, Prou. 22.29. Pſal. 91.11.hee ſhall not ſtand before meane men. He… ſhall giuegive his Angels charge ouer thee to keepe thee in all thy wayes. Now ſeeing God hath comma…nded vsus to labour in a calling, preſcribed the bonds of our calling and promiſed his protection and bleſſing to our honeſ… endeauours, it cannot bee queſtioned whether wee be allowed to liue by faith in the duties of our calling. Fo the exerciſe of faith is as large as the word whereby it is guided and moderated, that it neither exceed, nor come hort. Whe e a worke is commanded, faith puts forth …el…e in actio…: where a promiſe is made, it truſteth, el…eth, and w…iteth for accompliſhment. In eueryevery honeſt ſtate and cond tion of life there is vſe of faith in both reſpects: For labo…r is commanded and promiſe of bleſſing is made to them that worke according to the will and pleaſure of God. Moreouer, God is hereby much glorified, that wee commit our ſelues wholly vntounto him, labouring as he hath appointed, and depending vponupon his grace for good ſucceſſe.
It is neceſſarie wee ſhould liue by faith,Its neceſſary to liue by faith in the duties of our vocation. to preuent the the euills which beſet vsus in our ordinarie callings: couetouſneſſe, iniuſtice, impatience, and diſtracting care. Naturally men are apt to incumber themſelues with ſuperfluous buſineſſe, and trouble themſelues about the euent and ſucceſſe: they content not themſelues with their lot and condition, but deſire to heape vp riches and encreaſe their ſubſtance aboue meaſure: they forecaſt many things in their heads long before; and know no end of their cares. The trouble men meet with in the world, begets louelove of the world; and whether they be croſſed or proſper, the more they be exerciſed about the things of this life, the more they follow after them with greedineſſe, vexation diſcontent, plotting and deuiſing how to compaſſe their deſignes, whether by right or wrong, fr…ud or oppreſſion. The ſoueraigne remedie againſt thoſe and other the like miſ…heifes, which we are prone to runne into, is a liuely f…ith, which lifteth vp the heart to better things, then ought is to be found vnderunder the moone, quietly ſubmitteth vntounto the good pleaſure of God, commendeth the ſucceſſe and euent of all hon…ſt endeauours vntounto his Highneſſe, and reſteth vponupon his grace for preſent helpe …nd future ſupply in the vſe of ſuch meanes as he hath ordained. Without faith it is impoſſible to pleaſe God. Heb. 11.6.God is the Authour of eueryevery honeſt vocation, and by his appointment men ought to labour in ſome particular ſtate or condition of life: but that worke is not acceptable, which is not done in faith. If faith doe not quicken, ſeaſon, and guide the workes of our calling, they are dead and carnall as they come from vsus, neitheir begun vponupon ſound ground, nor done in vniforme and right manner, nor directed to a right end. That which ſhould put life into the action is abſent, if faith be lacking. Experience is of great vſe in a godly life, both to confirme faith, ſtrengthen hope, preſerue louelove, ouercome temptations, and direct in difficulties. But the readie meanes to get grounded experience, is to liue by faith in the workes of our vocation, and obſerue how the Lord dealeth with vsus therein according to his word.
The acts of faith in reſpect of the duties of our calling. Pro. 16.20.The acts of faith in this particular be theſe.
Firſt, It informeth to make choiſe of an honeſt vocation, for which we are fitted; and into which we may enter, by direct, good and lawfull meanes. He that vnderſtandeth a matter ſhall finde good, ſaith Solomon: wherein hee teacheth, that what buſineſſe any man taketh in hand, he muſt know it well and accurately, if hee looke to finiſh it honeſtly and with good ſucceſſe. This therefore is the rule, by which we are directed in our vocation, that what art any man knoweth, he ſhould exerciſe himſelfe in it. This, as it muſt be obſerued in all arts, ſciences, profeſſions, in the familie, Commonwealth, Church, ſo as eueryevery art or profeſſion, is of greater moment in any ſocietie publike or priuate, ſacred or prophaine, it is with greater diligence more ſtudiouſly to be looked vntounto. As our calling muſt bee honeſt, that is, ſeruiceable to the Church, Common-wealth or priuate familie; and as we muſt be gifted for it: ſo muſt we enter by lawfull and direct meanes appointed of God, that wee may be aſſured our calling is of God, and that hee will accept of our ſeruice in that eſtate and condition of life.
Secondly, Faith inſtructeth not to meddle aboue our knowledge, but to leane vponupon the liuing Lord, not on our skill or cunning.Pro. 16.20. Pro. 3.5.6. Who ſo truſteth in the Lord happy is hee. Truſt in the Lord with all thine heart, and leane not vntounto thine owne vnderſtanding: In all thy wayes acknowledge him, and he ſhall direct thy pathes. It is hard for a man very skilfull ſo to with-draw his heart and thought from his skill, as that he doe not wholy reſt in it: but faith, looking further then ſence or reaſon is able, diſpoſſeſſeth the heart of this carnall confidence, and fixeth it vponupon the Lord alone. For it acknowledgeth him onelyonly to be the fountaine of all good, and perſwadeth the ſoule, that vnleſſe it relie vponupon his grace, wiſedome, and ſtrength, he ſhall bring nothing to paſſe by his own wiſedome, wit & cunning.Pſal. 127.1.2. Hag. 1.6.9. Eccl. 9.11. For either he ſhall not effect what he endeauours, to doe by the helpe and benefit of his skill: or if he bring it to paſſe, it ſhall not ſucceed or auaile him to thoſe honeſt vſes which he intended. The race is not to to the ſwift, nor the battell to the ſtrong, neither yet bread to the wiſe, nor yet riches to men of vnderſtanding; nor yet fauour to men of skill.
Thirdly, It quickeneth the moſt skilfull workeman to ſtriue with God in prayer, that the worke he ſetteth vponupon might ſucceed well and proſper; that is, that his skill might be readie and at hand, whereby he might finiſh the thing that he goeth about, and that it might be of vſe to them for whom it is appointed. For being ſenſible of his owne weakenes, & expecting helpe and ſupply from heauen, he will not ceaſe to craue the aide and bleſſing of God. It is the property of faith to pray cōtinually, looking vntounto the moſt High for help, & hauing aliuely ſence of preſent want which ſtirreth vp a ſerious affectiō of praying.
Fourthly, It cauſeth diligence, care, vprightneſſe, and faithfulneſſe in all the workes, actions and buſineſſe of our calling,Pſal. 128.2. Ephe. 6.5, 6.2. as knowing that whileſt wee walke honeſtly therein, wee doe ſeruice to the Lord Ieſus. It is noted of the vertuous, wiſe, faithfull and godly woman, that ſhee ſeeketh wooll, Pro. 31.13.15.and flaxe, and worketh willingly with her hands: She riſeth alſo while it is yet night, and giueth meate to her houſhold. Faith awakeneth the ſluggard, rowſeth the laiſie, maketh the idle lay his bones to worke, and him that was a purloyner to deale truely, iuſtly and honeſtly. It is the beſt cocke to call vp the drowſie: for it ringeth in his eare; when wilt thou ariſe? loe the Lord calleth thee to thy taske; why tarieſt thou ſo long, ſtirreſt ſo ſlowly? The Sunne reioyceth as a Gyant to runne his race: why ſharpeneſt not thou thy ſelfe to the worke which God hath laid vponupon thee? It it the willingeſt meſſenger to bee ſent vponupon any buſineſſe; the truſtieſt ouerſeer of any labour, the moſt free vndergoer of any toyle or paines,… Chron. 34.12. you neede not call him to reckoning who accounts with faith: nor haſt him forward who moueth by faith: nor chaine him to his worke, who by faith vndertaketh it.Eph. 6.8. For he is aſſured he doth it vntounto God, who calleth vponupon him, and from whom hee muſt expect recompence, if hee walke chearefully, and in ſingleneſſe of heart. When a man is perſwaded that his calling is approued of God, and profitable to men, by helping to maintaine the ſtate of the Church or commonwealth, and that it is that, in which God will be ſerued of him; then he takes it in hand, not like a drudge or droile who doth his wo…k for feare of the whip, nor like an hireling, who workes onelyonly for wages; nor like eye-ſeruants who leaue their buſineſſe when the maſters eye is turned aſide: but with good will, diligence and ſingleneſſe of heart, he addreſſeth himſelfe to his worke, being aſſured of Gods aſſiſtance and furtherance therein, whom hee ſerues in his vocation. This perſwaſion that we ſerue the Lord in our callings, who is a bountifull pay-maſter, and hath promiſed a large bleſſing vntounto vsus, forceth to goe willingly about that worke, which otherwiſe would ſeeme toyleſome and vnpleaſant.
Fifthly, It incourageth to the moſt difficult, painfull and (in the worlds eſteeme) diſgracefull workes of our callings. Diſtruſt breeds niceneſſe, feare and ſluggiſhnes:Eſay 7.4. Ioſ. 7.5. Pro. 31.17. faith produceth hardines, valour, and actiuitie: for it aſſures of diuine protection and good ſucceſſe: Pride makes men aſhamed of many things, which in the world be matters of diſgrace: but faith witneſſeth, that the trueſt honour is to be Gods ſeruant,2. Tim. 1.7.8.9. Heb. 11.7. and the greateſt glory to do whatſoeuer the Lord requireth at our hands. By faith Noah prepareth the Arke, let the men of the old world mocke their fill. By faith Iudah goeth vp to fight the Lords battels,Iudg. 1.4. Heb. 11.9.10. whatſoeuer danger appeare in the voyage. Faith bringeth Abraham from his natiue countrey, and his fathers houſe to ſoiourne in a ſtrange land, when he is called of the Lord.Mark. 6.18. Faith maketh Iohn the Baptiſt bold to tell Herod plainely, that it is not lawfull for him to hauehave his brothers wife, let him take it as he pleaſe. Corruption will ſuggeſt, ſuch a thing beſeemeth not a man of my place, breeding, bringing vp; it would be taken ill, might procure diſpleaſure, trouble, diſgrace, & danger: but faith looketh to the word of God, and if it bee a dutie required encourageth to ſet about it with ſpeede, referring the iſſue and euent to him that hath commaunded it, and eſteemeth it the greateſt credit to doe the will and pleaſure of the Lord.
Sixtly, It ſtrengtheneth againſt manifold troubles, diſgraces, oppoſitions & diſcouragements that men meete withall in their places; and inableth to goe throughſtitch with our buſineſſe in ill report and good report, in honour and diſgrace. Diſtruſt bringeth forth wearineſſe and fainting: faith perſiſteth in the worke, notwithſtanding all difficulties which may ariſe, either from the dayly continuance of the labour, or other impediments. F…ith either neglecteth, or remoueth, or breaketh through all lets and obſtacles. Worldlings and hypo…rites are diſheartened in their buſineſſe, becauſe no man reſpects their paines, is well-pleaſed with their doings; let them doe what thay can, they ſhall not hauehave a good word: But the ſound beleiuer is aboundantly ſatisfied with Gods approbation and reward, and goeth on chearfully,Heb. 11.35.36.37. though men ſhew him no countenance, allow noe recompence; yea though he bee moleſted, perſecuted, impriſoned, killed for well-doing. If God be pleaſed to vouchſafe other encouragements to take paines, faith makes vſe of them with thankfulneſſe: but if they bee wanting, it will not giuegive place to negligence or remiſſeneſſe.1. Cor 4.3. With me it is a very ſmall thing that I ſhould be iudged of you, or of mans iudgement. Nor of men ſought we glorie, 1. Theſſ 2.6.9.neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might hauehave beene burdenſome as the Apoſtles of Chriſt. Phil. 3 7.8.But what things were gaine to mee, thoſe I counted loſſe for Chriſt. Yea, doubtleſſe and I count all things but loſſe, for the excellencie of the knowledge of Chriſt Ieſus my Lord: for whom I hauehave ſuffered the loſſe of all things; and doe count them but dung that I may winne Chriſt.
Seuenthly, It directeth wiſely to order the affaires of our calling, and to goe about them in good manner, that is,Eccl. 2.26. in obedience, to right ends, and with an heauenly Minde, exerciſing the graces that God hath beſtowed vponupon vsus: whereby it comes to paſſe that they are furtherances and not hinderances in the duties of pietie. Thus Dauid behaued himſelfe wiſely in all his wayes: 1. Sam. 18.14.and being called of God to the gouernment of the kingdome, hee promiſeth to execute his office in vprightneſſe and innocencie to the praiſe of God: I will ſing of mercy and iudgement, Pſal. 101.8.to thee, O Lord, will I ſing.
Eightly, As faith quickeneth to labour and doe what pertaineth to our calling, ſo it teacheth to moderate cares, confine deſires of earthly things, and commit our ſelues to God▪ for the ſucceſſe of our worke. Labour is mans dutie; good ſucceſſe is the bleſſing of God. Men commonly take vponupon them a double care; one to doe the workes of their place, the other to take thought about the bleſſing and ſucceſſe of their labours. But faith in Gods Word, where it raignes, applieth the hearts of men to the performance of their duties, and leaueth the bleſſing of their endeuours to the good will and pleaſure of God. Thus wee are exhorted to doe.Pſal. 55.22. Cast thy burthen vponupon the Lord, and hee ſhall ſuſtaine thee: hee ſhall neuer ſuffer the righteous to bee moued. A Chriſtian is to conſider the difficultie of all things pertaining to him, and what danger is in them. Hee is diligently to ſet his hand to the worke, and through negligence to omit nothing that is of moment to effect and bring it to paſſe. But hauing taken counſell and laboured painfully, hee muſt lay aſide care of the euent, and roll his burthen vponupon the Lord, who hath promiſed that all things ſhall be well regarded. And this faith hath an infallible ground, namely, that God beſt knowes our wants, and will giuegive vsus all things, which in his heauenly wiſdome hee knoweth to be neceſſarie.Math. 6.32. 1. Pet. 5.7. Your heauenly Father knowes that yee hauehave need of theſe things, that is, food and raiment. Caſt your care on God, for hee careth for you. Nothing ſhall bee wanting vntounto them that feare God. And thus faith building vponupon theſe promiſes, obtaineth a greater bleſſing of God with leſſe care, toile and vexation,Pſal. 127.2. Prou. 16.3. then worldlings can by all their cunning ſhifts, ſleights and deuices. Commit thy workes vntounto the Lord, and thy thoughts ſhall bee eſtabliſhed. Faith alſo reſtraineth the deſires of tranſitory things,Math. 6.33. as it lifteth vp the heart to better and more durable riches, ſeeketh the Kingdome of Heauen, hungers and thirſteth after righteouſneſſe,Pſal. 42.1. Pſal. 16.5. feedeth vponupon the merciemercy of God in Chriſt, and reſteth ſatisfied in the Lord as its on…y portion.
Ninthly, It ſupporteth with ſtrength patiently to beare the miſeries and calamities that accompany vsus in our cal…ings. Euer ſince the fall of Adam, labour and affliction attend eueryevery ſtate and condition of life, both which are eaſily digeſted by faith. If wee be croſſed in the good things we goe about, faith conſidereth, that this commeth to paſſe by the good prouidence of God, who ſometimes croſſeth our good and lawfull attempts, leaſt wee ſhould truſt in our ſelu…s, deſpiſe the poore and afflicted, and be glued faſt to theſe earthly things. Alſo it remembers vsus of Gods deare and tender louelove, who of meere fauour doth chaſtice, and will ſo order, that all miſeries ſhall in the end turne to our good. And by ſuch like meditations it worketh the ſoule to contentation in eueryevery eſtate.Phil. 4.11, 12. I hauehave learned in whatſoeuer ſtate I am therewith to be content. I know both how to be abaſed, & I know how to abound: eueryevery where, in all things I am inſtructed, both to be ful, & to be hungrie, both to abound, and to ſuffer need. Moreouer, f…ith turneth croſſes into aduātage: as it calleth the afflicted vntounto the examination of his wayes, and reformation of what is amiſſe, worketh ſelfe-deniall, emptieth the heart of the louelove of baſe and tranſitorie things, quickeneth vntounto prayer, cauſeth to relliſh merciemercy with more ſweetneſſe, and couet ſpirituall things more earneſtly, reuiueth hope, and gaineth experience of Gods fauour and tender compaſſion.
Tenthly, Faith reſtraineth diſtruſtfull care concerning the ſucceſſe of our labours, but is not ſlacke to craue Gods bleſſing vponupon our labours. It wr…ppeth all griefes, vexations and cares together, and powreth them forth before the Lord in prayer.Phil. 4.6. Be carefull for nothing, but in eueryevery thing by prayer and ſupplication with thankeſgigiuing, let your request be made knowne vntounto God. In the midſt of ſorrowes faith is ſilent from murmuring and impatience:Pſal. 62.1. but it is neuer ſilent in prayer: it doth continually cry vntounto the Lord for ſuccour.
Eleuenthly, If wee finde wiſhed ſucceſſe, it makes vigilant, frugall, humble, mercifull, and thankefull: for it receiueth all bleſſings as gifts of grace to be imployed according to Gods will and appointment, to the glory of his Name, and comfort of his people:1. Cor. 7.31. and teacheth ſo to vſe the world, as willingly to renounce all intereſt in the world, for the faſhion thereof paſſeth away. And with what conſcience towards God we are inclined to labour, with the ſame we are ſtirred vp to giuegive to others as need requireth. The deſire of the ſlothfull killeth him; Prou. 21 25, 26. Pſal. 112.9.for his hands refuſe to labour. He coueteth greedily all the day long: bu… the righteous giu…th and ſpareth not.
Twelfthly, F…ith coupleth the labours of our calling with the practice of Chriſtianitie: for God hath laid his Commandement vponupon vsus, both to ſeeke his Kingdome, worke out our ſaluation, make our election ſure, exerciſe our ſelues in all good workes, walke in louelove, and labour hon…ſtly in our particular vocation: and faith cannot ſeperate what God hath ioyned. He that laboureth in faith looketh not only what he doth, but why he doth it; and hath reſpect to one dutie commanded as well as another, the re…ſon of his obedience being one and the ſame, namely, the will and commandement of the Lord. If a man labour in faith, the better he laboureth, the more diligent he is in the ſeruice of God and workes of merciemercy: and the more diligent he is in the duties of pietie, the more faithfull in his honeſt labour.
But how ſhould a Chriſtian liue by faith touching the good ſucceſſe and direction of that worke or buſineſſe whereunto he is called,How wee may liue by faith touching the ſucceſſe of our labours. which he finds to be much aboue his ſtrength or meanes?
Firſt, Faith cauſeth ſelfe-deniall in reſpect of iudgement, wiſdome and power: for we are blinde in chuſing, fooliſh in reſoluing what is to be done:Prou. 3.5. Ier. 10.23. Prou. 16.2. & 21.2. what is right in our eyes is abominable before God. Nor is our wiſdome to diſpoſe and mannage matte…s reſolued on, of greater ripeneſſe and perfection. Our own counſell oft leads vsus awry in things corporall, either we miſſe of the right manner, or vſe right meanes amiſſe, either we leane vponupon deceitfull props, or take a good ſtaffe by the wrong end. And if wee bee brought into diſtreſſe, then how are wee plunged in our conſultations, not knowing which way to turne our ſelues. As for power to accompliſh any worke,Lam. 3.37. though neuer ſo well conceiued, though meanes neuer ſo potent, ſo readie at hand, ſo well ordered: though the buſineſſe be in neuer ſo good forwardneſſe, we hauehave it not. Alas, poore impotent creatures, what can we doe of our ſelues, who cannot keepe our breath for one moment? In God wee liue, and moue, and hauehave our being: and hee that maintaines life muſt perfect all our workes for vsus. In matter of profit no man can ſay,Deut. 8.17, 18. my power, my labour, the might of my hand hath gotten me this wealth. Nor in point of honour, By my policie I hauehave builded my neſt on high, by the ſtrength of my arme I hauehave gotten me the victorie.Pſal 44.3. This weakneſſe is diſcouered by faith, which in eueryevery buſineſſe worketh ſelfe-deniall, knowing the beginning, direction and ſucceſſe of all honeſt labours to be of grace.
Secondly, It teacheth ſubmiſſion to Gods direction, and dependeth vponupon his helpe and aſſiſtance.Iudges 1.1. & 20.18.23.28. Eſay 8.20. It asketh counſell at the word, and followeth the determination of it. It chuſeth what God approueth, though to humane wiſdome it ſeeme bootleſſe and improbable: it reiecteth what God condemneth, though to corrupt reaſon it promiſe profit and contentment. For true confidence is obedientiall, ſubiecting it ſelfe to the will of God as the rule of holineſſe, acknowledging his ſouereigntie, ſubſcribing to his wiſdome as moſt abſolute, and to his wayes as moſt true, iuſt and mercifull. And as it conſulteth with God, ſo it putteth ouer all buſineſſe into his hands, and in a manner out of our owne. For it truſteth to him for abilitie to the worke, prouiſion of the meanes, the diſpoſition of them,Math. 6.25. & 10.19. and good ſucceſſe to come by them. Yea, though all meanes faile, and all thing… ſeeme to make againſt the proceedings, faith relieth vponupon God, who is euerlaſting, vnchangeable, the ſame for euer. The eye of faith is euer towards the Lord, that hee may inſtruct and guide in the way; that hee would be with vsus to enable in the worke we take in hand. And for the meanes, it looketh to hauehave ſuch miniſtred which may aduance our iuſt deſignes, and eſteemeth them moſt precious,Pſal. 32.8. Ezr. 5.5. Iudges 6.16. Exod. 4.11. which hee ſhall put into our hands. To prouide meanes is the worke of God: it only belongs to vsus to vſe them which he ſhall grant in merciemercy. And ſeeing wee hauehave not this wiſedome and abilitie of our ſelues, faith expecteth both from the hand of God, ſcil. to prepare meanes and make vsus wiſe to take the opportunitie. The props of this faith are theſe two.The props of this faith.
Firſt, The exact infinite wiſdome of God, who knoweth what meanes will be fit to be vſed now, and what not, both for his glorie, and the eſtabliſhing of the thing in hand: who knoweth what may hinder, and can either preuent or fruſtrate it: and who can knit ſecondarie cauſes one into another, and make them conſpire together in an admirable harmonie, which wee our ſelues cannot doe.
Secondly, Gods prouidence which rules in eueryevery thing which falls out, euen the leaſt matters.Math. 10.29. Prou. 20.24. Pſal. 37.23. Not a Sparrow falls to the ground but by his will. Mans goings are of the Lord. He diſpoſeth of eueryevery thing that concernes vsus and our affaires. The worke that wee take in hand is not our owne, but the Lords:Prou. 16.3. Pſal. 37.5. Acts 14.23. 2. Sam. 10.12. and the ſucceſſe of the buſineſſe doth depend vponupon his pleaſure, to whom it muſt be committed. Let the Lord doe what ſeemeth him good. And he giues iſſue, not according to the ſeeming abilities of the perſons, or likelihood of the meanes vſed, but according to the good pleaſure of his owne will.
Thirdly, Faith thus vnderpropped bringeth forth induſtrie, and endeauour to obſerue God in his prouidence. Hee that is moſt confident to ſpeed, is moſt vigilant to take all opportunities, moſt diligent to labour in the vſe of all lawfull meanes. For God, who worketh for vsus, will hauehave vsus worke with him. Faith l…yeth hold vponupon the promiſes of aide and prouiſion with one hand, worketh with the other. Nothing can ſo much encourage, quicken, confirme in paines taking, as faith. The perſwaſions of faith are moſt powerfull, the motiues ſtrong, the incouragements effectuall to put life and vigour into the dull and ſluggiſh. Hee that belieueth will labour, and not make haſte. Hee that diſtruſteth not his pay-maſter is not haſtie to get the pay into his owne hand: becauſe he knowes whom he hath truſted.
Fourthly, Faith cannot be ſilent, as hath beene formerly obſerued. Hee that belieueth will pray. The weaker he is in himſelfe, the more difficult his taske, the more feruent his ſupplications.2. Chron 20.12. O Lord, there is no ſtrength in vsus to ſtand againſt this great people that commeth againſt vsus, neither doe we know what to doe: but our eyes are towards thee. And if the worke ſticke faſt, and ſtirre not at the firſt, it pulleth the harder: difficulties incite to earneſt pr…yer.Pſal. 5.2, 3. In the morning will I direct me vntounto thee, and will looke out.
Fiftly, It putteth life and hardineſſe into vsus. If the worke be great, and our ſtrength ſmall, faith biddeth vsus bee ſtrong and play the men: for God will be with vsus for our ſupport.Iudges 5.18. Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that ieoparded their liues vntounto the death, in the high places of the field. In the moſt eaſie worke faith will not ſuffer to leane vponupon our owne ſtrength: in greateſt difficulties it will not deſpaire of the Lords aide.…ſhua 1.5, 9. This is the ſtay of faith He wil not leaue thee, nor forſake thee. EueryEvery thing is too ha…d for vsus, if wee relie vponupon our ſelues: nothing too hard if we truſt in the Lord, and goe forth in the power of his might.
Six…ly. It waiteth vponupon God for good ſucceſſe, and triumphe…h before the victorie.P…ou. 16.3. Commit thy wayes vnt… the Lord, and thy thoughts ſhall be direct…d. Faith looketh to the promiſe, and concludeth aſſuredly, The word of the Lord ſhall neuer faile: The zeale of the Lord of hoſts will bring it to paſſe.
Seuenthly, Faith is readie and forward to prayſe God for good ſ…cceſſe, as it is willing and deſirous to obey. For it abaſeth it ſelfe, looketh more and more into Gods admirable kindneſſe, and is aſhamed of vnthankfulneſſe. Dauid promiſeth to praiſe God three times, nay, ſeuen times a day: that he would doe it openly in the Congregation, and priuately by himſelfe: and yet, as though he had forgot himſelfe, and beene much behind others in this dutie, he quickeneth vp himſelfe vntounto it: Bl…ſſe the Lord, Pſal. 103.1, 2.O my ſoule, and all that is within mee, bleſſe his holy Name. The meditation of Gods Name is ſweet, the remembrance of his kindneſſe is pleaſant: the faithfull cannot ſatisfie themſelues in ſinging his prayſes. Hence it is that they ſtirre vp themſelues and prouoke others to magnifie the Lord.Iudg. 5.9, 10, 11 My heart is towards the Gouernours of Iſrael, that offered themſelues willingly among the people, Bleſſe yee the Lord. Speake yee that ride on white Aſſes, yee that ſit in Iudgement, and walke by the way. They that are deliuered, from the noyſe of the Archers in the places of drawing water; there ſhall they rehearſe the righteous acts of the Lord, euen the righteous acts, towards the inhabitants, of his villages in Iſrael.