A Treatise of Faith, Part 2 · Chapter 8
CHAP. VIII.
What it is to liue by faith touching the promiſes of earthly bleſſings, temporall proſperitie, and good ſucceſſe in the things that we goe about.
THe Lord our God knowing that earthly bleſſings bee ſo neceſſary for the maintenance of this life, that we cannot be without them,God hath made many promiſes of earthly bleſſings. hath of his infinite bountie and free grace vndertaken, & promiſed to make competent prouiſion for his children, that being freed from the cares and troubles of theſe things below, they might with greater freedome attend vponupon his ſeruice, and with more chearefulnes run the race of Chriſtianitie. O feare the Lord yee his Saints: Pſal. 34 9, 10.for there is no want to them that feare him. The yong Lions do lack and ſuffer hunger: but they that ſeeke the Lord ſhall not want any good thing. Truſt in the Lord and doe good, Pſal. 37.3, 4.ſo ſhalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou ſhalt be fed. Delight thy ſelfe alſo in the Lord, Verſe 11. Pſal. 22.26. Pſal. 37.19. Pſal. 84.12.and he ſhall giuegive thee the deſires of thine heart. The meeke ſhall inherit the earth, and ſhall delight themſelues in the abundance of peace. The meeke ſhall eate and be ſatisfied. For the Lord God is a ſunne and ſhield: the Lord will giuegive grace and glory: no good thing will hee with-hold from them that walke vprightly. Bleſſed is eueryevery one that feareth the Lord: that walketh in his wayes. Pſal. 128.1, 2.For thou ſhalt eate the labour of thy hands, happy ſhalt thou bee, and it ſhall bee well with thee. I will abundantly bleſſe her prouiſion: Pſal. 132.15.I will ſatisfie her poore with bread. Matth. 6.33.Seeke yee firſt the kingdome of God and his righteouſneſſe, and all theſe things ſhall be added vntounto you. This is that which is ſo oft repeated, That it may goe well with thee in the land, Deut. 5.16. & 6.3. & 12.25.28.which the Lord thy God giueth thee, In ſpeciall the Lord promiſeth length of dayes, Health, ſtrength, wealth, fauour, peace, Ioy,P…ou, 21.21. good ſ…cc…ſſe, ſafetie, good Name: …nd all theſe not only …o the …ghteo…s th…mſelues, but to their children …nd p…ſteritie.Deut 5.33. Exod 20.2. D…ut. …5.15. You ſh…ll walke in all the wayes which the Lord your God hath commanded you, that yee m…y liue, and that it may be well with you, and that yee may prol…ng your dayes in the land which you ſhall poſſ…ſſe. Pſal. 34.12, 13.W…t man is …e that deſireth life: and loueth many d yes, that he may ſee good? Ke…pe thy tongue from eui…, and thy l…ps from ſpeaking guile. My ſonne forget not my law, but l t thine heart keepe my Commandements: Prou. 3.1, 2.For l…ngth of day…s, and long life and peace ſhall they add… to thee. V…rſe 16. Prou. 14.10. Prou. 9.11. & 10 27. Pſal …1.16. 1. Kings 3.14.Length of day…s is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. By mee thy dayes ſhall be mu…tiplied, and the yeares of thy life ſhall be increaſed. With long life will I ſatisfi… him; and ſhew him my ſaluation. If thou wilt dilig…ntly h…arken vntounto the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt doe that which is right in his ſig…t, and wilt giuegive eare to his Commandements, Exod. 15.26. & 13.…5. Deut. ….15. Pſal. 103.3.and k…pe all his ſtatutes, I will put none of theſe diſ…aſ…s vponupon thee, which I hauehave brought vponupon the Egyptians, f…r I am the Lord that healeth thee. Feare the Lord and depart from euill; It ſhall b health to thy nauill, Prou. 3.7, 8. & 4.22. Eſay 33.15.16.and marrow to thy bones. He that wa…keth righte…uſly, and ſpeak th vprightly, he that de…iſeth the gaine of oppr…ſſions, that ſhaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that ſtoppeth his eares from hearing of bloud, and ſhutteth his eyes from ſeeing euill; Hee ſhall dwell on high; his place of defence ſhall be the munitions of rock…s, bread ſhall be giuen him, his waters ſhall be ſure. Verſe 14.And the inhabitant ſhall not ſ…y I am …ke. Iob 17.9.The righteous ſhall hold on his way, and hee that hath cl ane hands ſhall bee ſtronger and ſtronger. Pſ…l. 29.11. Deut 8.18. Pſal. 103.5.The Lord will giuegive ſtrength vntounto his people; …he Lord will bl…ſſe his people with peace. It is the Lord thy God t…at giueth thee power to g…t wealth, that hee may eſt…bliſh his couenant which he ſware vntounto …y …th r. H…nour the Lord with thy ubſtance, Pro. 3 9 …0. Mal. 3.10.and with the firſt f u…ts of all thine increaſe: So ſhall thy barnes be filled with p…ntie, and thy preſſes ſhall burſt out with new wine. Riches and honour are with me, Pro. 8.1….19.yea durable riches and righteouſneſſe. My fruite is b tter then g ld, …nd my reuenue th n choyſe …lu…r. In the houſe of the right…us is much treaſure. Pro. 15 6. Pſal. 112.1.2.Bleſſed is the man that feareth the Lord that delighteth greatly is h…s Commaundements. W…alth & ric…es ſh…ll be in his houſe: and his righteouſn…s endur…th for euer. If thou r…turne to the Almightie, thou ſhalt be built vp, thou ſhalt put away iniquitie far from thy t…bernacles: Then ſhalt thou lay vp gold as duſt, Job. 22 23 24.25. Ier. 31.12.and the gold of Ophyr as the ſtones of the brookes: yea, the Almighty ſhall bee t…y def nce, and thou ſhalt hauehave plenty of …luer. 2. Cor. 9.8 9.And God is able to make all grace abound towards you, that y e alwayes hauing all ſufficience in all things, may abound to eueryevery good worke. With all thy getting g…t vnderſtanding: ex…lt her, and ſhee ſhall promote thee, ſhee ſh… bring th…e to honour, Pro. 4.8.9.when thou doeſt embrace …er Shee ſha giuegive to thine head an ornament of grace, a crown of glory ſhall ſhee deliuer to thee. Pro. 3.4.So ſhalt thou finde fauour, and good vnderſtanding in the ſight of God and man. Then ſhalt thou walke in the way ſafely, Verſe 23. Pro. 1.33.and thy foote ſhall not ſtumbl…. Who ſo heark…neth vntounto mee ſhall dwell ſafely, and ſhall bee quiet from feare of eui…l. Becauſe thou haſt made the Lord, which is my refuge, Pſal. 91.9.10.euen, the moſt high thy habitation. There ſhall no eui…l befall thee, ne ther ſhall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. Thou ſhalt be hid from th… ſcourge of the tongue; n…ither ſhalt thou be afraid of deſtruction when it commeth. Iob. 5.21.22.At deſtruction & famine ſhalt thou laugh, neither ſhalt thou be afraid of the beaſts of the earth. And I will giu… peace in the land, …nd ye ſha… lie downe, Leu. 26.6. Iob. 5.23.and none ſhall make you …fraid. For thou ſhalt be in league with the ſtones of the fi ld: and the beaſts of the field ſhall be at peace with thee When a mans wayes plea e the Lord, Pro. 16.6.hee maketh euen his enemies to be at peace with him. 1. Sam. 2.30. Pſal. 37.6.Them that honour me. I will honour. And he ſhall bring forth thy righteouſneſſe as the light, and thy iudgement as the noone day. The wiſe ſhall inherite glory. Pro. 3.35. Pro. 10.7. Pſal. 112.6. Pro. 13.18. Pro, 10.6. Pſal. 1.3.The memory of the Iuſt is bleſſed; the righteous ſhall be in euerlaſting remembrance. Hee that regardeth reproofe ſhall bee honoured. Bleſſings are vponupon the head of the Iuſt; and whatſoeuer he doth ſhall proſper. Bleſſed is the man that feareth the Lord &c, his ſeed ſhall be mightie vponupon earth, the generation of the vpright ſhall be bleſſed. Pſal. 112.1.2.What man is he that feareth the Lord? him ſhall he teach in the way that he ſhall chuſe. His ſoule ſhall dwell at eaſe, Pſal 25.…2, 13. Pro. 11.21.and his ſeede ſhall inherite the earth. Though hand ioyne, in hand, the wicked ſhall not bee vnpuniſhed but the ſeede of the righteous ſhall bee deliuered. Pro. 14 20. Pro. 20.7.In the feare of the Lord, is ſtrong confidence: and his children ſhall hauehave a place of refuge. The Iuſt man walketh in his integritie: his children are bleſſed after him. Iob. 5.25.Theſe and ſuch like be the promiſes concerning temporall bleſſings, which God of his infinite grace and louelove hath made to the faithfull and their poſterity, that we might liue by faith, quietly ſubmitting our ſelues to the good pleaſure of God in theſe things, and expecting from him in due ſeaſon ſuch reliefe as ſhall bee moſt expedi…nt.
It is neceſſary to belieue thoſe promiſed.Firſt, This is neceſſary; for faith in theſe promiſes doth kill couetous deſires, diſtruſtfull and diſtracting eares. Let your conuerſation bee without couetouſneſſe; and be content with ſuch things as yee hauehave. For he hath ſaide, I will neuer leaue thee, nor forſake thee. Man is priuie to his want of bleſſings,Heb. 13.5. and will neuer ceaſe with exceſſiue care, deligence and vexation to hunt after them, till hee come to knowe that God will prouide for him. When one hath great friends, which they are knowne to leane vponupon, wee ſay of them, Such neede take no care, they know ſuch and ſuch will ſee to them. On the contrarie, come to one who knowes no end of toyling and caring, aske him, why will you thus tyre your ſelfe out? He will anſwere, I muſt needs doe it, I hauehave none but my ſelfe to truſt to.Math. 6.30.32. So Chriſt followeth his Diſciples carefulneſſe to this doore, their vnbeliefe, which did not let them conſider our heauenly Father cared for them. No preſent eſtate, (though neuer ſo great) can free the heart from diſtraction,1. Pet. 5.5. becauſe it is ſubiect to decay and vaniſh: wee ſhall neuer caſt the burden of care off our owne ſhoulders, till we learne by faith to caſt it vponupon the Lord, whoſe eye is ouer vsus for good.
Secondly, Hee will neuer renounce carnall ſupports, who makes not God the ſtay of his ſoule for outward things. Hee will truſt in the abundance of his riches,Pſal. 52.7. wiſdome, friends, or ſtrength, that makes not God his ſtrength. The heart of man being priuie to his inability to ſuſtaine himſelfe, if he be not vnderſet, will ſeeke out ſome prop true or falſe, ſound or rotten to leane vntounto. They will goe downe to Aegypt for helpe,Eſay. 31.1, and 22, 10, 11, 12. and ſtay on horſes, and truſt in Chariots, becauſe they are many, and in horſemen, becauſe they are very ſtrong, who looke not to the holy one of Iſrael, ſeeke not the Lord.
Thirdly, Beliefe in God brings good ſucceſſe. The Lord will be intreated to ſhowre his bleſſings plentifully vponupon them, that put their truſt in him.2. Chro. 20.20. 1. Chro. 5.20. 2. Chro. 16.7, 8. Belieue in the Lord your God, ſo ſhall yee be eſtabliſhed: belieue his prophets ſo ſhall yee proſper. Men are aſhamed to falſifie the truſt that is repoſed in them: And ſhall the Lord fruſtrate the deſire of them, that hope in his mercy.
Fourthly, If we cleaue not to the promiſes of God made concerning temporall things, we ſhall adhere to the promiſes of life with leſſe aſſurance.2. Cor. 1.20. Both promiſes flow from one fountaine, euen Gods euerlaſting louelove, are ſtabliſhed in the ſame mediatour, and receiued by the ſame faith: yea the promiſes of life euerlaſting (as more ſpirituall and furtheſt remoued from ſence) are in themſelues more difficult to bee belieued: ſo that our aſſurance of them c…nno… b… g…eat…r, …, our co…fidence in …od …or the other whi…h conce ne thi… l…fe, ſo f…rr… as he ſeeth it to be for our good; and the glory of his g…e…t name, if we bee inſtruct…d, exerciſed, and aſſa…lted in both alike. Chriſtian… are of aſ…l ed touching theſe promiſes, …nd many vertuo…s and godly men not duly conſi…ering and embracing them by f…th, are …ch perplexed in themſelues.Pſa 116.11. Pſal. 31.22. I ſaid in …y haſt (ſaid Dauid, when he fled from Saul, an… hi… heart began to f…int) …ll men are ly…rs; euen the proph…ts, who told me I ſhould be king, hauehave deceiued me Diſtruſt in the …emporall p omiſe… of God, hath driuen the fa thfu…l to m…ny hard, dangerous ſhifts, and b…ene the o caſion o… diue …s ſl p… and ſome dangerous falls. The examples of Abraham, Dauid, …nd many o thers, together with daily experience in all places, doe ſ…fficiently teſtifie thus much.
Fiftly, Faith ſweeteneth …nd ſanctifieth vntounto vsus the vſe of all outward comforts vnde… our hands. Meate, apparrell, riches, honours (…hough lawfully co…paſſ…d and in abundance poſſeſſed) yeeld but a ſowre taſt in compariſon, are but of ſmall profit, when they bee not vſed in faith. Nay, bl…ſſings not receiued and vſed in faith be…ome Idols,Marke 10 24. or occaſions of Idolatrie: for either we truſt in them, or be lif…e… vp in our ſelues by reaſon of them. The rich mans we…lth is his ſtrong City: hee reioyceth in his riches,…ro 10.…5. Pſal. 62.10. Pro. 30.8.9. and hath in his thoughts to doe great matters by them. GiueGive mee neither pouertie nor riches, feed mee with food conu nient for me: Leſt I be full, and denie thee, and ſay, who is the Lord. The godly are allowed to liue by faith touching theſe temporall promiſes,The godly are …llowed to liue by faith as …ching theſe promiſes. and the ſanctified vſe of Gods bleſſings which they …nioy.
Firſt, For ſeeing God h…th giuen Chriſt for vsus, as the Apoſtle reaſoneth: how ſh…ll hee not with him alſo freely giuegive vsus all things. Hee hath giuen his ſonne, the fountaine of all good things:Rom. 8.3…. what is it then, that hee will d …e vntounto vsus?Eſay 7.19. The p omiſe of Chriſt before his incarnation was to the Iewes a ſeale of all temporall good …hings p omiſed. But we know God h…th giuen his ſonn…, not onelyonly to be bor…e, b…t to …ie for vsus: which is an vn…o…e… t ken, that he will denie vsus nothing that may be for our good …nd comfo t.
Secondly, The Lord by couenant hath promiſed to furniſh his people with all needfull bleſſings pertaining to thi… life. He th…t ſcattered Iſrael will g…ther him, Ier. 31.10.11.12.and keepe him as a ſheepeheard doth his flocke. For the Lord hath redeemed Iacob, and ranſomed him from the hand of him that was ſtronger th…n he. Therefore they ſhall come and ſing in the h ight of Zion, ſhall ſlow together to the goodneſſe of the Lord, for wheat and f…r wine, and for oyle, and for the young of the flocke, and of the herd: their ſoule ſhall bee as a watered garden, and they ſhall not ſorrow any more at all. Verſe 14.And I will ſati…te the ſoule of the prieſts with fatneſſe, and my people ſhall be ſatisfied with goodneſſe, ſaith the Lord. Ezek 34, 25, 26. 27.I will make with th…m a couenant of peace, and will cauſe the euill beaſt to ceaſe out of the L…nd: and th…y ſhall dwell ſaf ly in the wilderneſſe and ſleep… in the woods. And I will m…ke them, and the places round about my hill a bleſſing, and I will cauſe the ſhowre to come downe in his ſeaſon: there ſhall be ſhowres of bleſſing. And the tree of the field ſhall yeeld her fruite, and the earth ſhall yeel… her increaſe, and they ſhal… be ſafe in their land, and ſhall know that I am the Lord: I will call for corne, and encreaſe it, Ezek. 36.29, 30, and 34, 29.and lay no famine vponupon you. And I will …ultiply the fruite of the tree, and the incr…aſe of the field; that y e ſhall no more …eceiue reproch of famine among the h…athen. I will eu n … t oth thee vntounto me in faithfulneſſe, Hoſ 2.20, 21, 22.and thou ſhalt know the Lord. And it ſhall come to paſſe, in that day I will …eare, ſaith the Lord, I will heare the heauens, and …ey ſhall hear… the earth, and the earth ſhall heare the …rne, and the wine, the oyle. Now ſeeing the Lord hath by promiſe and couenant, againe and againe repeated for our confirmation, aſſu…ed vsus of all needfull bleſſings, it is our duty by faith to make theſe ptomiſes our owne, and reſt quietly vponupon his word to finde reliefe at ſuch time, and in ſuch meaſure, as he knowes to be expedient, and may be for our good.
Thirdly, And this wee may the rather be incouraged vntounto, conſidering the relation which is betwixt God and vsus: for he is our faithfull creatour, wee the worke of his hands: hee is our Sheepheard, wee the flocke of his paſture: he is our Father, wee his children. Let them that ſuffer according to the will of God,1. Pet. 4.19. commit the keeping of their ſoules to him in well-doing, as vntounto a faithfull Creatour.1. Pet. 5.7. Pſal. 23.1. Caſt all your care vponupon him, for he he careth for you. The Lord is my ſheepheard, I ſhall not want. As a ſheepheard ſeeketh out his flocke in the day, that he is among his ſheepe that are ſcattered: Ezek. 34.12, 13.ſo will I ſeeke out my ſheepe, and will deliuer them out of all places, where they hauehave beene ſcattared in the cloudy and darke day. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, Verſe. 14.and will bring them to their owne land, and feede them vponupon the mountaines of Iſrael by the riuers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feede them in a good paſture and vponupon the high mountaines of Iſrael ſhall their fold be; there ſhall they lye in a good fold, and in a fat paſture ſhall the feed vponupon the mountaines of Iſrael.Mat. 6.31.32. Take no thought, ſaying, What ſhall we eate? or what ſhall we drinke? or wherewith ſhall we be clothed? for your heauenly Father knoweth that yee hauehave need of all theſe things. God is the great Father of the family, who prouideth all things neceſſarie for them that bee vnderunder his gouernment.Pſal. 104 27. Pſal. 145.15, 16 The eyes of all waite vponupon thee and thou giueſt them their meate in due ſeaſon. Thou openeſt thine hand, and ſatisfieſt the deſire of eueryevery liuing thing. Pſal. 146.9. Iob 38.41. Mat. 6.26.Hee giueth to the beaſt his food, and to the young rauens which crie. It is his propertie, who is the cheife good, to communicate his bleſſings vntounto his creatures: much more to compaſſe them with merciemercy that depend vponupon him. Hee hath put this naturall affection into Parents, nay, into bruite beaſts to tender their young ones: and ſhall not hee much more prouide for them that crie vntounto him day and night for reliefe and ſuccour? The Lords portion is his people; Deut. 32.9. Ier. 10.16. & 51.19.Iacob is the lot of his inheritance: and God is the portion of his people: Hee hath choſen them, and they hauehave giuen themſelues to him: they relie vponupon him, and he hath vndertaken to make plentifull prouiſion for them.Lam. 3.24. The Lord is my portion, ſaith my ſoule, therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance, and of my cup; thou maintaineſt my lot. Pſal. 16.5, 6.The lines are fallen vntounto me in a pleaſant places: yea, I hauehave a goodly heritage. The Lord by his ſpeciall prouidence will make that proſperous vntounto the righteous which they poſſeſſe, be it little or much. There is nothing better for a man, then,Eccleſ. 2.24. that he ſhould eate and drinke and that hee ſhould make his ſoule enioy good in his labour, This alſo I ſaw, and it was from the hand of God. And this gift the Lord freely giues to the man, whom he doth approue:Verſe 26. To the man that is good in his ſight God giueth wiſdome, and knowledge and Ioy, (to wit) together & vſe earthly bleſſings with delight & comfort. The reuenues of the righteous are ſmall many times, but their ſtate is comfortable:Pſal. 37.16. for the little that the righteous man, hath is better then much riches of many and mightie wicked ones, who flow in wealth, and excell in power.Prou. 15.16, 17, & 17.1. Better is a litle with the feare of the Lord then great treaſure, and trouble therewith. Better is a dinner of herbs where louelove is, then a ſtalled Oxe, and hatred therewith. God giueth his beloued ſleepe. Pſal. 127.2. Prou. 10.22.And it is the bleſſing of God which maketh rich, and he addeth no ſorrow with it.
Fourthly, The patient exp…ctation of the Saints hath confirmed this, that God will not bee wanting to his children in things of this life, ſo farre as may bee for their ſpirituall welfare:Pſal 37.25, 26. I hauehave beene young, and now am old, yet hauehave I not ſeene the righteous forſaken, nor his ſeed begging bread. Hee is euer mercifull and lendeth, and his ſeed is bleſſed. The children of the needie ſhall bee ſuccoured in due ſeaſon, for God who knoweth their wants is faithfull to pe forme promiſe.
The acts of faith in reſpect of theſe promiſes.The acts of faith in reſpect of theſe promiſes and bleſſings are.
Firſt, it preſerueth from the vſe of all vnlawfull means knowing that nothing can proſper, which God approues not.Eſay 30.7. The Egyptians ſhall helpe in vaine, and to no purpoſe; therefore hauehave I cryed concerning this, Their ſtrength is to ſit ſtill. Hoſea 5.13, 14.When Ephraim ſaw his ſickneſſe, and Iudah ſaw his wound: then went Ephraim to the Aſſyrian, and ſent to King Ioreb; yet could he not heale you, no… cure you of your wound. If a man be ſoundly perſwaded, that the bleſſing of God is all in all, hee will ply that fare firſt, and not vndertake any thing, till hee ſee God witneſſing vntounto him by his Spirit, that hee will be with him to bleſſe him: which hee cannot hope for, if the meanes vſed to compaſſe and ſecure any bleſſing or good thing, be indirect and ſinfull. Nay, to hope for bleſſed and good ſucceſſe in any euil courſe is palpable and groſſe Idolatry: what is it but really to acknowledge the Deuill (whoſe direction thou followeſt for aduantage) to be the Gouernour of the world, and the diſpoſer of earthly things? then which nothing is more oppoſite to liuely faith. Faith ſpeaketh on this wiſe,Prou. 16.8. Better is a little wrth righteouſneſſe, then great reuenues without right; more comfor…able in reſpect of inward peace, the preſent vſe of this life, and continuance; which maketh the Belieuer conſult what is iuſt, not what is gainfull or profitable: what may be compaſſed by honeſt courſes, not what may be gained by fraud, deceit, coozenage, or other carnall dealing. Againe, faith taketh direction of God in his Word in all buſineſſes, being aſſured that his counſell onelyonly is firme and ſtable, and that courſe proſperous, which is conſonant to his reuealed will.Prou. 19.21. Pſal. 33.10. There are many deuices in a mans heart, neuertheleſſe the counſell of the Lord, that ſhall ſtand. The Lord bringeth the counſell of the Heathen to naught: he maketh the deuices of the people of none effect. The counſe…l of the Lord ſtandeth for euer, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Carnall policies are diſappointed, and counſels broken, but the direction of the Lord it ſhall proſper.
Secondly, Faith is painfull, prouident and frugall, though not diſtruſtfull, pinching or niggardly. It ſhakes off idleneſſe, obſerues Gods prouidence, takes the opportunitie, husbands thriftily what he beſtoweth, and ordereth all affaires with diſcretion. Hee that reſts moſt confident vponupon Gods bleſſing for all good things of this life, will be moſt diligent to ſeeke them by lawfull means, and carefull to preſerue what the bountifull hand of God ſhall miniſter vntounto him. He that is ſilent, expecting Gods helpe when meanes faile, cannot ſit ſtill when meanes be at hand, nor lauiſh indiſcreetly, when his cup runneth ouer. Labour and prouidence be impoſed of God, wherevnto faith doth as freely ſubmit it ſelfe, euen when Gods bleſſings doe ſlow in abundantly, as it doth heartily wiſh and expect ſupply from God in the time of need.
Thirdly, It maketh inquiry into the heart, turneth f…om euill, and ſeeketh the face of God earneſtly. Confi…ence in God breeds ſuſpition of our ſelues, leſt any ſinne ſhould habour ſecretly in our boſome, or corruption get …ead to hinder proſperitie: ſpecially if God bleſſe vsus not …c…ording to promiſe, the firſt worke of faith is to ranſicke and fanne the ſoule narrowly, to find out and remoue whatſoeuer doth offend. I thought on my wayes; Pſal. 119.59. Verſe 67.and turned my feet vntounto thy teſtimonies. Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now I hauehave kept thy word. Iob 22.21, 22, 23.The counſell of Elephaz to Iob was good, if he had rightly applied it; Acquaint now thy ſelfe with him, and be at peace; thereby good ſhall come vntounto thee. Receiue, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay vp his words in thine heart. If thou returne to the Almightie, thou ſhalt bee built vp, thou ſhalt put away iniquity farre from thy Tabernacles. This ſound aduice faith digeſteth, and with much ſeriouſneſſe doth early with the whole heart ſeeke the Lord, exerciſe it ſelfe in the worſhip of God, laboureth the reformation of what is amiſſe, and compoſeth it ſelfe wholy to the preſcript …ule of his Word. By faith wee know,Iames 4.8.10. God will draw nigh to vsus, if wee draw nigh to him; he will lift vsus vp, if we humble our ſelues in his ſight; and if God lift vsus vp, it ſhall goe well; if hee be with vsus, we ſhall want nothing which may be for our good. This is the way of faith, which cleaueth vntounto the Lord, and ſeeketh the accompliſhment of his promiſes, as God hath promiſed to fulfill them.
Fourthly, It ſtirreth vp to pray without diſtruſtfull, fruitleſſe, exceſſiue care: It committeth the cauſe vntounto God,Iob 5.8. & 8.5. 1. Chron. 4.10. and makes ſupplication to the Almightie. Oh that thou wouldest bleſſe me indeed, and inlarge my coast, and that thy hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keepe me from euill that it may not grieue me. If God will be with me, Gen. 28.20, 21.and will keepe me in this way that I goe, and will giuegive me bread to eate, and raiment to put on: So that I come againe to my Fathers houſe in peace, then ſhall the Lord be my God. It is the exhortation of Paul, Be carefull for nothing, Phil. 4.6.but in eueryevery thing by prayer and ſupplication with thanksgiuing, let your requeſt be made knowne vntounto God. Now faith turneth precepts into prayers, and maketh requeſt according to the will of God. What God requires, that faith petitioneth for, and in ſuch manner.
Fiftly, It ſeeth riches in God, ſubmitteth to his wiſedome, reſteth in his louelove, and ſo maintaineth a Chriſtian in ſome meaſure of contentment. By faith we ſo embrace the Lord, as that in him wee ſeeke and ſee whatſoeuer is nec…ſſary to ſaluation, and poſſeſſe him as the portion of ou… lot and inheritance, who will keepe backe nothing from v…, but what is hurtfull and pernicious. It leaneth vponupon the euerlaſting prouidence of God, and promiſeth preſent ſuccour and ſupply f…om him, as in wiſedome hee knoweth beſt, and of grace h…th promiſed.Pſal. 16.8. Pſal. 73 23. I hauehave ſ…t the Lord alwayes before me: that is, I conſtantly leane vponupon the aide of God, and am faſtened to his prouidence, being confident that when neceſſitie doth vrge, hee will be a… hand to ſuſtaine my ſoule, to miniſter vntounto my neceſſiti…, powerfully to aſſiſt and comfort.
Sixtly, In proſperitie it keepes the heart in an holy temper and diſpoſition; (ſcil.) in humilitie and me…kneſſe, free from carnall confidence and pride; and in tenderneſſe and compaſſion towards them that be in miſery, ſpecially the Church, if ſhe be in heauin…ſſe. For the bleſſings of God embrac…d by faith ſet an impreſſion vponupon the ſoule, anſwer…ble to thoſe properties in him from whence they flow. What hee giues in grace doth worke the heart to humilitie and tender commiſeration.Pſal. 62.11. Faith hath learned that power is o… God, and that all his gifts are freely beſtowed of merciemercy, without deſert;Pſal 86.2. but merciemercy receiued doth both humble and mollifie the heart. The godly man hauing obtained merciemercy and grace from God, is againe holy, pious, kin… and mercifull to others. It is the commandement of God,Deut. …5.7. Thou ſhalt not make ſtrong thy heart, nor ſhut vp the bowels of compaſſion from thy needie brother: But euermore the frame of a belieuing heart is correſpon…ent to the will and pleaſure of God: for faith ſets the ſtampe and Image of God vponupon the ſoule▪ Moreouer, it diſpoſeth the heart to thankfulnes and obedience: for it diſpoſeth ſpirituall emptineſſe, which giueth a ſweet r…l…h to the me…cie… of God: and excluding all boaſting in o…r ſelues, ſtirreth vp to glory in the Lord, and willingly t… deuote our ſelues vntounto his ſeruice, from whom we hau… receiued whatſoeuer we enioy.Pſal. 116.12, 13. What ſhall I render to the Lord for all his mercies towards me? I will take the cup of ſaluation and call vponupon th… Name of the Lord. Men looke for thankes for a ſmall kindneſſe; for a token, a dinner, if they write but a letter, ſpeake a word, take a iourney in our behalfe: Faith reades the name of God in all his mercies, and ſeriouſly calleth them to remembrance, what then can it doe leſſe then magnifie the Name of God for all his goodneſſe? The mercies of God to a belieuing heart, are as manure to ſound and good ſoyle, which makes it more fertile. Satan himſelfe will confeſſe, that God is ſpecially to bee ſerued in the dayes of proſperitie,Iob 1.9, 10. for when God asked him, Haſt thou conſidered my ſeruant Iob, a iuſt man, &c. He replieth, Doth Iob feare God for naught? Haſt thou not made an hedge about him? And faith doth both remember man of his dutie, and perſwade him to bee ſo much the more ſeruiceable and obedient, as the mercies of God are powred vponupon him more plentifully. I will walke before the Lord in the land of the liuing. Pſal 116.9.When the Churches had r…ſt throughout all Iudea, and Galilee, and Samaria, they were edified, Acts 9.31.and walking in the feare of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghoſt, were multiplied.
Seuenthly, It prayeth as earneſtly for the ſanctification of proſperitie, and Gods bleſſing vponupon the meanes, as for the meanes themſelues if they were wanting. The more we proſper the more earneſt be the prayers of faith. For of our ſelues wee hauehave no power to weeld a good eſtate well: nor abilitie to preſerue and keepe it. An high eſtate is ſubiect to many ſtormes and tempeſts: in greateſt eaſe wee lie open to moſt temptations. In the hot Summer men quickly catch cold: and if we pray not earneſtly when we proſper in the world, we ſhall coole in grace. Earthly bleſſings bee ſo fraile, and wee of our ſelues ſo weake, that the more we hauehave, the more we ſtand in need of Gods gratious aſſiſtance and ſupport.Pſal. 33.16. The Creatures themſelues hauehave no power to helpe, can profit nothing vnleſſe God put forth his hand to bleſſe them for our vſe. This makes that the requeſts of faith bee not formall and perfunctorie, but effectuall, feruent, ariſing from a true conſideration of the weakneſſe and impotencie of the creature to ſuſtaine and vphold vsus. And thus to liue by faith in the abundance of all things: makes way for patience, contentedneſſe, ſound peace in the depth of miſerie, when we be left naked and deſtitute of all humane aide. For if when we enioy meanes we leane not vponupon them, but vponupon the Lord; when they are taken away wee ſhall not fall; our ſtay remaining.
Eightly, It makes heauenly minded in the vſe and poſſeſſion of a proſpe…ous eſtate. As it receiueth all earthly bleſſings from God as pledges of his ſpeciall louelove, and part of their childes portion: ſo it windeth and pulleth vp the ſoule to God againe. Looke what louelove-tokens are to linke the hearts of wel-willers, and bring them together, or to preſerue, renew, and increaſe affection amongſt friends; ſuch force hauehave the good things of this life to lift vp the belieuing heart to commune with the Lord. And ſure proſperitie is the fitteſt ſeaſon for heauenly contemplation: the leſſe trouble lieth vponupon our ſtate, the more libertie we hauehave with freedom to thinke vponupon ſuch things as concerne our ete…nall inheritance. Beſides, faith cannot ſauour earthly bleſſings, vnleſſe it taſte his louelove, and feed vponupon his goodneſſe in them. If being inuited to a Noblemans table, hee be pleaſed to carue a bit vponupon our Trench…r, that is better then all the feaſt. The louelove of God giuing vsus earthly things to enioy, is that which giueth them the beſt reliſh. And if we taſte the ſweetneſſe of his louing kindneſſe in theſe things, wee cannot but deſire, and long to bee refreſhed with fuller communion with him.
Ninthly, Faith breeds godly iealouſie and ſuſpition, leſt the heart ſhould bee drawne away wi…h the pleaſing delights of things tranſitorie. For by grace we are made conſcious of our owne weakneſſe, and of the ſnare that i… in eu…ry creature to take and intangle vsus. Proſperitie is pleaſing but dangerous. Children quickly ſurfet on ſweet m…ats: Coezening comp…nions giuegive flattering ſpeeches. Long peace begets idl…neſſe: Pouertie is more fertile of men: plentie of riot, niceneſſe, eaſe and ſuch like. Bluſtering windes cannot pull the cloake from the traueller, who caſts it off in the heate of the Sunne. Wee hauehave examples of many great worthies, who hauehave caught much hurt in proſperitie. Reſt hath effeminated many Captaines, who could neuer be cruſhed or ouercome with the …errours of warre. Soft ſands ſwallow more ſhips, then hard rockes ſplit aſunder. This makes the waking belieuer circumſpect to examine his heart, and watch ouer it, how he performes holy duties, how hee entertaines holy thoughts, how his affections moue towards that which is aboue, leſt he ſhould miſcarrie vponupon the ſands.
Tenthly, It mindeh vsus of our change, euen when our mountaine ſeemeth ſtrongeſt.Iob 3.25, 26. The thing that I greatly feared (ſaith Iob) is come vponupon me, and that which I was afraid of is come vntounto mee. I was not in ſafetie, neither had I rest, neither had I quiet: I alwayes thought vponupon my change, and looked for an alteration of mine eſtate. The longeſt day hath night at length entring: yea, there is no winde which may not blow raine, if God be ſo pleaſed. Eſtates which hauehave the longeſt periods of proſperity, bee at length exerciſed with afflictions: and there is no condition ſo ſure and peaceable, but may turne tempeſtuous on the ſudden, ſhould not God bee more gratious. This being in it ſelfe apparant, and confirmed by infinite examples, cannot bee hid from the piercing eye of faith, which is ſpiritually wiſe to diſcerne aforehand, what euents we are ſubiect vntounto in this vale of teares. Nature by inſtinct giueth vntounto vnreaſonable Crea…ures a facultie which maketh them afore-hand apprehenſiue of that which is readie to enſue. The wiſdome which is from aboue, m…keth the Lords ch…ldren ſenſible in like kinde, that as Iob, ſo they in their g…eateſt calme foreſee how …ods hand may change for their exerciſe. Nor do…h faith only fore…ee danger, but prepare for it.Prou. 22.3. & 27.12. The wiſe man ſeeth the plague and hideth himſelfe. The belieuer hath learned by due conſideration, how wanting hee is in wiſdome, and weake in ſt…ength to ſtand when God trieth, an… ſo renouncing his wit and ſtrength, hee flieth vntounto God and holdeth him, as he who hath beene, is, and muſt bee for euer his ſaluation: and looketh vntounto Chriſt the Authour and finiſher of our faith, who hath receiued …ommandem…nt of the Father, that hee ſhould not only …all vsus and bring v… into the ſtate of grace, but alſo raiſe vsus vp at the laſt day: who is that great God and Sauiour, who will keepe his from eueryevery euill worke vntounto his hea…enly kingdome.
Th s matter may bee exemplified in ſome particular,How to liue by faith in the vſe of meate and drinke. ſcil. how wee are to liue by faith in the vſe of meate and drinke.
Firſt, By faith we lea…ne out of the Word of God, who hauehave ſonne-like intereſt …nd title vntounto the creatures, what creatures are ſanctified vntounto our vſe, and how each man muſt ſ…nctifie them vntounto himſelfe by a reuerent and holy vſe. As that the perſon muſt be in couenant,1. Tim. 4.5. Titus ….16. 2. Theſſ. 3.12. reſting vponupon Chriſt for ſaluation, and giuing himſelfe vntounto the ſtudie, and ſincere, vnpartiall practice of holineſſe; the food muſt bee lawfully gotten, prouided with wiſe reſpect of our place and m…anes, without diſtracting care, or exquiſite curioſitie & niceneſſe, receiued with thankſgiuing as from Gods han…, and vſed as in his ſight and preſence, for ſuch ends and purpoſes as he hath appointed.
Secondly, It receiueth them not as the fruit of our forecaſt, labour, or deſert, but as gifts of Gods bountie, yea,Pſal. 104.21. & 145.15. Pſal. 23.5. Hoſea 2 18, 19. Ezek. 37.24, 25 as gifts of the gratious couenant, proceeding frō the free louelove of God. For in the couenant of grace God promiſeth not only to write his Law in our h…arts, and to forgiue our ſinnes, but alſo to conferre temporall bleſſings, as they ſhall be ſeruiceable to vsus in our iourney tow…rds Heauen. Men that make a great purchaſe, deſire to hauehave ſome part in preſent poſſeſſion: and our gratious God making p…omiſe of etern…ll happineſſe, doth giuegive earthly bleſſings in hand as pertaining to that heauenly poſſeſſion, which wee ſhall enioy hereafter. Now as God giues temporall thi…gs to his people in couen…nt, ſo doth faith receiue them as …okens of ſpeciall good-will and fauour in Ieſus Chriſt,Heb. 1.2. & 2.8 in and th…ough whom of free grace, ſonne-like right and ti…le to the creatures is reſto…ed, which by ſinne and diſob…dience was forfeited. And theſe conſiderations ſtrike the heart with reuerence, inflame it with louelove, and raiſe an holy regard and care not to abuſe this grant of merciemercy, breeds an acknowle…gement of our vnworthineſſe of any merciemercy,Gen. 32.10. admirat…on of Gods prouiſion and contentation with the leaſt bleſſing of God.
Thirdly, By faith we are taught, that man liueth not by bread only,Deut 8.3. Math. 4.4. but by the prouidence of God, and his bleſſing vponupon his own ordinance. It is not the nature of the thing it ſelfe ſimply to nouriſh; if Gods bleſſing bee not vponupon it,Pſal. 104.15. it can afford no refreſhing. Bread ſtrengthens, wine comforts the heart by his ordinance and application of them to that vſe: but the bleſſing is not in the creature, it comes from aboue. Bread nouriſheth when it is Gods hand or meanes to confer ſtrength and vigour: but if he plucke away his hand, it is but a deafe nut. Thou maiſt eate and not bee filled;Hoſea 4.10. Hag. 1.5, 6. Mich. 6.14, 15. Pſal. 106.15. drinke bee and not ſatisfied. Thus it is noted of the Iſraelites, The Lord fed them with Manna, but ſent leanneſſe into their ſoules. This perſwaſion ſinking deepe into the belieuing heart, taketh it off the creature, and lifteth it vntounto the Lord in earneſt and pertinent prayer, that hee would of his grace vouchſafe vntounto vsus,1. Tim. 4.4. as leaue to vſe his creatures, ſo his bleſſing vponupon them, that the food wee receiue may doe vsus good, we feeling the nouriſhing vertue thereof, and that with ioy and cheerefulneſſe. The prayer of faith for Gods bleſſing vponupon the creatures when they are ſet before vsus ſhould be no leſſe earneſt, then for the mercies themſelues if wanting. For there is no more poſſibilitie in meate of it ſelfe to nouriſh without Gods bleſſing, then it is for man to liue without meate.
Fourthly, It teacheth to be heauenly-minded, labouring to taſte Gods goodneſſe and feele his gratious preſence with our ſpirits at our ſweeteſt feaſts.Beza annot maior. in 1. Tim. 4.5. Hoſea 2.9. And this is the beſt ſawce to all meates, which giueth them the daintieſt relliſh. When we ſit downe to meate, we come to a liuely Sermon of Gods bountie and louelove: for the bread wee feed vponupon is not ours, but the Lords, all the prouiſion are gifts of his merciemercy in Ieſus Chriſt.Caluin. in Pſal. 8 Verſe 8. Moller. ibid. And the more ſenſible the creatures are, the more pleaſant and delightſome to our palate, the more ſhould we be affected with the ſenſe of Gods louelove and fauour.
Fiftly, Faith worketh the heart to ſobrietie and moderation, watchfulneſſe and feare, leſt it ſhould be enſnared and drawne away with theſe delights. To ſobrietie in affecting, and in vſing earthly things; To ſobrietie in thought that wee ſuffer not the mind to be taken vp with cogitations, what we ſhall eate next, how we may gratifie the palate: Sobrietie in deſire, that wee long not after daintie meate; for ſuch longing effeminates the minde, engenders and feeds paſſion, and makes way to hardneſſe of heart; Sobrietie in receiuing them, for the ſtrengthening of nature, and not to the dulling of our Spirits. For faith rai…th the heart to more ſpirituall delights, and guardeth the appetite that it range not immoderately after ſenſuall things. The word of grace teacheth to liue ſoberly,Titus 2.11. and faith receiuing this word worketh ſobrietie in earthly things, refreſhing the ſoule with ſpirituall ſweetneſſes, and watching againſt intemperate cheriſhings that they winne not ground. As a man that hath tooke in the taſte of the beſt creatures, cannot forth-with feed on that which is coarſe,…ant. 1.2. Pſal. 119.72.…0…. Pſal. 36.9. Ier 31 14. Pſal. 63.3, 6. meane, no way to be compar d: ſo a Chriſtian who by faith hath taſted the louelove of God, which is be…ter then wine, the comforts of the word, which are ſweeter then honey to the mouth, hee cannot affect (as ſometimes before he did) thoſe ſenſuall delights which carnall men (who know no better) follow with greed…neſſe. If earthly delights creepe vp…n vsus, it is becauſe the exerciſe of faith is neglected, which muſt conſcionably be renewed againe. Moreouer, a Chriſtian belieuer comes to his Table with an holy Iealouſie, remembring that a ſnare is laid for him in eueryevery creature. Satan is a cunning fowler, who hath his baits laid ſecretly to catch vsus, where we leaſt ſuſpect. The Snake lurketh in the faireſt graſſe: and the moſt dangerous grins are ſet in our lawfull liberties. And through neglect to keepe vp our watch, theſe oft take, when others miſſe. More periſh through the abuſe of things lawfull, then by the practice of what is ſimply vnlawfull. They are ſpots in the feaſts of Charitie,Inde verſe 12. Matth. 24.38, …9. who feed without feare. Eating, drinking, building, matter of marriage, the world ſhall be drowned in theſe, when Chriſt comes to Iudgement. How many times doe the beſt offend in lawfull things? The pleaſure we take in theſe things,Iob 1.5. how inſenſibly doth it ſteale the heart away from ſpi…ituall delights? how doth it indiſpoſe the frame of the ſoule to heauenly exerciſes? how doth it cheriſh wrath,Prou. 23.1, 2, 3. and foſter vnbridled paſſions? Daintie meates are very dangerous and deceitfull: for the ſenſible delight they giuegive, whereby the appetite is inordinately moued after them, doth preſſe downe the ſoule that it cannot mount aloft in ſpirituall contemplation: Theſe euils faith doth wiſely foreſee and watch to preuent.
Sixtly, It lifteth vp the ſoule in thankeſgiuing. Our Sauiour bleſſed the Table as well by praiſing God for his merciemercy,Deut. 8.10▪ 1 Tim. 4 4, as by prayer for a bleſſing. The creatures are not ours, but the Lords▪ we muſt not meddle with them before wee hauehave craued leaue: and when we hauehave made vſe of them for ſupply of our neceſſitie, we muſt not forget to returne praiſe. If men borrow ought of their neighbour, when they bring it home, they forget not to giuegive thankes. Great is the miſery of man if hee want theſe outward comforts: and the greater our miſerie without them, the more …ncomprehenſible is the Lords merciemercy in ſupplying our n…ceſſitie. The prouidence of God in miniſtr ng daily food is no leſſe wonderfull, then was his feed…ng of Iſrael in the wilderneſſe with M…nna and Quailes from Heauen: for as we are not fed as they were, ſo …re we preſerued from their neceſſitie. That the earth ſhould yeeld her increaſe for our daly ſuſtenance, ſo as wee feele no extremitie, is it not as great a bleſſing, as to bee ſupplied from Heauen, when we are brought into diſtreſſe? who would not chuſe rather neuer to be ſicke, then to recouer by miracle? what man would no… rather enioy the conſtant benefit of eye-ſight, then to bee reſtored after long blindneſſe? Beſides, they bee not ſimply fauours which for the preſent ſuſtaine nature, but they are ſome ſmall pittance of our childs portion, pawnes of our heauenly inheritance: which doth adde much vntounto their ſweetneſſe. If friends be abſent, a letter, a token ſerues much to maintaine louelove and kindneſſe: now theſe be ſome of thoſe louelove-tokens, which our heauenly Father ſendeth vntounto vsus, that he might draw our louelove vntounto him.
Seuenthly, Faith is frugall, compaſſionate, induſtrious. After wee hauehave beene refreſhed, it ſuffers not the meate which rem…ineth to be loſt, but reſerueth it for good vſe. At greater feaſts it is mindfu…l of the poore:Iohn 6.12. Amos 6.6. Eſay 5.12. at ordinarie meales it remembers the affliction of Ioſeph, regardeth the worke of the Lord, and conſi…ereth the operation of his h…nds. For the mercies of God receiued by faith doe leaue an imp eſſion of his merciemercy vponupon the ſoule: and ſo our compaſſion towards others is increaſed as the mercies of God are multiplied vponupon vsus. Daily refreſhing renueth the continuall remembrance of our infirmities, and begetteh a liuely ſenſe of the miſeries o… them that want and ſtand in neede. And when vigour of M…nde an… body is repaired, it ſetteth vsus about the worke and buſineſſe, whereunto wee are …ppointed of God. God giues none food to liue idle. Men looke for work from them to whom they giuegive meate, drinke and wages: and ſhall not wee labour in the work of God, who liue daily on his allowance.