The Doctrine of Faith, Doctrine (3 of 5)

The Doctrine of Faith · Doctrine (3 of 5)

p. 200The Disciples,Nicodemus so weak before, afterwards when the holy Ghost was sent upon them, they were exceeding strong, & feared not the faces of the Tyrants. Peter that feared at a damsels p. 201voice, after feared not the whole Councill, Acts. 4. and when God shall please to enlarge them as he doth some by degrees in their health; some in sickenesse, and some in death, they are as strangely inlarged in their Faith as in their length.

If it never prove great, yet weake Faith shall save; for it interests us to Christ, and makes him and all his benefits ours: for its not the strength of Faith that saves, but the truth of our Faith; nor weaknesse of Faith that condemnes, but the want of Faith: for the least Faith layeth hold on Christ, and so will save us. Neyther are wee saved by the worth or quantity of our Faith: but by Christ, which is laid hold on by a weake Faith as well as a strong. As a weake hand that can put meate into the mouth, shall feede and nourish the body as well as if it were a strong p. 202hand, seeing the body is not nourisht by the strength of the hand, but by the goodnesse of the meate. As a weake Palsie hand takes a gift of a Prince, as well, though not so strongly as another; so a weake beleever shall lay hold of enough to serve his turne. A childe in the armes can take a peece of gold in the hand; a weake and little eye can see the whole body of the Sunne, as well as a great and strong, &c.

And so weake Faith shall save as well as a stronger. As it was in the beholding of the brasen Serpent, whosoever could looke up to it was cured: all looked not with eies of equall strength; some were purblinde, some bleare-eyed, some weake and dimme with age, some with paine, yet whosoever looked, though weakly, was healed: so Iohn 3. 16. it is not said, who so beleeveth strongly, p. 203but, Whosoever beleeveth shall not perish, but have everlasting life, Iohn 1. 12.

And the weakest Faith shall never faile or bee taken away: God will not reject it. The devill shall never overcome it, nor did we ever reade that any were rejected for their weake Faith.

Yet this must be understood with good caution, lest any should hence grow carelesse, and say, Why then a little Faith is as good as a great: what neede so much paines? Oh no, though none are rejected for little Faith, yet some are reproved for it: Oh faithlesse generation, how long shall I, &c.? O ye of little Faith.

It is a blemish to have small Faith, especially after long time or much meanes. And though a weak Faith shall get to heaven, yet with wonderfull difficulty, especially if God send great p. 204tryalls and changes, from health to great sicknesse, sore paine, long diseases, from wealth to poverty; or if there be changes in the Church or Commonwealth.

As if two were to goe a mile up hill, one very able bodied, good lungs and pectoralls; the other weake and troubled with the greene sicknesse, stopt in the liver and splene, or having ill lungs and in a consumption: one goeth up stoutly and not much bloweth, but holds out strongly; the other ere he have gone a quarter the way, pants as if heart would burst, lookes pale as if he would fall downe; goes a while and sits downe, feares hee shall never get up, then creepes on hands and knees, then beginnes againe a little, then downe againe; at last it may bee with great adoe hee gets up, but not without much doubt and difficulty.

p. 205And as if two Ships saile together, the one strong and all tackling sound and good, the other weake and full of holes, both may get to the haven, but one goeth singing and confidently, the other with much feare of every wave that beates against it, &c. And when it leaketh, they are faine to pumpe out the water, and are affraid lest it should sinke, &c.

Therefore it is no wisedome, for any to content themselves with a weake faith: who would be weake that might be strong, poore that might bee rich? For hee that hath but weake faith, shall want the comforts that a strong faith hath, and be ready to be carried away with every winde of Doctrine. Hee shall be unsetled and set backe by every temptation, and bee very unmeet to resist great ones. Hee will be ready to faint in every p. 206crosse; unfit to doe any great service, or to suffer any great matter: be ever affraid of Death, backward to his duty, have no boldnesse to come into Gods presence. Finally, none that have weake faith can bee content with that measure, if it be true; seeing it is a note of all true graces, that they are still growing, from a graine of mustard seed to a great tree; from a childe to a man. And therefore they can have no assurance that their faith is true, if being small they are content with that measure, and neglect the meanes of their spirituall growth.

But the Lord of his great goodnesse hath provided wayes and meanes to be used, whereby wee may grow from weake faith to strong, from a seed to a tall tree, from a Babe to a tall man, &c.

The use hereof is first for p. 207those that have but a small and weake faith, and yet may discerne by the notes and signes of it, that they have a true faith; let them not be discouraged, but bee thankfull to God highly for any, seeing most part have none at all: and so mightest thou with them have perished. Againe, consider that thy little faith is better than the great brags of Hypocrites and vaineglorious Pharisees.

Yea, thy little faith is better than all the world; more pretious than gold that perisheth, though tryed never so much and often in the fire: and therefore be thankfull for it.

Neither let the Divell make thee beleeve that it is but a false or a temporarie faith, and that because thou hast so many doubts, therefore thou shalt altogether faile at last: no, the Scriptures tell us as well of the weake faith of the Disciples, p. 208Thomas, Peter, and Nicodemus, as of the strong faith of Abraham, Iob, Paul, and Daniel, and the three Children. This thy weake faith, makes Christ thine, and shall save thee. All the gates of hell cannot prevaile against it.

Againe, this thy weake faith may prove a strong and tall faith; especially if thou beest but a beginner. Then be not discouraged, seeing every thing must have a beginning: thou mayest come to helpe and strengthen others in time. And though thou shouldst die by and by, yet it should bring thee to Heaven.

Yet let none content themselves with a weake faith, but having time and meanes, strive for a greater; else wee can have no assurance that wee have any true faith. For, who having a goodly living and but weake assurance of it, desires not that p. 209hee had better Deedes, and old Evidences, and more writings to hold by against all cavillers? So who tasteth of a very good sweet thing, but desireth more of it? And so it is with them that have the first beginnings of spirituall graces.

Who would live, alwayes in a poore condition, if hee could helpe it? and to have but from hand to mouth, from one day to another, and scant that; and nor rather have of his owne for all turnes in health and sicknesse, yea and to helpe others that need, &c?

Who would bee continually in feare, ready to bee unsettled upon eueryevery occasion? unfit to doe God any great service? or be ever unfit to doe any good? or ever affraid of Death? What a poore life is this?

Alas, if great and strong temptations come, thou must indure long paines and sore. p. 210If persecution come, what shall a weake faith doe then? Alas hee that hath but a groat in his purse, canspend no more. Wee provide not only for faire weather, but for foule, Bootes and Cloake, and Hood; yea, carry these with us, when it may be wee have no need of them at our going forth, but wee know not what may fall out, ere we come home againe. It may be faire a few miles, and a cleere skie without raine: but after there may come foule weather.

What should the Martyres have done, if they had beene at this wavering stay? Yea how uncomfortably doe wee walke daily, by reason of this weaknesse of faith through our continuall doubts and feares? besides that, our faith is made the lesse fruitfull. And though the divell cannot wholly quench the least measure of p. 211true Faith, yet he may so choak it with the ashes of his temptations, that it shall neither shew light nor heate, &c. Let us therefore diligently use the meanes of strengthning our Faith; as the Ministery of the Word, which is excellent above other meanes: for as it was ordained of God to beget Faith, so to nourish it, 1. Pet. 2. 1. Ephes. 4. 11. and to edifie the body of Christ: therefore the Apostles returned backe by the Churches w^ch^ they had planted, to settle and confirme the peoples hearts in the Faith. By hearing the promises of the Gospell laide open againe and againe, yea and offred and thrust upon us still, wee are not onelyonly kept in remembrance of them, but are excited to beleeve them, and are much strengthned thereby.

Also thereby heare we more of the nature of God, his mercy, p. 212truth, unchangeablenes: also or divers examples of Gods mercy on others, & of their Faith, &c. So also reading the Scriptures by our selves is a good helpe: Ioh. 5. Search them & meditate on the promises contained in them, and this will bee a good meanes, as David saith, to confirme us; Thy promise, saith he, hath quickned mee,Psal. 119.Ps 119 &c. But our care must be that we reade with consideration and application. Here I may adde this point, what is the smalest measure of Faith that can bee, to wit, when a man not being able to apply the promises to himselfe, and to say, I am perswaded my sinnes bee forgiven, yet out of a troubled heart doth unfainedly desire the favour of God above all the world. To this thirsting, what promises be made? Matth. 5. 6. Iohn 7. 37. It is accepted with God for Faith, &c. and doth justifie p. 213the sinner, seeing it is a weake kinde of apprehension. But that we doe not mistake our selves, wee are to know that it is not every kinde of desire, but that which desireth the favour and love of God more than heaven and salvation. We see it in David Psal. 4 6. 7. and Psal. 31. 16. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: Thy favour is better than life, Psal. 63. 2. It is a vehement desire, that cannot bee satisfied without the thing desired: as a woman longing, Psal. 119. 20. 40. as the Hart brayeth after the rivers of water, Psal. 42. 1. 3. It is not by fits, but constant till it obtaineth: as the hungry man till hee get meate. 4. It is joyned with a desire to obey God, and hath good affections, desiring to come under Gods government, as well as to bee …ardoned: whereas the hypocrites desire is cold and slight, by fits and flashes, and severed p. 214from the use of the meanes whereby it might bee satisfied.

The Sacraments likewise are good helpes: As first the Sacrament of Baptisme may strengthen our Faith, seeing in it remission of our sinnes is not onelyonly signified, but also sealed unto us. Neyther is water more effectuall for the washing away of the filth of the body, than the bloud of Christ thereby signified to cleanse our soules from the guilt and punishment of all our sins.

Secondly the Supper of the Lord is of like efficacy to strengthen our Faith, wherein God hath put his Seale to his Word, that by two immutable things, wherein its impossible that God should lie, wee might have strong consolation, Heb. 6. 19. Herein God not onelyonly paints out unto us Christ Iesus; so that as the Apostle saith, wee may see him as it were crucified p. 215before our eies, Gal. 3. 1. but also afresh exhibites and gives him to us, and that every one particularly; yea and not darkely, but in a very familiar manner, under ordinary signes subject to all our senses, whereby hee would put us out of doubt, that as verily as the Minister gives unto us the outward signes, so verily God gives unto us his Sonne Christ with all his benefites. So that except wee bee worse than Thomas, wee must then beleeve, and bee made stronger.

So that God dealeth with us as mothers who nurse their yongue children; they lap them up warme, and give them both breasts, and so they grow up: so is it betweene God and us.

Another principall meanes of Faith is earnest and devout Prayer, wherby in secret we beg it of God: for though it is not the first meanes of getting p. 216Faith, (for wee cannot pray in Faith, till wee have Faith) yet our Saviour Christ hath taught us, by praying for Peter that his Faith should not faile, how we should get our Faith increased and established. So the man, Marke 9. 24. Lord helpe my unbeleefe▪ and the Disciples, Lord increase our Faith. If wee aske the holy Ghost, it shall be given us, Luke 11. 13. and how much more the graces and gifts of the holy Spirit? Iohn 16. 23.

Fourthly, often medi…ate of the unchangeablenesse of God in his promises in themselves, to others, and to our selves, and the experiences that wee have had of Gods goodnesse to us, and of the truth of our hearts to him.

Fifthly, society and conference with our fellow-brethren; especially some experienced Christian or faithfull Minister, and revealing unto them p. 217our doubts, is a notable meanes. For they may much confirme us by their counsells and consolations fetched out of the Word, and by their owne experience laid before us; for it availes much to our comfort to heare that others have beene in our case, and yet now strong in Faith. As its in bodily ailes, so in the spirituall, & Iob 4. 3. 4. Rom. 14. 1. Oh there may bee much good gotten this way, and especially by visiting the sicke, and beholding the faith and zealous resolution of any in trouble, paines, death, imprisonment, &c.

Sixtly, fruitfulnesse in good workes is a notable meanes to strengthen Faith, when we bee plentifull in well doing, ready to every good word and worke in our generall and particular calling, to God, to men, &c. For as the Sunne heates a wall, and being heat, it beates, backe, and p. 218increaseth the heat of the Sunbeames; so Faith brings forth good works, & good works increase Faith: for they be strong arguments to us of the truth and soundnesse of our Faith; and therefore the Apostle exhorteth unto them, 1. Cor. 15. Wherefore be stedfast and unmoveable, alwayes abounding in the worke of the Lord. This being added as a meanes to make us stedfast. A barren life can never have a stedfast Faith: Also walke close with God, as constantly in one thing as in another, not taking liberty to breake off our Christian course and communion with God when we list: but we must hold fast, awaking with God, walking, with him all day, locking to our hearts and waies at home, abroad, alone, in company, in prosperity, in adversity, and so when wee lye downe at night making even reckonings. p. 219And if wee faile in any thing, we must humble our selves, and crave pardon, and never cease till wee be reconciled.

On the other side, if we can walke carelesly, and divers dayes or weekes want our communion with God, our faith will be weake; but constant walking with God breedeth strong faith. And therefore we are to be exhorted to the use of these meanes. And the lazinessc of many Christians is justly to be rebuked, who are content with a weake faith long together, and that when they enjoy the meanes of getting more.

If they can but prove they have any faith at all, they much wrong themselves, in not looking for increase.

Oh how ill doe these provide for themselves! If God should lay greater tryalls on them than they bee fit to beare, and p. 220they be at their wits ends, it were just; seeing he need not to fit their trialls to the strength they have, but to that which they might have had.

But if wee have used all meanes carefully, then let us content our selves with that portion which God will give us, and assure our selves, that he will never try us beyond that he will enable us to beare, 1 Cor. 10. 13.

Strong faith,Strong Faith. is when a man is full of knowledge of the Scriptures, and so able to resist and meet with temptation laid against him; and withall is strong in apprehension of the love of God, and his promises: so that having got hold, he will not be beat off, nor let goe, but holds firme and fast; so as you may as well wring a club out of a Giants hand: as it is said of Romanus, none could wring the staffe of faith out of his hand. p. 221So Revel. 2. 13. the Angell of the Church of Pergamus could not be drawne to deny the faith, though hee dwelled where Sathans throne was.

Yea, hee that is strong in faith, so beleeves the promise of salvation, as hee is fully perswaded of it, and that Christ loved him, and gave himselfe for him; that there is no condemnation to him: yea with Paul, that neither life nor death, Angels nor principalities: and Rom. 8. 38. 39. Hee beleeves also the other promises firmely of protection and defence, though much bee objected against it, as David, that God was his shield, rocke, strong tower; and though an Hoast pitched against him, Psal. 27. 1. yet because God had promised that he should be King after Saul, he beleeved none could prevaile against him. So likewise hee saith, Psal. 23. 4. Though I walke p. 222through the valley of the shadow of death, I will feare no evill: and Psal. 2. 1. he sheweth that which also himselfe beleeved, that all the oppositions of men were but in vaine against him.

So when all goes against him, … he beleeves God cannot forsake his. And so Iob, Though hee kill mee, yet I will trust in him. Iob 13. 15. Thus Asa, 2 Chro. 14. though there were so great oddes against him, yet hee beleeved; and so also Iehoshaphat. So that God will defend his, as wee see in the example of Daniel, and the three Children, who beleeved euen above beliefe, and so were delivered.

Thus Mordecay, Ester 4. 14. beleeved strongly, that though the likeliest meanes should faile, yet God would raise up deliverance to his people (to whom he had made covenant) some other way.

The Martyrs likewise had p. 223this strong faith, as shee that said, If you take away my meate, Elizabeth Young.God will take away my hunger.

So the two yongue Davyes that answered their father, If God send us no meate, he will send us no hunger.

And others that forsooke all, and said with Paul, Act, 20. 24. Neither count I my life deare unto my selfe, so that I may finish my course with joy.

Such a faith was in Doctor Taylour that said, hee mised but two stiles before be should he at his fathers house: also, Wee shall have a sharpe breakefast, but a joyfull dinner, &c.

This strong faith is not gotten at once,Not gotten at once. nor at first; but as the bodily stature is by insensible degrees, so and much more is the spirituall growth of faith, not runne up at once in a night, as Ionahs gourd, but by degrees, and after good time and continuance in the use of the p. 224meanes after frequent witnessings of Gods spirit. After many experiences of the truth of our owne hearts to God in hatred of all wickednesse, resisting profitable and pleasing sinnes, doing painefull duties constantly, and such as we have had no thanke for our labour in doing of them; these prove to our selves, that wee are the Lords: After many bickerments and combats, and after many experiences of the love of God to us, of his presence with us, hearing our prayers, defending and delivering us, &c.

This strong faith is not of a novice, but of a valiant Champion. Experience breeds hope that maketh not ashamed: as David by experience of killing a Beare and a Lyon grew resolute, he should kill Goliah; and Paul, 2 Cor. 1. 10. Who hath delivered us from so great a death, p. 225and doth deliver us, in whom wee trust hee will yet deliver us.

A Souldier at first is fearfull; but after upon experience of many victories and escapes he groweth couragious. So we.

And God seeth not fit to give a yongue beginner a full assurance; for it would bee to him as a great sayle to a little vessell, to pull him under water: his corruption would take occasion hereby of hurt; and therfore hee bringeth men to it as they be able to beare it.

Now that we may the better discerne it, I will here set downe some notes of a strong faith: and first,Notes. hee hath peace, yea an habituate peace with God, peace that passeth understanding, and joy of the holy Ghost; and this the Apostle prayeth for, Rom. 15. 13. The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in beleeving. So that fulnesse of faith breeds fuln… p. 226of peace and joy, and also boldnesse to come into Gods presence, Ephe. 3. 12. He…r. 10. 22. … us draw neere in assurance of …, &c. It makes us to cry Ab… Father It breeds love, yea great love to God, for faith worke; by love, Gal. 5. 6. So the Apostle, The love of Christ constraineth us, 2 Cor. 5. 14. Yea the top of love, that is, zeale for the glory of God.

Another signe is fruitfulnesse in good workes and well doing; and constant close walking with God.

Strong faith is not carryed away; though never so many and so great ones teach contrary, or labour to remove the beleever, yet he is settled, stablished, and rooted in the knowledge and love of the truth: he is not to choose his Religion; no, hee hath gone to worke upon better grounds than so.

Hee contemneth the temptation p. 227of multitudes, customes, examples, and let never so many bee of another minde or course, they move not him: though they wonder at him like an owle, hee can pity them upon good ground, and in Faith. When some baite at him, some perswade and pity him, and wish his eies were opened, and, wee wish you good, yet is not he unsettled: As we see in Elias, who stood firme though there were foure hundred false Prophets against him and the people.

So amongst the holy Martyrs, some poore women have stood out against all the Doctors that opposed them. They are not shaken by the Apostacy of such as have beene great Professors or Preachers, 1. Iohn 2. 19. For none are fallen but the childe of perdition. Therefore they are not unsettled, though many p. 228fall away, yea Professors or Teachers.

A strong Faith despiseth the offers of profites, pleasures, honours, to forsake his Religion; he will not be enticed and tolld away like a dogge with a crust, he hath assurance of other maner of things already, which hee will not lose for all the world: as wee see in Moses, who refused to bee called the sonne of Pharaohs daughter: and as for reproaches, troubles, persecution, hee cares not for them; if they come and threaten prison, fire, faggot, this stirres not him, he is resolved, and is as Mount Sion that cannot be moved, but standeth fast for ever, Heb. 12. 2.Heb 12:2Psal. 125. 1. He endureth the crosse and despiseth the shame, and saith with Paul, Act. 20. 24▪Acts 20:24my life is not dear to me: And I am not only ready to be bound, but to die at Ierusalem for the Name of the Lord Iesus, Act, 21. 13. He stickes to p. 229the Word, and builds not on man; therefore though others fall away, yet hee stands fast. As the woman that being told her fellow prisoner was altered and of another minde: If shee be, saith shee, I built my Faith not on her, or any other, but upon Gods Word, and that is not altered I am sure.

If hee have a promise from God, though all seeme to be against it, yet hee relies upon it: though it bee delayed, yet hee waites, and saith, though It tarry, wait, and it will surely come, it will not tarry, Hab. 2. 3. Hee feares not troubles, but knowes all comes through his fathers hand, and that man and devill cannot doe what they would: and therefore hee goeth on comfortably to day, to morrow, and to the end. In his worldly dealings, which are of most weight, hee useth the meanes and depends upon p. 230God for successe. If he be in trouble, he hastens not out by unlawfull meanes; as David would not kill Saul to shorten his troubles, nor hasten the Kingdome to himselfe.

If hee have small or no meanes, yet having Gods Word for him, he is not discouraged, as Asa, Ionathan, and his armour bearer, and Ioshua compassing Iericho; his heart is fixed, hee beleeves in the Lord, hee will not feare; and if heaven and earth should goe together, yet (as David) hee would say, Psal. 27. 3. The Lord is my light and salvation, whom shall I feare? &c. And Simeons nunc dimittis, and Stephens praier, Act. 7. 59. Lord Iesus receive my spirit. Hee can thinke of death without any prevailing feare, and of the grave, saying with Paul, I desire to be dissolved, Philip. 1. 23. He lookes beyond the grave to a joyfull resurrection.

p. 231So he can thinke of the day of judgement, and say, Welcome Lord Iesus: and though it be the terrour, or may bee of the world; yea and weake Christians shake at it, yet hee feares it not, but can thinke of it with joy.

This is a most excellent thing: Any Faith is a jewell unvaluable, but a strong Faith carries a man through the world like a Conquerour, as our Saviour Christ saith. Mark. 9. 23. All things are possible to him that beleeveth. What a blessed thing it is for a man to live in such a continued constant peace with God, boldnesse in his presence & inward joy! Its a corner of heaven to bee zealous for God in a mans place, to be fruitfull and abundant in good workes, able and ready to comfort many and support the weake, to live without a slavish fear of God or his judgements, p. 232to stand immoveable when others be shaken, to be without fear of death or judgement, and to bee eased in all ones matters, living by Faith; when meanes be used, then to be quiet.

The strong beleever is as Sampson; hee breakes all bands of temptation, as straw, layes heapes upon heapes: he is like one of Davids Worthies, like David himselfe, that having got experience feares nothing; hee walkes up and downe the world like a Giant, higher by head and shoulders than most men, with a strong shield in his hand that the devill himselfe cannot pierce, but it quencheth his fiery darts, and also getteth victory against the world by his Faith, breakes through an hoast, and leaps over a wall, breakes a bow of steele. It is as farre better than a weake Faith, as a rich mans case, that hath p. 233for all needs; for dyet: as if his minde stands not to one thing, hee hath another: so in his beer, or if need be can call for a cup of wine; so for his apparrell, as the weather is: hee hath in time of sicknesse wherewith to send for a Physitian; hee hath for all needes, he can give to one and lend to another. If he list not to goe afoote, he can take his horse. And great oddes there is betweene such a state, and of a poore man that hath for meer necessity, from hand to mouth, and that very barely; and alas, wanting many things, would bee glad to have those things which would relieve his necessity. Or such a difference there is between them, as is between the case of a harty strong man that can goe, ride, worke, travell, and is hearty without complaint, & another that cannot goe two or three miles, but is so faint and distempered, that p. 234hee is the worse after it a good while; or a woman that cannot put out her selfe for faintnesse, or if shee doe a little, it is with much trouble, and hath many ailes and complaints.

The Vse is,Vse 1. that every man try whether he have this strong Faith; and the rather, because there be some that thinke they have it, who are but like rogues, that have a counterfeit passe, made by themselves or some other in an ale-house, or under a hedge.

There bee some that having stept out of a lewd and bad course, and being stung a little with the terrours of the Law, presently have fallen to lay hold of the promise, and so all at once have been so fully assured, as they have had no doubts. They imagine that they are able to deale with any body, and thinke themselves fit and able to controll & censure any.

p. 235These make more hast than good speed, they fly ere they hauehave wings, and are like a swaggering fellow with Beere in his crowne, who it may bee, as soone as he is out of his Inne, falls a galloping, and leaves other men behinde, but ere hee hath ridde seven or eight mile, his horse is tyred, and those whom hee had outstript, overtake him, and get to their Inne in peace and good time, when as he is abroad in the highway.

The Bird that ventures out of the neast ere she hath wings, the Kite or Buzzard catcheth her; so the divell desires no better booty, than such a proud over-hasty person: for as wee have seene by experience, they not knowing themselves, nor the corruptions of their owne hearts, nor having had experience of Sathans temptations, he pulls them either into some p. 236odde opinion, or else into some foule sinne, as to uncleannesse, covetousnesse, or such like. Howsoever, some of those, as I have noted, have by their sinne beene humbled, and begun better, and so in time have come to somewhat, when they had paid full dearely for their hast.

Some never came to good, but as their Gourd sprung in a night, so it perished and withered in another.

Is it not monstrous for a novice, a yongue childe new borne to be a man? saw you ever a childe borne with a beard, or all his teeth? yet this is the like case.

If a childe new borne should scramble out of the Midwifes hand, and runne about the chamber, would it not scare all the company? So is it with these that will make such great haste.

These bee like some proud p. 237yongue man, that hath bought out some of his yeares, impatient of service, and will set up, and have a shop as good as his Masters, (the first day) who hath beene a shop-keeper these twentie yeares, and not having stocke, takes it up of trust, or borrowes upon usurie, and within a few yeares hee is blowne up for debt.

Another that served out his time, and knew what belonged to it, hee sets up with a little of his owne, with one or two of the commodities that belong to his trade, and waites upon God, and gets up by little and little, and his shop mends every yeare.

Some other ignorant and carnall people will say, they are fully perswaded of their salvation; oh, no man can make them blanke: but try these by the notes before spoken of, and there is no such love to God, p. 238zeale to his glory, fruitfulnesse in good life, no such comfortrablenesse in affliction; but though they be very bold and full of comfort in prosperity, yet they are soone nipt in the head in affliction: like a base swaggerer that makes a stirre in an Ale-house with great words, as if he were some Champion, and being sent to warres, or dealt with by a man indeed, his heart failes him; so these when they are put to the tryall their hearts faile, and when death and danger appeareth, they are affraid to die. And such againe as were never seene to give any such regard to the Word, or any carefull attendance on it, or the Sacrament, or any good company; their strong faith, is but strong presumption, it will not abide the touchstone.

If any have this strong faith indeed, let them enjoy it, they p. 239have that that few have: and let them nourish it by the meanes, by fruitfulnesse in well doing, and keepe close to God, and get more to it; for the time may come, that all may bee little enough. David as much as he had, yet had none to spare: and if Iob had had a little more faith and patience then he had, it would have done no hurt.

Now the meanes whereby wee may increase from a weake to a strong faith, are, first, with all diligence and care to attend on the meanes, publike and private, as hearing the Word, prayer, receiving the Sacrament, reading, meditation and holy conferences.

Secondly, the often experience of Gods love shining in all his benefites: which being carefully observed, will assure us firmely of the continuance of it, seeing he is immutable and unchangeable in his goodnesse.

p. 240Thirdly, wee must daily approve our love towards God by our obedience, both active and passive, being ready to doe & suffer any thing for his sake. For our love towards him will assure us of his love towards us, seeing it is an inseparable fruit, and effect of it.

Fourthly, wee must carefully maintaine our communion with God, and walke close with him, carrying our selves holily and righteously, as in his sight and presence. And if through frailty wee step away, wee must recover our selves speedily, and rise out of our sinne by unfained repentance, and so renew our covenant with God, by renewing our faith in his gracious promises. Fiftly, wee must often and seriously meditate on Gods saving attributes, as his goodnesse, mercy, omnipotencie, and truth in his promises, and on p. 241the all-sufficiencie of Christs merits and obedience, which are the foundations upon which our faith is built, and will never faile us, though wee faile in many things on our part. Lastly, we must bee fruitfull in well-doing, and in the practice of all Christian duties towards God, our neighbours, and our selves; for a barren life and a strong faith cannot stand together.

Now let such of us as bee without it stirre up our selves to use these meanes whereby we may attaine unto it, by considering the excellencie of it, and what need wee may have of it, and labour to come to it, especially seeing God gives us meanes of much faith.

Let us strive to attaine unto the best measure, and to exceed our selves. This strong faith is so excellent and needfull a thing, that the Apostle prayeth p. 242for it, for the Ephesians, and commends it in the Thessalonians that their faith did grow daily, and exhorts the Colossians unto it, Chap. 2. 7. Againe, consider that hereby wee shall give and bring much glory to God, many wayes, as might bee shewed: and that wee shall provide wonderfully well for our selves, and shall doe much good many wayes to others. This world is opposite against goodnesse, therefore if we will hold on zealously, we must get strong faith. Besides, we know not what we may meete with. Folkes provide not for the present or forepart of their journey only, but for time to come, and therefore they weare Bootes, and carry a Cloake, and Hood, when they have no present need of them, not knowing what weather may come.

In the next place let us consider,So Faith perfect. that though there bee a p. 243strong faith, yet there is none perfect and without temptation, but with some doubtings. They that have the strongest faith, may be assayled sometimes, though usually they quell them; and sometimes they may somewhat disquiet and hurt them, and yet afterwards turne to their good. The healthfull man, may yet be shaken with two or three fits of an Ague, that may make him take to his cap; and doubting is not mixt with his faith, although it opposeth it.

For Faith is of the spirit, and the regenerate part, doubting is of the flesh, and part unregenerate, and they continually fight the one against the other. And the divell also will watch his time to oppose it. Neither can there bee any perfect faith, because wee know but in part, and therefore beleeve but in part,Cor, 13. 12. p. 244Some remnant of corruption and of unbeleefe will remaine, in some more, in some lesse. and though usually faith get the mastery of doubting, yet sometimes the divell or our unbeleefe will watch a time to doe us a scare. The Flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the Flesh, Galat. 5. 17.

Though Abraham were the father of beleevers, yet by perswasion of Sarah he tooke Hagar, &c. Rebeccah beleeved Iacob should have the blessing, and God would have it so; yet seeing Esau so neere it, her Faith failed, and shee holpe it forwards with a lye.

David likewise who so strongly beleeved, as appeares in the Psalmes, and by his resolusion not to meddle with Saul, yet 1. Sam. 2 7. 1. his Faith failes, so that he said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by p. 245the hand of Saul, though hee had Gods promise to the contrary: and said in his haste all men are lyars, Psal. 116. 11.

Oh, great difficulties or long delaies, bee often the foiles of Faith, and will try a strong Faith. Iobs Faith failed him when he cursed his day: Moses his Faith quailed at the Rocke: Eliah would bee dead, that famous beleever, who had raised the dead and shut up heaven: Asa, whose faith was great, 2. Chron. 14. yet chapt. 16. his faith failed foully.

Martha beleeved that if Christ had beene there, Lazarus had not dyed, yea and that he should rise againe at the last day; yet when our Saviour Christ went to the Sepulchre, and bid put away the stone, as going to raise him,Ioh. 11.John 11 Oh Master (saith she) hee stinketh: as though he had not been as able to raise him from the dead, as p. 246to preserve him from death whilest he was living.

Sometimes God will leave his to a temptation, to shew them what they bee in themselves: and therefore judge not any rashly in whom we have or may see some weakenesse: they may be excellent beleevers, and shall recover themselves again. If thou see any in time of persecution recant, yet judge them not, tarry but a while, and yee shall see one come within a few dayes and renounce his recantation, and burne that hand first that wrote it; another going into the Church, and casting downe the host, and cutting off the Priests hand in revenge of himselfe for recanting.

Let therefore those that have such a faith,Vse. as they have no doubting, nor never had, (which is the case of divers) know, that they never beleeved p. 247that never doubted. A man were as good say, he were perfect and without any remnant of corruption. When many of Gods faithfull servants with much labour and many feares, have got a poore faith, have they got a perfect one they know not how? no, such a faith is too cheape to be good.

2. Againe if we have held the assurance of Gods love firmely a good while, yet if after it come to be set upon with doubting, marvell not, nor bee discouraged. Nay if you resist and ovecome, it is a good signe of a strong faith; for he is not knowne to be a strong man that was never set upon, but he that hath had strong adversaries, and yet got the day.

3. Moreover, never make account that the Bridegrome shall ever be with us, but that a time will come when hee shall bee taken from us. Therefore p. 248as the Mariner in a calme looks and prepares for a storme, so let us use like wisedome in this case: our faith shall then appeare when it is so tryed.

4. Finally, doe not rashly judge of such from whom thou hearest some impatient speeches, while they were minding their paine; or some doubtfull speech, as, Doe you thinke God will heare me? that I am his? that I shall hold out to the end? For did not David use some such weaknesse? judge them by their usuall speeches and behaviour, and thinke if thou wert in his or her clothes, that thou shouldest shew much more. Many have stood strong in some temptation, and after have shewed weaknesse in farre lesse. We must not think hardly of any of Gods servants, Ministers, or Christians, that shew at a time some weaknesse: judge them not, they will judge p. 249themselves fast enough.

On the other side, if any now after much heavinesse and long and earnest seeking, have got fast hold, and are now full of comfort, yet doe not promise you shall ever hold it thus, or ever be at the top, or that it will ever bee full sea. Say not as David, I shall never bee moved, Psal. 30. 6. lest if doubtings come againe, wee call all into question. No by no meanes, if you doubt of Gods favour, say that you never made any other account, and make use of your former comforts, and hold by them. Resist and you shall overcome, and know that ever and anon such things will bee: yea you may be set upon on the death bed, as divers have had combates; sometimes after the Word or deep meditation of Gods mercies, or after the Sacrament; how strong and confident doe you feele your selves? p. 250Oh how you could doe any thing for God, even go through the fire, yet it may not alwayes be thus.

Nay lastly, take notice of a worse point yet,Strong faith may be weakned. to wit, that a strong faith may not only have some doubtings, but may bee shrewdly oppresled, yea much diminished, at least in respect of the acts and operations of it. Hee that had a strong faith, may come to have but a weake faith, and so he may die (in his owne sense, at least in outward appearance) in a far worse case than hee was sometimes in his life: or so hee may handle the matter, as he may recover himselfe againe, as David and Peter did, whose faith suffered shrewd Eclypses, yet got up againe in time. But Asa, I am perswaded in his latter daies, was in worse case much, than formerly he had beene in. Wee see the first part of his p. 251raigne much commended, the latter much worse: and much unbeleefe he shewed, as 2. Chro. 16. in hiring the King of Aram, trusting in Physitians, and putting the Prophet into prison. This is a pitifull thing, like a Crab to goe backward. Some of weake have become strong, but of strong to become weake is a heavie case; as for a man from wealth to fall to a poore condition. For as one that hath been rich can worse endure poverty than they that never knew other; so hee that hath beene wont to have peace with God, joy and life to good dueties, can hardly beare the want of them.

Now the causes hereof may be,Causes or meanes. either want of the meanes which are taken from him, or he gone from them; no profitable or usuall Ministry of the Word; the Sucraments but once or twice a yeare administred p. 252and received, no good company: shut up a strong man, and dye… him thus, and his strength will soone abate.

2. A second cause is falling into some foule sinne, and not hasting out of it, but lying in it, as David, 2. Sam. 12. or a frequent giving way to ones corruptions, not lamenting, repenting, or reforming them. As fruitfulnesse in good workes strengthens faith; so barrennes weakens it.

3. A third cause is presumptuously to get out of trouble by unlawfull meanes, weakens the faith shrewdly, especially not hasting out of it by through repentance.

4. A fourth cause is love of the world, and multitude of dealings: many that at thirty, and a while after were in good case, after fall to great dealings, have many farmes, or have the world comming in in abundance, p. 253and so doe wofully abate and faile: I have heard of many in their yonguer dayes, that have seemed very zealous and full of grace, who have shrewdly abated in their later times.

Now the signes of it,Signes. are sleepinesse of heart, no life in Christian duties, some times use of the meanes, but with no zeale. How did David doe duties all that three quarters after his fearefull falls? much like the poore Christian who gave thankes, when he went to eate of his stolen mutton.

Another signe is the staying of the sensible worke of Gods Spirit.

Likewise a continuall discontent, unquietnesse of minde and conscience; no minde to the company of the people of God;

Feare of death, the which is a fearefull estate, whilest the p. 254poore Christian liveth in it, howsoever God of his free mercy, at last recovereth him out of it.

What then,Vse. is there no helpe or remedie for this? God forbid we should say so. That God that pardoned at first, can and will have mercy upon him againe, though he have plaid the prodigall: for the love of a father reaches farre. But yet it will cost him the setting on. As if a father set up his sonne the second time, it it will bee with some checkes, and upon his humble suite, and it may be he must bring some of his kindred to plead and intreate for him: So is it with the poore Christian in this case.

They then that have suffered this losse, had need make a gathering, & get many good Ministers and Christians to contribute their prayers and counsels to helpe them up againe.

p. 255For it is possible to bee recovered (as we see in the example of David) though with much adoe, as appeareth Psal. 51. therefore be carefull to see continually what hath cast you behinde hand: Daily judge your selves for your sinnes, till you feele your heart relent and waxe tender in some sort: get under the dropping of a profitable and settled ministerie.

Vse the helpe of the Lords Supper: and if ordinary meanes prevaile not, adde thereunto extraordinary; shake off too much dealings, and the delight of the world. And when thou art once recovered, walke more watchfully and warily ever after.

Some have thus recovered themselves; some that in their time were excellent, have proved very obscure, and much adoe they have had to crawle to heaven, that if they had beene p. 256taken away twelve or sixteene yeares before, would have gone with full sayle. And this may be a cause why God therefore takes away so many, when they be at the best.

Secondly, let them not that yet hold their owne, bee high minded, but walke in feare. Beware of these things before spoken of; else you may fall from you excellencie.

Cling to God, be constant in the meanes, that so you may never know what belongeth to this wofull state: for as some die in it with little comfort, and have much adoe to bee comforted on their death-beds, so some have recovered, but it hath cost them deare first.

And thus having spoken of the nature and degrees of Faith, I will in the next place speake of the properties of it. And first I will shew the excellencie of Faith. And this might p. 257be shewed first by the Author of it, in that it is not the worke of Nature, or of our selves, nor yet of man or Angell, but of God only. But of this I have already spoken.

Secondly, it might bee shewed by the difficultie of obtaining it but of this I shall have occasion to speake hereafter. And also by the rarenesse of it, in that few ever have beene true beleevers, Esa. 53. 1. And when the Sonne of man shall come, shall bee finde faith upon the earth? Luk. 18. 8.

But I will not insist upon any of these, but rather shew it by other arguments. And first by that honour which God hath put upon it. Secondly, by the unspeakable benefits which by it are derived unto us. Thirdly, by this that it brings much honour to God, and is also very profitable unto others, &c.

p. 258First, God hath highly honoured it, in that he hath made it the only instrument of our salvation, there being no other condition of the Covenant of Grace, but beleeving, Ioh. 3. 16. Marc. 16. 16. &c. And whereas there are many other excellent graces, yet none of them are appointed to apply Christ, and to be the instrument of our salvation, but faith only. And whereas the greatest venture in the world, is the comming of our soules safely unto heaven, of this, faith assureth us, and that upon good, yea the best securitie, namely the Word and faithfulnesse of God.

Secondly, it is that whereby Christ Iesus and all his benefits are made ours; whereof it is said Rom. 5. 1. Wee are justified by faith, viz. Christs righteousnesse made ours by faith. As our sins were made his by imputation; and he bare the burthen of p. 259them, so his sufferings and obedience are made ours, and we justified thereby, Hab. 2. 4. The just shall live by faith. As without faith we have nothing to doe with Christ, so by this he and all his benefits are verily and truely made ours: and is not this an excellent thing that intitles us and puts us into possession of Christ Iesus and all his benefits? It is more than if wee had beene a kin to Christ, had had him in our armes, lived in his company, than if we had heard him daily, had eate and drunke with him; nay than to have been his mother, sister, or brother, Mat. 12. 48. 49.

By faith our persons are made pleasing to God, and our workes acceptable: for while wee bee in our owne filthinesse, God cannot abide us, and our best workes are abominable.

It is said that God had respect to Abel and to his work, p. 260and that by faith hee offered a better and more acceptable sacrifice than Cain: his might be as good for the outside, but Abells was accepted, because it was done in faith by a beleever, the imperfections thereof being taken away in Christ.

4. By it wee are united to Christ, and made one with him, flesh of his flesh, and bone of his bone, Ephes. 5. 30. lively members of that body whereof hee is head: and so as we have thereby right to his benefits; so wee draw sap and vertue from him, to dye to sinne and live to righteousnesse, without which faith and union wee bee dead in trespasses, and can doe nothing. An impe not grafted into a stocke, but lying by, withers, and never beares fruit, but is for the fire: so are we without Christ: and as a woodden legge receives no sense or motion from the head; it is but tyed on p. 261with points, so wee without faith; and is not this an excellent thing that makes man a member of Christ?

5. It is the roote of all other graces. Hence comes peace: for being assured of Gods love unspeakeable, and our pardon and salvation, it banisheth feare and terrour, and peace comes in stead of it, Rom. 5. 1. yea and joy, as Rom. 5. 2. yea Rom. 15. 13. The God of hope fill you with joy and peace in beleeving, yea as Phil. 4. 7. peace that passeth understanding, and 1. Pet. 1. 8. joy that is unspeakeable and glorious. That as it is unspeakeable terrour to bee under our sinnes and the wrath of God; so unspeakeable joy to bee reconciled unto him: so it breeds boldnesse in Gods presence, Ephes. 3. 12. and is not this a goodly matter? yea and that at the day of judgement, when the proudest and boldest sinners p. 262shall with hills to fall on them, Apoc. 6. 16. as in this Epistle, cap. 2. 28. yea it will cause greater boldnesse than was in Hester to Ahashuerosh. It will bring Christ into our armes, so as wee may say with Simeon, Lord, now lettest thou thy serva…t depart in peace, &c. And as Ioseph's brethren came to him with confidence when Benjamin was with them: so wee to God when wee bring Christ with us. Hence comes love to God, as it must needs: the love of Christ constraines, 2. Cor. 5. and 1. Pet. 1. 8. Whom though yee see not, yet ye love him: and hee shewes the reason, because yee beleeve in him. So Luke 7. 47. the woman that knew that many sinnes were forgiven her, shee could not tell how to love enough: and David, Psal. 103. 3. Blesse the Lord, O my soule, who forgiveth thee all thine iniquitles: and Psal. 116. 11. also, What shall p. 263I give unto the Lord for all his benefit: towards mee? So also it will worke in us love to our brethren for his cause, Gal. 5. 6. faith worketh by love: which is ready to shew it selfe upon all occasions, according to the measure of our faith; to their soules, and bodies, forgiving wrongs, yea forgiving till seventy times seven times, Luke 17. 4. which made the Apostles to pray for it, Lord increase our faith, ver. 5. It breedes thankefulnesse: and hence also comes patience, an excellent grace, when faith tells us that it is of our mercifull father that we be afflicted for our good, and that hee will lay no more on us than hee will inable us to beare, 1. Cor. 10. 13. and that the end shall bee happy. These things keepe us from murmuring, and from using unlawfull meanes, or sinking under our troubles. Some have spoken of a stone, p. 264that being cast into the sea in the greatest storme and rage, would calme it presently; but to bee sure, faith calmes the heart where stormes and temptations have beene greatest. It is the loadstone that lookes ever to Christ, as that doth towards the North; and as that drawes iron to it, so doth faith joyne our hearts to Christ. It is like the flower of the Suune, which turnes ever toward Christ, as that doth towards the Sunne: yea, what should I name particulars? for hence comes all obedience. Heb. 11. 7. By faith Noah obeyed in making the Arke, which was a difficult thing; so Abraham forsooke his country, and offered his son.

It purgeth the heart, and chaseth away the love of all evill, and brings in the love of all Gods commandements, and breedes obedience to any thing p. 265that God shall require, Psalm 119. 8.

It makes us not onelyonly willing to obey God in doing, but even in suffering; to count house, land, wife, children, liberty, to be nothing for the love of God, but to sticke to Christ though we lose all these.

To confesse with boldnesse the Name of the Lord Iesus, and his truth, though with never such perill.

It caused the mother to send away her childe that morning, to another nurse, when she was to goe to execution; and another to stand by, and see her childe grievously tortured, saying, I never held childe better bestowed, and thanking God that ever shee bare him: And to forsake them cheerfully, as did D. Taylor and Cutbert Simson, who seeing his wife and children in the way as hee was going to the stake, and feeling p. 266some yearning of bowells, rebuked himselfe, saying, Ah flesh, wouldest thou hinder mee in my journey? well, goe to, thou shalt not prevaile.

It made the Martyrs endure torments, and to neglect father, mother, wife, childe, to follow Christ. See Heb. 10. toward the end, and Heb. 11. toward the end. It made Moyses forsake Pharaohs Court, and to choose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sinne, Heb. 11. 25. It made many kisse the stake, clap hands in the fire, and to thanke God that they were worthy to suffer for his name; saying, that though they had a sharpe breakfast, yet they should have a joyfull dinner.

6. It is that that makes the Word, Sacraments, and our prayers profitable to us. The Word when it is beleeved, and particularly applyed to our p. 267selves, then it profiteth us; as contrarily, Heb. 4. 2. The Sacrament of the Lords Supper doth us no good without this; but only offers shells and outward signes to our condemnation, not discerning the Lords body; so guilty of the Lords body, and to eate our condemnation, and so it becomes to us like the cursed and bitter water. Faith is the eye, hand, mouth of the soule, and therefore without that, the Sacrament cannot profit. So our prayers made in faith prevaile much, Iam. 5. 16. but nothing without it. Iam. 1. 6. 7.

7. It is a notable meanes to further us in our journey towards heaven, to keepe us safe from the mighty adversary of our soules and salvation; A shield to quench his fiery darts, Eph. 6. 16. 1 Pet. 5. 8. Your adversarie the divell as a roaring Lyon goeth about, whom resist. p. 268stedfast in the faith. And this might be shewed by instancing in sundry of the temptations of the divell, which faith quencheth, and like a shield keepes them from piercing the heart.

It is the victory that overcomes the world. 1. the manifold ill examples of the multitude, which like a raging streame beares downe all before it; but they that are grounded fast in the faith are not moved by them.

The alluring and sweet baites of the deceitfull inchanting world, which are most strong and dangerous: therefore wheras Heb 11. 37. it is set downe, that they were tempted; among other sore temptations, that is named for one.

Thus the Martyrs were tempted after this manner by the world. Play a wife mans part, save your selfe: if you will returne to the Church and abjure, p. 269you shall have this and that promotion, &c.

More by the inchantments of this strumpet have beene beguiled, than by the threats: Faith scornes that any base transitory profit or pleasure should draw his heart, that beleeveth, from God, or from a good conscience, or to sell his peace and hope of heaven.

So it overcomes the frownes, threats, and uttermost wrongs that it can doe, despising the crosse, and enduring the shame; contemning any temporary affliction in respect of the love of God, and Christ Iesus, or hazzarding his part in the eternall happinesse. Thus the Martyrs (as Romanus among the rest) overcame their adversaries, and made them weary, when as they could not tell what to say. If a man had enough of this, hee might goe thorough whatsoever. The p. 270onelyonly conquerour indeed is the beleever, to whom nothing can come too difficult, to doe, to suffer, yea that would pose all the world to doe. So it fenceth us against the temptations of sinne, that arise from our owne corrupt nature: Shall I doe thus and thus, and sinne against my God and mercifull Father? It draweth vertue from Christ to mortifie sinne: It challengeth the promise that saith, sinne shall not have dominion over your mortall body that you should obey it is the lusts thereof, Rom. 6. 12. It gives much glory to God, by beleeving things because hee hath said them, to reason incredible, in nature impossible, puts to his seale that God is true. It gets upon the head of reason, when it is at the farthest, and sees quite beyond it, and claps the hands, saying, It is so, it is so.

In Natures schoole wee conceive first, then beleeve; but in p. 271Gods, we beleeve first, and then conceive: conceive what wee can, and what wee cannot, beleeve and admire.

Thus we beleeve the Creation of the world of nothing, which most Phylosophers gainsay, affirming, that of nothing nothing can be made.

So when we be wrapt in troubles, and compassed about, and see no way out, yet to beleeve I shall have a good end; as Abraham for offering his Son: yet God had said, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. So Ioshua, and the people for the falling of the walls of Iericho; and Heb. I1. 1. It is the substance of things hoped for, i. e. gives a beeing (to us) unto things that as yet (in themselves) have no beeing; and the evidence of things not seene, that is, a cleere demonstration of things that bee not seene. Thus we beleeve the resurrection of our bodies, and p. 272eternall life after this.

Hereby now we beleeve the ruine of Rome, though shee seeme to prevaile, and get the upper hand.

Hereby we hang upon God, when wee see no likely hood or way of helpe or deliverance; so as we can say, I will trust in him, though he kill me, Iob 13. 15. and in long delayes, yet faith holds.

9. Faith is exceeding profitable through all our course, and in prosperity many wayes, but especially it is our odde friend in adversitie. Another Simon to beare our crosse. Oh it doth us Knights service; then it holds us up by the chin, that we sinke not, as else we must: so that our head is above water, though all the body bee under. I should have fainted, except I had beleeved, to see the goodnesse of the Lord in the land of the living, Psal. 27. 13.

p. 273This we may see in Iacob; for what had become of him when he heard of Esau's comming against him with foure hundred men, but for his faith? It is true that God had made him a promise; but he had the comfort of it, because he beleeved it.

So Nehemiah, when he looked so pale, yet finding a promise and beleeving it, hee staid himselfe upon it, Neh. 2. 2.

So many amongst our selves in divers afflictions should sinke, were it not for the faith of Gods promise; much more the Martyrs in their intolerable sufferings.

Our Saviour Christ was upheld by my God, my God, or else he had been gone.

10. And in the end of our life it is even as a chariot to carry up our soules to heaven, Iohn 3. 16. That as many as beleeve in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. As Enoch p. 274and Elias were translated (though not bodily as they) yet our faith translates our soules up to God, 1. Pet. 1. 9. receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your soules.

Now is not this an excellent grace that never failes us till it hath brought us to God, and makes death, which is the terrour of the world, to bee a welcome messenger?

11. Yet further the names given it in Scripture, and from the Scripture shew so much: For it is called Iustifying Faith, Rom. 5. 1. because it justifies us, which other faiths doe not.

Saving Faith, as Ephes. 2, 8. by Faith yee are saved: for some faiths bee not saving.

Lively Faith, in opposition to the dead faith of hypocrites, that drawes no life from Christ, nor shewes forth any life in godly fruits of good workes.

p. 275It is called Faith of Gods elect, Tit. 1. 1. a rare jewell bestowed on none but Gods deare ones, such as he ordained to salvation before the world; not such faith as reprobates may have.

Precious Faith, 2. Pet. 1. 1. of wondrous worth and value: no copper faith, but more precious than gold, yea than fine gold, 1. Pet. 1. 7. Yea, as Prov. 31. 10. a vertuous woman is said to be farre above the pearles, who is so commended for her faith which made her vertuous: and the wisedome so commended in the proverbs which proceeds from, and is joyned with true faith, is not onelyonly better than silver, and much fine gold, but whatsoever else it can be compared unto.

Most holy Faith, Iude ver. 20. because it is a gift of Gods most holy Spirit, and brings forth holy life, which it drawes from our most holy head Christ-Iesus.

p. 27612. It gets us a good reputation in the Church of, God, Heb. 11. 2. It sets us on to doe such workes of piety to God, and charity to men, as doe procure us as good a report, as valiant men had a great name by their exploits.

13. It obtaines us many a temporary blessing and deliverance: as to Asa and Iehosaphat▪ great victories, by their faithfull depending upon God.

It is not onelyonly profitable to our selves, but to others also: i. e. to our children. Even a professor of faith benefits his children, interesting them unto Baptism and the priviledges of the Church. But true faith greatly availes the children of such parents, both because God hath made promise to bee the God of such and also of their seede, besides their many faithfull prayers.

2. Yea to strangers, both p. 277for their soules and bodies, Iam. 5. 14. send for the elders, and the prayer of faith shall save the sicke, i. e. heale him, and restore him to health;yea if heo have committed sinnes they shall be forgiven. Yea to the very wicked it may obtaine temporall blessings, as Moses his prayer obtained for Pharaoh, and for the murmuring Israelites, and Eliah for Ahab in procuring raine.

In all these respects, who can but say that faith is an excellent grace? come gaze and look upon it, that you may admire & fall in love withall, as men doe at the goodly house or sumptuous palace of some great man, or Prince, and such things.

No merchandise to bee compared hereto; hee that hath it hath God for his Father, Christ his Saviour, the holy Ghost his Comforter, the Angells to guard him, creatures on the earth, the world it selfe, yea all p. 278things present and to come are his, and he Christs.

Compare it with other things that be excellent, and see it excelling them: what shall I compare it with, wealth, honour, authory, great birth? base things in comparison, not worthy to bee named with things that bee truely excellent.

What then? knowledge of things humane and divine, especially great understanding in the Scriptures is excellent, yet the devill hath this, and the meanest beleever hath a better gift.

The gift of prophecy is an excellent gift, to open the Scripture, discourse of points of Religion and Faith, yea, and apply the same to the peoples use; a very profitable gift, seeing it may convert many and build up more, yet this a reprobate may have.

p. 279The faith of miracles is an excellent gift, & to cast out devils: hee that had these would with Simon Magus be thought some great man, and such gifts were worthy great reverence, yet these a reprobate might have, Matth. 7. 22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have wee not prophesied in thy Name, and in thy Name have cast out devills? &c. Yea, among other true and saving graces faith obtains the chiefety, as humility, love, patience, sobriety, which though they be excellent gifts, yet they apprehend not Christ; they breede not faith▪ but faith is the mother of them.

Wee may therefore say of faith, as Salomon of the vertuous woman, Many daughters have done vertuously, but thou surmountest them all, Prov. 31 29. Her price is above the pearles; for this is a most precious jewell, and pearle invaluable.

p. 280And as infidelity is the most odious vice, the breeder and mother of all sinne, and doth most dishonor God, so is faith the contrary. Vnbeliefe denies God the glory of his power, as if he were not able to fulfill the promise of his truth, or as if he were unfaithfull; and makes a man flee from God, as Adam, and finally, makes Christs comming into the world of no use.

Here see and know who bee the excellent ones in the world; oh true beleevers, Psal. 16. 3. They are called the excellent. Pro. 12. 26. The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour, that is, who is not righteous: faith makes a man righteous, both by making Christs righteousnesse ours by imputation, and secondly by drawing sanctifying grace from Christ.

Hee that is not thus righteous by faith, wee say of him as of Ruben, hee is not excellent. p. 281Whatsoever wealth, honour thou hast, whosoever thou art, thou art not excellent; nay whatsoever knowledge, gifts, profession thou hast, without true faith, thou art not excellent, but a painted sheath, a gorgeous sepulchre: thou hast no part in Christs death, neither is thy person or worke pleasing to God, nor hast thou right to any good thing.

But the true beleever is excellent, as having attained to a rare jewell, and an invaluable pearle: as may appeare if you looke over the benefits of true faith before mentioned: yea though thou be poore and despised in the world, yet art thou happy. Be thankfull to God, and whatsoever paines thou hast taken to get faith, yet bee glad, seeing thou hast a rich penny-worth.

Wonder that man having stript himselfe of all his robes p. 282of his creation, should yet bee restored to any such glory yet once againe, and that God should ever bestow this on thee which is to so few given. Vse all meanes to nourish this as thy jewell, as the Word, Sacraments, Prayer, good companie, care to keepe a good conscience: in all things walke worthy of so excellent a gift, staine it not by any sinne willingly committed.

And doe thou know that hast it not, that thou canst never be excellent, till thou doest injoy it. But alas what toyling is there for bafe things, when the most excellent things indeed are left unregarded?

God open mens eyes, that they may see and seeke after the things that are truly excellent.

And thus having shewed the excellencie of faith, I am now in the next place to speake of p. 283the difficulty of it,5. Difficulty of Faith. and then of the lets and impediments from whence this difficulty ariseth. For as Faith is excellent, so (according to the nature of excellent things) it is not easie but hard to bee obtained. It is indeed easie for one to say, hee hath faith; but to have a true and lively faith indeed, is a matter hardly atchieved. So Iam. 2. 14. What doth it profit my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, &c? It is easie to say, I beleeve and hope to bee saved by Iesus Christ, but to beleeve indeed is very hard, that is, to beleeve upon good ground and warrant. For Faith is built upon the Word and promise of God, or else it is no true faith: and thus to beleeve upon the warrant of the Word is not so easie a thing.

For this is not only not in our owne power, but neither man nor Angell can worke it, p. 284only it is of the operation of God.

Oh, Faith is a thing most excellent, as making Christ ours and us the children of God, and as being the shield which quencheth the fiery darts of the divell, our victory whereby wee overcome the world, and that hand which purifieth the heart in the precious laver of Christs blood. And therefore it is another manner of matter, than for a man to say, I hope to be saved by Christ; seeing many of these, have no hearts purified nor lives reformed.

That is wrought by the ministery of the Word, sanctified by God for that end; but to worke a blinde hope, any means might bring men to that, or to say, I know I am a sinner, and hope to be saved by Iesus Christ.

Againe, the way to heaven is straight, and few finde it; and p. 285this faith is the way to heaven. Few attaine to Faith, Isa. 53. 1. Who hath beleeveth our report? and, When the Sonne of Man commeth, shall hee finde faith upon the earth? Luk. 18. 8.

It is indeed easie to presume; for that is of the flesh, & the divell helpes it forward: but hard to beleeve.

To make this plaine to every man: you shall see that every step to faith is hard. Goe over the way that God brings one to faith, even the worke that the Law must doe is hard. For knowledge, first, even that is hard, in respect of our blinde and dull understanding; and especially our carelesnesse, in not giving our minde to get it, but have so many other things in our head; therefore few get any competency of knowledge, but are grosly ignorant.

Much more is the particular knowledge of every mans own p. 286sinnes, wretchednesse, corruptions, easie? Oh no, there is too much selfe-love in us for this, the proud heart of man cannot listen to it.

Then for a man to be convinced in conscience, that he is the man that is so miserable and undone, to confesse it true of himselfe without any longer posting it off to others.

Next, to be stricken with terrour upon this sight of our misery; Oh this is rare and hard to come to. Oh no, people can heare the Law, and their misery, and the judgements of God denounced against their sinnes, and yet not blanke at all. No, they have armour of proofe to beare off that; hearts harder than flint, as impenitrable as a wall of brasse; oh no, their stout stomacke will not come downe. Nay, though God adde crosses, yet it stirreth us up to rage, impatience, rebellion, rather than p. 287casts us downe. The Law alone, …oh it is but words, thunder without lightning, and when deeds come too, yet never the neerer most what.

Ministers feare to preach the Law for terrifying men, and driving them to despaire, but they need not in respect of that great security that raigneth in them. And yet if a man were come to this, were it not a great peece of worke? a Iudas, a divell goes as farre, yet these thinke they goe farre enough. And if they bee thus terrified, yet how few never goe further, …ut outgrow it againe, wrestle with it, or impatiently fall to …heir owne course? And if a …an goe no further than the …awes working▪ he had as good ever have come to any thing …t all, for hee shall perish: and …ough the hard-hearted one …all speed no better at last than …e, yet he is quiet in the meane …me.

p. 288Then come to the Gospells working. Is it easie for a man pressed under the terrours of the Law to be so much as kept from sinking, or taking any other bad course, by hearing generall, that there is a helpe and remedy for sinners, but whether it bee for him or no, he is uncertaine?

Then againe for contrition: Is it a small thing to breake the heart of a man for, or from his sinne? Oh it is an invincible peece of worke; a man will part with goods, children of his body, or any thing rather than from his lusts, or be brought to a deepe dislike of his courses, and vexation with himselfe for them, to cleere the Lord, and condemne himselfe, to become teachable and gentle, a schollar willing to be ruled by God i… whatsoever course he shall prescribe him.

And then for him still to attend p. 289on the ministery of the Word, that hee may see what God will doe for him in time; Is this easie? And as he is scarce able to advise himselfe, so the divell makes him beleeve if he should tell others, hee should discredit himselfe.

Then when this poore man is wrestling and winding out of his bands, faine hee would proceed to confesse his sinne, and cry to God for pardon (as hee seeth need enough) and incouragement from God, so to doe, and thus to unload himselfe: but then the divell blindes his eyes, hardens his heart, and stops his mouth that he cannot utter his complaint to God as hee desireth, in any sort; but when hee would, the divell brings confusion into his soule, that he cannot tell almost how to goe about it. Indeed he doth it, but so awkely and coldly, as hee is vexed with himselfe; and p. 290thinkes, If I could mourne, and powre out my heart to God, I would not doubt of mercy; but I am lockt up, I cannot doe it. And at this passe the devill holds many a poore soule a good while without comfort: and though God doth accept the will for the deede, yet hee himselfe is not so satisfied.

Then when hee findes that God meanes as verily to shew him mercy, as hee feeles himselfe to stand in neede of it, yet doe you thinke it is easie for him to come to a thirsty soule after it? True, hee seeth cause enough to thirst, finding himselfe quite empty, and seeth that if hee have not mercy hee must perish. It doth his heart good to heare of the promise, which is made to the thirsty, because they shall be filled, and they onelyonly. But now he cannot finde such a thirst as he desires, but a fulnesse; he knowes p. 291if he could thirst he should bee satisfied, but hee cannot finde it: Oh, saith he, thirst requireth sense, yea it is the sharpest sense and desire; which I cannot finde. Now though God wil… accept his desire, and give him both thirst and water of life too in time, yet in the meane while he is without it.

Then come to the last point before beleeving: Is it easie to come to sell all, to deny our selves, and take up our crosse daily that wee may follow Christ? oh these beloved sinnes that he hath committed spiritu all fornication so long & so oft with, now to part with them all for ever, is a matter of great difficulty. Is is true, for any good there is in them hee might, but to our nature this is a hard worke.

Then when hee comes to buy the pearle, to goe through and strike up the bargaine, to p. 292apprehend the promise, and apply it to himselfe; doth not many a one stand straining courtesie, and is full of feare, as thinking that it is not true to him, or that it is too good a bargaine, seeing others carry away the pearle, but he holds it in his hand, but dares not put it up as his owne? so that if God should not hearten and strengthen him, he would goe neere to lose it now when hee is come to the upshot. Well, at last hee fastens on it. But when hee hath done so, can hee hold it fast this weeke and next monethmonth? in a while is hee not in his dumpts, doubting again and full of feares?

Well, when he hath attained faith to beleeve the maine promise, even of pardon and salvation, yet there bee many other subordinate promises, as of perseverance, of sufficient grace to carry him through all difficulties p. 293and temptations, and is it easie to beleeve these? hath not the poore childe of God some toile with this, when hee beleeves his salvation, and yet sometimes feares he shall never hold out to the end? especially if long or sore paines, or persecution, and the fire should come, notwithstanding that God hath promised as wel these as pardon and salvation.

And some inferiour promises also of outward things are hardly beleeved: as, not failing of any needfull thing, that God will lay no more upon us than he will make us able to beare. Is it easie to beleeve these? and are not even beleevers oftentimes at their wits ends, and ready to faint in temptation of poverty, danger, and such like? I speake not of living by faith, and having this at all turnes through our course, which is a high point, (and of which it p. 294may be I shall say somewhat ere I part with this point of faith) but even to beleeve things, and that wee shall bee in all estates upheld by God, at the first especially, is a hard thing.

Then by this I hope you all see, that faith is no easie matter; for if every steppe to it be difficult, then the whole is not easie. Oh no, som cannot beleeve, Ioh. 5. 44. some will not beleeve, cap. 5. 40. but few do beleeve to be sure, as appeares too plainly.

If so,T… use hereof respe…ng Gods ministers. then for us Ministers; our duety is to travell much in this point, and to bring people to it, and to think that it is not enough to glance at it, or now and then to speak somewhat of it, but wee must dwell upon it, and think it as wel-spent time, and that it is as needefull a part of our labor as any other, and none like it, as without which indeed all is nothing, & that withall it is very hard.

p. 295And that we thinke not that every one that can say the Creed, ten Commandements, and Lords Prayer, and can say he is a sinner, and can speake of Christ, is straight a beleever, and fit to come to the Lords Supper; or some that bee faire conditioned and better than most others, or then they have been, straight that they bee beleevers, when as any of any true insight can see no likelihood of faith in them. It is good to hope the best, and to give encouragement to smal things; but we must tell them, somewhat is yet wanting to make them true beleevers, else this makes people careless. O lament the carnall security of men in these daies, who make wide doors to bring them to heaven.

This also confutes that erroneous and blinde conceit of the vulgar sort,The use respecting the people. that it is an easie thing to beleeve, as appeares p. 296too plainly by their words and courses. For first for themselves; they thanke God they bee fully perswaded they shall bee saved, and have no doubt of it: But how came you by it? Nay that they cannot tell. But this is suspicious to have goods in our house, and not to know how wee came by them. They that have true faith, know how they came by it ere they had it. How long have you had this perswasion? Ever. That is enough to prove it nought; for faith is not bred with us, and he that is a beleever can remember the time hee was no beleever. And what paines have you taken for it, what hath it cost you? they can say nothing to that: It is therefore too cheape to bee good, and of the right stampe.

I thought you that said it was so easie were furthest off from it.

p. 297To presume is easie indeed, but not to beleeve: aske the belever, he thinkes it the hardest thing in the world, hee could better doe this and that, than hee can beleeve. No, no, though they that never knew what the burden of sin meant, and so not the worth of Gods mercy, make a sleight matter of beleeving, and can doe it without any doubting, yet they that have had their eyes opened, and hearts humbled, cannot so easily shake it off, it is too great a matter.

Also for others, they shew that they thinke it easie, and they wonder at them that bee troubled, and have doubts: and comming to any such in sicknesse, they rate them, and bid them, Beleeve foole; canst not beleeve? thou art a foole indeed. But yet the servants of God that goe about it in good earnest, …de it a hard peece of p. 298worke; and indeed how long is it ere many can fasten on it? Therefore let those that came by it at ease suspect themselves: though some childe comes into the world with lesse paine to the mother than others, yet none without some.

Also hereby it appeares they thinke it easie, because many put it off till the last, and thinke to have it at their command. No friend, the time of sicknesse and the death-bed, is a time to use and spend faith in, not to get it; neither thinke thou to get it then that hast it not now.

3. But as for thee who hast attained grace to beleeve, doe thou thanke God highly that hath brought thee thorow such a difficult peece of worke: thy father and thy mother, all the Ministers in the Countrie, and all the Angells in heaven could not have done it for thee, therefore p. 299be thankfull.

Thou hast beene brought thorow many difficulties, thou hast sayled by many a sand where others have sunk themselves, and betweene many a rocke where others have split themselves and beene cast away, as betweene senslesse blockishnesse and despaire; and when thou camest to bee contrite, remember that it went not over too soone, till it had made thee thirst and sell all. And many miscarry at these plots.

And know, as it was difficult to get faith (and thanke God for it) so now whatsoever paines thou takest for it, thou wilt not part with it againe for any thing: Wilt? No.

So know also, that thou shalt finde difficultie to keepe and …ourish it.

4. Let none count of it as a thing got with a w…t finger▪ p. 300and at their pleasure, and therefore put it off till death, or seeke it lazily: but, as for a matter of great difficulty, lay for it betimes. If a malefactor lay not for a pardon till hee be on the ladder, hee may be hanged ere that come; so many are dead ere they get faith, they went about it so late and so lazily: then they would have oyle, but while they are seeking it, the Bridegroome comes, and they are shut out, as it is with many that know they must have faith, and have gone about it, but too late.

Let us then be content to take paines about it, and that in time, and though we obtaine it not by and by, yet follow it, & think no pains too great for it; be not content to take only one step, and so thinke to have faith by and by, but let us wait our time for it, one thing after mother, as others have done.