The Doctrine of Faith, Doctrine (5 of 5)

The Doctrine of Faith · Doctrine (5 of 5)

p. 402Secondly, such as know the Word of God, but acknowledge not the truth of it, but deny it: as lewes and Turkes that acknowledge the old Testament, and deny the new, and Iesus Christ the summe of both: Papists that acknowledge Christ but in part,, making him but a part of a Saviour by joyning partners with him in all his offices.

Also Atheists and Epicures that deny all, God or Devill, Heaven or Hell, and the immortality of the soule. The p. 403family of love that turne all the Scriptures into an allegory, and so deny all, are also a cursed kind of unbeleevers.

So also all others that deny eyther the whole Scripture, or any fundamentall points of Religion, &c.

3. Such as know and acknowledge the whole Word of God, and every part of it to be true, but apply none of it to themselves in particular, to yeeld obedience thereto: and this is grosse unbeleefe and enough to condemnation. As when men beleeve in generall the doctrine of mans misery, and acknowledge it true in particular, but are not at all humbled hereby, or driven out of themselves: That know the doctrine of salvation by Christ, and of Gods readinesse to pardon and save repentant sinners, and his promises to shew mercy to all that seeke it aright, yet p. 404are not moved thereby to desire and seeke Christ with the affection as they ought to doe

So also when men beleev… the threatnings, in generall against sinne and sinners; but … not particularly apply them … themselves, that hereby they might bee bridled from evill▪ Nor are moved by the promises to well doing and a godly course, in generall, or to this and that particular vertue or duety, yet are nothing induced thereby to take up that course of godlinesse, or the practice of this or that duety in their own lives.

This sinne of Vnbeleefe is oft forbidden in Scripture, as by our Saviour Christ to Thomas, Iohn 20. 27. Be not faithlesse, but beleeving. Heb. 3. 12. Take heede brethren lest there bee in any of you an evill heart of unbeleefe in departing from the living God.

So the people are oft reproached p. 405for it, Psal. 106, 24. They beleeved not his Word: and our Saviour Christ doth of rebuke it in his Disciples. Oh yee of little faith, Math. 8. 20. and Luke 24. 25. Oh fooles and slow of heart to beleeve all that the Prophets have spoken. And this is a greater sin than the world … aware of. Men thinke theft, murther, drunkennesse to bee hainous, and indeede so they be; but unbeleefe is far worse: for it is the mother of these and all other evills.

It was the first sinne that crept into Eves heart, whereby Satan prevailed over her when she begunne to falter about the Word of God, making a peradventure and doubt of that which God had peremptorily set downe. And ever since it is deeply rooted in our nature, and is the mother of all our other sinnes; as contrariwise faith is of all obedience. Not p. 406to beleeve the mercy of God in Christ, is the cause why … continue still in sinne. As … beleefe in the other promises for men not beleeving th… they bee the Lords, and cons… quently that hee will present and provide for them; hen… comes covetuousnesse, and … unlawfull courses of craft an… violence, that overflow an… beare sway in all their actions; hence comes running to witches, and using other unlawf… meanes in trouble, &c. or carnall confidence and trusting in those meanes that are lawfull. What sinne can you name that comes not from unbeleefe? It was the cause of all the Israelite murmuring, tempting of God, disobedience, and persecuting the truth, as wee see in the Apostles example, 1. Tim. 1. 13.

This sin is woefully rooted in our nature,Old world. as wee see in the example of the old world, p. 407which had warning both by the ministrie of Noah, and also by those reall Sermons of making the Arke, and seeing Noah make provision, and lay in for all creatures, yea and when they saw all creatures come to Noah and entred into the Arke, and yet for all this they beleeved not that there should come a floud.

The like example we have in Lotts sonnes in law,Lots sons. who when they were warned of the destruction of Sodome, they counted it as a mocke, an idle jest.

And this may also appeare not only in the Aegyptians who saw Moses and Aaron come with such signes,Aegyptians. and then after with such plagues, and yet would not beleeve, that God was God, and would have his people let goe:

But even in the Israelites themselves, who discovered p. 408their notorious unbeliefe, fre… the first murmurings, wh… Phar aoh encreased their … them and after they had see the signes from God by M… and Aaron, and for againe the red Sea, for all their mi…tie and miraculous delivera… ▪ Aegypts first borne smitten, … none at all dying or miscarry… in Goshen, and after they … seene many other signes. So… gaine after they had gone …drie ground thorow the re… Sea, yet if they wanted but… little water, they murmured againe, and to Aegypt they would, murmuring against Moses and Aaron. Was it, because there were no graves there that you have brought us ou… to kill us in the Wildernes notwithstanding the Lords promise of bringing them into Canaan, and his confirming it by so many miracles.

This also is plainely to bee p. 409seene in the Iewes notorious unbeliefe,… when our Saviour Christ came into the world, notwithstanding all the Prophecies which foretold it, … all circumstances of it, as …, place, and manner, were ful…led in him. And though at … Baptisme, a Dove appeared and lighted upon him, and a voyce from heaven was heard, saying, This is my beloved Sonne in whom I am well pleased, Mat. 3. 17. And notwithstanding Iohns Testimonie of our Saviour Christ from time to time, and his owne miraculous workes, such as none ever did; as casting out divells by his word, stilling the Sea, healing desperate and old diseases by his sole word, yet for all this and many other cleere evidences of his divine nature, they hated and persecuted him to death, as a Prince of ill doers. Yea though the Apostles by their joynt ministrie, p. 410continued preaching of Jesus, yet would they not bee brought to beleeve in him; though also they had seene no small miracles at his death, as the Sunne darkened, the vayle rent, the graves opened, the dead raised. Yea this unbeleefe is not only in the wicked who far unto God, depart from us for wee desire not the knowledge of thy wayes, as it is Iob. 21. 14. and mutter and cavill against Gods service, saying;

It is in vaine to serve God; and what profit is it that wee have kept his ordinance? as it is Mal. 3. 14.

But there is also a root of it even in the children of God, as in David who complained that his feet were almost gone, and that hee had cleansed his heart in vaine, Psal 73. 2. 13. and 1 Sam. 27. 1. doubted that hee should … day perish though hee had a promise from God of the p. 411contrarie: and in Zacharie, Luk. 1. 18. and Thomas, Ioh. 20. 25.

Now the hainousnesse of this sinne of unbeleefe hereby appeares, in that it defiles both our persons and all our actions: yea all Gods ordinances unto us are defiled thereby.

In that also it is a sinne most odious to God,Olious to God. Heb. 10. 38. But if any man draw backe, my soule shall have no pleasure in him. Where more is meant than spoken, after an Hebrew manner of speech, as though hee should say, I abhorre all those that fall away through unbeleefe.

And this must needs be so; for as faith giveth much glory to God, so unbeleefe the contrary: Faith puts too the seale that God is true, unbeliefe makes, (with reverence to his Majesty be it spoken) God a lyar, seeing thereby men give no credit to his word, but thinke his p. 412word to bee winde, his threats but as fray bugges, and his promises as nothing but bubbles and dissemblings.

Now if an honest man cannot endure, to bee thought a lyar, or dissembler (for how will he plead with such a one as distrusts him?)

Nay, if Russians themselves count it such an indignitie, as no lesse than the stab is revenge enough, what may the Lord of heaven & earth doe when such an affront is offred unto him?

How hainously will it bee taken by that Amen, that faithfull and true witnesse, abundant in goodnesse and truth, whose word is so firme, that Heaven and earth shall fall, but not one jot of his word shall passe unaccomplished, Mat. 5 18. whose word is not only a word of truth, but the truth it selfe, Iohn 17. 17. who keepes covenant and mercy, and ever did; for whom p. 413did God ever deceive? what promise hath he broken? kept he not his word with Adam? and with Abraham fulfilled divers promises? as also with all the rest of his servants. Whereof it is that his servants have alwayes beene so glad when they have got a promise from God, as Nehe. 1. 5. 8.

Furthermore consider,Punisht it. that God hath punisht this sinne from time to time. As in the old world fearefully, in Lots two sonnes in law, the Jewes in the Wildernesse, who all perisht through unbeliefe, only Caleb and Ioshua came into Canaan, who beleeved and followed the Lord constantly; the rest, as it is in the Hebrewes, were shut out for their unbeliefe.

The lord also who would not give credit to the word of the Lord by the mouth of the Prophet, perished in his unbeleefe, p. 4142 Reg. 7. 19. 20. also the Iewes thirtie foure yeares after our Saviour CHRISTS time, what dreadfull judgements of God by the Romans, came upon them, as never was since the world begun? and they lye under the judgement of God for the same till this day. So the Iewes not beleeving the word of the Lord by Ieremy, Ier. 44. 28. shall know whether his word shall stand or theirs.

Yea God hath not spared it in his owne servants, as Moses and Aaron, who for their unbeliefe were debarred from entring into the land of promise, Numb. 20. and Zacharie, Luk. 1. was strucke dumbe because he beleeved not Gods word. Yea the Lord hath prepared a wofull place hereafter for the unbeleevers, Revel. 21. 8. that is, for those that sinne through totall unbeleefe; for there is great p. 415oddes betweene such, and those that shewed unbeliefe in some particulars. So that as this sinne is odious and dishonourable to God, so most hurtfull to our selves. It hinders us from many a comfort and blessing, which we might else have in this world. As our Saviour Christ could not doe many workes among some for their unbeliefe sake, Marke 6. 5. And our Saviour Christ telleth Martha, Iohn 11. 40. that shee had almost lost the sight of that glorious worke of Lazarus his raising, by her unbeliefe.

Thus wee lose the fruite of many a prayer through our unbeliefe; for wee are bidden when wee pray, to beleeve and so we shall obtaine, Mark. 11. And the Word becommeth unprofitable if it bee not mixt with Faith, Heb. 4. 2. and so of the holy Sacrament.

Yea it is damnable; for who p. 416so beleeves not is condemned already, Iohn 3. 18. and if yee beleeve not that I am he (saith Christ) you shall dye in your sinnes, Iohn 8. 24. Much worldly griefe, distrustfull care, unlawfull shifts, come from unbeleefe▪ yea many make away themselves hereby, as we see in Iudas: and so many among our selves being in debt, or feare of shame or trouble, make away themselves through their unbeleefe; and this also is the cause why most flinch in time of persecution.

This condemnes all these sorts of unbeleefe,Vse. and the whole world: for the whole world lyeth in unbeleefe. First, the Pagans are under a necessity of perishing; for ignorance will not excuse them, because God made man righteous at first, and is not now bound to give them knowledge.

p. 417So that to them God hath shewed severity, but to us bountifulnesse, if we have grace to make good use of his bountifulnesse, else wee may make our case seven times worse than theirs. Our duety is to pray unto God to send his Word among them, that they may come to the knowledge of the truth, and so bee saved. And a happy thing it were if men would so doe, and use all other good meanes to bring any such to the saving knowledge of God and his truth. If they had but halfe the minde to it, that they have for backe and belly, it would not bee hard to effect it. But especially woe bee to those that have meanes, and yet bee ignorant. These love darknesse more than light, and so they heate the furnace seven times hotter for themselves. Many such doe swarme amongst us, who are ready to p. 418excuse their ignorance by saying that they bee not bookelearned, and that they have other businesse: and these in their fond conceipts be sufficient excuses for them; but let such know, that God will pull off these figge leaves.

2. This also condemnes such as deny the truth of God and the Gospell, even Iesus Christ, as Turkes and Iewes wholly, and Papists that doe so in part. For such wee must pray unto God that hee will take the vaile from before their eyes, and cause the light of his truth to shine unto them, and thank God for our selves, &c. And the like duety wee must performe for all other Heretickes and damnable unbeleevers. And so also we must returne unto God thankes and praise for our selves, who hath not onelyonly caused the light of his truth to shine unto us, but p. 419also hath opened our eyes to see and discerne it.

3. It also condemnes the third sort, which so swarme among our selves, that there are few others to be found. This nation is an unbeleeving and unfaithfull nation: for universally though people acknowledge the truth, both of Law and Gospell, yet are they moved with neither, nor driven out of themselves, and humbled by the hearing the doctrine of their misery, nor allured to seeke mercy as they ought by the doctrine of the Gospell. The threatnings against sinne denounced never so fearefully, yet keep them not from their wicked wayes, nor the promises made to godlines, provoke and encourage them to goodnesse. Who is moved at any of these? but though they know them, yet they doe as they list. But let all such take p. 420notice of the many threatnings against sinne and wicked waies in generall, Psal. 1. 6. Psal. 9 & 11. But alas, the most men are so farre from laying these threatnings to heart, that notwithstanding they have seene execution of these threatnings upon others, yet they dare live in the same sins. As for example in the sinnes of Sodome, which were punished with fire and brimstone from heaven. So of the people of Israel, for which they were carried into captivity, Exod. 30. 16. So of our brethren of the Palatinate and Bohemia at this time. Thus when God hath threatned heavie judgements against particular sinnes, yet men are not moved thereby, but securely and presumptuously continue in them: as the threats against the breach of the Sabbath, Exod. 34. Ierem. 17. 27. so against adultery, Whoremongers p. 421and Adulterers God will judge, Heb. 13. 4. But alas, how few are made to stand in awe, and to keepe from these sinnes, or are brought to repentance for them, but runne on still as the horse rusheth to the battell?

So the promises made in generall to the wayes of godlinesse,Deut. 29.Deut 29 as Psal. 128. 1. Psal, 112. 1. and so to particular vertues, as to Faith, Patience, Constancy, to diligence in Prayer, to Liberality to the poore, especially the Saints, yet who are encouraged hereby to the practice of these vertues and Christian duties? No, notwithstanding we have had meanes of Faith so long, yet who will beleeve our report? how few are brought to true Faith in Christ Iesus? notwithstanding that God hath set seales to his Word by mercies and punishments on the Land. May we not therefore p. 422feare that some judgement cannot be farre of, as that God will snatch away his Word and bestow it on some other people which will bring forth better fruits of it, Rom. 11 10. For if God spared not his own people in former times, how can we hope that hee will spare us? Deut. 32 20. If a man promise to helpe us in time of our danger, oh it comforts us grealy: But Gods promises in his Word give us not the like contentment. If we have not a pawne wee trust not God, but are ready to fly out one way or other. And for every particular unbeleefe, let us labour to make all men see the grossenesse of their sinne, that trust God no further than they see or feele him. Such sinne more heinously than they bee aware of, seeing no lesse than condemnation is the end of all unbeleevers.

p. 423Let all men therefore be perswaded to labour to get this bitter roote to bee stubb'd up, and to be instant in prayer unto God to doe it for us. For it is God onelyonly that must roote it out, or else it will never bee done. To which end let us know that it were better that ratts baine were in our belly than this in our hearts. And therefore let us shame our selves for it, and strive against it.

First consider the heinousnesse of the sinne, the dishonour to God, the hurt to our selves.

Consider againe the infallible and unchangeable truth of God; and the experience that others and wee our selves have had of it. For if wee looke into the holy Scriptures wee shall finde that God hath fulfilled his threatnings against the wicked, and doth daily in p. 424our times: and also his promises to his servants. Have not the damned in hell and many of our companions found God to bee true in his threatnings, and yet will not this make unbeleeve? which of us but hath found God just of his promise? and more we should if we had marked the same; yea let the servants of God labour earnestly against this; for oh what a roote is in us still? alas how poore is our faith? how great is our unbeleefe? If trouble arise wee are dasht by and by; if wee have meanes, oh how jolly are wee? but if not, or weake, then how soone are wee nipt in the head? How weake are we in the maine promise, and so in the other? oh how it offends God? oh how it hinders us? oh what hurt comes of it even to his best servants, who have smarted for it! and how shall wee doe for Faith enough to abide p. 425the fiery tryall and dayes of persecution?

Now we are to consider also of the other extreme,Presumption. Presumption, which shootes over as far as the other comes short, as being very bold and confident where there is no ground or promise.

As when men presume, and make themselves sure they shall be saved, that if roome shall want in heaven, the Prophets and Martyrs must come out to give them roome, and yet did never looke one steppe towards Faith, were never humbled, lost, sicke, never felt hunger, thirst, and never found will to part with their lusts to buy the pearle. Now howsoever God hath made promise of mercy to such, yet to no other; nay he hath plainly spoken the contrary, namely, that hee came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance, Mat. 9. 13.

p. 426Againe, men are presumptuous when they are confident, they shall be saved though they live in some knowne sinne or sinnes, and doe as others doe, especially if they bee civill honest men, though they have no dram of religion in them to God-ward, no knowledge, faith, or saving grace, when as God hath spoke no such thing, nay the contrary, as 1 Cor. 6. 10. Be not deceived, neither fornicators, nor Idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, &c. shall inherite the kingdome of God.

So also when they thinke that they shall doe well enough though they walke after the stubbornnesse of their owne heart: As the Scribes and Pharisees, who presumed that they were in good estate, because they had Abraham to their Father, but Iohn called them a generation of vipers, & our Saviour Christ told them that the p. 427…vel was their father So when …en cry the Temple of the …ord, and presume because it is …ong them; that they may doe …ell enough howsoever they …ve in knowne sins, Ier. 7. 4. 9. …ey are like those among the …eople of Corinth, whom the …postle bids not to be deceived, c. 1 Cor. 6. 10.

When men (also for outward …hings) are very confident, as …at God will provide for them, …hey are sure they shall never …ant: very confident also in …heir journeyes, to buy and sell …nd get gaine; and they doubt …ot of it, …am. 4. 13.

So when women are confident in their travell, and in the meane time have no cause nor …ny ground at all, as having no care to walke in the feare of God, and in his wayes, whereas to such only as thus doe all Gods promises are made. And therefore they which doe no p. 428such thing have just cause rather to expect his wrath and fearefull judgements. God said to Abraham, Walke before me and bee upright, Gen. 17. 1. and then, I am God all-sufficient. And, no good thing shall bee wanting to them that walke uprightly. Psal. 84. 11. And, such as feare God shall lacke nothing that is good. And,Psal. 34. 9. 10.Ps 34:9Ps 34:10 bee knoweth to deliver the Righteous out of trouble; and how to give an issue to the temptation that they may bee able to beare it, 1 Cor. 10. 13. and yet none are so confident for these things, as they that have least right to them.

Also it is great presumption when men are bold to commit sinne, because God is mercifull, and to put off their repentance, because though their state bee not good, yet it shall bee well enough, and as well as the best for God is mercifull, and they will call to him for mercy, and p. 429he will heare them whensoever they call (from which presumptuous sinnes David prayes to be kept and preserved. Psal. 19. 12.) when yet hee saith the contrary, Mat 7. 21. and Prov. 1. 28. as wee see in the example of Esau, and the foolish Virgins.

Thus also men presume when they thinke that they can repent when they list, when yet the Scripture telleth us in Timothy, that it is God that must give us a heart to imbrace repentance, and to come out of the snare of the divell, 2 Tim. 2. 26. and that wee cannot of our selves so much as thinke a good thought, 1 Cor. 3. 5.

Now this is a most foolish sinne for men to build without a foundation, to challenge to themselves that which nothing pertaineth to them, to gather and take up that, that was never laid downe for them; for p. 430men to bee so bold as to ma… new wayes to heaven, and … make new Scriptures, whic… God never thought of, nor ev… it entred into his heart.

If this be presumption, … a heynous sinne,Vse. then God be mercifull to the land of England; for it is a presumptuo… Nation, and a bold, and th… without any warrant fro… God. They thinke most i… England shall bee saved. It … the voyce of Ministers and people. For doe not many Ministers every where admit all i… their Parishes to the Lord Supper, good and bad, beleeve… and unbeleevers, whether prepared or unprepared? now he that is a worthy Communica… (as none else ought to come to the Lords table) shall be sure t… be saved, as having right … Christ.

And are not the people lik… wise when Ministers teach, … p. 431shall be saved and most perish, ready to say this is true in respect of Infidells and Turkes, but yet the most in England shall be saved. And indeed if you should goe into all parishes, even the rudest and most ignorant, and g…e… from the Chancell to the Bellfree, and aske them if they bee not perswaded they shall be saved; is there any almost make any doubt but that all sorts, ignorant persons, civill persons, prophane worldlings, hypocrites, all shall be saved? And if any in some places make doubt, it is but a small number that have least cause; but for the rest, either they are perswaded their case is good already, or else at least they can make it good when they list, for when they have but a minde to hold up the finger, and call to God for mercy, they are sure of it. So that all bee assured. But upon p. 432what acquaintance I pray you? and where and what bee your grounds? Nay then you must pardon them, for either they have none, or as good as none; they hope God did not make them to damne them; and that they have not led their life so ill to bee damned. Also they are well thought of by their neighbours; and they have great crosses in this world, and therefore they shall have joy in another. Or else they are ready to say contrariwise, that they thrive in the world, and therefore are beloved of God, seeing hee bestoweth on them such blessings. And I pray where did God say these should be saved that bee thus? They must get to heaven by strong hand whether God will or not, or else come in and God not know it; for none shall come there with his good will, but such as come according to his Word.

p. 433And whereas they say that God is mercifull; It is true; but yet let them know that some have found him just too, and so shall they also: for of all others, presumptuous persons are the furthest off.

Also this Land is wonderfull bold, and confident against all enemies and dangers: Tush (say the most) we have peace with all Nations, and if wee should have any enemies, yet we need not to care for any, if wee bee true within our selves. Also God hath defended this Nation these sixtie yeeres, as in eightie eight, and at the Kings comming in, and from the powder treason, and so hee will doe still, we have no feare.

I acknowledge it to bee true, that God had mercy on this Nation formerly, when it had lesse meanes, and more truth of heart to profit by them:

But doth that follow, because p. 434he hath done so, therefore he will do so still, especially now when as the Nation growes worse & worse; for as the meanes and mercies of God abound, so the abominations of our Nation abound more and more: as horrible contempt of God and his Word, prophanation of his holy name, and Sabbaths, drunkennesse, whoredome, oppression, contempt of Gods servants, hating the wayes of God, and calling it Puritanisme when men make conscience to walke in them. Yet we thinke our selves so happy as having such a godly King, wise Councell, learned Clergie, and safe from all danger. And therefore though God call to fasting, wee fall to feasting, masking, playes, wherein religion and the professors thereof are gybed at and derided. Isai. 22. 12. wee live in the same sinnes that Sodome was destroyed for, and yet p. 435rest secure, and cry peace; and in which the Iewes lived, and for which they were carried captive, 2 Chron. 36. 16. and yet we blesse our selves, as if wee were in no danger: yea wee are greater sinners than our brethren in Germany, and yet what desolations are sent upon them? though we in the meane time for the same and worse sinnes are not moved to feare. But like sinnes will bring like punishments, Levit. 18. 28. And therefore what can be expected but Gods heavie punishments, when as men are growne so impudently prophane, as to make playes against all that in sincerity of heart make conscience of serving God, under the odious name of Puritans? and when as others also take delight in seeing and hearing them.

May wee not rather feare to speed as Ioshua, and the Israelites p. 436who when they had conquered Iericho, next morning hast up to doe the like to Ai, making no doubt of victory; but when they came there, they were put to flight before their enemies, and thirty slaine, to the great griefe of Ioshua and the people. And why? there was sinne among them, that weakened and betrayed them. So wee being like them in respect both of their sinnes and vaine confidence have just cause to expect the like issue. Or as Sampson who telling his harlot, that if hee were thus and thus bound, hee should bee weake, and when the Philistims came, hee rouzed up himselfe, and brake all, contemning all their power and attempts, because hee knew his owne great strength. But at last when hee brake covenant with God, and told her his strength was in his vow to God of a Nazarite, p. 437and if hee were shorne hee should become as weake as another man; then shee having cut off his haire and brought in the Philistims, he thought to have got away as at other times; but all in vaine: for now his strength is gone, and hee so faint, that hee falls into their hands, and is constrained to grinde without his eyes and become a scorne to all his enemies, whereas if he had beene truer to God, hee would have preserved him from all these miseries.

So when any danger comes wee may thinke to scape, and doe as before, but wee may hap to be deceived. There is too much sinne amongst us, and breach of covenants with God, that hee should defend and deliver us as in times past. The Lord awaken us, that wee may see our sinnes, and labour to prevent his judgements by p. 438speedy repentance God calleth us out of our sins, by his yeerly afflictions, by the great troubles of our brethren, & wastings of other Churches; to fasting and prayer: but loe the contrary, joy and gladnesse, slaying oxen, and killing sheepe, eating flesh and drinking wine, &c. Isa. 22. 12.

But let us take heed, that we heare not the like doom from God which hee denounced against them: Surely this iniquity shall not bee purged from you till you dye, saith the Lord of Hosts; So Isa. 28. 15.

Furthermore, let us take notice of divers other parts of presumption, as to thinke our selves happy, and the Lords, when as wee never looke one step towards Faith, or to attaine any part in Christ; to thinke we shall be saved, and that wee bee good Christians, though we live in some known sin.

p. 439But thinkest thou indeede to be saved? yea, art thou so sure of it that none can put thee down? and yet walkest thou after thine owne hearts lusts? why know, that the Lord who is truth it selfe, hath said that he will not be merciful to these men that shal bless themselves in their heart, saying, I shall have peace though I walke in the imagination of my heart, to adde drunkennesse to thirst: but the anger of the Lord and his jealousie shall smoke against them, and all the curses written in Gods booke shall lye upon them, and the Lord shall blot out their name from under heaven, Deut. 29. 19. 20.

Also do you live in sinne, and deferre repentance, and thinke to doe well enough, because God is mercifull, when yet many of your predecessours have found and doe now in hell find him a just God? Againe, dare you presume that God will bee at your call, whensoever you p. 440hold up the finger, when as you see that Esau and the foolish virgins found it contrary; yea when as you heare God himselfe professing, Prov. 1. 24. 28. that he will laugh at their destruction, who have not hearkned to his voice, calling them to repentance: and that shall bee the help they shall have in the time of their neede. Thou that reckonest without thy host must reckon twice, and once in hell as it is to bee feared, if thou thou changest not thy course. No, Friend, no: If such as thou art bee saved, God must make new Seriptures first, which hee will not doe to pleasure thee. How dare any presume to live in many sinnes, and yet hope? when as they see how God cast out the Angells from heaven into utter chaines for one fault; so Adam and Eve out of Paradise for one sinne; and so severely corrected Moses and p. 441Aaron for one faile at Meribah. Nay our Saviour Christ found him a just God, when he stood as our surety. Thou preparest a backe way, and makest gates of thine own to heaven, & promisest great matters to thy selfe, but God never said any such thing: Oh vaine Foole! And thou lookest for great things from God which be promised in his Word, but never lookest to the conditions to be fulfilled on thy part: as if a man should occupy a mans land and take all the profits, and never thinke of paying any rent; but such are worthy to bee turned out to lye in the streetes. Againe know, that many dye upon presumption to one of desperation; Also that it is great madnesse to presume they can repent when they list; and therefore put it off, when they bee called unto it, seeing the Scripture telleth us that we p. 442be dead in sinne, and that wee cannot thinke a good thought: and surely it is to be feared, that God will not give them repentance at last, that have despised it all their lives.

There are thousands that make no doubt when they live, and at their death, but that they shall goe to heaven, who yet are no sooner dead, but the devill takes possession of their soules. But because there is some seeming similitude betweene Faith and this Presumption, I will set downe some differences betweene the one and the other: for they differ as much as a rotten post guilded over, doth from a thing of mus… sie and pure gold.

1. Faith hath a ground from the Word of God, and beleeves because God speakes; presumption hath no such ground, but onelyonly selfe conceit, the pride of his owne p. 443heart, which makes him thinke that, that is not, and because he hath got such a thing in his head; and therefore hee is as a man that dreames that hee eateth, and when hee awaketh is still an hungered.

2. Faith proceedeth from knowledge going before; for a man cannot beleeve what hee knoweth not: but presumption is joyned with ignorance oftentimes, and the more ignorant the more bold, according to the old Proverbe, None so bold as blinde bayard. For if they knew the law of God, the nature of God and themselves, they could not be so bold.

3. Faith proceedeth from some measure of true humiliation, and from seeing and feeling his owne miseserable estate. Presumption knoweth no humiliation, but proceedeth from a good conceit of their owne righteousnesse, p. 444as the Pharisee, and the yongue man in the Gospell, Laodicea, &c.

4. Faith is gotten with difficulty, and by many steppes it is come unto. Presumption is bred with a man, and it never cost him any labour in seeking, striving, hearing, prayer, conference, but comes at ease, and at once. And yet if presumption be any Faith (as they that have it conceit it is) it is a very strong Faith; for it is very confident, and yet got at once and at ease: the which is proofe enough against it; for base things grow apace, but things of worth more slowly. Presumption like Ionahs gourd comes up in a night: Ill weeds grow with speed.

5. Faith is joyned with doubting both in the working of it, and after: for the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and there is a continuall combate p. 445betweene them in the beleever and the regenerate man, and the devill opposeth the Faith of such a one; therefore they are not soone settled, but are like a man cast into the sea, who swimming towards a rocke is beate backe oft with waves. Presumption never had any doubting, they never doubted of Gods good will in their lives, they thanke God, and would be loth now to beginne; yea they wonder at a number of fooles that cannot beleeve, seeing there are many who are never troubled with any doubtings, nor know not what they meane. But let such know to their small comfort that the reason hereof is … the strength of their Faith, but because being wholly carnall, corruption fights not against corruption, and because the devill is no enemy to presumption, but helpeth it forward, Vide p. 446Negus, cap. 17.Act. 15.Acts 15

6. Faith purifieth the heart & reformeth the life,Heb. 10. 22.Heb 10:22 abandoning the love of al & every sin;1. Tim. 1. 51 Tim 1:5 for it beleeveth and applyeth Christ, not onelyonly for justification and Redemption, but for Sanctification also. A theefe desires only a pardon for his faults, but not for good lawes for better ordering of his life. So a presumptuous person desires to have the pardon of sinne, without any desire to leave and forsake it. The presumptuous man hath a corrupt heart, that repenteth of no sinne, though it refraine from some; some it lives in, what it likes best; some in the second Table, but many shamefully cold & carelesse in the first. Faith as it looketh for, and challengeth mercy from God, so it is carefull to returne thankefulnesse and obedience to him againe: but presumption lookes for all p. 447from God, but never thinketh of keeping conditions on his part. As Faith applies Christ to it selfe, so it giveth himselfe to Christ againe: but the presumptuous or temporary doe not so. As Herod gave himselfe not to Christ, but to Herodias; Iudas not to Christ, but to the bagge, &c.

7. Faith goeth like a Lady attended with a long traine of vertues, as love to God, to men, especially the Saints, patience, temperance, &c.

Presumption goeth like a ragamuffian without any such companion; for you shall see divers of these that shew neyther true love to God nor men, especially the Saints, that presume more than any other.

8. Faith feeling it selfe weake, and much opposed by unbeleefe, and set upon by Sathan, is carefull to cling to the meanes of the Word, Prayer, p. 448Sacrament, that it may get more strength and increase. But Presumption cares little for the meanes: a sermon or none, one or two, all is one, and the Sacrament only at Easter, neglecteth the repetition of the sermons, or prayer, yea it thinketh on no such matter, nay the lesse the better, yea especially it never useth any stirring or searching meanes, but the lesse they use such meanes, the stronger is their perswasion, howsoever sometimes comming to the meanes, they have a little unsettled and disturbed their thoughts. Faith is the stronger for means: presumptiō is the stronger for want of the true means indeed, not using any more than their own devotions and blinde superstition.

9. Faith abideth even in affliction, in sicknesse, trouble, losse of friends, goods, and health, &c. for it seeth God still p. 449as a mercifull father, even when he frownes, and can kisse his afflicting hand. Also it holdeth up its head in some measure (though not without conflicts) in times of persecutions and oppositions. But Presumption faileth at such times, and one pricke of a pinne will let out this blowne bladder. It is nipt in the head in time of trouble, and becommeth like a stone as Nabal, or sometimes being awaked out of his false confidence, it falleth into the contrary extreme, even to despaire: As Iob saith, Will hee call upon God at all times so say I, Will hee beleeve at all times? And in time of persecution his great brags come to nothing, but turns plaine craven, as we see in Peter for a season. Though all men deny thee, yet will not I: I will go to prison and dye with thee, &c. yet see what it came to: But prevailingly & deadly, p. 450see it in Doctor Pendletons example.Act. & Mon. Faith makes no hast out of trouble by any unlawfull meanes: presumption careth not much how nor by what meanes deliverance comes, so they bee out of their trouble.

By these let every one of us trie our selves, that true beleevers may receive comfort; and those that presume may bee humbled in the want of true faith, to wit, such as are bold, without ground, get it at ease, and shew no fruits, would have all from God, but returne nothing to him againe in token of thankfulnesse. It is presumption, the divell and your selves, who have beguiled you. If you looke not better to it, and get a better foundation, your conceites like a Castle of comedownes will lie in your necke, and presse you to hell.

And because thou presumest p. 451upon mercy by late repentance, and crying, Lord have mercy upon me, know, that thousands bee now in hell for this tricke: for though God hath promised mercy to the humble, yet not to the presumptuous; and that many such as presume have not had so much time, or if they had, yet God hath pronounced that not every one that saith, Lord, Lord, shall bee accepted of him, Mat. 7. 22.

Having almost finisht this Treatise of Faith,How to live by Faith. I thinke meet to adde yet one thing as very needfull, to wit, how wee may use our faith, and what benefit we may make of it, which is not onelyonly to have it, and to bee saved by it when wee goe hence, but to live by it here: for we may have use of it at every turne, in every estate wee are or may bee in, and in all things that wee goe about: which is not knowne or practised (not p. 452only not of the world wh… have no faith) but even of many Christians that have it, and yet know not to use it, and s… it on worke in every thing … they ought; and thereby li… the worse, and have lesse comfort. As a man that hath a weapon but no skill in handling it, who may be wounded by his adversary for all that. And as a man may have an herbe in his garden, and yet not knowing the use of it, may endure a great deale a paine, whereas by the right use of it hee might have eased himselfe of his griefe and sores.

This is called Living by Faith, which is a thing required by God of his people, Hab. 2. 4. where God having threatned judgement against the Iewes by the Babylonians, doth afterwards promise deliverance againe, but not yet.

What then (may one say) p. 453shall become of the people of God in the meane time? They shall live by Faith, and depending upon God, waite for the …ccomplishment of his graci…us promises, The just man …hall not only live eternally by …is faith, but even here also in his life they shall live by faith, …nd that a comfortable life notwithstanding many troubles, …at they are subject here to …eet with.

This living by faith is to feed …pon the severall promises of …od made in his Word, and to …pply them to our owne selves, …ccording to all our needs, and …uphold comfort, and encou…age our selves, against temp…tion & unto every good duty. …ore plainely and fully thus. …od hath made promises in his …ord to us of all sorts, most …recious and comfortable, …hich hee would have us to …leeve and depend on, and p. 454that will make our lives comfortable.

For the Lord knowing that our lives have many difficulties, temptations, duties to bee performed, and that wee are to meete with many crosses, hath (purposing to helpe us in all these, as alas else wee shall fall short) made us promises of his ayde, assistance, protection, and deliverance, that wee might beleeve and waite, till wee see the accomplishment of them; which if we beleeve, they shall be fulfilled in due time to our comfort; but if wee beleeve them not, wee lose the benefit of them. God hath made promises of all kindes of things spirituall, temporall, and eternall. Spirituall, as that hee … forgive our sinnes, and remember our iniquities no more; Ier. 31. 34 that wee shall be all taught of Go… and have his Law written in … hearts, that if wee aske the … p. 455Ghost, hee shall hee given us; Luk 11. 13. that his grace shall bee sufficient for us; 2 Cor. 12. 13. that hee will never depart from us, and that hee will put his feare in our hearts, that wee shall never depart from him, Ier. 33. 42. that hee will bee with us to the worlds end, Math. 28. 20. and that hee will finish the worke hee hath begun, Phil. 1. 6.

And some of these promises he hath made to all Christians, some particularly to some sorts; as to the hungry, that they shall be satisfied, Math. 5. 6. to the weary, that they shall bee refreshed, and to mourners that they shall be comforted, Luk. 4. 18. Mat. 11. 28.

So to this and that vertue, as to faith, they that beleeve shall not perish, but have eternall life. Ioh. 3. 16. They that trust in the Lord shall never bee moved or confounded, Psal. 125. 1.

To obedience, see the innumerable p. 456promises, Deut. 28. and Levit. 26. besides else-where. To patience, that the patient abiding of the righteous shall bee gladnesse, Proverbs. To perseverance, he that holdeth out to the end shall be saved, Math. 24. 13. they that bee faithfull to the death, shall have the crowne of life, Apoc. 2. 10. To uprightnesse, Psal. 84. 11.

To the feare of God there are also innumerable promises, and to them that love God.

Also to every good dutie, as to the hearing the word, that wheresoever two or three he gathered together, there Christ will bee in the middest of them, Math. 18: To prayer, whatsoever wee aske according to his will and in his Sonnes name shall bee granted, 1 Ioh. 5. 14. Ioh. 16. 23.

To meditation, conference, and to the use of the Sacrament, that God will bee with us, blessing our labours.

p. 457Of temporarie things, as, both preservation from all evill things, as, hee will keepe his under the shadow of his wings, Psal. 91. 2. 3. watch over and preserve us as the Apple of his eye, Zach. 2. 8. That also hee will give his Angels charge of us to keepe us in all our wayes, Psal. 91. 11. That he will save us in the fire and …he water, that they shall not burne… drowne us, Esa. 43. 2. And giving of good things, God will not faile us nor forsake us, Heb. 13. 5. and that all these things shall bee ministred unto us, Math. 6. 33. that those who feare God shall want nothing that is good, Psal. 34. 10. that wee shall eate the fruit of their labours, Psal. 128. 1.

Yea in our troubles and afflictions, that he will lay no more on us than hee will enable us to beare, 1 Cor. 10. 13. but will give an issue with the temptation; that all things shall worke together for our good, Rom. 8. 28. that he will p. 458deliver us out of them in due time, Psal. 34. 19. Great are the troubles of the righteous, but the Lord delivers them out of all, &c. Hee will deliver us in sixe troubles, and the seventh shall not hurt us, Iob 5. 19Job 5:19Call upon me in time of trouble, and I will heare thee, and thou shalt praise …ee, Psal. 50. 15. Thus also he hath made to the faithfull promises of heavenly and eternall things, as, that after the labours of this life ended, hee will translate our soules to his heavenly Kingdome: This day shalt thou be with mee in Paradise, Luk. 23. 43. And this is implyed in the Parable, where the Angells carry up Lazarus soule into heaven, Luk.16. Hee that overcomes shall inherit all things, and shall sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set downe with my father on his throne, Apoc. 3. 21. Also of a glorious resurrection of our bodies, Who shall change our vile p. 459body, and make it like to his glorious body, Phil. 3. 21. It is sowne in corruption, but shall bee raised in incorruption, 1. Corinth. 15. 42. Also of eternall life in both soule and body after the day of judgement, as in 1. Thes. 4. 17. Then wee shall bee ever with the Lord. And Matth. 25. 34. Come yee blessed of my father, inherit the kingdome prepared for you. Iohn 10. My sherpe heare my voice, and I give them eternall life, and will raise them up at the last day.

There be generall promises to all that feare God, and particular promises to some kindes of persons, as to them that suffer persecution for righteousnesse sake,Matth. 5. 11. to the orphanes, widowes, strangers. There bee absolute promises, and promises conditionall. Conditionall bee the promises of things temporall, which God will fulfill to his children, as shall stand with his glory p. 460and their best good. Absolute promises are they of things spirituall and eternall, to wit, that hee will not faile to give so much grace to his, as shall bee sufficient for their salvation, and at last eternall life.

Also there be direct promises in the Scripture, and promises by consequent. The direct we have heard, as that which was made to Abraham of a sonne, Gen. 18. also to Paul, that not one in the ship should lose his life, Act. 27. By consequent, as thus. If we finde any promise made to one godly man in Scripture, and no speciall reason expressed why it should be peculiar to him, then wee may take it as a promise made to us, as being also the children of God. Thus the Apostle, Heb. 13.5. disswading from coveteousnesse, useth a reason from a promise which was made to Ioshua, I will not faile thee; but p. 461yet pertaines to all Gods people.

2. Whensoever we see that any of Gods people have prayed for any good things, and beene heard, if it were not peculiar to them, we may take it as a promise to us, and looke for the sames as David Psal. 22. 4. encourageth himselfe to speede, Our fathers trusted in thee, and thou didst deliver them, they trusted in thee, and were not confounded, they praied to thee, and were delivered.

5. Whensoever wee see God hath done any thing for his children (which was not peculiar) we should expect that hee will doe the like to us; for God loveth all his children, and whatsoever is written, is written for our learning, Rom. 15. 4. Thus Saint Iames exhorting to patience in trouble, useth Iobs example, Iam. 5. 11.Jas 5:11Ye have heard of the patience of Iob, and have seene p. 462the end of the Lord, meaning that wee shall have such an end too, if wee be patient as hee was.

Now then God having made such excellent and sweet… promises of all kindes, our part is to beleeve and apply them to ourselves, and they shall bee fulfilled to our comfort.

And thus are wee to doe for our spirituall or temporall life, and also for our eternall. For our spirituall life, for our salvation, our sanctification, and perseverance therein, and the meanes thereof; for in all these stands our spirituall life, and wee have promises of every of these, which if we beleeve, wee shall have a spirituall and comfortable life.

As first for my salvation; When I beleeve still, and every day hold fast this, that I am the Lords (so I awake as the Lords to day as well as yesterday, and p. 463so lye downe at night, knowing that once the Lords and ever the Lords, and that whom be loveth, bee loveth them to the end) therefore (I say) I hold fast (by leading a godly life, and renewing my repentance and my covenant with God) the perswasion that I am still the Lords, as he hath before received me to mercy, and his mind varieth and changeth not. This is to live by faith in one part, and what a comfort is this still to hold fast my faith? And that not onelyonly when I feele the favour of God, but when all seemes contrary, yet then to beleeve still, is to live by faith; so that whatsoever temptation of Sathan, or my owne unbeleefe, or want of feeling commeth in the way, yet to hold out this shield of faith to quench the fiery darts of all Sathans temptations, this is to live by faith.

p. 464So in the matter of my sanctification I have great use of my faith, to further me therein, both for the avoiding of evill and doing good. For I must doe this or that duety, because I know its the will of God, and not do the contrary, because its forbidden, not for this or that sinister reason.

First for the resisting of evill, as mine owne strong corruptions; these must be mastered: but how? I must resist and strive against them: but when as I may thinke and feele I shall never prevaile over them, then I must live by faith, grounded on Gods promises, as, God hath said his grace shall bee sufficient. And this with such promises will encourage us to set against them, when by faith we beleeve that God hath promised, and will help us, and blesse our labours; or else wee shall resist with no courage. So againe wee must p. 465resist the devill. Yea but what likelihood is there that wee should prevaile, he being as hee is, and wee as wee bee? Hath God made no promise to helpe in this case? Yes, hee hath said, Resist the devill and hee shall flye from you, Iam. 4. 7. So for the world (which wee have to oppose) God hath told us, that greater who that is in us, than hee that is in the world, 1. Io. 44 Now we resisting thus by faith in assurance of victory, shall fight the more comfortably: so that if the flesh object and say. I know not how I can scape being carried away of the world; the answer hereunto is, Live by faith. So for doing the contrary good; God calleth for many dueties at our hands: as from the Magistrate, Minister, Householder; how shall we do these duties, seeing we have no power? live by faith: for hath not God said, feare not, I will be with p. 466thee, as to Moses, Exod. 3. and 4. so to Ieremy, cap. 1. Say not I am a childe, for thou shalt goe to all that I shall send thee.

So that here is use of our faith, to encourage us to goe about any duty God calleth for of us; seeing hee will enable us to it.

So to the duty of mercifulnesse, or any such, God hath promised not to forget our labour of love, which wee have shewed towards his name, in that wee have ministred to the Saints, and doe minister; but will reward the same both in this world and the world to come, Heb. 12. 6.

So for defending the truth against cavillers, or before Rulers. Alas I cannot tell what to say, I shall shame all. Feare not but live by faith. God hath said, it shall bee given thee in that same houre what thou shalt speake, Math. 20. 19. and, I will give, thee a mouth and wisedome, which all your adversaries shall not bee p. 467able to gainesay or resist, Luk. 21. 15. But I may be called to suffer persecution ere I dye, and alas I feele no fitnesse nor ability to endure the fiery tryall. Well, care not for to morrow; doe the present duties which God requireth, and spend thy time well, and then leave that to God, and live by faith: he will give us strength whose power is perfected in our weaknesse.

So for perseverance in our Christian course, how shall we doe this, we see no strength in our selves nor likelihood that wee shall hold out, but have cause rather to feare the contrary; for there are so many adversaries which daily oppose us, that they may hinder us in our course?

And againe such grievous sicknesse, long paine, and trouble, as I may easily sinke or be impatient. Care not for hereafter, which is a sinne as well in spirituall p. 498as temporall things, but let us commend our selves to God, assuring our selves that he who hath begun his good worke will finish it.

So for the means of grace, as using the Word, Sacrament, prayer, meditation, conference, here is great use of faith; for what heart can we have to use these meanes, but when wee by faith use them, beleeving that God will blesse them to us, for right ends and encrease of his graces? for he that blesseth mens-outward labours, will not bee wanting to our spirituall endeavours. This heartens us to take paines in them, yea when wee have felt no benefit by them for a time, yet to, beleeve and waite, and use them still: So that though Sathan perswade us to forbeare them, saying, Thou gettest no good by them, but rather aggravates thy sinne, and increasest thy condemnation. p. 469Well, yet I will use them, seeing God hath promised to be with them that use them carefully. If I goe by Sea or Land in great danger, oh what shall I doe? live by faith in Gods promise of protection, in all thy wayes, as Ezra 8. 25. and 31. compared: so Iacob when hee heard that Esau was comming against him; prayed, beleeved, and went on.

For our temporall life, here is also great use of faith: daily it is requisite, that every one have a Calling, in which to live and serve Gods providence for his maintenance. Now it is requisite first, that wee be sure that our Calling be a lawfull Calling.

Secondly, that it bee our calling, and not anothers into which wee have intruded our selves; for then if it bee an unlawfull calling or not our calling, we can looke for no p. 470blessing. But if wee have our calling from God, and walke in it with a good conscience, then may we first assure our selves of Gods protection, who will care for us himselfe, and hath given his Angels charge to keepe us in all our wayes, and therefore may bee comforted whether wee be at home or abroad, on horsebacke or on foot: in respect of our selves, night and day that God will watch over us, and no ill shall fall out; and for our change also and family in our absence, so long as we are called by God to be from them, as the Lord promised, Exod. 34 23. 24.

So for successe in our lawfull businesses, when we have used the meanes, and commended the same to God by prayer, wee should live by faith, and take no carking care for the event, for this is to overload our selves needlesly and vainely; p. 471and it is Gods part, which wee ought not to incroach upon, but leave it to the ordering and disposing of his wise providence, and being assured that hee will giuegive that successe that shall be best, wee should rest in this, and quiet our selves.

So when we are about a bargaine, wee should use the best and wisest lawfull meanes wee can, and then commit it to God, and so bee at rest, and avoide those scornes that the world pull upon themselves, pining themselves with care, and casting in their heads, and breaking their sleepe: Oh but how if I should not have this bargaine, if any should come betweene …e and home; if the party should not bee at home when I send, or will not stand to his word? how if this and that should come betweene and hinder my bargaine? So for time to come, wee must leave p. 472that to God, fayling of no lawfull meanes, but yet using them without any carking care. How shall I doe if I should bee lame▪ when I am old, or when my lease is out? live by faith, and God will provide against all these doubts and difficulties.

So for our children; how shall my children doe for maintenance? let us goe as farre as we can, and leave the rest to God who is all-sufficient to provide for them, and to perfect all that wherein we are defective. A…d this we shall finde to be a great quietnesse to our mindes. So when crosses come, there is great use of our faith. The Lord hath thus disposed of it, …e will turne all to good, and lay no more upon me than he will enable mee to beare, and make a good end in his due time. And so whether we have meanes or none, little or great, yet let us live by faith, having the promise p. 473of a strong, mercifull, and just God, and not limit the Lord for the time of our deliverance, nor for the meanes whereby wee shall bee delivered, but leave it to him, depending upon him, who hath said hee will not faile nor forsake any of his, & if they call on him in their trouble, he will deliver them. And so bee patient and waite without discomfort or breaking out into murmuring and impatiency; yea still waite, though helpe come not by and by, and so soone as thou expectest and desirest. So also in respect of our eternall life, wee must live by Faith, namely, that wee shall one day come to it, and herewith encourage our selves in our painefull labours, and all the crosses of this life, knowing and beleeving that heaven will pay for all, and that our momentary and light afflictions shall bee abundantly recompensed p. 474by that eternall weight of glory which they cause unto us.

In the end of our life wee have also neede of Faith to assure our selves of a happy departure, and bee bold to let our soules goe, knowing (though devills swarme in the aire like flies) yet the holy Angells shall carry up our soules into the joyes of heaven; and also wee may commit comfortably our miserable body to the grave, in assured hope of a glorious resurrection unto glory and blessednesse, and so of eternall happinesse with God both in soule and body for ever.

This living by faith God requireth, and bids us we should put our faith to use; as Ephes. 6. 16. we are commanded to take it to us as a shield, so that wee should not onelyonly have it to bee saved by, but daily and hourely to use it, and live by it.

p. 475Thus have the holy servants of God done in all ages, Abraham after God had made him a beleever, is called out of his country from house and home, and kindred, to goe whither God should shew him, but hee knew not whither; so that as blind folkes follow their guide, so hee followed God and lived by faith.

So it was promised him that in his seede should all the Nations of the earth bee blessed, and yet hee had no childe, nor no likelihood of any; hee being old, and his wife also old, and barren at best, yet hee beleeved and waited upon God for the accomplishment of his promise, and consulted not with reason, but cast himselfe wholly upon Gods word and promise, and at last had Isaac. And when hee had him, in time hee is bidden to goe and offer him up to God, notwithstanding this crosse p. 476(the Messias being to come of his seede) crost his salvation, and of all the world: and yet he obeyed, and for the promise let the Lord alone for that; knowing that hee that made it was able to keepe it, and to breake it his truth would not suffer him. Being asked, here i… the wood, but where is the sacrifice? he answered that God would provide one; Oh unspeakeable Faith. Noah also lived by faith, as wee see in his story, both in making the Arke, and getting in of the creatures: he disputed not how shall wee ever bee preserved in this stinch of the creatures of the Arke? nor what should become of them when all were drowned; hee made no such questions, but did all in Faith, went in and continued there by Faith, and came out by Gods appointment.

So Isaac lived by Faith, waiting p. 477for the promise of a seede, in whom all Nations should be blessed; the which came not of twenty yeares after, and yet he waited, not changing his wife, nor taking any other, but relied upon God by faith in the use of lawfull meanes. And so beleeving hee conveyed the blessing to his posterity by Faith.

Iacob did so in all his troubles, in going downe to Mesopotamia, in returning when hee heard of Esaus comming against him with foure hundred men. For then did hee comfort and strengthen himselfe by grounding his faith upon Gods promise; O Lord, thou that saiest returne into thy country, and to thy kinred, and I will deale well with the, deliver mee I pray thee from the hand of my brother; and so using the meanes, hee went o…. But how should he scape his fingers? God promised to doe him good, that is enough for him.

p. 478And thus hee gave commandement to be buried in Canaan in token of his Faith, beleeving that his posterity should inherit that land.

So Ioseph gave commandement of his bones, and Moses, Heb. 11. 25. 26. David likewise notably lived by Faith, in all his troubles, as it is to bee seene in his Psalmes; in greatest dangers commending himselfe to God, and refusing to helpe himselfe unlawfully by hurting Saul, because God had promised him the Kingdome: Though an hoast (saith hee) pitched against me, yet mine heart shall not feare, Psal. 27. So Psal. 23. 4. Not but that sometimes his Faith was shaken a little (for neither he nor the rest had beene men if they had been perfect) but they recovered it againe, and lived by Faith.

So hee did notably discover his living by Faith, 1. Sam. 30. 6. p. 479For when the Philistines had burnt Ziklag, and the people ready to stone him, it is said that hee comforted himselfe in the Lord his God, and said, Into thy hands I commed my spirit: thou hast redeemed mee O Lord God of truth, Psal. 31. 5.

So Nehemiah, cap. 1. when he heard of the misery of his people, fell to prayer, clinging to a promise that he knew made by God, that hee had read and markt out of Deutronomie: and so in other things.

So Ezra would not aske the King a guard to go with them, though the way were full of danger, but committed himselfe and his company by Faith to Gods keeping.

And Mordecai discovered his Faith in his speech sent to Hester, Hest. 4. 14. namely, that if she failed to speake to the king in the behalfe of her nation, God would send deliverance p. 480to his Church some other way. Some other way? which way trow you did hee see? nay that he could not tell: Indeede if shee had used her best skill, it had beene much to expect a recalling of such a decree, and there had beene use of Faith. But though she should faile, yet to beleeve God would helpe some other way, this argued a great Faith. And why was hee so confident? because he knew they were the Church of God; and therefore that they could not be cut off.

So Ester her selfe being thus urged, used the meanes, and said, If I die, I die, I will doe it by the helpe of God; a worthy Faith, as we would easily see if wee knew and weighed well her case. Such a Faith was in Iob, that said, If God killed him he would put his trust in him, Iob 13. 15. Thus also Paul lived by Faith, both for spirituall life, p. 481Rom. 7. and for temporall life, 2. Tim. 4. 17. 18. and for eternal… life, 2. Tim. 4. 7. 8.

So the Martyrs, as appeareth by their couragious and faithful speeches in extremities of danger: As, that if God sent no meate, hee would send no hunger: That their enemies could do no more than God would suffer them; and that either God would abate the force of the fire, or else increase their strength. As also wee see this in their faithfull commending their soules into the hand of God: Lord Iesus, receive my spirit.

So many godly Saints in our times have shewed their confidence by their comfortable speeches both in life and death.

For our further provocations hereto,Reason. understand some reasons. It is a great glory to God that we live by Faith: For then wee make him a God inindeed, p. 482when wee trust him on his bare word against reason, and when wee see nothing to perswade us, but rather the contrary. Then wee make him our God, when wee so put our confidence in him, and in prosperitie and adversity, when we have meanes or no meanes, for our soules, bodyes, for us our selves, and for our friends and family, for this and the other life.

As Ioseph tooke this most kindely of his Master, and esteemed it the greatest benefit that he could have bestowed on him, that hee trusted him with all hee had, Gen. 39. 8. so God takes it well at our hands when wee trust him on his word, seeing it is a putting to our seale unto it; though herein wee should doe no more than there is wonderfull cause wee should, yet we are weake to doe it: Lord increase our faith, and p. 483pardon our unbeleefe. And therefore God hath recorded the examples of beleevers, as taking such pleasure in them as he would not have them forgotten, and for our learning. The contrary, how dishonourable is it to God the faithfull and true witnesse!

2. It is a wonderfull benefit to our selves, and maketh our life sweet; For it freeth us from much heart-griefe, carking care and sorrow, & much unprofitable trouble we put our selves to; as might easily appeare, if wee should examine particulars. And what a comfort every of these is to beleeve them: As first for our spirituall life, daily to hold fast the assurance of the favour of God.

Also in the matter of sanctification, what a heartening is this to resist evill, and to doe any good duty, when we beleeve God will be with us, in the one p. 484and the other, to give us helpe against our corruptions, or Sathans temptations, and to enable us to any duty he calleth us to. So what a comfort to beleeve our perseverance, notwithstanding wee thinke of Sathan, and the worlds power and our weaknesse, and whe… wee heare of the falls of goodly ones, who seemed of fa… greater strength than we.

So what an encouragement is this to the Word, Sacrament, Prayer, when wee beleeve wee shall get good by them? So for our temporall life, looke over the particulars of that.

And for our eternall life, what a comfort is it that when our troubles be many and great yet wee may ease our selves, by considering of the blessed en… of all, when wee shall enjoy everlasting rest with God in heaven? So in our death, when w… can boldly commend our selves… p. 485our soules and bodies unto God as unto a faithfull Saviour, who will safely keepe them to the last day, 2 Tim. 1. 12. On the contrary side, what a miserable thing it is not to have use of our faith in these things? As, for our spirituall life to be ever and anon doubting wee are not the Lords, what a life is this? what heart can wee have to strive against our corruptions, or Sathans temptations, when wee feare wee shall never prevaile over them? So that wee shall never hold out, but lose all at the end, especially if persecution should come.

So for duties to bee performed, which (for want of faith) wee sometimes omit, or withdraw our selves from such duties as wee be called to, or doe them untowardly. So what heart can wee have to the meanes, when we doubt wee shall get no good by them?

p. 486So for our temporall life, what a miserie is it to bee ever in feare, to goe out in feare, and be abroad with a distrustfull fearing minde?

So when wee have used the meanes and prayed, yet to bee distracted with care, breake our sleepe, lye tossing, and so waste our bodyes with griefe, and make our selves unfit for other good duties. If we had the greatest thing in the world in hand, when wee had used the meanes once, wee should lay our heads downe in Gods lappe, as quiet as if wee had nothing to doe: but alas, if we have but a small thing in hand, we so trouble our selves, as wee be unfit for holy dutyes, and all for want of more faith.

So in troubles, what a misery is it to be weake in faith then? For wee hereby fall to impatience on the one side, or on the other to be strucke like a stone, p. 487or ready to use unlawfull meanes, when wee cannot beleeve that God will blesse those that are lawfull.

So for time to come, what a misery is it to bee alwayes in suspence, and doubtfull of the issue of all our labours?

So for our children, when we cannot beleeve that hee who is our God will also bee the God of our seed, and will take care to provide for them, when both we and all our meanes faile.

So for our eternall life, what a pitifull thing is this, and what wrong to our selves, when wee are weake and wavering about that in our great troubles, and in the end of our life, when we are going hence?

3. Hereby our faith shall be greatly encreased, for, use faith & have faith, as they say of legs and of memory: whereas the not setting it on worke is a cause it is so weake.

p. 4884. Thus shall the promises be accomplished, and wee get many good things at the hand of God, and else not, so that wee misse many a good turne by our unbeleefe.

Now if all this bee so,Vse. then must wee needes acknowledge that most men be in an ill case; for few will bee found to live by Faith.

First, for the most part they have no Faith; and therefore they cannot live by Faith. Ignorant, prophane, civill worldlings, these are quite without Faith, and some that make better shew, that yet fall short of true Faith.

They live by other rules;False rules. as first, by carnall and naturall reason, thinking if they follow their calling, and pay every man his owne, and live orderly, and keep their Church, that God will hold them excused, if there be somewhat amisse, and p. 489they shall be both blest and doe well here, and be saved hereafter, or else God helpe. If such should not do well who are not borne againe, Iohn 3. 3. our whole nature being so vile, as we must not be restrained only, but universally changed anew, theirs were very strickt: but this is a false rule; for our Saviour Christ told the Scribes & Pharisees, that they should not enter into the Kingdome of heaven, nor any other, except their righteousnesse exceeded theirs.

The yongue man in the Gospell had done thus at the height, yet there was somewhat wanting to bring him to the Kingdome of heaven, to wit, to sell all and follow Christ, which he could not do without Faith. Many among the Heathens, their Philosophers and wise men among them especially, went thus farre, and yet came short.

p. 4902. Also they live by sense only, and not by Faith; as farre as they see, they will beleeve, but no further. If they have meanes, then they are jolly, if not, then dead, and shift as they can.

If God promise to a duety done a reward of blessing, if God stoppe into their hand and give them a pawne, they will beleeve, but if it be but his bare word, (as to give all to the poore) they dare not take that. Yet if a rich man come to them for forty or a hundred pound, and tell them they shall have it with increase at the quarters end, they will let him have it cheerfully, and trust him: If he say, you shall have a pawne also if you please for better security; No, saith hee, I will trust you for more than that: if I have but your word or have it under your hand for mortality sake, it is sufficient. But yet p. 491they will not give to the poor, which is to lend to the Lord, though hee promise to repay it with advantage; yea though hee have given it under his hand. Esau lived by sense, choosing the pottage before the birth-right. Moses lived by faith, choosing rather to be in adversity with Gods people under the hope and promise of deliverance out of Egypt, than to live still in Pharaohs Court, and there for the present to enjoy the pleasures of sinne, and preferments of the world.

If they commit their children to a rich man who is their friend, oh they are very glad, but not so confident and comfortable to commit them to God. If a great man promise to deliver them out of a trouble, they are quiet & secure, but though the Lord promise so, they are not comforted. Now p. 492all this is because they live by sense, and what they see they beleeve, and not by faith in God, whom they see not: and therefore they will not beleeve him. If they have wealth to leave their children they are comforted, if not, they distrust Gods promise, & choose rather to get riches by deceit, than to rest upon his word in the use of just and true dealing.

So they live in that course of life that is most plausible in the world, and not in that whereto God hath made his promise, as Moses did. In time of persecution they take the easiest way, and thinke them fooles that lose here, in hope of future gaine.

3. They live by presumption, making no question but that their state is good, and that God will not suffer them to want, and that hee will save them at their death, when hee p. 493never said any such thing, nor they bee the partyes to whom his promises are made. Or else if their case be not presently good, yet they can call to God for mercy, and then all shall bee well. What a saucie boldnesse is this to challenge great things of God, which he never promised, to reape where he never sowed? As if one should come to a man and aske him twenty pound, saying, I know you will give mee it; Why, (will he say) did I ever promise you? if I did, I will be as good as my word, if not, thou art a bold fellow, in presuming to obtaine so groundlesse a suit.

4. Also they live after their owne lusts, every one as their heart leads them, either wholly or in part, not crossing themselves of their will. It is for their profit, their pleasure, their minde, and therefore they will p. 494doe it; If they bee in danger they will helpe themselves with a lye, a false oath, going to a Witch, and thinke it folly if they should not. These bee false and wicked rules, which make ill worke, and lead men to destruction.

Now if all this bee so, then how much may we bewaile the estate of the most that live among us, in that, that after such meanes of faith, so few will bee found true beleevers. For take out the five sorts that be here mentioned, who are no true beleevers, and how many will be left? But let us know their misery that are without true faith, and what punishments remaine for such among us as live and die without it.

And therefore Ministers are to be exhorted to preach Faith more carefully, and the people to labour for this above all, and to know by what steps they p. 495may come unto it.

Secondly, it serveth also to rebuke the servants of God, and such as have faith, that yet have little use or benefit of it, but live too much by sense (as was said before and as might plainly appeare if wee should examine the particulars,) whereby they dishonour God, and draw out an uncomfortable life full of misery oftentimes.

Oh what a happy life might we lead, if wee had this grace of faith? For what is it that makes us miserable at any time? our crosses, troubles? No, but this, that wee cannot depend upon God in these cases, for then we should be quiet, The servants of God have been cheerefull in great troubles, as Paul and Silus in the prison and stocks at midnight, Act. 16. The Martyrs cheerefull in prison, at the stake, in the fire, and p. 496have clapt their hands over their heads, to expresse the inward joy of their hearts. But wee dishonour God and disquiet our selves. And this is the reason, because our faith is no stronger, and we make so little use of it. And this is the cause that we misse many a good thing wee might have from God, if we did beleeve.

3. It serveth likewise for instruction, that seeing there is such a comfortable life to beeled, that wee would labour to grow better acquainted with it.

And to this end first, to know the promises of God scattered in his Word, and that wee gather them together; and get them written out, especially such as most concerne us. If we have an hearbe in our garden that would case our griefe, and wee know it not, what are wee the neerer? And so if we know not the promises, though p. 497they be in the booke, what are wee the better? If wee be to seeke when wee have need of them, wee may doe ill, though wee have them in our booke; for though sometimes God helpes his servants, that when they know not a promise, as soone as they in their trouble open the booke, they light upon a most fit place; yet this not to be trusted to.

2. Wee should remember them, and by Faith meditate on them, and apply them to our selves, and leane upon them as upon a rocke, fearing more that the earth should reele from you, and give you a fall, then the promises should faile you.

If wee had a most soveraigne medicine or cordiall, but have quite forgot where wee have laid it, it will little availe us when wee stand in need to have it presently applyed: and so it is in this case, seeing it is not

End of the text · John Rogers, The Doctrine of Faith (1627)