A Treatise of Faith, Part 1

A Treatise of Faith · Part 1

p. 1A TREATISE of Faith.

WHEREIN IS declared how a man may liue by faith, and finde reliefe in all his neceſſities.

IT is a matter much to bee lamented,Few attaine the end of the Goſpel. that in this cleere light of the Goſpell, ſo fewe attaine to the right end of the Goſpell, which is to liue by faith, as wee ſhall ſee by and by further laide open to ſuch as will conſider.

p. 2For to ſay nothing of all vnregenerate men, who neuer felt any worke of Faith for their true conuerſion, and therefore could neuer finde any ſound comfort of their ſaluation.

The matter that I complaine of is this, that many of Gods children, who hauehave ſome true faith and hope to bee ſaued by Chriſt, (as they profeſſe, and others in charitie are ſo to conceiue of them) doe not inioy that ſweet life and bleſſed eſtate in this world which God their Father hath prouided for them, and they full well might attaine, were not the fault in themſelues.

The truth hereof may appeare in theſe two things eſpecially.

Firſt, that ſo few doe hold faſt that ioy in the holy Ghoſt, which might comfort them ouer all the diſcouragements of this life, either in forgoing the ſweet delights of this world, or in patient bearing the manifold troubles of p. 3this life, which vſually are their portion.

Secondly, that ſo few doe caſt out ſuch a ſweet ſauour of holy conuerſation,Hoſe 14 8.Hos 14:8 as might make thoſe that dwell vnderunder their ſhadowe (as the Prophet ſpeaketh) to giuegive a ſent like the wine of Lebanon.

Or to ſpeake more plainely they be not many euen of thoſe who take vponupon them the Chriſtians profeſsion, who hauehave gotten that certainty of their ſaluation, & conſtancy in holy conuerſatiō which might abundantly comfort themſelues, and moue others to deſire & labour to be lik them.

To proue theſe to be ſo, is not hard, the life and practiſe of the moſt of our profeſſors daily witneſsing the truth hereof.

The conſideration of theſe, hath oft and long moued mee to ſeeke how this great euill might be redreſſed, and to make known by Gods word, how all Gods p. 4children may enioy this large allowance of their Father, to liue comfortably & to die happily ſo farre as in this vale of miſerie may be attained whatſoeuer ſhall be ſaid or done to the contrary by any aduerſarie notwithſtanding.

This ſeemeth vntounto me,Remedie. to bee notably ſet out vntounto vsus in that one ſentence,Hab. 2. 3.Hab 2:3 The iuſt ſhall liue by Faith; Rom. 1. 17.Rom 1:17which for the excellencie thereof is often repeated,Gal. 3. 11.Gal 3:11 both in the old and new Teſtament,Heb. 10. 38Heb 10:38 and confirmed by the examples of Gods worthy ſeruants in all ages, as is plentifully to be ſeene, Hebrews 11. The true meaning whereof is this, that the man who is now accounted iuſt and righteous before God, being iuſtified and ſanctified by Chriſt; as he firſt was made aliue by the holy Ghoſt through Faith, receiuing Chriſt: ſo likewiſe by the ſame faith he is to receiue in and from Chriſt, the continuance of p. 5this life, both in all comfort that he ſhall receiue all needfull bleſſings, and in all good conſcience, to yeeld vntounto God all required obedience: Wherein are laid downe two maine pillers of our holy profeſsion.

One,Two main pillers of our profeſſion. that all grace which wee want is alone in Chriſt, and from him to be receiued by vsus, that it may be ours.

The other, that all this grace which is in Chriſt for vsus, is made ours onelyonly by faith, whereupon followes this our principall concluſion, in this Treatiſe intended, that the onelyonly way to attaine to all comfort in Gods fauour, and conſcience to liue a godly life, by which alone our life and death be happie; is to get, keepe, and increaſe this precious gift of Faith, whereby alone we receiue Chriſt, 2 Pet. 1. 3.2 Pet 1:3and in him all things pertaining to life and godlineſſe.

Now to come to a more full opening, and ſo to a more plentifull p. 6vſe of theſe ſo heauenly matters, ſpecially for ſuch as moſt need helpe herein: this muſt bee laid as the foundation of all this building.

That man beeing created of God perfectly holy and happy, and hauing by his diſobedience vtterly loſt both, and caſt himſelfe and all his poſteritie into the contrary miſerie of ſinne and damnation, ſo that neither hee himſelfe, nor any other creature was able to deliuer him out of this miſerie, and reſtore him to his former happineſſe.

It pleaſed the diuine Maieſty to ordaine, that the ſecond perſon in Trinitie, the onelyonly begotten Sonne of the Father, ſhould aſſume and take to his diuine nature, the nature of Man, that ſo hee might become a meet Mediatour betweene God and Man, to which end the diuine Nature ſanctified the humane nature which he tooke, and filled it with p. 7all grace for vsus; whereby hee was made Ieſus Chriſt our Lord,Iohn 1. 16.John 1:16 That of his fulneſſe wee might receiue grace for grace, that is, in ſtead of that grace which God gaue man by creation, & he loſt by diſobedience, and God long before promiſed and ſhaddowed in the Ceremoniall law, and required in the Morall law, in ſtead hereof (I ſay) we hauehave in Chriſt fully and truely all grace needfull for our ſaluation, and to bring vsus to a farre more excellent eſtate then wee loſt by our tranſgreſsion.

All which are moſt ſufficiently by the Apoſtle drawne to foure heads.

But, 1 Cor. 1. 301 Cor 1:30yee are of him in Chriſt Jeſus, who of God is made to vsus wiſdome and righteouſneſſe, and ſanctification and redemption. In which Scripture I deſire more to be obſerued, ſpecially theſe two things as moſt pertaining to our purpoſe.

p. 81. Firſt,2 Obſeruations. that the Wiſdome, Iuſtification, Sanctification, and Redemption, whereby any ſinner naturally fooliſh, guiltie, defiled, and in bondage, is made wiſe, iuſtified, ſanctified, and redeemed, is all & alone in Chriſt, who is made of God vntounto vsus all of theſe; that is, hee himſelfe wrought all theſe things for vsus, and giues them freely to vsus, and no other way can any man hauehave any of theſe, but from and in Chriſt,We hauehave all grace in Chriſt. as is expreſſely ſaid in the firſt words of this verſe, where it is ſaid, that yee are of him, that is of God in Chriſt Jeſus: that is made by God one with Chriſt, ſet into him (by faith,) as ſhall in the ſecond generall point bee ſhewed.

the other ſpeciall point,2 Obſeruation. which I thinke meet in this forenamed Scripture to bee obſerued is this.Many ſeek to be iuſtified by Chriſt not to be ſanctified by him.

That whereas all who look to be ſaued by Chriſt in all the accuſations p. 9of their conſcience for any ſinne, doe runne to Chriſt alone for pardon of their ſinne: yet many of them being ouercome by their corrupt nature, and ſo falling into ſinne, doe pray to God for more grace to mortifie the ſame, and doe purpoſe and ſtriue to maſter it (both which muſt be done) but theſe men not ſo cleerely ſeeing, that all power to mortifie all ſinne, and to practiſe all good duties, lieth onelyonly in Chriſt, and muſt from him be receiued by vsus; that ſo we may preuaile, herein they faile, that not receiuing this power from Chriſt, nor well knowing how, doe loſe much labour, and in long time get ſmall victorie; yea, rather many times their corruptions get ſtrength ouer them.

The chiefe remedie of this euill I take to be this, that as wee obtaine pardon of ſinne, and be iuſtified by applying Chriſt vntounto p. 10our ſelues: ſo we in like manner muſt apply Chriſt vntounto our ſelues for our ſanctification, being no more able to purge our ſelues then to iuſtifie our ſelues.

This is liuely repreſented vntounto vsus by the parable of the Vine and the branches,Ioh. 18. 5.John 18:5 that as the branch receiues all ſap whereby it is fruitfull, from the Vine, ſo doe we from Chriſt; therefore hee himſelfe ſaith,Gal. 2: 20.Gal 2:20 (without me ye can doe nothing) and to like effect the Apoſtle ſpeaketh plainely, neuertheleſſe I liue, yet not I, but Chriſt liueth in me.

The reaſon hereof is as manifeſt, that mans nature beeing ſo wholly corrupted, that hee hath no inclination, much leſſe ability to doe Gods will, Chriſt taking mans nature hath ſo ſanctified it in his owne perſon, that it is able perfectly to pleaſe God, which puritie of his nature being in ſome meaſure communicated to vsus ſinners,2 Cor. 3. 182 Cor 3:18 we are changed into the p. 11ſame Image frō glory to glory, euen as by the Spirit of the Lord; which the Apoſtle Peter calleth to bee partakers of the Diuine nature. 2 Pet. 1. 4.2 Pet 1:4By all which and the like many, it is euidēt that as all our comfort for our full & free Iuſtification muſt be had from and in Chriſt alone, ſo all the power whereby wee may mortifie our corruptions, and performe all holy duties lyeth in Chriſt alone, and muſt bee had in and from him. And thus much for the former generall point, that all grace we want is in Chriſt.

Now for the ſecond that Chriſt,2. Of faith. and all grace in him, is receiued by faith, Wee are well to weigh the nature of this faith, what it is, and how it is gotten and kept: that ſo we may liue by it, wherein this is to bee remembred, that in this buſineſſe, we hauehave nothing to doe, but with a true ſauing faith, which is vſually termed a Iuſtifying faith,How iuſtified. not for that it p. 12doth properly for any worthineſſe in it ſelfe, or by any efficacie in it, make righteous, but only for that as a weake hand it receiueth Chriſt our righteouſnes, who hath fully wrought all righteouſneſſe for vsus, and freely beſtowed it on all thoſe who receiue him by this hand of Faith. Now then to ſay what this Iuſtifying Faith is, howſoeuer many learned Diuines hauehave diuerſly defined or deſcribed it; I conceiue the whole nature of it, may thus be ſufficiently ſet forth vntounto vsus.

Iuſtifying Faith is a beliefe of the Goſpell,What Iuſtifying faith is. wherby I receiue Chriſt offered to me in the ſame.

This is plainely to bee ſeene in this Scripture, among many others, Iohn 1. 12. But as many as receiued him, to them hee gaue power to be the ſonnes of God, euen to them that beleeued on his name. Which I deſire may be well conſidered, for that ſo many bee deceiued p. 13in this matter of Faith and that diuerſly: who all by the light of truth may bee drawne into the right way, and ſo finde that ſweet and precious fruit of Faith, which ſo few attaine vntounto. For the better vnderſtanding whereof, we are to obſerue two ſpeciall points pertaining to the nature of this Iuſtifying Faith.

1. Firſt, what it hath in common with all other kindes of faith.

2. Secondly what in ſpeciall, whereby it differeth from them all.

For the former,Faith is a beliefe. I call it a beleefe, which is a giuing credit to that which is ſpoken, whereby a man is aſſured that it is true which is ſpoken; which aſſurance may be more or leſſe, according to the perſwaſion we hauehave of the truth of the ſpeaker.

Now,What is to be beleeued. the matter the bee beleeued is here ſaid to be the Goſpell.

That is,Goſpell. the glad tydings of of reconciliation made by Chriſt p. 14Ieſus betweene God and man, which though it be diuerſly, and in ſundry ſpeeches ſet out vntounto vsus in holy Scriptures, yet all is moſt ſufficiently contained in this one ſentence deliuered by Chriſt himſelfe, Ioh. 3. 16. For God ſo loued the world, that he gaue his onelyonly begotten Sonne, that whoſoeuer beleeueth in him, ſhould not periſh, but hauehave euerlaſting life; wherein this is euident that the matter to be beleeued vntounto ſaluation is this.

That God the father mooued by nothing but his free louelove to mankinde loſt, hath made a deed of gift and grant of his Sonne Chriſt Ieſus vntounto mankinde, that whoſoeuer of all mankinde ſhall receiue this gift by a true and liuely faith, hee ſhall not periſh, but hauehave euerlaſting life, which the ſame Apoſtle expreſly ſaith, 1. Ioh. 5. 11. This is the record, that God hath giuen to vsus eternall life, and this life is in his Sonne, p. 15meaning, that this it is, which God hath witneſſed for vsus to beleeue, which hee that doth not, makes God a lyar; and ſhall moſt iuſtly be condemned; therefore this then is the firſt thing in true faith to be conſidered, that eueryevery ſoule to whom God ſendeth this meſſage of the Goſpell doe truely beleeue and giuegive credit vntounto it to bee true, that God hath made grant of Chriſt to ſinners, ſo that if he accept this grant, he ſhall bee ſaued. This is that faith which in ſchooles is called hiſtoricall, becauſe it goeth no further then to giuegive aſſent and credit to the ſtory of that which God ſpeaketh to be true, which one may beleeue for another; and therefore this cannot be true iuſtifying faith, and this may be in thoſe that knowe they are bidden to the wedding, yet refuſe to come. So that though this bee neceſſary to true iuſtifying faith, yet it is not ſufficient: therfore in p. 16iuſtifying faith there is required another and more ſpeciall work; namely, to receiue Chriſt, and life in him offered in the Gospell, which was the ſecond generall point to bee conſidered in the nature of this iuſtifying faith. Namely, that beſide the aſſent of the mind and iudgment to the truth of the Goſpell,The ſecond ſpeciall worke of faith, is to receiue Chriſt offered vsus in the Goſpell. wee giuegive conſent with our heart and will, and ſo willingly and gladly accept Gods gift of Chriſt, whereby indeede he is become ours, and we his: and ſo we in him be made partakers of all things pertaining to life and godlineſſe, 2. Pet. 1. 3.2 Pet 1:3as the Apoſtle Peter ſpeaketh, where I would hauehave this ſpecially to be marked, that hee ſaith, this is by the knowledge or acknowledging of him, which I vnderſtand to be by true faith, whereby we know and acknowledge Chriſt to be ours.

This I the rather obſerue, for that I ſee ſome honeſtly minded, herein beguiled, to imagine that p. 17a man may be a true member of Chriſt, and ſo be iuſtified, before he thus actually beleeue, and thereby apprehend Chriſt. I deny not but that ſome weake in faith may feare that they do not beleeue, and that they hauehave not apprehended Chriſt when in deede they hauehave apprehended him, though they feele it not; who may be diſcerned partly by their heauineſſe for want of ſenſe of faith, but eſpecially by their louelove they beare to God ſhewed manifold waies, whereof we ſhall here more in the triall of faith.

But that he who neuer apprehended Chriſt by beleeuing, ſhould ordinarily bee a member of Chriſt, I cannot ſee; ſure I am, the Scripture conſtantly ſpeaketh otherwiſe, as Iohn 12. As many as receiued him, Gal. 3 26.Gal 3:26to them hee gaue power to bee the ſonnes of God, euen to them that beleeue in his name. Gal. 2. 20.Gal 2:20And to like effect often, that we are all the children of God p. 18by faith in Chriſt Ieſus, That wee liue by faith of the Sonne of God, That Chriſt dwelleth in our hearts by faith.Eph. 3. 17.Eph 3:17

In which and the like many, it is euident that faith is the Inſtrument whereby wee receiue Chriſt our righteouſnes and life. And this is the conſtant opinion of all found Diuines ſo farre as I know.

Thus then we ſee that the very nature of faith conſiſteth in the true acceptation of Chriſt proclaimed in the Goſpell.How faith is gotten.

Now followeth to be conſidered how this faith is to be obtained and increaſed, that ſo we may liue by it, wherein wee hauehave theſe two points to be obſerued.

1. Firſt,2. point. what is the ground of faith?1.

2. Secondly,2. how faithis hereon builded.

But before, this blocke (at which ſo many ſtumble) is to be remooued, That wee yet ſpeake p. 19not how a man that hath faith may know it to bee ſo (whereof more in his place) but how one that indeede hath not apprehended Chriſt by faith may attaine vntounto it. So that here onelyonly we ſeeke the cauſes which beget this faith, not the effects of faith, which only prooue we hauehave it.

Many not diſcerning this difference doe much miſtake,Cauſes and effects of faith differing. and being asked what cauſed them to beleeue, they ſay, becauſe they hauehave truely repented, and changed their courſe of life, which if it proceede not from faith, is not ſo much as a ſound proofe of faith, much leſſe can it bee any cauſe to drawe them to beleeue,

By which miſtaking it comes to paſſe, that ſuch perſons building their faith vponupon their life, (which is ſubiect to many changes) can neuer hauehave ſound and ſtedfaſt faith) but a ſtaggering & vnconſtant opiniō at the beſt. We p. 20hauehave neede therefore to looke for a more ſure ground whereon to build our faith, which muſt ſtand againſt ſo many and mighty ſtormes wherewith it is ſo vſually aſſaulted.

The onelyonly firme ground of this ſauing faith is Gods truth reuealed in his word,The onelyonly ground of faith is Gods truth, Reaſon why. as is plainely taught, Rom. 10. 17. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. And ſo likewiſe it is ſaide of the Epheſians, 1. 13. That they by hearing the word of truth, the Gospell of ſaluation beleeued, which is as manifeſt to reaſon, in that there is not any thing in heauen or in earth, which can teſtifie to vsus ſuch good will in God to ſaue vsus; but wee muſt hauehave Gods owne word to witneſſe this vntounto vsus, and all little enough. It is a matter ſo incredible that the holy and iuſt God who cannot abide any iniquity,Heb. 2. 2.Heb 2:2 but will certainely giuegive to eueryevery ſinne his due puniſhment, p. 21yet of his owne free mercy hath giuen and granted to poore ſinners eternall life.

Therefore hath the Lord ſo often, and ſo euidently ſpoken no leſſe, that hee might thereby mooue vsus to beleeue, as 1. Ioh. 5. 11. expreſly affirming. This is that which is teſtified, That God hath giuen vsus eternall life; and this life is in his ſonne. For our further confirmation wherein, it is ſaide, verſ. 7. that this is witneſſed both by three witneſſes in heauen. The firſt, the father; the ſecond, the word: that is, the ſonne of God, the ſecond perſon in Trinity; the third, the holy Ghoſt which three be one diuine nature, and teſtifie the ſame things; as alſo by three witneſſes on earth, all which be in eueryevery true beleeuer, and none els. The firſt, the ſpirit; the ſecond, the water; the third, the blood which agree in one, witneſſing the ſame things, wherby are meant. By the firſt, our ſpirit; by the ſecond, p. 22our ſanctification; & by the third, our iuſtificatiō, that in the mouth of ſo many witneſſes, this truth which of al others is the greateſt (yet moſt hardly receiued) may ſtand ſure for the conſolation of all beleeuers, and conviction of all vnbeleeuers, &c.

To which is further added, verſ. 10. Hee that beleeueth in the Sonne of God, hath the witneſſe in himſelfe, he that beleeueth not, God hath made him a lyar, becauſe hee beleeued not the record which God witneſſeth of his ſonne.

The ſelfe ſame word of life is in ſundry other Scriptures publiſhed vntounto vsus; becauſe the Lord knoweth we hauehave neede to heare of it continually; wee are ſo full of doubting in time of temptation: therefore our Sauiour himſelfe proclaimeth this glad tydings. Ioh. 3. 16. For God ſo loued the world; that he hath giuen his onelyonly begotten ſonne, that whoſoeuer beleeueth in him, ſhould p. 23not periſh, but hauehave euerlaſting life; and verſe 17. For God ſent not his Sonne into the world to condemne the world, but that the world through him might bee ſaued.

So likewiſe Ioh. 12 47. I came not to condemne the world, but to ſaue the world.

Againe, Ioh. 2. 2. If any man ſinne, we hauehave an aduocate with the father Ieſus Chriſt the Iuſt, verſ. 3. And he is the reconciliation for our ſinnes, and not for ours only, but for the ſinnes of the whole world.

And Ioh. 1. 29. Behold the lambe of God which taketh away the ſins of the world.

So the Apoſtle ſaith. 2. Cor. 5. 19. For God was in Chriſt reconciling the world vntounto himſelfe, not imputing their ſinnes vntounto them, and hath committed to vsus the word of reconciliation.

In all which and many other Scriptures, this is manifeſt, that God in his word hath made a generall offer of ſaluation in Chriſt, p. 24and inuiteth all (to whom hee ſendeth his ſeruants, the preachers of his Goſpell) to come to Chriſt that they might bee ſaued, as is plaine in the parable of the wedding, Mat. 22. 1. which is therefore called the Goſpell, that is good newes: becauſe it bringeth foorth this glad tydings of great ioye that ſhall be to all people, as the Angels of the Lord tolde that the ſheepheards of the birth of Chriſt, Luk. 2. 10.

And this is the ſame which our Lord Ieſus himſelfe after hee had finiſhed his whole work of mans redemption here on earth, and was to aſcend vp to his father to prepare a place for all his members, commanded his Apoſtles, and ſo conſequently gaue in commiſsion to al their ſucceſſours, the preachers of the Goſpell, to proclaime and publiſh this Goſpell to eueryevery creature: that is, to eueryevery man and woman, that ſo eueryevery ſoule, to whom the ſound of the p. 25Goſpell ſhould come, might hauehave ſufficient ground whereon to build their faith and be ſaued, or be made without excuſe for neglecting ſo great ſaluation, which at the firſt began to bee preached by the Lord, and afterward was confirmed by vsus that heard him, Heb. 2▪ 3. This then is the only ground whereon ſauing faith is builded.

Namely, this generall pardon proclaimed in the Goſpell to poore ſinners, which I hauehave very plentifully prooued, for that it is not well conſidered by many, who faine would beleeue, yet being ignorant hereof, doe long time pine away with griefe, for that they ſee nothing which might make them (being ſo vile in their owne eyes) ſo bold as to beleeue that there is any ſuch louelove in God towards them, as to giuegive Chriſt vntounto them.

Others more dangerouſly preſume of Gods fauour without any ſuch ground whereon they p. 26build their perſwaſion, but onelyonly on the outward change of their life, which often is found deceitfull as was before ſhewed.

Now followeth how a poore ſinner (yet voide of ſauing grace,How to build faith on the word. and finding nothing in himſelfe▪ which may make him bold to beleeue) may builde vponupon this ground, that ſo he may attaine to true faith, whereunto theſe three conſiderations bee neceſſary.Three conſidera…ions.

Firſt, what is ſaid.

Secondly, to whom?

Thirdly, by whom, that ſo hee may hauehave good warrant to beleeue that he ſhal enioy this mercy offered.

For the former,What is ſaid. the poore diſtreſſed ſinner is to weigh with himſelfe, that in this Goſpell and glad tidings of ſaluation is proclaimed and freely offered forgiueneſſe of ſins through Chriſt, as is plaine by the Apoſtle Paul his preaching to them at Antioch. Act. 13. 38. Bee it knowne p. 27vntounto you therefore men and brethren, that through this man is preached vntounto you forgiueneſſe of ſinnes, where as in all the former Scriptures, and in many others, Chriſt and all his benefits for our iuſtification, ſanctification, and full glorification is the matter offered, which beeing that which eueryevery humbled ſinner moſt deſireth▪ how can it be but welcome newes to heare, that there are ſuch things prepared and offered as hee moſt deſireth, which muſt needes mooue him oft to ſigh for the ſame, and ſay, Oh that I might once hauehave my part in this vneſtimable treaſure: but preſently comes into his minde his owne vnworthineſſe, which driues him as farre backe from all hope, that euer any ſuch as hee ſhould hauehave part therein▪ wherin many a poore ſoule doth remaine a long ſeaſon, becauſe he cannot ſee any thing which might make him bold to beleeue, that p. 28there is any ſuch benefite prepared for him.

For remedy wherof he is in the ſecond place deeply to weigh this wonderfull mercy of God,2. To whom. who ſo freely offers this great benefit of Chriſt and all his merits, not to the righteous, but to ſinners; yea to all without exception, to whom the Goſpell commeth, as wee hauehave ſeene in the former Scriptures, where the ground of faith was laide, and becauſe ſuch as hauehave moſt feeling of their ſinnes, are moſt fearefull, and hardlieſt brought to beleeue, that this is tendered to them: therefore are they more eſpecially called, as appeareth. Matthew, 11. 28.

Where Chriſt himſelfe hauing proclaimed that all things are deliuered to him of his Father;Mat. 28. 18.Matt 28:18 meaning as els where,Heb. 7. 27.Heb 7:27 that all power is giuen to him, whereby he is perfectly able to ſaue all them that come vntounto God by him, inuiteth p. 29all that labour and are heauy laden to come vntounto him, promiſing that he will eaſe them; wherby eueryevery poore ſinner, who feeles his woefull eſtate, by reaſon of his ſinne, and Gods curſe hanging ouer his head for the ſame, may certainely know that hee is the party whom Chriſt calleth to come to him, and to whom this benefite of Chriſt and ſaluation in him is freely offered, that ſo he may be ſomewhat more raiſed vp, to conceiue hope, that hee ſhall in due time enioy the ſame; to which end eueryevery one who faine would beleeue, is to conſider, that as there is no grace in any, why hee ſhould hope for ſuch fauour at Gods hand, (for Gods mercy in preparing and offering his Sonne a redemption for ſinners is altogether free and vndeſerued;) ſo on the other ſide, there is no ſinne which ought to hinder any one from receiuing pardon ſo freely offered vntounto p. 30him: but rather as the greatneſſe of the diſeaſe ſhould more haſten the ſick to ſeek to ſuch a phyſitiō as can cure al diſeaſes, & not keep backe ſuch as be called to bee cured … ſo no heinouſneſſe of ſinne ſhould driue any from comming to Chriſt, which is able and willing to cure all that come vntounto him, but rather haſten the poore ſinner more ſpeedily to come to Chriſt, and ſo much the more, for that Chriſt ſhall hauehave greater glory in pardoning great offenders, and more louelove from them beeing pardoned, As a Phyſition ſhall hauehave more credit in curing great then ſmall diſeaſes. So then the maine thing that muſt mooue and draw a poore ſinner to come to Chriſt to be eaſed, is the free mercy of God offering Chriſt without exception to all that beeing laden would bee eaſed, which eueryevery one muſt apply to himſelfe, that ſeeing it hath ſo pleaſed God to p. 31ſend theſe glad tydings to him, to call him, command, and beſeech him to receiue this grace offered: therefore hee neede not feare, but may boldly beleeue and receiue Chriſt offred to him, as wee ſhall further heare by and by.

For our further helpe,Who promiſeth. wherein, in the third place it ſhall bee highly needfull, well to weigh who it is that maketh this great offer vntounto vsus miſerable ſinners, euen God himſelfe, who is both 1. able, and 2. willing, and 3. as faithfull to performe what hee promiſeth; all which are ſo manifeſt that they need no proofe for the truth of them.

But wee hauehave neede oft to ſet them before vsus for our vſe to ſtrengthen our faith in making vsus more boldly to relye on Chriſt.

To this end are ſpecially theſe teſtimonies of Gods power mercy and truth ſo often repeated in1. Gods power. p. 32the ſcriptures, that wee might hauehave them euer before vsus to vpholde vsus againſt our doubtings, and feares, whereof our nature is full; for though in generall none will deny but God is Almighty, yet it may appeare in al ages, not onelyonly the wicked, but euen Gods children hauehave doubted of Gods power, as though hee were not able to helpe them, as it is euident in Gods people in the wilderneſſe in their often murmurings through their diſtruſt of Gods power,Pſal. 78. 19.Ps 78:19 Can God furniſh a table in the wilderneſſe. For this cauſe was the Lord ſo often conſtrained to oppoſe his Almighty power againſt their diſtruſt. As for Sarahs laughing, thinking it impoſſible ſhe ſhould hauehave a child, the Lord ſaide to Abraham, Is any thing hard or impoſſible to God. Gen. 18. 14Gen 18:14And againe to Moſes obiecting Whether al the fiſh in the ſea ſhould bee gathered for foode for Iſraell in the wildernes, Num. 11. 23Num 11:23The Lord anſwered, p. 33Is the Lords hand waxed ſhort, thou ſhalt ſee whether my words ſhall come to paſſe or not. The like many, whereby it appeares to be a great cauſe of vnbeliefe, that looking too much vponupon the impoſſibilities, which are apparent to vsus, and not oppoſing to them Gods power, wee ſo deſpaire of helpe, as is moſt ſenſible to bee ſeene in poore afflicted conſciences, whoſe chiefeſt feare and doubts are, that their ſinnes are greater then can be forgiuen, and they thinke it an impoſsibilitie for ſuch as they are to bee ſaued.

Who now knowing by Gods owne word, that ſaluation in Chriſt is freely offered and proclaimed euen to them, though neuer ſo vilde and vnworthy, and that by God himſelfe,Pſal. 115. 3. 135. 6.Ps 115:3Ps 115:135Ps 115:6 who is of all power in heauen and earth to do whatſoeuer he will, and to whom nothing is imposſible: this may bring the afflicted and deſpairing p. 34ner at leaſt thus farre as to ſay then it may be, God will be mercifull vntounto mee, wherein I doubt not may be found ſome true faith in apprehending the mercy offered though ſo weak as cānot be diſcerned or felt by the beleeuer himſelfe, and this I ſhould take to be the loweſt degree of faith.

For the further ſtrengthening whereof, it ſhall be much auaileable for all ſuch as yet feele not not their faith,Weakeſt faith. and for eueryevery weake beleeuer,Goodneſſe and mercy of God. to caſt their eies vponupon the wonderfull mercy and goodneſſe of God, which alone maketh him ſo loath to caſt away any poore ſinner, and ſo willing to ſaue euen his enemies and ranke traytours againſt his high Maieſtie. Here if euer, is a fitte place for all ſuch ſcriptures, as ſet out Gods mercy to poore ſinners the more to perſwade them to beleeue, as that of Ezechiel, 33 11. where the Lord ſweareth by himſelfe: ſaying, As I liue ſaith p. 35the Lord, I hauehave no pleaſure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turne from his way and liue, turne yee, turne yee from your euill wayes, for why will yee dye oh houſe of Iſrael. 2. Pet. 3. 9.2 Pet 3:9And to like effect is that of Saint Peter, That God is not willing that any ſhould periſh, but that all ſhould come to repentance, which ſcriptures and many the like, are not to bee vnderſtood of Gods determining will and decree, but of his reuealed and approouing will, which hee would hauehave vsus to know and beleeue, thar thereby wee might bee drawne to reſt our ſelues vponupon him for ſaluation; which whoſoeuer (though neuer ſo great ſinner) ſhall doe, he ſhall not periſh, but hauehave euerlaſting life.

This then is that ſure foundation of faith, whereon all that truely beleeue doe build: namely, the rich and free mercy of God reuealed in the Goſpell, whereby all that ſhall be ſaued be p. 36drawne thankfully to accept this mercy ſo freely offered to them, beeing yet ſtarke dead in their ſinnes, and voide of all ſauing grace; and therefore all they who looking into themſelues, and finding nothing to draw them, but all to driue them from hope of life, are often and much to ſet before them this vnſpeakeable and vnualuable mercy of Almighty God, as in preparing ſuch a remedy for all our miſery; ſo in making ſo free a grant therof in the Goſpell to all ſinners excepting none. And now more ſpecially in …endring it to them: ſo that they may boldly accept this mercy in Chriſt offered to them, and ſhall not ſinne but pleaſe God therin, that thereby they may be drawn on in a further degree to beleeue to finde mercy at Gods hands: wherunto if one thing be added, I ſee not what can be wanting, to make the ſinner bold to lay hold vponupon Chriſt with all his merits ſo p. 37freely offred to him by God who is ſo able and willing to beſtow Chriſt euen vponupon his enemies.

This one thing I meane,Gods truth▪ is 3Gods truth and faithfulneſſe in performing with his hand, whatſoeuer commeth out of his mouth; as Dauid and Solomon oft profeſſed, which howſoeuer (as before I ſpake of Gods power) it is confeſſed of all, that God is both faithfull and iuſt in all his promiſes, yet nothing is more common then in time of tryall to diſtruſt and feare God will not be as good as his word, at leaſt whatſoeuer is ſaid wee feare wee ſhall periſh; We need not ſeeke for proofe hereof, which is ſo recorded in the liues of the moſt worthy ſeruants of God, who are otherwiſe highly commended for their faith, hee that hath any inſight into himſelfe may ſee too much of this in himſelfe, how ready wee are to call into queſtion Gods truth, p. 38when God deferreth the helpe we looked for.

To paſſe by all others, and to ſee this in the matter we hauehave in hand: from whence is it, that ſo few of thoſe that bee truly humbled in the ſight of their miſerie, who know and deſire Chriſt; yea more, who hauehave heard and in generall beleeued the Goſpell, that it is the glad tydings of ſaluation, that Chriſt bids al that be heauie laden to come vntounto him, and hee will eaſe them? what is the cauſe I ſay, that ſo few of theſe doe ſo laie hold on Gods word, as to beleeue and to reſt aſſured of their ſaluation by Chriſt?

I know no better anſwer then this, that when it comes to our ſelues, wee cannot beleeue God will performe his word to vsus; ſome thing or other will bee obiected by our vnbeleeuing hearts, why we may not beleeue. Againſt all which we hauehave no other p. 39buckler to hold out but Gods truth,Pſal. 31. 5.Ps 31:5 as Pſal. 91. 4. His truth ſhall be thy ſhield and buckler; which is ſuch, that hee cannot lie nor deceiue. To this end it is that God is called the God of truth; Reu. 3. 14.Rev 3:14Chriſt the faithfull and true witneſſe, Ioh. 14. 17.John 14:17the holy Ghoſt the Spirit of truth, Ephe. 1. 13.Eph 1:13the Goſpell the word of truth, that when our faithleſſe hearts ſhall ſtagger and doubt, whether that ſhall bee which God hath ſpoken, we may ſtay our ſelues vponupon this immoueable rocke (God is faithfull.)1 Cor. 19.

As often it is repeated to ſtrengthen our weake faith. This then remaineth for the ſetling of the heart of the weake in faith.

That ſo oft as doubts ariſe concerning his ſaluation by Chriſt, whether God ſo louelove him, that he hath giuen him his only begotten Sonne, that he beleeuing might not periſh but p. 40hauehave euerlaſting life, hee hath no other thing in the world to perſwade him but this, that God (who cannot lie) hath ſaid it, and therefore he may and ought to beleeue, that Chriſt and all his benefits are his; wherein the more to moue him, he is to laie before him both what a great ſinne it is not to beleeue, no leſſe then to make God a lyer, 1 Iohn 5. 10.1 John 5:10as the Apoſtle John expreſly ſpeaketh,Ioh. 3. 18.John 3:18 and alſo what fearefull puniſhment it procureth, euen a certaine and remedileſſe condemnation as our Sauiour himſelfe denounceth.

By theſe and the like conſiderations is true faith, both firſt begotten, and afterwards increaſed in all thoſe that ſhall be ſaued, which I hauehave more fully laid open, not only for that it is the moſt principall matter to bee regarded, concerning true ſauing faith, namely how he that hath it not may attaine to it.

p. 41But alſo, for that it is, if not the leaſt knowne and laboured for,Many ſeeke for markes of faith in vaine. yet leaſt attained vntounto. For I hauehave obſerued many very inquiſitiue for ſome markes of faith, who neuer ſo much as knew any thing which might draw them effectually to beleeue.

And therefore now to end this point, concerning the right and orderly way, whereby an vnbeleeuer is brought to true and ſauing faith, my aduiſe is to all that finde their faith weake, and conſequently their liues much out of frame, that firſt they take good heed whereupon they build their faith,Build faith onelyonly on Gods truth▪ and that only vponupon Gods mercy and truth reuealed in the Goſpell, which neuer changing are a ſure foundation; and not vponupon their owne change which oft is deceitfull, and at beſt variable, and indeed is onelyonly an effect and fruit of Faith accordingly ſhewing the ſtrength and weakeneſſe of our faith, and can p. 42by no meanes be made any cauſe thereof.

Thus hauehave we ſeene both what this faith is whereby the iuſt doe liue, and by what meanes it is attained.

Now leſt any ſhould gather out of the former, that any man may by his owne indeuour, vſing theſe meanes attaine to faith; I thinke meet to adde this, that although it be Gods will and commandement to all, to whom hee ſendeth his Goſpell,Faith is not in mans power, but wrought by Gods Spirit. that they ſhould beleeue & receiue Chriſt offered vntounto them, and therefore it is the dutie of eueryevery one ſo to doe, and it is their ſinne, and ſhall be their condemnation who doe not thus, as hath beene ſaid in all reſpects; yet ſuch is the corruption of all man-kinde by Adams fall, that not one ſoule hath either will or power to receiue this grace in Chriſt offered vntounto him,Rom. 11. 32.Rom 11:32 For God hath ſhut vp all in vnbeliefe, that he might hauehave p. 43mercy vponupon al, Act. 13. 48.Acts 13:48and ſo many beleeued as were ordained to eternall life, Eph. 2. 8.Eph 2:8and Faith is the gift of God, Ioh. 6. 44.John 6:44and none can come to Chriſt except the Father draw him. Which is wiſely diſpoſed by God that no man might hauehave cauſe to glory in himſelfe, but that the glory of mans ſaluation may bee giuen to God. From whence it commeth, that beſides this common fauour of ſaluation in Chriſt tendred to all in the Goſpell; yea, & beſides the common gifts of the Spirit which many receiue, who neuer receiued Chriſt by faith. As knowledge both of mans miſery & the remedy thereof; ſorrow for the one, and deſire of the other, with ſuch others (beſides theſe I ſay) God doth giuegive his holy Spirit to all that ſhall be ſaued, who doth inwardly draw and incline their hearts to beleeue Gods free and gracious promiſes, and ſo thankfully to accept Chriſt offered vntounto them, p. 44whereby indeed they bee truely made partakers of Chriſt and all his benefites, and thereby bee iuſtified and ſanctified, and ſhall be fully and euerlaſtingly glorified.

And thus is a poore ſinner by Faith made the childe of God, and heire of glorie. Now before we proceed to our principall intention, to ſhew how this Iuſtified man may liue by his faith. It ſhall not be loſt labour to ſhew how this may be knowne of any,How it is knowne a man hath this faith. that he hath this true faith, and how eueryevery true beleeuer may be able to proue that hee doth ſo, this certaine and infallible knowledge in any man that hee hath true faith, Riſeth ioyntly from the cauſes & effects therof, & not from either apart, as ſhall bee ſhewed.

VnderUnder the cauſes I comprehend all that worke of God,Cauſes of faith. wherby he worketh faith in any, which ſtandeth eſpecially in theſe three things.

p. 451. That God by his word and Spirit firſt inlighteneth the vnderſtanding, truely to conceiue the doctrine of mans miſerie, and of his full recouerie by Chriſt.

2. Secondly, by the ſame meanes he worketh in his heart, both ſuch ſound ſorrow for his miſerie, and feruent deſire after Chriſt the remedie, that hee can neuer bee at quiet till hee inioy Chriſt.

3. Thirdly, God ſo manifeſteth his louelove in freelie offering Chriſt with all his benefites to him a poore ſinner, that thereby he drawes him ſo to giuegive credit to God therein, that hee gladly accepts Chriſt offred vntounto him; Theſe three workes of God, whoſoeuer findeth to hauehave beene wrought in himſelfe, hee may thereby know certainely hee hath faith, But without theſe what change of life ſoeuer may be conceiued, there can bee no p. 46certaintie of faith, and therefore I againe aduiſe, that this bee firſt and eſpecially looked vntounto for our comfort, wherein that none be deceiued with ſhewes of theſe in ſtead of ſubſtance, I take theſe to bee true notes of ſoundneſſe. 1For the firſt of inlightening there can be no doubt.

For the ſecond of ſorrow, ſeeing 2the cauſes ſtill remaine,Triall of ſorrow. nametie corruption and affliction, therefore this ſorrow muſt continue to our liues end, though in a different manner, now mingled with comfort, whereas the former before faith could hauehave none.

Whereas on the other ſide the ſorrow that quite drieth vp, was neuer ſound, as it is to bee ſeene in many, who being once deepely afflicted, and in great heauineſſe for their miſerable eſtate, afterward comming to ſome comfort, are growen ſo ſecure and ſenſeleſſe, that hauing no p. 47true griefe or remorſe for their daily corruptions, content themſelues, that they were once caſt downe.

Whoſe liues as they bee …ule and full of blottes, ſo their ends be oft fearefull, either ſenſeleſſe or vncomfortable: ſo dangerous it is, to quench the ſpirit in any part.

Againe,Triall of our deſire. for the triall of our 3deſires after Chriſt to proue that they be not ſudden flaſhes, this is a certaine marke of ſoundneſſe, that the more wee taſte of Chriſt, the more we couet him. As the Apoſtle Peter exhorteth all that be new borne;… Pet. 2. 1, 2 If ſo bee they hauehave tasted how▪ ſweete the Lord is, Mat. 5, 6.Matt 5:6& this is that holy hunger after righteouſneſſe, to which our Lord Ieſus promiſeth bleſſednes, which many miſtake, for ſuch a deſire as going before all faith, hath no promiſe of bleſſedneſſe.

And great reaſon there is hereof why all true beleeuers ſhould p. 48more and more thus hunger after Chriſt, for that whiles wee liue here we receiue but the firſt fruits onelyonly, and we hauehave but an earneſt pennie of that fulneſſe we ſhall hauehave, and therefore wee cannot be fully ſatiſfied with that we hauehave receiued, but ſtill deſire more.

4Laſtly, for the triall of the third worke of God,Triall of faith. whereby he worketh Faith, that any may know God hath wrought this in him in deed and in truth, and not in conceit and opinion (wherein many be deceiued,) I take this to be moſt infallible in the weakeſt of thoſe who may know they beleeue, that though in temptations they be driuen from their hold, yet afterward they returne vntounto their reſt, and finde Gods holy Spirit drawing them yet to beleeue in God becauſe of his word, which though it be weake, yet it is true faith, and not that wauering which hath no faith in it.

p. 49As may bee laid open by a plaine compariſon for the weaker ſort. In a paire of gold weights when they bee emptie, either ballance will hang wauering and not reſt on either ſide: but if a graine bee put into one aboue the other, it will weigh it downe, yet ſo as the winde or a little iogge may lift it vp; but if it bee let alone, the graine will weigh it downe and ſo hold it: ſo is it betweene weake faith and wauering. When there is any credit giuen, and ſo any reſting on Gods word after temptation, there is true faith; but where there is nothing but a hanging in ſuſpence, and vncertaintie, that is wauering,Iames 1. 7.Jas 1:7 which cannot looke to obtaine any thing, as the Apoſtle Iames ſpeaketh. Thus by the cauſes is eueryevery one to trie himſelfe, whether true faith hauehave bin wrought in him, which indeed are the more certaine proofes though not ſo eaſilie ſeene.

p. 50Now followe the proofes taken from the effects and fruits of faith,Proofes from effect. which be more manifeſt, but not ſo certaine, vnleſſe it bee alſo as manifeſt that they come from faith.

To make this plaine to thoſe for whoſe ſakes I write theſe (that is, weake beleeuers:) The principall effects of Faith be Ioy and LoueLove, Ioy in the benefit, and louelove to god the author of it. Theſe bee ſuch as a man may eaſily ſee whether he hath them in him or no. But if any man can ſay hee hath ioy of his ſaluation, and loues God for it; to ſay nothing yet of the truth of theſe, vnles he can proue that theſe grow out of the tree of Faith; they can no more proue that hee hath faith, then fruit growing on one tree, can proue another tree to bee good. For we ſhall ſee that both theſe and many other ſuppoſed fruits of Faith, are nothing leſſe, but are baſtard fruits, and meere p. 51naturall affections: I meane ſuch as may bee in a naturall man not regenerated, but onlie inlightened and wrought by ſuch a working of the Spirit as may be in a reprobate; and therefore neither theſe nor any other change of life can bee proofes of faith further then it is manifeſt they come from faith.

The ignorance of this deceiueth many who build their faith on theſe, whereas true fruites grow from Faith.

But to come to the triall of our faith by the effects thereof,Triall by the Spirit. which though they be many, yet may be all contained vnderunder this one, of receiuing the Spirit; not as a ſtranger to doe ſome worke and ſo to depart,1 Cor. 6. 19.1 Cor 6:19 but as an Inhabitant to dwell with vsus for euer.1 Ioh. 2. 271 John 2:27 And therefore this is ſet downe as the vnſeparable marke of true receiuing Chriſt, which is onlie by Faith. This is manifeſt in the Epiſtle of Iohn, 1 Io…. 4. 1.Hereby we know p. 52that wee dwell in him and he in vsus, becauſe he hath giuen vsus of his Spirit; and to like effect in the Galathians: And becauſe yee are ſonnes, Gal. 4. 6.Gal 4:6God hath ſent forth the Spirit of his Sonne into your hearts, Gal. 3. 2.Gal 3:2crying Abba Father. Againe in Galathians 3. 2. which is as manifeſt by all experience: when God vouchſafed effectually to call any to imbrace Chriſt, hee ſent immediatly vponupon them his holy Spirit, which at firſt was in extraordinarie manner, as in the Acts, Acts 10. 44Acts 10:44but afterwards in ordinary manner,Eph. 1. 13.Eph 1:13 as in the Epheſians, where it is ſaid, That they after they beleeued were ſ…aled with that holy Spirit of promiſe, which is the earneſt of our inheritance, vntill the redemption of the purchaſed poſſeſſion, vntounto the praiſe of his glory. So then eueryevery one that will proue that he hath truely beleeued, muſt be able to ſee and ſhew that he is thus ſealed with the holy Spirit promiſed to all beleeuers.

p. 53The Spirit is knowne by his working,How the Spirit is knowne. which though manifold, yet in this caſe may well be contained vnderunder theſe two, Ioy, and LoueLove, (as was before ſaid:) in regard whereof this grace of the Spirit is not vnfitly compared to fire, which hath two properties, light and heate; which though they bee vnſeparable, ſo that where fire is both theſe muſt needs bee, yet they are not both alike ſenſible; for oft the heare of fire may bee felt when no light can be ſeene: ſo is it with theſe of Ioy & LoueLove, eſpecially in weak beleeuers; who though their faith bee ſo couered vnderunder their corruptions, that they cannot oft times hauehave ſuch ſight thereof as might breed ioy and comfort in their ſaluation, yet their louelove to God can neuer bee ſo quenched, that they ſhal feele no heate in it. But if they ſhall bee well tried what hearts they beare to God, it cannot bee hid, but they p. 54beare a louing affection to him, approuing of all that he doth to be well done; yea, though hee ſhould condemne them; being grieued for offending him, and very deſirous to pleaſe him. All which and many the like be euident proofes of their true louelove to God, whereby they may proue that there is in them ſome perſwaſion of Gods louelove towards them, which cannot bee without true faith; though faith in it ſelfe, much leſſe the ioy therein cannot bee ſeene. And this I iudge to bee the cleereſt proofe which a weake beleeuer may hauehave, that he hath any faith; which I de…i…e the more may bee regarded, for that in my beſt experience I hauehave euer found nothing more auailable to comfort a truely afflicted conſcience (that is, one whoſe heart is oppreſſed with ſorrow, for that ſeeing his miſerie, and deſiring Chriſt his only remedie; yet p. 55cannot beleeue, at leaſt cannot ſee he doth beleeue.)

To returne then to theſe effects of Gods Spirit, whereby it is manifeſt who hath the Spirit of God dwelling in him; EueryEvery one muſt examine his own heart what ſound ioy and comfort hee hath of his ſaluation by Chriſt, and what true louelove he beareth to God for the ſame; which two be as the two maine Armes of the tree of Life, from whence doe iſſue and ſpring all other branches of a godly life.

From the former, that is, the Ioy of Faith, doth grow all comfort in God, that we ſhall receiue from him in due time and meaſure all needfull bleſsings. From louelove proceedeth a carefull conſcience to yeeld God all cheerefull obedience, both in dutie towards▪ God and towards our neighbour; in all which whoſoeuer hath no part, he may thereby know that as yet he hath not p. 56receiued Gods Spirit; but on the other ſide, if any man doe finde theſe in him, and his heart doe not beguile him, hee may hauehave boldneſſe, that he is a true liuing member of Chriſt. But for ſo much as this is to too common, that many bee deeply deceiued, on both ſides: ſome, and theſe the fewer and better ſort miſtruſting themſelues, that theſe are not in truth in them, and ſo fearing they hauehave not truely receiued the Spirit, and therefore are none of Chriſts; when as in deed and in truth they hauehave both, whoſe caſe is good though they ſee it not, and ſo remaine vncomfortable.

Others the greater and worſer ſort doe flatter themſelues, they hauehave theſe and ſuch other fruits of the Spirit, and ſo hauehave true faith in Chriſt, and ſaluation, when indeed they hauehave none of theſe in truth, but vaine ſhadowes of them.

It is a matter exceeding needfull p. 57to ſet downe ſome plaine and infallible markes of ſoundneſſe, whereby eueryevery one may be able to diſcerne of his eſtate, whether he hauehave rightly receiued the grace of God or no, that hereby the ſound hearted (though weake and full of doubts) may be quieted, if not comforted; and the proud hypocrites and preſumptuous profeſſor may bee diſcouered and diſcomforted; wherein great care is to be had, that the gate bee not made too wide to let in the Libertine and looſe liuer, or too ſtraight to ſhut out the pooreſt and weakeſt beleeuer.

1. One eſpeciall marke of a ſound heart I hauehave obſerued (chiefly in young Chriſtians and weake beleeuers) is a godly i…alouſie of being deceiued with falſe faith,Markes of ſoundneſſe. ioy and louelove, which maketh them carefull to examine themſelues, and willing to be tried by others; yea, they bee p. 58earneſt with God to trie them, to diſcouer to them the falſehood or weakeneſſe of their hearts, that both may bee reformed; Whereas on the other ſide the vnſound heart will not be tried, but as he flatters himſelfe all is well, ſo he takes it very ill to be ſuſpected by others.

2. Another note that the grace we hauehave receiued is true and not counterſet, is this; that vponupon ſearch, finding that we hauehave ſome ſorrow for our frailties, and ſome deſires of being cleanſed by Chriſt, and ſome faith and hope therein, with ſome ioy and louelove of God for the ſame; yet we hauehave withall, ſuch a ſight of our pouertie in all of theſe, as makes vsus often mourne for our wants, and to thinke ſo meanely of our ſelues, that we highly eſteeme the graces of God in others, and for our owne parts deſire and labour for nothing more, then to hauehave all theſe increaſed in vsus. Theſe and p. 59the like bee the humble thoughts and deſires of thoſe that hauehave truely taſted of Gods grace.

But they who thinke eueryevery little pricke to be deepe wounding, or carnall and worldly ſorrow to be the true godly ſorrow, and their vaine wiſhes to be feruent deſires, their fantaſies to be faith, and ſo for all the reſt of Gods gifts beſtowed vponupon them; doe dote vponupon them, and their happineſſe in them, and ſo liue merrily, caſting away all mourning for their manifold corruptions, and be very buſie in cenſuring of others, and aduancing themſelues: and now being full doe take their eaſe, and grow ſloathfull in holy exerciſes (eſpecially in priuat,) theſe I ſay and ſuch like, are farre from true regeneration, and might, if they were not blinded, ſee their eſtate more dangerous then ſuch as neuer ſaw the light.

3. A third marke of a true Iſraelite, p. 60ſuch as Nathaniel was, in whom was no guile, may be this, that he is the ſame inwardly, and in deed, which he is outwardly, and in ſhew: as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh of the Iewe, and of circumciſion, ſo may we of a Chriſtian, and of Baptiſme,Rom. 2. 28.Rom 2:28 That it muſt not be outward onelyonly, and in the fleſh, but inward of the heart, in the ſpirit, not in the letter; whoſe praiſe is not of men, but of God. Whereby appeareth that all ſuch who onelyonly make a faire ſhew of faith and louelove, when in truth theſe bee not in them, theſe be plaine Hypocrites, ſo farre from happineſſe as they be from ſincerity.

4. Laſtly, to end this point, great euidence may bee had, that our profeſsion is ſincere and not fained,Obedience in matter and manner. from our obedience to Gods Commaundements, and that two wayes, partly from the matter, partly from the manner. In eyther of which wee ſhall ſee apparant difference p. 61betweene the childe of God and him that is onelyonly in ſhew.

For the former, the true child of God from his heart hateth all ſinne, which hee knoweth to bee ſinne; yea thoſe ſinnes moſt, which moſt annoye him, and ſuch as his corrupt nature is moſt inclinable vntounto: and contrarily in his heart deſireth to pleaſe God in all things, and ſo in truth laboureth chiefly to yeeld obedience to God in thoſe duties, to which naturally hee is moſt vnwilling; and ſo indeed doth mortifie the fleſh, when it would moſt reigne ouer him.

The carnall Proteſtant on the other ſide, will euer hauehave ſome ſin ſo ſweete, that he hides it like ſugar-candy …der his tongue, and cannot forgoe it, and he muſt bee borne with in ſuch ſinnes as are moſt pleaſing to his nature, as the proud perſon in his pride, the voluptuous in his pleaſures, p. 62the couetous in his ſinfull gaine, which ſhewes that their heart is falſe, and doe leaue ſome ſinne for by-reſpects; for did they in truth hate ſinne, becauſe it is ſin, and offendeth God, they would hate one as well as another.

So againe, hee that pretendeth conſcience in ſome duties commanded, and wilfully neglecteth others which hee knoweth God requireth of him, and will by no meanes be brought to doe them, his heart is vnſound, reſpecting more his owne eaſe, gaine, and credit, then Gods honour or fauour towards him. As for example, hee that will not forgiue an offence or debt, and will not ſhew mercy, and releeue by giuing and lending, when hee knoweth hee ought. And ſo for the firſt table, he that wilfully neglects holy exerciſes of religion by himſelfe, and with his family, which hee confeſſeth he ſhould vſe, and will not ſanctifie the Sabboth whch▪ p. 63God commands; theſe men and the like, can hauehave no ſound proofe or comfort, that they be truly regenerated.

In all which I would not bee vnderſtood of frailtie in neglecting the good commanded, or doing the euill forbidden, both which doe fall into Gods true children,Rom. 7. 18.Rom 7:18 whoſe will is preſent to doe the will of God, though through the ſtrength of corruption, and weakeneſſe of grace, they much faile in either of theſe. But I ſpeake of ſuch as ſet their hearts to ſinne, Pſal. 66. 18Ps 66:18as in the Pſalm. and their hearts riſe againſt ſuch duties, ſo that they will not (as they ſay) be held vnderunder ſuch ſlauery; theſe bee hollow-hearted hypocrites, what ſhew ſoeuer they make to the contrary in any caſe notwithſtanding.

5. Now for the other propertie of true obedience concerning the right manner thereof,Manner. this is the care of thoſe who make conſcience p. 64to pleaſe God, that they content not themſelues with the deed done, (as to heare Gods word, to pray, to giuegive … and the like) but they endeauour to doe all theſe in ſuch a holy manner, (eſpecially for the inward affection) as God requireth; and therefore bee as much humbled for their defects this way, as if they had not done theſe duties at all; whereas the hollow hearted Hypocrite, ſo contenteth himſelfe, yea boaſteth of the outward deede done, that he thinkes himſelfe wronged, if hee bee not approoued of God, and commended of men▪ Witneſſe theſe, and ſuch other voyces of theirs to God:Eſa 58. 3.Isa 58:3 Why hauehave we faſted, and thou ſeeſt not? wherefore hauehave wee afflicted our ſoules, Luk. 18. 12Luke 18:12and thou takeſt no knowledge? And againe, I faſt twice in the weeke, I giuegive tythes of all that I poſſeſſe. Take Saul for example ſaying,1 Sam. 15. 13.1 Sam 15:13 I hauehave performed the Commandements of the Lord.

p. 65In which it is manifeſt, they looke onelyonly to the outward worke, and ſo waſh onelyonly the outſide of the cuppe, but neuer looke to the heart, and in what manner they performe theſe and all other holy duties.

Thus hauehave we ſeene ſome ſpeciall markes, whereby eueryevery man who taketh vponupon him the name and profeſsion of a Chriſtian, may try himſelfe, and know whether his heart be vpright, and his conuerſion ſound, without which there can be no true comfort. But hee that findeth theſe markes of Chriſts ſheep vponupon him (though not ſo cleerely as ſome others may) hee may hauehave boldnes before God, and aſſure himſelfe that he hath rightly receiued the grace of Gods Spirit.

So then to conclude this point, how any man may certainely knowe by the cauſes and effects ſoundly wrought in him, that hee hath true faith, and thereby is a p. 66true member of Chriſt, and ſothe child of God, and heire of life euerlaſting.

I deſire eueryevery one wiſely to laye all together, and to raiſe vp their iudgement of their eſtate, not vponupon a peece or part therof, but on the whole worke ioyned together, which is onelyonly auaileable to prooue any to be a houſe or Temple for the Holy Ghoſt to dwell in.

This I adde for their ſakes who dangerouſly hazard their hope of happineſſe vponupon ſome one of theſe workes of Gods Spirit, or more, which may be in thoſe that periſh, who hauehave many of theſe. (I ſay not in a ſanctified manner, but in a common ſort, as hath beene ſhewed already,) whereas this among all, is one infallible marke of Gods regenerating and ſanctifying Spirit, that where he beginneth, hee perfecteth his worke; whom hee vniteth to Chriſt by faith, he quickneth and p. 67purgeth: ſo that faith without fruits is a dead ſtocke, and all fruites not growing out of faith, are but as wild and bitter grapes vnacceptable to God, and vnprofitable to man.

Hauing hitherto ſhewed what true faith is,How to liue by faith. how it is wrought, and how any man may knowe, that this is truely wrought in him by God Spirit:

Now it followes to conſider how hee that indeede harh this pretious faith may liue thereby; which is the principall matter by me in this Treatiſe intended. For the better vnderſtanding and practiſe whereof wee are wiſely to weigh theſe two things.

Firſt thing, What it is to liue by faith.

Secondly, How this is attained.

For the former, to liue by faith, is this▪ that God hauing made promiſe of all good things, more then wee could aske or thinke, p. 68that no good thing ſhall be wanting, and whatſoeuer commeth, ſhall be for our good. Wee are ſo to beleeue, that we thereby be aſwell ſatisfied when we hauehave no meanes of helpe, as if we had all that our hearts could deſire: which is to be ſeen both in earthly and ſpirituall matters. As for example, if a man ſhould fall into any grieuous calamity, as into a dangerous diſeaſe, and ſhould ſee no way of helpe, yet if he beleeue that God will ſurely helpe him, this wil make him ſo to reſt contented and comforted, as if hee had all preſent helpe that could be deuiſed. So for ſpirituall, if any ſhould fall into ſinne, ſo as he had no hope of pardon, and▪ amendment, yet then to beleeue, ſo as to reſt vponupon Gods promiſe for both, and ſo to be comforted, this is to liue by faith. The practiſe of both is plaine in ſcripture and in the liues of Gods faithfull ſeruants. Notable is that of Abraham, p. 69whereof Geneſis, which the Apoſtle citing, Rom. 4. 18. affirmeth that he aboue hope beleeued in hope, that hee might become the father of many nations▪ according to that which was ſpoken▪ ſo ſhal thy ſeed be Wherin it is euident, that Abraham ſeeing no poſſibility in naturalreaſō, that he being ſo old, & his wife not only barren from her youth, but now paſt childebearing, ſhould hauehave a ſonne: yet he, as it is ſaid, Not weak in faith, conſidered not his owne body now dead▪ when he was about an hundred yeares old, neither yet the deadneſſe of Sarahs wombe, ſtaggered not at the promiſe of God through vnbeliefe, but was ſtrong in faith, and gaue glory to God, and beeing fully perſwaded, that what he had promiſed, hee was alſo able to performe. The ſelfe ſame is to bee ſeene in that honorable company of th…ſe worthy ſeruants of God in all ages, from the beginning of the world to that day, mentioned, p. 70Heb. 11. Who all are brought in as a cloude of witneſſes teſtifiing this truth, that The iuſt ſhall liue by faith. In all which may appeare, that in whatſoeuer eſtate or ſtraight they were brought into, yet they ſo liued by faith, that nothing could diſmaye them, much leſſe ouerthrow them. By …hoſe example wee might learne, if that we would make the right vſe hereof, that what condition ſoeuer ſhould befall vsus, that we might ſo reſt on Gods word and promiſe for all helpe needefull, that in greateſt conflicts wee ſhould bee more then conquerours, Rom. 8. 37.Rom 8:37as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh. What a bleſſed eſtate this were, it is not hard to ſhew, whereof wee may ſee more, when wee hauehave better learned how to attaine hereunto, thus to liue by faith, which was the ſecond thing in this point propounded,How to attaine to liue by faith.

For the attaining whereof theſe two things are carefully to p. 71be performed.

Firſt, to call to minde Gods promiſes.

Secondly, to apply them.

For the former, in all time of need, (that is, whenſoeuer God ſhall bring vsus into any ſtraight, that we ſee not any way of eſcaping, or meanes for our reliefe, in ſuch ſort that wee begin to ſinke into many feares and vexations of minde) then to inquire, if there be any good word of the Lord ſpoken for our comfort; that ſo calling it to minde, wee might raiſe thereout ſuch hope of helpe in due time, as may quiet and content vsus till wee doe enioy in effect that which before we did expect. This doe I take to be the ground of all our faith whereby we liue, be maintained, and vpheld in all our trials. As was before more fully laid out when I ſhewed the way how any doe at the firſt attaine to ſauing faith; which is no other here intended, p. 72for the daily increaſe of faith, that we may liue thereby, but the continuance of the ſame meanes, namely, to call to minde and to lay before vsus, Gods gracious promiſes made to comfort his people in all their neceſsities, that thereby we might bee comforted and quieted in all the tempeſts of our vnruly thoughts and diſtempered affections, patiently to waite on God for his helpe, which ſhall not bee wanting in that time, ſort & meaſure, which he ſeeth moſt meete.

This being then the ground of our faith, whereby we liue: namely, Gods promiſes, which are as ſo many Legacies bequeathed vsus by our heauenly Father, and by his Sonne Ieſus Chriſt in his laſt wil and Teſtamen…, what can be more behoouefull for vsus then to ſearch this wil & Teſtamēt for al ſuch legacies as may cōcerne vsus? & ſeeing they be many, ſome way or other to get into our mindes and memories, at the leaſt, the p. 73moſt principall of theſe, that we may hauehave them in a readines for our vſe in all occaſions to miniſter ſo good comfort, as if wee had the beſt helpe preſent wee▪ could deuiſe and deſire. What will be the gaine of this practiſe, I had rather we found by proofe, then heare by report, and ſo I hope we ſhall doe when wee ſhall bee more particularly directed, to put this inſtruction in practiſe. But yet before hand for encouragement, thus much will I ſay, and no more then ſhall be found true: That he who ſhall but endeauour in any truth to practiſe this which here is taught, ſhall finde his whole profeſsion (wh…t euer his condition ſhall bee of proſperity or aduerſitie) more eaſie, and more comfortable. And therefore to vtter my thoughts more plainely, (if may be) I aduiſe all that be weake of memory, and not ſo exerciſed in the ſcriptures (as ſome are) that they p. 74can readily vponupon eueryevery occaſion call to minde ſuch promiſes of of God,How to gather promiſes. as bee then moſt fit for their vſe; that ſuch, I ſay, if they can write, would collect and gather out of the holy Scriptures, ſuch ſpecial promiſes as they ſhal conceiue may moſt concerne them, and be fitteſt to ſtrengthē their faith as need ſhall require.

For ſuch as bee not able fitly thus to releeue themſelues, my next labour ſhall bee to gather ſome ſpeciall promiſes, ſuch as I conceiue bee of moſt vſe in our ordinary affaires and courſe of life, and referre them to their places, that they may more readily be runne vntounto, vponupon all occaſions; and likewiſe I will ſhew how theſe may bee applyed to our ſeuerall neceſſities for the ſtrengthening of our faith, that ſo we may liue thereby, and finde ſufficient contentment in God, when all other helpes faile. All which wee ſhall hereafter more p. 75ſee in their place.

But now to proceede with that I hauehave in hand, to ſhew how this vnualuable benefit of liuing by faith may be attained:

1. The firſt thing required hereunto, I hauehave ſhewed,Pſalm. 85. 8Ps 85:8 is to vſe the Prophets words, I will heare what God the Lord wil ſpeak; for hee will ſpeake peace vntounto his people, and … his Saints, &c. That is, to call to minde, what comfortable promiſes God hath made to his children, in ſuch caſe or condition as we be in, that thereon wee may build our faith, and liue thereby. To which end, this in the next place is to be performed, that we may attaine to this grace to liue by our faith: namely,How to apply theſe promiſes to our ſelues. That we wiſely apply theſe promiſes both to our perſons, that wee be the true … of them: & …

Secondly, to our preſent condition, That it is ſuch as God hath ſpecially made his promiſe vntounto, if the promiſe be ſpeciall.

p. 76For we ſhall ſee there bee generall promiſes, which all may and ought to apply to themſelues.

Now for the better practiſe of this duty,Meanes of application by meditation & prayer. that we may ſo apply Gods promiſes to ourſelues, that we may thereby hauehave our faith increaſed, and we liue thereby, we are to vſe meditation & prayer, and that not ſlightly in common manner, or ſeldome, but often and earneſtly, with wiſedome and conſcience; and all little enough, ſo to keepe our faith aliue, that it alone may vpholde vsus,Meditation when nothing els can. VnderUnder this meditation I containe ſuch a conſideration of Gods promiſes, as may leade vsus to ſee, what his good will and pleaſure is, what a fatherly care of our welfare hee hath, and not onelyonly how able, but how willing alſo he is to help vsus. And leſt wee ſhould bee diſmayed firſt by our vnworthineſſe, we are to conſider, that all Gods p. 77fauour is free, procured by none, but that hee ſhewes mercy for his owne names ſake, which is oft ſo ſaide, and alwaies vnderſtood.

Or ſecondly, for that ſome of thoſe his promiſes are made to certain ſpecial men, as Abraham, Dauid, Raul, & the like & not belonging to vsus, we are to remember, that whatſoeuer God promiſeth to any one of his children, not in any ſpeciall or proper reſpect, onelyonly concerning ſuch a perſon, and for ſuch a time, as the promiſe to Abraham, that in Iſacke ſhould his ſeede bee called, Gen. 21. 12.Gen 21:12and many other like promiſes which properly belonged to them onelyonly, to whom they were made.

But whatſoeuer God promiſeth, though particularly to one, yet in no ſpeciall reſpect, but as a common fauour belonging to all Gods children▪

That promiſe eueryevery childe of God may and ought to apply to p. 78himſelfe, as if it had beene ſpoken by God to him in particular.

An euident proofe hereof wee hauehave in that promiſe made to Ioſhua, Ioſua 1. 5.Josh 1:5That God would neuer leaue him, nor forſake him, which the Authour to the Hebre …, 13 5. is bolde to apply to thoſe to whom he writ, exhorting them that their conuerſation bee without couetouſneſſe, and to bee content with ſuch things as they had, and that vponupon this reaſon. Seeing God had promiſed, that hee would not leaue them nor forſake them: where wee ſee hee applyeth to all the faithfull that promiſe, which was particularly made to Ioſua. So are wee to doe with all the promiſes made to any of the faithfull, wherein we ſee no ſpeciall limitation that it cannot belong to any other. For further warrant hereof, this may ſerue, that the Apoſtle …,Rom. 15. 4Rom 15:4 Whatſoeuer things were written aforetime, p. 79were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might hauehave hope. And more ſpecially ſeeing all the promiſes are yea and Amen in Chriſt: 2. Cor. …. 20.that is, they be all ſet out in Chriſt, to bee offered and beſtowed in a conſtant and vnchangeable manner,Bez…. (as a learned man wel expoundeth this place.) So that he that hath Chriſt, hath an intereſt and right vntounto all the promiſes of this life, and that to come.1. Tim. 4. 81 Tim 4:8 As the Apoſtle ſpeaketh of godlineſſe, which is the daughter of faith, and cannot be without faith, more then a child without a mother. Therefore eueryevery faithfull ſoule (who cannot but be godly) may aſſure himſelfe to be true heire to all the promiſes which God hath made to his children in Chriſt; and ſo farre may boldly apply them all to himſelfe, as if they were perſonally made to him. And ſo much for the former part of the application p. 80of the promiſes to eueryevery one his owne perſon.

Now for the ſecond, how to apply them yet more neerely to our preſent ſtate and condition whatſouer,2. How to apply the promiſes. ſeeing the Lord hath yeelded ſo much to our weakeneſſe, as not onelyonly in generall to make out his promiſes to all his children, but to deſcend particularly to our ſeuerall eſtates and necesſities, bodily and ſpirituall; that in what condition ſoeuer we be, and whatſoeuer worke of his we ſhall vndertake, hee hath made promiſes to his children, To bee with them, to ſuccour and ſupport them, Pſal. 91. 15 10 84. 11.Ps 91:15that no euill ſhall hurt them, no good thing ſhall bee wanting, Rom. 8. 28.Rom 8:28and whatſoeuer doth come, ſhal be for their good. Seeing God, I ſay, doth oft more ſpecially intaile his promiſes: that is, bequeath them to ſuch and ſuch perſons, as to the humble, to the meeke, to the hungry, to the afflicted, to the fatherleſſe, widdowe p. 81and the like many; and ſo likewiſe to our prayers, hearing of his word, and all other holy exerciſes, yea to all obedience to any of his commandements:

This ſhall bee our wiſedome, and is our duty more ſpecially to weigh how theſe belong vntounto vsus; and finding our ſelues ſo qualified, and in ſuch condition, as the Lord made his promiſe vntounto: we may then much more confidently apply his promiſe to vsus in ſuch eſtate, that ſo we may more comfortably beleeue and look for his helpe al-ſufficient, and in due ſeaſon. Which what quiet it will bring to any in diſtreſſe, cannot be hid or doubted of. And this is that which I hauehave conceiued to be the right way of application of Gods promiſes by this meditating & wiſe conſidering of them, that ſo wee may hauehave our vſe of them.

But yet all this is not ſufficient, in regard of our great frailtie, p. 82who be not onelie blind, not able to ſearch and ſee theſe promiſes, and forgetfull as the Hebre wes Chap. 12. 5. of whom he ſaith, They had forgotten the conſolations. But wee are as the two Diſciples, whereof Luke 24. 25. Slow of heart to beleeue what God promiſeth to vsus. Neither indeede can we beleeue firſt or laſt, more then God by his Spirit ſhal worke in vsus, as both by Scripture and dailie experience is to bee ſeene, how exceeding full of doubts we are, when wee can ſee no meanes to put vsus its hope of helpe,2. meanes of applying the promiſes, is prayer. but doe pittifully ſinke downe in deſpaire. In regard whereof our onelie refuge is to flye to God, and to ply him with feruent prayer, that he would by his Spirit both reueale vntounto vsus what be thoſe precious promiſes which he hath made vntounto his people in his holy word, and likewiſe giuegive vntounto vsus wiſedome rightlie to iudge of them, and fitlie to apply p. 83them vntounto our ſelues in eueryevery eſtate we ſhall be in: yea and about al, to moue our hearts ſo to beleeue them, that we may thereupon aſſure our ſelues of all needfull helpe in due time; ſeeeing God al-ſufficient and faithfull, hath promiſed it; and ſo with comfort and patience waite for the accompliſhment thereof. Which ſeeing it is ſo weakly attained euen by thoſe that hauehave receiued ſome true and ſauing grace, as euerie one that will well weigh his owne practiſe, may eaſilie ſee: It ſheweth full well, that this dutie is not ſufficientlie performed. I make no doubt but theſe of whom I ſpeak, doe conſtantlie call vponupon God, and therein doe vſuallie pray for faith, which as I muſt needs approoue, and hope that it is not without his fruite: ſo I deſire in this caſe a further matter, that they who would liue by faith,… do ſo conſider of the great benefite p. 84attained hereby, & dammage by the want hereof, that they may make it that one thing which they doe begge of God; and therefore eſpecially in caſe of neceſsitie bee ſo importunate with God for this grace, as to giuegive him no reſt till he fulfill their deſire.

Thus if any ſhall ioyne theſe two, feruent praiers, and diligent meditation on Gods promiſes, I nothing doubt, but dare from the Lords owne mouth aſſure him that he is the man who ſhall ſtand, when others fall, and ſhall ſing for ioy of heart, when others ſhall cry for ſorrow of heart.

For to theſe (if to any) may that promiſe, Eſay 65. 13. be applied, and to whom elſe may that agree:Math. 7. 7.Matt 7:7 Aske and yee ſhall receiue, ſeeke and yee ſhall finde, knocke and it ſhall bee opened vntounto you? So that he who thus truſteth in the Lord ſhall be as mount Sion which ſhall neuer be moued. Pſal. 125. 1.Ps 125:1Yea more, p. 85before I conclude this point which I hauehave vndertaken, concerning liuing by Faith, this will I adde,Gaine of liuing by faith. what I conceiue will be the exceeding gaine hereof; which I hauehave once or twice before generally mentioned, but reſerued more particularly to this place to lay open, to this end, that they who deſire to enioy theſe ſweet comforts, may be willing to vſe the meanes preſcribed, for the attaining thereunto. Wherein vponupon ſome triall, I will forewarne of this danger, which will hardly be auoided without great care: That though the labour to liue by Faith bee neither tedious nor vnpleaſant, much leſſe ſo grieuous as cannot be endured: yet our corrupt nature will not eaſily bee brought to vndertake it, and more hardly be held with any conſtancie to continue it;Few labour for this or attaine to it. Whereby it will come to paſſe, that few, will finde the fruit hereof promiſed; which p. 86I obſerue comes to paſſe by a ſpeciall policie of Sathan, who (knowing that all our ſtrength to reſiſt him lieth in Chriſt: and all the helpe we hauehave from Chriſt is principally by faith) doth therefore in ſpeciall, labour by all meanes to hinder our growth in faith, that ſo he may more eaſilie ouercome vsus. Wherefore we are exhorted 1 Pet. 5. 9. To reſiſt the deuill ſtedfaſt in faith. And our care muſt bee to ſtriue for the maintenance of the faith which was once giuen to the Saints; Iude ver. 3.As the Apoſtle Jude exhorteth. And aboue all to take to vsus the ſhield of faith, Eph. 6. 16Eph 6:16that we may quench all the fiery darts of the Deuill; That is, thoſe dreadfull terrors of an afflicted conſcience ariſing from ſenſe of Gods wrath hanging ouer vsus, which as venomed Darts lie burning in the fleſh, ſo theſe doe torment mens conſciences.

The more to moue vsus to bee p. 87ſpecially careful herein, let vsus wel weigh what bee the vnualurable commodities hereon enſuing, that we may to our comfort enioy the ſame. In thinking of theſe, me thinkes I might make a like anſwer to this queſtion, What is the benefite of liuing by faith, to that which the Apoſtle made;Rom. 3. 1, 2Rom 3:1Rom 3:2 What is the profitte of Circumciſion: Much eueryevery way.

For to ſay the truth, there is no good thing which God hath prepared for the ſonnes of men, or promiſed to any of his children, or they may euer looke for and inioy: which can any other way be obtained then by Faith. As the Scripture plentifully ſheweth, eſpecially in that worthie Chapter, Heb. 11. where it is further ſaid, v. 2. That by faith the Elders obtained a good report; Which I vnderſtand thus: That neuer was nor can bee done any acte, which is worthy true praiſe, but by Faith. For as it p. 88muſt needs be ſinfull that is not done of faith, and cannot pleaſe God; ſo where true faith is (according to the meaſure of it) it carries aboue all ſtrength of nature to ſuch admirable effects, as doe euidently ſhew the power of God to be preſent, and chiefe agent therein. As may well bee concluded out of that which the Apoſtle prayeth for the Epheſians; Eph. 1. 19.Eph 1:19That they might know what is the exceeding greatneſſe of Gods power in vsus that beleeue; which we ſee, admirably extolleth the excellencie of Faith. Now therefore not to reſt in generall, but to laie open ſome part of theſe great treaſures, which are enioyed by Faith: I might content my ſelfe to referre ſuch as deſire to behold; and attaine the ſame, to that excllent Treatiſe of the Priuiledges which belong to eueryevery true Chriſtian, ſet out by Maſter Rogers (which I could wiſh were better regarded,) p. 89wherein is fully laid out, what ſpeciall fauours, and benefites God hath prouided for his children, both in this life, in all the ſeuerall eſtates thereof: and in the life to come; all which being the free gift of God, and Legacies bequeathed to vsus in Chriſt, are receiued of vsus only by Faith: and are ſo many ſtrong motiues to ſtirre vp all to ſtand faſt in the faith, and by all good meanes to maintaine the ſame. But ſeeing that many hauehave not the booke, and others want leiſure or delight to reade ſuch large Treatiſes: I will draw out ſome of the principall, which ſhall be ſufficient to perſwade vsus, to ſpare no paines, whereby we may be made partakers of ſo great benefites. Wherein let this be firſt: That whereas they bee exceeding few who attaine to that bleſſed eſtate, ſet downe, Rom. 5. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. yet they that bee iuſtified by Faith doe inioy them all.

p. 90As firſt,1. Benefite of faith is peace. To hauehave peace towards God: That is, whereas eueryevery ſoule by nature is the childe of wrath, and ſo at mortall warre with God, being a ſeruant of ſin and Sathan, Gods ſworne enemie: and therefore vtterly out of Gods fauour, and ſubiect to his fearefull indignation: Now for ſuch an one to bee releaſed from his treſpaſſe and puniſhment; and to bee ſo reconciled to God through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, that there is an euerlaſting peace concluded betweene God and him, that there ſhall neuer be any more variance, or diſpleaſure; this cannot bee thought a ſmall benefit. And if it were betweene a rebell and his Prince, it would be redeemed with a great price. This is much, yet behold more; for as it is a farre higher fauour, for a Traitor not onelyonly to be pardoned, and freed from the Kings diſpleaſure, and ſo fully reconciled: but to be taken into p. 91to ſpeciall grace,2. To bee admitted into high fauour to be ſonnes. and made one, whom the King ſingularly loueth, and maketh of his priuie Councell, and taketh great delight in, ſo that he may hauehave free acceſſe into the Kings preſence, and to whom the King can denie nothing: In a word, to bee aduanced as Joſeph in Pharaoes court, or Mordecay in Ahaſhuerus Court, ſo to bee taken into like fauour with God: Yea more, of an enemy to be made a ſonne, and heire, yea coheire with Chriſt; this is ſo high a fauour, as more cannot bee conceiued. Yet this is that, which is here added to the former; That we who bee iuſtified by Faith,Rom. 5. 2.Rom 5:2 by Chriſt hauehave acceſſe through faith vntounto this grace wherein wee ſtand. Which I thus vnderſtand (as I ſaid) that wee be not onelyonly fully and freely diſcharged, from all Gods diſpleaſure iuſtly conceiued for our ſinne, and ſo a full peace made betweene God and vsus: But p. 92hereby alſo wee bee aduanced to that high dignity to be the ſonnes of God, as it is called Iohn 1. 12. Which is that grace wherein wee now ſtand. Rom 5. 2.Rom 5:2By meanes whereof we may boldly crie Abba Father, and hauehave free acceſſe to come into his preſence to aske what wee will, with aſſurance it ſhall bee done vntounto vsus, as Chriſt himſelfe promiſeth,Ioh. 16. 23, 24.John 16:23John 16:24 Iohn 15. 7. And from hence doe flowe all other bleſſings, as fruits and effects of this grace and fauour, into which we be admitted.

Among which, one principall followes in this Scripture, That we reioyce in the hope of the glory of God. Rom. 5. 2.Rom 5:2That is, how contemptible ſoeuer our ſtate bee in this world, (which vſually is bad enough) yet we hauehave hope of ſuch a glorious eſtate to come,3 Ioy of ſaluation. with God in his kingdome, as doth make vsus not onelyonly inwardly to reioyce; but openly to expreſſe it in word and deed. In word, p. 93when in a heauenly manner wee doe boaſt as it were of our honours which wee ſhall hauehave with God, when we ſhall bee receiued into his kingdome: as we reade Paul did oft,Rom. 8. 18, 38.Rom 8:18Rom 8:38 2 Tim. 4. 7, 8. In deed, when we openly ſhew,Phil. 3. 8, 9, 10.Phil 3:8Phil 3:9Phil 3:10 that on the one ſide wee are content to forgoe theſe tranſitorie preferments,2 Cor. 4. 17.2 Cor 4:17 which the worldlings ſo magnifie, that they fell heauen for them. A worthy patterne whereof was Moſes, Heb. 11. 24. That hee when hee was come to yeeres, 25.refuſed to be called the ſonne of Pharaoes daughter; 26.chuſing rather to ſuffer affliction with the people of God, then to enioy the pleaſure of ſinne for a ſeaſon: esteeming the reproach of Chriſt greater riches then the treaſures of Egipt; For he had reſpect to the recompence of reward. And on the other ſide when wee are willing to doe as our Lord and Maſter Chriſt did, Who for the ioy that was ſet before him, endured the p. 94Croſſe, and deſpiſed the ſhame, and is ſet downe at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb. 12. 2.Heb 12:2So when wee ſhall bee willing to ſuffer with Chriſt, that we may reigne with him, and ſhall count that the ſufferings of this preſent time are not worthy to bee compared with the glory that ſhall be reuealed, Rom. 8. 18,Rom 8:18then doe we truely glory in the hope of the glory of God; and (to ſay the truth) as none can doe theſe, but ſuch as hauehave hope of this glory, ſo he that hath this hope, cannot but count all doung for Chriſt, and to bee glorified with him: for howſoeuer it bee moſt true of this glory, that it is ſuch as eye hath not ſeene, eare hath not heard, neither can it enter into the heart of man to conceiue of the excellencie of this glorie, yet God hath giuen to his beloued, ſuch a glimpſe of it, as Peter, Math. 17. 1Matt 17:1James, and Iohn, had in the mount of Chriſts glory.2 Pet. 1. 172 Pet 1:17 That they doe conceiue their vilde bodies p. 95ſhall be changed and made like to the glorious body of Chriſt. Phil. 3. 21.Phil 3:21Their ſoules ſhall be cleanſed from all ſpottes, Eph. 5. 27.Eph 5:27and clothed with the perfect righteouſneſſe of Chriſt, and both in ſoule and body to be like vntounto Chriſt, 1 Ioh. 3. 3.1 John 3:3and ſo glorified with him; 2 Theſſ. 1. 10.2 Thess 1:10that he ſhall bee glorified in them, and they with him ſit in his throne: Reu. 3. 21.Rev 3:21yea more and aboue all, that can be vttered, that they ſhall hauehave ſuch vnion with Chriſt as ſhall bring them to be one with God the Father, Ioh. 17. 21.John 17:21as Chriſt and his Father are one; Which is that for which our Sauiour himſelfe praied vntounto his Father. All which ſo farre exceeding the ſhort reach of our weake capacitie, wee may ſee cauſe ſufficient, why they who are aſſured by faith, they ſhall certainely and fully enioy this glory, when they lay downe this earthly tabernacle. As the Apoſtle 2 Cor. 5. 1. expreſly affirmeth, why they, I ſay, doe thus reioyce and glory in this glory of God.

p. 96How great a benefite this is, though it cannot be valued, yet eueryevery one who hath his ſences exerciſed, to diſcerne both good and euill, may eaſily ſee, that it is ſuch and ſo great, as nothing to bee deſired may bee compared with it. And therefore there is cauſe enough to drawe all that knowe it, to ſpare no coſt or paines for the attayning to it.

In the next words,Rom. 5. 3Rom 5:3 the Apoſtle yet not ſatisfied in ſetting out the ſingular benefites which are enioyed by this life of faith, addeth this, as a great enlargement of the former, That the beleeuer doth not onelyonly ſo, that is, in a holy manner, Glory in the hope of Gods glory; but we glory alſo in tribulation, knowing that tribulation worketh patience, v. 4. and patience experience, and experience hope, v. 5. & hope maketh not aſhamed, becauſe the louelove of God is ſhed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghoſt, which is p. 97giuen to vsus, wherein he intendeth that ſuch is the power of faith where it is liuing, that it ſo quieteth and comforteth Gods children in their meaneſt condition, that they not onelyonly reioyce in the hope of that glorie to come, (which is the beſt part of their eſtate:) but (which is much more admirable) that they finde matter of outward reioycing in the worſt part,Reioycing in afflictions. that is, in tribulations and afflictions of what kinde ſoeuer; which is no more then God requires by his Apoſtle Iames 1. 2. My brethren count it all ioy, when you fall into diuers temtations, knowing that the triall of your faith worketh patience, &c. Whereof we hauehave the Apoſtle Paul, 2 Cor. 12. 10. a worthie example, who ſaith of himſelfe, Therfore I take pleaſure in infirmities, 2 Cor. 12. 10.2 Cor 12:10in reproches, in neceſſities, in perſecutions, in diſtreſſes for Chriſt his ſake. Which if it ſhall be well conſidered, how vnwelcome p. 98theſe be to the naturall man, and nippe the heart of all his comforts and reioycings; it will bee counted a ſingular benefite in all of theſe to be more then conquerers, as the Apoſtle ſaith, Rom. 8. 37. That is, not only to ouercome theſe with faith and patience, but to glorie in them and reioyce, that wee are counted worthy to ſuffer ſhame for his name. Acts 5. 41.Acts 5:41And whereas the naturall man doth for theſe eſpecially ſhunne true religion, and the ſincere profeſſion therof, which vſually brings the croſſe and manifold troubles; What a ſingular comfort is this, that Gods childe may aſſure himſelfe, theſe afflictions (how many and great ſoeuer) yet they ſhall bee ſo farre ftom hurting him, that they ſhall all turne to his good many waies? and therefore that he hath iuſt matter of ioy and thankes, though not for the paine and griefe which bee bitter, but for the gaine which is p. 99ſweet, as Heb. 12. 11.

Becauſe this is not readilie receiued, the Apoſtle in this Scripture Rom. 5. 3, &c. doth vndertake, to giuegive ſufficient reaſon hereof; namelie this, that the firme beleeuer doth know that tribulation worketh patience, & patience experience,Tribulation bringeth patience. and experience hope, &c. In all which hee ſetteth forth certaine ſpeciall fruites, which Gods children reape by afflictions: Namelie theſe; That whereas we all are by nature like vntamed Heiffers neuer accuſtomed to the yoke, who by bearing the yoke bee made gentle and willing to put their neckes vnderunder the yoke, and quietly to beare it; ſo Gods children being not acquainted with afflictions, be much diſquieted therwith at firſt: But afterwards being more exerciſed with ſundrie tribulations, grow more acquainted, and become more willing to beare them, and quietly p. 100to endure them, which alone is true patience: Not to be furious or ſenceleſſe, but meekely to abide vnderunder Gods hand, and ſo To hold their peace, Pſal. 39. 9.Ps 39:9becauſe God who cannot erre hath done it. The worth of this may herein bee ſeene, in that ſo few hauehave well learned this Chriſtian patience.

From hence ariſeth another ſpeciall fruit,Patience brings experience. namely experience. That as Mariners at the firſt going to ſea, ſeeing the great waues, and toſsing of the ſhip, looke ſtill to bee ſwallowed vp and to periſh; but afterward by enduring many of theſe ſtormes, grow to ſuch experience of Gods power in preſeruing them, that they doe not ſo feare periſhing as before, but cheerefully endure them: Euen ſo the faithfull, how ſo euer at the firſt they begin to be diſmayed with the manifold troubles they meet withall, corruptions within, and afflictions without, (reproches and p. 101iniuries by men of the world not the leaſt,) yet afterwards by patient enduring of theſe, they finde by proofe, that God hath made them able to beare them, and graciouſly deliuered them. Whereby they grow to bee as trained ſouldiers, better exerciſed both to beare and profite by them; and ſo to waite for a good end and iſſue out of them, which is the next benefite here mentioned: namely hope, whereof it is ſaid,Experience bringeth hope. Experience worketh hope; whereby is meant, that as in all kinde of difficulties, men hauing often found helpe and releaſe, doe gather thereout hope of like aſsiſtance for time to come; Euen ſo likewiſe the often proofe and experience which the faithfull hauehave of Gods mightie power, and readie helpe in all their trials and troubles, both preſeruing them vnderunder their heauie burthens, and in due time and meaſure eaſing them, p. 102and in the end fully releaſing them: The experience hereof (I ſay) makes them hope and looke for like helpe hereafter in time of need. What ſweet eaſe and refreſhing this brings to a weary heart, may be ſeene by that common and true prouerbe: If it were not for hope hart would break.

And to goe no further, the next words makes it manifeſt: Where it is ſaid, Hope maketh not aſhamed. Verſ. 5. Hope makes not aſhamed.That is, when wee bee ſore diſtreſſed, and ſee no apparent meanes of eſcaping or deliuerance, naturally wee begin to faint; and to bee confounded in our ſelues, and ſo driuen to hide our heads for ſhame, as not able to abide the reprochfull ſpeeches, which vſually paſſe vponupon men ſo caſt downe. A cleere proofe whereof we hauehave in Iobs caſe. Then if there bee any true hope grounded on Gods faithful promiſe of helpe in due time, which is imbraced by faith; then, p. 103I ſay, ſhall we be able to hold vp our heads, and ſay with faithfull Iob, Iob 13. 15.Job 13:15Though he kil me yet wil I truſt in him. Eph. 6. 17.Eph 6:17For which cauſe this grace of hope is fitly compared to an helmet,1 Theſſ. 5. 8.1 Thess 5:8 wherewith a man armed dares boldly hold vp his head and looke his enemy in the face.

This is the benefite which the beleeuer hath in all extremities, which no other can enioy. For they if they be not ſenſeleſſe, either ſtruggle like a wilde beaſt in the net; or ſinke downe in deſpaire without any comfort.

If this be ſo, let it bee then acknowledged to bee no common bleſsing to liue by faith; which beſides many others, brings ſuch patience, experience, hope, and confidence in all our troubles. The true cauſe of all which the Apoſtle here laieth downe to bee this,Rom. 5. 5.Rom 5:5 Becauſe the louelove of God is ſhed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Ghoſt which is giuen to vsus; meaning, that as the louelove of a friend, is beſt tried and ſeene in greateſt p. 104need: ſo Gods louelove vntounto his children is moſt manifeſt in their greateſt tribulations.

For wheras at other times God giues to his, ſome ſweet taſtes of his fatherly louelove,Eſa. 63. 9.Isa 63:9 In all their troubles he is ſo troubled, & his bowels ſo moued, that like a tender mother bee as it were dandles them in his lap, and ſpeaks ſo kindly to them; yea not onelyonly bemones them, but helpes them eueryevery way as need requires; that now they ſee plainly, how tenderly he loues them; which grace is wrought in them by the holy Ghoſt, which is giuen to all beleeuers; All which cōmendeth Gods high fauour to theſe, and ſo the moſt happy condition of them all, and of them alone, that liue by faith. All which is contained in this one ſcripture, Rom. 5. 7. which I hauehave but opened, and not powred out all that herein is contained. Now if this one boxe of Spikenard containe ſuch ſtore of ſweet conſolations, what may wee thinke is to bee p. 105drawn out of al other ſcriptures? I dare ſay a large volume; for to ſay what I hauehave obſerued, (& all may ſee who will conſider it) that although the Lord in great wiſdome & louelove regarding our frailty, who are not more loth to read much, then prone to forget what we reade, hath ſet downe his will in vnimitable breuity; yet he is very plentifull in laying forth his exceeding great & precious promiſes, 2 Pet. 1. 4.2 Pet 1:4as S. Peter calleth them: All which doe containe thoſe bleſſings earthly and ſpirituall, for this life and that to come, which God hath prepared for all true beleeuers; who onelyonly being the iuſt poſſeſſors of theſe, I thinke it ſufficiently proueth that which I intend, What benefite it is to liue by faith. Which may more manifeſtly be ſeene by the Apoſtles own words in the ſcripture,Rom. 5. 1.Rom 5:1 where he of purpoſe vndertakes to ſet out what is the bleſſed eſtate of thoſe that be iuſtified p. 106by faith, and ſo brings in all theſe ſingular benefites we hauehave mentioned. Yea, and addeth that it is by faith, that wee hauehave acceſſe into this grace wherein wee ſtand. And to ſay the truth, (as hath beene ſaid alreadie,) neither theſe, nor any other ſauing grace, or true bleſsing is obtained, but by faith▪ And therefore I may conclude, that hee that lookes to finde any comfort in this life, and to nouriſh the hope of a better, let him make it his chiefe indeauour thus to liue by faith, by which alone, theſe and ail that may be deſired, are enioyed.

And thus would I leaue this point to be proued rather by experience then by argument, and ſo come to that I chieflie aime at, to bring this doctrine into practiſe; and as I promiſed to collect ſome ſpeciall promiſes, and to ſhew how they are to bee applied particularly to eueryevery perſon, and condition to whom p. 107they belong. But that I remember there is one other ſingular vſe of Faith, whereof though we ſtand in great need, yet it is very weakely attained, becauſe it is ſo little ſought after,Another benefite of liuing by faith, is our Sanctification. And this it is, how by faith wee might more maſter our greateſt corruptions, and better diſcharge thoſe duties wherein wee moſt faile. Wherein the more to moue all that reade this, better to regard it, I doe with hearts griefe bewaile, to ſee ſo many, of whom I conceiue good hope, that they hauehave truly receiued the grace of God, that yet neither themſelues can feele, nor others diſcerne any apparant growth in true ſanctification, either in the ſubduing of their chiefeſt infirmities: or ſuch a walking in their places as beſeemeth their condition. But in generall ſuch a conformitie to the corruptions of the times, ſuch deadneſſe of ſpirit in all holy exerciſes, p. 108with a groſſe and continuall neglect, or common abuſe of them; as priuate reading, meditation and prayer,Many blemiſhes in regenerate perſons. inſtruction and wiſe gouernment of their Families, holy conference in their brotherly meetings, with ſuch care of edifying one another. And on the other ſide, ſuch vaine and ſinfull merrie-making, that there is but ſmall difference betweene them and meere naturall men. As for their worldly dealings, as eagerly following the world, and contending thereabouts; as buſily following their pleaſure, with curioſitie in houſes, apparell, decking their children and the like, and generally ſuch ſetting their mindes and affections vponupon theſe things here below, as men that are not riſen with Chriſt. I might ſay no leſſe of their vnmercifulneſſe many waies, and great impatiencie in eueryevery thing that croſſeth them; with ſundrie the like great and long continued p. 109blemiſhes of their holy profesſion, and iuſt abaters of their ſpirituall comforts, in ſuch ſort, that I hauehave ſeen & heard the deathes of many to hauehave had little to be reioyced in: and no maruell, ſeeing they tooke ſo little care either to glorifie God in their life, or to win others, or to make their calling & election ſure. It was moſt iuſt with God, that their death ſhould want of that glory with others, & comfort to themſelues, which others of Gods childrē do enioy; who liuing by faith, hauehave learned better to bridle their vnruly affections, & more wiſely to walke to the honor of God, edification of others, & peace to their owne conſciences. All which is attained by …aith, & notwithout it, as hath before bin touched, and now ſhall further be made manifeſt. The Apoſtle, Romanes 7. 14, ſaith, ſpeaking of himſelfe, beeing now regenerate, ſaith That the Lawe is ſpirituall▪ but I am carnall, ſolde vnderunder ſinne, which p. 110in many words following, hee prooueth and exclaimes: ſaying, verſ. 18. For I know that in mee, that is, in my fleſh, dwelleth no good thing; for to will is preſent with me, but how to performe that which is good, I finde not: and more to like effect. Whereout this may euidently be gathered, that euen in thoſe that hauehave true faith,Strength of ſinne in true beleeuers. and be effectually regenerated, there remaineth ſuch a corrupt nature, as keepeth them from many good duties, and carrieth them to ſu… dry euill actions: yea, and that with ſuch ſtrong hand oftentimes that they hauehave no power to withſtand; as followes, where he compares himſelfe to a poore ſouldiour taken priſoner by the enemy, and helde in captiuity till he be reſcued by his captaine; meaning, that Gods children are oft ſo held captiues to their corruptions, that they hauehave no power to reſiſt, much leſſe to ouercome, till by the power of Chriſt they p. 111be deliuered out of this thraldome, as may bee ſeene in all the particulars before mentioned. As for example, when a poore Chriſtian ſhall be ſo poſſeſſed with the louelove of this worldly wealth, that though he deſire and purpoſe to be more mercifull to Gods needy Saints, yet when he comes to it, he cannot ouercome himſelfe to relieue according to his ability, and their neceſsitie; but euen againſt the light of his conſcience, either giues not, or not ſo much as he ſhould. So much more for lending, for conſcionable buying and ſelling: and as in all matters of profite, ſo of pleaſure, hee that is in captiuity to them, no purpoſes, prayers, no vowes can keepe him backe, but he will obey his luſt, in vaine apparrell, in going to playes, in cardes, dice, and other gamings. The impotency of many in withſtanding their luſts, ſhewes in what captiuity they be held: likewiſe p. 112in reuenge, and vncharitable thoughts, of ſuch as hauehave done them wrong. They which be able to diſcerne their owne corrupt nature, may eaſily ſee with what difficultie they doe bridle their luſts; nay oft, how imposſible it is, to giuegive to ſuch as offend them, a good word, or a good countenance.

By all which and many the like, it euidently appeares, that many of Gods children be thus held in captiuity, that they cannot by all the ſtrength they hauehave get out: ſo that without they bee deliuered by Chriſt, they ſhal bequite ouercome: which the Apoſtle himſelfe in this very place expreſſeth, where complaining hereof with griefe and admiration at the difficulty of the worke (not in any deſpaire) cryeth out,Rom. 7. 24.Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am, who ſhall deliuer me from the body of this death? Wherunto he makes anſwere himſelfe, ſaying, I thanke God through Ieſus p. 113Chriſt our Lord: meaning, that though hee ſawe, neither in himſelfe, nor in any creature beſide, any power to deliuer him from the corruption of nature, which brings death, where it is not ſubdued: yet hee ſawe ſuch helpe in Chriſt, as made him ioye to giuegive thankes to God for the ſame. Wherein I obſerue a worthy practiſe of this which I chiefly endeauour to drawe beleeuers vntounto, namely, How by faith to maſter their ſtrongeſt corruptions: For here the Apoſtle finding no where out of Chriſt, any ſufficient power to deliuer him out of this captiuitie to ſinne and death, by the hand of faith hee layeth holde vponupon Chriſt, aſſuring himſelfe vponupon Chriſts promiſe,2. Cor. 12 92 Cor 12:9 That his grace ſhould be ſufficient for him, and that his power ſhould be magnified in his weakneſſe. Therefore hee ſhould not bee left in his enemies hands, but in due time to be ſet at p. 114libertie more freely to ſerue the Lord. This is that I commend to the practiſe of eueryevery true beleeuer, that whenſoeuer hee feeles his corruptions too hard for him, that he cannot by all his endeauors get the maſterie ouer them, then to flye to Chriſt, and by true faith to applye his promiſes for the mortifying of ſinne, that thereby hee may receiue power from Chriſt more to crucifie the olde man with his members.

For our better performance whereof, I will a little digreſſe, (though not farre from my purpoſe) briefly to ſet out, the readieſt and the ſureſt way which I know, to mortifie any ſin; which ſtandeth in the diligent exerciſe of theſe 4 rules following.

Firſt,4. rules of mortification. that whereas wee bee all blind by nature, that wee ſee not our ſinnes, and ſo full of pride, and ſelfe-louelove, that wee thinke better of our ſelues, then there is cauſe; eueryevery one who will mortifie p. 115his ſinne, muſt labour by all good meanes to finde out what bee his chiefeſt ſinnes moſt diſpleaſing …o God.

Theſe meanes be:

1. A true examination of our ſelues in eueryevery commandement.

2. Secondly, a carefull obſeruation of all our wayes; and as men doe trace the creatures in the time of ſnowe, ſo to marke our ſteppes in time of temptation: as our impatience when wee be prouoked, and ſo for all other ſinnes, as pride, and couetouſneſſe, &c.

3. Thirdly, a ſeeking, and receiuing admonition from ſuch as ſpye our infirmities.

4. And fourthly, earneſt praier to God to diſcouer our chiefeſt imperfections. By all which and the like faithfully vſed, wee ſhall finde out, wherein we hauehave moſt need to be reformed; that ſo vponupon ſight thereof, wee may better applye all our endeauours p. 116for our recouerie.

The ſecond rule is,2. rule to be weary of our ſins. when wee hauehave found out our ſinne, then to get our hearts to be weary of the ſame, and willing to be cured of it; which ſhall be if we conſider the great hurt it brings vsus, partly in keeping good things from vsus, and partly in pulling downe vponupon vsus ſo many euills vponupon ſoule and body, our ſelues and others belonging to vsus. To ſet out theſe in particulars would not be hard, but it would carry mee too farre from my matter intended. It ſhall ſuffice to remember in this caſe, that all our woe comes from our ſinnes, as both Scripture, reaſon, and continuall experience doe ſhewe: which if it were well weighed, would make vsus more weary of our ſinne, then of our ſickneſſe or other affliction, and breede in vsus much more feruent deſires to bee cured. And therefore this muſt bee another daily conſideration, both what p. 117bitter fruites our ſinnes bring foorth, and that from thence all the woes we meete withall doth ſpring.

The third and moſt principall rule is,3. rule is to get power frō Chriſt. That for ſo much as ſuch is our frailtie, that when we hauehave got ſome true ſight of our principall corruptions, and therewithall ſome loathing of them, with an earneſt deſire to be ridde of them; yet wee hauehave no ability in our ſelues to mortifie them, but All our ſufficiency is of God, and without Chriſt, wee can doe nothing, as is oft ſaid, but neuer ſufficientlie regarded: Therefore hereupon eſpecially dependeth all our power to mortifie ſinne, that we by faith doe drawe from Chriſt that power and vertue, which is in him, to change our crabbed and ſowre nature, that wee may bee ſweete and pleaſant grapes for the Lord our God. This is that eſpecially which I ayme at, to perſwade all that p. 118faine would get more maſtery ouer their ſtrong corruptions and vnrulie affections: namely, to do as the woman in the Goſpel, Who hauing an iſſue of blood twelue yeers, and had ſuffered many things of the Phyſitions, Mar. 5. 25.Mark 5:25and had ſpent all that ſhe had, and was nothing better, but rather grew worſe; when ſhe heard of Ieſus, came in the preaſſe behind him, and touched his garment; for ſhe ſaid, if I may but touch him, I ſhall be whole: and ſtraight way the fountaine of her blood was dryed vp, and ſhe felt in her body that ſhe was healed of that plague. Euen ſo muſt we all, who hauehave had many foule iſſues of ſinne, of pride, hypocriſie, ſecurity, preſumption, wrathfulneſſe, vncleaneneſſe, worldlineſſe, and the like many, and hauehave taken great paines, and beene nothing the better, but rather growne worſer: (for ſo muſt it needes be till we come to Chriſt) doe wee what poſsiblie wee can; ſuch I ſay muſt come to Chriſt, p. 119and touch him by a true faith, and then ſhall they feele vertue to come from him, to drye vp this fountaine of their corruptions.

Oh that this might be brought more into tryall, what would be the difference betweene this and all other practiſes for the mortifying of the fleſh, which without this ſhall bee found inſufficient, if not deceiueable: for where ſhal be found any vertue to kill ſinne in our nature, but in Chriſt in our nature? Can mans reaſon, will, or reſolution ſuffiſe to draw him to forſake his ſo pleaſing, and profitable ſinnes, as hee ſuppoſeth? If this might bee in ſome outward actions, in reſpect of men, yet this cannot bee in the heart to pleaſe God, which is onelyonly the worke of Gods Spirit in true beleeuers. How this is to be done, hath beene before declared; here onelyonly I commend the vſe of this liuing by faith, p. 120without which, as there is no true mortification of any ſinne whatſoeuer: ſo by this, wee ſhall ſurely obtaine power againſt the oldeſt and ſtrongeſt corruptions in our nature.

Whereunto if one thing be added, I well ſee not what ſhould be wanting, to the mortification of them all; at leaſt in ſuch meaſure as God will accept of, and wee may hauehave comfort in; which is the fourth rule by mee intended:4. rule of mortifying ſinne. namely, That hauing receiued 1. a true ſight of ſinne. 2. a willing minde to bee cured of it. 3. power from Chriſt for the ſubduing of it: then in the laſt place, that with this furniture we enter the battaile, and with good courage ſet againſt al the aſſaults of Sathan, all the allurements of this world, and all the euill luſts of our owne hearts:Eph. 4. 27.Eph 4:27 That we giuegive not place to the diuell, Iam. 4. 7.Jas 4:7but reſiſt him rather, 1. Pet. 5. 9.1 Pet 5:9ſtedfaſt in faith, as wee oft be exhorted; and that vponupon promiſe p. 121that hee ſhall flie from vsus; which is the ſame whereto the Apoſtle exhorts and perſwades by many arguments, To put on the whole armour of God, Eph. 6. 11.Eph 6:11that wee may bee able to ſtand againſt the … of the deuill; 1 Tim. 6. 121 Tim 6:12and elſewhere,… Cor. 16. 13. to fight the good fight of faith, to … and ſtand faſt in the faith, to quite, vsus like men, and to bee ſtrong. In all which, and many the like, this is required, that all they who hauehave by faith receiued Chriſt, and ſo from and in him all needfull grace, whereby … enabled to withſtand all their ſpirituall enemies: That they, I ſay, ſhould manfully … the Lords battels, and … through ſloathfulneſſe, not cowardlineſſe, ſhrinke backe, and giuegive way to their enemies; which would bee their ouerthrowe, as daily experience ſheweth. Heerein many faile. On the other ſide, many raſhly ruſhing into the p. 122battell vnarmed, and ſo are ſoare foiled; which is the common errour of thoſe, who wanting faith both reſolue to leaue ſuch ſinnes as bring them to terrour before God, and ſhame before men: and doe alſo many wayes bind themſelues thereto, as to leaue badde company, dicing, carding, drinking, and worſe: yet oft they preuaile not; and if they doe, it is farre from true mortification, and ſo indeede are neuer the neerer to true comfort. So needefull therefore it is for all that may hope for victory in this ſpirituall battell, firſt to get this Armour, and then to fight. And thus hauehave I ſhewed the beſt way I know for the ouercomming of our ſeuerall corruptions, and all other ſpirituall enemies, which ſeeing it cannot bee attained to but by faith▪ For this is the victory that ouercommeth the world, 1. Ioh. 5. 4.1 John 5:4euen our faith: it well prooueth the point I intend, and ſo commends this p. 123precious gift of faith, that any who euer felt or feares the wounds of ſinne, and hath taſted and deſires the reioycing of a good conſcience, (whereof 2. of Corinth. 1. 12.) ſhall ſee cauſe enough to perſwade him aboue all to take vp oft and againe (as the word ſignifieth:)

The ſhield of faith, Eph. 6. 16.Eph 6:16The ſame may be ſaide for the other part of ſanctification: namely, that all to our ability to leade a godly life, and comfortably to performe all good duties to God and man, is no other way attained then by faith, as it hath beene already, and might more plentifully be prooued by Scriptures and experience if neede ſo required. But I will onelyonly adde this for helpe of the weaker, to ſhewe them how by the helpe of the former rules fitly vſed, they may be able in ſome good meaſure to practiſe all holy duties, and ſpecially ſuch in which they p. 124moſt faile.

Firſt,4. rules for practiſe of all duties. eueryevery one is to inquire, and by all meanes hee may, to learne,1. to know our duties. what be the ſpecial duties which God requireth at his hands, either in his generall calling of Chriſtianity, or ſpeciall place wherein God hath ſet him, and what be the gifts and graces wherein he is moſt weake; that ſo hee may more earneſtly labour for the attaining of them: which knowledge ſhall bee as a light to guide him in the right way to heauen. Whereas otherwiſe men are in darkneſſe, and can neuer poſſibly leade a godly life; and though they may hauehave ſome deſires to take a better courſe, yet this ignorance will ſo blind them▪ they ſhal not find the way; which is one chiefe cauſe, why the liues of manie profeſſing religion are ſo barren, that little more can be ſeene then bare leaues of profeſſion.

Moſt thinke it enough to auoid p. 125groſſe offences, and to practiſe common duties of religion and righteouſneſſe: but to know how to pleaſe God in all things, this is too preciſe, and more then needes; whereas the beſt of Gods children, ſeeing and bewailing their blindnes, do oft and earneſtly ſeeke to God to giuegive them knowledge and vnderſtanding, Rom. 12. 1.Rom 12:1what the good will of God is, … and perfect. Pſal. 119.Ps 119The example of Dauid is ſufficient in this caſe, how vnce…antlie hee prayed to God To teach him his …, to giuegive hi… vnderſtanding, who yet had as much knowledge of his duty as any other.

The great neede and vſe of this knowledge, what God would hauehave vsus to doe in our places, and in our ſeuerall eſtates of proſperitie and aduerſitie, may eaſily bee ſeene by all that hauehave any care to pleaſe God, who ſhall find thēſelues to ſeek in many things, both what to do, & how p. 126to carry themſelues. And therefore I aduiſe all who may looke for any comfort of an holy life, carefully to examine themſelues in what duties they be moſt failing, either in not doing them, or doing them amiſſe. And for their helpe to doe as before was taught in the firſt rule of mortification, …ow to find out our chiefeſt ſinnes: ſo here to know what is the chiefeſt worke God would hauehave vsus to doe, and in what manner it ought to be done, that this may be euer as a light to ſhew vsus the good way wherein God would hauehave vsus to walke.

This is the firſt rule to bee obſerued for the well ordering of our whole life; which though it be ſo neceſſary, that there can be no good life without it, yet it is not ſufacient.

And therefore in the next place,2. rule to get a willing mind. wee are to labour to get our hearts ready and willing to doe ſuch good things, as wee p. 127know God requires; for wee are not more ignorant what God would hauehave vsus to do, and in what manner, then vnwilling to doe either, as our daily practiſe prooueth, eſpecially to do more then vſually is done, which the Lord knowth is very poorely performed: for to let paſſe the carnall Proteſtāt & hypocrite, who do al to halfes, and for ſhew, this will be found in thoſe that hauehave ſome truth, that though they make conſcience of ſome duties, yet are very hardly brought to others, which bee more laborious, or more crosſing their corrupt nature in their credit, profite or pleaſure. Hence it is that many are ſo negligent and ſlight in reading, priuate prayer, meditating, inſtructing of their families, ſanctification of the Sabboth: ſo hardly brought to ſobrietie and and true liberalitie. But of all, how ſeldome can the moſt of vsus be brought to humble our ſelues p. 128in faſting and prayer, though wee hauehave neuer ſo many and iuſt cauſes to pull vsus often hereunto, both for our ſelues and others, in publike and priuate. Theſe and the like prooue this rule to bee moſt needefull, to gette our hearts more willing to eueryevery known dutie.

The way whereby this is obtained, is an often and aduiſed conſideration of the great gaine which comes by a conſcionable diſcharge of theſe duties that belong vntounto vsus, in bringing glorie to God, profit to others, and peace to their owne ſoules; all which is more commonlie confeſſed, then ſoundly enioyed of manie true beleeuers.

Of this gaine well ſpake the Apoſtle, 1. Tim. 6. 6. ſaying, Godlineſſe with contentment is great gaine: and chap. 4. 8. Godlineſſe is profitable for all things, hauing promiſe of the life that now i…, and of that which is to come. And to the p. 129ſame purpoſe is that of the Prophet,Pſal. 19. 11Ps 19:11 In keeping of thē, that is, Gods commandements, there is great reward. None of anie grace will denie theſe; but not remembring or not beleeuing them, and ſo not regarding them, and being drawn away by other more deſired gaine, deſpiſe this the greateſt gaine, and neglect the meanes which bring the ſame. The true practiſe then of this rule is, that when we feele a backwardnes to anie dutie which we know God requireth, then to ſtirre vp our hearts by laying before vsus, how we ſhall honor God and our profeſſion, draw on, and winne others to the like obedience, & ſtop the mouths of gain-ſayers, procure to our ſelues much peace, comfort, and credite amongſt Gods ſeruants; yea drawe downe all needfull bleſsings, and keepe away many ſore che…ke of a guilty conſciēce, & many reproaches in the world, & heauy chaſtiſemēts duplicate page p. 126duplicate page p. 127duplicate page p. 128duplicate page p. 129p. 130which God layes vponupon his owne children for their bold neglect of duties which hee requireth. If theſe were as they ſhould bee, well remembred and regarded, it would at leaſt make vsus willing to doe our vtmoſt, to pleaſe God; which yet is not enough to make vsus able to doe what we would, for that which Paul ſpeaketh of himſelfe,Rom. 7. 19.Rom 7:19 we finde much more in our ſelues, That the good we would doe, we doe not; ſuch is our decay by Adams fall, that as wee hauehave no knowledge of Gods will, for the well guiding of our liues, till he reueale it, and hauehave no will thereto till God make vsus vnwilling; ſo more, when we hauehave both theſe, yet we finde no ability to performe that which is good.

There is neede therefore of a third rule to direct vsus,3. rule to get ability. how to get this ability to doe that good which wee know and deſire; and ſeeing all our ſufficiency to doe any good,2. Cor. 3. 5.2 Cor 3:5 thought, word, or p. 131worke, is of God: and (as before vponupon an other occaſion was ſhewed) Without Chriſt we can doe nothing; Ioh. 15. 5.John 15:5and I am able to do all things through Chriſt which ſtrengtheneth mee, as the Apoſtle ſaith, Phil. 4. 13. By theſe and the like, is euident, that all our ſtrength to performe any duty in ſuch ſort as may be pleaſing to God, lieth in Chriſt, and muſt be from him communicated to vsus, that wee by it may be able to doe the will of God. Now wee hauehave already heard that the onelyonly way to applie Chriſt to vsus, and ſo to draw grace and vertue from him▪ to doe any good worke, is faith; whereby as we are vnited to him, ſo we receiue from him all needfull grace to inable vsus to ſuch meaſure of obedience, as God wil accept at our hāds. And therfore whenſoeuer we feele a true deſire to doe the will of God in any thing, but finde no abilitie thereto, as to forgiue our enemies, p. 132to bee more patient vnderunder the croſſe, to humble our ſelues before God in faſting, to pray more feruently, and with fruite, and more conſci…nablie to heare Gods word, &c. Our practiſe muſt bee (as before, for mortication, ſo now for new obedience) to flie to Chriſt, and to lay holde on him by a true faith, that through him wee ſhall bee able to doe all things, and from him receiue all grace neceſſarie for the leading of a godly life; which is a ſpeciall part of this great benefite wee hauehave by faith, that being of our ſelues ſo weake vntounto eueryevery good worke, by faith in Chriſt, wee may bee ſtrengthened in grace,Heb. 12. 28Heb 12:28 Whereby wee may ſo ſerue God, that wee may pleaſe him with reuerence and g…dly feare. In which reſpect alſo, I commend it to our dailie practiſe, that thus liuing by faith, our liues may bring more glorie to God, good example and profite to our brethren, p. 133with ſweet comfort to our own ſoules both in life & death.

For the better practiſe whereof,4. Rule to ſet vponupon duties. the fourth rule is alſo to be obſerued, namely With this knowledge, deſire, and faith, to ſet vponupon the duties we moſt faile in, & to put to all our ſtrength to doe the will of God in all things, and that in ſuch manner as may bee moſt acceptable through Chriſt. To this end be all thoſe exhortations vntounto holy life in the Scriptures, both in the writings of the Apoſtles and Prophets;Mat. 5. 44.Matt 5:44 as to louelove our enemies, to bleſſe thoſe that curſe vsus, and the like many. All which, though iuſtly by God required of all men, yet indeed cānot be performed without faith, which is the cauſe why they be ſo ſeldome, and that very ſleightly obeyed: For as ſome will ſet vponupon holy duties by their owne ſtrength, and not drawing by faith vertue from Chriſt, do labor in vain; ſo on the other ſide, many idle profeſſors p. 134dangerouſly deceiue themſelues, in ſaying they hope in Chriſt for power and ſtrength to lead a better life, and yet very idly neglect thoſe labours which God commands, whereby they might attaine to more grace and better obedience; ſo that all thoſe rules will bee found ſo neceſſarie, that not one of them can bee ſpared, but he that looketh for the comfort of a good conſcience, either in the ouercomming of his ſpeciall ſinnes, or conſcionable practiſe of his ſpeciall duties, muſt conſtantly obſerue theſe rules, by which I dare affirme (to ſay no more) his gaine ſhall anſwer all his paines.

And thus hauehave I as briefely as I can, and plainly (vponupon the former occaſion) ſhewed, how a true beleeuer may attaine vntounto this great grace to leade a godly life in both the parts of it, in dying to all ſinne, and liuing to all righteouſneſſe; Which as no p. 135other can poſsibly attaine vntounto, ſo neither they all who beleeue to be ſaued by Chriſt, doe enioy this benefite: for though they be renewed in part, and in ſome meaſure doe mortifie the fleſh, and make conſcience of ſome duties, both of holineſſe, and righteouſneſſe, without which they could not proue themſelues to hauehave any ſauing faith; yet either not knowing how to liue by faith, ſo as thereby they might ſhine as lights in the darke world; or not practiſing this knowledge, they be not onelyonly dimme lights, but giuegive out bad example, liuing many waies offenſiuely, to the reproch of their profeſsion, griefe of the godly, and ſmall peace or comfort to their owne conſciences. All which might bee well auoided and the contrary bleſsings enioyed, if this liuing by faith were brought into daily vſe; By all which, and the former benefites p. 136of liuing by faith laid together, I hope may be ſufficiently ſeene, that there is no life comparable to this life of Faith; yea rather none to bee deſired beſides this, which only hath all the promiſes of this life preſent, and that which is to come. And therefore to conclude this former part of the Treatiſe,Concluſion of firſt part. wherein I hauehave as plainly as I can, ſet out firſt what true faith is, how it is gotten, how any may know that they hauehave true Faith. And ſecondly what it is to liue by Faith, how this is attained by a wiſe application of Gods promiſes; and herewith the manifold and ſingular benefites ariſing from hence: I doe in the Lord, with all inſtance beſeech all ſuch who hauing any true faith in Chriſt, and deſire to adorne it with an holy life, and yet vponupon beter examination of their waies, doe finde their profeſsion to hauehave beene of little good vſe to others, and of p. 137as ſmall comfort to themſelues, (to ſpeake nothing of their offenſiue life before mentioned:) I intreat all ſuch, I ſay, but to make triall of this aduice I giuegive, to learne to liue by Faith, & to this end to follow this direction here ſet downe, till they ſhall bee able better to guide themſelues. And ſo my hope and prayer ſhall be, that God will let them ſee ſuch fruit of their labour, as ſhall bring them more true comfort daily, then in many daies, and to ſome more then in any daie of their life paſt; which I humbly beſeech the Lord to grant both to my ſelfe, and them, euen for his Chriſts ſake.