The Saints Amity with God in Christ, Discourse · Part 1 · Book 1 · Chapter 10 · Section 9
SECT. 9. The Friends of Chriſt muſt live by Faith, in al ſtates and conditions of ſuffering, immediately by, or for Chriſt.
9. OUR laſt great Advice, in order to the Filling up, and Improving this Relation of Friendſhip with Chriſt, is, In al ſtates and conditions, of ſuffering to live by Faith. Faith is the Life and Soul of friendſhip with Chriſt: and the more we live by faith, the more we live as the friends of Chriſt. Faith is the maſter Vein, that conveigheth vital ſpirits, to al the laws of friendſhip. What makes the friends of Chriſt, more intimately one with him, that firme Adheſion to him, by lively acts of faith? Doth not this keep their hearts cloſe to Chriſt, and Chriſt's heart cloſe to them? What is there that breeds more ſelf-jelouſie, and confidence in Chriſt, than clear, repeted acts of faith? Who are they that depend leaſt on themſelves, and moſt on Chriſt, but ſuch as live moſt by Faith? Is not the believing ſoul, ſo far as his faith is predominant, moſt zelous for, and obedient to Chriſt; and yet moſt poor in Spirit, and Dependent on Chriſt? Doth not Faith make the friends of Chriſt ſo diligent in the uſe of means, as if there were no Grace to be truſted in; and yet ſo abſolutely dependent on Chriſt, as if there were no means, or diligence to be uſed? And is not this, (to mention no more) one of the pureſt ſtrains of friendſhip with Chriſt? But to ſpeak more diſtinctly to this Head: The life of Faith hath a great latitude; it regards varietie, both of Notions, Perſons and Things; and theſe both preſent, and future. But we ſhal, at preſent, treat of it only as it regards a ſuffering condition, and that (1.) Immediately By Chriſt. (2.) For Chriſt.
1.1. The life of faith as it regards a ſuffering-condition by Chriſt. We ſhal begin with the life of Faith, as it regards a ſuffering condition immediately by Chriſt. He that wil deport, and demean himſelf as a friend of Chriſt, muſt live by Faith under al ſufferings by, or from Chriſt; namely, under al Chriſt's, Abſences, Retirements, withdrawments of Gracious, or Conſolative Influences, &c. Chriſt has many Wiſe, and Gracious ends, which induce him oft to retire, and withdraw, at leaſt as to al ſenſible marques of favor, Chriſt has many wiſe and gracious ends in his ſpiritual withdrawments.from his beſt friends Chriſt is reſolved to be Lord of his own preſence, and love-viſits: the moſt excellent Spirits ſhal ſometimes want the ſame; that ſo they may learne to live by faith, on an abſent Chriſt. Many good friends of Chriſt do, too oft, dote on the ſweet refreſhments, and honey-dews of Chriſt's preſence; and therefore he ſees it fit, at times, to ſuſpend the ſame; that ſo they may love him more purely for himſelf, his own eſſential excellences. We are too apt to conceit, that Chriſt's preſence is a matter of debt, that which is due to us; and therefore he wil take a libertie to go and come, as he pleaſeth, that ſo his friends may ſee, that his Manifeſtations are moſt free, and undeſerved. Doth not Nature take her times to go and come, as it pleaſeth her; and ſhal not Chriſt, the God of Nature, have the ſame libertie allowed him? Yea, is there not alſo much ſoverain love, and Grace, as wel as much ſoverain wil, in Chriſt's Abſences, and Retirements from his friends? It's true, Chriſt's Abſence from his friends, is a kind of temporarie Hel: ay but, doth not he bring a young Heaven out of this ſeeming Hel? Do not Apples of life ſpring out of this bitter root of ſpiritual Defertions? Is there not much inviſible, love, and Grace wrapt up in Chriſt's viſible departure from his friends? Paul ſaw much of love and merciemercy in the pricks of that thornie Tentation, which Chriſt left him under, to prevent the Tumur of Pride, 2 Cor. 12.7. leſt I ſhould be lifted up, [foreign, like a Meteor in the air] above Meſure. He knew, the Cup was mixed by Chriſt's own hand, and albeit it was very bitter, yet there was no poiſon in it. Doth not Chriſt oft hide himſelf, that ſo his friends faith, and Love, may find him out? Are not his delayes of returning, intended, as incentives to make his friends ſeek more earneſtly after him? True indeed, the friends of Chriſt, in time of Deſertion, think they are gone many degrees back; ay, but do they not really advance, at leaſt in ſeveral Graces, in the end? Do they not hereby gain more vile, mean, cheap, and humble eſtime of themſelves; but more large, and deep, and high, and broad thoughts of Chriſt? Are not their longings, and loveſickneſſes after Chriſt more vehement? Do they not arrive to a greater meſure of ſelf-diffidence, and confidence in Chriſt? Is not their ſpiritual povertie, and ſelf-emtines much augmented? Have they not a more tender deep ſenſe of, with ſtronger conflicts againſt ſin? Have they not more Evangelick, and ſerious purpoſes of entertaining Chriſt more kindly at his returne? Such are the ſacred Benefits, which oft attend Deſertion: and albeit the Lord's Retirement for a while, be not formally an act of love; yet is it not ſo intentionally on Chriſt's part? Are not the Graces of his friends hereby drawen forth in their moſt glorious exercices; namely, to adhere to, love, and confide in an obſent, angrie, frowning Chriſt? And is not the ſinceritie, and excellence of Grace hereby greatly tried, and approved? Doth not Chriſt oft intend moſt Grace, where he ſometimes moſt ſuſpendeth the ſweet refreſhing tokens of his Preſence?
Now theſe,How the friends of Chriſt muſt live by faith under al his Abſences. with many others, being the gracious fruits of Chriſt's Abſence, and Retirement from his friends for ſome time, doth it not greatly concerne them to live by Faith, under al ſuch withdrawments of Chriſt? Are not theſe ſome of the moſt noble raiſures of Friendſhip with Chriſt, firmely to adhere to, and follow after, an abſent Chriſt; yea, although he may ſeem to turne as an enemie againſt the ſoul. Ought not faith, by freſh election, and recumbence, avouch Chriſt to be hers; albeit Chriſt may ſeemingly denie the ſoul to be his? Did not the Woman of Canaan diſcover Heroick ſtrains of friendſhip towards Chriſt, in this particular,Mat. 15. Mat. 15.22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27. (1.) She addreſſeth her ſelf to him as an humble ſupplicant,Mat. 22. V. 22. But what comfort doth he afford her? Gold comfort indeed;Mat. 23. for V. 23. He anſwered her not's word. One would think, her faith could pick little encouragement out of this: What worſe Hel can there be to a Believer, that no anſwer from Chriſt? Ay, but doth not her faith ſpie ſomewhat of Heaven, in this ſeeming Hel? Doth ſhe not apprehend ſomewhat of an anſwer in this filence of Chriſt? Thence ſhe continues to crie after him: But yet he repels her again,Mat. 24. V. 24. with, I am not ſent but to the loſt ſheep of the houſe of Iſracl. What bottome has ſhe for faith now? Is not the door quite ſhut againſt her, by this repulſe? Doth not this ſeem worſe than no anſwer? Is it not as much, as if Chriſt had ſaid; Woman, be gone, I have not for thee, I have nothing to do with thee? Ay, but yet her faith knows how to improve this ſeeming denial: Though Chriſt would not own her for one of his loſt Sheep, yet ſhe is reſolved to own, and avouch him for her Lord:Mat. 25. So V. 25. Lord help me. What anſwer doth Chriſt make now?Mat. 26. V. 26. It's not meet to take childrens bread, and caſt it to Dogs. One would think, her faith was now quite puzled, and non-pluſt: but indeed it was never more Victorious, Mat. 27.as V. 27. and ſhe ſaid, truth Lord, &c. Was not this alſo the poſture of Job's Spirit, when he reſolved to retain his confidence in Chriſt, though he ſhould kil him? And did not David's friendſhip with Chriſt greatly diſcover it ſelf in this, that he reſolved to follow after Chriſt, though he ſeemed to flie from him, Pſal. 63.8? Is it not then a grand dutie, incumbent on al the friends of Chriſt, to live this generous life of faith, under al ſpiritual Deſertions, and withdrawments of Chriſt? Would not this turne their felt, or apprehended Hel, under Chriſt's Abſence, into a believed, coming Heaven? But to deſcend to ſome particulars of this life of Faith.
1.1 In keeping up good thoughts of Chriſt. The friends of Chriſt muſt, in al his Retirements, on ſpiritual Deſertions, keep up good thoughts, and maintain an high eſtime of Chriſt. This is a great part of the life of faith under ſpiritual Deſertions. For how apt is Ʋnbelief to ſtrike in, and raiſe many black lies, and falſe reports of Chriſt, in his Abſence? Unbelief is a very cloudie, dark thing; and therefore extreme prone to cloth Chriſt, with monſtrous frightful ſhapes of wrath, and ſeveritie, eſpecially in the dark night of Deſertion: and ſuch miſjudgements of, and Prejudices againſt Chriſt, are greatly obſtructive of a weltempered friendſhip with him. The friends of Chriſt ought to expel al Ʋnbelieving jelouſies of Chriſt in his withdrawments; and perſuade themſelves, there is much of love and kindnes, even in Chriſt's frowns; bowels of Sympathie and pitie, under the cloak of wrath, with which he ſeemes to be covered. A quick-ſighted faith may ſee ſomething of Chriſt in al Deſertions; which yields matter of Hope, and good opinion concerning him: and although the cup, that Chriſt gives his friends to drink of, be very bitter, and nauſeous to fleſh and bloud; yet faith may taſt, and ſmel ſomething of Chriſt therein. Chriſt's abſence from his friends, albeit it be a kind of temporarie Hel, yet it has ſomething of Heaven engraven on it. For Chriſt never deſerts his friends ſo much, as not to leave behind him, ſome pledge and pawn of his Returne. When Chriſt is gone, al of Chriſt is not gone: yea, doth he not frequently, in his moſt ſalt, and bitter deſertions, ſend now and then a Meſſenger, or love-token: at leaſt ſome inviſible ſupports, and inſenſible Inſpirations of the Spirit of Grace; which are ſufficient Demonſtrations, that he has not totally left ſuch ſouls, but wil ere long return again? Is it not then a great office of Faith, to baniſh al theſe groundleſſe jelouſies, ſurmiſes, and miſreports of Chriſt; and to maintain high, and candid thoughts of him, in al his Retirements? Alas! what is Faith, but an high, noble, generous, and candid eſtime of Chriſt? The friends of Chriſt may have as low eſtime of themſelves, as they wil, or can; but yet, ſo long as they have an high eſtime of Chriſt, let his withdrawments be never ſo long, or tedious, there is no danger of any breach in their friendſhip. Though Chriſt ſhould caſt his friends into a ſinleſſe Hel of Deſertion; yet could they there but retain high, and great eſtime of him, it would prove no ſmal Heaven to them. It is unbelieving misjudgements, and hard cenſures of Chriſt, that make the greateſt breaches on Friendſhip with him, in his Retirements. When Chriſt is gone, if our good opinion of him be not gone, al is wel. Fear not Chriſt's compaſſionate regard to thee in his abſence, if thou findeſt in thine heart an high, and affectionate regard to, and eſtime of him. Herein conſiſts the admirable temper, and good nature of faith, that it mournes deeply, and longs greatly for an abſent Chriſt; and yet it dares not misjudge him in his abſence. And O! What a Soverain, efficacious influence hath ſuch a ſweet-humored, good-natured opinion of Chriſt on friendſhip with him?
2.2. Submiſſion to Chriſt under deſertions. This life of faith, in times of ſpiritual defertion, implies a meek, humble, paſſive ſubjection, or ſubmiſſion to Chriſt's Soverain afflictive Pleaſure, under al ſpiritual Deſertions. Unbelief is ful of impatient clamors, and murmurs, materially blaſphemous, againſt Chriſt; but faith is a mightie flexible, and ſubmiſſive Grace: it can allow Chriſt his times to go and come: it remembers, al Chriſt's love-viſits are of Free-Grace, and therefore he muſt not be quarrelled with for the withdrawment thereof. Faith is mightie inquiſitive after Chriſt in his abſence, yet dares not be querulous, or clamorous againſt him: it is greatly ſenſible of Chriſt's withdrawments; but yet dares not repine under them: it is willing Chriſt ſhould have his wil, though it be with it's own loſſe: and if Chriſt may gain by it's private loſſes, that is ſome content to it. Yea, ſo far as faith prevails in the friends of Chriſt, they yield not only paſſive, but alſo active ſubmiſſion to his afflictive Wil under deſertions: they know how to miſſe, as wel as poſſeſſe Chriſt's ſmiles.
3.3. Adherence unto Chriſt. This life of Faith imports, a tenacious fixed Reſolution, or determined purpoſe, of adhering unto Chriſt, and following after him, notwithſtanding al his departures from the ſoul. Albeit an abſent Chriſt be a kind of no-Chriſt, to ſpiritual ſenſe; yet ſuch is the Di…ine inſtinct of Faith, as that it cannot but adhere to him ſtil. Though Chriſt may ſeem to let go his hold-faſt of the deſerted ſoul; yet faith ſtil keeps it's holdfaſt of Chriſt: yea, oft, the more Chriſt ſeems to ſhake off the believing ſoul, that clings about him; the more ſtrongly doth it adhere to him. Chriſt's ſeeming repulſes, do but work ſtronger Impulſes of faith and love towards Chriſt. Thus it was with the Woman of Canaan, Chriſt's ſeeming repulſion, doth but work in her a ſtronger impulſion of faith and love, Matth. 15.24, 25, 26, 27.Mat. 15.24—27. Chriſt ſeems to break finally with her, but ſhe cannot break with him: ſhe had an inviſible Inſtinct of faith, which kept her heart cloſe to him, under al his Repulſes. Yea, what a mightie Sagacitie is there in her faith? What an ingenious, and quick retortion, doth ſhe make to Chriſt's repulſe; by granting, ſhe was a Dog, and content to be ſo accounted, on ſuppoſition, ſhe might be a Dog under his feet, and at his Table. Surely her faith was no fool, but very ripe-witted, and ſharp-ſighted, in that it could ſpie out ſuch a forcible argument to urge Chriſt with, even from his own Objections. O! What an admirable Chimiſt is faith, to extract the Spirit of promiſes, out of denials? Her faith traffiqued with Chriſt, in the dark: his very denials were turned into Incouragements: He cals her Dog; but ſhe takes that wel, provided ſhe might be but one of his Dogs, and eat of the crums of merciemercy, that fal from his Table. Chriſt ſeems to drive her from him; but ſhe runs not from, but to him, and clings about him by faith. The more Chriſt Repetes, and doubles his denials, the more ſhe repetes, and doubles her faith: her faith was long-breathed, and could not be tired out by al Chriſt's repulſes: Though Chriſt caſts her off, again and again; ſhe avoucheth him to be her Lord, and adores him as ſuch. Yea, how artificial and wittie is her faith, to retort an Argument out of Chriſt's own mouth, to prove her queſtion? What a good concluſion doth ſhe draw, from hard premiſſes? This is a noble piece of faith, and an high degree of friendſhip, which al Chriſts's friends muſt aſpire after, even to turne Chriſt's denials, into arguments of faith and adherence.
4.4. Deſires to pleaſe Chriſt. Another office of Faith under ſpiritual Deſertion is, to ſtudie, and deſire to pleaſe Chriſt, notwithſtanding al his diſpleaſing earriages to the ſoul. Chriſt oft, under his Retirements, puts on the maſque, and vizard of an enemie; and ſo gives many ſevere laſhes, eſpecially in caſe of great back-ſlidings, and relapſes. Now in this caſe, for the ſoul to endeavor, al wayes poſſible, to pleaſe Chriſt, this is an high act of faith, and friendſhip with Chriſt. So David, with other friends of Chriſt.
5.5. Longings after Chriſt. Again, the deſerted ſoul muſt make Chriſt's Abſence and delayes, an occaſion and ground of ſtronger longings, and cries after him. As among intimate confidents and friends, abſence doth but inflame Affectionate deſires after each other: ſo here; as in the caſe of the Spouſe, Cant. 3.1, 2.
6.6. Againſt faintings. In al Chriſt's abſences and delaies of returne, beware of fainting, and ſinking Deſpondences. Though Providence may ſeem to croſſe promiſes, yet aſſure thy ſoul, Chriſt can as ſoon denie himſelf, as denie his word: yea, were he not true and faithful to his promiſe, he were not true and faithful to himſelf.
7.7 Make wants food for faith. Get that Golden Art of converting al Deſertions, and deprivements of Grace, into a Means of Grace. This is the admirable Dexteritie of faith; it can pick up food for a gracious life, even out of the deprivement of gracious Influences: yea, ſometimes it makes Grace, eſpecially humilitie and the like Winter-Graces, to thrive moſt, under the ſuſpenſion of Chriſt's ſenſible preſence.
8.8. What is wanting in ſenſe make up in faith. Laſtly, What is wanting in ſpiritual ſenſe make up in Faith. The pureſt acts of faith are thoſe, which have leaſt of ſpiritual ſenſe, to aide and relieve them. Faith oft makes Chriſt very near, when he ſeems furtheſt off as to ſpiritual ſenſe.
2.The advantages of faith in ſuffering for Chriſt. Having diſpatcht the offices of Faith, under al ſufferings immediately by, or from Chriſt, we now procede to the life of Faith, as it regards ſufferings for Chriſt. And indeed the right management hereof, has no ſmal influence on friendſhip with Chriſt: For, uſually, none approve themſelves, better friends of Chriſt, than they who ſuffer moſt for him: Neither are there any pieces of friendſhip more difficult and rare, than ſuch as are attended with moſt ſufferings for Chriſt. Hence it wil eaſily appear, of what a mighty uſe faith is, to the friends of Chriſt, in order to the conſerving, and improving their friendſhip with him under the croſſe. What is there that can bring, to the ſuffering friends of Chriſt, Gain out of Leſſes, Libertie out of Slaverie, Glorie out of Shame, a centuple, or hundred fold out of al deprivements, yea, victorie and life out of Death it ſelf; but this victorious, efficacious life of faith? What is it that keeps the ſuffering friends of Chriſt, from being perſecuted out of their profeſſed friendſhip with Chriſt, but a lively Faith? Faith aſſures the ſoul, it's better to weep with Chriſt, than to rejoyce with the world; to be poor with Chriſt, than to be rich with worldlings; to be in priſon with Chriſt, than to be at libertie with his enemies; to bleed and die with, and for Chriſt, than to live and reigne with men. Faith knows ful-wel, that al the ſufferings of Chriſt's friends are tranſient, and ſhort, but their joyes coming, and eternal: yea, that their Ils worke for Good; whereas the Goods of worldlings work for their il. Faith alters the nature of the Croſſe, and makes it a great bleſſing to the friends of Chriſt: it takes out the ſting and poiſon, and infuſeth a medicinal virtue into every croſſe. Such, with many others, are the advantages of faith in al ſufferings for Chriſt.
But now to get this Divine Art, Directions for a life of faith under the Croſſe.and skil of faith, for the right management of the Croſſe, take theſe following Directions and Rules.
1.1. Give no way to to hard thoughts of the Croſſe. Give not way to unbelieving, hard thoughts of Chriſt's Croſſe. Unbelief fils the mind with many diſmal, black, ugly, gaſtly, and hard Apprehenſions of Chriſt's Croſſe: it looks-upon the Croſſe, as a bitter, ſour, black, fruitleſſe Crab-tree, and therefore poſſeſſeth the heart with deep diſguſts, and prejudices againſt it. Wherefore one main office of Faith is, to remove the ſcandal, and il report, that Unbelief brings on the Croſſe. Now this faith doth, by diſcovering the admirable Benefits, and ſweet fruits of the Croſſe; how much libertie of Spirit, is gained by bonds for Chriſt; how much peace of conſcience, by troubles from men; how much ſpiritual gain, by temporal loſſes for Chriſt; how much Chriſtian Glorie, by the reproches of men: yea, faith teacheth the friends of Chriſt, that the worſt of temporal Croſſes, even death it ſelf, for Chriſt, is better than the moſt flouriſhing Crown, or treaſures of Aegypt, Heb. 11.26Heb. 11.26. Eſtiming the reproche of Chriſt greater riches, than the treaſures of Aegypt. Moſes's faith preferred the reproche, tears, loſſes, bonds, ſighs, and baniſhment of, and for Chriſt, before the Glorie, worme-eating joyes, gains, laughter, and delices of Pharaoh's Court. Farther, faith ſheweth, that the evils of the Croſſe are but Imaginarie, and tranſient; that it's alarming fears, and noiſes are worſe than it ſelf. Laſtly, faith ſhews the bleſſed fruits of the Croſſe; how ful of Divine Admonitions and Inſtructions it is; What a friend it is to Grace, though an enemie to Nature; what a ſoverain Antidote againſt ſin it is; how much it humbles for ſmal ſins; how much the ſcum of ſin is drawn off by this furnace of Chriſt; what a great meſure of faith, love, and other Graces grow on this bleſſed Tree; how much free Grace is enhanced hereby, &c.
2.2. Keep under lawleſſe ſelf and ſoft nature. Another office of faith, in order to the right management of the Croſſe, is, to keep under lawleſſe ſelf, and ſoft nature, which is very apt to murmur, deſpond, or faint under the Croſſe. Now this faith performes, by diſcovering,
(1.) What wiſe, and infinite reaſons there are, why Chriſt's friends ſhould chearfully ſubmit unto, and lie level before his Croſſe.
(2.) What a brutiſh, blaſphemous ſin diſcontent under Chriſt's Croſſe is; how much madnes, and folie lies wrapt up herein; in that, it deprives men of themſelves, and turnes reaſon out at doors; whereas Divine contentement keeps the heart fixed in the greateſt ſtorme, and makes men maſters of themſelves; which is the greateſt ſecuritie.
(3.) Faith keeps down ſelf, and ſoft nature, by nailing them to the Croſſe of Chriſt, and thence deriving influence for their Deſtruction.
3.3. Faith muſt eſpouſe the Croſſe. Faith muſt not only ſubmit unto, but chearfully eſpouſe the Croſſe of Chriſt. There lies an abſolute, and eſſential obligation on al Chriſt's friends to eſpouſe his Croſſe, as wel as his Perſon: This faith alone enables them to performe, and that by diſcovering the intimate connexion there is between Chriſt and his Croſſe; as alſo by drawing down influence from Chriſt, whereby the heart is enabled, readily to embrace, delight in, and improve his Croſſe. Thus are Chriſt's friends maried to the Croſſe.
4.4. Faith muſt triumph over the Croſſe. Another main office of faith, conſiſts in it's triumph over the Croſſe. Though the Croſſe be never ſo broad, and thick, and dark; yet faith can ſee thorow it, and take a Proſpect of coming Glorie. Be the burden of ſufferings for Chriſt never ſo heavie, faith can make it as light as a feather. Yea, faith converts our Croſſe into armor of proof, whereby we prove victorious; it makes our ſufferings our garland, and Crown: yea, as Chriſt, by dying overcame death; ſo his friends by faith in him, even in and by death overcome death; in and by weaknes, povertie, diſgrace, ſlaverie, and wants, they overcome al theſe.
5.5. Faith muſt improve every Croſſe. The laſt work of faith, is to make a wiſe, and ſanctified Improvement of al Croſſes, or ſufferings for Chriſt. Faith in the bloud of Chriſt, has an admirable dexteritie, and miraculous Art, for the Improvement of Croſſes… it can melt a Croſſe of Lead, into a Golden Croſſe of Humilitie: it can ſuck the Milk of Medicinal Grace, out of the bloudie breaſts of perſecution: it can, by the fire of God's furnace, transforme an hard iron-heart, into an heart of fleſh. The Croſſe of Chriſt, as managed, and improved by faith, becomes a good Purgatorie of ſin, and food for Grace. Yea, faith in Chriſt can, and oft doth make an old Croſſe, long out of date, become as new and green in fruit-bearing, and uſe, as at beginning. Such are the admirable virtues of faith, as to the Management, and Improvement of the Croſſe; which gives us abundant demonſtration, of what great uſe this life of Faith is, in order to our Improvement of friendſhip with Chriſt.
I have now finiſht our Directions, for walking with Chriſt as our friend. O that the friends of Chriſt would reſolve, in good earneſt to ſet about this work! Is it not high time, after the Lord has been ſo long contending with us, from Heaven, by Peſtilence, Sword, and Fire, for our friendſhip and choiceſt love, to give it to him? I pretend not to a Spirit of Prophecie, but this I verily believe, and dare avouch, that it wil never be wel with us, til Chriſt has more of our Thoughts, Eſtime, Dependence, Intention, Friendſhip, and beſt Affections.
FINIS.
End of the text · Theophilus Gale, The Saints Amity with God in Christ (1671)