The Use and Practice of Faith, Question 6
QUESTION VI. When and how long the juſt lives by Faith?
ANſwer, All his time, and at all times. Therefore no time is ſpecified (to include all.) Now this Queſtion is double: 1. When? 2. How long? When] hath reſpect to the ſeaſon. How long] to the continuance.
The ſeaſon hath reſpect either 1. To the Parts; or 2. Adjuncts of time. The Parts of time are three; viz. Paſt, Preſent, and To come. The Adjuncts are eſpecially two, Prosperity, and Adverſity: whence dayes are ſaid to be good or evil dayes, 1 Pet. 3.10. Not as if there were any inherent good or evil in one time more than in another, ſimply conſidered. But onelyonly as ſin and miſery makes them ſo. Now in all theſe ſeaſons, the juſt lives by his faith, all his life, and in every part of his life.
1. Parts of Time.And, firſt for the Parts of time, Paſt, Preſent, to Come.
Time paſt.1. He lives by faith in reſpect of Time paſt. Though a natural man makes little or no uſe of time paſt, but looks at it as loſt, that which death poſſeſſeth; unleſs ſometime vainly wiſhing,O mihi praeteritos referat, &c. O that I had my time before me again! or, O that I were young again! Yet a good man makes good uſe of time paſt, and faith lives upon that which God hath done long before, or enabled is to do in our dependance upon him. Faith gathers ground upon God, by ſuch like Arguments as theſe: 1. For himſelf. I know God loved me in times paſt; therefore ſutely he loves me ſtill. Jer. 31.3. The Lord hath appeared to me of old, ſaying, Yea, with an everlaſting love have I loved thee, &c. He did good to me in time paſt, therefore he will do good to me again. Pſal. 77.5. I have conſidered the dayes of old—Will the Lord caſt off for ever— I will remember the years of the right hand of the moſt High. Pſal. 71.5, 6, &c. Thou art my hope, O Lord, from my youth, &c. 2. For the Church. Iſa. 51.9. Awake, awake, O arm of the Lord, awake as in the ancient dayes, in the generations of old, &c. As if he had ſaid, Thy power is everlaſting, and thy Covenant is everlaſting, that's the ſame for ever: Ergo. Thus faith puts life in the ſoul, by laying hold on time paſt. Though times change, Mal. 3, 6.yet God changeth not.
2. For Time Preſent. Thus Faith lives upon God:Time Preſent. 1. In asking daily bread, and all other neceſſaries, becauſe God promiſeth to be the God of his people at all times, and in all places for ever.Heb. 13.5. Phil. 4.11. 2. In being content with the preſent condition, and believing that preſent diſpenſations are for our good. Thus 1 Cor. 3.—Preſent things are ſaid to be ours. Faith tells a man, whatſoever is done in the courſe of Providence in Heaven or Earth, it is ours, and for our good. Whereas unbelievers are never content with the preſent, but alwayes Wiſhers and Woulders.
3. For Time to Come. Time Future.All that God will ever do (and that is much) all ſhall be for our good, come what can come. Faith ſayes, My Father ſits at the ſtern▪ and guides all. Unbelievers, though well for the preſent, are ever diſtruſtfully careful for the morrow, next day, next year; O what ſhall become of me and mine! But the believer lives by his faith. Gen. 17. I will be thy God, and the God of thy ſeed after thee. Heb. 13.—I will never leave thee, nor forſake thee.
Thus he lives by faith in the ſeveral parts of Time, paſt, preſent, and to come. And faith in the one, ſtrengthens faith in the other: 2 Cor. 1.10. Who hath delivered us, and doth deliver, in whom we truſt that he will yet deliver us.
Secondly, for the Adjuncts of time; Proſperity,2. Adjuncts of Time. and Adverſity, good and evil dayes, one or other. Pſal. 62.8. Truſt in him at all times, ye people—God is a refuge for us.
1. Faith in time of Proſperity.1. For Prosperity. And as touching it, we ſhall obſerve how the juſt lives by faith; 1. In obtaining: 2. In uſing: 3. In parting with a proſperous condition.
1. In ſeeking it.1. He lives by faith in obtaining Proſperity: For, faith both directs a man in the right order of ſeeking it; viz. By ſeeking the kingdome of God, and the righteouſneſs of it in the firſt place, and then expecting all other things to be added, Mat. 6.Mat. 6.33. And they are the beſt riches, that are thus got by way of conſequence. While the unbeliever haſtes to be rich,O cives, cives, &c. and hath an evil eye (Prov. 28.22) and cries, Money, money before all. And faith alſo directs a right meaſure and moderation of Spirit, in ſeeking. Prov. 30.8, 9. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me; making us willing to be at Gods carving. And moreover, in the right means, as giving underſtanding out of the Word, to hate every falſe way, Pſal. 119.128. not as the unbeliever, who lives by his wits, not by his faith. Firſt, Negatively; Faith ſeeks not Proſperity either by Ʋſury, Prov. …8.8. or by Cheating, 1 Theſſ. 4.6. or by Gaming, Prov. 13.11. [Which Gaming, beſides it hath no bleſſing, is alſo the occaſion of many ſins, as Covetouſneſs, Anger, Blaſphemy, &c. and believe it, ſuch ſport will bring down judgement in earneſt.] Secondly, Affirmatively; Faith directs to ſeek Proſperity: 1. By Diligence in our Calling. Prov. 10.4. The hand of the diligent maketh rich. 2. By not truſting to our diligence, but Gods promiſe to the diligent: Prov. 10 22. The bleſſing of the Lord, it maketh rich. Not ſacrificing to our own Net, but acknowledging with the Pſalmiſt, that unleſs the Lord build the houſe, they labour in vain that build it, &c. Pſal. 127.1.
2. In uſing it.2. He lives by faith in the uſing of Proſperity. As 1. with an humble diffidence in our ſelves and the creature, leſt when we are full of the world, full of our ſelves, by pride and ſecurity; and ſelf-confidence,Prov 30 9. we ſhould forget God. The Moon at the full is furtheſt from the Sun, and in greateſt danger of Eclipſe, becauſe the earth is then between. Wherefore faith applies that Caveat, Pſal. 62.10. When riches increaſe, ſet not your heart on them. 2. With an holy confidence in God, when we have moſt, as if ſtill as poor as Job, 1 Tim. 6.17. Charge the rich, that they truſt not in uncertain riches, but in the living God, &c. Faith applies that charge. It then crucifies a man to the world, when he is full of the world. 3. In not ſerving himſelf, or his luſts, but ſerving God in his good eſtate. So did Job, by the Devils own confeſſion, when he ſaid, Doth Job ſerve God for nought? Job 1.10. To be rich in good works, is made the right uſe of riches: 1 Tim. 6. Honour the Lord with thy ſubſtance; that's the Command, Prov. 3.9. An unbeliever ſayes, May I not do what I will with my own, &c? He remembers not, that what he hath is Gods, and himſelf but a ſteward: therefore he ſerves himſelf, and makes proviſion for the fleſh, Rom. 13.to ſatisfie the luſts of pride, of drunkenneſs, of uncleanneſs, &c. When I fed them to the full, they were as fed horſes, (Jer. 5.7.) A full-fed horſe that lifts up his heel againſt his Maſter, is unworthy of his provender. But ordinarily, this poor creature is more loving to his Maſter, then men to God; according to that complaint, Iſa. 1.2. Laſtly, in laying his goods out to ſpiritual advantages; ſo making friends of enemies (for ordinarily no greater enemy to our ſalvation, than theſe things) friends of the Mammon of unrighteouſneſs, Luke 16 9. So to lay out, is to lay up againſt a time of need, not onelyonly in the world to come, but in this world. Eccleſ. 11.2. Give a portion to ſeven, and alſo to eight, for thou knoweſt not what evil ſhall be on the earth: Contrary to the reaſoning of an unbeliever, or churliſh N…bal.
3. As he lives by faith in obtaining and uſing, 3. In parting wi…h it.ſo in being willing to part with a proſperous condition. He that in proſperity terminates his deſire in the creature, lives by ſenſe: But he that terminates his deſire in God, lives by faith. For as we muſt rejoyce in God when we have no Creature-comforts, (as Hab. chap 3.17.) ſo when we have all manner of Creature-comforts. We are by faith to ſet looſe from the world, when we have moſt of it; as a paſſenger that ſtayes but for a fair wind, and then he is willing to let looſe from the ſhore, and hoyſe up ſail into the Main; if God give a fair call, willing to leave all: as Job, chap 2. and thoſe Chriſtians, Heb. 10.34. —that ſuffered joyfully the spoiling of their goods; or the faithful Prieſts and Levites, that left their ſuburbs and poſſeſſeſſions, to go to Jeruſalem from the Idolatry of Jeroboam, 2 Chron. 11.13, 14. The natural man, when he hath abundance, ſayes he hath ſomething to truſt to; Soul, eat, drink, aad be merry, thou haſt much good laid up for many years, &c. as the rich fool, Luke 12. 'Tis dangerous to live upon the creature: For Jer. 17.5. Curſed be that man that maketh fleſh his arm, &c.
Ʋſe. By the way, let this Reprove all thoſe that live not by faith in proſperity; whether in getting; or uſing, or parting with it. We think we ſtand in much need of faith in adverſity, to live in troubles; but never think how we may live by it in proſperity: whereas indeed this is the harder of the two. There is danger in both, (ſuppoſing our vile and corrupt nature) and therefore it was a holy prayer of an holy man, Prov. 30. to have neither poverty nor riches. But there is moſt danger in proſperity. It hath ſlain its ten thouſands, as was ſaid of David in the Song. The prosperity of fools ſlayes them, Prov 1. laſt. Whereas adverſity ſometimes ſaves them. So David, Pſal. 119 It was good for me that I was afflicted: Periiſſem, niſi periiſſem, as he ſaid. Therefore you have the need of faith in proſperity ſo preſſed: Deut. 8.10, 11 When thou art full, take heed, &c.
Ʋſe. 2. It were good alſo hence to examine our ſelves, whether we live by faith, by conſidering what we do about our proſperity, according to the Particulars ſpoken of, in getting, uſing, and being willing to part with our Eſtates.
But ſo much for the firſt Adjunct of Time; viz. Proſperity.
Now let us ſee how a believer lives by faith in Adverſity. Things adverſe, fall out either 1. In time of Life: 2. Faith in time of adverſity.or 2. In Death: He lives by Faith in reſpect to either.
Firſt, in time of Life.I Branch. In Life.
And this is principally meant here, where this great Oracle of our Faith, or living by faith is delivered. The people being in great diſtreſs by means of Babylon, the Prophet upon his Watch-tower, expoſtulates the caſe with God: God anſwers, He will deliver them, but not yet. —The viſion is for an appointed time. Obj. But how ſhall they be able to ſubſiſt in the mean time? A. The Lord by the Prophet anſwers, That, the proud perſon will ſcorn to to wait upon the Lord ſo long.—His ſoul that is lifted up: and withdraws it ſelf to falſe refuges; yea, But the juſt ſhall live by his faith in theſe evil times, and in the midſt of greateſt diſcouragements.
For the further clearing of this, we ſhall let ſee, 1. That it is ſo, The juſt does then live by his faith. 2. In what things living by faith then conſiſts. 3. In what manner he does it. 4. By what means: and then apply it.
Quaer. 1 Firſt, That the juſt does live by faith in the Adverſity which happens in this life, we have the example of Paul, Gal. 2.20. Though the Apoſtle was crucified with Chriſt, i.e. partaker of his ſufferings, Nevertheleſs, I live, ſayes he: he is alſo partaker of the life of Chriſt. Moſes, Heb. 11.…4, 25. by faith choſe afflictions, rather than the pleaſure of ſin. David, 1 Sam. 30.6. under heavy affliction and adverſity, comforted himſelf in his God. See for all, Pſal. 119.50. This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickned me.
Quaer 2 Secondly, In what things he lives by Faith in Adverſity. Anſ. 1. In relation to inward troubles, Anſ. 1. In relation to inward Troubles.he lives by faith under Corruptions, Tentations, Deſertions. 1. Inſtance of the life of faith under Corruptions, you have in the Church: Mic. 7.19. He will ſubdue our iniquities, and thou wilt caſt all our ſins into the depths of the ſea. And in Paul, Rom. 7. —O wretched man that I am, &c. yet, I thank my God through Jeſus Chriſt my Lord. He puts up head from under water as it were. 2. For Faith under Temptations, ſee 1 Pet. 5.8. Whom (ie. Satan) reſiſt, ſtedfaſt in the faith. Fairh can reſiſt him. Beſides, faith ſees the devil chain'd up, (2 Pet. 2.4.) that he cannot tempt whom, when, how far, how long he willeth. Clear inſtance in Job's caſe, Chap. 1.10. 3. Under Deſertions alſo: For though Communion with God may be debarr'd for a time, yet Ʋnion is unchangable (Heb. 13.5, 6.) I will never leave thee, nor forſake thee: So that we may boldly ſay, The Lord is my helper, &c. And that 1. On Gods part, Rom. 5.10. If when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more being reconciled, we ſhall be ſaved by his life. Therefore he that ſits in darkneſs, and ſees no light (as it is Iſa. 50. laſt) hath encouragement to truſt in the Name of the Lord. See how David ſtayes his heart in this caſe, Pſal. 42.5. Why art thou ſad, O my ſoul; put thy truſt in God, I ſhall yet praiſe him, &c. 2. The Union is unchangeable on our parts too: For God hath promiſed, Jer. 32.40. to put his fear in our hearts, that we ſhall not depart from him, as he will not from us. Wherefore the Apoſtle ſayes, 1 Joh. 3.9. He that is born of God cannot ſin, (i.e. utterly) becauſe the ſeed of God remaineth in him. 3. On the enemies part alſo, as to any thing they can do to break it. Rom. 8.35. Who ſhall ſeparate us from the love of Chriſt? ſhall tribulation, or diſtreſs, or famine, or nakedneſs, or peril, or ſword? &c.
2. In relation to outward Troubles: 2. In outward troubles.he lives the life of faith, both in reſpect of the Troubles themſelves, and the effects of thoſe troubles.
The troubles themſelves may be conſidered: 1. As in the Body. And here are ſickneſſes and infirmities. In theſe he lives by faith, as acknowledging them the effect of his ſin, Lam 3.39, 40, and therefore is ſtirred up to ſearch and try his wayes; and then with David, to cry to the Lord for healing: Pſal. 41.4. Heal my ſoul, for I have ſinned againſt thee. The touch of faith can heal. The prayer of Faith and Hezekiah, Iſa 38. The prayer of faith ſaves the ſick, Jam 5. 2. Or in the Eſtate; and here are loſſes, and croſſes, and wants. Faith in the loſs of goods, apprehends a better and more enduring ſubſtance, Heb. 10.34. In the loſs of Friends, Faith ſayes, Yet my God lives; if a Huſband. Yet my Husband Chriſt lives; if a Father, Yet the faithful can ſay, Our Father which art Heaven; if Children, David you ſee could comfort himſelf in the loſs of his Childe, 2 Sam. 12.23.
Obj. Obj. Yea, and ſo could I, if I were aſſured of their good eſtate.
Anſ. Anſ. However, thou mayeſt have comfort by vertue of theſe general promiſes: Pſal. 25.10. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, to ſuch as keep his Covenant. And Rom. 8.28. We know that all things work together for good to thoſe that fear God. 3. In Name: and here are reproaches, lies, ſlanders, &c. You have a large inſtance of faith, bearing up againſt ſuch evils, Heb. 10.33, 35, 36, 37, 38. 4 In Doubtful actions. Here faith hath a promiſe; Pſal. 37.5. Commit thy way to the Lord, and he ſhall bring thy deſire to paſs. 5. Or in Oppoſition of Enemies; whether 1. Wicked men, Pſal. 3.6. Or 2. Satan, 1 Pet 5.8. Or 3. The World, 1 Joh. 5.4. 6. Laſtly, troubles may ariſe from the Displeaſure of Friends. Faith alſo overcomes theſe: Jacob's faith his Brother Eſau's anger, Gen. 32. Moſes faith, the wrath of Pharaoh, Heb. 11.27. Daniels faith made him fearleſs of the Kings Decree, Dan. 6.10.
So for the Troubles themſelves. 2. The juſt lives by faith alſo in the effects of outward Troubles; and that either 1. In themſelves; whence ariſes Paſſion: or 2. Towards others; whence ariſes Compaſſion.
Faith in Paſſions.Firſt, he lives by faith in thoſe diſquieting Paſſions and affections, which outward troubles ſtirre up in the ſoul: which are eſpecially three; Fear, Sorrow, Care. Fear is ſtirred up from the apprehenſion of imminent evils: Sorrow, from the feeling of preſent evils: and Care, from both; viz. to prevent, if the evils be imminent; to bear, or remove, if preſent. Now a Chriſtian lives by faith in all theſe.
Anſ. 1. Of Fear.1. In his Fears. Fear is a ſtrong Paſſion; it makes ſometimes the very life hang in ſuſpenſe. See Deut. 28.66. Peter on the water cryes out for fear, Save, Maſter, I periſh. Now, What time I am afraid, ſayes David, I will truſt in thee, Pſal. 56.3. So Jehoſaphats fear drove him to God: 2 Chron. 20.—He feared, and proclaimed a faſt; and cryed, Lord, we know not what to do, but our eyes are up unto thee. Obj. But this may be the caſe of David and Jehoſaphat onelyonly, and ſuch eminent Saints. No: for 'tis ſaid of any faithful man, Pſal. 112. He ſhall not be afraid of evil tidings; How ſo? —his heart is fixed, truſting in the Lord. Whereas a carnal man, ſometimes he is killed with the very fear;Dan. 5. as Belſhazzar, his fear ſtrikes him to the very heart at firſt: But a believer preſently looks at both Command and Promiſe, Iſa. 8.12, 13. Fear ye not their fear, nor be afraid, but ſanctifie the Lord in your heart; let him be your fear and your dread, and he ſhall be for a Sanctuary, &c.
2. Of Sorrow.2. In Sorrows. Though a believer puts not off natural affection, yet he does not ſorrow as thoſe without faith, —without hope, 1 Theſſ. 4.13. But according to that of the Apoſtle in another place, 2 Cor. 6.10. He is as ſorrowful, yet alwayes reioycing. —Rejoycing in hope, Rom. 5.2. even before the evil be removed: ver 3. —We glory in tribulations, &c.
3. In Cares. Whereas a carnal man is eaten up of cares; 3. Of Care.cares choak the ſeed of the Word in him: Faith teacheth a Chriſtian to caſt all his cares upon God, 1 Pet. 5.7. viz 1. By looking to the Promiſe: Heb. 13.5. He hath ſaid, I will never leave thee nor forſake thee. 2. By making his requeſt known, Phil 4 6. 3. By doing his duty, and leaving the ſucceſs to God: Pſal. 37.5. Commit thy way to the Lord; he ſhall do it. What is begun in his ſtrength, truſt him with the end and iſſue. 4. In making God his portion in want of all things: Pſal. 16.2. O my ſoul, thou haſt ſaid to the Lord, Thou art my Lord. See there how a believing ſoul acts faith in the worſt hours, even when the grave and hell is apprehended, ibid. v. 9, 10. Yet then, O my ſoul, though haſt ſaid unto the Lord, Thou art my portion. My good extends not unto thee; yea, but thy goodneſs extends to me. Mark: my goodneſs extends not to thee— if I had all the world. (For magis and minus make no difference.) Yea, but thy goodneſs extends to me, if I had nothing in the world. There is virtually in God, whatſoever is in all Creatures: So that God can nouriſh without meat, as well as with it; warm without clothes, &c. Therefore God is a ſufficient portion of himſelf, And faith believing this, can chearfully embrace Chriſt and Reproach, Chriſt and a Priſon Chriſt and Poverty, Chriſt and Death. Thus the ſoul lives by faith in adverſity, as having nothing, 2 Cor. 6.and yet poſſeſſing all things.
Secondly,Faith in Compaſſions. He lives by faith in the effect of our own trouble towards others, and that is Compaſſion. Faith tells us, this is one main end of our ſufferings, that we may pity others: 1. In Soul ſtraits. One that knows what belongs to a wounded Spirit, cannot but pity: Pro. 18.14. Other infirmities a mans own Spirit can ſuſtain, but a wounded Spirit who can bear? 'Tis a true ſaying, (beſides reading, meditation, and prayer) Temptation makes a good Divine. Therefore ſuch an one is ſet out as meetly qualified for a High Prieſt—who can have compaſſion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way, for that he himſelf alſo is compaſſed with infirmity, Heb. 5.2. And alſo 2. In outward troubles; as ſickneſs, poverty, baniſhment, and the like. One that hath been in them, knows the better to pity others: Exod. 23.9 Ye know the heart of a ſtranger, ſeeing you were ſtrangers in the land of Egypt. 2 Cor. 1.4. We are comforted in our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we our ſelves are comforted of God.
Queſt. How does the juſt live by faith in point of Compaſſion?
Anſ. Divers wayes: 1. In obſerving the Precept unto it: 1 Pet. 3.8. Have compaſſion one of another; love as brethren; be pitiful; be courteous. 2. In heeding the threatning of judgement without mercy (Jam. 2.10) to them that ſhew no mercy. 3. In eying the Promiſe, Mat. 5.7. Bleſſed are the merciful, for they ſhall obtain mercy. And Prov. 19.17. He that hath pity on the poor, lendeth to the Lord, and he will repay him again: And ſaith Chriſt, With the ſame meaſure that you mete, ſhall it be meaſured to you again, &c. Luke 6.38.*And here I cannot but give you of this place thanks for your liberality to the poor, the ſtranger, the fatherleſs, and widows, for the many bowels refreſhed by you, &c. And theſe are the things which the juſt lives by faith in concerning adverſity.
Quaer. 3 Thirdly, We come to enquire, in what manner he lives by faith in troubles? or in what particular paſſages of Providence. And here are theſe things obſervable:
Anſ. Manner of living by faith in troubles.1. That he does it, 1. In preventing the ſtorm: So 2 Kings 19.6. upon Hezekiahs prayer of faith, the ſtorm of Sennacheribs invaſion was driven back. And Jon. 3. the Ninevites believing God, drave back that ſtorm threatned by Jonah. Nor Devils nor Witches have any power over a man, if he believes; therefore Chriſt to Peter, Luk. 22.32. Simon, Simon, Satan hath deſired to have you, that he may winnow you as wheat; but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: as if he had ſaid, So long as Faith holds out, Satan hath no power, whom therefore reſiſt, ſtedfaſt in the faith, 1 Pet. 5.
2. In looking at God Ordaining all troubles; ſc. 1. That every man muſt look for ſome, Rom 8.29. where ſpeaking of ſufferings, he ſayes, We were predeſtinate to be conformable to the image of his Son. 2. What and how many every man ſhall have. Faith ſees the Cup in a Fathers hand: Thou couldſt have no power, unleſs it were givon thee from above, ſaid Chriſt to Pilate.
3. In looking at God Ordering and Dispoſing all things in middeſt of Confuſion. Joſeph his ſelling, impriſoning, and exalting again, all was by Gods diſpoſing▪ though the inſtruments knew it not. Phil. 1.12. Paul tells them, that the things which happened to him, ſeemingly as a ſtoppage, in truth made for a furtherance of the Goſpel. And Rom. 8.28. We know that all things work together for good, to them that love God.
4. In ſeeing God Bounding and Limiting troubles, as in Jobs caſe, Chap. 2. When affliction breaks in as the ſea, Faith hears God ſay, Huc uſque; Hitherto, and no further, ſhall thy proud waves come: Iſa. 10 22. The conſumption determined, ſhall overflow in righteouſneſs. And ſo again, Iſa. 27.7, 8. In meaſure thou wilt debate with it: He will ſtay his rough wind in the day of the eaſt wind.
5. In ſeeing Gods Protection; that however the ſtorm comes to fall upon us, yet he is ſo merciful, as to hold his holy hand of protection over us. Yea, Pſal. 91.4. He ſhall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings ſhalt thou truſt, his truth ſhall be thy ſhield and buckler.
6. In Supporting, or ſeeing Gods Support; that however the ſtorm comes and falls upon us without any ſhelter, yet God is merciful in giving ſufficient ſtrength to bear it: 1 Cor. 10.13. God is faithful, who will not ſuffer you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation make a way to eſcape, that you may be able to bear. It is many times a wonder, nay a Miracle, to ſee how God ſupports his people, when they cannot get off the trouble, yet making them hear, My grace is ſufficient for thee, viz. my grace applied by faith.
7. In Sanctifying troubles: Rev. 7.17. There, they that came out of great tribulations, waſhed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. There is a malignity in all afflictions; but faith in Chriſt crucified, takes away that malignity and venomous ſting? Iſa. 27 9. This is all the fruit (of thoſe troubles) To purge away their ſin.
8. In Saving and Delivering, or fitting the ſoul for deliverance; that howſoever troubles lie on a great while, the Lord will ſend help in due time: Therefore God is ſtyled, A preſent help in time of trouble, Pſal. 46. And although many be the troubles of the righteous, yet the Lord delivers them out of all, as it is Pſal. 34.19. Wherefore it is noted, that it was by faith, that Iſrael was delivered out of Egypt, when they paſſed through the Red ſea, Heb. 11.29.
9. In Sanctifying Deliverance: Luke 1.74, 75. Who hath delivered us out of the hands of our enemies, that we might ſerve him, in holineſs and righteouſneſs before him all the dayes of our lives.
Quaer. 4 Now further: By what means does the juſt live by faith in the troubles of this life?
Anſ. Means of living by faith in troubles.Anſ. Firſt, in weighing spiritual mercies againſt temporal evils. 1 Sam. 30.6. David ready to be ſtoned, comforted himſelf in the Lord his God. The Lord himſelf propounds a ſpiritual mercy againſt a temporal evil, to ſuſtain his people under it. Iſa 30.20. Though the Lord give you the bread of affliction, and the water of affliction, yet ſhall not thy Teachers be removed into a corner. The Apoſtle make uſe of ſuch a ſupport, 2 Cor. 4.16, 17. For this cauſe we faint not; for though our outward man periſh, our inward man is renewed day by day.
2. In making the ſoul to reſt upon the naked Word of God, though it be againſt ordinary reaſon. So Abraham, Rom. 4.17. Believed in hope againſt hope —according to what was spoken, ſo ſhall thy ſeed be. In hope of Faith, againſt hope of Reaſon. Thus by faith we believe the Creation of the World by the bare Word of God, without precedent matter, Heb. 11.3. Faith looks up to the promiſe. Iſa. 43.1, 2. —When thou paſſeſt through the waters; I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they ſhall not overflow thee. when thou walkeſt through the fire, thou ſhalt not be burnt, &c.
3. In enabling the ſoul to relye on Gods Attributes, which make good his Word and Promiſe. As 1. His Power, Gen. 17.1. I am God Almighty, walk before me, and be thou perfect. 2. His Truth, (and this binds him, as Power enables him to help) Pſal. 31.5. Into thy hands I commit my Spirit—O Lord God of Truth. Heb. 11.11. Sarah believed him faithful who had promiſed. 3. His Love, to help, and even to prevent, as the Prodigal's father ran to meet his ſon afar off. Iſa. 65.24. Yea, before they call, I will anſwer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. See Pſal. 32.5. 4 His Ʋnchangeableneſs. Jam. 1.17. with whom there is no ſhadow of change.
4. In making the abſent good to be preſent. Faith looks beyond the clouds and skies, and ſeek all clear above. Moſes, Heb. 11.25, &c. looks through the affliction and reproach of Chriſt, and ſees the recompence of reward. We rejoyce (now) ſaith the Apoſtle, in hope of glory, Rom. 5.2. So faith ſees the after-good of the Church as preſent, Revel. 18.2. Babylon, as good as fallen above a thouſand years before.
5. In ſtrengthning Patience. Therefore Faith and Patience are joyned together. So Heb. 10.35, 36, 37. Caſt not away your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward: For, you have need of patience, that when you have done the will of God, you may inherit the promiſe. Now by patience we poſſeſs our ſouls; through it, all is calm within, while ſtorms are without. A wounded conſcience within, is worſe then the outward burthen; like a ſore back to the horſe: But faith heals this ſore, giving us peace with God, and ſo enables to bear the outward burthen, the inward burthen being removed. As for this, it caſts all the burthen of its cares, fears and ſorrows, upon God; and ſo is quiet. And thus much for the Life of Faith in thoſe Adverſities which happen in the courſe of our Life.
Now ſee how he lives the Life of Faith in Death.
II Branch Of Adverſity, viz. Faith in deathA believer lives by faith in Death. Faith is a godly mans life at the time of his death; as it appears by the living ſpeeches of dying men. David, Pſal. 23. Though I walk through the valley of the ſhadow of death, I will fear no evil: Simeon, Luke 2. Lord, now letteſt thou thy ſervant depart in peace.
The Cloud of Witneſſes, Heb. 11. All theſe died in faith, v 13.
Reaſons. 1.1. They died in faith, becauſe they believed the accompliſhment of promiſes to be fulfilled after death: as in the ſame place, Heb. 11.13. —not having received the promiſes, but ſeeing them afar off, and perſwaded of them. Believers dye in faith, 1. For their Poſterity; as in the examples of Iſaac and Jacob, Heb. 11.20, 21. who, becauſe God had promiſed to be the God of their ſeed, when they were dying, applied it to their poſterity, and bleſſed them concerning things to come. 2. For the Church, believing that God will make it a praiſe in the earth, Iſa. 67.2. 3. For Themſelves, when they go down to the waves of hell and the grave; they ſee land afar off. Stephen, ready to be ſtoned, Behold, ſayes he, I ſee heaven opened, and the Son of Man ſtanding at the right hand of God, Acts 7.56 Stephen ſees heaven opened to receive him. And Job, chap. 19.25. I know my Redeemer lives — and though after my skin, worms deſtroy this body, yet in my fleſh I ſhall ſ…e God. Moſes likewiſe, in the hazarding of himſelf in Egypt, had reſpect to the reſurrection of his name and body, and the recompence of reward, Heb. 11.26. The Saints (like Moſes upon the top of Mount Nebo, Deut. 34.1.) take a view of Canaan by faith, and then they are willing to dye. See Paul for further inſtance, 2 Cor. 5. from v. 1. to 9.
2. Believers dye in faith, becauſe they ſee it a Conquer'd enemy. Death, ſaith the Apoſtle, is ſwallowed up in victory, by Chriſt. Hoſ. 13.13. O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy deſtruction. 'Tis part of Chriſts victory to conquer Death: 1. By conquering the devil, that had the power of death. 2. Our fear of death, See Heb. 2.14, 15.
3. They ſee the ſting of death pull'd out; ſo conquered, as diſarmed. 1 Cor. 15.55. O death, where is thy ſting! —The ſting of death is ſin—But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt.
4. They ſee it, not onelyonly a conquered and diſarmed enemy, but made their ſervant. All things are yours, ſaith the Apoſtle to believers, 1 Cor. 3.21▪ 22. as Paul, or Apollo, or Cephas are yours, ſo death is yours, ſayes he. As you are under God, that is under you.
5. Nay, they ſee it as a Friend. 1. In freeing them from the miſeries of this life: 2. In being their Porter or Uſher into eternal life. There are five Concomitants of this life which make it troubleſome, and Death befriends the Saints in them all, by taking them away from them.
There is,
1. The ſinfulneſs of their Natures, which makes them cry out with Paul, O wretched man▪ that I am, who ſhall deliver, &c?
2. There is the vanity of the Creature, a ſore evil. For here, Omnia vanitas, All is vanity.
3. The Wickedneſs of the World, that conſtrains the Saints many times to complain with David, Pſal. 120.5. Woe is me that I ſojourn in Meſech, &c.
4. There are alſo Gods judgements upon the world. In which reſpect death makes the godly happy: for as 'tis Iſa. 57.1, 2.—they are taken away from the evil to come; they reſt in their beds, &c.
5. The laſt evil Concomitant is, the believers diſtance from Chriſt: 2 Cor. 5.6. while we are at home in the body, we are abſent from the Lord: therefore we deſire, ſayes he, to be abſent from the body, and preſent with the Lord.
6. Death is not onelyonly chang'd to a believer, but faith in death is ſeen alſo by altering our judgements concerning death. The natural face of death is terrible to Nature, and fear'd: but faith ſees it with deſire. Paul and Simeon can ſay, I deſire to be diſſolv'd. Chriſt hath not onelyonly conquered death for his, but the fear of death, as was ſaid before, Heb. 2.14.
And this reſolves the ſecond part of the Queſtion, How long a believer is to live by his faith: and that is, All his life long, till death, and then in death: Therefore 'tis ſaid, Rev. 2.10. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life. And Gal. 2.20. I live, ſaith Paul (all the while I live) by the faith of the Son of God, &c. Hence the word of the Text is put in the Future tenſe, [The juſt ſhall live by his faith] to ſignifie the perpetuity of this life of faith. As long as we live, we muſt live by faith.
But no longer. And therefore though Faith is excellent in ſome reſpect; yet Love is more excellent in another, viz. in regard of durance. 1 Cor. 13.8. to the end, 'tis ſaid there, Love never faileth. But knowledge, and means of knowledge, ſhall ceaſe, and faith ſhall ceaſe, but Charity never. And therefore though Faith is*above before Charity in the firſt apprehenſion of Chriſt; yet Charity is above Faith in the everlaſting enjoyment of Chriſt, and the ſociety of true Chriſtians, However, Faith is of excellent uſe all ou… life long; till we come to a perfect viſion, we live by faith (2 Cor. 5.7.) But no longer; for we need it no longer: As a man that ſends home a friend wi…h a candle and lanthorn in a dark night, commands the meſſenger to light him to his own door, and then to return again: for 'tis ſuppoſed he hath more light in his own houſe, than the lathorn could afford. Such a charge God gives to his Word, (and to faith the lanthorn-bearer) Pſal. 119.105. Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my paths: Go, give ſuch a man light until he come to Heaven, and leave him there. Or, as God gave Commiſſion to the Angel, Acts 12. to awaken Peter, and to ſhake off his chain, to clothe him with garments, to open the gates, to lead him through the firſt and ſecond Ward: and when he had done ſo, forthwith the Angel departed from him. Juſt ſo, Faith is like this Angel; it awakens us out of the the ſleep of ſin, ſhakes off the chains of Satan, clothes us with the righteouſneſs of Chriſt, opens the door of the ear and heart, leads us through the firſt and ſecond Ward of all oppoſitions and temptations, yea through the iron gate of death it ſelf, and then it leaves us. Or as the Pillar of the Cloud and fire went along with the Iſraelites al… …e way of the Wilderneſs (and a very comfortable companion it was, indeed the very Angel of God's preſence:) But when it once came to Canaan, then it left them, they ſaw it no more. So Faith is a ſweet companion, to direct us in a right way in the wilderneſs of this life, till we come to the Celeſtial Canaan, that flows with the milk and honey of Gods Beatifical Preſence; and then it leaves us, becauſe then we ſhall have in poſſeſſion what before we did hope for, and apprehend by faith. Thus ſee how long we live by faith: as the Stars give light till the Sun ariſeth; ſo Faith, till Chriſt, the Sun of Righteouſneſs ſhines bright in Heaven. A man hath no uſe of a Ship or Boat any longer than he is at Sea; when he once comes to the Haven, it will carry him no further; if he will have it any further, he muſt carry it, it will not carry him: So faith carries a man upon the waters of this troubleſome world, till we come to the haven of Eternal Happineſs, and then there is no further uſe of it. In the mean-while, make much of it, and take heed above all things, that thou make not ſhipwrack of faith.1 Tim. 1.19. To conclude, Faith is a Chriſtians Companion all along: it ſaith to the Soul, as Ruth to her Mother, Ruth 1.16, 17. —Whither thou goeſt, I will go; and where thou lodgeſt, I will lodge; where thou dieſt, will I die, and there will I be buried.
Now for the Uſe of this ſixth Head of the Life of Faith.
Ʋſe 1 See from hence the Excellency of Faith, as it triumphs over death, and all other Adverſity.
Diſcovery of the excellency of Faith.1. It triumphs over Death: It is a Conqueror over Conquerors; and therefore makes us more then Conquerors, through Jeſus Chriſt that hath loved us, Rom. 8.37. Faith is ſure of victory before-hand. Nay, though we are overcome in ſome reſpect, we overcome thoſe that overcome us in other reſpects. Even thoſe that have power to put us to death, we may overcome them by dying. Rev. 12.11. And they …vercame him (the Dragon) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their Teſtimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
2. Here's alſo the Excellency of Faith: A Chriſtian lives by it in time of all adverſity. When all other comforts dye, this lives. 'Tis like the Laurel, it flouriſhes in winter, when all other Trees caſt their leaves. 'Tis like Noah's Ark, it lifts a man above the floods of many waters, when others ſink into the gulf of deſpair. And indeed, it was not ſo much the Ark of Noah, as the Faith of Noah, that bare him above the waters. Heb. 11.7. By faith Noah—prepared an Ark, to the ſaving of his houſe, &c. All other men in the floods of adverſity are born up with bladders, the windy bladders of ſome vain confidence in Creature-comforts, O they have ſuch a friend, ſuch a device, &c! And when theſe break, down they ſink. But a believer by Faith is born up by the everlaſting mercy of God. Deut. 33.27. Ʋnderneath are the everlaſting Arms, &c. And therefore he can never ſink ſo low, but faith will raiſe him up again. Pſal. 32.6. Surely in the floods of great waters they ſhall not come nigh unto him. Faith therefore is an excellent grace; A Chriſtians ſtrong water in fainting-fits: (Pſal 27.13. I had fainted, but that I hoped to ſee the goodneſs of God) Yea, 'tis his life in Death.
Ʋſe 2 Secondly, Hence make Tryal of your Faith,Tryal of faith from adverſities. both for the Being of it, and Degree. In Luke 8.13. you reade of ſome that believe for a while, but in time of Temptation fall away. Theſe had never true faith, if they totally and finally fall. There may indeed be ſhakings of faith in adverſity, as the Diſciples in the ſtorm were full of fears. Mat. 8.26.But then it argues the leſs Faith; Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? The more faith, the leſs fear; and the more fear, the leſs faith. You ſhall have ſome men in proſperity, O they are marvellous confident, as Peter was, Mat. 26. Though all men ſhall be offended becauſe of thee, ſayes he to Chriſt, yet will I never be offended: yet in adverſity their hearts ſink, and they are ready to deny Chriſt, as he Prov. 24.10. If thou faint in the day of adverſity, thy ſtrength is but ſmall. Every bungler can ſail fairly in a calm: but it proves a skilful Pilot to govern a Ship well in a ſtorm. Every common Profeſſor can believe in health, in wealth, in proſperity: But if thou canſt believe in ſickneſs, in poverty, in adverſity of all ſorts, then bleſs God for his free grace in Chriſt, with Paul, Phil. 4.13. I can do all things through Chriſt, which ſtrengtheneth me.
Ʋſe 3 Thirdly, Hence alſo ſee the Neceſſity of Faith, and be ſtirr'd up to labour for it.Shewing the neceſſi…y of fai…h in adverſities. O build on the Rock; when the rain deſcends, and the floods come, and the winds blow. We cannot live comfortably without it one day, one hour, minute!Mat. 7.24. Every time is either proſperous or adverſe: we need faith in both; in every thing we do, ſuffer, enjoy. We hear by faith, we pray by faith, buy and ſell by faith; eat and drink by faith: therefore we cannot live without it. Non aqua & igni magis utimur. We uſe not fire and water more; no, not the air which we ſuck into our noſtrils. We cannot be one moment without it.
Ʋſe 4 Fourthly, Exhortation, by faith to get patience in adverſity.Learn patience in adverſity. There are many impatient ones, like Micah robb'd of his gods, Judg 18. or like Rachel, Jer. 31. weeping, and refuſing to be comforted; or Cain, Gen. 4. that complain of their puniſhment, as greater than can be born. But 'tis for want of faith; ſtrangers in this to the Covenant of Grace. If we be in the Covenant, then know, 1. That there's living in adverſity; yea, poſſibly better living than without: Never leſs in priſon, than when in priſon: Never leſs overcome of the world, than when I loſe all the world; as a gracious woman ſaid. 2. There's more exerciſe of faith in adverſity. If we loſe friends, we are put upon ſeeking friendſhip with God; if we loſe goods, or ſilver, or gold, there's increaſe to be made of the golden Grace. 1 Pet. 1.7. The tryal of your faith, much more precious than gold: Therefore be patient, faint not Prov. 3 11. My ſon, despiſe not the chaſtening of the Lord, nor be weary of his correction. There are two extremes to be avoided under afflictions; the not bearing them, or their overbearing us.
Ʋſe 5 Fifthly, Labour then for much faith, and make much of faith.To make much of faith as our life in troubles. To cheriſh and nouriſh it, may increaſe it, 1 Pet. 2.2. As new born babes deſire the ſincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. And we need it all: For if the righteous ſcarcely be ſaved; the juſt that lives by his faith, if he ſcarcely (i.e. quoad nos) be ſaved, what ſhall thoſe do that are without it? We ſhould make much of our faith, as men make much of that Medicine, or that Strong-water, that ſtands them in ſtead, and preſerves their life at a dead lift. Get good ſtore of that we muſt live by in adverſity. Therefore as Sailers provide Tackling fit for a ſtorm; ſo provide we for that ſtorm, when this earthly Tabernacle ſhall crack; when the keepers of the houſe ſhall tremble, and the ſtrong men ſhall bow themſelves, and the grinders ceaſe, &c. as you have it in that elegant deſcription, Eccleſ. 12.3, 4, 5. That degree of faith which will ſerve turn in a ſhip, will not ſerve turn when we come to walk upon the waters, with Peter, Mat 14.28, 29▪ That degree of faith which will ſerve turn in a calm, will no ſerve turn in a ſtorm. Peter walked till he ſaw the wind boiſterous, then he was afraid, and began to ſink. Therefore pray Chriſt, as the Diſciples, when they had a hard task ſet them, Luke 17.3, 4, 5. Lord, ſay they, increaſe our faith.
Ʋſe 6 Sixthly, And the main Exhortation is, To live by faith in adverſity. In troubles inward, corruption, tentations,Live by faith in adverſity. deſertion; in troubles outward, in body, goods, and actions, from friends or from enemies, learn to live by faith.
Motives.Motives. 1. God is more glorified in our living by faith in adverſities. Sure God is made known for a good Maſter, when his ſervants are ſeen to ſtick ſo cloſe to him as Job, Chap. 1.…0, 20, 21. and Chap. 2.5, &c. So Job 13.15 If he ſlay me, I will truſt in him.
2. The Church, and our fellow-Members, are hereby edified. As many were ſtrengthened through Paul's bands and impriſonment, Phil. 1.12 &c. And ſanguis Martyrum, was called ſemen Eccleſiae.
3. Our ſelves ſhall be the rather comforted and rewarded: Heb. 10.35. Caſt not away your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. Jam. 1.12. Bleſſed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tryed, he ſhall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promiſed to them that love him. 1 Pet. 1.7. The tryal of your faith, much more precious than of gold which periſheth, ſhall be found to praiſe, and honour, and glory, at the appearing of Jeſus Chriſt.
Ʋſe 7 Seventhly and laſtly, (or rather indeed to have been the firſt Uſe) Hence is Reproof to thoſe that live not by faith in adverſity.Reproof for want of faith in▪ bearing evils. As they are juſtly reproved who live not by faith in proſperity, but upon themſelves and creatures, reſolving to repent and believe when they come into ſtraits (who keep faith, as men keep Bezoar or Aqua-vitae, for a dead lift) ſo they are to be reproved, who ſeem to live by faith in proſpe…ity, but nothing ſo in adverſity. As if a man ſhould ride with ſword and buckler all the way, and then caſt them away when he meets with the enemy. While Proſperity and Profeſſion go hand in hand, who but they? Though all men deny thee, yet will not I deny thee. But when they come to the High-Prieſts Hall, then deny, and ſwear, and forſwear, They know not the Man. Whileſt it is fair weather, all Birds ſing merrily; but, few ſing in a ſtorm. Few Chriſtians ſing the praiſes of God in a ſtorm of adverſity. Few, like the Nightingale, ſing in the dark night, with the thorn of Perſecution at their breaſt. Few ſing, nay few live, eſpecially the life of faith: Or, if they live the life of nature, are ready to take the counſel of Job's wife, Curſe God and dye. The reaſon is, Becauſe they are not ſound in proſperity. If faith ſhake in affliction, 'tis weak; if wholly loſt, 'twas falſe. There is building on the Sand, Mat. 7.24. Therefore be ſound in the faith: for, an hypocrites hope, is as the ſpiders web, Job 8.14. yea it is nothing: for, (Job 27.8.) What is the hope of the hypocrite? If you be ſuch as Peter, you will fall ſhamefully▪ if ſuch as Simon Magus, you will fall irrecoverably. Not to live by faith in adverſiry; it argues, That ſuch
1. Prize not ſpiritual Mercies.
2. Relye not on a naked Promiſe without a Pawn.
3. Count not on Gods Attributes; believe not his Truth, Power, Willingneſs, Unchangeableneſs.