The Use and Practice of Faith, Uses · Application 6 (3 of 3)

The Use and Practice of Faith · Uses · Application 6 (3 of 3)

p. 537Firſt,1. Corruption. if we look into the Corruption of our own Natures, there is a world of Unbelief fighting againſt our Faith: we are like men that row againſt the ſtream, and therefore if we intermit a few ſtrokes, if we ply not our Oars, we are preſently carried down the ſtream, more than we can regain of a long time.

Secondly,2. Temptation. if we look upon the Tentations of Satan this is like a ſtrong wind, that goes along with the Tide of our own corruption, and all to overturn this poor Veſſel,1 Tim. 1.19.1 Tim 1:19 that we might make ſhipwrack of our faith. When Satan deſires that Peter may fail, it is his great deſire that his faith may fail: Luk 22.31, 32. And the Lord ſaid, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath deſired to have you, that he may ſift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.

Thirdly,3. Troubles. if we look upon the Troubles and Perſecutions of the World, here is ſtill ſtronger oppoſition againſt Faith. Therefore in the midſt of Troubles and Perſecutions, the Apoſtle was jealous over the Theſſalonians leſt Satan ſhould take an advantage to ſhake their faith at ſuch a time as this. 1 Theſſ. 3.5. For this cauſe, when I could no longer forbear, I ſent to know your faith, leſt by ſome means the Tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain. Therefore, as a violent ſtorm does but make a man girt his garment faſter about him, ſo ſhould it be in this caſe: The more violently the World and the Devil rageth againſt our Faith, the faſter ſhould we girt our Spiritual Armour, and labour to keep our faith when we have it.

Obj. But you will ſay, If once we have juſtifying faith,Faith cannot be loſt. we ſhall never loſe it; and therefore, what need you perſwade us to keep it?

Anſw. 1. I anſwer, Firſt, becauſe God works by means, and ſo he is pleaſed to keep his people ſound in the faith, by ſetting before their eyes the danger of Apoſtacy, Heb. 3.12. Take heed brethren, leſt there be in any of you an evil heart p. 538of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

Anſw. 2. Secondly, becauſe, however Gods people can never loſe Faith totally and finally, yet they may loſe the comfort of it, and the actins of it without a great deal of circumſpection; and therefore it will be our wiſdom, not onelyonly to keep faith when we have it, but to keep it in its power and vigour, that it may not be like thoſe things that are not the better, but the worſe for keeping.

Therefore keep thy Faith, as thou art charged to keep thy heart,Prov. 4.23.Prov 4:23 with all diligence: Or as men keep their Orchards and Gardens, with good Fences about them: Or ſo as thou wouldſt keep thy dwelling-houſe, wind-tight and water-tight: Or ſo as thou wouldſt thy lodging-room, or the bed wherein thou ſleepeſt; nay, the bed wherein Chriſt and the Church ſleepeth, Cant. 3.7. Behold the bed which is Solomons, guarded with threeſcore valiant men of Iſrael: Or ſo as thou wouldſt keep thy Treaſure under Lock and Key; for Faith is a precious Treaſure: Or ſo as thou wouldſt keep thy bodily health; 3 Joh. 2. Beloved, I wiſh above all things, that thou maiſt proſper, and be in health, even as thy ſoul prospereth: Or ſo as thou wouldſt keep the Apple of thine Eye from the leaſt mote or mite of offence: Or ſo as thou wouldſt keep thy very life; for Faith, under God, is the very life of the Soul. Solomon tells us,Prov. 13.3.Prov 13:3 that he that keepeth his mouth, keepeth his life: we may as truly ſay, He that keepeth his Faith, keepeth his life: for, The juſt ſhall live by his faith.

Other things a man may be careful to keep, and it may be they will prove of very little uſe when all is done. The time will certainly come, when thy beſt friends cannot help thee, thy Meat and Drink cannot nouriſh thee, Phyſicians cannot cure thee, thy large Poſſeſſions cannot comfort thee; yet even at ſuch a time as this, if thou canſt but lay hold of a Promiſe, thou maiſt live upon the Word which God hath ſpoken, when thou canſt not live upon thy Revenues, nor live upon thy Calling, nor live upon thy Friends, p. 539nor live upon the Creatures of Meat and Drink; yet even then maiſt thou live upon thy Faith: when the juſt man can live upon nothing elſe, he can ſtill live upon his Faith. Keep Faith therefore, for it is thy life: Now skin for skin, Job 2.4.Job 2:4and all that a man hath will he give for his life. If one ſhould deliver a very precious thing into the hand of a Friend, with this or the like charge, Be ſure to keep this about you whereſoever you come, and nothing ſhall be able to hurt you, no ill ſavour or peſtilential air ſhall be able to infect you.

O how careful would a man be to keep ſuch a Receipt! he would keep it as his very life. And ſuch a Receipt,Faith a ſpiritual Charm. ſuch a Spiritual Charm is Faith: he gives this ſolemn charge, Keep your Faith as you would keep your life; keep your Faith, and nothing ſhall be able to hurt you: Luk. 10.19. Behold, I give you power to tread on Serpents and Scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing ſhall by any means hurt you.

As this was true of the Faith of Miracles in thoſe days: ſo it is as true of ſaving Faith, in a ſound and ſaving ſenſe at this day. Such as keep their Faith in ſafety, ſhall keep themſelves in ſafety, and ſhall tread down Satan, that old Serpent, under their feet, and nothing ſhall be able to offend them.

And therefore, where the Holy Ghoſt makes mention of the greateſt troubles that befel the Church, he makes mention alſo of their guard; Here is the patience and the faith of the Saints, Rev. 13.10. and 14.12. Keep thy Faith therefore, and thy Patience, as ever thou deſireſt to be kept in the great hour of Temptation: Rev. 3.10. Becauſe thou haſt kept the word of my patience, I will alſo keep thee from the hour of Temptation, which ſhall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. O remember, this will be the comfort,It is the glory of a Chriſtian to be found in the faith. and the glory of a Chriſtian, to be found in the Faith, when Chriſt comes to make a ſcrutiny either of death, or at the general Judgement: p. 5401 Pet. 1.7. That the trial of your faith being much more precious than of gold that periſheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praiſe, and honour, and glory, at the appearing of Jeſus Chriſt. It is nothing to ſay, Such a man had Faith; or, Such a man once made a glorious Profeſſion of the Faith: but this is the glory of Chriſtians, to be found in the Faith when Chriſt comes to Judgement. This was the height of Pauls ambition, to be found in Chriſt when he came to give up his account. Phil. 3.8, 9. That I may win Chriſt, and be found in him, not having my own righteouſneſs, which is of the law, but the righteouſneſs of God by faith.

Now he that keeps the Faith, and endures ſtedfaſt to the end, is ſure to be found in him, and none elſe.

Queſt. But you will ſay, What ſhould I do, that I may keep Faith ſafely, and be found in the Faith in the moſt dangerous times?

Means of preſerving faith. 1. Soundneſs.I anſwer, Firſt, if thou wouldſt be found in the faith, be ſure to be ſound in the faith; for unſound things do not uſe to laſt long. An Apple that is rotten at the Core, will ſoon be gone. Apoſtacy is the uſual Cataſtrophe of Hypocriſie: He that would deceive in his Profeſſion, is juſtly deceived of his Salvation. That's the reaſon the Apoſtle ſo often perſwades them to be ſound in the faith, Tit. 1.13. and 2 2. Let us build our Faith upon good ground, upon Gods Word; and ſo, let us build our hearts upon Faith, and not build Faith upon our own deceitful hearts: Prov. 28.26. He that truſteth in his own heart is a fool; but whoſo walketh wiſely, he ſhall be delivered. That is the firſt Rule, Be ſound in the Faith.

2. Trial of it.Secondly, if thou wouldſt keep thy Faith, and be ſound in it, be ſure to bring it to the Teſtimony, and examine it to the bottom. How do we know things to be ſound or unſound, but upon their trial: Therefore be ſure to try thy Faith, if thou wouldſt have it laſting Faith. Some take it for granted, their Faith is good and ſound: whereas if they p. 541ſhould but feel the Pulſe of it, they would finde it very ſick and weak. It is ſaid of Joſeph and Mary, Luke 1.41.Luke 1:41they went a days journey, ſuppoſing Jeſus Chriſt to have been in their company; but when they came to a through ſcrutiny, they perceived they had loſt him, and were fain to go back again to ſeek him. It is to be feared, many a profeſſed Chriſtian plods on many a days, and many a years journey, ſuppoſing Faith, and Chriſt by Faith to be in their company; when, if they would make a diligent ſearch, they ſhould finde themſelves at a loſs, and ſuch as had need go back again, and begin all their work afreſh: and indeed, a man had better begin twenty times, than be once miſtaken in a matter of that moment. Therefore be ſure to examine thy Faith at the firſt, as thou deſireſt to keep thy credit with God or Man. A wiſe Merchant, that would keep his credit and keep his eſtate, is often caſting up his Books of Accompts, but he is like to keep neither of the former, that is careleſs in the latter. Be thou therefore this wiſe Merchant, if thou wouldſt keep thy Faith to the laſt, be ſure to make trial of it at the firſt. How it ought to be tried, I ſhall not now ſtand to ſhew you, but refer you to that which was ſaid in the particular Uſe to that purpoſe.

Thirdly, he that would be kept ſound in the Faith,3. Love of the Truth. muſt be ſure to love the Truth, and to hate every falſe doctrine: for, Corruption in judgement will ſoon weaken our faith. 2 Pet. 3.17. Ye therefore, beloved, ſeeing ye know theſe things before, beware leſt ye alſo being led away with the errour of the wicked, fall from your own ſtedfaſtneſs. An unconſtant man, that halts between two Opinions, will ſoon prove an unſtedfaſt man: Jam. 1.8. A double minded man is unſtable in all his ways. 1 Tim 4.1. Now the Spirit ſpeaketh expreſly, that in the latter times ſome ſhall depart from the faith, giving heed to ſeducing spirits, and Doctrines of Devils.

p. 5424. A good conſcience.Fourthly, he that would keep his Faith, muſt keep a good Conſcience in all things; and he keeps a good Conſcience, that walks up to his light: Faith loves to dwell in a ſweet lodging; 1 Tim. 3.9. Holding the myſtery of faith in a pure conſcience The Myſtery of Faith is kept in a pure conſcience, if once the chamber of Conſcience be ſluttiſh and naſty, farewel Faith. To be ſure, Faith and a good Conſcience come and go both together: He that makes ſhipwrack of the one, cannot long preſerve the other from ſinking; 1 Tim. 1.19. Holding faith and a good conſcience, which ſome having put away, concerning faith have made ſhipwrack. A good conſcience, as we told you, is available to the holding both the Doctrine of Faith, and the Grace of Faith. And though theſe words are primarily meant of the Doctrine of Faith, as we ſhewed you, when we ſpake of living by Faith the Life of Preſervation, or Conſervation, in anſwer to the Arguments of the Papiſts from this place: yet the Argument is good by neceſſary conſequence, à fortiori, from this Scripture. If a good conſcience be ſo available for the keeping of the Doctrine of Faith; then much more for keeping the Grace of Faith: foraſmuch as an evil conſcience is more inconſiſtent with the Grace of Faith, than with the Doctrine of Faith. For howſoever, an evil conſcience is a very ready way to bribe and corrupt a mans judgement: yet many for a time have taught ſound Doctrine, who have been very unſound in their practice. Mat. 23.3. All therefore that they bid you obſerve, that obſerve and do; but do not ye after their works, for they ſay, and do not. But an habitual corruption of conſcience and converſation, cannot ſtand with the ſoundneſs of the grace of Faith. Joh. 1.6. If we ſay that we have fellowſhip with him, and walk in darkneſs, we lie, and do not the truth. And 2.4. He that ſaith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. Therefore, 1 Tim. 1.5. he couples the grace of Faith and a good Conſcience together: Now p. 543the end of the Commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conſcience, and of faith unfeigned. Be ſure therefore to keep a good conſcience, as thou wouldſt keep thy faith.

Fifthly, if thou wouldſt keep thy Faith,5. Right bottom. build it not upon falſe Promiſes; that is, when thou makeſt a Promiſe to thy ſelf, over and above that Promiſe which God hath made in his Word. Many a man, when he firſt begins to make Profeſſion of the Faith, he promiſeth to himſelf a great deal of eaſe, and riches, and credit in the world; whereas he ſhould expect the contrary, a great deal of trouble, and Perſecution, and Poverty, and Diſgrace, &c. Now when ſuch a mans End fails him, his Faith alſo will fail him, and he is aſhamed of the very Profeſſion of it. Such low and carnal ends, are juſt like the weights that hang upon a Clock, ſo long as the weights move, the Clock moves, but when the weights are once at ground, the Clock ſtands ſtill: So 'tis with ſuch men, ſo long as their carnal ends move them in Religious ways, they are moved; but when once their ends fail, they ſtand ſtark ſtill, and will move no further. Therefore beware of falſe ends in the Profeſſion of the Faith. Promiſe to thy ſelf no more than God hath promiſed, leſt failing of thy expectation, thy faith fail thee alſo. He is a wiſe and ſure builder, that ſits down and counts the coſt at the firſt: but he is a fool, and his building like to come to nothing, that after he hath laid the foundation, repents him of his work, and ſaith, I never thought it would have coſt me half ſo much, Luk. 14.28.

Sixthly, if thou wouldſt keep thy Faith,6. Commit it to God. commit it to Gods keeping; whatſoever we commit to his truſt, is put into a ſafe hand: 2 Tim. 1.12. For the which cauſe I alſo ſuffer theſe things: nevertheleſs, I am not aſhamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am perſwaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him againſt that day. Therefore be ſure not onelyonly to commit other p. 544things to God by faith, but even thy faith it ſelf, commit that to his keeping, pray him to keep it for thee. You know what Chriſt ſaid to Peter, I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not, Luke 22.32. Now Chriſts Prayer is as good as a Promiſe,Joh. 11.John 11 for we know that his Father heard him always. Therefore ground thy Prayer upon his Prayer, and ſay, Lord, hear me in that Prayer which I have taken out of my Saviours own mouth: O let not my Faith fail! That which thou haſt committed to my truſt, Lord, I deſire to re-commit to thy truſt (for I dare not truſt my ſelf) Therefore as David ſaith of his mouth, Pſal. 141.3. Set a watch (O Lord) before my mouth, and keep thou the door of my lips: So ſhould every true Believer pray in relation to his heart; Set a watch (O Lord) before my heart, and keep thou the door of my Faith. That as the Lord is the keeper of thy perſon, Pſal. 121.5. The Lord is thy keeper: So he may be the Lord-Keeper of thy faith alſo. And that is the ſixth Means, Look unto him by Prayer, who is the Author and Finiſher of thy faith, Heb. 12.2.

7. The free Spirit.Seventhly, if thou wouldſt be eſtabliſh'd in faith, pray God to give thee his Free Spirit, for that is an eſtabliſhing Spirit: Pſal. 51.12. Eſtabliſh me with thy free Spirit: With thy free Spirit? what is that?

1. The Spirit of God is not onelyonly a free Spirit in it ſelf, (for we may ſay of the Spirit of God, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks of the Word of God, 2 Tim. 2.4. It is not bound.)

2. Yea, and it is free in the Donation of it, it is moſt freely beſtowed, where God giveth it. Joh. 3.8. The wind bloweth where it liſteth, and thou heareſt the ſound thereof, but canſt not tell whence it cometh, nor whether it goeth. So is every one that is born of the Spirit. God is as free in the work of the Spirit, as in the work of the Minde: All the men in the world cannot command the Wind; no, nor the Devil himſelf (though he be called,Eph. 2.Eph 2 The Prince of the Air) he cannot command the Wind without a Commiſſion from God; as we ſee in the caſe of Job: ſo, no man can command the Spirit.

p. 5533. Yea, but the Spirit is not onelyonly free in the Nature of it, and in the Donation of it: But it is alſo free in the Effects and Operations of it, that is to ſay, It makes thoſe free that receive it: Joh. 8.36. If the Son ſhall make you free, ye ſhall be free indeed. And how doth he make men free, but by his Spirit? The Spirit of liberty is oppoſed to the Spirit of bondage: 2 Cor. 3.17.—and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. And this Spirit is an eſtabliſhing Spirit. Eſtabliſh me with thy free Spirit.

If you ſhall demand,

Q. What this Free and ingenuous Spirit is? and how it doth Eſtabliſh?

Anſ. It is a Spirit Free,

Firſt, Becauſe it Frees us in ſome meaſure,What the Free Spirit of God ſets Believers Free from. from that which might occaſion Back-ſliding and Apoſtacy from the Faith.

Secondly, In particular, it frees a man,

1. From the Bondage and Power of his own Luſts, that ſin reigns not in him.

2. It frees him from Bondage and ſlavery to the Luſts of other men. 1 Cor. 7.23. Ye are bought with a price, be not ye the ſervants of men.

3. It frees him from the Bondage and ſlavery of the World: The world gets not the victory over him. It is a baſe Spirit that ſtoops to the worlds lure, as Demas did. He is not in Bondage to the pleaſures or profits of the world: Therefore the Spirit of the world, and the Spirit of God are oppoſed. 1 Cor. 2.12. Now we have received, not the Spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, &c.

4. He is free from the Exaction, Curſe, and Malediction of the Law, of the Moral Law; and free from the burden of the Ceremonial Law.

5. He is free from that which is the fruit of that curſe, a Slaviſh and a Servile Fear: Either of God, or man, p. 554which makes men weary of their lives, and yet extremely affraid to dye.

The Free Spirit of Chriſt, by degrees, doth ſet his ſervants at liberty from theſe fears. Heb. 2 15. He came to deliver them, who through fear of death were all their life time ſubject to bondage. 2 Tim. 1.7. For God hath not given us the Spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a ſound mind.

How the Free Spirit of God Eſtabliſhes.Thus you ſee what this free and ingenious Spirit is, and how it doth free us from thoſe things which might occaſion apoſtacy from the Faith; and by that means it becomes an eſtabliſhing ſpirit to us. For in caſe the Spirit of God do not free men from theſe fears and burdens, the ſinful fleſh will ſoon lighten it ſelf; it will purchaſe to it ſelf a carnal liberty by rebellion and apoſtacy, if the Spirit of God do not adminiſter a Spiritual liberty by which the yoke of Chriſt is made eaſie, and ſo the poor creature is confirmed in the Faith. Therefore pray God to eſtabliſh thee with his free Spirit.

We have given many Motives before, I ſhall add but this one, and ſo conclude.

Motive to pray for the Free Spirit.As the right uſe of Chriſtian liberty is a ſpecial means to preſerve Faith: So Faith alſo in the right uſe of it, is a ſpecial means to preſerve Chriſtian Liberty, (which was purchaſed by the blood of Chriſt) as one hand helps another, and one leg ſupports another, ſo it is in this caſe, betwixt Faith and Chriſtian liberty;Faith & Chriſtian Liberty ſupports each other. they do mutually ſtrengthen and ſupport one another. There are certain graces that are Cuſtodes libertatis Chriſtianae. (The Lord give us the thing, as well as the name.)

Faith an excellent means to preſerve Chriſtian Liberty in many Reſpects.Now Faith is one of theſe graces, and a principal one; loſe thy Faith, and loſe thy Liberty, keep thy Faith and keep thy Liberty.

As for Example:

Firſt, Such as believe in Chriſt, are free from the Law of ſin and death. Rom. 8.2. For the Law of the Spirit p. 555of life in Chriſt Jeſus, hath made me free from the Law of ſin and death.

Some indeed profeſſing the Faith, account it their liberty to ſin againſt God, and are never troubled for it. But they are men of corrupt minds, and deſtitute of the truth of Faith, 1 Tim. 6.5. For the liberty that Chriſt hath purchaſed, is not to be free from his ſervice, (as in other manumiſſions of ſervants) but free to his ſervice: His ſervice is perfect liberty. He hath ſet us at liberty from other ſervice, (from the ſervice of ſin and ſatan.) That we might ſerve him without fear, in holineſs and righteouſneſs before him all our daies, Luke 1.74. Now I ſay, He that keeps his Faith, keeps his Freedom; he that loſeth his Faith, loſeth his Charter, or at the leaſt the Evidence of his Charter for his Spiritual Freedom.

Secondly, He that is ſtrong in the Faith ſtands faſt in exerciſe of the liberty wherewith Chriſt hath made him free, Gal. 6.1. But he that is weak in the Faith, is alſo weak in the uſe of his Chriſtian liberty. Rom. 14.1. Him that is weak in the faith receive you, but not to doubtful diſputations; viz. in the uſe of things indifferent: And ſo we may ſay of other parts of our Freedome from other bondages.

As Firſt, From the Bondage of Sin. The ſtronger is thy Faith, the weaker is thy Luſt; for Faith purifieth the heart. Acts 15.9. And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by Faith.

And Secondly, from the bondage of Inordinate Fear: The more Faith, the leſs fear; and on the other ſide, the leſſe Faith, the more fear, Mat. 8.26. Why are ye fearful, O ye of little Faith? Keep thy Faith therefore, as thou deſireſt to keep thy Chriſtian Liberty, which is the moſt excellent Freedom in the world. And ſo much for the ſecond Branch of the Uſe.

The Firſt was to exhort to get Faith, (if it be ſo excellent a grace.)

p. 556The ſecond is to keep it when we have it.

Now the Third is,

3 Branch of Exhortation to Act Faith.3. To act it, and to live by it, as well as to keep it: It is far better to put our Faith to uſe, then our Money to uſe: The juſt makes a living out of his Faith, whileſt he puts it to uſe. O lay not up this precious treaſure in a Napkin, for then it will ruſt for want of uſing! And we may ſay of our ſpiritual treaſure, as the Apoſtle James ſpeaks of temporal treaſure, Jam. 5.2, 3. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments moth-eaten: Your gold and ſilver is cankred, and the ruſt of them ſhall be a witneſſe againſt you. O let not our Faith Ruſt for want of uſing.

Object. But you will ſay, Is it poſſible to have Faith and not to uſe it?

Anſ. I anſwer, It is poſſible at ſome times, and upon ſome occaſions: A man may have the Habit of Faith and not act it as he ought to do, unleſſe he be very careful to ſtir up the grace of God that is in him.2 Tim. 12 Tim 1 Moſes had the habit of faith, and yet he failed in not acting of it at the waters of Meribah.

The diſciples of Chriſt had the habit of faith, yet they failed in acting of it in the time of danger, inſomuch that Chriſt ſaith, Where is your Faith?

Let us not therefore content our ſelves that we believe in Chriſt, and we have the habit of faith, but let us be ſure to reduce this Habit into Act upon all occaſions.

We ſay all, The excellency of an inſtrument conſiſts in the uſe. That is a good Knife, or Spade, or Sword, or Shield that is good for uſe. So …t is with the Shield of faith, that is the moſt excellent faith that is good for uſe.

Motives to Act Faith.

Mot. 1 For Firſt, It is the moſt Lively Faith; when we Act it, ſo that we live by it. As we ſay, an active man, is a p. 557lively man: whereas a ſluggard, or unactive creature, is counted a dead creature, one that is all amort. So an active Faith, is a Lively Faith; whereas a fruitleſſe and unactive faith, is called a dead Faith, Jam. 2.Jas 2and a dead faith is as good as no faith at all. We love other things and perſons that are Active and Lively. O let us love a Lively Faith!

Mot. 2 Secondly, Conſider the Acting of our faith: when we have it, it is that which brings moſt Honour to God.

When we truſt God with everything

we poſſeſſe, both for the

Keeping

and the Uſing

of it.

we take in hand: So that

we dare do nothing without craving his

Advice,

Bleſſing.

This puts a great deal of honour upon God. As the natural ſon honours his natural father by this means: So Gods children much more honour their heavenly father when they thus by faith do acknowledge him in all their wayes.Prov. 3.Prov 3

Mot. 3 Thirdly, This is that which brings no leſſe Comfort and Hearts eaſe to our ſelves, then honour to God; therefore faith is called a caſting our burden upon the Lord, Pſal 37.5 Roll thy way upon the Lord, truſt alſo in him, and he ſhall bring it to paſſe. Pſal. 55.22. Caſt thy burden upon the Lord, and he ſhall ſuſtain thee: he ſhall never ſuffer the righteous to be moved. Oh! what an eaſe? what a comfort is this? when we have burdens that are ready to break our backs, and our hearts too, and we go to God by faith and prayer, and ſo find eaſe and comfort.

p. 558When the perplexed Soul ſays, O how ſhall I do to ſubdue ſuch a Corruption, to get ſuch a Grace, to conquer ſuch an Enemy, to diſpatch ſuch a buſineſs, to hold out to the end! In this caſe faith takes off the burthen of fear and care: Take no thought, ſays faith, but go to God by Prayer,Iſa. 26.Isa 26 for he hath promiſed to work all thy works for thee, and he will be as good as his word: And therefore put thy faith to uſe in theſe particulars, and you ſhall finde abundance of eaſe and comfort. Take a man that hath but little buſineſs (in compariſon) yet if he hath no faith, but relie meerly upon his own wit or ſtrength, let this man be never ſo little croſt in his deſigns, he is preſently at his wits end, it breaks his ſleep, and he can have no quiet. Take another man that hath buſineſs of the greateſt importance in the world, yet ſuppoſe this man by faith to have committed the work to God, he ſleeps as quietly, and lives as comfortably, as if he had nothing at all to trouble him. And is not this a moſt ſweet and comfortable life? He that acts his faith upon the Promiſe, may have more troubles than another man without, but certainly he hath more peace and quiet within. He is juſt like a candle in a cloſe Lanthorn, that burns clear and fair in the midſt of a Tempeſt.

Mot. 4. Fourthly, as this acting of faith doth marvellouſly comfort and ſupport the Spirit in the mean time: ſo it is that which infallibly brings in the greateſt advantage in the latter end. When all is done, we ſhall finde living by Faith will bring in the beſt living to the creature at the laſt.

This is a ſure Rule, Gods outward actings for us, are uſually proportionable to his inward actings upon our Spirits: He firſt ſets our Faith on work, and then our Faith ſets his Hand on work for us. You know the uſual expreſſion in the Goſpel, According to your faith be it unto you; according to our faith, ſuch and ſuch Promiſes are made good to us: As if God ſhould ſay, I am able to do enough, p. 559if you are able to believe enough. Unbelief ſhuts the door, but faith acted and excited, is that which turns the key, and opens the door of all the good Treaſures of God, to be drawn out for our ſeaſonable ſupply. Could we but act faith, nothing could make us miſerable.

Suppoſe we be afflicted and perſecuted, yet afflictions and perſecutions are ſo far from making us miſerable, that they are a ſpecial gift and love-tokens from God, when he is pleaſed to give faith in the firſt place: Phil. 1.29. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Chriſt, not onelyonly to believe on him, but alſo to ſuffer for his ſake.

Mot. 5. In a word, to conclude, This is that for which the Saints of God have been commended, and left upon Record with an honourable Remembrance to all Poſterity, not ſo much for that they had the habit of faith, as that they acted their faith in ſuch and ſuch noble Exploits, as are eternized to their everlaſting praiſe, in the 11th to the Hebrews, By Faith Abel and Enoch, Noah and Abraham did thus and thus; their faith was very active and operative, and ſo ſhould ours be, if we deſire to obtain the like good report, which they obtained: for by it, by faith, yea, by the acting of their faith in the ſeveral particulars there mentioned, the Elders obtained a good report, Hebr. 11.2.

What a diſhonour is it to a faithful man,The not acting of faith foils & ſhames a Chriſtian. (on the other ſide) when his ſtrength goes from him, and he becomes weak like another man: He is no more able to perform a duty, no more able to reſiſt a temptation, than another ordinary man. O what a ſhame is this! And yet thus it is with a faithful man, if he do not act his faith, and keep cloſe to his Covenant.

Obſ. He is as Samſon was, when his hair was cut off, he becomes weak like another man. Inſomuch, that carnal men uncircumciſed Philiſtims begin to reproach him, and ſay, Lo! this is one of our Profeſſors, this is the man that lives by faith! Lo! this is the man that truſted in God, that he p. 560would deliver him; let him deliver him if he will have him, &c. And thus they reproach and ſpeak evil of the ways of God, when in truth, the fault is neither in God, nor in the grace of Faith, but in our own ſlothfulneſs: we act not our faith when we have it.

Queſt. But you will ſay, What ſhould we do, that we may act our faith?

Helps for the acting of faith.Anſw. I anſwer, Firſt, be ſure to clear up thy intereſt in Chriſt. 1. Cleering up intereſt in Chriſt.Receive Chriſt on Goſpel-terms:

1. Wholly.

2. Renouncing thy ſins: Iſa. 59.20. And the Redeemer ſhall come to Sion, and unto them that turn from tranſgreſſions in Jacob, ſaith the Lord.

3. Renounce thy own Righteouſneſs: Rom. 10.3. For they being ignorant of Gods righteouſneſs, and going about to eſtabliſh their own righteouſneſs, have not ſubmitted themſelves to the righteouſneſs of God.

4. Take Chriſt with his Croſs. Mat. 16.24. Then ſaid Jeſus unto his diſciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himſelf, and take up his croſs, and follow me. And by thy intereſt in Chriſt, clear up thy intereſt in the Covenant of free Grace. Iſa. 42.6. I the Lord have called thee in righteouſneſs, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a Covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles, Iſa 49.8. And by the Covenant, thy intereſt in all the precious Promiſes of God; For all the Promiſes of God in him are Yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us, 2 Cor. 1.20. Once prove thy ſelf in Chriſt, and thou maiſt prove thy intereſt to all the Promiſes of God: for, if in Chriſt, then a Son; if a Son, then an Heir; if an Heir, then an heir of the promiſes, Heb. 6.17. Wherein God willing more abundantly to ſhew unto the heirs of Promiſe the immutability of his counſel, confirmed it by an oath. This is the firſt and great thing that is to be done.

But yet this is not enough: for,

p. 561Secondly,Help. 2. Application of the Promiſes. next to the clearing up of thy intereſt in Chriſt, and in the promiſes: Thou muſt give all diligence not only to acquaint thy ſelf with the promiſes, and rich Legacies of thy heavenly father, but thou muſt alſo endevour ſeaſonably to apply them to thy particular occaſions and conditions, as alſo to put the promiſes in ſuit by prayers, and ſo make uſe of them by faith, (in drawing out vertue from Chriſt) as a rich man makes uſe of his mony, or ſtock and ſtore when he improves it and imploys it for the ſupply of his particular wants, to feed him, to clothe him, &c. What a ſhame and a vanity is it (as Solomon ſpeaks) for a man to have abundance of wealth, and yet not to have a heart to make uſe of it for the ſupply of his wants? And the like ſhame it is to a Chriſtian to have a ſtock of Faith and precious promiſes, and yet not to have a heart to make uſe of them for the ſupply of his daily wants. So that to live by Faith (then) is to act our Faith in the promiſe, and to go to them upon all occaſions, as a man goes to his treaſury for the ſupply of all his wants.

For faith is nothing elſe but a believing of Gods promiſe, and a truſting to it, through Chriſt for ſupply in the time of need.

As for Example.

Firſt, Art thou in doubt, or, doſt thou want wiſdom, Several caſes wherein Faith is to be exerciſed.for the ordering of thy temporal, or ſpiritual affairs, then act thy faith in that promiſe? Jam. 1.5. If any lack wiſdome let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally; and upbraideth not, and it ſhall be given him.

Secondly, Suppoſe thou art in outward troubles, and ſeeſt no viſible means for thy eſcape, act thy faith in that promiſe, Job 5.19. He ſhall deliver thee in ſix troubles, yea in ſeven there ſhall no evil touch thee.

Thirdly, Art thou in inward trouble of ſpirit, for want of the light of Gods countenance, Live by faith in that p. 562promiſe, Pſal. 85.8—. He will ſpeak peace unto his people, and to his Saints, &c.

Fourthly, Suppoſe thou art afflicted in this: Thy corruptions are ſtrong, and thy graces weak. O live by faith in that promiſe. Mica. 7.19. He will turn again, he will have compaſſion upon us, he will ſubdue our iniquities, and thou wilt caſt all their ſins into the depths of the Sea. Or that 2 Cor. 9 8. God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that ye always having all ſufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.

Fifthly, Art thou afraid of enemies, act thy faith in that promiſe, Iſa. 54. Laſt—. No weapon that is formed againſt thee ſhall proſper, &c.

Sixthly, Art thou afraid of Satan, or any in league with him. Away with that fear, act thy ſaith in that promiſe. Numb. 23.23. Surely, there is no inchantment againſt Jacob, neither is there any divination againſt Iſrael.

Seventhly, Art thou afraid of the fury of the oppreſſion, act thy faith in that promiſe, Pſal. 9.9. The Lord will be a refuge for the oppreſſed, a refuge in times of trouble.

Eighthly, Art thou afraid of want in thy eſtate. Act thy faith in that promiſe, Pſal. 34.10—. They that ſeek the Lord, ſhall not want any good thing.

Ninthly, Art thou afraid of diſgrace upon thy name, act thy faith in that promiſe, Zeph. 3.20. I will make you a name, and a praiſe among all the people of the earth—ſaith the Lord.

Tenthly, Art thou afraid of bodily ſickneſs, or death, Act thy faith in ſuch promiſes, where God engageth himſelf either to prevent ſickneſs, or to ſupport thee under it, or to make death a paſſage to a better life.

Eleventhly, Art thou afraid thy labours and endeavours in thy calling will prove fruitleſs? Act thy faith in that promiſe, Pſal. 1.3. Whatſoevor he doth ſhall proſper. Which is ſtill to be underſtood with ſubordination to p. 563Gods glory and our own ſalvation.

Twelthly, Art thou afraid what may become of thy children, when thou art dead and gone, Truſt God with them, and act thy faith upon that promiſe, Pſal. 112.2—. The generation of the upright ſhall be bleſſed.

13. Art thou troubled to ſee the preſent differences among Gods people? Live by faith in that promiſe, Jer. 32.39. I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them.

14. Art thou afraid of unprofitableneſs under Gods ordinances, becauſe thou findeſt much backwardneſs to them, and much deadneſs under them, apply that promiſe, Iſa. 12.3. Ye ſhall with joy draw water out of the wells of ſalvation.

And that, Iſa. 48.17. I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou ſhouldſt go.

15. If thou be afraid of the hardneſs of thy beart, and thy want of love to the Lord, act faith in that promiſe, Deut. 30.6. And the Lord thy God will circumciſe thine heart, and the heart of thy ſeed, to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy ſoul, that thou maiſt live.

And thus might we inſtance in other caſes, and other promiſes, but theſe may ſuffice to give light to the reſt.

Let us thus carefully make uſe of the talent of our faith, in trading with God upon all occaſions that our one or two talents may gain more.Simile. God is the firſt fountain of all grace and comfort, the promiſes are as ſeveral ſpring-heads, our acting faith upon the promiſes, is like the conveiance of waters in pipes to the ſeveral rooms in a houſe for the beſt ſervice of the inhabitants. Let us therefore act our faith that we may live comfortably upon p. 564the promiſes, thoſe heavenly wells of ſalvation. And if God anſwer not preſently, we muſt act our faith in tarrying the lords leaſure, if the viſion be for an appointed time, the juſt ſhall live by his faith.

And that is the laſt branch of the exhortation, (reſpecting our ſelves) if faith be ſo excellent a grace, even the very life of the ſoul.

Then.

Firſt, as we ſhould labour to get it, and,

Secondly, to keep it, when we have it.

Thirdly, to live by it, and act it, as well as keep it.

Branch IV. Of Exhortation.

So fourthly, we ſhould labour to increaſe the ſtock of our faith.

Increaſe of Faith.Faith is ſuch an excellent grace we can never have too much of it. He that increaſeth his faith increaſeth his livelyhood: For the juſt ſhall live by his faith.

It was the high commendation of thoſe poor Chriſtians, Jam. 2.5. That however they were poor in other things, yet they were rich in faith. The Theſſalonians are commended for this, that their faith was on the growing hand, their faith grew exceedingly, 2 Theſ. 1.3. Paul gives the like commendable teſtimony of the Corinthians that they abounded in faith, 2 Cor. 8.7.

What ſhould I ſay more, this is recorded to the everlaſting praiſe of him that is ſtiled the father of the faithful, that he was ſtrong in the faith, Rom. 4.20.

Let us all labour therefore that profeſs the ſame faith to attain (as neer as we can) to the ſame growth, that we may be ſtrong in the faith, giving glory to God as he did.

And the rather ſhould we be perſwaded to grow, becauſe.

p. 565Motives to increaſe in Faith.

Firſt, there are degrees of faith, 1. Faith hath degrees.and no man attains to the higheſt degree at the firſt; faith is like a grain of muſtard ſeed before it comes to be a goodly tree, and the faithful are firſt babes in Chriſt, then young men, then ſtrong men, 1 Joh. 2.12, 13, 14. The Diſciples are oft reproved for their little faith, and the good woman is commended for her great faith. Mat. 15.28. Jeſus anſwered and ſaid unto her, O woman great is thy faith, be it unto thee even as thou wilt, it ſeems therefore there is little faith, and there is great faith; there is weak faith, and there is ſtrong faith, and yet he that is ſtronger may grow ſtill: Paul was a ſtrong and valiant champion in the faith (no whit inferiour to the very chief of the Apoſtles) and yet he ſpeaks of himſelf as if he had little or nothing in compariſon of that which he deſired and endeavoured after,Pſal. 3.9.Ps 3:9 in the third to the Philippians he tells us, that he counts all things loſs and dung that he may know Chriſt, and the power of his Reſurrection. Why? Did he not know him already, and believe in him already? doubtleſs, he did, but in compariſon of what was to come, and what he aimed at, he accounted that which he had already, but very little. And therefore ſays he in the very next words, Not as though I had already attained, or were already perfect, but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that, for which alſo I am apprehended of Chriſt Jeſus. And therefore ſtill he deſireth to know more, and to believe more, he never thought he had faith enough. And therefore beloved, if ſuch a ſtrong man in the faith as Paul was, deſires ſtill to be upon the growing hand, how much more ſhould ſuch as are new beginners and but weak in the faith, deſire to grow from ſtrength to ſtrength according p. 566to that gracious promiſe. Job 17.9. The righteous ſhall hold on his way, and that hath clean hands ſhall be ſtronger and ſtronger, In other things men deſire to grow: In things natural, no child but deſires to grow till it be a man: In things artificial, no ſcholar, apprentice, but deſires to grow, till he become a perfect artiſt: In the things of the world, no man of mean eſtate, but deſires to grow, till he be rich, onelyonly in grace men are content to be poor ſtill. Where we ſhould be covetous, there we are well contented with a little. 1 Cor. 12.31. Covet earneſtly the beſt gifts. And where we ſhould be content, there we are covetous, as in outward things.

Mot. 2. Growth of faith an evidence of its truth.And this puts me in mind of a ſecond Motive to quicken our growth in faith. None have truth of faith but onelyonly ſuch as deſire to grow in faith. and therefore when a profeſſor ſhall preſently grow ſecure, and ſay, So, now I believe, all is well, I have as much faith as will carry me to heaven, and what need I care for any more, it is a ſhrewd ſigne, ſuch a man hath no true faith at all, a painted child grows not; but a living child grows taller, and taller from year to year. For in caſe a man had had truly taſted, how gratious the Lord is by the mouth of faith, he muſt needs ſay as they did of that bread and water of life: Lord evermore give us of this bread, evermore give us of this water. A man thinks he can never have enough of it▪ True faith is never content to ſtand at a ſtay: And the reaſon is becauſe it ſprings up of immortal ſeed, if the ſeed of faith could rot and die then it might ceaſe to grow,1 Pet. 1.1 Pet 1 but becauſe the ſeed of it is immortal and incorruptible, therefore it muſt needs be up on the grownig hand. It may be nipt a little for a time like winter corn, but even then it grows in the root, and will grow the faſter for it, afterwards in the blade alſo. What ſhall we ſay then of thoſe, that are alwayes ſtanding at a ſtay, that are children in the faith, for the p. 567ſpace of fourty or fifty years together, theſe are monſters in the life of faith. It is confeſſed, every thing muſt have a beginning both in nature and grace, but it is a ſhame to be alwayes beginning, and never carrying on a work, to be a beginner from firſt to laſt is very ſtrange, and inconſiſtent with the grace of faith.

Thirdly, conſider the faſter our faith grows, Mot. 3. Faith makes all graces grow.the faſter all other graces do grow, and the fruits of thoſe graces alſo in all manner of good works. It is a ſweet thing for a Chriſtian to be full of grace and full of good works. 2 Pet. 3.16. But grow in grace, and in the knowledg of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt—. As it is ſaid of Dorcas, Act. 9.36. This woman was full of good works, and alms deeds which ſhe did. But a man can never be full of theſe, unleſs he be full of faith, for faith is a radical grace, all graces and good works ſpring from faith as from a root, and are therefore called the fruits of faith. Chriſt is the maſter-root, but faith is a ſubſervient root. Now you know, the faſter the root grows, the faſter the branches grow and the fruits alſo.

So the faſter our faith grows, the faſter our love, our patience, our zeal for God and all other graces grow, and the faſter our good works alſo do grow and multiply all good works (if good works indeed) do ſpring from faith. In vain do Chriſtians heap up precepts for a holy life, if in the mean time they neglect their faith, which draws power from Chriſt, which inables them to walk with God in the performance of thoſe good works, for without me ſaith Chriſt, ye can do nothing. Joh. 5.5.

Fourthly, conſider, as more faith, more grace,Mot. 4. More Faith more Peace. ſo the more faith the more peace, in ordinary courſe of diſpenſation. Rom. 5.1. Being juſtified by faith we have peace with God through the Lord Jeſus Chriſt. So the ſtronger is our faith, the ſtronger our joy and conſolation, p. 568therefore the Apoſtles joyns both together. Rom. 15.13. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, fulneſs of faith brings fulneſs of joy and peace. And the reaſon is, becauſe faith is the bond of union that knits Chriſt and the ſoul together: Now the ſtronger and neerer our union is unto Chriſt, the ſweeter and fuller is our communion with Chriſt. It is true, a weak faith may be ſufficient to ſalvation, but it is not ſufficient (in all caſes) to conſolation. A weak believer crawls to heaven with much adoe, but a ſtrong believer runs his race to heaven with much joy, even in the midſt of afflictions and perſecution. Such a one hath an humble boldneſs at the throne of grace in all conditions. And as he prays with more confidence, ſo he can wait with more patience, till God is pleaſed to anſwer his prayer. Therefore get good ſtore of faith as thou deſireſt good ſtore of peace and joy.

Fifthly, conſider, we ſhould labour for much faith, becauſe the troubles of believers are many, and their enemies are many, that fiſh for them in thoſe troubled waters.

Mot. 5. Troubles of believers are many.Firſt, there troubles are many, Pſal. 34.19: Many are the troubles of the righteous: ſometimes outward troubles, and ſometimes inward troubles, they are ſeldome without ſome or other: And ſometimes they are more then the hairs of their head, as David ſpeaks. Pſal. 40.12.

And ſecondly, their enemies are many, that fiſh for them in theſe troubled waters, and as they are many, fo they are ſtrong:

Corruptions are ſtrong, and the Devil is ſtrong, he is called, the ſtrong man armed; And the world is a ſtrong enemie. Now how ſhall a weak faith ſtand up againſt ſo many ſtrong enemies, and againſt ſo many ſtout temptations. Therefore, Epheſians 6.10, 16. we are bidden, be ſtrong in the Lord, and in the poor of his p. 569might: And above all, taking the ſhield of faith, which is needful to quench the fiery darts of the wicked.

3. Beſides, theſe enemies put forth their ſtrength againſt us when we are at the weakeſt, they come upon us (as Simeon and Levi upon the Shechemties) when we are ſore, oppreſt with ſore and heavy troubles;Gen 34.25.Gen 34:25 Then Corruptions are moſt impetuous and violent, then they tempt us to inordinate care, fear ſorrow, and ſometimes to deſpair, or to fretting and murmuring againſt the Lord: Then Satan tempts ſtrongly to caſt off God, and his ſervice.

It was the Devil that ſpoke in Jobs wife (for, all that Job had, was delivered into his hand, Chap. 1.12.) when ſhe ſaid, Doſt thou ſtill retain thine integrity? Curſe God and die. Then the World ſtrikes in with a word of oppoſition: It will ſmile upon thee, it may be, in a time of proſperity, [Riches (ſaith Solomon) gather many friends; yea, but the poor is ſeparated from his Neighbour] It will frown in time of adverſity. Now, I ſay, how ſhall a man be able to ſtand up with a weak faith in the midſt of ſo many troubles and enemies. Who mould venture into a rough and a boiſterous Sea, in a weak and ſlender Veſſel? In ſtrong Temptations, a weak faith is ready to betray us to inordinate fears. Mat. 8.26. Jeſus ſaid to the Diſciples, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Plainly intimating, That the greatneſs of their fears did ſpring not ſo much from the greatneſs of their troubles and dangers, as from the weakneſs of their faith. And therefore becauſe we know not what troubles or oppoſitions we may meet withall before we come to die, or at leaſt in that hour. It is good wiſdom to lay up ſtore of faith beforehand: Time may ſoon come we may need all we have, and it may be, deſire we had more; however, ſtore is no ſore, eſpecially in things of this nature.

Beſides that, as the night of your troubles may come ſooner than you look for, (it is poſſible your Sun may ſet p. 570at Noon) ſo it may be, that night may prove longer than you are aware of, and therefore it is wiſdom to prepare good ſtore of light to carry you through the darkneſs of the night; whether that darkneſs do ſpring from outward troubles: for, The withdrawing of the Preſence of Chriſt makes the ſaddeſt night of all, (He is the Sun of Righteouſneſs, therefore his Preſence makes day in the Soul, and his Abſence makes night) and this night (I ſay) may prove longer than we are aware of; therefore get good ſtore of faith, for faith is your light, which being nouriſhed by the ſure word of propheſie and promiſe ſhineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-ſtar ariſe in your hearts, 2 Pet. 1.19.

Suppoſe a man were to go a great and difficult way in a very dark night, and had but a little piece of a candles-end to direct him over narrow Bridges and dangerous Paſſages, where the leaſt errour might coſt him his life, how uncomfortable would his condition be, when that little piece of candle was burnt out: So it is in this caſe; therefore be ſure to get good ſtore of faith, and good ſtore of oyl in your Lamps. As you deſire to be found amongſt the number of the Wiſe Virgins, when the Bridegroom cometh.

Laſtly, conſider, a great Profeſſion, and a little Faith, do not hang wel together.6. A great profeſſion and a little faith agree not wel. Moſt men indeed love to be accounted rich in faith, rather than to be ſo; but a ſolid Chriſtian ſays, I had rather be rich in faith than to be accounted ſo: for in caſe thy faith grow not as faſt as thy Profeſſion of it, thou wilt be juſt like a Ship that hath more Sails than Ballaſt; like a Bird that flies out of her neſt, before ſhe hath wings to carry her: Like that fooliſh King, who going to make war with ten thouſand, Luke 14.Luke 14provokes him that comes againſt him with twenty thouſand. For the very Profeſſion of the faith may provoke an Adverſary, as well as if we had really, as much as we do profeſs. And how ſhall ſuch a man endure the ſtroke, that provokes much, and can reſiſt or bear nothing? Or he is like an Apprentice, that buyes p. 571out his time, before he hath either ſufficiency of Stock to ſet up withall, or ſufficiency of Skill to manage his Stock: So it is with men that ſet up the Trade of godlineſs, with as great ſhew upon the Stall, as moſt men do, and yet have but little ſtock of Faith within doors to bear it out; they ſoon either prove Bankrupts, or take a ſore fall, either into ſome foul errour in judgement, or into ſome foul ſin in their practice.

All theſe Conſiderations ſhould perſwade us to increaſe and grow ſtrong in the faith:

Queſt. But how ſhould I know whether I do increaſe or decreaſe? whether my faith be ſtrong or weak?

Anſw. It appears to be weak,Signs of a weak faith. by the frequency of doubtings and fears; therefore little faith,1. Frequency of doubtings. and much fear or doubting, are uſually joyned together in Scripture, as S. John ſaith of Love, 1 Joh. 3.18. Perfect love caſteth out fear; he that feareth, is not made perfect in love: So we may ſay of Faith, Perfect faith caſteth out fear; he that feareth, is not perfect in faith. It is true, there is none ſo perfect upon earth, but he may fear ſometimes: But yet this holds true, The more faith, the leſs fear; and the more fear, the leſs faith.

Secondly,2. Unſetledneſs in Gods truth. a weak faith is ſoon diſcovered by a mans inconſtancy and unſetledneſs in the Truths of God. You know a ſtrong man (in regard of bodily ſtrength) is not eaſily turned about, and ſtaggered at every twitch: but a childe is weak, you may turn him this way and that way at your pleaſure, with one of your fingers: So it is in grace, a ſtrong man in the faith is not eaſily moved by every new upſtart and ungrounded Opinion, but a Novice in the faith, as he is ſoon lifted up by pride: ſo he is as ſoon caſt down by the wind of Errour; therefore, ſaith the Apoſtle, Eph. 4.14. Let us be no more children toſſed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the ſleight of men, and cunning craftineſs, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.

p. 5723. Carefulneſs in worldly things.Thirdly, weak faith is diſcovered by a mans extraordinary care about worldly things. He that hath ſtrong faith, will truſt God for the things of this life, as well as of that which is to come;Heb. 13.5.Heb 13:5 his converſation is without covetouſneſs, and he is well content with ſuch things as he hath, becauſe God hath ſaid, I will never leave thee nor forſake thee: So that he can boldly ſay, The Lord is my helper, I will not fear what fleſh can do unto me, Heb. 13.5.

But a man of a weak faith, as his heart is more full of worldly fears and cares: ſo his mouth is more full of diſtruſtful (or at leaſt, doubtful) expreſſions: What ſhall we eat? Mat. 6.Matt 6what ſhall we drink? and, what ſhall we put on? all which do ſpring either from want of faith, or at leaſt from the weakneſs of it: As Chriſt ſays, Mat. 6.30. Wherefore if God ſo clothe the graſs of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is caſt into the oven; ſhall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Plainly intimating, the reaſon why they had ſo much worldlineſs in their hearts, was, Becauſe they had ſo little faith there. Faith and the World are Combatants. 1 Joh. 5.4.—This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. Therefore when Faith gets above the World, it argues Faith is ſtrong; but when the World gets above Faith, it argues, Faith is weak.

4. Backwardneſs to holy duties, and remiſſneſs in them.Fourthly, a weak faith is diſcovered by a mans backwardneſs to holy duties beforehand, and by his remiſſneſs in them afterwards. The Watch ſtands ſtill, when the Spring is down; and it moves but ſlowly, when the Spring is weak. Now faith is (as it were) the Spring of the Soul, it ſets all a work in Prayer, in Hearing, in Practice. Therefore where the Spring of faith is weak, the Soul moves weakly and ſlowly, toward and in thoſe holy duties; but where the Spring grows ſtronger and ſtronger, it moves more ſtrongly and vigorouſly from day to day: I believed, and therefore have I ſpoken, ſaith David. We having the ſame Spirit of faith, we alſo believe, and therefore we p. 573have ſpoken, ſaith the Apoſtle, 2 Cor. 4.13. Strong Faith is like ſtrong wine, it muſt have a vent in gracious ſpeeches, and holy actions, Job. 32.18. For I am full of matter, the Spirit within me conſtraineth me; Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent, it is ready to burſt like new bottles. I will ſpeak that I may be refreſhed, I will open my lips and anſwer. Look as ſtrength of love to Jeſus Chriſt conſtrains to holy duties, 2 Cor. 5.14. (For faith works by love, Gal. 5.6.) So the more faith, the more work the creature doth for God; the leſs faith, the leſs work. Only take it with this Caution, that the work ſprings from a principle of Love to Jeſus Chriſt.

Otherwiſe he that hath leſſe faith (or no faith at all) may yet, do more work ſeemingly for God, more external work, ſpringing from a principle of Self-love, and Self-ſeeking in praiſe or profit. But ſuch a man carries not his work before him, he doth it but to the halves; he ſerves God with bodily exerciſe, but he ſerves him not in Spirit and truth.

Fifthly,5. Sign, Yielding to Temptations. A weak Faith is diſcovered by a mans eaſie yeelding to the temptations of ſin: A weak ſouldier is ſoon overcome, but a valiant champion ſtands it out ſtoutly, and bears many a blow before he yields. Therefore a weak faith is ſoon overcome by any little temptation of profit or pleaſure, and the like; whereas a ſtrong faith ſtands out manfully as Moſes did, who by Faith refuſed to enjoy the pleaſures of ſin, Chuſing rather to ſuffer afflictions with the people of God, Heb. 11.25. So alſo by yielding under temptations of tryal, Joh. 6.6. And this he ſaid to prove him; viz. Philip in the miracle of multiplying the loaves, for he himſelf knew what he would do. As alſo the reſt of the Diſciples in the tempeſt at ſea. Conſider Abraham, Gen. 22.. And the woman of Canaan, Matth. 15.28. Both were patterns of ſtrong faith in two very eminent tryals.

By theſe therefore and the like rules we may examine p. 574our faith, whether it be upon the growing, or decaying hand.

Queſt. But ſome will ſay, Suppoſe my faith be weak and feeble, what means ſhould I uſe, that I may increaſe it?

Means for the increaſe of Faith.Anſw. The firſt is, by an aſſiduous and diligent attendance upon the Word of God: which in general is called the word of Faith; 1. Attendance on the Word.not onelyonly becauſe it begets faith at firſt, but becauſe it doth nouriſh it afterwards, till a believer comes to his full growth. Ex eiſdem nutrimur, ex quibus conſtamus: We are nouriſhed by the ſame means by which we are begotten at the firſt. The Word is the immortal ſeed, to beget our faith. 1 Pet. 1.23. Being born again, not of corruptible ſeed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever: And the Word is the heavenly Milk to nouriſh it, 1 Pet. 2.2. As new born babes, deſire the ſincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. It is obſerved, Thomas was but once abſent, and he loſt much of the confirmation of his faith, Joh. 20.24, 25. Remember the charge, 2 Tim. 4.2. Preach the word, be inſtant in ſeaſon, out of ſeaſon, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-ſuffering and doctrine: And the Promiſe, Prov. 8.34, 35. Bleſſed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the poſts of my doors: For who ſo findeth me, findeth life, and ſhall obtain favour of the Lord. Therefore the Apoſtle profeſſeth, what great deſire he had to ſee the Theſſalonians, and to preach to them, to that end, that he might perfect that which was lacking in their faith, 1 Theſſ. 3.10. And it was his laſt farewel to the Epheſians, when he told them they ſhould ſee his face no more, Acts 20.32. And now brethren (ſaith he) I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them that are ſanctified. As if he had ſaid, Look as by the preaching of the Word of God, I laid the firſt foundation of Faith amongſt you; ſo p. 575now I commend you in my prayers to the ſame God, and to the guidance of the ſame Word, which God, and which Word, or which God by his Word, is able to build you up in the Faith, till you come to your journeys end, even till you come to enter upon the poſſeſſion of your heavenly inheritance, among all them that are ſanctified. And this is the firſt Means.

The ſecond, is, the Promiſe, 2. Promiſes of the increaſe of faithan eſpecial part of the Word: for, Faith lives by the Promiſe, as the juſt man lives by Faith.

Obj. Some ſay, Where have you any Promiſe that Gods People ſhall believe? Or if they do believe, where is any Promiſe that they ſhall grow and increaſe in the Faith?

Anſ. To ſatisfie theſe men, they may look upon both, in one Promiſe: Rom. 1.17. For therein is the righteouſneſs of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The juſt ſhall live by his faith. The Apoſtle in theſe words affirms two things:

1. That Gods People are made righteouſneſs in the ſight of God, not by any inherent righteouſneſs of their own; but by the righteouſneſs of God ſupernaturally revealed by the Word and Spirit of God, and applied by Faith.

2. He affirms, That this Faith is ever upon the growing hand: And ſo God will ſhew himſelf righteous in making good his Promiſe for the increaſe of faith. The righteouſneſs of God is revealed from faith to faith; that is, in cauſing Gods People to grow from one degree of faith to another.

The like phraſe is uſed, Pſal. 84.7. They all go from ſtrength to ſtrength, that is; from one degree of ſtrength to another. So 2 Cor. 3.18. We are changed into the ſame image from glory to glory, that is, from one degree of glory to another.

p. 576Note.God is righteous in cauſing his People to grow in faith, according to his Promiſe.

It is true, that by faith we are firſt grafted and planted into Chriſt, as the Goſpel ſpeaks. And it is as true, that the Pſalmiſt ſpeaks, They that are once planted in the houſe of the Lord, ſhall grow and flouriſh in the Courts of our God, Pſal. 92.13, 14. And why ſo? what is the Reaſon of this growth in Faith and Grace? It follows in the very next words, ver. 15. To ſhew that the Lord is upright, and that there is no unrighteouſneſs in him.

The very ſame, in effect, with that expreſſion of Paul, The righteouſneſs of God is revealed from faith to faith: Rom. 1.17.Rom 1:17and therefore the next way to increaſe faith, is to act faith, in theſe and the like Promiſes, which God hath purpoſely made for the increaſe thereof.

3. The Sacrament.The third Means is the Sacrament, eſpecially the Sacrament of the Lords Supper. This is the Sacrament of Confirmation: for the Word begets Faith, and the Sacrament is the Seal of the Word, and the Seal of the Covenant, or the viſible Word; Rom. 4.11.Rom 4:11and ſo it confirms Faith.

Men do not uſe to ſet a Seal to a Writing or to a Covenant, before the Parties be agreed, or to make them agree, but to ſtand as a ſure Teſtimony of their former agreement or ſtipulation each to other, and that they may the better truſt one another for the real performance of the Covenant on both ſides: So God doth not ordain this Seal to be ſet to a blank, before there be any Covenant made (for what is that, but to mock God, and to tell a real lie to ſeal to a Covenant, when there is no ſuch matter betwixt God and the Soul?) but God ordained it to confirm our Faith in the Covenant already made.

And we may ſay of Gods Seal, what the Scriptures ſpeak of Gods Oath, it is for Confirmation, Heb. 6.18, 19. Wouldſt thou have thy Faith confirmed and ſtrengthned? O come in faith! If God ordain Rams-horns for the pulling down the Walls of Jericho, Joſh. 6.5. Lamps for the p. 577overthrow of the Midianites, Judg. 7.20. Jordan for the curing of Naamans Leproſie, 2 King. 5.10. Pulſe for the nouriſhing of the three young men, Dan. 1.12. Theſe means ſhall be effectual; and ſo ſhall the Sacrament: OnelyOnly let a man examine himſelf, and ſo let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

Examine? you'll ſay: What ſhould he examine?Examine two things in order to the Sacrament. Let him examine his Meat, and let him examine his Mouth and his Stomack.

1. Let him examine his Meat, whether he can ſee and diſcern the Lords, body under thoſe Elements, or no: for he that doth not ſo,1 Cor. 11.1 Cor 11 ſtands guilty of the Body and Blood of Chriſt, in profaning that holy Ordinance, which is a Seal of the ſame.

2. Let him examine his Mouth and his Stomack, Joh. 6 53. Except ye eat the fleſh of the Son of Man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. The beſt meat in the world can do no good, where the creature hath neither Mouth nor ſtomack to feed upon it.

Now what is this Mouth, but Faiths believing in Chriſt, and feeding upon Chriſt, are both one (as he oft explains himſelf in the ſame Chapter) Therefore let a man examine his Mouth and his Stomack, as well as his Meat, 2 Cor. 13.5. Examine your ſelves, whether ye be in the faith, prove your own ſelves.

Not that this excludes the Miniſter, who is bound to know the ſtate of his Flock.

If this be good at all times, ſurely it is beſt of all at the Sacrament, where the Apoſtle calls for examination in a ſpecial manner: Let him examine his Mouth as well as his Meat. We do not uſe to put meat into a dead mans mouth.

The Councel of Carthage condemned it as an abuſe of the Sacrament, to give it to a dead Body, Sacrament not to be given to dead-hearted unbelievers.becauſe Chriſt ſaith, Take, and Eat; but a dead Body can neither take nor eat. The ſame reaſon reacheth to an Unbeliever (if p. 578we could as eaſily diſcern the one as the other) who is yet dead in ſins and treſpaſſes, and therefore hath neither the Mouth of Faith, nor a Spiritual Stomack to feed upon Chriſt; but where God of his mercy hath given both, this breſt of the Church is of ſingular uſe to nutſe up her children,2 Pet. 3.18.2 Pet 3:18 and to make them grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt. For God hath appointed no Ordinance in vain. The greater ſurely is the want of this Breſt in theſe days, and the cauſe of ſo much leanneſs amongſt Gods own Children in moſt places.

Complaint of the interruption of the Sacrament, and the corruption of it as the cauſe.I know not whether I ſhould complain more of the Nurſes or of the Children, or whether it were not better to turn our Complaints into Compaſſions, and both complaints and compaſſions into Prayers, that God would direct both Miniſters and People to ſeek him in due order, and to reſtore that Ordinance in a better manner than formerly; that he may not make any farther breach upon us; that children may not faſt ſo long, till they loſe their ſtomacks for want of ſucking, and Nurſes may not diſuſe and withhold the Breſt ſo long, till it be dried quite up for want of drawing. And this is the third Means which God hath appointed for the increaſe of Faith, The Sacrament.

4. Prayer.The fourth is Prayer: for this puts the Promiſes in ſuit, and ſanctifies both the Word and the Seal of the Word for the increaſe of Faith.

The Scriptures tell us, That God is both the Author and the Finiſher of our Faith, Heb. 12.2. If he be the Author, we are bound to pray to him for the beginnings of Faith (as in any poor meaſure we are able) but if he be the Finiſher of our Faith, we are much more bound to pray for the increaſing of it afterwards, becauſe our incouragements and abilities are far greater. For 'tis impoſſible a man ſhould pray in Faith for the obtaining of Faith, before he hath it: but he may pray in faith for the increaſing of faith, when once he hath received a beginning of it.

p. 579If therefore a Natural man be bound to pray for Faith before he hath it, (though he be very unable to pray as he ought to pray) how much more is a Spiritual man bound to pray for increaſe of Faith, when he hath already taſted how gracious the Lord is, 1 Pet. 2.3.1 Pet 2:3in beſtowing that grace upon him, and hath in ſome meaſure received the Spirit of Prayer and Supplication, whereby he is inabled to go to God for the ſupply of all his wants?

The man that to his own apprehenſion had but a little Faith, and much Unbelief, cries out with tears, Lord, I believe: help mine unbelief, Mar. 9.24. Yea, the Diſciples themſelves had not ſo much Faith, but ſtill finding the want of more, they put up this great Requeſt to the Lord, Increaſe our faith, Luk. 17.5. and if ſuch as they had need, much more have we to pray to God for the increaſe of Faith.

The fifth Mean,5. Chriſtian communion. is Chriſtian Communion of Gods people one with another. This is a ſingular Mean to ſtrengthen Faith; the very ſight of the Brethren doth embolden and encourage in the Faith, Act. 28.15. How much more the mutual Inſtruction and Exhortation one of another? Job 4.3, 4. Eliphaz ſays thus to Job, Behold, thou haſt inſtructed many, and thou haſt ſtrengthned the weak hands: Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou haſt ſtrengthned the feeble knees. You ſee, Chriſtian Communion is a Mean to ſtrengthen in the Faith.

God in his Wiſdom communicates ſpecial ſtrength diverſly to divers Members of the Body of Chriſt, to ſome more, to ſome leſs; to that end that the ſtrong may ſupport the weak, and comfort the feeble-minded.1 Theſſ. 5.14. 1 Cor. 14.26.1 Thess 5:141 Cor 14:26

It is the Rule of the Apoſtle, Let all things be done to edification; that is, to the building up of one another in the Faith. And this is to be aimed at, not onelyonly in publick Ordinances, but in private converſe of Chriſtians one with another, 1 Theſſ. 5.11. Wherefore comfort your ſelves together, and exhort one another, and edifie one another, even p. 580as alſo ye do. Stones of the ſame building, do uphold and ſtrengthen one another; and ſo ſhould living and Spiritual ſtones in the holy Temple of the Church. This is a ſpecial and powerful means to ſtrengthen in the Faith. In this reſpect Aquila and Priſcilla are called fellow-helpers of the Apoſtle,Rom. 16.3.Rom 16:3 becauſe they confirmed the Faith in thoſe in whom the Apoſtle had formerly planted it, by the preaching of the Goſpel, Rom. 16.3. And thus all of us ſhould be helpers one of anothers faith, and one of anothers joy: And indeed it is the main end, why God doth convert us at the firſt, and why he doth help us up again when we are fallen, that we may convert others, and ſtrengthen them alſo in the Faith when they are converted. Luke 22.32. Thou being converted (ſaith Chriſt to Peter) ſtrengthen thy brethren. And this is the fifth Means of growth.

6. Love to God.The ſixth Means, is, to prove our Love to God: for this will prove his Love to us. 1 Joh. 4.19. We love him, becauſe he firſt loved us; and the aſſurance of Gods love towards us, will marvellouſly ſtrengthen our faith towards God. Therefore our faith in him, and the manifeſtation of his love to us, are coupled together: Gal. 2.20. I live by the faith of the Son of God, which hath loved me, and given himſelf for me. Now what better way is there to manifeſt Gods love to us, than by the manifeſtation of our love to him; for our love to him, is no other than a reflexion of his love to us.

Labour therefore to prove thy love to God, that if Jeſus Chriſt ſhould ask thee the ſame queſtion he asked Peter, Joh. 21.15. Loveſt thou me? thou maiſt anſwer as he did, Yea, 2 Cor. 8.8.2 Cor 8:8Lord, thou knoweſt that I love thee. And if Jeſus Chriſt ſhould anſwer again, How doſt thou prove the ſincerity of thy love? Thou maiſt anſwer again, Lord, I prove it by my love to thy ſheep, and by my love to thy lambs; though I cannot feed them in every reſpect as Peter did, yet I deſire to feed them as I am able: I do p. 581not love them for my own ends, becauſe I would feed upon them, and clothe my ſelf with their fleece, but that I may clothe them and feed them as their neceſſities do require. And this is that which in the judgement of Jeſus Chriſt himſelf (publiſh'd in the face of al the world in the laſt day) doth publiſh the ſincerity of our love to him: Mat. 25.…0. Inaſmuch as ye have done it to one of theſe my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Prove therefore thy love to God, and that will ſtrengthen thy faith in God: for, as faith works by love, Gal 5.6. ſo the works of love do ſtrengthen faith. Faith as the occaſion of its exerciſe, and an evidence of its being, but faith is not perfected in its eſſence and nature by Works, but by the Promiſes.

The ſeventh and laſt Mean, is,7. Experiences. To ſtir up the manifold Experiences of Gods goodneſs and faithfulneſs to us for the time that is paſt: for this is a ſpecial Mean to ſtrengthen our faith for the time to come. Former Experiences may, and ought to build us up in future Confidences. If God hath delivered for the time paſt, and doth deliver for the preſent, we are bound the more firmly to believe, that he will yet deliver for that which is to come, 2 Cor. 1.9, 10. For when God fulfils with his hand, what he ſpeaks with his mouth, 1 King 8.15. ſuch a Providence being a further Seal of his Promiſe, ought to confirm our Faith. For why? we know God is ſtill the ſame God, and changeth not; the Covenant is the ſame everlaſting Covenant; the Mediator of the Covenant is the ſame, Jeſus Chriſt, yeſterday, and to day, and for ever: why ſhould not our faith be the ſame alſo, and more abundant? If a Chriſtian may ſay, God hath delivered, and doth deliver, and will yet deliver; why may he not alſo ſay, I have truſted in this God, and do truſt in him, and I will truſt in him for the time to come? Come what can come, I am reſolved to truſt in him. Job 13.15. Though he ſhould ſlay me, yet will I truſt in him. I have ever found him a faithful Maſter to me, and why ſhould not I continue a faithful Servant p. 582to him? His Word reports him to be a faithful God, and his Works alſo do ſpeak the ſame: I know this (may a gracious Soul ſay) by my own experience, and therefore they that know thy Name, will put their truſt in thee; for thou Lord haſt never failed them that ſeek thee, Pſal. 9.10. Be ſure therefore to keep a Catalogue of Gods merciful Providences, in anſwer to thy Prayers. This was Davids Cordial in a fainting Fit, I remember the years that are paſt, Pſal. 77.5. & 143.5. It was that which incouraged him againſt the Philiſtim, when he remembred how God had took his part againſt the Lion and the Bear: 1 Sam. 17.37. The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the Lion, and out of the paw of the Bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philiſtim.

And 'tis that, which may exceedingly ſtrengthen the faith of a poor creature, when it is able to ſay, I prayed to God at ſuch a time, and he heard me graciouſly; I was in a Soul-ſtraight, and he ſpake peace to my Soul; I had ſuch an enemy roſe up againſt me, and he changed his heart, that he would not hurt me; or he withered his hand, that he could not hurt me; I was in doubt, and he made my way plain before me; I was in woful perplexity, and he ſaid to my heart, Fear not; yea, I never ſought him in ſincerity, but he was ever found of me in mercy. And therefore if I ſhould now begin to diſtruſt this God, after all this experience, he may juſtly ſay to me, as one faithful friend ſays to another, when he begins to grow jealous or ſuſpicious, What, will you not take my word? did I ever fail you? was I ever falſe to you? what iniquity haſt thou or thy Fathers found in me, that thou ſhouldſt now begin to ſuſpect me? O (may God ſay to an experienced Chriſtian) of all men in the world, thou haſt the leaſt cauſe to ſtagger at the Promiſe: If thou doubteſt of the Word, yet at the leaſt, thou ſhouldſt believe me for the works ſake, Joh. 14.11.

And thus you ſee former experience may, and ought to p. 583build up in future confidence. And theſe are the Means by which a weak Faith may be ſtrengthned. And ſo have we now diſpatch'd the firſt general Branch of the Exhortative part of the Application relating to our ſelves.

If Faith be our Life under God, then ſhould we labour,

1. To get it.

2. To keep it when we have it.

3. To act it, and live by it, as well as keep it.

4. So to live by it, as to increaſe the ſtock of our Faith from day to day.

The pooreſt Cottager lives as truly as the richeſt man in the world, but not ſo comfortably nor ſo fully: he is faint to pinch himſelf both back and belly, he goes to bed with many a hungry meal, and the like! And ſo it is with him that is weak and poor in the faith; he lives indeed by faith, but not ſo fully and comfortably as he that is rich in the faith: His Comforts are fewer, and his Fears are more.

All theſe things ſhould perſwade us to increaſe our faith.Second Branch of Exhortation, Of Converting others to the Faith. But we leave that Branch of Exhortation that concerns our ſelves, and come now to that which relates to others; and in concluding this, by Gods Aſſiſtance, we ſhall conclude the whole ſubject of Faith.

For if Faith be ſuch an excellent Grace, (then, as in other good things, ſo alſo in this) the more common it is, the better it is. It is an excellent thing to be inſtrumental in the propagating the common Faith, Tit. 1.4. Jude 3.Titus 1:4Jude 1:3and the common Salvation.

Look as a Father or Governour that lives comfortably upon his outward means himſelf, thinks himſelf bound in conſcience to maintain his Family, and to lay up for his Children, and ſo do good to the poor, that they may live the better by his means, as well as himſelf: So that man that lives by Faith himſelf, and findes the ſweetneſs of it, p. 584ſhould deſire to communicate this life to others, and to endevour that they alſo may live by it as well as himſelf.

If the Life of Faith be ſuch an excellent Life, who would not labour to convert others to the Faith?

Me-thinks I hear God by his Spirit ſpeaking to the Soul of each faithful man, Behold, thou art converted thy ſelf, Haſt thou here any beſides (as the Angel ſaid to Lot, Gen. 19 12.) Son in law, and thy ſons, and thy daughters, that are ſtill in Sodom, ſtill in the ſtate of Nature? O bring them out of this condition, that they may learn to live by Faith alſo, as well as thy ſelf.

This is (indeed) the great Work of the Miniſters, and ought to be the endevour of every private Chriſtian in their private Admonitions and Exhortations, to convert others to the Faith.

Doſt thou deſire thy Children, thy Friends, thy Neighbours may live comfortably as well as thy ſelf, O labour to convert them to the Faith, and labour that they may live by Faith when they are converted. There's no Life under heaven to be compared with this Life.

But to preſs home farther and more effectually what I intend in this Point, I ſhall refer moſt of that I have to ſay, to that notable place in Daniel, which I ſhall adde as an Appendex to this Subject of Faith.