The Use and Practice of Faith, Table of contents
THE GENERAL CONTENTS Of the whole TREATISE. Yet referring more fully to the Alphabetical Table at the cloſe of the Book, wherein are the Special Contents.
The TEXT. HAB. 2.4.
Behold his ſoul which is lifted up, is not upright in him: but the juſt ſhall live by his faith.
CHAP. I.
Contains a Prooeme to the main Treatiſe, ſetting down a clear oppoſition 'twixt Believers and Unbelievers, as to their Deſcription and Condition.
The Expoſition of the Text, with its various Readings.
Two general Obſervations, both ſpoken unto, and applied briefly.
Two ſpecial Doctrines:
1 Gods People are in a ſtate of life by way of eminency; They are partakers of the beſt life.
This is ſet out in ſeven Particulars; viz.
In the
1 Nature and Kinde of it.
2 Fountain and Principle.
3 Comforts of it.
4 Meaſure of it.
5 Safety and Security.
6 Continuance.
7 End of it.
Together with the Reaſons of the Doctrine, and five Uſes; viz.
1 of Conviction, that there is ſuch a Life.
2 Perſwaſion, to deſire this Life.
3 Examination, whether we have this excellent Life. Where are 10 Rules of Trial.
4 Information, of the worſt kinde of Murther.
5 Thankfulneſs for this Life.
Second Doctrine mainly intended:
Whatever Life the Juſt man lives, in a more excellent manner than other men: He lives that Life by vertue of his Faith.
Eight general Queſtions for the better unfolding of the Doctrine.
Queſt. I.
What Faith is?
It is a gracious habit infuſed into the heart by the Spirit of God, whereby the Soul reſts, or rowls it ſelf upon Chriſt in a way of Promiſe, for all things pertaining to life and godlineſs, for Gods glory, and its own Salvation.
Where the ſeveral parts of the Definition are explained.
Queſt. II.
What it is to live by Faith?
It implies five things:
1 A Right in Chriſt.
2 A clearing our way in point of Duty.
3 A clearing our Right to the Promiſe.
4 A ſearching the Scripture for Legacies bequeathed to us in the Promiſes.
5 A remembring them, and a ſeaſonable applying them to particular caſes and occaſions.
The order or Series which is taken by the Lord, to cauſe a Chriſtian to live by Faith. A fivefold ſtep to this Life.
The Lord makes uſe of Faith all along from firſt to laſt, in the order of working Spiritual Life; and that in all parts and faculties of it, which are ſeven.
1 Quickning faculty of Faith.
2 Expulſive faculty.
3 Nutritive faculty.
4 Digeſtive faculty.
5 Motive faculty.
6 Breathing faculty.
7 Augmentative faculty.
In all theſe reſpects, the Juſt lives by his Faith.
Queſt. III.
Why a Chriſtian is ſaid to live by Faith, rather than any other Grace.
Where four Reaſons are aſſigned, and two Uſes.
Queſt. IU.
Who it is that lives by his Faith?
Anſw.
The juſt, or Righteous perſon.
Where is ſhewn, that there is a double Righteouſneſs; viz.
Twofold Righteouſneſs
Of Juſtification.
Of Sanctification.
The Text comprehends both, in the term (Juſt)
Yet he doth not ſay. The Juſt ſhall live by his Juſtice, becauſe the Righteouſneſs of Sanctification is imperfect, and deſerves death: but, By his Faith; that is, that perfect Righteouſneſs of Chriſt which Faith lays hold on, and applies. This is that Righteouſneſs, whereby believers are reputed Juſt, and accepted with God to Life Eternal.
Hence it follows. That though an unbeliever may be predeſtinated to Juſtification and Faith, yet he is not actually Juſt, or juſtified, till he believe. For the juſt onelyonly ſhall live hy Faith.
Queſt. V.
By whoſe Faith ſhall the Juſt live?
Anſw.
By his own, not by another mans.
Two Reaſons, why it muſt neceſſarily be a mans own Faith by which only he can live.
For the right underſtanding of this, obſerve four Particulars, by way of Caution, in the amplification of this Aſſertion.
1 It is not ſo a mans own Faith, but that ſtill God is the Author.
2 In Temporal respects, one mans Faith may benefit another.
3 In Spiritual respects, the Parents faith acted by vertue of Gods Covenant, including the poſterity of the juſt, may benefit the children of ſuch parents.
4 Such juſt ones who convert others inſtrumentally, may and ſhall have much more comfort and glory by the faith of their Converts, than otherwiſe they ſhould have had.
Four Conſiderations, by way of Reſtriction, as unto this Truth, That one mans Faith may procure ſome benefit unto another.
1 It holds not alway in Temporal respects.
2 When anothers faith procures Temporals, yet ſuch temporals are not ſanctified to any, without an act of their own faith, exerciſed in the Word and Prayer, 1 Tim. 4.4. Pſal. 78.30.
3 Though natural parents by birth, and ſpiritual parents by office, ſuppoſing both to be Spiritually renewed themſelves, may procure much good to their children and people by their faith.
Yet not
1 To all the children and people always, Gen. 17.18. Rom. 9.1, 2, 3.
2 To any, ſo as to have comfort by ſuch good procured, till ſuch children and people believe themſelves in their own right.
4 Thoſe who have heen Inſtruments of others Converſion and Faith, ſhall have more joy and glory, ſuppoſing ſuch to have faith themſelves.
Hereunto is annexed a Quaere,
Whether an unbelieving Miniſter may beget faith in others?
Anſw.
Very rarely: when they do, they cannot rejoyce in anothers faith ſincerely, having none themſelves.
See this more largely handled in the Treatiſe it ſelf.
Uſes of the Juſt mans living by his own Faith, not anothers.
1 Reproof of the Papiſts, whoſe faith is cobled up of Pride and Ignorance, it being a blinde aſſent and implicite obedience to the Canons and Dotages of that Apoſtatical Church.
2 Reproof of ſuch carnal Profeſſors, who have no other faith, but onelyonly what is pinned on other mens ſleeves, who put carnal confidence in their Spiritual Relations.
2 Ʋſe of Inſtruction: If every one muſt have a faith of his own, then every one muſt have a Miniſter of their own.
3 Ʋſe of Exhortation: To prove our own ſelves, and ſo to prove our own faith.
Queſt. VI.
When and how long the juſt lives by faith?
Anſw.
No time is specified, to include All time.
The juſt lives by his faith All his life, and in every part of his life. The Queſtion is double: When? respects the ſeaſon: How long? the continuance.
The ſeaſon of living by Faith, hath reſpect either
1 To the parts of Time. Which are three: Time Paſt, Preſent, and to Come: In all which the juſt lives by faith.
2 To the Adjuncts of Time.
Theſe are eſpecially two:
Prosperity and Adverſity: Good and evil days.
Firſt, For Proſperity, the Juſt lives by Faith,
1 In ſeeking or obtaining of it, wherein Faith directs,
1 In the right order and ſeeking of it.
2 In the right meaſure.
3 In the right means.
Which are two:
1 Diligence in a lawful Calling.
2 Not truſting to our own Diligence, but Gods Promiſe to the diligent.
2 In uſing Proſperity aright, wherein Faith works,
1 In cauſing a holy Diffidence in our ſelves and the Creature, leſt we ſhould by Pride and Security deny God, or forget him.
2 It raiſes a holy humble confidence in God, ſo that a Believer lives upon him, when he moſt abounds in the Creature.
3 It cauſes the Believer not to ſerve himſelf or his luſts, but the Donor, with his full eſtate.
4 Faith lays out earthly treaſure ſo Spiritual advantages, Luk. 16.9.
3 In being willing to part with a proſperous ſtate.
1 Ʋſe Reproves thoſe who live not by Faith in proſperity, in which eſtate we are moſt beſet with Temptations.
2 Ʋſe, Examine whether you live by faith in proſperity.
Secondly, In Adverſary the juſt lives by Faith.
Where you have theſe four particulars:
1 That it is ſo.
2 In what things living by faith then conſiſts.
3 In what manner he doth ſo live.
4 By what Means.
Then follows Application.
Next to the Conquering of thoſe Adverſities, which happen to Believers in the courſe of their life: That they live the Life of Faith in Death, comes now to be treated of.
The Life of Faith in Death.
Wherein you have theſe particulars handled:
1 That Faith is a godly mans life at the time of his death, as appears by the living ſpeeches of dying men.
2 Six Reaſons why Believers do all of them die in faith, Heb. 11.13.
3 Seven Ʋſes drawn from the perpetual uſefulneſs of faith in all eſtates; eſpecially, that the juſt live by it in Adverſity and Death.
Queſt. VII.
What Life is that which the Juſt lives by his Faith?
Anſw.
All kind of Life, which may truly be called Life.
Firſt, Natural Life, a Saint lives this by Faith,
1 In the very act of living: where is ſhewed, the different grounds upon which believers and unbelievers injoy this Natural Life.
2 In the Conſervation of Life: They uſe not the ſame means in the ſame manner, for maintaining of Natural Life.
3 In the Preſervation of Life from ſuch things as are deſtructive.
4 In the Prolongation of Life, the Juſt live by Faith.
5 In ordering aright all the natural and civil actions of life.
6 In reſpect of the Comforts and Bleſſings of a Natural Life.
Inſtances of particulars, for the obtaining of which, and in the managing of which, a Saint lives by Faith:
1 Wealth: 2 Health. 3 Peace. 4 Good ſucceſs. 5 Good Name. 6 Poſterity. 7 Single Eſtate, and Marriage.
7 In the valuation of Natural Life.
Faith teaches Neither to under-value Life.
Faith teaches Nor to over-value Life.
USES.
1 Reproof, to thoſe who ſay they truſt God for Eternal Life, and yet cannot truſt in him for this Temporal Life, and the things of it.
2 Ʋſe of Exhortation, to live by faith in reſpect of this Life Natural, ſeeing believers hold theſe things not onelyonly by common Providence, but by Promiſe alſo from God, ſo far as is needful for them.
This is twofold:
Spiritual Life lived by Faith.
Either the Life of Juſtification.
Or the Life of Sanctification.
Life of Faith in Juſtification.
Wherein theſe Particulars are opened:
1 Wherein the Nature of Juſtification conſiſts.
2 How doth the Juſt live by Faith the Life of Juſtification.
This is declared in three reſpects:
1 They live by Faith, for the firſt act of God in juſtifying a ſinner; or which is all one, for their being put into a juſtified ſtate, which flows from their immediate union with Chriſt. Four ways Faith diſpoſes the Soul for this ſtate.
2 How Faith acts for the continuance of Juſtification, and renewing of pardon.
3 The Juſt lives by faith for the aſſurance of being juſtified. Faith is acted five ways, in order to ſuch an aſſurance.
1 In moving a man to deſire more faith.
2 In uſing and embracing ſuch means which may aſſure.
3 In the trial of aſſurance it ſelf, whether ſound or falſe.
4 In anſwering all Objections and Doubts which cloud aſſurance.
5 In expectation that aſſurance ſhall be given, upon the diligent and humble ſincere uſe of means.
All theſe Particulars are largely inſiſted on, together with divers Uſes, drawn from this Life of Faith in Juſtification, eſpecially Examination, whether we be in a juſtified ſtate. Signs thereof. As alſo Motives to labour for this bleſſed eſtate, and the aſſurance of it. Means how to get aſſurance that we are juſtified, and how we may live by Faith, till we obtain ſuch aſſurance.
The Life of Faith in Sanctification; or Renovation.
Reſolution of four Quaeres.
1 Whether there be any ſuch life in a Chriſtian, diſtinct from the Sanctification which is in Chriſt himſelf, aſſerted.
2 What it is, and wherein it conſiſts. Difference 'twixt Morality and Sanctification.
3 How and by what means it is wrought in the Soul. Acts of faith in it. When Spiritual actions flow from Faith in Chriſt.
4 Why Sanctification is neceſſary in all juſtified perſons. Means which Faith Ʋſes to promote Sanctification.
The Life of Faith in Fructification.
How faith hath influence into Fructification, ſix ways.
The Uſes of Faiths influence into Renovation and Fructification.
1 Examination of the Truth of Faith.
2 Reproof of Carnal Profeſſors.
3 Apologie againſt Papiſts.
4 Exhortation to Faith, as the root of Sanctity and fruitfulneſs.
Motives to live by Faith the Life of Sanctification.
Motives to act Faith for fruitfulneſs in ſeaſon.
The Life of Faith in Mortification.
1 How Faith proceeds in the Mortification of Sin.
2 Why Faith will have Sin to be mortified.
1 Ʋſe of Information, in three Particulars.
2 Marks of true Mortification. Some Objections anſwered, and a Caſe ſtated.
3 Ʋſe of Conviction and Reproof, to ſeven ſorts.
4 Ʋſe of Exhortation, to mortifie Sin. Motives and Means.
5 Ʋſe of Comfort, againſt the vigour and rigour of Sin.
The Life of Faith in Vivification.
Wherein two things demonſtrated by way of Explication:
1 Gods Children are ſubject to deadneſs: What are the Cauſes, Kinds and Degrees of it.
2 Saints recover by Faith out of deadneſs: Four Reaſons of it, and how Faith acts in ſuch recovery.
Four Arguments of Faith to quicken under deadneſs. Uſe of the Life of Vivification.
1 of Reproof.
2 of Exhortation.
Eight Motives to Vivification.
Six Means of Quickning.
3 Trial of true Faith in Vivifying.
Four Signs of inlivening living Acts.
The Life of Faith in Augmentation.
Two Propoſitions:
1 The Juſt live the Life of Augmentation. Four Reaſons of Spiritual growth.
2 Augmentation is by Faith. Four Reaſons why Faith hath an influence into it.
USES.
1 Information about ſpiritual growth, in four reſpects.
2 Reproof of five ſorts of men.
3 Examination.
Five ſigns of ſpiritual growth.
What is the increaſe of God, (Col. 2.18, 19.) …ig. four things.
Caſes of Conſcience ſtated, about growth.
4 Humiliation for ſmall growth.
5 Thankfulneſs for growth.
6 Exhortation to growth.
Six Motives to growth.
Nine Means of growth.
Seven Impediments of growth.
7 Comfort at ſmall beginnings in Grace.
8 Direction, how ſtrong grown Chriſtians ſhould behave themſelves towards the weak.
The Life of Faith in Perſeverance.
Two Propoſoſitions:
1 The Juſt doth perſevere.
2 Perſeverance is by vertue of Faith.
Six Reaſons why the Juſt ſhall perſevere.
Three Reaſons why Perſeverance is by Faith.
USES.
1 Confutation of the Doctrine of falling from Grace.
Five reſpects, in which there may be falling away.
Seven things from which the Elect can never fall.
Seven Objections againſt Perſeverance, anſwered.
2 Ʋſe, Information about aſſurance of Salvation.
3 Ʋſe, Labour for perſevere.
4 Ʋſe, Labour for Perſeverance.
Six Motives to Perſeverance.
Seven Means of Perſeverance.
5 Ʋſe, Examination of the Truth of Faith, by its perſevering.
How far a hypocrite may go, in ſix reſpects.
Six Particulars, wherein hypocrites come ſhort.
6 Ʋſe, of Thankfulneſs for Perſeverance.
7 Ʋſe, of Encouragement to perſevere amidſt all diſcouragements.
Five main Diſcouragements removed by Faith.
Faiths Triumph over fear of Divine deſertion.
God may forſake his people, in five reſpects: yet it is but gradual and momentary, not total and final.
Reaſons of Gods forſaking his people.
1 For prevention of Evil, two ways.
2 For Confirmation in Good, five ways.
The Life of Faith in Conſolation.
Two Propoſitions ſtated:
1 That the Juſt lives the Life of Conſolation.
2 That he lives this Life by Faith.
Four Reaſons why the Lord will have the Juſt live comfortably.
Six Reaſons why Conſolation comes by Faith.
Faith fetches in Comfort from the Trial and Evidence of the Truth of Grace.
Objections againſt Aſſurance of Divine Love, inferred from Marks and Signs of true Grace, anſwered.
It is a prepoſterous courſe to judge of our intereſt in Divine Love by our Comforts, before we have tried the ſincerity of our Graces.
Differences of Regenerating Grace from Common.
Uſes of the Life of Conſolation in Believers.
1 Ʋſe, Information, in five Particulars.
1 Of the cauſe of ſadneſs in the faithful.
2 Ʋnregenerate ſouls are uncomfortable ſouls.
3 Religious Life, is the onelyonly comfortable Life.
Objection againſt this, That the Saints walk ſadly, anſwered.
Where the Riſe of the Saints heavineſs is diſcovered in three general Cauſes.
The firſt is taken from themſelves, in five particulars.
The ſecond from Satan.
The third from God himſelf, who eclipſes his Peoples Comforts, for three Reaſons.
4 Information, what to deſire for our beſt friends.
5 Information, what great happineſs attends the end of Saints in death.
2 Ʋſe, of Reproof.
1 Of miſ-judging the Life of the faithful.
2 Of Papiſts, who rob of Comfort, while of Faith.
3 Of ſuch who fetch Comfort from Senſe.
4 Of ſuch who refuſe Comfort upon the Promiſes.
5 Of ſuch who go for Comfort to falſe Prophets.
3 Ʋſe of Exhortation, To live this life of ſpiritual comfort.
1 Three Motives: Ʋnder the third is ſet forth ten Properties, wherein a believers joy excels all natural worldly ſinful joy.
2 Means to get and maintain spiritual Joy. Faith is acted ſeven ways for the increaſe of Joy.
Having ſeen how the Juſt live by Faith in regard of Spiritual Life: It remains to ſhew, how they live by Faith in regard of Eternal Life.
The Work of Faith about Eternal Life.
Faith aſſures of three things about Eternal Life.
1 That there is an Eternal Life. This Faith makes good by Scripture, and five Reaſons flowing by neceſſary Conſequence from Scripture.
2 Faith informs a Believer what the happineſs of Eternal Life is, and wherein it conſiſts; viz. In the perfect Viſion of God, which cauſes perfect transformation in perfect Knowledge, Love, Obedience, Joy: which perfect tranſformation cauſes perfect Satisfaction, which Satisfaction conſiſts privatively in a fivefold freedom from whatever may annoy or interrupt the Joy of glorified Saints poſitively, in the poſſeſſing of whatever good can be deſired to make up complete Joy and Satisfaction, which conſiſts in a fourfold fulneſs of the Subject in glory, as alſo in the fulneſs of the Object, viz. The beatifical Viſion of God.
3 Faith aſſures a Believer of his peculiar intereſt in Eternal Life, Under which Head is ſhewn,
How Faith aſſures a Believer of his particular intereſt in Eternal Life.
This it doth ſix ways▪ all which are largely handled.
Five Reaſons, why Believers are kept out of poſſeſſion of heaven ſo long, after aſſurance of their intereſt in Eternal Life.
Uſes of living by Faith in order to Eternal life.
1 Ʋſe, Confutation of ſuch who deny Eternal Life, both in reſpect of the Soul at preſent, and of the Body after the Reſurrection.
Five proofs of Eternal Life.
2 Ʋſe, Reproof to five ſorts of perſons.
1 To ſuch as complain that Religion is a fruitleſs Profeſſion.
2 To ſuch as deſpair, in ſtead of acting Faith for Eternal Life.
3 To ſuch as exerciſe their fancy more than faith, concerning Eternal Life: where vain curioſity in moving Queſtions about the ſtate of glory, rather than a due care to make ſure an intereſt in it, is condemned.
4 To ſuch who have an intereſt in Eternal Life, but do not act faith to the improvement of that intereſt.
5 To ſuch who minde Earth for a portion, more than Eternal Glory.
3 Ʋſe, Examination of Faith in reſpect of Life Eternal, Whether we believe aright, that there is ſuch a ſtate, and that we have an intereſt in it.
1 Sign. By our carriage in Life, Whether our Affections, Meditations, Speeches and Actions be heavenly, ſuch as ſute ſuch an inheritance.
2 Sign. By our reſpect which we bear to Death; viz. as a paſſage to Eternal Life; as a conquered Enemy.
Four Degrees of Chriſts Conqueſt over Death for all his Queſtion ſtated, Whether godly perſons may not be afraid to die, and unfit to die?
4 Ʋſe, Exhortation, To live by Faith in respect of Eternal Life.
Five Motives to get aſſurance of Eternal Life.
Four Means to aſſure of Eternal Life.
5 Ʋſe, Comfort and Encouragement againſt the evils and temptations of this preſent life, drawn from the nature of our heavenly life: where hope or aſſurance of heaven is demonſtrated, to bear up the heart under adverſity, and to preſerve the Souls integrity under temptations of Proſperity.
6 Ʋſe, Admiration and Thankfulneſs for our heavenly life. To excite to this, the excellency of heaven is ſet out five ways:
1 By the excellent Names or Titles given to it.
2 By the excellent Properties of it, which are four.
3 By the excellent Price given for it.
4 By the excellent Cauſes of it.
5 By the excellent Effects of it.
Thankfulneſs for Eternal life demonſtrated, two ways.
Reaſons for living by Faith.
The Eighth General Head or Quaere concerning the Life of Faith; viz.
What are the Reaſons why God will have the juſt to live by Faith, and why a Chriſtian ſhould be willing thus to live?
Firſt ſort of Reaſons, taken from a Believers Condition in the fleſh. This is ſet out in five particulars:
1 Abſence from the Lord.
2 Diſtance of time 'twixt the Promiſe and Performance.
3 The neceſſity of keeping the Saints humble.
4 Saints preſent ſtate of Imprfection: for whoſe direction and ſupport, the Word and the Miniſtery of it is afforded.
Queſtion hereſtated, concerning the Divine Authority of the Scriptures.
Arguments of four ſorts to prove it.
5 Paſt Experiences of Gods faithfulneſs in fulfilling his Promiſes, are given for a firm encouragement to exerciſe future Faith.
Three Grounds to expect that God will make good the ſame Promiſes for time to come.
Second ſort of Reaſons for living by Faith; viz. The Relation betwixt Chriſt and Believers.
1 Relation, Chriſt is the Fountain of all Grace; of whoſe fulneſs we receive onelyonly by Faith.
2 Relation, Chriſt is our Lord, and we cannot honour him without Faith.
Faith honours the Grace, Faithfulneſs, and Power of God.
Third ſort of Reaſons, taken from the nature and uſe of Faith.
1 It is our livelyhood, with the difference of Faith under both Covenants.
2 We firſt fell away from God by unbelief, therefore he will recover his honour in the way of believing.
3 That Salvation may be on free and ſure grounds. The general Uſes drawn from the Life of Faith.
1 Ʋſe, Information, in ſeven Particulars.
1 The happy condition of Believers. They have comfort in ſix reſpects.
2 The miſery of unbelievers, in ſix respects.
3 The Reaſon of Satans enmity againſt Faith.
4 The difference 'twixt the Life of Chriſt, and that of a Believer.
5 Why ſo many remain spiritually dead.
6 There cannot be any thing of Chriſt, or of Spiritual life in the Creature, before Faith: As Chriſt and life, ſo Faith and life come both together.
7 What is the choice work of a Miniſter.
2 Ʋſe, of Reproof to three ſorts.
1 Such who live upon other things, in ſtead of living by Faith; as namely, their Sins, Pleaſures, Creatures, Riches, Friends; or upon themſelves, either ſinful Self, natural Self, artificial Self, moral Self, religious Self, Theſe particulars are inlarge.
2 Such who profeſs Faith, but live not by it.
3 Such as act not their Whether 1. In Actions. 2. Conditions. 3. Elections.
3 Ʋſe, of Examination.
1 For Trial of perſons, whether we be juſt, and in a ſtate of ſpiritual life, or no? Divers Marks of true Faith from feigned.
2 For Trial of all Doctrines and Religions, whether they be true or falſe: Where living by Faith is demonſtrated to be the Touchſtone of them.
4 Ʋſe, of Thankfulneſs for Faith.
Five Grounds or Arguments, to provoke Believers to Thankfulneſs for Faith.
1 It is Gods gift.
2 Its neceſſary to the very Being of a Chriſtian.
3 Such a gift as none elſe can give: where there are five Wonders of Faith spoken unto.
4 Faith is a moſt precious Gift. Three things very precious. The preciouſneſs of Faith in four particulars.
5 The rarity or ſcarcity of Faith.
5 Ʋſe, Humiliation for Ʋnbelief.
The evil of Unbelief is ſet forth in 7 Particulars.
1 It diſhonours God.
2 It grives the Holy Spirit.
3 It pleaſes the Devil.
4 It is the Mother-Sin. The Brood of Unbelief.
1 Ignorance.
2 Security.
3 Worldlineſs.
4 Hypocriſie.
5 Hereſie.
6 Apoſtacy.
7 Atheiſm.
5 Ʋnbelief is a Step-mother to Grace.
6 Ʋnbelief is the Nurſe of Sin.
7 Judgements on Ʋnbelievers.
6 Ʋſe, of Exhortation: wherein four Branches.
1 Branch, Exhort. To get Faith: where Faith is proved to be the wiſeſt Purchaſe, and Ʋnbelief the greateſt Self-murther.
The excellencies of Believing: which contains,
1 Strength.
2 Wiſdom.
3 Riches.
4 Beauty.
5 Honor.
6 Faith honors God.
7 Dead without Faith.
8 Faith makes to prosper.
Q: How ſhall we get Faith?
Here are Means Negative and Poſitive preſcribed.
Negative means to get faith, or the removal of the Impediments of faith.Means Negative, is the removal of the Impediments of Faith, which are theſe:
1 Self.
2 Satan.
3 The World.
4 Gods hardning: where hardneſs of heart is treated of, and Gods Juſtice juſtified in hardning ſome ſinners. Relief is preſcribed to all four.
5 General Impediment contains ſeven mixt Impediments of Faith; viz.
1 Falſe Truſt.
2 Limiting of God.
3 Harbouring ſome Luſt.
4 Our own Ʋnworthineſs pleaded againſt the Promiſe.
5 Laying too much ſtreſs on the depth of Humiliation.
6 Want of feeling.
7 Doubt of Election. To all theſe, particular Cures are applied.
6 General Impediment of Faith; viz. Neglect of the Means which ſhould work Faith, or beget it.
Five Cauſes of the neglect of Means.
1 Prejudice quarrels the Means of Faith.
2 Pride contemns the Means.
3 Sloth recoils from the Means.
4 Preſumption poſtdates the uſe of Means.
5 Despodency quits and caſts off the uſe.
To all which, Cures are applied.
7 General Impediment of Faith viz. Suppoſition of having Faith already, when it is nothing ſo.
Differences 'twixt Preſumption and true Faith.
1 In the Conception: 2 In the Birth: 3 In the Growth: 4 In the Fruit.
The ſecond Branch of falſe Suppoſition, is, That we have not Faith, when we have it. This hinders the actings ad increaſings of Faith.
Four Corollaries or Concluſions from the difficulty of Believing.
1 The Word of God:Poſitive means for obtaining of Faith. Every Word of God is an object of Faith, eſpecially the Promiſe. How the Spirit convinces of ſin. The method of converting Grace.
Six Reaſons, why Humiliation muſt go before Faith. Humility appears in all the periods of Grace.
Direction to humbled ſinners, how to apply Promiſes.
2 Means of begetting Faith, is Prayer. Queſtion ſtated, Whether a natural man ought ta pray?
3 Means, Good Society.
4 Means, Meditation on Gods Name.
5 Means, Sight of Treaſure in Chriſt.
6 Means, Diligence in the uſe of Means: which ſignifie three things.
2 Branch of Exhortation, To keep Faith.
Where is ſhewed,
The general uſefulneſs of Faith.
Reaſons why we ſhould look well to the keeping of it.
1 Reaſ. The Benefit of keeping Faith.
2 Reaſ. The Enemies who oppoſite it.
1 Corruption.
2 Temptation.
3 Troubles.
3 Reaſ. It is the glory of a Chriſtian to be found in the Faith at Chriſts appearing.
Means of preſerving Faith.
1 Soundneſs.
2 Trial of it.
3 Love of the Truth.
4 A good Conſcience.
5 A right Bottom.
6 Commit it to God.
7 Prayer for eſtabliſhment with Gods free Spirit.
What the free Spirit of God eſtabliſhes.
How the free Spirit of God eſtabliſhes.
3 Branch of Exhortation, viz. To act Faith, and to live by it.
Six Motives to act and exerciſe Faith.
Divers Helps for the acting of Faith.
4 Branch of Exhortation, viz. To increaſe the ſtock of Faith.
Six Motives to increaſe in Faith.
Five Signs of a weak Faith.
Seven Means for the increaſing of Faith.
Concluſive Sermons on Dan. 12.3.An Appendix, concerning the Converting of others to the Faith.
Doctrine.
The Converſion of Souls to the Faith, as it is the moſt excellent Work: ſo it ſhall certainly be crowned with the moſt excellent Reward.
Explication twofold:
1 It is the moſt excellent Work. Seven Reaſons to prove this, handled largely.
2 It ſhall have the moſt excellent Reward.
USES.
1 Information, of the Dignity of the Miniſtry.
2 Reproof, to four ſorts of perſons.
3 Exhortation, to Convert Souls.
This is directed in general to All: but in ſpecial to Miniſters.
Eight Motives to quicken converted ones, to labour to Convert others.
Eight Means, whereby the Converſion of Souls may be promoted.
4 Exhortation to Miniſters, to preach in a Soul-ſaving way.
5 Exhortation to the People:
1 To be willing to be wrought upon.
2 To attend upon ſuch Means as are proper.
6 Ʋſe of Thankfulneſs:
1 If we our ſelves are Converted.
2 If any by our Means be Converted. Seven Marks of ſound Converſion.
7 Ʋſe, of Comfort to the Promoters of others Converſion, in the midſt of Oppoſition and Reproach.
The EPILOGUE.