The Use and Practice of Faith, Errata

The Use and Practice of Faith · Errata

Courteous Reader,

BE pleaſed (before thou readeſt this Treatiſe) to correct with thy Pen the following miſtakes in printing, that the ſenſe of the Author may not be miſrepreſented.

ERRATA in the Titles of the Pages.

Page 230. read Bawkers of Impediments.

Page 417. r. Life of Faith in the midſt of Death.

Page 429. r. Love of Luſt.

Page 510. r. Contrariety uniting in the Unbelievers ruine.

ERRATA in the Body of the Book. PAge 4. Line 5. read, without God. p. 9. l. 31. r. all comforts. p. 12. l. 34. r. who give p. 16. l. 30. r. grace p. 17. l. 14. r. make p. 24. l. 26. r. delights p. 40. l. 31. r. this p. 43. l. 18. r. about it p. 44. l. 28. r. us p. 51. l. 11. for And r. Cured p. 57. l. 26. r. ſees p. 77. l. 1. r. they have p. 100. r. unaccuſtomed p. 106. l. 34. r. our hands are taken off from our own righteouſneſs p. 121. l. 22. r. and ſays, O that p. 126. l. 9 r. us l. 11. r. but if p. 134. l. 18. r. glorifying l. 27. r. imputed p. 141. marg. r. examination p. 148. l. 5. adde obtain p. 150. l. 4. adde the life of p. 174. l. 25. r. revive p. 198. l. 29. r. againſt which p. 198. l. 15. r. to exerciſe their common graces p. 217. l. 18. r. Rome be not l. 19. r. is p. 118. l. 21. r. worm p. 219. l. 7. r. it p. 219. marg. r. 2 Peter 3.18. p. 257 l. 12. r. religio p. 264. l. 26. r. be…al p. 266 l. 22. r. in the womb p. 272. l. 4. r. place p. 281. l. 13. r. 1 Theſſ. 3.8. p. 288. l. 34. r. uncomfortable p. 292 l. 25. r. and ſhall be ſure of heaven p. 297. l. 13. r. one ſide p. 300. l. 19. 3. 1 Joh. 3. 14. p. 301. l. 34. r. Gen. 8. p. 301. l. 27. r. act of faith which is the teſtimony p. 307 l. r. fled for refuge p. 313. l. 7. r. 1 Joh. 1.7. l. 30. r. Gal. 5. p 315. l. 20. r. of the Lord l. 33. r. 6, and 7. p. 316. l. 9. r. all l. 34. r. caſes p. 324. l. 13. r. mad man p. 330. l. 14. r. poſſeſs p. 333. l. 23. r. Pſa. 2.11. p. 335. l. laſt, r. Luke 16. ult. p. 341. l. 31. r. 2 Cor. 5.1. p. 363. marg 1. Phil. 1. p. 367. marg. r. 1 Joh. 3. p. 367. l. laſt but l. 4. adde is p. 405. l. 26. r. Luke 1.70. p, 433. l. 6. r. breadth p. 429. l. 15. r. Job 20.12. p. 448. l. 13. r. heart-tied p. 470, l. 21. r. every p 475. l. 17. r. that he p. 475 l. 25. r replied p. 476. l. 2. r guidance l. 17. r ſpecial l. 25. r ſtand in p. 490. mar. r Mat. 7.23 p. 424. l. 34 r purified p. 505. l. 8. r all l. laſt, r. remove p. 505. l. 24. r our p. 510. l. 22. r wait it …ut to the laſt, Man l. 31. r ſwarve p. 518. l. 16. r the Spirit p. 521. l. 34. r believe, and whatever p. 531. l. 12. r thorow p. 539. l. laſt, r at death p. 357 repeated, ſhould be 145 and 544 repeated, ſhould be 552 line 31. r wind p. 578. l. 5. r …rſe p. 581. l. 11 for ſaith, r both p. 602. l. 8. r the ſame.

p. 1HABAKKUK. 2.4.

Behold his ſoul which is lifted up, is not upright in him; but the juſt ſhall live by his Faith.

IN theſe words is ſet down a cleer Antitheſis or oppoſition of two ſorts viz. Beleevers, and unbeleevers. In both which we have their 1. Deſcription. 2. Condition.

1. Their Deſcription. Firſt, An Unbleever is a proud man; A Beleever is an humble man. 2. An Unbeleever lives by ſenſe; A Beleever by faith.

2. Their condition. The one is not right; the other is. The Unbeleever is not right, either in point of duty, or in point of ſafety; The Beleever is right in both.

In the words conſider, 1. the note of Attention. Behold— It is a thing worthy our beſt obſervation. 2. The thing to be attended to: His ſoul is not right in him; but the juſt lives by his faith.

Expoſition. The words are diverſly read, but all to the ſame ſenſe to p. 2make it the more full. His ſoul, quae elata eſt, ſaith one. Lifted up, as into a Tower. Pſal. 24.4. who hath not lifted up his ſoul to vanity. 2. Others read it, quae ebullat; that ſwells like a bubble, and ſo at laſt breaks in ſunder. 3. Others, quae ſe ſubduxerit, (foreign) (as the 70) that withdrawes it ſelf. And to the Apoſtle cites it, Heb. 10.22. If any man draw back, &c. 4. quae incredula eſt, ſaith a 4th. The unbeleeving ſoul is not right. So, the Chaldee Bible in a paraphraſtical manenr expreſſeth it thus: Ecce impii, &c. Behold the wicked ſay in their heart, theſe things ſhall never come to paſſe; But the juſt ſhall ba made ſtrong in the truth of God

All theſe readings do not croſs, but confirm one another. For he that is lifted up, his ſoul doth ſwell like a bubble, (he is full of aiery and empty conceits;) he that is thus ſwoln is a proud man, he that is ſo proud is an unbeleever, whoever is an unbeleever, he withdraws himſelf (firſt from God's ſervice, then from God's protection) and by conſequence, his ſoul is not right in him.

The Apoſtle Heb. 10. ſpeaks in the perſon of God,—My ſoul ſhall have no pleaſure in him. But that is all one too; For Gods ſoul hath no pleaſure in him, whoſe ſoul is not upright in himſelf.

So then, non eſt recta, His ſoul is not right, Not right in point of Duty. For we cannot truſt to God, and truſt to other things too. 2. Not right in point of Safety; For if God be a rock of confidence, then he that makes other things his confidence, (doth as between two ſtooles.) between two rocks he makes ſhipwrack. His ſoul within, his life without is not right i.e. quiet, firm, and compoſed, as the Hebraiſme ſignifies; but is unquiet, uneven, and unequal. As a ſhip without anchour or ballaſt; for want of faith, his life is miſerable and inconſtant.

Obſervation. Obſerve here. How Pride and Unbleef; Humility and Faith are coupled together. A proud ſoul is ever an unbeleeving ſoul; an humble ſoul is ever a faithfull ſoul. For p. 3here, A ſoul lifted up is oppoſed to a beleeving ſoul.Pſal. 73.6.Ps 73:6 Underſtand it, 1. Of Pride in the Dominion; when a man is proud of his pride, and weares it as a chain. Otherwiſe it may be, where it is, as a pair of fetters. 2. Of Pride alſo in the degrees; the more pride the leſſe faith, See Jer. 13.15. Jer. 43.2 and 44.10. Habak. 2.5, &c.

Ʋſe 1 To teach us to judge the better of theſe ſins; the one aggravating the other; and ſo to abhorre both. We think it a ſmall thing to admire our ſelves and the creature, but in a ſame act there is a departing from the Lord, by unbelief, Jer. 17.5. On the other ſide, we think it a ſmall matter, not to believe; we think it a piece of humility, (O I am unworthy to believe!) but indeed it is a piece of pride. Behold thy ſoul is not right.

Ʋſe 2 2. For the Trial of our faith. Queſtionleſſe as the ſtate of the body, ſo the ſtate of the ſoul is diſcern'd, whether there be faith or unbelief, by the pulſe. Unbelief hath a pulſe of pride; this beats ſtrong, faſt, and very high: Faith hath a pulſe of humility, that beateth equal and very ſlow. As in the example of the Phariſee and Publican, Luk. 18.10.

Obſervation. Obſerve Secondly. How his ſoul that is lifted up is not right.

1. Not right in point of Duty. It is an unbeleeving ſoul; that withdraws from Gods precepts, promiſes and threatnings. From his precepts. Jer. 43.2.—Thou ſpeakeſt falſly, ſay they, the Lord hath not ſent thee. Jer. 44.15.16.— As for the word thou haſt ſpoken to us in the name of the Lord, we will not hearken unto thee, &c. From his promiſe and threatnings. Jer. 42.7, 8. God promiſes (there) ſafety, if they tarry in Judea; if they go into Egypt, he threathens deſtruction: but the proud perſons regard neither. Thus the proud ſoul is not right in point of Duty.

12. Not right in point of Safety. Unbelief makes the heart not right.1. Their hearts are unquiet within. Iſa. 7.2, &c. The heart of Ahaz and of his p. 4people were moved, as the trees of the wood. And the Prophet tells them, If ye will not believe, ſurely ye ſhall not be eſtabliſhed. And Iſa. 57.20. The wicked are like the troubled Sea, when it cannot reſt.

Reaſ. 1. Becauſe all creature-helps with God are lying vanities. Jonah 28. Therefore as the ſoul is lifted up in truſting to them: ſo it muſt needs be caſt down as much when the creature fails them. Nahael is merry, and dead. Haman proud and dejected. Ahitophel crafty and ſimple.

2 Becauſe their counſels vary, as the creatures in which they truſt vary. The fool changes, as the moon. He grounds his opinion, his practice upon correſpondence with the creature, or upon contingent events, therefore is unſtable in all his wayes. Jam. 1.Jas 1But the heart of the juſt is fixed, truſting in the Lord, Pſal. 112.

3. Becauſe the conſcience ſmites. The Lord ſaith. Jer. 17.5. Curſed be the man that maketh fleſh his arm, &c. I have truſted, thinks he, in this and that, and therefore God is angry. His heart, as the toſſed Sea, caſts up, ſuch mire and dirt, Iſa 57.

4. Becauſe he wants his anchor to keep him ſteady.—which hope we have as an anchor ſure and ſtedfaſt. Heb 6.19. Be carefull for nothing, but in every thing by prayer, &c. and the peace of God ſhall keep your hearts, Phil. 4.6.7. Here is the true anchor-hold; but the unbeleever cannot lay hold on it, go.

2. Unbelief makes their condition not right.2 As their hearts are unquiet, ſo their condition is very unſtable and tottering. His heart is not right, and his eſtate is not right.— As a bowing wall and tottering hedge. Pſal. 62.3. His life and lively-hood is very uncertain. Therefore a proud man (and in particular Nebuchadnezar) is compared to a drunkard that reels to and fro. He is a drunkard, drunk with pride,Hab. 2.Hab 2 and God makes him drunk with judgments. The builders of Babel had their ſouls lifted up, ſo high as if they meant to overtop Gods Judgments, but they p. 5and their Tower together fall into confuſion. The ſoul of Pharaoh was lifted up, who is the Lord, ſaith he, &c. but it was not right in him. For this cauſe have I raiſed thee up, &c. Exod. 9 16. The ſoul of Goliah was lifted up, he defied the armies of Iſrael, but David coming in the name of the Lord, the Captain of Iſrael, ſlew him with a ſling and a ſtone. 1 Sam. 17. The ſoul of Amaziah was lifted up, but to his own deſtruction. 2 Chron. 15.19. The ſoul of Haman was lifted up. Heſt. 3.6. but he was lifted up as high on the gallowes, as before he was in his own conceit. cap. 7.10. So the ſouls of the Iſraelites, Iſa. 9.9, and 11. of Nebuchadnezar. Dan. 4.30. of Belſhazar. Dan 5.1. of the rich fool. Luk. 12. But they were not right; you read what befell them.

Reaſ. 1. Becauſe of God's threatnings. Reaſons.Pride ſhall have a fall. Prov. 18.12. Iſa. 2.11. Ezech. 31.10. Exod. 18.11.

2. Becauſe God hath ſaid, in his own ſtrength no man ſhall be ſtrong. 1 Sam. 2.8. Nothing weaker then Pride; nothing ſtronger then Humility. Prov. 3.5, 6. As the thunder delights to melt the ſword and ſpare the ſcabbard, to rend the heart of Oaks and ſpare the rinde: ſo God, to rent the caul of the heart of proud perſons,Hoſ. 13.8. Pſal. 147.3.Hos 13:8Ps 147:3 and to bind up the broken heart.

Ʋſe 1 This let's us ſee how to judge of the firm ſtanding or ſuddain ruine of perſons, families, and nations. Many times we judge by wit, wealth, friends, and allyes, but this is a miſtake, for when any grow proud and contemn God they ſoon go down. Prov. 16.18. 2 Chron. 26.15. Prov. 26.12.

Ʋſe 2 2 Let it be a warning to beware of 2 things.

Pride.

Sinful confidence.

1. As we love our ſelves, ſouls, ſafety, beware of Pride. whether 1. inward pride of heart. Prov. 5.6. The proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord. or 2. outward pride of men, whoſe glory is their ſhame. As pride of the eyes. Iſa. 10.15. — proud looks. The firſt of ſeven abominations is a proud look. Prov. 6.17. Pride of the tongue. Pſal. 12.3. The p. 6Lord ſhall cut out the tongue that ſpeaketh proud things. Pſal. 17.10 Their tongue ſpeaketh proudly▪ ver. 13. Up Lord diſappoint him. Pride of head and feet; and all parts from top to toe. Threatned. Iſa. 3.16.17. Pride of geſture and apparel. ibid. ver. 25.

2. Beware of ſinful Confidence the daughter of Pride. Whether Confidence, 1. in our ſelves, in parts and gifts. Ezek. 28.3 Prov. 21.30. No wiſdom nor counſel againſt the Lord, or in ſtrength. Jer. 9.23. Let no man glory, &c. or in works and duties. Gal. 3 11. Deut. 9.4. Or, 2. Confidence in the creature, as, Riches. Pſal. 40.6. Prov. 11.4. Favour of great men. Pſal. 118 8. Armour and amunition. Iſa. 22.8, &c. Prov. 21.31. Pſal. 33.16. Devil and his inſtruments. 1 Sam. 28.4. Iſa. 28.19.

—But the Juſt ſhall live by his Faith.

AS God ſpeaks words of death in the threatnings, which go to the hearts of wicked men: ſo he ſpeaketh words of life, Hoſ. 6.5.Hos 6:5in the promiſes, which go to the hearts of Gods people to revive them. But the juſt, &c.

From the oppoſition of this propoſition to the former might be hinted a twofold obſervation.

1. As every Believer is a juſt perſon: ſo every Unbeliever is an unjuſt perſon.

2. As every Believer is in a ſtate of life: ſo every Unbeliever is in a dead condition. But we ſhall content our ſelves with two concluſions from the words, unto which other things will be reducible in the handling of them.

p. 7D. 1. God's people are in a ſtate of life, yea they are in a ſtate of life by way of eminency; they are partakers of the beſt life.

D. 2. What ever life the juſt lives (in a more excellent manner then other men) he lives that life by vertue of his faith.

Object. But it may be objected; It is manifeſt that the Prophet here ſpeaks of temporal deliverance from the Caldeans, why then ſhould we carry the words in a ſpiritual ſenſe, of the life of grace?

Anſw. There are good reaſons for it.

1 As the ſame blood of Chriſt purchaſed a ſanctified uſe of temporal mercies, as well as of ſpiritual: ſo the ſame faith that lays hold on the one, layth hold on the other. Matth. 6.Matt 6A man muſt firſt ſeek Gods Kingdome, before he can have a ſanctified uſe of temporal mercies. He muſt firſt lay hold on Chriſt by faith before he can lay hold on temporal deliverances in him. Rom. 8.32. God firſt gives us his Son, and then with him all things. The ſame faith that teacheth us to pray, Give us this day our daily bread; teacheth us alſo to pray, Forgive us our treſpaſſes.

2 Becauſe the holy Ghoſt, who is the beſt Interpreter of all, gives this Interpretation of the text. Whereas a man might ſay, 'Tis not clear to me that the Prophet Habakkuk did mean any other living by faith, than that which is concerning this preſent and temporal life: yes, ſaith the Apoſtle, it is evident the words are to be underſtood in the largeſt latitude, ſo as to comprehēd the life of grace alſo, the life of juſtification. Gal. 3.11. But that no man is juſtified by the works of the Law in the ſight of God, it is evident, (and here it is evident.) Even by this teſtimony of the Prophet Habakkuk) For the juſt ſhall live by faith.

Doct. 1 For the firſt Doct. then, viz. Gods people are in a ſtate of life by way of eminency. But the juſt ſhall live—

p. 8The Doctrine ariſeth cleerly from the oppoſition, But, &c. q.d. The unbeleever lives not; or if he doeth live, it is a life of unquietneſs and full of danger. (For he is a ſentenced man by the judgment of God's mouth, and ſhall ere long be executed by the judgment of his hand.) And therefore his ſoul is not right in him; but the life of a Beleever is full of ſafety, full of peace, and that in the worſt times, before the viſion be fulfilled. v. 3. Beſides that the one lives but by ſenſe, the other by faith; the one lives upon his pride and ſelf-confidence, but the other upon his humble dependance; the one lives upon creatures, the other upon God; the one a natural, the other a ſpiritu…l life. Therefore it is a more excellent life. An unbeleever indeed hath a kind of life, but it is not worth the name of life. There's defect in his very ſoul, which ſhould give life to all the reſt. But the juſt ſhall live. If you would ſpeak of life, to the life, 'tis here to be found and no where elſe The unbeleevers's life being like a ſhadow, is but a ſhadow of life; as the Apoſtle Paul ſpeaks of thoſe wanton widows that live in pleaſure, they are dead while they live. 1 Tim 5.6 They are quaſi viventes, but verè mortuae; as living, but dead. But the juſt in the greateſt preſſures are quaſi morientes, but verè viventes;—as dying and behold we live. 2 Cor. 6.9.

One life is more excellent then another either in the

The excellency of the life of Gods people in 7 things.1. Nature and kind of it.

2. Fountain and Principle.

3. Comforts of it.

4 Meaſure.

5 Safety and ſecurity.

6. Continuance

7. End of it.

God's people live a more excellent life in all theſe reſpects.1. The kind of their life.

Firſt, In regard of the kind of life. 'Tis ſpiritual Natural life hath indeed an excellency in it, but 'tis common. The ſpiritual life of grace is peculiar to God's peculiar people, p. 9even to ſuch, whoſe names are written in the book of life This life conſiſts in the union to, & communion of the ſoul with God. 1 Joh. 1.3. And truly our fellowſhip is with the Father and with his Son Jeſus Chriſt. Called 2 Pet. 1.4. a participation of the Divine nature. and Eph. 4.24. conformity to Gods image in righteouſneſs and holineſs; and is therefore, the life of God. 'Tis a gracious, 'tis a glorious life, and therefore muſt needs be excellent in the nature of it; it is ſomthing indeed to live, if it be but the life of a plant; more, to live the live of a beaſt▪ better then that, to live the life of a man or angel; But beſt of all to live the life of God.

Secondly, In regard of the fountain and principle of it;2. The principle of their life. which is Chriſt as Mediatour. True he is the Light that lightneth every one that comes into the world. Joh. 1. But as Mediatour, he is the Fountain of life only to his own people. Joh. 6 57. As the living Father hath ſent me, and I live by the Father; ſo he that eateth me even he ſhall live by me. Wherefore Chriſt is ſaid to be our life. Col. 3 4. i. e. the fountain and principle of it. An excellent life therefore it muſt needs be, which hath ſuch a ſpring to feed it. Pſal. 36.9. With thee is the Fountain of life, and in thy light ſhall we ſee light.

Thirdly, In regard of the Comforts of it.3. The Comforts of their life. And indeed comfort is the life of life. Not to live, but to live comfortably is life indeed. A life under diſcomforts is no better then death,The Caldean be…ots himſelf. The Juſt ſhall live comfortably by his faith. nay death is better then that and preferred before it The life of a Chriſtian is moſt comfortable, whatſoever the world and devil would whiſper into our ears; They would perſwade a man, when once he turns to God, Farewell and comforts. But no ſuch matter. Thou ſhalt not looſe thy delights but only exchange them, for the better.Mic. 6.Mic 6 Thou rejoycedſt before in proſerity at the ſound of the Harp and the Violl in thy feaſts; But now thou art able to rejoyce in adverſity at the ſound of the Drum, and noyſe of Warre. The truth is, the worſt of a Beleevers life, is p. 10better then the beſt of a natural mans life: and Moſes choſe it rather. 1 Pet. 4. 2 Cor. 3.1 Pet 42 Cor 3Heb. 11. And if his diſcomforts be ſuch what are his comforts? If in ſufferings a glory reſts on them, how muſt their comforts needs exceed in glory? Only none knowes them but they that taſt them. O taſt and ſee! Pſal. 34.8. A Straenger ſhall not intermeddle with this joy. Prov. 14.10 Therefore 'tis an excellent life for the comforts of it. And if they want at any time earthly comforts, they have a Comforter ſent from Heaven inſtead of all.Joh. 14.John 14

4. Meaſure of it.Fourthly, In regard of the meaſure of it. A man may live indeed if he have but ſo much as will keep life and ſoul together;The Caldean ſhall decay, the Juſt ſhall live. but there is little comfort in that. We account that an excellent life, when a man is full of ſpirit (as we ſay) and full of life, ſuch a one is a alive, and alive's like. Yet this life will decay; the moſt ſpiritful man in the world, his heart will fail him; the …out-hearted muſt ſleep their ſleep. But herein is the excellency of the life,Prov. 4.18.Prov 4:18 we have from Chriſt; it is ever on the increaſing hand. The Sun of righteouſneſs (the Fountain of their life) is ever riſing upon them higher and higher, but never ſetting. He came to give life, and that more abundantly as it is, Joh. 10.10. Contrary to the nature of other life, they have more vigour and ſpirit, and conſequently bring forth more fruit in old age. Pſal 92.14.

5. Safety of it.Fifthly, In regard of the ſafety and ſecurity of it. Hazard takes away the comfort of life, otherwiſe excellent. That which God threatēs Deut. 28.66. Thy life ſhal hang in doubt before thee, and thou ſhalt fear day and night, &c. But the life of a Chriſtian is ſure,Col. 3.3. The Caldean dream's of long Empire, ver. 5. but he ſhall dye, ver. 8.Col 3:3 becauſe it is hid, ('tis laid up) with Chriſt in God If the life of Chriſt may fail, then, the life of a Chriſtian. But, becauſe I live, ye ſhall live alſo. Joh. 14.19. Beſides their life is in God's keeping, Pſal. 31.15. My times are in thy hands. The Caldean threatens he will ſpoil and kill; but God ſayes his people ſhall live.

Continuance of it.Sixtly. It is an excellent life for Continuance. This is implyd p. 11in the words; The Goſpel is the power of God to ſalvation. Rom. 1.16, 17. as it is written,The Chaldean may threat deſtruction: yet the juſt ſhall live. The juſt ſhall live by his faith. The life of God's people then is an eternal life, and therefore excellent. Every life is accounted ſo much more excellent, as it is of longer continuance; the life of an oak, that continues many yeers, then the life of the graſſe that grows upon the houſe-top, that withers before it be plucked up. Therefore as life is a bleſſing: ſo long life, Pſal.is a great bleſſing. What account then ſhould we make of an eternal life, that knows no end;1 Pet. 1.1 Pet 1 ſpringing from an incorruptible ſeed, the Word of God; and maintaind, by a never dying principle, the Spirit of God? He that lives the longeſt life of nature muſt die at laſt:Gen. 5.Gen 5 but he that lives the life of grace ſhall never die. 1. His grace ſhall never die. 2. Though he die, he is out of the reach of the ſecond death. Joh. 11.25, 26. The juſt ſhall live.—

Seventhly, Laſtly 'tis excellent in regard of the End. 7. The end of it. The Caldean imputes his power to his God c. 1.11. but the juſt, &c.'Tis the end crownes the action. God is in a more ſpecial manner glorified by this life. The ſtrong people ſhall glorifie thee. Iſa. 43. Now as Gods glory is the ultimate end of all his works. (Prov. 16.4.) ſo that life muſt needs be moſt excellent that comes neereſt that end. Gods glory and the creatures happineſs are wrapt up together in the ſame end. 1 Sam. 2.30. Them that honour me, I will honour. Therefore this life is excellent.

And this leads us to the reaſon of it,Reaſon. from Gods praiſe. why God's people receive a more excellent life from him. God doth it, to the praiſe of his free grace. Eph. 1.6. To the praiſe of his grace, both in the cauſe; for none could deſerve this life, before they had it. (Rom. 9.23.) and in the effect of it, viz. that they might walk worthy of it. As God had life in himſelf and did enjoy himſelf before there was any creature: ſo the reaſon why he made any, or gave life to any, was his own praiſe; And therefore as any creature hath a more excellent life then other, 'tis therefore that God may have more praiſe then from other. From the Saints therefore God expects p. 12that his high praiſes ſhould be in your mouths. Pſal. 149.6. Even the high praiſes of the moſt high God. All thy works praiſe thee, and thy Saints give thanks unto thee, ſaith the Pſalmiſt. Pſal. 145.13. The Saints in a ſpecial manner; They praiſe God for themſelves, and they praiſe God for the reſt of the creatures, being as it were the tongue of all the reſt, whileſt they blazon forth the wiſdom and power and goodneſs of the Creator in the wonderful fabrick and orderly government of the creatures.

Ʋſe 1 1. Let us be convinced that there is ſuch a life. For theſe things ſeem ordinarily as the meſſage of the women to the diſciples.Conviction that there is ſuch a life. Luk. 24.11. idle tales, and men beleeve them not. And ſo, if we never beleeve this life, we ſhall never ſeek it, and if we never ſeek it, we ſhall never be ſaved. Joh. 3.5. Except a man be born again (and ſo have a new life) he ſhall never enter into the Kingdome of Heaven.

It is true, This life is a hidden life; which ariſes. 1. In regard of the inward and ſecret nature of it; The Kingdom of God is within you. 2. From the mean outſide of it; for God chooſeth weak and fooliſh things, & things that are not. 3. From the infirmities of thoſe, that live it, which much blemiſh it; as David, Peter, &c. 3. From miſreports of it—Slanderouſly reported of. Rom. 3. And 5. from the work of Satan, blinding the eyes of them that beleeve not. 2 Corinth. 4 3. Yet there is ſuch an excellent life; and that is proved, and plainly made manifeſt.

Firſt, becauſe it carryes men to actions beyond the power of nature It enables ſome men to forſake the pleaſures of natural life for the ſake of ſpiritual life; and this work of ſelf-denial proves it. Yea it makes willing to lay down natural life, if need be; therefore ſuch muſt have a better, that gives as skin for skin, ſo life for life.

Secondly, becauſe when natural life is weakeſt, the acts of ſpiritual life many times appear ſtrongeſt. Therefore p. 13there is a life beſides that of nature. 2 Cor. 4.10. There, the dying of the Lord Jeſus in Pauls body, makes manifeſt the life of Jeſus in the ſame body.

Ʋſe 2 2. To perſwade us to deſire this life. Life of all things is moſt ſweet.Perſwaſion to deſire this life. And therefore the tree of life was plac'd in the midſt of Paradiſe, as if it were the perfection of all other comforts. How ſweet is then the ſweeteſt life? In compariſon whereof all other life is but death. Luk. 15. laſt. Thy brother was dead, and is alive—O, that we had eyes to ſee, & hearts to conſider the excellency of this life! Look how much difference there is, betwixt the life of a child in the womb, and the life thereof, when 'tis come abroad into the world, where it hath freedom of breathing, hearing, ſeeing, and exerciſing all the ſenſes: ſo great a difference there is betwixt the life of nature and grace, as alſo betwixt the life of grace and glory. We do no more know, what is reſerved for us in Heaven, then a child in the womb what is reſerved for it when it comes into this wide world. Only as there is a natural inſtinct in the child to go forth of the priſon of the womb into a better life: ſo there is a ſpiritual and ſupernatural inſtinct in all Gods children to be made partakers of a better life, For as the whole creation groans: ſo we ourſelves groan within ourſelves, &c. ſaith the Apoſtle, Rom 8 22. In the mean time before we come to enjoy the life of glory to the full, glorious things in their degree are ſpoken of the life of grace, in regard of the nature,Pſal. principle, comforts, &c. of it, as aboveſaid. To all which we might adde it's excellency in regard of operations; viz. the crucifying our corruptions, overcoming the world, and all oppoſite powers, making us more then conquerours in Chriſt.

Therefore 'tis an excellent life, and thence moſt deſirable. Did a beaſt know the life of a man, he would deſire it; did a natural man know the life of a Chriſtian, he would deſire that too: For it is as farre above the life of a man, as his above the life of a beaſt.

p. 14Hence Chriſt to the woman, Joh. 4.—If thou hadſt known the gift of God: and who 'tis asketh of thee, &c. So I ſay, If thou hadſt but known the excellency of this life, thou wouldſt greatly deſire and ask it of Chriſt.

Ʋſe 3 3. For Exam. Let us try whether we have this exclellent life or no.Examination. There is not much need of giving motives. 1. None come to live the life of glory, but ſuch as live the life of grace, all are Saints on Earth, before Saints in Heaven. 2. Till we know whether we have this life or no, we can neither ſeek it, if we want it, nor praiſe God for it, if we have it. 3. Beſides we have command to make our calling and election ſure. 2 Pet. 1.10.

For Rules of Trial. 1. Did God ever give thee to ſee thine own deadneſs, 10. Rules of Triall.and to bewail it? Though thou maiſt leave ſin and perform duty, if thou doſt this by thy own ſtrength thou art not alive. 1. Sight of deadneſs.When ſuch a ſoul comes to it ſelf nevertheleſſe it cryes, O ſick, ſick; give me ſomthing to comfort me. (Cant. 2.5.) Alas! ſick of unbelief, and a hard heart! &c.

2. Knowledge of this life.Secondly, Doſt thou underſtand the Nature of regeneration, of this life and this new birth? Nichodemus did not, before Chriſt told him. Joh. 3. 'Tis ſaid. 2 Cor. 5.17. He that is in Chriſt is a new creature: New in underſtanding, will, affections, and converſation.

3. Inſtrumental cauſe of begetting.Thirdly, If thou art alive, what was the inſtrumental means of begetting this life, under God? was it the power of Word preach'd upon thy ſoul? 1 Pet. 1.33. being, born again not of corruptible ſeed, but of incorruptible by the Word of God, &c.

Affections ſtirring without the Word, or moral perſwaſion with the word, or corrupt ſeed beſide the Word, theſe are not enough. See 1 Theſſ. 1.5. 2 Cor. 3.6.

4. Cauſe main…aining.Fourthly, if alive, what is the inſtrumental means of maintaining this life, under God? and every creature deſires food; even the inſenſible creature, the youngeſt plants thruſt p. 15their fibra's into the earth to ſuck nouriſhment thence. And the young Lambs ſuck the duggs of their damme's upon their bended knees. Every life deſires food for ſelf-preſervation, and the nature of the food muſt be ſuitable to the nature of the life, ſpiritual life muſt have ſpiritual food. That which will feed a ſwine fat,Ex iiſdem nut…rimur, &c. will ſtarve a ſheep. What is begotten of the word, will be nouriſhed of the word 1 Pet. 2.2. And the more life, the more deſire after food. The healthfull child cryes moſt eagerly after the breaſt. Such was Davids hunger and thirſt after the word. Pſal. 42.1. &c.

Fifthly, If thou art alive, thou haſt a faculty within to reſiſt and expel whatſoever is an enemy to life.5. Enmity of the contrary. 1 Pet. 5.8.1 Pet 5:8 Sin is a ſpiritual poyſon, and Satan a murderer. Doſt thou ſo reſiſt them? Or when there is deadneſs of ſpirit, doſt thou rub and chafe thy ſoul by prayer? Quicken me, O Lord, by thy Word. Pſal. 119. A good ſign.

6. If thou art alive, thou ſhalt perceive it, as by outward ſenſe and motion, ſo by inward quickning and vivification. 6. Senſe and motion.1. By outward ſenſe and motion. Every living creature exerciſes ſome ſenſe. Examine this by, what Breathing faculty thou haſt. VVhere there is the inſpiration of ſpiritual life, there is the expiration of holy ſpeeches. (Only 'tis not wholſom when our expiration exceeds our inſpiration.) 2. Exam. what ſight thou haſt? Epheſ. 4.18. with 5.8. 3. VVhat hearing? He that is of God heareth us, &c. 1 Joh. 4.6. 4. VVhat taſting? 1 Pet. 2.3. — If ſo be you have taſted how gracious the Lord is. 5. VVhat ſmelling? Cant. 1.3. Thy name is an oyntment powred forth. 2. By inward quickning and vivification, of the heart. As the heart is firſt formed, ſo informed, and reformed. Primum vivens. Rev. 3.Rev 3And without this, there is but a name to live. The heart is the firſt member of the new man. Gal. 4.4. If ſons, God hath ſent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, &c. Deut. 30.6. The Lord thy God ſhall circumciſe thy heart, &c. All p. 16performances without the heart are dead workes. God begins at the heart, therefore examine the heart.

7. Spring of life.Seventhly, If thou ſaiſt thou art alive, then what is the ſpring and principle of thy life and the actions thereof? Is it thy own ſtrength, and opinion of thy own parts, and applauſe of men? Or doſt thou in an humble diſtruſt of thy ſelf, look up to Chriſt for ſtrength? Queſt. How is that known? Anſ. If Chriſt's glory he made the end, then the grace of Chriſt is the principle. The ſtream is never higher then the fountain. 2. Beſides, then this ſtrength comes in a promiſe. 'Tis Chriſt in a promiſe. What promiſe doſt thou lay hold on?

8. Growt….Eightly, If alive, where is thy growth? where ever there is life there is growth, till the creature comes to the foreign. Eph. 4.11. Till we all come to the meaſure of the the ſtature of Chriſt. Object. If this be ſo, (may ſome ſay) then I have no life. Anſw. ſpiritual growth is not diſcern'd by every dayes obſervation: but ſome long time, as the ſhadow on the diall. 2. A ſoul careful to grow, and mourning for want of growth, I dare pronounce it doth grow, though it perceive it not. Trees though they do not grow, are fitted for growth in winter.

9. Propagation.Ninthly, If thou art alive, know it, not only by growth and augmentation, but alſo by a deſire of a propagation, and conveiance of that life to others. The Father delivers the lamp of his life to his ſon; as one candle lights another. So 'tis in this life of grace, it begets the like to it ſelf. Examine therefore whether thou art one like Pharaoh that ſeekeſt to kill the children of gace in the birth, (this is to play the tyrant, nay the Devill Rev. 12.) Or whether thou art like God, and godly men that ſay, as the Apoſtle. Gal. 4.19. They deſire to ſee Chriſt formed in others.

10. Delight….Tenthly, If alive what company delights thee. Pſal. 16.2. my delight is in the Saints, and the excellent. The living converſe with the living; and not among Tombes, unleſſe p. 17they be poſſeſt, as the man in the Goſpel. Why ſeek ye the living amongſt the dead, ſaid the Angel? Such are dead company, as dead men.

Ʋſe 4 Fourthly, This informs us, If the ſpiritual life be the moſt excellent life, what is the worſt murder. Information of the worſt murder.Surely that which takes away the beſt life. And that is the murder of the ſoul. God commands, in the ſixth commandement: Thou ſhalt do no murder. Every man ſtartles at that; but many are found guilty of ſoul-murder. See Ezek. 33 8. If the watchman warn not, the blood of them that periſh in their ſins, God will require at his hands. This made Paul ſo careful to purge himſelf. Act. 20.26. I am free of the blood of every one of you. See alſo Ezek 13.18.

Ʋſe 5 Fifthly, Bleſs God for this life, where it is, and makes much of it. How deſirable a thing as Gaius,Thankfulneſs. to have our ſouls proſper. 3. Epiſt. Joh 2. And if we find any decay, remember the counſel to the Angel of the Church of Sardis. Rev. 3.2. Be watchfull and ſtrengthen the things which remain; that are ready to die; for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

p. 18But the Juſt ſhall live by his Faith.

DOCTRINE II. Whatſoever life the juſt man lives, in a more excellent manner then other men, he lives that life by vertue of his Faith.

Doct. 2 THE Apoſtle confeſſeth this was his life (And what is the life of one faithful man as faithful, is the life of all) Gal. 2, 20. The life that I live, I live by the faith of the Son of God, &c.

This is a leſſon that is often taught, and yet very hardly learned. For as the life of a Chriſtian is a hidden life: ſo the means of conveyance of it is in a hidden way; hidden and dark to a natural man. This water of life runs, as it were in a conduit-pipe under the ground A natural man perceives it not, But the Juſt ſhall live by his Faith.

For the better unfolding of his myſterious and uſeful trade of living by faith, we ſhall endeavour by God's aſſiſtance (who is, the Author and Finiſher of our faith) to ſhew theſe things,Heb. 12.2.Heb 12:2 viz.

Firſt, What Faith is.

Secondly, What it is to live by Faith.

Thirdly, Why living is by Faith, rather then love, &c.

Fourthly, Who it is that lives by Faith.

Fifthly, Whoſe Faith he lives by, viz. his own.

Sixthly, When and how long.

Seventhly, What life it is he lives by Faith.

Eighthly, The Reaſons why.

Laſtly, What uſe we are to make of all.