Two Treatises, Treatise 2 · Chapter 11
CHAP. XI.
Containing an Ʋſe of Exhortation to labour for the excellent Grace of Faith, and an Ʋſe of Direction.
THe foorth Uſe is for Exhortation. Uſe 4 For Exhortation to labour for Faith.Is it ſo that Chriſt is only precious to Believers, then let's hence infer one grand Duty to labour for the excellent Grace of Faith. Hereby we ſhall ſet the higheſt value on Chriſt. Faith is an inſtrumental means to help us to know the excellency of Chriſt: For Faith is an Eye to …ehold Chriſt, Faith is a Hand to receive Chriſt, a Mouth to feed on him, an Heart to believe on him. But we muſt interpoſe this caution, that Faith receives all of Grace, and Mercy, and nothing of Merit. Faith embraces Chriſt, but Chriſt firſt gives Faith to embrace him. Faith reſts and relies on Chriſt, but Chriſt ſupports our Faith. If we believe, he works it in us, we muſt be thankful for what we receive, and give God the Praiſe and Glory of all. The Apoſtle gives an abſolute determination, Eph. 2. 8. For by Grace are ye ſaved through Faith, it is the gift of God.
That our Endeavours, Affections, even the whole Man may be quickned to get this choice and excellent Grace of Faith. I ſhall lay down theſe enſuing perſuaſive Arguments in the following Section.
SECT. I. Containing perſuaſive Arguments to get Faith.
THat I may uſe all the prevailing Arguments (as far as I apprehend) to get Faith, I ſhall inſiſt on theſe following.
1. Faith is a condition of the Covenant of Grace. The Covenant of Works was, Arg. 1 Faith is the condition of the Covenant of Grace.do this and live, none but Chriſt who is God and Man could perform this Covenant. The Covenant of Works will not abate us a Tranſgreſſion in the leaſt title: It exacts perfect Obedience, and curſeth the Tranſgreſſor. Who continues not in all Gal. 3. 10.things, which are written in the Book of the Law to do them: But the Covenant of Grace runs, Believe and thou ſhalt be ſaved. The Law ſheweth us our Sores and Wounds: the Goſpel applyeth Soveraign healing Plaſters. The Law like a Serjeant arreſts and ſhuts us up, and ſo hampers us that we cannot poſſibly eſcape. The Goſpel ſets us at Liberty, Gal. 3. 22. But the foreign Lex veluti ſit complexa, concluſerit que omnes in peccatum, peccaturum virſus oſtendit. Oecum. Rom. 9. 20.Scripture hath concluded all Men under Sin, that the promiſe by Faith of Jeſus Chriſt might be given to them that believe. Who then can lay any claim to this Covenant but the true Believer, God accepts the Faith of a Believer through Chtiſt's Merits, inſtead of legal Obedience: Where fore we read of that Righteouſneſs which was of Faith, which is a Righteouſneſs imputed by Chriſt's Righteouſneſs, even a Righteouſneſs without us, which is our Juſtification. And here's the great priviledg of a Believer; That he is juſtified by the Righteouſneſs of another, and not by any Righteouſneſs of his own, but only by the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt by imputation: By Chriſt's Merits; of Unrighteous we are made Righteous. For ſaith the Apoſtle, 2 Cor. 5. 21. For he hath made him to be Sin for us, who knew no Sin, that we might be made the Righteouſneſs of God in him. So that hence it's evident that He was accounted a Sinner by Imputation, for he imputed our Sins unto himſelf, and we are accounted Righteous by Imputation, for he imputes his Righteouſneſs unto us. Here then appears Riches of Mercies, that Evanglical Righteouſneſs is accepted inſtead of Legal Righteouſneſs. Chriſt's Wiſdom makes amends for our Folly: Chriſt's Obedience for our Diſobedience, and Chriſt's abſolute Perfection, for our manifold Imperfections.
Now the Believer only hath intereſt in the Covenant of Grace. Covenants eſſentially include Conditions. The Covenant is a free Covenant, a free Gift, and of free Grace. The Condition on our part is Faith, but the Condition as well as the Covenant are given of God. Take heed therefore O Chriſtian that thou Sacrifice not to thine own Net and Dragge: O do not truſt to thy own Strength and Ability, as if thou wert able to perform this Condition: For the beſt of Believers by rheir own Strength are no more able to believe, than to perform the Commandments. Both to will and to do are the workPhil. 2. 13. Ki foreign. Chryſ. of God. And as Chryſoſtome obſerves, God gives the very propenſion and inclination to will. Faith indeed is the Believers Act, and it's his duty to believe, but it's God's Gift; Faith is a lively Motion working upon a Believers Heart, but this Motion is powerfully wrought by the Aſſiſtance of God's Spirit. Whoever thou art, if thou believeſt give God the praiſe of working this Belief in thee: For God enables thee to perform what he requires, and thou couldſt not do any thing acceptably unto God, unleſs he firſt gave to thee what he commandeth of thee. Hence the Apoſtle tells us, that We are buried with Col. 2. 12.him in Baptiſm, through the Faith of the operation of God, who hath raiſed him from the dead. The ſelf-ſame Power that raiſed up Chriſt from the Dead, muſt raiſe us up to believe in Chriſt.
2. Faith is an inſtrumental means of our Arg. 2 Faith is an Inſtrumental Means of our Union unto Jeſus Chriſt.Union unto Chriſt. Between Chriſt and us there muſt be an Union, before there can be an Imputation of Righteouſneſs. We believe before we are Juſtified. How Juſtification may be (as ſome ſuppoſe) ab Aeterno, I can no more conceive than Glorification is, (ſuch is in the ſecret Decree of God.) That Faith goeth before Juſtification is evident from Gal. 3. 24. The Law was our School-maſter to bring us unto Chriſt, that we might be juſtified by Faith. We believe that we may be juſtified, Chriſt is ſaid to be of God, made unto us Wiſdom, Righteouſneſs, Sanctification, and Redemption. It's ſaid unto us who were firſt united unto Chriſt by Faith; That is that which the Apoſtle prays for, That Chriſt might Eph. 3. 17.dwell in their Hearts by Faith. As there is a ſubſtantial Union between God the Father and God the Son, ſo there is a Myſtical Union between Chriſt and all his Members. This (as the Apoſtle ſaith) is a great Myſtery concerning Chriſt and his Eph. 5. 31. Ut indicet ad iſtam Spiritus …nitatem opus eſſe ſolidâ et conſtanti cohaeſione, qualus eſt membrorum in corpore, & ramorum in arboribus. Muſc.Church. And this Union the Apoſtle declareth farther, 1 Cor. 6. 17. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one Spirit: The Spirit on God's part, and Faith on our part (which Faith we could not have, unleſs God firſt gave it) makes up this Union between us and Chriſt, i. e. a Myſtical Union. And by vertue of this Union we paticipate of Juice and Nouriſhment from Chriſt, as the Branch doth from the Vine, and receive influence as a Member from the Head, and we receive Supportation and Strength, as the Building from the Foundation. Farther yet in the very Grave we ſhall yet remain united to Chriſt. For Chriſt will be with us in the Grave. Every Saint is a part of Chriſt's Body, and not one Member can be wanting, otherwiſe (which is impoſſible) Chriſt's Body would not be compleat. And theſe Bodies of ours, (if they be the Bodies of true Believers) they ſhall be made like unto the glorions Body of Jeſus Chriſt.Phil. 3. 21.
This Union is the ground of Communion with Chriſt. There' a mutual Union and Communion between Chriſt and his Members, for in Chriſt there's a fulneſs, and of his fulneſs we receive Grace for Grace. Joh. 1. 19.There's in Chriſt fulneſs of Wiſdom to Counſel us, and of Mercy to pardon us, of Righteouſneſs to juſtify us, and of Holineſs to ſanctify us, and of Eternal Glory to make us happy to all Eternity. The Head takes care of all the Members. Chriſt the Head of his Church will not leave it deſtitute of Supplies and continual Influences from him, Now it's Faith that makes particular application of all the benefits of Chriſt. By Faith we draw vertue from Chriſt, and fetch Supplies from him. In hearing, by Faith we taſte the ſweetneſs of God's Word: In praying, by Faith we have a ſacred Communion with God, and receive a gracious anſwer of our Prayers; In receiving the Lord's Supper, by Faith we feel Strength and Help for the ſubduing of our Corruptions. So then Faith is an Inſtrument that makes Chriſt and all his Benefits our own by particular Application.
3. Faith gives us Victory over all our3. Faith gives us Victory over all our Enemies. Enemies. There are three grand Enemies of our Salvation, viz. the Fleſh, the Devil, and the World.
1. The Fleſh (i. e.) corrupt Nature isThe firſt Enemy is the Fleſh. a grand Enemy, always plotting deſtructive Deſigns againſt us, and the harder it is to be avoided, becauſe it is an inbred Domeſtick Enemy, an Inhabitant that lieth in our Boſom, like the Syren it lulls us aſleep, and then devoureth us, it kiſſeth and kills, embraceth and ſtrangles,Inter amplexus ſtrangulat. and when it maketh the moſt fair and plauſible pretences, then it intends the moſt miſchief. It's an Enemy to God, even Enmity it ſelf in the abſtract. We read of the miſerable eſtate of unregenerate Men, who have this grand InfamyTò foreign. Rom 8. 7. Hic obſervemus hominis voluntatem divinae voluntati per omnia adverſari. Calv. ſtampt on them fulfilling the deſires of the Fleſh: In the Original it's foreign Eph. 2. 3. The Wills of the Fleſh, plainly ſhewing that the Fleſh hath a commanding Will requiring Obedience. And the Fleſh hath an enticing alluring way to entice Sinners, and draw them with all alluring Perſuaſions to follow that way that leads to Deſtruction. For we read of Seducers that they allure through the Luſts of the Fleſh, 1 Pet. 2. 18. The Expreſſion is emphatical foreign: They lay a bait and ſo allure to the rnine of thoſe that take it. We muſt beware of the Baits of the Fleſh, leaſt if we ſwallow them we be choaked by them. Many Diſwaſives the Scripture gives againſt luſting, loving and living after the Fleſh. It's the Apoſtles charge, & entreaty both, 1 Pet. 2. 11. Dearly Beloved, I beſeech you as Strangers and Pilgrims abſtain from fleſhly Luſts: And there's a ſtrong Argument added to perſuade in the following Words, which war againſt the Soul. The Fleſh ſets it ſelf in battel array, and uſeth all the battering Engines which it can invent, that it may conquer the royal Cittadal of our Immortal Souls. Other diſwaſives which the Scripture uſeth againſt the Fleſh are, Rom. 8. 6. To be carnally minded is Death. And Rom. 8. 8. They that are in the Fleſh, that is, they that abide in the ſtate of unregeneracy, they cannot pleaſe God. And Fleſh and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God.1 Cor. 15. 50.
Now having diſcovered our Enemies, let's prepare to encounter with them, and the Weapon which we muſt uſe is Faith: For Faith is an Inſtrument to ſubdue our ſelves even unto our ſelves, even corrupt ſelf unto renewed ſelf. When thy pretended Friend (i. e.) thy Fleſh, but rather that real Enemy, which (as I may compare) is as a Snake, which is in thy Boſom; I mean corrupt Nature enticeth and allureth thee to Sin, and aſſaults thee with renewed Forces; fight by a ſtrong Faith againſt this dangerous Enemy: ſo through the ſtrength of God thy corrupt ſelf will be ſubdued unto thy renewed ſelf, (i. e.) the Fleſh unto the Spirit.
A ſecond Enemy is the Devil. TheA ſecond Enemy is the Devil. Devil throws Darts, and not ordinary Darts, but fiery Darts: Wherefore the Apoſtle exhorts us above all taking the Shield Eph. 6. 16.of Faith, where with we ſhall be able to quench the fiery Darts of Satan. The Devil is a potent Adverſary compared to a Lyon for Strength; and not to a Lyon penn'd up in his Den, but to a rageing Lyon; not a ſleepy, but a roaring Lyon; not a lazy, but an induſtrious Lyon; and induſtrious to act Cruelties. Wherefore the Apoſtle's caution is both ſeaſonable and neceſſary, 1 Pet. 5. 8. Be ſober, be vigilant, becauſe your Adverſary the Devil, as a roaring Lyon walketh about, ſeeking whom he may devour. And what's the Weapon offenſive and defenſive againſt this potent Enemy? The Apoſtle preſcribes it, ver. 9. Whom reſiſt ſtedfaſt in the Faith: This Adverſary hath ſtrong holds. And the 2 Cor. 10. 4.Weapons of our Warfare are not Carnal, but mighty through God, to the pulling down of ſtrong holds. Luther uſed to ſay. Although Eſto Diabolus magnipoteris, nunquam eris Omnipotens. Luth.the Devil could do great things, yet he ſhall never do all things. This Adverſary is a ſubtil Adverſary: He hath Devices, Methods, Snares, and Depths. He is an inveterate and long experienced Enemy; He uſeth all the Sophiſtry and ſubtil devices to ſeduce Mankind. To Envy he adds Lyes, and to Lies malicious Proſecutions, and the moſt exquiſite arts of cunning conveyance to deſtroy precious and immortal Souls. How neceſſary is it for us to be always ready armed with the Divine Panoply, even the compleat Armour of a Chriſtian, viz. The Eph. 6. 14, 15, 16, 17.Girdle of Truth, the Breaſt-plate of Righteouſneſs, the Shoes of the Goſpel of Peace, the Shield of Faith, the Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit. Let us fight with theſe Weapons, and we ſhall overcome. Let us reſiſt the Devil, and he will Jam. 4. 7.flee from us. Notwithſtanding all the Arts of Legerdemain and the cunningeſt ſort of Sophiſtry which Satan uſeth, a well grounded unfeigned Faith (which worketh by love, and purifieth the Conſcience, and which relyeth and ſtayeth upon God's Promiſes) this Faith under God will conquer Satan's ſubtile Machinations. This is the Faith which will be victorious. Such a Faith joined with fervent Prayer was in Luther, who faſted and prayed for a young Man at Wittenberg who had given his Soul to the Devil: Whereupon the Devil threw in the Indenture through the Window. Let Faith hold out, and let the ſtrength of Faith act vigorouſly, then will the Temptations of Satan be quickly vanquiſhed.
3. Enemy is the World, with all its3. Enemy is the World. Riches, Honour, Grandeur, Pomp and Bravery: Theſe tempt and allure Men to Conformity to them. The World throws to one a Ball of Pleaſure, to another a Ball of Honour, to a third a Ball of Profit, and exceeding great Riches. O! what ſweet melodious Muſick doth the World play, and how doth it bewitch Multitudes to dance after the World's Pipe, and how many are there who for the fruition of a few paltry Delights of this preſent World have hazarded their Souls to all Eternity? What way then is their left to get Victory over the World? The Apoſtle informs us, 1 John 5. 4. This is the Victory that overcomes the World, even our Faith. Where Faith is principled in the Word of God, it will prevail with a Chriſtian not to be conformed Rom. 12. 2. 1 Joh. 2. 15.to the World: And not to love the World. Faith will help a Chriſtian to live above the World, and to mind heavenly things, and to have his Converſation in Heaven. And thus through the ſtrength of Faith being acted and enlivened by the ſtrength of Jeſus Chriſt, we get Victory over our Spiritual Enemies, viz. the Fleſh, the Devil, and the World.
4. Faith gives us a Title to, and Intereſt4. Faith gives us a Title to, and Intereſt in the Divine Promiſes. 2 Cor. 2. 20. Tim. 4. 8. in the Divine Promiſes. All the Promiſes are made in Chriſt, and in him they are yea and Amen. Now Believers have only a propriety in the Promiſes: without Faith we can lay no claim to any Promiſe. Godlineſs (ſaith the Apoſtle) hath the Promiſes of this Life and that which is to come. There's a love of Beneficence, whereof all Creatures are partakers: Not the leaſt creeping Creature but taſtes of God's Bounty: God feeds the pooreſt Creature. This is a general Providence which extends to all good and bad, juſt and unjuſt. The Sun ſhines on the unjuſt as well as on the juſt, through God's common Bounty. But how many Curſes, Forfeitures, and Variety of Miſcheifs befall wicked Men, ſo that their Bread is Gravel, their Table their Snare, their Bed a Bed of Thorns; They have outward Riches, and no Man ſhould rob them becauſe they are wicked, yet they have them unſanctifyed, they have not God'sTurkium Imperium quantum eſt, eſt niſi mica Panis, quam Pater Familias pro…icit ſu… Canibus. Luth. reconciled Countenance to comfort them. Therefore Luther, ſpeaking of the Turkiſh Empire, ſaith, that as great as it is, it is no more than a Crum of Bread, which the Father of the Family gives to his Dogs. Whatſoever wicked Men have is ex largitione, of common Bounty and by vertue of a general Providence. But Godly Men enjoy all their Subſtance, ex ſpeciali Providentia & Promiſſo. They have Chriſt with all their worldly Enjoyments. They receive all outward things in Mercy, and ſanctified. Not a Bit of Bread a Believer eats but it is by vertue of a Promiſe: Wherefore Faith helps a Believer in all Streights and Difficulties, to apply the Promiſes for his Supportation and Conſolation.
Poor Perſons plead their wants and preſſing Poverty: But Faith anſwers all Objections by propoſing the Promiſes, one is, Pſal. 35. 9, 10. O fear the Lord ye his Saints, for there is no want to them that fear him: The young Lions do lack and ſuffer hunger: But they that ſeek the Lord ſhall not want any good thing. Another is, Pſal. 84. 11. The Lord God is a Sun and Shield, the Lord will give Grace and Glory, no good thing will he with-hold from them that walk uprightly. A third is, Matth. 6, 33. But ſeek ye firſt the Kingdom of God, and his Righteouſneſs and all theſe things ſhall be added unto you. A fourth Promiſe is, Rom. 8. 32. He that ſpared not his own. Son, but delivered him up for us all, how ſhall he not with him alſo freely give us all things. And that one Promiſe may be added, ex abundanti, the laſt but not the leaſt of what hath been already mentioned, viz. Heb. 13. 5. Let your Converſation be without Covetouſneſs, and be content with ſuch things as ye have, for he hath ſaid I will never leave leave thee nor forſake thee.
Thoſe five Negatives have the force offoreign the ſtrongeſt Negation. Conſider that all the Faithful are the Houſhold and Family of God, and he is never a whit the poorer by maintaining Multitudes Rich Men may decreaſe in their Eſtates by being over liberal to others: this the *Mu… Pat…imonia eſtude… run… c…ſulte … ende. Q…id autem ſtultiui eſt quam quod libe… ters …acias … diuti… …? … Offic. l. … ▪Orator reproves as a very great folly: But God by giving waſteth not. The Sun looſeth no Light by communicating Light to others: For its Light cannot be waſted. The Fountain looſeth no Water by giving Water to Streams. Now God is a Light never extinct, a Fountain never exhauſted; all the Granaries, Treaſures, Cattle on a Thouſand Mountains, and all the Hearts of Men, are at Gods diſpoſing, and he orders them all for the ſupply of his People. There's no deficiency, nor weakneſs nor Poverty in God.
All the Promiſes are the Believers Intereſt, or Magna Charta, for Heaven: They are ſo many Wells of Salvation. And Faith (through Gods Gift is a Bucke… toIſa. 12. 3. draw Waters of Conſolation out of thoſe Wells. All the Promiſes are as ſo many Breaſts of Conſolation, and Faith is as i were a Mouth to ſuck Milk out of thoſe Breaſts.
Wherefore in all Conditions inward or outward, let Faith act on Promiſes, and depend on them, and by experience a Believer will find ground of ſingular ſupport and comfort in the Promiſes.
5. Faith gives us an inſight into Heaven5. Faith gives us an inſight into Heaven, and a Proſpect▪ of Eternity. and a proſpect into eternity, Paul was wrapt up into the third Heaven and by Faith had a foretaſt of thoſe unſpeakable Joys. *A Reverend and emineg…ly learned Divine gives his conjecture that at that time when Paul was Stoned, … was in a Trance, and ſaw the third Heaven. The Reaon of his Suppoſition he gives, becauſe the ſelf ſame Year that Paul was Stoned, he was caught up into the third Heaven. A. B. U…r.Stephen by the Eye of Faith (though the Stones were about his Ears) ſaw the Heavens opened, and Chriſt ſtanding at the Right Hand of his Father. Job on the Dunghil when he was ſcraping himſelf with a Pot-ſhread by the eye of Faith ſaw his Redeemer. By Faith Moſes amidſt all the Reproaches and Cruel Bondage in Aegypt, ſaw the recompence of reward. Faith is the Eye, whereby we peep through the Curtains of Mortality, and take a view of the Glory of Heaven. By Faith we enjoy Communion, with Father, Son, and Holy Ghoſt, we receive the firſt Fruits of that plentiful Harveſt, earneſt, or part of payment of a greater Sum, which we ſhall receive in Heaven. The Glory which is to be revealed is apprehended in part in this Life, by true Believers. We have a pledge and ſome foretaſts of the Glory in Heaven. What neceſſity then is incumbent on us to get this Grace of Faith both as to the truth and growth thereof? We have ſuch daily need of Faith as we cannot live without it. When we pray, Faith makes us ſucceſsful; when we hear the Word, Faith helps us to profit; when we ſuffer Affliction, Faith helps us to be Patient. In a Word in diſſertion Faith makes us comfortable; in Tryals and Encounters, Faith makes us ſo couragious as to ſtop the Mouths of Lyons, quench the Heb. 11▪ 33, 34.violence of Fire, &c. In Life Faith makes us fruitful, and in Death Faith makes us Victorious. And whilſt we live in this World Faith helps us to a Proſpect of Heaven. As the Iſraelites ſaw a glimps of Canaan, though a far off, whilſt they were in the Wilderneſs; ſo a true Believer by the Eye of Faith ſees the Heavenly Canaan: He enjoys a Sacred Acquaintance and Communion with God in his Covenants, Promiſes Gracious Influences, ſo that by Faith we enjoy an Heaven upon Earth, (i. e.) ſome fore-taſts of that Eternal Happineſs which is reſerved in Heaven for us.
SECT. II. Containing an Ʋſe of Direction.
SEeing then (as it's evident by the Uſe 5 for Direction how to get and increaſe Faith.premiſes) that only true Believers ſet a high eſtimate upon Chriſt, and Faith is eſſentially requiſite to get and keep ſo high an eſtimation of Chriſt. I ſhall now proceed to the 5th. Uſe, which is for Direction, how we may get, and increaſe Faith. To this purpoſe, I ſhall preſcribe ſome means partly internal, and partly external both exceeding neceſſary.
Firſt for Internal, Means, and that is theThe Spirit is an internal means of getting Faith. Holy Spirit of God. Faith is a Divine Habit infuſed into the Soul by the Spirit of God: Hence we are ſaid to have the Spirit of Faith. 2 Cor. 5. 13. The Spirit doth not ſtand in need of Moral Perſuaſions to excite us to Faith leaving it to the indifferency of our wills and underſtandings whether we will chuſe, or refuſe, aſſent, or diſſent: But the Spirit of GodNolentem praevenit ut velit volentem ſubſequitur ne fruſtra velit, Arg. de Grat. & lib. Arg. works powerfully and irreſiſtably, and of unwilling makes us willing by antecedent Grace, & of willing makes us more willing by Subſequent Grace. The Seeds of Faith are not ſown in our Nature. We are Dead as were thoſe dry Bones, mentioned byEzek. 37. 2. Ezekiel, until the Spirit of God infuſe vital Operations into the Soul. The Beginnings of Augmentations and finiſhings of our Faith all proceed from the Operations of the Spirit of God. Where this Spirit is, it opens the eyes of the Mind, that ſo we may underſtand the infinite value of Chriſt, and the abſolute neceſſity of Faith to make particular application of him unto our ſelves. Faith is a wiſe gift of God, and it makes Believers wiſe unto Salvation. Faith and knowledge are hand-faſted and may not be ſeparated. Joh. 17. 3. This is Life Eternal to know thee to be the true God, and him whom thou haſt ſent Jeſus Chriſt. foreign, Clem. Alex.There can be (ſaith a Learned Author) no Knowledge without Faith, nor any Faith without Knowledge.
2. The Spirit of God as it opens the eyes, ſo it inclines the will to yield ready Obedience unto Chriſt. As ſoon as Divine Light breaks in upon the Soul by the powerful illumination of the Spirit, then by the aſſiſtance of the ſame Spirit, the will is made pliable and willing, and becomes as ſwift in it's Motions as the Chariots of Aminadab, to embrace Jeſus Chriſt with the Arms of Faith. Now we cannotCant. 6. 12. John 6. 44. Cant. 1. 4. come to Chriſt, unleſs the Father draw us. Wherefore the Spouſe prays, draw me, and I will run after thee. Though we are not to be accounted as meer Stocks, and Stones; (Becauſe God hath endew'd us with a reaſonable Soul, and the faculties of underſtanding and Will) yet unleſs we be aſſiſted with Supernatural ſtrength, we cannot perform any Supernatural works: We muſt fetch ſtrength from Heaven, otherwiſe we cannot perform any Spiritual action in a Spiritual manner, But being prevented and aſſiſted by Divine Grace, we can cooperate through the aſſiſtance of that Strength, as the Apoſtle profeſſeth. Phil. 4. 13. I can do all things through Chriſt that ſtrengthens me. We cannot underſtand any ſaving Myſtery, till the Spirit inlightens us, neither can we will any good thing till the Spirit of God inclines us: But by the aſſiſtance of the Spirit we have our eyes opened to diſcern what is good, and our Wills inclind to act what is good. Having mentioned the Internal means of getting and increaſing Faith,
I come now to the External means, andExternal means of getting & increaſing Faith. they are three, the Word, Prayer, and the Lords Supper.
1. The Word is an External means1. The Word is a means to get and encreaſe Faith. both to get and increaſe Faith: and we are to conſider the Word in a threefold Capacity as it is Read, Preached, and Meditated on; and in all theſe reſpects the Word exceedingly conduceth both to the begetting and encreaſing of Faith.
1. The Word read is an Inſtrumental1. The Word read. means both for the begetting and augmenting of Faith. John Huſs (whom Luther calls Sanctiſſimum Martyrem) was Converted by reading of the Scriptures. Reading of Scriptures in publick Aſſemblies is an Ordinance of God, and anciently practiſed, for we read. Neh. 8. 8. So they read in the Book, in the Law of God diſtinctly, and gave the ſence, and cauſed them to underſtand the reading. It's our Duty likewiſe in our private Houſes, and in our Cloſets to read the Word of God. Joſhuah, a great General, is Commanded to read the Book of the Law: His Military Imployment allows no diſpenſation from reading of the Book of God. He (notwithſtanding his great and weighty affair) was injoin'd both to ſpeak of, and Meditate in the Law of God Day and Night, This Joſh. 1. 8.Book of the Law ſhall not depart out of thy Mouth, but thou ſhall meditate therein both Day and Night, that thou may obſerve to do, according to all that is Written therein, for then thou ſhalt make thy way proſperous, and Deut. 17, 18.thou ſhalt have good Succeſs, The Book of Books, Kings themſelves muſt read: And it ſhall be when he ſitteth upon the Throne of his Kingdom, that he ſhall write a Copy of this Law out of a Book, out of that which is before the Prieſt and Levites. And it ſhall be with him, and he ſhall read therein all the Days of his Life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this Law, and theſe Statutes to do them. The Holy Scripture is the Rule of the Government, and the Converſation of the greateſt Potentates. By keeping cloſe to the Rule of Scriptures, they both learn to govern well, and live well. We read Acts 15. 21. For Moſes in old time hath in every City them that Preach him, being read in the Synagogues every Sabbath day. The meaning I ſuppoſe to be this, that after reading an Expoſition was given of the ſence and meaning. It concerns all ſorts of Perſons to read the Scriptures. It's the Peoples Duty (though Popiſh Prieſts Sacriligiouſly Rob the People of the reading of the Scriptures) to read the Scriptures, there's an expreſs charge given. Deut. 66. 7, 8. Deut, 31. 11, 12. And Chriſt gives a ſtrictJoh. 5. 39. command, Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have Everlaſting Life, and they are they which teſtify of me. The Apoſtle Paul chargeth Timothy to give attendance 1 Tim. 4. 13.unto reading: If then we would get Faith in Chriſt, we muſt read and ſtudy the Word of God. Every one is bound to believe with an Explicite Faith and not to take things upon truſt by an implicite Faith from Popiſh Prieſts: We muſt ſee with our own eyes (as the Spirit of God hath opened them) and not truſt upon the Popes Spectacles. It's a great Sacriledge in the Pope and his Adherents to keep the Scriptures from the ſight of ſuch (as they call Lay People) It was in Q. Maries days Prohibited to read the Bible, and ſome for reading of it were brought to trouble, as William Hunter, and others, as in theFox Acts and Mon. Q. M. Acts and Monuments ſtands upon Record. And K. Hen. Eighth made a ſevere Law againſt the reading of the Scriptures in Engliſh. Bellarmine denies the reading ofCatholic… Eccleſia ſtatuit ne paſſim omnibus concedatur S…ript urarum Lectio. Bellarm. L. 2. de verbo Dei. Scriptures to all, ſo doth Molanus, Coſterus, Stapleton, and others of that Bran. But are not People commanded to try the Spirit. 1 Joh. 4. 1. and to prove all things, and to hold faſt that which is good. 1 Theſ. 5. 21. But how can they do this unleſs they ſearch the Scriptures. Let us than conſider it's our Duty, and make it our buſineſs to hear the Word read in Publick Congregations, and to read it frequently when we are in private. Let's both hear and read with a ſerious reverential frame of Spirit: Let's in reading compare the Old Teſtament with the New, how the Old Teſtament abounds with Prophecies and Promiſes concerning Chriſt, and how the New Teſtament makes Performances of them.2. The Word Preach'd.
2. As we muſt read the Word, ſo we muſt with due regard hear it Preach'd. The Word read is ſound and ſolid, and contains a ſincere Milk, but ſomething like the Milk ſuckt out of a Sucking Bottle, which through our weakneſſes and dull Apprehenſions may ſometimes be diſpirited: But the Word Preach'd is like the Breaſt Milk: It being deliver'd with Power, and viva voce, is like the Breſt Milk moſt Nutritive. Though God can work without means, yet ordinarily he vouchſafes his Bleſſing upon the Word Preach'd in the demonſtration of the Spirit and Power. TheEph. 6. 17. Iſai. 53. 1. Rom. 1. 16. 2 Cor. 5. 19. Heb. 4. 12. Preaching of the Word is call'd the ſword of the Spirit, the Arm of the Lord, the Power of God unto Salvation, the Word of Reconciliation, It's an exact Critick of the thoughts, It divides between the Joynts and Marrow: There's no ſuch exact Inquiſitor as the VVord Preach'd: It will find out a Sinner in the Croud and tell him thou art the Man. Though the Preacher knows nothing of ſuch and ſuch ſecret Crimes, whereof the Sinner is guilty (for no Man hath acquainted him with them, yet the word of God meets with the Sinner, and by the powerful Miniſtry of the word the moſt ſecret ſins are diſcovered, the moſt hidden works of darkneſs are brought to Light. Some, when ſuch ſins have been Preach't againſt, have diſcovered their Murthers Committed long before. The Power of the word hath ſo prevail'd that the moſt ſecret Sinner hath been diſcovered, and with a troubled Spirit hath addreſſed himſelf to the Preacher by acknowledging of his Sins, and begging Prayers and Counſels for his Souls edification. Neither Mountains nor Caſtles, neither Rocks nor Foretreſſes can be able to withſtand the conquering Power of the Word of God. If than we would get and increaſe Faith. We muſt attend at the Poſts of Wiſdomes Gate, and (as Bartimaeus did) we muſt lie in the way where Chriſt comes by. We muſt wait at the Pool of Bethſdah, where the Angel will come and ſtir the Waters. We muſt neglect no Sermon, for that Sermon, for ought we know might be a means of our Converſion or Confirmation. The Apoſtle tells us, Rom. 10. 17. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Therefore if we would get Faith, we muſt attend with all reverence and dilligence unto the Miniſtery of the Word. Faith is like Oyl to the Lamp, as it cauſeth it at firſt to give light, ſo by additions of ſupplies it keeps it Burning. Therefore let's neither abſent our ſelves from the Word read, nor from the Word preach'd. Both are Inſtruments to get and increaſe Faith.
3. Both to reading and hearing let's3. The Word Meditated. joyn Meditation, otherwiſe we may looſe the fruit of our Labours. Meditation is the Spiritual Digeſtion of the Soul: ItPſal 4. 4. …uk. 2. 19. J…r. 8. 6. conſiſts in a Communing with our own Hearts, a pondering, a calling our ſelves to an account, and asking the Queſtion, What have I done: It's a ruminating, digeſting, a making what we hear or read our own by a particular application. 'Tis true the work is difficult, it is as it were the climbing up a great Hill, but it's exceeding profitable and comfortable. For this Meditation is a Divine Contemplation whereby we have a view and Proſpect of Eternity. It's the Wing of the Soul, by help whereof it ſoars aloft as high as Heaven. Wherefore that we may profit by the Word read and by the Word preach'd, we muſt exerciſe our ſelves ſeriouſly and frequently in this Divine art of Meditation. This was the frequent practice of David Pſ 63. 6. Pſ. 119.to Meditate on God in the night watch. He both Meditated on the Word of God …n the Works of God. He awakened with God in the Morning, and lay down with him in the Evening by heavenly meditation. The Character he gives of a bleſſed Man is, that his delight is in the Law of the Pſal. 1. 2.Lord, and in his Law doth he meditate day and night. This was Iſaac's practice to meditate in the Field at the eventide. Gen. 24. 63.He went out and ſequeſtred himſelf from other Company, that he might enjoy Communion with God. This then is the choice and excellent means for Chriſtians to thrive in Faith, Love, and all the Graces of the Spirit, and to be good Proficients in the School of Chriſt, when they addict themſelves unto frequent and ſerious Meditation.
A Second External Means both of getting2. Prayer is a means of getting & encreaſing Faith. and encreaſing Faith is Prayer. Faith is worth the asking for: Let's then …e earneſt and ſollicitous to the Throne o… Grace to obtain it. Let's pray with the Diſciples, Lord increaſe our Faith; For he that hath true Faith is deſirous of acceſſions thereunto: He finds many things wanting in his Faith, and therefore he prays for daily Supplies and Augmentations. Let's pray as the Man in the Goſpel did, Lord I believe, help my unbelief. Thereforeign. 1 Theſſ. 3. 10. may be the Root of the Matter, even true Faith in a Chriſtian, yet he▪ is ſenſible of his Unbelief. He apprehends the remainders of Infidelity vexing him as a broken Bone, he meets ſometimes with Fears▪ Doubtings and Perplexities, diſtracting Thoughts, but theſe things are his Burthen and a Perplexity upon his Spirit… Herein conſiſts our Duty to be much i… Prayer, that God would give us the Spiri… of Faith. The Spirit is promiſed to thoſ… that ask for it. And it's the Spirit tha… works Faith in us, and Prayer is an Inſtrumental means to get the Spirit. God promiſeth his Spirit, Luke 11. 13. & Matt… 7. 11. He promiſeth to give good things t… them that ask him: which evidently ſhew… that God by giving his Spirit gives a… good things. Let's then be quickned t… our Duty to pray in Faith, and to pray for more Faith, and then we ſhall be ſur… to ſpeed, Matth. 21. 22. And all thing… whatſoever ye ſhall ask in Prayer, believin… ye ſhall receive. Go then to God and complain of thy unbelieving Heart, mour… for it, be earneſt and importunate fo… Faith. As Rachel cryed out, Give me Chi… dren or elſe I die; ſo cry out Lord, giv… me Faith or elſe I am undone. Lo… ſtrengthen my weak Faith; quicken m… dull Faith: thus making our applicatio… to God in the Name of Chriſt, we ſha… receive a gracious Anſwer.
3. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper…. The Sacrament … the Lord's Supper is a great means to confirm our Faith. is a great means to confirm our Faith: It's to be neceſſarily preſuppoſed that before we come to the Lord's Table we muſt have Faith, otherwiſe we cannot diſcern the Lord's Body. There is a great difference between the Word, and the Lord's Supper: For the Word both begets▪ and encreaſeth Faith, but the Lord's Supper ordinarily encreaſeth Faith where it was begun before. The Sacrament is a Seal, and God doth not ſet his Seal to a Blank. An ignorant Perſon is as a Blank, and he hath no right to approach unto the Lord's Supper. An ignorant Perſon is more fit to go a g…azing with Nebuchadnezzar amongſt the Beaſts of the Field, than to participate of the Sacramental Elements of Bread and Wine: exhibiting Chriſt Sacramentally to the Faith of true Believers. And profane Perſons are uncircumciſed in Heart. No uncircumciſed Perſon ought to participate of the Paſſover, neither may the uncircumciſed in Heart, any debauch'd ſcandalous Liver preſume to approach unto the Lord's Table. There was but one Man who came without a wedding Garment, and Chriſt found him out and doom'd him to Judgment. Such then as walk in their Pollutions, and with profane Hands and Hearts receive the Holy Euchariſt expoſe themſelves to dreadful Judgments both temporal and eternal, 1 Cor. 11. 28. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh Damnation unto himſelf▪ not diſcerning the Lord's Body. It's of abſolute neceſſity that we ſhould labour for Faith, pray for Faith, read the Word, hear it preached and meditate on it, that we may get Faith. And upon ſurvey of our Hearts and diligent Inquiſition, when we find our Faith weak and flagging we ſhould adde more unto our Prayers, and apply our ſelves to the ſealing Ordinance of the Lord's Supper. Sometimes we may not meet with God in the Word read: our dulneſs may not apprehend the manifeſtation of God's gracious Countenance unto our Souls. Therefore we muſt apply our ſelves to the Word preached: It may be through our inadvertency and diſtractions, we may not meet with God in the Word preached. Let's then fall upon our Knees in earneſt Prayer: It may be God may hide his Face from us. Some Jonah we muſt caſt over Ship-board, and then there will be a Calm: Some Achan muſt be ſton'd and then the Valley of Achor will be a Door of Hoſ. 2. 14.Hope. And to hearing. reading, and praying; let's with preparation receive the Holy Sacrament, Before we go thither let's do as the Jews did in caſe of Leaven; They firſt made diligent inquiſition, and took a Candle and ſearched every Corner throughout: Having found Leaven they caſt it out: And i… they found none, they took a voluntary curſe upon themſelves, if willingly they left any Leaven in their Houſes. Let us go and do likewiſe: Let us light up a double Candle, viz. the Candle of the Word, and the Candle of our own Conſciences, then upon diſcovery of any Sin, let's loath abhor and caſt it out, and willingly allow our ſelves in no Sin. When we receive the Lord's Supper we either do, or I am ſure ſhould do ſo, even enter into a ſolemn Covenant to amend our Lives: And how much is our Faith ſtrengthened by the Reformation of our Lives? For Faith and Obedience, Faith and purification of the Heart go together, and cannot be ſeperated. Thus I have ſhewed both internal and external Means of getting and encreaſing Faith.