The Mystery of Faith Opened Up, Part 1 · Sermon 4
SERMON IV.
JOHN 3.23.
This is his Commandment, that y… ſhould believe on the Name of his Son Jeſu… Christ, &c.
THere are two great and excellent giſt…, which God in the depth of his boundleſſe love hath beſtowed on his own. Firſt, there i… that infinite gift, and royal donation, his own beloved Son Jeſus Chriſt, which is called, The gift of God, John 4.10. And ſecondly, there is that excellent gift of the grace of Faith, which God hath beſtowed upon his own, which is alſo called, The gift of God, Epheſ. 2.8. Faith is the gift of God. And is it not certain, that theſe two gracious gifts ought to engage our ſouls and hearts much unto him? Infinite Majeſty could give no gift greater then his Son, and infinite poverty could receive no other gift ſo ſutable as Chriſt; It was the moſt noble gift that Heaven could give, and it is the greateſt advantage for earth to receive it. And we could wiſh that the moſt part of the ſtudy and practiſe of men (that is ſpent in purfuit after theſe low and tranſient vanities) might be once taken up in that precious purſuit after Chriſt. We could wiſh that all the queſtions and debates of the time, were turned over into a ſoul-concerning queſtion, What ſhal we do to be ſaved? And that all the queſtions, controverſies, and contenſions of the times, were turned over into that divine contention, and heavenly debate. Who ſhould be most for Chriſt, who ſhould be moſt for the exalting of the noble and excellent plant of renown? And that all our judgings and ſearchings of other mens practiſes and eſtats, might …e turned over into the uſeful ſearch, to prove and examine our ſelves; whether we be in the faith or not? And I would ask you this queſtion, What are your thoughts concerning precious Chriſt, ſeeing he is that noble object of Faith? We would only have you take along theſe things, by which Chriſt may be much commended to your hearts. Firſt, there was never any that with the eyes of Faith did behold the matchleſs beauty and tranſcendent worth of that crucified Saviour, that returned his enemy. There is ſoul-conquering vertue in the face of Chriſt: and there is hea… captivating, and overcoming power in the beauty… Jeſus Chriſt. This firſt ſight that ever perſecution Saul got of Chriſt, it brought him unto an endle… captivity of love. Secondly, there is this that w… would ſay of precious Chriſt, which may engag… our ſouls unto him, that for all the wrongs believers do to Chriſt, yet hath he never an ill word … them to his Father, but commends them; which is clear from that of John 17.6. where Chriſt do… commend the Diſciples to the Father, for the grac… of obedience: They have kept thy word. And for th… grace of Faith, verſ. 8. They have believed that the didst ſend me. And yet were not the Diſciple moſt defective in obedience both in this, The they did not take up their croſs, and follow Chriſt and alſo that they did not adhere to him in the da… that he was brought to Cajaphas Hall? And we… they not moſt defective in the grace of Faith, as … clear from Matth. 17 17. and likewiſe from John 14.1. he is preſſing them to believe i… him, and yet he doth commend them to the Father, as moſt perfect in thoſe things? Thirdly, there is this that we would laſtly ſay of him who i… the noble object of Faith; look to the eminent depths of Chriſts condeſcendency, and then you will be provoked to love him. Was it not infinite love that made Chriſt to ly three dayes in the Grave, that we might be through all the ages of eternity with him? Was it not infinite condeſcendency that made his precious head wear a crown of Thorns, that we might eternally wear a crown of glory? Was it not infinite condeſendency that made Chriſt wear a purple robe, that ſo we might wear that precious rob… of the righteouſneſs of the Saints? And was it not matchleſs condeſcendency, that Chriſt who know no ſin, was made ſin for us, that ſo we might become like unto him, and be made the righteouſneſs of God in him?
But to come to that which we intend mainly to ſpeak upon at this time, which is that ſecond thing that we propoſed to ſpeak of from theſe words, and that is concerning the excellency of this grace of Faith, which we cleared, was holden out in that, that Faith was called his commandment, which is called by way of eminency and excellency. There are many things in Scripture, which may ſweetly point out the precious excellency of this grace of Faith, and we ſhal only ſpeak to theſe things?
I. The firſt thing that ſpeaketh out the excellency of Faith, is this, it exerciſeth it ſelf upon a moſt noble object, to wit, Jeſus Chriſt; Faith and Love being the two arms of the immortal ſoul, by which we do imbrace a crucified Savior, which is often pointed at in Scripture, and we ſhal point at theſe three principal acts of Faith, which it exerciſeth on Jeſus Chriſt, as the object of it.
1. The firſt is, to make up an union betwixt Chriſt and the believer (Faith being indeed an uniting grace, and that which knitteth the members to the head) and to make this more fully appear, we would point out a little what a ſweet harmony and correſpondency there is betwixt theſe two ſiſter-graces, to wit, Faith and Love. Faith is that nail which faſteneth the ſoul to Chriſt, and Love is that grace which driveth that nail to the head: Faith at firſt taketh but a tender grip of Chriſt, and then love cometh in, and maketh the ſoul take a more ſure grip of him. Secondly, ye may ſee their harmony in this, Faith is that grace which taketh hold (as it were) of the garment of Christ, and of his words; but Love (that ambitious grace) it taketh hold of the heart of Chriſt, and (as it were) his heart doth melt in the hand of Love. Thirdly, it may be ſeen in this, Faith is that grace which draweth the firſt draught of the likeneſs and Image of Chriſt upon a ſoul: but that accompliſhing grace of Love, it doth compleat theſe firſt draughts, and theſe imperfect lineaments of Chriſts Image, which were firſt drawn on the ſoul. Fourthly, by Faith and love, the heart of Chriſt and of the believer are ſo united, that they are no more two, but one Spirit.
2. There is this ſecond act that Faith exerciſeth on Chriſt, and it is in diſcovering the matchleſs excellencies, and the tranſcendent properties of Jeſus Chriſt. O what large and precious cōmentaries doth Faith make upon Chriſt! it is indeed that faithful ſpy, which doth alwayes bring up a good report of him: Hence it is, that Faith is called underſtanding, Coloſſ. 2.2. becauſe it is that grace which revealeth much of the precious truth of that noble object.
3. And there is this third noble act of Faith, exerciſing it ſelf upon Chriſt, viz. It maketh Chriſt precious to the ſoul, according to that word 1. Pet. 2.7. unto you which believe, he is pretious. And if there were no other thing to ſpeak forth its worth but that, it is more then ſufficient; for no doubt this is the exerciſe of the higher Houſe to be dwelling on the contemplation of Chriſts beauty, and to have their ſouls tranſported with love towards him, and with joy in him. Reaſon and amazement are ſeldom companions, but here they do ſweetly join together, Firſt, a Chriſtian loveth Chriſt, becauſe of Chriſts actings; and then he loveth all theſe actings, becauſe they come from Chriſt.
2. Now ſecondly, this pointeth out the precious excellency of the grace of Faith; it is that grace which is moſt my ſterious and ſublime in its actings; it hath a more divine and ſublime way of acting then any other grace; hence it is called The Myſtery of Faith, which ſpeaketh this, that the actings of Faith, are myſteries to the moſt part of the world: and I ſhall only point at theſe things, which may ſpeak out the myſterious actings of the grace of Faith.
1. Faith can believe, and fix it ſelf on a word of promiſe, although ſenſe, reaſon, and probability, ſeem to contradict the accompliſhment of that promiſe. Faith it walketh not by the low dictates of ſenſe and reaſon, but by a higher rule, to wit, The ſure word of prophecy, which is clear from Rom. 4.19. where Abraham believed the promiſe, notwithſtanding that ſenſe and reaſon ſeemed to contradict it; He conſidered not the deadneſs of his own body neither the barrenneſs of Sarahs womb, but was ſtrong in faith, giving glory to God. And it is cle… from Heb. 11.29.30. where Faith believed their paſſing through the Red ſea upon dry ground, which was moſt contrary to ſenſe and reaſon. Faith be lieved the falling down of the walls of Jericho, b… the blowing of rams horns: which things are moſt impoſſible to ſenſe and reaſon; for ſenſe will of tentimes cry out, All men are liars; and reaſo… will ſay, How can ſuch a thing be? and yet that he roick grace of Faith, cryeth out, Hath he ſpoke… it? He will alſo do it. Hath he ſaid it? Then … ſhal come to paſs.
2. Faith can believe a word of promiſe, notwithſtanding that the diſpenſations of God ſeem to contradict it; as was clear in Job, who profeſſed he would truſt in God though he ſhould ki… him. And no doubt but this was the practice o… believing Jacob, he truſted that that promiſe ſhould be accompliſhed, that the elder ſhould ſerve the younger: though all the diſpenſations of Go… which he did meet with, ſeemed to ſay that promiſe ſhould not be accompliſhed.
3. Faith can believe a word of promiſe, even when the commands of God ſeem to contradic… the accompliſhment of that promiſe; this is clea… in that ſingular inſtance of Abrahams Faith, that notwithſtanding he was commanded to kill his promiſed ſeed (upon whom did depend the accompliſhment of the promiſes) yet he believed that the promiſes ſhould be performed. And though there were indeed extrordinary and ſtrange try…ls of his Faith, as he had natural affections to wreſtle with, yet over the belly of all theſe, believing Abraham he giveth Faith to the promiſe, and bringeth his ſon Iſaac to the Altar (though he did receive him back again) this is clear from Heb. 11.17.18.19.
4. Faith can exerciſe it ſelf upon the promiſe, notwithſtanding that callenges and convictions of unworthineſſe and guilt do wait on the Chriſtian; this is clear, 2 Sam. 23.5. that although his houſe was not ſo with God as did become, yet he believed the promiſe; as likewiſe it is clear from Pſal. 65.3. Iniquities prevail againſt me, and yet that doth not interrupt his faith; but he ſaith, As for our tranſgreſſions, thou ſhalt purge them away. And certainly it were a noble and precious act of Faith to believe, notwithſtanding of unanſwerable challenges of guilt; the beſt way, both to crucifie our Idols, and to anſwer thoſe challenges, is believing, and hoping againſt hope, and cloſing with Chriſt, this is clear from Iſa. 64.6.7. compared with ver. 8. where after ſtrange challenges, the Prophet hath a ſtrange word, but now, O Lord, thou art our Father. There is an Emphaſis in the word (now) for all this, yet thou art (now) our Father.
5. And laſtly, this pointeth out the myſterious acting of the grace of Faith, that it exerciſeth it ſelf upon an inviſible object, even upon Chriſt not yet ſeen, according to that word, 1 Pet. 5.8. Whom having not ſeen, yet ye love, in whom though now ye ſee him not, yet believing, … I poſe the greater part of you who are here, wh… ther or not theſe be two of the greateſt parado… and myſteries unto you? For is not this a m… ſtery to love him whom we never ſaw? Whom having not ſeen, yet ye love. To love an abſent a… unſeen Chriſt, is a myſtery to the moſt part of th… world; and is not this a myſtery to believe on his whom we never ſaw? In whom, though ye ſee hi… not, yet believing. And I ſhal add this, that Fai… can hold faſt its intereſt with God, notwithſtanding the moſt precious Chriſtians ſhould call … hypocrits, and not acknowledge us: this is clear is the practice of Job, and moſt clear from th… word, Iſai. 63.16. Doubtleſs thou art our Father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Iſra… acknowledge us not.
III. Thirdly, this pointeth out the excellence of the grace of Faith, that Faith (when it is i… exerciſe) is that grace by which a Chriſtian dot… attain unto moſt ſenſible enjoyments. There is great queſtion that is much debated among… Chriſtians, what is the way to win to this happy length, to be always under the ſweet and refreſhing influence of heaven, and to have his dew alway coming down upon our branches? I can give … anſwer to it but this, Be much in the exerciſe … Faith; this is clear from that notion and name pu… upon Faith, Iſai. 45.22. it is called, a look to Chriſt, which is a moſt ſenſible act. If ye would know a deſcription of Faith, it is this, The divin… contemplation of the immortal ſoul, upon that divin… excellent and precious object Jeſus Chriſt: for God never made Faith a liar, and therefore its eye is never off him that is the noble object of Faith, Jeſus Chriſt manifeſted in the Goſpel: and it is clear, Eph. 1.13. After ye believed, ye were ſealed with the holy Spirit of promiſe, which preacheth out the excellent enjoyments theſe had after their cloſing with Chriſt who is inviſible. Our Faith is called a ſeeing, which ſpeaketh out this, that Faiths ſight of God is as certain as if it did behold him with our eyes; as is clear, Heb. 11.27. Moſes ſaw him by faith who is inviſible. And we conceive that the ground which maketh the moſt part of us have ſuch complaints, How long wilt thou forget us for ever? It is this, the want of the ſpiritual exerciſe of Faith; and are there not ſome here who may cry out, It is more then thirty days ſince I did behold the King: Yea, there are ſome who go a greater length, and cry out, I have lived theſe two years at Jeruſalem, and yet I have not ſeen the Kings face: Yea, there are ſome here whoſe complaint may go a little higher, and cry forth, Theſe three years and ſix-moneths it hath not rained on me: but the clouds have been reſtrained, and bound up, and the heavens have become braſs. And would ye know the riſe of theſe complaints? It is this, ye are not much in the ſpiritual exerciſe of faith. And to you, I would only ſay theſe two words. Firſt, it is eaſier to perſwade a reprobate that he is defective in the fear of God, and in his love to God, then to perſwade ſome ſuch, that they are wanting to God in their ſaith; for they hold faſt that piece of deſperate iniquity till they die. Secondly, we would ſay to thoſe of you wh… have the valley of Achor for a door of hope, an… have taſted of the ſweetneſs of Chriſt, ſome … you will be leſs convinced for the neglect of th… duty of faith, then for the neglect of the duty o… prayer, or of the duty of keeping the Sabbath day. But I am perſwaded of this, that if the no… ble worth of that tranſcendent object were known, we would have a holy impatience unt… once we did believe.
IV. Fourthly, this alſo pointeth out the excellency of the grace of faith; it is that grace by which a Chriſtian is advanced to the higheſt and moſt inconceivable pitch of dignity, and that is to be the child of the living God; as is clear, John 1.12. To as many as received … believed in him, he gave power or prerogative to become the ſons of God. And certainly that noble prerogative of adoption is much undervalued by many: And I will tell you two grounds whereon the moſt part of men undervalue that excellent gift of adoption. Firſt, they do not take up the infinite highneſs of God, and what a one he is, otherwiſe they would cry out with David; Seemeth it a ſmal thing in your eyes, to be a ſon to the King of Kings? Secondly, we do not take up, nor underſtand thoſe matchleſs priviledges which are given to them who are once in this eſtate. I am perſwaded, if this were believed, that he who is a ſervant doth not abide in the houſe for ever, though he that is a ſon doth; it would ſtir us up to more divine zeal in our purſuit after Chriſt.
V. Fifthly, this likewiſe pointeth out the excellency of the grace of ſaith; it is that grace by which all othere actions are pleaſant to God & are taken off our hand; as is clear, Heb. 11.4. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent ſacrifice then Cain: which muſt be undeſtood even to all other duties. And that word, verſ. 6. Without faith it is impoſſible to pleaſe God, ſpeaketh this alſo, that by faith we do exceedingly pleaſe him. And this is a moſt ſad and lamentable reproof unto many who are here, that their actions do not pleaſe God, becauſe they are not in faith. Would you know a deſcription of your prayers? (ye who are hypocrites, and deſtitute of the knowledge of God) It is this your prayers are the breach of the third command, in taking the Name of the Lord in vain, for which he will not hold you guiltleſs. And would you know what is your hearing of Sermons? It is an abomination to the Lord; according to that word in Tit. 1.15. To the unbelieving and impure, is nothing clean. And as Solomon doth ſpeak, The plowing of the wicked is ſin; ſo that all your actions that ye go about, are but an offence to the Majeſty of the Lord.
Now we would ſpeak to theſe two things, before we proceed to the evidence of faith, to wit: Firſt, that there is a difference betwixt the direct act of faith, and the reflecting act of faith: for there may be a direct act of faith in a Chriſtian, when he is not perſwaded that he doth believe; but the reflecting acts of faith, are theſe which a Chriſtian hath when he is perſwaded in his conſcience that he doth believe. And we would ſecondly ſay, that there are many that do go down to their grave under that ſoul-deſtroying deluſion, that they are in the Faith, and yet never did know what Faith is. I am perſwaded there are many whom all the preachings in the world will never perſwade that they did never believe: their Faith being born with them, and it will die with them without any fruit; but faith being ſuch an excellent grace, and ſo advantagious, whereof we have ſpoken a few things, we ſhal ſpeak a little further of it: Firſt, in pointing out ſome evidences by which a Chriſtian may know whether or not he be in the Faith. Secondly, I ſhal give you ſome helps whereby Faith may be keeped in exerciſe.
I. Now there is this firſt evidence of Faith, that a Chriſtian who doth believe, he accounteth abſence and want of fellowſhip with Chriſt, and communion with him, one of the greateſt and moſt lamentable croſſes that ever he had; as is clear, Pſal. 13.3. Lighten mine eyes, ſaid David, that is, let me behold, and be ſatisfied with thy face, and the motive that he backeth it with, is this, Leſt I ſleep the ſleep of death. David thought himſelf a dead man if Chriſt did withdraw his preſence from him, alſo it is clear, Cant. 3.1. compared with the following verſes, where abſence from Chriſt, and want of communion with him, was the greateſt croſſe the Spouſe had; and it is clear from John 20.11.12.13. where Mary had a holy diſdain of all things in reſpect and compariſon of Chriſt. But I will tell you what an hypocrite doth moſt lament, and that is the want of reputation amongſt the Saints; that is the great god and Idol amongſt hypocrites, and thee which (when not enjoyed) hypocrites, and Atheiſts lament moſt; the world, and the luſt of their eyes, when they want theſe then they cry out, They have taken away my gods, and what have I more? They think heaven can never make up he loſſe of earth. And certainly if many of us would examine our ſelves by this, we ſhould find our ſelves moſt defective: I would poſe all you who are here, who have taken on a name to be followers of Chriſt, whether or not ye have been content to walk thirty days in abſence from Chriſt, and yet never to lament it: Hath not Chriſt been thirty dayes and more in heaven without a viſite from you? And yet for all this, you have not cloathed your ſelves with ſackcloath: I will not ſay that this is an undeniable evidence of the totall want of the grace of faith; but it doth eminently prove this, that the perſon who hath come this length, hath loſt much of his primitive love, and much of that high eſteem, which he ought to have of matchleſſe Chriſt: what can you find in this world, that maketh you converſe ſo little with heaven? I think that it is the noble encouragement of a Chriſtian, when he is going down to his grave, that he hath this where with to comfort himſelf, I am to change my place, but not my company. Death to the believing Chriſtian being a bleſſed tranſition and tranſportation to a more immediat, conſtant, and uninterrupted enjoyment of God: But I believe, that if all who have the name of Believers in this generation ſhould go to heaven, they might have, this to ſay, I am now not only to change my place but alſo my company: For theſe ſeventy years I have been converſant with my Idols, but now I am to converſe with more bleſſed, divine and excellent company. O that ye might be perſwaded to purſue much after an abſent Chriſt! Were it not a ſweet period of our life, to breath out our laſt breath in his arms, and to be living in the faith of being eternally with him, which might be founded upon his Word.
II. There is this ſecond evidence of one that is in the Faith: They do endeavor to advance that neceſſary work of the mortification of their Idols, according to that word 1 John 3.3. Every man that hath this hope in him, purifieth himſelf, even as he is pure. Acts 15.9. Faith it purifieth the heart. And concerning this evidence (leaſt any ſhould miſtake it) I would ſay theſe things to you. Firſt the mortification of a Chriſtian, as long as he is here below, it doth more conſiſt in reſolutions than in attainments, it is certain, that there are high attainments of a Chriſtian, in the mortification of his Idols; but his reſolutions go far above his performances. Secondly, we would ſay this. That thoſe Chriſtians who never came this length in Chriſtianity, to make that an univerſal concluſion, and full reſolution, What have I to do any more with Idols? They may ſuſpect themſelves, that they are not in the Faith: For a Chr…ſtian that is in Chriſt, he is univerſal in reſolutions, though he be not ſo in practice, but defective in performances. A Chriſtian may have big reſolutions with weak performances; for reſolutions will be at the gate of heaven, before practice come from the border of hell; there being a long diſtance betwixt reſolution and practice, and the one much ſwifter then the other. And thirdly, We would likewiſe, ſay that ye who never did know what it was to endeavour (by prayer and the exerciſes of other duties) the mortification of your luſts and Idols, ye may be afraid, that ye have not yet the hope of ſeeing him as he is. And I would ſay this to many who are ſetled upon their lees, and who never did know what it was to ſpend one hour in ſecret prayer for mortifying an Idol, that they would beware, leſt that curſe be paſt in heaven againſt them. I would have purged you, and ye would not be purged, therefore ye ſhall not be purged any more till ye die. That iniquity of refuſing to commune with Chriſt in the work of …;ecret mortification, I ſay; that iniquity ſhall not be purged away. And we would once ſeriouſly deſire you by that dreadfull ſentence that Chriſt ſhall paſſe againſt you, and by the love you have to your immortal ſouls, and by the pains of thoſe everlaſting torments in hell, that ye would ſeriouſly ſet about the work of ſpiritual mortification, that ſo ye may evidence that ye have believed, and that ye have the ſoul-comforting hope of eternal life. I would only ſpeak this one word to you, and deſire you ſeriouſly to ponder it: What if within twelve hours hereafter a ſummons were given to you, without continuation of dayes, to compear before the ſolemn and dreadful Tribunal of that impartial Judge, Jeſus Chriſt? what ſuppoſe ye, would be your thoughts? Will you examine your own conſcience, what you think would be your thoughts, if ſuch ſummons were given unto you: I am perſwaded of this, That your knees would ſmite one againſt another, and your faces would gather paleneſs, ſeeing your conſcience would condemn you, That you had been weighed in the ballance and found light: O think ye that ye can both fight and triumph in one day? Think ye that ye can fight and overcome in one day? Think ye your luſts and unmortified corruptions ſo weak, and faint-hearted an enemy, that upon the firſt appearance of ſuch imaginary champions (as moſt part of us are in our own eyes) that your idols would lay down arms, and let you trample on them? Believe me, mortification is not a work of one day, or one year, but it is a work will ſerve you all your time, begin as ſoon as you will; and therefore ſeeing you have ſpent your dayes in the works of the fleſh, it is time that now you would begin and purſue after him, whoſe work is with him, and whoſe reward ſhall come before him.
III. Now there is this third evidence, by which a Chriſtian may know whether he be in the faith or not; & it is, that Chriſt is matchleſs and incomparable unto ſuch an one, according to that word, 1. Pet. 1.7. To you that believe, Chriſt is precious. And that word that Luke hath in his 7. chap. at the cloſe: That ſhe to whom much was forgiven, loved much. Now leſt this likewiſe ſhould prove a diſcouragement to any, I would only have you take notice of this, that a Chriſtian may be a believer, and yet want the ſenſible diſcoveries of this, that Chriſt is matchleſly precious to him: but this is certain, that when they are in the lively exerciſe of Faith, it is impoſſible then for them not to eſteem Chriſt matchleſs: and I would ſpeak this likewiſe to many who are here; Have you not been living theſe ten years in Faith? And I would poſe you with this: Eſteem you not your Idols more matchleſs then Chriſt and more of worth then he? It is impoſſible that there can be any lively exerciſe of faith, and not eſteem Chriſt matchleſs. It is not to ſay it with your mouth and contradict it with your heart, will do the buſineſs: for if your heart could ſpeak, it would ſay, I would ſell Chriſt for thirty pieces of ſilver; but mine idols would I ſell at no rate. Are there not many of you who love the world and its pleaſures, better then eternity of joy? O! know you not that word, O ye deſperately ignorant of the truths of God! That he who loveth the world, the love of the Father is not in him? And yet notwithſtanding of the light of the Word, yet you would ſell your immortal ſouls, with Eſau for a moſs of pottage. O! but it is a poor bargain, when you have ſold the eternity of joy, for a paſſing world, and for its tranſitory delights! I would earneſtly know what ſhal be your thoughts in that day, when you ſhall be ſtanding upon the utmoſt line betwixt time and eternity? O! what will be your thoughts at that day? But you are to follow on to endleſs pain, by appearance, and then you are to leave your idols. I ſhall only deſire that you may read the word, Iſai. 10.3. What will ye do in the day of viſitation, and in the deſolation which ſhal come from far? To whom will ye flee for help? And where will ye leave your glory? You ſhall then preach mortification to the life, though all the time of mortification ſhall be then cut off. O but to hear a worldly minded man, when eternity of pain is looking him in the face, preach out concerning the vanity of this world, might it not preſwade you, that the world is a fancy and a dream that ſhal flee away, and ſhal leave you in the day of your greateſt ſtrait?
IV. And there is this fourth evidence of faith, that a Chriſtian who doth truly believe, he is that Chriſtian who entertaineth a divine jealouſie, and a holy ſuſpition of himſelf, whether or not he doth believe. I love not that faith which is void of fear: this was clear in the practice of believing Noah, that though by faith he built the Ark yet he had fear mixed with his faith. I know that there are ſome who are ignorant concerning this, what it is to doubt concerning eternal peace? and more, it is not every one that doubteth, that certainly ſhal get heaven, fore I think an hypocrite may doubt concerning his eternal ſalvation; however, I think the exerciſe of an hypocrite under his doubtings, it is more the exerciſe of his judgement then the exerciſe of his conſcience. And I may ſay, that if all the exerciſe of the Law, which is preached in theſe dayes, were narrowly ſearched, it would be more the exerciſe of light, then the exerciſe of conſcience. We ſpeak theſe things as our doubt, which was never our exerciſe, and we make theſe things our publick exerciſe, which was never our private and chamber-exerciſe. And I think that if all that a Chriſtian did ſpeak to God in prayer, were his exerciſe, he would ſpeak leſs, and wonder more. We would be ſpeechleſs when we go to God; for often if we did ſpeak nothing but our exerciſe, we would have nothing to ſay. And certainly it is true, that often we fall into that woful ſin of deſperate lying againſt the holy Ghoſt, by flattering God with our mouth, and lying unto him with our tongue. And I ſhall only ſay theſe two words, there are ſome who have this for their great deſign, viz. they would be at peace with their conſcience, and alſo they would beat peace with their idols: they would gladly reconcile conſcience and their idols together. That is their great deſign. And there are ſome whoſe deſign is a little more refined; they ſtudy rather to be reconciled with their conſcience, then to be reconciled with God: Their great aim they ſhoot at, is this, to get their conſcience quieted, though they know not what it is to have the ſoul-comforting peace of God to quiet them.
V. Now there is this laſt evidence of Faith, that juſtifying faith is a faith which putteth the Chriſtian to be much in the exerciſe of thoſe duties by which it may be maintained; for we muſt keep faith as the apple of our eye: and for that end, I would only give you theſe three things, by which faith muſt be kept in exerciſe; and a real Chriſtian will be endeavoring, i… ſome meaſure, to attain unto theſe.
1. It keepeth faith much in exerciſe, to be much in marking and taking notice of the divine exerciſe, and proofs of the love of God, wherewith a Chriſtian doth meet, as is clear from that word in Rom. 5.4. Experience worketh hope. I durſt be bold to charge the moſt part that are indeed in Chriſt with this, that they are too little in remarking, and taking notice of the experiences of his love. You ſhould mark the place of your experience, and much more you ſhould mark the experience it ſelf, as is clear from Scripture, that the very place where Chriſtians did meet with experience in ſuch an enjoyment of God, they marked it, Ezech. 1.1. By the rivers of Chebar the heavens were opened, and I ſaw the viſions of God. And Gen. 32.30. Jacob called the place Peni…l, The place of being, after ſeeing of the face of God, it was ſo remarkable unto him. And we conceive that you would mark theſe two things mainly in your practice. Firſt, you would mark, if you can poſſibly, the firſt day of your cloſing with Chriſt, and your coming out of Egypt: and we may allude unto that command (if not more then allude to it) in Deut. 16.1. Obſerve the monethmonth of Abib, and keep the Paſſeover unto the Lord thy God; for in the monethmonth of Abib, the Lord thy God brought thee out of the land of Egypt. And ſecondly, we would have you much in marking theſe experiences which have encreaſed your faith, and which have ſtrengthened your love, and which have made you mortifie your idols. Theſe are experiences eſpecially to be marked.
2. Faith is kept in exerciſe, and we win to the lively aſſurance of our intereſt in God, which we would preſs upon you, by being much in the exerciſe of ſecret prayer O! but many love much to pray when abroad, who never loved to pray when alone; and that is a deſperate ſign of hypocriſie, according to that Matth. 6.5. it is ſaid of hypocrites; They love to pray ſtanding in the Synagogues, and in the corners of the ſtreet, that they might be ſeen of men. But it is never ſaid of theſe perſons, that they love to pray alone, only they loved to pray in Synagogues; but is is ſecret and retired prayers by which faith muſt be kept in exerciſe.
3. And there is this likewiſe that we would preſs upon you, that you would be much in ſtudying communion and fellowſhip with God, that ſo your faith may be kept in life. And, O what a bleſſed life were it, each day to be taken up to the top of the Mount Piſga, and there to behold that promiſed land, to get a refreſhing ſight of the crown every morning, which might make us walk with joy all along the day! The heart of a Chriſtian ought to be in heaven, his converſation ought to be there, his eyes ought to be there; and I know not what of a Chriſtian ought to be out of heaven (even before his going there) ſave his lumpiſh tabernacle of clay, which cannot inherit incorruption till he be made incorruptible. And I ſhal ſay no more but this, many of us are readier to betray him with a kiſs, and crucifie him afreſh, then to keep communion with him: but wo eternally be to him by whom the Son of man is betrayed, and that doth crucifie Chriſt afreſh: I… were better that a milſtone were hanged about his neck, and he were caſt into the depth of the ſea. I remember an expreſſion of a man, not two dayes ago, who upon his death-bed, being asked by one, what he was doing? did moſt ſtupidly, though moſt truly, reply, That he was fighting with Chriſt. And I think, that the moſt part of us (if he prevent us not) ſhal die fighting with Chriſt. But know and be perſwaded, that he is too ſore a party for us to fight with: He will once tread you in the wine-preſs of his fury, and he ſhall return with dyed garments from treading ſuch of you as would not imbrace him: He ſhal deſtroy you with all his heart. Therefore be inſtructed (leaſt his ſoul be disjointed from you) as that word in Jer. 6.8. And leaſt your ſoul eternally be ſeparated from him. Be inſtructed, I ſay, to cloſe with him by faith. Now to him who can make you to do ſo, we deſire to give praiſe.
In the two Sermons next following, you have the rest of theſe ſweet purpoſes which the worthy Author preached upon the ſame Text.