but I obtained mercy so c. Quest 3 Quest How shall we do to live this Life of Sanctification Ans The answer to the third Question will resolve this viz. By what means Sanctification is wrought How and by what means this Sanctification is wrought in the Soul Ans 1 The truth is the main Original Cause is God He is the Author as of the first so of the second Creation Eph. 2.10 For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works God the Father as the Efficient Cause Jude ver 1. To them that are sanctified by God the Father God the Son as the Meritorious Cause Heb. 2.11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all one God the Holy Ghost working this 1 Cor. 6.11 But ye are sanctified in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God It springs not from our selves nor from our parents no though they be holy it springs not from them Sow the purest Wheat you can get yet it springs up with chaff again when it brings forth another Crop So the best parents bring forth children with the chaff of natural corruption cleaving to them Grace comes not from Nature but from God Joh. 1.13 Which were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God God therefore is the Original and principal Cause Vse Go to God for Sanctification for our selves or others 1 Thess 5.23 And the very God of peace sanctifie you wholly c. Mat. 8.2 And behold a leper came and worshipped him saying Lord if thou wilt thou canst make me clean Psal 51.7 10. Create in me a clean heart c. Ans 2 But now Faith is the Intrumental Cause of the Life of Sanctification in the order of working and so the just lives by Faith the Life of Sanctification Acts 15.9 Faith purifies the heart and ch 26.18 it purifies the life of the whole man that they may receive inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith that is in me Quest And how doth Faith purifie or how doth the just live by Faith the Life of Sanctification Ans 1. Acts of faith in sanctifying 1. Applying Christ either 1. In general As laying hold on Christ the principal object of Faith especially on the blood of Christ the meritorious Cause of cleansing I say in general laying hold upon Christ the principal object of Faith not as if Faith had this life or this power to give life in it self no more can it give the life of Sanctification than of Justification but as by it we are united to Christ our Head and Fountain of Life Faith comes from Christ and returns to Christ again like the Flower call'd The Wonder of the World it grows out from the stem or stalk and turns round to it again So Faith comes from Christ and turns round to him again to draw still more vertue from him As our Communion with Christ in grace flows from our Vnion with him so also all spiritual Operations or living acts of spiritual life Look as in the natural body the life of all the Members is from the Head and that Life conveyed by certain nerves and sinews to every part so the Life of Sanctification in all the Members is derived from Christ the Head and that by the sinews and nerves of Faith conveyed to all the elect in due time by which they live and more and more encrease from day to day Vide Ephes 4.15 16. Coloss 2.19 Quest But how shall I know that my spiritual actions and operations suppose Prayer Preaching the Word practising of that we hear in any particular do spring from my Union with Christ Ans This is a profitable and necessary Question When spiritual actions spring from faith in Christ because a man may do many good things and yet these actions not flow from our Union with Jesus Christ A man may have excellent common graces nay and he may counterfeit saving graces too and yet these not spring from Union with Christ Nay a man may be strengthened by Christ to do work and service for Christ and yet that strength and those services not flow from Union Isa 45.1 c. Concerning Cyrus his doing friendly offices for the Church and this prophecied of him about 200 years before he was born Isa 1O 3 O Assyrian the rod of mine anger c. correcting and afflicting the Church and they had their strength from God a staff in his hand and yet they did not know this nor acknowledge it themselves v. 7. Howbeit he meaneth not so c. A man may have excellent common graces as Judas had and those Matth. 7.22 Lord have we not prophecied in thy Name and in thy Name i e. in thy power cast out devils c. A man may counterfeit saving graces even to the life that he may deceive others Rev. 3.1 Thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead Though God is not mocked Quest The Question then is How shall I know whether my holy actions motions and operations do spring from Union with Christ or no Ans 1. To follow the Metaphor of Head and Members If thy holy actions proceed from inward principles 1 Cor. 6.17 Being made one spirit and not outward principles onely As a living hand or foot is moved from invisible nerves and sinews within but a wooden hand or foot is moved onely by outward ligatures by which it is bound to the body So a man may pray and preach and be onely moved by outward ligatures of profit credit envy c. Philip. 1.15 Some preach Christ of envy and strife and some of good will So Mat. 6.1 2 3 4 5. They gave alms and prayed in the streets to be seen of men but he that doth it by vertue of Union is moved by an inward principle of the Spirit of Christ Obj. But may there not be a common gift of the Spirit to move a wicked man as 2 Chron. Ezra 1.1 The Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus King of Persia c. Ans Yes but then it proceeds not from the inhabiting Spirit of God whereof the Elect are the Temple 1 Cor. 6.19 but onely from a present common and transient work of the Spirit as in Baalam so sometimes good and evil spirits have had power to enter into bodies and carry them up and down but yet not to inform them as the Soul informs the Body nor to dwell there c. So the Spirit of God c. Quest How shall I know my Spiritual actions proceed from the inhabiting Spirit Ans By savouring and minding the things of the Spirit Rom. 8 5. They that are of the flesh do minde the things of the flesh but they that are after the spirit the things of the spirit Though Gods Spirit spake in and by Baalam yet he had no through relish of what he spake for he still loved the wages of
unrighteousness 2. We may know it by the End of spiritual actions if it be the glory and honour of Christ and a care to preserve the things of Christ as the Members of the Body have a principal care of adorning and preserving the Head The Arm receives a blow to defend the Head so a living Member of Christ truly united to him as he goes to Christ for strength Phil. 4.13 so he refers all to the honour of Christ in conclusion another adventures himself far for the truth and cause of Christ as Paul Acts 20. Neither is my life dear unto me so I may fulfil the Ministery of Christ c. So in general Faith lives on Christ 2. In particular Or 2. In particular he lives by Faith in the Application Means 1. His Death 1. Of the Death of Christ for though we have benefit by the Birth of Christ Luke 2.10 11. as we shewed this day fortnight yet not so much as by his death and joy in birth onely in relation to his death He is born a Saviour i.e. one that shall die for your sins Rom. 5.10 Heb. 2.14 Through death he destroyed him that had power of death that is the devil Yet there is joy in his Birth as in the approach of a friend that comes to loose as out of Prison if we be in for Debt or Murther We then rejoyce when he comes to the door but onely in reference to paying of the Debt for if he should then turn back it would sad us the more So in this case Must Aarons ear and hand and foot be sanctified it must be done by the application of the Blood of the Covenant Exod 29.20 Thus our hearing thus our words thus our works thus our walking is sanctified in the application of the Blood of Christ Heb. 9 14. the Blood of Christ purge your consciences 'T is all the price of Blood 2 Cor. 5. ult He hath made him to be sin for us c. Faith sanctifies as by laying hold of the Blood and Death of Christ so of the Resurrection and Life of Christ Means 2. His Resurrection As the Resurrection of Christ is a Birth so he is called The first-born from the dead so the assurance of his Resurrection proved by the powerful government of the Church and of the whole World for the Churches sake in his Session at the Right-hand of his Father this begets a lively hope and so a spiritual new birth in us 1 Pet. 1.3 We are begotten again to a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead Faith or Hope makes use of Christs Resurrection and this New birth of faith begets a New life of Sanctification Coloss 3.1 If ye then be risen with Christ c. The love of Christ dying for us and rising for us and reigning for us acting all our affairs at the Right-hand of God his Father yea the love of Christ begetting of us to this lively hope by his Death and Resurrection all these constrain us to a holy life 2 Cor. 5. Ver. 14. For the love of Christ constraineth us because we thus judge that if one dyed for all then were all dead and that 15. He dyed for all that they which live should not live henceforth unto themselves but unto him which dyed for them and rose again Therefore 16. We live no more after the flesh i.e. with carnal and sinful affections And 17. If any man be in Christ he is a new creature a new man a regenerate person and hath a renewed conversation Therefore Wherefore because he seeing the love of Christ by the eye of Faith in dying for him and rising again this raiseth up his heart to newness of life As if he heard Christ perswading of him like as a tender-hearted mother perswades her childe per viscera by her own bowels If thou art my childe if thou dost own me for thy Mother then obey my commandments and follow my advice so saith the Apostle Col. 3. If ye be risen again with Christ if ye be partakers of a New Birth through the pangs of his Death and the power of his Resurrection if ye be his children if ye acknowledge God for your Father set your affections ow things which are above Phil. 3.20 and let your conversation be in heaven And so the just lives by Faith the Life of Sanctification in the application of the Death and Resurrection of Christ 3. He lives by Faith the Life of Sanctification Means 3. His Appearing and Judgment in the application of the Appearing of Christ and the Judgement of Christ 2 Tim. 4.1 I charge thee therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom Preach the word be instant c. Look as the warning of an Assize or Sessions makes one careful to provide themselves that their cause may be found good that they may be able to stand in Judgement so in this case The same argument see Tit 2.13 Live soberly righteously c. looking for the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ And 1 Cor. 15. last Theâ—efoâ—e my beloved brethren be ye stedfast c. Wherefore for as much as ye know c. i. e knowing by faith or believing your labour one day shall not be in vain in the Lord. A cause of all sins is made not believing the Judgement 2 Pet. 3.3 4. Where is the Promise of his coming c and a cause of holy walking the believing of it ver 11 12. What manner of persons ought ye to be in all hâ—ly conversation and godliness looking for and hasting to the coming c. Therefore it is observable in Scripture where-ever almost there is mention of the last Judgement it speaks of Christs judging men by the fruits of Faith rather then by Faith it self that the believing of the last Judgement may stir us up to a holy life Mat. 25.35 c. 2 Cor. 5.10 Rev. 20.12 there the Books are opened the Book of Gods Decree and yet men judged according to their works Think of this you that have to do in Judgement this day * other Books must one day be opened It may make a Felix tremble it may move all to be holy and righteous in all their actions Means 4. His Word 4. He lives by Faith the Life of Sanctification in the application of the Word of Christ Without Faith the Word profits not neither this nor any other way but being mixed with Faith Heb. 4.2 it is quick and powerful and mighty in operation 2 Cor. 10 4. to the pulling down of strong holds i.e. proud thoughts earthly thoughts unclean thoughts Joh. 15.3 Now are you clean through the word that I have spoken to you Psal 19. The word of the Lord is clean and endures for ever And as it is clean in it self so it is a cleansing word in the effect
Though an unregenerate man may love Gods People after a sort yet not in a sanctified manner that is to say neither all the People of God nor all their graces at all times First Not all the People of God they hate some as they seem to love others They are guilty of sinful partiality Jam. 2. having the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ in respect of persons They seem to love the rich and despise the poor Secondly Not all their graces They may admire their common gifts as Pharaoh admired the wisdom of Joseph and Nebuchadnezzar the wisdom of Daniel but not their saving graces Every one that doth evil hateth the light Joh. 3.20 Even that light of good works Thirdly Not at all times God sometimes indeed over-rules their spirits strongly as he over-ruled the spirits of Lions to preserve Daniel and of the Ravens to feed Elijah but so soon as that over-ruling Providence is over they are as they were before God for a time gave the Israelites favour in the eyes of the Egyptians but before and after they were their utter enemies but he that hath truth of grace he loves 1. All the Saints poor as well as rich Phil. 1.15 and love unto all the Saints 2. All their graces saving as well as common and more than common because the Image of God is most in those 3. At all times because his love springs from an inward principle from likeness of nature and therefore it is unchangeable Now this upon trial is ground of singular comfort and this trial is made by Faith Therefore by Faith the Just lives the Life of Consolation because by Faith a man reflects upon that Sanctity and Sincerity which God hath wrought in the believing Soul Reas 6 6 Reason Because Faith makes a thing absent Why Consola flows in by Faith to be as it were present For joy is properly the delight we take in some present good God who seemed before to be absent is present things promised are present Heaven it self is present He hath made us through faith to sit together in heavenly places Eph. 2 6. As it is said of the destruction of enemies Revel 18.2 Babylon is fallen Now what a comfort is this it is even Heaven opposed to earth What a comfort and content is it to a man when he looks through a Prospective glass and sees a friend coming towards him many Furlongs off It may be he looked before in the glass and either he saw him not at all or else he doubted whether it was his friend or no but the glass draws him so near that it puts all out of doubt he sees the very colour of his clothes of the hair of his face and the proportion of his parts so perfectly as if he were present with him and therefore he smileth to himself and salute him at a distance Oh my dear friend I am glad to see you Faith is such a Prospective glass that looking upon God and Heaven and things promised at a great distance even as far as Heaven is from Earth yet it draws these good things so near and makes them so present so sure to the Soul that it cannot but rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory as Abraham saw Christs day afar off and rejoyced to see it and so the rest of the Patriarchs Heb. 11.18 though they received not the things promised yet having seen them afar off through the glass of Faith they made them so near to their apprehensions Heb. 11.13 that they even fell upon the neck of the Promises and saluted them as dear friends salute and embrace one another at their meeting And in this respect Faith is said to be the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen Heb. 11.1 It puts a man as it were into a possession of good things to come or at least it makes them as sure as if they were present What comfort is this We say It is good to be sure we do not onely rejoyce in the excellency of a thing promised but in the certainty of it Yea but is this true saith the poor Soul Yea saith Faith thou maist be as sure of it as if thou hadst it already in possession for thou hast the Word of God the Promise of God the Oath of God the Seal of God And why so many ties and engagements one upon another but that by these immutable things Heb. 6.18 in which it is impossible for God to lie we might have strong consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us Faith lays hold upon all these ingagements and so the just lives by Faith the Life of Consolation Vses of the Consolation of the Faithful The first Use of Information Vse 1 TO let us see what is the main cause of that sadness and sorrow of heart Information of the cause of sadness which the Prophet Jeremiah called The curse of God Lam. 3.65 Not as if all were cursed that are sad and sorrowful for God knows how to fish in troubled waters but to shew That of it self it is the greatest of all evils for the spirit of a man will sustain his infirmities but a wounded Spirit who can bear Prov. 18.14 Now let us inquire what is the cause of this wound of this sadness and sorrow of heart certainly it is not the greatness of any outward troubles it is not Imprisonment for the Apostles were so merry they fell a singing in the very Dungeon Act. 16 25. It is not Reproach for Job professeth if his adversary should write a Book against him he would take it Job 31. and binde it as a Crown upon his head And if a man rejoyce not in a Crown what should be the object of his joy It is not Poverty for it is said of the faithful They suffered with joy the spoiling of their goods Heb. 10.34 It is not Persecution for it is said Act. 4. the Apostles rejoyced that they were counted worthy to suffer for the Name of the Lord Jesus It is not simply Sin Psal 49.5 Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil when the iniquities of my heels compass me about It is not Dis-respect and ill-will from men Heb. 11.27 By faith he forsook Egypt not fearing the wrath of the King Well then if it be not any outward trouble that is the cause of sadness and sorrow of heart what is it then Surely you shall finde upon search it is nothing else but Want of Faith or at least want of acting of Faith in the Promises of God Heb. 11.27 He endured as seeing him who is invisible Had we but Faith as a grain of Mustard-seed and had we skill to act it we should say to Mountains of Sorrow that surrounded us Be ye removed and they should obey For the just lives by Faith the Life of Consolation in the midst of troubles and therefore in case thou art at any
what a glorious sight would it be In Heaven the Saints shall behold the Sun of Righteousness in the highest firmament and the eye of their Soul shall be strengthned to behold his glory to eternity That 's the first Perfection of knowledge 2. Perfect love Faith assures That in Heaven there shall be a Perfection of Love both to God and one another Indeed this follows from the former Perfect knowledge of God begets Perfect Love The Saints then shall love God beyond all measure who is infinitely lovely Here it 's the grief of a gracious heart that it can love God no more there it shall be the joy of a glorious Soul that it shall love God above all yea above it self and both it self and all other things in God And in this respect the Apostle gives Love the preheminence 1 Cor. 13. above Faith and Hope that when Faith shall be turned into Vision and Hope into Comprehension yet Love abideth or endures to eternity Faith assures That in Heaven 3. Perfect obedience Obedience to the will of God shall be perfect and this follows likewise from the former Perfect Obedience springs from perfect Love If ye love me keep my Commandments Joh. 14.15 The Saints knowing God perfectly shall perfectly love him and perfectly loving God shall perfectly keep his Commandments Rev. 22.3 His servants shall serve him ver 4. And they shall see his face Here we see onely the back parts of God In Heaven we shall see him perfectly and serve him perfectly Faith assures 4. Perfect joy That in Heaven there shall be perfect Peace and Joy The Kingdom of Heaven is righteousness peace and joy Rom. 14.17 When our righteousness is perfect then is our Peace too Here indeed imputed Righteousness is perfect but imparted inherent Righteousness is not to be perfected till the life to come and then shall be perfect peace Peace with God with our fellow-Citizens with our own Consciences And perfect joy too At thy right hand is fulness of joy Psal 16. ult A full joy and so a full reward 2 Joh. v. 8. There is a double fulness Of the Object Of the Subject Faith assures the Saints of both First There shall be a fulness of the Subject Fourfold fulness of the subject in glory Every part of Soul and Body shall be filled 1. The Vnderstanding shall be full of light that every question shall then be put out of question 2. The Will so full of subjection to the Will of God that there shall be no reluctancy 3. The Affections so full of harmony there shall be no jarring 4. The Body so full of glory that it shall be made like to the glorious body of Christ Phil. 3. ult Fulness of the Object Secondly there shall be a fulness of the Object The Saints in glory shall have whatever may make them happy whatever they can desire Joh. 14.8 They shall see God and so see the Father as that it shall suffice them They shall have Rest 2 Thess 1.8 And that which hath rest hath obtained its perfection to the full In a word 1. We shall be freed from whatever may annoy us 2. We shall enjoy whatever we can desire Fivefold freedom in heaven We shall be freed c. 1. From all the labours of this life Here we are born to labour Job 5.7 as the sparks to fly upwards There is rest 2. From the Necessities of Nature There is no need of Meat 1 Cor. 15.28 Drink Physick Clothing Lodging God shall be all in all 3. From the filth and power of Sin Here the best cry out Oh wretched c. Rom. 7.24 There we shall never sin more 4. From the company of sinners Here is complaining Woe is me that I am constrained to dwell in Meshech Ps 120.5 There shall be a perfect separation without any mixture Wheat with Wheat and Tares with Tares like to like to all eternity 5. From all sorrows and pains Rev. 21.4 The life of the best here is an April-day it hath some gleams of comfort but many showers In Heaven shall be constant Sun-shine for evermore Secondly We shall be possess'd of whatever good can be desired There we shall enjoy the sweet society of God Christ Angels Saints and with all these an eternal Sabbath And thus Faith like Moses on the top of Mount Pisgah discovers the promised Land afar off or like the Spies gathers up some Clusters of Canaan and brings them to a Believer here in the Wilderness Thirdly 3. Faith assures That eternal life is the Believers Faith assures a believer of his peculiar interest in this Life Eternal And indeed this is the very life of this life to know our right to this Tree of Life in Jesus Christ For as 't is nothing so comfortable to a man that beholds another mans Temporal Inheritance adorned with Woods Orchards Gardens Rivers and goodly Buildings as to be able to say with good warrant All these are mine I have good Evidence to shew for them So is it nothing so comfortable to be able to discourse of the happiness of Heaven as by the certainty of Faith to say By the grace of God all this is mine I have good Evidence to shew for it Indeed otherwise it 's a punishment nay it 's a part of Hell it 's poena damni to know that there is such a Glory in Heaven while himself hath neither lot nor part in it This is like Balaam's sight of Heaven or Dives his beholding Lazarus in the bosom of Abraham while there was a great gulf between them This I say is part of the Torment of Hell But this is the Life of a Christians knowledge concerning Life Eternal when he can upon good grounds say This is mine The lines are fallen unto me in a pleasant place yea I have a goodly heritage therefore my heart is glad my glory rejoyceth my flesh also shall rest in hope Psal 16.6 9. I know that my Redeemer liveth c. For we know c. 2 Cor. 4.1 Now how is a Christian assured of this his interest in Eternal Life but by Faith For Eternal Life is the End or Ultimate Object of Faith Receiving the end of your faith even the salvation of your Souls 1 Pet. 1.9 There are indeed many witnesses of it Three in Heaven and three in Earth 1 Joh. 5.7 8 c. And this witness of Faith is one of the Three on Earth The Spirit and Water and Blood The Spirit witnesseth to our Spirits Rom 8.16 By Water is meant the Benefit of our Sanctification By Blood our Justification by Faith in Christ or Expiation by the Blood of Christ applied by Faith and it may here be observed That though Blood alone saves a Christian yet it doth not alone witness his salvation Sanctification goes not into the matter of Salvation as a cause yet it goes into the matter of witness But according to the former Exposition Faith laying
hold on the Blood of Christ witnesseth to a Christian his salvation So it 's explained further 1 Joh. 5. ver 10. He that believâ—th on the Son of God hath the Witness in himself The Witness of what Of Eternal life ver 10 11. This is the record that God hath given to us Eternal life and this life is in his Son He that hath the Son hath life and be that hath not the Son hath not life And what is it to Have or Receive the Son But to believe on him Joh. 1.12 To as many as received him c. Even to as many as believe in his Name To Receive Christ and to Believe in his Name are both one And those who believe on Christ are Sons He gave them power to become the Sons of God and so Heirs of Eternal life through Christ So that Faith assures a Believer of his interest in life Eternal How Faith works assurance of heaven Q. How doth Faith assure a Believer of his particular interest in life Eternal Ans 1. By laying hold on the Promise of the faithful and unchangeable God 1. From the Promise In hope of eternal life which God that cannot lie hath promised Tit. 1.2 So Joh. 10.18 And I give to them Eternal life Aye may a Christian say If I were one of Christs sheep I might be assured The 26 ver answers Ye believe not because ye are not of my sheep Such as believe then are sheep and to them Christ gives Eternal life 2. By arguing from the effect to the cause 2. From the effects Faith is an infallible effect of Gods ordaining a person to life Eternal Acts 13.48 As many as were ordained to Eternal life believed But I believe saith a gracious Soul therefore I know I am ordained to life Obj. But it 's impossible for a man to know that he believes Ans Not so for then 1. The Apostle would not have said I know whom I have believed c. 2 Tim. 1.12 2. The Apostle would not exhort men to try whether they were in the faith 2 Cor. 13.5 3. By arguing from the first-fruits to the Harvest 3. From the earnest from the beginning to the perfection from the seal and earnest to the full possession 1. Faith assures Gods people That they have the first-fruits of heaven upon earth Rom 8.23 We our selves which have the first-fruits of the Spirit wait for the Adoption By the first-fruits Deut. 26.1 the whole crop was sanctified and assured Believers then having the first-fruits by Christ Faith tells them That they shall have the harvest Dost thou remember what admirable joy thou hast found in Prayer Hearing Conference in a Promise at a Sacrament so that thy heart did burn That was a glimpse of Heaven and an assurance of it 2. Faith assures a believer That he hath the beginnings of life Eternal Joh. 5.24 and Joh. 6 54. He that eats the flesh and drinks the blood of Christ hath Eternal life This eating and drinking is believing Now this beginning doth assure a Christian by Faith of Perfection 1 Cor. 1.8 9. Deut. 32.4 His work is perfect Phil. 1.6 Being confident of this that he that hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Christ Obj. May not God repent and change his minde Ans No The gifts and callings of God are without repentance Rom. 11.29 3. Faith assures a Believer That having the Seal and Earnest 2 Cor. 1.22 Eph. 1.13 he shall have the full possession Ephes 1.13 14. And Faith assures this upon a double ground 1. Because the beginnings of saving grace are special Love-tokens and the love of God is unchangeable Jer. 31.3 2. God is able and willing to make good what he hath thus sealed Faithful is he that hath called you who also will do it 1 Thess 5.24 Obj. This were indeed good assurance if I had saving grace but how shall I know that Ans We may know whether Grace be saving 1. By the Root of it JESVS CHRIST Gal. 2.20 2. By the Extent of it the New man 3. By its Manner of working True grace works love to all that is good because pleasing to God and batred of all evil because displeasing to God Psal 119.6 4. From Sonship 4. Faith assures a Believer of his interest in Life by an argument drawn from the Filiation of all Believers They who have the first-fruits Seal and Earnest of Heaven as before are made the children of God Rom. 8.24 And what of that If children then heirs v. Right of Sonship proves the Right of Inheritance By nature we are not the children of God but of Wrath Eph 2.3 But Believers are the children of God by Adoption v 15.16 Adoption as it 's used in the Civil Law is the free and voluntary act of a man Adoption in the Civil Law how taken whereby he doth chuse any one that was a stranger before to stand up in the place of a Son Used in a threefold case This Adoption was wont to be 1. In case of Barenness 2. Of Death of Children 3. Of Degeneration and Wickedness of Children And in this last case we being all degenerate by the fall of our first Parents and so fallen from God God chuseth some of his free grace to be his children in Christ Jer. 3.19 Obj. But God chuseth as bad as those that are fallen from him yea the very same Ans It 's most true But yet he leaves them not in the same condition he found them in Double act of free grace in Adoption for there 's a double Act of Gods free grace in Adoption 1. The one is Acceptation in Christ whereby he is pleased to call those his Chosen People which were not his Chosen and those Beloved which were not beloved 2. And the other is Regeneration whereby they are born of God and so not onely called Children but made the Children of God partakers of the Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 And herein lies the great difference between Gods adopting a Childe and Man's Difference twixt divine and humane Adoption One man adopting another mans childe may accept him for his own give him the priviledge of a Son in his Inheritance and so in all Outward respects but when all this is done he cannot give him the priviledges of a natural Son in Inward respects that is he cannot communicate his own Qualities and Nature to him But God addes both in Adoption God gives the inheritance the nature of children he both gives the Inheritance of Children and the Nature of Children he fits them for their Inheritance as he fits the Inheritance for them Thanks be to God who hath made us meet to be partakers of the Inheritance c. Col. 1.12 The Argument therefore is strong If Sons then Heirs There is no power in Heaven that will hinder it none in Earth or Hell that can hinder it Other Heirs may spend all
Christ arose personally from the Grave he then obtained perfect Victory over Death for himself he died no more Death had no more dominion over him So when Christ Mystical when we that are believers shall arise from the Grave we shall obtain a perfect Victory over Death we shall die no more c. Then even then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written When once this corruptible shall have put on incorruption and this mortal shall have put on immortality then shall be brought to pass that saying that is written Death is swallowed up in victory 1 Cor. 15.54 And this is the fourth and last Degree of Christs Victory and Triumph over Death after which there shall be no more death nor sorrow nor crying nor pain Rev. 21.4 Well then to bring all home to the present Use Wouldst thou know whether thou livest by Faith in regard of Life Eternal Do but tell me in earnest or rather tell thine own Soul what respect thou bearest to Death Dost thou indeed look at it as a conquered Enemy or rather such an one as of an enemy is now become a friend Is thy judgement altered concerning Death as the nature of Death it self is altered Then well and good For thus 't is with all Gods people in some measure Death and they are made friends they look at Death as a sweet passage to this Everlasting Life that we are speaking of and therefore they bid it welcome What Heir would not be willing to come to his Inheritance and therefore as willing to welcome the Messenger that had Power and Commission to put him into present possession This was the Apostles practice His whole life was a Meditation of Death and a Preparation for Death I profess saith he by our rejoycing which I have in Christ Jesus I die daily that is I am every day prepared for death 1 Cor. 15.31 Therefore you may see his judgement was altered concerning the nature of death he looked at it as an enemy before conversion but now he looks at it as a friend He that is reconciled to God and God to him he is reconciled to death and death also to him for death is but the Servant of Jesus Christ and if Christ be yours death is yours also 1 Cor. 3.21 22. Obj. But may not Gods own people be afraid of death and unfit to die About the fear of Death Ans 1. They may be afraid because every Christian man is a double man consisting of Flesh and Spirit and therefore though the Spirit is willing yet the Flesh is weak Mat. 21.46 Therefore so far as he is natural he is afraid and yet so far as he is spiritual he overcomes that fear So that here is the difference between the fear of a wicked man and a godly man A wicked man when God opens his eyes is swallowed up of fear a godly man though he may have many conflicts and combats with the fear of death yet at last he overcomes his fear by the exercise of his Faith so that he is not in bondage to his fear as the other is Heb 2.15 Christ came to deliver them who through fear of death were all their life-time subject to bondage 2. A godly man is not at all times alike fit to die though he be willing in the main It may be he hath some work to do for God or for his Church that yet is not done It may be he hath weakned himself by some present distemper and hath not strength of Faith sufficient for such a solemn and serious Work as is his passage to Eternity And that was the cause of Davids Prayer Psal 39. last O spare a little that I may recover strength before I go hence and be no more In such like cases as these a godly man may be somewhat unfit and therefore somewhat unwilling to die otherwise I say in the main he looks at death as his friend because God in Christ is his friend and therefore the more he loves God the less he fears death If love were perfect it would cast out all fear In the mean time as the love of God increaseth the fear of death decreaseth from day to day And that is a good evidence the creature lives by Faith in regard of Life Eternal But now if we look at Death as the greatest of Evils of all terrible things the most terrible as if it were the Annihilation of the Creature or the reducing of it into a far worse condition than it was in before So that when a Man dies his Hope dies with him too Job 11. vers the last It is most evident That such a man lives not by Faith in regard of Life Eternal for if he did he would surely welcome that Death which is no other than a passage to that Life Vse 4 Vse 4. Of Exhortation Exhortations Exhortation to live by Faith in respect of life Eternal To live by Faith in regard of Life Eternal This is the most excellent Object of them Therefore as one sayes of Prayer Thou when thou prayest pray for great matters pray not for Riches for these are Snares pray not for Honour 't is but a vain Breath of Fame pray not for Life Temporal 't is but a Bubble But thou when thou prayest pray for great matters pray for Pardon of sin pray for Christ Grace Heaven pray for Eternal Life These things are worth the praying for So say I of Faith Thou when thou believest exercise thy Faith about great matters though 't is not unlawful to believe in God for a seasonable supply of Temporal blessings Yet above all exercise thy faith about Heaven and Eternity be sure to lay hold on Eternal Life for the best of Temporal Blessings at last will give thee the slip And what should be the reason that God mixeth temporal comforts with so many discomforts but to knock off our fingers from laying too fast hold on them As if God should say to his People Arise this is not your rest Get you up to the top of the Mount and by the eye of Faith take a view of your Spiritual Canaan as ever you desire to enter into that Promised Land of your Eternal Rest And if all the Crosses we meet withall in our Christian Pilgrimage are little enough to take off our hearts from the world how should we love it and cleave to it should we meet with no Crosses at all Motives Shall I give you some further Motives why we should by Faith lay hold on Eternal Life Consider Consid 1 1. Without the assurance of this Life we had better never have enjoyed Natural life For if we have a part in natural life onely better it were to live the life of Vermine and Toads than the life of Men For those poor creatures when they die there is an end of them and their Misery for ever But when a Man dies if he hath not laid hold on Eternal Life he is sure
on the Lords day You cannot have a more lively resemblance of heaven on this side heaven than is a Sabbath sanctified in an heavenly manner It onely differs in degrees of glory and durance for what is heaven but an Eternal Sabbath and what is a Temporal Sabbath but a short a little Heaven Therefore be careful to sanctifie the Sabbath as thou desirest in a lively manner to live by Faith in regard of Life Eternal The great Cloud of Witnesses in Gods manifold blessings temporal and Spiritual upon such as carefully sanctifie the Sabbath and his many remarkable judgements in both kindes upon those that profane it or contemn it doth proclaim a necessity of keeping this Rest as ever we desire by Faith to enter into that other Rest Heb. 4.9 which yet remaineth for the people of God Our delighting to sanctifie Gods Sabbaths on earth gives full assurance to our Faith grounded upon Gods Promise that we shall enter into Gods eternal Rest in Heaven For so runs the Promise Isa 58. last If thou call the Sabbath a delight c. then shalt thou delight thy self in the Lord and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth that is in sure and safe places that 's for earthly blessings and I will feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father that is with a heavenly inheritance For what is the heritage of Jacob but Canaan in the Type and Heaven it self in the Antitype Dost thou desire then to be assured of heaven by Faith if God raise up thy heart to delight in the sanctifying his Sabbath upon right grounds I can assure thee from the mouth of God that heaven is thine Thou shalt certainly be fed with the heritage of Jacob for as it follows in the very next words The mouth of the Lord hath spoken it And so much for Exhortation Vse 5 Vse 5. Of Comfort Comfort from our heavenly life 5. Here is Comfort and Encouragement against the Evils and Temptations of this present Life As our days are few so full of evil and tentation There are tentations on the right hand as well as on the left I mean Temptations of Prosperity as well as of Adversity The best things of this present life prove the worst without Gods special grace preserving the Soul Now living by Faith in respect of Life Eternal is a singular means to preserve the Soul under Temptations of both kindes Against Adversity First under the Tentations of Adversity which lie so sore and heavy upon the poor creature that if its hope were onely in this life it could not but apprehend it self of all creatures most miserable 1 Cor. 15.20 Hear what the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 4.11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger and thirst and are naked and are buffeted and have no certain dwelling-place and labour working with our hands being reviled we intreat being persecuted we suffer we are made as the filth of the world and the off-scouring of all things unto this day This is the common Lot of Gods people in this world and therefore if their hope were onely in this life they were of all men most miserable Yea but the assured hope of a better life bears up their heads and hearts from sinking in the midst of all these waves For thus he that lives by Faith in regard of Eteral Life will reason What though I hunger and thirst here and am pinch'd with famine yet I shall come to such a place where I shall hunger and thirst no more Rev. 7.16 Though I be ragged and naked here I shall be clothed with Robes of Righteousness there Though I am buffeted here yet those marks of the Lord Jesus those scars I received for his Names sake shall appear like so many Stars of Glory Though I labour here even unto faintness and failing of spirits yet I shall rest from all my labours when I come there And though I have no certain dwelling-place or if I have I know not how soon I shall be turned out of doors by my earthly Landlord or by my heavenly Landlord yet there I have a building of God a house not made with hands eternal in the heavens 2 Cor. 5.1 Though here I be reviled and though I be defamed here yet there God shall wipe away all reproach from my name as well as all tears from mine eyes for Psa 1 49. Such honour have all his Saints Though I be persecuted here afflicted and tormented yet I know my sufferings for Christ have not so much abounded in this life but my consolation in Christ shall much more abound in the life to come If we suffer with him we shall also reign with him 2 Tim. 2.12 Though I be here made the filth of the world and the off-scouring of all things yet I know I shall have honour enough there when I shall be glorified in Christ and Christ shall be glorified in me When he shall come to be glorified in his Saints and admired in all them that believe 2 Thess 1.10 Though I am ignorant here and at the best know but in part yet I shall have fulness of knowledge there and shall know as I my self am known Though here I am imperfect in all my graces and in all my duties so that there is more of sin than of grace in every duty yet there I shall never sin against God any more never grieve his Spirit more dishonour his Name more When that which is perfect is come 1 Cor. 13.10 that which is imperfect shall be done away Now what a comfort and encouragement is this in the midst of all our Troubles either of sin or of affliction Here we are sure to drink of a bitter cup Ye shall indeed drink of the cup which I drink of saith Christ but the Meditation and Application of Life Eternal by Faith is a Christians Sugar which is fetcht out of the Canaries of Heaven to sweeten this bitter Cup. Here we are sure of a troublesome Pilgrimage we pass through the valley of Tears but the Meditation and Application of Life Eternal by Faith will be like Elijahâ— Chariot or like Jacobs Ladder in his troublesome journey to Padan-Aram When he slept upon the stone he had a hard Pillow but a sweet Dream whilst God made his Bed he dreamed and behold a Ladder c. And what a refreshing was this to Jacob in his troublesome journey As if the Lord had said to him Jacob thou hast a long journey to go thou must not onely go to the remote parts of the earth but thou must travel as far as heaven how will you ever get thither where will you finde a Ladder long enough and strong enough If all the Ladders in the world were tied together can they reach thither Canst thou rear them up or darest thou venture upon them Shouldst thou joyn together all thy good desires all thy good Prayers and all thy good Works
all his hopes 400 401 The exercise of faith keeps the soul humble 401 Faith makes up the match 'twixt Christ and the soul 411 Faith is the Conduit-pipe to convey spiritual life 412 Faith brings in a revenue of honor to God 413 In both Covenants God required faith but with a large difference what that is see 414 415 Faith establishes salvation on freer and surer grounds then the first Covenant did or could 415 Faith discovers life in the midst of death 417 The triumph of faith over a sixfold condemnation 418 Faith a Cordial against fainting fears 420 Faith not an Evidence but an instrument of spiritual life 427 Faith not improved exposes to reproach 436 Faith seems extinct where it is not exercised 437 The conduct of faith in every action condition and choice 436 437 438 The Touch-stone of true justifying faith 442 443 The Fruits and Effects of saving faith 444 445 Faith never gives quiet possession to sin 446 Living by faith the touchstone to try all Doctrines and Religions whether they be true 448 449 The life of gratitude for the life of faith 449 Faith such a gift as is all in all Faith in order of working is the root of other graces 451 Faith cannot be implanted by any creature 452 The wonders of faith in its several steps 453 Faiths rarity or scarcity 458 Exhortation to get faith 469 The notable exploits of faith 472 True faith is omnipotent faith 473 Faiths safety is grounded on the promise 475 Faith consults with God in the Word 476 Faith is the Christians Al-sufficiency 478 Faith honors God 480 Faith and Life come into the soul both at once 481 Faith makes to prosper 481 Faith a sweet companion from first to last 483 Means how to get Faith Impediments and Hindrances of faith together with Directions to remove them 486 to 515 Faith no easie matter though it makes all things easie 515 Positive means of faith to beget it 517 to 543 Exhortation to keep faith 543 Faith a Treasure to be secured ibid. The general usefulness of faith 544 Reasons why we should look to the preserving of our faith 544 to 548 Comparisons to excite chariness over faith 546 Faith is a spiritual charm or antidote 547 Means of preserving faith 548 to 556 Exhortation to act faith and to live by it 556 Far better to put faith then mony to use ibid. Motives to act faith 556 to 560 Means to act faith 566 to 564 Six Motives to increase in faith 565 to 571 Signs of a weak faith 571 Means for the increase of faith 574 Fear Filial fear of God assures of his love 95 Difference 'twixt true and false fear of God 304 Forgiveness We must imitate God in forgiving others yet this overthrowes not Civil Courts of Judicature 108 109 Ignorance of Gods forgiveness causes great sadness 313 Forsaking See Desertion God only forsakes his people gradually and for a time 274 Reasons of Gods forsaking his people 275 to 278 It confirmes a fivefold good 276 277 Free Spirit of God How many wayes said to be free 552 553 What the free Spirit of God sets believers free from 553 Gods free Spirit establisheth in freedom 554 See Christian Liberty Friends What to desire for our best friend 317 3â—8 Fructification Or New Obedience How faith hath influence into spiritual fructification 135 Faith makes sinners become good trees 136 Faith discovers what is good fruit 137 Faith excites the soul to be fruitful two wayes ibid. Faith suits our fruit to the seasons of grace 137 138 Faith ripens the fruits of new obedience 139 Faith procures acceptation of our fruitfulness 139 140 Motives to be fruitful in season 147 148 Fulness There is a fulness of the subject and object in heaven 339 340 Sight of Christs fulness is a means to beget faith 539 540 G Gift Faith is Gods gift 449 Faith is a gift necessary to the very being of a Christian Faith is such a gift which none but God can give 451 Faith is a most precious gift 455 456 457 Faith is a rare gift 457 Glory The more we aim at Gods glory the more we grow in grace 212 There is much glory in the sufferings and reproaches of Believers 480 Gospel Gospel revelation requires solemn gratulation 459 Grace See Growth in Grace An elegant description of its nature in a Metaphor 302 How to distinguish common grace from saving 303 304 An hypocrite cannot desire grace as grace 304 Growth in Grace See Augmentation Just live the life of spiritual growth 191 192 Reasons of spiritual growth 192 193 194 195 The influence of faith into spiritual growth 195 196 Four Reasons why the growth of grace depends on faith 196 197 198 199 Life of grace is always on the growing hand 199 200 There are degrees in grace ergo aspire to increase 201 Reproof for want of due growth 202 Reproof of such as think themselves perfect 202 263 Reproof of such who decline in grace 203 Reproof of such who hinder growth in others but grow in sin themselves 204 205 The touchstone of true spiritual growth 205 to 217 Vide Strength Vide increase What to judge in the sense of want of growth 214 215 Humiliation for want of growth 217 218 Thankfulness for growth against opposition 218 219 Motives to grow in grace 220 to 226 Means of spiritual growth 226 to 231 Seven Impediments of spiritual growth 229 230 Comfort to young beginners in grace 231 232 How strong grown Saints should carry themselves toward the weak 232 H Hagiography Or spiritual boundaries to the loose professing world 434 435 Hardness of Heart Gods judicial hardning of the heart is an Impediment of faith 492 Divine justice justified in adding judicial hardness to wilful affected 493 496 Partial hardness mourned over is probational 495 Health How the just live by faith for it 70 Heaven See Life Eternal A fourfold fulness of the subject in heaven 439 340 A fivefold freedom in heaven 340 Christs being in heaven assures believing of glory 348 Heaven a reserved inheritance why 350 351 352 Curious Questions concerning Heaven condemned 359 The meditation of heaven is to be improved 360 361 The excellency of heaven in five respects 388 389 Citizens of heaven known by their Language 365 Degrees of Glory in heaven 221 Heaviness Rise of the Saints heaviness from 312 to 317 See Sadness Heirships Difference twixt heavenly earthly heirs 345 346 See Adoption Heresie It is the daughter of unbelief and hypocrisie 463 464 Holy Holy life is a sign of Right to Heaven 366 367 Honour It is a Christians honour to persevere 249 250 Believers are the only right honorable ones 480 Hope The touchstone of sound celestial hope 362 to 373 Hope of heaven is a buckler against fear of adversity 382 Hope of heaven is a charme against prosperity 385 Humility Humiliation It is a means to attain assurance 95 Feigned humility is the root of licentiousness 143 Laying too much
THE USE and PRACTICE OF FAITH OR Faiths Vniversal Vsefulness And Quickning Influence into every Kinde and Degree of the Christian Life Together with the Excellency of a Spiritual Life in difference from all other by way of Prooeme And the excellent WORK and REWARD of Converting others to the Faith commended by way of Close Delivered in the Publick LECTURES at IPSWICH By the late Eminent and Faithful Servant of his Lord Mr. MATTHEW LAWRENCE Preacher to the said Town By it he being dead yet speaketh Heb. 11.4 LONDON Printed by A. Maxey for Willian Weekly Bookseller at Ipswich and are to be sold by John Rothwell at the Fountain and Bear in Goldsmiths-Row Cheapside and by Robert Littleberry at the Unicorn Little-Britain 1657. To the Right Worshipful The BAYLIFFS PORTMEN WITH The Residue of the Incorporation of the Town of Ipswich Worshipful and Beloved WHen this Piece is once come into your hands there needs nothing be spoken further either by way of commendation of the Work or upon the account of its Dedication to you The Author and his Labours having been of that worthy Estimation amongst you and his Memory still so precious as a Commendatory Epistle from us would be less And for the Right of whatever may be call'd His whose Name this bears it undoubtedly resolves on You whose he was both by your free Choyce and his most willing Service Moreover the Subject here presented besides its own uncontroverted Excellency and Necessity which commends it to all comes singularly commended to You upon a double Respect partly as that which was the largest and choycest part of his Labours with you partly as what of all other was the Vote of his last Bed to have made publick for your use Had himself survived to have compleated his own Papers as he had began in his weakness to revise them the whole surely had been more semblant and exact yet as it is it is his own as he left it not lame or torn though here and there undrest especially towards the beginning and such as nevertheless speaks a sufficient worth even without its due dress And now two of your eminent Lights have shone before you Mr. S. Ward and the Author especially in this one Tract and have left behinde them a clear and large Path-way for you of Living by Faith Whos 's Faith and Works of Faith Heb. 13.7 O that you may be found as eminently to follow their combined Light begetting in you the stronger heat Surely God expects of you an exact Hand in this Work whom he hath grac'd with so fair Copies Others in other places have travell'd likewise in this Theme but we dare say None more compactly and lively than the former nor copiously and distinctly than this latter of yours Of which the one may have seem'd to have given the Text the other the Commentary so as the Furniture of both makes you complete in this kinde Possibly the Work comes forth much later than your desire and expectation and truly than ours too not one or two but more years having pass'd since the Authors death But so it hath hapned through some cross and unavoidable occurrences May the Benefit of it at length recompence the Delay which we both hope and pray We shall adde no more by way of Preface but commit this so useful Treatise and your diligent perusal of it to Him 1 Cor. 3.6 7 who alone while Paul plants and Apollo waters gives the increase Your Servants in the Lord JOHN WARD NATHANIEL SMART JOSEPH WAITE AN EPISTLE PREFACE TO THIS TREATISE Christian Reader VVE desire not to know to give flattering Titles to any man Job 32. though dead nor to stretch our selves beyond our measure to any living Yet being called hereunto 2 Cor. 10.14 We presume it our duty to Preface something to this excellent Piece of Practical Divinity as referring to the honour of the precious Author departed so also to the more endearing to thy Soul that precious Grace of Faith and its use here handled The little of the Life of Faith amongst men and of Faith and Truth in Life excites us to become though not Midwives to deliver nor as Nurses to dress yet as standers by and servants to commend this Birth as Legitimate and Lovely 1 Tim. 6.12 Though we take not upon us to put weapons into thy hand for this good fight of Faith that this Tract doth yet if we may but encourage to the use of them like the Drum and Fife and such inferior Officers it sufficeth 2 Cor. 3. We cannot say as the Apostle in these days Need we Epistles of Commendation to you or Letters of Commendation from you Indeed we do need them both for our Persons Office Doctrine all are under the foot of Pride and Ignorance We love not our Food and loath our Physick and at the best give entertainment to the most Sermons and Books which ore heard and read according as they that speak and write them are famed and esteem and approve Doctrines by Persons Tertul. de Praescript Haer. cap. 3. and not Persons by Doctrines as an Ancient hath it That we might therefore by giving a due report to the Name of this worthy Writer raise a Spiritual seed to him a deceased Brother and encourage thee to the Use and Practice of this his pious Piece hear us in a few things as furtherers of thy Faith and Joy For the Composer hereof Reverend Mr. Matthew Lawrence though he be now in Heaven above our Praises yet know he hath by his Doctrine and living this Doctrine of Faith Heb. 11. obtained a good report and was of known integrity a mighty Apollos in the sacred Scriptures so abundant in alleaging apt and cleef Scriptures for Grounds and Enlargements 1 Tim. 4.6 that he might be called as another once was The Ark of the Scripture His Life and Disposition was made up of a meek and quiet Spirit a melting Heart towards God and a healing closing Spirit towards Brethren though in some things dissenting Such low Spirits are fitted to receive the high Revelations of Faith and living by it Such empty Vessels are most capable of the Oil of the Spirit The meek Psal 25. he will teach his way He was indeed a living Paraphrase and Comment upon his Text A Just man living by his Faith For the Treatise it self one of us had the happiness of neer Cohabitation some years to the Reverend Author and lived under the Divine droppings of much of this heavenly Doctrine that distilled from his lips which had he been delivered up unto as it was faithfully delivered unto him he might have been more enriched in the stock of Faith The other of us having perused these Papers though modesty may forbid him to utter Hyperbolical Praises as being happily by Providence united in neerest Relation with a Branch of that dead-living Stock the deceased Author yet accounts it but the just Honour
and Duty he owes him to judge this Tract through Gods blessing upon a serious reading and digesting it much conducing to make an able Christian and Divine Indeed it holds forth to us the way that we should walk Jer. 42.3 and the thing that we should do to attain Heaven and Salvation Many Ministers and others did desire the publishing of this Treatise by the Author in his Life but his modesty and other constant labours hindred Now it is come forth we wish it may not finde the like entertainment that the Frier wittily and sharply said his Auditors gave to his Sermons they dealing with them as with his Holy-Water sprinkled on them they called for it eagerly but when he cast it on them they presently wiped it off again Make this Book now published more publick by holding forth the Life and Practise of Faith in thy Life and Station Do not onely once reade it Verba vivenda and cast it aside but carry it in thy heart as the Carpenter his Rule in his hand to square all thy actions by it We shall onely adde some Motives to excite thy Practise and then commit all to the Blessing of God 1. Consider this Life of Faith is a high Mystery Christ believed on in the world is a like Mystery with God manifested in the flesh and received up into glory Faith in the habit or root is not a Plant of Natures Garden The very nourishing of it and causing it to bring forth in our hearts is much more difficult than that of Plants in a strange Country Grace in exercise is difficult Indeed it s in us as fire under dead ashes or in a Flint Exciting quickning cooperating Grace with us must be added to that within us Grace in us lies like some Physick of dead Drugs which works not untill stronger Physick be given Without me ye can do nothing Joh. 15.5 saith Christ of his Disciples But especially the living daily in all conditions and actions by the exercise of Faith is much more hard To believe is above Nature but to act Faith in each act of Life is above our very Grace Consider farther the difficulty of this Life and so make use the rather of this Help Other ways of life viz. Trades Multi vident cruces qui non vident unctiones Bernard are called Mysteries but this above all is a Mystery of Mysteries We wonder how some men live who have a secret way of Trading but this is not onely a supernatural Secret but directly opposite to flesh and blood The Carnal and Profane scoff at it as a Fancy Paradox and golden Dream of Melancholy Spirits They count all persons who admire discourse of and practise this Life of Faith but silly Abrahams in the world as Want-wits for managing or getting an Estate Yet who doth or can without this so much despised Faith Esay 53.1 believe our report of these things It grieves our Souls to observe how many professing Christians look upon the Use of Faith as the staff of their Old Age onely or as a strong Cordial onely in fainting Fits or at best to be worn as our Holiday-clothes when we attend on the Word Prayer Sacraments then put it on But this is not to live as becomes Saints in all things and at all times by our Faith as that devout Scotch Divine whom M. Trap relates to have eat drank and slept Eternal Life Dost thou finde it hard to live by thy Labour by thy Lands Learning Friends Wits yet all these ways are far beneath this high Mystery of believing and living by it Bless God then as for Other so for This Master of the Assemblies who designs in this Work to teach thee this Mystery and Trade how to pick a living livelihood out of this Now dead Commodity viZ. Faith 2. Consider what may farther stir thee up to the exercise of this Grace as also to the Reading and Meditating on this heavenly Directory to the Life of Faith We shall not forestall those things which thou maist finde in the Author nor dispute how far some Branches of this Tree of Life viz. Faith may spring out even in Heaven it self Yet take this as Solomons Argument that Wisdom excells because it gives life to him that hath it Eccles 7.12 Vita optimus modus Entis Life is the best and highest manner of Being A living Worm excels the Sun in glory Rational Life exceeds the life of Plants and Beasts So doth Faith Reason as the highest Life man is capable of on earth Seneca and others may write of a blessed Life but Faith onely finds it This Life must come from Heaven which is so far above the Earth and so rare to be found in it He who hath all his Provisions about him of his own must needs keep the best house and have all as we say at the best hand So is it by Faith we have all within our selves from God in Christ The good man is satisfied from himself Antisthenes gained this by Study and Learning that he could walk with himself as not needing to go abroad and be beholding to others for Exercise or Delight O thesauris omnibus opulentior fides O virtutibus corporis omnibus fides fortior O medicis omnibus salutarior Ambros This is much more true of Faith Faith walks with Christ and God on the Mount of glorious Discoveries every day and takes all as out of his hands What Grace more admired by Christ Paul spends a whole Chapter Hebr. 11. as a Chronicle of Faiths Victories and Trophies Its Worthies are there mentioned as Davids elswhere This very Text on which this Tract is built is cited no less than four times Rom. 1. Gal. 3. Heb. 10. Thrice in the New Testament which may convince us of the excellency of it being worthy of a double treble Meditaâ—â—on as the summary of our Christian Faith both Doctrinal and Practical Tarnovius inter opuscula as a learned man hints on the place 3. Consider the seasonableness of this Counsel about living by Faith in these days 1. As they are sickly dying evil Times in respect of Sufferings 2. As the latter Times and so evil in respect of Sinning Quis inter haec trepidus maestus nisi cui spes et fides deest jus est enim mortem timere qui ad Christum nolit ire Ejus est ad Christum nolle ire qui se non credit cum Christo incipere regnaâ—e Scripâ—um est enim justum fide vivere Cyprian de Mort. Cyprian wrote his Book of Mortality in a time of Mortality And this Cordial of Life is now given out in season to teach us how to live and fit us to die A Minister as hath been related being sick and meeting by Providence with Mr. Ball his excellent Book of Faith which then came newly out he took it as a Guide by the hand to lead him through that dark Valley and fit him
for Heaven We wish this Book may be so entertained by thee and all others who meet it as a Pillar and Cloud in this Wilderness as the Rock and Manna to refresh thee as thy Viaticum to Eternal Life and Glory Secondly as these are evil Times in respect of Sin â— Tim. 4. Apostacy falling from the Faith both Doctrinal and Practical and also the latter days of the World wherein Faith shall fail Luk. 18.8 Yea these are the days wherein this Sâ—â—â—â— of Faith by many of the mighty harh been vilely cast away 2 Sam. 1.18 25 27. Faith in Doctrine and Life is forsaken and cast off by many formerly famous for Profession Now to teach the use of this Shield and how to uncover and anoint it is a word in season Credis in Christum fac Christi opera ut vivat fides tua fidem â—uam dilectio animet actio prohet Bernard And sure did men retain the Doctrine of Faith more in their Minds they would better practise Faith in Life And did we live more by it we should know more of it Joh. 7.17 Quest But have not many Divines already written of this Subject how then can this be so seasonâ—ble a Treatise Ans We may say its truth the world abounds with Books and as the waters cover the Sea knowledge aboundeth but never less practise of Faith especially if we consider the means and time of enjoyment Many Captains and Physicians we say may lose the City and spoil the Patient but not when they agree in judgment and practise Divines harmoniously handling the same Subject do more clear and beat out the Truth Who would be offended with any who should invent a neerer way to the Indies or at some Design to advance Trading or an Engine that would draw up Pearls and the Riches out of the Sea that all men might be made more rich and more suddenly so than ever Thus it is here This Servant of the Lord entring on this Subject was desired by some of his Auditors to enlarge it which he coming after many other by the largeness of his own heart and especially by the supply of the Spirit hath done and brought out of his treasure riches enough and more than the whole world can expend And as concerning this Branch of the Life and Practise of Faith we know none hath gone beyond this Treatise So as we may say of it as Solomon of the vertuous Wife Thou excellest them all Prov. 31.29 With respect we mention it to other learned and painful Labours Especially as to the methodical Contexture and copiousness of the matter for which it is highly commendable as the Orators Oration the longest was his best and who can think that can be too much spoken Nunquam satis dicitur quod nunquam satis disoâ—tur which is for our Life here and Eternity hereafter That is never taught too much which is never sufficiently learnt We shall adde no more but a few Directions for the Reading of this Book lest we cloy thy appetite which we desire to sharpen 1. Then to help thee how to read to thy profit Come not with prejudice against the Doctrine it self the Preacher or his manner of handling it A great Scholar and learned in the School of the the Remonstrants reading a piece in Dr. Prestons Works could finde no excellency of it And so Mr. R. Bolton before his Conversion in his first hearing worthy Mr. Perkins had such-like thoughts of him And so Nathaneel in Joh. 1.46 was prejudiced against the place where Christ was educaâ—ed in and it had well-nigh hindred him of the benefit of his Doctrine Expect not here a Garden of gawdy Tulips to please thy fancy or Jewels of â—igh Notions to hang on thy ear but wholesome Herbs and Spiritual Simples for the health and recovery of thy sick-dead Soul and Cordials to comfort thy Heart 2. Be sure to get the grace and habit of a true â—nd lively Faith of Gods Elect ere thou go about to live by it first be possessed of this Shield then â—earn to handle it uncover it anoint it Have the Bowe then learn the use of it seek the Stock and then improve it Esay 38. By these things men live 3. Crucifie in the strength of Christ Sense and Carnal Reason which will obstruct thee in this way and rob thee of thy comfort in this living by Faith We walk by faith not by sight 4. Hold up this Shield against all the fiery darts of Satan who shoots especially against the standard-bearer Faith Luk. 22. Resolve as they of old to return with or die upon this Shield of thy Faith in all thy contendings with the Devil Remember Faith must be had Vnde haec incredula cogitatio quid fà cit in domo fidei perfidum pectus quid qui in Christo omnino non credit appellatur dicitur Christianus Cyprian Ambula perfidem ut pervenias ad spem spes non aedificabit in patria quem fides non consolatur in via August if ever thou be saved and the Life of it maintained if ever thou have comfort in Life and Death 5. Pray much to Jesus Christ the Author and Finisher of thy Faith and to and for the Spirit of Faith to direct enlighten Heb. 12. and strengthen thee in the reading understanding believing and obeying what thou readest Go not out in thine own strength To conclude Our Prayers are and shall be through grace continued That this Universally Useful Subject may be crowned with Divine Blessing to the highest improvements of Faith in every Christian Reader Especially in the hearts of our much Honoured and Right Worthy Friends the Magistrates and Inhabitants of Ipswich which the Lord hath long made famous and happy as a Valley of Gospel-Vision Our due and deep respects of Affection are much knit and drawn out to our Christian Friends in that Town so long eminent for Profession of Godliness Our hearty desires are that they may never want able Helpers of their Faith and Joy that their Faith may flourish exceedingly according to all the high dispensations of the Lord towards them that so living and dying in the Faith they together with us may receive the end of our Faith the Salvation of our Souls through Him in whom and for whom we rejoyce to remain Your Soul-Servants John Fuller Samuel Smith London Aug. 26. 1657. THE GENERAL CONTENTS Of the whole TREATISE Yet referring more fully to the Alphabetical Table at the close of the Book wherein are the Special Contents The TEXT HAB. 2.4 Behold his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him but the just shall live by his faith CHAP. I. Contains a Prooeme to the main Treatise setting down a clear opposition 'twixt Believers and Unbelievers as to their Description and Condition The Exposition of the Text with its various Readings Two general Observations both spoken unto and applied briefly Two special Doctrines 1 Gods
People are in a state of life by way of eminency They are partakers of the best life This is set out in seven Particulars viz. In the 1 Nature and Kinde of it 2 Fountain and Principle 3 Comforts of it 4 Measure of it 5 Safety and Security 6 Continuance 7 End of it Together with the Reasons of the Doctrine and five Uses viz. 1 of Conviction that there is such a Life 2 Perswasion to desire this Life 3 Examination whether we have this excellent Life Where are 10 Rules of Trial. 4 Information of the worst kinde of Murther 5 Thankfulness for this Life Second Doctrine mainly intended Whatever Life the Just man lives in a more excellent manner than other men He lives that Life by vertue of his Faith Eight general Questions for the better unfolding of the Doctrine Quest I. What Faith is It is a gracious habit infused into the heart by the Spirit of God whereby the Soul rests or rowls it self upon Christ in a way of Promise for all things pertaining to life and godliness for Gods glory and its own Salvation Where the several parts of the Definition are explained Quest II. What it is to live by Faith It implies five things 1 A Right in Christ 2 A clearing our way in point of Duty 3 A clearing our Right to the Promise 4 A searching the Scripture for Legacies bequeathed to us in the Promises 5 A remembring them and a seasonable applying them to particular cases and occasions The order or Series which is taken by the Lord to cause a Christian to live by Faith A fivefold step to this Life The Lord makes use of Faith all along from first to last in the order of working Spiritual Life and that in all parts and faculties of it which are seven 1 Quickning faculty of Faith 2 Expulsive faculty 3 Nutritive faculty 4 Digestive faculty 5 Motive faculty 6 Breathing faculty 7 Augmentative faculty In all these respects the Just lives by his Faith Quest III. Why a Christian is said to live by Faith rather than any other Grace Where four Reasons are assigned and two Uses Quest IU Who it is that lives by his Faith Answ The just or Righteous person Where is shewn that there is a double Righteousness viz. Twofold Righteousness Of Justification Of Sanctification The Text comprehends both in the term Just Yet he doth not say The Just shall live by his Justice because the Righteousness of Sanctification is imperfect and deserves death but By his Faith that is that perfect Righteousness of Christ which Faith lays hold on and applies This is that Righteousness whereby believers are reputed Just and accepted with God to Life Eternal Hence it follows That though an unbeliever may be predestinated to Justification and Faith yet he is not actually Just or justified till he believe For the just onely shall live hy Faith Quest V. By whose Faith shall the Just live Answ By his own not by another mans Two Reasons why it must necessarily be a mans own Faith by which only he can live For the right understanding of this observe four Particulars by way of Caution in the amplification of this Assertion 1 It is not so a mans own Faith but that still God is the Author 2 In Temporal respects one mans Faith may benefit another 3 In Spiritual respects the Parents faith acted by vertue of Gods Covenant including the posterity of the just may benefit the children of such parents 4 Such just ones who convert others instrumentally may and shall have much more comfort and glory by the faith of their Converts than otherwise they should have had Four Considerations by way of Restriction as unto this Truth That one mans Faith may procure some benefit unto another 1 It holds not alway in Temporal respects 2 When anothers faith procures Temporals yet such temporals are not sanctified to any without an act of their own faith exercised in the Word and Prayer 1 Tim. 4.4 Psal 78.30 3 Though natural parents by birth and spiritual parents by office supposing both to be Spiritually renewed themselves may procure much good to their children and people by their faith Yet not 1 To all the children and people always Gen. 17.18 Rom. 9.1 2 3. 2 To any so as to have comfort by such good procured till such children and people believe themselves in their own right 4 Those who have heen Instruments of others Conversion and Faith shall have more joy and glory supposing such to have faith themselves Hereunto is annexed a Quaere Whether an unbelieving Minister may beget faith in others Answ Very rarely when they do they cannot rejoyce in anothers faith sincerely having none themselves See this more largely handled in the Treatise it self Uses of the Just mans living by his own Faith not anothers 1 Reproof of the Papists whose faith is cobled up of Pride and Ignorance it being a blinde assent and implicite obedience to the Canons and Dotages of that Apostatical Church 2 Reproof of such carnal Professors who have no other faith but onely what is pinned on other mens sleeves who put carnal confidence in their Spiritual Relations 2Vse of Instruction If every one must have a faith of his own then every one must have a Minister of their own 3Vse of Exhortation To prove our own selves and so to prove our own faith Quest VI. When and how long the just lives by faith Answ No time is specified to include All time The just lives by his faith All his life and in every part of his life The Question is double When respects the season How long the continuance The season of living by Faith hath respect either 1 To the parts of Time Which are three Time Past Present and to Come In all which the just lives by faith 2 To the Adjuncts of Time These are especially two Prosperity and Adversity Good and evil days First For Prosperity the Just lives by Faith 1 In seeking or obtaining of it wherein Faith directs 1 In the right order and seeking of it 2 In the right measure 3 In the right means Which are two 1 Diligence in a lawful Calling 2 Not trusting to our own Diligence but Gods Promise to the diligent 2 In using Prosperity aright wherein Faith works 1 In causing a holy Diffidence in our selves and the Creature lest we should by Pride and Security deny God or forget him 2 It raises a holy humble confidence in God so that a Believer lives upon him when he most abounds in the Creature 3 It causes the Believer not to serve himself or his lusts but the Donor with his full estate 4 Faith lays out earthly treasure so Spiritual advantages Luk. 16.9 3 In being willing to part with a prosperous state 1Vse Reproves those who live not by Faith in prosperity in which estate we are most beset with Temptations 2Vse Examine whether you live by faith in prosperity Secondly In Adversary the just lives by Faith
Where you have these four particulars 1 That it is so 2 In what things living by faith then consists 3 In what manner he doth so live 4 By what Means Then follows Application Next to the Conquering of those Adversities which happen to Believers in the course of their life That they live the Life of Faith in Death comes now to be treated of The Life of Faith in Death Wherein you have these particulars handled 1 That Faith is a godly mans life at the time of his death as appears by the living speeches of dying men 2 Six Reasons why Believers do all of them die in faith Heb. 11.13 3 Seven Vses drawn from the perpetual usefulness of faith in all estates especially that the just live by it in Adversity and Death Quest VII What Life is that which the Just lives by his Faith Answ All kind of Life which may truly be called Life First Natural Life a Saint lives this by Faith 1 In the very act of living where is shewed the different grounds upon which believers and unbelievers injoy this Natural Life 2 In the Conservation of Life They use not the same means in the same manner for maintaining of Natural Life 3 In the Preservation of Life from such things as are destructive 4 In the Prolongation of Life the Just live by Faith 5 In ordering aright all the natural and civil actions of life 6 In respect of the Comforts and Blessings of a Natural Life Instances of particulars for the obtaining of which and in the managing of which a Saint lives by Faith 1 Wealth 2 Health 3 Peace 4 Good success 5 Good Name 6 Posterity 7 Single Estate and Marriage 7 In the valuation of Natural Life Faith teaches Neither to under-value Life Faith teaches Nor to over-value Life USES 1 Reproof to those who say they trust God for Eternal Life and yet cannot trust in him for this Temporal Life and the things of it 2Vse of Exhortation to live by faith in respect of this Life Natural seeing believers hold these things not onely by common Providence but by Promise also from God so far as is needful for them This is twofold Spiritual Life lived by Faith Either the Life of Justification Or the Life of Sanctification Life of Faith in Justification Wherein these Particulars are opened 1 Wherein the Nature of Justification consists 2 How doth the Just live by Faith the Life of Justification This is declared in three respects 1 They live by Faith for the first act of God in justifying a sinner or which is all one for their being put into a justified state which flows from their immediate union with Christ Four ways Faith disposes the Soul for this state 2 How Faith acts for the continuance of Justification and renewing of pardon 3 The Just lives by faith for the assurance of being justified Faith is acted five ways in order to such an assurance 1 In moving a man to desire more faith 2 In using and embracing such means which may assure 3 In the trial of assurance it self whether sound or false 4 In answering all Objections and Doubts which cloud assurance 5 In expectation that assurance shall be given upon the diligent and humble sincere use of means All these Particulars are largely insisted on together with divers Uses drawn from this Life of Faith in Justification especially Examination whether we be in a justified state Signs thereof As also Motives to labour for this blessed estate and the assurance of it Means how to get assurance that we are justified and how we may live by Faith till we obtain such assurance The Life of Faith in Sanctification or Renovation Resolution of four Quaeres 1 Whether there be any such life in a Christian distinct from the Sanctification which is in Christ himself asserted 2 What it is and wherein it consists Difference 'twixt Morality and Sanctification 3 How and by what means it is wrought in the Soul Acts of faith in it When Spiritual actions flow from Faith in Christ 4 Why Sanctification is necessary in all justified persons Means which Faith Vses to promote Sanctification The Life of Faith in Fructification How faith hath influence into Fructification six ways The Uses of Faiths influence into Renovation and Fructification 1 Examination of the Truth of Faith 2 Reproof of Carnal Professors 3 Apologie against Papists 4 Exhortation to Faith as the root of Sanctity and fruitfulness Motives to live by Faith the Life of Sanctification Motives to act Faith for fruitfulness in season The Life of Faith in Mortification 1 How Faith proceeds in the Mortification of Sin 2 Why Faith will have Sin to be mortified 1Vse of Information in three Particulars 2 Marks of true Mortification Some Objections answered and a Case stated 3Vse of Conviction and Reproof to seven sorts 4Vse of Exhortation to mortifie Sin Motives and Means 5Vse of Comfort against the vigour and rigour of Sin The Life of Faith in Vivification Wherein two things demonstrated by way of Explication 1 Gods Children are subject to deadness What are the Causes Kinds and Degrees of it 2 Saints recover by Faith out of deadness Four Reasons of it and how Faith acts in such recovery Four Arguments of Faith to quicken under deadness Use of the Life of Vivification 1 of Reproof 2 of Exhortation Eight Motives to Vivification Six Means of Quickning 3 Trial of true Faith in Vivifying Four Signs of inlivening living Acts. The Life of Faith in Augmentation Two Propositions 1 The Just live the Life of Augmentation Four Reasons of Spiritual growth 2 Augmentation is by Faith Four Reasons why Faith hath an influence into it USES 1 Information about spiritual growth in four respects 2 Reproof of five sorts of men 3 Examination Five signs of spiritual growth What is the increase of God Col. 2.18 19. â—ig four things Cases of Conscience stated about growth 4 Humiliation for small growth 5 Thankfulness for growth 6 Exhortation to growth Six Motives to growth Nine Means of growth Seven Impediments of growth 7 Comfort at small beginnings in Grace 8 Direction how strong grown Christians should behave themselves towards the weak The Life of Faith in Perseverance Two Proposositions 1 The Just doth persevere 2 Perseverance is by vertue of Faith Six Reasons why the Just shall persevere Three Reasons why Perseverance is by Faith USES 1 Confutation of the Doctrine of falling from Grace Five respects in which there may be falling away Seven things from which the Elect can never fall Seven Objections against Perseverance answered 2 Vse Information about assurance of Salvation 3 Vse Labour for persevere 4 Vse Labour for Perseverance Six Motives to Perseverance Seven Means of Perseverance 5 Vse Examination of the Truth of Faith by its persevering How far a hypocrite may go in six respects Six Particulars wherein hypocrites come short 6 Vse of Thankfulness for Perseverance 7 Vse of Encouragement to persevere amidst all discouragements Five main
Discouragements removed by Faith Faiths Triumph over fear of Divine desertion God may forsake his people in five respects yet it is but gradual and momentary not total and final Reasons of Gods forsaking his people 1 For prevention of Evil two ways 2 For Confirmation in Good five ways The Life of Faith in Consolation Two Propositions stated 1 That the Just lives the Life of Consolation 2 That he lives this Life by Faith Four Reasons why the Lord will have the Just live comfortably Six Reasons why Consolation comes by Faith Faith fetches in Comfort from the Trial and Evidence of the Truth of Grace Objections against Assurance of Divine Love inferred from Marks and Signs of true Grace answered It is a preposterous course to judge of our interest in Divine Love by our Comforts before we have tried the sincerity of our Graces Differences of Regenerating Grace from Common Uses of the Life of Consolation in Believers 1Vse Information in five Particulars 1 Of the cause of sadness in the faithful 2Vnregenerate souls are uncomfortable souls 3 Religious Life is the onely comfortable Life Objection against this That the Saints walk sadly answered Where the Rise of the Saints heaviness is discovered in three general Causes The first is taken from themselves in five particulars The second from Satan The third from God himself who eclipses his Peoples Comforts for three Reasons 4 Information what to desire for our best friends 5 Information what great happiness attends the end of Saints in death 2Vse of Reproof 1 Of mis-judging the Life of the faithful 2 Of Papists who rob of Comfort while of Faith 3 Of such who fetch Comfort from Sense 4 Of such who refuse Comfort upon the Promises 5 Of such who go for Comfort to false Prophets 3Vse of Exhortation To live this life of spiritual comfort 1 Three Motives Vnder the third is set forth ten Properties wherein a believers joy excels all natural worldly sinful joy 2 Means to get and maintain spiritual Joy Faith is acted seven ways for the increase of Joy Having seen how the Just live by Faith in regard of Spiritual Life It remains to shew how they live by Faith in regard of Eternal Life The Work of Faith about Eternal Life Faith assures of three things about Eternal Life 1 That there is an Eternal Life This Faith makes good by Scripture and five Reasons flowing by necessary Consequence from Scripture 2 Faith informs a Believer what the happiness of Eternal Life is and wherein it consists viz. In the perfect Vision of God which causes perfect transformation in perfect Knowledge Love Obedience Joy which perfect transformation causes perfect Satisfaction which Satisfaction consists privatively in a fivefold freedom from whatever may annoy or interrupt the Joy of glorified Saints positively in the possessing of whatever good can be desired to make up complete Joy and Satisfaction which consists in a fourfold fulness of the Subject in glory as also in the fulness of the Object viz. The beatifical Vision of God 3 Faith assures a Believer of his peculiar interest in Eternal Life Under which Head is shewn How Faith assures a Believer of his particular interest in Eternal Life This it doth six ways all which are largely handled Five Reasons why Believers are kept out of possession of heaven so long after assurance of their interest in Eternal Life Uses of living by Faith in order to Eternal life 1Vse Confutation of such who deny Eternal Life both in respect of the Soul at present and of the Body after the Resurrection Five proofs of Eternal Life 2Vse Reproof to five sorts of persons 1 To such as complain that Religion is a fruitless Profession 2 To such as despair in stead of acting Faith for Eternal Life 3 To such as exercise their fancy more than faith concerning Eternal Life where vain curiosity in moving Questions about the state of glory rather than a due care to make sure an interest in it is condemned 4 To such who have an interest in Eternal Life but do not act faith to the improvement of that interest 5 To such who minde Earth for a portion more than Eternal Glory 3Vse Examination of Faith in respect of Life Eternal Whether we believe aright that there is such a state and that we have an interest in it 1 Sign By our carriage in Life Whether our Affections Meditations Speeches and Actions be heavenly such as sute such an inheritance 2 Sign By our respect which we bear to Death viz. as a passage to Eternal Life as a conquered Enemy Four Degrees of Christs Conquest over Death for all his Question stated Whether godly persons may not be afraid to die and unfit to die 4Vse Exhortation To live by Faith in respect of Eternal Life Five Motives to get assurance of Eternal Life Four Means to assure of Eternal Life 5Vse Comfort and Encouragement against the evils and temptations of this present life drawn from the nature of our heavenly life where hope or assurance of heaven is demonstrated to bear up the heart under adversity and to preserve the Souls integrity under temptations of Prosperity 6Vse Admiration and Thankfulness for our heavenly life To excite to this the excellency of heaven is set out five ways 1 By the excellent Names or Titles given to it 2 By the excellent Properties of it which are four 3 By the excellent Price given for it 4 By the excellent Causes of it 5 By the excellent Effects of it Thankfulness for Eternal life demonstrated two ways Reasons for living by Faith The Eighth General Head or Quaere concerning the Life of Faith viz. What are the Reasons why God will have the just to live by Faith and why a Christian should be willing thus to live First sort of Reasons taken from a Believers Condition in the flesh This is set out in five particulars 1 Absence from the Lord. 2 Distance of time 'twixt the Promise and Performance 3 The necessity of keeping the Saints humble 4 Saints present state of Imprfection for whose direction and support the Word and the Ministery of it is afforded Question herestated concerning the Divine Authority of the Scriptures Arguments of four sorts to prove it 5 Past Experiences of Gods faithfulness in fulfilling his Promises are given for a firm encouragement to exercise future Faith Three Grounds to expect that God will make good the same Promises for time to come Second sort of Reasons for living by Faith viz. The Relation betwixt Christ and Believers 1 Relation Christ is the Fountain of all Grace of whose fulness we receive onely by Faith 2 Relation Christ is our Lord and we cannot honour him without Faith Faith honours the Grace Faithfulness and Power of God Third sort of Reasons taken from the nature and use of Faith 1 It is our livelyhood with the difference of Faith under both Covenants 2 We first fell away from God by unbelief therefore he will recover his honour in
the way of believing 3 That Salvation may be on free and sure grounds The general Uses drawn from the Life of Faith 1Vse Information in seven Particulars 1 The happy condition of Believers They have comfort in six respects 2 The misery of unbelievers in six respects 3 The Reason of Satans enmity against Faith 4 The difference 'twixt the Life of Christ and that of a Believer 5 Why so many remain spiritually dead 6 There cannot be any thing of Christ or of Spiritual life in the Creature before Faith As Christ and life so Faith and life come both together 7 What is the choice work of a Minister 2Vse of Reproof to three sorts 1 Such who live upon other things in stead of living by Faith as namely their Sins Pleasures Creatures Riches Friends or upon themselves either sinful Self natural Self artificial Self moral Self religious Self These particulars are inlarge 2 Such who profess Faith but live not by it 3 Such as act not their Whether 1. In Actions 2. Conditions 3. Elections 3Vse of Examination 1 For Trial of persons whether we be just and in a state of spiritual life or no Divers Marks of true Faith from feigned 2 For Trial of all Doctrines and Religions whether they be true or false Where living by Faith is demonstrated to be the Touchstone of them 4Vse of Thankfulness for Faith Five Grounds or Arguments to provoke Believers to Thankfulness for Faith 1 It is Gods gift 2 It s necessary to the very Being of a Christian 3 Such a gift as none else can give where there are five Wonders of Faith spoken unto 4 Faith is a most precious Gift Three things very precious The preciousness of Faith in four particulars 5 The rarity or scarcity of Faith 5Vse Humiliation for Vnbelief The evil of Unbelief is set forth in 7 Particulars 1 It dishonours God 2 It grives the Holy Spirit 3 It pleases the Devil 4 It is the Mother-Sin The Brood of Unbelief 1 Ignorance 2 Security 3 Worldliness 4 Hypocrisie 5 Heresie 6 Apostacy 7 Atheism 5Vnbelief is a Step-mother to Grace 6Vnbelief is the Nurse of Sin 7 Judgements on Vnbelievers 6Vse of Exhortation wherein four Branches 1 Branch Exhort To get Faith where Faith is proved to be the wisest Purchase and Vnbelief the greatest Self-murther The excellencies of Believing which contains 1 Strength 2 Wisdom 3 Riches 4 Beauty 5 Honor. 6 Faith honors God 7 Dead without Faith 8 Faith makes to prosper Q How shall we get Faith Here are Means Negative and Positive prescribed Negative means to get faith or the removal of the Impediments of faith Means Negative is the removal of the Impediments of Faith which are these 1 Self 2 Satan 3 The World 4 Gods hardning where hardness of heart is treated of and Gods Justice justified in hardning some sinners Relief is prescribed to all four 5 General Impediment contains seven mixt Impediments of Faith viz. 1 False Trust 2 Limiting of God 3 Harbouring some Lust 4 Our own Vnworthiness pleaded against the Promise 5 Laying too much stress on the depth of Humiliation 6 Want of feeling 7 Doubt of Election To all these particular Cures are applied 6 General Impediment of Faith viz. Neglect of the Means which should work Faith or beget it Five Causes of the neglect of Means 1 Prejudice quarrels the Means of Faith 2 Pride contemns the Means 3 Sloth recoils from the Means 4 Presumption postdates the use of Means 5 Despodency quits and casts off the use To all which Cures are applied 7 General Impediment of Faith viz. Supposition of having Faith already when it is nothing so Differences 'twixt Presumption and true Faith 1 In the Conception 2 In the Birth 3 In the Growth 4 In the Fruit. The second Branch of false Supposition is That we have not Faith when we have it This hinders the actings ad increasings of Faith Four Corollaries or Conclusions from the difficulty of Believing 1 The Word of God Positive means for obtaining of Faith Every Word of God is an object of Faith especially the Promise How the Spirit convinces of sin The method of converting Grace Six Reasons why Humiliation must go before Faith Humility appears in all the periods of Grace Direction to humbled sinners how to apply Promises 2 Means of begetting Faith is Prayer Question stated Whether a natural man ought ta pray 3 Means Good Society 4 Means Meditation on Gods Name 5 Means Sight of Treasure in Christ 6 Means Diligence in the use of Means which signifie three things 2 Branch of Exhortation To keep Faith Where is shewed The general usefulness of Faith Reasons why we should look well to the keeping of it 1 Reas The Benefit of keeping Faith 2 Reas The Enemies who opposite it 1 Corruption 2 Temptation 3 Troubles 3 Reas It is the glory of a Christian to be found in the Faith at Christs appearing Means of preserving Faith 1 Soundness 2 Trial of it 3 Love of the Truth 4 A good Conscience 5 A right Bottom 6 Commit it to God 7 Prayer for establishment with Gods free Spirit What the free Spirit of God establishes How the free Spirit of God establishes 3 Branch of Exhortation viz. To act Faith and to live by it Six Motives to act and exercise Faith Divers Helps for the acting of Faith 4 Branch of Exhortation viz. To increase the stock of Faith Six Motives to increase in Faith Five Signs of a weak Faith Seven Means for the increasing of Faith Conclusive Sermons on Dan. 12.3 An Appendix concerning the Converting of others to the Faith Doctrine The Conversion of Souls to the Faith as it is the most excellent Work so it shall certainly be crowned with the most excellent Reward Explication twofold 1 It is the most excellent Work Seven Reasons to prove this handled largely 2 It shall have the most excellent Reward USES 1 Information of the Dignity of the Ministry 2 Reproof to four sorts of persons 3 Exhortation to Convert Souls This is directed in general to All but in special to Ministers Eight Motives to quicken converted ones to labour to Convert others Eight Means whereby the Conversion of Souls may be promoted 4 Exhortation to Ministers to preach in a Soul-saving way 5 Exhortation to the People 1 To be willing to be wrought upon 2 To attend upon such Means as are proper 6Vse of Thankfulness 1 If we our selves are Converted 2 If any by our Means be Converted Seven Marks of sound Conversion 7Vse of Comfort to the Promoters of others Conversion in the midst of Opposition and Reproach The EPILOGUE 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. beâ—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 â—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 â—â—rse p. 581. l. 11 for saith r both p. 602. l. 8. r the same HABAKKUK 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 make 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 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 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 here A soul lifted up is opposed to a beleeving soul Psal 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. Vse 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 Vse 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 2. 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 people 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. But 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. 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 and 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 and to bind up the broken heart Vse 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 Vse 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 Lord 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 in 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 D. 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. A 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 'T is 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 compreheÌ„d 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 The 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 spirituâ—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 't is 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 'T is spiritual Natural life hath indeed an excellency in it but 't is common The spiritual life of grace is peculiar to God's peculiar people even 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 'T is a gracious 't is 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 beâ—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. 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 better then the best of a natural mans life and Moses chose it rather 1 Pet. 4. 2 Cor. 3. Heb. 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 't is 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. 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 â—out-hearted must sleep their sleep But herein is the excellency of the life 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 threateÌ„s 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. because it is hid 't is 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 in 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. 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. 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 't is 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. 'T is 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 't is therefore that God may have more praise then from other From the Saints therefore God expects that 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 Vse 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 there 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 Vse 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 't is come abroad into the world where it hath
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 't is 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. Delightâ— 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 they 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 Vse 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 Vse 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 But 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 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 QUEST I. What Faith is FOR the first You have the definition at least the description set down by the Holy Ghost Heb. 11.1 It is the subsistence of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen For example tell a natural man of God's favour and the comforts of his Spirit and the future recompence of reward which is more worth then all the comforts of the world he thinks it a mere notion that there is no reality in it but all feigned But a Christian by faith seeth there is truth reality and subsistence in these things and in whatever God promiseth who calleth those things that be not as though they were Rom. 4.17 To whom all things are possible Mark 9.23 And thereby becomes a kind of omnipotent faith By others it is defined thus In general A believing the Gospel In particular Definition of Faith A gracious habit infused into the heart by the Spirit of God whereby the soul rests or rolls it self upon Christ in a way of promise for all things appertaining to life and godliness for Gods glory and it 's own salvation It is not then 1. a bare disposition but an habit 2. An habit not acquired by frequent acts but infused by the spirit called therefore 1 Cor. 4.17 the spirit of faith 3. Infused not into the head only but the heart Rom. 10.10 with the heart man believeth And therefore it stands more in affection than notion Indeed in faith there is both an Assent of the mind to the truth of the message sent to sinners indefinitely 1 Tim. 1.15 and a consent of heart and will to the goodness of it whereby this or that particular sinner receives it to himself Gal. 2.20 Christ Who loved Me. Joh 21. My Lord and my God which differ as a garment in the cloth and on the back Christ is put on by faith Fourthly We say whereby the soul rests or rolls its self or leans For assurance and full perswasion is not of the being of faith but the well-being There 's faith of Evidence and faith of Reliance Or rather there is a double evidence 1. Of sense 2. Of reliance Faith in Scripture is set out in regard of the latter in such terms as we have given Psal 37.5 Isa 50.10 Mark 9.24 Fifthly Vpon Christ Who is the main object of faith and it is not sufficient to believe in God out of Christ Joh 14.1 Ye believe in the Father believe also in me and otherwhere None cometh to the Father but by me Sixthly In way of a promise No promise no Christ Abraham laid hold on a promise in those extraordinary things as an ordinary mean Rom. 4.20 he staggered not at the promise through unbelief See 2 Pet. 1.3 Eph. 2.12 Covenant of promise c. Seventhly For all things c. First for Christ and then all things with him Rom. 8.32 Wherefore the promises in Christ are called Rich and Precious promises Eighthly For God's glory Rom. 4.20 gave glory to God and our own salvation Heb. 10. last that believe to the saving of the soul QUESTION II. What it is to live by Faith To live by Faith Ans TO live by Faith is not only by laying hold on Christ by faith to receive life by Christ 1 Joh. 5.12 He that hath the Son hath Life Secondly But also in the use and exercise of faith to receive daily from Christ both the preservation and increase of this life Eph. 4.13 Thirdly Enabling a Christian by vertue
of Gods grace to perform all duties of thankfulness 1 Stirring him up to duty Gal. 5.6 Faith works by love and Jam. 2. Faith without works is dead 2. Directing what to do Psal 119.66 Teach me good judgement and knowledge for I have beleeved thy Commandments 3. Strengthning to do it Phil. 4.13 I can do all things through Christ strengthning me 4. Finding acceptance in doing Heb. 11.4 whereby he received witness that he was righteous God testifying of his gifts Fourthly Assuring him of all needful encouragement of blessing by vertue of God's promise 1. In beleeving the promise of reward Matth. 4.4 Man lives not by bread alone but by every Word of God 2. In suing out the promise by prayer Psal 119.49 Remember the word to thy servant upon which thou hast caused me to hope 3. In praising God for it Heb. 13.15 Let us offer to God the sacrifice of praise continually giving thanks to his Name So that to live by faith is to rest satisfied with God's command though we see no reason of it Heb. 11.8 9. and with God's promise though we have no present performance yea even then when providences crosse promises as to beleeve we shall come to the Haven in the greatest storm in case we have a promise as Paul Act. 27.22 c. As a wordly man in his way lives comfortably that hath good store of bonds in his coffers though all his money be out of doors and in other mens hands how much more do believers live comfortably that have bond and seal and oath from the God of truth though they have nothing in hand for present Thus the Just lives by faith Caution Not as if there were any natural or moral worth or efficacy in faith to beget this life or to make us righteous But only as an instrument of the spirit applying Christ our life and righteousness And indeed it is he begets faith in us For it is the gift of God Eph. 2.8 Christ is the root faith is the instrument of this life Thus living by faith implyes these 4 or 5 things 1. Right in Christ Gal. 2. 2. A cleering our way in point of duty Rom. 14. What is not of faith is sin 3. a cleering our right to the promise Heb. 11.17 He that had received the promises 4. a constant searching of the Scripture for the legacyes bequeathd to us Joh. 5.39 Search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal life The heir cannot sue for his legacyes or inheritance unlesse he know what it is Act. 20.25 Luk. 22.19 5. A remembring them Psal 119.52 And a seasonable applying of them to particular cases and occasions What can a plaister do if it be only kept in the pocket and not laid upon the soare Which implyes it is not enough to have the habit of faith to possesse it but the act also is required that we may comfortably live by it We must put it to use Therfore Act. 13.39 faith is set forth by the act of beleeving By him all that beleeve in him are justified For howsoever it is true He that possesseth the habit of faith shall never totally and finally fall away yet for want of acting of it as he sins against God so he looseth the comfort of his life Luk. 24.25 Matth. 8.26 and in his own apprehension is like a dead man or at least exceeding dull heartlesse and fearful Usually in proportion to the acting of the life of Justification will be the strength of the life of Sanctification for faith works by love the more faith the more love Whence is Paul's exhortation to blow up the gift of God in him As a man lives by exercise 2 Tim. 1. and grows diseased for want of it So it is in spirituals To shew then how a Christian lives by faith this is the summe of what hath been spoken He lives by faith as a mean or instrument not as the efficient cause or author of this life But this is the order or series First God predestinates or determines this life to such Eph. 5.5 Having predestinated us c. Secondly He gives Christ his Son to death for the purchasing this life because by nature every man is in a state of death dead in sins and trespasses Col. 3.4 1 Joh. 5.12 Thirdly He makes known and holds forth this life in a promise to poor sinners Rev. 22.17 Fourthly He requires faith in the promise of all such as would have the benefit of this life that so they may glorifie God's truth and goodness and power in beleeving that he will and can make his word good So he calls men to beleeving in the preaching of the Gospel Joh. 3.16 Fifthly He bestowes faith upon the soul of his free grace because by nature we are shut up under unbeleef Rom. 11.32 Eph. 2.8 it is the gift of God So he calls men inwardly by his Spirit So that faith and life and Christ come all together Only he works this life in a way of believing and makes us sensible of it by the act of faith So that a Christian hath his life from God in Christ from Christ in the promise Col. 3 3 from the promise apprehended by faith from faith working by love and other graces which is the exercise of this life All graces are enlivened by faith faith receives life from the promise the promise from Christ Christ as mediatour from God the Father Joh. 6.57 God in Christ is the fountain of spiritual life the promises are so many Conduit-pipes that convey it faith is the hand that turns the Cock or the mouth to receive the water of life So that however God in Christ is the sole author and finisher of spiritual life yet he makes use of faith all along from first to last in the order of working and that in all parts and faculties of spiritual life viz. in the quickning expulsive nutritive retentive motive and breathing faculties First God makes use of faith in the Quickning faculty 1. Quickning faculty of faith or first infusion of life So the just lives by his faith Eph 2.5 with 8 Even when we were dead in sins he hath quickned us together with Christ for by grace ye are saved through faith The heart is primum vivens in grace as well as in nature and the heart is enlivened by Christ in a way of faith Eph. 3.16 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith So that whereas there is great dispute among men whether Christ or faith or righteousness of life comes first to the soul all is answered in one word They come all together not any one before or after another Christ brings all along together with himself So soon as ever a soul is quickned it doth believe and so soon as ever it believes it is quickned Yet faith is most perceptible in the act of Adherence 2. Expulsive faculty of faith Secondly God makes use of faith in the Expulsive facultie
in expelling the enemies of spiritual life And so the just lives by his faith Act 15.9 By faith purifying their hearts Unbelief and other corruptions are deadly enemies to spiritual life Faith expels them and purifies the heart from them As the living fountain if dirt be cast into it never leaves working and working until it hath wrought it self cleer again So a beleeving heart if earthly thoughts from Satan like dirt be cast into it never leaves working till it hath wrought it self pure and fit for God's service 2 Tim. 2.21 If a man purge himself from these c. It overcomes and abandons all within and all without resists Satan 1 Pet 5.8 overcomes the world 1 Joh. 5.4 3. Nutritive faculty of faith Thirdly God makes use of faith in the Nutritive facultie or attractive faculty in drawing such things to it self as whereby is life nourished and maintained And so the just lives by his faith Faith like the first-born of graces though indeed they are all twins delight to be in the arms of God's mercy where it first receives life and there it lyes at the brest of the word at the nipple of the promises drawing virtue and strength and nourishment from them tasting every day how sweet and gracious the Lord is 1 Pet. 2.3 Psal 34.8 O tast and see that the Lord is good blessed is the man that trusteth in him q.d. by trusting in God we live upon God and taste how good he is For else we tempt God It were a miracle to live without meat But the more strength the more food 4. Digestive faculty of faith Fourthly God maketh use of faith in the Retentive and Digestive faculty turning the word into wholsome blood And so the just lives by his faith Whereas an unbeliever hearing the word receiving the food of his soul is like a man of a weak bad stomack no sooner is the meat down but it mixeth with some base humor up it comes again it will hold nothing to do it good So it is with an unbeliever not mixing the word with faith but being mixed with some base humour of pride or passion up it comes again with violence though it be in the very face of the Physician Prov. 9.2 He that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot But where the word is mixed with faith it meets with a good stomack and there it turnes into good nourishment the party grows and thrives and comes on in grace and so lives by faith as a man lives by a good stomack See Psal 36.7 8. They that put their trust under the shadow of Gods wings are abundantly satisfied with the fatness of his house c. Good meat doth well a good stomack is better Gods blessing upon both is the best of all and so it is in the life of Grace Fifthly God makes use of Faith in the Motive faculty 5. Motive faculty of Faith And so the just lives by his Faith For as bodily exercise profits much for bodily health when the Apostle sayes It profiteth little his meaning is in ordine ad spiritualia 1 Tim. 4. for doubtless as to bodily health it profiteth much it is instar omnium in stead of all Physick and without this the best diet in the world will be defective It is so with the soul Be the diet the means of grace never so good yet without exercise of grace and godliness all comes to nothing Now it is Faith and onely true Faith which puts a man upon profitable exercise Faith will not suffer a man to be idle in his calling It will not onely move his tongue though it will move that too Acts 4.20 We cannot but speak 2 Cor. 4.13 I believed therefore spake For he is a very dead-hearted Christian that hath the dead palsey in his tongue that cannot speak a word for God But it will move his hands also and his whole man to be active for God Jam. 2. Shew me thy faith by thy works Christians full of faith are full of action and so full of life See Acts 6.3 6 8 10 Whereas unbelievers are like sluggards with hand in bosome or like Idols of the Heathen Psal 115. having eyes and yet see not ears and hear not feet and walk not neither speak they through their throat and so prove dead for want of this exercise 6. Breathing faculty of Faith Sixthly God makes use of Faith in the Breathing faculty And so the just lives by his faith Breath is the Chariot of life called therefore The breath of life This breathing is twofold 1. Inspiration 2. Expiration these maintain life And both these in a spiritual sense do spring from Faith 1. Inspiration First for the act of Inspiration For howsoever every first inspiration of the Spirit gives life yet Faith draws more and more of this heavenly air from day to day for the maintaining and increasing of this life A man can no more live a spiritual life without the continual breathing of Gods Spirit into his soul than he can live a natural life without the continual sucking in of fresh air into his body And therefore it is observable Our blessed Saviour chose to convey the Holy Ghost under that similitude Joh. 20.22 He breathed on them and said Receive the Holy Ghost q. d. Ye can no more live the life of grace without my Spirit than you can live the life of nature without the breath of your nosthrils We are all by nature like Ezekiels dried bones Now it is the voice of Faith that cryes out Ezek. 37.9 O Breath breathe upon these slain that they may live And again when a man hath life and begins to exercise himself in the way of Gods Commandments he knows he cannot exercise to purpose unless it be in this fresh air of the Spirit Therefore Davids Faith put him upon this practice I opened my mouth saith he and panted for I longed for thy Commandments Psa 119.131 He took in fresh gales of the Spirit from day to day to uphold the vitals of the New man Secondly 2. Expiration There is another act of the Spirit in spiritual life and that is Expiration an holy breathing out of holy speeches and holy prayers And usually in proportion to our inspiration will be our expiration As in Nature 't is unwholesome to breathe out more then we suck in when the expence of spirits is beyond our receipts so also in grace when our expiration of holy speeches doth exceed our inspiration of the holy Spirit But when these go hand in hand all springs from Faith 2 Cor. 4.13 We having the same Spirit of faith as it is written I believed therefore have I spoken we also believe and therefore speak Faith will put a Christian upon it Faith is as it were the very breath of his nostrils Seventhly God makes use of Faith in the Augmentative or growing faculty And so the just lives by his Faith
7. Augmentative faculty of Faith As Faith grows for Rom. 1.17 the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith so other graces grow with it See 2 Thess 1.3 having mentioned the growing of their faith then follows And the charity of every one of you aboundeth So 2 Pet. 1.5 Adde to your faith vertue and to vertue c. all follow Faith Again 2 Pet. 3. last Grow in grace how and in the knowledge or faith of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Shew me thy faith by thy works Jam. 2. Not onely the truth but the measure of our Faith is seen by our works And so much for the second general Question What it is to live by Faith Onely now it were good to examine our selves upon all this Whether we do thus live by Faith making our particular application of our souls to each of the particulars fore-mentioned But I pass to the third Question QUESTION III. Why a Christian is said to live by Faith rather than any other Grace Reas 1 WHy not by Love or Thankefulness or Patience c The reason is in a word for what is said already may give light hereunto First because Faith is not onely the grace which receives Christ Joh. 1. 12. who is our Life but it is also the grace that receives all other grace from Christ Therefore Faith is the first link of all that Chain of Graces 2 Pet. 1.5 c. at least in order to their working Otherwise indeed we know all graces are infused simul semel in respect of their being and existence See Joh. 7.38 He that believeth in me out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water The graces of the Spirit run into the Soul and out again in the issues of life and all through the conduit-pipe of Faith Indeed a Christian hath great use of other graces but Faith onely layes hold on Christ for all Sanctified knowledge saith There is an infinite fulness in Christ the fulness of a Fountain Faith saith This is all for me for he is my Husband then Prayer saiâ—h If all this be thine I will go and fetch it for thee and Thankefulness sayes I will return praise to God for it and that 's better than the receiving of mercies Psal 63.5 My soul shall be filled with marrow and fatness and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips It is plain therefore however spiritual life is much exercised in other graces as well as in Faith as in Prayer and Patience and Love and Thankfulness yet because Faith acts and exercises and puts life into all therefore a Christian is said rather to live by his Faith As may be seen Heb. 11. through the whole Chapter For Prayer is no prayer unless it be a prayer of Faith Jam 5. and Patience is no patience unless joyned with Faith Here is the faith and patience of the Saints Rev. 13. and so of all the rest Reas 2 Secondly Because Faith layes hold upon that Word by which man lives For man lives by the word of God Mat 4.4 Other graces are begotten by the Word but do not lay hold on the Word So as no word no means can profit us without Faith Reas 3 Thirdly Because when other graces and comforts to our sense lie dead and useless even then Faith lives and acts its part It is like the Cork that swims aloft when the Leads and all the Net is under water It is like the Card or Compass when Heaven and Earth fail no sight of Earth or Heaven or comfort from either when 't is a day of darkness and gloominess as that described Zeph. 1.15 or when 't is with us as it was in Pauls voyage Acts 27.13 to 26. neither sun nor star appearing for many dayes or a time as that Isa 50.10 wherein we sit in darkness and see no light yet then saith can trust in the Name of the Lord. It is as an Anchor in a storm so long as the Anchor holds there is hope but if that break there is no more governance of the Ship So Faith is compared Heb. 6.19 It is as the Widows Oyl when all other provision failed she lives upon that because she had a word from God So when all fail Faith shall not totally nor finally fail because there is a word from God which was spoken to Peter in person of all the faithful Luke 22.32 I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not Or like the heart in the body though other parts be dead yet so long as the heart lives the man is alive Psa 73.26 My flesh and my heart faileth but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever Thus David lived by Faith when all failed and by it thus speaks himself Psal 42.5 Why art thou disquieted O my soul still trust in God for I shall yet praise him When graces fail performances fail so that we abhor our selves and duties yet Faith sayes We are a holy Priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God 1 Pet. 2.5 by Jesus Christ When Paul cryed out Rom. 7. O wretched man that I am c. yet by Faith he can thank God through Jesus Christ When the Church is under water yet she can speak thus in Faith Mic. 7.8 Rejoyce not over me O mine enemy though I fall I shall rise again When Job considers his body turned to dust and worms Job 19.19 25. yet by Faith he sees my Redeemer lives c. Even when Patience failed in Job yet Faith failed not Though God kill all other graces and comforts and my soul too yet he shall not kill my Faith sayes he If he separate my soul from my body yet not Faith from my Soul If he kill me he shall not kill my Faith And therefore the just lives by Faith rather then other graces because when all is gone yet Faith remains and Faith remains because the Promise remains For ever O Lord thy word is setled in the heavens Psal 119.89 And this is the proper and principal meaning of this place Reas 4 Fourthly Because even then when neither graces nor comforts do fail yet then the just lives principally by his Faith 1. Because there is yet more to be believ'd then we already enjoy for we walk not yet by sight and therefore by faith 2 Cor. 5.7 2. Because Faith is surâ—r then any sense or feeling in the world When the Apostle had spoken of the glorious Vision and their being eye-witnesses 2 Pet. 1.19 yet sayes he We have a more sure word of prophecy c. Now 't is the property of Faith to live upon the word Vse 1 Therefore 1. Esteem of Faith as precious Faith precious above all other graces Vse 2 And learn That Faith serves not onely for manifestation that we are alive but to live by and maintain the life of all other graces QUESTION IV. Who it is that lives by his Faith Quest THe Text sayes The just Ob. But where
shall we finde him Does not the Scripture speak expresly Psal 14.2 There is none just no not one And again Rom. 3.10 c. They are all gone out of the way they are all become abominable c. Ans A. The meaning is not as if a man should be just before he come to believe but because his believing makes him and proves him just in applying the justice and righteousness of Christ Isa 53.11 By his knowledge my righteous Servant shall justifie many And therefore Jer. 23.6 he is called The Lord our Righteousness And this is imputed Righteousness the Righteousness of Justification But that is not all He that believes is just also in some measure by inherent Righteousness or that which he doth in his own person by the help of Christs Spirit 1 Joh. 3.7 Let no man deceive you he that doth righteousness is righteous even as he is righteous Whereas we are apt to be deceiv'd and to say Faith is sufficient of it self to declare that I am righteous you are deceiv'd saith S. John for ver 3. He that hath this hope purifieth himself as he is pure and here doth righteousness as he is righteous So you see plainly as there is a righteousness of Justification so there is a righteousness of Sanctification and the word of the Text comprehends both The just Yet mark He doth not say The just shall live by his Justice because the righteousness of Sanctification is imperfect and deserves death but by his Faith because that implyes the Righteousness of Justification the righteousness of Christ and that is perfect And this distinction is enough to avoid that evil and slander which is cast upon the Ministers of the Gospel at this day They say we preach Law and Gospel Note Christ and VVorks both rogether in point of Justification But this is a meer Cavil For however we teach That every believer must evidence his Faith or his Righteousness of Justification by his works of Sanctification yet we do not say his Righteousness of Sanctification is his Righteousness of Justification no more then we say His Righteousness of Justification is his Righteousness of Sanctification as some would vainly confound one with the other Though we say He that believes the Gospel must do the things contained in the Law yet we do not say He that doth them shall live in them for that is the voice of the first Covenant the Covenant of the Law but we say He that doth them shall live by his Faith for that 's the voice of the second Covenant the Covenant of the Gospel the Covenant of Free-grace For this tells us There must be a justice in the person that believes not an antecedent but a consequent justice yet he lives not by his justice but by his faith and by his faith as applying the Free-grace of God in Christ The just shall live by his faith And thus for the fourth Question Who it is that lives by his Faith Vse 1 Onely let me now remember you of what I hinted at the first That as every believer is a just person or a justified person so every unbeliever is unjust or unjustified For the just is opposed to unbeliever And therefore to say that a man is just or justified before he believes I beseech you to consider Note how contrary it is to this Text and to the Scripture phrase throughout VVe grant an unbeliever may be predestinated to Justification as he may be predestinated to Faith but to say he is actually justified before he believes is to be wise beyond that which is written For there is no such thing written in the Scripture and therefore such wisdome is forbidden If we may not think much less may we speak above what is written 1 Cor. 4.6 We are bound to keep our selves not onely to the patern of wholesome matter but to the patern of wholesome words or sound words 2 Tim. 1.13 Hold fast the form of found words c Now to say that a believing person is a justified person that is wholesom and sound for the Text warrants it but to say an unbeliever is just or a justified person is unsound and unwarrantable For as he that lives by Faith is just so he that lives not by Faith is unjust Vse 2 See briefly from hence further How much the folly of all those is that boast of Faith and yet live in all manner of unrighteousness and sin These shall not live for Know ye not saith the Apostle that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdome of God whatever they talk of their Faith But so much for the Person who The just shall live QUEST V. By whose Faith shall he live AND the answer is in the Text By his own faith not by another mans faith Therefore in the Confession of Faith every one saith for himself I believe not my Friend not my Father not my Brother believes for me but I my self believe for my self One mans prayer may obtain good for another but one mans faith cannot save another No more than one mans soundness of constitution can give health to another that is sick or one mans soul give life to another that is in a dead or dying condition No the just man shall live by his own faith Mat. 9.22 There Christ speaks to the woman with the bloody issue Thy faith hath made thee whole not the faith of any other that were about him So Luke 7. last And he said to the woman Thy faith hath saved thee go in peace Reasons of living by a mans own faith And why must it necessarily be a mans own Faith Reas 1. Because it is the nature and essence of saving Faith for a man to make particular application of Christ to himself as we heard before Gal. 2.20 that loved me And Thomas when he had any stirrings of spiritual life cryes thus My Lord and my God Yea in the greatest shakings of Faith there is some secret application and appropriation of God to the soul When we seem to put God away with the one hand we pull him to us with the other As it was in the speech of David and Christ too My God my God why hast thou sorsaken me Forsaken me and yet my God still Where there is any life at all there some Faith None can live spiritually none can live eternally but such as have faith of their own It is both the means and the mark of eternal life Mark 16.16 He that believeth shall be saved he that believeth not shall be damned There must be a particular application of Christ to the souls of all that are saved They live by their own Faith Therefore Christ in Scripture is compared to those things that can do a man no good unless they be applyed as to Salve Job 6.53 Gal. 3.27 to the Balm of Gilead to Meat and Drink and Garments What good can Salve c. do me unless it be applyed to my body 'T is not
enough that my nearest or dearest friend applyes these to himself that will not heal me nor feed me nor cover my nakedness Every man lives by his own eating and drinking is covered and kept warm by his own garments so the just lives by his own Faith Reas 2. Because he that hath the most Faith hath none to spare for another man and therefore every man must live by his own Faith They are guilty of pride and folly proud Fools that think they have faith enough and grace enough both for themselves and others 't is the Prerogative Royal of the King of Saints to justifie others by his Righteousness And though they may seem to be humble that would be beholding to another for such a favour yet they are but humble fools Mat. 25.8 the foolish Virgins said to the wise Give us of your oyl of your faith and grace For the wise answered Not so lest there be not enough for us and you They had enough for themseves they had none to spare for others He is a foolish Souldier that being to go into the field with a wise and vigilant Commander thinks to borrow Arms of his fellow-Souldier if his fellow-Souldier would part with them his Commander will never suffer it Every Souldier must appear at the general Muster with his own Arms Every Christian Souldier I am sure must else there is no looking Christ in the face who is the great Lord General of the Field and the Captain of our Salvation Heb. 2. Every Souldier must appear compleatly armed Eph. 6.11 Put on the whole armour of God and ver 13. Take unto you the whole armour of God Mark first every Souldier must have it 2. Put it on 3. He must put on all 4. Above all the shield of Faith ver 16. So that every Christian Souldier must be armed with his own shield of faith he must either stand or fall to his own Master viz as he appears in this posture or otherwise Now shall we come to the Use Rules about living by a mans own faith But before to speak something by way of Caution 1. In the Amplification 2. In the Restriction of this Truth Part. 1 First for Amplification for the right understanding of it here observe these Particulars First Not so a mans faith but still it is Gods he is both the Author and the Finisher of our faith 'T is the faith of the operation of God Col. 2.12 Hence God will have us see our own backwardness both first and last what ado to believe at first what ado to keep it when we have it how oft at such a loss that if the mighty power of God should not revive our dead faith we and our faith should both dye together VVe are kept through faith but it is by the power of God to salvation 1 Pet 1.5 So that if at any time we glorifie God by believing we may say as David 1 Chron. 29.14 Of thine own have we given thee we live indeed by our own faith but so our own that it is Gods more then ours Eph. 2.8 By grace ye are saved through faith and that is the gift of God Part. 2 Secondly A man doth not so live by his own faith but in temporal respects the faith of another man may do him good Masters by their faith obtained healing for their Servants Parents for their Children Mat. 15.28 O woman great is thy faith Mat. 9.2 Jesus seeing their faith healed the sick of the Palsey Gods people for the town or place where they live The innocent i. e. the faithful doer shall deliver the Island Job 22. ver last Gen 18.32 If ten righteoous persons shall be found there I will not destroy it for ten sake Especially in Magistrates Moses Numb 14. Hezekiah Isaiah 37. put up prayers and God saved the people and places they praid for Then Phineas executed judgement appeased God by faith and so the plague was stayed Psal 106.30 Part. 3 Thirdly In spiritual respects also another mans faith may do good in the exercise of it Parents faith may do much for the spiritual good of their children By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come and By faith Jacob blessed both the sons of Joseph Heb. 11.20 21. They plead a kinde of hereditary right by the grand Charter As the Devils Covenant runs much in a blood many times where there is a curse upon a family so Gods Covenant where there is a blessing Gen. 17.7 I will bless thee and thy seed after thee And so Rom 11. They are beloved for the fathers sake i.e. for Gods promise of Free-grace made unto the Fathers and pleaded and sued out by the faithful Parents have God upon the hip to speak with reverence when they wrestle with him in Prayer for their children So you reade of an hereditary faith as of hereditary temporal possessions and 't is a strong hold if the Livery be sued out I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith which is in thee which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois and thy mother Eunice 2 Tim. 1.5 'T is a strong pair of bellows to blow up the grace of God to a great flame So in the Ministery who are spiritual Parents faith may do much good exercised in Preaching and Prayer to beget the like faith in others as one Candle lights another or one Natural Life begets another so one Spiritual Life begets another by the immortal seed of the Word warm'd and inlivened by the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 4.15 Though you have ten thousand instructers in Christ yet not many fathers for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the Gospel Hence the Apostle writing both to Timothy and Titus useth great boldness of speech 1 Tim. 12. To Timothy my own son in the faith 1 Tit. 4. To Titus my own son after the common faith sayes he That faith which was in Paul did beget the like faith in Timothy and Titus Part. Fourthly A man may have much more comfort and glory also by the faith of other men than otherwise he should have when he under God hath been an instrument of it 1 Thess 3.7 8. Brethren we were comforted over you in all our afflictions and distress by your faith for now we live if you stand fast in the Lord. See the Apostle did even live by their faith i.e. far more comfortably than otherwise he should have done Phil. 4.1 My brethren dearly beloved and longed for my joy and crown so stand fast in the Lord my dearly beloved The Apostle calls the believing Philippians his joy yea his crown of rejoycing his Crown not onely here but hereafter to all eternity Dan. 12.3 They that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars for ever and ever O how should this quicken us to the duty Jam. 5.19 20. Brethren if any of you do erre from the faith and one convert him let him know that he which converteth a sinner from the
errour of his way shall save a soul from death and shall hide a multitude of sins Thus much for Caution by way of Amplification Secondly by way of Restriction and there arise these Considerations Consid 1 1. Though sometimes in temporal respects the faith of one may do good for another yet not alwayes The case may be such as in Ezek. 14.20 Though Noah Daniel and Job were in the land as I live saith the Lord God they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters they shall save onely their own souls by their faith Nay Christ himself though he trusted in God his Father perfectly yet had not faith enough to save some temporally Mark 6.5 And he could there do no mighty work save that he laid his hand upon a few sick folk and healed them Take heed we never so harden our hearts against God as to be rendred uncapable of good by others faith and prayers for us Consid 2 2. Though one mans faith may procure much temporal good for another in many things yet it is not sanctified in any without an act of their own faith exercised in Word or Prayer 1 Tim. 4.4 Every creature of God is sanctified to us by the word and prayer Moses had faith enough to obtain many temporal blessings for the people which because they had not faith to use them were turned into curses and judgements Psal 78.30 They were not enstranged from their lust but while the meat was yet in their mouthes the wrath of God came upon them Consid 3 3. Though natural Parents and spiritual Parents procure much good to their Children and People by their faith yet not 1. To all their Children and People alwayes Abraham could not do it for Ishmael Gen. 17. v. 18. O that Ishmael might live before thee said he Paul could not do it for the Jews Rom. 9 1 2 3. I could wish my self accursed from Christ for my brethren my kinsmen according to the flesh who are Israelites and therefore carries away a heavy heart v. 2. 2. Not to any so that they shall have any comfort by it till they believe themselves Look as Parents convey a natural life under God to their children but they have no comfort in it till they live themselves till they see with their own eyes and breathe with their own nosthrils c. So it is in spirituall life though they may be means under God of conveying yet for all that the children do not live by their Parents faith nor people by their Ministers faith but children and people and all live by their own faith every man must stand upon his own bottome according to the foundation he rests upon The just shall live by his faith Consid 4 4. Though such as have been instruments of others conversion and faith shall have more joy and glory yet you must understand that onely of such as have faith themselves Onely such can say I live if ye stand fast in the Lord. I will not dispute whether an unbelieving Minister can beget faith in others I suppose it may be so Note else God himself by the mouth of the Apostle would not suppose it 1 Cor. 19 27. lest while I preach to others I my self become a cast-away They may be like the builders of Noahs Ark that made the Ark to save others but were drowned themselves But I suppose very rarely God doth honour them so But suppose it prove so I am perswaded it's little joy to them But as some carnal Parents complain they have so many children so they complain when any of Gods children spring up under their Ministery And surely their Consciences tell them that such must rise up in judgement against them another day Thou that teaehest another and by preaching convertest others teachest thou not thy self Rom. 2. Therefore such have no joy in others faith unless they believe themselves So that in every respect it is true in a sound sense The just shall live by his faith Vse Now for Vse Reproof 1 It reproves the dotage of the Papists that talk much of the Coblers Faith Against the â—aith of Papists who had no faith of his own but by saying he believed as the Church believed drove away the Devil And for my part I believe it may be true that the Devil was willing to be driven away upon these terms that he might confirm the blinde Papists in the Coblers Faith that is cobled up of Pride and Ignorance Pride in their great ones that think they have so much faith and grace to spare and Ignorance in their mean ones that are so silly as to think they may borrow or buy of others for love or money what they want themselves And therefore Mat. 25.9 as the five foolish Virgins they are sent to buy oyl for themselves of them that sell it Some conceive those words Go ye rather and buy to be not an Exhortation but a Derision of foolish people that think they may buy the Oyl of Grace of others As if a true Christian in the day of Judgement should say to an obstinate Papist then when he is glad to lay hold on the skirt of a Christian and say O let me go along with you and appear where you appear No we must look to our selves go your way to your Bishops and Priests and purchase your Pardons and Indulgences from them and see if they can save you from the wrath of the Lamb we cannot help you every man must live by his own faith Ezek. 18. as the soul that sins shall die the death so the soul onely that believes shall live this Spiritual and Eternal Life Repr 2 2. This reproves such carnal Professors as have no other faith Of them that pin their faith on others but what is pinn'd upon other mens sleeves Ask them why they are of his Faith and Religion rather then any other they can give no sound reason from the Word of God but rather from Tradition they received it by Tradition from their Elders their Fathers and Forefathers were of that Religion before them and therefore they will be so too Others it may be are profane and irreligious themselves but they hope God will shew them favour for their friends sake It may be their Father or Mother or some in the family are eminent in the faith and they hope they shall fare the better for their sake and that they shall slip into heaven under their wing or by taking hold on their skirts Certainly there may be a carnal confidence in spiritual friends Zech. 7. therefore the Apostle saith by way of prevention 2 Cor. 5.16 Henceforth know we no man after the flesh yea though we have known Christ after the flesh yet now henceforth know we him no more Alas it will be little comfort to a man that he hath kinred in Christ after the flesh that he hath been in his company many a time and oft and heard him preach and shewed some respect
unto him and yet this is that which wicked men do bear up themselves withall insomuch that they shall with much confidence plead it to Christs own face at the day of Judgement Luk. 13.26 Then shall ye begin to say We have eaten and drunk in thy presence and thou hast taught in our streets c. but what is Christs answer I tell you I know you not whence you are depart from me ye workers of iniquity But assure we our selves Satan will not onely delude wicked men with carnal knowledge of Christ but with a carnal and common knowledge of their Christian friends They shall bolster themselves up in this my Father or my Grandfather were eminent Professors of the faith and therefore I doubt not but I shall crowd into heaven in their company The Jews boasted much of Abrahams faith who was their father and so of Isaac and Jacob and of the Prophets surely they had a strong presumption that they should fare the better in the last day for their sakes and therefore Christ to take away their carnal confidence tells them plainly Luke 13.28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth when they shall see Abraham Isaac and Jacob and all the Prophets in the Kingdome of God and they themselves thrust out O many a wicked Wife Son c. shall see his glorified Father Husband c. but little enough to their comfort then there shall be two in one bed the one shall be taken and the other left the one shall go to heaven the other to hell Why so The one was a believer the other an unbeliever And look as the unbelievers infidelity cannot prejudice the believer so the believers faith faith cannot priviledge the unbeliever Every man shall then stand upon his own bottome whether he hath built upon the rock or upon the sands And therefore as it was wittily said of Non-residents He that serves his place by a Curate must go to heaven by a Curate so we may say truly and seriously in this case He that believes onely by another must onely go to heaven by another for he shall never come there himself unless himself believes for the just shall live by his faith Vse 2 2 Use If every one must have faith of his own then every one should have a Minister of his own Instruction for that 's the usual way of begetting and increasing faith Rom. 10.17 Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God I confess God may sometime bless the Ministery of a stranger but that which God delights to work by most commonly and most effectually is a Minister of our own Heb. 13.17 Submit to them that have the rule over you for they watch for your souls as they that must give account Every soul then should have a Watchman Think seriously what answers they will be Note when God asks three Questions on the sick-bed and you need spiritual help and comfort 1. Why do ye not send for the Minister according to Jam. 5.14 If any be sick let him send for the Elders of the Church and they pray for him And you answer Lord we have none of our own 2. Why no Minister according to that in Heb. 13.17 Answer We were not able to maintain one unless he would vow perpetual single life 3. And then God asks Are you not able to expend twice thrice as much in things less necessary for feeding or clothing the body in one moneth or week than you should in a whole year to your Minister And you feign to answer I 'll beg mercy of God At what time soever a sinner repents he shall finde mercy When alas that answer is not Scripture but coyn'd This is Scripture Prov. 1.28 When distress and anguish cometh upon you then shall they call upon me but I will not answer they shall seek me early but shall not finde me for that they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord. Vse 3 3 Use It exhorts us to prove our own selves and so to prove our own faith 2 Cor. 13.5 Examine your selves Exhortation whether you be in the faith prove your selves We will examine our gold and silver and if we suspect it we will not take a piece but we 'll bring it to the ballance and touchstone and why so because we are like to have an interest in it it is like to be our own we are like to be the gainers or losers by it or else we would not take so much pains about And shall we not try our own faith whether false or counterfeit Yet this is a common fault we are more busied about other mens matters then our own as Peter said Joh. 21. Lord what shall this man do or what do you think of such a man is he right and all this while it may be we are strangers at home As the Lapwing draws the traveller as far as she can from her Nest so the Devil draws men as far as he can from the examining their own faith he fills their heads full of curiosity either in matters of opinion in stead of matters of Faith and Life and living by faith or if they be busied about matters of practice then to be more curious about other men than to make inquiry into our own condition But the truth is we shall never have comfort in such a way if ever we would have sound comfort we must prove our selves our own faith our own works Gal. 6.4 5. Let every man prove his own work so shall he have rejoycing in himself and not in another QUESTION VI. When and how long the just lives by Faith ANswer All his time and at all times Therefore no time is specified to include all Now this Question is double 1. When 2. How long When hath respect to the season How long to the continuance The season hath respect either 1. To the Parts or 2. Adjuncts of time The Parts of time are three viz. Past Present and To come The Adjuncts are especially two Prosperity and Adversity whence dayes are said to be good or evil dayes 1 Pet. 3.10 Not as if there were any inherent good or evil in one time more than in another simply considered But onely as sin and misery makes them so Now in all these seasons the just lives by his faith all his life and in every part of his life 1. Parts of Time And first for the Parts of time Past Present to Come Time past 1. He lives by faith in respect of Time past Though a natural man makes little or no use of time past but looks at it as lost that which death possesseth unless sometime vainly wishing O mihi praeteritos referat c. O that I had my time before me again or O that I were young again Yet a good man makes good use of time past and faith lives upon that which God hath done long before or enabled is to do in our dependance
upon him Faith gathers ground upon God by such like Arguments as these 1. For himself I know God loved me in times past therefore sutely he loves me still Jer. 31.3 The Lord hath appeared to me of old saying Yea with an everlasting love have I loved thee c. He did good to me in time past therefore he will do good to me again Psal 77.5 I have considered the dayes of old Will the Lord cast off for ever I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High Psal 71.5 6 c. Thou art my hope O Lord from my youth c. 2. For the Church Isa 51.9 Awake awake O arm of the Lord awake as in the ancient dayes in the generations of old c. As if he had said Thy power is everlasting and thy Covenant is everlasting that 's the same for ever Ergo. Thus faith puts life in the soul by laying hold on time past Though times change Mal. 3 6. yet God changeth not 2. For Time Present Thus Faith lives upon God Time Present 1. In asking daily bread and all other necessaries because God promiseth to be the God of his people at all times and in all places for ever Heb. 13.5 Phil. 4.11 2. In being content with the present condition and believing that present dispensations are for our good Thus 1 Cor. 3. Present things are said to be ours Faith tells a man whatsoever is done in the course of Providence in Heaven or Earth it is ours and for our good Whereas unbelievers are never content with the present but alwayes Wishers and Woulders 3. For Time to Come Time Future All that God will ever do and that is much all shall be for our good come what can come Faith sayes My Father sits at the stern and guides all Unbelievers though well for the present are ever distrustfully careful for the morrow next day next year O what shall become of me and mine But the believer lives by his faith Gen. 17. I will be thy God and the God of thy seed after thee Heb. 13. I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Thus he lives by faith in the several parts of Time past present and to come And faith in the one strengthens faith in the other 2 Cor. 1.10 Who hath delivered us and doth deliver in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us Secondly for the Adjuncts of time Prosperity 2. Adjuncts of Time and Adversity good and evil dayes one or other Psal 62.8 Trust in him at all times ye people God is a refuge for us 1. Faith in time of Prosperity 1. For Prosperity And as touching it we shall observe how the just lives by faith 1. In obtaining 2. In using 3. In parting with a prosperous condition 1. In seeking it 1. He lives by faith in obtaining Prosperity For faith both directs a man in the right order of seeking it viz. By seeking the kingdome of God and the righteousness of it in the first place and then expecting all other things to be added Mat. 6. Mat. 6.33 And they are the best riches that are thus got by way of consequence While the unbeliever hastes to be rich O cives cives c. and hath an evil eye Prov. 28.22 and cries Money money before all And faith also directs a right measure and moderation of Spirit in seeking Prov. 30.8 9. Give me neither poverty nor riches feed me with food convenient for me making us willing to be at Gods carving And moreover in the right means as giving understanding out of the Word to hate every false way Psal 119.128 not as the unbeliever who lives by his wits not by his faith First Negatively Faith seeks not Prosperity either by Vsury Prov. â—8 8 or by Cheating 1 Thess 4.6 or by Gaming Prov. 13.11 Which Gaming besides it hath no blessing is also the occasion of many sins as Covetousness Anger Blasphemy c. and believe it such sport will bring down judgement in earnest Secondly Affirmatively Faith directs to seek Prosperity 1. By Diligence in our Calling Prov. 10.4 The hand of the diligent maketh rich 2. By not trusting to our diligence but Gods promise to the diligent Prov. 10 22. The blessing of the Lord it maketh rich Not sacrificing to our own Net but acknowledging with the Psalmist that unless the Lord build the house they labour in vain that build it c. Psal 127.1 2. In using it 2. He lives by faith in the using of Prosperity As 1. with an humble diffidence in our selves and the creature lest when we are full of the world full of our selves by pride and security and self-confidence Prov 30 9. we should forget God The Moon at the full is furthest from the Sun and in greatest danger of Eclipse because the earth is then between Wherefore faith applies that Caveat Psal 62.10 When riches increase set not your heart on them 2. With an holy confidence in God when we have most as if still as poor as Job 1 Tim. 6.17 Charge the rich that they trust not in uncertain riches but in the living God c. Faith applies that charge It then crucifies a man to the world when he is full of the world 3. In not serving himself or his lusts but serving God in his good estate So did Job by the Devils own confession when he said Doth Job serve God for nought Job 1.10 To be rich in good works is made the right use of riches 1 Tim. 6. Honour the Lord with thy substance that 's the Command Prov. 3.9 An unbeliever sayes May I not do what I will with my own c He remembers not that what he hath is Gods and himself but a steward therefore he serves himself and makes provision for the flesh Rom. 13. to satisfie the lusts of pride of drunkenness of uncleanness c. When I fed them to the full they were as fed horses Jer. 5.7 A full-fed horse that lifts up his heel against his Master is unworthy of his provender But ordinarily this poor creature is more loving to his Master then men to God according to that complaint Isa 1.2 Lastly in laying his goods out to spiritual advantages so making friends of enemies for ordinarily no greater enemy to our salvation than these things friends of the Mammon of unrighteousness Luke 16 9. So to lay out is to lay up against a time of need not onely in the world to come but in this world Eccles 11.2 Give a portion to seven and also to eight for thou knowest not what evil shall be on the earth Contrary to the reasoning of an unbeliever or churlish Nâ—bal 3. As he lives by faith in obtaining and using 3. In parting wiâ—h it so in being willing to part with a prosperous condition He that in prosperity terminates his desire in the creature lives by sense But he that terminates his desire in God lives by
faith For as we must rejoyce in God when we have no Creature-comforts as Hab. chap 3.17 so when we have all manner of Creature-comforts We are by faith to set loose from the world when we have most of it as a passenger that stayes but for a fair wind and then he is willing to let loose from the shore and hoyse up sail into the Main if God give a fair call willing to leave all as Job chap 2. and those Christians Heb. 10.34 that suffered joyfully the spoiling of their goods or the faithful Priests and Levites that left their suburbs and possessessions to go to Jerusalem from the Idolatry of Jeroboam 2 Chron. 11.13 14. The natural man when he hath abundance sayes he hath something to trust to Soul eat drink aad be merry thou hast much good laid up for many years c. as the rich fool Luke 12. 'T is dangerous to live upon the creature For Jer. 17.5 Cursed be that man that maketh flesh his arm c. Vse By the way let this Reprove all those that live not by faith in prosperity whether in getting or using or parting with it We think we stand in much need of faith in adversity to live in troubles but never think how we may live by it in prosperity whereas indeed this is the harder of the two There is danger in both supposing our vile and corrupt nature and therefore it was a holy prayer of an holy man Prov. 30. to have neither poverty nor riches But there is most danger in prosperity It hath slain its ten thousands as was said of David in the Song The prosperity of fools slayes them Prov 1. last Whereas adversity sometimes saves them So David Psal 119 It was good for me that I was afflicted Periissem nisi periissem as he said Therefore you have the need of faith in prosperity so pressed Deut. 8.10 11 When thou art full take heed c. Vse 2. It were good also hence to examine our selves whether we live by faith by considering what we do about our prosperity according to the Particulars spoken of in getting using and being willing to part with our Estates But so much for the first Adjunct of Time viz. Prosperity Now let us see how a believer lives by faith in Adversity Things adverse fall out either 1. In time of Life 2. Faith in time of adversity or 2. In Death He lives by Faith in respect to either First in time of Life I Branch In Life And this is principally meant here where this great Oracle of our Faith or living by faith is delivered The people being in great distress by means of Babylon the Prophet upon his Watch-tower expostulates the case with God God answers He will deliver them but not yet The vision is for an appointed time Obj. But how shall they be able to subsist in the mean time A. The Lord by the Prophet answers That the proud person will scorn to to wait upon the Lord so long His soul that is lifted up and withdraws it self to false refuges yea But the just shall live by his faith in these evil times and in the midst of greatest discouragements For the further clearing of this we shall let see 1. That it is so The just does then live by his faith 2. In what things living by faith then consists 3. In what manner he does it 4. By what means and then apply it Quaer 1 First That the just does live by faith in the Adversity which happens in this life we have the example of Paul Gal. 2.20 Though the Apostle was crucified with Christ i.e. partaker of his sufferings Nevertheless I live sayes he he is also partaker of the life of Christ Moses Heb. 11. â—4 25. by faith chose afflictions rather than the pleasure of sin David 1 Sam. 30.6 under heavy affliction and adversity comforted himself in his God See for all Psal 119.50 This is my comfort in my affliction for thy word hath quickned me Quaer 2 Secondly In what things he lives by Faith in Adversity Ans 1. In relation to inward troubles Ans 1. In relation to inward Troubles he lives by faith under Corruptions Tentations Desertions 1. Instance of the life of faith under Corruptions you have in the Church Mic. 7.19 He will subdue our iniquities and thou wilt cast all our sins into the depths of the sea And in Paul Rom. 7. O wretched man that I am c. yet I thank my God through Jesus Christ my Lord. He puts up head from under water as it were 2. For Faith under Temptations see 1 Pet. 5.8 Whom ie Satan resist stedfast in the faith Fairh can resist him Besides faith sees the devil chain'd up 2 Pet. 2.4 that he cannot tempt whom when how far how long he willeth Clear instance in Job's case Chap. 1.10 3. Under Desertions also For though Communion with God may be debarr'd for a time yet Vnion is unchangable Heb. 13.5 6. I will never leave thee nor forsake thee So that we may boldly say The Lord is my helper c. And that 1. On Gods part Rom. 5.10 If when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son much more being reconciled we shall be saved by his life Therefore he that sits in darkness and sees no light as it is Isa 50. last hath encouragement to trust in the Name of the Lord. See how David stayes his heart in this case Psal 42.5 Why art thou sad O my soul put thy trust in God I shall yet praise him c. 2. The Union is unchangeable on our parts too For God hath promised Jer. 32.40 to put his fear in our hearts that we shall not depart from him as he will not from us Wherefore the Apostle sayes 1 Joh. 3.9 He that is born of God cannot sin i.e. utterly because the seed of God remaineth in him 3. On the enemies part also as to any thing they can do to break it Rom. 8.35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ shall tribulation or distress or famine or nakedness or peril or sword c. 2. In relation to outward Troubles 2. In outward troubles he lives the life of faith both in respect of the Troubles themselves and the effects of those troubles The troubles themselves may be considered 1. As in the Body And here are sicknesses and infirmities In these he lives by faith as acknowledging them the effect of his sin Lam 3.39 40 and therefore is stirred up to search and try his wayes and then with David to cry to the Lord for healing Psal 41.4 Heal my soul for I have sinned against thee The touch of faith can heal The prayer of Faith and Hezekiah Isa 38. The prayer of faith saves the sick Jam 5. 2. Or in the Estate and here are losses and crosses and wants Faith in the loss of goods apprehends a better and more enduring substance Heb. 10.34
In the loss of Friends Faith sayes Yet my God lives if a Husband Yet my Husband Christ lives if a Father Yet the faithful can say Our Father which art Heaven if Children David you see could comfort himself in the loss of his Childe 2 Sam. 12.23 Obj. Obj. Yea and so could I if I were assured of their good estate Ans Ans However thou mayest have comfort by vertue of these general promises Psal 25.10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth to such as keep his Covenant And Rom. 8.28 We know that all things work together for good to those that fear God 3. In Name and here are reproaches lies slanders c. You have a large instance of faith bearing up against such evils Heb. 10.33 35 36 37 38. 4 In Doubtful actions Here faith hath a promise Psal 37.5 Commit thy way to the Lord and he shall bring thy desire to pass 5. Or in Opposition of Enemies whether 1. Wicked men Psal 3.6 Or 2. Satan 1 Pet 5.8 Or 3. The World 1 Joh. 5.4 6. Lastly troubles may arise from the Displeasure of Friends Faith also overcomes these Jacob's faith his Brother Esau's anger Gen. 32. Moses faith the wrath of Pharaoh Heb. 11.27 Daniels faith made him fearless of the Kings Decree Dan. 6.10 So for the Troubles themselves 2. The just lives by faith also in the effects of outward Troubles and that either 1. In themselves whence arises Passion or 2. Towards others whence arises Compassion Faith in Passions First he lives by faith in those disquieting Passions and affections which outward troubles stirre up in the soul which are especially three Fear Sorrow Care Fear is stirred up from the apprehension of imminent evils Sorrow from the feeling of present evils and Care from both viz. to prevent if the evils be imminent to bear or remove if present Now a Christian lives by faith in all these Ans 1. Of Fear 1. In his Fears Fear is a strong Passion it makes sometimes the very life hang in suspense See Deut. 28.66 Peter on the water cryes out for fear Save Master I perish Now What time I am afraid sayes David I will trust in thee Psal 56.3 So Jehosaphats fear drove him to God 2 Chron. 20. He feared and proclaimed a fast and cryed Lord we know not what to do but our eyes are up unto thee Obj. But this may be the case of David and Jehosaphat onely and such eminent Saints No for 't is said of any faithful man Psal 112. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings How so his heart is fixed trusting in the Lord. Whereas a carnal man sometimes he is killed with the very fear Dan. 5. as Belshazzar his fear strikes him to the very heart at first But a believer presently looks at both Command and Promise Isa 8.12 13. Fear ye not their fear nor be afraid but sanctifie the Lord in your heart let him be your fear and your dread and he shall be for a Sanctuary c. 2. Of Sorrow 2. In Sorrows Though a believer puts not off natural affection yet he does not sorrow as those without faith without hope 1 Thess 4.13 But according to that of the Apostle in another place 2 Cor. 6.10 He is as sorrowful yet alwayes reioycing Rejoycing in hope Rom. 5.2 even before the evil be removed ver 3. We glory in tribulations c. 3. In Cares Whereas a carnal man is eaten up of cares 3. Of Care cares choak the seed of the Word in him Faith teacheth a Christian to cast all his cares upon God 1 Pet. 5.7 viz 1. By looking to the Promise Heb. 13.5 He hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee 2. By making his request known Phil 4 6. 3. By doing his duty and leaving the success to God Psal 37.5 Commit thy way to the Lord he shall do it What is begun in his strength trust him with the end and issue 4. In making God his portion in want of all things Psal 16.2 O my soul thou hast said to the Lord Thou art my Lord. See there how a believing soul acts faith in the worst hours even when the grave and hell is apprehended ibid. v. 9 10. Yet then O my soul though hast said unto the Lord Thou art my portion My good extends not unto thee yea but thy goodness extends to me Mark my goodness extends not to thee if I had all the world For magis and minus make no difference Yea but thy goodness extends to me if I had nothing in the world There is virtually in God whatsoever is in all Creatures So that God can nourish without meat as well as with it warm without clothes c. Therefore God is a sufficient portion of himself And faith believing this can chearfully embrace Christ and Reproach Christ and a Prison Christ and Poverty Christ and Death Thus the soul lives by faith in adversity as having nothing 2 Cor. 6. and yet possessing all things Secondly Faith in Compassions He lives by faith in the effect of our own trouble towards others and that is Compassion Faith tells us this is one main end of our sufferings that we may pity others 1. In Soul straits One that knows what belongs to a wounded Spirit cannot but pity Pro. 18.14 Other infirmities a mans own Spirit can sustain but a wounded Spirit who can bear 'T is a true saying besides reading meditation and prayer Temptation makes a good Divine Therefore such an one is set out as meetly qualified for a High Priest who can have compassion on the ignorant and on them that are out of the way for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity Heb. 5.2 And also 2. In outward troubles as sickness poverty banishment and the like One that hath been in them knows the better to pity others Exod. 23.9 Ye know the heart of a stranger seeing you were strangers in the land of Egypt 2 Cor. 1.4 We are comforted in our tribulations that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble by the comfort wherewith we our selves are comforted of God Quest How does the just live by faith in point of Compassion Ans Divers wayes 1. In observing the Precept unto it 1 Pet. 3.8 Have compassion one of another love as brethren be pitiful be courteous 2. In heeding the threatning of judgement without mercy Jam. 2.10 to them that shew no mercy 3. In eying the Promise Mat. 5.7 Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy And Prov. 19.17 He that hath pity on the poor lendeth to the Lord and he will repay him again And saith Christ With the same measure that you mete shall it be measured to you again c. Luke 6.38 * And here I cannot but give you of this place thanks for your liberality to the poor the stranger the fatherless and widows for the many bowels refreshed by you c. And
these are the things which the just lives by faith in concerning adversity Quaer 3 Thirdly We come to enquire in what manner he lives by faith in troubles or in what particular passages of Providence And here are these things observable Ans Manner of living by faith in troubles 1. That he does it 1. In preventing the storm So 2 Kings 19.6 upon Hezekiahs prayer of faith the storm of Sennacheribs invasion was driven back And Jon. 3. the Ninevites believing God drave back that storm threatned by Jonah Nor Devils nor Witches have any power over a man if he believes therefore Christ to Peter Luk. 22.32 Simon Simon Satan hath desired to have you that he may winnow you as wheat but I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not as if he had said So long as Faith holds out Satan hath no power whom therefore resist stedfast in the faith 1 Pet. 5. 2. In looking at God Ordaining all troubles sc 1. That every man must look for some Rom 8.29 where speaking of sufferings he sayes We were predestinate to be conformable to the image of his Son 2. What and how many every man shall have Faith sees the Cup in a Fathers hand Thou couldst have no power unless it were givon thee from above said Christ to Pilate 3. In looking at God Ordering and Disposing all things in middest of Confusion Joseph his selling imprisoning and exalting again all was by Gods disposing though the instruments knew it not Phil. 1.12 Paul tells them that the things which happened to him seemingly as a stoppage in truth made for a furtherance of the Gospel And Rom. 8.28 We know that all things work together for good to them that love God 4. In seeing God Bounding and Limiting troubles as in Jobs case Chap. 2. When affliction breaks in as the sea Faith hears God say Huc usque Hitherto and no further shall thy proud waves come Isa 10 22. The consumption determined shall overflow in righteousness And so again Isa 27.7 8. In measure thou wilt debate with it He will stay his rough wind in the day of the east wind 5. In seeing Gods Protection that however the storm comes to fall upon us yet he is so merciful as to hold his holy hand of protection over us Yea Psal 91.4 He shall cover thee with his feathers and under his wings shalt thou trust his truth shall be thy shield and buckler 6. In Supporting or seeing Gods Support that however the storm comes and falls upon us without any shelter yet God is merciful in giving sufficient strength to bear it 1 Cor. 10.13 God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able but will with the temptation make a way to escape that you may be able to bear It is many times a wonder nay a Miracle to see how God supports his people when they cannot get off the trouble yet making them hear My grace is sufficient for thee viz. my grace applied by faith 7. In Sanctifying troubles Rev. 7.17 There they that came out of great tribulations washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. There is a malignity in all afflictions but faith in Christ crucified takes away that malignity and venomous sting Isa 27 9. This is all the fruit of those troubles To purge away their sin 8. In Saving and Delivering or fitting the soul for deliverance that howsoever troubles lie on a great while the Lord will send help in due time Therefore God is styled A present help in time of trouble Psal 46. And although many be the troubles of the righteous yet the Lord delivers them out of all as it is Psal 34.19 Wherefore it is noted that it was by faith that Israel was delivered out of Egypt when they passed through the Red sea Heb. 11.29 9. In Sanctifying Deliverance Luke 1.74 75. Who hath delivered us out of the hands of our enemies that we might serve him in holiness and righteousness before him all the dayes of our lives Quaer 4 Now further By what means does the just live by faith in the troubles of this life Ans Means of living by faith in troubles Ans First in weighing spiritual mercies against temporal evils 1 Sam. 30.6 David ready to be stoned comforted himself in the Lord his God The Lord himself propounds a spiritual mercy against a temporal evil to sustain his people under it Isa 30.20 Though the Lord give you the bread of affliction and the water of affliction yet shall not thy Teachers be removed into a corner The Apostle make use of such a support 2 Cor. 4.16 17. For this cause we faint not for though our outward man perish our inward man is renewed day by day 2. In making the soul to rest upon the naked Word of God though it be against ordinary reason So Abraham Rom. 4.17 Believed in hope against hope according to what was spoken so shall thy seed be In hope of Faith against hope of Reason Thus by faith we believe the Creation of the World by the bare Word of God without precedent matter Heb. 11.3 Faith looks up to the promise Isa 43.1 2. When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt c. 3. In enabling the soul to relye on Gods Attributes which make good his Word and Promise As 1. His Power Gen. 17.1 I am God Almighty walk before me and be thou perfect 2. His Truth and this binds him as Power enables him to help Psal 31.5 Into thy hands I commit my Spirit O Lord God of Truth Heb. 11.11 Sarah believed him faithful who had promised 3. His Love to help and even to prevent as the Prodigal's father ran to meet his son afar off Isa 65.24 Yea before they call I will answer and while they are yet speaking I will hear See Psal 32.5 4 His Vnchangeableness Jam. 1.17 with whom there is no shadow of change 4. In making the absent good to be present Faith looks beyond the clouds and skies and seek all clear above Moses Heb. 11.25 c. looks through the affliction and reproach of Christ and sees the recompence of reward We rejoyce now saith the Apostle in hope of glory Rom. 5.2 So faith sees the after-good of the Church as present Revel 18.2 Babylon as good as fallen above a thousand years before 5. In strengthning Patience Therefore Faith and Patience are joyned together So Heb. 10.35 36 37. Cast not away your confidence which hath great recompence of reward For you have need of patience that when you have done the will of God you may inherit the promise Now by patience we possess our souls through it all is calm within while storms are without A wounded conscience within is worse then the outward burthen like a sore back to the horse But faith heals
this sore giving us peace with God and so enables to bear the outward burthen the inward burthen being removed As for this it casts all the burthen of its cares fears and sorrows upon God and so is quiet And thus much for the Life of Faith in those Adversities which happen in the course of our Life Now see how he lives the Life of Faith in Death II Branch Of Adversity viz. Faith in death A believer lives by faith in Death Faith is a godly mans life at the time of his death as it appears by the living speeches of dying men David Psal 23. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil Simeon Luke 2. Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace The Cloud of Witnesses Heb. 11. All these died in faith v 13. Reasons 1. 1. They died in faith because they believed the accomplishment of promises to be fulfilled after death as in the same place Heb. 11.13 not having received the promises but seeing them afar off and perswaded of them Believers dye in faith 1. For their Posterity as in the examples of Isaac and Jacob Heb. 11.20 21. who because God had promised to be the God of their seed when they were dying applied it to their posterity and blessed them concerning things to come 2. For the Church believing that God will make it a praise in the earth Isa 67.2 3. For Themselves when they go down to the waves of hell and the grave they see land afar off Stephen ready to be stoned Behold sayes he I see heaven opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God Acts 7.56 Stephen sees heaven opened to receive him And Job chap. 19.25 I know my Redeemer lives and though after my skin worms destroy this body yet in my flesh I shall sâ—e God Moses likewise in the hazarding of himself in Egypt had respect to the resurrection of his name and body and the recompence of reward Heb. 11.26 The Saints like Moses upon the top of Mount Nebo Deut. 34.1 take a view of Canaan by faith and then they are willing to dye See Paul for further instance 2 Cor. 5. from v. 1. to 9. 2. Believers dye in faith because they see it a Conquer'd enemy Death saith the Apostle is swallowed up in victory by Christ Hos 13.13 O death I will be thy plagues O grave I will be thy destruction 'T is part of Christs victory to conquer Death 1. By conquering the devil that had the power of death 2. Our fear of death See Heb. 2.14 15. 3. They see the sting of death pull'd out so conquered as disarmed 1 Cor. 15.55 O death where is thy sting The sting of death is sin But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ 4. They see it not onely a conquered and disarmed enemy but made their servant All things are yours saith the Apostle to believers 1 Cor. 3.21 22. as Paul or Apollo or Cephas are yours so death is yours sayes he As you are under God that is under you 5. Nay they see it as a Friend 1. In freeing them from the miseries of this life 2. In being their Porter or Usher into eternal life There are five Concomitants of this life which make it troublesome and Death befriends the Saints in them all by taking them away from them There is 1. The sinfulness of their Natures which makes them cry out with Paul O wretched man that I am who shall deliver c 2. There is the vanity of the Creature a sore evil For here Omnia vanitas All is vanity 3. The Wickedness of the World that constrains the Saints many times to complain with David Psal 120.5 Woe is me that I sojourn in Mesech c. 4. There are also Gods judgements upon the world In which respect death makes the godly happy for as 't is Isa 57.1 2. they are taken away from the evil to come they rest in their beds c. 5. The last evil Concomitant is the believers distance from Christ 2 Cor. 5.6 while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord therefore we desire sayes he to be absent from the body and present with the Lord. 6. Death is not onely chang'd to a believer but faith in death is seen also by altering our judgements concerning death The natural face of death is terrible to Nature and fear'd but faith sees it with desire Paul and Simeon can say I desire to be dissolv'd Christ hath not onely conquered death for his but the fear of death as was said before Heb. 2.14 And this resolves the second part of the Question How long a believer is to live by his faith and that is All his life long till death and then in death Therefore 't is said Rev. 2.10 Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee the crown of life And Gal. 2.20 I live saith Paul all the while I live by the faith of the Son of God c. Hence the word of the Text is put in the Future tense The just shall live by his faith to signifie the perpetuity of this life of faith As long as we live we must live by faith But no longer And therefore though Faith is excellent in some respect yet Love is more excellent in another viz. in regard of durance 1 Cor. 13.8 to the end 't is said there Love never faileth But knowledge and means of knowledge shall cease and faith shall cease but Charity never And therefore though Faith is * above before Charity in the first apprehension of Christ yet Charity is above Faith in the everlasting enjoyment of Christ and the society of true Christians However Faith is of excellent use all ouâ— life long till we come to a perfect vision we live by faith 2 Cor. 5.7 But no longer for we need it no longer As a man that sends home a friend wiâ—h a candle and lanthorn in a dark night commands the messenger to light him to his own door and then to return again for 't is supposed he hath more light in his own house than the lathorn could afford Such a charge God gives to his Word and to faith the lanthorn-bearer Psal 119.105 Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my paths Go give such a man light until he come to Heaven and leave him there Or as God gave Commission to the Angel Acts 12. to awaken Peter and to shake off his chain to clothe him with garments to open the gates to lead him through the first and second Ward and when he had done so forthwith the Angel departed from him Just so Faith is like this Angel it awakens us out of the the sleep of sin shakes off the chains of Satan clothes us with the righteousness of Christ opens the door of the ear and heart leads us through the first and second Ward of
all oppositions and temptations yea through the iron gate of death it self and then it leaves us Or as the Pillar of the Cloud and fire went along with the Israelites alâ—â—â—e way of the Wilderness and a very comfortable companion it was indeed the very Angel of God's presence But when it once came to Canaan then it left them they saw it no more So Faith is a sweet companion to direct us in a right way in the wilderness of this life till we come to the Celestial Canaan that flows with the milk and honey of Gods Beatifical Presence and then it leaves us because then we shall have in possession what before we did hope for and apprehend by faith Thus see how long we live by faith as the Stars give light till the Sun ariseth so Faith till Christ the Sun of Righteousness shines bright in Heaven A man hath no use of a Ship or Boat any longer than he is at Sea when he once comes to the Haven it will carry him no further if he will have it any further he must carry it it will not carry him So faith carries a man upon the waters of this troublesome world till we come to the haven of Eternal Happiness and then there is no further use of it In the mean-while make much of it and take heed above all things that thou make not shipwrack of faith 1 Tim. 1.19 To conclude Faith is a Christians Companion all along it saith to the Soul as Ruth to her Mother Ruth 1.16 17. Whither thou goest I will go and where thou lodgest I will lodge where thou diest will I die and there will I be buried Now for the Use of this sixth Head of the Life of Faith Vse 1 See from hence the Excellency of Faith as it triumphs over death and all other Adversity Discovery of the excellency of Faith 1. It triumphs over Death It is a Conqueror over Conquerors and therefore makes us more then Conquerors through Jesus Christ that hath loved us Rom. 8.37 Faith is sure of victory before-hand Nay though we are overcome in some respect we overcome those that overcome us in other respects Even those that have power to put us to death we may overcome them by dying Rev. 12.11 And they â—vercame him the Dragon by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their Testimony and they loved not their lives unto the death 2. Here 's also the Excellency of Faith A Christian lives by it in time of all adversity When all other comforts dye this lives 'T is like the Laurel it flourishes in winter when all other Trees cast their leaves 'T is like Noah's Ark it lifts a man above the floods of many waters when others sink into the gulf of despair And indeed it was not so much the Ark of Noah as the Faith of Noah that bare him above the waters Heb. 11.7 By faith Noah prepared an Ark to the saving of his house c. All other men in the floods of adversity are born up with bladders the windy bladders of some vain confidence in Creature-comforts O they have such a friend such a device c And when these break down they sink But a believer by Faith is born up by the everlasting mercy of God Deut. 33.27 Vnderneath are the everlasting Arms c. And therefore he can never sink so low but faith will raise him up again Psal 32.6 Surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him Faith therefore is an excellent grace A Christians strong water in fainting-fits Psal 27.13 I had fainted but that I hoped to see the goodness of God Yea 't is his life in Death Vse 2 Secondly Hence make Tryal of your Faith Tryal of faith from adversities both for the Being of it and Degree In Luke 8.13 you reade of some that believe for a while but in time of Temptation fall away These had never true faith if they totally and finally fall There may indeed be shakings of faith in adversity as the Disciples in the storm were full of fears Mat. 8.26 But then it argues the less Faith Why are ye fearful O ye of little faith The more faith the less fear and the more fear the less faith You shall have some men in prosperity O they are marvellous confident as Peter was Mat. 26. Though all men shall be offended because of thee sayes he to Christ yet will I never be offended yet in adversity their hearts sink and they are ready to deny Christ as he Prov. 24.10 If thou faint in the day of adversity thy strength is but small Every bungler can sail fairly in a calm but it proves a skilful Pilot to govern a Ship well in a storm Every common Professor can believe in health in wealth in prosperity But if thou canst believe in sickness in poverty in adversity of all sorts then bless God for his free grace in Christ with Paul Phil. 4.13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me Vse 3 Thirdly Hence also see the Necessity of Faith and be stirr'd up to labour for it Shewing the necessiâ—y of faiâ—h in adversities O build on the Rock when the rain descends and the floods come and the winds blow We cannot live comfortably without it one day one hour minute Mat. 7.24 Every time is either prosperous or adverse we need faith in both in every thing we do suffer enjoy We hear by faith we pray by faith buy and sell by faith eat and drink by faith therefore we cannot live without it Non aqua igni magis utimur We use not fire and water more no not the air which we suck into our nostrils We cannot be one moment without it Vse 4 Fourthly Exhortation by faith to get patience in adversity Learn patience in adversity There are many impatient ones like Micah robb'd of his gods Judg 18. or like Rachel Jer. 31. weeping and refusing to be comforted or Cain Gen. 4. that complain of their punishment as greater than can be born But 't is for want of faith strangers in this to the Covenant of Grace If we be in the Covenant then know 1. That there 's living in adversity yea possibly better living than without Never less in prison than when in prison Never less overcome of the world than when I lose all the world as a gracious woman said 2. There 's more exercise of faith in adversity If we lose friends we are put upon seeking friendship with God if we lose goods or silver or gold there 's increase to be made of the golden Grace 1 Pet. 1.7 The tryal of your faith much more precious than gold Therefore be patient faint not Prov. 3 11. My son despise not the chastening of the Lord nor be weary of his correction There are two extremes to be avoided under afflictions the not bearing them or their overbearing us Vse 5 Fifthly Labour then
for much faith and make much of faith To make much of faith as our life in troubles To cherish and nourish it may increase it 1 Pet. 2.2 As new born babes desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby And we need it all For if the righteous scarcely be saved the just that lives by his faith if he scarcely i.e. quoad nos be saved what shall those do that are without it We should make much of our faith as men make much of that Medicine or that Strong-water that stands them in stead and preserves their life at a dead lift Get good store of that we must live by in adversity Therefore as Sailers provide Tackling fit for a storm so provide we for that storm when this earthly Tabernacle shall crack when the keepers of the house shall tremble and the strong men shall bow themselves and the grinders cease c. as you have it in that elegant description Eccles 12.3 4 5. That degree of faith which will serve turn in a ship will not serve turn when we come to walk upon the waters with Peter Mat 14.28 29 That degree of faith which will serve turn in a calm will no serve turn in a storm Peter walked till he saw the wind boisterous then he was afraid and began to sink Therefore pray Christ as the Disciples when they had a hard task set them Luke 17.3 4 5. Lord say they increase our faith Vse 6 Sixthly And the main Exhortation is To live by faith in adversity In troubles inward corruption tentations Live by faith in adversity desertion in troubles outward in body goods and actions from friends or from enemies learn to live by faith Motives Motives 1. God is more glorified in our living by faith in adversities Sure God is made known for a good Master when his servants are seen to stick so close to him as Job Chap. 1. â—0 20 21. and Chap. 2.5 c. So Job 13.15 If he slay me I will trust in him 2. The Church and our fellow-Members are hereby edified As many were strengthened through Paul's bands and imprisonment Phil. 1.12 c. And sanguis Martyrum was called semen Ecclesiae 3. Our selves shall be the rather comforted and rewarded Heb. 10.35 Cast not away your confidence which hath great recompence of reward Jam. 1.12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation for when he is tryed he shall receive the crown of life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him 1 Pet. 1.7 The tryal of your faith much more precious than of gold which perisheth shall be found to praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ Vse 7 Seventhly and lastly or rather indeed to have been the first Use Hence is Reproof to those that live not by faith in adversity Reproof for want of faith in bearing evils As they are justly reproved who live not by faith in prosperity but upon themselves and creatures resolving to repent and believe when they come into straits who keep faith as men keep Bezoar or Aqua-vitae for a dead lift so they are to be reproved who seem to live by faith in prospeâ—ity but nothing so in adversity As if a man should ride with sword and buckler all the way and then cast them away when he meets with the enemy While Prosperity and Profession go hand in hand who but they Though all men deny thee yet will not I deny thee But when they come to the High-Priests Hall then deny and swear and forswear They know not the Man Whilest it is fair weather all Birds sing merrily but few sing in a storm Few Christians sing the praises of God in a storm of adversity Few like the Nightingale sing in the dark night with the thorn of Persecution at their breast Few sing nay few live especially the life of faith Or if they live the life of nature are ready to take the counsel of Job's wife Curse God and dye The reason is Because they are not sound in prosperity If faith shake in affliction 't is weak if wholly lost 't was false There is building on the Sand Mat. 7.24 Therefore be sound in the faith for an hypocrites hope is as the spiders web Job 8.14 yea it is nothing for Job 27.8 What is the hope of the hypocrite If you be such as Peter you will fall shamefully if such as Simon Magus you will fall irrecoverably Not to live by faith in adversiry it argues That such 1. Prize not spiritual Mercies 2. Relye not on a naked Promise without a Pawn 3. Count not on Gods Attributes believe not his Truth Power Willingness Unchangeableness QUEST VII What Life is that the Just lives by his Faith ANd the Answer is very general All kinde of life that may truly be called life For the life of sinners though never so pleasurable is a death rather than a life He or she that liveth in pleasures is dead while she liveth 1 Tim 5.6 yea twice dead Jude v. 12. For the death of the soul is the separation of the soul from God who is the life of the soul as the soul is the life of the body But all kinde of life that is worth the name of life the just lives it by faith Therefore 't is spoken of indefinitely The just shall live c. that it may include all lives As all life comes from that God in whom there is a Trinity of Persons so from this God the just doth enjoy a Trinity of lives 'T is said Gen. 2.7 Jehovah Elohim breathed into mans nostrils the breath of lives viz. either the Vegetative life common with Plants the Sensitive common with Beasts and Rational common with Angels Or else take it of life Natural Spiritual and Eternal All which in some respect the just lives by vertue of his faith First then for Natural Life he lives this by faith I speak not of corrupt Nature I. Natural life lived by faith but of that life which flows from the conjunction of Soul and Body 1. In respect of the act of living Gal. 2.20 I live yet not I 1. In the act of living but Christ liveth in me and the life I now live I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me That a justified person is suffered to live and breathe it is by the benefit of faith Obj. Obj. But you will say All enjoy natural life even unbelievers as well as they that do believe Ans Ans Yet upon different grounds It 's true All being sinners in Adam and in our selves we have forfeited our lives yet God takes not the forfeiture on believerâ— no nor on unbelievers But on different grounds To make it plain by a Similitude Suppose two men condemn'd to dye the one is Repriev'd the other Pardon'd by the mediation of a friend at Court The Reprieved man is dead in Law though he live and
must dye shamefully at last But the other lives so as not to be questioned again and when he dies he dies with honour and respect Just so an unbeliever lives as a man Repriev'd Joh. 3.18 He that believeth not is condemned already A believer lives as a man pardon'd absolv'd by the merit mediation of his friend in the Highest Court of Heaven and though he die his death is honourable 't is but a change for a better life Thus we reade of David pardoned in respect of his temporal life 2 Sam. 12.13 The Lord hath put away thy sin thou shalt not die 2. In the conservation of life 2. In respect of the Conservation of life in the use of means For however a believer and unbeliever use both of them the same means for the maintaining of life yet not in the same manner They use both the same ayre the same exercise the same bread but the unbeliever useth these means as a beast and rests in the means and never looks higher Luke 12.19 Soul thou hast much goods laid up for many years take thine ease eat drink and be merry The believer by faith looks above the means he knows man liveth not by bread alone Mat. 4. but by every word that cometh out of the mouth of God he knows except the Lord build the house Psal 127. they labour in vain that build it c. Indeed faith teacheth him to use the means else he should tempt God But faith teacheth him not to relie upon the means for then he should slighâ— God 3. In respect of the Preservation of life from such things as are destructive as sicknesses enemies 3. In the Preservation of life and the like Therefore faith is called a Shield Eph. 6.16 Thus Daniel lives by faith in the Lions den the three Children in the fiery Furnace Hezekiah in his mortal sickness and is recovered to his perfect strength again Paul in his shipwrack Acts 27.25 Obj. But these had particular Promises for their faith to rest on Ans It is true yet we have all that general ground of the Psalmist Psal 31.15 My times are in thine hand deliver me c. But of this before in the sixth Question 4. In respect of the Prolongation of life As a just man prolongs his Parents life so God prolongs his 4. In the Pâ—olongation of life Compare Prov. 15.20 Gen. 27. last Thus a childe dutiful to the natural Father layes hold on the fifth Commandment which is the first with promise and so hath life prolonged Eph 6. Heb. 12. Thus also a childe dutiful to the Father of Spirits layes hold on that promise Prov. 3.16 Length of dayes are in her right hand and in her left riches and honour See before v. 2. Or that Isa 40.30 31. Even the youths shall faint c. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength c. 5. In ordering the Actions of life as eating 5. In the Actions of life and drinking and even recreation labour and rest Eccles 10 16. Wâ—e to thee O Land when thy Princes eat in the morning Happy art thou O Land when thy Princes eat in due season for strength and not for drunkenness And Rom. 14. last Whatsoever is not of faith is sin if it be not a particular for these things yet it is a general Rule 6. He lives by faith 6. In the Blessings of life in respect of the Comforts and Blessings of a natural life In general 1 Pet 3.10 He that will love life and see good dayes let him refrain his tongue from evil c. More particularly in respect of 1. Wealth Prov. 3.16 Wisdom there hath both hands full of blessings if thou hast but a hand of faith to receive them And Prov. 10.22 The blessing of the Lord it maketh rich and he addeth no sorrow with it whereas the riches of an unbeliever will not suffer him to sleep Eccles 5.12 The abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep viz. Through his care of getting or keeping or losing Obj. But many believers are poor Ans Temporal blessings are promised onely so far as needful for our frame of Spirit and present condition See 1 Pet. 1.6 Now if need be ye are in manfold temptations and so if need be ye shall be crowned with many blessings 2. Health Prov. 3.8 Wisdome in which faith is included shall be health to thy navil and marrow to thy bones Davids experience that depended on God by faith Ps 103.3 who healeth all thy diseases and v 5. maketh thee young The love of God strengthneth the Creature Obj. By this rule they should never die who alway live by faith on God for health Ans Temporal promises are made onely pro tempore and to be applyed so long as they shall be meet and expedient for us as was said of the former and no longer Now so long as God by faith raiseth up the heart to lay hold on them it is a sure sign he means to fulfil them But when he means to withdraw them he layes the keyes of Faith and Prayer out of the way 3 Peace The just live by faith for peace 1. By looking at the promise of it Prov. 16.7 When a mans wayes please the Lord he maketh his enemies to be at peace with him 'T is a promise on condition yet of free grace 2 At the Precept as a means to peace Rom. 14.19 Let us follow after the things which make for peace c. We must follow the temper of love described 1 Cor. 13.5 7. Charity doth not behave it self unseemly seeketh not her own is not easily provoked c. It beareth all things believeth all thâ—ngs hopeth all things endureth all things viz. unless the actions or Doctrines of men be appâ—rently evil for then the contrary is required 2 Epist Joh. v 10. If there câ—me any unto you and bring not this doctrine receive him not inâ—o your house nor bid him God speed Rev. 2 20. The Church there is reproved for suffering the woman Jezebel to teach and seduce Christs servants and commit fornication c So we must not suffer if any teach Antinomianism for Christ sayes expresly Mat. 5 17. I came not to destroy the Law but to fulfil it 4. Good success in the improvement of a mans natural life not onely for his own good but for the publick good And this implies many particulars For Faith teacheth a man 1. To improve his Natural life in undertaking some place of imployment in a civil life It will not suffer a man to live without a Calling So 1. Cor. 7.20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called which is meant of a particular Calling and supposes every Christian must have such a Calling for he mentions it as a charge under that general of keeping the Commands of God ver 19. 2. It stirs a man up to look to God for gifts for the
discharge of that Calling 1 Kin. 3.7 9. Now O Lord my God thou hast made thy servant King and I am but a little childe I know not how to go out and in Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people c. So the Apostle directs to live by faith in this case as well as other Jam. 1.5 If any man lack wisdom let him ask of God 3. It stirs a man up in the use of those gifts to seek not his own things but the things of other men Non nobis solum nati sumus No man is born to serve himself but his generation Acts 13.36 David after he had served his generation according to the will of God fell asleep A Christian hath not a private but a publick spirit 4. It stirs him up in serving his generation and in serving men to serve God Eph 6 5. Even servants there in serving their Masters are to serve Christ So again Col. 3.22 Israel is reproved Hos 10 1. because as an empty vine he brings forth fruit unto himself As one end of naturâ—l life is the civil life so the end of both is a religious life to the glory of God 5. It teacheth him to depend upon God in all for good Successe So we are taught Prov. 3.5 6. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to thine own understanding in all thy wayes acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths Psal 1.3 Whatsoever the righteous doth the Lord shall make it to prosper 6. It teacheth him to make a voluntary humble and bold Resignation of his calling and so of his civil life and natural life also into Gods hands when he shall call for it As in the forementioned example of David Acts 13.36 who fell asleep according to the will of God as soon as he had served his generation So Aaron Numb 20.23 c. by faith put off his Office as willingly as a man puts off his clothes when he goes to bed Such a disposition there was in Paul 2 Tim 4.6 7. I have fought a good fight I have finished my course henceforth a crown of Glory c. As a believers success is from God so into Gods hands he resignes his place with his Spirit And then he may lay down his head he may lay down his life with comfort 5. Good Name for God sayes 1 Sam. 2.30 Them that honour me I will honour and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed And Psal 17.6 There is a promise that if the righteous trust in the Lord though they were under a night and cloud of reproach yet their name shall break forth as the light 6. Posterity Psal 112.2 He that fears the Lord his Seed is promised to be mighty and his Generation blessed As on the contrary wicked men can entail nothing but a curse on their children Psal 109.9 10 12 13. Onely understand all these Promises to be made in Christ Note and not to Duties abstractly considered out of Christ 7. Single state and Marriage He lives by Faith 1. For the blessings of single life when God calls him thereto especially in troublesome times and troublesome places and in unsetled conditions 1 Cor. 7.8 I say to the unmarried and widows that they abide even as I. Thus then he lives by faith in this condition in the use of means for the upholding him whether 1. Ordinary as moderation of diet exercise civil and religious company Or 2. Extraordinary as fasting and prayer and covenanting with himself as Job 31.1 He charged those Sentinels they should not betray the stronger Fort of his heart into the hands of the weaker vessel So Mat. 19.12 Some have made themselves Eunuchs for the Kingdome of Heaven 2 For the blessing of a Married condition when God calls thereunto especially in times of peace and prosperity He looks at a meet Help as a portion promised from God for the better bearing the manifold incumbrances of this present life Eccles 9.9 Live joyfully with the wife of thy youth all the dayes of thy life c. for that is thy portion in this life and in thy labour which thou takest under the Sun The truth is a good Conscience within and a good Consort without are two of the most comfortable helps under heaven for the better bearing of the greatest burthens upon the face of the earth The poor beast with a great burthen on his back goes cheer'd partly with his Provender partly with the musick of his Bâ—lls A good Conscience is musick within the Biâ—d in the breast A good consort is musick without the Bird in the ear who shall do thee good and not evil all the dayes of her life Prov. 31.12 Lastly The just lives by faith this natural life in respect of the prizing or valuation of his life 7. In thâ— valuaâ—ion of life so as neither to be a Prodigal nor a Niggard of it Faith teaches a man neither to undervalue nor overvalue his life A Christian holds the rein of life by the hand of faith neither too fast nor too loose Reason will teach a man a notional valuation of his life but onely faith will teach a man a practical valuation of it 1. Not to undervalue it Natural Reason tells a man That of all temporal blessings natural life is the greatest but every sinner sets more by his lusts than his life 1. The envious person whiles he envies another mans life pines away himself and destroyes his own He is neither fit to live by others nor enjoy his own life Prov. 14.30 Envy is the rottenness of the bones 2. The lustful and luxurious person he sins against his own body He falls not onely into a consumption of his estate but his flesh also Prov. 5 10 11. And mourn when thy flesh and thy body are consumed 3. The covetous person he loves his goods better then his life If it would save his life he hath not power to eat thereof Eccles 6.2 He punisheth both back and belly and so wastes his life and dies If a man had faith it would rectifie Reason in these particulars or rather fortifie Reason by Scripture Mat. 6.25 Is not life better than raiment c yea the Devil could allege That Skin for skin and all that a man hath will he give for his life Job 2. 2. Not to overvalue life An unbeliever overvalues his life when he prizeth it above his soul which is the life of his life yea above the Gospel and Christ who is the life of his soul Mat. 19.20 21 22. The young man there would not exchange his possessions for treasure in heaven But faith teacheth better husbandry not onely to lose goods but life also for the Gospels sake Acts 20. Neither count I my life dear so I may finish my course with joy Paul counted his life cheap in comparison of the Gospel and the preaching of it Heb. 11.35 Others were tortured not accepting deliverance that they might
obtain a better resurrection He that either undervalues or overvalues his life he murthers himself the one directly by loving danger the other indirectly and by consequent exposing himself to the judgement of God for Mat. 10.39 He that findeth his life shall lose it and he that loseth his life for my sake shall finde it Thus the just lives by faith in regard of the good things of this natural or temporal life as well as of eternal life as he hath the promises for this life as well as for that which is to come Look as the same love and care in an earthly parent that moves him to give an inheritance to his Son at the last moves him to maintain him and provide for him in the mean time And the same spirit of filial dependance that moves the childe to depend upon his fathers love and care to provide him an inheritance moves him to depend upon him for maintenance in his minority So 't is in this case the same faith that moves us to depend upon God for eternal life moves us to depend upon him for the good things of this life and the one assures us of the other Luke 12.12 Fear not little flock viz. in regard of temporal provision for it is your heavenly fathers pleasure to give you the Kingdome And in truth he that will not trust God for a penny will not trust him for a pound He that will not trust him for temporal life how will he trust him for eternal But so much for the first The believers living by faith in respect of the life which we call natural Some Use of this Branch Vse 1 1. Reproof to those that as they say trust God for eternal life yet trust not in him for temporal that trust him for their souls but not for their bodies for an heavenly inheritance but not for worldly estates Though there is promise for life and estate For estate Mat. 19.29 Every one that hath forsaken houses or brethren or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for my names sake shall receive an hundred fold and shall inherit eternal life For life Mat. 10.39 He that loseth his life for my sake shall finde it Yet many will trust God no further then they can see him That whereas they say they love God above all the world c. indeed they love the world above God and so make a god of the World and are enemies to God according to what is written Jam. 4.4 1 Joh. 2.15 He that loves the world the love of the Father is not in him 2. Exhortation to live by faith in respect of this life and the things of this life And indeed God doth train up his servants to exercise faith for better things by exercising their faith first in things of lesser moment The Church in her infancy was trained up this way God first exercised her faith for earthly Canaan and then for that which is heavenly So 't is with each Christian in his infancy God doth first exercise his faith in things more sensible and then in things more spiritual And if we exercise not faith and faithfulness in these how can we exercise the same in things of higher concernment Luke 16.10 11. If ye have been unfaithful in the unrightâ—ous Mammon who will commit to your trust the true riches 'T is true all both good and bad possess the same life health wealth c. but some hold these upon better Tenure than others do Look as amongst men there are diversities of Tenures in reference to men some Copy hold some Free-hold and these we prize far above the other So in reference to God some hold by common Providence but some by Promise from God 1 Tim 4.8 Godliness hath the promise of this life c. These are Free-holders indeed John 8. If the Son make you free then you are free indeed as free from other sins so from usurpation of the creatures I do not deny but wicked men have a civil right to the creatures and that by Gods own appointment also but a wholesome and a sanctified use they have not This is proper only to the faithful Others are but Copy-holders at the will of the Lord and therefore forfeited that too but these are Free-holders they hold in Capite from Christ their Head and King 1 Cor. 3.21 All things are yours and you are Christs and Christ is Gods This is the best Tenure under heaven this is the sweetest enjoyment of the creatures Simile As Waters are sweetest that are drank out of the Fountain or at least in such a stream as is united to the Fountain Whereas all carnal men drink of the creatures as of Puddle-waters there 's neither that sweetnesse nor that wholesomenesse in the enjoyment of them their very table is made a snare and that which should have been for thâ—ir welfare becomes a gin and a trap Psal 69 22. And so like a company of Flesh-flies or venomous Wasps they are drowned in the very Honey-pot of worldly pleasures Their wealth is their utter undoing the prosperity of fools shall slay them Prov. 1.32 and that because they live not by Faith but by Sense they have no other wisdome in the enjoyment of the creatures but what is either earthly or sensual or devillish Jam 3.15 The unclean Spirit doth possesse them and what they know naturally as brute beasts even in those things they corrupt themselves Jude ver 10. As an unbeliever extracts some evil out of the greatest good upon earth as good creatures good meat and drink the bane of the Soul and the good Word of God 2 Cor. 2. the savour of death to them so a believer extracts some good out of the greatest evil out of the eater comes sweet meat Faith sucks sweet Honey out of the Lions carcase out of wasting and devouring afflictions out of the Rock of Offence that which is made a Rock of Offence to others is made a Rock of Defence and Shelter to them Look as the heavenly Bodies the Sun Moon and Stars have a strong influence upon these inferiour Bodies and make a sweet extraction from the earth from whence we have our Honey-dews that fall down into the Mothers lap in which they were first begotten as Job 38.28 hath the rain a father or who hath begotten the drops of the dew So this heavenly grace of faith which is no other than the arising of the Day-star and the shining of the Sun of Righteousnesse in our hearts hath a sweet influence upon these inferiour things and makes a sweet extraction from common experiments of Gods goodnesse and faithfulnesse in things of a lower nature from whence the Soul gathers many sweet Honey-dews of Gods unchangeable love and favour in Christ By this I know thou favourest me because mine enemy doth not triumph over me Psal 41.11 II. Spiritual life liv'd by faith Secondly In respect of Spiritual life the just lives by Faith
for so the Apostle applies this Text very frequently to prove that the just man lives a Spiritual life by Faith Obj. Obj. But the Apostle may seem to wrest the words because the Prophet speaks here of a temporal deliverance from the Chaldeans Ans Ans 1. Their deliverance from temporal Babylon was a Type of their Deliverance from Spiritual Babylon 2. However the secondary objects of Faith be divers some Temporal some Spiritual some Eternal yet the prime and principal object of faith is still one and the same and that is Jesus Christ and Gods favour in Christ and before I can embrace the other I must first embrace this Therefore the same faith in Christ that enables me to live in temporal things enables me to live in spirituals also and so the Apostles argument from one to the other holds good Well then the just lives by Faith in respect of Spiritual life which is far more excellent then the other as grace is above nature And this is either the Life of I. Justification whereby the Soul layes hold upon Christ or II. Sanctification whereby the Soul draws vertue from Christ And that is either Renewing and Cleansing vertue the Life of Renovation or Fructifying the Life of Fructification or Mortifying Vertue the Life of Mortification or Vivifying the Life of Quickning and Vivification Confirming Vertue the Life of Conservation that God will not forsake his people Augmenting whereby life is encreased and Comforting Vertue the life of Consolation In the first our spiritual life is purified in the second beautified and in all these the just live by faith THE LIFE of FAITH IN JUSTIFICATION 1. HE lives by faith the Life of Justification and so the Apostle applies this very Text Rom. 1.16 17. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith as it is written And so again Gal. 3.11 where he doth oppose justifying by faith to justification by works of the law But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God it is evident for the just c. The just doth not live by his own justice but by faith that is by the application of the justice and righteousness of another That we may the better understand the excellency of this Life of Justification it will not be amiss to adde the definition of it according to the Scriptures seeing whatsoever is truly known is known by the causes thereof Justification therefore is thus defined It is a most gracious and righteous action of God whereby he imputing the righteousness of Christ to a believing sinner absolveth him from his sins and accepteth of him as righteous in Christ and as an heir of eternal life to the praise and glory of his own Mercy and Justice For Explication consider 1. The Act to justifie 2. The Object a sinner and yet a believing sinner and so made righteous 3. The Application of the Act to the Object and that 's onely by Faith 1. The Act to justifie Now to justifie signifieth properly to make just as to magnifie to make great though sometimes onely to declare great Now God makes just either By Imputation or Infusion of Righteousness The first is the life of Justification the second of Sanctification the first perfect the latter imperfect 2. The Object is a sinner God doth not justifie those that were just before but such as were unjust 1 Pet. 3.18 Christ hath once offered for sin the just for the unjust There was a time then when we were unjust a time when we were sinners when we were ungodly Rom. 5.6 Christ dyed for the ungodly and While we were yet sinners Christ dyed for us much more then being justified we shall be saved from wrath through him So that as to heal signifies of a sick man to make sound so to justifie is of a sinner to make righteous and if it were not so where were the excellency of Gods free grace to make us righteous if we never were in a state of sin He that in no consideration looks at himself as a sinner fallen in the first Adam cannot possibly look at himself as a righteous person recovered in the second Adam How can God be said to shew mercy to that man that was never in misery to redeem that man that was never lost Lost I say and that really and not onely in his own conceit and apprehension 3. The Application of the Act to the Object and that is by Faith as here in the Text. Though a sinner be justified yet it is onely a believing sinner and so of a sinner is made just Rom. 5.1 being justified by faith c. By Faith how not as the meritorious but onely as the instrumental cause of our justification For the clearer understanding of this we must know according to the former definition there are several causes of our Justification viz. Efficient Material Formal and Final The Efficient cause is either 1. Principal or 2. Instrumental Principal is either 1. Working or 2. Moving to the Work Causes of Justification 1. Principal The 1. Principal working Cause is God himself It 's an action of God Rom. 8.38 it is God that justifieth Isa 43.25 I even I am he c. Vide Rom. 9.16 All other causes are nothing to this though man believeth and man wills and runs on chearfully in the wayes of God yet from whence comes all this but from God that justifieth a poor sinner So that it is not of him that willeth or of him that runneth c. but of God of God the Father as the Primary Cause the Son as the Meritorious the Holy Ghost as Applicatory It is God that justifieth who shall condemn c. He that is the Law-giver he justifies from the offences committed against the Law The 2. Principal Cause Moving or promoting to the Work is either 1. Internal Gods Mercy Justice It 's a gracious and a righteous action of God nothing without him the first Mover 2. External 1. Mans Misery moving to pity the Samaritan c. the Infant Ezek. 16. 2. Christs Merit moving to forgive Col. 1.14 In whom we have redemption through his blood even the forgiveness of sins 2. Instrumental Cause 2. Instrumental and that 1. On Gods part the Word Manus offerentis 2 Cor. 5.18 He hath given to us the Ministery of Reconciliation Dan. 12.3 Rom. 4.11 2. On our part Faith Manus accipientis Rom. 4.5 But to him that worketh not but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly his faith is accounted for righteousness Rom. 10.5 c. Therefore faith doth not justifie by merit and dignity of the work for then we should be justified by works though by faith but onely by the Instrumentary application of Christs Righteousness 2. The Material Cause Christs Righteousness Material cause as Jacob gat his blessing in Esau's garment therefore called The Righteousness of God Rom. 1.17 the Righteousness of that Person who is God Now there is a twofold
Righteousness in Christ 1. Active 2. Passive For in that we owed a double debt to the Law the one being perfect obedience for the present the other most deserved punishment for our fâ—rmer disobedience It was requisite that Christ beâ—ng our surety should pay whatsoever we owed unto God and that was the double debt of Doing and Suffering whatsoever the Law of God required at our hands 1. Active fulfilling all Righteousness and that for us as he became a Creature and not for himself Matth. 3.15 2. Passive Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us as it is written Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree Vse Thirst after this Righteousness Mat. 5.6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after Righteousness c. Philip. 3.7 8. and that I may be found in him not having my wn righteousness c. Formal Cause 3. The Formal Cause Imputation of Christs righteousness As by imputation of Adams sin we are guilty so by imputation of Christs righteousness we are righteous Rom. 5.19 For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous Rom 4.5 6. But to him that worketh not but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly his faith is counted for righteousness Reas His righteousnesse is onely perfect Heb. 7.26 For such an High-Priest became us who is holy harmless and undefiled separate from sinners and made higher than the heavens Jer. 23.6 He is the Lord our righteousness Onely his righteousnesse is infinite and everlasting Dan. 9.24 to bring in everlasting righteousness c. The righteousnesse of Angels and Saints is finite as well as tattered and torn the poor weary and heavy laden naked Soul can never lie down with rest in his bed Isa 28 20. for the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on 't c. but Christs righteousnesse is so long and so large that it gives a man rest on his sick-bed Psal 41.3 The Lord will strengthen him upon his bed of languishing What is his comfort then but a clear sight of Christs righteousnesse Job 33.23 24. If there be a messenger with him to shew unto man his righteousness c. Rest on the death-bed and afterward in the grave Isa 57.2 They shall lie down in their beds and peace shall be with them c. Rev. 6.11 And white robes were given unto every one of them and it was said unto them that they should rest So that as God saith Psal 134.14 This is my rest for ever so may the Soul Final Cause 4. Final Cause 1. Supreme 1. The Supreme Gods glory Prov. 16.4 The Lord hath made all things for himself c. This is the end of all especially this work Rev. 5.9 The glory either of 1. Mercy and Love God so loved the world c. Joh. 3.16 Well saith God rather than Souls shall perish I will pour out the blood of my own Son Rom. 5.8 But God commendeth his love towards us in that while we were yet sinners Christ dyed for us Rom. 8.32 He spared not his Son c. Or 2. Justice not forgive without satisfaction Psal 145.17 The Lord is righteous in all his wayes and holy or merciful in all his works 2. Subordinate 1. Sanctification 2. Subordinate 2. Salvation Rom. 6.22 But now being made free from sin and become servants to God you have your fruits unto holiness and the end everlasting life All or most of these causes are set down by the Apostle Rom. 3.20 to 29. 1. The Efficient primary moving Cause internal free grace v. 24. 2. External moving Cause Mans Misery v. 23. Christs Merit v. 24. 3. Instrumental 1. The Word v. 21. 2. Faith v. 22. 4. Final 1. The glory of Gods 1. Severest Justice v. 26. 2 Richest Mercy v. 24. 2. Glorification of Man in Gods Justification and Salvation of Man v. 23 c. Quest How doth the just live by Faith the life of Justification Ans The answer shall extend to the several parts and degrees of Justifications Manifestation For though it be a perfect act of God yet it is a continued act and there are degrees of the manifestation of it To speak therefore 1. Of the Act it self 2. Of the Continuing and Renewing of the Act 3. Of the Assurance of the Act. See how the just lives by Faith in all these 1. For the first Act and work of Justification Faith in the act of justifying First Faith Convinceth a man of sin in a saving manner and so of his need of Christ and of his own impotency to obtain Justification and Salvation without Christ Mat. 5.3 Blessed are the poor in spirit as Gal. 5.6 Faith worketh by love so by poverty of spirit Secondly Faith puts persons into a Mourning confessing prayerful frame Mat. 5.4 Blessed are they that mourn but no blessedness if not springing from faith Zech. 12.10 I will pour upon them the Spirit of grace and supplication c. Jer. 31.9 They shall come with weepings and with supplications will I lead them Acts 2.37 They were pricked at their hearts c. This is the work of Faith though not alwayes so easily discerned to be of Faith by the party himself Thirdly Faith subdues the heart to lay down all Oppositions against God and to be willing to take any course God directs for Justification and Salvation Matth. 5.5 Blessed are the meek c. Acts 9.5 6. Paul speaks reverently Lord what wilt thou have me to do Jer. 31.18 Surely I have heard Ephraim bemoaning himself Thou hast chastised me and I was chastised as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke turn thou me and I shall be turned for thou art the Lord my God c. He submits obediently they are tame as a lamb Isa 11.6 Fourthly Faith fixeth the heart upon Christ alone and his Righteousness held out in the Promises with renunciation of our own even with indignation in point of Justification The Soul is hungry after Christs Righteousness as most excellent and loaths its own as dung and draught Phil. 3.6 7 8 c. What things were gain to me those I counted loss for Christ yea doubtless I count all things loss that I may win Christ and be found in him not having my own righteousness c. See these or most of these Luke 15. in that gracious Convert mentioned Luk. 15. set out as a patern as a picture and as a lively inviter for a poor sinner to look to that desires to partake of the like mercy 1. Faith Convinceth him to be in a perishing condition without his Fathers love ver 17. And when he came to himself he said How many hired servants of my Father have bread enough and to spare and I perish with hunger I say it was Faith that wrought this same conviction for it was not before he came to himself that is before he raised him
up from his dead condition c. Verse the last 2. It puts his Soul into a mourning confessing frame v. 18. I will arise and go to my Father and say unto him Father I have sinned against heaven and before thee 3. It subdues his heart to lay down all Opposition and to take any course for his living v. 19. make me as one of thy hired servants Observe he uttered not so much as he intended his Father prevented him with his mercy as Psal 32.5 I said I will confess my transgressions to the Lord and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin 4. It fixeth his heart upon his Fathers mercy not upon his own merit Faith tells him Though thou hast forgotten the duty of a Son thy Father hath not forgot the bowels of a Father The word Father runs much in his minde I will go to my Father c. Here now a Spirit of Adoption begins to work whereby he cryes Abba Father O dear Father Father I have sinned against heaven c. But yet thou art my Father This is the last act of justifying Faith by which the Soul is put into a child-like condition and fit to receive a childes portion of God All is of his free grace Jer. 3.19 And I said How shall I put thee among the children Thou shalt call me My Father c. Thus the just lives by Faith in the work of Justification Vid. Cotton p. 14. D. Downame ☜ Faith in the Renewing of justification in the Conscience of the sinner 2. For the Continuance and Renewing of Justification ☞ The just lives by Faith daily as well as at the first day that he believed So Abraham Rom. 4.3 4. He believed God and it was imputed to him for righteousness which is cited out of Gen. 15.6 and so it appears to be after such time as he was in Covenant with God and in the state of Grace Yet still his Justification is continued by a renewed act of Faith and so David sues out his Justification by a renewed act of Faith and Prayer Psal 51. though he were justified before And therefore Christians are much to blame who after they have once believed in God for Justification do not labour to renew this act from day to day and thence comes flatness in Spirit and deadness in Duties when we see not a daily need of going out of our selves into Christ And surely if Christ applies his own sacrifice daily to us by intercession with his Father Heb. 7.25 He ever liveth to make intercession for us Why should not we apply it daily by Faith and Prayer that God for Christs sake may forgive us our daily trespasses as we are taught to pray And this is to live by faith in a continued act of Justification Therefore it is put not in the Present Tense but in the Future it is not here doth but he shall live by his Faith that is as long as he lives Take heed the blood of Christ run not cold in the veins of Faith that you trust not more to grace received than to the fountain of grace and pardon in Christ The truth is our best duties stand in need of pardon and our best graces of quickning and nothing will quicken us more than the assurance of our Justification And therefore though a mans spirit be without guile and he knows nothing by himself he allows himself in no known evil yet even at such a time 1 Cor. 4. he is not thereby justified but then he must fly to Christ for Justification and say Blessed is the man whose transgression is forgiven c. Psal 32.1 2. Faith in the assurance of being justified 3. For the Assurance of the Act the just lives by Faith 1. In moving a man to desire more Faith 2. In using and embracing such Means by which we come to Assurance 3. In the Tryal of Assurance 4. In Anâ—wering all such Objections and Doubts which do cloud and darken this Assurance 5. In Expectation of Assurance First In moving a man to desire more Faith In Motives to Assurance The reason is 1. Because true Faith if but as a grain of Mustard-seed moves man to desire more Faith Luke 17.5 Lord encrease our faith Mark 9.24 Lord help my unbelief And never rests rising higher and higher till it comes to full Assurance Therefore lazy faith is false faith that saith I cast my self on God and there 's an end I never desire more so I can but rub out c. This is a sign it is not true The just lives by Faith for the encrease till assured and true Faith suggests Motives to perswade us to seeke after full Assurance Quest What are those Motives Ans 1. 1 Motive Gods Commandment which Faith looks at as to believe 1 John 3.23 And this is the Commandment We should believe on the Name of his Son Jesus Christ So to be assured 2 Pet. 1.10 Give all diligence to make your calling and election sure Both 1 John 5.13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the Name of the Son of God that ye may know that ye have eternal life and that ye may believe on the Name of the Son of God 2. Because it 's the End why the Scriptures were written yea the end of the Seals 1. Publike the Sacraments 2. Privy the Spirit witnessing Therefore saith Faith Receive not the grace of God in vain There are many deceived Micah 3.7 Then shall the Seers be ashamed and the Diviners confounded yea they shall all cover their lips for there is no answer of God Mat. 7. 1 Cor. 6.9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God 3. A difficili that which would discourage another doth encourage a faithâ—ul man the more because many objections and temptations therefore strive Tu ne cede malis The kingdom of heaven suffers violence c. 4. A possibili Both are objects of Christian fortitude Example Job 19.25 For I know that my Redeemer lives c. Paul Rom 8. For I am perswaded neither death nor life nor angels c. Steven saw heaven opened Acts 6. 5. A necessario not ad esse but bene esse as health and vigour to the well-being of natural life 3 Joh. 2. I wish thou mayest prosper and be in health as thy soul prospereth Health comprehends life aliquid amplius so Assurance Faith and the joy of Faith Faith may be without Assurance but no true Assurance without Faith 6. Ab utili strong Faith is able to do that which weak Faith cannot as a strong man can work under a burthen though both receive Christ Nothing shall be impossible to you Mat. 15.28 O woman great is thy faith be it unto thee even as thou wilt Luther said Domine fiat voluntas mea Lord let my will be done Neh. 8.10 The joy of the Lord is your strength 7. A decoro or ab honorifico for 1. This brings more
fruit of the lip peace peace c. 2 Cor. 5.19 20. He hath committed to us the word of Reconciliation not revelations without the word Psal 119.81 I hope in thy word that is the object of Faith No Word no Faith 2. Effects of New-birth Love 1. To God begetting this assurance 1 John 4.19 We love him because he loved us first 2. To the Word by which begotten it 's sweeter than the honey and the honey-comb Not magnifie the Spirit to slight the Word John 14.26 The Spirit comforts by the Word and brings to remembrance 3. To the godly begotten of God 1 John 5.1 Every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten 4. To Holiness the fruit of all true assurance 1 John 3.3 Every one that hath this hope purifieth himself This is no Doctrine of looseness as the Papists say Prov. 25.19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth and a foot out of joynt c. Ask doth thy Assurance make thee more holy c 3. By the Manner of working both in the work and after it There 's some difficulty therefore strait is the way strive to enter c. Mat. 7.14 1. In the first work therefore called a Birth John 3.5 When was any birth without pain A spirit of bondage Rom. 8.15 I speak not this as if we should indulge our selves in these pangs so and so long I will not say how long hast thou been about it for Ephraim was a foolish son because he stayed so long in the place of breaking forth of children Hos 13.13 However it is difficult 2. After the work still some wrestling against Doubts Fears Reason No grace of the Spirit but it hath something of the Flesh to wrestle against Gal. 5.17 The Spirit lusteth against the flesh and the flesh against the Spirit therefore they that never doubt after once they are assured but are alwayes alike have cause to suspect themselves that they are not right Philip. 3.12 Not as though already perfect saith the Apostle They that think they are at the top of the ladder at the first step it is likely they never set a step upon the ladder If you never doubted after believing faith was perfect at first and so no growth c. True faith is of a growing nature Obj. The heart is deceitful therefore fruits are no evidence Ans It 's true of Vnregenerate men not Regenerate such by proving may know Gal. 6.4 Let every man prove his own work c. John 21 17. Peter could appeal Lord thou knowest that I love thee Salvation is far from the wicked though they may be confident 1 Cor. 6.9 10. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdome of God c. Psal 119.155 4. He lives by Faith 4. Objections against Assurance in answering all such Objections that might cloud and hinder his Assurance as the Sun dispels and scatters all clouds and mists that would hinder the light and heat thereof so the Sun of Righteousness by the powerful work of Faith dispels and scatters all such Objections and Doubts by which Satan and our corrupt hearts would hinder and darken the light and heat of our Assurance As for Example Obj. 1 Satan and thy corrupt heart objects Dost thou ever look to be forgiven that art guilty of such sins Thy sin is greater than can be forgiven Jer. 4.13 Ans Faith answers As great sinners as thou art have been forgiven Manasses Solomon Mary Magdalen and many more Though my sins are great sins not Mole-hills but Mountains yet God is a great God and his Mercies are very great he hath a sea of Mercy that is able to drown Mountains as well as Mole-hills The Mariners tell us the Sea is so deep in some places that they can finde no bottom no line will reach so far I am sure such is the Sea of Gods Mercy we cannot finde the bottom but must cry O altitudo O the depth c. Obj. 2 I am afraid I have out-stood my time and opportunity c. Ans Faith answers Eccles 9.4 To him that is joyned to the living there is hope especially if thou seekest God for his own sake because he is lovely in thine eyes Psal 69.32 Your hearts shall live that seek God Obj. 3 I am afraid I am not humbled enough and so God will not give me a good look Isa 66.2 Ans Faith answers The greatest humility in the world cannot deserve the favour of God If God hath but troubled thee so far to desire Christ upon his own terms with his Cross as well as his Crown then come and welcome if thou beest willing to put off the Devils yoke and to put on Christ's Mat. 11.28 29. All ye that are weary and heavy laden take my yoke upon you Obj. 4 But alas I am as a bullock accustomed to the yoke Ans The just not onely lives by faith in the Promises but Commandments Psal 119.66 I have believed thy Commandments Rom. 14. the last Yea every Commandment hath the vertue of a Promise because God worketh all our works in us and for us Isa 26.12 Lord thou wilt ordain peace for us for thou also hast wrought all our works in us Ezek 36.27 I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes Obj. 5 But my heart is very hard I cannot repent nor believe as I ought Sermons do me little good Corrections no good I think there 's no body hath such a heart as I have so insensible so incorrigible Ans Faith answers If thou hadst no grace thou wouldst never complain so much for want of grace a man can never desire that he knows not or that he tastes not Jer. 31.18 Ephraim was in a good condition when he bemoaned himself Obj. 6 But me thinks saith Unbelief if I had any faith in my Soul I should have lively feeling and assurance of it Ans Faith answers There 's difference 'twixt believing and seeing betwixt faith and sense Heb. 11.1 Faith is the evidence of things not seen There 's a twofold evidence the one of Sense the other of Faith Assurance by the witness and fruits of the Spirit 2 Cor. 5.7 We walk by faith not by sight Therefore it cryes out to God in stead of answering the doubts of Unbelief Lord I believe help my unbelief It 's a comfort to have a lively feeling but others may have Faith also Blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed John 20.29 and that is certain for the conclusion of all That Soul that wrestles against the disease of unbelief hath some life of faith in it it is a justified Soul 5. He lives by Faith in the Expectation of Assurance 5. Expectation of assurance if he hath it not Gen. 49.18 I have waited for thy salvation O Lord Cant. 3.1 By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loved Isa 8.17 I
will wait upon the Lord who hideth his face from the house of Jacob. Faith saith as Psal 97.11 Light is sown for the righteous c. Psal 85.8 I will hearken what God the Lord will say for he will speak peace c. Surely God shall command his loving kindness in the day-time True it thinks long Why tarry the wheels of his Chariots Cant. 2.8 9 17. Cant. 4. the last Be as the Chariots of Amminadab Psal 40. the last Make no long tarrying O my God Yet it will wait as Jacob for Rachel yea Faith chides the Soul out of unbelief by propounding the Promise of future Assurance Psal 42.5 Why art thou cast down O my soul c Psal 27. last Faith gives courage in waiting Psal 31. Be of good courage and he shall strengthen thy heart Christ hath his several seasons of manifesting himself * Vide Mr. Reynolds Blessed are all they that wait for him He that believeth maketh not haste Though he tarry wait for him Christ shewed himself first to Mary then to Cephas or Peter then to James then to the twelve then to above five hundred brethren at once 1 Cor. 15.6 and last of all he was seen of Paul as of an abortive because there is more pain in the birth of such But as in the bodily sight of Christ some saw him sooner and some later so in the spiritual and as he shewed himself soonest to those that stood most in need of comfort as Mary and Peter for what was past and James for what was to come Acts 12. so spiritually Christ shews himself soonest to those have most need c. And as he entred the doors being shut when they were full of fears Job 20.19 so sometimes he comes into the heart when we think the doors most fast shut up Onely wait and then sooner or later he will shew himself to some in their middle age to some in their old age to some at their death to some at the Stake as that gracious Martyr cryed out joyfully to his fellow-sufferer He is come he is come Therefore be sure to wait and he that hath appointed to come will come and will not tarry Blessed are all they that wait for him Rom. 8.25 If we hope for that which we see not then do we with patience wait for it Reason why wait Because true faith can never be lost till it come to full assurance Matth. 12.20 A bruised reed c. This is the life and comfort of a weak Christian A babe shall be a strong man Philip. 1.6 He that hath began this work will perfect it Luke 22.32 Christs Prayer for Peter Vse If the godly live by Faith in regard of the assurance of the Act of Justifying then 1. This Reproves those that wait not Believe in the Lord your God so shall you be established c. 2 Chron. 20.20 2. Reproves those that Rest in the first degree of Faith and say I care not if I can but go to heaven at last Other things grow up to their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 decay again but the faithful grow from strength to strength He is no good natured childe that will say I am sure to have my Fathers inheritance at last and therefore I care not though he frown upon me in the mean time No a good childe prizeth his Fathers love and the light of his countenance above his inheritance even Absalom 2 Sam. 14.31 could say Let me see the Kings face c. 3. Exhortation To live by Faith in waiting for Assurance Motives 1. It 's certain He that hath appointed to come will come Heb. 10.37 2. It 's worth the staying as Jacob stayed for Rachel This is better then life Psal 63.3 3. It 's the sweeter when it comes Olim haec meminisse c. as the Sun rising after a long Winter night half year night Prov. 13.12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick but when the desire cometh it is a tree of life 4. It 's the property of Faith not to make haste Isa 28.6 He that believeth maketh not haste 4. See the difference 'twixt just and unjust The just as they expect so they shall be assured though poor in spirit yea because poor Matth. 5.3 Psal 9.18 The expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever Prov 24.14 Thy expectation shall not be cut off But for the wicked Job 8.13 14. Their hope shall perish and be as a spiders web Job 11.20 Their hope is as the giving up the ghost Therefore fear God and be righteous For Prov. 10.28 The hope of the righteous shall be gladness but the expectation of the wicked shall perish Therefore Prov. 23 17 18. Let not thine heart envy sinners but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long for surely there is an end and thine expectation shall not be cut off 5. Comfort to such as believe but want Assurance He may yet live by Faith in the expectation of it Be not discouraged when thy Soul is ready to faint for the salvation of God Lift up the hands which hang down and the feeble knees Be assured where there is any true light it will encrease more and more till the perfect day Prov. 4.18 The state of the Soul is good and Salvation is certain in the mean time Though many complain for want of Assurance yet if they can but trust c. Isa 50.10 He that walketh in darkness and hath no light let him trust in the Name of the Lord and stay upon his God They are sure to be comforted at the last and supported in the mean time Thus you see how the just lives by Faith the Life of Justification Vse of all in general 1. OF Humiliation Use of the Doctrine of Faith in justification 1. Humiliation If a Christian lives by Faith the Life of Justification in applying the righteousness of another it may be matter of Humiliation A Prisoner that is freed from Condemnation by a Pardon from the King and not by Self-justification hath cause to walk humbly for ever after This is our case c. It was a great sin in Absalom after his Father had pardoned his Murther and received him into favour again and kissed him the next news we hear of him he prepares him Chariots and Horses and Men to run before him that by stealing away the hearts of the people he might step up into his Fathers Throne and thrust him out And surely it is the greatest expression of neglect and unthankfulnesse that can be after God hath pardoned our sins and received us into favour for us to steal away the hearts of his people and to set up our selves in stead of magnifying the Name of God to draw Disciples after our own selves in stead of drawing Disciples after Jesas Christ It is a sin and a temptation which is common to the nature of man even the Regenerate themselves are not out of this Gun-shot Paul was in
fatherlesse c. Vse 4 4 Use Bless God for this Life of Justification Thankfulness Psal 103.1 2 3. Blesse the Lord O my soul who forgiveth all thine iniquities who healeth all thy diseases As the Philosopher who blest God That his Life was Rational That he was a Man Born in such a Countrey and City That he was a Philosopher This is Gods end Ephes 1.6 12. To the praise of the glory of his Grace wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved c. Suppose 1. A poor man in Debt and the Creditor cross the Book O happy man Psal 32.1 Blessed is he whose iniquity is forgiven And Psal 51.1 2. according to the multitude of thy mercies blot out my transgressions c. 2. If a poor naked man lying in the mire ready to perish with cold should be clothed with warm and rich Apparel O how thankful would he be Not like the Snake that when the Husbandman brought it to the fire and it was well warmed spit in his face but as Jobs poor Hospital-men Their very loins whom he had clothed did bless him We were such naked polluted creatures Ezek. 16.6 Therefore let us bless his Name so much the more as clothing the Soul is better than the Body c. 3. Suppose an Imprisoned man set at liberty c. 4. Suppose a Condemned man absolved O how thankful would he be Christ hath procured our absolution In whom we have redemption through his blood even the forgiveness of sins Col 1.14 Vse 5 5 Use Exhortation to seek after this Life of Justification Exhortation this is not a vain thing as Deut 32.47 Pray for it Isa 43.26 declare that thou maist be justified and say what thou canst But Job 9.14 15. How shall I answer him and choose out words to reason with him Every one would be glad to be accounted just before men How much better is it to be so in the sight of God who out of Christ is a consuming fire Let us not rest in our own or others Righteousness Angels or Saints Obj. We lived this Life from eternity onely now we are to labour for the sense of it Ans 1. Then what is the meaning of those places Luke 15. the last vers It was meet that we should make merry and be glad for this thy brother was dead and is alive again he was lost and is found And Ephes 2.1 3 c. You hath he quickned who were dead in sins and trespasses 1 John 3.14 We know that we have passed from death to life c. 2. We could not live before we had a being nor be justified before we were Motives 1. A poor weary and heavy laden Soul can never lye down with rest in the bed of his own Righteousness c. 2. Hereby our persons are pleasing to God This is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased Cant. 1.15 16. Thou art all fair my love c. 3. Then duties are accepted Gen. 4. Abel and his offering First the tree good and then the fruit good Our duties cannot be accepted out of Christ because imperfect 4. Hereby we are encouraged and strong to duty Surely shall one say In the Lord have I righteousness and strength Isa 45.24 The joy of the Lord is your strength Nehem. 8.10 5. Hereby freed from Condemnation Rom. 8.33 34. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect It 's he that justifieth who shall condemn Whereas all unjustified persons are liable to Condemnation From 1. The Law Gal. 3.10 As many as are under the works of the Law are under the curse 2. Conscience Rom. 2.15 their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts the mean-while accusing or excusing one another Tit. 3.11 He that is such is subverted and sinneth being condemned of himself 3. Satan Psal 109.6 Let Satan stand at his right hand 4 Men as they tempt one another so accuse one another as Adam layes the fault on Eve she on the Serpent 5. The Gospel John 3.19 This is the condemnation 6. The mouth of the Judge Matth. 25.19 Then shall he say to them on the left hand Depart from me c. But all believers and justified persons are free from condemnation Rom. 8.1 There 's no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus Of 1. The Law Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law c. Acts 13.39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things from which ye could not be justified by the Law of Moses Rom. 7.6 But now we are delivered from the Law c. 2. Conscience Rom. 5.1 Being justified by faith we have peace with God Heb 9.14 3. Satan Rev. 12.10 The accuser of our brethren is cast down which accused them before God day and night Zech. 3.2 The Lord rebuke thee O Satan even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee 4. Men Num. 12.8 Gen 4.6 Luke 7.39 c. 5. The Gospel Rom. 1.16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel 6. The mouth of the Judge Mat. 25.34 Then shall the King say to them on his right hand Come ye blessed c. 6. The Righteous are bold Prov. 28.1 as a Lion fear not enemies Mic. 7.8 9 10 16 17 18. Psal 91.5 6 7. II. THE LIFE of FAITH IN SANCTIFICATION THE second Part of Spiritual Life is the Life of Sanctification 2 Cor. 5.17 Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a New Creature And thus the just lives by Faith also As Faith layes hold upon Christ for Justification so it draws vertue from Christ for Sanctification and that either Renewing and Cleansing or Fructifying Mortifying and Vivifying c. ut supra So then the just live by Faith the life of Sanctification for as Faith works by Love so by Humility Patience and other Christian Graces and so the Apostle applies this very Text Heb. 10. where he perswades them to possess their souls in patience Yea but how shall they get patience Why get Faith and they shall be sure to get Patience and all other needful Graces Ver. 36 38. For ye have need of patience that after ye have done the will of God ye might receive the promise Now the just shall live by Faith sayes he Branch 1. Renovation And first for the Life of Faith in Sanctification it self or the Renovation of the Soul For the better prosecution of this Point it will not be amiss to give you in brief the Resolution of these Questions Quest 1. Whether there be any such Life of Sanctification in a Christian besides the Sanctification that is in Christ himself Quest 2. If there be so then what it is and wherein it doth consist Quest 3. How and by what means it is wrought in the Soul Quest 4. What 's the reason that such a Life is necessary in all justified persons Quest 1. Whether there be a life of Sanctification in believers 1. For the first it may seem a Question out
Joh. 17.17 Sanctifie them through thy truth thy word is truth Not as if the Word had power to sanctifie without the Spirit but the Spirit doth it by the Word the Word is an instrument of cleansing in the hand of the Spirit 1 Pet. 1.22 Ye have purified your souls on obeying i. e. in believing the truth through the spirit As the Spirit makes use of the Word of Precept and Threatning Psal 17.4 By the word of thy lips have I kept me from the paths of the destroyer so of the word of Promise also 2 Cor. 7.1 Having therefore these Promises let us cleanse our selves What hath God promised to be a Father to me as it is in the words before and that I should be a son or a daughter to him this Lord God Almighty upon condition that I will separate my self and touch no unclean thing and shall not I be willing so to do Nay hath God promised to perform the condition for me namely to sprinkle clean water upon me that I might be clean Ezek. 36.25 and to subdue my iniquities and sanctifie me throughout in Soul Body and Spirit and shall not I make use of these his Promises Hath God shewed so much love to me in making the Promise and shall not I shew love to him in obeying his Precept And thus by laying hold upon the Word both of Promise and Precept the just lives by Faith the Life of Sanctification therefore Faith is called Most holy Faith Jude n. 20. namely from the effect because it works holiness in him that hath it Most holy Faith it is not said Most holy Love Joy or Peace but most holy Faith not Subjective sed Effectivê All lean on this building as the Foundation Christ is the foundation of Merit Faith of Order Christ is the Foundation which Faith findes and tries as the Workman c. Faith is like a strong purge that never leaves working so long as there 's any corruption in the body So Faith never leaves working so long as there is any corruption in the Soul and that is as long as we live Onely as Faith grows stronger corruption grows weaker from day to day but it is not wholly purged out till our daying day and therefore there is use of Faith as long as we live but because when we die our corruption shall die with us also there shall be no use of Faith any longer Means 5. Sacraments 5. He lives by Faith the Life of Sanctification in the application of the Sacramental Signs These are means of our Sanctification Eph. 5.26 Christ is said to give himself for his Church that he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word And Tit. 3.5 He saved us by the washing of Regeneration But this washing is by Faith Philip said to the Eunuch Act. 8.37 If thou believest with all thine heart thou maaist be baptized Obj. Then Infants are not to be baptized because they cannot believe Ans God looks at Infants in their Parents faith Gen. 17. I will be thy God and the God of thy seed So far as want of faith might hinder circumcision so far it may hinder Baptism For 1. The Covenant is the same Rom 14.11 and the Seals are the same for substance 1 Cor. 10 1 2. 2. The Grace of God is the same yea more abundant Tit. 2. ver 12. The grace of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hath shined forth Opposed to the shadows of the Old Testament And did God shine upon Infants in those times and shall we put them under a cloud now VVant of faith did not hinder them then and why now It hindred heathens then and so now No Proselytes were admitted but such as made profession of the Faith of Abraham So c. Means 6. Afflictions 6. He lives by Faith the Life of Sanctification in the right use and application of Afflictions Afflictions sanctified are a means of sanctifying us That may be one reason why they are called a Baptism Mat. 20.23 Christ said to the two Disciples Ye shall indeed be baptiz'd with the baptism that I am baptized with Meaning a portion of his Afflictions If Christ learn obedience by the things which he suffered much more may we Heb. 5.8 Afflictions sanctified work the quiet fruit of righteousness Heb. 12.11 Afflictions are like the Red-sea they drown some but they save and purge others And what is the reason of the difference Some have faith to pass through them but some have none They drown those that have no faith but they purge and preserve those that have Faith Heb. 11.29 By faith they passed through the Red-sea which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned And this was not onely a Baptism of Affliction but of Purgation and Sanctification 1 Cor. 10.2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea Thus the just lives by Faith in time of Adversity not onely as preserved therein which was handled before but as washed and sanctified thereby Revel 7.14 These are they which came out of great Tribulation and have washed their Robes c. Lastly The Prayer of Faith is a mean to sanctifie Means 7. Prayer and the just lives by Faith in the exercise of Prayer carrying the Soul to the Fountain of Life Joh. 4.10 Therefore if God be the Author and Effector of this Life of Sanctification go to God for it Dost thou feel the want of Sanctification of Spiritual Life Dost thou feel thou art dead in sins and trespasses It argues the beginnings of Life but go to God for more Life pray him to sprinkle and apply the Blood of Christ Psal 51.7 pray him to apply the Word to speak to thy heart in that voice behinde thee pray him that is Jehovah Isa 30.21 to give a being to his Promise pray him to make Sacraments effectual and to Baptize thee with the Holy Ghost and with fire Ma◠3. pray him to open thine ear to hear Discipline and seal thy Instruction that when thou art corrected Job 33.16 thou maist be sure to be instructed In a word pray him who is the Author of Sanctification to cause thee to live by Faith through all means the Life of Sanctification Go to God by Prayer by the prayer of faith For the just shall live by Faith in this respect Jam. 1.5 What S. James sayes of one saving grace Wisdom we may say of all If any man lack any grace or all grace let him ask of God c. But let him ask in faith Faith lives the Life of Sanctification in drawing holiness from the Fountain in the Conduit-pipe of Prayer Isa 12.3 With joy draw ye the waters out of the wells of Salvation Lye at the breast of the Promise if thou hast any life at all and draw out of the sincere milk of the word that thou maist grow thereby 1 Pet. 2.2 which must needs be meant of the Life of Sanctification
for the Life of Justification is perfect at the first though it be a continued act Therefore do not onely hear the Word but Pray Hearing the Word is the laying the mouth to the breast but Prayer is the drawing of the breast Therefore draw hard New-years-day O thou that createdst the first Heaven and the first Earth of nothing O thou that createst the New Heaven and the New Earth wherein dwells Righteousness when sin had made the creature worse then nothing O thou that createst the New Jerusalem coming down from Heaven as a Bride O thou that createst the New Creature the New man fit to be an inhabitant of the New World of the New Jerusalem O thou that hast said Behold I make all things New Create thou in me even in me Psal 51. a clean heart renew a right Spirit in me Plead with God and say Lord thou hast commanded me whilst it is called Heb. 1. To day to hear thy voice and not to harden my heart I beseech thee therefore whilst it is called To day hear my voice and harden not thy heart against me For if thy heart be hardned against my Prayer my heart must needs be hardned at thy Word Say Father let others give what gifts they please to their friends if thou please but to give me grace Eph. 4. grace to put off the Old man with the Old year as the circled Snake casts her skin and to put on the New man Psal 103. as the Eagle renews her bill and her age both together I shall esteem it the best New-years-gift that ever was given And say Father I have fast hold on thee and I will not let thee go Gen. 32. except thou bless me except thou giv'st me this blessing this New-years-gift of a new heart Lord I lay hold of thee in thine own promise Thine everlasting Truth is a cord strong enough strong enough to hold Thee and Lord I must needs make bold to binde thee to thy VVord Hast thou not said Lord A new heart will I give you Lord for whom is this new heart laid up in thy Promise for them that have it or for them that want it c. Therefore I beseech thee of thy faithfulness to answer me and in thy righteousness say unto me Though thy faith be weak Be it unto thee even as thou wilt Let there be light Mat. 8. let there be heat let there be a new heart Be thou holy as I am holy that thou maist be happy for ever as I am happy Thus much for the third Question How and by what means this Sanctification is wrought in the Soul 4. Questions follow Quest 4. What Reason of the necessity of Sanctification What is the reason that such a life is necessary in all justified persons Reas 1 1. Reason Because this is one of the great Ends of our freedom by the Death of Christ He died not onely to redeem us from Hell and from Satan and all our Enemies but from our vain conversation also 1 Pet. 1.18 Tit. 2 14. He gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purifie to himself a peculiar people zealous of good works Yea he delivered us from the hands of all our enemies that we might serve him in holiness Luke 1.74 Reas 2 2. Because it was one of Gods great designs in the work of our Redemption to make us conformable to the Image of his Son as in suffering Rom. 8.29 so in sanctity that as we have born the Image of the Earthly so we might bear the Image of the Heavenly 1 Cor. 15. VVe look upon Christ by the eye of Faith as they look'd upon the brazen Serpent not onely to save us but to transform us and heal us The vision of Christ begets transformation and transformation satisfaction this is partly in this life but perfectly in the life to come Psal 17. ult I shall behold thy face in righteousness when I awake I shall be satisfied with thy likeness In the mean time there are degrees of transformation and satisfaction to the Soul so far as it is able to look upon Christ by the eye of faith in the glass of the Ordinances 2 Cor. 3. ult But we all as with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord are changed c. To be changed into the Image of Christ is a great part of a Christians happiness a great part of this happiness is his holiness without which even heaven it self and the glorified Presence of God would be a hell to him for so long as men are unregenerate and wicked they say unto God Depart from us we will not have the knowledge of thy wayes Job 21.14 Therefore that they may be made like Christ and take comfort in the fellowship of Christ it 's necessary they should live by Faith the life of Sanctification Reas 3 3. Because from the first Adam we stand guilty of a twofold sinfulness 1. Imparted Rom. 5.19 As by one mans disobedience many were made sinners so c. 2. Imparted Job 14.4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean Reas 4 4. This is for the honour of Christ Philip 1.27 Onely let your conversation be as becomes the Gospel c. 2 Sam. 10.4 Hanun's abusing Davids Servants was to cut off half their garments Reas 5 5. Because Gods free love in the Life of Justification cannot but stir us up to love God again 1 John 4.19 And love is active and full of inventions to do service for the beloved And so he must necessarily live the Life of Sanctification and so Sanctification is an evidence of Justification How doth Christ prove many sins were forgiven to Mary Luke 7.47 Because she loved much And how doth she prove her love by the fruits her cost and care and pains ver 37 c. If ye love me keep my Commandments sayes Christ Joh. 14.15 Faith works by love Gal. 5.6 As Faith applies Promises for Comfort so commands for Performance of Duty Psal 119 66. And so much for the first Branch in Sanctification viz. Renovation BRANCH II. THE LIFE of FAITH A LIFE OF FRUCTIFICATION SEcondly The just lives by Faith the Life of Fructification for we shall speak of the Use of both together in the fruits of New Obedience And this in these particulars How or in what manner faith hath influence into the life of spiritual Fructification 1. Faith makes us good trees 1. In making of us good Trees A man must be a good Tree before he can bring forth good Fruit Mat. 12.33 Now Faith makes us good Trees by grafting us into the Mystical Body of Christ Rom. 11.17 Thou being a wilde Olive-tree wert grafted in and partakest of the root and fatness of the Olive Thou derivest sap and juyce and life of grace in Christ and so thou dost not onely bud and blossom as Aarons Rod Numb 17. by good words and fair
Promises but thou bringst forth fruit of New Obedience to the glory of God Joh. 15.1 2 c. 2. In telling of us or discovering to us 2. Faith discovers what is good Fruit. what is good Fruit. For the Matter Faith tells us what is Gods revealed Will and it layes hold of the Command of God for direction as well as of the Promise of God for consolation Psal 119.66 I have believed thy Commandments and whatsoever is not thus of faith is sin Rom. 14. ult So Faith laying hold of the Word tells me what is my duty as a Magistrate as a Minister as a Master as a Neighbour as a Fellow-Member c. If I do not live by Faith in all these the fruit I bring forth cannot be good Prov. 19.2 That the soul be without knowledge is not good c. 3. In stirring up the Soul to be fruitful 3. Faith stirs up the Soul to be fruitful How First First By guickning Considerations drawn not onely from our duty but from the Promise of God and the glory of God 1. The Promise of God as Moses Heb. 11.26 27. choosing affliction c for he had an eye to the recompence of reward So saith Faith If thou dost this the Promise is thine 2. Glory of God Faith tells the Soul 2 Thess 1. ult Matth. 5.16 Herein is thy heavenly Father glorified if thou bringest forth much fruit Joh. 15.8 Secondly By drawing strength from Christ the Root John 15.4 5. Abide in me c. Nothing without Christ all through Christ Therefore Faith and Prayer sucks strength from Christ Psal 119.4.5 Thou hast commmanded me to keep thy Precepts O that my wayes were so directed c. 4. In timing and seasoning of the Fruit 4 Faith suits all our scruples to a proper season which is a beautiful thing Eccles 3.1 True indeed our whole time is due to God Luke 1.75 Gods Trees are so full of sap that they must bring forth fruit all the year long Yea but yet there are several fruits for several seasons for several moneths Ezek. 47.12 There are several winds which blow upon the Garden of the Heart and cause several fruits to flow out Cant. 4.16 There are gales of the Spirit and gales of Providence Gales of the Spirit Joh. 3.8 The wind bloweth where it listeth so is the Spirit O set up thy sails when thou hast so fair a wind if thou art bound for the Land of Promise Gales of Providence viz. The north-wind of adversity O now bring forth fruit with patience The south-wind of prosperity O now bring forth fruits with joy and thankfulness Besides there are seasons of grace for thy self and for others For thy self see 2 Cor. 6.2 Now is the accepted time c. when God calls by his Word or by his Rod whilest the waters are troubled John 5. then is the time of healing For others in gaining them to bring forth fruit to God Some are made Fishers of mâ—n It is excellent to know the season and the bait to cast out the Net at Gods word and his time Faith teacheth this It is good fishing in troubled waters that is the season As it is with a man ready to be drown'd you must take him when he riseth up and holds forth his hand and cries for help c. Beloved there is no Ordinance no Providence but calls for some seasonable duty at our hands As every day hath its proper trouble Mat. 6.34 so every day hath its proper task and service Now 't is Faith onely that can instruct us and enable us to know our time and take our time As he that believes makes not haste Isa 28.16 So he will not be too slow Heb. 6.12 not slothful Natural men and unbelievers know not their times nor the seasons of their visitation Luke 19.42 c. So nor of their Fructification Natural men know natural seasons of Sowing Setting Planting Plowing every Almanack can tell this But onely the true Believer the spiritual man is instructed in the spiritual good husbandry to know the right seed-time and harvest of Grace and to know the season of every fruit of Grace Eccles 8.5 6. A wise man knows time and judgement c. 5. The just lives by Faith the Life of Fructification 5. Faith ripens the fruits of new obedience in ripening the fruit Faith is a bright beam of the Sun of Righteousness that ripens the fruit of New Obedience without Faith it is but crude and raw fruit yea dead and withered fruit dead Prayers dead Preaching dead Hearing dead Practice dead Works As Faith without Works is a dead faith Jam. 2.17 So Works without Faith are dead works Heb. 9.14 How much more shall the blood of Christ purge your consciences from dead works to serve the living God There are works that are called dead works that have all the outward lineaments of good works onely they want life and we are purged from these by the blood of Christ applied and sprinkled upon the conscience by Faith and so there is life put into them and they are made living works fit to be presented to a living God 6. And so lastly He lives by Faith in Fructification 6. Faith procures acceptation of our fruitfulness through Christ in regard of the Acceptation of this fruit when it is presented to the hands of the great Master of the Vineyard Faith presents it by the hand of a Mediator and so 't is accepted which otherwise would certainly be rejected Look as Whatsoever we ask the Father in Christs Name it is granted so whatsoever we present to God in his Name is accepted Gen 27. Jacob gat the Blessing in the garments of his elder Brother Take the same good works for matter Suppose the one presented by the hands of a faithful man the other by the hands of a proud unbeliever whose heart is lifted up in him and he thinks God is beholding to him for his service the one is accepted the other is rejected The Lord had respect to Abel and his offering but to Cain and his offering had he not respect Gen. 4. And what 's the reason of the difference The difference is not in the Offering but the Offerer The one had Faith the other had none By faith Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain God testifying of his gifts Heb. 11.4 The diversity of the persons makes a diversity in the Present They are like the two Baskets of Jeremiah's figs Jer. 24. The one had very good figs like the figs that are first ripe the other had very naughty figs that could not be eaten they were so bad True Faith dares invite God to eat of the fruit of his own Planting and of his own ripening Though it be not full ripe in it self 't is mellow'd in Christ Cant. 4. last Let my beloved come into his garden and eat of his pleasant fruit Thus the just man lives by Faith the Life of Fructification
both the Life of Renovation and the Life of Fructification Now for the Use of both together Vse of all in general FIrst Let us hence Examine the truth of our Faith Vse 1. Example of Faith by its â—enoâ—â—â—ing â—ructifying If it be right then we live by it the Life of Sanctification in Renovation c. as well as of Justification Many say They live by Faith the Life of Justification but we see nothing in them of Sanctification Therefore their Faith is not true True Faith is full of Vertue 2 Pet. 1.5 adde to your faith vertue True Faith is an active grace As it is wrought powerfully Eph. 1.19 according to the working of his mighty power So it works powerfully Col. 2.12 it is called Faith of the operation of God Faith puts a Christian not onely upon all holy speeches Prayer Preaching and Conference are the breathings of Faith as 2 Cor. 4.13 I believed therefore have I spâ—ken Acts 4.20 We cannot but speak the thing which we have seen and heard But also upon all holy actions and duties There is the work of faith twice mentioned 1 Thess 1.3 2 Thess 1.11 An idle Faith is vain Jam. 2. a dead faith and a dead Faith is as good as no Faith at all The Wisdom that is from above is full of good fruits Jam. 3.17 It is as impossible for a Christâ—an to live the Life of Justification without Sanctification as for a man to have life without breath Secondly It Reproves two sorts of people Vse 2. Reproof to Papists and carnal Professors Papists on the one side and carnal Professors on the other side who separate these two precious Lives which God hath inseparably joined together Justification and Sanctification Being Twins or Sisters of the same Womb and ever born and brought forth together in the Christian Soul Other Twins may die at least one of them but these live and die together yea they live and never die As Jacob took hold of the heel of his brother so the Life of Sanctification follows the Life of Justification close at the heels 1 Cor 6 11. But ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified As you cannot separate the light of the fire from the heat thereof no more can you separate the light of Faith in Justification from the heat of Faith in Sanctification Mat 3.11 He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire And yet I say Papists on the one side and Carnal Professors on the other side seperate these two precious Lives or at least they would cause one of these Sister-Twins to devour the other The Papists make Sanctification to devour Justification and the Carnal Professor makes Justification to devour Sanctification First the Papists make Sanctification to devour Justification For they say in effect Our Sanctification is our Justification For they say to justifie is onely to make just by inherent Righteousness Again they make Remission of sin not to be the Pardon of sin but the utter deletion or expulsion of sin by infusion of Righteousness as darkness is expell'd by light and cold by heat Thus they make Justification wholly to consist in the parts of Sanctification For whereas Sanctification is partly Privative which we call Mortification and partly Positive which we call Vivification which is either Habitual Vide Down p. 50. Papists make sanctification to devour justification Carnal Professors è contr consisting in the habits of grace or Outward and Actual consisting in the exercise of that grace in the fruit of good works All this and onely this they make the matter of their Justification And so they make Sanctification to devour Justification On the other side Carnal Professors they make Justification to devour Sanctification O say they our Justification is our Sanctification we have no holiness in our selves And thus the Devil drives men to extremes and like a cunning Wrestler he twitches on both sides For the first of these Opinions proceeds from Pride and Presumption The other from false and feigned Humility joyned with Despondency and with a kinde of spiritual sloth and laziness of Spirit O sayes the Papist we have no righteousness in Christ onely Christ hath merited that we should merit And Rank Pride is the root of this Opinion O Rank Pride the root of Pâ—pish sanctity sayes the Carnal Professor we have no righteousness nor holiness in our selves Alas what can we do 't is all one whether we do any thing or nothing we have no Righteousness or Sanctification but in Christ And thus as with a wet finger he shakes off all the duties of godliness and this springs as I said from false or feigned Humility Feigned humility and â—â—ziness of spirit the root of Libertinism and laziness of Spirit This is the sluggards hinge upon which he turns himself about to no purpose As good never a whit saith he as never the better When you press him to duty he holds up this as Ajax his Shield to bear off all blows Tell him of his Omissions and Commissions O sayes he Christ is my Righteousness and Sanctification as if he might sin that grace might abound or that grace had abounded that he might sin But you see this Errour confuted There is a Sanctification in Gods people inherent besides that which is in Christ The just lives by Faith the Life of Sanctification Therefore justly are reprov'd such Christians as bury themselves above ground As Cato said of Idleness it is vivi hominis sepultura Such indeed are dead whilest they live 1 Tim. 5 6. As good be out of the world as do no good in the world meer cumber-grounds Luke 13. Third Use may be a just Apologie for true Christians Vse 3. Protestants apologie against Papists who say we deny the use of good works against the unjust Cavil of Antichristian and Popish Spirits who say That because we teach a man is justified by Faith alone therefore he is justified by such Faith as is alone But there is a great deal of difference betwixt these two Assertions Though they differ not much in words yet they differ much in sense There is difference betwixt Fide Solâ and Fide Solitariâ Faith alone and Faith that is alone To make it plain by Similitude Suppose Esther attended with her Maids goes in to the King to beg the life of her people Esther alone obtains their life but not Esther when she was alone for she was attended by her Maids and they were witnesses of the fact So Faith alone through Christ obtains the life of Justification but not Faith as alone in the person for it is ever attended with good works that are witnesses of that life Or as a man that is guided in his way by the benefit of a Torch he is onely guided by the light of the fire but that is never alone for it is accompanied with heat So a Christian man he is guided in his way to
heaven by the light of the knowledge of Christ through Faith but the light is never alone for it is ever accompanied with the heat of love Gal. 5.6 Faith works by love Therefore they slander when they affirm we teach the contrary For we teach That a Christian lives the life of Sanctification and Fructification in many powerful and quickning Considerations Wherefore let us by well-doing put to silence the ignorance of foolish and malicious men 1 Pet. 2.15 Vse 4. Exh. to faith c. as the root of conveying all godliness fruitfulness Fourthly for Exhortation and Quickning in three Branches 1. To labour for Faith and encrease in it Why because Faith is the Root of Holiness and Fruitfulness or the foundation as it is Col 2.7 Rooted and built up in him and established in the faith c. A man that would have a goodly and a fruitful Orchard will be sure to plant Trees with a good Root Otherwise have they never so goodly Tops they will but the sooner wither away and come to nothing So those that would be fruitful and flourishing Trees in Gods Orchard should be sure to look to the Root of Faith the root of all Holiness and Fruitfulness otherwise be the Top and Branches and Leaves of our Profession never so great all will soon wither and come to nothing Such will be as trees twice dead and plucked up by the roots Jude v. 12. 2. To live by Faith this Life of Sanctification 2 Exhort 1. Motives to live by faith the life of Sanctification Motive 1. Else we shall never manifest we live the Life of Justification for they are Twins as hath been said 2. This is the most excellent Life makes us like God and is therefore called The life of God How do men aspire to imitate great men in their speeches gestures 2. Eph. 4.18 actions O that we could aspire and desire to imitate the great and good God to be like him and live the life of Holiness It is something to live if but the lowest life but the life of grace is above all lives for this is to live the Life of God Holiness is the highest Attribute of Honour 3. Without holiness none shall see the Lord Heb. 12 14. Our happiness consists in the Beatifical Vision 1 Joh. 3.2 3. and He that hath this hope in him purifies himself as he is pure 4. This Life of Sanctification is the onely Life of Thankfulness A justified person should say What shall I render to the Lord Psal 116. And as David Psal 103. Bless the Lord O my soul and all that is within me bless his holy Name Nor is that enough but surely all that is without us too should bless him our Tongues our Hands and all our Members All our very bones Psal 35.10 All my bones shall say Lord who is like unto thee c. All our actions and so our Bodie as well as our Souls It is the Apostles argument Rom. 12.1 I beseech you by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice holy acceptable to God c. Let us therefore live unto him by whom we enjoy our lives Let us live to him the Life of Sanctification from whom we receive the Life of Justification Let us live to him the Life of Fructification from whom we receive the Life of Faith 5. This is The way to glorifie God Psal 50. last Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me and to him that ordereth his conversation aright c. God the Father is glorified Joh. 15.8 Herein is my Father glorified that ye bring forth much fruit God the Son or Jesus Christ for hereby it appears Heb. 7. he is able to save to the uttermost how by saving from sin as well as from hell Mat. 1.21 The Spirit is glorified for the fruits of the Spirit are love joy peace long-suffering goodness c. Gal. 5.22 'T is the way to glorifie and adorn our Profession Tit. 2.10 Servants are commanded to be faithful Why That they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things To glorifie Free grace Tit. 2.11 12. The grace of God hath appeared Teaching us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly c. Otherwise it is the greatest dishonor to the grace of God when we turn it into wantonness Jude v. 4. yea 't is to deny God Tit. 1.16 in works deny him Exhort 3. Resolve to be fruitful but take the present time 3. To do it timely Not onely resolve to be fruitful but take the Time Time is one of the most precious things God hath committed to the sons of men Redeem time Eph. 5. viz. at any rate How hath God laid out the glory of his wisdome and power in making so many glorious Bodies to measure out Time to us that we might learn to take notice of the preciousness of it and do all our works in time yet we squander it away as if we knew not how to spend it fast enough And we put off to the future what belongs to the present We hardly return brazen Performances for golden Opportunities Remember 1. 'T is excellent to know and take the time It was the commendation of the men of Issachar 1 Chr. 1.32 As on the contrary nothing more unpleasant than doing things out of time Pro. 10.26 As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes so is the sluggard to them that send him 2. It is very difficult to know and take time The foolish Virgins lost their tide the wise had much ado to gain it Mat. 25. Jacob said Surely God was in this place Gen. 28.16 and I was not aware So may we say In this Time in this Providence and yet I was not aware of it In Cant. 5.3 c. The Church was but a minute too slow and she paid dear for it 3. It makes every duty easie if we do take it in time or else it is difficult 'T is easie to enter if the gates of a Castle be open and the Governour invites but if there be stay till it is shut and the Portcullis let down it may cost much blood 'T is easie to lift a great weight whiles many lift together but if each asunder most hard So while God sayes Hear now c. it is easie to move in grace or duties but if we go about it after we may move as Pharaoh's Chariots Exod. 14. with the wheels taken off And late fruit we know is kill'd with Winters frost 4. If we do not take it Opportunity may be irrecoverable A tree may be fruitful next year if not this if it stand but it may be the Ax may cut it down So it may be we may never have the like opportunity as now Time and Tide stay for no man We may happen on a day after the Fair. 5. We know not how soon the folding-doors of time shall be folded up together when the Heavens 1
Cor. 7. 2 Pet. 3. that measure Time shall be rolled up as a Scroll And though time should last never so long to the world in general yet how soon the Angel may swear concerning thee or me Time shall be no more Rev. 10.6 we know not 6. We must not onely account for the means of fruitfulness Isa 5. What could I have done more c but for the time afforded for fruitfulness Luk. 13.7 These three years have I come looking for fruit and behold I finde none Cut it down c. Eccles 11.9 God will take account of the days of thy youth therefore call thy self to account and be fruitful in season 7. Lastly What would the damned in Hell give now for one of these hours to become fruitful If the rich glutton Luke 16.27 would so willingly have a messenger sent to his five brethren What would he have given to have been the messenger himself but could neither So much for the two first Branches in the Life of Sanctification which the just man lives by his Faith Now follows the Third BRANCH III. IN THE LIFE of FAITH IN SANCTIFICATION VIZ. MORTIFICATION THE just lives by Faith the Life of Mortification which consisteth in the killing and crucifying of sin and this follows fitly upon the Life of Fructification For sin is the Caterpillar upon the Branch that devours all the fruits Nay it is the Worm at the Root that hinders the fruitfulness of it or else it is the Toad at the Root that poisons the fruit Deut. 32.32 33. Their vine is of the vine of Sodom and of the fields of Gomorrha their grapes are grapes of gall their clusters are bitter their wine is the poison of dragons and the cruel venom of Asps. The best fruits of natural men where sin lives in the dominion of it are no better than such poisonous fruits Therefore the just man lives by Faith of Mortification He is dead to sin and dead to the law that he may bring forth fruit unto God Rom. 7.4 For the more sin dies Faith resemâ—les the expulsive faculty in the natural body the more grace lives and the more sin lives the more grace dies Therefore Faith lives in killing that which is an enemy to its life and is as the expulsive faculty in the body Obj. But is not sin dead as soon as a man believes Rom. 6.11 Likewise reckon ye your selves to be dead indeed unto sin but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Ans Sin indeed hath receiv'd its deadly wound at the first blow but yet it will not be wholly dead till we die Nay it fares with it as with a creature that hath received its deadly wound it struggles and strives more violently than ever before Rom. 7.8 9. Sin taking occasion by the commandment wrought in me all manner of concupiscence for without the law sin was dead c. Insomuch that this combat continues till our dying day Gal. 5 17. The flesh lusteth against the spirit and the spirit lusteth against the flesh and these are contrary the one to the other so that ye cannot do the things that ye would And Satan he takes part with our corruption he is Sins Second in the field Now Faith is a Christians chief weapon by which he defends himself and offends his adversary Eph. 6.16 the shield of faith For the method of proceeding in this Head it shall be to shew 1. How Faith proceeds in Mortification of sin 2. Why Faith will have sin to be mortified 3. The Uses hence Quest I. First How Faith proceeds in mortifying sin I answer It does it as men use to do in the prosecution of a Malefactor As the avenger of blood pursued the Murtherer in a legal way Sin is put to death by the law Rom. 3.22 By what law of works nay but by the law of faith So that as the Jews said of Christ faithful men may say of sin We have a law and by our law he ought to die Art 1 First there is a rising of the heart against the person How faith goes about the mortifying of sin Gal. 5.6 A man will never prosecute him whom he hath no quarrel against So Faith stirs up a Christian to hate his sin as it stirs him up to love God so consequently to hate sin Gods deadly enemy yea he hates it to death Col. 3.1 5. Ye that love the Lord hate that which is evil Psal 97.10 Nay sayes Faith to sin I will have thy life nothing shall satisfie me but thy life Thou hast wrong'd my dear God therefore I will be reveng'd of thee True Repentance and true Faith work indignation and revenge 2 Cor. 7.11 Yea what indignation what revenge As we cannot love God too much so we cannot hate sin too much Art 2 Secondly There is a diligent enquiry after the Malefactor So faith sends out Hue and Cry VVhere is the Rebel the Traytor It is the voice of Faith that Lam. 3.40 Let us search and try our wayes c. Faith knows if we finde not sin out sin will finde us out Num. 32.23 and if it sees us first it slayes us as the Basilisk Faith knows all the haunts of sin as Saul said of David to the Ziphites 1 Sam. 23.22 Go I pray you know and see his place where his haunt is It searches the root of all actual sins Psal 51.5 In sin was I shapen c. An unbeliever hides extenuates excuses denies his sin But Faith never leaves till it discover and brings it before the judgement-seat As Rahab entertained the spies Heb. 11 31. So faith entertains the spies of enlightned reason Psal 119.105 and Prayer Psal 139.23 Art 3 Thirdly Faith brings in the Accusers of sin 1. The Law Joh. 5.45 There is one that accuseth you even Moses Rom. 7.7 I had not known sin but by the Law 2. The Gospel though it saves the sinner it condemns the sin Rom. 6.1 2. Shall we we believers continue in sin that grace may abound God forbid How shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein 3. The Renewed man converted by the Gospel Rom. 7.17 It is no more I that do it but sin that dwelleth in me whereas sin accuseth the godly man to be the troubler of the person family 1 Kin. 18.18 Josh 7.25 state c. Faith sayes to sin Thou art the troubler of Israel therefore thou deservest to be stoned to death Jam. 4.1 From whence come wars and fightings amongst you come they not from your lusts Art 4 Fourthly Faith brings in Witness against sin whereas sin pleads for it self and accuseth Holiness and strictness to be the cause of all misery Faith brings in witness to the contrary 1. Outward By faith we understand the world was made c. Heb. 11. and so that the world was destroyed by sin once drown'd again reserved for fire to wash 2 Pet. 3. to burn out the filth of sin All evils that ever
befel the world in the world from Adam to this day is laid to the charge of sin Faith sayes As where no transgression no curse Rom. 3. so wheresoever there is curse there is transgression Whatever sad stories are reported of 70 years Captivity of Sword of Pestilence and Famine c. yea sayes Faith you may thank sin for all this Was Cain a runnagate Pharaoh drown'd in the Sea Josephs brethren in sad perplexity c Surely they may say We are verily guilty Gen. 42.21 c. Yea Gods people may thank sin for all their affliction Isa 27.9 This is all the fruit to purge away your sin Sin is like a stubborn Tenant or a Thief that will not out unless the house be fired over his head 2. Inward Witness which is the Conscience in stead of a thousand witnesses Rom. 2.15 Their own consciences bearing them witness c. What saist thou Conscience did not sin do thus and thus and is the cause of all this misery c Art 5 Fifthly Faith empannels the Jury of Saints or Believers not as unbelievers that compare themselves with themselves 2 Cor. 10.12 For what part hath he that believeth with an infidel 2 Cor. 6.15 and calls in the Judge For sin must be judged by God and the Bench See Psal 50.5 6. and not by the Countrey of Carnal men For though the Conscience of Carnal men can bear evidence against sin yet they are partial Jury-men they would fain have sin live Let loose Barabbas and crucifie Christ But the Bench of godly men sitting with Christ upon his Throne as they shall judge the world 1 Cor. 6. so they judge sin They finde sin guilty and worthy of death and cry out for Justice Justice my Lord upon sin These are the cloud of Witnesses and Jury-men that account sin as the greatest burthen in the world Heb. 12.1 Therefore sayes Faith if asked to which of the Saints wilt thou turn Job 5.1 I will be judged by all the godly in the World And this Jury ground their Verdict upon Evidence Note Works outwardly Conscience inwardly have brought in this witness against sin 1. 'T is a deadly enemy to God and his Grace Rom. 8.6 't is enmity against God Nothing is contrary to God but sin 2. It gives Laws against God Rom. 8.2 the law of sin and death God sayes This must be done Sin sayes the flat contrary 3. It forceth its Obedience 't is a Tyrant over Gods people makes them cry out O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me Rom. 7.24 Luke 19.14 Indeed wicked men are voluntary slaves 4. It is guilty of all the slain that lie in the pit If it be said Who slew all these we may say Sin 2 Kin. 10.9 Though the Devil be a Murtherer John 8. yet he cannot slay one Soul without the assistance of Sin The Soul than sinneth shall die Ezek. 18.5 'T is guilty of Christs blood Sin thou hast crucified the Lord the Life Our sins were the nails in his hands and spear in his side and is not he worthy to die that put Christ to death Art 6 Sixthly Faith calls in the Judge as the importunate widow Luk. 18.3 Avenge me of mine adversary Faith makes God in his VVord to be the Judge viz. the Doctrine of the Twelve Apostles Both Whether sin be thus guilty or no Jam. 1.13 Let no man say when he is tempted I am tempted of God c. Sin would lay the fault upon God but God layes the fault upon sin And secondly What punishment sin is worthy of No less than death saith God Therefore thou must die saith Faith to Sin 1 Cor. 11.31 For this cause many sleep i.e. die Art 7 Seventhly He therefore lives by Faith for the condemnation of Sin God hath condemned sin to die Rom. 6.14 Sin shall not have dominion over you Therefore sayes Faith I have Gad on my side Sin must not reign nay Sin must not live As the soul that sins must die so the Soul than is freed from death is freed from sin both in the guilt and power Art 8 Eighthly He lives by Faith in the Execution of the Sentence upon Sin Heb. 11.17 Offers up the dearly beloved sin And that in respect 1. Of the time presently whilest it is called to day There is no truce no reprival no sparing of sin Life must go for life Sin is never the better for kinde usage Some sinners are won that way but not sin it self God cannot reconcile sin to himself though he reconcile sinners to himself 2. For the Means where there is 1. Arming our selves Eph. 6. Take to you the whole armour of God especially the shield of faith 2. Disarming sin The strength of sin lies either in the Law of God 1 Cor. 15.56 The strength of sin is the law Or in the power and policy of Satan Ephes 2.2 that worketh in the children of disobedience Now Faith disarms Sin 1. It cuts the sinews of the Law Rom. 6.14 We are not under the law but under grace 2. It cuts the sinews of Satan 1 John 3.8 For this cause the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil Therefore that Soul that is willing Christ should live in it shall be sure to have sin die in it Lastly Taking sin captive leading this Captivity captive Eph. 4.8 Psal 149.6 and putting it to death by the two-edged sword of the Word in its hand and so executing the judgement written Heb. 4.12 So much for the first Quaere Quest II. Secondly What are the Reasons why Faith will have sin to be mortified Answ Many 1. Reasons of the mortification of sin Because sin is most contrary to the nature of Faith Faith is a most holy Faith Jude v. 20. It is that which purifies the heart Acts 15.9 And sin is loathsome and impure For it defiles 1. The Person Tit. 1.15 To the unbelieving even their minde and conscience is defiled 2. The Actions Hag. 2.12 13. every work of their hands and that which they â—ffer is unclean 3. The Name as Jacob said to Simeon and Levi Gen. 34.30 Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land 4. It defiles others as that incestuous Person 's sin 1 Cor. 5.6 as leaven spreads over the whole lump 5. The Land it self Gen 6 11. The earth also was corrupt before God and the earth was filled with violence So the Lord sayes Num 35.33 The land is polluted and defiled with blood Therefore Faith and Sin are contraries and contraries hate one another to the death Mutuò se expellunt they cannot live together Reas 2 Because they have most contrary Ends and Designes The design of Faith is to bring life to the Soul The just shall live by Faith The design of Sin is to bring death to the Soul Ezek. 18. The soul that sins shall die the death and
The wages of sin is death Rom. 6. last Therefore Faith must kill sin or else not bring its design to pass for Rev. 21. last No unclean thing shall enter into life Even Gods own people shall not enter until they attain perfection of Sanctification Reas 3 Because the mortification of sin is the end of Christs death Rather than sin should not die he would die Rom. 4. ult who was delivered for our transgressions c. O sayes Christ to Sin and Death I will be your death though it cost me my life Hos 13.14 O death I will be thy death c. He was crucified that our old man might be crucified with him Rom. 6.6 Therefore says Faith as I believe in Christ crucified I must also crucifie sin Rom. 6.11 Wherefore reckon ye your selves dead unto sin 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hoc enim refero ad fidei syllogismum says Beza 'T is the reasoning of Faith Reas 4 Because it is the Commandment of God as God commanded the Avenger of blood Onely 't is in this unlike that there is no City of Refuge for sin Col 3.5 Mortifie therefore your members on earth fornication uncleanness inordinate affection evil concupiscence c. And Gods command is the object of Faith as well as a Promise Reas 5 Because Promise is also made Alas sayes the Christian I have no power to deal with Sin or Satan O saith God I will help thee I will give thee my word for it if thou wilt take it Micah 7.19 He will subdue our iniquities and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depth of the sea As Satan is Captain on the one side so is Christ on the other side as was held forth in the Vision to Joshua cap. 5.14 As Captain of the host of the Lord am I now come 2 Chro. 20.12 Therefore sayes the faithful Soul I know not what to do though I have no power yet mine eyes are unto thee And so as David against Goliah they go out against sin in the Name of the Lord with this poor Sling of Faith and the Pebble-stone of the Word and so strike this Giant of Corruption in the forehead that it sinks down by degrees and at last they tread upon the neck of their proudest Lusts Vse 1 Information Information from this Branch of the Life of Faith in several particulars 1. From the Object of Mortification sin viz. 1. From the object of mortification That those that are in Christ have sin and sinful affections remaining in them For what must the just that lives by Faith mortifie Surely not his grace It is something that is sinful he must not fight with his own shadow The body of sin must be destroyed Rom. 6.6 The law of sin and death abolish'd Rom. 8.2 God sees something and an enlightned Soul sees something that is to be mortified and fights with some-body Col. 3.5 Mortifie therefore your members that are on the earth c. And lest they should say We have no earthly members the Apostle gives instance fornication uncleanness c. And lest they should say VVe do not live in these sins now the Apostle answers by way of Concession Ver. 7. You do not live in them indeed you do not walk in them but yet a remainder of the seeds of these sins is in you still you may be tempted to them and therefore strive against them Put off all these vile affections c. 2. From the Act. To mortifie is to kill outright 2. From the Act. It 's not enough to abstain from the outward acts of sin but we must subdue the inward desire will and affection to sin VVhy Because abstaining from the outward act is but a restraining or imprisoning of sin But the subduing the inward desire will and affection of Sin is the Mortifying of Sin For the Life of Sin lies in the Will And therefore of the two in evil things it is less dangerous to do that which we will not Rom. 7.19 20. than to will that which we do not Sin is never mortified until inordinate affections be mortified In these lies the heart-blood of sin Mat. 5.27 Whosoever shall look to lust hath committed adultery in his heart 3. From the Instrument 3. From the Instrument If by Faith sin be mortified see the mistake of those that will needs have sin mortified before they believe or else they will not believe O say they The errour of such who will not believe till first made whole if such and such a lust were mortified I could believe but so long as the case stands thus I dare not As much as to say If they were rid of the disease beforehand they would go to the Physician and take Physick Indeed it s required they should be sensible of their disease And though we do not say we must thus prepare our selves yet we may safely say God thus prepares his people for Christ Mat. 9.12 13. They that are whole need not the physician but they that are sick I am not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance Now then seeing we cannot be rid of our disease till we come to the Physician and we cannot come without faith therefore we see the errour and mistake of those that will not believe till first made whole Vse 2 Let us Examine if we live by Faith in Christ by this Then we live the Life of Mortification Examination Gal. 5 24. They that are in Christ have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts Hast thou done so Many are mistaken and think some that sin is not mortified when it is others that it is when it is not A poor childe of God cries out Mine enemies my sins live and are mighty c therefore I live not by Faith But a Moral man he can say I was once a Drunkard or Swearer but now I have left all my vain company therefore my sin is mortified and yet it may be he is as covetous now as luxurious as before VVherefore its hard to know whether sin be truly mortified for as in some Grace hath a name to live and is dead so in others Sin hath a name to be dead and is alive Sometimes one sin drives out another while particular ends and aim or light of Nature c. over-rule in this rather than that Therefore Examine But how shall we know if sin be mortified indeed Ans 1. If sin die then we are first sick of sin Marks of true Mortification as commonly before men die Ipsa senectus morbus themselves are weary of themselves As the Soul is sick of love to Christ Cant. 2.5 so it is also sick of sin Psal 38.4 Mine iniquities are gone over my head as an heavy burthen they are too heavy for me my wounds stink and are corrupt c. 2. If sin dies aright it dies in all parts 2 Mark Col. 3. Mortifie your members not one member onely
As a natural death seizeth on all parts heart and all so true Mortification extends it self to all parts of the old man even to the best beloved sin and that which lies next the heart 3. Then there is no more delight in sin 3 Mark Rom. 6. If sin be dead in us we are dead to sin Bury my dead out of my sight said Abraham of his beloved Sarah when she was once dead Gen. 23.4 4. Further let us see 4 Mark if we have proceeded against sin as the avenger of blood in those eight Particulars above-mentioned viz. Is there 1. A rising of the heart against sin 2. A diligent enquiry after it 3. An accusation of it c. Obj. But my sin revives in me rather than is mortified Ans I answer as before VVhen a beast is struck it struggles Besides as Christ died a lingring death so doth a believers sin that is crucified with him There is a long Combate between the flesh and Spirit as there was between the houses of Saul and David Gal. 5.17 2 Sam. 3. The flesh lusteth against the Spirit c. Obj. Yea but there is a combate in the Conscience of Natural men against sin as there is in the Regenerate of the Spirit against the flesh And I am afraid mine is no more how shall I know it Marks of the combate of flesh against Spirit Ans Know it thus 1. By the Cause What is the Cause of this Combate or Trouble of Conscience Is it onely some gross sin or great judgement That may proceed from the horror of natural Conscience But if thy very corrupt frame of Nature troubles thee and its putting forth in the least sins in sinful thoughts in sinful looks c. This combate proceeds from a Nature renew'd by the Spirit of God Rom. 7.23 24. I see a law in my members rebelling against the law of my minde O wretched man that I am c Second Mark of the difference 'twixt a true and false combate 2. By the Aim The aim of a natural man in his combate or wrestling is onely to give sin a foil or at most a fall and he is willing to let it rise again so it will be quiet and not bring him to shame by giving him a fall in the place of lookers-on But the aim of a spiritual man in his combate is not onely to give sin a fall but to kill it and crucifie it He lives the Life of Mortification he desires that all that natural enmity which is in his heart against God Eph. 2.16 may be utterly slain 3 Mark 3. In the Effects and Issue For 1. the combate of a Natural man drives him to false succours When the evil Spirit troubles Saul he runs now to his Musick now to the Witch of Endor Cain to his building of Cities But a spiritual man runs to Christ Rom. 7.25 Who shall deliver me from the body of death I thank God sayes he through Jesus Christ our Lord. 2. The combate of a Natural man endeth usually either in Despair or Dissoluteness The flesh gets the better hand and at last his troubled conscience comes to be drown'd or sear'd But the combate of Spiritual men ends in Victory his conscience is more tender and smites him for the lap of a garment or any small thing and so he gets more power against sin from day to day Though he halts for it yet he gets the victory Vse 3 Thirdly It Reproves all that live not by Faith the Life of Mortification Conviction Reproof to 7 sort of persons 1. Such as rather make peace with sin than fight against it Though the Lord hath sworn that he will have war with this Amalek from generation to generation Exod. 17.16 What is this but to make a Covenant with Death and to be at an Agreement with Hell Isa 28.15 2. Such as in stead of fighting against sin fight for it See also Jer. 44.16 As the Sodomites for theirs Gen. 19. or the Benjamites in defence of theirs Judg. 20. or the Ephesians for their Diana Acts 19. Such take the Devils part and fight against Christ as the Dragon against Michael Rev. 12.7 3. Such as nourish and cherish their Sin as the countryman did the Snake till it sting them to death What Solomon sayes of one Sin may be said of all Prov. 23.32 At last it biteth like a Serpent and stingeth like an Adder These are such as make provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts of it Rom. 13. last 4. Such as seem Neuters in this Christian Warfare Though none are so indeed for all are either with Christ or against him But some seem Neuters as Laodicea Rev. 3.16 that is neither hot nor cold Double-minded men that are unstable in all their wayes Jam. 1.8 Such as the Lord will spew out of his mouth Why halt ye between two said Elijah 1 Kings 18.21 if Baal be God follow him if God be God follow him 5. Such as will chide and rate their Sins and themselves for their Sins as Saul did before David My Son I have done very foolishly and Pharaoh before Moses 1 Sam. 14.16 Exod 9.27 The Lord is righteous but I and my people are wicked and Judas did before the High-Priest I have sinned in betraying the innocent blood and yet for all that they spare the life of them They had rather kill themselves than kill their Sins as Saul did and Judas also 6. Such as will restrain Sin or imprison it or binde it to its good-behavior or cast it so bound into a pit as Joseph was cast by his Brethren that the world may not see their wickedness Gen. 27.21 but they are resolved they will never kill it outright No but they plead for the life of it as Reuben pleaded for the life of his Brother Let us not kill him 2 Sam. 18.5 c. Or as David for Absolom Deal gently with the young man Just so men deal with their Sins they are kinde-hearted to their Sins but cruel to their Souls 7. Such as will whip and scourge their Sins and themselves for their Sins but spare the life of it As Papists do by their Fastings Pilgrimages and Scourgings and then presently give a new Indulgence to Sin As the worshippers of Baal cut themselves with knives and lancers 1 Kings 18. So these mortifie the outward man but the inward man is never pricked at the heart Alas it's easier to endure all outward torments than to mortifie one lust The sinner will endure any pain Job 2. so his sin may live Skin for skin and all that a man hath will he give for his life Now Sin is the very life of a sinner in his own apprehension dearer than his right hand or his right eye 8. Such as deal with their Sins as those Cutters in the 10 of Luke dealt with the Traveller between Jerusalem and Jericho wound them sore and leave
them half dead He that was drunk over night smites upon his breast in the morning as if he and his sin would die together But alas worldly sorrow doth but leave it half dead and therefore no sooner is it carried to a common Inn but presently it recovers life again 9. Such as would be willing to kill some Sins but not all They seem to kill many of these spiritual Amalekites but they spare Agag 2 Sam. 15. and the best of the spoil some fat profitable Sin of Bribery or Oppression or Lying or Over-reaching in Bargains c. this they are resolved to spare But as good never a whit as never the better True Mortification strikes at all Sins Jam. 2.10 He that offendeth in one is guilty of all kill all or we kill none He that onely lops and tops his Sin and never strikes at the root he does but make it grow the thicker and the faster By true Faith are pull'd up vitiorum fibrae the sprigs of wickedness lest any root of bitterness should spring up to the destruction of the Soul Heb 12.15 Vse 4 Fourth Use Let us make use of Faith for this end Exhortation to mortifie sin to mortifie our Sins Not onely as a shield a weapon defensive to defend us from our enemies but as a sword a weapon offensive to kill and destroy our enemies especially our Sins our worst enemies The life of a Christian is a Souldiers life The life of man upon earth is a warfare sayes Job Our first Sacrament is a military Sacrament we take Christs Prest-money to fight manfully against the Flesh the World and the Devil and he that conquers the Flesh will easily conquer the other two And therefore I say with the Apostle 1 Cor 16.13 Behave your selves like Souldiers watch ye stand fast in the faith quit your selves like men be strong in this war Let nothing satisfie but the life of your adversary Lo here is a lawful Murther such an one as is both commanded and commended to mortifie our earthly members And let no man say I have done this already and therefore what need I do any more for this is a work we must be doing to our dying day Natural Corruption is that monstrous Hydra as some Heads are cut off others are still springing up in their room and therefore we must follow our first blow as long as we live We must not be negligent in following the victory Jer. 48 10. Cursed be he that doth the work of the Lord negligently and cursed be he that keepeth back his hand from blood And if he be cursed that spareth the life of Sinners when God calls him to their slaughter much more he that spares the life of Sin Therefore that Gods Trumpets may put some life into you in this Spiritual warfare let me adde some quickning Alarms to stir you up to live this Life of Faith in Mortification The Ministers of God were to sound the Alarm before the battel Num 10.8 9. And then some Means or Martial Discipline by which you may know your postures Motives to Mortification First The first Alarm or Motive is Gods Command above all Motives The great General of the Field he gives the Word and therefore we must fall on God speaks as Absolom to his Servants 2 Sam. 13.28 When I say unto you Smite Amnon then kill him fear not have not I commanded you Be couragious and be valiant Motive 2 Secondly Consider the Danger of violating Gods Command 'T is present death in a souldier not to obey the Word of his Commander As it is a great sin to kill where God hath said Thou shalt not kill so 't is as great a sin not to kill where God hath said Thou shalt kill Remember what God said to Ahab 1 Kings 20.42 Because thou hast let go out of thine hands a man whom I appointed to utter destruction therefore thy life shall go for his life If we kill not sin sin will kill us In Col. 3.4 5 6. it is observable that Mortification of sin is set between Life Eternal and Death Eternal As if God should say When I command you to mortifie your sins I set before you Life and Death Life if your sins die and Death if your sins live Motive 3 Thirdly Sin is Gods Enemy as well as ours Suppose sin were our dear friend yet if Gods deadly Enemy we must not spare it Who is on the Lords side said Moses Ex. 32.26 slay every man his brother c. If we be of Christs spiritual kindred we will avenge his blood on sin Sin crucified the Lord of Life Acts 3. Psal 105. this was the iron that entred into his soul God indeed hath appointed a City of Refuge for sinners even for those that murthered the Lord of Life they may hide themselves in the wounds themselves have made but no City of Refuge for sin Therefore follow it to the death Motive 4 Fourthly God will help us in our warfare VVhat encouraged Joshua and Israel to be strong and of a good courage Because God had said I will not fail thee Josh 1. nor forsake thee Take heed you bring not an evil report upon the Lords Battels Num. 13. as the Spies did on the Land of Canaan Our Corruptions are so strong we shall never master them c. But remember it is the Lord your God that fighteth for you therefore be strong and couragious 2 Cor. 10.4 Motive 5 Fifthly VVe are sure of the victory before-hand and so more than Conquerors Rom. 8. This should make us fight with courage 1 Cor. 15.57 Thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord. As Jehosaphat encouraged the people 2 Chron. 20.17 Ye shall not need fight in this battel set your selves see the salvation of the Lord or as Jonathan himself and his Armour-bearer 1 Sam. 14. So should we though there be the greatest unlikeliness because of the Lords Promise Motive 6 Sixthly It is the Property of all true Christians all that are espoused to Christ thus to do The Soul cannot be married unto Christ unless the first husband be dead viz. The Law and Sin Rom. 7.1 2. Motive 7 Lastly If we die with Christ we shall live with Christ If our old man die with him our new man shall live with him For ye are dead Rom. 6. and your life is hid with Christ in God c. Now who would not be willing to have sin die that Christ may live in their Souls and they in him to all eternity Otherwise if sin live to eternity we must die to eternity If sin be not kill'd here it will never be kill'd In Isa 66. last 't is said of the damned Their worm shall never die Therefore now learn to live by Faith this Life of Mortification Quest It may be thou wilt say I am willing to kill my sins if I knew how what means therefore should I use for I am
Temptations Some do tempt the Devil to tempt them by thrusting themselves upon apparent danger of sinning as into evil company and lewd houses whereas the Holy Ghost sayes Remove thy way far from her and come not nigh the door of her house Prov. 5.8 Vse 5 The last Use A word of Comfort to a Christian Comfort against the vigor and rigor of sin against the vigour and rigour of sin which is like the Egyptian Taskmasters every day imposing new burthens by fleshly lusts ever warring against the soul A great discomfort this is which makes a gracious Soul complain with David Psal 120.5 Woe is me that I sojourn in Mesech that I dwell in the tents of Kedar or Paul Rom. 7.24 O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from this body of death Yet here is comfort he lives by faith the Life of Mortification Faith tells him 1. Christ is on his side as Jehu cried Who is on my side who 2. The victory is sure 1 Cor. 15. pen. Let this therefore comfort a Christian that is troubled more for sin Job 36.21 than affliction And it is our duty to strengthen the hearts and hands of such in their spiritual warfare Heb. 12.12 Lift up the hands that hang down Isa 40.1 2. Comfort ye comfort ye my people saith your God speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem and cry unto her that her warfare is accomplished c. As the house of Saul grew weaker every day so shall sin Though there be cause to be humbled yet also Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted And as the Apostle exhorts Christians not to sorrow as men without hope for the dead 1 Thess 4.13 because they shall live again at the last So say I let not Christians sorrow as men without hope by reason of their living enemies their powerful corruptions for they shall die at the last It may be said to a Christian at his last gasp These Egyptians whom ye have seen to day ye shall see them again no more for ever The Red-sea of death shall drown them all BRANCH IV. IN THE LIFE of FAITH IN SANCTIFICATION VIZ. VIVIFICATION THE just lives by Faith the Life of Vivification When his heart is ready to sink Faith lifts it up again and puts a new Life as it were into it And the very Text seems to drive at this also if we make out the Antithesis or opposition to the full betwixt Unbelief and Faith The Unbeliever lifts up his heart in Creature-strength but the Believer lives by Faith in Gods strength Jehosaphats heart was lift up in the wayes of the Lord 2 Chron. 17.6 In the midst of all damps he liv'd by Faith this Life of Vivification which is as it were under God the life of our lives or at least the liveliness of our life as we say Such an one is a lively Christian or a man full of life For I do not here mean by Vivification the first quickning work of the Spirit for that we spoke of before in the Life of Renovation but I mean the quickning and reviving work of the Spirit after some deadness hath seized upon the Soul Two Propositions Therefore two things are to be demonstrated 1. That Gods own Children are subject to be overtaken with spiritual drowziness or deadness of Spirit at some times as the foot may be asleep through obstructions 2. That at such times as these they live by Faith and by Faith recover the quickness and activity of their spiritual life again 1. Gods children subject to deadness The first we premise That the best of Gods Children are subject to deadness Even the five wise Virgins as well as the foolish all slumbred and slept Matth. 25.5 The Spouse complains of her drowziness Cant. 5.2 I sleep but my heart waketh Christ chargeth the Church of Sardis with this Rev. 3.1 2. Thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead What! quite dead No but ready to die as it follows ver 2. And so Mr. Perkins expounds it Experience shews this daily How many Christians full of complaints of their deadness as David Psal 119.25 My soul cleaveth unto the dust quicken thou me c. Quest How comes this to pass or what is the reason and cause of it Ans It is good indeed to know the cause The cause of a disease being found out it is half cured For answer then hereunto we must distinguish of Deadness Causes of this deadness A Christians deadness is either Accidental Sinful Penal or Probational 1. Accidental 1. The cause of Accidental deadness springs sometimes from age sometimes from sickness sometimes from melancholly In which cases a man may have a very good will to do service with life and activity but bodily weakness pulling him down and the natural spirits being low he is just like a Bird that hath her wings clipt who would fain fly but cannot And this unfits to any duties as well natural and civil as religious 2. There is a Sinful deadness 2. Sinful when a man hath little heart or affection to the service of God And if we enquire into the reason of this it springs from sinful causes Which are either Privative as the want of good Food the Word which is animae pabulum Or good Exercise 1 Tim. 4.7 Exercise thy self rather unto godliness Or good Company which is quickning one stick of this fire kindles another he that 's all alone soon falls asleep Or good Air I mean a good Ministery Heb. 10.24 25 As the presence of these things in nature makes men active and vigorous and the want of them makes heavy and dead so in Grace Or else they are Positive causes And such are 1. Excessive cares or pleasures which do overcharge the heart Luke 21.34 2. Bad Company Peters heart was deaded in the High-Priests Hall 'T is said of Nero he tied the bodies of living men to those that were dead which was cold comfort and half a death to them Nothing dulls more than the society of dull and dead-hearted men 3. Custom in Sin which makes insensible in sinning Prov. 23.34 35. They have stricken me and I was not sick they have beaten me and I felt it not c. 4. Satan oft rocks the cradle It was more than a natural drowziness that the disciples were so heavy and sleepy when Christ was upon his Passion You may know the disease by the remedy watch and pray says our Savior that ye enter not into temptation Mat. 26.40 41. 3. There is a Penal deadness and God inflicts this as a punishment of former sins Is 6.9 10. Go and tell this people 3. Penal Hear ye indeed but understand not and see ye indeed but perceive not make the heart of this people fat and make their ears heavy lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears c. The word sometimes makes men worse rather than better as the beams of
the Sun harden the Clay and soften the Wax withers the grass upon the house-top and makes the grass in the meadows flourish comforts sound eyes and offends sore eyes 4. Probational 4. There is a Probational deadness which God dispenseth or permitteth for the trial of his Servants graces This was in Peter for a time to let us see what we are when God leaves us to our selves Summer were not so comfortable if we had not a Winter Look as it is in natural life Psal 104.29 30. Thou hidest thy face they are troubled thou takest away their breath they die and return to the dust Thou sendest forth thy Spirit they are created c. So in spiritual life whence there is so much difference betwixt one man and another yea in the same man at one time and at another Propos 2. Saints recover by faith out of deadness But it is better to know how to come out of this estate than how we come into it though both be needful Therefore I come to the second Proposition That at such times as these the just lives by faith and by Faith recovers the quickness and activity of his spiritual life again In the 2 of Tim. 1.6 the Apostle perswades Timothy to stir up the gift of God that was in him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to thrive or rekindle it to blow it up as a spark into a flame Now Faith is as the bellows to blow it up The breath of the Lord indeed is the wind that breathes upon dead bones so upon dead Souls But Faith is as the bellows that draws this wind and blows it forth again And therefore if you observe it the Apostles Exhortation to stir up or blow up the gift is grounded upon the former verse viz. I call to minde the unfeigned faith that is in thee which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois c. As if he should have said Thou that hast faith art too blame if thou dost not stir up the gift that is in thee Ministerial gifts especially by the exercise of thy faith This is the Aqua-vitae of a Christian in fainting fits and dead fits when Qualms of sorrow and spiritual sickness come over the heart Psal 42.5 Why art thou cast down O my soul why art thou disquieted within me still trust in God for I shall yet praise him who is the health of my countenance and my God There was the cure his Faith did revive him and were it not for this we should quite sink away Psal 27.14 I had fainted but that I hoped to see the Lord the Lord in the land of the living So then the just lives by Faith the Life of Vivification And the Reasons of it are Reas 1 1. Because Faith doth assure us in present deadness that a time of quickning shall come I shall yet praise him as before Psal 138.7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble thou wilt revive me and thy right hand shall save me The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me c. Reas 2 2. Because Faith is a Mean of quickning an active grace that works and sets all a work like the Spring in the Watch. If Faith lies dead in a Christian all is dead If you winde up the Spring of Faith if you act your Faith it moves every Wheel it quickens all your Humility your Patience Love Zeal and the stronger Faith the quicker the motion Should we speak for God As strong wine must have a vent so strong Faith This made the Apostles speak so freely Acts 2. when others thought they were fill'd with new wine Thus Elihu Job 32.18 I am full of matter the spirit within me constraineth me Or do much for God Act 6.8 Steven full of faith and power did great wonders and miracles among the people This suffers us not to be slothful Heb. 6.12 Reas 3 3. Because it puts the Soul upon quickning Means As 1. It layes hold on a quickning Word Psal 119 50. Thy word hath quickned me Heb. 4.12 The word of God is quick and powerful c. and Faith layes hold on that Word Especially the quickning Promises Heb. 9.14 12.11 12. Hos 14.5 6 7. Isa 40.3 last verses Jer. 29 10 11 12. Prov. 12.25 Heaviness saith Solomon in the heart of a man maketh it stoop but a good word maketh it glad that is a word of Promise 2. On a quickning Saviour 1 Tim. 6.13 God who quickneth all things How in and by Christ 1 Cor. 15. Iohn 6. The second Adam is a quickning Spirit that hath life in himself and gives it to all others As the root quickneth the branches so Christ Joh. 15.5 The life of the branch in winter is hid in the root so is our life hid with Christ Col. 3.3 And 3. Faith receives a quickning Spirit Joh. 6.63 It is the Spirit that quickneth Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty 2 Cor. 3.17 and where there is liberty there is activity Psal 119.32 I will run the way of thy Commandments when thou shalt enlarge my heart The Spirit is compared to water Joh. 7.38 not to standing water but to running or living water because it is alwayes in motion Psal 45. Cor meum ebullit c. my heart bubleth up as a spring Hence also it is compared to fire Mat. 3. Fire is an active element it 's alwayes mounting upwards and it warms those that come near it Dead and frozen members are made useful and active by the heat of the fire so are dead and benummed Souls by the warmth of the Spirit Reas 4 4. Because Faith puts the Soul upon quickning Meditations or Arguments Whilest I was musing says David the fire kindled Psal 39.3 Whether we meditate on good or evil Meditation will blow up the fire The faithful man is described to be a man full of Meditation Psal 1.2 he meditates day and night and Psal 119.147 148. I prevented the dawning of the morning Mine eyes prevent the night-watches that I might meditate on thy Word Quest But what Meditations or Arguments does Faith put the Soul upon to quicken it Answer Such as are drawn 1. From former Experience Arguments of faith to quicken the soul under deadness that God who once quickned the Soul will quicken it again Psal 77.3 5 6. I remembred God I have considered the dayes of old I call to remembrance my song in the night Will the Lord cast off for ever c Arg. 2 2. From Gods Attributes of Mercy and Faithfulness Psal 77.8 Is his mercy clean gone for ever doth his faithfulness fail for evermore Of his Perfection His works are perfect Deut. 32.4 A perfect God will perfect his works Arg. 3 3. From Gods Glory An active Christian brings him in more glory in one day than another in a thousand Psal 80.18 Quicken us and we will call upon thy Name Psal 119.175 Let my soul live and it shall praise thee c. Arg. 4 4
From the Danger of Spiritual drowziness First from the Judgement threatned Revel 2.5 Repent and do thy first works or I will remove thy Candlestick Amos 8.10 11 Such as sleep by candle-light are in danger of burning the house over their heads or of their Masters removing the candlestick Secondly from the Judgement felt Psal 32. David was in a dead condition of Soul he made no confession of his sins but God quickned him by his afflicting Rod ver 3 4. Thy hand was heavy upon me c. And as Faith will feel the Rod so it is that Heavenly Wisdome will teach us to hear the Rod and who hath appointed it Micah 6.9 An unbeliever is not stirr'd Jer. 2.30 5.3 Vse of all in general Use of the Life of Vivification 1 Reproof FIrst this then Reproves the want of living by Faith this Life of Vivification Simile Divers men though they are dead and dull and can sometimes complain of it in Prayer in Hearing in Practice O weary of themselves yet labour not to blow up the fire to stir up the gift Gen. 49.14 but like Issachar bow under their burthens They are like such as are troubled with the Green-sickness or some such lazy disease Though motion be the onely way of cure they had as lieve die as stir they will not act their Faith O say they God must do all I can do nothing and under this pretence they give themselves up to Spiritual sloth That look as some turn the grace of God into wantonness who under pretence that Christ died for sinners take occasion to run into all excess of riot So others turn the grace of God into slothfulness who under pretence that God must do all wil do nothing at all themselves But the Scriptures reason the contrary way God our heavenly Master works all the works of his poor Servants Phil. 2. in them and for them therefore we should be encouraged to work As when the Master is willing to hold and guide the hand of the Scholar he should be encouraged to write That is the Argument Phil. 2.12 13. Work out your own salvation for it is God that worketh in you to will and to do of his good pleasure Thus as the Father said Agimus acti when God helps us in the action we should be willing to act the grace receiv'd and employ the talent bestow'd The slothful Servant and the wicked Servant are put both together Mat. 25.26 Therefore they are justly Reproved who live not by Faith this Life of Vivification but give themselves up to spiritual sloth and laziness Such are in danger of a sudden blow from God if they smite not on their own hearts to quicken themselves The warning that Christ gives to the Church of Sardis is proper to such Rev. 3.1 2 3. Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die c. Else he threatens to come as a Thief upon such drowzy Souls A Thief comes suddenly and terribly and so will Christ Though he may save their Souls at last yet it may cost them a scouring in the mean-while Obj. But what can I do Ans 1. Thou maist come to the place of hearing 2. Thou maist frequent good Company 3. Thou maist complain of thy deadness to God This I do but I am not quickned I confess my deadness is a burthen to me O that I might meet a Messenger one of a thousand Job 33. to deliver my Soul out of this pit of deadness In answer to this therefore We shall propound a Second Use viz. Of Exhortation To perswade us to live by Faith the Life of Vivification Vse 2. Exhortation In prosecution whereof I shall first propound some Motives to make willing and secondly some Means to make thee more able Motive 1. We should be active stirring lively Christians because as God is a pure Act so he is active for us 1. Motives to Vivification Joh. 5 17. My Father worketh hitherto and I work says Christ and therefore of him 't is said Acts 10.38 He went about doing good and healing all for God was with him Wherefore we should be alwayes working for him 1 Cor. 15. Alwayes abounding in the work of the Lord. Mot. 2 God loves active and lively Servants as he is a living God And as the God of Spirits he loves to be served in the Spirit not onely as 't is opposed to falseness and dissimulation but as 't is opposed to sloth and negligence God would not have an Ass to be offered up in Sacrifice Exod. 13.13 because that was a dull and slow creature He maketh his Angels his Messengers because they are all Spirit And God would have us as Angels not onely in our Intellectuals but in our Practicals that his Will may be done on Earth as it is in Heaven and that is with life and vigour However in Scripture Christians are compared to Stones 't is not for their coldness or deadness but onely for their firmness and then they are called too Living stones 1 Pet. 2.5 Therefore as their faith is a living faith * Joh. 11.26 their hope a living hope †1 Pet. 1.4 so their prayers should be lively and fervent prayers ascending up as Incense their works living works The first Lesson the very A B C of a Christian is Repentance from dead works Heb. 6.1 In a word himself should be a living Sacrifice if acceptable to God Rom. 12.1 In the 3 of Rev. 20. after Christ had reproved them for lukewarmness and exhorted to be zealous he then invites them to Supper where we may observe a lukewarm temper to be the worst temper and a zealous temper the best temper the first is a Dish for the Devil but the latter is a Dish fit for Christs own palate Now where there is zeal there is heat and where there is heat there is activity as fire mounts Heaven-ward Therefore God would never have the fire go out upon his Altar to signifie there should be heat in all our spiritual Sacrifices of Prayer of Preaching of Hearing of Meditation Wisd 4.13 and Practice In all these we must live by Faith the Life of Spiritual Fervor Mot. 3 An active Christian lives long in a little time as others live but a little in a long time For we live no longer to any purpose than we fulfil the end of our life which is to do God service Ioh. 20.4 Herein active Christians do like that Disciple that out-ran Peter and came first to the Sepulcher And indeed they are fittest for the Sepulcher in another sense that are swiftest in their Christian race It is the highest commendation of a Christian on earth and will be their Crown in Heaven through Free-grace to have been active for God Their Commendation on Earth The honorable salutation of active Christians stands upon Record that all that are gracious may call them Blessed Rom. 16.12 Salute Triphena and Triphosa
who laboured in the Lord Salute the beloved Perfis who laboured much in the Lord. And their Crown in heaven Mat. 25.21 'T is said to him that had receiv'd and gain'd five Talents Well done thou good and faithful Servant I will make thee ruler over many things enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. They shall have the comfort of it to all eternity that have been active stirring for God in their little time upon earth There is a blessing upon him that loves the Lord with all his strength Ier. 48.10 and a curse upon him that doth the work of the Lord negligently that puts not forth that strength which God hath given him but quencheth the Spirit Such a man loyters and loses his time whereas the other redeems time and we had all need redeem the time considering how much we have lost already Ioh. 9. and how little there is behind The Sun is going down and the night is coming when no man can work Mot. 4 Satan hath great advantage of a dead-hearted Christian for he is like a man half asleep in a secure condition he may soon be deceiv'd as Samson was Judg. 16.19 It was the field of the sluggard not of the watchful and active man that was all overgrown with thorns and nettles Prov. 24.30 What are those thorns and nettles but those extravagant wayes of sin which though they seem to be smooth and pleasing at the first springing up as thorns and nettles are yet at the last they prove more dangerous and prick like a thorn and sting like a nettle And therefore that we may not be overcome of these Spiritual Philistines we should like Samson rowse up our selves with all our might to live by Faith this Life of Vivification Mot. 5 Rev. 12.12 Times call for Activeness They are laborious times and dangerous times with the Church Satan was never more active because his time is short His instruments never more active compassing Sea and Land to gain one Proselyte The Churche never more distressed and standing in need of our help Germany Ireland Scotland England all stretch out their hands for help As in Harvest time every one is with his sickle in his hand See Rev. 14.15 And in Building-time like as in Nehemiah's dayes Neh 4.17 every one with one of his hands wrought in the work and with the other held a weapon It was a shame for the Disciples to sleep when Christ was in the midst of his Agony and a shame for Christians to be dead-hearted when the Church is in her Agony When Zion cries For the Lords sake and the Lord cries for Zions sake You that are the Lords remembrancers give him no rest till he establish and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth Isa 62.1 7. The times therefore call for activeness which springs from this Life of Vivification Mot. 6 'T is the nature of true Grace to be more and more active if it be supernaturally natural All natural motion is in fine velocior swiftest near the end whereas things moved by violence are slower We throw a stone up with difficulty but it drops down of it self The true Christians they go from strength to strength Psal 84.7 As it is said of Time Senescit non Tardescit So may it be said of a gracious person Though he grows more old yet not more slow but brings forth more fruit in old age Psal 92. Mot. 7 Note It is so if we yield to deadness Dead-hearted service is a vain service and so a taking of Gods Name in vain against the Third Commandment That is vain which is not accepted and so attains not it's end Isa 29.13 this people draw near me with their mouth and honour me with their lips but have removed their heart far from me c. which our Saviour interprets Mat. 15.9 In vain do they worship me Religion is a part of Gods Name and must be used with zeal Rev. 3.15 I would thou wert hot or cold We are commanded to serve God with all our might Mot. 8 The coldness of the Times should make us active as men in cold seasons are most active to get themselves into heat These are cold times for the Soul as well as for the Body The Charity of many waxeth cold as Christ foretold and so do other Graces Men are hot for the Disputes of Faith and very cold in the Life of Faith Therefore we should be the more active to keep our heat It was cold weather it seems when Peter warm'd himself among the Servants at the fire in the High-Priests hall But he went to the wrong fire and to the wrong company he should have gone to Gods fire and indeed Gods people use to do so in cold times Others coldness makes them the hotter and others deadness makes them the quicker as contraries quicken one another by an Antiperistasis It is time for thee to arise sayes David Psal 119.126 because they have made void thy law Then addes in the next verse Therefore I love thy Commandments above gold Therefore the coldness of the times should make us active not cool and lazy Fenner These are the Motives We come now to the Means of Quickning The first and chiefest of all Means of Quickning 1. Influence of Christ is to get into the Sun-shine of Jesus Christ You know poor Bees and other Flies if they can creep into the Sun it quickens them and puts a new life into them So the Chickens that hang the wing get under the warmth of the Hen. The nearer we press to Jesus Christ by Faith the more spiritual life and heat He is the Sun of Righteousness that arises with healing in his wings Mal. 4.2 The beams of his grace revive the drooping Soul as she said Joh. 11. If thou hadst been here my brother had not died but I know thou art able to raise him up again So may a Christian say If thou hadst been here my Soul had not died not been in this dead and sad condition but thou canst quicken it again Faith draws quickning vertue from Jesus Christ as we heard before in the Reason 2. Ordinances The second Means are quickning Ordinances which are as beams from the Sun One of these Ordinances is a quickning Ministery this puts life into the Soul The Word of God is compared to fire 1. Word and therefore John Baptist is said to be a burning and shining light Joh. 5.35 A shining light so he taught the people A burning light so he quickned Did not our hearts burn within us said the two Disciples going to Emmaus Luke 24.32 while he talked with us and opened to us the Scriptures The Ministers lips are as fire Peoples hearts as tinder Elisha liv'd in a dead time and therefore he praid for a double measure of the Spirit of Elijah which was an active powerful Spirit that he might quicken the people If the Ministers lips be touched with a Coal
from Gods Altar they do oft inflame the hearts of the hearers Live under such a Ministery if thou wouldst be quickned A lively Ministery makes a lively people a dead Ministery makes a dead-hearted people And therefore it 's observable Rev. 3.1 that the deadness of the Church of Sardis is charged upon the Angel or Minister of the Church Vnto the Angel of the Church of Sardis write c. Therefore pray for your Ministers that themselves being quickned they may quicken you Another quickning Ordinance is Prayer 2. Prayer Psal 119. How oft doth David pray for quickning grace five or six times in one Psalm He begins many a Prayer with an heavy heart and before he hath done he is full of life Therefore pray much because all life is from God and he quickens whom he will Onely let me adde this Caution Caution before I let this pass Be sure thy understanding and affection go along together in every Ordinance and in every part of the Ordinance as thou wouldst have it a quickning Ordinance Many complain they are dead under Ordinances and no wonder They hear and they pray without understanding or without affection It is a Rule Quicquid agit agit per contactum Whatsoever thing acts effectually upon another it is by some kinde of touch or close When our Souls do not close with the duty in Prayer or Hearing no marvel if it put no life into us When we give way to distractions to wandring thoughts to wandring looks c. we do but take Gods Name in vain and the Ordinance is vain to us There is no life in it therefore no wonder if there be no life from it Therefore keep thy head and thy heart close to the duty if possible from first to last and then it will quicken Thirdly make use of Death to quicken Spiritual Life 3. Meditation of Death Eccles 9.10 Whatsoever thine hand findeth to do do it with all thy might for there is no work nor device nor knowledge nor wisdome in the grave whither thou goest Think of the shortness of our time of service in comparison of the eternity of the reward Say of service which is most affliction passive service Our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory 2 Cor. 4.17 Fourthly set before thine eyes 4. Gods Eye the All-piercing Eye of God So was Peter quickned by a look from Christ Rev. 2.18 19. These things saith the Son of God who hath his eyes like a flame of fire I know thy works and charity and service c. and again Chap. 3.1 I know thy work that thou hast a name to live and art dead q. d. I look upon the inside where the life of the action is This would quicken in Prayer Hearing c. Eye-service indeed in relation to men is not good Eph. 6.6 not with eye-service Partly because men cannot alwayes look upon us and partly because the Conscience hath a superiour tye from an heavenly Master at whose command they are bound to do service to their earthly Masters But Eye-service towards God who looks upon his children with an eye of Love as well as an eye of Observance is very commendable This it was made David so watchful Psal 139.1 2. O Lord thou hast searched me and known me thou knowest my down-sitting c. And it was Gods charge to Abraham Gen. 17.1 Walk before me and be thou upright God hath an eye into our brests therefore Faith will make a man take heed how he hears take heed how he prayes take heed what he thinks Psal 16. it will make him keep his heart with all diligence because God searcheth the heart and reins and ponders the spirits Faith setting God at our right hand will keep us from falling 5. Assurance of Gods Love Fifthly get assurance of Gods Love This will make us love him again 1 Joh. 4.19 We love him because he loved us first Love will make us very active Men care not what they do or suffer for those whom they love dearly Jacob served two hard Apprentiships for the love of Rachel he endured the heat of the day and the cold of the night and all was nothing to him Gen 29.20 Love is as strong as death Cant. 8.6 and active as fire Much water cannot quench love There is a constraining power in Love 2 Cor. 5.14 The love of Christ constraineth me sayes the Apostle You need not much perswade such a man to be active for God he hath arguments enough in his own bosome That Disciple who lay in Christs bosome how much love doth he express to God and Men Oh how active and passive too was Paul for God! 2 Cor. 11.23 and no marvel for Who shall separate us sayes he from the love of Christ shall tribulation c. Rom. 8 35. 6. Gods Power Lastly look at Gods Almighty power able to quicken the deadest heart Rev. 3.14 Thus saith the Amen the Faithful and True Witness the Beginning of the Works of God Ephes 2.10 We are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works c. Therefore David prayes to God Psal 51.10 Create in me a clean heart renew a right spirit And there is a Promise for Faith Hos 14.7 They that dwell under his shadow shall return they shall revive as the corn after winter and grow as the vine c. Vse of Examination Whether we do live by Faith the Life of Vivification Vse 3. Trial of Faith in vivifying And need we have to Examine lest we be deceived Many seem to be very active and yet they do not live By Faith for all that Therefore say to thy self as Isaac did when he thought Esau had brought him venison Gen. 27.21 Art thou my very son Esau sayes he So Art thou that very Life of Vivification Say to this or that particular Duty Art thou the very true Issue and Childe of such a life The DeVil is cunning to deceive us as he raised up a counterfeit Samuel in stead of the true Samuel 1 Sam 28. So he cozens men with a counterfeit Life of Vivification in stead of a true Quest But how shall I know one from the other Ans This is partly delivered before At present they may be known by Examining them 1. In their Principle 2. In their End 3. In their Manner of working 4. In their issue and Event Trial. 1 First in their Principle True living actions spring from a living and inward Principle Though a Clock moves we do not say it is alive because it is moved by the Weights Though an heavy Milstone moves apace we do not say it is alive because it is moved ab extra by the Wind or Water But if we see a little Fly or Ant move we say there is life because it is moved from an inward Principle So he that lives the Life of Vivification his activity proceeds
from an inward principle of life And how is that discerned Ans His actions spring 1. From Faith both in the Precept Psal 119.93 I will never forget thy precepts for by them thou hast quickned me and in the Promise whether of Assistance or Acceptance or Reward as we see in Moses Heb. 11.25 26. 2. From Love 2 Cor. 5.14 The love of Christ constraineth me A natural man or hypocrite is not moved by any such Principle Trial. 2 Secondly they differ in their End A true Christian aims at Gods glory Elias is zealous for the Lord of hosts 1 King 19. Whether he eats or drinks he does all to the glory of God 1 Cor. 10.31 And others Salvation ver 33 Even as I please all men in all things not seeking mine own profit sayes Paul but the profit of many that they may be saved An Hypocrite though zealous and he sayes 't is for God yet 't is for himself that he may be seen of men Matth. 6.6 So Jehu 2 Kings 10.16 Come see my zeal for the Lord This is his end and this is his Principle For Finis movet agentem That which is last in Execution is first in Intention Hence also his most lively actions spring from envy and sinful emulation they scorn any should go beyond them Some preach Christ of envy sayes Paul Philip. 1.15 But a gracious heart is glad when others are active and exceed Trial. 3 Thirdly in their Manner of working where there is true Vivification 1. It strives against Coldness and meets with opposition swims against the stream An hypocrite may be as active as he will he findes nothing to let him 2. He that is truly active desires to approve himself to God and had rather God should approve him than all the world commend him 1 Cor. 4.3 4. It is a very small thing I should be judg'd of mans judgment but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Nay 2 Cor. 10. last Not he that commendeth himself is approved but whom the Lord commendeth See Psal 139. Iohn 21.17 Trial. 4 Lastly in their Issue and success The true Life of Vivification increaseth strength and spirits Prov. 24.5 A man of knowledge increaseth strength The counterfeit life of Vivification decreaseth strength and spirit like the blazing Comet that wastes it self or as unnatural predatory heat devours the spirits and strength whereas natural heat increaseth both False zeal is like Nebuchadnezzars Image Dan. 2.32 the head of gold but downward worse and worse BRANCH V. IN THE LIFE of FAITH IN SANCTIFICATION VIZ. AUGMENTATION NOw next the Just lives by Faith the Life of Augmentation he draweth increasing Vertue from Christ Christ is to the Church what the Head is to the Natural Body not onely a principle of life and motion but of increase also Col 2.19 Not holding the head from which all the body by joynts and bands having nourishment ministred and knit together increaseth with the increase of God Now what are these joynts and bands but the Spirit and Faith uniting each Member to the Head So that by Faith the Soul draws both quickning and increasing Vertue from Christ the Head The just lives the Life of Augmentation in Spiritual Respects however he fares in Temporal to apply it to the occasion of the Text. Whereas it might be objected The Caldeans will so crush the people of God that they will make them even weary of their lives as Jethro said to Moses Exod. 18.18 Thou wilt surely wear away both thou and this people The Text answers Now the just shall live by his Faith though the outward man decays by affliction yet the inward man in all true Believers is renewed day by day 2 Cor. 4.16 i.e. Gods people are quickned strengthned and enlarged in their Spiritual Life one day after another And to this increase of Spiritual Life the Prophet alludes in the very Context of this Chapter ver 14. The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the Sea Which words howsoever some do refer to the manifestation of Gods glory in the destruction of the Caldeans which is true also yet others extend them further even to the abundant pouring forth of the Spirit of grace as a fruit of their affliction So the very same words are used isa 11.9 where he shews how such men as have been Wolves and Leopards shall be made of a Lamb-like disposition And how so For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord c. So that these words do necessarily refer to the abundant increase of grace and so the just lives by Faith the Life of Augmentation in the Winter of Affliction As the unbeliever swells at first ebullat but vanishes to nothing afterwards So the believer is small at first but increaseth exceedingly What John Baptist said I must decrease but he must increase so may the unbeliever say See ver 5 6 7.8 We are then to insist upon two things 1. That the just lives the Life of Augmention 2. That he lives this Life by Faith Propos 1. Just live the life of Augmentation First the just lives the Life of Augmentation It is his duty property and practice to grow and to increase 2 Pet. 2. last But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Thess 4.1 abound more and more ver 10. increase more and more Col. 1.10 increasing in the knowledge of God They that travel heaven ward they go from strength to strength Psal 84.7 Nicodemus was weak in grace at first and so was Joseph of Arimathea for they both came by stealth to Christ at the beginning of their Conversion for fear of the Jews But afterward they grew so strong in grace that though Christ was crucified they came boldly and begg'd his body of the Governor Joh. 19. and committed it to the grave with an honorable Burial Peter was so weak at the first that the breath of the Damsels voice makes him fall back but afterwards he grew so strong that he stands like an unmovable Rock at all the Thunder-claps and terrible threats and stripes of the High-Priests Acts 4. and Rulers of the people Thus it was with the rest of the Disciples and so it is with all Gods people And the Reason is drawn Reasons of spiritual growth 1. First From the nature of true Grace It is of a growing nature Thus it is with the Kingdom of God or Church in general it increaseth from very small beginnings to a great bigness like Gideons Barley-cake or like a Snow-ball it rowls up and down the world and grows bigger and bigger and subdues all before it Therefore 't is compared to a grain of Mustard-seed Mat. 13.31 which being the least of seeds when 't is sown yet the greatest of herbs when 't is grown Besides Mustard-seed you know sows it self after the first year and so 't is in the growth of Gods Kingdom Therefore
unto you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. See here the Apostle prayes for the multiplication of grace but how should it be multipled he tells you through the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord What is meant by the knowledge of Jesus our Lord but Faith in Jesus our Lord as Joh. 17 3. This is eternal life to know thee i.e. to believe in thee and him whom thou hast sent Jesus Christ So that then all grace is multiplied in the increase and multiplication of Faith Reas 1 The Reason is Because Faith is a Radical grace it 's like the Root of a Tree in relation to the Branches They which had no depth of root in the Parable of the Seed Luk. 8.13 are such as had no depth of faith Col. 2.7 we are said to be rooted and stablished in Christ by faith Now then you know as the root grows so the branches grow as the root decayes so the branches decay if the root once rot within the ground though you see not that yet you shall soon see the branches rot above ground So however you cannot easily see how a mans faith decayes because that is as the root yet you shall soon perceive a decay in the exercise of other graces because they are as he branches And on the other side as the root of faith prospers so other graces thrive and bring forth fruit in the branches 2 Pet. 1.5 Adde therefore unto your faith vertue and to vertue knowledge c. See here how Faith is made the root of all Vertue and Knowledge and Temperance and Patience c. all grow upon Faith as upon â—heir root As the increase of the root increaseth the branches so the increase of faith increaseth other graces Caution Yet we aâ—â— to understand this warily We must not so take it as if faith were a Root exclusivè excluding Christ himself for Christ is the Master-root and Faith but a spurn or a sucker from him Therefore in the place fore named Col. 2.7 we are said to be rooted in him when we are established in the faith And this mindes us of a second Reason why the just lives by faith the Life of Augmentation Reas 2 Because Faith is an uniting Grace It unites the Soul to Christ as the Cien is united to the Stock as the Members in the body are united to the Head not originally or as the principal Efficient for that is the work of the Spirit 1 Cor. 12.13 but instrumentally as Sinews and Nerves unite the Members to the Head and so are the instrumental cause of the growth of them not that they can give any nourishment of themselves but onely as they convey it from the Head as Organical means So Faith doth nourish other graces not of it self but as it sucks and draws and so conveys nourishment from Christ who is the Head of the Church to every Member as appears from Ephes 4.15 16. compared with vers 13. Reas 3 The third Reason why a Christian lives by Faith the Life of Augmentation is Because he liveth by Faith the Life of Fructification and Vivification For that which doth act grace and put it to the use doth necessarily increase grace also Not onely in a rational way in a way of sound Reason in that frequent acts do strengthen each habit with Gods ordinary concurrence as a Scholar that is diligent in his way by often hearing and reading and writing and speaking and disputation and meditation and studying becomes rich in learning that his very lips feed many hungry Souls But also in a way of grace or in a way of Covenant-mercy by vertue of Gods Promise which he hath made to the diligent hand The diligent hand saith God maketh rich Prov. 10.4 As rich to the world so rich Heaven-ward Use grace and have grace saith God Mat. 25.24 For unto every one that hath shall be given and he shall have more abundantly but from every one that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath To every one that hath What 's that that hath made good use of Talents formerly receiv'd as appears by the context that man shall increase he shall have more abundantly This is that honest and honorable Vsury by which we may lawfully put out not Money but the Grace of God to Use till we grow rich towards God in all utterance and in all knowledge as it was said of the Corinthians so that we come behinde in no gift waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ Being like those fruitful Trees planted in the Courts of the Lord they are not onely fruitful Psal 92. but they increase in fruitfulness Whereas on the other side men of excellent parts for want of Faith to exercise their grace they are blasted and wither away and come to nothing they are as trees without fruit twice dead and plucked up by the roots Jude v. 12. Reas 4 The fourth and last Reason Because faith removes or at least helps us against the hindrances of Spiritual growth it is Causa removens as well as promovens As 1. The Commonness of the ground when 't is like the High-way without hedge or wall a very road for the Devil to pass up and down in and spoil all But now Faith sets a fence about the heart and guards it against such temptations as might render it unfruitful 1 Pet. 5.8 whom resist stedfast in the faith 2. The Stonyness of the ground that hindred the growth of the Seed in the Parable for which Faith layes hold on that Promise Ezek. 36.26 I will take away the heart of Stone and I will give you an heart of Flesh 2. The Thornyness of the ground which also hinders growth And these thorns are expounded by the Maker of the Parable to be the Cares of the world and deceitfulness of riches But faith removes this hindrance 1. Joh. 5.4 This is the victory that overcometh the world even our faith Faith will tell us All things are but loss and dross in comparison of Christ 4. The Worm of sinful corruption this at the root hinders growth But the just lives by Faith the Life of Mortification and therefore of Augmentation 5. Evil Winds that blast the fruit hinder growth These winds are Errors and false Doctrines but Faith removes this hindrance They that are well stored with Faith will not be like children tossed to and fro with every wind of Doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive Eph. 4.13 14. Hence then we may receive Information in divers Particulars Vse 1 First see the Difference between this life and all other lives Other lives as they have their increase Information about spiritual growth so they have their decrease also Like the Sun when it once comes to the high Noon it declines again and at last goes down and leaves the world in darkness There must come a time when the Sun of our life
must set Though it may be morning yet with some and high-noon with others yet the night of death comes when no man can work The times come on apace when the keepers of the house shall tremble and the strong men shall bow themselves and the grinders cease because they are few and they that look out of their windows be darkned c. Eccles 12. The strongest life in nature must yield to death but this Spiritual life of the Soul is always on the increasing hand and never declines The just lives by Faith the Life of Augmentation to his dying day even till he comes to the state of perfection and in that state he stands for ever How excellent therefore is this life above all other lives yea above all other things in the world All flesh is grass Isa 40 of a withering nature but the word of the Lord and that life which is begotten by that Word endureth for ever it is ever upon the growing hand Some love to give in their Coat of Arms a young Branch or the Moon increasing with this Motto Pluâ—Vltra But alas if they look at Temporal things they do but speak as they would have it not as they shall have it 'T is but a dream not a reality They think their houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling-places to all generations but alas they do but think so for man being in honour abideth not he is like the beasts that perish Psal 49 They shall be sure to perish and their houses too The greatest Persons the greatest Families the greatest Kingdoms have their periods they have their declensions old age and death as well as their youth and manhood Grey hairs are here and there upon Ephraim Hos 7.9 though he know it not But true grace is ever in the Spring there is no fall of the leaf in this Region Psal 1.3 A Christians Arms are indeed like Joseph's A fruitful Bough even a fruitful Bough by a well whose branches run over the wall Gen. 49.22 Some fruitfulness indeed doth hinder the growth of trees but a Christians fruitfulness doth increase his growth though he be fruitful yet his branches run over the wall His life of Fructification doth help forward his life of Augmentation The just lives by Faith the life of Augmentation Inform. 2 A second Point of Information is To let us see the difference betwixt a Believer and Unbeliever or a true Believer and an Hypocrite True Believers are like the Moon in her increase Hypocrites like the Moon in her wane ever less and less till it altogether disappears They are like the grass upon the house top Psal 129. which withereth afore it groweth up to its full height But true Faith is ever upon the growing hand Inform. 3 Thirdly it informs us That there are Degrees in Sanctification because there is a growth in Sanctification and therefore Sanctification is not perfect at the first For where any thing is perfect there can be no addition or diminution But in Sanctification there is a daily addition and augmentation They that are truly gracious grow in grace 2 Pet. 3. and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ And therefore it shews the Mistake of those who conceive Sanctification to be perfect at first and so make no difference betwixt Sanctification and Justification whereas the Scripture makes a wide difference for Justification is imputed Sanctification is imparted and inherent Justification is perfect Sanctification is imperfect in this life in the best of Saints even in the Apostle himself Phil. 3.12 I count not my self perfect Therefore there are degrees in Sanctification it is not perfect at the first Though all Saints are justified alike they have an equal measure in that grace yet all are not sanctified alike each hath his measure Eph. 4.7 some have two talents some five c. Mat. 25. Inform. 4 Yet fourthly observe No man should content himself with a small measure of grace He that hath Faith lives the Life of Augmentation So that it is not enough to walk according to the Rule in some things but our endevour must be to walk up to the utmost extent even to the height and breadth of the Rule which is to walk accurately Eph. 5.15 And till we come up to the Rule we must ever be on the increasing hand getting ground of corruption and coveting earnestly the best gifts For this is the man that lives by Faith the Life of Augmentation And if we do not grow and go forward we are sure to go backward as it is with the Mariner that is rowing against the stream if he do but intermit a stroke or two he loses of his course and as it is in our vital heat Vid Ames cas consc l. 2. c. 12. it never stands in one state if it increases not it decays It also serves for Reproof Vse 2 First to those that grow not at all Reproof for want of due growth They are like Trees or Beasts that are hide-bound they stand at a stay they thrive not they come not forward May be they had as much knowledge love to God c. seven years ago as now and so when for the time they ought to be teachers they had need one teach them which be the first principles of the Oracles of God Heb. 5.12 Like those silly women spoken of by the Apostle 2 Tim. 3.7 ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth Have these the true life of grace Remember the grounds before laid down That 1. Grace is of a growing nature 2. Of a sweet and desireable nature 3. That the End of Christs coming is frustrate in respect of them Again have these any Faith For 1. as Faith increaseth so other graces Where is the Root when there is no growth in the Branches 2. How are such united to the Head that grow not O what a dishonour to their Head as if he had no vertue to communicate to his Members 3. How do such remove the impediments of Spiritual growth How can such as these have any good assurance that they are planted in the Courts of the Lord You would wonder in case you had purchased a piece of ground in a good soil planted a yong Orchard appointed a skilful Gardiner took notice of the height of your Trees if you should come ten or twenty years after and finde them no higher You would say I never saw the like in all my life these Trees were just as high when I planted them as now I could reach the tops of them then and so I can now it 's the strangest thing that ever I saw surely they are dead And yet do but change the name and thou art such a Tree thou wert planted in Godâ— Orchard twenty years ago thou hadst then as much love to God and zeal for God as now it is to be feared thou art dead though thou hast a name to live
Rev. 3.1 Repr 2 Secondly this is so much the worse when the very judgement is corrupted As the Apostle speaks Tit. 1.15 Their very minde and conscience is defiled If a mans judgement be corrupted how should he get the victory over corruptions As diseases are most dangerous when they take the Brain and the Heart and so seize upon the vital and animal parts So in this case they grow not and they think verily they need not grow Oh sayes one I love God with all my heart I thank God I have a strong Faith sayes another I am as perfect as ever I shall be sayes a third as perfect as Adam in the state of Innocency or the Saints in heaven Indeed if this were so we need not grow if our assurance were as good at first without all doubting as ever it shall be we need not pray Lord increase our faith or Lord increase our other graces But because we are but babes in grace at the first we had need grow and pray that we may grow till we come to be perfect men in Christ Repr 3 Thirdly it Reproves such as grow downward in stead of growing upward they grow lower in stead of growing higher they move earth-ward in stead of moving heaven-ward These are Monsters in grace such as have declined from their first love as Ephesus did Rev. 2.4 It may be time was they had great love to God his Word his Messengers to Family-duties but now they are grown more remiss and luke-warm if not altogether opposite to what they so much loved before Gal. 4.15 Where is then the blessedness you spake of For I bear you record that if it had been possible you would have plucked out your own eyes and have given them me Am I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth Some that profess'd great love now opposite to those persons whom they loved before and opposite to those duties which they loved before they think they are above such duties they fear not to neglect them and so seldom perform them truly fulfilling what was falsly laid upon Job Thou castest off fear Job 15.4 and restrainest prayer before God Repr 4 Fourthly it Reproves such Opposers of growth in piety are the Devils first-born as are so far from growing themselves that they do what they can to hinder the growth of others And doubtless the Spirit of Satan is in such men The Devil if he cannot hinder the Conception of Grace he will do what he can to prevent the Birth if he cannot prevent that he will do what he can to devour it so soon as it is born or at least to hinder the growth And so 't is with men that are acted by that Spirit if they cannot hinder the beginnings of Grace they will do what they can to hinder the growth of it They are as the Plague of Locusts where they live As the Locust and caterpiller devour every green thing Exod. 10.15 no sooner doth a bud or blossom begin to peep out but they devour it so it is with these men no sooner do they perceive some fair puttings forth or blossoms of Grace in any but they will be sure to snub them and to carp at them O say they what need you be so forward you are too hot to hold you cannot be content to do as the rest of your Neighbors do Are you wiser than Goodman such a one or Master such a one And thus many an old weather-beathen sinner is just like some old stinking Alder-tree it grows not it self but cumbers the ground and hinders the growth of all the Plants that are round about it by the unwholesom and malignant droppings of it and is good for nothing but the fire Such as these have much to answer for they must be answerable not onely for all the good they have neglected themselves but for all the good they have hindred in others Methinks when I consider the judgement of these men I seem to hear the voice of that revenging Angel Rev. 8.13 flying through the midst of Heaven saying Wo wo wo to the inhabiters of the earth for this is that very wo and curse which is pronounc'd from the very mouth of Blessing I mean from the mouth of Christ himself Mat. 23.13 Wo unto you Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites for ye shut up the Kingdom of Heaven before men for ye neither go in your selves neither suffer ye those that would enter to come in Thus these kindes of men neither grow themselves nor suffer they those that would to be upon the growing hand I say they grow not themselves or if they do grow it is the wrong way as I said before they grow worse and worse till they have filled up the measure of their iniquity Evil men and seducers grow worse and worse deceiving and being deceived 2 Tim. 3.13 And believe it these are sins that fill up the measure apace when what they can do is done by taunts and by threatnings or cruel mockings to hinder the growth of others Such as these are far enough from living the life of Faith in Augmentation Repr 5 Lastly therefore it Reproves such as grow in sin instead of growing in grace that exceed the deeds of the wicked while they strive to out-drink out-swear out-vie one another As 't is said of Herod He added this yet above all that he shut up John in the prison There are measures in sin as well as in grace and it shall be more tolerable for some sinners in the day of Judgement than for others Therefore take heed of growing in sin for with the same measure that we mete withall shall it be measured to us again Vse 3. Examination about spiritual growth Next let us examine whether we live by Faith aright for then we live the Life of Augmentation True grace is of a growing nature the true Members of Christ are ever increasing Col. 2.19 The whole body and every part of the body increaseth with the increase of God Therefore 1. Dost thou increase And 2. is that increase the increase of God equal uniform Quest How shall I know whether I grow Ans The first sign of growth in grace First sign of growth is lessening of corruption as one increaseth the other decreaseth as it was with Paul and David And in particular the lessening of sinful Self-love The more a man loves God the less he values his own Self-interest the more willingly he parts with it Therefore where Christ bid the young man Go sell all Mat. 19.21 he proves he was not so well grown in grace as he took himself to be Yea such as had truth of saving grace declared their weakness by this Self-interest made Peter and the rest deny Christ but when they had more grace they neglected their liberty and their lives they rejoyced they were counted worthy to suffer for him What things were gain to me those I counted loss for Christ sayes
to discern its growth Mar. 4.27 The seed springs and grows we know not how but in time we shall easily perceive it is grown A. 5. Whereas thou saist Thou dost not grow it may be it is true for the present thou dost not grow at all but art like the parched earth yet if thou canst but lay hold of Gods Covenant by Faith that will make thee grow afresh as the Rain and the Sun makes the grass to revive that was even withered and dead before This was Davids comfort though he was like a branch springing out of a dry ground as it is said of Christ Isa 53.2 yet 2 Sam. 23.3 4 5. he was assured God would make him grow again even as the tender grass out of the earth by clear shining after rain Simile Vse 2. Humiliation for small growth The fourth Use is for Humiliation in that upon trial we finde so little growth amongst us We grow more opinionative from day to day but we grow not more active we deserve not the commendation of the Church of Thyatira Rev. 2.19 Thy last works are more than thy first but rather the reproof of the Church of Ephesus ver 4 5 Thou art faln from thy first love repent and do thy first works Therefore we have cause to be humbled and repent Christ may say to England as to Ephesus I have this against thee that thou art faln from thy first love We are like forgetful and careless Scholars deserving to be put down into a lower Form Whereas it is the property of such as are admitted into the School of heavenly Wisdom to increase in learning Prov. 1 5. A wise man will hear and increase learning and Prov. 9.9 Give instruction to a wise man and he will be yet wiser It is true indeed our heads are full of disputes but our hearts are so little grown in the love of the Truth that we are but very dwarfs in practical Religion If we compare our selves with the Worthies of God in former generations as the Spies said of the inhabitants of Canaan they may well seem as Giants in our eyes What a deal of heavenly-heartedness what love what humility what faithfulness was to be found among them If Luthers Courage Calvins Painfulness the Martyrs Zeal hotter than the fire which consumed them might be found in our days I should hope we did then begin to grow and to recover our first love But alas while we are so lukewarm that we can bear them that are evil Rev. 2. and bear evils in our selves where is our growth Do not many question whether the Pope be Antichrist and whether the Church of Rome be a true Mother Others though they cannot deny but that the Church of Rome iâ— the Scarlet Whore the Jezabel spoken of in Scripture yet the zeal of some is grown so cool they could finde in their heart they might have a Toleration even for Jezabel her self contrary to manifest Scripture Rev. 2 20. Thou sufferest the woman Jezabel which calleth her self a Prophetess to teach and seduce my servants Histories tell us That Adrian and Heliogabalus and some other Roman Emperours did command all kinds of Worship in one and the same Temple but it tended to no other purpose than the like device of Julian the Apostate who gave Hereticks freedom amongst right believers not that he cared for one or the other but that by their mutual distractions and dissentions they might destroy both And therefore what those Factors of Satan did invent for the advancing of his Kingdom let it be far from the practice of Saints Let us rather recover our first love to the Truth of God yea let it grow and increase and truly if we grow not how shall we be able to look Christ in the face when he comes to take account of us We are planted in such a soil ordered by such an Husbandman watered by such heavenly showers in the dispensations of Ordinances that we shall be both the wonder and shame of Christians if we grow not Vse 5. Of thankfulness for growth The fifth Use is to stir us up to thankfulness that the just lives by Faith the Life of Augmentation especially in such times as these That grace should thus increase either in the Church in general or in any particular Christians heart considering how great opposition it meets withall When ever doth a man in earnest profess himself a Christian but all the Powers of Darkness in Hell and upon the Earth proclaim open wars against him Besides the clog of his own sinful corruptions which hang heavy upon him for the Flesh is ever lusting against the Spirit and yet he grows In spight of Satan the Prince of the Air Eph. 2. who blows forth many a terrible storm to blast the fruit In spight of the World which sends forth many a sharp frost to nip the fruit in the bud In spight of Corruption which lies as a Worm at the Root to eat out the very heart and power of godliness yet he grows for all this And how comes this to pass Surely you will say here is aliquid Dei the finger of God must needs be in it The preservation of Grace in this case is wonderful If you should see a Rush-candle set without doors in the midst of stormy Winds and Rain and yet continue light you would stand and look upon it with admiration and yet thus is the little Candle of Grace preserved Psal 18.28 The Lord my God will light my candle yea he keeps it light when the Prince of the Air and all his instruments joyn all their forces to blow it out God lighted such a Candle by Luthers Doctrine as could never be blown out to this day All the breathings and threats and bellowings of the Romish Bulls all the thunderings of the Popish Canons could never blow it out This is the Lords doing and it ought to be marvellous in our eyes Marvellous indeed that truth and grace should be preserved under such opposition but much more marvellous that it should be increased thereby that it should be like the Camomile the more it is trodden upon the more it grows like a Tree the more it is lopt and topt the more is flourishes and spreads That the Churches should be edified and multiplied when they had rest through all Judea and Galilee and Samaria it is not so wonderful Acts 9.31 but that they should then grow and increase when there was no rest no peace to him that went out nor to him that came in That the Blood of the Martyrs should be the Seed of the Church That the Church should grow and thrive best under opposition this is the Wonder of Wonders which plainly shews the increase is not of man but of God and therefore he should have all the glory of it The sixth Use is for Exhortation Vse 6. Of Exhortation to growth To labour to live by Faith the Life of Augmentation It is a shame
labour to grow by the Means that God may continue them to us and that we may leave them as a Legacy to our Posterity after us Q. But what are those Means in the use whereof we be enabled to grow Râ—sp For understanding whereof however it is true we can do as little by any power of our own for the increasing of our spiritual stature as for the increasing of our natural Mat. 6.27 Which of you by taking care can adde one cubit to his stature Yet as we must not neglect eating and drinking and exercise under pretence that we cannot adde a cubit to our stature so we must not neglect the use of spiritual Means under pretence that we can adde nothing to our spiritual stature Q. What are these means then Means of spiritual growth R. If thou wouldst grow plant thy self in a good soil not onely in Christ but under Christ in the society of the faithful Psal 92.13 They that be plaâ—ted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the Courts of our God With the holy thou wilt still be more holy but with the froward thou wilt learn more frowardness The Tree grows not that is planted in the barren heath but that which is planted in a fruitful orchard 2. Mean Much Prayer 2. Be much in Prayer That God would make thee increase and abound in love 1 Thess 3.12 Paul may plant and Apollo water but God gives the increase 1 Cor. 3.6 7. Pray for wholesome showers fair winds and seasonable Sun-shine that thou maist grow 1. Pray for wholsome showers Isa 5. First for wholesome Showers When God would not bless but blast his Vineyard he commands his clouds that they should rain no more rain upon it What are these clouds but the Ministers of his Word Deut. 32.2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain my speech shall descend as the dew as the small rain upon the tender herb and as the showers upon the grass What the Minister draws and exhales out of the deep Fountain of Gods Word is distilled down again by the heat of the Spirit into the hearts of the people and so they grow Secondly pray for fair Winds a good and a wholesome air makes much for growth 2. For fair winds What are those fair Winds but the sweet gales of the Spirit going along with the Word The rain rides along upon the wings of the wind and if the wind of the Spirit do not bring the rain we will never grow so as to be fruitful in Christs Garden Therefore pray with the Church Cant. 4.16 Awake O North wind come thou South and blow upon my Garden that the spices thereof may flow out Thirdly pray for seasonable Sun-shine It is the Sun 3. For seasonable Sun-shine with the rain that makes fruitful 2 Sam. 23.4 The tender grass springs out of the earth by clear Sun-shine after rain The calidum and humidum in a sweet mixture is the life of every creature What is this Sun-shine but the sense of Gods love in Christ warming our hearts Mal. 4.2 The healing wings of the Sun of Righteousness 3. We must Exercise grace much 3 Mean Much exercise as well as pray much or else we tempt God in prayer Bodily exercise is a special Means of natural growth else the best diet does no good So is Spiritual exercise a Means of Spiritual growth Therefore Paul directs Timothy 1 Tim. 4.7 13 14 15. Exercise thy self unto godliness give attendance to reading to exhortation to doctrine Neglect not the gift that is in thee Meditate upon these things give thy self wholly to them that thy profiting may appear to all 4. Let the use of all Means be mixed with Faith 4 Mean Use all means in faith The just lives by faith Therefore pray as Luk. 17.5 Lord increase our faith without it no Word nor Sacraments nor Prayer nor any Ordinance can be profitable for increase Heb. 4.2 But the Word did not profit them being not mixt with faith in them that heard it As some meats mixt with some ingredients nourish much so do the Ordinances when mixt with faith As Daniels Pulfe mixt with faith made him look better and grow fatter than those that fed on dainty fare So men living under ordinary Means may thrive better mixing the Word with Faith than those that live under higher enjoyments continuing in unbelief 5 Mean A good stomach 5. Get a good Stomach to thy Spiritual diet if thou wouldst grow Though men have never so good meat yet they thrive not if they have no appetite to it So it is also in Spiritual respects Luk 1.53 He filleth the hungry with good things but the rich he sendeth empty away Mat. 5.6 Blessed are they which hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be satisfied 6 Mean Draw influence from Christ 6. If thou wouldst grow thou must be daily applying thy self to Christ thy Head for constant and renewed influence from him As all life so all increase is from the Head Christ is the Head from which all the body by joynts and bands having nourishment ministred and knit together increases with the increase of God Col. 2.19 7 Mean Applying the Promises of growth and pleading them 7. Lay hold of the Promise of growth and plead it if thou wouldst grow to purpose That is the best growth when there is a growth to a ripe harvest and that is the best harvest that is both ripened and reaped by laying hold of the Promise as the root of all growth Gen. 8. ult Seed-time and harvest shall not fail says God and so he hath said concerning Spiritual seed-time and harvest Psal 126.5 6. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy he that goeth forth and weepeth bearing precious seed shall doubtlâ—ss come again with rejoycing bringing his sheaves with him Plead this Promise of God when thou perceivest the seed of grace is sown in thy heart but thou mournest for want of growth Lord thou hast promised Seed time and harvest shall not fail c. make this good to my Soul Job 8.7 Thou hast said Though the beginnings of thy people be small yet the latter end shall greatly increase Thou hast said Such as are planted in thy house shall be fat and flourishing Psal 92.13 Thou hast said I will be as the dew unto Israel and he shall grow as the Lilly Hos 14.5 6 7. Thus lay hold upon God and binde him fast in the words of his own Promise and say Gen. 3 2. I will not let thee go except thou bless me with this blessing of growth and then thou shalt certainly finde vertue flowing from Christ in the Conduit-pipe of the Promise By these things do men live Isa 38.16 Mat. 4. 1 Kin. 17.16 even by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God As life comes at the first in a way of Promise so life is increast also thereby from day to day
And thus by Faith laying hold on the Promise the just live the life of Augmentation their life as the VVidows Oil increasing by the Word of the Lord. 8. Labour to take Delight in the ways of God 8 Mean Delight in Gods ways to finde what is promised Job 22.26 Thou shalt have delight in the Almighty VVhat children delight in they prove excellent in that way they grow up to perfection in it If we could delight our selves in the law of the Lord then we should be as Trees planted by the rivers of water that bring forth their fruit in season Psa 1.2 3. 9. Be careful to remove Impediments of growth First root up the Weeds of sinful Corruption 9 Mean Remove all Impediments which choak the good corn Cast out those noisom Humours out of the stomach of the Soul which sowre the good Milk of the VVord and make it unprofitable 1 Pet. 2.1 2. Wherefore laying aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisies and envies and evil speaking as new born babes desire the sincere milk of the word that you may grow thereby Secondly Take heed of a conceit of perfection 2 Imp. that we are grown enough already VVhat made the Church of Laodicea so lazy and lukewarm Rev. 3.17 but because she said she was rich and full VVhat made Paul so active for God but because he was very sensible of his imperfection Phil. 3.12 He look'd upon himself as not come up to his full attainments not yet perfect therefore he was still pressing forward Imp. 3 Thirdly Take heed of Envy and Contention 1 Cor. 3.1 2. The Corinthians were but babes in Christ why so they were full of contentions The Body of Christ edifies it self in love Eph. 4.16 Therefore it consumes it self by fretfulness and envy Imp. 4 Fourthly Take heed of Hypocrisie and Vnfruitfulness I put them both together because they are never asunder Those that have nothing but leaves without fruit like the barren Fig-tree are neâ—r unto cursing and blasting Such are so far from growing that they wither away and are good for nothing but the fire becoming trees twice dead and plucked up by the roots Jude 12. Imp. 5 Fifthly Take heed of Despising Ordinances they are given to advance growth Eph. 4 11. He gave some Apostles some Prophets and some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministery for the edifying of the Body of Christ c. Therefore where these are despised there must needs be a decay therefore 1 Thess 5.19 20. Quench not the Spirit and Despise not Prophecying are put together to shew That despising Prophecy is the way to quench the Spirit Imp. 6 Sixthly Take heed of unnecessary Conversation with wicked men This is a hindrance of growth this cools your zeal and gives a check to your speed in your Christian Race therefore David Psal 119.115 Depart from me ye evil doers for I will keep the Commandments of my God As if he could not possibly go on and grow in grace so long as the wicked stood in his way Imp. 7 Spiritual pride and self-confidence Seventhly We must know That Gods withdrawing the influence of his grace from the Soul may cause a stop or a decay for a time which God usually does either to prevent or else to cure Spiritual Pride and Self-confidence When Peter was confident of his own strength Christ tells him Before the Cock crew he should deny him and it was Christs looking back upon Peter that quickned him again therefore I suppose it was not so much the strength of the tentation as Peters weakness in resisting and that weakness proceeding from Gods withdrawing himself that was the cause of Peters fall For his tentation was as strong afterwards when he was threatned by the same Authority yet answered so couragiously Acts 4.19 But now God assisted before he did withdraw Therefore take heed of Spiritual Pride and trusting to the Mountains of Grace received Psal 30.6 for then God turns away his face and we are troubled he withdraws the influence of his grace and then we decay it is fall of the leaf with us as with the Trees in Autumn and we cannot grow again till the Sun of Righteousness make a new spring Vse 7 The seventh Use is for Comfort to those that are apt to be discouraged at the small beginnings of grace Comfort at small beginnings of grace as the old men wept when they saw the Foundation of the second House how far it came short of the Glory of the first Ezr. 3.12 So many when they consider the first fabrick how God made Man after his own Image in perfect Righteousness and Holiness and then look on the second in the work of Regeneration how far it comes short they lament Alas alas are these Bodies and these Souls the Temples of the Holy Ghost To such I would say as Zech. 4.10 Who hath despised the day of small things Though the second Temple at the beginning be far short yet in conclusion it shall exceed the former Hag 2.9 This Temple is made of living stones 1 Pet. 2.5 nay of growing stones Eph 2.21 We wrong a mans work if we judge it before it be finisht so we wrong Gods work and our selves if we judge it before it be finisht The just should live by Faith the Life of Augmentation to encourage him against all discouragements 2 Cor. 4.16 Therefore we faint not while we look not at the things that are seen but at the things that are not seen It was such an encouragement to Elijah when he discerned but a cloud about the bigness of a hand that he could from thence foretel abundance of Rain 1 King 18. So it may be an encouragement to us if we can but discern the least beginnings of grace for then it will certainly increase till it be perfected to the day of Christ Phil. 1.6 Vse 8. Direction of behaviour towards the weak The eighth Use is for Direction how to carry our selves towards the weak not in a way of morosity to despise them or discourage them but in a way of lenity and equanimity to be tender over them and encourage them As Christ is far from breaking a bruised reed or quenching the smoking flax that he strengthens the one and blows up the other so should we do and by this means it may come to pass that many that are last may be first they may out-grow many that went before them VVe do not expect that from new-born babes that we expect from grown men but because they are so little and tender we are very indulgent towards them we nourish and cherish them and so they grow on to maturity Thus they that are grown Christians should carry themselves towards them that yet are but babes in Christ Thus we have seen that the just lives by Faith in reference to the Augmentation or increase of his life with the uses of it BRANCH VI.
IN THE LIFE of FAITH IN SANCTIFICATION VIZ. PERSEVERANCE THe just man lives by Faith in reference to the Conservation of life or Perseverance He draws from Christ confirming vertue and this doth fitly follow the former yea it is that which sets a crown upon all the rest For otherwise should a Christian grow never so rich in grace if it might be said of his Spiritual riches as the Prophet Jeremy speaks of the Temporal riches of the wicked Jer. 17 11. He shall leave them in the midst of his days and at his end shall be a fool what were he the better for all his growth Now this is the very crown of Augmentation and Fructification that as he lives by Faith for the present so his Faith carries him on still to be faithful unto death that he may receive from God a Crown of Life Rev. 2.10 And that this is also the meaning of the Text you may see by the words themselves and by the application of them by the Apostle 1. By the words themselves for it is not said The just doth live by his Faith but The just shall live vivet therefore saith Calvin upon the place Futurum tempus vitae perpetuitatem designat The Future Tense points out the perpetuity of this life He begins that life by Faith which shall never have an end 2. This is clear by the Apostles Application and Interpretation of the Text Heb. 10.37 where the Apostle perswading to patient continuance in well-doing he brings this very Scripture for an encouragment The just shall live by faith he shall so live as to go on and persevere in his Christian course And that this is the very sense doth plainly appear by its opposite member But if any man draw back my Soul shall have no pleasure in him Where we see clearly drawing back or falling off is directly opposed to living by Faith So that to live by Faith in the sense of the Text and in the sense of the Apostle who best knew the meaning of the Text it is to live by Faith the Life of Conservatior He draws from Christ conserving vertue and so lives by Faith in reference to Conservation and Perseverance Two things therefore we are to shew Two Propopositions First That the just doth Persevere Secondly That he lives this Life of Perseverance by Faith 1. The just doth Persevere 1. That the just doth so live as that he shall persevere and hold out to the end Solomon tells us That the righteous is an everlasting foundation Prov. 19.25 a foundation that never shall decay Our Saviour Christ compares him Mat. 7.24 to a building founded on a Rock that out-stands all winds and weather David compares him to a Mountain a Mountain that cannot be removed Psal 125 1. The Prophet Isaiah gives him a Name An Everlasting Name that shall not be cut off Isa 56.5 S. Peter compares his beginning to Seed Immortal seed that shall never die 1 Pet. 1.23 The Psalmist compares him to a Tree a Tree planted by the rivers of waters that shall never wither Psal 1.3 Our Saviour himself calls the gift of saving grace The good part or portion that shall never be taken away Luke 10.42 and therefore it is fitly compared to fire to that holy fire which came down from heaven that never went out Levit. 6.12 13. If once that holy fire of grace be kindled in a believers heart it shall never go out Mat. 12.20 He shall not quench the smoking flax till he send forth judgement into victory Poor weak Christian is thy judgement right for God onely thy grace is so weak there is as much smoke of corruption as there is fire of good affection yet let this support thee He shall not quench the smoking flax Obj. But though Christ do not quench it or put it out himself yet something else may blow it out or pluck it from us Corruption and Satan and the World are very strong Ans As Christ will not quench it himself so he will not suffer it to be quenched by any opposite power whatsoever Job 10.28 No man shall pluck them out of my hands The Apostle was confident of this Rom. 8.35 c. Who shall separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ c. Shall tribulation or distress or famine or nakedness The Apostle is not onely assured against these but against all that Life or Death or Angels or Powers c. can do to separate us from the love of Jesus Christ The just then shall persevere 2. Perseverance is by vertue of Faith 2. He perseveres by vertue of his faith He lives by Faith the Life of Conservation 1 Pet. 1.5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto Salvation Which words are are set down as an argument of strong consolation to Gods people against that great Temptation of Backsliding by reason of their own weakness and their enemies power For whereas it was said in the former verse there was an incorruptible inheritance reserved for them in Heaven they might object But alas we fear our grace is not incorruptible though the Kingdom of Heaven fades not away yet our grace may fade away and so we may fall short of that Kingdom For their comfort he tells them as the Kingdom is kept for them so they are kept for the Kingdom and how kept through Faith Who are kept by the power of God through faith to Salvation Hence Faith is compared to a Shield not an ordinary one but to such a Shield as enables the Souldier to fight it out to see the last enemy slain to persevere to the end of the Battel Rom. 8. yea to be more than Conquerors even to conquer Principalities and Powers c. therefore saith the Apostle Take unto you the whole armour of God that you may be able to stand in the evil day and having done all to stand Eph. 6.13 Mark that Christian Souldier onely withstands his enemy as he should that in the right use of his Spiritual Armour is able to stand it out unto the last And I pray what is the principal part of this Spiritual Armour Is it not Faith ver 16. Above all taking the Shield of Faith whereby ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one As if he should have said Faith is all in all and without this all the other parts of the Armour as good as nothing By this we withstand all our enemies and having done all are able to stand it out to the last So that a Christians life is conserved by Faith Come we now to the Reason 1. Why the just man perseveres 2. Why by Faith 1. Why the just perseveres Reasons 1. Why the just shall persevere 1 Rat. is drawn from Gods Everlasting Purpose of Election What did God Elect his people unto No less than to Eternal Life Act 13.48 As many as were ordained to Eternal Life believed He doth
not say As many as believed were ordained unto life eternal but contrariwise As many as were ordained to eternal life believed To intimate That Faith foreseen 1. From Election was not the cause of Election but Election was the cause of Faith and so the same Election is the cause of Perseverance in Faith or else their Life should not be eternal Therefore that strong conclusion of strong Consolation Rom. 8.35 is fetcht as far as from that everlasting VVell-head of Gods Fore knowledge and Predestination ver 29. For whom he did fore-know he did predestinate and whom he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified Therefore the Apostle is bold to make that brave challenge Who shall charge us Who shall condemn us Who shall separate us As if he should have said Neither Sin nor Affliction nor Men nor Devils shall ever be able to break this Golden Chain of Gods Election till it ends in glory Therefore the just perseveres God hath elected him to no meaner a life than that which is Eternal and therefore he shall certainly have it Rom. 11. the Election must needs obtain it 2 Reas From Gods Love from which 2. Gods love this Election springs in order of working Gods love is an Everlasting love As God is from Everlasting to Everlasting so is his Love for whatsoever is in God is God Jer. 31.3 I have loved thee with an everlasting love therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee which I conceive is not to be understood à parte post after we are drawn to believe and obey but even before also à parte antè Gods love here is made the cause of our being drawn to believe and obey and not our obedience a cause of his love Obj. But is it not said Joh. 14.21 He that hath my Commandments and keepeth them he it is that loveth me and he that loveth me shall be loved by my Father and I will love him and will manifect my self to him therefore our love of God goeth before Gods love to us Resp. There is a love of Benevolence whereby we bear good will to another and a love of Beneficence whereby we testifie our love in doing good to him Gods love of Benevolence is before our loving of him Joh. 4.19 We love him because he first loved us but Gods love of Beneficence at least in part doth follow our love to him and is the reward of it according to his free grace If Gods love therefore be everlasting this must needs be an everlasting fruit of it even the life of Grace and Glory to all eternity 3. The Covenant 3 Reas From the Covenant of God made with his People which is an everlasting Covenant well ordered and sure 2 Sam. 23.12 Jer. 32.40 I will make an everlasting Covenant with them that I will not turn away from them to do them good but I will put my fear in their hearts that they shall not depart from me Whereas the poor Soul might say God indeed saith he will never depart from us so long as we do not depart from him but then he might justly depart from us Therefore Gods Covenant is That we shall not depart from him I will put my fear in their hearts and they shall not depart from me Therefore the just lives not from any stability in himself but from the stability of Gods Covenant 4. Gods Unchangeable nature 4 Reas From the Unchangeable Nature of God Mal. 3.6 I am the Lord I change not therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed You are not consumed not because there is no principle of change in you but because there is none in me As if God should have said When I first entred Covenant with you I saw you polluted in your blood and I foresaw full well how ignorant how impotent how unconstant how untoward you would be afterward but I am resolved as I did not choose you at the first for the good I saw to be in you so I will not reject you for the evil that I see in you but will forgive it and heal it for my gifts and calling are without repentance Rom. 11 29. 5. Reas From the Power of God 5. Power of God If Gods people do not persevere it is either because God will-not preserve them or because he cannot But 1. Not because he will not for it is his own good pleasure moved him to make an everlasting Covenant and his own unchangeable Nature moves him to fulfil it to this day 2. Not because he cannot for nothing limits Gods Power but his Will Psal 135.6 Whatever the Lord pleased that did he in heaven and earth c. Therefore if the Lord will preserve his Saints in a state of grace for ever he is able to do it Though we are not able to stand of our selves yet he is able to make us stand Rom. 14. or in case we fall he is able to raise us up again Psal 37.24 Though he fall he shall not be cast off for the Lord putteth under his hand 6 Reas From the Merit of Christ 6. Merit of Christ c. the Prayer of Christ the Spirit of Christ As Christ hath merited Eternal Righteousness and Eternal Salvation Heb. 5.6 So he applies his Merit eternally by his Intercession and the operation of his Spirit Wherefore Heb. 7.25 Intercession of Christ he is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Wherefore we must either deny That God the Father hears the Prayers of his Son which is blasphemous to imagine and contrary to Christs confession 1 Joh. 11.42 I know that thou hearest me alwayes or else we must need acknowledge That all such as are once in a state of Grace shall persevere and be saved to the utmost Further they that are Christs And Spirit of Christ have the Spirit of Christ and so long as the Spirit doth not depart from them they shall never depart from God for the Spirit leads into all Truth But the Spirit of God doth never depart from them Isa 59.21 As for me this is my Covenant with them saith the Lord My Spirit that is upon thee and my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth c. Therefore they shall never finally depart from God Thus we have the Reasons Why the just shall persevere 2. Why perseverance through Faith Now see the Reasons Why they live this life by Faith 1. Faith layes hold on the Promise 1. Because Faith lays hold on the Promise of Perseverance 1 Cor. 18. He shall confirm you to the end that you may be blameness in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ Phil. 1.6 He that hath begun the good work in you will perform it unto the day of Jesus Christ Mat 16.18
The gates of Hell shall not prevail against the Church Now Faith layes hold on these Promises as the pursued person laid hold on the Horns of the Altar 1 Kings 1.50 51. And so the just lives by Faith for Perseverance 2. On Gods power and faithfulness 2. Because Faith layes hold on the Faithfulness and Power of God in the fulfilling of these Promises Therefore 1 Pet 1.5 We are said to be kept by the power of God through faith unto Salvation Because Faith layes hold on the Power of God Faith hath no power to save us of it self but as it layes hold on the Power of God to Salvation Thus the Apostle lived by Faith in the worst times 2 Tim. 1.12 I know whom I have trusted and am perswaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him till that day He laid hold upon the Word of God and the Power of God in fulfilling that Word and therefore he suffered and was not ashamed 3. Faith never fails 3. Because true Faith never fails therefore true Grace never fails Luke 22 31 32. I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not Obj. But this Prayer was made for Peter or for the rest of the Apostles eminent persons as Peter was and what is this to such as we are Resp. What Christ prays for Peter and the rest of the Apostles he prays for the rest of the faithful to the worlds end Joh. 17.20 Neither pray I for these alone but for them also which shall believe in me through their word And if Faith fails not then other graces fail not not onely upon this reason That he that hath one grace hath all but also upon this ground Because Faith hath a special influence on other graces to quicken and strengthen them 2 Pet. 1.2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ our Lord. Where observe That knowledge is put for faith in God and Christ as Isa 53.11 Joh. 17.3 Vse 1 Vse 1. This may serve for Confutation of Arminians and Papists who hold falling away from Grace Confutation of the doctrine of falling from Grace and many in these days who cannot abide the Name of Antichristian and therefore fasten it upon others yet embrace the thing embrace Antichristian Doctrines as those of Universal Redemption Free-will and Falling from Grace For my part I had rather suffer in the Name whilst I hate the Thing than embrace the Thing while I seem to hate the Name Obj. Obj. 1. But is there no danger of Gods peoples falling away Doth not the Scripture often admonish them as Heb 3.12 13. Take heed lest there be in any of you an heart of unbelief in departing from the living God but exhort one another daily lest any of you be hardned through the deceitfulness of sin 2 Pet. 3.17 Beware lest ye also being led away with the errour of the wicked fall from your own stedfastness Ans 1 Resp. 1. We answer by way of Concession That 1. Moral gifts and endowments By way of concession as 1. To Moral Gifts though they have a great resemblance to the truth of grace may be lost Men may go far by the improvement of Natural Principles Rom. 2.14 They do by nature the things contained in the law yet these men when they know God yet glorifie him not as God neither are thankful God may give them up to unnatural and monstrous lusts Moral endowments may be lost these are but flesh they spring from flesh they are not the fruits of the Spirit and all flesh is grass and grass will wither come to nothing Isa 40.6 2. Common grace 2. Common graces of the Spirit may be lost which are given as an advancement to those natural excellencies and many times given for the good of others rather than of the party himself which doth possess them These I say may be lost So Saul had both the Spirit of Government and of Prophecy and both departed from him 1 Sam. 16.14 3. Some taste 3. Such as have a Taste onely of the Heavenly Gift may possibly fall away Heb. 6.4 When a man goes to buy a thing he may taste of it and yet go his way and so he may never eat and drink of it to the full There are many common Professors many chapmen for Christ who seem to bid fair and take a taste and yet never go through with the bargain and that their attainments were but as a taste and short of saving grace is clear by comparing ver 9 10. with ver 5 6 for there he speaks of better things than these and such as accompany Salvation 4. True grace as to 1. Degrees 4. He that hath truth of saving grace may lose it 1. In the Degrees both extensively in regard of the muchness of it and intensively in regard of the quickness of it 2. Sense 2. The Sense and Feeling of it wholly to his apprehension of it may be lost as Cant. 4.1 the Church thought she had lost Christ and could not tell where to finde him 3. Operations 3. He may lose the present Operations of it He may be like fire raked up in the embers or like a man in a swoon who lies as if he were quite gone as it was with Peter in the High-Priests Hall 5. As to the doctrine of faith 5. He may lose the doctrine of Faith in some part or branches of it as some of those Churches in the Revelations did Ans 2 Secondly We answer by way of Exception or Restriction By way of exception There are seven things from which the Elect can never fall 1. They can never lose Eternal Life Joh. 10.28 Seven things never lost Christ saith of his Sheep I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hands and therefore it is said Joh. 5.24 He that believeth hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death to life He that believes hath eternal life already as he that believes not is condemned already Joh. 3.19 2. They shall never lose Confirming Grace In some degree they may but not as to the securing of their Spiritual state and station in Christ 1 Cor 1.8 Who also shall confirm you to the end Psal 94.14 The Lord will not cast off his people nor forsake his inheritance 3. They shall never lose Forgiveness of sins past and repented of Jer. 31.34 For I will forgive their iniquity and remember their sin no more 4. They shall never lose the Seed of Grace 1 Joh. 3.9 His seed remaineth in him and he cannot sin for he is born of God He doth not lose that but it still remaineth in him It is noted of Job Chap. 2 3. when he had lost all his Cattel his Servants his Children all his Temporal goods yet he kept his Spirituals in spight of Satan
the end shall be saved Mat. 10.22 But the Saints shall continue Psal 138.8 The Lord will perfect that which concerneth us Phil. 1.6 He that hath begun the good work will perform it till the day of Jesus Christ The Apostle was confident of it and so may we for what is the ground of this confidence not any thing in our selves we are apt to fall way but the Promise and Faithfulness and power of God He hath begun the work and he hath said it and he will perform it therefore we may be sure of Salvation Vse 3 3 Use We should from hence be Exhorted to labour for Truth of Faith and Truth of Grace To labour for truth of grace above all other things Why because they are so durable In all other things we love Certainties and cannot abide to be at an uncertainty We do not love to be Tenants at will to be turn'd out at an hours warning yea we rather desire to be Freeholders than Tenants upon the best terms Oh how careful are men to make all sure to them and their heirs for ever c. Surely Si isti callidi rerum aestimatores If the crafty esteemers of things do prize Meadows and Lands above other goods because they are not so subject to hurt and casualty how much more should we prize the truth of grace which gives us interest in eternal life and can neither be snatcht away by force nor stoln away by craft it can neither be lost by fire nor water The best of other possessions in the account of Christ are but other mens goods Luke 16.12 because ere long they must go to another and are like a Foot-ball now one man hath the Ball on his foot by and by another takes it from him within the turning of a hand a third catches it from him and so it goes on from one to another So these worldly things turn and are tost up and down they are not our own but another mans goods as well as ours but grace he calls our own Luke 16.12 because we shall never lose it it is durable riches indeed Prov. 8.18 Let us therefore take our Saviours advice Joh. 6 27. Labour not for the meat that perisheth but for the meat that endures unto eternal life and Mat. 6.19 20. Col. 3.3 Vse 4 This also is for Exhortation to us To endevour to persevere and hold out to the end Labour after Perseverance that it may appear that our grace is indeed true grace and that we live by Faith It is said of the Parthians They begin their Battels with as great valour as any people whatsoever but they faint quickly and continue but a while The like may be said of many in their Spiritual Warfare With the Parthians and with the Galatians they begin well but they cannot say with S. Paul they have fought a good fight they have finished their course because like Hymenaeus and Alexander they have faln away from the Doctrine of the Faith and it may be from the Profession of the Faith also But it is the glory of a Christian to persevere to the end Therefore whatever you part with do not part with your grace as Job 2.3 He held fast his integrity Though he lost Goods and Children and Friends and almost life too yet still he held fast his integrity Let it be our resolution that whatever we lose by Gods help we will never let go our grace Let us say of grace as Jacob to the Angel I will not let thee go till I have got the blessing As a man at Sea is willing to part with all so he may but save his life So let us be willing to part with any thing so we may keep Christ and his grace for this is even the life of our lives Moâ—ives to Perseverance That we may be the more effectually stirr'd up to endevour to persevere 1. Consider that God is constant in his love to us 1. Constancy of God in his love Heb. 13.5 He hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee therefore we should be constant to him And indeed our constancy to him is a certain fruit of his unchangeable love towards us The Saints will never utterly forsake God because God doth never utterly forsake them And the consideration of his Faithfulness should as an argument prevail with us to be faithful Heb. 10.23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering for he is faithful that hath promised As God hath loved us with an everlasting love Jer. 31.3 So let us love him with an everlasting love à parte post though we cannot à parte antè 2. It is the honour of a Christian 2. A Christians honour to persevere against all opposition God himself seems to admire it in Job chap. 2.3 that notwithstanding all his sufferings yet he held fast his integry To hold fast our integrity in trying times is not onely commendable but admirable To continue good while we suffer evil is the very height and crown of Goodness Look as it makes sin out of measure sinful when we hold fast our sins in the midst of Judgements Amos 4.6 c. I have smitten you thus and thus yet you have not returned to me saith the Lord That was the aggravation of their sin So it makes grace out of measure gracious it is the highest commendation and exaltation of grace when we can hold fast our grace in the midst of Tentation and Opposition As God sets a brand of Infamy upon such as trespass more in the day of their distress This is that King Ahaz saith God 2 Chron. 28.22 when his Conscience within was seared as with an hot iron God sets a brand upon his Name without as Malefactors are branded at the Bar that all may know them for Rogues and Thieves So God sets a Mark of Honour and Renown upon such as persevere in evil times This is that Job saith God that holds fast his integrity in the worst of times and therefore deserves to be ranked among the best of men none like him in all the earth Job 1.8 It is the honour of a Christian to hold fast his integrity It is his honour here and it shall be his honour to all Eternity Rev. 2.10 Be thou faithful to the death and I will give thee a Crown of Life On the other side Oh what a disgrace it is to fall from grace yea if it be but from some degrees of grace We think it a great shame to be degraded and so devested from Titles of Honour he that falls back and proves Apostate he degrades himself he un-Saint himself Christ hath made us Kings and Priests to God his Father Rev. 1.6 but he that falls back suffers another to take his Crown Rev. 3 11. Hold fast that which thou hast that no man take thy Crown To backslide is a dishonour To backslide a dishonour 1. To the Persons themselves Luk. 14.30
This man began to build and was not able to finish He was mock'd for it as a foolish undertaker 2. To the Cause as if it were not worth the owning or maintaining as if we were ashamed of Christ and his words Mark 8.38 3. It is a dishonour to others All suffer for the Apostacy of some therefore David prays Psal 69 6. Let not them that wait on thee O God be ashamed for my sake However it is a disheartening to others therefore we should say as Nehemiah Neh. 6.11 Should such a one as I fly Should such a one as I backslide How many may I be a means of deterring from coming in how many may I force to backslide 3. Examples of Apostacy and Gods Judgements 3. Examples of Apostates and Examples of Gods Judgements against them should make us look to our standing How many that have shined like glorious lights in the Firmament of the Church have been swept down to the very earth by the tail of the Dragon Rev. 12.4 All these seem to cry to us in the language of the Apostle 1 Cor. 12.12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall Cyprian in his Sermon de Lapsu multorum makes mention of one that went up into the Capitol at Rome to abjure and recant Christian Religion which he had no sooner done but he was presently struck dumb and so justly punish'd in that very Member wherein he had offended by making his wicked Recantation A woman also he speaks of who being revolted from the Truth yet presumed without Repentance to thrust her self into the society of them that received the Holy Supper of the Lord. But mark the hand of God upon her No sooner had she received the Sacrament but as if she had received with it the Sentence of death trembling and stamping she fell down dead Sleid. l. 21. The History of Francis Spira a famous Italian Lawyer is very notable who being at first very zealous in the Protestant Religion yet complaints being made against him to the Popes Legate being then at Venice he was perswaded to recant his Religion but shortly after he fell into a grievous sickness both of Body and Minde and though he had perfect understanding could receive no comfort from any Promises but was overwhelmed with a certain fearful looking for of judgement and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries and so he died Mr. Fox Acts and Monuments 2101. tells us of one Burton of Crowland who having swallowed the Principles of Christian Religion in King Edwards days when the King was dead up came his Protestant Religion But see how God spued him out of his mouth by a remarkable Providence One day as he was riding a Crow flying over his head let fall her excrements on his Nose and Beard so that the poisoned scent thereof so annoyed his stomach that he never left vomiting and cursing the Crow that poisoned him and so within a few days died desperately 4. It concerns us to be diligent in labouring to hold out because Satans Rage is more in these last days 4. Satan his rage than formerly Rev. 12.12 Woe to the earth because the Devil is come down having great wrath because he knoweth he hath but a short time Therefore we should carefully attend to the Apostles Exhortation Heb. 4.14 To hold fast our profession as a man would hold a precious thing that another is pulling and tugging from him he takes fast hold and gripes it hard so should we hold fast our Profession 5. God his liking 5. God takes it well at our hands when we persevere and hold out in evil times against all opposition God takes special notice of such Rev. 12 13. I know thy works and where thou dwellest even where Satans seat is and thou holdest fast my Name and hast not denied my faith even in those days when Antipas my faithful Martyr was slain To hold fast and hold out in such times and under such troubles Rev. 14. Here is indeed the faith and patience of the Saints And this God takes special notice of as if a Master should take notice of a Servant 's not forsaking him though he venture his life for him So God seems to be affected with such Servants 6. Else no Christ no salvation 6. Without Perseverance we have no Christ Heb. 3.14 We are made partakers of Christ if we hold the biginning of our confidence stedfast to the end 2. No Salvation Heb. 10 ult they that draw back draw back to perdition He that draws back destroys himself he that perseveres is saved A man may be drowned when he comes within sight of the shore as well as in the midst of the Sea Oh what a misery is it to perish in the very haven and yet how often do Apostates do so As it is not sin simply but final perseverance in sin without repentance that damns the Soul So it is not grace or any good received but final perseverance in that good without Apostacy that saves the Soul Q. But I finde my self exceeding apt to backslide what means should I use that I might be able to hold out and persevere in the faith Ans 1. Be careful to make sure that God is your God Means of Perseverance that you may be able to say He is my God in Christ and then Rom. 8.15 1. Particular assurance Who shall separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ A man will not easily part with that which is his own much less when he can say God is his Psal 48.14 This God is our God for ever and ever and he will be our guide even unto death And that you may prize an interest in God labour to see your misery without him Eph 2.1 2 3 12. what a childe of wrath what a slave of Satan how without hope and help whilst thou art without God! and then give up your selves to him in Covenant through Jesus Christ for without him God is a consuming fire and therefore accepting of Jesus Christ subscribe with your hand unto the Lord to become one of his Isa 44 5. I will be your God and you shall be my people go both together God will never fail nor forsake them that are in Covenant with him But unto the ungodly God saith What hast thou to do to take my Covenant into thy mouth Psal 50.16 2. Set up in thy Soul a firm Resolution to cleave to God 2. Resâ—lution of cleaving to God as they Dan. 3.16 17. that whether God whom they served would deliver them out of their danger or no they were resolved to serve none but him When the Scales hang even in aequilibrio a little thing will cast it this way or that but if a great weight lies in one end or it be fast nailed to a Pillar it is not easily stirr'd So it is with our hearts if they be different ad oppositum then a little thing
will cast them and weigh them down but if they be resolved in the ways of God they will not easily be moved or removed Therefore Acts 11.23 the Exhortation is given That with full purpose of heart we should cleave unto the Lord. 3. Be thus resolute in Gods strength not in thine own 3. Resolve in Gods strength Peter at first was resolute but it was in his own strength therefore he fell foully though not finally God let him see his own weakness Therefore if thou wouldst be strong indeed be sure to be strong in God and in the power of his might Eph. 6 10. God is α and ω to shew that as the beginning of Grace is from him so our perseverance in Grace is from him also 4. Good grounding 4. He that would persevere to the end must be sure to make a good beginning He that would have his building stand for ever must be sure to lay a good Foundation he must be sure to be well grounded in the fundamental truths of Religion Col. 1 23. They must be well grounded and setled in the faith that would not be moved from the hope of the Gospel They that would hold close to the Truth must be well grounded in the knowledge of it A little errour in the foundation makes a great errour before you come to the top of the building And who are they that are led aside into so many and great errours in these days but such as were never well catechized So that however some of them presume to be Teachers themselves had need that one should teach them which be the first principles of the Oracles of God Heb. 5 12. These are soon made a prey to Atheists and Papists When a cunning Jesuitical seducer shall come 1. With some colourable pretence of Scripture 2. Some flourish of Authority from the Ancients 3. Glorious Titles of Apostolical Succession and Antiquity 4. Voluntary Humility of Fasting and Penance Col. 2.23 c. not sparing the body 5. Feigned Miracles 2 Thess 2.9 6. Flattering and fair speeches Rom. 16.18 7. A Roman Fortitude in suffering for their Cause I say when seducing persons shall come in all this deceiveableness how shall a silly unstable Soul that was never grounded in the knowledge of the Fundamentals of Religion withstand these assaults or the like from other seducers How easily are ignorant persons drawn to any novel opinion As a childe is sooner cozened than a man of parts so such as are children and novices in the Doctrine of Faith will easily be tossed to and fro with every wind of Doctrine 5. Christians that would persevere 5. Watching over one another should be careful not onely to watch over themselves in particular but to watch over one another mutually Heb 3.17 Exhort one another daily while it is called To day lest any of you be be hardned through the deceitfulness of sin Where we may observe 1. There is none even the strongest in the flock but have need of this mutual help 2. There is none so poor and contemptible but the care of their standing belongs to all even to such Christians as are most eminent 3. Sin hath so many ways and devices whereby it is apt to beguile and seduce us that each particular person had need of more eyes than his own upon him more observers than himself alone therefore he that would stand and persevere let him not slight this Ordinance 6. Take heed of Vnbelief or Misbelief 6. Taking heed of Unbelief strive against it pray against it be humbled for it for as the just lives by his Faith the Apostate departs from the living God by his Vnbelief Heb. 3.12 As Faith unites the Soul to God so Unbelief separates the Soul from God Unbebelief denies to God the honour of his Truth Mercy and Goodness and by consequence robs the Soul of that comfort it might have in the application of these Attributes by Faith 7. 7. Examples of crowned Saints Look to the Examples of all the persevering and crowned Saints Look to the Cloud of Witnesses Heb. 11. who all died in the faith See the excellency of Paul's Spirit Acts 20.24 who was nothing moved with afflictions neither counted his life dear to himself so he might finish his course with joy and see how comfortable you finde him at the end of his race 2 Tim. 4.7 having fought a good fight and finished his course and kept the faith and now expecting his Crown Especially look to Jesus Christ the Author and Finisher of our Faith Heb. 12.2 This Example the Apostle in a special manner sets before us while he is Exhorting us to run with patience the race that is set before us So that he that would hold out to the end of his race must not so much look upon his discouragements his own Corruption Satans Tentations the Worlds Oppositions as upon his incouragements his eye must be fixed on his Jesus with loving and longing looks he must look upon him as the Author and Finisher of his faith as upon such a Jesus who hath not onely purchased Salvation it self but also the grace of Faith to lay hold on this Salvation and not onely the grace of Faith but Perseverance in this Faith to the end He is the Finisher as well as the Author of our Faith He must look upon him as upon his Patern and Example as one who doth not onely point out the way of Perseverance by his Directions and Commands but even tread and trace it out before us by his Example Such as look upon Jesus as a Patern in the work of Perseverance may safely look upon him as a Patern in the Reward as he had joy set before him so have we and as he for the hope of that joy ran with courage so must we as he ran with the Cross upon his back all the way and in particular with the Cross of Shame or shame of the Cross so must we as Christ made light of all their Reproaches despised their Despisings shamed their very Shame as unworthy to be taken notice of when put into the balance against the glory that is to be revealed so must we as Christ overcame all at length and hath now laid hold on all the joy and glory for which he ran so shall we also in due time If we suffer with him we shall also reign with him 2 Tim. 2.12 Because he lives we shall live also Joh. 14.19 Therefore he that would be strengthned and enabled to persevere he should be still looking to Jesus Christ that he may daily be more conformed to him Vse 5 5 Use This should put us upon the Examination of ourselves ExaminatioÌ„ of truth of Faith by its peâ—severing whether we have the true life of Grace and true Faith for then we shall persevere Joh. 8.31 If you continue in my words then are you my Disciples indeed Some indeed fall from the truth but they never were truly
of the Church onely tied to the Body as wooden Legs never living Members 1 Joh. 2.19 They went out from us because they were not of us if they had been of us they would have remained with us Therefore examine whether thou art a true child of God or no a true child of God abides in the house for ever Joh. 8. A true Christian is no changeling no Time-server in matter of Religion his Yea is Yea indeed and his Nay is Nay as 2 Cor. 1.17 18. He knows Christian Religion is not a thing that a man may play fast and loose with say and unsay do and undo as times and company and occasions alter No 't is Religi à Religando of binding a man fast to God and his Principles A man is then a Christian when his confidence in Christ is held stedfast to the end Heb. 3.14 Examine therefore if thou hast such graces as do accompany Salvation such as are not common to hypocrites An hypocrite may go far 1. He may esteem the People of God a blessed People How far an hypocrite may go as Balaam did 2. He may joyn himself to them as Simon Magus did 3 He may reform his outward conversation in many things as Herod did 4. He may in outward appearance be like a wise Virgin have his Lamp and make a shew with it though he want oil 5. He may have much knowledge and excellent gifts of Preaching and Praying Mat. 7.22 6 He may have some sweet taste and joy in the word of Truth such as Philosophers do finde in their studies for the contemplation of every Truth bringeth with it naturally a delight and the more eminent the Truth the greater is the delight Q. But what is wanting then whence is it that such an one comes short of Salvation Where an hypocrite comes short Resp. 1. An hypocrite never come up to delight in the whole Truth in every part of the Truth When it is a piercing and searching word a cutting word to say then Good is the word which the Lord hath spoken Herod did not so Therefore examine thy self how impartial thou art in receiving the whole Truth of God and that in the love of it 2. He does not desire grace as grace but onely out of a natural desire of happiness as Balaam therefore consider how sutable a good is grace to thy Soul Art thou as Isa 55.1 thirsty and is grace as Milk and Wine to the refreshing of thy Soul There is not in hypocrites a Spiritual appetite to feed upon Jesus Christ to eat his flesh and drink his blood 3. If thou wouldst go beyond an hypocrite there must be an unfeigned study not onely to keep from external acts of sin but to mortifie all that is flesh in us with all the affections and lusts of it Gal. 5.24 and to serve God in the Spirit This care is wanting in hypocrites 4. Thou must attend to do what thou dost in obedience to the Word that proved Josiah a good man indeed 2 Chron. 35.26 viz. His goodness according to that which is written in the law of God 5. Thy great study and aim must be in all thou dost to approve thy self to God to please God and not men to serve God and not thy self Gal. 1.10 If I yet please men I should not be the servant of Christ Col 3.22 23. even servants in their meanest imployments in serving their Masters must not do what they do as men-pleasers but in singleness of heart fearing God and whatever they do do it heartily as to the Lord and not unto men 6. All thy Obedience to God must spring from Faith working by love Gal 5.6 If sins be forgiven all duties will spring from Love the Soul loving much having much forgiven Luke 7.47 In all these Particulars hypocrites come short and therefore it is no wonder if they fall short at last but he that in these things is sincere shall never be moved Obj. But what shall we say of David and Peter what difference between these and Saul and Judas Did not these fall away from the grace they had received Resp There may be great intermissions in the actings of grace in a truly regenerate man in time of Tentation or Spiritual Desertion yet he shall not continue in that condition but shall recover his fall by the restoring grace of God Psal 37.24 Though he fall he shall not utterly be cast down for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand Jer. 32.40 I will put my fear into their hearts that they shall not depart from me Vse 6 6 Use In that the just lives by Faith and perseveres by Faith in this life Of Thankfulness this should excite and stir us up to Thankfulness If Adam had cause to be thankful to God for making him in his own Image placing him in Paradise and giving him dominion over all creatures how much more have the Faithful cause to be thankful who are instated in a better condition of happiness than either Adam in Paradise or the Angels in Heaven before their Fall For however it is true their condition was very happy and glorious yet it was mutable they might fall and fall they did and we finde by woful experience to this day the mortal wounds and bruises that cleave to the Sons and Daughters of Adam through his Fall But God I say hath instated the faithful in a better condition that though in themselves they are weak creatures yet through his provision for their security they shall never totally fall from the grace of Regeneration And therefore if we ought to be thankful for outward mercies of health wealth liberty peace and the like which at best are very fading like the flower of the field How soon may a mans health be turned into sickness wealth into poverty liberty into bondage and slavery and peace into war How much more should our hearts be raised up in thankfulness for such mercies as are not onely Spiritual and therefore more excellent in their very nature but are also the sure mercies of David unchangeable But the sure mercies of David are unchangeable and therefore more excellent in their continuance A man would be thankful to a friend that would give him a livelyhood for seven years much more to such a one that would freely settle the perpetuity upon him and his Heirs for ever How thankful then should we be to that God who freely bestows upon us not a livelyhood onely but even life it self And what life not of Nature onely but of Grace also not Temporal but Eternal Psa 21 24. He asked life and thou gavest it him even length of days for ever and ever We prize lives according to their duration some creatures they say are born and die again the same day and are therefore of little account But we prize those most that continue longest The long life is a blessing of that Commandment Eph. 6. which is the first Commandment with
promise And it was a blessing of the first Age of the World where God graciously provided that men should live longer because they were sown thinner Therefore some lived seven hundred years some eight hundred some nine hundred and odde but at last it is said of the best and strongest and longest of the Sons of Men Et mortuus est that he died That is the way of all flesh in regard of natural life But it is not the way of all flesh in regard of Spiritual life Joh. 11.26 Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die His Soul shall never die though his Body die Fear not those that kill the Body but are not able to kill the Soul Matth. 10.18 they are not able to kill the Soul no nor are they able to kill the grace of the Soul Rev. 14.13 Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord. Therefore say with David Oh let my Soul live and it shall praise thee Vse 6 6 Use is of Incouragement against all Discouragement That the just live by Faith the life of Perseverance Of incouragement concerning Perseverance That the just live by Faith the life of Perseverance and shall persevere in the grace and favour of God Nothing shall separate from the love of Christ There are four main Discouragements incident to a Christian in his earthly Pilgrimage 1. The inconstancy of Creatures towards Creatures 2. The Creatures inconstancy towards God 3. A mans weakness compared with the strength of enemies opposing 4. A mans own sinful Demerits daily forfeiting all his Mercies To which adde 5. The uncertainty of future Events But this Doctrine that the just lives by faith the life of Perseverance is a great Incouragement against all Discouragements First The inconstancy of the Creature 1. In the inconstancy of the Creature in it self Job 6.15 Job complains his friends had forsaken him like a deceitful brook that is full in raining times when there is no want of water and empty and dry in Summer heat or when there is greatest need For a man shall have many friends so long as God rains down showers of blessings from heaven upon him but if God once search him with the fiery trial of some such Judgement as dries up all his substance he shall hardly finde a drop of comfort from such as in time of prosperity did run in a full current of kindness towards him Well suppose it be so yet this is great Incouragement to a poor Believer when he can thus reason Well though my friends leave me upon earth yet Faith assures me Heb. 13. I have a friend in heaven that will not forsake me who doth usually let out most of himself to his people when they have the least of Creature-comforts he delights to visit his people in Egypt in the fiery Furnace His Servant John Baptist in the Isle of Patmos Paul and Silas in the Prison when they had little or no comfort from the Creature And what is Heaven but the Presence God Where there is most absence of the Creature viz. in Heaven where there is neither marriage nor giving in marriage neither buying nor selling nor possessing nor rejoycing in the earthly Comforts of this life yet there is joy enough for all that when there is no Creature-comfort at all 1 Cor. 15. God himself shall be all in all And if the Presence of God it self alone shall be enough to make Heaven when all the world shall be left am I not bound to believe Gods Person is enough upon earth if all Creatures should forsake me If I can live by Faith the Life of Perseverance in respect of influence from God what if I do not live by Sense the Life of Perseverance in respect of influence from Creatures The former is Incouragement enough of it self 2. Creature-inconstancy towards God Secondly The second great Discouragement and indeed greater than the former is this The Creatures inconstancy towards God The Creatures goodness is as the morning dew Hos 6.4 that is soon gone O how quickly are they turned out of the way saith God Judg 2.17 Peter is ready to swear Allegeance to his Master and as ready almost to forswear with the same breath and do not think that thou hast a better heart than Peter had for as in water face answers to face so the heart of man to man Prov. 27.19 One face is not more like another represented in water or in glass then one mans heart is naturally like another's All are very fickle and very inconstant in the love and service of God Now this is sometimes a great Discouragement to a gracious Soul Saith such a Soul I have such a base backsliding heart I shall never be able to hold out to the end what will become of me For thy answer Beware of Discouragement though thou art unconstant and unbelieving yet God is faithful and he hath promised to make thee constant and faithful or at least to heal thy unconstancy and unbelief 2 Tim. 2.13 If we believe not yet he abideth faithful he cannot deny himself What if we believe not at all that 's not the meaning of it For he gives Faith when he intend Mercy but if there be intermissions and interruptions in our Faith or at least in the activity of our Faith yet God is faithful to heal our back-slidings and to love us freely Hos 14.4 And this is a great Incouragement Gods constancy in Covenant opposed to our fickleness and inconstancy He will so put his fear into our hearts as we shall never utterly depart from him Jerem. 32.40 Thirdly A third Discouragement 3. In our own weakness is our own Weakness as well as our own Inconstancy yea were we never so constant in our resolutions yet how weak are we in our performances We are weak our enemies strong our trials many and great and this is a great Discouragement to a gracious heart that howsoever the Spirit is willing yet the flesh is weak that should God leave us to ourselves we should fall away from him every day in which respect Christ commands us to watch and pray lest we enter into temptation Mat 26.41 Well be it so that a Christian is so weak on the one side and his enemies so strong on the other yet Faith administers this notable incouragement in the sight and sense of all our enemies and greatest infirmities 1 Cor. 10.13 But God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able to bear but will with the temptation also make a way to escape and so the weakest believer if a true believer shall be kept by the power of God 1 Pet. 1. 2 Tim. 1.12 I know in whom I have believed and I am perswaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to his trust against that day Fourthly The fourth Discouragement 4. Against sinful distempers is a mans own sinful Distempers daily forfeiting
thou judgest Therefore though God forsake his people in some sense yet in the main he never forsakes them and if he never forsake us we shall never forsake him and this is great incouragement against the greatest discouragements we can meet with in our Christian course Thus have you heard how the just lives by Faith the Life of Conservation BRANCH VII IN THE LIFE of FAITH IN SANCTIFICATION VIZ. CONSOLATION VVE come now to the last which is the Life of Consolation which God makes the sweet closure of all the rest and indeed Christ reserves the best wine till last Ioh. 2. The Devil feeds his followers with sweet Comfits at first but he gives them a deadly Pill at last But Christ gives the bitter at first and the sweet at last At the last the just lives by Faith the Life of Consolation You have heard how the just lives by Faith the Life of Justification in laying hold on the righteousness of Christ and making it his own You have heard also how he lives by Faith the Life of Sanctification whereby the believing Soul draws vertue from Christ and that either Renewing Fructifying Mortifying Quickning Increasing Confirming Comforting Vertue So he lives the Life of Renovation Fructification Mortification Vivification Augmentation Conservation or Perseverance Consolation So that we are come to the last to the highest Stair on this side Heaven The just goes on so far from strength to strength and from faith to faith and from life to life till at the last with great delight he sits down under the shadow of Jesus Christ and his fruit is sweet unto his taste Cant. 2.2 He lives by Faith the Life of Consolation he is a true Disciple of his heavenly Master he hath taken all his Degrees in the School of Christ his Grace hath past from the Life of Justification to the Life of Sanctification and herein from the Life of Renovation to the Life of Fructification from the Life of Fructification to the Life of Mortification from the Life of Mortification to the Life of Vivification from the Life of Vivification to the Life of Augmentation from the Life of Augmentation to the Life of Conservation from the Life of Conservation to the Life of Consolation and now he is as high as he can go till he enter into Heaven it self Yea the Life of Consolation is a piece of Heaven like the the sheet in Peters Vision let down to the earth and so the just in believing is transformed from glory to glory 2 Cor. 3. as by the Spirit of our God He lives by Faith the Life of Consolation And indeed this is the proper use and effect of Faith to rejoyce the heart though not always an immediate effect especially to our sense and feeling yet we may safely say The seed of Peace and the seed of Joy is sown in the heart so soon as ever a man believeth Psal 97.11 Light is sown for the righteous and joyful gladness for the upright in heart though it may be he reaps the full Harvest many a year after There is first the sprouting and then the blade and then the ear and after that the full Corn in the ear Mar. 4.28 And look as it is in the rising of the Sun though there be light at the first in some measure yet there is but a little light and less heat in comparison of that which follows So in the first manifestations of the Sun of Righteousness to the Soul there is some light of knowledge and some heat of comfort at the very first but little in comparison of that which shall be And therefore the just lives by Faith in expectation of a glorious Noon-tide of Peace and joy to follow after and in the mean time the more he increaseth his Faith the more he increaseth his Joy You may easily see it in your selves and others It is possible a person may be both justified and sanctified he may live both these lives and yet for the present he may be much to seek in his comfort in his own sense and apprehension he may be in sad and as it were in a dead condition for want of comfort and therefore in due time by the exercise of Faith God addes to both the former the Life of Consolation which is more properly called Life Indeed it is the very Life of our lives for what is life without comfort but a living death When Adam had tasted of the forbidden fruit he did not die presently if we take it in a strict sense but he was made subject to all diseases and all kinde of miseries which is all one as if he had been dead it is a dying daily 1 Cor. 15.31 Whereas on the other side comfort and joy is called Life in Scripture phrase they are used promiscuously sometimes Life is put for Joy and Joy is put for Life as if they were all one Psal 30.5 In thy favour is life heaviness may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning All one as if he had said Life comes in the morning according to the former expression In thy favour is life The Philosophers have a Position Nec voluptas sine vitâ nec vita sine voluptate Pleasure cannot be without life nor life without some kinde of pleasure And it is true in Divinity he onely deserves the name of a living man who injoys some comfort in his life And indeed Eternal Life is nothing else but Eternal Joy For otherwise the wicked shall live eternally if we take the word in the largest sense but their Eternal Life is called Eternal Death because they live not in Joy but Misery So that it 's clear to live most properly is to live comfortably 1 Thess 1.3 Now we live if ye stand fast in the Lord. We live how is that Did not the Apostle live both the life of Nature and the life of Grace whether the Thessalonians should stand or fall Without all question he did but his meaning is Now we live comfortably if ye stand fast in the Lord which life is onely worth the name of a life So that when it is said The just shall live by Faith the meaning is he shall live a sweet and comfortable life whatever his outward troubles may be he shall not want sweet supports and comforts within he shall even then live by his Faith And that this is the sense of the Text in the latitude of it seems to be clear by the opposite member as the Life of Gods People is opposed to the Life of the Caldeans their enemies and so the Joy of the one to the Joy of the other Their enemies have a kinde of superficial flashing joy arising from the immoderate use or abuse of the Creature and this joy tickles them or puffs them up for the present In which respect the Caldean is compared to a drunken man who you know thinks himself the onely merry man in the world he is merry as Cup and
Cann while the spirit of the Wine is in him and his heart is lifted up he thinks there is none so merry as himself But behold his heart that is thus lifted up is not right in him or as some expound it it is not quiet in him he hath no true peace or solid joy but even as it is with a drunken man it may be the next morning when the spirit of Wine is gone his heart sinks down as Nabals did as heavy and as dead as a stone and therefore his heart that is thus lifted up with carnal joy is not quiet it is not right But the Just shall live by his faith that is to say He shall live comfortably as the strength of the opposition doth necessitate the sense he shall live comfortably in the midst of troubles as the other lives troublesomely in the midst of comforts For as an unbeliever hath inward troubles and unquietness of spirit in the midst of all outward comforts so a believer hath inward comforts in the midst of all outward troubles Be his condition what it will be or what it can be in other respects yet the just shall rejoyce 2 Cor. 6.9 As sorrowing saith the Apostle yet always rejoycing And what resolves this Riddle but the Mystery of Faith For the just lives by Faith the Life of Consolation For Method we shall first prove it That the just doth live by Faith the Life of Consolation and give Reasons for it Two Propositions First why God will have the just to live the Life of Consolation and Secondly why he is said to live this Life by Faith and then we shall endevour to apply it Propos 1. That the just lives the Life of Consolation 1. The just doth live the Life of Consolation Comfort is the proper Portion of Gods People Isa 40. Comfort ye comfort ye me people saith your God speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem God commands his people to speak comfortably to his own People But he never commands his People to preach comfort to the wicked whilst they remain so Isa 57. ult no There is no peace to the wicked saith my God And God complains of such Ministers as make sad the heart of the righteous and strengthen the hands of the wicked by Preaching Peace and Comfort to them whilst they continue in their sins Ezek 13.22 because with lies ye have made the hearts of the righteous sad whom I have not made sad and strengthned the hands of the wicked that he should not return from his wicked ways by promising him life for True joy is the Portion of the just The just lives the Life of Consolation 2. He lives this Life by Faith Propos 2. The just lives the Life of Consolation by his Faith As his Faith doth Justifie so his Faith doth Comfort him not originally but instrumentally It is the Conduit-pipe of Comfort as well as of Grace The just live by Faith the Life of Consolation God gives faithful men leave to be chearful Psal 5.11 Let all those that put their trust in God rejoyce yea let them shout for joy Nay he commands them to be chearful Luk. 8.48 And he said unto her Daughter be of good comfort thy faith hath made thee whole go in peace Mark he commands her to be of good comfort and why not so much because she was whole as because Faith had healed her and so she had inward peace as well as outward healing Thence it is that Joy and Faith are usually coupled together in Scripture Phil. 1.25 and joy of faith It is called The Joy of faith as if all true Joy did come from Faith 1 Pet. 1.8 In whom believing saith the Apostle ye rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory Mark when they were full of afflictions and full of temptations as appears by the connexion yet they were full of glorious joy And how came that to pass but by vertue of their Faith In whom believing ye rejoyce c. That 's the reason why the Apostle would pray for the increase of the Peoples joy when he prays for the increase of their Faith Rom. 13.13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that ye may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost As if there were no joy without faith and the more faith the more joy No sooner did the Eunuch believe Act. 8 39. but the Text says he went on his way rejoycing as if he felt not the ground he went upon his joy was a pleasant companion by the way who is as good as a Chariot No sooner did the trembling Jaylor believe but it was said Act. 16.34 He set meat before the Apostles and rejoyced believing in God with all his houshold It was the merriest meals meat that he made in all his life I do not say that all believers have the same degree of joy much less that they have the same joy at the first 't is enough that they have the seed of joy Suppose it were a wet and troublesome Seed-time it may be they sow in tears yet this is sufficient security God hath given us his Word for it in due time thou shalt reap and reap in joy if they faint not Therefore let all those that put their trust in God rejoyce But we come to the Reasons Reasons First Why God will have the just to live the Life of Consolation Secondly Why he is said to live this Life by Faith 1. Why God will have the just live comfortably For the first God will have the just live by Faith the Life of Consolation because it makes much for the Glory of God he delights in the service we perform to him when we our selves delight in it also 1. For his honor As God loves a chearful giver so he loves a chearful worshipper Psal 100.2 Serve the Lord with gladness and come before his Presence with a song The chearfulness of the service commends the Masters service You may well think there is the wine of Consolation in the heart where you see the oyl of Gladness in the countenance Therefore God glads the hearts of his Servants by the grace of Faith that their very countenance and carriage may commend his service to all the world 'T is true indeed the service of Christ is called a burthen Mat. 11. and a yoke and 't is so for our corrupt nature but so far as we are spiritual although the yoke is rough you see nothing at the first but Afflictions and Persecutions and Self-denial yet the inside is smooth and easie 't is tied on with the silken string of Love and stuft with nothing but Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost It 's better to feel than to see for many have boggled at the yoke that have but look'd upon it afar off but never any that took it up and wore it but highly commended it to be the sweetest and easiest
supporting and chearing the hearts of his People in time of afflictions God comforts his People in this manner that they may comfort others by their own experience Like Birds that having found a heap of Corn never leave their chirping till they have called in their fellows to partake of their Banquet 2 Cor. 1.14 Blessed be God who comforteth us in all our tribulations that we may be able to comfort them that are in any trouble by the self-same comforts whereby we our selves are comforted of God As if God should say to his afflicted fainting Servants Lo here is a Cordial from Heaven drink of it your selves and when you have done write upon it Probatum est and so commend it to your Christian friends Thou being converted and comforted strengthen thy brethren And these be the Reasons why God will have the just live the Life of Consolation 2. Why Consolations come by Faith 2. But then why are they said to live this Life by Faith There are many weighty Reasons of this also as Because Faith the hand that takes hold of this Cup it takes hold of the right object of Consolation or if you will Reas 1 First of all because Faith is a powerful hand to keep off all such things as are comfortable and so to arm us against all discomforts For that must needs be a great comfort that doth arm the Soul against all discomforts and so doth Faith for it is a supporting hand to our burthened Souls Faith is Omnipotent in the strength of God Nothing is impossible to him that believes Mark 9.23 An establishing hand to the wavering Soul it is a protecting hand to the weak Soul 'T is a Supporting Hand to the overburthened Soul 1. Faith is a supporting hand It is Faith that teacheth a man to cast the burthen of his care upon God Psal 37.5 And what a hearts ease and what a comfort is this They must needs have a light heart that are eased of such burthens Faith is like the Cup of Consolation which the Jews gave to the friends of the deceased that they may drink and forsake sorrow Jer. 16.7 Neither shall men give them the Cup of Consolation for their father Prov. 31.6 Give wine to those of heavy hearts 'T is an Establishing Hand to the wavering Soul 2. Faith is an establishing hand It cures the Soul of the Spiritual Palsie when it quakes and quivers up and down is full of fears and doubts and knows not where to fix or stay it self Fix thy self here saith Faith fix thy self upon God fix thy self upon his Word this will stay the wavering Soul as a Ship at Anchor in the midst of the winds and waves of Temptation Heb. 6.19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the Soul stedfast and sure which entreth into that within the veile I appeal to such as have been tost at Sea to tell you what a comfort it is to have a sure Anchor in a Storm and such is the comfort of a Christian by the Anchor-hold of his Faith Psal 112.6 7. Surely he shall not be moved for ever he shall not be afraid of evil tidings Why His heart is fixed trusting in the Lord. His heart is established he shall not be afraid So Faith is an establishing hand to a wavering Soul 'T is a Protecting Hand to the weak Soul 3. Faith is a protecting hand It is such a Hand as not onely holds a childe but it is a Shield it self to bear off all blows Now is it not a comfort to have such a Shield and such a Shield is Faith Eph. 6.16 It doth not onely bear off all blows from wicked men Psal 56.4 In God have I put my trust there is the Shield What follows I will not fear what flesh can do unto me but it bears off all blows from wicked Spirits Eph. 6.16 Above all taking the shield of faith whereby ye shall be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked one It is a safe guard from all evil Psal 99.9 Because thou hast made the Lord thy refuge even the most High thy habitation there shall no evil befal thee nor any plague come near thy dwelling Yea it bears off all blows from God it hath such a piercing eye it can see a Fathers heart under a seeming Enemies hand Though he kill me yet will I trust in him Job 13.15 And so the shield of Faith is not onely useful all our life but 't is Armour of Proof against the stroke of death And so it is a Protecting Hand to the weak Soul It is every way a powerful hand to arm against all discomforts and so an argument of no small comfort to a true believer Reas 2 The second general Reason why the just lives the Life of Consolation by his Faith Why Consolation comes by Faith is Because Faith is a Powerful Hand to draw into the Soul all necessary Comforts Faith lays hold on the right Object of Consolation it lays hold on that God who is the Fountain of all light and life Psal 36.9 With thee is the fountain of life and in thy light shall we see light 1. Faith lays hold on God the Father 1. Faith lays hold on God the Father who is called the Father of Mercies and the God of all comfort and consolation the Beginning of all Divine Operations As all Rivers come from the Sea so all streams of Comfort come from God the Father 2. Faith lays hold on God the Son 2. Faith lays hold on God the Son as the Conduit-pipe or Channel through whom all comfort is derived from God the Father to the Souls of his People For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell that of his fulness we might receive as grace for grace so comfort for comfort for he was anointed with the oyl of gladness as well as with the oyl of grace above his fellows that he might appoint to them that mourn in Sion to give unto them beauty for ashes the oyl of joy for mourning and the garment of praises for the spirit of heaviness Isa 61.3 And hence it is that Christ is called The Consolation of Israel Luk. 2.25 because all Gods People receive their comfort from him As all Stars borrow their light from the Sun so all the Saints borrow their light from him who is called The Sun of Righteousness Mal. 4.2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing under his wings But how do they receive this comfort from Christ it is by Faith for Christ dwells in their hearts by faith Ephes 3.17 As he is a comfortable guest so 't is Faith that receives him and bids him welcome when he is come 3. Faith lays hold on God the Holy Ghost Gal. 3.2 3. Faith lays hold on God the Holy Ghost Received ye the Spirit by the works of the Law or by the hearing of faith As if he should say
because we neglect the Seal of the Word It may be in a Womans Brests if one be dried up the other may be the fuller because that nourishment which should run into two doth now run into one vessel But it is not so here for the neglect of one Ordinance makes the other more unprofitable because God never appointed any Ordinance in vain and will not indure the contempt of any Well then poor Soul dost thou complain for want of comfort thou canst not finde that comfortable assurance of Gods love active or passive thou wert wont to finde It may be there is more estrangedness every way I answer If it be so blame thy self and not God thou dost neglect a comfortable Ordinance thou sufferest one of thy Mothers Brests to be dried up for want of sucking in which thou mightst otherwise finde abundance of comfort You read in 2 Chron. 30.21 26. Gods people kept the Passover with great gladness there was such exceeding great joy in Jerusalem that there had not been the like many years before in those times when the Sacrament was neglected And you know the Sacrament of the Passover and the Sacrament of the Lords Supper are all one for substance And so you read Act 2.46 They continued in breaking of bread from house to house with gladness of heart Well then dost thou want this gladness of heart this Life of Consolation Consider whether this be not the cause thou hast not for a long time laid thy mouth to this Brest No wonder then if thou complainest for want of comfort I would not be mistaken Caution for I speak to none but true children as Christ says of his Bread so I say of his Brest It is not meet to take the childrens bread and give it to whelps For we must know though this Brest be sweet it is so onely to the believing Soul The unbeliever sucks poison out of it he eats and drinks his own damnation Therefore saith the Apostle Let a man examine himself and so let him eat And what must he examine Surely his faith above all the rest 2 Cor. 13.5 Examine your own selves whether ye be in the faith The Word and Sacraments are the two Brests and Faith is the Mouth and so the just by Faith sucking at these two Brests he lives the Life of Consolation And that 's the second Reason Reas 3 3 Reason Because by Faith a Christian lives the Life of Justification VVhy consolation comes by Faith as we have heard at large and therefore by consequence by the same Faith also he lives the Life of Consolation For as sorrow is more properly the consequent of sin than sufferings For suppose suffering without sin and they are more truly the occasions of joy than sorrow So on the other side comfort is more properly the consequence of Righteousness than of all outward Blessings whatsoever Rom. 5.1 2 3. Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ and we rejoyce in hope of the glory of God and not onely so but we rejoyce in tribulations And so tribulations cannot hinder the glorious rejoycing of a justified person The golden Chain Order of Righteousness Peace and Joy in the holy Ghost Therefore in that Golden Chain Rom. 14.17 The Kingdom of God is Righteousness Peace Joy in the Holy Ghost Observe the order First Righteousness when a a person is justified through the Merits of Christ then Peace when we understand God and we are friends for what strikes terror but this Oh! I have sinned says the Soul and God is mine enemy And what speaks peace but this I am justified from my sins and now God is my friend And then thirdly comes in Joy in the holy Ghost for as nothing wounds the Soul more than to look at God under the notion of an enemy so nothing comforts the Soul more than to look at God under the notion of a friend and reconciled Father Therefore as Peace is the fruit of Righteousness so Joy is the fruit of Peace and then both Joy Peace and Righteousness the fruit of Faith Therefore a Christian lives by Faith the Life of Consolation As you cannot separate the heat of the Sun from the light of it no more can you separate the comfort of Justification from the life and assurance of it and the stronger the assurance the stronger is the comfort Reas 4 4 Reason Because by Faith a Christian lives the Life of Sanctification Why Consolation comes by Faith both in purifying the heart from sinful corruption and in quickning of it to all holy duties as we have already proved Now howsoever it is true Caution the forsaking of sin on the one hand and the practising of holy duties on the other hand doth not deserve the least comfort or incouragement from God and in this sense we do not ground our comfort upon our duties Yet this we say from good Warrant from the Scripture God of his free grace doth usually make holy ways comfortable ways and sinful ways uncomfortable ways even to his own children Hereupon David says on the other side Psal 38. There is no rest in my bones by reason of my sin And Solomon says on the other side Pro. 3.17 All her ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace Hear what S. Luke saith Acts 9.31 Walking in the fear of the Lord they walked also in the comfort of the holy Ghost God deals with his children as we do with ours though we intend not to disinherit them for every fault yet we will discourage them by correction when they do ill and incourage them by rewarding them when they do well It is not all one in point of comfort whether we sin or sin not God is a wise as well as a loving Father he will shew no countenance to his own children if they regard iniquity in their heart Psal 66 18. If I regard iniquity in my heart God will not hear my Prayer But blessed are the pure in heart Why they shall see God Mat. 5.8 What of that why here 's the comfort here 's the happiness here 's the very heaven of a Christian to see God 1 Joh 3 2. For Vision of God works Transformation into the Image of God Satisfaction and Satisfaction even abundance of Soul-ravishing Consolation Now this Wisdom Transformation Satisfaction and Consolation God onely disposeth to the pure in heart And yet I do not mean such as are pure in heart from all acts of sin for we sin in our best duties but such as are pure from the approbation and allowance of any sin from the regarding of any iniquity in their heart If a justified person do not act his Faith to the purifying of his heart and life In that sense we speak of God will certainly suspend his comfort for a time The Sun of Righteousness will not shine upon a Dunghil heart but upon the Garden for the Spirit
of God is grieved by the sins of his own people or else that Exhortation were needless Eph. 4.30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed unto the day of Redemption And if we grieve the Spirit of God be sure it will grieve our spirits it will make us glad to cry Restore unto me the joy of thy Salvation Psal 51.12 And if we rejoyce the Spirit of Ged it will rejoyce ours Prov. 8.17 I love them that love me saith Wisdom so I rejoyce them that rejoyce me and what rejoyces Gods Spirit but purity of heart and life Prov. 11.20 The upright in the way are his delight So God dispenses peace to such Psal 85.8 It is God who will speak peace to his Saints to his sanctified ones 'T is true indeed a man cannot be sanctified before he be justified and so soon as he is justified he hath the ground-work of peace But the Word doth strongly infer That no man is justified but he is also sanctified at the same time And God is pleased to speak peace to none but such as he is pleased to sanctifie at the same instant when he first begins to speak peace unto them Well but what shall we say for after times May they then live as they list when God hath once spoken peace to their Souls No as ever they desire to keep it when they have it as they love their peace let them not again return to folly As much as to say If they be so foolish to turn again to their former sins God will turn again to his former displeasure of which he had spoken in the former verses Not that God will hate them or look at them as his enemies but they shall know for all that though God continues to be their Father yet a Father knows how to frown upon his children and how to come with a Rod in his hand if they once wax wanton under the expression of his love and favour Rev. 3.19 As many as I love I rebuke and chasten be zealous therefore and repent Well then as ever thou desirest to live the Life of Consolation be sure to live the Life of Sanctification Though God do not dispense comfort for thy Sanctification yet he will never dispense it without Sanctification The water of Consolation must run in a clear channel Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God to their comfort Therefore as Faith purifies the heart Act. 15.9 so it comforts the heart And so the just lives by Faith the Life of Consolation Quest Yea but how shall I know I am sanctified that I may have the comfort of it Ans I answered to this in that precedent Chapter viz. Life of Faith in Sanctification Vid. supra Reas 5 5 Reason why the just lives by Faith the Life of Consolation it is Why Consolation comes by Faith Because by Faith a man reflects upon his own Sanctity and Sincerity he proves it and brings it to the touchstone and when he knows it is right he hath the comfort of it For as Faith purifies the heart and conscience so the conscience thus purified doth the office of a faithful examined Witness and Judge who upon examination gives in this Judgement Thou art sincere saith Conscience to the believing Soul thou art in the Faith Christ is thine and therefore thou hast cause to rejoyce 2 Cor. 1.12 For our rejoycing is this the testimony of our conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God we have had our conversation in the world and more abundant to you-wards Mark the ground of Paul's rejoycing was the reflect act of Faith in the testimony of his renewed conscience And lest any man should say This was a singular case 't is possible Paul might have ground of rejoycing upon the thorow examination of his own condition but ordinarily Christians cannot have the like Therefore the Apostle makes it a general case to all believers either they do or they ought to do so Gal. 6.4 But let every man prove his own work and then shall he have rejoycing in himself and not in another Mark this is the duty of every man that desires comfort of every man that is in the Faith Wouldst thou have comfort Then make use of thy Faith to the proving of thy self and the proving of thy work It may be thou thinkst thy Joy and Consolation must evidence thy good estate but the Word saith The evidence of thy good estate upon Proof and Trial must bring sound comfort if ever thou hast it upon good grounds Thy comfort must not be thy evidence Note but thy evidence must be thy comfort Now this is the proper act and evidence of Faith And so by Faith the just lives the Life of Consolation As for example the Word saith Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness Even by this we know we are translated from death to life if we love the brethren 1 Joh. 3.4 But saith the conscience renewed by Faith I fear the Lord c. therefore I have cause to rejoyce Obj. Oh but these Marks and Evidences may fail you Ans Heaven and Earth shall pass but not one tittle of the Word shall fall Obj. But you may think you have these when you have them not Ans Therefore they are first to be tried by the Rule for their Principle and Existence Obj. If it be said You may think you have the witness and comfort of the Spirit when you have not Is there not a joy of the stony ground and of an hypocrite as well as the joy of a true Christian And is there not a peace from Satan in the heart as well as the peace of God Luk. 11.21 When the strong man armed keepeth the palace his goods are in peace Ans Oh but he that hath the true peace and joy in the holy Ghost cannot be deceived so he that hath the true fear of God and hunger c. cannot be deceived But of the two Note it is easier to be deceived in our Comforts than in our Graces Therefore the Scripture commands us to try our comforts by our graces but never to try our graces by our comforts as in the place before-alledged Gal. 4.6 And because ye are Sons God hath sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba Father It is true the first evidence of a Christians Justification in order of nature is a pure simple act of Faith laying hold on Gods free grace in a Promise indefinite made not to righteous persons but to sinners ungodlly persons and to enemies and to such as are simply so For God will strip a man of all conceits of his own Righteousness before he clothe him with the Righteousness of Christ But then the second evidence of Justification in order of nature though it be at the same instant in order of time
time oppressed with sorrows ask thy Heart and Soul that question which David did in the like case Psal 42.5 twice in one Psalm Why art thou cast down O my Soul and why art thou so disquieted within me and certainly the Soul would return answer My distress of sadness springs from my Vnbelief You may know the disease by the cure In the very next words O put thy trust in God hope thou in God for I shall yet praise him who is the health of my countenance and my God All sorrow of heart springs principally from our Vnbelief not from the greatness of other evils I mean destructive sorrow for godly sorrow is a friend to godly joy It is not so much the weight of the burthen as the soreness of the back that troubles the poor Beast So it is not so much the weight of outward evils as the inward soreness of a galled Conscience not purified nor healed by faith that vexeth and troubleth the poor Creature Were all sound and well within a believer might look upon the grimmest visage of outward troubles and laugh in their face Job 5.22 It is a believer he speaks to At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the field O the sweet Security that holy men do finde under the shield of Faith It is not onely a guard from outward evils but it guards the Hearts and Minds of Gods People from the very fear of evils approaching and from the sorrows of present evils This is a Receipt from Christ to keep the Heart in a cheerful frame Carry this about with thee continually and then shalt thou be never overwhelmed with sorrow I dare not say Thou shalt be free from trouble but this I dare say Thou shalt never be overcome of trouble so long as thou canst believe Hear what the Apostle saith 2 Cor. 4.8 We are troubled on every side yet not distressed we are perplexed but not in despair persecuted but not forsaken cast down but not destroyed An unregenerate heart is a comfortless heart Inform. 2. Unregenerate soul uncomortable soul and so a faithless heart Where there is no shield against sorrow how can there be comfort Where there is nothing but deadness where the Soul is without God without Christ without the Covenant of Promise Eph. 2.12 what ground can there be of Hope It is the presence of the Sun that makes day and the absence of the Sun makes night So the Presence of God maketh a day-light of Comfort and his absence makes a night of Sorrow and darkness Creature-comforts are but Star-light at the best yea without God they are vanity and vexation of Spirit but when God is against a man they take part with God against the possessors of them as Balaams Ass riseth up against her Master when he riseth up against God How can a wicked man have comfort in his Possessions when God once possesses him with the serious thoughts of Death of Hell of Wrath Therefore an unregenerate heart is a comfortless heart Though Josephs brethren had their Sacks full of Corn and their Bags full of Money yet their hearts were full of fear and why They doubted they had not the favour of the Lord of the Countrey and they knew they could not live without him they must to him again when their Corn were spent and they were afraid his displeasure would be their utter undoing So it is with a wicked man though he abound in worldly comforts although he have his Pastures full of flocks his Barns full of corn his Coffers full of silver and gold yet for all that if God be not reconciled in Christ all these are but miserable Comforters he may lie down in sorrow for all that Isa 50. last Therefore an unregenerate heart is a comfortless heart There is no peace there is no joy to the wicked saith my God Who would rest in such a condition where there is no rest to be found O who would lie down in such a bed of Snakes Inform. 3. Religious life the only comfortable life The onely truly comfortable life is a religious life a Life of Faith Some seek it in Profits some in Honour and some in Pleasures of Sin but when all is done it is no where to be found but in God Faith draws comfort from God when sense can draw none from the Creature There was a time when Davids Mountain of Prosperity was removed so that he could finde no comforts in his Wives nor in his Children nor in his Possessions nor in any thing that was formerly comfortable to him for the Amalekites had swept all away yet even then he could comfort himself in the Lord his God 1 Sam. 30.6 When there is the greatest famine of Comforts upon earth yet Gods People finde bread enough in their Fathers house and it is Faith that opens the Cupboard door when unbelievers perish with hunger Faith opens the Cupboard-door of their heavenly Father The just lives by Faith the Life of Consolation O then learn to take notice of the difference betwixt the godly and the ungodly the believer and the unbeliever in this respect Hear what God says Isa 65.13 14. Therefore thus saith the Lord Behold my servants shall sing for joy of heart but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart and bowl for vexation of spirit Wicked men indeed may have a counterfeit joy as they have counterfeit grace they may set a good face on it when they have a full sorrowful heart Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful and the end of that mirth is heaviness Whereas true joy is the upright mans portion Psa 32. last Be glad in the Lord and rejoyce ye righteous and shout for joy all ye that are upright in heart Gal. â—2 But the fruit of the Spirit is in love joy and peace Obj. But wicked men are very merry and cheerful without any such check they are so merry they are the very Musick of the company as Job saith of himself Job 17.6 He hath made me also a by-word of the people and aforetime I was a tabret What he said as a Patient for they played upon him as men play upon Instruments they may say as Agents We are the Musick of the company where we go Ans I answer They may be so upon a gross mistake of their own condition as a godly man may be sorrowful upon mistake of his condition because he knows not his own happiness So a wicked man may be merry and cheerful because he knows not his own condition Belshazzar was in a miserable condition before he saw the Hand-writing upon the wall but he was merry and jovial before because he knew it not but so soon as he saw that intimation of Gods displeasure his guilty Conscience strook him and he was all a-mort So it is with all wicked men though they rejoyce in sin at the first though it be sweet in their mouths yet at last it
what he can to hinder their comfort in the mean-time and therefore so far as God will give him leave he will be sure to toss them in the Fan of Temptation and to throw at them many fiery darts of Opposition he will be ready to inject into their minds many hideous thoughts of Atheism and Blasphemy the venom whereof are ready to drink up their Spirits and it is no marvel if they want comfort at such times Sometimes he prevails to tempt them to sin Cast thy self down 1 Chron. 21.1 And Satan stood up against Israel and provoked David to number the people Zech. 3.1 And he shewed me Joshua the High-Priest standing before the Angel of the Angel and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him This springs from God 3. From God who is pleased to dispense himself in much wisdom and faithfulness that one-while his Saints shall have comfort and another-while it shall be eclipsed again And why so 1. To shew that he is the God of all our comforts therefore he doth sometime withdraw our comforts to make us know we are not Free-holders but Tenants at will He turns his People out of their comforts though he never wholly turns them out of their possessions of grace He creates darkness as well as light in the Soul that we may give him the glory of our light and comfort to all Eternity Isa 45.67 I form the light and create darkness I make peace and create evil 2. God doth this VVhy God eclipseth his peoples comforts to fit them and frame them for some special work and service He humbles them and proves them Deu. 8.2 3 16 to do them good and to do much good by them in the latter end Amongst men such as we train up for some special imployment their Parents acquaint them with all conditions they are sent from School to the University from University to the Inns of Court from thence to travel into remote places of the World and indure much hardship So God when he will mould a man for some notable imployment he makes him travel through all conditions he must go through thick and thin heighths and depths and from thence he calls him out to his service 3. God withdraws his comforts for the present to prepare them for the more comforts afterwards The darkness of the night makes the light of the day more sweet and comfortable So the sorrows of Gods People do but prepare them for more fulness of constant joy As contraries opposed makes both to shine the brighter And therefore it is said Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted Mat. 5.4 And why shall godly mourners be comforted Note Because sorrow like the rest of those declining Passions it is not made for it self but for some higher use As hatred for love and fear for confidence so sorrow is made for joy it is subservient to that very end God will have his People sorrow much at one time that they may rejoyce the more at another Those usually have most of heaven upon earth that formerly have met with most of hell upon earth Psa 116.3 The sorrows of death compassed me the pains of hell got hold upon me I found trouble and sorrow As Jonas crying out of the belly of Hell But look upon him within two or three verses after and you may see him in an Extasie as if he were in heaven ver 7. Return unto thy rest O my Soul the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee And these are the causes in which and these are the causes for which God doth sometimes with-hold comforts from his servants Other ways and at other times the onely truly comfortable life is a Religious life the Life of Faith And that 's the third Head of Information The fourth follows to let us see what we should desire and endevour for our best friends yea Inform. 4. What to desire for our best friends for such as are a part of our selves our Children We all desire they may live long according to the Promise of the fifth Commandment and that they may live a comfortable life as well as a long life And if so then it should the chief desire and endevour of Parents that their Children may inherit their Faith as well as their outward Possessions For the just lives by Faith the Life of Consolation Oh then labour to make them partakers of the second Birth Let the same minde be in you that was in the Apostle when he said My little children of whom I travail in birth till Christ be formed in you If Christ be once formed in them by Faith they shall be sure to live comfortably themselves and they will surely be the greatest comfort of their believing Parents Prov. 23.24 25. The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoyce and he that begetteth a wise childe shall have joy of him Thy father and thy mother shall be glad and she that bare thee shall rejoyce They shall indeed if they be spiritual Parents as well as natural they shall have double and treble joy The Apostle that was but a spiritual Parent onely yet mark how affectionately he writes to Timothy 1 Tim. 1.2 3 4. To Timothy my dearly beloved Son I thank God for thee I greatly desire to see thee that I may be filled with joy As if onely a sight of Timothy would fill his heart full of joy How much more then when Parents are both natural and spiritual Parents both together It must needs be a strong stream where two such Rivers meet together Surely the comforts of the Childrens Faith will have a strong reflection back again upon their Parents Look as the children of wicked Parents that brought them up in Lying and Swearing and Stealing shall rise up and call them Cursed Cursed be the father or mother that lays a stumbling block before the poor childe so the children of believing Parents that have been instruments under God of their new birth shall rise up and call them blessed Prov. 31.28 Her children rise up and call her blessed And blessed be those Parents might Timothy say who instructed me in their Faith and prayed me into that faith wherein I greatly rejoyce even into that faith which dwelt first in my grandmother Lois and now through free grace dwells in me also It is a sweet thing when faith and free grace descends where corruption had first descended when Faith once acts and by degrees draws out corruption both Parents and Children have just cause to rejoyce For the just lives by Faith the Life of Consolation Inform. 5. What happines in the end of the faithful Information to inform us If there be such happiness in the way what happiness then is there at the end of the journey If there be such comfort in believing the thing before it be injoyed what is then in injoying of the things which before were but believed If that saying be true of the Life
of Faith in the state of grace Eye hath not seen nor ear heard what god hath prepared for them that love him how much more shall it be verified of the state of glory when Faith shall be turned into Fruition and Hope into present Possession When we shall have cause to say with the Queen of Sheba The one half hath not been told us No doubt that Queen was much affected to hear of the Wisdom of Solomon she was much taken with it or else would she never have taken so long a journey But how much joy more was she affected with and admiration when she saw with her own eyes the glory of his house and heard with her own ears the rare expressions of his unparallell'd wisdom Before she saw with other mens eyes and heard with other mens ears but now she heard with her own and therefore she was affected with much more delight and wonder insomuch as there was no more spirit left in her which intimates the surpassing greatness of the joy and comfort she took in it For great affections let loose do even drink up the spirit she was fuller of affection than she could well hold But in heaven there shall be an inlargement of the vessel as well as the liquor of heavenly joy and therefore how great shall that joy be If there be such joy in believing and that weakly too What joy shall there be in a plenary comprehension If it revived the spirit of old Jacob to hear that Joseph was alive and to receive his tokens at such a distance Gen. 45.27 how much more do you think was the good old man revived when he came to see and to imbrace his Son So if it do revive the heart of a Christian so much to understand by Faith that Jesus Christ who was dead is alive and behold he lives for evermore and is ascended to give gifts unto men how much more shall their spirits be revived when they come to be dissolved and to be with Christ which is far better Phil. 1.23 If the Sealing of the Conveyance be so comfortable what is the taking of the Possession and what the injoyment of all to all eternity If the Espousals be so full of joy what are the Nuptial Rites or Solemnities upon the Marriage day What Soul is there thaa is truly betrothed to Jesus Christ by Faith and Love that would not make the Conclusion of the Book of the Canticles it s own importunate and summary Love-shout Make haste my beloved and be thou like to a Roe or to a yong Hart upon the Mountains of spices Vse 2 The next general Use is for just Reproof of such as look at the life of Religious persons Reproof of mis-judging the life of the faithful as the most sad melancholly life in the world yea some are so deluded by Satan as to think Religion is nothing but the fruit and effect of a melancholick disposition And therefore by the way Note let Religious persons take heed how they carry themselves and how they walk towards them that are without that they be neither so light and jocund in their carriage as thereby to confirm carnal men in their unlawful liberties Nor on the other side so full of sadness and austerity as to give them occasion to imagine there is no manner of joy in the ways of God But the truth is if there be comfort to be found in any way under heaven certainly it is to be found in the way of Faith Faith being so powerful a hand to keep off such things as are any ways uncomfortable and to draw in also all such things as are truly comfortable to the Soul David was a religious man and yet a comfortable man yes therefore cheerful because religious The sweet singer was usually as comfortable as a Bird in May. Belshazzar was extremely sad in the midst of his Cups and therefore sad because wicked he looked as pale when he saw the hand-writing upon the wall as if there had been death in the last Cup he drank It is true wicked men may be outwardly merry as Gods People may be sometimes sad but look as in a wicked mans joy there is always the seed of sorrow so in a godly mans sorrow there is always the seed of joy Therefore saith Christ to his Disciples Luk. 6.21 Blessed are ye that weep now for ye shall laugh but he threatens the contrary to such as be of a contrary spirit ver 25. Woe unto you that laugh now for ye shall mourn and weep He is a wise man that will sorrow for a moment that he may rejoyce for ever But he is a mad man that will purchase his joy at so dear a rate as to rejoyce for a moment although he pay for it in sorrow to all eternity It is the wise mans judgement of the fools mirth Eccles 2.2 I said of laughter It is madness and of mirth What dost thou A wise man may give his judgement of a fools joy but a fool is no competent judge of a wise mans joy Prov. 14.10 A stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy And therefore when a wicked man speaks evil of the ways of God he speaks evil of the things he knows not For the just lives by Faith the Life of Consolation The second Use Reproves the Papists Repr 2. Papists rob of comfort while they rob of faith who rob people of their Comfort whilst by their comfort they rob them of their Faith or at least of any hope of full assurance of their faith For that is certainly proportionable to the assurance of a Christian Where there can be no assurance of the things promised there can be no sound comfort But the Doctrine of Papists is There can be no such assurance therefore no sound comfort Their Doctrine therefore is an uncomfortable Doctrine Note Therefore they that have received the Mark of the Beast have no rest day nor night Revelat. 14.11 They sting the Consciences of men like Scorpions Revelat. 9.5 They can never be quiet in their mindes whilst they hang in suspense they know not whether they are in the way to Salvation or Damnation This serves to Reprove such as live not the Life of Consolation by Faith but by Sense Repr 3. To such as fetch comfort from sense They are all for sensual delights such as warm themselves not at Gods fire but their own They compass themselves with their own sparks and therefore this they shall have at Gods hands when they go to their graves they shall lie down in sorrow Isai 50. last Such as these rejoyce either in the comforts of Sin or in the comforts of the Creatures 1. In the comforts of sin When thou dost evil then thou rejoycest Jer. 11.15 It is a dangerous thing to do evil but it is the height of wickedness to rejoyce in wickedness Rom. 1. ult They not onely do the same things but take pleasure in them that
do them What superlative degree of wickedness is this to make that the object of our joy that should be the object of our greatest sorrow Psal 119.136 Rivers of tears run down mine eyes because men keep not thy law 2. They rejoyce in the comforts of the Creatures not that it is unlawful to rejoyce in the Creature but it is then unlawful when it draws the Creature further from God When men so rejoyce in Corn Psal 4. and Wine and Oil c. that the light of Gods countenance and the consolations of God seems small and of no account to them In this case God will either return and take away these comforts from them or else will give them no other portion in this life which is worst of all Repr 4. To such as refuse comfort upon the Promises It Reproves such as refuse to be comforted by a Promise unless they may have present performance These live not by Faith the Life of Consolation though they have Gods Hand and Seal and Oath for it too All is little to their esteem Is it not a shame that a covetous wretch can take so much comfort in his Bonds and Bills though he have little or no Money in his Coffers because he knows those Bonds and Bills will fetch in the Money it self in due time and yet a Believer that hath so strong a Bond from the God of Truth sealed with the Blood and Spirit of the Lord Jesus should be so dejected and onely because he wants the present possession of that which God hath reserved for a better time and for which he hath given all sufficient Security in the mean time The strong Obligations of God should bring in the Souls of Believers strong Consolation Repr 5. To such as go for comfort to false Prophets Such are to be Reproved who in stead of living by Faith which is ever grounded on the word comfort themselves in false Doctrine and false Prophets Ezek. 13.10 17 18. They have seduced my people saying Peace and there was no peace as affirming That God sees no sin and that there needs no sorrow for sin like them 1 Cor. 15.32 Let us eat and drink for to morrow we shall die Such smooth words smother mens Souls in a feather-bed of security Vse 3 For Exhortation Exhortation First to live the Life of Spiritual Consolation c. Secondly To make much of Faith because by the exercise of this grace we live this Life 1. 1. To live this life of Comfort For Exhortation to live this life of Spiritual Consolation One would think one should need no perswasions to this But the truth is Some make as much of their sorrow as some do of their joy They think they do well to be sorrowful as Jonah thought he did well to be angry But let such know it is their duty to labour to live the Life of Consolation Shall I give you some Motives to perswade to this Mot. 1 1. It is Gods Command Son be of good comfort thy sins be forgiven thee Mat. 9. â— If a creature lives the Life of Justification he is commanded to live the Life of Consolation Q. Why do we exercise the affection of love or hope or fear c A. Because God commands us By the same reason we should exercise the affection of spiritual joy because of Gods command Rejoyce in the Lord evermore and again I say rejoyce Phil. 4.4 Mot. 2 2 Motive is from the End and Vse of it Spiritual joy is very useful it is like oyl to the wheels in all duties it makes a Christian strong and active in the work of the Lord Nehem. 8.10 The joy of the Lord is our strength Therefore the Apostle puts Rejoyce continually 1 Thess 5.16 17. before Pray continually Mot. 3 The third Motive is drawn from the excellent Properties of this heavenly joy above all natural worldly The joy of a believer excels all natural worldly sinful joy in 10 properties or sinful joy It is more Solid and Substantial more Rational it is more Spiritual it is Greater it is Stronger it lasts Longer it is Pure and it is sure it is Fresher and Wholesomer and therefore more desireable in every respect It is more Solid and Substantial A wicked mans joy is very overly vain and vanishing he sets a good face on it outwardly when he hath a full sorrowful heart Prov. 14.13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful But a godly man sets the worst side outward when his outside is full of afflictions and persecutions and infirmities his inside his heart is full of joy Carnal men are Quasi gaudentes they carry themselves so as if they were the merriest men in the world and yet are truly sorrowful But godly men are Quasi dolentes As sorrowful yet alway rejoycing 2 Cor. 6.10 2. A rational joy A godly mans joy is more Rational A carnal man as he is unreasonable in his rage and persecution 2 Thess 3.2 so he is unreasonable in his joy The mirth of such men as Solomon speaks in his Book of Ecclesiastes is no better than madness Is not he a mad-man that rejoyceth to see his own house on fire and after that to throw fire-brands up and down the Town So it is with every sinner Prov. 26.18 19. As a man-man who casteth fire-brands and arrows and death so is the man that sins against his neighbor and saith Am not I in sport It 's a most irrational and absurd joy But a godly man's joy is a most rational joy his Affection is ruled by his Reason and his Reason is sanctified and therefore regulated by Grace God commands him to rejoyce bids him wâ—lcome to all comforts Temporal Spiritual and Eternal and therefore he hath good reason to rejoyce His joy is Rational 3. A spiritual joy It is most Spiritual The joy of Carnal men must needs be carnal and sensual like themselves they can a little rejoyce in corn Psal 6 7. and wine and oyl in Creature-comforts that affect the senses But a godly man rejoyceth in the light of Gods countenance in the want of all other things which must needs be a more excellent joy as the object is most excellent Spiritual joy is the joy of Angels there 's joy among the Angels in heaven over one sinner that repenteth Luke 15.10 But sensual joy is common with us to the very Beasts they delight in meat drink and sensual pleasures 4. A great joy It 's a Greater joy A Carnal man if he hath any joy at all it is very small it 's like the joy of a man that dreams he is Rich and Honourable and Victorious when indeed he is poor and base and servile which joy as it is a false so 't is a slender joy in comparison of his who is truly rich honourable and victorious God threatens the enemies of his Church Isa 29.8 that it shall be with them as with an hungry
of my making but of Gods prescribing T is Laetificans-Christi Faith 1. Then Labour for Faith and the increase of it It 's the very Doctrine now in hand The just man lives by Faith the life of Consolation Let us keep our Faith then and it will keep our Joy Let us increase our Faith and it will increase our Joy For Faith as it is the Mother so it s the Nurse also of Joy as it breeds it and brings it forth so it feeds and maintains it till it comes to a perfect age in Christ so that as the Just goes on from Faith to Faith so he goes from Joy to Joy till he comes into heaven it self As his Faith grows stronger so his Joy is sweeter All fruits the nearer to maturity the sweeter they are and so is the fruit of Faith in Spiritual Joy it s sweeter in the ear then in the blade Exercise Faith therefore every Day as thou desirest abiding and increasing Comforts Wouldst thou have the warmth of Spiritual joy abiding in thy heart and that holy fire never to go out Actings of faith for the increasing spiritual joy Be sure then to blow up the Gift of Faith by daily Exercise Qu. But how shall I make use of my Faith to the best Increase of my Joy 1. On the right object Ans 1. Remeber what was said in the Reasons Be sure to lay hold on the right Object of Consolation God himself and the Ordinances of God with joy draw water out of the wells of salvation Isa 12.3 Live the Life of Justification and Sanctification and thou shalt not fail to live the Life of Consolation whereas otherwise there can be comfort no more than fruit upon a Tree without a Root 2. Act thy Faith in Prayer Pray 2. In Prayer that your joy may be full Joh. 16 24. If joy be not worth asking 't is worth nothing No wonder some have so little comfort they pray so little Ye have not because ye ask not Jam. 4.2 Thou hast it may be praid for Grace not for Comfort Learn now of David Psal 51.8 Make me to hear joy and gladness that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoyce as if David had said Lord I have had thy Messenger the Prophet Nathan speaking peace to me for that 's the Title of the Psalm and saying The Lord hath put away thy sin thou shalt not die But Oh let me hear thy Spirit say so too or else my heart cannot rejoyce As I have heard therefore a comfortable message from thy Minister let me hear the same also from thy Spirit Make thou me to hear joy and gladness If all the Ministers in the world should preach peace to a penitent Soul as they have cause though it be in a safe yet it cannot be in a comfortable condition till God by his Spirit speak peace also Q. To what purpose then should we attend upon the Ministery of the Word A. Because though the Ministery cannot do it without the Spirit yet the Spirit delights to work in the Ministery of the Word or soon after When the Spouse in the Canticles wanting comfort inquired of the Watchmen it was but a little while ere she found him whom her soul loved Cant. 3.3 4. Q. But why doth not the Soul finde comfort in every Ordinance at all times A. There may be many causes Among the rest this may be one Lest we should ascribe so much to the Ordinance or to the Instrument dispensing it as to neglect looking up by Prayer to the God of the Ordinance whereas when we experience the best Ordinance sometimes empty and the best Instrument without the Spirit a miserable comforter This will quicken us to look above both to God himself saying We will use both but we will lift up our soul to God alone Rejoyce the soul of thy servant for unto thee O Lord do I lift up my soul Psal 86.4 and elsewhere Psal 35.3 Say unto my soul I am thy salvation That 's the second Means to act faith for Comfort in Prayer Pray that your joy may be full Joh. 16.24 3. In crucifying worldly joy 3. Act Faith in the Crucifying of worldly and Carnal joys if you would profess Spiritual and Heavenly For the first of these do exceedingly quench the latter as water doth fire so that as in the strife of fire and water if heavenly joys get not the Mastery Worldly will 'T is true God makes a feast of joy a feast of fat things to his people Isa 25.6 But remember what the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 10.21 Ye cannot be partakers of the Lords table and the Table of Devils Now the delights of sin are the several dishes with which the Devils table is furnished and he that is filled with these hath no stomach to the consolations of God nay he abhors them Prov. 27.7 The full stomach loaths the honey-comb He loaths the honey-comb of the Word and Ways of God And what 's the reason He was never yet weaned from the Worlds Brest David indeed could say of Gods Word Oh! it's sweeter than the honey and the honey-comb Psal 19.10 And why so Surely because the same David could say of all worldly delights Surely I have behaved my self as a childe that is weaned of his mother my soul is even as a weaned childe Psal 131.2 Wean thy Soul therefore from worldly delights and thou shalt be the bettter prepared to delight in the Lord who is both willing and able to give thee thy hearts desire And that 's the third Means 4. 4. 1 Sam. 7.2 In spiritual mourning Act your Faith in case you are in a mournful frame to mourn after the Lord For certainly as worldly joy ever ends in sorrow so godly sorrow ever ends in joy Mat. 5.4 Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted God can no more withhold his sweetest comforts from those that mourn after his presence as their chiefest good than the tender Mother can withhold the Brest from the crying childe Oh! every cry goes to her heart and she cannot be quiet her self till she quiet the childe Isa 49.14 15. When Sion sits in the dust like a poor childe lamenting the parents absence saying My God hath forsaken me my God hath forgotten me What is Gods answer Can a woman forget her sucking childe that she should not have compassion on the fruit of her womb yet will not I forget thee Behold I have graven thee on the Palms of my hands As if God should say So long as thou mournest after me I may as soon forget my self as thee for I have graven thee on the palms of my hands If thou desirest comfort then mourn after the Lord not after corn and wine and oil not after the harvest of the Lord but the Lord of the harvest and then doubtless such as thus sow in tears shall reap in joy 5. 5. In raising spiritual affections Act Faith in digesting and
bringing down Heavenly Notions into Holy Affections and Righteous Actions then you will finde them sweet in the taste and swallow It 's not the looking upon Divine Truths by a meer notional act of the Understanding but the chewing and digesting them by Faith and Love that makes them truly comfortable Thy words were found and I did eat them And thy word was unto me the joy and rejoycing of my heart Jer. 15.16 Most persons look upon Divine Truths as people in a Market do on Commodities they pass by them or taste a little and cheapen them they onely have the true comfort of them who buy and eat and are satisfied And such are they who digest their knowledge into practice to such it 's the joy and rejoycing of their heart Joh. 13.17 If ye know these things happy are ye if ye do them Knowledge to a wicked man is as the morning light to a Thief Job 24.17 it 's as terrible as the shadow of death But to a godly man it 's like the morning light to an honest Traveller or Watchman it 's most desired beforehand and its most welcome when it comes And therefore the saving knowledge of God is compared to such a light Psal 130.3 My soul waiteth for the Lord more than the watch for the morning I say more than they that watch for the morning Act Faith therefore to the digesting of knowledge into love and the practice of it Study Affections more than Expressions or Notions 6. In true prizing heavenly joy 6. Act Faith to the true prizing of heavenly joy Such as truly prize the joy of the Spirit shall have plenty of it Now it 's onely Faith sets a true estimate upon the joy of Gods people Heb. 11.25 26. The Spirit of God is a Tender and delicate Guest it loves to make its abode and stay longest where 't is most freely welcome But if we check damp resist quench and grieve that Spirit how can we hope that it should rejoyce our spirits But prize it make it heartily welcome and thou shalt have more of its sweet company and communion The truth is we should prize one comfort from the Spirit more than all the world and then we should finde more than a world of Comforts in that single Comforter who is therefore called The Comforter by way of eminency Thou maist have comfort indeed in a Friend a Brother a Childe a Yoke-fellow but what are all these to the comforts of the Spirit The Spirit is able to comfort without these but these are not able to comfort without the Spirit Prize the comforts of the Spirit and be thankful for them and more shall be given The Primitive Saints prized the comforts of the Spirits so high that they would rather chuse to endure any Tortures from men than part with those comforts from God They were stoned Heb. 11.37 were sawn asunder c. Therefore God made them to rejoyce the more even with Joy unspeakable and full of glory which is not the ordinary lot of all Christians but of suffering Christians They were filled with Heaven when they seemed to sense to be in Hell as if Hell and Heaven were met together in the same persons An Hell of Torments from Satan and his Instruments an Heaven of Joys from God even glorious joys as if the God of this World and the God of the World to come did strive whether Torments or Comforts should get the Victory in the Saints But in conclusion Comforts triumph over Torments Love and Joy is stronger than Death while they die they overcome and are more than Conquerors through Christ that hath loved them They overcame by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of their Testimony and they loved not their lives unto death Rev. 12.11 Prize the joys of God in life and thou shalt finde such joy as will drown the sorrows of Death That 's the fifth Means 7. Act Faith to make right use of our Joy 7. In right using joy when had Isa 2.11 Luk. 8.15 when we have it Take heed of too much sail and too little ballast lest you overturn all Rejoyce with reverence And bring forth the fruit of joy with patience lest unfruitful joy be nipt in the bud or turned into sorrow God comforts not his servants for nothing Neb. 8.10 but that the Joy of the Lord may strengthen them and encourage them to service and that they may comfort others 2 Cor. 1.4 with the same comfort wherewith they have been comforted of God And if we use it not to these ends we may soon suffer an eclipse in our comforts Why does God cause the Sun to shine upon the Moon but that the Moon may bestow that borrowed light on this Inferiour World Why does the Sun of Righteousness shine with beams of comfort upon any Souls but that they may communicate the same comforts to others Are ye then who were once darkness made light in the Lord Eph. 5.8 walk as children of light lest God eclipse your comforts Amos 8.9 and make your Sun to set at noon So long as the Cock runs the Fountain freely empties it self into the pipes We are but the Conduit-pipes of Comfort God is the Fountain The more we empty our selves into others comforting others the more will God empty himself into us comforting us The liberal person shall have plenty and he that scattereth shall have rain Prov. 11.25 'T is true of spiritual as well as corporal Alms both are comfortable And he that comforts others shall have the more himself And that 's the seventh and last Means of acting of Faith so as to live the Life of Consolation Thus the just man lives by Faith in regard of Spiritual Life Now thirdlly He lives by Faith in regard of Eternal Life Hab. 2.5 6. The Chaldean lays hold upon this present world ver 5 6. He is all for the body and sins against his Soul ver 10. Hab. 2.10 But Gods people lay hold on that knowledge which shall fill them with glory ver 14. Even the knowledge of the Righteousness of God to Life Eternal For so the Apostle applies this Text to that very degree of Faith Rom. 1.16 17. Not that there is any need of Faith in Heaven or the Means of Faith for these shall cease 1 Cor. 13.8 But because in this life by Faith we lay hold on Eternal Life 1 Tim. 6.12 we have the seal and assurance of it A carnal man says Seeing is Believing but a spiritual man saith Believing is Seeing Heb. 11.1 The work of faith about eternal life Now Faith grounded on the Word of God assures us of Three things about eternal life 1. That there is an eternal life of the Saints after this is ended 2. What the Happiness of this life is and wherein it consists 3. It assures a Believer of his peculiar interest in this life 1. Then Faith assures a Believer That there is
an eternal life Three degrees of it That there is an eternal life There are divers degrees of this Life The first degree is here below in this world Joh. 5.24 Eternal life is begun here 2. The second degree of it is in the end of this life when the body of a Saint rests in the Bed of the Grave and the soul is with God in Paradise Luk. 23.43 3. The third degree of it is After the day of general Judgement when body and soul being reunited the whole person shall be wholly glorified to all eternity 2 Thess 1.10 Now that there is such a life Faith makes good 1. By plain Testimonies of Scripture 2. By necessary Consequence and deduction from Scripture 1. By evident Testimony of Scripture Scripture In the Old Testament Psal 16.11 At thy right hand are pleasures for evermore Dan. 12.2 Many of them that sleep shall awake some to Everlasting life In the New Testament Mat. 25. ult And the righteous into life eternal Joh. 3.16 That whoever believeth should not perish but have Everlasting life 2. By necessary Consequence from the Scriptures As Reas 1 1. From the act and End of mans Creation and Redemption Man was made after Gods Image Gen. 1.26 27. And renewed after it Eph. 4.24 that he might have perpetual Communion with God 1 Joh. 1.3 As God therefore lives for ever so shall those who are redeemed by Christ live ever too Joh. 14.19 Reas 2 2. From the Kingdom and Headship of Christ which are both eternal Of his Kingdom there shall be no end Luk. 1.33 If Christ be a King for ever he must have Subjects throughout that Eternity If Christ be an Head for ever his Members must needs live for ever otherwise Christ must be a King without Subjects an Head without Members both which are Vnreasonable and Dishonorable to Christ Reas 3 3. From Christs Prayer That all his may be with him for ever to behold his glory Joh. 17.24 Now the Father hears the Son alway Joh. 11.42 Reas 4 4. From the Nature of the Soul It 's immortal Mat. 10.28 yea it hath in it sparks and desires of Immortality Now Natura nihil dedit frustra which have appeared not onely in the life but at the death of Saints in which God hath been pleased to give his people a sight of Heaven and glorious apprehensions of the life to come Steven sees the heavens opened Act. 7.56 59. To which may be added the Devils design to gather Souls in Reversion as in the stories of Witches Reas 5 5. Ab absurdo If there were no life after this Christians would be of all men most miserable 1 Cor. 15.19 Here wicked men many times fare best and Gods people are chastened every morning and have sorest Temptations on their Death-beds So that it would be exceedingly derogatory from the Wisdom Holiness and Justice of God if there were not another life wherein every man shall rejoyce according to his ways Luk. 16.25 2 Thess 1.6.7 Thus Faith gathers Arguments from the Word That there is an eternal Life 2. What the happiness of eternal life is 2. Faith informs a believer much of the Happiness of this life and wherein it consists in the main For however it be true that none of the Saints departed which are gone to heaven as Enoch Elias c. have Commission to come down and tell us what the joys of heaven are yet we have Moses and the Prophets Luk. 17. ult Nay though there were a man once caught up into heaven and let down again to the earth yet it was not lawful for him to utter what he had heard and seen 2 Cor. 12. yet for all that Faith looks into heaven per transennam through the lattice Cant. 2.9 and findes so much comfort therein that from thence it makes a strong Collection That certainly the Happiness of the Creature must needs consist in the perfect Vision of God which is to be had in heaven Vision of God fourfold and not before for there 's a fourfold Vision of God 1. Natural in things created For the invisible things of God are cleerly seen from the Creation c. Rom. 1.20 2. Specular or Symbolical In the Word and in the Signs of Gods love we see God For these were appointed to be lively remembrances and representations of Christ to the Soul Gal. 3.1 3. There 's the Vision of Faith which looking through the Word and Sacraments as through a Perspective-glass draws God neerer to the Soul 4. But fourthly There 's the Vision of Glory in the World to come Here we see God darkly as in a glass 2 Cor. 3. but there face to face Now Faith doth further assure us Perfect Vision of God causes perfect transformation That this perfect Vision of God shall perfectly transform us into the likeness of God so far as Creatures can be like God For Faith argues thus If the Specular Vision of God works some measure of this gracious Transformation as it 's said 2 Cor. 3. ult How much more shall the Perfect Vision of God in glory work a perfect change of a believer into the likeness of God And so indeed saith the Apostle We shall be like him For we shall see him as he is 1 Joh. 3.2 And this was Davids comfort in his saddest hours When I awake that is out of the bed of the grave I shall be satisfied with thy likeness Psal 17. last Perfect Vision of God shall work perfect Transformation and this perfect Transformation shall work perfect Satisfaction Q. But wherein doth this perfect Transformation consist A. Doubtless in the Perfection of all graces So Faith assures that 1. Perfect knowledge There shall be a Perfection of the Knowledge of God Here the best Scholar that learns most from Books Sermons Conference Observation or from the Spirit it self yet knows but in part But when that which is perfect is come then shall that which is imperfect be done away 1 Cor. 13.12 Then shall nothing be hid from us which we can desire to know Now we know God in the knowledge of other things Then we shall know other things in the knowledge of God and therefore we shall know one another Mat. 17.4 Here we know things either by Sense or by Reason and Argumentation or by Faith In Heaven there will be no need of these there the clearness of the object shall put All past all dispute Here things seen or known are far distant the Medium dim the Organ weak But then God shall be present and open-faced as it were and the eye of the Soul shall be fortified to behold the King in his glory Isa 33.17 Eccl. 11.7 Solomon tells us that the light is sweet and a pleasant thing it is to behold the Sun And yet as pleasant as it is sometime the eye is offended by looking on the Sun Could the eye look stedfastly and strongly on the Sun without offence to it
Hope This Anchor is described Heb. 6. ver 19. to be sure and stedfast such an Anchor as will hold till the storm be over and till we come at Heaven Q. But how does he prove that Ans By two Arguments 1. Because this Anchor is entred within the veil that is Comfortable inferences from Christs being our forerunner into Heaven alluding to the Holy of Holies therefore it hath sure Anchor-hold 2. Because ver 20. The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the fore-runner is for us entred that is Jesus Christ the great Master-Pilot Where these Particulars may be noted 1. Christ was once in the Ship of the Militant Church tost upon the waves of Temptation as much nay more than any other yet without sin 2. Christ is now gone ashore that is to Heaven where the Ship of the Church desires to land 3. Christ went ashore for us as much as for himself upon our business as much as his own A Forerunner for us is entred And that in two Respects 1. Christ assures our landing 1. To assure our Landing Christs landing is an evidence of ours He is where our Anchor is and so holds all fast by the hand of his Power 2. He facilitates it 2. To facilitate our landing Christs landing makes ours the more easie Christ went to heaven as to prepare a place for us Joh. 14.2 so a passage for us Christ opens the door of heaven Acts 7.56 He draws the ship to the shore As when he ascended the Cross he drew all his to believe in him so being ascended into heaven he draws all believers after him And this Ascension of Christ is a certain assurance of ours He possessing heaven assures That we shall possess it in due time Q. But why do Believers possess life no sooner Why do they live by Faith so many years together Why does not God give them full possession of it in this life It 's an Inheritance reserved 1 Pet. 1.4 2 Tim. 4.8 Col. 1.5 Why is it thus Why believers are without possession so long Ans A Believer lives without present possession of life Eternal in his own person Not for want of Power Love Care in God but out of abundance of love and fatherly care the Lord thus orders it Reas 1 1. To binde his Children to their good behaviour that they may know and acknowledge their beholdingness to God all their days It 's a wise expression of a Parents love to do their children good in such a manner and by such degrees that they may still remain sensible of their dependance and wants They give them not so much at first but they will have something left to give them at another time Fond Parents dote so much on their children that they sometimes put them into too early possession of all which makes them forget their Parents and slight them as if they could do well enough without them Now the Lord knows how apt we are to abuse priviledges and to be dis-ingenuous to God Popery is natural to every man if he hath a little more grace or doth a little more good than others he is ready to think of Merit presently as if he could live without God or as if God were beholding to him And therefore God gives his people imperfect parcels and first-fruits onely to cherish their dependance on him Reas 2 From the present condition of Believers They are in this life like children or heirs under age The greatest heirs have their Estate in Reversion if they had it in full possession it might do them more hurt than good Christians are not capable of their whole possession as Christ saith Joh. 16.12 I have many things to say unto you but ye cannot bear them now so God hath much glory to communicate to his children but they cannot bear it now Therefore God drops it into them here as we do water into narrow-mouth'd vessels as they are able to receive and not as he is able to give God keeps them in their Wardship and puts them not into full possession till they come to full age to a perfect man in Christ The heir as long as he is a childe differeth not from a servant Gal. 4.1 It 's spoken to shew the difference between Law and Gospel but may be applied to the difference between Earth and Heaven Reas 3 To put a difference between Earth and Heaven Had believers as much happiness here as there there would be no difference and so no desires would be at work after heaven Christians would not be willing to leave this world and go through the narrow passage of Death unless it were to obtain a better life Therefore God will put a difference in the degrees of their happiness that there might be difference in their affections that their affections may be raised as much above the world as heaven is above the earth that their hearts may be where their treasure is that whilst worldly men minde onely earthly things the conversation and City-trade of Gods people may be in heaven Phil. 3.20 Reas 4 God so orders it to Exercise the Graces of his People Especially 1. Faith Though they have little in hand they will trust God for the more God will try what credit he hath with his servants The Devil objects Gods People will serve him no longer than they have their pay in hand Job 1. But God makes it appear they are willing to wait for the Reward and will therefore trust God Job 13.15 19.25 2. To Exercise Patience Gods Word is called The Word of his Patience Rev. 3.10 because it requires submission to the Cross for the present and reserves the Crown till the Race be done Therefore saith the Apostle ye have need of patience that after ye have done the will of God ye may inherit the Promises Heb. 10.36 So Rom. 8.23 24 25. 3. To Exercise Humility and Self-denial in as much as that we are not fit to be trusted In our Creation God gave us our Pay beforehand But what follow'd We soon grew proud and disdainful and so fool'd away that precious Inheritance to satisfie a wanton Eye and an intemperate Appetite Therefore God to keep us humble keeps our estate in his own hand He will not trust us with it any more till we come to that place where there shall be no Devil to Tempt or Flesh to Betray us Reas 5 That Heaven may be Heaven indeed That glory may become exceeding glorious Prov. 13.12 Prov. 13.12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick but when the desire cometh it 's a tree of life If we had our Heaven at first without any preceding Exercise it would be nothing so sweet and precious to us But then Canaan is Canaan indeed when People have gone through a Red-sea and an howling Wilderness Contraries opposed shine the brighter The God of all grace after ye have suffered awhile comfort stablish settle and strengthen you 1 Pet. 5.10 Perfection is most welcome after a
state of imperfection strength after a state of weakness establishment after a state of shaking and glory in heaven after a state of baseness and suffering in this world A Mole upon the face sets forth the beauty of the face So the blackish Mole of the Saints infirmities and sufferings on earth sets forth the beauty of the Church and the glorious Holiness and Happiness of Heaven And this is one Reason why they are afflicted here before they are made happy hereafter Therefore the Just lives by Faith in regard of Eternal Life Vse 1. Of Confutation Vse 1 1. Confutation of those that deny Eternal Life There are a number of such in the world Confutation of those that deny Eternal life As the knowledge of the chief Good is much obscured by the Fall of Adam so is the desire of it also weakned and so much the more as men are taken captives by Sin and Satan That men may sin with the more liberty Satan perswades them there is no Eternal Death and if no Eternal Death then they must believe withall that there is no Eternal Life and if he can but perswade them that there is no Reward or Punishment after this life he knows he may win them to sin with more freedom When Elisha had blinded the eyes of the Aramites he might lead them to Samaria in stead of Dâ—than so when the Prince of Darkness hath so blinded the eyes of men that they cannot see at least not see afar off not see so far as to an Eternity after this life he may easily tempt them to commit all iniquity with greediness and to run into all excess of riot He that saith There is no Eternal Life doth in effect say There is no God for God saith that there is an Eternal Life and he that denies the Truth of God denies God himself Now when once the fool is perswaded to say in his heart There is no God What follows Corrupt are they and become abominable there is none that doth good no not one Psal 14.1 Therefore the Devil tempts some to deny the Eternal Life of the Soul And some that hold this yet deny it to the Body Either of both these Opinions are very Dangerous and Destructive and open a gap to all licentiousness If there be no Resurrection saith the Apostle let us eat and drink for to morrow we shall die Yea but saith Paul certainly there is a Resurrection of the Body therefore let 's take heed we be not deceived by such evil words which do necessarily corrupt good manners Now what hath been said in the Doctrinal part may confute both these Rotten Opinions Rotten in their Root and Rotten in their Fruit also 1. Of the Body 1. Therefore it confutes such as hold there is no Eternal Life of the Body For if we deny the Article of the Resurrection of the Body how can we believe the next Article of Life Everlasting especially in respect of the whole man But the Scripture is as clear in this as if the truth of it were written with the Sun-beams Isa 26.19 Thy dead men shall live as my dead body shall they arise Awake and sing ye that dwell in the dust for thy dew is as the dew of herbs and the earth shall cast forth her dead Which words are propounded by the Prophet as a strong consolation against the strength and violence of the Churches affliction for in the former verse the Church is brought in as a painful travelling Woman that is in hope of a joyful deliverance but when all comes to all she travels with the wind or brings forth a dead childe Thus may the Church complain Not many of her Members are dead but all Some die in the Prison some upon the Rack c. Well admit all this saith Jesus Christ yet they are not out of my reach I can deliver them not onely from the greatest Dangers in this life but from the very power of the Grave Thy dead men shall live as my dead body shall they arise As if Christ should have said As sure as I raise my own body I 'll raise theirs yea I look at theirs as my own I do not look at my self or my Mystical Body as perfect so long as any particular Members do lie in the Grave Therefore as my dead body shall they arise If they shall say How can this be seeing they are withered and dead Christ answers My Almighty Power shall fall upon them and revive them as the dew from Heaven falling upon the withered and dead grass doth revive and quicken it afresh again And that is added in the latter part of the verse For thy dew c. So that here you have a strong Argument both from the Scriptures and the Power of God to prove the Resurrection What 's the Reason that either the Old or New Sadduces deny the Resurrection but for want of Faith in one of these two Ye erre not knowing the Scriptures or the Power of God Mat. 22.29 For thus doth Faith reason Why may not that great God who made all things of nothing make this something being once corrupted that which it was before He that with a Word of his Mouth gave a Being to all Creatures and with the Breath of his Nostrils can bring them to nought again what shall be impossible for this great God to effect Shall not He that made the glorious Heavens bedecked and bespangled with such an innumerable company of Glorious Bodies that made this Mass of the Earth that we tread upon hanging like a Ball in the midst of the Air and yet so fast that it cannot be moved at any time that commands the Waters and they will not drown the Fire and it will not burn That shuts up the mouth of Lions that they may not hurt his Servants and opens the mouth of Ravens that they may feed them I say Why may not this great God that can thus miraculously invert and turn upside-down the whole course of Nature why may not he Turn man to destruction and yet say Return again O ye children of men Psal 90.3 This therefore confutes such as hold there is no Eternal Life of the Body 2. Of the Soul 2. It confutes such as hold That there is no Eternal Life of the Soul or at least doubt of it as that Wicked Pope Paul III. at the time of his death said He should now be resolved of three Questions Note that he had doubted of all his life 1. Whether the Soul were Immortal 2. Whether there were a Hell or no 3. Whether there were a God or no Indeed he was like to be resolved to his Cost But it 's better to be resolved beforehand that we may prepare for the eternal good of our Souls Some think The Soul dies with the Body and is raised again at the Day of Judgement or that it is in a kinde of sleeping condition in the mean time But the case of
Lazarus of the Theef upon the Cross and the Souls under the Altar do declare That Opinion to be no better than a Dream For Num. 24.3 23.10 The man that had his eyes open could say Let me die the death of the righteous and let my last end be like his Balaam was perswaded of that truth Rev. 14.13 Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord even so saith the Spirit that they rest from their labours and their works follow them Their Souls are in a blessed condition as soon as they are separated from the body Indeed there shall be an addition to their glory in the last Day when Body and Soul shall be glorified both together But they are in a blessed condition in the mean time I shall say no more in Confutation of such persons as deny Eternal Life but onely refer to what was said in proof of the Point in the second Particular Where it was proved That there is such an Eternal Life 1. By plain Testimonies of Scripture out of the Old and New Testament 2. By necessary Consequence and Deduction As 1. Five proofs of Eternal Life From the Fruit and End of Mans Creation and Redemption 2. From the Kingdom and Headship of Christ 3. From the Prayer of Christ 4. From the Nature of the Soul and the Devils desire to gain Souls in Reversion 5. From the Absurdity that would follow if there were no Eternal Life then were Gods people of all other most miserable which were most absurd to imagine All which Arguments are strong enough to convince gain-sayers and to stop the mouth of Cavillers unless they be such as the Apostle speaks of 2 Thess 3.1 2. that will hear no Argument because they are absurd and unreasonable men and then Prayer is the best weapon to deal with such If you cannot subdue them by Reason yet you may subdue them by Prayer Finally brethren pray for us that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men for all men have not faith And so much for the first Use Vse 2. Reproof of divers sorts Vse 2 1. Of such as complain of Religion as if it were a fruitless Profession Reproof But certainly the Profession is not fruitless unless the Professors be fruitless Hos 10.1 Without controversie Religion no fruitless Profession as Great is the mystery of godliness so Great is the gain of godliness He that casts any seed upon the waters for Christs sake shall finde it shall receive an hundred-fold in this life but greater is the gain in the world to come even Life everlasting Joys that cannot be numbred that cannot be measured that are above our Comprehension above our Apprehension And therefore if men do highly prize an Earthly Inheritance though it be but in Reversion when there is but one Life between them and the Inheritance How should we prize the Reversion of this Heavenly Inheritance of this Heavenly Kingdom where there is but one poor short frail life betwixt us and it Doubtless the Reversion of an Heavenly Kingdom is better than the present Possession of all the Kingdoms of the World and the glory of them 2. Reproof of Despair 2. It Reproves such as in stead of exercising their Faith for Life Eternal give way to Distrust and Despair of Mercy as if nothing but Hell were their Portion It 's true Naturally we are children of wrath and can claim nothing but Hell as our inheritance But in Christ through the free grace of God Eternal life is held forth as the gift of God to every one that believeth Therefore exercise thy Faith for Life Eternal Obj. But alas I cannot believe that God should give Eternal Life to such a vile wretch as I am that have deserved nothing but Eternal Death Ans 1. And such were all they to whom God gives Eternal Life There is not one Saint now in Heaven but deserved to have been in Hell 2. If thou canst not believe pray that thou maist believe Cry out with tears Lord help my Vnbelief Obj. But to what purpose is it for me to pray when I finde the very flashes of Hell upon my Conscience already Will God or can God hear such a one Ans Yes God may hear such a one Psal 116.3 4 5 6 7. The sorrows of death compassed me The pains of hell gat hold upon me c. Then called I upon the Name of the Lord O Lord I beseech thee deliver my soul But what follows Gracious is the Lord c. Return unto thy rest O my soul for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee Therefore they are much to blame that give way to despair and do not exercise their Faith in Prayer for Eternal Life 3. 3. Against vain curiosity It Reproves such as exercise their Fancy more than their Faith about Eternal Life such as busie their heads about curious Questions concerning Heaven in stead of busying their hearts in making of it sure to themselves by Faith Enquiring 1. Whether the Glory of the Saints shall be Equal in Heaven 2. Whether there shall be any difference between Learned and Vnlearned men when they come in Heaven 3. Whether the Saints shall know one another in Heaven or not Though for my part I think this a Question out of question For how can it be supposed that we should have less knowledge of one another when we are made perfect than we have here in a state of imperfection 4. Whether there shall be any use of speech there or if there be What that language shall be 5. Concerning the place where this Life Eternal shall be 6. Whether Paradise Abrahams Bosom and Heaven be all one 7. What are the Diversity of Mansions in Heaven 8. Whether the Saints shall have liberty to come down on Earth or Whether Earth it self shall not be turned into Heaven or made as glorious as Heaven because God saith I create New Heavens and a New Earth Isa 65. 66. And thus men busie their heads with these and the like Questions concerning the Place and yet all this while hardly ask their own hearts this serious question But art thou in the way thither O my Soul Art thou in the way to Heaven Hast thou any thing to shew for it that Heaven is thine Dost thou live by Faith in regard of Eternal Life There may be some profit in this question but little in the other In all labour there is profit but the talk of the lips tendeth onely to penury Prov. 14.23 'T is not Talking of Heaven but Walking in the way taking hold upon Christ that must bring a man thither Simile Look as it is not a curious Paper of Verses or an Eloquent Oration made in the praise and Encomium of such a Mannor or Lordship that will give a man a good Title to it but a sound and plain Evidence in Law from him that had power to make a good Conveyance of it So it 's not a curious
Discourse or a bare speculation of Heaven which will bring a man thither no more then the Reading of the History of such a Countrey or the Beholding of it in a Map which will transport a man to the place it self But there must be a sound and full Conveyance of it to the Soul And so the just must live by Faith in regard of Eternal Life 4. Reproof of not improving Eternal Life 4. It Reproves such who though they have somewhat to shew for their Inheritance Because they are Believers yet they live besides their Means because they do not act their Faith at least so much as they should in respect of Life eternal We say of many a worldly man because he doth not enjoy or improve his estate He lives besides his Means It 's one of the vanities that Solomon discovered under the Sun Eccl. 6.1 2. A man to whom God hath given riches wealth and honour so that he wanteth nothing of all that he desireth yet God giveth him not power to eat hereof This is vanity saith he and an evil disease And is it not a greater vanity when God hath given a man heavenly riches and honour and yet he lives not by Faith upon it improves it not to the best advantage Such an one lives beside his means How is it that Gods people are so cast down in Troubles Wants weaknesses in Reproaches in Persecutions Did they but act their Faith to believe that they shall one day as surely possess heaven as they possess the very house they dwell in upon earth how would the Apprehension of future joys drown and swallow up the sense of present miseries Why should the Kings Son be so lean from day to day Who hath such an Inheritance at the last and such a Father to provide for him in the mean time Luk. 12.32 Fear not little flock for it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom 5. This Reproves such as are Earthly-minded 5. Reproof of Earthly-mindedness for such live not by Faith in respect of Heaven or Eternal Life They live as if they were Terrae filii Sons of the earth as if that curse of God were fallen upon them Jer. 17.13 All that forsake thee shall be written in the dust The Church of the first-born are said to be written in heaven Hebrews 12.23 But these men as if they had nothing to shew but onely for the earth are said to be written in the earth as if God should say Go thy way thou art an Earth-worm and therefore Earth shall be all thy Portion It may be thou hast many writings to shew for a piece of the earth but nothing for heaven and therefore says God write him down An Earthly-minded man and An Earthly-portion'd man Psal 17.14 They are called Men of this world which have their portion in this life Give them but a fat portion in this life on this side Jordan take Canaan take Heaven who will for them The Devil casts so much dust in their eyes they cannot see to live by Faith in respect of Heaven Obj. But it may be these men will say We are too uncharitable for they are profess'd Christians and they well remember the two last Articles of their Creed Resurrection of the Body and Life Everlasting Answer shall be made to this in a third Use Vse 3 Vse 3. Of Examination Examination of Faith in respect of life Eternal 3. This is of use for Examination to examine whether we believe as we profess when we say We believe the Resurrection of the Body and Life Everlasting And we may know this 1. By our carriage in Life 2. By the respect we bear to Death By our carriage in Life 1. By our Carriage in life and that in respect of our 1. Affections 2. Meditations 3. Speeches And 4. Conversation 1. Our Affections 1. By our Affections A man that is far distant from his Native Country and dear friends he mingles many a Meal with his tears when he thinks of the distance of the place But how doth he rejoyce when he is once upon his return Especially when he comes within sight of land his very heart leaps within him and he cannot hold from saluting the place Oh my dear Country Blessed be God that I have lived once again to see thee and am so near to enjoy my surest friends within thee Just thus is it with a man that is bound for heaven that lives by Faith in regard of Life Eternal When he well remembers his great distance from God and Christ the Saints departed for whilst we are here at home in the body we are absent from the Lord I say when he remembers this it fetcheth many a sigh and tear and groan from his heart Psal 137.1 By the waters of Babylon we sate down and wept when we remembred thee O Sion See how they hang their heads and they hang their harps by the water-side as if they neither took delight in themselves nor any thing else whilst they are so far from their Native Country So 't is with a creature that is Heaven-born and Heaven-bound he cries and sighs and groans while he is so far from home 2 Cor. 5.4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan being burthened c. And how glad are such when they come near their journeys end See how Paul skips in his desires like the Iron to the Load-stone I desire saith he to be dissolved and to be with Christ Phil. 8. which is best of all And old Simeon falls a singing as if his Deaths-day were his Birth-day Lord now littest thou thy servant depart in peace c. Therefore Examine thy self well what are thy chief Sorrows and what are thy chief Joys Dost thou sorrow most of all for thy distance from Christ and thy heavenly Country Dost thou rejoyce when thou thinkest of drawing near thy journeys end This is a good evidence that thou hast something to shew for Heaven But on the other side if all thy delight is in the World in the flesh-pots of Egypt and the remembrance of thy latter end is bitter to thee and thou art ready to say as an Atheist once I know what I have here Grand Atheist but I know not what I shall have hereafter That 's a shrewd sign thou hast onely thy portion in this life and no faith at all for the Life to come 2. Our Meditations 2 We may know by our Meditations For if we would flatter up our selves that we have heavenly Affections and yet want heavenly Meditations we do but deceive our own hearts and bring our selves into a Fools-Paradise for that 's most certain look where our Affections are there will our Meditations also be we cannot keep our thoughts off from what we love and prize dearly Where our treasure is Mat. 6. there will our heart be also there will our minde be Vbi amat non ubi animat where it
loves not where it lives Is our Meditation therefore and Contemplation in Heaven It s sweet indeed to contemplate the visible part of the Heavens Psal 19.1 For The Heavens declare the glory of God and the Firmament sheweth his handy worke But it is far more sweet to a gracious soul to contemplate the Inside For the starry Vault is but the pavement of Gods house and the Clouds are the dust of his Feet And if there be so much glory without what is there within Oh! how sweet is it to a gracious Soul to look into the Holy of Holies to take a turn with Christ every-day in his Banqueting-house For so is heaven call'd Cant. 2.4 And this is the property of a Soul espoused to Christ by Faith Rev. ult The Spirit and the Bride say Come And if Christ come not to her so soon as she desires she will be sure to go to him at least in her serious thoughts and heavenly Meditations She lays out much of her Soul in Meditation the Meditation of Christ and heaven is very sweet Psal 104 34. She says of heaven as David of Gods Law O how do I love it it is my meditation all the day Psal 119. And this is a good sign we live by Faith in regard of eternal Life But if on the other side we are meer strangers to all heavenly Meditations we can think of the world as if we were possest by the Spirit of the world but seldome or never have a serious thought of heaven It may be we have a thousand thoughts of the world for one serious thought of heaven Doth not this proclaim to Men and Angels whatever we say or profess about Heaven and the Resurrection we believe no such matter 3. We may know it by our Speeches I mean 3. Our Speeches by our outward speeches For Meditation is the speech of the heart by it self by our speeches to others Where there is much of heaven in the heart there will be something of heaven in the tongue Several Countrymen have a several dialect or language and you may know what Country a man belongs to by his speech As the damosel said to Peter Even thy speech bewrayeth thee So a mans speech will bewray him and shew whether he belongs to heaven or earth He that is of the earth speaketh of the earth and he that is of heaven speaketh of heaven Joh. 3.31 When God would shew the sound conversion of the Egyptians to the Faith he saith Five cities in the land of Egypt shall speak the language of Canaan Isa 19.18 that is They shall have heavenly hearts for they shall have heavenly tongues 'T is true a man may learn and counterfeit the language of another country where he hath never dwelt and hath nothing to do in the priviledges of it and there are too many such Beggarly Canting Christians And therefore we are to examine not onely what we speak but from what Fountain and principle we speak Psa 45.1 My heart is inditing a good matter and then My tongue is the pen of a ready writer Pro. 16.23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth So then if we do but observe our selves when we speak out of the abundance of our hearts our speech will certainly bewray what country we belong to Never say therefore that thou livest by Faith in respect of heaven so long as thy speeches are earthly sensual or devillish He that believes he hath a great inheritance in another country he loves to be talking of it and so does a Citizen of Heaven 2 Cor. 4.15 We having the same Spirit of faith according as it is written I believed and therefore have I spoken we also believe and therefore do we speak And however some may indevour to counterfeit the language of Canaan yet there will be one Shibboleth or other that will discover them At the best they are but like mongrel Jews born of outlandish women who had Jews for their Fathers and Ashdodites for their Mothers and therefore they speak a mongrel Language half in the language of Canaan and half in the language of Ashdod Neh. 13.23 24. And so do these one while their mouth is full of Blessing and holy speeches another while they are full of Cursing and Blasphemy and Ribaldry according as their company suits their humour Obj. If you shall say How is this possible Can the same fountain as S. James speaks send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter or salt and fresh Ans I answer No it cannot And therefore onely one of these kinde of speeches springs from the Fountain of the Heart namely Cursing c. Holy speeches are but counterfeit And therefore God abhors such gross and affected mixture in mens speeches and resolves to turn himself to a people of a pure language Zeph. 3.9 And this is that which discovers a Citizen of Heaven when such a speech doth naturally flow from the heart I mean from a principle of renewed nature and so it 's true which Christ speaks By thy words thou shalt be justified and by thy words thou shalt be condemned Mat. 12.37 4. Our Actions 4. We may know it by our Actions and Conversation Our Meditations our Words may speak much but our Actions speak more He that hath something to shew for Heaven within himself hath something also to shew without himself 'T is not a dark Lanthorn that conveys a man to heaven Mat. 5.16 Let your light so shine c. that men may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in heaven So that every one that sees such a man may say God is his Father Heaven is his Country Gods people look at themselves as strangers upon earth and therefore they fashion not themselves according to the world but conform themselves according to the manners of their own Country Examine therefore what hope thou hast of a better life for all true hope Joh. 3. is a purifying hope Dost thou as a stranger abstain from fleshly lusts Is thy conversation in Heaven from whence thou expectest the Lord Jesus Christ Phil. 3.20 That 's a good evidence thou art in the way to heaven But if thou canst live in known and gross sins under the Power and Dominion of them I know the best have their failings which they groan under as their burthen but if thou canst wittingly willingly and constantly live under the Power of any reigning lust and yet for all that thou sayest Thou livest by Faith in respect of eternal Life I say Thy Faith is but a Fancy it 's a strong Presumption and therefore a strong Delusion Thou art grosly deceived if thou thinkest to get Heaven or to inherit the Kingdom of God in such a way I deny not but a Fornicator an Adulterer a Drunkard being humbled and so laying hold upon Christ and in the self-same act repenting and forsaking his sin may finde mercy of God and admittance into heaven of his
free grace But if a man thinks himself already in Christ and in the high-way to Heaven and yet remains under the power and Dominion of these reigning lusts he is grosly deceived They are the very words of the Apostle 1 Cor. 6.9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God Be not deceived neither Fornicators c. And thus we may know how whether we live by Faith in respect of Eternal Life By our Carriage in Life Mark 2. By the thoughts of Death We may know it by our Respect we bear to Death viz. as a passage to a better life For a faithful man looks at Death as a conquered Enemy Isa 25.8 it 's said He will swallow up Death in victory Now there are Four Degrees of this Victory of Jesus Christ over Death Degrees of Christs victory over Death The first is past and gone the two next are present and the fourth is yet to come 1. In his own death 1. The first was performed by Christ proprio Marte in his own single combat with Death and Hell Christ taking upon him the sins of Gods people all the world over Death sets upon him most furiously and seems at the first Bout to get the better it kills him and lays him in the grave But behold the glorious Victory of Jesus Christ as Samson when he was shut up in the City of Gaza Judg. 16. He arose in the night anâ carried away the gates of the City and bars and all So Christ our Spiritual Samson was shut up in the Grave with a great stone upon the Grave and brake open the brazen gates and iron bars and hath carried them away to the top of the Mountain of Mount Sion that they shall never hurt his people more Acts 2.24 He was raised up by the power of his God-head having loosed the pains of Death because it was not possible he should be holden of it Loosed the pains of Death It 's a word used in the birth of Children as if the Grave were pained as a woman in child-birth till it was delivered of him who was the first-begotton from the dead and so had the prerogative of the first-born to be a Conqueror even a Conqueror over Death Therefore it is said Rev. 1.18 I am he that liveth and was dead and behold I am alive for evermore Amen and have the Keys of Hell and Death The Keys What 's that By the Keys is certainly meant the Conquest as when a Town or City is subdued the Keys are presently delivered to the Conqueror as acknowledgments and Ensigns of his Victory So the Keys of Hell and Death are delivered up into the hands of Christ to signifie that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more Death hath no more dominion over him but he for ever hath dominion over Death So that the first and chief part of the victory belongs to Christ in his own person as he was mightily declared to be the Son of God by his Resurrection from the Grave Rom. 1.4 the other three belong to us The second Degree of Victory over Death is 2. In our Death The altering its nature to all Gods people For no sooner had Death struck Christ like a furious Wasp but it presently lost its Sting For the sting of Death sticks in Sin and therefore Christ having taken upon him the sins of his people Death strikes in her sting so deep that she is forced to leave it behinde her So that now the case is altered to Gods people however they die as well as others yet to them the sting of Death is taken out and so the nature of Death is quite and clean altered as if it were not the same Before it was a passage into prison where the Spirits are now in prison Now it 's made a passage out of Prison Having a desire to be dissolved Phil 1.23 Before it was a curse now a Blessing Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord Rev. 14.13 Before it was an Enemy a wicked man might say Hast thou found me 1 Kings 21.20 O mine enemy but now it 's a Friend and does many friendly offices Before it was loss a man lost his friends he lost his possessions he lost his very hopes Eccles 9.4 but now it 's gain Phil. 1.21 To die is gain He gains much access of glory for the present in his Soul in regard of its communion with God and he hath hopes of more when his body shall be raised again from the grave Prov. 14.22 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness but the righteous hath hope in his death And this is the second part of Christs Victory over Death 3. 3. In our judgements of death The third which most concerns the matter in hand is in Altering our Affections Judgements and Apprehensions concerning Death A most excellent Conquest 2 Cor. 10.4 5. Casting down imaginations Prov. 16.32 For suppose the Nature of Death should be altered so that of an enemy it should be made a friend yet if our judgements should not be altered but we should look at it still under the notion of an enemy we could have little comfort in the approach of it And therefore here is both the Mercy and Power of Christ seen in altering the judgement of his people concerning Death that now they can in some measure look at â—t as a Friend and as a Messenger sent from their heavenly Captain the Lord Jesus to take them off from their hard service How glad is the poor Souldier that hath stood Centinel a long cold night when the morning Watch comes Or one that hath been fighting against his Enemies as long as he can well strike or stand how glad is such a one when his Captain sends Relief to take him off and bids him Welcome home with a large Reward for all his dangerous and difficult service Now such and no other is the office of this Messenger Death and therefore Gods people looking upon it under this Notion love the appearing of it and rejoyce in it as the Apostle did 2 Tim. 4 6 7 8. For I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand I have fought a good fight I have finish'd my course c. Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give me at that day and not to me onely but to them also that love his appearing Mark it 's the property of a graâ—ious â—oul which Christ comes to it either in the particular or general Judgement to love his Appearing And this is the third Degree of Christs Victory over Death As it 's altered in it self so it s altered in his peoples Apprehensions of it And this is a double Mercy 4. In the general Resurrection The fourth and last Degreee which I shall but name is in the last and general Resurrection Look as when
to die an Eternal Death where the worm dies not and the fire is not quenched Isa the last and the last Consid 2 2. If we have not Eternal Life here we shall never have it He that believes hath everlasting life Joh. 5.24 He doth not say He shall have it hereafter but he hath it already though not in so full a measure Therefore get it now or never For a man to think to go to heaven when he dies that never cared for heaven all his life is a strong presumption Consid 3 3. It is the property of Gods People to look at heaven and happiness by the eye of Faith Heb. 11.13 And Unbelievers are blinde and cannot see afar off they look on present things 2 Pet. 1.9 But a wise man hath eyes in his head Eccl. 2.14 15. He looks as far as to Eternity he sees that which a natural man cannot see 2 Cor. 4. last Whilst we look not at the things which are seen by the eye of sense but at the things which are not seen for the things which are seen are temporal but the things which are not seen are eternal Consid 4 4. This will make a man of a heavenly conversation whilst he is upon earth To live by Faith in regard of Eternal Life this will bring down heaven to the earth If the creature cannot go to heaven yet a lively Faith will bring heaven to the creature and that both the grace of heaven and the joy of heaven 1. The Grace of heaven It will make a man of a heavenly conversation whilst he lives upon earth to consider what the company of heaven and what the work of heaven is 1. The Company of heaven are God and Christ holy Angels and the Spirits of just men made perfect And 2. The Work of heaven is without reluctancy without weariness to praise God for ever and ever The belief of this will bring down much of the grace of heaven into the heart and the creature will reason thus by Faith Shall it be a great part of my happiness in heaven to enjoy perfection of holiness and shall I not then endevour this work upon earth Shall I not endevour to perfect holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7.1 and to do Gods will upon earth Surely if holiness becomes Gods house for ever holiness must needs become his houshold-servants Psal 93.5 so soon as ever they begin to wear his Livery of Christian Profession Do we believe we shall see the face of God without blushing and shall serve him without fainting Seeing we look for such things how diligent should we be that we may be found of him in peace without spot and blameless Yea what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God 2 Pet. 3.11 2 It will bring down much of the joy of Heaven And we might have added this by way of Reason why God will have his Servants live by Faith in regard of Eternal Life viz. That the full assurance of it might be a present Comfort whilst the possession of it is deferred But we will bring it in as a Motive For Christ being willing to cheer up the drooping Spirits of his Servants in the absence of himself and heaven seems to say of Faith as he said of his Spirit or if ye will of the Spirit of Faith Joh. 14. I will not leave you comfortless I will pray to the Father and he shall give you another Comforter What is this Comforter but the Spirit of Faith or the Spirit in the grace of Faith Oh! there is strong consolation in Faith and Hope It is true says Christ I must leave you Joh. 16. I must go to Heaven and whither I go you cannot come as yet but I assure you I go to prepare a place for you and to prepare you for the place and so soon as that is ready for you and you are ready for that Joh. 14. I will come and receive you to my self in due time And in the mean time that I may not leave you comfortless I will give you something of the joy of heaven as a Pawn and a pledge in hand before you come thither And what is that but the Grace of Faith and the Joy of Faith Let not your hearts be troubled says Christ though I go to heaven before you yet you shall be as sure of heaven at the last as if you had it for the present And how assured but by Faith 2 Pet. 1.5 You are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time And what of that why this brings Joy in the mean time For so it follows Wherein ye greatly rejoyce though now for a season if need be ye are in great heaviness through manifold temptations And speaking of Christ who is gone to heaven within a verse or two after he hath this expression Whom having not seen ye love in whom though now ye see him not yet believing ye rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory As if he would have said Though you cannot see Christ with your bodily eye with the eye of sense and so you are apt to be troubled as the People were when Paul said Acts 20. they should see his face no more yet you shall see him and do see him by the eye of Faith and rejoyce in that sight as if that heaven it self were come down into your hearts You rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory For what is joy full of Glory but joy full of heaven Like the Vision upon Mount Tabor where God did bow the heavens and came down in glory And that is the fourth Motive that it will be heaven upon earth to live by Faith in respect of Eternal Life Consid 5 5. That to live by Faith in regard of Heaven and Eternal Life will make the poor creature live above the world If it do not draw him quite into heaven it will draw him a great way above the earth That look as a Bladder or a thin shell that is filled up with the pure Dew that comes down from heaven do but lay it in the Sun and the power of the Sun-beams will draw it up from the earth heaven-wards So it is with the Soul that is filled with this heavenly dew of grace let it but look wistly upon the Sun of Righteousness by an eye of Faith and the powerful beams of his Love will draw it so far above the earth and all earthly respects that it shall live above the world above the pleasures of the world the profits and honours of the world and above all the troubles of the world And is not this an admirable is it not a desireable condition If you would be ambitious lawfully ambitious let this be your ambition to be thus exalted by the Grace of Faith 1. It lifts a man up above the
Troubles of the world Faith lifts a man above the troubles of the world If you could suppose a dwelling above the Clouds above the Thundrings and Lightnings and terrible Storms would it not be a peaceable a comfortable habitation Such is the condition of a Christian who lives by Faith in regard of Eternal Life He lives above the clouds of worldly Troubles What if such a Trouble should come as may take away his life Faith will smile in the face of that Trouble Alas poor Trouble says Faith thou thinkest to do me a great deal of mischief when indeed thou dost but set my Soul at liberty to go out of an earthly Prison into a heavenly Palace Job 5.22 A man that lives by Faith for Heaven is above the clouds of the lower Region Heb. 12. Act. 4. he can endure the Cross he can despise the shame he can rejoyce that he is accounted worthy to suffer persecution for the Name of the Lord Jesus He can refuse to accept of life upon base terms that so he may obtain a better Resurrection Heb. 11. He can set an higher esteem upon the very reproach of Christ than upon all the Treasures of Egypt so long as he hath Faith enough to see him who is invisible and thereby to have respect to the Recompence of Reward He lives above the Troubles of the world 2. He lives above the Pleasures Profits and Honours of the world Let the Devil shew him all the Kingdoms of the world Mat. 4. and the glory of them as he did to Christ himself Faith in Christ will teach him to slight the proffer Alas says the believing Soul what is all this to the glory of Heaven Through Gods Mercy I am above all these I look at these as flitting fading empty Nothings gilded Pictures upon a rotten Post I know God hath put all these in subjection under my feet and therefore I will not put them as a Crown upon my Head or place them as a Treasure in my Heart but keep them there where God hath set them and that 's under my feet 'T is wonderful indeed but 't is not so strange as true Rev. 12.1 2. Thus the Church and every true believer is cloathed with the Sun of Righteousness whose powerful beams in the grace of Faith and Love draw up his Soul so far above the world that he tramples the Moon and all sublunary things under his feet He looks at all worldly excellencies of Pleasures Profits and Honours as changeable as the Moon On the other side he looks at the Word of God and Gods love in Christ and the fruits of that love in the glory of Heaven as the onely unchangeable good things and therefore these he wears as a Crown upon his Head but the other he puts as a Footstool under his feet We use to distinguish worldly things into Moveables and not moveables but we must go to heaven to make good one part of the distinction Heb. 12.27 28. Qu. But what means should I use Means to assure Eternal Life that I may live by Faith in regard of Eternal Life my sin hangs on so fast that I may as soon raise up by Body above the clouds as raise up my Soul heaven-ward Mean 1 Ans 1. Lay hold on Christ that is the way thither and the meritorious cause and the Loadstone there to draw thy Soul after him Christ is the great Engineer who hath a Pulley to draw thee to Heaven Joh. 12.32 When I am lift up I will draw all men unto me I have seen an artificial Instrument a device quo trahens trabitur So the more we lay hold on Christ by Faith the more strongly are we drawn to Christ so is fulfill'd the Promise Jam. 4.8 Draw near to God and he will draw near to you Mean 2 2. Act thy Faith upon the Promises of God for thy Spiritual cleansing from the burthen and filth of sin Rev. 21. ult No unclean thing shall enter Therefore 2 Cor. 7.1 Let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and Spirit And some Promises God hath made in special for that very work of cleansing the Soul See Ezek. 36.25 c. Like as Jeremy lying in the Dungeon when he took hold on the Cord that was let down he was drawn up by the men that stood aloft So we lying in the Dungeon of Sin and Misery whilst by the hand of Faith we take hold of the Cord of Promise which is let down from Jesus Christ now sitting at the Right hand of God in heaven we are drawn in Soul and Spirit heaven-ward Mean 3 3. Be sure thy Faith be fruitful in good Works if thou wouldst be sure of heaven 2 Pet. 1.5 Adde to your faith vertue and to vertue knowledge c. for so ver 11. An entrance shall be administred unto you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom Not that good Works merit any thing but because God will encourage his people in well-doing by shewing to such the salvation of God Ps 50. last Mean 4 4. As a means of both under Christ Be careful to sanctifie Gods Sabbath which is a sign and a pledge of heaven and the resting of that day a powerful means under Christ to prepare Gods people for eternal rest However we are not tied to the observation of the Jewish Sabbath yet there remains a rest to the people of God Heb. 4 9. As the full rest and Sabbatism does remain and will remain not to be fully possest by them till the general Resurrection so that percursory Rest and Sabbath which is ordained to be a sign and a pledge of the other must needs remain till we come to enjoy that whereof this is a pledge If this Sabbath be a sign and pledge of heaven and of Gods perfect sanctifying of his people in Souls and Bodies Exod. 31.13 then it must be kept till we come there for if we lose the pledge of a Benefit we lose the evidence of that Benefit whereof it is a Pledge Consider further the Sabbath was not onely ordained to be a pledge of Eternal Rest to assure us of it but to be a Means also to fit us for it The Sabbath was made for man for mans benefit and that not onely for his bodily rest but especially for the rest of his Soul that he might cease from the works of sin and learn to do the work of God And experience shews the right sanctifying of the Sabbath is a powerful means under Christ to sanctifie us to increase Faith Love Zeal and all saving graces It takes a man off from the world for such a man thinks not his own thoughts speaks not his own words does not his own works I say it takes a man off from the world and puts him as it were into heaven for the time As Paul was caught up into heaven so such a man as is in the Spirit on the Lords day Rev. 1. as it were in heaven
thy own Works or other mens Works and Merits darest thou venture upon them The Ladder will crack and you must needs fall as low as Hell But lo here 's a Ladder saith God that reaches from Earth to Heaven and that 's Jesus Christ His Humane Nature is upon Earth and his Divine Nature especially manifested in Heaven Eph. 1. in both he reconciles all things in heaven and in earth and makes a passage for lost man to re-enter his heavenly Paradise Now I say the Meditation and Application of this by Faith will be as great a refreshing to us in our troublesome journey to heaven as it was to Jacob in his tedious journey to Padan-Aram It is true indeed no man must look to go to heaven in a feather-bed or in such a broad-way that he may drive a Sumpter-horse before him Mat. 7.13 for straight is the gate anâ narrow is the way that leads to life and few there be that finde it As there is no way to heaven but by Christ so there is no way to heaven but by the Cross Christ and his Cross are inseparable Companions This is the way that Christ himself and all his Saints have gone to heaven before us in and we must not think of a smoother way or of a shorter cut Onely the happiness the joy the glory in the end of our journey are enough if applied by us to bear up our hearts under all the troubles and temptations in the way And so you see how the Life of Heaven 1. Bears up the heart under the Temptation of Adversity 2. It will bear up the heart 2. Under Prosperity and preserve the Soul under Temptations of Prosperity And indeed the Temptations of Prosperity are far more dangerous than the Temptations of Adversity Heaven upon earth destroys more than Hell upon earth 1 Cor. 1. Not many wise not many mighty not many noble or rich are called Mat. 19. O how hardly shall a rich man enter into the kingdom of Heaven But Faith in regard of Eternal Life will preserve the Soul under the Temptations of Prosperity Quest What are the Temptations of Prosperity Ans Luke 12.19 Soul take thine ease eat drink and be merry take up thy rest and thy portion saith the Devil to flesh and blood in these sensual delights O no saith the believing Soul that hath Faith for heaven I 'll never play the childe so much to sell my heavenly Inheritance for a Plum for a Counter for a Rattle for a Trifle there 's none but children will do so Moses made a manly choice A wise mans choice is when he chooses holy sufferings before sinful pleasures Heb. 11. Should I not then choose heavenly pleasures before such as are sinful nay before such as are otherwise lawful Suppose thou hast a goodly House rich Furniture a full Table sweet and faithful Friends whom thou lovest as thine own Soul And now flesh and blood saith as Peter Lord it is good for us to be here Let us not onely make a Tabernacle but a Temple or a Mansion-house that we may not think of removing any more O no saith Faith these are sweet blessings indeed sweet mercies of God but they are not Heaven These are good Inns by the way but they are not Home Home is home be it never so homely much more when it is so rich and glorious as heaven is Therefore saith the believing Soul I cannot suffer my thoughts to rest upon any flowers of Content by the way-side having such a sweet Garden and Paradise of Delight to repose themselves in at the end of the journey And thus Faith for Eternal Life will preserve the Soul under Temptations of Prosperity And thus was Moses preserved whilst he cast an eye of Faith upon the reward and recompence in the heavenly Inheritance he had power to stop his ears against the Egyptian Syrens of worldly delights Vse 6 Vse 6. Of Admiration Admiration Thankfulness for heavenly life 6. Use of Admiration and Thankfulness As we are to rejoyce in hope so also to be thankeful in hope A Christian hath cause to be thankful not onely for mercies past but for mercies to come as Jehosaphat was 2 Chron. 20. who sings Triumph before he had the Victory for Faith makes a believer as sure of the Victory as if he had it already and as sure of heaven as if he had it in present possession Therefore he hath cause to look upon this expression of the goodness of God with Admiration and Thankefulness First with Admiration We have cause to admire the love of God to poor sinners that God should bestow Heaven and Salvation upon such as deserved nothing but Hell and Condemnation It is much that God should receive such as we are into the condition of children St. John admires it 1 Joh 3.1 Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God! But this is much more to be admired that God should bestow upon such an Inheritance If we may judge of Love by the Gifts that Love must needs be infinite that bestows such an infinite Reward It was a great expression of love in Ahasuerus to Queen Esther when he said What is thy petition and what is thy request and it shall be granted thee to the half of the Kingdom Esth 7.2 How much greater expression is it of love in God to his people to give them a whole Kingdom and that incorruptible undefiled that fades not away David was much taken with that expression of Gods love to him and his when God said 2 Sam. 7.16 Thy House and thy Kingdom shall be established for ever before thee Thy Throne shall be established for ever Then saith the Text went King David in and sate before the Lord and said Who am I O Lord God and what is my House that thou hast brought me hitherto And this was yet a small thing in thy sight O Lord God But thou hast spoken also of thy servants House for a great while to come And is this the manner of man O Lord God Do men use so freely and bountifully to do good to their Inferiors and to their Enemies Thus he admires the goodness of God to him and his and so may every faithful Soul when he looks upon his present possession of grace he may well say with David Who am I O Lord God and what is my Fathers house that thou hast brought me hitherto First that thou hast done so much for me as thou hast done already But when he looks by the eye of Faith upon his future possession of glory he may well hold up his hands and stand and wonder at the goodness of God to a poor worthless Creature and say How great is thy goodness which thou hast laid up for such as fear thee c Psal 31.19 Lord as if the gift of grace were a small thing in thy sight thou hast spoken
of thy Servants glory and happiness for a great while to come even as far as to Eternity And is this the manner of man O Lord God Can any man in the world or all the men in the world if they would lay their heads and hearts and hands together to exalt a poor Creature can they do this Can they redeem their brothers Soul from Hell Ps 49.6 7 8 9. or can they make him happy to Eternity No no they must let this work alone for a God to perform all the world can never do it And therefore admire this unparallell'd expression of Gods goodness to a poor Creature And Secondly be Thankful for it If we be bound to be thankful for the least mercy for the least mercy of this present life how should we be thankful for the greatest gift the gift of Eternal Life Rom. 6. last The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is Eternal Life through Jesus Christ our Lord Therefore be thankful for it And indeed the excellency of it the excellency of Life Eternal should raise up our hearts to thankfulness The excellency of Heaven set out Which excellency appears 1. By the excellent Names and Epithetes that are given to it 2. By the excellent Properties of it 3. By the excellent Price given for it 4. By the excellent Causes of it 5. By the excellent Effects of it 1. By its Names First By the excellent Names and Epithets given to it It is called An Everlasting Kingdom The Kingdom of Heaven A House The Fathers House not made with hands A Mansion The Presence Chamber of God Abrahams Bosom where Gods people are safe as children in their Parents bosom Paradise Luk. 23.24 in comparison of which the Garden of Eden was but a dunghil Lords Joy Matth. 25.21 The New Jerusalem Rev. 21.10 and Gal. 4.16 Jerusalem which is above All the glory of the Old Jerusalem in Solomons Temple was but a Type of this The Immortal Inheritance 1 Pet. 1.4 The glory of God Rest 2 Thess 1.7 Refreshing Acts 3.19 Peace Isa 57.2 And what is more desireable than these things Therefore be thankful for it Secondly 2. By its Properties the excellency appears by the excellent Properties of it For 1. of all the happiness of heaven is most pure Rev. 22 1. It is called A pure river of water of life clear as Chrystal proceeding out of the Throne of God and of the Lamb. All earthly Pleasures have their admixtures of the mud of Sin and Misery but this is pure 2. It is most sure and secure because out of the reach of Satan and all enemies Rev. 20.10 The devil that deceived them was cast into the Lake of fire and brimstone where the Beast and the false Prophet are and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever In this world the greatest comforts are upon a very uncertain tenure but there all is sure and secure 3. It is most Satisfactory The River of Life must needs quench your thirst Rev. 7.16 They shall hunger no more neither thirst any more there shall be no want of any thing their Souls can desire Psal 17. last 4. All this shall be Eternal When thou hast lived so many thousand years as there are little sands on the shore piles of grass on the ground stars in the Sky thy happiness shall be as new to begin as at thy very first entrance As long as there is a God and a Christ thy life shall last O then be thankful for it Thirdly the excellency appears 3. By its Price by the excellent Price given for it We judge the worth of things by the value Would you not be thankful if one should give you an Inheritance should cost so many hundred thousand pounds but heaven is such an Inheritance that cannot be bought with all the Silver and Gold in the world For neither we nor our inheritance were redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold but with the precious blood of Jesus Christ as of a Lamb undefiled and without spot 1 Pet. 1.18 19. That must needs be a precious Inheritance that cost such a precious price Therefore be thankful for it 4. By its Causes Fourthly the excellency of it appears from the excellent Causes of it As 1. The primary Efficient Cause is God the Father and his free love from all Eternity 2. The Meritorious Cause is Christ his Son 1 Joh. 5.11 And this is the Witness that God hath given us eternal life and this life is in his Son 3. The Instrumental Cause offering and holding forth Eternal Life is the Everlasting Gospel Rom. 1.16 17. The Instrumental Cause receiving is The precious grace of Faith Eph. 2.8 Ye are saved through faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God 4. The Sealing Cause is The Holy Ghost Eph. 1.13 14. In whom c. 5. The Final Cause is Gods Glory and our Glory Gods Glory in glorifying his Servants his Servants Glory in the glorifying of God Whilst they do behold the glory of God they glorifie God to all eternity and are glorified by God Joh. 17.24 Behold my glory and so glorifie God and receive glory from God For in beholding Gods glory we are transformed 2 Cor. 3.18 Therefore Rev. 5.13 Blessing and honour are to him O who would not praise God for such a life Why do you not begin your Heaven upon Earth which will be strong assurance to you that you shall go to Heaven when you die As wicked men begin Hell upon Earth whilst they curse God and blaspheme God and dishonour God by their wicked words and actions So do you begin your Heaven upon Earth in praising God for your living by Faith in regard of Life Eternal 5. By Effects Fifthly the excellency of Life Eternal appears as from the Causes so from the Effects also which are admirable and glorious viz. Man's being made like to the very Angels Matth. 22.30 yea as like to Christ himself as may be As we have been like him in sufferings so like him also in glory He that is willing to conform to Christ in the former shall be made conformable to Christ in the latter Phil. 3. last He shall change our vile bodie that it might be made like his glorious bodie c. And as in Body so in Soul also in the whole man Was Christ a King Priest and Prophet so are they that are Christs Revel 1.6 He hath made us Kings and Priests unto God and his Father What follows Therefore to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever Amen If all Gods Saints have such honour how should they honour Him who thus honours them of his free grace and will honour them to all Eternity If Eternal Life be so excellent a gift as appears by the Epithetes that are given to it by the excellent Properties of it by the excellent Price given for it by the excellent Causes of it and by the
excellent Effects of it Then surely as we have cause to admire the unparallell'd expressions of Gods goodness to us herein So have we cause to break forth into thankfulness as oft as we think of it and act our Faith for it No sooner did the Apostle Peter think of that heavenly Inheritance but he must needs break forth into blessing of God before he can tell how to speak of it or to utter what he had conceived about it 1 Pet. 1.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible c. Mark he cannot think of the inheritance but he is forced to break forth into blessing What though we have not reaped our full harvest yet you know Gods People were commanded to bring their Oblation of Thanksgiving when they received their first-fruits because the first-fruits were a Pawn and Pledge of the whole Harvest Deut. 26. So we are bound to be thankful to God when we have but received the first-fruits of grace when we have but so much grace as to live by Faith for Life Eternal because the first-fruits of grace do ascertain us of a full Harvest of glory in due time What though we have not yet a perfect victory over all our enemies Sin Satan and Death yet as Moses when God had delivered him and his People from the danger of the Sea and Pharoabs host he sings a Song of Thanksgiving to the Lord Exod. 15.1 though the perils of the Wilderness and other evils were still behinde yet I say he is thankful because these first victories were a Pawn and a Pledge to them of a full and plenary Conquest and that God would never leave them till he had planted them in Canaan it self yea in that Celestial Canaan where God reigns for ever and ever And this was the ground of Moses his thankfulness ver 14. The People shall hear and be afraid c. ver 16 17 18. Fear and dread shall fall upon them by the greatness of thine Arm they shall be as still as a stone till thy people pass over O Lord till thy people pass over which thou hast purchased Thou shalt bring them in and plant them in the Mountain of thine Inheritance in the place O Lord which thou hast made for thee to dwell in in the Sanctuary O Lord which thy hands have established The Lord shall reign for ever and ever Thus Gods People like Moses are thankful for Victories not onely present and past but future also Though Gods People are yet upon the Sea of this world and not past the Wilderness they have cause to be thankful as Moses was because they have both a Promise and a Pledge of Canaan as he had Therefore it is observable that Gods people under the New Testament standing upon the glassie Sea of this world are said to sing the Song of Moses and of the Lamb Rev. 15.2 3. And I saw as it were a Sea of glass c. They sing the Song of Moses the Servant of God and the Song of the Lamb that is They sing such a Song as Moses did sing both for Mercies past and also in assured hope of Mercies to come And this Song is taught by the Lamb that is by the Lamb of God to all such as are redeemed by him and none can sing this Song but such as are redeemed A man cannot be thankful for that which he hath nothing to shew for he that hath nothing to shew for Heaven how is it possible such a man should be thankful for it And therefore such as have the White Stone and the New Name and the Name of Christ and his Father written in their Foreheads are such as sing this Song of Thankfulness Rev. 14.1 3. And they sing as it were a new Song before the Throne and before the four Beasts and the Elders and no man could learn that Song but the hundred fourty four thousand which were redeemed from the earth None but holy Men and holy Angels are fit for this work none can give hearty praise to God for victory over Sin Satan and Antichrist or for the Comforts of another World but they that have a part and a lot in that Inheritance As a stranger intermeddles not with the joy of Gods people so neither with that Praise which is onely comely in their mouthes Therefore let the redeemed of the Lord praise him and be thankful to him Quest How should they express and prove their Thankfulness Ans First In the hatred and forsaking of all sin Secondly In the practice of all holy duties and good works First In the hatred and forsaking of all sin at least 1. Thankfulness shew'd by forsaking sin in regard of the Dominion of it And why so Because by Sin 1. A man dishonours the Donor of this great Gift 2. He wrongs his own Soul 1. He dishonours the Donor execedingly Rom. 2.24 Sin dishonors God The Name of God is blasphemed and dishonoured among the Gentiles through you You for such as you who have received so much Light and so much Mercy from God to walk thus O what a shame is it for you thus to dishonour God! God loves you so dearly that he hath kept nothing from you no not heaven it self I say he hath kept nothing from you but his own glory And will you be so unthankful as to rob him of that by your sinful carriage A gracious Soul when he is tempted to sin and thereby to commit Spiritual Adultery against God and to stain his Glory should answer as Joseph did Gen. 39.8 9. My Lord and Master hath committed all that he hath to my hand there is none greater in all the house than I neither hath he kept any thing back from me but thee because thou art dear to him Gods glory is dear to him as the woman who is the glory of the man is dear to him how then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God It was a great sin in Absalom 2 Sam. 15. when David had received him into favour after his three months banishment and upwards and he was now declared his Reconciled Childe and Heir Apparent to the Kingdom in due time I say it was a great sin in him in stead of being thankful to his Father that he should presently prepare himself Horses and Chariots and a strong Guard endevouring to steal away the hearts of the men of Israel and his Crown also from his Father both at once And surely it is a great expression of unthankfulness in any after God hath once received them into favour and by Faith assured them of Eternal Life for such to return again to folly and walk crossly and to rob God of the Crown of his Glory by their sins God took it very unkindly at Davids hands that he of all other men
should so dishonour God after he had bestowed a Temporal Kingdom upon him 2 Sam. 12.7 Thus saith the Lord God of Israel I anointed thee King over Israel and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul and I gave thee thy Masters house and thy Masters wives into thy bosom and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah and if that had been too little I would moreover have given thee such and such things Wherefore hast thou despised the Commandment of the Lord to do evil in his sight As if the Lord should say O David dost thou use me thus Did I ever deserve this at thy hand Is this thy kindness to thy friend And if the Lord took it so unkindly from Davids hands because he had bestowed a Temporal Kingdome upon him how much more unkindely may God take it from your hands whom by the grace of Faith he hath assured of an Eternal Kingdom Deut. 32.6 Do ye thus requite the Lord ah foolish people and unwise Is not he thy Father that hath bought thee c And is it not he that hath bought Heaven it self for thee and wilt thou thus dishonour him by thy sins By Sin a man dishonours the Donor of this great Gift And secondly He wrongs his own Soul for Sin wrongs the Soul he blots the Evidence or Conveyance which God hath given him to assure him of this heavenly Kingdom What sayes Christ Luk. 10.20 Rejoyce that your Names are written in Heaven or in the Book of Life First that you know this that you have this Evidence God hath a threefold Book 1. Of Providence God hath a threefold Book which is Gods Fore-knowledge and Disposing all things in the world Of this David speaks Psal 139.16 Thine eyes did see my substance yet being imperfect and in thy book first in the Book of Providence were all my members written 2 A Book of Mens Works and Ways Rev. 20.12 And I saw the dead small and great stand before the Lord and the Books were opened and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the Books according to their Works The third is the Book of Mens Ends and Rewards which is called The Book of Life Dan. 12.1 At that time thy people shall be saved every one that shall be found written in the Book Now this Book is either in the Original which is Gods Calendar of such as are appointed to Life and Salvation in his own Fore-knowledge and Decree for The Lord knoweth who are his 2 Tim. 2.19 Or else the Counterpane of it in the Hearts and Consciences of such as do believe 1 Joh 5.10 He that believeth hath the witness in himself Now howsoever it is true He that is once written in Gods Book of Life if we take it for Gods Fore-knowledge and Decree can never be blotted out again The foundation of God stands sure yet if we take it for that Witness that is written in the Heart and Conscience it may be much blotted and blurred and obscured by our wilful sinning against God It is true God will speak peace and pardon to his people but let them not turn again to folly For if they do though they lose not their pardon yet they may lose their peace so far that they shall not be able to reade their Pardon or their Assurance for Heaven Therefore such a man as he dishonours the Giver so he sins against his own Soul Therefore let him declare his Thankfulness by the hating and forsaking all sin And Thankfulness to be shewn by performance of all duties Secondly By the Practice of all holy Duties and good Works If God be so abundant in Reward to assure us by Faith of Eternal Life it calls upon us very strongly to be so much the more abundant in our work It is the Apostles Argument 1 Cor. 15. last having discours'd at large of the glorious condition of Gods People after the Resurrection Therefore my beloved Brethren be ye stedfast unmoveable always abounding in the work of the Lord forasmuch as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. O that we would oft consider there is an Eternity for Reward but a short time for work and when the time of this Life is once past there is not a second opportunity there is no returning back again there is no doing of any thing in the Grave Therefore let us work Joh. 9.4 while we have the light of Life the night of death comes wherein no man can work no man can then believe or repent or bring forth the fruits of repentance There is no repentance in Hell to any purpose and if we repent of any thing in heaven it shall be of this that we did God no more and no better service upon earth And therefore so oft as we cast an eye upon the Eternity of Reward and the short time of our work let us bestir our selves in our places Take the counsel of the Wise man Eccles 9.10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do either for God or for the Church of God or for thy own Soul do it with all thy might for there is no work nor device nor knowledge nor Wisdom in the grave whither thou art going He that thinks seriously of his Eternal condition after death cannot be an unprofitable Servant in his life And so much for the seventh Particular what Manner of Life the Just lives by Faith All that is worth the Name of Life Natural Spiritual and Eternal Life Faith is the Key that opens to us the Kingdom of Heaven So says Calvin in his third Sermon on Gen. 15 6. THE EIGHTH GENERAL HEAD QUEST VIII What are the Reasons for living by Faith WE come now to the Eighth Particular the Reasons why God will have the Just to live by Faith We have given particular Reasons to the particular Branches before as Why the Just lives by Faith the Life of Justification Sanctification Renovation Fructification Mortification and Vivification c. We shall now give the general Reasons which reach to all in general Why God will have the Just to live by Faith It is true God is not bound to give us a Reason or give us an account of any of his Matters Job 33.13 It is the folly of vain man to call Gods Wisdom to the Bar of his shallow Reason But Rom. 9.20 Who art c. Gods Will may well stand for a Reason And yet God is pleased in this particular to give us a Reason of his Will Wicked men in the Scripture are said to be unreasonable men 2 Thess 3.2 they do a thing because they will do it though they have no good Reason for it But God though he is most Absolute and Independent is pleased in this matter of Faith to give us a Reason of his Will That man might not dispute and wrangle with God and say What Reason have I to live by Faith seeing I have little or nothing in hand
Therefore God tells us There is all the Reason in the world a man should live by Faith Therefore unreasonable men are said to be such as have no faith 2 Thess 3.2 because there is great reason a Christian man should live by Faith So though Faith be above Reason in some sense to wit above carnal corrupt Reason yet it is not above inlightned and rectified Reason There is manifold reason Reasons for living by faith why a Christian should be willing to live by Faith All may be reduced to three Heads 1. From a Believers Condition in the Flesh 2. From the Relation between Christ and a Believer First sort of Reasons 3. From the Nature and Vse of Faith First From a Believers Condition in the Flesh From our condition in the flesh For distance of place between the person that makes the Promise and the person to whom it is made requires the Evidence of Faith to assure of the Performance Now first The Believer is absent from the Lord 1. Absence from the Lord. and from the Presence of Jesus Christ Though he do enjoy in some measure the presence of his Grace yet so long as he lives here below he cannot enjoy the presence of his Glory He that is far distant from him that makes a Promise had need have some good Evidence and Obligation of his faithfulness and ability 2 Cor. 5.6 Whilst we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord from our last home What of that therefore saith the Apostle in the next words we walk by faith and not by sight As if he should have said He that hath not the Evidence of Sense had need have the Evidence of Faith from a sure Word of God But Gods People in this life have not the Evidence of Sense or Sight in their highest degree therefore they had need have the Evidence of Faith for their Security Their life is a Life of Faith for Faith is the evidence of things not seen Heb. 11.1 And that is the first Reason 2. Distance of time The second Reason is drawn from the great distance of time betwixt Gods Promise and the Performance of the thing promised Sometimes some scores some hundreds some thousands of years therefore Gods People stand in need of some Security in the mean time to assure them that God will make good his Word at the last Now this security is Faith and therefore observe the connexion of the Text to the former verse The just lives by his faith Why so because saith the third verse the Vision is for an appointed time Gods Promise manifested by Vision to the Prophet shall not presently be fulfilled but in its appointed time Therefore in the mean time the just man lives by his Faith he takes Gods bare Word for it he believes it shall be so The Spirit of God working by the Promise assures him it shall be so and this puts life into the Promise and life into him that apprehends the Promise Faith is a Christians Security till God pay in that which he is bound for in the Covenant of Free Grace It is just like the Witness and Seal to the Bond as He that believes sets to his Seal that God is true Joh. 3.30 So God himself by giving Faith sets to his Seal and Witness that he means truly and faithfully to perform his Promise 1 Joh. 5.10 He that believeth hath the witness in himself Now I say This Witness and Seal is very needful for the support of poor weak creatures because there is so great a time betwixt the Promise and the Performance It is nothing so much to rejoyce in the things promised when we see them fulfilled by the eye of Sense Luke 2. As old Simeon falls a singing when he saw Christ with his bodily eyes and embraced him in his very Arms he might well say with S. John That which we have seen with our eyes which we have looked upon and our hands have handled of the Word of life even that declare we unto you and therefore he could not but rejoyce But it was much more in old Father Abraham Ioh. 8. when he did so much rejoyce to see Christ and his day so many thousand years before he came into the world when he could see him no otherways but by the eye of Faith and yet he rejoyced as if he had been in Simeons condition as if Christ had been present with him at that very time because Faith assured him it should be so And in this respect all Believers stand in need of Faith because usually there is some good distance of time betwixt the Promise and the Performance and Faith is their Security in the mean time And that 's the second Reason The third Reason is this 3. Need of Humility To keep us in a continual frame of Humility God will have us to live by Faith as long as we live in this life For the truth is The best of Gods Servants in regard of remaining corruption when they possess much in hand they are apt to to be puft up with pride and self-confidence as Hezekiah was Isa 39. Therefore to that end that no flesh might glory in his presence look as God chooseth the weak and base and despised things of the world in their first conversion so he keeps them in such a manner of condition all their life long that by Faith they might be fain to go to him for every thing they want in Temporals and in Spirituals In Temporals they must live like Beggars they must beg of him their daily Bread and so in Spirituals also Mat. 6. they must go to God for new supplies of Grace and for new strength upon the performance of every new duty The most eminent Christian hath not grace beforehand in the stock for one year or day or hour not enough to perform the next Duty or to resist the next Tentation from Satan or the World 2 Cor. 3.5 Not that we are sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves but all our sufficiency is of God Phil 4.13 I can do all things through Christ that strengthneth me But will Christ strengthen those to do any great matter whom he doth not strengthen to believe No surely According to thy faith be it unto thee Mat. 8.13 9.29 Therefore a Christian lives by Faith every day and in every duty He fetches strength from Christ as well as sight Isa 45.24 Surely c. Sight for the acceptance of my person Strength for the performance of my duty God feeds them and supplies them but onely from hand to mouth lest they should be exalted above measure 2 Cor. 12. And the hand that receives to wit the hand of Faith is an empty hand too It brings nothing to God but it receives all from God but yet it receives not presently but tarries his leisure Nay God gives not onely the Gift it self but the very hand
that receives the gift lest any man should boast For Faith is the gift of God Eph. 2.8 And all this to keep us humble Faith is the Christians Caterer or Purveyor or Petitioner It is like a little poor Boy that is sent out of doors and so goes up and down to beg a living for his old decrepit father who lies bedrid at home I say We like poor creatures can earn nothing of our selves by the merit of our own works towards our living Now Faith like the little Boy it goes a begging to God for a living For Faith sets Prayer a work and Prayer sets God himself a work for our good And so the Just lives by his Faith Now he that lives upon Alms upon his meer dependance upon anothers good will he hath great cause to be humble There is nothing more odious and absurd than a proud Beggar But he that lives by Faith lives meerly upon the good-will and free grace of God in Christ and therefore hath great cause to be humble And that is the third Reason under the first general Head drawn from a Believers Condition in the flesh The fourth Reason under the first general Head 4. End of the Word and Ministery is from the End of Gods giving the Word and the Ministery of it to his People in a state of imperfection viz. For their direction and for their support in all conditions till they come to a state of perfection Eph. 4.11 He gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministery for the edifying of the Body of Christ till we all come in the unity of faith and of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ Till we come where there is no need of Temple no need of Temporal and Spiritual light by a Medium as it is Rev. 21.22 23 Well then as long as we live in this life the Word is written for our direction and for our support But how shall we be directed or supported by it if we do not apprehend it by faith Heb. 4.2 The Word profits not not being mixed with faith And indeed the very End why God gives us his written Word is That we might lay hold of it by faith for our comfort in our worst condition Joh. 20. last These things are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing ye might have life through his Name And if this be the main End of the Scriptures writing then there is all the reason in the world we should live by Faith in it Otherwise we do what we can to frustrate the Scriptures end and to make it vain Yea we take Gods Name in vain if we believe not for the Word of God is the greatest part of Gods Name by which he makes himself and his good Will known to us as men are known by their Names Psal 138.2 Thou hast magnified thy Word above all thy Name But he that believes not vilifies this Word he looks at it as a vain word and so he takes Gods Name in vain Obj. But it may be you will say How do you know the Scriptures to be the Word of God If I knew it to be the Word of God indeed I would not onely lâ—ve by Faith in it but I would say and profess as you do There was all the reason in the world that men should believe it and live by Faith in it As it is written Let God be true and every man a liar Rom. 3.4 Ans I will not at this time undertake to handle this subject at large as I hope to do hereafter if God please to continue life and opportunity For I conceive it is one of the most necessary foundations to be laid And for want of setling and ramming down this Truth men become foolish builders they are loose in the whole fabrick of Religion they are loose in their Faith and as loose in their Practice Arguments of four sorts There are four sorts of Arguments besides the witness of the Spirit which is the greatest of all to them that have it to prove the Scriptures to be of God Whereof some are drawn from the Scriptures themselves Some from the Penmen thereof That the Scriptures are the Word of God Some from the Opposites or Enemies of the Scriptures and last of all Some from God himself bearing witness from Heaven to the Word of his Truth I shall onely speak a little of the first 1. Some Arguments from the Scriptures themselves and that The Scriptures excellency Whether we respect the Antiquity of the Scriptures or the excellency of the Matter therein contained it will plainly evince they are of God Had we but time and were it so pertinent to this present subject to run over all the Particulars The excellency of the Matter appears in the Sublimity Majesty Purity Verity and powerful Efficacy of the Scriptures It will be too long to speak of all I will onely pitch upon one and that is The infallible Truth and Verity of the Scriptures Verity which prove them to be of God And this Truth will appear both by the Consent of all parts generally and more particularly by the fulfilling of the Prophecies First by the Consent of all the parts generally Consent of parts For doth not Joshua confirm Moses Do not the Judges confirm Joshua Samuel the Judges And so we might run through all the rest to the end of the Bible Do but consider a little what several Authors have ever writ of the same subject in any humane Art or Science which have not differed in some particular and brought probable Arguments on both sides Whereas the Scriptures though written by several men in several Ages and several Parts of the World do never cross one another or call in question what formerly had been delivered It is true I confess Vnlearned and unstable men throughout all Ages have wrested the Scriptures to their own destruction 2 Pet. 3.16 But where did ever any one holy Penman of God Correct what another of them had written And the reason is Because however several men wrote several parts of the Scriptures yet they being all acted by one and the same Spirit they had all but one and the same Heart and as I may so say one and the same Mouth And I may well say so Because the Scriptures sayes it before me Luke 1.10 As God spake by the mouth of the Prophets which have been since the world began Observe There is Prophets in the Plural Number and Mouth in the Singular All the Prophets had but one Mouth because they all spake one and the same Truth without contradiction of one another Thus there is a Consent of all the parts of Scripture generally which proves them to be of God Secondly This Consent will yet more
hearts and in all your souls that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you all are come to pass unto you not one thing hath failed thereof And this he speakes to this end that he might perswade them to live by Faith and to trust in the same God for the time to come Therefore Deut. 7.17 To cure the peoples diffidence and distrust God puts them in minde of former experiences If thou shalt say in thine heart These Nations are more than I how can I dispossess them Thou shalt not be afraid of them but shalt well remember what the Lord thy God did unto Pharaoh and all Egypt So shall the Lord thy God do unto all the people of whom thou art afraid As if he should say That God who hath made good his promise in his peoples deliverance for the time past he will do it for the time to come also This was Davids gracious Logick both Reason rectified and Grace taught him to argue thus 1 Sam. 17.37 The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the Lion and out of the paw of the Bear he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistim Paul fetches such another Argument from his deliverance out of the paw or mouth of the Lion And what of that 2 Tim. 4. Mark his Argument The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me to his heavenly Kingdom to whom be glory for ever and ever Amen Observe all these holy men of God by their former experience were built up in future confidence and so should we be Obj. If you shall say Where lies the strength of this Reason viz. Because God makes good his Word and Promise at one time to such as trust in him are we therefore sure he will make it good at another Ans I answer We may well be assured of it and that upon these grounds First from the Nature of Gods Covenant and Promise His Covenant is an everlasting Covenant Jer. 32.40 His Promise is very comprehensive it reacheth to all persons that are heirs of the Promise it belongs to all Saints Eph 3.18 To all places where ere those persons come 1 Kings 20 28. To all times Heb. 13.5 Isa 40.8 The Word of God standeth for ever Therefore whom God once delivers in a way of Covenant-mercy he will for ever deliver Secondly We may argue from the Nature of God For were the Covenant made never so sure like the Laws of the Medes and Persians that it should not be changed yet if God were of a changeable Nature all were as good as nothing As we see in the Covenants of vain and changeable men they snap them asunder as Samson did his cords But God is an Vnchangeable God and this puts life into that unchangeable Covenant Mal. 3.6 I am the Lord I change not therefore you Sons of Jacob are not consumed He is unchangeable in all his Attributes Unchangeable in his Love Jer. 31.3 In his Truth Psal 117.2 In his Power Isa 59.1 2. And therefore by the same reason that we trust in God once we have cause to trust in him for ever Isa 26.4 Trust in the Lord for ever for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength Thirdly The third and the last Argument is drawn from the Nature of the Price paid by Jesus Christ to his Father for all the good things that he hath promised The price of his own Blood which Blood of his in the Merit and Value of it is ever pleading and speaking better things than that of Abel Heb. 12.25 By vertue of his blood Christ pleads thus for each believing Soul Father bestow this Mercy on such a man for I have paid for that Mercy also And Father bestow such a Deliverance upon him for I have paid the price for that Deliverance also and so for a Thousand Mercies and Deliverances one after another As when the Price oâ— Ransom is paid for one in Prison when one or two doors are opened 't is an assurance to the poor Prisoner that the rest will soon be opened because the price is paid for the opening of all So in this case upon these grounds and experiences of Gods goodness and faithfulness for time past do we and ought we to strengthen Faith for the time to come The second sort of Reasons Second sort of Reasons for living by faith viz. The relation betwixt Christ and a Believer is drawn from that Relation which is betwixt Christ and a Believer 1. Christ is the Fountain and out of his fulness we do all receive grace for grace 2. Christ is our Lord and Master and therefore we are bound to give unto him the honour that is due to his Name But we can do neither the one nor the other without Faith we can neither receive from Christ what we want nor give unto Christ what is his due without Faith Christ is the Fountain of Grace 1. Christ is the Fountain and out of his fulness we all receive grace for grace but without Faith we cannot be united to this Fountain nor draw any thing from him The Water-Cock is in the house but the Spring-Head is in the field So the Water-Cock of Grace is in the Soul but the Spring-Head that feeds this is in Christ I am the life saith Christ Joh. 14.6 Life is radically in Jesus Christ Psal 36.9 For with thee is the fountain of life Now then there must be some Conduit-pipe to convey this Water of Life to the Soul and that is Faith Joh. 7.38 He that believeth in me as the Scripture haâ—h said out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water And thus a believer lives by a Principle out of himself namely in Jesus Christ Gal 2.20 I live by the faith of the Son of God who hath loved me c. 1 Joh 5.12 He that hath the Son hath life and what is it to have the Son but to believe in the Son to be united to him by Faith As the the Water-Cock is united to the Fountain by the Conduit-pipe As the Heads of those Rivers that water the Garden of Paradise were out of Paradise So the Head and Spring of those Streams of Grace that water the Soul are out of the Soul even in Christ the Fountain All my fresh springs are in thee Psal 87.7 Though some understand it of the Church of God it is more eminently true of God himself Therefore a gracious Soul lives by Faith because by Faith he is united to Christ the Fountain of all Grace Christ is our Lord and we cannot honour him without Faith Secondly As Christ is our Lord and Master we are bound to give to him the honour due to his Name Mal. 1.6 If I be a Lord and Master where is my fear and honour But we cannot honour him without Faith Faith brings a great deal of Honour to God and Jesus Christ therefore he will have
the just to live by his Faith 1. Faith honours the grace of God First it puts a great deal of Honour upon the free grace of God as we shall hear afterwards Rom. 4.16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be by grace For the act of Faith doth necessarily exclude Merit It is an act of self denial a holy despair of any thing in our selves and a firm reliance onely upon the Merit and Free-grace of Jesus Christ As a full hand receives nothing but the hand that is empty is fit to receive any thing So Faith is an empty hand laying hold upon Jesus Christ and of his fulness receiving grace for grace Joh. 1.16 Luk. 1.53 He filleth the hungry with good things Secondly it puts honour upon the faithfulness of God 2. Faith honours the faithfulness of God â—uppose God speaks a word of Promise for such or such a thing and we see no likelyhood of its performance in the order of Nature or second Causes yet saith the believing Soul I 'll trust God upon his word upon his naked word though I have nothing in hand I 'll trust him though his Providences cross his Promises I 'll trust him I am sure he is faithful he cannot deny himself 2 Tim. 2.13 This puts a great deal of Honour upon God Look as it is the greatest dishonour can be done to God when we will not trust him upon his Word as it is a dishonour to a man when he cannot be trusted and much more to the Most High God for He that believes not 1 Joh. 5.10 makes God a liar So on the other side he puts a great deal of Honour upon God that relies upon the truth and faithfulness of God 1 Thess 5.24 Therefore God is of some Credit with his own People Whereas the wicked will trust him no further than they see him A Believer puts honour upon the Faithfulnesse of God Thirdly 3. Faith honours the power of God he puts honour upon the Power and All-sufficiency of God Though we are never so weak and impotent to procure to our selves what God holds out in a Promise yet when by Faith we look at God as a God All-sufficient and Omnipotent to give a Being to his own Word this puts much honour upon God And thus did Abraham glorifie God by his Faith Rom. 4.18 19 20 21. And so do all such as tread in the steps of faithful Abraham they glorifie the free grace and power and faithfulness of God therefore God will have the Just live by his Faith God will put much honour upon that grace that puts so much honour upon God Third sort of Reasons from the nature and use of Faith The third sort of Reasons are drawn from the Nature and Vse of Faith 1. T is our livelihood First therefore a Believer lives by Faith because a Believes layes hold upon the Word of Life as hath been partly shewed already the Word of Promise the Promise of free grace for By every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God doth man live Matth. 4.4 yet not upon the Word of Promise separated from the thing promised 'T is true once God said Do this and live Now he saith Believe this and live When God said Do this and live suppose man had done what God required yet he had not lived by Merit of his Obedience Rom. 4.7 as Calvin well observes in his Sermon of Abrahams Faith But by vertue of Gods gracious Promise annex'd to his believing If thou believe this saith God which I promise thou shalt live And so by every Word that God speaks Difference of faith in both Covenants doth man live In both Covenants God required Faith but yet with a great deal of difference both in respect of the Object and Principle of Faith First in respect of the Object of Faith The first Covenant required no more but to Believe the Truth of God which promised Do this and thou shalt live but in the latter God requires Faith in Christ and in Christ crucified and in all the Promises of free grace which are Yea and Amen in Christ Secondly they differ in respect of the Principle of Faith For the first kinde of Faith man had by the grace of Creation viz. Power to give credit to God in what he spake But the second kinde of Faith a man hath not but by the grace of Regeneration It is the gift of God to believe in a crucified Saviour and so the Covenant still savoureth of more grace because the just lives by this latter kinde of Faith laying hold upon the Word of Life upon the Promise of free grace For this is the proper act of justifying Faith Now by Promise God makes himself a Debtor though he was none before and Faith puts the Promise in Suit thereupon God pays his Debts and this is the creatures livelyhood And therefore the Just must needs live by his Faith Secondly God will have his People live by Faith 2. We fell by unbelief because we first fell away and departed from God by Unbelief and Distrust Our first Parents would not give credit to God when he said Gen. 3. In the day thou eatest of the forbidden fruit thou shalt surely die but gave more credit to the Devil when he said Ye shall not die And so they fell I say by Vnbelief and Distrust therefore now God so orders the matter that whosoever will be saved must be saved by Faith God will recover his honour in a way of Faith as he was first dishonoured in the world by Vnbelief Thirdly That their Salvation might be as upon freer That salvation might be on free and sure grounds so upon surer grounds Rom. 4.17 Therefore it is of faith that it might be sure to the seed 1. Upon freer ground upon a ground of free grace for What is Faith but a casting away our own Righteousness and putting on of the Righteousness of Christ As a poor Beggar is content to cast away all his filthy Rags so that he may put on a good Sute that is freely bestowed upon him So the Apostle Phil. 3.8 9. Yea doubtless and I do count all things but loss c. The Righteousness which is of God by Faith that is the Righteousness which Faith receives not the Righteousness which is wrought by Faith For Faith hath a twofold Property the one To act for God the other To receive from God It acts for God while it purifies the heart and the life and worketh by love but so it doth not justifie It receives from God whilst it lays hold on the Merits and Righteousness of Jesus Christ and so it doth justifie Thus the Just lives by his Faith that his Justification and Salvation might be upon the freer grounds 2. That it be upon surer grounds that it might be sure to all the seed Rom. 4.16 Mans life and salvation depending upon his Obedience was not sure before the
Fall for as he was created in a possibility of standing so he was created in a possibility of falling also and fall he did as is manifest to all the world by woful experience Much less then would there be any certainty of this Salvation after the Fall should it depend upon the perfection of his own Righteousness Isa 64.6 for all our Righteousness is as filthy Rags But when nothing else is required of us in point of Justification but the renouncing our own Righteousness and the accepting of that which was performed by Jesus Christ who hath fulfilled all Righteousness to the utmost demand of the Law When once God gives us grace to do this as this is done by the grace of Faith we may be sure the gates of Hell shall never prevail against us Therefore God would have the Just live by Faith that his Salvation might be upon surer grounds General VSES Vse I. Of Information Vse 1 FOr Information If the just lives by Faith First see the happy Condition of Believers Joh. 6.29 Information in 7 things It is comfort against all discomforts What is thy Discomfort What troubles thee The happy condition of believers They have comfort 1. Against self-condemnation Is this thy discomfort when thou lookst into thy Self thou seest nothing but the Sentence of Death and condemnation in regard of thy sinfulness of Nature and Life yet thou maist say though I see nothing but Death it self By Faith I live 1. Doth the Law condemn thee Gal. 3.10 Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the Law to do them 2. Doth thine own Conscience condemn thee taking part with the Law which is written there Conscience is a Practical Syllogism The Law affords the Major Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the Law to do them Conscience affords the Minor But I have not continued in all things written in the book of the Law to do them Therefore I am cursed 3. Doth the Devil condemn thee who sails with wind and tide making use of the Law and Conscience As the Devil is called The Accuser of the Brethren 4. Do other Men condemn thee with whom thou hast sinned by counsel consent or incouragement Thou hast been partaker of other mens sins and these come to rise up in Judgement against thee 5. Doth the Gospel it self condemn thee At least for the time that is past Thou hast outstood many thousand sweet proffers of Grace and Mercy therefore thou art afraid that Sentence belongs to thee Prov. 1.24 Because I have called and ye refused I have stretched out my hand and no man regarded c. 6. Dost thou fear sometimes condemnation from the Mouth of the Judge who shall judge men according to the things that are written in the Books Rev. 20.12 yet here is thy comfort if thou believest thou art in an estate of Life The Just shall live by Faith Faith unites him to an everlasting Principle of Life And There is no condemnation to them that by faith are implanted into Christ Rom. 8.1 They are freed from condemnation Joh 5.24 1. Of the Law Rom. 7.6 We are delivered from the Law in regard of Exaction Curse and Malediction Rom. 8.2 3. We are not under the Law as a Covenant but onely as a Rule Rom. 10.14 Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to every one who believes 2. Of Conscience Heb. 9 14. How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your consciences from dead works to serve the living God This blood is sprinkled by Faith which purifies the heart Act. 15.9 and as it purifies so it pacifies Rom. 5.1 Being justified by Faith we have peace with God 3. Of Satan Rev. 12.10 For the accuser of our brethren is cast down which accused them before God day and night His accusations are cast out of the Court like the Accusations of some troublesome Informer or busie Promoter And how are we freed from his Accusations but by Faith 1 Pet. 5.9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith Repel his Accusation of God as if he did not love you because he afflicts you For of such an Accusation he there speaks as appears by the Means which there is fitted to that kinde of resistance Whom resist stedfast in the faith knowing that the same afflictions are accomplish'd in your brethren 4. Of Men Rom. 8.33 34. The Apostle challengeth Men and Devils If the Superior Judge will absolve and justifie what hath the Inferior Judge or Witness to say against the party 5. Of the Gospel Indeed if they who believe had stood out to the end the Sentence had belonged to them But because they did by Faith receive the Gospel at the last all their former rejecting of it shall not so much as be mentioned Rev. 3.20 Christ stands at the door and knocks and makes a gracious Promise If any man hear my voice and open the door I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me But alas who hears at the first knock Christ stands there many a day it may be many years before the poor creature opens and believes yet if he opens at last Christ comes in and makes good his Promise 6. Of the Judge for God shall judge the secrets of men according to the Gospel Rom. 2.16 Believers shall hear a Sentence of Absolution Come ye blessed So There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus Rom 8.1 Secondly is this thy Discomfort 2. Comfort against absence from the Lord. Thou art absent from the Lord O when shall I come and appear before God Faith draws God near to the Soul in the Promise and in the Seal of the Promise Thou seest the face of God in a lively picture in a clear glass in the glass of the Word and Sacrament and that 's a great comfort As it is some comfort to have the lively Picture of an absent friend but no picture can draw one friend so near to another as these lively pictures do draw God to the Soul Therefore when we act our Faith we are said to draw near to God Heb. 10.22 3. Against distance of things promised Thirdly is this our Discomfort The distance of the thing promised yet this is our Comfort Faith gives us such Security as if the thing had a present subsistence Heb. 11.1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen 4. Against Temporal and Spiritual wants Fourthly is this thy Discomfort That thy Wants are many in Temporals and Spirituals and thou knowest not how to get them supplied yet this is thy Comfort Christ is a Fountain and the Word a Treasure and as long as there is any thing left in the Word or in Christ in whom all fulness dwells thou canst never want
Thou maist go to the Spring-head upon all occasions Psa 23.1 The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want 5. Against Spiritual pride Fifthly is this thy Discomfort Thou art afraid thou shalt be exalted above measure yea but here is thy Comfort Faith will keep thee humble Faith tells thee Thou livest upon Alms upon a Principle without thy self 6. Against fear of not honouring God Sixthly is this thy Discomfort Thou art afraid thou shalt not honour God as thou art bound yet this is thy Comfort Faith will help thee to honour his Free-grace Faithfulness and All-sufficiency As Abraham by believing gave glory to God Rom. 4 20. Inform. 2 2 Information See the Misery of all Unbelievers they are no better then dead men Misery of Unbelievers in fix respects or condemned men Joh. 3. last He that believeth not the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him The wrath of a King is as the roaring of a Lion as the messengers of death Prov. 16.14 19.12 O what is the wrath of the King of kings Who is able to stand under the burthen of it Who among us is able to dwell with everlasting burnings Isa 33. O remember the dangerous condition of all Unbelievers who are 1. Not purified Tit. 1.15 Vnto the pure all things are pure but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure but even their mind and conscience is defiled 2. Unbelievers are not pacified Isa 57.19 20.21 I create the fruit of the lips Peace peace to him that is afar off and to him that is near saith the Lord and I will heal him But the wicked are like the troubled Sea they cannot rest whose waters cast up mire and dirt There is no peace saith my God to the wicked They are no better than condemned men Respect 1. First they are condemned by the first Covenant viz. by the Law of Works Gal 3.10 And the Gospel helps none against the first Covenant but such as receive the Gospel by Faith Resp 2. Secondly they are condemned by their own Conscience not being purged by Faith An Unbeliever commonly hath either a dead Conscience or a raging furious Conscience that like Zimri slays his own Master and yet hath never the more peace after it An Unbelievers Conscience is his own Accuser Witness Judge Condemner and Executioner it is that that puts a man into Hell upon Earth Resp. 3. Thirdly he is condemned by Satan the great Accuser first a Tempter then a Tormentor yea he is under the power of this Jaylor who as he binds Luk. 13.16 Act. 26.18 so blinds the minds of them that believe not 2 Cor. 4.4 As the poor Prisoner is blindfold a little before his Execution Psal 109.6 7. Resp. 4. Fourthly he is condemned by men not onely good men shall rise up in Judgement against him such as repented and believed at the Preaching of the Prophets but even wicked men shall rise up in Judgement one against another Though they were never such good-fellows in sin together yet when once God calls them to account as the man laid the blame upon the woman and the woman upon the Serpent though they were all in fault So shall one sinner accuse and condemn another and say Woe worth the time that ever I saw thy face if it had not been for thee I had never committed such a sin if thou hadst not made the motion I had never yielded And the other shall say If thou hadst not yielded the motion had never been put in execution Indeed where there is Faith the Accusation is easily answered we can send the Accuser to our Surety but the Unbeliever sinks under the weight of the Accusation and must bear it off by head and shoulders both his own and his other mens sins Resp 5. Fifthly he is a dead man by the Sentence of the Gospel for though the Gospel be the Power of God unto salvation yet it is onely to the Salvation of them that believe Rom. 1.16 The Gospel condemns the unbeliever as much as the Law and more too Joh. 3.18 19. He that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed in the Name of the onely begotten Son of God Joh. 3. and This is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds swere evil There is no condemnation like this This is the condemnation by way of eminency As the sharpest Vinegar is made of the sweetest Wine So the sharpest Judgements spring from the abuse of the sweetest Mercies And who are they that abuse sweet Gospel-mercies but Unbelievers Resp 6. Sixthly he shall be condemned from the mouth of the Judge himself for if the Gospel do condemn him Mercy himself cannot save him for God is onely merciful in a Gospel-way if the Gospel do condemn him the Judge must needs condemn him for As many as have sinned under the Gospel shall be judged by the Gospel as those that have sinned under the Law shall be judged by the Law Rom. 2.12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law Therefore all unbelievers shall hear the Sentence of Condemnation Go ye cursed c. This is the Gospel Rule the standing Rule of the everlasting Gospel He that believeth shall be saved and he that believeth not shall be damned Mark 16.16 As the Just lives by Faith so the Unbeliever dies by his Unbelief He is subject to the first death in the most terrible manner the sting was never yet pulled out by such a man and he is subject to the second death viz. Death of the Body and Soul to all eternity where the worm dies not and the fire is not quenched O who would continue in such a condition Why do we not cry out of our unbelief to God! Why do we not mourn and weep under the burthen of it We can weep over our dying friends O that we could weep over our own and friends dead Hearts and Souls For he that hath no Faith hath no Christ he that hath no Christ hath no Life The Unbeliever is in a dead condition he dies by his Unbelief as the Just lives by his Faith Secondly see the misery of all Unbelievers 2. Their dead condition they are in a dead condition If the Just lives by Faith they must needs be dead who have no Faith and that because they want that which should unite them to him who is the Principle of Life 1 Joh. 5.12 He that hath the Son hath life he that hath not the Son hath not life Alas poor creature he is dead while he seems to live he is dead in sins and trespasses Eph. 2.1 He is active indeed to that which is evil and that is his misery but he is dead to all that is good As Faith works by love and so sets
love and all other Graces on work So Unbelief sets all manner of sin on work and sin when it is finished Jam. 1. bringeth forth death Unbelief is the cause of all sin and misery As the Just lives by his Faith so the wicked man dies by his Unbelief All sins are pardonable to him that believes but Unbelief binds all other sins upon the Soul to condemnation O the miserable condition of all unbelievers and such are we all in our natural condition Let us confess it and bewail it at the Throne of Grace That God may give us this excellent gift of Faith that we may live by Faith upon the living God Inform. 3 Thirdly See the reason why Satan is such an enemy to Faith Reason of Satans enmity against Faith Because by it under God the creature lives Now Satan is an utter enemy to the creatures life and happiness he was a Murtherer from the beginning and therefore an enemy to Faith from the beginning He was an enemy to that Faith that was proper to the first Covenant Gen. 3.1 Now the Serpent was more subtile than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made and he said unto the woman Yea hath God said Ye shall not eat of every tree of the Garden His great Temptation was to perswade Eve not to trust God upon his Word Yea hath God said Ye shall not eat of every tree of the Garden And he is as great an enemy to that Faith which is proper to the second Covenant whereby a poor sinner casts himself into the arms of Gods Mercy through Christ held out to him in a promise of Free-grace Luke 22.31 32. you may see Satan was an enemy to Peters faith and so to the faith of every believer How do you know this Word saith the Devil to be the Word of God or if it be so how dost thou know it belongeth to thee Dost thou think God will ever make good his Promise to such a vile creature as thou art and a thousand such Objections No marvel Satan is such an enemy to Faith seeing the Just lives by his Faith Faith is that which puts life into our Zeal our Courage our Prayers all our Christian duties The Devil knows if he can but ham-string our Faith we shall halt and go lame all our days and in all our duties As our Faith is weakned our Zeal is cooled our Courage daunted our Prayers infeebled our Graces languishing and our Duties decaying from day to day Therefore as the Devil strikes most of all at our Shield of faith let us be perswaded to hold it so much the faster Eph. 6.16 Above all taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one If thou wouldst know how a Christian doth Ask him How his faith does if thou wouldst have him a thriving Christian perswade him to look well to his Faith 1 Thess 3.5 For this cause when I could no longer forbear I sent to know your faith lest by some means the Tempter hath tempted you and our labour be in vain The Tempter fights neither against small nor great but against our Faith If he robs us of that 2 Pet. 1.1 he robs us of our greatest Treasure Saving Faith is precious Faith and it is that which maintains the most precious life Therefore it is no marvel Satan is so great an enemy to our Faith Inform. 4 Fourthly Difference between the life of Christ and ours This informs us of the difference betwixt the life of Christ and ours Christ hath life of himself as the Father hath life of himself Joh. 5.26 He is the Principle of Life to himself he receives it from no other But our life is a derivative life we derive our life from him who is the Fountain of life and the Fountain of light too Psal 36.9 For with thee is the fountain of life and in thy light shall we see light Therefore as this puts us in minde of the glorious Dignity of Jesus Christ who is as the Sea to all living creatures especially such as live the Life of Grace to whom he is the Fountain of light and life So it should reminde us of the Humility which befits creatures in such a condition as we are As we should have high thoughts of Christ so vile and mean thoughts of our Selves For though Christ could live well enough without us as he did before we had any Being yet we cannot live without him he is the main Object of our Faith and therefore the very Principle of our Life for the Just doth live by his Faith Inform. 5 Fifthly This informs us why there are so many dead creatures in the world As Christ saith Why so many dead Mat. 8.22 Let the dead bury the dead let such as are dead in sins and trespasses bury such as are naturally dead How manymen in the world have no life to any thing that is good dead-hearted creatures and yet insensible of their deadness alive unto sin but dead unto all gracious performances The very reason is They want Faith Nevertheless when the Son of Man comes shall he finde Faith upon the earth Luke 18.8 There is little Faith in the world and therefore little Life in the world Nay many of those who have a Name to live are dead Rev. 3.1 because many who make Profession of Faith do want the Faith which they do profess They are not by Faith united to Christ the onely Principle of all Spiritual Life and of all living actions and therefore their most specious good works such as are materially good are no better than dead works and so sinful works because formally evil as not springing from a living Principle to wit from the Spirit of Grace dwelling in the creature and uniting him by Faith to Jesus Christ who is the Fountain of Life I confess a wicked man may perform many excellent works and that by the help of Gods Spirit too and yet have no life in him for all that for There is a twofold help from the Spirit of God the one from the inhabiting Spirit of God dwelling in the heart and changing the nature of the creature the other springing onely from some common work of the Spirit strengthning a man to this or that particular action by the Elevation of his natural parts and the improvement of them in outward Expressions There is a great deal of difference betwixt a creature that is moved by a Spirit that dwells in it and informs it That is forma informans and so acts it from an inward Principle and that which is moved by a Spirit that dwells not in it but doth onely make use of it or assist it pro tempore that is but forma assistens as the Angel that made use of a body in appearing and speaking to Manoah and his Wife Thus it is with men of most eminent parts if they have not Faith though
they may have a Name to live yet in truth they are but dead dead in their persons and dead in their works for without Faith there is no true life either in this man or in any thing that comes from him For the Just lives by his Faith Inform. 6 Sixthly This shews the unsoundness of their opinion who say there may be life in a creature No life until Faith and Christ in a creature before there be Faith in the creature as if Faith did onely give Evidence of that life which was in the Soul before Faith But the Text is plain The just lives by his faith Therefore as Christ and Life so Faith and Life come both together and Faith is an Instrument of applying Christ for the maintaining and acting of Spiritual Life So that Faith is not onely an evidence to shew that we are alive but it is an Instrument under Jesus Christ of Spiritual Life Therefore look as when it is said By faith the walls of Jericho fell down it is not onely meant that by Faith they saw when they were down for they could see that with the eye of sense but the meaning is Faith was the Instrument or Engine laying hold of the Vertue Truth and Power of Christ who stood upon the top of the wall and bid them compass the City six days and blow with Rams-horns and give a shout the seventh day and the walls of Jericho should fall down Now they doing this in Faith and believing God would make good his Promise It is said By faith the walls of Jericho fell down their faith was an Instrument of their falling and not onely an evidence that they were fallen So I say Faith is an Instrument of Spiritual Life and not onely an evidence that the Creature doth live The Just shall live by his Faith Inform. 7 Seventhly This shews us what the Ministers of God are principally bound to preach The Ministers chief work and what people principally should desire to hear and that is the Word of Faith because this is indeed the Word of Life The Just shall live by his Faith and therefore we make bold to be the longer upon this subject It is true indeed we are bound to preach of Good Works also and of Duties to God and Men but these are to be set in their due place and order to be brought in as fruits and effects of Faith and Repentance and not as the causes Simile To speak altogether of Good Works and Good Duties without Faith is all one as if one should make Roof of a House without any Walls or Foundation To speak altogether of Faith without the fruits of it in Good Works is all one as if one should lay a Foundation and build the Walls but never set on the Roof The one of these ought to be done and the other not to be left undone Howsoever the chief of these is Faith In order to the Foundation it lays hold upon Christ He is the onely sure Foundation of all our building and therefore the Word we preach is called the Word of Faith Rom. 10.18 As if Faith should be the principal subject of our Preaching as indeed it should For the end of all Preaching The End of all Preaching is either to beget Spiritual Life or else to maintain it and increase it where it is begotten and this is done in a way of Faith For the Just shall live by his Faith Vse 2 Vse II. Of Reproof Reproof to 3 sorts To Reprove divers sorts of men 1. Such as live by other things in stead of living by Faith 2. Such as profess Faith but live not by it like a man that makes Profession of such a Calling but never works upon his Trade 3. Such as not onely profess Faith but have the habit of it and yet act it not They live not by it like a rich man that hath wealth enough and yet is ready to starve himself for want of making use of that which God hath bestowed upon him First It Reproves such as live upon other things First sort Reproved in stead of living by Faith And the world swarms with such kind of men It is hard to name the several sorts of them every man hath something or other to live upon but few live by Faith For 1. Some live upon their very sins 1. Such as live upon their sins they account that their life which is no better indeed than their Death How many make a living of Theft of Deceit in Bargaining of Oppression or of keeping such Houses of Filthiness as are no better than Lark-Nets to catch the simple fool as Solomon faith The truth is there is no sinner under the power of sin but he loves his sin as his very life he had as lieve part with his life as with his lust O he hugs it and makes much of it he keeps it as a sweet bit under his Tongue Joh. 20.12 Though he hath poisoned himself with the Devils Sweet-meats as he spoke within a verse or two His meat within him is turned into the gall and poison of Asps. Some Poisons do not work in many days or years after they are received and such are the Devils Poison you shall not it may be perceive the deadly operation of them in many years after you have taken them and yet at the last they will certainly prove the bane of your Souls without Repentance O do not live upon that which will certainly prove your Death 2. Some live upon their Pleasures and Recreations 2. Upon pleasures O they account them the very life of their life they spend more time in Hunting and Gaming and Sporting than in the lawful works of their Calling Such a life as this deserves the name of death rather than life They are dead whilst they live who live in pleasures 1 Tim. 5.6 There is nothing more opposite to the Life of Faith which chooseth rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season Heb. 11.25 Such as live upon Pleasures Simile are just like foolish Children or Women that are taken with the Green Sickness who feed upon dust and ashes and such like trash in stead of wholesome food till they are again ready to be turned into dust and ashes themselves So do those who feed upon Pleasures Isa 44.20 They do but feed upon ashes because a deceitful heart hath turned them aside How well might they live if they would live by Faith but how poorly do they live who live upon Pleasures They do but live upon ashes they lay out their money for that which is not bread Isa 55. 3. Upon creatures 3. Others live upon the Creatures without them in stead of living upon God by Faith They put those things in their hearts and upon their head which God by Creation and Ordination hath placed under their feet The body of man lives not by
bread without a word from God how much less the Soul The Creature is vain therefore it is vain to live upon the Creature It 's vain in its nature vain in its strength and efficacy if God withdraws his influence and vain in its duration having in it self a Principle of its own corruption and why should Immortal Souls offer to live upon Mortal Creatures and yet thus do most men in stead of living by Faith upon God they live upon the Creature 1. As Riches 1. Some live upon their Riches though God hath put in a Caveat to the contrary If riches increase set not your heart upon them with a special charge 1 Tim. 6.17 Charge them that are rich in this world that they trust not in uncertain riches but in the living God The living God Note is the godly mans living but he is a dead-hearted creature that lives upon creatures as dead as himself It was the speech of a very fool Luk. 12.19 Soul eat drink and be merry thou hast many goods laid up for thee c. 2. Or Friends 2. Others live upon their Friends O they have such a friend that supplies all their wants from year to year or such a friend that hath ingaged both his fidelity and ability for their preferment or for their maintenance he hath made a faithful Promise and they dare take his word and trust to it Alas poor deceived Soul darest thou lean upon the Word and Promise of a Creature of a Mortal Creature a vain and vanishing Creature for every man at his best estate is altogether vanity and darest thou not lean upon the Word and Promise of the All-sufficient Jehovah Out of thy own mouth and out of thy own practice thou shalt be condemned Thou canst live by Faith in the Creature and yet wilt not live by Faith in God and therefore hear thy doom Jer. 17.5 God hath spoken it and the Creature shall finde it Thus saith the Lord Cursed be the man that trusteth in man and maketh flesh his arm and whose heart departeth from the Lord. Mark ye where there is a trust and confidence in the Creature there is always a distrust and diffidence in respect of God And therefore in this case no help or blessing a man can finde among the Creatures can save him from the Curse and Judgement of God 4. Others live upon the Creature within themselves 4. Upon themselves in stead of living upon God by Faith For the Creature is apt to live upon the Creature within it self as well as to live upon the Creature without it self Nay he that scorns to live upon another either God or Man yet he prides himself in this That he can live as he thinks of himself And indeed nothing is more contrary to the Life of Faith than this The Life of Faith is a Life of Self-denial and the setting up of Self is the denying of the Faith and a denying of God Yet most men live upon themselves they set up sinful Self or natural Self or artificial Self or moral Self or religious Self 1. Some set up Sinful Self for their sins are themselves 1. Sinful Self and the forsaking of sin is the forsaking of Self But of this we have spoken already 2. Some set up Natural Self 2. Natural Self in stead of living by their Faith 1. They live by their Wits and Cunning Shifts but this is a poor shift in conclusion for God taketh the wise in their own craftiness Joh. 5.12 2. Some live by their own Reason and will believe no more nor do no more than corrupt Reason gives assent to As for Example Let God command kindness to strangers such as a man never saw before and is never like to see again In this case Natural Self disputes quarrels and reasons the case 1 Sam. 25.11 Shall I take my bread my water and my flesh and give it unto men who I know not whence they be 3. Again suppose God threatens downfal to sinners in the greatest height of Prosperity Natural Self will not believe it so long as it sees no visible means Tush saith Babylon the words of the Prophet are but wind I sit as a Queen and shall never be moved 4. Let God promise deliverance out of the lowest Dungeon of Adversity Natural Reason will never believe it unless it sees visible means of relief If God should make windows in heaven could this thing be Can God prepare a Table in the Wilderness What in the Wilderness where there is neither Corn nor Roots nor Fish nor Fowl nor any beasts that they can lay their hands upon The beasts of the Wilderness may devour them but they can never feed upon the beasts Therefore whatever God promise they will believe nothing unless they see a Reason for it because they set up Natural Self 3. Artificial Self 3. Some live upon Artificial Self A mans Art and Trade is called his living and so it is indeed under God but when we set it above God that 's dangerous When men make a Diana of their Trade because by that craft they get their living this is to thrust out the true God and to make an Idol of their Art and Skill and so to Sacrifice to their Net or to their Plough or to their Pen or to their Trade or to their Merchandize Woe be to such men Habak 1. last Haggai 1.6 They put what they have into a broken bagge a bagge with holes 4. Some live upon Moral Self 4. Moral Self because they are fairer conditioned towards men and have committed as they think no gross enormous actual sin against God O they think all is well they are in the way to life and salvation before they come to understand the breadth of Gods Commandments and the Spiritual meaning of the Law They make no question but they are in the way to life and salvation Rom. 7.9 For I was alive without the Law says the Apostle but when the commandment came sin revived and I died Before the Commandment came home to my Conscience I was alive I thought my self in a good condition sin never troubled me but after it came home to the purpose I saw my self in a dead condition without a Saviour for Rom 3.20 By the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified in his sight 5. Some live upon Religious Self besides Moral Self 5. Religious Self O they have received such and such Graces they perform such and such Duties far beyond an ordinary Moralist Luk. 18.12 The Pharisee was not onely eminent in Moral Duties to men but in Religious Duties yea and extraordinary Religious Duties to God for he fasted no less than twice every week Now this puts life into his heart that he dare plead with God himself for acceptance he made no question but he was in the state of life But he was grosly mistaken Whilst he goes about to establish his own Righteousness he cannot
submit to the Righteousness of God and so he falls short of the Life of Justification For the poor Self-denying Publican went down to his house justified rather than the other Note Whoever sets up Religious self in point of Justification he stands in his own light he sets up himself betwixt Christ and his own Soul For he is the true light who lightens every one that comes into the world And the Just shall live by Faith in him And therefore he that sets up Religious Self in the room of Christ he sins against his own Soul And thus some live upon other things in stead of living by Faith 2. Second sort reproved Such as profess Faith but live not by it Secondly It Reproves such as profess Faith but live not by it like a man that makes profession of such a Calling but never works upon his Trade So multitudes make a Profession of Faith and say I believe in God the Father Almighty c. and in Jesus Christ c. But when they have made this Profession they live not by this faith which they so solemnly profess Indeed many talk of it but few walk by it Many swear by it few live by it It is a rare thing to finde a man that makes use of his Faith in all his dealing Many make use of their carnal Reason and many make use of Sense but few make use of Faith in those things which are above the grasp of Sense and Reason Our Saviour Christ might well say Luk. 18.8 Nevertheless when the Son of Man cometh shall he finde Faith upon the Earth Look upon the vast Globe of the Earth into what narrow compass they are brought that make any Profession of the Faith Doth not the Turk possess the greatest part of the Eastern World Amongst those that do profess the Faith for Name sake how many do fulfil that sad Prophecy of Paul to Timothy 1 Tim. 4.1 Now the Scripture speaketh expresly In the latter times some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing Spirits and doctrines of Devils or Daemons speaking lies in hypocrisie having their Consciences seared with a hot iron forbidding to marry and commanding to abstrain from meats Is not this as lively a description of their Popish Doctrine as if the Apostle had been alive to see what they do and to hear what they speak at this day And doth not this Doctrine over-spread the greatest part of the Western World Besides whole Clouds of Errours and gross Opinions arising daily out of the Bottomless Pit and obscuring for the present the bright Beams of the Sun of Righteousness Is there not in these days a Resurrection of Hymeneus and Philetus or at least a Resurrection of loose Opinions who deny the Resurrection and say it is past already and by this means overthrow the faith of some 2 Tim. 2 17 18. Again amongst those who do profess the true Faith for the Doctrinal part and are well principled in it how few are there that walk up to their Principles and so live by Faith in the practical part of their life That saying is fulfilled which is written Tit. 1 last They profess they know God and so they profess they believe in God but in works they deny him being abominable and disobedient and unto every good work reprobate Though they make Profession of Faith look upon them in their eating and drinking and buying and selling and discoursing and in a word in the whole Series of their conversing with men you shall see no more of Faith in them saving the bare Profession than if they were very heathens And these are the second sort to be Reproved such as make Profession of the Faith but they live not by it Thirdly The third sort are such 3. Third sort Reproved Such as duly act not their Faith who not onely profess Faith but have the habit of it and yet act it not they live not by it As a rich man that hath wealth enough and yet is ready to starve himself for want of improving what he hath So do some men in a Spiritual sense It may be God hath inrich'd them with the grace of Faith and yet at some times and in some cases they live as if they had no faith at all as in difficult duties especially in great and sudden Trials Like a young Fencer Simile when he meets with an unwonted stroke he is put besides his skill and besides his ordinary guard and throws down his weapons So did the Disciples upon the sudden storm Luk. 8.24 Insomuch as Christ says Where is your faith Faith they had indeed but there was none to be seen at that time And therefore in the other Evangelist Mark 4.40 Christ saith upon the same occasion How is it that ye have not faith What had they no faith at all were the Disciples Vnbelievers No certainly there 's no question but they had the habit of Faith but there was no apparent act of Faith and therefore they were justly reproved by their Master And so are all such who having the grace of Faith do not labour upon all occasions to make use of it and to improve it for their own and others best advantage For this is properly to live by Faith But many are too blame in this particular they suffer their Faith to lie asleep And we may say to such as Christ to the Disciples Where is your faith They act not their faith in the Precept or Promise upon all occasions living upon a Word from God as they ought to do and therefore we may say Where is your faith For as Faith is the life of the Soul so the Word is the life of Faith and God is the life of the Word And therefore such as live not by Faith upon a Word from God upon particular emergent occasions we may say Where is your faith To instance a little in some particular in regard of our 1. Actions 2 Passions and 3. Elections Whether in 1. Actions 1. For our Actions Doth God call for Obedience as a necessary fruit of Faith in such plain and known Duties and thou standest with a stiff neck and wilt not bow or buckle to the serious Performance thereof May we not say in this case Where is thy faith Is not the Word plain Faith worketh by love and If ye love me keep my Commandments Again doth God call for Mercy and Almsdeeds with Promise of a large Retribution and thou hardenest thy heart and knittest thy fist and bendest thy brows against the Poor Where is thy faith Hast thou not a plain Promise to ground thy faith upon Prov. 19.17 He that giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord and the Lord will recompence him that which he hath given 2. Art thou in a prosperous Condition 2. Conditions Psal 62.10 and dost thou trust to thy Mountain of Prosperity O where is thy faith Hast thou not a plain Word If riches increase set not
your heart upon them Art thou in a troublous condition and dost not pour out thy Soul to God in Prayer O where is thy faith Hast thou not a plain Word Psal 50.15 Call upon me in the time of trouble and I will deliver thee and thou shalt glorifie me Art thou cast into Poverty or dost thou fear straights for want of Maintenance O where is thy faith Hast thou not a plain Word for it Mat 6.25 31. Take no thought for your life what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink c Or if thou saist How if such a Frind should die or such a Bond be lost Where is thy faith Hast thou not a plain Word Heb 13.5 I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Indeed if thou canst say How if Christ should die or the Covenant fail it were something So 3. in point of Elections there is to be Faith in them 3. Elections Heb. 11.25 Art thou to make choice of the place of thy Habitation and thou with Lot choosest to dwell there where thou maist have many advantages for Worldly riches rather than for Heavenly treasure O where is thy faith Hast thou not a plain Word Psal 27.5 One thing have I desired of the Lord and that will I seek after that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life to behold the beauty of the Lord and to enquire in his Temple And again Psal 84. I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the Tents of wickedness Art thou to choose a Servant is thy main enquiry to know what skill or ability he hath to do thy Work and thou never enquirest how well he is fitted to do the Work and Service of God O where is thy faith Hast thou not a plain Word Psal 101.6 7. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land that they may dwell with me he that walketh in a perfect way he shall serve me He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight Art thou to choose a Friend and thou enquirest how witty how wealthy how pleasant but never how Religious how faithful Where is thy faith in the mean time Hast thou not a plain Word Prov. 25.19 Confidence in an unfaithful man is like a broken tooth and a foot out of joynt Such a friend will fail thee when thou dost most stand in need of him The more thou leanest upon him the more he will vex thee Art thou to choose a Yoke-fellow thou enquirest what Portion and what Proportion how rich how beautiful but not how good how gracious how rich heaven-ward Where is thy faith Hast thou not a plain Word 2 Cor. 6.14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unblievers for what fellowship hath Righteousness with Vnrighteousness and what communion hath light with darkness Digression upon Election of the Town-Magistrates To come home to the Work of this Day Art thou to chuse a Magistrate or Inferior officer Dost thou enquire whether such a man be thy Friend or thy Kinsman or thy Customer or one that hath bespoke thy Voice and dost thou never enquire How just he is and faithful to men or how Religious in his carriage to God O where is thy faith Hast thou not a plain Word Exod. 18.21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the People able men such as fear God men of truth and hating covetousness And hast thou not a gracious Promise Isr 1.26 I will restore thy Judges as at first c. afterward thou shalt be called The City of Righteousness The faithful City O that you would live by Faith in this Word of God in the Work of this Day Do not judge Gods Messengers as busie-bodies in other mens matters whilst they give Magistrates their Charge from God and People their Charge also in the Choice of Magistrates for the Text before-cited will bear us out in both I shall not descend to particulars onely in general Be sure to discharge your Oaths and a good Conscience therein both as Freemen of this Town and as Freemen of Jesus Christ keep to your Charter and you shall not do amiss As I take it you have a Double Charter one from the highest Power upon earth the other from Jesus Christ who hath all Power in Heaven and Earth I suppose the first of your Charters will direct you to chuse honest and just Men in regard of Communicative and Distributive Justice I am sure your second Charter by vertue whereof you are the Freemen of Jesus Christ and of that Jerusalem which is above which is the Mother of us all I am sure this Charter doth charge you as near as you can to chuse men fearing God Religious men such as you apprehend to be really so I know we all profess Religion but all do not walk answerably to their Profession I would there were not some publick Contemners of the Means of grace and such as commonly and ordinarily walk contrary to the Rule of the Gospel You know it is a Gospel-Rule given to us Ministers Preach the Word be instant in season out of season and therefore you might well say Woe be to us if we preach not the Gospel accordingly And surely upon the same ground People are bound to hear in season and out of season in case extraordinary occasions take them not off I need not tell you unless it be in way of acknowledgement the great Charges you are and have been at for a long time in maintaining the Publick Ordinance twice in the Week upon your ordinary days I have heard it hath been one of the most Ancient Lectures in the Kingdom But I fear if you well observe one another in this particular though there are many constant and willing Auditors yet there are some that hear me this day upon this Civil occasion whose faces you saw not here of many days before no I am afraid many a week together For my part I do not see how such as are faithful to their Heavenly Charter and have to do in Election of Officers can shew any countenance to such persons as do usually discountenance and slight the Publick Ordinance If they judge the Ordinance not worthy of their Presence me thinks others should judge them not worthy of Publick Trust I confess for my own particular I have not desired in satifying a curious ear to speak to you in the enticing words of mans wisdome yet I hope I may say with the Apostle I have endevoured to approve my self to every mans conscience in the sight of God I desire to speak nothing but the truth of God in the patern of wholesom words and that word of Faith by which every one of you shall be judged in the latter day And in this case whosoever despiseth the weakest Messenger of Jesus Christ he despiseth Christ himself and whosoever despiseth Christ you know his doom
My hearts desire and prayer to God is for the contrary I hope I may say with Job My Record is in heaven that my principal aim is the good of your Souls and next to that the Publick good of this Town which is not likely to be advanced by such as despise and undervalue the Ordinances of Christ Such as render not unto God the things that are Gods are not likely to render unto Men the things that are theirs And therefore I beseech you exercise Faith in matter of your Election not onely of your Chief Magistrates amongst you for I hope there will be no scruple in that but of Inferior Officers Simile A man that would have a good Orchard hath the greatest care of his first Plantation and so I hope will you I must needs say your last years Work and some other passages of Providence do give grounds of hope that God intends yet further good to this Town For the present do that which is your Duty and leave the Success to God I shall forbear to speak further for this time desiring to second that by Prayer that hath been said already The end of this Sermon Vse III. Of Examination Vse 3 Examination Use of Examination and Trial First Of Persons Secondly Of Doctrines and Religions 1. Of Persons whether we are Just 1. For trial of Persons and in a state of Life of Spiritual Life or no for then we have Faith For the Just lives by his Faith There is no other Life there is no other Righteousness to be attained unto but that which is by Faith Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth the Righteousness of Faith without Works Rom. 4 6. Well then that we may know whether we have Life or no or whether we have Righteousness or no the main Quaere will be Whether we have Faith or no And this is worthy the enquiring after and worth the trying The more precious any thing is in the true nature and quality of it the more exact we use to be in the trial of it lest we should be cozened with that which is false and counterfeit in stead of that which is right and good We do not use to be so exact in the trial of things of lesser moment but marvellous exact and accurate in the trial of Gold and Precious Stones and that which makes us so accurate in the trial of them is because they are so precious Now Faith in the Scripture is called precious Faith Now for what is it precious but for the rarity and excellency of it and so the trial of Faith is called Precious Trial whether it be tried by the Word of God or whether it be tried by the Works of God in the Furnace of affliction it is a precious trial 1 Pet 1.7 At this time we shall endevour to try it by the Word of God which is the Touchstone of Faith And this Trial if well applied may be very precious to us and of singular use For in case upon trial we finde through Mercy we have true Faith we shall have great cause to be thankful to rejoyce in the God of our Salvation But in case we finde we have not Faith as we shall have great cause to be humbled so as great cause to seek God in the use of means for this excellent grace of Faith for it is our very Life The Just shall live by his Faith Marks of true Faith from feigned But how shall we know whether we have Faith or no For as there is Faith unfeigned 1 Tim. 1.5 so there is feigned and counterfeit Faith also Quest How shall we know the one from the other It loves to be cried Ans 1. First to be sure this is one remarkable note of Distinction That Faith which is true loves to be tried that which is false cannot endure to come to the Trial. In this case it is just as it is betwixt a True man and a Thief The true man if he chance to be suspected he loves to come to the Trial that he may clear himself but the Thief declines it all that he may because he knows himself guilty A man that hath false and counterfeit Faith he loves to take all for granted that he doth believe he cannot endure to put himself to further trouble he doth not like these Uses of Trial and Examination Like a man that is false upon his Accounts he cannot endure his Books should be examined but he that hath true faith he desires nothing more than the through Trial of his faith O he would not for all the world be mistaken in a matter of so great concernment and therefore he likes that Ministery best that is most searching And when the Ministery hath done all it can do such a Soul goes to God by Prayer and saith Lord give me grace impartially to apply the searching Word I have heard this day nay do thou thy self search me O Lord examine me and prove me try my reins and my heart Psal 26.2 And that 's the first Discovery of true Faith and true Grace It loves to be tried But how shall it be tried 2. It is tried both by the Cause and by the Effect 2. It is known by the Cause which are the best means to come to the knowledge of any thing First by the cause Instrumental It is wrought by the Word Rom. 10.17 Faith cometh by hearing Though other means may help to Faith The conversation of the Wife 1 Pet. 3.1 And the Samaritans believ'd because of the Woman Joh. 4.42 Yet the Word of God is the onely ground of Faith And this Word works in the whole man 1. It works in the Vnderstanding a clear sight of our Misery by Nature and of the Remedy in Christ dying for sinners 2. It works in the Affection a godly sorrow to Repentance and a longing desire after Christ Act. 2.37 They were pricked in their hearts and said Men and Brethren what shall we do to be saved 3. It works upon the Will a closing with the Promise and Christ in the Promise suppose 1 Pet. 2.6 or Joh. 1.12 c. grounding upon his willingness to receive all such as come to him upon his ability also and faithfulness to make his Word good It receives whole Christ Prophet Priest and King into the whole man Secondly it is tried by the Fruits and Effects And by the Effects which are 1. A high prizing of the Word which is the Instrument of Faith 1 Pet. 2.2 As new born babes desire the sincere milk of the Word that ye may grow thereby If ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious An Unbeliever doth not so prize the Word he can set a humane Testimony Cheek by Jaw with the Word of God 2. A high prizing of Christ who is the Object of Faith 1 Pet. 2.7 Unto you that believe he is precious especially the Righteousness of Christ is very precious
overtaken with self-confidence to relie upon the Mountain of his created strength or created Grace he is never well till he hath deeply humbled himself for it as David did Psal 30.6 And therefore I say a Believer so far as he is himself does all he doth in the strength of God If he be to preach if he be to pray whatever he be to do he dares venture upon nothing in his own strength lest God should blast his endevours in stead of blessing them 2 Cor. 3.5 Not that we are sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves but our sufficiency is of God Phil. 4.13 I can do all things saith the Apostle through Christ that strengthneth me yea bear all things in the strength of Christ but nothing in his own strength This is an infallible symptome of the Life of Faith Psal 84.5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee 3. The third and last Evidence hath respect to both 3. In point of both for whether a Believer be to resist that which is evil or to perform that which is good as he goes out in Gods strength so he goes to God by Prayer in both respects for prayer is a calling in of the strength of God and a believing creature is ever a praying creature unless under Tentation and therefore true Prayer is called the Prayer of Faith and indeed Prayer is one of the first evidences of Faith I do not mean the Gift of Prayer whereby we can express our selves in good words But the Spirit of Prayer and Supplications whereby we express our selves in good and child-like affections No sooner hath a man Faith but together with his Faith he receives the Spirit of Adoption whereby he cries Abba Father Rom. 8.15 therefore as the same Apostle saith Rom. 10.14 How shall they call on him in whom they have not beleeved they are but poor formal Prayers without Faith So we may say on the other side How shall they not call on him on whom they have believed 2 Cor. 4 13. We having the same Spirit of faith according as it is written I believe therefore have I spoken we also believe and therefore we speak none of Gods children are born tongue-ty'd I am sure not so hard tyed but there will be inward sighs and groans and wrestlings with God when there are no outward expressions at all The Spirit of Faith is ever attended with a Spirit of Prayer and Supplication And this is the last Evidence by which we may judge of unfeigned Faith from that which is feigned and counterfeit Branch II. Of Examination Living by faith is the touchstone to try all Doctrines and Religions whether they be true or false And as this serves for the Trial of Persons so also of Doctrines and Religions That Religion which teacheth us to live by Faith and to lay hold on the Righteousness of Christ who was made sin for us that we through him might be made the righteousness of God to life Eternal that is undoubtedly the true Religion But that Religion which slanders the Life of Faith as if it were absurd to be justified by the Righteousness of another That which teacheth we have no Original Sin remaining in us but that all is wash'd away in Baptism contrary to that of the Apostle Rom. 7.24 O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death That which teacheth inherent Righteousness necessary to Justification and that it is possible also a man may so fulfil the Law of God as to Merit at Gods hand yea that he is able not onely to do what the Law requires but to over-do even to do so much as to spare of his oyl for others This is a Doctrine and Religion savouring of horrible Pride and Presumption and therefore false But that which teacheth us to go out of our selves and to give the Glory of Salvation to Free-grace and so to live by Faith this is true and there is no unrighteousness in it Now in case we finde upon search That we do believe we have infinite cause to be thankful In case we finde we believe not we have as great cause to be humbled and to seek out for Faith Vse IV. Of Thankfulness Vse 4 The fourth Use is of Thankfulness for them that have obtained Faith and know how to live by it Thankfulness for Faith Thankfulness for our selves for our Friends Yoke-fellows and Children as the Apostle is thankful Ephes 1.15 Phil. 1.3 Col. 1.3 4. What hath God given them Faith he hath given them an excellent livelihood We rejoyce when great Lands and Livings fall to us or our friends but what is all this to Faith which is the very life of our lives our living to Eternity All the blessings of Natural Spiritual and Eternal Life are wrapt up in Faith Indeed there are many quickning Considerations should stir us up to be thankful to God with all our Souls Grounds of our Thankfulness That we should say as David Psal 103.1 2. Bless the Lord O my Soul and all that is within me bless c. First For first of all 1. 'T is Gods gift Faith as the Scripture saith is the gift of God Eph. 2.8 If we could obtain Heaven by our own Workmanship or Faith it self as a particular work of our own to fit us for Heaven we might have some cause to boast and so the less cause to be thankful But neither the works which the Law requires in general nor this work which the Gospel requires in particular is of our own working or springs out of the liberty of our own Will but it is the gift of God Look as Christ fulfilled for us all that Righteousness which the Law requires So he bestows upon us that very Faith which the Gospel requires also And Faith is like an empty hand or an empty Beggars Dish and such a Dish as is given together with the Alms it self that all the glory may be given to God and none at all to the Creature And as we are bound to be Thankful to God for the very first Faith he worketh in us So also for all the degrees and increases of our Faith Luke 17.7 The Apostles pray Lord increase our Faith to intimate That all the growth and increase of Faith is from God as well as the first seed of Faith For The Righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith as it is written The just shall live by his faith Rom. 1.17 As God is the first Author so he is the carrier on and Finisher of our Faith Phil. 2.6 Heb. 12.2 And when he begins he will also make an end therefore be thankful for Faith from first to last It is his Gift it is his free Gift without the least desert on our part therefore let him have the praise of it 2. 'T is a gift necessary to our being 1 Thess 5.8 Secondly It is such a Gift as is absolutely
that it is the Work of a God and not of a Creature All the Ministers in the World cannot do it without the Spirit and therefore it is said Gen. 9.27 God inlarge or God perswade Japhet to dwell in the Tents of Shem. The Jews came of Shem and were the first Church of Japhet came the Gentiles and they were strangers to the Common-wealth of Israel Now it must be the Work of an Almighty God to perswade them to believe and so to dwell in the Tents of Shem. We are all naturally so imprisoned and lockt up under Unbelief that in case our hearts are once set at liberty to imbrace the Promise and Christ in the Promise we may well say as Peter said when he came to himself and found that he was delivered out of Prison Acts 12.11 Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath sent his Angel and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod c. So may a Believer say who is awakened out of his dead sleep as Peter was Now I know of a surety that God hath sent his Spirit and hath deliverd me out of the hand of the spiritual Herod out of the hand of Satan It is he that hath delivered me out of the prison of Sin It is he that hath caused the Iron-gates of my unbelieving heart to fly open of its own accord It is he that by the Power of his Spirit hath loosed and shaken off all the Chains and Bolts of natural Corruptions and sinful Customs what was impossible to me God hath made feasible and easie and therefore to Him be all the praise and glory who hath fulfilled the work of faith with power 2 Thess 1.11 Thus it was with David who naturally being the servant of Sin and perceiving himself redeemed and manu-mitted by the Power of Gods Grace he doth freely in a way of Thankfulness offer up himself to the Service of God as if it were his perfect freedom Psal 116.16 O Lord truly I am thy servant I am thy servant and the son of thine handmaid thou hast loosed my bonds What follows I will offer to thee the sacrifice of Thanksgiving And this is the third Consideration that should move us to be thankful Fourthly It is such a Gift as is very precious 4. Faith is a most precious gift and therefore we should be very thankful for it It is true indeed Christ is very precious he is so in himself whether we believe or no But he is not so to us unless we imbrace him by faith 1 Pet. 2.7 This sets a price upon him to the purpose Therefore we should account that faith precious that makes Christ himself so precious to our Souls Men use to be thankful for precious gifts Now there are three things in Scripture accounted precious Three things very precious First The Pearl it self Secondly The Cabinet that holds it Thirdly The skilful Hand that hath Right and Power to open the Cabinet and lay hold upon it 1. The Pearl it self viz Jesus Christ he is 〈◊〉 precious Mat. 13.45 46. so precious that the Merchant-man is content to sell all that he hath so he may but compass this Pearl Farewel Profits farewel Pleasures farewel Honours farewel Sin so I may but injoy Christ I am willing to part with all 2. The Cabinet that holds the Pearl is precious 2 Pet. 1.4 There are given unto us exceeding great and precious Promises whereby we are made partakers of the Divine Nature One Promise is more worth than all the world How should we know where to finde the Pearl if God had not laid it up in such a precious Cabinet Therefore the Cabinet also is precious 3. The skilful Hand which hath Right and Power to open the Cabinet and lay hold upon the Pearl that is 〈◊〉 precious hand Were the Cabinet and the Pearl never so precious yet if we had no hand to open the Cabinet or lay hold on the Pearl what were we the better But Faith hath skill and power from God to open the Cabinet and to lay hold upon the Pearl and to say This is mine and therefore this Faith must needs be precious Faith The preciousness of Faith in 4 respects 2 Pet. 1.1 It is a precious hand in four respects 1. Because it lays hold upon precious things Precious Christ Precious Promises Precious Righteousness and Precious Holiness For we are justified by Faith and sanctified by Faith as we have already proved at large 2. Because in case it lays hold on things not precious it makes them precious As it makes difficult things easie all things are possible to him that believeth so it makes vile things become precious Rom. 8.28 And this we know saith the Apostle that all things work together for good to them that love God 'T is all one as if he had said To them that believe in God For Faith worketh by love it turneth Iron-fetters into Golden chains There is much talk of the Philosphers Stone what great wonders it would do if it could be found out But this is true of Faith It turneth all that it toucheth into that which is most precious It was fabled of Midas That it was his desire whatever he touch'd might be turned into Gold he had his desire and yet he repented himself when he had done say they Because his very meat was turned into gold that should have preserved his life But whatever a Believer touches by Faith if it be not turned into Gold it is turned into that which is more precious than Gold Suppose he meet with Poverty or with Bonds and Imprisonment I know saith the Apostle that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayers and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ Phil. 1.19 And thus Faith is precious for it maketh even vile things become precious 3. Because it lays hold on precious things for it self The Master of a Ship may carry abundance of Treasure for another man But whatever precious things Faith lays hold on it makes them it s own My God and my Lord saith Thomas I live by the faith of the Son of God saith Paul who hath loved me and given himself for me My beloved is mine and I am his My Christ My Promise My Heaven All is mine saith Faith All things are yours and you are Christs and Christ is Gods 1 Cor. 3.23 4. Because it lays fast hold it lays hold for ever on those precious things If a Believer should lay hold and let go again his Faith were not so precious Nay the more happy a man esteems himself in the enjoyment of a good thing the more miserable he apprehends himself to be in the loss of it But Faith lays hold upon Christ for ever Once thine and for ever thine for The Just lives by Faith the Life of Conservation or Perseverance It may be thou art afraid thou shouldst let thy hold go of Christ But to be sure Christ will never let his hold go
of thee yea he will establish and confirm thy hold of him Phil. 1.6 Being confident of this very thing that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform or finish it until the day of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1.5 Ye are kept by the power of God through faith unto Salvation Job 17.9 The righteous shall hold on his way and he that hath clean hands shall grow stronger and stronger Jer. 32.40 I will put my fear into their hearts that they shall not depart from me This is the fourth respect wherein Faith is such a precious Gift viz. Faith lays hold on Christ and consequently on whatsoever is precious so as never to let go its hold which Consideration ought to excite our Thankfulness for so rich a Jewel as Faith which everlastingly entails all the Priviledges of the Covenant 5. and lastly We should be Thankful for Faith 5. Faith is rare because it is so rare and scarce to be found This Flower grows not in every Garden We should indeed be Thankful for good things though they are common but I know not how it comes to pass we take little notice of such Mercies Among outward things what more precious than the Sun the Air and the Water and yet because they are common how few are affected with Gods goodness in these things as they ought to be But what is scarce and hard to be found we are usually much taken with such a thing and can prize the Donor of it Now such a thing is true Faith it s very hard to be found When the Son of Man cometh Luke 18.8 shall he finde Faith upon the earth Doubtless many may be found that have the Profession of Faith in their mouths but few that have the Grace of Faith in their hearts or the Fruit of Faith in their lives As there are few that shall be saved so there are few that do truly believe for He that believeth shall be saved Mark 16.16 Now of those few there are very few wise and mighty and noble upon whom God bestows this precious Gift of Faith A poor despicable creature that hath obtain'd Faith at Gods hands may say Blessed be God though I have but little in the world yet God hath given me that which he hath denied to many wise and mighty and noble men in the world Therefore such a man hath great cause to be thankful to be thankful I say even to admiration Joh. 14.22 Lord how is it that thou dost manifest thy self unto us and not unto the world This is that for which Jesus Christ himself is so thankful to his heavenly Father Mat. 11.25 At that timt Jesus answered and said I thank thee O Father Lord of Heaven and Earth because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto babes even so Father because it seemed good in thy sight Here is something very remarkable in the speech of Christ which we shall take notice of in the Resolution of two questions Quest 1. Why it is said At that time Jesus answered when we reade not any body said any thing to him before Ans I answer S. Luke will resolve this question Luk. 10.21 In that hour Jesus rejoyced in the Spirit and said I thank thee c. Observe God spake joy to his Soul inwardly though nothing was spoken outwardly even such joy as makes men exult or leap for joy as the word signifies And in answer to this inward work of joy Jesus answered and said I thank thee c. Quest 2. But then secondly it may be questioned Why an inward answer of Thankfulness might not serve the turn to an inward voice of joy Ans For this we must know Christ doth return his answer in an audible voice for their sakes that stood by as he said in another case Joh. 11.42 viz. To stir up the Disciples and all Gods People to be the more thankful for such a choice and singular Mercy He sets before us a pattern of Thankfulness he tells us what we should be thankful for above all other things namely That God hath revealed to us the great Mystery of Salvation And how is this revealed but by Faith and why should we be so thankful for the revelation of this Mystery by Faith even because there are so few that do believe it is a Mystery that is hid from the wise and prudent and revealed to a few babes that have no more knowledge of heavenly things by nature than if they were babes It is kept secret from the wisest part of the world and from the greatest part of the world And therefore if Faith be so rare and scarce as well as precious we have the greater cause to be thankful Each true Believer may stand and wonder and say Lord who am I that whilst so many Millions go in the broad way that leads to destruction who am I that I should be one of those few that do believe to the saving of the soul Heb. 10.39 Vse V. Of Humiliation Vse 5 The fifth Use is for Humiliation in case upon Trial we finde we believe not Humiliation for Unbelief we have great cause to be humbled for our Unbelief for as the just lives by his Faith so the Unbeliever dies by his Unbelief as we have heard We should look at Unbelief as the most deadly and dangerous of all other sins and therefore be humbled for it When Christ saith His Spirit should convince the world of sin Joh. 16.9 he says no more but thus It shall convince the world because they believe not on me as if Unbelief were the greatest of all other sins O that we could conceive it so We startle at Murther Adultery Theft c. and good reason we should do so in the mean time it may be we are little troubled that we do not believe nay it may be we think we do well to doubt of the Promise as Jonah thought he did well to be angry The evil of Unbelief And yet this sin of Unbelief exceeds all other sins in some respect For 1. It dishonours God First it is a sin that doth exceedingly dishonour God Indeed it calls the Divinity it self in question for if God be not a God of Unchangeable Truth and of Infinite Power he is as good as no God But Unbelief questions the Truth of God God saith He that trusts in him shall not be confounded But saith the Soul Though I should cast my self upon his Promise I question whether it should be made good to me Thus 1 Joh. 5.10 He that believeth not God hath made him a liar So Unbelief another while questions the Power of God Can God prepare a Table in the Wilderness and the like Can God forgive or can God subdue such sins Now what a dishonout is this to God 2. It grieves the Spirit of God Secondly it 's a sin that doth exceedingly grieve the Spirit of God When King Ahaz
man believe not what he professeth to be true he will be soon ready either to lay down or to take up Opinions as he may best serve the present time for his own interest In this respect an Unbeliever is a Time-server 1 Tim. 4.2 He speaks lies in hypocrisie If any new Doctrine may but swell the man up in his own Name or in his Estate he makes no bones of it to speak lies in hypocrisie 6. Apostacy Sixthly another dangerous sin the fruit of Unbelief and of Heresie is Apostacy or falling off from the Truth For by the same reason that an Unbeliever may fall from one Article of his professed Faith he may come in time to fall from all For if his Religion be no more but a State-Profession then in case the State changeth Religion where he lives his Religion is changed also And such is the Religion of all such People as are either extremely simple or extremely wise I mean worldly wise they know no other Religion than the State owns and that 's as good as no Religion at all because the State owns it it is vain to him For though that be supposed to be true which the State owns yet when a man owns it not because it is true but because the State owns it Isa 29.13 Mat. 15.9 it is vain to him In vain saith God do they worship me whilst their fear towards me is taught by the precepts of men 7. Atheism The seventh and the last dangerous sin is down-right Atheism when men grow to that height of Profaneness to deny God and his Word Lo here 's descensus Averni those slippery and dangerous stairs of Unbelief Prov. 5.5 by which men depart from the living God and go down to Hell Heb. 3.12 Take heed brethren lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God And thus you see this sin of Unbelief it s a Mother sin it s exceeding prolifical in a dangerous brood of Vipers that without Repentance will sting the sinner to death And further as Unbelief is a fertile Mother to all sin so 't is a cruel Stepmother to all Grace Unbelief a Step-mother to Grace An Unbeliever cannot love God because he cannot cast himself upon the love of God Joh. 5.42 Christ saith to the unbelieving Jews But I know you that ye have not the love of God in you An Unbeliever cannot submit with patience to the afflicting hand of God and therefore Vnbelief and Murmuring against God are ever joined together An Unbeliever cannot pray for what he wants Prayer is the daughter of Faith How shall they call on him on whom they have not believed Rom. 10. An Unbeliever cannot be thankful for any mercy received unless by Faith a man sees his interest in the Giver he can never be thankful for the Gift Psal 118.28 Thou art my God and I will praise thee thou art my God I will exalt thee As if he should have said Lord thou hast bestowed thy self as well as thy Benefits upon me and therefore I have found in my heart to praise thy Name In a word an unbeliever cannot perform any acceptable service to God you must make the tree good before the fruit can be good Mat. 7 18. and we are onely made good trees by Faith For by Faith we are grafted or planted into Christ without whose powerful influence we can bring forth no acceptable fruit to God Joh. 15.3 Abide in me and I in you as the branch cannot bear fruit of it self except it abide in the Vine no more can ye except ye abide in me We may indeed bring forth wilde grapes and sowre grapes of our selves but the sweet grapes of New Obedience and such as may be pleasant to Gods own palate we can never bring forth till we are planted into Christ by Faith For without faith it is impossible to please God Heb. 11.6 Adde to this in the sixth place 6. Unbelief the Nurse of sin That as unbelief is the Mother of all sins so it is the Nurse that maintains and keeps life in every sin it binds every sin upon the Soul both in the guilt and power of it Where there is no Faith there can be no true evidence of forgiveness of sins for Men receive forgiveness of sins by faith in Christ Acts 26.18 7. Judgments on unbelievers Seventhly and lastly consider the Judgement that hangs over the heads of unbelievers if it be but partial unbelief I mean the distrusting of God in any particular Promise though we have Faith in the main to believe the reconcilement of our persons to God yet even that partial unbelief may deprive us of many sweet mercies on this side heaven Isa 30.15 In quietness and confidence shall be your strength A man of an unquiet and unbelieving Spirit may create much trouble to himself in this present life Moses was a man in the state of Grace yea and in so great favour with God that the Scripture gives this testimony of him Deut. 34.10 There arose not a Prophet since in Israel like unto Moses whom the Lord knew face to face Yet this Moses for a particular passage of unbelief in speaking hastily to the people Num. 20.8 11.12 when he should have spoke to the Rock and in striking the Rock when he should but onely have spoke to it I say for this particular passage of unbelief he was shut out of the Land of Canaan though he was not shut out of Heaven yea though he had a strong desire to enter in and exprest this desire by an earnest Prayer Deut. 3.25 c. I pray thee let me go over and see the good land that is beyond Jordan that goodly Mountain and Lebanon Lo this was his last and great request to God yea but for all that he must not go over for so it followed in the Text But the Lord was wroth with me for your sakes and would not hear me and the Lord said unto me Let it suffice thee speak no more unto me of this matter thou shalt not go over this Jordan And Moses may thank his unbelief for all this Numb 20.12 The Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron Because ye believed me not to sanctifie me in the eyes of the children of Israel therefore ye shall not bring this Congregation into the land which I have given them And thus you see that even partial unbelief may deprive us of many sweet mercies on this side Heaven How many thousands as well as Moses and Aaron were cut short of Canaan for their unbelief and murmuring against God And the Lord forgive the sin of this present Generation in this respect who are even ready to run back into Egypt because God hath brought them into the Wilderness in the present Dispensations of Providence O the danger of unbelief though it be but in some particular Promise O how dangerous then is that total and universally
reigning Unbelief when we believe nothing at all when we have not so much as laid hold of any Promise to make peace with God! Partial unbelief deprives us of many Mercies on this side Heaven but total unbelief deprives men of Heaven it self Mark 16.16 He that believeth not shall be damned O the misery of that poor Soul that never yet believed one Promise O that we could even with Soul-bleeding tears bewail our unbelief O that God would give to each of us a heart to get into a corner and to weep in secret over our unbelief each man bemoaning himself as Ephraim did Jer. 31.18 O that I should have such a stiff neck such a base hard unbelieving heart O that I should spend so much time to so little purpose for death hath possest all that part of my life wherein I was an unbeliever The heathen man could say O Friends we have lost a day but many of us may say O Friends we have lost many days and many years wherein we have done God little or no service nay a great deal of disservice by our unbelief O that I should be so foolish and slow of heart to believe all that Lord hath spake by his Prophets and Apostles Luke 24.25 O how justly may God upbraid me for my unbelief Mark 16.14 c. that I should be so backward to believe the God of Truth and so forward to believe the Father of Lies Blessed Saviour lay not this great sin this Mother-sin to my charge which is the Mother of Abominations Thus should we pray Consider not how often I have dishonoured thy Majesty and grieved thy holy Spirit by my unbelief But O thou Mirrour of Patience and Pity who didst sometimes mourn over the People because of the hardness of their hearts Mar. 3.5 I beseech thee let that be the object of thy Pity which might be the object of thy Fury O pity and heal mine unbelieving heart Doubtless if we can but thus bemoan and bewail our selves in our unbelief that God who made good that gracious Promise to him that went on frowardly in the way of his heart I have seen his ways and I will heal him Isa 57.18 will much more make it good to such an one as with all his heart and with all his soul bewails his own frowardness and backwardness to believe I will restore comfort to him and his mourners Vse VI. Of Exhortation Vse 6 Of Exhortation The next Use is for Exhortation 1. For our selves 2. For others For our selves 1. To perswade us to labour to get Faith As Solomon saith of Wisdom with all thy getting get wisdom So with all thy getting get Faith for it is thy life 2. To keep it when we have it Non minor est virtus c. It is no less a piece of Spiritual good husbandry to keep our stock of Faith when we have it than to get it at the first 3. To live by it or use it as well as to keep it It s far better to put our Faith to use than our Money to use The Just makes a living of his Faith whilst he puts it to use 4. So to live by it as not to live barely and poorly but so as to increase the stock of our Faith Faith is such an excellent grace we can never have too much of it he that increaseth his Faith increaseth his livelihood For the just shall live by his Faith First therefore labour to get Faith Branch I. To get faith There are many things that men labour to obtain in the world Some are all for their Profits others for their Pleasures others for their Preferment and so every man as his Principle leads him But when all is done nothing is so worthy of our diligence and best endevours as is the getting of Faith Should a man gain all other things and lose this he makes a hard bargain Mat. 16. â—6 For what shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul Should a man lose all the rest and gain this he makes a wise bargain Job 2.4 Skin for skin and all that a man hath will he give for his life Now Faith is the very life of the Soul For the just shall live by his faith and therefore with all thy getting get Faith it is thy life Should a man hear of such a Medicine as would certainly preserve his life and cure all manner of Diseases whither would he not travel what would he not give to procure such a Medicine And such a Medicine is Faith commended unto us from the hand of our heavenly Physician Be of good comfort saith Christ Luke 7.50 17.19 thy faith hath saved thee and Thy faith hath healed thee Faith is a Remedy against all diseases yea suppose a faithful man dies of his disease yet his Faith is a Remedy against death it self Woe is me saith the natural man there is no friend against death But blessed be God saith the true believer for to me to live is Christ and to die is gain Phil. 1.21 The greatest of evils is turn'd into the greatest good by Faith even death it self is made advantage Who would not labour for such a Grace What should I say to raise the price of Faith in your esteem What do we esteem instead of Faith Certainly the best of men and the best of blessings are but dead things without Faith Faith puts life into a man and into all that a man enjoys Without faith men of high degree are a lie Psal 62.9 and so are all those things which make them so high Honours Profits Pleasures all these promise much O say they we 'll make thee a happy man if thou wilt set thy heart on us But they lie when they say so Jon. 2.8 They that follow after lying vanities forsake their own mercy If thou wouldst not forsake thine own mercies labour for Faith He is merciful to the purpose that is merciful to his own Soul Prov. 11.17 and that man is the most desperate Self-murtherer that is willing to live and die in his unbelief I beseech you I beseech you Friends listen to the voice of your Immortal Souls Me-thinks every man now and then should hear the voice of his precious Soul crying out in this manner Am I not the most excellent piece of Gods Workmanship And did God make me so for nothing Is not my being to continue to everlasting Do I not feel in my self the very spark of Immortality Must I not be either happy or miserable to all Eternity Is there but one means under Heaven to make me happy which is to get Faith and shall I neglect that Is this the great Work that God hath given me in charge that I should believe in him whom he hath sent Joh. 6.29 and shall I do evething else before I do this Is my life but as a day in this world and the night of death coming
doing good to us till such time as he is pleased to set us at liberty to believe An unbeliever is a poor weak creature but a believer is strong in the Lord Eph. 6.10 and in the power of his might Secondly Do we prize Wisdom 2. Wisdom If you speak of wisdom he is wise indeed who puts his trust in the Lord and lives by Faith in him Solomon tells us of a wise man who under God lives by his wisdom and preserves the life of others Eccles 9.15 And so the Just lives c. And of four despicable creatures that yet are admirable for wisdom Prov. 30.23 c. There be four things saith he which be little upon the earth but they are exceeding wise amongst the rest he tells us the Conies or as some reade it the Mice of the Mountains are a feeble people yet they make their houses in the Rocks that so the strength of the Rock may supply the defect of strength in themselves And indeed there is the wisdom of a true believer he is a wise builder that builds his house upon the Rock Mat. 7.24 and that Rock is Christ 1 Cor. 10.4 And he that believes in him builds upon him and he that builds upon him shall never fall The gates of Hell shall never prevail against him and therefore he is a wise builder Psal 125. They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion which cannot be removed but abideth for ever whereas he is a fool with a witness who despising this Rock by his unbelief builds Castles in the Air trusting to his Wit or Wealth or created Strength in time of need Behold saith the former part of the Verse his Soul which is lifted up in Arce as in a Tower of created Confidence his Soul is not right he is not right in his wits indeed But the just shall live by his faith because he is so wise to build upon the true Rock the other is a Fool he is Chronicled for a Fool that trusts to his wealth Luke 12.20 And the wise man sets out the folly of such persons who trusts in any thing but the Name of the Lord which is the onely strong Tower of Safety and therefore in the very next words he hath this expression Prov. 18.11 The rich mans wealth is his strong City and an high wall in his own conceit Mark those words in his own conceit as if he should say What a mad conceit is this for a man to trust to his wealth there 's no man would ever do so he is a very conceited fool that puts his trust in his wealth but he is a wise man that lives by faith and puts his trust in the Name of the Lord This man builds upon the Rock indeed but the other is a foolish builder for he layeth his foundation in the Sands in the quicksands of worldly Comforts that are here to day and gone to morrow Do we prize Wisdom Then O let us prize Faith Remember the wise Virgins were the believing Virgins the foolish Virgins were the unbelieving Virgins They had Lamps indeed but they had no Oil they made Profession of Faith in their lives but they had no truth of Faith in their hearts Wicked men indeed account Gods people very fools because they live all upon Promise from God and refuse the present Profits and Pleasures of sin But let them say what they will you must give losers leave to talk they shall one day befool themselves When all is done the believer will prove the wise man in the end for when he that is so wise to make himself ready beforehand to go in with the Bridegroom such as are unprepared shall be shut out like fools as they are No question but Noah was accounted the veriest fool in all the world all the time the Ark was preparing 2 Pet. 3.3 4 5. But when the Flood came in earnest and the Scoffers being put to their shifts upon the tops of the Mountains and Trees begin to cry out to Noah For the Lords sake receive us into your Ark might he not justly have replâ—ed Who is the fool now O beloved when Poverty and Sickness and Death it self comes like an armed man upon your jolly Scoffers at Religion who will prove the fools then Be wise now therefore O ye Kings be instructed Psal 2. last ye Judges of the Earth Kiss the Son lest he be angry and ye perish in the way when his wrath is kindled but a little blessed are they that put their trust in him Doubtless he will prove the wisest man in the conclusion that lives by Faith in God This is the man that hath protection from God in dangerous times This is the man that hath direction from God in dark and obscure times And surely he is a wise man that leans not to his own carnal wisdom but trusts in the Lord for guidance and direction And thus doth every true believer whilst unbelievers are wise in their own conceit and consult with flesh and blood upon Principles of Profit Credit and the like and so the threatning takes hold upon them Isa 5.21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes and prudent in their own sight for such shall be sure to fall by their own counsels On the other side such as live by Faith in God as they deny themselves in other things so by Faith they are taught to deny their own wisdom and to lay hold upon Jesus Christ for direction in all their ways and so the Promise is made good to them Christ is made unto them Wisdom As he is made their Righteousness Strength and Redemption So he is made their Wisdom 1 Cor. 1.3 He is made their Counsellor in all their doubts that is his Name Isa 9 6. Beloved as there are certain special times wherein God will let us see our need of him for other things he bringeth us sometimes into sickness that we may cry to him who is the God of our health and salvation he brings us into poverty that we may acknowledge him to be the God of our Plenty he brings us into thraldome that we may see in how much need we stand of him for our liberty he brings us into great dangers that we may see how much need we stand of his Power for our protection and preservation So he brings us sometimes into the dark or into some inextricable wilderness that we may see how much we stand in need of his Wisdom for our direction As God doth many times Non-plus the Power of the creature So he doth Non-plus the wisdom of the creature that it may live by Faith in him for direction and counsel As the Mother leaveth the childe in the dark or steps aside at a cross way that the childe may cry after her and acknowledge its beholdingness to her for guidance and direction So deals God with his children in dark and difficult times And if ever Gods People had need
to live by Faith in him for direction surely in these times wherein many things are very obscure and the wisest of men are at a stand How doth it concern us at such times as these to improve our Faith in God by Prayer grounded upon his Promises for our direction A believer acting his Faith hath great advantage of an unbeliever an unbeliever is froward and passionate and heady and hasty when he is put to plunge he waits not for the Counsel of God Psal 106.13 He leaps before he looks before he hath eyes to see his way but a believer is quiet and confident and silent and patient and prayerful Psa 113.2 and standing upon his Watch-tower to see what God will answer at such a time Never did the eye of a servant look with more intention to the hand of his Master nor the eyes of a maiden to the hand of her Mistris observing every little cast of their eye every little beck of their finger than the eyes of the faithful look to the hand and eye of God for their direction in difficult times They look to the Promise of God for direction from the Word of God Psa 119.105 This Word is a lamp unto their feet and a light unto their paths and if the Word be dark in any thing they look to the Promise of the Spirit for the right understanding of the word Isa 30 21. Thine ears shall hear a word behinde thee saying This is the way walk ye in it when ye turn to the right hand and when ye turn to the left Now this Promise is made good by Faith Psa 119.98 Ibid. 24. so that a Believer is made wiser than his enemies because Gods Testimonies are his Counsellors He must needs be wise who hath the God of all Wisdom to be his Counsellor And this is the Portion of a true believer If you speak of Wisdom HE is wise Thirdly Do we prize Riches 3. Riches of Faith for I dare not oppose a believer to a rich man as if they were incompatible though I oppose him to such an one as trusts in his riches If we speak of Riches HE is rich indeed As a man lives upon his Riches under God so the Just lives by his Faith Hearken my beloved brethren Jam. 2.5 hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith A man may be a rich man though he be a poor man rich heaven-ward though poor in respect of this world so long as he is rich in Faith that man can want nothing that wants not Faith Faith is the golden Key that openeth the good Treasury of God to his Children upon all occasions they can but ask and have O the preciousness of Faith that is able to procure the most precious things at the hand of God! Worldly men use to say A man well stor'd with Money can want nothing and Solomon hath something to that purpose Eccles 10.19 Money answers all things A man may have most things for money Meat Drink Clothes House Land and what not But a gracious heart can more truly say A man well stor'd with Faith can want nothing Faith answereth all things as Adonijah said to Bathsheba The King cannot say thee nay in any thing 1 King 2.17 So may I say to a faithful man The King of Heaven cannot say thee nay in any thing It is very observable that Abraham when he interceded in the behalf of Sodom did cease to act his Faith in Prayer before God did cease to gratifie Abraham in the thing praid for Praying believers they are or may be the richest beggars in the world As having nothing and yet possessing all things 2 Cor. 6.10 It may seem a strange Paradox and yet 't is good sense Extreme Poverty and sublime Plenty may concur His poverty is but comparative as having nothing but his riches are absolute without a quasi and yet possessing all things All things are yours saith the Apostle to believers and you are Christs and Christ is Gods 1 Cor. 3.21 A believer is a rich man indeed he is rich in present possession but he is richer in reversion All the Promises of God are entail'd upon believers these are the Saints Legacies none can lay claim to them but such as do believe for All the promises of God are Yea and Amen in Christ they are onely made good to such as do believe in him 2 Cor. 1.20 That man that is a stranger to Christ is also a stranger to the Covenant of Promise Eph. 2.12 and he that hath right in Christ hath right also to the Promises through him There are great riches above-ground but they say there are greater under-ground in the rich Mines of Silver and Gold that lie still within the bowels of the Earth So 't is true the people of God are rich in what they do already enjoy through Faith but they are far richer in those inestimable Treasures that are lockt up within the bowels of so many precious Promises one Promise is more worth than a thousand worlds And Faith is ever digging in these Mines and making new discoveries of the richest Mercies it is ever putting some Promise or other in Suit or God is ever discharging some Bond or other for the enriching of his poor creatures Fourthly Do we prize Beauty and Comeliness 4. Beauty of Faith If you speak of Beauty a true believer is truly Beautiful all external beauty is but deformity without this Like as a Jewel in a Swines snowâ— so is a creature externally beautiful without Grace and without Faith 't is Faith onely that makes the creature beautiful 't is Faith that puts upon the deformed creature the rich and glorious Robes of the Righteousness of Christ 't is Faith that puts upon the creature the very Image and Likeness of Christ and therefore they that do believe in Christ are said to put on Christ Gal. 3.26 27. And they must needs be beautiful and glorious that are clothed with the Sun of Righteousness Mal. 4.2 Ezek. 16.13 14. Thou wast exceeding beautiful thy beauty was perfect through my comeliness which I put upon thee saith the Lord. Yea mark those words saith the Lord whose judgement is always according to Truth The blind world can no more judge of Beauties than a blind man can judge of Colours but a believer is beautiful in his sight whose eyes are as a flame of fire and can see when the Kings daughter is all glorious within Psa 48. This is a beauty that takes the eye and ravisheth the heart of Christ himself Cant. 4.1 7. Behold thou art fair my love behold thou art fair thou hast Doves eyes there is no spot or blemish in thee The Believer is truly beautiful 5. Honour Fifthly Do we prize Honour If we speak of Honour a believer is honourable indeed We may call believers Right Honourable Psa 149.9 Phil. 3. without flattery as it is written Such Honour have all
the Saints The glory of others many times proves their shame but that which may seem to be the shame of a Christian Faith turns it into glory Gal. 6.14 God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ whereby the world is crucified unto me and I unto the world 1 Pet. 4.14 If ye be reproached for the Name of Christ happy are ye for the Spirit of Glory and of God resteth upon you And if there be so much glory in the very sufferings and reproach of a believer what is the glory then which they shall receive after their sufferings and in a gracious recompence of their sufferings for If we suffer with him we shall also be glorified together with him Rom. 8.17 O the glory of a true believer Where ever there is Christ in a creature there is glory in a creature Christ in you the hope of glory Col. 1.27 and not onely the hope but by the vision of Faith there is a present Transformation from glory to glory as by the Spirit of our God 2 Cor. 3.18 Thus a believer is truly honourable Isa 43.4 Since thou wast precious in my sight thou hast been honourable 6. Faith honours God Sixthly Dost thou desire to honour God in thy Place and Calling for a gracious heart is not so careful of his own glory as of the glory of God O that I could but honour God in my Place saith a gracious heart I should then be the less careful in other things Why this is the onely way to put honour upon God upon the Truth upon the Power upon the All-sufficiency of God He that is strong in the faith gives much glory to God Rom. 4.18 And this is that which the Saints prefer before their own Salvation Joh. 12.28 Whatever become of us they say as Christ said Father glorifie thy Name 'T is true Faith is highly to be prized because it is an instrument of our Salvation Eph. 2.8 Ye are saved by faith but it is much more to be esteemed as being such a special instrument of the glory of God Joh. 11.40 Said I not unto thee that if thou wouldst believe thou shouldst see the glory of God They that believe as they bring more glory to God than other men do so they see more of Gods glory than others can see And that 's a sixth Consideration that should move us to labour for Faith it brings abundance of glory to God Many other Considerations might be added Seventhly Without this we are but dead men 7. Dead without Faith Faith and Life come into the Soul both at once All other Life will soon decay our very natural Life is but a continued drawing on to Death but our spiritual Life the longer it continues the stronger it grows Eighthly 8. Faith makes to prosper This is the onely way to prosper in all we possess and in all we take in hand 2 Chron. 20.20 Believe in the Lord your God so shall ye be established believe his Prophets so shall ye prosper 'T is true wicked men and unbelievers may prosper after a sort they may prosper as fatted Beasts in the stall prosper against the day of slaughter The prosperity of fools shall slay them Prov. 1.32 They are cursed in their very Blessings But a true believer doth prosper in Soul Joh. Ep. 3. as well as in his Body or Estate his Prosperity is sanctified and all that he possesseth is pure and clean to him but to the defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure but even their meat and drink yea even their minde and conscience is defiled Tit. 1.15 If a believer be cast into straits Faith is that which brings submission to the Will of God and a sweet contentation with the present condition Phil. 4.11 it was the speech of a believer I have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content Faith lets the believer see the present condition is best for him and therefore he is the better content with it On the other side where there is want of Faith there are perpetual discontents every little thing troubleth such a creature A gall'd back is soon hurt Num. 14.11 How long will it be ere this people believe me saith God of the murmuring Israelites in the Wilderness An unbelieving heart is evermore an unquiet a discontented heart He that doth not enjoy God by Faith how is it possible he should be satisfied with Creature-enjoyments especially in the midst of Creature-discontents Faith is that which sweetens our very Natural Life how much more then that which is Spiritual and Supernatural Wouldst thou be assured that Christ is thine Faith in due time will give thee this assurance for Christ dwells in the heart by faith Eph. 3.17 Wouldst thou be assured thou art a Childe of God and maist come in for a Childs Portion Faith will give thee this assurance also Joh. 1.12 To as many as received him he gave power to be the Sons of God even to as many as believe on his Name Wouldst thou receive more abundance of the Spirit of Christ Jesus Faith is a Conduit-pipe in which this heavenly water delights to run Joh. 7.38 He that believeth on me saith Christ out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water This spake he of the Spirit which they that believe on him should receive Certainly the Life of Faith is the most excellent Life that any Creature can live upon the face of the Earth Note In a word Remember what you have heard in many Sermons Do you desire to be presented Just and Righteous before the Throne of God you must labour to get Faith then for by Faith a Creature lives the Life of Justification Do you desire to be sanctified throughout in Body Soul and Spirit you must learn then to get Faith without doubt the more Faith the more Holiness for The Just lives by Faith the Life of Sanctification Do you desire to be more abundant in Good Works than ever you have been Learn then to get Faith for By Faith the Just lives the Life of Fructification Do you desire to have your Corruptions subdued and your sinful lusts that fight against the Soul mortified Learn then to get Faith for By Faith the Just lives the Life of Mortification Do you complain of the Dulness and Deadness of your hearts in holy Duties and do you desire above all things to be more quick and lively in the Service of God Learn then to live by Faith for By Faith the Just lives the Life of Vivification The more Faith the more Life in all holy Duties Do you bewail your Leanness and Vnprofitableness and Unthriving disposition under the plentiful means of Grace and is it the desire of your Souls to increase and grow up as the Calves of the stall Mal. 4.2 Learn then to get Faith for By Faith the Just lives the Life of Augmentation Gal. 3.3 Are you afraid lest you should
fall off from God and having begun in the Spirit should at the last end in the flesh and do you earnestly desire to be setled stablish'd and confirm'd that the gates of Hell may not prevail against you Labour then to live by Faith for By Faith the Just lives the Life of Conservation Again Doth sorrow possess and oppress your spirits O you are burthened with such and such afflictions or temptations and you would fain live a comfortable life Learn then to get Faith for By Faith the Just lives the Life of Consolation Again are you troubled when you begin to think of Death O how shall I do to walk through the valley of the shadow of Death Psal 23.4 would you fain be armed against the Terror of it O learn then to get Faith for By Faith the Just finds Life in the midst of Death He that lives in Faith shall undoubtedly die in Faith Heb. 11.13 All these died in the faith Again Doth the shortness and uncertainty of this life afflict the Spirit and thou wouldst fain be assured of a better life before thou partest with this present life thou wouldst fain know if thou shalt go to heaven when thou diest O learn then to live by Faith for By Faith the just lives in regard of Eternal Life O let the excellency of the Life of Faith move us to seek the grace of Faith with all diligence The life of a faithful man is as far above the Life of a Rational man as the life of a Rational man is above the life of a Sensual Epicure Some men indeed are meerly led by Sense and ever like Swine rooting in the dunghil of Earthly Profits and Pleasures others mount higher into the Middle Region of Reason and Humane Learning but a Believer soars above them all in the Highest Region of Faith Phil. 3.20 and hath his conversation in heaven from whence he expects the Lord Jesus Certainly all the enemies of our Salvation cannot make that man miserable that hath once obtained this precious grace of Faith Psal 2.12 Blessed are all they that put their trust in him And therefore what Solomon saith of Wisdom Prov. 3.13 14 15. we may say of Faith Happy is the man that findeth Faith for the merchandize thereof is better than the merchandize of silver and the gain thereof is better than gold she is more precious than pearls and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her Obj. But it may be some will be ready to say I am sufficiently perswaded of the excellency of Faith and I would fain get it How to get Faith if I knew how or where to finde it but may we not also say of Faith as Job saith of Wisdom Job 28.12 Where shall it be found and where is the place of it The Depth saith It is not in me and the Sea saith It is not with me neither is it to be found in the Land of the living No creature in Heaven or Earth can bestow Faith upon its fellow-creature O where then is it to be found Ans I answer as Job doth in the the 23 Verse of that Chapter God understandeth the way thereof and he knoweth the place thereof And therefore if we be careful to make use of such means as he doth direct we shall undoubtedly finde out this precious Pearl of Faith Means You will say What are those Means that we may use them Negat 1. First of all as Builders use to do God would have us to remove the Rubbish of all the Hindrances of Faith and then to make use of all those Spiritual Helps and Furtherances that God hath appointed for the begetting of Faith that we may lay a sure Foundation The Lets and Hindrances of Faith are many Le ts and hindrances of Faith which we must take notice of and labour to remove out of the way What 's the reason so much is daily spoken of Faith and we are it may be convinced of the necessity and excellency of it and yet very few in comparison attain to it or improve it to any purpose What 's the reason of this O there are many Hindrances of Faith which were never yet removed O beloved we are naturally dead in sins and trespasses and there is many a heavy stone lieth upon the mouth of the Grave and we may say with those good women Mark 16.3 Who shall rowl us away the stone from the door of the Sepulchre All those several Impediments of Faith are as so many great stones upon the mouth of the Grave which must be removed by the mighty power of the Angel of the Covenant Mal. 3.1 before we can believe Have you not heard many a poor Creature complain nay do you not hear those complaints in your own bosom Alas alas I have heard of Faith by the hearing of the ear many a time and often how many days and how many years hath the Word of Faith and the Doctrine of Faith sounded and resounded in mine ears and yet alas to this very day I am not able to believe or at least to act and exercise my Faith as I ought to do O that I could meet with some good Messenger from God one of a thousand that could tell me where the stop lies and how I should remove it that would do for me as Jacob did for Rachel Gen. 29.10 Help me to rowl away the stone from the mouth of the Well that my thirsty Soul might drink of the water of life freely Rev. 22.17 Come we therefore to the Particular Impediments or Hindrances of Faith and the way to remove them 1 Let. Self The first and the greatest Impediment is thy Self Self is the greatest enemy to Self in point of believing the heaviest stone that lieth upon the mouth of the grave is thy stony heart for a stony heart is an unbelieving heart and an unbelieving heart must needs be the greatest enemy to Faith Darkness is not more opposite to light than an unbelieving heart is opposite to Faith and such hearts are in all the Sons and Daughters of Adam by Nature Adam indeed in the state of Innocency had power to believe whatsoever God spake and to live upon the Word of his Promise but after the Fall both he and his Posterity lost this ability Our very birth in this respect is no better than a death we are born in the very grave of unbelief we are all shut up under the power of it Rom. 11.32 O beloved a hard stout proud heart will not endure to lay down Self Self-wisdom Self-righteousness Self-greatness but Faith is nothing else but a laying down of Self-righteousness with an humble submission to accept of the Righteousness of God in Christ Rom. 10.3 O this goeth against the hair to a natural man He cannot endure to strip himself of Himself and to become a poor empty nothing that he may be fill'd with the fulness of God in Christ
And yet thus it must be if ever we believe He that is wise in his own conceit 1 Cor. 3.18 must become a fool that he may be wise and he that is rich and increased with spiritual goods in his own conceit Rev. 3.17 Mat. 11.5 6. he must become poor that he may be made rich Vnto the poor saith Christ the Gospel is preached and blessed is he that shall not be offended in me 2 Cor. 8.9 O this offends a carnal heart that he must become poor for Christs sake as Christ became poor for his sake that death is become the way to life if ever he mean to live he must believe in a poor despised crucified Saviour Now this a proud perverse unbelieving heart knoweth not how to stoop to and such a heart have all men by nature And this is the first Impediment Well but who shall remove this Impediment how shall we rowl away this stone of an unbelieving heart I answer If we would remove it Cure we must labour to finde it out to confess it to bewail it and to pray against it And thou when thou prayest enter into thy Closet Mat. 6. Psa 4. and shut the door Commune with thine own heart and be still Make thy complaint to God in private pour out thy Soul before him and say O thou blessed God of Truth how have I wrong'd thee by my base false and unbelieving heart What a heart have I that can relie upon a great man or a good man if I have his Word or his Bond and yet cannot relie upon the great and the good God who keepeth Mercy and Truth for ever Psa 146. with them that are in Covenant with him and hath bound himself by Promise by Oath by Seal to be good and faithful to such as put their trust in him O that I should have such a base heart to trust more to the Means than to that God who hath ordain'd the Means puts life into the Means And yet such is the baseness of my heart that when I see any visible means for the producing of such an effect I am secure and confident and when the outward means fail though God be ever the same I am as fearful and diffident as if I had no hope at all Is not this to trust to the Means and to trust to the Creature in stead of trusting to God Now when we have thus found out the unbelief of our hearts and bewailed it we should pray to God that he would forgive it and subdue it for us Just as the Parents of the Rebellious Son brought him to the Magistrate so should we bring our Rebellions and unbelieving hearts to God praying him to subdue them for us We should pray him to rowl away this stone even to take away our stony hearts and to give us hearts of flesh that we may believe according to his Promise Ezek. 36.26 and doubtless God will remember his Word for such as put his Promise in suit And so much for the first Impediment and the Means to remove it 2. Impediment of Faith Satan The second Impediment is from Satan He sails with the Wind and Tide of an unbelieving heart and labours if it be possible to keep us still under the power of unbelief he knows well enough they are under his power also When once they begin to believe they are turned from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God Acts 26.18 And therefore no sooner doth the Soul lay hold of the Promise but Satan is forced to let his hold go and therefore the Devil fights neither against small nor great 2 Chro. 18.30 but against the grace of Faith above all the rest If he can but strike the Sheild out of our hands he 'll soon hit us and wound us where he list Nay if it be possible he 'll prevent the very making and forming of this Shield Either thou shalt have no Minister to preach of Faith as 't was the Policy of the Philistims they might have no Smith in Israel to frame their Weapons of War 1 Sam. 13.19 that they might the better keep them in subjection So 't is the Policy of Satan we should have no Spiritual Smiths in Israel to help to frame this Weapon of War this Shield of Faith Eph. 6. that he may the better keep us under his power Or if thou hast such Ministers as preach of Faith if it be possible he 'll raise up Prejudice in thy heart against them and against the Word which they preach Therefore Acts 13.8 Elymas the Sorcerer who is call'd a childe of the Devil for that very thing he withstood the Apostles in the Work of their Ministery seeking to turn away the Deputy from the faith Mark ye why was the Devil so great an enemy to the Preaching of the Word because he was an enemy to the Faith of the Deputy And this is the second Impediment or Hindrance The Devil he is an enemy to the Faith of Gods People he doth what he can to perswade people to continue in Ignorance and Unbelief 2 Relief But well How should we remove this Impediment How should we rowl away this stone Why Fly to him by Prayer who by death destroyed him that had power of Death that is the Devil Heb. 2.14 who is able to cast out the strong man armed and is willing also because he hath promised to tread down Satan under your feet Rom. 16.20 Pray God to rebuke Satan when he casts into thy heart thoughts of Blasphemy or Unbelief and say Lord are not these things grievous to thy Spirit as well as to mine Doth not Satan aim as much at thy dishonour as at my destruction and therefore if not for thy poor Creatures sake who is as a hunted Partridge upon the Mountains yet for thy Names sake and for thy Honours sake rebuke him 1 Sam. 26.20 If thou canst but lift up thy heart to God in this or the like manner doubtless God will answer thee in mercy and he will answer Satan in fury as he doth in the like case Zech. 3.2 And the Lord said unto Satan The Lord rebuke thee O Satan even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee Is not this a Brand snatcht out of the fire So will the Lord say Is not this poor Soul that waits upon mine Ordinance as a Brand snatcht out of the fire out of the fire of Hell and the flames of an accusing Conscience Have I forewarn'd it by these Terrors to fly from the wrath to come and to make peace with me by Faith Mat. 3. and art thou so cruel and maâ—â—â—ous to put it into the fire again by holding it under the power of Unbelief The Lord rebuke thee O Satan the Lord rebuke thee Even he that hath chosen the Soul of the poor creature to Life and Salvation rebuke thee And this is the second Impediment of Faith and the
the World How shall this be saith she seeing I know not a man Luk. 1.34 And thus it was with that incredulous Lord when God foretold the plentiful relief of poor besieged Samaria within the compass of a day Behold saith he if the Lord would make windows in heaven might this thing be 2 Kings 7.2 And thus when God promiseth deliverance to his People in their greatest straights when there is no apparent or visible means to be seen when God promiseth the Resurrection of the body from the Grave and many such like things I 'll never believe it saith a natural man Why so It is altogether unlikely it is above the reach of Reason it is above the reach of all created strength And this is the second particular Impediment of Faith Well but how shall we remove it how shall we rowl away this stone Cure I answer By considering the infinite disproportion betwixt God and us What if the thing promised be above the grasp of our wisdom and strength is it therefore above the wisdom and strength of God It is the silliest thing in the world to measure God by our selves Hear what the Lord saith Zech. 8.6 If it be marvellous in your eyes should it be also marvellous in my eyes saith the Lord of Hosts Those things that are impossible with men are possible yea most facile and easie with God Note And therefore it is the proper work of Faith to lay hold upon the Power of God as well as upon the Truth and Mercy of God If God doth but speak a thing Faith doubts not of the Power of God to make his Word good When carnal reason saith How is it possible How can this be Faith gets aloft upon the head of Reason and seeth quite beyond it when Reason can see no further Faith saith It is so it is so and claps the hands as if it had the thing in present possession and so it is an evidence of things not seen by the eye of carnal Reason Heb. 11.1 Rom. 4.19 20 21. Thus Abraham believeth against all common Reason that he should have a Son because God had said it although he and his wife were as good as dead in the course of Nature Thus Joshua believed that the walls of Jericho should fall down at the blast of Rams-horns Heb. 11.30 which was against all reason Judg. 7.19 20 21 22. Gideon against all reason believes that he and his poor three hundred men should overcome the invincible Host of the Midianites with nothing but lamps and earthen pitchers in stead of better weapons These Worthies of God did not measure God by themselves but they considered the faithfulness and power of him that had promised and so should we And so much for the second particular Impediment of Faith and the way to remove it The third is the harboring of some beloved sin 3. Harbouring some Lust which we are loth to part with For Faith when it comes into the heart will come as a purifying Faith or else it will not come at all Now if a man prefers the satisfying of his lust before the satisfying of his Faith there 's the stop and there 's the check in the work of Faith Therefore saith Christ to those that were carried away with the lust of ambition How can ye believe which receive honour one of another and seek not the honour that cometh from God onely Joh. 5.44 Now to remove this Impediment Cure and to rowl away this stone Remember all fleshly lusts though they flatter us and make fair as if they were our intimate friends yet are our deadly enemies and under-hand they fight against us Dearly beloved saith Peter I beseech you as pilgrims and strangers abstain from fleshly lusts 1 Pet. 3.11 which fight against the Soul against the grace of it against the peace of it against the very life of it the spiritual and eternal life of the Soul And therefore suppose the lust be never so dear yet let thy Salvation be dearer Suppose it be an adulterous eye or suppose it be a deceitful hand a hand that bringeth in so much profit by the year and were it not for this thou couldst finde in thine heart to believe and to become a Christian in earnest O remember what this lust must cost thee that justles out thy Faith it will cost thee the precious life of thy immortal Soul and therefore were it as dear to thee as thy right eye or thy right hand away with it and cast it from thee Remember what Christ saith Mat. 5.29 30. It is better for thee that one of thy members should perish than that thy whole body should be cast into hell And so much for the third particular Impediment and the way to remove it 4. Our own unworthiness pleaded against the Promise The 4. Impediment Is the sight and sense of our own unworthiness O saith many a poor creature do you perswade me to believe What me you know not what a vile wretch I am you little think what sins I have committed what precious means and mercies I have abused and were it not high presumption in such a one as I am to offer to believe ot to lay hold of a Promise Thus men are apt to strain courtesie with God and to put a bar in their own way Cure But to remove this Impediment and to roll this Stone out of the way I beseech you to consider Was it presumption in Manasses or in Mary Magdalen to believe out of whom he cast seven Divels Is not the grace of God Free else it were no grace As no man is accepted for his own worthiness so no man is rejected simply for his unworthiness It is no hindrance but a furtherance to thy Faith for the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost Mat. 9. Thou art never like to find him till thou come to be at a losse in thy self And this is the fourth Impediment and the way to remove it 5. Laying much stress on the depth of humiliation The 5. Is this O but I have not been humbled to this very day at least so far as I ought to be humbled It may be I have grieved a little for my sins but not so much as I ought to do or as such sins call for at my hands and therefore why should I believe till I be further humbled To remove this Impediment Cure and to roll away this Stone we must know 1. God makes not a promise of Mercy to such a degree of Godly sorrow but to the truth of it Matth. 5.4 2. God accepts of the Will for the Deed if we would be further humbled and yet cannot And 3. Nothing humbles and breaks the heart more then the laying hold upon Christ in a promise of Free Grace Note It is impossible there should be through humiliation without Faith The Flinty heart of a sinnner
these Scriptures 1 Joh. 3.2 3. Perfect Vision perfect Transformation In the mean time so much as we see of God so much we shall desire to be like him Joh. 15.3 Now are ye clean c. 2 Cor. 7.1 Having such Promises Let us cleanse c. 2 In the Birth 2. In the Birth The Birth of Presumption is very easie and speedy Presumptuous persons think it is the easiest matter in the world to Believe they meet with no opposition either from their own hearts or from Satan A sign 't is no good Faith when the Divel is so good a friend to it But the Birth of true Faith is very difficult it meets with many Pangs of unbelief from Satan and from the flesh for even in this as well as in other graces The flesh lusteth against the Spirit Gal. 5.17 I confesse He is an unwise child that staies long in the place of bringing forth children Hos 13.13 Yet some pain there is in Self-denial Thirdly they may be differenced by their Growth 3. In the growth Presumption is a Monster it is born as big and as tall as ever it will be like Jonah's Gourd it springs up in a night and it withers as soon as the Sun of affliction and persecution beats hot upon it But true Faith grows up by degrees like the grain of Mustard-seed the new Creature is a Babe in faith before he becomes a strong man The righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith Rom. 1.17 Some say they are as much assured at the first as ever they shall be their faith is as strong as ever it will be but let them take heed in the mean time they do not presume in stead of believing for true faith is of a growing nature Fourthly 4. In the fruit They may be differenced by their Issue and Fruits It may be said of the Presumptuous as Deut. 32.32 Their vine is the vine of Sodom their clusters are bitter The fruit of Presumption is carelesness in the use of the means of Grace Tush saith the Presumptuous person what need we hear so much and reade so much and pray so much away with Duties The fruit of true Faith is carefulness herein I believed 2 Cor. 4.13 therefore have I spoken therefore have I heard therefore have I read therefore have I prayed c. The fruit of Presumption is Licentious liberty to sin against God Tush saith the Presumptuous person Christ died for sinners what need we care let us sin that grace may abound Rom. 6.1 Ver. 18. The fruit of true faith is a holy liberty to serve God and a holy fear to sin against God Be not deceived saith Faith neither Fornicators nor Idolaters nor Adulterers nor effeminate c. shall inherit the Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 6.10 And thus you see there is that maketh himself rich in faith when he is poor and this is a great Impediment to the obtaining of faith and therefore we must labour to remove it Impediments of faith in the second branch of false supposition And secondly There is that maketh himself poor when he is rich There may be a supposition that we have not faith when we have it and this will hinder both the actings and increasings of our faith Some are afraid they have no faith at all because they have not the highest degree of faith which is full Assurance or because they want the comfort which others attain to 1 Pet. 1.8 even joy unspeakable and full of glory Cure But for the removing of this Impediment and for the rolling of this stone out of the way we must remember there are several degrees of faith as we have already proved therefore 't is possible thou maist have faith though thou hast not the highest degree of faith and so joy of the Spirit that 's rather a fruit of faith than faith it self It is indeed Note to speak properly rather a living by sense than a living by faith when we are cheered up with continual Cordials Such a life is more like heaven than earth where faith shall cease A stronger faith is required to live upon God without comfort than when God shines in upon our Spirits with abundance of joy It s nothing for the Childe to believe the Mother loveth it whilst she sets it upon the knee kisseth it and feeds it with sweet meats but to see the Mother love through the twigs of the Rod and through all the clouds of her frownings and hidings this argues no small strength of love and of natural affection in the Childe I know your thoughts out-run me in the Application so that there may be strong faith where there is little comfort Therefore let every man prove his faith that he may not be to seek in the acting of it And so much for the several Impediments of Faith and the way to remove them From whence we may deduce these Corollaries or Conclusions Corollaries First there is no Faith without a great deal of opposition Opposition from Self opposition from Satan opposition from World opposition from professed Enemies opposition from Friends A mans enemies shall be those of his own house these shall oppose him these shall judge him not onely for his outward actions of Faith but for the very intentions of his heart in the exercise of Faith as Davids brethren said unto him I know the pride of thy heart this is nothing but a spice of vain glory and ostentation Paul was opposed in the preaching of Faith and in the practice of Faith and no way in the world left to apologize for himself but to appeal to the Searcher of hearts 1 Cor 4.3 With me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you or of mans judgement c. But thus true faith meets with opposition both from those without and from those within the Church True faith in the saving knowledge of the Son of God is as the very door and entrance into Gods Kingdom but you must look to meet with opposition at the very threshold Mat. 23.13 Woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites for ye shut up c. The Lord grant none of us may be found amongst the number of opposers making sad the hearts of those God would not have made sad but rather be found helpers of one anothers faith For all is little enough in regard of the opposition we shall meet withall from without Secondly it is no easie matter to believe all things are easie to him that believeth but it is no easie matter to believe Thirdly The exceeding greatness of Gods power is seen in all them that do believe according to the working of his mighty power which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places Eph. 1.19 20. No wonder so few believe 't is a Miracle of Mercy that there are so many Fourthly He that
would believe must be resolved to break through all Impediments as Davids Worthies brake through the Host of the Philistims Armies of oppositions are against us yet be resolute If God be for us who shall be against us The beginnings of faith will remove all these Mountains that lie in the way by laying hold of the Promises Isa 54.14 Cast ye up cast ye up prepare the way take up the stumbling-block out of the way of my people See Isa 40.3 and 42.16 and 62.10 But we pass from the Lets and Impediments to the Helps and Furtherances of Faith which are the second sort of Means to be used for the obtaining of this precious Grace of Faith 2. Positive means of Faith We have already removed the Rubbish we come now to such helps as may tend through Gods blessing to the advancing of the Building Onely take it with this Caution Caution Nothing that we can do either by way of preparation or otherwise can be effectual as from any power in our selves either to the begetting or to the increasing of Faith Rom. 9.16 It is not in him that willeth nor in him that runneth but in God that hath mercy And hence it is sometimes that Gods Spirit delights to grapple with the most opposite gainsayers of his Word and Ways A man comes to the Congregation with all the prejudice that may be both against the Ordinance it self and the dispensers of it Well saith he I 'll go hear what this prating Preacher what this babler can say if it be but to make my self merry or to see if I can entangle him in something that is delivered and yet it may be God meets this man in the full career of his opposition as he met Paul when he was a Saul Acts 9. and tells him 'T is hard for him to kick against the pricks One of Christs arrows shot out from the mouth of the Minister wounds him to the very heart and he cannot be quiet till the same hand that wounded him do heal him again I kill and I give life I wound and make whole saith the Lord which is as true of the Soul as of the Body Deut. 32.39 Now all this plainly sheweth the work is wholly of God and not of our selves nor in the power of second Means But yet for all this I say means are to be used by way of Gods Ordinance though the efficacy of the means depends wholly upon God and not upon our selves And therefore it is very observable in that most miraculous Conversion of the Apostle in the 9th of the Acts when God met him and unhors'd him and astonish'd him and strook him into a trembling Fit and whilst he was breathing out threatnings against the People of God he so tam'd his proud spirit that he is glad to say Lord what wilt thou have me to do yet I say it is very observable that however God begun the work of his Conversion by his own immediate hand yet he would not finish it without second means without the hand of an Instrument And therefore when Paul said What wilt thou have me to do Lord Christ doth not say I would have thee do this or that neither doth he restore his sight to him for the present but he bids him go to the City and there Ananias must be an instrument under Jesus Christ to restore his sight and to give him in charge what God would have him do Much more then in the ordinary way of Gods working are we bound to the use of second means as ever we desire the recovery of our Spiritual sight or the obtaining of this precious grace of faith What are those means then that we must use and attend upon Answ 1. Is the Word of God Means the Preaching of the Word The Scripture is very clear in this 1. Word of God Rom 10.14 How shall they believe on him of whom they have not heard and ver 17. So then Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God Therefore as Faith is the Life of the Soul under God so the Word is the Life of Faith As the Just lives by Faith so Faith lives upon the Word No Humane Testimony though great respect and reverence is to be had to the Church and Godly writers yet I say No humane Testimony can be the ground of Divine Faith 'T is true indeed the Word cannot work Faith without the Spirit I will not say The Spirit cannot work Faith without the Word But this I say That Ordinarily the Spirit doth not work Faith without the Word Though the Spirit be not absolutely bound to the use of Means yet we are bound to the use of them as ever we expect the Spirit Here will I meet with thee saith the Spirit Therefore it is very observable Where God makes a Promise of the Spirit in the same place also he makes a Promise of the Word to continue with his Church to the end of the World Isa 59. last As for me this is my Covenant with them saith the Lord My Spirit that is upon thee and my Words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy seed nor out of the mouth of thy seeds seed saith the Lord from henceforth and for ever The Word and the Spirit you see go hand in hand therefore we are not to expect the Spirit without the Word neither are we to expect Fath which is wrought by thy Spirit unlesse it be also wrought by the Word as the Organ or Instrument of the Spirit And hence also the Word of God is called the Word of Faith Rom. 10.8 Because Faith in grown persons is wrought by the Word and so the Word is both the Object and the Instrument of Faith It is Verbum quod creditur and Verbum quô creditur the Word that is believed and the Word by which we are moved to believe this or that And how should we then with all care and conscience attend upon the Ministery of the Word as ever we desire faith as ever we desire life Would we live for ever O hear says God and your soul shall live and I will make an everlasting Covenant with you even the sure mercies of David Isa 55.3 Mark that Hear and your soul shall live no hearing no life because no hearing no faith for The just lives by his faith and his faith lives by the Word And therefore such as live above Ordinances and above the Word I know not what to make of them they are such as live not by faith but above faith They must either be in Heaven or nearer to Hell than they are aware for all the true Members of the Church upon earth do live by Faith and that faith upon the Word And therefore such persons as live above Ordinances in that sense so as to be content to live without them are of a strange temper They are like such conceited
an everlasting love and therefore with loving kindnesse have I drawn thee And thus God seals him by his Spirit and lets him see his right to the promise of his Free Grace and so the soul layes hold upon Christ in the Promise and rests upon him for Righteousnesse and Salvation Quest If you shall say Why doth God usually thus humble men more or lesse and stir up in them strong desires after Christ before they come so fully and so clearly to lay hold of the Promise This question is needful to clear up the manner of the working of the Word or at least of the laying hold of it Reasons why Humiliation must go before Faith Answ I answer First Because there must be a renouncing of our own righteousness wrought in us by the Spirit of God before there can be a submitting to the righteousness of God Rom. 10.3 For they being ignorant of Gods righteousness and going about to establish their own righteousness have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God Now it is impossible to suppose a man to be brought to that pass to renounce his own righteousnesse but he must be humbled 2 Chr. 12.6 Whereupon the Princes of Israel and the King humbled themselves and they said The Lord is righteous Luk. 18.10 c. to 15. See the example Reas 2 Secondly Because God hath joyned Repentance and Faith together in the Gospel Mark 1.15 Repent ye and believe the Gospel Now it is impossible to suppose true repentance without some measure of humility and godly sorrow for sin as the Apostle describes it 2 Cor. 7.8 9 10 11. v. 9. Now I rejoyce not that ye were made sorry but that ye sorrowed to repentance for ye were made sorry after a godly manner v. 11. For behold the self-same thing that ye sorrowed after a godly sort what carefulness it wrought in you yea what clearing of your selves yea what indignation yea what fear yea what vehement desire yea what zeal ye what revenge In all things ye have approved your selves to be clear in this matter Reas 3 Thirdly God doth humble them that they may hear and receive the message of the Gospel with the more meeknesse and readinesse Jer. 13.15 Hear ye and give ear be not proud for the Lord hath spoken And in this Text tell a proud unhumbled sinner of Mercy of Faith and of a Saviour What need of a Saviour or Mercy sayes he unlesse I were in misery But when God hath taken him down a peg lower Psa 141.6 and he is overthrown as it were in stony places O then he will hear the words of reconciliation for they are sweet O then if a Messenger or an Interpreter Job 33.23 one of a thousand shall shew to this man his righteousness that it is in Christ and not in himself he is very willing to hear on that ear it is the sweetest message that ever came to his ears And that is the third reason why God humbles men more or lesse before they come so fully to apprehend his love in Christ Reas 4 A Fourth reason is That they may be more thankful afterwards Prov. 27.7 The full soul loatheth the honey-comb but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet This is Gods usual method he is wont to hunger-bite the Soul and then to fill it Luke 1.53 He filleth the hungry soul with good things Why so Because a hungry beggar will be thankful for every crust and crum and so will a hungry Soul Psal 66.16 O come saith such a one I will tell you what the Lord hath done for my Soul I will tell you something but I cannot tell you all what is wanting in expression shall be made up in admiration of the goodness of God to all eternity Reas 5 Fifthly because a true sight of God and of a mans self doth humble the creature Job 42.5 6. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear but now mine eye seeth thee wherefore I abhor my self and repent in dust and ashes and that not onely a sight of Gods Power and Justice but even the least glimpse of his Mercy in Christ Believing in Christ is said to be looking upon Christ by faith Joh. 3.14 15. And as Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness even so must the Son of Man be lifted up that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life Now this look doth break the heart and humble the heart above all other means whatsoever Zech. 12.10 And I will pour upon the house of David and upon the Inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of Grace and Supplication and they shall look on me whom they have pierced and they shall mourn for him as one mourneth for his onely Son and shall be in bitterness for him as one that is in bitterness for his first-born See this in that great Convert Luk. 7.47 Wherefore I say unto thee Her sins which are many are forgiven for she loved much but to whom little is forgiven the same little because she loved much she mourned much Reas 6 Sixthly because God hath said he will give grace to the humble 1 Pet. 5.5 Likewise ye yonger submit your selves unto the elder yea all of you be subject one to another and be clothed with humility for God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble Grace in the 1. Inchoation 2. Augmentation 3. Conservation 4. Perfection 1. Grace in the Inchoation Humility in all the periods of grace not as if a man could be truly humble before he hath grace but to intimate he hath no grace till he be humble for he that hath one grace hath all graces and therefore he that hath faith hath also humility The new man hath all his parts and members so soon as ever there is a new birth in the Soul He hath therefore humility as well as other graces Yea poverty of Spirit is made the beginning of all grace Mat 5.3 Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven Thus in the inchoation or beginning of grace 2. In the Augmentation or increase of grace Jam. 4.6 But he giveth more grace wherefore he saith God resisteth the proud but giveth grace unto the humble He giveth more grace to the humble As a Tree the deeper it roots the more it spreadeth in its branches and increaseth in its fruits so the deeper the creature is rooted in humility the more abundant it is in the fruits of Piety the high Mountains are barren when the lowly Valleys are very fruitful 3. In the Conservation or establishing of Grace received he gâ—ves to such the grace of Perseverance Spiritual Pride will certainly have a fall but he that stands low in his own apprehension he stands sure When we are weak that is sensible of our own weakness then are we strong 2 Cor. 12.10 Such are like to stand when others are offended and fall away 4. God gives grace
to the humble in the perfection of it which is attained in glory Therefore it is said of the Heavenly Courtiers Rev. 4.10 11. The four and twenty Elders fall down before him that sate on the Throne and worship him that liveth for ever and ever and cast their Crowns before the Throne saying Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory and honour and power for thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure they are and were created Mark ye as dejection in the bottom of the nethermost Pit cannot strip the devil and wicked men of their Pride for they wil blaspheme the name of God they may be humbled Rev. 16.11 but they will not be truly humble to all Eternity So on the other side exaltation to the highest degree of glory does no ways devest the Saints of God of their former humility Nay the more glorious the more gracious and therefore the more humble Thus God gives grace to the humble in the Inchoation Augmentation Conservation and Perfection Therefore there is no Soul brought home to Christ but must needs be humbled Thus you see Gods manner of working Faith by the Word and why God doth usually humble men more or less and stir up in them strong desires after Christ before they come so fully and clearly to lay hold of the Promise or at least in their very first apprehension and laying hold of it It is impossible to suppose Faith in a Soul that was never humbled Thus I say you see the ground of Gods method and the matter of humiliation as the fore-runner of Peace and Consolation I shall onely adde this before I have done with the first Means of begetting Faith Direction in applying the Promises If thou wouldst believe apply to thy self in particular what Promises God makes in general and indefinitely As for Example in the Scripture when Christ saith Joh. 6.37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out Apply this to thy self Therefore if I come to Christ by vertue of this Word I am sure he will not cast me out So when the Scripture saith Joh. 1.12 But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his Name to as many as receive him he giveth the power or priviledge to become the Sons of God Apply this to thy self Therefore since God hath made me willing to receive him for my King and Saviour I am sure I have this priviledge 2 Cor. 6.18 to be the Son or Daughter of the Lord God Almighty So when the Scripture saith in that notable Proclamation of Christ in the great day of the Feast Joh. 7.37 If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink Apply this to thy self Therefore since God hath given me grace to hunger and thirst after the Righteousness of Christ I am sure I have as good warrant to take of the water of life as any other in the world Rev. 22.17 And let him that is a thirst come and whosoever will let him take the water of life freely Therefore saith the thirsty Soul 'T is as free for me as for any other in the world And thus is Faith begotten in the Soul by a particular application of a general Promise And so much for the first Means of begetting Faith and that is the Word The second is Prayer Second Mean of begetting Faith by prayer Pray that God would bless the Word and all other Means For the Word hath no Power to beget Faith of it self without the powerful concurrence of the Spirit by which the Word was breathed forth at the first Neither have we power in our own will to make the Word effectual Those that talk so much of Free will it is a shame then they believe no more and do no more if they had that freedom they boast of but indeed the very practice of such men is enough to confute their Opinions I 'll never believe a man would be willing to lie in a nasty Dungeon all his life if he had liberty and power to go out at his own pleasure O be much in Prayer to God therefore that he would set thy imprisoned Soul at liberty that thou maist have power to believe Thus did David Psal 142.7 Bring my soul out of prison that I may praise thy name c. As if he should say O Lord I confesse I am a poor prisoner to sin and Satan I would fain be set at liberty to believe thy Word and to do thy will but alas I cannot I find many a door fast shut upon me in this prison and many a lock upon the doors many lets and impediments which I am never able to remove and therefore gracious Lord do that for me which neither I my self nor all the friends I can make are ever able to do for me pay the debts of thy poor prisoner in my blessed surety and set open the prison doors O bring my soul out of prison O Lord that I may praise thy name Thus should we pray for Faith as ever we desire the Word should be made effectual for our good Col. 4.3 1 Cor. 16.9 The Ministers should beg the prayers of the people as Paul did that he may have a door of utterance and the people should beg the prayers of the Minister that they may have a door of entrance that the immortal seed may be made an instrument of spiritual life and the Just may live by Faith If ever we have Faith if ever we be born again the power of the Holy Ghost must overshadow our souls John 3.18 Expounded and put life into the seed of the Word Joh. 1.13 Gods people are born not of bloods nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God First Not of bloods What 's that You know a man that comes of such a parent is said to come of such a blood Now then put all the parents in the world together and you shall find grace runs not in any blood they are not born of Bloods Secondly Not of the Will of the flesh What 's that A fleshly carnal man cannot convert himself he cannot keep alive his own soul Psal 22.29 Thirdly Not of the Will of man What is that Take a Regenerate man the best man in the world yet he hath not power to convert another unlesse God be with him in the work and so the truth is clear Gods people are born not of Bloods nor of the Will of the Flesh nor of the Will of man but of God Remember what Christ saith Joh. 6 44. No man can come to me except the Father which hath sent me draw him And therefore the Church prayes Cant. 1 4. Draw me we will run after thee Plead thus with God and say Lord thou commandest to believe but I find I am shut up under unbelief O thou that
to see Treasures of Wisdom in Christ to make thee wise of Righteousness to cover thy sins of Grace to supply all thy defects of Strength to enable to all holy service and this will quicken thee to believe in him Doubtless vain and ignorant men think they see an emptiness in Christ and the ways of Christ and a fulness in themselves and in the Creature Therefore they leave Christ and embrace the Creature Rev. 3.17 Thou saist I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing and knowest not that thou art wretched and miserable and poor and blinde and naked But Gods People see an emptiness in themselves and all other creatures but a fulness in Christ In Christ there is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Self-sufficiency All-sufficiency Sole-sufficiency 1. He is Self-sufficiency he is Jehovah he hath a being of himself without any dependance upon any other and therefore onely to be trusted to for that which depends upon another may fall as the greatest of men Psal 146.3 4 5. Put not your trust in Princes nor in the Sons of men in whom there is no help His breath goeth forth he turneth to his earth in that very day his thoughts perish Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help whose hope is in the LORD his God 2. All-sufficiency Gen. 17.1 I am the Almighty God walk before me and be thou perfect All good is to be found in God This or that creature hath but a particular good Meat is good against hunger clothes against nakedness but clothes will not satisfie hunger nor meat cover the nakedness but God is All-sufficient 3. Sole-Sufficiency That is he is only sufficient all without him is but vanity He is God only good as God only wise He fils all in all every wayes able to supply all our wants and therefore a most suitable object of our Faith It was that which drew the Prodigal home to his fathers house Luk. 15.17 viz. A sense of his own wants I perish with hunger and apprehension of his fathers fulness in my fathers house is bread enough What follows upon that A gracious Act of repentance and faith ver 18. I will arise and go to my father and will say unto him Father I have sinned against heaven and before thee and am no more worthy to be called thy son c. And this is the fifth means labour to see thy own wants and weaknesses on the one side and those infinite treasures that are laid up in Christ on the other side Sixthly and last of all 6 Last Mean Mat. 11.12 Diligence in all Means As we must seek Christ and Faith in the use of Means so we must use the Means with all diligence if we desire to speed 2 Pet. 1.5 10. The Apostle cals upon us Giving all diligence add to your faith virtue c. And give diligence to make your Calling and Election sure Now this Diligence implyes three things 1. A very high Esteem of the Means For a man will never use diligence in that which he values not Psal 119.71 The Law of thy mouth is dearer to me than thousands of gold and silver 2. A great deal of Prayers and Labour in the use of the Means a diligent man is ever laborious in his way Pro. 2.4 5. If thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as for hid treasures Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledg of God You know what pains they take who labour in silver mines and such pains should they take who seek after Faith 3. This Diligence implyes the use of all Means with Perseverance We do not account him diligent that works but by fits and by starts and when he doth work he will be sure to pick and chuse to take that he likes and leave the rest Neither is that soul diligent in the use of the Means that takes up one ordinance and layes down another or takes it up at one time and layes it down at another though God cals for it at both alike He that wilfully contemns God in one thing contemns him in all Therefore remember to seek God in the use of all Means with Perseverance The blessing and promise is intailed to such Prov. 8 34. There is the blessing Blessed is the man that heareth me saith Wisdom watching daily at my gates waiting at the posts of my doors Jer. 29.13 There is the promise And ye shall seek me and find me when ye shall search for me with all your heart Therefore be sure to use all means with all diligence as ever we desire to find the precious pearl of saving Faith And hitherto of the first Branch of the Exhortation If the Just lives by Faith if Faith be such an excellent Grace labour to get it With all getting get Faith We come now to the Second 2. Branch of Exhortation to keep Faith 2. Labour to keep it when thou hast it It is no lesse piece of Spiritual good husbandry to keep our stock of Faith when we have it then to get it at the first It is not enough that once we have believed and laid hold of the promise but we must keep our Faith and keep our hold as we desire to keep our Grace and to keep our Peace and indeed to keep our God And therefore observe how the Apostle cites this Text Heb. 10.38 Now the just shall live by his Faith but if any man draw back my soul shall have no pleasure in him As if he should say It is to little purpose to believe for a time and in the hour of temptation to fall away For as such a soul takes little or no pleasure in God so God takes as little pleasure in him It is the precept of the Apostle Heb. 10.23 Let us hold fast the profession of our Faith without wavering to the end Now the profession of our faith and faith it selfe is all one with God and should be all one with us because there ought to be no profession of faith without the Grace of Faith And this we are to hold fast without wavering to the end It was the ordinary practice of the Apostles not only to beget many to the Faith but when they had done they went up and down to visit those places and persons on purpose to establish and confirm them in the Faith Act. 14.22 Confirming the souls of the Disciples and exhorting them to continue in the Faith c. Act. 16.4 5. It was the Apostles exhortation to the Corinthians 1 Cor. 16.13 Watch ye stand fast in the Faith quit you like men be strong It is not enough that we have faith but we must endeavour to keep it and to stand fast in it when we have it Therefore he perswadeth the Colossians to be setled and grounded in the faith Col. 1.23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and setled and be not moved
away from the hope of the Gospel c. Setled and grounded is a Metaphor taken from Buildings set upon a sure foundation And in the second chapter the seventh verse he perswads them to be well rooted and established in the faith A Metaphor taken from trees that are planted with good and sufficient roots A tree especially at the first planting had better want branches then roots branches will never beget roots but good roots wil soon beget branches And therefore the Apostle perswadeth them to be well rooted and established in the faith Both in the Doctrine of faith and in the Grace of faith And what he holds forth to the people by way of precept that he holds forth also in his own practice 2 Tim. 4 7 8. I have fought a good fight I have finished my course I have kept the Faith Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give me at that day Marke he doth not say I am sure of a Crown of righteousnesse because I have received the faith but because I have kept the faith For no man is crowned except he strives lawfully and no man strives lawfully but he who keeps his faith to the end Be sure therefore to keep it when thou hast it Will not an artificer keep his tools and instruments Will not a Scholar keep his books A Traveller his bils of direction A Marriner keep his compass A wise man keep his friend A good houswife keep her keyes Will not a purchaser keep his evidences for house and land The general usefulness of Faith Now all this and much more also is Faith to a gracious soul It is the Instrument he works by the Book he learns by the Letter he is directed by the Compass he sails by the Friend he lives upon the Key that opens all the good treasures of God and the main Evidence he hath to shew both for this life and for that which is to come And therefore keep thy faith as thou wouldst keep thy life For the Just shall live by his Faith Reasons why we should look to the keeping of our Faith Keep thy Faith and thy Faith will keep thee As Solomon speaks Pro. 4.6 Forsake her not and she shall preserve thee love her and she shall keep thee Keep faith alive and Faith will keep thy life 1. The Benefit of keeping Faith as it is in ver 13. Keep her for she is thy life You know a Souldier so long as he keeps his shield his shield keeps him Ephes 6.16 but if once he lose his shield he may soon lose his life So it is with the shield of Faith keep that and thou keepest thy Life lose that and thou losest all Isa 26.3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is staid on thee because he trusteth in thee Observe so long as we have Grace and Faith to keep our God Our God by the grace of Faith will keep us Object But you will say Cannot God keep us without Faith I Answer I will not dispute about the absolute power of God it is our duty to look to his revealed will Now the Scripture tels us 1 Pet. 1.5 We are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation We are kept indeed by the power of God but the power of God puts forth it self in giving power to our Faith Therefore keep thy Faith as thou wouldst keep thy life 2 Reas Enemies that oppose Faith Remember Secondly Thou hast many enemies that do oppose thy Faith and pull hard to twitch it from thee and therefore thou hadst need be the more careful to keep it and to hold it fast First 1. Corruption if we look into the Corruption of our own Natures there is a world of Unbelief fighting against our Faith we are like men that row against the stream and therefore if we intermit a few strokes if we ply not our Oars we are presently carried down the stream more than we can regain of a long time Secondly 2. Temptation if we look upon the Tentations of Satan this is like a strong wind that goes along with the Tide of our own corruption and all to overturn this poor Vessel 1 Tim. 1.19 that we might make shipwrack of our faith When Satan desires that Peter may fail it is his great desire that his faith may fail Luk 22.31 32. And the Lord said Simon Simon behold Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat But I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not Thirdly 3. Troubles if we look upon the Troubles and Persecutions of the World here is still stronger opposition against Faith Therefore in the midst of Troubles and Persecutions the Apostle was jealous over the Thessalonians lest Satan should take an advantage to shake their faith at such a time as this 1 Thess 3.5 For this cause when I could no longer forbear I sent to know your faith lest by some means the Tempter have tempted you and our labour be in vain Therefore as a violent storm does but make a man girt his garment faster about him so should it be in this case The more violently the World and the Devil rageth against our Faith the faster should we girt our Spiritual Armour and labour to keep our faith when we have it Obj. But you will say If once we have justifying faith Faith cannot be lost we shall never lose it and therefore what need you perswade us to keep it Answ 1. I answer First because God works by means and so he is pleased to keep his people sound in the faith by setting before their eyes the danger of Apostacy Heb. 3.12 Take heed brethren lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God Answ 2. Secondly because however Gods people can never lose Faith totally and finally yet they may lose the comfort of it and the actins of it without a great deal of circumspection and therefore it will be our wisdom not onely to keep faith when we have it but to keep it in its power and vigour that it may not be like those things that are not the better but the worse for keeping Therefore keep thy Faith as thou art charged to keep thy heart Prov. 4.23 with all diligence Or as men keep their Orchards and Gardens with good Fences about them Or so as thou wouldst keep thy dwelling-house wind-tight and water-tight Or so as thou wouldst thy lodging-room or the bed wherein thou sleepest nay the bed wherein Christ and the Church sleepeth Cant. 3.7 Behold the bed which is Solomons guarded with threescore valiant men of Israel Or so as thou wouldst keep thy Treasure under Lock and Key for Faith is a precious Treasure Or so as thou wouldst keep thy bodily health 3 Joh. 2. Beloved I wish above all things that thou maist prosper
and be in health even as thy soul prospereth Or so as thou wouldst keep the Apple of thine Eye from the least mote or mite of offence Or so as thou wouldst keep thy very life for Faith under God is the very life of the Soul Solomon tells us Prov. 13.3 that he that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life we may as truly say He that keepeth his Faith keepeth his life for The just shall live by his faith Other things a man may be careful to keep and it may be they will prove of very little use when all is done The time will certainly come when thy best friends cannot help thee thy Meat and Drink cannot nourish thee Physicians cannot cure thee thy large Possessions cannot comfort thee yet even at such a time as this if thou canst but lay hold of a Promise thou maist live upon the Word which God hath spoken when thou canst not live upon thy Revenues nor live upon thy Calling nor live upon thy Friends nor live upon the Creatures of Meat and Drink yet even then maist thou live upon thy Faith when the just man can live upon nothing else he can still live upon his Faith Keep Faith therefore for it is thy life Now skin for skin Job 2.4 and all that a man hath will he give for his life If one should deliver a very precious thing into the hand of a Friend with this or the like charge Be sure to keep this about you wheresoever you come and nothing shall be able to hurt you no ill savour or pestilential air shall be able to infect you O how careful would a man be to keep such a Receipt he would keep it as his very life And such a Receipt Faith a spiritual Charm such a Spiritual Charm is Faith he gives this solemn charge Keep your Faith as you would keep your life keep your Faith and nothing shall be able to hurt you Luk. 10.19 Behold I give you power to tread on Serpents and Scorpions and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt you As this was true of the Faith of Miracles in those days so it is as true of saving Faith in a sound and saving sense at this day Such as keep their Faith in safety shall keep themselves in safety and shall tread down Satan that old Serpent under their feet and nothing shall be able to offend them And therefore where the Holy Ghost makes mention of the greatest troubles that befel the Church he makes mention also of their guard Here is the patience and the faith of the Saints Rev. 13.10 and 14.12 Keep thy Faith therefore and thy Patience as ever thou desirest to be kept in the great hour of Temptation Rev. 3.10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience I will also keep thee from the hour of Temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth O remember this will be the comfort It is the glory of a Christian to be found in the faith and the glory of a Christian to be found in the Faith when Christ comes to make a scrutiny either of death or at the general Judgement 1 Pet. 1.7 That the trial of your faith being much more precious than of gold that perisheth though it be tried with fire might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ It is nothing to say Such a man had Faith or Such a man once made a glorious Profession of the Faith but this is the glory of Christians to be found in the Faith when Christ comes to Judgement This was the height of Pauls ambition to be found in Christ when he came to give up his account Phil. 3.8 9. That I may win Christ and be found in him not having my own righteousness which is of the law but the righteousness of God by faith Now he that keeps the Faith and endures stedfast to the end is sure to be found in him and none else Quest But you will say What should I do that I may keep Faith safely and be found in the Faith in the most dangerous times Means of preserving faith 1. Soundness I answer First if thou wouldst be found in the faith be sure to be sound in the faith for unsound things do not use to last long An Apple that is rotten at the Core will soon be gone Apostacy is the usual Catastrophe of Hypocrisie He that would deceive in his Profession is justly deceived of his Salvation That 's the reason the Apostle so often perswades them to be sound in the faith Tit. 1.13 and 2 2. Let us build our Faith upon good ground upon Gods Word and so let us build our hearts upon Faith and not build Faith upon our own deceitful hearts Prov. 28.26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool but whoso walketh wisely he shall be delivered That is the first Rule Be sound in the Faith 2. Trial of it Secondly if thou wouldst keep thy Faith and be sound in it be sure to bring it to the Testimony and examine it to the bottom How do we know things to be sound or unsound but upon their trial Therefore be sure to try thy Faith if thou wouldst have it lasting Faith Some take it for granted their Faith is good and sound whereas if they should but feel the Pulse of it they would finde it very sick and weak It is said of Joseph and Mary Luke 1.41 they went a days journey supposing Jesus Christ to have been in their company but when they came to a through scrutiny they perceived they had lost him and were fain to go back again to seek him It is to be feared many a professed Christian plods on many a days and many a years journey supposing Faith and Christ by Faith to be in their company when if they would make a diligent search they should finde themselves at a loss and such as had need go back again and begin all their work afresh and indeed a man had better begin twenty times than be once mistaken in a matter of that moment Therefore be sure to examine thy Faith at the first as thou desirest to keep thy credit with God or Man A wise Merchant that would keep his credit and keep his estate is often casting up his Books of Accompts but he is like to keep neither of the former that is careless in the latter Be thou therefore this wise Merchant if thou wouldst keep thy Faith to the last be sure to make trial of it at the first How it ought to be tried I shall not now stand to shew you but refer you to that which was said in the particular Use to that purpose Thirdly he that would be kept sound in the Faith 3. Love of the Truth must be sure to love the Truth and to hate every false doctrine for Corruption in
judgement will soon weaken our faith 2 Pet. 3.17 Ye therefore beloved seeing ye know these things before beware lest ye also being led away with the errour of the wicked fall from your own stedfastness An unconstant man that halts between two Opinions will soon prove an unstedfast man Jam. 1.8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways 1 Tim 4.1 Now the Spirit speaketh expresly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits and Doctrines of Devils 4. A good conscience Fourthly he that would keep his Faith must keep a good Conscience in all things and he keeps a good Conscience that walks up to his light Faith loves to dwell in a sweet lodging 1 Tim. 3.9 Holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience The Mystery of Faith is kept in a pure conscience if once the chamber of Conscience be sluttish and nasty farewel Faith To be sure Faith and a good Conscience come and go both together He that makes shipwrack of the one cannot long preserve the other from sinking 1 Tim. 1.19 Holding faith and a good conscience which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwrack A good conscience as we told you is available to the holding both the Doctrine of Faith and the Grace of Faith And though these words are primarily meant of the Doctrine of Faith as we shewed you when we spake of living by Faith the Life of Preservation or Conservation in answer to the Arguments of the Papists from this place yet the Argument is good by necessary consequence à fortiori from this Scripture If a good conscience be so available for the keeping of the Doctrine of Faith then much more for keeping the Grace of Faith forasmuch as an evil conscience is more inconsistent with the Grace of Faith than with the Doctrine of Faith For howsoever an evil conscience is a very ready way to bribe and corrupt a mans judgement yet many for a time have taught sound Doctrine who have been very unsound in their practice Mat. 23.3 All therefore that they bid you observe that observe and do but do not ye after their works for they say and do not But an habitual corruption of conscience and conversation cannot stand with the soundness of the grace of Faith Joh. 1.6 If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in darkness we lie and do not the truth And 2.4 He that saith I know him and keepeth not his commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him Therefore 1 Tim. 1.5 he couples the grace of Faith and a good Conscience together Now the end of the Commandment is charity out of a pure heart and of a good conscience and of faith unfeigned Be sure therefore to keep a good conscience as thou wouldst keep thy faith Fifthly if thou wouldst keep thy Faith 5. Right bottom build it not upon false Promises that is when thou makest a Promise to thy self over and above that Promise which God hath made in his Word Many a man when he first begins to make Profession of the Faith he promiseth to himself a great deal of ease and riches and credit in the world whereas he should expect the contrary a great deal of trouble and Persecution and Poverty and Disgrace c. Now when such a mans End fails him his Faith also will fail him and he is ashamed of the very Profession of it Such low and carnal ends are just like the weights that hang upon a Clock so long as the weights move the Clock moves but when the weights are once at ground the Clock stands still So 't is with such men so long as their carnal ends move them in Religious ways they are moved but when once their ends fail they stand stark still and will move no further Therefore beware of false ends in the Profession of the Faith Promise to thy self no more than God hath promised lest failing of thy expectation thy faith fail thee also He is a wise and sure builder that sits down and counts the cost at the first but he is a fool and his building like to come to nothing that after he hath laid the foundation repents him of his work and saith I never thought it would have cost me half so much Luk. 14.28 Sixthly if thou wouldst keep thy Faith 6. Commit it to God commit it to Gods keeping whatsoever we commit to his trust is put into a safe hand 2 Tim. 1.12 For the which cause I also suffer these things nevertheless I am not ashamed for I know whom I have believed and I am perswaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day Therefore be sure not onely to commit other things to God by faith but even thy faith it self commit that to his keeping pray him to keep it for thee You know what Christ said to Peter I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not Luke 22.32 Now Christs Prayer is as good as a Promise Joh. 11. for we know that his Father heard him always Therefore ground thy Prayer upon his Prayer and say Lord hear me in that Prayer which I have taken out of my Saviours own mouth O let not my Faith fail That which thou hast committed to my trust Lord I desire to re-commit to thy trust for I dare not trust my self Therefore as David saith of his mouth Psal 141.3 Set a watch O Lord before my mouth and keep thou the door of my lips So should every true Believer pray in relation to his heart Set a watch O Lord before my heart and keep thou the door of my Faith That as the Lord is the keeper of thy person Psal 121.5 The Lord is thy keeper So he may be the Lord-Keeper of thy faith also And that is the sixth Means Look unto him by Prayer who is the Author and Finisher of thy faith Heb. 12.2 7. The free Spirit Seventhly if thou wouldst be establish'd in faith pray God to give thee his Free Spirit for that is an establishing Spirit Psal 51.12 Establish me with thy free Spirit With thy free Spirit what is that 1. The Spirit of God is not onely a free Spirit in it self for we may say of the Spirit of God as the Apostle speaks of the Word of God 2 Tim. 2.4 It is not bound 2. Yea and it is free in the Donation of it it is most freely bestowed where God giveth it Joh. 3.8 The wind bloweth where it listeth and thou hearest the sound thereof but canst not tell whence it cometh nor whether it goeth So is every one that is born of the Spirit God is as free in the work of the Spirit as in the work of the Minde All the men in the world cannot command the Wind no nor the Devil himself though he be called Eph. 2. The Prince of the Air he cannot command the Wind without
a Commission from God as we see in the case of Job so no man can command the Spirit 3. Yea but the Spirit is not onely free in the Nature of it and in the Donation of it But it is also free in the Effects and Operations of it that is to say It makes those free that receive it Joh. 8.36 If the Son shall make you free ye shall be free indeed And how doth he make men free but by his Spirit The Spirit of liberty is opposed to the Spirit of bondage 2 Cor. 3.17 and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty And this Spirit is an establishing Spirit Establish me with thy free Spirit If you shall demand Q. What this Free and ingenuous Spirit is and how it doth Establish Ans It is a Spirit Free First Because it Frees us in some measure What the Free Spirit of God sets Believers Free from from that which might occasion Back-sliding and Apostacy from the Faith Secondly In particular it frees a man 1. From the Bondage and Power of his own Lusts that sin reigns not in him 2. It frees him from Bondage and slavery to the Lusts of other men 1 Cor. 7.23 Ye are bought with a price be not ye the servants of men 3. It frees him from the Bondage and slavery of the World The world gets not the victory over him It is a base Spirit that stoops to the worlds lure as Demas did He is not in Bondage to the pleasures or profits of the world Therefore the Spirit of the world and the Spirit of God are opposed 1 Cor. 2.12 Now we have received not the Spirit of the world but the Spirit which is of God c. 4. He is free from the Exaction Curse and Malediction of the Law of the Moral Law and free from the burden of the Ceremonial Law 5. He is free from that which is the fruit of that curse a Slavish and a Servile Fear Either of God or man which makes men weary of their lives and yet extremely affraid to dye The Free Spirit of Christ by degrees doth set his servants at liberty from these fears Heb. 2 15. He came to deliver them who through fear of death were all their life time subject to bondage 2 Tim. 1.7 For God hath not given us the Spirit of fear but of power of love and of a sound mind How the Free Spirit of God Establishes Thus you see what this free and ingenious Spirit is and how it doth free us from those things which might occasion apostacy from the Faith and by that means it becomes an establishing spirit to us For in case the Spirit of God do not free men from these fears and burdens the sinful flesh will soon lighten it self it will purchase to it self a carnal liberty by rebellion and apostacy if the Spirit of God do not administer a Spiritual liberty by which the yoke of Christ is made easie and so the poor creature is confirmed in the Faith Therefore pray God to establish thee with his free Spirit We have given many Motives before I shall add but this one and so conclude Motive to pray for the Free Spirit As the right use of Christian liberty is a special means to preserve Faith So Faith also in the right use of it is a special means to preserve Christian Liberty which was purchased by the blood of Christ as one hand helps another and one leg supports another so it is in this case betwixt Faith and Christian liberty Faith Christian Liberty supports each other they do mutually strengthen and support one another There are certain graces that are Custodes libertatis Christianae The Lord give us the thing as well as the name Faith an excellent means to preserve Christian Liberty in many Respects Now Faith is one of these graces and a principal one lose thy Faith and lose thy Liberty keep thy Faith and keep thy Liberty As for Example First Such as believe in Christ are free from the Law of sin and death Rom. 8.2 For the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the Law of sin and death Some indeed professing the Faith account it their liberty to sin against God and are never troubled for it But they are men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth of Faith 1 Tim. 6.5 For the liberty that Christ hath purchased is not to be free from his service as in other manumissions of servants but free to his service His service is perfect liberty He hath set us at liberty from other service from the service of sin and satan That we might serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our daies Luke 1.74 Now I say He that keeps his Faith keeps his Freedom he that loseth his Faith loseth his Charter or at the least the Evidence of his Charter for his Spiritual Freedom Secondly He that is strong in the Faith stands fast in exercise of the liberty wherewith Christ hath made him free Gal. 6.1 But he that is weak in the Faith is also weak in the use of his Christian liberty Rom. 14.1 Him that is weak in the faith receive you but not to doubtful disputations viz. in the use of things indifferent And so we may say of other parts of our Freedome from other bondages As First From the Bondage of Sin The stronger is thy Faith the weaker is thy Lust for Faith purifieth the heart Acts 15.9 And put no difference between us and them purifying their hearts by Faith And Secondly from the bondage of Inordinate Fear The more Faith the less fear and on the other side the lesse Faith the more fear Mat. 8.26 Why are ye fearful O ye of little Faith Keep thy Faith therefore as thou desirest to keep thy Christian Liberty which is the most excellent Freedom in the world And so much for the second Branch of the Use The First was to exhort to get Faith if it be so excellent a grace The second is to keep it when we have it Now the Third is 3 Branch of Exhortation to Act Faith 3. To act it and to live by it as well as to keep it It is far better to put our Faith to use then our Money to use The just makes a living out of his Faith whilest he puts it to use O lay not up this precious treasure in a Napkin for then it will rust for want of using And we may say of our spiritual treasure as the Apostle James speaks of temporal treasure Jam. 5.2 3. Your riches are corrupted and your garments moth-eaten Your gold and silver is cankred and the rust of them shall be a witnesse against you O let not our Faith Rust for want of using Object But you will say Is it possible to have Faith and not to use it Ans I answer It is possible at some times and upon some occasions A man
may have the Habit of Faith and not act it as he ought to do unlesse he be very careful to stir up the grace of God that is in him 2 Tim. 1 Moses had the habit of faith and yet he failed in not acting of it at the waters of Meribah The disciples of Christ had the habit of faith yet they failed in acting of it in the time of danger insomuch that Christ saith Where is your Faith Let us not therefore content our selves that we believe in Christ and we have the habit of faith but let us be sure to reduce this Habit into Act upon all occasions We say all The excellency of an instrument consists in the use That is a good Knife or Spade or Sword or Shield that is good for use So â—t is with the Shield of faith that is the most excellent faith that is good for use Motives to Act Faith Mot. 1 For First It is the most Lively Faith when we Act it so that we live by it As we say an active man is a lively man whereas a sluggard or unactive creature is counted a dead creature one that is all amort So an active Faith is a Lively Faith whereas a fruitlesse and unactive faith is called a dead Faith Jam. 2. and a dead faith is as good as no faith at all We love other things and persons that are Active and Lively O let us love a Lively Faith Mot. 2 Secondly Consider the Acting of our faith when we have it it is that which brings most Honour to God When we trust God with everything we possesse both for the Keeping and the Using of it we take in hand So that we dare do nothing without craving his Advice Blessing This puts a great deal of honour upon God As the natural son honours his natural father by this means So Gods children much more honour their heavenly father when they thus by faith do acknowledge him in all their wayes Prov. 3. Mot. 3 Thirdly This is that which brings no lesse Comfort and Hearts ease to our selves then honour to God therefore faith is called a casting our burden upon the Lord Psal 37.5 Roll thy way upon the Lord trust also in him and he shall bring it to passe Psal 55.22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord and he shall sustain thee he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved Oh! what an ease what a comfort is this when we have burdens that are ready to break our backs and our hearts too and we go to God by faith and prayer and so find ease and comfort When the perplexed Soul says O how shall I do to subdue such a Corruption to get such a Grace to conquer such an Enemy to dispatch such a business to hold out to the end In this case faith takes off the burthen of fear and care Take no thought says faith but go to God by Prayer Isa 26. for he hath promised to work all thy works for thee and he will be as good as his word And therefore put thy faith to use in these particulars and you shall finde abundance of ease and comfort Take a man that hath but little business in comparison yet if he hath no faith but relie meerly upon his own wit or strength let this man be never so little crost in his designs he is presently at his wits end it breaks his sleep and he can have no quiet Take another man that hath business of the greatest importance in the world yet suppose this man by faith to have committed the work to God he sleeps as quietly and lives as comfortably as if he had nothing at all to trouble him And is not this a most sweet and comfortable life He that acts his faith upon the Promise may have more troubles than another man without but certainly he hath more peace and quiet within He is just like a candle in a close Lanthorn that burns clear and fair in the midst of a Tempest Mot. 4. Fourthly as this acting of faith doth marvellously comfort and support the Spirit in the mean time so it is that which infallibly brings in the greatest advantage in the latter end When all is done we shall finde living by Faith will bring in the best living to the creature at the last This is a sure Rule Gods outward actings for us are usually proportionable to his inward actings upon our Spirits He first sets our Faith on work and then our Faith sets his Hand on work for us You know the usual expression in the Gospel According to your faith be it unto you according to our faith such and such Promises are made good to us As if God should say I am able to do enough if you are able to believe enough Unbelief shuts the door but faith acted and excited is that which turns the key and opens the door of all the good Treasures of God to be drawn out for our seasonable supply Could we but act faith nothing could make us miserable Suppose we be afflicted and persecuted yet afflictions and persecutions are so far from making us miserable that they are a special gift and love-tokens from God when he is pleased to give faith in the first place Phil. 1.29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ not onely to believe on him but also to suffer for his sake Mot. 5. In a word to conclude This is that for which the Saints of God have been commended and left upon Record with an honourable Remembrance to all Posterity not so much for that they had the habit of faith as that they acted their faith in such and such noble Exploits as are eternized to their everlasting praise in the 11th to the Hebrews By Faith Abel and Enoch Noah and Abraham did thus and thus their faith was very active and operative and so should ours be if we desire to obtain the like good report which they obtained for by it by faith yea by the acting of their faith in the several particulars there mentioned the Elders obtained a good report Hebr. 11.2 What a dishonour is it to a faithful man The not acting of faith foils shames a Christian on the other side when his strength goes from him and he becomes weak like another man He is no more able to perform a duty no more able to resist a temptation than another ordinary man O what a shame is this And yet thus it is with a faithful man if he do not act his faith and keep close to his Covenant Obs He is as Samson was when his hair was cut off he becomes weak like another man Insomuch that carnal men uncircumcised Philistims begin to reproach him and say Lo this is one of our Professors this is the man that lives by faith Lo this is the man that trusted in God that he would deliver him let him deliver him if he will have him c. And thus they reproach and
speak evil of the ways of God when in truth the fault is neither in God nor in the grace of Faith but in our own slothfulness we act not our faith when we have it Quest But you will say What should we do that we may act our faith Helps for the acting of faith Answ I answer First be sure to clear up thy interest in Christ 1. Cleering up interest in Christ Receive Christ on Gospel-terms 1. Wholly 2. Renouncing thy sins Isa 59.20 And the Redeemer shall come to Sion and unto them that turn from transgressions in Jacob saith the Lord. 3. Renounce thy own Righteousness Rom. 10.3 For they being ignorant of Gods righteousness and going about to establish their own righteousness have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God 4. Take Christ with his Cross Mat. 16.24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples If any man will come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me And by thy interest in Christ clear up thy interest in the Covenant of free Grace Isa 42.6 I the Lord have called thee in righteousness and will hold thine hand and will keep thee and give thee for a Covenant of the people for a light of the Gentiles Isa 49.8 And by the Covenant thy interest in all the precious Promises of God For all the Promises of God in him are Yea and in him Amen unto the glory of God by us 2 Cor. 1.20 Once prove thy self in Christ and thou maist prove thy interest to all the Promises of God for if in Christ then a Son if a Son then an Heir if an Heir then an heir of the promises Heb. 6.17 Wherein God willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of Promise the immutability of his counsel confirmed it by an oath This is the first and great thing that is to be done But yet this is not enough for Secondly Help 2. Application of the Promises next to the clearing up of thy interest in Christ and in the promises Thou must give all diligence not only to acquaint thy self with the promises and rich Legacies of thy heavenly father but thou must also endevour seasonably to apply them to thy particular occasions and conditions as also to put the promises in suit by prayers and so make use of them by faith in drawing out vertue from Christ as a rich man makes use of his mony or stock and store when he improves it and imploys it for the supply of his particular wants to feed him to clothe him c. What a shame and a vanity is it as Solomon speaks for a man to have abundance of wealth and yet not to have a heart to make use of it for the supply of his wants And the like shame it is to a Christian to have a stock of Faith and precious promises and yet not to have a heart to make use of them for the supply of his daily wants So that to live by Faith then is to act our Faith in the promise and to go to them upon all occasions as a man goes to his treasury for the supply of all his wants For faith is nothing else but a believing of Gods promise and a trusting to it through Christ for supply in the time of need As for Example First Art thou in doubt or dost thou want wisdom Several cases wherein Faith is to be exercised for the ordering of thy temporal or spiritual affairs then act thy faith in that promise Jam. 1.5 If any lack wisdome let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not and it shall be given him Secondly Suppose thou art in outward troubles and seest no visible means for thy escape act thy faith in that promise Job 5.19 He shall deliver thee in six troubles yea in seven there shall no evil touch thee Thirdly Art thou in inward trouble of spirit for want of the light of Gods countenance Live by faith in that promise Psal 85.8 He will speak peace unto his people and to his Saints c. Fourthly Suppose thou art afflicted in this Thy corruptions are strong and thy graces weak O live by faith in that promise Mica 7.19 He will turn again he will have compassion upon us he will subdue our iniquities and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the Sea Or that 2 Cor. 9 8. God is able to make all grace abound toward you that ye always having all sufficiency in all things may abound to every good work Fifthly Art thou afraid of enemies act thy faith in that promise Isa 54. Last No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper c. Sixthly Art thou afraid of Satan or any in league with him Away with that fear act thy saith in that promise Numb 23.23 Surely there is no inchantment against Jacob neither is there any divination against Israel Seventhly Art thou afraid of the fury of the oppression act thy faith in that promise Psal 9.9 The Lord will be a refuge for the oppressed a refuge in times of trouble Eighthly Art thou afraid of want in thy estate Act thy faith in that promise Psal 34.10 They that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing Ninthly Art thou afraid of disgrace upon thy name act thy faith in that promise Zeph. 3.20 I will make you a name and a praise among all the people of the earth saith the Lord. Tenthly Art thou afraid of bodily sickness or death Act thy faith in such promises where God engageth himself either to prevent sickness or to support thee under it or to make death a passage to a better life Eleventhly Art thou afraid thy labours and endeavours in thy calling will prove fruitless Act thy faith in that promise Psal 1.3 Whatsoevor he doth shall prosper Which is still to be understood with subordination to Gods glory and our own salvation Twelthly Art thou afraid what may become of thy children when thou art dead and gone Trust God with them and act thy faith upon that promise Psal 112.2 The generation of the upright shall be blessed 13. Art thou troubled to see the present differences among Gods people Live by faith in that promise Jer. 32.39 I will give them one heart and one way that they may fear me for ever for the good of them and of their children after them 14. Art thou afraid of unprofitableness under Gods ordinances because thou findest much backwardness to them and much deadness under them apply that promise Isa 12.3 Ye shall with joy draw water out of the wells of salvation And that Isa 48.17 I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldst go 15. If thou be afraid of the hardness of thy bea rt and thy want of love to the Lord act faith in that promise Deut. 30.6 And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart and the heart of thy seed
to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul that thou maist live And thus might we instance in other cases and other promises but these may suffice to give light to the rest Let us thus carefully make use of the talent of our faith in trading with God upon all occasions that our one or two talents may gain more Simile God is the first fountain of all grace and comfort the promises are as several spring-heads our acting faith upon the promises is like the conveiance of waters in pipes to the several rooms in a house for the best service of the inhabitants Let us therefore act our faith that we may live comfortably upon the promises those heavenly wells of salvation And if God answer not presently we must act our faith in tarrying the lords leasure if the vision be for an appointed time the just shall live by his faith And that is the last branch of the exhortation respecting our selves if faith be so excellent a grace even the very life of the soul Then First as we should labour to get it and Secondly to keep it when we have it Thirdly to live by it and act it as well as keep it Branch IV. Of Exhortation So fourthly we should labour to increase the stock of our faith Increase of Faith Faith is such an excellent grace we can never have too much of it He that increaseth his faith increaseth his livelyhood For the just shall live by his faith It was the high commendation of those poor Christians Jam. 2.5 That however they were poor in other things yet they were rich in faith The Thessalonians are commended for this that their faith was on the growing hand their faith grew exceedingly 2 Thes 1.3 Paul gives the like commendable testimony of the Corinthians that they abounded in faith 2 Cor. 8.7 What should I say more this is recorded to the everlasting praise of him that is stiled the father of the faithful that he was strong in the faith Rom. 4.20 Let us all labour therefore that profess the same faith to attain as neer as we can to the same growth that we may be strong in the faith giving glory to God as he did And the rather should we be perswaded to grow because Motives to increase in Faith First there are degrees of faith 1. Faith hath degrees and no man attains to the highest degree at the first faith is like a grain of mustard seed before it comes to be a goodly tree and the faithful are first babes in Christ then young men then strong men 1 Joh. 2.12 13 14. The Disciples are oft reproved for their little faith and the good woman is commended for her great faith Mat. 15.28 Jesus answered and said unto her O woman great is thy faith be it unto thee even as thou wilt it seems therefore there is little faith and there is great faith there is weak faith and there is strong faith and yet he that is stronger may grow still Paul was a strong and valiant champion in the faith no whit inferiour to the very chief of the Apostles and yet he speaks of himself as if he had little or nothing in comparison of that which he desired and endeavoured after Psal 3.9 in the third to the Philippians he tells us that he counts all things loss and dung that he may know Christ and the power of his Resurrection Why Did he not know him already and believe in him already doubtless he did but in comparison of what was to come and what he aimed at he accounted that which he had already but very little And therefore says he in the very next words Not as though I had already attained or were already perfect but I follow after if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus And therefore still he desireth to know more and to believe more he never thought he had faith enough And therefore beloved if such a strong man in the faith as Paul was desires still to be upon the growing hand how much more should such as are new beginners and but weak in the faith desire to grow from strength to strength according to that gracious promise Job 17.9 The righteous shall hold on his way and that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger In other things men desire to grow In things natural no child but desires to grow till it be a man In things artificial no scholar apprentice but desires to grow till he become a perfect artist In the things of the world no man of mean estate but desires to grow till he be rich onely in grace men are content to be poor still Where we should be covetous there we are well contented with a little 1 Cor. 12.31 Covet earnestly the best gifts And where we should be content there we are covetous as in outward things Mot. 2. Growth of faith an evidence of its truth And this puts me in mind of a second Motive to quicken our growth in faith None have truth of faith but onely such as desire to grow in faith and therefore when a professor shall presently grow secure and say So now I believe all is well I have as much faith as will carry me to heaven and what need I care for any more it is a shrewd signe such a man hath no true faith at all a painted child grows not but a living child grows taller and taller from year to year For in case a man had had truly tasted how gratious the Lord is by the mouth of faith he must needs say as they did of that bread and water of life Lord evermore give us of this bread evermore give us of this water A man thinks he can never have enough of it True faith is never content to stand at a stay And the reason is because it springs up of immortal seed if the seed of faith could rot and die then it might cease to grow 1 Pet. 1. but because the seed of it is immortal and incorruptible therefore it must needs be up on the grownig hand It may be nipt a little for a time like winter corn but even then it grows in the root and will grow the faster for it afterwards in the blade also What shall we say then of those that are alwayes standing at a stay that are children in the faith for the space of fourty or fifty years together these are monsters in the life of faith It is confessed every thing must have a beginning both in nature and grace but it is a shame to be alwayes beginning and never carrying on a work to be a beginner from first to last is very strange and inconsistent with the grace of faith Thirdly consider the faster our faith grows Mot. 3. Faith makes all graces grow the faster all other graces do grow and the fruits of those graces also in all manner
of good works It is a sweet thing for a Christian to be full of grace and full of good works 2 Pet. 3.16 But grow in grace and in the knowledg of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ As it is said of Dorcas Act. 9.36 This woman was full of good works and alms deeds which she did But a man can never be full of these unless he be full of faith for faith is a radical grace all graces and good works spring from faith as from a root and are therefore called the fruits of faith Christ is the master-root but faith is a subservient root Now you know the faster the root grows the faster the branches grow and the fruits also So the faster our faith grows the faster our love our patience our zeal for God and all other graces grow and the faster our good works also do grow and multiply all good works if good works indeed do spring from faith In vain do Christians heap up precepts for a holy life if in the mean time they neglect their faith which draws power from Christ which inables them to walk with God in the performance of those good works for without me saith Christ ye can do nothing Joh. 5.5 Fourthly consider as more faith more grace Mot. 4. More Faith more Peace so the more faith the more peace in ordinary course of dispensation Rom. 5.1 Being justified by faith we have peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ So the stronger is our faith the stronger our joy and consolation therefore the Apostles joyns both together Rom. 15.13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing fulness of faith brings fulness of joy and peace And the reason is because faith is the bond of union that knits Christ and the soul together Now the stronger and neerer our union is unto Christ the sweeter and fuller is our communion with Christ It is true a weak faith may be sufficient to salvation but it is not sufficient in all cases to consolation A weak believer crawls to heaven with much adoe but a strong believer runs his race to heaven with much joy even in the midst of afflictions and persecution Such a one hath an humble boldness at the throne of grace in all conditions And as he prays with more confidence so he can wait with more patience till God is pleased to answer his prayer Therefore get good store of faith as thou desirest good store of peace and joy Fifthly consider we should labour for much faith because the troubles of believers are many and their enemies are many that fish for them in those troubled waters Mot. 5. Troubles of believers are many First there troubles are many Psal 34.19 Many are the troubles of the righteous sometimes outward troubles and sometimes inward troubles they are seldome without some or other And sometimes they are more then the hairs of their head as David speaks Psal 40.12 And secondly their enemies are many that fish for them in these troubled waters and as they are many fo they are strong Corruptions are strong and the Devil is strong he is called the strong man armed And the world is a strong enemie Now how shall a weak faith stand up against so many strong enemies and against so many stout temptations Therefore Ephesians 6.10 16. we are bidden be strong in the Lord and in the poor of his might And above all taking the shield of faith which is needful to quench the fiery darts of the wicked 3. Besides these enemies put forth their strength against us when we are at the weakest they come upon us as Simeon and Levi upon the Shechemties when we are sore opprest with sore and heavy troubles Gen 34.25 Then Corruptions are most impetuous and violent then they tempt us to inordinate care fear sorrow and sometimes to despair or to fretting and murmuring against the Lord Then Satan tempts strongly to cast off God and his service It was the Devil that spoke in Jobs wife for all that Job had was delivered into his hand Chap. 1.12 when she said Dost thou still retain thine integrity Curse God and die Then the World strikes in with a word of opposition It will smile upon thee it may be in a time of prosperity Riches saith Solomon gather many friends yea but the poor is separated from his Neighbour It will frown in time of adversity Now I say how shall a man be able to stand up with a weak faith in the midst of so many troubles and enemies Who mould venture into a rough and a boisterous Sea in a weak and slender Vessel In strong Temptations a weak faith is ready to betray us to inordinate fears Mat. 8.26 Jesus said to the Disciples Why are ye fearful O ye of little faith Plainly intimating That the greatness of their fears did spring not so much from the greatness of their troubles and dangers as from the weakness of their faith And therefore because we know not what troubles or oppositions we may meet withall before we come to die or at least in that hour It is good wisdom to lay up store of faith before-hand Time may soon come we may need all we have and it may be desire we had more however store is no sore especially in things of this nature Besides that as the night of your troubles may come sooner than you look for it is possible your Sun may set at Noon so it may be that night may prove longer than you are aware of and therefore it is wisdom to prepare good store of light to carry you through the darkness of the night whether that darkness do spring from outward troubles for The withdrawing of the Presence of Christ makes the saddest night of all He is the Sun of Righteousness therefore his Presence makes day in the Soul and his Absence makes night and this night I say may prove longer than we are aware of therefore get good store of faith for faith is your light which being nourished by the sure word of prophesie and promise shineth in a dark place until the day dawn and the day-star arise in your hearts 2 Pet. 1.19 Suppose a man were to go a great and difficult way in a very dark night and had but a little piece of a candles-end to direct him over narrow Bridges and dangerous Passages where the least errour might cost him his life how uncomfortable would his condition be when that little piece of candle was burnt out So it is in this case therefore be sure to get good store of faith and good store of oyl in your Lamps As you desire to be found amongst the number of the Wise Virgins when the Bridegroom cometh Lastly consider a great Profession and a little Faith do not hang wel together 6. A great profession and a little faith agree not wel Most men indeed love to be accounted rich in faith rather than to be so
but a solid Christian says I had rather be rich in faith than to be accounted so for in case thy faith grow not as fast as thy Profession of it thou wilt be just like a Ship that hath more Sails than Ballast like a Bird that flies out of her nest before she hath wings to carry her Like that foolish King who going to make war with ten thousand Luke 14. provokes him that comes against him with twenty thousand For the very Profession of the faith may provoke an Adversary as well as if we had really as much as we do profess And how shall such a man endure the stroke that provokes much and can resist or bear nothing Or he is like an Apprentice that buyes out his time before he hath either sufficiency of Stock to set up withall or sufficiency of Skill to manage his Stock So it is with men that set up the Trade of godliness with as great shew upon the Stall as most men do and yet have but little stock of Faith within doors to bear it out they soon either prove Bankrupts or take a sore fall either into some foul errour in judgement or into some foul sin in their practice All these Considerations should perswade us to increase and grow strong in the faith Quest But how should I know whether I do increase or decrease whether my faith be strong or weak Answ It appears to be weak Signs of a weak faith by the frequency of doubtings and fears therefore little faith 1. Frequency of doubtings and much fear or doubting are usually joyned together in Scripture as S. John saith of Love 1 Joh. 3.18 Perfect love casteth out fear he that feareth is not made perfect in love So we may say of Faith Perfect faith casteth out fear he that feareth is not perfect in faith It is true there is none so perfect upon earth but he may fear sometimes But yet this holds true The more faith the less fear and the more fear the less faith Secondly 2. Unsetledness in Gods truth a weak faith is soon discovered by a mans inconstancy and unsetledness in the Truths of God You know a strong man in regard of bodily strength is not easily turned about and staggered at every twitch but a childe is weak you may turn him this way and that way at your pleasure with one of your fingers So it is in grace a strong man in the faith is not easily moved by every new upstart and ungrounded Opinion but a Novice in the faith as he is soon lifted up by pride so he is as soon cast down by the wind of Errour therefore saith the Apostle Eph. 4.14 Let us be no more children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive 3. Carefulness in worldly things Thirdly weak faith is discovered by a mans extraordinary care about worldly things He that hath strong faith will trust God for the things of this life as well as of that which is to come Heb. 13.5 his conversation is without covetousness and he is well content with such things as he hath because God hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee So that he can boldly say The Lord is my helper I will not fear what flesh can do unto me Heb. 13.5 But a man of a weak faith as his heart is more full of worldly fears and cares so his mouth is more full of distrustful or at least doubtful expressions What shall we eat Mat. 6. what shall we drink and what shall we put on all which do spring either from want of faith or at least from the weakness of it As Christ says Mat. 6.30 Wherefore if God so clothe the grass of the field which to day is and to morrow is cast into the oven shall he not much more clothe you O ye of little faith Plainly intimating the reason why they had so much worldliness in their hearts was Because they had so little faith there Faith and the World are Combatants 1 Joh. 5.4 This is the victory that overcomes the world even our faith Therefore when Faith gets above the World it argues Faith is strong but when the World gets above Faith it argues Faith is weak 4. Backwardness to holy duties and remissness in them Fourthly a weak faith is discovered by a mans backwardness to holy duties beforehand and by his remissness in them afterwards The Watch stands still when the Spring is down and it moves but slowly when the Spring is weak Now faith is as it were the Spring of the Soul it sets all a work in Prayer in Hearing in Practice Therefore where the Spring of faith is weak the Soul moves weakly and slowly toward and in those holy duties but where the Spring grows stronger and stronger it moves more strongly and vigorously from day to day I believed and therefore have I spoken saith David We having the same Spirit of faith we also believe and therefore we have spoken saith the Apostle 2 Cor. 4.13 Strong Faith is like strong wine it must have a vent in gracious speeches and holy actions Job 32.18 For I am full of matter the Spirit within me constraineth me Behold my belly is as wine which hath no vent it is ready to burst like new bottles I will speak that I may be refreshed I will open my lips and answer Look as strength of love to Jesus Christ constrains to holy duties 2 Cor. 5.14 For faith works by love Gal. 5.6 So the more faith the more work the creature doth for God the less faith the less work Only take it with this Caution that the work springs from a principle of Love to Jesus Christ Otherwise he that hath lesse faith or no faith at all may yet do more work seemingly for God more external work springing from a principle of Self-love and Self-seeking in praise or profit But such a man carries not his work before him he doth it but to the halves he serves God with bodily exercise but he serves him not in Spirit and truth Fifthly 5. Sign Yielding to Temptations A weak Faith is discovered by a mans easie yeelding to the temptations of sin A weak souldier is soon overcome but a valiant champion stands it out stoutly and bears many a blow before he yields Therefore a weak faith is soon overcome by any little temptation of profit or pleasure and the like whereas a strong faith stands out manfully as Moses did who by Faith refused to enjoy the pleasures of sin Chusing rather to suffer afflictions with the people of God Heb. 11.25 So also by yielding under temptations of tryal Joh. 6.6 And this he said to prove him viz. Philip in the miracle of multiplying the loaves for he himself knew what he would do As also the rest of the Disciples in the tempest at sea Consider
love to us than by the manifestation of our love to him for our love to him is no other than a reflexion of his love to us Labour therefore to prove thy love to God that if Jesus Christ should ask thee the same question he asked Peter Joh. 21.15 Lovest thou me thou maist answer as he did Yea 2 Cor. 8.8 Lord thou knowest that I love thee And if Jesus Christ should answer again How dost thou prove the sincerity of thy love Thou maist answer again Lord I prove it by my love to thy sheep and by my love to thy lambs though I cannot feed them in every respect as Peter did yet I desire to feed them as I am able I do not love them for my own ends because I would feed upon them and clothe my self with their fleece but that I may clothe them and feed them as their necessities do require And this is that which in the judgement of Jesus Christ himself publish'd in the face of al the world in the last day doth publish the sincerity of our love to him Mat. 25. â—0 Inasmuch as ye have done it to one of these my brethren ye have done it unto me Prove therefore thy love to God and that will strengthen thy faith in God for as faith works by love Gal 5.6 so the works of love do strengthen faith Faith as the occasion of its exercise and an evidence of its being but faith is not perfected in its essence and nature by Works but by the Promises The seventh and last Mean is 7. Experiences To stir up the manifold Experiences of Gods goodness and faithfulness to us for the time that is past for this is a special Mean to strengthen our faith for the time to come Former Experiences may and ought to build us up in future Confidences If God hath delivered for the time past and doth deliver for the present we are bound the more firmly to believe that he will yet deliver for that which is to come 2 Cor. 1.9 10. For when God fulfils with his hand what he speaks with his mouth 1 King 8.15 such a Providence being a further Seal of his Promise ought to confirm our Faith For why we know God is still the same God and changeth not the Covenant is the same everlasting Covenant the Mediator of the Covenant is the same Jesus Christ yesterday and to day and for ever why should not our faith be the same also and more abundant If a Christian may say God hath delivered and doth deliver and will yet deliver why may he not also say I have trusted in this God and do trust in him and I will trust in him for the time to come Come what can come I am resolved to trust in him Job 13.15 Though he should slay me yet will I trust in him I have ever found him a faithful Master to me and why should not I continue a faithful Servant to him His Word reports him to be a faithful God and his Works also do speak the same I know this may a gracious Soul say by my own experience and therefore they that know thy Name will put their trust in thee for thou Lord hast never failed them that seek thee Psal 9.10 Be sure therefore to keep a Catalogue of Gods merciful Providences in answer to thy Prayers This was Davids Cordial in a fainting Fit I remember the years that are past Psal 77.5 143.5 It was that which incouraged him against the Philistim when he remembred how God had took his part against the Lion and the Bear 1 Sam. 17.37 The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the Lion and out of the paw of the Bear he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistim And 't is that which may exceedingly strengthen the faith of a poor creature when it is able to say I prayed to God at such a time and he heard me graciously I was in a Soul-straight and he spake peace to my Soul I had such an enemy rose up against me and he changed his heart that he would not hurt me or he withered his hand that he could not hurt me I was in doubt and he made my way plain before me I was in woful perplexity and he said to my heart Fear not yea I never sought him in sincerity but he was ever found of me in mercy And therefore if I should now begin to distrust this God after all this experience he may justly say to me as one faithful friend says to another when he begins to grow jealous or suspicious What will you not take my word did I ever fail you was I ever false to you what iniquity hast thou or thy Fathers found in me that thou shouldst now begin to suspect me O may God say to an experienced Christian of all men in the world thou hast the least cause to stagger at the Promise If thou doubtest of the Word yet at the least thou shouldst believe me for the works sake Joh. 14.11 And thus you see former experience may and ought to build up in future confidence And these are the Means by which a weak Faith may be strengthned And so have we now dispatch'd the first general Branch of the Exhortative part of the Application relating to our selves If Faith be our Life under God then should we labour 1. To get it 2. To keep it when we have it 3. To act it and live by it as well as keep it 4. So to live by it as to increase the stock of our Faith from day to day The poorest Cottager lives as truly as the richest man in the world but not so comfortably nor so fully he is faint to pinch himself both back and belly he goes to bed with many a hungry meal and the like And so it is with him that is weak and poor in the faith he lives indeed by faith but not so fully and comfortably as he that is rich in the faith His Comforts are fewer and his Fears are more All these things should perswade us to increase our faith Second Branch of Exhortation Of Converting others to the Faith But we leave that Branch of Exhortation that concerns our selves and come now to that which relates to others and in concluding this by Gods Assistance we shall conclude the whole subject of Faith For if Faith be such an excellent Grace then as in other good things so also in this the more common it is the better it is It is an excellent thing to be instrumental in the propagating the common Faith Tit. 1.4 Jude 3. and the common Salvation Look as a Father or Governour that lives comfortably upon his outward means himself thinks himself bound in conscience to maintain his Family and to lay up for his Children and so do good to the poor that they may live the better by his means as well as himself So that man that lives by Faith himself and
findes the sweetness of it should desire to communicate this life to others and to endevour that they also may live by it as well as himself If the Life of Faith be such an excellent Life who would not labour to convert others to the Faith Me-thinks I hear God by his Spirit speaking to the Soul of each faithful man Behold thou art converted thy self Hast thou here any besides as the Angel said to Lot Gen. 19 12. Son in law and thy sons and thy daughters that are still in Sodom still in the state of Nature O bring them out of this condition that they may learn to live by Faith also as well as thy self This is indeed the great Work of the Ministers and ought to be the endevour of every private Christian in their private Admonitions and Exhortations to convert others to the Faith Dost thou desire thy Children thy Friends thy Neighbours may live comfortably as well as thy self O labour to convert them to the Faith and labour that they may live by Faith when they are converted There 's no Life under heaven to be compared with this Life But to press home farther and more effectually what I intend in this Point I shall refer most of that I have to say to that notable place in Daniel which I shall adde as an Appendex to this Subject of Faith AN APPENDIX Concerning The Converting of others TO THE FAITH They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever WHere the Prophet Daniel foretelling the greatest troubles that ever befel Gods People from the beginning of the World which some understand of the great Persecution under Antiochus Epïphanes and others of the last and great Persecution under Antichrist and others understand it of both and indeed the first was a Type of the latter I say the Prophet foretelling the greatest troubles that ever befel Gods People he foretels also as was needful for their support at such a time the greatest comforts and encouragements that could be First in the very time of their troubles And secondly in the issue and fruit of their troubles First in the time of their troubles and that is in the glorious appearance and assistance of the great General of the Field the Lord Jesus Christ the Angel of the Covenant pleading the Cause and fighting the Battels of his Servants Here 's the comfort though there be no troubles like their troubles yet there is no Saviour like their Saviour ver 1. And at that time shall Michael stand up the great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people and there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation Secondly in the issue and fruit of their troubles As no troubles like their troubles so no deliverance like their deliverance Which is set forth 1. In the glorious Resurrection of all the faithful to life Eternal in these words viz. And at that time thy people shall be delivered every one that shall be found written in the Book and many of them that sleep in the dust shall awake some to everlasting life 2. In the special glory that is promised to those that lay forth themselves in a special work viz. in the Conversion of others to the Faith v. 3. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever Explication They that be wise Some reade it that make others wise or cause them to understand So They that turn many unto righteousness i. e. they that turn men to the righteousness of faith as Interpreters do expound it they that are instruments of others Conversion they shall shine as the stars for ever and ever As if the Prophet had said 'T is possible the rage of Antichrist in the night of Persecution may burn hottest of all against the Teachers of the Word and such as draw others to the knowledge of Christ because they stand as it were in the fore-front of the Battel yet let them be no whit discouraged for as the stars shine brightest in the darkest night so shall they shine that are called Stars Rev. 1.20 and all such as labour in Conversion of others they shall shine as the stars for ever and ever You may behold in the words 1. The Description and Commendation of the most excellent Work 2. The Intimation or Proposal of the most excellent Reward and the latter set down as an encouragement to the former 1. The Description of the most excellent Work They that turn many unto righteousness 2. The Intimation or Proposal of the most excellent Reward They shall shine As the Firmament As the Stars for ever and ever Take the result of both in this one Proposition The turning of men unto Righteousness Doctr. or the Conversion of Souls to the Faith as it is the most excellent Work so it shall certainly be crowned with the most excellent Reward They that be wise c. I. Branch 'T is an excellent Work 1. The turning of men unto Righteousness the Conversion of Souls to God is the most excellent Work It is an excellent Work indeed by Prayer and other means to heal a sick body Jam. 5.15 The prayer of faith shall save the sick and the Lord shall raise him up Yea but it is a far more excellent Work to heal a sick and sinful Soul ver 19. Brethren if any of you do erre from the truth and one convert him let him know that he which converteth the sinner from the errour of his way shall save a soul from death and shall cover a multitude of sins This is an excellent Work indeed and it is that excellent Work that was so much in Davids eye he was marvellous earnest with God to help him in the work of his own Conversion or in the renewal of his Repentance and why so that he might be the better fitted to convert others to God Psal 51.13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways and sinners shall be converted unto thee This was the great and noble design of David the Conversion of Souls He desired though he could not make God amends yet to take a holy Revenge upon Satan by drawing Subjects from him to God And indeed it appears to be a most excellent Work in many respects For Reas 1 First it is a difficult Work and all excellent things are difficult It is a difficult work It s an easie matter to damn a Soul Facilis descensus averni We go down the hill and so down to Hell fast enough but it 's the hardest matter in the world to save a Soul Psal 22.29 'T is too hard for a man to convert himself No man can keep alive or quicken his own Soul 'T is too hard for a man by his own power to convert another 't is too hard for the Parent
Honourable Work It is the most honourable Work and it is the most Honourable Work 1. Because in this Work a man hath the most honourable fellow-labourers not onely the Angels of Heaven as we heard before but the God of Heaven Jesus Christ himself was a Minister and Preacher as well as a Purchaser of the New-Covenant Hence we are said in this great Work to be fellow-labourers and fellow-workmen together with God himself 1 Cor. 3.9 2. 'T is an honourable Work because 't is conversant about the most excellent Object The Souls of men one Soul being more worth than all the world They that are imployed in securing the Estates of men as Lawyers and Magistrates or in preserving the Bodies of men as Physicians are or in preserving the Honours of men as Heralds and Historians are I dare not say but they have a lawful and an excellent Calling yea but not so excellent as those that are specially imployed in the conversion and salvation of the Souls of men Look as those men that were imployed in the Tabernacle in all cunning work of Silk and Purple and fine-twined Linen of Silver and Gold and Precious Stones they had a more honourable service than such as were imployed in Goats-hair in Rams-skins and Badgers-skins So such as are imployed for the good of Souls have a more honourable service than such as are imployed for the good of mens Estates Bodies or Names That 's the most excellent Work that is imployed about the most excellent Object What is the Body or what is the outward Estate of a man in comparison of his Soul Nay what are all the goods in the world to be laid in the Balance with the Soul the whole Globe of the Earth with all the glory of it in comparison of this is lighter than vanity He that well knew the worth of both hath said it What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul Mat. 16.26 And if the loss of a Soul be so great a loss then the gain of a Soul must needs be as great a gain Doubtless the Salvation of Souls is the most excellent Work because it hath the most excellent Object 3. It is the most excellent Work because it works the most excellent Changes converting from sin to righteousness from hell to heaven Act. 26.18 II. Branch It hath the most honourable Reward Reas 7 And lastly It is the most excellent Work because it hath the most excellent Reward and this brings in the second part of the Doctrine It hath the most excellent Reward The Doctrine was this The turning of men unto Righteousness or The Conversion of Souls as it is the most excellent Work so it shall certainly be crowned with the most excellent Reward And what 's the Reward To shine as the firmament and as the stars for ever and ever And this proves it to be the most excellent Work for God shall reward men according to their works though not according to the merit of their work yet of his Free-grace according to the nature of their works Such is Gods method of Retribution that as you may reade mens sins in their punishment so you may behold the excellency of the work in the glory of their Reward As works of darkness shall be punished in the place of utter darkness so such as have been as John Baptist was burning and shining lights in the work of the Ministery they shall shine as the glorious lights of Heaven for ever and ever They did shine as stars here Rev. 1.20 12.1 therefore they shall shine as stars hereafter O how should the consideration of this great Reward quicken us up in the performance of the VVork for to that end doubtless it is spoken 'T is true we should labour in the Conversion of Souls were there no reward at all how much more then when it brings so great advantage every ways not onely to the person converted but to him also that is the Instrument of his Conversion They shall shine as the brightness of the firmament and as the stars for ever and ever O what a garland of Glory is put upon the Head of these Conquerours Beloved such as conquer but a Kingdom or two they think they gain much and sometimes they are so lifted up they know not what ground they stand upon though the VVord tells us they are set in slippery places But how do you think they would glory if they should conquer all the world And yet for my own part if I could but conquer one Soul and bring it home to Jesus Christ I should think I had cause in the strength of God to out-glory all such men one single Soul as we heard being more worth than all the world When all is done Soul-Converters are the greatest Conquerors under Heaven Thanks be to God which always and in every place causeth us to triumph in Christ 2 Cor. 2.14 He is the best Conqueror indeed that brings the most Subjects unto Jesus Christ and he shall have the best Reward His head shall be compass'd with a Crown of Glory And thus have we seen the Truth of this Doctrine The turning of men c. Vse 1. Of Information Vse 1 The first Use Information of the dignity of the Ministery is to Inform us of the Dignity of that Calling whose proper work it is to convert Souls I mean the Calling of the Ministery If the Life of Faith be such an excellent Life then that Calling whose special work is to convert others to the Faith must needs be an excellent and honourable Calling I confess I could willingly have spared this Use wherein Ministers may seem to seek themselves were not God himself despised in the contempt of his Servants And Oh that we could bewail it with tears of blood Note that even some of those that cannot deny if they have any grace at all but that God wrought upon their hearts by the Ministery of the Word should now go about to disclaim their Parents contemning both the Ministery of the Word and the word of those Ministers whom sometimes they received as Angels of God yea even as Christ Jesus Gal. 4.14 living above Ordinances contemning the Word and Messengers of God under pretence of magnifying the Spirit of God But this is no new thing It was just thus in the Apostles time he was fain to use this very Argument 1 Cor. 9.2 If I be not an Apostle to others yet doubtless I am to you for the seal of mine Apostleship are ye in the Lord. As if he should say If you be true Converts I am a true Minister for you had no other Conversion but by the Ministery of that Word which I preached to you I will therefore press this Use with that solemn Charge of same the Apostle 1 Cor. 4.1 Let a man so account of us as of the Ministers of Christ and Stewards of the Mysteries of God I confess there is
and also for the opening of the heart by working upon the affections Vse 5 Vse 5. Exhortation to the People To People twofold 1. To be willing to be wrought upon and to be converted 2. To be willing to attend upon such means as is most proper for the effecting of that great Work 1. To be willing to be wrought upon First To be willing to be wrought upon and to be converted For if it be such an excellent thing to be an Instrument of others Conversion then it must needs be excellent to be converted O remember the vast difference betwixt a man in the state of Nature and in the state of Grace betwixt a man converted and unconverted O remember whilst you are unconverted you are in a state of Darkness Enmity Death But when once converted in a state of Light Peace Life Motives 1. When ye are unconverted ye are in a state of Darkness Eph. 5.8 Once darkness c. 1. Darkness of Ignorance Ephes 4.18 Alas they know nothing 1. Of themselves and their miserable condition by nature Rev 3.17 I counsel thee to buy of me eye-salve c. 2. Of Christ in a Soul-saving way Ephes 2.12 Without Christ c. 2. Darkness of Sorrow at least when unconverted persons lie down in the Grave Isa 50. last They shall lie down in sorrow 2. In a state of Enmity Ephes 2.3 Children of wrath as well as others Joh. 3.36 God is an enemy to unbelievers and to be sure they are enemies to God Rom. 8.6 7. The carnal minde is enmity against God c. O what a dangerous condition this is It were better to have all the world enemies to us than God Remember what God saith Ezek. 22.14 Can thy heart endure or thy hands be strong in the day that I shall deal with thee 3. In a state of Death Ephes 2.1 Dead in sin and liable to death for sin to a first death and a second death and this of all terribles is the most terrible But secondly when once converted thou art in a state of Light Peace Life Mal. 4.2 1. In a state of Light Ephes 5 8. Ye were once darkness but now are ye light in the Lord. The Sun of righteousness doth arise with healing in his wings Healing the darkness of Ignorance Sorrow True Light and Heat come both together 2. In a state of Peace Rom. 5.1 Being justified by faith we have peace with God It is better to have God to be our friend than to have all the world beside 3. In a state of Life Luke 15. last This thy brother was dead and is alive And thus the just lives by his Faith the most excellent life that can be desired Therefore come in and be willing to be wrought upon c. Obj. If you shall say as they in Jeremy There is no hope I am so great a sinner God will never shew mercy to me It were presumption for me to offer to lay hold on the Promise Answ Look to the Pattern of great sinners converted on purpose to incourage others to come in to Christ Did Manasses or Mary Magdalen or Paul presume when they did believe 1 Tim. 1.13 I was a blasphemer a persecutor injurious c. and v. 16. How be it for this cause I obtained mercy that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all long-suffering for a pattern to them that should hereafter believe Onely be humbled for thy sins and accept of Christs Righteousness go not about to establish thine own Rom. 10.3 Remember As no man is accepted for his own Righteousness but Christs So no man is rejected for his own unrighteousness but for his final impenitency and unbelief Therefore be perswaded to come in Accept of mercy while God offers mercy Do not draw back when God is drawing of you I hope you have some good thoughts Act. 26. some good desires in your hearts You are almost perswaded O be not onely almost but altogether Perhaps some of you are even upon the very pangs of the New-birth O let not Spiritual difficulties cause you to draw back as Ephraim did Hos 13.13 O strive O pray The Kingdom of heaven suffers violence O be earnest with God and bemoan your backwardness Jer. 31.18 I have surely heard Ephaim bemoaning himself thus Thou hast chastised me and I was chastised as a Bullock unaccustomed to the yoke Turn thou me and I shall be turned c. Pray God to open the everlasting doors c. Psal 24 ult O yield to God when he perswadeth when he beseecheth When Christ and Satan are Suitors and Competitors do not put off Christ and yield to Satan Be not cruel to your own flesh and enemies to your own Souls Remember how you rejoyce Angels The Churches Christ himself Your own Hearts Therefore be perswaded c. Secondly 2. To be willing to attend upon such means as are proper Be willing to attend upon such means as are most proper for the effecting of that great Work To attend upon a Soul-saving Ministery God complains by the Prophet Jeremy that as the false Prophets did Prophecy smooth things and false things so his People did love to have it so Jer. 5 last That same Athenian itch in the people to hear some new strange thing Act. 17. doth too often draw forth an Athenian scratch from the speaker to tell what they so much desire to hear Act. 17.21 But 't is wisdom in both to be conversant in the pattern of wholesom words To give and receive that Spiritual food which may not so much please the palate as nourish the person to Life Eternal Doubtless he preaches best and he hears best that preaches and hears to the Salvation of the Soul Many thousand Souls in heaven shall bless God for ever for the plain and powerful preaching of the Word And many thousand Souls in hell shall complain to all Eternity that their hurt was soon healed and skinned over with silken language and soft words as the Prophet Jeremy speaks Vse 6 Vse 6. Of Thankfulness Of Thankfulness Of Thankfulness in case 1. We our selves are converted 2. If any by us or by our means be converted 1. If we be converted our selves First if the conversion of Souls be such an excellent Work Be thankful if we our selves be converted 1 Tim. 1.13 17. Now unto the King eternal immortal invisible the onely wise God be honour and glory for ever This shout of Praise follows upon the acknowledgement of Pauls Conversion and it were easie to shew how those Attributes have an influence on Conversion Eternity is little enough to praise God for such a Mercy Luk. 10.20 Rejoyce not in this that the spirits are subject unto you but rather rejoyce that your Names are written in heaven Psal 33.34 Sing unto him a new song play skilfully with a loud noise for the word of the Lord is right and all his works are done in truth This for
conversion of souls 1 Cor. 3.5 6. Who is Paul and who is Apollo but the ministers bâ—y whom ye believe Paul may plant and Apollo may water but it is God along that giveth the increase If God therefore be the strength of his servants in the conversion of souls there is good reason he should be their Praise we have cause to bless God if any rise up and call us blessed we might have been so far left to partake in other mens sins that others might have risen up and called us cursed Vse 7 Therefore let God have all the glory if any of us have been made instruments of the conversion of any Thus Paul 1 Tim. 1.12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who hath inabled me for that he hath counted me faithful putting me into the ministry Of comforts to them that are Instruments of others Conversion Vse 7. Of Comfort Comfort to those that are instruments of others conversion in the midst of all discomforts they meet withall from the world for to that end as we told you in the beginning is this argument brought Be it so that those that perform this Spiritual piece of service for God and the Church in the conversion of Souls do meet with more than ordinary opposition and contempt from the world yet let this be their comfort their reward and encouragement from God is more than ordinary What if stones fly about Stevens ears upon earth so long as heaven is opened to him and he can see the glory of God Acts 7.56 and Jesus standing at the right hand of God this makes amends for all And truly this Text is as the opening of Heaven to those that labour in the conversion of Souls It may be the lot of such to be made with the Apostles the very filth of the world and the off-scouring of all things 1 Cor. 4.13 But what of that the more they suffer the more they shall be glorified The adversaries Reproaches shall be turned into Crowns of Glory and therefore they may say with Job 31.31 If mine adversary should write a book against me yet would I take it and binde it as a Crown upon my head This therefore I say may be matter of comfort against all that discomfort which the Ministers of God meet withall I plead not for all that are called by that Name who wear a garment or a name to deceive who prophecy of wine and strong drink who seek themselves and seek the fleece more than the good of the flock Let such bear their own burthen But I speak of such as are faithful and seek the things of Jesus Christ Let wicked men spit out their gall and spleen against Gods faithful Messengers Let them rail and revile and cast dirt upon their faces c. God himself shall undertake to wipe away all reproaches and all their tears when shame everlasting shame shall cover their adversaries Then they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever THE EPILOGUE OR A Pathetical Conclusion of the whole Work THus you see how such as live by Faith themselves should labour to convert others to the Faith And thus have we done through Gods grace assisting with this whole Subject of Faith I have now but two Requests to make unto you by way of Conclusion the one is that I may obtain the help of your Prayers that I may be enabled from God to hold forth by Pattern what I have so long held forth by Precept in the Life of Faith whatever Trials should come And the other is That you would be perswaded to follow after in walking according to the Rule that hath been set before you That what hath been spoken may be prest and imprinted upon your hearts by the Spirit of the living God You have heard much of Faith in my Reverend Predecessors time as appeareth by what is left upon Record and God hath directed me to strike upon the same Nail I may say as many years together as I intended days at the first But he that multiplied the barley loaves and the broken meat was pleased in the dividing and distributing of this Subject of Faith to multiply my Meditations far beyond my first intentions I heartily desire this 〈◊〉 be the fruit of my poor labours That when I have done preaching of this Subject you may so begin and continue to practise what hath been taught that your life may be a living by Faith and a perpetual Commentary upon the Text. And Oh that I could perswade you to live this Life of Faith before you lay down this Life of Nature or else you die and die for ever And do not say thus within your selves I 'll do it the next Year Moneth Day How many Scores yea hundreds have been cut off by Death since we began to speak of this Life of Faith And it may be many of them thought themselves as likely to live as any of us and it may be they were so indeed in the course of Nature But remember our Times are in Gods hands and not in our own And therefore let us put our hearts into his hands also that he may fit us for our times how long or how short soever our lives may prove Some have said I have been too long upon this matter of Faith but I confess they were some such as heard me not and therefore I do the less respect what they say because they speak evil of the things they heard not and therefore of the things they know not It hath been some encouragement and an Argument of Blessing that such as were usual hearers have not been tired out as hath appeared by these days assemblies compared with the other Lecture-day But I beseech you be you Believers and doers of this word and not hearers onely deceiving your own selves Jam. 1. Else I shall have cause to complain I have not stood long enough upon this Subject For that is never sufficiently taught that is not sufficiently learnt and put in practise My hearts desire and Prayer to God for Ipswich is That as they have heard much of Faith so they might live by it as much that whilst our Neighbors look upon us and mark our steps they may not see in this Town here a company living by Sense and there another living by Wits Shifts and Projects and a third living upon their Lusts and a fourth upon their unrighteous Mammon and a fifth upon their Self-righteousness and so the rest But we might so generally live by Faith through the grace of God that I might have cause to glory of you as the Apostle doth of the Romans Chap. 1.8 I thank my God through Jesus Christ that your Faith is spoken of in all places However in the mean time I bless God that I have found some fruits of my weak endevours in helping any to set their faces Sion-ward who have
acknowledged the moving of the Spirit upon the waters that God hath drawn out the desire of their souls to the remembrance of his name I have great cause to be confident That where God hath begun this good work of Faith amongst you he will perfect it unto the day of Jesus Christ And therefore grounding upon this good Word of Promise I shall conclude my Preaching of this Subject in that Prayer of the Apostle Peter 1 Pet. 5.10 11. Now the God of all grace who hath called us into his eternal glory by Christ Jesus after that ye have suffered awhile make you perfect stablish strengthen settle you To him be Glory and Dominion for ever and ever Amen FINIS AN ALPHABETICAL TABLE Of the Principal CONTENTS A Abstinence ABstinence from sin is far from Mortification Page 158 Accusation Satan accuses God of envy and severity to hinder reconciliation 'twixt God and Man p 536 537 Acting Activity Activity of faith is the excellency of it 556 The acting of faith most honours God 557 It brings most comfort and hearts-ease to us ibid. Acting of faith brings advantage and advance 558 559 The not acting of faith foils and shames Christians 559 Gods outward actings for us carry proportion to his inward actings upon us 558 Could we but act faith nothing could make us miserable 559 Helps for the acting of faith 560 See living by faith Adoption See Heirship It proves our right to a heavenly Inheritance 344 Adoption in the Civil Law how taken 344 Adoption used in a threefold case ibid. Double act of free-grace in Adoption 345 Difference 'twixt Divine and Humane Adoption ibid. The Spirit of Adoption implies two things 347 The Spirits testimony of our Adoption what it is ibid Adversity The just live by faith in Adversity 49 In relation to inward and outward troubles 50 51 See Troubles Motives to live by faith in Adversity 65 66 Reproof to such who do not so 66 It argues a threefold evil 67 Affliction Faith makes a right use of Afflictions for growth in Sanctification 131 Antipodes The discovery of Antipodes in the new world from 429 to 434 Apostacy See Backsliding Confutation of the Doctrine of the Saints Apostacy 241 242 243 See Perseverance Examples of Gods Judgements on Apostates 250 251 Apostacy is the fruit of Vnbelief Hypocrisie Heresie 464 Apostates triumph'd over be damned spirits 491 Arraignment The process of faith in the Arraignment of sin 152 153 154 The Arraignment of Vnbelief 467 Ascension Christs Ascension a pledge of believers glorification 348 Assurance of Justification Faith uses 12 means to attain it from 92 to 97 Four Reasons for the trial of the truth of assurance 97 Three Marks of true assurance 97 98 Faith answers all objections which may cloud assurance 99 100 101 The just live by faith in expectation of assurance 101 102 Five Vses of living by faith in order to assurance 103 104 One in a state of grace may be assured of Salvation 247 How faith assures of heaven from 342 to 351 Motives to get assurance of Eternal life 374 to 379 Want of assurance and joy may consist with strong faith 514 Divine Attributes rightly apprehended and applied breed assurance 96 Atheism Atheist Instances of two grand Atheists 356 363 Living upon Self is a high degree of Atheism 432 Atheism is the fruit of Vnbelief 464 Attributes of God They are special means to beget faith 538 539 Rightly apprehended and applied they breed assurance 96 Augmentation See Growth The just by faith draw increasing vertue from Christ 190 191 Reasons of spiritual Augmentation 192 to 195 Augmentation in grace is by faith 195 to 199 See Growth in grace B Backsliding Difference 'twixt a believer and a hypocrite in this 215 It is a great dishonor to backslide 250 See Apostacy Beauty or Compleatness Believers are the most beautiful persons 479 Believers Their description and condition 1 They lead a super-excellent life in seven particulars 8 9 10 11 They only can have comfort against a sixfold condemnation 417 418 419 Christ is the Principle and End of their duties 447 The believing creature is a praying creature 448 The complicated excellencies of a believer from 471 to 481 Benefit How far one mans faith may benefit another 38 Blessings Seven belong to the natural life for which the Saints live by faith 70 71 72 73 Blindness of minde Gods judicial inflicting of it justified 496 497 Book God hath a threefold Book 395 396 C Carefulness In worldly things a sign of weak faith 572 Carriage See Conversation Care of our carriage in this life is a sign of right to heaven 362 Censure The wicked censure Religion to breed Melancholy 319 320 Certainty True grace is certain and durable above all things 247 248 Charter The believers Charter for Eternal Life 341 342 Chastisement Gods is castigatory probatory Purgatory 504 Christ His Merit Intercession and Spirit is a cause of Perseverance 239 Christ was an Example of Perseverance 256 See Perseverance Overlooking the terms on which Christ is to be had viz. the Cross is a cause of unexpected sadness 314 Difference 'twixt the life of Christ and a believers 425 What it is to receive Christ on Gospel-terms 560 To clear up our interest in Christ is a means to act faith ibid. Church Church of Christ compared to a Ship 349 Circumspection It ought to be seen in our affections meditations speeches actions 362 363 364 Civility See Morality It is dangerous to rest in it and trust to it 119 Difference 'twixt Civility and Sanctification ibid. Combat Differences 'twixt a true and false combat with sin 160 Comfort See Consolation Sound comfort flows from proving our own faith 43 The Comforter abides for ever though not the act of Comfort 272 Communion Christian Communion is a means to increase faith 579 Compassion The Just live by faith in point of Compassion and how 54 Condemnation Believers are set free from a sixfold condemnation 111 112 The intailment of Condemnation on Vnbelievers 417 418 419 421 Confession Resolute confession of Christ is a means of assurance 95 Confidence See Pride Self-confidence hinders growth in grace 231 Sinful confidence how manifold and dangerous 6 Carnal confidence in spiritual friends 41 Conscience Renewed by faith it acquits and quiets 299 The testimony of a renewed Conscience is nothing else but a reflex act of faith 301 Conscience purified makes the believer cheerful 308 A good Conscience is a means to keep faith 550 Consolation Vide Comfort Vide Joy The just live by faith the life of Consolation 278 Consolation is the Saints complete Commencement 279 The suburbs of heaven in the consolations of faith 280 281 Christs best reserve in the Wine of Joy 282 Proofs from Scripture that the just live the life of Consolation 282 The just live the life of Consolation by faith 283 Faiths activity the magazine of Comfort 284 Gods design in promoting the Saints Comfort 284 285 286 287 288 The
influence of faith into Consolation 288 to 292 Consolation what properly 292 Consolation from the touch of faith 292 293 The Word and Sacraments are the Brests of Consolation 393 394 395 Reasons why Consolation comes by faith 298 299 305 306 We must try our Comforts by our Graces and not our Graces by our Comforts See why 300 to 304 It is easier to be deceived in our Comforts than Graces 301 See Joy Papists rob of Comfort while of faith 321 Comfort from sense and sensual delights ends in sorrow 321 To refuse to be comforted by the Promises dishonors God 322 Comfort in false Doctrine and Prophets dangerous 322 Motives to live by faith the life of Comfort 323 Consolation brings activity of Obedience 323 There may be strong faith where little comfort 514 Constancy See Perseverance Gods constancy in his love a motive to perseverance 249 Conversation See Carriage Vnnecessarily imbraced with wicked ones hinders growth in grace 230 Conversion Vnbelievers rarely Convert others if they do they take no joy in it 39 The method of converting grace how it gradually proceeds from conviction of sin to a closing with Christ 521 522 Its not the Word without the Spirit which can convert 529 Conversion of Souls is a most excellent work for seven Reasons from 585 to 600 Such reproved who slight the converting of others 602 603 604 Exhortation to convert souls 606 Eight Motives to convert others from 607 to 610 Means for the conversion of others from 610 to 612 Exhortation to People to be willing to be converted and to attend on such means as are proper for it 612 613 614 615 616 The misery of such who are not converted 613 The happiness of converted ones 614 Objections of Discouragement answered 614 615 Thankfulness for our own and others Conversion 616 Conviction It is an act of the comforting Spirit though not an act of Comfort 272 The Spirit convinces of sin by opening and applying the Law 520 521 Covenant of Grace This is a cause of the Saints perseverance 238 Creature-inconstancy Faith triumphs over it 261 262 Curiosity Vain curiosity concerning heaven condemned 359 D Deadness of Spirit Gods Children subject to it 172 Causes of spiritual deadness which is fourfold 173 Sinful deadness springs from four privative causes and from four positive causes 173 Penal and probational deadness 174 Saints recover by faith out of deadness 174 175 Reasons why faith recovers out of deadness 175 176 Four Arguments or Meditations whereby faith quickens 177 Motives to quicken under deadness 179 180 181 182 183 Means to quicken under deadness 184 185 186 187 Vide Vivification Death Die Faith in death 58 469 Six Reasons why believers die in faith 59 60 No need of faith after death 61 62 Christs death applied by faith a means of Sanctification 126 Greater happiness in the death than life of Believers 318 319 Degrees of Christs Conquest over Death from 368 to 373 Believers conquer Death in rectified opinion of it 370 Reasons why true Believers are loth to die 372 Desertion The just live by faith under desertion 50 Faith triumphs over fear of Divine desertion from 267 to 275 Desertion in appearance only 267 268 269 Desertion in respect of temporals onely 270 Desertion in respect of Spiritual means 271 Desertion in respect of Spiritual comforts 271 272 God deserts his people onely in accessory graces 273 274 Vide Forsaking Despair It is Reproved 358 359 It quits the Vse of the Ordinances 510 Desires Strong desires after Christ are the seeds of faith 533 Diligence It leads to assurance in the use of holy means 95 What it implies and how it breeds faith 541 Discipline Holy discipline and strictness the sphere of Comfort 297 to 300 Discouragement Faiths triumph over five main discouragements 261 Doctrines These are to be judged true or false as they slander or advance the life of faith 448 449 Doubting Frequency of it a sign of weak faith 571 Duration Faith must be acted as long as we live yet love excels it in duration 60 61 Duties Backwardness to holy duties and remissness in them is a sign of a weak faith 572 E Election It is a cause of perseverance 237 Doubting of Election hinders believing 505 Envy It is an Impediment of growth in grace 230 Establishment in Faith Reasons why we should labor to be establisht both in the Doctrine and Grace of faith 544 The benefit of Establishment in the faith ibid. Enemies which oppose the establishment of faith 545 Though faith cannot be lost yet God establishes in the use of means 545 Seven Means of establishing faith 548 to 556 See Keeping of Faith Eternal See Life Examination See Trial. Evidence of grace upon examination brings comfort 300 Examine two things in order to the Sacrament 577 Excellency Faiths excellency in two respects 62 63 The complicated excellencies of a believer 477 Example Examples of crowned Saints a means of perseverance 255 Experiences These called to minde breed assurance 96 They are a firm ground for future faith 409 Reasons for the deduction of faith from experiences 410 They are a means to increase faith 581 F Faith It s definition in eight branches 19 20 What it is to live by faith in five particulars 21 22 Faith Life and Christ come all together yet in order 23 Faith described in seven faculties of spiritual life 23 to 28 Why Saints live by faith rather then any other grace 28 29 30 Why no man can live but by his own faith 33 34 Caution in four particulars amplifying that truth 35 36 37 Restriction of it in four Considerations 38 39 Make much of faith as your life in troubles 64 65 True faith is known by its renewing and fructifying vertue 141 Faith is the root of holiness and fruitfulness 144 Faith resembles the expulsive faculty in the body 150 Faiths triumph over personal weaknesses 263 Its triumph over sinful distempers 264 Faiths triumph over uncertain events 264 265 Its triumph over fear of sinning or suffering 266 267 Its triumph over fear of divine desertion 267 268 See Desertion Faith reflects on Sanctity and Sincerity to comfort 299 Faith produceth comfort as it makes future good things to be as it were present 305 306 Want of acting faith in Gods Word and Works though there be the habit is a great cause of sadness 313 314 Faith is the mother and nurse of spiritual joy 328 Faith to be acted seven wayes for the increase of joy 328 to 334 Faith assures that eternal life is the Believers 341 How faith assures a Believer of heaven 342 to 351 Examination of true faith as it respects eternal life 362 Faith lifts up a man above the troubles of the world 377 382 383 Faiths manly choice or charm against prosperity 385 What are the Reasons why the Just must live by faith 398 to 417 Living by faith a very reasonable duty 399 Faith puts life into the Promises 400 Faith is a Saints security for
stress on the depth of humiliation is a great hindrance of Believing 502 503 Reasons why humiliation must Precede faith 522 523 524 Humility in all the periods or degrees of grace 525 Hypocrisy It is an impediment of spiritual growth 230 How far an Hypocrite may go 257 Wherein an Hypocrite comes short 258 An hypocrite cannot rejoyce in the whole word of God 302 303 Hypocrisy springs from unbelief 463 I Ignorance Vnbelief is the root and parent of it 462 Increase There is a divine and diabolical increase 213 How the increase of the natural man in moral vertues differs from the increase of God in saving graces 213 214 See growth See strength Injoyment Believers have the firmest tenure and sweetest injoyment of earthly blessings 77 78 Interest Interest in Christ clears up interest in the covenant of grace and this an interest to all the promises of which sons in Christ are heirs 560 Joy see Consolation How to discern the joy of a hypocrite from that of a Saint 302 303 The joy of a Believer excells all natural worldly sinful Joy in 10. Properties from 323 to 328 Means to breed Spiritual Joy 328 to 344 Judgment Faith applies the last judgment as a means of sanctification 127 128 Judgments on unbelievers 466 Examples of Gods judgments on apostates 250 251 Just Who are such and why said to live by faith not by their justice 31 None are just or justified till thy believe 32 Justification The life of Faith in justification 80 The definition of it which contains the act object and application of both and its fourfold causality 81 to 85 Faith puts forth a fourfold act upon the conscience heart of a sinner to fit him for pardon 86 87 Faith how it acts in the continuance of justification 88 Faith how it fetches in assurance of justification Faith moves a man to desire more faith in order to assurance of his justification and uses 11 Motives 89 to 92 Vses of the Doctrine of faith in justification 105 Justification by free grace breeds humiliation 105 106 Four Marks of true justification 107 We must not justifie sinners or condemn Saints 108 Motives to seek for the five-fold benefit of justification 110 111 Justification and sanctification are inseparable twins 141 142 The first and second evidence of justification what 301 K Keep See Establish Exhortation to keep faith 543 Reasons why we should look to the keeping of our faith 544 Seven Means whereby to keep faith 548 to 552 See Free Spirit See Perseverance L Libertinisme The root of it is feigned humility and laziness 143 Liberty Faith and Christian Liberty support each other 554 Many account it their liberty to sin 555 See Free Spirit Life Spiritual Gods People are in a state of life by way of eminency 8 The excellency of the Saints Life in seven particulars 8 9 10 11 Saints Life is a hidden life and why 12 Spiritual life proved to be existent in believers 12 Spiritual life very desirable 13 Signes of Spiritual life 14 15 16 Life Natural Five evil and troublesome concomitants of it 60 Believers injoy it by faith upon different grounds from unbelievers 67 68 Saints live a natural life by faith in seven respects 68 to 76 Life Spiritual Is twofold either the life of Justification or Sanctification the just life by faith in both 79 80 Four differences twixt true living Spiritual actions and false 187 188 Spiritual life is alway increasing 199 200 The comliness and pleasantness profit equity safety and necessity of such a life as it increaseth 200 to 226 Vide growth Life Eternal See heaven The work of faith about eternal life 334 It assures that there is an eternal life from scripture and reason with the degrees of it 335 336 What the happiness of eternal life is 336 337 Wherein it consists from 337 to 341 Confutation of those who deny eternal life 353 354 Motives to get assurance of eternal life from 374 to 379 Means to get this assurance The believers homage-penny for eternal life 386 The excellency of eternal life from 388 to 391 Life of unbelievers They live on their lusts pleasures upon Creatures and upon a fivefold undoing self 429 to 434 Limiting of God It is a great impediment of faith how cured 499 500 Logick Faiths holy logick 348 349 Love of God It is a reason why the Saints persevere 237 238 The want of feeling it should not hinder believing 503 Love to God is a means to increase faith 580 Love to the Saints Difference 'twixt that which is true and false 304 305 Lust Love of lust is the life of a sinner 429 Lusts haboured oppose faith with considerations how to abandon them 501 M Marriage How Saints live by faith in it and in single estate 73 Meanes In the conservation of the natural life must be used in faith 68 69 Meditation It is the fruit of holy affection 364 Meditation on Gods Attributes especially mercy is a good means to beget faith 536 Melancholy It is a scandal to Christian profession 319 320 Mercy Gods mercy becomes a suiter to mans misery 537 Ministry See Preaching What the chief work of a Minister is 427 428 The dignity of the Ministry 601 Exhortation to Ministers to preach in a soul-saving way 611 612 God usually blesses a setled proper Ministry 42 Merry Merry madnesse 311 Morality Difference 'twixt morality and Sanctification in nine respects 119 120 121 Mortification The influence of faith into the life of mortification 149 The art of faith in mortifying of lusts 151 to 154 Reasons why faith will have sin to be mortified 155 156 Error of such who refuse to believe till sin he mortified 158 Marks of true mortification 159 160 Enemies unto and juglers in mortification reproved 161 Alarm to Mortification 163 Motives to Mortification 164 165 Means of Mortification 166 167 168 169 Murther Soul Murther is the worst kind 17 470 N Natural men They are distingusht into two ranks 532 Necessity Of faith in Adversity 64 New Obedience See Fructification Nourishment Strong desires after Spiritual nourishment are a signe of Growth is Grace with three Cautions in this particular 206 207 208 209 Nursery Spiritual Faith lays hold on Christ in the Ordinances as breasts of Consolation and thence draws strength 293 294 295 O Opposition There is no true faith without Opposition 514 515 He that would believe must break thorow opposition 515 516 Gods Spirit delights to grapple with the greatest opposers of his word and wayes that he may convert them 516 Ordinances See Word Despising of them is an impediment of Spiritual growth 230 Neglect of the ordinances hinders believing 505 Five causes why men neglect the ordinances 505 to 511 Though it be not in the Power of the ordinances to beget or increase faith yet they are to be used 516 517 They who live above that is without ordinances are absurd 518 519 P Papists and carnal Professors These make Sanctification justification
devour each other 141 142 Papists faith is cobled up of pride and ignorance 40 Pardon A pardoned state is a peaceable state 296 Passion How faith moderates and subdues the Passions of Cares fear and sorrows 52 53 477 Patience Faith in adversity teaches and exercises patience 64 Peace Saints live by faith for it in two respects 71 The golden chain and order of righteousness peace and Joy 296 Perfection Conceit of perfection is an impediment of spiritual growth 229 Knowledg Love Obedience and Joy are perfect in Glory 338 339 Perseverance Faith triumphs in the life of Perseverance 233 234 Proofes from scripture that the just doth persevere 235 Perseverance is by vertue of faith 236 Reasons why the just shall persevere 237 to 240 Reasons why perseverance is through faith 240 241 Confutation of the doctrines of falling from grace 241 Five concessions wherein there may be a falling away 242 Exception to 7 particulars which can never be lost 243 244 Objections against perseverance answered 245 246 Motives to perseverance from 249 to 253 Means of perseveranee from 253 to 257 Truth of grace demonstrated by perseverance 257 Thankfulness for perseverance 259 260 Faiths incouragement to persevere amidst all discouragements 261 Vide establishment in faith Posterity Saints live by faith for blessings on posterity 73 Power of God It is a cause of the Saints perseverance 239 Praise It is due from Saints for their spiritual life 11 12 Prayer The exercise of it is a meanes of assurance 94 As also observation how God hears our prayers 94 The prayer of faith is a means of sanctification 131 132 133 Prayer is a means of spiritual growth 226 227 Prayer is a means to increase spiritual Joy 3â—9 Prayer may subdue hereticks when reason cannot 357 Prayer preaching must not justle out each other 529 Prayer a means to beget faith 527 529 Natural men ought to pray though they cannot pray acceptably without faith 530 531 Pray that thou maist believe believe that thou maist pray with acceptation 533 Prayers of others helpful to conversion 533 Whether a natural man ought to pray The question stated affirmatively and all objections answered 530 531 532 Prayer is a good means to preserve faith 551 552 Prayer is a means to increase faith 578 Preaching See Ministry The right Art of successful preaching 427 428 Precious Three things very precious 455 The precious touch of faith in four respects 456 457 Prejudice It quarrels the means of faith its cure 506 507 Presumption It postdates the use of means which should beget faith 509 510 Presumption of having faith already hinders believing together with its cure 510 511 Differences 'twixt presumption and true faith in the conception birth growth issue or fruits 511 512 Presumption is a Monster of pride and security 513 Pride Pride in the reason and will subdued in Sanctification 117 118 It is an hindrance of spiritual growth 231 Pride and unbelief are associates 2 3 Proud persons are neither obedient nor safe 3 Pride how manifold and how dangerous 5 6 Rank pride is the root of Popish Sanctity 143 Pride contemns the meanes of faith 507 508 Profession Multitudes make a profession of faith who live not by it 434 435 Promises Three-sorts of them all tending to assurance 92 93 Apply the promises of growth for growth in grace 228 229 Promises applyed are a believers livelyhood 414 415 Our own unworthyness pleaded against the promises is a main hindrance of believing its Cure 502 Direction in applying of the promises 526 Faith built on false promises of our own will fail 551 Promises to increase faith are a means to increase it 575 Prosperity How the just live by faith in Prosperity 46 47 48 The temptations of prosperity 385 Protestants Their Apology against papists in point of work 144 Purchase The wisest purchase is faith in Christ 468 469 Q Questions Curious vain questions concerning the state of glory busy mens fancies when as their faith should be acted to make sure their interest in that shate 359 R Rainbow How grace is like it as a sign of sparing mercy 301 302 Rarity Faith is the greatest Rarity in the world 458 Receive What it is to receive Christ on Gospel terms 560 Regeneration See Unregeration Love to God his word Saints holiness an effect of it 98 Difficulty of the new birth it is not without doubting 98 We are not born again of bloods nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man how this is to be understood See 528 See Sanctification Rejoyce See Joy It is the heigth of wickedness to rejoyce in it 321 To rejoyce in the creature as it draws from God is sinful 321 Relations See Friends Religious Religious life is the only comfortable life 310 311 Religious persons must neither be jovial nor austere 320 Religion no fruitless Profession 358 Renunciation Of self a reliance onely on free grace brings assurance 96 Resurrection Christs Resurrection is a means of Sanctification 126 127 Resurrection of the Body proved 354 355 Riches A Believers Riches are inexhaustible 477 478 Righteousness That of Sanctification is not to be confounded with that of Justification yet they are inseparable 32 33 S Sabbath Rightly sanctified it is a short and little heaven 381 Sacrament Faith applies Christ in the Sacraments for Sanctification 130 A complaint for neglect of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper 294 Sacraments are a means to increase faith 576 Sacrament not to be given to dead-hearted unbelievers 577 Complaint for interruption of the Sacrament and the corruption of it as the cause 578 Sadness See Heaviness Vnbelief is the spring of sadness 307 308 309 Why the Lord suffers his Saints to fall into sadness 315 316 See Consolation Sanctification Vide Regeneration The submitting to the Spirit in this Work is a means of assurance 94 The life of faith in Sanctification 113 There is a life of Sanctification in Believers besides that which is inherent in Christ himself proved by four Arguments 114 115 How Sanctification and Justification differ in four respects 116 What Sanctification is and wherein it consists 116 117 It works an holy change on the whole man 118 Difference 'twixt Sanctification and Morality in nine respects 119 120 121 Means whereby Sanctificacation is wrought 122 Faith applies Christ for union as the root of Sanctification 123 Faith applies Christs death for Sanctification and his Resurrection 126 127 Faith applies Christs second appearing and the last Judgement for Sanctification 127 128 Faith applies the Word of Christ for Sanctification 128 129 Faith makes use of the Sacraments for increase of Sanctification 130 Faith rightly uses and applies affliction for Sanctification 131 The Prayer of Faith is a means to sanctifie 131 132 133 Reasons of the necessity of Sanctification five 134 135 Five Motives to the life of Sanctification 145 146 There are degrees in Sanctification 201 202 Vide Growth Sanctification not the meritorious ground of
comfort yet a necessary qualification evidencing our right to comfort 297 298 Satan Satans rage should be a motive to perseverance 252 Satan is a great enemy to the comfort of the Saints 315 Reasons why Satan is such an enemy to faith 424 488 489 Satan presents and applies the Promises in a wrested sense and for licentious ends 511 512 Scriptures They are a staff to believing Pilgrims 403 Arguments to prove their Divine Authority 404 405 Accomplishment of Scripture-Prophecies is a whâ—tstone to sharpen our assent to their Divine Authority 406 407 There is all the reason in the world why we should believe the Scriptures 408 409 Sealing of the Spirit It is a consequent priviledge of believing 93 Security It is the off-spring of the Devil and Vnbelief 462 Security twofold Spiritual and Carnal 246 247 The Saints Security for a sevenfold treasure 243. 244 The best security for the best purchase 380 Seducers Their sleights to beguile unstable Souls 254 Seducers are the Devils Factors 604 Self Shifting self is shiftless folly 433 Self a great Impediment of faith 486 Its Cure 487 Self-love The blessing of it is a sign of growth in grace 205 206 There is a fivefold self contrary to the life of faith 431 432 433 Sense Living by Sense is a great impediment of faith 503 514 Sin It dishonours God and wrongs the Soul forsake it as the highest demonstration of ingratitude 393 395 Sins great defilement in five respects 155 Believers have sin remaining to be mortified 157 Life of sin lies in the will ergo subdue desires 158 Sin may revive where it is mortified 159 Comfort against the vigour and rigour of sin 169 170 Scandalous sins cause great sadness 312 Inordinate aggravation of sin sinks into sadness 312 313 Sincerity The excellency of sincere grace in that 't is durable 247 248 Sloth It recoils from the means of faith It s Cure 508 509 Society Good society is a means of begetting faith 533 534 535 Soul Eternal life of the Soul proved 356 357 See Life Eternal Speech Our speeches either condemn or justifie us 365 Spirit of God What its testimony and witness is 347 The Spirits testimony may be separated from its fruits 347 348 Difference 'twixt the Spirits in dwelling in Believers and common assistance in hypocrites 426 427 The Spirits perswasion out-weighs and quickens all means motives in drawing to Christ 454 455 We must pray for Gods free establishing Spirit 552 What Gods free Spirit is from what he sets believers free and how he establishes 552 553 554 555 See Free Spirit See Establishment Strength A believers strength 471 472 473 Strength to do duties and resist temptations a sign of growth 209 210 Strength to bear afflictions and injuries a sign of growth 210 211 Strength to bear others infirmities as also to shake off Ceremonies a signe of growth 211 Its part of our strength to be sensible of weakness 212 Success This in the improvement of natural life is fetcht in by faith and that in six respects 71 72 Sufficiency All sufficiency Self sufficiency Sole sufficiency in Christ 540 T Temptation The just live by faith in temptation 50 Satan tempts sinners to conceit God to be either all Mercy or all Justice 536 Yielding to temptations is a sign of weak faith 573 Such who tempt others to sin are Satans factors and shall have deep condemnation 604 605 Thankfulness Be thankful for the life of Justification 109 110 The Saints thankfulness for the blossomings of Eternal life 391 392 393 How that thankfulness is exprest 393 to 397 Thankfulness for faith with the grounds of it 449 Time The Just live by faith in respect of all the parts of Time 44 45. Tradition Traditional faith is unsound 40 41 Trial. True faith is tried by undergoing adversity 63 We must try our comforts by our graces and not our graces by our comforts 300 to 304 Triumph The triumph of damned Spirits over unbelievers 491 Troubles These are various yet the Saints live by faith in them 51 Manner of living by faith in troubles nine ways 55 56 Means of living by faith in troubles five ways 57 58 Trust Such reproved who say they trust God with their souls and yet cannot trust him for temporals 75 76 False trust on Creatures or Grace received hinders faith together with its Cure 498 499 V Valuation See Precious A Believer neither over nor under-values his natural life 74 Vision Vision of God fourfold 337 Perfect Vision causes perfect transformation ibid Vivification The liveliness of faith in the cure of spiritual deadness 171 What meant by Vivification 172 Reasons why the Just live by faith the life of Vivification 175 176 Four Arguments or Meditations whereby faith quickens 177 Reproof of such who act not faith for Vivification 178 179 Motives to Vivification 179 180 Means to live the life of Vivification 184 185 186 187 Trial of true faith by its vivifying power 187 188 189 Vide Deadness Unbelief Unbelievers Unbelief is a piece of pride 3 It makes the heart and condition not right 4 5 Unbelievers lead a sordid life 8 Unbelief is the spring of sadness 307 308 309 Unbelief was the root of mans first Apostacy 415 Their dead condition 423 Humiliation for Unbelief 459 Unbelief is the Goliah-sin 460 Unbelief grieves the Spirit but pleases the Devil 461 The monstrous brood of Unbelief 462 The Unbeliever is the greatest Time-server 464 Unbelief is a Stepmother to grace 465 Unbelief is the Nurse that maintains life in every sin and which binds it on the Soul 465 466 Unbelief is a merciless Sequestrator 466 The Arraignment of Unbelief 467 Unbelief is the greatest Self-murther 470 The contrariety of presumption and despair unite in the Unbelievers ruine 510 Naturally we have hard unbelieving thoughts of God 536 Unbelief is a going out from God into our selves 539 Unchangeable Gods unchangeable nature is the cause of the Saints perseverance 239 Union Signs of spiritual actions flowing from Union with Christ 124 125 Union with God is unchangeable 50 Unregenerate Their Soul is no fit soil for comfort 309 310 See Regeneration Unsetledness In Gods truth its a sign of weak faith 571 W Watching Watching over one another is a means of perseverance 255 Wealth How the Just shall live by faith for it 70 Wisdom The believer is the onely wise builder 474 The believer is never at a stand because Christ is his Wisdom 475 476 477 Word See Ordinances Faith applies the Word of Christ for Sanctification 128 129 The Word mixt with faith is a means of growth 227 228 The Word is one of Christs Brests 293 How the Word works faith 443 Cavilling and mocking at the Word is the Seal of Vnbelief 494 The Word is the life of faith 517 The Word and Spirit go hand in hand 518 The Word both the object and instrument of faith 518 Living above the Word is living by a deluded fancy and not by faith such are neerer Hell 518 The Word is appointed to work faith not miracles 519 Every divine Word is an object of faith especially the Promise 520 Attendance on the Word a means to increase faith 574 Worldly World Worldly-mindedness reproved 361 362 Worldly-mindedness springs from unbelief 464 The VVorld tries fair means and foul to hinder faith 489 Wordly examples of the multitude not to be follow'd 490 FINIS