can firmely vnite vs vnto Christ whereby likewisâ— were it firme it selfe wee should assent vnto euery precept of God as much better then any incompatible good That act cannot please God which is not animated by faith for it is but the naked carkese of a good worke without life or soule if that be wanting It is faith which impelleth to worke righteousnesse and putteth life and vigour into the worke wrought so that the best workes of the regenerate bee dull and liuelesse if faith be dormant and put not forth it selfe for a time And when a Christian knowes not whether he shall haue strength to doe what God requireth nor whether God hath giuen him any promise that his burden shall be made light and that Christ will beare the greatest part of it for him it must needs bee very tedious and troublesome it will occasion many feares and doubts deadnesse and vnchearefulnesse This killeth the heart of right good Christians when they are ignorant or not throughly informed that God will make them able and fit for so great a worke as the leading of a godly life But if they haue this faith as a foundation to vphold them they shall sooner wade through their doubts and grow out of their feares as knowing that God will be euer with them for their assistance Who doth not know that when some certaintie of saluation is obtained yet for all that in asmuch as it is but weake they haue many heart-griefes for this that they see they haue a wearisome pilgrimage to goe thorow and little knowledge and perswasion of any great guiding of them through all the feares and difficulties of it A Christian that hath this confidence that God will strengthen him to euery good worke he shall goe about it with heart and cherefulnesse he shall be encouraged to pray as his necessitie shall giue cause he shall be kept from fainting and dismaidnes when his strength is not very great and rise vp againe when he is fallen But if he be not wel grounded in belieuing that God will build him vp more strongly from day to day perfect the good worke in him which is begunne hee shall very much stagger and goe backe If a chiefe and maine post in a building be wanting will not the whole house be soone shâ—ken so if a Christian who must reforme his life goe about it not resting vpon the grace of God in Christ to be made able hee may be sure he shall want a maine hâ—lpe hereto euen that which may shake all that is set vp Sundry true-hearted Christians very Conscionable in their conuersation be yet much discouraged by reason of the infirmities of their best duties and haue little comfort in any thing they doe because they question what accepâ—ance their poore seruice hath with God And though they desire to please him willing in all things to liue honestly Heb. 13.18 yet still looking vpon their frailties they hardly admit any comfort because they come so farre short of what is required Whereas if they were well instructed and assured of this that although by reason of their corâ—uption dwelling in them they can neuer offer vp any sacrifice to God without blemish and spot for which God might reiect all which they offer vnto him yet offering thâ—m vp in the Name of Christ they shall be accepted and rewarded this would put life and courage into them and make them performe all holy duties with more chearefulnesse and constancie to the glory of God the comfort of their soules and the good encouragement of others Confidence in God to be accepted what tedious disputes would it remoue What temptations would it cut off What discouragements would it trample vnder feet What strength vigour resolution and forwardnesse in wel-doing would it nourish and conserue The sharpest spurre to incite vnto and encourage to goe forward in the workes of holinesse is affiance of fauourable acceptation Christians are allowed to belieue that God will enable to obedience Ier. 32.39 40. Euery Christian is allowed to belieue that God will strengthen him by his grace to walke in obedience and make him able through the hearing of the Scriptuâ—es to cast off his old conuersation For God hath promised in Couenant that he will teach them the way that they shall chuse guide them with his eye and put his feare into their hearts that they shall not depart from his Commandements The Spirit of grace is promised and giuen to all true and vnfained Belieuers to lead them into all truth anâ— holinesse As many as be the children of God Rom. 8.14 they are led by the Spirit of God and the law of the Spirit of life in Iesus Christ Verse 2. hath freed them from the law of sinne anâ— death The Lord when he sendeth forth his seruants vpon any message or businesse doth euermore promise to be with them to aide and assist them in the execution of it Thus the Lord promised to Moses Goe Exod. 4.12 Math. 28.19 20 and I will be witâ— thy mouth and teach thee what thou shalt say Thus our Sauiour to his Disciples Loe I am with you alwayes euen to the end of the world 1. Chron. 28.20 Ier. 1.7 8. Iosh 1.9 And thus Dauid encouraged his Sonne Salomon Bee strong and of good courage and doe it feare not nor be dismayed for the Lord God euen my God will be with thee hee will not faile thee nor forsake thee vntill thou hast finished all the worke for the seruice of the house of the Lord. And the same promise belongeth to them that yeeld obedience to his Commandements for the worke is his and he will not faile nor forsake them that set their hearts and soules to seeke him and doe the thing that is good in his fight Whatsoeuer the Saints haue and may begge in prayer according to the will and pleasure of God they are allowed to belieue that they shall obtaine it and bee answered in their requests with fauourable acceptation so farre as shall be for their good and the glorie of God But the seruants of God haue and doe begge grace to bring forth fruits worthy repentance and amendement of life Psal 119.32 33 I will runne the race of thy Commandements when thou shalt inlarge mine heart Teach me the way of thy statutes O Lord and I shall keepe it vnto the end Make me to goe in the paths of thy Commandements Verse 35. for therein doe I delight Teach me thy way O Lord Psal 86.11 I will walke in thy truth vnite my heart to feare thy Name Lead mee in thy truth and teach mee Psal 25.5 Psal 17.5 for thou art the God of my saluation on theâ— doe I waite all the day Hold vp my goings in thy paths that my footstâ—ps slip not Psal 27.11 Teach â—e thy way O Lord and lead me in a plaine path because of mine enemies The faithfull haue bound themselues by couenant oath
the knowledge of God 1. Thes 5.23 And the very God of peace sanctifie you wholly But what wee are taught and commanded to begge in prayer wee are allowed to belieue that we shall obtaine it of free grace The faithfull haue relied vpon God for grace and abilitie to walke in his wayes and to finish the worke wherevnâ—o they were ordained Ph. 1.20 2. Tim. 4.18 Ph. 4.13 But all the faithfull as faithfull be partners in the same promises and priuiledges and liue by the same faith Wee are commanded to cast off the old man which is corrupt Ephes 4.21 22 23 24. with the affections and lusts and to put on the New man which after God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse But in the couenant of Grace God giueth what he requireth Mans dutie is his free gift of grace It is necessarie to belieue God will sanctifie our nature and enable to holinesse It is necessary a Christian should belieue that God will sanctifie his nature and inable him to those duties of holinesse and righteousnesse that he requires For Iustification and Sanctification bee indiuiduall whom God doth acquit from the guilt of sinne and accept as righteous vnto life through Iesus Christ Rom. 8.1 2. 1. Cor. 1.30 them he doth sanctifie by his Spirit to walke before him in newnesse of life Christ himselfe cannot be diuided nor the participation of his benefits If by communion in his death we be deliuered from the curse and malediction of the Law by the power of his Resurrection we are raised vp to liue vnto God If Christians be not perswaded that God will mortifie their corrupt affections and build them forward in holinesse they shall very much stagger coldly set vpon the practice of Christianitie be off an on vnstayed often fainting at the difficultie of the worke dismayed at their manifold slips strong corruptions and little preuailings against them Our owne strength is too weake for the worke of holinesse as to defeat the policies of Satan to represse and vanquish the lusts of our rebellious hearts allurements of the world much more to change and cleanse our hearts which are by nature and custome in sinne so deeply polluted If wee haue not faith to belieue that God will aide assist and blesse vs in our endeuours yea and doe the whole worke for vs what courage can we haue to goe about it What successe are we like to find in it What shamefull foyles and repulses shall we sustaine But setlednesse in this that God will perfect his worke begun causeth men to goe about the practice of mortification with much readinesse chearefulnesse ease stayednesse and happie speed Hee will fight maâ—fully against his lusts and continue in the combate against them who is assured of victorie from God in the end It is a great heartning to resist euill or to doe any good dutie when we belieue God will bee with vs in the one and in the other to giue vs helpe against our enemies and to inable vs vnto the worke and that worke must needs prosper that God will forward and succeed well that hee will bring to perfâ—ction The promises of God concerning spirituall blessings are so lâ—nked together that whosoeuer belieueth not euery one aright hee cannot belieue any one stedfastly as hee ought He shall many times be in doubt of the remission of his sinnes and in feare of falling away who hath not learned to rest vpon God for the grace of sanctification no lesse then for the pardon of his offences for the certaintie of both these is like if it be well considered The acts of faith about the promises of sanctification The acts of Faith concerning these promises bee these and such like First It acquaints a man with his emptinesse of grace the strength of his inbred corruptions how deepe they haue eaten how fast they sticke how vnable he is to crucifie his inordinate affections or to repaire the decayed Image of God in him and that be is in wofull case vnlesse the Lord put to his helping hand Faith in this act doth not properly worke vpon the promise but prepares the heart thereunto And sure it is a worthy lesson for the serious thought of this matter is exceeding forcible to abase and humble him in his owne eyes and so wholly to driue him out of himselfe For hee perceiueth hee is as strongly bound by the tyrannie of sinne to perpetuall slauerie as by the guilt of sinne to the danger of condemnation Could he get pardon for sinne what would this profit so as hee lieth still vnder the power and dominion of sinne from which hee hath no abilitie to deliuer his soule If a man labour of some painfull loathsome incurable disease though in many things hee bee aduanced this will pull downe conceits of greatnesse and when a Christian comes to see how many dangerous noysome spirituall diseases he laboureth vnder he is not lightly affected with it no he abhorreth himselfe and crieth out Rom 7 24. O miserable wretch that I am who shall deliuer me from this body of death how shall I bee cured of these maladies Hereby also he is drawne in all his purposes and râ—solutions to denie himselfe and to relie vpon the power of the Lord who only remaynes victorious Hee purposeth but through the might of God which causeth earnest and heartie prayer to bee strengthened vnto and established in that which is good I will keepe thy statutes Psal 119.8 O forsake mee not vtterly I haue stucke vnto thy Testimonies O Lord put me not to shame Psal 119.32 33. I will runne the way of thy Commandements when thou shalt enlarge my heart Teach me O Lord the way of thy statutes and I shall keepe it vnto the end Verse 34. Giue mee vnderstanding and I shall keepe thy Law yea I will obserue it with my whole heart Make me to goe in the path of thy Commandements for therein doe I delight Incline my heart to thy testimonies Verse 35. Psal 17.5 and not to couetousnesse Hold vp my goings in thy paths that my footsteps slip not Purposes thus grounded bring forth holy performances but when they are taken vp without consideration of our frailtie and we relie not vpon Christ for his grace and assistance they quickly vanish and come to nothing In the time of sicknesse danger disgrace we make faire promises to amend what is amisse and reforme things out of order but when the rod is remoued shortly all is cleane forgotten What may be the reason We stand vpon our owne feet presume to goe alone of our selues by our owne strength and then no maruell if we fall and catch many a knocke Secondly It sheweth where the strength is to bee had which we want and stirres vp to a conscionable diligent and constant vse of the meanes of grace that God hath ordained but lookes vp to him for a blessing and resteth not in the meanes Faith
will bring a good end ibid. 3. Want of feeling argueth not want of faith p. 175 Why the faithfull are subiect to such doubts and want of feeling p. 175. 176 The fift Temptation They receiued the truth at first without due tryall § 5 Remedie 1. God is mercifull and ready to forgiue our imperfections when vpon the knowledge and sight wee confesse and bewayle them p. 176 2. Faith may be true though much were amisse when first we receiued the truth ibid. 3. It is the great wisdome and mercy of the Lord for a time to hide from his children the sight of their infirmities and wants ibid. The sixt Temptation They neuer had that deepe sorrow which many haue felt § 6 Remedie 1. God deales not with all alike p. 176. 177 2. To doubt of Gods loue because hee deales gently with vs least we should be swallowed vp of sorrow is great ignorance p. 177 3. Faith may be sound in them who neuer felt such depth of sorrow as others haue done ibid. The seuenth Temptation They neuer felt any great strength of grace § 7 Remedie 1. We are but children and therefore weake and subiect to many spirituall diseases p. 178 2. Grace may be true whiles it is but small ibid. 3. If weaknesse of grace was any iust cause of feare none might assure themselues of Gods loue ibid. The eight Temptation What they formerly felt is now decayed § 8 Remedie In Gods dearest children there may bee decay of graces p. 179 The ninth Temptation They cannot find any liuely sence of faith § 9 Remedie 1. Graces may lye hid and worke in respect of our acknowledgement insensibly p. 179. 180 2. In the agony of conscience none are more vnfit to judge of our estate then we are of our owne p. 180. 181 3. The Lord diuersly giues euidence of his Spirit presence in vs. p. 181 4. If for the present a man can discerne no sparke of grace in himselfe hee must call to remembrance former times wherein he hath glorified God by an holy life and conuersation p. 181. 182 5. If hee bee not able to gather comfort from former experience he must lay hold vpon the gratious inuitation of Christ calling the thirsty and burdened soule to come vnto him p. 282 The tenth Temptation Their sinnes bee many in number and hainous for quality and they are pressed with the heauy burden of Gods wrath § 10 Remedie 1. The hainousnesse or number of our sins make vs not vncapable of mercy p. 182. 183 2. Faith may continue strong though sence of Gods loue faile p. 183 3. Faith goeth before experience or sence of mercy and wayteth for saluation by Christ in the depth of misery p. 183. 184 4. We are not to giue credit to our owne feeling but to the word of God p. 184 5. The dearest seruants of God haue in their own sence apprehended wrath and indignation ibid. The eleuenth Temptation They haue long vsed the meanes of grace and can find no comfort § 11 Remedie 1. Examine if some bosome sin be not that which makes the breach in the conscience p. 185 2. The godly sometimes walke without comfort because they put it from themselues ibid. 3. Oftentimes God causeth his children to seeke long before they find comfort ibid. 4. The ardent desire shall at length be satisfied ibid. 5. Remission of sinnes and peace of conscience are fauours worth the wayting for p. 186 6. We haue not wayted so many yeares in the meanes of grace for comfort as God hath wayted for our conuersion ibid. The twelfth Temptation They are afraid of falling into some fearefull extremity § 12 Remedie 1. Labour to fortifie faith in the gracious promises which God hath made to his children of sustentation and preseruation p. 186. 187 2. The strongest cannot stand by their owne might and the weakest shall be able to ouercome all their spirituall enemies by the power of the Lord. p. 187 3. Feare is valiantly to be resisted not to bee belieued or reasoned withall ibid. 4. Feare of falling arising from sence of weaknesse is diffidence in God ibid. The thirteenth Temptation They shall neuer hold out to the end § 13 Remedie 1. The same God who keeps them in time of peace is able and will vphold them in time of trouble p. 188 2. In our sorest assaults God is at our right hand to support and stay vs that we shall not fall ibid. 3. If their portion of grace be the smallest of all others they must striue to grow forward but without discouragement ibid. The fourteenth Temptation They are many wayes crossed and afflicted § 14 Remedie 1. God doth loue tenderly when hee doth correct seuerely p. 189 2. All Gods chastisements are but purgatiue medicines to preuent or cure some spirituall disease p. 182 3. God requires that men in affliction should liue by faith both for a sanctified vse in them and a good issue out of them in due season p. 190 The fifteenth Temptation They are strongly possessed with feare that God hath vtterly cast them off § 15 Remedie 1. They must beware they make not more sinnes vnpardonable then God himselfe hath pronounced to bee of that sort p. 190. 191 2. Seeing God doth call and incourage them to trust and rely vpon him they stand in need and would gladly embrace his promises made in Christ they must gather godly boldnesse to rest vpon Gods grace and courage to fight against and withstand Satan p. 191. 192 3. The soule cannot taste sweetnesse when it is ouerwhelmed with feares p. 192. 193 4. It is a fault to measure the excellency of faith and power therof by quantitie and vnseasonable fruits so to call them and not by vertue kind plantation and seasonable fruit p. 193. 194 What bee seasonable effects and fruits of faith in great temptations and cloudy seasons p. 194 5. Imperfections argue not want of faith but place for further increase of faith and the fruits thereof p. 195 6. In Scripture we haue examples of weake belieuers as well as of strong and in one and the same person different degrees of faith at diuers times p. 195. 196 7. When the heart is filled with feares the calme and still voice of the Spirit is not discerned p. 196. 197 8. In those seasons the tryall of faith is to bee taken by those fruits which are euident to the eye of others ibid. 9. They that feele themselues destitute of grace and comfort are willed to râ—paire vnto Christ for both ibid. A Table of the principall matters contained in this second Part. CHAP. I. INducements to liue by faith p. 199. 200 Christ is the fountaine of life and faith the meane p. 201. 202 It is impossible that faith should challenge any thing of desert vnto her selfe p. 202 Faith is profitable for this life and the life to come for all parts and purposes of our liues but euermore it aduanceth the grace of God p. 202. 203 What it
delight This is a true saying The charter anciently giuen by that great Lord of all at our first conuersion touching the vse of his creatures was forfeited into the hands of the Doner by Adams fall But it is restored and renewed by Christ to them who aâ—e honoured with the Adoption The heires of heauen are the right inheritors of the earth The Sonnes of God by Adoption are Brethren and Coheires with Christ whom the Father hath appointed heire of all things Rom. 8.17 and hence ariseth vnto them the holy vse of â—he creatures Heb. 1.2 and ministerie of the Angells Are chastisements needfull or behooffull for them Iere. 46.28 Esay 54.8 Heb. 12.10 11. Ier. 24.5 Esay 27.9 Psal 89.31.32 1. Pet 4.14 Rom. 8.28 Acts of Faith that arise from the priuiledges of the godly He will correct them in measure for a moment fâ—r good to take away sinne but his louing kindnesse he will not take from them nor suffer his faithfulnesse to faile Are they loaded with reproaches for righteousnesse sake The Spirit of glorie and of God shall rest vpon them In a word whatsoeuer may happen All things shall worke together for the best vnto them And seeing God hath prepared and promised such excellent priuiledges vnto his children in this life hence it is that faith resteth vpon his grace to receiue from him whatsoeuer may be good and profitable for them O how great is the goodnesse which thou hast laid vp for them that feare thee Psal 31.19 which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sonnes of men Verse 20. Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man thou shalt keepe them secretly in a pauilion Psal 36.7 from the strife of tongues How excellent is thy louing kindnesse O Lord therefore the children of men put their trust vnder the shadow of thy wings verse 8. They shall bee abundantly satisfied with the fulnesse of thy house and thou shalt make them drinke of the riuer of thy pleasures The Lord is my shepheard Psal 23.1 I shall not want He shall leade his flocke like a shepheard he shall gather the lambes with his arme Esay 40 11. and cary them in this bosome and shall gently lead those that are with young What can they want Psal 146.5 6 7 8 9. Leuit. 26.12 2. Cor. 6.16 Prou. 10.24 Esay 49.15 16. Deut. 14.2 who haue god to be their Father to prouide for them and protect them to blesse them and dwell with them to succour them and supply them with all needfull blessings spirituall and bodily in fittest season whose eare is open to their desires whose compassions exceed the tendernes of a mother to her sucking babe who hath chosen them to be his owne proper good which he loueth and keepeth in store for himselfe and for speciall vse Thou Israel art my seruant Iacob whom I haue chosen the seed of Abraham my friend Esay 41 8 9. Thou whom I haue taken from the ends of the earth and called thee from the chiefe men thereof and said vnto thee Thou art my seruant I haue chosen thâ—e and not cast thee away Feare thou not for I am with thee Verse 10. bee not dismayed for I am thy God I will strengthen thee yea I will help thee yea I will vphold thee with the right hand of my righteousnesse Verse 17. When the poore and needie seeke water and there is none and their tongue faileth for thirst I the Lord will heare them I the Lord of Israel will not forsake them Verse 18. I will open riuers in the high places and fountaines in the midst of the valleyâ—s I will make the wildernesse a poole of water and the dry land springs of water Secondly It petitioneth instantly for succour For it seeth in God whatsoeuer it needeth or desireth and will neuer cease to seeke reliefe The more confident it is to obtaine the more importunate it will bee in suing Oile put to the fire causeth the flame to ascend and the promises of helpe and succour receiued by faith put life and vigour into the petitions of faith Heare O Lord Psal 27.7 8. Verse 9. when I cry with my voice haue mercy also vpon mee and answere me Hide not thy face farre from me put not thy seruant away in anger thou hast beene my helpe leaue me not neither forsake me O God of my saluation Vnto thee wiâ—l I cry Psal 28.1 2. O Lord my rocke be not silent to me lest if thou be silent to me I become like them that goe downe into the pit Heare the voice of my supplications when I cry vnto thee when I lift vp my hands towards thy holy Oracle With-hold not thou thy tender mercies from me O Lord Psal 40.11 let thy louing kindnesse and thy truth continually preserue me Thirdly It receiueth earthly blessings as gifts of the couenant and part of his childes portion God vouchsafeth outward things to wicked men of common bountie but to his children the blessings of this life bee tokens of his loue and speciall good-will and so receiued and embraced by faith For substance the gift is one both to the Iust and vniust but in respect of the cause possession and vse there is great difference which is discerned by faith though it cannot be seene with the eye Hosea 2.20 21 22. I will euen betroth thee vnto me in faithfulnesse and thou shalt know the Lord. And it shall come to passe in that day I will heare saith the Lord I will heare the Heauens and they shall heare the Earth and the Earth shall heare the Corne and the Wine and the Oile and they shall heare Iezreel Fourthly Faith in these and the foresaid promises doth greatly enlarge the heart towards God and stirreth vp to a serious and earnest studie of holinesse If a Christian be much in the meditation of Gods singular goodnesse towards him euery manner of way aboue all that he could possibly aske or thinke it will euen constraine him to yeeld vp himselfe wholy vnto God in all manner of godly conuersation Psal 26.2 3. Examine me O Lord and proue me try my reines and my heart For thy louing kindnesse is before mine eyes and I haue walked in thy truth Fiftly It doth inwardly quiet and cheere the heart in the midst of manifold outward discouragements troubles and persecutions in the world Hope of glorie in due time to be reuealed and of continuall supply of all good th ngs from God in the meane space to bee freely giuen will stâ—blish the heart with strong consolation and cause in outward pâ—ofession of Ioy to the glory of God the encouragement of other faithfull people and the amazement of the wicked Heb. 10.34 This is to bee seene in the liues and deaths of Gods faithfull seruants who tooke ioyfully the spoiling of their goods knowing in themselues that they had
towards Heauen keepe my standing or withstand the least assault In paine I am pettish vnder crosses faint heartlesse discontent readie to flie at the sound of persecution secure in prosperitie puffed vp with comforts apt to bee led away with worldly allurements My spirituall taste is distempered with carnall vanities which rellish sweeter to me then the mercies of God in Christ mine appetite to the Word and food of life is abated my zeale decayed mine affections dull to good my deuotion cooled my conscience benummed I heare but feed not vpon the Word my Prayers are cold heartlesse rouing in earthly imployments I keepe no moderation daily weaknesses and lesser sinnes goe downe without reluctation the motions of the spirit quickly die the motions of the flesh liue and get strength admonition is fruitlesse reproofe vnwelcome in my course I am ready to stumble at euery rub linger after euery baite laide by Satan or the world to catch mee and totter vpon the smallest tentation Euery day I haue greater experience of my weakenesse then other soone distempered and put out of frame if by any meanes for a little time my heart bee brought into some better order I am forgetfull of my purposes negligent of the opportunities to get good distracted with lawfull busines and wearie of the woâ—kes of my calling perplexed at the troubles I meete wâ—th giuing way to forwardnesse not looking vp to God vnthankefull for mercies trifling out the the time in foolish surmises vaine ploddings and vnprofitable speeches The poore leane thinne fruits of grace which through the mercie of God now and then I espie in my selfe these proclaime my sicke and feeble state my thoughts and meditations of good poore and few striuings agâ—inst sin weake appetite to the wholsome food of life small digestion slow obedience mâ—ruellous defectiue and in a manner liuelesse I liue vnder the powerfull meanes of grace enioy many helps in priuate am free from many great tentations wherewith others are exercised in respect of their outward condition blessed with the societie of them that feare God pruned and dressed by my heauenly Father and yet I reele wauer am tossed too and fro and ready to fall vpon euery occasion Ah wretched man that I am how shall I bee able to stand if the meanes should faile persecucutions bee raised or the powers of Hell let loose vpon mee Secondly He must stirre vp himselfe to rest vpon God through Iesus Christ for establishment and conformation Why should I feare by reason of mine infirmities or the malice of my spirituall enimies I am sicke but God is my physitian weake but God is my rocke my strength my high tower I like a lost sheepe am readie to goe astray but the Lord is my Sheepheard and will not suffer me to perish Christs intercession is euer effectuall but he hath prayed that my faith should not faile and promised that the gates of hell shall not preuaile The sons of Adam mortall by birth can neuer grow beyond the state of mortalitie the children of God borne of immortall seede can neuer fall from the state of immortalitie True faith is a neuer fading faith the life of grace an euerlasting life the water of life a well springing vnto eternall life Christ once died for sinne neuer to die any more and he that liueth in Christ shall liue for euer Indeed if faith were the worke of freewill or had dependance vpon it it might well perish but being the intire gift of God according to his purpose of grace it must needs pertake of the vnchangeable loue of God which is the fountaine whence it springeth I will walke iealous of my selfe because feeble and apt to offend but confident in Gods mercie and grace because he is faithfull who shall confirme mee vnto the end and perfect his worke hee hath begun My care shall be to feede vpon the word of life to shunne sinne and the occasions leading thereunto to cry for aide and strength and when I feele my selfe readie to sinke I will hang vpon the Lord for his power shall sustaine mee his right hand shall vphold mee and by his might I shall be keept through faith vnâ—o saluation A bruised reede shall he not breake and smoking flaxe shall hee not quench Math. 12.20 2. Cor. 12.9 till he sende forth iudgement into victorie his power shall be magnified in my weaknesse Thirdly He must pray instantly that God would vphold him and make him to see that hee will establish him vnto the end Our strength is of God and it is of him that wee know or be assured that through the power of his grace we shall stand firme and vnmoueable The state of a Belieuer is sure and it is impossible the elect should bee deceiued but as they stand by the grace of God so it is of God that they know their standing O Lord God of heauen the great and terrible God that keepeth couenant and mercy for them that rest vpon thy gratious promise and desire to yeelde vp themselues in obedience to thy Commaundements loooke mercifully vpon mee thy weake vnworthy seruant heale mine infirmities for they are many and stablish mee by thy free Spirit for I am brought very low Remember I beseech thee Ier. 32.39 40. the word of thy coâ—eâ—ant saying I will giue them one heart and one way that they may feare mee for euer for the good of them and of their children after them And I will make an euerlasting couenant with them that I will not turne away from them to doe them good but I will put my feare in their hearts that they shall not depart from mee Now I am thy poore creature the woâ—ke of thine hands whom thou hast made thy poore seruant with whom thou hast striken couenant vnto whom thou hast shewed this mercie that I desire to feare thy Name O Lord I beseech thee teach mee thy way make me to walke in thy truth vnite my heart to thy feare confirme strengthen stablish me vnto the end and make mee to know that by thy power I shall bee inabled to stand fast and vanish the enemies of my saluation that I may fight manfully obey cheerefully persist vndaunted and reioyce in thy saluation all the dayes of my life CHAP. VI. How to liue by faith in time of Temptation when Satan encounters and seekes to winnow the poore seruants of Christ NO sooner doth a Christian set himselfe vnfainedly to seeke the Lord 1. Pet. 5.8 but Satan with all his malice subteltie might and furie doth make out after him assaying by inward suggestions and outward tentations agaâ—ne and againe reiterated to discourage turne backe and vtterly ouer throw him The seruants of Christ are all souldiers and haue continuall warre not with flesh and bloud Eph. 6.11.12 but with principalities and powers and spirituall wickednesses This they must expect they haue sworne it and are called vnto of the Lord Encouragements to resist Satan who for
good courage feare not nor be afraid of them for the Lord thy God he it is that doth goe with thee hee will not faile thee nor forsake thee Of our selues we haue no strength to preuaile against the strong one in the world all our victories must come of God 1. Pet. 1.5 Gen. 3.15 Rom. 16.20 his power doth all our workes for vs. Wee are kept by the power of God vnto saluation he bruiseth the Serpents head he dissolueth the workes of the Deuill he treadeth Satan vnder feete The chiefest strength of souldiers lyeth in their Captaine who yet must fight for themselues and him by their owne power and skill but all our strength lyeth in Christ the Captaine that leadeth vs to saluation from whom wee receiue all power and abilitie to doe what is good whose Almightie power subdueth all things for vs. Wee our selues before our conuersion are of no strength Rom. 5.6 2. Cor. 3.5 Act. 3.16 not sufficient to thinke a good thought all our sufficience is of God But we cannot be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might Eph. 6.10 vnlesse we belieue and leane vpon it Gods strength is the matter apprehended Exod. 14.13 faith the hand whereby we apprehend it This is our strength stand still feare not behold the saluation of the Lord. If wee had the strength of our first parents and were left to our selues wee should come short of happinesse this is all our securitie Psal 108.13 that it is Gods strength being trusted vnto by faith that must helpe vs to saluation Through God wee shall doe valiantly hee is our shield tower 1. Ioh. 5.4 Math. 16.18 rocke strength and glory Faith is of force to keepe vs against all assaults of the Deuill This is our victorie which ouercommeth the world this is so mightie that the powers of Hell cannot preuaile against it Faith doth latch the fierie darts of the Deuill Eph. 6.16 that they fall off without piercing vs or if they enter it doth quench and allay their burning heate that they shall not kill vs. Peter had the dart stucke in him a while but faith did renew repentance and healed him making the poyson of sinne a Treacle Paul was buffeted with inward suggestions and had troubles as thicke as haile-stones following him yet all these preuailed not against him 1. Tim. 14.7 because hee kept the faith The Deuill will renew his assaults against vs and we must renew our courage and strength against him which cannot be done vnlesse wee liue by faith Hee that hath no trust in himselfe but leaneth on the power of God will though he fall often still haue hope and bee courageous to set vpon his enimies with fresh assaults after some foyle receiued For he that knowes hee hath no strength cannot wonder if when God leaueth him he doe fall and he that maketh Gods strength his stay The acts of faith in respect of these temptations though he be neuer so farre from a thing yet will not cast away hope in time to obtaine The acts of faith in respect of temptation be these or such like First Faith makes sensible that we cannot resist of our selues By Satans force the mightie Cedars haue beene ouerthrowne and with more case we might be ouerturned But yet when hee rageth with greatest fury it assureth that hee is chained vp by the power of Almightie God and can goe no further then he will giue him leaue Well may the Deuill barke and roare like a band-dogge or Lion safely chained or shut vp but hee cannot stirre further then God is pleased to let him lose Hee cannot tempt whom hee will nor when hee will nor how hee would not by what meanes nor in what measure hee would nor with what temptations nor for what continuance in all these he is confined by the prouidâ—nce of God who hath promised that he will not suffer vs to be tempted aboue that we are able but will with the temptation also make a way to escape 1. Cor. 10.12 Marke 5.12 that we may be able to beare it A legion of Deuils could not enter into a Gadarene Hogge till Christ had giuen them leaue Satan cannot touch one Bleate pertaining to Iob till he haue obtained libertie Iob 1.12 2.6 nor then lay a finger vpon his bodie till his libertie be renewed The Deuill is the sinfull Authour of Temptations whereby he seekes to molest and ouerthrow the Saints but God in his infinite wisdome and mercie doth limit them both in respect of time place person and temptation it selfe and direct them to such an end as Satan neuer intended Faith speaketh on this wise Satan desires to fift me as wheate but it is the Lord who hath made choice of this temptation wherewith I am exercised rather then another and hath set bounds to the spirituall enemies of my soule what time they shall continue to assaile how farre they shall proceed and no further and will direct the temptation to a good end aboue all I can conceiue therefore I will not feare the enemy but waite vpon the Lord. Secondly It discouereth the Methods of Satan and his Ends in tempting 1. Cor. 2.11 The Deuils aimes are not euer one and the same Alwayes hee labours the destruction of the Saints but his wayes whereby he endeuours to effect it are contrarie Sometimes he purposeth to entice vnto sin by his allurements sometimes to vexe trouble and driue into despaire at least to make the life of a Christian vncoÌ„fortable with his manifold and hellish assaults This is wisely discerned by faith whereby the stratagems of our Aduersary are more easily disappointed For as an Enemy who intends by policie to get the victorie is more then halfe ouercome when his plot is disclosed so it is here Satan is soone discomfited when his intents and proiects are manifested and made knowne Thirdly It lifteth vp the heart to crie and complaine vnto God of the crueltie and malice of that spirituall Aduersary but suffers it not to muse vpon his blasphemous temptations or to conferre with them If Rabshakeh reuile the liuing God Esay 36.21 the people of Iudah will hold their peace and not answere him a word least being inraged he should blaspheme the more Direct opposition in such cases stirreth vp the outragious blasphemer to grow more furious When the Deuill requires of our Sauiour to fall downe and worship him hee reasons not the case but repelleth him with detestation Auoid Satan Math. 4.20 Giuing vs to vnderstand that the blasphemous may not be reasoned with if they should it would make them but burst forth into greater outrage against the peerelesse wisdome of God Wherefore if Satan buffet vs with suggestions of this nature it is our wisdome to turne from him and to make our complaint vnto the Lord. So Hezekiah spred the blasphemous letter of Sennacherib Esay 37.14 before the Lord And when the enemies
deliuer my soule from the wicked one Bee thou my strength in trouble encline thine care vnto my prayer and saue mee for I flie vnto thee for succour I am ready to halt Psal 38.21 and my sorrow is continually before me Forsake mee not O Lord O my God bee not farre from mee Hide not thy face farre from mee put not thy seruant away in anger thou hast beene my helpe Psal 17.9 leaue me not neither forsake me O God of my saluation Verse 11 Teach me thy way O Lord and lead me in a plaine path because of mine enemies Shew me the path of life guide me in the wayes of peace giue thy strength vnto thy seruant and saue mee for thy mercy sake Psal 17.5 Hold vp my goings in thy paths that I be not turned aside by the malice or sleights of Satan I am fully resolued to depend vpon thy grace and keepe thy Commandements Lord haue mercy vpon me raise me vp and strengthen me vnto the end By this I know that thou fauourest me Psal 41.11 12. because mine enemy doth not triumph ouer me Vphold me in mine integritie and set me before thy face for euer And here if the distressed Christian haue wasted his Spirits with violent and continuall sorrow hee must bee admonished not to thinke that presently hee should recouer former liuelinesse and abilitie Satan will not cease to suggest that this course hee hath now set vpon is vaine and fruitlesse because he finds more dulnesse and loggishnesse then formerly But he must tell himselfe that naturall powers once weakened are not soone repaired and in such case when stirrings be lesse the worke of grace may be more sound then heretofore Liuelinesse and actiuenesse is greatest in youth but the truth of grace greater in age Therefore hee must not scrupulously question his state because he feeles himselfe more feeble and lesse actiue then in former times CHAP. VII How to liue by faith in the times of trouble and aduersitie specially when we be exercised with many and long afflictions Psal 34.19 AFflictions are not more ordinarie then burdensome and heauie to be borne Many are the troubles of the righteous and manifold the infirmities of the righteous in their troubles Sometimes they take carnall counsell sometimes they fret and murmure 1. Sam. 27.1 sometimes they faint and despaire for a fit Dauid said in his heart I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul there is nothing better for me then that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines Psal 31.22 Psal 77.3 Verse 7. Verse 8. We stand in need to bee holpen against discouragements in affliction I I said in my haste I am cut off from before thine eyes I remembred God and was troubled I complained and my spirit was ouer-whelmed Will the Lord cast off for euer and will hee be fauourable no more Is his mercie cleane gone for euer doth his promise faile for euermore which frailtie of the Saints doth lesson vs what need we haue to bee strengthened against all discouragements and hinderances which in afflictions we shall meete withall that we neither grow wearie nor be turned aside in our Christian course And the Lord our most mercifull and louing Father knowing it to be most necessarie hath for the comfort and encouragement of his children plentifully signified that he will correct them in wisdome God correcteth in great wisdome Heb. 12.9 10. loue and tender compassion to the purge and refine them and gratiously promised to aide comfort and direct and in fittest time to deliuer them out of aduersities We haue had Fathers of our flesh who corrected vs and we gaue them reuerence shall we not much rather be in subiection vnto the Father of Spirits and liue For they verily for a few dayes chastened vs after their owne pleasure but hee for our profit that we might be pertakers of his holinesse Hath he smitten him as he smote those that smote him Measure Esay 27.7 8. Or is he slaine according to the slaughter of them that are slaine by him In measure when it shooteth forth thou wilt debate with it Ier. 46.28 30.11 he stayeth his rough winde in the day of the East winde Feare thou not O Iacob my seruant saith the Lord for I am with thee for I will make a full and of all Nations whither I haue driuen thee but I will not make a full end of thee but correct thee in measure yet will I not leaue thee wholy vnpunished This is that which the Prophet so earnestly begged of God O Lord Ier. 10.24 correct me but with iudgement not in thine anger lest thou bring me to nothing Hee corrects but for awhile For a moment Psal 30.5 For his anger endureth but a moment in his fauour is life weeping may endure for a night but ioy commeth in the morning He will not alwayes chide Psal 103.9 Ier. 3.12 Psal 125.3 neither will he keepe his anger for euer The rod of the wicked shall not rest vpon the lot of the righteous lest the righteous put forth their hands vnto iniquitie For yet a very little while Esay 10.25 and the indignation shall cease and mine anger in their destruction For a small moment haue I forsaken thee Esay 54.7 8. but with great mercies will I gather thee In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment but with euerlasting kindnesse will I haue mercie on thee saith the Lord thy Redeemer Esay 57.16 For I will not contexd for euer neither will I be alwayes wroth Mich. 7.18 for the spirit should faile before me and the soules which I haue made Who is a God like vnto thee that pardoneth iniquitie and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage in loue and He retaineth not his anger for euer because he delighteth in mercie Whom the Lord loueth he correcteth euen as a Father the Sonne in whom he delighteth Prou 3 12. Heb. 12.5 6. Reuel 3.19 Tendernesse Esay 63.9 Psal 103.13 As many as I loue I rebuke and chasten In all their affliction he was afflicted and the Angell of his presence saued them in his loue and in his pitie he redeâ—med them and he bare them and carried them all the dayes of old Like as a Father pitieth his children so the Lord pitieth them that feare him For he knoweth our frame Verse 14. hee remembreth that we are dust How shall I giue thee vp Hosea 11.8 9. Ephraim How shall I deliuer thee Israel How shall I make thee as Admah How shall I set thee as Zeboim Mine heart is turned within me my repentings are kindled together I will not execute the fiercenesse of mine anger I will not returne to destroy Ephraim for I am God and not Man the holy one in the midst of thee To proue Deut. 8.2 Thou shalt remember all the way which the
profit and in due time vouchsafe freedome and deliuerance The true belieuer desires the benefit and fruit of restraint and correction no lesse then the comfort of freedome and libertie He couets that the spirituall sicknesse may be remoued when the bitter potion is taken away A wise patient will neither refuse to swallow bitter pils when it may be for health nor disorder himselfe to make worke for the Physician hee will take Physicke to recouer strength and lay it aside when the troublesome maladie is expelled A belieuing patient had rather bee held in a continuall course of Physicke then that the matter of spirituall sicknesse should gather and ingender diseases in the soule Deliuerance with inward soundnesse is the thing which he longeth after and beggeth of God Thus faith will not suffer impotently to fret repine or murmure nor yet to grow secure as though it were no great matter how things went forward or backward it doth both calme the heart and kindle desires Nor doth faith incite barely to cry vnto God in distresse but in all conditions establisheth the heart vpon his aide that it lookes not after other meanes of deliuerance Iob 27.9 10. Psal 5.3 Mich. 7.7 then hee affords The vpright man will delight himselfe in the Almighty when trouble commeth vpon him he will call vpon God at all times and looke vnto him for helpe 7. Act. Seuenthly It raiseth the heart being conscious of it weaknesse to rest vpon the Lord for strength who makes vs able to doe all things through his strengthening of vs Phil. 4.13 Col. 1 11. Ephes 3.17 who strengtheneth his in the inner man to long-suffering with ioyfulnesse who hath said such as looke to mee shall renew their strength Esay 40.31 they shall mount vp with wings as Eagles they shall runne and not be weary they shall walke and not faint yea Psal 94.22 it fixeth and estâ—blisheth the heart vpon Christ the rocke strong and impregnable whence followeth courage steadines to vndergo them Thou wilt keepe him in perfect peace saith the Prophet whose minde or thought is stayed on thee Esay 26.3 2. Chron. 16.6 7 8. Psal 112.7 because he trusteth in thee The righteous shall not be afraid of euill tydings his heart is fixed or established and trusteth in the Lord. Thus faith setteth the Lord alwayes in it sight and fortifieth the heart in confidence of his might Psal 16.8 I haue set the Lord alwayes before mee Psal 73.23 because hee is at my râ—ght hand I shall not be moued that is I haue ouercome all temptations my hope being fastened vpon the Lord for hee hath powerfully assisted and comforted mee Our strength is to claspe to Christ and hold to him as the person in whom is all our strength The hil-rats are a weake creature hauing neither strength of limbes nor other meanes of nature to defend themselues Prou. 30.20 but making their houses in the rockes or stonie places and flying thither in time of danger they saue themselues and prouide safely for their young-ones Wee of our selues are feeble and weake easily ouerturned with the least temptation but working our selues by faith into that rocke Iesus Christ against whom the powers of Hell cannot preuaile wee become couragious vnmoueable inuincible It matters not what weight be laid vpon the foundation so it be sure and stedfast if Christ be our supporter as by faith he is made ours nothing can ouerwhelme vs. In quietnesse and confidence is our strength Againe Esay 30.15 by faith wâ—e receiue the Spirit of fortitude and courage whereby we are made able to endure the burthen of afflictions and become valiant in combates Esay 11.2 For the spirit of wisdome and ounsell of vnderstanding and strength was powred into Christ to the end we might boldly goe vnto him to a ke those things we stand in need of and receiue them by faith according to our measure Ephes 4.15 16. As the heâ—d communicates strength to the bodie so Christ powres out the vertue of his heauenly vnction vpon the whole bodie of his Church When the Apostles had receiued this spirit of strength they make a play of all their sufferings and labours euen as in bodily things wee see men that haue strength and courage as these porters and such they will make a sport to beare such burthens as a weake creature would tremble to lift at For as bladders swimme aloft all waters whilest they are filled with winde so doe wee aboue all afflictions Deut. 20.3 Iosh 7.5 Esay 7.4 2. Chron. 33.7 Prou 28.1 Psal 125.1 Esay 12 â— Iosh 10 25. Deut. 31.6 1. Chron. 28.20 2. Chron. 32.7 Psal 27.14 whilest this Spirit is with vs to support vs in them Feare doubting feeblenesse fainting nice-tendernesse or melting of heart proceed from infidelitie and distrust Hardinesse courage valour inuincible durance are the fruits of faith staying it selfe vpon the Lord and seeking vnto him Be strong be of good courage feare not nor be dismayed for the Lord will be with thee he will not faile thee nor forsake thee Distrust many times wrings from vs such voyces as these were it any thing but this I could hope to beare it Whereas did we in conscience of our impotencie seek to Christ to make vs able and fasten our selues vpon him by a liuely faith wee should finde strength enough through his might whereby to beare that comfortably which wee thinke most intollerable Faith driues a man out of himselfe as not able to beare the least crosse as he ought and through the power of God it enableth to beare that best how troublesome soeuer with which God is pleased to trie vs. 8. Act. Eightly By faith the godly heart is drawne to vse all lawfull meanes of helpe that God in his prouidence doth afford Mich. 7.7 Hab. 2.1 Psal 5.3 Psal 109.31 Psal 22.24 Psal 56.9 Heb. 11.2 7. but resteth quietly vpon Gods promises and assurance of his presence aboue all likelihoods and appearances God shall stand saith the Psalmist at the right hand of the poore to saue him from those that condemne his soule When I crie vnto thee then shall mine en mies turne backe this I know for God is for me Moses left Egypt and feared not the wrath of the King because he saw him that was inuisible The reason hereof is faith coupleth the meanes and the end but looketh to the promiser his grace faithfulnesse and power who is able to doe aboue all that we can comprehend and not to the probabilitie of the thing promised Ephes 3.20 Rom. 4.11.11 Abraham against hope belieued in hope that hee might become the Father of many Nations being fully perswaded that what God had promised he was able to performe Heb. 11.11 By faith Satah receiued strength to beare a Sonne when she was past age What manner of dependance on the promises faith worketh because she iudged him faithfull who had promised