Saints by calling: or Called to be saints A godly treatise of our holy calling to Christ, by the gospell. With the seuerall gifts proper vnto the called: and their counterfeits in the hypocrites which are not partakers of this effectuall calling. Written by Thomas Wilson, minister of Gods word, at S. Georges Church in Canterbury.

The fourth part of the Dialogue, touching the degrees, and diuers measures of a liuely Faith.

Aquila.

I Haue made haste, because I would not disappoint you; and to tell you truth, I am vnlike a Schoole-boy in this case, who when he parts from his Booke, he cares not how long it be ere they meete againe: contrariwise, when he and his play meete, they play loath to depart. Now I, when our conference is broke off, my fingers itch till we ioyne againe; I find no better gaine then that that comes of time thus well bestowed: for this sticketh by vs, and enricheth to God-ward, when worldly gaine fleeteth away apace, and serueth for this life onely.

Apollos.

I pray you then let vs proceede in our pur∣pose. We began to speak of the degrees of a liuely faith,* 1.1 and to shew that neither all Gods Children haue like measure of it, nor euery one alwayes the selfe-same measure: for indeede it is with the Church of God, as with a Family or fold, where the persons of the house∣hold be some young and tender, some aged and lusty; and in the flocke there are both Lambes and Sheepe: so it is in Christs Family and fold, there be Christians, of all sorts; some of ripe age for wisedome, some chil∣dren in vnderstanding; some like lambes for their infir∣mity in knowledge and grace, some like sheepe for their spirituall strength and growth. And as a man differeth

from himselfe in 〈7 words〉〈7 words〉, being sometime 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Infant, and afterwards 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the full strength and age of a man: so euery true Christian in his spirituall estate differeth from himselfe, being not so strong in faith at first when he beginnes to beleeue, as afterwards. This being the condition of Gods people, to bee as trees planted in an Orchard, which spread themselues, and are more fruitful the lon∣ger they continue: so are the faithfull as plants in Gods house, they are more full of faith and fruit in their old age; Psal. 92. 13, 14. Whereunto tend those frequent exhortations in the Word, to encrease more and more, and to grow in grace, and to ioyne grace to grace, and still to hasten to perfection.

Apollos.

Sir, seeing you haue taken the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 out of my hand, will it please you to wield it now you haue it? and I will make bold to aske you what I desire to re∣member of that which was taught vs about this matter of sundry degrees of faith. And first, seeing the Apostle writeth that Faith is one; Ephe. 4. 5. and that Saint Peter saith, All the Elect haue attained like precious faith: 2 Pet. 1. 1. how truly then may we affirme that there is a lit∣tle and great, a weake and strong faith?

Apollos.

Well friend Aquila, you take me at the ad∣uantage.* 1.2 I had meant to haue troubled you with this charge, for that I see you can well discharge it; yet I will not refuse it, seeing you put it vpon me. Therefore to your demand this I say: When Paul saith, there is one faith; he speaketh not of the degrees of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, (and little and great, weake and strong, be but names of degrees) but hee meaneth the substance of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to be but one, and the obiect to be but one, which is Christs or one do∣ctrine

concerning saluation by him: and in the other place of Peter, the faith of all the Elect is saide indeede to be like precious, but not like firme & strong. He doth not teach that it is of like quantity and measure, but of like quality and worth: for the faith of euery one of the Elect hath the same Authour, euen the holy Ghost; the same meanes, the Gospell, and Word of truth; the same obiect whereunto it looketh., Christ and his righteous∣nesse: Also one and the same marke whereunto it ten∣deth, the glory of God, and saluation of the soule. In all these things there is likenesse and agreement betweene the weake and strong faith; yea, and sundry other things there be wherein this likenesse holds: for euery faith, e∣uen the strongest is still vnperfect; we beleeue in part, as we doe but know in part: the best beleeuer hath need to say; Lord encrease my faith. It doth therefore belong to euery degree of faith, as a thing common, to take the vse of all meanes, both priuate and publike, for support and helpe of it; lest any tempt God by refusing the meanes, whereof all haue need continually. Beside this, each faith little and great, may bee knowne of him in whom it is (vnlesse it be in a great storme of temptation, or at the instant and about the time of their first con∣uersion:) else Christ would not haue asked particular men if they did beleeue; nor Paul would haue saide of himselfe: I know whom I haue beleeued; nor exhorted o∣thers to examine themselues if they be in the faith, 2 Cor. 13. 6. 2 Tim. 1. Yet moreouer, in each faith this is com∣mon, that the things beleeued, are aboue compasse of naturall reason: for if we consider the things which the Word setteth forth to be beleeued, as for example, that the World was made of nothing; that a dead body tur∣ned

into dust, shall liue againe; that a Virgin remaining a Virgin, can be a Mother; that God and man is one person; that so many thousand beleeuers so far distant, are one body; that Saints in Earth are one with Christ in Heauen, and eate & drinke him without diminishing; that one offence of one man condemned the whole world; that the righteousnesse of one man maketh mil∣lions to be iust; that God is then a Father, when hee shewes himselfe an enemy: in these and many such like things, faith can beleeue them, (because God hath spo∣ken them) when blinde reason cannot see. Lastly, one faith is as sufficient to saue as another, a little as wel as a great; because a weake faith can looke vpon Christ, and lay hold on him no lesse truly, then a strong and great faith; euen as a weake and sore eye, might behold the brasen Serpent to health, as well as a sound and cleere eye: but though there be such great and manifold like∣nesse betweene faith and faith; yet this letteth not, but that there is a difference amongst the godly, as tou∣ching the diuers measures of their faith: euen as much as betweene the hand of a babe and of a man; betweene a young plant and a growne tree. The most wise God distributing his graces as it pleaseth him, to some thus, to some otherwise: so as none haue cause to disdaine such as be infirme, if themselues be strong; for it was God who established them: nor any to enuie others, if haply they doe not so abound in wisedome and faith, as others doe; because it was God that so disposed eue∣ry man his portion. But the strong must apply them∣selues to helpe the weaker, bearing with infirmities; and the weaker with reuerence and loue to honor such as goe before them. Euen as the foote doth not lift vp

it selfe against the head, nor the head doth not despise the foote; but each member respecteth and cherisheth one another, to the preseruation of the whole body: so let beleeuing Christians in respect of God (who doth all in them of his good pleasure) worke out their saluation in feare and trembling, euery one being thankefull to him for their owne measure; knowing that they haue nothing but what is giuen: thinking themselues happy to haue at all any measure of liuely faith; and in respect of themselues, to walke in mutuall loue, one supporting and comforting another in all loue and modesty, as be∣commeth Saints.

Aquila.

Whereas yee haue shewed many things wherein the two measures of faith doe accord and be a∣like; let it not be offensiue to you, that I put you in mind of one correspondency between them, which it should seeme you thought not vpon, and that is this; It is com∣mon to each degree of faith, first, to beleeue the promise before they come to any experience, feeling, or comfort from the apprehension of Gods mercies: as in the wo∣man of Canaan, who verily beleeued that Iesus was the Messias, and would minister helpe to her distressed daughter, which was vexed with a Diuell, as the Story shewes; Mat. 15. 23. when as yet shee had not onely no experience, but rather all things went crosse and contrary to her. Therefore it was a fault in Thomas, who would haue his senses the guide of his faith: Ex∣cept I feele and see (saith he) I will in no wise beleeue; Ioh. 20. 25. whereas our Sauiour pronounced them blessed who beleeue, and see not. For it is not in supernaturall and diuine, as it is in humane and natural things, where by our sense and experience we are led: but in heauenly

matters, first of all Gods children giue credit to the pro∣mise, striuing against in-bred distrust; they doe beleeue God to be true, who hath spoken the word: so as they waite vpon God, till in his time he giue the feeling and comfort of that which they trust to be truly promised: a marke worthy to be thought on, because many esteem of faith by feeling, iudging themselues to haue no faith, because they want comfortable and ioyous feeling; which is not faith, but a fruit and consequent of faith, in some more, in some lesse, and sometime none at all, as in time of some great triall.

Apollos.

No Aquila, I am not offended, that yee did admonish me hereof; I rather thanke you, and wish you still to admonish me: not withstanding, this matter I knew would come further to be spoken of, in the pro∣secution of this doctrine touching the seuerall degrees of faith. But to goe forwards, I thinke good to deliuer vnto you seuerally the difference betweene these two measures of faith more distinctly & fully, as their like∣nesse and agreement hath beene opened. And first for the least measure and degree of faith, it is this; when Christians cannot certainly & distinctly say, I beleeue my own saluation, and the pardon of all my sinnes: but being displeased with themselues for their sinnes, they doe vnfainedly & constantly desire the pardon of them all, and their reconciliation with God aboue the whole World; yea, aboue a world of worlds. And this their desire of faith, it is a degree of faith, the seed and begin∣ning of faith, stirred vp by the Spirit of adoption; Rom. 8. 26. pleasing God as faith it selfe, hauing great promises made to it; Mat. 5. 6. Ioh. 7. 37. As that indicious Di∣uine Master Perkins hath sufficiently proued, both in

his reformed Catholike, and in the Book intituled, the Graine of Mustard seede. Therefore to let passe the con∣firmation of that point, it is to be now shewed, who be the persons in whom this weake faith is to be found: which I find to be of two sorts. The first is of such who haue but little knowledge, by reason whereof their faith must needs be infirme: Examples hereof we haue in Scripture, in Rahab, the Samaritanes; Ioh. 4. 42. the Apostles of Christ at their first calling, and Cornelius:* 1.3 whereof some of them did onely know the promise touching a Messias, and did not so much as know Iesus to be the Christ. Others which knew this, yet were ig∣norant* 1.4 by what meanes he should effect the Worlds redemption, hauing their heads troubled with conceit of an earthly Monarchy; full little then thinking that the life of the Lord and Master, should be the worlds ransome, and that his resurrection should be the worlds conquest and victory; they dreaming of an outward glorious reigne ouer the World, and hoping to be great men in great place vnder him: howbeit they gi∣uing credit to his doctrine, and embracing him for the Messias, depending vpon his mouth in matter of duty and saluation, they had a measure of faith, though a lit∣tle and weake one; as Christ himselfe doth testifie of them all, O ye of little faith: and of Peter by name; O thou* 1.5 of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? Mat. 14. 31. and as they signifie of themselues by their owne petition; Luke 17. 5. Lord encrease our fasth. The other sort of weake ones in faith, be such as hauing more knowlege in the mystery of Christ touching the worke of salua∣tion, by his sufferings and righteousnesse; yet doe very weakely apply this their knowledge, not being per∣swaded

of the forgiuenesse of their owne sinnes, and of their reconciliation with God; but earnestly desiring to embrace and beleeue the promise of it: and of this sort of beleeuers there haue been in all ages very many in the Church of God, euer since the ascension of Christ, as daily experience proueth in many honest Christians, which can speake well and distinctly of the doctrine of grace, and yet haue laide but poore hold of it for their own safety and comfort, much doubting themselues.

Aquila.

But Sir, by this meanes it wil come to passe, that many which are farre enough from true faith, will be ready to imagine themselues to haue some measure of faith: for euery one will by and by alledge for him∣selfe, that he hath a good desire to beleeue in Christ, and so be lulled asleepe to their own perdition, presu∣ming of that which they in truth doe want.

Apollos.

Indeed Aquila you say well, this is a thing may be feared; howbeit there be diuers good and sure workes to discerne a sound desire to beleeue in Christ, which is the lowest degree of a liuely faith, from all vaine desires of wicked men & hypocrites, which may pretend to haue it, and yet haue it not. The first is, that [ 1] in them whose desire is sound and godly, there is a co∣ueting* 1.6 rather of reconciliation then of saluation; ra∣ther to bee in grace and fauour with God, then to bee happy in heauen: for their desire commeth from a bru∣sed heart, greeued and cast downe for the offence of God, and his displeasure conceiued against their sinne; so as to haue but one good looke of God, one smile of his louing countenance, it is more desired of them then the World; nay, then the glory of Heauen: as

Dauid prayeth; O lift thou vp the light of thy countenance vpon vs: Psal. 4. 7. And elsewhere the Church prayeth, Returne, and let the light of thy countenance shine vpon vs, and we shall be whole; Psal. 80. 3. And in another place, the godly professe saying, In thy fauour is life. It is true, that one cannot haue the fauour of God, but he is sure to be saued; and it is lawfull to desire saluation: but yet the thing which the beleeuing broken heart doth cheefly looke vnto, it is to be loued and fauoured of God. Againe, this godly desire is vehement, not [ 2] slight or light, but very feruent; like to the desire after meate of one pinched with hunger, which is very ear∣nest (as we say, hunger wil breake the hard stone wals:) or to the desire and longing of a woman with childe, which vseth to be very vehement: such is this sound de∣sire of them who begin to beleeue, they couet more to be satisfied with a full sight of Gods face, then world∣lings desire siluer and gold; the doctrine of grace being to them more desirable, euen then the finest gold; Psal. 19. Wee haue heard of the desire of the Cananitish woman for her Daughter being vexed with a Diuell; and we reade of the chased Hart, breathing & panting after the coole water brookes; euen so the soule chased by temptations, scorched with the heate of sinful lusts, hauing begun once to taste the sweetnesse, or but to feele the neede of sauing mercies, doth most eagerly and sharpely desire to attaine vnto them. This earnest∣nesse [ 3] of desire, it is not in them by fits and starts, like Pilates desire to know the truth; Iohn 18. which as a weake sparkle quickly died of it selfe; but it is constant, as is the desire of a thirsty man, whose desire ceaseth not till his thirst be quenched; such as Anna her desire

was after a childe, it was great and continued, till the thing was granted which she did desire: so it fareth with a sound desire to beleeue and find Christ, it lasteth till faith bee formed in the heart, and Christ be borne in them, they are not quiet till then, nor then neither; still more and more desiring to bee knit and ioyned neerer to Christ, their loue, their ioy, their crowne, their trea∣sure. Lastly, this witnesseth the soundnesse of this godly [ 4] desire, to beleeue in Iesus Christ, that it bringeth forth some good affections, which are accompanied with some reformation of life and manners. They in whom it is, being carefull according to that they know, to obey and please God, hauing with their desire to beleeue ioi∣ned an vnfained desire to repent, and to liue honestly, keeping a good conscience towards God and men in all things. There is the quite contrary of all these, to bee seene in vnfaithfull men; for their desire it is of happi∣nesse, and not at all of Gods loue, as Balaam would be blessed, but tooke no thought to be reconciled to God, or to reforme his way. Againe, their desires be faint, and be soone quelled, being neither vehement nor con∣stant; and no maruell, for they are vnsound, rather see∣king themselues, that it may be well with them, then that God may set his heart vpon them, and loue them, and be glorified in his mercies towards them: And fi∣nally, they desire to be forgiuen & saued; but it is with∣out desire to repent, and amend their liues: they like Heauen well, but not the way that leadeth thither; their desire being to bee glorified with God, by hauing his blessing and ioy, and not to glorifie him by doing his will.

Aquila.

Will not this, thinke you, doe some hurt, to

teach that there is a desire of faith, which is an accep∣tance with God for faith it selfe? may it not cause men thus to content themselues, seeing now they haue some measure of faith, which is sufficient to saue them? Haply it will be thought, that here they may fixe their staffe, and set their rest.

Apollos.

No Aquila, there is no feare of this in this* 1.7 sound godly desire: that being a portion of sauing grace whose property is to grow still, and waxe greater, euen as young figges or raysins grow till they be ripe, and come to their full bignesse; as all things which haue a vegetatiue or sensitiue life, their property is to encrease vnto a certaine proportion, whereunto nature aymeth; as ye may see in plants, and in beasts and birds: so it is in the spirituall life, it will not stay in beginnings, but loueth still to attaine to that proportion and measure appointed to it of God. As by the exhortation of Peter may be gathered; Grow in grace, and in knowledge of our Lord: 1 Pet. 5. verse last; for the faithful doe that which by him they are exhorred to doe: and by likening faith to a graine of mustard-seede, whose quality is to grow till it be a large tree; but though this be the nature of sa∣uing grace, to waxe and encrease, yet exhortations to quicken mens care, they may doe very well. Christians are to be called vpon, so to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and thankfull for* 1.8 euery true measure of true faith, as withall they neuer content themselues with any measure, labouring after perfection. This it is we desire (faith Paul) euen your per∣fection; 2 Cor. 13. And sure it is the will of God it should be so: 1 Thes. 4. 3. I beseech you 〈◊〉〈◊〉 en encrease more and more. The which will of God, his Children are the rather to hearken vnto, because as their faith en∣creaseth,

so will all their graces and comforts propor∣tionably encrease: for as a man beleeueth, so he loueth, and so he feareth, and so he obeyes, and so hee prayes. And after the measure of faith, and of the fruits there∣of, so will be the measure of glory hereafter: he that had two talents, and the other which had fiue, by vsing and encreasing them, gained this of the Lord, to haue rule ouer the more Cities. The examples of the Prophets, Apostles, and other Saints, which haue continually striuen to encrease in godlinesse, must also stirre vp o∣thers to doe the like: wherein we shall be followers not of them onely, but of Christ Iesus; of whom it is repor∣ted, that he encreased in stature and wisedome, and fauour with God and men; Luke 2. v. last.

Aquila.

If it please ye, let mee heare what ye count strength of faith, or a strong faith, which is the other or second measure of faith before spoken of; and whether in this measure also there be not differing measures, of strong faith one to be stronger then another; and which is the highest pitch of faith that can bee attained vnto here in this our pilgrimage; and by what steps the chil∣dren of God climbe vp thereunto?

Apollos.

Friend Aquila, you will (I see) prouide mee* 1.9 worke enough; your questions be like a chaine with many linkes, which must be loosed not all together (for that were a breaking and not a loosing) but apart, one after another. That there is such a measure of faith, which deserues to be termed strong, it is very plaine by these few Texts following; Abraham being strong in faith: Rom. 4. 20. And O woman, great is thy faith; Mat. 15. 28. and of the Centurions faith, I haue not (saith Christ) found so great faith, no not in Israel; Luke 7. 9.

That the Centurion which was a Gentile by nature, a Souldier by profession, and saw in Christs person for outward appearance, nothing saue weakenesse and in∣firmity, should yet haue such firme perswasion of his power and goodnesse (hauing no particular promise) as to beleeue, and to be resolued in his minde, that Iesus was able to helpe his sicke seruant, and that without his bodily presence, or touching, onely by speaking the word, hee should chase away such an inueterate ma∣lady: this was a strong faith indeede. The like ye may see in Abraham, that hee being an hundred yeeres old, and his wife barren & stricken with age, neuer hearing of any before to be made Parents at these yeeres, yet without any former example to beleeue vpon the word and promise of God, that he should be a father, and that of such a childe of whom should come Nations, and in whom all nations shuld be blessed; and when he was to be sacrificed, yet then to be perswaded surely that God would keepe that promise; this was a great faith and a strong. But this is none of the linkes of your chaine,* 1.10 the first whereof is when faith may be counted strong and great; when by the worke of the Spirit ones heart is carried beyond that desire of pardon, which before was spoken of, euen vnto a sure and setled perswasion, that through Gods mercies in Christ, his owne sinnes are pardoned to him, and hee fully reconciled to God, vnto the cleere certainty of his owne saluation. The weake faith already described, is truly perswaded, that sinnes may be forgiuen, and desires to haue them forgi∣uen with some certainty to obtaine; but this strong faith besides desire and certainty, hath setlednesse and ful∣nesse of perswasion, that all is already remitted and co∣uered.

As it is reported of Abrahams faith, that he was fully assured thereby, that God which had shewed him∣selfe willing to promise, was also able to doe it; Rom. 4. 19. Such a perswasion was in Iob, when he could say; I will trust in God, though he kill me: Iob. 13. 15. And a∣gaine, I know my Redeemer liueth; Iob 19. 25. And in Da∣uid, when hee so confidently professed, that hee could lacke nothing, because God was his Shepheard; Psal. 23. 1. and that God was his shield, and fortresse, his buckler, and his strong Sauiour; Psal. 18. 1, 2. Lastly, in Paul and others, we know, 2 Cor. 5. 1. and Rom. 8. 35. I am perswa∣ded neither height nor depth shall separate vs. Yet take this withall, that when I speake of this strong faith, that it is a full perswasion, I meane it not absolutely, as if there were any such strength of faith as hath no weake∣nesse, no wants, or defects at all; vnlesse haply in some particular thing: as in that which was said to Abraham, that he should be Father of many Nations; wherein it is saide, hee was not weake in faith, or doubted through vnbeleefe; Rom. 4. 19. For all faith (as before was saide) is vnperfect: but strong faith is called a full perswasion in comparison of a weaker faith, which hath not such a measure of certainty and perswasion.

Now to the second linke, whether this measure of strong faith doth not admit sundry measures and diffe∣rences? It is true, there is so. Moses might beleeue more strongly then Iacob, and Iob more strongly then Moses; and Dauid more strongly then Iob, and Paul yet more fully then Dauid, and Abraham more strongly then they all. Amongst men of strong constitution, some may excell others in courage and strength: so amongst them which be strong in faith, one may exceed another

in power of beleeuing; but of this strong faith there be* 1.11 two euident degrees. The first is of such as throughfull assurance of faith, doe feele in their hearts vnspeakable ioy and glorious; 1 Pet. 1. 8. euen in tribulations; Rom. 5. 3. Others which be fully perswaded in their soules of Gods mercies towards them in Christ, and yet are without feeling any comfort thereof for the time. And sure this is a greater degree of the twain; it is not a thing of such strength, nor a matter so great, in ioyfull feelings to beleeue Gods loue, one hauing as it were a pawne of it in their hand: as when one hath God frowning vpon him, and lieth in some greeuous distresse outward or in∣ward, or both; then to beleeue fully and strongly that God is still a Father, and will saue and deliuer him, argu∣eth a mighty faith. When Abraham sawe the day of Christ, with reioycing at that sight; and Mary so belee∣ued in Christ her Sauiour, as her soule reioyced in him; Luke 1. 46: when Paul, and other beleeuers, through their strong faith, reioyced vnder the hope of glory; Rom. 5. 2: This was nothing such a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and height of faith (to loose your third linke) as for Iob when hee was in greeuous affliction (God hiding his face from him, Iob. 13. 24. and taking him for an enemy, shooting his bitter arrowes against him, which pierced his reines; making him to possesse the sinnes of his youth, to the terrour of his soule) then, and in that case to say; I am sure my Redeemer liueth, and I shall see him with the same eyes: Iob 19. 25. and If he should kill me, yet will I trust in him; Iob 13. 15. Or for Dauid, when his soule was cast∣downe, and vnquiet within him, and all the waues of God came ouer him; yet then to say, Hee is my present helpe, and my God; Psal. 42. 5, 11. I will yet giue him thanks;

Or for the man in the Gospell, who cried with teares, saying; Helpe my vnbeleese: yet could then say, Lord, I be∣leeue; Marke 9. 24. And this it is which you did aduer∣tise me of, as thinking I had forgotten it; that there may be a true faith, yea, and a great measure of it too for a time, where there is no comfortable experience and feeling. For as the Sunne may for a time cast forth his beames to the giuing of light, when there is no heat nor warmth: so the Sunne of righteousnesse Christ Ie∣sus, may kindle a light of some knowledge in the pro∣mise of mercy, before there come to the soule the heat and warmth of ioy and comfort. And where both light and heate haue beene giuen, hee may seuer them at his pleasure; which he is pleased sometimes to do, denying to his members a ioyfull sence of mercies for some space, for very good causes and respects.

First vpon some sinne committed, he with-draweth his louing countenance, taking from them inward ioy of heart, that by the absence of it, they may be hum∣bled for their sinne; as a father for the better humbling of his childe after some fault, will denie him wonted fauour, and looke vpon it with a displeasant eye: and by this meanes also Gods children are brought the better to consider the greatnesse of their offence, not onely for humbling, but for whetting their prayers to moue them to more earnestnesse in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of pardon, and the restoring of their ioy vnto them; as is to be seene in Dauids example; Psalme 51. Also herein God taketh great triall of their faith and loue, and hath oc∣casion on the other side to expresse and giue his chil∣dren experience of his mighty grace, in sustaining and releeuing them; his power is knowne in weakenesse.

and lastly, it serueth for the awing of others, to keepe* 1.12 them in feare of offending, lest they also loose the ioy of their heart in Gods countenance; as a Father will shew anger to one childe, to informe and terrifie the rest: vnto which wee may adde another consideration, that ioy is often clouded or ecclipsed, that when it breakes out againe, and the minde is cheered and re∣freshed afresh, then the comforts of the Spirit may be more esteemed, more thankfully receiued, and careful∣ly retained. Things lightly come by, are lightly set by; but euery thing is more accounted of, the more hardly we get it: therfore as we see a faire day more welcome after a soule, or a calme or rest more embraced after a storme or trouble; so is ioy of spirit more valued when it commeth after deepe heauinesse and much anguish of spirit: for these respects Gods children must haue patience, and striue to endure the lack of comfort, con∣sidering it will returne with such aduantage; yea, and bee thankfull for such a schooling that it hath pleased God to send them such a bitter remembrance for so good ends: for though it be the most greeuous thing in the World to haue our spirit wounded, which should sustaine and beare vs out in all infirmities and afflictions, (Sand and Iron not being so heauy as an∣guish of heart) yet surely in all Gods Children it hath a comfortable issue: for which as God is to be waited on till it come, so also he is to be praised for ministring such strength of faith as to be able to beleeue in him, when nothing is seene and felt but terror and griefe, and matter of despaire. And where as yee asked how, and by what steppes Gods people doe climbe vp vnto this height of beleefe, in this I will satisfie you; that

there are sundry duties and meanes, which thorough Gods blessing bring faith in time to such a great mea∣sure. As first of all, the duty of feruent prayer, which [ 1] being an exercise of faith, as the body is encreased by exercise being moderate, so is faith encreased by this exercise of prayer; which springing of faith as a daugh∣ter, like a good childe helpeth the mother. Againe, fer∣uent prayer is like to a key or a bucket, which doth vn∣locke and draw out the treasures of Gods mercies. Hence it is, that such as haue beene most frequent in prayer, haue proued fullest of knowledge, faith, loue, and other graces. Let Dauids example teach this; none oftener in prayer, none more rich in faith. Paul full of faith, because plentifull in prayer. The second duty to [ 2] adde vnto the strength of faith, it is the often religious receiuing of the Lords Supper, which for so much as by the vertue of Gods ordinance it signifieth and sea∣leth to euery beleeuer in particular the good will of God in Christ for forgiuenesse of sinnes, and withall containeth a sacramentall promise of Christ, and all his benefits, to be distributed to due Communicants, euen to euery faithfull receiuer; Mat. 26. 26, 27, 28. Hence it is, that it serueth greatly to the encrease of faith, espe∣cially when therewithall is ioyned the diligent and o∣bedient hearing of the Gospell preached; which as it is [ 3] the seede to beget faith, so it is as foode and solid meate to confirme it by the ordinance of God. And this effect it hath the rather, if it be coupled with meditations of [ 4] the Euangelicall promise, the very nourishment of true faith; which made godly Dauid to be much in medita∣tions, as Psalm 119. doth witnesse: so earnestly to com∣mend it to other; Psal. 1. 2. Besides all this, the long ex∣perience [ 5]

of Gods mercies and bounty in outward be∣nefits and in inward graces; Psal. 23. throughout, and the carefull obseruations both of them, and of Gods [ 6] mighty prouidence & protection against dangers, with his assistance against euils and enemies of all sorts, doth not a little auaile to put more life and heart into faith, as appeareth by the example of Dauid, 1 Sam. 17. 36. where he grew to that strong confidence of ouercom∣ming Goliah, by the former triall of Gods might in hel∣ping him against the Lyon and the Beare. Also Paul re∣solued strongly for time to come, that God would de∣liuer him, because he had deliuered him; 2 Tim. 4. 17, 18. So as the faithfull should doe well to keepe a Regi∣ster of Gods mercies and deliuerances, and often goe ouer them in their remembrance and thoughts, as Pa∣pists supersticiously numbred their prayers ouer their beads; so to refresh their faith by recording and num∣bring Gods seuerall sauours, learning more strongly to trust in him, whom they so well know by experimen∣tall knowledge; Let them which know the Lord, put their trust in him: Psal. 9. 10. Finally, amongst other things, [ 7] which further to bring to this highest pitch of faith, it is of no small moment, to haue a care and watchfull ende∣uour in all things to keepe a good conscience: for it is* 1.13 not written in vaine, that Abrahams faith was perfected by his workes. There is a great neerenesse of kindred be∣tweene faith and obedience: as faith in the promise of mercy breeds obedience to the Commandements, so obedient walking before God, giues more courage to a faithfull man, the more boldly and surely to expect the performance of the promise, being made to such per∣sons as out of loue to God obey his will. Therefore in

Psalme 119. the Prophet often encourageth himselfe to beleeue certainly and firmely that God will be good to him to saue him, because he had this testimony within himselfe, that he endeuoured the keeping of his statutes; Saue me O Lord, for I haue kept thy Testimonies: and a∣gaine; I haue great delight in thy Statutes, therefore quic∣ken me according to thy word: and many suchlike. Thus friend Aquila, in so short roome as I could, I haue an∣swered your foure demands; and for an ouerplus, as be∣fore I laide out certaine markes to trie out the sound∣nesse of desire to beleeue remission of sinnes (which is the least measure of faith:) so I will here deliuer some tokens of the strongest faith, wherby it may be known. The first whereof is this, when a faithfull man is able [ 1] to beleeue the promises, though the meanes seeme euen to fight against the truth of them; as Dauid being a pri∣uate man, yea, and persecuted, yet beleeued the pro∣mise of his aduancement to the Kingdome. And Abra∣ham resteth in the word of Gods promise for Isaac, and the blessing of all nations in him, euen when Gods own word of commandement to kill his sonne did warre a∣gainst the word of promise, to blesse all people in that sonne. Secondly, in many and manifold dangers yet [ 2] still to cleaue to God, with trust in his mercies, as the Saints spoken of, Heb. 11. They were imprisoned, scour∣ged, racked, slaine with the sword, driuen into dennes and caues, and yet they still by faith beleeued God. Thirdly, when any are able to reioyce in their suffe∣ring, [ 3] and to endure their tribulations with gladnesse, as they that suffered the spoyling of their goods with ioy; Hob. 10. 34. and the Apostles, that went away reioycing* 1.14 that they were counted worthy to suffer for his name.

Lastly, if any be ready (if the will of God be) to aduen∣ture [ 4] their liues for Christ, as Antipas, as the Martyres who loued not their liues vnto death: these things, as [ 5, 6] also the contempt of the world, the deniall of our selues, the manifold fruits of charity, when any doe as [ 7] it were forget themselues to seeke the good of others, distributing liberally vnto the necessity of the Saints; these I say are great testimonies of a great measure of Faith: and nothing such a sure token thereof, as to be much and earnest in all kinde of supplications, for our [ 8] selues, for others, and for the whole Church, watching vnto prayer, and being feruent therein. But now good friend Aquila, it is meet we should thinke of repairing to our owne houses, to see if all there be in peace and safety.

Aquila.

Sir, I am greatly beholden to you for your good endeuour in opening these things thus distinct∣ly and plainly, and well content to hearken vnto your motion of returning home, reseruing other matters, which now cannot be dealt in, to our next meeting.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Sundry mea∣sures of a true faith.
• * 1.2

  Faith little & great, wherein they are like.
• * 1.3

  Cornelius.
• * 1.4

  Apostles.
• * 1.5

  Mat. 6.
• * 1.6

  Markes of a sound desire.
• * 1.7

  A fifth marke of a sound de∣sire.
• * 1.8

  Reasons why encrease of grace is to be sought after.
• * 1.9

  That there is a strong faith.
• * 1.10

  That there be diuers mea∣sures of a strong faith, and what they be.
• * 1.11

  Two mea∣sures of strong faith.
• * 1.12

  2 Cor. 12. verse 10.
• * 1.13

  I am. 2. 22.
• * 1.14

  Acts 5. 41.