A tryall of faith by the touch-stone of the Gospel, the word of faith. Whereby Christians may discerne whether or no, they have a saving faith. First preached in the parish church of St Nic. Col. Abby London, by William Chibald pastor there; and now published for the further benefit of that his congregation, and all other that confesse with their mouth the Lord Iesus, and with their heart beleeve on him vnto salvation.

That Christians may strengthen their faith by these meanes.

[§. 4] But though these bee meanes that in themselves bee powerfull to strengthen our faith: yet if it be doubtfull whether they will take effect accordingly, wee shall haue little heart to use them: ther∣fore am I in the fourth place to shew, that if Christians doe use these and the like meanes for the strengthning of their faith, in manner and measure as they should, they may confirme it hereby, and that they shall finde the same by Gods blessing effectuall to that end; for beeing Gods ordinances, why should they not be effectuall to Gods ends, for the good of Gods people? And this shall appeare: 1. By the promises of God, 2. By the examples of the godly.

The promises are generall or speciall. Generall,* 1.1 that they that aske and seeke, shall find and haue. Speciall as namely, that of Saint Paul,* 1.2 where hee saith, The Lord shall cause all grace to abound to the faithfull; and that the righteousnesse of God is re∣vealed from faith to faith,* 1.3 that is, from one measure of faith to another; and that of Christs fulnes we all receiue grace for grace.* 1.4

This point likewise is made plaine by the examples of the godly in the Word,

whose faith hath been strengthened by these meanes, as namely, the Christian Iewes, who are said to bee rich in faith.* 1.5 The Thessalonians, whose faith grew excee∣dingly: The Corinthians,* 1.6 who abounded and increased in faith: and Abraham himselfe the father of the faithfull,* 1.7 who was strong in the faith.

And yet for all this, I would not have men to iudge, as if I meant that al Chri∣stians, by the use of the meanes, shall at∣tain unto a like measure of the strength of faith; for that is not to bee expected: but that they shall attaine unto such a measure of spiritual strength thereby, as shall be able to support them from finall falling away frō God, or fainting under the afflictions of this life, with which God is pleased to try their faith in this world.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Math. 7.7.
• * 1.2

  2. Cor. 9.8.
• * 1.3

  Rom. 1.17.
• * 1.4

  Ioh. 1.16.
• * 1.5

  Iam. 2.5.
• * 1.6

  2. Thess. 3. 2. Cor, 8.7. & 10.15.
• * 1.7

  Rom. 4.20.