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.

* 1.1THE EIGHTH RULE.

CHAP. XI. Whether doest thou use the meanes to grow in Faith, and to streng∣then it?

IN the handling of this Rule, I will observe this methode, and declare these points: 1. I will shew, that Christians must strive to strengthen their faith. 2. I will propound some Reasons to induce them to strengthen their faith. 3. I wil direct them to the meanes, by which they may learne how to strengthen it. 4. I will declare, that if they labour in the use of meanes, they may strengthen it. 5. And lastly, I will apply this Rule, and exhort the Reader to try himselfe by it.

[§. 1] Christians must labour to strengthen their faith.

That Christians must labour to strengthen their faith, appeares by the

Word of God. First, in Paul, where he exhorts the Colossians to be rooted and built vp in Christ, and strengthened in the faith;* 1.2 shewing that it was not enough for them to be planted in Christ, except they were rooted in him: for else how can they watch and stand fast in the faith;* 1.3 how can they quite themselues like men, and be strong? Secondly, in Peter, where he exhorts the Christian and beleeving Iewes, to grow in grace,* 1.4 and in the know∣ledge of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ, signifying unto them, that when they are once begotten to the faith, and new borne in Christ, they must not be babes still, but grow in spirituall strength to a perfect man in Christ, euen to the mea∣sure of the fulnesse of the age of Christ.* 1.5 Lastly, this is taught us by the Word of God in Iudes Epistle, Verse 5. where he exhorts the Christian Israelites to edifie one another in their most holy faith:* 1.6 intima∣ting that it is not enough to have the foundation of faith laid in us, except we bee further edified and built vp in the same, to be an holy temple to the Lord.* 1.7

Why Christians must strengthen their [§. 2] Faith.

Touching the second point, although

these three plaine Texts are sufficient to perswade any reasonable man to labour to strengthen his faith; yet for a better inforcing of this point, I will adde some reasons why they must so doe, whereof some are taken from the necessitie of this duty, and some from the fruit and benefit of it. The Reasons that are ta∣ken from the necessity of labouring to strengthen our faith, are three.

The first is borrowed from the nature and condition of our faith in this life, which is but weake and imperfect, and therefore hath need to be strengthened; for wee know in part,* 1.8 wee beleeue in part;* 1.9 so that as men doe therefore take foode and Physicke for the strengthe∣ning of their bodies, because they are fraile, weake and mortall; so therefore should Christians use the meanes of spi∣rituall food and Physick, for the streng∣thening of their soules unto eternall life; namely, because their faith is weak for the most part.

My second Reason that prooves it it necessary for Christians to strengthen their faith, is drawne from the conside∣ration of Satans malice, who useth all meanes to weaken it; yea, quite to sub∣uert and ouerturne it (if it were possi∣ble)

as may be seene in the case of Peter, who was winnowed by Satan,* 1.10 that his faith might faile. For I demand, if a house be∣ginne to sinke or reele of one side,* 1.11 will we not put vnder some shore to prop it vp? Or if any man question the Title of Land we have purchased, will wee not search Records, and use meanes to strengthen our Title? Or if an enemy lay siege to a Citie to conquer it; or a thiefe seeke to breake into an house to rob it: will not the Inhabitants of that Citie, or that house, fortifie and defend it? if they doe not, they are worthy to be made Vassals, and be spoiled of their goods. Euen so, when Christians doe know that Satan labours to weaken their faith; yea, wholly (if it were pos∣sible) to subuert it, they have reason to strengthen the same, specially, seeing by faith wee stand in the grace and favour of God: by being stedfast in the faith,* 1.12 wee resist Satan: seeing faith is our victory,* 1.13 whereby we ouercome the world: see∣ing faith is a brest-plate, or Corslet,* 1.14 whereby we beare off all the strokes of Satan, that they cannot hurt us to death; yea, it is the Shield and armour of proofe, whereby wee quench all the fiery darts of the Divell,* 1.15 that they cannot

wound us vnto damnation.

The third reason enforcing a necessi∣tie of strengthening our faith, is taken from the consideration of the nature and condition of the life of Christians in this world, which is subiect by af∣flictions, to many tryals that require strength of faith to undergoe them, and to make use of them, that wee faile not vnder them. For upon this ground Paul exhorts the Christians at Antioch to continue in the faith;* 1.16 because we must through many tribulations, enter into the Kingdome of Heaven: and upon the same ground Paul sends Timothy to the Thessa∣lonian Christians, to stablish and comfort them in their faith, to the end they might not bee mooved by the afflictions of those times, which hee told them beforehand they must suffer, 1. Thes. 3.2, 3, 4. And no marvell: for when the stormy tempests of affliction and persecution beat upon us, how shall we be able to stand, if wee be not deepely founded on a Rocke? Surely a silly Woman will make us de∣ny our Master, as Peter did, if we be not strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might; and if in feeling of the weak∣nesse of our faith, wee labour not in the use of meanes to strengthen it.

The second ground of Reasons to per∣swade us to strengthen our faith, is ta∣ken from the benefit that comes by this labour, and by the strengthening of our faith; and the benefits are likewise three.

The first is this, that if wee use meanes to strengthen our faith, we shall increase our spirituall comfort; for the stronger our faith is, the stronger is the consolation, the sweeter are the comforts, and the more permanent are the ioyes of our soules, that proceede from our saving faith within us.

The second benefit of strengthening our faith is, that hereby we shall finde in us the more, and the more liuely fruits of our faith in holy obedience: for the stronger our faith is, the more constant and conscionable shall be our serving of God, in caring to please him, and fea∣ring to offend him; for hereby we shall draw downe from the death and Resur∣rection of Christ, dwelling in our hearts by faith, Ephes. 3.17. more strength to dye to sinne, and to walke in newnesse of life.

The third and last benefit of streng∣thening our faith, is, continuance and perseverance in the faith, whereby wee

shall come to attaine to the end of our faith, which is the salvation of our soules. For we shall be presented, holy and unblameable before God at Christs second comming,* 1.17 if wee continue in the faith, rooted and settled, and bee not mooved away from the hope of the Gospell.

[§. 3] What be the meanes of strengthning our Faith.

But though we know wee are com∣manded to use meanes to strengthen our faith, and the reasons why: yet if there be no means to strengthen it, how shall we strengthen it? It remaines ther∣fore in the next place, that I shew what the meanes be which God hath ordai∣ned for that end. And of these, the first is, the continuall hearing of the Word, w^ch is the obiect of a saving faith, viz. the Gospell. For to this end doth Paul cōmend the Ephesians to God,* 1.18 and to the Word of his grace, to the end they might bee built up thereby. And for that end he de∣sires to see the Romanes, whom hee had by preaching at first converted to the Faith,* 1.19 that hee might bestow vpon them a spirituall gift to strengthen them, and to see the Thessalonians,* 1.20 that he might perfect that which was lacking in their faith: and for

this end doth Peter command the Chri∣stian Iewes, as new born babes,* 1.21 to desire the sincere milke of the Word, namely, that they might grow thereby:* 1.22 for the Word is liuely and mighty in operation,* 1.23 and able to streng∣then it; and besides, it is a fit meanes to strengthen our faith; because it was the meanes whereby it was at first be∣gotten in us.

The second meanes to strengthen our faith, is the frequent use of the Sacra∣ment of the Lords Supper.

For if Circumcision were a seale of the righteousnesse of faith,* 1.24 why not the Lords Supper also, being a Sacrament as well as it, and a Sacrament of the New Covenant or Testament? I do not meane, that the Sacraments confirm the promise of the Gospell in it selfe, nor in respect of God, but in regard of us, who by reason of our weake faith, stand in need of the confirmation thereof, and who without it, should not bee so sure of obtaining salvation by faith in Christ, as otherwise with it wee are: And therfore (me thinks) hath the Lord Iesus ordained specially one of the Sa∣craments of the New Testament in a Supper, and in Bread and Wine; not onely to teach us, that now he hath put

an end to all the carnall & fleshly sacrifi∣ces & offrings of the Law, by this Bread and Wine representing himselfe: but also to teach thereby,* 1.25 that as Bread and Wine doe naturally nourish our bodies: so the benefits of the body and bloud of Christ crucified comfort our soules; and not so onely, but that the ordinance of the Lords Supper doth also nou∣rish, increase, and strengthen our faith in the death of the Lord Iesus Christ, there represented for the further assu∣rance of our salvation thereby; euen as those creatures nourish our bodies.

The third meanes of strengthening our faith is the frequent use, and feruent exercise of Prayer to God, in the name of Christ, the obiect of our faith. This the Apostles knew, and therefore doe they all pray to the Lord,* 1.26 to increase their faith: and this the poore man in the Gospell knew also; and therefore ha∣ving said,* 1.27 Lord, I beleeue, he prayes in the next words, as in one breath, Lord, helpe my unbeliefe: & no marvell for if Prayer bee a meanes to obtaine a blessing of strength, to the meanes that God is pleased to give us for the preservation of our corporall strength, and bodily life:* 1.28 then well may it bee a meane

to obtaine strength to our faith, where∣in consists our spirituall strength. If Prayer bee a meane to strengthen the faith of other Christians,* 1.29 and to con∣firme in them other graces, then why should it not be a meanes to strengthen our faith in Christ, and to increase it for the further comfort of our soules in Christ, in whom our faith is fixed?

The fourth and last meanes that I will mention for the strengthening of our faith, is the meditation on the power, truth, goodnesse, and mercy of God, in performing of his promises made unto us in Iesus Christ, both of grace and glory; specially for spirituall blessings in heavenly things: for here∣by wee are the rather assured that he is able and willing to make them good.

For as the consideration of the ho∣nesty and sufficiencie of a man that makes us a promise of any thing,* 1.30 giues us good incouragement to beleeue wee shall have it, and make us with pati∣ence to expect it: euen so the meditati∣on of Gods power, truth and good∣nesse, doth strengthen our faith to make us rest in him, and trust unto him for the good things promised: yea, with pa∣tience to expect the receiving of them.* 1.31

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,* 1.32 that they that aske and seeke, shall find and haue. Speciall as namely, that of Saint Paul,* 1.33 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,* 1.34 that is, from one measure of faith to another; and that of Christs fulnes we all receiue grace for grace.* 1.35

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.* 1.36 The Thessalonians, whose faith grew excee∣dingly: The Corinthians,* 1.37 who abounded and increased in faith: and Abraham himselfe the father of the faithfull,* 1.38 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.

The application and use of this Rule.

Now then, to come to the last thing promised in handling this Rule: Exa∣mine thy selfe, good Reader, whether thou dost with care & conscience, with diligence & continuance, use the means prescribed or no: if thou doe not, it is to bee feared, either thou hast no faith at all; and then it is no wonder thou doe

not labour to strengthen it, (for thou canst not strengthen that which is not) or that it is such a one, that will proove weaker euery day then other, for want of spirituall meanes to strengthen it. For I demand,* 1.39 can a bulrush grow with∣out water; or seede without heart of earth? Can the body be strong to labour, without food and rest? no more can faith in Christ without the water of life, or the food of our soules. And therefore as men in the world,* 1.40 Merchants and Tradesmen, doe not content themselves with a little wealth or stocke, but striue and labour to increase it, to hundreds or thousands; so doe not thou content thy selfe with a small portion of these hea∣venly treasures, but labour to increase it; and the rather, because of the worlds many allurements to weaken it, and Sa∣tans great malice, to ouerturne it.

But if on the other side, thou finde in thy selfe a desire of thy heart, an ende∣vour of thy minde, and an use of the means to strengthen thy faith, then per∣swade thy selfe thy faith is sound. For it argues thou feelest need to strengthen it;* 1.41 for thou takest heed thou fall not, thou makest sure to thy selfe thine own Calling and Election, and workest out thy salvation with

feare and trembling; thou takest heed to thy selfe,* 1.42 that there bee not in thee an evill heart of infidelitie to depart away from the li∣ving God, and therefore art thou like to abide and continue: for blessed is hee that feareth alwayes. Likewise it argues thou hast an eye to the Lord for helpe, and to his ordinance for strength, by meanes whereof, thou maist well in faith expect it, and find it, to the end that hereby be∣ing strengthened in thy faith, thou maist be faithfull to the death,* 1.43 and being faithfull to the death, thou maist receiue the crowne of life; only goe on still in the use of meanes as thou hast begun, goe on (I say) as long as thou livest in this world, and bee of Pauls mind, who never thought he had faith enough; and therefore still labou∣red to know Christ,* 1.44 and the power of his Re∣surrection: still pray for Gods blessing on the meanes, and depend on him for the same: and hee that hath commanded thee to use the meanes to shew thy obe∣dience to his wil, & promised a blessing,* 1.45 to the end thou mightest trust in him for the same, will in due time cause thee to reape of the fruit, if thou faint not,* 1.46 know∣ing this assuredly that thy labour shall not be in vaine in the Lord. And so I come at length to the conclusion of my Treatise.

At length, after many paces, and pas∣sages, I am drawing on to my iourneys end, (that is) toward a conclusion of my Discourse of the tryall of faith: where∣in, as largely as was needfull, as plainely as for me was possible, and as sufficient∣ly as God enabled me; I haue laboured to perswade and incourage Christians, to examine themselves whether they haue a saving faith.

To perswade them, I haue prooved the point, by alledging reasons for it, and cleered it by answering obiections against it: by which it may appeare it is necessary to be done.

And to incourage men thereunto, I haue set down certaine rules to direct them how they may try their faith, and exhorted to the tryall of it by those rules: by which it may be discerned that it is possible to be done.

It remaineth, that as a Traueller, after a hard iourney, I sit me downe: (that is) that I finish the whole Worke, and ha∣ving done, that I make an end.

And wherewithall shall I doe this better (having already commended it to the Christian Reader in the Preface) then with a suppliant prayer to the Fa∣ther of Lights, that he would be pleased

in Iesus Christ to accept of these my poore labours in his Vineyard, and to blesse them to the good thereof: As also with an humble thankesgiving to the same eternall Maiesty, (God blessed for euermore) for health & strength of bo∣dy, wherby I haue had opportunity, and for some measure of understanding in the mysterie of Christ, whereby I have had abilitie to write this Treatise.

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Fa∣ther of our Lord Iesus Christ,* 1.47 of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named; that he would grant you, according to the ri∣ches of his glory, to be strengthned with might by his Spirit in the inner Man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith: that yee being rooted & grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all Saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and to know the loue of Christ, which passeth knowledge: that ye might be filled with all the fulnesse of God. Now unto him, that is able to doe exceeding abundantly, aboue all that wee aske or thinke, according to the power that worketh in us: unto him bee glory in the Church, by Iesus Christ, throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Rule 8.
• * 1.2

  Col. 2.7.
• * 1.3

  1. Cor. 16.13.
• * 1.4

  2. Pet. 3.
• * 1.5

  Ephes. 4.13.
• * 1.6

  Iude ver. 20.
• * 1.7

  Ephes. 2.21.
• * 1.8

  1. Cor. 13.9.
• * 1.9

  Simil.
• * 1.10

  Luk. 22.31.
• * 1.11

  Simil.
• * 1.12

  Gal. 5.22.
• * 1.13

  1. Pet. 5.8. 1. Iob. 5.4.
• * 1.14

  2. Thes. 5.8.
• * 1.15

  Ephes. 6.17.
• * 1.16

  Act. 14.22.
• * 1.17

  Colos. 2.21.
• * 1.18

  Act. 20.31.
• * 1.19

  Rom. 1.11.
• * 1.20

  1. Thes 3.10.
• * 1.21

  1. Pet. 2.2.
• * 1.22

  Heb. 4 12.
• * 1.23

  Act. 20.32.
• * 1.24

  Rom. 4.11.
• * 1.25

  Psal. 104.14.15.
• * 1.26

  Luke 17.5.
• * 1.27

  Mar. 9.24.
• * 1.28

  1. Tim. 4 4.
• * 1.29

  1. Thes. 3.10. Phil. 1.9.
• * 1.30

  Simil.
• * 1.31

  Ro. 4.19, 20, 21
• * 1.32

  Math. 7.7.
• * 1.33

  2. Cor. 9.8.
• * 1.34

  Rom. 1.17.
• * 1.35

  Ioh. 1.16.
• * 1.36

  Iam. 2.5.
• * 1.37

  2. Thess. 3. 2. Cor, 8.7. & 10.15.
• * 1.38

  Rom. 4.20.
• * 1.39

  Job 8.11. Mat. 13.5.
• * 1.40

  Simil.
• * 1.41

  1. Cor. 10.12. 2. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 1.10. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 2.••2.
• * 1.42

  Heb. 3.12.
• * 1.43

  Revel. 2.10.
• * 1.44

  Phil. 3.9.
• * 1.45

  Gal. 6.9.
• * 1.46

  1. Cor. 15. vlt.
• * 1.47

  Ephes. 3.14. to the end of the Chapter.