2. Use of Consolation.
Well then, bless the Lord for the least degree of saving Faith, and be not * so discouraged at its imperfections as to over-look and slight the smalest working of faith in your souls. This poor man was deeply sensible of his un∣belief, and yet at the same instant truly Page 134 thankful for a small measure of Faith, and so should you. For
First: The least measure of saving Faith is more than all Creatures power could produce: 'Tis the faith of the o∣peration of God, Col. 2. 12. 'tis the work of God that ye believe, Joh. 6. 29. Yea, 'tis the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward, who believe ac∣cording to the working of his mighty power, Eph. 1. 19, 20. No Ministers of Christ, how excellent soever their gifts are, no duties or ordinances; no la∣bour or diligence of your own, without this mighty power of God, can ever bring you to Faith.
Secondly: 'Tis just matter of won∣der and astonishment that ever one spark of faith was kindled in such an heart as thine is; an heart which had no predisposition or inclination in the least to believe; yea, it was not rasa tabula, like clean paper, vo•…d of any impression of faith, but fill'd with con∣trary impressions to it; so that it's marvelous that ever your hearts re∣ceived the stamp or impression of faith on them.
Page 135 It was wonderful that fire should fall from Heaven, and burn upon the Altar, when Elijah had laid the wood in or∣der upon it, but much more when he poured so much water upon it, as not only wet all the wood, but fill'd the Trenches, 1 King. 18. 33. Just so was the case of thy soul Reader, when God came to kindle faith there. Thy heart was dark and ignorant, neither ac∣quainted with God or thy own condi∣tion; yea, thy heart was a proud heart, full of self-righteousness and self-con∣ceitedness, Rev. 3. 17. Rom. 10. 3. a heart that would rather venture Eter∣nal Damnation, than deny Self, and submit to Christ; and yet the light of the Lord must shine into this darkness, and the pride and stiffness of thy heart must be broken and brought to yield, or there is no believing.
Beside: How many and mighty E∣nemies did oppose the work of Faith in thy soul? Among which Satan, and thy own carnal reasonings were the principal, 2 Cor. 10. 4. By them what strong holds and sortifications were raised to secure thee from the strokes of conviction, and made way for Faith. Let but the state of thine own heart as Page 136 it was by nature, be considered; and thou wilt say, it is the wonderful work of God that ever thou wast brought in any degree to believe.
Thirdly: Though thy Faith be weak, yet it is growing, if it be saving faith. The largest Tree was once but a Kernel or Acorn: The most famous Believer at first but a weak and doubt∣ing one. Be not discouraged there∣fore, God will fulfil all the good plea∣sure of his goodness in you, and the work of faith with power. It were certain∣ly much better for you to be blessing God for a little faith, praying for the increase of faith, and diligently atten∣ding those means by which it may be improved and made flourishing in your souls, than by a sinful, ungrateful and prejudicial despondency, at once to dishonour God, and thus wrong your selves.
