Soule-reviving influences of the sun of righteousnesse, or Some bright beames of light and love, sparkling from Christ upon the darke and drooping hearts of sin-weakend and clouded believers, even while we are in this solitary wildernesse, not yet arrived at the land of spirituall Canaan; but taking a turne in the darke and dampe valley of the shadow of death. With several evangelicall and heart-winning incouragements to the life of faith in the Sonne of God, notwithstanding our manifold weaknesses and hainous provocations; yea to the keeping up of the same comfort, hope confidence, and joy in him in the sadest straights, of the sorest darknesse.

I feare that my faith is not the faith of Gods Elect, but a presumption, it being attended with so many doubtings.

Poore heart, consider five things, viz.

1. Consider, that though faith is not doubting, and doubting not faith, yet both of them usually lodg in one soule. Thy fears and doubts are indeed the effects of unbeliefe, but

do argue only weaknesse of faith; and sure it is, that faith may be true and lively, when weake and smal; yea further, there may be not only true, but great faith, where there is feare and trembling; so that you neither put faith for unbeliefe, nor light for darknesse.

2. Consider, that to doubt, because of doubting, is to relie rather upon our faith then upon Christ; it is not the greatnesse of our faith, but Christ whom faith receives and apprehends that makes us accepted; and this a weake faith may doe, as truly as the strongest. Those that were stung of the fiery Scorpion, and looked up to the Brazen Serpent, though with the weakest eye of faith, were healed; Christ is the same to the weak, that he is to the strong in point of justificati∣on; yet the more of Christ, and of faith, that a man hath, the more strength and comfort he enjoyes. It is our dutie in the strength of Christ, to withstand doubting (it being a weak∣nesse, and a flie in our box of oynt∣ment) and to endeavor to be strong in faith, and lay hold on that everlasting

Covenant, which God hath made and confirmed with an oath.

3. Consider that none is able to perswade a soul that it doth believe, but he on whom it believes. God shall perswade Japheth; who can more prin∣cipally, and with clearer satisfaction, perswade the Spouse of the good will of him she loves, but himselfe? Can all the love-tokens, or testimonial rings, and bracelets? They may con∣curre and help in the manifestation; But it is the voice of the beloved, that efficaciously doth the work. My belo∣ved spake and said unto mee, rise up my Love, my faire one, saith the Spouse.

4. Consider, that we are to believe, that we may know we believe, that we may be sealed with the holy Spirit of promise, for the witnesse comes by believing; The Spirit bearing wit∣nesse. And he that believeth, hath the witnesse in himselfe. We believe and are sure; the way to be warme, is not only to ask for a fire, or whether there be one or not, and hold out the hands towards it, and away, and wish for a greater; but to stand close unto that

fire there is, and to gather heat: Take heed, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbeliefe in departing from the living God. They entred not in, because of unbeliefe.

5. Consider the happiness of a be∣liever in Christ; feed thy faith with suitable promises; live upon Christ a∣bove; pray in faith, ask his Spirit, and thou shalt have it, which will revive and fill thy soule with joy, and peace in believing: In the same measure that God reveals his love to a soule, in that measure doubts and fears are cast out; perfect love casts out fear.

Notes

• 18 Dis∣courage∣ment.
• * Certane in me de meipso cu∣jus potissi∣mum esse videar.
• Luk. 8. 47, 48.
• Isa. 5. 20
• Num. 21. 9
• Isa. 45. 22.
• Gal. 3, 28
• Mark. 9. 24
• Heb. 6. 18 19
• Gen. 2. 7.
• Cant. 2. 10
• Eph. 1. 13.
• 1 John. 5. 6, 10.
• Rom. 8. 16
• John 6 69
• Heb. 3. 12.
• Heb. 4. 6
• Heb. 3. 19.
• Luke 11. 23.
• 1 Jo••. 4. 18