Now, if faith be such a notable grace of God, then above all things in this world, let us labour for it. We must not content our selves with lip-faith, and so presume upon Gods mercies; but, we must labour for a true and lively faith in Christ, which may purify our hearts, and bring forth fruit in our lives. Here are strong motives to persuade us hereunto: for, what do we desire? riches, honour, or favour, and grace in the world? would we have health, and strength? nay, the favour of God, which is all in all? then, look to get true faith: for, in the practice thereof, thou shalt obtain of God, all needful blessings, both temporal and spiritual. Many toil themselves exceedingly, by worldly means to get temporal blessings, as health, wealth, honour, &c. and yet never attain thereto, because they seek them not by faith. I confess, natural men get many good things: but to them they are no blessings; because they want faith both in getting, and keeping of them: for, they lay all religion aside, and toil themselves wholly in worldly means. This course the child of God must beware of. Say, that a Prince bids one of his servants go to his Treasury, and there enrich himself with Jewels, with gold, and silver, and with whatsoever he lacketh: what will this man do? Surely, first he will call for the keys, whereby he may unlock the doors and chests; for else he can get nothing. Behold, in the Ministry of his word, God shows us his full treasury, wherein we may enrich our selves, with all his blessings: Now, we must not with the fool, run without the key, but ⟨p. 527⟩labour first, for true faith; which is that key, whereby Gods heavenly treasures are opened unto us: and, we must be sure that we have a sound key; that is, a true and sound faith, which may strongly turn about the locks of Gods treasury. For, this is most certain, he that doth unfeignedly believe, shall never want any thing, either in body or soul, that is good for him to have. Every one will say, he believes; but the truth is, that true faith is rare: for, mens hearts are not purified, nor their lives changed; but they remain as sinful as ever they were: which causeth Gods judgements to be rife among us. Wherefore, as we desire our own good, both in soul and body; so let us labour for true faith, and show forth the power of it in our lives.
Now, if faith be such a notable grace of God, then aboue all things in this world, let vs labour for it. We must not content our selues with lip-faith, and so presume vpon Gods mercies; but, wee must labour for a true and liuely faith in Christ, which may purifie our hearts, and bring forth fruit in our lyues. Here are strong motiues to perswade vs hereunto: for, what doe wee desire? riches, honour, or fauour, and grace in the world? would wee haue health, and strength? nay, the fauour of God, which is all in all? then, looke to get true faith: for, in the practice thereof, thou shalt obtaine of God, all needfull blessings, both temporall and spirituall. Many toyle themselues exceedingly, by worldly meanes to get temporall blessings, as health, wealth, honour, &c. and yet neuer attaine thereto, because they seeke them not by faith. I confesse, naturall men get many good things: but to them they are no blessings; because they want faith both in getting, and keeping of them: for, they lay all religion aside, and toyle themselues wholly in worldly meanes. This course the childe of God must beware of. Say, that a Prince bids one of his seruants goe to his Treasurie, and there inrich himselfe with Iewels, with gold, and siluer, and with whatsoeuer he lacketh: what will this man doe? Surely, first hee will call for the keyes, wherby he may vnlocke the doors and chests; for else he can get nothing. Behold, in the Ministerie of his word, God shewes vs his full treasury, wherin wee may inrich our selues, with all his blessings: Now, wee must not with the foole, runne without the key, but ⟨p. 527⟩labour first, for true faith; which is that key, whereby Gods heauenly treasures are opened vnto vs: and, we must be sure that we haue a sound key; that is, a true and sound faith, which may strongly turn about the lockes of Gods treasury. For, this is most certaine, he that doth vnfainedly beleeue, shall neuer want any thing, either in body or soule, that is good for him to haue. Euery one will say, hee beleeues; but the truth is, that true faith is rare: for, mens hearts are not purified, nor their lyues changed; but they remaine as sinnefull as ever they were: which causeth Gods iudgements to be rife among vs. Wherefore, as we desire our owne good, both in soule and body; so let vs labour for true faith, and shewe forth the power of it in our lyues.
