The Breastplate of Faith and Love

¹You will say, This is more then I can do; this is Gods action, he must set faith awork, and work this in me.

¹You will say, This is more then I can doe; this is Gods action, he must set faith aworke, and worke this in me.

1. 1Object.Obiect.

¹I say, thou art able to do this of thy self, ⟨p. 139⟩when thou hast faith once. I speak to those that have it, and this exhortation is to you. If you have faith, use it: many have it, that do not use it. This is a thing that you are able to do: For though God work in you all the work of faith, as it is received; yet know, he doth not work in you only, but by you; he makes you instruments: you are not as dead instruments, but as living instruments, to move of your selves. It is true, that before you have faith you are able to do nothing; but when you have it once, then you are able to use it. Before a man hath life,² he is not able to stir, but when he hath life once, then he is able to move and stir himself, for there is life there. when the Lamp is once lighted,³ you know you may feed it with Oil, and if you put more Oil to it, you shall have the greater flame: There is light, and you may increase it; indeed the difficulty is to light it; and that is Gods work; he kindles the first fire, he works faith in the heart: But now, when thou hast it, learn to use it. Dost thou think a necessity lies upon us to use other Talents that GOD hath put into our hands, and will he not require that thou shouldst use the Talent of Faith? Wilt thou wrap that in a Napkin, and let it lye dead by thee? Will not he call thee to an account for it? What folly is it, (my brethren) you have faith, which is so excellent a Grace, able to do so great things as it is, and yet you will not use it. There are