The life of faith in three parts, the first is a sermon on Heb.…

Having told you how Faith must be confirmed, I am next to tell you how it must be used. And in this I shall begin with some General Directions, and then proceed to such particular cases, in which we have the greatest use for Faith.

HAving told you how Faith must be confirmed, I am next to tell you how it must be used. And in this I shall begin with some General Directions, and then proceed to such particular cases, in which we have the greatest use for Faith.

Direct. 1. Remember the necessity of Faith in all the business of your hearts and lives, that nothing can be done well without it. There is no sin to be conquered, no grace to be exercised, no worship to be performed, nor no acts of mercy, or justice, or worldly business, to be well done without it, in any manner acceptable to God. Without Faith it is impossible to please God, Heb. 11.6. You may as well go about your bodily work without your eye-sight, as about your spiritual work without Faith.

Direct. 2. Make it therefore your care and work to get Faith, and to use it; and think not that God must reveal his mind to you, as in visions, while you idly neglect your proper work. Believing is the first part of your trade of life; and the practice of it must be your constant business. It is not living ordinarily by sense, and looking when God will cast in the light of Faith extraordinarily, which is indeed the life of Faith: Nor is it seeming to stir up Faith in a Prayer or Sermon, and looking no more after it all the day: This is but to give God a salutation, and not to dwell and walk with him: And to give Heaven a complemental visit sometimes, but not to have your conversation there, 2 Cor. 5.7, 8