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

Direct. 17. Exercise Faith much in those proper works, in which self and sense are most denied and overcome.

Direct. 17. Exercise Faith much in those proper works, in which self and sense are most denyed and overcome.

Bodily motions and labours which we are not used to, are done both unskilfully, and with pain. If Faith be not much exercised in its warfare, and victorious acts, you will neither know its strength, nor find it to be strong, when you come to use it. It is not the easy and common acts of Faith, which will serve turn, to try and strengthen it. As the life of sense is the adversary which Faith must conquer; so use it much in such conflicts and conquests, if you would find it strong and useful: Use it in such acts of mortification and self-denial, as will plainly show, that it over ruleth sense: Use it in patience and rejoicing in such sufferings, and in contentment in so low and cross a state, where you are sure that sight and sense do not contribute to your peace and joy: Use it not only in giving some little of your superfluities, but in giving your whole two mites, even all your substance, and selling all and giving to the poor, when indeed God maketh it your duty: At least in forsaking all for his sake in a day of trial. Faith never doth work so like it self, so clearly, so powerfully, and so comfortably, as in these self-denying and overcoming acts, when it doth not work alone, without the help of sense to comfort us; but also against sense, which would discourage us, Luke 18.22, 23. & 14.26, 33. 2 Cor. 5.7.

Bodily motions and labours which we are not used to, are done both unskilfully, and with pain. If Faith be not much exercised in its warfare, and victorious acts, you will neither know its strength, nor find it to be strong, when you come to use it. It is not the easie and common acts of Faith, which will serve turn, to try and strengthen it. As the life of sense is the adversary which Faith must conquer; so use it much in such conflicts and conquests, if you would find it strong and usefull: Use it in such acts of mortification and self-denyal, as will plainly shew, that it over ruleth sense: Use it in patience and rejoycing in such sufferings, and in contentment in so low and cross a state, where you are sure that sight and sense do not contribute to your peace and joy: Use it not only in giving some little of your superfluities, but in giving your whole two mites, even all your substance, and selling all and giving to the poor, when indeed God maketh it your duty: At least in forsaking all for his sake in a day of tryal. Faith never doth work so like it self, so clearly, so powerfully, and so comfortably, as in these self-denying and overcoming acts, when it doth not work alone, without the help of sense to comfort us; but also against sense, which would discourage us,