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

2. But lest you be deceived in your trial, and lest you mistake me as if I tried the weak by the measure of the strong, and laid all your comfort upon such strong affections, and high degrees, as fight it self would work within you, I shall briefly tell you, how you may know whether you have any faith that's true and saving, though in the least degree. Though none of us are affected to that height as we should be, if we had the sight of all that we do believe, yet all that have any saving belief of invisible things, will have these four signs of faith within them.

2. But lest you be deceived in your trial, and lest you mistake me as if I tryed the weak by the measure of the strong, and laid all your comfort upon such strong affections, and high degrees, as fight it self would work within you, I shall briefly tell you, how you may know whether you have any faith that's true and saving, though in the least degree. Though none of us are affected to that height as we should be, if we had the sight of all that we do believe, yet all that have any saving belief of invisible things, will have these four signs of faith within them.

1. A sound belief of things unseen, will cause a practical estimation of them, and that above all earthly things. A glimpse of ⟨p. 23⟩the heavenly glory as in a glass, will cause the soul deliberately to say, [This is the chief desirable felicity; this is the Crown, the Pearl, the Treasure; nothing but this can serve my turn. It will debase the greatest pleasures, or riches, or honours of the world in your esteem. How contemptible will they seem, while you see God stand by, and Heaven as it were set open to your view; you'll see there's little cause to envy the prosperous servants of the world; you will pity them, as miserable in their mirth, and bound in the fetters of their folly and concupiscence; and as strangers to all solid joy and honour. You will be moved with some compassion to them in their misery, when they are braving it among men, and domineering for a little while; and you will think, alas poor man! Is this all thy glory! Hast thou no better wealth, no higher honour, no sweeter pleasures than these husks? With such a practical judgement as you value gold above dirt, and jewels above common stones; you will value Heaven above all the riches and pleasures of this world, if you have indeed a living saving faith,