I. Scripture-light the most sure light ... delivered in three sermons on 2 Pet.…

Answ. 1 First: Faith doth give a man the true prospect of things, past, present, and to come, and of things as they are. Whence are all our Fears, and Discouragements? but from hence, That men do not see things as they are: If Evil be stirring, they think it is greater than it is: If Good be stirring, they think it is lesser than it is. If a man be in Temptation, then he loseth the sight of his former Experiences, and so he is much discouraged. If a man be under a Desertion, he loseth the sight of what is present, what God is to him, and what he is to God; and so he is discouraged. If a man be under an Affliction, he loseth the sight of what is to come; the end, and the issue of the Affliction, and so he is disquieted. But ⟨p. 334⟩now when Faith comes, it opens a mans Eyes to see things that are invisible; it is the Evidence of things not seen: By Faith, Moses saw him that was invisible. And therefore when the Apostle Peter doth direct his People for to see things past, present, and to come, he exhorts them to a work of Faith, Epist. 1. ver. 9. He that l•cks these things, is blind; one of those things is Faith, as you read in verse 5. Give all diligence, •ad to your Faith, &c. then, He that lacketh these things, is blind, at verse 9. But suppose a man do want Faith; wherein is he blind? Why, saith the Apostle, He cannot see things afar off, he cannot see into the other world, he cannot see unto the end of a Temptation, or Affliction, or to the end of a Desertion. Well, but though he cannot see things that are to come, yet he may see things that are past: Nay, saith he, if a man wants the Assurance of Gods Love (and that is an Act of Faith) he ha•h forgotten that he was purged from his old sins: Wherefore the rather (saith he at ver•e 10.) Brethren, give all diligence to make your Calling and Election sure. If you would see things past, present, and to come, then grow in Faith, and Assurance of Gods Love, and so saith he, shall you be able to see things that are afar off. Could a man but see what would be the end, and issue of his Affliction, he would be quiet under it. It is in regard of our Affliction, as it is in regard of your Salt, or Sea Water: Take the Water as it is in the Sea, and so it is salt, and brackish; but drawn up by the Sun into the Clouds, it becomes sweet, and falls down into sweet Rain.