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

But then to speak to it yet more Comparatively; there are two or three great Agents in the World, that are close at work, and Faith will out-work them all, and do greater things than any of them. 1. There is a Carnal Policy, with Power, which is a great Agent, and Worker, in reference to the Affairs of the World. 2. There is Civil Honesty, a great Agent in reference to our dealing between man and man. And 3. There are Gospel Gifts, Parts, and common Grace, which are great Agents in reference to our Religion. Now, not to show the difference between them, ⟨p. 7⟩but to give you a little taste, that I may make out the general Doctrine, That Faith doth work beyond all. And

But then to speak to it yet more Comparatively; there are two or three great Agents in the World, that are close at work, and Faith wil out-work them al, and do greater things than any of them. 1. There is a Carnal Policy, with Power, which is a great Agent, and Worker, in reference to the Affairs of the World. 2. There is Civil Honesty, a great Agent in reference to our dealing between man and man. And 3. There are Gospel Gifts, Parts, and common Grace, which are great Agents in reference to our Religion. Now, not to show the difference between them, ⟨p. 7⟩but to give you a little tast, that I may make out the general Doctrine, That Faith doth work beyond al. And

First of all: If you compare it with Power, Power clothed with Policy, or Policy clothed with Power: Faith will do more than all Policy and Power can do. And I pray turn unto 2 Chron. 13. where you shall see this clearly proved to you, verse 3. There is a great Battle fought; And Abijah set the Battle in Array, with an Army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: Jeroboam also set the Battle in Array with eight hundred thousand chosen men, being mighty men of Valour: Jeroboam had as many again, Abijah but four hundred thousand. Now if you look into verse 16. it is said the Children of Israel fled before Judah, and Abijah, and his People, slew them with a great slaughter, verse 17. So there fell down slain of Israel, five hundred thousand chosen men, such a slaughter as you shall not hear of: Abijah had but four hundred thousand men, and they slew five hundred thousand, Why? they had power enough, they were as many again: What was the matter, did they wane Policy? it is said verse 13. But Jeroboam caused an Ambushment to come about them; so they were before Judah, and the Ambushment was behind them: here was Power, and here was Policy, and yet this great Army is beaten with half the Company, and five hundred thousand slain: How comes this to pass? Indeed you read of the Children of Judah, That they cried unto the Lord, They cried unto the Lord, at verse 14. But if you will have the reason, look to verse 18. Thus the Children of Israel were brought under at that time; and the Children of Judah prevailed, because they relied on the Lord God of their Fathers. See Faith can do more than all the Power and Policy in the World can do; true saving Faith can do more in reference to the Affairs of the World too: What Power is able to turn the Tide? if the Tide come in, and go out, you may bring in your Vessels with it, or send out your Vessels; who is able to turn the Tide? What power on Earth is able to turn the Tide? And what power of men can turn the power of Providence? or Policy of men, can turn the Tide of Providence? But Faith can do it, true saving Faith can turn the Tide, even of Providence; and therefore it can do greater things than all Power, the greatness of the World joined with Policy.