IF Faith be that grace that will carry a soul through the hardest things,1 then here is comfort to those who have true Faith, you have that which will uphold you, which will certainly bear you out, and safely, and comfortably carry you through all the troubles that you can meet withal in this world: When you hear of the many afflictions that Gods people are exercised withal, and the many troubles through which we must pass to Heaven, be not discouraged, you have more then your own strength. It is a notable speech of Cyprian, 2He that once overcome death for us, always overcomes death in us; you have more with you then against you; God hath given you that which will strengthen you against all,3 ⟨p. 250⟩that none of them shall ever separate you from God; this grace will be sufficient for you, this is a sure Antidote against all poison; this is a safe shield against all fiery darts, all the evils that can befall you, will be but the exercise of your faith, to make it more bright and shining, and the trial of your faith, which is a most precious things, 1 Pet. 1. 7. The trial of your faith, says the Apostle, is more precious then gold that perisheth, although it be tried with fire; and this trial will be found to your praise, and honour, and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. Observe how the Apostle heaps up words, praise, honour, and glory for the setting out what a blessed thing the very trial of our faith is, showing how all the troubles of the Saints, considering what a principle they have to carry them through, are a greater good unto them, then if they met with none; with what confidence, and courage, may a man resist any opposition, when he knows before-hand, that he hath that which which will quell it, and that ⟨p. 251⟩all opposition is but for the exercise and trial of his strength; which certainly shall be to his praise, and honour, and glory. Although you think you have no strength, to encounter with such great trials as you are like to meet withal, yet labour to quiet your hearts in the exercise of Faith alone, that will bring in strength enough: whatsoever you think would strengthen you, you shall find it all in the exercise of Faith. That place is very observable, Isay 30. 7. Your strength is to sit still: They thought their strength had been in the help of Egypt, as if nothing could help them but Egypt:
IF Faith be that grace that will carry a soule through the hardest things,1 then here is comfort to those who have true Faith, you have that which will uphold you, which will certainly beare you out, and safely, and comfortably carry you through all the troubles that you can meet withall in this world: When you heare of the many afflictions that Gods people are exercised withall, and the many troubles through which we must passe to Heaven, be not discouraged, you have more then your owne strength. It is a notable speech of Cyprian, 2Hee that once overcome death for us, alwayes overcomes death in us; you have more with you then against you; God hath given you that which will strengthen you against all,3 ⟨p. 250⟩that none of them shall ever separate you from God; this grace will bee sufficient for you, this is a sure Antidote against all poyson; this is a safe shield against all fiery darts, all the evils that can befall you, will be but the exercise of your faith, to make it more bright and shining, and the tryall of your faith, which is a most precious things, 1 Pet. 1. 7. The tryall of your faith, sayes the Apostle, is more precious then gold that perisheth, although it be tryed with fire; and this tryall will be found to your praise, and honour, and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. Observe how the Apostle heapes up words, praise, honour, and glory for the setting out what a blessed thing the very tryall of our faith is, shewing how all the troubles of the Saints, considering what a principle they have to carry them through, are a greater good unto them, then if they met with none; with what confidence, and courage, may a man resist any opposition, when he knowes before-hand, that hee hath that which which will quell it, and that ⟨p. 251⟩all opposition is but for the exercise and tryall of his strength; which certainely shall be to his prayse, and honour, and glory. Although you thinke you have no strength, to encounter with such great tryals as you are like to meet withall, yet labour to quiet your hearts in the exercise of Faith alone, that wil bring in strength enough: whatsoever you thinke would strengthen you, you shall finde it all in the exercise of Faith. That place is very observable, Isay 30. 7. Your strength is to sit still: They thought their strength had beene in the helpe of Egypt, as if nothing could helpe them but Egypt:
- 1Use 5.Vse 5.
- 2Qui pro nobis mortem semel vicit, semper vincit in nobis.
- 3Cypr. ep. 9.
