First, it is unworthy of his profession.§1 It was the saying of an Heathen, Bear thy condition quietly, nosce te esse hominem, know thou art a man*. So I say, Bear thy condition contentedly, nosce te esse Christianum, know thou art a Christian. Thou professest to live by faith, what, and not content? Faith is a grace that doth substantiate things not seen*, saith looks beyond the creature, it feeds upon promises, faith lives not by bread alone. When the water is spent in the bottle, faith knows whither to have recourse; now, to see a Christian dejected in the want of visible supplies, and recruits, where is Faith? Oh, saith one, my estate in the world is down. I, and which is worse, thy faith is down. Wilt thou not be contented, ⟨p. 166⟩unless God let down the vessel to thee as he did to Peter, wherein were all manner of beasts of the earth, and fowls of the air*, must you have first and second course? This is like Thomas, Unless I put my finger into the print of the nails, I will not believe*. So, unless thou hast a sensible feeling of outward comforts, thou wilt not be content. True faith will trust God where it cannot trace him, and will adventure upon Gods bond though it hath nothing in view. You who are discontented because you have not all you would, let me tell you either your faith is a non-entity, or at best but an embryo; tis a weak faith that must have stilts & crutches to support it. Nay, discontent is not only below faith, but below reason; why are you discontented? is it because you are dispossessed of such comforts? well, & have you not reason to guide you? doth not reason tell you that you are but tenants at will? and may not God ⟨p. 167⟩turn you out when he please? You hold not your estate jure, but gratis, not by a juridical right, but upon favour and courtesy.
First, it is unworthy of his profession.§1 It was the saying of an Heathen, Bear thy condition quietly, nosce te esse hominem, know thou art a man*. So I say, Bear thy condition contentedly, nosce te esse Christianum, know thou art a Christian. Thou professest to live by faith, what, and not content? Faith is a grace that doth substantiate things not seen*, saith looks beyond the creature, it feeds upon promises, faith lives not by bread alone. When the water is spent in the bottle, faith knowes whither to have recourse; now, to see a Christian dejected in the want of visible supplies, and recruits, where is Faith? Oh, saith one, my estate in the world is down. I, and which is worse, thy faith is down. Wilt thou not be contented, ⟨p. 166⟩unlesse God let down the vessel to thee as he did to Peter, wherein were all manner of beasts of the earth, and fowles of the aire*, must you have first and second course? This is like Thomas, Unlesse I put my finger into the print of the nailes, I will not beleeve*. So, unlesse thou hast a sensible feeling of outward comforts, thou wilt not be content. True faith will trust God where it cannot trace him, and will adventure upon Gods bond though it hath nothing in view. You who are discōtented because you have not al you would, let me tel you either your faith is a non-entity, or at best but an embrio; tis a weak faith that must have stilts & crutches to support it. Nay, discontent is not only below faith, but below reason; why are you discontented? is it because you are dispossessed of such comforts? wel, & have you not reason to guide you? doth not reason tell you that you are but tenants at will? and may not God ⟨p. 167⟩turne you out when he please? You hold not your estate jure, but gratis, not by a juridical right, but upon favour and courtesie.
- *Fer mansuetè fortunam tuam, nosce te esse hominem. Tully.
- *Heb. 11. 1.
- *Acts 10 12.
- *John 10 25.
