A Body of Practical Divinity

2. A Christians Increase in Faith is known by Strength. He can do that now which he could not do before. When one is Man-grown, he can do that which he was not able to do when he was a Child: He can carry an heavier Burden: So a Christian can bear Crosses with more Patience.

2. A Christians Encrease in Faith is known by Strength. He can do that now which he could not do before. When one is Man-grown, he can do that which he was not able to do when he was a Child: He can carry an heavier Burden: So a Christian can bear Crosses with more Patience.

Obj. But I fear I have no Faith, it is so weak.

Resp. If you have Faith, tho but in its Infancy, be not discouraged. For, (1.) A little Faith is Faith, as a Spark of Fire is Fire. (2.) A weak Faith may lay hold on a strong Christ: A weak Hand can tie the Knot in Marriage as well as a strong. She in the Gospel, who but touched Christ, fetched Virtue from him. (3.) The Promises are not made to Strong Faith, but to True. The Promise doth not say, He who hath a Giant-faith, who can believe God's Love through a Frown, who can rejoice in Affliction, who can work Wonders, remove Mountains, stop the Mouth of Lions, shall be saved; but whosoever believes, be his Faith never so small. A Reed is but weak, especially when it is bruised, yet the Promise is made to it, Matth. 12.20. A bruised Reed he will not break. (4.) A weak Faith may be Fruitful. Weakest things multiply most. The Vine is a weak Plant, but it is Fruitful. The Thief's Cross, which was newly converted, was but weak in Grace; but how many precious Clusters grew upon that tender Plant! Luke 23.40