1. First, Maintain the Evidence of Faith once gotten: With question undeniable, this Grace of Faith once gotten, is to be maintained▪ Mark it, I speak not of those that have not Faith; it is in vain to bid a Man live by Faith, who hath none: But it's for those in whose Hearts GOD hath been pleased to work this blessed Grace: This must be the Care of those that have gotten Faith; they must know the Nature of Faith in general, and of this Faith in particular, whether it be of that Faith which Peter speaks of; for there is a great deal of Copper-Faith in the World. As, that JESUS CHRIST came into the World to save Sinners, and the like. Now when thou hast gained Evidence that thou hast Faith, then fill it up, and keep it by thee, and labour to make the Demonstration of it so plain to thy Soul, that it may be undeniable. What a great Folly is it for a Man to question, when he should use it? The Work must needs be much hindered, tho' he have never so much Faith, when he begins to cavil with ⟨p. 106⟩it, and to question whether it be good or no. It's a proverbial Speech; He that doubts of his Way, misseth his Way; for while he is doubting, he goes no Way in Conclusion: So he that questions whether he hath Faith or no, gets little good at present by it. Tell a poor Sinner of living by Faith, and he says, It's good News if he had it. 'Tis poor Comfort to bid a Man go warm him when he hath no Fire; so it's poor Comfort to bid a Man live by that which he never had. Quarrelling and Doubting when a Man hath it, hinders the Use and Benefit of Faith: Here is a Man that is quarrelling about it, when he should live on it. Mat. 14.22,—31. When the Disciples saw JESUS walking on the Sea, they thought it was a Spirit; but JESUS said unto them, Be of good Comfort, it is I: Now when Peter knew it was CHRIST, being somewhat too venturous, he said, If it be thou, Lord, bid me come unto thee on the Water; and CHRIST said, Come; and Peter going, the Water began to be boisterous, his Heart began to sink, &c. and CHRIST said unto him, O thou of little Faith, why dost thou Doubt? As if he had said, It's now no Time of Doubting, but a Time of Believing. The LORD bid him come, and he had Ground enough to come, and strength of Faith to come; but when he saw the Waves great and troublesome, instead of Believing, he fell ⟨p. 107⟩a Questioning and Quarrelling with the Promise.
1. First, Maintain the Evidence of Faith once gotten: With question undeniable, this Grace of Faith once gotten, is to be maintained▪ Mark it, I speak not of those that have not Faith; it is in vain to bid a Man live by Faith, who hath none: But it's for those in whose Hearts GOD hath been pleased to work this blessed Grace: This must be the Care of those that have gotten Faith; they must know the Nature of Faith in general, and of this Faith in particular, whether it be of that Faith which Peter speaks of; for there is a great deal of Copper-Faith in the World. As, that JESUS CHRIST came into the World to save Sinners, and the like. Now when thou hast gained Evidence that thou hast Faith, then fill it up, and keep it by thee, and labour to make the Demonstration of it so plain to thy Soul, that it may be undeniable. What a great Folly is it for a Man to question, when he should use it? The Work must needs be much hindred, tho' he have never so much Faith, when he begins to cavil with ⟨p. 106⟩it, and to question whether it be good or no. It's a proverbial Speech; He that doubts of his Way, misseth his Way; for while he is doubting, he goes no Way in Conclusion: So he that questions whether he hath Faith or no, gets little good at present by it. Tell a poor Sinner of living by Faith, and he says, It's good News if he had it. 'Tis poor Comfort to bid a Man go warm him when he hath no Fire; so it's poor Comfort to bid a Man live by that which he never had. Quarrelling and Doubting when a Man hath it, hinders the Use and Benefit of Faith: Here is a Man that is quarrelling about it, when he should live on it. Mat. 14.22,—31. When the Disciples saw JESUS walking on the Sea, they tho't it was a Spirit; but JESUS said unto them, Be of good Comfort, it is I: Now when Peter knew it was CHRIST, being somewhat too venturous, he said, If it be thou, Lord, bid me come unto thee on the Water; and CHRIST said, Come; and Peter going, the Water began to be boisterous, his Heart began to sink, &c. and CHRIST said unto him, O thou of little Faith, why dost thou Doubt? As if he had said, It's now no Time of Doubting, but a Time of Believing. The LORD bid him come, and he had Ground enough to come, and strength of Faith to come; but when he saw the Waves great and troublesome, instead of Believing, he fell ⟨p. 107⟩a Questioning and Quarrelling with the Promise.
