The poor doubting Christian drawn to Christ. Wherein the main hindrances, which keep men…

3. The third Direction. We must set it down, and conclude it, that God will do it; so shall we receive in the Ways of his Providence whatsoever he hath promised to give. That is the Work of Faith, and that is to draw Sap and Virtue from the Promise, John 3.33. He that hath received his Testimony, hath set to his Seal that God is True. There, by Sealing, is meant sealing to the Promise. This is the Nature of Sealing; when a Man hath drawn the Articles of Agreement, and when they have sealed, the whole Matter is done. So Faith must make the Promise authentical, and put a Seal to it that it is true; and saith, It is done in Heaven, and I am ⟨p. 131⟩fully resolved, and setledly persuaded thereof, that I shall have whatever I have believed; and Thou, LORD, hast promised, and I have used the Means in the Ways of thy Providence. Famous is that of Abraham, Gen. 22.5. The Lord hath bidden him sacrifice his Son, and yet had said before he should live: And therefore when he came to the Place, he said to his Servants, Abide you here with the Asses; for I and the Lad will go yonder, and sacrifice, and return again to you. He thought to sacrifice him, and yet by Faith he believed that he should bring Isaac again. So I would have a poor Saint of God believe and conclude. When thou findest thy Comforts like Isaac's in the Ashes, and thy Estate helpless and hopeless; yet even then set God's Power a-work, and wait upon him in the Use of the Means he hath appointed, and there conclude it, and that He will bring Patience, Power, and Deliverance, and so in every Kind, according to all Necessities. Yet remember this, Expect no more from the Promise, than God will give in the Promise: But say, My Sins shall be mastered one Day, and these Temptations shall one Day be overthrown, that have so long annoyed the Soul of thy Servant; I have begged Succour against these Corruptions within, and these Temptations without, and yet it is not; ⟨p. 132⟩but I know it's done in Heaven; it wants nothing but the taking out; Thou wilt bestow upon thy Servant what thou seest fit. 1 Sam. 1.18. Hannah wept sore, and prayed to the Lord, and went away, and was no more sorrowful: And she said, Lord, I believe that I shall either have a Child, or that which is as good, or better: Now the Business was done.