(2.) Faith lives in a broken heart, Mark ix. 21., " He cried out with tears, Lord, I believe." True faith is always in an heart bruised for sin : such therefore, whose hearts were never touched for sin, have no faith. If a physician should tell us, there were an herb would help us against all in- fections, but it always grows in a watery place, — if we should see an herb like it in colour, leaf, smell, blossom, but it grows upon a rock, we would conclude this were the wrong herb : so saving faith doth al- ways grow in an heart humbled for sin ; it grows in a weeping eye, watery conscience; therefore, if there be a shew of faith, but it
grows upon a rock, an Ijard impenitent heart, this is not the true faith.
(3.) True faith is at first nothing but an embryo, it is minute and small ; it is full of doubtings, temptations, fears ; it be- gins in weakness. It is like the smoking- Hax, Mat. xii. 20. It smokes with desires, but doth not flame Avith comfort ; it is at first so small that it is scarce discernible. Such as, at the first dash, have a strong persuasion that Christ is theirs, who leap out of sin into assurance, their faith is false and spurious : that faith, which is come to its full stature on its birth-day, is a mon- ster. The seed that sprang up suddenly, withered. Mat. xiii. 5.
(4.) Faith is a refining grace, it conse- crates and purifies. Moral virtue may wash the outside, faith washeth the inside. Acts XV. 9. Having purified their hearts by faith, faith makes the heart a sacristy or temple with this inscription, ' holiness to the Lord ;' such, whose hearts have legions of lusts in them, were never acquainted with the true faith. For one to say, he hath faith, yet live in sin, is as if one should say, he were in health, yet his vitals are perished. Faith is a virgin-gi'ace ; it is joined with sanctity, 1 Tim. iii. 9., " Hold- ing the mystery of the faith in a pure con- science." The jewel of faith is always put in the cabinet of a pure conscience. The woman that touched Christ by faith, fetch- ed an healing and cleansing virtue from him.
(5.) True faith is obediential, Rom. xvi. 26., " The obedience of faith." Faith melts our will into the will of God. If God com- mands duty, (though cross to flesh and blood) faith obeys; Heb. xi. 8., "By faith Abraham obeyed." Faith doth not only believe the promise, but obey the command. It is not having a speculative knowledge will evidence you to be believers; the devil hath knowledge, but that which makes him a de^^l is, he wants obedience.
(6.) True faith is increasing, Rom. i. 17., " From faith to faith," ?. e. From one de- gree of faith to another. Faith doth not lie in the heart, as a stone in the earth ; but, as seed in the earth it grows. Joseph of Arimathea was a disciple of Christ, but afraid to confess him ; afterwards he wei.t
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li >!dly to Pilate ami hog^od tlic body of Je- F-rS Jdlin \iv. :^^'. AimI a CliiiKtian's in- crease in faitli is known two ways :
1. By steadfastness. He is a pillar in tlie temple of God, Col. ii. 7., " Rooted and built up in liiin ; and stablisliod in tlie faitli." Unbelievers are sceptics in religion, tbcy are unsettled ; tliey question every truth, but, when faith is on the increasing hand, it doth stahilire animum, it doth corroborate a Christian ; he is able to prove bis princi- ples ; he holds no more than be will die for ; as that martyr-woman said, '• I can- not dispute for Christ, but I can burn for him." An increasing faith is not like a ship in the midst of the sea, that fluctuates, and is tossed up<m the waves, but like a shij) at anchor which is firm and steadfast.
2. A Christian's increase in faith is known by his 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 a- ble to do when he was a child ; he can car- ry an heavier burden ; so a Christian can bear crosses with more patience.
Obj. Bat I fear I have no faith, it is so weak ?
Ans. If you have faith, though, but in its infancy, be not discouraged, for, 1st. a litth" faith is faith, as a spark of fire is fire ; 2d. a weak faith may lay hold on a strong Christ. A weak hand can tic the knot in marriage, as well as a strong. She, in the gosj)el, who but touched Christ, fetched virtue from him. 3d. The |)romiscs are
not made to strong faith, but to true. The i repentiince.