Christ returns his doubtful language upon himself, ver. 23. " If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that bclieveth :" q. d. Dost thou doubt of my ability to heal thy child ? Question rather thy own ability to believe, for his cure. If he be not healed, the cause will not be in my inability, but in thine own infidelity : AVhich he speaks not, to insinuate that faith was in his own power, but to convince him of his weakness, and drive him to God for assistance : Which effect it obtained : for immediately he cried out, and said with tears, " Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief
C) how good it is for men to be brought into the straits of afflic- tion sometimes ! Had not this man fallen into this distress, it is not hke that he had (at least not so soon) arrived either to the sense of his grace, or the weakness of it.
In the words we may note these three parts.
Firsts A profession of his faith ; Lord^ I believe.
Secondlij^ A sense of the weakness of his faith ; Help thou mine unbelief.
Thirdly., The affection with which both were uttered ; He cried out and said with tears. If these tears proceeded from the sense and feeling of divine power, enabling him to believe, as some think, then they were tears of jov, and would inform us of this great truth :
Doct. 1. That the least andlowest measure of' true faith, is matter of joy unsjjealiable to the possessor of it.
If they proceeded from the sense of the weakness of his faith, they gave us this note :
Doct. 2. That the remainders of unbelief in the 'people of God, do cost them many tears : They are the burdens and sorrows qf gracious soids.
Doct. 1. That the least and loivest measureof true faith, is mnt^ ter of joy unspeakable to the possessor of it.
The apostle, in 2 Pet. i. 1. calls it precious faith ; and it well deserves that epithet ; for the least and lowest degree of saving faith, is of invaluable excellency; as will appear in these particulars:
First, The least degree of saving faith, truly unites the soul to Jesus Christ, and makes it as really a branch and member of him, as Moses, Abraham, or Paul were.
All saving faith receives Christ, John i. 12. Indeed, the strong believer receives him with a stronger and steadier hand than the weak one doth, who staggers, doubts, and trembles, but yet receives him ; and consequently is as much interested in the blessed privileges flow- ing from union, as the greatest believer in the world. Such is Christ's complacency in our persons and duties, his sympathy with us in our troubles and afflictions, and our interest in his person and purchase. And is not this matter of exceeding joy .'^ Is it not enough to melt.
428 SACRAMENTAL MEDITATIONS.
yea, overwhelm the heart of a poor sinner, to discover and feel that in his own heart, which entitles him to such mercies ?
Secondly^ From the least degree of saving faith, we may infer a» plenary a remission of sin, as from the strongest. The weakest be- liever is as completely pardoned, as the strongest ; Acts x. 43. ' By him all that believe are justified from all things.' All that believe^ without difference of sizes, strength, or degrees ; the least as well as the greatest; the believer of a day old, as well as the fathers and worthies of greatest name, and longest standing.
Lo then, the least measure of faith entitles thee as really to the greatest blessing, as the highest acts of faith can do. It is true, the stronger the acting of faith is, the clearer the evidence usually is: but interest in the privilege is the same in both. If then thou canst dis- cern but the weakest act and smallest measure of faith in thy soul, hast thou not reason, with him in the text, to cry out, and say with lears, Lord, I believe ? Canst thou receive and read this pardon, the pardon of such, and so many sins, and not wet it with thy tears ? O, it is matter of joy unspeakable !
Thirdly, The least degree of saving faith infers thy election of God ; and if that be not matter of melting and transporting consi- deration, nothing is. O, it is matter of more joy, that our names are written in the booh of life, than that the devils are subject to us, Luke X. 20. From hence it may be inferred, that we are chosen of God ; Acts xiii. 48. ' As many as were ordained to eternal life, be- lieved.'
Fourthly, The least measure of saving faith, is a mercy greater than most men ever partake of.
It is true, God is rich and bountiful in the gifts of providence to others ; they have the good things of this life, many of them more than their hearts can wish, Psal. Ixxiii. 7. He enncheth many of them also with endowmentsoF the mind, natural and moral knowledge and wisdom ; yea, and adorns them with homihtical virtues, that render them very desirable and lovely in their converses with men ; but there are but few to whom he gives saving faith, Isa. liii. 1. Believers are but a small remnant among men.
Fifthly, and lastly. He that hath any, the least degree of saving faith, hath that which will never be taken from him : All other ex- cellencies go away at death. Job iv. 21. but this is a spring that never fails, 'it springs up into everlasting life,' John iv. 14. A man may outlive his friends and familiars, his estate and health, his gifts and natural parts, but not his faith. How great matter of joy and com- fort is wrapt up in the least degree of faith !
It concerns us then to examine ourselves, whether our faith be true, be it more or less, stronger or weaker; and, until we discern its truth, it will yield but little comfort.
SACRAMENTAL MEDITATIONS. 429
I confess, weak believers are under great disadvantages as to com- fort; small and weak things being usually very inevident and undis- cernible. But yet, in this example before us, we find weak faith was made evident, though much unbelief was mixed with it. Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief. In which words, many very useful signs of true, though weak, faith did appear ; and they are very re- lieving to weak believers, to consider them. O that we might find the like in us !
FLr,st, His failh gave him a tender, melting heart. He cried out, and said with tears. Doth your faith melt your hearts, either in a sense of your own vileness, or the riches of free grace to such vile creatures ?
Secondly, His faith gave him a deep sense of his remaining un- belief, and burdened his heart with it ; Helj) my imhelief. And sure so will yours, if it be but as a grain of mustard-seed in you.
Thirdly, His weak faith carried him to Christ, in fervent prayers and cries, for his help to subdue unbehef in him ; and so will yours, if your faith be right. O how often do the people of God go to the throne of grace upon that errand ! Help, Lord, my heart is dead, vain, and very unbelieving; there is no dealing with it in my own strength : Father, help me !