1. We had need make trial of that faith we must die by. In hello non licet his -peccare. Have you tried your faith ? A man had need have experiences of the strength of his faith, and of the truth of Grod's word, that the word of the Lord is a tried word. Hath it been thy practice to make trial of promises all the days of thy life, that you may be able to say, I have had experience of God, and he hath never failed me ? We try how to swim in shallow brooks before we venture to swim in the deep waters ; so before we trust Christ with our eternal state we must try how we can trust him with temporals. There are daily cases wherein we make proof and trial of God : Ps. xxxvii. 5, ' Commit thy way unto the Lord ; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass.' See how it succeedeth with you in present things, what establishment of heart you find by trusting in God during life : Prov. xvi. 3, ' Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.' We seek worldly things in good earnest, therefore we are troubled about them, and find it a great difficulty to rest on God for present supplies. There is some general inclination after happiness, but that is soon satisfied. How can you trust him with your souls, and with your everlasting concernments, if you cannot trust him for daily bread, and in present dangers? 1 Peter iv. 19, 'Commit the keeping of your souls to him in well-doing, as unto a faithful creator.' It will be hard work when you are put to it unless you are acquainted with God beforehand.
2. Then is a time to use faith, not to get it. It is no time to buy weapons when the battle is begun. The foolish virgins had their oil
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to buy whea the bridegroom was come, Mat. sxv. 10. We must lay- up comforts against the hour of death ; that is the great day of expense, wherein a man is to throw his last for everlasting life. Therefore did God give us so long a life to prepare for this hour. Now we are to make use of the articles of faith ; noL to learn to believe them, but to turn all into practice.
3. We need the strongest faith to grapple with our greatest and last enemy. Now faitli is a grace that is wrought by degrees to strength and perfection : 1 Thes. iii. 10, ' That I may perfect that which is lacking in your faith : ' Luke xvii. 5,. ' Lord, increase our faith.' Now it is hard to encounter with the worst and last enemy at first. We had need to get promises ready, evidences ready, and experiences ready. Promises ready, upon which we dare venture our souls. Evidences ready : 2 Cor. i. 12, ' Our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our con- science, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world ; ' 2 Tim. iv. 7, 8, ' I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith ; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day ; and not to me only, but also unto all them that love his appearing ; ' Isa. xxxviii. 3, •' Eemember now, 0 Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight.' Experience is ready, that all along you have found him a good God : Ps. x\^ii. 30, ' As for God, his way is perfect : the word of the Lord is tried : he is a buckler to all those that trust in him." You have found him good to you in pardon- ing your sins on a penitent confession : 1 John i. 9, ' If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' In enabling you to duties of holiness : 1 Thes. V. 23, 24, ' And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly : and I pray God, your whole spirit, and soul, and body be preserved blame- less unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.' In bearing you through all your sufferings : 2 Thes. iii. 3, ' And the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.' You have found him a good God in all your cares, troubles, and sorrows ; and will he fail you at last ? There is nothing more easy than a slight inconsiderate trust ; but you must make a business of believing ; it is not a slight ' God have mercy upon us '' that will serve the turn. Do you think to please the flesh, and hunt after the world as long as you can, and that Christ will take care of your souls ? Do you think it is sufficient to say over a few devout words at last, as if you could do the work of an age in a breath ?