2. We never act nobly in anything till we live the life of faith. There is a twofold life — the animal life, and the spiritual and divine life : 1 Cor. ii. 14, ' The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God.' The human soul accommodateth itself to the interests and con- cernments of the body ; but the divine life is animated by heavenly things, and is carried out to look after more noble things than back and belly concernments.
3. We never live comfortably till we live by faith. While we are guided by sense, we are tossed to and fro, according to the variety of accidents in the world; but a believer in the greatest straits doth not only make a poor and sorry shift to live, but hath a comfortable means of subsistence : Hab. ii. 4, ' The just shall live by his faith.' For whilst he dwelleth under the shadow of imputed righteousness, to cover all his defects and sins, and to hide him from death and wrath, and can draw virtue from Christ to enable him to do every good word and work, and hath the power of God to make use of for his inward and outward support, and the hopes of glory to comfort him when this life is ended, what should hinder his rejoicing even in the hardest dispen- sations ? He is well at ease that hath wholly given up himself to this kind of life : Heb. x. 38, ' Now the just shall live by fliith ; ' that is, in the hardest trials, when they suffer the spoiling of their goods, and look for loss of life every day. By life we are to understand a happy and a comfortable life : non est vivere, sed valere vita. We are enabled to
62 THE LIFE OF FAITH.
liold on cheerfully and comfortably in a holy courtie, notwithstanding troubles.
4. That the life of faith is glory begun. First we live by faith, and then by sight, 2 Cor. v. 7. Faith now servetli instead of sight and fruition : Heb. xi. 1, ' Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen.' Though it dotli not affect lis to the same degree that the life of glory or the beatifical vision will, yet somewhat answerable it doth. The life of glory is inconsistent with any misery ; but the life of faith maketli us to rest as quietly upon Grod and his gracious promise as if there were no misery, where it hath any efficacy and vigour, so as no allurements or terrors can turn us aside, but we follow our Lord in all conditions with delight and cheerfulness. The expectation cannot affect us as the enjoyment ; but in some measure it doth : Rom. v, 2, 3, ' We rejoice in hope of the glory of God ; and not only so, but we glory in tribu- lation also.' We are contemptible in the world, but w^e hope for a glorious estate, and so can forego those transitory contentments which worldlings so much magnify. This quieteth and comforteth God's children in the meanest condition.
The use of this is to persuade you to live this life of faith, if you would live indeed, and live nobly and happily. To this end —
1. Take care that this life be begun in you.
2. Improve this life to a cheerful walking with God in all conditions. For the —
First, If you would have this life begun in you —
1. Study the grounds of faith ; for if the foundation be not well laid, all the building will be like a bunching wall or a tottering fence. Now what are the grounds of faith ? The promises of the gospel. Therefore consider seriously what is said in the gosjiel — (1.) To whom, and (2.) By whom.
[1.] What is said in the gospel. The sum of the gospel is abridged and contracted to our hands in many places of scripture ; these especially: 1 Tim. i. 15, 'This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief Is this true indeed, that God hath sent his Son to save us from hell, and to pay our debt and procure salvation for us ? And why shall I stand out ? The gospel excludeth none, why should I exclude myself ? I am sinner enough, shall this dis- courage me from looking after Christ ? That will be in effect as if a beggar should say, I am too poor to receive alms : or the sick man should say, I am too sick to go to the physician ; or as if one should say, I am too filthy to be washed, or too cold to go to the fire. Your discouragement should be a motive ; I am the chief of sinners, and therefore I will put in for a share. God inviteth us, not because we are worthy, but that we may be worthy. So Acts x. 43, ' To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever be- lieveth in him should receive remission of sins.' What do all the prophets and holy men of God give witness to ? That there is such a benefit prepared for all that will lay hold of it ; and I profess to believe the sci'iptures, and shall I not put in for a share ? Lord, I have sins to be pardoned as well as others, and I believe thou art the