[2.] Spiritual affections, being dead to sin and the world, and alive to God : 1 Cor, ii. 12, ' Now we have received, not the spirit of this world, but the spirit which is of God, that we might know the things which are freely given to us of God ; ' desiring to be with Christ, Phil. i. 23 ; and having an heart set on things above, Col. iii. 1.
[3] You have spiritual strength : Eph. ii. 10, ' We are his workman- ship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God hath befoi'e ordained that we should walk in them ; ' and Phil. iv. 13, * I can do all things through Christ that strengtheneth me.'
Secondly, Improve this life to a cheerful walking with God in a course of obedience. To this end — •
1. Meditate on the promises: 1 Tim. iv. 8, 'Godliness is profitable to all things, and hath the promise of this life and that which is to come; ' and Ps. Ixxxiv. 11, ' He is a sun and a shield; the Lord will give grace and glory, and no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly ; ' and Ps. xxxiv. 9, ' There is no want to them that fear him ; ' and Rom. viii. 28, ' All things shall work together for good to them that love God.' We shall have whatever is expedient to bring us safely to heaven. God hath made promise of more than we could ask or think — protection from all evil, a comfortable supply of all bless- ings, temporal, spiritual, and eternal. Consult with these promises: Ps. cxix. 24, ' Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors ; ' Ps. xlviii. 12, 13, ' Walk about Zion, and go round about her ; tell the towers thereof ; mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces.'
3. Sue out your right at the throne of grace ; there the promises are
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put in suit : Ileb. iv. IG, ' Let us come with boUincss to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in the time of need.' Promises are given us, not only to plead with ourselves, but to put them in suit, and plead them with God.
3. What is wanting in the creature, see it made up in God ; that is living by failh : Ps. xci. 1, ' He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty ; ' 2 Cor, vi. 10, ' Having nothing, yet possessing all things.' In every strait do this — make God all in all : Ps. xci. 9, ' Because thou hast made the Lord which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation.' This is not a senseless stupidity, but a lively exercise of faith.
4. Counterbalance things — as thus, set God against the creature: Mat. X. 28, ' Fear not them which kill the bod}', but are notable to kill the soul ; but rather fear him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell.' The covenant against providence : Ps. Ixxiii. 16, 17, 'When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me, until I went into the sanctuary of God, then understood I their end.' Things eternal against things temporal : Eom. viii. 18, ' I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory which shall be revealed in us.' So 2 Cor. iv. 18, ' While we look not to the things that are seen, but to the things that are not seen ; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.' The use and profit of afilictions against the present smart of them : Heb. xii. 11, Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous, nevertheless afterwards it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them Avhich are exei'cised thereby.' All trouble Cometh from not right sorting and comparing things ; seeking that on earth which is only to be had in heaven, and seeking that in the crea- ture which is only to be had in God, and looking for that from self which is only to be found in Christ, and seeking that in the law which is only to be had in the gospel.
II. Now I come particularly to treat of the life of faith ; let us see how this life of faith is exercised and put forth. The life of faith may be considered either —
First, W^ith respect to its object, the promises of the new covenant ; as our justification, sanctification, the supplies of the present life, or everlasting blessedness.
Secondhj, With respect to its trials, or the opposite evils that seem to infringe the comfort of these promises ; as deep afilictions, great temptations from the devil, the world, and the flesh.
Thirdly, With respect to its effects — as holy duties and the exer- cises of grace ; as with respect to the ordinances by which it is fed and increased — as the word, prayer, and sacraments ; and the duties of charity, of public and private relations — as to the honouring God in our generation or in our callings.