II. I shall show the necessity of faith as to this obedience. Faith is necessary — (1.) As to God's acceptance; (2.) And our encoiu-age- ment ; (3.) From the nature of the thing itself.
1. It is necessary as to God's acceptance ; for nothing can please God that is not done in faith : Heb. xi. 6, ' Without faith it is impossible to please God.' It is so with respect to the person working, and it is so with respect to the work itself.
[1.] With respect to the person working, because he is not within the covenant of grace till he belie veth, ' but the wrath of God abideth on him,' John iii. 86, lyQpoiv Swpa ahcopa. Enemies' gifts are giftless ; the services of wicked men are but glittering sins. In the covenant of grace God doth not accept of the person for the work's sake, but of the work for the person's sake ; that is, because of his interest in Christ, in whom alone he is well pleased. And therefore whatever we do must be done in a believing state ; for our obedience is not acceptable in itself, because of much defect and imperfection in it, but in and through Jesus Christ.
[2.] With respect to the work itself. For unless it be quickened by a true and lively faith, it is not acceptable to God ; for it is but the carcass of a good work, without the life and soul of it. Superficially the selfsame things may be done by a believer and a carnal man ; but that is but the body of a duty, that which should animate it is an obediential confidence, for all the motions, affections, and inclinations of the soul, are swayed and inclined by faith; as all motion is inspired from the head, albeit we go upon our feet, and move with our hands.
138 THE LIFE OF FAITH.
So a firm assent to God's good-wili and pleasure revealed to us hath a sovereign command on every grace, to cause it to put forth an operation proper to it. All good acts regularly performed issue from faith, and therefore they are called ' the work of faith,' 2 Thes. ii. 11. Well then, to our acceptance, the person must be accepted, before the work can please God ; and that service is rightly qualified wliicli proceedeth from faith in Christ, is conformable to the word, and tendeth to God's glory.
2. As to our encouragement, that we may serve the Lord readily and cheerfully, when we bear of so much duty, as was intimated before. Alas ! what shall we do that are ' beset with sin ? ' Heb. xii. 1. What shall we do that find sin always ' present with us ? ' as Paul groaningly complains of it ; Eom. vii. 21, ' I find then a law, that when I would do good, evil is present with me.' Christians are often discouraged with the thoughts of their own weakness and vileness, and the impor- tunate returns of then- lusts, and are ready to say, we shall never do anything, or to any good purpose. Therefore, till they be persuaded of God's help and grace, they do but coldly set upon the practice of holy duties, stagger much, and are off and on, often fainting at the difficulty of the work, dismayed at their manifold slips, their service groweth tedious and troublesome, and their want of faith occasioneth doubts and fears, and deadness and uncheerfulness. so that they drive on heavily in the Lord s work. But now faith, on the other side, keepeth us close to the commandment, and causeth us to rest upon the Lord for ability to do what he requireth, and comforts us with the acceptance of our sincere and unfeigned services, though weak and imperfect, and so causeth us to go about it with cheerfulness, life, and vigour. Was it not an encouragement to Moses when God said unto him, Exod. iv. 12, ' Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say ' ? And was it not enough to encourage the disciples when Christ said, ' I will be with you always, to the end of the world ' ? Mat. xxviii. 20. And doth it not exceedingly quicken us to remember that God will help our infirmities, and accept of our sincere endeavours, and reward our sorry services with eternal life ? What will put life and heart into us, except these promises do ?
3. Faith is necessary from the nature of the thing itself, because of the inseparable connection between faith and obedience, as between the cause and the effect. Take faith either for assent, or for dependence, or a confident relying upon Gods mercy in Christ, still there is this connection between faith and obedience.
[1.] Take faith for an assent. Faith produceth it where it is in an)"- life and vigour ; therefore it is called ■ the obedience of faith,' Rom. i. 5, and Eom. xvi. 26, as being begotten by it. Faith is not without obedience ; there will be a reverent subjection to God if we believe he is, and doth govern the world. Nay, there is not onl)^ such a connection between faith and obedience as there is between the cause and efiect, but in some respect such a connection as between branches growing out of the same root, or acts of the same grace. The same grace that pro- duceth assent produceth obedience ; by faith we assent to every part of God's known will as good and fit to be observed by us. Now if this assent be real, you will assent to his commands as well as to his