(2d.) For consent, when we come to enter into covenant with God, God is invisible Avho maketh the promise, and heaven, which is the great promise that he hath promised us, is future and yet to come, and lieth in another world, and before we get thither we must encounter many difficulties, yea, shoot the gulf of death ; but the believer can as really and heartily transact with the great God, and give the hand to the Lord to become his, as he can with a man that is present, and ofFereth a good bargain upon easy terms and conditions ; he hath so firm a belief of the life to come, that he taketh it for his portion and happiness : 2 Cor. iv. 18, ' While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen ; ' he looketh to things unseen, which he. taketh for his treasure and happiness, and is resolved to be anything and do anything which God will have him be and do, that he may obtain it.
(3d) Another elicit act of faith is trust and dependence, which maintaineth us in a course of patient and cheerful obedience to God, though our happiness be yet to come ; yea, though for the present we are harassed with great troubles and afflictions, and it may be, see not the signs, i.e., any sensible tokens of God's favour and respect to us, yet the sight of an invisible God, and confidence of a future reward, keepeth up joy in the soul, and no violence of temptation is able to break it, and remove us from the truth : Eom. viii. 24, 25, ' We are saved by hope, but hope that is seen is not hope, for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for ? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.' They are confident that in God's time they shall have salvation and final deliverance, though it be not to be seen anywhere but in God's promise by Jesus Christ. Well, then, the fewer external comforts we need, the stronger is our faith ; the more, the weaker. Weak christians must be carried in arms, dandled on the knees, fed with sensible pledges and ocular demonstrations, or else they are ready to faint.
(2.) The imperate acts or effects of faith, they are produced by virtue of this property, faith's prevailing oversight and sense. I shall name four —
(1st.) To promote holiness, and reduce us and reclaim us from the false happiness. Surely none will accomplish the work of faith with power, and so glorify God aiid Christ in the world, that is, live in all holy conversation and godliness, but those that have that faith which is the evidence of things not seen. Those that live always as in the sight of an invisible God, are the thorough christians. What greater
SEK1I0^■S UPON 2 THES6AL0NIANS I. 3. 121
check can tliere be to temptations to sin than to live always in the sight of an invisible God ? Gen. xxxix. 9 ; or to temptations to the world, than an invisible glory ; or to the troubles and molestations of the world? Eom. viii. 18, 'For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us ; ' and 2 Cor. iv. 17. ' Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.' If godliness expose us to difficulties, molestations, and troubles, faith seeth the final rest, glory, and happiness. If we are inclined to the honours and pleasures of the world, faith seeth the most shining glory will soon burn out, and end in a snuff: Ps. cxix. 96, ' I have seen an end of all perfection, but thy commandment is exceeding broad;' and 1 John ii. 17, 'The world passeth away, and the lust thereof, but he that doth the will of God abldeth for ever.' If sense present the bait of present profit, pleasure, or honour, faith seeth the final shame, ignominy, and loss ; and so we are guarded on all sides against right-hand and left-hand temptations. This is a general ; I shall speak of more particular eftects.
(2d.) To keep the heart tender and in awe of God's word. Surely it is a blessed frame of spirit, and very useful to us, to tremble at the word of God : Tsa. Ixvi. 2, •' To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word ; ' and to stand in awe of his word: Ps. cxix. 161, ' My heart standeth in awe of thy word.' Xow this can never be unless we have that faith which is the evidence of things not seen ; for many times the word threateneth evils which are not likely to come to pass, if we look to the visible face of things, and all that part of God's discipline is lost unless we can believe unseen things. See Heb. xi. 7, ' By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house, by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.' The world was then in a jolly condition, and little dreamt of a flood. The earth flourished as much as ever, and there was building, and marrying, and planting ; but God had told him of a universal destruction of all things by a deluge, therefore he admonisheth the careless world, and provideth for his own and family's safety. So we read of Jo.siah, when he heard of the words of the ' book of the law, he rent his clothes,' 2 Kings xxii, 11. We do not read of any actual trouble that was then in the land, or any danger nigh. When an age is very corrupt and ripe for judgment, God giveth warning. But alas ! few take it or lay it to heart, for the world is led by sense, and not by faith : they are not affected with things till they feel them. Few can see a storm when the clouds are ingathering, but securely build on the present ease and peace, though God be angry. But in the eye of faith a sinful estate is always dangerous ; therefore they fall a praying and humbling themselves, and cry to God mightily, and use all means of safety, while a judgment is but yet in its causes.