Then there is a power and excellency of power in the soul, when we have turned by a natural power the nourishment into our constitutions ; then we be strong, as Elias, that by strength of the nourishment sent from heaven walked forty daj-s, 1 Kings xix. 8. So when we have received the sacra- ments, and heard as we should, we shall find more ability for duty, for fitness to die, more intercourse with God, more strength of faith against all temptations ; and therefore if thou wouldst know what power and excellency of power is wrought in thy soul, examine it by thy strength derived therebj'. If you find not strength to overcome temptations and resist corruptions, then you have not yet been good hearers, nor good readers, nor good receivers of the sacraments, as you should be. We know sheep and such creatures are judged of not by that they chew, but by their flesh and fleece, and so should a Christian by his life, his strength, what he is able to do.
And here we may take up just complaint, that many that have great knowledge of the gospel, and have been long professors of the truth, yet they fall before their spiritual enemies ; as when Israel, falling before their enemies, complained, ' Lord what is it ?' Josh. vii. 8. What is the reason that we fall before the enemy ? So a man may complain, what is the reason a Christian should fall before his spiritual enemies ? That every temptation should overturn him, every corruption and passion enslave him, why is he so enthralled to temptation ? Certainly there hath not been that power and excellency of power in the soul that should be.
By these and the like circumstances, we may know whether we have felt this power and excellency of power or no.
There is, as we said before, a power in religion, if it be mingled with a believing heart ; and till we find that power all will do us no good. Pro- fession of religion and knowledge will be in the brain, therefore labour not to know but to feel divine truths. And when be they felt ? When the virtue is felt. It is not enough scire scd senlire. It is not enough to know, but to feel. And when do we feel ? When we find the virtue of the word in comforting, in raising and directing, in changing, in transforming.
We think we believe all things necessary, when we can say them and speak of them, but there is never an article of our creed, but being apprehended by faith, worketh mightily upon the soul in an excellent manner. As for example, ' I believe in God the Father Almighty,'* how shall I know I believe ? If the Spirit of God witness to my spirit that God is my Father, and teacheth me to go to him as a Father in all my necessities, I know he is Almight}'. When I am under strength of temptation and oppositions w^hatsoever, he is able to raise my soul, and after death to give it a better being than in this world ; and I believe in him as the Father Almighty, when I will not distrust him. He is my Father, and will do me good. He is Almighty, and can do all for my good. So ' I believe in Christ, born of the Virgin Mary.' This a man believeth not till Christ be born in the heart and the image be stamped upon his soul, and a disposition suitable to
* Throughout under the several articles, cf. Pearson and John Smith, — G.
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Christ ; and so ' for the death of Christ.' The cross of Christ, it is a crucifyiiif^ knowledge. I know Christ died for my sins. The fiiith of this crueifioth this eorrnptioii for which Christ was crucified, when I look upon my corrupt nature, with that odium and detestation that Christ had when ho sullered for them. 60 that I feel not things with power and eflicacy, till something be wrought by them. So I believe not Christ ' is risen again,' unless I find that power that raised him quicken my heart and raise me to heavenly-mindcdness, to ascend with Christ, and sit in heaven with Christ. A man belicveth not that Christ is in heaven unless he hath glorious thoughts. He doth but talk of them. He that believeth Christ his head is in heaven, Christ and he being all one, can he be much cast down with any trouble here, or be abased here when he believeth this ? No. And therefore saith the apostle, ' If you be risen with Christ,' as you be, if you belong to Christ, and have the same Spirit thnt raised his body raising you, then ' seek the things above, and not the things beneath,' Col. iii. 1, and savour the things that be spiritual, and suitable to j-our condi- tion. So a man cannot believe his ' sins be forgiven,' but he must love, he must have joy and peace : ' Being justified by faith, we have peace with God,' Rom. V. 1. He that findeth not peace in his conscience, how knoweth he that his sins are forgiven ? ' Be of good comfort, thy sins are forgiven,' Mat. ix. 2. A man that knows his sins are forgiven, he is comforted, for his debt is paid, and all discharged. And so ' the resurrection of the body and life everlasting,' what is the power of it ? It maketh him as willing to die as when he goeth to sleep, for when he goeth to bed he knoweth ho shall rise again, and rise better and more refreshed. So a man that is to die he resolveth, I lay down my bod}^, and shall rise again, as sure as I shall rise out of my bed, and more sure, for many die in their sleep. So if we believe ' the coming of Christ to judgment,' the virtue of it will shew itself in walking fruitfully and carefully. Christ must come again, and I must make account of all. And so ' life everlasting.' If a man believeth that, what courage will it infuse ! There is never an article but if it be believed hath a spiritual infusion in it. Let a man believe life everlasting, he will not care to venture his life for religion and his country. "VATiat will he care to adventure a life [which] is nothing but vanity ?