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way, it lives another way. For Christ having by the Spirit discovered a better state, and Hfe to come, of eternity, immortahty, tranquillity, and glory ; then a Christian dies to all worldly things, and hath the affections taken up that way.
Thus we see every day so to lead our lives, as we not only live the life of faith in justification, but also of sanctification ; how out of Christ's ful- ness to fetch grace for grace. Therefore in all our wants go to him still. He is not only a sacrifice satisfactory for our sins, but he is a storehouse also and treasure of all good things. He is made unto us sanctification, therefore beg we favour from him, and endowments of grace conformable to his grace. And again, when we lack fulness, let us not despair, but fetch the large vessel of faith, and we shall have a share of the large graces which are in Christ, according to the largeness of our faith.
Quest. What is the reason that so few find strength and comfort in Christianity ?
Ans. They set upon getting of grace, and killing corruptions by their own strength, and so are ever wanting ; but if a man depend upon God, he shall have fulness out of Christ. God hath sanctified his nature for this purpose, that out of his fulness we might have grace for grace. And so again, every day go to God, and plead for strength against sin, power to lead a holy life, and imputation of Christ's righteousness, to supply the defects of our sanctification. Sfc Paul says, ' I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me,' Philip, iv. 13. It is a magnificent speech, and a great matter to have a man ready to suffer all things, and overcome all things. This will make us work wonderfully, if we have this strength supplied. See an instance, Luke xvii. 3, 4. Our Saviour tells his dis- ciples, that they must forgive their brother seven times, and seven times, as often as he confesses his fault. They thought this a wonderful hard duty, for nothing is so sweet to a man as revenge, for he would willingly be his own carver in all things, and do things in his own strength. The disciples upon this fall a-praying, ' Lord, increase our faith ;' as though they had said. We had need of faith to believe the pardon of so many sins, and to enable us to forgive so often. And so I say of the subduing of sin, we had need of faith to have so many sins subdued ; yet faith will do it.
Now in this great work, 1. Go to God, and beg his Spirit, and repent of all manner of sin ; 2. Then beg faith. This will set all other graces a-work. It is like the blood and spirits which run all the bod}' over. So in our spiritual life, this faith must run along in all graces, and set them a-working, yea, it sets God and all his attributes a-work. It runs to Christ, and prays, Lord, increase my faith, that can bear nothing as I should, resist nothing, believe nothing, and trust nothing. This indeed must be all our strength, to see nothing in ourselves, but all in Christ.
Since Adam's fall, it was appointed that Christ must keep all our joy, our strength, and ability, yea, to be our life. God will not since that time trust us with it, for we would quickly lose all again. It is Christ's office. He hath these endowments, as man, given him, to furnish us with all things fitting to a spiritual life. Faith will fetch all from God in Christ, •who is made the mediator of the New Testament, to convey all these things unto us. Yet further, let us see some trials to discern u-hether we live this life of faith in sanctification.
Trial 1. If it be thus with us, There ivill be a putting of ourselves iipon Christ's government in all duties. Faith will do all that Christ commands,
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(lepondhig upon liim for stri'iif^lli ; ami wlio so depends upon CLrist for Rtrcngth in ono duty, will depend npon him for stronf,'th in another. There is a harmou}' hetwixt the soul of a Christian and the command of obe- dience. Ho hearkens to the precepts of duty, as well as to the promises of forgiveness of sins. Where this universal obedience is not, here is not the life of faith in sanctification ; for faith here takes not exception at one duty more than another, but looks for all the strength of performance from Christ, who for this cause is stored with all fulness, that it may drop down upon all his members.
Trial 2. Again, There irill be a n-ovilcrfitl care vot to r/rieve ihe Spirit, in such a one. As if he should say, I must depend upon the S])irit for help and assistance to do all, to guide me in my whole course, and shall I gi-ieve and leave off the Spirit ? Shall I carry myself so as to make him leave me ? He must lead, instruct, comfort me, and assure me of my hap- piness ; shall I then quench the Spirit ? Therefore, I say, there will be a giving way to it, and a resolution settled, that this guiding in sanctification is the best guidance of all. A believing heart does tremble at any thing which hinders the Spirit's working. It sets not a step forward in anything without direction of the word and Spirit.