CHAP. XI. 37.] PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 527
revenged. 5. It is in the nature of true, real, saving faith immedi- ately, or at its first opportunity, to declare and protest itself in con- fession before men. 6. Separation from the cause and interest of the world is required in all believers, and will accompany true faith wherever it is.
Ver. 32.—1. It is requisite prudence, in the confirmation of im- portant truths, to give them a full proof and demonstration, and yet not to multiply arguments and testimonies beyond what is necessary, which serves only to divert the mind from attending unto the truth itself to be confirmed. 2. It is not the dignity of the person that gives efficacy unto faith, but it is faith that makes the person ac- cepted. 3. Neither the guilt of sin nor the sense of it should hinder us from acting faith on God in Christ when we are called thereunto. 4, True faith will save great sinners. 5. There is nothing so great or difficult, or seemingly insuperable, no discouragement so great from a sense of our own unworthiness by sin, nor opposition arising against us from both of them in conjunction, that should hinder us from believing and from the exercise of faith in all things when we are called thereunto.
Ver. 33.—1. There is nothing that can lie in the way of the ac- complishment of any of God’s promises but it is conquerable by faith. 2. That faith that hath stopped the mouths of lions can restrain, disappoint, and stop the rage of the most savage oppressors and per- secutors of the church.
Ver. 34, 35.—1. It is the wisdom and duty of faith to apply itself to all lawful ways and means of deliverance from danger. 2. We ought to exercise faith about temporal mercies, as they are ofttimes received by it and given in on the account of it.
Ver. 35-37.—1. It belongs unto the sovereign pleasure of God to dispose of the outward state and condition of the church, as unto its seasons of prosperity and persecution. 2. Those whose lot falleth in the times of greatest distress or sufferings, are no less accepted with him than those who enjoy the highest terrene felicity and suc- cess. 3. Sufferings will stir us up unto the exercise of faith on the most difficult objects of it, and bring in the comforts of them into our souls.
Ver, 36.—There may be sufferings sufficient for the trial of the faith of the church when the world is restrained from blood and death.
Ver. 37.—1. No instruments of cruelty, no inventions of the devil or the world, no terrible preparations of death,—that is, no endea- vours of the gates of hell,—shall ever prevail against the faith of God’s elect. 2. It is no small degree of suffering, for men by law or vio- lence to be driven from those places of their own habitation which
528 SUMMARY OF DOCTRINAL AND [CHAP. XI. 38.
the providence of God, and all just right among men, have allotted unto them. 8. He will be deceived who at any time, under a sin- cere profession of the gospel, looks for any other, any better treat- ment or entertainment in the world than reproaches, defamations, revilings, threatenings, contempt.
Ver. 38.—1. Let the world think as well, as highly, as proudly of itself as it pleaseth, when it persecutes it is base and unworthy of the society of true believers and of the mercies wherewith it is accompanied. 2. God’s esteem of his people is never the less for their outward sufferings and calamities, whatever the world judgeth of them. 3. Ofttimes it is better and more safe for the saints of God to be in the wilderness among the beasts of the field than in a savage world, inflamed by the devil into rage and persecution. 4 Though the world may prevail to drive the church into the wilder- ness, to the ruin of all public profession in their own apprehension, yet it shall be there preserved unto the appointed season of its de- liverance. 5. It becomes us to be filled with thoughts of and affec- tions unto spiritual things, to labour for an anticipation of glory, that we faint not in the consideration of the evils that may befall us on the account of the gospel.
Ver. 39, 40.—It is our duty not only to believe, that we may be justified before God, but so to evidence our faith by the fruits of it, as that we may obtain a good report, or be justified before men.
Ver. 40.—1. The disposal of the states and times of the church, as unto the communication of light, grace, and privileges, depends merely on the sovereign pleasure and will of God, and not on any merit or preparation in man. 2. Though God gives more light and grace unto the church in one season than in another, yet m every season he gives that which is sufficient to guide believers in their faith and obedience unto eternal life. 3. It is the duty of believers, in every state of the church, to make use of and improve the spiri- tual provision that God hath made for them, always remembering that unto whom much is given of them much is required. 4, God measures out unto all his people their portion in service, sufferings, privileges, and rewards, according to his own good pleasure. 5. It is Christ alone who was to give, and who alone could give, perfec- tion or consummation unto the church. 6. All the outward glorious worship of the old testament had no perfection in it, and so no glory, comparatively, unto that which is brought in by the gospel. 7. All perfection, all consummation, is in Christ alone.