him in union in the first degree of life. His glory is our glory. As in justification our debts are made his, so his glory is made ours, as it is John xvii. 1, seq., and he is gone to prepare a place for us, to bring us where he 'The glory which thou gavest me,' saith Christ, I have given unto them;' yea, and in him also we sit in heavenly places,' Eph. i. 3. So in regard of Christ to whom we are knit, we live the life of glory.

is.

Ans. 3. Thirdly, by reason of the nature of faith, as Heb. xi. 1, which is to make things absent have a certain being. Now faith being wrought by an almighty power, raising us above ourselves to fasten and lay hold on so many mysteries, so it makes an almighty working in the soul, makes things afar off to come evident. Thus it presents glory to us, as though it were present, and we in some sort live by it.

How to know whether or not we live the life of faith in glorification.

1. This, where it is in faith, makes a Christian glorious, puts him in a spirit that is glorious in all estates. There is no grace in him, but it is set a-fire by this faith of glory to come. When faith looks back on things, it hath strength, but when it looks on glory, all graces and virtues are set a-work.

1. Hope is set on work by faith, and keeps the soul, as an anchor, stedfast against all assaults.

*

2. Hope doth stir up patience; for, saith the apostle, what we hope for, we wait patiently for it.' Thus patience is exercised in two ways. (1.) In suffering of grievances. (2.) In the expectation of time. So faith doth thus put life in patience, reasoning;-Why? What! it will not be long; these afflictions will not endure ever; I myself shall away ere long; glory will come at last for ever and ever; therefore I will bear all patiently.

3. Again, it sets courage and magnanimity a-work, as Heb. xi. What made all the patriarchs so stout to hold out and endure so many miseries, but that they had an eye to the glory to come? What made Abraham forget his father's house, going he knew not whither, but that he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God, and therefore he was a stranger at home? The like we have of Moses, who forsook Pharaoh's court, because he saw him who is invisible. Yea, and of Christ himself it is said, that for the glory which was set before him, he despised the shame, endured the cross, being now set at the right hand of the Father in glory and majesty, Heb. xii. 2. So 2 Cor. iv. 16, saith Paul, For this cause we faint not, but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day;' and the reason is, 'For our light afflictions, which are but for a moment, work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen,' &c. He who thus hopes, does not want a comfortable life. And therefore upon this ground it is the apostle's concluding exhortation, 1 Cor. xv. 58, 'Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.' This makes a man zealous and fruitful, so it makes a man sincere, as 2 Cor. v. 9,' Wherefore we labour (saith he), that whether absent or present we may be accepted of him.' The ground whereof is, For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, that every man may receive the things done in his body.' In this case our comfort is in all things to be sincere in working. Now there is an order of things. Whosoever lives the life of faith in these grand passages, that soul lives the life of faith also in all other pas* Qu. 'them.'-G.

sages of our life; and these grand passages will run in the lesser courses of our life. To touch one: when a man is in extremity of both outward and inward affliction, then faith lays hold on this general, that God is wonderful in working, and that his ways and thoughts are not like our thoughts and ways. In all several cases faith makes use of all things God hath done or promised; as,

1. Of a man in the state of grace, God in desertion appearing his enemy. (1.) In this case faith at first conquered God, and obtained a blessing by wrestling, as Jacob did. Faith therefore knows the same way again, to go to those precious promises God hath made, of returning again, not to forsake and be angry for ever, not to plough all the day to sow, as Isa. xxviii. 24, speaks. Faith knows that God works by contraries. It knows God takes away the sense of his love, not in anger, but to stir up the conscience and sense of sin, that we may lament and mourn for it the more, and so receive a surer report of the forgiveness of it. Faith does know that his name is wonderful. He raises things past hope. When a man is in despair touching himself, and all things in himself, and of all comforts, then he is nearest home, as Paul said excellently: 'But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead,' 2 Cor. i. 9. So faith looks at God working with Christ the Son of his love, how roughly he dealt, yet lovingly, with him; for Christ is a pattern as well as a cause of good unto us. Christ in the case of his forsaking went unto God, saying, 'My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?' Mark xv. 34. Faith sets God's promise against his present working; as though it should say, Though thou killest me, yet will I trust in thee,' Job. xiii. 15; for all this thy love is the same; thou art merciful and gracious, and wilt not be angry for ever. Faith, as I may say, pulls off God's mask, sees through the dark cloud, that God appears an enemy for a time, that he may return again with the more abundance of comfort afterwards. Faith knows, as Paul speaks, that it is God that comforts the abject, raises the dead, will be seen in the mount, making our extremity his opportunity.

So faith reasons, Is it so, indeed? and is he wonderful in working? Doth he thus and thus work by contraries? Then I will answer his working the same way; I will believe one contrary in another, I will expect the sun will shine again, though now it be under a cloud. The like I may say of any other extremity, as in the raising of our dead bodies. Faith, as it is in Ezekiel, sees a spirit quickening and putting life in dry bones, assuring us thereby that he can as easily raise up the dead as deliver us out of any extremity. Saint Paul's argument is to trust in God, who raiseth the dead, [that he] can do all things, work wonderful changes in our greatest miseries. As for the church now in misery, there is a promise that Babylon shall be cast into the sea as a millstone, Rev. xviii. 21. Now faith believes the promises of glory, how that God will outwork all human policy, and catch the crafty in their own nets; that as certainly as day comes after night, so assuredly all God's promises shall be made good, as David resolves, Ps. cxxx. 6, My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.'

So in any cloud get faith, and it will break through all impediments. Believe the former grand passages of calling, justification, and sanctification, and then we will trust God for the rest. Then is faith most glorious.

When it works alone, then it works most strongly. Then also God delights to shew himself most effectually; for when all other means fail, and faith works it out alone in wrestling, then he hath all the glory, and then all is well; and therefore we must do in this case as the prophet advises, 'Let him who sits in darkness and hath no light, trust in his name,' Isa. 1. 10. Faith does raise men up, and set them upon a rock, so sure as nothing can take away their comfort and joy in God; because Christ's name is wonderful, who then works in desperate cases when it is seasonable. A mighty God delights to work mightily, in mighty plunges. Then faith plies the suit hard: Help, Lord, or none can. Our Saviour, you see, slept in the ship until a mighty tempest rose, and then he rebuked the winds and the seas; so he seems to sleep now in the church. Why? That we may wake and stir him up by our prayers. When the Israelites' tale of brick was doubled, and the people greatly perplexed, then Moses came fitly to promise deliverance. So when the afflictions of Christians are doubled, then they are commonly most humbled. They pray hard, search, believe, and apply the promises, and then deliverance comes. Therefore in all

exigents set we faith a-work, for this stirs up prayer, and prayer stirs up God, and God stirs up all the creatures. Blame we not, therefore, any trouble so much as to cry out, Oh I am undone ! what shall become of me now! No, find fault with an unbelieving heart. It is not the trouble, but our weak faith which makes us to sink in these waves. Beg then of God, in great trouble, great faith to go through. Cry, Lord, increase my faith, for then the trouble is small when the faith is great.

(2.) Secondly, In daily afflictions. Whatsoever we suffer by them, labour to take away the sting of sin by living the life of faith in justification, as David Did, Ps. xxxii. 5; confess we our sins to God, beg to have the sting of them taken away, and hereupon we shall find him to forgive our iniquity, as in David. So in all our weaknesses and imperfections of sanctification, go to Christ for more grace, and say, Lord, though I be poor and empty of goodness, and of that which thy exact holiness requires, yet Christ hath abundance of fulness to supply my wants. Oh let me receive some grace for grace out of his fulness, and accept what he hath done for me in his pure and perfect obedience; good Lord, impute it to me, for thou hast made him to be for us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. And so for glorification; in all afflictions set we glory before our eyes, as Paul did, remembering that our light and short afflictions, which are but for a moment, cause unto us a far more excellent and eternal weight of glory, not being worthy of that glory which shall be revealed,' 2 Cor. iv 17. So in any affliction, we have still use of the life of faith in glorification. All these must be used in our afflictions, living the life of faith in all.

It is but a word for him to
Let us not do like Asa, trust
but know that all physic is
Therefore with the means

(3.) Thirdly, In sickness of body. Trust to Jesus, he is as powerful and as willing to help us now as he was to help others in the days of his flesh. All things are possible to us if we believe. rebuke all storms and tempests whatsoever. only in the physician or in subordinate means, but dead means without him, 2 Chron. xvi. 12 run to Christ, that he may work with them, and know that virtue and strength comes from him to bless or curse all sort of means.

(4.) Fourthly, So for disgraces. Commit we our credits to him as our lives he cares for both-remembering what Peter speaks, If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory

and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified,' 1 Peter iv. 14. He means such a Spirit shall rest on us, which shall make us glorious. So Heb. xii. 2, ' We are therefore in sufferings pointed unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the glory which was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.' This suffering hinders our happiness; look to him, he is now set in glory, so shall we be. It is not in man's power to alter men's conceits. God hath this in his power, when he will heap honour, or pour disgrace upon any man. Therefore let us look up and desire no more good name than God will afford us. If dogs bark, no matter; at length God will clear our name, and our righteousness shall break forth as the noonday. Thus much the church assures herself of, Micah vii. 8, Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: though I fall, I shall rise again.' As though she should say, God's servants are never finally forsaken. A time will come when God will do me good for all this, when I am humbled and have made a right use of it. That we may do this, think God in Christ hath given me the pardon of sin; what matter then of all other things which cannot hurt me, and shall all work together for my good? David, we know, Ps. vi. 8, began to complain grievously in this kind; but afterwards, ver. 8, when the Lord had spoken peace to his soul in the life of faith in justification and sanctification, then he says, Depart from me all ye workers of iniquity, for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping.' Then he despises the shame. (5.) Fifthly, In our particular places and graces. Thus must we here live by faith also; for a Christian knows that he stands as in a circle set there by Christ to work. Therefore faith concludes, Here look I for understanding, wisdom, success, blessing, and ability to go through-stitch (a) with the business I am set about. He that set me here will enable me, and if I have ill sucess, then I will go to Christ, and I shall speed well with his assistance, as Peter did, who, though he had toiled all night and catched nothing, yet at length, at Christ's command, casting forth his net, catched abundantly, Luke v. 5. So there may be many who take much care and toil for heaven, to subdue and overcome corruptions, and yet catch nothing; find no answerable success. Oh let them go to Christ, and trust him as Peter did, and they shall overcome so at length, as all shall be well. So if magistrates, ministers, and people would trust God for strength more than they do, things would be better than they are with them, as we see the instance in Moses, who being commanded to go to Pharaoh, complained for want of utterance. But what saith God to him? Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord?' Exod. iv. 11. Therefore in all such wants, faith goes unto him for it. The like, we read, was Christ's encouragement

6

to his disciples, Luke xxi. 15, Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what you shall answer, for I will give thee a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.' This was made good also in the bypast troubles of the church, when poor silly women put to silence with their answers great learned men.

Now faith sees what Moses did, Heb. xi. 24. It looks up to Christ, to him who is invisible. It is with faith in this case, as it was with Micaiah, 1 Kings xxii. 19, when he had seen the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand. Then Ahab, a king on earth, was nothing unto him when he had seen the King of heaven in his glory. So we by faith seeing Christ, heaven and glory over our head,

caring for his church, standing at the right hand of God, by assistance of his Spirit, this will put invincible courage in us.

(6.) Sixthly, For provision and protection. Faith goes to Christ, hangs and depends upon him for all these things. Faith knows that it hath encouragements, promises, and examples enough to strengthen our dependence on him, as to name one: Luke xii. 32, Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's will to give you a kingdom.' Hence the believing soul argues from the lesser to the greater. What! will God deny me daily bread, that will give me heaven, and raise me up to life everlasting? and so it cites and revolves the promises often, that a little which the righteous hath is better than the abundance of the wicked; for he adds no sorrow with it; that a little with love is better than a stalled ox with contention, Prov. xv. 17. Yea, and in this case by faith we know that the saints, in extremity, shall be extraordinarily provided for. Sometimes he will bless a little, as the seven loaves and five fishes multiplied suddenly to feed five thousand people. They were in great want before, and were suddenly supplied. So it shall be with us. Sometimes we know the woman's oil increased; the ravens also in distress shall feed Elias; Lazarus shall have the dogs to lick his sores. In the use of the means we need not fear, and wanting means God will create means when all doth fail; for then faith lives best, knowing that God commands all means, and can suddenly do what he will.

And so for protection and preservation, faith knows that Christ will be our shield and protector, therefore it relies upon him. Fear not,' saith God to Abraham, for I am God, all-sufficient, thy buckler and thy exceeding rich reward,' Gen. xv. 1. Hence the saints have so esteemed him in all ages their rock, fortress, strong tower, salvation, helper, deliverer, refuge, and the like; and Christ tells his disciples, that he is with them even unto the end of the world, Mat. xxviii. 20. He rules his by his kingly office for the good of his church. Thus much we know he made good, both in Egypt and in the wilderness, bringing his people safely into Canaan, through all those dangers they were in; providing also for the women, persecuted by the dragon, a place of refuge in the wilderness, where she was safely kept, Rev. xii. 6.

(7.) Seventhly, And for our children.

Obj. Oh, say some, I could be content with a little, but I have many children.

Sol. Here faith sets in, and answers, But are they not also Christ's children, and must not he provide for his own? Do therefore what thou canst, and for the rest despair not, but cast this burden upon him, who hath commanded thee in nothing to be careful, but in all things to make thy suits and supplications known with prayer and thanksgiving. In this case faith in a dying parent follows Christ's example, John xvii. 6, 11: Thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me that they may be one, as we are.' So a dying father may say, Lord, thine they were, thou gavest them me; I have done what I can for them. Thou, Lord, art the first, best, and last Father, the world* and the fulness thereof. Now, therefore, holy Father, keep them in thy name, for thou art the refuge of the poor and needy, and thy time is to help when all other help is at a stand. Why, consider, is not he the Father of the fatherless? Then let us leave them to him with that resolution and confidence of the prophet Qu.thine are the world'?-ED.