01.05. On the Life of Faith

CHAPTER V. ON THE LIFE OF FAITH

INQUISITIVE and contemplative men, who enjoyed not divine revelation, have written much concerning the happy Life. They were greatly divided in their sentiments about it, and really were ignorant of that life. The Holy Scripture plainly informs us what it is, and sets before us shining examples of it for our encouragement and imitation. That is a life of faith on Christ. The Apostle Paul acquaints us that such was his life, " The life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God." He not only was a subject of divine grace, but he lived in the exercise of it, without which no solid satisfaction and pleasure can be enjoyed, let our circumstances, as men, be ever so easy and affluent. In that life, we shall derive from the glorious object of faith, full contentment, settled tranquility, and permanent joy, how much so ever we are tried and afflicted. And, therefore, an enquiry into it may be instructive and beneficial to us.

1. The objects of faith are things invisible. Such as could not have been discovered without revelation, they are things which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, which have not entered into the heart of man." Hence the grace of faith is thus defined: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen." The life of faith is taking a frequent prospect of them, and conversing with them. And this is to have our conversation in heaven,

11. This is a life above the delectable things of this world. There is not anything upon earth congruous in its nature to this noble and heaven-born grace, it is of a far more exalted and sublime nature than the most splendid of sublunary enjoyments. They are mere trifles in its esteem. And as this new creature wants them not for its support and nourishment, it covets them not for its diversion and pleasure. A person, who is the subject of this principle, may indeed covet and be delighted with those gaudy toys, but not according to that principle. It is not grace in any man which thirsts after, and is fond of the glittering objects of time and sense, but the opposite of grace; for grace raises the soul far higher than this earthly globe, even to heaven itself, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God. And, therefore, if we are strangers to an elevation of mind above the choicest terrene things, we are unacquainted with the only happy life, viz., that of faith. For in the exercise of that grace, we "enter into that within the veil, whither the forerunner is for us entered." And the prospects we take of those infinitely excelling objects, which there we view, cause us to disregard the brightest things the world can boast of.

III. Faith carries the mind above the afflictive and distressing things of this world. As it swims not upon a torrent of terrestrial pleasures, so it is not depressed by a heavy weight of worldly sorrows. It smiles not on the gayest things of this mortal state, nor hath it any sadness of countenance when it is deprived of all earthly enjoyments. Its language is: Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stall; yet will I rejoice in the Lord, and joy in the Cod of my salvation." Habakkuk 3:17-18. In prosperity, it is humble and modest; in affliction, it is submissive and patient; because it is persuaded, " that all things work together for good, to them who love God, and are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28. "It glories in tribulation, which worketh patience, patience experience, and experience hope, and hope maketh not ashamed; the love of God being shed abroad in the heart, by the Holy Ghost." Romans 5:3-5.

IV. It is a life contrary to the evil part of the believer, and above his better part. Faith is a combatant with the flesh in all its lusts, and is a holy resolution to gratify neither those of the sensual, nor intellectual kind; and it vehemently longs for the extirpation of both out of the mind. And as it is a life of opposition to sin, it is a life above itself. Faith feeds upon Christ, the heavenly and hidden manna, and it drinks of the pure delightful streams which flow from the river of God’s eternal love, whereby it is refreshed and much invigorated. If grace at any time looks upon its own beauty,’ it is not in order to self contentment and admiration, but with an intention to raise the mind cheerfully to engage in the delightful service of adoration and praise to the lovely Redeemer, whose beautiful image it is. And it expects all supplies of wisdom and strength from the Father of Glory, in every needful season. Again, in the matter of consolation, it regards itself only as an evidence to itself of its divine original, as an encouragement to hope for succour in temptations, assistance in all difficulties, and renewed comfort in every trouble, from the gracious and Almighty hand which formed it in the soul. The source of its being is the origin of its joy, viz., the grace of God in Christ. This is, therefore, a life contrary to our fleshly part, and above our spiritual part. Faith places its trust in another, and derives all its peace, comfort, and pleasures from Christ, who is all in all unto every real Christian.

V. The life of faith supposes a frequent exercise of that excellent grace. A man’s life is the general course of his actions. A person is said to live a good life if his conduct in the general is good; an ill life, if his actions in the general course of them are evil. And so the Christian may be said to live a life of faith, if that grace is often acted, and his duties are discharged in faith. That alone denominates them the obedience of faith, if we multiply duties and keep up a regular practice of them, without the exercise of this grace therein, we bring no glory to God, nor do our souls receive any spiritual advantage by them. By this exercise of the grace of faith, I mean direct acts of it on the person, blood, righteousness, and fulness of Christ; and upon the grace, kindness, and mercy of God through Him. This frequent renewal of direct acts of faith is necessary to our spiritual peace, joy, and fruitfulness in good works, to the praise and glory of God. And, therefore, if we do not seek after this renewing of the acts of this grace, we may go on from month to month, and from year to year, in a low, withering, and starving condition of soul; which, it is to be feared, is the sorrowful condition of many professors at this time. It is not the bare discharge of duties, though ever so many, that will preserve our minds in a heavenly spiritual frame. Without the exercise of faith in them, they are only lifeless, dull, and formal performances, wherein God is not honored, nor our souls profited. It is well if the best axe not guilty of too much overlooking this, to their great detriment in the highest interest we can possibly have, to seek after the advancement of, so long as we. shall continue in this world.

VI. A life of faith may be maintained in a believer even under darkness, and the hiding of God’s face. A ravishing sense of divine love does not always attend the exercise of this grace. It is sometimes acted when the cheering rays of the Sun of righteousness shine not into the mind, and the refreshing light of extraordinary comfort and joy is wanting. And hereby, the mind of a Christian is preserved tranquil and composed, though it hath not that degree of pleasure, which springs up in it, from the affecting manifestations of divine love. Nor ought this serenity, which is maintained in the soul to be censured as stupidity, or a carnal security, for it greatly differs there from, whatever some may think who seem to have no other notion of faith, than what consists in ravishment and ecstasy.

VII. This faith is a dependence on the faithfulness of God, to all his promises and engagements. As God exhorts the saints to stay upon Him, and trust in His name, "when they walk in darkness, and have no light." It is reasonable to suppose, that such is the condition of believers sometimes, because the exhortation would be needless, nor could it be- put into practice, if no such case ever attended them. In that circumstance to act faith, evidences the strength of it, and brings great glory to God. And when a Christian is enabled to trust in the Lord, and rely on His fidelity to His gracious promises, he walks with Him, and is concerned for His honor, and yields to him a becoming obedience, though he enjoys not that sweet delight which he does when he is favored with the light of His countenance, and His love is shed abroad in his heart. And the foundation of this trust is firm and stable, and consequently, there is no danger of shame and confusion succeeding it. Divine love is immutable divine faithfulness is eternal; and therefore, this holy confidence can never be attended with consequences prejudicial to its subject. This dependence is not without some renewed direct act of faith on God and Jesus Christ. Herein it differs from a carnal confidence, and dangerous presumption, which is never attended with real acts of faith.

VIII. This life is a desire and expectation of better things than can be enjoyed in this state. By those things, I do not intend what the world calls valuable, and which money may procure; but jewels and treasures far beyond all comparison with the choicest of them, viz., those gracious visits and heavenly pleasures which the saints are sometimes favored with in the present state, as an earnest of the full enjoyment of God in the world above. To be with Christ is far better. What is that which is excelled? Not the good of this world, but the good of grace, between which and the good things of this world, no comparison can be made. Communion with God, and a view of Christ in His glory by faith, far transcend the enjoyment of all the honors, the riches, and the delights which this world hath to bestow on any mortal, notwithstanding the vain sons of men court these things and when they attain a considerable share of them are elated with them, in the surprising manner they be. A poor despised believer, who walks with God, is far happier than he who possesses most of earth, and is a stranger to heaven. But the future state of glory greatly excels the good of present grace, and present communion with God. And a life of faith is an expectation of that blessed Hope.