October 2

Because that your faith groweth exceedingly.—2 Thessalonians 1:3.

ON one occasion the disciples said, "Lord, increase our faith." And who that knows any thing of the value of faith, will not constantly urge a similar prayer? We should pray and labor diligently to inflame the heart to seek for faith as for a precious jewel, or a hidden treasure. Men are never satisfied with earthly treasures, though oftentimes they heap them up for the last day: how much more careful should they be to lay up a good foundation for the time to come, that they may obtain eternal life? Great encouragement we may have hereunto upon these considerations:—

First, The more faith a man hath, the more comfort he may take in all the good things which he doth enjoy. He may look upon them as the witnesses of God's truth and promises, as the tokens of his love, as the accessions and supernumerary accruements unto his kingdom, as the supplies and daily provisions of a Father which careth for us.

Secondly, The more faith a man hath, the more security against all evils; he may undergo them with patience, with hope, with joy, with triumph, with profit. He may look upon them as needful things, as precious things, as conformities unto Christ his head, as the seeds of peace, righteousness, and praises; as rain, though it makes the way foul, yet it makes the land fruitful.

Thirdly, The more faith a man hath, the more certain and victorious will his conquests be against his enemies; that which by faith we rely upon, and put on, will be impregnable munition, and impenetrable armor to secure us. The love, the blood, the compassions, the temptations of Christ; these, by faith apprehended, have pulled down walls, subdued kingdoms, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, and turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

Fourthly, The more faith a man hath, the more insight he hath into Christ, and those mysteries of salvation, which the angels desire to look into. Faith is the eye, and mouth, and ear of the soul, by which we peep through the curtains of mortality, and take a view and foretaste of heavenly things, whereby we have a more secret and intimate communion with God in his covenants, promises, precepts,—in his will, guiding us by his counsel, and in his face, comforting us with his favor.

Fifthly, The more faith a man hath, the more tranquillity and establishment of heart shall be find in the midst of all spiritual desertions, distractions, and difficulties. When a man's wits are nonplussed, his reason posed, his contrivances and counsels disappointed, his heart clouded with sorrow and fear; when he walketh in darkness, and hath no light; oh, then to have a sanctuary, an altar to fly unto; to have a God to roll himself upon, to lean upon his wisdom, to lay hold of his covenant, to wait quietly upon the salvation of that God, who doth not cast off for ever, but though he cause grief, yet, will have compassion "according to the multitude of his mercies:" to commit his way to him who is able to bring it to pass, and to do abundantly above the thoughts, desires, expectations, or petitions of men; what peace and serenity must this be to the soul, which is otherwise without light and peace!

Sixthly, The more faith a man hath, the more joy and glory he hath in spiritual, the more contentment and quietness in earthly things. "Being justified by faith, we have peace with God: In whom believing we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."—Earthly-mindedness and worldly cares grow out of want of faith: In these and many the like respects should we be moved to seek for his grace; and that so much the more carefully, because the heart is of itself barren, and therefore very unfit to have a foreign plant grow in it; very apt to overtop it with lusts and vanities. We must therefore be diligent to make our assurance full and certain, diligent in the word of faith, and with the spirit of faith. "Be ye not slothful," saith the apostle, "but followers of them who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises."