THE ROCK: OR A settled heart in unsettled times.  
A short Discourse, minding and helping God's People to make use of their Faith for moderating their Fears in these sad times of the sorrows of ZION.  
Being the heads of some Sermons, Preached lately, and now published for that purpose.  
By William Jemmat, Pastor of Netlested, in the County of Kent.  Psal. 57.1. 
Be merciful unto me O God, be merciful unto me, for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.  
London printed for Samuel Enderby, and are to be sold at the Star in Popes-head-alley. 1644.   

To the most Noble Patriot, and my most worthy Patron Sir Edward Scot of Scots-hall, Knight of the Bath; together with the Lady Mary Scot; his most worthy and religious Consort: Grace, Mercy and Peace be multiplied in our Lord Jesus Christ.  
SAd experience telleth even good Christians, how weak their own spirits are in the sore trials of these distracting times, even where their peace and comforts are continued, before they are put to suffer as their brethren abroad do. Fears of evil threatened do much disquiet them, and too often suspend their faith from doing the due and proper office of it: So that they deserve a check for their unbelief, in the words of our Lord; Why are ye fearful O ye of little faith? Mat. 8.26. And yet because they dislike and struggle with this unbelief, they deserve pity, and to be helped against it; which was the occasion of these meditations at the first and now of publishing them.  
And for this Dedication of them to your worthy selves, the cause is apparent: Partly I would help forward your comfort in God, after all your activity and charge in the great Cause of God now in agitation. Partly I would make known your exemplary love to the work of God, both in times of peace, maintaining a Lecture at your own cost, and spending much upon the poor, upon Ministers and others; and in these times of war, exhausting your estate to buy Arms, Horses, and provisions of divers kinds for helping the Lord against the mighty; beside your continual cares and counsels for the public, and for the peace of our County, which (amongst other our Worthies) oweth much to your worship for the safety of it, and repelling of the enemy. Your Martial Family hath gained much honour hereby among all godly and understanding Christians. And partly I would hereby tell the world, that to me and mine you have been a most free and loving Patron, and was the like to my Predecessor and his Family: The Lord return into your bosom seven fold, add to your days abundantly, give you health take away or mitigate those pains you are sometimes subject unto, strengthen you in the inner man by his Spirit, fill you and yours with all heavenly graces and comforts, keep you unblamable to his Kingdom and glory, and give you (with us) to see the peace of Zion again established, with the utter disappointment of all the enemies. Which are the daily prayers of  
May 26. 1644. Your worships much obliged William Jemmat.   

A settled HEART in unsettled Times.  PSAL. 112.7. 
He shall not be afraid of evil tidings, his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.  

Section I.  
Whether, and how fare forth▪ she fears of evil may be expelled from godly hearts in times of public danger.  
THis Question is occasioned upon reading the words of that Text, thus; What? no fear? 
Expos. Faith and Fears, 〈…〉.  so fixed? that you fear nothing? What if there be tidings of a great Army coming against you? What if tidings of great losses in your estate of Children miscarrying, friend, destroyed, or the like? Hath any such a faith, as that still he will fear no evil tidings?  
Whereto the Answer may be made in six things, and the Text withal expounded.  
I. Faith in the Essence of it, casteth out all fear; 
Essence and Existence of Faith.  as is said of love, the daughter of faith, 1 Joh. 4.18. perfect lo●e easteth out fear. But our faith is not perfect; as there be frailties in our graces, so in our faith: We need still to say, 
Mar. 9.24. 1 Cor. 13. ●.  I believe, Lord help my unbelief: We know in part, and love in part, and believe in part, and all in part, till that perfect come. This is faith in the existence of it; in this or that Subject, this or that Believer: If it were entire, it would render a man altogether fearless. Adam in innocency, by faith adhering to God perfectly, had nothing to fear: And Christ, the second Adam, believing perfectly, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Mark 1. ●. 33.  feared no threats of the wicked, nor dangers: He feared indeed at his Passion: but that was, partly because he stood in our room, who by sin were brought into a condition of terrors, partly in respect of his Father's wrath which must now be appeased: And I suppose, in the day of judgement, before the Saints enter into Heaven, it will be by the perfection of their faith, that they fear none of those terrors and amazements, 1 Joh. 4.17. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of Judgement: Yea, there will be great joy, as in a day of refreshment, a day of redemption, of the restoring of all things, of the Lamb's Marriage, of the best good that ever the godly saw.  
II. Faith in the full and entire acts of it, casteth out all fear: that is, so long, and so fare forth as we trust in the Lord; for that time we shall be unmovable and invincible, as mount Zion, Psal. 125.1. though another while we be fearful, and conflict with sore doubtings: 
Job 19.25  As Job now confident, I know my Redeemer liveth, anon very much distempered; and David, one while will fear nothing, 
Psal. 24.4.  though he walk in the midst of the Valley of the shadow of death: and another while bewrayeth great infidelity, 
〈◊〉. 77.9.  Will the Lord be no more gracious? etc.  
The proper act of faith is, to cleave to the Lord without wavering or doubting. This led the Martyrs through the prisons, and flames and extremest sufferings. This we read of in Paul very much, 2 Tim. 1.12. I know whom I have believed; and Rom. 8.38. I am persuaded, that neither death nor life— shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord; and so it is in others, where the full assurance of faith is obtained, Heb. 10.22. and note the phrase here; His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord; or, in as much as he trusteth in the Lord; or, so fare forth as he trusteth in the Lord; just the same form of speaking, as in 1 Tim. 4.8. Godliness is profitable to all things, having the promise: that is, in as much as it hath the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.  
Now apply this to the former instances, of a great Army coming against us, or the like: Faith acted will say as David, Psal 3.6. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people that have set themselves against me round about: as Elisha to his servant 2 Kings 6.16. Fear not, for they that be with us (two men only) are 〈◊〉 than they that be with them: As Asa, 2 Chron. 14.11. Lord it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: As Jehosaphat, chap. 20.12. we ha●e no might against this great company that cometh against us, neither know we what to do, but our eyes are upon thee: Or as Moses at the red Sea, Exod. 14.13. Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord which he will sh●w to you to day.  
Again, faith acted will say, God is able to make their hearts melt in them, 
〈…〉.  even the stoutest of the enemy's, a● the Canaanites: God can make them hear a noise in t●● 〈◊〉▪ 
1 K●ng 7. ●  and be gone, as the Syrians; o● a rumour, 
Isa. 37.7.  as the Assyrians. God can set them to sheathing their swords in the bowels one of another, as the Moabites, 
2 Chron. 20.23.  Ammonites and Edomites: He can send an evil spirit among them, to fall off one from another, as Abimelech and the men of Sechem: 
Judg. 11.23.  Or he can bide us in the midst of all the enemies, as he did Jeremy and Baruch. 
Jer. 36.26  It may be ye shall be hid in the day of wrath, Zeph. 2.3.  
And if not, yet faith acted will say. We shall go to Heaven so much the sooner; and there it will be better for us, then if we had lived here an hundred years longer in the greatest prosperity: After darkness I shall see light; and, while I sit in darkness, the Lo●d shall be a light unto me, Mic. 7.8.  
So in any other instances; faith is the victory, wherein we overcome the world, 1 Joh. 5 4. And we see large and fair exemplifications of it, Heb. 11.33, 34, 35. Through faith they subdued Kingdom, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, ●●●pp●● th● mouths of Lions, q●●●, had the violence of fire, escaped th● 〈…〉 the sword, etc. This is the lustre and glory of faith, in the vigorous acts of it: Samson was not more glorious in those miraculous acts, of killing a Lion, or laying the Philistims heap upon heap, than a Beleeever shall be, if faith be well brought into action.  
III. Faith when it admitteth of fears most, and is pestered shrewdly, yet strives to the contrary, and works them out by little and little. What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee, Psal. 56.3. and a Believer chides away unbelief, as Psal. 42.11. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. Unbelief is a great burden to a good soul, and makes it say with tears, Lord I believe, 
Mar. 9.24  help tho●●●●●e ●●●el●●fe▪ Ah that I should bewray such weakness, after so much acquaintance with God after so much experience of his goodness, after so much profession to believe in God Almighty, 〈…〉 O wretched man that I am, 
Rom ●. 24  who shall deliver me from this body of death?  
And as faith groweth stronger, so these fears wear away by little and little. At lightsome times it is as bold as a Lion, Prov. 28.1. The wicked the● when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a Lion: and we are righteous by faith.  
All graces conflict with their contraries; and so doth saith. The comfort is, it is sure of victory in the end: Which is something to stay and fix the heart, during the ●●me of the combat. Time shall be, that all these fears and first things shall pass away: We shall not so much as fear any enemies, of soul or body, or molestation by them.  
iv There is a mixed consideration of the fears of a believing heart; 
〈…〉 in Sword● of 〈◊〉 godly.  that it is rather an holy and commendable fear, than otherwise. Some affliction or danger there is; but yet an higher cause, which breedeth the fear.  
First, sometimes the fear is for some sin unrepented and unpardoned, as the poor heart doubteth. Job in his great calamities feared, lest the Lord reckoned with him for old offences, chap. 13.26. thou writest bitter things against 〈◊〉, and mak●st me to possess the 〈◊〉 of my youth. When trouble comes, and the peace with God not settled, it is just cause of fear. 
Prov. 18.11.  A w●●●● 〈◊〉 who can bear? Though sometime the Christian be comfortably persuaded of the peace, yet my perfectly: Or some old sin comes newly to remembrance, and brings terror with it: As to 〈◊〉 brethren when taken for spies, 
Gen 12. ●1.  We are 〈◊〉 guilty concerning 〈…〉 that we 〈◊〉 the anguish of his s●●le, and would not hear; therefore is 〈◊〉 d●st●●●sse come upon us. Or howsoever, some fear will do well, to assure the peace more throughly, Phil. 2.12. Work out your salvation wi●● fear and trembling. And thus, 〈◊〉 is the man that feareth alwa●, Prov. 28.14. Where fear standeth in opposition to hardness of heart, as appeareth by the opposition of the sentence.  
Secondly, sometimes the fear ●s not so much for himself (whose estate is good, and gives him leave to rejoice in God all the day long) as for his children which are young, t●nde●, not instructed, not provided for: He fears lest they should c●me into Popish or profane hands, and miscarry: Alas, what shall they do, if they be fatherless, motherless, friendless, without government, or without good instruction? The body is like to be in bad case enough, but the soul is worse. Few friends of the soul, even where is some love to the body.  
Thirdly, sometimes it is not so much for his own particular, as the welfare of the Church; least Idolaters prevail, and Idolatry be established again, lest the Gospel be hindered in the free course of it; feast the Ark● be taken, and the glory depart from Israel, 1 Sam. 4.13. Eli sat upon a seat by the wayside, watching; for his heart trembled for the Ark of God.  
Or he fears for the glory of God; lest it be eclipsed, if the good side go to the worse, and wicked enemies have occasion to blaspheme: Where is now 〈◊〉 God, 
P●●● 12.10  and Gospelling, and Fasting, and Praying, and Reformation? Thus Moses was afraid, lest if Israel were destroyed in the Wilderness, the enemy would say, It is because God was not 〈…〉 them into the good ●and, Num. 14.13. and Joshua. chap. 7.9. What will thou do unto thy great Name? namely, if Israel still fall before the men of A●. Which is an holy fear: We read of some such thing in God himself, Deut. 32.26, 27. I said, I would 〈◊〉 them into 〈◊〉, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men, were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy, 〈◊〉. The Lord is a Jealous God, and fears lest his glory go to another; and his people a zealous people, 
'tis 2.14.  fearing the same thing; which is a fear holy and commendable.  
V Some fear is both natural, and very useful.  
Fear is a natural aff●●ction, 
Fea●●, a natural 〈◊〉.  carried to some evil at hand, for the avoiding of it. Nature seek● the preservation of itself, and declines the contraries; and the preservation of the outward estate, wherewith God hath blessed him; to save as much as it can, from rapine and violence; why not? an honest providence is not only lawful, but necessary.  

〈…〉.  And it is useful; to act according to God's providence, who will bless and help his people, but not idling, careless, fearless, neglecting the mea●●es. Sometimes fear acteth for the avoiding of the evil feared, as Acts 27.38. in fear of shipwreck, and to obtain the promise of saving their lives, they lightened the sh●p, and cast out the wheat into the sea. Sometimes by preparing for the evil, if it be not to be avoided, as Amos 4.12. Therefore thus will I do unto thee O Israel; and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God O Israel. And by this latter the soul is drawn nearer unto God: reasoning, Is there so much danger abroad? It is time then to get the closer to God, and keep with him. When Hawks be abroad, the Bird is safest upon the nest, Psal. 91.4. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt them 〈◊〉. And thus it is a sin, not to fear when a judgement is coming; as in wicked men who care for nothing: Fear ye not me saith the Lord? Jer. 5.22. We are commanded to fear him, who, 
Luk. 12. ●  after he hath killed, hath power to cast into hell: And one description of God children is, they fear the Lord, Mal. 3.16.  
VI The promise here made to the godly is, for the expelling of immoderate fears; either not to enter into a believing heart at all, or else to be soon thrust out again: Therefore the fears here are opposed to establishing of the heart, ver. 8. he shall not be afraid; his heart is established: His heart is of a preserving and fencing nature, to uphold the heart against every assault and annoyance of enemies, Phil. 4.7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, The peace of God shall keep your hearts and minds (as soldiers in a garrison) through Christ Jesus.  
But when are fears immoderate? 
Feare●, when immoderate. 4. Notes.  1. When they are killing; as to worldly and carnal men sometimes they are: worldly sorrow causeth death: See an instance in Jer. 49.23, 24.2. When they hinder duty; so afraid, that ye cannot pray, read, hear with profit, or the like. 3. When they banish all joy in God; which should not be; fear before God, but with some mixture of joy: rejoice with trembling, Psal. 2.11. and, rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, 
Phil. 4.4.  rejoice. 4. When they put men into unlawful ways to help themselves; as Saul in his fear of the Philistines, would needs ofter sacrifice, which was not his office to do; or go to the Witch at Endo●, against his own Law and conscience.  
This they do not to godly men; wh●n most afraid, they have some help to stay them up until better times: Even in desertions, when the Lord withdraws his comforts, and they make moan; yet they will not adventure upon sin, which might give some contentment; they will lift up a prayer, even when they say they have little hope to speed; they magnify the estate of God's children, who enjoy comfort, and love them, will not speak ill of them, nor do aught against them.  
A sign thr●●out of the matter is in them, 
Job 19.28▪  as Job said of himself amidst all those distempers: They have the substance, though they fail in circumstance, Isa. 6.13. 
1 Joh. 3.9.  They holy seed is the substance thereof. The seed of God abideth in them. Though the ●●●●es fall off, yet the ●ap lies at the root; faith keeps the heart alive still: That they are willing to resist a temptation, though sometimes foiled; and grieve, when the Tempter hath been too hard for them; and amidst all their foils, their faith upholds them unto victory: Still they are comprehended of Christ, even when they are not able to comprehend Christ, Phil. 3.12. And in due time they shall be delivered from all their fears, enemies, dangers, combats, molestation.   

Section II.  
Grounds of fixing and settling the heart by Faith.  

The chief point in this discourse.  Faith is a strong and effectual means to settle the heart in times of danger; in times when evil tidings fly about; in times when unbelieving hearts reel to and fro, Hab. 2.4. Behold, his set●le which is lifted up, is not upright in him; ●●t the just shall live by his faith. Isa. 7.9. If ye will not believe, 〈◊〉 ye shall not be established. Chap. 50.10. Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness and hath no light? let him trust in the Name of the Lord, and stay upon his God. Joh. 14.1. Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me.  

Ground●.  The Grounds hereof are these.  
1. In resrect of God, on whom faith trusteth. 
The whole blessed Trinity.  The heart may well be fixed, because it trusteth on the Lord; who is the Rock of salvation: In a great storm it is good to fasten the anchor to a strong rock: 
Psal. 95.1  And such is God to the Church in great persecutions, so as all the gates of hell shall not prevail against it, Mat. 16.18.  
First, God the Father; 
Father. Relations.  the fountain of the Trinity, and of our comfort. He is our Father; as Christ's by nature, so ours by adoption: and a child resteth securely in the bosom of his loving father. 
Attributes  And every Attribute is mighty to fix the heart of Believer. The power, wisdom, holiness, truth, mercy, justice of God, and the rest. 
De●●e.  Also his Counsel taken for the main, that is, the saving of his soul. God is far beyond all imperfections of an earthly friend; who loves well, but may prove forgetful, unable, weary of doing good, etc.  
Beside, faith seethe in God a sweet and blessed Providence, 
Providence.  in which it may rest quietly and contentedly: Saying as Abraham in that exigent, 
Gen. 22.14.  God will provide; in the mount it shall be seen. Without the will of my Father in Heaven not a hair of mine head, nor a little sporrow can fall to the ground: Things come not to pass either by fate or fortune (which are the contentments of fools and Atheists) but by the good hand of God, at least permitting and ordering. And there be divers acts of Providence; 
Acts of it.  overruling, mitigating, limiting, disposing all to good, even the worst events. God is the great Governor of the world, and evil shall not come but at his pleasure; not till now, not more, not longer, no farther; as he saith to the proud wa●es, Thus fare shall ye go, 
Job 38.11.  but no farther. And as Joseph said, Ye thought evil against 〈◊〉, but God meant it unto good, Gen. 50.20 And as Job, The Lord give●●, and the Lord taketh away; blessed be the name of the Lord, chap. 1.21.  

P●●●●ses.  Finally, faith pitcheth on promises, and these heard with 〈◊〉 Oath, to give us 〈…〉 Heb. 6.18. And promises are fare better than all performances in this world, whatever they be; still there is more in a promise; 
Isa. 65.8.  A bl●ssing in the cluster, destroy it not: For the matter, they are precious promises; for the manner of making, f●●e; for the extent, universal; for the effect, 
2 Cor. 1.20. Isa. 55.3.  sure and certa●ne; yea and am●n; sure mercies, everlasting mercies, everlasting Covenant, etc. Faithful is he that hath promised, who will also do it. And the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.  
Good foundations for faith to settle upon.  
Secondly, God the Son; 
The Son of God.  the C●●●lati●e of faith, and special Ob●ect, on which it resteth. There is a world of wealth in Christ, that the heart may well be fixed by believing on him. He is the strength of a believing heart; yea everlasting strength, Isa. 26.4. and new strength to be still deri●ed from him, according to occasion, chap. 40.31. He is an Advocate with the Father, 
1. Joh. 2.1.  to nonsuit our clamourous sins, and keep our persons in favour. He is our King, now governing for us, though in Heaven, in all that glory. He is the best friend we have, nearer than a Brother. He is an enemy to our enemies, and will curse them that curse us, Gen: 12.3. In all respects there is great cause to trust in Christ, and, trusting in him, to be fixed; Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. 
Psal. 2.12  He had not been Christ, but to stand us in stead, and give us sure footing in every slippery time and occasion.  

The Holy Ghost.  Thirdly, God the Holy Ghost; the Spirit of faith, 2 Cor. 4.13. enabling us to speak, or make confession of the truth in dangerous times. He is also the spirit of strength, Isa. 11.2. the Spirit of power, of love, and of a sound mind, 2 Tim. 1.7. And thus he fixeth the poor heart, by what he worketh in it, and what he testifieth to it, and what he comforteth; Thence we read the seal of the spirit, the earnest of the spirit, 
Passion ap●d Pa●lum.  the liberty of the spirit, the witness of the spirit and the first fruits of the spirit; all of them confirmations to an unsettled heart against its several trials. When the Holy Ghost was come upon the Apostles, we see how fearless they stood before the Counsel, and despised all threaten. O Austit●, he is come, he is come, said Master G●o●● at the sight of the stake; speaking of the comfortable presence of the Holy Ghost, who had withdrawn for a while. And for us, he is promised to abide with us for ever. 
Joh. 14.11.  Which we profess to believe, saying, I believe in the Holy Ghost; and so the heart is fixed.  
This is the first and self-sufficient ground for faith to settle the heart of God's child. The rest are secondary, and powerful only in their own place, and in order to that first.  
II. In respect of the Word, 
II. The Word of Faith,  upon which faith relieth. A near relation there is between Fa●●● and the Word; thence it is called the Word of Faith, Rom. 10.8. And it is a quickening Word, as to David, Psal. 119.50. Thy 〈◊〉 hath quickened me; it is a comforting Word, as ver. 24. Thy Testimonies are my delight; It is a strengthening Word, as Heb. 5. ult. strong meat: 
2 Pet. 1.19. Mat. 5.18.  It is a sure Word; all to be performed in due time: Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my Word shall not pass away. It is a store-house of promises, which as they were made in mercy, so they shall be made good in truth. The Christian being brought into straits may read, and quickly meet with a stay for his poor unstayed, troubled heart; and without the Word he should soon miscarry, Psal. 119.92 balesse thy law had been my delights, I should have perished in m●n● affliction: But by help of the Word he is soon settled, confident, full of praises for his good estate in Christ, and triumphant over all his enemies; see Ps. 56.3, 4, 10, 11.  
III. In respect of what faith receiveth▪ It receiveth such mercies at the hand of God, 
B●● fits receipted by Faith.  and so much, that it resteth con●ent with and condition the heavenly Father shall a lot unto it. It seethe sin abolished, forgiven, nothing to be laid to his charge; which is ●e blessedness of a man, Rom. 4.6. It seethe Satan disarmed, the Law satisfied, the curse taken away, hell shut, and Heaven opened to him: It seethe God's wrath pacified, his justice satisfied, his favour procured; which is matter of great joy, yea glorying, in the midst of many tribulations, Rom. 5.1, 2, 3. And this is the Kingdom of God within us, 14.17. Not ●●at and d●●nke, but righteousness and peace, and 〈◊〉 the Holy Ghost. Finally, saith seethe all afflictions sanctified, sweetened, mitigated, exchanged for good; in wrath the Lord remembreth mercy; we shall not drink the dregss of the Cup, 
Ps. 75.8.  as the wicked do, and as Christ did for us; but in him sing and triumph, O death, 
1 Cor. 15.55.  where is thy st●ng▪ O grace, where is thy victory! What Agag said foolishly, the Believer saith on good grounds, T●e bitterness of death is past: 
1 Sam. 15.32. Phil. 1.21  and, Welcome l●fe: and, To die is gain: an entrance into glory.  
iv In respect of what faith worketh: 
Works f● faith fixing the 〈◊〉.  Faith is no idle grace, but still sets itself on work, about such employments, and in such manner, as the Lord will mercifully (according to promise) secure the labouring heart in all his difficulties.  
First, it works out corruption, which would hinder comfort, Acts 15.9. Purifying their hearts by faith, Both the guiltiness of sin; it is never quiet, till it be cleansed & cleared in the blood of Christ: Witness David a Believer, who after those great sins, heaped up many petitions for pardon, Psal. 51. whereas another falls into the mire, and lies wallowing in it, as in his proper clement. And the filthiness of sin; none is suffered to command: out with it, keep thyself from in, as from defilement, Psal. 18.23. As the flesh lusteth against the spirit, 
Gal. 5 1●  so the spirit in a Believer lusteth against the flesh: And, O this body of death, who shall deliver! 
Ps 51 10.  Create in me a clean heart O God, renew a right spirit within me.  
Secondly, faith is an undivided companion of a good conscience: 
1 Tim. 1.19.3.9.  which is a continual feast, a brazen wall; great matter of joy in many and great afflictions, 2 Cor. 1.12. This is our rejoicing, even the testimony of our conscience.  
Thirdly, it worketh hope; which is an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, entering into that with●n the veil, Heb. 6.19▪ and saith, Though it be ill for the present, it will be better hereafter▪ In the world is no comfort, but in Heaven there is enough and enough: Men are enemies, but God a friend, and will appear in time for us, and against them all: And if ourselves should miscarry, yet our posterity shall see the fruit of all these stirs; our children shall enter into the good land. A great stay to the heart, when almost overwhelmed with ca●es and fea●es; Psal. 27.13. I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the l●ving.  
Fourthly, faith works patience; to endure any thing in the way, and for the cause of God; therefore we both labour, and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, 1. Tim. 4.10. And by patience the Christian hath power over his own spirit; and can possess his soul, 
Luk. 21.19.  which otherwise would be lost (as it were) by impatience and other distempers. When patience hath its perfect work, 
Jam. 1.4.  he shall be altogether invincible; and shall hold out unto victory, and to the enjoying of all mercies promised, Heb. 6.12. old Believers through faith and patience inherited the promises.  
Fiftly, faith can pray; the prayer of faith, 
Jam. 5.15, 16. Oratio fidei Omnipotent 〈◊〉  which availeth much, and after a sort is Omnipotent, as Luther said. And specially by prayer the Believer can get hearts-ease in every s●d quality, the settling of unquiet affections, heavy passions of unbelief, frightful apprehensions of evil to come. Lord help my mi●ch●fe, 
Ma●. 9.24.  Ps. 109.4. for my love they are my adversaries; b●t I 〈◊〉 myself unto prayer: mark the force of that phrase. And it is said of Jehosaphat, in that great danger, that he set himself to seek the Lord; which both qualified his fear, and obtained a victory, 2 Chron. 20.3.  
V In respect of the enemies, both in the world, and from hell: 
Enemy's disabled in the ●a●ne. Rom. 8.33.  Faith seethe them disabled in the ma●ne: Who can a●●●●st, or condem●e, or separate from the love of God? Well they may kill the body, but not hurt the soul; or rifle the estate, but not prejudice the goodness of his estate toward God: Therefore fear them not, saith our Saviour, Luk 12.4, 5. Neither can they do that, till the Lord give them leave; 
2 Sam. 16.11.  as he bade Shime● to curse David; and satan could not touch Job, nor enter into the Swine of the Gada●●●ns, till he had commission. Enemies are a sharp rod, but in the hand of God; to lay on, or take off, as he pleaseth, Isa. 10.5. Nor yet can they vex us one moment longer than the Lord will: As we see in Israel's coming out of Egypt, Exod 12.41. The self same day, wherein the 430. years were expired: The rod of the wicked shall not rest on the lot of the righteous: 
Ps. 125.3.  In due time the rod must be cast into the fire.  
VI In respect of the proper ●nd of faith, 
Faith ends of not but ●n salvation.  which is salvation; 1 Pet. 1.9. Faith never leaves the soul, but in endless & unspeakable blessedness. There indeed itself endeth, having done its office; but the effect & benefit of it never endeth. Now they say, all is well that ends well; and in present, all is well, because the end shall be good; thence the heart is fixed, and the Believer fainteth not, whatever he suffers in this life; see 2 Cor. 4.16, 17, 18.  

The Ordinance of God.  VII. In respect of Gods grant and ordinance to a Believer, walking humbly with him; as here in the Text, this stands a● a privilege of the godly, described 〈◊〉. 1. to be on● that f●a ●t God, and delignating earth 〈◊〉 Comm●●d●ments. God ●ath passed over to him such in humanity, He sh●● not b● 〈…〉 d●g●● 〈…〉 in the Lord. Having taken his part of sorrow and fear beforehand, 
Hab. 3 16.  he shall rest in the day of evil. And having come to God's terms (of believing, repenting, obeying, zeal, and the like) he shall now enjoy the sweetness of it. One that hath served his time faithfully, shall have the privileges of a Townsman, or Citizen.  
These are the grounds, whereon faith settleth the heart in evil 〈◊〉.  
All this while we say nothing ●f a Stoical, or C●n call resolution; that a Christian should either be void of affections, 
Heb. 12.5  o● desp●se the cross by a dogged stomach; or that he needs worldly wisdom and policy to help himself; or that he must shift and sh●rk for himself in an indirect way; or go over to the enemies of God and Religion; or on the other side, seek his own revenge upon them. All this is but Sau●● Armour, not sit for Dav●d to fight in: Therefore we leave them to Ma●●●●vel and his disciples: Men of this world, 
Job 36.21.  who choose sin rather than affliction: And we go out against the enemies of God, as David against Goliath, 
1 Sam. 17.45.  in the name of the Lord. Grounds of faith suffice the heirs of faith; who are ever happiest, and most at ease, when they hold them to their grounds.   

Section III.  
Improve Faith for settling thy heart in these evil times.  

Make use of Faith at these times of need.  Every one wisheth the times were settled, and if the times were settled, he would do thus and thus to make gain, and live a merry life. But (Christians) the settling of the times is not in your power, the settling of your hearts is, and ye see how: Other may pass away as fruitless wishes, and lost endeavours, but this is feisable, and will be to good purpose: The Just is an everlasting foundation, saith Solomon; 
Prov. 10.  that is, being fixed by faith; otherwise, he is weak as another man; this is the Samsons look, which holds all our strength together; this keeps life in the heart, and steadiness, whereas without it the soul staggers like a drunken man.  
Now live by faith: 
Hab. 2.4.  While the natural man lives the life of nature, do you live the life of grace and of faith: Make use of this privilege, as Townsmen do of theirs, to enrich themselves, and keep out foreigners. No man hath a commodity lying by him, but he will make use of it when it shall be most for his advantage: And so should a Christian of his faith in these times of need: Never in all our days had we such times and occasions as these, and therefore now more than ever we should put our faith to the proof. Godly men have no exemption from troubles, dangers, or evil tidings, but only an Antidote, to fence their poor hearts against the venom of them. And they have their fears as others have; and their fears are both natural and useful: Only this may curb them and keep them from being immoderate. Faith acted sets the heart as a rock, and the face as a flint; Isa. 50.7. The Lord God will help me, therefore shall I not be confounded; therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know tha● I shall not be ashamed.  
Object. Oh! but it is very hard to keep the heart in a good frame, of depending and waiting on God; I find my heart soon unsettled, though sometime fixed.  
Ans. 1 True, Gods own children find sad vicissitudes of faith and frailty; flesh and spirit are ever combating, as in other things, so in this; like those that go upon the sea, sometime carried up to Heaven, 
Psal. 107.26.  sometime down again into the de●ps. Let no Christian discourage himself because of these alterations: Be glad, that sometimes ye find an high tide of affections and assurances: 
77. 10.  David remembered the yeer● of old and was comforted.  
Secondly, it is indeed difficult, and that shows the excellency of the life of faith: 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  All excellent things are attended w●th their difficulties: A great estate needs much ado in the managing. None layeth siege to a Cottage; neither will Satan trouble those that live the life of nature; but where faith is, he will quickly show himself an enemy.  
Thirdly, Religion in general, and faith in particular, hath a power in it, 
Lactant. ●●nditu. 4.28.  both to maintain itself, and oppose the enemy. Religion in latin hath its name of binding: And in this case, it bindeth the believing soul to its Mast, so to avoid enchanting Sirens of the World, and keep it upright against all storms of temptation and persecution; and faith at weakest cries out for help, Lord increase our faith, Lord belp my unbelief. The life of nature strives to preserve itself as long as it can, and by the best means it can; and so doth the life of faith. The weakest Believer can make moan, and say all is not well with him, and long for some relief; which struggle shall be relieved: Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, 
Mat. 5.6.  for they shall be filled.  
Fourthly, therefore strive still to act thy faith; chide unbelief away, as Psal. 42.11. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? why art thou disquieted within me? What reason for this infidelity? Fight the good fight of faith, 1 Tim. 6.12. Contend for the Faith, Judas 3. As for the doctrine of faith, and habit of faith, so for the act and exercise of it: In vain is that habit of power, which is not reduced into act. No need to bid a Seaman cast forth his anchor in a storm; so me thinks there should be no need to call upon a Christian to set his faith on work, in these dangerous days.  
Quest. What should we do to exercise our faith in soul weather, 
Means to bring faith into act.  and make our use of it when need requireth.  
Answ. 1. Seek the Lord by prayer; 
Jam. 1.17.  from whom cometh every good and perfect gift; and to live the life of faith, is one of those gifts. As he is the Author, so the Finisher of faith, Heb. 12.2. As he gives the habit, so the act and operation of it: The Lord gives his Church, both the former and la●ter rain. Faith is a Creature, and the strength whereby we stand is uncreated, even God himself: Thou art the strength of my heart (said David) and my portion for ever. 
Ps. 37.26.  Faith that must support us, must itself be supported of the Lord; as Christ prayed for Peter, Luke 22.32. I have prayed that thy faith fail not.  
Doth any of you therefore want wisdom or strength? 
Jam. 1.5, 6.  Let him ask of God, who giveth liberally. He is the only stay for a poor Believer in straits and difficulties: Fall to casting anchor in Heaven, or else ye are gone: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth neither justify, nor uphold us in great trials: God must help us to believe, or we shall soon come to nothing: Faith with its Correlative is all in all to us.  
2. Keep still in eye those many grounds, on which faith standeth, and establisheth the heart, that is, the Relations of God to us, his Attributes, Promises, Providence, mercies received, mercies reserved, etc. A tall man in the bottom of a cellar will see but little; and a strong Believer if his grounds be out of fight, will be weak as another man. To the Law and to the Testimony, 
Isa. 8.20.  in matters to be done; to the Gospel, and to the Promises, in matters to be believed, and receive comfort. A Tradesman to furnish his Shop, will repair to the Warehouse: And a Christian to be furnished with comfort, must repair to the Promises and the like supplies.  
It may be observed, that the same Christian, as he hath used his grounds, or not used them, hath been strangely altered, as if he were not the same man: One while a Giant, another while a Dwarf. Oh (saith David) I shall one day fall by the hand of Saul: Another time he will not fear, 
Psal. 3 6.  though ten thousand had compassed him round about. One while Job curseth his birthday, and is very impatient; another while he will trust in God, 
Job 13.15  though he kill him. It is aliquid Dei, some divine thing, that must uphold the best heart that is. If his means be neglected or laid aside, there quickly comes a fearful alteration: When the Moon receives not light from the Sun, it is presently eclipsed.  
3 Shut the eye of flesh at such times, and beware of carnal reason: Carnal reason is a great enemy to faith: therefore these are opposed one to another, To walk by faith, and walk by sight, 2 Cor. 5.7. We walk by faith, and not by sight. He that will go by likelihoods and unlikelihoods shall never be settled in believing. The servant of Elisha feared, because he looked only at them that came against him, and saw not who were with him: The Nobleman died for it: If God should make windows in Heaven, 
2 Kin. 7.2  could there be such plenty? Zacharias was stricken dumb for ask, whereby shall I know this? 
Luk. 1.20  being old, and his Wife well stricken in years. Abraham on the other side, 
Rom. 4.19  considered not the deadness of his own body, or of Sarahs' womb, but looked at him who had promised, that he was able and faithful to perform. The naked Word of God is sufficient for performing all his promises: Never ask, when, or how, or any such matters? Hath not the Lord spoken it? And if it be marvelous in your eyes, should it be marvelous in mine eyes, says the Lord of ●osts? Zech. 8.6. Oh (say we) our enemies are many and strong, our friends few and weak, treasure exhausted, no likelihood of carrying our cause; 
Joh. 11.39  Lord, by this time it stinketh, for t●●s is the fourth day: Ah (said Christ to Martha) said I not unto thee, that if thou wouldst believe thou shouldest see the glory of God? Joh. 11.40. Man's reason is a short measure to esteem the power and wisdom of God.  
These are some means to act faith in these times of need: Now put your faith to it; 
2 Tim. 1.6.  stir up the gift of God that is in you: Wherefore should a man have riches, and not have the use of them? Know, it is a fault, and matter of reproof in Believers, to give way to those fears. 
Isa. 8.12, 13.  Fear not their fear, nor be afraid; sanctify the Lord of hosts himself, and let him be your fear and your dread. why did ye doubt, 
Mat. 8.26.  O ye of little faith? He is a coward, who hath a sword by his side, and will not use it against a thief: And he is a Miser, who hath store of riches, and yet wanteth necessaries in his sickness. Apply it to thyself, and think, Who would be so clogged and turmoiled with fears, when he may be rid of them? Only if ye stand to your own Principles, and remember your grounds: None so merry as a true Christian, if he hold his own; indeed none but he: Others glory in the face, not in heart, 2 Cor. 5.12.   

Section IU.  
Benefits of acting thy Faith in these evil times.  
These benefits are many and great. 
Seven benefits of Faith well acted.   
First, what a sweet life would it be, to be past these torturing fears? which now lie gnawing upon your hearts, 
V●tan●n vitalis. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Origen.  and drinking up your spirit, that your life is scarce worthy to be called a life. Oh these heavy and gro●ning passions of unbelief! How do they keep a man in bo●dage all the days of his life! Heb. 2.15. A man shall (through these fears) want what he hath, aswell as what he hath not. Only because he brings not his faith into exercise.  
Secondly, the acting of faith would be great glory to God, whom we serve, and in whom we profess to believe; showing actually; that the Lord is sufficient matter of joy when all other comforts fail, Hab. 3.17, 18. Although the Figtree shall not blossom— yet will I rejoice in the Lord, I will be glad in the God of my salvation. It is honour to any Master, to see his Servant cheerful at his business, and stick to him in great hazards; a sign he is a good Master: So here, God is honoured while his servants wait upon him cheerfully. And, joy of hearts one part of our Master's allowance: My servants shall rejoice, Isa. 65.13.  
Thirdly, it would be a good credit to our holy profession, and draw others to it; as being a fountain of comfort in the saddest straits and difficulties, Psal. 46.4. There is a River, the streams whereof shall make glad the City of God. And who would not enter upon so comfortable a course of life? All seem willing to live a fine and joyful life, which is never done completely, till faith be both gotten and exercised.  
Fourthly, if our faith were well acted, we should walk as so many tall Giants, fare above all reach of the evil world, our faith being our victory, whereby we overcome the world, 1 Joh. 5.4. We should not only bear, but contemn the contempt of ungodly men: 
Heb. 12.2  As our Lord, who despised the shame. Threaten these things to your Courtiers, said the Martyrs; we have faith, and thereby are grown hardy. Or promise these rewards, honours, great advantages to them that care for them; we have other matters in our heart and eye, and cannot be won from the truth.  
Fiftly, it our faith were duly set on work, we should undertake great things for the Cause, and in the way of God; saying in great sufferings, as the Apostle did, 
2 Tim. 1.12. 2 Cor. 4.13.  I know whom I have believed. Having the spirit of faith, we would speak, and make a good confession in time of need. We would part with our estates, yea and lives too, disburse, fight, apologise, any thing, so that our Lord and his Cause may be glorified.  
Sixtly, still as faith is acted, we shall be able to make mighty prayers; prayers that shall avail m●ch for furthering the work of God: being prayers of ●a●th, Jam. 5.15, 16. And we shall not be weary of praying, though we seem to strive against the stream: No, saith Faith, it will be to purpose, therefore pray always and f●●m not, Luke 18.1.  
Lastly, if we act our faith, we shall be kept from temptations, which great afflictions use generally to bring along with them: as namely, to despair, or use indirect means for helping ourselves. He that believeth shall not make haste, Isa. 28.16. Our faith will be a shield to us, whereby we shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, Eph. 6.16. It will be a means to keep God with us, and keep us in the way of God; which always hath a sure recompense of reward.   

Section V.  
Motives to act Faith in these dangerous times.  

Motives.  Beside those benefits of acting thy faith, there be divers other considerations which may move thee thereunto.  
First, the setting of thy faith on work setteth God on work, to do great things for his people: According to thy faith be it unto thee, 
Mat. 8.13  said our Lord in the Gospel; and to Martha he said, John 11. 4●. Said I not unto thee, that if thou wouldst believe thou shouldest see the glory of God? Mordecai believed deliverance would come, one way or other, and it came accordingly, Est. 4.14. The three Jews believed God would save them in the fiery furnace: and they were saved, Dan. 3.17. The greatest Believers have been the greatest Receivers, Heb. 11. The old Believers by faith obtained wonderful mercies: All things are possible to him that believeth: God will do for them that give glory to his Name, which is by faith, Rom 4.20. such give him the glory of his power, of his wisdom, mercy, faithfulness, all his Attributes; and they cast themselves wholly upon him, as Clients on their Counsellor, therefore shall not be disappointed; yea, Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is; he shall be as a Tree planted by the waters, etc. Jer. 17.7, 8.  
But ah this base infidelity, which puts our faith so much in our eye & calls it so often from our hearts too much flesh, too little faith we believe no longer than we see signs and wonders; scarce cheerful, but while we hear of a victory, or discovery, or other mercy; mightily cast down at a foil, or the prevailing of enemies; Shake as the Trees of the Wood, when Rezen and Pekah are joined together, Isa. 7.1, 2.  
And it brings little home, as is said of carking care. God being dishonoured by unbelief, withdraweth his hand, doth not his work, or not yet; seethe no vessel set, to receive his precious liquor, and so the oil ceaseth. Israel could not enter because of unbelief, Heb. 3.19. Good is coming, but we are shortwinded, and wait not; thence these delays. All the fault is not in wicked enemies, or the sinners in Zion; but some fault resideth in Gods own children, who believe not as they should do. Infidelity is an hateful sin too, and reprovable; it detracteth from God, as if he were not wise, able, vigilant to fulfil his promises; so he stays his hand, as one that will be better waited on.  
Take notice of this, as one cause why the work of Reformation, and of our happiness, doth stick so long in the birth; it is much desired, but not attained; and yet the Lord willing it should be done, and that throughly: There is cause enough for it in the unreformedness of people, who after all the terrors and humiliations, yet tu●n not from their evil ways, as the men of Ninive. 
Jon. 3.10.  But here is something in Gods own people, whose faith is so little, and their fear so great: If we believed more, we should see his great works done the sooner: Therefore resolve upon that in Mark 11.22, 23, 24. Have Faith in God: And, What things soever ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.  
Secondly, think thus with yourselves; why should not faith make courageous, as well as vainglory, envy, propriety of goods, safety of the Country, memory and emulation of Ancestors, or the like carnal considerations, which have mightily elevated the spirits of people heretofore; as namely, the old Romans who became Lords of the World; 
Cicero.  pro aris & focis, was a great word with them, entering into a fight: 
Ovid. Horat.  And, Ingens gloria calcar habet; and, Dulce & decorum's est, pro patria mori; and, Imperti causâ, etc. But faith hath higher and stronger considerations; the Cause of God, the maintaining of the Gospel, contending for the faith delivered once to the Saints, the upholding and enlarging of the Kingdom of Christ, the keeping of a good conscience, the glory of Heaven in our eye; and who would be a slave to Antichrist? Bodily slavery is bad enough, etc.  
Consider; Their Rock is not 〈◊〉 unto our Rock, 〈◊〉 our enem● the●● 〈◊〉 being Judges, Deut 12.31. And, Th●s they do for a co●●●ptible Crown, we for an 〈◊〉 ●apitole, 1 Cor. 9.25. The higher the spring, the higher the water will ascend at the Conduit. A Believer therefore, going b● the highest Principles and notions should g●t highest in his resolution's and behaviours.  
Thirdly, we have still, and a long time have had great means to be strong in faith; a Ministry o● many years continuance, which is growing food, 1 Pet. 2.2. 〈…〉 of the Wood, that it 〈…〉. A tree planted in a go●● place, and there continuing m●n●ee●s, is well rooted and so should the trees of righteousness be, after so long standing. The Martyr● had but few yeer● in King 〈◊〉. time, yet they gathered strength enough, to carry them through the flames. A shame it will be to us, not to be proficients according to our time; when for the time we might be Teachers, Heb. 5.11. Weaknesses of faith and other graces should have been outgrown long ago.  
Add the going so often to the Lords Supper; which to a prepared soul is a batling Ordinance. No feast yields so good juy● and nourishment to the body, bu● this yields as good to such ● soul. Bread strengtheneth man heart; especially this bread tha● came down from Heaven, Psa 104.15. O the sweet communion that hath been between Christ an● thy Soul, upon due frequenting the Ordinance! and O the frequent repast of thy soul upon prayer, and the experience thou hast had of God's love an● providence! and dost thou ye● fear? 
Hilarion. Hieron. in eius vita.  Septuaginta annos servivi●● Christo, & mori times.  
Finally, the many good Books and Treatises, which of late yeer● have been published; 
M. Culve●well. M. Rogers.  as it were of purpose, to fence and furnis● Christians for these sad times wherein are choicest collection for fixing a poor believing heart in all occasions. 
M. Ball M. Wilson.  God that foresaw what he was about to do, directed his Ministers, so to make provision for his people; as when he sent a sore famine upon Canaan, he sent Joseph beforehand to provide for his Father and Brethren.  
Fourthly, in those present troubles and dangers, the Lord hath all along opened a door of hope, 
Hos. 2.13.  for upholding our faith unto victory: Seeing how weak wear in believing bare promises, he hath given us something in hand for encouragement: He hath still sent us some pawns of more, which he will do for us in time; an earnest of the whole bargain: And experience is a great help unto faith; as in the Apostles, 
2 Cor 1.10.  He hath delivered us from great death, and doth deliver, and we trust also he will deliver. When we began to quail at any time, presently a victory was given, a discovery made, a defeat of their Counsels or Forces, the spirits of people raised up above all expectation, in a Count● which was given for a lost Count a sign the Lord means to do the work at last: If he meant to destroy us, he would not show us such things as these. Thus, by what the Lord hath done already, he doth even invite us to believe, and not fear.  
Fiftly, it is but a while, and y● shall see what now ye believe. Y●● a little while, 
Heb. 10.37.  and he that shall com● will come, and his reward is with him. In Heaven there will be n● acting of faith, no use of it, as now all there is in Fruition, Union and Vision: 
Joh. 20.29  In this life, Blessed are they that believe, though they see not: In that life, blessed are those that see what hitherto they believed▪ If we strive a little, we shall find our waiting was to purpose: Yet two or three Closes, and we shall be at our Father's house. And there we shall have neither unbelief to combat withal, nor any other enemy; no fear, no molestation, no imperfection whatsoever.  
Sixtly, if faith be not acted, ye will lose the benefit of those comforts which are your own: Ye forsake your own me●●●s, Jonah 2.8. Ye live heavily, when your estate gives you leave to live most cheerfully. Hag●● saw 〈◊〉 the Well and was out of heart, as if no water were to be bad. M●● saw not Christ 〈◊〉 eye● being held● and was still in perplexity: A miserly niggard wants what he h●th, as well as what he hath not: And to look upon, 
Paulum sepultae, distat inertiae, Celata vi●tus.  what difference between an unbeliever, and a Believer not improving his faith when need requires? One sighs as much as the other, etc. Now this is a disparagement to faith, and the high calling of a Christian, who alone in truth hath cause to be me●ry: A discouragement to others, to come on in such an uncomfortable profession: An hindrance of prayer; a dishonour to God, a● if he made no good allowance to his Servants: And doth the devils own work, who when he cannot hinder a Christian of the end of his way, will do his best to spoil him of the comfort of his way.   

Section VI.  
Objections for fear, against Faith, answered.  
Oh (say some) we have so many things to fear, that we know not how to make use of our faith: But why so? Faith hath a strength at all assays, to help at a dead lift: That if a Christian hold his own he shall wade well through all his fears, and evils feared: All things are possible to him that believeth; to receive, to do, to suffer, to overcome.  

General salves for the fears of Believers.  Know therefore in general: First, that the Order of Grace is stronger than the Order of Nature: We have many enemies, or troubles, but more with us then against us: They are great, but the Lord greater, Omnipotent: And the Angels mightier to save, than devils to hurt us: Divine Ordinances, full of solid strength and comfort; and all the Treasures of Gods love full and inexhaust. If a Believer look upward he seethe an infinite advantage above them all: The waves rage horribly, but the Lo●d is mightier, Psal. 93.3, 4. Tyrant's get on high, and are mighty to oppress; but still he is mightier, Eccles. 5.8. They are crafty; but he catcheth th● man their craftiness, 1 Cor. 3.19  
Secondly, faith ●●n set the Christian fare above his own strength; as the strength of others, so his own: Out of weakness be shall be made strong, Heb. 11.34. He can do more in a certain case, then at another time. As Martyrs, they endured the flames; as men, they could never have endured them. While Peter's faith l●sted, he walked upon the waters.  
Thirdly, in all particular fears, saith hath something to say out of the Word, which shall stay the heart, and counterp●●●e all the burden of fears that would clog it. The Word hath a quickening virtue, first and last: First for re●●neration, afterward for sustentation. It is a plentiful Storehouse, out of which some comfort is still to be fetched: And David saith, he had perished, unless the Word had comforted him.  


〈…〉  To give some instances of the fears of godly Christians in these 〈◊〉 days.  

1. About losing the Gospel.  Object. 1. We fear we shall lose the Gospel; the main aim of the Antichristian generation that are risen up amongst us.  
Answ. 1. The Word saith, that the Gospel is at God's disposing, and not man's, whoever he be. The Stars are in the right hand of Christ, Rev. 1.16. It is God that takes away the Word of the Kingdom, and gives it to others, Mat. 21.43. And faithful Ministers say they shall continue at their work so long as God pleaseth, let all the ●o●es and beasts of the world do what they can, Luke 13.31, 32. G●● and tell that ●ox, etc. They were in ill case, if they were at man's discretion: Even in times of peace, wicked men would have quite put down good Ministers their malice and wickedness hath not been wanting all this while: No thanks to them, that the Gospel hath continued as it doth.  
2. If there should be some res●●●t, yet not wholly, especially in respect of a good heart: The word of God is not bo●●d, 2 Tim. 2.9. The believing heart shall be mervailously fed with the old store it gathered. There is an hidden Manna●: And, 
Rev. ●. 19.  the Word of G●d abideth in you.  
As for the Elect that are not yet gathered, the Word shall go forth and reach the mall: It shall have a free course, and be glorified, 2 Thes. 3.1. When God hath a people to gather, 
Act. 18.10, 11.  though there be many Adversaries, yet Preachers shall both go and continue there, 1 Cor. 16.8, 9 I have much people in this City; abide here. And Jeremies preaching did good to some, though the most cursed him, chap. 15.11. The Election obtaineth, though the rest be hardened: The Elect must be s●aled, before ●●y hurt can be done, Rev. 7.3.  
3. The Word saith, that if it should be suppressed a while, yet it shall be restored again. Teacher's shall not be removed into corners any more, Isa. 30.20. They must fall to their work again, Rev. 10.11. Thou must prophesy again: After three days and an half, the two Witnesses revived and stood up, chap. 11.11.  
And commonly the ruins of the Church are restored with much advantage, the Ordinances purged from the corruptions that attended them: The glory of the latter house greater than that of the former, Hag. 2.9. All reduced to the rule and standard of the Word; noting (by God's severity) wherein they offended, and provoked him to wrath: Ashamed of their iniquities, and all errors, and so the Lord shows them the form of the house, Ezek. 43.10, 11.  
4. The Word saith, that the enemies of it shall be utterly confounded and brought to an end; sp●cially Antichrist, that grand friend of Traditions and humane Constitutions; down he must go● notwithstanding all his pillars and supporters: He goeth into perdition, Rev 17.11. Though he get breathe a while, and some lightning before death, yet that is his end. The end of these wars will be at the gates of Rome, all in flames and everlasting desolation.  
Object. 
2. About the dishonour of God. Sect. 1.  2. God will be dishonoured and blasphemed if the wicked prevail.  
Answ. 1. In this case your fear is most lawful, and best allowed; because (as we have seen before) both God and godly men have ever so feared: And I may tell you, ye have cause to rejoice, that ye have such holy fears as the fear.  
2. The Word saith, that God is a Jealous God, and will look to his own glory; will not suffer the enemies, or Idols, to get it from him, Isa, 42.8. Yea, he will get glory over them all, as over the Egyptians and all their gods, Ex. 12.12. and will turn all their fury to his own p●a●se; 
Ps. 76. 1●.  being the more illustrious by their disappointment.  
True; it was a sword to David's heart, to hear the wicked say, Where i● thy God? 
Ps. 42.10.  but if the Lord be patiented, why should not we? only our duty is, to mourn for such blasphemies, and pray to the contrary.  

3. Above a foreign invasion.  Object. 3. I fear that foreigners will invade, and they will show no mercy.  
Answ. The Word tells; first, that the spirits and minds of men are in God's hand, Exodus 34.24. they shall not think of invading, while his people are busy in his worship: Or, he can let them see where the Right goeth; that they shall let all alone and not meddle.  
Secondly, that the Lord can make the earth to help the woman, Rev. 12.16. Earthly men shall bear the burden of one another's malice, and so his people escape it. Moa●●tes and Ammonites fell to cutting one another, and so Je●●●●poa● escaped. While they have work enough to do at home, they shall not intent to trouble us.  
Thirdly, that the Lord makes f●ll the ba●●es of our gates, and is a wall of fire round about us; 
Zech. 2.5.  the Rearward, the Shield, all in all to us: Though we have but a watry-wall about our Island, yet in God it may prove too high and strong to be sealed. Our wooden houses may swim about, and keep out the enemies.  
Fourthly, there may be foreign friends as well as foreign enemies; and stronger than they, wiser than they, more successful than they, as the Lord can make them. The hearts of all are in the hand of God, who still follows his own work, and useth what Instruments he pleaseth. And we see he hath brought in one friendly Nation already.  

4. About the defect of friends.  Object. 4. I fear our Worthies in Parliament will be weary, discouraged, too few, and so the work may cease.  
Answ. The Word saith, that the Lord hath yet the residue of Spirit, Mal. 2.15. It is but pouring out of more Spirit, and they shall renew their strength and courage: Or if one fail, another shall stand up in his place. Certainly, he that hath so raised and upheld them hitherto, will continue them to us, and his own work by them. 
Jud. 13.23  If he meant to destroy them, he would not have showed them such things as these. And who ever heard of a people in Covenant with God, and studying Reformation, wholly forsaken? 2 Chron. 15.2. The Lord is with you, while ye are with him. And he showeth since the Covenant last entered into (by many great and notable victories) that he intends them good, and us by them. Believe therefore, they shall be worthy instruments of more glory to God, and of more good to his people; Zech. 4.9. The ●ands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, his hands also shall finish it.  
Object. 5. 
5. Of the want of Treasure. Psal. 24.1.  I fear our moneys will fail; the sinews of War.  
Answ. 1. The Word saith, The earth is the Lords, and the fullness thereof. And he can make our Newters, Malignants and Misers, to bring forth their treasures: Or spring a new mine, for supply some other way.  
2. It saith, 
1 Cor. 1.27.  that he makes the weak to confound the mighty: And in like reason, the poor to overthrow the rich. When men see their estates gone, they wax desperate: Necessity hath been called a terrible weapon: And it is evident, that riches cannot get victories. The battle is not to the strong, Eccles. 9.11. The event of a battle belongs wholly to God; Prov. 21.31. The Horse is prepared against the day of battle; but safety is of the Lord.  
Object. 6. 
6. About our sins l●st they hinder.  I could trust otherwise; but fear our sins will hinder good things.  
Answ. 1. The Word saith, that God doth his great works for Church freely: Only because mercy pleaseth him. I wrought for my Names sake, often in Ezek. 20. and 36.32. Not for your sakes do I this, etc.  
2. If our sins could hinder, we should not have seen any of these great deliverances and victories. We have sins enough to have laid us desolate long ago: Not a remnant had been left before this time. Only the Lord seems to have passed by the sins of the remnant of his people, and so we are saved by a great deliverance.  

7. About trial to some particular.  Object. 7. I fear we may suffer for a while, as our Brethren have done; and for my part, I doubt I should show much weakness when I come to the trial.  

Luk. 12.4 2 Cor. 12.9.  Answ. 1. Christ saith, Fear not them that kill the body. Secondly, his grace is sufficient for thee, as well as for others: 
Joh. 10.28.  None shall pluck his Sheep out of his ●●●●s: None shall separate from his love. Thirdly, in the trial God stands by his people more than at other times, to show himself strong in a weak Creature, 2 Cor. 12.9. In the●r weak●●●● his power is the more glorified and manifested: He will be with them in six troubles, and in seven; in fire and in water: So that ye may say boldly, The Lord is with us; we will not fear what man can do unto us. Heb. 13.6. 
8. About Martyrdom.   
Object. 8. What if I should be put to suffer Martyrdom? I shrink to think of it.  
Answ. The Word saith, 
Rom 8.37  we are more th●n 〈…〉 through him that loved us: And we may say accordingly. First, the Martyrs were flesh and blood as we are: O● themselves weak, and no more able to endure those extremities than other men. They suffered nothing in their own strength but by faith; and you have faith as well as they. Secondly, God is the same God now, as then; and will put forth the same strength in you, as in them. 
Isa. 59.1.  His hand is not shortened; neither will his promise fail. He is God all-sufficient; 
Gen. 17.1  and still the same to his Church, as in the days of old, Isa. 46.3, 4.  

9 About the enduring of hardship.  Object. 9 I shall not be able to endure cold, hunger, prison, reproach, etc.  
Answ. The Word saith, these are vanquished enemies, and disabled in the main; Rom. 8.35. And all the gates of hell shall not prevail against the Church: And defiance may be made against them, as there, who shall separate? who shall accuse or condemns? And assurance had, that we shall not flinch for any of them: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, I am persuaded that neither death nor life— shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  

10. About Children left to the world.  Object. 10. What shall become of my poor Children;  
Answ. The Word saith, the Covenant reacheth the Children as well as the Parents, Gen. 17.7. I am thy God, and the God of thy s●ed. They shall therefore find a Father in Heaven, when none is on earth. And promises to be performed, which will prove large portions; and friends on earth which you little think of: Even an hundred fold, Fathers and Mothers, etc. Mark 10.29, 30. And it hath been observed, that the Children of Martyrs have received special blessings from God, especially in their souls.  
Object. 
11. About the loss of Friends.  11. How shall we live if my husband be slain? or some other friend by whom I live?  
Answ. The Word saith, that Man lives not by bread only, 
Mat. 4.4.  but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. And is not the Lord better to thee, than ten husbands, or ten friends? And, who multiplied the meal in the barrel, and oil in the cruse? Who gave a blessing to daniel's course far, that he looked better than any of the King's Children? Who fed so many thousand with two barley loaves and a few in all fishes. True, miracles are ceased, but not Providence, and that sometimes in a strange way●▪ God can and will do above what we ask or think, Eph. 3.20.  

12. About sin forced upon a good soul.  Object. 12. I fear my Chastity may be violated, or some other sin forced upon me, which would be a terror to my soul, and break the band between God and me.  

Suidas.  Answ. 1. It was origen's sin, for avoiding the filthy Black more to burn incense to the Idol. No evil may be done that good may come of it, Rom. 3.8. Secondly, He that doth worng (saith the Word) shall suffer according to the wrong he doth, Col. 3.25. not he that suffereth wrong. No sin hurts, to which consent is not given: It is the others sin, thy sorrow. 
Tarquin. & ●ucret. Aug.  Two in the adultery, yet but one adulterer. Thirdly, the Lord (who is most merciful) will not presently break with his Child, when hurried to sin by temptation, or violence of persecution. No; 
Isa. 30 18. Psal. 103.14.  he is a God of Judgement, knoweth 〈◊〉 s●ame, and that we are but dust, and will remember his Covenant; an everlasting Covenant.    

Section VII.  
Make much of Faith, which is so useful; and other corollaries of the point.  
Faith being so strong and effectual a means to settle the heart in evil times, 
Faith to be ●●●●●sh●d and ●nc●ea●ed. M●●●e●.  it will be good wisdom for Christians to make much of their faith; to cherish it, strengthen it, fix it, and be adding to it daily. Soldier's will keep their Forts well, that their ●o●ts may keep them. And alike must Believers do for their faith, which is so much for their turn every way. It were folly to complain of a troubled spirit about these troublous times, and not be earnest in preserving and increasing faith, which should fasten and quiet the heart. It were a sinful neglect of the means, which God in great wisdom and love hath set apart for the remedy. We have seen grounds enough for our confirmation; which if they be well improved, would both preserve and increase our faith. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist.  It is a rule, that all things are nourished of the same matter, whereof they are bred. Therefore,  
First, be diligent and conscionable in the use of the Word, public and private, whereby faith cometh at first, and afterward is increased. The Word is sincere milk, 
Rom. 10.17.  whereby newborn Babes may grow, 1 Pet. 2.2. A child thrives best by the Mother's milk: In the Word are promises to be ever met withal, in all particulars: And as good Evidences for house or land, well perused, do much clear a man's title to the thing: So the Scriptures, well searched and applied, do strongly clear the righteous man's Evidence for Heaven. The failing of Christians is, when they wax negligent in the Word, or if they turn aside to visions, or other fancies; no food so nourishing, as God's Word duly regarded. They that are planted in th● house of God, are fat and flourishing, and bring forth fruit in old age, Psal. 92.14.  
Secondly, be frequent and serious in going to the Lords Table; where is a fattening Banquet to the prepared and worthy Receiver. No feast yields better nourishment to the body, than this to the soul. This is the true Sacrament of Confirmation: This is a Medicine that expelleth all evils; 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Ignat. ad Ephes.  both unbelief and all the heavy passions that issue from it. Only get a good appetite, prepare, examine, come fitted to receive a blessing: The Master of the Feast would not be wanting to his own Ordinance, if his Guests were not wanting to themselves. Spiritual sloth, foolish curiosity, turning to vain janglings, are main hindrances of the benefit which that blessed Ordinance is reany otherwise to afford.  
Thirdly, frequent lovingly, and improve wisely, the Communion of Saints, which ye profess to believe; these are able to satisfy your doubts, mind you of promises, produce experiences, comfort you, bear you up, and do much for fixing you on your Rock: United forces do back one another: As iron sharpeneth iron, so the face of one Christian strengtheneth & heareth another. But woe be to h●m that is alone. 
Eccl. 4.10  It he fall, who shall raise him up▪ And the devil desireth no bette● advantage, then to find Christians solitary and private-minded. When Thomas was absent from the rest of his fellows, 
Joh. 22.25  he grew to a sturdy kind of unbelief; Unless I may feel, I will not believe.  
Fourthly, pray much and earnestly, for the increasing and acting of thy faith, 
Mar. 9.24 Luk. 17.5  Lord help my unbelief, Lord increase our faith. Pray to be able to live the life of faith; to trust perfectly in the grace revealed; to have the use of thy faith when need is; to have thy heart fixed by believing. What is not the Lord able and willing to do for them that cry unto him? Hath he not promised to return a gracious answer? Even a natural Father will regard and pity the moan which his poor child maketh.  
Fifthly, recount and search out the promises, which are the same to the feeding of faith, as oil is to the feeding of a lamp; soon extinguished if fuel be withheld. Abraham was strong in faith, because he had both eyes upon the promises. Promises will make us Partakers of the divine nature, 2 Pet 1.4. Heirs of promise should live on promises, as their own proper element and nourishment. A Believer, forgetting the promises, is as a fish on dry land. God's people of old were busy in searching out promises, when the search was difficult, obscure, and nothing so comfortable, as now in the light of the Gospel, 1 Pet. 1.11, 12.  
Sixtly, meditate on the Attributes of God, which have great power to make us believe any thing which the Lord hath promised. He is able who promised; he is faithful who promised, 
Rom. 4.21. 1 Thes. 5.24.  etc. All of them are engaged for our good; as himself, who is our God, by a firm Covenant: And faith will subsume; I believe in God Almighty: What cannot he do who is Almighty? I believe in the onely-wise God, who is Omniscient; and what cannot such a one invent? I believe in him who is the searcher of reins, and knoweth the hidden things of darkness, what wicked plot cannot he discover? I believe in him who is true and faithful; what word of his shall fall to the ground? So in the other: A Dwarf with a Giant on his side waxeth resolute and valiant. When the eye is taken oft from one-selfe, and all enemies or other encumbrances, and kept close upon God; how strong will faith he, and the heart unmovable?  
Seventhly, strengthen thy faith by the experiments thou hast had of God formerly, and others have had. His works, partly done, partly in doing, invite confidence for time to come. The reason is, because the Lord is ever the same, inexhaust, unweariable, his hand not shortened, nor his ear heavy, but he can and will help his people to the uttermost: To like persons, in the like way, and believing alike, he will be alike in dispensing his mercies. 
Mal. 3.6.  I am the Lord, I change not, therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Therefore also collect as David, 1 Sam. 17 36. and as Paul, 2 Tim. 4.17, 18. It is a great help to a Believer, to remember the years of the right hand of the most high. Psal. 77.10. and call to mind what he hath done for his Church and people formerly; to the Church in Egypt, in the Wilderness, in Hamans' time, in other exigences. Others have fared well, while they waited on God; therefore we also will wait, and doubt not but to do well enough, Psal. 22.4, 5. Our Fathers trusted in thee; they trusted and thou didst deliver them: They cried unto thee, and were delivered; they rusted in thee and were not confounded.  
Thus fortify your faith as much as ye can, and it will be a strong fortifying of your spirits in all fears of evil. A strong and healthy body getteth up a high hill fare better than a weakling can do. If our faith were stronger, our hearts should be more fixed and settled than they are. If it were the fall assurance of faith, 
Heb. 10.22.  we should not once doubt for all these terrors. 
Mark 11.13.  Remember the removing of mountains, and transplanting of trees into the midst of the sea; all by the power of faith: Only believe, and all shall be possible.  

Other Consequences of the point are these.  
I. Be thankful for this precious grace of faith, 
Be thankful for the useful grace of Faith.  which is so useful in these dangerous days; the staff of thy life, the strength of thy soul, the fixing of thy poor trembling heart, the only sight thou hast when round about is nothing but darkness. A great and wonderful gift thou receivedst when the Lord gave thee faith, to believe in his Son and rest in promises. It is worth the having, though thou pastedst through the pikes; in duties of humiliation. It cost some ado to get faith; but when it is once had, it is a most blessed commodity: It stands thee in stead ever afterward, whatever sad occasions thou hast. The Jailor (though much cast down for a while, 
Act. 1●. 34.  yet) rejoiced that he believed and all his household. And those primitive Believers, who were pricked at the heart in hearing of their great sin, rejoiced and praised God for so great a mercy, Acts 2.44, 47. Go thou and do likewise: We give thanks for lesser mercies than this: Or, what if the Lord give thee not riches, health, peace, and the like? Yet he gives that which is better, and countervailes all other defects, with infinite advantage on the eternal part.  

Do thy best to work faith in others.  II. If things go thus, then do all ye can to get faith into your children and friends; as ye desire they should have found and hearty comfort in the evil day: Ye would not see them lie distracted, malancholie, drooping under their burden, taking indirect courses to help themselves. Now lay a good foundation, not only in moral virtues, or religious duties, but go higher; tell them of Christ, of the Covenant, the promises, sin and guiltiness, their need of a Saviour, and the like. It is a great matter, 
Ps, 112.1.  to fear God and delight greatly in his Commandments: This Text is a promise to such persons; but note withal, it goeth higher, even to that sovereign grace of faith; His heart is fixed trusting in the Lord. 
verse 7.  And it was by faith that the old Believers d●d, suffered, or received those great matters, Heb. 11. Therefore in all thy instruction and discipline, still insinuate something for faith. Get that notion into their heads and hearts, None but Christ, 
Jo. Lambert. Advance a faithful Ministry, whereby faith is bestowed.  None but Christ.  
III. If it be so, then advance a faithful Ministry, a● the means whereby faith is bred, and thereby a ground laid for solid comfort in times of fear: Plant such a Ministry where it is wanting; cherish and maintain it where it is: Pity them that want the Ordinance; pray they may have the Word of faith preached among them: 
Mat. 6.38  Pray the Lord of the Harvest, to send forth Labourers into his Harvest. If rich, be at charges; if in authority, give countenance to a faith-breeding Ministry. This is the only way for poor souls to be sound comforted when their trial cometh. Comfort stands not in a smartering knowledge, or a few good words, or saying over some good prayers, or the like; but if faith were bestowed into the heart, which alone can quicken a soul, otherwise dying. No grace nor virtue can knit a knot between God and the soul, but only faith. Faith truly so called is of a lasting nature, whatever trials there be; and of a triumphing nature, 1 Pet. 1.7, 8. Believing, ye re●o●ce with joy unspeakable and full of glory. And if so, how worthy are those pains, whereby faith is conveyed into the heart, and afterward confirmed?  

Take faiths part against a faithless generation. 2 Pet. 1.1.  iv Ever commend, and stand in the magnifying of faith, which doth so good offices in the worst times. Call it a precious faith, much to be esteemed and prized: Endure not any word of disparagement to be cast upon it. There is a carnal generation of men and wom●n, who do much slight and vilify faith, as an airy Notion, a trifle, nothing in comparison of Charity and good works: Oh here is much ado about faith, these are our Solifidians, etc. Whereto I say;  
First, neither charity nor works are any thing without faith, Heb. 11.6. Without faith it is impossible to please G●d. It is in Christ only, that we and our graces are accepted. No merit in charity, nor the works of it; only in Christ they get acceptance: Yea, in faith itself is nothing meritorious; all the virtue and praise of it standeth in relation to Christ the Object.  
Secondly, it is faith that must uphold the heart in an evil time. When dangers be abroad, and fears come home to us, this is our anchor to be stayed withal: We have seen how much is cast upon faith to do in these sad plucks. What we have done in an holy way may be a comfort; but the stress of the business lieth on this, how well we have believed, and what interest we have in Christ, Psal. 27.13. I had fainted unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the Land of the living. And the comfort of the good we have done, comes in a secondary consideration: 
Heb. 10.4  In that ye did it to these, ye did it unto me. By faith Abel offered a better sacrifice them Cain.  
Thirdly, faith ever will produce good works; 
Fides sola iustificat: sed fides quae iustificat, non est sola.  as a good Tree good fruits. It works by love, Gal. 5.6. and love is a laborious thing, 1 Cor. 13.4.7. No fire without light and warmth, no faith without love and good works: Every branch in Christ bringeth forth good fruit.  
Fourthly, it is a Popish spirit, that makes such a jumbling of faith and charity; which are ever to be distinguished, though not separated; Leave each his own work and place, and both are glorious; and whereas other comparisons are odious these most. Or it is an ignorant spirit, which knows not what the main tye is between God and a soul now fallen into sin, nor how we come to God by Christ alone, and how we are justified freely by grace, which faith appropriateth: all our present adherence to God is by faith, hereafter by sight and fruition. Or lastly, it is a profane spirit, of a man in love with his sin or worldly vanities, all for a present enjoyment; he will not stay for his happiness till hereafter as faith directeth: And to get a lively faith asketh more pains than he is willing to take; some ado there is to try, examine, evidence, maintain and increase faith, which the lazy Christian will never endure.    
FINIS.   

May 22. 1644.  
Imprimatur  
Joseph Caryl.