THE CHRISTIAN SOVLDIERS GREAT ENGINE, OR The Mysterious and mighty workings of FAITH, discovered in a Sermon Preached before the Lord general in OXFORD, May 20. 1649.  
By JOHN MAUDIT Fellow of Exeter college, and signior Proctor of the University.  {αβγδ}. Gr. Nazianz. ad Gr. Nissen. Orat. 6ta. 
OXFORD, Printed by LEONARD LICHFIELD, Printer to the University. An. D. 1649.   

TO HIS EXCELLENCY, THOMAS Lord FAIRFAX, Lord general of the Parliament Armies within ENGLAND& IRELAND.  
MY LORD,  
YOur late Entertainment at Oxford, was all on a sudden, and therefore no marvel if something mean& unsuitable ( My Lord) unto your Excellencies merit, as unto our desires and well wishes. If your triumph here bore any proportion to your Victory abroad, it was only in this, that the one was as quickly over, as the other, your work short, your triumph short, both done in such hast, as if you cared for neither. Well may you on such an occasion as this, take up the Emperour of Romes three words, who to set forth how speedily all his work was done, wrote down thus in short, Veni, Vidi, Vici: So may you also say, adding one word to his Veni, Vidi, Vici, Triumphavi, all was speedily over, you went out, you looked on, you overcame, you triumphed, you returned, and the news of the first could scarce run before, and get a foots ground of the last. Whiles you were here, every one most gladly brought you his Present, and all places striven to yield you some requital for past kindnesses: The schools prepared a Banquet, remembering they had been of late yeares converted to Granaries, but you had purged them of their Leaven: The Convocation-house called you to the Scarlet rob, but that Reverend Senate there could not but aclowledge, that whilst they gave you a rob, by this last Victory they owe unto you even their own. The Orators on all sides presented you with their rich and choice Eloquence, but they are these who must confess, but for you and the worthy Champions that are with you, might have sung the songs of Sion in a strange land.  
I speak not this, that you should glory in yourselves who are nothing all of you, but in the Lord Christ who hath drawn his sword, and musters the battle& is the Generalissimo of his Church in those latter daies. Now whiles others like Arauna to David, thus made a noble offering, so it was with me( I must confess) who am daily spent with public services here, that I could not make you better provision on so short warning, then Ahimelek did for that same David, setting before you and your Captaines a little showbread,& to bring you forth Goliahs sword, and the arms of the old warriors, which hang up in the Sanctuary, Gidions, and Baraks, and Sampsons, and Davids experiences, that may strengthen your hands in battle, and by holding forth this discourse of the achievements, and admirable workings of Faith, to proclaim from God unto you, In hoc Vinces: which sithence you have so well accepted, I again recommend it to your remembrance, and to the blessing of Almighty God, to whom only be all Glory, and strength, and victory, and wisdom ascribed for ever  
By you, and by my Lord Your Lordships faithful Servant in Christ, JOHN MAUDIT.   

TO THE RIGHT honourable lieutenant general cronwell L. lieutenant of Ireland, towards the furthering of his expedition for IRELAND.  
Right honourable,  
THE Prince of Peace and the Lord of Hosts, are two of Christs Titles in Scripture: Sometimes He comes forth in much meekness, as He rid to the great Cittieupon a Colt, the fool of an ass: and sometimes he appears dreadful in battle, treading the wine press, and dying all his raiment in the blood of his enemies. He owns both Peace and war, neither is there any foundation in truth of either but in him: and shall we not comply with him in both, take either with him? If Christ speak peace, those that pray for the peace of Jerusalem shall prosper, blessed are such Peace keepers: and if Christ be in the Head of an army, those that come not up to the Help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty shall have Meroz Curse: Observe the Lord therefore in every administration of his that you may live upon it.  
You are now one of those who gather willingly unto him at the sound of his alarm, and lifting up of his standard for the rescue of his great name and cause in Ireland: there are that have wished you over long since, but for this end that you might appear an Exile frrom hence, but we trust your departure is no other then that of Abrahams from his house, when he went out after the four Kings for the rescue of his brother Lot, who returned with much glory and triumph home: So may your return be with all abundance of Peace and Joy, to see the Temple in more glory here then when you left it, and to sing the songs of Sion in this Land again, after a while that you have tuned the Irish Harp unto them.  
You are called to a good work, onely go forth in the uprightness of your heart about it, that you may not miscarry. Let not your desires he after houses, and fields,& Vineyards there, as after the advancing of Christs throne in that kingdom again, and enlarging his dominion thitherward. fear not your enemies, their own guilt hath weakened them. You are sent over not to harm and oppress the innocent, but to subdue and chastise the rebellious, and take an account of the cruel massacres and abundance of blood of the Lords own dear ones, which they have  shed. Your Commission is not to invade and disinherit those that are fairly possessed of their right: those that are there, have either forfeited their own right, or usurped other mens: fear them not, though you cannot match them in numbers, trust You in the Lord your God by Faith, which is the most that he requires from you: He can shake the hearts of your enemies, as the trees of the forest are shaken with an East wind, and make them fly when no one pursues them.  
I have set this word before you, that I may arm you with Faith; for by this you shall attain unto high and noble achievements. Take with you but a few, a strange word, when most call for many thousands, and say, where is the number that can equal our enemies? But have you not taken notice all this while for the strengthening of your Faith, how God hath preserved a few in that Land unto this day: surely the power can be no less in preserving a few against so many, then in destroying so many by you few. think any of you, that the Lord doth stand in need of your great multitudes to do his work? red this word over that I set before you that you may be convinced. And as for encouragements, God hath afforded you many: suffer me to mind you: First, behold the Lord Christ in a warlike posture through out christendom in the Reformed Churches, and hath been so these many yeares: who would not engage himself in his quarrel, though he be one of those that must fall before the victory be won? Next remember you have seven yeares prayers of the Church sent before you, which will meet you upon the Borders of that kingdom, and welcome you and those that go with you. Again, consider& be truly sensible of the cries of those that are under the Altar until their blood be avenged on those that dwell on the earth: if the blood of one righteous Abel would not suffer heaven to rest, how think you is the full stream of blood like to prevail with God of so many thousands? I will be short, add unto all this how much of Gods honour lies at stake on your side for the fulfilling of his promises to his Church, and upholding the work which he hath begun: which though it may be hindered and set back yet never can be quiter everthrowne, but though carried on through many difficulties must be finished in due time. And lastly, lay again to heart what large experiences You have already had, as so many pledges to hearten You in future exploits. And now say at length, or rather let those trembling hearts among you speak out, what should damp your zeal for the recovery of Ireland? Is not the time of Irelands deliverance yet come? We have long expected and prayed, and do you yet want an opportunity? Shall jealousies and fears prevail to keep you at home, when the cries of Orphans, and widows, and besieged call you abroad? Dare You not trust us with God in Your absence, who can trust You with God in this service? Not that we want more love, but that You want more Faith. Or tell us must you go far about to get thither, because of obstructions in the way: we trust there are not many, howbeit sure we are, God hath not discovered himself in a little glory lately, in checking and suppressing, both in this and the neighbour Nation, the Remora'es that would have retarded Your motion, as if he would plainly speak his mind thus unto you: go on these shall not hinder the expedition for Ireland. Wherefore ( Right Honourable) I must beseech You zealously, and I thought it my ●●ty upon this occasion to pled with You( as also some Ministers of Christ before me) in the behalf of Ireland, that nothing that is not of God may divert Your Resolutions from that Noble and good service:& if any thing shall intervene, my prayer is that the Lord would rebuk it, and make a prosperous way for You through it; and when you have fulfilled Your Work which he hath ordained You unto, and served Your generation, You may as the Elders here specified, obtain a good report in the Church of Christ Militant, and a weighty crown of Glory and life in heaven with his Church triumphant, which is the hope and prayer of him  
SIR, who owes you all honour and service in Christ Jesus J. M.   
HEB. 11. 32, 33, 34, 35. 
32 And what shall I more say? For the time would fail me to tell of GIDEON, and of BARAK, and of samson,& of JEPHTHAH, of DAVID also and SAMUEL, and of the Prophets.  
33 Who through Faith subdued Kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of Lions.  
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.  
35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection.  
THIS Text of Scripture, which gave me much comfort and support of spirit in the undertaking of this present great work, upon so sudden a call of God, I have chosen above all to commend unto you, for your spiritual refreshment this day. Experiences ought to be communicated, that God may have the glory of his invisible& gracious and admirable workings in the World, and therefore it is that we find the Cherubims in the Tabernacle set in such a posture, their faces looked one towards another, and towards the mercy seat also were the faces 
Exod. 25. 20.  of the Cherubims: now what did this signify? it intimated unto us thus much, that what light and discoveries they had received from the glory of God in the mercy seat, they were very ready mutually to communicate unto each other, and to till up each others joy.  
Now this Chapter, of which I have red a part unto you, is also much to this very purpose, we have here a list of the experiences of the Worthies of old, recorded by the Holy Ghost, what God the Lord did for them, and by what means all was brought about, even by the mysterious workings of Faith, by this the Champions of elder times achieved so many mighty works, and got unto themselves a good report, a good report and esteem with God, though flesh and blood did much malign them.  
That we may make our way the more clear to the Text, we shall first consider upon what occasion this was written, The Church of the Hebrews at this time was under a cloud, undersore persecution for the gospel of Christ, of which mention is made Heb. 10. 32. 33. and Paul labouring to bear up their hearts, as friends are wont to put pillows under their friends in their fainting and swooning fits, and if need be, to bear them up in their hands, so does the Apostle here cast his arms about the Church of Christ, and props her up with several arguments, and administers unto her much consolation, that she might be strengthened in the Lord unto the most fiery trial and heaviest burden.  
The first argument that he uses is from the reward Heb. 10. 35. will you at last cast your great reward away? what have you contended so long, and you have but little more to do; and will you now saint and lose your reward, and triumph, for scar of this little work that is behind, and that is yet to be done? cast not away your confidence which hath great recompense of reward; Those that run in a race when they come within sight of their goal run the faster, and contend more earnestly, and bodies when they come nigh unto their center, eòvelociùs by so much the faster they move. O friends remember your reward, look upon it, 'tis not far off, yea you may take hold of it, stay up your heart upon it, {αβγδ}, which Has, which carries with it great recompense of reward, a reward that has in it a recompense, not a reward that comes short of your love towards Christ, but which shall abundantly recompense you for all, O do not cast a way such a reward.  
again, a second Argument whereby he encourages them to bear the persecution of the world, and to fill up the remainder of Christs sufferings in their flesh, is that thereby they may give a testimony of the gift of patience, which is communicated to them through the spirit of grace that dweleth in them, Heb. 10. 36. this excellent gift they have also received, that as it is given unto them to believe in Christ, so also to suffer for his names sake. why( saith the Apostle) are you gifted with patience, but to this very end, that you might be enabled to suffer for Christs sake,& to witness unto the truth even in death? This is the very end wherefore such a gift of the spirit, as patience, is bestowed upon you, and shall it not be exercised? shall this talent be unemployed? you have need of patience, it should be rendered rather, you have need of the exercise of patience, that is to exercise it, to put it upon act, {αβγδ} signifies use of a thing, and sometimes need. now therefore so I render it, brethren it is needful that you should exercise patience, which God has given you, and when is the time for this, if not in persecution. Patience is a most sparkling grace, an excellent jewel, should it be raled up in ashes and never shine? this 
Vide the martyrdom of Thom. hawks at Coxehall Anno 1555. june 10. tertul. Apologer. Omne malum aut timore aut pudore natura perfudit: malefici gestiunt later, devitant apparere, trepidant deprehensi, negant accusati, ne torti quidem facile, aut semper confitentur: certe damnati maerent, dinumerent in semetipsos mentis malae impetus, vel fato vel astris imputant, nolunt enim suum esse, quia malum agnoscant. Christianis vero quid simile? neminem pudet, neminem paenitet, nisi planè retro non fuisse, si denotatur gloriatur: si accusatur non defendit: interrogatus vel ultrò confitetur, damnatus gratias agit.  Heavenly gift makes a gracious heart to shine, as Polycarpus body shined in the midst of the fire like pure gold, and Stevens face like an Angels. patience puts such a lustre upon Saints in time of trial, as that it allures many persecutors to the faith, it has converted many.  
See how those Christians suffer, how they rejoice that they are counted worthy to suffer for Christ, their persecutors are more tormented to see, that by all their torments they cannot make them recant, more then they are in all their torments they are under. O the strange working of grace, that takes away the sting of all the torment from them that suffer, and casts a deadly sting of torments into the hearts of those that persecute them. harmless patient men! they forgive those that wrong them, they pray for those that curse them, such is their love to Christ, that they count all too light and too little that they can suffer for his names sake, certainly if the Christians God be the true God, how dearly must he love them, whom neither fire, nor imprisonment, nor wild beasts, nor death can force to forsake him, Thus God gets glory by the patience of Saints.  
Third Argument from the sudden appearing of Christ for our rescue, Heb. 10. v. 37. The Lord will come, he will come speedily to help you, he will not tarry, he will come and receive you into the kingdom of his Father, and you shall walk with the Lamb in white garments, and with palms of victory in your hands, He will give you the victory, he will set the crown upon your head, that the Father hath appointed for you, contend therefore to the utmost, Christ has ordained some of you to come this way to the crown, you know how variously a general disposes of his Souldiers; they are all marching towards the City which they are about to take, but some are placed in the forlorn hope, some in the main body, some in the front of the Battle, and some in the rear, all are contented with their station, and will you not give up yourselves to the Lord general and Captain of your salvation, to be disposed of as he list, put case some Souldiers are sent out before the Army to prepare the way, though they suffer many assaults, yet they stand their ground, they consider the general is hard by, he'l draw up for our rescue anon, so when you are put upon hard duty, and endangered by some soul assaults, consider this, Christ is coming up suddenly for your rescue and deliverance, this will make you endure more valiantly, much of the comfort of the Saints lies in the expectation of Christs appearing. make hast my beloved( saith the 
This made the Martyr Glover forget his pain and danger, and laugh for joy: Oh he is come he is come.  Church to Christ) and be thou swift like a row upon the mountaines of Bether, stay not long from me, I await thy coming, and with this word Christ comforted his Disciples, do not think I will stay long away from you, and leave you without comfort, I will not leave you comfortless, I will come unto you: therefore bear up your hearts with this comfort in suffering times, that Christ will come shortly, yet a little while longer, and he that shall come will come and will not tarry.  
4th Reason, Therefore be contented to endure persecutions for Christ's sake, that it may appear that the just do not live by sense but by faith. Heb. 10. 38. If we have nought but what this World affords us; we were of all men most miserable, nought to the eye of the World appears but that a Christian is miserable, they are hated by their Neighbours, and sometimes by their nigh kinsfolk, 
I have known and heard of some parents that have forsook and disinherited their children because they were precise.  they are reviled and nicknamed and counted as the dirt of the World, if any in the city be plundered or oppressed, most likely they are they, oft abused, ill requited for courtesies done: what was said of Christ to this purpose, may be said of Saints, their visage is so marred, as that there is no comeliness in them, now this is the outer part of a Christian and the World sees no more, and therefore judges them miserable, 
{αβγδ}. Arist. Eth. l. 1. c. 9.  but now that God may make it appear that his children live upon inward secret principles of his Spirit, that they have the love of God, though the World hate them, that they have constant communion with the Father and with Jesus Christ, though their Father and Brethren forsake them that they have inward peace and consolations, though they find trouble in the World, that they can taste the sweetness of the promise and live upon it, though the brook be dried up, and the barrel of meal be come to the last handful, that he may make this appear,( I say) that his people can live by faith as well as by sense, therefore he would have them to endure afflictions and sore trials, you have inward comforts that supply the want of outward mercies, live upon them what ever becomes of the other. 
The Plant called {αβγδ} can live of itself upon what is in it, when it is taken out of the earth.   
5th Argument is from the perdition of false Professors, Heb. 10. 39. that fall away in time of persecution, they draw back but woe worth the day unto them, they draw back unto perdition. don't think you may play fast and loose with Christ, if there be any of you that draw back, I declare from the Lord unto you, that you are children of perdition, better were it for you, that you fell on upon the strongest push of Pikes, rather then draw back, verily( saith Christ) whosoever of you seeketh to gain his life shall loose it, but whosoever shall be contented to loose it for my sake, shall gain it. take heed what you do, there's nought behind you but death, eternal life is before, press on towards it. I have scarce ever heard of an Apostate, that did fall wholly from his profession and deny Christ, and betake himself to the world, and profane and evil courses, but that soul was remedilessely lost, some examples there have been but very rare and few. 
S. John the Apostles convert, of which Eusebius speaks, and some of which the councils speak, that had renounced Christ in time of persecution, but afterward upon great repentance found mercy with Christ and were received into the Church.   
6th Argument is contained in the 11th Chapter, which is drawn from the experiences of the faithful, consider those that have been upon the Theatre before you, have so many noble champions gone before you this way, and will you through dastardly cowardice run away& yield, whereas if you go on you are sure of a victory as well as they, that now are triumphing in eternal glory? Oh do but remember what mighty comforts they have brought about to themselves by Faith in times of trial, what great works they have achieved and overcome in their sufferings,& what glory they have brought to God through their faith in time of persecution, I am sure the glory of God is most dear to the hearts of Saints, their own life is not so precious, if Christ call for it, he shall have it with all their hearts: therefore if Gods glory arise this way, be contented and yield to God in it: The Elders of old time did yield to God in this way, consider( saith the Apostle) these mens experiences, and draw strength even from their strength, the same God can bear you out also.  
Now this whole Chapter contains a list of the most glorious achievements of Faith, and shows of what use Faith is to bear up the spirits of believers in times of trial and persecution, and the words which I have red unto you are the conclusion of all, and they have a great deal of strength in them, in one breath he sums up all together which he had to say, He makes a stop and corrects himself, what should I go on farther, and weary you with this one particular, I have not time if I had a mind to do it. The time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of samson, and of Jephthah, of David also, and of Samuel, and of the Prophets, who through Faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of Lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the Armies of the Aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.  
THis Text hath many parts that might be prosecuted, but I have but little time, and therefore must be as thrifty of it as I can. You red here what strange effects are attributed to Faith, I shall reduce them to several heads, in the prosecution of this one observation, That Faith is mysterious and mighty in working. we shall take this abroad, and consider those three particulars in it, which are chiefly intended in the Text. 
Faith is a grace most mysterious& mighty in working.   
First whereas here is a faire discovery made of the grace of Faith; we shall consider the nature of it, What this Faith is.  
2ly Whereas here are many strange works attributed to it, we shall take into special consideration, what are the mysterious workings of Faith, and take a view of the great works and mighty achievements which it brings to pass, many of which are here specified, and hereby show evidently That the workings of Faith are mysterious and mighty.  
3ly What is that large influence and effectual power of Faith, whereby it avails to achieve so mighty works.  
These particulars being made evident, I trust through the light of Gods holy spirit, it will be evident to all your hearts and consciences, That Faith is mysterious and mighty in working, A grace wherein the secret power of God is much laid forth within us.  
First What is Faith? I shall give you no other description of it at this time, then what the Apostle lays down in the first verse of this Chapter, {αβγδ}. The subsistence of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. by the way note, that the Apostle does not speak of Faith as justifying, as Faith is taken in that main act, to wit of our justification, but as its actings are in the largest extent and universal circumference, as it acts upon all the promises of Gods word; which are either concerning this world or the world which is to come, and now he calls this Faith the substance of things hoped for, Hope and Faith may sometimes have the same object, but see the difference of their motions and actings, and efficacies, Hope gives us a prospect of that which is a far off, but Faith brings the substance of it home, it has so great a power, as that it lays in the substance of the promises, it gives a man in a great measure to have the fruition of that which is dispensed in the promise to a believer, it makes the object to have in some measure a real existence in the soul, which is held forth in the promise, as all things that are to come or past, are present with God, so also in some way are they present to a believer who enjoys God, and this is a great mystery, they have the victory before they engage in battle, they have their crown before they have contended for the mastery, a poor gracious child of God may say already, heaven is mine I have God for my portion, I have already eternal life, I am already set down in heavenly places with Christ, there is a real enjoyment through faith, of that which the promise holds forth, now this must be carefully understood, for some have hence inferred that they can sin no longer being once in Christ through faith, they have no more sin upon them then the Saints in Heaven have, they are already in heaven because of their union with God, but here is some mistake, although here be also some truth, It's true Faith gives in the substance of the thing promised, heaven, and eternal life, and union, and communion with God, are received in the promise by faith, and sin done perfectly away, but all this must be understood in statu imperfecto. Faith does all this, but it does it not so perfectly as we shall enjoy it hereafter in the glory of God our Father, when our vision and fruition shall be such, as that Faith and its object shall be quiter changed, through the glory that shall be revealed, as the light of the stars are swallowed up with the light of the sun, in its zenith and midday, so when we shall be swallowed up into Christ, and made partakers of his fullness, and glory, as far as poor creatures are capable of it, then there shall no sin dwell in this mortal body, then and shall know God as we are known, and enjoy him at fullest, the glory of the Moon shall be seven fold then more then it is, but here in this estate in this world Faith gives in its object unto us in truth and real subsistence, but not in its perfect estate, for then 'twere vision, and faith no longer on the promise, our fruition of the promise which faith gives us is but weak and imperfect, and this is the meaning of that place in 1. Cor. 13. 12. {αβγδ}, now we know but in part, Faith gives in its object truly but not fully, verè said non plenè, and we do not want only a full manifestation, but also a full fruition, for our fruition in truth is not full in this World nor can be, But what has been said clearly evinces that Faith is not fancy, a supposal and vain imagination but that which is real and substantial, it was but fancy that which was in Laodic●a, she thought herself to be rich, and full, and clothed, whereas there was no such thing 'twas but a fancy, and a dream, but Faith makes a believer really blessed and happy, and therefore see to it do not delude your own selves, if you believe indeed, show me where is the substance and real subsistence of the promise within you that you shall enjoy.  
again it is called {αβγδ} a firm argument, it does persuade the mind, and not that only( as Bellarmine conjectures) 
Liber 1. cap. 5. Iusti●●.  who makes Faith only to be knowledge, but it does also persuade the heart with such powerful arguments that what God gives out in the promises shall come to pass, as that already in some measure it becomes present with them. God has drawn out a legacy for us, and sealed it by his sons blood, and has put it into our hands, here is Christ, and here is eternal life, here is peace with God for thee, and here is deliverance out of all temptation, here is resurrection from the dead, and glory everlasting made over to thee, and ratified unto thee, whereupon a believer is persuaded in heart sure all God has given me is true, I may rely upon it, God will be faithful who has promised, why then I am rich, I am an heir, here is my inheritance; Faith takes hold of what God gives to us, ah Lord! it is true that thou hast spoken, now I find I begin to live indeed, Christ is given me of my Father, and what is all this in this world in comparison of Christ, I am impatient, I cannot endure that it should be compared unto him, ah Lord! keep me in this frame, let me not fall from my first love.  
Let us come now to the object of Faith, {αβγδ}, Austine renders it otherwise then our translation, 
Epist. 112. ad Paul.  {αβγδ} i. e. {αβγδ} hominum sperant●um, but the word {αβγδ} coming after puts it out of dispute with me, its meant rerum speratarum or expectatarum, and so the most general current of interpreters runs, things that are hoped for, and are future, yea and whatsoever are invisible, be they things past or present, if spiritual, and set beyond the eye of sense and reason, or things future, all these are the object of Faith, Faith looks upon them as if they were before a believers eye.  
First of all for things past, to wit the Creation of the World, the deliverance of Israel out of egypt, the birth of Iesus Christ of a Virgin, his death and his resurrection, and ascension, and that he was justified from all our sins that lay upon him, and hath received an acquittance for every poor sinner that hath faith in him, Faith acts upon all these truths, and brings them so home to the soul, as if they were now done before the eyes of a believer, They believed( saith our Saviour) that thou didst sand me, speaking to the Father of his Disciples that believed on him, God sent Christ into the world long before his Disciples knew of him, but Faith makes it present, as if they had seen Christ come down from God out of heaven, so firmly they were persuaded By Faith that God sent him.  
again for things present, which are spiritual, and pass the sense, these are the objects of faith too, and faith is the substance and evidence of these in the soul, such are our justification in the blood of Christ, Christs sitting at the right hand of the Father, and interceding there for us, though it is not given unto us as it was to Stephen to see Christ in the humane nature, standing on the right hand of God, yet faith apprehends it, and it is clear and evident to a believer: moreover our communion with God, the inhabitation of the spirit, and the sanctification of us by the Holy Ghost, a believer sees his name written in the Book of life, he sees the book of God wherein his sins were written, all crossed with the blood of the Lamb of God, all these are truly done and present, but nought but an eye of Faith can see that they are done, sense nor reason cannot, cannot understand these ways of God, which I have spoken of, it is life eternal to know this after a true Gospell-administration, Flesh and blood hath not revealed this unto thee( saith the Lord to Peter) but my father which is in heaven. again for things to come see how Faith acts upon them, That Christ shall come in judgement, that we shall have a resurrection to eternal life, that we shall be kept in perseverance unto the end, that we shall have grace to help us in time of need, that God will clear up our innocency as the noon day, thus Faith looks forth at that which is a great way off: So Noah believed that God would destroy the world, and therefore prepared an ark for the saving of his family: So Abraham believed in the promised seed, and had a sight of Christs day almost two thousand years before the son of God took our flesh: So Joseph also believed that Israel should go up out of egypt, and gave commandement concerning his bones.  
Thus you have seen what Faith is as considered in its nature and its object. In the second place therefore we come to declare, that the workings of Faith are mysterious and mighty, of which you hear such great things in this Chapter, Faith is a grace mysterious, and mighty in working, see now in what a mystery and wonderful power it works, we shall set it forth in few particulars.  
First, the workings of Faith are mysterious and mighty upon this account, because they can be then at highest, when the workings of Reason and Sense are at lowest, when reason falls flat upon its face, and can hold no longer, then Faith acts in a high manner, this shows the workings of Faith to be very mysterious and powerful, in that they can bear up the soul against the most potent opposition that can be brought against it. Abraham believed when in all reason there was no hope left: Isaac commanded to be offered up in Sacrifice, the day came, the lad lead up to the mountain with the wood in his arms, bound to the wood, the knife drawn, the hand lifted up, yet Abraham believed all this while: what reason was there for this, what hope could there be of Isaacs redemption? yet he trusted God with his son, seeing the promise was in that same Isaac, he believed that the promise should stand, and that God would give him Isaac again, though he raised him from the dead, from whence he had received him in a figure, though all things in providence wrought against it yet he believed. Mordecai believed and was bore up by his faith, when all other things sunk: The Kings decree was signed, and sent into all the provinces of the Empire, and what should we now expect to hear from Mordecai, but bitter outcries for himself and the whole Nation; yet nothing less, he is confident, his faith keeps up his spirit, either God will make thee instrumental,( saith he to Hester) for our safety, or else deliverance shall come in some other way, I know God has promised after 70 years to bring his people back from Babylon, and therefore he will not suffer them utterly to be destroyed after this manner: how high did his faith work when reason was at lowest: carnal reason is the highest principle of nature, and when this failes and is too weak, if Faith has power to support the soul, certain its power is excellent and great, now it is usual with Faith to work at such a time as this, because it knows that this is the very way of God, when Reason which is the most exalted principle in man is cast down, then God takes this opportunity to step in, and exalt his own glory, who would have no flesh to glory, but that he that glorieth should glory in the Lord, and therefore a believer harkens, not unto the dispute of carnal reason, but moves above it, Faith and Reason move excentrically, as two orbs that have not the same center, if reason will move the same way with Faith, well and good, but if not, Faith keeps on its course, Faith moves upon the promises, but Reason upon this outward world acts suitably to the posture of the creatures herein, now if these concur with the promises of God a believer takes notice of them, but if they move irregularly, and against the bent and scope of the promises, then Faith leaves them and moves higher then before it did: take heed therefore of advising with carnal reason, which is oft times the greatest enemy that Faith has: Thomas would not believe that the Lord Christ was risen from the dead, unless he saw with his eyes, and touched with his hand, and be lead by sense to Christ, but see how the Lord checks him, ( Thomas) because thou hast seen thou hast believed, 
John 10. 29.  blessed are those that have not seen, and yet have believed, it is often in the mouths of m●n that consult only with flesh and blood, ah now say they is the time of my ruin, I see all things work against me I shall at once be destroyed by the hands of Saul, I cannot bear up against those difficulties any longer, o my Lord Christ help me for my strength is small, I am afraid I shall not outlive this temptation. but why saist thou so? dost thou measure the strength of God by the weak model of thy reason? see here what the Text holds forth of the ancient experienced Saints, out of weak they were made strong, first they were weak but they did not distrust, and disbelieve God, as thou dost, and therefore they were at last made strong; some were cast in before the hungry lions, and the lions mouths were wide opened, and was it not now a time for them to think they should be devoured, when the lion came running with a wide mouth to them, yet behold a marvelous thing, Faith stopped the mouths of lions. 
So Euseb. reports of many of the Primitive Christians, that being cast in before the lions to be devoured, the lions roated and turned aside,& would not devour them till they were wrapped up in Beasts-skins, and so cast in before them.  again they had multitudes of enemies come up to encamp against them, thick as the grass of the field, more enemies then thou hast, and they were but a handful, a little flock of Kids against a numberless Army, yet hearken how they overcame, by Faith they put to flight the Armies of the Aliens. again the 
So its reported of Polycarpus at the stake, that the fire mounted over him like a vault, and bore off from him, and his body shined▪ like gold.  fire has been kindled and has been about some of their bodies, and what would reason have said at such a time as this, doubtless it would have yielded up all, I cannot be preserved: but the Text saith they quenched the violence of fire, even then they believed and this was the efficacy of Faith even to put out the fire.  
And now let me call forth the experience of you Most Noble Captaines and valiant Souldiers unto the witness of this truth, say, has not God done his greatest works for you, and got you the highest victories even when you were at lowest, most contemned, most opposed: have not you found God able and ready to save, when you were at the point of distress, and greatest danger, because you trusted in him, O that you were all of you strong in Faith, let your Officers say in Battle, on, on, fight, fight, but the word which I have to say unto you from the Lord is, be strong in the Faith, believe, believe, believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.  
2ly The mysterious workings of Faith consist in this, That Faith makes those things which are absent or future to be present, this is a strange and mighty working of Faith upon its object, be it never so far off, it brings it nigh home: past or to come, yet Faith makes it present: in the vision of God things have not their prius& posteriùs, they are altogether before him really in his presence, and so it is in some manner like to this with believers, they have future things made present with them by Faith, Faith gives them a subsistence in the heart before they come to pass in their fullness of glory and blessedness, can you call back time that is past, or make the things that are ordained and hundred years hence to stand before you, it is impossible, but now Faith that has a wonderful way of working, it can do it, so its said here in the Text, They hereby enjoyed the promise, that held forth things a far off, they enjoyed them long before they were fulfilled. The Polar star is many thousand miles from the needle of the compass, and yet see how virtually they touch one another, let the needle recover itself after your shaking, it will reach the north Pole strait ways: so does Faith, let it act and it shall reach the promise strait way, though never so far off, here's a mighty secret working. It is impossible to call back time that is past, so said a certain Woman upon her death-bed, and would not entertain any comfort that was administered unto her, by ministers of the gospel, that came unto her, but put them always off, saying unto them can you call back time to me again, if you can call back the time to me, wherein God called me and I refused, then I may be saved, I had a day of grace but it is over, it is over, alas what a sad temptation was this, but sure Faith could help this distressed soul, Faith is able to bring back the call of God that is past, and convert the soul by a call that was given him in a Sermon long ago, so was it with the Jews, John Baptist called them, yet they believed not, but when Christ came unto them they remembered what John had spoken, Faith brought it back again unto them and then they believed it, This also is the reason why the Prophet speaking of the future glory, which should come upon the Church, speaks in the present tense, Arise, shine, for thy light is come, the glory 
Isai. 60, 1.  of the Lord is risen upon thee, is come, 'tis not said thy light and thy glory is a coming, but it is come, such evidence the Prophet had of it, that he even saw it already, would believers skill the power of Faith, they should surely find, Faith would give them much of heaven upon earth, there is nothing without the reach of Faith, too far for it, but now when we say that Faith gives in by the promise those things that are absent, I mean only thus. 1. That Faith gives us a true title to them, 2ly Faith give us a real possession of them, we are risen with Christ, we are set down in heavenly places with him. 3ly Faith gives us an actual enjoyment of so much of the sweetness of the mercy promised, as is competent to our condition, 
1 Cor. 12. 11  the spirit measureth out to every one as he will, and here is the difference between our present and future estate, that in our future estate, our title shall be more clear unto us, our possession more full, our enjoyment more constant, and perpetual, so that they differ in degrees only, but to conclude this particular, in short let us add only this also, for the evidencing of the mighty power of Faith, to that which hath been said, that as Faith has a power to make things absent to be present, so also it makes those things feasible, which cannot by any created power in the World be brought about, can you wash a Leopards spots off from him? or change a Blackamores skin? no, saith the Lord, no more can you cause him to do good that is accustomend to do evil, a sinner is more unchangeable then a Leopard, hadst thou a thousand spots upon thy soul to deform it, yet verily I can assure thee that thou shalt find a power in Faith to do them all out, here's the only way for a poor sinner to help himself, Faith purifies, and here it is said to raise the dead, the Philosopher will tell you there's no return from death to life, yet here v. 35. it is said women received their dead raised to life again, by Faith the dead were raised to life again, such is its power.  
3ly. The workings of Faith are hereby evidenced to be mighty and mysterious, in that it can compass great designs with most unsuitable means, if you had a little engine in your hand that could pull up vast mountaines and rocks by the roots, who would not admire the efficacy hereof, so it is with Faith, it brings about mighty designs with most unlikely means.  
First Faith brings about her works by means of another kind, then the works are that are wrought, Faith is spiritual 
And so sometimes also by outward means, Faith brings spiritual effects about, as by water in baptism, it brings us home the Holy Ghost, and by Bread and Wine in the Lords Supper brings Christ into the soul. Now in these the means and the effect are of different kinds.  and its actings are spiritual, and the promises which are the means in whose strength it acts all, they are all spiritual, now for those to have an influence upon corporeal things, is strange and unsuitable, yet so it is, Faith removes mountaines, when Christ sent away the Ruler with this word, go thy way, thy son liveth, it is said he believed the word that Jesus spake, and his son recovered, now see the unsuitablenesse in this work, the father of the child believed, he acted faith upon Christ's promise, and see what an effect came of it, it brought health to the child, what an unsuitablenesse is between faith& health, the one is spiritual, the other corporeal, yet this proceeds from the other.  
again if it so fall out, as that the means, and the effect are both of the same kind, yet there is unsuitablenesse between them, because as to the effect, the means that is used hath no influence in itself conformable unto it. In the the working of natural agents, there is in the means something like unto the effect that is wrought by them, and therefore they say, like is begotten of like, but now it is otherwise in this working of faith, the effect and the means are not alike. Moses by Faith strikes a stream out of the Rock, now what likeness is between the water and the rod of Moses, whereby it is produced? none at all; So again the Priests Feet stepping into the waters of Jordan, caused them to part hither and thither, and to give way for the Army to go over, now what likeness at all between the cause and the effect here, what is there in the dipping of the Priests Feet in the water, that should cause this sudden parting of the waters, nihil consimile, yet by faith they stepped down into the waters, and forthwith divided them.  
Again Faith sometimes goes farther, and takes up more like means to bring its design to pass, but yet mark it well, and you shall find a vast unsuitablenesse between the means which Faith useth, and the work that is wrought by them, which makes the workings of faith wonderful; The disproportion carries a mystery in it, exalting weak and contemptible means, to high and mighty works, if goliath had met with his equal in the Camp of Israel, and fallen by such a one, there had been no wonder, the means had been proportionable to the effect, but now for David a little stripling, who was scarce able to go in Sauls armor, and much less able to bear upon his shoulder 
You would have asked Christ as his Disciples did, Lord where shall we get enough for this multitude, how can 5 barley loaves and 2 fishes feed 5000, but Christ believed, and the food so multiplied in dividing, as that there were more fragments gathered up after dinner, them there was ment upon the table at the beginning.  Goliahs weighty Spear, for him to destroy this mighty warrior, Davids strength was not in proportion to this great work, yet by Faith he overcame; Elisha and the widow of Sarepta had but a handful of meal in the barrel to live upon, now that this should be able constantly to feed them for the space of some months, how could this be, but Faith increased it in the spending. So it is with Faith in other particulars also, weak Christians may be afraid to contend with witty adversaries, but see, oftimes by faith the foolish things of the world attain to this, even to confounded the wise, and things that are not, to bring to to nought things that are, faith exalts weak means to most high attempts, and therefore I must beseech you by the way to do more in faith, and you shall be able to do greater things then yet you have attained to, never be afraid when there are cross workings of providence, its not to discourage thee, it is but to try your faith, believe at such a time, say, Lord the weakest means I can use, can bring thy good purposes to pass, if thou grant forth thy blessing, perhaps you are on a sudden cast much into debt, you have lost much by Sea or Land, and you have but a little left to relieve you, your Creditors are clamorous, and they seek out an Extent upon your Lands, why now what should you do if your Treasure be exhausted of moneys, let not your heart be exhausted of Faith, now believe and depend upon God, and see how he will help you, see if you shall lack any thing, or if it shall be done unto you from cruel men according to your fear, I trust not; You do not know the power of faith in your daily commerce, glorify God daily by believing on his promise, and the promise shall provide for you what you want; You have but a little stock of grace, but improve it, and believe the promise, to him that hath shall be given, and he shall have more abundance, be not discouraged from Prayer nor Preaching, nor any good duty, because you are prepared with very little grace to the work, but if Christ sand you go out in his name, and see if it shall not be given you in the very hour, what you shall speak, and what you shall do.  
4ly. The mysterious working of Faith consists in this That Faith doth take a believer off from all the strength he hath in himself,& thereby makes him the more strong, empties out all 
To this purpose saith the Apostle, 1. Cor. 3. 18. if any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool that he may be wile, that is, let him deny his own carnal wisdom, and yield up himself to the mystery of wisdom that God hath revoaled in the gospel, and surely that Creature that is wrought over to such a gracious frame as to believe God rather then the carnal vain reasoning of his, own deceitful heart, shall be enlightened from God to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father,& of Christ.  carnal confidences, and all a mans strong holds, and thereby makes him the more strong in God: the more our confidence is carnal, or in self-sufficiency, or creature-supports, the less is always our faith in God, and so necessary it follows, the less strong we are: for deliverance and help, is then farthest off, Christ withdraws when you lean upon any ones shoulder but his, if a Woman should lean upon the shoulder of a stranger, would it not cause her Husband to depart from her: when the soul leans upon carnal props or pillars, God forsakes us, therefore we find the chast Spouse in no otherposture, but this, leaning upon the shoulder of her beloved, Cant. 8. 5. who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved, the Church was in the wilderness in a sad and lost condition, how came show up out of this wilderness, shee learned fast upon the shoulder of her beloved,& he was her guide. Faith lays aside creature helps, and thereby gains more strength from God. The people are too many, saith the Lord to Gideon; for me to give you the victory, and so Gideon empties out of his army two and twenty thousands, and there remained with him but ten thousand, then God puts him to it again for yet they were too many, and he empties out the second time nine thousand and seven hundred, and what was left to Gideon? But three hundred men, what a small number is left of this goodly army, would any man judge but that now Gideon was weaker then before? No by this very work he had greater Faith in God( for there was scarce ought else to help him) and so was more likely to prevail and did prevail. If You ( Right Noble Sir) who are the general of our Armies, and no less then a Gideon, put forth by the spirit of God in those troublesone daies for the help and protection of the Church, if you should fall a emptying, and empty out all those unwilling troops of Corah, who are unwilling to go abroad because they would be busied at home in leveling the powers and ordinances which Christ hath constituted in the kingdoms of this world, if you should cast out those profane ones, and those infectious deceavers, who have( wee here) got some shelter under your Tents, what shall I say of them, verily if You would purge out such dangerous humors( as we hear you are about such a good work) be not afraid, You shall gain by such a loss, were you but a little flock of kids, some of those thousands abated which perhaps are a burden to our Land, yet the Lord your God would keep You in safety, if You trust in him. Could you spare but a few to help distressed Ireland after eight yeares terrible warres there, and the many prayers that are sent thither before them. I say could you dispatch over but a few thither of those men whose spirits the Lord should make willing to the service( remember Gideons small army) even by those few, I trust Ireland might be relieved, and God would reap the greater glory, because the●● would not be any arm of flesh to glory in, Onely let them go in Faith, and the more they deny themselves, the greater service would God do by them, and let this strengthen their faith that God is doing his greatest Work, when he takes to him the weakest means, this was Pauls experience, When I am weak then I am strong, what a paradox is here? yet he witnesses this truth, that when he had most emptied out himself by Faith, he brourht the more strength in, God came in and Christ shewed his strength, according as he had promised Paul, My strength is made perfect in weakness. Oh how a natural man boggles at this, this cannot go down with flesh and blood what for a man to lay aside all his strength, and to be the more strong by it, how can these things be?  
5ly The mysterious workings of faith are proved by its most secret and hidden influence. 
{αβγδ}. Greg. Nazianz. Apologet. Orat. 1a.  The actings of Faith in their lustre and power cannot be discerned by the sharpest eye of the men of this world, they skill not the manner of faiths workings, they are a mystery to them, they see no lustre nor excellency in them, 'tis like a jewel which they have heard much of, but they never saw it, it is laid up in a cabinet from them, this is plain, for first they account a believers confidence in the Lord to be a very vain thing that can no wise profit them, They mock at the counsel of the poor( saith the Psalmist) because he putteth his trust in the Lord. What do this poor people mean, what are they able to do, they will not yield up their city though they have no reason for it, there are none that can come for their rescue, yet they believe great things, they pray and think to escape us that way, but poor fools as they are wee have them fast enough in the pit. Thus they mocked at the Lord Christ at his passion, here's one that trusted in God but God will have none of him, He trusted in God( say they) that he will deliver him, let him deliver him, if he will have him, Christ believed all the while in God, but they saw no such excellency in his faith nor benefit by it, all was in vain, for they had nailed him to the cross, and now who should take him down from them: they think they do but deceive themselves with a vain hope, when they trust in God, and Zenacharib  told Hezekiah so much, what do you feeble Jews mean, will you bee starved in the Siege, and be all put to the sword? Who shall be able to deliver you? In the Letters that Zenacharib sent into Jerusalem to cause the people to deliver up the city to him, mark what he says to this purpose, let not Hezekiah,( saith he) deceive you, what do you trust in, have any of the Gods delivered the nations out of my hand, that you now should trust to be delivered? 2. Chron, 32. 15.  
again, 2ly they judge a believer far off from God and forsaken of him, whereas if they had a discovery of his faith in God they would find God to be nigh unto him still.  
Persecute him, take him( say they to David) for God hath forsaken him.  
3ly They oftentimes judge the Faith of Believers to be but hypocrisy. So did Bildad censure Job, accounting that his hope and trust to be but hypocrisy and which should surely perish and come to nought, Job. 8. 13.  
4ly They deem a believer sometimes to be but a peevish careless man, he is nothing stirring in his business, sometimes God calleth a believer to sit still, and to do nought but believe, what saith a worldling at this, is this the way to be rich? Is this the way to prevail? To lie in the ditch and cry God help? You'll nere be worth any thing.  
Yea what speak I of the judgement of this world concerning a believer? Faith is so secret as that it is oftimes hide from his eye, in whose heart it works, it is like the way of a Serpent upon a rock, and of a ship in the sea, no man can tell where that path is they moved in, so it is with faith, the way and working of Faith is most secret and hidden. I find it to be even so in the Lord Jesus Christ himself, when he was under a cloud, my God, my God( saith he) why hast thou forsaken me? He believed and therefore he says My God, my God, but now he knew not that he believed, for he says presently, God had forsaken him, when as faith knows that God cannot forsake him, if the work of faith had been known, and this is often in the experience of believers, at this they are troubled and continually sad because they cannot discern that they do at all believe, so I say it may be with a believer a long time, but if at last they come to any discovery of the workings of faith in themselves, it is by the light of Gods holy spirit, and no otherwise.  
6ly In the sixth place. The mysterious workings of faith consist in this. That Faith can see to work in the darkest midnight, notwithstanding all discouragement, it goes on its way, here's a mysterious working indeed, if all carnal helps fail outward sense and experience are withdrawn, yet if God appeared within, there were sufficient light to work by, but now when a poor distressed soul finds that God is withdrawn, when neither sun light, nor Star light any longer, no consolations, no knowledge, and discoveries as formerly, all withdrawn and the soul left as David; in the valley and shadow of death, what then? is there a time for faith to work, yea, then in this dark midnight: and God calls out upon you( Beloved) to trust in him, even at such a time, Isa. 50. 10. what when in the dark, and sees no light at all? yea, saith the Lord, ye that walk in darkness, and see no light, let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.  
Brethren you must not look to be alway in the holy mountain to see fully Christs glory, and to have God the Father, and Christ sup, and lye down with you always in this world, what will you do when God withdraws upon your breach of covenant? Yet trust in him, and how admirable are the workings of Faith at such a time as this in the blackest and saddest houres, God will provide, God will provide himself a lamb, hark what Abraham says the father of the faithful, what is this likely, when he bids him kill his son and offer him up in sacrifice, and yet does he believe God will provide himself a Lamb for the sacrifice: and yet lo how the faith of Abraham works constantly to his principals, and God accordingly sends a lamb, behold a Ram in the bush caught by the horns to be a spele for Isaac. So Jobs faith wrought, when? at midnight, I will trust in thee though thou shouldst kill me, what a strange working of spirit is this towards God, believe in a killing God. again so it will be with believers when Christ comes in glory, he comes in the clouds, and he shall come in such clouds as that hardly he shall find faith on the earth, men shall not believe he is a coming, what, shall men say, is Christ coming in such daies as these? wherein the kingdoms of the world are ruined, and the Churches scattered, and the stars fall from heaven, and the powers in heaven shaken? when his ordinances are slighted, and his Ministers abused, and Christ most persecuted and blaspheamed and seems to depart? yea, yet for all that expect the promise of his coming, I am assured that the designs of Christ in those dark daies are now higher then they have been these thousand of yeares. let not your faith fail, wait, for the day of the Lord draweth very near.  
7th place, Faith acts with a mighty and mysterious power in changing the person wholly where it is, out of weak it makes him strong, out of sinful it purifies him, and makes him clean out of one who was sold under sin, it makes him work righteousness, this is one great act of faith spoken of here in the Text, it hath has a mighty power over the whole conversation, by it the Elders the people of God wrought righteousness, and verily it is impossible for an unbeliever to work righteousness, to act one righteous act.  
again, Faith hath a mighty power to alter a mans whole condition, it can turn a miserable condition into a comfortable condition, so it appears here in the Text of the ancient Martyrs, though the world thought them miserable, they cared not to change their condition, They accepted not of deliverance, others 
V. 35.  were tortured not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection, they were willing to go home unto the kingdom of their father, they were angry with those that carried them, and tempted them with the glorious baubells of this world.  
When Polycarpus was to be bound to the stake and burnt for the testimony of Jesus Christ, the Proconsul of Asia who was to judge him, seeing him to be a reverend gracious old man, desired him to spare himself, and favour his yeares, and promised him largely if he would change his profession, but he would accept of no deliverance upon such terms,&  told them when he was brought to the stake( as I remember it recorded of him) they needed not to take such pains inbinding him fast for he would not move: and so godly Mr Hooper a Martyr in Q. Maries daies, when they were fastening him with iron hoops to the stake, You need not thus trouble yourselves( saith he) yet do what you list, I submit, showing how contented and how willing they were to embrace that condition.  
And Mr Rogers who was the Proto-martyr in those Marian daies, to show his comfort in the midst of the flames, washed his hands in the flames. Another also( like that Roman Sèaevola) whose hand Bonner held in the flamme of a candle that was upon his table till the veins shrunk, and sinews broke,& blood sparted out in the face of the beholders yet he testified he felt no pain, have not some of us known our prisons more comfortable then our dwelling houses? tis faith that changes our condition, and brings in unspeakable comfort; are there not many of you, my Brethren, that have suffered by false reproaches God hath done it least the mighty works which he hath wrought by you in the Army should puff you up with pride and self conceit; therefore hath he suffered you to misearry, and to bear much reproach, but I show you the excellent way whereby you may change all your discomforts into a comfortable condition. Some chemists( I remember) have largely boasted of the Philosophers ston, that with a touch of it can turn all metals into gold, though that be false, yet I have found this to be true, Faith can turn poverty into 〈◇〉, and misery into excessive comfort and joy.  
8ly The mysterious working of faith is often in this. That it is powerful and prevalent towards its end, even by keeping off the s 〈…〉 from working. He that believes saith the Prophet) doth not make hast, Faith binds up the souls from acting and even by this way mightily prevails to compass her designs, stay where God bids you, stay and use onely that means unto which God calleth you, have a most observant eye upon the call of God, if some should see, as oftimes they may, a believer sitting still, they would say what are you like to prevalle by sitting still, do this, and do that, and turn every ston, and then perhaps you may find what you seek. Perhaps so too( saith a believer) but I doubt whither it be the mind of God that I should use this means or no, I am contented to stay for the means which God prescribes as well as the end, I will do less, and believe more. This delights God, and it sooner prevails then if you were always acting: saith the Lord to Moses, stand still, thou art in a hurry, and thy thoughts are busied how to make an escape, ●● Moses, stand still a while and let the people wait a little, and see if I can find a way for thee and thy people to escape, so saith the Lord sometimes to us in our perplexity, when we haue tried many ways and all to no purpose, you have tired yourselves in pursuing the creature that you desire, stay now a while and wait upon God you have done your duty, now fit still a while and believe, and give up this matter to God, it is a place that is much to be pondered by a believer. Your strength 
30. Isa. 7.  is to sit still. Why do you thus weary yourselves, and you want sleep, nor give your thoughts rest, verily you might spare all this pains, if you would give up this matter to God, labour to bring your heart to this frame to be at Gods dispose in this business, and expect this mercy from him, your strength is to sit still. A Believer works powerfullly when he stands still, this resting and waiting upon God oftener prevails then overbusy acting and rushing into strange means hand overhead, that are against the mind of God for the compassing of our designs, Souldiers are apt to this because they have great power in their hand, and it is out of very tender affection towards you that I warn you in the Lords name to take great heed, for this will cause God to dissert you, as soon as any thing, if you will not wait upon God in his ways, I tell you whosoever you are, you shall surely be undone in your own ways, I am tender over you with a godly jealousy, and therefore give me leave to be faithful for I desire your good and welfare in the Lord.  
Thus you have seen the mighty and mysterious workings of Faith: now in the third place let us come to show The large and effectual power that is in Faith towards the achievement of such mighty works. What is there in faith whereby it can reach unto such high effects as these are declared in the Text. V. 33, 34. 35.  
First the strange and effectual power of Faith whereby it avails to compass all its designs consists much in the Principles which it acts upon, Faith acts upon the surest and most constant, and most powerful principles in the world, and that is upon the sure promises of God, God cannot be unfaithful, saith a Believer, He cannot deny himself, Ergo, this must come to pass which he hath assured me in his holy word, whatsoever your case be, if God hath given a promise concerning it, either to the point of our justification by the blood of Jesus Christ, or any temporal deliverance or mercy, or any gift of grace, if there be a promise for it, a Believer moves towards it upon virtue of the promise, which can never deceive him, whatsoever straight or difficulty there may be, Faith overturns all, the promise of God must stand whatsoever fall before it, Faith breaks through all as the Champions of David broke through the army of enemies, and went beyond them to the well head and fouht water for the King: So a Believer upon the strength of the promise, goes beyond all difficulties, and reaches the good that is desired: all the powers of the gates of hell cannot frustrat one promise, and therefore is Faith so strong and mighty to great achievements because it moves upon the promise.  
2ly, The ability which is in Faith towards great designs springs from the united forces which Faith takes-in to its help, Faith hath a powerful influence over all the other wheels of the soul to set them on work, it calls in other graces to its help, It makes love work, and patience work, and sets the spirit of prayer on work, and though it be but one single grace, yet it does those mighty works, because it works by other wheels, 'tis impossible that one wheel in a Watch should tell us the hour of the day; but when the primum mobile hath set all the other wheels a working, then the work is brought about, and the desire is satisfied. So though Faith does not sometimes avail single as in the Disciples, when they could not cast out the unclean spirit, yet when they joined prayer and fasting, and so got in the assistance of other graces to act jointly with it, then it did the work.  
3ly, Faith comes to be so marvelous in working by reason of its Latitude, it is not limited to a few works, it hath the largest reach of any grace of the spirit, it reaches to all things in this life, or life to come, to all conditions, and estates, to all persons, to all works, and whatsoever Faith reaches not unto is sin, there is not any condition you can be in any of you, but Faith can reach that condition, and get supplies for it, now there is no grace so large, and universal unto all objects, and conditions as Faith is, now by reason it hath such a large extent, therefore is Faith so various and marvelous in working: gold, hath a particular excellency in it, but it is but of an narrow extent, it cannot help you in all your wants, you give it away for water when you are over thirsty,& part with your jewels to buy food, you melt them into those contentments that you want, but now Faith is of such an universal excellency as that you can do nothing without it, you cannot subsist a day without Faith, it hath to do with all the conditions God shall call you to, and comes into all your daily affairs to order them aright, now that which hath so many excellencies in it, and is of so great use must needs be marvelous in working.  
4th, Reason how Faith comes to be so mighty and powerful is because God delights to bring about his greatest glory in the world by a way of believing, God hath chosen this way 
John 6 29. Mar. 9. 23.  above others, and therefore hath he impowred Faith to do mighty and terrible things, that so the glory of God may bee brought out by it: when God finds a man in a good posture of believing, ah, saith God, theres a man for my purpose, I will bring about my greatest designs by that man: tis not the most honourable, the most wise, and valiant and stout that God makes use so much of, as those who are strong in Faith, it is a notable Scripture, observe it for your comfort, Jam. 2. 5. chosen the poor, rich in Faith, lo what a choice God makes the poor contemptible ones of the world that are rich in Faith, does he choose to bring his great designs about by, be not discouraged by your poverty and weakness at any time, but Believe.  
5th Reason, Whence Faith comes to be so mighty and mysterious in working, is because it does engage God in all his power, and wisdom, and love, to bring about the mighty works, unto which by his all guiding providence he hath called a Believer, and what is too hard for the Lord? It wins over God, and then improves all that is in God for its succour, and this is the reason it cannot fail, God is on our side,( saith the Psalmist:) now when a Believer hath engaged God on his side, then he 〈…〉 re to carry it. Why but is God engaged to make good what a Believer trusts in him for, will he not deny him any thing? No verily, nothing will he deny him, if once he give thee Faith in the promise; he is obliged to make the promise good unto thee, he will never draw back, thou maiest be sure on't, he will some way or other make good every promise that is relied on.  
Now for application.  
First use of instruction. We must needs be convinced of this from which hath been said, That Faith always gets the best of it. Be a mans condition what it will be, yet Faith makes it very good. You have heard already, that some by Faith have turned their persecution and afflictions into such a happy condition, as that they cared not to accept of deliverance, Heb. 11. 35. Ignatius in his Epistle to the Church of the Romans declares himself so far from being frighted with persecution, as 〈◇〉 he was afraid to be delivered, he desired the Church that they would not pray that he might be delivered from death, but that they would offer him up a sacrifice upon the Altar, which was prepared for him, Pray rather that I may triumph in martyrdom for the name of the Lord Jesus.  
2d use of instruction is Faith so active and mighty in working, then certainly The way to get strength to perform any g 〈…〉 is first of all to set Faith on working, there are that seek by all other means to bring their designs about rather then by Faith, but you see the way of the Worthies of old, they brought all about by Faith, why but would you not haue us to use the mean 〈…〉 answer, you are not forbidden to use the means, but in the first place and chiefly, and constantly, unto the end in all transactions to work by Faith, God goes not along with an unbelieved▪ therefore as the wise mariner holds the rudder with his hand, so guides the ship, yet he keeps his eye upon the carded, so go on in your work, and using the means which the Lord makes ready for you, but still keep your eye of Faith upon God in his promise, I trust the Lord will bless this means, though it ●● but weak, to the compassing of this work, remember it cost the King of Israel his life, for trusting upon the Physitians more then upon the Lord.  
3d Use of Instruction, is Faith so mighty a grace of the spirit, so marvelous in working, Then it concerns a Christian to have a special care that he suffer not his Faith to be weakened? If your Faith be weakened, all the rest of the man will become weak if once you know a sinew be hurt, a man is lame all daies of 〈◇〉 life: because God touched Jacobs sinew and weakened it, he went halting all his life, verily so you shall find it with your soul, if you suffer your Faith to be weakened, your spirit will halt, oh that you knew how much it concerns you daily to be acting and strengthening your Faith. samson was careful to preserve his hair, how often did he conceal it from Dalilah least it should be wronged, for therein lay his strength, So I beseech you most earnestly look to your Faith, look to your Faith, there, there lies your strength, oh! see to that.  
4th Use of Instruction learn also hence, That a Believer is a strong man, a mighty wonder-working man, nothing can stand before him; he hath power upon the heart of God, the Lord yields to this mighty wrestler, he was so much taken with Jacbs Faith, and importunity, who held him fast with his arms, and with weeping and supplications, as that God put an honourable title upon him, what is thy name, saith the Lord unto him,( thou mighty Wrestler) let me know who thou art that thus wrestles with me? Say what is thy name? And he said unto him Judah then said the Lord, thy name shall be called no more Jacob but Israel: for as a Prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed, go to then, learn of God to put a price upon him that is strong in Faith, put the mightiest men in Faith, into places of trust, such a one seldom miscarries, God is on his side, and works all his works for him, not the tallest not the stoutest and strongest soldier, is first to be chosen, behold a mighty goliath falls before a little David, who was a Believer.  
Second use of Reproof to unbelievers, O sirs what do you trust to? how displeasing to God is all that you do in unbelief, if by Faith the Elders obtained a good report from God, how will God report of you who lye under the sin of unbelief? have you a desire to please God, verily I must profess unto you, there is nothing in the world doth more discontent him, then your unbelief, it fetched a groan off Christ's heart to see the unbelief of some sinners to whom he Preached the gospel, and made him burst out a weeping over them, to see their hardness of heart, and to denounce a sad woe upon all those cities, where he had lived a while, and Preached unto them, and done many mighty works amidst them, yet they believed not; who would deal so with his Friend as you deal with God an unbeliever calls Gods power, and love, and faithfulness, and truth in question, you will take a Friends word if he promise, otherwise it will trouble your Friend that he hath so little credit with you, what saith he will you not trust me? have you known me so long and will you not trust me for this? what a disgrace do you put upon me? So saith Christ to his Disciples, even just in this very same manner, though implicitly when the Father of the possessed came to him, and  told him, sir says he, I have brought my son to thy Disciples, and they cannot cast him out, but if thou canst do any thing, come and heal me, what a disgrace was put upon Christ at this time, and therefore our Saviour breaks out in a passion upon this. O faithless generation how long shall I be with you, how long shall I suffer you?  
Saint John tells you plainly whoever you are that are unbelievers,( look how you will answer it) you make God a liar, who ever will not believe him when he hath promised, and indeed what do you do less, God says, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee, and you say nay, but God hath forsaken me, my God hath forgotten me, God saith He hath made an everlasting Covenant with you, and you say, it is but for a time at our list, and when we break Covenant, God falls off and breaks Covenant too, God saith, I will deliver thee in six troubles and in seven, my grace shall be sufficient in temptation, and call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me, now all this thou flatly deniest, deniest Gods powers( O the unbelief!) as if he could not save, deniest his knowledge and care of thee, as if he knew not thy trouble of heart,& were not a compassionate father over thee, and what dost thou trust to? what to this friend and that friend, to this bag of gold, and council, and this Army, this Reserve of Horse, and those fresh Supplies that are come into the battle, and that Office and Preferment, what wilt thou place them upon Gods throne and abase the Lord, wilt thou cast off the rock of ages, and lean upon a reed, that will surely bow under thee, and give thee the fall? O what folly is there in unbelief, why shouldst thou not believe? God saith thou givest him glory by believing, and this is the great work to which thy heavenly Father calls thee, and yet thou drawest back, and sayst I am afraid, and know not how to believe, I cannot bring my heart to it.  
I beseech you in the Lord, if ever you hope to find acceptance with God, or compass any great work, labour for more Faith, I cannot desire you to ought, that will truly amount to your good more then this.  
Third use is for Discovery, As there is an absolute necessity that in all our works we should act in faith, so it is our greatest Soule-contentment to know that we do act in Faith, take therefore a view of your actions, scan them, see what Faith you find there, here are three helps of discovery which I commend unto you this day, that by them you may come to know the workings of the spirit of grace in your hearts.  
First, if your greatest achievements have been wrought in Faith, you will attribute the success unto the right means, you will give Faith the honour of all. God hath put the sword into your hands, and lead you forth unto many worthy achievements, and your renown hath mightily spread itself from North to South, and gone out unto all parts, and the Peace and Liberty which the Lord hath brought about for his Church in these dayes by your means,( we bless his name for it,) and desire to keep in thankful remembrance what he hath done for us, but now I beseech you( beloved Brethren,) say, how have you attained unto all this, you that are expert Commanders, and Valiant Souldiers, tell us before the Lord this day wherein your strength lay, we put this question unto you for a better reason, then Dalilah did to samson, how say you, whereby have you overcome so many Armies, Cities, Castles, impregnable Garrisons, was it your bow, and your shield, and your Horses, and Ammunition, and tried Souldiers that got you this Victory, and that Victory; I cannot see for my part, but that in all your Victories, there hath been as little of man shewed, as in other Armies, you have done little or nought towards the attaimment of many great Victories, and whence had you them? have you written down upon all your Victories, Haec FIDEI SPOLIA, this Faith hath won,( I know what many Dammees have lost) but have you given glory to God, and say by Faith we overcame in such a place, and by Faith we overcame in another place, O sweet, and most comfortable Victories, we stood still, and lay like a flock of sheep about such and such a place, and the Lord God on whom we trusted, delivered up all that we have into our hands, and if at any time he called us to the battle, he taught our hands to war and our fingers to fight, he put of his spirit upon us, and brought down the strength of the mighty ones before us. I am confident it hath been the Faith of many amongst you, and the Faith of Gods children in the Churhes of this kingdom, making prayers for you, that have got these Victories, many a Moses hath been lifting up his hands, many Churches have been weeping before the Lord, and believing whiles you have been fighting, this hath done all, and if you have overcome in Faith, certain I am you will attribute the success to Faith, and not to fellow Souldiers, such Reserves, and such fresh Supplies came in, and gave us the day, no 'twas Faith procured them, and strengthened them to our deliverance.  
2ly. It may be discovered whether or no in the managing of great affairs, you carry on your work in Faith, by your acquiescency of spirit in God, when Faith hath done its work in the heart, and given in its Evidence concerning the promise, and  told a man surely God will deliver thee, He will blot out that large Record of thy sins, and nail all thy strong corruptions to the cross of Christ, and there they shall die, He will do this work which thou desirest, wait upon the Lord, and he will bring it to pass, in his own good time, then follows a peace and a calm, well then, fit down O my soul, saith a believer, and wait until Gods time come, be not thoughtful, leave matters in the hands of God, He hath taken them up: He says not what if this should fall out, and that should happen, be not so thoughtful, but rest upon a faithful God, who will keep his word, never could any man yet, or any age charge him with breach of promise.  
The third Note of discovery: you may know whether or no you act in true Faith, by the ground or bottom upon which your Faith is pitched, true Faith is always bottomed upon the promise, either upon the main stock of the covenant of grace in Christ, or else upon some branches sprouting out thence, if you are confident and cannot tell me why you are so confident, then I must tell you verily thou hast no Faith at all, tis but a deceit of thine own heart, and it will not be found to be Faith in the day when Christ shall try the secret of all hearts, but some are confident, and they know well upon what ground: they have good cause to be confident they trowgh, we have gallant Souldiers, good arms, and provision, an invincible army, and therefore we fear nothing, is not this good reason to be confident? O! but all this while thy heart is not well grounded, If Faith had the grounding of it, it would ground it much better, alas vain man wilt thou put all thy treasure in a vessel that is as leaking as thyself, hast thou nought but the creature to fix upon? Ah thou art a most miserable creature! thou shalt go away with the curse of God, and this is a most terrible estate, that even that should bring a curse upon a man which he takes to be his comfort, and yet even so it is, the Lord pronounces a curse upon every such man, Thus saith the Lord, Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm,& whose heart departeth from the Lord. For he shall 
Jer. 17. 5. 6.  be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land, and not inhabited, but now is it otherwise with you, can you say oh blessed be God that I have a promise from God! I am confident because I have a promise to rest upon, and comfort my soul in, doubtless such a one believeth. This was Sampsons mistake, and it is a very notable case, you shall find in the book of Judges, 16. 20. that God gave samson a promise of matchless strength, upon condition that he should keep his Nazarits vow, and his locks were not cut, so long his strength should remain. Now mark what samson says in that place fore-quoted, says he, I will go out and shake myself, as at other times before, and he wist not that the Lord was departed from him, samson was confident, but his confidence was no other then presumption, when his vow was broken, for this confidence was not grounded upon a promise, but it is far otherwise with a gracious Believer, he builds his comfort upon some of the promises that are most suitable to his condition. He says with David, God is a refuge for us, Psalm. 62. 8. Heres a promise shelter here, its good sheltering unde the promise.& Psalm. 46. v. 7.  
Wherefore let me again renew my exhortation unto you, seek Faith, grow in Faith, I renew my exhortation and reinforce it with all the grace that God gives me, because I know what great need you have in your spiritual warfare of this gift of the Spirit. O my brethren! Let not these be times wherein Faith shall scarce be found, when more need of Faith then in troublesone daies, verily all your shifts and turnings of things up●ide down, will do nothing towards your safety without Faith, you cannot live the life of Christians without Faith, tis as possible for a three to live without roots, as for you to live without Faith. Oh! I would have you men mighty in faith, how beautiful, how excellent is the glorious lustre of Faith in the heart of any, what mighty works might you attain to had you Faith? Christ cannot do mighty works for you because of your unbelief, you shall never see good daies if you have not more Faith among you, you may think tis along with this and that other thing that your peace is not established, that you are not brought into Canaan, but I tell you tis long of your unbelief that you are shut out, you blame Israel, because they would not believe God, and you are as very unbelievers as they: I speak as to the multitude of this kingdom, though God hath a precious people in this land, yet the multitude, the multitude God abhors and so much swears against.  
But that I may conclude and speak one word in the close unto those who are faithful, and have trusted God with all they have, in a use of direction.  
Let nothing discourage your Faith, you may have many trials, but take no discouragements, in times of greatest danger and difficulty, there is a time to act Faith, Faith is ordained for such times, nothing can help us unless it be Faith, Faith is able to remove the greatest difficulties, it is able to compass the highest achievements: O that Christians were more skilled in this mystery of Faith, Faith is the meee test engine for greatest designs, Faith is the Souldiers best shield, will you go into the battle at any time without your shield, will you not raise breast works before you for your defence, no such safe guard as Faith, Faith brings supplies in a seasonable time, O for a reserve and supplies say you to help, when all are cut off round about us, why Faith keeps reserves for you, let Faith call, and theyle come in for your rescue.  
You are in places of eminency, who are Generalls and Captaines of the army, unbelief in you is more dangerous then in others, God will not spare you, if you give him not glory before the people, remember how God dealt with Moses at the Rock, when his Faith somewhat failed, because he gave not glory to God by believing, at that time therefore the Lord cut him short of Canaan, this was the reason why Moses was not permitted to more then a sight of that goodly land, neither shall you live to see the peace of Sion, and the fulfilling of the promise made to the Church, in these later daies if you will not believe.  
I have done, go forth in the strength of God, and the Lord God from heaven bless you. Let me beseech you to lay up those special places of Scripture in your hearts, which are suitable to your condition, who are Souldiers, exercise your Faith upon these promises, when you go out to battle, when you gird on your sword, then fortify your hearts with such like promises as these. Remember in Isa, 43. 11. The Lord hath promised to be your Saviour, and you shall have no other, he will not permit it, I even I am the Lord, and besides me there is no Saviour, therefore God would have you trust in him, again it is a sweet excellent Scripture, Hosea, 1. 7. God will save you without sword or bow, or battle, if you want these, God will save you without them, you think you are in a miserable condition, if your swords were broken, and your ammunition seized upon, yet can God save you without all these. Moreover in the 2. Chron. 32. 8. See how Hezekiah encouraged the small troops that were with him, with Senacharib, saith he, is an arm of flesh, 
2. Chro. 20. 15. 1. Sam. 17. 47.  But with us is the Lord our God to help us, and fight our battles, remember this, God will fight your battles while you fight the Lords Battles.  
FINIS.