BEcause the whole spirituall life of a man doth depend upon his Faith, Heb. 10. 38. And by Faith as by a sheild, a man is preserv'd safe against all the temptations of the Devill, the World and the Flesh, Ep. 6. 16. 1 Pet. 5. 9. Heb. 11. 25. Therefore it is that these three enemies doe bend their forces principally against Faith. It will be profitable therefore to be acquainted with the principle assaults in this kind, as also with those means whereby through the grace of God, we may repell them, that they do not overmuch weaken our Faith.

The first Question then is, how the believer may support himselfe against those temptations, which are drawne from hence, that there are no notable Fruits of his Faith to be seene and discern'd.

1. Ans. first he ought to consider that Faith in its owne nature is of those things which are not seene or felt, Heb. 11. 1. And in this it differs from vision, Rom. 8. 24. 1 Cor. 13. 12. And therefore there is no more required to the being of Faith but that man do with his whole heart make choise of Christ for his Saviour, and with his whole heart adhere unto him. Other things belong to the well being of Faith, not absolutely to the being of it, Col. 2. 7.

2. Secondly, he ought to consider, that the want of many fruits may argue Faith to be languishing, or weake, but it cannot argue that there is no Faith, 2 Pet. 1. 8.

3. Thirdly, he ought to consider that the Conscience is often supported much by the remembrance of what is past, though for the present grace appeare not, Psal. 77. 6. 7. 12. And by the judgements of others that are godly, and wise concerning us, when our own judgement is troubled, Heb. 6. 9. 2 Cor. 2. 7. 8.

The second Question is, how a man may support himselfe against those temptations which are drawne from hence, that he feels upon him the signes of the Wrath of God?

4. Ans. First, he ought to consider, that many signes of Gods wrath may stand with his love and favour. Psal. 99. 8.

5. Secondly, he ought to remember that Christ himselfe who was the Sonne of Gods love, did tast the wrath of God in this sort, Mat. 27. 46.

6. Thirdly, he ought to consider that it is required of the Faithfull that they believe against hope under hope, Rom. 4. 11. And that they do, and they wrastle as it were with God, by Faith, Gen. 32. 24. Hos. 12. 4. 5.

The third Question is how hee may hold up his head a gainst those temptations, which arise from hence, that his Faith increaseth not, Rom. 1. 17.

7. Ans. He ought to consider first that it is with Faith, as it is with plants and living Creatures, which wee may more easily perceive to have growne, then to grow. Secondly, that the increase of Faith is not to be expected at every moment, and at all seasons of our life, Heb. 5. 12. But then especially when the Sun of righteousnesse approacheth nearer to our Horizon, by a more mercifull communication of his grace, Acts 9. 31. 2 Pet. 1. 2. 3. Thirdly, that those temptations which do hinder the increase of Faith for the present do advantage it for the future, like the winter to the Plants, and like diverse sicknesses to the bodies of young Folke.

Fourth Question is how a man may comfort himselfe against those terrors which arise from the guilt of his sins, especially if they be greevous?

8. Ans. He ought to remember, 1. That such temptations as these, do proceed from a defect in Faith, Rom. 6. 11. Ep. 6. 16. 1 Pet. 5. 9. And therefore that we are not to cast away our Faith because of such sins, but rather so much the more to strengthen it, Lu. 22. 32.

9. He ought secondly to consider that it is the duty of the faithfull not for sinne to fly away from God, but rather for God to fly away from sinne, and to adhere to God in Christ, that sinne may be remitted, and abolisht, Iohn 3. 14. With Num. 21. 19.

The fifth Quest. is how a Christian may sustaine himselfe in time of affliction?

10. Ans. He ought to consider, 1. That such kind of tryalls are fruits of Gods love, Heb. 12. 6. 2 They shall worke for his good, Rom. 8. 28. 3 The grace of God in all these ought to be sufficient to him▪ 2 Cor. 12. 9. But of afflictions more hereafter.