And for Direction Here

1. Tremble to rest in beginnings, in ineffectual work; in some tastes and stirrings, enlightnings and meltings, and pangs of sudden joy in hearing the word of faith: as the stony ground (in our text) without making thorough work (Hebrews 4:1). Do not rest in slight work, in some little smatterings, in tastes of the good word of God.

2. Cherish the motions of the Spirit: and thank God and bless Him on your bended knees, for that little you have; for those beginnings He has given you; though it be but common, though it be but little; yet bless Him for it: it is the way to have more.

3. Attend and listen to the word of the Gospel, and the preaching thereof (Romans 10:17): so then faith comes by hearing; and hearing by the word of God. It is the great end of hearing to get faith. Hear the voice of Christ, speaking in His word, and say, as in (1 Samuel 3:9): Speak Lord, for your servant hears. And labor to be a profitable hearer of the word; so may you be a believing hearer of the word.

4. In all means look to and lie under a power above and beyond means to create faith in you; even the power of God in Christ Jesus.

5. Pray and cry to the Lord for faith, for sound and saving and effectual faith (Jeremiah 31:18). Faith is the gift of God: ask it of Him (Ephesians 2:8). Oh! The Lord can teach you to pray, while you are praying; and teach you to believe, while you are crying after faith, and saying, Lord, help my unbelief (Mark 9:24). And pour out your heart to God with groanings that cannot be uttered; that He would go in with you; and that He would not leave you in the midway. Oh! Beg sound and effectual work [illegible].

6. Be often renewing your faith. That is a great means to perfect faith, and that which is lacking in it. By often believing, you shall come to see and feel, that you do effectually believe.

7. Use faith much. If you think you have faith; let it appear by this, use it. Do not think it enough to say, you hope God has worked faith in your heart, and you are in a [illegible]; and [illegible] wrap up your faith, and lay it by you against you come to die. Oh! Know it; that will prove a miserable, rusty faith at death, that was not made use of in the time of life. No; but if you have any faith; use it: use it to sanctify your heart (Acts 15:9). Use it to overcome the world. Use it to mortify your strong lusts and corruptions, and to maintain a warfare against them. Use it to carry you through afflictions, changes, troubles, trials. Use it to the increase of all grace, and live by it (Galatians 2:20). And God grant, as in (1 Peter 1:7): that the trial of your faith being much more precious than of gold that perishes; though it be tried with fire, might be found to praise and honor and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ.