The Fifth Direction
A fifth rule is this, Exercise much faith, that is the way for contentedness. After you have done with all considerations that reason may suggest to you, if you find that these do not do it, Oh then call for grace of faith. A man may go very far with the use of reason alone to help him to contentment, but when reason is at a nonplus then set faith to work. It was a speech of the Reverend Divine Master Perkins that God made so instrumental in his time, the life of faith (says he) it is a true life indeed, the only life. Exercise faith not only in that promise that all shall work together for good to them that fear God, but likewise exercise faith in God himself, as well as in his word, in the Attributes of God. It was a speech of Socrates a Heathen, (says he) since God is so careful for you, what need you be careful for anything yourselves? It was a strange speech of a Heathen.
Oh Christian! if you have any faith, in the time of extremity think thus: this is the time that God calls for the exercise of faith. What can you do with your faith if you cannot quiet your heart in discontent? It was the speech of one Theodosius that had been a King, and afterwards was brought to such a low condition to get his living by being a schoolmaster, one comes and asks him, What have you got by your Philosophy from Plato and others? What have I got (says he) I have got this, that though my condition be changed from so high a condition to so low, yet I have got this, I can be content. So what do you get by being a Believer, a Christian? What can you do by your faith? I can do this, I can in all estates cast my care upon God, cast my burden upon God, I can commit my way to God in peace, faith can do this. Therefore when reason can go no higher, let faith get upon the shoulders of reason and say, I see land though reason cannot see it, I see good that will come out of all this evil.
Exercise faith in your often resignation of yourself to God, in giving of yourself up to God and his ways. The more you do in a believing way surrender up yourself to God, the more quiet and peace will you have; that is the fifth thing.
A fifth rule: exercise much faith — this is the path to contentment. After you have applied every consideration that reason can supply, if you find they are still not enough, call on the grace of faith. A person can go quite far using reason alone to help him toward contentment — but when reason has reached its limit, set faith to work. The Reverend Master Perkins, so greatly used by God in his time, once said: the life of faith is a true life — the only true life. Exercise faith not only in the promise that all things work together for good for those who fear God, but also in God Himself and in His attributes. Even the pagan Socrates said: since God is so careful for you, why do you need to be anxious about anything yourself? A striking thing to hear from a pagan.
Christian — if you have any faith, in times of extremity think this: this is the moment that calls for the exercise of faith. What use is your faith if it cannot quiet your heart when discontent rises? There was a man named Theodosius who had once been a king, but was brought so low that he had to earn his living as a schoolmaster. Someone came to him and asked: what have you gained from the philosophy you learned from Plato and others? He answered: I have gained this — that though my condition has changed from such a high estate to such a low one, I can still be content. So what do you gain by being a believer, a Christian? What can your faith actually do for you? It can do this: in every situation, I can cast my care on God, lay my burden on God, and commit my way to God in peace. Faith can do that. So when reason can go no further, let faith climb up onto reason's shoulders and say: I see land, even though reason cannot — I see the good that will come out of all this evil.
Exercise faith by frequently surrendering yourself to God and giving yourself fully to Him and His ways. The more you surrender yourself to God in faith, the more peace and quiet you will have. That is the fifth direction.
