The Triumph of Faith: Preface

The present Treatise is a continuation of some remarks formerly published concerning the experience of a true Christian, who, quickened by the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, lives by faith, and who is enabled to go forward in his walk by the faith of the Son of God. There was one Treatise upon this subject, entitled, “The Life of Faith;” and, some years after, another on “The Walk of Faith;” in which, the divine helps and supports were considered great and many, not only for the establishment of believers in the way, but also for their happiness eveiy step of it, that they might rejoice in the Lord always, yea, with such a fulness of joy, as to make them triumph in the God of their salvation.

This is the grand gospel privilege, which is granted to believers as believers, and promised to them in the freest and fullest manner that any grant can be conveyed, springing from sovereign grace in the Giver, and received not from any qualification in themselves, but entirely from his own bounty, continued and increased with all the rich and ripe fruits of faith to the praise of the glory of the grace of God. It has been long observed, and much lamented, that there are very few of these happy believers, who give such a perfect credit to the promises of God in Christ, as to rest their hearts upon his faithfulness, without any doubt or wavering. They do not trust so far as the promises warrant them, which stops the exercise of faith, and hinders the growth of the spiritual life. Weak faith has little fruit. Strong faith improves love to God, loving obedience, patient suffering, persevering warfare, and the other fruits of the Spirit. Indeed, for this very purpose it is commanded, that we might trust and not be afraid: and there are promises made to them who obey the command; and all things promised are possible to them who believe: for there is strength sufficient in the Promiser to make faith grow, yea, to make it grow exceedingly: and he has done it, giving us a happy instance in the church of the Thessalonians, in which persecution raged, but faith was victorious, and patience triumphant. It has pleased God to give us in the Scriptures many encouragements for the growth of faith, which are in the following Treatise set before the reader, that we may honour his word, and trust in it at all times, especially when appearances make against their being fulfilled. Then it is high worship, against hope to believe in hope, as the father the faithful did: and they are his children, and follow the steps of his faith, who, when sin is felt in its defilement, in its guilt, in the sense of inward corruptions, and of strong temptations, in the many troubles of life, in the infirmities of age, and in the approach of death, put their whole trust and confidence in the promise of God. Nothing else is appointed, either to bring in the peace of God to the conscience, or to keep it in. God only in such trials can be a safe refuge and a sure defence, and faith, looking at what he has engaged to give, secures the promised help to the glory of God. Under these several heads something is here offered from the Scriptures of truth, to encourage a more steadfast reliance on the divine faithfulness, than one commonly meets with. And what is said upon each head is here set before the reader on the authority of God’s word, and is also followed with fervent prayer, that the end of publishing this Treatise may be answered; even that the scriptural faith may be hereby increased, that it may abound yet more and more, and in such a great degree, as may bring the highest glory to God, the truest holiness to the heart, and the happiest experience in the life, and in the welfare of the Christian. May the gracious Lord, who is the Author and Finisher of the faith, accompany it with his Spirit, to the advancement of his own praise, and to the edification of his own people. To Him who keepeth promise for ever, be glory in the church, through Christ Jesus, world without end. Amen.