Vol 01 - Chapter 03 - Of true and living Faith.

Chapter 03 - Of true and living Faith
1. THE property of true faith is, to cleanse the heart. But from what From the world, and all earthly, vain, perishing desires; in a word, from all things in which corrupt nature delights, whether riches, honors, or pleasures. For faith fixes its eye upon those things only, that are invisible and eternal. And when all impediments are removed, an union quickly follows. For GOD, wheresoever he finds a soul empty of the world, there he delights to operate, and manifest himself, as the spring of life and comfort. The usual speech of CHRIST, in the gospel, to the sick whom he cured, was, "Thy faith has made thee whole." His meaning was not, that this was the effect of the mere act of faith; but that faith had so cleansed, purified, and humbled the soul, that it was now fit for the more exalted manifestations of the Divine power and presence.
2. When God has once taken possession of such an habitation, he quickly operates in it all the wonders of his grace; in which he rejoices, as once he did in our Lord Jesus CHRIST. Because in him he accomplished his own will, without any let or impediment. For no work or action can please him, which does not begin and end in him. And as God delights thus to operate in man, so he continually waits to see when we are fit to receive him; being more ready to give, than we are either to ask or to receive. Take heed, therefore, that you neglect not the present opportunity. When the day of grace is over, we shall all receive according to our works, and according to the principle of love that ruled in our hearts, whether it be good or bad, to God or the creature. And this is so certain, that should all, the saints of God intercede with tears of blood for any one man, it would be all lost labor. For that which has engrossed thy affections here, shall be thy portion to eternity.
3. And as true faith does purify the heart from worldly love, so does it also from inordinate affections; as anger and impatience; planting meekness and patience in their stead. For God worketh nothing in the souls of the faithful, but that which is agreeable to his own nature. Now what is he but mere love, very patience, and meekness itself, as he has manifested himself in our blessed Lord As then the love of God overflows towards all men, having mercy upon all; so it produces the same love in every Christian soul; a love free and universal, making no difference either of friend or foe; but being equally united to GOD, and to the whole race of mankind. Moreover this love rejoices in all the good things that God bestows upon man, and is pleased with the variety of gifts, which are bestowed upon the-several members of CHRIST's body; to each of which he pays a proper and proportionable respect. For as there is a mutual agreement between the several members of the natural body, in which the more ignoble parts, as the hands and feet, serve the more noble, as the head, the eyes, and the heart; so ought there to be the same agreement between the members of the mystical body of CHRIST.
4. Wherefore, if we meet with any member of CHRIST, who is more worthy and honorable than ourselves, we ought proportionably to esteem him more than ourselves. And the greater portion of Divine grace and favor he has received from Jesus CHRIST, our supreme head, the greater respect and love we ought to pay to him. For this good is common to all, as being derived from our.universal head, CHRIST Jesus. Charity makes all our neighbor's blessings our own. And whatsoever we love in GOD, and for his sake, considered as an universal good, is properly ours. And as by charity, all our neighbor's blessings are made our own; so how many, or how great favors soever God bestows upon a good man, they are no less mine than his; if I love them as the gifts of GOD, and for his sake. Yea, if any man receive the blessings of God with fear and humility, not with pride and arrogance; and if I call behold theta in him, and love them for God's sake, and as proceeding from him, they are as properly mine as his.
5. This is the way, by which we are spiritually rich in GOD, and are made partakers of all the blessings of heaven and earth; yea, and of all the happiness that is laid tip in store for the children of GOD, by the mediation of our spiritual head, CHRIST Jesus. So deep, so close is this union, that I am actually and properly possessed of all the blessings, which our head, CHRIST Jesus, has diffused through all his members, whether men or angels, in heaven or earth.
6. The soul of roan, flowing out into worldly things, and cleaving to the creatures, is like a wandering sheep, whom the great Shepherd of souls tries, by all the methods of his mercy and wisdom, to bring back to the fold. Thus the royal Psalmist concludes his beautiful cxixth Psalm, " I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost; O seek thy servant." Which expression does, to the spiritual man, discover the whole work of illumination and Divine wisdom. For as the soul of man is placed between time and eternity, so soon as ever she turns herself to time, she forgets eternity, and retires every day further and further from Divine things. But if she turn herself to eternity, then she forgets the creatures, recovers her liberty, draws. nearer to GOD, and is thoroughly drawn unto hint. For there is nothing dearer to God than a soul abstracted from the creatures, and resigned to him. Then, and not till then, the soul enjoys true peace; tastes the food of life; and feels in herself the true fruits of that Divine unction, that spiritual chrism, which denominates us truly Christians.
7. And if these things are so, who can doubt, that it is the duty of every true Christian, if not oftner, yet once a day at least, to taste this Divine food of the soul, which is God himself;, that thereby he may be refreshed with true peace, and replenished with the fullness of Divine grace Wouldest You, O mail, but thoroughly consider this, I doubt not but you wouldest be much more in love with heaven, than with earth! Wert you but thus disposed, though the burden of a whole kingdom lay upon thy shoulders, as it did upon David's, yet should it be -no hindrance to thy pious exercises. For the creatures are not in themselves hurtful; but are only so to him, whose soul is in captivity to them; or as it is said, Who setteth his heart upon them," Psal. 62: 10, which ought to be entirely consecrated, dedicated, and devoted to God. Upon this foundation stood the royal Psalmist, when he cried out, "Lord, whom have I in heaven but thee And there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee," Psal. 73: 25. For so great is the sweetness of Divine love, that the soul which has once tasted it, does immediately despise sufferings; and looks upon the love or hatred of this world, with indifference and contempt. They that are admitted to these hidden joys, have perpetual peace in God with all the creatures, whether friends or enemies. To these the yoke of CHRIST is sweet; for they are in CHRIST, and CHRIST in them; and his presence makes their burden light, whilst he bears it in them, and they in him. This is what St. Paul says, 111 can do all things through CHRIST that strengtheneth me."
8. From what has been said, it appears, how profitable an exercise it is for every Christian, once a day at least, to retire into his own heart, into GOD, and into CHRIST; to drain thence true peace of soul; and to learn there the true use of temporal blessings. Our misery requires this of us, which in such a soul God will not suffer to last long; and so does our daily cross, which CHRIST, by this means, makes light and easy to us. Not to say, that You, O Christian, art continually admonished by the Spirit of God within thee, to sigh and pray for the love of GOD, and of God alone; and to grieve within thyself, when any worldly impediments draw thee from it. This, this is the true calling of the Holy Ghost; this is the well-beloved, knocking at the door of thy heart, for a living testimony, that our heart ought to be the bed-chambcr of our heavenly bridegroom.