visible in those whom they converse with. But if it be enquired; by what marks or evidences we may discern the strength or weakness of faith? though this will more evidently appear from what will be said under a following answer,[66] when we are led to speak concerning the reason of the imperfection of sanctification in believers; yet we shall not wholly pass it over in this place; and therefore, it may be observed, that the strength or weakness of faith, is to be judged of by that degree of esteem and value which the soul has for Christ, and the steadiness, or abatement of its dependence on him. The greater diffidence or distrust we have of self, and the more we see of our own emptiness and nothingness, the stronger is our faith; on the other hand, self-confidence, or relying on our own strength is a certain sign of the weakness thereof. Again, strong faith is that which carries the soul through difficult duties; as the apostle says, _I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me_, Phil. iv. 13. Whereas weak faith is ready to sink under the discouragements that it meets with; the former is _stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord_, 1 Cor. xv. 58. the latter is like a reed shaken with the wind. Strong faith, as it is said of Job, Job i. 21. blesses God when he strips him of all earthly enjoyments, and rejoices that the soul is _counted worthy to suffer shame for his name_, Acts v. 41. and this carries him above those fears which have a tendency to deject and dishearten him: _He shall not be afraid of evil tidings, his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord_, Psal. cxii. 7. Whereas, weak faith is borne down, with discouragements; he finds it hard to hold on in the performance of his duty, and sees mountains of difficulties in his way; whereby the soul is ready to conclude, that he shall not be able to get safely to his journey’s end. He does not rightly improve the consideration of the almighty power of God, and his faithfulness to his promise, in which he has engaged, that _the righteous shall hold on his way; and he that hath clean hands shall wax stronger and stronger_, Job xvii. 9. And when we sustain losses and disappointments in the world, or things go contrary to our expectation, then we are ready to say with the Psalmist, _Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he, in anger, shut up his tender mercies?_ Psal. lxxvii. 9. and sometimes conclude, that we have no interest in the love of God, because the dispensations of his providence are afflictive, and fill us with great uneasiness. In this case fear looks upon every adverse providence, as it were, through a magnifying glass, and apprehends this to be but the beginning of sorrows; for it cannot say with the prophet, _I will trust and not be afraid_, chap. xii. 2. _for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength_, chap. xxvii. 4.