"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith." --- 2 Corinthians 13:5.
Many might be induced to pray for faith, if they did not presumptuously pretend to it, thinking they were not heathens, but had faith already; for such as have actually faith often doubt whether they have it or not; and those that are without, imagine they have enough. But faith is only wrought in the souls of those who are deeply humbled by a thorough conviction of the greatness and heinousness of their sins, confessing themselves, not only with their lips, but with a true sense of their hearts, to be the chief of sinners; and looking upon themselves as the most unworthy of all creatures.
Without this repentance we do not enter through the right gate, and our faith is only fancy, a false imagination in our minds; for faith is the greatest and most difficult thing, even to the child of God; it receives Christ into the heart, and overcomes the devil, world, and all sins, which is not easily done. Therefore, if the generality of people had true faith, nothing were easier than to believe; for what can be easier than to give mere assent to the Bible as true, which is all that Christians mean by faith in general?
Then there would be no more need to pray for faith, nor to examine themselves whether they have it. The wicked, therefore, who live in sin, deceive themselves in thinking they have faith; for faith giveth victory over the world. And all who trust in their own works deceive themselves too; for the prayer of faith is, "God be merciful to me a sinner." If then the first Christians had need to examine themselves, how much more have we! Therefore, the best and safest way is, to pray earnestly for that faith which has boldness and triumphs even in death.
O Lord, thy grace and power display,
Let guilt and death no longer reign;
Save me in thy appointed way,
Nor let my humble faith be vain.