Christian constancy crowned by Christ A funeral sermon on Apocalypse 2.10. preached at the…Christian constancy crovvned by Christ A funerall sermon on Apocalyps 2.10. preached at the…

¹3. When we surcease to keep faith with God, we free him from performance of his promises to ⟨p. 5⟩us. For howsoever it be true indeed that the Apostle saith, ⁿThough we be unfaithful, or, though ^owe distrust, rather; yet doth God abide faithful; nor can he deny himself. ^pMans distrust or incredulity cannot annul his fidelity. And it is a devilish position that the Romanists hold, and such as cutteth asunder the very sinews of humane society: that ^qFaith is not to be held with Heretics. For even ^rwith the unfaithful is faith to be held. Howsoever, I say, we may not ^splay the Creetes with Cretans; that is, lie and dissemble, because others so do: nor in regard of any mans wickedness or ungodliness otherwise, hold our selves discharged of such ^tbonds and covenants as we stand obliged in unto him. Yet where agreements between parties are founded and grounded on conditions or covenants (for I stand not now on the precise distinction of Law-terms) to be mutually and interchangeably performed on either side, ^uhe that in such case breaketh first, doth thereby free the other party. Nor is it any unfaithfulness therefore in God, (whose promises of life and salvation are so conditional) to deny to make his promises good unto those,¹⁰ that have no care to keep touch with him. ^x