Answer. Though it be hard to the carnal careless man,1 yet (as Solomon saith of knowledge, Pro. 14. 6.) Faith is easy to him that will believe; not that it is simply in mans power, but that Gods Spirit so openeth his understanding in the mysteries of godliness, so worketh on his hard and stony heart, making the one capable, and the other pliable, as thereby the man is brought like softened wax easily to receive the impression of Gods seal. Though man in himself be dead in sin, yet Gods word is as powerful to quicken him, as Christs was to raise Lazarus. Indeed many seek, and find not, ask, and have not: but why?d Saint James giveth one reason, They ask, and seek amiss. They seek Faith in themselves, and from themselves: they seek it by carnal and fleshly devices: they seek it by their own wit and reason. Saint Paul rendereth another reason,e The God of this world hath blinded⟨p. 290⟩ their minds, that the glorious light of the Gospel should not shine unto them. Because they oppose against Gods truth so far as it is made known unto them, or wittingly wink at it, or turn from it, God giveth them over in just judgement to the power of Satan, who blindeth their minds. But if we repair to the Author who giveth Faith, and to the spring whence it floweth; if we rightly use the right means of attaining it, and wait at the door of Wisdom till she open unto us, undoubtedly we shall find Faith and not miss of it.
Answer. Though it bee hard to the carnall carelesse man,1 yet (as Salomon saith of knowledge, Pro. 14. 6.) Faith is easie to him that will beleeue; not that it is simply in mans power, but that Gods Spirit so openeth his vnderstanding in the mysteries of godlinesse, so worketh on his hard and stony heart, making the one capable, and the other pliable, as thereby the man is brought like softened waxe easily to receiue the impression of Gods seale. Though man in himselfe be dead in sin, yet Gods word is as powerfull to quicken him, as Christs was to raise Lazarus. Indeed many seeke, and find not, aske, and haue not: but why?d Saint Iames giueth one reason, They aske, and seeke amisse. They seeke Faith in themselues, and from themselues: they seeke it by carnall and fleshly deuices: they seeke it by their owne wit and reason. Saint Paul rendreth another reason,e The God of this world hath blinded⟨p. 290⟩ their minds, that the glorious light of the Gospell should not shine vnto them. Because they oppose against Gods truth so farre as it is made knowne vnto them, or wittingly winke at it, or turne from it, God giueth them ouer in iust iudgement to the power of Satan, who blindeth their minds. But if we repaire to the Author who giueth Faith, and to the spring whence it floweth; if we rightly vse the right meanes of attaining it, and waite at the doore of Wisedome till shee open vnto vs, vndoubtedly we shall find Faith and not misse of it.
- 1Faith not hard to the willing.
- dJam. 4. 3Iam. 4. 3
- e2 Cor. 4. 4.
