A treatise of faith divided into two parts. The first showing the nature, the…A treatise of faith diuided into two parts. The first shewing the nature, the…

3. As faith is a sound, so is it an over-ruling affiance,¹ exercising an universal, mild sovereignty in Man. Faith ordinarily ruleth where it dwelleth: but the regiment is mild and gentle, not rigorous and tyrannical. For it seasoneth our inbred affections, altereth the taste of every appetite, qualifieth and strengtheneth our natural inclination to that which is good, and powerfully persuadeth to deny our selves and follow the Lord. It hath every desire at command, or as it were undershot, that it dares not stir to it prejudice, but by stealth, or some secret advantage espied by the flesh unable to stand out against it: It is of strength to make resistance against all opposition, and break the violence of every inclination contrary to such motion as it suggesteth, having it force united by close reposal in the heart. It curbeth untruly passions; as the power of a kingdom doth easily quell a company of Rogues that make inroads upon the borders, but cannot set footing in the heart of the Kingdom. Whatsoever is in the world, whereby we might be drawn away from God, that is subdued and vanquished by the power of faith: The pravity of nature, the wiles of Satan, all evil concupiscence, whatsoever is opposite to the Spirit of God, that is brought under by the might of faith. True it is, that our warfare doth last during ⟨p. 38⟩life, our conflicts are daily, new and divers battles are moved against us by the enemy almost every moment: but in all these faith is victorious. This is the victory whereby we overcome the world, ²even our faith Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God. ³I am able to do all things through Christ that strengthens me. David first encounters a Lion and a Bear, and afterwards overcomes the great Goliath: so true and lively faith first begins with petty desire, and passions or such temptations, as are incident to our present state and calling, and having gotten mastery over them, still increaseth as difficulties or oppositions multiply, until at length Satan, the world and the flesh be brought into subjection. But Temporary faith keeping residence only in the out-face of the heart, is overswayed & overborne in temptation by every strong desire, or deep-rooted passion. It may perhaps suppress someone or few exorbitant passions, and keep under the out breach of some others: