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. Thus faith yieldeth firm and absolute assent to all divine history,¹ as containing a certain and sure relation of those things whereof they entreat; and to whatsoever came from God, as every way true, and to be received: nor doth it barely assent to the thing spoken as true, but moveth and stirreth affections according as the nature of the thing believed should and ought to work. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, not barely giving credit to Moses relation touching the creation of the world, but looking unto the wisdom, goodness, and power of God, whereby the heart is moved to fear, reverence and submission. That faith,² which is deeply fastened in the heart, and beholdeth the true God the creator and Governor of all things, as his power, bounty and understanding shineth in his works; that saith inciteth to humility, reverence, love, and worship of God. Through faith we understand that God hath protected and preserved and blessed his people from time to time;³ afflicted them when they went astray, delivered them out of the hands of their persecutors when they humbled themselves and sought unto him, inclined the hearts of their enemies to show them favour confounded those that rose up against them, and mercifully performed all his promises in the fittest season: and where this firm belief is planted it begetteth a constant and well-advised resolution to draw near to God, and cleave to him in all conditions, prosperity and and adversity, sickness and health, freedom and trouble, when religion is favoured and when it is persecuted: because salvation is of the Lord,⁴ he will guide his people by counsel, and afterward receive them to glory, but they that are far from God shall perish, they that go a whoring from him shall be destroyed.⁵ What the Scripture teacheth of the misery of all men by sin, the vanity of Mind, and corruption of nature, that faith receiveth, and thence followeth self-denial ⟨p. 64⟩