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…

These promises be of great price: for if a Christian were allowed to ask of God whatsoever he would, next unto the pardon of his sins and salvation of his soul, what would he desire, but to be assured from God that he will establish him in grace, and teach him the good way which he ought to go; that he will sanctify him in soul, spirit and body, and keep him blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus unto judgement. And when he discerneth any such promise to be made, it is not hard to conceive, with what dear affection, and strong adherence he doth receive it, how close he layeth it up in his soul, and sweetly feedeth upon it. This promise is sweet, and belief thereof stirring and operative: for it hearteneth to the practice of mortification and new obedience with great courage, cheerfulness and staidness; it quickeneth & encourageth to pray as necessities shall give cause; it preserveth from fainting and dismayedness, when strength is not very great, and ⟨p. 66⟩if at any time, through weakness and infirmity, security catch hold upon us; saith in the promise•, that God will be our strength and help, is that which raiseth us again, and putteth courage into us to fight against the adversaries of our soul.

These promises be of great price: for if a Christian were allowed to aske of God whatsoeuer he would, next vnto the pardon of his sinnes and saluation of his soule, what would hee desire, but to bee assured from God that he will establish him in grace, and teach him the good way which he ought to goe; that hee will sanctifie him in soule, spirit and body, and keepe him blamelesse vnto the comming of our Lord Iesus vnto iudgement. And when he discerneth any such promise to be made, it is not hard to conceiue, with what deare affection, and strong adherence he doth receiue it, how close hee layeth it vp in his soule, and sweetly feedeth vpon it. This promise is sweete, and beliefe thereof stirring and operatiue: for it hearteneth to the practice of mortification and new obedience with greate courage, chearefulnes and stayednes; it quickeneth & encourageth to pray as necessities shall giue cause; it preserueth from fainting and dismayednes, when strength is not very great, and ⟨p. 66⟩if at any time, through weaknesse and infirmitie, securitie catch hold vpon vs; saith in the promise, that God will be our strength and helpe, is that which raiseth vs againe, and putteth courage into vs to fight against the aduersaries of our soule.