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…

¹§. 1 Just fying faith doth not only believe the promise of mercy in general; as that there is forgiveness for them that lay hold upon it: but it relieth upon the promise for our own particular, and depends wholly thereupon, looking after no other help. For trust or confidence importeth the application of some good to him, that trusteth: and so he that casteth himself upon the promises of mercy, draws near unto Christ, throws himself into his arms, and grasps about him with all his might. Look how the poor Infant affrighted with the apprehension of some danger, clings close to the parent for succour and defence: or a man in danger of drowning lays hold upon some willow that grows upon the bank, and hangs thereon for safety: so doth the soul pursued by the terrors of the Law, and affrighted with the ugly sight of sin, fly with speed unto Jesus Christ as he is held forth in the Gospel hang upon him, and to die for it will never loose his hold. For in him it apprehends plentiful redemption, and out of him it knows no succour ⟨p. 83⟩is to be •ound. In this sense, faith applieth the promise of grace to a mans self in particular, that is, it particularly relieth upon the grace of God in Jesus Christ to obtain pardon and forgiveness.² Even as they that were stung with the fiery Serpents, did come and look to the brazen Serpent, believing to find the healing of those deadly stings that were fastened in them: Thus a soul stung with sin and fear of damnation, cometh by faith to Christ, relying on him, trusting to find in and through him, cure of those deadly evils wherewith it is wounded.

¹§. 1 IVst fying faith doth not onely belieue the promise of mercie in generall; as that there is fo•giuenes for them that lay hold vpon it: but it relieth vpon the promise for our owne particular, and d•pends wholly thereupon, looking after no other helpe. For trust or confidence importeth the application of some good to him, that trusteth: and so he that casteth himselfe vpon the promises of mercie, drawes neere vnto Christ, throwes himselfe into his armes, and graspes about him with all his might. Looke how the poore Infant affrighted with the apprehension of some danger, clinges close to the parent for succour and defence: or a man in danger of drowning layes hold vpon some willow that growes vpon the bank, and hangs thereon for safetie: so doth the soule pursued by the terrours of the Law, and affrighted with the vgly sight of sinne, flie with speed vnto Iesus Christ as hee is held forth in the Gospell hang vpon him, and to die for it will neuer loose his hold. For in him it apprehends plentifull redemption, and out of him it knowes no succour