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…

§. 5. Thus faith of adherencie is stronger then faith of¹ ⟨p. 100⟩evidence,² and belief in Christ for remission, then assurance of pardon and forgiveness: And as faith in Christ is stronger then particular certainty of our salvation; so it is it more necessary. For belief in Christ is absolutely necessary to remission of sins, in all them that be of age and discretion: but assurance comes not at first when we believe, but by little and little as God seeth it requisite, according to the trial he hath appointed to make of us. Without faith in Christ as the only author of salvation and sole end of faith, with whom our souls seek perfect union, it is impossible to please God: no action, though in it self never so good or holy, is truly acceptable, unless it be quickened and enlived by this faith: But many poor souls that want assurance of Gods special favour, are tenderly beloved of him as heirs of salvation, & their good works accepted in Jesus Christ. A Christian of an humble and broken spirit, denying himself and renouncing the World, believing that his sins are pardonable and earnestly desiring remission of sins by the merits of Christ; resting upon Christ alone for salvation, and joining with this desire and affiance the sincere, unpartial practice of obedience to all Gods Commandments, according to that measure of grace which he hath received, without question he shall receive the inheritance of eternal glory, although he may be scrupulous in himself, wanting this persuasion and assurance that his sins are pardoned. And yet because God hath commanded us to labour for the perfection of all graces, we are sure this must be entreated for, and have a promise that it shall be granted, as God seeth meet, both for the time and measure of it.

§. 5. Thus faith of adherencie is stronger then faith of¹ ⟨p. 100⟩euidence,² and beliefe in Christ for remission, then assurance of pardon and forgiuenesse: And as faith in Christ is stronger then particular certaintie of our saluation; so it is it more necessary. For beliefe in Christ is absolutely necessarie to remission of sinnes, in all them that bee of age and discretion: but assurance comes not at first when we belieue, but by little and little as God seeth it requisite, according to the triall he hath appointed to make of vs. Without faith in Christ as the onely authour of saluation and sole end of faith, with whom our soules seeke perfect vnion, it is impossible to please God: no action, though in it selfe neuer so good or holy, is truly acceptable, vnlesse it be quickened and enliued by this faith: But many poore soules that want assurance of Gods speciall fauour, are tenderly beloued of him as heires of saluation, & their good works accepted in Iesus Christ. A Christian of an humble and broken spirit, denying himselfe and renouncing the World, belieuing that his sinnes are pardonable and earnestly desiring remission of sinnes by the merits of Christ; resting vpon Christ alone for saluation, and ioyning with this desire and affiance the sincere, vnpartiall practice of obedience to all Gods Commandements, according to that measure of grace which hee hath receiued, without question he shall receiue the inheritance of eternall glorie, although he may be scrupulous in himselfe, wanting this perswasion and assurance that his sinnes are pardoned. And yet because God hath commanded vs to labour for the perfection of all graces, we are sure this must bee intreated for, and haue a promise that it shall be granted, as God seeth meete, both for the time and measure of it.