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…

by the same rule may every faithful soul interest himself in all the gracious and lovely speeches, wherewith God from time to time hath comforted his people, and take unto himself those promises, answers and assurances that God hath at any time made and given unto them, resolving of all the rest that which in one case the Apostles exemplifieth of that that was written of the Justification of Abraham, that those things were not written for them only, but for them also who believe as they had done. ¹The word then speaketh in particular to them that believe; but can a Christian, know & be assured that he doth truly believe? Such as truly believe, may know they believe, as he that hath a jewel in his hand, may know that he hath it. Paul did know on whom he had believed: ²the poor man in the Gospel crieth, Lord I believe: David saith, I believed, ³and therefore I spake; Hezekiah prayeth, Lord remember me how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart: John concludeth thus,⁴ Hereby we know that he abideth in us, even by the Spirit, which he hath given us. How could we say every one we believe, if we might not know it? Can we speak that truly, whereof we can have no certainty? When I see one, or trust to a mans word promising me this or that, I know I see him, trust to him and rest on him for that he hath promised: Shall I by faith, see Christ the Son, and rest on him, and yet know no such thing?⁵ Carnal confidence may be discerned, why then should it be impossible for a true Believer to know that he doth believe? The Spirit of man discerneth what is in man: he knoweth what is in himself, though not ever the measure or quantity thereof. He that loveth his Brother, knoweth the love, wherewith he loveth him: and he that believeth in God, may ⟨p. 104⟩know the faith, wherewith he believeth. Many beguile themselves, while they stand in opinion they do believe, and believe not at all. What then? Shall he that believeth unfeignedly be altogether uncertain, whether he believe, or no? There is that boasteth when his soul hath naught: yet men whom God hath blessed with abundance, may know that they be rich. Many are deceived in matters of faith and true worship of God; shall not a Christian then be certain of his Religion?