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…

so temptations, troubles, and fears by the wise providence of God, make for the increase and confirmation of faith. As a man in danger of drowning catcheth for hold to save himself: so whilst the comfort of life makes offer to go from us, we take the better hold thereof, and it becomes so much the more precious and dear unto us. By our corruption virtues become poisons, and by the wisdom of God sins are made medicines: But as we do not condemn virtue, though our corrupt hearts do sometimes abuse it; nor commend sin, for that it is used as a spur to righteousness: no more do we approve doubting, for the good that God works by it, nor disallow full assurance because of the evil that might ensue to us thereby abusing the same. In brief, pride is the daughter of corruption, not of filial confidence, nor may it be condemned for it, because that verde springeth from another root.

so temptations, troubles, and feares by the wise prouidence of God, make for the increase and confirmation of faith. As a man in danger of drowning catcheth for hold to saue himselfe: so whilest the comfort of life makes offer to goe from vs, wee take the better hold thereof, and it becomes so much the more pretious and deare vnto vs. By our corruption vertues become poysons, and by the wisdome of God sinnes are made medicines: But as wee doe not condemne vertue, though our corrupt hearts doe sometimes abuse it; nor commend sinne, for that it is vsed as a spurre to righteousnesse: no more doe we approue doubting, for the good that God workes by it, nor disallow full assurance because of the euill that might ensue to vs thereby abusing the same. In briefe, pride is the daughter of corruption, not of filiall confidence, nor may it bee condemned for it, because that verde springeth from another root.

¹§. 10. A man may believe, say the Romanists, that he shall have eternal life, if he keep the Commandments: but because he is not assured that he shall so do, he remaineth in fear. And very justly may he be in fear, or rather in despair, that looketh for eternal life upon no other condition. The Apostle indeed doth plainly debar him from all hope and expectation thereof, when he