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…

it sweetens afflictions, supporteth under them, teacheth to profit by them, beareth them meekly, expecteth deliverance, and triumpheth before the victory. It seeth things invisible, assureth above likelihood; sense or reason, allayeth perplexing thoughts and fears, and breaketh off temptations. It stayeth upon the word of promise, and is confident of things, to reason incredible, in nature impossible, ro sense direct contrary, because God hath said them. It preserveth from ill means, laboureth conscionably in the duties of our callings, yet without covetousness or distracting care; swalloweth the painfulness of honest labour, and obtaineth many temporal blessings and deliverances,¹ yea and spiritual privileges for our selves, for our posterity, and for others. Faith preserveth from falling, raiseth us again being fallen, maketh courageous and hardy in the profession of the Gospel, even to the loss of goods, liberty, and death it self: it sweeteneth the communion of Saints, linketh the heart in love to them that fear God, laboureth the conversion of them that go astray, and the building forward of them that be called, and the comfort of them that be distressed in soul or body; maketh profitably to those that be without, worketh righteousness, obtaineth a good report, & wholly resigneth it self to the will of God. And to conclude, by faith we are certified of our election, are made wise unto salvation, do stand in grace, are assured of prosperous success in what we go about, do learn how to want and how to abound, and possess all things wh•n for the present we have nothing in hand: are enriched with many spiritual graces, are kept to our Heavenly ⟨p. 140⟩inheritance, and shall b•e glorified in the life to come. These be the sound, comfortable, enduring fruits of faith, in which respect who can but say, that faith is an excellent grace? a rich jewel, a pearl of price, the Christian mans treasure? Faith is a principal thing, the merchandise thereof is better then silver, and the fruits thereof then fine gold. Without faith there is no plenty to man on earth: with faith there can be no want of any thing that is good. For how can he lack any good thing, who hath God for his Father, Christ his Saviour, the holy Ghost his sealer and Comforter, the Angels to guard him, Heaven his inheritance: