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…

Again, the mysteries of faith are so profound, that in this life we cannot attain unto the understanding of them fully and perfectly,¹ but have need to pray daily, that the eyes of our Mind may be opened, that we may more fully conceive of the things that pertain to the Kingdom of God. And if our eye be dim in sight, our hand is feeble in receiving. For our will is as much corrupt as the understanding: and it is easier to discern the truth, then firmly to embrace it against all oppositions. The darkness of Mind is an impediment to full and perfect knowledge: the corruption of will, which is never wholly removed in this life, is a stop and let to perfect confidence. Faith groweth and increaseth by degrees, which is an argument,² that in this life it never comes to the highest pitch of perfection: For that which is already complete in degree, needeth no augmentation. What Believer is there, who finds not a continual combat of faith against many temptations arising from his native ignorance, infidelity, diffidence,³ the wisdom of the flesh, his own sense and feeling, &c. which assaults against faith from within do argue the weakness, as the resistance of them demonstrates the the truth of faith. The tree is known by its fruit, and the goodness of a cause by the effects it produceth. But the fruits of faith are imperfect; as love, joy, and holiness. The faith of Abraham was great and excellent, but not perfect in degree: He was strong in faith, and doubted not of infidelity, but of infirmity he doubted: His faith ⟨p. 148⟩remained invincible, though often assaulted, but now and then it was shaken.

Againe, the mysteries of faith are so profound, that in this life we cannot attaine vnto the vnderstanding of them fully and perfectly,¹ but haue need to pray daily, that the eyes of our Minde may be opened, that wee may more fully conceiue of the things that pertaine to the Kingdome of God. And if our eye bee dimme in sight, our hand is feeble in receiuing. For our will is as much corrupt as the vnderstanding: and it is easier to discerne the truth, then firmely to embrace it against all oppositions. The darknesse of Minde is an impediment to full and perfect knowledge: the corruption of will, which is neuer wholy remoued in this life, is a stop and let to perfect confidence. Faith groweth and encreaseth by degrees, which is an argument,