§. 8. A weak and strong faith differ not in special nature and plantation, but in degree:1 and the fruits of weak and strong faith are the same, though not in like measure, fullness and comfort. More distinctly the benefits of the weakest lively faith be these: By it the Believer is firmly and inseparably knit unto Christ, as a living ⟨p. 152⟩member unto the Head. A true Believer, though never so we•ke,2 doth possess Christ with all his benefits, and all sufficiency in him (for knowledge of faith is never without possession.) And so he is justified, sanctified, adopted, and made free by Christ. By faith he apprehendeth things invisible, he doth see God, and is made wise unto salvation▪ 3Eternal life is already begun in every Believer weak and strong, even that life which shall never fade. The weakest faith gives will and ability in some sort to walk uprightly, and to live honestly in the sight of God and Man: it is also strong through the power of Christ to vanquish Satan and overcome the world,4 with whatsoever is therein that maketh head against the sovereignty of grace.5 The weakest faith is ever joined with the gift of perseverance, and cannot utterly be broken off. And weak faith, if found, will grow and increase, as a child now feeble in his joints, may in time become strong by nourishment,6 and able to run about. It is no wisdom therefore for any man to content himself with a little faith, though the weakest faith shall never fail, nor be overcome by Satan, seeing God hath provided and doth afford means, whereby we may be builded forward. It is a shame to be a man in years and a b•be in knowledge: to be an Infant in faith, when God vouchsafeth time and means of better stature. Who would be poor that might be rich? weak that might be strong? who would live in fear and care, that might rest confident and secure? who would walk pensively, that might continually rejoice and triumph? A weak faith will bring to salvation, but a strong faith is necessary for a Christian, that he may overcome with more ease, fight more manfully, endure with patience, and obey with cheerfulness. The least dram of faith is more precious then gold that perisheth, better then the whole world, who, that knoweth the price and value of such a jewel, would not desire and labour to be furnished with it, and grow rich therein.
§. 8. A weake and strong faith differ not in speciall nature and plantation, but in degree:1 and the fruites of weake and strong faith are the same, though not in like measure, fulnesse and comfort. More distinctly the benefits of the weakest liuely faith be these: By it the Belieuer is firmely and inseperably knit vnto Christ, as a liuing ⟨p. 152⟩member vnto the Head. A true Belleuer, though neuer so we•ke,2 doth possesse Christ with all his benefits, and all sufficiencie in him (for knowledge of faith is neuer without p•ssession.) And so he is iustified, sanctified, adopted, and made free by Christ. By faith he apprehendeth things inuisible, he doth see God, and is made wise vnto saluation▪ 3Eternall life is alreadie begunne in euery Belieuer weake and strong, euen that life which shall neuer fade. The weakest faith giues will and abilitie in some sort to walke vprightly, and to liue honestly in the sight of God and Man: it is also strong through the power of Christ to vanquish Satan and ouercome the world,4 with whatsoeuer is therein that maketh head against the soueraignetie of grace.5 The weakest faith is euer ioyned with the gift of perseuerance, and cannot vtterly bee broken off. And weake faith, if found, will grow and increase, as a childe now feeble in his ioynts, may in time become strong by nourishment,6 and able to runne about. It is no wisdome therefore for any man to content himselfe with a little faith, though the weakest faith shall neuer faile, nor be ouercome by Satan, seeing God hath prouided and doth afford meanes, whereby we may be builded forward. It is a shame to be a man in yeares and a b•be in knowledge: to be an Infant in faith, when God vouchsafeth time and meanes of better stature. Who would bee poore that might be rich? weake that might be strong? who would liue in feare and care, that might rest confident and secure? who would walke pensiuely, that might continually reioyce and triumph? A weake faith will bring to saluation, but a strong faith is necessarie for a Christian, that he may ouercome with more ease, fight more manfully, endure with patience, and obey with chearefulnesse. The least dramme of faith is more precious then gold that perisheth, better then the whole world, who, that knoweth the price and value of such a iewell, would not desire and labour to be furnished with it, and grow rich therein.
- 1§. .8 The benefits of the weakest faith, if true and lively. Rom. 11.20.§. .8 The benefits of the weakest faith, if true and liuely. Rom. 11.20.
- 2John 14 17. & 6.35. ephes. 3.17. 1. John 5.20. Heb. 1•.1.Iohn 14 17. & 6.35. •phes. 3.17. 1. Iohn 5.20. Heb. 1•.1.
- 3John 17.3. & 6 54▪ Col. •.12, 13. Rom. 6.4, 5.Iohn 17.3. & 6 54▪ Col. •.12, 13. Rom. 6.4, 5.
- 41. John 5.4.1. Iohn 5.4.
- 5John 7.37 38.
