1As faith is more excellent, so are the fruits that issue from it: The stronger our faith the more firm and close is our union with Christ. A weak believer is as truly knit to Christ as the strong, but not so nearly and fast. The increase of faith makes our Communion with Christ more sweet and comfortable then before. For the more steadfastly we believe, the clearer apprehension have we of the remission of all our sins; the more virtue and strength draw we from Christ to kill and crucify our corruptions; the greater is our peace and joy in the sense of Gods special favour and the more constantly enjoyed with an increase thereof.2 Fullness of faith breeds fullness of peace and joy which passeth understanding. The firmer our faith, the more free is our access with boldness and confidence to the throne of grace, the more fervently and confidently can we pray Abba Father, the better success do we find in prayer and the more ⟨p. 155⟩quietly do we wait till the vision come, for it will come and will not lie. Assurance of faith doth enable with more ease to overcome the world, to contemn the pleasures of sin, to possess the soul in patience in hard and sore pressures, to curb unruly passions, to tread Satan under feet, to break through all worldly difficulties and to run with cheerfulness the race that is set before us. The weak believer creeps forward in the way to Heaven, but it is with much difficulty; He hath much ado with himself, he is perplexed with fears, frightened with troubles, discouraged with want of means; he is weary, feeble, panteth, maketh many a stand, and slippeth now and then. It is far better with him, who is settled, stablished and rooted in the knowledge and love of the truth, and is assured of Gods mercy; hath interest in all the promises of grace, and can lay actual claim unto them. For he contemneth the temptations of multitudes, customs, examples; he despiseth the offers of profits, pleasures, honours esteeming it greater riches to suffer affliction with the people of God, then to enjoy the pleasures of sin. As for reproach, trouble, persecution he shrinks not at them, for his heart is fixed and trusteth in the Lord.3 In dangers he is confident, through means of deliverance appear not, because he seeth in God who is invisible, and resteth upon his faithful promise, that cannot deceive.
1As faith is more excellent, so are the fruits that issue from it: The stronger our faith the more firme and close is our vnion with Christ. A weake belieuer is as truely knit to Christ as the strong, but not so neerely and fast. The increase of faith makes our Communion with Christ more sweete and comfortable then before. For the more stedfastly we belieue, the clearer apprehension haue we of the remission of all our sinnes; the more vertue and strength draw we from Christ to kill and crucifie our corruptions; the greater is our peace and ioy in the sence of Gods speciall fauour and the more constantly inioyed with an increase thereof.2 Fulnesse of faith breeds fulnesse of peace and ioy which passeth vnderstanding. The firmer our faith, the more free is our accesse with boldnesse and confidence to the throne of grace, the more feruently and confidently can wee pray Abba Father, the better successe doe wee finde in prayer and the more ⟨p. 155⟩quietly doe wee waite till the vision come, for it will come and will not lie. Assurance of faith doth inable with more ease to ouercome the world, to contemne the pleasures of sinne, to possesse the soule in patience in hard and •sore pressures, to curbe vnruly passions, to tread Satan vnder feete, to breake through all worldly difficulties and to runne with chereafulnes the race that is set before vs. The weake belieuer creepes forward in the way to Heauen, but it is with much difficultie; He hath much adoe with himselfe, hee is perplexed with feares, frightned with troubles, discouraged with want of meanes; he is wearie, feeble, panteth, maketh many a stand, and slippeth now and then. It is farre better with him, who is setled, stablished and rooted in the knowledge and loue of the truth, and is assured of Gods mercie; hath interest in all the promises of grace, and can lay actuall claime vnto them. For hee contemneth the temptations of multitudes, customes, examples; he dispiseth the offers of profits, pleasures, honours esteeming it greater riches to suffer affliction with the people of God, then to enioy the pleasures of sinne. As for reproch, trouble, persecution he shrinkes not at them, for his heart is fixed and trusteth in the Lord.3 In dangers he is confident, through meanes of deliuerance appeare not, because he seeth in God who is inuisible, and resteth vpon his faithfull promise, that cannot deceiue.
- 1Heb. 6.11. Col. 2.11. The Benefits of full assurance.
- 2Rom. 15.13. 1. Joh. 1.•. Rom. 5 1.2.3. Heb. 10 22. Eph. 3.12. Mat. 15.28. and 9.29. and 8.13.Rom. 15.13. 1. Ioh. 1.•. Rom. 5 1.2.3. Heb. 10 22. Eph. 3.12. Mat. 15.28. and 9.29. and 8.13.
- 3Heb. 12 2. Act. 20.24. Psal. 27.3. Act. 7.59.
