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, faith may be weak or small in one particular, when it is great and strong in another. The measure of knowledge may be scant, when affiance is strong, according to that a man doth know, as in Rahab: where there is small assurance of pardon, there strength of faith may discover it self by striving against doubting, bitter complaining for want of feeling comfort, fervent seeking to be settled in believing, earnest longing after and unsatiable desire of grace, high prizing and valuation of Jesus Christ, and mercy promised in him; self-denial, contempt of the world, care to search out the sin that may possibly hinder comfort, and expel it, continual watchfulness and holy jealousy lest they should be deceived, and faithful labouring to subdue corruption. These and such like fruits of sound, lively, well-rooted affiance may be seen in many that be troubled with manifold fears and doubts of their own salvation, though they themselves do not ever perceive, how God hath enriched them.

Againe, faith may be weake or small in one particular, when it is great and strong in another. The measure of knowledge may bee scant, when affiance is strong, according to that a man doth know, as in Rahab: where there is small assurance of pardon, there strength of faith may discouer it selfe by striuing against doubting, bitter complaining for want of feeling comfort, feruent seeking to be setled in belieuing, earnest longing after and vnsatiable desire of grace, high prizing and valuation of Iesus Christ, and mercie promised in him; selfe-deniall, contempt of the world, care to search out the sinne that may possibly hinder comfort, and expell it, continuall watchfulnesse and holy iealousie lest they should bee deceiued, and faithfull labouring to subdue corruption. These and such like fruits of sound, liuely, wel-rooted affiance may bee seene in many that bee troubled with manifold feares and doubts of their owne saluation, though they themselues doe not euer perceiue, how God hath enriched them.

§. 8. A weak and strong faith differ not in special nature and plantation, but in degree:¹