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…

§. 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.