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…

§. 1. THE necessary use and excellent fruits of faith,¹ should incite men if they want to seek it with all diligence, and if they be partakers of that heavenly gift to hold and keep it, to increase and grow therein.² And this the rather, because we have many encouragements to believe. God doth beseech men to be reconciled unto him: Should not this wonderful clemency of God encourage us with boldness and confidence to come unto him? Christ himself doth graciously invite all that be poor,³ needy, weary and heavy laden to come unto him: and the Lord maketh a general proclamation of liberty to all distressed souls that will come and receive it, without exception of any in particular: which should the rather affect, if we consider who it is that proclaimeth, invite h, beseecheth, namely, God, who is able to help, and ready to forgive and succour. If a covetous man should offer us any great kindness,⁴ we might doubt of performance, because it is contrary to his nature but it is not so with our God; his name is gracious, and his nature is to be faithful in performance, and true in offer and promising. In the covenant that God of his rich grace and mercy hath made with his Church and people se•led with Sacraments, and confirmed by oath,⁵ remission of sins secret and open, great and small, of what quality soever, is promised and assured to them that repent and believe. And when life and salvation is promised to them that will receive it by faith, no man is excluded from that mercy, but he that shuts forth himself by infidelity. We have a Saviour, who came into the ⟨p. 158⟩world to save sinners,⁶ and is able to deliver us out of the hands of all our enemies, his redemption being both precious and plentiful. And therefore though the multitude and grievousness of our sins should increase our repentance, yet they should not diminish our faith, and diligence in seeking assurance of forgiveness. For though our debt was never so great, our surety Christ Jesus hath paid it to the utmost farthing. The Lord who is best acquainted with his own love, merc e, and compassion, and knoweth what is pleasing and acceptable unto him,