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…

we must forsake all base and carnal delights, cast out of the heart whatsoever we formerly accounted precious in the world, cleave unto him only, and be contented with those spiritual good ⟨p. 163⟩things, which he promiseth unto us. Christ hath never due esteem with us, unless for his sake we withdraw our hearts from all the riches, delights, honours and profits of the world, and deny our selves, that in all things we might be conformable unto his will & pleasure. What are we better then harlots, so long as the wo•ld or the delights thereof, lusts or passions possess the heart, & divide it from Christ? Roots, though of trees, can go no deeper then the rock or stone: nor can the Word of life si•ke deeper into the heart, then un o the roots of his natural desires or affections: which unrenounced, hinder the right taking and kindly spreading of it.¹ The cares of this world and voluptuous living choke the seed of the word, after it hath taken some rooting, that it brings forth no fruit unto ripeness. Therefore that the word of the kingdom may take kindly and fructify in us, we must cast up our accounts before hand, what we can be content to forgo for Christs sake, and renounce the pleasures & delights of the World, giving up our selves entirely to Jesus Christ, in all things to be directed & guided by him, inuring our selves quietly to bear reproach, disgrace & contempt for his sake, and watching heedfully in prosperity, that the world creep not into our affection, & privily steal away our hearts from him. And this we shall do the more freely, if we attentively consider what excellent & incomparable treasures of delight, joy, & comfort are to be found in Jesus Christ, over and above all the world can promise or afford. Should a good husband be offered some goodly royalty, upon condition he would forsake his base tenement or hard rented lease, when once he perceived the profit of the exchange, you need not use arguments to persuade him. Should some great Noble-man make suite of love to a mean personage, upon condition she would forsake her base drudgery for the honours and delights of a palace, the motion would be accepted.

wee must forsake all base and carnall delights, cast out of the heart whatsoeuer we formerly accounted pretious in the world, cleaue vnto him only, and bee contented with those spirituall good