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…

must we not labour to confirm our weak and feeble faith? The labour bestowed about this most gainful and beautiful grace, is so far from tedious toil, that it is the solace of a Christian heart, and the pleasure thereof more sweet then any pleasure that can be taken in all the pastimes of the World. For by that means we grow more and more familiarly and better acquainted with the mind and purpose of God towards us, we enjoy sweet communion and fellowship with him, we are made ready for our latter end at one time as well as another, and are armed to go well ⟨p. 166⟩and cheerfully through with the affairs of the day, believing that God will guide and bless us. And of this also we may be well assured, that according to our strength of faith the lively fruits of holy obedience shall be found in us, and as our faith groweth, so doth sound peace, joy, and safety; strength against corruption, ability to resist temptations, poverty, of spirit, meekness, purity, hunger and thirst after righteousness, mercifulness, and pleasure in the means whereby faith is preserved and confirmed, increased, and that from time to time, more and more. But as for such as will not settle themselves to nourish their faith with care and diligence, they deprive themselves of much inward peace, which they might enjoy, and make their lives uncomfortable to themselves, unprofitable to others: They lay themselves open to many offences, which by this exercise they might preu••; and they go on, either in unsavoury lightness and carnal joy, which doth deceive them, or else in unprofitable care and worldly sorrow, which will disquiet them. And when they neglect the fashioning of Christ in their hearts, and so truly to put him on in their daily conversation, they become unprofitable in their lives, offensive in their carriage; and the Devil weakeneth and holdeth back sundry (which were coming on) by their example, thinking themselves well in the case they are in, rather then they should be in following them, unless they saw some beauty and excellency in their lives, more then in themselves.

must wee not labour to confirme our weake and feeble faith? The labour bestowed about this most gainfull and beautifll grace, is so farre from tedious toile, that it is the solace of a Christian heart, and the pleasure thereof more sweet then any pleasure that can bee taken in all the pastimes of the World. For by that meanes wee grow more and more familiarly and better acquainted with the minde and purpose of God towards vs, we enioy sweet communion and fellowship with him, wee are made readie for our latter end at one time as well as another, and are armed to goe well