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…

§. 4. The means whereby faith is confirmed and strengthened are these,¹ and such like:

§. 4. The meanes whereby faith is confirmed and strengthened are these,¹ and such like:

1. 1§. 4. Means whereby faith is strengthened and confirmed.

First, Daily to account it our best portion, richest jewel, most precious treasure and chiefest happiness in this life: which if we do, our hearts will be ever upon it▪ our fear will be usually lest we should loose it, and we shall think it most necessary to regard and look unto it, whatsoever we have besides it wo•th the looking after. And ⟨p. 167⟩otherwise, every small occasion will hinder us, every fond delight carry us away, and every trifle take up the heart, much more our earnest and weighty affairs and business, to which most men think, that all exercises of religion ought to give place. Things of worth are disesteemed if their value be not known: and trifles are looked after when they be over-valued. A true esteem of the price, excellency and use of faith, the profit and comfort of it, will raise an earnest continual care to preserve and keep it.

First, Daily to account it our best portion, richest iewell, most pretious treasure and chiefest happinesse in this life: which if we doe, our hearts will be euer vpon it▪ our feare will be vsually lest we should loose it, and we shall thinke it most necessary to regard and looke vnto it, whatsoeuer wee haue besides it woth the looking after. And