§. 4. Some are dismayed, for that they cannot keep their faith (for any continuance) strong and steadfast,1 but they feel it wavering, inconstant, flitting, so that they fall into great sorrow, fear and doubtings. For their comfort they must know that there is no shadow of change with God,2 and that it is their weakness so to think. Men are variable in their affections, whom they dote upon this day, they detest to morrow: But such lightness and vanity is far from our God: His love, mercy, and gifts of grace are all unchangeable. Also they must be persuaded, that labouring after and groaning to rest their wearied souls upon the promises of mercy, being never satisfied till their doubtfulness be removed will bring a good end;3 so that they shall neither miscarry, nor be fo saken of the Lord in the lowest depth of their distress. And though for a time they feel not that they have faith or ⟨p. 175⟩life, they may truly be alive unto God, as it is evident by sundry testimonies and properties of the new birth, which may be discerned in them who do most complain of their estates. A man suddenly stricken to the ground and amazed with some violent blow, wanteth not life altogether, though he perceive it not: Breathing and moving are infallible tokens of life in the body, which by many likelihoods appeareth to be de•d: so painting & breathing after the consolations of the Lord, and the l ght of his countenance, be undoubted signs of the new birth, though they be not easily discerned (especially in the hour of temptation) by them in whom they are. Wherefore the weak in faith must be wise in heart, and not measure themselves by their present faintings and infirmities: but wait upon God, and use the means which he hath prescribed in his word. As child en first learn to go by a stool or form; sick folk recover their taste or strength by little and little; plants shoot not up suddenly and at once, but by degrees, corn suffers many a sharp storm before it come to ripeness: so faith hath it beginning, growth, and confirmation; calms and storms to ripen it. If it be demanded, why doth God deal thus with his children, and suffer them to fall into such depth of doubting, sorrow and fear. The answer is, that in regard of the believer himself this doubting is a weakness,4 which must be with-stood and overcome:
§. 4. Some are dismaid, for that they cannot keep their faith (for any continuance) strong and stedfast,1 but they feele it wauering, inconstant, flitting, so that they fall into great sorrow, feare and doubtings. For their comfort they must know that there is no shadow of change with God,2 and that it is their weaknesse so to thinke. Men are variable in their affections, whom they dote vpon this day, they detest to morrow: But such lightnesse and vanitie is farre from our God: His loue, mercie, and gifts of grace are all vnchangeable. Also they must be perswaded, that labouring after and groaning to rest their wearied soules vpon the promises of mercy, being neuer satisfied till their doubtfullnesse be remoued will bring a good end;3 so that they shall neither miscarrie, nor be fo saken of the Lord in the lowest depth of their distresse. And though for a time they feele not that they haue faith or ⟨p. 175⟩life, they may truely be aliue vnto God, as it is euident by sun•rie testimon•es and properties of the new birth, which may bee di•cerned in them who doe most complaine of their estates. A man suddenly striken to the ground and amazed with some violent blow, wanteth not life altogether, though hee perceiue it not: Breathing and mouing are infallible tokens of life in the body, which by many likelihoods appeareth to bee de•d: so painting & breathing after the consolations of the Lord, and the l ght of his countenance, be vndoubted signes of the new birth, though they bee not easily discerned (especially in the houre of temptation) by them in whom they are. Wherefore the weake in faith must be wise in heart, and not measure themselues by their present faintings and infirmities: but wait vpon God, and vse the meanes which hee hath prescribed in his word. As child en first learne to goe by a stoole or forme; sicke folke recouer their tast or strength by little and little; plants shoote not vp suddenly and at once, but by degrees, corne suffers many a sharpe storme before it come to r•penes: so faith hath it beginning, growth, and confirmation; calmes and stormes to ripen it. If it be demaunded, why doth God deale thus with his children, and suffer them to fall into such depth of doubting, sorrow and feare. The answer is, that in regard of the belieuer himselfe this doubting is a weakenesse,
- 1§. 4. 4. They cannot keep their faith strong and steadfast.§. 4. 4. They cannot keepe their faith strong and stedfast.
- 2Remedy. James 1.17. Psal. 77.10.11. Rom. 11.29.Remedy. Iames 1.17. Psal. 77.10.11. Rom. 11.29.
- 3Want of feeling argueth not want of faith.
- 4Why the faithful are subject to such doubts and want of feeling.Why the faithfull are subiect to such doubts and want of feeling.
