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…

For the repelling of this temptation,¹ it is to be known and remembered that Gods mercy, favour, promises, and benefits are all free, which he vouchsafeth, offereth, bestoweth, without any respect of worthiness or deserts, of his mere grace and undeserved love in Jesus Christ. And therefore as when we are most worthy in our own conceit, there is no reason we should presume the more; so when we find our selves unworthy, there is no cause why we should hope the less. For the ground of our confidence is the promise of free and undeserved mercy made in Christ Jesus to miserable forlorn sinners, who see and acknowledge themselves to be more vile then the mire in the street. And this sets forth the praise of Gods mercy so much the more, that it is afforded to such base abjects, who deserve nothing: but to be cast forth and trodden underfoot. Should the prisoner doubt of his Princes mercy when he heareth his pardon read, and seeth it sealed, because he hath merited no such kindness? Again, it is good to call to mind and seriously to consider what strong encouragements we have to receive the promises; and how we are not more desirous to believe, then God is we should so do. For God doth through love entreat us, of friendship counsel us,² and of his authority being able to perform commandeth us; as if he would hereby show that none hath authority to hinder or forbid the same. And therefore we must be warned, ⟨p. 172⟩to beware of all occasions that may darken or put out the light of our confidence; as reasoning or questioning against our selves for yielding to this truth lately received &c.

For the repelling of this temptation,¹ it is to be knowne and remembred that Gods mercie, fauour, promises, and benefits are all free, which hee vouchsafeth, offereth, bestoweth, without any respect of worthinesse or deserts, of his meere grace and vndeserued loue in Iesus Christ. And therefore as when wee are most worthy in our owne conceit, there is no reason wee should presume the more; so when wee find our selues vnworthy, there is no cause why wee should hope the lesse. For the ground of our confidence is the promise of free and vndeserued mercie made in Christ Iesus to miserable forlorne sinners, who see and acknowledge themselues to be more vile then the mire in the street. And this sets forth the prayse of Gods mercie so much the more, that it is afforded to such base abiects, who deserue nothing: but to bee cast forth and trodden vnderfoot. Should the prisoner doubt of his Princes mercie when hee heareth his pardon read, and seeth it sealed, because he hath merited no such kindnesse? Againe, it is good to call to minde and seriously to consider what strong encouragements wee haue to receiue the promises; and how wee are not more desirous to belieue, then God is wee should so doe. For God doth through loue intreat vs, of friendship counsell vs,