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…

§. 2. Satan will here object to the weak and timorous Christian, that he knows not whether he be of the number of Gods elect,¹ and therefore hath nothing to do with the promises. If the Devil set upon us in this sort, we must hold such suggestions to arise from the Spirit of error,² because they are contrary to the voice of God, who saith to the afflicted conscience that is weary of sin, Believe, lay hold on eternal life, cast not a way thy confidence; Be established, confirmed, and abound in faith. Therefore we must lend no ear to such whisperings of the old serpent, but cleave fast to the word of the Lord, and cut off all contrary enchantments. It was the first degree to the utter undoing of her self and posterity in our Grandmother Eve, that she opened her ear to a false and lying spirit in the mouth of a Serpent, which under a fair colour persuaded, or rather covertly enticed and drew her to eat of the forbidden fruit. The decree of God which is secret in the bosom of the most High is not the rule according to which we must walk: but the word of life revealed in holy Scriptures we must take for our direction.³ If God make offer of mercy and forgiveness unto us in the ministry of the Gospel, which is the word of truth, the word of salvation, we are bound to receive it without looking into the book of his election: and if we receive them truly, we shall be saved as the Lord hath spoken.

§. 2. Satan will here obiect to the weake and timorous Christian, that hee knowes not whether he bee of the number of Gods elect,¹ and therefore hath nothing to doe with the promises. If the Deuill set vpon vs in this sort, wee must hold such suggestions to arise from the Spirit of errour,² because they are contrarie to the voyce of God, who saith to the afflicted conscience that is wearie of sin, Belieue, lay hold on eternall life, cast not a way thy confidence; Be established, confirmed, and abound in faith. Therefore we must lend no eare to such whisperings of the old serpent, but cleaue fast to the word of the Lord, and cut off all contrarie inchantments. It was the first degree to the vtter vndoing of her selfe and posteritie in our Grandmother Eue, that shee opened her eare to a false and lying spirit in the mouth of a Serpent, which vnder a faire colour perswaded, or rather couertly inticed and drew her to eate of the forbidden fruite. The decree of God which is secret in the bosome of the most High is not the rule according to which we must walke: but the word of life reuealed in holy Scriptures wee must take for our direction.