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…

We read in Scripture, that Christ reproved ⟨p. 174⟩some for their small faith, that they might stir up themselves more confidently to rely upon him: but we have not heard,¹ that he ever rejected any that came to him in weakness, desi ing to be confirmed. The least grain• of faith, if true, is acceptable unto the Lord: He will not quench the smoking flax. His dislike of our weakness is an argument of his love & care for our good, who would have us to be settled in the assurance of his favour, and not to waver in uncertainties to our great discomfort. The strait charge he hath laid upon us to believe, & the severe threatenings annexed to that his Commandment if we obey it not, is a manifest evidence of his bounty & will good towards us, who is pleased thus to bind us unto himself, to confirm unto us his love, & so undoubtedly to assure us of his mercy, that it is to him a matter of unkindness, if we shall once make doubt or scruple of it. Doth any man mistrust the affection of his friend, because he hath oft charged him not to be strange, to make bold with him in any matter of importance & need, & hath rebuked him because he stands aloof as though he should not be welcome.

We read in Scripture, that Christ reproued ⟨p. 174⟩some for their small faith, that they might stirre vp themselues more confidently to relie vpon him: but wee haue not heard,¹ that he euer reiected any that came to him in weakenes, desi ing to be confirmed. The least grain• of faith, if true, is acceptable vnto the Lord: Hee will not quench the smoaking flaxe. His dislike of our weaknes is an argument of his loue & care for our good, who would haue vs to be setled in the assurance of his fauour, and not to wauer in vncertainties to our great discomfort. The strait charge he hath laid vpon vs to belieue, & the seuere threatnings annexed to that his Cōmandement if we obey it not, is a manifest euidence of his bountie & will good towards vs, who is pleased thus to binde vs vnto himselfe, to confirme vnto vs his loue, & so vndoubtedly to assure vs of his mercie, that it is to him a matter of vnkindnes, if we shall once make doubt or scruple of it. Doth any man mistrust the affection of his friend, because hee hath oft charged him not to be strange, to make bold with him in any matter of importāce & need, & hath rebuked him because he stands aloofe as though he shold not be welcome.