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. 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,