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…

§. 5. Satan tempteth some to doubt, because at first they received the truth without due trial¹ and examination whose duty it is carefully to reform whatsoever they espy to have been amiss: but for one rotten post it is no wisdom to pull down the whole building.² For God is merciful, and ready to forgive our imperfections, when upon the knowledge and sight we confess and bewail them.³ The Disciples at first followed Christ in hope of temporal preferment, and yet their faith was sound & true; for when they came to the knowledge of their error, they reformed it, & did still inseparably cleave unto him. It is the great wisdom and mercy of the Lord, for a time to hide from his children the sight of their infirmities and wants, and notwithstanding their manifold weaknesses to afford unto them the sense of his love, least they should be utterly discouraged and faint under the burden for want of experience, finding the entrance into life hard and difficult. Natural discretion teacheth us to deal with children according to their ability, & not to dishearten them by exacting what is above their strength: The like compassion doth the Lord show to his, by the comforts of his Spirit preparing them to endure the assaults of Satan.

§. 5. Satan tempteth some to doubt, because at first they receiued the truth without due tryall¹ and examination whose dutie it is carefully to reforme whatsoeuer they espie to haue beene amisse: but for one rotten post it is no wisedome to pull downe the whole building.² For God is mercifull, and readie to forgiue our imperfections, when vpon the knowledge and sight wee confesse and bewaile them.³ The Disciples at first followed Christ in hope of temporall preferment, and yet their faith was sound & true; for when they came to the knowledge of their errour, they reformed it, & did still inseperably cleaue vnto him. It is the great wisedome and mercie of the Lord, for a time to hide from his children the sight of their infirmities and wants, and nowithstanding their manifold weakenesses to afford vnto them the sence of his loue, least they should be vtterly discouraged and faint vnder the burden for want of experience, finding the entrance into life hard and difficult. Naturall discretion teacheth vs to deale with children according to their abilitie, & not to dishearten them by exacting what is aboue their strength: The like compassion doth the Lord shew to his, by the comforts of his Spirit preparing them to endure the assaults of Satan.