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…

§. 8. If what was formerly felt be now decayed in feeling, even in Gods dearest children there may be decay¹ ⟨p. 179⟩of graces in part, and for a time.² Of the Philippians the Apostle saith, your care beginneth to spring again: belike they had their winter whom a new spring revived. It is true the Lord hath promised, that Hell gates shall never prevail utterly to overthrow the faith of his chosen, or any other grace radically accompanying salvation: but to preserve continual sensible exercise of any grace, he hath no where promised. The graces of God do ebb and slow in his servants (and that by the wise disposition of God) lest if we had attained facility in all things, we should think that our own, which is merely his work. Who amongst the faithful doth always hear with equal attention, reverence, cheerfulness, &c. or pray with like earnestness of desire, feeling of wants, assurance to be heard, or submission to Gods will? or do any thing at all times, so as at some. The Lord many times withdraws the use of some particular grace, that some other may in greater measure show forth it self in us. Joy and rejoicing in his mercy he withholds, that he might bring to the practice of humiliation.

§. 8. If what was formerly felt bee now decayed in feeling, euen in Gods dearest children there may be decay¹ ⟨p. 179⟩of graces in part, and for a time.² Of the Philippians the Apostle saith, your care beginneth to spring againe: belike they had their winter whom a new spring reuiued. It is true the Lord hath promised, that Hell gates shall neuer preuaile vtterly to ouerthrow the faith of his chosen, or any other grace radically accompanying saluation: but to preserue continuall sensible exercise of any grace, he hath no where promised. The graces of God doe ebbe and slow in his seruants (and that by the wise disposition of God) lest if we had attained facilitie in all things, wee should thinke that our owne, which is meerely his worke. Who amongst the faithfull doth alwayes heare with equall attention, reuerence, chearefulnesse, &c. or pray with like earnestnesse of desire, feeling of wants, assurance to be heard, or submission to Gods will? or doe any thing at all times, so as at some. The Lord many times withdrawes the vse of some particular grace, that some other may in greater measure shew forth it selfe in vs. Ioy and reioycing in his mercie hee withholds, that he might bring to the practice of humiliation.