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…

& let us not then think much to wait in patience a little while. We have not waited so many years in the means of grace for comfort, as God hath waited for our conversion. If we have made him to stand knocking at the door of our hearts long before we gave him entrance, let it not seem tedious, if the Lord do not forthwith open to us the door of his privy chamber, & admit us to the sweet fellowship and communion with him. Comforts when they come are usually proportioned to the measure of tribulation, and multitude of fervent prayers poured out before the Lord. Much trouble receives in the end plentiful consolation.

& let vs not then thinke much to waite in patience a little while. We haue not waited so many yeares in the meanes of grace for comfort, as God hath waited for our conuersion. If wee haue made him to stand knocking at the doore of our hearts long before wee gaue him entrance, let it not seeme tedious, if the Lord doe not forthwith open to vs the doore of his priuie chamber, & admit vs to the sweete fellowship and communion with him. Comforts when they come are vsually proportioned to the measure of tribulation, and multitude of feruent prayers powred out before the Lord. Much trouble receiues in the end plentifull consolation.

§. 12. Satan molesteth some Christians with fear of of falling into some fearful extremity:¹ By which temptation it pleaseth God to acquaint men with their own weakness, and to chasten or prevent pride, security, rash censuring of others that have fallen into such discomforts, or the like. But for the remedy thereof let them labour to fortify faith in the gracious promises which God hath made to his children of sustentation & preservation. As faith increaseth, so fear abateth; as it ebbs so fear flows. And let them to this end consider, that Christ hath prayed for preservation against all separating extremes. And God that cannot lie, hath promised to keep his children from utter declining, and to establish them that be feeble and ready to fall. The Lord hath made it known to be his will and pleasure, that he will never take away that grace which once he hath given, but increase it rather till it be perfected and accomplished: and when we