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…

§. 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 ⟨p. 187⟩are assured of his will, we may rely upon his power for the effecting of it, and infer he will keep us safely, because he is able to establish and confirm us. The greater our weakness is in grace, and the more grievous our sickness through sin, and the noisome humours of corruption, the more carefully will he watch over us with his Almighty power. The strong cannot stand by their own might if God withdraw his hand: and the weakest shall be able to overcome their mightiest enemies being underpropped by the Lord. What floods of trouble soever do flow over us, we shall escape drowning, if the Lord hold up our chin. Fear is a deceitful and malicious passion, tyrannical, rash and inconsiderate, proceeding oftentimes from want of judgement, more then from the presence or approach of evil to be feared, tormenting with the dread of what shall never come, we were never in danger of: It is therefore valiantly to be resisted, not to be believed or reasoned withal. Fear in our own strength is by all means to be cherished: but diffidence in Gods power, mercy, goodness, truth and providence is to be abandoned. The strong must not presume in himself, though more excellent then others in grace, nor the weak distrust in the Lord, though feeble, and not able to go high-lone. The hope of preservation staying upon inherent grace is self confidence:

§. 12. Satan molesteth some Christians with feare of of falling into some fearefull extremitie: