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…

For as he knew them, when they were strangers from him, and loved them when they hated him, and had nothing which might provoke his mercy but sin and misery: so is his goodness continued still upon them for his own sake, and not at all for their deserving. And though they feel their ability weak, the enemy strong, their strength tired and clean worn, their corruption upon the point to prevail, the fruits and branches of faith, th•ough these stormy tempests, nipped and shaken; yet the sap of faith shall never be dried up in the root, neither can any wind of Satan so blast, that the immortal seed be at any time quite withered. But patience and constancy with a resolute mind to bear Gods trial, will bring a good end; yea, by a meek going under Gods hand in these, th•y shall learn experience to wade through greater afterwards; and yet in the midst of them, to h•ue hope that they shall not be ashamed. Say their fo mer course of life past hath not answered that sincerity the Lord requireth; what then? Are they therefore reprobates? No, but it argues want of faith. Not so; but place for further increase of faith, and the fruits thereof. Those whom the Lord hath chosen to be his worshippers, and hath redeemed and consecrated holy to himself, they be his plants, and engrafted Olive branches in his Son, who take not their full perfection at once: but (according to the nature of plants) require daily watering and dressing, whereby by degrees they attain in the end a full stature in Christ. In Scripture we have example of weak believers as well as of strong. As the Holy Ghost hath remembered the faith of Abraham, who believed above hope under hope:¹ so hath it recorded the faith of Nicodemus in knowledge simple and weak, in profession and practice timorous and fearful. In one and the same person we shall find different ⟨p. 196⟩degrees of faith at divers times; at one time like a grain of Mustard-seed,² at another time like a grown Oak; now like a smoking snuff, but soon after bursting out into a bright flame. The strongest faith of any Saint mentioned in Scripture is imperfect, assailed with temptations, mixed with manifold doubtings. For they were subject to innumerable infirmities, which are not specified in the Book of God; neither was it fit that it should be a register of their manifold temptations, frailties and falls.