A03064:331
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…
A treatise of faith divided into two parts. The first showing the nature, the second, the life of faith. ... By John Ball.A treatise of faith diuided into two parts. The first shewing the nature, the second, the life of faith. ... By Iohn Ball.
London: printed by William Stansby for Edward Brewster, 1631
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
To live by Faith,1 is by faith in Christ to assent and adhere unto, and possess the whole Word of God as our own, in all estates and conditions, resting quietly upon his gracious and faithful promise to receive from his good hand all needful blessings and comforts in fittest season, and in all good conscience yielding our selves unto his good pleasure in sincere, universal and constant obedience. To live by faith is not only to believe in Christ for salvation, or to believe throughout our life, that we shall be saved in the life to come; but also to rest upon the grace and free favour of God, that we shall have whatsoever is expedient to bring us safely thither, given us freely by the Lord in this life, so far as he knoweth it good for us. God hath made promise of all good things, more then we could ask or think,2 that no good thing shall be wanting, that whatsoever cometh shall be for our good: all which the Just man possesseth by faith, and is aswell satisfied, when in temptations and trials he hath no means of help, as if he had all that his heart could desire. To the burdened God hath promised ease,3 refreshing to the thirsty; pardon to the penitent, comfort to them that mourn, perfect peace to them that wait upon the Lord: assistance, comfort, deliverance to them that be tempted, preservation and protection from evil, with comfortable supply of all blessings temporal and spiritual so far as shall be good: all these faith embraceth, possesseth, feedeth upon, and so resteth contented and comforted, as if all help that could be devised, were present, and comfort enjoyed. The word of grace teacheth us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, 4and to live godly, justly and soberly in this present world: from this word of command faith cannot be wholly turned aside by allurement or terror, but resteth upon God for ⟨p. 204⟩ability, and sweetly inclineth the heart with delight and cheerfulness to follow after the Lord. Thus to live by faith, is firmly to rely upon the Word of God, in all estates and conditions, with full purpose to be guided by it, until the good things contained therein be fully accomplished.