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…

From this ariseth impatience, murmuring, discontent, unquietness, when outward things are wanting:¹ For did the heart cleave fast unto God, it would rest quiet in his promise, if all other things were lacking. Self-confidence, ⟨p. 210⟩resting in means, and leaning upon them, as lands, riches,² f•iends, &c. are effects of unbelief. He that rejoiceth in Christ Jesus can have no confidence in the flesh. As we grow down, denying our wisdom, and all strength we can make; so doth faith in our great God grow up; as we swell or be puffed up in conceit of our wisdom or strength, so doth faith languish or decay. So much as the heart stayeth upon the creature, it is by sin with-drawn from the Creator. But my heart is much poisoned with self-sufficiency: I feel my self apt to lean upon mine own devices to presume upon mine own strength, and so wickedly to depart from God. If means be at hand I grow secure, forgetting, that further then God doth send forth his Word, they can do nothing. If means be wanting, I faint, or at least, am greatly distracted, not remembering that it is all one with God to save with many as with few, with small or no means as great. If I enjoy the things I would, I think much upon the means, ascribe little to Gods blessing: my affections do work more lively on this or that which fell out (as men speak) more luckily, then on the blessing of God, which is all in all. In any matter of weight concerning lively-hood or state, I am ready to plod what friends I can make, what means be present, what likelihoods of good success, and here I rest, not seeking to the Lord,³ though all judgement come from him. But if this or that requisite (in my judgement) cannot be obtained, though I be never so diligent, seek never so earnestly, still I distrust and suspect the event, saying in heart, that it cannot prove well. And when my desire is accomplished, the means are still in mine eye, I think my self indebted to such or such friends, never able to requite their kindness, when the chief cause, upon whom all things depend, is much forgotten, not affectionately remembered. In trials I am very tottering, and like a poor cripple who leaneth upon his crutches, easily brought to the ground,