A03064:355
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.
Secondly, We must labour to see the necessity and preciousness of faith,1 and these seen, will make a man hold hard ere he part with it. A man that hath a great charge, his whole state about him, will as soon lose his life, as part with his treasure. Of what excellency and use is this gr•ce of faith, which subdueth passions, overcometh allurements, maketh things impossible to the flesh, easy and delightsome; enableth to stand fast when we are buffeted by Satan, lifteth up the head amidst all the surges of temptation, remaineth victorious in all combats, raiseth us up when we are laid along, and our weapons beaten on our Heads; knitteth the heart fast to the heavenly Commandments, quickeneth in deadness, and holdeth the Lord fast when he leadeth us into the dark. Who would not prefer the custody and increase of such a grace before life it self? Nay, what is our life without it? If faith live in us, we live blessedly, whatsoever misery compass us about; if faith decay, we die; if it die, we perish.
Secondly, We must labour to see the necessitie and preciousnesse of faith,1 and these seene, will make a man hold hard ere he part with it. A man that hath a great charge, his whole state about him, will as soone lose his life, as part with his treasure. Of what excellencie and vse is this gr•ce of faith, which subdueth passions, ouercommeth allurements, maketh things impossible to the flesh, easie and delightsome; inableth to stand fast when we are buffeted by Satan, lifteth vp the head amidst all the surges of temptation, remayneth victorious in all combats, raiseth vs vp when we are laid along, and our weapons beaten on our Heads; knitteth the heart fast to the heauenly Commandements, quickeneth in deadnesse, and holdeth the Lord fast when he leadeth vs into the darke. Who would not preferre the custodie and increase of such a grace before life it selfe? Nay, what is our life without it? If faith liue in vs, we liue blessedly, whatsoeuer misery compasse vs about; if faith decay, we die; if it die, we perish.
- 12. See the necessity and preciousness of Faith.