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…

The sincere and upright man, in whose spirit there is no guile, ¹is justified, not because of his sincerity, but because the Lord imputeth not that sin unto him, which he still unfeignedly acknowledgeth to be in him, continually praying, Lord, enter not into judgement with thy servant; always confessing, Lord, in thy sight no flesh living can be justified, ²to wit, otherwise then by not entering into judgement, or by non-imputation of his sins. And faith that layeth hold upon the promise of mercy offered in Christ, causeth a man every day to humble himself for sin, and to seek pardon by earnest prayer every day it receiveth and feedeth upon the promises made in Christ, and so assureth that his ⟨p. 230⟩sins are done away as a mist. And thus a Christian may live by faith for many days, or rather all the days of his life, in sweet peace and communion with God, if he will lea•ne to maintain, and t•ke pains to use his faith aright. It is to be lamented that amongst Christians, who desire to live honestly and keep a good conscience, so few know, so many neglect the ordinary use and improvement of their faith; as if it served only to give them comfort in the remission of sins at their first conversion, and then had finished all it should or could do, except till they fall into some notable decay, if not great offence, or be plunged into deep doubts, or be exercised with some great afflictions: whereas the daily use and improvement of faith for the continuance and increase of assurance of forgiveness, peace, access unto the throne of grace, Joy, and communion with God, is as necessary, should be as constant as is the use of Fire and Water, of the Light, of Meat or Drink or whatsoever is more ordinary for the comfort of the Body. Serves faith for entrance and beginnings, and not for continuance, progress and increasings? Is faith the breeder and bringer forth of Joy and Peace, and not the Nurse and foster Mother of them, cherishing and feeding them, till we come to a full and perfect age in Christ? All fruits the nearer they c•me to ripeness, the sweeter they be: & so is the fruit of faith, sweeter in the ear then in the blade. If the sense of pardon be pleasant & delightsome at the first, must it not increase as strength of faith & spiritual acquaintance with God increaseth?