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…

Is it not easier to preserve peace, then to recover out of dumps and distresses? Every day to reckon with our souls, and get our debts cancelled, then to do it now and then, when we have run far behind hand, not knowing which way to turn our selves? Fire once kindled is kept burning with less pains, then being oft quenched, it can be kindled. The labour of maintaining health is much less, then the toil of recovering ⟨p. 231⟩out of sickness. Let us then learn to make use of our faith every day; As every day to humble our selves before the throne of grace, and beg the pardon and forgiveness of our sins; every day to look unto the grounds of comfort, and meditate thereupon, that we may find joy and sweetness therein; every day to renew our faith in believing the pardon of such particular offences as we have espied in our selves that day, and confessed before the Lord with sighs and groans for mercy. Let us think seriously with our selves, how excellent a thing it is to be in league of amity with God; how blessed and pleasant a state to be freed from the fear of death and Hell; how rich and comfortable a thing to be Heir of Glory. Let us often stir up our selves to converse with Christ; the better we know him,¹ the more delight and contentment we shall take in fellowship and communion with him. This is to live by faith, and to stir up the grace that God hath given us. This is to maintain faith, that it may serve us. Fire in the embers glows not, heats not the house: Faith in the heart not used, doth neither increase, nor comfort. A man may well be said not to have the wealth, he useth not for his benefit: surely he wants the benefit of faith, who exerciseth it not. Use limbs, and have limbs. The beauty and benefit, yea, the very increase and perfection of all gifts, virtues and graces consisteth in use, and action. Exercise perfecteth understanding and memory; strengthens the disposition of the soul, increaseth vigour, begetteth promptness: the more thou doest, the more thou mayest. The oftener the liberal man gives Alms, and doth good turns, the more his liberality grows and shines. Let any man diligently and throughly improve his faith, and great will be his faith, and great the joy it will bring in.

Is it not easier to preserue peace, then to recouer out of dumpes and distresses? Euery day to reckon with our soules, and get our debts cancelled, then to doe it now and then, when we haue runne farre behind hand, not knowing which way to turne our selues? Fire once kindled is kept burning with lesse paines, then being oft quenched, it can be kindled. The labour of maintaining health is much lesse, then the toyle of recouering