A03064:415
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.
The promises of God concerning spiritual blessings are so linked together, that whosoever believeth not every one aright, he cannot believe any one steadfastly as he ought. He shall many times be in doubt of the remission of his sins, and in fear of falling away, who hath not learned to rest upon God for the grace of sanctification, no less then for the pardon of his offences: for the certainty of both these is like, if it be well considered.
The promises of God concerning spirituall blessings are so l•nked together, that whosoeuer belieueth not euery one aright, hee cannot belieue any one stedfastly as hee ought. He shall many times be in doubt of the remission of his sinnes, and in feare of falling away, who hath not learned to rest vpon God for the grace of sanctification, no lesse then for the pardon of his offences: for the certaintie of both these is like, if it be well considered.
First, It acquaints a man with his emptiness of grace, the strength of his inbred corruptions, how deep they have eaten, how fast they stick, how unable he is to crucify his inordinate affections, or to repair the decayed Image of God in him, and that be is in woeful case, unless the Lord put to his helping hand. Faith in this act doth not properly work upon the promise, but prepares the heart thereunto. And sure it is a worthy lesson: for the serious thought of this matter is exceeding forcible to abase and humble him in his own eyes, and so wholly to drive him out of himself. For he perceiveth, he is as strongly bound by the tyranny of sin to perpetual slavery, as by the guilt of sin to the danger of condemnation. Could he get pardon for sin, what would this profit, so as he lieth still under the power and dominion of sin, from which he hath no ability to deliver his soul. If a man labour of some painful, loathsome incurable disease, though in many things he be advanced, this will pull down conceits of greatness: and when a Christian comes to see, how many dangerous, noisome, spiritual diseases he laboureth under, he is not lightly affected with it: no, he abhorreth himself, and crieth out,