A03064:454
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.
Thirdly, It receiveth earthly blessings as gifts of the covenant and part of his child's portion. God vouchsafeth outward things to wicked men of common bounty; but to his children the blessings of this life be tokens of his love and special good-will, and so received and embraced by faith. For substance the gift is one, both to the Just and unjust: but in respect of the cause, possession and use, there is great difference: which is discerned by faith, though it cannot be seen with the eye.1 I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness, and thou shalt know the Lord. And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith the Lord, I will hear the Heavens, and they shall hear the Earth, and the Earth shall hear the Corn, and the Wine, and the Oil, and they shall hear Jezreel.
Thirdly, It receiueth earthly blessings as gifts of the couenant and part of his childes portion. God vouchsafeth outward things to wicked men of common bountie; but to his children the blessings of this life bee tokens of his loue and speciall good-will, and so receiued and embraced by faith. For substance the gift is one, both to the Iust and vniust: but in respect of the cause, possession and vse, there is great difference: which is discerned by faith, though it cannot be seene with the eye.1 I will euen betroth thee vnto me in faithfulnesse, and thou shalt know the Lord. And it shall come to passe in that day, I will heare, saith the Lord, I will heare the Heauens, and they shall heare the Earth, and the Earth shall heare the Corne, and the Wine, and the Oile, and they shall heare Iezreel.
Fourthly, Faith in these and the foresaid promises doth greatly enlarge the heart towards God, and stirreth up to a serious and earnest study of holiness. If a Christian be much in the meditation of Gods singular goodness towards him every manner of way, above all that he could possibly ask or think, it will even constrain him to yield up himself wholly unto God in all manner of godly conversation.