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…

for if men cannot fall from their estate of happiness why should they fear to commit all kind of wickedness. But he that hath faith in-deed, will not, nay, he cannot take courage to go on in sin upon this pretence, that faith once had cannot utterly be lost. The believer knows himself bound to the obedience of the Gospel, though he be freed from the damnation of the law; and certain it is, that faith which knits to Christ, doth lead us forth in all holiness.¹ Mercy covering sin doth beget reverence; the more assurance of salvation in a mans soul, the more fear and trembling in a mans course. He who is best assured hath most power of Gods Spirit, and the stronger the Spirit of God is within, the more holiness and fruits of grace without. Paul was assured that nothing should separate him from the love of God in Christ:² Peter was assured, that his faith should not fail: did this make them the more careless? Nay, rather the more careful to run their race; the more courageous to fight out their combat.³ The load-stone of love is love: Love in the superior doth draw love from the inferior: & is it then possible for us to apprehend such unspeakable love of God in choosing us to such an excellent, happy, unchangeable condition, and not be affected to love the Lord again? Of necessity the faith which continueth must be lively, nor can it embrace the promises of perseverance but whilst it is lively. The more operative faith is, the greater our assurance of future standing: if faith be dormant or languish for a time, for that time we are to seek of this comfort, nor can it be recovered, till faith recover, and put forth it self valiantly in combating against Satan, subduing corruption, and working righteousness. ⟨p. 287⟩Look how much we come short in believing the faithful promises of God concerning our future protection from all hurtful evils, (the greatest whereof is falling away) so much are we lacking to sound peace and stable tranquillity of Mind and Conscience. The better we have learned to live by faith in Christ, as the Author and finisher of our faith, and raiser of us up at the last day, the greater and more steadfast is our comfort. The men of this world be not satisfied with the possession of their purchased inheritance, but they seek to strengthen and assure their title against future claims, before they can be quiet.