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…

First, It makes a man sensible of his own frailty and infirmity, how weak and feeble he is, apt not only to fall, but even to fall away, if he were not upholden by the grace and power of God.¹ Not that we are sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves: but our sufficiency is of God. Naturally we trust in our selves, and are presumptuous of our strength: but when by faith we go forth of our selves unto God for help, we can see nothing in our selves but weakness and frailty.

First, It makes a man sensible of his owne frailtie and infirmitie, how weake and feeble he is, apt not only to fall, but euen to fall away, if he were not vpholden by the grace and power of God.¹ Not that we are sufficient of our selues to thinke any thing as of our selues: but our sufficiencie is of God. Naturally we trust in our selues, and are p•esumptuous of our strength: but when by faith we goe forth of our selues vnto God for helpe, we can see nothing in our selues but weaknesse and frailtie.

1. 12. Cor. 3.5.

Secondly, It stirs up holy jealousy and suspicion, lest we should cool, decay, start-aside or fall back. Faith is bold and timorous, confident and suspicious: confident in God, suspicious of our selves. I was afraid (saith Job) of all my works; ¹knowing, that if I did wickedly, thou wouldst not acquit me. And this suspicion doth beget care to shun occasions of sin, and watchfulness to prevent spiritual distempers. A man jealous of his health is wary in his diet: and he that hath his soul in suspicion will ever be questioning with it and watching over it least he should offend. This jealousy is ever waking, apt to cast the worst that may fall out, but to counsel the best, that is, to keep far from the occasions of sin, abstain from all appearance of evil, and take heed of the snare in lawful businesses of this life. And surely, in this kind considering our great frailty, it is more behoovefull for a man to be somewhat too he die and cautelous, then to be a little too secure and self confident: to be suspicious of his weakness that he may be enabled by God and become strong in him, then while he is fool-hardy & strong in his