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…

Sixthly, It coveteth increase of grace and sanctification; Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed: save me, ¹and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise Lord be merciful unto me, heal my soul, for I have sinned against thee. How are men affected in recovering bodily health, somewhat better will not content or satisfy? When they can sit up, but not able to walk up & down the chamber, oh that they had a little strength to stir: when they dare walk within doors, oh that they could stir abroad, then that their stomach were returned, and they could walk in their accustomed strength. Every living thing the more it doth live, the more it coveteth perfection of life in it kind. And so is faith affected in receiving spiritual strength from the sickness of sin, till it feel it self enlarged to walk constantly and cheerfully before the Lord, yea, till it be perfectly recovered, which cannot be so long as we carry about us this body of death. By reason man excelleth the beasts, by holiness he excelleth himself, inferior only to the Angels in degree, and made like unto the Lord, as far as a creature may be to his Creator: Sin is the sickness of the soul, so much more loathsome and dangerous then distempers of the body, as the soul is more excellent then the body: Holiness is the health, ornament and excellency of the soul, as far surpassing it in worth, as man doth the basest creature in dignity and honour. There is no trouble, shame, and sorrow to sin: there is no honour and comfort to holiness and sanctification. According to the nature of holiness, so is the fruit;² the merchandise thereof ⟨p. 294⟩is better then the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof then fine gold; It is more precious then rubies, and whatsoever can be desired without, it is not to be compared unto it. The natural man neglecteth to seek after holiness or take pains to get it, because he feels not the sickness of his soul, nor understands the worth and fruit of grace: But the true Believer, who is grieved with his infirmities, and knows the excellency and comfort of spiritual health, cannot but desire and covet grace more and more, that in due time he might be perfectly healed.

Sixtly, It coueteth encrease of grace and sanctification; Heale me, O Lord, and I shall be healed: saue me,