A03064:498
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.
1It is necessary that a Christian should live by faith in that condition. For all spiritual soldiers must put one courage and resolution not to fear the assaults of mighty enemies, nor be dismayed at any difficulties. Let not your hearts fear, tremble not because of your enemies; quite your selves like men, 2be strong. But true valour cannot be had without faith in Christ. Stand fast in the faith, be strong. The Devil is like a serpentine Crocodile, whose property is, if one follow, it flieth away, if one fly, it pursueth him Resist Satan, and he will fly: be afraid, and he will follow. Cowardice doth encourage the adversary, courage daunts him. But courage issueth from sound onfidence in the Lord,3 who is the rock and shield of them that fly unto him. Waite one the Lord, be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thy heart. Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God he it is that doth go with thee, he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Of our selves we have no strength to prevail against the strong one in the world: all our victories must come of God,4 his power doth all our works for us. We are kept by the power of God unto salvation, he bruiseth the Serpents head, he dissolveth the works of the Devil, he treadeth Satan under feet. The chiefest strength of soldiers lieth in their Captain, who yet must fight for themselves and him, by their own power and skill: but all our strength lieth in Christ, the Captain that leadeth us to salvation, from whom we receive all power and ability to do what is good, whose Almighty power subdueth all things for us. We our selves before our conversion are of no strength,5 not sufficient to think a good thought: all our sufficiency is of God. But we cannot be strong in the Lord, and in ⟨p. 303⟩the power of his might,6 unless we believe and lean upon it. Gods strength is the matter apprehended,