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…

Faith is of force to keep us against all assaults of the Devil: This is our victory which overcometh the world: this is so mighty, that the powers of Hell cannot prevail against it. Faith doth latch the fiery darts of the Devil,¹ that they fall off without piercing us: or if they enter, it doth quench and allay their burning heat, that they shall not kill us. Peter had the dart stuck in him a while: but faith did renew repentance; and healed him, making the poison of sin a Treacle. Paul was buffeted with inward suggestions, and had troubles as thick as hail-stones following him; yet all these prevailed not against him,² because he kept the faith. The Devil will renew his assaults against us, and we must renew our courage and strength against him; which cannot be done, unless we live by faith. He that hath no trust in himself, but leaneth on the power of God, will, though he fall often, still have hope, and be courageous to set upon his enemies with fresh assaults after some foil received. For he that knows he hath no strength, cannot wonder, if when God leaveth him he do fall: and he that maketh Gods strength his stay,³ though he be never so far from a thing, yet will not cast away hope in time to obtain. The acts of faith in respect of temptation be these or such like.

Faith is of force to keepe vs against all assaults of the Deuill: This is our victorie which ouercommeth the world: this is so mightie, that the powers of Hell cannot preuaile against it. Faith doth latch the fierie darts of the Deuill,¹ that they fall off without piercing vs: or if they enter, it doth quench and allay their burning heate, that they shall not kill vs. Peter had the dart stucke in him a while: but faith did renew repentance; and healed him, making the poyson of sinne a Treacle. Paul was buffeted with inward suggestions, and had troubles as thicke as haile-stones following him; yet all these preuailed not against him,² because hee kept the faith. The Deuill will renew his assaults against vs, and we must renew our courage and strength against him; which cannot be done, vnlesse wee liue by faith. Hee that hath no trust in himselfe, but leaneth on the power of God, will, though he fall often, still haue hope, and bee courageous to set vpon his enimies with fresh assaults after some foyle receiued. For he that knowes hee hath no strength, cannot wonder, if when God leaueth him he doe fall: and he that maketh Gods strength his stay,