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, Faith makes sensible, that we cannot resist of our selves. By Satan's force the mighty Cedars have been overthrown, and with more case we might be overturned: ⟨p. 304⟩But yet when he rageth with greatest fury, it assureth that he is chained up by the power of Almighty God, and can go no further, then he will give him leave. Well may the Devil bark and roar, like a band-dog or Lion safely chained or shut up, but he cannot stir further then God is pleased to let him lose. He cannot tempt whom he will, nor when he will, nor how he would, not by what means, nor in what measure he would, nor with what temptations, nor for what continuance: in all these he is confined by the providence of God, who hath promised, that he will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape,¹ that we may be able to bear it. A legion of Devils could not enter into a Gadarene Hog, till Christ had given them leave. Satan cannot touch one Bleat pertaining to Job, till he have obtained liberty:² nor then lay a finger upon his body, till his liberty be renewed. The Devil is the sinful Author of Temptations, whereby he seeks to molest and overthrow the Saints: but God in his infinite wisdom and mercy doth limit them both in respect of time, place, person and temptation it self, and direct them to such an end as Satan never intended. Faith speaketh on this wise, Satan desires to fifth me as wheat, but it is the Lord who hath made choice of this temptation wherewith I am exercised rather then another, and hath set bounds to the spiritual enemies of my soul, what time they shall continue to assail, how far they shall proceed and no further, and will direct the temptation to a good end, above all I can conceive: therefore I will not fear the enemy but wait upon the Lord.

First, Faith makes sensible, that we cannot resist of our selues. By Satans force the mightie Cedars haue beene ouerthrowne, and with more case we might be ouerturned: ⟨p. 304⟩But yet when hee rageth with greatest fury, it assureth that hee is chained vp by the power of Almightie God, and can goe no further, then he will giue him leaue. Well may the Deuill barke and roare, like a band-dogge or Lion safely chained or shut vp, but hee cannot stirre further then God is pleased to let him lose. Hee cannot tempt whom hee will, nor when hee will, nor how hee would, not by what meanes, nor in what measure hee would, nor with what temptations, nor for what continuance: in all these he is confined by the prouidnce of God, who hath promised, that he will not suffer vs to be tempted aboue that we are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape,