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…

Seventhly, Faith is vigilant and watchful at all times, in all places, upon all occasions against all sins, with all degrees thereof, specially against sins of constitution, calling, the time, company, corrupt education, the first rise of sin-delighting motions, and sins of solitariness, that ⟨p. 308⟩it be not circumvented by the wiles of Satan. Faith may slumber and take a nap for a little season, when it is ill at ease: but the property of faith, when lively and in good plight, is to keep waking. For nothing is more wisely fearful then faith, nor more cautelous and circumspect then holy fear: Nothing more careful and suspicious then faith: more waking and industrious then holy care and suspicion. Nothing more covetous and courageous then faith, more watchful then covetousness and courage. Faith makes a man jealous of himself, lest he take cold, catch a knock, or be deceived; cautelous and circumspect, that the Devil get not advantage, set not upon him at unawares; desirous to keep standing, grow in grace, live in peace with God, and valiant in the Name of God to take arms in the cause and quarrel of God against principalities, powers and spiritual wickednesses. Fear, care, suspicion, covetousness, courage any one of these, is sufficient to keep waking in earthly things: and when all of them jointly concur, shall they not have this effect in spiritual? Satan is vigilant to tempt, as he can espy his opportunity: and faith is watchful to avoid the snare, or withstand the assault.

Seuenthly, Faith is vigilant and watchfull at all times, in all places, vpon all occasions against all sins, with all degrees thereof, specially against sins of constitution, calling, the time, company, corrupt education, the first rise of sinne-delighting motions, and sinnes of solitarinesse, that ⟨p. 308⟩it bee not circumuented by the wiles of Satan. Faith may slumber and take a nap for a little season, when it is ill at ease: but the propertie of faith, when liuely and in good plight, is to keepe waking. For nothing is more wisely fearefull then faith, nor more cautelous and circumspect then holy feare: Nothing more carefull and suspitious then faith: more waking and industrious then holy care and suspition. Nothing more couetous and couragious then faith, more watchfull then couetousnesse and courage. Faith makes a man iealous of himselfe, lest hee take cold, catch a knocke, or bee deceiued; cautelous and circumspect, that the Deuill get not aduantage, set not vpon him at vnawares; desirous to keepe standing, grow in grace, liue in peace with God, and valiant in the Name of God to take armes in the cause and quarrell of God against principalities, powers and spirituall wickednesses. Feare, care, suspition, couetousnesse, courage any one of these, is sufficient to keepe waking in earthly things: and when all of them ioyntly concurre, shall they not haue this effect in spirituall? Satan is vigilant to tempt, as hee can espie his opportunitie: and faith is watchfull to auoid the snare, or withstand the assault.