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…

Secondly, It is the wisdom of a Christian in this case to observe the mark that Satan drives at, which is to hide from his sight the graces of the Spirit, that he might bring him to despair. This being the Devils aim, he must stir up himself to believe, and roll his soul upon Christ for salvation. For when he can see no grace in his soul, he cannot but see himself to be miserable, and so called to come unto Christ the fountain of living waters, that by him he might be replenished, in him he might find refreshing. Again, taking courage to believe, he disappoints Satan, who intendeth not so much to draw him into security, as to force him to cast away all hope of mercy. Oh, but a Christian is to examine and try himself, whether he be enriched with the graces of the Spirit, or no? True it is, that the examination of our hearts is a necessary duty, but to be done in due order, so as we be stirred unto, not driven from the practice of other duties no less needful: But when the soul is distempered with the assaults of Satan, and unable to judge of it own state, it is unseasonable to make search into our hearts, and preposterous is to give place to doubtings, because we cannot find what we desire. We have a commandment to believe, as well as to prove our selves, both which must be coupled together, otherwise neither can be done as they ⟨p. 312⟩ought: and it is a plain case, that he who finds himself to be poor and naked, is called to come unto Christ, that he might receive of his fullness, be enriched with his plenty. If thou canst not find in thy self what thou seekest after, come unto Jesus Christ, and believe in him, that thou mayest receive what thou seekest, and is to be found in him.

Secondly, It is the wisdome of a Christian in this case to obserue the marke that Satan driues at, which is to hide from his sight the graces of the Spirit, that he might bring him to despaire. This being the Deuils aime, hee must stirre vp himselfe to belieue, and roll his soule vpon Christ for saluation. For when he can see no grace in his soule, he cannot but see himselfe to be miserable, and so called to come vnto Christ the fountaine of liuing waters, that by him hee might be replenished, in him hee might find refreshing. Againe, taking courage to belieue, hee disappoints Satan, who intendeth not so much to draw him into security, as to force him to cast away all hope of mercie. Oh, but a Christian is to examine and try himselfe, whether hee be inriched with the graces of the Spirit, or no? True it is, that the examination of our hearts is a necessary duty, but to be done in due order, so as we be stirred vnto, not driuen frō the practice of other duties no lesse needfull: But when the soule is distempered with the assaults of Satan, and vnable to iudge of it owne state, it is vnseasonable to make search into our hearts, and preposterous is to giue place to doubtings, because wee cannot find what wee desire. Wee haue a commandement to belieue, as well as to proue our selues, both which must bee coupled together, otherwise neither can be done as they