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…

Thirdly, The distressed soul must learn, that the grace of God worketh not always alike in his children. When we walk in the fields in winter, we see not only no good fruit, but not so much as a leaf on the trees, in some also the very trunk or stock appeareth to be dead: yet is the s•p hidden in the root, which in due time will show that the tree was never dead. When fire is raked up, there appeareth oftentimes a sort of cold dead ashes, when there are underneath certain sparks, of which you may afterward make a fire. Yea; many times the fruits of grace may shine in the conversation to the eyes of others, when the powers and stirrings of grace inwardly, being hindered with temptations, cannot be felt.

Thirdly, The distressed soule must learne, that the grace of God worketh not alwayes alike in his children. When we walke in the fields in winter, we see not only no good fruit, but not so much as a leafe on the trees, in some also the very trunke or stocke appeareth to be dead: yet is the s•p hidden in the root, which in due time will shew that the tree was neuer dead. When fire is raked vp, there appeareth oftentimes a sort of cold dead ashes, when there are vnde•ne•th certaine sparkes, of which you may afterward make a fire. Yea; many times the fruits of grace may shine in the conuersation to the eyes of others, when the powers and stirrings of grace inwardly, being hindred with temptations, cannot be felt.

Fourthly, The long and manifold temptations of Satan, wherewith he seeks to throw Christians head-long into despair, is to them a testimony of the inhabitation of the Spirit in their hearts. For the power and strength whereby those assaults are repelled,¹ is it not of God? The unclean spirit might easily enter into the house with seven other spirits worse then himself, and dwell there, if he found it swept and garnished, that is, empty and destitute of grace. The strong man armed might well break into the house, if a stronger then he did not keep possession. As the children of God are conquerors over many temptations, so one only temptation (and that of no long continuance) is able to sink the stoutest among the Reprobates, who are mere dross and refuse, into the bottomless pit of Hell. The strong assaults whereby the Devil laboureth the over-throw of the poor servant of