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, he must cease to muse on the tentations ⟨p. 316⟩of Satan, and stir up himself courageously, valiantly to trust in the mercies of the Lord, and rely upon his grace. Why art thou cast down, ¹O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? why dost thou harbour perplexing doubtful thoughts, and in much pensiveness toss too and fro the tentations of Satan.² This musing kindles the fire: the more thou thinkest upon the tentat on, and art disquieted with doubtings, the greater liberty hath the Devil to tempt, the less able are thou to with-stand his malice. If thou be dejected, he will be insolent: if thou be affrighted, he will be the more furious. Trust therefore in the Lord, and wait upon his grace: for he hath seen thine adversity, he will hear thy prayers; the sins cleaving to the tentations which thou so much fearest, are pardoned & forgiven unto thee. Evil thoughts conceived with delight, pleasure, and purpose, are most displeasing unto God, dangerous unto the soul: but even hellish tentations, which never found consent or approbation under which thou art humbled, from which thou earnestly cravest to be delivered, doubt not, but upon thine unfeigned suite, they are freely remitted and done away. Be strong, and of good courage, fear not, nor be dismayed: for the Lord will be thy defence, and under the shadow of his wings thou shalt be safe. Satan cannot tempt longer then God shall give him leave: and he will never suffer thee to be tempted above measure, but will give a good issue unto the tentation.³ Thou art called to fight under the banner of Christ Jesus, and in the name of the Lord thou shalt be enabled to do valiantly and overcome.⁴ If Satan continue his assaults, Gods grace is sufficient for thee. If thy strength be clean gone, Gods power shall be magnified the more in thee: and he hath brought thee low, that thou mayest not trust in thy self,⁵ but in the living Lord, and that the whole praise of the victory might be ascribed unto him. If thy strength did remain, it was not to be leaned unto; and