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…

And surely it is most necessary that we learn to live by faith in afflictions.¹ For faith is the ground of silent and quiet expectation of salvation. When Christians are persecuted for the name of Christ, all men see they have great need of patience, that after they have suffered for a time, they might enjoy the promise, which now they hold by faith, as it we•e by reversion, not in actual possession. But without confidence there can be no patience. Faith in God is the only stay and support of the heart in trouble and affliction.² I had fainted unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Remember thy word unto servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, ³for thy word hath quickened me. In daily and lighter trials a man of mild and patient temper may hold up the Head: but when one deep calleth unto another, and the waves flow over our head; when nature yieldeth, and ⟨p. 326⟩the heart fainteth, then to stand fast and be of good courage, that only can faith do, which is grounded upon the rich mercy of God, and relieth upon his Almighty power. Faith is the Palm, that sinks not under the weightiest of burdens, the Camomile that spreads the more it is trodden; the oil that ever overswims the the greatest quantity of water you can power upon it. In the most boisterous tempests it lifteth up the chin, that we shall not drown:⁴ and when a man is half dead, it quickens and puts life into him. By faith the Saints have endured cruel mockings & scourgings, bonds & imprisonments, ⁵tortures and death and in all these were more then conquerors. Faith is the shield of the soul, whereby it is defended against all the fiery darts of the Devil. When we are afflicted, we shall be tempted to impatience, despair, doubting of Gods love, and the use of wicked means to help our selves out of trouble.⁶