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…

¹The fifth act of faith, It teacheth wisdom to judge aright of all afflictions. Blessed is the man whom thou instructest, and teachest him out of thy law: scil. wisely to consider of afflictions; of their nature, end, use, and issue to them that fear God. He shall rest, or be quiet ⟨p. 337⟩in the days of adversity. Did we not through false glasses see things otherwise then they are, they would not cast us down so much as they do. Want of heavenly wisdom, what voices doth it draw from us? Even such as these; Were it any thing but this, I could hope to receive good from it. Whereas through the spectacles of faith we come to discern, that the things we suffer are most fit to do us good. For faith seeth not according to sense or outward appearance, but as the truth is in Jesus Christ, always magnifying the wisdom and courses of God, as best and most for our profit.² The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, of judgement and counsel was poured upon Christ; of which Spirit we partake by faith, and so are made wise to perceive the things of God, and to judge aright of his dealings towards us. And from this proceeds willingness to give our necks to the yoke, when God is pleased to put it on. Fear of hurt is that which makes us shun the cross, or go heartless under it: when once by faith, the scales falling from our eyes, we come to see it useful, beneficial, healthful, we strain courtesy no longer, but take it down.

¹The fift act of faith, It teacheth wisdome to iudge aright of all afflictions. Blessed is the man whom thou instructest, and teachest him out of thy law: scil. wisely to consider of afflictions; of their nature, end, vse, and issue to them that feare God. Hee shall rest, or be quiet ⟨p. 337⟩in the dayes of aduersity. Did wee not through false glasses see things otherwise then they are, they would not cast vs downe so much as they doe. Want of heauenly wisdome, what voices doth it draw from vs? Euen such as these; Were it any thing but this, I could hope to receiue good from it. Whereas through the spectacles of faith we come to discerne, that the things we suffer are most fit to doe vs good. For fa th seeth not according to sense or outward appearance, but as the truth is in Iesus Christ, alwayes magnifying the wisdome and courses of God, as best and most for our profit.