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…

Lastly, it rejoiceth in tribulations,¹ and triumpheth before the victory. The patient is glad when he feels his physic to work, though it make sick for the time; because he hopes it will procure health.² We rejoice in afflictions, not that they are joyous for the present, but because they shall work for our good. As faith rejoiceth, so it triumpheth in assurance of good success: for it seeth not according to outward appearance, but when all means fail it keepeth God in sight, and beholdeth him present for our succour. As for me, I will come into, ³thy house, in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship towards thy holy Temple. ⁴I have trusted in thy mercy, my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. The righteous shall compass me about: for thou shalt deal bountifully with me. ⁵Thus are we to live by faith when God is pleased to exercise us with afflictions of what sort soever, though heavy to be borne & of long continuance. Great troubles of long durance are the exercises of faith, as weighty burden are trials of strength. As none for a little headache, or for the ranch of a pin will seek to the bodily Physician or Surgeon: So it is in a manner with the soul, whilst it is troubled with like grievances spiritual. Little things do not much exercise our faith, nor stir us up to seek God, and short afflictions are soon forgotten. Faith indeed despiseth not the least cross, but is most proved and stirred up in the greatest. Without question there is most need of faith, when afflictions lie the heaviest, and the more because Satan will be most busy at such times to molest and trouble; he wills to show his power and malice when we are most feeble. When God follows a man with one affliction upon ⟨p. 346⟩another, and those of great continuance, then the Devil will tempt to impatience and despair, as if God took him for his enemy, and would not show compassion any more. When the heart faileth, because of the multitude of evils that compass us about, and God hideth his face, man is apt to conceive, sure God hath forsaken me, and will not arise for my help. If God did love me, he would never have absented himself so long, now I am brought so low, in so grievous distress.