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…
A treatise of faith divided into two parts. The first showing the nature, the second, the life of faith. ... By John Ball.A treatise of faith diuided into two parts. The first shewing the nature, the second, the life of faith. ... By Iohn Ball.
John Ball 1585–1640London: printed by William Stansby for Edward Brewster, 1631
[48], 440 p. · 167k words · STC 1319 · ESTC S100833
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Thirdly, In afflictions faith is tried, the sweetness of it is not so much felt, as it is latent, which makes us th•nke it to be brought exceeding low. The strength of the body is put forth in conflicts and burdens: felt when we walk at ease and l•bretie. A man may show most strength in wrestling, when to his own feeling he discerneth most weakness: and so it is in faith, when the sense is lest, the power may be greatest. There is an afflicted strength, which cannot be felt great, though it be so in truth: and there is an afflicted faith, which is not discerned to be of that force of which indeed it is. But strength afflicted, and strength decayed, faith afflicted and faith over-whelmed are much different.
Thirdly, In afflictions faith is tried, the sweetnesse of it is not so much felt, as it is latent, which makes vs th•nke it to bee brought exceeding low. The strength of the bodie is put forth in confl•cts and burthens: felt when wee walke at ease and l•bretie. A man may shew most strength in wrestling, when to his owne feeling he discerneth most weaknesse: and so it is in faith, when the sense is lest, the power may bee greatest. There is an afflicted strength, which cannot bee felt great, though it be so in truth: and there is an afflicted faith, which is not discerned to be of that force of which indeed it is. But strength afflicted, and strength decayed, faith afflicted and faith ouer-whelmed are much different.
Fourthly, If want of spiritual refreshings doth trouble and breed scruple in us, we must remember that Physic purgative and restorative must not be t•ken at one and the same time: To admit of sorrows, but on condition that spiritual consolation should drown the feeling thereof, is as it were to wish sufferings without suffering When God ministereth for the preservation or recovery of
spiritual health, it is the office of faith to receive the potion, and further the kindly working of it: which cannot be done unless it give way unto, yea, stir up godly sorrow, and wrestle painfully to drive out such corruptions, as God would have removed by them. During battle the Soldier must exercise his skill, valour and strength in repelling, subduing, and pursuing the enemy: his refreshing comes when the fight is ended, and the spoil divided. In the days of affliction faith is conflicting with doubts, allurements, corruptions which show themselves; if we do not feel those sweet comforts of the spirit, that our souls desire, let us wait with patience, till the victory be obtained.
Fourthly, If want of spirituall refreshings doth trouble and breed scruple in vs, we must remember that Physicke purgatiue and restoratiue must not bee t•ken at one and the same time: To admit of sorrowes, but on condition that spirituall consolation should drowne the feeling thereof, is as it were to wish sufferings without suffering When God ministreth for the preseruation or recouerie of ⟨p. 353⟩spirituall health, it is the office of faith to receiue the potion, and further the kindly working of it: which cannot bee done vnlesse it giue way vnto, yea, stirre vp godly sorrow, and wrestle painfully to driue out such corruptions, as God would haue remooued by them. During battell the Souldier must exercise his skill, valour and strength in repelling, subduing, and pursuing the enemie: his refreshing comes when the fight is ended, and the spoile diuided. In the dayes of affliction faith is conflicting with doubts, allurements, corruptions which shew themselues; if wee doe not feele those sweet comforts of the spirit, that our soules desire, let vs waite with patience, till the victorie be obtained.
First, Lay open our sorrows before the LORD, and pour out our complaint into his bosom. Lord, how am I beset with miseries? 1How do my sorrows increase daily? I am the man that have seen affliction by the rod of thine anger. 2Thou hast brought me into darkness, but not into light. My heart fainteth, my strength faileth, my skin is made old, 3my sight waxeth dim, and all my bones are out of joint. Thou hast hedged me about that I cannot get out, and made my chain heavy. My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my stroke, and my neighbours stand afar off. 4But they that seek my hurt do multiply, they speak mischievous things, and imagine deceit all the day long. I am the reproach of men, the despised of the people, 5the song of the Drunkards. False witnesses are risen up against me, who lay to my charge things I never knew, and tear me in pieces with their continual slanders. In mine adversity they rejoice, they gather themselves together against me, 6th•y revile without ceasing: they open their mouths wide ⟨p. 354⟩against me, 7and spare not to blaspheme thy Name. As with a sword in my bones mine enemies reproach me, while they say daily unto me, where is thy God. Lord, all this is come upon me, and yet thou standest afar off, and hidest thy self from my trouble. 8I cry unto thee, but thou hearest not; thou coverest thy self with a cloud that my prayers should not ascend.
First, Lay open our sorrowes before the LORD, and powre out our complaint into his bosome. Lord, how am I beset with miseries? 1How doe my sorrowes increase daily? I am the man that haue seene affliction by the rod of thine anger. 2Thou hast brought mee into darknesse, but not into light. My heart fainteth, my strength faileth, my skinne is made old, 3my sight wax•th dimme, and all my bones are out of ioynt. Thou hast hedged me about that I cannot get out, and made my chaine heauy. My louers and my friends stand aloofe from my stroke, and my neighbours stand afarre off. 4But they that seeke my hurt doe multiply, they speake mischieuous things, and imagine deceit all the day long. I am the reproach of men, the despised of the people, 5the song of the Drunkards. False witnesses are risen vp against me, who lay to my charge things I neuer knew, and teare mee in pieces with their continuall slanders. In mine aduersitie they reioyce, they gather themselus together against me, 6th•y reuile without ceasing: they open their mouthes wide ⟨p. 354⟩against me, 7and spare not to blaspheme thy Name. As with a sword in my bones mine enemies reproach me, while they say daily vnto me, where is thy God. Lord, all this is come vpon me, and yet thou standest afarre off, and hidest thy selfe from my trouble. 8I cry vnto thee, but thou hearest not; thou couerest thy selfe with a cloud that my prayers should not ascend.
Secondly, Confess our sins with hatred and godly sorrow. The disquietness of my heart, and trouble of my flesh ariseth from my sin:1 I will therefore declare mine iniquity, I will be sorry f•r my sin: I will acknowledge my sel•e guilty before the Lord.2 For innumerable evils have compassed me about, mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up: they are more then the hairs of my head, therefore my heart fail th me. 3I have sinned, and rebelled, and thou hast not spared. Lo, I have sinned, I hau• done wickedly, I have sinned greatly, I have done very foolishly. Behold, 4I am vile, what shall I answer thee? I will lay my hand upon my mouth. I abhor my self, and repent in dust and ashes.
Secondly, Confesse our sinnes with hatred and godly sorrow. The disquietnesse of my heart, and trouble of my flesh ariseth from my sinne:1 I will therefore declare mine iniquity, I will bee sorry f•r my sinne: I will acknowledge my sel•e guiltie before the Lord.2 For innumerable euils haue compassed me about, mine iniquities haue taken hold vpon me, so that I am not able to looke vp: they are more then the haires of my head, therefore my heart fail th me. 3I haue sinned, and rebelled, and thou hast not spared. Loe, I haue sinned, I hau• done wickedly, I haue sinned greatly, I haue done very foolishly. Behold, 4I am vile, what shall I answere thee? I will lay my hand vpon my mouth. I abhorre my selfe, and repent in dust and ashes.
Thirdly, Take up our hea•ts for halting through unbelief, and call upon them to rest in the promise of divine aide,1 assistance and deliverance. Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my he less shall compass me about? When the mighty man doth boast himself in mischief? 2The loving kindness of the Lord endureth at all times. 3He will not forsake his Saints although they be afflicted for a season. God is my refuge, who hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant, and will draw near for my deliverance, and mak• h•ste for my help, when sorrows environ on every side When all succour fails,4 he careth for my soul: When my spirit is contrite, and my heart within me desolate, he is at my right hand to sustain,5 yea, to save my soul. He will hide his merciful-Saint, until the calamity be ⟨p. 355⟩over-past. I am poor and needy, 6yet the Lord thinketh on me: I am sunk deep into the mire and clay, but his hand shall pluck me up, he will set me be•ore his face for ever. Marvellous things hath he wrought for his people in former times. He• turned the Sea into dry land,7 and made way for them through the midst thereof. He led them through fire and water, and by a stretched out arm brought them into a wealthy place.8 Is not our God from Everlasting, the Holy One, the same for Ever? His power is infinite, his goodness incomprehensible, his love as great towards his Saints now as ever heretofore. He will send down from Heaven to save me, he will deliver me out of many waters.9 When I am hemmed in on every side, the Lord will provide some way for my escape: for he can do more then I am able to conceive or think.10 Thou who hast showed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth. When I was enclosed in the womb, my distress and danger was great, my strength weak, my condition hopeless:11 nevertheless I was saved by thy power, and by thy providence was brought alive into this world: and should I now doubt of thy help and mercy, because in likelihood I cannot see them? My flesh and my heart faileth: 12but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. The depths of misery are the Lords fittest seasons to rescue his afflicted ones. Merciless men will show compassion in great extremity: and shall not the Lord;
Thirdly, Take vp our hea•ts for halting through vnbelie•e, and call vpon them to rest in the promise of diuine aide,1 assistance and deliuerance. Wherefore should I feare in the dayes of euill, when the iniquitie of my he les shall compasse mee about? When the mightie man doth boast himselfe in mischiefe? 2The louing kindnesse of the Lord endureth at all times. 3Hee will not forsake his Saints although they bee afflicted for a season. God is my refuge, who hath pleasure in the prosperitie of his s•ruant, and will draw neere for my deliuerance, and mak• h•ste for my helpe, when sorrowes enuiron on euery side When all succour failes,4 he careth for my soule: When my spirit is contrite, and my heart within mee desolate, he is at my right hand to sustaine,5 yea, to saue my soule. He will hide his mercifull-Saint, vntill the calamitie bee ⟨p. 355⟩ouer-past. I am poore and needie, 6yet the Lord thinketh on me: I am sunke deepe into the myre and clay, but his hand shall plucke me vp, hee will set me be•ore his face for euer. Maruellous things hath hee wrought for his people in former times. He• turned the Sea into dry land,7 and made way for them through the midst thereof. He led them through fire and water, and by a stretched out arme brought th•m into a wealthy place.8 Is not our God from Euerlasting, the Holy One, the same for Euer? His power is infinite, his goodnesse incomp•ehensible, his loue as great towardes his Saints now as euer heretofore. He will send downe from Heauen to saue me, he will deliuer mee out of many waters.
Fourthly, Importune the Lord, and direct thy supplications before him.1 In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee, for thou wilt answer me. Hear me speedily, O Lord, my spirit faileth, hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. 2Cause ⟨p. 356⟩me to hear thy loving kindness in the morning, 3for in thee do I trust. Deliver me from mine enemies: I fly unto thee to hide me. Lord, how long wilt thou look upon the miseries of thy servant, 4and keep silence: rescue my soul from the destruction of the adversary, my darling from the Lions: Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, 5O Lord, let thy loving kindness and thy truth continually preserve me. Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me: O Lord, make haste to help me. O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought •fter my soul, and have not set thee before them. But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion and gracious, long-suffering and plenteous in mercy and truth: O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me, give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thy handmaid. How long Lord, 6wilt thou hide thy self for ever? shall thy wrath burn like fire? Remember thy former loving kindnesses which have been of old: remember that I am but dust, and that my days pass away like a shadow: remember the reproach of thy servant, wherewith I am reproached, of them that dwell round about; wherewith the ungodly and profane have reproached thy pure Religion, and blasphemed thy holy Name. Lord look upon mine affliction, and my tears: for I am brought very low.
Four•hly, Importune the Lord, and direct thy supplications before him.1 In the day of my trouble I will call vpon thee, for thou wilt answere me. Heare me speedily, O Lord, my spirit faileth, hide not thy face from me, lest I be like vnto them that goe downe into the pit. 2Cause ⟨p. 356⟩me to heare thy louing kindnesse in the morning, 3for in thee doe I trust. Deliuer mee from mine enemies: I flie vnto thee to hide me. Lord, how long wilt thou looke vpon the mis•ries of thy seruant, 4and keepe silence: rescue my soule from the destruction of the aduersarie, my darling from the Lions: Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, 5O Lord, let thy louing kindnesse and thy truth continually preserue me. Be pleased, O Lord, to deliuer me: O Lord, make haste to helpe me. O God, the proud are ris•n against me, and the assemblies of violent men haue sought •fter my soule, and haue not set thee before them. But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion and gratious, long-suffering and plenteous in mercy and truth: O turne vnto me, and haue mercy vpon me, giue thy strength vnto thy seruant, and saue the sonne of thy handmaide. How long Lord, 6wilt thou hide thy selfe for euer? shall thy wrath burne like fire? Remember thy former louing kindnesses which haue beene of old: remember that I am but dust, and that my dayes passe away like a shadow: remember the reproach of thy seruant, wherewith I am reproached, of them that dwell round about; wherewith the vngodly and prophane haue reproached thy pure Religon, and blasphemed thy holy Name. Lord look vpon mine affliction, and my teares: for I am brought very low.
Fifthly, Quicken thy resolution to trust in the Lord at all times, even when all other refuge faileth, and none shows himself for thy help.1 What time I am in trouble I will trust in God: for he shall redeem my soul. He is the God of my salvation,2 who will send deliverance to his people in the lowest extremity, and vouchsafe mercy to his chosen, above all they expect and look for,3 in most convenient season. I cried unto the Lord in the day of my calamity, and my prayer entered into his ears: therefore will I trust in him as long as I live. Lord I will wait for thy salvation, establish my heart in thy truth, that I be not moved.
Fiftly, Quicken thy resolution to trust in the Lord at all times, euen when all other refuge faileth, and none shewes himselfe for thy helpe.1 What time I am in trouble I will trust in God: for hee shall redeeme my soule. Hee is the God of my saluation,2 who will send deliuerance to his people in the lowest extremitie, and vouchsafe mercie to his chosen, aboue all they expect and looke for,3 in most conuenient season. I cried vnto the Lord in the day of my calamity, and my prayer entred into his eares: therefore will I trust in him as long as I liue. Lord I will wait for thy saluation, establish my heart in thy truth, that I be not moued.
The Lord our God knowing that earthly blessings be so necessary for the maintenance of this life, that we cannot be without them,1 hath of his infinite bounty and free grace undertaken, & promised to make competent provision for his children, that being freed from the cares and troubles of these things below, they might with greater freedom attend upon his service, and with more cheerfulness run the race of Christianity. O fear the Lord ye his Saints: 2for there is no want to them that fear him. The young Lions do lack and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. Trust in the Lord and do good, 3so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thy self also in the Lord, 4and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. The meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. The meek shall eat and be satisfied. For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he with-hold from them that walk uprightly. Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord: that walketh in his ways. 5For thou shalt eat the labour of thy hands, happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. I will abundantly bless her provision: 6I will satisfy her poor with bread. 7Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. This is that which is so oft repeated, That it may go well with thee in the land, 8which the Lord thy God giveth thee, In special the Lord promiseth length of days, Health, strength, wealth, favour, peace, ⟨p. 358⟩Joy,9 good success, safety, good Name: •nd all these not only •o the ••ghteo•s themselves, but to their children •nd posterity.10 You sh•ll walk in all the ways which the Lord your God hath commanded you, that ye m•y live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prol•ng your days in the land which you shall possess. 11W••t man is •e that desireth life: and loveth many d yes, that he may see good? Ke•pe thy tongue from evi•, and thy l•ps from speaking guile. My son forget not my law, but l t thine heart keep my Commandments: 12For length of days, and long life and peace shall they add• to thee. 13Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
THe Lord our God knowing that earthly blessings bee so necessary for the maintenance of this life, that we cannot be without them,1 hath of his infinite bountie and free grace vndertaken, & promised to make competent prouision for his children, that being freed from the cares and troubles of these things below, they might with greater freedome attend vpon his seruice, and with more chearefulnes run the race of Christianitie. O feare the Lord yee his Saints: 2for there is no want to them that feare him. The yong Lions do lack and suffer hunger: but they that seeke the Lord shall not want any good thing. Trust in the Lord and doe good, 3so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thy selfe also in the Lord, 4and he shall giue thee the desires of thine heart. The meeke shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselues in the abundance of peace. The meeke shall eate and be satisfied. For the Lord God is a sunne and shield: the Lord will giue grace and glory: no good thing will hee with-hold from them that walke vprightly. Blessed is euery one that feareth the Lord: that walketh in his wayes. 5For thou shalt eate the labour of thy hands, happy shalt thou bee, and it shall bee well with thee. I will abundantly blesse her prouision: 6I will satisfie her poore with bread. 7Seeke yee first the kingdome of God and his righteousnesse, and all these things shall be added vnto you. This is that which is so oft repeated, That it may goe well with thee in the land, 8which the Lord thy God giueth thee, In speciall the Lord promiseth length of dayes, Health, strength, wealth, fauour, peace, ⟨p. 358⟩Ioy,9 good s•cc•sse, safetie, good Name: nd all these not only o the ghteos thmselues, but to their children nd psteritie.
1God hath made many promises of earthly blessings.
By me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. With long life will I satisfy him; and show him my salvation. If thou wilt diligently hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his Commandments, 1and k••pe all his statutes, I will put none of these dis•as•s upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians, f•r I am the Lord that healeth thee. Fear the Lord and depart from evil; It shall b health to thy navel, 2and marrow to thy bones. He that wa•keth righteously, and speak th uprightly, he that de••iseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; He shall dwell on high; his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks, bread shall be given him, his waters shall be sure. 3And the inhabitant shall not s•y I am •••ke. 4The righteous shall hold on his way, and he that hath cl an hands shall be stronger and stronger. 5The Lord will give strength unto his people; •he Lord will bl•sse his people with peace. It is the Lord thy God t•at giveth thee power to g•t wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto ⟨p. 359⟩••y ••th r. Honour the Lord with thy ubstance, 6and with the first f u•ts of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with p••ntie, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. Riches and honour are with me, 7yea durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is b tter then g ld, •nd my revenue th n choice •lu•r. In the house of the righteous is much treasure. 8Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord that delighteth greatly is h•s Commandments. Wealth & ric•es sh•ll be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever. If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles: Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, 9and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks: yea, the Almighty shall be t•y def nce, and thou shalt have plenty of ••luer. 10And God is able to make all grace abound towards you, that y e always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. With all thy getting g•t understanding:
By mee thy dayes shall be mu•tiplied, and the yeares of thy life shall be increased. With long life will I satisfi• him; and shew him my saluation. If thou wilt dilig•ntly h•arken vnto the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt doe that which is right in his sig•t, and wilt giue eare to his Commandements, 1and k••pe all his statutes, I will put none of these dis•as•s vpon thee, which I haue brought vpon the Egyptians, f•r I am the Lord that healeth thee. Feare the Lord and depart from euill; It shall b health to thy nauill, 2and marrow to thy bones. He that wa•keth righte•usly, and speak th vprightly, he that de••iseth the gaine of oppr•ssions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his eares from hearing of bloud, and shutteth his eyes from seeing euill; Hee shall dwell on high; his place of defence shall be the munitions of rock•s, bread shall be giuen him, his waters shall be sure. 3And the inhabitant shall not s•y I am •••ke. 4The righteous shall hold on his way, and hee that hath cl ane hands shall bee stronger and stronger. 5The Lord will giue strength vnto his people; •he Lord will bl•sse his people with peace. It is the Lord thy God t•at giueth thee power to g•t wealth, that hee may est•blish his couenant which he sware vnto
ex•lt her, and she shall promote thee, she sh•• bring th•e to honour, 1when thou doest embrace •er She sha give to thine head an ornament of grace, a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. 2So shalt thou find favour, and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Then shalt thou walk in the way safely, 3and thy foot shall not stumble. Who so hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, 4even, the most high thy habitation. There shall no evil befall thee, ne there shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. Thou shalt be hid from th• scourge of the tongue; neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh. 5At destruction & famine shalt thou laugh, neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth. And I will give peace in the land, •nd ye sha• lie down, 6and none shall make you afraid. For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the fi ld: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee When a mans ways plea e the Lord, 7he maketh even ⟨p. 360⟩his enemies to be at peace with him. 8Them that honour me. I will honour. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgement as the noon day. The wise shall inherit glory. 9The memory of the Just is blessed; the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He that regardeth reproof shall be honoured. Blessings are upon the head of the Just; and whatsoever he doth shall prosper. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord &c, his seed shall be mighty upon earth, the generation of the upright shall be blessed. 10What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. His soul shall dwell at ease, 11and his seed shall inherit the earth. Though hand join, in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. 12In the fear of the Lord, is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. The Just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
ex•lt her, and shee shall promote thee, shee sh•• bring th•e to honour, 1when thou doest embrace •er Shee sha giue to thine head an ornament of grace, a crown of glory shall shee deliuer to thee. 2So shalt thou finde fauour, and good vnderstanding in the sight of God and man. Then shalt thou walke in the way safely, 3and thy foote shall not stumbl•. Who so heark•neth vnto mee shall dwell safely, and shall bee quiet from feare of eui•l. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, 4euen, the most high thy habitation. There shall no eui•l befall thee, ne ther shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. Thou shalt be hid from th• scourge of the tongue; n•ither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it commeth. 5At destruction & famine shalt thou laugh, neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth. And I will giu• peace in the land, •nd ye sha• lie downe, 6and none shall make you •fraid. For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the fi ld: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee When a mans wayes plea e the Lord, 7hee maketh euen ⟨p. 360⟩his enemies to be at peace with him. 8
1These and such like be the promises concerning temporal blessings, which God of his infinite grace and love hath made to the faithful and their posterity, that we might live by faith, quietly submitting our selves to the good pleasure of God in these things, and expecting from him in due season such relief as shall be most expedient.
1These and such like be the promises concerning temporall blessings, which God of his infinite grace and loue hath made to the faithfull and their posterity, that we might liue by faith, quietly submitting our selues to the good pleasure of God in these things, and expecting from him in due season such reliefe as shall bee most expedi•nt.
1First, This is necessary; for faith in these promises doth kill covetous desires, distrustful and distracting ears. Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have. For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Man is privy to his want of blessings,2 and will never cease with excessive care, diligence and vexation to hunt after them, till he come to know that God will provide for him. When one hath great friends, which they are known to lean upon, we say of them, Such need take no care, they know such and such will see to them. On the contrary, come to one who knows no end of toiling and ⟨p. 361⟩caring, ask him, why will you thus tyre your self out? He will answer, I must needs do it, I have none but my self to trust to.3 So Christ followeth his Disciples carefulness to this door, their unbelief, which did not let them consider our heavenly Father cared for them. No present estate, (though never so great) can free the heart from distraction,4 because it is subject to decay and vanish: we shall never cast the burden of care off our own shoulders, till we learn by faith to cast it upon the Lord, whose eye is over us for good.
1First, This is necessary; for faith in these promises doth kill couetous desires, distrustfull and distracting eares. Let your conuersation bee without couetousnesse; and be content with such things as yee haue. For he hath saide, I will neuer leaue thee, nor forsake thee. Man is priuie to his want of blessings,2 and will neuer cease with excessiue care, deligence and vexation to hunt after them, till hee come to knowe that God will prouide for him. When one hath great friends, which they are knowne to leane vpon, wee say of them, Such neede take no care, they know such and such will see to them. On the contrarie, come to one who knowes no end of toyling and ⟨p. 361⟩caring, aske him, why will you thus tyre your selfe out? He will answere, I must needs doe it, I haue none but my selfe to trust to.3 So Christ followeth his Disciples carefulnesse to this doore, their vnbeliefe, which did not let them consider our heauenly Father cared for them. No present estate, (though neuer so great) can free the heart from distraction,4 because it is subiect to decay and vanish: wee shall neuer cast the burden of care off our owne shoulders, till we learne by faith to cast it vpon the Lord, whose eye is ouer vs for good.
1It is necessary to believe those promised.It is necessary to belieue those promised.
Thou who hast shewed mee great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me againe, and shalt bring me vp againe from the depths of the earth. When I was inclosed in the wombe, my distresse and danger was great, my strength weake, my condition hopelesse:
neuerthelesse I was saued by thy power, and by thy prouidence was brought aliue into this world: and should I now doubt of thy helpe and mercy, because in likelihood I cannot see them? My flesh and my heart faileth:
but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for euer. The depths of miserie are the Lords fittest seasons to rescue his afflicted ones. Mercilesse men will shew compassion in great extremitie: and shall not the Lord;
You sh•ll walke in all the wayes which the Lord your God hath commanded you, that yee m•y liue, and that it may be well with you, and that yee may prol•ng your dayes in the land which you shall poss•sse.
W••t man is •e that desireth life: and loueth many d yes, that he may see good? Ke•pe thy tongue from eui•, and thy l•ps from speaking guile. My sonne forget not my law, but l t thine heart keepe my Commandements:
and with the first f u•ts of all thine increase: So shall thy barnes be filled with p••ntie, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. Riches and honour are with me,
yea durable riches and righteousnesse. My fruite is b tter then g ld, •nd my reuenue th n choyse •lu•r. In the house of the right••us is much treasure.
Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord that delighteth greatly is h•s Commaundements. W•alth & ric•es sh•ll be in his house: and his righteousn•s endur•th for euer. If thou r•turne to the Almightie, thou shalt be built vp, thou shalt put away iniquitie far from thy t•bernacles: Then shalt thou lay vp gold as dust,
And God is able to make all grace abound towards you, that y e alwayes hauing all sufficience in all things, may abound to euery good worke. With all thy getting g•t vnderstanding:
Them that honour me. I will honour. And he shall bring forth thy righteousnesse as the light, and thy iudgement as the noone day. The wise shall inherite glory.
The memory of the Iust is blessed; the righteous shall be in euerlasting remembrance. Hee that regardeth reproofe shall bee honoured. Blessings are vpon the head of the Iust; and whatsoeuer he doth shall prosper. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord &c, his seed shall be mightie vpon earth, the generation of the vpright shall be blessed.
and his seede shall inherite the earth. Though hand ioyne, in hand, the wicked shall not bee vnpunished but the seede of the righteous shall bee deliuered.
In the feare of the Lord, is strong confidence: and his children shall haue a place of refuge. The Iust man walketh in his integritie: his children are blessed after him.
