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…

Sixthly, In prosperity it keeps the heart in an holy temper and disposition; (scil.) in humility and meekness, free from carnal confidence and pride; and in tenderness and compassion towards them that be in misery, specially the Church, if she be in heaviness. For the blessings of God embraced by faith set an impression upon the soul, answerable to those properties in him from whence they flow. What he gives in grace doth work the heart to humility and tender commiseration.¹ Faith hath learned that power is o• God, and that all his gifts are freely bestowed of mercy, without desert;² but mercy received doth both humble and mollify the heart. The godly man having obtained mercy and grace from God, is again holy, pious, kin• and merciful to others. It is the commandment of God,³ Thou shalt not make strong thy heart, nor shut up the bowels of compassion from thy needy brother: But evermore the frame of a believing heart is correspondent to the will and pleasure of God: for faith sets the stamp and Image of God upon the soul▪ Moreover, it disposeth the heart to thankfulness and obedience: for it disposeth spiritual emptiness, which giveth a sweet r•l•••h to the mercies of God: and excluding all boasting in o•r selves, stirreth up to glory in the Lord, and willingly t• devote our selves unto his service, from whom we hau• received whatsoever we enjoy.⁴ What shall ⟨p. 370⟩I render to the Lord for all his mercies towards me? I will take the cup of salvation and call upon th• Name of the Lord. Men look for thanks for a small kindness; for a token, a dinner, if they write but a letter, speak a word, take a journey in our behalf: Faith reads the name of God in all his mercies, and seriously calleth them to remembrance, what then can it do less then magnify the Name of God for all his goodness? The mercies of God to a believing heart, are as manure to sound and good soil, which makes it more fertile. Satan himself will confess, that God is specially to be served in the days of prosperity,