Secondly, It c•rbes and bridles inordinate passions▪ and overcomes •ll impediments, temptations, difficulties ⟨p. 387⟩and allurements to the contrary.1 This is the victory whereby we overcome the world, even our faith. For faith being well-rooted, possessing the heart, and having its force united by close reposal therein, commands every delight, affection, or pleasure of our souls, and breaks the violence of every inclination contrary to such motion as it suggests; seeing no hopes can be equal to the reward which it proposeth to the constant and resolute, no fears comparable to the terrors which it represents to the negligent or slothful followers of such courses as it prescribes. What?2 that faith sets an inestimable price upon the pearl of the Gospel, accounting all other things as dross an• dung in comparison, which causeth a free and advised renouncing of all interest in the world, the flesh,3 •nd all their appurtenances, for assurance of it, with as great willingness as good husbands fors•ke base tenements, and hard-rented leases, to compass some goodly royalty and large possessions, offered them more then half for nothing. Again, faith fighteth against temptations and enticements unto sin by the power of Christ, which cannot be vanquished. Satan and the world are too strong for us, standing in our own might: but by the grace of God, le•ning upon his power, we remain invincible. The strength of nature is corrupt, feeble, and defiled through sin; and therefore the truth which it taketh hold off, it hath not effectually. But faith hath joined with it the inspiration of God, and the power of the holy Ghost, and therefore it taketh hold of the truth effectually. Wherefore this difference is not in the truth it •elfe, but in the mean and instrument whereby we embrace it. Hereof it cometh, that by f•ith we are changed, but in the other case we remain the self-same that we were before. A clear testimony of this we h ue in th• Gospel. Christ set forth to the young-man, what he should do to obtain salvation: but when he heard, he was not p•rswad•d to obey, but went away sorrowful.4 ⟨p. 388⟩Contrariwise Matthew, 5so soon as he was called, embraced the same with so great faith, that h•e left his money and Customer-ship, and straight-way followed Christ.6
Secondly, It c•rbes and bridles inordinate passions▪ and ouercomes •ll impediments, temptations, difficulties ⟨p. 387⟩and allurements to the contrarie.1 This is the victorie whereby we ouercome the world, euen our faith. For faith be•ng wel-rooted, possessing the heart, and hauing its force vnited by close reposall therein, comman•s euery delight, affection, or pleasure of our soules, and breakes the violence of euery inclination contrarie to such motion as it suggests; seeing no hopes can be equall to the reward which it proposeth to the constant and resolute, no feares compar•ble to the terrors which it represents to the negl•gent or slothfull followers of such courses as it pres•r•bes. What?2 that faith sets an inestimable price vpon the pearle of the Gospell, accounting all other things as drosse an• dung in comparison, which causeth a free and aduised renouncing of all interest in the world, the flesh,3 •nd all their appurtenances, for assurance of it, with as great willingnesse as good husbands fors•ke base tenements, and hard-rented leases, to compasse some goodly royalty and large possessions, offered them more then halfe for nothing. Againe, faith fighteth against temptations and inti•ements vnto sinne by the power of Christ, which cannot be vanquished. Satan and the world are too strong for vs, standing in our owne might: but by the grace of God, le•ning vpon his power, wee remaine inuincible. The strength of nature is corrupt, feeble, and defiled through sinne; and therefore the truth which it taketh hold off, it hath not effectually. But faith hath ioyned with it the inspiration of God, and the power of the holy Ghost, and therefore it taketh hold of the truth eff•ctually. Wherefore this difference is not in the truth it elfe, but in the meane and instrument whereby wee embrace it. Hereof it commeth, tht by fith we are changd, but in the other case we remaine the selfe-same that wee were before. A cleare testimonie of this wee h ue in th Gospell. Chrst set forth to the young-man, what he should doe to obtine saluation: but when hee heard, hee was not prswadd to obey, but went away sorrowful.
- 11. John 5.4.1. Iohn 5.4.
- 2Phil. 3.8.
- 3Math. 13.44.
- 4Math. 19.22.
- 5Math. 9.9.
- 6Luke 19.8.
