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…

And this faith is most necessary to the leading of a Christian life,¹ scil. to adhere and stick fast unto the commandments, rest upon God for ability to do what he requireth, and that he will accept what sincere and unfeigned service, though weak and imperfect, is tendered unto his Highness. For the word of grace, which commandeth to believe the free mercy of the Lord to the pardoning of sin,² teacheth us to deny ungodliness and worldly lust, and to live godly, justly and soberly in this present evil world. Such as give up their names to Christ, must not look to be lawless; but they come to take a yo•ke upon them,³ and stand obliged to fulfil the law of Christ, called the new Commandment. Want of believing the precepts is the cause why many do still continue in the practise of divers things inconvenient, and suffer inordinate passions to hold them under. Ignorance or carelessness in this point, is the cause, why some of the better sort of people are off and on, now forward then backward, scarce settled or stayed at any time: not knowing how to set upon the practice of repentance; how to ⟨p. 382⟩begin or to proceed therein: Whereas this faith much availeth to the furthering of the dear Children of God in a godly course, the sh•ning of evil, and the practice of holiness. True faith is an obsequious confidence, which carrieth a man whither soever he sh•ll see the Lord to g•e before him.⁴ By faith H•noch walked with God; Noah builded an Ark; Abraham offered up his s•nne Isaac: Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter. Our present faith or trust in God is but commensurable to our fidelity in his Commandments: ere we can make a faithful plea for mercy, Gods will neglected must be executed, either in act, if the object be present, and may be prosecuted; or in sincere and constant resolution, if abilities and opportunities required to execution of what we resolve upon, be altogether wanting, or our endeavours upon inevitable occasions hindered.