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…

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 fith 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 prswadd to obey, but went away sorrowful.