A03064:651
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.
London: printed by William Stansby for Edward Brewster, 1631
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.
Secondly, Faith instructeth not to meddle above our knowledge, but to lean upon the living Lord, not on our skill or cunning.1 Who so trusteth in the Lord happy is he. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding: In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. It is hard for a man very skilful so to with-draw his heart and thought from his skill, as that he do not wholly rest in it: but faith, looking further then sense or reason is able, dispossesseth the heart of this carnal confidence, and fixeth it upon the Lord alone. For it acknowledgeth him only to be the fountain of all good, and persuadeth the soul, that unless it rely upon his grace, wisdom, and strength, he shall bring nothing to pass by his own wisdom, wit & cunning.2 For either he shall not effect what he endeavours, to do by the help and benefit of his skill: or if he bring it to pass, it shall not succeed or avail him to those honest uses which he intended. The race is not to to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding; nor yet favour to men of skill.
Secondly, Faith instructeth not to meddle aboue our knowledge, but to leane vpon the liuing Lord, not on our skill or cunning.1 Who so trusteth in the Lord happy is hee. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and leane not vnto thine owne vnderstanding: In all thy wayes acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy pathes. It is hard for a man very skilfull so to with-draw his heart and thought from his skill, as that he doe not wholy rest in it: but faith, looking further then sence or reason is able, dispossesseth the heart of this carnall confidence, and fixeth it vpon the Lord alone. For it acknowledgeth him onely to be the fountaine of all good, and perswadeth the soule, that vnlesse it relie vpon his grace, wisedome, and strength, he shall bring nothing to passe by his own wisedome, wit & cunning.2 For either he shall not effect what he endeauours, to doe by the helpe and benefit of his skill: or if he bring it to passe, it shall not succeed or auaile him to those honest vses which he intended. The race is not to to the swift, nor the battell to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of vnderstanding; nor yet fauour to men of skill.