A03064:654
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.
Fifthly, It encourageth to the most difficult, painful and (in the worlds esteem) disgraceful works of our callings. Distrust breeds niceness, fear and sluggishness:1 faith produceth hardiness, valour, and activity: for it assures of divine protection and good success: Pride makes men ashamed of many things, which in the world be matters of disgrace: but faith witnesseth, that the truest honour is to be Gods servant,2 and the greatest glory to do whatsoever the Lord requireth at our hands. By faith Noah prepareth the Ark, let the men of the old world mock their fill. By faith Judah goeth up to fight the Lords battles,3 whatsoever danger appear in the voyage. Faith bringeth Abraham from his native country, and his fathers house to sojourn in a strange land, when he is called of the Lord.4 Faith maketh John the Baptist bold to tell Herod plainly, that it is not lawful for him to have his brothers wife, let him take it as he please. Corruption will suggest, such a thing beseemeth not a man of my place, breeding, bringing up; it would be taken ill, might procure displeasure, trouble, disgrace, & danger: but faith looketh to the word of God, and if it be a duty required encourageth to set about it with speed, referring the issue and event to him that hath commanded it, and esteemeth it the greatest credit to do the will and pleasure of the Lord.
Fifthly, It incourageth to the most difficult, painfull and (in the worlds esteeme) disgracefull workes of our callings. Distrust breeds nicenesse, feare and sluggishnes:1 faith produceth hardines, valour, and actiuitie: for it assures of diuine protection and good successe: Pride makes men ashamed of many things, which in the world be matters of disgrace: but faith witnesseth, that the truest honour is to be Gods seruant,2 and the greatest glory to do whatsoeuer the Lord requireth at our hands. By faith Noah prepareth the Arke, let the men of the old world mocke their fill. By faith Iudah goeth vp to fight the Lords battels,