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…

For after that in the wisdom of God, ¹the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. Take heed unto thy self; and unto the doctrine: continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thy self, and them that hear thee. ²Wherefore lay apart all filthiness, and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. This also is manifest of the Sacraments,³ which be truly called a visible word, because that which is spoken in the word to the ear, is in visible signs represented to our eyes, and sealed to our hearts, that we may be the more assured of them to be ours: And were purposely ordained of God to help our weak faith, that having his word and seal, we might be put out of doubt, that we shall as certainly be made partakers of Christ himself, and all his benefits, as we are of the outward signs of his covenant. What the Apostle saith of Circumcision, that is true of Sacraments in general,⁴ They are seals of the righteousness of faith, or of the covenant of grace. And for the better assurance of the believer, that receiving the outward sign as he ought, he shall be partaker of the thing signified, very oft that which properly belongs to the thing sealed, is given to the outward sign; ⟨p. 414⟩as that Baptism saveth, ⁵that our sins are washed away in Baptism; and that we are buried with Christ by Baptism: And the like of the Lords Supper, when our Lord Jesus did ordain it, he speaking of the Bread said, This is my Body, ⁶and of the Wine, This is my Blood of the New Testament. These promises are firm grounds, whereupon the faithful soul may build this affiance, that by the sincere and conscionable use of Gods holy Ordinances, the Word and Sacraments, he shall be made wise unto salvation, confirmed in faith, strengthened in grace, refreshed with joy and comfort, and perfected unto everlasting happiness. And the serious meditation and remembrance of these things, is exceeding profitable to quicken and encourage unto cheerful and constant attendance upon God in his ordinances, that so we may in due season reap the sweet fruit thereof.