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…

Fourthly, It giveth the heart close to the word, receiveth and possesseth the good things promised, and changeth the disposition of soul into the nature of the word.¹ Faith followeth hard after the word till it be made our own, and its lively Character stamped upon the soul: It feedeth upon every part of the word, getteth interest in every promise, •nd sucketh vigour and juice out of it. By faith we st••k• close unto the word, and the word ⟨p. 418⟩doth stick, or is ingra••ed into us. And to the end we might possess the pearl of the Gospel, and be seasoned with the doctrine of grace throughly, faith renounceth all interest in the lusts of the flesh, and things of this life. It earnestly pondereth and meditateth upon the great things of the law, to work the heart to an holy esteem of the excellent and heavenly things contained in it, and to a gracious affectation to every duty therein required. And it importuneth the Lord by true prayer, without hypocritical halting or starting aside, that he would be pleased to write his law in our hearts, and keep us steadfast unto him, that we may never depart from his fear. For by faith we cleave fast unto God; but it is God that knitteth us unto himself:² As the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I tied unto me the whole house of Israel, that they might be my people.

Fourthly, It giu•th the heart close to the word, receiueth and possesseth the good things promised, and changeth the disposition of soule into the nature of the word.¹ Faith followeth hard after the word till it be made our owne, and its liuely Character stamped vpon the soule: It feedeth vpon euery part of the word, getteth interest in euery promise, •nd sucketh vigour and iuyce out of it. By faith wee stk close vnto the word, and the word