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…

Fifthly, When we see by faith from what miseries we are delivered of the free grace and mercy of God, our hearts are enlarged in praise and thanksgiving. In distress faith poureth out supplications; when the calamity is over-past it setteth forth the goodness of the Lord, and singeth of his glory. When the Israelites were in safety on the shore, looking back upon the danger escaped, ⟨p. 438⟩when they passed through the red Sea,¹ they make a joyful noise to the God of their salvation: their songs are answerable to their fore-conceived fear. And so when the Lord brought back the captivity of Babylon, ²their mouths were filled with laughter, and their tongues with joy. The due consideration of our deserts, manifest by the threatenings contained in the Word of God, doth marvellously affect the heart with desire to publish and spread abroad the loving kindness of the Lord, when by faith in Christ we see our selves to be set free from the dreadful curses of the Law, and mercifully saved from the righteous judgement of our sins. By this which hath been said, it is manifest, that this life of faith is most excellent and comfortable, and by good proof and experience we should be able to say so, if we would be persuaded, but to take a taste of the benefit and sweetness that it bringeth. For by this faith we are directed to seek and follow after Christ,³ till we come to be assured, that he dwelleth in us as the fountain of life, and that in him we are delivered from the gilt and punishment of all our sins:⁴ whereas others, who live not by it, waver, are oft distracted, and know not where to begin the foundation of that great work, nor how to build thereon. By this faith we may come to sound rest and holy security about our salvation from time to time, enjoying the comfort of it still more and more with incredible joy: whereas others, even the best, are oft unsettled and much disquieted. If the Lord lead us into the dark, and exercise us with manifold afflictions and temptations, by this faith we are enabled to hold him by the hand, to cast our selves upon the promises of grace, and so relying upon his power, faithfulness and mercy, to promise safety unto our selves above likelihood and appearance; yea, when we feel the contrary.