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…

§. 3. Moreover, Justifying faith is an obediential confidence,¹ or affiance conjoined with affection of piety, simply and in comparison cleaving to the mercy of God in Jesus Christ as better then life, and to the Commandments of God as necessary, good, worthy to be stuck unto, not only whilst considered in themselves, or in general, or without such encumbrances and occurrences as do often interpose or hinder practice: but even whilst actually compared with present loss of any sensual good thing, or infliction of any temporal evil, wherewith the World, the Devil, or the Flesh, can oppose their price. That faith is an affiance or resting upon the promises, appeareth by the several words used to express the nature of that faith or belief, which the Lord requireth of his people, to the end they might receive any blessing from him, or have his protection or assistance. The first word is translated Believe, ²but signifieth such a belief as is opposed to fainting: I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. And it implieth trust in the Word of God as sure and stable: it is sometimes translated steadfast or constant, ³and expounded by trust: They believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation. The second word is opposed to feebleness of Mind, fear and doubt, and imports^a to ⟨p. 26⟩trust securely: ⁵I will trust, and not be afraid. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed trusting in the Lord. They that trust in the Lord, shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. The third is rendered to trust, but signifieth to betake himself to one as to his b castle or hiding place. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him; How excellent is thy loving kindness, O Lord, therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust. The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall trust in him. The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble, and he knoweth them that trust in him. Hence God is called our protection or hiding place, to which we may fly in trouble, and find shelter: