A Golden Chain

Now to proceed further: first we are to consider, how faith is wrought: secondly, what be the differences of it. For the first, faith is wrought in and by the outward ministry of the Gospel, accompanied by the inward operation of the spirit, and that not suddenly, but by certain steps and degrees: as nature frameth the body of the infant in the mothers womb, 1. by making the brain and heart, 2. by making veins, sinews, arteries, bones: 3. by adding flesh to them all. And the whole operation of the spirit stands in two principal actions. First, the enlightening of the mind: the second, the moving of the will. For the first, the holy Ghost enlightens mens minds with a further knowledge of the law then nature can afford; and thereby makes them to see the sins of their hearts and lives with the ugliness thereof, and withal to tremble at the curse of the law. Afterward the same spirit opens the eye to understand and consider seriously of righteousness and life eternal promised in Christ. This done, then comes the second work of the holy ghost, which is the inflaming of the will, that a man having considered his fearful estate by reason of sin, and the benefits of Christs death, might hunger after Christ; and have a desire not so much to have the punishments of sin taken away, as Gods displeasure: and also might enjoy the benefits of Christ. And when he ⟨p. 193⟩hath stirred up a man to desire reconciliation with god in Christ, then withal he gives him grace to pray not only for life eternal, but especially for the free remission and pardon of all his sins: and then the Lords promise is,¹ Knock and it shall be opened, seek and ye shall find. After which he further sends his spirit into the same heart that desireth reconciliation with God, and remission of sins in Christ; and doth seal up the same in his heart by a lively and plentiful assurance thereof.

Now to proceede further: first we are to consider, how faith is wrought: secondly, what be the differences of it. For the first, faith is wrought in and by the outward ministerie of the Gospell, accompanied by the inward operation of the spirit, and that not suddenly, but by certaine steps and degrees: as nature frameth the bodie of the infant in the mothers wombe, 1. by making the brain and heart, 2. by making veines, sinewes, arteries, bones: 3. by adding flesh to them all. And the whole operation of the spirit stands in two principall actions. First, the enlightening of the minde: the second, the moouing of the will. For the first, the holy Ghost inlightens mens minds with a further knowledge of the law then nature can affoard; and thereby makes them to see the sinnes of their hearts and liues with the ouglines thereof, and withall to tremble at the curse of the law. Afterward the same spirit opens the eye to vnderstand and consider seriously of righteousnes and life eternall promised in Christ. This done, then comes the second worke of the holy ghost, which is the inflaming of the will, that a man hauing considered his fearefull estate by reason of sinne, and the benefits of Christs death, might hunger after Christ; and haue a desire not so much to haue the punishments of sinne taken away, as Gods displeasure: and also might enioy the benefits of Christ. And when he