Meditations on the holy sacrament of the Lords last Supper Written many years sinceMeditations on the holy sacrament of the Lords last Supper Written many yeares since

But here before I draw down these premises to an Assumption, I will but name one caution which is this, That Faith as it may be either habitual or Actual, so it is the cause of these holy actions either habitually by framing and disposing the heart unto them, or actually, when it is it self, ⟨p. 236⟩as it ought ever to be sound, and operative. But sometimes Faith (so great is the corruption of our nature) admits of a decay, and languor, wherein it lies as it were like fire under ashes raked up, and stifled under our corruptions. Again in some there is a weaker, in some a stronger Faith, according unto which difference, there must be a difference in the measure, and magnitude of the effects. But yet it is infallibly true that all, or most of those holy fruits do in some seasons or other bud forth of that stock which is quickened by Faith, though sometimes in some men less discernible by reason of corruptions interposed. For it usually thus falleth out, that our graces are but like the Army of Gideon, a small handful whereas our corruptions are like the Midianites which lay on the ground as Grasshoppers innumerable. But yet in these God crowneth his own meanest gifts with victory, and success.

But heere before I draw downe these premises to an Assumption, I will but name one caution which is this, That Faith as it may bee either habituall or Actuall, so it is the cause of these holy actions either habitually by framing and disposing the heart unto them, or actually, when it is it selfe, ⟨p. 236⟩as it ought ever to bee sound, and operative. But sometimes Faith (so great is the corruption of our nature) admits of a decay, and languor, wherein it lies as it were like fire under ashes raked up, and stifled under our corruptions. Againe in some there is a weaker, in some a stronger Faith, according unto which difference, there must be a difference in the measure, and magnitude of the effects. But yet it is infallibly true that all, or most of those holy fruits doe in some seasons or other bud forth of that stocke which is quickned by Faith, though sometimes in some men lesse discernable by reason of corruptions interposed. For it usually thus falleth out, that our graces are but like the Army of Gedeon, a small handfull whereas our corruptions are like the Midianits which lay on the ground as Grashoppers innumerable. But yet in these God crowneth his owne meanest gists with victory, and successe.