Three treatises of the vanity of the creature. The sinfulness of sin. The life…Three treatises of the vanity of the creature. The sinfulnesse of sinne. The life…

For understanding this point, we must note that there are many acts of faith. Some direct, that look outward towards Christ, others reflexive, that look inward upon themselves. The first act of faith is that whereby a man having been formerly reduced unto extremities and impossibilities within himself, looks upon God as Omnipotent, and so able to save; as merciful, and in Christ reconcilable, and so likely to save if he be sought unto.

For understanding this point, we must note that there are many acts of faith. Some direct, that looke outward towards Christ, others reflexive, that looke inward upon themselves. The first act of faith is that whereby a man having beene formerly reduced unto extremities and impossibilities within himselfe, lookes upon God as Omnipotent, and so able to save; as mercifull, and in Christ reconcileable, and so likely to save if he be sought unto.

Hereupon grows a second act, namely a kind of exclusive resolution, to be think himself of no new ways; to trust no inferior causes for salvation, or righteousness, to sell all, to count them all dung, not to consult any more with flesh or blood, but to prepare the heart to ⟨p. 509⟩seek the Lord: To resolve as the Lepers in the famine¹ at Samaria, not to continue in the state he is in, nor yet to return to the City, to his wonted haunts and ways, where he shall be sure to perish: and from this resolution a man cannot by any discomforts be removed, or made to bethink himself of any other new way, but only that which he sees is possible and probable, and where he knows, if he find acceptance, he shall have supplies and life enough: and this act may consist with much fear, doubt, and trembling. The Syrians had food, and Samaria had none, therefore the Lepers resolve to venture abroad. Yet this they cannot do without much doubting and distrust, because the Syrians whom they should meet with were their enemies. However this resolution over-ruled them, because in their present estate, they were sure to perish, in the other there was room for hope, and possibility of living; and that carried them co Esters resolution; If we perish, we perish: such is the Act of Faith in this present case. It is well assured that in the case a man is in, there is nothing but death to be expected; therefore it makes him resolve to relinquish that. It looks upon God as plenteous in power and mercy, and so likely to save, and yet it sees him too as armed with Justice against sin, as justly provoked and wearied in his patience; and therefore may fear to be rejected, and not saved alive. Yet because in the former state there is a certainty to perish, & in the later a possibility not to perish, therefore from hence ariseth a third act, a conclusive and positive purpose to trust Christ. I will not only deny all other ways, but I will resolve to try this way, to set about it, to go to him that hath plenty of redemption and Life. If I must perish, yet He shall reject me; I will not reject my self I will go unto Him. And this act or resolution of faith is built upon these grounds.