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…

The last act then of Faith is that reflexive act, whereby a man knoweth his own Faith and Knowledge of Christ, which is the assurance of faith upon which the joy and peace of a Christian doth principally depend; and hath its several differences and degrees according to the evidence and clearness of that reflection. As beauty is more distinctly rendered in a clear, then in a dim and disturbed glass; so is comfort more distinct and evident according to the proportions of evidence and assurance in faith. So then to conclude with this general rule; according as the habits of faith are more firm and radicated; the acts more strong, constant and evident; the conquests and experiences more frequent and successful; so are the properties more evident and conspicuous. For the measure and magnitude of a proper passion and effect, doth ever follow the perfection of the nature and cause whence it proceeds: And therefore every man as he tenders either the love and obedience he owes to God, or the comfort he desires in himself to enjoy, must labour to attain the highest pitch of Faith, and still with Saint Paul to grow in the knowledge of him and his resurrection and sufferings. So then upon these premises the heart is to examine it self touching the truth of faith in it. Do I love all divine truth, not because it is proportionable to my desires, but conformable unto God who is the Author of it? Can I in all estates without murmuring, impatience, or rebellion, cast my self upon Gods mercy, and trust in Him though He should kill me? Do I wholly renounce all self confidence and dependence, all worthiness or concurrence of my self to righteousness? Can I willingly, and in the truth and sincerity of my heart, own all shame and condemnation, and acquit God as most righteous and holy if He should reject me? Do I not build either my ⟨p. 516⟩hopes or fears upon the faces of men, nor make either them or my self the rule or end of my desires? Do I yield and seriously endeavour an universal obedience unto all. Gods law, and that in the whole extent and latitude thereof, without any allowance, exception, or reservation? Is not my obedience mercenary, but sincere?

The last act then of Faith is that reflexive act, whereby a man knoweth his owne Faith and Knowledge of Christ, which is the assurance of faith upon which the joy and peace of a Christian doth principally depend; and hath its severall differences and degrees according to the evidence and cleerenesse of that reflection. As beautie is more distinctly rendered in a cleere, then in a dimme and disturbed glasse; so is comfort more distinct and evident according to the proportions of evidence and assurance in faith. So then to conclude with this generall rule; according as the habits of faith are more firme and radicated; the acts more strong, constant and evident; the conquests and experiences more frequent and successefull; so are the properties more evident and conspicuous. For the measure and magnitude of a proper passion and effect, doth ever follow the perfection of the nature and cause whence it proceedes: And therefore every man as he tenders either the love and obedience he owes to God, or the comfort he desires in himselfe to enjoy, must labour to attaine the highest pitch of Faith, and still with Saint Paul to grow in the knowledge of him and his resurrection and sufferings. So then upon these premises the heart is to examine it selfe touching the truth of faith in it. Doe I love all divine truth, not because it is proportionable to my desires, but conformable unto God who is the Author of it? Can I in all estates without murmuring, impatiencie, or rebellion, cast my selfe upon Gods mercie, and trust in Him though He should kill me? Doe I wholly renounce all selfe confidence and dependance, all worthinesse or concurrence of my selfe to righteousnesse? Can I willingly, and in the truth and sinceritie of my heart, owne all shame and condemnation, and acquit God as most righteous and holy if He should reject me? Doe I not build either my