The Soul's Conflict with Itself

§ 1.

But for the better settling of our trust ¹in God, a further discovery is necessary then of the nature and providence of God; for though the nature of God be written in the book of the Creatures in so great letters, as he that runs may read; and though the providence of God appears in the order and use of things; yet there is another book whereby to know the will of God towards us, and our duty towards him: We must ⟨p. 296⟩therefore have a knowledge of the promises of God, as well as of his providence; for though God hath discovered himself most graciously in Christ unto us, yet had we not a word of promise, we could not have the boldness to build upon Christ himself; therefore from the same grounds (that there is a God) there must be a revealing of the will of God, for else we can never have any firm trust in him further then he offers himself to be trusted; Therefore hath God opened his heart to us in his word, and reached out so many sweet promises for us to lay hold on, and stooped so low, (by gracious condescending mixed with authority) as to enter into a covenant with us to perform all things for our good: for Promises are (as it were) the stay of the soul in an imperfect condition, and so is faith in them, until all promises shall end in performance, and faith in sight, and hope in possession.

BUt for the better setling of our trust ¹in God, a further discovery is necessary then of the nature and providence of God; for though the nature of God be written in the book of the Creatures in so great letters, as hee that runs may reade; and though the providence of God appeares in the order and use of things; yet there is another booke whereby to know the will of God towards us, and our duty towards him: We must ⟨p. 296⟩