Also upon the same, 1. chap. in his short treatise of faith, page. 34. Faith, although it be infirm, even in the Saints, and therefore also (more to be lamented) they do commit the more sins, as every where both the old and new Testament do testify, and examples too evident do declare, as in Peter, David, and others; yet doth it not suffer him, who is therewith endued, utterly to lie under as ⟨p. 267⟩surprised. He trieth our faith, but yet for this purpose, that we may understand how much imperfection is always intermixed in us. Hence are are afflictions; and from thence these voices in the Psalm. O God hast thou forgotten me? hast thou forsaken me? From hence it fell out that Peter by the Damsel was assaulted and afflicted with the batterings of temptation, but yet he fell not for ever, for that God put under his hand. For God doth always sport his Elect, that at last he shall swim out, and break through, for the gifts and calling of God is without repentance. And what shall we say to these things. If GOD be on our side, who shall be against us? which words of Paul are not to be understood of some, but of all Gods elect. And God doth solace us against this debility of faith by the mighty power of Christ, whereby he beareth rule over all, and hath dominion over death and sin. For he verily died, but he rose again, death being subdued ⟨p. 268⟩he ascended to the Father, sitteth at his right hand, maketh intercession for us; and let all the Elect apply these things to themselves, and say, He arose for me. &c. And seeing he is our head, he shall ••relie quicken us, and confirm us; neither can he derelinquish the duty of a true head. For we live for his sake, which loved us; therefore we live not for our own love. Without doubt ours is required, but it is imperfect, and cannot uphold the hope of life eternal. Therefore that our hope might be certain, the cause of our life is settled in him, not in us. And therefore whatsoever excuse is alleged touching uncertainty of faith, whatsoever commanded and delivered, is utterly impious and blasphemous against the might, amplenesses, majesty, and love, and dispensation of Christ, and doth overturn all faith, and authority of the word: which Paul presseth, Rom. 8. and every where else.
Also vpon the same, 1. chap. in his short treatise of faith, page. 34. Faith, although it bee infirme, euen in the Saints, and therfore also (more to be lamented) they do commit the more sinnes, as euery where both the old and new Testament doe testifie, and examples too euident doe declare, as in Peter, Dauid, and others; yet doth it not suffer him, who is therewith endued, vtterlie to lie vnder as ⟨p. 267⟩surprised. He trieth our faith, but yet for this purpose, that wee may vnderstand how much imperfection is alwaies intermixed in vs. Hence are are afflictions; and from thence these voices in the Psalm. O God hast thou forgotten mee? hast thou forsaken mee? From hence it fell out that Peter by the Damsell was assalted and afflicted with the batterings of temptation, but yet he fell not for euer, for that God put vnder his hand. For God doth alwaies sppport his Elect, that at last he shall swimme out, and break through, for the gifts and calling of God is without repentance. And what shall wee say to these things. If GOD be on our side, who shalbe against vs? which words of Paul are not to be vnderstood of some, but of al Gods elect. And God doth solace vs against this debility of faith by the mightie power of Christ, whereby hee beareth rule ouer all, and hath dominion ouer death and sinne. For he verily died, but he rose againe, death being subdued ⟨p. 268⟩hee ascended to the Father, sitteth at his right hand, maketh intercession for vs; and let all the Elect applie these things to themselues, and say, Hee arose for mee. &c. And seeing he is our head, he shall ••relie quicken vs, and confirme vs; neither can hee derelinquish the duty of a true head. For we liue for his sake, which loued vs; therefore wee liue not for our owne loue. Without doubt ours is required, but it is imperfect, and cannot vphold the hope of life aeternall. Therefore that our hope might be certaine, the cause of our life is setled in him, not in vs. And therefore whatsoeuer excuse is alleadged touching vncertaintie of faith, whatsoeuer commaunded and deliuered, is vtterlie impious and blasphemous against the might, amplenesses, maiestie, and loue, and dispensation of Christ, and doth o•erturne all faith, and authoritie of the word: which Paul presseth, Rom. 8. and euerie where else.
