The Christian warfare wherein is first generally showed the malice, power and politic stratagems…The Christian warfare wherein is first generally shewed the malice, power and politike stratagems…

§. Sect. 3 Thirdly,¹ they object that our faith is weak and feeble, and by reason thereof the faithful (appeareth by continual experience) are assaulted with doubting, and grievously shaken with Satan's temptations, so as there can be no such certainty of faith as we speak of. To which I answer, that weakness of faith is not opposed as contrary to certainty, but to strongnesse and full persuasion, and therefore weakness and certainty may well stand together. Neither do we imagine such a certainty of faith which is never shaken with doubting, nor assaulted with temptations; nay rather we teach that those whom God endues with most faith, he most exerciseth in the conflict of temptations, like a wise captain who setteth that soldier which is best armed and strongest, to bear the brunt in the forefront of the battle: and the devil is most ready to assault those who most resist him, and most violently to strike where he seeth the shield of faith held up to defend; and therefore our Saviour hath taught all his faithful children to pray, lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. But withal we affirm that though this weak faith be assaulted with Satan's temptations, yet is it never overcome; though it be opposed with doubting yet it never falleth from assurance and certain persuasion; though it be sometimes shadowed, and the shining light thereof dimmed, yea though it be for a time hid and covered, yet in it own nature it remaineth firm and steadfast; like the sun which always shineth, though oftentimes by reason of the interposition of the clouds or the earth, we cannot discern the beams thereof; or like unto the fire which being hid under the ashes doth retain his natural heat, although we feel it not: So our faith retaineth in it self ⟨p. 265⟩his certainty and assurance as it were his light and heat, when as it is shadowed with the clouds of doubting, and covered under the ashes of Satan's temptations.

§. Sect. 3 Thirdly,¹ they obiect that our faith is weake and feeble, and by reason thereof the faithfull (a•peareth by continuall experience) are assaulted with doubting, and grieuously shaken with Sathans temptations, so as there can be no such certaintie of faith as we speake of. To which I answere, that weakenesse of faith is not opposed as contrarie to certaintie, but to strongnesse and full perswasion, and therefore weakenesse and certaintie may well stand together. Neither doe we imagine such a certaintie of faith which is neuer shaken with doubting, nor assaulted with temptations; nay rather we teach that those whom God indueth with most faith, he most exerciseth in the conflict of temptations, like a wise captaine who setteth that souldier which is best armed and strongest, to beare the brunt in the forefront of the battaile: and the diuell is most readie to assault those who most resist him, and most violently to strike where he seeth the shield of faith held vp to defend; and therefore our Sauiour hath taught all his faithfull children to pray, leade vs not into temptation, but deliuer vs from euill. But withall we affirme that though this weake faith be assaulted with Sathans temptations, yet is it neuer ouercome; though it bee opposed with doubting yet it neuer falleth from assurance and certaine perswasion; though it bee sometimes shadowed, and the shining light thereof dimmed, yea though it be for a time hid and couered, yet in it owne nature it remaineth firme and stedfast; like the sunne which alwaies shineth, though oftentimes by reason of the interposition of the cloudes or the earth, we cannot discerne the beames thereof; or like vnto the fire which being hid vnder the ashes doth retaine his naturall heate, although we feele it not: So our faith retaineth in it selfe