Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity…

First, You must let go all that is in your hands before.

Secondly, You must lay hold on the thing offered, so in faith, first, there is an emptying quality where by a man is made empty of all that is in himself, he must forgo father and mother, and pleasures and profits, and all to receive Christ: Secondly, there is an apprehending quality to lay hold on Christ, a forsaking of any thing that is precious, and a receiving of him, and a resting on him with a purpose to serve him only with a perfect heart, and a willing mind, it is true, there is much excellency and necessity in works; but faith is the well-head from whence all the streams of good works arise; And therefore faith exceedeth them, as much as the cause doth the effect, for faith is the spring of good works, the more faith the more works, where there is more oil, there is the greater flame; faith then being the cause of works, it must needs follow, that the stream cannot rise higher then the fountain.

Secondly, You must lay hold on the thing offered, so in faith, first, there is an emptying quality where by a man is made empty of all that is in himself, he must forgo father and mother, and pleasures and profits, and all to receive Christ: Secondly, there is an apprehending quality to lay hold on Christ, a forsaking of any thing that is precious, and a receiving of him, and a resting on him with a purpose to serve him onely with a perfect heart, and a willing mind, it is true, there is much excellency and necessity in works; but faith is the wel-head from whence all the streams of good works arise; And therefore faith exceedeth them, as much as the cause doth the effect, for faith is the spring of good works, the more faith the more works, where there is more oyl, there is the greater flame; faith then being the cause of works, it must needs follow, that the stream cannot rise higher then the fountain.