But admit it be hard, as it is indeed so to flesh and blood, to which every good course is irksome; yet consider, that the first point in Christianity is to deny our selves, and to go to Christ, always knowing that whatsoever the first Adam lost, the second Adam Christ Jesus hath it for thee. N•w Christ, he hath bidden thee to take upon thee his yo•k, and that is part of it, even this conquering and triumphing faith, and whatsoever belongs to Christs yoke it is easy. John 14 1. Ye believe in God, believe also in me, saith Christ, where he commands thee to believe; and Mat. 11. 28. Christ calls thee to come to him if thou be heavy laden, and weary of thy sins. Why shouldst thou then fear any thing, when he can make all things easy to thee? Go therefore to God in Christs Name, he hath promised to give thee above all thou ⟨p. 170⟩canst ask or think: This conceit of difficulty in obtaining such a faith, it belongs only to sluggish and slothful Christians, who yet notwithstanding for the things of this world will sit up all night, and ride and run through thick and thin. Be not thou less careful and diligent for thy soul, this faith, this excellent thing, will quit all thy pains if thou dealest not in thine own wisdom and strength, but goest out of thy self and seekest it of Christ, which if thou doest, then shalt thou find it no hard thing, but easy, because God will give it thee in the use of the means, if thou be constant therein. Let not therefore this misconceit by any means hinder thee.
But admit it be hard, as it is indeed so to flesh and blood, to which every good course is irksom; yet consider, that the first point in Christianity is to deny our selves, and to go to Christ, alwayes knowing that whatsover the first Adam lost, the second Adam Christ Jesus hath it for thee. N•w Christ, he hath bidden thee to take upon thee his yo•k, and that is part of it, even this conquering and triumphing faith, and whatsoever belongs to Christs yoak it is easie. Iohn 14 1. Ye believe in God, believe also in me, saith Christ, where he commands thee to believe; and Mat. 11. 28. Christ calls thee to come to him if thou be heavy laden, and weary of thy sins. Why shouldst thou then fear any thing, when he can make all things easie to thee? Go therefore to God in Christs Name, he hath promised to give thee above all thou ⟨p. 170⟩canst ask or think: This conceit of difficulty in obtaining such a faith, it belongs onely to sluggish and slothsul Christians, who yet notwithstanding for the things of this world will sit up all night, and ride and run through thick and thin. Be not thou less careful and diligent for thy soul, this faith, this excellent thing, will quit all thy pains if thou dealest not in thine own wisdom and strength, but goest out of thy self and seekest it of Christ, which if thou doest, then shalt thou find it no hard thing, but easie, because God will give it thee in the use of the means, if thou be constant therein. Let not therefore this misconceit by any means hinder thee.
