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

1. Now the first of these is, That it is presumption, which is a conceit the Papists take up, and is in us all, ¹so far as we are naturally Popish; we think this faith is but a presumption, yet this is but a mere conceit, for if we have faith, it assures us through Christ, that nothing can destroy us. All presumption, is either upon a mans own merit, or Gods mercies (as Divines acknowledge.) Now that faith doth neither of these it is plain; for he first that knows Christ according to his Word, lays hold on Christs merits, and Gods mercy in him, and so applies and rests thereupon before God, labouring to bring forth fruit, and so is assured of Gods love. And this is no presumption, for he relies not upon his own merits, but Christs.

1. Now the first of these is, That it is presumption, which is a conceit the Papists take up, and is in us all, ¹so far as we are naturally Popish; we think this faith is but a presumption, yet this is but a meer conceit, for if we have faith, it assures us through Christ, that nothing can destroy us. All presumption, is either upon a mans own merit, or Gods mercies (as Divines acknowledge.) Now that faith doth neither of these it is plain; for he first that knows Christ according to his Word, layes hold on Christs merits, and Gods mercy in him, and so applies and rests thereupon before God, labouring to bring forth fruit, and so is assured of Gods love. And this is no presum tion, for he relies not upon his own merits, but Christs.

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2. This faith builds not on Gods mercy at large, but ¹on his mercy in Christ; he believes on him that hath satisfied Gods justice, and therefore knows that God cannot but must needs show mercy: If this were presumption, who would seek after it to lose his labour? but this the Lord commands, and therefore it is no presumption, but obedience and duty to do it. Nay, if thou shouldst