41. If faith decay in us (as needs it must, unless it be carefully stirred up, preserved, and exercised, 2. Tim. 1. 6.) godliness must needs wither, 1. Tim▪ 1. 5. for faith is the victory whereby we overcome the world, 1. Joh. 5. 4. thereby we wrestle against sin, by the almighty power of Jesus Christ, Gal. 2. 20. and our lives must needs be full of doubtings or security, drowned with carnal delights, 1. Kin. 11. 4. and sinful pleasures, and the word will loose it efficacy, Heb. 4. 2. the ⟨p. 222⟩exercises of religion their sweetness. To the end that faith might be preserved, we must value it above gold and silver, 2. Pet. 2. 1. often meditate upon the sweetness, Psal. 119. 103. and 139. 17. constancy, Reu. 1. 5. 2. Cor. 1. 20. and perpetuity of the most precious and free promises which are the grounds of faith, Hos. 14. 5. Ezec. 36. 22. walk according to the rules thereof, learn to exercise it living thereby, Heb. 10. 38. Rom. 1. 17. and sincerely, constantly, and conscionably use all those means, whereby faith is wrought or nourished.
41. If faith decay in vs (as needes it must, vnles it be carefully stirred vp, preserued, and exercised, 2. Tim. 1. 6.) godlinesse must needes wither, 1. Tim▪ 1. 5. for faith is the victorie whereby wee ouercome the world, 1. Ioh. 5. 4. thereby wee wrestle against sinne, by the almightie power of Iesus Christ, Gal. 2. 20. and our liues must needes be full of doubtings or securitie, drowned with carnall delights, 1. Kin. 11. 4. and sinfull pleasures, and the word will loose it efficacie, Heb. 4. 2. the ⟨p. 222⟩exercises of religion their sweetnesse. To the end that faith might be preserued, we must value it aboue gold and siluer, 2. Pet. 2. 1. often meditate vpon the sweetnes, Psal. 119. 103. and 139. 17. constancie, Reu. 1. 5. 2. Cor. 1. 20. and perpetuity of the most precious and free promises which are the grounds of faith, Hos. 14. 5. Ezec. 36. 22. walke according to the rules thereof, learne to exercise it liuing thereby, Heb. 10. 38. Rom. 1. 17. and sincerely, constantly, and conscionably vse all those means, wherby faith is wrought or nourished.
