A Treatise of Faith, Part 1 · Chapter 5
CHAP. V.
Of the generall obiect or matter of Faith Iustifying.
§. 1. What doctrines are called matters of Faith.§. 1. MAtters of faith ſtrictly and properly thoſe are called, which pertaine to the nature and eſſence of faith firſt, and by themſelues; as are the points of faith contained in the Goſpell, the ignorance whereof is damnable, and the deniall hereticall. But in a more large acceptation all truth reuealed by God in his holy Word, is a matter of faith, and to bee belieued as God hath reuealed it. Hence is that rule of Diuines, There are many integrall parts in the Word of God, which are ſaid to bee of the word of faith, but not prope…ly a matter of faith. For there are many hiſtoricall, domeſticall, and particular matters ſet downe for example, not properly for faith: which wee belieue, not becauſe they pertaine to ſauing faith, but for that they appertaine to the Word written by the Spirit of God. And not much vnlike hereunto is that diſtinion, that ſome things are neceſſarie to bee belieued to ſaluation by themſelues and the authoritie of the Scriptures, as the ſubſtantiall points of faith and manners; others for the authoritie of the Scripture only, as thoſe which are not ſo neceſſarie; and ſome neither by themſelues nor the authoritie of the Scripture, as are things in themſelues indifferent, ſo long as by circumſtance they bee not repugnant to faith, tru…th, louelove and edification.
§. 2. Iuſtifying faith is conſidered,§. 2. Iuſtifying faith is two wayes conſidered. either according to it moſt eminent effect, which is to iuſtifie; or according to it full and adequate act. For that faith which iuſtifieth, doth imbrace the Commandements, belieue the threatnings, looke to all the promiſes of God made in Ieſus Chriſt concerning this life or the life to come, and receiue the good things promiſed: it ſuſtaineth in aduerſities, worketh by louelove as an inſtrument conioyned with it, guideth all our actions, and giueth firme aſſent vntounto eueryevery article of faith and eueryevery part of diuine truth; but as it iuſtifieth, it is conuerſant about Chriſt obeying to death, that we may find righteouſneſſe and forgi…eneſſe of ſinnes to life in him, or it cleaueth vn…o Gods mercies manifeſted in that ete…nall ſacrifice, alwayes breathing out life to men, renouncing all truſt and confidence, euen in ſuch graces as we hauehave receiued from God. The trueth, merciemercy, fidelitie and power of God, with all benefits paſt and to come, which it pleaſeth God to beſtow vponupon his people in Ieſus Chriſt, are the matter about which faith is exerciſed: but as it iuſtifieth Chriſt is the full and adequate obiect of beliefe; as our reaſonable ſoule doth ſee in the eye, heare in the eare, digeſt in the ſtomake, but doth not reaſon as it doth theſe things, but onelyonly as it conceiueth and diſcourſeth within vsus.The Obiect of Iuſtifying faith two-folde. 1. Generall. So that, according to the twofold conſideration of iuſtifying faith, the obiect of it is twofold, Generall and Speciall 1. The Generall obiect is the whole truth of God reuealed vntounto vsus in his word, containing all Hiſtories, Doctrines, Commaunds, Threatnings, promiſes of what kinde ſoeuer.True faith reſpecteth the whole word of God. True faith reſpects all this, and onelyonly this. Only this, becauſe diuine reuelations only be of certaine and infallible truth, which cannot deceiue, and whereunto men can ſafely giuegive vnlimitted and abſolute credite: All this, becauſe eueryevery parte of diuine inſpired truth is worthy of all Beliefe and reuerence: and ſo there is nothing contained in Scriptures, threatning, promiſe, precept, admonition, exhortation, propheſie, or hiſtorie, which falls not in ſome degree or other within the compaſſe of ſauing Faith. God who cannot lie, hath propounded to men for truth and to be belieued, whatſoeuer is deliuered in Scriptures, and ſo it is a matter of faith; but ſo farre forth only, as it is intended to be held for true by the holy Ghoſt, the Authour of the Scripture. There is no doubt to be made, but whatſoeuer is regiſtred in the Hiſtoricall Bookes of holy Scripture by way of report, is to bee taken for true in reſpect of ſtorie, that wee may not doubt whether thoſe things were done or ſaid, which are there reported to be done or ſaid: But in theſe bookes, wee hauehave ſome worthy ſpeeches of godly men, and ſome leud and blaſphemous words of profane and wretched men. The former are to be acknowledged to bee for the truth of God eueryevery way: the later muſt be acknowledged to be truely reported. As for example, it is true that Iacob vttered thoſe propheſies of the twelue Patriarks his ſonnes,Gen. 44.1.2. and it is alſo true, that thoſe propheſies of his were the very truth of God. It is as true, that Rabſhaketh deliuered thoſe blaſphemous threatnings againſt the Lord and his people,1. Reg. 18.30. and 19.5.6. but it is not true, that thoſe words came from God, as Iacobs did: ſo Iacobs were to bee taken as eueryevery way true, truely related, and the truth of God; Rabſhakeths onelyonly as truely reported from his mouth, but in themſelues blaſphemous.
§. 3. Thus faith yeeldeth firme and abſolute aſſent to all diuine hiſtorie,§. 3. 1. The hiſtoricall part, as the doctrine of the as containing a certaine and ſure relation of thoſe things whereof they intreate; and to whatſoeuer came from God, as eueryevery way true, and to bee receiued: nor doth it barely aſſent to the thing ſpoken as true, but moueth and ſtirreth affections according as the nature of the thing belieued ſhould and ought to worke. Through faith wee vnderſtand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, not barely giuing credit to Moſes relation touching the creation of the world, but looking vntounto the wiſedome, goodneſſe, and power of God, whereby the heart is moued to feare, reuerence and ſubmiſſion. That faith,Creation. Heb. 11.3. which is deepely faſtened in the heart, and beholdeth the true God the creatour and Gouernour of all things, as his power, bountie and vnderſtanding ſhineth in his workes; that ſaith inciteth to humilitie, reuerence, louelove, and worſhip of God. Through faith wee vnderſtand that God hath protected and preſerued and bleſſed his people from time to time;Prouidence. afflicted them when they went aſtray, deliuered them out of the hands of their perſecutors when they humbled themſelues and ſought vntounto him, inclined the hearts of their enemies to ſhew them fauour confounded thoſe that roſe vp againſt them, and mercifully performed all his promiſes in the fitteſt ſeaſon: and where this firme beliefe is planted it begetteth a conſtant and well-aduiſed reſolution to draw neere to God, and cleaue to him in all conditions, proſperitie and and aduerſitie, ſickenes and health, freedome and trouble, when religion is fauoured and when it is perſecuted: becauſe ſaluation is of the Lord,Pſal. 73, 24 27. he will guide his people by counſell, and afterward receiue them to glorie, but they that are farre from God ſhall periſh, they that goe a whoring from him ſhall be deſtroyed.Mans miſerie by ſinne. What the Scripture teacheth of the miſerie of all men by ſinne, the vanitie of Minde, and corruption of nature, that faith receiueth, and thence followeth ſelfe-deniall and renunciation of all truſt in worldly meanes. The H gh and profound myſteries of godlineſſe,Miſteries of godlineſſe. which the naturall man perceiueth not, accounteth fooliſhenes, faith imbraceth with admiration, ioy, delight, and affection anſwereable to the nature of the doctrine into which we are deliuerd. Beliefe of Gods power, wiſedome, grace, louelove and merciemercy manifeſted in Ieſus Chriſt, doth frame the image of God or Chriſt in our mindes, and propoſeth it as a vi…ible patterne for our imitation in all our workes, thoughts, and reſolutions, and ſtirreth vp to workes of pietie, iuſtice, merciemercy, long ſuffering and the like.
§. 4. Beſides …he promiſe of forgiueneſſe of ſinnes in and through the bloud of Chriſt,§. 4. 2 The promiſes concerning. there be many other pretious and rich promiſes ſpirituall and temporall, concerning this and the life to come: all which, as proceeding from the ſame fountaine of truth, faith doth reſt vponupon and imbrace, and that ſo much the faſter, as the promiſes be more excellent. There is a mutuall relation betwixt God promiſing any good bleſſing in Chriſt, and the fai hfull ſoule putting forth it ſelfe to imbrace grace offe…ed. For faith hath not only eyes, by which it doth ſee the good promiſed, but hands wherewith it doth lay hold vponupon the good things beſtowed: and the more excellent the good, which is reached vntounto vsus in the word of promiſe is, the cloſer doth faith ſticke vntounto it, the ſtronger doth it hold it. Men are credulous in thing… that may concerne them in their name, goods or life: and the more weightie the matter, the more earneſt they be in ſeeking reſolution, and the ſtronger hope or feare it begetteth in them.2. Cor. 1.20. All the promiſes of God be yea and Amen, ſure in themſelues, certaine to the belieuer, and therefore hee cannot but receiue them with cloſer and ſtronger repoſe and adherence, the more he doth apprehend their goodneſſe and worth. Amongſt the greate and more principall promiſes thoſe are to bee reckoned,Sanctification. which God hath made concerning our Sanctification by his holy Spirit, that hee will inable them that belieue, to bring forth fruits of amendment, and perfect the good worke begun in them from day to day. This is the couenant which God hath made with his people;Ier. 32.40. Ezek. 36.26.27. I will put my feare into their hearts, that they ſhall not depart from my wayes. This promiſe is very neceſſarie to bee beleiued;Phil. 1.6. 1. Cor. 1.8. 2. Tim. 1.12. for if people be not well grounded in belieuing that God will build them vp more ſtrongely from day to day, and perfect the good worke in them which hee hath begun, euen to full ſanctification in the feare of God, they ſhall verie much ſtagger and goe backe, coldly ſet vponupon the practice of godlines, be off and on, now forward, now backeward, not knowing how to begin or to proced in the way of holineſſe. Beliefe that God will inable them to eueryevery dutie he doth require, and ſtrengthen them againſt enemies that doe oppoſe, is a maine poſt in the Chriſtian building an exceeding furtherance vntounto godlineſſe, without which they ſhall be oft ſhaken and diſmaid. Theſe promiſes be of great price: for if a Chriſtian were allowed to aske of God whatſoeuer he would, next vntounto the pardon of his ſinnes and ſaluation of his ſoule, what would hee deſire, but to bee aſſured from God that he will eſtabliſh him in grace, and teach him the good way which he ought to goe; that hee will ſanctifie him in ſoule, ſpirit and body, and keepe him blameleſſe vntounto the comming of our Lord Ieſus vntounto iudgement. And when he diſcerneth any ſuch promiſe to be made, it is not hard to conceiue, with what deare affection, and ſtrong adherence he doth receiue it, how cloſe hee layeth it vp in his ſoule, and ſweetly feedeth vponupon it. This promiſe is ſweete, and beliefe thereof ſtirring and operatiue: for it hearteneth to the practice of mortification and new obedience with greate courage, chearefulnes and ſtayednes; it quickeneth & encourageth to pray as neceſſities ſhall giuegive cauſe; it preſerueth from fainting and diſmayednes, when ſtrength is not very great, and if at any time, through weakneſſe and infirmitie, ſecuritie catch hold vponupon vsus; ſaith in the promiſe…, that God will be our ſtrength and helpe, is that which raiſeth vsus againe, and putteth courage into vsus to fight againſt the aduerſaries of our ſoule.
Things temporall.Many gracious and free promiſes concerning the bleſſings of this life, are diſperſed in the Word of life, which faith receiueth as true and certaine, becauſe they come from the God of Truth,Gen. …5.5. …oſ, 1.5. Heb. 13.5. 1. Tim. 4.8. Rom. ….2. who is faithfull, ſincere and conſtant in all his promiſes. Godlineſſe hath the promiſes both of this life and that which is to com. He that ſpared not his owne Sonne, but deliuered him vp for vsus all: how ſhall hee not with him alſo freely giuegive vsus all things? As health, maintenance, credit, proſperous ſucceſſe, in our callings and lawfull dealings, deliuerance out of troubles, and ſuch like. This is the aſſurance that God hath giuen, euen his faithfull promiſe often repeated, many wayes ratified and confirmed, that he will make competent prouiſion for his children: which is to faith better then many bils of ſecuritie from men, yea, then large poſſeſſions in hand for the preſent. The worth and goodneſſe of earthly bleſſings promiſed is apparent, ſpecially when they bee giuen in louelove and merciemercy, as gifts of the couenant, tokens of free grace, and by a ſupernaturall prouidence eleuated to ſpirituall vſe, in which ſence they are promiſed and vouchſaſed vntounto them that feare God and walke in his wayes. And therefore when the belieuer is rightly informed, that God hath made any ſuch promiſes, he putteth forth the hand of faith to lay faſt hold vponupon them, and boxeth them vp ſafe as his beſt and only euidence for the things of this life, and the ſanctification of them. For want of this faith, many vertuous and godly men are greatly ſtaggered and perplexed, plunged into deepe vncomfortable dumps and …edious troubles about the things of this life: But when once theſe promiſes be well riuitted into, and hauehave taken root in the heart by a liuely faith, beliefe hereof bringeth forth contentment, comforteth in the multitude of perplexities, encourageth to diligence in our places, quickeneth in aduerſities, and ſtrengthens to the workes of righteouſneſſe, as knowing that to bee the ſureſt way for the gaining of durable riches, and truſting more to the faithfull prom ſes of God though aboue likelihood, then to their owne carnall deuices though in ſhew and appearance probable.
§. 5. As faith requireth what God promiſeth,§. 5. 3. The threatnings. becauſe God is faithfull, & the promiſes of great worth and goodneſſe: ſo it belieueth the threatnings denounced in the Word, not barely apprehending them as true and certaine, but alſo declining them as euill. For the whole Scripture breathed from God and eueryevery part therof is Gods Word, of infallible truth, deſeruing abſolute credit. God is as well iuſt as mercifull; faithfull and true as well in his threats, as in his promiſes, and equally to bee belieued in both, ſo farre as by his Word he hath aſſured vsus of both. Hee that belieueth the one as hee ought, belieueth both: and he that belieueth not bo h, giues ſound credit to neither. Beliefe of the threatnings is neceſſarie:Rom 15.4. For whatſoeuer things are written (whether precepts, promiſes, threatnings, examples) are written for our learning: and as the promiſes of thi… life and the life to come are ſharpe ſpurres to quicken vsus vntounto godlineſſe: ſo the threatnings are ſtrong bridles to keepe from naughtineſſe. Firme aſſent to the certaine accompliſhment of diuine threatnings, …oth beget humiliation for ſinne paſt, and vigilancie to ſh…nne ſinne and eſcape danger: it ſtrengthens againſt baſe, carnall feares, and the threats of men that oppoſe the …ruth, and reuiueth care to ſerue and pleaſe God at all t…mes and in all things. Wherefore doe the terrours of men ſo much affright, but becauſe ſleight beliefe is giuen …o the threatnings of the Lord? The grace and merciemercy of God belieued breeds louelove of God, and conſequently …rue feare, which is oppoſed to ſenceleſſe ſtupiditie and carnall preſumption, though it caſteth out feare which proceedeth from vnbeliefe. But what need Belieuers feare the threatnings, ſeeing there is no condemnation or cauſe of feare to them that belieue? The Apoſtle ſaith indeed there is no condemnation to ſuch:Rom. 8.1. but wee cannot therefore conclude, that there is no cauſe of feare to them, vnleſſe no other euils, but final damnation need to bee feared. But whileſt the ſoule is ſubiect to bring vponupon it Gods temporarie wrath, ſickneſſes ſpirituall; helliſh anguiſh to the ſenſe of it, there is ſtill cauſe enough to fea…e. Seeing that concerning temporall threats and puniſhments God dealeth as ſharpely,Amos 3.2. 2. Sam. 12, 14, or rather more ſharpely with his children, then any other, why ſhould they not dread his Fatherly correction? Would a childe that had but one ſparke of wit or common reaſon prouoke his Father to ſcourge and whip him eueryevery day, becauſe hee knowes he will not diſinherit him in the end; and not rather ſay, it is good ſleeping in a whole skin? And ſhall belieuers who are ſpiritually wiſe, willingly prouoke God, becauſe he will not condemne them eternally? The aſſurance which a godly man hath of his ſaluation, is euer ioyned with a faithull and conſcionable care to walke vprightly before the Lord, and to decline by-paths and ſtrayings; for which end hee makes vſe of eueryevery part of the word.Rom. 8.1. There is no condemnation to them which are in Chriſt Ieſus, who walke not after the fleſh, but after the Spirit. Moreouer, there may be feare of that which a man is infallibly aſſured to eſcape, not a diſtruſtfull feare of falling into it, but a watchfull feare of ſhunning and ſhrinking all meanes leading thereunto.
§. 6. …. Commandements. Titus 2.11, 13.§. 6. The word of grace, which calleth vponupon vsus to belieue the free merciemercy of God in Chriſt to the pardon of our offences, teacheth vsus to denie vngodlineſſe and worldly luſts, and to liue godly, iuſtly, ſoberly in this preſent euill world: and this word of grace is the matter of faith, which is wholly receiued, if any part take good rooting. For the precepts of ſanctitie and holineſſe binde the conſcience to obey God, as well as the promiſes binde to truſt in God. What God hath linked together, faith will not ſeperate: But God hath coupled merciemercy and obedience, grace and holineſſe. Hee cannot belieue or make faithfull plea to the promiſes of remiſſion and ſaluation, who doth not make conſcience of all ſound doctrine that he heareth, and giuegive free, vnlimited aſſent to eueryevery part of Gods Word, ſubmitting himſelfe to be led by it, and that becauſe it is his Word. Faith ſetteth the Image of God vponupon the heart, which is manifeſted in the ſeuerall branches of holines and righteouſnes which he commandeth in his Word: and it reſigneth a man vntounto God to liue not vntounto the world, not vntounto the luſts of the fleſh, but vntounto the praiſe of his Name, which is not poſſible to bee done, if hee cleaue not vntounto the Commandements as iuſt, equall, honeſt and good, in all things and at all times to bee obeyed. Faith cannot take and leaue, yeeld and with-hold aſſent at pleaſure, part and mangle, diuide with times, ſeaſons, and priuate reſpects; or reſigne it ſelfe to God, with limitation to hauehave leaue in this or that to liue at pleaſure: but it is downe-right for God, and willingly receiueth whatſoeuer hee ſaith; what God approueth, that is pleaſing to faith, though croſſe to age, education, cuſtome, credit, honour, naturall deſire and inclination: what God condemneth, that faith diſalloweth, though neuer ſo much countenanced by authoritie, graced by example, attended vponupon with honour, dignitie, preferment, and ſuting to our diſpoſition. Faith ſubdueth the ſtrongeſt paſſions as well, (and if due and right compariſon be made) as much as the weakeſt, and acknowledging the Goodneſſe, MercieMercy, and abſolute Soueraignetie of the Lord, yeeldeth it ſelfe to be led by him, aboue all things that can oppoſe themſelues, and will not giuegive place to ought that doth ſet againſt him.Gen. 12.1, 4. If God bid Abraham leaue all, his friends, his Fathers houſe, the land of his Natiuitie, to goe into a ſtrange countrie, hee is ſtraight vponupon his iourney, without further queſtioning hee will be gone,Gen. 22.2, 3. no intreatie will ſtay him in Meſopotamia. If God comm…nd him to offer his onelyonly Sonne in ſacrifice, he is ea…ly vp to doe it. The faithfull ſoule giues firme and free aſſent vntounto all things reuealed by God, eagerly fixeth the affiance of hea…t vponupon the promiſes, and cleaueth cloſe vntounto the Commandements, not only ſuch as ſuite wi…h his diſpoſition, education, age, but euen thoſe that directly croſſe and oppoſe carnall reaſon, carnall affections, worldly pleaſures, and what prouocations ſoeuer there bee in the world vntounto ſinne: and not then alone when it may be done without contradiction or reſiſtance, but hen ſpecially when temptations riſe, humane reaſon failes, ſinfull luſts hale this way and that, Satan rageth, the world frownes or flatters, our preferment, credit, honour, life, all lies at ſtake. In this caſe, faith lookes directly nto God, and iudgeth it beſt to ſticke vntounto him, from whom comes ſaluation. For no good can bee equall to that which God promiſeth, no euill ſo great as what he threatens, no courſe ſo ſafe as what he preſcribes, no euidence ſo ſure as the t…uth of God, no command ſo iuſt as what God requires; the greateſt gaine is to looſe all for Chriſts ſake if we be called the…eunto; wee ſhould ſtand ſo affected to the glorie of God as to ſhrinke in no triall though neuer ſo difficult,Heb. 12.4. nor thinke it much to r…ſist vntounto bloud, ſtriuing against ſinne: This is the conſtant certaine iudg…ment of faith, which bringeth forth a ſetled reſolution to follow the Lord at all times, and in all things,In particular practices the faithfull may faile. 1. Sam. 27.1. Pſal. 116.…1. Mat. 26.70, 72, 74. notwithſtanding all oppoſition.
In particular practice, the faithfull ſoule may be ignorant of ſome things, and weake in the application of others: Dauid in a paſſion may thinke, Samuel hath deceiued him: and Peter ſurpriſed with bodily feare may denie his maſter: but the conſtant temper of the belieuer is much better; and if by ſome vnexpected occaſion he be vnſetled, he is neuer quiet, vntill his former reſolution be confirmed, and put in practice. For hauing we ghed and pondered all things in an euen ballance, hee is aſſuredly perſwaded, that no outwar… euill can come in compariſon with Gods anger, no earthly good is to bee matched with Gods fauour, that tranſitorie delights a…e deare bought if a man endanger his ſoule to compaſſe them; that the ſufferings of this l fe are not worthy to bee compared with the glorie that ſhall bee reuealed: and therefore it is infinitely better to cleaue vntounto God, though in reproaches, bands, impriſonment, or death,Heb. 11.25. then to enioy the pleaſures of ſinne for a ſeaſon.
§. 7. And ſeeing faith kindly rooted doth ſpread it ſelfe to eueryevery branch of diuine truth,§. 7. The obedience of faith is vniforme, intire and conſtant. cleauing inſeperably to the whole, and with cloſeſt repoſe of heart to that which is moſt excellent and of greateſt impo…tance, the obedience which faith produceth, and the worke which it animateth, muſt be intire, uniforme, and conſtant. Intire not in degree, but in the branches of obedience. Maimed obedience to ſome duties of the law, lopping off other branches, which accord not with our ſtate, humour and diſpoſition, or groſſ…ly neglecting them, though no leſſe commanded, is an argument of an vnſound and imp rfect root whence it ſpr…ngeth. The practice of ſome one or few Chriſtian duties, ioyned with the extreame neglect of others no leſſe excellent, and neceſſarie, is no token of faith, but a ſtrong preſumption that what good is done, proceedeth from indulgence to corruption. For i… wee giuegive our ſelues to the proſequution of ſome good works, becauſe we receiue and embrace the word which cōmandeth them, then ſhall we giuegive our ſelues to the performance of eueryevery good work, which the ſame word doth call for at ou hands: If wee doe this or that good worke cōmanded, becauſe it is ſutable to our diſpoſition, paſſing ouer others that bee croſſe thereunto, wee obey not the Lord, but pleaſe our ſelues. The Word of God doth worke effectually as it is embrac…d, and the conſideration of what Chriſt hath done for vsus, will bring for…h in vsus the ſame minde that was in him, a minde to doe his Fathers will in eueryevery point alike ſincerely, but with greater intentions, feruour and chearefulneſſe, as the weightineſſe of the dutie, or opportunitie and ſeaſon ſhall require. For true faith aſſenteth to eueryevery diuine truth as certaine and infallible, cleaueth to eueryevery promiſe and commandement alike ſincerely and vnfainedly, ſticketh faſteſt to them that bee of greateſt worth, and neceſſitie, or vponupon ſpeciall occaſion may moſt tend to the glorie of God, the comfort of the ſoule, and good of our brethren; and ſo teacheth the affections to riſe and fall, ſwell and aſſwage whether in admiration or deteſtation, in embracing or loathing, and to put themſelues forth in practice, according to the different excellencie or indignitie, goodneſſe or vilenes of obiects preſented to them. It teacheth vsus abſolutely and intirely to ſubmit our wils vntounto Gods will; to affect whatſoeuer hee approues, to hate whatſoeuer he diſallowes, to louelove that beſt which his Word aſſureth vsus to be moſt excellent and deare to him, and to deteſt that moſt, which is moſt odious and abominable in his ſight, though otherwiſe pleaſant to our naturall diſpoſition, or not ſo diſtaſtfull as many other matters would be; did we take care for the fleſh to fulfill the luſts thereof. Indeed the faithfull ſoule may find it ſelfe more prone to one ſinne then another, and more dull to ſome good duties then other by reaſon of naturall inclination, ſtate of life, cuſtome, or ſome other occaſion: but, if right compariſon be made, faith inciteth to hate all ſinne and to affect all duties of holineſſe one as well as another. A man ſick of diuers diſeaſes but one predominant, may be cured of it as much as of any of the reſt, and yet be more troubled with the remainders of it, becauſe it had deepeſt root and greateſt head: and ſo eueryevery member of corruption may, be truely mortified, and yet the ſtronger paſſions before, though in proportionable degree tamed and brought into ſubiection as much as the reſt, may be the moſt troubleſome: which the faithfull doe ackowledge, bewaile, and endeuour to redreſſe keeping them vnderunder with greateſt care, and ſtriuing againſt them with all earneſtnes. This fight againſt corruption is conſtantly main…ained by faith, and conſtantly it cleaueth to the word of grace as much better then all carnall or worldly allurements, whereby we might be drawne aſide into ſinne, and ſo it bringeth forth conſtant obedience to the will of God. The good ground, are they, which with an honeſt and good heart hauing heard the word, keep… it, and bring forth fruite with patience.Luk. 8.15.