284 Vila it is to live byFaith touching the care, but edifieth not the confcience, or if weheare fleightly,we take not paines to feed fub1 ancially upon the Word.I denienot,buta livelynever. fadingfaith is fubjec`f to thefe and moregrievous diflerpers for a time, but in this languifhing fit, though it benot unto death ; untill it recover, it is unable to embrace the promifes of perfeve- rance: and the more lively it is to receive thofe promifes, the more earneflly doth it defire and fweetly feed upon the Word ofgrace. Fiftly, It putteth forth it felfe, to performe all duties of holineffe and love, with lifeand fervour : It laboureth and taketh paines in wel-doir-g. For Idleneffe corrupts naturall llrength ; ufe and exercife confirmes it. Dull and fluggifh ac`lions argue feeblenes of the faculty, and tend unto decay ; as ifwedoe not thingswith that vigour we have done, it is a fgneofinfirmity, and ofa faculty in- wardly or outwardlyhindered,and ifwc reff in fucha per- funFtory courfe and challenge not ourfelves for it,weare in danger togrow worfe and worfe. But livelineffe and contention in doing is bothan argument ofgood difpofi- tion, and a meanes of increafe. The more lively faith is, the better it worketh : and the more it wórketh, the falter it groweth. Life is thedaily and continual vigour ola living fubllance : and every thing, as it is moll lively and likely to continue, the more it Both fhow forth it flrength in working. Fora time faith may fall afleepe, and the actions of faith be heartlefle, dull, and perfun o- rie : but faithnow afleepewill awake anone, (hakeup it felfe, flirre up affections, refill floth, blow updevotion, and refllefhelyafpire after heavenly things. And like as it is with them, whofe going backe helpeth them to take theirrife and fetch their leape more commodioully, or whole lingring for a feafon makes them to ply their bufi- neil'e the clofer afterward Sohere, faith ( through him that is theAuthor and finifher of it)after fach remifhenefíèe doth renue its indeavours,andwith more vigour and holy contention fet upon the workes of pietyand godlineflè, flirre
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