Obie4iona tint theoff'urunee ofoureleElionanfwered 249 times al% fo foiled that we can hardlydifcerne anybreath or F4ith aí%äulted i .life in it ; but yet euen then it retaineth it ovinenature and. with doubting,, rat:meth his properties, anddoth not receiue the nature and properties Game nature ofdoubting; but as the tree which is fhakenwithboyíßerous andpropertieh blafts ofwinde and is not ouerthrowne, doth in the middefL ofthe tempeft hue and fucke nourifhment out of the earth, andftill retaines his owne nature and properties; fo when our faith is (hakenwith theboyfterousMalls ofSat.ans temp- tations, and with our owne naturali doubtingand infidelity, ,yet it fill liueth and fucketh nourifhment out ofGodsgraci- ous promifes, and í1i11 it retaineth his ovine propertie ofcer- taine perfwafion,though then it doe not exercifc it in ac`uion, fo manifeí}lie asbefore and after the confliet oftemptations, and as the (baking of 57 tree is not ofthe nature thereoffor of it felfe it flandeth firme and fleadie, but by outward acci dent, nameli.e, the winde blowing vpon it : fo is not vncer- taire wauering and vnconftant doubting of the nature of faith, for ofit felfe it is firmeand certaine; but it commeth.by outwardaccident from the boyí}erous blafls ofinfidelitie, and the temptations of Satan which (as it were) violentlie blow vpon it, which being pat}, it remaineth likethetree firme and confiant. And as the graces ofGods fpirit,and the flefhand the corruptions thereofdo fill retaine in themfefues their owne nature andpropertie, fo alfo doe they moil coin- inonly thew themfelues in their diners fruites and effects, and that oftentimes in the conf+iel and time oftemptation,fo that the regenerate manmay at the fame time fèele in himfelf contrarieaffeóhons and a6tions;for the fpirit acknowledging Gods goodneffe, mercie and truth in his promifes,is reple -- nifhedwith ioy, being in hope to enioy them; on the other fide the flefh feeling;prefenttniferie,and the fharpnes ofätfli- &ions,forroweth andgrieueth. The fpirit apprehending and applying vnto it the fweete promues of the Gofpell, Both quietly ref+ vpon them; the flefh Peeing it owne corrupti-- on,and thehugewaight offanne that prefieth it downe,fea- reth and doubteth : the fpirit being affured of`euerlafìing happineffe,triumphethwith ioy,deflringnothingmore than tobee diffolued andto bee with Chrif+; thellefhfinciing it f lfe
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