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Complaint of the want of Faith, is an argument of true Faith. [ CXLII]

THere is mention made of a melancholly person,* 1.1 who was so strongly possessed, that he complained he had no head, nor could be otherwise perswaded, than by that course which Philotimus, a learned Physitian, took with him, when he caused to be made a cap of lead, very weighty and heavy, and the same to be put upon his head, that feeling the weight thereof upon his head, he might be per∣swaded he had a head. Thus it is with weak Christians, their complaint of the want of Faith,* 1.2 is an argument of the being of their faith, wherein like this Melancholic••, they think they want that, which indeed they have. And the same cure would do well with them, that was fitted for him; lay upon them no other burthen, but the weight of their own burthen, the burthen of holy sorrow, and griefe, and doubtfull despair for their wanting of faith, (as themselves do deem) which is so weighty, as they are like to sink under it; yet that being laid upon the head of their faith, they may be asked, whether they feel any such weight, and are pressed under the hea∣vy

burden of the same? which if they be, let them never doubt more, but that they have faith, and their faith hath both head and heart too, that hath life in it, which moveth the sense, and causeth that feeling, and worketh that holy griefe and sor∣row so to complain, the whole soul being quickned thereby throughout, and all the graces of God's Spirit, that are therein.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Treatise of Me∣lancholly, pag. 215.
• * 1.2

  Joh. Negus's Treatise of Obedience.