Kaina kai palaia Things new and old, or, A store-house of similies, sentences, allegories, apophthegms, adagies, apologues, divine, morall, politicall, &c. : with their severall applications / collected and observed from the writings and sayings of the learned in all ages to this present by John Spencer ...

The great power of faith seated in the heart of Man. [ 898]

THe Philosoper when he would perswade the King to settle his Court and place of residence in the heart of his dominion,* 1.1 laid before him a Bull hide ready tan'd, upon which when he stood upon any one side of it, and so kept down that, the other side would rise up; when he removed to the side that rose up and kept down that,* 1.2 then the side he came from would rise as high; but when he stood in the middle, he kept down all alike: Thus Faith is this great King, which being seated in the Heart, makes provision against every Rebellion, keeps down every mu∣tiny, marshals and orders every action and affection, takes a Man off from all servile dependances, and by-respects, and makes him profess Gods name boldly, evenly, and

without halting; it cleanseth the whole heart, seasons every affection, alters the taste of every appetite, strengthens every propension to good, and fortifies the Soul a∣gainst all evill.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Joh. Bodin. de 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.2

  Quid non inve∣niat fides? At∣tingit inacces∣sas, deprehendit ignotas. &c. Bern. in Cant.